Purani Haveli

Director(s) - Shyam Ramsay (Saboot, Hotel) and Tulsi Ramsay (Om, Police Mattu Dada)

Starring - Deepak Parashar (Armaan, Nikaah), Amita Nangia (Ramsay House: The Fantasy World, Islamic Exorcist), and Shubha (N.H. 47, Ravana Rajya)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Mondo Macabro really took care of me here with this fantastic Ramsay Brother's double feature with Tahkhana and Purani Haveli.  Both of these films were first time watches for me and I was really looking forward to it.  After watching the first film, the 1986 film Tahkhana, it was time to dig into the second film on the set which was the 1989 flick Purani Haveli.  This is one I had heard of prior to watching it but I never had the chance to check it out.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending it over.  

     The film follows a young girl who lost her parents in a horrible accident.  She lives with her aunt and uncle who is manipulating her into giving them her inheritance once she is old enough to receive it.  However, they die at a haunted hotel after visiting it for a possible purchase.  The young lady, unaware that her uncle was murdered at the hotel, visits with her friends.  Arriving at the same time is a small time criminal and his lackies looking for a quick score only for them all to learn about the sinister forces in the building. 

     I went into this one almost immediately after watching the first film on the disc and really enjoyed myself.  It's not as well put together and written as Tahkhana but it works as a double feature and stand alone film.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from an 80s Hindi horror movie.  We get some campy performances with a lot of overdramatic acting and high energy.  The characters are not that memorable but the acting is a lot of fun.  The story for this one is a solid creature feature that feels like a haunted house flick at times.  It doesn't really have the suspense and tension that I would expect from a straight forward haunted house flick here in the states but it works. We also have the crime aspect and the devious family portion that adds some layer to the film.  It doesn't feel overwhelming and works with the pacing of the film.  Finally, we once again get some fun make-up effects and blood but the deaths are not as graphic and gory as I would have liked.  The effects look well enough for the film but they are not as entertaining as the rest of the film.  Overall, Purani Haveli is another fun Ramsay Brother's horror movie that I think all genre fans should check out.  It's a lot of fun especially if you dig Hindi horror.  Check it out.  

The Man Who Wouldn't Die

Director - Lamberto Bava (Body Puzzle, Ghost Son)

Starring - Martine Brochard (Eyeball, The Violent Professionals), Keith Van Hoven (Warhead, Black Demons), and Gino Concari (Massacre, Jealous Eyes)

Release Date - 1989/2007

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Severin announced the release of the High Tension: Four Film by Lamberto Bava, I knew I had to have it.  I didn't care if they sent me one for review or I had to pay for it.  This was a must own set for me.  Bava is easily one of the most underrated filmmakers in the genre and this set was four films of his that I had never seen before.  The first film in the set, The Prince of Terror, was a great start to my Bava marathon and I quickly tossed in the second film in the set which was The Man Who Wouldn't Die.  While not a horror film in a traditional sense, this crime thriller was still very much enjoyable.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a gang of thieves who pull off a job of rare art and priceless antiques.  However, one of them is a real piece of shit who tries to rape a woman they have bound and gagged.  The man with her, who is also bound and gagged, drops a double boot stomp to the back of his head leaving him unable to move.  His gang find him and decide to dispose of his body deep in the woods.  However, he's not dead and is rescued sometime later where he makes a full recovery.  Members of his gang start getting murdered one by one where they suspect it's him because they dumped his body.

     The Man Who Wouldn't Die is not a horror film.  I went into it expecting a horror title but was greeted with a crime thriller that I actually enjoyed for the most part.  I am a bit disappointed that it wasn't the horror title I was expected especially from looking at the artwork for the film the accompanied the set.  The acting in this one is solid.  We have some overacting in a few scenes and a lot of flat dialogue but the overall film has decent acting.  With that being said, this is one of the few films recently where I found myself disliking every character in the film.  This is not the acting but how the characters are written which goes to show how solid the acting truly was.  The story for this one is a fantastic crime film with some thriller aspects that borrows heavily from the traditional slasher formula.  An art heist resulting in the injury of a man who finds his gang turning on him and leaving him for dead.  They then start dying one by one and suspect it's him seeking revenge.  This almost feels like a slasher but at heart is a crime film and very much so plays out like one.  I did enjoy it though.  It has great pacing and enough action to hold your attention from beginning to end.  Finally, the film has several deaths with some blood and kills that fit the film.  They are not as memorable as I would have liked but they do work with the film itself.  Overall, The Man Who Wouldn't Die is another fantastic film from Bava but it's not the horror title I was really looking forward to.  Honestly, check it out.  You will not be disappointed.  

Assault of the Party Nerds

Director - Richard Gabai (Blood Nasty, Virgin High)

Starring - Richard Gabai, Richard Rifkin (Hellboy II: The Golden Army, The Lords of Magick), and Joe Whyte (Night Visitors, Hotel Translyvania 3: Summer Vacation) 

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "When the nerds get crazy it's the frat bash of the century"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love the era from which I grew up.  I was born in the 80s and grew up in the 90s.  The video store and late night television were my homes away from home.  I've always been a fan of cinema in some form or another and I remember spending a lot of my time, especially on the weekend and summer breaks, watching movies on tape or checking stuff out on cable.  When I was little I remember staying up late to watch shows like MonsterVision and USA Up All Night.  I will occasionally watch episodes of both of these on YouTube just to get that nostalgic feeling.  A few months back I saw that Terror Vision was releasing Late Night Classics Vol. 2: Assault of the Party Nerds 1 and 2 on blu for Culture Shock Releasing.  I had never heard of these two films before but when I saw that the bonus features an Up All Night appearance with director and star Richard Gabai it reminded me how much I loved the show.  I snagged a copy and worked it into my review list.  

     The film follows the last remaining four members of their frat and are about to graduate.  They have just a few months to recruit new members and decide to throw the biggest party campus has ever seen.  However, they don't have the funds and decide to trick their frat's main office in order to make some quick money.  With the money in hand, they plan on throwing the party while dodging another frat that they tricked into failing their mid-terms.  

     I watched several movies as they aired on Up All Night but I don't recall seeing Assault of the Party Nerds.  I have a pretty good memory, especially of films that I've seen, so I'm almost positive I never watched it when it was on television.  I wish I had watched during it's airing but I'm sure if I did a little looking I could find a VHS rip on YouTube if I really wanted to.  As for the film itself, I really liked it.  I could see myself watching it over and over again if I would have discovered it when I was young.  It was a lot of fun especially when you consider it was at the tail end of the raunchy sex comedies of the 80s.  The acting in this one is enjoyable for a low budget comedy that went straight to video.  The cast had solid careers up to this point and several would continue to act or provide voice for film until now.  This is my introduction to Richard Gabai and I have to admit that I do like his style of comedy.  His character is not the most original even by 80s standards.  The raunchy sex comedies became a staple of cinemas and video stores long before 1989 so by this point it's a bit difficult to create something a bit more original.  With that being said, he does a solid job but anyone could have portrayed this paint by numbers character.  The film also introduced me to Richard Rifkin who would find success in other films and voice acting but nothing I had really seen before now.  I really liked his character here even though it was rather cliched as well.  He is a mix between Booger from Revenge of the Nerds and Bluto from National Lampoon's Animal House.  One of the main reasons I snagged this was for Linnea Quigley and Michelle Bauer.  It was cool to see them in another 80s flick but their characters were also rather cliched and unoriginal.  The story for this one is a melting pot of so many different college comedies from the late 70s through the 80s.  The nerdy frat plans a party as one big bang before graduating.  A rival frat tries to stop them and college girls love to show their breasts.   Honestly, it's not original but it's still fun for a late night flick.  The humor works at times and when it doesn't we have the nudity to fall back on it.  Finally, no blood in this one.  However, is college girls in the nude, along with Linnea Quigley and Michelle Bauer are your thing then this one is for you.  Overall, Assault of the Party Nerds 

The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie

Director(s) - Michael Herz (The First Turn On!!, Stuck on You!) and Lloyd Kaufman (A Halloween Carol, Shakespeare's Shitstorm)

Starring - Ron Fazio (The Supernatural Diaries, Clover), Phoebe Legere (King of New York, Marquis de Slime), and Rick Collins (Vampire's Embrace, Parts of the Family)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Action/Comedy

Tagline - "The real American superhero"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've learned a bit about genre fans, more specifically Troma fans, the last few days while I was watching the new UHD Toxic Avenger box set. I've always like the film series as a whole but never realized that many Troma fans dislike Toxic Avengers II and III. While the films are very different from the first and fourth film in the series, they are unique in how they were shot which may be why so many Troma fans dislike them. While both films were filmed as one film and then split up due to the amount of footage does create a bit of an odd flow for these two films, but I enjoy them. Like always, I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending over this box set! 

      Toxie has once again cleaned up Tromaville and has entered severe depression when he learns of a surgery that could restore his beloved's eyesight. Sadly, he doesn't have the ridiculous sum of money required to get her the surgery. He agrees to be a spokesperson for Apocalypse Inc. where he is able to afford her surgery while inadvertently turning his back on Tromaville and his fans. As the money comes rolling in he becomes less like himself and more like a corporate sellout. He soon realizes this and returns to his old ways resulting in a battle between Toxie and the evil leader of Apocalypse Inc., the devil himself. 

      If I was to take the time to rank all the Toxic Avenger films, Toxic Crusaders included, Part III would be low man on the totem pole. It's not that I hate it because I most definitely don't, but I would rather be watching one of the other films in the series over this one. With that being said, it's hard not to watch Part II without following it up with Part III. The acting in this one is obviously consistent with Part II considering both films were filmed as one and then split during editing. Nothing I can really say here that I didn't say in my review for Part II. I like the energy, the personalities that each character brings to the screen, and the dedication they all have for their roles. The story for this one does bring everything full circle but I feel like the elements that made Part II so enjoyable are lacking here. I loved the trip through Japan and watching learn about their customs, culture, and fighting styles. We have some Troma-inspired slapstick, and a lot of great characters. In Part III we have a return to Tromaville where Toxie becomes a corporate flunky that just doesn't work. It's a bit dull and very predictable once it starts rolling. I liked how the evil corporation is a front for the devil and the big battle at the end is a lot of fun but the film just doesn't have the spunk as the previous two films. Finally, the film once again showcases a lot of DIY effects. We get some great make-up effects, more bloody moments, and a few memorable deaths scenes. While the effects are not the focus of the film, they still work, especially when you consider the film's budget. Overall, Part III is still a great addition to the Troma franchise but it is the weakest of the four films. Check it out.

The Toxic Avenger Part II

Director(s) - Michael Herz (Troma's War, The Troma System) and Lloyd Kaufman (Terror Firmer, Tromeo and Juliet)

Starring - Ron Fazio (Shell Shocked, Basket Case 2), John Altamura (Heaven Becomes Hell, Party Girls), and Phoebe Legere (King of New York, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Action/Comedy

Tagline - "Tackling toxic trouble from Tromaville to Tokyo"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I go into all sequels, remakes, prequels, and spin offs with an open mind. While most genre fans are quick to hate any project that is a continuation of a property they enjoy, I look forward to seeing where this new film, series, or what have you takes us. While I do look forward to these films, I'm not naive enough to know that most sequels, remakes, and so on are never as good as the original with very few exceptions. I was a huge fan of The Toxic Crusaders along with Creepy Crawlers, Mutant League, and Beetlejuice growing up. In high school I was able to watch the original Toxic Avenger which sent me on a path of Tromalightenment. Not long after watching the first film I was snagging a copy of the three sequels. I've watched all three films a dozen times a piece, but the first film will always be my favorite. When I was digging into the UHD release of the film I decided to binge them all. I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending this amazing set over. 

      The film follows Melvin, the Toxic Avenger, who has cleaned up the crime in Tromaville and has settled down as caretaker for a center for the blind. However, a greedy corporation, Apocalypse Inc, wants to move into Tromaville so they can have better access to New York City. They come up with a plan to trick him into going to Japan to look for his estranged father giving them time to pollute and corrupt Tromaville. While in Japan Toxie finds his dad but discovers he is a drug trafficker. He murders him and then learns sumo before returning to Tromaville to save the town he loves. Sequels get a bad rep, but I tend to enjoy them. In fact, when I posted on social media that I was watching this one I received several messages from several genre fans expressing their dislike of Parts II and III of the Toxic Avenger film series. Honestly, I like all four films along with the animated series, but I can see why fans of the first film don't care for this follow up. I've been a Troma fan for a few decades now and this film is another staple in the wild world of Tromaville. It's nowhere near as fun as the original but it's still a fun watch especially if you are a fan of the Troma backed films. The acting in this one has more energy than the first film but we have so many characters on screen at a time. It's a lot of chaos and some scenes have dialogue flying at the viewer with absolutely no time to comprehend what is happening. This would become a staple of Troma films in later releases. The story for this one is pretty bold, especially for an indie production company like Troma. We continue with the toxic theme but this time we bring in corporate corruption, exaggerated characters, and a crime spin that works. While the film doesn't have the same gritty style story as the original, it still works and feels more like a Troma release than the original flagship film does. Finally, the film is full of bloody and ridiculous DIY effects that are reminiscent of the first film but on a much larger scale. Many of the deaths involve foam heads, lots of fake blood and some latex but we do have some iconic scenes like the fish nose gag that is still funny regardless of how many times I've seen it. Overall, The Toxic Avenger Part II may not be as good as the first film, but it doesn't have to be. It's a solid follow up that doesn't try to recreate what the first film does, but instead it gives viewers an unpredictable path for fans to go down. I highly recommend it.

Dr. Caligari

Director - Stephen Sayadian (Silk Stalkings)

Starring - Madeleine Reynal (Space Mutiny), Fox Harris (Repo Man, Forbidden World), and Laura Albert (Bloodstone, The Unnamable)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Comedy/Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "the MAD doctor is in"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Mondo Macabro is one of those labels that brings us films that we would never get the chance to see if it wasn’t for them. Hell, a good portion of the films they release are completely unknown to myself and most of my circles of friends. While I’m always excited to check out these odd and obscure films I will be completely transparent with everyone that takes the time to read my reviews. Sometimes I review a Mondo Macabro film that I just don’t like. They are a company that I enjoy watching and collecting but their films or either loved or disliked. There is no in-between. Sometime back I was sent a few MM released and one of them was Dr. Caligari. This is one I had seen bits and pieces of growing up but never actually sat down to watch the whole film. I’m glad Mondo Macabro was kind enough to send it over because I fucking loved it. I want to take a second to thank MM for hooking me up! 

      The film follows a female doctor who is a descendent of the original Dr. Caligari. She is employed at a mental asylum and has been conducting experiments on the patients there. However, it’s not innocent experiments that she is conducting. Her sexually charged research has her working on a variety of patients from serial killing cannibals to housewives with libido issues. 

      Dr. Caligari is a loose sequel to the classic silent film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. While both films are memorable they are memorable for very different reasons. The original film is known the world over for it’s beautiful imagery and tone while the sequel has just as memorable visuals but the sexual humor and colorful characters makes the follow up stand out. The acting in this one absolutely amazed me. While the film does focus on sexuality and perversion, it does give viewers some of the most memorable characters I’ve witnessed. I would be here all day if I was to pick apart the cast because everyone delivered amazing performances. However, I will take a moment to mention John Durbin’s performance. His character had me laughing so fucking hard. This is easily my favorite performance of his and the film wouldn’t be nearly as funny if someone else was cast in that role. The story for this one is very different than the original while paying tribute to the film that was released 60 plus years before it. While imagery is still an important part of the film we follow a story that doesn’t shy away from laughs or the sleazy side of cinema which is to be expected when it was produced by the same folks behind Café Flesh. The film’s focus is Dr. Caligari and how she experiments on the deranged in sexual and perverse ways. You would think this set up would wear thin as the film progresses but the new wave style sets and wardrobe mixed with the colorful characters carries this simple story further than it should have. Finally, the film has plenty of practical effects and beautiful set designs but those of you looking for blood and gore will be very disappointed. While there is blood it is not the focal point of the film. In fact, it happens in passing with no real time spent on it. We do get some wild scenes with some enjoyable practical effects and visuals but that is the extent of it. Overall, Dr. Caligari is nothing like the original film but I believe that is a good thing. It pays tribute to a historical film while making a name for itself. It’s a must see cult film that I highly recommend snagging on blu from Mondo Macabro. Check it out.

Buried Alive

Director - Gerard Kikoine (Dragonard, Edge of Sanity)

Starring - Robert Vaughn (Transylvania Twist, Superman III), Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Prince of Darkness), and Karen Lorre (The X-Files, Sliders)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The dead return!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The works of Edgar Allan Poe is legendary among literary and horror fans. His work has stood the test of time and has become adapted into film and television countless times. Some of these adaptations were phenomenal while others were rushed just to cash in on their namesake. While Two Evil Eyes and Murders in the Rue Morgue are one of the few adaptations of his that I enjoy, I’m a firm believer that the best adaptation of his work came in the form of a Simpson’s Treehouse of Horror episode. While I’m not an avid fan of his I keep an eye out for others that have missed my radar. One case in point is the 1989 film Buried Alive. Not the be confused with the 1990 film of the same name, this Edgar Allan Poe release found it’s way to blu courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome. I had no idea it existed until Vin Syn announced this release. Like all other releases from Vin Syn, I had to snag it and couldn’t wait to check it out. 

      The film follows a female educator who is brought into an all-female institute for teens with troubled pasts. She arrives at a time where a few of the girls are missing and because they are not bound to the property the staff just assumes, they left on their own accord. However, she soon starts to suspect something more sinister is a foot when strange things happen before coming face to face with a mad man wearing a Ronald Reagan mask. 

      Buried Alive is not a film that will stick with you. Hell, it’s not even a good film but I did find myself liking it more than should have. It’s cheesy but not in the 80s cheese than you would expect. It almost feels like a made for television movie with elements borrowed from Poe and performances that match a day time soap. It’s not perfect but it’s a decent first-time watch. The acting in this one is extremely uneven but enjoyable nonetheless. Karen Witter (Lore) is a strong female lead that I was not too familiar with before watching the film. After digging through her imdb I noticed she was in a handful of films I had reviewed in the past, but her performances didn’t really stand out to me. Same can be said here. She’s a strong female lead but the cliched and generic character she brought to life was easily forgettable. Robert Vaughn plays the same character you’ve seen him play in countless movies. He doesn’t try to mix it up with a memorable personality or something that makes his performance stand out from his others. At this point, I’m sure he’s the same character in every movie and they are all part of the Vaughnverse. The performance that really caught me off guard was from Donald Pleasence. His portrayal of Dr. Schaeffer was not what I was expecting. We’ve all seen him portray a doctor of some sort in previous films with Dr. Loomis being the most memorable. However, this performance was nothing like that and had me in stitches during most of his scenes. The story for this one is plain but the nods to Poe’s writings is evident. The killer walling up his victims and the random black cat are the obvious ones. I’m not a Poe scholar and that’s the only ones that I picked up on. I’m sure ants were another one, but I can’t pinpoint which one of his stories they are from. The film itself does struggle with pacing issues with some scenes being drawn out by lengthy dialogue or Vaughn trying to score with Lore. These scenes could have been trimmed down to benefit the film. Finally, the film has several deaths, but they are not the focus of the film. We get some blood but those of you expecting a slasher like kill with the fun effects will be very disappointed. Overall, Buried Alive is not a film that will stick with you or making top ten lists from genre fans but it is a solid first time watch. I want to thank Vin Syn for bringing this forgotten film to us. Check it out but keep in mind that it is far from perfect.

Dream a Little Dream

Director - Marc Rocco (Murder in the First, Scenes from the Goldmine)

Starring - Corey Feldman (The 'Burbs, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter), Jason Robards (Something Wicked This Way Comes, Circle of Fear), and Meredith Salenger (Lake Placid, Daredevil) 

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Comedy/Romance

Tagline - "With dreams like these, who needs reality"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As a fan of 80s cinema I've learned to appreciate the two Corey's at a very young age.  Both have appeared in some of the most iconic films from that decade with a great deal of them being personal favorites of mine.  I've seen most of the films that featured them both but a few have slipped through the cracks.  Several weeks ago Vestron Video announced that they would be releasing the 1989 romantic comedy Dream a Little Dream on blu.  This just happened to be one of the films that I had never seen before.  I was quick to reach out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Like always I want to thank Vestron Video for supporting myself and Horror Society.  

     The film follows teenage Bobby (Feldman) who is a bit of a nuisance to the older dream researcher Coleman (Robards) that lives nearby.    Bobby is struggling as a teenager in the late 80s while Coleman struggles to grasp what it's like to be a modern teenager.  One evening Coleman and his wife are performing an experiment in their yard when they are hit by Bobby and Lainie (Salenger).  When Bobby awakens he is no longer himself but the subconscious of Coleman in his body.  Now Coleman must pretend to be Bobby while trying to find a way to get back to his body.

     I know several social media friends that were very excited for this release.  I actually enjoy several 80s romantic comedies so I was really looking forward to giving this one a spin.  However, at just under two hours long I found the film to be very repetitive and drawn out while giving the viewer very little to hold on to.  I can see the appeal of the film to some people but not even the Two Corey's could save it.  The acting in this one is great.  Feldman is beginning his transition into the eccentric Jackson-esque Feldman but is still able to deliver a solid performance which does become a strain for him in later films.  Jason Robards is absolutely fantastic as the elderly dream researcher.  Honestly, his character made the film for me.  With that being said, I was a little disappointed in how little screen time Corey Haim had in the film.  I know he broke his leg prior to filming and some parts had to be changed but I wasn't expecting him to take the back seat in the film.  The story for this one really is at home in the late 80s.  It has that light supernatural spin on a romantic comedy similar to films like Heavenly Kid, Teen Witch, and to a great extent the Wraith.  I could see myself really getting behind it if both Corey's were in the film the same amount of time and was not a two hour film.  Some could have been cut and the story could have been a little more fluid.  Finally, this one doesn't have any blood and gore.  Hell, it doesn't really have much humor either.  It's billed as a romantic comedy but it's clearly a romantic drama.  Overall, Dream a Little Dream was not what I was expecting and not something I enjoyed.  It bills both Corey's in the film but Haim is barely utilized.  It's a cool film for your collection but it's not one I would revisit.  

Sally and Jess

Director - John Wintergate (Boardinghouse)

Starring - John Wintergate, Kodey Wintergate, and Shanti Wintergate (CSI: NY)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up during the golden age of VHS.  I lived in my local video store snagging releases from any genre.  I wasn't bit by the horror bug yet so I was always renting comedies, dramas, action, and children's films.  This was the 90s so there was an abundance of straight to video kid's flicks to choose from.  Growing up on these types of films has creates a soft spot for children's flicks from the late 80s and early 90s.  I know my horror readers will bitch and moan but if it wasn't for films like Prehysteria, Adventures in Dinosaur City, Homeward Bound, and The Big Green then I wouldn't be the movie buff that I am now.  When I noticed that the AGFA release of Boardinghouse included another John Wintergate film from 1989 that was intended to be a children's film.  After watching Boardinghouse I was quick to hit play on Sally and Jess.

     The film follows siblings Sally and Jess, who find themselves in the care of the state after their mom passes away and their father perishes in a plane crash rushing to get home to be with them after his wife passes.  They are unable to house them in the same home and are resort to splitting them up which infuriates the two.  They promptly run away into the woods and a long search for the pair commences.  

    Sally and Jess is far from perfect but what it lacks in polish it more than makes up for in heart.  It's a generic family adventure film that pulls you in with the characters.  As a father watching the film I found it to be a very emotional experience that I think others will feel the same way as I do with it.  The acting in this one is about what you would expect from a film where the cast has little to no experience.  The characters, especially the main ones, are very relatable which is why you find yourself pulled into the story.  The cast really tries to deliver the best possible performances they can but the two leads have inexperience and age working against them.  They are by no means bad but there is plenty of room for improvement.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward as a family friendly adventure.  A siblings pair is pushing through the wilderness while the social worker and police is on their tails.  It's simple and it works.  Finally, don't expect blood or a body count because you won't find it here.  Well, a small body count maybe but it's not a bloody flick.  The film's focus is on the children so no bloodshed or trippy effects that you previously experienced in Boardinghouse.  Overall, Sally and Jess was a pleasant surprise.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope many of you are open to it as well.  I want to thank AGFA for including this one in the release.  

Sukkubus

SUKKUBUS original trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director - Georg Tressler (Ship of the Dead, Two Worlds)

Starring - Peter Simonischek (Army of Thieves, Speer), Giovanni Fruh (Cinema 16, The Frozen Heart), and Andy Vob (Lutz and Hardy, Anderland)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror/Fantasy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Recently Mondo Macabro announced the release of four new titles.  One of the titles, Hiruko the Goblin, was one that really caught my eye.  I had never seen it but I've owned the DVD for years and never opened it.  Once I actually got these releases in my hand I found myself drawn to the 1989 fantasy horror film Sukkubus.  I had never heard of it but I can't resist a good folk horror film.  I decided that this would be my second film in my marathon and when I hit play I was not expecting to love this one as much as I did.  Id like to thank CAV and Mondo Macabro for sending this one over to review.  It was a fantastic watch and an amazing film.

     The film follows a teenage boy and two cattle herders living in the scenic mountain regions of Switzerland in the 19th century.  They take their herd to the Black Mountains for several days and while in their cabin they drink schnapps.  Drunk and horny, they two men build a women out of hay, rags, and a strange root that resembles a face.  They feed it, offer it drinks, and before long the two men try to fuck it.  However, something strange happens when it's hips start moving in turn with the men's.  They chalk it up to a night of drinking and go to bed.  The next day everything seems fine until they find out that their drunken game as freed a sukkubus and she has her sights set on the three shepherds.  

     Sukkubus is not a traditional horror film.  It's mostly a fantasy drama film that is centered around isolation, sexual desires, and survival.  The horror elements are subtle and mostly at the end of the film but they are still there.  Regardless of the genre of this film it was still a fantastic watch.  Another fantastic film to Mondo Macabro's catalog.    The acting in this one is solid.  The cast is small but everyone works great together.  The characters are perfectly written for the story which gave the cast something to work with.  I liked the characters, the performances from the cast, and how they fit with the film but the succubus was very underwhelming.  She's in the film for such a short amount of time and never given a chance to showcase her talents.  The story for this one is so simple but it works.  The movie is drawn out but it's not boring.  We get a lot of character development through these longer scenes yet they don't feel boring or dull.  They work with the characters to progress the film and not drag it down.  I really enjoyed the story but the lack of succubus on screen was a bit disappointing.  Finally, the film doesn't really have any blood or gore.  We get a small instance of make-up effects and a few shots of classic camera tricks but that's about it.  Overall, Sukkubus was a fantastic release from Mondo Macabro.  This is easily in my top 5 favorite releases from them and one I would highly recommend snagging for your collection.  Check it out, it's well worth it.  

Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge

Director - Richard Friedman (Monsters, Friday the 13th - The Series)

Starring - Rob Estes (The Twilight Zone, Uninvited), Kimber Sissons (The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Martial Law II: Undercover), and Pauly Shore (Encino Man, Bio-Dome)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "There was a nightmare at the mall.  Eric the phantom struck."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     What could be more 80s than turning a classic tale about love lost, revenge, and mystery into a slasher set inside of a mall?  By the late 80s the slasher was dying.  Franchises has killed the sub-genre that came into it's own in the declining years of the 70s and peaked in the early 80s.  However, as the 80s were coming to a close the sub-genre was getting over looked for other horror flicks.  That's is one of the many reasons that Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge is such an oddity.  You have a late 80s slasher, with a wild cast, and a story that doesn't belong there yet it somehow comes together to create a campy gem that doesn't deserve to be as enjoyable as it is.  When I heard that Arrow Video was releasing this one on blu I had to see it.  I reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send over a copy for me to check out.  Like always, I want to thank them for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to review it.

     The film follows a wealthy real estate developer who bought up property to turn into a shopping mall.  One house refused to sell and sometime later it mysteriously burns down killing the owner named Eric.  His girlfriend tries to go on with her life and eventually finds work at the new mall built on the ground where he died on.  Life has moved on but a journalist covering the opening of the mall also covered the fire that killed Eric.  He recognizes Eric's girlfriend and a relationship sparks between them with the pair trying to uncover the truth behind the fire and it's connection to the new mall.  The closer the two come to uncovering the truth they discover that something sinister is happening behind closed doors at the mall when employees turn up dead.  Is the mall haunted or is Eric still alive and seeking revenge?

     Phantom of the Mall is extremely fucking odd but it perfectly sums up the last year of the 80s.  I remember hearing about this film when I was younger when my friend ordered a bunch of older issues of Fangoria.  In one of these issues was an article about the film.  I was really curious about it but I never had the chance to see it.  I'm glad I finally got to see it and it was with an Arrow Video release.  It is campy, weird at times, but very enjoyable.  The acting in this one is decent but the casting is very uneven.  Before I get too far into it I want to mention that the small role from Ken Foree is a huge disappointment.  I would have loved him in a much bigger role than what he was.  He was underutilized and that was a huge disappointment.  Now, as for the cast.  I liked Pauly Shore, Rob Estes, Kimber Sissons, and the gorgeous Kari Whitman.  They deliver solid performances that worked for the film but none were what I would consider memorable.  Aside from them, I was not satisfied.  They were very underwhelming and just hogged the screen.  The story for this one is something else.  Imagine the classic tale the Phantom of the Opera set for a more modern audience with the opera being replaced with a shopping mall and instead of a tale of mystery and romance we get a slasher.  It very much is a typical slasher story. We follow someone that was wronged who returns later for revenge.  Now, toss in a little disfigurement, some light romance, and a body count and you have a film that combines the two visions into a campy late 80s slasher that may not be for everyone.  Honestly, I liked it but I can't deny that it is corny and extremely goofy at times but that is how I love my 80s films.  Finally, the film has some fun deaths.  The death scenes have some decent effects that work for the scene but they are nothing spectacular or stands out for the viewer.  Also, the make-up effects for Eric had me laughing.  I can't believe the production team saw the final product and decided to continue with it.  I love cheesy horror but Eric's face looks like a cheap mask that was used as production was rushed to be completed.  Overall, Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge is going to be a polarizing slasher for genre fans.  Those that enjoy the goofier side of cinema will enjoy it but if you want a more serious slasher then you will be very disappointed.  If this does sound like something you are interested in I would highly recommend the Arrow Video blu.  It's worth every cent!

Blades

Director - Thomas R. Rondinella (Scrappers, A Girls' Guide to Sex)

Starring - Robert North, Jeremy Whelan (The Beastmaster, Hot Splash), and Victoria Scott (Kingpin)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Golf - a game of hooks, slices, and... slaughter"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago I started collecting Troma.  This was years before I started with companies like Blue Underground, Vinegar Syndrome, and Wild Eye.  Troma, along with Full Moon, was one of my first loves within the genre and over the years I've collected VHS, DVD, UMD, and and now blus from them.  I fucking love Troma and over the years I've found numerous gems among their catalogue.  When Vin Syn announced that 1989's Blades was among their newest batch of releases I couldn't order it fast enough.  I love when Vin Syn and Troma partner together for a release and I'm always looking for another reason to revisit a Troma flick.  I wasn't able to actually watch it when it was released but after spending some time with several Vin Syn partner labels I decided it was time to revisit this odd supernatural slasher.

     The film follows a country club who hires a new pro to look over the golf course as a new charity event is coming up.  However, he picks a horrible time to join the team as bodies start to appear on the various holes on the course.  The bodies are horribly mangled and the owner wants the police to catch the killer as quick as possible without drawing too much attention to the bloodshed.  They soon arrest a disgruntled former employee but when the bodies continue to pile up while he is in jail they are forced to release him.  He partners with them and they hunt down the real killer... his deceased father's lawn tractor.  

     Blades is an odd film to say the least.  It's not a bad film but it struggles with it's own identity.  It's a movie that tries to take itself seriously but the plot and characters are so absurd that they just don't work.  It struggles with the tone of the film but I always found it fun regardless.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  The cast is a little stiff at times but I always found the characters to be rather charming especially when you compare it to other slashers from the same time.  Most of the film's stars lacked on camera experience but that didn't stop them from delivering memorable performances.  With that being said, Jeremy Whelan was the highlight of the film and one of the few cast members with other credits under their name on imdb.com.  The story for this one using the traditional formula that made slashers from the golden age so entertaining.  It's a murder whodunit that leaves the viewer guessing who the real killer is.  However, instead of a masked killer that was wronged we have an inanimate object that was replaced and now seeks revenge.  It's a story that could be overflowing with humor when you consider what is killing but the fact that the film is serious and grounded it feels extremely uneven.  Honestly, it feels like a missed opportunity.  Finally, the film doesn't really deliver on the deaths.  We get the after math with some body parts and blood but that is the extent of it.  It is a bit disappointing in terms of deaths because this is what makes slashers so much fun.  Overall, Blades is an usual film that I enjoy but I know a lot of other genre fans will not.  I like the story and the cast but I am always bummed by the lack of fun kills with some decent gore.  It's a great watch and the Vin Syn release is a must for collectors.  Check it out.  

Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat

Director - Anthony Hickox (Waxwork, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth)

Starring - David Carradine (Waxwork II: Lost in Time, Evil Toons), Morgan Brittany (Dallas, Married... With Children), and Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Ash vs. Evil Dead)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "The wild west, where men are men and vampires suck!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     When I was in high school I started snagging any and every horror movie I could find.  George A. Romero was my obsession but an unusual childhood had brought me up as a fan of Sam Raimi and his pairing with Bruce Campbell.  One of the DVDs that I snagged when I was really getting into collecting was the horror comedy Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat.  I thought I had watched this film when I added it to my collection but I couldn't remember shit about it.  A few months back Vestron Video announced the new blu release of the film and this gave me the perfect opportunity to revisit it.  However, once I got it in and hit play on it I realized that if I had, in fact, seen it I don't recall anything from the film.  Once again I want to thank Vestron for sending this copy my way.

     The film follows the vampires of the hidden desert town of Purgatory.  Here they want to live a reclusive life while searching for a way to create synthetic blood so they no longer have to rely on feeding on humans.  However, a group of vampires don't want to change their ways and secretly are planning a revolution against them with a human family stuck in the middle of the conflict.

     Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat is one of those horror comedies that you either love and hate.  Most horror fans that are looking for a seriously bloody horror tale will skip this one but fans of Bruce Campbell and horror comedies in general will appreciate this one.  As much as I love this one I can't help but wonder how great this would have been if it would have added a little more humor and cut some of the war.  Regardless, it was fun and one I would recommend to genre fans.  The acting in this one is great.  David Carradine and Bruce Campbell receive top billing here but they are not the film's star.  Their characters are pivotal to the story and they deliver amazing performances but they are not the stars.  The real stars are Deborah Foreman, Maxwell Caulfield, and Jim Metzler.  The entire film has an amazing cast but it's a damn shame the real stars are not top billed.  The story for this one is a modern western tale centered around two different factions of vampires with a slight sci-fi spin.  I thoroughly enjoyed all the aspects this story delivers along with the large assortment of characters that we get.  The humor doesn't go all the way through the film and only happens on occasion.  I found the humor to be very effective but not as common.  Some of the scenes could have been cut a little shorter with some humor added to it to improve the pacing.  Finally, to be a film centered around vampires we don't get that much blood.  We get a few practical effects and some gunshot wounds but that's about the extent of the effects here.  I do enjoy the scenes with the vampire bats but it is a little bit cheesy.  Overall, Sundown is a fun horror comedy with dashes of western and sci-fi scattered throughout.  I really enjoy it but I can see why some genre fans don't.  I highly recommend snagging this blu and checking it out if you haven't already.  It's worth every cent.  

Night of the Eagles

Director - Jess Franco (Revenge in the House of Usher, Night of Open Sex)

Starring - Christopher Lee (The Wicker Man, Taste the Blood of Dracula), Ramon Estevez (Alligator II: The Mutation, The Dead Zone), and Mark Hamill (The Guyver, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - War/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's been a few months but here I am back reviewing another Jess Franco flick.  Franco is one of the most prolific cult filmmaker at all time with over 200 films under his belt.  It's safe to say that with that many films in his catalogue that it would be impossible to like them all.  Franco and I have a strained relationship.  I like some of his films and I dislike just as many.  He's a very inconsistent filmmaker but you can't deny his passion for cinema.  When I saw that Full Moon was releasing two more Franco films on blu I was quick to reach out to MVD for review copies. 

     The film follows two German men who are fighting for the affection of a wealthy banker's daughter. One is already a ranking officer in the Nazi army while the other enlists to impress her.  However, she has higher ambitions and enlists in the Nazi army as well in hopes of entertaining the soldiers as a singer.  Things take a dark turn when her train is attacked and she finds herself in the middle of the war.

     Most of the Franco films I've reviewed in the past were sexploitation flicks with very little story and a lot of skin...and bush.  Franco loves his ladies young and energetic which is reflected in his films.  However, I've never seen a World War II film from Franco so I was very interested in that.  The fact that the film had Mark Hamill and Christopher Lee in starring roles made it even more appealing to me.  The film did not disappoint but I do believe Franco left a lot on the table with this one.  It could have been so much more especially if he would have added his own spin to the story.  The acting in this one is pretty solid but I do feel that it was a little underwhelming at time.  Mark Hamill is world famous for his role in Star Wars but he will always be Max Reed from The Guyver and the Joker.  With that being said, he doesn't really deliver a memorable performance here.  He gets into character and goes through the motions.  Hell, the same can even be said about the legend that is Christopher Lee.  They are committed to their roles but there is no energy and it's strange watching a film with Lee in it and not see his iconic intensity.  The story for this one is a bit unusual in many ways but still entertaining.  When it comes to World War II films, especially those coming out of America, we always see the movie from the point of view of the Allied powers.  It's rare to get a film from the Nazi's point of view.  It does allow certain opportunities with the story that you would not expect to see from an Allied centered film.  However, Franco's Night of the Eagles focuses on a love triangle in a war epic that is void of his sleaziness.  It's clear he was a hired gun in this one and had little to say in the writing process but it's still a fun war drama.  However, if you go into this expecting the bush and artistic visions Franco is known for you will be very disappointed.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  We have some gun fights here and there but don't expect to see amazing practical effects and bloodshed.  Overall, Night of the Eagles is a solid film if you are into war drama but if you are going into this one expecting the standard Franco fair then you are barking up the wrong tree.  Honestly, I enjoyed it but it did catch me by surprise.  The blu from Full Moon looks great but I do wish they would add some special features to these releases.  

Beyond Dream's Door

Director - Jay Woelfel (Demonicus, Ghost Lake)

Starring - Nick Baldasare (They Bite, Road Meat), Rick Kesler (Slammer Girls, The Birthmark), and Susan Pinsky 

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It takes it's victims and hides them in your nightmares..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Like most genre fans, I fucking love 80s horror.  I know people often say that the 80s was the last decade to make good horror films.  I don't agree with that at all but there is something to the saying that rings true.  The 80s was the end of the practical effects driven horror films with computer generated visual effects becoming far less expensive in the 90s.  You still get some in 80s horror but it's not as predominate as it is in recent years.  Sometime back Vinegar Syndrome announced that they would be releasing a box set featuring three regional horror classics that has never made it's way to blu.  The set, Home Grown Horrors Volume 1, features one late 80s horror flick and two early 90s.  Obviously I had to start with the 1989 film Beyond Dream's Door.  

     The film follows Ben (Baldasare) who suffers from horrible dreams and has for some time.  He reaches out to a professor who might be able to help him where he hands him a transcription of his dreams.  The professor is well versed in the dream he is having and tries to help him but things take a dark and twisted turn once they investigate the dreams further.

     Beyond Dream's Door is an experience more than it is a movie you can just watch.  When I was in high school I was introduced to The Dead Next Door and it was the first time that I witnessed a movie you experience and not watch.  The soundtrack, the visuals, the story, they all pull you in and sticks with you for sometime.  BDD is not perfect and falls short in a lot of different ways but it's still a fun film that I can see myself tossing in several more times in the near future.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part but there is a few scenes where the cast missed their marks.  I don't know if it was from exhaustion or what but a couple scenes just lacked the charisma that we were given in most of the film.  The cast does have limited experience but for the most part they deliver exceptional performances but they are inconsistent.  The story for this one is a bit messy but it eventually comes around to explain itself.  At first the movie may feel a little confusing or overwhelming but if you stick with it and pay attention the last act puts all the pieces into place.  I'm a bit of an idiot so if I can understand it then I'm sure you will not have any issues.  Finally, the film focuses more on the story and the dream sequences over gore.  The creatures and monsters we get in these all look great and I really enjoyed the practical effects and make-up effects we see.  These add to the overall look and feel of the film which only solidifies the dream-like atmosphere the film is going for.  Overall, Beyond Dream's Door is a must see.  It may not be for everyone but if you are a fan of low budget 80s horror with great atmosphere and story then this one is for you.  I highly recommend it.  

The Cellar

Director - Kevin Tenney (Night of the Demons, Witchboard)

Starring - Patrick Kilpatrick (The Stand, Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus), Chris Miller (Shrek, The Boss Baby), and Suzanne Savoy (Better Call Saul, Alien from the Darkness)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It's your worst nightmare and its in...The Cellar"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several months ago director Kevin Tenney released images of himself dropping off cannisters of film to Vinegar Syndrome to get restored and remastered.  Many began guessing as to what movies of Tenney's was getting released by Vin Syn.  Many suspected that it was his 1990 action flick Peacemaker was getting released as part of their VSA line.  Though, I admit that this would have been a cool release, I was hoping for his 1989 horror film The Cellar.  Back in my high school years I was a huge fan of Tenney's Night of the Demons and from looking over his filmography I found myself extremely interested in The Cellar and I'm glad Vin Syn decided to give this film a proper release.  I also want to take a moment to thank them for sending this one my way to review.  

     The film follows a young boy who is visiting his dad and step-mom after they move into a new house in the desert.  The home is sitting on the site of where an evil creature that was created by the Native Americans to kill the encroaching white man was created and is locked away in the cellar when it started killing Native Americans as well.  The boy's father doesn't believe in the legend and opens the cellar door freeing the beast forcing the young boy to team up with a local Native American and the realtor responsible for selling his parents the home to stop the creature from killing his family.

     I had heard a lot about this one prior to watching it.  A few close friends of mine had mentioned how this was one of their favorite films growing up.  I enjoyed it and had a lot of fun with it but I didn't care for it as much as I did some of Tenny's other films.  The acting in this one is great.  Patrick Kilpatrick is amazing as the boy's father who purchasing the home with the creature in the cellar.  He's a stereotypical father figure but he does a fantastic job in the role.  Chris Miller is great as the young boy who is trying to protect his family while no one believes him.  His age does not dictate his performance here and he does an amazing job carrying this film on his back.  The supporting cast is just as entertaining and we even get a small role from Lou Perryman who many of you may recognize as L.G. in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.  The story for this one feels like a late 80's episode of Goosebumps or Are You Afraid of the Dark?  We follow a kid trying to protect his family from an ancient evil but most of the adults don't believe him.  This was the basis for so many of the horror themed kid's shows I watched growing up and I would be surprised if they didn't draw some sort of inspiration from this film.  With that being said, the movie does drag it's feet at times.  The story is very inconsistent and struggles to find it's own footing.  We have a fairly smooth opening and a great ending but the mid-film hump is very uneventful.  Finally, the film has a fun creature design that may not be nightmare inspiring but it looks fun for a late 80s horror production. I really enjoyed the look of the creature.  If you are looking for blood you will find a small amount here but don't expect a bloodbath with lots of gore.  Overall, The Cellar is not Night of the Demons or Witchboard but it is a great late night creature feature that works.  The blu release from Vin Syn looks great and deserves to be seen to truly appreciate.  I highly recommend this one.