The Large Association of Movie Blogs’ movie of the month for June is the horror classic An American Werewolf in London. I thought I’d celebrate this - and get another viewing of the flick under my belt before I write something up - by watching the movie under the full moon, which happens to be this Monday, June 4. Any and all Lammies participating in the shenanigans (pieces are due before June 17) are welcome to join me. Not in real life, of course. My place is too small.
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What better way to promote this full moon fiesta than by giving the flick the famous Favorite Scene Friday treatment?!
Our scene finds American backpackers David and future ghost Jack (you got your werewolf movie in my ghost flick! You got your ghost flick in my werewolf movie!) after they’ve been forced out of the Slaughtered Lamb, a local watering hole in England for werewolf haters. It isn't long before David and Jack have wandered off the road and onto the moors, which is exactly what the denizens of the Slaughtered Lamb warned them not to do.
The great thing about this clip is the dark/foggy atmosphere and the suspense. There’s nothing scarier to me than what I can’t see, and the fact that most of this scene is simply the terrified expressions on David and Jack’s faces and the cries of the prowling werewolf means that my mind is free to imagine its worst.
I love the camerawork in the scene, the way it pans around the boys and tracks/cranes down and towards them at around 0:40. It all helps with the buildup of the tension, which culminates in one of the most vicious and unexpected attacks in horror history. Just when you thought it was safe to laugh about falling on your ass.
Enjoy the scene and have a great weekend. If you plan on watching the movie on Monday, please let me know in the comments below. And if you're on Twitter, don't forget the LAMB Movie of the Month hashtag - #lambmotm. And beware the moon...
Just to keep everyone out there in the loop, Robert has recently moved into a house with plenty of room to mingle and mix. He absolutely adores strangers knocking on his door late at night, especially during a full moon, so don't buy into his "place is too small" comment. We here at the Hatch tend to ignore those kind of wishes and crash his place all the time. We'd love for you to join us and urge you to abide, but remember, "Beware the moon."
ReplyDeleteAnd Nick will provide the beer and snacks! Email us for the address.
ReplyDelete@Nick: ha ha that's the funniest article/follow up comment I've read in a little while ( :
ReplyDelete"nothing scarier to me than what I can’t see", you recommend checking out Dario Argento, he does the same thing in his horror movies: "I didn't see him, except the axe"(Tenebre (1982)
correction: "I recommend"
DeleteChris - I'll have to take your advice on Argento. I've been meaning to check out Suspiria.
Deletethe greatest werewolf film ever made hands down. creepy and funny at the same time with a fitting collection of moon related songs in the soundtrack. It just doesn't get any better!
ReplyDeleteMarkus - I completely agree. Truly scary beginning, frightening throughout and funny as well. I love the soundtrack too.
DeleteHorror doesn't generally do much for me, but mix in some humor (i.e. Shaun of the Dead, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, this film) and I tend to like the movie. I loved the part where he is worried about whether he will change into a werewolf and he's doing things like checking his teeth in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteChip - I'm a fan of horror comedies as well and this is definitely one of the best of all time.
DeleteI like that bit too. Great buildup to the transformation.