31 Scary Movies: ‘An American Werewolf in London’

“American Werewolf in London” (1981) – David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two 20-something best buddies, just started their 3-month backpacking trip of Europe.  While telling knock-knock jokes and arguing over the attributes of Jack’s unrequited love (Debbie Klein), they wander through some desolate stretches of countryside in Northern England and stop at the tiny community of East Proctor.  It’s here where they, most unfortunately, run into a murderous wolf-like thing, and without much warning. Perhaps, East Proctor needs more safety signs, like “Children at Play”, “Sharp Turns Ahead” and “Wolf-like…

31 Scary Movies: ‘Phantasm’

“Phantasm” (1979) – After watching Don Coscarelli’s film about a strange mausoleum executive – unofficially named The Tall Man (Angus Scrimm) – and his best practices that don’t end in the best results for his customers, one can only conclude the writer/director marches to the beat of his own drum.  Well, you know what they say about geniuses?   Not that “Phantasm” is a genius film, because it’s not. No one in this movie behaves like an actual person would in real life. Many of the scenes seem thrown together, accompanied…

31 Scary Movies: ‘The Brood’

“The Brood” (1979) – “I’m in the middle of a strange adventure,” Nola Carveth (Samantha Eggar) says. That’s exactly how one might feel while watching writer/director David Cronenberg’s twisted film, “The Brood.”  Cronenberg pulls a sick idea from his imagination and gives it life in the form of this film.  So, horror movie fans, line up and give thanks….we think. Well, Frank Carveth (Art Hindle) does not have much to be thankful for these days.  His wife Nola is under psychiatric care in an unconventional hospital, and Frank finds bruises, scratches…