Double day joys are a regular occurrence on Halloween! We just as often have an All Hallows Eve film series for the build up to the big day. Todays double for days 44 and 43, are something to behold indeed. Now for either day you cant go wrong with these two films as a double bill of Werewolf goodness. But we will also suggest maybe, you could see both as a double feature for the ever talented and lovely Tom Noonan! Yes the great man, many of us remember from our nightmares after watching MANHUNTER!
Day 44 – LATE PHASES
WHATS IT ABOUT?
Blind retired vet Ambrose McKinley (Nick Damici) is as independent as any man. But his family cant cope with him and so he moves into a retirement village to see out his days at a slower pace. After an animal attack kills his trusted guide dog and his neighbour, Ambrose thinks something more sinister is going on under the covers of this sleepy little town.
WHY SHOULD WE WATCH IT FOR HALLOWEEN?
This Mexican / American production is a lot of fun and mines more from a well trodden course. LATE PHASES also pulls no punches, just like the lead hero. It sets out a stall of the lone hero, taking on the beast from the marshes but subverts elements of it to become not only organ pulsing blood spray but a clever little piece of social commentary. This gives the horror hounds something and the cineaste something else to chew on. Excuse the pun.
WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK OUT FOR?
Noonan plays as the towns, smoke addicted priest. He is the back bone to Ambrose. However, the film is all Damici as Ambrose. He is magnetic, funny, endearing, bold. Hell loads of verbs could tell you his qualities. Lets just say, you will want him as your father or grandfather by the end of it.
BUY IT NOW
https://101-films-store.com/products/late-phases-aka-night-of-the-wolf-2014
Day 43 – WOLFEN
WHATS IT ABOUT?
Former NYPD Captain Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) is brought back to the force after a horrific murder of a high-profile property magnate, his wife and their bodyguard in Battery Park. At first the murders are put down to terrorists, angry at the magnates latest deal. Wilson is more skeptical. Evidence points elsewhere. A criminal psychologist Rebecca Neff (Diane Venora), Animal expert Ferguson (Tom Noonan) and forensic examiner Coroner Whittington (Gregory Hines) join in the search to solve the murders.
WHY SHOULD WE WATCH IT FOR HALLOWEEN?
Well this werewolf, murder mystery, treads a fine balance between sardonic and satisfying. Never mis stepping its cues, the film delivers by being played both straight faced ( helped by Finney great performance and the ensemble cast joining in to) and great direction. You should end the night with this film, again a social commentary dressed up as a werewolf film. Again delivering enough gore to please the horror hound and enough thought to satisfy the cineaste.
WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK OUT FOR?
There are no extras on this disc, so the film has to stand up to scrutiny. It does in droves. Enjoy the energy between Hines and Finney. Noonan’s subdued animal expert is also a delight of clever performance, never over burdening the screen but always there. His ebb and flow acting here suits perfectly the role and the investment of the audience.
BUY IT NOW
https://store.hmv.com/store/film-tv/blu-ray/wolfen-(hmv-exclusive)-the-premium-collection
