Murder Mansion (1972)

  

I decided to finish disk 5 of the Mill Creek Drive-In Movie Classics 50 Movie Pack. After suffering through Mama Dracula, it was time to watch Murder Mansion.

Plot/ A couple, lost in thick fog, take refuge in an old mansion next to a cemetery when strange things start to happen.

This was actually quite refreshing after the last dud. This flick is a nice, atmospheric chiller that featured many mystery / thriller / giallo elements. Sure, the plot was rather cliché and the budget low, but the acting, cinematography and stylistic use of colors and fog did a masterful job at making up for the basic plot. Yes, it is not ground breaking horror, but it is a good gothic tale that has a place on a dark stormy night. Especially if an uncut / unedited version were in place.

Mama Dracula (1980)

I decided to get back into the Mill Creek Drive-In Movie Classics 50 Movie Pack, I purchased a while ago. Hell, being limited to my recliner may help me actually get through a majority of it. My first movie selection for the day is the 1980 vampire flick, Mama Dracula.

Plot/ A female vampire must bathe in the blood of virgins in order to stay alive. The trouble is that virgins are in short supply nowadays, and she is running into major problems in finding one.

This was definitely a strange film. Unfortunately, strange may be the only positive thing about it. This is an early 1980s vampire comedy that lacks too much comedic attributes. The plot is very disjointed and definitely moves in very odd directions. The acting, soundtrack and pretty much the rest of the film (including the boobs) are just adequate. I would not recommend this film to anyone (unless you are like me and are finishing a Mill Creek Box Set), I am sure you can find a better selection out there.

4 Movie Marathon: Cult Horror Collection

The 4 Movie Marathon: Cult Horror Collection set that I picked-up at Walmart prior to my surgery for $5 bucks was one of the best DVD purchases I have made in some time. The vast variety of the four films were definitely interesting and in some ways they actually seemed to be connected with none of the films being snoozers. 

Check out the links for reviews of the four flcks.

The Funhouse

Phantasm II

The Serpent and the Rainbow

Sssssss 

The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)

Now that I have watched 3 of the 4 Movie Marathon: Cult Horror Collection, I decided to finish the set with Wes Craven’s The Serpent and the Rainbow from 1988.

Plot/ An anthropologist goes to Haiti after hearing rumors about a drug used by black magic practitioners to turn people in zombies.

This is definitely one of Craven’s best works. While more of a psychological thriller than horror flick, this takes the viewer through a maze of darkness that is truly entertaining while paying respects to a genre long gone by, zombies and Voodoo. Yes, the pacing is a bit off, almost slow, it is interesting and has a high production value. The acting is solid and the effects are pretty good, but it is clearly the supernatural occult driven detail of Voodoo that makes it one of the best of the era. A must see!

Slimeball the Clown (OOAK Post-Surgery Art)

I hate being confined to my recliner and cannot wait for this incision to heal so I can get back to some normal daily events. Until then, I guess I am trapped by horror movies, writing and the weirdness that are part of me. With that in mind, I finished the first post-surgery art piece today... Slimeball the Clown, a OOAK zombie clown wall hanging. Who knows, once I recover, maybe I will sacrifice some of these to my ETSY page.

Sssssss (1973)

Continuing with the 4 Movie Marathon: Cult Horror Collection, I decided to venture into the man and creature flicks that made the 1970s so entertaining. My selection to follow The Funhouse, 1973s snake fest Sssssss!

Plot/ David, a college student, is looking for a job. He is hired by Dr. Stoner as a lab assistant for his research and experiments on snakes. David also begins to fall for Stoner's young daughter, Kristina. However, the good doctor has secretly brewed up a serum that can transform any man into a King Cobra snake-and he plans to use it on David.

The 1970s boast some of the greatest movies and movements in the horror genre, especially when it comes to man vs. nature horror. This film in some way definitely fits into that category (although maybe man-becomes-creature is more fitting). There is a lot to like in this flick, good production values, solid character development, creepy effects and an interesting storyline backed-up by solid acting and a good soundtrack. Sure, the plot may be a bit outlandish and overall it carries a touch of “B” Movie cheese but that really adds to its likability. This is definitely an underrated gem of the 1970s and one that is definitely worth watching!

The Funhouse (1981)

After reviewing  Torture Garden, I decided to keep going with the Sideshow / Circus theme. Next up, in the Ringmaster’s Realm is the 1981 Cult Horror Classic, The Funhouse by Tobe Hooper, one of the four films in the 4 Movie Marathon: Cult Horror Collection.

Plot/ Two young couples on a double date go to a mysterious carnival. As a prank they decide to spend the night in the funhouse. When they witness a brutal murder, they suddenly find themselves in horrific danger.

This has always been one of my favorites; combining two creepy elements and creating an above average 1980s slasher/thriller. The story and script are solid, the acting decent, the effects are awesome (especially Rick Baker’s creation) and the soundtrack is perfect. Most of all, Hooper’s direction creates tremendous suspense within an atmosphere of dread that permeates through the entire production. Perfect, no, but what movie is? In the end, this is a tremendous effort and definitely one of the best slasher/thrillers from the 1980s, and definitely a must see!

Torture Garden (1967)

Sitting here in my recliner, it will be nice to start watching some more horror flicks. Luckily, I have had some time now to catch-up on some of the flicks that I enjoyed here lately. Next up for review, the 1967 Amicus entry Torture Garden.

Plot/ A special sideshow torture exhibit has the power, according to the showman Dr. Diablo, to warn people of evil in their futures. The skeptical customers are shown the greed and violence they're hiding.

This Amicus entry is an interesting anthology, and actually decently entertaining. Based on the works of horror icon Robert Bloch, the stories vary from dark to humorous, with a very sound atmosphere throughout, the cast is solid and all have some very good performances (especially Jack Palance and Peter Cushing in The Man Who Collected Poe) and it carries a decent feel throughout. In the end, this is no masterpiece, Hell, it may not be the best Amicus Anthology, but it has enough moments and twists to keep it interesting (not to mention the eerie carnival music). While far from perfect, it is a must see for horror fans.

The Card Player (2004)

After some quiet and possibly too much sleep time, it was time to jump back at it. With that in mind, I looked through Netflix and discovered Dario Argento’s 2004 thriller The Card Player.

Plot/ A Rome policewoman teams up with a British Interpol agent to find a crafty serial killer whom plays a taunting game of cat-and-mouse with the police by abducting and killing young women and showing it over an Internet web cam.

While not his best work, this film is an interesting movie on many levels. Sure, it is not the classic giallo that Argento made famous, but it is a solid flick featuring some of his innate feel for visual styles. Maybe it lacks the visual flair of his classics, but he creates a dark and heavy feel throughout to match the wintery Roman countryside. The story is solid and actually a bit more coherent than usual, the acting sound, and the mood and atmosphere is backed-up by a decent soundtrack. While it may not be for the diehard Argento fan, all-in-all, this is a pretty good mystery/thriller and a film that is rather enjoyable.

Zombie Women of Satan (2009)

Now that the medications have seemed to wear off (except for the painkillers), I can get back to reviewing some of the movies that I have been watching in preparation for surgery. My first review since (plus maybe some scar pictures…LOL) is the 2009 horror /comedy Zombie Women of Satan.

Plot/ When a group of nightclub performers arrive on a remote farm for a cable TV interview, they soon discover the dark secret of the sinister family who live there - they have been kidnapping and torturing gorgeous young women as part of a perverted cult. However, the family's experiments have now gone wrong, and the stocking-clad women have now become ravenous zombies! Now trapped, our ragtag group of visitors must unite in a desperate bid to stay alive...

For once, the title was indeed a sign of how bad a flick can be. Honestly, this movie is BAD, really BAD. In fact, horrible may be more like it. I understand low-budget, “B” Movies, but this is ridiculous. The plot, script and production values are terrible, with some home movies being better examples of filmmaking. The acting, gore and really everything else in this failed horror/comedy is just pathetic and inept. This is unfortunate, I was honestly hoping for better and was interested in the title, but there is no redeeming value with this one… Stay Away!