Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Black Christmas




Black Christmas was one of the first holiday themed horror movies (no, it wasn't the 
first, for all of 

you that feel the need to correct the most minor of errors). If you've


seen the 2006 remake, then 


you have a basic idea of the plot. Basically, the story


revolves around a sorority house during 


Christmas break. A psycho is making 





threatening calls, and killing the girls one by one. 



Black Christmas is pretty fun, and we get to see Olivia Hussey, of Romeo and Juliet
fame, getting  




stalked by a killer. Enjoy.




Director: 
Bob Clack

Writer:
Roy Moore

Studio:
Film Funding Ltd. of Canada

Cast:
Olivia Hussey................Jess
Keir Dullea.........................Peter
Margot Kidder...................Barb
John Saxon........................Lt. Fuller
Marian Waldman...............Mrs. Mac




Don't Look Now

Don't look now is a unique type of film. We don't have a lot of gore in this, but the surrealism and atmosphere are terrific. I would consider myself a fan of Donald Southerland, and he does not let me down in this movie.

It follows a couple whose daughter had recently drowned. They move to Venice for business, and continue to try to deal with their lose. They meet a couple of strange sisters who claim to be psychic, and to be able to communicate with their daughter.

The ending and the buildup are both great, and I think that if you like dreamlike thrillers that this should be a movie to watch.


Director: 
Nicholas Roeg

Writer:
Daphne Du Maurier
Allan Scott

Studio:
Casey Productions, Eldorado Films,

Cast:
Donald Southerland.......John Baxter
Julie Christie......................Laura Baxter
Adelina Poerio..................Dwarf
Hillary Mason...................Heather
Clelia Mantania.................Wendy


Dont Look Now (1973) from evilutiontv on Veehd.


Suspiria

Suspiria is a great example of giallo. Dario Argento is a strange Italian man that possesses the ability to keep you involved in a film, even if it doesn't make sense. One could argue that he peaked in the late 70s and early 80 (and I would be one to argue that), but what he did put out in his prime is nothing less than classic cinema.

Enjoy this Italian gem.

Director: 
Dario Argento

Writer:
Dario Argento
Daria Nicolodi

Studio:
Seda Spettacoli

Cast:
Jessica harper.............Suzy Bannion
Stefania Casini..................Sara
Barbara Magnolfi.............Olga
Favio Bucci......................Daniel



Friday the 13th 1980

Friday the 13th is nothing less than a classic. It kicked off the 80s with a bang, and provided a glimpse as to what the horror genre would become throughout the decade. We some good special effects and the shock ending is lengendary. Overall Friday the 13 needs to be seen by any fan of horror from the 1980s forward.

Director: 
Sean S. Cunningham

Writer:
Victor Miller
Ron Kurz

Studio:
Georgetown Productions / Paramount Pictures

Cast:
Kevin Bacon...............Jack Burrel
Betsy Palmer...................Pamela Voorhees
Adrienne King.................Alice Hardy
Jeannine Taylor................Marice Cunningham

Best Horror Movies of the 80s

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Satanic Rites of Dracula or Dracula and His Vampire Brides

We get Dracula in modern day London again. Dracula is summoned to unleash the bubonic plague upon mankind. It is up to Van Helsing and Jessica to stop Dracula. Honestly, you could miss this one, and it really wouldn't matter. I would consider this the weakest in the series, but it's something to watch if you want to tell people that you have seen all of the Christopher Lee/Hammer Dracula's.

Have fun.

Director: 
Alan Gibson

Writer:
Don Houghton

Studio:
Hammer Productions

Cast:
Christopher Lee..........Count Dracula

Peter Cushing............Professor Van Helsing
Joanna Lumley...............Jessica Van Helsing
Michael Coles................Inspector Murray



Dracula A.D. 1972

Dracula A.D. 1972 is Christopher Lee's second to last time taking the role of Dracula in the Hammer series. Again, Lee doesn't have too much dialog, and it's set in modern day London (well, 1972). We mostly follow Johnny Alucard (clever) as he tries deliver a decedent of Van Helsing to Dracula.

The best part is that we get Peter Cushing again! His granddaughter is who Johnny is after. It's good to see Lee and Cushing battling again, but this movie is still a little off.

Director: 
Alan Gibson

Writer:
Don Houghton

Studio:
Hammer Productions

Cast:
Christopher Lee..........Count Dracula

Peter Cushing............Professor Van Helsing
Stephanie Beacham........Jessica Van Helsing
Christopher Neame........Johnny Alucard



Scars of Dracula

Scars of Dracula is a different type of Dracula from what we have seen the previous sequels. He is back to a more intelligent human form in this one. He caries on conversations, and is able to blend in with society. Another difference, is his supernatural abilities that were excluded in the previous films. This is a good movie, and we have a return of Klove from Dracula: Prince of Darkness.

As always...enjoy.

Director: 
Roy Ward Baker

Writer:
Anthony Hinds
Bram Stoker


Studio:
Hammer Productions

Cast:
Christopher Lee..........Count Dracula

Patrick Troughton.......Klove
Dennis Waterman.......Simon Carlson
Jenny Hanley.............Sarah Framsen
Christopher Matthews..Paul Carlson

(The quality isn't the greatest, but it's free)



Taste the Blood of Dracula

Taste The Blood of Dracula is kind of a strange Dracula movie, because it wasn't supposed to be a Dracula movie. And, it really shows. Ralph Bates plays disgraced Lord Courtly, who happens to be into black magic. During a black mass he drinks Dracula's blood, and turns into Dracula(?). From there Dracuala is seeking revenge on the people that took part in the black mass.

What happened was the studio execs decided to throw Dracula in at the last moment. So, what you get is a vampire that just walks around and counts his victims. Lee doesn't really speak in this one.

Director: 
Peter Sasdy

Writer:
Anthony Hinds
Bram Stoker

Studio:
Hammer Productions

Cast:
Christopher Lee..........Count Dracula
Ralph Bates...............Lord Courtley
Linda Hayden.............Alice Hargood
Geoffrey Keen............William Hargood
Peter sallis................Samuel Paxton





Dracula Has Risen From the Grave

Dracula Has Risen From the Grave is a decent addition to the Dracula Series. Christopher Lee doesn't get much speaking time, which is a trend that continues for the rest of the series (with the exception of Scars of Dracula). Again, we don't have Van Helsing to fight the fiend, but instead we have Monsignor Ernest Mueller. Dracula is after Monsignor because he exorcized Dracula's castle.

Here's Dracual Has Risen From the Grave.

Director: 
Freddie Francis

Writer:
Anthony Hinds

Studio:
Hammer Productions

Cast:
Christopher Lee..........Count Dracula
Rupert Davis..............Monsignor Ernest Mueller
Veronica Carlson.........Maria Mueller
Barbara Ewing............Zena
Barry Andrews............Paul



Monday, September 27, 2010

Dracula Prince of Darkness

Dracula Prince of Darkness is Lee's second time in the role of Dracula. Due to family issues, Cushing wasn't able to reprise his role as Van Helsing, so we get Andrew Keir as Father Sandor. This is a worthy follow, and if you enjoy the Hammer films presented so far, this should be enjoyable for you.

Here's Dracula Prince of Darkness.

Director: 
Terence Fisher

Writer:
Jimmy Sangster
Anthony Hinds
Bram Stoker

Studio:
Hammer Productions

Cast:
Christopher Lee..........Count Dracula
Barbara Shelley..........Helen
Andrew Keir...............Father Sandor
Francis Matthews..Charles



Horror of Dracula

Horror of Dracula is Christopher Lee's first appearance as Dracula. He's probably the second most famous actor to play the role. The first being Legosi. At 6'5, Lee is an intimidating figure, and his blood red eyes complete his intimidating appearance.

Enjoy Christopher Lee play his legendary role in Horror of Dracula.

Director: 
Terence Fisher

Writer:
Jimmy Sangster
Bram Stoker

Studio:
Hammer Productions

Cast:
Christopher Lee........Count Dracula
Peter Cushing...........Doctor Van Helsing
Michael Gough..........Arthur
Melissa Stribling..Mina
Carol Marsh.........Lucy




Sunday, September 26, 2010

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed is Peter Cushing's fourth film as Dr Frankenstein. We get Frankenstein still tirelessly working at playing god. He is trying to do a brain transplant. We get the nice Hammer settings, the acting is good, and it's yet another fun Frankenstein to spend an afternoon with.

Have Fun.

Director: 
Terence Fisher

Writer:
Bert Batt
Anthony Nelson Keys
Mary Shelley

Studio:
Amicus Productions

Cast:
Christopher Lee........John Reid
Peter Cushing...........Philip Grayson
John Pertwee...........Paul Henderson
Ingrid Pitt................Carla Lind
John Bryans.............A.J. Stoker



The House That Dripped Blood

The House That Dripped Blood was the first Amicus anthology movie that I had the chance to see. Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are both in this, and that is what initially made me interested. I love the frame story set up, and this is one of my favorite that I've seen from Amicus.

This looks a lot like a Hammer film, except that it is set in modern times. Have fun watching this thuroughly enjoyable film.

Director: 
Peter Duffell


Writer:
Robert Bloch
Russ Jones

Studio:
Amicus Productions


Cast:
Christopher Lee........John Reid
Peter Cushing...........Philip Grayson
John Pertwee...........Paul Henderson
Ingrid Pitt................Carla Lind
John Bryans.............A.J. Stoker

Best 70s Horror Movies



Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tango & Cash

I don't intend to bookmark a lot of mainstream newer movies, but Tango & Cash is one of those movies that captures the human spirit (jk). This is a stupid buddy cop movie that I have to admit I love. It's more over-the-top than Over The Top was, and it's a lot of fun to watch.

Enjoy the Italian Stallion and Jack Burton doing what they do.



Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Vampire Lovers

Vampire Lovers is yet another Hammer vampire flick. This time we have Ingrid Pitt as our vampiress, who would go on to have a prominent role in The House That Dripped Blood, and of course The Wicker Man. She doesn't just stick with men though, she's after everybody. She seduces men, women, children, sheep...it doesn't matter what you are to her. It's interesting that it is as mainstream as it is considering the time period and lesbian themes. Expect the typical Hammer feel from this one.

Enjoy, Vampire Lovers.


Director: 
Roy Ward Baker


Writer:
Sheriden Le Fanu
Harry Fine
Tudor Gates
Michael Style



Studio:
Hammer Film Productions


Cast:
Ingrid Pitt...............Marcilla/Carmilla/Mircalla Karnstein
George Cole............Roger Morton
Kate O'Mara............The Governess
Peter Cushing..........General Von Spielsdorf
Freddy Mayne.........Doctor