kkbasil Reviews

The Black Castle (1952)

Uninhibited filmmaking at its best

[10/10 · 17 October 1999]

This is a prime example of uninhibited filmmaking at its best. Richard Greene (who does good in the role) search for his two missing friends takes him to the Black Forest domain and castle of one-eyed Count Bruno (Stephen McNally), a past enemy of his whom he has never seen face to face. Incredible film has so many awesome elements combined (for once) into a single film--a crocodile pit; a hulking mute (played by Lon Chaney, Jr.); a crafty doctor (played by Boris Karloff); a leopard hunt (VERY well done and VERY atmospheric); a love story; a castle; a swordfight; a sadistic, one-eyed count and his two evil accomplices (played by John Hoyt and Michael Pate!!!); an intriguing background story which makes the film even more interesting; and more!. Jerry Sackheim's script doesn't allow itself to be bound in--making a film that comes extremely recommendable to anyone who is into unlimited filmmaking with a touch of horror and atmosphere to it.

Blood and Sand (1941)

engrossing character study downgraded to colorful entertainment

[7/10 · 17 October 1999]

Tyrone Power plays a famous, now-deceased bullfighter's son who also goes on to become a famous bullfighter, along the way mistreating his wife and friends as he becomes arrogant. It's a basic story you've seen in movies such as "Citizen Kane"(1941) and "All the King's Men"(1949), but with its own expected variations. The film has a tendency to drag, and Power's love scenes with Rita Hayworth are so corny. Linda Darnell as Power's wife, John Carradine as Power's bullfighting friend, and Anthony Quinn as a bullfighting friend-turned rival all turn in fine performances. There is, some great music. Aside from these technical issues, the story/script of the film is good, but could have been better. Power's character should have been fleshed out much more, and the bright Academy Award-winning cinematography has a tendency to badly contrast the darker story elements, which themselves should have been focused on much more. What could have a been a great multi-character study and study on how Power's decisions affects others instead is presented as an entertaining, brightly-colored drama/romance--not bad, but not the 4 star film it had the ability to be. I'd still recommend it, though, because it does entertain and manage to show some of the character study-elements, albeit not as much as I wish it had.

Terror in the Midnight Sun (1959)

atmospheric Jerry Warren film with a nifty Animal Person

[10/10 · 16 October 1999]

"Invasion of the Animal People" is yet another classic Jerry Warren work, up their with "Creature of the Walking Dead"(1965). Warren took existing footage and added an intro with John Carradine rambling on about nothing and some scenes with Warren regular Fred Hoffman. The plot involves some cloaked aliens landing in Lappland and a huge Animal Person who roams about. The Animal Person (not People) special effects are excellent and the aliens are cool. Plenty of Jerry Warren atmosphere in this great low-budget sci-fi flick (just beware the occasional script flaws). Perfect for a snowy afternoon.