dwatts
04-18-2003, 02:06 AM
Just got through watching The Oblong Box. And what a treat it is!
Oblong Box is one a long line of films Vincent Price made based on Poe stories. This one has voodoo, throat slashings, stabbings and burials. It’s kind of a “Man in the Iron Mask” crossed with Psycho.
I happen to like all of these Poe type films, but quite honestly, it is hard for me to imagine that anyone, Poe fan or not, would not find something to like here. It’s a great little story of revenge, with a strong hint of the macabre (and what else should we expect from Poe?)
Basically we have a story of two brothers. They live in Africa, since they’re plantation owners. Something happens, the natives use a bit of voodoo, and one of the brothers is turned into a monster as revenge.
The story picks up back home after that. The mutant brother is kept in a room at the top of the house, while Price turns into a recluse looking after him. But why did the natives in Africa punish the brother? And what is the brother’s plot to free himself from Prices clutches?
This is out in R2 in a double feature MGM Midnite Movie pack with “Scream and Scream Again”. Transfer great, only a trailer as an extra. Mono sound.
I’m not going to talk about Scream and Scream Again. It’s one of the tripiest films I have ever seen. I still don’t really understand it (something to do with a bunch of Nazi wannabes) but it is so freaking weird it’s great. As a double pack – this is a delight and great value. Just expect to see something “unique” in Scream.
By the way – couple of things. The mutation in Oblong Box is a real letdown, when everything is resolved you kind of wonder what the fuss was about. The film also has some of the lamest throat slashings I’ve ever seen – they’re not even scratches. Finally, in one scene - where a prostitute gets murdered - blood is spurting out the end of the knife used to kill her, even before it reaches her throat – which is hilarious to freeze frame.
Not to take anything away from the film – it’s a great journey, very entertaining. You get Price and Christopher Lee together for the first time, and a great 90 minute yarn. Brilliant stuff.
Oblong Box is one a long line of films Vincent Price made based on Poe stories. This one has voodoo, throat slashings, stabbings and burials. It’s kind of a “Man in the Iron Mask” crossed with Psycho.
I happen to like all of these Poe type films, but quite honestly, it is hard for me to imagine that anyone, Poe fan or not, would not find something to like here. It’s a great little story of revenge, with a strong hint of the macabre (and what else should we expect from Poe?)
Basically we have a story of two brothers. They live in Africa, since they’re plantation owners. Something happens, the natives use a bit of voodoo, and one of the brothers is turned into a monster as revenge.
The story picks up back home after that. The mutant brother is kept in a room at the top of the house, while Price turns into a recluse looking after him. But why did the natives in Africa punish the brother? And what is the brother’s plot to free himself from Prices clutches?
This is out in R2 in a double feature MGM Midnite Movie pack with “Scream and Scream Again”. Transfer great, only a trailer as an extra. Mono sound.
I’m not going to talk about Scream and Scream Again. It’s one of the tripiest films I have ever seen. I still don’t really understand it (something to do with a bunch of Nazi wannabes) but it is so freaking weird it’s great. As a double pack – this is a delight and great value. Just expect to see something “unique” in Scream.
By the way – couple of things. The mutation in Oblong Box is a real letdown, when everything is resolved you kind of wonder what the fuss was about. The film also has some of the lamest throat slashings I’ve ever seen – they’re not even scratches. Finally, in one scene - where a prostitute gets murdered - blood is spurting out the end of the knife used to kill her, even before it reaches her throat – which is hilarious to freeze frame.
Not to take anything away from the film – it’s a great journey, very entertaining. You get Price and Christopher Lee together for the first time, and a great 90 minute yarn. Brilliant stuff.