More reboots but new stories too! - 1968-69

We did finish the 1960s in horror! Personally, I think some of the best films of the 60s were in these last three years, so I'm super excited to talk about them!!!

1968

Night of the Living Dead: I had never seen this movie, but I knew it was considered the start of the modern zombie film. I knew it was in B&W and that it had a Black protagonist but that the director had said that was really just incidental. And I knew at least part of the film had the protagonists trapped in a house. That said, there was a lot I really didn't expect, like the twist of an ending, the ironic dialogue at the start of the film, and the setting up of character archetypes in modern zombie films. All in all, a pleasant surprise.

The Devil Rides Out: This was a fun Satanic film by Hammer. Was different seeing Lee in the protagonist role, but it was really enjoyable seeing a furry devil, and it had some fun plot elements that were pretty unexpected.

La Marca del Hombre Lobo: For a foreign film that's basically a werewolf versus vampire film, I was thoroughly surprised by the entertaining plot. This vampire felt really gay, and I loved that. So many unexpected plot points here, too.

Rosemary's Baby: Another one I hadn't seen before but had heard about. But this is one that I never hear many details about. Like, despite knowing of the film, I didn't know if this was going to be a demonic baby throughout the film, or a ghost baby, or if demons were coming for the baby, or if it was an attempt to possess a baby, or what. So going into it, I had no idea what it would become. I absolutely loved this film by the end. I think it might easily be my favorite film from the marathon altogether so far!

The Strange World of Coffin Joe: A Brazilian horror film that revels in heavy gore and violence. It has three separate stories. The doll one was entertaining and gives you a sense of the rest of the film. The middle one had some weird necrophilia and was very surrealist. The final one was a very Poe-inspired story with lots of Biblically themed torture scenes.

Destroy All Monsters: I thought this was fun! I'm increasingly liking the Godzilla films, and this one didn't disappoint at all. I enjoyed seeing all the monsters come together like this.

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave: A really boring Hammer Dracula film. It's easily one of the worst of the sequels for me.

1969 

Haunted House of Horror: For such a cheesy name, this was a very fun film. Definitely a proto-slasher, and takes some pages out of Lois Duncan (or maybe inspired Duncan!). The final ten minutes make the movie completely worth it. It was just so fun seeing the attention to cinematography here, and I'd gladly watch this film again.

Horrors of Malformed Men: A Japanese utopia film reminiscent of Island of Dr. Moreau. Had a really creepy dance-actor in it who apparently inspired a lot of Japanese cabaret choreography. Wasn't super horrific, but it was definitely a trip!

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed: Y'know, I actually really liked this film despite it being Hammer's reboot. Like, I enjoyed the new actor for the baron, and he was charmingly sadistic. The treatment of him is very different from the book, but it feels like a good kind of different. Fresh at least. The ending was all kinds of unsatisfying though!

All Monsters Attack: Supposedly one of the worst Godzilla films? I don't see it though. It felt very Neverending Story in terms of its plot, but it was really cute. Very different for a Godzilla film, and that's probably why no one likes it. I found it to be charming though!

Rewind to 1960 

Per someone's recommendation, I went back and watched the 1960 Eyes without a Face. The mask supposedly inspired Michael Myers'. So, I checked it out. It was enjoyable! A basic plastic surgery horror movie, probably inspired Corruption, too. It's worth a watch.

So favorites? 

For me, definitely Rosemary's Baby. After that, Haunted House of Horrors.

For Sin: "I definitely want Night of the Living Dead on my list. That's pinnacle horror. The Strange World of Coffin Joe was surprisingly good, too. I don't think there were any Dracula films I enjoyed in those two years. Are you typing everything I'm saying, word for word? You don't need to do that. You just need a list. And Horrors of Malformed Men."

Comment question of the day: what would you say is the worst Godzilla film?