Galaxy of Terror (1981)

Last night I skipped blogging to go with the family to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. While I was not a huge fan of the first flick, I was more impressed with this one. In fact, not only am I excited to see the final installments of the series, I am glad that the daughters have both read the books and watched the movie. This series is extremely relevant to the fundamentals of Agenda 21 and the building tyrannical Police State evolving under this lawless regime.  This is a perfect snapshot at what will happen to our society if things do not change in Washington D.C. However, that is not what I am reviewing today, that movie is the 1981 Sci-Fi / Horror flick Galaxy of Terror.

Plot/ As a lone spaceship proceeds on its long voyage across space, the crew are surprised to encounter a strange pyramid form. Surprise turns to horror as one by one; they discover that their darkest nightmares are all starting to become real.

This is by no means a great movie, but it is one of my guilty pleasures. It has everything that made Roger Corman schlock flicks awesome. It is outrageous and totally unbelievable, it is graphic and sleazy, and it has just enough of a storyline to be interesting. The acting (by an awesome cast Sid Haig, Robert Englund and more) is uneven, but that works in this type of flick. Even the effects, which are actually above B-Grade movie, are pretty solid considering the era. In the end, this Corman entry is one that should be seen. Yes, it is far from perfect and some of the scenes may turn some people off, but who cares. If you love B-Grade Sci-Fi / Horror, give this one a shot. 

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

After kicking back with the rage filled zombies and spending most of Sunday at the softball field, it was time to find something to watch. With my mind still full of the visual experience that was Lords of Salem, I decided to continue down the Rob Zombie spiral with the 2003 entry House of 1000 Corpses.

Plot/ Two teenage couples traveling across the backwoods of Texas searching for urban legends of murder end up as prisoners of a bizarre and sadistic backwater family of serial killers.

Having watched Lords of Salem over the weekend, I ended up being in a Rob Zombie mood. Zombie is definitely a polarizing figure in horror, some hate him and some love him. Personally, I love what he has created on the screen and it all started with this flick. While this was not the typical movie of the day, it definitely struck a cord with fans of exploitation horror of the 1970s. The cinematography in this film is awesome, as the art house influences, and divergent characteristics really work. More importantly, this created a world that true horror fans would understand and enjoy full of blood, effects and a disturbing storyline. Yes, it may lack some character depth and the acting is not perfect, but those were the same problems that haunted most of the exploitation craze in the 1970s. In the end, this movie does more than pay homage to some horror classics; it opened the door for many of the more twisted entries of the past decade. If you have not watched it, check it out!

The Lords of Salem (2012)

Friday the 13th is always a great day to watch horror flicks. While I usually try to watch some type of slasher, likely featuring Jason Voorhees or another classic serial killer, I decided to change things up this week. One reason is my frustration with the brakes on my car, which decided to go out during my 40-mile drive home, what fun! After the stressful drive, I decided to venture into something new that I have not watched yet, the 2012 Rob Zombie flick The Lords of Salem!

Plot/ Heidi, a radio DJ, is sent a box containing a record -- a "gift from the Lords." The sounds within the grooves trigger flashbacks of her town's violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the Lords back to take revenge on Salem, Massachusetts?

This movie will be a very polarizing flick for horror fans. Written and directed by Rob Zombie, this may be one of the most incoherent and psychedelic flicks I have seen in some time. Yet, even with the non-linear structure, there is so much to love about this tremendously visual flick.  The storyline, the soundtrack, the cast, the artistic interpretation; really everything worked. Yes, there was a lack of detailed characterization and some of the back-story was only touched on, but that does not matter. Unfortunately, this one will definitely not be for everyone, as the combination of Devil-worshiping witchcraft and art-house feel will turn some off, especially if they are searching for a gorefest. In the end, I feel this one is a movie that must be seen as it is not the typical flick created by Zombie. In fact, next to The Devils Rejects, this may be his best work. That being said, it is also understandable for people, even some Rob Zombie fans, to hate this flick; it is definitely an independent film that will divide opinions.  

Creature (2011)

If you have read my blog, you know that I love creature features and cheesy low budget flicks. Honestly, is there anything better than a schlockfest with a man in a rubber suit? Well, I am sure there is, but whenever the flick is based on a reptilian Bigfoot like Lock Jaw, it cannot be all bad, can it? Hmmm, I guess it can. What movie am I talking about, Creature from 2011.

Plot/ In the back country of Louisiana, a group of friends unearth a terrible secret that unleashes a monster from the depths of the swamp.

A creature feature with Sid Haig, could you ask for anything more? Well, yes, but as a low budget (relatively speaking) flick with a man in a rubber suit, I have seen much worse.  This one has everything one could imagine from a cheap creature feature, it has all the cheesiness, violence, nudity, and blood splatter that make these tolerable. Yes, it is full of cliché, the acting is uneven, the scripting predictable, and the creature effects were laughable, but hey, it was a cheesy schlockfest that was at least good for a laugh. Sure, it is not up to classic B-Movie creature feature standards, but it has a few interesting moments and some awesome scenery (and boobs). I may not run out a buy it, but it is far from the worst flick I have seen.