Movies
Kill of the Week: Man Bites Monkey in ‘Monkey Shines’
Every week, we spotlight a kill that we just can’t get enough of. This is Kill of the Week.
We entered this week with the incredibly devastating news that George A. Romero, independent film pioneer, master of horror and creator of the modern day zombie, had passed away at the age of 77. In the wake of the news, most horror fans have spent the week celebrating the life and legacy of Romero, revisiting the immortal body of work he leaves behind.
Of course, Romero is most known for his zombie movies, but he also directed a handful of other notable films throughout his career. Romero’s first studio film was Monkey Shines, released after his original zombie trilogy was completed, in 1988.
Infamously, Romero’s experience on the film was bad enough to send him running back to the indie scene, but his adaptation of Michael Stewart’s novel nevertheless turned out to be a late ’80s gem. After all, Romero in his prime was a force to be reckoned with – even with lots of studio interference.
Monkey Shines tells the story of Allan Mann (Jason Beghe), an athlete who is left quadriplegic after an accident at the start of the film. In an effort to make life easier on him, Mann takes in an experimental monkey named Ella, who at first appears to be a godsend. Of course, however, Ella soon goes on a warpath, leaving several bodies in her wake.
From what I gather, it was the studio that forced Romero to end the film on a happy note, with Mann surviving and Ella being killed off. But even if Romero wasn’t sold on the idea himself, I’ve gotta say: the ending to Monkey Shines is absolutely perfect, giving Mann a badass hero moment after being tormented throughout the film.
“I’m gonna take you apart. I’m gonna rip your fuckin’ eyes out. I’m gonna tear you open and chew out your fuckin’ heart,” Mann promises Ella a bit earlier in the film; and he makes pretty damn good on that promise when he later lures Ella onto his lap and, well, takes a bite out of her. He thrashes Ella around wildly in his mouth, ending her reign of terror the only way his body allows.
Somehow, despite Ella being a murderous little shit, you feel bad for her in those final moments. A testament to Romero’s ability to humanize even the most inhuman of monsters – one of the very things that made his zombie movies so essential.
The killer tomatoes are back in Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence, and the offiical poster for the brand new movie has been unleashed tonight.
Additionally, we’ve learned that the film’s theatrical release is set for this August, with a panel set for San Diego Comic-Con this month featuring the world premiere of the trailer.
While you wait, check out the official poster down below.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence will be released in select cities across the US beginning August 7th in major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Diego, and others, and expanding to further locations throughout the month.
The fifth installment in the horror-comedy franchise pits the eternal power of nature against AI’s best and brightest.
In Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence, a young biotech prodigy develops a revolutionary genetically engineered vegetable designed to solve humanity’s problems. But when the experiment spirals out of control, it unleashes a new generation of killer tomatoes, setting the stage for another outrageous chapter in the long-running cult franchise.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes co-creators Costa Dillon and J. Stephen Peace return to write and executive produce. David Ferino directs.
The film features an ensemble cast led by franchise icon John Astin (The Addams Family), reprising his role as Professor Gangreen, comedy legend David Koechner (Anchorman), Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), horror favorite Catherine Corcoran (Terrifier), comedy veteran Dan Bakkedahl (Veep), Myrna Velasco (Star Wars Resistance), Vernée Watson (Shrinking, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), and Paul Bates (Coming to America).
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes launched in 1979, followed by 1988’s Return of the Killer Tomatoes, 1991’s Killer Tomatoes Strike Back, and 1992’s Killer Tomatoes Eat France.
The franchise also spawned an animated series in 1990.
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