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Information Exchange => Reader Comments => Topic started by: Andrew on November 16, 2008, 10:25:14 AM



Title: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Andrew on November 16, 2008, 10:25:14 AM
This is an attempt to make fun of old science fiction b-movies.  They are trying to parody something being cheap and stupid, that everyone already recognizes as being cheap and stupid, by being cheap and stupid.

Click here to go to the Review (http://www.badmovies.org/movies/lostskeleton/)


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Jordan on November 16, 2008, 01:47:21 PM
Thank the Gods! I thought I was the only person who had seen "Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" and disliked it. Thank you Andrew; I now know that I am not alone in the world.

I agree 100% that the dialog was horrendous. (I find it hard to believe there was a script for this film. It all seems more like an awful 90-minute attempt to adlib.) It was funny for perhaps the first five minutes of the film. After that, it was a real test of strength to keep watching. I checked out a few reviews for "Cadavra" after my first viewing and thought, "well perhaps I was mistaken." Then I watched it again (in it's entirety) and realized that no, my first impression was right on.

There are a few moments in the film where things came together nicely, but they are too few and far between. I really hope that they've improved things with the new sequel to this "homage" (i.e. cruel mockery) of classic sci-fi and monster movies.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Dogberry on November 16, 2008, 03:15:44 PM
I actually thought the parody here was funny, but it's nowhere near as clever and intelligent as the parodying done of the same types of movies by a hard to find Canadian film called Invasion (aka: Top of the Food Chain).   I'd love to see a review of that here.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159797/


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Greenhornet on November 16, 2008, 08:55:42 PM
Dr. Fleming: "Won't you please be seated, my dear?"
Animala: "Rowwwwr."
Dr. Fleming: "May I say, you look lovely this evening."
Animala: "Rowr!"


Did this woman NEVER hear a cat in her entire life? :question:


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Jim on November 17, 2008, 04:34:20 AM
C'mon. "I sleep now." That was funny. Row-er.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Drockius on November 17, 2008, 09:54:11 AM
maybe im just insane but i really liked it. its the first REAL bad sci fi movie ive seen without 2 robots sitting in front of it. which i also find hilarious but distracting if i wanted to watch the movie.

it had me laughing to tears the whole time it was just so bad lol.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: peter johnson on November 17, 2008, 12:15:47 PM
Well, as usual, Andrew's writing is spot-on, even though I don't agree with the analysis.  More proof that 2 people can hear the identical thing & have polar opposite reactions to said --

I thought the film was done with good humour & intent.  I didn't think they were being cruel or rude, just funny.  Sure, I agree that it could have been better, but I didn't find it as painful as some do.  I made up my mind before I watched it the first time that okay, this is someone doing intentional camp, something I don't usually enjoy or seek out, but let's give them a chance.  I ended up having a very good time.  As Dixie says, it's like jazz -- some people are going to love it & others will find it grating, and there's nothing to be done.  I would say a house of straw and confetti, not fish --

peter johnson/denny crane


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: DavidFullam on November 17, 2008, 12:29:11 PM
Thank God, more folks who hate this film! Glad to see I'm not alone.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Andrew on November 17, 2008, 08:19:43 PM
Thank the Gods! I thought I was the only person who had seen "Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" and disliked it. Thank you Andrew; I now know that I am not alone in the world.

maybe im just insane but i really liked it. its the first REAL bad sci fi movie ive seen without 2 robots sitting in front of it. which i also find hilarious but distracting if i wanted to watch the movie.

Well, as usual, Andrew's writing is spot-on, even though I don't agree with the analysis.  More proof that 2 people can hear the identical thing & have polar opposite reactions to said --

Thank God, more folks who hate this film! Glad to see I'm not alone.

From what I have seen, for people who watch a lot of these movies, the running tally is about 70% like it and 30% do not.  The movie just didn't find the right formula for some of us, but for some it did.  In my case, I usually hate movies that try to be too self conscious, trying to slip the audience that surreptitious wink to tell the viewer that everybody knows its a b-movie.  That held true for me here.

I still think that the dialog could have been much better.  It appears to take the easy route too often; the lines required zero thought to create.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Big Galloot on November 17, 2008, 10:11:27 PM
Frankly, I thought the movie was hilarious. Part of that might be my familiarity with the movies being parodied. As an example, if you get a chance to see the Giant Claw, a truly bad movie, you will see the police officer character that Ranger Brad was modeled after. If you didn't see the Giant Claw, you can't get the joke or appreciate how thoroughly the actor nailed the part.

BTW - Animala was played by the wife of  director/lead/writer Larry Blamire, the lucky bastard!


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Torgo on November 17, 2008, 11:23:35 PM
I really liked The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. It's an extremely quotable movie. In fact, one of my friends went dressed as Ranger Brad this past Halloween.

"Noises......IN THE WOODS?!"   :teddyr:   


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Mofo Rising on November 18, 2008, 12:23:45 AM
Well according to IMDb, there is a sequel that has been completed but not yet released.

I have this in my Netflix queue, almost solely for the fact that it has Fay Masterson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0557739/) in it. She's a not well-known actress I find attractive and has for some reason stuck with me for years, despite the fact that most of the movies she's in don't look very good.

I know, don't even get me started on my Megan Ward (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0911725/) addiction.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Happenstance on November 18, 2008, 04:43:17 AM
I laughed well at this, but yes, they missed the point: bad movies aren't funny because they're bad; they're funny because they think they're f***ing Shakespeare.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Andrew on November 18, 2008, 09:10:32 AM
Frankly, I thought the movie was hilarious. Part of that might be my familiarity with the movies being parodied. As an example, if you get a chance to see the Giant Claw, a truly bad movie, you will see the police officer character that Ranger Brad was modeled after. If you didn't see the Giant Claw, you can't get the joke or appreciate how thoroughly the actor nailed the part.


I'd say that I am extremely well acquainted with the kinds of films they were parodying, but it still did not work for me.  I am also very familiar with The Giant Claw (http://www.badmovies.org/movies/giantclaw/) and do not see the link between Ranger Brad and the Canadian Policeman.  Was there an interview with Larry Blamire describing where he drew inspiration for certain characters?  Ranger Brad seems more like the forest ranger, police officer, or caretaker who stops in to visit the main characters, warns them about strange happenings in the area or asks about a missing person or abandoned car, and then sometimes goes on to become the monster's snack.

I have this in my Netflix queue, almost solely for the fact that it has Fay Masterson ([url]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0557739/[/url]) in it. She's a not well-known actress I find attractive and has for some reason stuck with me for years, despite the fact that most of the movies she's in don't look very good.


I also found her in attractive in this, but other photos of her didn't seem to carry the same weight.  Perhaps she just naturally looks good in B&W.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: scott floyd on November 18, 2008, 09:52:59 AM
i must protest. I love this movie from start to finish. This has become one of my very favorites. How can anyone watch this and not laugh until their sides burst?

oh well...............


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: BigPaulieVirgo on November 18, 2008, 12:22:29 PM
Andrew/Fellow Badmovie'ers:

As a scientist who has scientifically studied atmospherium in THE most scientific way possible....ROWR! (Animala, get down off that ottoman--what--oooh, don't you DARE scratch that lamp, young lady--er--cat--er--whatever)...

Okay..that hurt (Andrew take two Tylenol). I did enjoy the movie--and I wasn't sure about
it when I first saw a review of it in 2004(critic loved it, but you know art-house critics)

Blamire and company are already coming out with the sequel, 'The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra Returns!'. As well, they've done another sci-fi parody, "Trail of the Screaming
Forehead"--the part where Fay Masterson asks a colleague critic if he would think of her
theory if 'that man were a woman'. You can check out some scenes on YouTube. Plus,
they (Blamire/crew) have put out 'Tales From the Pub'. Here are hits/misses, but they
do elicit a chuckle. So Andrew, buy some industrial strength Tylenol, load up on MRE's, and prepare yourself for when 'The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra Returns', returns!

BTW, does anyone know where I can get 'Trail of the Screaming Forehead'?  :question:


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Ed, Ego and Superego on November 18, 2008, 06:21:16 PM
I have to weigh in with my miniscule moral mass... I liked this movie and lumped it into the "Tribute" category over "Mocking".  I'm not the movie master that Andrew or many other folks are, but I do love "rubber suit" monster films, and enjoyed the over-the topness of this.  High Art no.  Fun parody, yes. 

-Ed


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Robert on November 18, 2008, 09:07:07 PM
I would have to side with Andrew on this one; there is something that is just "off" in this parody. Maybe it is the fact that the filmmakers tried to get too many different b-movies into one story. I mean you have aliens, cat women on the moon, a re-animated skeleton, and a rampaging monster. old b movies were linear and did not try to complicate things. Here in lies the problem with this "homage."


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Maskdt on November 18, 2008, 11:30:52 PM
Personally, I liked this movie, but I can see where you're coming from, and I respect your opinion.
I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Rick on November 20, 2008, 02:54:59 PM
Usually, I enjoy your reviews, but this one is just sad.  The overt humor in Cadavra is very much "Pythonesque" dedicated to being silly about a very silly subject.  Perhaps, you should stick to reviewing movies that are not deliberately "bad," as you seem to have a very limited sense of humor.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Rev. Powell on November 20, 2008, 03:25:00 PM
Usually, I enjoy your reviews, but this one is just sad.  The overt humor in Cadavra is very much "Pythonesque" dedicated to being silly about a very silly subject.  Perhaps, you should stick to reviewing movies that are not deliberately "bad," as you seem to have a very limited sense of humor.

Usually, I enjoy your comments, but this one is just sad.  The overt humor in Andrew's review is very much "Twainesque" dedicated to being insightful about a very silly subject.  Perhaps, you should stick to making comments that are deliberately bad, as you seem to have a very limited tolerance for opposing viewpoints.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Andrew on November 20, 2008, 11:29:50 PM
Usually, I enjoy your reviews, but this one is just sad.  The overt humor in Cadavra is very much "Pythonesque" dedicated to being silly about a very silly subject.  Perhaps, you should stick to reviewing movies that are not deliberately "bad," as you seem to have a very limited sense of humor.


Rev Powell already pointed out that it appears the reason you did not like the review was that my opinion was different than your own.  I think that I said much about the split of b-movie fans liking/not liking this film earlier in the thread:

http://www.badmovies.org/forum/index.php/topic,122010.msg227283.html#msg227283

I would have to side with Andrew on this one; there is something that is just "off" in this parody. Maybe it is the fact that the filmmakers tried to get too many different b-movies into one story. I mean you have aliens, cat women on the moon, a re-animated skeleton, and a rampaging monster. old b movies were linear and did not try to complicate things. Here in lies the problem with this "homage."


I really think that the problem is that the dialog needed more polishing.  I am completely serious when I say that it seemed very little effort was put into much of it, and that appears to be accepted because it is a parody.  It is parodying cheap and stupid by being cheap and stupid.  I appreciate parody when it is smarter than its subject; when it understands the target - perhaps better than the target understands itself.

Someone else mentioned that the lines in "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" seemed like they were ad libbed.  When we watched it the first time I stopped the film and just ad libbed lines that were at least equal in quality to what was being said on the screen.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Nukie 2 on November 20, 2008, 11:57:18 PM
I just think you can't parody something that is unintentionally funny.

You can sequel a movie that was unintentionally funny with a comedy, like Basket Case. Or you can have a b-monster/ comedy like The Toxic Avenger. That's my two cents.

I wonder how they're going to follow up TLSC without everyone cringing. It'd be the same joke.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Trevor on November 21, 2008, 03:59:51 AM
"Squirrels are hilarious" .....don't let Odinn7 see that.  :smile:

Thanks for the review, Andrew ~ I will actually look out for this locally because if the film is as bad as you say it is, I will watch it.

Just FYI: that skeleton looks as though it knows something I don't. Why is it grinning like that?  :buggedout:

Mofo's comment about Fay Masterson reminded me of when that actress came to South Africa to make Jock Of The Bushveld in 1992. She was really not used to the conditions and whined to the director (and to all that would listen): "Oh, it's so dusty here, I'm going to lay bricks when I go to the loo."  :buggedout:


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Blacklight on November 21, 2008, 02:22:11 PM
I laughed my butt off every time Dr. Armstrong said the word "Science" ! :bouncegiggle:


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Racist Melon Farmer on November 21, 2008, 03:08:38 PM
Hey, that'd make a great drinking game, wouldn't it? Take a shot or a chug everytime someone says "science"!  :cheers:

Maybe that's how you make this movie bearable to watch.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Big Galloot on November 23, 2008, 12:54:34 PM
To Andrew -

I'm a bit surprised that you weren't struck by the similarity between Ranger Brad and the Canadian Cop. I actually showed that piece of the Giant Claw to a female friend and fellow Lost Skeleton fan and asked "Who is this?" "OMG - It's Ranger Brad!! That's hilarious!" Was the reply, so I am not alone in this.

I guess that Ranger Brad is in the eye of the beholder.



Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Mofo Rising on November 23, 2008, 09:05:43 PM
Mofo's comment about Fay Masterson reminded me of when that actress came to South Africa to make Jock Of The Bushveld in 1992. She was really not used to the conditions and whined to the director (and to all that would listen): "Oh, it's so dusty here, I'm going to lay bricks when I go to the loo."  :buggedout:

And yet she also filmed The Power of One that same year. It's alright, a little fiber does the body good.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Ricky Sanchez on November 24, 2008, 02:05:30 AM
I was so happy to read this review and no that other people didn't like this movie. I thought it was a dreadful bore!


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Trevor on November 24, 2008, 08:25:26 AM
Mofo's comment about Fay Masterson reminded me of when that actress came to South Africa to make Jock Of The Bushveld in 1992. She was really not used to the conditions and whined to the director (and to all that would listen): "Oh, it's so dusty here, I'm going to lay bricks when I go to the loo."  :buggedout:

Quote
And yet she also filmed The Power of One that same year. It's alright, a little fiber does the body good.

:teddyr: :bouncegiggle:


Yikes: John G Avildsen's anti-South African statement ~ I'd forgotten about that one.  :buggedout: :buggedout:


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: GilbeeFromMagoombo on December 12, 2008, 10:42:26 PM
Greetings from Magoombo! First off let me start by stating that I am wholly aware of the fact that people have differences of opinion and taste. That said, I think you, sir, must have the sense of humor of a gnat. Your review of The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra couldn't have been more off the mark. I have been a slightly rabid fan of this film since I first picked it up from my local video store's "bargain bin". Apparently, some other knuckle-headed fool shared your views on this masterpiece of cinema. I had heard of the film during it's theatrical run, but for some reason or another never got around to seeing it. Part of me was wary of this type of film. I agree with you on that, I generally stay away from "spoofs" altogether. They just don't agree with me whatsoever (gas,bloating,nausea,crying fits,etc). Yet, Hollywood still seems to find the Time and Money to crank out these monstrosities at an alarming rate. So, I popped this thing in my dvd player expecting a bad reaction, but boy was I surprised. It was a treat from start to finish. I loved it, my family loved it, the mailman even loved it. I thought that the "spoofing" was done with a lot of respect and love for those old films, and in no way did I feel my intelligence was being insulted. I could tell the film's creator was a true lover of bad cinema and thought he did an excellent job. I feel the film is laughing right along with the b-movie spirit, not at it. It Troubles and Saddens me to think that anyone would feel the way you do about this, sure to be classic, gem. Oh well, to each his own, as Rick James would say. Anyways, I'm glad to see the film reviewed on your site, which I am new to, and will enjoy visiting in the future.  


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: GilbyFromMagoombo on December 12, 2008, 11:01:22 PM
I would just like to say that me and GilbeeFromMagoombo are not the same person. He is my evil twin (or am I the evil one? Hmm...my memory isn't what it used to be.) I do, however agree with everything he posted in his comment. Except for that thing about Rick James, I'm not so sure if that's accurate.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Cavey2000 on January 27, 2009, 08:41:54 AM
So what does a bad review on "BadMovies.org" mean?  Does that make it a good movie?  I'm so confused.

For the record, I liked it.




Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: ScoRho on February 17, 2009, 11:08:17 PM
It's probably my second favorite movie ever, behind The Third Man, and one of the most quotable movies ever. I can't get enough of the brilliantly bad dialog.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Austin on December 04, 2009, 12:29:15 AM
I've discovered first hand that this movie is not for everyone, including B movie fans.  I bored the hell out of a couple I'm friends with one evening, and we tend to like a lot of the same kind of movies.

I absolutely loved it, though.  I would have such a hard time delivering some of the lines in a complete deadpan.  I enjoyed the dialogue - it was just the right amount of cheese to let you know this was a parody of something that was already bad.  The "special effects" looked like something a creative kid would put together (am I crazy, or is the 'transmorphing ray' a caulk gun with a coffee cup on it?), and the acting, for what it is, was pretty good, considering they were trying to act like complete hams on purpose.

There's nothing I didn't like about this movie, but I can understand why some wouldn't enjoy it.

Bonus:  Watch the behind the scenes stuff on the dvd - it's obvious they had a blast filming this movie.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Ed, Ego and Superego on December 04, 2009, 01:39:58 PM
Funny, Just this morning I looked up some quotes from this.  I'm a fan.
-Ed


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Bonesey on March 05, 2010, 11:42:25 PM
"They knew what to parody, but could not quite figure how, so they went overboard. They could have used the same story, but written the script to be completely serious, and I might well have loved it. "

Andrew nailed it with the above quote. It's exactly how I feel about the movie.

Personally I stopped watching it at the 50 minute mark as I was so bored and knew the film wasn't going to do anything differently. I completely agree that if it had been re-written as being far more serious and had more dead pan delivery of some good lines it could have been an amusing film. As it is, it is really boring and over the top. The few little chuckles did not make it worth watching.

All in all a p**s weak movie.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: Midnight on July 06, 2010, 01:03:23 AM
The charm of this movie--at leat for me--is the affection these people obviously have for the 50's sci-fi films, and that they made it a FARCE, not  just a comedy or satire.  The overblown dialog, the flamboyant acting, the hide-and-seek are all classic farcical elements.

Farce isn't for everyone; no genre is.  But give me something like Cadavra, which recognizes and  tries to pay homage to its predecessors, over something deathly serious like Carpenter's "Thing", which pretends that past films never existed.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: ralphyralph on March 29, 2011, 04:15:38 PM
This movie was FUNNY!


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: CalrissianFoxxSteele on November 13, 2011, 10:15:09 PM
I don't get the severe dislike of this movie.
I honestly don't.
It's not to be taken seriously, and that is EXTREMELY obvious.
Yes, it is very dry humor...but when you have seen many movies like this and have the right sense of humor about it. It's an underground classic.
I understand why people don't get it, and don't find it funny.
But to think this bad about it is ridiculous, it is supposed to be.
I tell this to people who think a show like 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' is "stupid"...
"Well maybe you are the stupid one."


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: alandhopewell on November 14, 2011, 02:15:31 PM
     LSOC was a much better film than this....

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Alien_Trespass.jpg)

     Which wasn't even amusing.


Title: Re: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Post by: tracy on December 01, 2011, 01:40:17 PM
I enjoy every strange moment of this film...as a lover of bad cinema this one is a gem. :thumbup: