The Phantom Fiend (1932)

Earlier, I was reading an article on Jack the Ripper and yet another claim of solving that mystery. As a history buff, I have always been fascinated by the Ripper and enjoy consuming everything about the horrific tale. Incredibly, while searching for a movie tonight, I stumbled upon this 1930s entry based on a book about Jack the Ripper, The Phantom Fiend; a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock silent classic The Lodger.

Plot/ An enigmatic young man in a London boarding house becomes the subject of suspicion as the infamous Jack the Ripper begins his campaign of slaughter.

Being a fan of classic cinema (and of the Hitchcock silent gem), I figured I was going to be in for some head scratching moments with this one. Anytime someone attempts to remake Hitchcock, it never seems to end well. While this one is not unwatchable, there are a ton of flaws that make it fall well short of the inspiration. For me, any time Jack the Ripper is involved in the storyline, the movie has potential and this one does have potential. Unfortunately, between the uneven performances that made it feel like a poorly dubbed silent film, the poor sound quality (considering the dialog), and an ending that in no way serves justice for the original, this one is a tough watch. Sure, the storyline is not anything spectacular or groundbreaking, but there is something there that should have been better. In the end, this one is a bit of a disappointment. While it is not terrible, it is nowhere near anything that I would watch a second time.

Lulu (1978)

Last night as I was waiting on The Ringmaster’s Realm to receive its millionth page view, I stumbled on a movie that I had heard about for quite some time and the influence it had on both cinema and music. In fact, one band that I listen to, The Tiger Lillies, wrote an entire album based on the original stage production that predated this film. That movie is the 1978 entry, Lulu.

Plot/ This highly stylized melodrama of the rise of a femme fatale and her fate at the hands of Jack the Ripper.

While I had heard of this film (and stage production), I had never been lucky enough to see it. Last night I was finally able to watch this one, and I am more than happy that I did. Yes, this is definitely not my usual genre; I was blown away by the depths of the film and can see how it has influenced decades of writers and filmmakers. This highly stylized does a tremendous job blending different eras of film and stage, using a solid mixture of silent film cards, soundscapes, colorization, and even opera music to create an atmosphere that is dark, entertaining, and memorable. Plus, anything that had Jack the Ripper in it cannot be bad (right?). Sure, the movie is more art house cinema than mainstream and it does not fit into any specific genre, but that adds to the overall satisfaction found when watching it. In the end, this film is unquestionably worth watching if you are willing to step outside the box and embrace the experience. This one is definitely not for everyone, but it really hit home with me. I loved it.

Razors: The Return of Jack the Ripper (2016)

After some documentaries and movies that drifted off the horror genre, I felt that it was time to jump back into it. With a quick trip to Family Video, I was able to pick up something that sounded interesting. I decided on the 2016 entry Razors: The Return of Jack the Ripper.

Plot/ A young writer believes she has discovered the holy grail of terror; the knives used by Jack the Ripper for his notorious murders.

Having spent a lot of time researching Jack the Ripper, when I saw this one, I had to watch it. Sure, I understood that there were possibly some flaws ahead with this being a low budget entry, but I did not care. What I found was interesting. Yes, it is not a perfect film (and anyone thinking it would be should be committed), but it had some intriguing elements that I really liked. The storyline was in no way coherent, but it created an entertaining narrative that seemed to blur the lines of existence within the film creating a thin line between nightmares and reality. While this is somewhat unusual, it does work to create some atmosphere and aid with the performances. There were some of the usual flaws with uneven pacing and predictable decisions and dialog, but those were minor flaws. In the end, this movie will not be for everyone and will likely fall into the love/hate category of horror films. Personally, I liked it and have seen much worse. Give it shot, it will at least help pass some time on these cold winter nights.

And Jack Says...

Visual writing is one area that I would love to expand on. This is my first attempt at visual poetry -created with the poem And the Walls Came and a great piece of artwork entitled Jack by Nerva1.

Jack's Back (1988)

It was still nice to see the wife and daughters when I woke this morning. Unfortunately, I had to go to work at the institute and could not stay home and hang out. At least we got to do some stuff in the winter wonderland that is outside tonight. When we got home, it was time to catch up on the blog with my next review, that selection, the 1988 thriller Jack's Back.

Plot/ A serial killer in Los Angeles is recreating the historic murder's of Jack the Ripper on 100th anniversary of the killings.

As a researcher, I have always been interested in the case of Jack the Ripper and love it when I find movies with that sitting at its core. That, of course, was my big draw to this one. While not the best in its genre, it does take on the story of old Jack in a very different manner. The storyline is interesting, the acting solid, and the cinematography does a great job at creating some atmosphere while presenting some thought provoking questions. Yes, there are some cliche moments, the pacing is off, and the ending is somewhat predictable, but that does little to bring it down. In the end, this was a solid entry that takes a refreshing  approach to the genius of Jack the Ripper. If you are interested  that subject, give this one a shot. While it is not a perfect thriller, it is a worth a watch.

From Hell (2001)

In between my continuing journey into the world of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries, I decided to venture back into one of the mysteries that has always intrigued me, the case of Jack the Ripper. While there is a lot of material out there, one of the more interesting to watch is From Hell. 

Plot/ In Victorian Era London, a troubled clairvoyant police detective investigates the murders by Jack The Ripper.

This is an interesting vision of what transpired during the famous Jack the Ripper killing spree. There is a lot to like with this flick, as it created a dark and atmospheric tale. Most of the performances were solid, with Johnny Depp taking working wonders in the lead. Unfortunately, Heather Graham did not follow suit. The setting and scenery were outstanding, the storyline interesting and there was a realism that was better than expected. Yes, the pacing was uneven and there were some sub-par performances, but that did little to bring it down. In the end, this unique take on Jack the Ripper is better than I expected and an entertaining journey into one of the most historic events ever known. If you have not seen it, check it out!

The Legend of Bloody Jack (2007)

 

 

Sometimes you choose movies because they look interesting. Sometimes you choose them because their run time fits into your schedule and it looks like something that would help pass time. That was the case with this selection for late last night. That selection was The Legend of Bloody Jack from 2007.

 

 

Plot/ The legend of insane lumberjack comes to life when one of his descendants revive him.

 

 

Low-grade horror is always a challenge. Of course, as horror fans, we already know that and understand what we are about to see (especially where The Asylum is involved). This flick is much like many films in this vain. It has the typical cliché riddled storyline, the unbelievable acting, and low budget effects that become more laughable with every passing second. That being said, most of it was so overwhelming that somehow it became more comedy than slasher and had some small entertainment value. In the end, this is nowhere near a good movie and technically has many issues. Stay away from it unless you have run out of choices on Netflix.

 

 

Inkubus (2011)

After laughing at the hilarious parts of that little known comedy, Clown Hunt, I went to the video store in search of something different. With so many choices, it was hard to decide on something (so, I grabbed four flicks). My first flick for the evening was Inkubus from 2011.

Plot/ Inkubus tells the story of a skeleton crew working the final shift at a soon to be demolished police station. The night takes a gruesome turn when the demon, Inkubus, calmly walks into the station holding the severed head of a murdered girl. Inkubus toys with the crew, allowing himself to be restrained, and begins to proudly confess to his litany of crimes, some dating back to the Middle Ages. Why? Inkubus has a score to settle with the one detective that almost put him away some thirteen years ago. To their dismay, the cops quickly become pawns in Inkubus' brutal crowning achievement of murder, gore, and mayhem. They ultimately realize it is his world they only die in it.

To be honest, I am not the biggest Robert Englund fan, of course, that is because I was a slasher kid and Jason Voorhees fan, and never got into the Nightmare on Elm Street craze. However, I will say, that the more I see his work, the more I like it. Yes, this is not a perfect forum for his work, but he truly carries it to a different level. In this film, everything is hit or miss. The acting around him is uneven throughout, but his performance is good. The story is interesting, but rather undeveloped; the regular gore and effects are great, but the CGI is terrible, and the pacing seems a bit off (not to mention the plot holes throughout). In all, it definitely falls short of its potential and could have been A LOT better than it is. If you are a fan of Englund, check it out, if you are not, you should go a different direction.

Ripper: Letter From Hell (2001)

The mystery of Jack the Ripper has fascinated me since I was a kid and stumbled on a paperback at the thrift store about the legendary serial killer. From that point on, I have read, watched and wrote about this famed monster. To me, the mystery surrounding his identity may be one of the greatest known to man, and one that usually makes for intriguing entertainment. With old Jack in mind, tonight’s movie was Ripper: Letter from Hell from 2001.  

Plot/ A massacre survivor studies serial killers under a famous expert, but her classmates soon start dying at the hands of a Jack the Ripper copycat.

I figured entering into this direct to DVD entry, that the look had a MTV feel and that it was probably searching for more that audience than for me. Still, this was a decent entry and one that overall was a bit surprising. There was a lot to like, the cinematography, editing and pacing were tremendous, some of the murders (while not gorish) were very stylish and almost a flashback to the great horror of my youth, and the storyline is full of twists, turns and somewhat cerebral. Unfortunately, the scripting featured some poor dialogue and lacked character development; there was really no gore and the acting only so-so. In the end, this flick made for an entertaining evening and one that was worth watching. Could it have been better? Yes, but it had just enough atmosphere, action and story to make it interesting.

His Legend Secure

Having just reviewed the flick The Lodger, it popped into my mind to republish one of my favorite pieces on here. After all, it was inspired in many ways by the legendary serial killer, Jack the Ripper. Since I was younger, when I picked up my first book on the Ripper at the Salvation Army (I actually still have it), his mystery has always intrigued me. Check it out and tell me what you think...

His Legend Secure

(as seen in  Realm of Horrotica)

Suddenly the message is clear

Embers to ashes

Day to night

The tapestry falls silently into the ravine

Spirits of the lost engulf this realm

Their homecoming is near

Ignite the torch

Open the void

Raise the dead

Another victim will appear

This night if foreign

The angels have vanished

The recluse lives

The madams' parlor is full

Her crystal reflecting every tear

Her coffers bursting from remorse

Silence befalls the guilty

His hand grasps the knife

Torturous exploits so refined

Yet, horrific

The blade slices her abdomen

Mutilates the face

Blood stained tears appear on the pillow

Her soul in limbo

Trophies line the library walls

Trinkets of pleasure found in a ravenous rage

The head of a lion

The heart of a whore

The flavor untouched

The thrill unmatched

The next victim on the corner

Her perfume masks the disease

The viral rot infesting her womb

A daggers edge silenced the wench

Milk oozing from her bosom

Time for the sacrifice

927 yards to the East lay another sow

Her labia in hand

Her virginity destroyed

Panic rises from the calm

Suddenly his message is clear

Charcoal to embers

Night to day

The dissertation is just

His rise to prominence foretold

More streetwalkers return for their wage

A new day on tap

His knife sharpened

His bag in place

His legend secure

The Lodger (2009)

Moving on from a couple of surreal thought provoking horror flicks, I decided to check-out something that has always caught my attention, films about (or referencing) Jack the Ripper. So, when I read the premise of this one on the info bar, I jumped at it. The flick is 2009s, The Lodger.  

Plot/ The tale of a serial killer in West Hollywood has two converging plot lines. The first involves an uneasy relationship between a psychologically unstable landlady and her enigmatic lodger; the second is about a troubled detective engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with the elusive killer, who is imitating the crimes of Jack the Ripper.

 

Jack the Ripper has always intrigued me, I can say that I have read quite a bit of material, not to mention penning a poem (published in Horrotica Magazine) about the exploits of the most famous serial killer ever, so when seeing this I found it a very interesting endeavor. The acting, setting, cinematography and storylines were all very good and the way the murders were kept just out of view definitely added something. Unfortunately, some of the storyline seems forced, almost padding the run time, not to mention that the direction missed out on the inherent potential to create a lot more atmosphere throughout.  All-in-all, this was a decent mystery, one that challenges your deductive reasoning to figure out the killer (which they mask very well) and one that has just enough to keep a viewer watching. If you see it on cable, check it out (I would not run out and buy it though).

Waxwork (1988)

Ok, I am a sucker for Wax Museums. Ever since seeing Vincent Price in House of Wax one Saturday morning in the 1970s, I was sold. That is why it was no surprise to me that I loved the idea of the movie Waxwork when it came out. If I could, I would live in that world (I would have to be either Jack the Ripper or the Marques De Sade).

Plot/ A waxwork museum comes to town, and a mysterious man invites some teens to come to a special showing at midnight. Once inside, while viewing different exhibits, the scenes come alive and the viewer is sucked into the story being portrayed.

This is one of those movies that stick with you, if you originally saw it as a teen as I did. There was just something about it. Watching it today, I saw many of the same things in this strange movie that I saw all those years ago (not the mention the same great hommage to some Horror Classics). The cinematography was solid, the atmosphere and settings were creepy and there was blood, tension and a bit of comic relief. Yes, the plot was a bit disjointed, the script laughable and the acting was uneven, but that did not take away from the overall entertainment value. In the end, this is one of my favorite 1980s teen-driven flicks. While not perfect, there is enough to keep this in my rotation for a while (especially the unrated version).

Hands of the Ripper (1971)

What a weekend! I did battle with my sink (note: garbage disposals do not like whole grain pasta), dealt with a severe cough that was made worse by Liquid Plummer (which did not work) and listened to Jillian and Markie torture each other for fun. To relax a bit, I decided to check out a different take on the legendary Jack the Ripper, in Hammer Studio’s 1971 tale Hands of the Ripper.

Plot/ The infant daughter of Jack the Ripper is witness to the brutal murder of her mother by her father. Fifteen years later she is a troubled young woman who is seemingly possessed by the spirit of her father. While in a trance she continues his murderous killing spree but has no recollection of the events afterwards. A sympathetic psychiatrist takes her in and is convinced he can cure her condition. Soon, however, he regrets his decision.

As a person that has always had an outside interest in Jack the Ripper, this flick definitely took an interesting trip into that legend. While not one of the most popular or well known entries from Hammer, this one should be. Complete with the signature gothic scenery and atmosphere, this film boasts some great performances, a solid script, and some interesting and bloody killings. Yes, the pacing can feel slow, but the tension created the detailed story and development make this an easy aspect to overlook. In the end, this often overlooked gem from Hammer Studios is a suspenseful ride that many horror fans haven’t experienced. Sure, the pacing may turn some people off, but true horror fans should enjoy it!