The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

Rating:
Summary: Obey the skeleton? Hmm... I wonder...
Review: "Lost Skeleton" is a brilliant parody/loving homage to those wonderful old B-movies (and Z-movies!) of the 50s and early 60s. The whole thing is played straight; no "Airplane"-style sight gags or knowing winks to the audience. The dialouge is clunky and cumbersome, the camera work is flat and unimaginative,the props are made from common household items, and the even the setting is a cliche (it was filmed in Bronson Canyon, made famous in countless bad horror films). To say much about the plot would spoil the fun, but you can expect a stalwart scientist (played by writer/director Larry Blamire) and his wife, two "aliens... from outer space" and thier pet mutant (with prerequisite bad costume), an evil scientist (with a great evil laugh!) and his beautiful assistant created from forrest animals, and the evil Skeleton. If you get the jokes, you will probably be doubled up from laughter within five minutes. If not, you'll most likely be bored though the entire film. The one major criticism of the film I had was that the joke wore thin in the middle of the film making it seem too long for what it was. Things pick up again for the finale, however. The extras on the DVD are almost as funny as the film itself (especially the perfectly toned trailer), and the whole thing makes a great party film for fans of the genre. And I just have to add on last thing about Jennifer Blaire as Animala in that skin-tight catsuit...ROWR!
Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: SO Refreshing!
Review: I was a kid when I saw "Airplane", a new idea back then, a hack that made young innocent me insane with laughter. I've since thought that, like a first love or first drug high, no experience could ever again afford me such bliss. Oh, but... if Airplane was Mr. Rogers, The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra is Sesame Street. I laughed so hard my lungs shrivelled, my brain fermented for lack of oxygen and my jaw locked open permanently. Looking back on the event (through now permanent tears of craziness) I see something else in Lost Skeleton... it's not just comedy, it's ART! If you think this might be your cup of tea, I say, get yourself in the right frame of mind (be SURE to not be alone), then don't look back -- you truly will never be same. Lost Skeleton is a NEW experience.

Rating:
Summary: very fun spoof of '50s schlock films
Review: Larry Blamire wrote, directed and stars in this spoof of 1950s b&w science fiction movies that entertained audiences on Saturday afternoons. The movie is not perfect, but if you remember with affection films like Plan 9 from Outer Space and Attack of the Crab Monsters, you will laugh out loud many times. Written in 5 days and filmed in 10-1/2, from props to costumes the film captures the look of old sci-fi standards, and is even filmed in Bronson Canyon, the location of many a schlock feature, and uses vintage film music to excellent effect. While the plot, involving a good scientist and an evil scientist (both of whom travel with their microscopes), aliens and their escaped mutant and the evil lost skeleton (bought on eBay for $100), is very good, the script could have used one more rewrite, and the pacing in the middle third is way too slow. I'm giving it five stars despite those problems because I still laughed over and over, and the DVD features were great.

DVD extras include: a Q&A session at the film's 2002 premiere; trailer; a commentary track with Blamire and crew; a cast commentary; bloopers; cartoon; an 11-minute making-of featurette.

If you enjoy old sci-fi classics in spite of, or because of, the visible wires holding the creature costumes together, you should check out this funny and affectionate spoof.

Rating:
Summary: Too slick.
Review: Let me begin by saying that, if you're a fan of PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON, ROBOT MONSTER and similar awful movies, this pastiche is certainly worth RENTING (but probably not worth purchasing). The dialog is funny in places, and there are a few genuine belly laughs. The generic production music is especially good (though a bit too hi-fi sounding).

Unfortunately, THE LOST SKELETON falls rather short as an authentic re-creation of classic low-budget thrillers. The editing is too sophisticated; scenes that should have been presented as tedious medium shots are presented in a series of cross-cut closeups. The dialog (especially the Skeleton's) contains too much contemporary slang to be credible. Character names are obviously corny; no self-respecting director, not even one of modest talent and questionable taste, would ever call a major character "Kro-Bar." The resulting film plays like a black and white version of ROCKY HORROR: amusing, yes, but you're laughing WITH the cast and crew, not AT it.

Genuinely bad movies are inept, but genuinely sincere. LOST SKELETON is just silly, and too clever for its own good. Nice try, but no cigar.

Want a REAL laugh? Check out THE CREEPING TERROR, easily the most gawdawful, side-splittingly hilarious example of this wonderful genre. And it's the REAL thing!

Rating:
Summary: laugh out loud stupidity
Review: Never befor has something so horible entertained me so much. The fact that it embodies every bad or cheezy aspect of a 1950s B movie makes it something magical. Filled with quotible lines and unforgetable caritures makes this one of the best movies I have seen in ages. Don't be expecting cinematic amazement but do be ready to laugh tell it hurts. If there was one way to descibe this movie it would be laughable perfection.

Rating:
Summary: Fun Saturday Afternoon Programmer ... ...
Review: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra proves that THEY can make em' like they used to. This movie actually feels and looks like it was made around 1961. This movie was shot in black and white and filmed in Bronson Canyon, California where many other B-Monsters found a hospitable home while trying to conquer the earth. Even the musical score sounds like the stock library music B-Movie filmmakers used in those days. So if you love
Plan Nine From Outer Space (1958) and Catwomen on the Moon (1952) then you will really enjoy this film.
In this Special Edition DVD of The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
you get:
1) A Technicolor 1940s Ub Iwerks cartoon "Skeleton Frolic"
2) "Obey The Lost Skeleton!" making of featurette.
3) Two separate audio commenteries. The Director (Larry Blamire) and Crew. And a very funny Cast commentary.
4) "Q and A at the American Cinematheque". Quite interesting.
5) Full color blooper reel.
6) "Virtual Skelectables". A Imaginary collection of early 1960s Lost Skeleton bubble gum cards, games, drinking glasses
and box cover art of a "Aurora Model Kit" of the alien mutant
monster from the Lost Skeleton movie. Stuff you will never find
on EBay.
7) Last but not least, a excellent retro style Lost Skeleton
trailer.
I really enjoyed and appreciated "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra". Check it out and ENJOY.

Rating:
Summary: Sorry about the confusion
Review: this is the greatest movie ever. it is the b movie to end all b movies. YAY

Rating:
Summary: Best Homage to B-Movies Ever
Review: This movie was just plain fun on so many levels. The bad dialog, the over acted acting, cheesy effects. Some might think of it as an ordinary b-movie but it's a clever homage to them. It plays it straight and never let's on that it doesn't take itself seriously. It will have your eyes watering and sides hurting from laughing so hard. And since it was made for $40,000 it shows it's just more than an homage. It shows you don't have to have a giantic budget to make an entertaining film today! I can't wait to get this one on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Try to imagine making a film like the old, cheesy 50's sci-fi monster movies. Piling on every stereotype imaginable. Finding all those overused locations.

Now imagine it with all the heart and affection that many of those low-budget films had, and you've got the idea of the "Lost Skeleton of Cadavra."

There are times, when watching this, I forgot I was watching something made in the 21st century. It's more homage than parody, though there are a few moments that seem to be just for laughs (and, which I feel were needless). Overall, it's a brilliant dedication to those not-quite good films that were so great.

But that's not all. The DVD has an animated short (why not a cartoon before the film), bloopers, commentary tracks, and more. With such an original and fun creation, and such a price, it's a must-have for fans of old films, bad films, and the truly odd.