Terror on Tour (1983) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Before the infamous "Video Nasties" ruling of 1984, in which some of the most graphic and explicit low budget video titles of the preceding years were subjected to censorship and cuts from their pure original form by the powers that be, it almost seemed like anything went in the world of underground movies. 1980 was one of the scene's peak years; you had the notorious "Maniac," "Don't Go in the House," "Eyes of a Stranger," along with such Italian walking dead splatterfests as "Zombie."
One extremely obscure (and in some ways maybe deservedly so) entry of the slasher wave from that year and one that has been largely lost to time is Don Edmonds' "Terror on Tour." Edmonds had already established himself in the world of underground deviant cinema with such low budget schlock fests as the all but banned "Ilsa, She-Wolf of the S.S." (1974). So he was more than well acquainted with the form.
"Terror on Tour" concerns a fictional Kiss-like rock band known as the Clowns, who don costumes and face paint, making them all but indistinguishable from one another, and whose wild stage shows feature such delightful things as mannequins (all female) being chopped up and torn apart in mutilation-style. Unbeknownst to the band, someone is dressing up like one of the the Clowns' members and sadistically murdering their groupies back stage both during and after their concerts.
This film bears the dreaded "Unrated" classification and at times you can see why. There is rampant partying and drug use, such as smoking grass, doing lines, and popping ludes, so much so that one of the victims is identified in the closing credits simply as "freebase chick." And, then there's the stabbings and throat slittings of mostly bare-breasted backstage groupies. Suspicion points to one of the band's roadies, a socially inept loser unable to mingle with women who therefore is obsessed with applying the Clowns' make-up to get a taste of the action. At one point he peeks through a window in envy at one of the drugged-up band members getting it on with one of the groupies.
This film gets three stars from me for the explicitness and general spirit of rock 'n' roll abandon it possesses. That said, all of the groupies are portrayed as brainless and slutty and are indistinguishable from one another, so some more sensitive viewers will not like this platform or all the violence against women depicted here. In addition, all the actors are amateur or one step above it and there are no name players to be found.
Still, I'd love to see a long overdue DVD release of this. If such equally low budget entries as "Pieces" and "Nail Gun Massacre" can get lavish DVD treatment, then why can't this one? I have a 1985 Media Home Entertainment ex-rental VHS copy that I transferred onto DVD-r. I'd love to see this though without such crummy and grainy picture quality.
While not a great movie by any means, if you cherish the bygone days of the early video revolution and like your slasher movies sleazy, low budget and without morals, then "Terror on Tour" should satiate your fixation for a good 90 minutes or so.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Terror on Tour (1983)

Click here for more information about Terror on Tour (1983)

Read More...

Finale (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First off, please disavow the ghastly cover artwork that implies things that this movie simply doesn't revel in. I fell in love with the photography, with so much beige tones, big grain, and that "big head" screen filling where the entre frame is taken up by tight close ups of someone talking, that I felt like it could have been a Paragon release from 1982. Kudos are in order for making a film with so many old cars, phones with cords, and early 80s decor that when the scene with the son and the cll phone came up at the end I felt it was a deus ex machina until I realized, hey, it just adds to the phantasmagorical aspects of it all. The plot concerns one mother who finds a demonic plot in her son's suicide, which at the onset of the film may be a descent into her insanity, and winds up with her fighting tooth and nail against a devil cult led by someone who may be another mother- or Maeter of B. (something I kept from writing out fully to avoid ruining the plot, just keep an eye out for the feather boa to see who I mean), as it were, as this films quickly veers into what could be construed as another option of the Third Mother of "Suspiria De Profundis". I am going to take heat for this one, but I felt like this film would have made for a more satisfying conclusion to the Mothers' trilogy than the film Argento eventually made as it has more of a rabbit hole approach to it, and has a dream-like aspect to it- so much so that it reminded me in parts of "Inland Empire." And hey, when was the last time you saw a DTV horror flick that didn't have gratuitous rock music during the end credits. Overall, I think I will be watching this one again- it would make a great 80s throwback double bill with "House of the Devil." (And don't take offence at the Argento comment because I am- and will always be- a great fan of his work!)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Finale (2009)

Get 13% OFF

Click here for more information about Finale (2009)

Read More...

The Exorcist - The Complete Anthology (The Exorcist/ The Exorcist- Unrated/ The Exorcist II: The Heretic/ The Exorcist III/ The Exorcist: The Beginning/ The Exorcist: Dominion) (1977) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)You can find this set for around $25 and for that price it's definitely worth it. True, the first one is the best (I prefer the original over the "Version You've Never Seen", but they're still both very good), but the third one isn't that bad (in fact, I think it's pretty good) And neither version of the prequel is good, but it is sort of neat to have two VERY different versions of the same film, and in this context, for comparing the power of editing and the how the perspective of a director can affect a movie, these discs are interesting. True, the second one has no merit, but what can you do? But I won't complain. It's good for a laugh.
Just so people know, this set does contain all the extras the other releases had. So that even sweetens the deal more!
Disc 1: The Exorcist
This is the same flipper disc from the original Special Edition release
Side A:
Intro and commentary by William Friedkin
Commentary by William Peter Blatty and Special Sound Effects Tests
Side B:
The Fear of God: The Making of the Exorcist
Interviews, Storyboards, Production Sketches
Original Ending
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots
Disc 2: The Exorcist "The Version You've Never Seen"
Commentary by William Peter Blatty
Trailer, TV Spots and Raidio Spots
Disc 3: Exorcist II: The Heretic
Alternate Opening Sequence
Theatrical Trailer
Disc 4: Exorcist III
Theatrical Trailer
Disc 5: Exorcist: The Beginning
Commentary by Renny Harlin
Behind-the-scenes Featurette
Theatrical Trailer
Disc 6: Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
Commentary by Paul Schrader
Additional Scenes
Stills Gallery
And there you have it. Everything is there. True, you could get just get the original for cheaper, but I still think this is a solid set and a great deal at that!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Exorcist - The Complete Anthology (The Exorcist/ The Exorcist- Unrated/ The Exorcist II: The Heretic/ The Exorcist III/ The Exorcist: The Beginning/ The Exorcist: Dominion) (1977)

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about The Exorcist - The Complete Anthology (The Exorcist/ The Exorcist- Unrated/ The Exorcist II: The Heretic/ The Exorcist III/ The Exorcist: The Beginning/ The Exorcist: Dominion) (1977)

Read More...

Tourist Trap (1979) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)One of the best horror films of the 1970's has finally been given a long overdue home video makeover. TOURIST TRAP is the most frightening movie ever made about mannequins, and a classic example that a low budget can be a horror film's greatest asset. In today's predictable, estrogen-driven MTV style of filmmaking wherein the writers believe that blood, gore, and throwaway lines are the ingredients necessary to make a horror film, TOURIST TRAP blows that notion out of the water. The film possesses an air of originality thanks to Nicholas Von Sternberg's beautiful visual style and superb editing by Ted Nicolaou. The story itself is similar to PSYCHO, but it's done with such pinache that one might not initially realize it. Brian DePalma's SISTERS (1973) is another great PSYCHO inspiration that you should check out if you already have not.
I first saw this movie one Saturday afternoon on TV in the mid-80's and it left one hell of an impression on me. It begins with what is unquestionably one of the most bizarre and frightening openings ever done in a horror film. A group of friends are on vacation when one of their tires blows out. Woody, the driver, walks to a gas station to get some help, but he finds himself in a situation that would give just about anyone a heart attack.
Enter Chuck Connors. He gives a wonderful and ultimately surprisingly sympathetic performance as Mr. Slausen, a congenial and charming gentleman who owns a now-defunct roadside souvenir shop/wax museum. When he meets up with Woody's friends who are concerned about Woody's whereabouts, Mr. Slausen comes to the rescue, but a series of horrendously bizarre events begin to transpire. As the story progresses, the natural inclination on the part of the viewer is to refute the plausibility of the bizarre set pieces that slowly mount. I find that if you watch it from the standpoint of falling asleep and having a nightmare about mannequins that come to life, this film is much more frightening and enjoyable.
When I was seven, I used to play in my grandmother's basement that was populated by some truly horrific dolls. One of them had outstretched hands with no hair that walked when you wound it up, and let me tell you - they were frightening. This film has that kind of effect.
This film inexplicably received a PG rating during its theatrical release which, the director states, killed it at the box office. I would have demanded an R rating if I were him! While the film contains no overt bloodshed, one of the murders is particularly gruesome and cruel (that's not counting the opening scene!)
The DVD transfer of this film is a revelation. Colors that were originally muted on the old 16mm faded prints that made the rounds on late night cable are now rich and vibrant. Pino Donaggio's score, which is one of the best elements in the film, comes through in full force. As a bonus, director David Schmoeller gives a running commentary throughout the film, though I wish he divulged more information than he actually does. Although he mentions TOURIST TRAP's origins - a film school thesis project called THE SPIDER WILL KILL YOU - he fails to disclose the film's budget. Disappointingly, why wasn't this thesis film included on the DVD? Why does the DVD state that it contains 40 trailers to other horror films when I can only access seven?
Despite my carpings, the DVD is well worth the asking price. The trailer for TOURIST TRAP is included.
For those of you who love gaffes, check out the left side of the screen at the 72:52 point during Tanya Robert's death scene. A stage hand can be seen behind a pane of glass.
Forget SCREAM and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER. If you don't have a DVD player yet, this is one reason to purchase one. The film is currently out of print on VHS, but VHS stinks anyway!
Thank you, David Schmoeller, for making one of the best horror films EVER.
TOURIST TRAP is superb.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tourist Trap (1979)

Click here for more information about Tourist Trap (1979)

Read More...