Thirst (1979)

3.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: Surrender to an Unholy, Insatiable Evil.
Directed by: Rod Hardy
Written by: John Pinkney
Actors include: Chantal Contouri, Shirley Cameron, Max Phipps
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although this isn't the fastest paced flick, nor is it the bloodiest flick ever it does have some unique qualities that keep it from biting. It's an Australian vampire picture from the '70s (which isn't very common), and there is a definite gothic feel to it. The plot is about a young woman called Kate (Chantal Contouri) who is kidnapped by a strange blood cult. Oh did I mention that Kate happens to be the direct descendent of Countess Elizabeth Bathory? What is so interesting is this blood cult I mentioned, see they have some sort of human cow factory thing set-up. Folks wander around in a daze like mindless zombies before being chosen to be drained of blood which goes into milk cartons for mass distribution. Kind of a neat idea on the 'ole blood trade/vampirism thing right? It is a shame that with such a good idea they couldn't have made a more thrilling movie. It just sort of explains itself and then the last half is pretty boring and forced feeling plus some more historical detail would have been nice. It also could have used more blood (there is very little actual horror in this, more conceptual I guess), and maybe a twist could have helped. Oh well as it is, it's still worth checking out, I found it pretty interesting, it just could have used some tweaking is all.

Availability:  On DVD

Lake Mungo (2008)

3 / 5 May '11
Tagline: If you've never seen a ghost... Look closer.
Directed by: Joel Anderson
Written by: Joel Anderson
Actors include: Rosie Traynor, David Pledger, Martin Sharpe
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Length: 87 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well points for creativity should be awarded here, though the dry spots in the story were a little too plentiful. The film is told in the style of a documentary about a family who's Daughter Alice has turned up drowned in the lake. They determine her death as accidental and her family tries to move on, they start seeing shadowy versions of Alice around. They contact some Supernatural specialists and exhume the body to try to determine what has happened. As things unravel we find out things aren't quite what we seem, and the more digging that happens the more the story contorts. Some of the imagery here is yes, somewhat creepy but beyond that I can't say much in the way of horror happens. It at least does try to build mystery and it did have me wondering exactly what was going similar to some of Peter Weir's flicks. I just think if they'd had a better cast and bothered to try to make it a bit more ominous things would have been so much better. Thanks so much to Happywax (http://doomgoryumshorroremporium.blogspot.com/) for this recommendation!

Availability:  On DVD

Triangle (2009)

3 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: Fear Comes in Waves
Directed by: Christopher Smith
Written by: Christopher Smith
Actors include: Joshua McIvor, Melissa George, Jack Taylor
Genre: Horror
Length: 99 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
It's like Groundhog Day meets The Shining only not nearly as good as either. The story takes place with a group of friends going sailing, but things turn out for the worst once they hit a big storm and their boat overturns. Standing on the overturned boat they are relieved to see a big ship appear out of nowhere, though nobody seems to be greeting them as they climb aboard. Shortly after they learn that they made a poor choice as murder and mayhem take place. It's a psychological thing and although I get the basics of what is going on here a little more explanation would have been nice. It is a bit bloody, the story does intrigue and the way they tie some things together is quite clever. Although it isn't earth shattering and it's a bit unsatisfying it's still worth a gander, at least some effort was definitely put forth here and it's well shot, and the actors do a decent job.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Turkey Shoot (1982) aka Escape 2000

3.5 / 5 Dec '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Brian Trenchard-Smith
Written by: Jon George
Actor include: Steve Railsback, Olivia Hussey, Michael Craig
Genre: Science Fiction, Action
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Quite a bloody dystopian picture from Australia that has some parts in common with Mad Max but it mostly mimics The Most Dangerous Game. The idea is that in the future there are reprogramming and punishment camps for "deviants" (those who commit minor offenses it seems like). There they are forced to work, sexually abused and forced to learn to obey at all costs. When a group of new entries (and one old worker) to the camp are given the option to be part of a hunting game in exchange for their freedom. Since they are told that they'll never get out otherwise, they agree and so they are thrown into the woods. Shortly after a bunch of evil rich jerks are out on the prowl with various weapons. From there it's loads of fun and excitement and it's very bloody (some of the effects are cheesy) but it's well worth it for any action or horror fan. Not the most original film ever but it is a rather fun take on an old idea.

Availability:  On DVD

Wolf Creek (2005)

2 / 5
Tagline: Based on true events
Directed by: Greg Mclean
Written by: Greg Mclean
Actors include:  John Jarratt, Cassandra Magrath, Kestie Morassi 
Genre: Horror
Length: 104 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well as I checked out the 100 Scariest Movies as voted by Empire magazine I saw this at number 4 and thought, gee I should check it out. Then I chatted to my Husband about it and we did watch it in 2005 which of course triggered my memory of how much I hated it. Heck I'm not one to forget movies I've seen so for me to have blanked it out entirely...not a good sign. It was in the style of a mean spirited slasher which usually is my thing, but this one was so cheesy that I couldn't get into it. The characters all needed to be killed, it just didn't happen fast enough for my liking and heck I didn't even sympathize with the killer...I just wanted the movie to end. The film is about a bunch of kids in their '20s who go hiking in the Australian Outback but when they return to their car it won't start. Luckily for them a local has offered to help them out...if you've seen The Texas Chain Saw Massacre you can probably guess what happens next. Though the gratuity is sort of a nice throwback to elder slashers it's missing all of the tension, scares and general style, this feels like a cheap generic slasher. This is one of those films that seems to polarize people, I thought it was lazy copycat modern horror but heck others love it, I guess the only answer is to see for yourself.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

The Plumber (1979) aka The Mad Plumber

4 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: The Australian New Wave Has Come
Directed by: Peter Weir
Written by: Peter Weir
Actors include: Judy Morris, Ivar Kants, Robert Coleby
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Length: 77 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
So it would appear that The Cable Guy was entirely ripped off from this one. The big difference being that Jim Carrey in his film was just obnoxious, the plumber in this film was disturbing. A couple are adjusting to their relatively new apartment and their new situation (the wife has decided to stay home and study for a bit while the husband works). When the wife is home alone she gets a knock on her door from the plumber, he just needs to check her pipes you see. Next thing you know he's claiming the pipes are rotted and need to be replaced. Before long he's mentally tormenting her in her own home and the bathroom has turned into total destruction. He's writing song lyrics in her shower and performing in her bathroom, watching her change and various other creepy things. Just watching him interact with her is extremely uncomfortable. It's actually a relatively well made film and it was really short (77 minutes) but originally it was shot for tv. Still it packs quite a punch, and well it would make most people think before answering the door to a plumber!

Availability:  On DVD as a bonus when you buy:

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

Night Of Fear (1972)

4 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: Hunted and Trapped, Her Nightmare Is Just Beginning!
Directed by: Terry Bourke
Written by: Terry Bourke
Actors include: Norman Yemm, Carla Hoogeveen, Mike Doorsey
Genre: Horror
Length: 54 minutes
Banned: Australia

Review:
This was actually a really cool discovery from Australia, this was meant to be the pilot episode for a 12 part tv series called "Fright". The problem was, they deemed this episode too gory for airing and it was banned even in Australia and the show never stood a chance. Consider that this was made in 1972 and it predates The Texas Chain Saw Massacre by two years it's actually impressively fresh. After a young blonde woman (who even somewhat resembles Marilyn Burns) is basically tricked off the road by a vicious disgusting killer. It's mainly one big chase scene as she fights for survival against impossible odds and even finds herself in his dirty disgusting shack (that is rather similar to Leatherfaces). It's really rather exciting and disturbingly serious and to the point (at under an hour run time) and really it is one of the more shocking made-for-tv things I've ever seen. I'm amazed this isn't mentioned more, very cool and if there were more in the series I'd make a point to find them.

Availability:  I don't believe this is on DVD

Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975)

4 / 5 Feb '10
Tagline: Australia's First International Hit!
Directed by: Peter Weir
Written by: Joan Lindsay, Cliff Green
Actors include: Rachel Roberts, Helen Morse, Vivean Gray
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Horror
Length: 115 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a very mysterious film, and if you like clarity and explanation then you may not really dig this film as it's extremely open ended. It's beautifully filmed in Australia around an area called Hanging Rock (though I'm sure the title gave that away). A group of girls from a boarding school on a trip go to picnic at Hanging Rock, but when four girls go independently exploring, only one returns. At some point while climbing three of the girls seem nearly possessed as they don't seem to respond to the fourth girl's cries. The fourth girl goes running back, and the teacher who came to find them disappeared also. The rest of the film is dealing with the loss from the surviving girls perspective as well as a couple of fellas who knew one of the girls and their obsession with finding out what happened. It's quite fascinating, and although it's frequently mentioned being based upon a true story, it's definitely not. See there was even a mysterious extra chapter that later was written in the novel that actually explains what happened (kind of) for those who absolutely must know (yes I read it).

Availability:  On DVD

Razorback (1984)

3 / 5 Nov '09
Tagline: It's waiting outside and it can sense your fear. No nightmare will prepare you for it!
Directed by: Russell Mulcahy
Written by: Peter Brennan, Everett De Roche
Actors include: Gregory Harrison, Arkie Whiteley, Bill Kerr
Genre: Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:

I kind of hoped for more, a dangerous outback pig could really have been a somewhat scary film. It's just the giant monster pig they made was hilariously stupid looking (I mean think as big as Python almost). Also the characters were pretty irritating, especially the thugs (and I don't mean in a good way) all of the bits of drama were plain irritating. The story is about a noisy American reporter who goes over and rubs everyone the wrong way with her stupid questions. When the local thugs decide to teach her a lesson all is aborted when a giant pig comes rushing by. Then flash to her Canadian husband who goes to Australia to find out what happened to his reporter wife. Of course he ends up rooming with the thugs and at some point an attractive young love interest (go figure). I really thought this had potential but it left me feeling pretty bored by the end of it all. I guess they tried and a few of the scenes were kind of cool but it ended up not being enough for me.

Availability:  On DVD