Scream (Shout) Factory is one of my favorite companies pounding out blu-ray releases. They focus their efforts or more obscure/cult horror titles from the 80's, which automatically makes me want to throw my money their way. It's not in haste though, because they've already cranked out such winners as They Live and Halloween II & III. So I decided to drop knowledge on a few more choice cuts from their catalog... enjoy.
(1980) [Trailer]
Director: Michael Ritchie [IMDB]
Synopsis: Father and son get highjacked in the Caribbean by a group of pirates who have managed to avoid the trappings of modern society.
If you've ever sat at your shitty desk job and thought to yourself "I wish I had some excitement in my life... I wish I was a swashbuckler on the high seas"... then The Island is the movie for you. It's an odd little gem that could be considered a cross between Lord of the Flies, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Michael Caine is fantastic... there involves a scene with him and a Gatling gun that is worth the price of admission alone. This film spends its time in two locales, at sea and on the island... and both sites are interesting to visit. There's plenty of violence and gore... actually a few moments that shocked me. All and all, it's a good movie and the transfer to blu-ray is pleasing. Get it.
(1980) [Trailer]
Director: Roger Spottiswoode [IMDB]
Synopsis: Jamie Lee Curtis and a group of college kids board a party train with a murderous guest who is uninvited.
Terror Train is alright I suppose, but it starts to loose its luster about a half hour in. It's pretty obvious who the killer is, but it's interesting to see him absorb the different costumes of all his victims... I thought that was a clever idea. Besides Jamie Lee Curtis, this film also stars David Copperfield and he looked like he just got off the set of Saturday Night Fever. I liked the use of a small train to contain the story and it also provided some interesting scenery. Terror Train isn't amazing, but still a good time and worth a poke if you're into slasher films.
(1982) [Trailer]
Director: Dick Richards [IMDB]
Synopsis: Ralphie from A Christmas Story travels to Death Valley with his mom and her new boyfriend... and they fuck with the wrong serial killer.
This is also a standard slasher movie... only a little more family friendly. There's some cool cinematography involving the desert... it makes you want to take some peyote and go find your spirit animal. The acting coming from the mom and BF isn't the greatest, but Ralphie was okay. The killer had a quasi Norman Bates feel to him, only not as cool. The ending serves up lots of examples where you realize the protagonists are morons... the typical "why the hell don't they go check and make sure he's really dead" moments. Death Valley is neck and neck with Terror Train... a fun time but nothing amazing.
No comments:
Post a Comment