This week on the B movie docket is Brotherhood of the Wolf
B movies are the glue stuck in between all the other genres, oftentimes refusing to conform to any particular genre presets. Some but not all of the hallmarks of a B movie include scripts that read like they were written by a room full of eighth-graders, poor visual effects, cringe-inducing dialogue, low budget production design, and zany plot contrivances. You’re aware of the hallmarks, right? B-movies often reek of amateur flair. Thought you were about to watch a great white shark hunted in dramatic fashion like only Steven Spielberg can deliver? Nope, this is Sharknado.
Why do we love B movies? I think B movies are comforting. You know what you’re about to watch is bad. If you’re fortunate it may be so bad that it’s good. You’ll often scratch your head trying to work out the plot. Out of the many good films you’ve seen, I bet you can talk with more vigor about the worst ones you’ve seen. They’re unforgettable. There’s something comforting about that I think. Besides they’ve been around just as long as the movie industry.
Believe it or not, chances are there’s a B movie for you. So I compiled a list of 50 B movies you must see before you die. No decade is off-limits. No rating is too taboo. For the next 49 weeks, I will introduce and recommend a B movie for your viewing pleasure. Yes, these are exciting times indeed my fanatical friends.
WEEK 41 – Brotherhood of the Wolf
Welcome to another week of 50 B Movies. This weeks film is the 2001 French period action horror film, Brotherhood of the Wolf. Brotherhood of the Wolf is a French period action horror film. It successfully takes apart several genres and cobbles together a werewolf film, set in France during the 1764 French Revolution, and pacts it with action. It does this all better than Josef Heiter can put together a Human Centipede.
Period Movie
The director straight up made a horror movie sets during the 1700’s. It is replete with the period fashion of wonderous clothing items like Breeches, waistcoats, and wigs. The protagonists sport some sort of bada** overcoats that would look great in a live action Gotham by Gaslight. The movie makes sure the viewer never forgets it’s set during the French Revolution. The films events are based on a series of actual killings that occurred in France during the 18th century.
RELATED: Reign of Fire | 50 B Movies To See Before You Die
The Beast of Gevaudan is the name given to a beast that claimed the lives of hundreds of victims. These attacks all occurred in France during the 1700’s. The beast was thought to be some sort of wolf dog hybrid. If you thought Reign of Fire was great, but wished it were set during the medieval period then Brotherhood of the Wolf is your type of B movie. There are great sets. There are great karate fights. And its all feels like a werewolf movie.
Horror Movie
This may not be as scary as Nightmare on Elm Street. But it does provide the level of suspense you’d get from Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. Scenes featuring the beast stalking are surprisingly thrilling. It does a good job terrorizing its victims to fear before killing them.
So, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re just in the mood for some straight up horror movie scares and laughs. But if you’re trying to scratch that B movie itch and find yourself in the mood for that one movie that you didn’t know you wanted to watch. Then trust me, this movie is the one. It may not be guilty of being a horror movie. It is however guilty of being a good time.
Action Movie
There is action in here on par with what you’d find in Jet Li’s Hero movie. We get a ton of fights inside of some spectacular sequences. Actor Mark Dacascosas Mani is amazing. The dude is a legend. So, seeing him violently dispatching bad guys will bring you joy. He was also in John Wick 3, but as a bad guy.
100% B Movie
Brotherhood of the Wolf is a well-executed B movie, period piece with karate. Granted there are no cheesy effects. The secret to the story centers around an imported beast from another land. It is killing people brutally. On top of that are the conflict between the protagonist and the villain secretly controlling the beast. They use martial arts to fight. They also generally behave a bit like characters from Metal Gear Solid 2. Imagine a restrained Hideo Kojima directing a French period action horror film. Watch Brotherhood of the Wolf.
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