The Haunted Palace (1963)

4.5 / 5  Mar '10
Tagline: A warlock's home is his castle...Forever!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: H.P. Lovecraft, Charles Beaumont
Actors include: Vincent Price, Lon Chaney Jr., Debra Paget
Genre: Horror
Length: 87 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Definitely one of the most underrated Roger Corman films, I mean I really hadn't heard much of anything about it until I was researching Corman's films. This particular one is loosely based upon a poem from Poe but it takes it's influence more from a story by H.P. Lovecraft. The story begins with the perfectly cast Vincent Price as a Warlock being burned alive by the townspeople for being evil. The Warlock vows revenge on the townspeople and their kin of course. Then we jump ahead 110 years to the Warlock's great great Grandson Charles (also played by Price) who along with his wife are wishing to move into the palace from his heritage. The townspeople are less than friendly (and they hang out in a bar called "The Burning Man") yet there is some power in the house that won't let him leave. The spirit of his great great Grandfather seems to be invading Charles in order to obtain his revenge! It's violent, beautifully filmed in the style of a Hammer picture with elaborate sets and costumes and of course it has a dark sense of humor too. I really think that any fan of horror, Lovecraft, Price or Poe should absolutely love this one.

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with Tower Of London

The Ghastly Ones (1968)

3 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: A Gruesome Orgy Of Human Mutilation!
Directed by: Andy Milligan
Written by: Andy Milligan
Actors include: Veronica Radburn, Maggie Rogers, Hal Borske
Genre: Horror
Length: 72 minutes
Banned: UK

Review:
It's weird because this film is extremely cheap feeling and in the spirit of a Herschell Gordon Lewis, it's just Lewis has some special flair and comical element that makes his movies extremely entertaining. Andy Milligan does have his moments for sheer absurdity and attempting some major gore stuff, it's just not nearly as proficient and well his basic filming skills are very lacking. Also considering this film is only 72 minutes and much of it felt like filler well that does say a fair bit doesn't it? This is meant to be a period piece though I would say it only seems that way in parts, the impressive thing is that Milligan apparently made all the costumes as well as writing, directing and producing this flick. It's about a group of siblings and their spouses who are supposed to spend 3 days in an isolated mansion in order to claim their inheritance. It's got a bit of a mystery vibe as we aren't to know who's brutally killing off the guests. The half-wit character who eats live rabbits seems to be my favorite part but I think he's the reason this was deemed a video nasty. This does have some cheaply graphic killings that are pretty funny, but the cheesy nature makes them very easy to watch and I can't imagine much of this movie offending anyone. Still if you like super cheap gore flicks this does have a certain appeal, I sort of enjoyed it in a way I suppose! It's just so ineptly filmed and with such awkward and silly dialogue and pointless ugly nudity that most will want to avoid this.

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with Seeds Of Sin

Attack Of The Crab Monsters (1957)

3 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: From the depths of the sea... a tidal wave of terror!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: Charles B. Griffith
Actors include: Richard Garland, Pamela Duncan, Russell Johnson
Genre: Sci-fi, Horror
Length: 62 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Oh it's pretty cheesy and if it had been any longer than 62 minutes I might have had to drop my rating slightly but it's a slick to the point monster film and nothing more. It's cheap surely, but it's an early Roger Corman flick, what does one expect? Considering how early this is it does have a bit of blood and disaster in it, and the crab monsters do look menacing I suppose. The monster in this case (as was the case with many films of this time) was created because of the H-Bomb but the unusual thing about these crab creatures is that they can imitate the voices and thoughts from the people they kill. Sort of an odd twist that I liked to the whole thing, however generic in some ways it feels. This isn't going to make a heck of a lot of sense to anyone nor is it one of the best science fiction pieces, but there is something entertaining about it but that's the Corman in it I think. Worth a view for genre fans but not necessary for most I'd say.

Availability:  On DVD

The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1974)

2.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Deadly Horrors! Dragon Thrills! The First Kung Fu Horror Spectacular!
Directed by: Roy Ward Baker
Written by: Don Houghting
Actors include: Peter Cushing, David Chiang, Julie Ege
Genre: Action, Horror
Length: 83 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really didn't care for this, it's Hammer's last vampire picture and it's my least favorite by far. It combines the world of kung fu in with Dracula and I'm afraid the two don't fit together. The film was basically plotless though the spirit of Dracula (made up to look like Christopher Lee's version of Dracula only much cheaper) goes into the spirit of a fighter warlord guy in order to look after 6 other vampires. One of the only good things about this is the fact that Peter Cushing appears as Van Helsing but it's simply not enough to make this interesting. Much of the film is sword fighting group scenes with too much going on at once, and since they didn't bother with character development it's hard to give a hoot. That and it seems that it just keeps repeating over and over again making this film feel ridiculously long even though it really wasn't. It's even more shocking to see that Roy Ward Baker was one of the directors, he is usually on point! Well I should mention that I don't much care for kung fu movies and maybe that is why I really thought this was a bore, but then again maybe this was just lazy?

Availability:  On DVD

Funeral Home (1980) aka Cries In The Night

3 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: It'll have you screaming for morning!
Directed by: William Fruet
Written by: Ida Nelson
Actors include: Kay Hawtrey, Lesleh Donaldson, Barry Morse
Genre: Horror
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
There isn't anything here that you haven't seen before, but the serious way they play this story makes it somewhat worthwhile. The tale is about a girl who goes to her Grandmother's house to help her change it from a funeral home to a bed and breakfast (you can see where this is going right?). As soon as they are ready to open the guests start disappearing, but why? It's a bit of a mystery and there are several red herrings but it becomes rather clear very quickly what's going on. It's not very satisfying on a gore level, it's not very frightening and although it's watchable it's not filmed the nicest (though maybe it was my cheap DVD version that made me say that). I think also knowing that William Fruet directed this made it a little bit more disappointing because I really loved his film Death Weekend which I do definitely recommend. This isn't one of the worst slashers of the '80s but it's pretty average really, this often gets mentioned as one of the underrated gems of the time but I'm afraid I feel it's rather forgettable.

Availability:  On DVD

Corridors Of Blood (1958)

4.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Tops In Terror!
Directed by: Robert Day
Written by: Jean Scott Rogers
Actors include: Boris Karloff, Betta St. John, Christopher Lee
Genre: Drama, Horror
Length: 86 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although it's not really a horror movie in the big picture, it's a depressing drama with horrific elements more like. Oh I should mention this is a period piece, and a rather well made one at that and I'm not sure how historically accurate it is but it's interesting none the less. Boris Karloff is wonderful as Dr. Thomas Bolton, the kindly Doctor who in his free time experiments in order to find a way to make surgery painless. Bolton finally is onto something and sets up a demonstration with the Medical board, only it goes very badly and from then on he finds nobody wants to listen to him. Particularly when he refines his breakthrough and is desperate to help people but isn't allowed. Other issues arise when Dr. Bolton becomes addicted to the substances he's experimenting with and well things go more downhill from there. He ends up being forced to deal with scummy folks similar to Burke & Hare (one is played by Christopher Lee in one of his earliest roles). I was truly surprised what a great actor Karloff really is, this proves it. Although this may not appeal to every horror fan I think fans of good movies should definitely enjoy this.

Availability:  On DVD

The Uncanny (1977)

4 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Cats aren't always cute and cuddly!
Directed by: Denis Héroux
Written by: Michel Parry
Actors include: Peter Cushing, Ray Milland, Joan Greenwood
Genre: Horror
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'd actually heard this wasn't very good so I was rather surprised that I quite liked it. It's a trilogy of tales revolving around cats (why wouldn't I like it?)! Peter Cushing although he receives top billing is only the fellow tying our tales together as he is writing a tale on cats who kill...or something like it. The first story is about a rich Woman who decides to rewrite her will to leave everything to her cats instead of her Nephew. When her Nephew's girlfriend catches wind of this they devise a scheme to get rid of the will only the cats have another thing in store! Although this story starts off a little uninterestingly it picks up to a gruesome treat that I've always hoped to see. The next tale is about a young girl named Lucy who's parents have died in a plane crash. She is sent to live with this rich snooty family (her Aunts) with a bratty daughter who reminds me of Veruca Salt. The family doesn't want her to keep her beloved cat against medical advice and they take the cat off to be killed, well imagine their surprise when the cat returns! This is a very entertaining little story, sort of like a fairy tale gone wrong in the best way. Lastly we have a tale about a pendulum and swapping out a fake blade for a real one in order to create a part for an actress in a play. It's the least interesting of the three and the most star studded! Samantha Eggar has never been so gosh darned irritating before even though it's obviously being put on it's just too much. Overall though I think cat lovers and horror lovers need to see this, I am both and I thought this was quite a load of fun.

Availability:  Not on DVD that I know of except in PAL

Dust Devil (1992)

3.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: He's not a serial killer. He's much worse
Directed by: Richard Stanley
Written by: Richard Stanley
Actors include: Robert John Burke, Chelsea Field, Zakes Mokae
Genre: Horror, Western
Length: 108 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a rather unusual tale and for it's creativity I do offer it some kudos, now could it have been better...yes but the story still makes it worthwhile. The plot is about a shapeshifter in the desert who preys upon lonely and suicidal women. After a girl named Wendy breaks it off with her Husband and starts driving she picks up the dust devil as a hitchhiker (see he seems to appeal to lonely women and he's not half bad looking either). They strike some sort of bond up and before we know it the two are engaged in some sex and things seem pretty good. That is until Wendy starts noticing some things aren't quite right plus he's a little more cruel than one might expect... It's a rather ambitious film, the landscape is rather lovely and like that of a western film, and the violence is definitely neat and should appeal to horror fans. There is a bit of a romantic subplot and a few other things going on but it is definitely interesting and unusual. I think most will get something out of this though it is far from perfect, definitely one of the more interesting horror films I've seen and it's African setting makes it all the more fascinating. Still it is missing something, including scares and tension but yet I'd still recommend it to most.

Availability:  On DVD

The Premature Burial (1962)

4 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Within the Coffin I Lie...ALIVE!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: Charles Beaumont, Edgar Allan Poe
Actors include: Ray Milland, Hazel Court, Richard Ney
Genre: Horror, Drama, Mystery
Length: 81 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
I quite liked this 'un but the pairing of Poe and Roger Corman is a pretty easy win. In this tale a fellow named Guy (Ray Milland) who's old girlfriend Emily (Hazel Court) has come back into his life hoping to get married. The two wed despite protests from Guy's sister Kate but soon it becomes clear that something is wrong with Guy. He's paranoid about being buried alive and he even builds an elaborate contraption of a coffin that would keep him from being buried alive. Emily feels he spends more time obsessing over his future death than with her and gives him the ultimatum of his contraption or her and well it goes on from there. It's pretty darkly comical and well presented, the acting is quite good and the story is clear and interesting. It also has some nice horror payoff in the end, and it's very short and sweet. An enjoyable well made little film that I think most should be able to enjoy!

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with The Masque Of The Red Death

The Resurrected (1992) aka Shatterbrain

4 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Dan O'Bannon
Written by: Brent V. Friedman, H.P. Lovecraft
Actors Include: John Terry, Jane Sibbett, Chris Sarandon
Genre: Horror
Length: 108 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although this does have a fascinating story (well it's based upon a story by H.P. Lovecraft so of course it's great) it has a very slow start but be patient because it really does work out to be great. See it looks very straight-to-video (and likely was), Claire played by actress Jane Sibbett (Carol from Friends) isn't the greatest, and there is too much narration in the beginning too. The effects are gross and mostly impressive, and although it is a bit too long they do cram a lot of story in there. Claire is a Wife coming to a Private Detective about her Husband's strange doings, he isn't himself anymore and he keeps receiving shipments of long boxes. There is also a horrible smell coming from her Husband's lab and some gruesome eaten corpses keep turning up too. Can they solve the mystery of what's going on before they are all killed...or before something even worse happens? It's a shame this isn't very available really it did make it to DVD but it seemed like it went out of print nearly immediately. This pretty much proves that Dan O'Bannon hasn't made a bad picture (that I've seen) yet, one to hunt for, just don't give up on it at first because I was mighty tempted.

Availability:  On DVD

Silent Scream (1980)

3 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Terror so sudden there is no time to scream.
Directed by: Denny Harris
Written by: Wallace C. Bennett, Denny Harris
Actors include: Barbara Steele, Rebecca Balding, Cameron Mitchell
Genre: Horror
Length: 87 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I hate to say that I wasn't very impressed by this one because it does have a few things going for it. It's relatively well made and it seems as though it might have been relatively successful in it's day upon release. The acting is relatively decent, and the plot isn't bad either, the ending is even a bit of a treat yet still something was missing. We meet a young Woman named Scotty who is desperate for a place to stay until she finds this house near the beach that is available. She moves in and meets her other roomies including her love interest Peter, chunky girl Doris, nerdly guy who's romancing Doris and one of the biggest dorks ever Mason. Mason's nutty Ma (Yvonne De Carlo) lives in the house too, but don't disturb her! After tons of dull getting to know our characters (who are some of the least attractive cast ever minus Barbara Steele) and letting romance bloom crap it does finally get to where there is some violence. Sure it has some elements of the classic Psycho but not really where it counts. The soundtrack was unappealing, I didn't honestly care what happened to any of the characters and I kept thinking that something more sinister was going on then what actually was. The plot is overly predictable, it isn't very bloody and the deaths aren't inventive and really it's all been done before. A lot of people really love this one so maybe it just kinda rubbed me the wrong way but still I think it's worth a viewing if only to see Steele's character.

Availability:  On DVD

Aquella Casa En Las Afueras (1980) aka That House In The Outskirts

3.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Eugenio Martín
Written by: Antonio Cuevas, J.M. González Castrillo
Actors include: Javier Escrivá, Silvia Aguilar, Alida Valli
Genre: Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Director Eugenio Martín (Una vela para el diablo [It Happened at Nightmare Inn] which is rather similar in feel to this one and his more famous film Horror Express) makes this feel a little like a Spanish version of a Pete Walker film. It's not quite as sadistic as something Walker would give us but it's very dark and serious and something very sinister is going on. Although this is rather slowly paced it's gloomy feel and mysterious plot kept me interested. A rather pregnant woman called Nieves and her older husband Joaquim move out to this house on the outskirts to live on the main floor. The older woman who rented them the house and who lives on site offers to help out Nieves during her pregnancy. Immediately Nieves doesn't like the house, she has the feeling she's been there before but Joaquim feels she's just being strange because of her pregnancy. When some people show up looking for the Doctor the confusion starts to mount... It's actually really well put together as far as the plot goes, it takes quite a while to get going but when it does it's quite the horrific tale. Although it does borrow from some of the popular movies around the time the way this is presented is quite original and I can't think of anything quite like this. The copy I was able to get my mitts on isn't the nicest and I think this does deserve a proper release. Recommended so long as you practice a bit of patience, one of the better Spanish horror films I've come across.

Availability:  This has never been available on DVD as far as I know

Ratman (1988) aka Terror House aka Quella Villa In Fondo Al Parco

2.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: He's The Critter From The Shitter!
Directed by: Giuliano Carnimeo
Written by: Dardano Sacchetti
Actors include: David Warbeck, Janet Agren, Eva Grimaldi
Genre: Horror
Length: 82 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Not the most exciting cheap Italian sleaze, in fact it's probably one of the weaker entries I've seen. The plot is paper thin, a ratman was created by a scientist I think using monkey sperm and a rat if I'm not mistaken. The ratman itself is rather amusing, a very little person in some extreme make-up and teeth with rat noises dubbed over top, kind of like the Zuni doll from Trilogy of Terror. When the dangerous ratman escapes some models are being bumped off (and their corpses have giant scratches all over 'em) between boring as heck photo shoots. This does have a fair bit of nudity if that be your thing but the parts that didn't have the creature were duller than dirt. It's a shame the cast wasn't into it, and the deaths aren't that great (often too dark or cutaway) though they don't mind showing some blood. All in all if you like strange Italian movies you'll maybe want to give this a try but I found it to be a bit of a struggle to sit through.

Availability:  On DVD

Whistle, And I'll Come To You (1968)

4 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Jonathan Miller
Written by: M.R. James, Jonathan Miller
Actors include: Michael Hordern, Ambrose Coghill, George Woodbridge
Genre: Horror
Length: 42 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Considering this has one of the most irritating characters on earth in it (Professor Parkins), it's surprisingly refreshing. It's based upon an old ghost story from M.R. James and it's supposedly his darkest (according to our narrator). I actually came across it on some list of the scariest moments in film and television and well I can kinda see why it made their list. Professor Parkins is a stuffy smug irritating fellow who mumbles to himself and only believes what is in his books. The subject of ghosts comes up in a conversation and he explained that he cannot believe in that sort of thing the way one would believe in say Australia. Professor Parkins loves his walks around the seaside and one day he stumbles upon an old whistle that he blows. From there everything he knows is turned on it's head as he meets something he never expected. It's a short story coming in at under 45 minutes and it's an effective one, it's just a shame we have to put up with that irritating fools mumbling for much of the film. Still definitely worth it, beautiful cinematography (the shots on the seaside are lovely) and a good story.

Availability:  On DVD

Operazione Paura (1966) aka Kill Baby Kill aka Curse Of The Living Dead aka Don't Walk In The Park

4.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Mario Bava
Written by: Romano Migliorini, Roberto Natale
Actors include: Giacomo Rossi-Stuart, Erika Blanc, Fabienne Dali
Genre: Horror
Length: 85 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really quite liked this one, elegantly shot, beautiful usage of colors plus the story is fun too. We go to a very unusual town where strange deaths keep happening that are neither accidents nor suicides though they appear as such. We watch a girl jump onto a spiked iron fence to start out with (so we know we are in for a treat) and from there Dr. Eswai is called to perform the autopsy where they find a coin in the heart of the girl. From there we meet various strange people in the town with strange beliefs and some investigation is going on. In the meantime more brutal deaths are taking place, the culprit must be stopped...but who is it? It's filmed in the style of a giallo though it really isn't one I suppose, still it's very elegant and it's obvious that Mario Bava was behind this film. It still has the gratuitity that horror fans will seek, the interesting story and mystery that some will want to solve and it's gorgeous to watch, how could you say no? I do think this is available in several cheapo versions that are probably missing chunks of the story so make sure you get a legit copy because this is one you won't want to miss.

Availability:  On DVD

The Tingler (1959)

3 / 5  Mar '10

Tagline: In Screamarama
Directed by: William Castle
Written by: Rob White
Actors include: Vincent Price, Judith Evelyn, Darryl Hickman
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 82 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
I do tend to like William Castle's films, but this one surprised me in that I wasn't impressed with it. I think the gimmick really hinders watching this from home, it was filmed in percepto vision (which means joy buzzers in some seats of the theatre originally) which is supposed to make random audience members scream. The plot is that Vincent Price is a pathologist who discovers that we all have "tinglers" in our spines that will sever them and kill us if we don't scream to release our fear. Obviously the science in this is as bunk as you can get, and it's actually laughable but really if anything I did laugh quite a few times during this, it's more of a cheesy comedy I suppose. One neat thing is that a part of the film features colored blood (it's filmed in black and white) and the actual tingler (that looks like a giant plastic centipede) is not what I expected. It's campy and it does have that element of fun but it's far from something I can imagine being scared by no matter what year it was. I think this might be way more fun to go to during a midnight showing with actual percepto vision. Sadly this one was a disappointment, but I wouldn't say avoid either because I'm in the minority with my opinion I think.

Availability:  On DVD

The Mephisto Waltz (1971)

3.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: The Devil Calls The Tune
Directed by: Paul Wendkos
Written by: Ben Maddow, Fred Mustard Stewart
Actors Include: Alan Alda, Jacqueline Bisset, Barbara Parkins
Genre: Horror
Length: 115 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This wasn't the most exciting film, in fact it dragged and dragged for much of the time (it did not need to be nearly 2 hours long), yet the story is a rewarding one. I think the biggest problem with this film is actually Alan Alda who is pretty unlikeable, especially as a romantic lead (eww). Alda plays a pianist with a great range and quite the ability, in fact when he meets with a famous classical composer the two seem inseparable. Something doesn't seem quite right however (maybe because the composer is a Satanist?), and shortly after the composer's death there are some major changes in Alda. Most of those who dig looking at women will appreciate Jacqueline Bisset as the female romantic lead here (though I kept picturing her as James on Nip/Tuck) who does show a bit of skin. Bissette notices something isn't right with her Husband and starts to solve the mystery...but will it be too late? If they changed Alda with another actor and tightened it up this could have been quite brilliant, the story is a good one. It's just a shame that as is, it's worthwhile but a bit frustrating for quite a while.

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with House On Skull Mountain

Total Recall (1990)

4 / 5 Mar '10

Tagline: They Stole His Mind, Now He Wants It Back!
Directed by: Paul Verhoeven
Written by: Philip K. Dick, Ronald Shusett
Actors include: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Length: 113 minutes
Banned: Nope
Country: USA

Review:
This is one relatively exciting action packed futuristic tale that doesn't seem all that far off from actually happening. Okay well maybe that's an exaggeration, I can't picture some of these violent sequences actually happening but conceptually...we aren't far off. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Douglas Quaid, a fellow who really wants to go to Mars but his wife Lori (Sharon Stone) isn't interested. Instead Douglas hears of a company called Recall which implants memories of trips to nearly anywhere and they let you be any sort of person you'd like for the experience. Douglas decides to give it a try and he selects secret agent with aliens and brunette lady friend (and I can't imagine why anyone would select Rachel Ticotin over Stone) and receives a vacation implant to Mars. We hear that something has gone wrong and that Douglas' memory has accidentally erased, we sort of meet with him and we aren't quite sure which state he's at and he's more confused than we are. All of the sudden people with guns are shooting at him and life is a giant adventure all to do with something that happened on Mars that he can't remember. It's pretty fun watching everything come together especially since it's a rather violent ride filled with adventure. Really I guess this should be recommended to most, the concept is interesting the effects are good and it's very easy to enjoy.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

The Masque Of Red Death (1964)

4.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: LOOK INTO THIS FACE - SHUDDER... at the blood-stained dance of the Red Death! TREMBLE... to the hideous tortures of the catacombs of Kali! GASP... at the sacrifice of the innocent virgin to the vengeance of Baal!
Directed by: Roger Corman
Written by: Charles Bowmont, R. Wright Campbell
Actors include: Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher
Genre: Horror
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
I actually thought this was pretty great, seriously elaborate and detailed and garish but in the best possible way! Roger Corman is the director here and I definitely appreciate his work but this doesn't even seem like him at all, it's so technically proficient! Vincent Price is perfect as the sadistic Satan worshiping rich jerk Prince Prospero, the dialog is pretty hilarious in places in a dark dark way. Prospero resides over a gigantic castle, and the "red death" plague seems to be swiping the poor folks. Prospero has taken in his wealthy friends to reside in his castle to worship Satan, dance and to avoid getting sick. He plans one heck of a costume party that one will never forget! Along the way he abducts a beautiful peasant girl (Jane Asher) and her Boyfriend and Father with the intent to kill the Men and to keep the female. This of course doesn't sit well with Prospero's lady friend and Satan's bride Juliana (Hazel Court) who seems rather jealous. The ending simply must be seen to be believed...I don't think I could describe it if I tried. This story is superb, it's bloody and violent so horror fans should love it, and it's thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. Of course this is based upon the short story from Poe called "The Mask Of Red Death" which I honestly haven't read so I can't compare, but I'll definitely read it after this. Highly recommended for those who like camp, Poe or horror, one of the best of it's kind!

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with Premature Burial

Solamente Nero (1978) aka The Bloodstained Shadow aka Only Blackness

3.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Antonio Bido
Written by: Marisa Andalò, Antonio Bido
Actors include: Lino Capolicchio, Stefania Casini, Craig Hill
Genre: Horror, Giallo, Thriller, Mystery
Length: 109 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well unfortunately this starts out very slow, the gloomy serious nature of the film does add to it, and the cinematography is quite nice. However the restraint wasn't appreciated by me (this is a giallo film, I want sleaze!) and the cast for the most part is very unfortunate looking (and what was wardrobe thinking?). If you can get through the dull first half the second half is definitely more what one would expect from this kind of film. The soundtrack is one of the highlights though thanks to Stelvio Cipriani who's work creates tension and definitely adds to the film big time. Since a schoolgirl was murdered in the past (or the opening credits for us) and the murderer is never caught a young man named Stefano returns to his home (where the murder happened). He wants to try to figure out what happened along with his help of his seriously older brother (uh more like Dad) the local Priest. When another young girl is killed in front of the Priest and some ominous things start happening it's a rush to find out who is doing the killings. It does seem to borrow from better films like Profondo rosso [Deep Red] and 4 mosche di velluto grigio [Four Flies on Grey Velvet] and it's definitely not one of the best core gialli, but it's still worth a viewing for fans I'd say.

Availability:  On DVD

Fade To Black (1980)

4 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Meet Eric Binford, the ultimate movie buff. If you know someone like him... run!
Directed by: Vernon Zimmerman
Written by: Vernon Zimmerman
Actors include: Dennis Christopher, Tim Thomerson, Gwynne Gilford
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Action, Thriller, Drama
Length: 102 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Now this was one heck of an original treat cram packed with various Movie memorabilia and trivia for just about any movie lover. Many of the quotes and characters were things that I know nothing of (not being a Noir fan for the most part) but much of it was entertaining. The story is about movie obsessed geek (kinda like a demented film geek version of Napoleon Dynamite) Eric Binford (brilliantly played by Dennis Christopher) who is a bit socially inept to to his hobbies. He works at a film company but isn't respected, his home life is a crappy too as he has been raised by his nasty abusive Aunt. Life starts looking up when he meets a gorgeous look-alike who actually seems to like him. Being as how she's flighty she forgets their date and stands Eric up which sends him over the edge. Soon he's emulating characters in films and painting his face and he starts believing he is the characters. The main one he becomes is from the film White Heat but he also turns into Bela Lugosi (which is why the face paint on the cover) in Dracula and many more. It really is spot the cultural reference throughout the entire film which is a great deal of fun. This will appeal to a very select few, but those who love nerds getting revenge in violent ways should absolutely love this and the comedy bits are quite funny too. This is something I'll definitely have to watch again to try and soak up even more of it, very well done especially for a rather unknown low key movie. Highly entertaining and definitely recommended, a real treat even though it's maybe technically not the best movie.

Availability:  On DVD

Three On A Meathook (1972)

2.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: A Padlocked Shed, Hooks of Cold Steel -- a Maniac on the loose
Directed by: William Girdler
Written by: William Girdler
Actors Include: Charles Kissinger, James Carroll Pickett, Sherry Steiner
Genre: Horror
Length: 78 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
So this is William Girdler's (The Manitou) debut film and boy is it cheap...I mean it looks like Herschell Gordon Lewis must have had twice the budget and gore effects then this had. The thing is, although it's relatively poorly made it's still relatively ahead of it's time (especially when you consider this predates The Texas Chain Saw Massacre by two years). Although today this seems very formulaic there really wasn't much of a formula to follow at the time so I give credit to Girdler on that account too. The plot is about a young Man named Billy who is desperate for some Lady attention. When he stumbles upon four lovely young ladies he offers them a place to stay for the night. See Mother is dead, and Father isn't too pleased about this, in fact he warns Billy never to bring Woman home because of his "issues with Women". After the girls are brutally slaughtered (including one of the first horror decapitations I believe) in ketchup Billy wakes up the next morning to their corpses not having a clue what happened. When he gets drunk to forget in a club he passes out and wakes up in the bed of a nice young waitress. They end up being fond of one another and so he invites her and her friend to his house for the weekend but will they survive? It actually nearly shares it's plot with the film Frightmare which is rather strange...I actually give credit to the plot for being decent. It's only the budget, acting, effects and large dull parts that make it less than a fun film to watch. Oh and I should mention, we have a few performances from quite the band American Xpress, quite ridiculous! Oh and when the band isn't on screen prepare for ridiculous AM '70s songs nobody has ever heard and for good reason.

Availability:  On DVD

The Raven (1935)

3.5 / 5 Mar '01
Tagline: While this mad surgical genius chanted "The Raven," horrible screams rose up from his torture chamber below!
Directed by: Lew Landers
Written by: David Boehm, Edgar Allan Poe
Actors include: Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lester Matthews
Genre: Horror
Length: 61 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I think that calling this film "The Raven" was perhaps not the wisest choice as having read the poem I wasn't sure what they'd make a movie about. Having now seen the movie I know it has little to do with the poem aside from the fact that our lead character is obsessed with Poe and has a statue of a Raven. If anything it shares a lot more in common with The Pit and the Pendulum and various other mad scientist plots. At the time this really freaked out audiences because it does have a lot of disturbing material (if you aren't used to that sort of thing). The plot is about Dr. Vollin (Bela Lugosi) a brilliant yet sadistic scientist who loves Poe so very very much. After he's begged to help out a Dame who was in a car accident (silly women can't drive) and of course he ends up falling in love with her. She's got a fiancee and her Father disapproves of the idea of her being with Vollin. For some odd reason they (along with several others) accept an invitation to Vollin's house for a party sleepover. What they don't know is that Mr. Bateman (Boris Karloff) came to Vollin earlier to ask for a facial reconstruction (because he feels ugly) but instead to blackmail him into doing what he wants he disfigures him. Oh and did I mention that Dr. Vollin has a torture chamber and a house full of amazing technology? It's interesting, it definitely has some evil ideas and I like that, Bela is great as an evil madman and Karloff as the sympathetic monster (hmmm where have I seen that before?). The Women in this film are seriously annoying, I know the whole equality thing didn't come until much later but wowsa...dumb. Still worth watching but just don't expect much to do with The Raven. Oh and I should mention that the '50s film of the same name is completely unrelated to this film.

Availability:  On DVD as part of the Bela Lugosi Collection

Deadly Blessing (1981)

3 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: A gruesome secret, protected for generations, rises to give its...
Directed by: Wes Craven
Written by: Glenn M. Benest, Matthew Barr
Actors include: Maren Jensen, Sharon Stone, Jeff East
Genre: Horror
Length: 100 minutes
Banned: Norway, Finland

Review:
Certainly not one of Wes Craven's finer pictures yet not his worst either, this at least has an unusual subject manner. It's got something to do with a sect of extreme Amish called the Hittites who believe technology is so evil that it's pretty much being in cahoots with the Devil himself. We meet up with a fellow who appears to have abandoned his Amish heritage for a beautiful wife, he's still a farmer only he has a tractor that the nearby Hittites seem to hate. When the fellow is mysteriously murdered by his own tractor things go from bad to worse. The young widow invites some friends over to help her after the death (one of which is the beautiful Sharon Stone in one of her earliest roles) only they all end up in peril. See spiders and snakes seem to be trying to kill the beautiful young ladies but could the Hittites be responsible or is it something more sinister? It's kinda neat that Michael Berryman turns up as a creepy Hittite, and well if you want to gaze upon beautiful Women this film should keep you busy. The resolve is beyond stupid, it really doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense and it's very unsatisfying I thought. This could have been worse but it could have been so much better, especially since it does have a rather unique concept.

Availability:  This is available on PAL DVD only currently

Mortuary (1983) aka Embalmed

2.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Before your funeral...Before you are buried...Before you are covered with the last shovelful of dirt...Be sure you are really dead!
Directed by: Howard Avedis
Written by: Howard Avedis
Actors include: Mary Beth McDonough, Lynda Day George, Bill Paxton
Genre: Horror
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Christie is suffering from flashbacks and nightmares related to her Father's drowning and she's a sleepwalker too. She keeps seeing this ghoulish figure cloaked in a cape lurking about but nobody seems to believe her. Things get even worse when she finds out her Mother is actually in a coven of witches! She also has the embalmer's Mozart loving son (played by Bill Paxton) trying to get a date with her. Will her boyfriend be able to protect her from all that haunts her? It's got some gore in it sure, but relatively cheaply done and nothing original in sight really. Also much of the film is very uninteresting and it feels as though it takes way too long to get to the point. I found it to be a bit of a struggle to make it to the end, especially when there wasn't much in the way of surprises to be had. Although the plot does have it's absurdities and Paxton fans will want to see this it hasn't got a lot to offer horror fans unfortunately. Oh but I guess I should mention this is one of a handful of horror films that assembles the victims at the end in a group setting. This film seems relatively difficult to find so don't struggle too much, I didn't feel it was worth it anyhow.

Availability:  Never on DVD however it appears as though people sell bootlegs