Really Awful Movies: Ep 214 – Creature from the Black Lagoon

March 30, 2018March 30, 2018 ~ reallyawfulmovies

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A geology expedition in the Amazon uncovers fossilized evidence of a mysterious creature in the form of a skeletal hand with webbed fingers.

On this episode of the podcast, travel to Brazil with us (OK, Florida) as we discuss Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Expedition leader Dr. Carl Maia (Antonio Moreno) orders his two assistants to stay in camp while he visits the marine biology institute to get answers about his find.

Maia reunites with his friend and former student, ichthyologist Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson). Dr. Reed works at an aquarium in California, but more recently he has been a guest at Maia’s institute in Brazil to study lungfish. Reed persuades his boss, Dr. Mark Williams (Richard Denning), to fund a return expedition to the Amazon to look for the remainder of the skeleton down river.

Soon, the research expedition gets wind of a certain gilled amphibious humanoid thing down in the depths.

Director Jack Arnold’s first foray into the science-fiction genre was the fun, It Came from Outer Space (1953). Jack achieved his greatest enduring cult popularity with this film, a well-crafted reworking of “Beauty and the Beast”. Revenge of the Creature (1955) was a (semi) worthy sequel.

Critic Leonard Maltin said about the film that it was an “Archetypal ’50s monster movie has been copied so often that some of the edge is gone, but … is still entertaining, with juicy atmosphere and luminous underwater photography sequences.”

Really Awful Movies: Ep 206 – Heavy Metal

February 2, 2018January 30, 2018 ~ reallyawfulmovies

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For the first time in the history of the Really Awful Movies Podcast we’re tackling an animated feature. On today’s episode, Heavy Metal, an anthology fantasy film that featured a bunch of scantily clad heroines and a bitchin’ soundtrack showcasing the likes of Sabbath, Sammy Hagar and Nazareth.

Heavy Metal is a 1981 Canadian-American co-production. The film was directed by Gerald Potterton, produced by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters) as well as Leonard Mogel, who was also the publisher of Heavy Metal, a magazine whose French edition inspired this film.

Heavy Metal’s poster says it is a “universe of mystery,” but what kept it grounded was the the slew of familiar characters voiced by noted Canadian names like John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Harold Ramis, and John Vernon (re: the latter. In an early episode of the podcast we covered Curtains, as well as another the fun pic, Killer Klowns from Outer Space).

Despite being a cartoon, this definitely falls under the category of “not suitable for children” (Snarky Editor’s note: kinda like Woody Allen’s Upper East Side apartment?). Inspired by R. Crumb and his ilk from the 70s, this animated feature has all the kinds of stuff that makes being a teen boy all kinds of fun.

This is a superhero tale essentially. And that means it’s basically good versus evil. And what connects the different vignettes together is a giant green globule (wait, that sounds like what was left on the drummer’s stool in This is Spinal Tap!). This orb thing-y has a bunch of magical powers. And as a result, it’s coveted by everyone. If that story line sounds familiar, it’s the plot of about 50 post-apocalyptic films shot in Turkey. Give or take.

Made for 9 million and grossing 20, Heavy Metal was a modest hit…and it’s since become something of a cult classic (yes, that phrase is overused but here it seems to really fit).

So, come join us on this episode of the Really Awful Movies Podcast. And check out new episodes of the show every Friday. THANKS!

Really Awful Movies: Ep 202 – The Fly II

January 5, 2018January 4, 2018 ~ reallyawfulmovies

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The poster says it all…Like father, like son. The Fly II did gonzo box office but badly with the critics. And that’s a bit of a shame as this one is fun as hell.

Sure there’s no Cronenberg, Goldblum, Davis, etc. And those are big-time names. But director Chris Walas is game and gives us a solid oddball sequel that’s a smashing good time.

Martin Brundle is the son of Goldblum’s Seth. He’s birthed in Bartok Industries in spectacular fashion. Since Gina Davis wasn’t back, the folks behind this sequel did as best they could replicating her…and that was quite ingenious when you think about it.

Martin prematurely ages and is the subject of experimentation. Gradually, he starts to feel more and more fly-like (like pa) and when granted his freedom starts to explore.

The Fly II (1989) then goes really crazy and gory. Much more of a monster movie than the first, a psychological slow-burn, there is nonetheless lots of fun to be had here. And on our show too. Check out our Really Awful Movies Podcast for genre film discussion that’s smart, and mostly sober.