News

Late to the Party: SILVER BULLET (1985)

Published

7 years ago

January 4, 2017

In 1985, Stephen King wrote a screenplay for a werewolf movie based on his own novella, Cycle of the Werewolf. This movie would come to be known as Silver Bullet. In 1985 I was not born yet; that could come later, in 1990. But in 1990, I would not watch Silver Bullet. No; my relationship with this film would not start until way later. 2017, to be exact. Which means that from the period of 1990 to 2017, I had been missing out on one of the most entertaining werewolf movies that has ever existed.

The film stars Corey Haim as Marty, a wheelchair-bound ruffian with more ’80s charm than you ever thought you needed. He lives with his family in a quiet Maine town along with his sister, Jane (Megan Follows), and their loving parents, Nan and Bob. We are told through narration by an all grown up Jane, however, that things changed in their quiet town forever in the Spring of 1976.

It was that Spring that things start to get a little hairy.

After a string of violent murders, Marty finds out that it is the work of a bloodthirsty werewolf. With the help of their Uncle Red (Gary Busey at his most endearing!), they plan to take down the big bad wolf and stop the killings once and for all. And boy, is their endeavor gloriously ’80s in the best of ways.

Silver Bullet works in a myriad of ways – and not all ones that you might expect. While it has its fair share of quirks and misdirection, sometimes it just hits the nail on the head so hard that you could feel your own ears ringing even thirty years later. For this, you have the leads to thank. They are astounding.

And no, none of them deliver any life-changing dialog that will make you question the universe and all of its mysteries. I’m talking about the simple fact of how the three main characters – Marty, Jane, and Red – interact. There’s a sense of believability in this family structure seldom found in horror movies. Though my shriveled heart is pained to admit this, their relationship is nothing short of heartwarming.

But that shouldn’t be too surprising, should it? After all, this decade’s charm comes from more than just cheese. Many of the incredible films from this time period contained outstanding relationship dynamics, and many child actors were the cause of this. Haim, in particular, has done this more than once. What’s surprising is just how well Busey plays his role as the flawed-yet-loving uncle, and alcoholic who loves his nephew more than anything – even enough to craft his a motorized wheelchair that can blast down the highway with, and then emblazon the thing with “Silver Bullet” on the back of it. It’s ridiculous in the absolute best of ways.

Parents who? Gimme Uncle Red!

There’s an irresistible fusion of corniness, confused filmmakers, and heart to be found here. It’s a combination that, in no universe, should work. Yet it does. In our universe, nonetheless.

A lot of these scenes are funny. Very funny. Dan Attias either had incredible foresight and attempted to capture every single corny aspect of the decade he was currently existing in, or simply had no idea as to what a horror movie is supposed to be. Either way, somehow, this works. It’s extremely confusing why someone would choose to put a freewheelin’ Corey Haim popping wheelies set to an uplifting score in an R-rated horror film, but I’m glad someone made that call. I don’t, in any way, believe that it was intentional. It works, though. Somehow.

I wouldn’t be so crass as to say that all of the humor was unintentional, however. I mean, there’s a scene in which the wolf wields a baseball bat in an almost Looney Tunes kind of way. That, my friends, is absolute genius.

Stephen King’s presence is felt all throughout the movie, bridging fantasy with horror and a warm heart as he so often does. This strength comes to light during a sequence in which Lester Lowe, the town pastor (Everett McGill) has an especially frightening nightmare in which a church congregation all erupt into a mess of lycanthropy, and it’s one of the best scenes in the movie. This also may be the best that the werewolves look in the entire movie.

Ah, yes – the look of the werewolf in the movie. That’s something we need to talk about.

I’ll get to the point. It’s unconvincing. This werewolf is a guy in the suit, and I don’t think anyone could have any delusions about otherwise. The wolf, then, becomes otherworldly and out of place; it even adds to the fantastic element of the whole ordeal. Crazy, I know – who considers subpar creature effects to be a positive of a film? – but here we are. It makes it less scary…but more fun. There’s so much to laugh with here. Which is the way I saw it; I’, not laughing at the movie, I’m laughing with it. I was thoroughly entertained throughout the entire thing. It was like seeing a Universal Monster Movie for the first time again. I think…I think I may be in love?

When all is said and done, Silver Bullet is a must-see for both fans of Stephen King and those who just love a fun experience. It’s fun. It’s exciting. And though it’s not very scary, it’s entertaining as all hell. Plus, we get Gary Busey at his absolute finest and also one of Everet McGill’s best roles. Small as his filmography may be, he sure packs a punch with what he did before he retired. Quality over quantity, as they say.

Don’t be an idiot like me. Watch Silver Bullet.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Lists

The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

Published

12 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

News

Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

Published

16 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors.

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie.

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time.

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.

^{Footwear for Wednesday Addams Skullector doll}

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

News

1994’s ‘The Crow’ Coming Back to Theaters for A New Special Engagement

Published

18 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Cameron McFarland

Cinemark recently announced that they will be bringing The Crow back from the dead once again. This announcement comes just in time for the film’s 30th anniversary. Cinemark will be playing The Crow in select theaters on May 29th and 30th.

For those unaware, The Crow is a fantastic film based on the gritty graphic novel by James O’Barr. Widely considered one of the best films of the 90s, The Crow’s lifespan was cut short when Brandon Lee died of an accidental on set shooting.

The official synapsis of the film is as follows. “The modern-gothic original that entranced audiences and critics alike, The Crow tells the tale of a young musician brutally murdered alongside his beloved fiancée, only to be risen from the grave by a mysterious crow. Seeking revenge, he battles a criminal underground that must answer for its crimes. Adapted from the comic book saga of the same name, this action-packed thriller from director Alex Proyas (Dark City) features hypnotic style, dazzling visuals, and a soulful performance by the late Brandon Lee.”

The timing of this release couldn’t be better. As a new generation of fans eagerly awaits the release of The Crow remake, they can now see the classic film in all of its glory. As much as we love Bill Skarsgard (IT), there is something timeless in Brandon Lee’s performance in the film.

This theatrical release is part of the Scream Greats series. This is a collaboration between Paramount Scares and Fangoria to bring audiences some of the best classic horror films. So far, they are doing a fantastic job.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.