Dad's Genre Lists

Fangs & Fur

This creepy list features unnatural creatures who feast on human prey...

and pass on their dreadful curses.

But it's really about the bite, isn't it? Those razor sharp teeth, the piercing eyes.

Yikes. Think I'll just stay home tonight!

1. An American Werewolf in London
2. Bram Stoker's Dracula
3. Fright Night
4. The Wolf Man
5. Horror of Dracula
6. Dog Soldiers
7. Underworld
8. Near Dark
9. The Howling
10. Cat People
11. The Lost Boys
12. Salem's Lot
13. Dracula
14. The Wolfman
15. From Dusk 'Till Down
16. What We Do in the Shadows
17. The Company of Wolves
18. The Wolf of Snow Hollow
19. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man
20. Nosferatu

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine, Brian Glover, David Schofield, Frank Oz

"On the moors, we were attacked by a lycanthrope, a werewolf. I was murdered, an unnatural death, and now I walk the earth in limbo until the werewolf's curse is lifted.” – Jack

Why watch this? Here, finally, we got a truly sympathetic AND threatening werewolf.

Dad's Review: Thanks to a superb screenplay and Rick Baker's Oscar-winning Make-up effects, American Werewolf was unlike anything we'd seen on the big screen. Naughton and Dunne perfectly portray carefree Americans. Then they stumble upon a horrific event that will curse them both. The attacks are brutal, the love story painful, the ending is almost poetic.

Starring: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E. Grant, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits

"You will, I trust, excuse me if I do not join you. But, I have already dined, and I never drink... wine." - Dracula

Why watch this? Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Dracula is singularly unique... and terrifying!

Dad's Review: Universal Studio's Dracula, starring the iconic Bela Lugosi, is certainly beloved, but I grew to love this rendition more. This is a masterpiece of film art. It’s visually stunning, using state of the art make-up and special effects, vivid imagery, lighting, shadows, and creative scene transitions. It creates a creepy mood and suffocating tone, aligned with Jonathan Harker’s descent into the clutches of the Count and his sirens.

Starring: Nastassja Kinski, John Heard, Malcolm McDowell, Annette O'Toole, Ruby Dee, Ed Begley Jr., Scott Paulin, Frankie Faison

"We are a incestuous race. We can only make love with our own, otherwise we transform. And before we can become human again, we must kill." - Irena Gallier

Why watch this? This film really is as beautiful as it is scary.

Dad's Review: I read that David Bowie created this film's soundtrack, so I gave it a chance. I'm so very glad I did. This remake of Cat People (1942) centers on individuals who are linked to cats and can transform into black panthers. They are doomed to kill mortals, because they can only inter-breed. Natassja Kinski captivates in this role that perfectly fits her naturally feline features. There are creepy atmosphere throughout, and some terrifying scenes.

Starring: Sarah Patterson, Angela Lansbury, David Warner, Graham Crowden, Brian Glover, Kathryn Pogson, Stephen Rea, Tusse Silberg, Micha Bergese

"Never stray from the path, never eat a windfall apple and never trust a man whose eyebrows meet in the middle." - Granny

Why watch this? Get ready for this graphic, scary re-envisioning of Little Red Riding Hood.

Dad's Review: Young Rosaleen dreams that she lives in a fairytale forest during the 18th century. On her way to grandmother's house she meets a handsome, uni-browed huntsman who isn't what he seems. This film has a very nightmarish feel during the dream sequences where this fairy tale gets a little hairy.

Starring: Cliffor Evans, Oliver Reed, Yvonne Romain, Catherine Feller, Anthony Dawson, Richard Wordsworth

"Father, the bullet. Pepe the watchman has a silver bullet. Get it and use it. Use it on me, father! You must use it -- do you hear? You must use it! You must!" - Leon

Why watch this? Hammer films only produced one werewolf film - this is it.

Dad's Review: In 18th century Spain, a woman is raped by a jailed beggar. She dies in childbirth, but her son, Leon, survives. He is raised by a kind couple, but they know that the boy is cursed. This revelation comes true when he transforms into a snarling werewolf. The tragic story is reasonably entertaining, but not the best Hammer horror film made. That said, Oliver Reed as the werewolf is unforgettable! It was the first werewolf movie filmed in color.

Starring: Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby, Liam Cunningham, Darren Morfitt, Chris Robson, Leslie Simpson

"We are now up against live, hostile targets. So, if Little Red Riding Hood should show up with a bazooka and a bad attitude, I expect you to chin the bitch." - Sgt. Harry Wells

Why watch this? A company of British soldiers against a bunch of werewolves. Duh!

Dad's Review: I love it when a film comes along, quietly, and makes one of my favorite genres feel new again. This film does that and more. British soldiers on a training mission in the Scottish Highlands encounter a coven of rather vicious lycanthropes. It’s frantic, exciting, and brings to life some of the most terrifying werewolves on screen to date. These canines are 7-foot tall! The actors who played them are actually professional dancers.

Starring: Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Herbert Bunston, Frances Dade

"Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make." - Dracula, regarding wolves

Why watch this? The elaborate sets and Lugosi's haunting, iconic performance.

Dad's Review: This classic film practically invented the “goth” classification. Lugosi’s role as the creepy Count spawned a slew of imitators and homages. This film’s unique, Victorian atmosphere creates a eerie 17th century Europe, where all trees are dead, and it’s forever dark and foggy. Though Lugosi would later portray several other Universal monsters, he only played Dracula once more, and that was in the comedy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).

Starring: Lon Chaney Jr., Ilona Massey, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, Maria Ouspenskaya

"I only want to die. That's why I'm here. If I ever find peace, I'll find it here." - Lawrence Talbot

Why watch this? Are you kidding me? Two great Universal monsters in one film? I am all IN!

Dad's Review:  I discovered Universal horror films at age ten. I gasped at the undead Frankenstein monster! I hid my eyes from the snarling Wolf Man! I could not wait to see this beastly battle! It did not disappoint. The tragic Larry Talbot, revived by grave robbers, seeks help by venturing to Castle Frankenstein. When he finds that the doctor died long ago, he explores the castle and finds the monster, still alive yet frozen, but almost thawed!

Starring: Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys, Roddy McDowall, Jonathan Stark, Dorothy Fielding

"You deserve to die, boy. Of course... I could give you something I don't have. A choice. Forget about me, Charley. Forget about me, and I'll forget about you. " - Jerry Dandrige

Why watch this? One of the best vampire films: scary, gross, but with a nice sense of humor.

Dad's Review: Just when it appeared that the vampire genre was completely worn out, this little gem appears. When a vampire moves in next door, a young boy, Charley, seeks the help of Peter Vincent, who portrays a vampire killer on his late night show Fright Night. The vampire, Mr. Dandrige, takes and interest in Charley's girlfriend Amy. Dandrige kidnaps her, and it's up to Charley and Vincent to fight through the vampire's human minions and drive a stake into him. The effects are amazing, as is the story. Sarandon is the best vampire since Christopher Lee.

Starring: Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Cheech Marin, Fred Williamson, Salma Hayek

"Has anybody here read a real book about vampires, or are we just remembering what a movie said? I mean a real book." - Jacob Fuller

Why watch this? It starts out as a robbery/kidnapping, then we're in a nest of Latino vampires.

Dad's Review: This film has really grown on me through the years. Director Rodriguez definitely has a lot of fun in the genre. This little coven of Mexican vampires are particularly nasty as they waylay unsuspecting travelers in their roadside bar. When two bank robbers and a kidnapped family stop in, it's all-out war. This was an early film for Clooney and helped create a edgier image for him. It's action-packed, bloody and oozingly gross.

Starring: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Michael Gough, Melissa Stribling, Carol Marsh, John Van Eyssen, Valerie Gaunt

"To liberate her soul and give her peace we must destroy that shell for all time. Believe me there is no other way." - Dr. Van Helsing

Why watch this? Christopher Lee is a great, menacing replacement for Lugosi as the Count.

Dad's Review: This is the first Hammer horror film starring Christopher Lee as the bloodthirsty Count. Opposite him is Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. The two starred in over a dozen films together. This film exudes a lot more sexuality than the 1931 film. It's brooding Victorian atmosphere and creepy setting perfectly fits the genre.

Starring: Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, Belinda Balaski, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens

"A secret society exists, and is living among all of us. They are neither people nor animals, but something in-between." – Karen White

Why watch this? It's frankly scary from start to finish!

Dad's Review: 1981 was a good year for werewolves. This movie follows a reporter as she tracks down a stalker to a place called "The Colony", which is devoted to train folks in "self-help". Of course, The Colony is really a haven for werewolves. This film is dark, scary; and damn, these werewolves are just nasty! Unlike other films, these lycanthropes are aware of their actions.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Stephen Rea, Christian Slater, Kirsten Dunst, Virginia McCollam, John McConnell, Thandiwe Newton

"Evil is a point of view. God kills indiscriminately and so shall we. For no creatures under God are as we are, none so like him as ourselves." – Lestat

Why watch this? Anne Rice's original, engrossing novel comes to life on the screen.

Dad's Review: This is the great gothic story of the notorious Lestat de Lioncourt, who turns another man, Louis de Pointe into a vampire in 1790 New Orleans. Louis in turn bites a young girl whose mother died in the plague, not truly understanding what that will mean to the girl now cursed to never die. This visually stunning period piece is loaded with emotion and eroticism.  

Starring: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Barnard Hughes, Edward Herrmann, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, Corey Feldman

"You're a vampire Michael! My own brother, a goddamn, shit-sucking vampire. You wait 'till mom finds out, buddy!." – Sam Emerson

Why watch this? This is the quintessential '80's vampire film, this coven is a hair-band.

Dad's Review: Newly divorced mom, Lucy moves her teen two sons, Michael and Sam, to Santa Carla, where her eccentric father, Grandpa, lives. It takes about a minute for Michael to fall in love with the town's only beautiful girl, Star. This ruffles David, the rather nasty leader of a gang of long-haired, biker vampires. This well-done film successfully skates the fine line between horror, and humor, as the kind-hearted Star desperately tries to save Michael sharing her same fate.

Starring: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, Tim Thomerson, Joshua Miller 

"Caleb, those people back there, they wasn't normal. Normal folks, they don't spit out bullets when you shoot 'em, no sir." - Loy Colton

Why watch this? This ultra-violent flick is one of the most Western in the vampire genre.

Dad's Review: My first thought while watching this was, "How have I not heard more about this film?" Though similar in plot to The Lost Boys, this is a lot grittier. Both films feature a bitten mortal struggling to turn into one of them. This film's coven of blood-suckers is led by Hooker, portrayed by the cool Lance Henrickson. Bill Paxton is Severen, a vicious killer who enjoys sadism. It's one flick you will love to sink your teeth into. 

Starring: Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Alexander Granach, Ruth Landshoff, Wolfgang Heinz

"I am plagued by mosquitoes. Two have just bitten me on the neck, quite close together, one on each side." - Hutter

Why watch this? It is perhaps the first vampire film made. This silent film is genuinely scary.

Dad's Review: The real estate agent Hutter is sent to Count Orlok's castle, deep in Transylvania. There he sells a house to the Count, but realizes that the strange purchaser is a vampire. Hutter is imprisoned which enables to Count to travel by ship to Wisbourg, Germany, where Hutter's beautiful wife is his next victim. Schreck's portrayal of the pallid vampire was the stuff of nightmares, especially for the superstitious Europeans of the 1920's!

Starring: David Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin, Bonnie Bedelia, Lew Ayres, Julie Cobb, Elisha Cook Jr., George Dzundza, Ed Flanders

"You'll enjoy Mr. Barlow. And he'll enjoy you." - Straker

Why watch this? This is the scariest film I ever watched on network TV. It freaked me out!

Dad's Review: Made-for-TV horror movies were usually not very good. The scariest thing on TV was Kolchak the Night Stalker. This effort exceeded everyone's expectations. Based on the Stephen King novel, we are transported to the sleepy town of Salem's Lot, Maine. An old, creepy house is purchased by a Mr. Straker, and immediately townsfolk start to disappear. Kudos ot David Soul (from TV's Starsky & Hutch) and the great James Mason, as the ghoulish Mr. Straker.

Starring: Gary Busey, Everett McGill, Corey Haim, Megan Follows, Robin Groves, Leon Russom, Terry O'Quinn

"I'm a little too old to be playing "Hardy Boys meet Reverend Werewolf"!" - Uncle Red

Why watch this? It's a great small town murder mystery where victims are getting chewed up!

Dad's Review: When the full moon rises, the tranquil village of Tarker's Mill sees an abnormal increase in murders. Logic points to a homicidal maniac, but a young handicapped boy believes the killer to be a werewolf! He recruits his sister Jane and the cantankerous Uncle Red to find and stop the lycanthrope. Hey, wait, the murders started happening right after the new preacher came to town... Hmmm. It's a lot of fun, with some jump scares and gore to boot!

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, Erwin Leder, Bill Nighy, Sophia Myles, Robbie Gee

"...you're in the middle of a war that has been raging for the better part of a thousand years. A blood feud between vampires and lycans." - Selene

Why watch this? The visuals are amazing in this modern telling of a bloody monster feud.

Dad's Review: This highly-stylized film focuses on an ongoing battle, fought unbeknownst to most people, between werewolves and vampires. Selene is a lethal vampiric Death Dealer. She discovers a young man who appears to possess characteristics of both sects. She awakens powerul vampire Viktor for counsel because she does not trust the current leader, Kraven. There is a cool look and feel to this horror-action flick. It's highly entertaining.

Starring: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, Jackie van Beek, Jason Hoyte

"Why does it matter? You bring them over, you kill them! Vampires don't do dishes!" – Deacon

Why watch this? Taika Waititi is on a roll. His films are so creative and fun, as is this one!

Dad's Review: This off-the-wall vampire comedy bit me right from the "fangy" start. Yes, the four main characters are blood-sucking fiends, but the are also roommates sharing a flat in Te Aro, New Zealand. They suffer many of the same issues all co-habitants have: a messy kitchen, noisy guests, blood all over the couch, dead bodies lying around. It's hilarious. Each vampire lived in a different time, which leads to constant cultural bickering. 

Starring: Claude Rains, Lon Chaney Jr., Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Maria Ouspenskaya, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi

"Even a man who is pure in heart, and says his prayers by night, May become a wolf when the wolf's bane blooms, and the autumn moon is bright." - Maleva, the gypsy

Why watch this? This is my favorite werewolf movie.

Dad's Review: Set in the Universal Studio monster universe, this big screen tale introduced the world to Lon Chaney Jr., the son of film legend Lon Chaney (known as the "Man of a Thousand Faces"). Lon Jr. would go on to play the Wolf Man four more times. Chaney has portrayed all four Universal monsters: Wolf Man, Dracula, Mummy, and Frankenstein's monster. This is by far his best. We feel a sense of pity for his character, a man who cannot control his wolf transformations. Only a silver bullet can end his suffering.

Starring: Jim Cummings, Riki Lindhome, Robert Forster, Chloe East, Will Madden, Annie Hamilton, Jimmy Tatro, Hannah Elder

"Teeth are consistent with a wolf, so if anybody sees that Michael J. Fox guy walking around, let me know." - Officer Julia Robson

Why watch this? It's not easy to pull off bloody murders and snarky humor. This film does.

Dad's Review: Deputy sheriff, John Marshall has anger management issues. He's also got a series of brutal murders to solve. All the evidence points to, well, a 7 ft. tall werewolf. This film is full of smart-ass comments uttered by quirky characters, all set in the chilly, backward town of Snow Hollow, Utah. It's the oddness of if that stays with you.

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Geraldine Chaplin, Art Malik, Antony Sher

"As I don't know where the lunatic will strike, it seems the practical thing to do is to stay as near as possible to the potential victims." - Dr. Aberline

Why watch this? This lycanthrope is true to Lon Chaney Jr., but a lot more lethal.

Dad's Review: After several poor monster films that attempted to recreate, and re-franchise, Universal Studio monsters, my hopes were in the dumpster for this film. I could not have been more wrong. This is a very good remake of the original Wolf Man, and it has been mightily enhanced with CGI to make it even better. An all-star cast certainly helps including del Toro, Hopkins and Blunt. The transformation scene in the asylum is absolutely thrilling!

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