Halloween Horror Marathon 2013

[Monterey Jack]

Prom Night (1980): 2.5/10



Awful.

[AndyDursin]

PROM NIGHT is awful. And boooooooooring. One of those "cult" movies that I think most people haven't really seen -- they think, "oh it's Jamie Lee Curtis" in another slasher film, but it's deadly dull. Even with Leslie Nielsen, it's not even good for a few laughs.

[Monterey Jack]

I checked the remaining time on the DVD when the first murder occured, and it's literally a FULL HOUR into the movie...and it only runs ninety minutes in total! And there isn't a unique or innovative kill in the entire thing...it's your run-of-the-mill collection of throat slashings, beheadings and ax killings (and with mediocre makeup effects, to boot). Happy Birthday To Me was every bit as generic in the story department, but it had an actual, competent suspense veteran (J. Lee Thompson) behind the camera, as well as murder methods that were somewhat clever (death by shish-kebob was particularly memorable ) and an ending that was delightfully absurd. I certainly hope Terror Train is better than Prom Night...

[AndyDursin]

I certainly hope Terror Train is better than Prom Night...

It is, though truthfully, it has been so long since I've seen it. I bought the Shout disc (it was one of the few they didn't send me for review) but have yet to turn it on. I might try it this week!

[Mike Skerritt]

MJ, check out THE PROWLER if you haven't seen it yet. Underrated slasher flick from the time featuring great early work by Tom Savini.

[Monterey Jack]

Shifting gears...

-ParaNorman (2012): 9/10



I liked this well enough last summer, but I love it on a second viewing...gorgeously-animated, funny, creepy and ultimately moving once the surprisingly dark backstory of the "witch" is finally revealed. A great choice for family-friendly frights this Halloween season.

[Monterey Jack]

Visiting Hours (1982): 7/10



Pretty solid thriller about a journalist (Lee Grant) left hospitalized after a violent encounter with an irate maniac (a suitably creepy, pre-bald spot Michael Ironside) and who finds herself terrorized again and again. This one is thankfully competent, favors suspense over witless gore and has good production values (produced by 20th Century Fox, an oddity for these type of early-80's slashers). Shame that a second-billed William Shatner (as Grant's boss) has less than ten minutes' worth of screen time. Decent score by a Jonathan Goldsmith (I assume no relation...).

[Monterey Jack]

-The Thing (2011): 7.5/10



-The Thing (1982): 10/10

[Monterey Jack]

My Bloody Valentine (1981): 5/10

Not terrible, but not very good, either.

[Monterey Jack]

Hey, any horror fans out there...?

[AndyDursin]

I just watched AFTER EARTH -- does that qualify??

[mkaroly]

I just watched AFTER EARTH -- does that qualify??

A thousand times yes!!!!!! Lol...so what was your grade? 2/10? 3/10? Or is that too generous???

I stopped watching horror films years ago. They do not appeal to me at all anymore...too negative (I especially don't like films about the demonic) and just not entertaining to me.

[Mike Skerritt]

LOVE horror, I just don't have time to watch anything nowadays with two small kids at home

[Monterey Jack]

Terror Train (1980): 6/10




Certainly a step up from Prom Night, with competent direction from journeyman filmmaker Roger Spotiswoode and great cinematography by John Alcott (the same year as The Shining! ), plus a mildly surprising twist revolving around the killer's identity. It's still fairly schlocky, but watchable enough.

[AndyDursin]

Plus, Copperfield!!

I've been sick all week, I'll be back onboard with the scary at that time!