Sunday, October 31, 2021

Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 828th Edition and My Own Madness: Women in Horror- Week 5


Welcome to the 828th Edition of my series.  I hope everyone has had a good Halloween weekend however celebrated.  I don't have much to say at this time so I'll just get on with my selections.



Friday the 13th part III (1982):  Steve Miner continues the direction in what was at the time a trilogy.  Jason, played by Richard Brooker, continues his killing spree targeting a group of friends that are visiting near the campsite.  Dana Kimmell, Gloria Charles, Terry Ballard, Anne Gaybis, David Katims, Paul Kratka, Kevin O'Brien, and many others co-star in this installment. This is where we first see Jason get the hockey mask that he is known for today.  This was also presented as 3D at the time and included 3D glasses with a purchase.  I did not have the glasses for this particular viewing myself to be able to do this.  


Llamageddon (2015):  Howie Dewin directed this movie which as far as I know is the first movie about a killer llama, played by Louie the Llama.  This centers around a big party where a llama from outer space starts wreaking havoc with things like its laser eyes. Dany Ambassa, Pinki Brainweis, L. Lean Burnside, E.B. Buxxner, James Earl Cox III, and many others co-star in the greatest killer llama movie ever made.  Ambassa displays quite the gift on changing shirts.  This was a college project that got off the ground and did win over Amazon Prime to get it featured on there.  We might need us a sequel soon.  This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.


The Meteor Man (1993):  This is my superhero comedy for the week which was written and directed by Robert Townsend.  Townsend also stars as a struggling high school teacher who gets hit by a meteor which gives him super powers.  When this happens, he looks to take a local gang.  Marla Gibbs, Eddie Griffin, Robert Guillaume, James Earl Jones, Roy Fegan, Don Cheadle, Bobby McGee, Bill Cosby, Big Daddy Kane, Frank Gorshin, Sinbad, Nancy Wilson, Luther Vandross, Tiny Lister, Jennifer Lewis, Naughty By Nature, Cypress Hill, Biz Markie, Lela Rochon, Wallace Shawn, John Witherspoon, Chris Tucker,  and many others co-star in this comedy.  Yes, Bill Cosby is in this movie but it is more of a cameo than anything so some may not watch it because of that and I accept it.  I'm just not one for "canceling" so I just looked past it.  This came out in a time that superhero movies were not done nearly as much as today.  I believe this is James Earl Jones' most comedic performance.  This is not great but it is pretty funny and a guilty pleasure in my opinion.


The Lady in the Bottle (1965):  This is the first episode of the sitcom I DREAM OF JEANNIE.  Larry Hagman stars as astronaut Tony who lands on a small island and comes across a bottle which turns out to have a genie named Jeannie, played by Barbara Eden, who helps Tony get off the island but really complicates Tony's life.  This especially happens when she pops up when Tony's fiancee Melissa, played by Karen Sharpe. I had never seen this series before but I must say that Eden was quite a site to see.  It was also a pretty funny premise.  This series is available to watch on Hulu.


The Raven (1935):  This is part one of a possible Bela Lugosi trilogy.  Lew Landers directed this film that is an homage to Poe.  Bela Lugosi stars as Dr. Vollin who has an unhealthy obsession with Edgar Allen Poe and is talked out of retirement by a judge to save his daughter's life.  He manages to save Jean, played by Irene Ware, but also envisions her as a "Lenore".  Boris Karloff co-stars as Vollin's unwilling assistant.  Samuel Hinds, Inez Courtney, Maidel Turner, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a pretty good homage to "The Father of Horror" I guess we can call Poe.  Karloff gets top billing even though Lugosi was essentially the lead which apparently made him quite angry.  Nevertheless, this is some fun and underrated classic horror.


A Bucket of Blood (1959):  Roger Corman directed this horror comedy and is really my favorite work by him.  Dick Miller stars as Walter who is a dim-witted bus boy working in a Bohemian cafe and longs to be an artist like much of his customer base.  When he accidentally kills a cat, he covers it in plaster making everyone believe he is a brilliant sculptor.  To keep things going, Walter must restore to similar methods that result in human sculptures.  I have just always loved this movie, like the setting being in a cafe, among other things.  The next year, Corman would come out with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS which had a similar premise of a nerdy person finally experiencing success but must resort to extreme measures to keep it going.  This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.


Run (2020):  Aneesh Chaganty directed and co-wrote this horror film.  Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen star as mother and daughter Diane and Chloe.  Chloe is confined to a wheelchair and has been home schooled all her life by her mother and begins to suspect that her mother is not who she appears to be.  Pat Healy, Erik Athavale, BJ Harrison, Sharon Bajer, Onalee Ames, Ernie Foort, and many others co-star in this film.  Paulson and Allen are a good dysfunctional daughter team.  This was was a pretty disturbing film and has shades of THE ACT in it.  This is available to watch on Hulu.


Mutiny (1952):  Edward Dmytryk directed this movie that takes place during the war of 1812 and this does not have Fletcher Christian and Captain Bligh.  Mark Stevens stars as Captain James Marshall who is commissioned to fetch an unofficial war document in France.  He names Ben Waldridge, played by Patric Knowles, who has been demoted in rank but still goes along for the ride.  Waldridge's former love Leslie, played by Angela Lansbury, joins the ship and has her own motives making Waldridge have to decide his side.  Gene Evans, Rhys Williams, Robert Osterloh, Peter Brocco, Morris Ankrum, and many others co-star in this film.  This is mostly of interest to see the villainy of Lansbury.  This was worth the adventure to give a look.  This is available to watch on Hoopla Digital.


Starcrash (1978):  Luigi Cozzi directed and co-wrote this sci-fi movie trying to cash in on this STAR WARS craze and practically made one of his own.  Caroline Munro and Marjoe Gortner star as smugglers Stella Star and Akton.  They must destroy a superweapon made by the evil Count Zarth Arn, played by Joe Spinnell so not Arn Anderson like I'm sure some were thinking.  Christopher Plummer co-stars as the Emperor who recruits the team and has said that he did this movie so he could visit Italy for free.  A young David Hasselhoff also co-stars in this STAR WARS rip off.  Robert Tessier, Nadia Cassini, Judd Hamilton and many others co-star in this movie.  While this was a ripoff, it was a good watch when it was with MST3K which is available on Netflix.


A Deadly Adoption (2015):  I end this week on this lifetime movie that is essentially a parody of their own movies.  Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig star in this movie as married couple Robert and Sarah Benson and are seeking adoption to add to the family that includes their daughter Sully, played by Alyvia Alyn Lind.  They meet pregnant woman Bridgette, played by Jessica Lowndes, who wants to put her baby up for adoption and is taken in by the couple.  They find though that there is more to her and the title says it all.  Jake Weary, Erik Palladino, Bryan Safi, Debra Christofferson, Carolyn Hennesy, Kellita Smith, Antonia Stout, Mara Hall, and many others co-star in this movie.  This is enjoyable if taken for what it is which as mentioned is really a Lifetime parody.  Ferrell and Wiig play their roles straight to the core adding to this parody.  I found this on Youtube.

Well, that is it for this week but continue on for the last week of "My Own Madness".  Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which will be the 16 year anniversary that includes Tim Curry, Andy Serkis, Helena Bonham Carter, Bela Lugosi, Christina Ricci, and many others.


MY OWN MADNESS:  WOMEN IN HORROR

This is the last week for this segment.  As mentioned in the past weeks, I have been doing this sort of thing for years with the Madness but they are going a different route this year where they do not do summaries.  However, I like putting these things together so I decided to do this with the theme I have been wanting for years in women of horror which is really more like women in horror, sci-fi, and fantasy.  I adopted the use of wild cards where anything with that person can be used so I used wild cards we have used through the years.  I may do this again next year depending on what the Madness does and if I do, I'll put more thought into my wild cards of the horror industry.


ALEXA PENAVEGA

Alexa is a wild card this year so I decided to feature her in a selection.

Repo!  The Genetic Opera (2008):  Alexa stars in this rock musical as Shilo.  This is one of my favorites and is one I would love to do on stage sometime if they ever have it.  I would look into the role of Nathan, played by Buffy alum Anthony Head, if this is to happen.


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ALYSS WINKLER

Alyss is an independent actress who has has carved out quite a career in the way of sci-fi, horror, and fantasy.  I have also had the pleasure of filming a scene wither her where she plays Astro Girl in ASTRO GIRL FROM PLANET ZOLTRON.  I got to play the corrupt president out to destroy Astro Girl.  I hope to see something come from that sometime.

Breathe (2018):  This is a short film that Alyss was in that is billed as horror and is a rather unconventional sort of horror.  She plays a young girl struggling with insomnia and anxiety as she is having hallucinations.  Photo I'm using is of us during ASTRO GIRL FROM PLANET ZOLTRON.  


Experiment 53 (2021):  I went to see this premier last weekend for this local horror movie.  Alyss played the tough female trying to survive a horrid situation.  It had a pretty decent turnout and I hope they made some money off of it. I decided to follow up the photo from us at the premier.


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ANGELA LANSBURY

Angela is a wild card this year and is the only person I have used every week.

Mutiny (1952):  This movie with a villainous Angels counts because she is a wild card.


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BARBARA EDEN

Barbara is not a wild card this year but found a could of fantasy sitcoms for her to cake a category for her.

I Dream of Jeannie:  The Lady in the Bottle S1, E1 (1965):  This is the episode that started this popular sitcom where Tony's life becomes complicated by a real-life genie whose name just happened to be Jeannie.


Sabrina the Teenage Witch:  A Birthday Witch S6, E9 (2002):  Barbara guest stars as Sabrina's great-aunt Irma who tests Harvey's trustworthiness now that he knows Sabrina is a witch.  The band Hanson makes a guest appearance as well as Soleil Moon Frye.

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CAROLINE MUNRO

Caroline is a wild card this year so anything for her counts.

Starcrash (1978):  Caroline plays the heroine of this sci-fi movie Stella Star in this Italian version of STAR WARS.

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CREATURE FEATURES

Llamageddon (2015):  The best movie about killer llamas of all time.  What more can be said about this movie.


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DON CHEADLE

Don is not a wild card this year and one of the few men that get a category but used some of his superhero movies to make a category for him.

Avengers:  Age of Ultron (2015):  Don plays Rhodey aka War Machine in this Avengers film.  Tony Stark's vision of peace goes awry when his creation of Ultron tries to take over the world.


Meteor Man (1993):  Don co-stars in this movie as the gang member Goldilocks.


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FOREIGN MADNESS

The Housemaid (2010):  A young Korean housemaid is brought into a wealthy home and has an affair with the man of the house leading to very dark consequences.


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IRENE WARE

Irene is not a wild card but thought I'd use an actress from the era of these movies.

Chandu the Magician (1932):  Irene plays as Princes Nadji in this aventure comedy.  Bela Lugosi stars as madman Roxor who kidnaps a scientist to use his death ray invention.


The Raven (1935):  Irene plays Jean Thatcher who is in danger from the Poe obsessed Doctor Vollin when he sees her as his "Lenore".

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JESSICA LOWNDES

Jessica is a wild card this year so gave her a category on the Madness.

A Deadly Adoption (2015):  Jessica plays a seemingly innocent pregnant woman but is really not so nice.

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JUDY BAMBER

Judy is not a wild card this year but found a couple selections so I made a category for her.

A Bucket of Blood (1959): Judy plays the role of Alice who plays a little bit into Walter being a sculptor.


Monstrosity (1963):  Judy co-stars in the role of Bea who takes employment for Mrs. March, played by Marjorie Eaton, not knowing the scheme involved to help Mrs. March get younger.  Very Rifftrax and MST3K worthy if they haven't done this one.

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LAURENE LANDON

Laurene is not a wild card this year but in my findings, I decided I'd make her into a category.

Agramon's Gate (2019):  Laurene plays the role of Sharon who is in mental institution and whose son must deal with a deadly entity when their past comes back to haunt them.


Maniac Cop (1988):  A ruthless killer in a cop outfit is out killling people and frames Bruce Campbell for the murders.  Laurene plays Officer Theresa Malloy who plays a significant part in this movie.

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LUPITA NYONG'O

Lupita is not a wild card but with her involvement in the MCU and STAR WARS universe, I decided to make a category out of her.

Black Panther (2018):  Lupita makes her way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nakia of Wakanda.


Star Wars:  Episode VIII- The Last Jedi (2017):  Lupita does the voice for the character Maz Kanata in these later STAR WARS films.

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MUSICAL MADNESS

Jekyll and Hyde:  The Musical (2001):  This is kind of an annual watch for me this time of year.  This is a live performance that was filmed which stars David Hasselhoff as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

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RICHARD BROOKER

Richard is not a wild card and is another one of the male minority in this segment.  I found his first two movies of a very short career in the world of film

Deathstalker (1983):  This is quite the fantasy movie where Richard plays the role of Oghris.  Lana Clarkson also has quite the outfit.


Friday the 13th Part III (1982):  Richard plays Jason in this movie in his only appearance in the role and is the first Jason to don the hockey mask.

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SARAH PAULSON

Sarah is a wild card in My Own Madness so I made her into a category.

Run (2020):  Sarah plays a mean mother in this movie, read more in the recommendations section.

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TARA REID

Tara is a wild card and was one of last year's wild card so I used a selection that has made me the King of the Loophold as they call me.

American Pie 2 (2001):  Tara reprises her role as Vicky in this ranchy sequel that was really raunchier than the first.

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WILD CARD WEDNESDAY

This is the last selection of the category I was given by Elizabeth of the Madness.  This years theme consists of movies that are with battles and allowed me my weekly segment of non-genre movies with the word "vs." in the title.  My first three selections were featured last week and this is the last one.

Schneider vs Bax (2015):  This is a Dutch selection where a hitman is given an assignment he is told will be very simple but gets extremely complicated for him.  This is a very well done film by directed Alex Von Warmerdam that manages to use no music.  Lots of really good twists and character development to keep this going.

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WINONA RYDER

Winona is a wild card this year and used a couple selections from her this year.

Frankenweenie (2012):  Tim Burton decided to expand his 1984 short film into an animated feature length one.  Winona provides the voice of Elsa that I thought was a really cool homage to classic horror but still with Burton making it his own.  


Star Trek (2009):  Winona co-stars in this origin story as Amanda Grayson who is the human mother of Spock.

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