Graduation Day (1981)

While I continue to break in the new TV, it was time to venture back to my youth and see how a 1980s slasher comes across. My choice was the well known Troma entry Graduation Day.

Plot/ After a high school track runner, named Laura, suddenly dies from a heart attack after finishing a 30-second 100-meter race, a killer wearing a sweat suit and a fencing mask beings killing off her friends on the school track team one by one. The suspects include the track coach Michaels, Laura's sister Anne who arrives in town for the funeral, the creepy school principal Mr. Guglione, and Laura's strange boyfriend Kevin.

It was a blast from the past when I saw this on Netflix, I almost remember riding my bike to the video store. Ironically, even after all of these years, I came away from this flick with the same feeling, why did I watch this one? Yes, it is not the worst slasher from the era, but it is far from the top. The characters, acting, plot and soundtrack are pretty lame and often unnecessary, Couple that with the “B” Movie quality and you can see where this is going. To its credit, there are some good moments with some pretty funny murder sequences and it does have Vanna White and B-movie scream queen Linnea Quigley, but really, not much more. If you are into campy slasher flicks that cry 1980s, this one is for you, if you aren’t, stay clear!

Piranha 3D (2010)

After a few days at rebuilding the living room after moving into the HD age, it was time to sit down with a few flicks. My first choice on the new TV set was the 2010 remake of the 1970s Roger Corman flick Piranha, Piranha 3D.

Plot/ After a sudden underwater tremor sets free scores of the prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food for the area's new razor-toothed residents.

From the first time I heard of this remake, I really did not expect much. Honestly, I got more than I expected. Yes, the plot, script, acting and some of the CGI was off, and seemed Sci-Fi Channelish at best. However, for me the boobs, comic moments, nudity and gore at least made it an enjoyable hour and a half. Plus, seeing Richard Dryfuss on the water was pretty funny, not Bill Murray funny, but funny. In the end, this is far from a great flick, but if you like blood, guts and boobs, you should enjoy it at least a little. I at least enjoyed watching my wife jump at the ending!

Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966)

After enjoying the horror/western Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter, I decided to venture back into that era and genre with Billy the Kid Versus Dracula.

Plot/ Dracula travels to the American West, intent on making a beautiful ranch owner his next victim. Her fiancé, outlaw Billy the Kid, finds out about it and rushes to save her.

While better than its sister piece Jesse James meets Frankenstein’s Daughter, many of the flaws and elements are the same. Yes, the title is alluring and the fundamental idea is interesting, but much like the other entry, it fails to take full advantage of the potential of the interesting old west meets classic monster horror romp. The plot is rough full of many unanswered questions within the unbelievable sequences that consistently take place. The film lacks action, is rather slow, and boasts some of the worst effects I have ever seen (rubber bats anyone?). John Carradine is a ham as Dracula, a performance that at least makes the flick a tad enjoyable. This may not be great, but it should at least be on your list to watch once if you are a fan of old-time monster movies.

Elivira's Movie Macabre: Werewolf of Washington (1973)

Last night, I decided to check out an episode of Elvira’s Movie Macabre, as the Mistress of the Dark is always good for some entertaining moments. This installment was 1973s Werewolf of Washington. This weeks installment on THIS is Don’t Look in the Basement (if interested).

Plot/ A reporter who has had an affair with the daughter of the U.S. President is sent to Hungary. There he is bitten by a werewolf, and then gets transferred back to Washington, where he gets a job as press assistant to the President. Then bodies start turning up in D.C.

I am not sure whether this was supposed to be such an over-the-top horror comedy, or if it is just that bad. One thing is certain it is definitely perfect for Elvira’s Movie Macabre. I will admit that there are some funny moments, with a pretty witty script. However, some of it was just too far out there to even be entertaining. The pacing was slow, the acting uneven and there was no gore or blood during the kills. Overall, it was definitely more political satire than horror flick. If you are into odd 1970s flicks, check this one out, if not…

The Beach Girls and the Monster (1965)

After watching House of Long Shadows, it was a fun trip down “B” Movie lane with the 1965 beach creature themed Monster from the Surf (AKA The Beach Girls and the Monster).

Plot/ A young girl is killed at the beach in Malibu. Professor Otto Lindsay suspects that it is some form of mutated fish. However, his son Richard, who was a good friend of girl, thinks that it is a madman who has a grudge against Richard and his friends. Soon the list of victims grows to include one of Rich's surfing buddies, Rich's bitchy stepmother Vicky and his friend Mark who was crippled in an auto accident.

Really, there is not much to say about this “B” movie entry. Shot during an era when beach movies and creature features were all the rage, this part beach party flick, part whodunit, and part horror tried to pull it together all at once on a shoestring budget. I imagine that they got what they expected, a total laugher featuring a rubber suited monster and some groovy music. Yes, this is a bit fun, but really that is just because it is so bad that it is good fun. The pacing, acting, effects and script are all bad. However, at just over 60 minutes, it is better than some TV that the networks are pushing.

House of Long Shadows (1983)

  

After a couple of days of work taking a chunk out of my evening, it was time to get back into the swing of things. My movie selection for the evening, 1983s House of Long Shadows.

Plot/ An American writer goes to a remote Welsh manor on a $20,000 bet: can he write a classic novel like "Wuthering Heights" in twenty-four hours? Upon his arrival, however, the writer discovers that the manor, thought empty, actually has several, rather odd, inhabitants.

What a treat, four great horror actors, Peter Cushing, John Carradine, Christopher Lee and Vincent Price, come together and create an awesome film. Yes, it is far from perfect; suffering from bad pacing, soma bad acting (Desi Arnaz Jr.), and an ending that definitely leaves an unresolved feeling. However, just seeing the four great work and mesh together is more than enough to carry the flick. While not a masterpiece, it is definitely worth watching!

The Raven (1963)

After a long day, I decided to turn to something reliable to put a smile on my face. What is that? The combination of Roger Corman, Vincent Price and Edgar Allan Poe, in 1963s The Raven.

Plot/ A magician who has been turned into a raven turns to a former sorcerer for help in this film loosely based on the Edgar Allen Poe poem.

While this Roger Corman adaptation of Poe’s The Raven is far from a horror flick, it is definitely a must see for horror fans. Yes, there is not much linking the film to Poe other than the title, but what Richard Matheson’s scripting created is one of the best Corman trips into the world of Poe. Littered with comedy, the fusing of Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff (with a young Jack Nicholson), really works within the confines of this often overlooked Corman masterpiece. The special effects are decent (especially on the budget), the sets are tremendous and the script is amazing. Yes, there are flaws (as there are in all of Corman’s low-budget flicks), but they are easily overlooked. Check this out, you will not be disappointed.

Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966)

With Jolene off to see Miranda Cosgrove, I was lucky enough to spend the evening with Markie and Jillian. After watching a classic episode of The Outer Limits, it was time to settle down for another installment of scary movie night. Our choice for the evening Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter.

Plot/ Legendary outlaw of the Old West Jesse James, on the run from Marshal MacPhee, hides out in the castle of Baron Frankenstein's granddaughter Maria, who proceeds to transform Jesse's slow-witted pal Hank into a bald zombie, which she names Igor.

The best part of this flick may be the title. This low budget entry has all of the elements in place to be a good movie, but fails to take full advantage of the potential of the interesting old west meets classic monster horror romp. The plot is rough full of many unanswered questions within the unbelievable sequences that consistently take place. The film lacks action and is rather slow, and to top it off there is almost no scares anywhere to be found. While it was a flawed flick, I am glad that I spent the time to watch it with my daughters. This may not be great, but it should at least be on your list to watch once if you are a fan of old-time monster movies.

Night of the Scarecrow (1995)

After taking a few days to prepare for the Super Bowl (hopefully, the Steelers pull in number 7), it was time to enjoy some good blood and guts. While I am excited as I finally have Saw VII  in the house to finish that (one of my favorite) series, I decided to venture back into the 1990s with 1995s Night of the Scarecrow.

Plot/ A group of drunk teenagers accidentally set free the spirit of a warlock, which possesses a scarecrow. The scarecrow goes on a bloody rampage killing the descendents of the men who had killed the warlock a century before. A newcomer and the daughter of the mayor try to stop it before it is too late and the warlock can reincarnate.

In many ways, this is an average supernatural slasher flick, featuring some very good production elements, special effects and cinematography. Yes, the scarecrow’s make-up is a bit cheesy, but the gore more than makes up for it. In fact, there was a lot more gore than I remembered, The acting and pacing are a bit choppy and uneven, which is a bit of a distraction. All in all, this is a very average but entertaining film. If you are a gore fan, you should like this one.