Bloodrage (1979) aka Never Pick Up A Stranger

3 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: If he wants you.... he'll get you
Directed by: Joseph Zito
Written by: Robert Jahn
Actors include: James Johnson, Judith-Marie Bergan, Jerry McGee
Genre: Horror
Length: 81 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well I really wanted to like this a whole lot more than I actually did. It is rather low budget and it does contain many gritty shots of New York in the '70s which I like. It's just that they managed to find an entire cast that have zero charisma, it's particularly annoying in the lead character that we follow around for the entire movie. It actually starts out relatively strong, we meet Scott, a fellow who is tricked by a Prostitute. When she starts to demand money for her time (he didn't receive anything) they start to push each other around until an accident occurs and she dies. It's actually pretty well made at this point, and it's bloody and even has a bit of a sense of humor. From that point on though there isn't much to look forward to. Scott moves to New York to "blend in" and he realizes that he hates everyone but loves killing. From that point on it's as dry as a bone and although a few killings happen they aren't very interesting. Although yes I can see that it is similar to Maniac in a way, it's not nearly as interesting at all, nor is it as demented. At any rate for a cheapo killer film it was okay, just not the exploitation classic I'd hoped for.

Availability:  Not on DVD

The Prowler (1981) aka Rosemary's Killer aka The Graduation

4 / 5 Jan '10
Tagline: It will freeze your blood.
Directed by: Joseph Zito
Written by: Neal Barbera, Glenn Leopold
Actors include: Vicky Dawson, Christopher Goutman, Lawrence Tierney
Genre: Horror
Length: 89 minutes
Banned: West Germany, Iceland, Norway

Review:
Rather run of the mill slasher in many ways, in fact it echoes My Bloody Valentine in a very big way (though both came out the same year). What sets it apart are that it's surprisingly well shot, also Tom Savini is responsible for some great effects and some interesting deaths. It starts out 35 year in the past with a letter wherein a girl named Rosemary breaks up with her Army boyfriend because it's taking him too long to come home. After we watch Rosemary and her new Beau slaughtered we move to present times. See the town hasn't had a Graduation dance since that year (since it happened then) but this year things are different. Mr. Army man (who actually does look creepy since he's covered from head to toe) isn't impressed and turns the local teens into bales of hay (or rather he pitchforks them) in many gory and fun ways that should please most bloodhounds. The sad thing is that there isn't much more to it than that and that it offers no real twist, just a straightforward slashing spree! Satisfying on that front but if you are looking for more this may be one to avoid.
 
Availability:  On DVD