Welcome to the 934th Edition of my series. This is the start of this year's Madness which is something I look forward to every year. In the coming weeks, I'll be putting in my results in additional to my selections as I do every year. My thoughts go out to those in the hurricane right now. I don't have a lot going on right now so I'll just get on with my selections for the week.
Man-Thing (2005): Brett Leonard directed this more unknown Marvel movie. Matthew Le Nevez stars as the new sheriff Kyle Williams who is investigating some murders where an oil tycoon is drilling on sacred ground. This leads to a swamp like creature that is brutally killing those involved. Rachael Taylor co-stars as feisty teacher Teri Richards who helps the sheriff. Jack Thompson, Steve Bastoni, Rawiri Paratene, Alex O'Loughlin, Robert Mammone, Patrick Thompson, William Zappa, John Batchelor, Ian Bliss, Brett Leonard, Imogen Bailey, and many others co-star in this marvel movie. No franchise ever came from this movie nor have the MCU brought Man-Thing into their universe. This was intended for theatrical release but ended up on the Sci-Fi channel. I supposed this is Marvel's answer to SWAMP THING. This was worth a look but best to get a group of friends to just enjoy it together. This could be a good one for MST3K and Rifftrax to watch. This is available to watch on Tubi.
The Rental (2020): Dave Franco directed and co-wrote this horror movie that shows the dark side of the Airbnb type services. Dan Stevens, Alison Brie, Jeremy Allen White, and Sheila Vand star as a two couples who just want a getaway for the weekend and have a pretty nice rental home. Things happen and they find they might be watched to discover something more sinister going on. Toby Huss and Anthony Molinari co-star in this horror movie. This is Franco's directorial debut in this horror movie. This is a pretty decent horror movie and I liked the twist as well as the end. This is available to watch on Netflix, AMC +, and IFC Films Unlimited.
Onward (2020): Don Scanlon directed and co-wrote this Pixar animated film. This centers around a suburban fantasy world where elf brothers Barley and Ian, voiced by Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, learn there may be a way to resurrect their late father for a day and set out a quest while Ian learns more about himself. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss co-stars as their mother who sets off to find her kids and teams with the legendary Manticore, voiced by a very amusing Octavia Spencer. Mel Rodriguez, Kyle Bornheiner, Lena Waithe, Ali Wong, Grey Griffin, Tracey Ullman, Wilmer Valderrama, George Psarras, John Ratzenberger, and many others. This is a really good coming of age story told by Pixar and has that usual Pixar magic. There are a lot of good fantasy references for the fantasy buffs out there. In this end, this is one the family can enjoy together. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
The Horseplayer (1961): Technically this is an episode of ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS but I make the rules so I can call it my "short film for the week". Alfred Hitchcock actually directed this episode and he does not directed them all. Claude Rains stars as Father Amion whose church needs a new roof. He starts to see generous donations only to learn it was a stranger named Sheridan, played by Ed Gardner, has been making donations from his winnings in horse racing which he claims are thanks to the church. Percy Helton, Mike Ragan, Kenneth MacKenna, and many others co-star in this episode. This is a good look at a priest caught between a rock and a hard place considering his struggling church and his own ethics. This is available to watch on Peacock, Tubi, the Roku Cannel and Best TV Ever which is part of Prime.
Song at Midnight (1935): Weibang Ma-Xu directed this horror film that is loosely based on book PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Gaston Leroux. Jin Shan stars as a disfigured composer who roams a Chinese Opera House punishing those that offend him. Hu Ping co-star as the Phantom's love interest who were together but believes he is dead. This is the first horror film from China. When I watched this, I wasn't sure if I was going to get a silent film or sound but China did have the technology so this is not a silent film. It is a pretty moving and tragic story.
The Invisible Man Returns (1940): Joe May directed this Universal sequel to the 1933 film THE INVISIBLE MAN. Vincent Price stars as Geoffrey Radcliffe who is scheduled to hang for a murder he didn't commit. His friend Dr. Frank Griffin, played by John Sutton, gives him the formula needed to become invisible and is able to escape in hopes of finding who framed him. Radcliffe also must be careful as he is experiencing gradual madness. Nan Grey, Cedric Hardwicke, Cecil Kellaway, Alan Napier, Forrester Harvey, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty good sequel, maybe not as known among the Universal monster universe. This has some really good visual effects from this era. I would recommend the 1933 film first but this has its own story to it. This is available to watch on Peacock.
Evil Dead Rise (2023): Lee Cronin wrote and directed this update to the EVIL DEAD franchise. Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland star as estranged sisters Beth and Ellie as they try to reconnect but get disrupted by flesh-possessing demons. They must fight for survival and protect the kids. Mirabai Pease, Richard Crouchley, Anna-Maree Thomas, Noah Paul, Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies, Nell Fisher, and many others co-star in this film. Also, listen for the voice of Bruce Campbell. This was produced by Sam Raimi so he at least saw over this stand-alone entry. While it is a stand-alone entry, some knowledge of the EVIL DEAD franchise would be beneficial. This is a pretty good story to lead into the horror of a family reunion going on that just gets cut short because of a deadly book. This is available to watch on Max.
Alien (1979): Ridley Scott directed this sci-fi classic. Sigourney Weaver stars as Ripley who is part of a crew on a commercial spaceship. They encounter an unknown creature which wreaks havoc all over the ship. Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto, Bolaji Badejo, and many others co-star in this sci-fi thriller. There is not a lot that needs to be said about this movie. It is the start of quite the franchise as well as the iconic heroine Ellen Ripley. This is perfect for the season and the rest of the year. This is available to watch on Peacock.
A Bucket of Blood (1959): Roger Corman directed this classic film. This centers around a beatnik cafe where Dick Miller stars as Walter Paisley who is a dimwitted busboy but wants to fit in among the crowd. This starts with some clay he wanted to use which was a struggle until he accidentally kills a cat and makes a statue of it by plastering it with the clay. This gets him the respect he has always wanted but must resort to extreme measures to keep his popularity in the cafe. Antony Carbone, Julian Burton, Ed Nelson, Judy Bamber, Myrtle Vail, Bert Convy, and many others co-star in this film. This is probably my favorite Corman film. That is honestly my sort of environment being coffee shop kind of guy. Miller is perfect as the outcast trying to fit into society. Walter Paisley is born everyone. This is available to watch on Prime, Tubi, Freevee, Crackle, and most other streaming apps.
Last Night in Soho (2021): Edgar Wright directed and co-wrote this horror mystery. Thomasin McKenzie stars as Eloise who is an aspiring fashion designer going to college. She starts having visions where she is in the '60s and living vicariously through an aspiring singer named Sandie, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. As time goes on, the visions get darker and putting Eloise on the brink of insanity. Matt Smith, Diana Rigg, Rita Tushingham, Michael Ajao, Kassius Nelson, Rebecca Harrod, Pauline McLynn, Terence Stamp, and many other co-star in this film. This is Rigg's final film and she died before the movie was put out. Stephen King also gave his endorsement of this film. This does a good job of jumping through the time periods and not being too hard to follow but still giving suspense. This is available to watch on Freevee.
Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which includes week 1 of the Madness and will include Amanda Seyfried, Vincent Price, Claude Rains, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charles Bronson, Donald Sutherland, and many others.
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