Cult Horror Movies Fathers
We all know their names and their iconic films, but did anyone think they would make it back to the big screen ? I didn’t and I certainly didn’t think all four of the most famous horror film makers would make a comeback all in the same year !
Hammer House of Horror is Back….
In the 1950’s through to the 1970’s Hammer Films dominated the horror cinema both here in Britain and worldwide. With Classics like…
The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Dracula (1958)
Both these films starred Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing who really made these films Spectacular. Hammer Films also produced Science Fiction, Thrillers, Film Noir, Comedies and later TV series. Hammer Films had extremely low budgets compared to films these days, but to stay at the top they used quality, well established British actors and cleverly designed sets and costumes. Some later Hammer Films…
The Curse of the Werewolf 1961
The Quatermass and the Pit 1967
Taste the Blood of Dracula 1969
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell 1974
The Company ceased production in the 1980’s due to the general decline of the British Film Industry, basically big budget American cult movies like the Exorcist and The Omen had taken over the top spots at the cinemas and low budget movies just didn’t get the box office sales.
But now 2 buyers and over 20 years later, the wait is finally over…
The new film “Let Me In” is out on November the 5th 2010
The story is of a haunted strange boy who is in love with a centuries-old girl vampire. Very different from the bosom heaving vampire movies that we used to get from Hammer Films in the 1960’s and 70’s.
Another new release “The Resident”
This one is also being released in 2011. “The Resident” stars Sir Christopher Lee, Hammers original and best British actor, Hilary Swank of Million Dollar Baby fame and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who played John Winchester in Supernatural. This horror is set in New York, where tenant (Hilary Swank) is Terrorized by her psycho landlord (Jeffrey Dean Morgan)
And finally “The Woman in Black”, brilliant book – set to be a real Hammer Classic
This is also to be released in 2011. An adaption of the classic ghost story The Woman in Black. The West End play has been running for years and the 1989 TV adaption stuck in the the minds of anyone who watched it. It’s a tale of a young solicitor, played by none other than Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame, who is plagued by a terrifying apparition.
John Landis
The wolfman…is back after 12 years away from the industry. No one ever thought he would stay away for that long, especially after making great films like…
“The Blues Brothers” not a horror, but made Landis a name
“An American Werewolf in London”
Video for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”
He also had his low points though with many of his 90’s films being way below par. Like the sequel “Beverly Hills Cop III “
But he has been busy over the last 12 years, mainly directing. Landis also appeared in Spider-man 2, all be it very briefly for his friend Sam Raimi. He admits he’s done tons of stuff over the years he’s been missing from our screens, such as documentaries and commercials mainly unsigned or for charities.
So a lot rides on his new Film…
“Burke and Hare”
The grisly true story of Edinburgh’s two most notorious mass murderers. Released in cinemas 29th October 2010.
John Carpenter
This guy scared the bejesus out of me as a kid and is another great film maker to make it back after 9 years. At his peak, he gave us…
“Halloween”
“The Fog”
“The Thing”
Then he really bottomed out with….
“Ghosts from Mars”
Released in 2001. It contained one too many elements for most people….Space spooks and Martial Arts !!! (Although I quite like it)
But his long awaited comeback is finally here…
“The Ward”
Released in 2010. This psycho-chiller tells the tale of a young woman in a mental institution who finds herself haunted by an increasingly terrifying ghost.
Joe Dante
This is the final of the four film makers to make a return this year after 7 years. At his peak, he gave us…
“Gremlins”
“Piranha”
“The Howling”
His absolute low point was…
“Looney Tunes : Back in Action”
Released in 2003. This sequel with it’s no story, story and mainly unfunny mess, really bummed out big style…no body understood what it was trying to achieve or why they bothered making it.
But he’s back with…
“The Hole” in 3D
Released in 2010. This is a sharp, punchy horror flick and reminds me of his 80’s horror movies.
The story is about three kids and a locked trap door… With inventive set pieces, 3D and a strong young cast, Dante creates a family film that will appeal across all age ranges.
Guest blogger Demon Chick has really enjoyed writing this one about Horror Films, as this is what she loves to watch in her spare time. Next time she will be writing for Virgin Galactic most likely about Richard Bransons new space quest.
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