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An error has ocurred. Please try again(This is a pure slasher film list, no Hillbilly Horror I.E Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hills Have Eyes, Wolf Creek are included)
(Some 80s slashers that I may not have seen wont be on the list, any recommendations of films too check out would be good)
Reviews
Suspiria (1977)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - Suspiria (1977)
After Years of trying to get old of this film it finally happened. But was a dud VHS. So 5 years on I finally get it on DVD and hoped it lived up to its hype and yes it did so and soon entered my top 10 horror movies. Beautifully fantastic.
Plot: American ballet student Suzy Bannion arrives at a famous Berlin ballet academy, where she gradually comes to realize that the teachers of the school are not quite what they would appear.
Hot or Not: This film is brilliant and it was finally good to see a horror film that was generally really creepy and not focused on gore. It has a real atmosphere to it that draws you in like only the true great horror films have and this is all down to the brilliant directing of Draio Argento in what is his definitive picture. This films shows why he is the true master of Euro horror.
The Music Is wonderful, a total score created by the Goblins. It is very creepy and is up there with the Halloween and Exorcist sound tracks. Thankfully Dario keeps away from the cheesy porn music that many Italian films tend to incorporate within their films. The main tracks really build tension.
Yes the film does have some gore, but not to much and it is used in the right amounts. The good thing about this movie is that it doesn't need gore to carry it.
The directing is fantastic, the use of colour is wonderful and real adds a surreal feel to the film that brings an unconscious creepiness, it feels like you re trapped with in a bad dream. The use of the camera is brilliant, especially in the opening scene.
Birds and the Bees: None what so ever. A films with loads of hot women, you would expect a little but no.
Acting: Jessica Harper (Suzy) Is really good and convincing in her performance, you really grow to like her. Joan Bennett (Madame Blanc) Plays her role as the strict teacher very well as does Alida Valli (Miss Tanner) both very good
Halloween (1978)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - Halloween (1978)
Where to begin with Halloween, It's simply one of the best films / horror films ever made. I have seen it time after time since I was a kid and have always loved it. It's almost perfect.
Plot:
After Michael Myers murders his sister as a child he it incarcerated in an asylum until one stormy night when he escapes and returns to stalk Haddonfield. Once there, he dons a white mask a huge butcher knife and and stalks babysitter Laurie Strode (Curtis) can Myers doctor Sam Loomis (Pleasence) save the residents of Haddonfield.
Hot or Not:
Halloween has everything you want from a horror movie. It is perfectly directed, from the chilling opening credits with the pumpkin to the mysterious ending.
The first 10 minutes are amazing and show great direction and camera skills and set up the rest of the film it opens the film to atmospheric brilliance.
Carpenter manages to make a mundane town, desolate and terrifying the long location shots instantly make the viewer un easy even in the day time scenes. No matter when you watch the film Summer, Winter or Spring, it makes you feel Autumy, it makes it feel like Halloween. Another thing that makes this film creepy is the way the shape can move around in the day, it suggests that you are never safe day or night.
The music in the film is brilliant, the piano is brilliant a score written by Carpenter and builds the tension amazingly. It is a score only rivalled my the Exorcist (1973).
There isn't much gore here and it is not needed. Its good to see how horror films use to be made before the excessive gore of modern films. It is by far the best film in the franchise.
Birds and the Bees:
P.J. Soles shows us her boobs.
Acting:
Jamie Lee Curtis (Laurie) is perfect for the role, she is unique and not an airhead like many of the leads today. She owns the title of top scream queen of all time. Shes also an excellent actress who has never down played her role in the film like many actresses who start of in horror films. Donald Pleasence (Loomis) gives a brilliant intense performance, his dialogue and one of lines are brilliant.
Bottom Line:
Halloween is a must for anyone who says they love the Horror genre. It is superb. Anyone who ignores this as just a slasher film is a fool. Yes it does have some faults but nothing to stop it getting a 10/10 rating. Brilliant film from one of the best horror directors out there.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - Nightmare On Elm Street (Remake) (2010)
Like many horror film fans I'm fed up of horror remakes, give me squeals not remakes. The thing that annoys me most, is that many kids of the current generation wont consider the originals, and only view the remakes. Saying that there are a few remakes that I have liked, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) which started the process is a very good film. I spit on Your Grave (2010) and The Hills Have Eyes (2006) were both very good movies. On the other hand remakes have destroyed some of my favourite films like The Fog (2005). So watching this film I wasn't holding out much hope.
Hot or Not:
I have to say I did like the majority of this film, it was an interesting and a darker take on the Freddy character. Although I felt in this movie Freddy's One liners didn't really work without the comic aspect.
What I did like about this film, was that give gave a lot better character development to the Freddy character and you get to see much more of his past which makes him a lot more realistic and it made the Freddy character a lot more disturbing and brought him into the real world so to speak.
The set design was OK and the film was quite creepy, I would say it is very well directed. I did feel the director knew the films very well and he did refer to the original. The scenes were good, however I wasn't a fan of the CGI, but I guess thats what you have to get use to in this day and age.
Birds and the Bees:
Nothing here.
Acting:
The acting in this film is OK, Freddy Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley) Plays the role well although I think, the role could have been written better instead of trying to copy the original. Quentin Smith (Kyle Gallner) Played an OK role. Nancy (Rooney Mara) did pretty well however didn't stand out as a character like Heather. Kris Fowles (Katie Cassidy is by far the best in this film and I would have cast her as Nancy.
Overall:
I enjoyed the film, although the ending was disappointing and a let down. I would put it somewhere of the best and worst remakes on a similar level to The Amityville horror (2005). Defiantly worth a watch, yet I hope there isn't a squeal.
The Rite (2011)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - The Rite (2011)
The Rite is an interesting film for me, before its release I felt the exorcism film had been exhausted, with very few films getting close to the Exorcist (1973), although I did enjoy The Last Exorcism (2010). However I have very rarely seen a bad film staring Antony Hopkins and this role appeared perfect for him and this is what drew me to this film.
Plot:
Michael, the son of a funeral director feels trapped at home and in order to escape he joins a Seminary even with a lack of faith. His mentor believing in him urges him to go to Italy to take an exorcism course believing it would help strengthen his faith in Christianity. In In Italy he is introduced to Father Lucus a Jesuit exorcist. Micheal is then witnesses the exorcism of a sixteen year old girl and situation develops to darker consequences.
Hot or Not:
I Want to say I loved this film, but... I feel it fell short and Antony Hopkins was the only thing that held it together with another memorable performance. The middle part of the movie seemed awkward and lackluster, with the opening and the ending making up the best part of the film.
The Rite seemed to lack suspense due to the fact that the script was over drawn and there were parts where i felt board. I felt the story wasn't structured and there wasn't a main focus and was a bit bitty.
The film is well directed and there is an atmosphere, but it wasn't pushed enough. There was so much potential here and yet it was hardly tapped which is a shame.
Birds and the Bees:
Not relevant.
Acting:
Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins) Was great in his role, there isn't anyone who could have played it better and the film is worth watching just for him. Colin O'Donoghue (Michael Kovak) Played the role well, although he looked to polished and looked like he stepped of the OC. Istvan Kovak (Rutger Hauer) Played his role well as ever. Angeline (Alice Braga) never really warmed to her.
Overall:
I would watch this film purely for Anthony Hopkins performance. However the film is decent even if a tad dragged out, it is a lot better than may of the Exorcism films out there. It is worth the 1 hour and 50 minutes of your time.
Husk (2011)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - Husk (2011)
I viewed the trailer for Husk a few months back and remembered that it looked impressive. Considering there hasn't been many decent slasher releases for some time (excluding Scream 4) I was excited. So on finding the DVD at my local rental I jumped at the chance of renting it.
Plot:
A group of friends look for shelter in an old farmhouse after becoming stranded after a bizarre car crash near a vast cornfield. The teens soon discover an angry spirit haunting all those who enter the fields.
Hot or Not:
Disappointing!
Thats all I can say, the film wasn't bad, but was a let down overall. The film looked decent and is shot reasonably well and there are creepy moments, however I feel it lacked any originality, which isn't always a problem if their is a strong script however a strong script is what this film lacked.
Another problem for me was that the farmhouse just seemed to be just picked up straight from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre films, and many of the scenes also seemed borrowed especially when walking around the house walking around in the house.
I think the killer in the film although looked great, but wasn't menacing, he seemed to have a comic aspect even though that wasn't the intention. There was far too much quick editing in the corn scenes, this meant the film couldn't create the right mood and in places it was liked they were being stalked by roadrunner.
Bird and the Bees:
Nothing here, in a film that could of maybe done with some.
Acting:
Scott (Devon Graye) I hated, he was annoying and stuck up for the very annoying Brian (Wes Chatam) who played the annoying brainless meat head! The best actor and the best developed character was Chris (C.J.Thomason) I also like Natalie (Tammin Sursok) Shame her role wasn't bigger.
Overall:
This film is less than memorable and I'm yet to see a decent scarecrow film. It had potential and I do appreciate they tried to do something different with he story, but the script was week and the random flash back were very poorly shown and they felt they were just put in randomly to explain the plot.
Friday the 13th (1980)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - Friday the 13th (1980)
Growing up and being the first born, my parents were more strict with me than they are now with my siblings. I was never allowed to watch 15 or 18 rated films until I reached that age. One film that I always remember wanting to see was the Friday the 13th films. I would always run the horror section of the video shop and read the cover of the films. When I finally watched the first one it started a love affair with the genre.
Plot:
Years after the death of child and the death of the counselors who were being neglecting him at Camp Crystal Lake, a group of horny, weed smoking counselors move into the camp to make it presentable for its opening. However they are not alone and they are being stalked by and unseen assailant.
Hot or Not:
I love John Carpenters Halloween (1978) however it does annoy me when people compare Friday the 13th to it, calling it a rip off. Surely if anything Halloween ripped off Black Christmas (1974) and then Psycho (1960) before that, every film borrows from another. For one thing I believe the Friday the 13th Franchise is much more successful and entertaining than that of Halloween.
What is great about this film is its surroundings and the isolation of the characters and director Sean Cunningham plays brilliantly with, his shots of the lake are very creepy. Something that critics never looked upon was how Cunningham demonstrated how the setting and tone in a horror film is just as important than the gore. Cunningham brought the audience into the film as if they were the ones being stalked along with the counselors.
Of course the gore in the film is a lot more than Either Halloween or Black Christmas however it is impressive and the king of gore Tom Savini was at the helm.
On top of all the positives that Friday the 13th has to offer it does have its drawbacks, I wouldn't say the tension is a high as some of the horror films out at the same time and it may not look as classy as some of the others, but it does have charm and that is what took me in.
Birds and the Bees:
There isn't much surprisingly, something the sequels made up for! However the ladies do get Kevin Bacon naked butt.
Acting:
Adrienne King's (Alice) is the week link in the film and I don't feel she was right for the part, she looked to old for the role and I never warmed to her. She appeared inexperience. Jeannine Taylor (Marcie) handled herself well and Kevin Bacon (Jack) showed some of the class that made him a star. His death had become iconic in the horror community. Walt Gorney (Crazy Ralph) was great as the crazy old man and he set up the film brilliantly at the opening. Betsy Palmer (Ms Voorhees) was great considering she wasn't a fan of horror.
Bottom Line:
Friday the 13th opened the door to the slasher genre and all true horror fans will appreciate this film. While maybe not the best horror film of all time it is fun gory and creepy. I would checkout the sequels too while all not to the standard of the original some come close and all have their individual charm. This film clearly stands out amongst other slasher movies.
Storm of the Century (1999)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - Stephen Kings Storm Of the Century (1999)
I must Say, I am a huge fan of Stephen King films, with there only being a few exceptions. The film adoptions have been very good and this is no exception. Many of the film are very long due to them normally being apart of a TV mini series, yet somehow they manage to keep you gripped.
Being a great lover of the sea the front cover of this film drew me in when I was very young and I remember enjoying it a lot. watching it again today reminded just what a good film this is.
Plot:
A small fishing village off mainland Maine is forced to shelter while the storm of the century batters the coast. meanwhile a strange visitor named Andre Linoge finds himself amongst the locals with a dark plan and causes mayhem. "Give me what I want and I will go away".
Hot or Not:
This film is very long and one would fear over drawn, however the strong characters keep you interested throughout, especially the marvellously creepy Andre Linoge (Colm Feore). The setting is perfect and shows how isolated the characters are, which builds even greater tension throughout the film. We know that there is no escape. Unlike many modern horror films this isn't about violence or gore, its all about building suspense and the ending is pulled off to perfect effect as it drags you into the situation.
The whole fact that Andre Linoge knows their history is great, as it is interesting to see the reactions of his victims. He plays brilliant mind games and he is very smooth in doing so. To see the towns people dealing with both the storm and their worst nightmare is portrayed perfectly, it also proves the say false that small communities stick together as when put in a dangerous position everyone is for themselves.
Birds and the Bees:
Nothing here, but not needed.
Acting:
The performances here are very good especially from Colm Feore (Andre Linoge) he says very little but when he does speak it is to perfection. You are always wanting him so say more. The two leads Tim Daly (Mike Anderson) Is a strong and he is believable especially at the end as the doting father. Another notable character is Jeffrey DeMunn some what of a a Stephen King veteran as he always turns up in his films. He plays the annoying towns chief very well.
Bottom Line:
A must for Stephen King fans, you wont be disappointed. It should also appeal to a main stream audience although i doubt many people would sit down to what it because of its length which is a great shame. This has everything you wont for a creepy winters night, so snuggle up in a blanket and watch Storm of the Century.
"Watch out for Stephen King cameo in the TV at the beginning in Martha's house"
Paura nella città dei morti viventi (1980)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - City Of The Living Dead (1980)
I would just like to say I have honestly tried to like Euro horror movies (Excluding English films) especially from the great Italian Directors, Mario Bava, Umberto Lenzi, Dario Argento and finally Lucio Fulci.
The film titles are so grabbing and the stories sound like every horror fans dream. However I don't find them my cup of tea. I find these films try to be something they're not, with many trying to become police thrillers instead of just a horror film. I find many of them bitty and overly long and even boring.
City of the Living Dead has a great DVD cover and the title shouts zombies. However don't be fooled, this is not a zombie film in the Romero sense. And don't be fooled by the title, this is not a city full of the Living dead. In fact what the films deals with is ghosts and a few 'zombies' chucked in at the end. Think The Fog but not on the same level.
Plot:
In the New England 'town' (not City) of Dunwich, a priest commits suicide in a church cemetery which randomly opens the gates of hell (kind of). Peter, a New York City reporter and a young psychic, named Mary, to travel to Dunwich to close the gates before Halloween when the dead will rise.
Hot or Not:
The general story premise is OK and you could say original. The imagery is fantastic with the coloring of the set looking amazing and there is a lot of atmosphere throughout the film. However what let's this film down is deliverance of the plot, it is all over the place and you never feel any tension because how stretched the plot seems to be, like many Italian films. It just takes so long to get anywhere.
For one thing the whole priest thing is not explained and what makes him so special. It gives the film a random feel. Secondly a big deal is made of this guy Bob (Giovanni Lombardo Radice) when he has no real relevance to the film what so ever (again drawing out the plot). Thirdly when can zombies vanish into thin air? Doesn't this make them ghosts? Which isn't a problem but don't try and pass them off as zombies!
The effects in this film are rather good and realistic with some very good gore scenes and they save the film and keep you watching. Also found the constant zooming on to peoples faces totally over the top and very cheesy and tacky.
Bird and the Bees:
Nothing major here.
Acting:
Well in terms of acting we can split the film in two. Christopher George (Peter) saves the film with his appearance and he bring the Hollywood factor, you can tell his talent miles above the rest. However his character isn't developed at all. Catriona MacColl (Mary) Does OK in supporting Christopher George, however from hear on the performances are rather poor especially from Carlo De Mejo (Gerry) his acting was like a robot especially the scenes towards the end.
Overall:
This film is watchable, however never really takes off and you are left with a lackluster ending. One scene to note is the buried alive scene which turned out to be the only scene with any tension. The plot is confusing and random in places but thats what you get with Euro horror and especially Lucio Fulci.
The Human Centipede (First Sequence) (2009)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - The Human Centipede 'First Sequence' (2009)
I stumbled into a small screening room a year or two ago, looking for the place where I had a job interview. Instead what I found was one of the first screenings of this film (pre-release). Before I could explained who I was and what I was doing there, security attempted to chuck me out of the cinema for being a protester against the screening of the film. I never watched the film that day, but from then on I looked forward to its release.
Plot:
Two American girls on a road trip through Europe, break down on a stormy night, on a German back road and when looking for help and a phone they end up finding a house alone and in the middle of know where. Their host is the very creepy, Dr. Heither (Dieter Laser).
Hot or Not:
Is the film scary, a little, is the film disturbing in its content yes (until I watched 'A Serbian film' in which this film can't compare in terms of sickening subject matter)
The film has it's creepy moments, but it is the violence and the themes that over shadow anything else within the film. Although I love horror, I am not the greatest fan of torture films, I would rather see a film with atmosphere that goes out to frighten it's audience, rather than shock them. Saying that I did enjoy 'Hostel', but maybe that was because it had strong character development where this film does not. The same can be said about 'A Serbian Film' which also had strong character development.
In this film the characters seem just to be props for torture. The setting could have been used to better advantage however the film did remind me very much of Martyrs (2008) which is a far superior film.
The ending of the film is extremely daft and clearly shows the director had know where to go with the story once the concept of the centipede was created.
Birds and the Bees:
Yes, but nothing of a nice nature.
Acting:
The acting in this film is good and the Dr is very creepy and plays his part very well. The leads Lindsay (Ashley C. Williams) and Jenny (Ashlynn Yennie) are also good considering these couldn't be very pleasant roles to act in. However Katsuro (Akihiro Kitamura) is annoying and the ending is just ridiculously annoying involving his character.
Overall:
The film is OK, it craves cult status but only the hype surrounding it has made it a bit more than just a straight to DVD Torture film. It is shocking in places and this may appeal to some, however it was a one view only film to me. I would stick with 'Hostel' or 'A Serbian Film' if I was to go down the torture porn route.
Brain Dead (2007)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - Brain Dead (2007)
I watched Brain Dead late one evening on the Horror Channel, not expecting to much. The film helped kill a few hours and that was about it, it clearly comes under the category of it's so bad its 'good' I use the word 'good' loosely.
Plot:
We see three couples, two prisoners, two women with a weird lesbian undertone and the Reverend Farnsworth and his young disciple 'Candy' who all end up in a cabin together, where they are attacked by Alien Zombies and a Weird black blob.
Hot or Not:
The film is clearly made on a low budget and there is nothing wrong with that, 'if' the film is made correctly. The problem here is that Brain Dead tries too hard at being funny and although on occasions it did bring a smile to my face, it seemed I the majority of the time I was laughing at how bad the film was rather than the scripted jokes. The set throughout the whole film was so obviously fake, even down to the walls within the cabin. This is no Evil Dead although it would like to be. On a positive note there is some good nude scenes for people who like that and the special effects are quite good for the budget of the film, maybe they should have toned down on the money spent on effects in order to improve the set design.
Birds and the Bees:
Loads of breasts and Bums on display here but nothing for the gals here.
Acting:
The acting in this film is very poor, although I have seen worse. Sometimes it comes across deliberate. Joshua Benton as clarence and Sarah Grant Brendecke as Sherry Morgan did OK as leads.
Overall:
I would only watch this film if you really have nothing else to watch or if you are a fan of low budget films as Brain Dead is better than most. However I think they showed too much interest in making it funny rather than scary, there was little balance, this is no Evil Dead!
Fright Night (1985)
Ted Munns Horror Film Reviews - Fright Night (1985)
When I first watched Fright Night as a kid I instantly feel in love with the film. It is a movie that has a fun yet creepy feeling towards it. It has kept me coming back for more and more year after year.
Plot:
Charlie (William Ragsdale) believes that his next door neighbour (Chris Sarandon) is more than just a little odd, after a number of strange events and the disappearance of a women. Charlie turns to his family and friends for help and when all else fails, he asks for the help from TV show host and horror movie star Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall).
Hot or Not:
Fright Night is defiantly Hot a film that is there to entertain and is made by a director who clearly has an affection for the genre.
While scary in places (especially the scene in Charlie's room) the film is very fun and has comical aspects to it and generally sums up 80s movies (fun music, cheesy effects, not to say they are bad for the time and full of colour).
The film gives homages to many of its fellow Vampire sub genre films, including the Hammer and Universal, the scenes on the staircase resemble universals Dracula a great deal.
Fright night tries not to steer to far away from the original principles of the vampire movie and it works perfectly. There are no guns and heavy weaponry like some modern vampire films and it doesn't dry and take away from the original principles. Chris Sarandon doesn't no kung fu and doesn't have an army of vampire ninjas.
Sarandon you feel could play Dracula perfectly and you feel Gerard Butler may have based his Dracula portrayal on Sarandon's character in Dracula 2000.
Peter Vincent is clearly a homage to peter Cushing and Vincet Price and portrays his role well as the Van Helsing character.
Birds and the Bees:
We get a pair of breasts from Jerry's first victim, however the ladies get the best deal in this film seeing Chris Sarandon shirtless and just being dam sexy.
Acting:
Chris Sarandon (Jerry) steels every scene he is in, the guy is very sexy and that is coming from a straight guy. He clearly appreciates the genre and knows how to play the role to perfection, cocky and argent but at the same time charming. Roddy McDowall (Peter Vincent) is comical and very funny you instantly warm to him. William Ragsdale (Charlie) handles his whiny part well, although did become slightly irritating. Amanda Bearse (Amy) as the innocent girlfriend didn't feel right, she seemed out of place and was one possible let down, one of very few that the film had. She seemed to old for the role, perhaps that was so her and Jerry's relationship was weird.
Overall:
Fright Night is possibly one of the best Vampire films around, it doesn't get much better. Horror fans, vampire fans and even fans of just 80s films will appreciate this movie. It has all the feel of a traditional Vampire film but at the same time has a splash of 80's flavor. I especially loved the nightclub scene great music and the dance scene was great.