Vintage Horror Films

Highlander (1986)

2012-01-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

This is the movie that begun it all. Highlander is an original piece of Sci-Fi fantasy that contains elements of horror. Christopher Lambert plays Connor MacLeod an immortal Scottish swordsman who with the help of Sean Connery discovers his identity and develops his powers. Lambert plays MacLeod with a quite intensity. Although I personally prefer Adrian Paul in the role, you gotta give credit to Lambert for getting the ball rolling. Connery is hilarious as MacLeod's mentor Juan Ramirez, who is also an immortal. In this role he is Captain Jack Sparrow before there were was a Captian Jack Sparrow. Who knew Connery has such great comedic timing.

The other stand out role in Highlander is Clancy Brown as Victor Kruger, MacLeod's nemesis who is hell bent on destroying the Scotsman. He channels a little bit of Mad Max in his performance and just his presence on screen is creepy before he ever utters a word.

The cinematography is Highlander is absolutely gorgeous, especially those "swooping" scenes of the Scottish countryside which provide an interesting contrast to the dark urban scenes that are set in the present time. Combine great visuals with the music of Queen and it's a total home run for me. Kudos to director Russell Mulcahy [Resident Evil: Extinction, Tales From the Crypt] for putting everything together and giving this film an epic feel without getting too self-pretentious.

Highlander spawned a successful TV series as well as a number of sequels. Unless you've been living under a rock you've probably heard of this film by now. If you haven't, it's time to climb out from under your rock and and rent this one ASAP. It's not the greatest film in the world but it's a classic as far as I'm concerned. The story itself feels so fresh and original. I still enjoy watching it even though I've probably seen it two dozen times already. It never gets old.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Plague of the Zombies (1966)

2012-01-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

With Plague of the Zombies, Hammer Horror presents what I believe was their only venture into zombie territory with great results. While it takes a while for the undead to appear on-screen, once they do, it's a visual feast for the eyes. Director John Gilling [The Mummy's Shroud, The Flesh and the Fiends] uses every trick at his disposal to make his zombies pop on screen. With the help of make up artist Roy Ashton, Gilling give us zombies that are one step closer to the unrelenting terror of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968) and one step away from their black magic ancestors. This is a bit of a surprise since the plot involves Haitian voodoo and blood rituals as its context. Kudos to the filmmakers for not simply rehashing the old zombie mythos that has been around since White Zombie. Instead they take it into new territory, infusing it with energy and a bit of originality.

Plague is what we've come to expect from a Hammer Horror film: gorgeous sets, impeccable acting, and lush cinematography. I really enjoyed this one and fans of the zombie genre will definitely appreciate how it helps to move the genre a bit forward, paving the way for the quantum leap that Romero would take two years later.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Mummy's Ghost (1944)

2012-01-13T11:42:00.000-08:00

While there seems to be absolutely no need for another sequel, like Freddy Krueger rising from the ashes, Kharis rises again in The Mummy's Ghost. This is the fourth movie in the series and the third using the character of Kharis. This time out the action begins in Egypt with George Zucco briefly reprising his role as the evil high priest, Andoheb. This time out, however, he's old and tired and hands over his evil priestly duties to Yousef Bey, played creepily by John Carradine. Just his facial expressions alone give you the willies.

Lon Chaney Jr is back as The Mummy and this time out he does earn his paycheck with a much better performance than the last time. Perhaps the reason for this is that they actually give him some material to work with so that he has something to do instead of simply shuffling in the dust.

Like the last film, most of the action takes place in America but this time out they have bigger sets and lots of on location shoots. Jack Pierce's makeup is still a bit lacking, making the mummy look more like he's been mud wrestling rather than been covered with the dust of the ages.

Overall, The Mummy's Ghost is a much better film than The Mummy's Tomb and might even be better than The Mummy Hand. Yes, it's filled with lots of horror cliches and you know pretty much where the film is headed every step of the way but it's not a bad ride in spite of this.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Mummy's Tomb (1942)

2012-01-11T12:07:00.000-08:00

Sequels are not always a good thing. Universal should have really stopped after the original Mummy film instead of trying to spawn a series of useless sequels from it. The Mummy's Tomb stars Lon Chaney Jr as Kharis, the Mummy who we met in the last film The Mummy's Hand (1940). I had high hopes because Chaney was the star. However, the only thing Chaney did in this film was collect a pay check! Nothing less. Nothing more.

The plot is supposed to be the Mummy's revenge as he travels to America in search of those who did him wrong in the last film. This is actually a good premise but it's executed poorly. It would have been much more interesting to have Kharis shamble down the streets of NYC, terrorizing tourists everywhere. Universal settles for the back lot of the studio because its cheap and easy.

Yes, the cinematography is fine but the Mummy himself looks a bit worse for wear in this film. Not scary at all. It is some of the worst make up the legendary Jack Pierce ever conceived. [I guess everyone was on auto pilot for this flick.] Stay away from this one unless you're a real fan of mummies. It smells like a studio trying to make a buck on a budget. [Apparently they succeeded because two more sequels were made after this one.]

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Mummy's Hand (1940)

2012-01-08T14:44:00.000-08:00

Less a sequel and more the jumpstart of a franchise, The Mummy's Hand ditches much of the horror of the original Karlof film and trades it in for laughs and adventure. Dick Foran and Wallace Ford do a poor imitation of Abbott & Costello as they play two unemployed archaeologists in search of a lost Egyptian treasure. The plot is good and has some interesting story elements to it. However, for me the humor gets in the way of the horror more times than not.

Two things that really work in this film: 1.) George Zucco as Professor Andoheb, who is the evil high priest of the temple. This is probably the finest performance of his I've ever seen. 2.) Jack Pierce's make-up on the Mummy combined with Tom Tyler who embodies the costume. While he's no Karloff, all of his scenes are good and I like his take on this classic character.

The Mummy's Hand spawned several sequels but none of these films compare to the iconic original, including The Mummy's Hand. As long as you're prepared for more action-adventure and less horror, you'll find this an enjoyable film. It's well made. I just prefer my mummy tales a little darker.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

2012-01-06T17:31:00.000-08:00

We have such sights to show you...again. Hellbound is Clive Barker's sequel to the iconic Hellraiser. The plot picks up where the first one left off with Kirsty in an insane asylum. No one believers her amazing story, of course, expect for the good doctor who manages to resurrect Julia and unleash the Cenobites for another round of terror.

Clive Barker hands over the director's duties this time to Tony Randel who maintains the quality of the first film with the sequel. Barker writes and executive produces. Hellbound is every bit as twisted and eye popping as the first film. My favorite effect is the the "skinless" Julie which is achieved in a rather low tech way but is a total home run. Really creepy.

In addition to the original cast, which is present for the sequel, Imogene Boorman is a welcome addition as Tiffany, the girl who has a gift for manipulating the puzzle box. She has such expressive eyes and while she doesn't speak a word for much of the film conveys every emotion needed for her character. Nicely done.

I admit that Clive Barker is an acquired taste. He's not my personal favorite but no one can deny his talent and twisted imagination. He has such a unique vision of horror whose images last long after the ending credits roll. Hellbound is NOT for the faint of heart. However, if you enjoyed the first film you will definitely enjoy this one as well.

As a final note, the film score is absolutely gorgeous. Kudos to Christopher Young who also did the music for the original. I can only wish that all horror films had this good of a soundtrack. Beautifully done.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Never Take Sweets From a Stranger (1960)

2012-01-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

WARNING: This is not a horror flick. However, Never Take Sweets From a Stranger is a very well made crime drama from the folks at Hammer Studio. It's part of their "Icons of Suspense" collection that can be rented through Netflix. The story pulls no surprises as it tells the story of the most powerful family in town whose patriarch is accused of inappropriate behavior with two young girls. When one of the girl's families discovers what he did, they bring him to trail...but can they really take on such a powerful and influential family and win in court?

I won't ruin the plot of the movie for you but it moves along in ways that are predictable but realistic. Sweets feels like an extended episode of CSI: Special Victim's Unit which is not a bad thing. It is nicely filmed, as are almost all Hammer films, and there's not a clinker in the cast. Especially noteworthy is the little girl at the center of the story who is played by Janina Faye [Horror of Dracula, The Day of the Triffids]. She takes on the role full force with emotions that ring true at every turn. Nicely done.

If you're looking for blood freely flowing or things that go bump in the night, you better look elsewhere. If you're looking for a nice little thriller to pass away a Sunday afternoon, you could do a lot worse.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

These Are The Damned (1963)

2012-01-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

Like most Hammer Productions, These Are The Damned is filmed well and acted well. However, it's weakness lies in the plot. It just doesn't know what kind of movie it wants to be. It starts out as a crime thriller where an American tourist is robbed by a gang of leather-clad teenage boys. The soundtrack is hip and catchy and you're prepared to enjoy an early 60's "youth gone bad" flick.

But wait, then we are introduced to a group of children who are pronounced "dead" by one of the character in the film. Yet, they are not walking around like mindless flesh-eating zombies. Instead, they are wise beyond their years,a little too precocious and in need of rescue. The soundtrack changes and you almost feel like you're slipping into horror territory.

Then a guy in what looks like a space suit arrives on the scene. WTF? Now, you're in a Sci-Fi flick! We later learn this outfit is a radiation suit and These Are The Damned makes an abrupt U-turn and travels back to a 1950's atomic radiation paranoia picture.

Yep, it's a bit confusing, to say the least.

Because These Are The Damned is attached to Hammer Studios, reviewers appear to be much kinder than they should be. While it is a well made film, it's plot gives the viewer cinematic whiplash. Even the presence of Oliver Reed cannot save it. There are much better Hammer Horror films to watch than this one. I wouldn't waste my time.

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Silent Night, Bloody Night (1974)

2011-12-21T07:14:00.000-08:00

Before there was Friday the 13th or Halloween, the same year that Deranged and Black Friday were released, yet another early slasher flick was born: Silent Night, Deadly Night. What was going on in 1974 that spawned two very dark Christmas stories virtually simultaneously? Perhaps those Groovy 70's held their dark secrets after all, hidden beneath layers of polyester and bad hair styles!

Silent Night, Bloody Night is a somewhat forgotten gem. It doesn't have near the production values as Black Christmas. It's a bit slow paced at times. However, there is a lot that is good about this film and almost great.

First we have the serial killer cam, that follows the killer through the house as he stalks his prey. Second, we have the element of surprise as the slow pace of the film lulls us into a false sense of security which is jarred by a sudden swing of an axe or shovel. Third, the movie keeps us guessing who the killer is and we don't really learn the whole story until the end of the film. Fourth, the soundtrack is good with Silent Night devolving into a haunting minor scale that suggests that not all is twinkling lights and holly in this film. Fifth, the director chooses a "less is more" approach in terms of gore. There's not a lot of blood on screen but your mind fills in all the messy details perfectly. Finally, can there really be too many Christmas horror stories? I think not! It's a stressful, scary holiday to say the least.

The cast of Silent Night, Bloody Night is mostly unknown to me except for Patrick O'Neal who starred in tons of films including The Stepford Wives and The Way We Were. [There is also a small cameo by John Carradine as well.] Yet, in spite of its lack of star power the cast is quite good and gets the job done rather well. You can download this one for free from Archive.org. However, the copy is rather grainy. Still this actually adds to the enjoyment of the film. I don't think there's a better copy out there. I searched the internet and one is just as bad as the other. If anyone else knows of a better print, please let me know.

If you like slasher flicks, then definitely put this one on your list. Silent Night, Bloody Night is a Christmas present that's the perfect gift any time of the year.

RATING: Very Good.

Download a copy of the film from Archive.org

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Black Christmas (1974)

2011-12-20T07:19:00.000-08:00

If you love the sight of lights twinkling on an evergreen tree and carols wafting through the air, then this movie is NOT for you. If the season of Christmas drives you crazy with its endless barrage of over-sentimentality and consumerism, then sit back and enjoy! Although Friday the 13th (1980) inspired two generations of Dead Teenager Movies, it stole everything that was good about it from Black Christmas. The setting is a sorority house instead of a summer camp but nearly everything else is the same.

We see significant portions of the film through the perspective of the killer as the "slasher cam" walks us through the house. The killer is not "unmasked" until very late in the movie. [In Black Christmas we may see his hand or his eye but never the whole person.] The movie intentionally leads us down the wrong path so that we think the killer is someone else. Teenagers are dispatched in creative and violent ways. I think you get my point.

Black Christmas tackles these elements very well. It creates a great deal of suspense throughout the film and I found myself squirming in my seat a number of times as these sweet sorority girls are knocked off in horrific ways. That's a high complement from me because I'm pretty "unsquirmable." Black Christmas follows the tradition of Alfred Hitchcock who instinctively knew that what we don't see is far more frightening that what we do see. Therefore, there is actually very little blood spilled on screen but your mind fills in all the gory details [and does a better job in the process].

The cast is great and includes Margot Kidder [The Amityville Horror, Superman], Olivia Hussey [Romeo and Juliet], Andrea Martin [SCTV, My Big Fat Greek Wedding] and John Saxon [A Nightmare on Elm Street, Enter the Dragon]. Everyone is excellent and there's not a weak link in the bunch. Particularly enjoyable is Marian Waldman who plays Mrs. Mac, the alcoholic house mother who watches over the girls. She provides some much needed comic relief in the midst of the bloodletting.

Black Christmas was remade in 2006 with Andrea Martin returning to play the house mother instead of a sorority girl. I consider it to be as enjoyable as the original and, in some ways, it's better. The remake includes the backstory of Billy the killer and does it rather effectively. These "nostalgic" moments enhance the film and provide some of the most twisted and disturbing elements in it. [You'll never look at Christmas cookies the same way again!] The remake is more violent but it's still well done. My recommendation is to watch both of them. Start with the original and then view the remake. Let me know what you think. I watch Black Christmas every holiday season with my adult kids. It's our version of A Christmas Story and helps us to cope with the madness that is the holiday season. [You might find it hard to believe but Bob Clark directed both of these films. Thanks to him we have both Ralphie and Billy as our holiday mascots. WOW!]

RATING: EXCELLENT.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Zombies of Mora Tau (1957)

2011-12-16T15:57:00.000-08:00

I so wanted this one to be a good film. It has a number of things going for it: The story line is interesting as dead crewmen from sunken ships come back to life to guard the treasure that is still buried on the sea floor. Who will try to get the treasure next? Will the zombies claim another victim? It sounds great but it never quite gets there and the ending is ridiculously bad as the treasure is returned to the sea and a zombie sea captain "vaporizes" leaving a pile of clothing. WTF?

Most of the acting is decent enough in Mora Tau. However, Marjorie Eaton is terrible as Grandmother Peters. This role really needs to sizzle for this movie to work but Eaton is as stiff and wooden as the zombies onscreen.

The really bad news comes in the form of the "underwater" scenes which look like they were filmed by Ed Wood on a studio lot. Baaaaaaad. Furthermore, the zombies aren't menacing in the least and no one really explains how they got to be that way. The unspoken explanation has something to do with voodoo but then this theme is not explored in the movie at all. They just leave you hanging.

With a little more work this could have actually been a decent little zombie flick along the likes of Val Lewton's I Walked With a Zombie (1943) but it never quite gets there.

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Trilogy of Terror (1975)

2011-12-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Sometimes television gets it right. Scream queen Karen Black stars in four different roles in Trilogy of Terror. It's presented in a Creepshow or Tales From the Darkside format. None of the stories are interconnected except for the presence of the actress.

Trilogy starts things off right with a screenplay by Richard Matheson [I Am Legend, The Night Stalker, among others]. Matheson has had a long and successful writing career both as a novelist and as a screenwriter. His ability to tell a good story really shines through here. Matheson is paired with director Dan Curtis [Dark Shadows, The Night Stalker] who had a long career in television directing and producing. [He recently passed away in 2006.] This is a winning formula.

Karen Black is definitely the star here. She shines in every role and her considerable acting skills bring depth and intrigue to the characters she brings to life on screen. In the first vignette "Julie," Black plays a college professor who is stalked and black mailed by a student. The twist in this one came as a surprise to me. I didn't see it coming which is a good thing.

The second vignette "Millicent and Therese" was the weakest of the three. It's the story of two sisters who are polar opposites. I saw the direction this one was headed from the very beginning. Perhaps it would work for some folks but it pulled no surprises for me.

By far the last vignette "Ameila" is the best. A cult classic. It's so simply constructed but Black delivers the screams and terror to great effect. The story line involves a Zuni warrior doll who comes to life. It's quite intense, even though very little blood is shown. I especially appreciate how effectively Curtis shoots the doll. There is no CGI here. Just great camera work combined with marvelous acting that make the doll come alive. The final scene of this vignette is simply brilliant.

Don't miss this enjoyable thriller.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971)

2011-12-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

I simply don't know why this film gets a rating of 6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. Let's Scare Jessica to Death has a great title going for it but nothing much beyond that. It is quite slow in its pacing and feels long even though the film is listed with a run time of 89 minutes.

There are a number of great early 70's horror films. This is not one of them. The acting is uneven and poor at times. The way that Jessica runs in terror through the field makes one wonder if she has any muscles in her legs at all. I know it was the Seventies but, come honey, you can run with a little more determination than that!

I just found this film rather dull and hardly suspenseful at all. The basic story centers around Jessica who just got out of a mental hospital and is desperately trying to hold onto her sanity. While the movie is nicely moody and atmospheric at times, this is about all it has going for it.

The vampire angle is a bit interesting but, again, they don't do much with it. I have to disagree with the majority of people on this one and say "Ho-hum." If you want a nicely crafted horror movie from the early 1970's try Black Christmas (1974) or Deranged (1974).

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Curse of the Werewolf (1961)

2011-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly, Curse of the Werewolf [COTW] was the only werewolf movie made by Hammer Studios. While the beginning of the movie is a bit of a slow burner, it does offer a fresh and intriguing explanation as to how the first werewolf came into being. Stay with it because the pace does pick up after a while. The legendary Oliver Reed takes on the role of the werewolf, playing Leon Corledo, an unfortunate soul whose mother died at childbirth after being raped by a mad beggar. Reed does a very good job with the character. However, I prefer Lon Chaney Jr's performance in the 1941 classic The Wolf Man over Reed's any day. There are a few places in COTW where Reed simply looks like a human in a wolf suit. He is missing something in his movements that Chaney definitely got right in the original film.

COTW has all the trappings of a Hammer production with great sets, beautiful color and capable directing by Terence Fisher who did his best work as a director with this Studio. While the make-up magic of Jack Pierce is missing, the werewolf in this film does have an interesting look that makes sense considering the werewolf's origins. Definitely give this one a try. It's well worth your time.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Brides of Dracula (1960)

2011-12-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

The Brides of Dracula [BOD] is the kind of film you expect from the legendary Hammer Studios: beautiful sets, rich cinematography, impeccable acting, and a nicely written script. BOD has all of these and much more. Originally intended as the sequel to Horror of Dracula (1958), Hammer found themselves without Cristopher Lee to reprise the role. The script then went through extensive rewrites eventually resulting in Dracula remaining dead and a new vampire, Baron Meinster, taking his place. David Peel is very good as the young Baron with matinee looks and a dashing smile. This works to his advantage in the beginning of the film. However, it's simply challenging for him to look menacing since he's such a "pretty boy." Peter Cushing reprises his role as Dr. Van Helsing. He is wonderful as always and gives the role 110%. I also really loved Martita Hunt as Baroness Meinster, the Baron's Mama. Her wardrobe is fierce and she has an intensity about her that is delightful to watch. I think she steals the show in every scene she's in.

Terence Fisher's direction in this film is wonderful and the cinematography is eye-poppingly beautiful. My only complaint is that the fangs of the vampires make them look like they are wearing over-sized dentures. They are simply too big for their mouths. But this is easy to overlook considering what a nicely crafted film this is.

I wanted to give this one an "excellent" rating and probably would have done so if it weren't for the ending of the film. It seems a bit anti-climactic and I would have chosen to do something different that had a little more punch. Still, don't miss this one. It's a great example of the kind of film that made Hammer Horror legendary.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Devil Commands (1941)

2011-11-30T18:00:00.000-08:00

Ho-hum. That's about all I can say about this 1940's supernatural tale where Dr. Julian Blair becomes obsessed with trying to communicate with his dead wife. Boris Karloff plays the good doctor and does a solid job with the role. However, I just couldn't get excited about this one. There are no surprises and you know where it's headed every step of the way.

The directing is fine, the sets look good, the cinematography is pleasant. All of this leads me to exclaim "So what?" Maybe I was having an off night when I watched this but it's just O.K. There are much better made 1940's horror films and far greater performances by Karloff. I suggest you try those first. This one is for Karloff fans only.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

2011-11-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

Texas Chainsaw Massacre [TCM] is without a doubt one of the most profoundly disturbing films I've ever seen. It is also incredibly well made, referencing everything from the unrelenting terror of Night of the Living Dead (1968) to Hitchcock's famous shower scene from Psycho (1960). Tobe Hooper accomplishes something remarkable that modern torture porn never achieves: He shows us a portrait of humanity at its most depraved state and yet the film is relatively bloodless. Yes, people swear they see Leatherface hang that poor girl on a meat hook but look closely...it's not there. The mind fills in all the details! Brilliant! He does this again and again and again.

Like Romero before him, Hooper proves that low budget horror can be scary and disturbing as hell. He accomplishes this unending sense of dread by creating a world that none of us would wish to inhabit. The use of bones fashioned into household decorations and a mansion that is falling in on itself sets the stage. He then fills this stage with four of the most unimaginably depraved individuals to ever grace the silver screen and then lets them play a cat and mouse game with a few unfortunate souls.

I saw a documentary on this movie and the actors who worked on it got plenty of bruises and cuts while making this film. Hooper wanted realism and they took quite a beating to achieve it. Hooper also let the actors improvise quite a bit on the set so much of what you see is fresh and raw. They also filmed TCM in a Texas heat wave under horrible conditions. This further helped the actors get into character and the results of their work is unforgettable.

I REALLY warn you that this one is not for those with a weak stomach or low tolerance for violence. There really is no happy ending here. Yes, there is a "survivor" but it's hard to imagine that she would end up anywhere other than a mental institution for the rest of her life. TCM is beautifully disturbing and leaves the audience with images they will never ever forget. Just try to keep reassuring yourself "This is only a movie. This is only a movie."

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Zombi 2, a.k.a. Zombie (1979)

2011-11-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

Very few films make me wince. Zombi 2 is one of them. Italian director Lucio Fulci gives us a horror masterpiece that's both gory and imaginative. Trying to cash in on the success of George Romero's Dawn of the Dead [which was entitled Zombi in Italy] the makers of this film simply called it Zombi 2. In some ways it rests on the shoulders of Romero's shambling, slow-moving, flesh-eating zombies. But it also goes "old school" and incorporates some of the Haitian voodoo elements so prevalent in early zombie films. In the end it's really a hybrid of both.

The zombies in Fulci's film are truly works of art. He once described them as "walking flower pots" which is a great description. Many of their eyes are closed and the make up is in thick layers so that they look a bit like mummys but far more menacing. Kudos to Gianetto De Rossi for giving us some of the most visually stunning zombies ever to grace the silver screen.

This movie is true Italian horror with boob shots for no apparent reason and TONS of gore. Fulci lets it flow with reckless abandon. So much so that the film originally received an X rating.

The native drums on the soundtrack are a bit irritating. I found myself wishing they would stop numerous times in the film. However, the underlying soundtrack is good and sounds a bit like the atmospheric music Goblin did for Dawn of the Dead.

Yes, the acting is not always the greatest and tends to be a bit melodramatic for my tastes. But no one can deny Fulci's talent and artistry as a director. Zombi 2 is NOT for the faint of heart but it is one of the most memorable zombie films I've ever seen whose images will remain with me until they put me in the ground.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)

2011-11-19T18:57:00.000-08:00

Dark Night of the Scarecrow (DNOTS) was a made for TV slasher flick in the early 1980's. Yes, that's what I said. The plot is strictly by the book. There are no surprises here. A "slow boy" named Bubba is murdered by a group of vigilantes who kill him for something his is not guilty of doing. Then he exacts his revenge from beyond the grave.

DNOTS is greatly aided by the acting talents of veteran character actors Charles Durning and Larry Drake. It would have been in serious trouble without them. I just couldn't get too jazzed about this one. It is nearly bloodless and the suspense level fof the film is a slow burn at best. It's not a bad film. It is well made and well acted. It's just not that exciting. I'm not sure why it got a 6.8 out of 20 on IMDB. All I can say about it is ho-hum.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Poltergeist 2 (1986)

2011-11-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

Four years after the original blockbuster comes the sequel Poltergeist 2. How is it? Actually, quite good although it doesn't totally measure up to the first film. [Steven Spielberg's absence is definitely noticed.] The Freeling family with JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson as the loving parents are back with their tortured kids Carol Anne [Heather O'Rourke] and Robbie [Oliver Robins]. They have moved to a new house but they haven't escaped the entities that are hot on their trial.

The immortal Zelda Rubinstein is back as well as Tangina and there is an added shaman/psychic, Taylor, who is played wonderfully by Will Sampson. The addition of Native American spirituality works well here and serves the expanded story line quite effectively. By far, my favorite addition is the "world's creepiest preacher EVER" played with menace by the skeletal actor Julian Beck. I don't know where they found him but, WOW, he steals every scene he's in.

The special effects in P2 get a little crazy at times and feel a bit more like a John Carpenter film or something out of Hellraiser. I don't know if that was necessary but it is awfully fun to look at. Yet, it also left me with the feeling that sometimes less is more.

Poltergeist 2 has been judged rather harshly by some critics but I disagree. Yes, the first film is better but P2 is a very enjoyable ride that takes the story from the first and moves it forward in an interesting direction. Strong acting and eye-popping effects make it a great example of classic 80' horror. Don't miss it.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Thriller: Rose's Last Summer (1960)

2011-11-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

Season 1, Episode 5 - Rose's Last Summer

A solid entry in the Thriller series. Mary Astor [The Maltese Falcon] plays Rose French, an aging actress who has been out of work for quite some time and hopes to restart her career. She is offered a job in California and, several days later, is found dead. The plot eventually takes a surprising turn which I didn't see coming but after the "twist" is revealed fizzles a bit to a quite predictable ending. Darn! This one could have been great but it doesn't quite get there. Again, it would have been a better film in the 30 minute range rather than 50 minutes. Still, it was an enjoyable little thriller.

Director Arthur Hiller, who also directed Episodes 1& 2, is definitely in his element with this kind of filmmaking. He always gets solid performances out of his actors and has a nice sense of pacing of action and drama.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Thriller: The Mark of the Hand (1960)

2011-11-03T16:42:00.000-07:00

Season 1, Episode 4 - The Mark of the Hand

Poor little Tessa. Is she a sociopathic killer or just a girl framed for a murder she didn't commit? This is the question posed by The Mark of the Hand, capably directed by Paul Henreid [Casablanca, Alfred Hitchcock Presents] from a novel by American mystery writer Charlotte Armstrong. The subject matter is one that has been covered many times before. The best example being The Bad Seed [1956] which is one of my all time favorites in the "disturbing children" category. The problem with this episode is that the "twist" actually robs the film of its power. It's always more interesting to go darker than lighter and The Mark of the Hand misses its chance to shock the audience.

That being said, there is still some good ensemble acting here, although no one gives a riveting persormance. It's run time of 50 minutes could actually have been trimmed to half an hour show and the episode would not suffer at all. This one is good. It's just not as strong as some of the other entries in the Thriller TV series

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Top Ten Vintage Horror Flicks to Watch on Halloween Night

2011-10-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

Here is my list for 2011. Pair one of these with a modern classic like Trick R' Treat and you'll have a frightfully enjoyable Halloween. They are in no particular order.

Bride of Frankenstein [1935]
Nosferatu [1922]
Freaks [1932]
Night of the Living Dead [1968]
The Wolf Man [1941]
The Exorcist [1973]
The Evil Dead [1981]
A Nightmare on Elm Street [1984]
The Birds [1963]
THe Rocky Horror Picture Show [1975]

Vampyr (1932)

2011-10-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

This 1932 classic is a darling of the critics. Therefore I had high expectations when I sat down to view this film. Some of those expectations were met, some were not. Vampyre is an early "talkie" that feels more like a silent film because of its long periods of silence with no dialogue and the continual use of intertitles. The good news is that Director Carl Dryer and cinematographer Rudolph Mate' are experts at their craft. Vampyr has a dreamy, other-worldly feel that also employs advanced filming techniques that were seldom seen during that time period. Instead of lots of still shots, the camera slowly sweeps across and scene and back with expert skill. Shadow play, reverse film segments and superimposition also add a great deal to the look and feel of the film.

The bad news is that Vampyr is simply not scary at all. For me, one needs more than expert filmmaking to hit it out of the ball park. The vampires in both Nosferatu (1922) and Tod Browning's masterpiece Dracula (1931) are great examples from early horror films of how to do it right. Both of these vamps are creepy and leave a lasting impression long after the film is over. The vamps in Vampyr are simply human beings lurking on screen and in the shadows. If the intertitles didn't inform you that they were vampires, you would have no earthly idea this was the case.

So, I'm going to disagree a bit with the critics. Vampyr is a well made film but it lacks the horror elements that would have made it a truly great film. Stick with Nosferatu or Dracula instead.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Psycho a Go-Go (1965)

2011-10-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hip jazz, girls in shimmering mini skirts, a botched robbery and murder. That just about sums up Psycho a Go-Go which is often unintentionally funny at times and quite entertaining. This little thriller is hardly the pinnacle of 1960's cinema but it is decently made and well paced. The plot is far form original and there are absolutely no surprises. It begins with a diamond theft where the alarm goes off, the security come to the rescue and two of the three robbers escape. The last one is first shot by the security guard and then finished off by one of his accomplices. Furthermore, the bag this particular thief was carrying ends up in someone else's hands. You know where it goes from there.

My favorite funny moment is when a precocious little girl who lives in a very white suburb opens her birthday present from her Dad. She squeals with delight when she unwraps an African-American Christy Minstrels doll that begins to croon "Suwannee River" in an Alvin and the Chipmunks voice. Priceless.

This one could have been a lot better if it upped the camp factor. Alas, Psycho a Go-go takes itself far too seriously and suffers as a result. It's a thriller that's not too thrilling.

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Cat and the Canary (1927)

2011-10-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

An old mansion on a dark, stormy night. A creepy housekeeper. The reading of the will twenty years after the death of millionaire Cyrus West. Assorted relatives who would kill for their share of the inheritance. A maniac on the loose from the insane asylum nearby. Who could ask for anything more? The Cat and the Canary may be the film that started it all. In fact, James Whales credits it as his inspiration for The Old Dark House (1932).

The Cat and the Canary is excellent filmmaking. If you've never watched many silent films before, this is a wonderful place to start. Cinematographer Gilbert Warrenton and director Paul Leni give us a visual feast using lots of camera tricks that were innovative for their time. Layered images, shadow play, rapidly changing perspectives and creative use of text between scenes makes this one a feast for the eyes. I especially appreciate the "villain cam" toward the beginning of the film. It gives the viewer the perspective of seeing through their eyes as they sneak around the house. It is a trick that would later be used to great effect in classics such as Halloween (1978) and Friday the 13th (1980).

The acting is great as well with a nice mixture of dramatic and comedic moments. I'm certain that audiences loved this one when it was shown in movie theaters. It has such broad appeal and is so well done. Why haven't I heard of it before now? It is just as good as classic silent horror films such as Phantom of the Opera and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari.

Silent films are definitely an acquired taste. However, I really enjoy seeing where it all began. It makes me appreciate how far we've come and how much these early films still influence the movies we make today. You can download The Cat and the Canary off of Archive.org but I recommend renting the film through Netflix. It deserves to be seen on a much bigger screen than your lap top. Don't miss it.

RATING: Excellent.

Download a copy of the film from Archive.org

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Man Monster Party (1967)

2011-10-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

If you were a kid in the 1960's and 1970's there is no way you escaped the genius of Rankin-Bass Productions. What would Christmas be without Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or The Year Without a Santa Claus? This is classic stop motion animation at its finest and I still enjoy watching these films many, many years later.

Mad Monster Party? is a complete gem. The lead character, Dr. von Frankenstein is voiced by none other than Boris Karloff. The good doctor has decided that it's time to retire as head of the Wordlwide Organization of Monsters. He decides to share the news with his monster colleagues by throwing a big party. The guest list includes every iconic horror monster from the Universal Studio archive including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein [voiced delightfully by Phyllis Diller], The Invisible Man, The Creature, The Mummy, and the Wolf Man among others. It's a celebration of all things horror with dazzling old school animation, musical numbers and a sharp wit through and through.

Yes, this one is definitely for the kiddies. But the young at heart will also admire its joyful spirit and artistic sensibility. Mad Monster Party? is a good example of the amazing and innovate work Rankin-Bass were capable of producing. Don't miss this one.

RATING: VERY GOOD.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

She-Wolf of London (1946)

2011-10-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

As I sat down to watch She-Wolf, I was expecting the female version of Lon Chaney Jr's iconic Wolf Man with wonderful make up by Jack Pierce. I was also lured by leading lady June Lockhart who played the mom on Lost In Space. I loved her as a kid and figured this film was going to be a total home run...but it wasn't. It was just O.K.

The strong points are 1) Lockhart's acting. It's not as tortured as Chaney but she gives a nice performance nonetheless. 2) Beautiful sets. Somehow this film feels like it borrowed these sets from another movie but they are really nice. 3) Good cinematography and directing. It is a well made film.

The weak point are 1) Jack Pierce is listed as the make up artist but his talents are totally wasted. We never see the face of the She-Wolf anywhere in the film. In some films less is more, but She-Wolf desperately needs an on-screen monster. 2) False advertising. This film is billed as the next big thing from Universal Horror. However, what the audience actually gets looks a lot more like a Val Lewton thriller than a Creature Feature. 3) The script is predictable every step of the way. You know exactly where this film is headed and it does nothing to expand the mythos of the werewolf.

She-Wolf of London is a decent film. I just can't get too excited about it. We've seen it all before and it was done better.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Attack of the Puppet People (1958)

2011-10-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

50's B-Movie horror is the stuff I was raised on as a kid watching Chiller Theater in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Attack of the Puppet People is the kind of film that would often be aired on this broadcast. It's quite predictable, a tad creepy and sometimes unintentionally funny. The story takes place in a doll factory with "creepy" inventor Mr. Franz running the show. His voice channels a bit of Boris Karloff and you know from the start he's up to no good. John Hoyt fits the bill nicely as the good doctor who has just hired a new office assistant, Sally, played by fashionista June Kennedy, who I swear jumps out of bed every morning with a perfectly intact hairdoo, flawless wardrobe and pearls around her graceful neck. She's the quintessential 1950's "working girl."

The funny comes in when the doctor shows her some of his doll collection which includes dolls "from all walks of life." He then proceeds to show her three dolls: a bride, a house wife and a nurse. Ah, the 50's!

Director Bert I Gordon works a great deal with stories involving either giants or miniatures. Attack of the Puppet People is a good example of a number of 50's films involving these visual tricks of scale including my all-time favorite Them! (1954). He does a great job with this in an era before green/blue screens and CGI became standard fare. The film looks good and is convincing enough to work.

Granted, Attack of the Puppet People pulls no surprises but it is a solid effort nonetheless. If you like this kind of old-fashioned horror, you will definitely enjoy the film.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)

2011-10-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

You either get it or you don't. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is a camp classic filled with snappy one liners from the Princess of Darkness, tons of sight gags, and enough boob jokes to keep a room full of sixth grade boys thoroughly entertained. Top it off with an 80's soundtrack and fashion sense and you get a total home run as far as I'm concerned.

The story begins when Late Night TV hostess Elvira gets a call that her Aunt Morgana has died and Elvira's in the will. Hoping to score enough money to jump start an act in Vegas, Elvira sets out for Falwell, Massachusetts to claim her prize. Cassandra Peterson is perfection as Elvira. She is a force to be reckoned with and fills every scene she's in with manic energy and perfect comedic timing. Her nemesis in Falwell is Chastity Pariah, played perfectly by the always delightful Edie McClurg [Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Diff'rent Strokes]. She is the perfect foil for Elvira and their chemistry together is fun to watch. The rest of the cast is solid as well with characters that are well thought out and fully developed.

Director James Signorelli [Saturday Night Live] keeps the pace moving nicely and clearly knows how to make comedy work onscreen. He also is successful in finding a good balance between horror and humor, although this film is definitely high on the humor with bits of horror thrown in for good measure, including clips from a number of cult classic horror films.

Granted, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is not Gone With the Wind, but who wants to watch Scarlette pining away for a man she cannot have when you can watch Elvira light up the screen like the burning of Atlanta. Pure 80's fun. Not to be missed.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Halloween 2 (1981)

2011-10-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Sequels are always a mixed bag. In a few rare cases they surpass the original [Bride of Frankenstein]; in many cases they pale in comparison [Lost Boys 2, anyone?]. So, how does Halloween 2 stack up to the original iconic slasher film? Quite well. Halloween 2 begins with a recap of the first film. Then the familiar theme music is cued and the story continues as our heroine Laurie Strode is rushed to the hospital and Michael Meyers gets up and starts terrorizing the neighborhood after being shot in the chest 6 times. Jamie Lee Curtis is still great as Laurie. However, the actress is three years older even though the action takes place the same night. She's now one of those Gossip Girl teens so we just have to go with it and enjoy the performance by itself without referencing the first film. Donald Pleasence is back as Dr. Loomis and is equally as good this time out. As far as I'm concerned it is his role of a lifetime and it's hard to imagine anyone else trying to fill his shoes.

Three noticeable changes that make this film slightly inferior to the original: The haunting piano riff that dominates the original film score is replaced by a synthesizer playing the same theme [Oh, the 80's]. It's definitely inferior to the original. The second change is the director from John Carpenter to Rick Rosenthal, although Carpenter did work on the screenplay for the film. I just think Carpenter is better. He captures something amazing in the original film that was never duplicated in any of the sequels. This is not to say that Rosenthal's is bad. In fact, it's really good but, let's face it, few can fill the shoes of John Carpenter. The third change is the actor behind the mask. Michael 2 is shorter and stalkier than the original and definitely moves differently than the original Michael. Watch these two films back to back and see if you notice the difference.

All in all, this is a wonderful film that stands the test of time rather well. It is a most worthy successor to the original. As an extra bonus, Halloween 2 also includes a clip from Night of the Living Dead with those iconic words "They're coming to get you, Barbara." Priceless.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Night Strangler (1973)

2011-10-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes TV gets it right. Case in point, The Night Strangler which was the follow up movie to the successful The Night Stalker which also spawned the TV series of the same name. I absolutely love Darren McGavin's portrayal of Carl Kolchak, a news reporter that is a combination of a 1940's film noir detective and 1970's modern man with a healthy side of great comedic timing. Especially delightful are his conversations with his boss Tony Vincenzo, played brilliantly by Simon Oakland. The two of them are absolutely perfect together. Throw in cameos by John Carradine, Margaret Hamilton [The Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz], Wally Cox [The Hollywood Squares] and Al Lewis [Grandpa Munster] and you have a recipe for success.

While the original film is great, The Night Strangler is even better. The screenplay by Richard Matheson [I Am Legend] is solid through and through. The scenes in Seattle's underground are spectacularly moody and atmospheric. They are lit to perfection and the long periods of silence where Kolchak wanders through them searching for the killer are tense and foreboding. The killer is also much better than the vampire in the first movie.

I guess you can tell I'm a Night Stalker fan. It thrilled me as a kid and it still thrills me today. This one is a keeper and reminds us horror fans that the early seventies weren't always awash in bell bottoms and psychedelic mushroom trips. Sometimes they gave birth to smart and scary filmmaking on the small screen as well as the big one.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Invisible Woman (1940)

2011-09-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

This one is NOT a sequel to The Invisible Man Returns. In fact, there's not a moment of horror or thriller in it. This does not mean it's a bad film. In fact, it's quite excellent. The Invisible Woman can best be described as a romantic comedy with touches of Sci-Fi for good measure. The case includes the legendary John Barymore [Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 1920, a brilliant performance] as Professor Gibbs who invents an invisibility machine. This was one of his last onscreen roles and he is still in top form here. The one and only Margaret Hamilton [The Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz] is one of his faithful servants. Her mere presence makes me smile with delight.

The Invisible Woman is played with wit and charm by Virginia Bruce who uses her invisibility to take revenge on the men who have done her wrong. She settles the score, not with murder, but with humor and ridicule. It's a fun role and she seems to be having a great time with it.

The screenplay was written by Curt Siodmak and Joe May who also collaborated on The Invisible Man Returns. They really know how to write a good script and this one is no exception. The director this time out is not May but A. Edward Sutherland who definitely knows how to pace 1940's comedies. He keeps things light and fast which works well.

If you're looking for the Invisible Woman to have a tortured evil soul, you'll have to look elsewhere. If you like those "battle of the sexes" comedies of the 40's and 50's then this one will fit the bill nicely. Just remember, this is NOT a horror film.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Invisible Man Returns (1940)

2011-09-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Surprisingly, Universal Studio waited seven years to release this sequel which is nearly as great as the original. The Invisible Man Returns is a classic horror at its best. First, it starts with a great screenplay whose writers include director Joe May and Curt Siodmak who also wrote The Wolfman (1941), Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman (1943) and House of Frankenstein (1944) among others. The story works well and begins with the owner of a coal mining operation, Geoffrey Radcliffe, who has been falsely imprisoned for the murder of his brother and is scheduled to be hanged. He is given the serum to make him invisible by Dr. Frank Griffin who is the brother of the original Invisible Man. He then sets out on a quest to find the true murder while battling his descent into madness. Great stuff!!!

The second thing this movie has going for it is a great cast. Vincent Prince is great as Geoffrey Radcliffe. He fills Claude Rains shoes rather well as the Invisible Man which is a challenging role since we never see Price's face on screen until the end of the film. His expressive voice is the perfect choice for this role. The Invisible Man returns also includes great performances by Cedric Hardwicke [The Ghoul, The Ghost of Frankenstein] as detective Richard Cobb and John Sutton [Return of the Fly, The Bat] as the Dr. Griffin.

Finally, the special effects are really excellent considering the time period of the film. They did more this time out than they did in the original film and filled the movie with lots of visual delights. You simply can't go wrong with watching this one. It's classic Universal Horror at its best and is a joy to watch form start to finish.

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)

2011-09-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

Set in the swamps, presumably in the deep South, Attack of the Giant Leeches is a far cry from an episode of True Blood. This one is a so-bad-it's-funny creature feature from the 1950's by infamous schlock producer Roger Corman. In its favor, the acting is quite good. The characters and believable and there are actually a number of good scenes in the film. However, the giant leeches look like black plastic garbage bags with giant white suction cups sewn on them. The excellence of Them! (1954) is NOT here. These monsters look like those designed for an Ed Wood film. Bride of the Monster comes to mind.

If you like cheese, and lots of it, this movie might actually appeal to you. It's definitely the kind of stuff they showed on late night monsterfests while I was growing up but it's not something I'm too wild about as an adult. Attack of the Giant Leeches could have actually been a decent film if they had spent a little more money on the monsters. It's a shame because this film actually has some potential it never reaches.

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Invisible Ghost (1941)

2011-09-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

Bela Lugosi stars as Charles Kessler, a man living with his daughter while hoping for the return of his wife who ran away. While with another man, she was injured an a car accident and lost her mind. These days she's locked up in a barn close by where she is being taken care of by the gardener… but she gets out at night all by herself to wander the property. Every time Kessler sees her, he falls into a maniacal trance and murders someone. Sounds a bit confusing? You're not alone. It like one, big awful soap opera story.

The Invisible Ghost doesn't make much sense. Too many things are left unexplained and while watching the film I was dumbfounded that no one could figure out that Kessler was behind the murders. Lugosi is O.K. in this film but it is hardly one of his better performances. He doesn't have much to work with and doesn't bring much to the table. The rest of the cast is adequate, although I had a special fondness for Clarence Muse as Evans the Butler. He gives the best performance in the film and has a rather lengthy list of acting credits in IMDB. Muse stays away from black stereotypes that are so prevalent in films of this era and opts for a household domestic who is smart, observant and hard working.

In spite of the title there aren't any ghosts here. Nor are there any horror elements. The Invisible Ghost is a not-so-thrilling thriller. Your time is best spent elsewhere with other great films from this era. This one is strictly for Lugosi fans only.

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Black Dragons (1942)

2011-09-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

Black Dragons is a short war era thriller starring Bela Lugosi as Dr. Melcher/Monsieur Colomb. It is one of the earliest of Hollywood's responses to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and involves a group of Japanese "Black Dragons" who, through the help of the good doctor, undergo plastic surgery to look like prominent American Industrialists. Their goal, of course, is to sabotage America's war effort. However, one by one they are being "mysteriously" murdered. Wonder who? Well, there's no need to guess and no surprises in this film. The bad guys are killed and America is safe again. [Cue the waving American flag and the closing credits.]

Lugosi gives a lack luster performance here. This is probably due to his addiction to morphine as well as crippling arthritis. However, I can;t fault a guy for trying to earn a living! Even for Lugosi fans, this one can be skipped over for much finer performances from the same era such as The Return of the Vampire (1945).

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

C.H.U.D. (1984)

2011-09-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

C.H.U.D. [Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers] feels like a 1950's creature feature that is draped in the worst of 80's music and fashion. Ditch these two elements, turn off the color and we have a film similar to the classic Them! (1954) but not quite as good.

C.H.U.D. is a bit of a slow burner at first. It's the perfect movie for a lazy Sunday afternoon where, if you dose off for a few minutes, you can pick up where you left off. In classic Hitchcock fashion, director Douglas Cheek knows that what you don't see on screen can be scarier than what is seen on screen. Therefore, we only see bits and pieces of the CHUD-ites until the end of the film. This is a good thing because the actual site of these creatures produces more laughter than screams. It's good fun though and the CHUD-its are well made and imaginative.

C.H.U.D. is also enhanced by the acting talents of John Heard [The Seventh Sign, Big, Home Alone] and Daniel Stern [Home Alone, Whip It] who are front and center in this film. Both of them usually give solid to excellent performances on screen and they do a good job here.

If you like B-movies, you will definitely enjoy this one. It's not one of the best horror movies of the 80's but it is far from the worst.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Return to Horror High (1987)

2011-09-04T07:20:00.000-07:00

Many great and inventive horror films were birthed in the 1980's. Return to Horror High is not one of them! It's a dismal affair that is not nearly as funny nor scary as it thinks it is. Let's start with the director, Bill Froehlich who only has three director credits to his name...there's a reason for this. He is also credited as the producer of Children of the Corn 2 which is a terrible film in its own right. Bless his heart, as we say in the south. This movie is a mess with stiff performances from his actors and a plot that is a bit hard to follow at times, especially toward the end of the film.

Second, RTHH looks and feels like a cheap imitation of classic serial killer movies from the late 70's and early 80's. It makes the audience long for Freddy, Jason or Michael to show up and add some life, or shall we say death, to this barely simmering film. Thankfully, Chucky would come along in 1988 [Child's Play] to remind us that the genre was not dead yet.

What more needs to be said? Even veteran actors George Clooney [Yes, I said George Clooney] and Maureen McCormick [Marsha, Marhsa, Marsha] couldn't save this sad little film. I wouldn't watch this one again even if it was the last video left on the shelf at Blockbuster.

RATING: Bad.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Zombie: Dawn of the Dead [Dario Argento's Cut] (1979)

2011-09-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

Today I hit the holy grail of zombie horror in the used DVD section of my local mall. If you're a zombie aficionado you are well aware that Dario Argento did the European Cut of George Romero's zombie classic Dawn of the Dead. I've heard about Argento's version for years but have never had the opportunity to view it….until now!

How does it stack up to Romero's cut? Well, if you're looking for an exhaustive critique of the subject click HERE. But if you've read my blog before you know I like my reviews short and sweet. Argento's cut is fantastic. It's lean, mean, dark and full of action. While I love Romero's sense of humor and character development which appears in his cut, Argento skips the lighter moments in favor of a much more sinister and gorier film. It works beautifully. If you don't squirm in your seat or wince a time or two while watching Argento's cut then there may be something seriously wrong with you. He really brings out the horror in Romero's film.

Argento's cut is also greatly aided by a different musical score that was composed by the Italian progressive rock band Goblin. It really adds a great deal to the feel of the film and is a total hit run.

Some people enjoy getting into arguments about which version is better. What's the point? Both versions show the vision of two great directors who know how to edit horror. If you can get your fingers on a copy of this one, it's definitely well worth your time.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Black Sabbath (1963)

2011-09-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Many horror anthologies from Tales of Terror (1962) to the modern classic Trick r' Treat (2010) use a creative mix of humor and horror to keep their audiences thoroughly entertained. I am a big fan of this mix and delight in the kind of dark humor contained in the EC Comics of the 1950's as well as George Romero's horror movie anthology Creepshow (1982). Black Sabbath, by Italian director Mario Bava, has no humor in it whatsoever. This, I believe, is its downfall. It simply takes itself far too seriously.

Boris Karloff is the host in this collection of three supernatural vignettes. Unfortunately, he doesn't show up in the actual stories until the final act. The first tale is a simple ghost revenge story whose central character's acting style is way over the top. Jacqueline Pierreux plays nurse Helen Chester who makes a bad decision regarding a client and dies to regret it. Her acting style reminds me a great deal of Barbara Steele but not quite as talented.

The second vignette is even simpler. It's the classic stalker on the telephone. I found it to be the weakest of the three. Michele Mercer is the central character in this one. Her performance is more subtle than Pierreux's but the story line is so predictable that the audience knows exactly where this one is headed from the first phone call. Ho-hum.

The final segment is the strongest of the three, offering a vampire tale based on a Tolstoy novel. Stylistically it looks like a Hammer Horror production but also has a strong Italian vibe. Thank God Karloff shows up and gives Black Sabbath what it needs...a riveting performance. His character also reinvents the old saying that "Children shouldn't be seen nor heard...they should be eaten." You'll have to see it for yourself!

I could rate this one "very good" if the vampire segment stood on its own. However, taken as a whole, this Mario Bava trilogy is just O.K. It's nor terrible, but it's not great either.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Phantom of the Opera (1989)

2011-09-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

Man does not live by Fred alone. After the smashing success of A Nightmare of Elm Street (1984) and four sequels, Robert Englud was probably looking for a different role to play. He found it in Erik Destler, the Phantom. Granted The Phantom is Freddy Krueger-esque. However, the character is much more complex than his Elm Street cousin. Englud does a superb job in bringing The Phantom to life, imbuing the character with a sense of menace, passion and just a touch of crazy.

21 Century Film Corporation obviously had a big budget to work with. This version of The Phantom of the Opera is beautiful to look at, filled with rich imagery and lots of dark touches. Kudos to director Dwight H. Little [Halloween 4, Free Willy 2] for establishing a dark and ominous mood throughout the film that is filled with tons of artistic flourishes as well. This version of The Phantom of the Opera has much more in common with Lon Chaney's monster (192) than it does with its Broadway incarnation. Englund brings the evil big time and it suits the story well.

The film cleverly starts out in modern times with a cameo by Molly Shannon [Saturday Night Live] who is the accompanist for Christine. Christine is auditioning for an opera company when a freak accident at the theater results in her being hit on the head. This transports her to an older place and time where most of the story takes place. Jill Schoelen is good as Christine. However, we is no match for Englund. I would have much rather seen another 80's actress in this role who may have brought more passion and power to the role. I was also pleased to see a young Bill Nighy [Underworld] make an appearance as well. He's usually a commanding presence on screen and his role in Phantom is no exception.

Kudos to the make up and special effects department for lots of gory and squirm-worthy touches. It's nice to see that the makers of this film realize how dark a story this actually is. Yes, there is romance but it borders more on obsession than love. I think this film has been underrated by critics and deserves to be seen by more people. It is a lost gem of the 80's. Don't miss it!

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Children of the Corn (1984)

2011-08-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

Horror fans fall into two categories when it comes to Children of the Corn. They either hate it or love it. They hate it because it's not as dark as Stephen King's novel OR they hate it because it's rather bloodless for a film in which every adult in town has been murdered. I fall into the category of "love it" because it's a well told story with solid acting and one creepy little teenager named Isaac, played deliciously by John Franklin who also appeared in the 1999 sequel Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return.

I'm the kind of person who doesn't need gratuitous bloodletting to keep me entertained [Saw comes to mind]. Children of the Corn is moody, mysterious and highly original. I cannot walk by a corn field to this day without getting the chills. The movie is set in the idyllic town of Gatlin, Nebraska. It's the perfect setting for a Stephen King horror story. The film stars Peter Horton [Thirtysomething, Grey's Anatomy] and Linda Hamilton [Terminator, Beauty and the Beast] as Burt and Vicky who get trapped in Gatlin and eventually uncover all its hidden secrets. Their performances are great as are those of all the children in the town.

The only complaint I have lies with some of the special effects toward the end of the film which are not-so-special. There are other 80's films that do a much better job in this department such as An American Werewolf in London. Perhaps there were budget limitations that prevented them from going all out on this one.

Children of the Corn is less horror and more thriller. As a thriller, it's one of my favorites from the 1980's. This movie spawned way too many sequels. COTC 2: (1992) The Final Sacrifice picks up where the original ended. It's a bit of a mess and definitely inferior to the original in every way. COTC III: Urban Harvest (1995) is actually quite good. It references 2 in passing but then goes its own way. Many other remakes and sequels followed but like the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, they vary in quality. Stick with the original [It's the best of the bunch] and see it as a slow burning thriller with great acting and creepy kids. I couldn't ask for anything more!

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Dead and Buried (1981)

2011-08-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

The tag line for Dead and Buried reads "The creators of ALIEN bring a new terror to earth." Translation: This film really sucks but we hope we can sucker you into seeing it. Did it work? Well, it worked on me! Guilty as charged.

Dead and Buried can be best described as a crime drama/witchcraft zombie story that looks like a made-for-TV movie. The script is predictable and smells like a second rate Stephen King rip off. The direction is uninspired and the not-so-special effects are more funny than terrifying.

Dead and Buried also wastes the talents of a perfectly good cast. James Farentino [Police Story, Dynasty and Blue Thunder] stars as Sheriff Dan Gillis who investigates a series of murders in the quiet seaside town of Potter Bluff and eventually discovers it's dark secret. Jack Albertson [Chico and the Man] and Melody Anderson [Flash Gordon] also star with a small character role by the one and only Robert Englund [Freddy Krueger]. In spite of their acting pedigrees, each gives a rather lackluster performance. I chalk that up to bad directing.

Finally, these are not Romero gut-munching zombies. These have more in common with early zombie flicks of the 30's and 40's. Ho-hum. Skip this one unless you're really hard up for entertainment. There are so many great films out there. Dead and Buried should have stayed dead and buried.

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Fright Night (1985)

2011-08-26T18:40:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this movie. As far as I'm concerned everything about it works. Yes, there's a bit of 80's cheese in the soundtrack but Fright Night is simply classic horror cinema. First, we start with a classic story that involves young Charley who is convinced that a vampire has moved in next store. No one believes him at first but, eventually, everyone sees the truth. William Ragsdale is perfect as Charley who show us the transformation from boy to man. He plays all the emotions just right and you can't help but empathize with his character. Chris Sarandon [The voice of Jack Skellington in A Nightmare Before Christmas] also makes a great vampire with equal parts of seduction and malice. They play off of each other very well.

The other big performance is from Roddy McDowall [Planet of the Apes series] who plays Peter Vincent, Vampire Hunter. It is one of my all-time favorite performances of his. I just love what he does with this character. Rounding out the cast are Charley's girlfriend Amy, played by Amanda Bearse [Married With Children] and his best friend Evil Ed, played by Stephen Geoffreys. Both of them are great as well with Bearse giving us the perfect perky 80's girlfriend and Geoffreys providing some comic relief as he is transformed into a vampire.

Director and Writer Tom Holland [Child's Play, Psycho 2] keeps the action moving at a nice pace with an excellent script and a great visual look for the film. Kudos to the special effects department for some fun and surprising pre-CGI effects. They make you laugh and squirm in equal measure.

2011 brought us the remake starring Colin Farrel as the vamp and Anton Yelchin as Charlie. I really loved it as well and feel it is a very worthy adaptation of the original. It has much of what I enjoyed about the original film plus a few updates that work well for modern horror audiences. You simply can't go wrong with either one. As a special treat Chris Sarandon makes a cameo in the remake. Gotta love it.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Blade Runner (1982)

2011-08-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

My local used book/cd/dvd store has the magical $3.00 rack. I check it every week. Sometimes there is absolutely nothing. Other times manna rains down from heaven. This week I scored the Special Collector's Edition of Evil Dead (1981) and The Director's Cut of Blade Runner. Not bad for $3 each!

Blade Runner is one of the ultimate Sci-Fi Thrillers of the 1980's. Hot off of Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford was looking for something a little bit darker. He found it in Blade Runner which I describe as dark, brooding and a slow burner through and through.

The Director's Cut, supervised by the visionary Ridley Scott [Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, American Gangster] looks amazing. Blade Runner is a beautiful film to look at and the colors and textures are much richer in this version of the film. Scott also changed the film a bit including nixing Ford's voiceover narration and change the ending as well. Other people can argue for days about his choices. As far as I'm concerned this film is great in whatever version you see it.

Blade Runner takes place in 21st Century LA which feels a bit like The Matrix without the green filter. This is not the kind of place you'd like to go for a holiday. The feeling is dark and depressing and never lets up through the entire film. Ford is wonderful as Deckard who is a "blade runner" who stalks genetically made criminal replicants. His assignment is to find them and kill them. The replicant cast includes one of my faves Rutger Hauer [The Hitcher, Buffy the Vampire Slayer] as well as Daryl Hannah in her most deliciously evil role ever. These two really shine in this film. Rutger always gives me the chills without him uttering a word and Hannah's death scene is just incredible.

I don't need to say anything else about this film. If you've been living under a rock and have never seen Blade Runner, put this one on the top of your list. While it is not horror, it has more suspense and dark elements than a number of horror films I've seen over the years. A true classic through and through.

RATING: Excellent

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Ace of Hearts (1921)

2011-08-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Think of Ace of Hearts as a very old episode of Creepshow. It's a thriller that asks lots of moral questions about who should live and who should die with a story line that wrapped up in unrequited love. The horror elements of Lon Chaney Sr's better known films [Hunchback of Notre Dame, Phantom of the Opera] are absent but in its place is an actor which an amazing ability to convey emotion without saying a word.

Modern audiences need to learn a little bit of patience with silent films. They usually unfold rather slowly and the pacing is different from modern cinema. However, I have grown to enjoy these early films and it's great to see Chaney in a more subtle role. He really is wonderful to watch and his mastery of the craft of acting in silent films cannot be denied.

Give this one a chance. It definitely has its rewards. I watched the restored version which is a part of the Lon Chaney Collection from Turner Classics. This version of Ace has a new musical score that definitely enhanced the experience of watching the film.

I am no expert on silent films. I just know a good film when I see it. Don't miss it.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Dracula's Daughter (1936)

2011-08-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

Dracula's Daughter is the "sequel" to the classic 1931 film Dracula starring Bela Lugosi. As the movie begins, Dracula and Renfield are dead and Dr. Van Helsing has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Edward van Sloan [Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy] reprises his role as Van Helsing from the original Dracula and does a great job the second time around. He enlists psychiatrist Jeffrey Garth, played by Otto Kruger, to be his defense team. Kruger is great as well, especially as he begins counseling the troubled Countess Marya Zaleaska who wants to be rid of her evil impulses.

The Countess, of course, is Dracula's daughter, who is played magnificently by Gloria Holden. She has the most amazing facial features and make up artist Jack Pierce further enhances them with subtle but quite effective makeup. I absolutely love Holden's portrayal of the vampette. She is dark, mysterious and has a bit of a tortured soul. Her eyes are absolutely incredible and the delivery of her lines is sheer perfection.

Dracula's Daughter is further enhanced by a great script from David O Selznick [King Kong, Gone With the Wind] and beautiful direction from Lambert Hillyer [The Invisible Ray]. This film is not necessarily well known among casual fans of horror but I think it is a classic that is not to be missed. Gloria Holden is mesmerizing and becomes a worthy successor to Lugosi's iconic portrayal of the Transylvanian vampire.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

House of Dracula (1945)

2011-08-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

Just subtitle this one "Pretty Monsters with Problems." No, wait, that's The Vampire Diaries on the CW Network. This time out Universal brings back three iconic monsters to draw moviegoers into the theater. First, there's Dracula, played this time by John Carradine who is a little bit better than Lon Chaney was in Son of Dracula (1943). He's not happy being a blood sucking fiend so he turns to Dr. Franz Edelmann to help him find a cure. Onslow Stevens [Them] is great as Dr. Edelmann and is especially good when he vamps out later in the film. Personally, I think Bela Lugosi's Dracula beats everyone above by a mile. Why they didn't ask him to star in this film is a mystery to me.

Second monster on board is The Wolf Man. Thank you, Lon Chaney Jr for discarding your vampire cape and playing the role of the tortured Lawrence Talbot. I SO love him in this role and he does not disappoint this time around. Like his buddy Dracula, Talbot is also unhappy and looking for a cure.

Then, for some strange reason, Edelmann and Talbot find Frankenstein's monster in an underground cave and bring him into the story line. [Enter monster number three.] Glenn Strange plays the Monster this time instead of Karloff, but he has very little screen time and adds nothing to the storyline. Strange would go on to reprise his role as the Monster in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). However, his portrayal does not come close to Karloff's greatness in this role.

Add to this all star lineup Lionel Atwill as yet another police inspector and, my personal favorite, Nina, the hunchback nurse, and House of Dracula becomes quite an adventure. Erie C, Kenton [House of Frankenstein, Ghost of Frankenstein] does a great job as director and Jack Pierce does his usual brilliant job with monster makeup. While House of Dracula is not as classic as some of films these monsters originally appeared in, it is a thoroughly enjoyable movie nonetheless.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Seventh Victim (1943)

2011-08-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Who knew a Satanic cult could be so prim and proper. Well, it is the 1940's after all! Pearls and petticoats were the fashion for everyone, even Satan's minions! The Seventh Victim is another Val Lewton thriller that mostly hits the mark. The lead actress, Kim Hunter, who plays Mary Gibson is wonderful as the girl who is searching for her missing sister. She brings lots of heart and emotion to this film. [Who knew she would go on to star in most of the Planet of the Apes films as well.] The rest of the cast is solid as well.

The only let down for me was the ending. I was hoping for something a little more spectacular and it simply left me groaning. I screamed at my TV set "Seriously? That's all you got?" I expected a little more sinister plot from the devil worshippers and they did NOT deliver the goods. I guess it was shocking enough to simply mention the topic in 1943, but modern audiences expect a little bit more. Thats all I really have to say about this one. For me, it's not one of Lewton's best efforts even though some critics will disagree with me on this one.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Son of Dracula (1943)

2011-08-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Vampires should either be sexy or menacing or a combination of both. Count Alucard [wonder who that could be? Hmmmmm] is none of the above. I love Lon Chaney Jr. but he is just plain boring as Dracula. There are no fangs, no blood and it feels like Chaney is simply walking around the set with a cape and white make-up on his face with very little to do. His counterpart, the vampette Louise Allbritton who plays Katherine, does a much better job besting Chaney at every turn.

That being said, this is not a poorly made film. The Universal Legacy restoration of Son of Dracula is absolutely marvelous. The picture is crisp and clear and the sound is great if you put it through a decent pair of speakers. Furthermore, director Robert Siodmak, the brother of legendary horror screenwriter Curt Siodmak [The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man Returns] give us a beautiful looking film that is paced well and looks like it was made with a bigger budget than it actually had. It makes you wonder how great this film could have been if someone other than Chaney took on the role of Dracula.

This is simply a case of Chaney being a hot commodity after his amazing performance in The Wolf Man, therefore, it was a no brainer to have him star in Son of Dracula. However, it appears that vamps simply aren't Chaney's strength as an actor. Skip this one and watch the HBO series True Blood instead. Now THERE are some sexy, menacing vampires indeed! As a side note Jack Pierce did the make up in Son of Dracula although he is not credited. Not exactly his best work either!

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Strange Case of Doctor Rx (1942)

2011-08-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

I saw this one at the local Thursday night Horror show and enjoyed every minute of it. This little gem from Universal Pictures has a great cast including the infamous Lionel Atwill [Son of Frankenstein, Mystery of the Wax Museum, etc.] as Dr. Fish who has number two billing but very little screen time. Front and center in this film are Patric Knowles [The Wolf Man] as Detective Church, Anne Gwynne [House of Frankenstein] as Mrs. Church and Mantan Moreland [King of the Zombies] as Church's faithful manservant Horatio.

Knowles is perfect as the detective who somewhat reluctantly investigates the case of Doctor Rx who pins a note to all his victims, signed with a printed Rx and the number in which they met their demise. Gwynne is delightful as his wife and brings quite a bit of comic relief to the film. [She is also a total fashionista, complete with hats and perfect hair 24/7. You gotta love 1940's women.]

Hands down, however, it's Moreland who steals the show. Scandalously he is not listed in the opening credits even though he is in almost every scene. Such is the fate of black actors in the 1940's but this doesn't stop Moreland from showing off his quick wit and comedic timing. If you are unfamiliar with Moreland's career, it's worth a Google search to learn more about this actor who opened doors for many other black actors who followed in his footsteps.

Director William Nigh [The Ape] keeps the action moving along at a nice pace. The only caution I have about this film is that it is really a nice crime drama with a few horror elements thrown in toward the end of the film. So, if you need lots of blood and guts to keep you interested but might not enjoy this film. However, as a thriller, it's a solid effort that is well worth your time.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Two Evil Eyes (1990)

2011-08-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

The genius of Edgar Alan Poe is that his stories are timeless. Each generation has been able to put their own spin on them and make them feel fresh and new. Enter George Romero and Dario Argento, two masters of horror, who take on Poe in the delightful Two Evil Eyes. Romero is first up to bat with a wonderful adaptation of a lesser known Poe story "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar." Adrienne Barbeau is front and center as Mrs. Valdemar who is, as we say, a money grubbing ho what has a lustful eye for the doctor who is taking care of her dying husband. The casting is perfect all around and Romero builds the suspense until it hits a fevered pitch. It's really a great adaptation of the original Poe story and is not to be missed.

Dario Argento bats second with an intense rendition of "The Black Cat." Character Actor Harvey Keitel is gives a riveting performance as Roderick Usher [Another Poe reference. There is also a nod to "The Pit and the Pendulum" as well toward the beginning of the film.] who is a crime scene photographer who eventually creates his own crime scene by killing his girlfriend. This one is squirm worthy with the kind of blood and gore you expect form Argento. Wow! He really reinvents this story in a way makes it feel like it was written yesterday. The only WTF moment in the film is a dream sequence that can only be described as a satanic Renaissance fair. Not sure what the purpose of all that way but it is a strange and unsettling ride, indeed. Kudos also to Madeleine Potter who plays Usher's love interest, Annabel. The innocence and sweetness she brings the role are the perfect counterpart to Keitel's menacing intensity.

A bit of trivia on this one: makeup effects guru Tom Savini appears in the dream sequence even if ever so briefly. he was uncredited but I looked it up in the IMDB and, sure enough, it was him. He was also the make up effect supervisor so you know the gore and horror elements were very good.

I had never heard of this anthology before I saw it on Netflix. You can either rent it or stream it. Great stuff. Not to be missed. I wish all Poe adaptations were this good.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Tales From the Crypt (1989)

2011-07-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Horror movie perfection was achieved with HBO's delightful series Tales From the Crypt which is based on EC horror comic's of the 1950's. Hosted by the Crypt Keeper [voiced wonderfully by John Kassir], Tales From the Crypt's first season contained six short stories of terror, revenge and dark humor that were filled with a host of first rate character actors including William Sadler, Larry Drake, Joe Pantoliano, Lea Thompson and Audra Lindley. Put this kind of talent in the hands of legendary directors and producers [Robert Zemeckis, Richard Donner and Joel Silver for starters] and you have a recipe for success. There is not a bad episode in the bunch and this series went on to enjoy seven wonderful seasons with a total of 93 episodes.

Season One includes stories about capital punishment, murder, resurrection, the quest for eternal beauty and OCD behavior. Not a bad start to one of the best horror series to ever grace the small screen. Don't miss this. It's a total home run form start to finish.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Invisible Ray (1936)

2011-07-11T04:24:00.000-07:00

It was a dark and stormy night….yes, a classic beginning but it moves from there into interesting and entertaining territory. Boris Karloff is very good as Dr. Rukh who was ridiculed by his fellow scientists but then make an amazing discovery that proves his critics wrong. His adventures take him to Africa and back, along with Bela Kugosi as Dr Benet who has ambitions of his own. Lugosi gives a performance that is equal to Karloff's and the two of them work well together in this movie. The rest of the cast also adds quite a bit to the film as well. The only negative is the way the African natives are portrayed in the film. It borders a bit on racism but is typical of films of this period. It's not so bad, however, that it cannot be overlooked.

Director Lambert Hillyer [Dracula's Daughter] keeps things moving at a nice pace and the screen play by John Colton is intelligently written science fiction. The length of the film is just about right as well at 80 minutes. Sometimes less is definitely more.

For those who enjoy the finer points of horror filmmaking, the stupendous Jack Pierce did the makeup, although I hope he was not responsible for Karloff's Tony home perm. It was a tragic choice, indeed.

Enjoy this sweet little piece of 1930's Sci-Fi Thriller. The Invisible Ray may not be well-know to everyone but it definitely deserves more attention from horror movie fans.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Black Friday (1940)

2011-06-27T06:56:00.000-07:00

Any movie starring Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff should be a home run. However, Black Friday is just O.K. There's nothing horribly wrong with it. It's simply leaves you feeling like you've seen it before.

Karloff is definitely front and center as Dr. Ernest Sovac who transplants part of an injured gangster's brian into a mild-mannered English professor. [Just go with it.] The result is a person with a Jekyll and Hyde personality which the doctor tries to exploit for his own benefit. Karloff is fine in this role but his performance is nothing special. Lugosi has a much smaller role in the film and simply blends in with the rest of the cast. It's hardly his best performance either.

The screenplay was written by Curt Siodmac who also wrote the iconic The Wolf Man and The Invisible Man. Because of this, I also had high expectations for Black Friday that were not met. The dialogue was fine but the plot was very formulaic and predictable.

The final nail in the coffin is that there aren't any nails in the coffin! With a title like Black Friday I expected a little horror, a touch of gore, and perhaps a little devil worship for good measure. None of that is to be found here. Black Friday is a straight up gangster-themed thriller that offers little else. My question is why waste your time when there are so many other excellent films out there?

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Boogieman Will Get You (1942)

2011-06-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

I love watching Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre in comedic roles such as The Comedy of Terrors (1963) or Tales of Terror (1962). Thy are a delight in both of these films. Therefore I was excited to come across The Boogieman Will Get You which starred both of them. Unfortunately, Boogeyman does not deliver the comedic goods. It tries too hard to be funny which is very a good thing. I may have worked in the 1940's but it doesn't survive the transition to 2011.

The basic plot involves a young divorcee who buys a money pit of a house with the hope that she can convert it into a hotel. The house is owned by an eccentric scientist [Karloff] and his equally eccentric staff. Dead bodies pile up throughout the film but the laughs do not.

This one can even be skipped by Karloff fans! It's less than spectacular. It just provedsthe point that comedy is a tricky thing to pull off well. It' not a horrible movie, it's just not as funny as it thinks it is. Check out the other films I mentioned instead.

RATING: Fair.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Before I Hang (1940)

2011-06-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

I definitely have a love affair with Boris Karloff. He's such a good actor that he can take an average movie and kick it up a notch or two simply by his commanding presence. Such is the case with Before I Hang. The premise is interesting: A death row physician, who was convicted of a mercy killing, is granted a pardon and allowed to continue his experiments on a serum that could retard and even reverse the aging process. The script is nothing special but it is Karloff's performance that makes it work. His portrayal of Dr. John Garth is understated but menacing. He's not your typical "mad scientist" but, instead, is the kind of doctor we could imagine living down the street from us. For me this is far more interesting and haunting than the "He's alive! He's alive!" mad scientist we're used to seeing in early horror films.

A special treat is watching Karloff's hands and the way he holds the scarf he uses to dispatch his next victim. It is beautiful work from a master actor. If you're a Karloff fan, this one is definitely worth your time. While Before I Hang will not make you jump out of your set with fright, it is a solid piece of work.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Screamland

2011-06-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

Imagine Frankenstein as a balding alcoholic how hasn't worked in the film industry in years. Ot The Mummy as a suspected terrorist after 9/11 who flees the country. Imagine a naked Godzilla trying to make a buck in the dot.com porn industry. Welcome to Screamland, the funny, highly original comic book series by writer Harold Sipe and artist Hector Casanova. I purchased the graphic novel which contains issues #1-5. Screamland takes the iconic horror characters of the 1930's and imagines them as aged-out movie actors looking for a way to make a living in a modern world that has long since forgotten who they are.

If you have a love for Universal Studio's Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and The Mummy, this Screamland is a must-read. I found myself laughing out loud and this wickedly inventive little comic series that is beautifully illustrated and tons of fun. You can get Screamland at your local comic store or order it online through Amazon.com [where there is free postage and handling if you spend at least $25.00].

The Mummy (1932)

2011-06-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

This is the movie that started it all. The Mummy is one of Universal Studios classic horror films from the 1930s. It is as genre defining as Dracula (1932), Frankenstein (1932) and The Wolfman (1941) and spawned countless sequels and remakes. The Mummy stars the incomparable Boris Karloff as Imhotep in a story of love lost, love found and love lost again. Karloff is perfect in the role and with Jack Pierce doing his makeup, once again, they have created a horror masterpiece. Zita Johann plays Karloff's love interest, Helen, and is a delightful counterpart to Karloff's menacing monster. Together they are movie magic. The rest of the cast hits a home run as well.

The Mummy also has a wonderful screenplay that is brought to life by the legendary cinematographer/director Karl Freund [Dracula, Metropolis, Murders in the Rue Morgue] who brings both ancient and modern Egypt to life. I can only imagine that for 1930's audiences this was quite exotic and a delight for the eyes. Freund always frames his shots so carefully and beautifully. He also has a knack for epic storytelling and knows how to make his movies feel bigger than they actually are.

There is nothing bad to be said about this one. If you've never seen The Mummy, put this one on your Netflix list ASAP. It's THE quintessential mummy movie that is not to be missed.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Leopard Man (1943)

2011-06-03T16:27:00.000-07:00

Jacques Tournier [Cat People, I Walked With a Zombie] was one of Val Lewton's "go to" directors. I think he really has an eye for making beautiful pictures even on a budget. The Leopard Man is no exception. This nicely paced little thriller gets it start as a nightclub performer pulls a prank on her rival by walking into the club with a leashed black leopard. The leopard becomes unleashed and this is where the thrills begin. Bodies begin dropping by the question remains as to whether these murders can be blamed on the leopard or someone else?

The rival club performers are played excellently by Jean Brooks [who also starred in Lewton's The Seventh Victim] and Margo [just Margo]. They play off each other perfectly and this is the heart and soul of the movie. The rest of the cast is solid as well.

This is a classic 1940's style thriller that may seem quite tame by today's standards. However, there is no arguing this is a well made film which showcases Lewton's ability to make films that look like they have much bigger budgets than they do. If you like Lewton's other films, you will definitely like this one.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Abominable Dr Phibes (1971)

2011-05-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

As they say, revenge is a dish that is best served cold. And no one does revenge better than Vincent Price in The Abominable Dr Phibes. The good doctor seeks to settle the score by knocking off nine doctors whom he blames for his wife's death. He does so by unleashing the biblical plagues in sequential order with creativity and gusto. Lots of fun! Price is one of the few actors who I think can pull off this role. He doesn't speak a single word in the entire film except for voiceovers which is not an easy thing too do. His dramatic acting style suits the character well.

The look of the film is also interesting. It's very early 70's but in a good way. Many of the sets are very colorful with modern architectural lines but also contain flourishes of art nouveaux to give it a sense of something older than itself. Phibes and his faithful assistant Vulnavia are clothed in a way that only the early 70's could produce. This is especially true of Vulnavia who looks like she's been shopping in Lady Gaga's closet. [Or is that the other way around?]

The Abominable Dr. Phibes spawned a sequel, Dr Phibes Rises Again (1972). I consider the sequel to be even better than the original. It has more of a sense of humor than the original and feels like it had a bigger budget to work with. The result is that the sequel is even more visually stunning than the first.

If you're a fan of Vincent Price, this one is a must see. It's a quirky, imaginative take on the revenge tale.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Body Snatcher (1945)

2011-05-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

One would think that a film with both Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi would be a sure fire winner. However, The Body Snatcher falls a bit short of the mark. First of all, Lugosi only appears briefly in the film and really adds very little except his name on the marquis. [There's a sucker born ever minute!] Karloff is loads of fun as John Gray, a nefarious grave robber who procures bodies for anatomical research. [Just don't ask him for too many details on how he procures his specimens!] Karloff gleefully fills the role as only he can and adds a touch of humor as well as dread to the character.

The big weakness in The Body Snatcher is Henry Daniell as Dr. MacFarlane. Ho-hum. While it's true he's a distinguished British actor with a resume a mile long, I found his performance uninteresting and rather flat. It made me wonder what Karloff would have done with the role.

While Body Snatcher is filmed nicely, it just didn't grab me. I'd categorize it as a melodramatic thriller with an emphasis on mellow. Not much happens here. This is not the finest work from Lewton, Karloff or Lugosi by any stretch of the imagination. This one is for serious fans only.

RATING: Good.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Thriller: Worse Than Murder (1960)

2011-05-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Season 1, Episode 3 - Worse Than Murder

Death brings out the best and worst in people, especially when there's an inheritance to argue about! In this case, it brings out the worst in Connie Walworth, played deliciously by TV actress Constance Ford, who is upset that she has been left out of her uncle's will and tries to do something about it. This is an old-fashioned Hitchcock style thriller. It treads familiar territory but it tells the story well. Ms. Ford is front and center in this drama and her performance is wonderful. She lights up every scene she's in and makes Worse than Murder an enjoyable ride. [She also appeared in Episode 1, The Twisted Image.]

This episode was directed by Mitchell Leisen who does a nice job with the pacing of the story. He also brings out great performances from all the actors. The screenplay from veteran TV writer Mel Goldberg was nicely adapted from a novel by Evelyn Berckman entitled "The Beckoning Dream." Nicely done.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Thriller: Child's Play (1960)

2011-05-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

No, this has nothing to do with Chucky! It's all about little Hank in this episode of Thriller. Hank's parents are trying to save a crumbling marriage while failing to notice that their imaginative son is having trouble separating reality from fantasy. Tom Nolan is very good as Hank. He embodies the character with a 1960's boy next door with a little crazy underneath. Bethel Leslie and Frank Overton are really compelling as Hank's parents. They both give strong, heart-felt performances.

While this is not as suspenseful as the season opener, director Arthur Hiller [who also directed the first episode] keeps things moving at a nice pace. The screenplay is solid as well. While Child's Play pulls no big surprises, it is still a well done little thriller.

RATING: Very Good.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

Thriller: The Twisted Image (1960)

2011-05-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

In the early 60's Boris Karloff hosted a delightful TV series entitled Thriller. It began as a collection of crime and mystery stories but later became a showcase for horror. I'm going to review each episode separately because they deserve it. Thankfully, Thriller is available to watch instantly on Netflix so future generations can enjoy this well made show. You can buy the series on Amazon as well but it's a bit pricey.

Season 1, Episode 1 - The Twisted Image

Leslie Nielsen [Forbidden Planet, Mars Attacks] stars as Alan Patterson, a business executive who is stalked by two separate people. [I hate when that happens!] This taunt thriller is well acted and nicely paced. It's a good old-fashioned crime story that would work just as well today as did in 1960. Director Arthur Hiller [Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason] keeps the action moving along and builds the suspense nicely through the episode. His job was made easy by script writer James P. Cavanaugh [Alfred Hitchcock Presents] who adapted William O'Farrel's novel [Alfred Hitchcock Presents]. In addition to Nielsen the cast also includes veteran character actor George Grizzard and Natalie Trundy who has the most amazing eyes I've ever seen. She also went on to star in all the Planet of the Apes movies. All three actors are excellent in their roles. Nicely done.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the episode's entry in IMDB.

The Night Stalker (1972)

2011-05-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

I don't often say this, but sometimes television gets it right. Usually when we hear the words "made for TV movie" we envision an sappy after school special with a moral lesson attached to it. Or we think of a film that was not good enough to cut it on the big screen. The Night Stalker is neither of these. In fact, it spawned one of the best horror TV series of all time. The movie that started it all is a highly original take on the crime drama genre with elements of horror and a central character that is a reporter rather than a cop. Darren McGaven, who also played the father in A Christmas Story, is near perfect as Carl Kolchak. He's flawed, determined, ambitious and altogether human. I love what he does with this character and it's easy to see why the audience wanted more.

The movie centers on a series of murders that are happening in the city of Las Vegas. The cops seem clueless as to who is behind these murders but Kolchak figures out it is a vampire and spend the rest of the movie trying to convince the cops he's right. The Night Stalker also has quite a bit of humor thrown in for good measure. It's not the slapstick kind of humor found in Evil Dead. It's the humor that flows from ridiculous and frustrating life experiences. McGaven delivers it completely deadpan and it works for him.

The good news is that the movie and the TV series can now be streamed on Netflix. The boxed set is a bit pricey so it's nice that The Night stalker can be seen by a wider audience. I remember watching the TV series as a kid and it scared the crap out of me...but I never missed an episode. Watching The Night Stalker as an adult makes me appreciate how well made the TV series and movie are in terms of script writing and acting. Nicely done.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

Evil Dead 2 (1987)

2011-05-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Sweet Jesus! This is one intense film and a worthy sequel to the original. Director Sam Raimi turns up the special effects, the gore and the humor in this eye-popping gross out horror comedy. Bruce Campbell is brilliant as our antihero Ash. Very few people can pull off the physical comedy he does. A great example of this is the scene where he is fighting his demon possessed hand. There are no stunt doubles used here; just pure, raw talent. It's a sight to behold. The rest of the cast is great as well and serve to drive the story forward at lightning speed. The viewer is almost afraid to blink for fear they will miss something. A bathroom break is simply not possible without using the pause button on your remote.

Granted, Evil Dead II is not everyone's cup of tea. If you hated the first film, you will most certainly hate the sequel. There is more blood squirt and demon ooze projected in Evil Dead II than a thousand Exorcist movies. How they got this one past the censors in 1987 simply baffles me. But even if you dislike this kind of film, you cannot deny the unique vision of Sam Raimi who inspired a number of modern horror filmmakers. Evil Dead II is that rare breed of horror films that dares to be as gut wrenching as it is funny. This is no easy task and Raimi pulls it off flawlessly. I dare you not to feel exhausted after watching this film. There is so much going on in terms of inventive effects and sight gags that repeated viewings are absolutely necessary to appreciate everything Raimi and his effects gurus bring to the table. [Watch the "making of" featurette on the DVD to learn how they made this film come to life. It's quite fascinating and a tribute to the incredibly talented people who worked on this film.]

If you're idea of a good time is watching The History Channel, then skip Evil Dead II. If you have a strong stomach, a twisted imagination and like your humor very dark, then this one is tailor made for you.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.

The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

2011-05-05T13:43:00.000-07:00

A zombie classic is born! The Return of the Living Dead begins with a direct reference to George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Apparently some of the zombies from that plague were packed in barrels that were filled with a mysterious liquid. [Zombie pickles? Fantastic!] When two bumbling employees discover them in a medical supply warehouse they not only bring one back to life but unknowingly launch a new zombie apocalypse. The new zombies are a little bit different from the original models. Unlike their shambling elders, these zombies move quickly like those in 28 Days Later and also have a specific craving for brains instead of flesh. The result is a thrill ride that is both gory and funny.

ROTLD sports a somewhat cheesy 80's soundtrack but does have a few good songs along the way. The mix of comedy and gore is near perfect and the special effects are solid for 80's standards. The cast of teens is a bit over the top in terms of typecasting but it suits this film just fine. The main actors, especially James Karen [Poltergeist, Joyride] and Clu Gulager [Feast series] are great and understand how to make the comedic aspects of this film work. The rest of the cast is solid as well, even though many are simply hors d'oeuvres for the zombie buffet.

ROTLD launched many sequels and solidified the reputation for zombies to be brain munchers. It also provided some of the inspiration for making Shaun of the Dead (2004) which is definitely my all-time favorite zombie horror comedy. Definitely watch ROTLD if you have any love for zombies at all.

RATING: Excellent.

For more info check out the film's entry in IMDB.