Monster! #16

My wife bought me this zine, so I'm reviewing it on her account. A great issue with a cool, cartoonish cover that really grabs the eye! I’m a longtime fan of AVENTURA AL CENTRO DE LA TIERRA, so I was glad to see it getting some respect--but Steve Fenton suggesting it was better than the 1959 version of JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH made me question his sanity. Wow. Except for that, it was a fun read and made me want to see AVENTURA again. I think my favorite article this issue was Troy Howarth’s on his favorite werewolf films. Likewise, it had me pulling out some vintage werewolf dvds to rewatch. I also enjoyed Steve Bissette’s tribute to Ib Melchoir, even though I can’t match his enthusiasm for THE TIME TRAVELERS. I’ve learned to enjoy it, but it has a cheap look and amateurish quality that was very off-putting to me as a kid (I certainly didn’t find those elements charming). I always thought ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS was Ib’s best film, as it seemed the only one that was a fully-realized, professional production that simply worked. Regardless, I’ll always have an inexplicable fondness for REPTILICUS—even though it’s downright awful. To like it, I think you had to have seen it as a monster-starved kid in the 60s, but even then I was very aware of how shoddy it was. Hey, these Amazon comments are almost the equivalent of a letter’s page aren’t they? A letter's page with no time limit--I love it! To sum up, another terrific issue and a dense, fun-filled read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

How Tim Paxton and his stable of knowledgeable writers keep turning out such and excellent zine every month is one of those great mysteries of life that you never question, in fear that it may end if you do. This is yet another excellent issue that contains reviews of monster movies from around the world. Steve Fenton starts it off (after a heartfelt guest editorial by Troy Howarth) with a review of the Mexican horror film AVENTURA AL CENTRO DE LA TIERRA (1964; which I went out and bought the DVD even though it is not English friendly) which, based on the photos and Steve's excellent review, seems like a must-see. Who cares if you don't understand Spanish? Stephen R. Bissette then follows-up with reviews of two more Mexican monster films, GIGANTES PLANETARIOS (1967) and LA ISLA DE LOS DINOSAURIOS (1967; I don't think we need a translator to know what that means!). Dawn Dabell then does an extensive review of THE KEEP (1983) and how Paramount edited the film out of director Michael Mann's hands and still hasn't released the film on DVD or Blu-Ray (I still enjoy the edited R-rated 96 minute version). What follows next are a slew of monster film reviews written by the likes of Brian Harris, Adam Parker-Edmonston, Mark Savage (his extensive review of THE SLIME PEOPLE - 1963 is a corker) and many others. Great stuff and undeniably enjoyable reading for those not familiar with some of the films reviewed (such as EVIL IN THE WOODS, WIZARDS OF THE LOST KINGDOM, BREEDERS and MONSTERS: THE DARK CONTINENT [sequel to one of my favorite independent 2010 films MONSTERS], and others). Tim does an extensive review of the Indian monster flick PYASI APSARA (1991) and then writers Dennis Capicik and Les Moore tell you everything you need to know about the 1957 horror film SHE DEVILS (a favorite TV staple of mine during the 70's). Writer Jared Cruz then writes about a duo of modern-day mummy films; BRAM STOKER'S THE MUMMY (1998) and RUSSELL MULCAHY'S TALE OF THE MUMMY (also 1998).Troy Howarth then regales us with his favorite werewolf films, starting with WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935) and then ending asking the question: Which is the best werewolf film of 1981: An AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON or THE HOWLING? He will sort out that dilemma in the next issue.Stephen R. Bissette then does two articles on the late Ib Melchoir. The first one deals with how the film PROMETHEUS would not exist without Melchoir and the second article is his continuing heartfelt tribute to Melchoir that began in Issue #15. Bill Adcock then reviews all the TREMOR films (they are all quite good). It all ends with the always-entertaining Movie Checklist, where Steve Fenton, Tim Paxton and Dennis Capicik mention where all of the films reviewed in this issue can be purchased and throw in little factoids of the films that weren't mentioned in the reviews. Once again, another way above average 105-page issue that should be on every monster fan's must-read list. A steal at $5.95. Seriously, it's a steal.

Monster! #16 (!Monstruo!) is an excellent issue with all kinds of good reviews.The Front Cover reviews a Mexican film of which I have never heard of. The back cover is a movie still from 'The Keep,' and all time favorite movie of mine that has yest to get a decent DVD release.'The Reviews' section reviews: Monsters: Dark Continent - an underated movie that is not very much like it's predecessor, 'Monsters,' (a great movie) but it is still a good movie that takes place in the same universe. It's just a very different movie and the monsters are secondary to the story.Wizards of the Lost KingdomDon't be Afraid of the DarkAlien SiegeBreedersThe Black Hole (not the Disney version, the 2006 version)Evil in the WoodsThe Slime PeoplePyasi ApsaraShe - Devil - You also get an additional article on the adaptions made of the short story 'The Adaptive Ultimate.'Next is an article on 'Mummy' movies followed by Part 1 of an article on 'Werewolf' movies.'Journey to the Melchior Planet' is a story about the making of 'Prometheus.''No Way These are Local Boys' is an article about the 'Tremors' movies.Part 2 of 'A Monster' Ode to IB!Lastly, the DVD movie checklistPretty much all of these 'Monster' issues are excellent sources of information for just about anybody.

The Reader's Digest of monster movie fandom. This is all the lowdown on all films monstrous from all over the world. Not only does it cover retrospects on and over views on a world wide scale, (what more could you want? Let me tell you! ) at the close of each article there is info on the availability of each film discussed and where to get it! The info is supplied by experts on each film, not just more opinion scribblers. I mean, really now! Wow!!! How great is that?