Sure, there have been some good werewolf movies in the past 44 years. But not any great ones. Perhaps because An American Werewolf in London broke the mold right after shaping it.
Also highly recommend a way more fun and better than it should be 90’s gem with an amazing looking werewolf called “Bad Moon”. Directed by Eric Red, who wrote Near Dark, and starring the kid from 90’s Dennis The Menace.
I had a feeling Ginger Snaps was gonna come up! I want to love that film because the concept is so good, but it just doesn't do it for me. Seen it twice, thought it was just fine both times. I'm glad it has a strong cult following, though, because it's pretty unique.
Been meaning to see Bad Moon for years! One of these days I'll catch up to it.
Actually in the movie it’s just from the mom and son’s perspective basically but Thor plays the same role as he does in the book ala huge german shepherd vs werewolf. If that sounds awesome to you it’s because it is lol
I'm in Birmingham! I've been to CFF before, but I saw Teddy during one of their virtual editions during the pandemic. Funnily enough, though, I'm headed to Chattanooga this weekend.
Nice! Love Chattanooga. We usually stay on Lookout when we visit. I live about an hour north of Nashville so it’s about 3 hrs away. I wanted to go to that festival a couple of years ago and the guy from The Monster Squad was doing a watch along of the movie at one of the pubs there. Didn’t get to make it though as it was on a weekday.
Oh rad! We’re actually staying in Lookout Valley right now. I love Tennessee. My sister’s lives just outside of Knoxville for many years and I’m always trying to make trips to Nashville and Memphis.
What I find so fascinating about the near-obligatory transformation sequences is how their grotesque nature tends to gel with the common werewolf story themes of male pain and pressure (which I think the new Wolf Man tackled brilliantly, if not with a strong visual component). The impulse is to turn away from that hideous transformation, often accompanied by cries of pain from the person transforming; there's a parallel there with blinding oneself from the truth of another person's pain, despite that bodily transformation being fundamentally undeniable.
Damn, well said. To your point, I always prefer it when lycanthropy is positioned as a disease rather than a superpower; that's a deeply rooted trope, but there's plenty more ground to cover there. (I think it makes a great metaphor for alcoholism in particular.)
I do think that Whannell did some good thematic work with Wolf Man. And Abbott sells it well too. The generational male pain passed down from father to son is a bit on the nose (on the snout?), but many of the best horror films aren't subtle about their themes.
Agreed through and through! Abbott really seems to be drawn to stories that explore stuff like that, too. Wolf Man, Bring Them Down, even On the Count of Three. I'm fond of the guy.
The range! I love him in stuff like Poor Things and Possessor but he can absolutely carry a character-driven indie. I think the right role would make him a household name, but I also love that he doesn't seem to care about that.
Thank you for calling attention to an important issue! I LOVE werewolf movies but feel similarly. Have you see The Company of Wolves? That one's probably my favorite. Really love Dog Soldiers too!
I’m more of a Howling guy, but I acknowledge the greatness of AAWiL. Also in 1981 there was Wolfen, which doesn’t hit with everyone, but I like it a lot. Everyone should also see Ginger Snaps, Dog Soldiers, The Company of Wolves, Bad Moon, and Silver Bullet. I don’t know if anything can dethrone AAWiL.
I love The Howling almost as much as AAWIL! I have an original theatrical one-sheet hanging in my living room. Honestly, if it’d been released just after AAWIL instead of just before, I would’ve written about it instead. Both great, I think.
I would flog myself if I didn't bring up Underworld's incredible impact on vampire culture in the media. Also, my favorite marriage of both vampires AND werewolves is Van Helsing (2004), an ok movie that I would absolutely die for.
I watched Van Helsing during my Movie Gallery era (2005) and I remember it meeting the minimum criteria to be considered a movie!
I do kinda like the Underworld films as horror junk food. No nutritional value but fun every once in a while. Can't remember if I made it through the whole franchise though.
I would say Ginger Snaps gets closest.
Also highly recommend a way more fun and better than it should be 90’s gem with an amazing looking werewolf called “Bad Moon”. Directed by Eric Red, who wrote Near Dark, and starring the kid from 90’s Dennis The Menace.
I had a feeling Ginger Snaps was gonna come up! I want to love that film because the concept is so good, but it just doesn't do it for me. Seen it twice, thought it was just fine both times. I'm glad it has a strong cult following, though, because it's pretty unique.
Been meaning to see Bad Moon for years! One of these days I'll catch up to it.
Yeah man, Bad Moon is pretty good.
It really is! Real ones know, IC.
It’s actually based off a book called, “Thor” from the dog’s perspective In need to read one of these days.
Wait. So does Bad Moon take the werewolf’s perspective?
Actually in the movie it’s just from the mom and son’s perspective basically but Thor plays the same role as he does in the book ala huge german shepherd vs werewolf. If that sounds awesome to you it’s because it is lol
Sounds a little bit like Cujo. Which means I’m definitely in.
I totally get that. The extra component of it taking place around Halloween elevates it for me too I think for seasonal rewatchabiity.
The sequels are pretty good too for fans of the first one.
Late Phases is the one I wanted to love so much and it just didn’t get there for a few reasons. I do like it though. The awesome concept alone.
Teddy was great and that ending!
Teddy probably would've flown under my radar if not for the Chattanooga Film Festival, so shouts out to them. French horror rarely lets me down!
French and South Korean horror don’t play.
You in the Nooga, Jeremy?
I'm in Birmingham! I've been to CFF before, but I saw Teddy during one of their virtual editions during the pandemic. Funnily enough, though, I'm headed to Chattanooga this weekend.
Nice! Love Chattanooga. We usually stay on Lookout when we visit. I live about an hour north of Nashville so it’s about 3 hrs away. I wanted to go to that festival a couple of years ago and the guy from The Monster Squad was doing a watch along of the movie at one of the pubs there. Didn’t get to make it though as it was on a weekday.
Oh rad! We’re actually staying in Lookout Valley right now. I love Tennessee. My sister’s lives just outside of Knoxville for many years and I’m always trying to make trips to Nashville and Memphis.
I think Dog Soldiers is one of the most fun werewolf movies ever. But it was definitely not as expensive -looking as Landis' picture.
Dog Soldiers is super fun! I’ve got it on Blu-ray actually. But I don’t think I can call it “great.”
What I find so fascinating about the near-obligatory transformation sequences is how their grotesque nature tends to gel with the common werewolf story themes of male pain and pressure (which I think the new Wolf Man tackled brilliantly, if not with a strong visual component). The impulse is to turn away from that hideous transformation, often accompanied by cries of pain from the person transforming; there's a parallel there with blinding oneself from the truth of another person's pain, despite that bodily transformation being fundamentally undeniable.
Damn, well said. To your point, I always prefer it when lycanthropy is positioned as a disease rather than a superpower; that's a deeply rooted trope, but there's plenty more ground to cover there. (I think it makes a great metaphor for alcoholism in particular.)
I do think that Whannell did some good thematic work with Wolf Man. And Abbott sells it well too. The generational male pain passed down from father to son is a bit on the nose (on the snout?), but many of the best horror films aren't subtle about their themes.
Agreed through and through! Abbott really seems to be drawn to stories that explore stuff like that, too. Wolf Man, Bring Them Down, even On the Count of Three. I'm fond of the guy.
The range! I love him in stuff like Poor Things and Possessor but he can absolutely carry a character-driven indie. I think the right role would make him a household name, but I also love that he doesn't seem to care about that.
Thank you for calling attention to an important issue! I LOVE werewolf movies but feel similarly. Have you see The Company of Wolves? That one's probably my favorite. Really love Dog Soldiers too!
Glad to have you on Team Werewolf with me. There are dozens of us!
I haven't seen The Company of Wolves, but I really like what I've seen from Neil Jordan, so I have no excuse. I'm excited to catch up with it!
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night didn’t crack a mention. Shame on you Burgo.
That’s a really good movie! I just got tired of listing good vampire movies. 😂
I’m more of a Howling guy, but I acknowledge the greatness of AAWiL. Also in 1981 there was Wolfen, which doesn’t hit with everyone, but I like it a lot. Everyone should also see Ginger Snaps, Dog Soldiers, The Company of Wolves, Bad Moon, and Silver Bullet. I don’t know if anything can dethrone AAWiL.
I love The Howling almost as much as AAWIL! I have an original theatrical one-sheet hanging in my living room. Honestly, if it’d been released just after AAWIL instead of just before, I would’ve written about it instead. Both great, I think.
Preach
Someone has to tackle the important issues!
I would flog myself if I didn't bring up Underworld's incredible impact on vampire culture in the media. Also, my favorite marriage of both vampires AND werewolves is Van Helsing (2004), an ok movie that I would absolutely die for.
JEREMY. I just realized Van Helsing's directed by the same dude as The Mummy (1999)!!! I'm nothing if not consistent.
I'm so glad I could help you come to this realization. 😂
I watched Van Helsing during my Movie Gallery era (2005) and I remember it meeting the minimum criteria to be considered a movie!
I do kinda like the Underworld films as horror junk food. No nutritional value but fun every once in a while. Can't remember if I made it through the whole franchise though.
Oh yeah Underword is not a good movie, but it's a good time lol Solid vamp/lycan franchise if nothing else!