LATE PHASES (2014)
I meant to catch this flick upon its release. For reasons unknown, I'm only seeing it now. Let me recommend the hell out of it before I go any further. It's a clever, point-blank cross-pollination of Silver Bullet and Bubba Ho-Tep. Why Bubba? Because our setting is a retirement community, and most of the characters are senior citizens (though I concede that none of them believe themselves to be rock stars). The main dude is a blind man played - incredibly well, mind you - by Nick Damici. He has an acerbic personality, which makes it easier to be in his corner. Within the first twenty minutes, his neighbor is mauled by a hulking werewolf. The fact that we don't see the beast again until the finale is actually a stroke of brilliance. The film is forced to rely on the strength of its plot. I'm not used to watching movies with, y'know, plots, so Late Phases was a breath of fresh air.
I sincerely hope the casting agent was paid handsomely. Everyone is dialed in, and that includes...Tina Louise? Yes, Ginger is given a supporting role, as is Tom Noonan. Again, the acting is nuanced from all involved. The werewolves are not "the point," but it has to be said that the creature suits are glorious. I'm sitting here trying to decide if there was anything I didn't like about Late Phases. I mean, I don't like that it's somewhat obscure. This is easily one of the best werewolf movies of the 2010's, maybe the best overall since Ginger Snaps. Why wasn't Tina Louise in Ginger Snaps? I digress. The non-lycanthrope drama is written with panache. Ironically, it's just as affecting as the tender moments of Bubba Ho-Tep. Check out Late Phases pronto. Recommended to fans of 1994's Wolf and calcium-rich diets.
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