Welcome, Litter mates. Did you know there is a theory that all cats hate water? However, that is a misnomer: cats can either love it or hate it. Just like us. According to Dr. Katy Nelson, a Senior Veterinary Relations Manager for Chewy Health, as well as an associate veterinarian at the Belle Haven Animal Medical Centre in Alexandria, VA, and medical advisor for petMD,
“Rather than completely hating water, cats may simply dislike the loss of control that comes with getting wet. When it’s their idea, they’re probably a pretty big fan of it,” Dr. Nelson says. “But if you’re looking for somebody to go swimming with you, get a Lab.”
This “hatred” of water is really a fear, and that fear has a name: it’s called Aquaphobia! Now, that fear of water isn’t limited to just the ocean, it’s all bodies of water.
So, with that in mind and Halloween not being that far away, here are three cinematic choices that explore the watery depths of a lagoon, a lake, a swamp, and the creatures that live just below the surface!
Clawing monster from a lost age strikes from the Amazon’s forbidden depths!
This is another Universal Studios classic monster film from 1954. It’s directed by Jack Arnold and written by Harry Essex, Arthur A. Ross, and Maurice Zimm. The film stars Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, and Richard Denning.
Plot
A scientific expedition searching for fossils along the Amazon River discovers a prehistoric Gill-Man in the legendary Black Lagoon. The explorers capture the mysterious creature, but it breaks free. The Gill-Man returns to kidnap the lovely Kay, the fiancée of one in the expedition, with whom the monster has fallen in love.
Unlike other sci-fi flicks from the 1950s, Creature From The Black Lagoon is not a campy film. It is just as dramatic as the rest of the universal monster films. Just by the title, we know there’s a monster lurking about. Yet, for the film’s first 24 minutes, we don’t see it, only one of its claws; it heightens the tension and suspense. In addition, the film’s B&W cinematography is good for its time, with many credible underwater shots.
One of these shots is my favorite. It’s when the beautiful Kay decides she wants to swim, and Gill-man follows her stroke for stroke. It’s quite creepy and yet beautiful to watch. I highly recommend it for your spooky viewing pleasure.
A monster will rise…
From a lagoon in the Amazon to a lake in Taiwan, the second on our spooky watchlist was made in 2002 and called The Lake. This film was made in Taiwan and was directed and written by Lee Thongkham. It stars Chakrit Boonkeaw, Naiyana Bumee, and Wanmai Chatborirak.
Plot
A gigantic and bloodthirsty monster emerges from a lake after its egg is stolen and unleashes its fury on a town’s inhabitants, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake. The town of Bueng Kan, now cut off from the outside world, must mobilize its officials and citizens, as well as a group of scientists who are in town conducting research, to catch this predator before it’s too late.
The creature was animatronic and had some CGI. You never get a clear visual of what the creature looks like. There are only flashes of the creature’s size, as it was grabbing and dragging people away. From what I could see, however, it reminded me of Godzilla (1998). Just as in the previous recommendation, the way the images were strung together as well as most of it being shot in the dark during a torrential rainstorm added to the tension of the film. The emotional impact of what the characters go through in this fishing town as they watch the creature demolish everything in its path to get to its offspring was something I wasn’t expecting. My favorite scene is when the lead detective’s daughter is in the car with a lost little girl while the creature is looking for its offspring. It’s like straight out of Jurassic Park!
The version I watched had English subtitles, and from what I found in a Google search, that is the best way to watch this film. Don’t worry; there’s not much dialogue to follow, and the subtitles are in large print, so it’s easy to read. This is one of those rare gems that should be added to any watchlist, especially if you like large monsters and destruction.
He’s got a grudge ‘cos they turned him to sludge!
From DC Comics to live-action romantic campy comedy comes The Return of Swamp Thing! It was directed by Jim Wynorski and written by Neil Cuthbert, Grant Morris, and Len Wein. It stars Dick Durock, Heather Locklear, and Louis Jourdan.
Plot
The Swamp Thing returns to battle the evil Dr. Arcane, who has a new science lab full of creatures transformed by a genetic mutation and chooses Abby Arcane Dr. Arcane’s daughter, as his new object of affection.
This sequel takes place seven years after the first film in 1982, which was written and directed by Wes Craven. The story is very tongue-in-cheek, and the performances are rather self-knowing. Louis Jourdan returns as Dr. Arcane and makes a fantastic charming villain, but my favorite characters are two boys named Omar and Darryl, who live in a trailer park close to the swamp. Their screen time together overall is very short; the two young actors make quite a comedic duo.
Wynorski doesn’t hold back as he eccentrically seems to pile on the set- pieces and effects with very little story holding it together, but he sure does make it feel like a live-action comic strip with some imaginative bang-up action and good use of the atmospheric swamp terrain. This is one of those films that brings me back to my childhood! Certainly worth adding to your spooky watchlist!
Well, kittens that bring this cinema selection to an end for this topic. I wouldn’t go swimming in any unfamiliar places and be sure to check your bathtub before you take your bubble bath tonight…
If you enjoyed this topic, you might like The Scaredy-Cat Club Presents: 3 Movies With Monstrous Mashups!
