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  • Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)

    Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)

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    United Productions of America, aka UPA, were famous for their Mr. Magoo and Dick Tracy animated shorts in the 1960s. However, the company wanted to move in a different direction, so producer Henry G. Saperstein was sent to Toho Studios. Given the popularity of the Godzilla films, UPA was hoping to acquire distribution rights to them in the USA. Saperstein ended up having tons of input in the production, from screenplay changes to casting American actor Nick Adams. Due to the lower budget, stock footage from previous films like Rodan, Mothra, and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster was incorporated. While the suits for Rodan and King Ghidorah were reused, the Godzilla suit used was newly built for the film. Series regular Ishiro Honda once again directed though he would step away from the franchise for some time. In late 1965, Invasion of Astro-Monster was released to Japanese theaters.

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    Synopsis

    In the year 196X, astronauts Glenn (Nick Adams) and Fuji (Akira Takarada) are investigating the mysterious Planet X. There, they meet the Xiliens, a race of highly-intelligent humanoid aliens led by The Controller (Yoshio Tsuchiya). The Xiliens have been routinely attacked by what they call “Monster Zero”, which is actually King Ghidorah, and need help. They give the astronauts a message: if Earth allows them to borrow Godzilla and Rodan, they’ll offer a universal cure. Earth’s leaders agree to their teams, and the Xiliens take Godzilla and Rodan to Planet X to fight King Ghidorah. Unfortunately, the whole thing was a trick by the Xiliens to take control of Godzilla and Rodan to conquer Earth. As Earth is being attacked, our heroes must find a way to break the Xiliens’ control over the other monsters. Will our heroes succeed, or will the Xiliens rule over the Earth?

     

    Review

    Invasion of Astro-Monster, though again a major departure from what the series started as, is still a fun monster movie. Much like Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, this offers an ensemble of Toho’s finest monsters pitted against one another. The fight scenes on Planet X and Earth are a spectacle, the Planet X fight memorable for Godzilla’s victory dance. As silly as it is, it’s odd going from the seriousness of the original Godzilla to such a sight. While it’s clear the Ghidorah and Rodan suits are reused, the new Godzilla suit looks good and streamlined. Though they’re working with a smaller budget, the effects still look solid, with plenty of miniatures and pyrotechnics. The destruction scenes, along with the fight scenes, are fun as always, and the design of Planet X is unique. Plus, the ridiculous outfits of the Xiliens add to the film’s goofy, campy charm.

    As far as the human characters go, the acting is solid all around, including American actor Nick Adams. Though he was added for American appeal, he does a good job and has great chemistry with his Japanese co-stars. Like the previous entries that he directed, Ishiro Honda manages to sneak some subtext in, namely being controlled by machines. Still, you can’t help but feel like he’s somewhat embarrassed to see his original symbol of destruction being more lighthearted. There’s also a subplot involving a Xilien woman sent as a spy who falls in love with Glenn added in. It further adds to the theme of people being controlled by machines and being able to break free. At roughly 90 minutes, the film goes by quickly, doesn’t overstay its welcome, and is enjoyable throughout. Overall, Invasion of Astro-Monster is goofy and silly, but still fun to watch.

     

    Buy Invasion of Astro-Monster from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3punQnf.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)

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  • The Children (1980)

    The Children (1980)

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    Carlton J. Albright and Edward Terry were working on ideas for a horror film and they found some unusual inspiration. Being parents themselves, they saw children as being smothering and suffocating, so they thought that would work as something terrifying. Around the same time, the Three Mile Island incident happened, so they decided to incorporate that into the story. Originally, Terry was set to direct, but he had issues with alcohol, and Albright didn’t feel he would work. Instead, he hired Max Kalmanowicz to direct, though much of the cast and crew found him difficult to worth with. Much of the cast was comprised of relatively unknown actors, the biggest star being Martin Shakar from Saturday Night Fever. Around the same time, Sean Cunningham was filming Friday the 13th using the same crew, including composer Harry Manfredini. In June of 1980, The Children was released to drive-ins.

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    Synopsis

    In the New England town of Ravensback, a school bus of kids drives through a cloud of toxic gas. Local sheriff Billy Hart (Gil Rogers) finds the bus abandoned and orders that the town be locked down. The sheriff goes around town trying to find the kids and asking their parents if they’ve seen them. Soon enough, the kids are found, but it turns out they’ve become zombies who are deadly to the touch. As Sheriff Hart and John Freemont (Martin Shakar) are driving around town, the children make quick work of the adults. Their victims include the local shopkeeper Molly (Shannon Bolin), Deputy Harry Timmons (Tracy Griswold), and his girlfriend Suzie (Joy Glaccum). Eventually, the children start closing in on John’s pregnant wife Cathy (Gale Garnett), so he and Hart defend the house. Will they stop the children, or will they become their next victims?

     

    Review

    The Children had the potential to be a fun, trashy exploitation film, but it sadly squanders that potential. The idea of killer radioactive kids is a novel concept, and their pale-faced look is pretty creepy. Also, for a low-budget film, the melting effects are fairly decent, offering some fun cheese to the proceedings. Some shots here and there make the kids especially creepy, such as a shot of their reflection in a window. Plus, this is one of those rare films that isn’t afraid of killing kids, though perhaps a little too much. The plot is pretty straightforward and simple, almost playing like a slight knock-off of Night of the Living Dead. Given the message they went for, parents will probably relate to feeling like their kids are smothering them to death. I’m sure young parents will especially feel the sentiment, like their lives are consumed by their kids.

    Unfortunately, other than the concept and a decent score from Harry Manfredini, the film doesn’t have much else to offer. Even at roughly 90 minutes, the film has very slow pacing, much of it amounting to exploring empty houses. Aside from the occasional scene of kids killing people with radioactive hugs, the film is littered with boring filler scenes. It doesn’t help either that much of the acting is very middle-of-the-road, neither particularly good nor bad, just unmemorable. Plus, there aren’t really any characters to get attached to, aside from probably the Sheriff and John. While they have a creepy look, the kids don’t do much other than stumbling around with their arms out. Like I said before, this could’ve been a fun trashy exploitation film, but it doesn’t deliver on what it had. Overall, The Children isn’t terrible, but it’s hardly what I’d call a horror classic.

     

    Buy The Children from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZhwD1e

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  • My Bloody Valentine (1981)

    My Bloody Valentine (1981)

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    After the success of Halloween and Friday the 13th, numerous studios were wanting their own piece of the slasher pie. Cinepix Productions, which was headed by Happy Birthday to Me producers André Link and John Dunning, wanted in on this. They hired George Mihalka, who previously directed the 1980 teen sex comedy Pick-Up Summer, to helm the project. For the cast, they mostly hired local Canadian actors, as well as hiring classic television actor Don Francks. With a budget of $2.3 million, they went to film at the Princess Colliery Mine in Nova Scotia. Filming in the mines proved to be difficult due to the limited space and the high levels of methane underground. After filming was completed in November 1980, the film was distributed by Paramount Pictures, who ironically released Friday the 13th. Originally titled The Secret, the film was released as My Bloody Valentine.

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    Synopsis

    The town of Valentine Bluffs is reinstating its annual Valentine’s Day dance after being suspended for twenty years. Way back when, a group of miners was trapped and left for dead while their supervisors went to the dance. The only survivor was Harry Warden (Peter Cowper), who resorted to eating his fellow miners to stay alive. The following year, he killed the two supervisors responsible and vowed to kill again if the dance was reopened. Mayor Hanniger (Larry Reynolds) and Chief Jake Newby (Don Francks) receive an anonymous Valentine chocolate box with a human heart. After resident Mabel (Patricia Hamilton) is murdered, the Mayor and the Chief decide to cancel the dance outright. Meanwhile, the young mine workers, including the mayor’s son T.J. (Paul Kelman) decide to hold a party in the mines. But soon, they’ll be on the end of a pickaxe when Harry Warden shows up.

     

    Review

    My Bloody Valentine is a very underrated slasher film amongst the glut of slashers that were released in 1981. Setting in a coal mine was a nice change of pace from the usual summer camp or sorority house. Not only is it in pure darkness, but the enclosed spaces add a sense of claustrophobia to heighten the tension. Also, the look of the killer is very unique, the sounds of his breathing through the gas mask extra creepy. Admittedly, it does follow the typical plot of a bad thing that happened years ago is happening again years later. Still, it works for this film, and the backstory established makes you almost sympathize with Harry Warden, but not entirely. There’s also a love triangle subplot, which ordinarily brings a film down, but here it adds to the plot. It adds tension and further develops the characters.

    Speaking of the characters, while the acting is pretty solid, many of the characters are largely forgettable. Then again, most slasher films of the time weren’t interested in deep characterization, but rather having several characters to kill. On that note, the kills are fairly gruesome, and the effects by Tom Burman are impressive given the small budget. Admittedly, many of these sequences were cut for the theatrical release, though you can see some small hints of them. Thankfully, the unrated version features all the kills in their uncut glory, and there are some standout kill scenes. At slightly over 90 minutes, the film doesn’t take up much of your time, though the pace drags slightly. Even still, this is a solid slasher film that horror completionists will enjoy, though casual fans might find it dull. Overall, My Bloody Valentine is a bloody good time, especially for those without a Valentine.

     

    Buy My Bloody Valentine from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jMQTB8

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  • Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983)

    Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983)

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    After Parasite 3D was a moderate success, Charles Band wanted to make another 3D movie, but in a different genre. At the time, post-apocalyptic movies set in the desert were popular following the success of The Road Warrior. Also, numerous sci-fi epics were released to capitalize on Star Wars, including Krull and Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone. With this in mind, Band decided to combine elements of both to create a new 3D sci-fi epic adventure. In true Charles Band fashion, he raised funding by preselling the film to investors based on a concept and poster. After getting a budget together, they started their three-week shoot at Vasquez Rocks, one of the most famous filming locations. Charles Band was able to get distribution through Universal, who wanted another 3D film to release after Jaws 3D. Finally, August of 1983 saw the release of Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn.

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    Synopsis

    On the desert planet Lemuria, ranger Dogen (Jeffrey Byron) is tracking down the intergalactic sorcerer Jared-Syn (Michael Preston). He meets local miner Dhyana (Kelly Preston), who witnessed her father be murdered by Jared-Syn’s son Baal (R. David Smith). She teams up with Dogen to hunt down Jared-Syn, but she gets kidnapped after Dogen is paralyzed by Baal. Soon, Dogen meets Rhodes (Tim Thomerson), a washed-up soldier who reluctantly agrees to help him in his quest. Turns out to defeat Jared-Syn, they must find a crystal mask used by an ancient race called the Cyclopians. They find the mask, only to be ambushed by nomads known as “One-Eyes” led by Hurok (Richard Moll). After challenging Dogen to a duel and losing, Hurok agrees to help him take on Jared-Syn and his forces. It’s high noon at the end of the universe as Dogen must rescue Dhyana and defeat Jared-Syn!

     

    Review

    Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn, on top of having a great title, is an enjoyable if somewhat derivative sci-fi adventure. While you can clearly tell what movies they’re taking elements from, they uniquely use them to create their own story. They essentially took the post-apocalyptic look of The Road Warrior and mixed it with elements of sci-fi fantasy films. You’ve got the leather-clad hero, the desert landscape, the vehicles made of recycled parts, and numerous car stunts. Said leather-clad hero is played by Jeffrey Byron, who brings plenty of charisma and likability to the role. Michael Preston makes for a great villain and is taking the otherwise ridiculous material seriously, giving a solid performance. Tim Thomerson, who later starred in the Empire classic Trancers, delivers the same wit and sarcastic attitude he’s known for. As soon as he arrives, the film picks up significantly and becomes much more entertaining.

    Richard Moll gives a very stern and imposing performance as the one-eyed Hurok, though he doesn’t have much screentime. The late Kelly Preston works as the love interest Dhyana, though her and Byron’s romance comes almost out of nowhere. Admittedly, the pacing is a bit sluggish, as there are tons of scenes consisting of characters either driving or walking. Plus, the plot can be somewhat hard to follow at times, especially since not much of what’s happening is explained. The action picks up in the second half, and at slightly over 80 minutes, the film never overstays its welcome. For the budget they had, many of the creature designs are impressive, though some of the composites haven’t aged well. There are some fun 3D sequences and Richard Band’s score adds to the film’s sense of fun and adventure. Overall, Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn works as fun ’80s sci-fi cheese.

     

    Buy Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pdq2iP

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  • Battle for Terra (2007)

    Battle for Terra (2007)

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    Born in Montreal in 1967, Aristomenis Tsirbas graduated from Concordia University with a degree in film production. He moved to Los Angeles in 1996, and he worked on the visual effects for James Cameron’s Titanic. After working on the visual effects for My Favorite Martian in 1999, Tsirbas worked on several animated short films. One of his shorts was Terra in 2002, which he decided to turn into a full-length feature film. He originally wanted it to be live-action with photo-real CGI backgrounds, but producing partner Snoot Entertainment had other ideas. They decided to have the project be fully animated and toned down from its original hard-edge to reach younger audiences. After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2007, the film was delayed to convert the film to 3D. Finally, Battle for Terra saw a wide release in May of 2009 in both 2D and 3D.

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    Synopsis

    On the planet Terra, the inhabitants live a peaceful existence, though advanced technology is strictly forbidden without the council’s approval. One night, Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) builds a telescope and sees some scout ships arriving to abduct Terrarians. She manages to crash one of the scout ships, though she rescues the pilot, Lt James “Jim” Stanton (Luke Wilson). After nursing him back to health, she helps recover his ship, but if he rescues her father Roven (Dennis Quaid). Through Jim’s robot Giddy (David Cross), Mala learns that humanity is dying and in search of a new home. While looking for Jim’s ship, they discover that the Terran leader Doron (James Garner) has been keeping Terra’s military technology. Meanwhile, General Hemmer (Brian Cox) is planning to launch an assault on Terra to terraform and conquer the planet. Who will survive in the Battle for Terra?

     

    Review

    While not an amazing animated sci-fi film, Battle for Terra is a very unique film that’s worth a one-time viewing. It has an interesting story that takes familiar story tropes and puts a few different spins on it. For one, neither the humans nor the Terrarians are presented as all good and all evil, each being more complex. The Terrarians are living a peaceful existence unaware of the advanced weapons technology their leaders are hiding from them. Meanwhile, the humans are just looking for a new home while avoiding the mistakes their ancestors made to ensure survival. Even if you disagree with the methods of either group, you can understand where each is coming from. There’s also a lot of interesting lore and backstory to both groups, and it makes you want to learn more. It’s a great example of using existing tropes to craft an interesting story.

    Given the film had a $4 million budget, the animation is decent and flows well, though it hasn’t aged well. The Terrarians and humans all have a similar design, which can make it hard to distinguish between who is who. Granted, there are some small changes made for the main characters, but they’re very minor and aren’t all that noticeable. Voice-acting wise, everyone does a fine job, particularly Evan Rachel Wood, Luke Wilson, David Cross, and Brian Cox. Cox easily stands out as General Hammer, delivering a very commanding performance and giving the character plenty of gravitas. Classic actor James Garner does a decent job as Doron, the Terran leader, though there isn’t much to his character. There are some fun action sequences, and at roughly 80 minutes, the film won’t take up much of your time. Overall, Battle for Terra isn’t great, but it’s a decent rental.

     

    Buy Battle for Terra from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tok4z2

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  • Happy Birthday to Me (1981)

    Happy Birthday to Me (1981)

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    After John Carpenter’s Halloween was a massive hit in 1978, Sean Cunningham’s Friday the 13th was released in 1980. That film was also a major hit, and soon other studios were wanting to make their own slasher film. Producers John Dunning and André Link wanted to capitalize on this with their own slasher film with a unique gimmick. They decided to base it around birthdays to achieve universal appeal, as well as incorporating a brain injury subplot. J. Lee Thompson, best known for The Guns of Navarone and the original Cape Fear, was hired to direct. For the lead, they hired actress Melissa Sue Anderson, famous for the hit TV series Little House on the Prarie. Classic actor Glenn Ford, who had earlier played Pa Kent in 1978’s Superman, was cast in an important supporting role. Despite some production problems, Happy Birthday to Me was released in May of 1981.

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    Synopsis

    At Crawford Academy, Virginia “Ginny” Wainwright (Melissa Sue Anderson) is part of the school’s “Top Ten” popular and privileged students. After their friend Bernadette (Lesleh Donaldson) goes missing, the rest of the group soon start getting picked off. Meanwhile, Ginny is dealing with repressed memories brought on by experimental brain surgery following a horrific trauma she suffered. She confides in her psychiatrist Dr. Faraday (Glenn Ford), who was one of the doctors behind the surgery. Soon, her friends are getting killed in various ways, such as by motorcycle, by weights, and by shish kebab. As more and more of her fellow Top Ten are being murdered, Ginny starts seeing visions suggesting that she’s responsible. Through her repressed memories, we learn about how she survived a car accident where her mother (Sharon Acker) drowned. It all culminates in a truly horrific birthday party that you’ll never soon forget.

     

    Review

    Compared to other slashes, Happy Birthday to Me is pretty standard, though it has some things going for it. Given the director’s background, it’s a good-looking film, using plenty of harsh, moody lighting and dynamic camera angles. Also, the acting is pretty good, Melissa Sue Anderson giving the strongest performance, coming off as both sympathetic and menacing. While he clearly looks like he’s slumming it, Glenn Ford does the best he can with the material. The subplot involving Ginny’s brain surgery and her having vivid hallucinations adds an extra layer of depth to the story. Some of the kills are pretty unique, especially the shish kebab kill, and the effects work done is fairly solid. The finale where all the victims are seated at a table is a haunting image, definitely one of the highlights. Even still, there’s plenty that’s working against the film.

    While there are some unique kill scenes, they’re pretty standard and not nearly as bizarre as the marketing says. Granted, that’s common with many slashers of the time trying to oversell themselves and not living up to expectations. Also, at slightly under two hours in length, the film feels padded with content that isn’t entirely necessary. Without giving any spoilers, the ending twist comes out of nowhere, though it was added at the last minute. It’s not even a case where you can watch the movie again and see little hints along the way. Honestly, the original motivations, though convoluted, would’ve been more satisfying than what the twist suggests, which comes off as ridiculous. Even still, this is an interesting entry in the horror genre that completionists might enjoy at least for the kills. Overall, Happy Birthday to Me is a decent if somewhat forgettable slasher.

     

    Buy Happy Birthday to Me from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3cBiwM7

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  • Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown (1991)

    Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown (1991)

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    Released in 1986, Class of Nuke ‘Em High was another major hit for Troma Entertainment, still vying for mainstream status. Unfortunately, following the disastrous release of Troma’s War, Troma had to majorly restructure themselves to try and stay afloat. One attempt they made to try and appeal to mainstream audiences was Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., but that was a failure. While working on that film, Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz noticed wrestler-turned-actor Jeffrey Beltzner under the pseudonym Brick Bronsky. They liked him so much that they offered him the lead role in an upcoming sequel to their ’86 hit. They hired Eric Louzil, who previously directed Lust for Freedom and Fortress of Amerikkka and produced Sizzle Beach USA. However, rather than being a direct sequel, Louzil decided to make his own standalone film separate from the original. In 1991, Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown was released.

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    Synopsis

    The Tromaville nuclear reactor has been rebuilt by the Nukamama Corporation, who’ve incorporated it into a new college. Dubbed the Tromaville Institute of Technology (T.I.T.), student Roger Smith (Brick Bronsky) is an aspiring reporter for the college paper. Unbeknownst to him, the science teacher Professor Holt (Lisa Gaye) is creating an army of subhumanoids for the Nukamama Corporation. While she has noble intentions, Dean Okra (Scott Resnick) wants to use the subhumanoids for the corporation’s nefarious deeds. During a sexual experiment, Roger meets and falls in love with Victoria (Leesa Rowland), who turns out is a subhumanoid. Also, it turns out the subhumanoids are melting down, meaning that Victoria will meet the same fate. With time running out and the school in chaos, Roger must find a way to save his new girlfriend. It’s a subhumanoid meltdown coming on through, and we’re dead anyway, so let’s fall to a goo!

     

    Review

    Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown is a bit of a disjointed mess, but it’s a fun mess. Even though it wasn’t directed by Lloyd Kaufman, this still feels like a typical Troma film in style and tone. There’s plenty of nudity, gore, and overall craziness to satisfy the most hardcore Troma fans, but at a cost. The film’s biggest problem is the pacing, as it takes a good 30-40 minutes for the plot to kick in. Many scenes in the film feel like isolated skits that have nothing to do with the overall movie. Granted, Troma films aren’t really known for having deep, intricate plots, but it’s hard to stay interested when it drags. Also, with some exceptions, none of the characters are particularly memorable, including The Squirrels, this movie’s version of The Cretins. Aside from their wacky appearances, they don’t do much.

    That said, there are some bright spots in the cast, particularly Brick Bronsky, Lisa Gaye, Leesa Rowland, and Scott Resnick. Bronsky acts as the film’s straight man, and he works thanks to his charisma, humor, and impressive physique. It’s easy to see how Kaufman and Herz saw potential in Bronsky to become a star in his own right. Returning from The Toxic Avenger Part II, Lisa Gaye is once again hamming up her role with glee. Scott Resnick is pretty fun as the corrupt yet unusually high-pitched dean, and Leesa Rowland has solid chemistry with Bronsky. The finale is easily the best part of the movie, as there’s tons of destruction, chaos, and mayhem. Plus, we get the introduction of the fan-favorite character Tromie the Radioactive Squirrel, though it only slightly validates the film. Overall, Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown is an enjoyable if disjointed mess.

     

    Buy Class of Nuke ‘Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NM52mf

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  • Fade to Black (1980)

    Fade to Black (1980)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]After working for Paramount and Warner Bros., Irwin Yablans decided to get into producing and distributing his own films. In 1976, he founded Compass International Pictures with Joseph Wolf, and they scored big with the release of 1978’s Halloween. While thinking of his next project, he thought of the idea of a movie nerd being pushed over the limits. Yablans hired writer/director Vernon Zimmerman, who was invested in the project, though he and Yablans butted heads at times. For the lead role, they hired Dennis Christopher, who recently earned a Golden Globe nomination for 1979’s Breaking Away. Australian actress Linda Kerridge was also cast for the female lead due to her resemblance to Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately, the film was plagued with production issues from a grueling schedule to clashing ideologies between Zimmerman and Yablans. Finally, in October of 1980, Fade to Black was given a limited theatrical release.

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    Synopsis

    Eric Binford (Dennis Christopher) is a shy, awkward guy who’s obsessed with movies and works for a film distribution warehouse. He lives with his overbearing Aunt Stella (Eve Brent Ashe), who chastises him for his obsession and poor health. He’s bullied by coworkers Bart (Hennen Chambers) and Richie (Mickey Rourke) and hassled by his boss Mr. Berger (Norman Burton). One day, he meets Australian model Marilyn O’Connor (Linda Kerridge) and becomes infatuated with her since she resembles Marilyn Monroe. They agree to go out one night, but after she accidentally stands him up, Eric starts going crazy. He dresses up as his favorite movie characters – Dracula, The Mummy, Hopalong Cassidy, and Cody Jarrett – and starts killing people. Meanwhile, criminal psychologist Dr. Jerry Moriarty (Tim Thomerson) is trying to find Eric and hopefully help him with his psychosis. Unfortunately, Eric might be too far gone to be saved.

     

    Review

    Fade to Black works as both a horror film and a deep character study of a man tormented by obsession. Dennis Christopher is outstanding as Eric Binford, expertly making the character creepy and terrifying, yet oddly sympathetic and likable. While the film doesn’t glorify the things he does, it shows how a man plagued with obsession can grow insane. It helps that Christopher was dedicated to the material, wanting to expand his character and committing fully to the role. Tim Thomerson is hilarious as Dr. Moriarty, though he’s able to get serious when needed and has plenty of charisma. Linda Kerridge, on top of her good looks and resemblance to Marilyn Monroe, does a great job acting opposite Christopher. You get the feeling that she genuinely cared for Eric and wanted to help him, which makes their romance tragic. Also, a then relatively unknown Mickey Rourke gives a solid performance.

    Regardless of the behind-the-scenes issues, Vernon Zimmerman does a great job behind the camera, giving scenes a dark, dreamlike quality. When Eric dons his costumes and kills those who’ve wronged him, it’s shot like a movie the character came from. There are also times where they use clips from films like Horror of Dracula and White Heat to great effect. Craig Safan’s score adds a somewhat chaotic yet beautiful feel to the film that goes along with the material. Admittedly, the film can get somewhat predictable, since you know what’ll happen once Eric sports a certain costume. Also, certain plot points either go nowhere, seem thrown in at the last minute, or aren’t fully fleshed out. Regardless, this is still an effective horror-thriller and a fascinating character study that acts as a send-up of old Hollywood. Overall, Fade to Black is a hidden gem that deserves to be rediscovered.

     

    Buy Fade to Black from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4elMQ9W.

    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 Fade to Black (1980)

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  • The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

    The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

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    Around 1989, Empire Pictures went into bankruptcy and collapsed after many of its assets had been sold off. Thankfully, founder Charles Band was able to bounce back and form a new production company, Full Moon Features. He managed to find success early on with Puppet Master, Meridian: Kiss of the Beast, Shadowzone, and Crash and Burn. Meanwhile, director Stuart Gordon was planning on filming an adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulum. He originally conceived of it as a $6 million film starring Peter O’Toole, Billy Dee Williams, and Sherilyn Fenn. Unfortunately, plans for this fell through, but fortunately, Full Moon picked up the project, though for a reduced budget. This lower budget meant some changes, such as filming in Italy and casting Lance Henriksen in place of Peter O’Toole. Finally, in mid-1991, Stuart Gordon’s The Pit and the Pendulum was released.

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    Synopsis

    In 1492 Spain, the Grand Inquisitor Torquemada (Lance Henriksen) sadistically tortures those he believes are heretics, sinners, and witches. During a public execution, Maria (Rona De Ricci) speaks out against it despite her husband Antonio’s (Jonathan Fuller) pleas. Torquemada is immediately smitten with her, but fears it’s witchcraft, so he has her arrested, leaving her husband behind. With his assistants Francisco (Jeffrey Combs), Mendoza (Mark Margolis), and Dr. Huesos (William Morris), Torquemada tortures Maria until she confesses. During this, Torquemada starts lusting over Maria, which he views as sinful, so he subjects himself to torture. While imprisoned, Maria befriends Esmerelda (Frances Bay), a confessed witch who helps her stay strong against the wicked Torquemada. Meanwhile, Antonio tries breaking into the castle to save Maria, but he ends up getting caught and taken prisoner. What horrors await when our heroes must come face to face with The Pit and the Pendulum?

     

    Review

    Much like their other earlier films, The Pit and the Pendulum is another excellent entry in Full Moon’s catalog. The use of a real Italian castle adds production value and makes the film look more expensive than it was. As with his earlier films, Stuart Gordon’s direction is on-point, using tons of dynamic lighting and shadows to establish mood. Lance Henriksen gives a phenomenal performance as Torquemada, playing the part with such intensity that you’re genuinely frightened of him. Rona De Ricci, who sadly never appeared in a film after this, does a wonderful job giving an emotional performance. The dynamic between her and Henriksen is the film’s highlight, her pure innocence clashing with his harsh religious nature. There’s a brief appearance by Oliver Reed, who gives a great performance as a Cardinal visiting from The Vatican. Also, Frances Bay is great as Esmerelda, slightly hamming it up.

    Jonathan Fuller, though not bad and having decent chemistry with Ricci, comes off a little bland and uninteresting. The biggest problem with the film is that the tone is slightly off at times, flip-flopping between serious and humorous. Ordinarily, Gordon is good at balancing horror with comedy, but here, it doesn’t quite work and it comes off distracting. For instance, Jeffrey Combs, who does a good job, is clearly meant for somewhat comedic relief, albeit slightly dry. William Morris and Stephen Lee definitely add to the comedy, which clashes with the more serious tone going on. Also, the titular “Pit and the Pendulum” doesn’t appear until the last act, and even then it’s not used much. There are some fun swashbuckling action and impressive effects to be had, but the tone clashes hinder the film’s quality. Overall, The Pit and the Pendulum isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely worth a watch.

     

    Buy The Pit and The Pendulum 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 The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

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  • In Search of Darkness: Part II (2020)

    In Search of Darkness: Part II (2020)

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    Following its release in 2019, In Search of Darkness earned universal acclaim from both critics and audiences alike. The film earned a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Forbes magazine calling it “a scary good magnum opus”. Given its success, the filmmakers decided to follow-up with yet another four-hour-long 1980s horror documentary and expand further. While the first one covered the more iconic films, the second one would focus on more lesser-known films. In addition to the returning guests, many more guests were added, including actors, special effects artists, and internet commentators. Instead of using Kickstarter and IndieGogo, the filmmakers decided to make the documentary available for pre-order from their website. Through this, numerous different editions based on actors and internet personalities were made available for backers with their own exclusives. Finally, in late 2020, In Search of Darkness: Part II was released for horror fans to enjoy.

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    Synopsis

    Building off of the first film, this once again looks at horror films of the 1980s but expands further. More foreign films are spotlighted, including films from prominent directors like Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava, and Lucio Fulci. Some of the horror films that are spotlighted include Nightbeast, Blood Diner, Cannibal Holocaust, Beetlejuice, The Beyond, and Mother’s Day. The new guests featured include Robert Englund, Steve Johnson, Tom Savini, Linnea Quigley, Robert Rusler, Nancy Allen, and Gedde Watanabe. While many of the commentators from the last film return, they also bring in YouTubers Brandon Tenold and Oliver Harper. Like the last film, they cover films from each year and in between focus on trends and themes explored. Also, they spotlight the careers of some of the major players interviewed, including Englund, Savini, and Quigley. It’s another massive four-hour celebration of one of the most prominent decades in horror cinema.

     

    Review

    Like the last film, In Search of Darkness: Part II is a very informative and enjoyable horror documentary. The filmmakers have taken everything that made the first film great, expand upon it, and make it better. Fans who may have been disappointed that a certain film or a certain guest wasn’t included will hopefully be satisfied. There’s a nice variety between American-made and foreign horror films, though there seems to be more emphasis on Italian cinema. The only exceptions are the Hong Kong film The Seventh Curse and the Japanese film Tetsuo: The Iron Man. Then again, as with the last documentary, there are so many films out, it’s difficult to cover them all. Also, it would’ve been great if they had gotten some interviewees who had been involved in the Italian-made productions. Still, what we’re given here is more than we could have asked for.

    Having more effects artists interviewed is a huge get for this documentary, hearing them explain how effects were pulled off. It’s especially cool to see Tom Savini reminisce about his experiences as the “master of splatter” in the ’80s. Like before, they explore various horror trends and themes explored, plus the impact the films had on pop culture. For instance, there’s a segment where they talk about video games based on horror films and how they’ve evolved. With speakers like actor Gedde Watanabe and director Jackie Kong, there’s also some commentary on how Asians were represented. It’s interesting to hear Watanabe talk about going from a stereotype in Sixteen Candles to a regular guy in Vamp. There’s also talk about queer representation in horror, further showing that horror truly knows no demographics. Overall, if you loved the first film, In Search of Darkness: Part II gives you even more.

     

    Learn more about In Search of Darkness: Part II at 80shorrordoc.com

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