"The American werewolf is back... and having a 'howl' of a bad time!"
And just in case you missed the first tag-line.
"He's not the werewolf anymore, but he's gonna wish he was!"
I love how they constantly reference to David Naughton's most iconic role on the VHS case. Hoping it's enough to pull you into something much more nightmarish. Though honestly, it couldn't be further from the truth.
The first time I saw 'The Sleeping Car', I thought it was such an odd genre film, and re-watching it was no different. I'm sort on the fence if I like it or not. But you can see why it's kind of forgotten. The daft concept seemed original enough for a midnight ghost film - A haunted couch in a railroad car converted into an living apartment, which is rented out to Naughton's thirty-something year old college student. Familiar ideas are presented in this supernatural piece, but a unique choice of setting gave it a bit of character, atmosphere and creativity. However the story wants to focus on other facets. Some not even having much bearing on the central plot, if anything, simply add to the victim fodder, or establish character relationships. It takes a good hour before delivering on its promise, to when the stakes are eventually raised.
Tonally its all over the shop. I guess a couch haunted by a ghost which uses the springs to kill people is ridiculously stupid... but during those moments it's not going for laughs in spite of the imagery. So when it came to the special effects, they're outlandish and well executed. Though most of it happens in the dark. Still the make-up fx had its gruesome moments. As for the demonic spirit (known as The Mister), he's a vicious entity with a vividly scarred face and a stickler for rules... as the landlady mentions. Her dead husband who was a former train conductor before a terrible accident. If you make a mess in his carriage, or have a good time. You'll find yourself impaled/strangled by couch springs. It's kind of jarring since the creation is dead serious, but everything around the spectre is not.
How they defeat the 'the Mister' will get you raising a eyebrow... and again it's done in sincerity even though it might get you chuckling... and it's not from the choice of dialogue.
None of the main cast seems to be taking it all that seriously, but helping this out was a script which seemed to be fishing for a laugh with every second line of dialogue. Only thing that was missing was the fake audience laughter, as it felt like something you'll get from a sitcom with its forced wisecracks, puns and little jokes. It just felt overkill, by constantly piling it on. Maybe it's meant to be awkward and lame in delivery, but it's just too much within too little space.
Surprisingly the cast had good chemistry, with a definite spark between David Naughton and Judie Aronson. A lot time spent on the banter between the two, along with Jeff Conaway's loutish third wheel university teacher. Sharing the carriage with Naughton is Kevin McCarthy's occultist neighbour. Lucky as they are going to need an exorcism when coming face to face with 'The Mister'. Anyhow McCarthy mostly looks at a lost, but do enjoy the moments he's on screen. Also making a brief appearance during the opening minutes was John Carl Buechler as the mister in human form.
And just in case you missed the first tag-line.
"He's not the werewolf anymore, but he's gonna wish he was!"
I love how they constantly reference to David Naughton's most iconic role on the VHS case. Hoping it's enough to pull you into something much more nightmarish. Though honestly, it couldn't be further from the truth.
The first time I saw 'The Sleeping Car', I thought it was such an odd genre film, and re-watching it was no different. I'm sort on the fence if I like it or not. But you can see why it's kind of forgotten. The daft concept seemed original enough for a midnight ghost film - A haunted couch in a railroad car converted into an living apartment, which is rented out to Naughton's thirty-something year old college student. Familiar ideas are presented in this supernatural piece, but a unique choice of setting gave it a bit of character, atmosphere and creativity. However the story wants to focus on other facets. Some not even having much bearing on the central plot, if anything, simply add to the victim fodder, or establish character relationships. It takes a good hour before delivering on its promise, to when the stakes are eventually raised.
Tonally its all over the shop. I guess a couch haunted by a ghost which uses the springs to kill people is ridiculously stupid... but during those moments it's not going for laughs in spite of the imagery. So when it came to the special effects, they're outlandish and well executed. Though most of it happens in the dark. Still the make-up fx had its gruesome moments. As for the demonic spirit (known as The Mister), he's a vicious entity with a vividly scarred face and a stickler for rules... as the landlady mentions. Her dead husband who was a former train conductor before a terrible accident. If you make a mess in his carriage, or have a good time. You'll find yourself impaled/strangled by couch springs. It's kind of jarring since the creation is dead serious, but everything around the spectre is not.
How they defeat the 'the Mister' will get you raising a eyebrow... and again it's done in sincerity even though it might get you chuckling... and it's not from the choice of dialogue.
None of the main cast seems to be taking it all that seriously, but helping this out was a script which seemed to be fishing for a laugh with every second line of dialogue. Only thing that was missing was the fake audience laughter, as it felt like something you'll get from a sitcom with its forced wisecracks, puns and little jokes. It just felt overkill, by constantly piling it on. Maybe it's meant to be awkward and lame in delivery, but it's just too much within too little space.
Surprisingly the cast had good chemistry, with a definite spark between David Naughton and Judie Aronson. A lot time spent on the banter between the two, along with Jeff Conaway's loutish third wheel university teacher. Sharing the carriage with Naughton is Kevin McCarthy's occultist neighbour. Lucky as they are going to need an exorcism when coming face to face with 'The Mister'. Anyhow McCarthy mostly looks at a lost, but do enjoy the moments he's on screen. Also making a brief appearance during the opening minutes was John Carl Buechler as the mister in human form.