Horror News - The Cabin In The Woods delivers!!!!!!!!

Hey there readers and thanks for checking in. Hasn't been much to report on the last few days but I am pleased to bring you some great news! I was fortunate enough to catch Joss Whedon's long delayed and much talked about Cabin In The Woods. It has been receiving tremendous reviews and has been stated to "turn the genre on it's head." Let me tell you, it lives up to the hype.

Now, in the interest of not providing spoilers, I won't be able to properly review this title. It is literally impossible to say mmuch of anything without ruining something. That's how intricate this is set up. To be quite honest, I've never been much of a fan of Whedon's work, but after hearing about how great for the horror world this movie was supposed to be, I jumped at the chance to see it before release and I'm glad I did.


Is this the perfect horror movie? No. Is it damn entertaining? Absolutely. The performances here are all solid, above typical genre fare. There are some sterotypes and campy moments, but they work to give the film and old school feel. I can also tell you the effects are all up to par and the scares are very good.

It's overly obvious that this film was made for horror fans, by horror fans and it pays off big time. Cabin pays homage to many classics, the most obvious being Evil Dead, There are hints of Friday the 13th, Halloween and plenty more strewn about. If you can't find something to like here, you're not a horror fan.

That's about all i can say without giving anything away, but do yourselves the favor and see this movie. I do caution, don't go in expecting gold as this movie has it's flaws. However, if you expect a good horror film with a clever plot, good scares and solid acting, you won't be disappointed. This movie is a goodtime popcorn flick and that's exactly what they set out to make!

Horror News - Halloween 3D!!

As many of you know, before Rob Zombie's Halloween 2 hit theaters a third part was greenlit. Now, after much teasing and little progress, there's some official news.

Halloween 3D - It has officially been announced that Halloween 3 has been pulled from Dimension's schedule. I am a huge fan of the franchise, with it actually being my favorite, so this is some sad news. I am however, hoping this may be a sign that the studio is committed to doing things right.

Todd Farmer and Patrick Lussier (My Bloody Valentine, Drive Angry) who I am also fond of, were most recently attached. I sincerely hope that they will still be attached when the project is ready to move into production. It has been stated that the studio is still very interested and plans to move ahead with the film, they just don't want to rush it. Let's hope it's for the best...

Top 10 Horrors Of The Eighties!!

As many of you can tell, as of late I've been going back to some forgotten horror classics. Many of these have been from the eighties which has reawakened my love for this time in the genre. Sure, a great deal of the fright fare from the 80's is cliched and cheesy but that's a welcome change of pace at times. Plus, there are some real gems that hold up pretty well upon reviewing. So, it is with great pleasure I bring you my top picks from the 80's!!

*A side note - I'm shying away from most well known classics such as Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Evil Dead etc. So, grab your leg warmers, throw on a Cure cd and read on for the goodies. P.S. don't forget the Aquanet....

10) Terror Train - Jamie Lee Curtis stars, fresh off her turn in Halloween as one of many students trapped on a moving train with a murderous psychopath. While this movie certainly isn't anything revolutionary, it does at least change the setting from typical "kids in trouble" slasher fare. They also use the confined location to create a nice atmospheric tension. Plus, there's a fun (if far fetched) twist at the end. Definitely worth checking out one night if you're looking for something different.

9) Hell Night - This movie gives us a grown up Linda Blair of Exorcist fame, starring as a new college student hoping to get into the popular sorority house. In order to get in, her and several other hopefuls must spend the night in a supposedly haunted house. Of course the house has been rigged to scare the hell out of them and it works wonders. That is, until the real lunatics show up and start picking them off one by one. This movie is chock full of plot holes and horrible logic, but it's still a damn fun watch. Plus the scene in the bedroom is pretty damn creepy. Keep your eye on the carpet.....

8) Slumber Party Massacre - Standard setup here: Four friends have a slumber party and a maniac breaks in and stalks them. Whats cool here is the fact that it's an ordinary unmasked man. He's simply a maniac, no other motive needed. His weapon of choice is a rather large drill which is a nice change from the stock butcher knife or machete. There are some moments of dread but it plays mostly as a comedy much the way Evil Dead 2 did. Worth a watch with a bowl of popcorn and some friends. 

7) The Burning - This movie has it all. Makeup by Tom Savini, original character, nice kills and a young Jason Alexander... It also appeared on the infamous Video Nasty list, earning it's place for the vicious raft massacre scene. The story sees young campers being hunted by a disgruntled and deformed former caretaker but trust me, it's more original than it sounds. Seriously, do yourselves a favor and SEE THIS MOVIE! In my opinion, it's better than it's other peer set in a summer camp.... (I know, bring on the hate)

6) Cannibal Holocaust - This is with out a doubt one of the best of the eighties. It would have placed higher on the list, but I consider it more of a suspense flick than horror. Story sees a professor go in search of a missing documentary crew who was researching a cannibal tribe. He finds only their footage and remains and the results are indeed horrifying. This also landed on the Video Nasty list as it depicts actual animal death as well as supposed un-simulated sex. Certainly a gruesome movie and for die hard, strong stomached people, I recommend watching it even if it's only once... 

5) Maniac! - This movie stars the underrated Joe Spinell as the titular maniac. He's a photographer with mommy issues who kills women to gain a measure of revenge against his mother. The effects are done by Tom Savini and boy do they deliver (particularly the shotgun to head scene.) The gore here is fantastic, the acting is top notch and this is a truly disturbing movie. If you like your horror to be realistic, this one's for you

4) C.H.U.D.- A solid B- movie if ever there was one. Rife with solid performances but cheesy dialogue and a plethora of unintentionally comedic moments, CHUD sees the homeless being taken out by our underground cannibals. The atmosphere is creepy, the leads are all likable and boy is there slime to be had! This is one of the most enjoyable cult classics out there. The sequel..... not so much.... still, rent this one!

3) Return Of The Living Dead - Personally one of my fave "dead" titles. While it's not as obscure as some titles here, I like it, so too bad! Anyhow, the dead once again roam the earth after being released by two hapless employees who thaw out a zombie from the original movie. All hell ensues. This movie is a phenomenal time. It's a fun ride with likable characters, great effects and the perfect blend of humor and horror which is so hard to master. Everything from the sexy Punk Rock Striptease in the graveyard to the "tar man" zombie, this movie is a must watch. It's one you truly won't grow tired of.

2) Visiting Hours - This movie sounds like Halloween II on paper but is a must see. Here we have a mad man murderer/potential rapist who attacks an anchor woman. After she escapes his clutches and is rushed to the hospital, he follows her there and torments her and the nurses non stop. What really elevates this one to this position, for me, is the performances and realism. Every character is believable and we truly feel for our leading lady. Plus, the villain is played by the incomparable Michael Ironside who is criminally underrated. There are moments reminiscent of Jack Nicholson at his crazy best, but make no mistake, Ironside owns this role and makes it his own. His icy demeanor and commanding presence take his character way above the typical disposable slasher typically seen in this kind of movie.

 

1) Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer - What to say about this movie....? It's loosely based on the tale of real life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. It shows his demise into lunacy unflinchingly. He and his buddy Otis do what they want to whomever they please, and even Otis' sister isn't safe. This movie is violent, no doubt. But more disturbing are the amazing performances. Michael Rooker, (who is tremendous in all his roles) nails the role of Henry. He gives a menacing, violent Molotov cocktail personality to Henry, while also showing him struggle with his violent nature. We truly get a real look inside the head of a maniac and even see him try to have a normal life and relationship, albeit with disastrous results. This truly is one of the most disturbing movies I've seen and I recommend any horror fan check this out. It is way above all the other slasher/psycho fare and still holds up today. This is horror for the thoughtful person who enjoys some substance, and it truly shows why horror deserves more respect than it gets and proves that there is indeed an art to the genre. I implore you to see this film. It is amazing.

Well, that's it folks! I hope this gives you some ideas for some genre films you maybe haven't heard of and inspires you to seek them out. Anything you felt I missed? Leave your faves in the comment section and let's turn some genre fans onto some underrated gems!

Horror News - The Walking Dead *More Spoilers*

Thanks for coming back readers! As many Walking Dead fans saw last week, the show has taken an interesting turn with the death of Dale. Many were happy to see him go, but I rather like the character. Regardless of opinions though, it certainly proves that no one is safe....

Now, I typically try to avoid spoilers as I hate having things ruined for me, but they have been in pretty high demand as of late. So, I begrudgingly bring you some more....

As many of you have no doubt heard by now, Shane and Rick will square off in the coming episodes and Shane ends up stabbed. He then gets bit and turns into a walker! This spoiler was actually released by none other than AMC themselves, which struck me as very odd. I mean, why release something as big as this? Then, the person who clued me into this and the Dale death brought something else to my attention.

Perhaps this Shane leak is a diversion....As we saw, Randall (the kid they took hostage) escapes in the coming episode. This person is now claiming to have information that Randall escapes to his group and leads them to the farm. And according to said individual, the leader of the group may well be Merle, Daryl's long lost one handed brother! This certainly would be a shocking twist as everyone has been waiting for him to pop back up... This could also explain the "careless" leak of the Shane information. Perhaps it is a little misdirection? Some clever slight of hand?

There's also been talk that the walker that bites Shane may well be Otis, seeing as we never see what becomes of him. While this seems a bit far fetched, it would certainly be poetic justice! Now, this should be treated as simple rumor at this time, but this source has yet to be wrong. He has divulged much inside info and has yet to be wrong, so who knows......

What do you all think of these possibilities? Leave your thoughts  in the comment section below!

Horror News - Walking Dead *Potential Spoilers*!!!!

Hello again friends. With it being only a few episodes away from the season finale, I did some reading on what the future may hold for Rick and the crew. During my reading I found someone who claims to know the future of the season. Now, this should be treated as speculation at this point but I would like to point out that this source has actually been spot on before about many other projects.... So, SPOILERS AHEAD, read on at your own risk.

Now, this source claims that in the coming episode Daryl will be working over the rescued gunman whom they saved. After finding out about the heinous things he and his former crew have done, they decide he must be killed. Carl steals Daryl's gun to prevent him from killing him. Carl then heads off to the swamp to hideout and finds a walker. After unsuccessfully trying to kill it, he heads back to camp. Later, the walker arrives and attacks Dale, slashing open his abdomen. Daryl then performs a mercy killing, putting Dale out of his misery.

Then, in the season finale, Rick ends up stabbing Shane during a confrontation but doesn't kill him. Later in the episode as Rick's life is in danger, Carl ends up shooting Shane, killing him.

Now again, this person will not site his source of knowledge, so this may all just be a load of crap. However, he has proven himself correct in the past, so only time will tell. Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Forgotten Horror Spotlight - Rawhead Rex (1986)

Welcome back readers! I thank you for continuing to show your support for my forgotten horror spotlight. I've been digging back to the most obscure, forgotten and underrated horror films. It is with great pleasure that I bring you Rawhead Rex!

Rawhead Rex (1986) - I have long been a fan of Clive Barker's work. In fact, it was Clive Barker who first introduced me to horror literature. He's the intellectual horror author, writing horror for the thoughtful person who likes a little substance with their scares. His Book's Of Blood are incredibly entertaining and are ripe for movie fodder. In fact, many have already been turned into films including Dread, Book Of Blood, Midnight Meat Train and even Candyman.

Rawhead Rex was the first of these, however, being adapted back in '86. Mr.Barker wrote the screenplay himself though he's stated he wasn't very pleased with the results. The source material on the other hand, is quite fantastic. I was quite excited to have located a copy of this super hard to find film as I loved the original story. Anyhow, onto the film.

The premise is as follows: Ireland will never be the same after Rawhead Rex, a particularly nasty demon, is released from his underground prison by an unwitting farmer. The film follows Rex's cross country rampage, while a man struggles to stop it. 


Now, in the interest of full disclosure, the special effects here are pretty bad. The visual effects are clearly outdated and the work done on the creature leaves a lot to be desired. That being said, the movie in and of itself is not terrible.


Now, being a product of the mid eighties, the performances here are varied. Sure, there are a lot of campy performances and some questionable dialogue delivery. Also, the police take ineptitude to a whole new level here. However, the lead actor/protagonist played by David Dukes is quite solid. He plays his role without taking it too seriously but manages to sell his character (particularly after suffering a tragedy.)


The gore here is.... pretty nonexistent. We don't see much in the way of killing as the creature tends to obstruct most of the view. We witness mostly the aftermath, but that is pretty well done, all things considered. Also, kudos for having the balls to have a child get killed on screen back in this day. 


Clocking in at under 90 minutes, the film does move along pretty nicely. When you consider that this was based off a short story this is all the more impressive. Surely the fact that it was written by Barker is largely to factor here. 


Now, what makes this movie truly enjoyable is the solid story, the daring moments (child death, urinating on a priest, trailer park massacre etc.) and the pure camp value. There are moments here that truly are so  bad it's deliciously enjoyable. You won't be able to help yourself from laughing! The fact that the whole mystery here is embedded on stained glass windows, yet no one ever seems to notice is ludicrous!


Regardless, this is a movie worth checking out. If you can find it I recommend watching it. It's more than worth it for Barker fans as well as anyone who loves some good old fashioned cheesy horror of days past!


Highlight Scene(s) - The scene where Rawhead tears through the trailer park is pretty cool. Cheesy, sure, but still cool


The scene where we saw Rawhead "baptising" Deacon is a sight to behold....


Lastly, the abduction of Dukes' son is something we didn't expect them to go through with.


Highlight Quote(s) - After no one would believe Dukes and his son ends up dead...
Policeman: "Would you like some tea in the meantime?"
Dukes: "Go fuck yourself."
Policeman: "I'll pass that suggestion along."

Horror News - The Walking Dead!

It's been a pretty slow news day for us horror freaks but I did manage to find one story for you. Read on for the goodies.

The Walking Dead - Many people have been split on the direction of the second season of the AMC hit show.  Many people feel that the show is moving very slowly if at all. There has also been much complaining over the zombies or specifically, the lack thereof.

Much of these complaints have been addressed by the show's creator and writers stating that the zombie quota will be upped in episodes to come. I personally have enjoyed this season (other than the lack of zombies, but since that is promised to be remedied I have no more complaints.)

Now in some news for the third season. It has just been announced that the character of The Governor will indeed be joining the show in it's third season. It's also been announced that he will be portrayed by David Morrissey (State Of Play.) This role has been one of the most anticipated of the show as The Governor leads his own group of survivors and proves to be much trouble for Rick.

Many believe that this inclusion could be the change the show needs. While I don't feel any major changes are needed, I do feel that it'll be nice to see Rick and crew finally leave the damn farm! Please hit the comments section and leave your opinions on The Governor casting or the show in general.

Inkubus - Review!!

This film just recently popped back onto my radar. Being a horror fan, I was immediately curious when I heard that Robert Englund and William Forsythe were collaborating on a film. I just had the chance to check it out and I;ve decided to review it here for you.

Inkubus - The plot is what initially drew me to this film. The story centers on a police station on its last night before closing. The station is running on a skeleton crew when they get one last case dumped in their lap. A man walks in carrying a severed head and wants to confess to all his murders. He also has a stolen van chock full of body parts and wants to talk to the detective who almost caught him thirteen years ago....

Now, I'll be upfront about the negatives: The budget is clearly low here. The quality isn't the best and the CGI effects are certain not award worthy. However, these are really the only poor aspects, and while the production value isn't astounding, it's certainly a step above made for tv fare.

The performances here are actually strong for the most part. Robert Englund is terrific as the titular demon. He plays creepy so easily that it's truly a pleasure to watch him chew up the scenery. William Forsythe is also very good as the broken down detective. It's nice to see him in a departure from his typical role of the hard ass or villain. (He's also rocking a full head of white hair that further adds to his character's worn down and burnt out persona.)

Rounding out the cast as the current head of the department is Joey Fatone. Strangely enough, he manages to be convincing and actually creates a likable protagonist. I really didn't want to like him and I was certainly skeptical upon hearing of his casting, but I must admit that he really held his own. Forsythe and Englund are always dependable and Fatone actually earns his keep here.

The practical effects and gore certainly look B-movie quality but that actually doesn't detract here. It adds a certain charm that is reminiscent of eighties fare. The movie is also only eighty minutes in duration which allows the story to progress without ever becoming boring. It starts quickly and proceeds at a nice steady pace.

Overall, this is certainly worth checking out. The cast is what really drives this one. Each player handles their role with precision and brings a depth to their character that is nice to see. Not to mention the fact that it's always nice to see a throwback to older genre fare and this one is clearly made by genre fans. In addition, no one plays creepy quite like Robert Englund!!

Highlight Scene(s): The scene where Inkubus walks right into the police station is a tremendous set up to his character, allowing us to see exactly who's in charge and just how precise he is.

The interrogation room murder is another highlight, providing the best use of practical effects in the movie. It proves to be both graphic and emotional.

Any of the interactions between Forsythe and Englund are fantastic. To see these two go at one another with a restrained yet powerful hatred is something to behold.

The moment with Forsythe and his son is also touching. We get to see some very subtle acting, but it also proves very effective.

The moment where Englund is just crouched on the dresser is so simple yet so very very creepy.

Horror News - The Night Stalker and Johnny Depp!

A little horror news for you all to think about. I'm not sure how many of you remember the telemovie and television show Night Stalker, but word has just come down that the project is officially moving forward.

The original show/movie followed tabloid journalist Carl Kolchak, whose cases always led to the supernatural including vampires, zombie, werewolves, etc. Of course no one ever believed him, but he always pursued his cases. It's slightly in the same tone as Dark Shadows (which Depp is also working on) but much less like a soap opera.

Depp will be playing the role of Kolchak, originally made famous by Darren McGavin (the father from Christmas Story.) Also, Edgar Wright (Shaun Of The Dead) has been signed to direct the film. Now the only downside is the fact that the studio wants this to play to a more family oriented crowd so it seems that PG-13 will be likely. Still, it may be worth checking out. I'll keep you posted as I hear more. Feel free to hit up the comments section and let us all know your thoughts on The Night Stalker!!!

Forgotten Horror Spotlight - Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

This film may be slightly more recognized than the others that I've brought you lately, but it still never really gets the recognition that it deserves. While it certainly has the typical eighties cliches that one would expect, it's influence on the slasher genre is still potent. So, it's with great pleasure that I bring you....

Slumber Party Massacre (1982) - The films premise is pretty self explanatory: An eighteen-year-old high school girl is left at home by her parents and she decides to have a slumber party. There is friction between some of the invited guests and the new girl, who is better at basketball than they, so the new girl decides to stay at home (which is conveniently across the street from the host's house). Meanwhile, a murderer of five people with a propensity for power tools has escaped and is at large, and eventually makes his way to the party, where the guests begin experiencing an attrition problem, with only the new girl to help them.


While most of the characters here are rather one dimensional they still manage to be likable. Also, there's the nice touch of the simple villain. His motives are simple; he's insane and escaped from prison. Plus, there's no mask or costume. Just a plain man who likes to kill people with power tools!


In addition, this film satisfies every eighties fans desires for blood, guts and lots of boobs! The kills can be slightly repetitive, but never really grow boring. Also, the fact that our main antagonist is damn near unstopable adds a necessary creepy factor. The man is the imbodyment of the "he must surely be dead" killer.


Performances all around are decent. There are some weak moments but the girls display a certain amount of common sense, such as always sticking together in at least pairs. Also, the male party crashers that one would expect to save the day don't quite live up to expectations. Or at all, really....


Overall, this film is a welcome take on the "teen girls in trouble" scenario. Instead of targeting babysitters as seen in Halloween, it's regular high school girls trying to enjoy the absence of parental supervision. I recommend checking this one out simply because it's an enjoyable way to spend eighty minutes. Which reminds me, it's short run time prevents it from growing tiresome or stale and causes the film to move along at a nice brisk pace. This is definitely a good late night popcorn movie with some friends or even a significant other. Check it out and spread the love!


Highlight Scene(s): The final moments where the two girls are locked in the bedroom but forget the open window certainly keeps us on edge. Plus the epic showdown by the pool is quite satisfying.


The scene where the little sister is hiding under the couch mere inches away from our maniac (who's playing dead, also lying down) makes us fear that she'll be busted at any moment. Definitely turns up the tension.


The many scenes in the garage keep us waiting, wondering when the lunatic will strike. This is done several times and starts to wear on the nerves in the best of ways.

Forgotten Horror Spotlight - The Burning (1981)

Welcome back readers! Continuing my spotlight on the most overlooked horror films, I bring you this little baby. Some of you may remember the Video Nasty List from days past. Essentially, whenever a movie was thought to be too violent or graphic it would inevitably be banned in certain areas. They would also land on this list. Instead of discouraging us genre fans, however, it simply intrigued us more. In essence, these films would be the old school equivalenet of Human Centipede or A Serbian Film. So in honor of the video nasty list, I bring you The Burning!!

The Burning (1981) The premise to this one may sound familiar, but don't let that discourage you. A former summer camp caretaker, horribly burned from a prank gone wrong, lurks around an upstate New York summer camp bent on killing the teenagers responsible for his disfigurement. 


Now I know that this may sound like a Friday the 13th ripoff, but I assure you that it is not. For starters, only about fifteen minutes take place at an actual camp. The vast majority takes place on a canoe trip for the camp seniors. Also, this movie gives us a bit more character development making us care about certain characters.

Sure, there are the stereotypes; the bully, the do gooding leader, the hot girl, etc but it wouldn't be a slasher without them!

The acting here is actually pretty tight. There's some cheesy dialogue but not nearly as much as you'd expect. Also, there's a very young Jason Alexander who plays his role perfectly (and looks mighty odd with a full head of hair, I might add.) He provides a much needed realism and balances the comedy expertly.

Now here's the real selling point: the gore is done by none other than horror maestro Tom Savini. He's known for his gross out realistic f/x and this movie does not break tradition. Also, the killer is never fully seen until the final minutes of the movie and this proves to be rather effective. When you consider that this movie is over thirty years old, the visuals and makeup, particularly on the villain hold up very well.

There's the inclusion of a slightly obvious twist at the end but it actually ties things together nicely as opposed to detracting from the film. The violence is also much higher than would be expected from a film made in this time. I certainly don't think that it should have been on the video nasty list but it is indeed a worthy slasher. This is one of those rare movies that gets lumped in with the throwaway slasher knockoffs when it really shouldn't. It took a unique approach to the "camp horror" subgenre and upped the anty. We get a lot of tense moments, not many cheap pop scares and a nice amount of POV from the killers perspective. Also, the majority of this film takes place during the daylight which is a welcome change from the typical slasher formula.

Overall, this is one not to be missed. Any horror fan, particularly slasher fans (of which I am one) need to check this out. This movie rightfully deserves its place on the shelf alongside more respected fare such as Friday the 13th and Nightmare On Elm Street. So do yourselves the favor and find this movie! This certainly stands out amongst the forgotten and overlooked and it deserves so much better. Help keep it alive!

Highlight Scene(s): The infamous raft scene is certainly intense. It actually earned the movie it's place on the Nasty List. While I don't find it to be that insane, it's memorable nonetheless. I'll refrain from saying anything more as I don't want to spoil anything.

The showdown in which Cropsy is finally revealed is so built up to that it really delivers. What could have been cheesy was pulled off rather well and offers a nice ending to the picture. Be sure to stay tuned for the very next scene as it sets up what could have been a really cool sequel.

The Crow Reboot News!

As I'm sure you've all heard, The Crow is being remade. Yes, it's a sad sad thing. However, at least we'll always have the original to enjoy.

Anyhow, after many different developing problems it seems that the film is back on track. It had lost two directors, a writer and two different stars. At one point Mark Wahlberg and Bradley Cooper were both vying for the role of Eric Draven. (why they couldn't just make a new character altogether, I don't know... Fans certainly would be more accepting. Plus it beats Edward Furlong) I digress...

Now I've heard word about some potential casting news. While nothing has yet been verified (and I don't want to name names and possibly cost someone a job) I figured you might find this interesting. Taylor Kitsch (Gambit and John Carter) may be in the running for the role. This is all depending on how well his new movie does, I'm sure. Still, interesting choice to say the least.

Again, while nothings concrete I thought I'd see what you good folks had to say about that. Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Forgotten Horror Spotlight - Hell Night (1981)

Welcome back and thanks for continuing to check out my new segment here. Due to the recent lack of quality horror I've been going back and revisiting a bunch of the older titles from the genre and then sharing the ones worth remembering here with you. Read on for tonights feature!

Hell Night - The premise sees a bunch of college kids in a "rush" type situation. All the hopefuls who want to get into their fraternity/sorority are required to spend the night in a mansion whose former owner supposedly killed his family and then himself. Said mansion is now allegedly haunted. Of course this is all a setup with fake gags in place. That is, until people actually start dying....

Now, this movie has it's really really really bad moments. There are numerous terrible decisions made; one character seems to have a death wish as he repeatedly wants to investigate strange noises even after dead bodies start turning up. Also, people seem to have multiple lives as they survive things that should have rightfully killed a normal human being ten times over. Our heroine even decides to take a little nap two feet away from the lifeless body of the maniac who has been trying to kill her all evening!!! (Seriously, I wish I were making that one up.) She even seems to head back to the mansion in the cliched walking away scene at the end.... There's also the car that suddenly won't start, the girl who happens to be a machanic and spinning tires on bone dry ground. Plus, getting shot point blank by a shotgun apparently does no damage at all. Let's not forget the obvious; if this is tradition, why did these killings just start now? The list really does go on....

Now I'm sure that having read that you wonder how this movie deserves any attention at all. Well, it still has it's charms, plain and simple. The outdated dialogue and head slapping moments actually add a nice little dose of humor. One character even steals a loaded shotgun from police evidence (which is a table in an unlocked room btw) and proceeds to stroll through town with it without being trouble by a single person. He even car jacks a man, tells him to call the police and where to send them and they still don't show up! Also, the main gate which has been padlocked has a hole in it through which one survivor enters and no one seems to notice it even though it's two feet away.....

There are some very thoughtful moments though as well. The fact that even when making a stupid decision like investigating a strange light, our characters at least have the common sense to arm themselves. Hell, they even choose pointy objects! Also the fact that the acting is quite decent for being an early eighties slasher helps keep us invested. Plus the nice blend of haunted house meets slasher film with a dash of period clothing thrown in adds a fresh twist on the slasher sub genre.

Speaking of which, our female lead is played by none other than genre darling Linda Blair of The Exorcist fame. She's all grown up here and actually carries the movie. She is the one constant throughout and without her this movie would have easily been a complete self parody.

There are also quite a few nice scared thrown in and the movie even manages to build some tension in certain scenes. Now, had the killer been slightly more creepy this movie could have been downright spooky, but even as it stands it serves it's purpose: it entertains! So rent this one, pop it in, have some laughs and enjoy a slice of aged eighties cheese!


Highlight Scene(s) - The multiple chases through the maze like woods certainly grabs our attention. It even bears a resemblance to the albeit superior chase scene from The Shining.

The rooftop showdown complete with rope ladder escape also keeps us on edge. Blair does a great job of making us believe she's not only exhausted but in serious trouble.

The carpet in the bedroom scene... I don't to give away too much, as this was my personal favorite and I feel one of the creepiest moments I've seen in a while. Sufficient to say, it easily reminds us of a particular scene from Halloween...

Forgotten Horror Spotlight - Terror Train (1980)

A little something new that I'll be doing is showing some much deserved appreciation to some of the lost, forgotten or just criminally ignored horror films of days past. As genre fans it is out duty to pay homage and keep the classics alive. Sure some may be cheesy or unintentionally funny or still downright scary but these movies have earned their place in the pages of the horror hall of fame!

Terror Train (1980) - This film came to my attention some time ago. I have always had a special place in my heart for the slasher sub-genre and this one was recommended to me as a "can't miss." So, I tracked it down and tuned in to watch and I was pleasantly surprised that I did. The set up is as follows:

A college fraternaty prank goes bad and a student ends up in the mental ward. Four years later, it's graduation time, and the members of the fraternity decide to have a costume party aboard a train to celebrate thier graduation. Unknowingly to them, a killer has slipped aboard, picking them off one by one, disguised in the costumes of the victims.

Now picture, if you will, one of those old murder trains that people paid for to solve mysteries. Add into the mix a whole bunch of drunk kids in Halloween costume, a genuine slasher and Jamie Lee Curtis and you'll start to get a better feel for this flick.

True the story is simple and true the acting is a bit stiff in places but we at least have a dose of originality, some pretty good scares, a whole lot of tension and some decent little twists thrown in. When all is said and done, what more can we want? Curtis proves here once again why she will always be the true scream queen, playing the damsel in distress just as well as she had two years prior in Halloween. And again, the whodunnit mystery thrown in is more than enough to keep you guessing.

My one complaint with this film is the lack of time spent on the killer. We only catch glimpses but not enough to truly fear him the way we do Michael or Jason. Also, the mask is a little too comical but hell, it beats sitting through more watered down PG13 kiddie horror.

If you love a good slasher movie but aren't quite in the mood for the ones sitting on your shelf, find a copy of Terror Train, dust it off and try to solve the mystery. After all, we need to keep these gems alive!!!


Highlight scenes: The scene where Curtis is chased through the train cars is suspenseful and expertly lensed. We really get a sense of terror and the confinement of the location just adds to it.

The scene where our heroine is locked in the gated room with the killer just outside is pure horror genius. Pitting her face to face with the killer with next to nothing between them ratchets up the tension.

The corpse scene in the bed is pretty unexpected and a little disgusting. Effective setup for the film.

Insidious 2 News and Potential Collaboration Rumor??!!

Thanks for coming back guys, and as promised I'm bringing lots of stories with me! Read on for the details!

Insidious 2 - Leigh Whannell, the writer of the original installment as well as the original Saw, has announced that his character will be back for the follow up. The original saw Whannell and partner as hapless ghost hunters who find themselves in over their heads.

I was quite fond of the original and am happy to hear that Leigh is returning. Below is a quote from the man himself regarding his involvement:


"I can say that yes, my character will be seen in Insidious 2. It may probably bum a lot of people out, though, to hear this news. It's part of the reason I don't even read the internet message boards anymore; there was this hatred that spewed out from fans saying 'I hated those guys! They sucked! They ruined the movie!' so there will probably be a lot of people out there who will be disappointed to hear that the Specs and Tucker characters will be coming back. (laughs)"

No word yet on whether Patrick Wilson and cast have signed deals yet for the sequel.

Possible Horror Dream Team?? - I'm normally not fond of posting rumours until they've been confirmed but this one seemed too cool to pass up. I've heard from a few different people that there may be a horror collaboration in the works between modern horror masters Adam Green and Ti West! Green is responsible for Hatchet 1&2 as well as Frozen and West brought us House of The Devil and Innkeepers (reviewed here.) Both directors have an obvious love for the genre and deliver quality films.

Now as I said, this should be treated simply as a rumour for now, but if I hear anything more concrete I'll be bringing it to you all here. Again, I hate rumours but this one was too intriguing to pass up. What would you all like to see from these two, should they work together?

Evil Dead Remake News!!!

As many of have no doubt heard by now, they are officially remaking The Evil Dead. The original is beloved by many, myself included. Casting has already been completed and the location has been scouted. There's even been a photo released of the new cabin.

Now, I typically don't care for remakes although there have been several that have been effective, I must admit. This one I'm not sold on. When you remake Friday the 13th or Texas Chainsaw you're replacing a man in a mask. With Evil Dead you're replacing THE STAR that made the franchise (Bruce Campbell of course.)

The good news is that there will be no Ash character in this reboot. Why is that good? Because no one will be able to desecrate the legacy of the character. Now the bad news... The cast is comprised of what seems to be low rent Gossip Girl rejects and the script had been "touched up" by Diablo Cody, known for such drivel as Juno and Jeniffer's Body.

The only saving grace has been the involvement of Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell as producers. Now comes word that this film will abandon all humor. Now, the first film was a genuine horror film whilst the following installments certainly upped the slapstick, but there was still the signature Raimi/Campbell humor throughout. Read on for the quote:

Recently cast Jane Levy caught up with The Insider and explains the reboot's tone. "I think the humor in the first one came from the special effects of the time. I don't know that they meant it to be funny ... this one is not funny. It's definitely dark," said Levy, stating the obvious. She adds, "This one is really different. They've changed it a lot, but it's still a pretty gory movie."

The site also ran into Bruce Campbell, who stars as "Ash" in the original trilogy. He also confirms we won't see the return of Ash, while also joking about what kind of remake it actually is. "You can expect to have a damn scary horror movie," he explains adding, "There's no Ash character -- The Evil Book is going to torment a new set of kids, so it's a remake, or a re-imagining or ... a re-whatever word you want to use. It's going to be re-scary."

 What are your thoughts? Hit up the comment section and share your views on what you'd like to see from the now inevitable Ash-less installment.

New addition - Feedback Wanted. Calling all aspiring artists!!

Hello all and welcome back. As i teased yesterday, I'm toying around with the idea of adding some new sections to the dungeon. One idea I've been kicking around is an public area where anyone can post original horror inspired works. This would include art, shorts and original writings.

Being a writer myself, I have several pieces that I would post and I encourage you all to do the same. It would be a great way to get feedback and also get your name out. I would love to hear back from all of you and see what you think!

Now, keep in mind, if someone were to post un-copyrighted work, there is no way to guarantee that some low life wouldn't plagiarise, but I don't really see that being an issue with our peers. However, I do have to say that this is post at your own discretion... This includes myself as well...

I digress; please leave your feedback in the comments section and I'll keep checking back to see what you think. I feel this could be a great way for us all to help one another and spread the genre love!!!

The Innkeepers - Review and news. Ti West fans must read!!!!!

Hey all and thanks for coming back! I thank all of you reading this for your continued support. I know it's been a long stretch since any new posts but I have a pretty good amount coming as well as a potential new look for the site. Anyhow, I figured I'd kick things off with a review.

As many of you may have noticed, the quality of horror has been shoddy at best as of late. This is a big reason that I've delved deeper into the world of direct to DVD. While there are many terrible films released straight to disc there are quite a few gems to be had as well.

Ti West has been labeled by genre fans as one of the new "saviors of horror" along with fellow film maker Adam Green. Ti West was responsible for Cabin Fever 2 (before it got butchered by the studio. His cut is far superior, FYI) as well as the superbly creepy House Of The Devil. His new film continues his tradition of mixing old and new school with amazing results, and I was lucky enough to catch this before the DVD release!

The Innkeepers has been on my radar since production on it began. The premise is a case of art imitating life. The Yankee Pedlar Inn is in it's last days, about to close it's doors once and for all. The Inn has a nasty reputation of being haunted and on the last weekend two employees/amateur ghost hunters decide to try to capture evidence of said ghosts. The place is deserted save for a former actress turned psychic and two other guests. Of course, once the lights go out, things start to go bump in the night..

Now, the premise may sound familiar but West finds a way to breathe new life into the haunted house sub-genre. Further adding to the creepy factor is the fact that the real Yankee Pedlar (which plays itself in the movie) is also haunted in real life with numerous cases of sightings. This was actually the place that West and crew stayed while making House Of The Devil! In addition, just after filming of Innkeepers wrapped, news broke that the Pedlar would indeed be closing it's doors as well, further adding a sense of foreboding.

West has crafted an unbelievably tense and suspenseful film, keeping us on edge the entire time. The scares are effective and earned, as West chooses not to simply employ cheap jump scares like so many of his peers. Also, the ghosts, when they appear (and they do!) are very well done, all being created using practical effects rather than going the CGI route. This further adds to the effectiveness of the picture.

The look of the film itself is an aesthetic wonder in and of itself. Had the gadgets seen not given away the decade, this film could easily have passed as being made in the classic 70's age of horror, and that is meant in the most complimentary of ways. Every stitch of clothing, every piece of decor and every intricate camera angle just allow us to completely immerse ourselves into the movie.

Onto the performances! The two leads Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy) are astounding. The chemistry between them as friends and co-workers is more than  believable and they possess talent in spades. The subtle indications that Luke may have a dirty little secret make for a nice little twist as well as some comic relief to momentarily break some tension. Also, the scene in which we learn his true feelings for Claire is played with just the right amount of bumbling charm that one can't help but hope that he'll get the girl.

Paxton is no slouch either, nailing her role and truly making us wonder if the ghosts are real or if Claire is truly losing her mind. There is also the much welcomed return of Kelly McGillis!!! She plays the medium who reluctantly agrees to semi assist in the escapades.

Overall, West has crafted a modern masterpiece and proves that he is a force to be reckoned with. Whether it be his wonderful scripting, his ability to evoke multiple emotions with masterful ease or even invoking some Kubrikian camera shots, it all equals out to one hell of a time. This movie is NOT to be missed. If you like a little thought with your horror on occasion, pick this one up!

The DVD and BluRay will be available April 24, 2012 being distributed by Dark Sky/MPI


Highlight Scene(s): The scene with Claire in bed as she starts to notice some spooky noises is so well done and incredibly creepy. A true highlight.

Also, the previously mentioned scene between Claire and Luke wherein he tries to convey his feelings is wonderful. It's a moment that we can all relate to.