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Reviews
Shrieker (1998)
A good horror film from Full Moon
Full Moon finally did it. Yes, they quit making those horror-comedies("Curse of the Puppet Master", "Hideous", and "Creeps") and finally attempted a serious horror picture. The film basically is set around a bunch of cheap college students who don't want to pay rent like the rest of us. They get this idea of residing in an old hospital that contains the evil spirit of the Shrieker. Victoria Sloan is once again taking the reins of director for Full Moon Studios and actually makes a worthy picture for once. She seems to understand the restrictions of her actor's talents and the lackluster special effects and works around them. However, I shouldn't be so rough, the acting is actually pretty good in terms of recent Full Moon actors. Tanya Dempsey, who plays the lead, is pretty convincing as the brave new tenant who solves the riddle of who is behind the Shrieker. A highlight of the film is one guy who is so self conscious of his sexuality that he spends the whole film stating he is not a homosexual(pretty interesting). I recommend giving this movie a try, especially if you are a fan of Full Moon films. I really feel it is one of their best movies in recent years.
Bad Channels (1992)
Some of the most terrible rock bands ever seen or heard
Bad Channel is an embarrassing outing by "Subspecies" director Ted Nicolaou. Actually, to get to the point, watch Ted's "Subspecies" movies(there are 4 of them as of December 1998) instead. However, we are here to review and comment on "Bad Channels". This pic stars everyone's favorite 80's MTV vj Martha Quinn in a spirited performance as Lisa Cummings, a local reporter. She is the center of a prank created by DJ Dangerous Dan O'Dare(Paul Hipp), but soon the prank is turned on Dan when an alien takes over the radio station. That is much as I will give away on this classic. The move is split up by pathetically made music videos starring bands that have never heard of, and I'm sure that I will never hear of again. The highlight of the film is, again as I have said in other films starring her, Charlie Spradling. Charlie, who plays Cookie, gives it her all as a waitress. I gave the film a 4, only recommended to Full Moon fans.
Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge (1991)
The sequel to the sequel falls short
Full Moon's Puppet Master III is a disappointing sequel to the classic series concerning killer puppets. We are now taken back in time to Nazi Germany and have the general pleasure of watching the puppets beat the hell out of the Nazis. The film is directed actually quite well by David Decoteau, however, a lot of the acting falls short and is flat(probably because we are not gifted with the talents of Paul Lemat(Puppet Master) or Charlie Spradling(Puppet Master II). The movie was filmed on the backlots of Universal Studio, so you may recognize some of the scenery. The new addition to this flick is Six-Shooter, a puppet with 3 pairs of arms, each armed with a gun(how creative). The movie seems to run a little on the long side even though it is only 86 minutes. Only for die hard Puppet Master fans.
Puppet Master II (1990)
Satisfying Sequel
Puppet Master II was honestly a guilty pleasure for your brother Kipper. Yes, i enjoyed this sequel spawned from the lower depths of the Full Moon Studios conscious. The directing reigns for this classic is passed from Full Moon creator Charles Band to visual effects master David Allen. He does a decent job creating an environment of suspense and undeniable humor(however, i'm not sure if this is intentional) for the film. The basic puppets are back in this one: Blade, Tunnler, Pinhead, and Mrs. Leach; also we are given a new puppet with name of Torch. Torch basically resembles a little Nazi with a flame thrower attached to his left hand. We are blessed to witness his god-forsaken powers as he torches an obese woman in the confines of her cabin. However, in typical Kipper fashion, i must not forget the appearance of our favorite actress Charlie Spradling. As usual, Charlie gives her all in this performance, reaching to the lower depths of her being to attack the numerous layers that consist of her character(oh yeah, she also walks around her room with no shirt on!). But before i bore you with my ridiculous banter, i must make clear that this is a decent sequel that is well worth watching. I had a good time watching the film and I would totally recommend it to fans of campy horror pictures.
Le passager de la pluie (1970)
"Talk, talk, love, love"
Rene Clement's film "Rider on the Rain" is a real disappointment in my opinion. The movie has been praised by critics and fans alike, but I didn't see what all the talk was about. Actually, there is way too much talking in this film if you ask me, and not enough suspense. Charles Bronson plays Harry Dobbs, an investigator on the search for a serial killer. His path leads to a small French village and to Mellie played by Marlene Jobert. The rest of the film basically consists of Bronson (also well known as "Chuck" or "Old Stone Face") confronting the Mellie character and forcing her to drink full pints of Jim Bean. The dialogue is not as creative as the critics may claim also. Chuck often refers to Mellie as "love, love"; this gets really old, really quick. The highlight of the movie is just watching old Chuck deliver his lines...the guy is such a character. I gave the film 5 out of 10 stars. If you want to see a real great Clement film watch "Purple Noon".
If.... (1968)
Probably one of the best films i have ever seen
Lindsay Anderson's "if...." is a tour de force of British Cinema, a classic representation of the great films coming out of Britain in the late sixties("Blow Up", is another film that comes to mind and also a definite watch). The film is set in a British boarding school and concerns the exploits of three seniors who fail to conform to the strict rules placed upon them by the school, and society itself. A young Malcolm McDowell plays Mick Travis, the leader of the three rebels, giving probably the best performance of his career. Lindsay Anderson's direction is just plain amazing. He sets the tone of the stifling pressure that penetrates through College House and plots the movie like a time bomb; the audience feels the pressure bubbling throughout the 110 minute film up until its penetrating ending. The film is simultaneously filmed in color and black and white creating an environment that is real and unreal at times. Travis and his co-horts are free-thinkers to the core and definitely give a fair representation of the youth revolution that was spreading in England during the 60's. I have probably watched this movie a dozen times and I have never grown tired or bored of it. I give it a 10.
Spider Baby or, the Maddest Story Ever Told (1967)
Cult Classic, but not much more
It was Christmas eve night and, yes, I spent the evening with my brother watching "Spider Baby". I saw the Anchor Bay version which, to what I understand, is the only version to watch. However, the 100 minute time span is misleading; the movie runs only about 80 minutes while 20 minutes is devoted to the infamous Johnny Legend(cult fan afficionado)interviewing Jack Hill(director). Anchor Bay's version of "Spider Baby" is a definite watchable feast with a nice letter-box version and clean print. Lon Chaney Jr. gives an interesting performance as the chauffeur,actually the lovable guy sheds some tears during the middle of the film. However, Lon is looking a little horrid in this picture, his problems with the booze are definitely showing throughout this epic. According to Hill, Chaney was off alcohol throughout the filming, however this hombre has some serious doubts. Chaney is overweight and slightly sweating throughout the pic and actually gives us a couple of scenes of pure terror when he just smiles. But, hey, don't get me wrong, Chaney does a good job. I enjoyed seeing him give a comedic performance and it seemed like he was enjoying himself with all the creative dialogue(i'm being sarcastic) Jack Hill gave him. Virginia(Jill Banner) is pretty creepy as one of the children suffering from Merrye Syndrome, a disease that causes its victims to regress to a mental state of "savagery and cannibalism". I gave the film a rating of six, meaning six pack... go purchase one before viewing, the movie gets really good by number four. Adios amigos.
Subspecies: The Awakening (1998)
classic return to the subspecies genre
Bloodstorm: Subspecies 4, the 4th installment to the Subspecies series, will be a welcome viewing to fans of the first three subspecies pictures. Anders Hove returns as the drooling Radu, as does Denise Duff as Michelle. The setting again is in Romania and Michelle has been taken under the care of a doctor who promises to cure her of her vampirism. Ted Nicolaou is at the directing helm once again and does a satisfying job creating the dark and chilling ambience needed to carry the film along. He also incorprates the character of Ash from his previous years effort, and much less successful, "Vampire Journals". Hove gives another classic and memorable performance as Radu. The audience, yet again, is bombarded with the images of Radu's messy blood feasting and blood slurping. Denise Duff's return as Michelle is well done and she gives a believeable performance as the "tortured vampire" that we have come to know in so many vampire movies over the last 15 years. Nicolau should be applauded for his attempt in bringing a very competent and entertaining Vampire anthology to the screen. Bloodstorm is must viewing for Subspecies fans, and horror fans, alike.
To Sleep with a Vampire (1992)
Charlie, the only redeemable aspect!
To be honest, i'm surprised by the positive votes that this film has received. The movie just drags along its 81 minute life span, and the audience has to suffer the whole way through. Actually there are some positive moments in this film; Charlie Spradling gives a decent performance. She is given some pretty pathetic dialogue and she handles it pretty well. Scott Valentine(Merrideth's boyfriend in Family Ties), on the other hand, is a pretty rough watch. I guess the highlight of his performance is witnessing the guy laying on the beach wearing tiger-patterned chummies....give me a break. Also, Valentine gives us a boorish and pathetic portrayal of a suffering vampire who misses the day(to see a much more convincing rendition of the suffering vampire see Denice Duff in "Bloodstorm: Subspecies 4"). The movie moves so slow and is only positively punctuated by, and to be honest, Charlie Spradling's dance scenes. This movie can honestly only be recommended to the die hard fans of Charlie Spradling (which i am, and i still had a rough time watching it!).