Stream it now The Plague Dogs 1982

 

Like its predecessor Richard Adam's story Watership Down, Plague Dogs is a melancholy animal tale. The story centers around two canines, Snitter and Rowf, who escape from an animal research laboratory (aptly with the acronym ARSE). Along the way they encounter a Fox they refer to as "The Tod" who is in sorts a guide to helping the pups survive in their new world. The three never have much in the way of good luck and the movie is exempt from anything that could be considered uplifting. The dark tone is a nice deviation from the sprinkle coated American animation flicks that dominate the market. If you're looking for something animated and different from the usual fanfare, this one is definitely worth checking out!

only one thing to say.... wow....

I either watch too many good films or I am too easy of a rater. The Plague Dogs, one of my new favorite animated films was quite extraordinary. It's always tough to see dogs treated inhumanely, but if you can stomach it, it is well worth the watch. In a way, it reminds me of Grave of the Fireflies in that it's about two dogs that are trying to survive in inhospitable circumstances. And the ending was perfect. Absolutely one of the best endings ever. I feel like I have been adding a lot of films to my top 60 list. But how can I help it if I watch so many good films. I'm sure something will break this trend very soon.



I really want to see Coraline in 3D. Hopefully I will check it out soon.

Until next time.....

Not for the weak hearted, had me thinking about it days after watching.

------------------------------------------------------------

Plague Dogs



What many consider to be the best film to come out of the Italian neo-realism movement, this film simply centers on the misfortune of a man who has his bicycle stolen, which could cost him his job, as it requires one. The simple story is heartbreaking as we see how a decent, honest man can turn to the very thing that has ruined his life when pushed into a corner. To me it is like a modern fable, or parable; simple, straight forward story which delivers a clear moral lesson. It paints a vivid picture of desperate times, as well as how important it is to be a good example to impressionable children. Excellent casting of non professional actors to boot, and an excellent ending. The best neo-noir film ever made that I've seen, besides Umberto D, of the same director.

9.0

I finally got to watch Plague Dogs. Turns out I had mixed feelings. Sure, it's a heartbreaking story of a couple of dogs on the run. But part of me got the feeling the makers of this are forcing this cruelty down our throats. One scene in particular told me this: the one involving the smaller dog approaching the guy with the gun who called him over. Did it have to be so completely depressing? I know it's often that domesticated animals get a raw deal, dogs in particular. But this one seems to be going overtime with the dread and dispare. You have to have something likable in your movie otherwise it won't get a repeat viewing from many people. I'll probably watch this again sometime, but I don't know when. It's just too sad.

The Adventures of Milo & Otis was an attempt to wash out Plague Dogs, unfortunately it was in the other direction. Not bad really with its crisp animal photography. I had to get used to Moore's narration but I ended up enjoying it for the most part. I could think of several things more annoying that he was. ;) I did get distracted on occation and felt like it'd be great when the thing ended. :) Btw, I saw very little that bothered me about the way the animals were being treated on screen. The cat off the cliff, I believe, just looked worst than it was. We used to toss our dogs in the water all the time. What'd they do? Come around and want another go!! :D A cat used to the water wouldn't have a problem. Mind you, that one didn't look happy on its way out of the water on the beach. Cute! But unhappy. So I don't know...

Spirited Away. Still quite magical. Like Alice in Wonderland. What can you say about it?

Psycho 2. Still a worthy sequel if you ask me. Although Tilly's hair is still troubling (well, aside from her scene where it's wet ;) ).

Night Patrol is a movie I'd been searching a while for. Glad to be able to see it again. It's just another goofball 80s comedy the has an enjoyable first 45 minutes then begins to get old as it keeps doing the same gags over and over again. Still, the Unknown Comic stuff was fun to see again. Linda Blair's breasts didn't get enough screen time, if you ask me. Unfortunately I'll never get that song out of my head! :(

When I was a young child, I am talking almost 20 years ago when I was six or seven, I rented my first VHS tape from the local gas station. It was the first movie my mom had ever let me pick to rent, and I picked a cartoon called The Plague Dogs. Needless to say, I didn't know what the hell was going on. I just remember going, "Momma these dogs cuss!"

I am 24 now and I realized that, hey, I am mature now and I think I am a bit more intelligent than a little kid, I should rent this movie and watch it and see what the hell is going on with it. Blockbuster Online had it, so I got it and well...

Plague dogs is a film based on a novel by Richard Adams about two dogs that escape a research laboratory. They are mistreated and stuff, so they want to get out. They get out and they learn to work together. One of the dogs was born and raised in the lab and one of the dogs was taken from the outside world and thrown into the lab.

They kill some sheep and people freak out, then the rumor gets out that the dogs could be carriers of the bubonic plague. The town goes batshit and the army, yes the army, starts going after them. The movie is awfully slow, and it is difficult to watch if you're tired. In fact, it isn't really that good, but in the end, the opportunity to watch this movie, the fact that I finally got to see it when I am old enough to grasp what is happening, was enough to make me cry at the end.

All I can think about when I think of this movie is the song "We're in This Together" by Nine Inch Nails. That song matches this story to an end, no matter what, they stayed together, they were in it together and as hard as things tried to pull them apart, they stayed together.

-----

I've become impossible holding on to when
when everything seemed to matter more
the two of us all used and beaten up
watching fate as it flows down the path we have chose

you and me
we're in this together now
none of them can stop us now
we will make it through somehow

you and me
if the world should break in two
until the very end of me
until the very end of you

awake to the sound as they peel apart the skin
they pick and they pull trying to get their fingers in
well they've got to kill what we've found
well they've got to hate what they fear
well they've got to make it go away
well they've got to make it disappear

the farther I fall I'm beside you
as lost as I get I will find you
the deeper the wound I'm inside you
for ever and ever I am a part of

you and me
we're in this together now
none of them can stop us now
we will make it through somehow

you and me
if the world should break in two
until the very end of me
until the very end of you

all that we were is gone we have to hold on
all that we were is gone we have to hold on
when all our hope is gone we have to hold on
all that we were is gone but we can hold on

you and me
we're in this together now
none of them can stop us now
we will make it through somehow

you and me
even after everything
you're the queen and I'm the king
nothing else means anything

----

heh, i'm crying now