And this over 2 days later. They were a lot darker at the time...
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
For the love of.... 70s and 80s horror movie trailers
Recently I've been enjoying old horror movie trailers on Youtube. Twas an age where they really worked hard to make you want to watch the film. Is it a lost art, well, maybe for the better... Click on the titles and enjoy.
The Entity
From the age of great horror soundtracks.
Legend Of Hell House
So much in this one you’ve got to wonder whether there’s anything left in the film worth watching.
The Changeling
You just don’t get voiceovers like this anymore.
Don’t Go Into The House
I love commitment to a theme.
The House Where Death Lives
Just repeat the title a lot, that’ll make it scary.
Don’t Open The Window
Err, not sure what the whole window thing has to do with this one.
Don’t Answer The Phone
Not really sure how phone’s are involved; there weren’t any mobiles, how could he phone ahead?
“He had done it before, he would do it again, he is doing it now” – it doesn’t even make sense.
Don’t Look In The Basement
Don’t Go Near The Park
A good bit of narration can compensate for a trailer that doesn’t actually have anything happening in it.
Don’t Go In The Woods
They’re really running out of things to put Don’t in front of now. And bad English aside, the narrator’s taking it far too casually.
The Entity
From the age of great horror soundtracks.
Legend Of Hell House
So much in this one you’ve got to wonder whether there’s anything left in the film worth watching.
The Changeling
You just don’t get voiceovers like this anymore.
Don’t Go Into The HouseI love commitment to a theme.
The House Where Death Lives
Just repeat the title a lot, that’ll make it scary.
Don’t Open The Window
Err, not sure what the whole window thing has to do with this one.
Don’t Answer The Phone
Not really sure how phone’s are involved; there weren’t any mobiles, how could he phone ahead?
“He had done it before, he would do it again, he is doing it now” – it doesn’t even make sense.
Don’t Look In The Basement
Don’t Go Near The Park
A good bit of narration can compensate for a trailer that doesn’t actually have anything happening in it.
Don’t Go In The Woods
They’re really running out of things to put Don’t in front of now. And bad English aside, the narrator’s taking it far too casually.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Vintage Ghost Stories on TV
One of the things I’ve been doing recently is seeking out old ghost stories. Many years ago, the BBC would dramatise a ghost story every Christmas. I caught one recently on BBC 4 and it grabbed my interest. You see, I’ve always had a soft spot for old school spooky stories. Because when you’ve got no money and there are certain restrictions on what you can and can’t show, then you have to be clever. You have to be smart about how you do it. And if there’s one thing that these old stories do well, it’s creating an atmosphere.
These stories were released in a short lived BFI Archive Television strand in 2002 and of course they’re now out of print and very expensive to buy. But if you can track them down, they’re definitely on torrent sites, they’re worth a gander. Here are the ones that are, were, available, plus a more modern tale which is very much in the same tradition and caused quite a stir when it went out.
Whistle and I’ll Come to You (1968 Michael Horden, Ambrose Coghill, George Woodridge. Dir: Jonathan Miller.
Who says dangling white sheets can’t be scary? One of many M.R.James adaptations by the BBC, this one is filmed in moody black and white and features Michael Horden playing a pompous, blundering professor who discover a whistle in a cemetery with the inscription ‘Who is this who is coming?’. He blows the whistle and thinks little over it, until he begins to experience frightening dreams.
Although the story is not as involving as other on the list, this is by far the most memorably sinister. It’s quite startling what can be created with editing and sound. Just watch this sequence; amongst the greatest moments in British horror.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKGQOEJWp4o&feature=related
A Warning to the Curious (1972) Peter Vaughan, Clive Swift, John Kearney, David Cargill. Dir: Lawrence Gordon Clark.
In another M.R.James adaptation, an amateur archaeologist finds a legendary Saxon crown, but its last guardian is still determined to see that it stays buried. While not as spooky as the above, Lawrence Gordon Clark takes note of Jonathan Miller’s use of sound to build up the feeling of dread. While not as moody, due to its colour, jagged angles and extreme close-ups keeps the viewer on edge. The chase scene, linked to below, is justly famous; the sight of the jagged black killer galloping unstoppably across the landscape is just to sinister for comfort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x4hRlHBxqc&feature=related
The Stone Tape (1972) Michael Bryant, Jane Asher, Michael Bates, Iain Cuthbertson. Dir: Peter Sasdy.
This one’s a full on 90 minute drama; it’s smart, but probably less frightening today than the others on this list. A group of scientists move into an old mansion, determined to work out a new recording medium to combat the Japanese. When the proposed computer room begins to show repeating ghostly phenomena, they think maybe their new medium lies within the stone walls.
It’s a great modern horror tale by Quatermass author Nigel Kneale, and if it’s not as scary as it was it keeps you interested through its running time, with Michael Bryant’s performance as an egotistical bastard a particular highlight. And once again, the use of sound is really quite terrific; I particularly like the muddy noises.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riqsSgh5SUk&feature=related
The Signal Man (1976) Denholm Elliot, Bernard Lloyd. Dir: Lawrence Gordon Clark
Denolm Elliot is a troubled signal man, who is visited by a ghostly presence whenever an accident is about to happen on his part of the line. Dickens wrote this terrific yarn after being involved in a horrific accident himself. Just watch the train approach Elliot like a bullet passing through the barrel of a gun. Just terrific.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf0jcGb0_qQ&feature=related
Ghostwatch (1992) Micheal Parkinson, Sarah Greene, Craig Charles. Dir: Lesley Manning
For those of you who don’t remember, Ghostwatch was a drama about a TV show doing a live broadcast from a haunted house. It’s just that people didn’t realise it was a drama, and actually thought it was real. Why? Well because it was presented by real presenters playing themselves and it looked and sounded like the kind of cheapo live TV even that they actually did at the time.
It still has that touch of authenticity that keeps you on edge, like a mysterious lost TV clip that shows up on Youtube, although some of the performances aren’t as convincing as they might be. Still, even though it has a credulity stretching third act build-up to the end, the believability of its set up, the mindless filler, the dull studio set, and the fleeting image of the monster... it keeps you unsettled because it’s sort of believable. Just watch Parky getting possessed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wfxi_65nOY&feature=relate
Of course, things were much more cosy on kids’ favourite, Doctor Who...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10jFdq_0THQ&feature=related
These stories were released in a short lived BFI Archive Television strand in 2002 and of course they’re now out of print and very expensive to buy. But if you can track them down, they’re definitely on torrent sites, they’re worth a gander. Here are the ones that are, were, available, plus a more modern tale which is very much in the same tradition and caused quite a stir when it went out.
Whistle and I’ll Come to You (1968 Michael Horden, Ambrose Coghill, George Woodridge. Dir: Jonathan Miller.
Who says dangling white sheets can’t be scary? One of many M.R.James adaptations by the BBC, this one is filmed in moody black and white and features Michael Horden playing a pompous, blundering professor who discover a whistle in a cemetery with the inscription ‘Who is this who is coming?’. He blows the whistle and thinks little over it, until he begins to experience frightening dreams.
Although the story is not as involving as other on the list, this is by far the most memorably sinister. It’s quite startling what can be created with editing and sound. Just watch this sequence; amongst the greatest moments in British horror.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKGQOEJWp4o&feature=related
A Warning to the Curious (1972) Peter Vaughan, Clive Swift, John Kearney, David Cargill. Dir: Lawrence Gordon Clark.
In another M.R.James adaptation, an amateur archaeologist finds a legendary Saxon crown, but its last guardian is still determined to see that it stays buried. While not as spooky as the above, Lawrence Gordon Clark takes note of Jonathan Miller’s use of sound to build up the feeling of dread. While not as moody, due to its colour, jagged angles and extreme close-ups keeps the viewer on edge. The chase scene, linked to below, is justly famous; the sight of the jagged black killer galloping unstoppably across the landscape is just to sinister for comfort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x4hRlHBxqc&feature=related
The Stone Tape (1972) Michael Bryant, Jane Asher, Michael Bates, Iain Cuthbertson. Dir: Peter Sasdy.
This one’s a full on 90 minute drama; it’s smart, but probably less frightening today than the others on this list. A group of scientists move into an old mansion, determined to work out a new recording medium to combat the Japanese. When the proposed computer room begins to show repeating ghostly phenomena, they think maybe their new medium lies within the stone walls.
It’s a great modern horror tale by Quatermass author Nigel Kneale, and if it’s not as scary as it was it keeps you interested through its running time, with Michael Bryant’s performance as an egotistical bastard a particular highlight. And once again, the use of sound is really quite terrific; I particularly like the muddy noises.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riqsSgh5SUk&feature=related
The Signal Man (1976) Denholm Elliot, Bernard Lloyd. Dir: Lawrence Gordon Clark
Denolm Elliot is a troubled signal man, who is visited by a ghostly presence whenever an accident is about to happen on his part of the line. Dickens wrote this terrific yarn after being involved in a horrific accident himself. Just watch the train approach Elliot like a bullet passing through the barrel of a gun. Just terrific.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf0jcGb0_qQ&feature=related
Ghostwatch (1992) Micheal Parkinson, Sarah Greene, Craig Charles. Dir: Lesley Manning
For those of you who don’t remember, Ghostwatch was a drama about a TV show doing a live broadcast from a haunted house. It’s just that people didn’t realise it was a drama, and actually thought it was real. Why? Well because it was presented by real presenters playing themselves and it looked and sounded like the kind of cheapo live TV even that they actually did at the time.
It still has that touch of authenticity that keeps you on edge, like a mysterious lost TV clip that shows up on Youtube, although some of the performances aren’t as convincing as they might be. Still, even though it has a credulity stretching third act build-up to the end, the believability of its set up, the mindless filler, the dull studio set, and the fleeting image of the monster... it keeps you unsettled because it’s sort of believable. Just watch Parky getting possessed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wfxi_65nOY&feature=relate
Of course, things were much more cosy on kids’ favourite, Doctor Who...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10jFdq_0THQ&feature=related
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Scenes From Stoke: The Scaffolding Monument
Yes, it's Stoke's legendary scaffolding monument. Created to beautify the glorious bypass that allows people to pass through Stoke even quicker, it was created to symbolise Stoke on Trent's industial past. Either that, or they just had a bunch of old metal left over after they built a bridge nearby*.
It's certainly well placed, sitting as it does next to a demolished factory, a Co-Op depot and a closed down Little Chef. And it's very admired by the people of Stoke. They glance it several times a day as they pass by on the A50 at 50 miles an hour. What a wonderful, inspiring way to spend public money....
*My money's on that one.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
May Film Highlights
Don't forget to visit the 50 Word Film Reviews Blog
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Sven-Bertil Taube. Dir: Niels Arden Oplev.
A disgraced investigative journalist is hired to solve a decades old disappearance, but finds help from a troubled young researcher. Moody, stylish and totally engrossing. The absorbing atmosphere and fascinating characters turn out to be more absorbing than a very interesting mystery. The best and darkest thriller for some years.
DDDDD
Stardust (2007) Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfieffer, Robert De Niro. Dir: Matthew Vaughn.
A boy tries to fetch a fallen star to impress his love, but enters a fantasy world where sinister others seek it too. A colourful fantasy romp with an all star cast who for the most part don’t overdo it. Not especially original, but a lot of fun nevetheless.
DDDD
An Education (2009) Carey Mulligan, Peter Skarsgard, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Rosamund Pike. Dir: Lone Scherfig
A potential Oxford student discovers there’s more to life than study when she meets an older sophisticate. Charming coming of age tale, where the only way to learn’s the hard way. It’s beautifully written and wonderfully performed by Mulligan, Skasguard and the rest on the ensemble. A sweet melancholy delight.
DDDDDd
King of Comedy (1983) Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard, Diahnne Abbott. Dir: Martin Scorsese.
An obsessive wannabee comic tries to befriend a chat show host to launch his career, but when that fails, kidnaps him. De Niro is at his best when playing the unbalanced, and he’s especially good beside a marvellously restrained Lewis. A wickedly funny look at the unjust nature of fame.
DDDDD
Corridors of Blood (1958) Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, Betta St. John, Finlay Currie, Francis Matthews. Dir: Robert Day
A Victorian Doctor trying to create a full anaesthetic becomes addicted to his experiments. A refreshingly different horror/thriller variation. Great later role for Karloff who puts in a sensitive performance as a good man who inadvertently becomes an addict and allows himself to be exploited by evil men.
DDDD
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Sven-Bertil Taube. Dir: Niels Arden Oplev.
A disgraced investigative journalist is hired to solve a decades old disappearance, but finds help from a troubled young researcher. Moody, stylish and totally engrossing. The absorbing atmosphere and fascinating characters turn out to be more absorbing than a very interesting mystery. The best and darkest thriller for some years.
DDDDD
Stardust (2007) Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfieffer, Robert De Niro. Dir: Matthew Vaughn.
A boy tries to fetch a fallen star to impress his love, but enters a fantasy world where sinister others seek it too. A colourful fantasy romp with an all star cast who for the most part don’t overdo it. Not especially original, but a lot of fun nevetheless.
DDDD
An Education (2009) Carey Mulligan, Peter Skarsgard, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Rosamund Pike. Dir: Lone Scherfig
A potential Oxford student discovers there’s more to life than study when she meets an older sophisticate. Charming coming of age tale, where the only way to learn’s the hard way. It’s beautifully written and wonderfully performed by Mulligan, Skasguard and the rest on the ensemble. A sweet melancholy delight.
DDDDDd
King of Comedy (1983) Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Sandra Bernhard, Diahnne Abbott. Dir: Martin Scorsese.
An obsessive wannabee comic tries to befriend a chat show host to launch his career, but when that fails, kidnaps him. De Niro is at his best when playing the unbalanced, and he’s especially good beside a marvellously restrained Lewis. A wickedly funny look at the unjust nature of fame.
DDDDD
Corridors of Blood (1958) Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, Betta St. John, Finlay Currie, Francis Matthews. Dir: Robert Day
A Victorian Doctor trying to create a full anaesthetic becomes addicted to his experiments. A refreshingly different horror/thriller variation. Great later role for Karloff who puts in a sensitive performance as a good man who inadvertently becomes an addict and allows himself to be exploited by evil men.
DDDD
About Me
- Dave Paul Nixon
is a writer for better and for worse. I got in above my station writing for M&S, but was credit crunched down to writing about sex toys, Viagra and herpes meds. I’m now taking a step back towards legitimacy by writing for JML Direct. I’m awkward and don’t like much.
