Reviews of movies directed by Roger Corman.
Monday, December 24th 2007
Grade: B
Synopsis: A prince (Vincent Price) revels in debauchery while a plague ravages the surrounding countryside.
The Masque of the Red Death stands out among director Roger Corman’s Edgar Allen Poe adaptations, and for good reason.
The script by Charles Beaumont and R. Wright Campbell is significantly darker, and less pulpy than Richard Matheson’s adaptations. They craft a truly evil character in Prince Prospero; a man so drunk with ego and power, he’s completely devoid of any compassion or morality. For his part, Vincent Price avoids the camp and plays Prospero straight, every line dripping with condescension, and in doing so makes the movie. MORE »
Posted at 4:18 PM in Movie Reviews, Roger Corman and Vincent Price.
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Friday, December 21st 2007
Grade: C
Synopsis: Three tales culled from the works of Edgar Allen Poe including Morella, The Black Cat, and The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar.
Tales of Terror is an uneven film. Director Roger Corman and screenwriter Richard Matheson give us three stories, one good, one bad, and one that’s just okay.
The first segment, Morella, plays out much like an abbreviated The Tomb of Ligeia (1964), and though there’s not much to the story, it’s packed with atmosphere and over very quickly.
The second segment, The Black Cat is the best of the three. Playing on its title, this segment is a deliciously campy black comedy highlighted by the great chemistry between stars Vincent Price and Peter Lorre. Their wine tasting competition, particularly Price’s face as he tastes, is the highlight of the entire film. MORE »
Posted at 7:09 PM in Movie Reviews, Roger Corman and Vincent Price.
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Wednesday, August 15th 2007
Grade: D+
Synopsis: A nobleman (Vincent Price) becomes obsessed with the idea that his dead wife still lives.
The Tomb of Ligeia was the last of director Roger Corman’s Edgar Allen Poe adaptations. It starts out well enough, eschewing the soundstages that had been common in his previous adaptations for some real outdoor shots that give the movie a breath of fresh air. Vincent Price delivers enough of a twist on his traditional tortured-nobleman performance to keep things fresh as well.
Unfortunately, after a promising first act, the movie starts to drag. Screenwriter Robert Towne doesn’t give anyone much to do except avoid a black cat that can leap tall buildings in a single bound. It’s a real shame too, because the cast is solid and Corman’s willingness to play with the formula could have produced something special. MORE »
Posted at 4:39 PM in Movie Reviews, Roger Corman and Vincent Price.
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Thursday, August 9th 2007
Grade: C
Synopsis: Richard III (Vincent Price) grows madder and madder as he murders his way to the throne of England.
Tower of London is a rather decent remake of the 1939 film of the same name. While director Roger Corman had originally planned to shoot the film in color, the sharp black and white photography ends up giving the film a nice retro feel and helps the special effects.
Vincent Price is good as Richard of Gloucester, especially in the first half where he’s wonderfully wicked before descending into complete madness. Indeed, the first half of his performance brings to mind his role in the great Witchfinder General (1968). MORE »
Posted at 3:45 PM in Movie Reviews, Roger Corman and Vincent Price.
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Thursday, August 2nd 2007
Grade: C+
Synopsis: A man (Vincent Price) believes his family is cursed with madness as his house crumbles around him.
House of Usher was director Roger Corman’s first Poe adaptation and remains one of his finest.
Vincent Price is great in the title role of Roderick and since the film is set in America, the distinctly American accent of Mark Damon doesn’t detract from the movie.
The sets are fabulous and the script by Richard Matheson checks in at a lean 79 minutes. While the first act can be a little slow to sit through, the great finale makes up for it, and actually improves on repeat viewings. MORE »
Posted at 5:58 PM in Movie Reviews, Roger Corman and Vincent Price.
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