neutrodyne Reviews

The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

Surely They weren't Serious....

[7 February 2000]

And stop calling them Shirley. Come on, The killer has got a double handled electric drill that would dim the lights in the Astrodome, hundreds of feet from the nearest outlet! What does it run on, his imagination? If this was intended as anything but a spoof, we have the 80's incarnation of Ed Wood in charge here....

It's uneven, certainly not a laugh a minute, but no way is it on the level. It has just enough fake gore and mild sex to make it a bit stressful (the way they like it) for the 5TH grade set, yet it won't give them as many nightmares as "Halloween" or something built with a bit more care (and talent).

Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)

No Gone With The Wind, But it shows a side of the south...

[7 February 2000]

This film is often trashed because of superficial details. I feel the film itself is an artifact of the times and the location. Despite the silly sci-fi subplot, the real story is in the southerners who made and star in the film. The outdated boogie woogie instrumentals that blare constantly in the -background, the steamy heat that leaves the average people sweaty and the fat shopkeeper swimming, work together to show the oppressive effects of heat and isolation on the people who live and make their living from the swamp. When viewed in light of it's intended audience (who could be expected to identify with the cast and expect the "everyday" details of the story to appear normal...) I find it not only enjoyable, but an interesting view of a time and place that no longer exists.