Body Bags

"Body Bags" (1993, John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, 187 Corp., Showtime Networks) is a made for TV horror anthology set in a morgue. The film was initially meant to become a weekly show similar to "Tales from the Crypt" but was axed, and so the completed pieces were pieced together into an anthology.

A creepy coroner (John Carpenter) sets us up for each segment, inspired by the bodies he uncovers from the bags. There are three tales all-in:

The Gas Station
Anne (Alex Datcher) is a student starting her new part time job as the overnight petrol station attendant. As if that job is not just creepy enough, she has to deal with knowing that a dangerous lunatic has escaped the asylum (she was kindly warned by her new colleague, Bill (Robert Carradine)). Soon all of her customers appear to be a little strange and Anne is frantic, not knowing who could be the killer! Horror hero cameos include Wes Craven, Sam Raimi, David Naughton, George Buck Flower and Molly Cheek).

The short is a bit of a lark with so many horror favourites gracing the screen with their nutty characters and a fair bit of bludgeoning. While it's your typical 'lone woman being stalked by a serial killer' plot, it's fun in its familiarity and really kicks off the film.

Hair
Richard (Stacy Keach) is hitting middle age. His girlfriend, Megan (Sheena Easton), is getting exasperated by Richard's obsession with his looks and his quickly thinning locks. In his desperation, Richard signs up for a hair transplant operation which appears successful. Maybe a little too successful...

A bit of a laugh with some effects that aged a little, but add to the charm of the film. I thought I knew where this one was going but after a point it changes tack slightly which pleased me. Yes, it's hardly 'scary' but I don't watch old anthologies for scare factor, they're purely for comedy. Cameos include Debbie Harry and David Warner as the mad doctor and his nurse.

Eye
Brent Matthews (Mark Hamill) is a baseball player. He is involved in a car accident where his eye is gouged out. Brent opts for some experimental surgery that is not considered so sci-fi these days, and receives an eye transplant in the hopes that he can return to his beloved game. But, similarly to the later 2002 and 2008 Singaporean and American blockbusters both called "The Eye", he begins to see things that are not there through the new eye: horrible things. Brent becomes suspicious that his new eye belonged to a killer and goes back to the doctor to investigate. Brent realises that there is only one way to end this problem... Cameos include Twiggy and Roger Corman.

A few gruesome bits make this one entertaining but it was admittedly my least favourite short of the three. In retrospect this one seems very tropey, but it's not its fault; it came first afterall!

We end back in the morgue where our creepy coroner reveals he is more than at first appears.

The film comes off as surprisingly low budget, but this may just be a sign of ageing SFX. While it's nothing new in terms of plot or set up, it's a playful horror anthology and is funny, self aware and even a little gruesome at times. Team this one with Creepshow 1 and you're onto a bloody good night in!

[Image: 187 Corp.]

Hani

An American Werewolf In London

"An American Werewolf in London" (1981, John Landis, Universal Pictures) is one of the best werewolf movies ever made!

I am a huge fangirl for this movie. It was my introduction to the werewolf myth at the tender age of 4 and it contains, by far, the best transformation scene in cinematic-lycanthrope-history! Forget your modern CGI and your Seth Green werewolf-possum-thingumies! This is it!

We begin by following two young college teens, David Kessler (David Naughton) and Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne), on the British leg of their backpacking tour of the globe. They're regretting their choice in destination as they become accustomed to the lovely weather we have here! Rain, rain, rain and just for a change, rain!

They tag a lift with a sheep farmer, in his sheep trailer, and stop at a local country pub called "The Slaughtered Lamb"; very cleverly advertised with a wolf's decaptitated head on the sign. Or is that a werewolf's decapitated head?

They soon become aware that they are not particularly welcome in this little farming community's local, and since it doesn't sell food or coffee, they decide to head on, after a good old tale from the local story teller, and few creepy utterances of "Stick to the roads" "Beware the moon!" from the locals. There's also a lovely warding spell shrine on the wall for them to question. Bad idea.

Also, I'd like to point out that Rik Mayall is playing checkers in the corner!

Of course, young American teens don't listen to advice, and the boys soon find themselves lost on the moors under a full moon. Surprise, surprise.

Now, you might not be impressed with the werewolf in this scene, but I promise it improves!

Young Jack doesn't make it, but David survives with quite minor injuries, considering.... Only, is he still just plain old David?

He falls for his beautiful (and somewhat very trusting) young nurse, Alex Price (Jenny Agutter, who you may know from "The Railway Children") and decides to stay with her after his discharge from hospital.

He's soon troubled by the rapidly decomposing corpse of his deceased friend, Jack, who warns him that he is a werewolf and will soon kill. Jack tells him to kill himself before it's too late.

A few jumpy scenes and misguiding dreams which may take you by surprise the first time. And a scene in the London Underground which I find actually spooks me whenever I visit London are just a few reasons to watch this fabulous flick!

As I said, the transformation scene is epic and makes you twitch a bit in sympathetic pain for poor David.

There's also some hilarious scenes with nudity; the obvious downside of transforming into a rampaging wolf and waking up in the local zoo! And some porn, just to keep you interested.

Jack's makeup is immense and I always find myself watching the wiggly bit of torn flesh on his neck, ever hoping that it'll fall off or something! By the time he's decomposed beyond recognition, it's a bit fakey, but, hey, it was the 80s!

John Landis' "American Werewolf..." is by far my most favourite werewolf movie (and yes that includes all the Lon Chaneys!!!). I'm even reading his book about Monsters in the Movies, and I'm glad to report that he is as much a big FX and prosthetic geek as I am! Very entertaining!

If you haven't seen this movie, get a move on, you're embarrassing yourself!

[Picture: Universal Pictures]

Hani