“American Werewolf in London,” “The Howling,” and “Silver Bullet” will be clawing their way thru our televisions this October. All three are fantastic films of the fur but if you are looking for something new to snarl at, check outsome of these underrated alluring lycan films.
HOWLING 2: YOUR SISTER IS A WEREWOLF (1985)
Ben White is laying his sister Karen to rest, after her very public death in which she may have been turning into a werewolf. At the funeral Ben meets Stefan Crosscoe (Christopher Lee) who happens to be a werewolf hunter set on putting Ben’s sister to eternal rest. After proving himself to Ben and Karen’s former colleague, the three set off to Eastern Europe to take down werewolf queen Stirba before she regains her full power and creates a werewolf world. An ancient castle, disturbing dwarfs, mutilated priest, silly German hikers, and a werewolf orgy all encompass this film as the heroic trio do battlein the den of hairy devils.
Sadly, this fun fur film is noted for three things. Christopher Lee attending an 80’s punk band concert, the ridiculous sub title, and over a dozen shots of Sybil Danning ripping her shirt off. Always considered the second bitch in the Howling series, this film deserves more credit for being one thing, FUN. “Howling 2” is just that, fun. The work has an old world feel set in a spooky old European setting, very good practical effects, and consistent action which keeps the film moving. Lambasted by critics for years for being light years worse than the original film, most critics seem to forget what this film set out to be. Author of the Howling book trilogy, who was very critical of the original film, consulted on the sequel and called it a truer adaption to his work. If you are just looking for a howling good time this is the perfect werewolf film for October.
GINGER SNAPS (2000)
Sisters Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and Bridgette (Emily Perkins) are social outcast in the upper middle-class Canadian town of Baily Downes. Their unique obsession with the dark side of life takes a hairy turn when Ginger is attacked by a werewolf, attracted to her as she has her first period, metaphorically receiving two curses at once. Ginger slowly accepts and enjoys her new found furry freedom and the power that comes with it. Her sister befriends local bad boy Jason, who has his own run in with a four legged monster, and the two try and halt the curse before Ginger is too far gone to save.
What should have been just another teen high school horror flick has turned into an immortal indie classic. Strong performances, a dauntingly shot suburban town in the midst of October, and flowing pace has made “Ginger Snaps” one the best rated werewolf films of all time. The practical effects team give the viewer a great four-legged lycan and Ginger’s three quarters turned look still holds up twenty years after release. Throw in a couple of iconic kill scenes, one by a kitchen counter, and you have a modern immortal classic. Two decent but hardly fantastic sequels followed due to the outrageous financial success of the home video release of this original and fans to this day are clamoring for more. This October, put down “Teen Wolf” and have a look at this phenomenal coming of age full moon film.
LATE PHASES (2015)
Adamant that he can still live on his own, blind veteran Ambrose (Nick Damici) is moved into a retirement community on the edge of a forest by his son. Quickly his new neighbor and dog fall victim to a vicious animal attack. Finding out that more residents have gone missing, Ambrose quickly believes the community is under siege from a werewolf with bad lungs. Ambrose is proven right as one of the towns folk turns out to be a full blow werewolf with intentions to make several other creatures of the moon as well. Ambrose uses his military expertise to set up a show down with the incoming full toothed invaders.
Off the heals of the fangtastic “Stakeland” most of the production crew and Mr. Damici return for a silver shot at werewolf lore. Senior interactions give this dramatic piece some humor alongside the terrific attack scenes. Much credit to the effects team as well, these wolves have bunny like features which is both original and refreshing while not holding back on the horror. Damici stands out again delivering a powerful performance and undersets a diatribe of the life of a lonely senior. “Late Phases” has not gained the cult status of “Stakeland” but this werewolf film is about as good as it gets for fur films from the last decade.