Diaboliques (1955) aka Les Diaboliques

 4.5 / 5
Tagline: See it, be amazed at it, but... BE QUIET ABOUT IT!
Directed by: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Written by: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac
Actors include: Simone Signoret, Vera Clouzot, Paul Meurisse
Genre: Horror, Crime, Thriller
Length: 116 minutes
Banned: Finland
Country: France

Review:
I've heard this is one of the greatest mystery films of all time and I've been wanting to see this for a long time. I must admit, in the first little bit of the film I thought I had everything figured out, then luckily they kept throwing curve balls at us. I did figure it out before they revealed well what's going on but from the beginning it would be nearly impossible. Now that I've confused you I'll give you a really brief description of what's going on. It takes place at a school, where we meet a stern headmistress who happens to be having an affair with the Principal. Stranger still is that the principle is married to a weak female who seems to get along with the mistress. What the heck is going on? Well the Principal is a jerk, he's a horrible mean man and the two are debating how to resolve the situation. That really won't ruin the film for you I promise as we learn of that in the first few minutes of the film. I didn't find it as gripping throughout as I'd hoped but the last 40 minutes are so are pretty darned tense. It's beautifully filmed, the dialog is delightful and witty and it was a treat to watch. Definitely recommended but be careful before someone ruins it for you!

Availability:  On DVD

Terror Train (1980) aka Le Monstre du Train aka Train of Terror

 4 / 5 May '09
Tagline: The boys and girls of Sigma Phi. Some will live. Some will die.
Directed by: Spottiswoode
Written by: T.Y. Drake
Actors include: Ben Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis, David Copperfield
Genre: Horror
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Canada/USA

Review:
Definitely not bad for a slasher that takes place on a train. It starts out with a group of kids pulling a prank on a hapless nerd. Flash forward to a few years later and the gang is all getting together to party on a train (with David Copperfield...seriously). Copperfield keeps doing tricks and they have a live band and are all wearing freaky deaky costumes...it's quite colorful! Anyhow of course the passengers are getting bumped off and since there isn't a radio on board let's just say there are all in trouble! The beauty is that all though you think you know what's going on, in a way there is a degree of mystery about it and the ending did kinda surprise me. I would definitely say they tried, it has a fair bit of blood and even a few good survival chases with Jamie Lee Curtis. Not amazing but certainly worth a late night viewing...maybe just not while you are riding the rails!

Availability:  On DVD

The Perfume of the Lady In Black (1974) aka Il Profumo Della Signora In Nero

 5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Francesco Barilli
Written by: Francesco Barilli
Actors include: Mimsy Farmer, Maurizio Bonuglia, Mario Scaccia
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy

Review:
Well now, this is very much like a giallo, it is shot like one, it follows the format to some degree but at the same time I'm not so sure it technically is. I realize I'm being a bit confusing here but this is going to be hard to review without giving anything away. I should start off by saying that this is visually one of the most gorgeously shot films I've ever seen. The soundtrack and the sets are simply amazing, it's one of the most lovely, surreal and perfectly assembled grouping of things that could even be possible. The film definitely evokes feelings of "Rosemary's Baby" and "Repulsion" though neither is quite the same either. We meet Silvia (Mimsy...who even looks like Mia Farrow) a woman who seems to be haunted by flash backs of her unstable past. Some of her friends tale stories of voodoo, but who could have something against her? People start ending up dead (yay cleaver) but who could be doing it and why? There is a lot going on here and it's a lot to take in, but it's riveting and it kept me continually guessing. Even when the conclusion happened I sat there thinking about it for quite some time (it leaves a few questions but it's quite a shocker). Amazing film that is surprisingly quite unknown it looks like, definitely recommended for anyone with patience for a great mystery!

Availability:  On DVD (but only in the UK and OOP)

Lizard In A Woman's Skin (1971) aka Una Lucertola Con La Pelle Di Donna aka Schizoid aka Carole aka Le Venin De La Peur

 4.5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Lucio Fulci
Written by: Lucio Fulci
Actors include: Florinda Bolkan, Stanley Baker, Jean Sorel
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy/Spain/France

Review:
Wowsa, I've never seen a giallo like this one! It's psychedelic, freaky and altogether bizarre but all in a good way. It doesn't feel like a Fulci film at all, it's very surreal and claustrophobic feeling and he does a marvelous job so kudos to Fulci for being such a renaissance man! We meet the intense Carol (Bolkan) who seems to be having LSD freakout style nightmares filled with naked orgies and demonic stuff and even a stabbing! Making matters worse is that she witnesses her neighbor being stabbed in her dream, but when it happens in reality could she be a witness? Could she be psychic? It's a real twisty and curvy mystery but rest assured, ride it out, enjoy it and it will come together in a very satisfying manner. There are a few bodies by the end (the blood and imagery are nightmarish and cool) so horror fans should enjoy, there's probably enough nudity in the beginning that it almost classifies as a softcore porn so if you like that sorta thing you'll be happy too. The mystery is a good one and it kept me guessing and the camera work is really freakin' cool! Very interesting and stylized take on this style of film, not one I'll be forgetting!

Availability:  On DVD

Snakes On A Plane (2006)

2.5 / 5
Tagline: On August 18th Summer Really Begins
Directed by: David R. Ellis, Lex Halaby
Written by: John Heffernan, Sebastian Gutierrez
Actors include: Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips
Genre: Action, Thriller
Length: 105 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Germany/USA/Canada

Review:
I actually saw this one in the theatre because when it came out it had a ridiculously high IMDB rating (since I've learned it's just the folks who made the movie rating it in droves) and it has good actors in it so what the heck? Well it does deliver exactly what is promised in the title...there are snakes on a plane and yes...they aren't friendly. It's extremely literal filled with CGI effects (which aren't my favorite in mega doses) it feels cheap and they are only doing the bare minimum to get by. I didn't think it was startling, nor was it thrilling nor at any point was I overly happy to be watching the film even. It was actually less interesting than I even thought it would have been. An FBI agent ends up on a plane full of deadly snakes put there to kill a witness. Yep from there it's snake carnage. There isn't much nice I can say, so I guess I'd better end this here.

Availability:  On DVD or Blu-Ray

It Happened At Nightmare Inn (1973) aka Una Vela Para El Diablo aka Nightmare Inn aka A Candle For The Devil aka Nightmare Hotel

3.5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Eugenio Martin
Written by: Antonio Fos, Eugenio Martin
Actors include: Judy Geeson, Aurora Bautista, Esperanza Roy
Genre: Horror
Length: 90 minutes? My version was 67 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Spain

Review:
This was one odd situation as I bought the DVD titled "It Happened At Nightmare Inn" which advertised as being 120 minutes, I looked it up on IMDB which listed it as either being 90 minutes or 83. Then I actually learned my copy was a mere 67 minutes long! (lies on the back of the DVD case are evil). Anyhow somehow even though from what I understand a gigantic naked subplot is entirely omitted from what I saw I still liked it. It's kind of a creepy "Hostel" style situation where some sisters running an inn care very much about the decency of their guests. The dialog is hilarious, one sister is evil and refers to everyone as whores and the like (it's actually really entertaining) and she even seems evil whereas the other sister is more passive. Girls come and go in the Inn but when they find out through gossip that a girl who arrived with a baby doesn't know who the father is...look out! It's got some blood and stuff but I wouldn't mark this as a gory flick, just a really cute evil little warning about behaving decently. I truly do wonder what I missed and would love to find an unedited version. Still even drastically reduced I liked it and would recommend it, it's a rather charming little flick!

Availability:  On DVD but only in a severely cut version that I do not recommend purchasing

All The Colors Of The Dark (1972) aka Tutti I Colori Del Buio aka Day Of The Maniac aka Demons Of The Dead aka They're Coming To Get You

 4 / 5 May '09
Tagline: They exist. They bear the mark of the devil inside them. They may be your neighbors. They may be your wife, husband, sweetheart. They may even be your children. Their time has come.
Directed by: Sergio Martino
Written by: Lewis E. Cianelli, Ernesto Gastaldi
Actors include: George Hilton, Edwige Feneche, Ivan Rassimov
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Length: 94 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy/Spain

Review:
Sergio is really great at making low budget yet some how captivating Italian films and this is no exception. This one is a giallo based upon the whole "Rosemary's Baby" thing although this is a little crazier. This one has a beautiful woman who is recovering after losing her unborn child in a car accident. She's been having terrible nightmares that are not only bizarre but bloody! Her boyfriend keeps feeding her "vitamins" which he believes will cure her horrifying dreams. Soon she meets a neighbor she becomes friendly with who seems to have another answer for her problem...a black mass! It's pretty darned interesting and a bit confusing but it all comes together neatly in the end. It's maybe not the best film ever for it's not entirely original but this should definitely be of interest to many regardless.

Availability:  On DVD

Terminator: Salvation (2009) aka T4

3 / 5 May '09
Tagline: The End Begins
Directed by: McG
Written by: John D. Brancato, Michael Ferris
Actors include: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Action
Length: 130 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA/Germany/UK

Review:
I actually watched this in the theatre at midnight on opening day and I even watched all of the Terminator films leading up to this one throughout the week in anticipation. If anything it only made me more disappointed in this for everyone is pretty much replaced by this point (even though Arnold makes a brief CGI appearance it's not enough). Having Christian Bale as the role of John Connor was the biggest mistake, sure he may draw a crowd but he's nothing like the two fellers who have played the role before him. He's more like a machine with a cookie monster voice or something, really unlikeable. The fellow the have playing the good Terminator I actually liked, the bad Terminator is played by tons of different evil machines. The story takes place at the end of humanity where the robots are at war and only a few humans (the rebels) remain. It's definitely got good effects and a ton of action, if you want a video game style film and don't care too much about the folks before in the other films it's easy enough to enjoy. I just felt like this was missing something, way too long and all of the character replacements were distracting. Also the fact that they made it feel like Transformers in places didn't sit well with me either. It could have been worse right?

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines (2003)

3.5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: The Machines Will Rise
Directed by: Jonathan Mostow
Written by: James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
Actors include: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi
Length: 109 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA/Germany/UK

Review:
They tried and it was better than I had anticipated considering how much later this sequel came out. At least it has Arnold in his character role as good guy Terminator sent from the future to protect once again John Connor (this time for some reason Furlong was replaced with Nick Stahl who was fine and everything but it's not the same) who is now in his 20's. The evil Terminator is now a new super powered model female robot from the future and of course we are treated to plenty of special effects and lots of chase scenes and loads of action. It just doesn't have the excitement level the others did plus the characters aren't quite as loveable and as frightening. Claire Danes in this one is down right irritating, the whole love thing didn't seem to belong or rather it would have been better without. Still if you saw the first 2 I would recommend this one too, just don't get your hopes up too high (and it's better than the 4th one).

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Death Laid An Egg (1968) aka La Morte Ha Fatto L'uovo aka A Curious Way To Love aka Plucked aka La Mort A Pondu Un Oeuf

3.5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Giulio Questi
Written by: Franco Arcalli, Giulio Questi
Actors include: Gina Lollobrigida, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Ewa Aulin
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Drama
Length: Italy/France
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy/France

Review:
I dare you to read the synopsis of this and not be curious. It's about a bizarre love triangle that takes place on a hi-tech chicken farm plus it's a giallo! It's actually one of the first giallo films made, and I'm pretty sure it must be one of the weirdest. It's shot very much in a cheeky way with chickens everywhere and even egg patterns adorning things, really visually something to see. The whole love triangle thing is rather confusing but just know everyone is sexually weird and that should clear up any problems (or at least that was my rationalization). The workers on this hi-tech egg farm are pissed off because they lost their jobs because the farm went hi-tech. There are dead hookers turning up (and we pretty much know right away who is responsible) and plus there is a weird mutant chicken racket going on that was the highlight of the story for me! See a scientist found a way to breed a chicken without a head or wings and it has tiny bones therefore more meat, only of course not everyone agrees that's a good plan. It's one heck of a chicken clusterfuck of things but you really must see it to believe it!

Availability:  Never on DVD as far as I understand

Mosquito: The Rapist (1976) aka Mosquito Der Schander aka Bloodlust aka Mosquito

2 / 5 May '09
Tagline: ...will haunt the darkest corners of your mind!
Directed by: Marijan David Valjda
Written by: Mario D'Alcala
Actors include: Werner Pochath, Ellen Umlauf, Birgit Zamulo
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Switzerland

Review:
Somehow this was not what I thought even though technically the plot does fit. See what I didn't see coming was the incredible cheapness that destroys any sort of creepy nature this film might have had. The corpses look like plaster of paris or possibly something cheaper with rubber masks so any violence or blood taken from them seems ridiculous! Anyhow the plot is about a necrophiliac that just happens to love draining blood from dead people using a little glass fork thingy (making him like a mosquito). Glaring errors keep this from being good in many ways, for example...don't they embalm people...wouldn't that make it so there wasn't any blood? Any how either I don't understand the concept of what happens to bodies after people die or this movie has some serious explaining to do that it never does. This reads a lot like a serious drama with cheap effects more than anything, and gore hounds that care not about the quality or reasoning of their gore may want to see this regardless. I know I found it to be a bit tedious and largely disappointing for such an exciting topic!

Availability:  On DVD (But OOP)

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) aka T2

4.5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: This time there are two
Directed by: James Cameron
Written by: James Cameron
Actors include: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Action, Horror
Length: 137 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA/France

Review:
While the first film was sheer intensity from beginning to end, this is similarly exciting however there are definite breaks from the excitement with drama and stuff which is why I prefer the first. Still this has better effects that are continually impressive and sure to please most anyone. Furlong makes sense as a badass kid who just happens to find out that he's in grave danger as a mean Terminator has arrived to execute him because of what he will do in the future. Arnold is sent back this time to protect him, and help try to save the future from the machines. Furlong won't go along until they break his Mother out of the mental institution she's been locked in. I can't give any more away but expect a ton of violence expect Diff'rent Strokes' Danny Cooksley...I hate that little twit plays Furlong's friend and some Guns 'N' Roses music (I don't like them either) will appear too. All in all though it's a high octane thriller that fans of the first one will love and heck most prefer this even if I don't.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) aka Dracula 3 aka Disciple Of Dracula aka Revenge Of Dracula aka The Bloody Screams Of Dracula

 3.5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: The Greatest All New Fright Show In Town!
Directed by: Terence Fisher
Written by: Anthony Hinds, Jimmy Sangster
Actors include: Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Keir
Genre: Horror
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Norway, Finland
Country: UK

Review:
Considering I hear many people love this film I found it quite disappointing and definitely not up to snuff of the others that preceded it. Heck Christopher Lee was so unhappy with the dialog for the movie that he refused to speak which is why he plays the role of Dracula silently! I must admit it worked out better in the end because him as a non-speaking vampire was actually a little creepy and sneaky. My real issue was the predictability and reusing of the story. I've seen this idea so many times before that it's hard to be impressed with the exact same scenario again, plus the characters (minus Lee) weren't all that interesting. The story is about two couples who are traveling (against the advice of everyone) into a the area of Dracula. A mysteriously empty stage coach shows up and guides them there, and of course they are greeted with much hospitality. The dead owner has something else in mind for the guests, but it's really not all that thrilling nor is it bloody nor is it very well written. It still had some things going for it and it was easy enough to sit through, I just wish it had a little more personality really!

Availability:  On DVD (but OOP)

Unhinged (1982)

3 / 5 May '09
Tagline: The Nightmare Begins When You Wake Up
Directed by: Don Gronquist
Written by: Don Gronquist, Reagan Ramsey
Actors include: Laurel Munson, Janet Penner, Sara Ansley
Genre: Horror
Length: 79 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA

Review:
I had to see this one because it's not only a video nasty but on the back of the case it claims that fans were outraged when this was taken off the market as it was more popular than "Poltergeist" at the time (which is clearly bull but what a write up!). My first impression was "wow this is cheap", and my second was "what bad acting" so not off to a good start. Some girls on their way to a jazz festival crash their car and end up being taken in at this old mansion (bad idea am I right?). Any how it ends up that the family who own the mansion are pretty much stern ladies who don't like men very much at all. They seem to be hyper critical of the girls and they claim they don't have a phone and won't let the girls leave to get help (of course something more is going on there). It's fairly dull up until the super exciting ending which is surprising and bloody and it really makes the film worth the bother. It's not as good as I'd hoped it would be but there is something there for the patient folks!

Availability:  On DVD (but OOP)

The Road Warrior (1981) aka Mad Max 2

 4.5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: Ruthless...Savage...Spectacular
Directed by: George Miller
Written by: Terry Hayes, George Miller
Actors include: Mel Gibson, Bruce Spencer, Michael Preston
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Thriller
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Finland
Country: Australia

Review:
Australia had better be proud of this one, it's such a lush desert backdrop that it's positively stunning! It's a post-apocalyptic thing about the world being pretty much destroyed and gasoline is at a premium! Mel Gibson plays a crafty drifter who makes friends along the way despite trying very hard to be selfish. He ends up finding a town that is in trouble because the evil rebels are coming to attack them for their gasoline, will Mel stay back and help them fight for humanity? You probably know the answer, but it's a really high effect and high quality picture filled with action and violence for those who like that sort of thing of course. I never saw the original "Mad Max" film but it does have a fast catch up at the beginning so you really don't have to see it first. I do want to see it now of course after seeing this one, it's one heck of a visionary flick!

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Don't Torture A Duckling (1972) aka Non Si Sevizia Un Paperino aka Fanatismo aka Don't Torture Donald Duck

 5 / 5 May '09
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Lucio Fulci
Written by: Gianfranco Clerici, Lucio Fulci
Actors include: Florinda Bolkan, Barbara Bouchet, Tomas Milian
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 102 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy

Review:
Probably my favorite giallo film and my favorite Lucio film that I've seen to date, even if it's not as artistic as say an Argento flick it's got something that they don't have...it's hilarious and vicious! This film is just a little different than any other I've ever seen and it's pretty darned entertaining and easy to follow which I also like (I have no attention span). The movie is about a mysterious killer that is brutally killing little boys...but who could be responsible? Red herrings galore but hilarious red herrings that are more than a treat to watch. This works as a slasher too on several levels, it's just a little more thought out than most. It is nice as far as scenery goes and stuff too and I just love how Fulci will go where others dare to tread. I love this movie and I'd highly recommend it to anyone as their first giallo!

Availability:  On DVD

The Terminator (1984)

5 / 5 May '09

Tagline: In the Year of Darkness, 2029, the rulers of this planet devised the ultimate plan. They would reshape the Future by changing the Past. The plan required something that felt no pity. No pain. No fear. Something unstoppable. They created 'THE TERMINATOR'
Directed by: James Cameron
Written by: James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
Actors include: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Action
Length: 108 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: US/UK

Review:
This is one hell of a ruthless chase movie, I mean it's entirely unrelenting and it's really an intense ride. We meet a timid waitress named Sarah Connor who learns that someone is shooting down people with her name from the phone book. Of course we learn it's actually an evil Terminator sent from the future to take her out so the machines will win a future battle. There isn't just one Terminator though as Arnold was sent back from the future also to protect John (Sarah's son) so expect lots of machine dueling! The effects are amazing, it's truly action packed and exciting from the moment it begins until the last battle. It really sets up the series perfectly, and well It's my personal favorite of the series even though the effects and action are maybe better in the 2nd one, it just doesn't have the spirit of this.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Deep Red (1975) aka Profondo Rosso aka The Hatchet Murders aka The Deep Red Hatchet Murders

4.5 / 5 May '09

Tagline: The maker of "SUSPIRIA" now takes you on a journey through the macabre, the bizarre...the unnatural
Directed by: Dario Argento
Written by: Dario Argento, Bernardino Zapponi
Actors include: David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 126 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy

Review:
Well I saw this in my youth and wasn't all that impressed but then again I didn't want to think ever then. This time I found it captivating, trying to figure out who the killer is and why plus it's visually stunning to watch (thanks Dario)! We start off by meeting a psychic who is giving a lecture that suddenly goes wrong when she begins to read a murderer's thoughts...from the audience! Not surprisingly she ends up dead shortly after, but a local piano player happens to witness the murder and it becomes his new obsession! From there of course it's a who dunnit thingy but we get at least a few more beautifully violent and bloody kills to satisfy most and also it's artistic enough to satisfy a different crowd. It also makes sense which made me happy and I'm sure most everyone likes logic right? It's one of those films that is muchly hyped but for a reason, it's definitely one of it's kind so I would recommend it to anyone (that isn't a kid heh).

Availability:  On DVD

Star Trek: The Original Series: Season 1 (1966)

Episode #1: "The Man Trap"
4 / 5
Directed by: Marc Daniels
Actors include: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

I'll be honest, I've never been at all interested in anything to do with Star Trek, I always thought it looked really stupid (mind you all I had seen was bits from Generations and such). Things I've been prejudiced against before have turned out great so what the heck I gave this a try (getting a cheap blu ray set was the pusher). It was really colorful, kitchy and honestly it was interesting and not as yammery and confusing as I was afraid it might have been. This episode had a bunch of the crew members turning up dead from lack of salt with sucker marks all over their faces. Also mysteriously someone from each person's past has turned up...or have they? I liked it and I will continue to watch the show, lesson learned I guess but now I'm afraid I'm 100% nerd instead of 98%...oh well!

Episode #2: "Charlie X"
4.5 / 5
Directed by: Lawrence Dobkin
Actors include: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Grace Lee Whitney

This was my favorite episode so far (yes I know I'm only 2 in) definitely taken from the concept of the "Twilight Zone's "It's A Good Life" episode. We meet young 17 year old lad Charlie who just happens to have many powers. He can make you disappear, he can transform you and he's only growing stronger, the crew have to learn how to put Charlie in check before it's too late for everyone! Oddly it has quite a psychedelic spin including a really groovy song, quite hilarious really. It was a fun episode and I really liked the concept, recommended!

Episode #3: "Where No Man Has Gone Before"
4.5 / 5
Directed by: James Goldstone
Actors include: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Gary Lockwood

This was a similar concept to the first episode. This time the ship comes into contact with a strange atmosphere in the form of a storm which causes grief. It produces a man who's powers are continually doubling and he gets more and more powerful until they must do something to stop him! It's pretty neato and interesting definitely along the same lines as the other episodes so far but at least they have all been good to date!

Episode# 4: "The Naked Time"
4.5 / 5
Directed by: Marc Daniels
Actors include: Majel Barrett, Bruce Hyde, William Shatner

This was quite a funny episode as the crew gets infected with some sort of disease that effects how they act. They appear drunk on emotions and everyone is acting out of sorts, it's really very entertaining in an entirely different way than the previous episodes but definitely worthwhile...especially if you want to see Spock cry!

The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (1970) aka L'uccello dalle piume aka Point Of Terror aka The Gallery Murders aka Phantom Of Terror...

4.5 / 5 May 15th '09

Tagline: A stunning portrait in psycho-terror!
Directed by: Dario Argento
Written by: Dario Argento
Actors include: Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Length: 105 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy/West Germany

Review:
This is one beautifully shot film (I watched the blu ray edition), it's full of symbolism (and red herrings) but always visually appealing. This is Dario Argento's first full-length I believe and what a brilliant start...especially when it's also one of the first giallos (if not the first). I'm hit or miss with the giallo genre, but this one I could follow (even if it was a bit surprising). Still it's all neatly handed to us, it's interesting, we get to be part of the investigation and learn all the different factors about what's going on. Also the general absurdity of this in places is extremely charming (cat meat anyone?), plus although not loaded with blood what is there is really effective. Of course it's about some women being stabbed to death and a man is witness to a stabbing therefore becomes deeply involved in the case. The rest of the time we are trying to figure out whodunnit and why, but I assure you it's really worth your time as it didn't disappoint in the slightest!

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Waxwork (1988)

3.5 / 5

Tagline: Stop on by and give afterlife a try.
Directed by: Anthony Hickox
Written by: Anthony Hickox
Actors include: Zach Galligan, Deborah Foreman, Michelle Johnson
Genre: Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA/West Germany

Review:
This is one colorful horror/comedy about a travelling wax museum (go figure) that comes to town and invites teens to a midnight showing...of the most evil wax figures of all time! People start disappearing and joining the cough cough "art" scene. It's really entertaining although not exactly the most original idea. This definitely has blood and it's nicely blended with comedy to make it more appealing to all. Definitely a fun time passer!

Availability:  On DVD

Watchers (1988)

3 / 5

Tagline: Secret experiment, unstoppable monster, deadly mistake...
Directed by: Jon Hess
Written by: Dean R. Koontz, Bill Freed
Actors include: Michael Ironside, Christopher Cary, Graeme Campbell
Genre: Horror, Action, Sci-Fi
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Canada

Review:
Based upon a Dean R. Koontz novel of course this is about a boy who takes in a stray dog that just happens to be from a research lab. Oh and did I mention the dog is super intelligent? To make matters worse, the dog isn't the only thing to have escaped the lab, and the other escapee is far more evil! It's an okay book and an okay film but neither are amazing. The two don't exactly line up or anything, but the movie probably has more action in it I would say. It's not awesome, but it'll do, it's much better than the sequel I might add!

Availability:  On DVD

Vampires (1998)

3.5 / 5

Tagline: From the master of terror comes a new breed of evil.
Directed by: John Carpenter
Written by: John Steakley, Don Jakoby
Actors include: James Woods, Daniel Baldwin, Sheryl Lee
Genre: Horror
Length: 108 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA

Review:
From John Carpenter one would hope for a little more, but it's still a pretty fun time. Of course it deals with the subject of Vampires, in this film they are in groups and of course there are also vampire hunters that are out to get none other than the vampires. What's kinda odd is that the vampire hunters have been enlisted by the Vatican of all things! It's actually pretty action packed and full of violence which should definitely appeal to most. It follows most of the basic vampire rules that have been laid out before it and well if vampires were more my thing I may have liked this a bit more. As is I still think this is a neat film, just not awesome!

Availability:  On DVD

Witchboard (1986)

3.5 / 5

Tagline: Never play it alone
Directed by: Kevin Tenney
Written by: Kevin Tenney
Actors include: Todd Allen, Clare Bristol, Burke Byrnes
Genre: Horror
Length: 98 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: UK/USA

Review:
Why this starts just as you might think it should, there is a party and some one takes out....a Ouja board! They are a little surprised when they actually do seem to contact a spirit but soon they realize that the person who brought it was evil!!! Even after that and after being warned a stupid woman takes out the board and tries to use it only to be bothered by an evil spirit who wants to possess her. Why? Well you'll have to watch to find out of course. It's decent enough (even though Tawny Kitaen is in it) it's definitely got that fun '80s feeling to it and most should enjoy this one, I wouldn't recommend the sequels though!

Availability:  On DVD (But OOP)

Zombie 4: After Death (1988) aka After Death (Oltre La Morte) aka After Death - L'isola Maledetta aka Zombi 4 - After Death aka Zombie Flesh Eaters 3.

3 / 5

Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Claudio Fragasso
Written by: Rosella Drudi
Actors include: Jeff Stryker, Candice Daly, Massimo Vanni
Genre: Horror
Length: 84 minutes
Banned: N/A
Country: Italy

Review:
This may have a terrible rating and it may not be the best zombie movie, but it does have something going for it...it's insane! It definitely feels "straight-to-video", but considering I found it very easy to watch. It's based around some scientists on an island to find the cure for cancer. Instead somehow they tick off a voodoo priest (which of course is a big no-no), and then they find a bunch of angry zombies after them. The zombies here are rather fast moving and not terribly frightening or anything, but they work in context. The effects are entirely acceptable and well that is about the long and the short of it. Luckily it has absurd Ital-horror moments which makes it feel a bit like a comedy although the laughs are likely unintentional. It's not a must-see in the realm of even Ital-zombie films, but if you've seen the rest you will want to see this one too. Not as bad as some may lead you to believe but all in all the word "cheap" seems to sum it up nicely.

Availability:  On DVD

Zombi 3 (1988) aka Zombie Flesh Eaters 2

3 / 5

Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Lucio Fulci
Written by: Claudio Fragasso
Actors Include: Deran Sarafian, Beatrice Ring, Ottaviano Dell'Acqua
Genre: Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: Italy

Review:
So this one is actually the sequel to "Zombie" (aka "Zombi 2") which yes is very confusing but it's true. This time we have scientists on an island (surprise) that develop some sort of potion. Terrorists steal the potion and release it causing a zombie plague. The scientists get to work on developing a cure for the issue, but the military is one the prowl causing destruction everywhere. The zombies in this are fun, it's got lots of fun deaths and gore, and it definitely blends right in with the various "Zombie (Zombi 2)" sequels. Just don't expect a serious or original film and this will do nicely!

Availability:  On DVD