The 80's Horror Movie I watched was The Stuff. I've never seen it before, but I loved it, it's cheesy but I love the horror movie so much that I bought it on Blu-Ray. This is what I love about 80's horror movies.

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BACK TO SCHOOL (1986). This Rodney Dangerfield comedy of a Self Made man attending college to be closer to his son, further his education and party hard after divorcing his wife has aged quite well. Honestly, the funniest bits are Rodney just being Rodney.

He really was one of the greats-good support by Ned Beatty, Keith Gordon and lovely Sally Kellerman. ***1/2

Home Sweet Home 1981

FLASH GORDON (1981). Very cheesy and campy film, but quite a bit of fun and certainly worth seeing. Sam Jones is kind of wooden as Flash, but He gets great support from Max Von Sydow (Ming The Merciless), Topol, the lovely Melody Anderson AND Ornella Muti as well as the extremely hammy Brian Blessed (Prince Vultan of the Hawkmen. A lot of the silliness comes from the script by Lorenzo Semple Jr (TV's BATMAN and King Kong 1976) and the bombastic score from Queen-see if You don't find yourself shouting out "FLASH! Ahh-AAAH!" ***

Blood Rage

THE DOLL SQUAD (1973). Very low budget film that Aaron Spelling must have seen for the idea of CHARLIE'S ANGELS-the leader here is also named Sabrina (Francine York, who did lots of TV, is a knockout), the ladies gets instructions and some James Bond-ish elements one into place. Silly, but enjoyable and nice to see Michael Ansara and Tura Satana (FASTER PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!). ***

Well said! Back to School was a very nice surprise. Had a great mix of comedy and seriousness. Excellent casting. Helped put Morton Downey Jr back on the map, who had a mesmerizing bit part.


Agreed on all that; that's exactly how I remember it.

On the big screen it zipped along at a fast pace. Definitely wacky, but gratefully didn't seem self-aware at all. It's all very familiar but doesn't linger.

I think I tried watching once more on the small screen, and it felt like a film you might only want to see once.

Friday the 13th (1980) ★★★★

If you look at arguable things like effects, budget, lack of originality (ie unashamedly ropping off other films like Halloween and Carrie),... there are plenty of reasons why this film should not*work.

And yet it does. Even if it's just with the anticipation of mark out moments like when Bacon gets it or the introduction of Crazy Ralph. And credit where credit is due, Betsy Palmer does show her action chops. Even if the script was a piece of...*dreck.

Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) ★★★½

Things you notice on the umpteenth rewatch: Vicky's frog in a blender joke drowns out Vandenberg's joke about Beethoven. And while Jason is often portrayed with a chainsaw in pop culture... the only time it's actually used, he falls victim to it. Go*figure.

Pretty much a rinse and repeat of the first one, but Jason's entry and the kills add to the*fun.

Friday the 13th Part III (1982) ★★½

The shoehorned in 3d bits do get more annoying with time and some of the acting is more than questionable. Case in point: Shelly's*deeaad.

But Jason did get his iconic mask and we got the handstand kill. So there's*that.

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) ★★★★

Things you notice on the umpteenth rewatch: Rob "Oh god, he's killing me"-'s name? Dyer. That's a bit on the nose, don't you*think?

Or the look in Feldog's eyes as he is chopping away at Jason. Makes you wonder if he was really imagining chopping away at Joseph*Zito.

Still one of the best entries in the series,*though.

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) ★★

Over the years, I have grown to be more mild towards this one as I was in my childhood. It's not as terrible as I thought before. It even has a few bits that were kind of cool and funny in their own campy way, like Violet's girlie robot dance, the classic Regi scream or Tommy bringing back his masks. White trash Rhea Perlman was kind of funny too. And, lest we forget, them damn*echilladas.

Demon, are you okay?
Demon, are you okay?
Are you okay, Demon?
You've been hit by
You've been struck by
Them damn*enchilladas!

That said, it's still pretty bad. It still has a lot to be desired. The horny couple gets ok kills, but most kills are off screen and the some of the ones on screen - like the greaser with the flare - look more cartoonishly silly than creepy. And of course the sleazy atmosphere, where the director cared less about the*actors.

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) ★★★★

Things you notice/wonder on the umpteenth*rewatch:

- Knowing this film (supposedly) inspired Kevin Williamson to write what later became Scream makes you appreciate the self parody bits more: the Bond intro, the dead meat conversation, American*Excess

- Am I the only one who thinks Sheriff Garris kind of looks like Xander*Berkeley?

- Is the scared little girl camper supposed to be a nod to*Poltergeist?

- Alice from part 1 is a way better drawing artist than Megan*Garris.

This one will always be my favorite of the series, despite all its liabilities...maybe they were a help? Indeed, Betsy was awesome in this.

Did You watch F13-F13:PART6 in one sitting? Although I don't think much of the sequels, You brought up some interesting observations that may change how I see them.

MOONSHINE COUNTY EXPRESS (1977). Decent drive-in fare of three lovely daughters (one being Maureen McCormick of THE BRADY BUNCH) of an assassinated Moonshiner taking over the family business and getting even and ahead over the corrupt town that did the deed. Good cast includes Claudia Jennings (who made her bones in many movies like these), William Conrad (looking a lot like Civil War General Ambrose Burnside) and John Saxon playing a Southern Good Ol' Boy, even with his "Noo Yawk" accent front and center. ***

"Kill her, mommy. Kill her." Great stuff.

I started last friday the 13th with Never Hike Alone and then went through the series at a rate of like one per day. I also threw a few fan films into the mix.

Glad to be of service. ::cool::

NIGHT OF THE COMET (1984). A passing comet has deleterious effects on Earth including the Los Angeles area where the action takes place. A couple of weapon savvy Valley Girls (who can't resist shopping as a cure-all after the disaster) and a trucker make the best of things while unknowingly being observed by not so noble scientists. Some good laughs and engaging story, despite the low budget. ***

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) ★★½

Looking back, this had the potential to be one of the better entries in the*series.

The Jason vs Carrie finale was great stuff. Kane shows his talent as a stunt man. If the MPAA had not butchered the kills, this film could have gotten a lot of delayed praise.*

Sure, together with Trent from the remake, Melissa and Bad News Cruz complete the top 3 douchebags in this franchise, but a more satisfactory kill would have made that worthwile. At least Maddy was likable, David had a bit of a Marty from cabin in the woods-vibe and, in my opinion, Robin is one of the prettiest girls in the*franchise.

Now you just end up with a half ruined film that could have been. And the übersilly ending with the resurrected father does not help either. Woulda coulda*shoulda.

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) ★★½

How can the Friday the 13th franchise offer both the most honesty and the biggest rip off in one and the same*film?

Honest because it's the most self aware so far. Delving into the silliness deeper and more willing than the previous installments ever did. And the rip off? Instead of "taking Manhattan", Jason strolls past Times Square and then teleports to Canada. And most New Yorkers are too aloof and uninterested to*notice.

This is the first one where you don't watch for the story. The Jason resurrection scene is as Troma as one hopes and the kills are over the top and cartoonish with the boxer decapitation as the topper. Also funny how the kills have poetic justice: the cokehead gets killed with a mirror shard, the junkie gets pierced with his own needle, the abusive swimming teacher gets drowned, the guitar playing girl, well ...*

Even Kane Hodder kicking Ken Kirzinger's ass is a nice touch in*retrospect.

And then there's the passage on Times Square and the rock star reception Kane Hodder got. Makes a part of me wish we had crowdfunding back*then.

And what better way to finish this*than:

- Look, you don't understand. There is a maniac trying to kill us.
- Welcome to New*York.

THE STEPFORD WIVES (1975). A family leaves NYC for the quieter and safer village of Stepford CT. Everyone is friendly enough, but the wives seem a little..."out there" and their ultra-focusing on household/matrimonial duties seem very strange to quite liberated new residents Katherine Ross and Paula Prentiss (very good here). Quite campy throughout, but an edge of creepiness forms when the truth of the town is being found out, especially towards the end...quite an image.
Also with Tina Louise (GILLIGAN'S ISLAND-she's pretty good also) and a very young Dee Wallace as "Nettie". ***

The Last House on the Left (1972) ★★★★½

For a movie with this reputation, it was kind of odd to see the end credits. Seeing all that sweetness and merriment, knowing what had happened just*before.

But make no mistake about it. This is a classic in the horror genre. A very intense and scary film, built on atmosphere, terror and torture. Not with your typical horror monsters, but with man itself at its cruelest and most*depraved.

Krug Stillo is one of the classic horror villains. A man so detached and callous he can watch his son commit suicide without batting an eye. Or rape a young woman, only seconds after carving his name in her chest. Props to David Hess for that*performance.

As a viewer, you are in terror, feeling for Mari and Phyllis. Or their parents, the moment they see the hanger and put the pieces together. Prompting a piece of revenge that was later echoed in I spit on your*grave.

Not without their troubles, though. Krug first toys with the father, showing off the brute strength that allows him to get away with his cruel acts. And when they finally get them, you as a viewer feel that this revenge will probably come a high*price.

A horror classic, but no cozy popcorn flick. At*all.

WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (1979)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >
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The first 20 minutes of WASC are incredibly suspenseful, even if the surprise factor is gone and the final 15 minutes are good as well. The biggest problem is how to fill out the rest of the story and focusing everything on Duncan just takes the wind out of the films sails. He really isn't interesting enough for Us to care what happens to him. The story may have worked better in an Anthology film, maybe about Urban Legends , which the plot line certainly is. **1/2

City of the Living Dead (1980) ★★★★

Fulci vs Argento, the Kirk vs Picard of horror*nerds.

Later some day, I'll knock out a proper review and give this film its*due.

For now, I'll just content myself in reveling in its unique esthetic and its amazing*gore.

Cat In The Brain
 

This is a feature length Italian giallo horror film with Lucio Fulci portraying himself having a breakdown with the boundaries of what he films and directs vs. what is actually real. He begins to imagine things happening when something similar but different is actually happening, and eventually sees a shrink for it, the gets hypnotized, only to have the problem get worse. He then believes to be killing people while under a trance. There are lots of twists and turns in this film, maybe even more than in "The Night Evelyn Came Out Of The Grave." This is also one of Fulci's better and more intense films. Fans of his stuff and the Italian giallo horror sub-genre should not be disappointed with this one. ::danger::

Sleepwalker, 1984. 7/10



Director:

Saxon Logan











This was a weird and fucked up film. <3

HANDS OF THE RIPPER (1972). Although the setting is a Gothic milieu with bloody killings, the Hammer film is a little more restrained than a lot of their offerings at the time (ie; No Nudity). Eric Porter is quite good as an early Freudian champion studying an almost placid Young girl (Angharad Rees) to see why her homicidal tendencies are released. Worth checking out, although the only performer I was familiar with here was Jane Merrow (THE LION IN WINTER).***

ROMANCING THE STONE (1984). A timid novelist wishes She could have an adventure as Her characters do and gets certainly gets it flying to Columbia to aid her sister. She has to rely on pluck She never knew She had and with the aid of an Exotic Bird Smuggler, finds thrills and chills galore.

Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas have good chemistry together and the film is good, but a little overrated. Most of the comedy comes from Danny DeVito and a truly funny scene in a small village looking for transportation. ***

Dogs, 1977. 7/10

Directed by Burt Brinckerhoff

THE RUNNING MAN (1987). I hadn't seen this in ages, but it has aged pretty well. Arnold has great one liners, an awesome cast and Richard Dawson is delightfully smarmy. ***1/2

Agreed. Romancing the Stone is a gem. It's all the little details... nice cinematography and direction. It's light comedy that plays like a novel adaptation. It has a lot of clever funny writing and it's quite lively in delivery.

TRUCK TURNER (1974). Decent Blaxploitation with Isaac Hayes ("Mr Hot Buttered Soul" himself!) playing a Bounty Hunter tracking an escaped Pimp who has a veritable army of gunmen. Violent a lot of times, but Isaac and Alan Weeks as his partner have good chemistry, an appearance by the always welcome Scatman Crothers and also welcome Yaphet Kotto, who has a pretty cool send off here; at least it's filmed in a different fashion than what You would expect. The most surprising part of TT is Nichelle Nichols (the classy Lt Uhara from the original STAR TREK) playing an extremely hateful and foul mouthed Madam! ::shocked::***

Maniac, 1980. 10/10

Directed by William Lustig

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Taste the Blood of Dracula, 1970. 7/10

Directed by Peter Sasdy

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My favorite Hammer Dracula movie!!!

SNOWBEAST (1977). TV movie obviously inspired by JAWS; a ski resort is about to have a big event, which could be jeopardized by mysterious killings nearby and the financial repercussions could be fatal. Decent turns by Bo Swenson and Yvette Mimeux , but lots of slow spots and payoff really isn't worth the time invested. **1/2

The Thing 1982 ★★★★★

A five star (genre) classic, no doubt about that.

From the very start, it does what it sets out to do, certainly for those who understand enough Norwegian to recognise the Norwegian word for "imitate". Wonder how Norwegian viewers felt when they first saw the film. How much of the cat was out of the bag at that point?

For the others, it's the mounting paranoia that gets to you. You can not trust anyone, because anyone or anything could be the thing. The tension never lets up, a feeling supported amazingly by Ennio Morricone's amazing score. A sound like a beating heart to make you more paranoid. All while rooting for one of the biggest badasses in horror history. R J MacReady can hang with Brodski and Ash.

Sooo...

Childs: Well, what do we do?
MacReady: Why don't we just... wait here for a little while... see what happens.

Curse of the Devil 1973 ★★

Curse of the devil holds the balance between the less good seventies horror and the better seventies campiness.

It shows in the special effects, which are terrible and kind of fun at the same time. The transformation scenes are very forties in the seventies. But I see a certain charm in it.

And at least, Bill The butcher's badly dubbed cousin was not fucking around.

Prom Night 1980 ★★

For all the ominous music in the score, this movie sure takes a long time to get started with the kills. Not to mention the fact that the killer is by far not as efficient as Jason or Michael Myers. Demonstrated best when tonight's Chris Hargensen gets it. Off screen, though. Luckily, her knuckledragging boyfriend gets the most explicit kill.

That said, the kill count does not go up that high. And while it fits the sex, drugs and death trope, it was kind of sad to see disco Jonah Hill get offed.

Jamie Lee Curtis carries the film, making for a good scream queen. Best moment is her sadness when she recognizes the killers. Sadly, the overall movie could have done better. But at least, it has straight faced Leslie Nielsen to tide you over.

Girls Nite Out 1982 ★★★½

Girls Nite Out is a very enjoyable slasher.

The story is par for the course, though the twist reveal at the end is enjoyable. The cast is a gang of friends, goofballs and douchebags.

But it does have the delightful Lauren-Marie Taylor and nothing makes me hate a slasher killer like killing her character. But Hal Holbrook is also around and he gets (most of) the dun dun dun moments.

The kills are not that graphic, but I like the suit and the weapon looks nice.

Fun stuff for slasher fans. If you have not seen it yet, check it out.

Faces of Death 1978 ★

While rewatching, I soon came to my conclusion: the age when I could have somewhat enjoyed this has come and gone.

I'm sure numerous pages have been filled calling this immoral and perverted. This is neither of those. Nowadays, It's just dull. A non stop montage of carnage. The question "real or not" does not grab me anymore and the narration can often be summarized with "sheesh, ya think?"

Dawn of the Dead 1978 ★★★★★

One of the best, if not the best zombie movie ever.

A wonderful insight in a world falling apart during an apocalyps. With the chaos in the newsroom as the perfect illustration. Or with the line about how the rednecks are enjoying themselves. You make your own parallel with later events here.

All this with an excellent score by Goblin, both adding beautiful music and an eerie atmosphere where the stress and the fear never let up.

Meanwhile, Romero manages to bring likable main characters to the story. As a viewer, you sympathize with Roger, Peter, Stephen and Francine. You feel happy for them when they find a place to stay, with plenty of food. And guns? Well... "The only person who could miss with this gun is the sucker with the bread to buy it." Boom.

The crushing feeling when Roger gets bitten or when zombie Stpehen comes out of the elevator is both sad and devestating. Further demonstrating the world ending feel.

The zombies look cool - with a particular mention for zombie Maynard James Keenan. While his character may have been a jerk, Tom Savini delivers a badass performance. Both as an actor and as a make up artist. And his buddy Taso gets one of the coolest, most gruesome kills in horror history.

A must see for every horror fan. In every cut available.

The Day After 1983 ★★★★★

I wish I could be a fly on the wall in different households the eve this first was aired. The closest thing I have now is this report.

This should not be judged by the same standards as other films. To be perfectly honest, the only movie person observation I made is that it was striking how two of the cast members went on to earn their chops in comedy.

It should just be experienced and the viewer should just be immersed in what's going on. It is one haunting image after another. Between the build up with the news always getting worse and scarier, the hospital performing operations under flashlights, the image of Stephen and Denise in the basketball field,...

Together with Schindler's List, this is probably the most relevant film of the past fifty years. To be seen and not forgotten.

Scars of Dracula, 1970. 7/10

Directed by Roy Ward Baker


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Absolutely true! I saw THE THING at my local theatre for a dollar and got in as the dog is breaking into the camp and was just amazed at how tense the film got and marveling at Bottin's still amazing work. Also, Morricone's score is so effective in its simplicity. I was astounded after reading how the film didn't do well, but it probably was ahead of its time. Very happy it's recognized as the classic it is,

I couldn't get through FACES OF DEATH, especially after the monkey and can't imagine why anyone would want to bother.

DAWN OF THE DEAD....so much has been said, but You still came up with solid observations that make Me want to check it out again, in all three cuts I have::cool::!
I was just crushed when Roger is bitten, although He really wasn't as focused as He should have been. I also love Peter's quote about that high powered rifle He picks up. And despite all the viewings, I still get a laugh when Steven and Peter are looking at the food and Peter picks up the huge loaf of bread, says "Mine" or "Mange" (not sure and subtitles would help) and laughs::big grin::

ZUMA BEACH (1978). TV movie involving a singer (Suzanne Somers, hot from THREE'S COMPANY) having problems following up from a successful single goes to her favorite beach to chill and consider her options. While there, She befriends some younger people and has a good time, but there is no mention of what decision She has come to by the end.

ZB reminds Me very much of a Crown Productions film-good production values, OK music and almost all the guys are jerks- without the T and A. Still, plenty of bikinis here and a great cast including PJ Soles, Michael Biehn, Rosanna Arquette, Kimberly Beck (F13 PART 4and looking smashing) and early roles for Timothy Hutton and Delta Burke. Also some story ideas by John Carpenter right before HALLOWEEN.

PJ mentioned in a SHOCK CINEMA interview that Suzanne was standoffish and may have been insecure with all the younger actresses in the film. But She looks lovely in her blue one piece and her vocalizing over the end credits isn't bad either. ***

You mean Sergeant Brodski from Jason X?

Yes, The Thing 82 is definitely one of the best horrors. Best practical effects in horror too.