The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), Smile (2022) & I Am Legend (2007) Reviews

Three horror movies for today! One a rewatch that I really like. And one that was disappointing, although it wasn’t bad. Plus a cult classic…

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Directed by Robert Fuest

Starring: Vincent Price, Joseph Cotten, Peter Jeffrey, Virginia North

Plot Synopsis: (via IMDb)
Doctor, scientist, organist, and biblical scholar Anton Phibes seeks revenge on the nine doctors he considers responsible for the death of his wife.

My Opinion:

This was interesting. Liked its style & its whole pre-Phantom Of The Paradise vibe (that movie rules).

Shamefully, I have very little Vincent Price experience beyond Edward Scissorhands, House On Haunted Hill and of course Michael Jackson’s Thriller. He was entertaining here with his campy “face acting” and his always cool sounding voiceover. The movie was good, cheesy fun (which is what it was going for, right?). The idea was fantastic with Phibes seeking revenge for his wife’s death & basing his murders on “the Ten Plagues of Egypt from the Old Testament”. That’s some great Seven-type stuff going on there. Then it had a crazy Saw-type ending, which was brilliant (and far better than those disgusting films). This movie has clearly inspired many other horror films since.

This film didn’t quite live up to the potential of its amazing plot synopsis or to its super cool poster on Letterboxd. I feel like it’s probably one where people appreciate their memory of it, as it has some very iconic scenes. In all honesty, Phantom Of The Paradise is the same way for me. Neither film is perfect but they sure are stylish. And that’s something I always appreciate even more than plot, acting, etc, which is why Phantom Of The Paradise went way up in my estimation upon reflection. This may do the same. I can certainly see why it’s a cult classic.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Smile (2022)

Directed & Written by Parker Finn

Based on Laura Hasn’t Slept by Parker Finn

Starring: Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Kal Penn, Rob Morgan

Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
The film stars Sosie Bacon as a therapist named Rose Cotter, who, after witnessing the bizarre suicide of a patient, goes through increasingly disturbing and daunting experiences, leading her to believe what she is experiencing is supernatural.

My Opinion:

Was really looking toward to this one as I liked the creepy trailer & images plus I’d seen it compared to It Follows, which I loved. Was very disappointed. 

Do like the story idea which, yes, is very similar to It Follows. And the smiling faces were creepy as hell but only the first girl really pulled it off without looking a bit dumb (probably why she’s on the poster). Did think Sosie Bacon did very well as a stereotypical “everyone thinks this person is fucking crazy” horror movie victim slowly being driven mad. I don’t know – All the elements are there that I tend to love in supernatural horror films. This one just didn’t quite work for me and I’m not sure why.

Didn’t realise until after that this is yet another one that was a short film first and I find those often feel too stretched out when made into a feature length film. I do think pacing was a bit of an issue. And I didn’t really care about any of the characters. Also thought the ending looked a bit too silly, although I’ve seen far dumber things in horror so I guess I can forgive that. Think I just really wanted to like this one. But it was just okay.

My Rating: 6.5/10

I Am Legend (2007)

Directed by Francis Lawrence

Based on I Am Legend by Richard Matheson & The Omega Man by John William Corrington & Joyce H. Corrington

Starring: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Dash Mihok

Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
Loosely based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson, the film is set in New York City after a virus, which was originally created to cure cancer, has wiped out most of mankind, leaving Neville as the last human in New York, other than nocturnal mutants. Neville is immune to the virus, and he works to develop a cure while defending himself against the hostile mutants.

My Opinion:

Have always liked this one a lot. Probably my favorite Will Smith movie. I love that dog so much! 😦 😦 😦 😦

Reviews on Letterboxd seem a bit harsh, though. Maybe helps that I’m not familiar with the Richard Matheson novel & am not really bothered by dodgy special effects. I just love post-apocalyptic films. And that dog. And Bob Marley. And loneliness.

My Rating: 8/10