HCF Review - His Name, Space Cop

SPACE COP (2016)

A genre melding mixture of comedy and horror or sci-fi is one of my favourite moods, whether it’s the old classics from someone like Peter Jackson, or newer projects like Clinger and The Neon Dead. There’s just something cosy about a blend of sudden violence and nonsensical schlock… but maybe that’s just me. It also helps that this is a film based on an old short film/trailer that’s been online for four years while the makers tried to get this off the ground properly. Whether it was budgetary problems or actors suffering sudden illness caused cat allergies there were a variety of issues as they tried to get it finished, and the original version had to be scrapped and started over. But it’s finally here; Space Cop.

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Horror Bites - The Iceman

HORROR EXPRESS (1972)

Many years ago in the time of random excursions into late night television I came across a horror movie. Like many viewers would assume first seeing it, and perhaps still do, it seemed to be a Hammer production. There was a touch of Gothic style to the story's period trappings and the cast included Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. But it's only an imitation, albeit one still that scores full marks for entertainment value. Its European origins are obvious as things go on, as this Spanish production is full of strange dubbing and quirky music. A late in the day appearance from Telly Savalas completes this odd combination of murder mystery, ancient secrets and eccentric side characters. These elements are the reason this is still so memorable today and bears revisiting.

Review Roundup - Hell No

HELLBOY (2019)

There was originally a third segment planned for my 2019 retrospective, but then a few things came along and just sucked all the fun out of it. Not that remakes or reboots nobody was asking for are really that much fun to begin with, but I thought it would make a nice bookend. Instead this (along with the second title I'll look at here) just made me feel like checking out of movies altogether. Remember Hellboy? Well this is Hellboy again. Only worse. Remember monster battles, saying no to destiny and Second World War themed schlock? Well it's all back. Only worse. Less a film and more of an embarrassing mess that reminds everyone that sometimes movies are only made so studios can keep hold of an intellectual property.

Scorecard

DECEMBER

FILM OF THE MONTH Charade ☆☆☆☆