Mad Monster Party? (1967)

4 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: At long last, a Motion Picture with absolutely no cultural value!!
Directed by: Jules Bass
Written by: Len Korobkin, Harvey Kurtzman
Actors include: Boris Karloff, Allen Swift, Gale Garnett
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Animation
Length: 94 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I can't believe I went my entire childhood without ever having watched this, I'd have loved it! Definitely a film for the whole family with musical numbers, many clever little nods to the Universal monsters and an insanely creative production. The concept is that Dr. Frankenstein has invented a new potion that will cause destruction. He's also the head of organization of monsters, so he rounds up all of his monster friends for a mad monster party. He also wants to announce his retirement and his successor! Be prepared to meet adorable versions of The Mummy, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, The Hunchback, The Invisible Man, King Kong, The Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Creature (from the Black Lagoon), Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller. It's all made with the same style as the old Rudolph and Frosty christmas films (which I love) and even by the same people, this is just spooky instead! Even though it is very entertaining there are several jokes that are just too corny to laugh at and a few song and dance numbers that really could have been left out. Still a very visionary and enjoyable Halloween treat that any child should love (and many adults should like it too).

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

King Kong (1933)

4.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: A Monster of Creation's Dawn Breaks Loose in Our World Today!
Directed by: N/A
Written by: James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Actors Include: Robert Armstrong, Fay Wray, John Cabot
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Length: 104 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
Wow this is one exquisitely filmed picture, it's downright shocking that they were able to accomplish so very much in 1933! The story is about some movie makers who are filming a picture on Skull Island, he's got most things in place, he's only missing a leading lady. Enter Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) a lovely but down on her luck young Lady who is eager to join the crew. When they get to this mysterious island things aren't quite what they expected. The locals seem to worship a giant gorilla named Kong, and they want to serve up Ann to him as a sacrifice. They give her to Kong, and that is where the film really takes off. See one of the film crew wants to capture the ape to bring it home for an attraction, and of course save the girl. The last half hour is pretty much amazing, the shots of New York are stunning and the effects are quite something. The scenes were Kong has gone nuts are my favorites but pretty much the entire thing is a spectacle. I can't believe it took me so long to watch this, this is something you just have to see no matter what sort of films you enjoy.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray