10. The Howling: This werewolf movie combines bloody lycanthropic goodness with a lampoon of the burgeoning "self-actualization" movement of the late 70s and early 80s. The transformation at the end looks more like a puppy than a werewolf, however.
9. Teen Wolf: This flick really ain't half-bad, and fits right in with other silly teen comedies of the era. I mean, Michael J. Fox's Wolf Man makeup is atrocious and looks like Jo-Jo The Dog Boy. But still...
8. Dog Soldiers: Stomach-churning (uh, literally) special effects and a unique twist on the werewolf design.
7. Curse of The Werewolf: This classic Hammer Studios film stars a young Oliver Reed tearing up the scenery and acting like a wild beast. And you should see how he acts after he transforms!
6. Cursed: An underrated Wes Craven film with a guest-appearance by Scott Baio as himself. What could be scarier than that?
5. Underworld: I'm not sure who Scott Speedman is, I just want him in more movies with his shirt off.
4. Werewolf Women Of The SS: Who can forget that classic grindhouse movie with Nicholas Cage as Fu Manchu? (NSFW)
3. An American Werewolf In London: This is like the TV show "Chuck" with lycanthropy, a living corpse, and a downer ending.
2. Ginger Snaps: One of the finest woman-centered horror movies, period. Also, a movie about periods
1. The Wolf Man: This 1940s movie still holds up today as one of the best werewolf movies ever made. Larry Talbot IS "Poor Bastard."
All of this, of course, is not a shameless promotion for the premiere werewolf entertainment in comics:
Teen Wolf isn't number 1? Well, I can understand that, but only if Teen Wolf, Too is the premiere werewolf movie!
ReplyDeleteTrue, Jason Bateman's work in that film continues to be underrated and unappreciated by the Academy.
ReplyDeleteis high moon ever going to be printed? i cant get into the webcomic stuff, i like something real.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's not forget Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein! Lon Chaney Jr. does a damn fine job reprising his role as Larry Talbot, and plays a great straight-man to Lou's antics.
ReplyDeleteTeen Wolf, Too should also get extra points since it was written by Jeph Loeb.
Jason Bateman owns all! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels his work in Teen Wolf, Too transcends the character established by Michael J. Fox! LOL
ReplyDelete@Sean Kleefeld: Jeph Loeb these days means negative points. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see Gingersnaps on the list, but Underworld? With the terrible head chop ending? I say no!
Teen Wolf Too is the finest sequel to Teen Wolf ever made!
ReplyDeleteGinger Snaps is vastly over-rated and has no place on the list - I'd put that Harry Potter movie with the werewolf in it ahead of GS easily, as if you're going to watch aimless teen whining and angst pretending it's going somewhere for 90 minutes, it may as well look nice.
Underworld? WTF?
"Teen Wolf Too is the finest sequel to Teen Wolf ever made!"
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous, Bryan! I wish I had come up with a line that good!
Ignoring the werewolf aspect for a moment, High Moon is a good read if you're a fan of westerns like I am. In fact, that's what first grabbed my interest. The werewolves are just an added bonus.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Teen Wolf, I remember being so angry at the major changes to the plot and background between the movie and Saturday morning cartoon. I guess it's comforting to know that inexplicable retcons annoyed me well before I knew what a retcon was.
What?? No Silver Bullet??! Although the best thing about that film was the Stephen King "Cycle of the Werewolf" story it was adapted from. Because it included Berni Wrightson illustrations doesn't hurt. But the movie features Corey Haim, Gary Busey, and Terry O'Quinn! How could it miss?
ReplyDelete(I've been reading your blog for some time, never had a chance to post a comment. For some reason, this topic compelled me. Keep up the great work. Please!)
@david:
ReplyDeleteever read wolfmen by accentuk comics?
No, Sammy, I have not. But I'm interested now.
ReplyDeleteI've always been fond of The Werewolf, a low budget jewel from 1956. Much of it doesn't make sense when you think about it very hard, but thinking hard about these movies is kinda beside the point.
ReplyDeleteWolfmen by Accent Uk - Co created by Dave West and Andy Bloor (Currently working on Wolfmen II)
ReplyDeletewww.accentukcomics.com
Its in the comics section of the publications menu item...
Well worth a read (but I'm biassed as I'm a contributing writer to Accent UK publications and a good friend of Dave's).
Cheers
Jon H Ayre
I agree with every one of these in every number they are on.
ReplyDelete