Sorority House Massacre

      By 1986, slashers were on their way out.  However, the influence of "Halloween" was still being seen, and "Sorority House Massacre" was a memorable entry in the dying slasher genre.  "A Nightmare On Elm Street" had introduced a new trend in fantasy/horror, and this film curiously combines elements of both that and "Halloween". It was marketed as part of the Massacre Collection, and makes a great double feature with "The Slumber Party Massacre".

     "Sorority House Massacre" tells the story of Beth, a rather butch college gal who's just moved into a new sorority and happens to be suffering from some nasty bad dreams and visions.  Mainly of some weird dolls and a strange man with a knife.  Beth left school for a bit to attend the funeral of her aunt, and comes back to an almost empty sorority (most of the sorority girls are away on a trip for the weekend).  And of course, in time-honored slasher fashion, an escaped mental patient has just escaped from the nearby asylum.  Yes.

     I mentioned "Halloween" earlier because this film has been widely criticized for being too much like John Carpenter's classic slasher.  It is.  The killer escapes, comes to town in a station wagon, stops by a hardware store, and goes back to his old house where he killed his family years earlier. Really.  And to top it off, he's hunting his surviving sister, who is unaware of her family history.  All that's missing here is Donald Pleasance running around, and well, everything that made "Halloween" so great in the first place.  Now don't get me wrong.  I love me some "Sorority House Massacre", but for different reasons than "Halloween".  Carpenter made a piece of art- an undying and influential classic.  This is not art, nor a classic.  It's pretty generic and unmemorable, actually.  But, like so many horror movies from the 70s and 80s, it's such a good time to be had that I find it irresistible.

     It's perfectly reasonable not to expect a classic when you're talking about one of those many nondescript and formulaic slashers from the dying days of the genre.  But don't let that stop you from watching this one.  Generally known as a rather anemic but oddly fascinating slasher from the late 80s, it's also known for having Carol Frank (director of "Slumber Party Massacre) directing it.  It's got some pretty good cinematography, some rather cool and kinda creepy dream sequences, some bitchin' 80s fashions, and a pretty decent score.

     On the other hand, you've got some downright bad acting, a bland killer, and a totally pointless yet downright hilarious montage of a bunch of sorority girls who pop in a cassette tape and try on each other's clothes. It's the fashion show from Hell, and it's totally rad.  Oh and this is the only slasher I can think of that has somebody murdered in a wigwam.  Don't ask- just watch!  While "Sorority House Massacre" offers up its fair share of gratuitous nudity, the film does offer up some surprising male nudity as well.  Fair is fair.  It's typical 80s lunacy, but for this genre, you could do so much worse.  It's nowhere near as sleazy as it's made out to be.  I like this movie- as bad as it is.  I like it a lot.  I also very much liked "The Slumber Party Massacre". It's a total guilty pleasure, and sure does hit the spot.  I'm irresistibly drawn to these movies- I can't explain it.  I just am.  All in all it was a helluva lot of fun watching this one.
   

VHS HALL OF FAME- HALLOWEEN

     Friday nights were a religious experience for me as a teen.  It usually meant renting a handful of VHS tapes and ordering a pizza.  My local video store, Totally Tape, was hallowed grounds in my eyes.  Ran by a hippie couple in their late 40s, they had literally tons of horror movies- the biggest selection I've ever seen in one place.  Every title you could possible think of was crammed into that mondo horror section.  This is where I discovered many gems of horror that I still love to this day.  I'll never forget browsing all those wonderful VHS tapes on the shelves for days, and those faded but powerful images are forever burned into my brain.  Nostalgia is a great thing.

     "Halloween" made the biggest impact on me, so we'll start with the wonderfully retro VHS covers of the first three "Halloween" films.  I couldn't even tell you how many times I rented this movie growing up. This was a staple of many Friday night sleepovers.

     Usually if I had the original "Halloween" in my hands, the sequel was coming along for the ride.  I usually consider the first two films one big movie anyway.  It was a big deal to order 3 large pizzas and make this a double feature.  Yes.

        Good times.  Sometimes I wonder if it's possible to overdose on the 80s...

The Legend Of Boggy Creek

     Being a child who grew up in Arkansas, of course I remember the story of the creature who terrorized the small town and surrounding area of Fouke. Known as the "Bigfoot Of The South", the story became quite well-known in the early 60s and early 70s. THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK is a documentary-like telling of the famous story masterfully done by Charles B. Pierce, an ad salesman from Texarkana.  He borrowed some money from a friend and set out to create a psuedo-documentary of the legend he had heard as a kid, and it's one of the best-known and most-loved Bigfoot tales ever to hit the silver screen.

     Released in 1972, it quickly became a drive-in sensation and one of the top ten highest-grossing films of the year.  On top of that, it kicked off a wave of Bigfoot sightings all over the country as well.  And it's actually quite scary.  I remember this film being absolutely terrifying as a child, and it honestly holds up rather well today.

     Best enjoyed on a dark and windy night, THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK works on many different levels. It works first and foremost because it's based on actual events. Many of the same people who experienced these horrifying events actually play themselves in the film. The extreme low-budget of the film and its grainy look and feel really amps up the atmosphere of horror here, very much like the original TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. And director Pierce wisely refuses to show us the monster- instead we're only treated to short glimpses here and there, which just adds to the overall mystery. It's a fun docu-drama that's genuinely creepy at times, and utilizes camera effects, sound editing, and imagination to great effect here. It's like THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT- it purposely shows us very little, and we're forced to use our imagination instead. If only THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES were done like this...

   This is a little slice of 70's drive-in horror that's developed quite the cult following over the years, and I believe two sequels were filmed and released. If you fail the find the Fouke monster story frightening, there is still plenty to be entertained by. This was the early 70's in southern Arkansas, after all. At times, it's harrowing, other times it's hilarious- but always fascinating. The film is painfully dated now, but still a perfect representation of 70's monster movies and hillbilly culture all rolled up into one nifty little homespun b-movie.  I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK.  

Midnight Offerings

       For those of us who grew up on "Little House On the Prairie" and "The Waltons", then you must remember Melissa Sue Anderson and Mary Beth McDonough- Mary Ingalls and Erin Walton, of course.  And for those of us who grew up on the wonderful made-for-tv horror movies of the 1970s and 80s, MIDNIGHT OFFERINGS is quite the offering indeed. 1981 was an awesome year for horror, and apparently Melissa Sue Anderson was eager to shed her innocent television personality.  

     MIDNIGHT OFFERINGS tells the story of confident and bitchy Vivian, who apparently rules the school.  Vivian is played to icy perfection by Melissa Sue here.  She's popular, she's pretty, and she is dating the high school stud. Viv is the star of the high school, and intends on keeping things that way.  Oh and did I mention Viv owns a black cat and just happens to have a shrine to Satan in her bedroom?  How is that for sheer 80's awesomeness? See, Vivian is a witch, and practices the black magic when things don't go her way.  You just do not dare cross Vivian.

     Fortunately for us,  Robin Prentiss, played by Mary Beth McDonough of "The Waltons", shows up as the new girl in school.  Pretty, but somewhat dull Robin seems to be the opposite of catty Vivian- she's shy, quiet, and mousy... and Viv's stud boyfriend takes an immediate liking to her.  Robin herself also happens to be a witch- although she's a good witch... she just doesn't fully understand the extent of her own powers yet.  Of course, this pisses Viv off to high heaven, and you can guess what happens next, I'm sure...

     MIDNIGHT OFFERINGS was considered quite shocking when it first aired back in 1981. It's really no more than your average made-for-tv fluff, but something about this film in particular left a lasting impression on those of us who caught it back then. There is just something very entertaining about it. It's high camp for sure- besides the gals from "Little House" and "The Waltons", Marion Ross from "Happy Days" shows up as an aging witch who helps Robin channel her powers, Cathryn Damon from "SOAP" as Viv's witch-on-the-wagon mother who strongly disapproves of her daughters' evil doings, and Arthur Carlson from "WKRP In Cincinnati" as Viv's clueless dad.  I know!  It's classic TV heaven!

     This is prime 80's Movie Of The Week stuff here- and oh-so-enjoyable!  God, I loved this movie as a kid.  And I still love that it took itself quite seriously back then- there was no effort whatsoever to be "hip" or "snide", and no constant bombardment of pop culture references.  It is what it is- a teen witch movie, and it embraces it head on.  And that, my dear, is the only way to do a scary movie. Even if it's of the made-for-tv variety. MIDNIGHT OFFERINGS shows up quite regularly on Sci-Fi, USA, and TNT, and if you ever stumble across it one late, windy night, give it a chance.  You won't be disappointed.
 

 

The Boogens on DVD and Blu-Ray!

     I am pleased to report that the rare 80s horror flick "The Boogens", is finally being released on DVD and Blu-Ray for the very first time!  It's set to be released on August 6 of 2012, and it's about damn time, too.  This is a great little flick that should have been available years ago, if you ask me.  Olive Films, who seem to specialize in releasing rare and somewhat overlooked films, is responsible for this- and I can think of many other titles that need to find a home on DVD as well!  Anyway, this is a great little 80s creature feature that is most definitely worth checking out!

RIP Jonathan Frid

     Of course I'm going back and watching all the "Dark Shadows" again... aren't you?  Mr. Frid- you gave us one of the greatest vampires of all time, and for that I thank you.  Your portrayal of Barnabas Collins was nothing short of brilliant and a true icon of horror. Yes.

Girls Nite Out

     Seems there's a lot going on at Dewitt College in rural Ohio. The basketball team has won, there's a scavenger hunt going on, and it seems a disturbed killer in a bear suit with knives for claws is lurking around the dimly lit campus in search of victims...  I'm not making this up!  Who is angry enough to start knocking off students at Dewitt College?  Well, you just have to watch it to find out.

      I'm quite a fan of the early 80s campus slashers, and this one is a prime example. Filmed in 1982 but released a couple years later in '84, GIRLS NITE OUT is a run-of-the-mill, low budget slasher that still manages to be utterly entertaining and watchable the entire time.  It's either wonderfully or painfully dated- depending on how you view the past.  For me- it's absolutely delicious and I'm instantly taken back to late Friday nights huddled on the sofa watching scary movies on HBO in 1985. Yes.

     I'll tell ya, GIRLS NITE OUT just needs to be seen- bad reputation be damned!  I cannot stress how much fun this movie is.

     The body count is small but somewhat effective, there is some pretty good atmosphere overall, and the cast is very energetic and likable. Lots to love here. You've got Hal Holbrook, the always-delicious Rutanya Alda (in a role you simply have to see to believe), and Julie Montgomery (Betty from REVENGE OF THE NERDS).  Plus we get horror alumni Lauren-Marie Taylor from FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 and Carrick Glenn of THE BURNING!

       I like how it incorporates a rather playful tone to the festivities- the winning basketball team, the parties, the scavenger hunt, the crazy dj- and balances it with a slightly creepy and odd vibe. Yes, odd.  It's an odd slasher. It's almost seedy at times. The lighting.... the grainy film stock...  Maybe that's why I liked it so much.  It's total B-movie schlock, and I personally loved it. There's something appealing to me about these cheap but effective college campus slashers, and this is one of my favorites of that genre.  For a good time, sometimes we all just need a good old-fashioned GIRLS NITE OUT.

Don't Look Now

     Horror can come in two different kinds of movies- ones that rely simply on cheap scares to make you jump every five minutes, or ones that take a more subtle and serious approach.  Films that linger, work their way into your brain.  Disturb you.  "Don't Look Now" is one of those films.  It's utterly chilling and disturbing, and will haunt you afterwards.

     Here's the story.  Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie are happily married with two children and living in England.  Their youngest daughter drowns, and naturally shattered, go to Venice to grieve her death.  During their stay, a rash of strange murders hit the city as body after body is hauled out of the canals.  Then the couple meet a pair of elderly sisters, one of whom is a psychic.  She insists that she knows of their daughter, and that she's happy.  On top of all this, a mysterious figure in a red coat is spotted around Venice.  And guess what?  Their daughter just happened to be wearing a red coat when she drowned.  How does this all connect?  That is the brilliance of "Don't Look Now".  It's a frustrating, haunting, jarring, and thought-provoking little movie.  And extremely effective.

     Released the same time as "The Exorcist" in 1973, "Don't Look Now" is often overlooked and unheard of.  Obviously, "The Exorcist" made a bigger impact.  But it's a truly mind-bending and chilling shocker that was honestly way ahead of its time.  It's wonderfully intriguing and maddening- and the stunning Venice locations and photography truly give the film an other-wordly, almost dream-like feel.  It's almost hard to describe this movie.  Those of you expecting one of those neat, tidy endings that wrap up all loose endings will be thoroughly disappointed.  What you get from watching this movie is entirely up to you, as much of it is open to interpretation.  Think Dario Argento mixed with David Lynch.

     Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie give first-rate performances here, the direction by Nicholas Roeg is top notch, and the film positively drips with symbolism. Normal, ordinary things suddenly become nightmarish and sinister in "Don't Look Now".  It's truly original, with lots of creepy music and moody, hallucinatory cinematography.  Some horror fans hate this movie, as it made them angry.  Like I said, your interpretation is up to you, and some simply can't think for themselves- they need Michael Bay to spell it out for them.  But if you can just go with it and open your mind, you might enjoy it.  I did very much.  It truly creeped me out. Oh and out of nowhere comes a shocking and unbelievable sex scene between Donald and Julie, and the Sutherland rocks some truly righteous hair in this movie.

The Sentinel

     So can I just try to explain my love for THE SENTINEL? It's one of the many supernatural shockers to ooze out of the 70's during the whole "satanic" craze, all influenced by the horror classic ROSEMARY'S BABY. It's completely batshit crazy and it's awesome.

     This little doozy tells the story of glamorous New York model Alison Parker. Alison, it seems, isn't ready to settle down and become a wife yet to her lawyer boyfriend (Chris Sarandon), and in an act of independence finds herself a lovely brownstone in Brooklyn Heights, shown to her by Ava Freakin' Gardner, that is. But the fun is just beginning as we then meet her daffy neighbor, played by Burgess Meredith who devours every bit of scenery around him, as usual. Throw in some masturbating lesbians, weird cats, blind priests, and geriatric orgies and you've got a wonderfully weird and entertaining supernatural shocker from the 70's. Oh and did I fail to mention that the lovely brownstone they are all living in appears to be not only haunted, but it's the gateway to Hell? They sure don't make movies like this anymore.

    As nutty as this movie is, there are some genuinely creepy and shocking moments throughout, and it's really quite ballsy. I have distinct memories of seeing the creepy-looking VHS cover slyly peering at me from the top shelf of TOTALLY TAPE, begging me to rent it- which of course I did. And I loved every lurid minute of it. It's complete oddball horror cinema, and it's got that extra special helping of overall 70's strangeness that just sends it all to a whole other level. There is just something very appealing about this movie.

     THE SENTINEL is literally bursting with a cast of familiar faces- Ava Gardner, Burgess Meredith, Arthur Kennedy, Chris Sarandon, Eli Wallach, Christopher Walken, Jerry Orbach, Beverly D'Angelo, and Jeff Goldblum all show up throughout. I'm not making this up, I promise! It's also chock-full of strange rituals, the Catholic Church vs. the Devil, dark conspiracy theories, nightmarish scenes of horror, and a shocking ending to boot! THE SENTINEL easily belongs right up there with ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE EXORCIST, THE OMEN, and THE AMITYVILLE HOROR as supreme examples of the Satanic/supernatural craze that swept Hollywood in the wake of the Manson murders. Good stuff, kids.

     Overall, I say it's a must-see for horror fans. "Campy" doesn't even begin to describe THE SENTINEL- yet it's got some truly spooky moments in it. Like I said, it's an odd film. It seems the director is purposely trying to throw the viewers off with outrageously campy and off-putting scenes- and for the most part, it succeeds. The film threatens to go completely over-the-top at times, and almost does... but always manages to somehow stay on track. It's completely absurd, but somehow it all works. THE SENTINEL has grown a rather respectable cult following over the years and deservedly so.  It's trashy, weird, repulsive, eerie, and odd. And I loved every trashy, weird, repulsive, eerie, and odd minute of it.