The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

An affectionate pastiche of low budget 50's sci-fi movies filmed in ten days which marks the return to the big screen of Bronson Canyon in Los Angeles: strong, silent star of many of that era's cheesiest productions.Director Larry Blamire and Fay Masterson make an attractive couple as scientist Dr. Paul Armstrong and his wife Betty. As the exotic hybrid creature, Animala, Blamire's wife Jennifer Blaire looks electrifying in her boyish beatnik haircut and black catsuit (probably borrowed from one of the Cat-Women of the Moon); she looks even more electrifying in colour in the blooper reel.Blamire's amusing script is unfortunately let down by his sluggish pacing, and by the drabness of the black & white transfer from film to video (although - possibly by accident - in the exterior scenes Animala's outfit vividly stands out against the washed-out greyness that otherwise serves as her backdrop).

Taking a look at old editions of UK film mag Empire,I spotted a wonderful review by Kim Newman highlighting a title which was made as tribute to the old Drive-In/B-Movies.With having caught a number of Drive-In flicks during 2015's IMDb's Horror Board's October Challenge,I decided to go in search of the Cadavra skeleton.The plot:Spending years looking for an asteroid containing the rare element Atmosphereum to crash on earth, scientist Dr. Paul Armstrong finally sees his dream asteroid land on earth.Giving his wife Betty the news,the Armstrong's get in the car and drive to the woods where the asteroid has landed.As the Armstrong's drive up to the woods,fellow scientist Dr. Roger Fleming is searching round the woods for the mythical "Cadavra Cave" which is said to contain the "Lost Skeleton."Entering the woods,the Armstrong's spot a second asteroid landing in the area.Whilst the object crashing to earth looks like an asteroid to the Armstrong's and Fleming,it is actually a space ship containing two aliens called Kro-Bar and Lattis,whose ship is powered by Atmosphereum.As Kro-Bar and Lattis go in search for fuel,their pet mutant escapes,and sets its sights on all the humans in the woods.View on the film:Shot over just 10 and a half days in Bronson Canyon,lead actor/writer/directing auteur Larry Blamire unleashes a tantalising tribute to Sci-Fi/Horror Drive-In movies,which also connects as a hilariously over ripe Sci-Fi/Horror Comedy.Invading the world in warm black & white,Blamire and cinematographer Kevin F. Jones give the "special effects" a deliciously chunky appearance,as thick plastic guns are joined by screaming skulls and pulled on wires alien objects. Gleefully breathing in the homages,Blamire wraps the title in a playful atmosphere,by openly playing around with continuity,and also making each scene go for one incredibly awkward/ cringe-worthy beat too many.Whilst laying inane exposition over the film,the screenplay by Blamire keeps his tribute well away from being dull,thanks to sliding the Armstrong's adventures in the woods to ever stranger directions,from the Armstrong's having to help the aliens,to an animal transformation allowing Blamire to squeeze a dazzling,ill- fitting dance number into the movie.Whilst everything is (intentionally) kept on the surface of the wooden characters,all of the cast give excellent performances,as the cute Jennifer Blaire purrs across the screen as Animala,and Blamire offers up the ultimate square-jaw hero in Paul Armstrong,as the Armstrong's go in search of the Cadavra skeleton.

OK, so if you are in your 40's and have seen every horror movie since the beginning of time, you know that there were many spoofs made over the years.The Lost Skeleton is probably the worst spoof I have ever seen. Just about every part of this movie was poorly done. The lighting was bad, the lines were bad, the acting was....oh forget it! I found it rather difficult to sit through the entire movie and did not pause it when I had to take a few breaks.Come on Sony....what were you thinking? And why did IMDb "not" say how much it grossed.There are hundreds of film festival movies out there waiting for a Theatre opportunity that should have been chosen instead of this spoof (not worthy of being called a film).

I love being able to finish a movie and have such great one-liners in it you use in your everyday life. This was a low-budget film that still packed the laughs almost as much as any great comedy with high budgets and amazing advertisement. The Movie was just hilarious. I hadn't even heard of it until my sister insisted I watch it.When i finally did sit and watch it. I was laughing Beginning to End. Definitely a must see for anybody out there looking for a Cult Classic. Because this will remain one of my favorite movies of all time!!The characters and the way they really took on the rolls and portrayed such abnormal lifestyles in their own way... made this movie worth it. They believed in this masterpiece and it took it to a whole new level. The Story lines ability to come together and focus on just one thing ::Atmospherium:: made it entrapping and oh goodness.. who doesn't remember the "I Sleep Now" line! It is a MUST SEE!