Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on May 19, 2019 2:39:28 GMT -5
I love The Stuff. Caught it on TV in the early 80s.
Need to watch The Ranger. Hear it is really good.
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Post by Jumpin' Jesse Walsh on May 20, 2019 14:46:55 GMT -5
My review of Dementia 13 (1963)
I feel like I did a poor job of expressing this point in my review of Attack of the Giant Leeches so here I go: I love Roger Corman quickies. I’m so happy they exist. I love how unpretentious they are. I love how they’re not at all interested in wringing in some deep pathos from the material. Sometimes you can’t stomach a multi-layered horror epic on the complexities of modern living; that’s where Corman comes in to give you a flick to pop in when you want something light and fluffy. Plus, even the worst ones are like, what, all of less than 75 minutes in runtime? What damage could that possibly do to you?
So that leads me to Dementia 13, which I’m not going to herald as a masterpiece, but in terms of how well it represents what can make Corman schlock so much fun, it’s just kind of everything. It’s expertly paced and doesn’t waste time. The performances from the cast, who are mainly B-movie stalwarts, are decent. Not only does it make the most of its shoestring budget, it’s also smartly directed by Francis Ford Coppola who, according to my research, has done nothing of note in his career since.
Plot-wise, this is pretty much a mashup of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Les Diaboliques, and an Agatha Christie whodunnit. Luana Anders steps in as our blonde femme fatale, much like Marion Crane. We mainly follow her story until she’s killed off by an unseen murderer halfway through, much like Marion Crane. She’s even surrounded by water by the time of her death, much like Marion Crane. But instead of a shady motel, we’re given a beautiful Irish castle, which offers up a lot of fun. The atmosphere is the real driving force here. I mean, I’m not at all convinced we’re in the Irish countryside at any moment, but the choice of scenery gives it a bit more of a gothic feel than several of the Psycho imitators released in the early ‘60s.
The best scene is actually the opening one. An otherwise standard scene at a spooky lake is soundtracked by, um, Top 40 rockabilly?!? It’s bizarre in the best way, as we watch a man die of a heart attack as the song twangs on a radio. It all feels a little Lynchian long before the term was ever a thing. Plus, it gets the ball rolling on the film’s plot immediately. Not even Psycho offered such a surprise in its opening moments.
None of this is must-see material, but it’s a tightly-compact sugar cube of a movie that ticks all the boxes of what can make something its scale and ambition great. Plus, it’s in the public domain. No wonder your local public access channel loves to air it.
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Post by DSR on May 20, 2019 20:46:51 GMT -5
I share your love of Corman quickies!
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Post by Jumpin' Jesse Walsh on May 26, 2019 12:09:43 GMT -5
My review of Prom Night (1980)
In my personal experience, prom wasn’t as big of a deal as the movies said it would be. For my senior prom, I’d accepted that I wasn’t going until a mere few weeks before the big night when a girl in one of my classes asked me to go. Well, sorta. She had her friend ask me for her. And then prom came. It was a decent few hours. Then she drove me home because I didn’t have my license yet and that was it.
But in the movies? Prom is a Big Deal and in Prom Night, it’s just as serious and cutthroat as ever. Quite literally, too. Throats are slashed. Heads are cut off. The title of prom queen is the be-all, end-all of your life. Funnily enough, as for the quality of the film itself, it’s not all that different from my own prom night. It’s an okay affair, kinda unremarkable, its appeal largely bolstered by its timely release in the midst of the slasher genre’s explosion in popularity.
The best part about Prom Night is that it’s such a time capsule for pop culture at the dawn of the ‘80s. Aesthetically, I feel like I’m looking through my mom’s high school yearbook. The film is an assault of turn-of-the-decade hair and fashion. Did every young male in the early ‘80s have a curly, floppy mane? Was it a law to wear high-waisted jeans? Was it sexy to have a unibrow? If the fashion is astounding, the soundtrack is a revelation, a wonderful document of disco’s dying days. Sure, most of the songs are just a knock-off of popular disco tracks due to a rights issue, but this shit totally bangs. The main track and “Love Me Til I Die” are catchy as hell.
And, of course, this isn’t just an ’80s slasher flick; it’s an ‘80s slasher flick starring Jaime Lee Curtis. She’s pretty good here, as expected. The best thing about JLC in these early roles is that it always feels like she’s just being herself and that genuineness translates well into a super likable final girl. Kim and Lori Strode are essentially the same character, but JLC adds a layer so they turn into people you could know in real life. Is there any surprise she became a breakout star and goddess in mommy cut form? Meanwhile, despite the novelty of his appearance, Leslie Nielsen is a complete cypher, displaying none of the charm we commonly associate him with. He always looks like he’s ready to ask for his paycheck off-camera. Surely he can’t be serious.
My main problem with the film is that there’s a lot of set-up, which leaves to bulk of the action to occur in the last 30 minutes. Once it gets around the 45-minute mark, you start wondering if anything will happen at all. The killings do happen eventually, and that’s all fine and bloody, but by the time we get the excellent scene of a severed head rolling down a brightly lit runway, you kinda wish the film had spent less time sitting on its thumbs. By the way, am I the only one who’s bothered by the Nick apologia? He never gets his just desserts for his role in the death of own girlfriend’s sister and we’re supposed to garner some sympathy for him because, um, reasons?!? Because he’s a good-looking straight dude, I guess? When the killer is more sympathetic than you, it’s not a cute look. It all just feels really unsatisfying to not have any to payoff to it at all.
Anyway, Prom Night is still a fun time. An entry in the ‘80s slasher canon that’s just as serviceable any other and, my god, that soundtrack is eternal. But like millions of teenagers are probably finding out right now, the night’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on May 26, 2019 13:06:50 GMT -5
Watching Joe Bob's Last Drive season 1 final episode.
First up was Bill Rebane's Blood Harvest AKA the horror film with Tiny Tim. Haven't seen this since it aired on TMC in the early 90s. According to Joe Bob it was the most hated him he showed on his TMC show. Decent slasher.
Then he showed Hello Mary Lou Prom Night II. One of the few times a sequel is so much better than the original. This started off as The Haunting of Hamilton High and didn't become a Prom Night film until right before it was released. No real connection to the first film. But it is more than worth watching.
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mystermystery
Dennis Stamp
Still in the White Hummer
Posts: 4,381
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Post by mystermystery on May 26, 2019 21:27:26 GMT -5
Watching Joe Bob's Last Drive season 1 final episode. First up was Bill Rebane's Blood Harvest AKA the horror film with Tiny Tim. Haven't seen this since it aired on TMC in the early 90s. According to Joe Bob it was the most hated him he showed on his TMC show. Decent slasher. Then he showed Hello Mary Lou Prom Night II. One of the few times a sequel is so much better than the original. This started off as The Haunting of Hamilton High and didn't become a Prom Night film until right before it was released. No real connection to the first film. But it is more than worth watching. It was a good combo for the season finale and I've very happy to see that it has been renewed.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on May 26, 2019 21:29:13 GMT -5
It really was a good double feature. Darcy the mail girl talked about how Prom Night II is one of her favorite films.
I was happy to see Blood Harvest again. I think the only region 1 dvd release of it got pulled fast. IIRC Fred Olen Ray's Retromedia released it and had to pull it cause of rights issues. I wouldn't put it past Fred to try to release a film he didn't have the rights too. He is as carnie as Charles Band.
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Post by DSR on May 26, 2019 21:30:36 GMT -5
It really was a good double feature. Darcy the mail girl talked about how Prom Night II is one of her favorite films. I was happy to see Blood Harvest again. I think the only region 1 dvd release of it got pulled fast. IIRC Fred Olen Ray's Retromedia released it and had to pull it cause of rights issues. I wouldn't put it past Fred to try to release a film he didn't have the rights too. He is as carnie as Charles Band. Blu-Ray/DVD combo release from Vinegar Syndrome! vinegarsyndrome.com/products/blood-harvest
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on May 26, 2019 21:33:36 GMT -5
It really was a good double feature. Darcy the mail girl talked about how Prom Night II is one of her favorite films. I was happy to see Blood Harvest again. I think the only region 1 dvd release of it got pulled fast. IIRC Fred Olen Ray's Retromedia released it and had to pull it cause of rights issues. I wouldn't put it past Fred to try to release a film he didn't have the rights too. He is as carnie as Charles Band. Blu-Ray/DVD combo release from Vinegar Syndrome! vinegarsyndrome.com/products/blood-harvestNow that I see it I remember it. RSP had a good review of it. Fun slasher and the best film Bill Rebane has made.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Jun 1, 2019 15:00:45 GMT -5
Hit a bunch of out of the way thrift stores the past few days. At one grabbed a sealed copy of Scream Factory's release of Day of the Dead. Not a huge fan of this movie. But for that price I wasn't going to pass it up.
At the same thrift found the Unabridged read by Stephen King audiobook of The Gunslinger. On Audio Cassette!!! It was racked with the paperback books. I was surprised to see it and the lady running the thrift told me "Just take it. No one has cassettes anymore."
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Post by Jumpin' Jesse Walsh on Jun 9, 2019 19:07:32 GMT -5
My review of Anthropophagus (1980)
I’d heard about Anthropophagus’ most infamous scene long before I got around to watching it and kinda avoided the entire film because of that alone. Not that I was too grossed out by that one scene, though it’s hella gross, but rather because it’s one of those films that would make me feel gross for even taking part in watching it. What would say it about me on a moral level that I seek out something like this? Is it really that bad or am I just fooled by its Video Nasty status? I subjected myself to The Human Centipede so why not this?
Of course, because I don’t have any self-respect, I finally watched it and, stylistically, it’s really no different than a lot of Euro trash of the era. However, it’s certainly ideal Euro trash. It’s got everything I crave in something of its type. Awful English dubbing, grainy picture quality, cheap yet amazing gore effects, locations that could be in Europe or another planet entirely, etc. Oh, and that soundtrack. That soundtrack. Play that Italo disco and organ score at my funeral. Also, have you seen the trailer for this? Try and tell me how it isn’t everything.
Much like its peers, the plot is total nonsense and one that requires every character to act like a giant buffoon. Our group of protagonists, one of them being a tarot card reader because of course, decide to go to a spooky island they know is spooky and then, within 20 minutes of landing there, are all like AH WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PLACE?!? The titular monster is just some regular dude in makeup. It’s not explained why he’s developed superhuman abilities. We’re really supposed to believe this guy ate an entire town, which is all sorts of absurd. He looks like he should eating the pin on WCW Saturday Night.
Anyway, I guess I should address that scene now. Spoiler: a woman in the late stages of pregnancy is killed and has the fetus ripped straight from her body, which is then eaten by our monster. Joe D’Amato defended it at every turn by explaining the “fetus” was actually a skinned rabbit, as if that somehow isn’t also gross. I could write a thousand words on it, but I’ll keep it brief by saying the film’s cult appeal is undoubtedly bolstered by it. Without it, it probably would’ve been lost in the Mediterranean Sea with a bunch of other Italian B-horror. But it’s indeed here, and it gives the film some urban legend status as a result. It’s not something I ever want to see again, but I think it accomplished its goal. Whether that goal is ambitious or pathetic is another matter, of course.
I don’t think I can recommend Anthropophagus to just anybody. I even struggled recommending it to myself. But, hey, if you like Euro horror of the ‘70s and ‘80s or you’re looking to watch all of the films on the Video Nasty list, by all means. It offers nothing pretty, but you probably wouldn’t want it any other way.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Jun 11, 2019 1:49:16 GMT -5
Anthropophagus.... A film I wanted to see for years but knew the VHS release was cut. Got the hybrid cut Midnight VIdeo released in the 90s and while the few scenes everyone talked about are neat,the rest of the film is just boring.
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Post by DSR on Jun 16, 2019 21:23:21 GMT -5
So, this weekend was Living Dead Weekend at the Monroeville Mall (the Western PA shopping mall that was the setting for most of DAWN OF THE DEAD). This year had a bunch of folks from CREEPSHOW, who some of you may remember is my favorite horror film of all-time (and #2 favorite film, period). I met a bunch of people, told them how much I love CREEPSHOW, and got a big ol' poster signed. I met:
Tom Atkins (the father from the wraparound segments) Warner Shook (Richard from "Father's Day") Adrienne Barbeau (Billie from "The Crate") Christine Romero (Tabitha Raymond in "The Crate") Gaylen Ross (Becky in "Something to Tide You Over") John Harrison (asst. director and composer of the iconic score) Michael Gornick (cinematographer) Tom Dubensky (asst. cameraman) Marty Schiff (Garbageman from the wraparound segments) Darryl Ferrucci ("Fluffy" from "The Crate" and the weed-covered version of Jordy Verrell) Mark Tierno (Carl Reynolds from "They're Creeping Up On You" and also a stand-in for a number of actors) Rick Catizone (animator for wraparound segments)
I missed a couple of people, SFX maestro Tom Savini and Grantham Zombie actor John Amplas, but I've still got plenty of room on my poster and I'm hopeful I'll catch Amplas next year.
NEXT WEEKEND is Monster Bash, where I'm planning to meet Ricou Browning, the gill-man for the underwater scenes in the classic CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and its two sequels; Christopher Neame, who played Johnny Alucard in Hammer's DRACULA A.D. 1972; and the aforementioned Tom Savini.
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Post by KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! on Jun 20, 2019 15:16:03 GMT -5
I finally watched Oasis of the Zombies (1982) today. Afterward I felt like the movie should apologize to me.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Jun 20, 2019 22:03:18 GMT -5
Slowly picking out the 31 films I will review in October. Saw Shudder has the 12th Puppet Master film aka Puppet Master the Littlest Reich. Has Thomas Lennon from Reno 911 as the lead.
He is a comic writer that works at a comic shop. There is a convention at the hotel the first film was set in. So him,his lady and his boss from the comic shop go. Seems somehow Lennon's brother got the Blade puppet out in the woods. So Lennon brings it with him.
Once the killing starts the film is very entertaining. It is the goriest of the series. Well acted. Looks good. And unlike like most of the Puppet Master films since part 4 this one doesn't look extremely cheap.
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Chainsaw
T
A very BAD man.
It is what it is
Posts: 90,480
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Post by Chainsaw on Jun 20, 2019 22:44:44 GMT -5
So, this weekend was Living Dead Weekend at the Monroeville Mall (the Western PA shopping mall that was the setting for most of DAWN OF THE DEAD). This year had a bunch of folks from CREEPSHOW, who some of you may remember is my favorite horror film of all-time (and #2 favorite film, period). I met a bunch of people, told them how much I love CREEPSHOW, and got a big ol' poster signed. I met: Tom Atkins (the father from the wraparound segments) Warner Shook (Richard from "Father's Day") Adrienne Barbeau (Billie from "The Crate") Christine Romero (Tabitha Raymond in "The Crate") Gaylen Ross (Becky in "Something to Tide You Over") John Harrison (asst. director and composer of the iconic score) Michael Gornick (cinematographer) Tom Dubensky (asst. cameraman) Marty Schiff (Garbageman from the wraparound segments) Darryl Ferrucci ("Fluffy" from "The Crate" and the weed-covered version of Jordy Verrell) Mark Tierno (Carl Reynolds from "They're Creeping Up On You" and also a stand-in for a number of actors) Rick Catizone (animator for wraparound segments) I missed a couple of people, SFX maestro Tom Savini and Grantham Zombie actor John Amplas, but I've still got plenty of room on my poster and I'm hopeful I'll catch Amplas next year. NEXT WEEKEND is Monster Bash, where I'm planning to meet Ricou Browning, the gill-man for the underwater scenes in the classic CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and its two sequels; Christopher Neame, who played Johnny Alucard in Hammer's DRACULA A.D. 1972; and the aforementioned Tom Savini. I'm really hoping I get to meet Tom Atkins someday.
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Post by KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! on Jun 20, 2019 23:07:56 GMT -5
Anyone else watch One Step Beyond?
I’m still making my way through a 6 disc set that is crammed with 70 episodes.
For those unfamiliar it is similar to the Twilight Zone, but all the stories are based on real events. Before every episode one of several disclaimers plays where the host John Newland says you can believe it or not, but the people who lived know it to be true.
I just wish he recorded one version where it was like:
“What follows is historical record. You can believe it or...well f*** you. I don’t have to prove anything to you people.”
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Jun 21, 2019 11:33:35 GMT -5
Anyone else watch One Step Beyond? I’m still making my way through a 6 disc set that is crammed with 70 episodes. For those unfamiliar it is similar to the Twilight Zone, but all the stories are based on real events. Before every episode one of several disclaimers plays where the host John Newland says you can believe it or not, but the people who lived know it to be true. I just wish he recorded one version where it was like: “What follows is historical record. You can believe it or...well f*** you. I don’t have to prove anything to you people.” I enjoy 1SB. First saw it on Sci Fi Channel when it first hit the airwaves. I do enjoy the show. I am betting the set you are watching is one of the ones I got.
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Post by KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! on Jun 21, 2019 11:55:53 GMT -5
Anyone else watch One Step Beyond? I’m still making my way through a 6 disc set that is crammed with 70 episodes. For those unfamiliar it is similar to the Twilight Zone, but all the stories are based on real events. Before every episode one of several disclaimers plays where the host John Newland says you can believe it or not, but the people who lived know it to be true. I just wish he recorded one version where it was like: “What follows is historical record. You can believe it or...well f*** you. I don’t have to prove anything to you people.” I enjoy 1SB. First saw it on Sci Fi Channel when it first hit the airwaves. I do enjoy the show. I am betting the set you are watching is one of the ones I got. www.amazon.com/One-Step-Beyond-Collectors-Episodes/dp/B00TEBVLM2This is the one I have. A great deal for about $12. It contains the whole first season remastered and from what I’ve read they are the same versions as the official season 1 release minus the bonus content. Aside from that it has most of season 2 and some of season 3. The later episodes aren’t remastered and some are just the public domain prints that have been out there forever, but still for $12 good stuff.
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Ultimo Gallos
Grimlock
Dreams SUCK!Nightmares live FOREVER!
Posts: 14,404
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Jun 21, 2019 11:59:03 GMT -5
I enjoy 1SB. First saw it on Sci Fi Channel when it first hit the airwaves. I do enjoy the show. I am betting the set you are watching is one of the ones I got. www.amazon.com/One-Step-Beyond-Collectors-Episodes/dp/B00TEBVLM2This is the one I have. A great deal for about $12. It contains the whole first season remastered and from what I’ve read they are the same versions as the official season 1 release minus the bonus content. Aside from that it has most of season 2 and some of season 3. The later episodes aren’t remastered and some are just the public domain prints that have been out there forever, but still for $12 good stuff. That's the set. I got that one and another one. I think the other one is from Mill Creek. Has 5 double sided discs. But is the same PD prints everyone has seen for years.
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