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chicocat2002
Reviews
Brain Twisters (1991)
X-Treme Era Computer Chiller Thriller
There's quite a few reviews on here telling you how bad this film is. I'd have to disagree on a lot of the criticisms: the direction is professional for the most part - at least on par with any episode of "Hunter", the acting is fine (even 'good' in some cases, particularly Farrah Forke who would later go on to act in major productions), even the overall story idea is fairly intriguing if not entirely original.
What went wrong? Well, details. Moments in the script that betray an otherwise reasonably crafted tale. Unintentional comedic moments - mostly from overacting on the part of the less talented supporting cast and their ( or the directors) poor performance choices.
Budget and technology also bring this film down - what might have looked passable in 1990 for computer CGI is now assuredly dated and probably 'laughable' to anyone born after the year the film was made.
This kind of reminds me of "God Told Me To" except instead of aliens, we have a computer software company manipulating people to do crazy things. It's not as good as "God" by some degree, but any B movie fan should find some redeeming qualities about it.
Very little to none in terms of depicted violence or nudity, so that will disappoint the majority.
Scream Bloody Murder (1973)
Like Milligan with a Respectable Budget
What's with all the poor ratings?! I thought there's a lot of good things to be said about this early effort slasher flick, not the least of which being top-notch technical direction. Anyone with an eye for editing will appreciate at least the thought behind, if not the final result, of many of the scenes.
Are the effects cheezy? Yeah, well by today's 1 billion dollar CGI standards I guess, but it's apparent from frame 1 that "Scream Bloody Murder (aka Claw of Terror) wasn't working with a "Cleopatra" type budget. For the most part, if you're not looking too hard, they do just fine.
I dunno, it must just be me but I didn't find the Vera/Daisy in the mansion part of the story tedious in the slightest and the film moves along at an entertaining clip.
What does drag this particular feature down is horrible dialog and some spotty performances now and again. "Matthew's" characterization leaves much to be desired and falls way short of Romero's "Martin" (Amplas).
The good: 1. Finale tracking shot in the church. Nice! 2. Top-notch action cutting/composition.
3. Unpredictable at times and effectively disturbing atmosphere created.
The bad: 1. Horrible dialog. Horrible.
2. Cheezeball origin of main protagonist. Sets bar low for what you are about to watch.
3. Music sounds like Planet of the Apes' over end credits It's easy to find this movie in any number of DVD compilation packages. well worth a viewing if you're a horror fan that doesn't need the latest and greatest to get excited about. Those of you into 70's grind-house should really get a kick out of it - I certainly did!
Blood Freak (1972)
Butterball eat yer heart out!
Oh man...one of, if not THE best in the indie "Z" category. "Blood Freak" should be mandatory viewing for everybody, what a different world it would be.
Words cannot describe what you'll witness should you choose to watch this film! As far as I know, it's the only Christian/Anti-Drug/Gore/Turkey film ever made, obviously those who came after realized trying to outdo "BF" would be an impossible feat.
Highlights include the coughing fit of the on screen narrator, the retina destroying fashions and two of the coolest lab workers. ever.
It's hard to tell if the filmmakers were taking this seriously or not, as a lot of the unintentional humour (e.g. coughing fit) could have easily been edited out. Was it a big in-joke? A decision to camp it up half-way through filming? Some of the dialog points to this: (paraphrase) "Is there anything else that's different about you?", etc. I dunno...but what you do have here is pure gold!
10/10 on the so-weird-how-can-you-not-like-it? meter. For the gents: Herschell's love interest is a good lookin' honey too!
Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)
But Liz Baby!
First off, I'm a huge fan/collector of all things weird in vintage cinema. There's a thousand times more charm in the "Wild, Wild World of Batwoman" or "Blood Freak" 's out there than of any modern day piece of demographically determined dreck that Hollywood currently cranks out of their movie-making machine. Watch any CGI assisted modern day horror film and see just how much "fun" you'll have.
"Attack of the Giant Leeches" is a flick I've watched close to twenty times. "Good Lord, why?!" you'll probably ask - and I wish I could tell you! I suppose it's because this movie is one of those little gems that just grows on you on repeated viewings.
Most of the characters come off as "Deliverance" locals, extra-light. Being a northerner (from Canada, actually) I find something very compelling about movies based in the deep south. Much of the horror from "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" for example, is derived from this unfamiliarity of culture. Although "Leeches" isn't at all frightening, it IS creepy - all the more heightened if you're viewing it on one of the numerous grainy public domain DVD/VHS releases. In fact, that's the ONLY way to watch this film!
I won't bother retreading the plot, but this film is paced briskly and has a short enough running time (what's with that ending, anyhow? ha-ha) to keep you entertained throughout...that is, if you're somebody who doesn't demand $110 billion dollar effects and will take the film for what it is. I suppose if you're reading this, you're probably a fan of old horror/sci-fi anyways.
One of my personal faves...I say 8/10 on the old-time family fun-o-meter! Yvette Vickers is a total cutie as well!
The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973)
Excellent cinematography and direction, not so great story
Watched this as part of a 50 Drive-In movies pack and was really impressed with certain aspects of this flick. Admittedly, there film has a few shortcomings as well which undermine the proceedings.
The Good:
1. Direction! Gibson blocks out scenes brilliantly. Very impressed with his use of the frame. How much influence he had on the actors performances, I'm not certain, but that leads us to:
2. Acting. Superb all-around. Cushing in particular, but has he ever had a bad performance? The supporting cast in this is better than most Hammer productions.
3. Cinematography. Loads of rack focus shots (more so than you'd typically see used in films today) and interesting tracking/pans all pulled off magnificently.
The Bad:
1. Story. Unfortunately a film's most important element. The idea is a good one, but the ending is particularly wretched. Some good dialog/ some really cheeze. I guess I'd declare it "uneven" rather than truly "bad". There's also a few occurrences that aren't properly explained.
2. Villains. I'm not sure if I liked the motorcycle dudes in the vests as a camp element or not. Perhaps this is a case where the 70s fashions really worked against them.
I say check it out, particularly if you enjoy thriller films. The cheap-O, non-remastered version you get with the 50 Movies pack is the perfect way to watch this - faded colours and scratches galore. Takes me back to those Saturday afternoons/evenings with the TV horror hosts.