Lisa and the Devil (1973)

After hanging out with “He Who Walks Behind the Rows,” last night, I decided that I wanted to venture back into some classic horror. After searching Shudder for something interesting, I decided on the 1973 Mario Bava entry Lisa and the Devil.

Plot/ Lisa is a tourist in an ancient city. When she gets lost, she finds an old mansion in which to shelter. Soon she is sucked into a vortex of deception, debauchery and evil presided over by housekeeper Leandre.

As a fan of surrealistic movies and horror, it is awesome to get a chance to watch some of the films that possibly served as inspirations to the modern masters of the art. In this one, horror maestro Mario Bava creates one of his most entertaining and original films, and it has the perfect surrealism that I was looking for. Butchered as House of Exorcism here in the United States when it was originally released, the original vision is much more atmospheric, powerful, and coherent in the original form (Lisa And The Devil). The cast is solid and features some tremendous performances (Telly Savalas is awesome), the atmosphere is just creepy enough, and the cinematography, setting, and storyline work together to create a special movie. Yes, some of the pacing may feel slow and there are some head scratching moments, but those are easily overlooked. In the end, this is one of my favorite Mario Bava movies, and a movie that fans of that era and genre must watch.

Children of the Corn (1984)

After diving into something that was somewhat out of my normal selections last night, I decided that it was time for me to go back into some of the films from my youth on Shudder. After some thought, I decided on the 1984 horror flick Children on the Corn.

Plot/ A young couple is trapped in a remote town where a dangerous religious cult of children believe everyone over the age of 18 must be killed.

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Growing up a huge Stephen King fan and loving horror movies during the 1980s, I clearly remember this one from when it came out. At that time, I was a touch disappointed by the lack of blood and gore, but I also did not quite grasp the intricacies of atmospheric horror. All in all, this movie is quite tame (although there are some creepy moments sprinkled it). The performances are solid, the storyline works well with some suspenseful moments, and the soundtrack is perfect. Yes, it does lack the blood, guts, and nudity that were staples of most 1980s horror, but it is an entertaining trip into the occult/religious cult ideologies that saturate some parts of society. In the end, this may be one of my favorite King adaptations and a movie that struck a cord with me (I grew up next to a corn field). If you have not seen it, give it a shot you could do much worse.

Necrophobia 3D (2014)

Sometimes when I have to work late at the institute, I lose interest in finding something to watch. That was not the case tonight, as I decided to check out something different after an episode of Charmed. In the end, I settled on the 2014 supernatural entry Necrophobia (AKA Necrophobia 3D).

Plot/ Dante is a tailor who after losing his twin brother to death became phobic which prevents him from being in contact with death. Whenever he is in front of a dead body, he experiences a creepy feeling that makes him lose his mind.

Having twins, it is always fun to find creepy movies about or involving twins. While this movie may not be super creepy, it is definitely strange and has a weird disjointed feel to it. There were some solid parts to the movie (even if it lacked subtitles) including some decent performances, an odd premise, and some dark atmospheric moments early on. Unfortunately, the weirdness and tension that drew me in early on gave way to a tremendous amount of confusion the longer the movie progressed. It seemed like the entire movie was stuck in a strange loop. In the end, I did like some of the strange happenings, but felt disconnected by the repeating storyline. The movie is an interesting experiment, but it felt like the filmmakers were trying too hard to create something strange and surreal. It is great for a background while writing, but other than that it offers very little in entertainment value.

Deadly Blessing (1981)

After spending much of the weekend locked into a Star Wars marathon (yes, even the miserable prequels), I decided to find something that more resembles my typical viewing for my evening entertainment. After some searching on Netflix and Shudder, I decided on the 1981 psychological thriller, Deadly Blessing as my next review.

Plot/ After her husband dies of mysterious circumstances, a widow becomes increasingly paranoid of the neighboring religious community that may have diabolical plans for her.

Let’s be honest, there is nothing like the early thrillers crafted by Wes Craven, and this one may be one of his most underrated films. Set in the in rural America outside of Amish Country, this is a trip into darkness that helps build an unnerving atmosphere throughout. Most of all, it encompasses almost every horror genre imaginable. The performances from the renowned cast are solid, the soundtrack, and setting work perfectly together, and the storyline/scripting is strong. Yes, it may lack blood, guts, and gore, and it does feature a polarizing ending that people either love or hate, but those elements in no way bring the movie down. In the end, if you love classic atmospheric horror this one is definitely for you. Give it a shot!

Clown (2016)

With all of the talk about clowns recently plaguing some areas in the South, I believe that it is quite fitting to spend some time in the world of the clowns. While I was not able to head out and see something at the drive-in, I was able to check out something new at Family Video, Eli Roth’s 2016 entry Clown.

Plot/ A little boy's birthday party is ruined when his clown cancels. His father finds a clown suit and becomes the new entertainment but something is weird about it, there is an evil curse and it won't come off and he specializes in eating little kids.

I know that the thought of clowns drive many people up a wall. To me, they are just part of life, and having dressed as a clown before, I know #ClownLivesMatter. Now this movie hats the clown to an all-new level, and I know that many will never look at them the same (much like It!). There is a lot to like in this one, with blood, murder, and mayhem. But, there is also some sound performances, an interesting storyline, decent cinematography, and the costuming is perfect for the storyline. Yes, some of the characterizations are off, many of the kills take place off screen, and there are many clichéd moments woven in that are noticeable. In the end, viewers will either love or hate this one (which is the case with many horror movies), although for me it was a perfect way to end a weekend. If you love horror or clowns, you should definitely give this one a shot. I loved it and highly recommend it.

You Are Not Alone (2014)

As I head into September, it is nice to be able to kick back and check out some of the interesting movies that are coming out from the indie circuit. It is a good thing too, and much of Hollywood is more concerned about reboots or sequels to take a risk on something original. One movie that is definitely a different take is the 2014 slasher, You Are Not Alone?

Plot/ Natalie is a college graduate visiting her hometown over the 4th of July. The night she arrives, a sociopathic killer stalks her.

This is a movie that will cause arguments and disagreements among the viewers because of the different approach it takes with the filmmaking. A complete POV, there are some interesting elements viewing things from a potential victims perspective. Of course, this also leaves some elements outside the visual spectrum of the character and there are some missing moments that could make it even better. This one starts slow and ramps up throughout with the atmosphere building along with the action. Yes, it could have been a touch shorter (especially toward the beginning where the pace is slower), but other than that, it is an interesting and solid entry into the slasher genre. In the end, viewers will either love or hate it (like with many horror films), but if you like movies with a different perspective and can handle a show burn, give it a shot!

Ouija Summoning (2015)

Sometimes movies are not what you expect. While most of the time when this happens, you become frustrated, but when it is for the best, you should celebrate. That was the case tonight with my next movie, 2015s Ouija Summoning (AKA You Will Kill).

Plot/ After a game with a spirit board goes horribly wrong, a vengeful spirit forces Sara to either kill one of her loved ones herself or watch them all die. 

When I sat back to watch this flick, I had no idea what to expect. Usually, after reading the synopsis and looking at the case, I do, but because I did not pick this one out, I did not even have that. What I found was interesting, and different from what I would have guessed from the title. The performances were solid, the cinematography was good, and for the budget, there were more positives than negatives. Sure, there were some disjointed moments and the scripting never really settled onto a theme, but even with that, there were enough positives to at least keep me interested. In the end, if the movie had stayed on a specific track, it would have been even better. Between the Ouija Board foundations, the possession elements, the demonic forces, and the overall supernatural themes, there is just too much going on to allow you to settle in and fully embrace everything. I did enjoy this low budget entry, but it will not be for everyone. If you are searching for some type of supernatural themed entertainment, you could do worse. Give it a shot!

The Beast Must Die (1974)

Sometimes I like to stem into something different when I sit back to watch a flick. Last night was one of those nights, as I wanted something that was both fun and interesting. After some thought, I decided on the 1974 werewolf flick The Beast Must Die.

Plot/ Eight people have been invited to an island estate for the weekend. One of them is a werewolf. Can you guess which one?

I love mysteries and this one was a bit of a surprise. Plus, this is definitely a different take for a werewolf movie being both entertaining and intriguing. The concept was tremendous (yes, somewhat clichéd and familiar in other genres), but it works well as a whodunit. Led by Peter Cushing, the cast is awesome and the scripting works in their favor with a great combination of action and schlocky dialog. On top of that, the decision on how to create the werewolf is perfect for the lower budget, the pacing flows well, and there are just enough twists to make it fun. Sure, the “Werewolf Break” does not really fit (not enough clues) and the some of the baseline theories do not make sense, but those are easy to overlook. In the end, this werewolf flick from Amicus is a fun trip into the genre and a great way to pass some time. Give it a shot if you are in the mood for something a little different.

Dark Mirror (2007)

With August coming to an end, I can almost sense Halloween, and there is really no season better. With that in mind, I was in the mood for something supernatural or paranormal for my evening movie. After some thought, I decided on the 2007 indie film Dark Mirror.

Plot/ A photographer moves her family into a strange old house, where she discovers an alternate reality reflected in the glass; a dark reality that is closing in on her.

When I saw this last night on Shudder, the premise seemed to match my mood for something paranormal. While the movie was paranormal, there were excessively many elements happening throughout the film to ever all anything coherent to grow. Yes, there were some positives with a few decent performances and the initial scenes were solid. Unfortunately, from there, nothing happens and the movie plods along with multiple subplots, uneven scripting, and slow pacing. All of these flaws lead the movie down a spiral that it is never able to find its way out of. In the end, I would have thought coming from IFC that this would have been better, but I was wrong. There is really nothing in this one that makes it worth watching.

Demons (1985)

With my evening winding down after working on some nonfiction writing samples, I decided that I needed a trip into something mindless to help keep myself focused. What did I watch to help keep me motivated, nothing other than the 1985 classic Demons?

Plot/ A group of people are trapped in a large movie theater in West Berlin that is infected by ravenous demons who proceed to kill and posses the humans one-by-one, thereby multiplying their numbers.

If you were around in the 1980s and a horror fan, you should definitely remember what real horror looks like. There was none of this watered-down PG-13 crap masquerading as horror flicks; there was blood, gore, violence, and nudity. Honestly, there was anything and everything, and personally, I long for those days of cinema. This movie captures all of the excess of that decade and creates a memorable trip into the horror realm. Yes, it makes little sense, but that was the point, it was just fun mindless horror in an era that needed it. Helped by Italian horror masters Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava, this one has blood, guts, gore, and the kitchen sink. Hell, it even featured an interesting soundtrack that is a perfect trip down memory lane. In the end, if you love 1980s horror, you have to watch this one if you haven’t seen it already. Yes, there may be some flaws and dated effects, but it is a mindless romp through a dark and twisted world.

Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972)

Shudder is such a great discovery. As a horror fan, I have no idea why I have not made it there before the past week. Next up for review is another great find from days gone by, the 1972 entryway to the Blind Dead franchise, Tombs of the Blind Dead (La niche del terror diego).

Plot/ In the 13th century there existed a legion of evil knights known as the Templars, who quested for eternal life by drinking human blood and committing sacrifices. Executed for their unholy deeds, the Templars bodies were left out for the crows to peck out their eyes. Now, in modern day Portugal, a group stumbles on the Templars abandoned monastery, reviving their rotting corpses to terrorize the land.

As with everything classic entries into Eurohorror can fall into the love/hate category, and this entry is no different. The first movie in the Blind Dead series, this one lays the groundwork for one of the great franchises in horror history. Honestly, who does not love the idea of the zombie Templars? Personally, the legend of the Knights Templar is one of the greatest mysteries of all time, and a story that definitely has something deeper going on. While this film is not a gorefest, there are some interesting kills, and it has a tremendous amount of atmosphere that works with the entirety of the storyline. Yes, the pacing is a touch slow (with focus on mood and atmosphere vice action), the performances are uneven, and the effects are not mind blowing, but those are somewhat expected from that era of cinema. In the end, this movie is definitely more cerebral than action and relies on storyline and atmosphere to achieve its potential. Not for everyone, this one will definitely appeal to fans of early European horror and early zombie flicks. Those fans should give it a shot if they have not seen it.  

Evil Eye (1963)

Now that I finished my last movie from Family Video, it is time to dive back into some of the great films I have caught on Shudder. The next one in line from the string of flicks (now interrupted by a Supernatural marathon with Jillian), is the 1963 Mario Bava classic Evil Eye (AKA The Girl Who Knew too Much).

Plot/ Nora is a young tourist traveling through Rome which takes a sudden turn when she witnesses a murder by a serial killer that the police have sought for years for the so-called Alphabet Killings, and Nora soon finds herself in way-over-her-head trouble when the police want her cooperation to catch the killer while the mystery killer soon targets her for his next victim.

There is nothing like a classic Italian giallo, and in many ways, the origin of that horror subgenre can be traced to the Mario Bava standard. This one has every aspect one would look for in that movement. Full of atmosphere and tension, this is a great mixture of thriller and suspense that draws the viewer in and keeps them enthralled throughout. The performances are solid, the cinematography masterful, and every scene and set matches the anxiety that emanates from the storyline. Plus, with perfect black and white elements, this one definitely transports the viewer back to one of the greatest eras of horror cinema. Yes, it is quite tame and some gore fans will not like it, but for me, it is one of the best films of the genre. In the end, this one is definitely worth watching and is a must for fans of the giallo subgenre. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for?

Cherry Tree (2015)

While I have been spending a lot of time inside the world of Shudder recently, I still had one movie that I had to finish before completing my latest run through Family Video. What movie is that? It was the 2015 witchcraft themed entry Cherry Tree.

Plot/ Faith's world is turned upside down after she finds out that her beloved father is dying. When the mysteriously alluring Sissy Young becomes her field hockey coach, Faith finds a compassionate spirit and much-needed mother figure. Little does she know that Sissy is the head of a centuries-old witches' coven that uses the fruit of an ancient cherry tree in a secret ritual that restores life to the dead and dying.

When I picked this one out, I did not quite realize that I was in for a modernization (yet loose interpretation) of the classic Rosemary’s Baby. While it is not a quite a total copy of the classic, it definitely takes a large portion of the storyline from that source material. Unfortunately, it also does little to set it apart from many of the other witchcraft themed pieces that have come out in recent years. The story starts slow, picks up, and shows some potential before the problems start to cascade. More of an exploitation themed entry than anything scary, the scripting, and performances are uneven, and there is no atmosphere. Yes, there are some moments that could be shocking to some, but those are few and far between. In the end, this movie will likely fall into the love/hate category of films and will not be for everyone. Personally, I found it at least a little interesting, but then again, I am a sucker for witchcraft and the occult.