Colossal (2016) - Soundtrack

A dark comedy wherein giant monsters act as the embodiment of addiction and abuse? Sign me up!

Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis both shine as damaged people that have very different reactions to learning they have giant monster avatars capable of wreaking havoc, destruction, and, of course, death in South Korea, of all places.

Bear McCreary's excellent score, like the film itself, is all over the place, by design. While there are grand orchestral flourishes worthy of a giant monster movie, most of the score is as quiet and uneasy as Hathaway and Sudeikis' characters. Because, despite its giant monster flourishes, Colossal is a lot more grounded and human than one would think.

All that having been said, it should come as no surprise whatsoever that my favorite track is #6 - The Most Irresponsible Thing. I think it is a perfect underscore for a truly unsettling moment when an abuser gets to flaunt and flex the power he has over the abused to someone incapable of either challenging or neutralizing that power.

Parents (1989) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - February 19, 1989

This is one oddity I really regret missing seeing on the big screen, but the unaddressed issues of untreated anxiety, depression, and childhood trauma kept me from being truly comfortable venturing out and doing things for myself, by myself. So there were quite a few cinematic delights I missed out on experiencing. So it goes.

"What were they before they were leftovers?"

"Leftovers to be."

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #37

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

 

The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - February 18, 1977

Great title for an okay movie. While it does have its moments, the crime(s) being unsolved keeps the movie of a satisfying ending. "The killer could be here right now, watching the movie with you," just does not work, or age, all that well.

Alien 3 (1992) - Trading Card #1

Datalog: Date and Time Unknown

All seemed well. Hicks' injuries were serious, but not critical. And Bishop was in need of major repair. But we were finally heading home. Our ship. the Sulaco, was fully operational when Hicks, Newt, Bishop and I entered the cryotubes for an unknown length of hypersleep. But it didn't stay that way.

Although neither version of Alien 3 comes close to "sticking the landing" of following-up or concluding the events and ideas of the far superior Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). I do think that there are some admirable creative big swings taken in this compromised and unfocused film.

The major problem here, much like with the equally flawed and maligned Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989), is that the story feels unfinished. The script really needed to go through a few more drafts. One that would whittle the number of prisoners down to a level allowing for a roster of more memorable, or at least identifiable, characters and, in theory, allow the film's themes of faith, suffering, and free will (i.e. choice) to be better contextualized.

The 'Burbs (1989) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - February 17, 1989

 

Fright Flicks - Trading Card #36

Fright Night (1985)

 

Nightbreed (1990) - Newspaper Ad

San Francisco Examiner - February 16, 1990

The marketing team at 20th Century Fox dropped the ball, then tripped over it and took a long tumble down the stairs when they tried selling Clive Barker's mythological creature feature as something more akin to a slasher film or psychological thriller.

While deeply flawed, and I must admit that I have only seen the theatrical cut as of now, I do think Nightbreed showed that there was much more to Barker than just sex and gore. Too bad the movie did not do all that well, because genre cinema needs more imaginative movies like this one.

Lady Death: Dark Alliance - Trading Card #71

The Ringmaster

The Ringmaster, one of the spirits who guides the Insane Clown Posse toward Shangri-La. He is a member of the Dark Carnival and he seeks retribution for unsavory acts by humanity.

Another card collection concludes... on to another...

My Bloody Valentine (1981) - Newspaper Ad

Oakland Tribune - February 13, 1981

This Canuxploitation slasher craze cash-in, and beloved minor cult classic, got a delightful two-for for its holiday themed release. You see,Valentine's Day would fall on a Saturday in 1981, just like it is in this year of our mythical-lord 2026, which meant the film would open on the very appropriate, and ironic, date of Friday the 13th.

Legend has it that the film was butchered by the MPAA in order to get that mandated R-rating. Some (if not most) of that cut footage was restored by Scream Factory. So if you are interested, check it out.