Tuesday, September 27, 2022

I saw Rob Zombie's Munsters...

I'm not jumping on the bandwagon of defaming writer/director Rob Zombie's The Munsters just because the snobby mob finds it cool to do so. I'm not ashamed to admit (or take heat for) getting this retelling's gist for all its colorful, cartooned shtick. Yeah, that's right. I frickin' dig the movie. 

Sure, it would have played real well in black and white, but in color it's a whole other kind of homage and as such holds its own with other Munsters revivals (including an X-rated installment that many of the know-it-alls don't know about at all). It even grazes such inspired knockoffs as The Groovie Goolies and The Hilarious House of Frightenstein. And if you don't recall those, you're sure as hell no fan of monster-homage comedy. 

As it stands, Zombie's Munsters could never hope to emulate all aspects of the 1960s classic series, since it has (like other revisions over the years) a different cast. Even so, that cast is still good in its own right and in various ways, the gang proves comparable to those who made the television series (and Munster, Go Home!/Munsters' Revenge) so favorable. 

For this "remake", which is in truth the prelude of how Herman was stitched together and more importantly, how Lily met Herman, along with how the Count, aka Grandpa, was opposed to having his daughter hitch up with such a big boob, we get Jeff Daniel Phillips as Herman; Sheri Moon Zombie as Lily; Daniel Roebuck as the Count (and does he ever do an uncanny job channeling Al Lewis!); Richard Brake as Dr. Henry August Wolfgang and the on-the-make Orlak; Jorge Garcia as Floop; Sylvester McCoy as the for-the-most-part non-batty Igor; Tomas Boykin as Brother Lester; Richard Hale as Zombo; Renata Kiss as Uncle Gilbert; Cassandra Peterson as Barbara Carr; Catherine Schell as Zoya Krupp; and in the cameoing, voiceover category, Butch Patrick, Pat Priest and Dee Wallace. (Oh, and almost forget, cuddly Spot plays himself in wee, Frenchie form.)  

(On a side note, for those who say Zombie reuses the same cast members to a fault, and one will surely recognize a few of them above, I can only indicate how Universal and Hammer recycled their ensembles in much the same way. As for Ms. Zombie, she's versatile enough to hold her own in any production [The Lords of Salem being her crowning achievement], not merely as a scream queen, but as a worthy, genre catalyst in the vein of Barbara Steele, Ingrid Pit, Jamie Lee Curtis and Eva Green. She's also a first-class looker, which contrary to what the hypocritical highbrows may say, counts for something, so stick that in your ear, you party-poopin' haters.) 

Storywise, Zombie allows his Munsters to perform as it should, layering on all the Strickfaden/Universal trimmings and family-friendly humor he can, each bit ignited by Zoran Popovic's excellent, Creepshow'ed hues. On a larger scale, Zombie's script preaches tolerance and not only when it comes to average humans accepting Transylvanian outcasts (or vice versa), but with the Count accepting a bumbling oaf as his pretty decent son-in-law. (Hey, we all deserve a chance to hold our own, no matter how goofy we may be.) 

Beyond its noble message, the new Munsters is great,  nostalgic fun. No matter how one shakes it (and even when it bleeds punkish psychedelia), it's the product we grew up with, which means I'm pleased as Punch that this flick surfaced. If anything, it's kicked off my Halloween season to a swell. screw-the-establishment start. Thank you, Mr. Zombie, for granting me the chance to champion your maligned-in-advance creation. God knows we need more counterculture movies of this sort to piss off those who (in vain) keep us rebels down. (Say, just to tick 'em off all the further, how 'bout releasing that reputed three-hour cut?!)

Monday, September 26, 2022

THE BRIDE & MUMMY RETURN

They are two of Universal Studios' greatest, one a sequel that many believe surpasses the original and the other a founding piece of horror cinema.

On October 1, Fathom Events presents James Whale's The Bride of Frankenstein and Karl Freund's The Mummy.

Each stars Boris Karloff as its lead "fiend", with Edward Van Sloan (Dracula's Van Helsing and Frankenstein's Dr. Waldman) as the insightful Dr. Muller in our 1932, bandaged classic. In this case, Karloff portrays Ardath Bey, aka Imhotep, aka The Mummy, with the mysterious Zeta Johann as his reincarnated love, Anck-su-namun. 

For 1935's The Bride, Karloff reprises his most famous role as the Frankenstein Monster, with Elsa Lancaster as the creature's would-be betrothed (and as Mary Shelley in a delightful prelude), with Colin Clive once more as the guilt-ridden Henry Frankenstein and Ernest Thesiger as the conniving Dr. Septimus Pretorius.

Most fans hold these entries close to their horror-filled hearts, celebrating their iconic characterizations and sweeping, macabre scopes. If you've seen them, you understand the sentiment, and if you've not, you can now experience their groundbreaking terror in a way that you could have never imagined. 

Be warned: This double feature won't re-manifest any time soon, so revel in these giants of monster cinema for all their towering splendor while the opportunity calls. 

Sunday, September 25, 2022

FAREWELL, FRANCESCA KITTEN NATIVIDAD...

Whether it was with audacious guru Russ Meyer or tantalizing all on your own, you made the rounds to make many an anxious gent happy with your spry and physical endowments. 

And you did so through a number of stand-out avenues: Up!; Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens; The New CenturionsAn Evening with KittenThe Double-D Avenger; Airplane II; Another 48 Hours; Takin' It Off; Takin' It All Off; The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas; The Tomb; The Wild LifeBodacious Ta Ta; Night Patrol; Nightbeats; My Tutor; 40 the Hard Way; 70 the Hard Way; Buford's Beach Bunnies; Night at the Golden Eagle; and much more, all while you hit the tv-circuit with appearances on the popular Gong Show, $1.98 Beauty Show and Dating Game. 

You were generous to your fans, and with this, sealed your fate as one of the most adored and ogled women to ever emerge. You'll now live on in our fond memories, Ms. Natividad, appreciated and missed for the spunk and wonderment you so selflessly shared. 

Saturday, September 24, 2022

ROBERT J. SODARO: GRAPHIC GENIUS FOR HIRE!

In my worldly estimation, Robert J. Sodaro is a genius, a man with an aesthetic eye when it comes to mapping, editing and polishing any promotional cover or page. (He's also a renowned author, comic-book historian and creator of such satisfying sources as Hot Girl and Totally Hot Girl, Wulf Girlz, Girl Skout Wars and Agent Unknown.) His company, Freelance Ink, ensures that only the best comes from any commissioned assignment.

Many of you know Sodaro's design work from Main Enterprises' pop-cultural periodicals. Indeed, the imagery and essayed details found on and between their covers are pleasing, but it's Sodaro's intricate bracketing that draws one in. Only one of his seasoned skill can pull off such stylization in a way that complements the content but never distracts from it. In other words, Sodaro is a grandmaster of prudent embellishment.   

Even beyond his Main achievements, Sodaro's expert touch has elevated a plethora of varied and entertaining sources, as one can see from the inserted creations of this post. Without question, each and every composition is a genuine gem. 


So, are you interested in embarking on a labor-of-love, publishing project, but are wary of where to begin? Well, Sodaro is the guiding maestro who can deliver your ambitions to flavorful fruition.   

Why not touch base? It's easy enough to do. Email Mr. Sodaro at rjsodaro@gmail.com, but on that slim chance you require more convincing, visit his prolific, Freelance Ink page for further visual stimulation: 

https://rjsodaro.wixsite.com/freelanceink?fbclid=IwAR05Absqx2EBDDfZckWXpMrrL2hbrKtfm3m-l69M6snU7RX24-DS2qj9v4E

Once you explore his many gratifying samples, you'll understand why the publishing world considers Robert J. Sodaro its consummate go-to guy. 

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