Humanoids From The Deep (1980)

Humanoids From The Deep is ridiculous. It aims to entertain by throwing gratuitous nudity and gore onscreen whenever possible. The acting is patchy, at best, and the titular creatures are a few performers in rubber suits, albeit pretty decent ones. It's hard to really care for any of the main characters and a number of people are introduced for the sole purpose of being maimed and killed by the aquatic humanoids. So it's not high art, by any means, but I ended up enjoying it a hell of a lot. Part of me knows that I should at least have the good grace to look slightly ashamed of this fact, but I'm not. Not at all.

The plot is summed up in the title, really, although there is a bit more to it. There's some animosity and division in a small village as some residents look forward to a change they think will be for the better while some others think that it will have a huge negative impact, there are scientific experiments that you might already have guessed end up affecting some of the sea life and there are various girls who get topless with very little persuading. Okay, the latter isn't a major plot point, but it's a bit of a plus.

Starring Doug McClure (no stranger to fending off men in rubber suits), Ann Turkel and Vic Morrow, the cast all do what is asked of them and keep impressively straight-faced when approached by monsters. Anthony Pena is pretty good as Johnny Eagle, the young man who most vehemently opposes the potential developments in the area, and fans of ventriloquist David Strassman will be amused by his appearance, alongside a very early version of Chuck Wood.

William Martin (using the name Frederick James) wrote the screenplay and Barbara Peeters sat in the director's chair, but that was only convenient until more gratuitous nudity was requested by producer Roger Corman. Peeters didn't think the film would benefit from these scenes, and refused to shoot them, which led to Corman getting someone else (an uncredited Jimmy T. Murakami) to film extra footage. Personally, I think that the film benefits immensely from this decision. It's lowest common denominator stuff, of course, but I can't imagine the movie being half as entertaining without it.

For anyone who wants meaningful, beautiful, classic horror . . . . . . look elsewhere. But if you're after blood, boobs and beasties then this might just be for you.

7/10

http://www.amazon.com/Humanoids-Deep-Roger-Cormans-Classics/dp/B00317LM9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382903912&sr=8-1&keywords=humanoids+from+the+deep

Warlords Of Atlantis (1978)

Before I begin this review I'd just like to point anyone who counts themselves a fan of Amicus movies toward the reviews that will be appearing on Flickfeast over the next few days. Yes, it's been a feast of Doug McClure films. Oh, and I am also hoping to put together an interview with director Kevin Connor so keep your eyes peeled.

But on with this wild, watery tale. The core of the movie is simple enough - a bunch of people are out at sea looking for some stuff and they come across one or two big beasties in the water before discovering the mythical area of Atlantis itself.

Directed by Kevin Connor (who did more than his fair share of these movies) and written by Brian Hayles, if you're already suspecting that this movie is a mix of cheesy moments, clunky dialogue and at least one big, rubber octopus then you'd be absolutely right.

But there's more to it than just that. The backstory to the people of Atlantis and what they're doing and also planning to do in the future is a good one while a story strand about a golden idol causing mutiny on the ship adds a little bit of tension.

Doug McClure does just fine in the lead role but cinema fans will have more fun recognising the supporting players. Peter Gilmore is still best known to many for his roles in the "Carry On" films but he's the driven and slightly deceitful Charles Aitken here, Shane Rimmer is good as Captain Daniels, Lea Brodie is lovely as Delphine and a young (-ish) John Ratzenberger does well. There's even a small role for Cyd Charisse.

The effects don't hold up too well nowadays, and they didn't seem all that great when the movie was first released (this film came out AFTER Star Wars?), and there are a number of scenes that threaten to put viewers to sleep but, overall, there's still a mix of genuine charm and a warm essence of nostalgia that makes this, and any other Amicus movie, something I can always rewatch if I catch it on TV during a dull afternoon.

5/10

Warlords Of Atlantis is out to buy on Monday 30th July.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warlords-Atlantis-DVD-Doug-McClure/dp/B0086TW1KE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343343617&sr=8-1