Silver Bullet

And now we get a movie from the category known as "Stephen King Movies That Weren't Hugely Successful." Before the horror master had a career resurgence as of late, his novels, short stories, novellas, and screenplays came out quicker than a silver bullet. And that film, "Silver Bullet," appears on Blu-ray for the first time from Shout Factory.

The werewolf horror genre was dying down by 1985, but that didn't stop King from adapting his own "Cycle of the Werewolf" novella into a major motion picture. As enjoyable as King's short story is, it doesn't quite make for a screenplay even if most of the actors are good in "Silver Bullet."

Those actors include Gary Busey (who gives a high-octane performance as uncle Red) and the late Corey Haim, proving that he could actually act while playing a handicapped young man. And cult actor Everett McGill ("Twin Peaks") shows his usual eccentric side as an unhinged church pastor.

In between the good acting is the tale of a murderous werewolf on the loose, one that preys on sinful victims. As a horror movie, the gruesome death sequences hit the mark in "Silver Bullet." But the cheesy werewolf itself will make one laugh, a fact that made the late Roger Ebert categorize the movie as a comedy.

I like that the film is narrated by a female character, now grown and reflecting back to the horrific events of 1976. It's that typical Stephen King story element of looking back to childhood times that gives "Silver Bullet" its charm.

And also typical for Shout Factory Blu-rays (under the Scream Factory trademark) are the inclusion of some nifty new interviews:

"A Little Private Justice" – actor Kent Broadhurst sits down to chat about his brief but pivotal scenes in "Silver Bullet"

"The Wolf Within" – the talented Everett McGill talks about his experience filming "Silver Bullet" and how he purposely kept his distance on set from other actors

"Silver Bullet"
Blu-ray
$29.99
www.shoutfactory.com