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PageantCast Mail Bag: 06/12/2020
We know no one uses mail anymore, but here in the mailbag we put a selection of Instagram posts, Facebook posts and Twitter posts that we’ve been tagged in.
Here’s this week’s selection:
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PageantCast Mail Bag: 06/07/2020
We know no one uses mail anymore, but here in the mailbag we put a selection of Instagram posts, Facebook posts and Twitter posts that we’ve been tagged in.
Here’s this week’s selection:
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PageantCast Mail Bag: 06/05/2020
We know no one uses mail anymore, but here in the mailbag we put a selection of Instagram posts, Facebook posts and Twitter posts that we’ve been tagged in.
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Tarantula (1955)
It was inevitable that one of my first Universal reviews in this new column would be a classic Universal horror picture.
One of the things people forget when revisiting a film like this, be on Amazon Prime, or Svengoolie on Me-TV, or at a revival film series at a local cineplex is these movies were made for kids. At matinees.
So it shouldn’t be a shock that the movie moves along at a breakneck pace. It should be no shock that the love story is subdued in lieu of action (though the leading lady is a knockout for the boys in the audience a little bit older and able to appreciate such details). The characters are stock. The device by which the spider grows and gets out is a little creaky…
But the effects were state of the art for its time. Universal knew this was a B picture…heck, the lead is John Agar, a Chicago born actor that came from a family that sold ham. Think about that. An actor. Coming from a family of ham. His most notable role, frankly, was as the husband of Shirley Temple and from what I read, he wasn’t too invested in that role.
The effects, though, despite some of the goofy looking giant robot spider stuff, mostly was mattes of a real ugly, scary tarantula on small sets and overlayed on the action. Frankly, they almost hold up. They certainly look better than some of the CGI junk we see on the SyFy channel these days.
Leo G. Carroll (TV’s Topper and Chief from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) is a mad scientist type that develops a super nutrient that causes little tiny animals to become big, scary monsters. The titular spider escapes after a mishap in the lab and the customary chaos ensues.
Until I had revisited this, I forgot how much this film shares with one of my favorites, Tremors. The small town setting in a desert, the mysterious loss of cattle and endless debating of the creature by the characters would have fit right into Perfection. I would not be surprised that this film highly influenced that incredible film.
Probably most people know, this is one of two Jack Arnold directed Universal thrillers to feature an unbilled cameo by Clint Eastwood. The longer part was in Revenge of the Creature, the sequel to one of the finest Universal horror films, The Creature from the Black Lagoon. In a turn of fate, Clint Eastwood has used the lead of Tarantula, Mara Corday, in cameos in a number of his films recently in his career. Funny how things turn over the years!
You should check this flick out. It really is the template for a giant monster run amok film and it really holds up nicely over the weight of over 65 years.
Grade: B+
PageantCast Mail Bag: 05/28/2020
We know no one uses mail anymore, but here in the mailbag we put a selection of Instagram posts, Facebook posts and Twitter posts that we’ve been tagged in.
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Universally Loved: New Column
Today, we are launching a new column: Universally Loved. This will be a banner for discussions regarding Hollywood’s most entertaining and hard working studio.
Disney, of course, has about 500 podcasts based entirely on their theme parks. People discuss the award-heavy Columbia and Paramount. Disney+ is in the news frequently as they purchase franchise after franchise to grow their headlock on the entertainment industry.
Often overlooked is Universal.
All. The. Time.
Universal has been home of some of the greatest and most popular films of all time. Their theme parks are the only ones that can legitimately compete with the house of mouse. They have great franchises, legitimately possibly developing the entire concept with their sequel heavy Universal monster movies in the 50’s and 60’s.
Universal has been the working man’s studio. Founded by Carl Laemmle, a turn of the century German immigrant, his studio quickly became a leader in horror films and science fiction when people were still “embarrassed” about such B films.
They were a leader in movie serials. People talk about the old days of movie serials and always bring up Republic, but what movie serial is the one most people know? Flash Gordon. That was a Universal serial…and it innovated the upwards crawl that George Lucas would adapt to open each of the Star Wars films in the “Skywalker Saga.”
Universal thrived with films other studios turned their nose up at. They “invented” the summer blockbuster with a little movie I like to mention from time to time (Jaws). Universal brought Back to the Future to the movieplexes in the mid-80’s and let everyone ride along with Michael J. Fox in that wonderful DeLorean.
Instead of chasing awards, Universal seemed to always embrace the audience directly. While a lot of their product could be called junk food compared to the art house gourmet dishes by the indies, they have been the studio willing to take chances, particularly in the realm of horror, that have led to remarkable success. The Blumhouse model seems to fit beautifully with Universal’s strategy over the years, so it is not a surprise that they have often found themselves partners including the release of the recent Halloween sequel with Jamie Lee Curtis and the new, smash hit Invisible Man film this year.
Universal’s Harry Potter additions to their theme parks are possibly the most immersive theme park experiences ever derived and caused a raising of expectations for all in the industry after it’s premiere. Simply put, without Harry Potter attractions, Avatar and Star Wars would not be as incredible as they are…the competition here has benefited every theme park in the world.
This column will be celebrating their successes. There will be film reviews. There will be news commentary. There will be theme park observations.
Heck, we might even discuss NBC from time to time. Peacock is coming this summer for all to enjoy.
Hope you will join me here with all the films that I know are UNIVERSALLY LOVED.
PageantCast Mail Bag: May 2, 2020
We know no one uses mail anymore, but here in the mailbag we put a selection of Instagram posts, Facebook posts and Twitter posts that we’ve been tagged in.
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Miss Multiverse Australia now on AMAZON PRIME
This is not a drill! This is not a drill!
TEN 30-minute episodes of beauty pageant goodness just took a bow on AMAZON PRIME for Miss Multiverse Australia!
You can find the show at: https://amzn.to/3aDBMnm
The TV Series is now AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE (the link I’m passing along definitely works in the United States) and you can see it free as a PRIME member.
From their press release:
This is a TV Series like no other! A model contest where outer beauty is not more important than the models’ other extraordinary qualities. We are on the hunt for the world’s most multi-faceted females – and we start in Australia! If they don’t have it ALL, they will be ELIMINATED!
Challenges and tests are specifically designed to not only test the models’ modelling skills, but also their fitness, stamina, character, intellect, mental, business and physical abilities to name a few.
This contest is definitely not for the faint hearted girl and it keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, as they cheer for their favorite contestant through their ups and downs.
With scary judges and intimidating co-competitors, there is never a dull moment and always a hidden secret.
The contestants in Australia were selected based on nowadays beauty standards and level of education. The beautiful women that reach the finals are already accomplished models, entrepreneurs or have won beauty queen titles, they are at a point in their careers where their motivation goes beyond showcasing their beauty; they are seeking life changing experiences, recognition of their internal qualities, empowerment capabilities and the opportunity to give the best of themselves to empower others.
You can find the show at: https://amzn.to/3aDBMnm
PageantCast Mail Bag: 04/25/20
We know no one uses mail anymore, but here in the mailbag we put a selection of Instagram posts, Facebook posts and Twitter posts that we’ve been tagged in.
Here’s this week’s selection:
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