It's a Horror to Know You: Brian Katcher!
1. What is the first film that ever scared you?
First film that ever scared me: 'The Halloween that Almost Wasn't.' (1979). This was a comedy, but when you're four years old, a scary Dracula and a zany Dracula look an awful lot alike. My mother discovered me hiding behind a chair, but unable to turn off the movie, even when she suggested I watch something else.
2. What is the last film that scared you?
Last film that scared me: 'The Grudge' (2004). Kind of hokey, but that scene where we see the woman's back and you know when she turns around we'll see that her jaw has been ripped off…yeah, I covered my eyes. Shortly after I became a father and had to stop watching horror movies.
3. Name three Horror movies that you believe are underrated.
Underrated: 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes.' (1971) I first read about this in a back issue of Fangoria when I was about eight, but never got to see it until I was in college. My girlfriend at the time wasn't impressed, but 'Nine killed you, nine will die,' always gives me the shivers.
'Signs,' (2002): I had just started dating my future wife at the time. She lived way out in the country. Out in the corn fields. I'm lucky she didn't dump me after the tenth or eleventh time I said 'Did you hear that?'
'Alien 3' (1992): I think this one got bad reviews just because it was compared to the earlier, much better films. I rate it third in the series, but it was still pretty good.
4. Name three horror movies that you enjoy against your better judgment.
In spite of myself: 'Tales That Witness Madness' (1973): If they'd had a bigger budget, this could have been a classic. The cover art IS a classic, as far as I'm concerned.
'Twilight Zone: the Movie' (1983): Everyone hated it, and maybe it's because I saw this film before I really saw the TV show episodes, but I liked it.
'Faces of Death' (1978): Once you realize the footage is all faked, it's good, gruesome fun.
5. Send us to five places on the Internet!
Forever Young Adult. Reviews of what's new in young adult literature…zzzzz Only it's hilarious! The Sweet Valley High drinking game alone is worth checking out.
Good Girls Gone Geek. Horror, sci fi and fantasy reviews, by a friend of mine.
Danny Isn't Here, Mrs. Torrence. Same as above
Snopes. The urban legends website. I've ruined more people's good stories with this one.
Brian Katcher's website. Yeah, that's me. I got books to pimp.
I would agree that ALIEN 3 is underrated. Taken on its own its not bad at all and improves upon repeated viewing. I love the oppressive atmosphere of the prison.
Also, the movie was butchered in the theatre. The director's cut (available in the anthology box set) contains nearly an hour of excised footage that fleshes out the story and makes it much better movie. Some of the effects sequences are unfinished but they included the footage anyway. Highly recommended for fans of the franchise.
I too have a soft spot for Tales That Witness Madness and its finally coming to DVD next month!
I've enjoyed Alien3 since I saw it on opening night, and was surprised when I started hearing that people didn't like it. Though I can understand that it can be off-putting that it basically craps on Aliens' happy ending and stays grim throughout…But it's so beautifully shot and edited, and Charles Dutton and Ralph Brown play two of my favorite characters in the series. I second gillig's point that the workprint cut is definitely better.
Twlight Zone: The Movie is hit and miss…I think the Albert Brooks/Dan Aykroyd part and "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" are outstanding (the latter I consider to be one of my favorite short films of all time).
I agree on Alien3. There are way too many tunnel chase sequences but if you can get past the depressing set-up there's some good stuff in there. I always thought Ripley's backwards dive at the end was highly moving.
I think part 4 is worthwhile too if you ignore Winona Ryder and the Alien/human hybrid that looks like the dragon from Neverending Story. The scene when Ripley encounters the failed clones of herself is awesome.
I love the Joe Dante and George Miller segments of The Twilight Zone movie. Dante's "It's a good life" is my favorite.
I am well into adulthood and still squint my way through many a horror movie – including The Grudge.
I saw Twilight Zone when it came out (I'm pretty sure before having seen the original series too) and have always loved it! Esp that opening part where Albert Brooks and Dan Akroyd are driving – and I think it's Dan Akroyd who says "Wanna see something really scary?" It totally scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it!
I don't think I've seen Tales That Witness Madness – and I'm a major sucker for even mildly entertaining horror anthologies – so I'm gonna have to find that one.