The Curse/ Curse 2: The Bite – Blu-Ray Review
Arriving on Blu-ray this week is Scream Factory’s double feature release of “The Curse” and the in-name-only sequel “Curse 2: The Bite”. Actor David Keith directed the 1987 film which was based on H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Colour Out of Space”. For those who don’t remember, “The Curse” spawned three sequels which were only connected by title. Before now, I had only seen the first film but never any of the sequels.
The Curse – Review
When a meteorite lands on a farm in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, a strange substance oozes out of it and into the local water. Farmer Nathan Crane (Claude Akins), his son Cyrus (Malcolm Danare) reside on the farm with Nathan’s wife Frances (Kathleen Jordon Gregory) and her kids Zack (Wil Wheaton) and Alice (Amy Wheaton). Although Zack realizes something is not right with the water, the rest of the family ignores him and continues to drink it. This causes each of them to go insane. It isn’t just the people however, as the animals on the farm begin to go crazy as well.
I can’t say I am a fan of “The Curse”. To my understanding, it is the most faithful adaptation of Lovecraft’s work, however it just doesn’t translate into a good film. One of my biggest issues would be the casting of Claude Akins who just feels out of place in one of the film’s most important roles.
Curse II: The Bite – Review
Much like the further sequels, “Curse II: The Bite” has absolutely nothing to do with the first film and as much as I didn’t dig “The Curse”, “Curse II” is so much worse. However, the strangeness of the sequel makes is quite a bit more interesting.
Clark (J. Eddie Peck) and his girlfriend Lisa (Jill Schoelen) are on a road trip through the desert. After taking a shortcut through an abandoned nuclear test site that they were warned not to take, Clark winds up getting bit in the hand by a mutant killer snake. Clark begins to go through a physical and mental transformation and Jill is starting to become quite concerned.
Although “Curse II” is pretty terrible, the final moments of Clark’s transformation are absolutely hilarious. I don’t want to give it away for those who haven’t seen it. An added bonus is that Jamie Farr (M*A*S*H*) has a supporting role here.
Ultimately, if you are a fan of “The Curse” or “Curse II”, then this release might be worth grabbing.
By: Marc Ferman