Topic: Dragonfire's 2010 Horror Marathon

[Dragonfire]

I didn't make up a graphic like Pete and Jimmy..maybe next year.

Anyway, here's my thread to post about the movies I watch for the horror marathon.  There are a few movies that I like to watch every October that aren't technically horror...but I still like them this time of year. 
I do have some new horror stuff to watch this year too..plus some I didn't get to before.

[Dragonfire]

Galaxy of Terror The mind's innermost fears become reality for the crew members of the Quest when they land on the barren planet Morganthus hoping to find the missing crew members of the starship Remus — only to discover something deadly waiting for them. Each member of the rescuing team must come face to face with their darkest fears or perish. The cast onboard the Quest includes Edward Albert (The House Where Evil Dwells), Erin Moran (Happy Days), Ray Walston (My Favorite Martian), Robert Englund (A Nightmare On Elm Street series), Zalman King (Blue Sunshine) and Sig Haig (House Of 1,000 Corpses). The film also had its share of new and emerging talent behind the camera, including James Cameron (The Terminator, Aliens, Avatar), who did the production design, and Bill Paxton, who worked as a set decorator before later collaborating with Cameron in front of the camera as an actor. My Thoughts I got interested in checking out some some of the Roger Corman movies after Jimmy started posting about them - so I can officially blame him for every Corman movie I guy instead of Jon..though Jon is still blamed for all other DVD/Blu-ray purchases...just because. Anyway, I picked this one up a month or so ago when I found it on sale at Amazon.  I ended up waiting to watch it for this marathon, though I wasn't specifically waiting. The plot is interesting, though it would have been nice if a few things had been developed a little more.  A little more backstory for some of the characters would have helped..especially since there is some sort of problem between Baelon and Cabren that is never explained.  Things are moving really fast for the first 15 minutes or so before slowing down a bit.  The different monsters are interesting and suitably icky.  The deaths are more original, especially what happens to the one woman that is not just attacked by a giant worm or maggot..but raped.  That is ...well...way twisted.  That was really the only thing that shocked me about the movie.  Not that the other deaths were fun and pleasant, because they weren't..but hers was just more twisted. The movie was made with a small budget.  The sets are decent and sort of futuristic looking.  Some of them end up being uses again for Forbidden World.  I noticed a few shots that look like they use matte paintings.  The lighting is darker for most scenes, but that works to help build the creepy atmosphere for what is going on.  The monsters are well done considering the budget.  The cast is mostly fine in their parts, with some of them having a little more than others to do.  There is barely any development for any of the characters.  The extras, especially the new documentary on the making of the movie, are interesting and definitely worth watching. This movie is not going to appeal to a lot of people, but it is entertaining, in a twisted way. I did get a review posted on Epinions. Galaxy of Terror

[Jimmy]

Most of them since to act oddly with each other. Cabren and Ranger doesn't like each other as well but it is explain a little bit in the end, Trantor doesn't seems to like anyone and Baelon hate everybody.

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Do you have any idea of what happened to Ranger? It looks like he wasn't dead also in the end

[Dragonfire]

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I was wondering about that too.  He was fine when Cabren went up those stairs to confront the guy that ends up being the Master.  If it said what happened to Ranger after that, I missed it.

I did notice when Ranger sort of...flipped out and was complaining about Cabren.  The movie is still entertaining..I just would have liked a little more of the background filled in.

[Dragonfire]

The Monster Squad You know who to call when you have ghosts, but who do you call about monsters? Whether it's a bat in your belfry or a mummy in your microwave, THE MONSTER SQUAD ain't afraid of no ghouls! Count Dracula has until midnight to retrieve an ancient amulet that will give him final control over the delicate balance between good and evil in the world. To help him, the creepy count calls on some old friends: the weird Wolfman, grotesque Gill-Man, mildewed Mummy and freaky Frankenstein. As the ghoulish group gets closer to the amulet, it's up to THE MONSTER SQUAD, headquartered in the local tree house, to pool its questionable resources and stop the monster mayhem! My Thoughts This is a fun, entertaining movie that works well for families.  I saw the DVD in Walmart a few years and I read some reviews around the same time - I believe one was from Pete too - and I decided that the movie sounded entertaining and I decided to pick it up.  I'm really glad I did.  It is a really fun monster movie.  I do see things in the movie that I think indicates that the movie was inspired by the classic monster movies.  I like this take on those characters.  Several things that happen are a bit silly, but they end up working well for what is going on.  This one is definitely worth watching. I have written about this one here before.  I did get a review posted on Epinions two years ago. Monster Squad

[Dragonfire]

Poltergeist "THEY'RE HERE," playful at first...but not for long. A storm erupts, a tree attacks and little Carol Anne Freeling is whisked into a spectral void. As her family confronts horrors galore, something else is here too: a new benchmark in Hollywood ghost stories. Producers Steven Speilberg and Frank Marshall and director Tobe Hooper head the elite scream team of this classic. Welcome to Home Sweet Haunted Home. My Thoughts I've seen this one several times over the years on television.  I think every one of those times was a version that was edited, though I might be wrong.  I still really enjoy this one even though some things about it creep me out. The plot is interesting and entertaining.  I like how things start off sort of slow while things are set up.  At first, it doesn't seem like anything too bad is going on.  Chairs moving around and that stuff.  Diane is actually enjoying those things and finding it kind of cool.  At least that is how it seems.  Then everything changes after Robbie is attacked by one of the freakiest looking trees in any movie and Carol Anne is taken.  Things get darker at that point, and some of what happens is rather disturbing.  This isn't a family friendly movie even though it is rated PG, though it isn't as bad as some.  Overall, this is a really entertaining movie about a haunted house. I did post about this one on Epinions last year.  I believe I also posted about the movie here too. Poltergeist

[Dragonfire]

Ghostbusters Suit up for classic comedy! When Doctors Venkman (Bill Murray), Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Spengler (Harold Ramis) suddenly find themselves downsized from the University's parapsychology department, they decide to go the entrepreneurial route, chasing down ghastly ghosts, unappetizing apparitions and the occasional insolent succubae. But the paratroopers of the paranormal face their greatest challenge when the beautiful Dana Barret (Sigourney Weaver) discovers her refrigerator door leads directly to the gates of hell! Now with the whole world watching, it's up to the Ghostbusters to keep Manhattan from becoming a madhouse in this hilariously-haunting action-comedy! My Thoughts I don't consider this one to be horror, but it does deal with ghosts so I decided it fit for the month.  I also decided that I was in the mood for something a little lighter. I've lost track of have many times I've seen this movie over the years, but I still really enjoy it.  It is really fun and entertaining and has a great cast.  Much of what happens is a bit silly, but that works for the movie.  The ghosts are interesting and look believable.  The special effects are really well done, especially considering when the movie was made.  The characters help to make things interesting too.  Some of them are a bit goofy, but they work for the movie. I got a review posted on Epinions a few years ago. Ghostbusters

[Dragonfire]

Ghostbusters 2 It's a fine time for slime-time when Doctors Venkman (Bill Murray), Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Spengler (Harold Ramis) regroup to nuke the spooks in this high-spirited comedy.  Sidelined after their spectacular save of New York City five years ago, the heroes of the hereafter once again answer the call when an underground river of ghoulish goo threatens to rot the Big Apple to the core.  Dana Barret (Sigourney Weaver), Louis (Rick Moranis), Winston (Ernie Hudson) and Janine (Annie Potts) are all back for the ride as these supernatural superstars swing back into hilarious action! My Thoughts I decided to go ahead and watch this one now too.  Again it isn't really horror, but it works for me for this time of year since it has ghosts and stuff.  The plot is entertaining and not a carbon copy of the first movie.  Some different stuff is going on, which does help to keep things entertaining.  Some of what happens is silly, but it works for the movie overall.  The main characters are back and still entertaining.  There is one or two new characters too.  There is a bit of action to what is going on.  The special effects are done well and help to make the movie work.  Overall I really like this movie even though it isn't as good as the first one. I did get a review posted on Epinions a few years ago. Ghostbusters 2

[KinkyCyborg]

I'm just about due for a re-watch of the Ghostbusters movies. It's been more than a few years since I watched them and given a 3rd installment is upcoming it'd be good for a refresher.

[Rogmeister]

I like both Poltergeist and Ghostbusters...I have never seen Ghostbusters 2, though.  An online friend recently included both Ghostbusters to me in a surprise package so maybe I'll finally get around to watching it.

[Dragonfire]

It is entertaining...not quite as good as the original, but still good.

[Dragonfire]

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark When her Great Aunt dies, famed horror hostess Elvira® heads for the uptight New England town of Falwell to claim her inheritance of a haunted house, a witch's cookbook and a punk rock poodle. But once the stuffy locals get an eyeful of the scream queen's ample assets, all hell busts out and breaks loose. Can The Madonna Of The Macabre find love with a studly cinema owner, avoid her creepy Great Uncle, titillate the town's teens and become a Las Vegas dance sensation all without being burned alive at the stake? Cassandra Peterson stars in this sexy comedy hit, filled with wild wisecracks, campy chaos and scary movie spoofs, all poured into the lowest-cut black gown in horror movie history! My Thoughts I sort of remember seeing Elvira on tv back in the 1980s.  I think I did see some of the show she did hosting low budget horror movies - I can't remember the name of it now.  The character, while a bit over the top, is entertaining.  I have seen some of this movie on tv, though I'm not sure if I ever saw all of it before now.  I decided to pick it up when I found it on sale - as you can see from the picture, I have it in a two movie set.  I'll probably watch that other movie here soon.  The plot is thin and not that developed, but it manages to work.  A lot of what happens is silly, but again, that works for what is going on.  The humor doesn't always work, but most of ends up being pretty funny.  A lot of corny lines are used, usually by Elvira.  Some supernatural type of stuff does turn up, and I like that those things are included.  Several elements do seem to be influenced by the B horror movies.  There's nothing serious about this one.  It is campy and cheesy, but really fun. There are some sexual situations and a lot of sexually suggestive lines used in the movie.  Most of the sex appeal comes from Elvira in her very, very low cut dress that really displays her...assets.  It seems like a miracle that she didn't pop right out of that dress in some scenes with how her ..assets were bouncing around.  I'm thinking heavy duty tape was used..and maybe super glue.  lol  Anyway, even though she does show off a lot of skin, there isn't any nudity or any sex scenes in the movie. The characters, while not that developed, are interesting enough.  Chastity Pariah fits her name perfectly with how repressed and uptight she is. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and am glad I have it in my collection.  It is cheesy as hell and campy, but it is fun. - I rounded up from 3.5 to 4 for Epinions. I did get a review posted on Epinions. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

[Dragonfire]

Dracula Although there have been numerous versions of Bram Stoker's classic tale, none is more enduring than the 1931 original. The ominous portrayal of Count Dracula by Béla Lugosi, combined with horror specialist director Tod Browning, help to create the film's eerie mood. 'Dracula' remains a masterpiece not only of the genre, but for all time. My Thoughts I first saw this one on AMC about 10 years ago.  At that point, AMC still was commercial free and they showed classic horror for most of October.  I really enjoyed the movie and was interested in getting the DVD for several years before I finally did.  I picked up the Dracula Legacy Set a few years.  The movie is based on a book that I still haven't read.  The plot may not seem that original to some people since there have been so many Dracula movies made since this one, but I think it is very entertaining and well worth watching.  Bela Lugosi really set the standard for how Dracula would be portrayed in future movies.  The way he dresses and acts has definitely influenced others.  The picture quality is pretty good considering how old the movie is.  The audio is good too.  Even though this is a vampire movie, it is fairly tame, especially when compared to what is done in newer movies. This one is a must see movie for anyone who likes horror, especially ones dealing with Dracula or vampires. I did get a review posted on Epinions a few years ago. Dracula (1931)

[Jimmy]

If you have the time try to watch the spanish version included who is even better. Carlos Villarías did a much better job with his interpretation than Bela Lugosi did...

[Dragonfire]

I haven't tried the Spanish version yet.  I might try to something this month.