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Category: Full Moon Fridays

  • Ghoulies II (1987)

    Ghoulies II (1987)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Released in 1985, Ghoulies was a massive success for Empire Pictures, making over $35 million on a $5 million budget. The film was also a hit on home video, so naturally, a sequel was to follow soon after. Charles Band had been tossing around an idea with his father Albert Band about the creatures taking over a circus. Unfortunately, much of the original cast and crew, including writer/director Luca Bercovici, did not return for the sequel. Instead, veteran director Albert Band would be stepping up, having not directed since 1979’s She Came to the Valley. Dennis Paoli (Re-Animator, From Beyond) wrote the screenplay and John Carl Buechler’s effects shop would again design the creatures. While the original was filmed in California, this would be filmed at the Empire Studios in Rome, Italy. So two years later, Empire Pictures released 1987’s Ghoulies II.

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    Synopsis

    The local carnival funhouse, Satan’s Den, has been running into financial troubles with businessman Philip Hardin (J. Downing) threatening foreclosure. While Larry (Damon Martin) wants to keep it running, his magician turned alcoholic Uncle Ned (Royal Dano) has given up. Meanwhile, the mischievous Ghoulies have hitched a ride on Satan’s Den as it makes its way to the local carnival. Taking up residence in the funhouse, the Ghoulies start attacking, though the carnival-goers think they’re part of the act. Soon, Satan’s Den is making a profit to Hardin’s chagrin, so he starts hitting on Larry’s girlfriend Nicole (Kerry Remsen). Once several of the other carnival workers start disappearing, the guests realize the Ghoulies are real and panic erupts. Alongside fellow carnie Sir Nigel Penneyweight (Phil Fondacaro), it’s up to Larry and Nicole to stop the Ghoulies. Will our heroes succeed, or will the Ghoulies become the next carnival act?

     

    Review

    While Ghoulies was enjoyable enough, it was also kinda slow and didn’t have much going for it besides the puppets. Ghoulies II, on the other hand, is much more fun, has better acting, and the puppets look amazing. First off, moving the setting from a generic haunted house to a carnival helps this film stand out. Also, the acting is much improved over the previous film, with some highlights being Martin, Dano, Remsen, and Fondacaro. Dano has some fun moments as an old drunk, and Fondacaro once again shows underrated of an actor he is. Downing is pretty fun as the stock corporate tightwad that you love to hate, and his death scene is satisfying. Plus, for a film that had a lower budget than the original, the puppets honestly look way better. They’re much more detailed, have better articulation, and each has a more unique design.

    Alongside the puppet and creature effects from John Carl Buechler and crew, there’s some great stop-motion from David Allen. The production design from Empire and Full Moon regular Giovanni Natalucci is fantastic, creating an authentic living and breathing carnival. The cherry on top of the sundae is the inclusion of “Scream Until You Like It” from W.A.S.P. Not only is it an awesome song, but it was written specifically for the film and W.A.S.P. enjoyed the experience. As much fun as the film is, my only gripe is that the love triangle subplot is uninteresting and dull. Also, while there are some gruesome moments to be had, much of the violence seems like it was cut out. Even with those gripes aside, this is still an enjoyable monster movie and a step up from the previous installment. Overall, Ghoulies II is a fun B-movie best enjoyed with friends and alcohol.

     

    Buy Ghoulies II from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UzWGOq.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Bad Channels (1992)

    Bad Channels (1992)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]The early 1990s were a golden time for Full Moon Features, pumping tons of low budget direct-to-video classics. Of course, their biggest hit was the Puppet Master series, but they had plenty of other titles in the mix. Charles Band always had a steady stream of filmmakers to turn to, including David DeCoteau, Stuart Gordon, and Ted Nicolaou. I’ve covered the works of Ted Nicolaou in past Full Moon Fridays, namely TerrorVision, Subspecies, and Bloodstone: Subspecies II. While working on his vampire series, Nicolaou was working on a more out-there project, something outside Full Moon’s comfort zone. This film would incorporate Nicolaou’s three favorite things into one: UFOs, rock and roll music, and comedy. It would feature various rock groups of the time and seem to go after the MTV crowd. What we finally got was the 1992 oddball sci-fi comedy Bad Channels.

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    Synopsis

    Shock jock DJ “Danger” Dan O’Dare (Paul Hipp) has taken a job at radio station 666 KDUL in Pahoota, California. He’s scheduled for an interview with reporter Lisa Cummings (Martha Quinn), but she blows him off over a rigged contest. While continuing his radio broadcast, the station is invaded by an alien named Cosmo (Mike Deak) and their robot companion. Dan and the station’s engineer Corky (Michael Huddleston) find themselves trapped while trying to warn the outside world. Unfortunately, no one believes them and thinks it’s all an elaborate stunt despite their desperate pleas for help. Soon, Cosmo’s plan is revealed: he’s using the radio to capture women, shrink them, and put them in glass jars. Meanwhile, Sheriff Hickman (Victor Rogers) thinks Dan is up to something, and station manager Vernon Locknut (Aaron Lustig) gets nervous. Will the alien be stopped, or will the girls forever remain trapped and shrunk?

     

    Review

    While it’s not one of the more well-known Full Moon movies, Bad Channels is still something of a hidden gem. Like many of his other movies, Nicolaou’s direction is top-notch, using atmospheric shots that incorporate dynamic lighting and shadows. Paul Hipp makes for a decent lead, mixing a fun, smarmy attitude with some more serious moments later on. Martha Quinn’s intentionally exaggerated performance is pretty fun, and it adds to the film’s charm, though it can be grating. Aside from that, the rest of the acting is decent, but no one else stands out aside from the leads. However, Full Moon fans will be happy to see appearances from regulars Sonny Carl Davis and Charlie Spradling. The musical numbers by Fair Game, DMT, and Sykotik Sinfoney are easily the film’s highlights, each better than the last. Whether you like hair metal, grunge, or something slightly weird, there’s something for you.

    As enjoyable as the film is, Bad Channels is still not as good as Nicolaou’s TerrorVision despite having similar themes. For a film that’s under 90 minutes long, many scenes feel padded out to reach feature-length runtime. This isn’t helped by the musical numbers which, though fun, feel like they’re dragging out to cover the entire song. That being said, the film’s soundtrack is still worth a listen, especially with the score done by Blue Öyster Cult. Also, much of Dan O’Dare’s past antics are talked about, but we’re never really shown any of it. The same goes for the alien, who we know virtually nothing about other than he’s after women to take home. Even still, the film is still an enjoyable watch for those who want to dig deep into Full Moon’s library. Overall, Bad Channels is a flawed but fun sci-fi comedy with some rock music added.

     

    Buy Bad Channels from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Troll (1986)

    Troll (1986)

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    Well before meeting and working with Charles Band, special effects designer John Carl Buechler got his start with Roger Corman. He’s worked on the special and makeup effects for Corman on films like Forbidden World, Sorceress, Love Letters, and Deathstalker. While working on 1982’s Android, Buechler presented Corman a treatment for a film about an evil troll running amok. Corman passed on the idea, so Buechler held onto it for years until he started working for Band years later. Buechler presented the treatment to Band, saying he wanted to direct, and Band agreed to finance the project. However, Buechler found himself busy working on the effects for other Band productions, including Trancers, From Beyond, and Ghoulies. As such, he handed off scriptwriting duties to journalist/screenwriter Ed Naha, who coincidentally had also worked with Corman. Finally, after so many years, Buechler got to direct the 1986 fantasy horror film Troll.

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    Synopsis

    The Potter family has recently moved into their new San Francisco apartment, and things seem normal at first. While exploring the building, young Wendy (Jenny Beck) is attacked by an evil troll wielding a magic ring. The troll, known as Torok (Phil Fondacaro), uses the ring to disguise himself as Wendy and blend in. While parents Harry Sr. (Michael Moriarty) and Anne (Shelley Hack) are duped, Harry Jr. (Noah Hathaway) is suspicious. Soon, Torok sets his plan in motion, using his ring to turn the tenants into pods that sprout various creatures. Harry Jr. seeks advice from neighbor Eunice St. Clair (June Lockhart), who reveals she’s a witch who fought Torok. Eventually, Torok’s influence starts turning the apartment into a fantasy world that threatens to consume humanity and take control. Harry Jr. must venture into the fantasy world, save his sister, and stop Torok before it’s too late.

     

    Review

    Much like the titular character, Troll is an odd little thing, yet that’s what makes it so interesting. For one, this has one of the most eclectic casts you could ever imagine, especially for the relatively low budget. There’s The NeverEnding Story‘s Noah Hathaway, classic actress June Lockhart, character actor Michael Moriarty, Sonny Bono, and even Julia Louis-Dreyfus! Indeed, years before she appeared in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was turned into a forest nymph. In fairness, everyone in the cast does do a great job, particularly Hathaway, Lockhart, and Phil Fondacaro in dual roles. He plays the titular Torok, as well as a human character named Malcolm Mallory, an English teacher suffering from leukemia. To his credit, Fondacora does an amazing job showing a real depth you wouldn’t expect in this kind of movie. Plus, it must’ve been tough working in that troll costume.

    For a first-time director, Buechler does a surprisingly good job behind the camera, thanks in part to cinematographer Romano Albani. Once Torok’s influence starts spreading, there’s tons of fog and moody lighting that creates a creepy and foreboding atmosphere. The creature effects are also top-notch, Torok’s design, in particular, is a highlight, and there’s some stop motion animation. I’d say my only problem is that Troll doesn’t seem to know what audience it’s made for. It’s too dark for kids, but it’s also too ridiculous for adults, so the somewhat inconsistent tone makes it confusing. Still, the weird tone, the out there creatures, and the eclectic cast makes this stand out all the more. It may not appeal to everyone, but it’s such a weird oddity that it’s worth discovering, preferably with drinks. Overall, Troll is an enjoyably strange film with plenty of charm to be found.

     

    Buy Troll from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3btuFPH

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  • Bloodstone: Subspecies II (1993)

    Bloodstone: Subspecies II (1993)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Despite some difficulties behind the scenes, the first Subspecies was another bonafide for the still relatively young Full Moon Entertainment. Much like Puppet Master and Trancers before it, this would be the start to one of their most popular franchises. The next two entries would be shot back-to-back with director Ted Nicolaou returning to helm these and every other entry. Much of the original cast and crew returned except for a few replacements, namely the female lead and effects crew. Makeup effects artist Greg Cannom moved on to bigger projects, including Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Mask, and Titanic. Lead actress Laura Tate refused to return due to how rough the shoot for the first film was. In her place, they cast relative newcomer Denice Duff, whose prior credits include episodes of Northern Exposure and Matlock. Two years after the first film, Bloodstone: Subspecies II was finally released.

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    Synopsis

    Picking up directly after the first film, the villainous vampire Radu (Anders Hove) is restored thanks to his diminutive minions. Now alive again, Radu kills his brother Stefan while he sleeps, only to retreat when the sun rises. At sunset, Michelle (Denice Duff) wakes up to find her lover Stefan dead, and she takes off with the Bloodstone. Once in Bucharest, she calls her sister Becky (Melanie Shatner), who soon arrives in Romania to help her. Meanwhile, Radu seeks out his “Mummy” (Pamela Gordon) for help, and she tells him to retrieve the Bloodstone from Michelle. Once she arrives, Becky gets help from police lieutenant Marin (Ion Haiduc) and US embassy agent Mel (Kevin Blair). Eventually, Becky learns the truth about Michelle: she has become a vampire and is now Radu’s fledgling. Accompanied by Mel and Professor Popescu (Michael Denish), Becky seeks to hunt Radu and save her sister.

     

    Review

    Bloodstone: Subspecies II is the rare sequel that not only continues what worked previously but also expands upon it further. Like the last film, this takes full advantage of the Romanian locations, from the ancient castles to the nearby towns. Plus, Anders Hove once again delivers a great performance as Radu, channeling his inner Nosferatu and giving him some pathos. Also, whereas Laura Tate was somewhat flat in the last film, Denice Duff is a welcome change as Michelle. She adds a real human quality to the role, making the character more sympathetic and conflicted with her vampirism. Melanie Shatner also shines as Becky, the sister who’s determined to rescue her sister no matter what happens. Supporting players Haiduc, Blair, and Denish also have their moments, Denish in particular as the eccentric professor turned vampire hunter. All in all, the cast here is a step up from the previous entry.

    As always, Nicolaou is a great director, incorporating dynamic lighting and harsh shadows to establish a foreboding mood. While Cannom’s effects work is sorely missed, the effects done by Wayne Toth and Norman Cabrera are still impressive. Speaking of effects, those expecting the return of the titular subspecies will be disappointed that they’re only onscreen very briefly. Starting with Bloodstone: Subspecies II, the title characters gradually get less and less screentime, which is good in this instance. Aside from bringing Radu back to life, they don’t factor into the plot, so nothing is lost with their absence. I’d say my main critique is that the pacing drags in parts, not much happening for long stretches. Even still, this is not only a fantastic sequel but yet another fantastic vampiric tale with more depth than expected. Overall, Bloodstone: Subspecies II is another highpoint in the Full Moon catalog.

     

    Buy Bloodstone: Subspecies II from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Bloodstone: Subspecies II (1993)

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  • Dolls (1987)

    Dolls (1987)

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    After the critical and commercial success of Re-Animator, director Stuart Gordon was offered a three-picture deal at Empire Pictures. His next film was From Beyond, which was released in 1986, but it wasn’t exactly his direct follow-up. Before filming his second H.P. Lovecraft adaptation, Gordon went off to shoot a different film based on some real-life experiences. While in college, Gordon found himself locked up in a room full of Victorian-era porcelain dolls, which freaked him out. Also, like most of his productions, Charles Band had presented a concept and a poster for a killer doll movie. Screenwriter Ed Naha turned that concept into a story involving a family trapped in an old house with killer dolls. Much of the cast and crew Gordon had worked with previously returned, though the film wouldn’t be released until 1987. That film would become the underrated gem, Dolls.

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    Synopsis

    On a vacation in England, David (Ian Patrick Williams), Rosemary (Carolyn Purdy-Gordon), and Judy Bower (Carrie Lorraine) get lost. With their car stuck in the mud and a raging storm, they decide to take shelter in a nearby house. They soon meet the residents, eccentric dollmaker Gabriel Hartwicke (Guy Rolfe) and his equally eccentric wife Hilary (Hilary Mason). Before long, hitchhikers Isabel (Bunty Bailey) and Enid (Cassie Stuart), and their driver Ralph (Stephen Lee) show up. The Hartwickes agree to let them all stay for the night, but before long, strange things start happening. Isabel ends up getting killed and dragged off, which Judy witnesses, so she gets Ralph to help her investigate. They discover the secret behind the Hartwickes: they are witches who have brought their dolls to life to kill. Unfortunately, no one else believes them, so it’s up to Judy and Ralph to stop them.

     

    Review

    While lacking the over-the-top gore and dark humor of his previous films, Dolls is still another great Stuart Gordon chiller. For this movie, Gordon went for more of a fairy tale/haunted house vibe, focused on a small child. Like many fairy tales, Dolls is a morality tale, where the bad get punished and the good get spared. In terms of bad, there’s the girl’s hateful father and stepmother, and the two hitchhikers looking to rob the Hartwickes. Each of them gets their comeuppance, and it’s satisfying to see each of them get their just desserts. Ian Patrick Williams and, especially, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon do a great job playing characters that you just love to hate. The two hitchhikers, Bunty Bailey & Cassie Stuart, are fun riffs on 80s punk girls, though they don’t do much. Stephen Lee and Carrie Lorraine make a good and likable pair as well.

    Guy Rolfe and Hilary Mason are the real standouts, acting both warm and friendly, as well as dark and sinister. However, the true stars of the show are the dolls themselves, brought to life thanks to stop-motion animator David Allen. Though they don’t have much screentime, it’s impressive to see them move about and go on their killing spree. It’s pretty easy to see how this film led to Charles Band coming up with the concept for Puppet Master. Also, the makeup effects from the always talented John Carl Buechler are quite good, yet some don’t hold up well. Fans of Re-Animator and From Beyond might be disappointed that this lacks the weirdness and crazies of those two films. Even still, this is worth a watch thanks to its chilling atmosphere, solid performances, and ability to make dolls creepy. Overall, Dolls is an underrated gem from a talented cult filmmaker.

     

    Buy Dolls from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WKS4aR

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    This review is dedicated to the memory of cult filmmaker Stuart Gordon, who passed away on March 24, 2020, at the age of 72.

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  • Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth (1991)

    Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth (1991)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]While not a massive hit upon release, Trancers managed to gain a strong cult following over the years. Following its release, Charles Band started working on an anthology film called Pulse Pounders comprised of three 30-minute segments. These included The Evil Clergyman, an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation, a sequel to The Dungeonmaster, and a Trancers sequel. Unfortunately, Empire Pictures folded in the late 80s, and the film was shelved for several years until it was rediscovered. The Evil Clergyman was released in 2011, and Trancers 1.5: City of Lost Angels was released in 2013. After Full Moon was formed and found success with Puppet Master, many more franchises were established, including Subspecies. Following Tim Thomerson’s return in Dollman, Band decided to resurrect Trancers, with most of the original cast and crew returning. Released six years after the original, the result was 1991’s Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth.

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    Synopsis

    Six years after taking down Whistler, Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) and Lena (Helen Hunt) have been living the good life. They’ve been living with Hap Ashby (Biff Maynard), who’s cleaned himself up and gotten rich after becoming a commodities broker. Back in the future, Deth’s body has become calcified, so McNulty (Art LaFleur) goes down the line to help him. Now in the body of his 15-year-old ancestor (Alyson Croft), McNulty visits Jack, Lena, and Hap to deliver the news. Meanwhile, Deth’s wife Alice Stillwell (Megan Ward), thought to be dead, is in the present and is onto something big. Turns out Whistler’s brother E.D. Wardo (Richard Lynch) is creating new trancers using an environmental group as a front. Jack, Alice, Lena, Hap, and McNulty must team up to stop Wardo from creating his new trancer army. Will Jack be able to save the world while dealing with two wives?

     

    Review

    Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth is an enjoyably fun film and a decent sequel, even with its flaws. Like the first film, Tim Thomerson’s charisma is dripping all over the screen, delivering plenty of smartass quips effortlessly. He has great chemistry with both Helen Hunt and Megan Ward, who each have their moments to shine. Richard Lynch makes for a great villain, and Martine Beswick and Jeffrey Combs make for good accomplices. Alyson Croft, who also played McNulty’s ancestor in the original, has tons of fun mimicking an older tough-guy cop. There’s plenty of action to keep fans happy, and there are some great oneliners to go along with those scenes. The makeup effects for the trancers look pretty good, Band’s direction is solid, and the music compliments the fun action. Plus, there’s a cameo from Barbara Crampton, which makes everything better.

    As much fun as Trancers II is, there are some things both technical and story-related that hinder its enjoyment. Firstly, it feels significantly cheaper than the first, which was also low-budgeted but felt like it had higher production values. There are several close-up shots of characters talking directly at the camera like they couldn’t get all the actors together. Also, the few futuristic scenes look very slapdashed and thrown together compared to the stylish-looking future scenes of the original. Granted, you don’t need a huge budget to make a great film, but these drops in quality are very noticeable. Plus, this film has a greater emphasis on comedy, which mostly works, but some of the jokes don’t land. Despite these issues, this is still a fun sci-fi action film with some great characters and solid set pieces. Overall, Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth gets the job done well.

     

    Buy Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Ghoulies (1985)

    Ghoulies (1985)

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    Back in the Charles Band Productions era, future Oscar-winning effects artist Stan Winston worked on 1976’s Mansion of the Doomed. He also worked on makeup effects for 1977’s Dracula’s Dog, which was directed by Albert Band, Charles Band’s father. This started a friendship between Band and Winston that lasted for many years, even after Winston went onto bigger projects. Most notably, Winston worked on the creature effects for Band’s 1982 film Parasite, which starred a then-unknown Demi Moore. Around this time, Winston and Band were discussing ideas for a potential film called Beasties, centering around tiny creatures. Nothing came of the project, but Band revisited it after Joe Dante’s Gremlins was released in 1984 to massive success. He hired Parasite co-star Luca Bercovici to co-write and direct, as well as John Carl Buechler to do the effects. The result was the 1985 creature feature Ghoulies.

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    Synopsis

    Jonathan Graves (Peter Liapis) and his girlfriend Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan) have recently moved into the estate of Jonathan’s late father. They invite several friends over for a party to celebrate, and Jonathan decides to perform a ritual with them downstairs. Though nothing seems to happen initially, the ritual ends up summoning several tiny creatures called Ghoulies, who become Jonathan’s servants. Soon, Jonathan becomes more and more obsessed with the occult and the estate much to the dismay of Rebecca. Eventually, Jonathan ends up performing a ritual that resurrects his late father Malcolm (Michael Des Barres), a satanic cult leader. Turns out Jonathan was supposed to be sacrificed as a baby but was protected by his late mother. Now with Malcolm restored, he takes control of the Ghoulies and plans to steal Jonathan’s youth to remain young forever. Will Jonathan and friends escape, or will Malcolm and his Ghoulies succeed?

     

    Review

    While the film may have been made to capitalize on the success of Gremlins, Ghoulies is still an entertaining watch. One thing that makes this stand out is the gothic scenery and atmosphere, giving off a very eerie presence. For a first-time director, Bercovici shows some promise behind the camera, and the late Mac Ahlberg’s cinematography compliments this. The Ghoulie puppets themselves, though not as intricate as the Gremlins or Critters, are still impressive and uniquely designed. The late great John Carl Buechler was always Band’s go-to guy for makeup and creature effects, and with good reason. No matter how small the budget or how limited the resources, Buechler always delivered some quality work. He’d go on to do effects for other Band films including Re-Animator, Trancers, From Beyond, TerrorVision, and Demonic Toys. Sadly, he passed away in 2019 due to prostate cancer, and he’ll be missed.

    Acting-wise, the cast ranges from decent to not very memorable, aside from a few exceptions, namely Liapis and Des Barres. As the villainous Malcolm, Des Barres is clearly reveling in playing such an over-the-top villain, but still makes it believable. Liapis does a good job going from likable protagonist to obsessed creep then back to hero struggling against evil. Character actor Jack Nance (Eraserhead) pops in as the groundskeeper, but he doesn’t have much to do until the end. However, Ghoulies is also noteworthy for featuring a then-unknown Mariska Hargitay years before becoming famous for Law and Order: SVU. The rest of the cast is mostly there as cannon fodder, but none of them are particularly annoying or hateful. Despite these and other issues, this was still successful enough for Empire Pictures to continue making movies throughout the 80s. Overall, Ghoulies is a fun creature feature with memorable monsters.

     

    Buy Ghoulies from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PudSD6

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  • Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

    Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]After the fall of Empire Pictures, Charles Band’s Full Moon Features was formed, releasing Puppet Master in 1989. Years earlier, Band was traveling through Italy and came across the Park of Monsters, or “Parco dei Mostri”. He was instantly captivated by the location, but he didn’t have any projects he felt would suit the location. Once Full Moon was started, Band came up with the concept of a gothic/erotic horror love story. Now that he had the concept, he decided to utilize the Park of Monsters and nearby castle as the backdrop. Many former Empire regulars were brought on board, including Ted Nicolaou, Mac Ahlberg, Dennis Paoli, Greg Cannom, and Pino Donaggio. The resulting film would be the second film released under the Full Moon banner, paving the way for their future. Released in 1990, we have Meridian, or Meridian: Kiss of the Beast.

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    Synopsis

    Catherine (Sherilyn Fenn) has recently moved from America to Italy after inheriting her family’s castle following her father’s death. She reunites with her old friend Gina (Charlie Spradling), who’s working as a fine art restorator for the local church. While reminiscing about old times and getting reacquainted, Gina spots a nearby traveling circus that has stopped by the castle. They decide to check it out and soon meet the ringleader, Lawrence Fauvrey (Malcolm Jamieson) and his World of Wonders. After the show, Catherine invites Lawrence and his circus for dinner, where she and Gina end up being drugged. Gina gets seduced by Lawrence, while Catherine is seduced by his twin brother Oliver, who both transform into large beasts. Trying to figure out what happened, Catherine learns more about the castle and the Fauvrey brothers than she ever imagined. It’s a twisted love triangle in this strange gothic fairy tale!

     

    Review

    Even for Full Moon, Meridian is one of their stranger films, but it’s certainly one of their most unique. While many of their later films were either straight horror or science-fiction, this one is more of a gothic romance. It takes elements from classic fairy tales, particularly Beauty and the Beast, and adds a contemporary twist to it. The use of an authentic Italian castle and the general locations help make the film more expensive than it was. Most of the performances are solid, particularly a then-unknown Sherilyn Fenn and Malcolm Jamieson, though Charlie Spradling has her moments. Though it can be tricky for one actor to play two characters and make them distinctive, Jamieson pulls it off. Greg Cannom’s make-up effects are impressive, particularly the creature design, even incorporating transformations similar to An American Werewolf in London. This shows the potential Full Moon had at the time.

    However, especially in the age of the MeToo movement, Meridian: Kiss of the Beast is a somewhat problematic film. Despite the film being billed as gothic romance, the inciting incident involves rape rather than romance, which makes it awkward. Even though one brother is good and one brother is evil, neither is any better than the other. It doesn’t help that Catherine ends up falling in love with the good brother despite him drugging and raping her. I’m not sure if this was an intentional decision, but it’s more likely that they didn’t realize the implications. Given that it’s Charles Band and Full Moon, it’s is more focused on nudity and strange creatures than anything else. In the end, while it’s not one of their best films, I can appreciate them experimenting in different genres. Overall, Meridian: Kiss of the Beast is a problematic yet interesting watch.

     

    Buy Meridian: Kiss of the Beast from:

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    Where to watch Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

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  • Laserblast (1978)

    Laserblast (1978)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Well before Full Moon Features and Empire Pictures, Charles Band was cutting his teeth during the 1970s as a producer. His first film was 1973’s Last Foxtrot in Burbank, which was a spoof of the controversial Last Tango in Paris. He produced 1975’s Mansion of the Doomed, which is most notable for featuring an early role for Lance Henriksen. Charles Band even dabbled in adult cinema with 1977’s Cinderella and 1978’s Fairy Tales, both erotic versions of classic stories. He directed 1977’s Crash!, starring José Ferrer and John Carradine, and also produced End of the World the same year. In 1978, Band founded MEDA Home Entertainment, one of the first home video distributors, which later became Media Home Entertainment. The same year, he produced a sci-fi film that would later go on to develop a small cult following. That film was 1978’s Laserblast, the sole directing credit of Michael Rae.

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    Synopsis

    Teenager Billy Duncan (Kim Milford) hates the small town he lives in, feels abandoned by his mother, and gets bullied. Even though he has a loving girlfriend Kathy (Cheryl Smith) that cares, Billy feels dejected by everyone around him. Things change when Billy finds a strange laser gun while wandering in the desert that requires a special pendant. After he starts firing the laser gun, two aliens are assigned to go to Earth and retrieve the laser gun. Meanwhile, Billy starts using the gun against those who bullied him, such as Chuck (Mike Bobenko) and Froggy (Eddie Deezen). As Billy continues his rampage, government agent Tony Craig (Gianni Russo) leads the investigation with help from the local sheriff. As he continues using the laser gun, Billy finds himself being corrupted further, getting green skin and white eyes. Will Billy be stopped, and will the aliens get their laser gun back?

     

    Review

    Laserblast is one of those movies where, after reading the synopsis, you’ll know whether or not this is for you. Most mainstream audiences will be put off by the weak story, mediocre acting, slow pacing, and general ridiculousness. However, if you’re the sort of B-movie connoisseur who enjoys watching these films on late-night channels, here you go. Like I said before, the story, though simple, is fairly weak, not helped by the incredibly dull pacing. With a few exceptions, the acting ranges between mediocre and terrible, with Kim Milford being arguably the weakest. Laserblast does feature classic actors Keenan Wynn, Roddy McDowall, and Ron Masak, all of whom do what they can. Also, the pacing is incredibly slow, with several scenes going on for what too long and not much exciting happening. Despite this, Laserblast is noteworthy for several reasons that make it worth a watch.

    For one, the film marks the first collaboration between Charles Band and stop-motion animator David Allen, which became a partnership. The sequences with the stop-motion aliens looking for the gun are among the film’s highlights, despite not understanding their dialogue. Also, this marked the first time Richard Band worked as a film composer, and he’d continue working with his brother. For being his only directing credit, Michael Rae’s direction isn’t terrible, and he could’ve even gone on to better things. Laserblast has a look that could only have come from the 70s, right down to the drab color scheme. Some audiences might be put off by this, but I look at it as a time capsule of the 1970s. This is often considered one of the worst movies ever made, but it’s nowhere near as bad as that. Overall, Laserblast is a good slice of 70s B-movie entertainment.

     

    Buy Laserblast from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

     

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  • Puppet Master II (1990)

    Puppet Master II (1990)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]After releasing Puppet Master in 1989, things were starting to look up for Charles Band’s brand new production company. They had struck a deal with Paramount to release their films, and they wanted a sequel as soon as possible. Around the same time, Full Moon had three more films lined up: Shadowzone, Meridian, and Crash and Burn. For the next Puppet Master, original director David Schmoeller didn’t return, so stop-motion animator David Allen stepped in. David Allen had been working for Band since the 70s on films like Laserblast, The Dungeonmaster, Trancers, Eliminators, and Dolls. He was even nominated for an Oscar for his work on Young Sherlock Holmes for Best Visual Effects in 1985. For this, not only would he be handling the stop-motion effects, but he’d also be directing, something he rarely did. So, in 1990, one year after the previous film, Puppet Master II was released.

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    Synopsis

    Following the events of the previous film, a team of paranormal investigators goes to the Bodega Bay Inn. Alex Whitaker has gone crazy and Megan Gallagher was killed, so the team is there to investigate what happened. Among them are Carolyn Bramwell (Elizabeth Maclellan), her brother Patrick (Greg Webb), Mike Kenney (Collin Bernsen), and Wanda (Charlie Spradling). Mike’s psychic mother Camille (Nita Talbot) is supposed to join them, but she gets kidnapped by the puppets. Soon, the puppet Tunneler kills Patrick, leading to the sudden arrival of one Eriquee Chaneé (Steve Welles). Turns out Eriquee is Andre Toulon, who has been resurrected by his puppets to continue making his life-giving serum. His serum requires fresh brain matter, so he creates a new puppet, Torch, to assist the other puppets. Who will survive against these tiny terrors, and will Eriquee/Andre’s dastardly plot be foiled?

     

    Review

    While I enjoyed the first film, I thought it was lacking in the puppets, having very little screen time. Luckily, Puppet Master II remedies this by incorporating more of the puppets, even giving us an idea of their personalities. While Pinhead, Blade, Leech Woman, Jester, and Tunneler return, there’s the addition of Torch, easily one of the coolest puppets. Many of the kill scenes are pretty fun, the highlight being Blade running towards someone to slice their face up. With the late great David Allen at the helm, the stop-motion sequences are as delightful and as unsettling as ever. Having Toulon come back as a villain was a nice touch, especially his look, inspired by The Invisible Man. Plus, we get to know more of Toulon’s backstory, such as his introduction to giving life to puppets. Also, like so many other great B-movies, George “Buck” Flower is here, too.

    On that note, the acting isn’t terrible here and they do a fine job, but none are particularly memorable. Elizabeth Maclellan makes for a decent lead, and she does have good chemistry with her love interest Lance (Jeff Weston). Steve Welles makes for a good Toulon, both when he’s normal and when he’s dressed up in robes and bandages. Charlie Spradling is also fairly memorable, mixing a bit of a snarky attitude with her obvious sex appeal. Still, the true stars of this film are the puppets, and they’re easily the best part of the film. They proved to be so popular, Full Moon started producing a line of action figures and a comic book series. Even though Full Moon had only been around for about two years, things were starting to look up. As for Puppet Master II, it’s a great addition to a long-running franchise.

     

    Buy Puppet Master II from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

     

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