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scooby572
Reviews
Hammer House of Horror: The Thirteenth Reunion (1980)
One of the strongest episodes
Only about 3 of the HHoH episodes were below par but this one just may be about top, although it's a close run thing with a few others. It's theme of cannibalism something that was virtually totally uncatered for (pun intended) at the time certainly in British TV horror. It's a story of a health farm which seems to be making news with it's 'Think Thin' campaign. This hastens Ruth (Julia Foster), a reporter for a ladies magazine, to be sent to discover more. After a chance encounter she is led to believe that things may not be as they seem.
The Thirteenth Reunion moves sweetly and mysteriously through the gears before the moment when Julia Foster let's rip with her shocked and repulsed cries. Suspense is the main game, and it sustains that throughout, but the undercurrent of a horror tale all too real in it's once forbidden taboo theme. Excellent if typically nihilistic conclusion to another quality HHoH episode.
Prison (1987)
Much overlooked horror classic
Caught this film in about 1990 on video by chance and without knowing what i was in for. Many horror fans may have missed this thinking it was a typical prison film and the ones who did get it didn't like it as it was not what they wanted to see. The above mentioned factors are probably the reasons it is low rated but just ignore that and give it a whirl if you're a fan of the genre.
It has strong suits in all departments from script and atmosphere to acting and the prison itself.
An absolute diamond, a film i still have on video to this day. Check it out.
Three O'Clock High (1987)
Easily the best teen film i've ever seen.
Granted, teen movies are generally awful and forgettable but this is far and away the best i've ever seen. Everything about it is quality from every single one of the truly inspired and bizarre characters, all of whom are memorable, to the style of directing and camera-work and to the superbly handled conclusion which is anything but an anti-climax.
Clocks play a huge part in the film as does romance, death and destruction particularly in Jerry's classes. There are many neat touches among them when Jerry is seen literally carrying the world on his shoulders.
I saw this back in 1990 and it remains the only film of it's type in my collection but to compare it to other teen movies is unfair as it's on a different level and just doesn't seem like a teen movie.
If you ever see one teen film make this it because you will not be disappointed.
Absolute class.
The Haunting (1963)
You'll wait for something to happen....but it never will
A film which seems to get much critical praise, and in years since the public have followed of course, although somewhat mystifyingly. There is no suspense, atmosphere, tension, developments and then it grinds to a complete halt.
I first viewed this movie in the '70's and suffice to say it is the biggest let down i have ever had cinematically bar none and subsequent viewings are actually worse. You wait and wait for the build up to increase and reach some sort of crescendo but it literally goes nowhere at all and nothing happens whatsoever.
One of the top 3 most overrated films i have ever seen and 4 viewings makes it harder to sit through each time. Check out the vastly superior The Legend of Hell House to see how it should have been done.
If you would like to know why this film had such critical praise then check out the directors other works especially before. The critics do not want us horror/thriller fans to like something different and always mark way higher when it's on occasion a director usually successful in another genre but they can't and wont fool me. Dull, dreadful, dormant. A must miss.
Miracle Mile (1988)
This film needs to be seen
This is a film you need to see. It is seminal to the extent of being one of the most important films ever made. I am a big fan of the horror genre but this is as frightening as anything you will see in any horror film.
Basically it's a love story set over a very short period of time but a love story that takes a decidedly different twist amid the increasing panic that follows the discovery of a nuclear attack that may or may not happen. While Chinese whispers spread and more and more people waken to believe they have overnight become terminally ill, it's every one for themselves.
For film buffs the cast is a real treat with so many b-faces and some scenes of utter delicious madness. Some things to look for include Jeanette Goldstein on the roof (Vasquez from 'Aliens') dolled up but still packing a big gun, Lou Hancock (Henrietta, the human form of the witch in the cellar from 'Evil Dead 2') the rats that suddenly appear on a car bonnet after a tree is bumped etc.
The film has proved extremely prophetic in passing years and it simply gets better and better each time i view it since i first saw it in '89. Everything in the film focuses on the ordinary folk, the underdog, no gloss, no big names. One of the film's many many important lines comes at the start uttered by Harry: "Love sure can spin your head round". It certainly does ordinarily let alone extreme circumstances.
The ending is beautiful, poetic and very ironic.
Utterly compelling and harrowing. A must see.
"Lucky to have the ability to see what i see, not what others 'see'"
Cube (1997)
Best Film I've Seen in a Long, Long Time
**MAY contain mini-spoilers but nothing blatant** I was crying out for something original with depth and, with it's near 'Blade Runner' factor in the sense that years and years later this film will achieve it's proper standing, i discovered 'Cube'. There is just so much to enjoy about the film and it's 'hidden content' if you know your films. Top notch acting especially under such difficult circumstances, a simple but utterly compelling plot, very sound direction and overall first class on any budget. Some important moments in the film's beginning include the discussion about any of them knowing how they got there (crucial as it leads the way to the only plausible ending), as well as Quentin's comment which enlightens all that they have been given the means to escape with the skills each character has (Holloway being a Doctor etc). In other words 'they' (whoever they are?) have played fair but of course no amount of booby traps in a concealed space with time running out, highlighted early on by comments made by firstly Rennes and then Holloway, can prevent mankind's real enemy succeeding in it's demise and that is mankind itself. The longer the movie goes the more desperate the characters become intensified by the cop, Quentin. This film will become a classic in a few years to come simply because it has to. Important, Intelligent, Intense, Intriguing, Gripping. This is a film that needs to be seen with the mind. Best film i've seen in a long, long time and, like 'Blade Runner' many years earlier, has so much more to it than one viewing shows.
Independence Day (1996)
Dear me
I would only really comment on movies i like but this has to be an exception. Per budget this remains THE worst film i have ever seen bar none. Everything about it. I've only ever broken 1 tele in my life and it was while enduring this crap that it occurred just after a moment involving Will Smith and an alien which was the final straw. It starts off OK and to my disappointment never really gets going and then insults to an unbelievable extent. There are moments in this film which you really cannot believe and leaves you thinking 'haven't i seen this kind of crap before but on a budget of a fraction the size and better?' Not one feature of it is praiseworthy. I have peace of mind that i will never see this film again. Big budget = cobblers? It is now too often the case. Check out the original or first remake of 'Invasion of the Bodysnatchers' instead