Can't...help myself

Obsessed with this film since I first heard about it. Yes, the acting looks TERRIBLE. Don't care. Must see. Can't look away.....

Waiting Sucks! Part 2

I really hate this day.  But I do have to say that "Tootsie 2" looks pretty good.

Fell asleep during "Phantom of the Opera"

Thus, no review today of the Hammer film "Phantom of the Opera" from 1962. Instead, enjoy this preview...



My falling asleep during the movie in no way suggests that I was bored by it or disliked it. Sleep was just a little more enticing. If I can get my hands on some No-Doze expect a review tomorrow!!

If VC Andrews wrote a Hammer film is would be "Paranoiac"

Got to give thanks to "HorrorHound" magazine for turning me on to this one. "HorrorHound" is quickly becoming one of my favorite Horror mags, surpassing even my beloved "Rue Morgue." If you haven't already, check it out. Although it might get you obsessed with collecting old VHS tapes. Just a warning.

Paranoiac, released in 1963 and directed by the great Freddie Francis, is an almost bloodless Hammer film. I would classify it as a psychological thriller, although it has one scene so scary it gave me nightmares. It also stars Oliver Reed, who also gives me nightmares. Especially when he plays a drunk. He is one scary dude.

Oliver Reed and Janette Scott star as Simon and Eleanor, siblings living off their deceased parents money on a classic spooky English estate. Simon is a drunk who is waiting to come into his full inheritance. Eleanor is a fragile bird who might be mad. At least, that is what Simon and Aunt Harriet (Sheila Burrell) hope. With Eleanor out of the picture, Simon would inherit the whole estate. And Aunt Harriet, who has what could be best described as an "unhealthy" relationship with her nephew, would benefit. Driving a wedge into their plans is the the arrival of long lost brother Tony (Alexander Davion), presumed dead many years ago by suicide. The body was never found, and now this man, claiming to be Tony, is back to get his rightful share.

The only person happy about Tony's arrival is Eleanor, who seems to have an "unhealthy" obsession with her brother. Are you sensing a theme here? VC Andrews. If you have never read one of her books, watching this film is pretty much the same thing. It is all very Gothic, dangerous, and romantic; with just a touch of horror and incest.

Major melodrama ensues. The acting, especially by Oliver Reed, is a bit over the top but so damn endearing you can't help but love it. There is a nice twist that I really didn't see coming and the previously mentioned "scary" scene involving this "thing" pictured above. And the whole thing is photographed beautifully, as you would expect by Freddie Francis. As I said, this is a different type of Hammer film, but well worth checking out. Especially if you loved "Flowers in the Attic."

I just noticed my error in the title. I am keeping it. Because is would be Paranoiac.

Happy Birthday Joan Crawford

This is one of my favorite Crawford movies...quite a good, campy horror flick. I recommend you check it out!!

Waiting sucks!

Slaughter Hotel 1971

If you are in the mood for soft core giallo-esque Eurotrash horror starring Klaus Kinski, and why wouldn't you be, may I suggest Slaughter Hotel, aka Asylum Erotica, aka The Beast Kills in Cold Blood.

I have no idea how this movie ended up in my hands, but I sure am glad it did. A Medieval castle in the middle of nowhere has been turned into an insane asylum for wealthy, beautiful women. All of the women either want to kill themselves, kill others, or have lots and lots of sex. A caped killer with long blond hair is stalking and killing the women. He especially likes killing them after they masturbate or have lesbian sex. His killing spree is made easier by the fact that there are a bunch of weapons lying around the place, including a cross-bow, a sword, and an Iron Maiden. Plus, the women are always masturbating or having lesbian sex.

Mr. Kinski, as one of the Doctors, is the obvious suspect. The cops are finally brought in to investigate and after one more surreal killing spree, the whole thing is wrapped up rather nicely. Kinski is really hardly in this film. In fact, in the scenes that he is in he hardly does anything except smoke and stare off into space. Honestly, I get the feeling that he didn't even know what kind of film he was in. But since I would pay money just to watch Kinski eating dinner, I loved this film and his performance. That, and the very, very strange mass slaughter at the end make Slaughter Hotel one to check out!