Tag Archives: puppets

Oh My Horror Challenge Week 2: Puppet Master (1989)

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Puppet Master (1989)

Director (and co-writer): David Schmoeller

Cast: Paul Le Mat, William Hickey, Irene Miracle, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Robin Frates, Matt Roe, Kathryn O’Reilly, Mews Small, Barbara Crampton, David Boyd

Psychics find themselves plotted against by a former colleague, who committed suicide after discovering animated, murderous puppets. – IMDB

The Puppet Master film series is one that I’ve only recently heard about and since puppets (and not dolls) are actually fairly slim pickings as I’ve covered a few of the bigger ones, here we are watching the first film released in 1989 which goes on for another fourteen more films with the latest released in 2022. I’m not going to cover all the films consecutively this time around but its definitely peaked an interest to seek out the films gradually.

The film starts in the past as we watch a puppet maker craft his latest creation while his previous creations are animated around him and on the lookout for impending threat for his capability. This past scene acts as the introduction to set up both the story and the location of the present setting. As the group reunites together, the story does have its fun moments but the general plot is fairly predictable. Some of the spooks don’t land too well especially with the dead friend’s body moving around constantly. Even the kills feel more entertaining to watch than horrific especially since the more gruesome deaths are showed off-screen.

While the acting is a little over the top at times, there is some good elements for the character structure. They all have their own unique capabilities that we gradually learn from their actions like Dana, who we see in the opening as a fortune teller telling the fortune to a young Barbara Crampton which is a lovely cameo especially watching it now as she’s been part of many notable horror films in much more prominent roles, but at the hotel does a few more psychic things which give an idea of her abilities. However, the main character in this film is not her but the university professor who can see the future in his dreams.

The strength of The Puppet Master not surprisingly are the puppets. Not only do they expand the “villain” pool since its a group of them killing together but they all have their own abilities that make them distinctive like strength or leeches or knives. Also, their parts are stop-animated which makes it really neat and fun to watch especially since the camera likes to go into their perspective to film to keep the puppets a mystery before they are revealed. While there are definite technology differences which shows the age of the film, the sequences are well-executed. Plus, the puppets themselves have a nice mischievous personality which adds to these characters.

The Puppet Master sets a good foundation for the film. While the plot itself isn’t too exciting and at times, feels little awkward, the introduction of the puppet villains do add to the film a lot. Its not exactly a scary film, but it does hit a lot of the campy 80s horror entertainment elements. While I’m not a fan of horror films adding in the open endings suggesting something else is at work, cliffhangers and such, I was pretty satisfied with how this one chose to end which hopefully is a nice stepping stone to the next film. Fingers crossed.

*Oh My Horror Challenge 2024*

Halloween 2018 TV Binge: The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Season 1, 2018)

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Moving onto another spontaneous TV Binge. I’m starting to divert away from inital plans (as I had foresaw), however, this new Netflix series which I know nothing about before is right up my alley so I gave it a go. Plus, its pretty dark and has some bizarre creepy Halloween elements so it fit well with the half-baked Halloween marathon that I’ve been having this month.

Let’s check out The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell!

The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Season 1, 2018)

The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell

Cast: Christine McConnell, Colleen Smith, Michael Oosterom, Mick Ignis, Adam Mayfield, Dita Von Teese

Part cooking show, part sitcom in the vein of the Addams Family and the Muppet Show set inside the enchanted home of Christine McConnell, who has attracted hundreds of thousands of social media followers with her creepy edible creations. – IMDB

I watch a lot of the cooking and/or food related shows on Netflix. I haven’t heard of Christine McConnell before this show despite her Instagram fame. Now that I have that out of the way, The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell is a neat concept. She is definitely talented. Her creations are weird but detailed and definitely requires a lot of skill and artistic talent to do. The concept of using a crossover with puppets like The Muppets Show also adds a different vibe to the overall show. However, this isn’t a show for children at all. As the show moves along, it gets dark over its six episodes currently available in the first season.

With that said, I like weird but the overload of oddity and strangeness made it a little hard to find where it wanted to set its tone. I didn’t find the sitcom aspect worked for myself but it all comes down to humor being very subjective. Even with six episodes, it felt a little bit of a chore to get through. There is no doubt there is something to take away from her creations, be it a skill or two about how to assemble something with that amount of grandeur and over the top. It also has a wide variety of things to teach with some crafts and both dinner, appetizers and dessert creations. Its all about the construction which is where this falls apart a little. As pretty as it is, its not really a cooking show if I look at something and admire its craftsmanship but think to myself, for example, when will I have time to craft a chicken pastry for a chicken pot pie… With that said, the second half of the show that settles into the odd world does work better than the first half. Maybe its getting used to the humor or the tone or the characters but whatever the reason, it felt more compelling to watch with also a constrained direction for each episode which works. The 20 plus minute episode is its saving grace as it keeps things paced well.

Overall, its a hit and miss for me. I like the concept and the creativity behind each of her ideas and acknowledge the skill and appreciate being able to learn some decorating skills and craft skills, there is too much of a mixed world of weirdness that surpasses my limit. The humor sitcom part also doesn’t quite land well for myself. However, its not a long first season with 6 episodes of 20 plus minutes long which makes it a series that even if you were to try because you like the style and odd things, it won’t take up too much of your time. The creations alone (even if not a lot of people, I suppose, really has time to do about 90% of her stuff) are worth looking at, which is great because this is called The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell so it delivers on its title which is always a good thing. Plus, Christine McConnell has a fantastic wardrobe and the house its set in also is so very pretty.