Underrated Horror Movies: “Bad Dreams” & “The Midnight Hour”

Slasher Studios*Underrated Slasher

This week in Slasher Studios Horror Film Club we are taking a stab at the underrated horror movies that are either attacked by horror fans or just plain forgotten. Movies that deserve another chance to shine and prove that every film deserves at least a little bit of lovin.

RJ Sanchez
‎”It is the mid-1970s. A sinister hippy cult called Unity Fields commits mass suicide in a horrific manner – by fire – at the behest of its psychopathic leader, Franklin Harris (Richard Lynch). Only one young woman named Cynthia (Jennifer Rubin) survives to tell the tale. Now, 13 years later, Cynthia is having grim reminders of the mass suicide, as people around her begin to die one at a time. Cynthia finds out quickly that the ghost of Harris is back to claim his ‘love child’.”

Very underrated gem from the late 80’s. Gets labeled an Elm Street knockoff, there may be similarities, (From Dream Warriors especially.) but it is by no means a rip off. Jennifer Rubin, (Taryn, from Dream Warriors) stars alongside Richard Lynch, Bruce Abbott, (Re-Animator!) and the voice of Tommy Pickles: E.G Daily! Not only does Bad Dreams have an amazing cast, it has an incredible 80’s soundtrack, lots of blood, and a twist you’ll never see coming! It may have been a “cash-in” but it’s an incredible, underrated movie that’s dare I say, better than most of the Elm Street sequels.

Panos Tsiros
Well, not a Slasher related but I really want to write something down for this movie. “The Midnight Hour” 1985. It’s a Vampire/Halloween/Zombie related movie mostly.

A group of friends wants to organize a halloween party. So, they break into a halloween costume store and “borrow” some costumes appropriate for the occasion. In addition to that they discover a crate with a hand written script. Then, they go to the graveyard where they start fooling around, so, Melissa (the main character) starts reading the words from the script just for kicks. When they leave the graveyard, all the dead come to life. As it’s halloween nobody can figure out who wears mask and who’s the real zombie. The Dead accompany the Living to the party. What happens next you can only see it in the movie. Not a spoiler here.

This movie never came to theatres but directly on VHS. I don’t know why I like it so much even though I know it’s terrible. If you haven’t seen it yet you can try it out, but afterwards don’t say I didn’t warn you :)))

Share:

Terror Runs in the Family: “The Rage: Carrie 2” (1998) Review

Slasher StudiosRage: Carrie 2

CARRIE never needed a sequel, it didn’t even ask for one, but it was bound to happen someday. Kevin Williamson reinvented the slasher genre in 1996 with SCREAM, prompting new fans to go seek out the classics such as HALLOWEEN, which lead to Jamie Lee Curtis going to Kevin with the idea of popular heroine Laurie returning two decades later in HALLOWEEN H20. I think this might have something to do with the idea to make a follow up to the 1976 horror classic about an outcast teenage girl getting revenge on the town that tormented her, and having her only survivor Sue (Amy Irving) return to better connect the two films. A sequel that was not exactly well received by fans of the original.

THE RAGE starts off with little girl, Rachel (Emily Bergl), being put into foster care after her crazy religious mother (J. Smith-Cameron) is placed in a psychiatric hospital. It’s clear from the very beginning that she has the power to move things with her mind, but doesn’t understand it. Years later, we meet her as a teenager. She’s a bit of an outcast, with only one real friend, Lisa (Mena Suvari), a dog she’s had since she was little, and a pair of foster parents who don’t really care about her. When Lisa kills herself after losing her virginity, Rachel starts to uncover a dirty little secret involving the entire high school football team, a game they play to seduce girls and dump them for points while keeping score in a little notebook. While she starts a romance with Jesse (Jason London), the most sensitive and down to earth of the boys, the others target Rachel to make sure she keeps her mouth shut. After realizing Jesse is seriously falling for Rachel, they decide to make peace and invite Rachel to the big party after the big game, but they’re secretly planning the ultimate prank to humiliate Rachel and tear the young lovers apart. Meanwhile, guidance counselor Sue tries to help Rachel come to terms with her friend’s suicide, her mentally unstable mother and her own powers, which Sue has seen before during a tragedy that happened in the town over twenty years ago. And she’s afraid history will repeat itself.

The fact that it took me so long to explain the basic plot might have something to do with why this film is so unpopular, there seems to be so much going on but I think it works. I also think the main reason it’s so hated is because it’s the sequel to a very popular film with such a sympathetic main character, that no one wants to see a sequel about someone else. This is precisely why I like it, it shows us someone who is very different from Carrie but with some of the same problems. Rachel is not a victim, she’s not abused at home, she has at least one friend, and she doesn’t seem to be humiliated so much at school as much as ignored. At least until people start to feel threatened by her. She also has hobbies, interests and a job, things that Carrie was never allowed. Another big difference is how she views her powers… Carrie immediately reads about them and is aware of what they are, whereas Rachel fears for her sanity, and is afraid she’s just crazy like her mother.

This film, like the original, is a good drama that explodes into an intense horror film in the final 20-30 minutes. The love story is very nicely done, and you actually care about these characters. Rachel and Jesse have lots of chemistry and you want to just interfere and tell the ‘bad guys’ to just let them be. I also enjoyed the return of Sue, who is obviously still very shaken up by what happened all those years ago. She’s become a guidance counselor to help other girls like Carrie, still feeling guilty over the tragedy that left several of her peers, including her boyfriend, dead. Perhaps she comes on a little too strong, and a little too desperate, pushing Rachel even farther over the edge. But honestly, after what Sue went through, should we expect her to be 100% stable? The best thing about this subplot is a scene where we return to the remains of the original high school, with lots of flashbacks to the original massacre. Apparently you even see the bucket which was once filled with pigs blood, although I could never spot it. Amy Irving does great as the much older and less stable Sue, and she was a welcome addition and a nice anchor to the original film. Katt Shea does great behind the camera, I especially love when it switches to black & white when Rachel is using her powers, and both the suicide scene and the love scene were beautifully done. She’s a very underrated director. Also, the climax is great bloody fun, while not as powerful and not built up as well as that in the original, the party massacre has lots of fun death scenes and gore effects.

Now this film is certainly not perfect, the drama is not nearly as gripping as it was in the original, the ‘villains’ are very one-dimensional and not as fun to watch as, say, Nancy Allen and John Travolta and the ending feels a bit rushed. Most of these flaws come from comparing this film too much to the original, and it really works more as a modern retelling. The best thing about this is our main character, Rachel, played by a very sympathetic Emily Bergl, and her ‘Romeo & Juliet’-esque love story with Jesse. Watch it as a teen drama that explodes into a bloody horror film and you shouldn’t be disappointed.

To buy from Amazon: The Rage: Carrie 2

—Brian C Tyler

This review is courtesy of the Slasher Studios Horror Film Club.

Share:

A Cut Above the Rest: The Best of the Best Newspaper Horror Ads

Slasher Studios*Slasher Movie Posters

Do you remember when the studios used to actually pay money to advertise their films in newspaper? When a major studio (or even an independent) could pay a quarter of a page to sell their newest slasher and the teens would just roll on in. Tonight Slasher Studios is selecting the best of the best horror newspaper ads for your viewing pleasure. This makes me wish it was 1983 all over again…

Share:

Rest in Pieces: “Mortuary” (1983) Review

Slasher StudiosMortuary

Being a young kid in the late 80’s, I tried to rent every single horror movie that was within my grasps. I remember having my parents drive me not just all around town but to different CITIES just to rent rare and hard to find horror oddities. The joy that would shine on my 7 year old face was enough to pay for the gas money I guess. Still, there were hundreds that slipped through the cracks (damn you Wherehouse Video!). Movies that I didn’t even know existed before the wonderful world of the internet. Over the past decade, I have compiled a book of the horror movies that I have yet to see. How many horror movies are on that list? 847. No, that is not an exaggeration. Nonetheless, before Thursday, that number was 848 as I sat down to cross another one off the list. Courtesy of Katarina’s Nightmare Theater, we have the 1983 slasher “Mortuary” starring a very young Bill Paxton, a lot of corpses, and one hell of a surprise ending. How does the film hold up 29 years later? Let’s cut this baby up!

“Mortuary” begins with a flashback, a middle aged man is playing out by his pool when he becomes the tragic victim of a “drowning” accident. Flash forward a bit to “present” time and we meet Christie Parson (a bland but not unlikable Mary McDonaugh) who is mourning the death of her father (the man from the opening scene). Her mother has convinced herself it was a tragic accident, but Christie is sure it was murder. Christie suffers from nightmares in which a hooded figure, clutching an embalming trocar, pursues her. She turns detective, aided by her boyfriend (real life Ken doll David Wallace) to find out the truth. Her sleuthing draws her to a local mortuary, whose owner, Hank Andrews (Christopher George), together with his secretly demented offspring, Paul, is guarding an odious secret. As if things couldn’t be worse for young Christie, she is pursued by the creepy mortician’s assistant Paul Andrews (a delightfully creepy Bill Paxton).

“Mortuary” is the kind of slasher that was prominent in the early 80’s. It looks great, the acting is all around fairly solid, and the production values are a step above just about any direct to dvd horror movie of today. The problem? It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense and the second act is dreadfully boring. There are countless red herrings but they don’t add up to much because it is obvious from the first time we see the killer who it is. Why is it obvious? Because the killer is wearing makeup!!! Sorry, regular makeup can only cover so much and it is far too easy to tell who it is the second you see him or her. In the final act all hell breaks loose with one of the best “corpse parties” that I have seen in a while. The sting in the tail ending is nicely choreographed to give the audience one last little jump. It’s fun, it’s watchable, it’s forgettable.

To order Mortuary: Mortuary

Share:

Slasher Studios Horror Webcast: Favorite Horror Masks

Slasher Studios*Slasher Studios Podcast

On this week’s episode of Slasher Studios Horror Webcast, our hosts Kevin Sommerfield and Steve Goltz will be going over their favorite horror movie masks. Because, let’s be honest, what’s a good slasher without a really good, creepy mask? Click on the link below to listen in live Sunday night at 10PM central to find out what horror movie masks make the final cut!

Slasher Studios Horror Webcast

Share:

Tim’s Slasher Tweet Review: “Night of the Creeps” (1986)

Slasher Studios*Slasher Tweet Review

Our guest Twitter film critic Tim Schilling takes a break from Chucky to take on one of my all time favorite zombie classics from the 1980’s: the wonderfully entertaining and extremely funny “Night of the Creeps.” Slasher Studios has raved about the film on many occasions and we think it just might be our favorite zombie film. But…what does Tim think? Read on to find out…

Thoughts before the film:
I watched this movie a few years back and loved it, I hope it’s just as good now! I mean I gotta like it, it has zombies and it was made in the 80’s, what could go wrong?

Thoughts while watching:
0:08 I don’t know why, but I love the classic story of a crazy person escaping from jail and running loose.
0:20 What are the chances that he walks up to the keypad and presses a random number, and gets it right?
0:20 Well 1 outta 10 I guess…
0:22 A corpsicle!
0:28 “Is this a homicide or a bad b movie?” Bad b movies aren’t possible! Silly old man.
0:41 Screamin like banshees!
0:46 How did people do college work in the 80’s?!
0:57 If I saw someone breaking through my floor, I’d probably run and not watch what’s happening.
1:01 Nice mullet, lady cop.
1:10 He’s wearing a suit, why would you ask if it’s Halloween…?
1:10 Who is the guy they get the flamethrower from? He’s way too familiar looking.
1:14 Cindy, you’re like the only person who isn’t blonde, how could you not see something was wrong with him?
1:23 Thrill me!
1:11 The detective after getting blown up was way too freaky looking.

Overall:
#NightOfTheCreeps started off slow but the crazy ending made up. The music, clothes, and effects are another example that the 80’s rule.

To follow Tim on twitter: https://twitter.com/schillingt
To follow Slasher Studios on twitter: https://twitter.com/slasherstudios

Share:

IFC Films “Entrance” Chills With Intelligent, Suspenseful Thrills

Slasher StudiosEntrance

Released today from IFC Midnight, “Entrance”, tells the story of a 20 something woman who’s mundane existance in the big city has gotten the best of her. Suziey, played by the talented Suziey Block, wakes up each day to make coffee and feed her dog. The monotony of her day-to-day responsibilities are abrutly broken up by a nuumber of strange occurrences. She finds herself being followed, her beloved dog goes missing and strange noises stalk her at home.

Suziey Block is terrific job in a demanding role. Her acting skills are by far the best in the film and exceed most of the acting I’ve seen recently around the festival circuit. Make note of her name because you will be seeing much more of her in the future. There isn’t a ton of dialogue within the film, so I look forward to her in another role. She has a great look and fine screen presence. The supporting cast was descent and did the job. No one really stood out too much, but to be fair, Block was given the majority of the screen time.

The killer, who we find out is a someone from our final girl’s past, lacked a bit of the exuberance that I was looking for. The killers speech to Suziey, as she lays bloody and beaten on the floor, was believable and heartfelt. Thus, I feel as she tried to escape, the masked intruder would have had more passion and drive to catch her. I would have loved to see this axe wielding maniac lose the Michael Meyers walk and break out the Leatherface sprint! The mask was fun and creepy and the blood from the victims was very realistic. The deaths were offscreen but the aftermath was worth every penny. The is a nice effect as an axe is slammed into a woman stuck in a doggy door. The axe goes down and the blood comes up. It was nicely done and you will know it when you see it.

The MTV style of quick and obsessive jump cuts was a nice stylistic choice for the film. This can give the audience an unknowing feel of the unrest Suziey is going through. There was also a great contrast to the jump cuts with the addition of some very long takes. Minutes upon minutes go by before the next cut is made and it allowed for amazing suspense. The camera would follow the character and stay in focus and in frame. This was nicely done by a obviously skilled DP. The shaky and handheld feel of the film is not for everyone but it didn’t bother me. It was very “found footage like” and I found myself waiting for Suziey to address the camera. That may have been an interesting twist…

Entrance is a hell of a suspense filled thriller. The characters were believable, the story flows at a nice pace and the ending is something to die for. The film has found itself limited theatrical play and will also be available via video-on-demand.

Share:

Tim’s Slasher Tweet Review: “Child’s Play 3” (1991)

Slasher Studios*Slasher Tweet Review

Our Twitter film critic Tim Schilling has been hard at work this week covering the “Child’s Play” series in all its bloody gory. Don’t fuck with the Chuck. Right? Well, today we have a review from Tim on the black sheep of the series, “Child’s Play 3.” Does Chucky still have some fight left in him or is this a series that should have died in the toy factory? Let’s open up the toybox and see what we have here.

Thoughts before the film:
#ChildsPlay3 was my favorite in the series, but after watching the second one last night again, I could change my mind. Hopefully it holds up though!

Thoughts while watching:
0:02 These opening are kinda gross… Blood and wax?
0:09 My dad actually knows a part of what happens in this movie. Kinda proud.
0:16 What ever happened to Kyle from the second movie? I liked her.
0:22 “I said you ASSHOLE, sir. ”
0:25 I wonder how Chucky wrapped himself in the box like that?
0:28 No way is this girl the same age as Andy, she looks like she’s at least 25.
0:33 When Chucky was falling into the garbage truck and just said shit, probably the funniest part of the whole series.
0:38 Chucky’s gonna be a bro.
0:43 Saying Fucking geek to someone, was that offensive back then?
0:53 What is this guy, the hair god or somethin?
0:56 Now the hair god is judging Chucky.
0:57 …but even the hair god is no match for Chucky.
1:00 Tyler is like two feet tall, how is he even at this school?
1:11 It’d be sick to really play the war game or whatever this is.

Overall:
After watching the three original movies over again, #ChildsPlay3 is still my favorite. #ChildsPlay3 original story that again was diff enough from the others to make it stand out. Also kept continuity which doesnt happen much

To follow Tim on twitter: https://twitter.com/schillingt
To follow Slasher Studios on twitter: https://twitter.com/slasherstudios

Share:

Tim’s Slasher Tweet Review: “Child’s Play 2” (1990)

Slasher Studios*Slasher Tweet Review

Earlier this week we had guest film critic Tim Schilling took a look at the killer doll classic “Child’s Play.” Today he is back with another tweet by tweet review for the underappreciated slasher sequel “Child’s Play 2.” Does it live up to the original or has Chucky wore out his welcome? Read his in depth tweet by tweet review to find out.

Thoughts before the film:
I love revisiting old movie series I haven’t seen in a while. Going through a Chucky phase right now. #ChildsPlay2

Thoughts while watching:
0:02 Why would they rebuild Chucky though?!
0:05 Child’s Play series brings me back to my childhood more than any horror movie, me & my friends watched them all the time.
0:08 “Stick it up your ass” Foreshadowing?
0:15 You gonna get it for throwing Chucky round like that!
0:19 I really wanna know how strong Chucky is cause you know, he’s a doll. And he strangles people.
0:22 I’d be afraid to go in this house cause I think I would *accidentally* break everything.
0:24 I wonder how much trouble the makers got in for having a kid that young smoke… If it was even real.
0:31 Andy has been with the foster family for like a day, and they’re such assholes to him.
0:39 Death by ruler.
0:54 Chucky basically kills anyone who was being a bitch to Andy.
0:58 Damn women drivers, ain’t that the truth.
1:03 At least Chicago isn’t as scary as the first movie was.
1:05 That is a crap load of dolls
1:11 This is gonna bug me, in what other movie did someone lose a body part and it was replaced by a knife?!
1:15 Andy sure is one sick fuck by the end of this movie.
1:18 Chucky looks like cat puke.
1:22 This movie must have been so much fun to make.

Overall:
#ChildsPlay2: plot was different enough to make it just as good as the first. Very original and there was no cheesiness you see in sequels.

To follow Tim on twitter: https://twitter.com/schillingt
To follow Slasher Studios on twitter: https://twitter.com/slasherstudios

Share:

Slasher Studios Horror Webcast On Demand

Slasher Studios*Slasher Studios Podcast

Make sure to catch up with Slasher Studios on our one and only Slasher Studios Horror Webcast. It airs every Sunday night at 10PM central. Every week we talk about a different topic whether it be Best Villains, Best Final Girls, Best Remakes, etc. You name it, we’ve covered it! Miss a show? Make sure to listen to an archive anytime you want. Simply click on the link below, scroll down to “on demand episodes”, and select the episode that you would like to listen to. It’s that easy! Do you have any ideas for a future webcast? Leave us a comment and we will try to do a show about your idea!

To listen to an archive:
Slasher Studios Horror Webcast

Share: