Welcome to one of the main features of 'Castle Dracula,' the movie reviews section.
The reviews placed here are from all around the world, from the USA to the UK Japan
and everything inbetween. The formats reviewed are video and DVD. I have included the
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also notice that there are some DVD-R reviews. These are not 'bootlegs' or 'copies'
but official screeners that I have been sent containing an as yet unreleased film to 
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- The Howling - US DVD -  

Newscaster 'Karen White' (Dee Wallace) decides to take a huge risk. 'Karen' has been
following a series of brutal murders. To help break the story wide open, 'Karen' agrees
to meet a shadowy character named 'Eddie.' Karen believes that 'Eddie' has information
on the killings. 'Eddie' uses a series of phone calls to run 'Karen' around the city 
to make sure she is not being followed. The police provide her with a microphone so they
are able to follow her to the meeting. Naturally the device fails. 'Karen' is unaware of
this. She meets 'Eddie' in a private booth of a seedy adult book store. A brutal sex movie
flickers on the wall as 'Eddie' stands behind and talks to the reporter. 'Karen' is 
shocked and screams as she gets a full glimpse of 'Eddie.' Luckily the police have tracked
her down. An inexperienced officer shoots and kills 'Eddie' through the booths closed door.
How in the world he was able to shoot 'Eddie' without hitting 'Karen' I will never know.
Wow. I am so glad he knew what booth to shoot into. Imagine if the screams were not those
of 'Karen.' 
The credibility of the movie quickly withers away.
'Karen' is extremely troubled by this incident. Her mind will not allow her to remember 
what 'Eddie' looks like. She seeks the advice of 'Doctor Waggoner.' The good doctor 
recommends that 'Karen' spend some time at his experimental living community. 'Karen' 
agrees to take a much needed vacation at 'The Colony.' Away go 'Karen' and Bill, her a 
husband. Of course some strange things happen at 'The Colony.' 'Karen' hears unusual 
noises at night. Mutilated cows are discovered. Her husband 'Bill' is attacked by a wolf.
Sounds spooky, ha? 
Well its not. 
None of this story was very original.
Though 'he Howling'started with what seemed like a plausible plot, it went nowhere.
'he Howling'tries to be scary, but it never quite develops. A few scenes get somewhat
suspenseful, but not enough to save this run-of-the-mill 1980s horror movie. Any chance
that this film had to be worth watching was lost in the special effects. Maybe twenty 
years ago these scenes were something, but today they fall far short. Several times we
watch as humans transform into werewolves. These scenes are long and drawn out and actually
quite boring. Also, these scenes made me ask a question about an aspect of the movie. 
Why would an intended victim just stand there and watch a person turn into a wolf and not
just run away? 
Oh, forgive me, it says so in the script. 
The werewolf costumes were not anything special. They looked either like a giant rat or 
someone in a furball suit with big sharp teeth. I got the feeling that this movie was made
more to show off state of the art special effects then to give the audience a substantial
movie to watch.
The only redeeming quality in this movie is that John Carradine and Slim Pickens are in it.
These two guys are great actors. It was kind of neat to watch them. It also made me feel 
sorry for them. I hate to see veteran quality actors who are forced to take roles in 
substandard movies.
This DVD contained only a few extras, which was fine with me. I could not have sat through
a commentary version or some worthless feature about the making of the movie. Oh, what were
the extras? 
I have forgotten already and refuse to put the movie back in my DVD player for fear that 
my machine might get mad at me.
I cannot guarantee that anyone will like this one. If you are someone that likes mindless
horror movies, you will probably like this one. If you like something with a little more 
of a bite (pun intended) pass on this one. Oh, one other thing, how many sequels were made
of 'The Howling?'
In my opinion it was one too many.

Reviewed By Scal Williams

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