Hello Fiends! I can’t believe it has been an entire year since we first got acquainted with 30 September Slashers. This year, we are going to do things a little bit differently as we have slimmed down a bit and are instead counting down 10 slashers as we close out the month. Well, enough of the chit chat and let’s get down to business. Tonight’s slasher cinema gem was directed by Jeff Lieberman, the same guy who directed the killer worm film Squirm (If I were Shriek Show, I wouldn’t be bragging about that fact). So crack open a beer and get ready for the first of ten September Slashers as we take a look at Just Before Dawn.

Set in the Oregon wilderness, five innocent youths armed with only their camper and a partying attitude, are heading up a mountain to have some carefree fun. One of our unsuspecting victims has inherited some land out in the boonies and by God, he means to claim it. (P.S. When you see how remote this place is, you’ll wonder how in the hell anybody would ever own this piece of property). There is just one problem with their little adventure, everyone and their dog is telling these clowns to head back. A horse loving forest ranger (played by Naked Gun and countless westerns alum George Kennedy), a group of pissed off locals with a shotgun, and a drunk deer hunter who says people are dying up on the mountain, all tell them to go back. Does this stop em? I think you can answer this one. Sure enough, the campers begin to meet their demise one by one at the hands of a redneck killer who looks like a cross between Leatherface and a guy from Deliverance. I think you can pretty much fill in the blanks from here.

First off, I first saw Just Before Dawn when I purchased the DVD almost ten years ago and this was the first time I had watched it since then. I didn’t like it back then because I felt that it was too slow. With the exception of a quick kill in the beginning, this film really doesn’t get going until about the 40 minute mark. However, I am glad I revisited this often overlooked Slasher. Originally, I thought that the slow paced nature was one of the faults of this film; however, I now think that it works to the films advantage. The wilderness shots, along with the pacing, create a sense of isolation and this makes the audience feel uneasy. The gore isn’t over the top but I don’t think that this is necessarily a bad thing in this case. One of my favorite scenes in the film features one of the lovely campers going for a swim. This aforementioned scene produced one of the creepiest moments of any slasher I have seen in a long time and it was all done in a very creative way that did not rely on gore or cheap scare gags(i.e. a stupid cat jumping out). About half way through the flick there is a big reveal about the killer that is truly shocking and no one could possibly see it coming.

Overall, I would recommend Just Before Dawn to lovers of eighties horror and slasher cinema. If you are in the mood for a slow burning slasher that focuses on atmosphere, then this film is for you. However, if you are getting a group of friends together for a fun filled, fast moving, slasher fest with tons of tits and gore, you may want to pass this one on by. It is currently for sale on Amazon for around 4 dollars used and I would recommend picking it up. Not a bad start to our ten slasher countdown. Tomorrow we will take a stroll into familiar territory as we look at one of the overlooked films of an extremely popular slasher franchise with…….Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning.

My favorite writers are the ones that can create a universe where the viewer/reader become so immersed in the storytelling that they not only buy into the rules of that fictional place but also want to revisit every time a new entry in the franchise is presented. My absolute favorite alternate universe is not located on the swamps of Degoba, isn’t located in the zombie ridden wasteland created by Brian Keene, or even J.R. Tolken’s Shire, it’s in a place right here in the good ole U.S. of A, the strange land of East Texas. For over the past twenty years, Joe R Lansdale has crafted a Texas that has included redneck mummies (later adapted in Don Coscarelli’s Bubba Ho Tep), midget cowboys, carnies, and a multitude of other characters.

Two of the most loveable goons to come out of this world are Hap Collins and Leonard Pine. Hap, a white, draft dodging, average Joe who has made one too many bad decisions in his life, and Leonard, a black, gay, macho, country music loving, Vietnam Vet, make for one of the greatest duos in the history of fiction. Over the course of seven novels (and various short stories), readers have seen Hap and Leonard work as a detective team who stand up for the underdogs of this world and while not looking for a fight, usually always find one. Lansdale’s latest release, Hyenas, finds the boys taking on another seemingly simple job, only to have themselves knee deep in trouble.

Hyenas picks up in the aftermath of a barroom brawl with everyone’s favorite Vet, Leonard Pine, doing what he does best, kicking ass and taking names. Leonard’s handy work leads to the boys being offered a job by a guy named Kelly. See, Kelly’s younger brother has fallen in with the wrong crowd (and not just the kind that smokes pot in their Mom’s basement or shoplifts). No, Kelly suspects that this group is a bunch of no good bank robbers who want his brother to help in their latest heist. Our heroes’ job, get his brother out of this mess and maybe rough up the bad guys in the process. What starts out as a routine job, soon finds the boys having to spoil a bank robbery, rescue hostages, and save their own asses.
The latest tale in this franchise finds many of the usual suspects from previous entries that readers have come to love. Hap’s beautiful, redheaded, tough as nails girlfriend, Brett, and their always trustworthy ex cop friend Marvin Hansons. The main villain is a guy named Smoke Stack, an ex-con, wannabe criminal mastermind who is one tough hombre and every bit as bad as any of the villains that Champion Joe has brought to page. This entry is only eighty pages but is every bit as sweet as the full length novels. Per usual, the action is believable and Joe’s penchant to detail is spot on. Think of the full length novels as going to dinner with friends and Hyenas as more of just stopping in for a beer. Just because the visit is short, doesn’t make it any less satisfying. While the tale doesn’t do anything to further continuation in the lives’ of Hap and Leonard, it lets us just catch up with a couple of old friends until the next full length adventure.
Subterranean Press has presented us with a truly fantastic piece of work by Joe R. Lansdale that is essential for all Hap and Leonard enthusiasts. The novelette is limited edition, as was their previous release The Veil, and according to Subterranean, Hyenas is almost already sold out. The edition I bought was leather bound, signed, with a fantastic dust jacket designed by Glen Orbik. If you haven’t read any of the Hap and Leonard series before, I don’t think this is the one to start with. I would recommend starting with Savage Season but with each entry being a stand alone adventure, the tales don’t really require you to start from the first novel. Hopefully we can see one of the Hap & Leonard works brought to the big screen (I vote for Glass Eye Pix to take a stab at it) but until then, get over to Subterranean Press and get a copy of Hyenas!

All this month, St. Louis will be hosting the 100th birthday celebration of genre legend Vincent Price, Vincentennial!  There are some great flicks showing during the film festival which begins this Thursday, May 19th.  The majority of the screenings feature 35mm prints of the film along with pre-film or post film discussions with historians, professors, and film experts.  In conjunction with Cinema St. Louis,Vincentennial will also feature special guests including Roger Corman, Victoria Price, Tim Lucas and more!  Read beyond the break for the complete schedule.

Born in St. Louis on May 27, 1911, actor and all around “renaissance man” Vincent Price is a legend among Hollywood actors and among residents here in St. Louis.  The actor retained a special fondness for his hometown over the years, even after his eventual success in show-business.  Though the actor did a variety of films over his 55 year long career, it is his series of films, based on the tales of Edgar Allen Poe that he did with Roger Corman that made Vincent Price a horror icon.  Even to this day, his twisted mustache, arched eye-brows, and sinister laugh still sends chills down film-lovers’ spines.

Below, you can see where some of the films that encompass Price’s long career will be shown this month around St. Louis.

The Fly

Thu, May 19th at 8:30 PM

Missouri History Mueum’s MacDermott Grand Hall

With activities, a cash bar, and a special bonus at the door for Vincent Price look-a-likes.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for an 8:30 p.m. screening of “The Fly.”

Admission is free.

The Last Man on Earth

Fri, May 20th at 7:00 PM

Hi-Pointe Theatre

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for students and Cinema St. Louis members with current and valid IDs.

The Tingler

Fri, May 20th at 9:30 PM

Sat, May 21th at Noon

Hi-Pointe Theatre

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for students and Cinema St. Louis members with current and valid IDs.

Theatre of Blood

Sat, May 21st at 2:30 PM

Hi-Pointe Theatre

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for students and Cinema St. Louis members with current and valid IDs.

The Pit and The Pendulum

Sat, May 21st at 5:00 PM

Hi-Pointe Theatre

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for students and Cinema St. Louis members with current and valid IDs.

Tomb of Ligeia

Sat, May 21st at 8:00 PM

Hi-Pointe Theatre

WITH SPECIAL GUEST ROGER CORMAN AND TIM LUCAS (EDITOR OF VIDEO WATCHDOG). A post-film interview will be conducted with Corman by Lucas about the director’s collaborations with Price

Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 for students and Cinema St. Louis members with current and valid IDs.

Double Bill

The Raven

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

Sun, May 22nd at 12:30 PM

Sun, May 22nd at 2:30 PM

Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium

Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium

Admission is free.

House of Usher

Sun, May 22nd at 5:00 PM

Hi-Pointe Theatre

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for students and Cinema St. Louis members with current and valid IDs.

The Masque of the Red Death

Sun, May 22nd at 8:00 PM

Hi-Pointe Theatre

WITH SPECIAL GUEST ROGER CORMAN AND TIM LUCAS (EDITOR OF VIDEO WATCHDOG). A highlight reel and post-film interview will be conducted with Corman by Lucas about the director’s storied career.

Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 for students and Cinema St. Louis members with current and valid IDs.

Double Bill

Laura

Dragonwyck

Mon, May 23rd at 7:00 PM

Mon, May 23rd at 9:15 PM

Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium

Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium

Admission is free.

Double Bill

Champagne for Caesar

The Baron of Arizona

Tue, May 24th at 7:00 PM

Tue, May 24th at 9:15 PM

Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium

Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium

Admission is free.

Double Bill

The Whales of August

Vincent Price: The Sinister Image

Wed, May 25th at 7:00 PM

Wed, May 25th at 9:15 PM

Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium

Admission is free.

Witchfinder General

Thu, May 26th at 7:00 PM

Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium

Admission is free.

The Vincent Price Legacy: Reflections from a Daughter

Fri, May 27th at 7:00 PM

WITH VINCENT’S DAUGHTER, VICTORIA PRICE

Missouri History Museum’s Lee Auditorium

Admission is free.

Edward Scissorhands

and a special pre-show screening of Tim Burton’s short film Vincent

Sat, May 28th at 8:30 PM

Forest Park- Muny’s Bank of America Pavilion

Admission is free

For all the info regarding these films and other events going on around town, head to the Vincentennial Festival page by clicking here.  This is an extremely exciting event for St. Louis and its dedicated fans of cinema.  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Vincent Price’s 100th birthday than sitting in a dark theater, enjoying a bag of popcorn, and taking in so many of the classic and chilling performances he has given film fans over the years.  Make sure to support this once in a lifetime event by heading out to these screenings throughout the month of May!

Friday, May 20th, will see an 11:30 p.m. presentation of The Exorcist. Still not excited? The next weekend will feature 4 screenings of the Spielberg directed classic, Jaws. The show times for that film will be 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm on both May 27th and May 28th. The theater itself was built in 1909 but was remodeled in the 1930s in an art deco style. The venue screened films until closing in 1984. Since then, the theater has largely sat empty with most Metro East residents wondering if it would ever reopen. The Wildey is now back in business, hosting concerts, lectures, and classic films. For all you fiends old enough to partake (legally) in alcohol consumption, the theater also features a beer and wine bar. For more information and for ticket information head on over to the Wildey website.
I have been waiting for the day that the Wildey would open since I was a little kid. Jaws and The Exorcist are two of my favorite films and I can’t think of a better way to start Summer! I will be there on the Friday screenings of both films. Come on out, have a beer, and enjoy two awesome classics.

Missed opportunity. I don’t think a more fitting phrase could be used to sum up the film that is Dylan Dog: Dead of Night.  With the exception of reading a small synopsis, I tried to learn as little as possible about this cinematic release before watching it. From what I gathered the source material is an ultra popular comic franchise that deals with a quasi detective (think Kolchak, only more of a keeper of the peace between the undead) specializing in the supernatural, it features zombies, werewolves, vampires, and is set in the city of New Orleans. How could the film makers possibly screw this up? Well they sure found a way, read on to find out how. 

Dylan is a retired supernatural detective based out of the city of New Orleans, he retired after his fiancé was murdered by Vampires and is now reduced to snooping around cheap motel rooms and taking pictures for rich socialites wishing to expose their adulterous spouses. The film opens with a murder of a man at the hands of a werewolf. The daughter of the man murdered asks Dylan to take on the case and that sets the stage for him to return to his original trade. Followed by his recently undead partner, Marcus, Dylan soon realizes that this is no random murder and this leads him to an ancient werewolf secret that could destroy all of the undead(a term used constantly in the film to describe vampires, werewolves, etc….).

The plot alone sounds very promising and while this film had some good qualities, lets cover the bad first. For starters, I walked into the movie theater and the first thing I saw was the PG-13 rating for the film. With the exception of Insidious and Last Exorcism, I can’t think of many recent horror films that are worth their salt with that MPAA seal. Having this grade alone does not make the film bad, however, it’s obvious the filmmakers were trying for this rating and thus the violence in the film seem restrained.  In an age when The Walking Dead, a television show is able to get away with as much violence and language as it does, it is inexcusable that the filmmakers could make such a toned down product.

Another big problem I had with the film was the casting choices. While Brandon Routh was adequate in the roll, he just didn’t fit the part of a grizzled man, who has long since retired and is returning to his profession. I would expect a weathered actor in his forties or fifties, not a early thirty something, clean shaven, ex-Man of Steel. The vampires in the film looked like they came straight from a rave and looked way too clean cut. Dylan’s client, Elizabeth, as played by Anita Briem, is terrible and the forced sexual tension in the film was awkward at best. The one standout amongst this cast was Sam Huntington, who played the sidekick Marcus. I thought that he did a great job as the comedic relief and his undead hijinx were a much welcomed addition to the film, only producing a few groans.

All bad things aside, there were stylistic choices that I really liked about this film. For one, I really enjoyed the noir throwback narration that is used throughout the film. It is similar to the narration style that Darren McGavin did in Kolchak and Bogart did in a number of his films. It worked well for them and it worked well here. Also, I was rather fond of the Dylan Dog universe that was created. The idea that the undead walk amongst us, unbeknownst to humans, and operate as citizens is a very cool concept. The duo visits several places including a werewolf owned meat packing plant, a morgue run by zombies, and a sort of undead zombie chop shop. This fast paced detective work and use of multiple locations worked well for the pacing of the film.

While great in concept, director Kevin Munroe and writers Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer miss the mark on Dylan Dog. Ultimately, this film is being marketed to an age demographic that will not flock to theaters to see the product. Judging by the casting choices, the toned down violence, and the lame poster, the filmmakers were trying to get the Twilight mid teen audience. The monster detective subgenre won’t attract the desired age group and the audience that would love and appreciate this film will be ultimately turned off by the rating. This film felt more like a long WB pilot than a theatrical film and will most likely fail at jumpstarting a continuing franchise. Unless this franchise can be reborn in a different format (i.e. television series or more adult oriented film), this reviewer thinks this Dog should just be laid to rest.

For those of you unfamiliar with Dylan Dog, do yourself a favor and check out the books.  Dark Horse translated them in 1999 and they are a great read.

This year was every bit as good as last year and much more. Last year, one of the biggest complaints attendees expressed was that the convention center was too crowded. No one can argue that this was a major concern as the line to enter the vendor room was ungodly long on Saturday and the convention was almost shut down by the fire marshal. This was not an issue this year as the entire hotel was booked by Horrorhound and the convention space allotted was nearly twice as big. The vendor room was in the usual ballroom, but the major headliners had their own room, the horror hosts had their own room, and mask-fest had it’s own room. With the exception of midday Saturday, fans could easily maneuver through the isles and with the exception of Corey Feldman, most of the lines for guests weren’t more than 10 or 15 minutes.

It seemed like the guest list this year lacked many of the big headliners that usually anchor a convention i.e. Romero, Elvira, or Englund, but I would say that it was probably their most creative lineup to date (Lisa Marie, Barbara Steele, the Killer Klowns, and Halloween  III reunions come to mind). Argento’s cancellation was a personal disappointment but there were still plenty of guests there for the Euro film fans. All hail the Italians! I cannot express enough how charming and pleasant the House by the Cemetery folks were. Gioovanni Frezza (most famously known as kid with the terrible dubbing from House by the Cemetery) made his very first convention appearance on Saturday and he seemed to be truly dumbfounded that anybody still cared about this movie. He was a really nice guy and I caught a picture with him as he was getting ready to leave on Saturday. Stefania Casini and Barbara Magnolifi from Suspiria were very sweet and signed a Joel Robinson SuspiriaPoster for me. I was so impressed by the poster that I also bought a shirt of the same design. If you haven’t heard of Joel before, he is a great guy and does some amazing work. He is doing the artwork once again for the upcoming Contamination convention this year in St. Louis, will have an upcoming art show at Starclipper in the Loop, and will be attending the upcoming Vincentennial Celebration. That means you St. Louis Fiends have no excuse not to check this guy out.

The after hours entertainment this year appeared to be a big hit. While I am not a Mushroomhead fan, most of the crowd seemed to really be enjoying themselves, and their booth got a lot of foot traffic most of the weekend. I hope they can bring more horror themed bands in future years. Due to the Argento cancellation, Horrorhound opened up the after party concert to everyone, and I think that was a great idea. It made the room that much more full and made me feel like I was getting more bang for my buck. Friday and Saturday included a performance by a freak show called the Invisible Man Corp. based out of Texas. Audiences were treated to a performance that included balloon tricks, sword swallowing, nail walking, eyelid lifts, and much more. They were very nice and put on one hell of a show (hint hint to anyone from Horrorhound reading this, you should bring them back). If you get a chance, check them out because they are always touring. In fact, I was so impressed with their performances last weekend that I saw them on Monday night as well.

One highlight of the convention was the guest panels. Friday’s Killer Klowns panel was pretty lightly attended (probably about 100-150 people), but it was very entertaining. The panel lineup included Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, and two of the actors who portrayed clowns in the movie. One tidbit that was shared was that the long talked about Grant Cramer and Chiodo Brothers script to a sequel is done but they are still looking for financing.

On Saturday I attended three panels and a film screening (yes, my ass was about ready to fall asleep through five hours of sitting) but I am glad that I saw them all. Up first came the Halloween III panel which was heavily attended, very well organized, and was probably the most complete of all the panels. Sean Clark was fantastic as the mediator as he has a real passion for the Halloween films and asked intelligent probing questions. Having Tommy Lee Wallace there reminded me how important of a role that directors have and that they should be featured more at conventions. He was very charming and informative, giving insight to what happened in front of and behind the camera. One interesting tidbit I learned was that Don Post Studios is in talks to bring the iconic masks from the film back into production, complete with the Silver Shamrock logo. The studio originally produced these masks around the time the film was released but soon stopped because of the box office disappointment of the film. The next panel was the slasher stars panel and that was interesting because many of the guests had never done conventions before. Ted White, who played Jason in Friday the 13th part IV, seemed like kind of a grump ass but most panel guests were awesome. Hearing some of the real life horror stories of what Derek MacKinnon from Terror Train had to endure on the set shows that not all of these films were a blast to make . By this point I was starting to drag but there was no way I would miss the House by the Cemetery panel. Blue Underground was filming for a special edition documentary of the film. I am guessing we should expect a Blu- ray soon. Many of the guests had very broken English but were very pleasant to listen too. Cantriona MacColl seemed so thrilled to be there and had an appreciation for the fans.

All in all, I would say that most of the guests there were a pleasure to meet and the weekend was a success. If a person has never been to a convention before and is looking for a recommendation, I would recommend Horrorhound Indy in a heartbeat. The hotel staff is always very nice and accommodating, the Horrorhound volunteer staff was much more knowledgeable than last year, and the city of Indy itself is well laid out. I have never been to the Cincinnati edition of Horrorhound but they have already announced a Pet Cemetery reunion for November 11-13th. I can’t wait until next year and I hope to see you all there!!

Last year, your favorite production company and mine, Platinum Dunes, released the much anticipated horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street.  Audiences were subjected to truly one of the worst remakes/horror films in recent memory.   The remake trend has not only left a sour taste in horror fan’s mouths but has also begun to lose studio support (that could possibly be due to them already going through most of the popular franchises).  However, there is some silver lining in this recent string of remakes.  While many of the major studios have been behind big name remakes of classics that need not be remade, there are a slew of lesser known genre filmmakers remaking films whose original products are flawed.  While both original films are good and were popular among horror fans, these filmmakers promise to take the original concepts and put their own spin on it.  One film being given such an update, is the 1972 long lost euro western Cut-Throats Nine.  In late 2009, Rodrigo Gudino, head honcho of Rue Morgue Cinema/Magazine, announced that this would be his first feature length film.  Since then he not only garnered the financial backing of Guillermo Del Toro’s production company but also secured Harvey Keitel as one of the leading actors in this film.  The original film is long out of print and is much deserving of a slot in Out of Print Alley.

This western sees a wagon load of convicts being transported from a prison camp mine, to a fort 400 miles away.  The convoy is soon stopped by a group of bandits who upon not finding any gold, kill many of the soldiers and destroy the wagon.  The only soldier left is Sergeant Brown, who accompanied by his daughter, must deliver the chained prisoners on foot.  The men being transported are murderers, thieves, and rapists who will stop at nothing to get the Sergeant.  One of the men being transported murdered Brown’s wife but Brown does not know which one did it.  What results is a gore filled western where both prisoner and Sergeant must face each others wrath, all the while facing the brutal elements and a group of murderous bandits.  There are many revelations in the film and it ends with an explosive finale.

Upon watching this, I couldn’t believe how great of a concept the film is and that it is not better known.  The basic plot of the film works well and it kept me guessing the entire time.  The pacing of the film is overall good but the biggest thing that this film lacked was character development.  Throughout Cut-Throats Nine, there would be flashbacks into the characters’ previous lives/crimes and even showed the murder of Sergeant Brown’s wife.  However, I think this aspect of the film was underutilized and there could have been more background info for the Sergeant and the criminals.  Also, the implied romance between Brown’s daughter and one of the convicts should have been fleshed out more, this would have made some of the revelations that much more startling.

Gorehounds will be thrilled at this film as it features throat slitting, characters being disemboweled, appendages being cut off, people burned alive, and even someone being hung by a hook.  The violence, while sounding over the top, works for the brutality of the film and never really take the viewer out of the movie.  The effects are amazing and look real, especially for the year this was made.  I love westerns and the snow covered landscape made for some great visuals.

As an exploitation western, this film is great in concept but only good in execution.  The original film itself deserves to be rediscovered and released, but the story is one that could be retold and in a worthy filmmaker’s hands, could be made into a great film.  I think Mr. Gudino is up to the task and as his magazine has proven time and time again, Rue Morgue will give an uncompromising product.  While there are some DVDs floating around of this film, I have found those hard to find and I’m not sure of their authenticity as an official release.  The VHS can be found on EBAY and Amazon.com for somewhat reasonable prices (I paid $10 dollars for an old video store copy on eBay).  I highly recommend checking this out, especially ahead of the soon to be made remake.  Next month we will be looking at an unreleased film in a somewhat popular exploitation franchise.  Put on your snow boots and coats because were taking a trip to visit Ilsa, Tigress of Siberia.

Within the realm of horror exists a multitude of subgenres including but not limited to the slasher film, the zombie film, and the oh so popular vampire flick. Of these subcategories exists one that typically makes me cringe, the despicable “horror comedy.” Usually these films reside themselves to either being far too self aware and referencing other films, or they rely on bullshit T & A jokes that would make most people past the age of 13 groan. It was under these pretences that I went into a recent screening of the horror comedy Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.

After a highly entertaining, yet sparsely attended House by the Cemetery panel in the screening room at last weekend’s Horrorhound Indianapolis(which I will be posting a recap of later), the room began to fill up in anticipation of the film. Not since the 2009 Martyrs screening had I seen so many people clamor to see a film at this Midwestern event and this, along with recent good reviews helped to peak my interest. What I witnessed was a hilarious film that played very well to it’s target audience and left me happy I had stuck around.

The film follows Tucker and Dale, two redneck friends who have recently found their dream vacation home, a cabin in the woods that requires you dig your own shithouse! One consolation is that it has great fishing. It was on one of these fishing excursions that they stumble upon a college girl, Allison, getting ready to go in for a dip. After hearing stories about serial killer hillbillys loose in the woods, the college co ed panics, bumping her head and knocking herself unconscious. The duo saves Allison from drowning, and upon not being able to wave down her friends, take her back to their cabin to rest. Her friends who witness this event think their friend has been kidnapped by psychopaths and think they must rescue her at all costs. What results is the group of college kids going rogue on the cabin and through a series of accidents and mishaps, meet their demise in a number of hilarious ways. Once the hillbillies and Allison figure out that they are under attack, they must try to survive at all costs and figure out a way to convince their attackers that they are not the Deliverance knock offs that their would be assassins think them to be.

Ultimately what makes this film and other buddy comedy inspired horror films like Shaun of the Dead, Dead Heat, and I Sell the Dead succeed is that they make you care for the main characters. Tucker and Dale are just a couple of good ole boys that would just as soon drink a PBR and go fishing than go on an adventure and yet, when they are thrown into the insane situation that this story offers, they ultimately rise to the occasion. Tyler Labine who plays Dale and Alan Tudyk who plays Tucker are convincing in their roles and I hope to see this duo in future films.

I mentioned earlier that I am not a fan of most horror comedies. This is not due to me not liking the genre itself but rather because it is very hard to pull off and most filmmakers fail to capture the essence of both genres. The interplay between horror and comedy is a delicate balance and if the film is too funny, the horror becomes lost on the audience, and likewise, if too scary, the humor can become awkward. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil hits all the right marks as equal parts horror film and comedy. Eli Craig and Morgan Jurgenson should be applauded for their pitch perfect script and Eli Craig heralded for directing this film with perfect comedic timing. I can’t think of the last time I saw an audience roll in laughter over a guy falling into a wood chipper!

The version of this film that was screened for Horrorhound was a rough cut and therefore may not represent the final product as some of the special effects and cgi were not finished, however, this didn’t stop the audience from having a great time. I could imagine this film being picked up by someone like IFC films or Magnet films as it’s black humor might be a bit much for most mainstream audiences. Once it does get picked up, I highly recommend checking it out and I hope the gang at Horrorhound continue to bring up and coming films of this quality to the festival in future years.

This post appeared on Horrorhound’s message board late last night.

“Rumors had been circulation that filming for his next feature film – Dracula 3D – would be beginning this February (reported by Variety). After discussing the story with Dario himself, he revealed that the film was in fact MANY months away from being ready for filming (having yet been cast or with a crew set for filming the advanced 3D technology) – thus debunking the rumor that the film would be in front of lens this month – leaving all of us to believe crisis had been adverted.

The problem presented to us this week was that the production of the film is officially being set into motion – requiring Dario to begin pre-production in mid-March with filming of Dracula 3D expected to start sometime in May – thus putting an end to our four-month plan of having this legendary director attend HorrorHound Weekend.”

To find out more information about what promoters have in store for a replacement and for all late breaking news on Horrorhound Weekend, head on over to their messageboard.  They have already added some additional guests including Tiffany Shepis, famous for her roles in numerous Troma films, and additional cast members of Lucio Fulci’s classic House By The Cemetery.

I for one am super bummed about this recent announcement.  Dario has been on the top of my list of director’s I would like to meet and most of my friends were going to Horrorhound specifically for that reason.  However, Horrorhound is always a blast and the guest list this year is fantastic with it’s bent toward slashers and Euro guests.  I have no doubt that they will be able to secure a great replacement and I for one will still be attending.

Rare Exports takes place during the month of December, following Pietari and his father Rauno, who live in a remote location on the border of Finland and Russia. Young Pietari is at an age when most boys are beginning to chase girls and smoke cigarettes but he still caries around a stuffed animal and believes in Santa Claus.  His interest in Santa Claus is further peaked when he and his friend sneak across the border into Russia only to discover that a foreign company is hatching a plan to excavate the one and only Kris Kringle himself.  Soon a whole slew of crazy shit starts occurring around the community  as the children of the town come up missing, someone has been spying on Pietri, an old naked guy gets caught in the family wolf trap, the local reindeer harvest is found slaughtered and all this points to the crazy shit going on just across the border.

A big two thumbs up for writer and director Jalmari Helander for producing such a creative and well shot film. The casting in this film was fantastic and the performances were spot on.  The characters never explain why Pietari’s mom isn’t there but they don’t need to – the Father’s sorrowful performance during a dinner table scene says it all.  The beautiful thing about Rare Exports is that like the films that I grew up with in the eighties, this one can be enjoyed by both adults and kids alike.  At the age of ten, I would have been able to identify with Pietari as he is put in an adult situation riddled with adventure and is tested on his path to becoming a man.  Watching it today as an adult I can appreciate those qualities previously mentioned but can also enjoy the maniacal situations the characters are put in and the dry humor throughout the film.  The film has it’s fair share of horror elements and even a few bits of impressive gore.  If you enjoy films like Monster Squad or Gremlins, I think this little gem will be right up your alley.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is still making the rounds on the independent theater circuit with a fantastic 35 mm print which I highly recommend checking out.  Don’t let the fact that it is February dissuade you from seeing it on the big screen, as the film is so engrossing that you will feel as if your are in the midst of December. I’m going out on a limb here but I’m going to say it anyway….Rare Exports is the best film released last year, horror film or otherwise.  It has quickly shot to my list of top ten films to revisit each Holiday Season and I will not wait 365 days to watch it again.

It’s Christmas and I have been inspired to get out my Santa hat and watch a yuletide horror flick.  Beginning with this article, and continuing with each future month, I will feature an out of print film(i.e. either not available on dvd/vhs/ or potentially having never had a home video release at all) in an article entitled Out of Print Alley.  This month I thought it would be fitting(albeit a tad premature) for our unreleased flick to be the Sally Field led film Home For the Holidays.

It has been nine years since the four Morgan girls have come to see their father at the family homestead and pops should be thrilled because they are coming back for Christmas.  However, the gals aren’t really interested in carving up the bird with their old man but are more concerned by a letter the eldest sister received telling them that their stepmother is trying to poison their father.  The girls haven’t been around for a long time because they all blame Mr. Morgan for their mother’s suicide.  To cope with their Mother’s death, one of them became a pill popping boozer and another one a relationship inept gal with a bitchy attitude.  It seems the only two sisters who actually have their shit together are the eldest, Alex, and the youngest, Christine(a.k.a. Sally Field).

All of the sisters except Christine are convinced that their stepmother really is trying to murder their father and why wouldn’t they be suspicious, she was acquitted several years earlier of murdering her previous husband.  While at the house, a torrential rainstorm leaves the sisters without a phone and stranded, as the town is 9 miles away.  A pitchfork wielding killer wearing a yellow raincoat is out to kill the members of the household and it is ultimately up to Christine to figure out who the killer is before it is too late.

This out of print gem was a made for TV film that first aired in the fall of 1972.  While there are several cuts that allude to a commercial break, it is hard to believe that there were so few interruptions for television back then.  Even though the commercial cuts are apparent, they are neither annoying, nor do they distract the viewer from the film itself.  While I wouldn’t call this film a slasher per se, I would say that it has many elements similar to that type of film and that is important because this film pre dates the big boys of the genre by several years.  The film has more in common with a Hitchcock film than a Cunningham film but the scene with a pitchfork kill could have been straight taken out of any number of later day Slasher films.

The ironic thing about this film is that besides a few decorations and mentions of Christmas, the film really has nothing to do with the Holidays at all and doesn’t really get the viewer in the Christmas mood.  The characters really aren’t driven home by the holiday itself and unlike most holiday films, it doesn’t feature a climate that has snow.  I think this may actually help the film as it could be watched at about any time of the year and doesn’t necessarily need to be revisited around the Christmas season.  Supposedly the film makers had wanted to use fake snow for the exterior shots but the cost was too high for the meager production budget. The sister’s performances can be hammy at times and pretty damn melodramatic but Sally Field is perfect as the leading lady.  I am actually kind of surprised that this film was sent straight to the boob tube, as it is miles above many of the films that have been released in theaters.

Home for the Holidays was released on VHS by Anchor Bay several years ago but has since gone out of print.  I got my grubby little hands on an old rental VHS copy on eBay but if you don’t want to wait for a copy to come up for auction, the film can be purchased on Amazon starting at $19.99.  I think it is a travesty that this has gone out of print and am actually kind of surprised as Sally Field is a pretty damn big deal(what with the osteoporosis commercials and all).  Recently we have seen releases for other made for t.v. films such as Dark Night of the Scarecrow and Norliss Tapes, hopefully this will follow suit.  Maybe Anchor Bay will actually get this out on dvd or Mr. Lustig over at Blue Underground would be so kind as to give us a release.  Until then the VHS will have to do.

I hope you have enjoyed the first edition of Out of Print Alley.  Next month we will look at an out of print film from a genre that is near and dear to my heart, the western.  Until then, stay sick.

I knew the shopping season was officially in full swing when I drove by my local Best Buy Thanksgiving night and saw people camped out in 22 degree weather. Black Friday can usually be an abysmal time of the year with people freezing their asses off just to get Grandma that perfect sweater or get a blender for $3. However, amidst all the madness, one need look no further than to their local independent record store for the silver lining in that unofficial holiday. The folks behind Record Store Day(a day in April where record collectors are treated to limited edition cd’s/dvd’s/records available only in indie record stores) rolled out a series of limited edition collectibles specifically for Black Friday, and one such release is by none other than the psychedelic horror master himself, Roky Erickson.

For those of you unfamiliar with Roky Erickson, he fronted the Texas based psychedelic rock band 13th Floor Elevators. After spending some time in a mental institution, he emerged as a solo artist backed by a band called The Aliens, and this is when his truly horrific material began to surface. The songs were influenced by the horror films Roky used to watch as a child and included such subjects as vampires and the devil. After a twenty year break of not playing live, Roky finally emerged in 2005 and began playing shows and continues to this day. The particular release we are talking about today is a DVD taken from one of those live shows on Halloween 2008. While seeing one of the legends of horror rock professionally released sounds great on paper, the resulting product is mostly a mixed bag.

When it comes to live music releases, they pretty much run the gamut on quality. I have seen some that range anywhere from a GG Allin release that looks like it was recorded on a pitch black night in the middle of a snowstorm, to other releases that make you feel like you are at the show. That being said, the production quality on this release is superb. The cinematography is great (minus some unnecessary post production effects) and the live performances are intermixed with backstage footage and interviews with his backing band, the Black Angels. The audio mix is perhaps some of the best I have ever heard on a live release, as the levels for all instruments are clearly heard and nothing gets lost. Given that this is a perfectly filmed concert by one of my favorite artists, there should be nothing wrong, but I would say the quality of the performance itself is where this release lacks.

The Black Angels are adequate as far as a backing band goes. They obviously love the material and are well rehearsed, but their style tends to lend itself far more to the early portion of Roky’s career and lacks the garage style energy of much of his later material while he was backed by The Aliens. Roky himself appears to be having some vocal troubles as his voice is much raspier than I have seen on other performances, including his fantastic performance on Austin City Limits. The song selection is great as it has many fan favorites and even includes a haunting rendition of “Bo Diddley.”

All in all I would say that this is a must have for any fan of Roky Erickson but if you are unfamiliar with his work, I would start with his double LP release The Evil Plus One. I am just happy that someone released this at all. Word on the street is that an LP release of the live show was supposed to make it’s way into record stores as well but that it didn’t make it to the press in time. If they release it next year on Black Friday, maybe I’ll be the one camped out in 22 degree weather…..on second thought, I’ll just wait until Saturday.

Most groups of friends have at least one tradition or annual outing where each member takes a break from their busy lives and they all get together in order to both reminisce and enjoy each others company.  For some, this activity is centered around a sporting event and for others, it entails a camping trip.  For better or worse, my friends and I have chosen Six Flags Fright fest to be our activity of choice.

For those of you unfamiliar, Six Flags is a theme park chain with locations all around the United States.  For one month each year, these parks become decked from top to bottom with horror décor and the employees don scary costumes in honor of Halloween.  The shows usually have a ghoulish theme, the train ride usually turns into a haunted train ride, and the park adopts some form of a haunted house.  In past years one was guaranteed to expect equal parts cheese and horror, and would even be treated to a few surprises.  When my friends and I originally started coming to this annual event, Six Flags would do promotions to entice people to come back to Fright Fest.  This included having an Alice Cooper haunted house called “Brutal Planet” or even running some of their most popular roller coasters in reverse.  In recent years, the promotions have continued to dwindle and a cash strapped Six Flags has noticeably put less effort in recent outings of this annual event.  Despite all this, it has always managed to garner praise from everyone who I was in attendance with. 

The Fright Fest we attended was at Six Flags St. Louis which is located in Eureka Missouri and is about a half an hour outside of the St. Louis City limits.  Usually there is some kind of special on admission and this year was no different.  Every guest paid the Children’s price to get in(a meager $33), which is a reasonably good deal.  Upon entering the park, one could tell immediately that Fright Fest was in full swing as the park was crawling with fake skeletons and all the store name signs had been replaced with creepier names ala “Aberzombie & Witch”(that made me groan just typing it).  We were immediately drawn to the Fright Fest guides that were being handed out, so that we could plan our day accordingly.  Upon first site we were left scratching our heads as the schedule almost appeared to be a near repeat of last year.  However, there were a few exceptions, the haunted house and haunted hay ride now cost $7 each.  This seems excessive since the only other haunted ride is the Terror Train.  Since those attractions didn’t begin until night time so it was off to the rides and shows.

The rides were the usual fare that you would find in most amusement parks, tons of top notch roller coasters and even a classic log flume.  The horror themed shows were hit or miss.  The Six Flags produced shows were cheesy affairs where they have ghouls dancing to some of today and yesterday’s biggest hits (yawn) but they seemed like they took about two seconds putting these together.  Hands down the best show of Fright Fest was done by an outside talent, a magician/comedian whose tricks were great and his humor was hilarious.  After walking about the park all day it became apparent that they had put up the decorations from the last few years as almost nothing had really changed.

Once nightfall hit, we were ready to experience some of the best horror Six Flags had to offer as we waited patiently for the Terror Train.  The line to get onto this ride was over two hours long, the production value was so terrible that we were left bewildered (I was up front and I had no idea what was going on), and the train speakers were blasting such catchy tunes as I Can’t Drive 55 by Sammy Hagar (a soon to be Halloween classic!!) and Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne.  The ride wasn’t scary at all and was downright confusing and the reason why it was such a long wait was because it took a full half an hour for each group to go through.  After this trepid affair we were so disappointed that we didn’t have the heart to hand over $7 more dollars for attractions that were sure to be terrible in quality.  Needless to say, the lackluster effort by Six Flags left a bad taste in all our mouths.

I think right now would be a good time to remind everyone that Six Flags partners with Warner Brothers on their licensing of characters, hence Batman and Bugs Bunny walking around the park.  One question that I have is why the hell don’t they get the rights to use Warner Brother’s other popular franchises?  Do they not also own the rights to The Exorcist, Friday the 13^th, and Nightmare on Elm Street (the latter two obtained when New Line and Warner merged)?  Hell, I would even take another Alice Cooper haunted house. 

As a loyal customer, I have been promised terror and fright but the only thing that scared me was the amount of money blown at the end of the day.  After years of patronage, I feel like I have handed over plenty of money but have received little in return and I believe my friends feel the same way.  If Six Flags doesn’t improve next year, I think that this is one annual tradition amongst my friends that may be laid to rest…..

To give you a brief history of the Lemp Brewery: Around the turn of the century, Lemp beer was one of the most successful beer companies in the country. The beer was a favorite amongst local gangsters and supposedly the lower regions of the brewery, located on the corner of Broadway and South Broadway, played host to orgies and murders. Despite surviving Prohibition by adding two non alcoholic beverages “Tally” and “Cerva” to their product line, the Lemp company ceased to exist in 1922, and the brewery portion was occupied by Falstaff beer until 1949. Besides some buildings being pieced off for use by other companies, the brewery itself has sat mostly dormant since Falstaff left.

Even though the Lemp haunted house opened in late September, my friends and I didn’t get a chance to go until last weekend. This meant that given it being mid October, we expected the haunted house to be packed to the gills and sure as shit, it was. Parking was not an issue as you could either park on the street for free or you could pay $3 and park within the confines of the brewery gates itself. There were plenty of parking attendants to guide traffic and despite there being many cars, finding a space was never an issue.

Next up came payment and the line to get into the haunted house(one thing I always dread). Attendees were given the option of either paying $20 for general entry or $30 for a fast pass which gets you to the front of the line. Judging by the long line of people waiting to get in, I wondered if we had made the wrong choice by going with $20 option. Luckily the lines moved quickly and we didn’t wait for more than 20 minutes(Take that as advice as it could save you 10 bucks). While waiting in line, you can’t help but take in the surroundings, as the brewery itself has been marvelously preserved. The brickwork on the sidewalks and grain silos have been well maintained and even a brick sign that says “fermentation building” still remains as a reminder of what this facility once housed. Once you reach the front of the line, you descend down a set of winding stairs and begin your trip through the haunted house itself.

The haunted house features many of the haunts that you come to expect: a good dose of jump scares, plenty of grade A props, and scenes of general torture and mayhem that is also featured in The Darkness. The location of the haunted house was fantastic, as the architecture of the basement was phenomenal and the Lemp boxes littering the area were a nice touch. However, despite there being many positive aspects of this haunted house, there were several things that could stand to be fine tuned for next year. One big thing that bothered me was the fog machines. Being a basement, the fog had nowhere to go and sometimes the clouds being dispersed became almost unbearable. Also, the groups tended to be too close together and this ruined the element of surprise as you could see what was coming up ahead. At several instances during your trip through Lemp, the area you would walk through would become pitch black and you could literally see nothing. While I think this was meant to be scary, it actually became annoying as you couldn’t figure out where the hell you were going.

Faults aside, I think that this haunted house definitely has potential to be even better next year. I think that the things I mentioned earlier were minimal grievances at best, and this house further proves that the company behind the Darkness definently hasn’t lost their touch at offering St. Louis some of the best haunted attractions in the Midwest. The Brewery itself is the perfect location for a haunted house and history buffs and horror fans alike will be able to appreciate the chilling atmosphere provided by this setting. I can say that this pairing will work nicely for the future and I will be back next year to see what they have in store. If you want to catch this attraction this year, you still have a couple more weekend as it is open through the first weekend in November.

P.S. After going through the Brewery, head on over to the Silver Ballroom and grab yourself a “Great Pumpkin” martini. It not only tastes delicious(as it tastes like a pumpkin pie and is even topped with whipped cream to boot) but also packs quite a punch.

 Magic Hat Brewing Company: Hex

For our first brew we will take a trip out east to Vermont and look at Hex beer.  It is an amber ale that is delicious and has a slightly smoky flavoring. I have read reviews where they pass this brew off because they say that the flavor isn’t overpowering enough, but I have found that this actually helps the brew in many ways.  Tonight, I drank several of these delicious brews and the flavor didn’t prohibit me from drinking further. 

Verdict:   While this beer’s drinkability factor is through the roof, Magic Hat also does a fantastic job of marketing.  The website offers a phenomenal flash video featuring some of our favorite monsters but also features recipes specific to this beer.

Availability:    Magic Hat is widely available throughout most of the Midwest and can be found in many bars and stores alike.   This beer is available in an individual 6 pack and a special seasonal Night of the Living Dead 12 pack.  The 12 pack might be a good option if you are throwing a party, as it gives a sampler of 4 different kinds of Magic Hat. 

Best Movies to Accompany this Beer:    Wicker Man,  Season of the Witch

Werewolf: Rinkuskiai Brewers

The next brew on our list takes us to the country of Lithuania.  Brewed by the 5^th largest brewer in the country, this lager comes in 2 different kinds:  5% for the were-wusses and 8.2% for the hardcore howlers.  Werewolf is the only foreign beer featured in this article and man does it pack a punch.  I must say that if you are looking to enjoy a beer with a meal or just want to enjoy the taste, defiantly stick with the 5%.  It is a very smooth malty lager that goes down easy.  The 8.2% may be a bit hard for most people to take as the alcohol overpowers much of the taste and it quickly dispenses drunken stupidity upon whoever partakes in it. 

Availability:    This brew can be found in many specialty liquor stores. I personally purchased my two bottles at Friar Tucks.  Unlike the other beers on this list, this brew is available year round. 

Verdict:    Beer lovers should pick this up if nothing but for the cool bottles and to compare the two different kinds.  If you want a beer that’ll put hair on your chest and bring out the wolf in you, go with the 8.2%.

Best Movies to Accompany this Beer:   Wolfman, The Howling, An American Werewolf in London

Great Lakes Brewing Company: Nosferatu

Every Fall, this Cincinnati based brewer, pumps out one of the best American Red Ale’s that side of the Mississippi.  That brew is called Nosferatu and it is defiantly worth sinking your teeth into.  I’m not a huge fan of hoppy beers because the brewers can go a bit overboard sometimes, but the hops in Nosferatu aren’t overwhelming.  Whether you plan on having one or four, this beer is highly drinkable.  If it were up to me, it would be produced year round.   

Availability:    Alas this beer is almost near impossible to find south of Chicago.  Although available in Chicago, Indiana, and some other Midwestern areas, it hasn’t quite made it’s way to Southern Illinois and the St. Louis area.  I picked it up on a company trip to Ohio and I will be picking up another six pack next time I go out East.  However, I had better time my trip accordingly as this specialty brew is only produced from September to October. 

Verdict:    If you want a beer with bite but has a smooth taste, go with this beer.  Unlike the 8.2% of Werewolf, drinking a six pack of this would be no problem as it goes down much easier, and believe me, that this brew is no slouch as it packs an impressive 8%. 

Best Movies to Accompany Beer:   Nosferatu, Dracula, Vampyros Lesbos

Schlafly:Pumpkin Ale

Seeing as how this is a St. Louis based website, I figured it would be downright lame of me to not include a brew from the ole home team.  It just so happens that this brew is also my favorite pumpkin beer of all time.  No I’m not talking about that lame ass excuse for a pumpkin brew that Anheiser Busch produces, I’m talking about the seasonal pumpkin beer that rolls out every September from your favorite brewer and mine, Schlafly.  From the second you smell this beer, to the aftertaste, it will remind you of a pumpkin pie.  While other pumpkin ales, such as Southern Tier’s Pumking Ale, can have their flavor overpowered by the alcohol content, Schlafly’s 8% ale never becomes too bitter. 

Availability:    While only being available in the fall months, it can be found as far north as Central Illinois and is readily available anywhere in St. Louis.  It is usually carried in all Schnucks supermarket locations and any specialty alcohol store.  I’m afraid our readers outside of the Midwest are S.O.L. but this is just one more reason to visit this area. 

Verdict:     Hands down the best pumpkin brew you will ever find.  O’Fallon pumpkin beer comes in a close second but this one takes the cake.

Best Movies to Accompany Beer:   The Exorcist, House on Haunted Hill

So there it is fiends, 4 different beers for you to enjoy while out haunting and causing scenes of debauchery on All Hallows Eve.  Have fun trying all 4 and let me know what you think.

Day 24: Toxie Does Deliverance….Mother’s Day

The family featured in Mother’s Day appears to be a very happy family. They play family games, and the two sons always make sure to mind their mother. Did I fail to mention that some of these games they play include raping and murdering unsuspecting victims? That is bad news for three college friends who decide to spend their yearly vacation together camping in the woods near this hillbilly clan. What started as a fun and innocent trip turns to horror as the girls are kidnapped and subjected to brutal treatment and must ultimately fight for their lives.

The body count isn’t very high but with this type of film, there typically isn’t. The film reminds me of Deliverence but done with that special Troma humor that you find with all of their self- produced releases. Although the subject matter is bleak, the tone of the film is never very serious and thus, you will probably find yourself laughing more than cringing at most of the material. Although the body count is low, the gore in the film is great. A decapitation scene at the beginning is probably my favorite.

If you are fan of Troma produced films, I would highly recommend this. Just as with most other Troma releases, the film is available for instant stream on Netflix and the DVD is fairly easy to find. I’m sure that with the release of the remake, there will be some kind of special edition blu- ray version coming out soon. We have already played one game of Truth or Dare earlier on this countdown, but for the 25h installment of 30 September Slasher, we will play a game of Simon Says.

Day 23: Schools Out Forever…..Graduation Day

The whole school came out to see Laura win the big track meet, but as she ran across the finishing line, she collapsed and died.  Just a few months later, just before graduation day, all the members of the track team begin to get killed off by a mysterious killer.  Could it be the coach who got shit- canned after Laura died?  Is it Laura’s long lost sister who showed up just in time for graduation?  I promise that by the time they get around to answering this question, you won’t really give a shit.

As a slasher, this film had many of the elements that make this type of film work:  A bunch of teenagers, a revenge plot, a high body count, and a masked killer.  All this aside, the characters weren’t very memorable and the kills were less than inspired.  Hell, the killer’s gimmick was that he used a stopwatch to time the kills (lame).  Christopher George did a good job as the track coach but everybody else was forgettable at best.  The film does get kudos for a gruesome spike kill that looks like it could have been from a Herschell Gordon Lewis film.

I can’t say that I would recommend this film.  At 1 hour and 36 minutes, I thought it was about 20 minutes too long and it left me hitting the fast forward button through most of the film.  I would say that it is much better than later Troma releases such as Buttcrack or Rockabilly Vampire, but that’s not saying much.  Lets hope Uncle Lloyd does a better job with tomorrow’s film, Mother’s Day.

Day 22: Has it Really Been 13 Years? …I Know What You Did Last Summer

After high school graduation, Jennifer Love Hewitt and her friends thought they had the world by the ass and were going to have one last night of debauchery before they leave their small coastal town…that is until they ran over a fisherman.  Fearful that this incident will ruin their future, the gang throws him in the ocean.  One year later, the teens didn’t fulfill all their dreams and are still haunted by the memory of that night.  They never got caught by the police, but unfortunately for them, someone remembers what they did last summer (hence the title).

This era of slashers was an odd one.  While the premises’ of films like Urban Legend and Valentine were essentially that of an 80’s slasher, one couldn’t help but notice that the cast looked like they were straight out of Dawsons Creek . This was no different in this film.  If Freddie Prince Jr. can play a grizzled blue collar fisherman, then I can play the President of the United States.  The film reeked of nineties fashion and cinematography.  All that aside, the film had plenty of scares, had a compelling mystery, and featured a brief appearance by Southern Culture on the Skids (How the hell did they get this gig?).  One thing that this film could have benefited from was a bit of gore from Tom Savini and some more T & A.  I can understand that they didn’t include that stuff so as to appeal to a wider audience, but it would have helped the film’s appeal with hardcore horror fans.

Problems aside, this is a film from the late nineties horror resurgence that is worth a second look.  Kudos to I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.  I haven’t seen that film in years, and it might be worth revisiting for next year’s installment of 30 September Slashers.  The 23^rd day of 30 September Slashers will see us going back to high school as we look at Graduation Day.

Day 21: Renovations a Major Improvement…The Toolbox Murders

 Nell, an out of work teacher, and her husband recently moved to LA so he could finish his doctor residency. The place her husband finds is a beautiful apartment building that has one problem: It is falling apart. Some major renovations are taking place at the apartment complex. Nell and other residents hear hammering at all hours of the night as creepy things begin to happen. Tenants begin to come up missing and meet their end at the hands of a killer welding various construction tools. Once Nell’s friend comes up missing, she is determined to find out the mystery of this old apartment complex, and what all the strange symbols that decorate the building mean.

Plain and simple, I hated the original Toolbox Murders. I thought it was mean spirited and in a bad taste, but above all, it was boring as hell. What the writers and Tobe Hooper did with this film, was take some of the basic concepts of the original film(i.e killer in an apartment complex and cool title) and make a fantastic slasher that also dabbles in the supernatural. The gore in this film is some of the best of the 2000’s. There were several scares that made me jump, and the atmosphere was thick with suspense. Although there were many creative kills, what truly made this film was the visual style on display by Hooper. Just as the carnival was the star in Funhouse, Tobe makes the apartment complex the star of this film.  This film did work better than Funhouse because the kills were more evenly paced. A notable mention is that the acting was overall impressive.  Angela Bettis was perfect as Nell.

If you haven’t seen this film, pick up a copy today.  It’s too bad that Mr. Hooper hasn’t really done much since this film, except present us with a weak installment in the Masters of Horror television show. This film shows he still has the chops.  Now somebody just needs to give him some money and a great script. Tomorrow, we will rewind back to the 90’s and take a look at the slasher I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Let’s get on with it, tonight’s film is a balls to the wall gore film that also works as a slasher.  Perhaps less extreme than films such as Das Komabrutale Duel or Violent Shit, but it has many of the same esthetics.  These types of films aren’t big on scripts, their body counts are insanely high, their budgets are minimal at best, and they give an excuse for the protagonist to unleash carnage with an arsenal of guns, machetes, and anything that will lay waste to a human body.  Now that you know what you are getting yourself into, lets play a game of Truth or Dare?

Day 20: I Dare You to Watch This Film….Truth or Dare?

Mike is feeling pretty damn good about himself.  He just got a raise and everything is coming up roses… that is until he comes home to find some dude givin’ the ole pipe to his wife, Sandra.  Needless to say, he is very upset (I would be too, she was about a 10) and contemplates killing himself.  He can’t go through with it but soon picks up a hitchhiker (another babe), and they decide to go on a camping trip together.  They begin playing a game of truth or dare and things turn creepy when she begins daring him to mutilate himself.  This includes but is not limited to, cutting off his finger and cutting out his tongue.  We then make a chilling discovery about the hitchhiker as well as realize that Mike is off his rocker.  Mike goes to a mental hospital but soon gets released on good behavior.  Big mistake, because he is going to get revenge on his wife once and for all….and take out a few dozen others as well.

As I mentioned in the introduction, the budget for this film is miniscule.  So, I think you know what your getting yourself into (I think they must have blown most of their budget getting ole Mike’s wife to get naked in the film).  The plot is minimal, and we basically get the point after the first 15 minutes.  Lets be serious though, that’s not why we’re watching this film to begin with.  The gore is surprisingly really good and includes an impressive head explosion from a grenade.  The director has no scruples as Mike not only lays waste to a baby and its mother but also takes out a bench full of senior citizens.

If you’re a fan of late eighties/early nineties gore films, then this film is probably right up your alley.  Although there was almost no plot, it managed to keep my attention.  The film can be streamed through Netflix and is also available on DVD.  I know we have already looked at a film by this director, but I couldn’t resist revisiting another film by the great Tobe Hooper.  Tomorrow’s film will be his remake of Toolbox Murders.

Day 19: Co-ed Cut Up…..Pieces

Beginning in 1942, a young boy gets scolded by his mother because she finds him putting together a nudie puzzle.  Naturally, his response is to kill her with an ax and saw her up into pieces.  Forty years later, a bunch of girls are being murdered on a college campus.  The kicker is that every time one is killed, a piece of their body is missing.  With the help of a college student and a pro tennis player turned undercover professor, the police attempt to track down the killer before he finishes his puzzle.

This film is a must see for all exploitation fans.  The script was hilarious, the gratuitous nudity was a plus, and the gore was more extreme than in almost any other slasher.   The cops were probably my favorite part as they would chew through terrible lines.  One such line was, “we’re just buying clothes without labels and trying them on for size.”  The story was ludicrous in that the dean is trying to keep these murders under wraps and yet people are being sawed up in broad daylight with a chainsaw.  Also, not to mention that the cops recruit a college student because they are short handed. Unrealistic plot aside, Pieces is the perfect flick to watch with a group of friends while drinking some brews.

The film has been widely available on DVD for a long time but for my money, I would highly recommend picking up the Grindhouse Releasing release that came out a couple years ago.  Grindhouse always puts quality work into their releases, and this film is very deserving of such red carpet treatment.  I know I said I would get to this film about ten days ago but tomorrow I will finally play the game Truth or Dare.

Day 18: Sort Under C For Crap….Video Violence

With this wonderful introduction to this film, I’m sure all of you are just giddy as hell to find out what this is all about.  Steve has given up his dream of owning a movie theater in New York, and decides to open up a video store in the small town of Dog Patch.  Business is good, but he is confused because the only types of films that people are renting are gory slashers.  While opening up the store, Steve and his one employee discover that a homemade film has been dropped in the drop box.  The film features someone being murdered.  When they try to report this to the police, Steve’s employee turns up missing.  The owner and his wife continue to receive these homemade snuff tapes, and they soon make a shocking discovery about this seemingly peaceful town.

While the story’s premise is interesting enough, I can’t say that I recommend this film.  The film is on video, the acting is terrible, and the script is piss-poor.  If you’re the type of person that digs the production quality of a film like Night Ripper or Zombie Apocalypse, then you might be interested in this movie.  My biggest complaint is that, unlike the previous films mentioned, this film doesn’t play up the comedic elements enough.  Camp Films originally released this on VHS, and it really makes me wonder how the hell they got such a wide distribution for a film this bad.

The fact that this film and its sequel are already on DVD and that a film like Curtains has yet to even see a release date, is a travesty.  If you see this one on the shelf, ignore the cool cover and get the hell out of there.  Tomorrow, on the 19^th day of 30 September Slashers, we head back to college with the 1983 film Pieces.

Sometimes there are films that although influential and often widely referenced, have often eluded viewers.  Tonight’s feature is never shown on t.v., the dvd is rarely seen in video stores and yet was featured in Bravo’s top Scary movie moments.  When asking friends about this film, they often shrug their shoulders because they have never heard of the title.   Tonight’s feature has for one reason or another always escaped me but after picking up a vhs copy, I was finally treated to the 1976 film….. Alice Sweet Alice.

Day 17:  How Sweet it is….Alice Sweet Alice

A dysfunctional Italian Catholic family from the east coast is in preparation for Karen, the youngest of two sisters, to have her first communion.  The eldest sister, Alice, is constantly causing trouble for her Mother, Aunt , and Uncle by performing mean spirited pranks, often dressed in a yellow overcoat and mask. Karen is viciously murdered by someone wearing an outfit, similar to Alice’s and of course the suspicion turns to her.  Karen and Alice’s Father comes in for the Funeral and in tern tries to figure out the mystery of who really killed Karen.  Who was behind the murder?  Was it the aunt?  Was it the creepy perverted landlord?  Was it the priest?

This film is the perfect Hitchcockian type thriller and the mystery keeps the viewer guessing until the very end. The kills are brutal but are never done in an over the top tongue in cheek fashion. Although being an American film, it actually works more as a giallo film than a straight slasher and probably has more in common with a film such as Don’t Torture a Duckling, than a film like Slaughter High.  The body count isn’t high but the acting and visual style of the film will be enough to hold your attention.

I can’t recommend this film enough.  This film is often referenced because it was Brooke Shields’ acting debut but that is a shame, because it should be remembered as one of the top American horror films of the 1970’s.  I am sure many of you have already seen this film but if you haven’t, get your ass a copy and get ready to be treated to a top rate thriller.  The 18^th film in 30 September Slashers is unfortunately not even in the same  ballpark as Alice Sweet Alice, the next film in our fest is the title Video Violence.

Besides being a destination to meet you favorite celebrities of yore, blow abominable amounts of cash, and stand in wall to wall lines, the horror convention is also a valuable resource for finding out about upcoming horror films and/or films you might have overlooked. At Horrorhound Indy 09’ I was treated to a little known slasher film that although garnering an impressive cult following, I had been unaware of it’s existence. Since being exposed to the film, it has since become one of my favorites and like the other films released this week, it has yet to see a proper DVD release. Get ready for harvest because tonight’s installment of 30 September Slashers is the rural horror flick Dark Night of the Scarecrow.

Day 16: Son In Law Slasher…..Dark Night of the Scarecrow

The film is set in a small farming community and begins with Bubba, a mentally challenged giant who befriends a young girl named Marylee(think Frankenstein and the girl with the flowers, minus throwing her ass in the well). Needless to say, some townsfolk don’t take kindly to him playing games with her. When she is nearly killed by a dog, mailman Otis(no way near as nice as the mailman from Mr. Rogers) and three of his cronies assume that Bubba murdered Marylee and decide to distribute vigilante justice. Bubba runs and hides from the angry mob and dresses up like a scarecrow. The vigilantes find Bubba and gun him down, only to find out minutes later that the little girl was alive because Bubba saved her(whoopsieee!). The gang decides that framing Bubba would be their best bet and they do so by putting a pitchfork in his hand, saying he attacked them. They get off on all charges but since this is a horror flick, you and I both know damn well that they won’t get off scott free.

This film plain and simple hits it right out of the ball park. The characters meet their ends with a number of farm implements including death by grain engulfment and combine, and their deaths are at the hands of a scarecrow dressed fiend. This film is different from other slashers because it also uses supernatural elements to explain the killings. The acting in the film is great with Charles Durning (Pappy O’Daniel from Oh Brother, Where Art Thou) as Otis, leading the cast. One of the vigilantes is played by none other than Lane Smith, who plays a farmer and is notable as playing the dad in Son in Law. The film is rather chilling in that the mailman victim being pursued is far more evil than the actual masked killer.

Unlike the other films covered this week, Dark Night of the Scarecrow is set for an official DVD release. After an aborted release date last fall from Dark Sky films, VCI Entertainment will finally release the film on September 28th. I can’t praise this film enough and the writer, J.D. Feigelson is a hell of a nice guy and gave an informative Q & A after the screening of this film last March. Now lets get back to films that are already out on DVD, tomorrow we will take a look at the slasher Alice Sweet Alice.

What do horror clips, Donald Pleasence, and contests all have in common?  Besides all being awesome, they are all featured on tonight’s installment of 30 September Slashers.  With October quickly approaching, no doubt we will soon be bombarded with horror movie countdowns and scariest movie moment features.  Most usually feature people like Ice-T, Eli Roth, the Miller Light Girls, and an assortment of has-beens preaching about why they love horror films.  These typically aren’t very stimulating and make me run for the changer right away.  In 1984, a horror movie compilation was released that not only brought the goods but was also hosted by slasher film(and horror for that matter) royalty.  That film was the appropriately titled Terror in the Aisles.

Day 15: All Killer No Filler…..Terror In the Aisles

Why do we watch horror films?  Why do we like being scared?  These are all questions that are tackled in this collection of horror movie moments.  Icons of fright, Donald “I shot him six times” Pleasence and Nancy Allen, host a collection of horror film clips from the setting of a packed movie theater.  Instead of just listing movies and showing shocking scenes from each one, the film instead deals with different themes involving horror including sex, villains, terror itself, and why we use horror as an escape.  The film at one point uses stock footage of an interview with Alfred Hitchcock where he explains suspense in cinema. The documentary primarily focuses on films from the late seventies and early eighties but does show some clips from more “classic” horror films and gives historical perspective.  Some of the films included in this doc. are Halloween, Carrie, Klute, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13^th, several Hitchcock films, and a plethora of others.

This horror doc. is far and above better than anything compilation that you will see released today.  Mr. “Pure Evil” himself serves as the perfect host and hams up his performance every second he is onscreen.  It’s almost as if you are watching wacky Dr. Loomis host this instead of Pleasence.  Nancy Allen’s presence I could take or leave, most of the time it was as if she was reading off of a damn cue card.  The soundtrack was fantastic, although very simple at times, reminded me very much of a Carpenter-esque score.  The only downside to the film is that it does not give you film titles or film introductions.  Therefore, if you are interested in learning more about a film or watching it, then you are shit out of luck unless you do some research from the film credits.

Although I think it is a crime that this has never seen a release past Laser Disc, I can see why this film has never had an official DVD release.  Securing rights to these film clips would be a nightmare, especially since this film would be appreciated by such a limited audience.  If your looking for a good compilation to get you in the mood for Halloween and would like an alternative to Bravo’s countdown of horror flicks, then this might be the film for you.   I know I enjoyed the hell out of it and will be watching it again.

Are you ready for the Contest?  Destroy the Brain is giving away an OOP original VHS copy of Terror in the Aisles. The first person to respond with the correct answer wins.

Question: In New Year’s Evil, what is the name of the show that Blaze’s son Derrick auditioned for?