The Nest (1988)

3 / 5 July '10
Tagline: Roaches have never tasted flesh... until now. She's just an appetizer.
Directed by: Terence H. Winkless
Written by: Eli Cantor, Robert King
Actors include: Robert Lansing, Lisa Langlois, Frank Luz
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well, it's very direct-to-video feeling, particularly with the bad acting and the weak romantic subplot and lousy cheap music. Heck one doesn't even see a cockroach attack someone until quite a ways in. Also I should mention that there aren't gigantic cockroaches like advertised on the vhs case, they are normal sized. I can give this credit though because it is rather bloody and I feel they tried on the "horror end of things" despite the fact that it's far from frightening in any way. Heck someone could be deathly afraid of cockroaches and not bat an eyelash at this. The idea is that experiments have created cockroaches that cannot die through normal means, and of course they are attacking a small town. At least once the film gets going there are some amusing little effects and whatnot. Especially when we meet the cockroach hybrid human monster thing (you'll see)! It doesn't deserve a fail or anything, there are certainly worse nature-gone-bad films but it's not exactly one of the best either. I wouldn't Raid the video store to find it heheh.

Availability:  Not On DVD

The Keep (1983)

3 / 5 July '10
Tagline: THEY WERE ALL DRAWN TO THE KEEP. The soldiers who brought death. The father and daughter fighting for life. The people who have always feared it. And the one man who knows its secret... THE KEEP Tonight, they will all face the evil.
Directed by: Michael Mann
Written by: F. Paul Wilson, Michael Mann
Actors include: Scott Glenn, Alberta Watson, Ian McKellen
Genre: Horror, War
Length: 96 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Some good ideas here but heck it was based upon a book, there should have been some. The way this was filmed however is extremely muddled and much of it is quite boring and talky. It doesn't help matters that much of the dialogue is either whispered or the loud ridiculous Tangerine Dream soundtrack obscures the voices and is insanely loud. In other words, it tried to make my eardrums burst and I never took my finger off the volume button the entire film. The actual plot seems to be about a Keep that is a fortress that is guarded and protected, but when Nazis start poking around and they try to steal part of the keep (a nickle piece on the walls) they get a shocking surprise. See it's haunted with some sort of bad demon that infects a Nazi, and a good demon sort of infects a Doctor (Ian McKellen). Of course there is an impending battle between bad and good. It's visually rather interesting though it has too much fog in places, and the effects for the initial bad monster make him look like an angry cloud thing which was awesome! Only thing is as the bad demon kills he turns more into this cartoonish figure that is beyond silly. This really should have been so much better but it's ambitious, creative and something one just doesn't see everyday. It's really begging for a nice remaster, then I'd say go for it!

Availability:  Not On DVD

Inferno In Diretta (1986) aka Cut And Run

3 / 5 July '10
Tagline: The one story you won't be seeing on the 6 o'clock news!
Directed by: Ruggero Deodato
Written by: Cesare Frugoni, Dardano Sacchetti
Actors include: Lisa Blount, Leonard Mann, Willie Aames
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
Well in some way this is a sequel to Cannibal Holocaust, or at least it's very similar and from the same director. This isn't nearly as good as Holocaust, though I suppose it's nicely filmed. The plot is about a news team who suspect a member of Jonestown has survived and is hiding out in the jungle. Also they intend to hunt for the son of a TV Producer who has been lost in the jungle for quite a while and it has a cocaine smuggling plot too. The missing son is hilariously played by Willie Aames (Buddy from Charles In Charge) who is ridiculous when trying to act, it's almost sad to watch. This does have a lot of violence in it though nothing as extreme as in Holocaust, it does have a rather high body count I suppose (though I could have done with less poison dart death). One perk this does have is actor Michael Berryman (the creepy dude from The Hills Have Eyes) as a violent savage which is kind of neat. It's okay I guess when you add everything up but it certainly could have been much better.

Availability:  On DVD

Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1971) aka Who Slew Auntie Roo?

4 / 5 July '10
Tagline: She's Taking A STAB At Motherhood!
Directed by: Curtis Harrington
Written by: Robert Blees, David D. Osborn
Actors include: Mark Lester, Shelley Winters, Chloe Franks
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Now this is rather like a Hammer telling of Hansel & Gretel, only of course it isn't really from the Hammer company. It's got a rather lavish production set in England in the '20s. Shelley Winters hams it up as Mrs. Forrest, a rather rich Woman who lives in a gingerbread house (not literally but it looks that way). She torments herself with visions of her daughter's freak accident that killed her because she loves children so. She loves them so much that every year she invites a group of orphans to her house to celebrate and extravagant Christmas. This year two orphans Christopher (Mark Lester...yes Oliver!) and Katy (Chloe Franks) sneak into the party, and when Mrs. Forrest sees how much Katy reminds her of her deceased daughter well trouble brews. It's kind of a slow start, but stick with it will more than pay off, it really does pick up steam. The actors are awesome and fun to watch, the story has a bit of humor in it plus it's a camp lovers dream!

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with What's The Matter With Helen?

Silent Madness (1984)

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: Dare You Watch It Alone?
Directed by: Simon Nuchtern
Written by: Nelson DeMille, Bill Milling
Actors include: Belinda Montgomery, Viveca Lindfors, Solly Marx
Genre: Horror
Length: 92 minutes
Banned: Sweden

Review:
I liked this, it's actually a colorful little slasher film that although it doesn't offer much in the way of original thought it still is rather fun. That and it managed to have a death in it that I'd never seen before, and the acting is decent, especially from lead psychologist Dr. Gilmore (the mom from Doogie Houser MD.). This tale is about a paranoid psychotic who is accidentally released because his name is similar to another patient. This mental hospital is possibly the weirdest and most illogical one I've ever seen. Instead of admitting the error they lie about it pretending the dangerous guy is dead. Dr. Gilmore stumbles upon this problem and gets into it even thicker when she stays at a sorority house where the killer's murders started many years before. Small parts of it were intended to be in 3D which is unnecessary and useless considering I don't think a proper version of this exists with glasses and stuff. It's also got a ton of cutaway violence, if you like seeing the gruesome stuff this might disappoint as it's all offscreen. It does seem like it has a bit of a sense of humour and even a tad bit of tension here and there. Considering how rarely I've heard this film mentioned it's actually one of the better unknowns from the '80s, I'd say watch it if you like horror from this time.

Availability:  Not On DVD

Goodbye Gemini (1970) aka Twinsanity

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: In the age of Aquarius the twins Julian & Jackie share everything - Love, men and murder!
Directed by: Alan Gibson
Written by: Jenni Hall, Edmund Ward
Actors include: Judy Geeson, Martin Potter, Michael Redgrave
Genre: Horror, Exploitation
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a weird exploitation flick that reminded me a bit of Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly [Girly] only it's not quite as good. The story revolves around unusually (disturbingly) close twins Jacki & Julian who have moved into house in London England. They seem to go in for the swingin' scene and go to parties, but they make a scene as they are a little too infatuated with one another. Jacki carries around a teddy bear and the two play games as though they were children. They sort of have their own little fantasy world where intruders are not welcome...okay so that's more of Julian's style than Jacki's but still. They make friends with a gambler named Clive and that's where things seem to take a turn for the worst. He has some debts that need paying so he tries to blackmail Julian and let's just say it's not a good idea to mess with these two. It's very strange all around and not exactly a bloody horror film or anything, but it certainly works and was entertaining.

Availability:  On DVD

Incubus (1966)

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Leslie Stevens
Written by: Leslie Stevens
Actors include: William Shatner, Allyson Ames, Eloise Hardt
Genre: Horror
Length: 78 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This reads sort of like a student art film, there are a few technical mistakes sure but it's actually quite visually stunning. The tale is about Kia, a succubus which means she lures bad men out to the sea and steps on their heads and drowns them. She's tired of drowning bad men and collecting their souls, so she wants to collect an innocent man. This is where the kindly Marc (William Shatner) comes in. He goes to church, lives with his sister, and lives a good life. When he sees the gorgeous Kia he isn't tempted by her sexual promises but rather he wants to make a real relationship with her. Of course she resists, and things get a little sticky from there once she summons the Incubus! Actually there is a scene where the Incubus is coming out from the earth that is pretty impressive and even creepy. Since this didn't appear to have much of a budget the effects are simple and mainly done with lighting but it's still quite effective. This is quite an interesting film that could have been amazing if a few things were different but instead it's a visually appealing cautionary tale. Oh I should also mention that the dialog in this film is Esperanto (something I've never seen before) and since the original print was lost I believe the only available version is dubbed with big black bars in the middle of the screen unfortunately. Still worth a viewing though.

Availability:  Not On DVD

Hell Night (1981)

2.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: Pray for day!
Directed by: Tom DeSimone
Written by: Randy Feldman
Actors include: Linda Blair, Vincent Van Patten, Peter Baron
Genre: Horror
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This was just a silly '80s slasher that has a lot of Linda Blair's cleavage but not a lot else. The premise is beyond predictable, four teenage pledges are forced to spend the night in a haunted house on the 12th anniversary of a murdering spree that took place in the house. Of course they aren't welcome and a bunch of time is spent with Mardi (Blair) and her romantic interest bonding which is supremely dull. Beyond that there are a couple of silly murders that aren't anything to get excited about. In fact the "culprit" is laughably silly looking, I mean it's obvious this didn't have a huge budget but it seems like they could have tried a little bit harder. To be honest considering it has a reasonable reputation I expected more from this film but in all truth it put me to sleep three nights in a row (though I did watch every last minute of it unfortunately). Many seem to like it so I wouldn't discourage you from watching it but don't be surprised if you find it dullsville like I did.

Availability:  On DVD

The Reincarnation Of Peter Proud (1975)

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: NOW AN ELECTRIFYING MOTION PICTURE
Directed by: J. Lee Thompson
Written by: Max Ehrlich
Actors include: Michael Sarrazin, Jennifer O'Neil, Margot Kidder
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Length: 105 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although this pulled of an entertaining finale it dragged through most of the rest of the film unfortunately because this could have been so much better. Peter Proud is a college professor who keeps having nightmares and flashbacks from a previous life. The more he investigates and digs into the situation he finds that it really was true, he was reincarnation but he was once Proud. Not only that but there is a lot of pressure on him because he is one of the only people on earth who could prove a past life. Things get messy because some of the memories of the past life involve being killed by Margot Kidder. Will he be able to prove or figure out why he died before, or will he get too close? It's actually sort of an interesting mystery, particularly when he starts being romantically involved with his daughter from a previous life and I must say it does go where one might think it wouldn't. It's not a lost classic or anything but those who like '70s horror should probably give this a try.

Availability:  Not on DVD

Girly (1970) aka Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny And Girly

4 / 5 July '10
Tagline: Everyone is dying to meet girly.....
Directed by: Freddie Francis
Written by: Brian Comport
Actors include: Vanessa Howard, Michael Bryant, Ursula Howells
Genre: Horror, Exploitation
Length: 101 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is the sort of film that one doesn't forget...how could you? It's one of the strangest things I've ever seen and oddly it doesn't really have any explanation for it either. The story is about Mumsy (the Mum of course), Nanny (the caretaker) and children Sonny and Girly (both of which are probably in their early '20s). It's pretty weird watching adult pretend they are kids and giggle and chase one another about...but it's even weirder when you learn what's going on. See their job is to lure back new "friends" who must play the "game" or be killed. What is this game? Well it's that they each must be in character and play for a certain amount of time a day and they have to follow rules and can't leave and whatnot. Why all of this is taking place is beyond me but it's quite a bizarre film that kept my attention most definitely. Recommended for those who like strange '70s cinema, you won't see another like this.

Availability:  On DVD

Welcome To Arrow Beach (1974) aka Tender Flesh aka Cold Storage aka And No One Would Believe Her

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: Nice place to visit...no place to live!
Directed by: Laurence Harvey
Written by: Walllace C. Bennett
Actors include: Laurence Harvey, Joanna Pettet, Stuart Whitman
Genre: Exploitation, Horror
Length: 99 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is sort of an exploitation film I suppose, it's very '70s and riddled with bad music but it's still entertaining. A wandering hippy girl ends up on Arrow Beach and is taken in by a kindly Vietnam war Veteran named Larry. Larry lives with his sister Grace (whom he's maybe a little too close to) in a house above the beach and it seems like life is pretty decent. The thing that seems to be bothering Larry is the meat situation, he had to commit cannibalism in the war and he's never really given it up since. His source for getting meat? Why it's picking up young girls and slaughtering them of course, but will our hitchhiker find out before she becomes dinner?the meat situation, he had to commit cannibalism in the war and he's never really given it up since. His source for getting meat? Why it's picking up young girls and slaughtering them of course, but will our hitchhiker find out before she becomes dinner? It's not gory in a horror sense really, it's more of a slow moving weirdo drama I guess with bad things happening. It's a different take on this sort of thing, and a bizarre movie in many ways. Unfortunately a nice edit of the film doesn't exist and the director/lead actor died shortly after sadly but I'd still suggest trying to find it for those who like the strange.

Availability:  Not Available On DVD

The Godsend (1980)

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: If Bonnie is a gift from Heaven...For God's sake send her back!
Directed by: Gabrielle Beaumont
Written by: Bernard Taylor, Olaf Pooley
Actors include: Malcolm Stoddard, Syd Hayman, Angela Pleasence
Genre: Horror
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I've wanted to see this for ages, ever since I read the book as a kid, but it's not exactly the most available film I'm afraid. I finally did get a copy to watch and I'm quite glad because it was a bit of a treat (minus the middle that dragged an awful lot). The story is about a young couple who are currently pregnant who kindly invite in another pregnant stranger. The stranger is very weird and doesn't seem normal in the slightest, soon she's giving birth in their home! When they go to show the beautiful baby girl to the weird woman they find she's vanished! When their own baby doesn't survive they decide to take this baby girl Bonnie and treat her as their own. They have several other kids who seem kind of afraid of Bonnie as she gets older and it becomes obvious why as one by one they end up dead from tragic "accidents". This isn't the sort of horror film that is graphic, the horror is implied and discussed but not really shown. The part that is creepy is the little actress playing Bonnie, and her parent's ignorance...weird! Anyhow it does share a lot in common with other evil child scenarios but still this one is worth a view or two I'd say.

Availability:  Not On DVD yet

Long Weekend (1978)

4.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: Their crime was against nature...Nature found them guilty.
Directed by: Colin Eggleston
Written by: Everett De Roche
Actors include: John Hargreaves, Briony Behets, Mike McEwen
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama
Length: 92 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one heck of a film and it most definitely makes it's point. It's an Australian film about a fella named Peter who wants to go camping in the wilderness...the only thing is that he's a menace to the outdoors. He's reluctantly dragging along his girlfriend Marcia who hates the outdoors. This sounds like a comedy and in a demented way it kind of is...I mean this couple does everything but burnt down the outdoors. Peter is particularly evil and cruel, even to Marcia who starts to realize something is terribly wrong. See nature isn't going to take this kind of abuse sitting down...it's going to take revenge! Strange things begin happening to the couple including animals attacking them, so Marcia takes the hint and wants to go home. Thing is Peter isn't about to let her leave, and nature isn't about to let them leave either... It's quite an interesting film, when I read the plot I knew I had to see this to see just exactly how this plays out. It's actually rather well made, nicely filmed and it more than makes it's point. Definitely recommended for those looking to see a different kind of horror film.

Availability:  On DVD

King Kong (1933)

4.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: A Monster of Creation's Dawn Breaks Loose in Our World Today!
Directed by: N/A
Written by: James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Actors Include: Robert Armstrong, Fay Wray, John Cabot
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Length: 104 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
Wow this is one exquisitely filmed picture, it's downright shocking that they were able to accomplish so very much in 1933! The story is about some movie makers who are filming a picture on Skull Island, he's got most things in place, he's only missing a leading lady. Enter Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) a lovely but down on her luck young Lady who is eager to join the crew. When they get to this mysterious island things aren't quite what they expected. The locals seem to worship a giant gorilla named Kong, and they want to serve up Ann to him as a sacrifice. They give her to Kong, and that is where the film really takes off. See one of the film crew wants to capture the ape to bring it home for an attraction, and of course save the girl. The last half hour is pretty much amazing, the shots of New York are stunning and the effects are quite something. The scenes were Kong has gone nuts are my favorites but pretty much the entire thing is a spectacle. I can't believe it took me so long to watch this, this is something you just have to see no matter what sort of films you enjoy.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Deadline (1981)

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: His obsession was to create the ultimate horror story... his curse was to live it.
Directed by: Mario Azzopardi
Written by: Mario Azzopardi
Actors include: Stephen Young, Sharon Masters, Marvin Goldhar
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller, Drama
Length: 85 minutes
Banned: Iceland

Review:
Considering this is a rarely mentioned horror film of the '80s it actually rather entertaining. It revolves around a Stephen King-like author named Steven (how clever) who is a rather large jerk. He ignores his family, friends and other obligations in order to write and before long things get confusing. See the line between fantasy and reality are getting blurred for him, visions from his films are becoming real and he's not sure what end is up anymore. The neatest part of this film are the bizarre and sometimes even disgusting and bloody bits from his movies that appear including cannibalistic Nuns, grandma abuse and many other bizarre things. The further he gets wrapped up in this the more his family falls apart and that is a rather disturbing angle actually. It's a shame that the story wasn't a tad more cohesive and explanatory (particularly when it comes to the ending), but I definitely give it credit for ambition and style. It should please most any '80s horror fan, you'll probably see a thing or two.  Oh and be on the look out for the band [Artist5948] who make quite an impression in this film with their insane performance.

Availability:  Not on DVD

Angel Heart (1987)

3 / 5 Jul '10
Tagline: It will scare you to your very soul.
Directed by: Alan Parker
Written by: William Hjortsberg, Alan Parker
Actors Include:  Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 113 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well I kinda thought this would be a really good film, heck nearly everyone seems to think so. I'm in the minority here as I didn't really see anything refreshing, shocking, horrific or even scary. Just naked [Artist440936] if that be your pleasure. Well okay there is a plot, Private Dick Harry Angel ([Artist84952]) is called upon by Louis Cypher (how original...in fact that was a bit too much of a clue for me). Angel's mission is to find a fella called Johnny Favorite who definitely doesn't want to be found. When people start turning up dead and he starts witnessing some strange things, the story gets thicker. It's got a fair bit in common with [Film5479] (which came out the same year) only I kind of liked the other film a bit better although neither wowed me to be honest. I will give this credit for being nicely filmed and relatively well acted I suppose and it creates a decent atmosphere. I just thought it needed more meat, more excitement and a bit more of a surprise, especially considering the hype that follows it around.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray