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Rainey-Dawn
Disney, Universal Pictures, Hammer Films, Amicus, Tigon, American International, Stephen King, Poe, Stoker, Tolkien, Rowlings, Lewis, & Martin are among my top favorites films and books.
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Lists
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My Medieval Collection
My Holiday Films
List not showing: Studio One: The Play of the Nativity of the Child Jesus.
Not listed are Mickey Mouse shorts: Yodelberg, The Hockey Champ, Pluto's Christmas Tree, The Art of Skiing, & Corn Chips.
My Musicals Films
My John Carradine Collection
My Comedy Films
I have 'The Munsters - Family Portrait' (2008) I can't find it listed. I've yet to obtain the entire series so I can't add it.
My Animations
My Horror Film Collection
Stephen King films are in their own list.
Horror Franchises are in a list of their own.
My other lists with Horror films are by actor and type. - See my other lists for the rest of my horror films.
Reviews
A Christmas Carol (1999)
A Good Dark Version of the Tale
A good, dark version of the tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge's transformation. Scrooge has one of the best character arcs in literature and this adaptation is worth while watching. This version has it's on uniqueness that it's enjoyable viewing.
The film is one of the better adaptations I've seen - comparable to the (1984 film with George C. Scott).
If you've never watched any of the many versions of A Christmas Carol/Scrooge then you are missing out on a great classic ghost story.
If you've seen several versions of this story as I have then you aren't missing much by skipping this version but it is worth your while to watch at least once for the holiday season.
9/10.
Berserk (1967)
Decent Show
Monica Rivers (Joan Crawford) owns a circus. Relations are rocky but the show was going on fine until the first murder. Everyone suspects everyone else - including the show owner Monica.
Monica (Crawford) gets a chance to off in her night gown in front of a younger man that claims to lover her. Not the first time I've seen Crawford in this type of role - older woman, younger man.
The film's even pace is a little slow but works for the film. The circus show itself is pretty good. The film is acted out well and the story is a bit interesting.
The film would pair well with: "Psycho-Circus", "Vampire Circus" or "Freaks".
The Funhouse (1981)
Great Atmosphere
Amy Harper, her boyfriend Buzz Dawson, and their friends Richie Atterbury and Liz Duncan decide to go to the carnival in town. The group witness the murder of the fortune teller. After the carnival closes the teens find themselves trapped inside and have trouble leaving while there is a psycho killer on the loose!
The film is really a fun fair to watch. Great atmosphere if you like carnivals or even circuses.
I haven't seen the film since the early 1980s and recently decided to buy it on DVD to enjoy again.
This film would pair well with "Vampire Circus", "Psycho-Circus", "IT" or even "Berserk".
7.5/10.
Dial M for Murder (1954)
A Good Crime Thriller
Pretty neat Hitchcock crime thriller. Great casting, directing as good as you'd want from Hitchcock, interesting story.
Ray Milland is Tony Wendice, a man who is calmly angry that his wife, Margot (Grace Kelly), is seeing another man, Mark Halliday (Robert Cummings). Tony blackmails an old acquaintance, Charles Swann (Anthony Dawson), into killing his wife. The murder is botched and that's where the story becomes a good crime-thriller.
Well worth watching if you like film noir, crime-thrillers or Hitchcock's suspense. This film would pair well with 'Rear Window' or 'North by Northwest'.
Good movie.
9/10.
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Good Crime Noir
I'll give this much away: There isn't a postman in the film. It's the last scene that explains the title of the movie. With that said, I guess the postman does ring twice.
A very good film noir. It's a crime film about A man named Frank Chambers who winds up at Nick and Cora Smith's place. Nick has a burger joint business and Cora helps him. Frank wants to leave but stays and works for a week for Nick to gain a bit of money. In the meantime, Frank and Cora fall in-love. Cora wants Frank to kill her husband Nick and that's when our story really begins.
A really good late night movie. Highly recommended viewing!
9/10.
The Big Sleep (1946)
A Complex Case for Philip Marlowe
This is a rather difficult and complex case for private detective Philip Marlowe. He is hired by General Sternwood to investigate blackmail concerning his youngest daughter's gambling debts. Marlowe find more than just deep gambling debts - he finds murder, pornographers, nightclubs, rogues and maybe he finds a true love.
A good story with a well rounded cast helps to make this film on the best murder-mysteries of the 1940s era.
A good detective-crime film to watch one rainy afternoon. Makes a great double feature with films like The Maltese Falcon or Casablanca.
Well worth my time watching - enjoyed it!
8/10.
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Good Detective Story
Bogart is Sam Spade - Spade was a new character created for The Maltese Falcon and does not appear in any of Hammett's previous stories but he does appear in 4 stories later in the series.
The story is of 3 people who are looking for the jewel-encrusted Maltese Falcon - a priceless piece of art. Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre) hires Spade to find the statue. But Sam Spade is quite a bit smarter than Cairo suspects.
Pretty good old film noir. One of the better crime films of the 1940s. Great casting, cinematography excellent and an interesting tale.
Worth watching if you haven't watched this one and interested in old crime films.
6.5/10.
The Legend of Hell House (1973)
Effective Horror-Mystery
Pretty effective horror-mystery. The mystery being what is the real cause of the haunting at Hell House? It is residual energy going wild? It is spirits haunting the home or is it something else entirely? Is the haunting even reality?
There was a great build up of suspense until the ending and the ending sorta fizzled out - not the 'bang-up' reveal I expected. I would definitely watch the movie again regardless because the film is good.
Great casting - I particularly loved Roddy McDowall's character. There are some exotic camera shots that make the film really eerie to view. The story is very interesting.
Definitely a film I'll recommend to haunted house lovers.
8.5/10.
Ratatouille (2007)
Eggs-cellent Film!
Eggs-cellent Film! Disney's Pixar really hit an all time high with Ratatouille! This is one of the most unique stories I've ever seen; there's nothing on the market like it. There is also a top notch cast voicing the beloved characters. Wonderful film!
Remy is a sweet little rat that loves to cook and does not like to steal. Remy's father is the leader of the rats and they steal for food - mainly garbage. When Remy gets hooked up the the human Linguini the pair make one incredible chef and story to tell.
Highly recommended for adults due to the adult theme of a child born out of wedlock. But easy enough tale for the children to watch.
8.5/10.
Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933)
Very Good!
Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933), starring Lionel Atwill, is the original film that was later remade and retitled 'House of Wax' (1953) which stars Vincent Price. Of the two films - I prefer the remake with Price but this 1933 with Atwill is still a must see for wax museum horror buffs!
My copy of the film is the colored print on DVD - though it's obvious the color is fading. Some should recolor this glorious film!
Igor (Atwill) is a master artist of a wax museum. His partner wants out and sets the museum ablaze, burning and disfiguring Igor in the process. Some 12 years later, Igor has opened a new wax museum. Beautiful sculptures that are all too real! Meanwhile, someone is stealing bodies from the morgue!
8/10.
The Shuttered Room (1967)
Watch for Oliver Reed
The only reason to watch this film is for Oliver Reed and/or for H. P. Lovecraft fandom. As far as horror, I didn't see anything of horror in the film - it's more of a thriller than anything. The ending might be considered horror - maybe.
We hardly see anything to do with The Shuttered Room. Mainly we have a countrified Oliver Reed onscreen who is suppose to be an American (his accent is dodgy though) and his gang of goons acting like a bunch of jerks - scaring the city folks. This is mainly all the film is. The ending is where you see something about the room and I guess it's 'horror' (but that's questionable).
6/10.
I Saw What You Did (1965)
I Enjoyed It
I love the combination of William Castle and Joan Crawford, plus the fact the movie a horror-thriller - that is what attracted me to the film.
Here we have two typical teenage friends and a younger sister of one of the girls playing phone pranks on random people. Their favorite joke is to say "I saw what you did and I know who you are." Once they call a Steve Marak then the trouble begins. A couple of murders and a three screaming girls later we have a pretty decent flick!
The only problem with the film is the ending was rather abrupt but overall an enjoyable watch.
I will say for first time viewers there are a couple surprisingly graphic scenes for 1965.
Good!
9/10.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Good Finale
I have to say this is a good finale though it lacks the philosophical aspect of the prior films. This final installment into the original series focus' on Caesar wanting to learn more about his parents and goes to the hall of records to find answers. This causes a war with the humans in the city of ruins. The final half of the film has it's main focus on the war - hence the title Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
This last film also shows the beginnings of the telepathic humans in the 2nd film (Beneath the Planet of the Apes).
This one is my least favorite of the series but it is still a worthwhile movie!
8/10.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
How It All Began
This film is how it all began - a prequel of sorts. Caesar was born in the last film (Escape from the Planet of the Apes) and was left, hidden in a circus, by Armando. Now it's 20 years later. Caesar, all grown up, will lead a primate revolt against the human slave owners. The time of The Planet of the Apes begins!
Incredible installment into the film series. The tale is dark and foreboding for the primates and humans alike.
I love looking deeper into this story - though the characters have all changed from the beginning of the series.
Highly recommended viewing for all cinephiles. One of the greatest sci-fi series of all time!
9/10.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
Excellent Entry!
Fabulous sequel - excellent entry into the series! Here we have the reversal: the apes, Zira and Cornelius, who have successfully escaped from the Planet of the Apes; though they don't know how they ended up on Earth many years prior to their own births. Zira is carrying their child!
The film start out light-hearted and comical at times but takes a much darker turn as the film progresses forward. I won't say what happens but the ending tore my heart out.
This is one of the best movies of the series - I like this one as much as the first film though I did like the second film of the series.
Definitely recommended viewing for film buffs!
10/10.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
Continues the Story Nicely
This second film of the series expands the universe nicely. There is a darker turn for our humans to discover about the strange Earth. They run into a bizarre telepathic race of men who are hell bent on "War/Violence is Peace". I found these telepathic humans to be the most violent of all.
The film focus' on Brent, an astronaut looking to find Taylor and his men, and discovers The Planet of the Apes. Brent's introduction is much like Taylor's.
Good casting and great supporting cast. The special effects and make-up are on par - definitely matches the first movie. Story is great, though the tale gets even darker for our astronauts.
Much recommend viewing.
9/10.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Still Great!
I remember growing up watching this film series. I was awe-struck by it and frightened by the ending; an ending I will not mention here because I don't want to ruin it for first time viewers.
Rewatching this movie all these years later, I have to say the film is still superb - a true movie classic!
The casting is aces! The make-up, costumes and set designs are outstanding. The cinematography and music score are out of this world good.
Would I recommend this classic version of the film - you bet! I do enjoy the newer series but the original that I grew up with is my favorite - nothing like it.
10/10.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Rather Bland
I much prefer Footloose as my 80's dance film over Dirty Dancing any day.
Years ago I watched Dirty Dancing as was unimpressed. I've recently rewatched the movie and I'm still unimpressed but like it a bit better than I once did.
Really I do not get the hype over this movie. I guess it's because beloved Patrick Swayze dances with Jennifer Grey. Patrick dances so everyone goes crazy over the movie.
The story? I don't really know - it's just uninteresting to me. Acting, choreography, cinematography, etc.. all just fine. I just find the story rather a bore.
If you like Patrick Swayze then Dirty Dancing should be your 'go to' film for him.
6/10.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
The Episode We've All Waited For
From 1999 to 2005 every fan was waiting on the edge of their seats to find out exactly how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader - and Revenge of the Sith tells us that story. This episode also lets us know how Luke and Leia were separated at birth.
A really good Star Wars episode - this one has all the magic and fun of the original trilogy (episodes 4, 5, & 6) but continues the tale of episodes 1 & 2.
Well worth watching for Star Wars fans. Concludes the story Anakin's journey to the Dark Side quite nicely.
And a bonus: No Jar Jar Binks in this final installment of the prequel trilogy. I'm not a fan of "Mesa" Jar Jar.
9/10.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Enjoyable Fun
This episode is a lot more enjoyable than The Phantom Menace because Jar Jar is tamed way down and only in it a short while. And I feel we are more on track with the story than concerning ourselves with Anakin as a child (Episode 1).
This episode has Padme Amidarla as a senator rather than a queen. She still believes in democracy and for that an assassination attempt is made on her life. Kenobi and Skywalker are sent in to protect Amidarla and try to find out who is behind it. All the while Padme and Anakin are falling in love.
Story is pretty good; it felt like 'Star Wars' compared to episode 1 which only felt halfway 'Star Wars' to me.
Overall I liked the film.
8/10.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Jar Jar Still Annoys Me
Watch the race scene for a cameo by Warwick Davis - he played the ewok Wicket in 'Return of the Jedi'.
The most annoying Star Wars character is Jar Jar Binks - in my opinion. All that 'mesa' this and 'mesa' that rakes on my nerves. Otherwise, okay film.
Natalie Portman and Keira Knightley look much a like in this film it's hard to tell them apart sometimes. Liam Neeson is amazing as always. The rest of the cast is pretty good too.
The story is rather blah minus the ending lightsaber battle. Too much focus on a race with young Anakin Skywalker and the rest of it just political garbage that isn't relevant to the Skywalker Saga.
I'd watch it again - but it's not a favorite of the Star Wars franchise by any means.
6/10.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Nothing Original But an Ex-Stormtrooper
There is nothing original about this film except an ex stormtrooper dubbed Finn. The rest of the film is rehash of previous movies.
What irked me was the character Rey:
1) Luke's lightsaber 'chose' her, she never needed training to learn her Jedi skills - which diminishes the previous films point of needing training to learn the ways of the Force.
2) She knew all about Millennium Falcon - so much so she made Han Solo look like an idiot. So this is completely angering. Then she flew out of there with Chewy in the Falcon - grrrrr!
3) She knew exactly what BB-8, the droid, was saying. Luke worked with droids and didn't know what all the beeps and whistles meant. He needed C-3PO to help.
IF they didn't write all this about the character and made her a young person willing to learn new things then I would have liked her character - instead they made her a know-it-all so she's rather annoying and irky.
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Finn! Finn is an ex stormtrooper. They should have done more with him to help the Rebels or ermm the Resistance in future films. Great character Finn!
The rest of the movie is a rehash of episodes 4, 5, & 6. Basically a 'remix' if you will.
Did I like the film? Just so-so. Did I have fun watching? To a degree, yes I did. Will I watch it again? Mostly for Han, Leia, and Luke.
I'm rating mid-way at a 6 out of 10.
6/10.
Frogs (1972)
The Revenge of Nature
Only thing missing is more frogs and Sam Elliot's mustache. Sam Elliot is cute without his famous mustache but you may not recognize him at first. Great to see Sam in an early role and even better he is the hero of the story along with the frogs and other creatures.
This one should be called The Revenge of Nature - it's a lot more than frogs giving payback! The Frogs lead snakes, spiders, alligators, lizards, turtles, birds, and even blue crabs to kill those who go against nature.
Ray Milland is on par with his rich man, southern patriarch role and the one who has wronged mother nature. Really the casting over all is quite good.
Recommended to watch on Jason's (Ray Milland) birthday which is on July 4th. I have a lot of fun watching this one.
8/10.
The Concorde... Airport '79 (1979)
It Was a Fun Ride
Not as good as the 3 Airport films before it but The Concorde is a fun thrill ride. I got quite a few laughs in disbelief to what was going on in the film. The story is a bit 'out there' but that's what makes Airport '79 fun.
I've learned that if George Kennedy has anything to do with an Airport/Airplane then do NOT fly on that plane! Bad things happen when he's involved. Haha! George is back as Joe Patroni - this time flying the Concorde!
Do not get involved with Kevin Harrison (Robert Wagner) - the guy is bad news and extremely vengeful.
Jimmie Walker is Bolsie - our comic relief and Charo makes a brief appearance.
I don't care what others think of this movie - I like it.
7/10.
Airport '77 (1977)
Quite Enjoyable
This installment of Airport is almost as good as the first movie. This '77 is much more of a thriller than the '70 original film and better than the '75 Airport - in my opinion. As usual there is a super cast and interesting story.
Philip Stevens (James Stewart) has several passengers and artworks being flown to his home in his private plane. There are two art thieves that hijack Philip Stevens' (James Stewart) private 747 and one of them is the plane's copilot. There is a thick patch of fog and the copilot accidentally crashes the plane around 100ft deep into the ocean. It's up to the pilot and surviving passengers to free themselves from the watery tomb before it's too late.
Fairly suspenseful and thrilling to watch. I really enjoyed the movie.
8.5/10.