(1990)
Dir - Brian Yuzna
Overall: GOOD
In one respect, Bride of Re-Animator is rather an impossible, compatible follow-up to not only Stuart Gordon's superb original from five years prior, but also Society, the debut from Brian Yuzna who steps in for Gordon to helm this one. Meeting the movie on its own turf, it is hit or miss with a story that just kind of goes through the motions while not being all that interesting. Yet it is still mostly enjoyable in the same over the top way one would expect. David Gale returning as the severed head of Dr. Hill does feel a bit shoehorned in there, but at least he gets bat wings attached to him so he can fly this time. The whole thing pretty much adheres to such ridiculousness where random body parts both human and animal are mishmashed together with the help of Dr. Herbert West's trusty ole green, glowing goo. Naturally, Jeffrey Combs is very Jeffrey Combsy once again and he is still a hoot even if he becomes more of a cartoon character with his dialog getting extra absurd at times. That is kind of the name of the game though and Yuzna knows that he is making a full-fledged comedy here regardless of how much splat-tacular gore, zombie hordes, or creepy catacombs and cemeteries he throws into the mix.
(1992)
Dir - Brian De Palma
Overall: WOOF
In what has to be the worst movie Brian De Palma ever made, Raising Cain is fascinatingly clashing and terrible. A return to the psychological thriller for the rightfully lauded writer/director, (and also reuniting him with the concept of identical twins in some respects), things are uncomfortable and worrisome right out of the gate. The dialog, plotting, editing, and performances are so asinine most of the time that one has to seriously ponder that a man of De Palma's proven talents and track record has to be pulling some kind of bizarro-world prank on his audience. There are some highly elaborate, technically impressive long takes that are totally wasted on an otherwise absurd and clumsy presentation. John Lithgow, (who is also usually amazing), is routinely over the top and gives one of the most textbook, "guy with a multi-personality disorder" performances you are likely to see. Lolita Davidovich is awful in the opposite direction, often just sighing or staring off into space while her husband behaves like a maniac, her ultra-brief fling shows up out of nowhere and cries immediately, and her daughter is missing or presumed dead. The whole thing has the feel of a Lifetime movie on drugs and from beginning to end it is thoroughly unclear how much of it is supposed to be as bafflingly bad as it is.
(1994)
Dir - Mike Nichols
Overall: GOOD
Erroneous in a few spots, there is still enough top-notch talent on hand in Wolf that it kind of gets by. The only horror film from Mike Nichols and once again reuniting him with Jack Nicholson, (who was also a personal friend of screenwriter Jim Harrison who allegedly quit Hollywood after clashing with Nichols over the tone here), it is in many ways a standard werewolf movie where someone is bitten, gradually begins to change in all mannerisms, does not believe at first what is happening to them, and then goes full lycanthope by the end. The humor that is frequently scattered around keeps it enjoyable though, as does Nicholson's usual superb performance which balances his rather rational and passionless human persona with his more aggressive and playful wolf one. James Spader is likewise great as the type of character he never is not, (a pervy scumbag), while Michelle Pfeiffer gets to be kind of a bitch, (pun intended). The ending was actually re-shot and is a little unintentionally silly as is the final "twist" tag that leaves some of the early potential about the nature of animals positively or horrifyingly affecting their human, yuppy hosts unfulfilled. It may feel a tad too long and be too lacking in overtly gnarly monster make-up as well, but all parties involved seem to be having fun with the material and it thankfully shows.
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