My Duck Is Dead

The Curse (1987)

Genre: Sci-Fi | Horror

Country: USA | Italy | Director: David Keith

Aspect ratio: Cinemascope 2.35:1 | Length: 90mn

Bdrip H264 Mkv - 1280x720 - 23.976fps - 1.72gb

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092809/

A meteorite crashes on the farm of the severely dysfunctional Hayes family. The Hayes family are a really messed-up bunch: stern fire-and-brimstone religious zealot patriarch Nathan (essayed with eye-rolling hammy brio by Claude Akins), his smart, but unhappy foster son Zack (a likable performance by Will Wheaton), lusty, faithless, frustrated wife Frances (a deliciously histrionic Kathleen Jordon Gregory), crude, browbeating, moronic son Cyrus (a perfectly hateful Malcom Danare), and cute little daughter Alice (the adorable Amy Wheaton). 

Some gunk from the meteorite contaminates the water. Pretty soon the crops, animals and even several members of the Hayes family begin to mutate in various disgusting and disturbing ways. Zack must save Alice from his now monstrous and dangerous family. 

Director David Keith, loosely adapting H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Colour Out of Space," not only vividly evokes a thick and pungent down-home hillbilly atmosphere, but also does an expert job of creating and sustaining a spooky and unnerving tone. Moreover, Keith stages a few shock set pieces with considerable flair and skill; an attack by hostile chickens and the infamous worms-in-the-apples sequence are especially nasty and memorable. The over-the-top apocalyptic climax is a lot of wild fun as well. 

The sound acting from a sturdy cast constitutes as another major plus: Cooper Huckabee as affable, concerned doctor Alan Forbes, Steve Carlisle as smarmy real estate agent Charlie Davidson, and John Schneider as friendly water company representative Carl Willis. Roberto Forges Davanzati's sharp cinematography and Franco Micalizzi's folksy, throbbing, flavorsome countryish score are both up to speed. A good'n'gross horror romp.