Dark Tower (1987)

2 / 5 Dec '10
Tagline: In a city that never sleeps... this building is a nightmare.
Directed by: Freddie Francis, Ken Wiederhorn
Written by: Robert J. Avrech
Actors include: Michael Moriarty, Jenny Agutter, Carol Lynley
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This was a rather predictable ghost story with beyond stupid effects and lackluster straight to video acting (even though Jenny Agutter is usually very good). She plays the widow of a apartment building that her husband had built. He's now around in ghost form attacking those who peep at her changing or those who try to get in her way. Some of the deaths were kind of fun, towards the beginning of the film I had higher hopes but as it dragged on and on it became painfully obvious that they just gave up. Such an unoriginal concept and it was truly impossible to even care what the resolve was (what was with the mask by the way?). Oh well it's really not worth digging out of any vault, leave it hidden where it is or be bored to tears.

Availability:  Not on DVD

The Shuttered Room (1967)

3.5 / 5  Feb '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: David Greene
Written by: August Derleth, D.B. Ledrov
Actors include: Oliver Reed, Carol Lynley, Gig Young
Genre: Horror
Length: 99 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This was based upon a story written by Derleth of the same name which is based upon a portion of a Lovecraft story. We meet a young couple Mike and Susannah who are going back to Susannah's home to find out about her past. They are very clearly warned to stay the heck away from the townspeople and of course they won't listen. She goes back and stays where she was told to not and starts to learn of horrific murders that are happening. Worse still local thug Oliver Reed has taken a liking to pretty Susannah and his thug buddies are perfectly willing to distract Mike while he gets what he wants. Will the secret of the Mill be able to protect Susannah? It's a relatively simple mystery that they try to keep us in the dark about for most of the time but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Still pretty interesting storytelling once it gets going and some great chase scenes, just not thrilling throughout unfortunately.

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with It!