Harry Essex who wrote the Universal Monster classic, Creature From the Black Lagoon, goes back to the well with this tale that he wrote and directed, and also features some early work by Rick Baker, who had his hand in the design and build of the monster costume. Octaman is the next title up in…
Tag: rick baker
Mighty Joe Young (1998) – Ron Underwood
There are a few reasons to watch the Disney update of the RKO classic Mighty Joe Young, which is the next title in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies by director John Landis. First it features the wonderful Charlize Theron, second, the always awesome Bill Paxton, third, the amazing animatronic and effects work of the…
Gorillas in the Mist (1988) – Micheal Apted
Sigourney Weaver headlines as Dian Fossey in the next title up in Ten Bad Dates With De Niro, though I don’t agree with the title of the list it’s included in so I won’t mention it.Co-starring Bryan Brown, and make-up effects by the amazing Rick Baker, Weaver turns in a wonderful Golden Globe winning performance…
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) – Ron Howard
I’m very particular about my holiday specials when it comes to television and movies. My treasured titles are very select, and I get very put out when a new one is thrust upon me. I love A Charlie Brown Christmas, Emmett Otter, John Denver & The Muppets, The Muppet Family Christmas (I like my Muppets),…
Wolf (1994) – Mike Nichols
The next werewolf title up for viewing, courtesy of DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies is the Jack Nicholson film, Wolf, which co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, and Christopher Plummer. With make-up effects and creature work by the legendary Rick Baker, and a score by Ennio Morricone the film seems to have missed its audience…
Coming to America – 30th Anniversary Edition: Blu-Ray Review
Coming to America, another classic pairing between Eddie Murphy and John Landis hits its 30th Anniversary with a blu-ray release from Paramount Pictures. Murphy created the story which Landis seems to delight in bringing to the screen. Basically a Cinderella story, the story follows Prince Akeem (Murphy) who objects to the idea of marrying someone…
Men in Black II (2002) -Barry Sonnenfeld
Jay (Will Smith) is back as I check in with the Men in Black for this sequel as I continue my time with the Sci-Fi Chronicles. When Earth is menaced by Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle) Jay has to pull Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) out of retirement, even though he has no memory of his work…
Monsters in the Movies – 100 Years of Cinematic Nightmares (2011) – John Landis
How much do I love this book? Let me tell you! This gorgeous, coffee table book, available from DK Canada, penned and compiled by director John Landis (who directed my favourite werewolf movie of all time, An American Werewolf in London, though I was introduced to him through the Thriller video first) has created a…
Howard the Duck (1986) – Willard Huyck
A long time before Marvel Entertainment got their act together to bring us one superhero extravaganza after another, George Lucas (the next stop on the journey through the Sci-Fi Chronicles book), served as executive producer on Willard Huyck’s terrible adaptation of Howard the Duck from the comic series. There are a couple of upsides…
Planet of the Apes (2001) – Tim Burton
It’s time for a different vision of Planet of the Apes, as I continue my exploration of the series as I delve into the Sci-Fi Chronicles book. This time around, Tim Burton directs an all-star cast including Tim Roth, Helena Bonham-Carter, Mark Wahlberg, Kris Kristofferson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Paul Giamatti, David Warner and Estella…
The Mind Reels 