The Curse of the Swamp Creature is a classic horror film that was released in 1966. The movie revolves around the character of Dr. Simond Trent, a mad scientist who conducts experiments in a remote swamp. In his pursuit of creating a new species, Dr. Trent accidentally transforms himself into a grotesque swamp creature. The film begins with Dr.
"This book is the film-security x-ray device we really need: it sees through everything. Witty, caustic, passionate and wise, Hoberman treats movies as the bizarre cross-cultural phenomenon they have become in a book of critical essays that somehow manages to be a suspenseful page-turner. Film criticism at this level is deliciously close to philosophy." David Cronenberg
That sociopolitical approach is telling, because Hoberman casts his critical gaze beyond the world of film; besides weekly movie reviews, he publishes on politics and culture in the Village Voice , where most of these essays first appeared. So many of our museums, fitness studios and chefs are developing incredible virtual content and we want to shine a light on their great work while also celebrating something so special in L.
The film begins with Dr. Trent's unsuccessful experiments to create a new living creature. Frustrated with his failures, he becomes more desperate and resorts to unethical means.
The Magic Hour — Film Review
As a homage to the American gangster flick and its Japanese spinoffs, "The Magic Hour" is theatrical and quite predictable: A bit-part actor is lured into underworld shenanigans, all the while thinking he's starring as a deadly sniper in a film.
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HONG KONG — As a homage to the American gangster flick and its Japanese spinoffs, “The Magic Hour” is theatrical and quite predictable: A bit-part actor is lured into underworld shenanigans, all the while thinking he’s starring as a deadly sniper in a film.
Yet as nostalgic emulation of the heydays of the lavish studio movies, it achieves the acme of technical refinement in conjuring up a stylish, Roaring Twenties look and the charm evoked by that period.
Director Koki Mitani’s previous film, “Suite Dreams,” was holder of Japan’s top-grossing boxoffice record for a comedy. “The Magic Hour” was boxoffice champ in the first fortnight of domestic release. It was also well received in major Asian markets and thus has some ancillary potential further afield.
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To enjoy the film, one must suspend disbelief that it is set in present-day Japan and be spirited away to a geographic-and-time-warp constructed in a 40,000 square foot studio set not unlike the neighborhood in “Amelie of Montmartre.”
When club manager Bingo (Satoshi Tsumabuki) is caught bedding the local kingpin’s moll, Mari (Eri Fukatsu), he earns a reprieve by promising to track down Della Togashi, an elusive sniper who boss Teshio (Toshiyuki Nishida) is dying to meet. Bingo poses as a director and hires down-and-out actor Taiko Murata (Koichi Sato) to star as Della, the deadly assassin in his made-up gangster film.
Murata swaggers onto Teshio’s turf and gets into dangerous scrapes, which he believes are just part of the ad hoc script. As Murata and Teshio continue to act and talk at cross purposes, Bingo and his ersatz crew must ad lib to save themselves.
Koki Mitani’s background in theater is evident in his script, which despite numerous character and dramatic reversals still bears the outline of a five-act play enacted in six main locations. He is prone to pushing a point whether comic or sentimental, like the repeated flashbacks of Murata’s favorite movie, but his use of double meaning in dialogue is consistently funny.
Like Mitani’s other works, “Magic Hour” is a star-studded vehicle. However, unlike “Suite Dreams,” which was an Altman-like parade of showbiz names in cameos, this film focuses more on the core characters’ development and how they bring out the best in each other.
Admittedly, it takes consummate skill to play a bad actor, but so strenuous is Koichi Sato’s attempt to ham up Murata’s performance that he risks becoming what he’s only supposed to feign. Eri Fukatsu is fine as a sultry chorus girl, but there is little substance in her character.
Hats off to veteran comedian Toshiyuki Nishida as the mafia boss. No matter how preposterous the scenario, his performance doesn’t descend into caricature. He stays low-key in the midst of high-strung reactions from his co-stars, growing in stature toward the end when confronted with a humiliating turf takeover.
Production companies: Fuji Television/Toho/ Cine Bazar
Cast: Koichi Sato, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Eri Fukatsu, Toshiyuki Nishida, Haruka Ayase
Director/screenwriter: Koki Mitani
Producers: Chihiro Kameyama, Yoshihige Shimatani, Kuga Maeda, Kazutoshi Wadakura
Executive producer: Takashi Ishihara
Director of photography: Hideo Yamamoto
Production designer: Yohei Taneda
Music: Kiyoko Ogino
Costume designer: Ikuko Utsunomiya
Editor: Soichi Ueno
Sales: Pony Canyon
No rating, 136 minutes
He starts experimenting on himself, using a serum made from swamp plants. Little does he know that this serum has a curse associated with it. As the curse takes hold, Dr. Trent undergoes a hideous transformation. His physical appearance changes drastically, turning him into a terrifying monster. The swamp creature is a grotesque combination of animal and human features, covered in slimy scales and glowing eyes. Under the influence of the curse, the swamp creature becomes violent and starts terrorizing the local townspeople. The film showcases scenes of the creature lurking in the swamps, attacking unsuspecting victims, and causing mayhem. The townspeople, growing increasingly scared, attempt to investigate the creature's origins and find a way to stop it. Throughout the movie, suspense and horror build up as the monster continues to wreak havoc. Dr. Trent's former assistant, as well as his daughter, become central characters in trying to understand and reverse the curse. They work against time to find a cure for the swamp creature before it causes more harm. The Curse of the Swamp Creature is a classic example of a B-movie, with low-budget production values and simple storytelling. However, it has become a cult favorite among horror movie enthusiasts. The film captures the eerie atmosphere of the swamp, playing on our fears of the unknown and the grotesque. In conclusion, the Curse of the Swamp Creature is a horror film that explores the consequences of tampering with nature and the dangers of unchecked ambition. It tells the story of Dr. Trent's unfortunate transformation into a terrifying monster and the chaos that ensues. Despite its limited resources, the film manages to create a chilling and suspenseful experience for viewers..
Reviews for "The Unseen Terror: The Menacing Curse of the Swamp"
1. John - 2/5 - Curse of the Swamp Creature was a complete disappointment. The plot was weak and barely made any sense. The acting was subpar, with the actors looking like they were just going through the motions. The special effects were cheesy and unconvincing, making it hard to take anything in the movie seriously. Overall, this film felt like a low-budget attempt at creating a horror movie but failed to deliver any true scares or thrills. I would not recommend wasting your time on Curse of the Swamp Creature.
2. Mary - 1/5 - Curse of the Swamp Creature was one of the worst movies I have ever watched. The story was confusing and lacked coherence. The acting was atrocious, with stiff and unconvincing performances. The creature itself looked laughable and not at all terrifying. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, filled with cliches and poorly delivered lines. I have never been so bored and unimpressed by a horror movie before. Save yourself the trouble and skip Curse of the Swamp Creature.
3. David - 2/5 - Curse of the Swamp Creature was a major letdown. The pacing was slow, and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The monster design was uninspired, and the attempts at creating tension and scares fell flat. The film had potential but failed to deliver an engaging and thrilling horror experience. I would not recommend Curse of the Swamp Creature to anyone looking for a captivating horror film.
4. Emily - 2/5 - Curse of the Swamp Creature was a forgettable and unremarkable movie. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of countless other low-budget monster movies. The acting was unconvincing, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The visuals and special effects were unimpressive, making it hard to be invested in the film. There was nothing compelling or innovative about Curse of the Swamp Creature, and I would not recommend wasting your time on it.