{"id":20,"date":"2006-03-04T14:47:47","date_gmt":"2006-03-04T21:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=20"},"modified":"2021-03-22T09:40:21","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T16:40:21","slug":"howling-the-1981","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=20","title":{"rendered":"Howling, The (1981)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;You can&#8217;t tame what&#8217;s meant to be wild, doc. It just ain&#8217;t natural.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Poster-196x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-65875\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Poster-196x300.png 196w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Poster-668x1024.png 668w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Poster-83x128.png 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Poster-176x270.png 176w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Poster.png 693w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAfter being attacked by a brutal, mysterious killer, anchorwoman Karen White (Dee Wallace) attends a retreat called &#8220;The Colony&#8221;, which she soon discovers is a haven for werewolves.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dick Miller Films<\/li>\n<li>Horror<\/li>\n<li>Joe Dante Films<\/li>\n<li>John Carradine Films<\/li>\n<li>Journalists<\/li>\n<li>Werewolves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review:  <\/strong><br \/>\nAs Peary notes, the first half of Joe Dante&#8217;s &#8220;horror film\/horror parody&#8221; about a therapeutic retreat for werewolves is &#8220;hip-funny, well acted, stylish, and scary&#8221;. Dee Wallace is a compelling protagonist, and we wish her well she seeks some much-needed respite after suffering &#8220;trauma from her experience&#8221; meeting &#8220;a brutal killer in a booth in a sex shop&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace-1024x552.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"345\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-65877\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace-1024x552.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace-768x414.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace-1536x828.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace-501x270.png 501w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace.png 1831w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But, as Peary laments, the second half of the film devolves into a chaotic mess of killings, as characters improbably stand around waiting while the werewolf transformations take place (most likely to show off the impressive special effects):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-65885\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around-1536x862.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around-481x270.png 481w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Stand-Around.png 1769w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and &#8220;something bad happens to every character we like&#8221;. Ultimately, this movie is for werewolf-flick fans only. Watch for Dick Miller in a small bit as a bookstore owner. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets-1024x551.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"344\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-65881\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets-1024x551.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets-768x413.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets-1536x827.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets-502x270.png 502w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Sets.png 1837w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dee Wallace as Karen White<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2-1024x549.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"343\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-65879\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2-1024x549.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2-300x161.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2-768x411.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2-1536x823.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2-504x270.png 504w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Wallace2.png 1831w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography-1024x557.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"348\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-65882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography-1024x557.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography-768x417.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography-1536x835.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography-497x270.png 497w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Cinematography.png 1823w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Impressive special effects<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects-1024x548.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"343\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-65880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects-1024x548.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects-300x161.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects-768x411.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects-1536x822.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects-504x270.png 504w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/03\/Howling-Special-Effects.png 1829w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See?<\/strong><br \/>\nNo. This film is most likely included in Peary&#8217;s book because of its historical relevance, but is no longer must-see viewing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0082533\/\">IMDb entry<\/a> <\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s944howl.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/the-howling-1981\">Roger Ebert&#8217;s Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t tame what&#8217;s meant to be wild, doc. It just ain&#8217;t natural.&#8221; Synopsis: After being attacked by a brutal, mysterious killer, anchorwoman Karen White (Dee Wallace) attends a retreat called &#8220;The Colony&#8221;, which she soon discovers is a haven for werewolves. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Dick Miller Films Horror Joe Dante Films John Carradine Films Journalists Werewolves Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: As Peary notes, the first half of Joe Dante&#8217;s &#8220;horror film\/horror parody&#8221; about a therapeutic retreat for&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=20\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70780,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20\/revisions\/70780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}