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Post by theravenking on Oct 2, 2022 9:38:22 GMT
4. I, Madman (1989, Tibor Takács) That tagline made me smile. Spend the night with a madman! It could be my pick-up line when I'm looking for a date. But seriously, this is such a hilariously goofy B-movie, that it's best watched for laughs. The plot: Was this intended to be a homage to old pulp stories? Or was director Tibor Takács aware that he was making one of those so bad it's almost good type of films? We may never find out. Takács was certainly no complete hack, sets and costumes look decent enough and there are some nice shots, such as when the protagonist is observing a murder from her window happening in the apartment across from her. There's also a nice scene in the finale where the killer turns into loose book pages after his death, which are blown away by the wind. But the laughable performances (I thought the male lead looked like Jeff Fahey's dim-witted twin brother) and some godawful FX (I don't think I've ever seen a demon creature this badly animated and so out of place) destroy any notion, that this could be an effective scary movie. So, while it does have its goofy charm, this is strictly one for the lovers of bad 80s B-movies. 4/10
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 2, 2022 11:48:14 GMT
4. I, Madman (1989, Tibor Takács) 4/10 I think this one was a film I included into the 2017 October Challenge, and yeah, I guess Jenny Wright and the atmosphere (which I quite enjoyed) put it a few steps above where you landed, as I rated it 6/10. Still, I have wondered if I might re-watch it this fall, as I did give The Gate (1987) another go, last year, and that still delivers the goods. Speaking of Final Destination, that is also one I would like to re-watch, but just wondering, have you seen the early 80s release Sole Survivor (1984)? That one is a lot in term of plot/character, to Final Destination, probably with a much smaller budget, yet it does provide for maybe an even chillier atmosphere, as also Carnival of Souls could probably as well be fitted into this kind of horror entertainment, but probably one of the best of the bunch, at least of those I have seen. That one is also one I have lined up for another visit this month.
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Post by theravenking on Oct 2, 2022 12:07:49 GMT
4. I, Madman (1989, Tibor Takács) 4/10 I think this one was a film I included into the 2017 October Challenge, and yeah, I guess Jenny Wright and the atmosphere (which I quite enjoyed) put it a few steps above where you landed, as I rated it 6/10. Still, I have wondered if I might re-watch it this fall, as I did give The Gate (1987) another go, last year, and that still delivers the goods. Speaking of Final Destination, that is also one I would like to re-watch, but just wondering, have you seen the early 80s release Sole Survivor (1984)? That one is a lot in term of plot/character, to Final Destination, probably with a much smaller budget, yet it does provide for maybe an even chillier atmosphere, as also Carnival of Souls could probably as well be fitted into this kind of horror entertainment, but probably one of the best of the bunch, at least of those I have seen. That one is also one I have lined up for another visit this month. I haven't seen Sole Survivor (1984), but I'm putting it on my watchlist.
Carnival of Souls is another one I've been meaning to watch for a long time.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 2, 2022 12:34:49 GMT
October Horror Challenge - 2022 - Day 01:01. Fade to Black (1980) by Vernon Zimmerman Eric Binford's (Dennis Christopher) enitre life, is all about the movies. He has seen it all, and know everything about them as well. Sadly, in the real world, he gets very little out of that kind of knowledge, as he is treated like a weirdo by most people. But when he lands his eyes on a stunning girl, who resembles his favorit gal, Marilyn Monroe, and the two is set up for a later date, things seems to be going into the right direction. However, when his date stands him up, his whole world falls into the vengeful idea of paying everyone who has treated him bad, and where favorite scenes from the world of cinema, will soon come in handy.A rather disappointing start of the month, as this one I had thought of to include in last years Challenge, but yeah, after warming up before the clock hit October 1st 00:01, I had already seen the superior and far more enjoyable films of The Running Man (1987) and One False Move (1992), so the gap in quality and entertainment could not have been bigger for my part. Anyway, at least I did not throw away a bunch of money, for some overpriced DVD/Blu-ray release. A young Mickey Rourke shows up, where as Tim Thomerson is also around, but the main character I just found too unlikable and after about 30 minutes, all I could think of, was who long was it left, before I could turn it off, and go forward with the next film. That is never a good sign. 4/10
02. The Guardian (1990) by William Friedkin A young couple who has recently moved into a house along with their newborn baby, is on the lookout for the perfect babysitter, and she soons arrives, in a rather doubtful manner.Seen it twice now, for the past year, and I just cannot seem to get much out of it, due to the dull and lifeless main characters, and rather slow moving William Friedkin supernatural horror-thriller. Sure, there are quite a few good scenes here and there, like the surprisingly nasty and gory parts, and the first time I saw it, it was impossible not to think of Sam Raimi and his Evil Dead franchise, but later on, I understood he was supposed to be the first director choice, but left to do the much better Darkman (1990), where as I think Friedkin is not too fond of this one. All in all, no changes in how I rate it, just a very forgettable film, and not the best opening act of titles this year either. 5/1003. Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) by Rob Hedden A bunch of partygoing students is about to celebrate along a cruise that will head them to New York City. However, an uninvited "guest" has also jumped onboard, and that is when the party is really starting to take off, and the question will be, who many of the passengers will actually arrive with their health perfectly "intact", when the ship gets to Manhattan bay.Well, after re-watching most of the other Friday the 13th chapters earlier this summer, some things sure aint gonna change, and I still rate and hold part 5, as my ultimate favorite, where as part 2-4 (still not re-watched the first film yet) is also far better than part 6 and beyond, or so I feel. The annoying thing, is that I always seems to get too carried away, far too early with the later ones, as I enjoyed the first part, more or less of Jason Takes Manhattan, but when the hot heavy metal babe is taken out, way too early, my interest soon fell down, and it was done in such a random and poor manner, which left you with mostly a bunch of annoying and unlikable douchebags, I could not care any less about. Also very annoying how many times did Jason have to huff and puff his chest, like he was the big bad wolf, about to blow down the little piggies house? Anyway, the film starts and closes with one of my favorite songs in The Darkest Side of the Night, and along with the atmosphere the film has, which is more suited towards fall than summer time, I cannot be too critical, and no changes in the rating this time eiter. 5/10October Horror Challenge - 2022 - Day 02:04. Blood Salvage (1990) by Tucker Johnston
"Helping people is my business!"
A group of big city folks, ends up in trouble, when their camping van gets stuck on the country road, and suddenly "help" is arriving, but from a rather doubtful bunch of rednecks, who seems to thrive in having their very own "work shop", and where not only cars and trucks is part of the deal, and now they have landed their eyes on the lovely April, who is stuck in a wheelchair, but this "easy" prey, soon becomes more of a handful, when she starts to fight back.
Another Youtube impulsive pick, but one I felt included quite an enjoyable and fun tone, also you have John Saxon in a smaller part, and well, it did provide some laughs and light hearted entertainment, but yeah, I could not give it any higher than a:
5,5/1005. Biohazard: The Alien Force (1994) by Steve Latshaw A project known as the Triton, ends up unsuccessfully covering up their secrets, which is bad news for its victims, but great news for a couple of nosy journalists on the lookout for a juicy story. A rather poorly made low budget monster movie, which I guess still brings forward a certain charm, here and there, but by this time, I was already halfway asleep, and might have dozed off a few times, here and there. Still, I doubt I missed out on too much, and yeah, seen it and then done with it: 4/10 06. Troll (1986) by John Carl Buechler A family that has just moved into a building, will soon along with their neighbors be put in danger of an old spell of magic, where if it is not stopped, it might just take on the whole planet.Not quite sure (but what the hell) if this one is considered a "true" horror release, but yeah, it always was standing in the horror film section in my local video rental store, and when I finally picked it up on a DVD (along with the sequel), they where both labeled horror films, so I decided to give it another go last night. Surely it fits more into the world of fantasy and comedy, but has probably been overshadowed by its far more notorious sequel, which I just also might re-watch, very soon. However, I kind of wanted to see the first one, as I have not done so, since almost a decade ago. Anyway, early in, there is a handful of ridiculous and colorful characters showing up, where specially Sonny Bono puts in a rather good part, as the horny swinger fella, who loves above, then the militiary dude, and the older mysterious lady, who will come in handy, much later on. Of course, it is impossible not to take notice of the familiar name of Harry Potter, in which both dad and son shares together, and yeah, the son also wants to become a magician, so who knows, maybe this film has had some kind of influence, on the far more successfull Harry Potter, later on. Michael Moriarty is rarely putting in a bad performance, and loved his dancing scene, early on, where as Phil Fondacaro (in two different roles) is the one I felt did the job best, where as Malcolm came off as such a likeable and nice fella, who provided some very touching scenes. However, the annoying little girl, sure takes up, way too much time, and then all of a sudden, you have a very young and sexy Julia-Louis Dreyfus, in which must have been one of her earliers movie roles, but she did it quite well. All in all, I guess I have a soft spot for these kind of Richard Band b-movies, and no changes in how I rate it either. 5,5/10
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Post by theravenking on Oct 2, 2022 13:46:50 GMT
5. Terror Tract (2000; Lance W. Dreesen, Clint Hutchison) I knew nothing abut this movie which was part of a horror box-set I had bought, and approached it with minimal expectations. It's an episode movie held together by John Ritter as a real-estate agent who tries to sell a variety of homes to a young couple. At each home he tells the story of the house which involves some personal tragedy madness and death. The first segment was an utter waste of time. It's the age old story of the cheating wife, who together with her lover decides to get rid of her husband, but nothing goes according to plan. This is dull, derivative and almost put me to sleep. Thankfully the second story was much better. It features Bryan Cranston as a loving father whose relationship with his young daughter begins to sour, when said daughter finds a seemingly cute little monkey in the garden and wants to keep it as a pet. But her father takes an instant dislike to the animal, who as it turns out is a vicious little beast, and tries everything to get rid of it, which proves rather difficult. This is a fun episode with a committed performance by Cranston and featuring good work by the monkey-handlers. Part 3 has a young man visiting a psychiatrist and telling her about disturbing visions he's been having lately in which he sees the murders committed by the Granny Killer (a serial-killer wearing a granny mask). While not particularly original this was another entertaining tale. So 2 out of 3 was a pretty good result, and overall this was a nice enough surprise. 6/10
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soggy
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Post by soggy on Oct 2, 2022 14:25:08 GMT
Men (Alex Garland, 2022) I've had mixed feeling on every single one of Alex Garland's films as a director, and this keeps that pattern… but I can honestly say that it's the first one that I've watched and immediately decided that I liked it (in contrast I liked Annihilation after I had some time to really take it in, and I decided I didn't care for Ex Machina after a similar amount of time). I found this film effective, unnerving and genuinely disturbing at points. 8/10
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Post by theravenking on Oct 2, 2022 21:10:01 GMT
October Horror Challenge Day 2 6. The Pool (2001; Boris von Sychowski) Just when the Scream-inspired slasher revival was already in the process of winding down, the Germans decided to cash in on the trend and after Flashback (2000), they produced another one of these films with The Pool. Sporting an international cast, among them a pre-fame Isla Fisher (who can only hope she'll never give a worse performance than here) and James McAvoy and set in Prague The Pool does very little to distinguish itself from its competitors. The setting at an indoor water park is the only fresh idea here, but since the movie takes place at night, even this venue isn't optimally utilised. The characters are dumb as fuck and so shallow and annoying that one wishes that they would just drown as quickly as possible. The kills are nothing special either and the culprit's reveal lacks the intended surprise factor. Overall just a dull and generic slasher. 3.5/10
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soggy
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Post by soggy on Oct 3, 2022 4:15:22 GMT
Lake of the Dead (Kåre Bergstrøm, 1958) Considered a classic of Norwegian cinema, this film (and the novel it is based on) are held very highly by some accounts… personally, I wasn't a fan. The film has a wonderful atmosphere to it, but it felt almost like a supernatural Scooby-Doo episode. It wants to have it all and really doesn't succeed in any of it in my opinion… but that's just me. Again, it's very well thought of by many sources, so maybe I'm the one whose completely off. Still, it's my take and I give the score, so 3/10
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Post by theravenking on Oct 3, 2022 9:33:33 GMT
Lake of the Dead (Kåre Bergstrøm, 1958) Considered a classic of Norwegian cinema, this film (and the novel it is based on) are held very highly by some accounts… personally, I wasn't a fan. The film has a wonderful atmosphere to it, but it felt almost like a supernatural Scooby-Doo episode. It wants to have it all and really doesn't succeed in any of it in my opinion… but that's just me. Again, it's very well thought of by many sources, so maybe I'm the one whose completely off. Still, it's my take and I give the score, so 3/10 I would be interested in watching this, because I really like the novel. From your description the film sounds more like a ghost story than a murder mystery.
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Post by theravenking on Oct 3, 2022 10:00:36 GMT
7. Wolfen (1981; Michael Wadleigh) Okay, I have to admit, that I approached Wolfen with completely wrong expectations assuming that it would be a supernatural serial-killer movie about a murderer who can change into a werewolf, something like a fantasy version of Red Dragon or Silence Of The Lambs. Instead it's a mystical urban thriller about a pack of werewolves, or wolfen as they are called here, and the emphasis is less ont he hunt for the killers, but on delivering an environmentalist message. It's based on a novel by Whitley Strieber, whose The Hunger was turned into a film by Tony Scott. The movie starts out with some incredibly eerie footage of a New York City neighbourhood, it's actually the Bronx, in ruins, resembling a war zone. As it later turns out, the area is being redeveloped and some Native American skinwalkers aren't too happy about this. After the murder of a rich tycoon unconventional cop Captain Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) is tasked with finding the culprit, and with the help of a coroner (Gregory Hines) and a psychologist (Diane Venora) he starts investigating, soon hitting on the possible motive as well as the most likely suspects, a group of Native American construction workers led by Edward James Olmos. The movie was taken away from director Michael Wadleigh in post-production, but considering that his initial version ran for over four hours, that was possibly a good thing. Wolfen is strong on atmosphere and visuals, but its somewhat naive eco-message is delivered with the subtletly of a sledgehammer. Something also tells me, that some important background from the book may have been cut, which may have provided a more satisfying explanation for the wolfen's behaviour. Overall I can see, why the movie has a cult following, but it's just not my thing. 5/10
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Post by gspdude on Oct 3, 2022 12:47:46 GMT
Dracula's Widow(1988) Sylvia (Emmanuelle) Kristel is in the title role, but her heart doesn't seem to be in it. In fact, the acting overall is not very good and the editing is a bit choppy. I see it is director Christopher Coppola's 1st film and I don't think I've seen any others of his, so maybe he gets better with experience. Still, the movie does have some gore, some nudity, and some devil worshipers with a human sacrifice, so it wasn't that bad of a time killer. 4/10.
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soggy
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Post by soggy on Oct 3, 2022 14:51:50 GMT
Lake of the Dead (Kåre Bergstrøm, 1958) Considered a classic of Norwegian cinema, this film (and the novel it is based on) are held very highly by some accounts… personally, I wasn't a fan. The film has a wonderful atmosphere to it, but it felt almost like a supernatural Scooby-Doo episode. It wants to have it all and really doesn't succeed in any of it in my opinion… but that's just me. Again, it's very well thought of by many sources, so maybe I'm the one whose completely off. Still, it's my take and I give the score, so 3/10 I would be interested in watching this, because I really like the novel. From your description the film sounds more like a ghost story than a murder mystery. I would say it's half and half. It reminds me of one of Val Lewton's films in that it gives you just enough of both that you could interpret it either way.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 3, 2022 16:01:19 GMT
Lake of the Dead (Kåre Bergstrøm, 1958) Considered a classic of Norwegian cinema, this film (and the novel it is based on) are held very highly by some accounts… personally, I wasn't a fan. The film has a wonderful atmosphere to it, but it felt almost like a supernatural Scooby-Doo episode. It wants to have it all and really doesn't succeed in any of it in my opinion… but that's just me. Again, it's very well thought of by many sources, so maybe I'm the one whose completely off. Still, it's my take and I give the score, so 3/10 I think I saw it either back in fall 2020 or 2021, and yep, it has been hailed as some kind of a "masterpiece" of Norwegian cinema, which is sadly not saying too much, as I think there are maybe around a handful (at best) that deserve such a recognition, and De Dødes Tjern is surely nothing of that calibre. However, for that period, it was probably seen as a very important and groundbreaking release. Then again, we are probably not well known for our "classic" horror films, more slow moving and incredible boring 70s and 80s "kitchen-sink" dramas, that so badly wants to be Ingmar Bergman, but few ever came close. And maybe also because we have always been kind of struggling to keep up with Denmark and Sweden in movies and the music business, always been the "little brother" to those big Scandinavian brothers, but at least Norway have surely managed to do a much better job at closing the gap, for the last 10-15 years or more. My uncle used to "joke" about that Norway would "fell behind" the other Scandinavian countries, due to the World War II and the whole aftermath, how it probably did not help out for a long time, that we had a few hundred thousands (I think some have it down as somewhere near to 600,000-800,000) German soldiers, for several years, staying under the occupation of "Festung Norwegen" during World War II. Where as my mum used to tell me how her own parents, who both had background when it came to music and the newspapers, and how dangerous it was back then, to show any support or interest to that kind of cultural events, as it could mean certain death, if you got caught. Anyway, I guess the reason to why I rated Lake of the Death with a 6/10, is because it sure helps, that it starred some of the most well known and likeable actors from Norway, at least during that era, and of course the great atmosphere within the deep and dark woods. However, it sure was a slow moving ride, that I am not sure I will re-watch anytime soon. A Norwegian remake, was actually made back in 2019, not seen it, but maybe that could be a more rewarding trip?
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 3, 2022 16:23:35 GMT
Yesterday was surely the lowest of the lows, hopefully for a while. Not only did Manchester United get brutally outclassed and humiliated 6-3 against City, but I had gotten very little sleep, my stomach was not playing along well (something I had ate the day before) and then ended up with 3 films that well, just did not improve on my mood nor motivitation, at all: 07. Prison (1988) by Renny Harlin A notorius old prison, is all of a sudden re-opened. However, it does not take too long, until old spirits starts to haunt the newly arrived guests, and where it all seems to come from a tragic "accident", decades ago.
Re-watched this late 80s supernatural horror-thriller, and there seemed to be a whole lot of these kind of similar themed titles, with The Horror Show and Shocker (both released in 1989), but Prison is well, a haunted prison, not just an evil prisoner. I liked the idea, but sadly the film is too filled up with overdone clichees, where it seems like the main focus is on showing one gruesome and nasty death, after another. And yeah, that is done really well, but then you have the rest of the thin or not very interesting plot, along with a bunch of typical prisoners, like the big horny biker, the unfunny asshole, who ends up screwing things up for everbody, to the older, wiser mentor/father figure, and sadly, the most dull and lifeless performance I have seen from Viggo Mortensen, as some lousy "Clint Eastwood" rugged and silent "tough guy", and yeah, finally the sadistic prison warden. All in all, not a bad film, but surely not a great one either. And a poor start, of what sadly would be a really big letdown of upcoming "highlights". 5/10
08. Slaughtehouse (1987) by Rick Roessler My motivation of typing down much of this absolute piece of trash, is just not there, as it smells like a pile of pigshit, and you got the fat and greasy hogboy "oinking", the douchy and annoying lead of partygoing and horny teenagers, the typical victims and just a very bad movie, that I got very little out of. It might not be as bad as my rating, but from the nasty opening shot of small pigs ending up into the meat machine, I kind of knew this would not be my kind of entertainment. Where Blood Salvage was a more light hearted redneck slasher, this was pure filth, and time sure stood still, a second felt like a damn lifetime, and yeah, I am just finished with this one. 2/10October Horror Challenge - 2022 - Day 03: 09. Blood Link (1982) by Alberto De Martino I gues I should have called it a day, as my motivation was just, not there. However, somehow I managed to sit through a very boring and slowmoving giallo-thriller, which is quite "incredible", as it had the usual eccentric and colorful Michael Moriarty in not one, but two roles, and still I had to fight to keep myself awake. Some evil twin is killing women in another country, and yeah, seen this kind of stuff before, most likely much better done, and I was thinking about just having a walk outdoors, try to get some fresh air, return and see the rest of the film, but yeah, it would not help out much. 4/10Tried to see Childs Play 2, but only survived 10-15 minutes before my body "collapsed", and when I woke up, it was broad daylight. Not saying that film was horrible or boring, it just was not my day, and now I am hopefully more motivated and will surely try to pick out, or I sure hope, some more rewarding entertainment.
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Post by gspdude on Oct 4, 2022 1:13:44 GMT
Night Watch (1973) Elizabeth Taylor sees a murder, or thinks she does, but the police can find no evidence. More a mystery than a horror, but Imdb tabs it as horror, which is my standard for the October challenge, and it does have some horror elements. Well acted by a good cast. 6/10.
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soggy
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Post by soggy on Oct 4, 2022 2:35:19 GMT
Prom Night (Paul Lynch, 1980) Of the three horror movies Jamie Lee Curtis had come out in 1980 (this, The Fog and Terror Train), this is easily the worst. It gets point for disco music playing during the final show down because I don't think I've ever seen that before, but can't say I'm a fan. 3/10
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Oct 4, 2022 11:51:58 GMT
Might have to change a bit, on when and how I watch certain films, as last night it happened yet again, fell asleep during the third film, and could not stay awake. Not the best idea to watch films during nights, in total darkness while lying in bed, so might try to include at least one, a bit earlier on. Anyway, finally got around to see a film that managed to differ in quality to those I have been through the last couple of days. October Horror Challenge - 2022 - Day 04:10. The Attic (1980) by Gary Graver and George Edwards "After all, I am the only one you have" The lonely and middle aged Louise (Carrie Snodgress), has been wasting most of her adult life, while always been there, and taken care of her needy and dominating father (Ray Milland). But with the news that she is no longer wanted at her workplace, her whole world seems to start coming down, along with more increasing fantasy images of her taking real good "care" of her "beloved" dad. Not seen, for almost a decade, and about time I did so. This got picked up along with the Klaus Kinski film, Crawlspace (1986), through a MGM Midnite Movie DVD release, and while it was the latter which brought me in to buying it, there is no question in which is the better made film. The Attic might not be a great horror movie, but it sure comes with a truly great performance by Carrie Snodgress, as the grey "mousy" Louise, who is completely under the iron grip of her "loving" dad, who seems to have his own skeletons in the closet, all in order to keep his daughter as a personal slave he can order around, all day long. I really feel for Louise, as you so very much wants her to break free, but kind of knows that there is no "happy" ending coming for either of the main characters, and probably more of a sad psychological thriller-drama, than a horror movie, but surely the I felt is best of those I have been through the last couple of days. Also could not help but laugh at the hilarious stuntman scene, when Milland is "helped" down a hillside by his daughter , and the bald father suddenly have a head full of thick hair, and it reminded me of some of the goofy A-Team episodes, when the anything but similar looking white skinny stunt-double, would come in for Mr. T and yeah, funny stuff. 7/1011. Chiller (1985) by Wes Craven Never seen this made for tv-film, about a rich mother, who has put her beloved son into some kind of a frozen tank, in hopes for a cure or medicine to arrive in the future, and when that might happen, it is time to awake the sleeping patient. However, something has changed within 10 years of being in a frozen coma, as the son is now a cold hearted killer, and yeah, played rather well by Michael Beck as well. However, midway through, it kind of got to "nowhere", and my interest had been replaced by getting very sleepy and yeah, not bad, but one of those that could have been a bit more rewarding. 5/10
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Post by theravenking on Oct 4, 2022 13:43:35 GMT
8. The Killer Reserved Nine Seats (1974; Giuseppe Benati) My first giallo for this year's challenge is hardly a masterpiece of the genre, but I've seen worse. Patrick Davenant invites a group of friends to visit a theatre inside his villa, a place which later reveals itself as sinister. Within a short time, the guests realise that they are trapped in the villa. A merciless killer then begins to murder them one by one. A shameless rip-off of the Agatha Christie classic And Then There Were None, with the plot set in England despite having an all-Italian cast and clearly shot in an elegant old Italian theatre building, this giallo is low on blood and high on sleaze, as the question is not so much which character is going to bite the dust next, but which female will get her clothes off next. The killer strips the women nude after killing them and there is a hilariously gratuitous striptease sequence featuring Paola Senatore. While this does sound cheap, cinematography and set design are still decent, and I thought the paranormal ending was actually quite charming. Probably onnly one for giallo completists though. 5/10
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Post by theravenking on Oct 4, 2022 13:53:10 GMT
9. Sweet Sixteen (1983; James Soto) I'm aware that there are a lot of bad 80s slashers, but Sweet Sixteen is an ideal sleeping pill, a movie so daft and dull, that it makes me wonder what Patrick Macnee and Susan Strasberg might've been blackmailed with to agree to appear in this stinker. This has a more interesting concept than your average slasher movie, but in such incompetent hands it's just a pitiful mess. 2.5/10
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Post by theravenking on Oct 4, 2022 14:07:19 GMT
October Horror Challenge Day 3 10. Deathwatch (2002; M. J. Bassett) The early 2000s saw the release of several war-set horror movies, such as The Bunker (2001) or Below (2002), unlike those Deathwatch is set during World War I, taking place at a time when brutal trench warfare took the lives of hundred thousands of soldiers. It's this setting which makes the movie initially so effective, the set design is top notch rivalling that of the far more expensive later 1917. There are rats, decaying dead bodies and mud, lots of mud. Sadly after the intriguing set-up, Deathwatch seems to have very little clue how to continue, and so the movie's second half becomes a tedious plod with the characters stumbling through the labyrinthine trench system and finding their deaths in not particularly creative ways. The actors also have very little to work with in terms of character development with Jamie Bell's young recruit the only halfway likeable of the bunch, so it's difficult to care about their demise. I came across an interesting theory according to which: The soldiers had died and entered into some sort of purgatory, hence the somewhat disjointed, hallucinatory nature of the film
It would explain why Deathwatch would only make partial sense. As it is, it's a bit of a waste of a good concept. 5/10
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