Cementerio Del Terror (1985) aka Cemetery of Terror

3.5 / 5 Oct '11

Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Rubén Galindo Jr.
Written by: Rubén Galindo Jr.
Actors include: Hugo Stiglitz, José Gómez Parcero, Bety Robles
Genre: Horror
Length: 87 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Zombies that react to crosses like vampires, an evil book that brings back to life a murderer, house possession, a serial killer, dumb teenagers....what doesn't this movie have? Okay so a budget and explanation for the cockamamie hodge podge plot for starters but it's still rather entertaining. Some teen Boys plan a party in an abandoned home (with hydro and amenities) and trick some girls into coming over by pretending they are having a "jet set party" (whatever that entails). Instead they decide it would be a groovy good time to go find the most hideous corpse they can at the morgue for scares. They also think that reading from an evil book at a cemetery is a good plan and you can pretty much guess what happens from there. So the "plot" is borrowed from so many other more popular movies like The Evil Dead and countless others. At least they did throw in a few decent gore effects, and the illogical nature of the movie itself brings some good laughs. It also does have sort of a Halloween theme (though they mention it's June???) so it's a decent watch if you are looking for an amusing Mexican horror flick for the season.

The Witch's Mirror (1960) aka El Espejo de la Bruja

4 / 5 Dec '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Chano Urueta
Written by: Alfredo Ruanova
Actors include: Rosa Arenas, Armando Calvo, Isabela Corona
Genre: Horror
Length: 75 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Even though Carlos Enrique Taboada was only the screenwriter on this film, it's got his mark of quality all over it, what a wicked Mexican director. This film is very stylish (albeit cheap) and it's borrows from several popular stories like Les yeux sans visage [Eyes Without a Face], Frankenstein and Orlacs Hände [The Hands of Orlac] to name a few. It's about a Witch who has a mirror, she finds out that the Lady of the house Elena is doomed to die and nothing she begs the black arts for can save her. Her husband is responsible for her death, and shortly after he brings home a new Lady Deborah. Deborah isn't the nicest girl and she definitely disapproves of anything that reminds her of Elena in the house. Let's just say Elena has her revenge destroying the face of Deborah which is sort of where the next segment leads. I don't want to give more away here but it's cruel, sadistic and surprisingly exciting for the last bit. They may not have had much in the way of budget but they sure managed to make an entertaining and wonderfully satisfying horror film out of what they had.

Availability:  On DVD

Blacker Than The Night (1975) aka Más Negro Que La Noche

4 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Carlos Enrique Taboada
Written by: Carlos Enrique Taboada
Actors include: Claudia Islas, Susana Dosamantes, Lucía Méndez
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 100 minutes (approx)
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'm finding that I really do like Mexican horror lately, especially the films of Carlos Enrique Taboada, this being no exception. He has a rather unique stylish method to horror (often not showing the faces of who we are looking at), with elegant back drops and the stories often take a while to build up into something really horrific. The story is about Ofelia, a woman who's Aunt dies and leaves her a beautiful old house complete with strange housekeeper. Ofelia moves in her room mates: beautiful model Marta, average looking Pilar, and the also lovely Aurora. Aside from the fact that they don't seem to be getting along with the housekeeper very well the girls (minus Ofelia) seem to not like the black cat who comes with the house. Ghostly and strange things keep happening, but when the girls start dying suspicions turn to reality and even the housekeeper can't watch what happens next. It's not terrifying, and it's not extremely bloody but it is satisfying on a horror front and the characters are interesting and well shaped which makes this compelling. Very neato ghost story that seems to unfortunately be rather unknown, I found it to be a rewarding watch.

Availability:  On DVD

Curse Of The Doll People (1961) aka Muñecos Infernales aka Devil Doll Men

3.5 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Benito Alazraki
Written by: Alfredo Salazar
Actors include: Elvira Quintana, Ramón Gay, Roberto G. Rivera
Genre: Horror
Length: 81 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a rather enjoyable case of making the most with very little. This Mexican horror film seems cheap but considering they did wonders with the effects and it oozes charm galore. It's very shadowy and atmospheric, and rather engaging. It does go into a ton of talking in places which gets a little tedious but when it pays off it is most definitely worth it. The plot revolves around four men who are cursed when they steal a sacred voodoo idol (bad move). Soon some murderous dolls who come to life (or rather midgets with spooky masks) are coming after the four Men plus everyone in their family! The stab with large sharp looking needles, and the attack many times making it very fun to watch. It's not the most original nor is it the best creepy doll film but it's one worth investigating for fans.

Availability:  On DVD

Poison For The Fairies (1984) aka Veneno Para Las Hadas aka The Evil Fairies

4.5 / 5 Oct '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Carlos Enrique Taboada
Written by: Carlos Enrique Taboada
Actors include: Ana Patricia Rojo, Elsa María Gutiérrez, Leonor Llausás
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really didn't know anything about this going into it, and was I ever impressed. This isn't a gorefest, so if that's the sort of film you are looking for, turn away. This is beautifully filmed, stylish, funny and extremely original, and really quite the treat from Mexico. It's a period piece set in the '60s which is kind of neat. Flavia is new to her school, and quickly she befriends Veronica and before long the little girls are spending a ton of time together (I'm guessing they are like 10 or so). Veronica is an unusual little girl, she's obsessed with witches and does her darndest to convince her little friend Flavia that she is a powerful witch. Flavia has had enough of her piano teacher, she doesn't like lessons so led by Veronica the two summons the devil's help to send her far away. While Flavia is rather innocent and assumes that nothing will come of this she is horrified to find that her piano teacher actually dies. Soon she starts to believe Veronica is a witch, and Veronica is a manipulative little girl who starts pushing Flavia around. Let's just say things get a little strange and even surprising from there, but it's all purely engrossing. This child actors are superb, probably some of the best I've seen and I loved the story too. Well worth digging for this one, a really wonderful film that unfortunately it seems few have seen.

Availability:  Not Currently On DVD to my knowledge
Veneno Para las Hadas