Skip to main content

Dementia 13

I'm going to go back in time for my first movie... all the way back to when Francis Ford Coppola was just starting out... back to 1963...

Producer Roger Corman hired Coppola to direct "Dementia 13" right after shooting the movie "The Young Racers," with a budget of $22,000.00, and his friends acting in it for about $600.00.  The script was written in about three days, and shows in the slight stiffness of the dialogue.  When it was released in theatres, Corman insisted on having a William Castle-like "prologue", where a "professional psychiatrist" discusses the D-13 test handed out to the audience... in order to see if they were mentally fit to watch the movie.

For me, this is one of my favorite horror movies.  True, the dialogue is stiff and awkward, and the storyline is a little confusing and disjointed, but under that roughness created by the short span of time used to write and film the movie, you can see the potential sparkle of a true gem.

The characters are interesting, and they actors do a great job of portraying them.  William Campbell (who Star Trek fans will recognize as Trelane from "The Squire of Gothos" episode of the Original Series, and as the Klingon Captain Koloth), was superbe as the moody elder Haloran brother.  I also enjoyed Patrick Magee's turn as the slightly condescending and sinister Dr. Caleb... even if I did want the character to die...

Coppola uses his budget well by being creative with the camera angles, limiting the number of locations needed for shooting, and his use of shadows and light to create an errie and ominous mood.  The scene with the child's bedroom and the toy monkey still gives me goosebumps.

It's been claimed that this is a gorey film, but it's not really.  In fact, there are only two "gorey" scenes, with very little blood on the screen.  In fact, horror fans looking for a high body count will be a little dissatisfied with this movie.  But the scenes are well shot, and suspenseful, which- for me at least, balanced things out.

Now, I'm known amongst my friends for having a rabid dislike and wariness of remakes- especially of horror films (something I'll discuss at a later date).  Having said that, "Dementia 13" is a movie that I'd love to do a remake of, since the general storyline offers opportunities for more insight and development of the characters.  There is potential to bring something new to this movie.

Despite the stilted dialogue, and rushed production values, I would have to rate this movie (according to the rating system used by my friends at "Film Reviews From the Basement"), as solidly in "The Good"
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Zombie Bikers From Detroit (2001)

Over the years, it has been shown that with very little money, a skillful director can put together a high quality horror movie (John Carpenter's " Halloween ", " The Blair Witch Project ", and " Paranormal Activity " being a few of them).  So, when it comes to determining a movie's quality, budget is no longer a negative... Ken and his mother have moved from Hell, Michigan to Grosse Pointe near Detroit.  Upon his arrival, he meets the lovely Courtney, and her jealous suitor Chad.  While Ken and Chad square off, an evil is growing within Detroit and slowly spreading towards Grosse Point... where Ken will meet his destiny ... This week's " What Movie Wednesday " winner was " Zombie Bikers From Detroit "- a low budget horror movie that feels like it was put together as a school project.  High School, or College... I can't really tell. The premise- as stated in my little synopsis is interesting- as was the title.  ...
9 comments
Read more

Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

Sometimes, a director/producer will surprise you- such was the case during " Terrorpolooza 2012 " when I watched Charles Band's " Meridian: Kiss of the Beast " Catherine Bomarzini has come home after her father's death.  Needing company, she asks Gina to stay with her.  Soon, the two meet a wondering troupe of performers that Catherine invites to dinner at her castle. Catherine find herself pulled into a love triangle and an ancient curse that only she can break. After watching movies like " Evil Bong ", and " Demonic Toys ", I really wasn't expecting too much from this Charles Band movie- but I was pleasantly surprised by it. The story is actually quite interesting with lots of potential for eerie scenes, and character development.  It's a nice twist on the classic " Beauty and the Beast " story.  It's a bit slower than most of Band's other works, but moves smoothly and draws you with it. I have to ad...
Post a Comment
Read more

Demon Seed (Dean Koontz)

  Susan has withdrawn from the world  after her divorce from her abusive husband.  Her mansion contains state of the art household automation.  She is secure from the dangers of modern Life.  She is safe from an unsafe world... Too bad her mansion had other ideas... The idea of a Alexa/Siri controlled house going haywire may sound like something written within the past decade, but you might be surprised that Dean Koontz actually wrote this book back in 1973. That's right.  Just five years after " 2001: A Space Odyssey " hit theatres, Koontz wrote this book brining HAL to a more personal level, while predicting the advent of programs like Alexa and Siri. This book is actually a pretty quick read at 301 pages.  The story progresses and builds at a steady and fast pace.  The writing is smooth and seamless as the tension and events unfold before you.  I lost track of time as I turned page after page.  I loved that this book was written from ...
Post a Comment
Read more