Initiation of Sarah (1978)

This 1978 horror film made for TV was directed by Robert Day. It stars Kay Lenz, Shelley Winters and Morgan Fairchild. Two sisters, Sarah and Patty are eager to join a popular sorority called Alpha Nu Sigma when they start college at the new term. Patty is accepted but the quiet and shy Sarah is turned down but her only option is to join the least favourite Phi Epsilon Delta. The leader of Alpha Nu Sigma is a cruel and beautiful Jennifer that makes fun of Sarah and tries to turn Patty against her. There is much rivalry and the leader of Phi Epsilon Delta is Erica. Sarah uses her telekenesis to strike at anyone who harms her and those she cares about. The entire film focuses on the spiteful nature of Jennifer but is she the sinister one? The film starts off as fresh and cheerful but turns dark.
I give this a 8/10.
Useless fact: The two sisters would've turned into animals but the filmmakers decided not to do it.
 Howls ^^

Nattmara

The Nattmara are female werewolves that are mentioned in Scandinavian folklore. Nattmara means "Nightmare". These Nattmara or Nightmares are associated with sleep paralysis, bad dreams and night terrors.
It's believed that they can slip inside keyholes and through cracks by turning into sand. This is how they enter peoples bedrooms and sit on the chests of sleepers, depriving them of air.
They often appear to look like willowy shaped thin women dressed in pale nightgowns. These Nattmara or Nightmare women have sickly complexions, filthy matted hair, predatory eyes and sharp teeth. Some versions portray the Mara with having mostly dark hair and long fingernails.
People think the origins of the Mara are souls of angry, lost and abandoned children who seek revenge. Others believe they're souls of women who've been killed, wronged, cheated or died in childbirth.
A strange custom or lost tradition advised women that they could give birth safely if they wear a placenta from a horse on their head. Then giving birth while wearing a placenta from a horse meant that the birth would be easy. However, there was a different kind of risk that the sons born from a woman wearing a placenta will become cursed werewolves. Daughters born will become Nattmara.
There is also a tale that a bunch of women with abilities in healing arts and midwifery skills turned into wolves on a fatal night. Those midwives were Mara in disguise.
The Mara are similar to the Banshees as they're omens of death.
If a dirty doll is left in the livingroom of a house, someone in the family would die of TB. To protect oneself from a Nattmara, leave shoes on the floor beside the bed, or nail a horseshoe on the bed board. This prevents the Mara from getting close as you sleep.
Howls ^^

Wolf's Rain

This is my review of a Bones animation series called Wolf's Rain. Directed by Tensai Okarura, created by Keiko Nobumoto. It spans 30 episodes and tells the story of a group of wolves that live in dystopian future, where people struggle in cities. The wolves believe in a Paradise and are eager to go and find it. Despite the dangerous lives they have, the wolves are able to shapeshift into humans to avoid being caught by hunters. Among them, a white wolf encounters a mysterious girl who is the key to finding Paradise. However, she's the property of Lord Darcia the Third, a bitter elitist with inner turmoils, haunted by his past dead love.
I rate this 7/10. Overall, not a werewolf story but it's a moving work of sci-fi from the point of view of animals.
Comments: Get a tissue box ready.
The art used here is "Seeking Paradise" from designer Zack Loup.  
Howls ^^

Huldra

One of the most darkest creatures of Scandinavian folklore is the Huldra. They belong to the Huldrfolk species of creatures. Both males and females are said to be guardians of the forests and mountains. They live in secret and hide away. The female Huldra appear like seductive beautiful women with flowing hair but they have features that are not human. They're said to have tails. If they turn their backs, they resemble trees with hollows. Stories and legends about people encountering the Huldra are a bit nasty. For example, Huldra can manifest in rain and storms, while seducing men in order to kill them. They can look like dairymaids but more striking and with enchanting beauty that men fall in love instantly, only to become victims. Women have also come under the spell of the Huldrefolk too. In some stories, the Huldrefolk are keen on human blood and will kidnap people, or send them to a darker place. It's been said that if a human marries a Huldrefolk, then the creatures lose their tails and become human themselves, only they still keep their magical abilities and connection to the forests and caves. They're also believed to steal human babies and replace them with changelings. Apart from the scary stories, not all are wicked like that. Some tales of Huldra and Hulder men are also kind and helpful. They have to be respected as one respects others. As the old saying goes, treat others the way you would want to be treated yourself. The same applies to Hundrefolk. If you respect them, they'll do no harm.
Howls ^^ 

Legend (1985)

The 1985 film "Legend" was directed by Ridley Scott, and stars Tom Cruise, Tim Curry, Mia Sara and David Bennent. This is a moving fantasy that was loosely based on a Celtic fairytale. There are glittering sets and many magical creatures but the most sacred are the unicorns. An evil demon called Darkness sent goblins out to kill the unicorns so that the world is plunged into eternal Winter and night. The hero Jack sets off with his elfish friends to rescue the surviving unicorn and his beloved princess, who was held by Darkness. The entire film is eye candy with some monstrous scenes and light humour.
I rate this 9/10.
Weird fact: The unicorn is a deja vu from another film "Blade Runner".
Howls ^^

Krull

This is a review of fantasy movie "Krull" (1983).
Directed by Peter Yates and starred Ken Marshall, Liam Neeson and Lysette Anthony.
Set in a medieval society on planet Krull, a prince and princess are deeply in love and want to marry, except that they come from two warring families. It's established early in the film that both agree to marry to build an alliance, and unite humans against the Slayers, an alien technological army that arrived in a giant spaceship called the Black Fortress. The leader of this Black Fortress is called The Beast. During the royal wedding, Slayers attack the palace and kidnap the princess. The film is mostly set on an epic journey as the prince is destined to locate the magical weapon called Glaive that will help him. He journeys with a patchwork of friends including a cyclops.
I rate this film at 7/10.
My favourites from Krull are the Fire Mares.
Howls ^^

Jack the Giant Killer (1962)

Besides horror, this blog is also keen on reviewing fantasy films, like this old 1962 stop motion "Jack the Giant Killer". Directed by Nathan H. Juran and then produced by Edward Small. It stars Kerwin Mathews, Judi Meredith and Torin Thatcher.
The film has a load of special effects that are pretty good for its time. A princess is kidnapped by a sorcerer who uses dark magic. Then a young farmer named Jack saves the princess and wins a knighthood. This brings Jack into a longer voyage when the princess is taken once again and he sets out to rescue her, making new friends along the way. A vibrant film with plenty of magic and charm.
The scariest thing in the film was the storm witch.
I rate this a 7/10.
Howls ^^