Abominable (2006)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Ryan Schifrin

Writers:

James Morrison (story)
Ryan Schifrin (writer)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Some Things Are Better Left Unfound

Plot:

A man, crippled in an accident, returns to the woods after rehabilitation, certain that he'll not see Bigfoot again.

Plot Keywords:

Woods | Bigfoot | Cabin | Police | Shower Scene

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Matt McCoy	...	Preston Rogers
Haley Joel	...	Amanda
Christien Tinsley	...	Otis Wilhelm
Karin Anna Cheung	...	C.J.
Jeffrey Combs	...	Clerk
Natalie Compagno	...	Michelle
Michael Deak	...	Monster (as Mike Deak)
Jim Giggans	...	Reporter
Paul Gleason	...	Sheriff Halderman
Ashley Hartman	...	Karen Herdberger
Lance Henriksen	...	Ziegler Dane
Rex Linn	...	Farmer Hoss
Phil Morris	...	Deputy McBride
James Morrison	...	Dr. Seussmeyer
Tiffany Shepis	...	Tracy
Chad Smith	...	Deputy Parker
Dee Wallace	...	Ethel Hoss (as Dee Wallace-Stone)
Ruby	...	Sparky
Paul Spadone	...	Deputy Jackson
Josh Wolfe	...	Deputy Conners (as Josh Karch)
Steve Joyner	...	Paramedic #1
George Andrews	...	Paramedic #2
Dino Rokac	...	Paramedic #3

Directed by
Ryan Schifrin

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
James Morrison		story
Ryan Schifrin		writer

Produced by
Donna Cockrell	....	producer
Theresa Eastman	....	producer
Paul Spadone	....	producer

Original Music by
Lalo Schifrin

Cinematography by
Neal Fredericks

Film Editing by
Chris Conlee

Casting by
Junie Lowry-Johnson

Art Direction by
Donna Cockrell		(supervising art director)
Theresa Eastman		(supervising art director)

Set Decoration by
Chanida Trueblood

Makeup Department
Leah Renee Amaro	....	assistant makeup artist/hair (as Leah Amaro)
Jennifer Greenberg	....	assistant makeup artist/hair
Eva Lohse	....	assistant makeup artist/hair
Kelley Mitchell	....	key hair stylist
Kelley Mitchell	....	key hair stylist: Griffith Park unit
Kelley Mitchell	....	key makeup artist
Kelley Mitchell	....	key makeup artist: Griffith Park Unit

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mike Brewster	....	first assistant director (as Michael Brewster)
Chris Debenedetto	....	additional second assistant director
Sasha Malarevsky	....	first assistant director: Griffith Park unit
Sasha Malarevsky	....	second assistant director
David Sundsten	....	additional second assistant director
Richard Thornsberry	....	additional second second assistant director
Denis Yurchikov	....	second assistant director: Griffith Park unit

Art Department
Dennis L. Baker	....	set dresser
Federico D'Alessandro	....	creature designer
Federico D'Alessandro	....	storyboard artist
Chris Debenedetto	....	property master
Chris Debenedetto	....	set dresser
José Luis Herrera	....	key construction grip
Russel Landman	....	construction foreman
Natalie Palasota	....	property master: Griffith Park unit
Adam Shira	....	set dresser
Roger Sobremesana	....	rigger
Bruno Toledo	....	leadman

Sound Department
Christopher Barnett	....	sound re-recording mixer
Manvel Barsegyan	....	sound mixer: Griffith Park unit (as Manvel 'Manny' Barsegyan)
Christian Boatsman	....	sound effects editor
Gustavo Borner	....	re-recording mixer: Griffith Park unit
Tim Burby	....	supervising sound editor
Aren Downie	....	sound effects editor
David Hunter	....	supervising sound editor
Jeff Knudsen	....	boom operator: Griffith Park unit
Dusan Mihely	....	contractor
Jason Naumann	....	soundstage manager: GMT Studios
Michael Pekarak	....	sound mixer
Brandon Proctor	....	sound re-recording mixer
Rima Snyder	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Gary F. Bentley	....	special effects
Tibor Eredics	....	pyrotechnician: Griffith Park Unit
John Halfmann	....	special effects lab technician: Tinsley Transfers
Beth Hathaway	....	special effects suit fabricator: Tinsley Transfers
Gene Heeter	....	foam runner: Tinsley Transfers
Chip Mefford	....	rigger: Griffith Park Unit
Larry Odien	....	animatronics: Tinsley Transfers
Shane Prince	....	special effects
Erin Sullivan	....	creature puppeteer
Christien Tinsley	....	creature effects coordinator
Christien Tinsley	....	special effects: Griffith Park Unit
Michael Valenzuela	....	special effects
A.J. Venuto	....	creature puppeteer
A.J. Venuto	....	mold maker: Tinsley Transfers
Kevin Wasner	....	special effects makeup artist: Tinsley Transfers
Brendan Whynaucht	....	creature puppeteer

Visual Effects by
Joe Russo	....	visual effects supervisor

Stunts
Russel Landman	....	stunt rigger
Nick Plantico	....	stunt coordinator
Michael Valenzuela	....	stunt rigger
Michele Waitman	....	stunt double

Camera and Electrical Department
Ryan Joblin Allen	....	grip
Brian Barker	....	third grip: Griffith Park unit
Jeff Clark	....	Steadicam operator
Peter DePhilippis	....	additional camera loader
Matthew Diederich	....	best boy electric (as Winfield Scott Starbuck)
Theresa Eastman	....	still photographer
Angelo Figlio	....	best boy electric: Griffith Park unit
Neal Fredericks	....	camera operator (as Neal L. Fredericks)
Hiroyuki Fukuda	....	first assistant camera: Griffith Park unit (as Hiro Fukada)
Carlos Gonzalez	....	crane operator: Technocrane
Bruce Alan Greene	....	Steadicam operator: Griffith Park unit
Bruce Alan Greene	....	director of photography: Griffith Park unit
J.T. Gurzi	....	best boy grip
Philip W. Hallford	....	crane operator: Technocrane (as Philip Hallford)
Stephen James	....	key grip (as Stephen K. James)
Stephen James	....	key grip: Griffith Park unit
Maurice Jordan	....	gaffer (as Maurice 'Mo' Jordan)
Maurice Jordan	....	lighting director: Griffith Park unit (as Maurice 'Mo' Jordan)
Armand Layson	....	best boy electric: Griffith Park unit
Ryan McCoy	....	camera loader
Robin Morton	....	camera loader: Griffith Park unit
Jarrod Oswald	....	second assistant camera
Ray Patrick	....	crane operator: Technocrane
John Ploucher	....	best boy electric: Griffith Park unit
John Ploucher	....	key grip: Griffith Park unit
Micheal Risco	....	grip
Joe Solari	....	first assistant camera (as Joseph Solari)
Burke Tackett	....	electrician (as Burke 'Goo' Tackett)
Sven Tusak	....	second assistant camera: Griffith Park unit
Chris Updegrave	....	third electrician: Griffith Park unit
Alex Wajsfelner	....	electrician

Casting Department
Debbie George	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Theresa Eastman	....	costume supervisor
Jennifer Greenberg	....	wardrobe: Griffith Park
Angela Tinsley	....	key costumer

Editorial Department
Rick Brown	....	colorist
Mickey Rodriguez	....	color corrector: Griffith Park

Music Department
Chris Jackson	....	source music supervisor
Erik Jordan	....	assistant music editor
Jan Kotzmann	....	score recordist
Graham Sutton	....	additional music editor

Transportation Department
Chris Fisher	....	driver
Brett Kerr	....	driver: Griffith Park
Russel Landman	....	driver: Griffith Park
Kirk Roberts	....	driver: Griffith Park
Rush Strong	....	driver
David Sundsten	....	driver

Other crew
David Agranowitz	....	caterer
Santy Agranowitz	....	caterer
Josiah Bandelin	....	production assistant
Allen M. Bowen	....	medic (as Allen Bowen)
Joe Camp	....	animal trainer
Jenny Cooks	....	caterer
Cari Daly	....	craft service
John Eastman	....	production assistant: Griffith Park unit
Bernadette Eaton	....	production accountant
Miriam Gilbert	....	craft services: Griffith Park unit
José Luis Herrera	....	production assistant: Griffith Park unit
Sharon Kelly-Russo	....	production coordinator: Tinsley Transfers
Brett Kerr	....	production assistant: Griffith Park unit
Paul Miglin	....	medic
Francis Newcombe	....	title designer
Melody Redivo	....	craft service
Bruce Resnik	....	script supervisor
Joe Russo	....	title designer
Max Singer	....	production assistant
Roger Sobremesana	....	production assistant
Philip Strong	....	snow plow operator
Rush Strong	....	production assistant
David Sundsten	....	production assistant
Angela Tinsley	....	accountant
Lisa Trice	....	payroll accountant (as Lisa Johnson)
Mike Tristano	....	armorer: Griffith Park unit

Thanks
Daniel Alter	....	thanks
Paul Bales	....	thanks
Bob Bockholt	....	thanks
Gustavo Borner	....	thanks
Patt Boss	....	thanks
Greg Browning	....	thanks
Ben Burtt	....	thanks
Alyse Chalme	....	thanks
Terry Cook	....	thanks
Sheri Davis	....	thanks
Elena Eastman	....	thanks
John Eastman II	....	thanks
John Eastman	....	thanks
Joan Fagan	....	thanks
Ruy Folguera	....	thanks
John Friemoth	....	thanks
Steve Friemoth	....	thanks
Jamie Giannioses	....	thanks
Theo Giannioses	....	thanks
Ken Gioli	....	thanks
Kevin Goetz	....	thanks
Danette Grady	....	thanks
Tim Gustafson	....	thanks
Helen Henderson	....	thanks
John Homa	....	thanks
Bill Johnson	....	thanks
Stella Johnson	....	thanks
Wesley C. Johnson	....	thanks (as Wes Johnson)
Philip Kacev	....	thanks
John Kinnear	....	thanks
Glenn Kiser	....	thanks
Jackie Kretsinger	....	thanks
Erwin H. Kupitz	....	thanks (as Erwin Kupitz)
Rob Ladner	....	thanks
David Michael Latt	....	thanks
Joseph Levy	....	thanks
Kool Lusby	....	thanks (as Kool Marder)
Greg McDonald	....	thanks
Paul Miglin	....	thanks
Vidal Millan	....	thanks
Pat Mitchell	....	thanks
Jim Morris	....	thanks
Senta Moses	....	thanks
Jim Reyes	....	thanks
Laurie Salomon	....	thanks
Steven Schultz	....	thanks
Sheri Sidebotham	....	thanks
Judy Smith	....	thanks
Wade Spadone	....	thanks
Shane Stewart	....	thanks
Drew Struzan	....	thanks
Mike Sullivan	....	thanks
Karen Sundell	....	thanks
John Swallow	....	thanks
Lanny Watters	....	thanks
Robert Weisman	....	thanks (as Rob Wiseman)
Craig Robert Young	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Red Circle Productions

Distributors

• Sci-Fi Channel, The (2006) (worldwide) (TV)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Film (2009) (Hungary) (TV) (original airing)
• Freestyle Home Entertainment
• M.I.B. (2007) (Germany) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Action Unlimited
• Tinsley Transfers (special make-up effects)

Other Companies

• 21st Century Limousine  thanks
• 23D Films  titles and opticals
• A&I  thanks
• Aleph Records  score album released by
• Alex Gourmet Catering  catering: Griffith Park Unit
• Bark Beetle Project Idyllwild California  thanks
• Beatscape  music
• Breadbasket, The  catering
• California Highway Patrol  thanks
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Coldwell Banker  thanks
• County of Riverside, CA  thanks
• Creekstone Inn  thanks
• Curves, Idyllwild, California  thanks
• Dr. Rawstock  Kodak film stock supplied by
• Fern Valley Inn  thanks
• GMT Studios  sound post-production
• Griffith Park Film Office  thanks
• Hollywood Studio Rental  grip and lighting equipment
• Idyllwild Chevron  thanks
• Idyllwild Fire Protection District  thanks
• Idyllwild Fitness Center  thanks
• Idyllwild Town Crier  thanks
• Idyllwild Vacation Rentals  thanks
• Inland Empire Film Commission  thanks
• K.N.B. Effects Group  thanks
• Living Free  thanks
• Mac Cosmetics  thanks
• Mark Rappaport Creature Effects  thanks
• Matchframe Video  video dailies
• Native California Landscape Design  thanks
• PES Payroll  accounting services
• Panavision Remote Systems  Supertechno crane provided by
• Picture This Design  titles
• Ray-Ban  thanks
• Red Vines  thanks
• Riverside County Fire Department  thanks
• Riverside County Sheriff's Department  thanks
• Roberson Public Relations  release publicity
• Rogers & Cowan  thanks
• SAGIndie  thanks
• San Bernadino National Forest  thanks
• ShortEnz  Kodak film stock supplied by
• Skywalker Sound  post-production sound by
• Southern California Edison  thanks
• Ultravision  camera equipment provided by
• Village Properties  thanks
• We Card  thanks

MPAA:

Rated R for monster violence and gore, language and some nudity.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Red Circle Productions

Trivia:

WILHELM SCREAM: When one of the campers is grabbed by sasquatch.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Amanda has been attacked by the creature for the first time she has two scratches on her face. Later in the film when she is hiding in Preston's house and comes back after finding an axe, the two scratches are nowhere to be seen.

Quotes:

Clerk: Another Darwin Award comin' up.

Movie Connections:

References Jaws (1975)

Soundtrack:

Da Life

The Much Needed, Return of the Creature Feature

The whole mythos surrounding "Bigfoot", "The Abominable Snowman", or "Sasquatch" is an enthralling one, captivating the general public since the first alleged Bigfoot sightings in the early 1950s. A number of Bigfoot films have been made, capitalizing on the general population's interest in these anomalies. Needless to say, many of these films have gone relatively unnoticed or dismissed as the campiest of B-Movies (excluding Hammer Studios' 1957 classic 'The Abominable Snowman'). This brings us to Ryan Schifrin's feature-length directorial debut 'Abominable'. Not since 1957 has such an enthralling, riveting, yet original picture hit the screens pertaining to this subject matter - a true creature feature with a Hitchcockian twist.

'Abominable' begins with the paraplegic Preston Rogers (Matt McCoy) traveling up to his mountain-home for the first time in six months after recovering from a mountain-climbing accident. Preston is accompanied by Otis (Christien Tinsley), an impatient and condescending physical therapist (The viewer soon learns from a local newspaper that the town has received an alleged "Bigfoot" report from a local resident). Preston soon reaches his cabin. As the evening progresses, he resides on his deck (overlooking the forest and a neighboring house) gazing off into the woods through a pair of binoculars. When Otis steps out to get a carton of soy milk for Preston at the nearest store, a group of girls arrive at the neighboring house. At the same time Preston soon begins to notice strange happenings in the woods surrounding the neighboring house and watches helplessly as the tragic events of the night unfold.

Standing drastically alone from the pseudo-horror produced by major (and minor) studios of this day and age, 'Abominable' is an excellent, extremely original, and extremely unrelenting film. The film accomplishes an atmosphere and storyline unachieved and untouched since the heydays of drive-in horror that were the 1950s through the 1980s. 'Abominable' possesses a certain quality which has been vacant within the horror genre (especially the monster-movie sub-genre) for years and years: it is devoid of CGI. The Monster (Michael Deak) is, in fact, a man in a suit! To some, this conjures up a question; does the suit look excessively "cheesy" and unrealistic? Fortunately it does not; the effects used are executed quite well and The Monster doesn't generate a phony-vibe in the least. Many of the facial movements of The Monster seem to be achieved through robotics (ala 'An American Werewolf in London') and the result looks extremely realistic and life-like. The film's plot is the result of a winning combination; it features the classic creature-feature storyline, coupled with a very Hitchcock-styled, 'Rear Window'-esquire, premise. The screenplay is excellent; practically all of the events within the film are experienced from Preston's helpless perspective. Whether it is at his window or on his balcony, Preston overlooks almost the entire series of events, giving the film an extremely claustrophobic and helpless atmosphere. The cinematography and lighting are also ingenious; the shadowy woods seen from the balcony add depth and an eerie uneasiness to the film. Matt McCoy proves himself to be an excellent actor, as does Christien Tinsley, but the character interactions between McCoy and Haley Joel prove to be the true acting highpoint within the film. A broad range of emotions are showcased between the two, all of which are executed with precision.

'Abominable' achieves a certain charm lacking in practically all horror films of this day and age. It showcases a style of film-making that has been lost, a style of film-making that is the horror genre: the classic monster movie. No, it doesn't have "breathtaking CGI", no the plot is not Steven King-worthy, but it manages to entertain and it manages to illustrate that which is the embodiment of American horror. Schifrin's film stands firmly as an instant cult-classic, on par with great titles and counterparts (dare I say) of the 1980s such as 'Pumpkinhead', 'An American Werewolf in London', and 'Prophecy'. 'Abominable' stands alone in a time when horror has gone to the dogs; it breaks the trend of spineless PG-13 horror films and shatters the standards of pointless special effects showcases such as 'Cursed'. The creature feature is back ladies and gentlemen, and in full force. The way horror should be – "Abominable".