The Howling
Dir: Joe Dante
1981
****
The Howling , specifically with Rob Bottin's contribution, was cutting edge horror when it came out. Rick Baker was originally hired to produce the effects but handed the reigns to Bottin to work on An American Werewolf in London instead. The similarities between the two film, specifically the transformation scenes, is fascinating and audiences have been split down the middle since in deciding which film is best. Personally I prefer An American Werewolf in London as the acting is better and the effects still look fresh while I feel the special effects in The Howling look a bit dated. It's not my favorite Werewolf film and there were much better horror films released at the same time, the infamous and brilliant Evil Dead being one. However, it is a classic horror film that is impossible to dislike because it does no wrong. Patrick Macnee is great as always as is the rest of the cast and I pretty much love every film the great Dick Miller has ever been in. Give me these special effects over CGI any day of the week.