Dracula (1958)

Jonathan Harker takes employment with Count Dracula, ostensibly to catalogue his vast library. Harker is shocked to uncover a woman who claims to be a prisoner of the Count and begs for his help. Before he can do so, however, Harker suffers the risen Count's wrath. Dracula, seeking more blood and vengeance, takes an interest in Harker's fiancée, Lucy Holmwood. It is left to Harker's colleague, Dr. Van Helsing to protect her. Also known as Horror of Dracula, this film would mark the first in a long line of Hammer Horror films to delve into the character of the most popular vampire ever known, Count Dracula. After ascertaining the rights to the use of the character, whose biggest depiction was in the renowned Dracula (1931), we finally got to see a retelling in the Hammer style, which opened the gateway to more frights, violence and blood. Whilst making some minor alterations to Stoker's marvellous story we are still treated to one of the finest depictions of the classic tale of all time that still manages to stand the test of time. It equally continues to hold a firm fixture in pop culture history and is highly regarded in the likes of film, Hammer Horror's illustrious catalogue, the horror genre and by moviegoers alike to this day. Taking the reins of this quintessential Dracula is none other than the grand actor Christopher Lee. Every feature and aspect of his portrayal makes the character all the more perfect. From his imposing height and presence to his ability to be so gentlemanly one minute before degrading into a hungry beast with bloodshot eyes and fangs the next. His take on the character is so impactful that whenever I think of Dracula, Lee is never far from my mind, and to think he only had thirteen lines. His counterpart to the story and rival, Dr. Van Helsing is equally highly regarded much like the actor playing him, Peter Cushing. It is well known Cushing and Lee have a fascinating friendship and their involvement in projects together is truly vast, especially with Hammer's Horror films. Cushing is a perfect counter as he embodies that of righteousness, doing all that is necessary for his fight against Dracula and his spawn. It is Helsing's arrival that brings us closer to the downfall of Dracula becoming personal for him with his friend Harker gone and his bride-to-be, Lucy, becoming a target. Helsing attempts to enlist help from Lucy's brother, Arthur, in this fight but to no avail. It's not until the effects upon Lucy become clear and a similar situation befalls his wife, Mina that he aids Helsing in his task. One of my favourite aspects of this film was seeing this team up as they eventually come to an understanding, working together as a formidable force against this evil. We also, get to see Helsing's extensive knowledge of dealing with vampirism throughout from the use of garlic to the cross and staking of the heart, which is given a full sequence that displays a whole plethora of emotions and is exceptionally executed. However, the moment everyone is naturally waiting for is the inevitable climactic fight between Dracula and Helsing. Let's just say, it is phenomenal. Their duel is honestly the highlight, filled with such tense and suspenseful moments that culminate in Dracula's brute force and Helsing's ingenuity. Plus the effects that follow are truly spectacular and remain as impressive now as they were then. One other aspect of this stupendous film was the exquisite set design that held as much presence as the actors featured in them, especially lending to the tones of certain scenes. Dracula's castle has never looked more extravagant and the same can be said for all the other settings. Overall, I regard this depiction to be the definitive version of the classic tale in every sense. Not a single beat is missed from the fantastic casting to the setting and tones, accompanied by a haunting score and viscerally pleasing direction. It is without a doubt one I recommend to all moviegoers and horror enthusiasts with a love for the Count, especially for the franchise it heralded. Also, a big thank you to my Dad for introducing me to this impressive line-up. Check out the sequel Brides of Dracula (1960) for Cushing's Helsing on a new mission, or for Lee's return, continue with Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966).

Runtime: 1h 22m

Director: Terence Fisher

Genre: Drama / Horror

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Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

When teenagers Mike and Debbie see a comet crash outside their sleepy small town, they investigate and discover a pack of murderous aliens who look very much like circus clowns. They try to warn the local authorities, but everyone assumes their story is a prank. It's not until they kidnap Debbie that Mike decides it's up to him to stop the clowns' bloody rampage. One of the last things I ever expected was to be blown away by a movie based around clowns (or, in this case Klowns) from space causing mayhem and yet, I was. Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a truly bizarre film that, whilst has an evident low budget, being listed under the B movie persona, it manages to rise above, delivering a strangely fantastic product. It is a cult classic that has since risen in popularity almost surpassing such a title. With plenty of merchandise and now a video game, this movie continues to have an impact on people to this day. I'm sure plenty of people read the title and scoffed at the absurdity. Well, I should know, I too thought this movie would be pure stupid and, whilst it is somewhat, it is also surprisingly brilliant. Throughout the film, I was captivated by the level of creativity on display. It is obvious the people behind this flick went above and beyond, finding a way around their budget limitations to deliver a spectacular-looking movie. Simply looking at the Klowns themselves, the level of detail and practicality of the costumes is truly admirable. It would have been so easy to paint people's faces and leave it at that but they went out of their way to make those phenomenal outfits and it pays off beacuase their look is one of the greatest highlights of this film. We open with a scene that presumably pays homage to classic 50s sci-fi horrors with a comet shooting overhead with young adults taking notice, like in The Blob (1958), which, of course turns out to be an alien craft. The couple who investigate are Mike and his girlfriend Debbie, who are drawn into this dangerous adventure when they enter a mysterious circus Big Top, which is right where the 'comet' should've landed. It turns out this is not a regular circus but the craft of beings who may look like Earth clowns but actually have a sinister purpose. Upon discovering the truth about these creatures with razor sharp teeth and their harvesting of people in pink cotton candy cocoons they head for town whilst the Klowns follow in hot pursuit. Whilst the pair attempt to convince the disbelieving Sheriff Mooney, who thinks its all a prank, the Klowns begin abducting and terrorising the town in a series of hijinks. Whilst it does have its horror aspects and moments, I personally found more of the comedy elements shining through, especially with the Klowns. They're unironically and unintentially hilarious as they cause mischief and, well, kill people. From driving invisible cars, running other cars off the road to starting fights with a bike gang or trying out products in a store and not to mention their many wacky gadgets. My favourite, probably had to be the use of a balloon they turn into a dog that leads them to their targets. I mean thats just unbelievably creative. Luckily, the couple were able to sway Dave Hanson, a police officer (and ex-boyfriend to Debbie), who at first thought it too was a prank until he saw one in action, realising what a threat they are. Despite their clear jealousy over Debbie, Mike and Dave work together as a formidable duo against the onslaught of Klowns, and the trio attempt to save what's left of their town. Overall, I am such a big fan of Killer Klowns. As previously stated, I never thought I would enjoy such a flick as much as I did, but it certainly earned it. The atmosphere is undeniably creepy but equally allowed for that hint of comedic implements which worked wonders. Perfectly marrying the two genres whilst allowing for a lick of sci-fi too for that additional kick. I was most impressed by the level of effort and detail, going out of their way to explain the world, even the clown situation, which is just proof of the additional care put in. I would heartedly recommend this cult classic to any fans of these genres as it will not disappoint to entertain, it further makes for some ideal Halloween season viewing.   

Runtime: 1h 28m

Director: Stephen Chiodo

Genre: Comedy / Horror / Sci-fi

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The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Hard-boiled San Francisco private eye Sam Spade is a man with questionable morals but is unquestionably good at what he does. One day, Spade is approached by Miss Wonderly, who offers him considerable money in exchange for locating her younger sister, who allegedly ran away with a man named Floyd Thursby. What follows is a series of murders, corruption and uncertainty, all tied up in a classic web of mystery and deceit, all leading back to the fabled Maltese falcon statuette. The Maltese Falcon is one of, if not, the most integral pictures to come out in the film-noir genre. It would certainly go on to inspire and create a template and standard for later films of the same genre. Funnily enough, this is not the first theatrical depiction of this novel with The Maltese Falcon (1931) released 10 years prior. Although, that variation hasn't nearly held the same lasting impact as this depiction. This iteration may very well be one of the greatest remakes in cinematic history as John Huston (who makes his directorial debut here) delivers a truly faithful adaptation. I was simply blown away by the presence this film holds. From exceptional cinematography, atmospheric scenery, clever witty dialogue and an experienced cast, there is a great deal at play here to captivate audiences and glue them to the screen. I have always been fascinated by detective stories and I feel their best depictions are in the dark, gritty noir films, with no exception here. The beginning alone sets the scene with what appears to be a fairly straightforward case laid out like your typical P.I. detective mystery, however, things take a drastic turn with a more complicated plot taking hold. I certainly found myself frequently guessing from start to end and whilst I am sure this can be said for any mystery-related project, I found questions popping up at every corner in such frequent successions. Also, I found the pacing of this film to be somewhat fast, almost like being just ever so slightly sped up, which comes in the way of the dialogue delivery. It was sharp, to the point and darted right off the tongue at excessive rates with certainly a lot of exposition at play, but it was not hard to follow. With talking pictures becoming so prevalent, I'm certain this film decided to take this opportunity to its fullest. Our leading protagonist is Sam Spade (played by the master of P.I. noir, Humphrey Bogart) who is portrayed as something of an antihero. He may be an investigator working on the side of the law but he appears to take matters more into his own hands, having no issue with keeping the police out unless it suits him. There are plenty of insinuations throughout that blur his character between the lines and make him difficult to anticipate. He is competent and always steps ahead of everyone else, including the multiple parties after the Falcon. These members consist of Cairo, Gutman and O'Shaughnessy, who come from varying backgrounds but are equally fascinating to watch as their shared desire for the bird shows the extremity of their obsessive natures to obtain it. Whilst a serious story there can still be found a level of comedy like in my favourite scene where Mr Cairo calls upon Spade to offer a large sum for the item before pulling a gun on him, ordering to search his office. Spade effortlessly disarms, knocks out and searches him and when he awakens he's questioned and given back his gun before leaving only to attempt the whole procedure again word for word. I howled with laughter it was phenomenal. Things are much more serious going forward, as the case grows closer to a conclusion, with every word told a lie, tailing hitmen and further bodies turning up around our investigator. It is particularly hard to guess anyone's next move especially Spade's as he works tirelessly to solve this bizarre case. Overall, The Maltese Falcon is the best of the best within the crime, mystery and film-noir genres. It is a perfect product that delivers everything you have come to expect and much more. It practically set the foundations for these types of movies and its influence continues to be ever-present. The cast is marvellous, direction stupendous, and story captivating. This is as classic as they come, a must-see.

Runtime: 1h 40m

Director: John Huston

Genre: Crime / Film-Noir / Mystery / Romance

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Strange Invaders (1983)

Charles Bigelow's ex-wife, Margaret Newman, sets off to her rural home town, Centerville, for her mother's funeral leaving her daughter with Charles till her return. However, weeks go by with no news so Charles searches for her though surprisingly, nobody knows about her or any of her relatives. He instead is greeted by strange behaviours and goings on which are revealed to be the work of aliens. After contacting the FBI, who don't believe him, he tells his story to a tabloid; and suddenly, finds himself being chased by the aliens. Strange Invaders is yet another in the vast array of cult classics to come out of the 1980s that is unironically very entertaining. One of the most interesting aspects of this flick is its inspiration and clear homage to 50's sci-fi movies. You know the ones where a spaceship lands in a small town and monstrous creatures set forth to cause havoc. It is very reminiscent of one of these formulas much like Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) where the aliens take our places, living among us, not knowing who to trust. Well this particular formula of an invasion where the aliens hide among us is brought back once again but a few new implements and ideas thrown in. The film opens with a truly beautiful spacecraft looming over head of a 1950s town that sends out smaller crafts resembling an iconic U.F.O. flying saucer design which begins unloading beings from another world. In a flash of blue lights, the townsfolk all suddenly vanish before cutting to a now modern-day 1983, which initially took me by surprise as I thought it would be fully set in the 50s. That is however partially the case, whilst the remainder of the film is solely modern-day, they do manage to retain a piece of the 50s setting with the town, Centerville that is almost frozen in time. The cars, the outfits, the technology and the buildings all belong in the past and yet remain the same even after 25 years, which was so cool, especially with the air of mystery with deserted streets and peculiar reactions from inhabitants. Exploring this anachronistic anomaly is our lead protagonist, Charles Bigelow, a university professor who stumbles upon this hidden occupation that he is forced to combat when they frequently attack and hunt him. With no one believing him, his search for answers leads him to a tabloid magazine holding an image of the same alien he saw. He informs the journalist, Betty Walker, about what happened in the town but to his dismay she is equally in disbelief not thinking the story she wrote with the image was real either. Things dramatically shift when the aliens equally begin stalking her in their efforts to find Charles. The pair team up to fight the creatures and come to the truth, exposing them and finding out what has happened to those who disappeared. However, Charles soon finds out that he has an unknown connection to these beings in their hunt for his daughter, Elizabeth. I really liked the relationship and growth built up between Charles and Betty as they become unlikely allies in a fight no one else knows is being fought. The aliens themselves are fascinating and have an impeccable design. The effects utilised when they unmask themselves from their masquerading human forms are simply phenomenal and remind me very much of V (TV Mini Series 1983) with the same effect. All the other effects from their laser-like firepower to their compressing people into glowing blue balls were simply a brilliant display of the magic of practical and digital effects of the time that I have come to adore. Plus the compression of people held some truly horrifying imagery that was serious nightmare fuel. I found their reasoning for fighting back after thinking the tabloid 'unmasking them' to the world was being taken seriously was a creative idea that was so intriguing to explore. Overall, Strange Invaders is a thrilling adventure that, whilst not holding such a big budget aesthetic, it still manages to be grand in other ways. It manages to pay homage to the sci-fi genre of the 50's whilst ultimately becoming its own thing taking on a new form that is still just as entertaining. I had a lot of fun and was constantly left in a state of intrigue. It may not be a flawless film but it is a cult classic gem to explore.

Runtime: 1h 34m

Director: Michael Laughlin

Genre: Horror / Mystery / Sci-fi

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The Train (1964)

With the Allies poised to retake Paris from the Nazis, Col. Franz Von Waldheim conspires to sneak out by train all of the art masterpieces looted to bring back to Germany. But museum curator Mademoiselle Villard alerts the French Resistance, and soon railway inspector Paul Labiche is pressed into service. He reroutes the train and cleverly deceives Von Waldheim by renaming each train station along the way. The Train is a tremendous war film loosely based on the true events of the plundering and looting of French art by the Nazis to be shipped to Germany. Whilst holding some other true historical occurrences, like the French Resistance delaying the transport of a train holding art, this movie takes things further with added drama and action. Naturally, these exaggerations are for the appeal of entertainment values, which was quite frankly phenomenal, being much-welcomed implements to this masterpiece. Yes, I consider this motion picture to be one of the utmost greats in the war genre, which, funnily enough, ties equally with another train-oriented story I love, Von Ryan's Express (1965). Quite interesting to think my favourite war movies are centred around trains, even if they use them in very contrasting ways with Von Ryan showing them as a force for good, whereas this movie shows it as a force to overcome, as seen in the tagline. We follow a small group of resistance fighters, Didont, Presquet and the leader of the operation, Labiche who are tasked with delaying the shipment until the Allies arrive in their imminent Liberation of Paris. Labiche is easily one of the most captivating features of this adventure going from disapproving of the mission to being the one hammering it to completion. He is frequently put to the test over a multitude of occasions and not once does he break. He is pushed relentlessly but he's resilient, still coming back fighting even if he would prefer to stop. With France finally slipping through the Nazis' fingers, Colonel Franz Von Waldheim is more than determined to see that his paintings are delivered to Germany as he pushes his superiors to allow him a train. His single-mindedness makes him a force to reckon with for Labiche in his efforts to stop the locomotive's unceremonious journey. His attempts only infuriate him, making him all the more ruthless. His desperation and fury are displayed throughout the constant setbacks of this treacherous task as he mercilessly kills and orders the deaths of those who oppose him. There are plenty of extremely brutal and horrific deaths that initially and continue to shock me on my viewings. Director Frankenheimer uses this to have us question and contrast the value of art with that of human life. Frankenheimer's direction truly made this film the spectacle it is with many directorial choices fundamentally shaping its grand look. The artistic choice of a black-and-white format paid off tremendously, allowing the picture to be so well defined and detailed with a deep focus. Everything just pops and stands out making for an eye-catching product that leaves your eyes darting to every aspect, always noticing something new. Also, being before CGI, there was a much-needed reliance on physical attributes. Ultimately, this meant explosions were real, buildings are blown up and trains rammed into one another in one of the most notable scenes with the train collisions. It was truly an outstanding moment to see train upon train come crashing into one another knowing it was really done and naturally all in one take. Some of my other favourite scenes revolved around the duping of the Nazis aboard the stolen art train being led by Labiche. One scene involves people banding together to aid the resistance in disguising other stations to appear like they are heading to Germany despite really looping back around. Overall, I admire The Train for all it accomplishes. It delivers an engrossing, peak adventure that also happens to be the last black-and-white action movie made. It is heralded by a brilliant director, a stupendous lead and supporting cast, plus a heap of thought-evoking storytelling, with the cherry on top of glorious explosive action. This is a pinnacle work of cinema that I heartedly insist you check out.

Runtime: 2h 13m

Director: John Frankenheimer

Genre: Action / Thriller / War

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Stingray (TV Series 1985-1987)

"Ray" is a shadowy, enigmatic character with no traceable past. People in trouble often come to him for help, since he has a lot of important and powerful contacts. He refuses to be paid for his services; however, those seeking his assistance must promise him a favour. Sometime in the future, Ray will come to collect on that favor usually to aid him in another case. Stingray is a show that quite frankly took me by surprise and left me completely amazed. As I have stated many times I am a huge fan of the 1980s so naturally this show came up on my radar and it was no exception to fueling my admiration for the decade. The show shares plenty of similarities or themes recognisable in other 80s products such as Knight Rider (TV Series 1982-1986) being a man with no identity with a sleek black car or The A-Team (TV Series 1983-1987) being an aid for hire to those in need. All the while sharing similar elements Stingray holds its own identity, which it has undoubtedly ascertained over a plethora of attributes, starting with our lead. Despite having no official name, everyone refers to him as Ray on account of his car a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and even at times people simply call him Stingray. Ray is a man of many skills that he relies on to complete his mission, like for instance, his competence in martial arts, which he uses against the countless oppositions he faces. He is equally an exceptional driver and has a knack for hiding his true identity, especially from officials like police or other members of the government. Being so highly trained, Ray can adaptively overcome the struggles placed before him and persevere till he helps his clients with their unique problems. One of the most engaging aspects of the show was the problems Ray is called upon for. There are many varying situations throughout the show that Ray must overcome from rescuing kidnapped individuals, locating missing people, investigating strange activities, infiltrating dangerous areas, stopping murderers and so on. In most cases it sounds pretty by-the-mill type scenarios to get hired for however this show makes them feel fresh and different. Although intersected among those styles of episodes are ones that are so unique and out-of-the-box crazy that it hooks you immediately before anything is even laid out. From a young client flipping like a switch and trying to kill Ray at the start of an episode, an infected man dying at Ray's house dragging him into a near horrific virus outbreak or someone driving a similar Stingray model car killing Ray's potential clients pretending to be him. These episodes where someone doesn't even hire him and he is drawn unwillingly into a perilous mystery are utterly thrilling. Equally, some episodes take new approaches in their storytelling like an episode where an old lady novelist writes a story that perfectly details the events of Ray's current mission. Just as the episodes take a fresh and out-of-the-box approach, so does every other department in its construction. I am mainly referring to the style of directing and cinematography on display. Throughout this show I was frankly entranced by the experimental camera angles, shots and editing present that was like something I had never seen before. It felt different almost like a student testing and experimenting with their methods on a project and I was intrigued. I would sit in awe as the directors took me on a journey to new heights in filmmaking. Be that as it may, some pieces can be a bit disorienting but even they lended to this distinctive style. Finally, I have to talk about the theme tune and intro. It is phenomenal. It is extreme 80s at its finest with a catchy tune to boot and a fantastic lineup of flashy imagery to get you pumped. Overall, I absolutely adore Stingray and I simply can't believe how many people haven't seen or heard of it before. I was thoroughly gripped by this series and consider myself so fortunate to have stumbled upon it. Everything on display from Ray to the car, the intro, the fighting, the action, is all extremely cool and just awesome. Plus all 25 episodes of the show are available on YouTube for free, making for some ideal and accessible viewing thanks to FilmRise Television.

Seasons & Episodes: 2 Seasons - 25 Episodes 

Creator: Stephen J. Cannell

Genre: Action / Crime / Drama / Mystery / Thriller

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Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy (2004)

This most comprehensive look at the making of the original Star Wars trilogy ever produced examines the early concepts, the deals, the production hell and then the eventual success of George Lucas' space opera. With commentaries from the cast and crew and stories about how a little movie that was looked upon as an impending box office disaster became a cultural phenomenon. Empire of Dreams is one of my favourite documentaries of all time that takes an extensive dive into Star Wars' success and George Lucas' genius. We are allowed to see the structures that formed the most influential movies in cinematic history laid out piece by piece. I have been a huge Star Wars fan for as long as I can remember. They entertained me, captivated me and simply blew my mind. I was fascinated in every way by this behemoth of a franchise and was utterly thrilled to see an extensive look behind its making as I put in my copy of the Bonus Material DVD. A chance to see the inner workings of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) in all their glory felt like a must for any fan. As well as with Star Wars, I have equally been a long-time enthusiast of seeing the behind-the-scenes construction of the filmmaking process, the implementation and workings of practical special effects plus the build-up to every piece of the jigsaw come together with the final product. It is truly eye-opening and not only shows the grand display of imagination and creativity at play but it equally awakens that spark of potential within ourselves. We begin with a look into George Lucas' early years with his study of filmmaking alongside other soon-to-be greats like Steven Spielberg and how his obvious talent led to the opportunity to create films such as his hit, American Graffiti (1973). Lucas was becoming more noticeable as an up-and-coming director. He now felt he could focus on a project he had been working on in the background, a science fiction epic. Lucas began planning out the story for what would become Star Wars, which he was inspired by 1930s Flash Gordon serials, old Japanese samurai movies and other products. Whilst a science fiction at face value, Lucas opted for an equal mythological approach bringing a mysticism element. Almost like a fairy tale adventure but in space. This is apparent with the young eager adventurer, the old wise 'wizard', a swashbuckler and a damsel, but even then it is given a sweeping breath of fresh air. Science fiction movies at the time of the early 70s were not so popular and considered a bad investment however 20th Century Fox gave Lucas the chance. The majority of the documentary is spent covering the creation of the first film, simply titled, Star Wars. Since it is the first entry there was plenty to uncover from the initial casting tapes, set building, concept art, marketing, composing the score, sound design and my favourite, the forming of ILM the special effects crew. I loved hearing the interviews with the actors and crew accompanied by older footage giving further insight into those moments like auditions and off-screen banter. I also adored seeing how the effects came together with the use of models, the strange locations and origins of the 'futuristic' sounds, John William's composing of beautiful pieces and seeing the faces of some lesser-seen actors. We all know the rough journey it took in making the movie with the amount of difficulties endured that equally caused Lucas many problems. Despite it all, the film was finished, released and feared to be a huge flop but, was instead, a renowned success, allowing Lucas to continue the story. We see further in-depth looks into Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi with their accomplishments, hardships and formations. Overall, Empire of Dreams is a phenomenal guide to the original trilogy's creation that extensively breaks apart its development, showering us with engrossing knowledge. I found myself beaming with joy throughout making me feel proud to be a Star Wars fan. A definitive documentary for any enthusiast. Also, check out Light & Magic (TV Series 2022) for a deeper look into ILM's story. 

Runtime: 2h 31m

Directors: Edith Becker, Kevin Burns

Genre: Documentary / History / Sci-fi

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