Laserdome-AMH Reviews

Sar Kata Insan (1994)

Incredible movie

[12 August 2007]

A killed police officer's corpse is revived by an evil scientist and his henchmen. At night, the living corpse takes off his head and goes on a bloody killing spree, eventually plotting a murderous revenge against those who wronged him before.

An absolutely incredible 141-minutes-horror epic from Pakistan including special effects and splatter/gore scenes, which also won many prices in its country. Atmospherically filmed, and actually a must see for fans of exotic horror films, but unfortunately this film also is an extremely rare one to find, as it has never been available in any form outside of Pakistan.

The Quatermass Xperiment (1955)

A British sci-fi horror classic

[9 December 2004]

A spaceship crashes in a field somewhere in England, but only one of it's three crew members crawls out alive. The others seem to have disappeared. The surviving astronaut is in a bad condition and eventually escapes. Led by Professor Quatermass, the scientists and police try to find him. Meanwhile, the astronaut slowly transforms into a monster that grows with astounding pace.

This is the first of three theatrical features about writer Nigel Kneale's character Quatermass. Having looked for it for years, I was finally able to buy it on DVD today and of course had to watch it immediately. It ranks as a British science-fiction/horror classic and it clearly shows why as it is scarier and far better made than most of the 50's sf/horror films. Shot for Hammer Films on a budget of only

42'000, this is another excellent genre film by director Val Guest.

Mission to Mars (2000)

Brian De Palma's trip to Mars

[2 November 2003]

In the year 2020, humanity's first expedition to Mars takes place. But on the planet's surface, a catastrophe occurs and only one of the astronauts survives. Then a rescue mission starts on Earth. When orbiting Mars, they run into all kinds of trouble before they finally manage to land on Mars. The surviving Astronauts are about to uncover an incredible secret.

Of the three recent big-budget science-fiction movies about Mars (the others being "Red Planet" by Antony Hoffman and "Ghosts of Mars" by John Carpenter"), I've expected the least from this one. And was wrong. My first thought was: "It really doesn't open like a good sci-fi movie should". But the longer I've been watching the more I liked the film. After the ending, I was really satisfied at how it turned out. A touching ending for an underrated science-fiction movie that also has great music in these final scenes. The manages to make you care for its characters, a point way too many SF movies fail to achieve. Of the three mentioned films, this one may be the best!

The Nun and the Devil (1973)

Not uninteresting...

[17 October 2003]

Intrigues in a 16th century Italian cloister near Verona lead to gruesome happenings. Sister Giulia, pretending to save the Mother Supreme from her sickness, is really trying to kill her in order to become Mother Supreme herself. The cardinal suspects something about sister Giulia's intrigues and raids the cloister, bringing all those who did wrong to trial...

This Italian nun movie may be called "exploitation", but it certainly offers an interesting view on some historic happenings and how it might have been back then. The film even claims to be based on a true story. Whether this is true or not, it probably isn't too far away from reality. There's not very much nudity or violence in this, so fans of sick exploitation films will probably be disappointed. Surprisingly well made, and watch out for a very young Ornella Muti in a supporting role.

The Cat (1992)

Wisely is back!

[12 October 2003]

Writer and adventurer Wisely gets involved when a cat from outer space wreaks havoc. But the cat and it's human friends, a young girl and an old man, are really on earth to chase a killer from space! This "star killer" possesses people and finally turns itself into a giant slimy monster. Now it's up to Wisely and the strange cat to save earth from mortal danger...

Hong Kong's popular character Wisely returns for another movie adventure. He was played by such popular actors as Yun-Fat Chow in "The Seventh Curse" or Samuel Hui Koon-Kit in "The Legend of the Golden Pearl", however this time it's the turn of Waisee Lee Chi-Hung. It's weirdness everywhere with slimy and gory special effects and a bloody fight between the cat and a dog! One of only very few attempts by the film industry of Hong Kong at science-fiction, this is a must-have for fans of strange movies.

Rat Man (1988)

Late nasty shocker from Italy

[12 October 2003]

Somewhere in the Dominican Republic, a scientist creates a cross between rat and ape, which is poisonous and feeds on human flesh. Of course, the creature escapes and starts to kill everywhere. The sister of a missing model and an author of television crime stories start to investigate on their own and follow the monster's bloody route...

This was one of the last "big" Italian gore shockers and has all the ingredients we've come to expect from such films as it is sleazy, sexist, gory and stupid as hell (heck, the scientist even wants to win the Nobel price for his monster!). The creature itself is, and that's a bit of a surprise, astoundingly scary (and ugly, too). However, as we can see the monster before it escapes and starts its killing spree and the director seems more interested in showing tits and gore than anything else, there's not much of suspense in the film. However it was nice to see the return of Italian horror film veterans David Warbeck and Janet Agren. A movie for fans.

The Witches (1966)

Bears the hammer mark of quality

[12 October 2003]

After suffering a shock in Africa, young Gwen Mayfield starts working as a teacher in a small village somewhere in England. Two of her students behave rather strange, and some people in the village try to separate the two from each other. Gwen becomes curious but suffers another shock. When she returns to the village, she finally finds out why its inhabitants behave so strange: They are really witches and plan to sacrifice a girl from Gwen's class...

One of the lesser known horror movies from legendary British Hammer films, this was also Joan Fontaine's last role. It's a slow and surprisingly tame movie, but well-made and atmospheric. While it's nothing outstanding, it certainly is worth watching. The ending may be a bit of a letdown. I also liked the music score during the opening credits, and some bits of the soundtrack are really good.

Ed Wood (1994)

Masterpiece.

[9 October 2003]

The true story of movie writer, producer and director Edward D. Wood Jr. comes to the screen in this wonderful homage. How Ed made his movies, from "Glen or Glenda" to "Bride of the Monster" and the legendary "Plan 9 from Outer Space", how he met one of his true idols, the late Bela Lugosi, and brought him back to the screen...

This is an absolutely wonderful, deeply touching homage to the tragic life and work of Ed Wood, who became famous as "the worst movie director of all time" after his death. Despite being incredibly funny at times, the film never loses respect for its main protagonist(s) and succeeds on every possible level. Johnny Depp and Martin Landau play their parts with sheer brillance, and Landau deservedly won an Oscar for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi. Everybody who loves cinema should see this movie, and especially those who like 50's science-fiction and horror movies. However, don't see before you know at least two of Ed's films: "Bride of the Monster" and "Plan 9 from Outer Space", of course. Those three together make for an unforgettable time at the movies. Only the genius that is Tim Burton could have come up with it, and I'm very glad he did.

The Enchanting Shadow (1960)

Enchanting, bewitching... charming!

[9 October 2003]

A young scholar spends the night in a creepy temple that is said to be haunted. He doesn't believe in the rumors, but after running into a Taoist swordsman, he meets a beautiful lady ghost. She is forced by an evil old witch to seduce young men, so the witch can kill them and drink their blood...

This 1959 color production from the famous Shaw Bros. is finally available in a gorgeously restored version. By far the oldest movie I've seen from Hong Kong so far, this classic of the fantasy/horror genre, while very slow moving, is really charming and well worth watching after all these years. Like many Hong Kong movies, this one too is based on a story from famous Ching dynasty author Song-Ling Pu's collection of over 400 ghost and love stories. In 1987, the film was remade into one of the most popular and spectacular Hong Kong movies ever: "A Chinese Ghost Story".

Dragonslayer (1981)

Fantasy classic

[3 October 2003]

After the death of his wizard master, young Galen wants to kill a giant dragon that terrorises people all over Urland. To secure a peaceful living, people have to sacrifice virgins to the horrible fire-spitting beast. How can Galen, who still isn't even a real wizard, beat the dragon?

This movie coming from Walt Disney, I was worried it might be too lighthearted to be a really good fantasy film. Luckily, I was wrong! There are surprise deaths of cast members and even some scenes of gore, helping to create just the right kind of atmosphere. The special effects here are really excellent and hold up very well to today's CGI spectacles. Also, the Dragon looks absolutely incredible. The movie probably would have benefited from a more remarkable musical score, the kind of which a Basil Poledouris might have composed. Still, this is a must-see fantasy film, almost in the league of "The Lord of the Rings".

Basket Case (1982)

Frank Henenlotter's mini-classic

[30 September 2003]

Young Duane Bradley comes to New York and lands in a shabby hotel. Nobody knows that he has a horribly deformed twin brother who inhabits his basket! This twin brother, Belial, plans to have his vengeance on the doctors who once operated and separated them. While Duane befriends a girl, Belial gets jealous. But that's just the beginning...

Frank Henenlotter's mini-classic of the horror genre is one wicked and whacky little movie. It's special effects may look clearly dated by today's standards, but it is also very gory at times, so people with a weak stomach beware. Recommended for horror and cult film fans only.

Piranha (1995 TV Movie)

Disappointing even by very low expectations

[29 September 2003]

Detective Maggie McNamara investigates a case of a missing young couple as she runs into Paul Grogan, who lives as far away as possible from the city because he doesnÕt want to meet anybody. Together, they unwillingly unleash a plague of killer piranhas created by the military. The Piranhas attack an opening ceremony for some holiday resorts, where lots of guests are in the water - including GroganÕs little daughter...

A Roger Corman-produced TV Remake to a Roger Corman-produced (and Joe Dante-directed) original. Sounds bad enough to be a warning? ItÕs almost the same movie as the original, and nothing has improved since, in fact, this has to be one of the most unnecessary remakes in the long history of unnecessary remakes. As for the special effects, almost every single shot is lifted from the original which makes this hard to defend for even the most jaded fan. Not only the special effects in this 1995 movie are from the seventies, thereÕs also still no one around to provide a cell phone when you need one. If only the very likeable William Katt were in the original...

The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)

In for a horror trip to Haiti?

[29 September 2003]

Dr. Dennis Alan from Harvard University travels to Haiti to find proof about the existence of voodoo and zombies. He befriends a Haitian Doctor, Marielle, and eventually becomes involved into the dark secrets of voodoo and the walking dead. Of course, he soon is in mortal danger.

This is one of the very few horror films that try to deal with the subject seriously, rather sticking to facts and whitnesses than displaying gut-munching undead zombie creatures. Interesting work from director Wes Craven and also recommended for those who like their zombie films ˆ la George A. Romero or Lucio Fulci, for a different view on the subject.

Santo in the Vengeance of the Mummy (1971)

My very first movie starring El Santo!

[23 September 2003]

Famous Mexican wrestling hero Santo takes part in an expedition which leads him and his friends to the tomb of Opache prince Nonoc, who has been buried alive because he wanted to escape with a maiden who was destined to be sacrificed to a god named Xucul. It doesn't take long time until the expedition members start dying one by one... Has the mummy come back to life?

This was my first time to experience a movie starring legendary Mexican superhero, Santo El Enmascarado De Plata. Having heard so much about him, I wondered what to expect. It's an entertaining film with surprisingly decent production values and make-up - however, as a big fan of supernatural horror movies, I was a bit disappointed in the ending. Still, it was fun to watch and I'm looking forward to see more of Santo. He himself was very cool in this one.

301, 302 (1995)

Korean weirdness at it's best

[23 September 2003]

301 and 302 are two young women living next each other in the same building in a city somewhere in South Korea. 301 is cooking all the time. To become good neighbours, she presents 302 one of her meals. Little does she know that 302 is unable to eat anything because of her dark past. So she throws away all the meals 301 is cooking for her. Eventually, 301 becomes aware of this, and then the madness starts...

Another disturbing movie from Asia, this time coming from South Korea and it shows. Weird, dark, and sometimes really disgusting, but still more than worth it's money. Oh, before I forget: Please think twice before you are going to watch this movie while eating...

The Haunting (1963)

Edge-of-the-seat English ghost chiller

[20 September 2003]

Young Eleanor Vance, troubled by her family members after the death of her invalid mother, wants to escape from her sad life. She takes part in an unusual experiment of a certain Dr. Markway, who wants to find evidence about the existence of ghosts. In order to achieve this, four people including Eleanor and the Doctor himself spend the nights in the dark Hill House that is widely believed to be haunted. It doesn't take long time for them to wish they never came to this place...

This is one of the best "ghost" films ever, hair-rising and spooky as they only were made in the sixties. Once again, the lack of blood and special effects prove to be all the more effective when it comes to creating stunning and eerie atmosphere. After viewing this, i was - against knowing better - shocked at how weak and often downright stupid modern horror movies with all their bombastic CGI special effects and gore really are when compared to a real horror classic like this. This includes the 1999 remake of "The Haunting" which lands in every possible trap despite having some good scenes as well. As for the original, Robert Wise once more proved to be one of the best genre directors.