James really wanted to honor that legacy by doing this year's Monster Madness on his films. More directly the horror side of his long history of movies. I didn't think I would be that interested into this marathon. Each entry kept getting more surprise in a few ways. I would even dare to say one of my favorite recent Monster Madness marathons to date.
I figured to give my quick thoughts on each entry. Obviously I'll let the videos themselves explain everything else. All I'm going to do is sharing my thoughts on this rather interesting thought process Rolfe going for. He previously talked about him in another Monster Madness marathon a few years ago. Personally I felt he's covering more than enough to properly honor the man.
Unrelated, I noticed I didn't talk about last year's Monster Madness marathon. I wanna quickly discuss that here. Last year he focus on Halloween specials for a few shows mostly sitcoms. I would say a rather fun Monster Madness marathon that's kinda refreshing out the box to a degree. If you grew up with them, you may experience nostalgia to a degree.
I should mention each Halloween special ranges from 1960s to 2010s. Personally I love he chosen to do that format. There's no question, it's among the easiest to rewatch. Some of these marathons covers the entire month of October. Some of them are notably shorter. At the same time, I could argue some are among his best to date.
1. A Bucket of Blood
2. It Conquered The World
3. Carnosaur
4. Roger Corman's Poe series
5. Piranha
6. AMC MonsterFest 1999 (The Phantom Eye)
The first entry was a movie I really wasn't expecting. I knew Dick Miller was in a lot of movies. This particular movie was quite unusual yet kinda unique. Corman had a gift with using the budget just right. Somehow everything works out in his career. Honestly, it made me interested to wanting to see this movie. A surprisingly decent start to the marathon.
It Conquered The World is not a well received alien movie. Although Rolfe sure loves movies like this. For me this was the most expected to show up in the entire marathon. He understands the limitations of a budget within movie making. He made a couple home horror movies himself. It kinda felt off as this movie brought back nostalgia of his past.
Carnosaur did ring a bell it took some time for me to remember that name somewhere. I didn't know Corman was involved with the movie honestly. I also wasn't surprise stuff like Jurassic Park or Jaws would quickly have competition either. What did surprise me though was it's an 90s horror movie. Despite several things about it doesn't come off being 90s at all to a degree.
Hands down my favorite entry in the entire marathon. This was simply impressive in every sense of the word. He ended up reviewing nine movies. Eight of them are within a series of movies based on Edgar Allan Poe stories. He reviews an extra movie that comes off a similar style to them. Also who doesn't love Vincent Price?
Obviously this felt like he should've ended the marathon with this instead. But considering how strong he ends these marathons. I do think he's got something truly special to do just that. Even being close to forty minutes you just gotta watch it. I would say the most interesting entry. This really felt like Rolfe being himself rather than someone else wrote this.
Piranha was the one movie I knew about for years. Let's be honest we're tired of shark movies. Especially those ripping off Jaws. I will say Corman having such an unique concept on that. Even getting respect from Steven Spielberg in the process. He doesn't mention the newer Piranha movie series despite an 90s TV movie based on it also involved Corman.
This might come as a surprise. One of my favorite fish in the world so happens to be piranha. I just find them rather interesting. Regarding this concept, what's wrong one shark attacking you or a small group of piranhas? I felt Corman was a rather creative person that had often outside the box ideas. At least going by this particular marathon that seems to be the case.
To clarify, Corman was an executive producer for that Piranha movie.
I felt Piranha did need to be in this marathon. It's probably one of the most famous decent knock off horror movies in history. Not having that in there many people would be upset towards Rolfe. I surprisingly haven't seen any of these movies. I'll simply take whatever he says about them. I am rather curious for the final entry.
The final entry goes into a particular period for AMC channel. Twenty five years ago, Corman hosted MonsterFest 1999 while premiering a TV movie. Corman also stars in the film as well. Most of these entries focus on Corman being the director. Even Rolfe states this entry might throw people off from how he went about Monster Madness lineup this year.
This was a rather fitting conclusion. You get a rather interesting piece of horror history with Corman. Not only that an TV movie originally shown in pieces. On Halloween that year it's fully shown how it was originally attempted. It's a self aware horror film. There's no question the final entry bridge the entire marathon together.
Currently I felt this is among the best Monster Madness marathons in recent years. This really felt like Rolfe at his best. This felt like his earlier Monster Madness marathons in that regard. I kinda view it to return to the basics. Honestly, just one entry was doing enough justice to Corman. The entire marathon felt like a super fan's respect for the man's legacy.
By the way my favorite entry still Roger Corman's Poe series.
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