Sunday, June 3, 2012

(30) Stars of Summer - Day 3: Christopher Lee

Today we celebrate Christopher Lee, aka Second Dracula, aka Dr. Catheter, aka Count Dooku P. Saruman.

In case you forgot what to do, here are the rules. If you need help finding a movie to watch, check out this list of all the month's actors with links to what's available on Netflix Instant. And if you're not a Netflix subscriber, maybe this will help.

16 comments:

  1. I watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", even though he only has a fairly small roll in it.

    I actually think that once the "unnecessary" (whatever that may mean) nature of the remake is put to one side, I do like that the original intention and message of the story is maintained (rotten people get whats coming to them in the end so everyone should stay pure and nice!). What it adds to the story actually strengthens the Charlie-Wonka relationship that adds a layer to the story that I do not believe was there before. Lee's role being the unique Burton invention (I think) is a surprisingly positive inclusion making Wonka more human (although I do understand that this inherantly reduces his magic and wonder, but I didnt mind this change). I also think removing the "Charlie and Joe disobery the rules" sequence tightens the purity of Charlie, although the reduction in focus of Joe does seem to weaken the story.

    Overall, more enjoyable than a cheap Burton remake has any right to be. Sorry JB. Wayyyyyy better than Apes.

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  2. "STAR WARS, EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES" (2002)

    Since I have no love/attachment to any of the characters I like this one because, shallow as it is, at least it moves and has decent action scenes. The next-to-final fight between Padme/Anakin/OWK and a monster in a huge arena and the "Saving Private Ryan"-inspired start of the Clone Wars (both of which "John Carter" ripped off and did much better) are highlights. And Lucas sure pulls a fast one on the audience by making Lee's Count Dooku seem like a big heavy (he fought Yoda to a draw!) only for Lee to exit the series stage left in the opening minutes of "Episode III." Maybe the Count Dooku action figures didn't sell well in '02? The "love theme" Williams composed for this movie (heard in the credits after the "SW" music ends) is so beautiful it highlights even more how little chemistry Christensen and Portman have together.

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  3. The Wicker Man

    Wow...I'm sorry I hadn't seen this one sooner! Atmospheric, intriguing, and a terrific lead performance from Edward Woodward. Christopher Lee is captivating every moment he's on screen as the leader of a religious cult on a small Scottish island. I haven't seen the reputedly awful remake yet, but Nicolas Cage is on this month's lineup and now I'm excited to see what it's like.

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    1. It will very interesting to get your reaction to the remake. It's cool that you'll get to watch both as part of the game.

      Just remember: NOT THE BEES.

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  4. "Dracula A.D 1972" - Much Better Than Its Reputation

    Alright, putting Dracula in a 70s setting is a silly idea, particularly to Stoker purists (Christopher Lee included).

    However, this is an outrageously entertaining movie. Unlike every other Hammer Dracula, except for the first, this one zips along; these movies are notorious for their snail-like pace.

    It helps that the film is visually beautiful, especially when compared to the low-budget Scars of Dracula and the badly photographed Satanic Rites Of Dracula. The return of Peter Cushing as Van Helsing in itself takes the film to a higher level than the previous sequels, thanks to his inimitably credible style of acting. And I, for one, love the overblown 70's soundtrack.

    Christopher Lee is quick to disown this movie, but he felt that way about all the sequels, some of which are much more highly regarded than this one. In this film he returns to that animal-like nature that makes his Dracula stand out, unlike the more muted performances in Scars and Taste The Blood of Dracula. His screen time is limited, but more effective than any of the sequels.

    This is not a great vampire or horror movie, but it's a great popcorn flick and just fun to watch during an evening at home.

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    1. Despite the length, this was an informative and surprisingly brisk write-up that got me excited to see a sequel I might've otherwise dismissed. Thanks, and hopefully it doesn't get deleted for breaking the recommended 50-word limit.

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    2. The review stands! This is our judgment.

      I watched Dracula A.D. last October and didn't find it as enjoyable as you, but maybe I need to revisit it. It was definitely crazy, but not always in a good way. And like too many Christopher Lee Dracula movies, he was NOT IN IT ENOUGH.

      Welcome, Fritz! Thanks for participating!

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  5. THE GORGON (1964)

    Somehow considered a lesser Hammer film even with Terence Fisher at the helm, this horror gem about the title creature terrorizing a village by turning its residents into statues is notable for several reasons:

    1. James Bernard's uniquely effective score.

    2. The actors' facial hair (Lee's walrus 'stache looks like a possible choking hazard.)

    3. The remarkable ending duel between Peter Cushing and Richard Prasco, wielding a saber and candle holder respectively.

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  6. The Crimson Cult (1968)

    Beautifully filmed horror film starts out on a decidedly kinky note before settling down into a traditional (and rather dull) mystery story involving witchcraft, as an antiques dealer investigates the disappearance of his brother. Lee is the very picture of tweedy British respectability for much of the film, so naturally you know he's up to no good. It co-stars Boris Karloff (Karloff's reaction when the protagonist describes his prized brandy as "good stuff" is priceless). With Barbara Steele as a blue-skinned witch, you would expect this film to be a lot more interesting than it is, but it's not the worst way to spend 90 minutes.

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  7. The Mummy (1959)

    Not a bad little horror movie, but I feel like I've seen it all before. That's less the fault of this movie, and more that all the mummy movies I've ever seen seem to be cribbed from the last one. That's not necessarily bad, but it's also not all that good.

    Lee's part in the movie isn't huge, but he makes an impact every time he's on screen. His biggest unmade-up part is in the flashbacks. He's surprisingly good as the mummy though, working effectively in scenes he has to share with Cushing.

    This isn't the best Hammer Horror I've ever seen, but it was still a good movie and worth watching at least once.

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  8. Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965) - Christopher Lee is totally wasted in a tedious horror anthology. A tarot card reader (Peter Cushing) tells a car full of train passengers their fates, none of which are very promising. Cheap and dull.

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  9. Horror Express (1972) Patrick will be glad to know that Christopher Lee has a much bigger role(rocking a stache' that would make Tom Selleck tremor) in this film as a scientist who finds what he thinks is a prehistoric man and when it causes chaos while he's traveling on a train with a rival scientist(Peter Cushing). Lee for once plays the (morally ambiguous)hero. Telly "Who love ya, baby" Savalas costars and honestly is slumming. Slow-moving at first but a reasonbly entertaining horror film. Recommended

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    1. This was on Turner Classic Movies' Friday overnight block (i.e. where Patrick watches the weird obscurities he talked with Mark Ahn about in the "Robocop" podcast) a few months ago. I agree with Shanon, "Horror Express" is worth seeing but its a slow-burn that pays off as the story/plot gather steam. And Lee's stache should get third-billing after Chris and Cushing's credits, that's how prominent and hypnotic it is.

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  10. I searched "Christoper Lee" on Netflix Canada and only came up with 3 movies - I went with 1941 - I was surprised by how star-studded it was and didn't realize/remember until the end credits that it was a Spielberg movie - probably would've watched it differently had I known. Anyway, it's got a few genuinely funny moments but for the most part it fell flat with me - definitely one of Steve's worst. And unfortunately not a whole lot of Lee, playing a Nazi observer on a Japanese submarine attempting to destroy Hollywood.

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  11. Gremlins 2--

    I began to wonder if it was just a perk of semi- retirement or is the best Lee could get for the last twenty five years glorified cameos in movie brats' films? Can this man get a part from a director other than Burton, Dante, Spielberg, Lucas?

    Also, Julia Sweeney, Paige Hannah, and Dick Butkis are in this-- for the next time you play the Kevin Bacon game.

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  12. TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER. More like to the boredom a daughter. Nastassja Kinski plays a nun (you can stop laughing now) who's the target of evil Satanists, led by Lee. There are one or two cool scenes, but you've got to suffer through a lot of dry, stilted, go-nowhere dialogue to get them. Painfully tedious.

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