31 Days of Horror Recommendations: The Monster Squad (1987)

 

Year:  1987

Country: U.S.

Subgenre: Universal Monsters (monster mash)

Runtime: 79 minutes

Director: Fred Dekker 

Recommending this as trip down memory lane; it's pure nostalgia indulged! It features most of the Universal Monsters (not withstanding the Invisible Man--not sure the Phantom of the opera counts), including the Gill-man. Co-written by director Fred Dekker and Shane Black (who created the Lethal Weapon franchise, and is remembered by many as Hawkins from the 1st Predator film), the film was always meant as a horror for children entry. But, I was not a child when this came out (just barely 😉) and I loved it! Still do. Any fan of the Universal Monsters is going to be hard pressed not to have some warm fuzzy feelings watching this one! It's premise doesn't differ much from other thrillers for kids; plot simple: kids are the heroes when they find out that their community/homes are under threat from something(s) grown ups can't-or refuse to--see. They then have to take matters into their own hands--usually with the help of a grown up expert. In this case that is Abraham Van Helsing (Jack Gwillman). In many ways the film is an updating of the the Universal monster mashes of the 1940s. Movies like House of Dracula and House of Frankenstein started this whole ball rolling 40 plus years before. One of the highlights of this film for me personally has always been Tom Noonan as Frankenstein's Monster. Not only is he some 6' 6" in height, but he is also a terrific actor. Not that the rest of the cast is any slouch. Canadian actor Duncan Regehr does a fine job of hamming it up as Dracula.  Just all round great fun! 

31 Days Of Horror Recommendations: Frankenweenie (1984)

 

Year: 1984

Country: U.S.

Subgenre: Short Film (Featurette)/Mad Scientist/Horror For Kids

Runtime: 29 minutes

Director: Tim Burton

Once upon a time (now a LONG time ago) this was one of Tim Burton's most famous films for kids/family. Long before it was made into an animated feature film, Burton's original Frankendog film was a rather infamous little affair. Disney fired Burton for "wasting" company time and resources and accused him of making a film that was too scary for it's target young audience and all-round inappropriate. The film made it out into the wild here and there (this was at the beginning of the home video "revolution"), and was a pretty sought after pirated film (back when pirated stuff like this came from eastern Europe). Of course, about a decade later and after Burton became a household name, Disney officially released it. It is a highly recommended little movie however, and no shoddy short horror "spec." It is beautifully crafted, very endearing and will seriously make grown men cry. No sloughing on cast either. A young boy named Victor Frankenstein (Barret Oliver) brings his dog back to life in a kid's retelling of the Frankenstein story. Mom and dad...Susan and Ben Frankenstein are played by Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern respectively; a young Sofia Coppola rounds out the recognizable cast. It is shot in black and white and sports very clever special effects. Personally, I like this version better than the 2012 animated feature. It's worth noting that Burton is back in the news recently saying that he's had it with Disney.  

31 Days of Horror Recommendations: Addams Family Values (1993)

 

Year: 1993

Country:  U.S.

Subgenre: Horror Comedy/Horror For Kids

Runtime: 94 minutes

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld  

With both the relentless holiday season upon us here in the U.S., and the coming November 23rd Netflix release of Tim Burton's new series "Wednesday" -- there is NO better time for a spooktober rewatch of Addams Family Values!  Released in 1993 when Christina Ricci was 13 years of age, her reprise performance as Wednesday Addams not only stands the test of time, it resonates even more today than it did nearly 30 years ago. Though not the main plot of the film; when she and her brother Pugsley (Jerry Workman) are shipped off to summer camp, hilarious but poignant social commentary ensues! The sub-plot (of the sub-plot) of acting out the first thanksgiving as a camp activity goes "wrong" as the camp outsiders, led by Wednesday, rewrite the script.  Aided by supporting performances by Christine Baranski, Peter McNicol, David Krumholtz and Mercedes McNab, it's a little movie within the movie. One can't help but cheer the "miscreants" along!  The rest of the film is by no means beside the point, however, with the main story featuring Joan Cusack as the serial black widow Debbie who gets her hooks into Fester (Christopher Lloyd) and the Addamses reaction to it. This is Halloween fun that is also suitable for (nearly) all ages to boot.