Maxwell Caulfield

Steven Lee Allen

Dawn Ann Billings

Vince Cefalu

John L. Curtis

Angela Duffy

Gil Gerard

Joe Gerety

Blake Cooper Griffin

Summer Harlow

Kimberly Horner

Kristen Howe

Ted Monte

Laura Niles

Gregory Paul Smith

Eric Spudic

Ian Patrick Williams

Fred Olen Ray

Patrick Moran

Dan Golden

Roy Knyrim

Ericka N. Hanger

Peter Dang

Randy Carter

Vince Ravine

Kimberly A. Ray

Ben Demaree

Nicki A. Chestnut

Theo Angell

Sara Chameides

Michael Del Rossa

Chuck Cirino

Steve Goldenberg

Horror

Dire Wolf

Entertaining and amusing TV-budget werewolf flick, not to mention gory

RELEASED IN 2009 and directed by Fred Olen Ray, "Dire Wolf" (also known as "Dinowolf") chronicles events in rural Southern California when a genetically modified creature that's half-dire wolf and half-human escapes a government-funded research facility and goes on a gory rampage. The local Sheriff (Maxwell Caulfield) & game warden (Blake Cooper Griffin) team up with two federal agents (Kristen Howe & John L. Curtis) and one of the researchers (Dawn Ann Billings) to track it down. Gil Gerard has a small part as the commanding officer in charge of the dubious project.

This is an entertaining TV-budget werewolf flick (while some might nitpick that it's not truly a werewolf movie, it is at heart). The movie has a humorous edge, mostly with the quirky "Rainman" Sheriff, but it's largely serious (with a wink) and even has some moving parts, like when a certain character bites the dust and shares his last words with someone close to him.

It's nothing great, but it's entertaining and well-rounded Grade B horror with a likable cast and some seriously gory parts, not to mention a classy score here and there. On top of this, there are several worthwhile women, including several cuties, such as Kimberly Horner (Amber), Summer Harlow (the blonde researcher), Gina Scoles (the bikini girl) and Laura Niles (Kelly at the restaurant).

"Dire Wolf" was made in the mold of seminal TV-horror flicks, like 1972's "Gargoyles." If you like that movie you'll definitely appreciate this one. In some ways it's even better (although I give the better rating to "Gargoyles" due to its originality and place in history). The filmmakers, cast and crew of "Dire Wolf" knew they were making a low budget horror flick, but they gave it their all to make sure it was entertaining, amusing, moving and even a little classy.

THE FILM RUNS 87 minutes and was shot in Southern California. WRITERS: Dan Golden and Patrick Moran.

GRADE: B

English

Dire Wolf

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