Episode 79: Joe Dante’s The Howling (1981)
Rotten Tomato Score: 74%
Are classic horror films always as thrilling as we remember? In our latest episode, we explore the nature of fear, character dynamics, and the lore surrounding werewolves through the lens of Joe Dante's "The Howling." This 1981 film attempts to carve out a place in the horror genre with the franchise it spawned but leaves us grappling with issues of pacing, development, and the mighty question—is this movie, in fact, scary or simply an amusing trip through the absurd?
Our conversation is propelled by Karen White, a television journalist whose throwaway encounter with a serial killer leads her to a remote mountain retreat. Instead of an influx of terror, we find ourselves engaging in comedic banter about outdated tropes, lengthy character arcs and special effects scenes, and curious decisions surrounding her transformation.
Join us as we analyze what elements of "The Howling" fail to hold up against its peers while appreciating the innovative effects that made a mark on the horror genre for years to come. Can werewolves ever be cute? Through waves of criticism and fondness, we discover what worked and what didn’t as we argue, laugh, and share our ratings of this classic horror flick.
Sinister Sips
Colony Cocktail
From: Food.com
Recipe:
1.5 oz Gin
0.75 oz Grapefruit Juice
2 Tsp Maraschino Cherries
Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker
Shake for 10-15 seconds
Strain, over ice, into a chilled cocktail glass
Plot Summary:
After a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem. (Taken from IMDb)
Watchability Scale
Sam and Mike liked the film a bit more than Chad and gave it a 4. Chad gave it a 2. We placed the film at 3.5 on the Watchability Scale.
Links
Move Trivia (TV Tropes)
Siskel & Ebert Review (YouTube)
40 Fun Facts About The Howling (Halloween Year Round)
Howling Trivia (Fast Rewind)