Before Wes Craven's New Nightmare and Scream made self-reflexivity cool in horror films, there was this unknown little gem that reunites Maniac stars Joe Spinnell and Caroline Munro to make an, at times, hilarious send up of both Hollywood and horror films.
At first glance, it might seem as if Spinnell is resuming his role from Maniac, but his Vinny is a far more sympathetic and likable guy. He has big dreams to quit his taxi driving job and make a film with his favorite leading lady, Jana Bates (Caroline Munro with a hideous skunk-like white streak in her hair). He scrambles the money together to go to the Cannes Film Festival and pretty much stalk Jana until he can be alone with her and persuade her to be in his film. Naturally, someone is killing off people in Jana's entourage and it might be Vinny.
Whereas Maniac was grim and sleazy, The Last Horror Film is pretty upbeat and silly. I really can't imagine someone not finding a lot of fun in this. Spinnell and Munro seem game for anything and some of the murder set pieces are fairly imaginative and fun. There's even a nifty twist at the end followed by one of the strangest final scenes in horror history.
Seeing all the famous celebrity cameos and movie marquees during the Cannes scenes is a treat as well. Horror fans should give this one a chance.
At first glance, it might seem as if Spinnell is resuming his role from Maniac, but his Vinny is a far more sympathetic and likable guy. He has big dreams to quit his taxi driving job and make a film with his favorite leading lady, Jana Bates (Caroline Munro with a hideous skunk-like white streak in her hair). He scrambles the money together to go to the Cannes Film Festival and pretty much stalk Jana until he can be alone with her and persuade her to be in his film. Naturally, someone is killing off people in Jana's entourage and it might be Vinny.
Whereas Maniac was grim and sleazy, The Last Horror Film is pretty upbeat and silly. I really can't imagine someone not finding a lot of fun in this. Spinnell and Munro seem game for anything and some of the murder set pieces are fairly imaginative and fun. There's even a nifty twist at the end followed by one of the strangest final scenes in horror history.
Seeing all the famous celebrity cameos and movie marquees during the Cannes scenes is a treat as well. Horror fans should give this one a chance.