CHRIS' QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DAY (3/25/20): RE-ANIMATOR

CHRIS' QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DAY (3/25/20): RE-ANIMATOR

By Chris La Vigna (@Chris_LaVigna)

Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) is here to give Dr. Frankenstein a run for his money...

As if all of the unrelentingly nasty news regarding COVID-19 wasn't enough, the horror community has suffered a heavy loss today: filmmaker Stuart Gordon, perhaps best known for directing classic horror movies such as RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND, DOLLS, and CASTLE FREAK, to name only a few, passed away today at the age of 72.

In memory of Mr. Gordon, today I'm recommending that you watch what is probably his best known film, the gonzo 1985 horror movie RE-ANIMATOR. Loosely based upon H.P. Lovecraft's serialized story "Herbert West-Reanimator," The film concerns the radical scientific exploits of one Herbert West (played by the great Jeffrey Combs), a young scientist who has found a way to bring the dead back from the grave by injecting them with his neon green serum dubbed "reagent." The problem is, the dead don't react well to being awoken from their eternal slumber, so Herbert tries to fix this by finding fresher subjects to test on. Also, some of his colleagues at Miskatonic University have their own plans for what to do with his grand discovery...

Let's hear it for Herbert West--The (after)life of the party!

The film, like many of Gordon's works, deftly balances brutal gore and gallows humor with genuine pathos and dynamic character work. As unnerving as West is, you'll find yourself almost rooting for him to make another breakthrough in his work, if only to sort-of justify the string of bodies he's piling up along the way. It's also worth noting that this film features a breakout performance from Barbara Crampton, an actor who has gone on to become certified Horror Royalty. She plays Megan Halsey, the plucky paramour of Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott), a hapless medical student who becomes the reluctant Fritz to West's Frankenstein.

I could prattle on and on about this film and all of the things about it that rock (you like a hurricane), but I don't want to spoil any shocks for the uninitiated, and if you've seen this freaky film, then you already know the score! Put it on and pour one out for a fallen filmmaker. It's the prefect film to cozy up to on the couch with some popcorn and your significant other and/or pet*. The film is currently streaming on Shudder,  the #1 horror movie streaming service around. If you don't already have Shudder, I highly recommend signing up for that free trial and giving it a test spin. You'll be overwhelmed by the enormity of their amazing catalogue and signing up for your subscription in no time.

Stay safe out there everybody. If you're lucky enough to have your loved ones close in these times of social distancing, give 'em a hug. We'll all be shuffling loose these mortal coils eventually, and when we do, there won't be any reagent to bring us back...well, not yet anyway...

*Probably best not to watch this movie with your cats though. You'll see why...

Rest in peace, Mr. Gordon...