The Lucid Nightmare: Herbert Lom

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Monday, December 7, 2015

Thursday, May 9, 2013

REVIEW: Mysterious Island

Mysterious Island

Director: Cy Endfield

Year 1961

Mysterious Island is a wonderfully imagined adaption of Jules Verne's outstanding novel, L'lle mysterieuse. Brought to life by the legendary stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen, the film features an abundance of mind-boggling creatures and elaborate effects, which aid in bringing the whole spectacle to life. As fantasy/adventure movies go, Mysterious Island is a classically portrayed gem that truly takes you on a most memorable journey into the unknown. One filled with wonderful marvels, stupendous dangers, and above all a true sense of unabashed wonder.

The film follows a regiment of Union POWs as they escape from a Confederate prison camp in a hot air balloon. Set adrift across the Pacific, the group crashes on the shores of a mysterious island in which giant monsters, blood thirsty pirates, and various other dangers threaten their vary survival. Armed with a few rifles and a handful of courage, the survivors gather their wits in order to figure out a way off of this perilous island, but with the imposing volcano at the center of the island primed to erupt, do they even have a chance?

The motley group of survivors are comprised of an eclectic cast of thespians. The most prominent of the group is the incomparable Herbert Lom, whose film credits span countless genres and a number of personal favorites of mine. Lom takes on the role of Captain Nemo, a recluse intellectual whose genius has spawned one of the most impressive maritime vessels known as the Nautilus. Much like his performances in The Phantom of the Opera, Mark of the Devil, and The Dead Zone, Lom gives a tremendous presence to his character making every ounce of screen time count.

The rest of the cast does an equally good job with their roles, which fit perfectly into the tone of the film. Michael Craig gives a stern performance as Captain Cyrus Harding, while Gary Merrill, Dan Jackson and Percy Herbert do a great job in diversifying the small group of survivors. The inclusion of Joan Greenwood and Beth Rogan as Lady Mary Fairchild and Elena Fairchild are a nice addition, which provides Michael Callan's character, Herbert Brown, to have a love interest in the young Elena. As an ensemble the group does a fine job and they work rather well against the amazing and imaginative monsters that pop up throughout this wild adventure of a film.

If I was to name a main star of this movie though, it would be Ray Harryhausen and his wonderfully crafted creatures. In all honesty this was the main aspect that peaked my interest years ago when I first caught wind of this elaborate production. After viewing Harryhausen's iconic work in The 7^th Voyage of Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, and his last effort Clash of the Titans, I knew that I was in for a treat when finally checking out Mysterious Island. Ultimately established as a showcase for the animators stop-motion effects, the film is jam packed with eye-opening creatures and unbelievable moments, all glossed over with that distinct Harryhausen style. From a giant bird, to an enormous crab, to a frighteningly immense bee, to even an overgrown octopus, Harryhausen injects the production with an atmosphere of magic, which lends greatly to the fantasy feel of the film.

With Harryhausen's effects in action, the film does a marvelous job in blending in some striking matte and miniature work to complement the legendary animators unparalleled creations. The look and feel of both the interior and exterior shots of the Nautilus are richly crafted and look absolutely fabulous, especially during the climax of the film where the ship is being bombarded by the destruction of the island. As for the effects work of the film, they maintain the same quality inherent in the entire production, producing some spectacular moments that literally rock the film's foundation in boisterous awe. For a Jules Verne adaption, Mysterious Island is up there as one of the best of the bunch, and without a doubt that is thanks to the colossal crew behind this iconic production.

Mysterious Island is grandiose in every sense of the word. From its larger than life creatures, its boundless landscape, and its intriguing concept, this Jules Verne adaption is one that is filled to the brim with excitement and fun. The cast does a commendable job with the material, with Herbert Lom giving a mesmerizing and memorable performance as the fabled Captain Nemo. Balanced to perfection, there really isn't a dull moment in this wonderful adventure, making for a brisk romp that never loses its appeal.

The real game-changer of the production is Ray Harryhausen's creature work and the lovingly crafted world that the effects artists provide. Unmistakably robust and highly imaginative, Harryhausen and crew vividly bring this island of mystery to stark and fanciful life, establishing a world that can only exist on the beautifully crafted celluloid plain. Impressively detailed and remarkably unique, the visual appearance of Mysterious Island's world is without a doubt the most appealing aspect of this production and it's safe to say that it is the heart and soul of the film's success. If you're in need of a fantasy/adventure fix and you are a fan of Ray Harryhausen's work, then you owe it to yourself to check out this entertaining gem. Mysterious Island is.....

Weeeeeeee!!!!!

I sure hope King Kong doesn't show up.

So when the hell do I get my blue shirt?

On this island, hot chicks wash up on the beach. Sweet!

What manner of beast can make a shit this large?

Put the book down nerd and figure a way off of this crazy island.

These chicks are nuts.

What are you looking at bird-brain?

Looks like it's chicken tonight.

Get the hell out of my hive you rat bastards!

Look! I see the end of the movie.

You kids BEE careful. Yep, I said it.

Hello everyone.

What do you mean you don't like my seashell styled outfit?

And on your left is the underwater city of Atlantis.

Do you mind not playing that damn piano right now?!?!

Bring it on you Kraken bastard!

Farewell you mysterious island, you.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

LET'S GET HAMMER'D: The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera
Director: Terence Fisher
Year 1962

The Phantom of the Opera is an excellent Hammer Film Productions adaption of the famous Gaston Leroux novel by the same name. Set in a number of elaborately gothic locations and centered on an ornate opera house, the movie boasts a lucid atmosphere that commendably captures Leroux’s writings, while ate the same time, the production stakes claim to a few stylistic choices of its own. High on production value and ambience, this horror entry blends the famous Hammer style with the conventions of the legendary story of The Phantom of the Opera to make a cinematic spectacle that any genre lover should appreciate.

The film follows the haunting occurrences at a London opera house by an illusive specter who seems determined to halt production on the theater’s next play. With a determined director named Harry Hunter and a ruthless producer named Lord Ambrose d’Arcy, the opera pushes forward through the sabotage, but it isn’t until the lead actress of the play, Christine Charles, is kidnapped that people start to question if the Phantom of the Opera is indeed a ghost, or a jaded individual with other motives in mind. Driven by his love for Ms. Charles and resolute in keeping the opera afloat, Harry sets off on a quest to track down the Phantom of the Opera, but what he finds is a storied past that flips his perception of the play he is directing and the producer behind it.

Edward de Souza plays the role of Harry Hunter, the director with a heart of gold and an attitude to match. As the hero of the piece, Edward is tasked with the larger than life obstacle of getting the audience to support him every inch of the way and Edward does that commendably. With a sharp wit and a charismatic demeanor, Edward lives it up as the central actor of the production. Pairing with him is the lovely Heather Sears playing the role of Christine Charles. Christine is a shy and timid character who slowly blossoms as the film moves along. When we first see her she is auditioning for a part in the play and in these moments she is a bit restrained and apprehensive about her future at the opera house, but after she gets the part and becomes more confident we start to see a more outgoing sort of character that still holds on to that delicate aspect that made her so endearing. Sears is perfect in the role and her performance is heartfelt and somber.

On the other side of the coin we have Michael Gough taking on the role of Lord Ambrose d’Arcy, the biggest asshole in the world. Gough is in top form, portraying the spineless dirt-bag to the letter and his venomous nature and heartless attitude is exceptionally devilish. It’s hard to believe that this actor would later in life play the sweet role of Alfred in Tim Burton’s Batman, but I guess that is a testament to his quality as an actor. Opposing Gough’s Lord Ambrose d’Arcy is Herbert Lom in the role of The Phantom. Lom is one of those classic actors who often gets lost in the shuffle and passing of time, doomed to be forgotten by the majority of the movie watching public, but the man has garnered quiet an impressive career throughout the years. From his work on Spartacus, to Mysterious Island, to Bang! Bang! You’re Dead!, to Journey to the Far Side of the Sun, to Mark of the Devil, to Murders in the Rue Morgue, to Asylum, to The Dead Zone, to King Solomon’s Mines, the guy is a walking talking genre mastermind. Sadly he passed away this year, but his legend will not be forgotten by this reviewer and by the huge following of cult fans that have followed his work. His role in The Phantom of the Opera was definitely one of his best, and his portrayal of the haunted composer is one of my personal favorites.

As this is a Hammer film, the production value of this movie is of the highest of qualities. The sets are lavish, the locations are gothic, and the overall feel of the film is abundantly classy. There is also a great deal of variety to the locations of the movie. We’re given numerous glimpses of the expansive opera house, both in the concert hall and in the behind the scenes locations. From the dressing rooms and lobbies, to the dark and dank underbelly of the opera house’s underground tunnels, the film spares no expense in giving us a plethora of interesting locales for the story to take place in. I especially enjoyed The Phantom’s cavernous lair, as it really spoke for the scope of the production.

The scale of the film can also be seen in the time frame in which the narrative takes place. We are given a large breadth of history in both the origin story of The Phantom and how he came to be and also with the sordid involvement of a certain opera producer and the ramifications that come about from his one heinous act. I loved the scale of the story and I felt that it added to the epic nature of the production. This is not uncommon for a Hammer film to do, because it seems to be a tradition for the production company to tell larger than life tales, giving us all the aspects and storied facts. I loved the thorough approach to this famous story and I personally feel that this is the most accomplished imagining of Gaston Leroux’s novel to date. All in all, The Phantom of the Opera is a Hammer produced entry that really gives respect to the source material in that it fleshes out its characters and allows us to appreciate the scope and heart of this most heralded tale.

The Phantom of the Opera is a sorely underrated Hammer effort that tells a compelling story about one man’s horrifying transformation into a monster and his agonizing struggle to reclaim himself and everything he lost. Terence Fisher knocks another one out of the park with this entry and his expert eye can be seen throughout this entire production. With a cast of highly capable actors it isn’t hard to guess that this film is extremely entertaining and surprisingly fresh for being a retelling of a classic novel.

Surrounded in that distinct style that only Hammer can bring, the film is lavishly depicted and classically portrayed. Every inch of the frame is coated in that haunting atmosphere that seems to infect every Hammer produced movie. With its gothic locations, both above and below ground, the moments in this film are just so surreal and astounding that you have to respect the artistry on display. When tackling this film, I wasn’t to optimistic on being blown away by the story, but the fairytale quality that the movie omits is quite intoxicating and especially inviting. You’ll find yourself being swept up in the mystery and hopefully my review will lead some of you to take on the film for yourself. It really is a special interpretation of the classic story and if anything else, you really can’t go wrong with a Hammer film. Check it out! The Phantom of the Opera is…..