The Incredible Melting Man (1977)

A film that does exactly what the title tells you it is going to do, The Incredible Melting Man is a strange and uneven viewing experience, saved by the moments that feature the titular character, a tragic figure who has many moments that allow him to parallel Frankenstein's monster.

Alex Rebar is that man, an astronaut named Steve West who has been fundamentally transformed during his last space voyage, a trip that killed the men alongside. He escapes from his hospital bed and starts to wander through the countryside, killing people as he continues to melt into a sludgy mess. It's up to Dr. Ted Nelson (Burr DeBenning) to find him before too many people die, but he always seems to be a step or two behind.

Written and directed by William Sachs (who would go on to give us the much more enjoyable Galaxina a few years later), this is an FX showcase that doesn't have enough decent scenes away from the nasty moments, and often doesn't even show off the practical work, headed up by Rick Baker, as well as it could. Originally intended as a campy homage to past sci-fi horror movies (there's definitely a Quatermass vibe there, amongst the other influences), the fact that producers wanted something more straightforward and serious helps to explain the uneven tone of the whole thing, with Sachs still managing to squeeze in some quirky humour here and there, certainly in the first half of the film.

Rebar isn't really seen under all of that make-up but he does well enough as he shambles around, and he arguably puts in a better performance than most of the other main cast members. DeBenning is an unlikely "hero", really only the best hope for Rebar when compared to the local Sheriff (Michael Alldredge) and a grumpy General (Myron Healey). Ann Sweeny is the wife of DeBenning's character, and she does okay in her role, Cheryl Smith at least makes an impression, playing a model stuck in the middle of nowhere with a sleazy photographer (Don Walters), and Edwin Max and Dorothy Love are amusing enough as a childish elderly couple on their way to visit family.

Have I made this sound good? It's not. Not really. But it's not terrible either, thanks to the intentions of Sachs and the moments that it gets right. It somehow does just enough to keep things decently paced, and there's an enjoyably low-key and slightly unsettling coda.

The Incredible Melting Man is still a title that I think most horror movie fans should check off their watchlist, if only for those Rick Baker effects. It's just a shame that it comes nowhere near to living up to the title, and will always be below the likes of Street Trash and Body Melt (and any other melty-fleshed features I am currently forgetting about, although all of them sit in the shade of the gloriously gloopy Society).

4/10

You can buy the movie here.
Americans can buy the movie here.

Dead By Dawn 2018: An American Werewolf In London (1981)

Reposted from my Flickfeast.co.uk review.

Two young Americans, David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), are trudging across the moors of Northern England when they are attacked by a large, deadly creature. Jack is killed instantly and David survives, only to be informed (by Jack, who is now cursed to wander the Earth as a member of the undead) that he will sprout fur and fangs at the time of the next full moon, hence the title. Despite this worry, David still manages to impress the beautiful nurse looking after him (Jenny Agutter) and gets his wicked way with our very own English Rose in a scene that fuelled many the fantasy of a young lad in the mid-80s. But will his happiness last? Is he going mad? Or will he, indeed, start howling at the next full moon?

If you haven’t seen this perfectly crafted horror-comedy (though director John Landis prefers to call it a horror movie that lets you laugh)  then stop reading this review and do so immediately. Now! It is a favourite for many, many people (certainly one of mine) and remains one of the best blending of those two genres ever made. I also think that this movie, alongside Scanners, helped to expand the newly introduced home entertainment market (thanks to the major rewind moments – Scanners had that exploding head scene and this movie has not only a naked Jenny Agutter but also THE finest werewolf transformation ever committed to film, for which I am eternally in awe of the magnificent Rick Baker . . . and we shouldn’t forget his sterling work in making Jack a very real, very decomposing member of the undead). Just watch it. Seriously. Now.

For those of you who have seen it or have just watched it for the first time, how many highlights can you think of right now? It’s a long and impressive list and, in a random stream of consciousness, I would have to plump for the following: the soundtrack filled with songs that have “moon” in the title, the adult movie titled “See You Next Wednesday” (a Landis trademark in-joke for some time), a young Rik Mayall on screen for seconds, “The Slaughtered Lamb”, the amusing comic relief from the staid policemen, Frank Oz in both muppet and non-muppet form, David Naughton checking his teeth in the mirror and THAT transformation sequence. Throw in an amazing finale set in Piccadilly Circus, genuinely good acting from all three of thhe main leads, a witty script full of love for the lycanthrope myths and great direction PLUS a hell of a lot more and you have the greatest werewolf movie ever made, for my money anyway.

10/10

Buy the disc here.
Americanos can get it here.

The one, the only . . . ME. With that there John Landis.

Dead By Dawn 2016: Creature Designers - The Frankenstein Complex (2015)

Creature Designers - The Frankenstein Complex is another documentary about the special people who have made our special effects over the years. But what separates this from the likes of Nightmare Factory and other documentaries covering similar territory? Well, first of all, this one isn't just looking at the KNB EFX Group. Secondly, it's both a more specific look at the designers and how their passion has helped craft so many memorable designs over the years and yet also a wider look at the many departments now working together to design and operate one creature. It may start back in the early days of cinema but it doesn't forget to look forward at the potential still ahead of us. Sometimes that is viewed with optimism and sometimes there's an inevitable tinge of sadness as practical work is overshadowed and/or replaced by computers.

Because there's no real plot to discuss, obviously, and no performances to weigh up, none of the usual movie review stuff, I'll just use this paragraph to reel off a list of names. Some, but not all, of the people appearing onscreen to talk about special effects and creature design are: the Chiodo brothers, Rick Baker, Guillermo del Toro, Joe Dante, John Landis, Phil Tippett, Greg Nicotero, Kevin Smith, Tom Woodruff Jr, Mick Garris, and Matt Winston. It's an impressive selection, no doubt, but the notable omission of Tom Savini (who is only ever namechecked once) makes it feel slightly incomplete. And I'm always a bit miffed, as a huge fan of his work, whenever the mad genius of Screaming Mad George is overlooked.

Directors Gilles Penso and Alexandre Poncet do a very good job of getting the right people to wax lyrically about their perspective on the industry, whether it's Phil Tippett sharing his passion for model work, the Chiodo brothers being shown alongside both Killer Klowns and Critters, or Tom Woodruff Jr admitting that he doesn't remember his work on Mortal Kombat with too much fondness. Dante and Landis are both great talkers, as usual, and Kevin Smith speaks for us all when describing how he views any shark to this day because of Jaws.

There's not much else to say about this documentary. Fans of horror, and fans of special effects, should already know that they want to see it. Others can take or leave it, as they see fit. It's certainly recommended for fans of all kinds of cinema though.

7/10

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