The new killer gator flick 'Crawl' is out this weekend, so I thought to add this extra little piece with my review (HERE) talking about some other creature features you can binge watch before or after. Here are 5 of my favorite creature feature horror films.
'Lake Placid' was sadly overlooked back in 1999 but has now amassed a huge fanbase with five sequels and even a spinoff with the 'Anaconda' series. But, it's the original movie that you're gonna want to go for as it displays the perfect amount of cheesy moments while benefiting from a large budget and the effects of Stan Winston. The movie is also freakin' hilarious, with special mention going to Betty White as a foul mouthed cranky old timer causing problems for the main crew. Director Steve Miner is no stranger to the horror genre and he balances the humor and horror very well here. If you haven't seen 'Lake Placid' for a while or at all, I highly recommend picking up the recent Shout! Factory blu-ray, grab some beers and have you and your friends gather round and enjoy this shlocky bit of goodness.
'Crawl' was in fact not the first time director Alexandre Aja has delved into the killer animals subgenre and his 2010 3D remake of Joe Dante's 'Piranha' is a wild over-the-top gorefest that plays up it's B-Movie tropes to an almost ridiculous level the original wouldn't even have attempted. Granted, the more exploitative elements can become a bit offensive (and would completely cross the line come the sequel) but the film is having so much fun constantly reminding you of it's silliness that it's hard to hate on a movie this stupidly fun. Not Aja's best film by any stretch, but if you're looking for a bloody good time, check out 'Piranha 3D' and the original as well.
'Bait' has a very similar premise to 'Crawl' just swapping out alligators for sharks and a house for a grocery store, but there's plenty here to keep you entertained. Like 'Piranha' this film was shot with 3D in mind and goes all out with it creating some of the funniest moments I've seen in a movie. Killing a shark with a taser gun? Sure why not!? 'Bait' and really most the films on this list certainly know their audience and thankfully most films know they'll never top 'Jaws' so why not just make it a fun ride?
Well, I'd have to put a more serious one on here eventually right? 'Black Water' was a film I came by thanks to many a horror website, forum etc. and lucky me I found it for four bucks with a bundle and I just have to wonder...why is this treated like a bargain bin movie when it's very tense, well made, and actually scary in some moments? I suppose life is unfair like that sometimes, but back to the movie..'Black Water's best elements are in its simplicity: a group of folks trapped in the trees by crocodiles below. That's it and really that's all you need because someone who knows what their doing, casts the right actors and gets the best crew can make simple B-Movie stuff into some genuinely great material. Now I'm not going to say this is another 'Jaws' or anything but it is taking nothing and making something like it and I just wish I knew about this one earlier.
'Rogue' from the director of 'Wolf Creek' is yet another film that seemed to fly past the general audience and even today it's not really talked about too much. This one is a real nasty piece of work too with a very mean spirited and dark feel to it you don't see in creature films very often. The film feels like 'Wolf Creek' or something like 'The Ghost & The Darkness' where nothing is over the top but very grounded and brutal in its execution. If you haven't seen 'Rogue' it's always on the cheap at Amazon but make sure you pick up that unrated cut for the full experience.
For those who read my review on this one back in the day, you'll remember how surprised I was with 'The Shallows'. It was a well paced, well acted, and genuinely tense experience that of course not many went to see. It seemed like the film '47 Meters Down' which arrived soon after was trying way too hard to be the kind of movie that this one is. When you actually want to take the material seriously you really need to make sure the characters above all is well made and this is what makes 'The Shallows' shine. Blake Lively's character was very likeable and you really wanted to see her get out of this situation. She also shows her abilities and intelligence well without cramming it down our throats. This is the one film on the list that you'd likely call dull in comparison, but I recommend checking it out if you're tired of the faster over the top films above.
What are some of your favorite creature features? Let me know below and I'll see you all next time.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: 22 Shotz of Moodz Podcast for informing me on 'Black Water'. Cinemassacre/James Rolfe for suggesting 'Bait 3D'
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