A werewolf rips a man in half starting at the head. There’s a squishy curb stomping courtesy of one oddly drippy Mummy. I think there was even a stereotypical tribal savage thrown in for good measure. The variety of monsters runs the gamut from the classic (vampires, werewolves, mummies, and a Frankenstein monster amongst others) to crazy monsters (killer baby, long-head reptile monster in a cage, carnivorous plant, and a graveyard full of zombies) and all the way historical maniacs like the Marquis de Sade (played with lecherous abandon by veteran TV actor J. Waxwork takes my made-up equation and applies it heartily in a film that’s a clear influence for a movie like Cabin in the Woods. There’s an equation somewhere that proves that the more monsters and madmen you put in a movie, the better said movie is. That’s thanks in large part to the late legend. Playing it almost seductively, Warner turns in what is hands down some of the best work of his career in a film that isn’t mentioned amongst the “big name” horror flicks of the day but damn well should be. In Waxwork, he’s the front-and-center villain, resplendent in his old-fashioned purple suit and sporting perfect hair. For an actor who’s had some extremely memorable supporting roles like the villainous Spicer Lovejoy in Titanic and Klingon Chancellor Gorkon in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Warner didn’t often get to be the centerpiece player. On the flip side of the good and evil coin, beloved character actor David Warner plays the baddie to full effect. Seriously, though-it’s ingrained in the American psyche to pull for Zach Galligan. It doesn’t hurt that he gets some killer lines and moments of surprising heroism. It feels like he could have walked straight off the set of one and into the other (the two films were only four years apart) that boyish charm and vulnerability are operating at equal power in Waxwork. Zach Galligan has a place in the heart of every American thanks to his portrayal of Billy Pelzer in Gremlins. It’s also clear that Waxwork is going to be more than a bit on the outlandish side-Mark needs permission to have coffee despite being in college! Luckily, his extremely cool English butler has him covered. It’s clear right off the bat that Mark is quite rich. The Galligan/Warner EffectĪfter an open which sees a man robbed and his head stuck in the raging fireplace set to an almost Vaudevillian tune, we’re immediately introduced to Mark. What makes this underappreciated little gem that much of a classic, you may ask? Allow me to enlighten you, thereby enriching your October. He’s countered by surprisingly decent rich college kid Mark (Zach Galligan Gremlins, Gremlins 2: The New Batch) and his group of friends. Written and directed by Anthony Hickox ( Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth), Waxwork is the story of a wax museum owner and black magician named David Lincoln (David Warner In the Mouth of Madness, Titanic) who is trying to tip the scales between good and evil by using his wax exhibits to swallow enough souls to bring all the monstrous exhibits to life. Rather, I’m looking for a movie that fits the Creepshow credo born of that classic tagline, “It’s the most fun you’ll ever have being scared!” I need that vibe as Halloween approaches, so in that spirit, my revisited classic is the 1988 film, Waxwork. I’m less about the intense, brain-melting horror that comes off oh so serious. I find that when we roll into the spookiest month of the year my tastes change a bit. What makes an October classic? That’s a question that’ll likely get you a range of answers. What do you think-is this film a horror classic? What other horror films do you consider to be classics, and what films do you make sure you watch each October? Let us know in the comments below! This year at Horror Obsessive, for our 31 Horror Classics Revisited series, we’re giving you one recommendation for a classic horror film each day throughout the month of October. It’s the perfect time of year to watch horror movies, whether you’re a year-round horror fan or you just like to watch horror flicks to get into the Halloween spirit. Editor’s note: All throughout October, the vibes get spookier and the nights get longer.
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