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Frankenstein...Then and Now

This month is Boris Karloff month on Shudder, and with it came the OG Frankenstein! I have seen Frankenstein as a side character in modern movies but never his own story. I searched Roku to see if I could find any modern remakes of the film and found the silent film version! So of course, start with the oldest....

Frankenstein (1910)

I LOVE SILENT FILMS. The only problem with silent films is that you have to pay attention to them but really, when did movies become “background noise”? And really, you have to give them so much credit. They have pace and great use of music and acting has to go so much further in a silent film. Pace in this particular movie is great. Jumps right in to a doctor making Frankenstein. It is a short little one but such a gem. Found on Classic Movie Vault on Roku. 

Frankenstein (1931)

First off, just look how much we had improved technology between 1910 and 1931. Really only 21 years and yet...man you would of thought there was more time between each of these films. Think about it, did I do anything that life changing by the time I was 21? No. But in 21 years, society feels worlds apart. This is Boris Karloff’s big break in Hollywood, even though he worked his entire life and I personally think all of his work is amazing. I love how it feels so much more like its source material and is really a timeless film. Found on Shudder. 

Frankenstein (2004)

I was interested to see how this translated into modern day. This is, in my opinion, trying too hard to be scary. The Frankenstein story is scary but its built into the story not needed to be amped up? It is not bad, its the same essence in modern day. I don’t like it as much as the other films myself. But its great if you like modern stuff. 

The book itself is so ground breaking...from everything that has spread since its being written, to the shock of a young 18 year old woman writing it. Looking to see the many flavors of Frankenstein? Find more information here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein_(film.  Best thing to do after this? Not only watch the films, but watch the horror movie about Marie Shelley herself writing the novel that started it all! For youngsters, watch Frankenweenie...its adorable!

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My Silent Film Ranking

My partner is a bit of a movie buff, and its taken a little bit to rub off on me but in watching movies then and now, I have stumbled onto a fair amount of silent films. Really most people have heard of silent films, (get the pun?), but until you experience it for yourself its hard to understand how neat they really are...here is my ranking of some I have come across...

1.  The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920)

This was the first Silent movie I ever watched. The first one has a special place in ones heart. Besides that, the story and visuals are amazing. Even without the twist in the end, story is so original. Like I would walk through a recreation of this for money. 

2.  Phantom of the Opera (1925)

This is second on my ranking. I have loved Phantom of the Opera, but if you had told me it was better as a silent film...I would of told you you were crazy. Well, if your crazy...I’m looney. I love it better than the modern film, although I love the music in the new one. 

3.  Nosferatu (1922)

The original vampire. Dracula draws its inspiration from this, but until you watch the original it is hard to appreciate the things we know but don’t know the source of. The visuals are amazing and who would of thought it was an OG love story? 

4. Haxan (1922)

A horror mocu-mentary amazing film. Really, its a good length for a silent film. Its in swedish, so not only is there no one speaking you are reading subtitles. Some of the imagery they use is amazing and the mix of book pages and film re-enactment is amazing. Its crazy to me what people used to believe from a modern mind set, can you imagine watching this is 1922? Must Watch! 

5. The Immigrant (1917)

It is hard to do a silent film list and not do a charlie chaplin bit. He is silent film, and I could totally see why. He is an amazing actor, he has so much more work to do with his face and actions. It is a nice little short bit, and makes me want to watch so much more of his work. 

6. Frankenstein (1910)

This is the shortest one, I would of loved to see it longer but technology at the time was much less advanced than it is today...so if I think its tough today to get x amount of footage, time jump back and tell me how much harder it is. Lovely little bit and I love how the colors in an otherwise black and white film build up mood. 

I look forward to watching so many more silent films, just wonder how many more I can get my hands on? I have also heard House of Usher from the 60′s is supposed to be one of the classics. All these are found on Shudder or Classic Movie Vault via Roku. What titles have you seen that you think should be on this list? 

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Phantom Of The Opera...Then and Now

I have always loved The Phantom Of The Opera as a musical, but it did not hit me until recently that it is a Universal Monster. Yes he is a monster, but I have always had a thing for bad guys. So, I am going to watch other version from the point of view of analyzing the character as a monster. As of late, start with a silent film. 

The Phantom Of The Opera (1925)

SILENT FILM XD. Found on Classic Movie Vault on Roku. Well mostly? Given the year sound was coming. The beginning is probably my favorite opening. Like, I have always thought it odd the owners hid the phantom in modern versions when selling the opera house. But love the mix of some sound, mostly silent film, and really the color tints that change set up the mood so well! Actually a full length 1 1/2 hour film too. OMG This film blew my mind. 

Phantom of the Opera (2004)

This is not bad for modern, and much better for giving back story to the characters. The beginning is different but iconic in being a flash forward auction to tell a story back in time. I always appreciated how it mimicked the on stage production in this way. Watching the 1925 version, I realize that many of the same elements are here but rearranged. The rearranging (in retrospect) does not make as much sense as the 1925 version. But I appreciate its attempt to recreate it without adding anything that wasn’t in the original. 

This started off as a novel by Gaston Leroux in 1909/1910. I normally, in a comparison post like this, would of included a movie to kind of bridge the gap between 1925 and 2004. But that just felt wrong? At its heart, even when its not a musical its about an opera house. I really want to petition that we do a remake of the 1925 version with the musical approach of the 2004 version, and then do a movie sequel of Love Never Dies. It will be a hit I tell you. Keep a look out for my Universal Monster ranking...its in the works! Also, watch this on Roku or Crackle. 

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The Hills Have Eyes...Then & Now!

I love seeing a movie transition over the years, and The Hills Have Eyes popped up on my Shudder account. So I started with the very beginning, a very good place to start. The name has recognition but it is one of those I mistook it as horror that had no class and never even tried it? So I am excited to experience this now! 

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

The opening scene leaves me with so many questions. Probably one of the better apocalyptic scenes I have seen in a while. Who doesn’t love a road trip gone wrong? Quickly the family finds themselves lost in the hills, which are supposed to have eyes. But where do the eyes come from? Simple story, great filming for the time it was done, but the simple story was one of the scarier ones I had seen in a while. 

The Hills Have Eyes Part II (1984)

I love how this one picked up where the other one left off regardless of time gap, and even built a time gap into the characters. Probably one of the best sequels I have seen in a while. Less scary than the first one, but its a great continuation. I really liked both of these more than I feel like words will properly say. 

The Hills Have Eyes (2006)

I seem to recall the aspect of the remake (from the original) that is the hyperfocus of the introduction but it is interesting a younger more recent (cause oriented) generation would make something more silent in the original, louder in the remake. It is very close to the original, with some differences which makes it its own. Much faster paced than the one from the 70′s, and (in my opinion) as scary as 1984 film. 

The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007)

I do like that in story, and in real life, the sequel is placed a year later. I will say that I watched the trailer and review videos,and did not watch this. I had a hard time finding it and really when I did I would of had to make an account and pay $5? It does seem to pick up where the other one left off, taking some of the cues the remake took. Like really focusing on military aspect. Military people doing practice runs in the dessert go to pick up scientists doing more tests in the dessert. They come into contact with the hills peoples. It looks really gruesome. 

Whether you watch the original or the remake, if you like Horror, you need to watch this. This is horror, its simple story of a road trip gone wrong in a land forgotten by history’s misdeeds. Yet, is there any movie like it before it? I bet there are movies like it after. I prefer the old school version, even with the sequel. I love the idea for the OG that you see what happened to the family in the first film and see someone dare to come back to old stomping grounds. Really though, both are fantastic films. Scared me (all films) more than I have been in a while. 

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The Mummy...Then and Now

I am a 90′s kid raised by (essentially) a single dad. I grew up watching Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter...and of course The Mummy. What I thought was The Mummy was from the 90′s and had like two sequels to go with it. Recently, I was on Shudder looking to see what is newly added for the month of February...and I found The Mummy from 1932! You know this means I had to not only watch it but do a comparison post! 

The Mummy (1932)

I love this movie. Its a great mix of jumping right into an Egyptian dig site, introducing characters with just enough back story that you can keep up, and slow burn of wondering what is happening. The Mummy in a lot of ways is a love story at its base and I actually kind of buy the “love at first site” and “love forever” sense between the characters. Also, Boris Karloff is up there for me personally with Vincent Price. Good timing for the overall film, love black and white. Really 10 out of 10. 

The Mummy (1999)

I have heard from others that The Mummy ‘99 is a remake married with Indiana Jones fever, Indiana jones came out in 1981 and continues to this day with the most recent film coming out in 2008...another one coming out in 2023. I could see it after watching The Mummy ‘32. You get kind of the same story being told, with some things told differently. Really, I can imagine its hard to be a remake...but if you are going to remake something, change it in a way that helps it. I noticed right away that even though this movie is more action packed and longer....it took longer (with more possibly unneeded character build up) to get to the actual story? This is still a great movie to watch, if you want a more action ish movie about a mummy. 

Look for sequels? The 1932 version does have sequels, but I have not seen them yet. I will add them to this post when I have seen them. They have the following titles: The Mummys Hand, The Mummys Tomb, The Mummys Ghost, The Mummys Curse, and Abbot and Castello Meet The Mummy (more information here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mummy_(franchise)) The remake does have sequels and spin offs and what not...The Mummy Returns and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. A great spinoff is the Scorpion King and there’s like four movies in that movie universe. 

There is about 60 or so years between films. I feel like the remake does honor the original while having its own changes. It is also funny how other things can be so influential on other things. Would the modern mummy have had its own spin without a tipoff to IJ? Who knows. I highly recommend if you can watch the old ones, do so. It is amazing to not only see where things come from, but the amount of work (and luck that it survived) for me to be able to watch something from 1932, is deserving of honor by viewing. 

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Horror Anthology Film Ranking

I love Shudder. Really, it is probably my favorite streaming service over Netflix. They actually break down the movies by genre and subgenre. I really also love how I am learning more about the art of film by watching old and new stuff on Shudder. I enjoyed doing my “whodunit” post and thought, why not make similar posts but different genres? Here is my Horror Anthology Ranking. 

Monster Club (1981): Really, what gets better than Vincent Price sucking your blood and offering you a drink at a cool club after to say a proper, thank you for your blood? Stories are great, scenery is great, VINCENT PRICE. Really if I have to add anything after...VINCENT PRICE...I have questions for you. I really wish this film made a soundtrack, as I need this soundtrack and a sequel. 

Asylum (1972): I love the premise of this: doctor reads paper looking for job, goes to place for a job. Tries to impress the interviewer by saying he can spot a specific kind of mental problem. To get the job, he must find the original owner of the establishment who is suffering from said disease. The ending is fantastic and that is all I will say about that. 

Black Sabbath (1963): I am sorry Mario Bava that your film is not higher on this list, but within this genre...there are really so many gems. This as an anthology is perfect. Great host, I wonder if Twilight Zone took any inspiration for this. Stories build up perfectly and it is scary with just enough funny that its perfect for all. 

The Mortuary Collection (2019): I am happy to include a more modern one in this list to show that even if older movies do it better, modern movies can bring that old world charm to the future. I love this ones premise, a gal goes for a job opening at the local mortician and he tells her stories of the corpses to see if she can handle the job. The twist is lovely, the music is surprisingly good, and I would not mind watching a sequel to this. 

Creep Show (2020): Now, it is impossible to talk about Anthologies and not mention Creep Show. My BFF loves this and until I watched it on shudder, I had not. Since it has been and is an ongoing series, I decided to “sample” it with this film. The animation is lovely, the stories are that gross horror type? For some reason that is something I have never been able to stomach. But good stories, book style format. Not bad, but for me lower on the list. 

Verotika (2019): Now, something in every ranking has to be the bottom. To be fair to this film, it was interesting to see an erotic anthology. Erotic and Horror are very interesting partners together (normally). This honestly was not a good movie, but had the bones to be a very good movie. I would love to see this redone, or revamped in sequel? 

I did not realize I had an anthology from different decades in here, but when you take that point of view into consideration...you really get to see where anthologies have been and where they are now. As I am writing this, I realize that Goosebumps should be on here as they would be an anthology? I loved those books as a kid, it would be the only reason I would go to the library. (I hated borrowing books). Have you seen any of the films on here? Any films you think need to be on here? 

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Mario Bava Film Ranking

I love Shudder, and have been exploring all sorts of movies in the Horror Genre. I stumbled upon Mario Bava in his most famous film, Black Sunday. Only to find that there is a collection of his films on Shudder. While there are more films in the collection than the 8 I will be ranking below, any of his films is a fantastic experience. But, I have decided to rank them based on my personal feelings: 

1) The Whip & The Body (1963):

This is a perfect movie. Macabre, romance, death, haunting, symbolism, imagery, music scenery. Just amazing. 

Black Sunday (1960): 

This is a timeless movie. I love the topics, span of time, filming. Even has a happy ending somehow! 

Lisa & The Devil (1976):

This is the movie to watch while you are high on a date, and have it make it that much better. This one will probably be my favorite to tell someone else to watch, and see what I catch in the rewatch. 

Black Sabbath (1964):

This is an anthology, and its very very well done. The stories ramp up in excitement, and honestly each story feels original yet linking and I am here for it. 

Kill, Baby...Kill (1966):

This is rural, creepy, slow, simple yet surprising. Great use of supernatural and superstition and filming. I feel so much like I am there, and really I want to be there. 

The Evil Eye (1964):

This was released in the US under a different name and version, and I really wish I had access to the Italian one. Its a great black and white european vacation horror film. 

Bay of Blood (1972): 

This for me had a slightly lacking story, but one can see how it is so influential. Beautiful film that is inventive and original. 

Schock (1977): 

I really hate to have had to rank anything last, but despite its position-surprising and excellent film. Play on the family dynamic gone wrong when the ghosts of the pasts decide to render themselves as included. 

Mario Bava, who met his end in 1980 is known as “The Master Of The Macabre”, and his worked influenced so much of what we know today from Slashers to Anthologies to Band Names. This was IMPOSSIBLE to rank, as no movie was a bad experience...even if the story could of been better. The effects are amazing, filming is wonderful, music is great. These are the kinds of movies you watch the first time, and say to yourself, “why am I only (TBD) years old before I experienced this film?”. You think you knew what happened, you watch it again with others and gain a deeper understanding of a forever unexplained mystery. I wish modern films, with their experience of time and gains in technology, could deliver something close to this experience.