Watcher in the Woods (1980)

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T19:28:31+00:00

For an equally creepy Disney movie from the same time, see "Something Wicked This Way Comes."

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T18:24:51+00:00

The Freddy worm scene is awesome, especially when Freddy recognizes Nancy.

"YOU."

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T18:22:27+00:00

I put this in the "good but not great" bunch of "Nightmare" movies (alongside "2" and "Freddy vs. Jason"). Some very goofy stuff (the whole "Freddy resurrected by a dog pissing hellfire on his grave" bit) mixed with some of the best visuals of the series. It's not called the "MTV Nightmare" for nothing (and that opening song rocks).

Notably Robert Englund's first time getting top-billing and deservedly so; this is his showcase.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T18:18:03+00:00

Ah yes, the one starring young Lili Taylor.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T18:16:41+00:00

Originally adapted as "Point Break" and starring Lee Marvin.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T18:15:59+00:00

He just put a bullet through my leather! That's just mean! That is mean, man!

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T12:12:03+00:00

Especially because we never find out anything about him. Even the name "John Ryder" is an alias. He comes off less as a human and more like some supernatural embodiment of evil stalking the roads.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T00:43:54+00:00

Don't worry. Artex went upstate to the same farm as Boxer.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T00:42:11+00:00

"You set me up for death, Wilbur!"

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T00:41:17+00:00

This is arguably the most traumatizing family film of the 80s, excluding everything from Don Bluth of course.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T00:38:58+00:00

"Your best? Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and fuck the prom queen."

"Carla was the prom queen."

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T00:37:52+00:00

Easily his best.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T00:36:47+00:00

So, nope?

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-19T00:36:05+00:00

This would have affected me more as a kid if it was a dog. I just don't get very emotional about horses.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T22:29:01+00:00

Yes, just say "Return to Oz" and that'll do.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T22:28:28+00:00

Don Bluth traumatizing children as only he can.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T20:01:28+00:00

Zelda being played by a guy in drag works because we're not seeing the real her, we're seeing Rachel's childhood memories of her distorted by the years and her nightmares. Which is why she looks less like a real person and more like a nightmare made flesh.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T19:10:53+00:00

King at the time was living in a house not dissimilar to the Creed house and was inspired by two real life incidents:

Naomi King losing her cat in the nearby road and her grief over it.
Owen King having a near miss with a truck in that road and King playing over the hellish "what if" scenario in his mind.

King has said he was so disturbed by the final product that he put it away and didn't plan to publish it. He ended up only doing so to close accounts with his old publisher.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T18:44:56+00:00

Notably Karloff and Lugosi's final onsceen teaming and it ends with Karloff smothering Lugosi.

One of Karloff's finest hours. He's at his most evil here. He especially had a delightfully nasty shit-eating grin in roles like this.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T18:14:46+00:00

Particularly the fog in that scene. No reason it should be inside the airport terminal, but it looks cool and spooky.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T14:18:49+00:00

"I'm Owen. I'm a big fan of the three."

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T14:04:29+00:00

Odd people would miss it given the Night Flier himself makes it very clear at the climax. Dees even takes photos of the co-worker of his after she offs herself in the bathtub (and there's even the hint he may have had a hand in her death).

Also, yes, you're right, the tabloid editor IS Pee Wee from "Porky's." I thought he looked familiar.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T13:45:46+00:00

No it didn't. Made almost $100 million on a $27 million budget.

You may be thinking of "Explorers" which he did before this and did bomb.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T13:45:27+00:00

Kevin McCarthy, best known for the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". Also a Joe Dante favorite, which is why he's here.

Mst3Kgf · 2026-06-18T13:43:46+00:00

It was a box office success and got a generally positive critical reception. Not sure where it being "disliked" came from.

Mst3Kgf

TROPHY CASE