An American Werewolf in London [VHS]
Remember back in the early 1980s when special-effects makeup artists were tripping over themselves to create the next big effect?The Howlingboasted a fantastic werewolf transformation scene courtesy of makeup wizard Rob Bottin. Then along came Bottin's mentor, Rick Baker, with his own spectacular effects in this popular horror comedy directed by John Landis.An American Werewolf in Londonis more of a makeup showcase than a truly satisfying movie, but the film is effectively moody when David Naughton discovers that a wolf attack has turned him into a bloodthirsty lycanthrope. Jenny Agutter plays his love interest (watch out, he bites!), and who can forget Griffin Dunne as Naughton's best friend, an undead corpse who progressively rots away as the plot unfolds? All things considered, it's easy to see whyAn American Werewolf in Londonbecame a modern horror favorite.--Jeff Shannon