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Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on Jun 16, 2024 13:19:29 GMT
Grizzly II: Revenge (2020)After her cub is shot by a hunter, a large mama grizzly goes on a killing spree. This means bad news for an audience attending an outdoor rock concert. This is it, the long lost in-name only sequel to the 1976 sleeper. Filmed in 1983 (in Hungary off all places!), but all the post-production work wasn't completed until 2020 due to non-stop production problems. Believe me, the wait was not worth it. Dreadful and dreadfully boring. The bear is phoney-looking and when it's not shown in point-of-view camera shots it comes across as a heavy-breathing psycho. Pretty much all of the attack sequences are not shown. Too much concert footage of terrible music. And finally there's the rushed, anticlimatic ending. It even resorted to using brief stock footage from Jaws 2; further proof that the funds were very limited for the production. You wouldn't believe some of the cast members who signed up for this. There's Deborah Raffin, Charles Cyphers, and, fresh off of Raider Of The Ark, John Rhys-Davies! But worst of all is seeing Louise Fletcher in this; how can such a respectable actress who won an Oscar for Best Actress be seen in drek like this? She should have fired her agent. We also have Charlie Sheen, Laura Dern and George Clooney, but at least they have the excuse of being young actors who were just starting their careers (remember, this is 1983). Those are the bear facts and this is an unbearable movie to watch. 2/10 Watched this one last night. Oh boy, was it bad. And boring like you mentioned. Some of the newly added scenes were terrible. That opening is understandable to set-up a motive, and connect with the original footage when the rangers find the dead bear cubs, but the execution of it (especially the CGI bullet) gave me a laugh. I could live with it, along with the nature footage. But the extra concert footage that was filmed was just lame. And talk about lame, alot of the performances fell in that bracket. It’s interesting to see quite a few recognisable faces, but it was hard not to feel embarrassed. Especially for John Rhys-Davies (his performance) & Louise Fletcher (for agreeing to be in it). And it felt like Deborah Foreman‘s character (the ranger’s daughter) could’ve been cut out completely. But I guess they had to pad out the time. Maybe would’ve been more fun had we actually seen some of the attacks, but this patchwork project was no fun. Maybe outside Rhys-Davies death (which we actually do see). In all, anticlimactic, and yep, too much music festival footage. Curious just how big this grizzly is suppose to be, as from the minor glimpses during the climax and the final shot of it crashing through the backstage. It looked massive. Watched this back in 2018, guessing it was in its more basic form and this is a newer version you've seen. Here's the thread from back then, if you're interested: imdb2.freeforums.net/thread/110164/grizzly-ii-concert-1983
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Reynard
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Post by Reynard on Jun 16, 2024 19:54:04 GMT
Watched this one last night. Oh boy, was it bad. And boring like you mentioned. Some of the newly added scenes were terrible. That opening is understandable to set-up a motive, and connect with the original footage when the rangers find the dead bear cubs, but the execution of it (especially the CGI bullet) gave me a laugh. I could live with it, along with the nature footage. But the extra concert footage that was filmed was just lame. And talk about lame, alot of the performances fell in that bracket. It’s interesting to see quite a few recognisable faces, but it was hard not to feel embarrassed. Especially for John Rhys-Davies (his performance) & Louise Fletcher (for agreeing to be in it). And it felt like Deborah Foreman‘s character (the ranger’s daughter) could’ve been cut out completely. But I guess they had to pad out the time. Maybe would’ve been more fun had we actually seen some of the attacks, but this patchwork project was no fun. Maybe outside Rhys-Davies death (which we actually do see). In all, anticlimactic, and yep, too much music festival footage. Curious just how big this grizzly is suppose to be, as from the minor glimpses during the climax and the final shot of it crashing through the backstage. It looked massive. Watched this back in 2018, guessing it was in its more basic form and this is a newer version you've seen. Here's the thread from back then, if you're interested: imdb2.freeforums.net/thread/110164/grizzly-ii-concert-1983There seems to be at least three versions of Grizzly II available, and only one of them officially. First one was the clearly unfinished workprint which did not have any grizzly attack scenes as far I remember. Later someone made a 100% unofficial fanedit which used shots from the original Grizzly, and maybe some other killer bear movies, to fill those gaps. It was actually quite smartly made, though of course far from seamless, and I think there was some music added too to silent moments, but I may remember wrong. Now there is the official version, which I haven't seen... I don't know if anyone from the original production was still involved, or did someone just buy the unfinished films and sort of finish it for Blu-ray releases. I lost interest after reading that it uses CGI... I don't know how much of it there is but really, using modern CGI to finish a 1983 movie just doesn't appeal to me at all.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Jun 16, 2024 22:59:44 GMT
FATAL GAMES -1984 - Cheap and often slow slasher film thanks to the novelty of the cast being decent athletes instead of actors (Teal Roberts sure can swim though). A mysterious figure in a track suit is stabbing the student body with a javelin. When the only other name of note besides Sally Kirkland is the gal who played a klingon in Star Trek V you know you are in trouble. The identity of the killer and motive is revealed when an old newspaper article is left inexplicably on the floor of a nurse's station with a picture of someone familiar and the headline: "Sex Change Operation Doesn't Work." You gotta think the killer didn’t make it easy on themself, especially when in stalk mode, by their choice of a murder weapon.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Jun 16, 2024 23:23:19 GMT
There seems to be at least three versions of Grizzly II available, and only one of them officially. First one was the clearly unfinished workprint which did not have any grizzly attack scenes as far I remember. Later someone made a 100% unofficial fanedit which used shots from the original Grizzly, and maybe some other killer bear movies, to fill those gaps. It was actually quite smartly made, though of course far from seamless, and I think there was some music added too to silent moments, but I may remember wrong. Now there is the official version, which I haven't seen... I don't know if anyone from the original production was still involved, or did someone just buy the unfinished films and sort of finish it for Blu-ray releases. I lost interest after reading that it uses CGI... I don't know how much of it there is but really, using modern CGI to finish a 1983 movie just doesn't appeal to me at all. I would have rather watched the work-print or fan edit. But this recent cut was available on Tubi. The only CGI i recognised was in the opening scene. A lone hunter shooting at the bears. CGI bullet and blood. It was terribly done, but quick. Gladly no CGI bear throughout. Just nature stock footage (the new footage), POV shots and glimpses of animatronics. Producer Suzanne G. Nagy, who was co-producer of the original production was behind this official cut. As for the newly filmed scenes, they don’t add much to the premise (outside the opening set-up). Simply they pad out the runtime. Still it’s awfully edited. While the newly inserted concert scenes are bad, and stick out like a sore thumb. There was enough old concert footage already, so I don’t understand the new scenes. Unless it was part of some deal to get this release out there.
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Post by taylorfirst1 on Jun 17, 2024 20:43:35 GMT
"When Michael Calls" 1972
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Post by Prime etc. on Jun 18, 2024 5:48:40 GMT
CAPTAIN KRONOS VAMPIRE HUNTER 1974 - I wish I could like this better but no matter when I watch it, I conclude the promising concept is drained of life by the decision to have the characters sitting around a lot instead of doing actual vampire hunting.
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Post by gspdude on Jun 18, 2024 15:51:09 GMT
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BY2ZiMTNiMmUtYWU2Mi00NDljLWJkNDEtNmY4MzI1MmZjZjA3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTY5Nzc4MDY@._V1_.jpg) Revamped(2007) Absurd but amusing Horror-Comedy about a man contemplating suicide when he sees an ad from a company called Kiss of Death, inc. to become a Vampire. He figures "Why not!" and his unlikely adventure begins. 4/10.
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Post by Captain Spencer on Jun 18, 2024 16:10:18 GMT
CAPTAIN KRONOS VAMPIRE HUNTER 1974 - I wish I could like this better but no matter when I watch it, I conclude the promising concept is drained of life by the decision to have the characters sitting around a lot instead of doing actual vampire hunting. I only saw this once a long time ago, but I remembered being very bored with it.
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on Jun 18, 2024 16:21:23 GMT
Pandemonium (1982) ![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/bBFq0TuFggkRvfnegAP8H3vvh2s.jpg)
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Post by Prime etc. on Jun 19, 2024 22:09:52 GMT
I only saw this once a long time ago, but I remembered being very bored with it. I think the major problem with it is that the idea of a vampire hunter swordsman and his assistant going around fighting vampires is hardly shown--much of the time they are sitting around. It also has a tongue in cheek attitude at times which is not really a Hammer tradition. It worked ok for Sister Hyde but that wasn't a vampire story. It is often said that Hammer could not find someone who could become a regular star for them like they had with Cushing and Lee but it occurs to me Tom Baker could have been one if he was given the right role--something like a Dr. Who but based on Quatermass or Van Helsing. But Kronos has such a cult following--but it seems to be based on some illusion of it being cool.
Brian Clemens opted to have him sitting around using marijuana instead of engaging in actual vampire hunting. Probably had all the elements in the film to re-arrange it into something more exciting.
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Post by gspdude on Jun 20, 2024 14:42:49 GMT
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1iba7k3DrL._AC_UF350,350_QL50_.jpg) Wake Wood(2009) A couple grieving over the death of their young daughter move to a new town where they meet one of the village elders who claims he can bring back their daughter, but only for 3 days, and they agree to give it a try(I guess they never saw Pet Cemetery). As someone who has no trouble with werewolves and Vampires in films, for some reason I had trouble with suspension of disbelief with this one. Perhaps because 2 educated people so easily accepted the elder's claims of his ability to perform this unlikely trick. (the daughter had been dead for about a year). 5/10.
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Post by gspdude on Jun 22, 2024 12:23:00 GMT
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNzEzNTdhMDMtZGU5YS00MmU2LTkwZWUtZmIzMDhlY2M1MzA0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzY0MTE3NzU@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg) The Invisible Maniac (1990) Horror-Comedy of a brilliant physicist/homicidal maniac/peeping tom who invents an invisibility formula which he uses for fun and revenge. As silly as it sounds, but there's ample nudity to keep you awake. Tragic porn star Savannah has a role as a student trying to get an A the easy way. 3/10.
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Post by Captain Spencer on Jun 23, 2024 16:16:06 GMT
Strip Nude For Your Killer (1975)Employees of a modelling agency are getting bumped off by a killer dressed in a motorcyle rider outfit. Typical, ordinary giallo. Watching this was a clear indication that the genre was worn out by the mid-70s. Standard direction with murder sequences that are completely uncreative. I realize that not every giallo director can be like Dario Argento, but in this case director Andrea Bianchi should have at least put some effort to make the kills thrilling. The sleaze factor is quite high. Tons of nudity and sex; sometimes it hard to tell if you're watching a thriller or a softcore porn. 5/10
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Post by gspdude on Jun 23, 2024 16:36:26 GMT
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTllODA3MTktOGE5NS00YjQwLTlmMjQtNzRlN2Y0ZmUwNTA1XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQ2MjQyNDc@._V1_QL75_UX190_CR0,1,190,281_.jpg) House of the Damned (1963) Short, 62 minute, B&W horror/mystery. A husband and wife are staying at a spooky old mansion doing an architectural survey. eventually they come to the conclusion they are not alone. Some spooky scenes marred by a disappointing finish. Richard Kiel has a couple of threatening scenes. 5/10.
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Post by FridayOnElmStreet on Jun 24, 2024 23:17:59 GMT
6/10While advertised as a shark thriller No Way Up is more of a survival thriller with some appearances of sharks once in a while. The films is about plane that lands in the Pacific Ocean and leaves most passengers dead. 7 people survive. The plane is slanting on a big rock at a 30 degree angle so they have some air in the plane. Also some sharks come along to make things worse. Though flawed its a pretty entertaining thriller. Colm Meaney stars. He was also in Con Air and Die Hard 2. This guy has the worst luck with planes.
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Post by FridayOnElmStreet on Jun 24, 2024 23:24:11 GMT
2/10Really poor horror film has a older woman going crazy at her country house after her husband disappears. Basically its just flat out dull and overlong. Tony Todd stars as the cop. Could we get him some better roles please? Bill Obert Jr.is third billed but is only in the film for a minute.
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Post by Prime etc. on Jun 25, 2024 5:50:00 GMT
THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH -1964- released 60 years ago today.
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mgmarshall
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Post by mgmarshall on Jun 25, 2024 13:43:20 GMT
Horror ExpressRe-watch. I've seen this one many times before, as I'm sure many of you on here have. But I recently picked up the Arrow Blu-ray edition; and for a movie that I've mostly seen in murky, washed-out public domain prints, it's amazing to see in high quality like this. Anywho, a brief rundown. It's a fun, inventive little monster movie whose unique time period and train setting give it a vaguely Agatha Christie-ish flavor. Turn of the century anthropologist Christopher Lee finds a frozen missing link in the mountains of Manchuria and has it crated up and loaded onto a train bound for Europe. This being a horror movie, of course the beast thaws and wakes up, beginning a killing spree among the passengers. But what starts as a very simple monster movie premise becomes much weirder almost immediately when it's revealed that the ape can somehow drain people's minds through its red, glowing eye. And it only gets stranger from there in a story that will eventually include prehistoric aliens, body-swapping and even some zombies! The movie is atmospheric and makes a small budget look much larger than it was with very convincing period costumes and train interior sets; there's a wonderfully eerie, whistle-driven score courtesy of John Cacavas; the ape monster is really cool looking; and Lee and Peter Cushing are in top form and actually get to spend some screentime together where they're not trying to kill each other, for once. They've got some able support from a wild-eyed, Rasputin-eqsue Alberto de Mendoza and Telly Savalas in a delightfully hammy bit part as a boisterous, violent Cossack. (Seriously, Savalas alone is worth the price of admission. He makes that ten minutes sparkle!) But I think the movie's key strength is its ability to take what is on the surface a simple, cheesy premise and deliver it with gravitas, at the same time expanding on it in surprising and unexpected ways. This movie has a lot of fun curveballs it's waiting to throw at you.
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