One of Stuart Gordon's BEST!
Added 10/23/2009
Stuart Gordon is the only horror director that can make me cringe. I've done so during every movie of his I've seen. As far as I'm concerned, he's the most underrated dude still doing it, and his work in the last few years is the best he's ever done.
Though I didn't cringe as much as during Stuck (2007), Castle Freak is definitely his most gruesome film to date. It's unrated, and if it were to be rated by the MPAA, would no doubt receive an NC-17. Gordon always pushes the envelope with his images, toying with his audience. He holds on the gore when you expect he might cut away from it, he cuts when you expect he might hold. In addition to that, he paints his horrific images with a very fine brush. Though the acts may be similar to other films (after all, there are only so many horror situations in the world) his gore always looks more original than 90% of the other horror movies out there, which is a great lesson for anyone looking to get into horror. It's a crucial way to stray from the pack.
The only thing preventing me from giving this one five stars is that the script could have been way more interesting. They had all the pieces of a compelling story there, but it didn't really gel together. That said, I adore every other aspect of this movie, and highly recommend it. It's one of his best, and at $5.99 new on Amazon.com, it's a MUST own.
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You're just a freak with a microphone
Added 10/16/2009
With October horror film number 16 we decided to go a route that's always been very good to us. That route just happens to be Full Moon Productions that have been supplying Sid with poorly made hilarious b for years. We had enjoyed the Puppet Master series but were drawn in when we saw Sideshow about 8 years back and couldn't help but continue on. They have made so many films that are on the verge of barely watchable except for a select handful of gems. Castle Freak happens to be one of those rare occurrences where we enjoyed it for being a good flick instead of a complete low budget laughs fest. Yes the budget was still very minimal but was actually really decent for what they spent.
The films starts with John Reilly (not Cal Naughton) who goes to Italy accompanied by his wife and blind daughter. He's inherited a huge castle and wants to put in on the market, but will be staying there for a bit. He's been dealing with lots of guilt since he killed in son and blinded his daughter when he drove them around totally wasted, and decided the Italy trip would be good to repair the damaged relationships. Before he hatch the chance to patch things up Dr. Phil style they're introduced to the freak lurking in the dungeon. This kid had spent year being beaten by his old lady, the duchess that owned the castle prior, and remained chained up for quite some time after she passed. So he's hungry, angry, and for some reason very horny which made for a very uncomfortable scene with a prostitute. Oh yeah This is one freak you'd like to avoid at all costs. Just look at his mug shot on the cover and you'll understand why.
For Sid Castle freak was supremely entertaining. You have to give Stuart Gordon props for bringing one of the few legitimate films under the Full Moon label. What we liked about it was the very original concept and great dark atmosphere the castle provides. It's a creepy thought strolling around a castle without even knowing a complete mutated nut job lurks around the in a dark lair below. The film wasn't overly gory outside of some breast eating done by the castle freak, which is a good thing as far as Sid's considered. We happen to like the ones that don't have to rely too much on the blood and guts, even though you do need a healthy balance. We'd def recommend this one and are sure it would have been enjoyed years back.
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Pleasantly understated horror from Stuart Gordon.
Added 6/1/2009
Castle Freak (Stuart Gordon, 1995)
I was actually surprised to see that Castle Freak was based on a Lovecraft story; in general, once you get past Re-Animator, the two types of Stuart Gordon movies are "the good ones" and "the Lovecraft adaptations". And yet Gordon and longtime collaborator Stuart Paoli took Lovecraft's "The Outsider" and made it into something that sure doesn't look like a Lovecraft adaptation. It looks like a classic monster movie written straight for the screen, which is the kind of thing Gordon has always done very well.
The story starts with the Reilly family--John (Gordon regular Jeffrey Combs), his wife Susan (Gordon's wife at the time, Barbara Crampton), and their blind daughter Rebecca (Jessica Dollarhide in her only big-screen appearance)--relocating to the country so John and Susan can try to patch up their marriage after a horrible trauma that tore the family apart. (The revelation of what that trauma is is a big part of the movie's tension, so I won't reveal it here.) And hey, wasn't it nice of our many-times-removed many-times-great aunt to die and leave us this castle at just the perfect time? As you can probably tell from the title, however, that wasn't the only thing Great Auntie left them. Except no one knows about the freak in the basement, or who he is. His presence, however, has an unsettling effect on John. So imagine what happens when someone actually runs into him...
One of my favorite plot lines, no matter what the medium, has always been the main character's slow descent. Into what doesn't matter. Madness is a popular destination, but getting in touch with one's bestial instincts is a favorite of novelist Joyce Carol Oates, whom I adore. Gordon takes that tack here (I'm hoping that's not a huge spoiler), and Combs, who is well-known for his overacting abilities, actually tones it down here; I can't think offhand of a movie in which I've seen him so understated so much of the time. It's a very pleasant surprise to find out that, hey, Jeffrey Combs really can act without chewing scenery. And why Dollarhide never worked again after this (and had only gotten a couple of TV roles before) is beyond me. She does sterling work here, though to be fair she has that Naomi Watts kind of role where most of what you have to do is look good and scream a lot. Many of the minor characters take over Combs' usual mien, but I believe Gordon's intention here was to show the difference between the reserved Americans and the more expressive Europeans, so it works. (It also obviously fits in with the change in Combs' character as the film progresses.)
Really surprising little flick, this. In Gordon's canon, I'd put it right behind King of the Ants and Re-Animator as some of his best work. Definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the golden age of monster movies. *** ½
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LOVED IT!!
Added 5/3/2009
I must say that CASTLE FREAK is a very good horror movie. The FREAK is definately a FREAK and the box does his pretty face justice. It is a very creepy movie and has some shocking parts that you really wouldn't expect. The acting was pretty good for the type of movie and the man who plays the FREAK did a fantastic job bringing the FREAK to life, the way he walked and the fact that he ran around with his nasty naked body showing through most of the movie only added to the horror and disgust. I loved this movie and would say that if you enjoy horror then you will probably love this movie to. Add it to your collection it is worth the money.
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A decent horror flick
Added 11/5/2008
From stuart gordan and jeffery combs comes castle freak.this movie isnt as bad as some the reveiws say.i thought it was good.the only thing is that it takes awhile for the veiwer to accually see the freak but once the killing and gore start its an enjoyable movie.jeffery combs plays his part with no dark humor which i thought was gonna suck but it wasnt bad.it shows that he dosent rely just on dark humor to make a good part.the freak looks absolutly UGLY and the make up was excellent on him.for the price its a good movie and its worth owning.give it a chance you might be surprised.
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