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This was the day the Earth Was
Disembowled in Terror!
Supreme shock sensation of our time!
"Remember the good old days when anyone with a camera, a few thousand bucks, and more ambition than talent could schlep up to Bronson Canyon and quickly make a cheap sci-fi/horror movie? Well, they're back! THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA is an affectionate, meticulous re-creation of those notoriously cheesy clunkers, as a gaggle of beloved stereotypes pursue 'that rarest of all elements - atmosphereum'" DVD Cover blurb
Writer/director/star Larry Blamire's wonderfully observed homage to the B and Z-movies of the 1950s and early 1960s is a joy to watch. Shot in 2002, on a budget of well under $100,000, on a digital camera (a Canon XL1 in fact), using a cast of virtual unknowns - in the LA hills, in the very locations of most of the films this is nodding to. That the acting is at times wooden, the camera-work sloppy, the lighting iffy, and some horrendous monsters, goes without saying. Talented actors are made to appear terrible. For those with doubts, the cast includes Fay Masterson (Eyes Wide Shut), Andrew Parks (Donnie Brasco), Brian Howe (Catch Me If You Can), and Jennifer Blaire (The Majestic). Blamire plays Doctor Paul Armstrong, who along with his wife Betty (Masterson), head up to a rented cabin in the woods, to look for a meteorite containing the rare element atmospherium. He's a man of science, ready to make real advances in the field of science. She's the wife of a scientist. At the same time, a mad scientist, Dr Roger Fleming is in the area, attempting to revive the Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, in order to control the Earth. For this, he too must use atmospherium, depite knowing "All skeletons are against me". Meanwhile, two aliens (Kro-Bar and Lattice) crash-land, and need to find some atmospherium to power their space-ship. At the same time, they must find their escaped mutant... Erm... Yes... I couldn't make it up if I wanted to. In the best traditions of Ed Wood, every expense is spared, in order to bring together this overly contrived plot. Its been so long since I watched a dodgy sci-fi movie, I'd forgotten how much fun they are. The hammy performances are a delight, and the entire construction, along to one of the best period soundtracks ever compiled, is pure bliss. This is essential viewing. I don't even want to go into the (*ahem*) subtleties of the plot, for fear of giving the game away. And things get even sillier when the sensual Animala (Blaire) is brought onboard. The production team is small, with several members of the crew doubling up, and making appearances on camera as well.
Its widely appealing, and suitable for all the family. Its PG certificate is for mild language - well in fact for using the term "Jack ass". I'll let some of the subtler double entendre slip by ("The only one I want in that pretty little head of yours is me"). Brilliant. I can't wait for the sequel. And a splendid dvd package too. Buy buy buy. transfer extras First up, a whole hoard of trailers, mostly for William Castle B-movies from the 50s. The entire list of trailers is: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, 13 Ghosts, Homicidal, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Mr Sardonicus, The Tingler, Hellboy, Memories (Japanese anime), Tokyo Godfathers (Japanese anime), Funnier In Color Previews (trailer for the new recolorised versions of The Three Stooges films). Skeleton Frolic Cartoon (7mins 12secs). The short Columbia film in colour, which was re-released and played before Lost Skeleton on its cinema run. This ancient cartoon is a delight, and features the antics of a bunch of skeletons after dark, to the usual musical accompaniment. Fullscreen colour. Obey the Lost Skeleton Featurette (11mins). A short promotional piece, where the cast talk about their roles on the film, and the genius of paying homage to the B-movie genre. Fullscreen colour. Commentaries - There are two, a cast commentary which features just about everyone except the farmer from the film, and a crew commentary which includes the Director, director of photography, editor, production manager, producer and Sony rep. Listen to the cast commentary first - for the two were recorded the same day, and compliment each other well. Both commentaries are interesting and delightful. The cast commentary, although it sags a little at the end, is one of the most affectionate, enthusiastic and infectuous I have ever listened to. A sheer delight, one really ends up rallying for the film.
Introduction by Larry Blamire and Q&A at the American Cinematheque. A half hour piece, shot on camcorder at the premiere of the film in 2002 at the Egyptian theatre. The cast is on hand for a lengthy Q&A which reveals much about the dynamic of the group, the inspiration, working conditions and influences. Throughout the disc, the group appears very close, and fun. Fullscreen, colour. Visual Skelectables : Designed originally for the www.lostskeleton.com website, but here supplemented with additional goodies. These are a series of prototypes and sketches for the sort of movie-merchanidse and franchising which would have probably gone on in the 1950s, if the film was from the period. Alongside the carefully observed trailer, this is a delight. A nice touch to the dvd, and something of a first I suspect. Brilliant film. Brilliant dvd. The sequel is rumoured to be Trail of the Screaming Forehead. I can't wait. RJES |
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DISC: Feature length: 89
mins SPECIAL FEATURES: see left for full details |
Kult UK 16 June 2004
e-mail us at KultUK@avalard.com
all original text and graphics are ©
Avalard Productions / Kult UK 2002-2004 |
Every element of
the film is well observed - and for full effect, the
commentaries should be listened to after the first
viewing. From the fantastic period-inspied trailer, and
the beautiful opening title sequence animation, and black
and white presentation - its hard to believe this is a
new film. The skeleton in its tiny cave defies all
reason, the sensual dance of Animala is a delight, and
the stand-out scene is the dinner party between the
Doctor and his wife, the aliens in diguise, the evil Dr,
and his creation... tip tip tip tip. The whole film looks
like a lot of fun.
Blooper
Reel (8mins 33secs). A brilliant section of
behind the scenes footage, and gaffs. Some of which in
part made it into the final cut. A fantastic glimpse at
work on a no-budget film, and where everyone seems to be
having a really great time. Fullscreen, colour.