Change Your Image
brybug
Reviews
Dead of Night (1974)
Andy's Home
Very underrated "lost" classic by director Bob(why didn't I stick with horror flicks)Clark. When war vet Andy returns home after a stint in Vietnam. His family was told he was dead. "I was" Andy replies(long pause). A few great chilling moments, add a dash of disturbing scenes where Andy uses blood like a drug addict, and watching him decay and you've got yourself a great horror film. This one will stay with you a while if you like it or not. Worth searching for.
Tenebre (1982)
Argento's slasher film to end all slasher films
This movie is only for those seeking something different in their horror films. I say this because Argento was almost always a better innovator than a great film maker. This is where his talent lies. While plot, character development, story line, acting, and narrative my be important to some people. To him it is not. The story of an author's visit to Rome to promote his new book and then being stalked by a rabid fan hides a deeper meaning. Other than it being probably Argento's most personal work. What is important to Argento and so many other foreign horror film makers of the past and present is art. Now, the fact that murder can be beautiful is never put into perspective as much as it is in Tenebre. He puts it so much into perspective that its almost shouting at other film makers "Hey, do something creative, for God's sakes." Tenebre was made in 1982 but Argento wanted it to look like it was made 5 years into the future(most people will never tell the difference) where everyone lived in a lush townhome, apartment, or artistic homes. Almost every woman a harlot almost every man disturbed(mildly or psychotic). Morality is gone and no kindness is done except for personal gain. This is where the real horror of Tenebre resides. While everything is lush and beautiful to the eye. Most of it is rotten and hollow to the core. Ok, getting too deep their for a second. Oh, another thing: did you notice all the black jokes tossed at the horror filmakers, horror fans, horror critics, and Argento himself.
If you didn't I'll tell you one: The girl in the bookstore is caught trying to steal a paperback copy of Tenebre. She then slimes her way out of it by saying she will sleep with the security guard if he lets her go. Later, she is murdered while having the pages of the book stuffed in her mouth. Just think about what Argento is trying to say about all the film makers trying to steal his work. Choke on it.
Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972)
Just had over the money imitators.
This is the real thing. If it wasn't for the bad copy I got of this one it would of been perfect. A real sleeper. What happens when a psychotic killer escapes from a mental institution(sounding familiar, check the date) and returns to his home, with a dark past we find out about throughout the movie, to call up townsfolk insisting they come to the house or he will unlock a dark secret about the town. This is one of those film that is a staple in the slasher genre' but nobody has see it. A must have for horror fans.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
the best bad movie ever
Not for everyone, but the ones that like zombie movies will surely get a kick out of this one which is better than most of 'em but not the best. It was also the first movie where the zombies could actually think rationally and crave "brrrainnsss". When two medical supply factory workers accidentally open a canister containing a zombie from a government project. All hell breaks loose. (Plot was never a thing that zombie movies need anyway) While it may not be the classic that Romero's Night of the Living Dead is it works in a different way. Going for the outrageous and outlandish more than the scary. What do you expect from a horror movie with two friends named Burt and Ernie(in a zombie movie more or less). Like I said not for everyone but it is entertaining, funny, offensive, crude, and even has a couple of suspenseful moments. Watching James Karen try to kill a re-animated split dog with a crutch and after dispatching two paramedics the zombies get on their CB asking to "send more paramedics" was just too funny for me. Also has a great sound track featuring two of my favorite bands(The Cramps & The Damned). Just turn your brain off for a good hour and a half and have fun.
I corpi presentano tracce di violenza carnale (1973)
Not bad giallo
Basically when you talk about giallos(bloody, stylish, Italian made murder/mysteries) three names usually come to mind: Argento, sometimes Fulci, and Mario Bava, all the others mostly are crap. While Torso is fortunate because it wasn't directed by any of those mentioned above and for the most part it isn't crap it is nothing to get overly excited about. The murder in the swamp and a scene involving a key were good but there are many mistakes the movie made: the acting could have been better and the story is horrible. The version I saw even had the unfortunate editing mistake of putting the best murder scene during the opening credits.
Operazione paura (1966)
Dumb title marks one of Bava's best, if not the best
Horrifying ghost story with atmosphere that clings to you like moss to a rock. Bring along some chilling moments and a stage feeling of dread in the film and you have a very good horror film. Bava experimented with a ghost story in his earlier film Black Sabbath here he tries to perfect it and does a good job. This quite possibly could be Mario Bava's best film.
The Legend of Hell House (1973)
One of the top 5 haunted house movies ever made.
Although some might have different lists The Legend of Hell House is on of the top five. Along with The Haunting(the '60 film), The Uninvited, The Changeling, and the Shining(the original one) Hell House does belong on that list. Some say it does resemble the haunting, but that was only to my knowledge because the haunting came first. The main difference I would have to say is the houses. The haunting's house seems bigger, with elaborate rooms and grand beauty. Hell houses rooms seem smaller more claustrophobic with tons of spider webs and dust. Really comparing the two movies is like comparing "Halloween"(the Haunting) to "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"(Hell House). As for the acting Franklin and McDowell are the only two believable characters(and that's only because I have never met a psychic in my lifetime), Revill plays a good wooden board and his wife is a bit hammy and over-frightened but she's o.k. Best Quote: Ann: "What did he do to make this house so evil, Mr. Fisher?" Fisher: "(pause as he walks over to her) Drug addiction, alcoholism, sadism, beastiality, mutalation, murder, vampireism, nechropillia, cannibalism(all sic), not to mention a gambit of sexual goodies. Shall I go on?" The direction is good, but didn't need much. I could of done a good job directing a scary story like this . The true strength of the movie lies with the story, except for the ending which is a let down. It is a lot of fun up until that part, however.
Dressed to Kill (1980)
They don't make them like this anymore.
First lets talk to see if this movie is right for the people reading this because you either love it or hate it. If you like movies that are more mystery than horror then rush out and buy this one right now and don't hesitate. Forget about renting it because you will watch it over and over and over again. The reason for this is because DePalma(my favorite director of all time) doesn't just play with your mind like Hitchcock did, he rapes it. There are several scenes in this movie that Hitchcock would even of been proud of. The performances by all three main characters especially Michael Caine as a potential robot, he he you'll see, are all not great but fit just perfectly. What works most for the movie is the scenes. There are about four in it that are just as thrilling as the train station scene in The Untouchables. Most people say this movie is predictable, I say yes it is, but watching it unravel is the fun of it.
The Doom Generation (1995)
The absolute worst movie I have ever seen.
TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS STAY AWAY FROM THIS MOVIE. The acting wasn't good, there was no plot, and it was pretty gross. I was told it was supposed to be about a bunch of teenagers' ride through hell, unfortunately this is how the viewer feels.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Most horror viewers will not like it the first time viewed.
The first time I saw this movie I didn't like it. It was disturbing and gave me an uneasy feeling. Then I thought maybe that's what it is supposed to do. A lot like the feeling you get when you watch A Clockwork Orange. This could have been Hooper's whole intention of the movie. It might try to give you an uneasy feeling and make you feel like the victims in the movie. Not like other horror movies where the suspense keeps your adrenaline going, this one actually tries to make you feel like the characters. Anyway I gave it a second shot and liked it better then.
Jane Austen's Mafia! (1998)
One word: blah
Substandard take on mafia films that misses more than it hits. Only rent if you're in desperate need for a laugh.
Student Bodies (1981)
Great first half, sorry second half.
Student Bodies would have reached the greatness of Airplane, if it didn't fall off in the second half. A basic spoof of 80's psycho killer movies with most jokes hitting more than missing. In the second half it more goes off on its own story than taking from other horror movies. But it is still worth seeing for the first half. (The football game was by far the funniest part.)
Phenomena (1985)
It will make your skin crawl.
Not the best Argento movie ever (that was Susperia), but definitely the goriest with a very well-styled ending that will make you shiver. The only problem is getting past the 'ugh' first half, but don't worry it gets better.
Burnt Offerings (1976)
BETTER AS A BOOK THAN A MOVIE.
READING THE BOOK WAS SCARY, SEEING THE MOVIE FAILES TO COMPARE TO IT. ANYONE WHO SEES THE MOVIE AND HATES IT SHOULD GIVE THE BOOK A TRY. YOU WON'T REGRET IT.
Society (1989)
good start with a sorry finish
One of those movies that starts out with a great idea only to ruin it in the last half-hour. Watch only the first hour after that view at your own risk. It falls apart pretty quick.
Suspiria (1977)
Great movie
The first time I watched it, it scared the hell out of me. If you are in the mood for a horror film, this is it. Even has a good mystery sub-plot to it. .
Raising Cain (1992)
BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND.
WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS MOVIE I THOUGHT IT REALLY STUNK. BUT AFTER SEEING IT A SECOND TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS BETTER BECAUSE THE MIDDLE IS SO CONFUSING AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WATCH IT TWICE TO UNDERSTAND IT. IT WAS WORTH SEEING THE ENDING AGAIN, THOUGH.
Sid and Nancy (1986)
THE MOVIE THAT MADE GARY OLDMAN
GREAT MOVIE. IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT YOU HAVE TO. IT'S THE STORY OF SID VICIOUS & NANCY SPUNGEN (THE 70'S KURT & COURTNEY). OLDMAN & WEBB ARE BOTH GREAT. THE ENDING DRAGS A LITTLE BUT IT'S STILL GOOD.
Body Bags (1993)
almost John, almost
Although I have not seen Vampires yet, this is as close to a good movie as Carpenter has gotten in the past few years. Don't miss the first story, it's the best one
The Evil Dead (1981)
A MOVIE I ALWAYS THOUGHT SHOULD BE REMADE
THE EVIL DEAD IS THE SCARIEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN. BUT THE EFFECTS ARE TERRIBLE. IT SHOULD BE REMADE SO THAT PEOPLE WILL SCREAM INSTEAD OF LAUGH AT IT. I'M NOT SAYING TO JUST SELL-OUT. I'M SAYING BETTER EFFECTS WOULD MAKE IT A LOT BETTER OR EVEN SCARIER. BY THE WAY, WAS I THE ONLY ONE WHO THOUGH PARTS TWO AND THREE STUNK?
Deadly Blessing (1981)
THE SCREAM BEFORE SCREAM.
SOME PEOPLE WOULD CALL ME A BLASPHEMER BUT DOESN'T THIS AND SCREAM HAVE A LOT IN COMMON SINCE IT IS THE ONLY OTHER MURDER\ MYSTERY\HORROR MOVIE WES CRAVEN DID. OH YEAH, DON'T MISS THE PART WITH SHARON STONE IN THE BARN.
The Brood (1979)
first horror movie I ever seen.
This was the first horror movie I ever seen and it still scares me. Probably because this is the first time Cronenberg uses suspense, not gore, to scare his audience.