Since my teen years I have been a fan of H.P.Lovecraft.
The films directly based on his works all seem to be utter bobbins though.
It's almost as if someone is trying to discredit his memory by deliberately making them into goofy low-budget sexist poop.
I resisted watching the films loosely based on The Dunwich Horror after reading they are pretty awful but recently I listened to the BBC's reading of At The Mountains Of Madness and wanted to continue the vibe over to something visual.
Oh cruel and unfathomable universe! What febrile urgency had compelled my insatiable psyche?
These films are separated by decades but united in there awfulness.
The Dunwich Horror (1970).
After a brilliant Saul Bass style title sequence by Sandy Dvore, the film has one or two good things going for it.
The use of colour is interesting. It's a lush looking film especially when the strobing (2001 style) solarisation effects kick in.
The first monster attack is very well handled considering the limitations of the day.
I cant shake the suspicion that David Lynch is a fan of this movie.
It has some of the stilted dream like performance style seen in Carnival Of Souls (1962) and there are plenty of ultra-close-up shots of Dean Stockwell's face which brings to mind Lynch's Dune adaptation.
Sandra Dee of lousy virginity fame immortalised in Grease (1978) is horribly reduced to a sex object in this film.
She is essentially a writhing pink cushion onto which Stockwell can rest his Necronomican first edition.
The film owes more to Dennis Wheatley than Lovecraft.
It's crap but watchable.
The Kindred (1987).
Carries some of themes of the story but takes a more straight Frankenstein biotech horror stance than the cosmic horror of the original.
It's a schizoid movie. You can tell half the cast and the writer are desperate for work and are trying to impress future employers by giving more than the project deserves. The other half of the cast and the crew are shamelessly prostituting their lack talent.
Kim Hunter and Rod Steiger (who spends much of the film abusing skinned cats and squid babies and gets covered in spunk) particularly deserve pity for associating themselves with this riot of eighties awfulness.
Almost so bad it's good but not quite.
The Dunwich Horror (2009).
More big name stars desperate for cash.
Dean Stockwell this time playing a different role and repeat offender in Lovecraft circles Jeffrey Combs are astonishingly committed in this film.
It's astonishing the writers and director were not committed after making it.
It has one good sequence.
The rest of it is so awful it has to be seen to be believed.
Honestly this is so bad it must be seen but I doubt if it can be enjoyed.
I dare you to watch all three.
A ball or two for the titles of the 1970's film but everything else is a load of bollocks.