The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

Note on the DVDMy uncle introduced me to The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, and I enjoyed it so much I wanted to purchase my own copy. However, I was dismayed to learn that the copy I purchased did not have the same extras that my uncle's contained. This DVD contains only the movie. If you want the cast commentary (which I particularly love and recommend), the gag reels, the trailer, or other bonus material, you will need to look for a different version. THIS VERSION CONTAINS ONLY THE MOVIE AND NO BONUS MATERIALS.Having said that, here is my review of the movie.SummaryThe Lost Skeleton of Cadavra is a black-and-white monster movie spoof that seems like it came from the 1950s, but was actually made in 2003. A scientist named Dr. Paul Armstrong (Larry Blamire) and his wife Betty Armstrong (Fay Masterson), the wife of a scientist, are searching for a meteor made of a rare metal known as atmospherum. Dr. Paul Armstrong, a scientist who studies rocks, hopes to use the meteor to do science and better all of mankind through science for the benefit of all. (This is an example of the kind of intentionally repetitive dialogue that riddles the movie.)Meanwhile, evil scientist Dr. Roger Fleming (Brian Howe) hopes to find and revive the famed Lost Skeleton of Cadavra in order to rule the world. Meanwhile, a married pair of aliens named Kro-bar (Andrew Parks) and Lattis (Susan McConnell) crash land their rocket and can’t get home. Meanwhile, the aliens’ escaped mutant rampages through the woods. Roger learns he can only revive the skeleton through atmosphereum. The aliens learn they can only fix their ship through atmosphereum. Everyone collides on the atmosphereum and hijinks ensue.ReviewThe Lost Skeleton of Cadavra is a movie you can really only appreciate if you’ve seen lots of bad movies, particularly bad monster/ sci-fi movies from the 50s. I did not have this background the first time my uncle showed the movie to me, and as a result, I was perplexed and sort of bored. It just seemed like a bad movie. However, after watching several episodes of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, I came to truly understand what bad movies were, making The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra seem like a brilliant parody by comparison and also, surprisingly, a pretty good movie on its own merits.A lot of the humor of The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra comes from how bad it is. Bad dialogue, bad acting, bad special effects—it has it all. It’s intentionally and consistently bad. It’s so bad, it becomes funny. The dialogue is intentionally vague, repetitive, and exposition-y. The actors deliver it in a stilted, super-serious fashion, but with deft comedic timing. Enough of this terrible writing lowers your expectations, so that when genuine moments of wit or funny gags appear, they take you by surprise.What’s really interesting to me is that, hidden in all the clunky dialogue, one-dimensional characters, and vague explanations is a tightly-written plot. It’s a simple plot, for sure—I’m not saying that this is Inception or anything. But it has multiple threads that tie together to form a satisfactory climax. It has set-up and pay-off. It clearly explains the motives and actions of the characters. It has a theme, for crying out loud.I think one of the reasons I adore this movie so much is listening to the cast commentary (not featured on this DVD) and realizing how much care and hard work was put into this movie. The cast has good chemistry and the actors make their one-dimensional characters strangely likable. This movie is not for everyone, but I find it a quirky, comfortable, silly, and enjoyable. If you have a fondness for old monster movies, a high tolerance for bad writing, and an off-beat sense of humor, you may enjoy this, too.

If you are a lover of corny Sci-fi films, then this one is right up your alley. Don't let the slow paced, lack of vulgar language, gore and professional costumes and make-up fool you. This is a very enjoyable movie made to mimick the 1950s black and white genre films. In fact it's in black and white along with all the speckles and age produced anomolies old films are famous for having. I loved it immensely. It starts out with a Scientist and his wife going on an expidition to search out a meteorite named Atmospherium. They end up in a lodge, somewhere in the woods, that just happens to be unoccupied, complete with a gas stove and all the amenities for a Suzy Homemaker-type wife who whips up great meals in minutes out of thin air. They are visited by a very articulate space allien couple, who happen to be wandering around in the same woods looking for,..... you guessed it, the meteorite, Atmospherium to power up their spaceship so they can go back home. There are a few others like a Forest Ranger who drops by to warn the folks in the cabin about a grusome murder which took place not far from them, and an angry fellow scientist who happens to be looking for that same meteorite. Yes there is an alien monster and yes there is a skeleton who strangely enough, reminded me of Plankton from Spongebob Squarepants (even sounds a lot like him too...). He too wanted to, you guessed it again,......rule the world, by subliminally controlling the minds of the above mentioned characters into doing his bidding. There is another character whom I really liked. Her name is Animalia. She was created from four woodland creatures by the angry scientist using a,....yes, once again, you guessed it, a ray gun........ In my opinion, she stole the show. There's just too much going on in this movie to mention everything. It is a low key and non-life threatening movie (like the Sci-fi films of today). You walk away with either one of two feelings. Either you liked it or you wonder how you could have just wasted 89 mins. of your life you'll never get back..... I recommend this and it's sequel, "The Lost Skeleton Returns Again", to anyone who has a penchant for old films, (even though it was made in 2004....). There is a rather lengthy Q & A which provides a good deal of information of how this film was contrived. I would never have heard of this film had I not been channel surfing one day out of sheer boredom, and I am certainly glad I did. I would not have had the opportunity to learn about Larry Blamire and his production crew otherwise. He has a gift for making cheesy, corny movies such as these. Very funny indeed. My hat's off to them.

Have you ever wondered what Atmospherium is? A rare and powerful element that can bring Evil Skeletons back to life!This movie is as campy as any B-movie from the 50's-60's golden era of cheesy monster movies. If you like B-monster movies then you'll fall in love with The Lost Skeleton Of Cadavra. It's witty, purposely camp and well made.The characters make you feel like you're watching something from 1961! The plot is ridiculous and funny. The little "subtle" product placement and inside jokes are hysterical. There is more to discover each time you watch it. I first saw it as a kid and loved it! I recently had a vivid memory of one of the scenes and immediately sought out the movie it was from, I was so excited to find it on Amazon and even more excited when it came in excellent condition and had me and my friends in stitches from the first. It's worth the buy!

This is the last time I buy a film based on reviews. This is one of the worse films I ever saw. Ed Wood's work was Oscar worthy compared to this. Absolute rubbish. Bad acting can actually get funny sometimes, NOT THIS. David DeCoteau's awful actors would put these to shame.Spoofs are supposed to entertain with comedic nostalgia. Where was the entertainment? Where was the nostalgia?This thing falls flat in the first 3 minutes, and never rebounds, and it is beyond my understanding how this bit of old tosh got so many good reviews.I kept waiting for it to get funny, scarry, interesting, ANYTHING... I got nothing.

What is not to like? The dialogue is wooden, the delivery is mechanical (all with a wink to the audience) which is, of course, the whole point! The monsters are wonderful, the skeleton is sarcastic, the 'space ship' must be seen to be believed - all great fun. If you don't find this funny (even after multiple watches) then check your pulse as you might be dead!

Movie was supposed to be a spoof/homage/salute to the old 40's to 60's Sci-Fi b grade movies. It does have it's moment's but falls flat. If you a collector of slock - ok, but even Plan 9 beats this one.

genuinely the funniest movie ever, if you love old B horror movies. Seriously. You have to see this.