Some of the best horror film experiences come from taking a chance on an unfamiliar, perhaps poorly reviewed film. Of course that method may also lead to some of the worst horror film experiences. Therein lies the adventure.
Today’s two films feature one that is almost certainly unknown to most fans and one that probably slipped under the radar.
The memory of just when and where “Aswang” 1994 forced its way into my universe is lost to time. Or it may be a defense mechanism. This isn’t a great film and the most accurate comment from the poster is certainly from Our Great Lord Joe Bob Briggs: “THIS MOVIE IS NASTY.”
Because it is nasty and so much more.
From Wikipedia: “Aswang is a general term used to describe various evil and malevolent shape-shifting creatures found in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and transforming human-beast hybrids (usually dogs, cats, pigs).” (Please follow the link for the full Wikipedia reference.)
The Aswang in this film is a creature with a very long tongue which it uses to feed on it’s favorite delicacy: living fetuses. It feeds by taking the very long tongue and doing exactly what your horrified and disgusted imagination is telling you right now.
I’ll refrain from using the excellent Google Gemini to illustrate this feeding method. You’re welcome.
But if you watch the film, you’ll see the Aswang using that method several times and it’s always maximum icky.
Again, this isn’t a great film but it is very entertaining and fairly scary. It’s a bit hard to find. My DVD came from Ebay and you can still find it there.
The Hammer films of the 70’s were a decidedly mixed bag. On the bad side you have “Scars of Dracula” 1970 and “To the Devil a Daughter” 1976. On the good side you have a lot of films including today’s second feature “Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde” 1971.
I love this movie. Hardly surprising as it was directed by one of Hammer’s great latter period directors, Roy Ward Baker, and written by the exceptional Brian Clemens.
The story is a deliciously salacious mix of Jekyll\Hyde and Jack the Ripper. Here Dr. Jekyll’s famous potion turns him not into Mister Hyde but Sister Hyde. Sister Hyde is portrayed by the ravishing and dangerously sexy Martine Beswick, a brilliant actress who graced many Hammer films and two Bond films. (“From Russia With Love” 1963 and “Thunderball” 1965) She is absolutely stunning, reveling in the psychopathic, sexy, violent, and dangerous behavior always associated with Hyde. Her brilliant performance is balanced perfectly by the amazing Ralph Bates.
Mr. Bates had been recruited by Hammer films to replace not one, but two of the cornerstone members of their acting stable: Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. He had portrayed a disciple of Dracula in “Taste the Blood of Dracula” 1970 and Victor Frankenstein in “The Horror of Frankenstein” 1970. He had the looks and the range to play both dynamic leading roles and character roles very effectively.
The interplay between these two fantastic performers, the naughty brilliance of Mr. Clemen’s script, and the masterful direction of Mr. Baker make this a shining jewel in Hammer 70’s horror. This one is easy to find and view. If you haven’t seen it you should.
Right now. Not kidding. Unless you’re performing brain surgery on Our Great Lord Cthulhu, drop what\who you’re doing and seek out this movie. You can thank me later.
Don’t know what’s next but one sincerely hopes it’s as much fun to write as this has been.
See you then.
