Hallo-WHAA?!?: Halloween III- Season of the Witch

At last, I tackle the most controversial Halloween-themed Film in History!  Is that an exaggeration?  I don't think so, really.  While people have cooled on the hatred for this Film, it was viewed in quite a negative light by a very vocal group of people.  Some cried 'Bait and Switch.'  Others cried 'What the hell is this?!?'  Most of them, however, cried 'Where is Michael Meyers?!?'  The Producers behind the first two Halloween Films didn't have John Carpenter- who viewed the Original as a one-and-done Film- and wanted to branch out.  Their plan was based on relying upon the idea of the perennial Film as a Franchise, as opposed to 'The Adventures of Michael Meyers on Halloween.'  I can't necessarily fault them for that, but History has shown that the transition is next to impossible.  I would cite the Case of Audiences vs. Friday the 13th, Part V, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury.  This leads us into today's Film- Halloween III: Season of the Witch.  The Film tells the tale of the Silver Shamrock Company and their Halloween Masks (only three?!?) that are set to be worn as part of a big TV Special.  When a mysterious death occurs inside of a Hospital (like in Halloween II), a Doctor decides to go investigate, since...reasons.  While some (but not John Carpenter) deny/undersell the Giallo connections to Halloween (and subsequent Slasher copycats), it is pretty easy to spot in this one.  What secret do these evil Irish keep?  What plan can be so big that millions are threatened?  To find out, read on...

A mysterious man is chased by a suit-wearing Assassin that turns out to be...more than human?  He survives an attack, but ends up in the Hospital gripping a Halloween mask tightly.

Meanwhile, everyone (including our hero's kids) are obsessed with the Silver Shamrock Masks (again- only three?!?) and a big broadcast coming up on Halloween Night (not the shitty movie).

The man from earlier is killed in the Hospital (where Tom Atkins) works by a man who then immolates himself in a Car...which explodes.

While I'm not going to claim plagiarism or anything, I can't help but feel that this is familiar.  Man in an unlikely job investigating a big conspiracy...and with a rocking mustache.  Hmm...

Quick shout-out to the precursor to Michael Meyers' thumb-poke of death here with the double-eye-gouge of death.

Atkins and the daughter of the dead guy go to the California town where the Silver Shamrock Company makes their mask, since it was the only clue to the death left.

Another couple run into trouble when the wife finds a Silver Shamrock button, which...does this.

Before that, however, they see the Factory and learn that there is some sort of secret process done for the masks in secret.  What could it be?!?

Atkins investigates the next night and uncovers two secrets...

1. The assassins are robots!
2. The Silver Shamrock people stole a piece of Stonehenge to use its magic powers!

Words fail me, gentlemen.

Think my Invasion of the Body Snatchers comparison wasn't apt?  Well, here's the part where our hero's brunette sidekick is revealed to have been switched out as a robot (instead of a Pod Person).

Atkins escapes and tries desperately to stop the airing of the broadcast (since it will kill the kids wearing the masks that see it).  Can he stop it in time?

It doesn't appear so...but the movie just kind of stops there.  So...enjoy debating this.  The End.

This is a weird, weird movie.  I will say this first: I can't review this Film in the same way that people saw it originally.  After all, I was born a year after the Film even came out in Theaters.  I can't approach it as someone who expected more adventures of Michael Meyers and got...this.  All I can do is review the Film for what it is.  It.  is.  weird!  Don't get me wrong- I like weird.  This Film is hard to wrap my head around since it treats this whole thing like everything is super-serious and just makes sense.  Evil Druids make masks that turn kids heads into bugs when a TV Show is played- okay.  The same Druids make Robots (in 1982!) to kill anyone that gets close to the truth- alright.  This is all part of their evil plan to...um, just kill a bunch of kids as part of some trick- I'm...confused.  It is one thing to have a crazy villain (e.c. The Joker) doing weird stuff just because it is weird.  It is another thing to have a calm, cool and calculated guy doing something weird just because they can.  I just don't get it.  Here's another one for you: they switch out the real and fake lady as part of their plan...but also let him wreck their operation.  Wouldn't it make more sense to have the robot reveal herself (if it has gender) to stop him from doing just that?  I really just don't get it.  While I'm at it, the Ending is iconic...but is it really good?  Was this Sequel-Bait gone awry?  If you read this, let me know the Story, Tommy Lee Wallace.  Is Halloween III a big disappointment?  Well, if you were expecting Michael Meyers (aside from an on-TV Cameo), yes.  If you know now to expect something batshit insane, no.  I'm not a huge fan of this one still, but it does give a glimpse of how 90% of you are going to feel tomorrow morning.

Next up, a carry-over from October in the form of a modern-day Classic.  If a Werewolf kills you in the Woods, but nobody is around to see it, did you die?  Stay tuned...

Impossibly-Fan-Made Cover Art: Halloween (1975)

To celebrate this Holiday, here's some unofficial Cover Art for a Classic Film...

I have to wonder how long this took to put together.  It is simple enough of a design (just Meyers' 'face'), but I like how it is all written out.

The splash of orange is obviously a nice touch too.

Keep up the good work, Internet!

Rare Flix: Willard (1971)

In Mondo Bizarro tradition, I cover the original Classic years after the knock-offs.  

Before we got more killer rats (twice), people with spiders and a Chinese guy with snake pals, we get the Film that started it all.  

The reason for this gap: Willard is hard to find.  I saw someone with a Midnite Movies 2-Pack of Willard and Ben, but those went out-of-print years ago.  I'm sad.  

Thanks to a site who's name I won't mention (just in case), I was finally able to watch the original Film.  Yes, I do know that there is a Remake from 2003 and I will get to it later (Update: 9 years later, it seems).  

In the Film, a socially awkward man finds some new friends in some little rats.  However, his crappy life threatens to turn even crappier.  When his life starts to fall apart, how will he react?  

If you guessed 'killer rat attacks,' then you guessed right.  Good for you.  Have a chocolate bar.  To find out how it all plays out, read on...

Willard (a pre-X-Men Bruce Davison) is living in a big house with his Mother, but his Dad is dead.  

On top of that, his Boss is a jerk...

...and stole the company from Willard's dad.  Damn you, Borgnine!

At least he has his new rat friends.

Fun Fact: the 2003 Remake used photos of Davison from the 1971 Film as new Willard's Dad.  

Neat.

Did I mention that Willard REALLY loves his new friends?  Because, well, he does.  ALOT!

He even starts to take them to work- although it is mainly just Ben and Socrates.

Things start to take a turn for the better- in spite of his Mother dying- when he finds a kindred soul at work.  

Naturally, this can't last.

It doesn't.  

The Boss wants him to sell the House to make some Condos (some things never change!) and fires him to help expedite the process.  

He also fires the Temp/Love Interest, but that could be a coincidence.

Willard gets desperate and angry.  

This culminates in him siccing his now-large rat army on Borgnine and killing him.  

Still better than starring in Laser Mission.

Unfortunately, all 'good things' must come to an end as Willard tries to get rid of the rats when he thinks that he can now live a new life without them.  Plus, they would tie him to the murder.

Ben takes this badly and sicks the rat army on him, killing Willard.  

Plus, he wanted his own Film.  

Starring Role, bitches!  The End.

After all this time, it is...pretty good.  Bear in mind that I'm watching it about 43 years after it was made, so my experience is different.  

For Audiences back in this Film's heyday, it was certainly shocking in a lot of ways.  Seeing animals actually attack people was a pretty big novelty for the time and this would certainly inspire others.

Would we get Jaws without this Film?  Probably.  

Even so, the success of this Film was so great that a bunch of imitators/inspired films would appear.  On the plus side, this one has less visible murder of Animals than Food of the Gods or Killer Snakes.  The Film is a pretty nice Character Piece, even if it has all of the makings of a medium-budget TV Movie.  

To be fair, of course, the Version I found was a VHS-Rip, so it is possible that there are nicer-looking Prints out there (there are now, thankfully).  Willard is a big piece of Film History, even if it isn't remembered as well as stuff like Jaws, nor is it treated as such.  

Seriously, why did I have to go to a Streaming Site to watch the Film?  Is there a Rights Issue? 

In summary, it is worth a look if you haven't seen the origin of stuff like Food of the Gods or Kiss of the Tarantula (not to be confused with Black Belly of the Tarantula).  

As for how it matches up to the Remake, well, I'll find out soon enough (again- 9 years later).  In the meantime, enjoy the Italian Poster...

Up next, I cover a Film that has been a long time coming for Halloween.  What happens when you mix Audience Confusion, Robots and the Druids?  Stay tuned...

Quick Reviews: Revolt of the Zombies (1936)

I suppose you're wondering why I'd do the older Film last, right?  Well, it was the one I watched later (and was that way on the DVD).  Oddly, the back of the Box labels them the other way around, so go figure.  On to the Film...

This is a more odd one and presents a brief glimpse into something that would be viewed as 'mind-blowing' about 70 years later.  The rest of it- kind of odd.

***

The film begins with a man giving a report about an incident involving some French Soldiers and Cambodian ones...who won't die!

It all relates to this Cambodian Priest, who claims that he could command them.  However...

Before they can get too much information, he's killed by this definitely-Asian villain who has his own plans to work on.

The main Story then begins with our three Leads looking into the matter in Cambodia- represented by pretty bad-looking Rear Projection Effects.  Naturally, it is two guys and a girl...and we get a love triangle.

One of them discovers the secret and now commands a similar force of well, Natives, now.  He is not exactly nice with this new power, killing off the conniving man from earlier after he's threatened by him.  Bye!

Weirdly, he'd rather have the one woman he pines for than this great power.  He gives it up for her, which I'm sure won't come with any drawbacks.

Oh right- they storm the place and kill him once they are free.

At least they are nice enough to not kill the good couple (and the old men there).  The (abrupt) End.

This is certainly an odd one.  On one hand, you have some neat ideas- like a Zombie Army controlled by magic.  On the other hand, you have a bunch of dated and tired tropes- like the Love Triangle, etc.  It is certainly a mixed bag.  One thing you have to accept is that this Film is *mostly* a product of its time.  You don't really get killing on-screen.  You don't really got Zombies doing much (although more than in King).  You don't really get big, interesting Characters to hold your attention all on their own.  That's not to say that good Films weren't made around this time- just that this isn't one of them.  All of the stuff that makes it an interesting 'time capsule' of a Film is the same stuff that will limit its audience.  The Story's core is quite interesting and I'm curious to see if anyone else has done something similar (and better) with it since.  I definitely like some of this Film and it is a little less 'dusty' than King of the Zombies (oddly enough!).  As a bonus, it saves its vaguely-Racist undertones for a different, if larger, demographic...

A more complex, but also simple story.  I know how little sense that makes, but deal with it.  It's alright.

Quick Reviews: King of the Zombies (1941)

I debated covering this movie for a couple of reasons, but decided to anyways.  I mean, obviously.  I wouldn't start writing this and then just stop, right?  Anyhow, I got this as a Present courtesy of a $.79 DVD (alongside the next Quick Review)...

To give you some History, this one is one of the early, pre-Romero Zombie Films that many don't realize exist.  Yes, Romero changed how the Films were made ever since 1968, but had no impact on the stuff made over 30 years before his (as you'll see tomorrow).  On to the film...

***

A trio of people- two Army guys and...their Servant- are lost on their way to the Bahamas and crash land on an island after they hear radio chatter there.

They find it to be a bit creepy and discover that one Austrian man (Maynard's grandpa?) is living there with...the Natives working for him.  Is this vaguely-Racist enough for you yet?

To keep things going then, the movie gives us Zombies (as you'd expect), which are Natives transformed via Voodoo by the Staff (which includes an old Witch and a creepy Butler) and owner of the Castle.

Naturally, nobody believes the 'Servant.'  Of course, his case isn't helped when he doesn't do the one thing he knows would summon the Zombies when everyone is around.  Wouldn't want the film to run short!

The Doctor's evil plan involves a previously-kidnapped (we're told this happened) Admiral and an attempt to steal Military secrets from him to affect the war (WWII, that is).

The Zombies continue to linger about, but don't really do alot on camera.  That's certainly one change that would come from Romero- for better or for worse.

The Doctor keeps experimenting and actually converts one of our leads (off-camera) to his Army.  Can he be stopped?

Yeah, of course he can.  They weren't big on 'dark' endings back in 1941.

We also get the 'explain everything to the Audience' Trope as well, since people were viewed as very dumb back then, apparently.  The End.

It is alright, but certainly hasn't aged well in many regards.  The 'Elephant (which would usually appear in flicks like this too) in the Room' is the way that Mantan Moreland acts/is portrayed in the Film.  He does all of the usual stuff you expect in stuff like this that was made in the pre-Civil Rights Era.  He doesn't *quite* go as far as others- like doing a silly dance, etc- but it is quite enough!  I do have to ask- why does he have to be their Servant?  The Film is set in the same year it came out (or at least right around it at worst), so it is not like those Films that take place before/during the Civil War.  If you have a black Character in a Film like that, I can kind of accept having them play a Servant of some kind.  In this Film, it is hard to get by.  Excluding that whole situation, the Film is chock full of cheesy jokes, silly Acting and just overall ridiculous look.  It doesn't play for Comedy- save for Moreland's bits-, so it is not as 'zany' as the DVD- titled Zany Zombie Films- implies.  As a middle-ground of Thriller and Comedy, it is a bit awkward at times.  Overall, it is more interesting to watch from an historical perspective than as an actual Film, both because of an in spite of stuff like this...

It is a really goofy and dumb film at times.  If you can get past/ignore the obvious racial undertones, it makes for decent 'Have you heard of this one?!?' fare.  Otherwise, just skip.

Quick Reviews: Legendary (2012)

After a while, I decided that I should finally Review this.

In 2014, we in the United States are getting a 2012 Film Produced in China called...

A group of animal experts are tracking a giant bear in the Russian Woods.  It takes a turn for the worse when one of the group- Dolph Lundgren!- shoots it and aggravates it.

It kills one of the Crew before being taken down, leading the group's Leader- Scott Adkins- to quit.  He's convinced to come back for- say it with me- one last job to track down a Cryptid (undiscovered Animal).

The group runs into a hurdle when their prey turns out to be a large (CG) lizard that can attack on land and in water.  It helps them to rip off Jaws, so good news there.

Naturally, Dolph shows up and he has his own agenda: bring the Cryptid back dead and get famous for displaying the corpse.  He's...evil, I guess.

Since the film is so new (especially in the U.S.), I won't SPOIL too much.  I will give you a fleeting glimpse of the creature.  I trust that will be helpful.  The End.

It is something.  It is not much, but it is something.  At its heart, it is a straight-forward Action Film with a mild, Eco-twist to it.  The Story behind the Film is almost more interesting than the Film itself.  The Film was shot in China and funded by investors from the same Country.  It seems to be an attempt emulate Films that we (of the United States) make more often.  Does it succeed?  Well, it is a decent Film about a decent-looking CG Monster (a big Lizard).  That's about it though.  The Production Values are not lacking, but not much stands out.  It is funny to see how much they prioritize having Chinese Actors appear when you consider the background of said Film.  I'm sorry that I'm not more committal here, but I don't have much to say.  I will warn you to not get the Film mixed up with the Film of the same name from 2010 that is NOT about a giant Lizard (but is too old for this shit!)...

A simple, yet satisfying Action film.  It is nothing special and I doubt it being in 3-D would put it over the top either.

Zoned Out: Quarantine

Another week, another journey beyond that invisible line that separates two worlds...

Not to be confused with a more famous American Film (Remake), this 1985 Segment features a future Walking Dead Alumni...

A man- Scott Wilson- is awoken from Cryo-Sleep at some point after he'd been out for a long time.  The world he finds in front of him...

...appears to be devoid of modern technology and has reverted back to an Amish-style life.

However, it is not all low-tech and plain.  You see, the have to remove a tumor from Wilson's lungs (which is why he was frozen) and do it using their Psychic Powers!

Seriously, Psychic Anesthetic and Psychic Surgery!

They also have some freaky Computers powered by Bio-Organic Lifeforms attached to Machines.  I'm...just going to move on.

You see, this world is what is left about 300 years after WWIII happened and everyone went nuke-happy on each other.

The people now were the descendants of those that lived and abandoned their old ways.

Wilson was woken up to help them reactivate the remaining Satellites and blow up a Meteor.

However, the people are keeping a secret from him and he's NOT HAPPY when he finds out that...

...it is actually a Ship holding the surviving descendants of the Military Men that doomed our world once.  The new residents don't want them back and were going to trick Wilson.

Ultimately, realizing how bad his own people messed things up, he reluctantly goes along with the plan and boom goes the dynamite.

In the aftermath, they agree to help acquaint him to this new world and let him live with them.  After all, they share the same World and, now, guilt.  The End.

The future is looking quite rural.  This one feels like a nice, Classic Twilight Zone Segment, albeit with some updated ideas and effects.  The Story is a good one, giving you a set-up before twisting it around a few times.  Wilson plays his role well, although he pretty much always does.  Everyone else plays their roles well, so I have no complaints there.  The initial twist- of them having powers- is an odd one, but still works well.  The second twist- that of the ship- is certainly a stronger one and feels like something you'd get from the Classic Original Series.  This one really uses the run-time well, giving you time to take in what is happening before and after the Climax.  It shows you how to balance lots of Story with a shorter Run-Time, which not everyone gets.  I have heard many people claim that the 1980s Revival of The Twilight Zone is not that good, but I would point people to this Segment as an argument in its favor.  Take us away, the face of whatever the hell you are supposed to be...

Next week, I give a much more light-hearted Segment.  It features a Tribal Mask, dangerous Sound Effects and Live Radio.  Stay tuned...