The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

[Andrew]

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

[Jordan]

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.

[Dogberry]

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/

[Greenhornet]

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?

[Jim]

C'mon. "I sleep now." That was funny. Row-er.

[Drockius]

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.

[peter johnson]

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

[DavidFullam]

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

[Andrew]

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.

[Big Galloot]

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!

[Torgo]

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?!"      

[Mofo Rising]

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 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 addiction.

[Happenstance]

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.

[Andrew]

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 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 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.

[scott floyd]

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...............