Q

You can always tell you're watching a Larry Cohen movie. Nobody else I've seen has the feel for dialog that he does. When you're watching the movie, you're drawn into it. People have real problems and deal with them in real ways, not in the overly melodramatic crap that you're used to. Q is no different, even though it deals with quite possibly one of the most outlandish things--the rebirth of the Aztec winged god Quetzocoatl in New York City. It all starts with a decapitation.

The we're introduced to the cops who will be investigating the whole affair and then a small time crook who's looking for work and finds it with a gang of jewel thieves. Unfortunately, the gig goes awry and he ends up fleeing into the Chrysler building where he makes his way to the top and discovers the huge nest of Q, complete with supersized egg. Also, there are some ritual murders that somehow could be connected to the resurrection of the beast in modern times. All in all, it makes for an engrossing watch, even with outdated effects that belied the low-budget framework of the film. They're still pretty damn good when you figure that Cohen had a fraction of money to work with compared to some of the special effects stories that were told in the same time period.

David Carradine turns in a great performance as cop on the case, partnered with Fred Williamson of Shaft fame. Michael Moriarty is the thief who knows where the creature that everyone is looking for is hidden. He's simply awesome. I don't think there's a better character actor out there than Moriarty, who makes you believe in his role so you don't just see him playing it, you see the character come alive.

At its heart, the movie is just an old-fashioned monster movie, but it's told with a style and flair for the real that helps bring it from subpar fare to superb. Check it out.