Welcome to the 825th Edition of my series. I had my last performance of CLUE. It has been a lot of fun but must now return to reality for now. That being said, I'll just get on with my selections.
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986): Woody Allen wrote and directed this comedy and co-stars as hypochondriac Mickey. Mia Farrow stars as the title character whose husband Elliot, played by Michael Cain, is falling in love with her sister Lee, played by Barbara Hershey. Allen co-stars as Hannah's ex-husband Mickey who is forming a relationship with Hannah's other sister Holly, played by Dianne Wiest. Carrie Fisher, Maureen O'Sullivan, Lloyd Nolan, Max Von Sydow, Lewis Black, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Christian Clemenson, Julie Kavner, J.T. Walsh, John Turturro, Richard Jenkins, and many others co-star in this comedy-drama. Usual Woody Allen fare with some philosophical stuff. There is some pretty funny dialogue and a good look at a family as well as Allen's search for religion.
Halloween 2 (1981): Rick Rosenthal directed this first sequel to the popular horror franchise which was still written by John Carpenter who wrote and directed the first one. This picks up where the first HALLOWEEN leaves off and spoiler, Michael Myers, played by Dick Warlock, does not die in the first movie. Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie Strode who is injured and taken to the hospital but finds she must use her resourcefulness to stop Myers. Donald Pleasance reprises his role as Dr. Loomis who continues to hunt down Myers but has a hard time convincing the authorities of the importance of what is happening. Charles Cyphers, Jeffrey Kramer, Lance Guest, Pamela Susan Shoop, Leo Rossi, Dana Carvey, Billy Warlock, and many others co-star in this sequel. This does not top John Carpenter's horror masterpiece but is still a pretty decent sequel. This would be a good holiday double feature to watch this after the first one.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018): This is my superhero movie for the week which was directed by Peyton Reed. Paul Rudd reprises his role of Scott Lang aka Ant-Man who is on house arrest from the events of CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. Hank Pym, played by Michael Douglas, and Hope Van Dyne, played by Evangeline Lilly, needs Scott's help for a new mission and Lang must put the Ant-Man suit teaming with Van Dyne who is now the Wasp. Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, T.I., David Dastmalchian, Hannah John-Kamen, Abby Ryder Fortson, Randall Park, Langston Fishburne, and many others co-star in this superhero film. I think I kind of favor these solo MCU movies with Ant-Man and how much fun they are. This is a significant film that leads up to AVENGERS: END GAME. This is availalbe to watch on Disney Plus.
The Morning After (1959): This is technically an episode of ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS but since I make the rules, I call it my short film. Herschel Daugherty directed this episode which stars Robert Alda as businessman Ben Nelson who is a married man having an affair with with the naive Sharon, played by Dorothy Provine, and assuring her he will marry her when he gets a divorce from his wife. Sharon's mother Mrs. Trotter, played by Jeanette Nolan, does not buy into what Ben is saying and confronts him. Fay Wray co-stars as Ben's wife in this episode. This was an anthology series which Hitchcock was host talking about the show and taking jabs some at the sponsors with this one being really funny as well as a good episode.
Phantom of the Opera (1925): This is my silent film for the week which was directed by Rupert Julian and based on the novel by Gaston Leroux. Lon Chaney stars as the phantom who is a disfigured composer living in the theater and falls in love with Christine Daae, played by Mary Philbin. He is able to force her into the lead role where she must also learn of his motives. Many years later, Andrew Lloyd Webber would make this into one of the most famous musicals of all time but here is how it started besides the book being written. Chaney was possibly the ugliest Phantom of all time as opposed to how they are years later where part of their face is messed up. This is still some really good silent horror which shows Chaney's expertise for make-up.
Little Shop of Horrors (1960): Roger Corman directed this horror B-movie. Jonathan Haze stars as the clumsy Seymour Krelborn who is on the verge of getting fired from the flower shop until he produces a a plant that he calls the Audrey Jr., after his co-worker Audrey, played by Jackie Joseph. The plant turns out to be a plant that survives on human blood. Mel Welles, Dick Miller, Myrtle Vail, Jack Nicholson, and many others co-star in this movie. Nicholson has a small role but tends to get top billing when this movie gets released as he is the one who would go onto become a big name. Like my last selection, this would also go onto become a popular musical which was not my intention to include two in a row of movies going on to becme a musical. While I prefer the musical, this does need credit where credit is due.
Willy's Wonderland (2021): Kevin Lewis directed this horror comedy. Nicolas Cage stars as the quiet drifter who is tricked into a janitorial job at a condemned children's restaurant where it turns out that the animatronic mascots are possessed putting him in the fight of his life. Emily Tosta, Beth Grant, Ric Reitz, Chris Warner, Kai Kadlec, Caylee Cowan, Jonathan Mercedes, Terayle Hill, Christian Delgrosso, and many others co-star in this independent horror movie. This is a different sort of Cage performance and does have enough moments of interest for this to be enjoyable. This is available to watch on Hulu.
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954): This is my creature feature from Universal for the week which was directed by Jack Arnold. A group of scientists discover an an unusual creature as they try to capture him to bring back for studies. They capture him but he escapes and kidnaps Kay, played by Julia Adams, who is the fiancee of one of those in the expedition. Like King Kong, this creature, which never really got a formal name to my knowledge, falls in love with the girl. Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno, Nestor Paiva, Whit Bissell, Bernie Gozier, Ricou Browning, Ben Chapman, Art Gilmore, and many others co-star in this creature feature. I have always seen the creature as the tragic hero as he minds his own business and us humans just decide to invade his space. This look of the creature has been a very iconic look through the years as the look was modeled quite a bit in the recent Pixar film LUCA. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962): John Frankenheimer directed this political thriller based on the novel by Richard Condon. Lawrence Harvey stars as Korean vet Raymond Shaw who is brainwashed to into being an assassin and by his own mother Eleanor, played by Angela Lansbury. Eleanor Shaw Iselin is a very domineering figure and anyone disagreeing with her is a "communist". Frank Sinatra co-stars as fellow vet Major Bennett Marco who slowly puts together what has happened to Shaw. Janet Leigh, Henry Silva, James Gregory, Leslie Parrish, John McGiver, Kheih Dheigh, James Edwards, and many others co-star in this film. This ranks up high among political thrillers and still holds up. This was remade many years later but I doubt can top this one.
The Great Muppet Caper (1981): I end the week with this Muppet movie which was directed by Jim Henson. Kermit the Frog, Fozzy Bear, and Gonzo go to London to interview fashion designer Lady Holiday, played by Diana Rigg, whose diamond necklace was stolen. Miss Piggy was framed for the robbery so Kermit and friends must help clear her name. Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Charles Grodin, John Cleese, Robert Morley, Peter Ustinov, Jack Warden, Steve Whitmire, Caroll Spinney, Peter Falk, and many others provide voices or make cameos in this movie. This is some fun and timeless Muppet action for the family. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
Well, that is it for this week but continue on for week to of My Own Madness. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week.
MY OWN MADNESS: WOMEN IN HORROR
I return for another week of this segment where as mentioned, the Madness this year is doing a different approach that does not require summaries but I enjoy this. I have always wanted this theme for the madness so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. The wild cards are the names that have been used through the years for the women. It really is just women who are in horror but sometimes just sci-fi and fantasy. If we don't go back to the format next year, I may do this again but put more thought into my wild cards for Women in Horror but I did not have much time. I might even make my own contest if we don't go back into this format but we'll see.
ADRIENNE BARBEAU
Adrienne is a wild card in all this so as featured last week I used a lot of her work that may not usually qualify. This week, I just used some animation.
Batman: The Animated Series: Tyger, Tyger S1, E30 (1992): Adrienne voices the role of Selina Kyle aka Catwoman and is kidnapped by a mad scientist who turns her into a humanoid cat.
__________________________________________________________________
ANGELA LANSBURY
Angela is a wild card and have quite a bit of her stuff in the coming weeks.
Beauty and the Beast (1991): Angela plays Mrs. Potts in this classic Disney film that is a tale as old as time. Not much explanation needed here.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962): Maybe the best political thriller of all time where Angela is not the best mom in the world.
__________________________________________________________________
BETH GRANT
Beth is not a wild card but I just had to include this underrated character actress when I had these selections at hand.
Angel: Rm w/a Vu (1999): Beth is a ghostly guest star in this episode of the vampire series. Cordelia is desperately searching for an apartment and when finding one she really likes she finds herself at odds with the very mean ghost Maude Pearson, played by Beth.
Willy's Wonderland (2021): Beth co-stars as the sheriff of a town overridden by deadly animatronic mascots where a mute Nicolas Cage must save the day.
__________________________________________________________________
CHARMED
I'm continuing my casual binge of this series and sometimes make a category of an actress like Alyssa last week and Danielle this week..
Charmed: The Truth is Out There and it Hurts S1, E8 (1998): Prue decides to cast a truth spell to see how Andy will react to her and her sisters being witches and effects Phoebe and Piper as well. Photo is of Brian Krause who was at the time just a recurring character but would become very significant to the series.
Charmed: The Witch is Back S1, E9 (1998): The sisters must deal with a warlock from the past and decide to summon their ancestor Melinda Warren, played by Tyler Layton, to help them. Photo is of Leigh-Allyn Baker who plays Hannah who is the assistant to Prue's boss Rex.
Charmed: Wicca Envy S1, E10 (1999): Prue's boss Rex, played Neil Roberts, reveals himself as a warlock when he tries to frame Prue for theft. Leo also shows us there is more to him than meets the eye.
Charmed: Feats of Clay S1, E11 (1999): Phoebe's ex-boyfriend shows up with a stolen and cursed Egyptian urn and the sisters must deal with something much different. Photo is of Dorian Gregory who played Andy's partner Darryl Morris but would go onto become quite the ally to the sisters.
Charmed: The Wendigo S1, E12 (1999): Piper is attacked by a vicious beast and eventually becomes the beast needing Prue and Phoebe to help her.
__________________________________________________________________
DANIELLE HARRIS
Danielle has not been a wild card but I can see potential for her to be a wild card in the future so I made a category for her.
Charmed: The Fourth Sister S1, E7 (1998): Danielle is a guest in this episode as the troubled teenage witch Aviva who is trying to infiltrate the sisters and is a pawn in an evil scheme.
Halloween (2007): Danielle co-stars as Annie in this Rob Zombie remake. I liked how Rob had his own vision and the first half of the film focusing on Michael Myers' childhood. Scout Taylor-Compton took the role of Laurie Strode. 
__________________________________________________________________
DIANA RIGG
Diana is not a wild card but has had a very complex career up to her recent death so I'll just pay a little tribute.
The Great Muppet Caper (1981): These have always counted as creature feature so I will include this one. Diana co-stars as fashion designer Lady Holiday whose valuable jewelry is robbed.
The Worst Witch (1986): Diana stars in this tv movie as teacher Miss Hardbroom who teaches at a witch school. A young Fairuza Balk stars as the title character and Tim Curry co-stars as the Grand Wizard. There are some good music numbers in this including one from Curry.
__________________________________________________________________
ELLEN BURSTYN
Ellen is a wild card for what I am doing and used a selection which does not fit whatsoever but with my rules I make it work.
Playing By Heart (1998): This is more of an ensemble drama where Ellen plays the role of Mildred whose son is dying.
__________________________________________________________________
FAY WRAY
Fay is a wild card and would have very high consideration if I'm to have a legitimate Women in Horror theme.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Morning After S4, E14 (1959): Fay guest stars on this classic anthology, see the recommendations section for more information.
The Most Dangerous Game (1932): I made this selection on account of our theme of the Madness which consists of battles to the death making this a perfect selection. Fay stars as Eve in this pre-code horror film where her and Joel McCrea are hunted by a psychotic big game hunter.
__________________________________________________________________
HANNAH JOHN-KAMEN
Hannah has never been a wild card but decided to use her with a couple of her work in 2018 which is listed here.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018): Anything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe counts here where Hannah plays the circumstantial villain in this sequel to ANT-MAN.
Tomb Raider (2018): Hannah has more of a cameo in this action movie which has some fantasy elements and fits the high adventure category that has been used for the Madness in the past so I'm counting this.
__________________________________________________________________
JACKIE JOSEPH
Jackie is not a category but decided to make a category for her with the selections I found.
Gremlins (1984): This is a much later movie for Jackie where she makes an appearance as Sheila Futterman. This classic creature feature is a perfect one for December for the non-Hallmark crowd. It was always interesting to me how the mogwai Gizmo was the only character that really had any sense. 
Little Shop of Horrors (1960): This is the movie that gave us our favorite musical where Jackie is our first Audrey, much different than the Audrey we envision today.
__________________________________________________________________
JAMIE LEE CURTIS
Jamie is a wild card and would likely be the basis of a women in horror theme.
Halloween 2 (1981): This would count at any time but Jamie makes it count in one of three part twos of the HALLOWEEN franchise.
__________________________________________________________________
JULIE ADAMS
Julie is not a wild card but decided to make her into a category with the below selections.
The Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954): This is the movie where we meet our tragic hero the Gill-Man. Julie co-stars as the fiance of an expedition group who becomes the object of the Creature's affection, kind of like Ann Darrow to King Kong in some ways.
The Incredible Hulk: Life and Death S1, E10 (1978): Julie guest stars in this episode as Ellen who is the assistant to a crooked doctor. This might be the first live-action series for Marvel where Bill Bixby plays Dr. David Banner and becomes the Incredible Hulk, played by Lou Ferigno, when getting angry. In this episode, he needed to be the Hulk to protect a pregnant woman he had befriended.
__________________________________________________________________
MAUREEN O'SULLIVAN
Maureen has been a wild card in the past so I get to use whatever I want with her in it.
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986): Maureen co-stars in one of her later roles so this is a loophole that this time I made for myself.
__________________________________________________________________
OLIVIA THIRLBY
Olivia is not a wild card but with a selection from our theme Battle to the Death in the Madness, I decided to make her into a category.
The Darkest Hour (2011): Olivia plays the role of Natalie in this sci-fi horror movie. She must band together with others to take on an alien race that are attacking us through their power supply.
Dredd (2012): This was a reboot to a comic book franchise that I doubt had much objection. This takes place in a future world where the police act as judge, jury, and executioner. Karl Urban stars as Judge Dredd who is tasked to train an idealistic rookie named Anderson, played by Olivia.
__________________________________________________________________
SILENT MADNESS
The Phantom of the Opera (1925): This silent horror classic adapted from the Gaston Leroux novel has started quite a thing including the big time musical we know today.
__________________________________________________________________
SUPERHEROES
Batman: The Animated Series: Dreams in Darkness E1, S31 (1992): Batman is affected by Scarecrow's fear toxin and ends up in Arkham.
The Flash: Good-Bye Vibrations S7, E12 (2021): This episode is where Cisco and Kamilla announce they are leaving the team while Cisco still looks to have one more adventure with the team.
__________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment