THE MANGLER REVIEWED

For one reason or another I never took the time to give "The Mangler" a chance, that is until yesterday. I'm not really sure why I skipped it for all these years I mean, Tobe Hooper directing a film based on a story by Stephen King has got to be worth a look at least no? Well whatever the reason, thanks to my buddy Matt(shloggs) I finally gave it a look, and really liked what I saw.

The basic story for the uninitiated goes like this... Several accidents occur at an industrial laundry facility, prompting an investigation led by Officer John Hunton(Ted Levine), looking into an old, speed folding machine that may or may not be possesed by a demon from hell. Officer Hunton uncovers a dark past in his little town, and it all ties back to the machine better known as...The Mangler!

First things first... I know this is a bad movie, I understand that. I will say however, that for it's entire run-time, I was thoroughly entertained by it. Tobe Hooper did something here that I think more B-movies could benefit from. He created a world that in spite of the absurdity behind the premise, had conviction and was 100% true to it's own reality. I truly love when a movie is successful at establishing a believable reality within the confines of it's own rules. I don't care how friggin' over the top or absurd the story and performances were here; I was able to accept them and suspend my disbelief because I was in the capable hands of a director who had a vision. From the truly outstanding, and in my opinion, underrated set designs(The interior and exterior of the laundry facility were both stunning) and camera work, to the tit-for-tat scene chewing between Levine and Englund(who plays the maniacal proprietor of the laundry facility), I was fully ready to boogie on down about a story of a laundry machine that is in need of an exorcism.

If I have any one big complaint, it's the same that could be said for a lot of King adaptions...the dreaded ending! Good god, the wind was sucked out of the sails in the last ten minutes of the film, as we are treated to a cg shit show of The Mangler coming to life ala the house in"Monster House" but not nearly as cool looking. Seriously though, I can forgive this as I have done with films like "It" in the past, because of how much enjoyment I got out of the rest of the film. It's not going to blow your mind, or make it to your top ten list anytime soon, but I will say that if you are looking for a really fun film that is different and features some great sets and masterfully over-the-top performances, then look no further.

This film could have easily been useless and disposable in lesser hands, but Hooper brings the chops to the table to present a really fun dish that I'm glad I finally got to check out. Thanks to shloggs for throwing a little film my way that I'm sure I will revisit again several times in years to come. For all of those laughing at me for throwing some praise at the film, keep in mind how truly silly and absurd the much revered "Return of the Living Dead" is, and remember the reason why we watch films like this, is to have fun and be entertained. For me "The Mangler" delivered in both departments!

3.5 out of 5

Code Red Finally "SCREAM"s

Code Red and Shriek Show have finally put their heads together to release the long delayed 1981 slasher "Scream" on dvd.

Seriously people???

Is this the slasher that everyone has been begging for Code Red to put out, and endlessly bitching over the delays in it's release? This film is an absolute turd that was better off staying buried. There is nothing going on in this film! It's similar to the episode of The Brady Bunch where they get stranded in the ghost town and probably just as scary. I'm not even going to waste my time reviewing this garbage because I don't even want to think about it anymore. The story makes zero sense, every kill is off screen and the idea of spooky to the knuckleheads who made this dreck, is to pan over and hold on nothing for five minutes. The only kudos I can give to Code Red and Shriek Show here is that they make the effort to dig deep and release some titles that would otherwise just be forgotten. They even included an audio commentary on this release for what it is worth.

I love ya Code Red, and I'll support you by picking up whatever it is you put out. I do have to go on record here and say you officially shit the bed with this garbage release. Maybe we can make-up with you finally releasing "Nightmare".

EVILSPEAK REVIEWED

"Evilspeak"(1981) -

"Evil Speak" stars cult icon Clint Howard as Stanley Coopersmith, an awkward ugly duckling left to fend for himself at a ruthless military academy after losing both his parents to a car accident. Poor Stanley can't seem to do anything right; from getting to class on time, to playing soccer. On top of this, a stock group of bullies are making his life a miserable hell by constantly picking on him and playing practical jokes. Hell, even the authority figures at West Andover Military Academy treat Coopersmith like he's a turd. One day Coopersmith is given the task to clean up the chapel basement as a form of disciplinary action. Here's where the fun kicks in... See the grounds that the academy were built on, also happen to be the same grounds where Esteban, a satanic high priest, was banished to live with his cult during the Spanish Inquisition. When Coopersmith comes across a text written by Esteban, he decides he needs to translate it using some kick-ass early computer technology. Coopersmith likes what Esteban was cooking, so he decides to hold his own black mass to summon Esteban and Satan himself to exact revenge on those who wronged him at the academy.

First off, I have to admit that I'm a sucker for films that deal with early computer technology. I love Wargames and Tron and of course Evilspeak. I love how the computers worked in these older films; just type whatever it is you need to know the answer too, and the computer will do the rest. I love this stuff! I love the aesthetic of the big clunky machinery, I love the sound the heavy keys made as they were pounded upon by our young knowing heros. O.K. I got that out of the way...

Evilspeak is really just a shitload of fun. Clint Howard gives a really memorable and sympathetic performance(hell they even give him a sick puppy to take care of for crying out loud!). They really do a good job of setting Coopersmith up as a character that would so willingly give himself over to the dark one. While the story is a pretty by-the-books revenge tale, Clint's performance and the satanic computer and possessed pigs angle make the film really stand out. Oh right, i forgot to mention the pigs. Somehow, the Satanic text really pisses off the pigs at the academy's farm, and sends them on a wild, face-ripping adventure throughout the course of the film. Good times for sure with this mofo form 1981!

The climax of the film is really a sight to behold. The pig demon reminded of the somewhat silly creature used in a great film by the legendary Jacques Tourneur called "Night of the Demon", but it was still a really fun design. Without giving too much away, I would say based on what was written above, it's farily obvious that Stanley gets his revenge and when he does...it's a damn fun time to be had.

Final Thoughts:

I would suggest "Evilspeak" to anyone who is a fan of early 80's horror and or computer technology, Clint Howard or possessed Satanic pigs who run amok in a woman's shower while she's scrubbing bubbles. The film might seem dated and even tame to some people, but I think it was pretty progressive for the time of it's release and stands out as one of the most unique horror offerings from the 80's you might not have ever heard of.

3.5(almost 4) out of 5

At the time of this writing the dvd released by Anchor Bay in 2004 is OOP. I would say this is a title definitely worth hunting down before it becomes even harder to find in years to come. We can always hope for the blu-ray I suppose.

Enjoy!!!

FRIGHTMARE REVIEWED

"Frightmare" is Pete Walker's(House of Whipcord) 1974 cult favorite out of the UK. In short, the story goes like this... In 1957 Edmund and Dorothy Yates are found guilty of murder and acts of cannibalism. The courts rule that they are both insane, and they are committed to an asylum until they are deemed completely rehabilitated by the state, and fit to return to society. Flash forward roughly fifteen years, and the couple is living in an isolated farm house in the English countryside. Edmund finds himself earning a living as a chauffeur, while Dorothy is earning her keep by doing tarot readings which seemingly were only advertised to young, lonely drifters. It turns out that the lonely drifters with no family or friends to look for them should they go missing, are the perfect customers for sweet old Dorothy who just can't curb her appetite for human brains. The couple has a daughter named Jackie who has been helping dear Mum with her problem by making weekly deliveries of fresh flesh. Jackie is also taking care of her sister Debbie who as it turns out, is more than a handful. It seems little Debbie might have picked up a few bad habits from her Momma.

Frightmare has been called "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" of the UK. I would say if you are going into this film expecting that, you might be a bit disappointed. Having said that, I don't think it's a fair comparison really. There are some central themes that are similar for sure, but the executions are very different.

Frightmare is a refreshing watch when compared to a lot of films made in recent years. Considering that the film is about a cannibalistic matriarch who eats the brains of people looking for psychic advisory, it's a pretty damn classy film. The acting is really great for a low budget horror picture. All four family members are completely convincing in their roles, especially Sheila Keith as Dorothy Yates. She reminded me of a cross between Mrs. Doubtfire and Hannibal Lecter; and I mean that in the best way possible. Rupert Davies was also very good as Edmund, the extremely sympathetic and conflicted husband, who loves his wife so much that he'll help her ditch the bodies after her snacking, but he is really trying all that he can to help her go cold turkey on the brains. Both daughters are also played very well by Deborah Fairfax and Kim Butcher. Kim Butcher as Debbie, is so convincingly cold in a Manson girl kind of way. The juxtaposition of the young, sweet, innocent girl, to the cold and ruthless acts she commits, is more frightening to me than seeing an inbred mutant chasing hikers around the woods for two hours(not that I'm saying there isn't a place for that kind of greatness too).

The film isn't overly bloody, but it doesn't need to be for the tone it successfully establishes. When the gore is shown, it's very effective. When the gore is implied, it is also very effective. When a power drill is inching closely to someone's forehead, we can all imagine that the end result is not going to be pretty.

Bottom line:

While some films are built for nothing more than serving up some heavy helpings of gore, Frightmare has a little bit more going for it. It's bloody when it needs to be, the story while not wholly unique, is really quite engaging; and it's believably acted. If you are looking for a cool little slice of 70's horror pie, then this cult gem from Pete Walker should fill the bill!

3.5 out of 5

Leprechaun at The Oscars

Warwick Davis as The Leprechaun, was just featured in a montage tribute to horror films at The Oscars tonight.

Two things here...One, I believe the above sentence might also be found in the book of revelations as a sign of the coming end. Two, it's awesome that the Academy decided to honor the genre in a montage, that was comprised of not only the classics accepted by most of the general public such as "Psycho" or "The Exorcist", but also included what is often considered lowbrow, like The Voorhees family working their magic.

Good stuff!

Monster-Mania Returns to NJ

This Friday kicks off Monster-Mania once again in Cherry Hill, NJ. I'll be doing some coverage of the convention for moviemassacre.com

I'm currently going through the usual preparation routine, getting together my posters to be signed, and doing a financial breakdown of the $20 average times the number of guests I would like to have sign crap. It's always the same routine with me...I'll commit to only spending a certain amount on autographs, and then I'll keep trolling the guest list and go back and forth with myself "Should I just say the hell with it and get Mark Patton's(Jesse ANOES 2) autograph? What if he never does a con on the east coast again? While I'm at it... I might as well get Kim Myers(Lisa ANOES 2) to signs something too. Maybe I can find an 8x10 with the two of them on it? Yeah that would be cool!" There goes another $40.

I don't know... I'm a collector so why the hell do I beat myself up about it? I might as well just accept the fact that for the rest of my life, I will be paying for crap that will get shoved into a drawer or a closet that will someday...wait for it...be "worth something". It's the justification that a junkie like myself keeps falling back on be it for dvds, or for an 8x10 of an actor who hasn't done a thing in twenty years, with the exception of wearing out thousands of sharpies.

I'm getting better though. Or at least I will be getting better about my spending habits after this con. After all, there's going to be a "My Bloody Valentine" reunion, and my original one sheet with all of that sweet black space around the miner's face is going to look awesome signed by nine cast members! $20 times 9 guests... A steal! Ther's also going to be a "Night of the Creeps" reunion! $20 times 4 guests, and probably an additional 8x10 from Tom Atkins. Oh and there's Gary Busey too! That "Silver Bullet" poster has been tucked away for quite some time, waiting for Gary and Corey to show their faces again. Gary is a marquee guest so I'm sure he'll be at the $30 mark. I don't know... God bless my wife for understanding. At least I don't smoke, saving some money there! Hahahah!!!

Be sure to check out moviemassacre.com after the con for a little write up.

A Good Times Horror World EXCLUSIVE!!!

What better way to kick off my blog, than with an earth-shattering world exclusive that is sure to turn the horror world upside down?

Well over a year ago, I contacted director Fred Olen Ray to ask him if he was aware of any plans for a re-release of the oop dvd of 1992's "Evil Toons". I never heard back...until two days ago!

As a response to my two paragraph question/love-letter to the man's work, he responded with news that everyone should brace themselves for before reading.



You've been WARNED!!! Read his response below.





"Coming in May"


Awesome! Bootleggers can now kiss ass!