R.I.P. Richard Matheson

Richard Matheson passed away Sunday at the age of 87.  While he wrote in almost every genre, he will be remembered for his horror and science fiction work most of all.  Like Stephen King he was an author who had as much success in print as he did with his film and television works.  

Here are my favorite works of his from television and movies.

I didn't order a gremlin!

Years before he commanded the Enterprise William Shatner had an encounter with a new life form in the Nightmare at 20,000 Feet episode of The Twilight Zone. 

I'd feel safer with a stake too. 

Twenty years before Mulder and Scully opened The X-Files Karl Kolchak was hunting paranormal creatures in The Night Stalker. 

Almost every movie in the 70's involved truckers.  

 Steven Spielberg's first film and the movie that made me paranoid about semis to this day. 

Charlton Heston vs vampires, nuff said. 

 The second film based on Matheson's I am Legend and in my opinion the best. Charlton Heston can kill some mutants. 

Never stay in a place called "Hell House". 

One of the best haunted house movies ever made.  This was one of the rare "good" movies shown on creature features. 

It's also worth mentioning that some of the best "Treehouse of Horror" segments of The Simpsons were based on his works. 

Hatchet III

Victor hasn't gotten any better looking.

The Plot:
Marybeth faces off against Victor Crowley for what could be the final time.

My Thoughts:
One of the things I love about these movies is their continuity.  Each sequel has started just seconds after the last.  Watching them back to back they feel like one movie.  Other slasher sequels have suffered from being made by different writers/directors.  Even though Adam Green didn't direct this one, he still wrote it and oversaw the production.  Keeping this kind of creative control is something rare and allowed the movies to rise above the normal slasher film.

Kane Hodder as Victor Crowley 

Like the previous Hatchet films this one features several cameos by genre favorites. While I won't spoil them, I think everyone will be pleased.  I had guessed one, but there was one I never expected.  There are so many other Easter eggs it's hard to catch them all in the first viewing. 

Danielle Harris still manages to be hot even covered in blood. 

Another great thing about the "Hatchet" films is that they know what slasher fans want, and they deliver.  This one manages to deliver an amazing body count.  The kills are all much more elaborate and bloody, the blood comes by the 50 gallon barrel.  Again, I won't spoil any of them, but they don't disappoint.

Not something you want to see coming at  you.

All of the cast deliver great performances, Kane even manages to make us feel sympathy for Crowley.  It's a testament to Kane that he can convey such emotion through the layers of make-up.

Adam Green has hinted that this will be his last "Hatchet" film.  If so, the series ends on a satisfying, if surprisingly emotional note.  I have a feeling we will see Crowley again.  After all Jason Voorhees had a "Final Chapter" and a "Final Friday" and still managed to come back.  Although I hope Crowley and Jason don't tangle in space. 

Holliston

If you’ve always wanted a sitcom that would appeal to you as horror fan, this is it.  It doesn’t make fun of us, it shows that we’re real people who care about more than body counts.  It’s also pretty damn funny. 

Never go drinking with the Candyman.

Personally I'd pick an imaginary friend who wore pants with a back in them, but that's just me. 

Prince of Darkness

I've got a message for you, and you're not going to like it.

 

Actually, most horror fans will like this message.  Scream Factory (ScreamFactoryDVD.com) has announced a collectors edition of "Prince of Darkness" releasing on 09/24/13.  

Other than the amazing cover art by Justin Osbourn, they haven't released any details.  They always do a quality job on their product, so I wouldn't expect any less on this one.  

I'm hoping for a commentary track by John Carpenter personally.  This is one of my favorite films, and I would love to hear his insights on it. 

Friday the 13th Part 3

I watchetd Friday the 13th Part 3 for the first time in forever.

Here are some random thoughts on it I jotted down while watching it. 

Higgins Haven is the name of the farm they’re staying in, which has the craziest farmhouse ever.  Here are some notable features about it:

• It has a spiral staircase and the rooms have hammocks instead of beds. 
• It’s decorated with gongs on the fireplace, antique kitchenware , garden gnomes on the nightstands, with deer heads and African tribal masks on the walls. 
• There are copies of Fangoria just laying around. 

The Volkswagen bug they drive can self repair its windshield, that thing is like K.I.T.T. .

Women in 1982 did not wear bras, but did wear what would be called "granny panties" now.

“Where’s that coming from?” is said frequently.

You can squeeze a mans head till his eyeball pops out and his face will stay looking the same.

Jason actually makes noises in this one and appears to feel pain.