Movie Review: The Howling (Collector's Edition Blu-ray, 1981)

Werewolves have always had a soft spot in my heart since I was a youngster taking in creature features on Sunday afternoons. The first couple films to really give me that burst of lycanthrope excitement were, John Landis’ An American Werewolf in London and Joe Dante’s The Howling.  There have been others like, The Wolfman, The Company of Wolves, Silver Bullet and even the more recent Dog Soldiers but nothing came close to the grand scale of those two classics. Scream Factory has thankfully taken the time to give Joe Dante’s film a loaded Blu-ray release for fans to salivate over, much like our canine friends. I recently got a chance to sink my teeth into it and, well, it doesn’t disappoint.

Dee Wallace Stone plays news reporter Karen White, a brave gal who helps the authorities by attempting to trap a serial killer. Things don’t over particularly after the cops gun down the killer as our heroine is severely traumatized by the whole situation. This incident calls for  some serious R & R for her, so she, along with her hubbie, William (the late Christopher Stone) take a journey into the woods to a colony of fairly friendly folks who are as hospitable as can be for the couple.

The couple starts to see that things are exactly what they seem, and that while they may be away from the carnage of the serial killer they could be somewhere worse – in the middle of a colony of ferocious, horny and very hungry werewolves.

Movie Review: The Howling Reborn (2011)

Joe Dante's The Howling has stood the test of time as being one of the greatest horror films of all time. It really is that good. The Howling has it all - Scares, clever humor, amazing special FX by Rick Baker as well as an excellent ensemble cast of cult film favorites. Along with An American Werewolf in London, The Howling has transcended the routine lycanthrope film with it's revolutionary transformation FX. As great as the original was, Joe Nimziki's The Howling: Reborn unfortunately lacks in all of those crucial categories. Simply put, it's chore to endure.

Buy The Howling Reborn Blu-ray or DVD

Movie Review: Trailers From Hell Volume II (2011)

Joe Dante's had an interesting career. He started his 30 plus year journey in film by creating theatrical trailers for Roger Corman. This then brought him some directorial opportunities for some of finest genre films of all time (Gremlins, Piranha and The Howling). Dante's worked with the likes of Spielberg and Tom Hanks as well. Pretty impressive, I think. The director's never forgotten his roots and the films that made him what he is. If your not aware of Trailers from Hell, it's a website devoted to movie trailers mainly of the cult film variety with an interesting touch: Commentaries are played over each trailer by some of the best directors and writers in the game today. It's turned out to be quite a fun mix . The folks at Shout! Factory saw fit to compile 20 of these trailers on what is now the second volume of the series.

Buy Trailers From Hell! Vol. 2 on DVD