Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)

 3.5 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: He puts the teeth in terror
Directed by: Jeff Burr
Written by: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper
Actors include: Katie Hodge, Ken Foree, R.A. Mihailoff
Genre: Horror
Length: 82 minutes
Banned: Nope

 

Review:

Certainly a large step up from part 2 as well, this one isn't a joke. It's far from amazing, but as a slasher this one meets all of the requirements, plus it seems to be more true to the spirit of the original. This time we meet two college students who are on a road trip that end up in cannibal country. This time the murderous family seems to have grown (Viggo Mortensen has even joined the crew) and they are still just as hungry as ever. This has the obligatory running through the dark in the woods scene, several chainsawing and even dead animals...what more could one ask for? They even managed to do a decent job building a bit of tension, and the gore was pretty fun too. I'm glad to see that this was actually better than I had anticipated, maybe not as good as it could have been but entertaining enough none the less.

Availability:  On DVD

The Stendhal Syndrome (1996) aka La Sindrome di Stendhal

3.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Dario Argento
Written by: Graziella Magherini, Dario Argento
Actors include: Asia Argento, Thomas Kretschmann, Marco Leonardi
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Giallo
Length: 120 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'm not sure why this has such a terrible reputation, I mean it's certainly not one of Dario Argento's best but it's not his worst either. I suppose some may be disappointed because it is unusual for a horror flick and the story is a bit strange plus it is a bit too long. The story is about a Detective called Anna (Dario's daughter Asia Argento) who we meet in a museum where she loses herself and passes out looking at a painting. This is apparently what Stendhal Syndrome is (yes a real problem that affects quite a few I guess), getting lost in art and getting confused. Anyhow Anna has temporary amnesia making her job extra difficult since she's trying to track a serial rapist/killer. From there it's a strange journey of hallucinations, rape, obssession and blood...even a blond wig! According to some, this is the first Italian film to utilize CGI which generally I hate but it was small doses and it did work here. It certainly does feel like a giallo and one of the best late entries I've come across so far. Sure it's not something that you'll need to rush out and see but I think fans of the genre and of Argento should give this a try.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Night Of The Living Bread (1990)

4 / 5  Jun '11
Tagline: The Bread Still Rises!
Directed by:  Kevin S. O'Brien
Written by:  Kevin S. O'Brien
Actors include:  Vince Ware, Katie Harris, Robert J. Saunders
Genre:  Horror, Comedy, Short
Length:  8 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:

As soon as I read the title I though "gee this is going to be absolutely stupid", and I was right but it's gloriously stupid.  I really was surprised how funny they could make this considering yes...no tricks, it's Night of the Living Dead crammed into eight minutes with bread.  An explosion at a bakery causes bread to attack people and a small group of people have gathered at an abandoned farm house for refuge.  They were rather clever in choosing which scenes to reenact, and the way they went about most scenes was pretty wise as well.  It just looks like they must have had a ton of fun making it, and heck I had a ton of fun watching it, perhaps you should too!

Availability:  It's available as a bonus feature on a version of Night of the Living Dead, or watch it here:

Freaked (1993)

4 / 5 May '11
Tagline: A thinking man's stupid comedy.
Directed by: Tom Stern, Alex Winter
Written by: Tim Burns, Tom Stern
Actors include: Megan Ward, Randy Quaid, Alex Winter
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 86 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
What a strange combination of comedy, parody and sci-fi which echoes the sentiments of Monty Python films in many ways. I've got to say that although it's insanely silly it's really very funny, especially the first 40 minutes. Some of the gags get a little stale as it goes on and even though it has a shortish runtime it couldn't have carried on any further. It's absurd, bizarre, not afraid to go for cheap laughs and of course full of freaks and surprisingly it has a nearly all-star cast. The plot revolves around a self-absorbed actor called Ricky Coogan (Alex Winter) who has accepted the role of a spokesperson for a toxic chemical company. Ricky and his friend Ernie (Michael Stoyanov) then travels to South America to learn more about the chemical. Along the way they also pick up love interest and activist Julie (Megan Ward), together the three end up at a mutant freak farm. Before they know it, they are science projects and part of a sideshow with other freaks and they must plan their escape! I think my favorite part were Eye and Eye, the Rastafarian minions for the bad sideshow overlord...soo stupid but I'm still laughing about it. This is definitely low-brow, if you are looking for some classic that will make you think or something you are obviously barking up the wrong tree. If you are looking for a quirky cameo filled freakfest this is your flick!

Availability:  on DVD

Return Of The Living Dead III (1993)

3.5 / 5 May '11
Tagline: She's To Die For.
Directed by: Brian Yuzna
Written by: John Penney
Actors include: Kent McCord, James T. Callahan, Sarah Douglas
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'm really happy to see that this third installment really does rejuvenate the franchise with a far better offering than the previous installment of the series. This time they bother to explain a little more of what is going on scientifically (the Government is still working on studying reanimating the dead for military purposes). One of the Military fellas has a teenage son named Curt who has stolen his swipe pass to impress his girlfriend Julie. The two are a little wild, and totally in love! So when they go exploring they happen to learn about the zombie experiments. They also soon find out that Curt is to be moved away because his Father has been transferred to another city. The two teens decide to go it alone together, and head out on Curt's bike...only a terrible accident happens and he needs to use the reanimation powder to fix things. As we all know, things will go terribly wrong and before we know it we are in the middle of a gory zombie battle (hooray!). Sure it's a bit cheesy and over the top but what more could one expect? It actually does a good job of working within the confines of the series so far and it's quite entertaining. Definitely a worthwhile and bloody sequel that should appeal to fans of the series and just horror fans in general.

Availability:  On DVD

I Was A Teenage Intellectual (1999) aka Byl Jsem Mladistvým Intelektuálem

2.5 / 5 May '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Marek Dobes, Stepan Kopriva
Written by: Marek Dobes, Stepan Kopriva
Actors include: Vladimír Skultéty, Sona Tomeckova, Robert Jaskow
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Short
Length: 17 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This really felt like a silly little joke which although it was a short film (at 16 minutes) it should have been maybe 3 minutes or so long. The gag is the comparison between intellectuallism and werewolfism which is kinda cute I guess but far from satisfying. Two junk food lovin' action fans are content in their lives until one of them is bitten by an intellectual. Suddenly he starts craving big words, big books and attending cult like meetings dressed in black. On a horror front this is very unsatisfying, and although I did laugh at the A Nightmare on Elm Street gag there isn't much else nice I could say.

Availability:  Not on DVD as far as I know

Roadkill: The Last Days Of John Martin (1994)

3 / 5 May '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Jim Van Bebber
Written by: Mark Gillespie, Jim Van Bepper
Actors include: Marc Pitman, Mark Gillespie, Maureen Allisse
Genre: Horror, Short
Length: 15 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
So apparently this short film was created by Jim Van Bebber as a means to finance his feature length film My Sweet Satan. It's certainly attempting to appeal to splatter fans as it jumps right in with our crazy main character yanking entrails from some sort of animal and having a snack. In fact when he's not gnawing on raw parts he's yelling repetitively and watching '80s tv programs, quite the fulfilling life really. He goes out on a cruise and picks up some hitchhikers and has a little dismemberment dinner party. It's definitely trying to mimic the ambiance and sentiment of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre but with no avail as this just isn't creepy. I did appreciate the fact that it was quite gory and well I actually thought it was funny and easy enough to watch but it shouldn't scare anyone.

Availability:  On DVD as part of a set with My Sweet Satan

How Wings Are Attached To The Backs Of Angels (1997)

4 / 5 Apr '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Craig Welch
Written by: Craig Welch
Actors include: Louise Leroux
Genre: Horror, Animation, Fantasy
Length: 11 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Pretty neat little animated Canadian film that also utilizes photography and black and white imagery. The style somewhat reminded me of Monty Python...only far darker and gothic of course. The idea seems to be that this Man is obsessed with wings, and putting wings on creatures. He examines animals to try to learn about the wings and how they are made. He then meets a Woman and all he can think about seems to be attaching wings to her. It's pretty well done actually, and quite unique. It's a short film of course, so it'll only take up about 11 minutes of your time which will be well spent.

Availability:  N/A on DVD

The Sandman (1991)

4 / 5 Apr '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Paul Berry
Written by: N/A
Actors include: N/A
Genre: Horror, Animation
Length: 9 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I did not see this coming somehow...no wonder children are terrified of the Sandman! The style is Tim Burtonesque, sort of gnarled and twisted but whimsical too. It's created with stop-motion and the attention to detail is remarkable. The story is about a Mother who sends her little Boy up to bed with a flickering candle. Before long the Sandman is creeping around, but what could he want? Surprising and refreshing, not the sort of thing one should show to children at all. Very creative and creepy little delight, well worth checking out, and it was nominated for an Oscar for best short film in 1992.

Availability:  I don't think it's on DVD

C'est Arrivé Près De Chez Vous (1992) aka Man Bites Dog

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: A Killer Comedy
Directed by: Rémy Belvaux
Written by: André Bonzel, Rémy Belvaux
Actors include: Benoît Poelvoorde, Jacqueline Poelvoorde-Pappaert, Nelly Pappaert
Genre: Black Comedy, Crime, Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well this is an unusual French black comedy that was shot in black and white involving the humorous exploits and babblings of a killer. While I did find this occasionally hilarious, (especially his advice about weighing down bodies) I didn't think this was disturbing at all. Our killer offs just about anyone who crosses his path and it seems like without purpose or explanation most of the time. As his rampage goes on he begins to involve the camera crew (it's set up documentary style for some reason) and soon they learn they are in some dangerous territory. It is rather stylish and it's a different approach to serial killers than most I'll give it that. I guess I just expected a little more, and a bit more context though I found it cute they show him with his family. Also I think it goes a bit far with the babbling although occasionally interesting. Definitely a strange little film that most seem to enjoy, I liked it, I just didn't love it.

Availability:  On DVD

Puppet Master 3: Toulon's Revenge (1991)

3.5 / 5
Tagline:  When good puppets go bad
Directed by:  David DeCoteau
Written by:  Charles Band
Actors include:  Guy Rolfe, Richard Lynch, Ian Abercrombie
Genre:  Horror
Length:  86 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:

This is sort of an odd twist in the series as it's set during WW2 in Berlin.  The Nazi's are trying to work out that reanimation drug to use for the war.  Toulin catches their attention with his magical puppet reanimation secrets.  The Nazi's kill Toulin's wifey then revenge must be had with the help of our little puppet friends.  It's at least something different in the franchise, and it was colorful and fun.  Still the original flick was better but this is probably the second best in the series!

Availability:  On DVD

Mary Reilly (1996)

3 / 5
Tagline:  Evil loves innocence.
Directed by:  Stephen Frears
Written by:  Valerie Martin, Christopher Hampton
Actors include:  Julia Roberts, John Malkovich, George Cole
Genre:  Horror, Drama
Length:  105 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:

An overly long retelling of the Jekyll & Hyde story only with big names.  This time it focuses on a servant (Mary of course) who works for Mr. Jekyll and over time she starts to take to him (romantically even).  When Jekyll's assistant shows up she's a little stunned but finds herself charmed him too.  It really takes an interesting story and puts a boring spin on it, in fact this is pretty much a romantic film with some horror elements (not nearly enough to keep most fans happy, myself included).  Pretty much a waste of time, but I guess it could have been worse!

Availability:  On DVD

The Addiction (1995)

3 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: The dark is their sunlight. What makes them different is what keeps them alive.
Directed by: Abel Ferrara
Written by: Nicholas St. John
Actors include: Lili Taylor, Edie Falco, Christopher Walken
Genre: Horror, Drama
Length: 80 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really expected something different here, heck I usually like Abel Ferrara films and I love the cast members but this didn't work for me. Why? Because I'm not into philosophy and it really seemed like it was trying to cram it out of every orifice. The plot is about a timid young student called Kathleen (Lili Taylor) who is bitten by a vampire. She then goes through heroin like symptoms craving blood and letting herself and her morals deteriorate taking down everyone around her. It's filmed in black and white rather nicely and it feels gritty, I'll give it that. Also they did a pretty cool vampire party sequence that offered up the much needed horror as most of this is a drama of sorts. I didn't absolutely hate it but I felt it was being pretentious and although the concept was intriguing the execution was too dry and dull. Not my kind of movie but it will definitely appeal to some, and I suppose credit for making an intellectual vampire movie.

Availability:  Not on DVD

eXistenZ (1999)

2.5 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: Play it. Live it. Kill for it.
Directed by: David Cronenberg
Written by: David Cronenberg
Actors include: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jude Law, Ian Holm
Genre: Sci-Fi
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well I like David Cronenberg films, and I like Jennifer Jason Leigh as an actress so combining the two should be excellent right? Well the answer is yes for most people but I actually hated this. I found myself rolling my eyes through most of it and laughing at the technology and imagined advancements for the future. Leigh plays Allegra Gellar, a person who takes part in a new game along with a test group of others. Of course the line is blurred between reality and the game, and it's seemingly dangerous. There are also little reptile creatures with multiple heads everywhere and strange little computer animated effects that were silly. I guess this idea is fine, but the execution was sheerly silly, but perhaps it's because this is now 2010 and the technology from the '90s is a bit behind? I think it's more than that, I just never really got into this and I kept looking at the time because I really wanted it to be over. Take someone else's opinion because I think giving it 2.5 stars is generous but I think I'm in the minority here.

Availability:  On DVD

Body Puzzle (1992)

2.5 / 5 Jun '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Lamberto Bava
Written by: Lamberto Bava
Actors include: Joanna Pacula, Tomas Arana, François Montagut
Genre: Horror, Giallo, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well, I am typically a fan of Lamberto Bava but this wasn't nearly as good as I'd have expected. It did manage to have some nice scenes of gore and dismembered body parts if that be your thing. The story is rather dull (even though it's going to sound exciting). It's about a serial killer who removes parts from his victims (who is known to us right off the bat) sends them to a Woman. The Police scramble to solve the mystery, although it's no mystery to us making it feel pretty boring. It's very dry and wooden feeling, nothing special whatsoever. Although perhaps this would qualify as a giallo it probably wouldn't satisfy genre fans. I've definitely seen worse and cheaper, but I actually saw this when it first came out but totally forgot I ever watched it. That's not a good sign, and odds are within a year I'll forget again. Oh well, Lamberto's weakest still has a few decent qualities I guess.

Availability:  On DVD

Raising Cain (1991)

3.5 / 5 May '10

Tagline: De Mented, De Ranged, De Ceptive, De Palma
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Written by: Brian De Palma
Actors include: John Lithgow, Lolita Davidovich, Steven Bauer
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Horror, Drama
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
It's not bad, though it's definitely not one of Brian De Palma's best. It features John Lithgow as Carter...and Cain and a few others. His Wife is concerned with the amount of time and attention he's giving to their daughter plus he's constantly monitoring him. When the wife meets up with an old boyfriend and sparks start flying things get rather dangerous. Especially when people warn her that her husband may be into recreating the experiments that his evil Father worked on. Lithgow is very over the top here yet he does a good job and really without him the movie would have very little. This does involve a few killings though we aren't exactly going to see much, it's more about the idea. It's also rather confusing in places as we see his hallucinations and various other things that we think are happening but later find out they aren't so. This leaves a slightly unsatisfying taste in the mouth yet at the same time...it's DePalma seemingly trying to borrow from Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch so of course it's weird. Oh well it could have been worse and at the end it made sense for the most part.

Availability:  On DVD

Dolores Claiborne (1995)

4 / 5 May '10
Tagline: Sometimes, an accident can be an unhappy woman's best friend
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Written by: Stephen King, Tony Gilroy
Actors include: Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Christopher Plummer
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Horror
Length: 132 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well finally, another successful King adaptation, so few pay off but I think this one was quite effective. I think I read the book many years ago but my memory is quite hazy, the story is quite wonderful. Kathy Bates is brilliant as Dolores Claiborne, a Woman who is accused of murdering Vera the elderly Woman she has spent years caring for. The thing is when Dolores' husband Joe was found dead under mysterious circumstances years before. Some folks thought she was guilty including the Detective in charge of the Vera case and even her own daughter Selena blamed her. Selena returns home to aid her Mother during this time after not seeing her for 15 years I think it was, so their relationship is rather strained. Of course as the story unfolds we learn more and more that things aren't quite what they think they are. It really does teach that one shouldn't make assumptions and so forth. Although it's a very long movie the story is gripping enough that it should keep anyone's attention. The continual flipping between the past and reality was a bit much at times but I still thought it was easy to follow. Recommended for those who enjoy a good story and a good King adaptation.

Availability:  On DVD

Fear (1990)

3 / 5 Apr '10
Tagline: Your First Impulse Your Last Sensation
Directed by: Rockne S. O'Bannon
Written by: Rockne S. O'Bannon
Actors include: Ally Sheedy, Lauren Hutton, Michael O'Keefe
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well it's worth noting that this is one of the first of '90s thrillers involving a serial killer and psychic powers. Actually the plot although silly in a way is probably one of the best parts of this one. I was surprised at how poor the acting was in this, I expected more from Ally Sheedy! She plays Cayce a psychic who helps solve murder cases which has treated her quite well, only her new case is a challenge. See the killer she's trying to help nab just happens to also have psychic abilities (see what I mean by silly) and is trying to out do her by going after people in her life and controlling her. He uses his psychic abilities to find out what scares the person the most and tries to incorporate that into his means of attack which is kind of cool. Although it had the potential to be frightening, thrilling or even intense it never really went there. It was more Cayce freaking out in various settings while her visions took over. It's not really horrific enough to be considered a horror film, nor is it bloody nor do we see a heck of a lot really. Still some good ideas were here and I easily made it to the end of the film, it just wasn't as exciting as it should have been.

Availability:  On DVD as part of 2fer with Parents

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 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