She Demons (1958)

3 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: Horrific Nazi Experiments Gone Awry!
Directed by: Richard E. Cunha
Written by: Richard E. Cunha, H.E. Barrie
Actors include: Irish McCalla, Tod Griffin, Victor Sen Yung
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 77 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well this is definitely a '50s "B" movie, and it's got a high level of cheese but at the same time it's one of the better examples of it's kind. After a shipwreck a spoiled bitch named Jerrie (Irish McCalla...Sheena!), a heroic sort called Fred, his sidekick Sammy and the Captain end up on an unknown island. It doesn't take long before they realize that they aren't alone...in fact "She Demons" who dance and drum are mucking about. Worse still there is a Nazi mad scientist who is of course up to no good wanting to heal his disfigured Wife. It's absurd sure, but it's at least entertainingly so and it actually starts out and ends rather well...it's just the boring science mumbo jumbo in the middle that I could have done without. At the same time, it's only a 77 minute flick so they don't stretch things out too far. I also appreciate that they really did try to make this a horror film what with the make-up and so forth...it's not scary but it could have been wayyy worse.

Availability:  On DVD

Sinister Flesh (1976)

3.5 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Stanley Sheff
Written by: Stanley Sheff
Actors include: S.D. Nemeth, Tomme Arnold, Riki Marcelli
Genre: Horror, Short, Comedy
Length: 27 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a very strange little short film from the '70s filmed in the style of the silent horror pictures of the '20s. It even says at the beginning that the director didn't believe in talking in film, but the thing is, the schtick works. It's filmed in black and that sort of yellowish tinge they occasionally would use, and the monsters and the behavior of the characters is very in tune with the classics as well. What makes this different is that it's very much a comedy, much of it is plain silly and some of the jokes fall flat. Still I couldn't help but snicker a few times, and considering it's only a 25 minute film it does have a fair bit to offer. It's the story of Dr. Ogo Moto who is seeking immoratality by conducting strange experiments along with his friend Zit, The Hunchback. They kidnap Women, then hook them into a crazy machine and well usually things go wrong, until of course they don't. It's not bloody, it's not scary, but the atmosphere is right and it's a decent throwback picture.

Availability:  Apparently this film was once thought to be lost, but you can watch it here: http://vids.myspace.com/in...mp;videoid=3111

Blood Relations (1988)

 3 / 5 May '11
Tagline: Anything for the family.
Directed by: Graeme Campbell
Written by: Steven Saylor
Actors include: Jan Rubes, Lydie Denier, Kevin Hicks
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:

The story goes that Thomas is the Son of a very rich man and is very used to money. His girlfriend Marie also really likes money and is clearly together with Thomas for this reason. They go to visit Dr. Andreas the brain surgeon (who is Thomas' Father) and Andreas' dying Father Charles. It doesn't take long before Marie figures out something isn't quite right with Dr. Andreas and maybe his surgeries aren't quite what one thinks. There is also strangeness surrounding the death of Thomas' Mother, could Dr. Andreas have had a hand in her demise? The film actually does have a few nice gore scenes in it though they are quite spaced out, and while the story builds it can be rather dull. It is definitely also an erotic thriller as there is a fair amount of nudity and sex. The movie on a whole was satisfying, it threw a few amusing curve balls and it did come together nicely. It's just that it feels very straight-to-video and it feels long winded despite a short run time.

Availability:  on DVD

Horror Hospital (1973) aka Computer Killers

3 / 5 Apr '11
Tagline: The Operation is a Success ... When the Patient Dies
Directed by: Antony Balch
Written by: Alan Watson, Antony Balch
Actors include: Michael Gough, Robin Askwith, Vanessa Shaw
Genre: Horror, Black Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 100 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is one silly campy and ridiculous mess of a movie but parts of it were at least amusing. It's about a rock singer (who definitely looks like a member of the Rolling Stones) who wrote a really fantastic song (so he says) that is ripped off by his band. He needs a breather so he sees an advert for "Hairy Holidays" (what?) and signs up immediately. He happens to meet up with a young lady (with an identical haircut) at the train station on the way to the retreat. Of course she is headed to the same retreat to meet her Aunt Harris (who happens to be one of the staff at this place). This place isn't quite what they expected...in fact it's a hospital where the evil Dr. Storm (Michael Gough) uses clients to perform mind control surgery of some sort. It really doesn't bother with things like logic or scares, it's very much a black comedy really. It at least does bother to offer a unique decapitation method you won't soon forget but little else is worth remembering.

Availability:  On DVD

L'Orribile Segreto Del Dr. Hichcock (1962) aka The Horrible Dr. Hichcock

3 / 5 Apr '11
Tagline: The candle of his lust burnt brightest in the shadow of the grave!
Directed by: Riccardo Freda
Written by: Ernesto Gastaldi
Actors include: Barbara Steele, Robert Flemyng, Silvano Tranquilli
Genre: Horror
Length: 88 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although I give this credit for having a good cast and rather surprising plot elements it couldn't help the fact that this was dull. It's an atmospheric Gothic film sorta like a Hammer picture stylistically set back in the late '1800s. Even though the story sounds gratuitous it really doesn't deliver and it's quite filled with chatter. Dr. Hichcock is into drugging his Wife for sexual activities, and he accidentally overdoses her. After much woe he remarries only something doesn't seem quite right with the arrangement. Could Dr. Hichcock have other purposes in mind for his new Wife who is suffering from hallucinations? It's got a great reputation and I really did want to like this a heck of a lot more than I did so you might not want to take my word for this one.

Availablity:  Not currently on DVD that I'm aware of

The Man With Two Brains (1983)

4.5 / 5
Tagline: Steve Martin Is A World Famous Surgeon. He Invented Screw Top, Zip Lock Brain Surgery. Trust Him.
Directed by: Carl Reiner
Written by: George Gipe, Steve Martin
Actors include: Steve Martin, Kathleen Turner, Dave Warner
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This has got to be the funniest Steve Martin movie I've come across yet, not only was he fantastic but I loved Kathleen Turner in this too! This film not only has a great cast but it has some of the funniest bits in any film ever! It's a wonderful mix of silly, absurd and universally funny. Steve Martin plays a surgeon (Dr. Hfuhruhurr, the name gag never gets old) who is the inventor of the first "twist off, zip lock" brain transplant. He accidentally hits Kathleen Turner with his car and she starts using him (because she gets off on making Men miserable) and of course the two wind up married. The only problem is, when visiting a scientist's lab he falls madly for a brain (Miss Uumellmahaye)! There is also a serial killer who murders on elevators prowling about (which is my personal favorite part) which is worry some too! It's a hilarious hybrid of many different things, but certainly early sci-fi films but I really think you don't have to be in "the know" to appreciate this gem.

Availability:  On DVD

Looker (1981)

3.5 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: If Looks Could Kill...
Directed by: Michael Crichton
Written by: Michael Crichton
Actors include: Susan Day, Albert Finney, James Coburn
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This definitely has some inventive ideas that actually have come to exist, and it's pretty cool in many ways. Plastic surgeon Dr. Larry Roberts (Albert Finney) has had a few weird requests lately, beautiful women wanting several slight surgeries to adjust their appearances. When three of them are potentially suicide victims of course they start investigating Larry. Only thing is, he is oblivious, but he does notice that all of the dead girls belong to a research lab. He also finds out that model Cindy Fairmont (Susan Dey) is in serious danger being the only one left alive. It's got a slight romantic plot there but mostly it's a rather exciting investigation into this research company to find out what really is going on. The big problem is that weren't given an actual reason for killing these girls, sure we find out "what's going on" but it doesn't explain the big questions. From my research I've learned there is a scene in the movie that was cut out that explained some things but why the heck would anyone cut that out of the DVD release? Anyhow I do think it's a pretty neat tale from Crichton and if you've wanted to see Dey naked you'll have another reason to watch.

Availability:  On DVD

The Kindred (1987)

3.5 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline:  Some things are best left unborn.
Directed by: Stephen Carpenter, Jeffrey Obrow
Written by: Stephen Carpenter, Jeffrey Obrow
Actors include: David Allen Brooks, Rod Steiger, Amanda Pays
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 91 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Though it starts out slower than molasses in January, it really does pick up to be quite the colorful effects movie. Really most of the ideas here were borrowed, it shared a fair bit with Alien, Island of Lost Souls and quite a few more. The plot is about an old Woman who conducted ghastly experiments using her human Son's DNA to create monstrous hybrids. When she dies she asks her Son to destroy her experiments only a pretty girl who happens to be on of his Mom's fan's is trying to save the experiments. The experiments in question are gooey and gross and well it's actually pretty amusingly done actually. They kill which also leads to a fair bit of fun when unsuspecting people are around. Considering how much I disliked it's straight-to-video qualities at first it really did get good about half way in, so keep at it because this has quite a bit to entertain.

Availability:  Not on DVD

The Human Centipede (The First Sequence) (2009)

2.5 / 5 Jun '10
Tagline: 100 % medically accurate
Directed by: Tom Six
Written by: Tom Six
Actors include: Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie
Genre: Horror
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I don't really know what to say with this one...once I heard about it I absolutely had to see it regardless of the fact that I knew I probably wasn't going to like it. Considering though I have to say it's not as bad as I'd thought it might have been if that makes any sense? Basically an pointlessly evil retired German surgeon lost a three dog monstrosity that he created and looks for a replacement with humans. He lets in two wet moronic girls (who's actions make no sense...why would anyone wander deep in the thick of the woods when they have car trouble?) who cannot act at all, in fact it's actually irritating when they are able to speak. Soon they learn they aren't gettin' out of there once he drugs them and they wake up in their bed. He kindly explains the surgeries required to make his human centipede (there is also an Asian fella down there too to be part of the threesome) to his victims. This includes removing part of the knee so they can only crawl, the head will have his anus removed, the middle will have a removed anus as well as removed lips, teeth and cheek portion, the third part will be missing the cheek portion and lips and teeth.This includes removing part of the knee so they can only crawl, the head will have his anus removed, the middle will have a removed anus as well as removed lips, teeth and cheek portion, the third part will be missing the cheek portion and lips and teeth. It's not very graphic, honestly you do see a tiny bit of removing a part of ass and a few teeth yanked but it's all implied here. Once the monstrosity is created (we don't really see anything because of bandages) we get to listen to the Asian guy yell and freak-out (he's the head) and it all goes downhill from here. It takes forever to get to the "building" portion of the movie, way too much fighting and chasing and slow moving stuff (it's actually kind of boring honestly). It also doesn't really add up though they claim it's medically possible, the biggest questions are left unanswered like why? It's rather unsatisfying but the concept is at least unusual and the guy they've cast as the surgeon does look rather creepy I suppose. It could have been worse, but I can't for the life of me figure out how they intend to do a sequel...or why?

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Corridors Of Blood (1958)

4.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: Tops In Terror!
Directed by: Robert Day
Written by: Jean Scott Rogers
Actors include: Boris Karloff, Betta St. John, Christopher Lee
Genre: Drama, Horror
Length: 86 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although it's not really a horror movie in the big picture, it's a depressing drama with horrific elements more like. Oh I should mention this is a period piece, and a rather well made one at that and I'm not sure how historically accurate it is but it's interesting none the less. Boris Karloff is wonderful as Dr. Thomas Bolton, the kindly Doctor who in his free time experiments in order to find a way to make surgery painless. Bolton finally is onto something and sets up a demonstration with the Medical board, only it goes very badly and from then on he finds nobody wants to listen to him. Particularly when he refines his breakthrough and is desperate to help people but isn't allowed. Other issues arise when Dr. Bolton becomes addicted to the substances he's experimenting with and well things go more downhill from there. He ends up being forced to deal with scummy folks similar to Burke & Hare (one is played by Christopher Lee in one of his earliest roles). I was truly surprised what a great actor Karloff really is, this proves it. Although this may not appeal to every horror fan I think fans of good movies should definitely enjoy this.

Availability:  On DVD

The Raven (1935)

3.5 / 5 Mar '01
Tagline: While this mad surgical genius chanted "The Raven," horrible screams rose up from his torture chamber below!
Directed by: Lew Landers
Written by: David Boehm, Edgar Allan Poe
Actors include: Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lester Matthews
Genre: Horror
Length: 61 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I think that calling this film "The Raven" was perhaps not the wisest choice as having read the poem I wasn't sure what they'd make a movie about. Having now seen the movie I know it has little to do with the poem aside from the fact that our lead character is obsessed with Poe and has a statue of a Raven. If anything it shares a lot more in common with The Pit and the Pendulum and various other mad scientist plots. At the time this really freaked out audiences because it does have a lot of disturbing material (if you aren't used to that sort of thing). The plot is about Dr. Vollin (Bela Lugosi) a brilliant yet sadistic scientist who loves Poe so very very much. After he's begged to help out a Dame who was in a car accident (silly women can't drive) and of course he ends up falling in love with her. She's got a fiancee and her Father disapproves of the idea of her being with Vollin. For some odd reason they (along with several others) accept an invitation to Vollin's house for a party sleepover. What they don't know is that Mr. Bateman (Boris Karloff) came to Vollin earlier to ask for a facial reconstruction (because he feels ugly) but instead to blackmail him into doing what he wants he disfigures him. Oh and did I mention that Dr. Vollin has a torture chamber and a house full of amazing technology? It's interesting, it definitely has some evil ideas and I like that, Bela is great as an evil madman and Karloff as the sympathetic monster (hmmm where have I seen that before?). The Women in this film are seriously annoying, I know the whole equality thing didn't come until much later but wowsa...dumb. Still worth watching but just don't expect much to do with The Raven. Oh and I should mention that the '50s film of the same name is completely unrelated to this film.

Availability:  On DVD as part of the Bela Lugosi Collection

Fiend Without A Face (1958)

4 / 5 Dec '09
Tagline: New Horrors! Mad Science Spawns Evil Fiends! ...Taking form before your horrified eyes!
Directed by: Arthur Crabtree
Written by: Herbert J. Leder, Amelia Reynolds Long
Actors include: Marshall Thompson, Kynaston Reeves, Kim Parker
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 75 minutes
Banned: Sweden

Review:
So this starts out rather slow, a whole bunch of chatting and invisible monster attacks dominate the first part of the film. See the idea is that a Scientist is experimenting with powers and nuclear power and he creates something new. The new "thing" escapes from the lab and beings multiplying and attacking people by sucking their spinal cords and brains out. A bunch of locals are dying and blame is being thrown around but it's only when they discover this "mental vampire" monster is responsible that things really take off. Once we can finally see the culprit it's impossible to not be impressed, some of the best effects I've seen from a film so early. The monsters are creepy, and the film is gory and violent and all things exciting from that point on. Seriously at first I thought this would be dullsville but hang in there because this one is a really unique treasure.

Availability:  On DVD

Scream and Scream Again (1970)

4 / 5 Dec '09
Tagline:  TRIPLE DISTILLED HORROR... as powerful as a vat of boiling ACID!
Directed by: Gordon Hessler
Written by: Peter Saxon, Christopher Wicking
Actors include: Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
This is a rather strange little film that is confusing for most of the time and unfortunately when it comes together it still feels like it needs to fill some gaps. On the other hand this goes where I dare not think it would and the various plots that it flickers between are all very interesting and horrifying. Though the cast list boasts Peter Cushing (who is only in the film for about ten minutes), and Christopher Lee and Vincent Price (who are both in for a bit more than that but I'm not sure I'd say they were the stars). One part of our story is about a runner who wakes up in a strange hospital in a fog missing a limb! Another involves some sort of strange Nazi like party who seem to be up to no good. Also we have a stranger who picks up girls at bars and kills them, plus he seems to have an unusual strength. Believe it or not those things blend together to give us our plot. Also thrown in are an acid vat, some grossness and blood (yay), and some exciting chase scenes. I actually did quite enjoy this, I just wish it were a little more cohesive...it really could have been amazing instead of just quite good. Still I'd definitely say worth a gander for horror fans, but just be patient with it, you will be rewarded!

Availability:  On DVD as part of a 2fer with The Oblong Box

The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant (1970) aka The Incredible Transplant

3 / 5 Nov '09
Tagline: Two heads crafted on the body of a giant... The most fearsome living force ever created by man.
Directed by: Anthony M. Lanza
Written by: James Gordon White, John Lawrence
Actors include: Bruce Dern, Casey Kasem, Pat Priest
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Length: 87 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I guess I saw the somewhat sequel of this The Thing with Two Heads, I didn't really care for it to be honest. Parts of it were kinda funny but the end chase scene went on for wayyyy too long. In other words, I was hoping this one would be better and really it was (it has Bruce Dern and Casey Kasem!). It had a groovy style, and it was far more action packed and a higher budget I would imagine. This one begins at the scene of a murder and an attempted murder, here we meet a Maniac who was deemed insane by a court of law, but he escapes from the Asylum! We also meet a Scientist who is obsessed with giving everything two heads (including monkeys, foxes, bunnies, snakes...well you get the picture). Also in this equation are a dim-witted Farm boy, the Scientist's Assistant, and of course Linda (the Scientist's girlfriend who wants more time with her Man). When the Maniac breaks into the Scientist's house let's just say he gets a little more than he bargained for. The solution? Attach the head of the Maniac onto the Dimwit of course! This does have several murders, it's relatively fun and easy to watch despite the cheesy nature of this and lack of explanation or rather plausibility. It's much better than The Thing with Two Heads but let's face it, it's not exactly a brilliant film!

Availability:  On DVD or watch for free online here:  http://www.hulu.com/the-incredible-two-headed-transplant

Attack of the Puppet People (1958) aka Six Inches Tall aka The Fantastic Puppet People

3 / 5 Nov '09
Tagline: Terror Comes In Small Packages!
Directed by: Bert I. Gordon
Written by: George Worthing Yates, Bert I. Gordon
Actors include: John Agar, John Hoyt, June Kenney
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
Length: 79 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:

Tee hee, only seconds in and I now think I know where the X-Ray Spex got the idea for their awesome album cover Germfree Adolescents. This also appears to be the inspiration for the flick Dolls came from. It takes place in a doll factory where special dolls in tubes look an awful lot like real people. As we watch the man behind the dolls hire a woman because she has no family or husband (or experience) we just know that something bad is in the cards for her. Of course she gets shrunk and kept with his other shrunken people (because he's lonely...duh!) but soon they plan a revolt! Sure the effects are super cheesy (people standing in tubes from far away shots or photos in tubes up close) and it's not exactly frightening in any way. Here's a question, if the people in the tubes look exactly like people who used to work for him...wouldn't someone notice? Anyhow it's far from scary, it has very little to do with puppets but well at least it was short and easy to sit through!

Availability:  On DVD or watch for free online here:  http://www.hulu.com/attack-of-the-puppet-people