Previous Kurosawa reviews:
I am following along with [The Films of Akira Kurosawa, Third Edition](https://www.amazon.com/gp/pro
... keep reading on reddit β‘
In the mid-50s, Hammer Film Productions reinvented themselves as the new poster boys for the genre. Their groundbreaking updates on cinemaβs most iconic monsters breathed new life into the increasingly stale gothic formula. Shot in glorious technicolor, Hammer was unafraid to give the people what they wanted; blood, villains, and lots and lots of cleavage. Their impressive early run saw them tackle the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy and Jekyll and Hyde. Quite naturally then, the studio turned their bloodshot eyes to one of Universalβs pivotal horror mascots; the Werewolf. Though the result was initially viewed as a critical and commercial misstep for Hammer, The Curse of The Werewolf serves up a relatively subdued, perhaps unexpected emotional journey.
Oliver Reed plays Leon in the first starring role of his impressive career. Leon is the unfortunate soul who has been accursed to transform into a violent beast under the light of the full moon, speeding towards a tragic end unless the curse can be lifted. This may be an all too familiar werewolf plot, but The Curse of the Werewolf has a hefty ace up its sleeve. Oliver Reed does not make an appearance until just after the halfway mark. Before that point, Hammerβs most trusted director Terence Fisher takes us on a trip through time and tragedy.
We are first presented with the tale of a beggar who stumbles into an 18th century Spanish town on the day of the rulerβs wedding. He begs the rich partygoers for some food and drink, but he is instantly humiliated, forced to dance and make a fool of himself. The lordβs bride takes pity on the beggar, but even she is powerless to prevent her new husband from locking the beggar in the dungeons forevermore. These scenes are essentially an extended prologue and do go on for some time. Naturally youβre believing this sympathetic bullied man will be the hero of our story. Think again. We are introduced to a little mute girl, the daughter of the dungeon master, who grows into a beautiful young woman, desired by all around her. Now we follow her story. The lord is decaying but apparently that doesnβt stop his boner. He tries to force himself on the woman but she rejects his advances. As punishment, she unwillingly becomes the beggarβs roommate. Out of the raping pan, into the rape fire. The beggarβs long jail stint has turned him mad and he molests the poor woman so hard he goes and dies. We soon learn this has resulted in a pregnancy. She exacts her revenge,
... keep reading on reddit β‘Due to the buzz created by Cruella I decided to revisit 101 Dalmatians. I hadn't seen it in a very long time and had forgotten most of the movie. Having experienced the likes of Ghibli & Pixar in between, I had kept my expectations low going in. But 101 Dalmatians set aside any apprehensions I had going in. There is something unexplainable about childhood nostalgia and for most of us many cartoons and animated movies/shows are connected to it.
The pacing of the movie is pitch perfect. Within 80 minutes all is concluded well, though the ending could have been prolonged for a few minutes. The story is nice but it's the characters where the movie shines. Cruella is iconic, Jasper and Horace are memorable, but I loved the animal side characters the most, particularly the trio of Colenel the Sheepdog, Sgt Tibbs the cat and the horse.
In comparison to Disney's best movies, it doesn't have a particularly special score and the story is alright, if a bit dull. But it is one of the best paced animated movies and the animation work is admirable even today.
It has become less remembered over time, understandable since so many new features are released yearly. However, I really liked it and would give it 8/10. Just a good old fashioned movie.
For those interested
Note, both film(s) is Movies Anywhere (MA) compatible
- Disney's 101 Dalmatians + Bonus Content [amazon.com] (1961 Cartoon) (Digital HD Film)
- $4.99
or if you prefer the Live Version (thanks BladeD)
- Disney's 101 Dalmatians [amazon.com] (1996 Live Action) (Digital HD Film)
- $4.99
Due to the courtesy of Fathomevents.com and Turner Classic Movies, there'll be a 60th Anniversary screening of the original 1961 film version of West Side Story, which will be played in selected movie theatres nationwide, here in the United States, on Sunday, November 28th and Wednesday, December 1st. I will be attending both evening screenings on those two dates, I've purchased my online tickets already, and will more than likely be going by myself this time.
I'm looking forward to and am excited about seeing my all time favorite movie on the great big wide movie theatre screen again! I am very excited about it! Why do I get excited over a 60 year old movie? I don't know, but I relax and enjoy it, like I always do!
I did see the trailer of Spielberg's upcoming film version of West Side Story, however, and did not care for what I saw, dislike what I've read/heard about Ansel Elgort (who plays Tony in Spielberg's film version of WSS), and do not plan to go and see spielberg's film version of WSS, at all.
Peter Cushing is a most proper and fastidious bank manager, carrying out his duties by the book. His staff are regular folk, but he treats them more like servants. One morning, a rather gregarious inspector shows up and catches the staff off guard.
It was made in 1961 so I was surprised to see it's a B&W film. Coming from Hammer Studios, I was not too surprised, but I was surprised that it was considered a B movie. It's really quite good and Cushing is brilliant. It's a short film, moves along well, and is quite entertaining. Recommended for when you're in the mood for a noir style film.
In the mid-50s, Hammer Film Productions reinvented themselves as the new poster boys for the genre. Their groundbreaking updates on cinemaβs most iconic monsters breathed new life into the increasingly stale gothic formula. Shot in glorious technicolor, Hammer was unafraid to give the people what they wanted; blood, villains, and lots and lots of cleavage. Their impressive early run saw them tackle the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy and Jekyll and Hyde. Quite naturally then, the studio turned their bloodshot eyes to one of Universalβs pivotal horror mascots; the Werewolf. Though the result was initially viewed as a critical and commercial misstep for Hammer, The Curse of The Werewolf serves up a relatively subdued, perhaps unexpected emotional journey.
Oliver Reed plays Leon in the first starring role of his impressive career. Leon is the unfortunate soul who has been accursed to transform into a violent beast under the light of the full moon, speeding towards a tragic end unless the curse can be lifted. This may be an all too familiar werewolf plot, but The Curse of the Werewolf has a hefty ace up its sleeve. Oliver Reed does not make an appearance until just after the halfway mark. Before that point, Hammerβs most trusted director Terence Fisher takes us on a trip through time and tragedy.
We are first presented with the tale of a beggar who stumbles into an 18th century Spanish town on the day of the rulerβs wedding. He begs the rich partygoers for some food and drink, but he is instantly humiliated, forced to dance and make a fool of himself. The lordβs bride takes pity on the beggar, but even she is powerless to prevent her new husband from locking the beggar in the dungeons forevermore. These scenes are essentially an extended prologue and do go on for some time. Naturally youβre believing this sympathetic bullied man will be the hero of our story. Think again. We are introduced to a little mute girl, the daughter of the dungeon master, who grows into a beautiful young woman, desired by all around her. Now we follow her story. The lord is decaying but apparently that doesnβt stop his boner. He tries to force himself on the woman but she rejects his advances. As punishment, she unwillingly becomes the beggarβs roommate. Out of the raping pan, into the rape fire. The beggarβs long jail stint has turned him mad and he molests the poor woman so hard he goes and dies. We soon learn this has resulted in a pregnancy. She exacts her revenge,
... keep reading on reddit β‘In the mid-50s, Hammer Film Productions reinvented themselves as the new poster boys for the genre. Their groundbreaking updates on cinemaβs most iconic monsters breathed new life into the increasingly stale gothic formula. Shot in glorious technicolor, Hammer was unafraid to give the people what they wanted; blood, villains, and lots and lots of cleavage. Their impressive early run saw them tackle the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy and Jekyll and Hyde. Quite naturally then, the studio turned their bloodshot eyes to one of Universalβs pivotal horror mascots; the Werewolf. Though the result was initially viewed as a critical and commercial misstep for Hammer, The Curse of The Werewolf serves up a relatively subdued, perhaps unexpected emotional journey.
Oliver Reed plays Leon in the first starring role of his impressive career. Leon is the unfortunate soul who has been accursed to transform into a violent beast under the light of the full moon, speeding towards a tragic end unless the curse can be lifted. This may be an all too familiar werewolf plot, but The Curse of the Werewolf has a hefty ace up its sleeve. Oliver Reed does not make an appearance until just after the halfway mark. Before that point, Hammerβs most trusted director Terence Fisher takes us on a trip through time and tragedy.
We are first presented with the tale of a beggar who stumbles into an 18th century Spanish town on the day of the rulerβs wedding. He begs the rich partygoers for some food and drink, but he is instantly humiliated, forced to dance and make a fool of himself. The lordβs bride takes pity on the beggar, but even she is powerless to prevent her new husband from locking the beggar in the dungeons forevermore. These scenes are essentially an extended prologue and do go on for some time. Naturally youβre believing this sympathetic bullied man will be the hero of our story. Think again. We are introduced to a little mute girl, the daughter of the dungeon master, who grows into a beautiful young woman, desired by all around her. Now we follow her story. The lord is decaying but apparently that doesnβt stop his boner. He tries to force himself on the woman but she rejects his advances. As punishment, she unwillingly becomes the beggarβs roommate. Out of the raping pan, into the rape fire. The beggarβs long jail stint has turned him mad and he molests the poor woman so hard he goes and dies. We soon learn this has resulted in a pregnancy. She exacts her revenge,
... keep reading on reddit β‘)