Starring - Man Fei (Born a Ninja), Patrick Largent (Power Kids, Team of Prodigies), and Hung Kuan (One-Armed Boxer, The Deadly Island)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Action
Tagline - "One man's battle to save the world from an evil bacteriological nightmare"
Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I'm going to be completely honest here. I went into this second film in the double feature confused. I watched them in the order they were on the cover and in the set but it seems that maybe Commando was the first film while imdb lists both films as releasing in 1988. Honestly, I have no idea what the order is here but it looks like there is several other films in this series. Regardless, I still gave this one a chance because of how much I respect and love Visual Vengeance and what they are doing for long forgotten S.O.V. films regardless of their genre. Like always, I want to thank Visual Vengeance and MVD for sending this one over.
The film, I believe, is about a ninja trying to find a bioweapon from WWII but Russians are on the hunt for it as well.
I really did try when I hit play on this. It's cool that I have this one in my collection and dig that VV is looking outside of horror for releases but these two films are difficult to watch alone...and sober. It was edited poorly and the story is damn near impossible to follow. I hate being this negative but it's a rough movie for sure. The acting in this one is very amateurish. The cast gets into their roles but inexperience and lack of direction makes the scenes very awkward to watch. I was hoping the movie would have that unintentional humor that I found in Born a Ninja but I think it had ran it's course by the time I tossed this one in. The story for this one is so fucking confusing and that is a big part in the way the film was edited. I read on letterboxd that the movie was pieced together from an unused episode of a television show. While I don't know how true this is but it answers a lot of my questions if it is. Finally, we get some solid fights scenes that don't really go anywhere and that is about the extent of it. Genre fans looking for memorable deaths and gore will be very disappointed. Overall, Commando the Ninja is a rough one to watch. I'm still convinced that it would be fun to watch with like minded movie fans while high but it's difficult to finish while sober and alone. I cannot recommend this one.
Director - Joseph Lai (Ninja Hunt, Golden Ninja Warrior)
Starring - Man Fei (American Commando Ninja), Patrick Largent (Power Kids, Team of Prodigies), and Martin Chan
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Action
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Tagline - "A spy who will stop at nothing to complete his mission . A scientist who is torn between love for the present and terror of the past"
Rating (out of 5):
I've been a fan of kung fu and martial arts movies longer than I have the horror genre. My dad bought some of these films on tape from someone and from that night on I was hooked. I would watch them with my grandma and on several occasions I would pick one of these films over a horror title. A few weeks back I was sent the double feature of Born a Ninja and Commando the Ninja from my friends over at Visual Vengeance. I had just received two releases from them a few days prior and decided that when I had the time I would turn this into a marathon. After Fungicide and The Screaming, I hit this double feature with Born a Ninja first. I want to thank Visual Vengeance and MVD for sending this one along for review!
Tanaka, a scientist with a past, is unable to face the sight of the atrocities he committed as a germ-war researcher during WWII. Martin, miraculously returns from the dead, recruits an ace but evil Ninja, Simon, to retrieve Tanaka and the formula. Lung, a master of a lost art joins the battle and goes head-on with Simon. The Japanese samurai and the Chinese martial arts finally encounter. battle between Ninjitsu finally starts. At the same time, Tanaka takes the plunge. In a burnt laboratory, he uses the golden horn to locate the germ formula. Despite the heroics, Tanaka’s gang is pursued once again by Martin, Daniel and Simon. Tanaka finally gets the formula but it is shot from his hand again. The ghostly image floods Tanaka’s mind and he is left laughing in an insane heap.
Just so we are clear, I copied the synopsis from Letterboxd because I have absolutely no fucking clue as to what I just watched. There was ninjas, talk about Hocus Pocus, grown men rolling around like it was a fighting tactic. I love bad movies and I love when movies are bad on purpose but this was a difficult one for me to sit through. As I've said in previous reviews, I hate writing a negative review for a movie that was sent to me but I'm always honest. The acting in this one is unintentionally funny. I found myself laughing more than I should have at a lot of the line delivery during the dialogue heavy scenes. The cast was very inexperienced in acting which made a lot of the scenes funny when they shouldn't have been. The story for this one is all over the place and I still have no fucking clue as to what was happening most of the time. The best that I can piece together is that someone was a real piece of shit during WWII and wants to make up for his misdeeds but someone evil is wanting to use something he was affiliated with to cause mass death. I could be wrong but the film is not very coherent or easy to follow. We really need a tighter story and better editing. Finally, don't go into this one expecting a blood bath with a lot of fun effects. We have some ninja costumes and some not so bad fight choreography but that is the extent of it. Overall, Born a Ninja could be a fun one if you are in a room full of like minded people who have been drinking but if you are looking for a campy kung fu flick then this one is not for you. Sadly, I would suggest skipping this one.
Starring - Suzzanna (The Earth Gets Hotter, Hantu Ambulance), Fendy Pradana (Valentine, Dia), and Nurnaningsih (Yoan, Cowok Komersil)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I was excited when Severin sent me the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness set for review. My knowledge of Indonesian horror is damn near nonexistent but the one film I had seen previously, Satan's Slave, is one of my favorite films. So far this set has delivered two solid films but neither are close to reaching the level of awesome that Satan's Slave is. The third film that I decided to watch is the 1988 supernatural horror Malam Satu Suro which just happened to be directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra who also directed Satan's Slave. This is the second film from Putra that I've seen in this set so far and easily the best film. I hate to say it again, but it's not as good as Satan's Slave but holy fuck was it still a lot of fun. Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!
The film follows a power being that gives it all up to become human. She soon falls in love and starts a family but this idylic life is cut short when an evil witch and her cult discover who she really is. They force her back into her original form which removes her from her family. Heartbroken and alone, she sets out to kill everyone in the cult responsible for taking her family from her.
I will be hard pressed to find better film in this set. This is the kind of film that I'm looking for when I snag a Bollywood horror title from the 80s. While this may be an Indonesian horror release from the late 80s, it was clearly inspired by Indian films of the time. I enjoyed it for what it was and could see myself possibly revisiting it again if I ever want something to follow up Satan's Slave with. The acting in this one is probably the most enjoyable out of the set so far. The characters are very outlandish and generic but the cast really had fun in their roles. They brought a great deal of energy to the scenes but the characters lack of depth and the cast's inexperience does make some of the intentional humor miss it's mark. The story for this one is a bit predictable and unpolished but the eccentric characters and wild moments more than makes up for it. I went into this one expecting it to be similar to the previous two films but I was wrong. I found myself laughing at the fun characters even though I knew exactly where the story was going. Honestly, if more time was spent in the writing process then this film would have been untouchable. Finally, the film has some blood and some fun make-up effects but don't expect a gory affair that will stick with you for days after watching it. We get some minimal practical effects and some entertaining make-up but that is about the extent of it. The deaths are rather bland and just blend into the background. Overall, Malam Satu Suro is a seriously fun supernatural Indonesian horror tale that did make me laugh a few times. While it's not a film that I can see myself watching over and over again, I do see myself checking it out every couple of years. Check it out.
Director - H. Tjut Djalil (Lady Terminator, Mystics in Bali)
Starring - Suzzanna (The Earth Gets Hotter, Birth in the Grave), Soendjoto Adibroto (Kliwon Friday Night, Samson and Delilah), and Vera Magdalena (Permainan Dibalik Tirai)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I was not familiar with the horror starlit Suzzanna prior to getting the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness from my friends over at Severin. I'd be lying if I said I was and I always try to remain honest in my reviews. I was still excited to check out these films but I was not aware of how important she was to Indonesian horror. After watching Pact with the Forces of Darkness, I quickly tossed in the second film in the set which was the 1988 film White Crocodile Queen. Like with all my reviews, I would like to thank Severin for sending this one over!
The film follows a man who steals an amulet that is said to grant those that wield it the power to overtake any crocodile. For this he is cursed for the next 20 years where both of his sons die. His only remaining child, his daughter, is now at risk of dying so he turns to a local widow who might have a way to stop the curse. However, he learns that she is possessed by the ghost of the original owner of the amulet who is hellbound on revenge.
White Crocodile Queen is about on the same level as Pact with the Forces of Darkness. It's not a horror title that will stick with you for sometime after watching it but it is a solid genre flick. With that being said, it was extremely campy which reminded me a lot of the Bollywood films that I've reviewed in the past. It's fun but isn't as fun as it could have been. The acting in this one is nowhere near as fun as the first film. The characters are all charictures of what you would expect from a film like this but it's not bad. The cast has a lot of energy and really get into their roles but the awkward dance-esque numbers and constant smiling made a lot of the scenes feel silly. The story for this one is not what I was expecting but I did enjoy it for what it was. A supernatural Bollywood inspired movie with possession, magical amulets, and awkward scenes that bring in unintentional laugh was not what I was expecting. I really enjoyed loved how unconventional it was in a western sense but it doesn't really have any replay value. Finally, we get some blood, some fun camera tricks, and some great make-up but that is really the extent of it. The movie is very story driven with a lot of great visuals but don't expect to see something gory. Overall, White Crocodile Queen is a fun film for a first time watch. It's a solid Indonesian horror film that may be more fun if you were a bit high or buzzed. I liked it but I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon. Check it out.
Starring - Cordelia Roche (Party Time, What's Your Story?), Cliff Twemlow (G.B.H., Tuxedo Warrior), and Darryl Marchant
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Truth is deadlier than fiction"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I received the Bloody Legend: The Complete Cliff Twemlow Collection I was expecting movies with a lot of action and a lot of blood. However, what I found was movies that barely qualified as such. I love bad and no budget cinema but these films so far are barely films. I hate saying that especially since Severin was kind enough to send this set my way but they are rough. The set up to this point consisted of "action" flicks that lacked action and one thriller. That was until I reached what appears to be the sets only horror film, Predator: The Quietus. This 1988 horror flick was released under the title Moon Stalker but was changed sometime after to prevent confusion with a slasher of the same name. This is one I was looking forward to and I want to thank Severin for sending this set over!
The film follows a sensationalist journalist who partners with a hunter to visit Exmoor where legend has it a sort of panther, or werewolf depending on who you talk to, has killed several sheep and possibly a few people.
I went into this one actually excited to check it out. I was hoping that the no budget flair of the previous films was going to meet horror in a way that made Troma releases of the time look like big budget films backed by a major studio. However, I was very wrong about that. The film was rough from start to finish with flat dialogue, stock footage, and a creature the filmmaker was afraid to show for some reason. I seriously wanted to like this one but it was a flaming bag of dog shit at my door step and my eyes was my house shoes. The acting in this one is easily the worst in the film. We have some familiar faces to previous Twemlow films but it's evident by this point that they are not trying. They are spewing their lines out of their mouth like liquid shit out of your ass with no attempt at creating a character. While some of the cast is inexperienced, a lot of the acting is just laziness. The story for this one is part An American Werewolf in London and part any bigfoot film from the 70s. Honestly, I could have got behind it especially if it focused more on the cryptid aspect of the story instead of the tabloid sensationalism. With that being said, it feels like very little focus is applied to the story itself. Instead, we get dialogue heavy scenes with more character development than we need. Finally, the film is not a bloody or violent one. There is a little bit of blood but not enough to really draw your attention to the scene and the creature you wait the entire film to see is only in the film for a moment. I liked what I see but I would have liked to see more. Overall, Predator: The Quietus has a decent story on paper but was never fully explored. Instead, we get some lazy acting and a lot of dialogue. I seriously wanted to like this one but it wasn't for me.
Director - Mark Joffe (Nightmaster, Shadow of the Cobra)
Starring - Colin Friels (Darkman, Dark City), John Waters (Weekend of Shadows, Future-Worm!), and Bruno Lawrence (Death Warmed Up, Battletruck)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Crime/Thriller
Tagline - "Where does passion end and obsession begin?"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I had no fucking idea who Cliff Twemlow was before I received this box set from Severin. However, after watching the documentary Mancunian Man, I was committed one hundred percent to anything he was apart of. I wasn't expecting films that defined genres but I was looking forward to the campy films that I knew he was behind. With that being said, I was not prepared for any genre flicks in the set and was surprised when I saw that the third film was a crime thriller from 1988. The film, Grievous Bodily Harm, looked fun and I couldn't wait to check it out. Like always, I want to thank Severin Films for sending this one my way.
The film follows three individuals with interconnecting stories. The first is a radical author and journalist who is trying to find his next big hit who teams up with a cop on the lookout for a killer. Also in the mix is a teacher looking for his wife who many believe is dead. What connects them all is the search for $40,000 that is missing.
Trying to explain the story for this film may have induced a seizure or a stroke. However, I actually enjoyed the film even though it was a bit rough to follow at times. It has a great cast and is just interesting enough to hold your attention from beginning to end. The acting in this one is very well done. While the dialogue is very heavy and, at a lot of times, overdramatic, the cast does a fantastic job at delivering it. The interactions and conversations feel genuine and so does the emotions for the most part. As I stated earlier, there is a few scenes that feel overdramatic but most of the film is great. The story for this one is a all over the place at times which is a bit difficult to follow at times. I loved how the characters are connected but that aspect of the story could have been handled a little better. The way the film was edited together made it difficult to follow at times. While I do enjoy the movie as it is, I think it would be an unforgettable classic if the story was told in a traditional linear perspective with more focus on the murders. Finally, the film isn't a bloody one regardless as to what the title may suggest. The film is a crime thriller in the truest sense of the sub-genre with no room for blood and gore. The film's focus is on the story and the character rather than the red stuff. Overall, Grievous Bodily Harm is not as violent as you would think but it is a solid late 80s crime thriller. The story is a bit confusing but the acting more than makes up for it. This film is the first in the set, besides the documentary, that deserves a watch. Check it out.
Starring - Jasmin (Divorce, Sarkari Mehman), Hemant Birje (Adventures of Tarzan, Kabrastan), and Sahila Chaddha (Sau Saal Baad, Naaasamajh)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "Sex, blood, and hairy monsters in a feast of Bollywood horror!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
A few years back I was introduced to Bollywood horror by Mondo Macabro and Massacre Video. I've always been open to international titles but a lot of my time was spent on Italian giallo and Japanese splatter. It wasn't until I watched Mahakaal, or the Bollywood Freddy Krueger, that I knew I had been missing out. Since then I had snagged the Bollywood collection from Mondo Macabro and watched several of the ones I could find on streaming. These are truly unique films that I can't put into words how amazing they truly are. A few weeks back I was sent a few new releases from Mondo Macabro to review. Among those films was the 1988 Bollywood horror film Verrana. Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over!
The film follows a young woman who is possessed by the soul of an evil witch that was killed after draining the blood from several locals.
I knew nothing about Veerana before I tossed it in but I knew if it was half as fun as Mahakaal then it would be worth it. This movie did not disappoint. From the musical numbers, to the effects, and even the humor I was not expecting, delivers. I really enjoyed this one and can see myself revisiting it a few more times before the year is over. The acting in this one is inconsistent but not bad. We have some serious performances that are extremely serious and make the horror aspects of the film feel really creepy. On the other side, we have some extremely campy and comical acting that I was completely expecting. It was performances like this that made me fall in love with Bollywood horror especially with the horror releases from the 80s. The story for this one is a bit more bold than the other Bollywood horror films that I've previously seen. It's not overly complicated but it does have a lot going on at times. We have an evil witch, a cult, a possessed woman, a complex family subplot that I never fully understood, and some laughs that almost feel out of place but was still very enjoyable I really like this mix, especially with the typical Bollywood musical numbers, but I would have liked to see a bit more of a straight forward story with a little more emphasis on the cult. Finally, the film has some great make-up effects and some beautiful sets. I loved the look of the witch and the scenes when the was possessed. The make up effects are great and really stand out with the film. I would have loved some memorable gore but I knew I wasn't getting that going into it. Overall, Veerana is a must see for Bollywood horror fans. I may not be adding this to my October rotation but I can see myself revisiting this one a few more times. I highly recommend it.
Director - Stephen Chiodo (Alien X-Mas, Elvira's Movie Macabre)
Starring - Grant Cramer (Auntie Lee's Meat Pies, Night of the Living Dead: 30th Anniversary Edition), Suzanne Snyder (Amazing Stories, The Preppie Murder), and John Allen Nelson (Quantum Leap, Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror/Sci-fi/Comedy
Tagline - "In space no one can eat ice cream!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I have had a lot of films that influenced my upbringing. I pretty much lived at my local video store when I was a kid and when I didn't have movies to watch that I had rented I would be watching movies I owned with my Grandma. I was obsessed with the films AirBud, Prehysteria, Adventures in Dinosaur City, Space Truckers, Ernest Scared Stupid, and several others until I was bitten by the horror bug when my Grandma and I watched the 1990's remake of Night of the Living Dead. From then I was obsessed with that film, the original Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, The Guyver, Return of the Living Dead, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space just to name a few. All these films were a huge part of my childhood and I still watch them whenever I get the chance now. Last Halloween my youngest was intrigued by the Killer Klowns merchandise at Spirit Halloween. I got her a Funko POP and a few other little things from the film and that night she asked me to show her the movie. I was so excited to share something I enjoyed so much as a kid with her and now we watch the film almost every other month. Recently, Scream Factory released the film on blu with an awesome steelbook. They were kind enough to send over a copy for me to review which was the perfect reason to rewatch it with the kids. While I was a bit sad to retire my Midnite Movies DVD I was excited to check it out on blu. I want to thank Scream and Shout Factory for sending this one over.
The film follows a young couple who witness something falling from the sky. When they head into the woods to investigate, they find a large circus tent. They go inside and find grotesque clowns not of this world who are turning the locals into cotton candy so they can consume them. They then partner up with a small-town cop and two ice cream truck vendors to stop the killer clowns from outer space from eating everyone in town.
There is so much to love about Killer Klowns from Outer Space. The atmosphere, sense of humor, the clever writing, the score and soundtrack, set designs, and so on are absolutely perfect. Two of my three children will walk around singing the theme song by The Dickies randomly. The movie, while a brilliant blend of horror, sci-fi, and comedy, is perfect for any age. I've talked about cult and genre films with hundreds of people over the years and I've yet to meet someone who doesn't love this film. The acting in this one is one of the highlights of the film. We have one of my favorite performances from the legendary John Vernon. Many may recall him from his roles in Tales from the Crypt, National Lampoon's Animal House, Ernest Goes to Camp, Blue Monkey, and so many amazing voice acting gigs. I loved his character and would have loved to see a bit more of him throughout the film. The same can be said about Michael Siegel and Peter Licassi as the Terenzi brothers. They were a lot of fun to watch and deserved a much larger role in the film. The film's leads do a great job as well. Suzanne Snyder has appeared in several iconic 80s films aside from this one. Fans can check her out in Night of the Creeps, Return of the Living Dead Part II, Weird Science, and The Last Starfighter. Grant Cramer is great as well and was perfect casting to play opposite Snyder. He appeared in several iconic 80s comedies and horror films as well like New Year's Evil, Beverly Hills Brats, and several more classic films from the time. The supporting cast is a lot of fun as well but these make the film for me. The story for this one is out of this world...pun and all. The idea of clowns being out of this world and not part of human culture may explain a lot to those with coulrophobia. I loved the idea of clowns being aliens and everything we associate with them and circuses because they visited Earth sometime before. Then you blend that in with a solid 80s comedy and you have something that really works. It took a lot of brainstorming and thought to make this story work but it's clear they put in the time. The film is well written, has great pacing, and the humor doesn't take away from the campy horror the film is able to provide. Finally, this film is not gory but makes up for it with the humor, fantastic looking clowns from outer space, amazing set locations, and props. The film also incorporates a lot of classic camera tricks and techniques to make the gags work. While it doesn't offer up gore or a lot of blood, it is still full of amazing effects. Overall, Killer Klowns from Outer Space may be one of my favorite horror films to come out of the 80s. It doesn't have a following like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm St. but it still delivers. I highly recommend snagging this one from Scream Factory if you are a fan of the film or looking for something new to see. It's worth it.
Director(s) - Tom Fisher and Jon McBride (Among Us, Woodchipper Massacre)
Starring - Jon McBride, Amy Chludzinski and Christopher A. Granger
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Friends don't let friends eat friends"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
I started taking my movie collecting seriously about ten years ago. I had always bought movies and took the time to organize them, but it wasn't until I was married that I started focusing on what I was adding to my collection. I would often spend a few hundred on Amazon getting DVDs for films I had never seen, which led me to Camp Motion Pictures and their S.O.V. releases. Under their Retro 80s series of releases, I was able to snag a bad ass DVD set made to look like a VHS big box along with a few other solo titles like Cannibal Campout. I love having it in my collection, but I never made the time to actually watch it. That changed when Terror Vision released the film on blu. While I love the Retro 80s release, I couldn't pass up the chance to upgrade to blu. Once it arrived, I had to make time to finally watch it.
The film follows two couples who head out camping in the woods. On their way to their campsite, they encounter some hostile locals but are able to get away from them...but not for long. These hillbillies are cannibals and just happen to come across their campsite.
Cannibal Campout is far from perfect but holy fuck was it a lot of fun. That is a bit of a bummer considering how long I've owned the DVD release but never took the time to watch it. Regardless, I'm glad I finally checked it out and the first time seeing it was this release from Terror Vision. The acting in this one was very well done. A lot of S.O.V. horror flicks that I've reviewed had performances that were forced and overdramatic at times. However, Cannibal Campout had a great cast and some memorable characters for them to bring to life. The story for this one is a pre-Wrong Turn backwoods cannibal slasher that would become even more popular in the 2000s. We follow a group of innocents who happen to be camping in a cannibal family's hunting grounds. It's nothing overly complicated but it works for a cheap horror flick. Finally, the film has some blood, fake body parts, and a lot of creativity. While the effects are not the best I had seen, they still work for the film and find their marks with the viewer. Overall, Cannibal Campout is a great no budget schlocky cannibal flick that fans of films like Dead Next Door and Skinned Alive will enjoy. Grab it on blu now from Terror Vision.
Starring - Amelia Kinkade (My Best Friend is a Vampire, Night of the Demons II), Linnea Quigley (Tourist Trap, Graduation Day), and Cathy Podewell (Growing Pains, Beverly Hills Brats)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "You're invited to my party."
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I was in high school I became friends with a student that had just transferred in. He was expelled from his previous school and we became friends after talking about horror, metal, and Johnny Cash. We watched a lot of movies over the next few years. Movies like Zombi, Susperia, Cemetery Man, Dead Heat, and so many more. One of the films I remember watching with him and a metric fuck ton of alcohol is the 1988 Halloween horror flick Night of the Demons. He had snagged it on VHS with some other films on eBay and we were marathoning them one weekend. That movie fucking stuck with me and I had to have it. I did a little digging and was able to snag the DVD and I’ve revisited it a number of times over the years until I upgraded sometime back to blu. When Halloween was quickly approaching I was sent the UHD release of the film from Scream Factory and couldn’t wait to dig into it. I want to thank Scream Factory for sending this one over. It was a nostalgia filled experience to watch it again.
Director - Julien Temple (Absolute Beginners, The Comic Strip)
Starring - Geena Davis (The Fly, A League of Their Own), Jeff Goldblum (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Transylvania 6-5000) and Julie Brown (Clueless, Six Feet Under)
When I was younger, I’m talking high school years, I was snagging each and every DVD horror and sci-fi set I could find. I loved seeing the random collection of films I had never seen or heard of before. The quality of these films were shit due to so many films being crammed onto one disc but it was still a cool experience to marathon them in their VHS like quality. One of those films was the 1989 sci-fi musical Earth Girls are Easy starring Geena Davis, Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans. I liked it but I would be lying if I said it was among my favorite films. I liked the look, style, and writing of the film but it’s one I can’t bring myself to watch over and over again. When Vestron Video announced that the film was getting a blu release I decided it was the perfect excuse to revisit this film that I had not seen for damn near twenty years especially for the price of their releases.
Earth Girls are Easy is not a movie that is story rich or unique. It is a lot of fun and the visual style is something that makes it stand out from the crowd, but the lack of interesting story does hold it back from what it could have been. It’s one of those films that is a lot of fun for a first time watch or a revisit every couple of years, but it doesn’t really have that much of a replay value which would explain why you never really hear people talk about the film. Sure, fans mention it when it’s brought up but it’s never the center of attention from movie goers. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. The cast is amazing, and the characters make the film what it is to me. I couldn’t imagine this film if just one character was cast differently. The story for this one blends musical, sci-fi, comedy, and romance into something that is fully submerged in it’s decade. I could live without the musical aspect and the random dancing scene, but the remainder of the story is pretty fun if you like late 80s comedies. The scenes do tend to drag on at times and the romance angle does feel forced, but the sci-fi and comedy aspect of the film really works in my opinion. Finally, I love the look and style of the film. We don’t get any blood or anything of the sort but we get some fun locations and sets along with some corny yet fun make-up effects. Overall, Earth Girls are Easy is a classic late 90s comedy but it’s not making anyone’s top ten lists. Fans and collectors alike should snag this release from Vestron.
Director - Tom Holland (Fright Night, Amazing Stories)
Starring - Catherine Hicks (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Tucker's Witch), Chris Sarandon (The Princess Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas), and Alex Vincent (House Guest Massacre, The Dark Military)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "You'll wish it was only make believe"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I've been writing poorly written reviews now for right at a decade and sometimes I find myself wondering why in the fuck someone would send a particular movie my way for review. Most of the time these films are known the world over and have a large and loyal fan base. Regardless, I'm grateful for any movie sent my way for review and always try to be as honest as I can be while being respectful. Sometime back Umbrella Entertainment sent over Tom Holland's 1988 classic Child's Play. This release was part of their Beyond Genres line. I know that Child's Play is one of the most popular films to come out of the 80s and Chucky is, arguably, one of the many faces of horror but it's a film that I could live without. For me, the Child's Play series never really gained traction until Bride of Chucky but the first film still has it's moments. Like always, I want to thank Umbrella for sending this one over.
The film follows a single mother and her young son who has a birthday approaching. He really wants a Good Guy doll but because money is tight she is unable to get him one. That is until a homeless man sells her one that he rescued from a burning toy store. What they don't know is that the toy store fire was created when a detective chased notorious serial killer Charles Lee Ray who transferred his soul into a Good Guy doll after he was shot. Now, the possessed doll is, Chucky, is trying to get his hands on an amulet so he can finish the soul transfer and put it in the little boy and he will let no one stand in his way.
I know that most of the horror community loves this one and I do like watching it from time to time but I feel like the film missed so many opportunities. It's still a fun film but the characters and story was better handled in films like Bride and Seed of Chucky than the first three films. The acting in this is the film's high point. Catherine Hicks and Chris Sarandon is absolutely fantastic together. Sarandon's hardened detective character really works well with Hick's loving mother. Both are cliched but they match the story perfectly. Also, Brad Dourif absolutely shines in the role. He's an amazing serial killer but his voice of Chucky is absolutely fantastic. He's one of the highlights of the series and really comes into his own in later installments. The story for this one takes itself too seriously for what it is. We have a serial killer with a knack for voodoo that voices a child's toy. It has one hell of a set up for a horror comedy but the serious tone falls of deaf ears. If the killer was a little more grounded it would have worked as a serious horror film but the killer doll with the voodoo doesn't really fit the tone of the film. Finally, the deaths fit the film very well with some solid practical effects. However, the deaths don't really stand out. Chucky and his relationship with the young boy is the focus of the film instead of the blood and gore and it shows. Overall, Child's Play is a horror classic but I feel it may be a bit overrated. Regardless, Umbrella put out a release that should satisfy the most die hard fans. Check it out.
Starring - Charles Napier (The Silence of the Lambs, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard), Ann Turkel (Humanoids from the Deep, Night Court), and Bo Svenson (Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker, Maniac Killer)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi
Tagline - "They created a monster over lunch. Now it's back for dinner"
Format - Bluray (Out of 5):
A year or so ago I started collecting the Retromedia Entertainment releases that were exclusive to Makeflix.com. I'm a fan of director and producer Fred Olen Ray and I've been collecting his films for years on DVD. I was looking forward to upgrading many of those films to blu while a few of them were new to my collection. Several months ago I was shocked to learn that Kino Lorber was releasing the 1988 sci-fi horror flick Deep Space that was directed by Ray as well. This was one I had never seen before and I couldn't wait to add it to my collection. I reached out to my friends at MVD and they were kind enough to send a copy my way to review. Like always, I want to thank MVD for hooking me up!
The film follows a cockroach-like alien that crashes to Earth with a satellite. The beast begins killing locals and before long it's spawn joins in on the carnage forcing a cop to stop them when one of it's eggs hatches and kills his partner.
Deep Space is not a good movie. It's unintentionally funny, it's predictable, and many of the scenes are rushed. However, I had a lot of fun with it. It's nowhere near as amazing as some of Fred Olen Ray's work. It's campy and fun if you are into those types of films. Most of you know by now just how into these types of films that I am. The acting in this one is enjoyable but there is plenty of room for improvement. I love Charles Napier and seeing him as lead in this film was really a pleasant surprise. His performance wasn't the most memorable of his but he did a fantastic job. It fits the film very well and he is one of the reasons the movie is as enjoyable as it is. The supporting cast fits the film as well but the lack of memorable performances is a bit of a disappointment. The story for this one is a cliched sci-fi and horror hybrid that follows the same song and dance that we've seen so many times from the 60s to even today. The genre mashing stories following something crashing to Earth only to kill and possibly eat humans is nothing new. In fact, I can count dozens of films that use this same story. I love horror, especially those from the 80s, but this one doesn't really celebrate the year it was made like most of the other films from the time. It's not a memorable 80s film and the story is painfully forgettable. It's still fun for a first time watch but it's not something that you can rewatch over and over. Finally, the film has some bloody moments with some practical effects. It's not an overly gory flick but I do enjoy the look of the creature and the eggs/pods. Overall, Deep Space is not a memorable film but it's entertaining enough for a first time watch. I could enjoy it with some friends and some drinks but I don't expect to revisit it anytime soon. Check it out.
Director - Dario Piana (The Deaths of Ian Stone, Lost Boys: The Thirst)
Starring - Francois-Eric Gendron (Death Run, Murder, She Wrote), Florence Guerin (The Black Cat, Love Sins), and Randi Ingerman (Silk Stalkings, The Watcher)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Thriller/Mystery
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
When I originally ordered the Nothing Underneath and Too Beautiful to Die double feature I was under the impression that both films were paired together because they were Body Double clones. As I stated in my previous films, I had never seen Body Double nor do I know what it's about but I was looking forward to both of these films. It wasn't until I was putting my reviews together for them that I realized that they are sequels in a loose sense. Nothing Underneath was originally released in Italy under Sotto Il Vestito Niente and Too Beautiful to Die was released as Sotto Il Vestito Niente II. Both films follow similar stories but are not really connected together by characters or anything like that. Regardless, I enjoyed both of them but Nothing Underneath is the better film.
The film begins at a party threw by the owner of a talent agency for all his models. However, in the early hours of the morning one of them is found dead. The talent agent and his models all have alibies but as the police investigate the matter other models start turning up dead all with connections to the party that night and what really happened.
I can see how Too Beautiful to Die would be considered a loose sequel to Nothing Underneath but both films can be enjoyed out of order. Their connection only being beautiful women finding the business end of a knife. With that being said, it's still a wildly entertaining film that really does remind me of the films I would sneak and watch late at night on Cinemax. The acting in this one is not the best I've seen but it's not bad. The characters, much like Nothing Underneath, are generic and one dimensional but the cast does the best with what they were given. I wish some of the more prominent characters would have been given memorable personalities or stuck out from the crowd but it's not too bad as it is. The story for this one is pretty much the same as the first film except some minor differences. The first involved models who are stalked and murdered...while Too Beautiful to Die is another film where beautiful models are stalked and murdered. The first film does have a bit of a more sinister feel especially when the killer is revealed and what happened to the protagonist's sister. However, this film is a little more polished, artsy, and predictable. It's not a bad film but I enjoyed Nothing Underneath more. Finally, the film has blood and beautiful women but don't expect memorable or gory deaths. They work for the film but don't expect something to stick with you. Overall, Too Beautiful to Die is a solid follow up to Nothing Underneath but it's not on the same level. It's worth a watch but don't expect a movie that will be revisited over and over.
Starring - Kate Alexander (The New Guy, A Whisper to a Scream), Cintra Wilson (So I Married an Axe Murderer, Liquid Television), and Jonathan Zeichner (Matlock, Deadly Desire)
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "When baby needs a special diet"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
SRS Cinema has some of the oldest films in my collection. I'm not referring to when the original film was released but when the DVD or VHS was released by them. Some films in my collection go back to the beginning of the DVD format while most were still focused on tape. This wasn't something I picked up at first but after reflecting for the 20 some years I've been collecting I've released they have been in the game for some time now bringing indie and obscure films to fans. Over the years they have releases several films that I liked and just as many that I didn't. Their wide range of releases and genres made it damn near impossible for me to like them all which is understandable. I still actively follow them and try to collect as many as possible regardless of the film. Sometime back I saw that SRS was releasing the 1988 horror film Night Feeder. This is one that I had never seen but was familiar with. Several years back Bleeding Skull released the film on DVD and I missed the launch so it was great news that SRS was finally handling it. I reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send over a review copy for me. Thanks guys!
The film follows an aspiring journalist who stumbles upon a possible serial killer in her neighborhood. The detective on the case suspects that it's the punk musician she is sleeping with but she maintains his innocence. However, the closer the journalist and detective get to uncovering the truth behind who was murdering people in the neighborhood they discover that they are similar than they think with a romance blossoming. Soon the real killer is revealed to the young journalist and it was not who she suspected.
I loved all the artwork used for this film. The VHS release is absolutely fantastic. The Bleeding Skull release uses a more updated version that is a lot more cleaner than the VHS. Now, the SRS releases features most of the original artwork but with minor changes. All three are fantastic but the first two does include spoilers which explains why SRS changed it up a bit. The artwork is better than the film BUT it was still a fun flick that reminded me of the some of the movies I would watch on USA Up All Night when I was a kid. I am kicking myself for not snagging the limited edition blu but the standard DVD release isn't bad. The acting in this one isn't the worst I've seen but there was several instances where the awkward dialogue and interactions between the characters had me laughing. It was almost like watching a late 80s local ad running on television meets those cringy religious videos you find by the dozens at flea markets. They are all in but lack of experience and possibly direction made for some unintentionally funny moments that really goes against the tone of the film. The story for this one is predictable or spoiled if you've seen the original artwork for the film. It tries to be a murder mystery with slasher-esque moments but if you've seen the artwork then you know exactly who, or what, is doing the killing. All the suspense and mystery is stripped from the film. It's still a fun first time watch but the predictability kills the mystery going for it. I did like how the characters were written and the story but a little too much was revealed in the original artwork. Finally, the film has some great bloody moments with some decent practical effects. It's not the goriest film but there is a few scenes that really do stand out. The effects are great for the film and stand out when they show them. Overall, Night Feeder is a cheap entertaining flick. It has no right being as fun as it is. The movie is predictable but it still finds a way to entertain the viewer. I recommend checking this one out when you get the chance.
Starring - Tom Atkins (Night of the Creeps, Halloween III: Season of the Witch), Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead, Ash vs Evil Dead), and Laurene Landon (Full Moon High, The Stuff)
Release Date - 1988
Tagline - "You have the right to remain silent... forever"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
Many years ago, almost a decade now, I started up a blog to write reviews. I wanted to focus on old action and exploitation flicks but my love of horror took over. Before long I was more focused on horror and thrillers than those action and exploitation flicks that I wanted to review. It was at this time that I found a bunch of VHS tapes at a pawn shop that they were basically giving away. It was here that I found my first copy of Maniac Cop. I couldn't pass up the find and quickly snagged it. Sometime later I found a used copy of Maniac 2 on DVD at FYE of all places. I snagged it while I could and ordered a copy of Maniac 3 to half the trilogy. That first year I was writing reviews I decided to review the all three Maniac Cop films. I'm a huge Bruce Campbell and Tom Atkins fan so I was really excited to dig into it. Now, after almost a decade of waiting, I'm giving another chance to revisit the trilogy after Blue Underground announced the release of Maniac Cop 2 and 3 on UHD. I went ahead and ordered a copy of the first Maniac Cop on blu so I could binge the trilogy.
The film follows police detective Frank (Atkins) who is investigating the murder of several police officers. He suspects that the murderer is actually police officer Jack (Campbell) after his wife was found murdered shortly after she discovered he was cheating on her with a female officer. Now it's up to him and his female love interest to discover who is really killing the other officers before it's too late.
Maniac Cop is a bit of an oddity to come out of the late 80s. Around 1986 the slasher sub-genre was on the decline with almost a decade of dominating the horror scene. Horror fans were becoming sick of the non-stop bombardment by film studios and their aggressive marketing for slashers. Slashers were cheap to make and had the potential to yield big results. However, genre fans were looking for something more and Maniac Cop was that. It was a action horror film written by legendary genre director Larry Cohen and directed by Maniac director William Lustig. It's unique for the slasher sub-genre and some fans even argue that it's not a slasher even though all the traits are there. The acting in this one is very well done with some stellar performances coming from Tom Atkins and Laurene Landon. Atkins never disappoints and he once again an unforgettable performance. The character is oddly similar to his iconic character in Night of the Creeps but he still brings the same intensity that he does in every other film of his I've seen. Landon is an actress that I was unfamiliar with until I initially watched this almost ten years ago but I've always found it odd that her filmography has two or three amazing films and pretty much deters off from there. I don't know much about her personal life or what happened but here she was amazing. She's equal parts beauty and talent. The rest of the cast is solid but Campbell is underwhelming and Z'Dar is a solid killer but the way the film was shot, which was for dramatic effect, doesn't really give him a chance to act. The story for this one is a standard slasher but heavily mixed with 80s action style. It's unlike any of the slasher films coming out then and even now. The basis for the story follows a cop who was arrested and convicted by those that were supposed to be his brothers. In prison he was attacked by those he had sent there and murdered in the showers. Now, he's back from the dead and he has a bone to pick with the police force. The standard slasher formula consisted of people being picked off one by one by someone that was wronged. This follows that formula very well and when you add it to a typical cop action flick you find yourself in the middle of something different and very unique. Finally, the film has several bloody deaths along with some quick and unimaginative deaths. The practical effects for some look great but the film is not as gory as I would have liked. Overall, Maniac Cop is a must see for genre fans. It has a great cast and the story is unlike any other slasher of the time. It may not have revitalized the sub-genre but it's still a fantastic watch. I highly recommend it.
