Category Archives: Doc’s Classic Movies Reviewed

Tremors (1990)

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October 25

#13 out of 13

And with that, The October 13 for 2026 comes to a close as I pulled up the Kevin Bacon film Tremors on Peacock for the thirteenth film of the month.

Tremors was one that I thought I had watched before, but I did not have a review and, after watching it, I feel as if I had never seen this before.

According to IMDB, “Inhabitants of a small isolated town defend themselves against strange underground creatures which are killing them one by one.”

The cast was full of fun actors including Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, Reba McIntyre, Victor Wong, Bobby Jacoby, Charlotte Stewart, Tony Genaro, Ariana Richards, Conrad Bachmann, Sunshine Parker and Richard Marcus.

The creatures are, of course, all practical effects and they look decent, though the smaller tentacle looking parts reminded me of Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors. The giant creatures looked really great and helped keep this monster movie tense and filled with anxiety.

I did not love the characters played by Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward at first, though they both grew on me.

Tremors had some good humor, solid acting, and some very strong practical effects. The film holds up well over the years and I had a good time watching.

We Are Still Here (2015)

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October 25

#12 out of 13

One of the key sub-genres of horror films would be the “Haunted House” films. We Are Still Here is another film that fits into that sub-category.

According to IMDB, “In the cold, wintery fields of New England, a lonely old house wakes up every thirty years – and demands a sacrifice.“

While there is not a lot new in this film, the performances of the actors help create a watchable horror film with a satisfying ending.

Andrew Sensenig and Barbara Crampton play Paul and Anne Sacchetti, a couple who recently lost their son in a car wreck and were moving to a new house in New England. Larry Fessenden and Lisa Marie play friends Jacob and May Lewis. Monte Markham played Dave McCabe, who was one of the people protecting the house.

There were some good scares in the film, but, again, nothing that was incredibly memorable. This was a decent film that I probably won’t remember for too long.

Harpoon (2019)

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October 23

#11 out of 13

The next film in the October 13 was a film that I had not heard about before, but found on Amazon Prime. It blended the horrors of a survival/revenge flick with the comedy of a dark nature. It worked extremely well.

According to IMDB, “Rivalries, dark secrets, and sexual tension emerge when three best friends find themselves stranded on a yacht in the middle of the ocean desperate for survival.”

This really mixed the two styles well, which is not an easy task. There have been so many horror/dark comedy amalgams over the years that simply failed to achieve the proper tone/balance. Harpoon hit a nice level between the two.

The best part of the comedy was the narrator, voiced by Brett Gelman (from Stranger Things and Fleabag) whose wry lines were the perfect soundtrack to the absurdity going on with these three friends.

The three actors who portrayed the central protagonists do a great job too. Munro Chambers played Jonah, Chris Gray played Richard and Emily Tyra played Sasha. They had a strong chemistry with each other and their emotions bounced around as we got to learn more about the trio.

Most of the film takes place aboard the stranded yacht and it created a real sense of isolation for each of the three. The use of Edgar Allan Poe’s only complete novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket, as a plot point.

There are a bunch of scenes that were difficult to watch. Some that were painfully bloody or stomach wrenching. They fit well within the story unraveling on the screen.

I was not sure this was going to be for me after the very beginning of the film, but it rapidly became one that I was invested in and I really did enjoy watching it. The ending was satisfying too.

Two more movies to go in The October 13.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

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October 18

#10 out of 13

I have seen several versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers before, but I had never seen the original 1956 version, so I found it on Amazon Prime and added it to the list of the October 13.

You could tell this was a classic because it was just a wonderful film.

The film was an allegory for the world at the time, with the Joe McCarthy Communist “Red Scare” Hearings creating a paranoia about who may not be what they seem. This is obviously a commentary about that dark period in American history with the pod people being substituted for the Commies.

According to IMDB, “A small-town doctor slowly comes to realize that the population of his community is being perfectly duplicated and replaced by an alien entity.“

Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter were our lead protagonists in this epic thriller with an amazing amount of tension and sinister suspense. The movie moves at a brisk pace and has a true creepy nature to it. The black and white worked great to keep the mood filled with anxiety.

Starting off with McCarthy as Dr. Miles J. Bennell in what seemed like an asylum flipping out was a strong beginning and a great hook for the film.

This is an iconic movie with a top notch performance from Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter. You can’t help but root for them, even though you know that they were not together at the hospital like we saw at the beginning. I was hoping for a hopeful ending, and, while that may not be exactly what we got, it was a proper end to the film.

The Last Man on Earth (1964)

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October 18

#9 out of 13

The next film in the October 13 is a 60’s film featuring the iconic Vincent Price as the Last Man on Earth.

Dr. Robert Morgan (Vincent Price) was a survivor of a plague that crossed the world. The plague turned the victims into a vampire/zombie-type hybrid that came out at night. Morgan would go out in the day and try to kill and burn however many vampires he could.

Vincent Price was as wonderful as he always was. The overall production of the film was not as strong as it could have been. It had some weaker sound design and the vampires were not the best looking threats we have ever had. I have a feeling that came from a low budget.

I do like how it was filmed in black & white. It makes the film feel more like one of the past movies in the genre.

Die, Monster, Die! (1965)

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October 16

#8 out of 13

Boris Karloff is one of the greatest icons of the early horror genre, playing the iconic version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This movie was an adaptation of a H.P. Lovecraft story called “The Colour Out of Space.” I had seen a film based on that story a few years back, but this felt very different than that one that starred Nic Cage.

According to IMDB, “A meteorite’s radiation creates giant plants in a scientist’s greenhouse. When it affects his wife, the wheelchair-bound man attempts to destroy it, leading to catastrophe.”

This was an interesting film with some good atmosphere. I liked the performance of Boris Karloff, and also his co-stars Nick Adams and Suzan Farmer. The three of them did most of the heavy lifting in this movie.

The story itself was not a standout for me. I felt like there were several things that were either left out or were brushed over. When Nick Adams’s character arrived in the town of Arkham, the city’s population wanted nothing to do with him when they found out where he was heading. I am not sure this story element was ever really dealt with in any substantial basis.

There was good tone and mood on the show, and I did think it was a decent film. It just did not wow me as much as I thought it could have.

The Faculty (1998)

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October 13

#7 out of 13

The October 13 rolls on with the sixth film of the month, The Faculty. I have to say that this cast is filled with some great actors including Elijah Woods, Josh Hartnett, Salma Hayek, Shawn Hatosy, Usher, Famke Janssen, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Patrick, Jon Stewart, Christopher McDonald, Laura Harris, Clea DuVall, Jordana Brewster and Piper Laurie.

According to IMDB, “Six misfit students must band together to save mankind when mind-controlling parasites from another planet infect their high school’s faculty.”

I actually thought this was about witches, but I must have been confusing this with The Craft.

This one was a mixed bag. There were some moments that I enjoyed. I liked most of the cast, but a lot of the story was just strange and it had some dumb moments stuck in too. There were some real conveniences in the script that are there just to be there.

The special effects were fine for 1998. It was nothing incredibly special, but they did a good job of keeping the aliens a mystery for most of the film.

In the end, this was some fun, in a shut your mind down kind of way. I think were better films that dealt with the same idea as this, but I did not hate watching it.

It Came From Outer Space (1953)

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October 11

#6 out of 13

I had thought that I had seen It Came From Outer Space (1953) before, but there was no review on the site. Because of that, I decided to add it on the list for the October 13. After watching it, I think what I was thinking was “The Day the Earth Stood Still” instead of this one. Both of these films were named in the “Science Fiction/Double Feature” song from Rocky Horror Picture Show, which may have led to my confusion as well.

I have definitely not seen this movie before, but it was a really enjoyable. These kind of sci-fi outer space films from the 50s have a tone about them that really sets them apart from other films of the time. They are also great in comparison to the more recent because of their low budget and reliance on practical effects.

According to IMDB, “A spaceship from another world crashes in the Arizona desert and only an amateur stargazer and a schoolteacher suspect alien influence when the local townsfolk begin to act strangely.”

There was some good tension in the film as the aliens moved about taking over humans’ appearances in order to walk freely among them. The interactions between astronomer John Putnam and Sheriff Warren was fun, even if it was unlikely.

I was surprised when the Professor from Gilligan’s Island walked onto the screen. Russell Johnson played George, one of the earliest of the humans to be taken by the aliens and replaced. I have seen Johnson in other roles such as in The Twilight Zone before his most recognizable role on the sitcom.

I liked this a lot and it was fun watching the story develop. This film was not afraid to set the humans in a more aggressive manner when the aliens just wanted to fix their crashed ship and leave.

Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

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October 9

#5 out of 13

I remember finding out about this rock opera earlier this year when Anthony Stewart Head passed away. I loved Head as Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I knew he could sing so I was curious about this film.

It is one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen.

According to IMDB, “A worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. The repossession clause is a killer, however.”

The film reminded me of Rocky Horror Picture Show, Moulin Rouge, and Heavy Metal. This movie did not make any money on its release, but it has become a cult film, much in the same manner as Rocky Horror. The music throughout was rocking and entertaining.

The story was crazy. Anthony Stewart Head was really solid in the role of Nathan. Paul Sorvino was the lead antagonist in Rotti Largo. I am not sure I liked his voice as much as I did Head’s.

The film had fun comic book-like panels used at times during the film to help with exposition. It was a fun technique to move the story along.

The rock opera was entertaining, but the story was so weird and extremely gory, some times too much so. It was gross at too many moments.

I could listen to Anthony Stewart Head’s voice all day though. This was something else.

Dementia 13 (1963)

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October 8

#4 out of 13

A few months ago, I came across a film called Dementia 13, which interested me. I wanted to save it for the October 13, so I emailed myself the name of the film to remember it.

I added it to the list for The October 13 and chose to watch it tonight. As the opening credits were running, I spotted something that I did not know. This film was written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. In fact, this was Coppola’s feature film debut. It was intended to be a low-budget film similar to Psycho, and the film would be produced by Roger Corman. I did not know about Coppola’s involvement at the time I emailed myself, but it was a welcome addition.

According to IMDB, “Ax murders follow a heart attack at an Irish castle full of mourners.” This is a fairly simplistic synopsis of the film, which had some decent and unexpected twists in it. The ending was predictable as I kept waiting for a bigger surprise to happen. One that never did arrive.

The film had some good ambiance. It was creepy and filmed well int he style of a gothic horror. You could certainly see what Coppola may have in his future with the directing of this film.

Actors appearing in the film included William Campbell, Luana Anders, Mary Mitchel, Bart Patton, Patrick Magee, Eithne Dunne, Karl Schanzer, and Derry O’Donovan.

You could tell this film was older and not as cleanly preserved as some other 1960s film, but it was still a decent watch, and I am glad to have seen the historic first film directed by an all-timer.

War of the Worlds (2005)

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October 4

#3 out of 13

I adjusted the rules of the October 13 because I wanted to do a rewatch of Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds. Typically, the October 13 is reserved for films that I have never seen before, and I did see this film in the theater back when it came out. However, I decided to include this one in the October 13 as a rewatch this year because I did want to give it a second chance, and I am glad that I did.

I remember not liking this movie at all when I saw it in the theater. I distinctly remember sitting in the Voy Theater and hating this film. I pulled it up today on HBO Max and thought it was much better. I still wouldn’t say that I loved it, but I did enjoy it more than that first time, and I am happy I did the rewatch.

According to IMDB, “An alien invasion threatens the future of humanity. The catastrophic nightmare is depicted through the eyes of one American family fighting for survival.”

One of the reasons why I think I liked this more this time than back then was I was not as familiar with HG Wells’ novel War of the Worlds at the time. Since I have read it and taught it at school and I have more of an appreciation for it. While they made many adaptations to it, there are several key scenes that come from the novel, including the scenes involving Ogilvy (Tim Robbins).

I was now familiar with the ending of the story, and how the alien tripods were brought down. I remember being really unhappy with the conclusion when I first saw it, but now it feels much more acceptable, if not even somewhat iconic.

Tom Cruise is solid as well, and we get some great scenes of him running. The two kids (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) were annoying through much of the film, but they grew on me as the story progressed.

The film looked great with the tripods and the aliens, and the scene where the long tentacle searched through the basement where Cruise and Ogilvy were hidden was very tense and suspenseful.

In the end, this was way better than I had remembered, and, while it is nowhere near the top of my Spielberg list of movies, it is no long near the bottom either.

Wrinkles the Clown (2019)

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October 4

#2 out of 13

I have had this on my Netflix queue for quite awhile, but I have been saving it for the October 13. Wrinkles the Clown was a documentary directed by Michael Beach Nichols. It followed a man in Florida who would offer to be hired by people who want him to scare misbehaving children or pull pranks.

It is a weird doc because it changes from the beginning halfway as something strange happened. I’m not sure if spoilers fit for a doc, but I’m going to play it close to the vest anyway.

I thought the film was interesting but it felt as if it weren’t very cohesive as it could have been and that came from the beginning of the film.

I’m glad I watched this, but I think it could have been a better viewing experience.

Resident Evil (2002)

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October 2

#1 of 13

The first film of The October 13 this year is the first film of a franchise based on a video game from 2002. The video game? Resident Evil.

I had kind of wanted to watch this before I went to the rebooted Resident Evil from Zach Cregger, but it was out in September and I did not want to wait. I really enjoyed that movie starring Austin Abrams. Unfortunately, the original film, starring Milla Jovovich and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, was nowhere a good as the 2026 film.

This was tremendously bad. The acting was just atrocious. Milla Jovovich, who starred in one of my favorite movies The Fifth Element as Leelo, was just going through the motions, and sadly, she was the best actor of the crew.

There was LOST’s own Michelle Rodriguez, but she was just not bringing the goods. The rest of the cast was as wooden as one could be.

There were some moments that made me laugh loudly, even though they were not intended to. One example was when Milla made an acrobatic kick after bouncing off the wall, into the face of a monster dog. It was so ridiculous that it was embarrassing even for a video game.

The film did not look good. It was 2002, but it still lacked what I would have hoped for from the day. It was predictable and, while at the time it might have been more than just another zombie flick, since I am watching this is 2026, this is just another zombie flick.

Milla Jovovich is gorgeous and definitely stands out among the images of the violence and the gore, but there just is nothing else here. I am so happy the new film took a different direction, because it was heads and shoulders above this mess.

The October 13 is not starting off strong.

Practical Magic (1998)

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With Practical Magic 2 coming out this weekend, I figured I would watch a movie that I had not seen before in preparation for it. It is, of course, the first film, Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

According to IMDB, “Two witch sisters, raised by their eccentric aunts in a small town, face closed-minded prejudice and a curse which threatens to prevent them ever finding lasting love.”

This film is a mixed bag. The tones are all over the place. It went from a weird witch tale to a romantic fantasy to a Ghostbusters jaunt. It is messy at a lot of times.

I wish the film would have taken one of these tones and run with it, because they seemed to try to do all of them.

There are decent parts to the film as well. Sandra Bullock is charming and she works well. However, her relationship with Nicole Kidman is shaky and inconsistent throughout the movie.

There are things about the stories being told in this movie, but it really does not cover them all well. The curse arc, the Jimmy Angelov stuff, the sudden relationship with Sally-Gary, are all parts of the storyline and they all feel so conflicting.

Having said all of this, I thought this was watchable at the least. I wasn’t bored and the actors all did a decent job. I just wish it was a little less disjointed.

Neighborhood Watch (2025)

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June 30

Movie 30

The June Swoon 5 comes to a close with a film I watched on Hulu this morning called Neighborhood Watch, which starred Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jack Quaid.

I had been looking for a final film for the June Swoon and my list just did not have any films that made me excited about watching it. My search led me to this movie and I do like Morgan and Quaid very much so I thought this was a good choice to finish with.

According to IMDB, “When a mentally ill young man thinks he witnesses an abduction and the police refuse to believe him, he reluctantly turns to his next-door neighbor, a bitter and retired security guard, to help him find the missing person.”

I really enjoyed this movie. Were there some moments when you had to just go along with the plot? Yes, there were some times when credibility was stretched. However, there were no moments that pulled me out of the story.

I thought Jack Quaid did an excellent job portraying this young, damaged man whose mental illness was a huge factor in his life. Still, you could see the goodness in him and how much he wanted to be something more than what he was.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s character was fairly typical for this type of role. He just is such a likable actor that he overcame the stereotypical grumpy, old man archetype.

Together, Morgan and Quaid bring the film to life with the chemistry between them and the interactions between their characters. They grow to care about the other and seeing how gentle Morgan was with Quaid near the end speaks levels.

This movie definitely has some flaws, specifically in the story, but the two lead performances are so engaging that those do not seem to be a problem at all. The film flied by and, if I am being honest, I would have liked even more at the end. I wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters and that tells me the film was a success.

So that brings an end to the June Swoon 5.

The June Swoon will return in June 2027.