Released two years after Friday the 13th, with basically the same plot: crazy guy mows down naughty camp counselors. Except this guy has a way more awesome back-story (and his own theme song): Madman Marz (Paul Ehlers) was an evil farmer/axe murderer who was hanged by townspeople and left for dead. At the mention ofContinue reading “1981’s ‘Madman’ Has it All: Boobs, Murder, and…Philosophy”
Author Archives: GhoulieJoe
1987’s ‘The Gate’ Offers a Bodacious Mix of Humor and Horror
About young Glen (Stephen Dorff) and his big sister Al (Christa Denton), who are home alone for the weekend. With the help of their friend Terry (Louis Tripp), they accidentally turn a hole in the backyard into a portal to hell. Seems the combination of a geode, some blood (Glen cuts himself), levitation (fun atContinue reading “1987’s ‘The Gate’ Offers a Bodacious Mix of Humor and Horror”
‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ is a Classic, but not Universal’s Best
A group of scientists looking for fish specimens in Brazil get more than they bargained for when they encounter a half-man, half-fish (Ricou Browning). Unfortunately he has the nasty habit of killing minor characters and absconding with Kay (Julie Adams), the only woman in the movie. Her fiancé David (Richard Carlson) has to chase theContinue reading “‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ is a Classic, but not Universal’s Best”
‘Crazy Lips’ is Bizarre but Compelling
Japanese movie, AKA Hakkyousuru kuchibiru. Satomi (Hitomi Miwa) is a young woman whose brother Michio (Kazuma Suzuki) is a fugitive suspect in a murder case. She goes to the Psychic Research Center and enlists the help of wacky psychic Mamiya (Yoshiko Yura) and her assistant Touma. They show up at her house and do aContinue reading “‘Crazy Lips’ is Bizarre but Compelling”
‘Bride of Chucky’ is a Fun and Funny Sequel
The fourth movie in the Child’s Play series. Chucky (Brad Dourif) has been dismembered and stored in a police evidence room, and his sometime lover Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly) is coming to get him and bring him back to life. (And yet again try to put him in a human body.) Meanwhile, teenagers Jesse (Nick Stabile)Continue reading “‘Bride of Chucky’ is a Fun and Funny Sequel”
‘The Conqueror Worm’ is About as Raunchy as You’d Expect, Given the Title, but Not Scary
English movie by way of good ol’ American International Pictures. It’s also known as Witchfinder General, but that’s not nearly as entertaining to write about. Vincent Price is Matthew Hopkins, the town Witchfinder in 1645 England. Basically he’s in charge of accusing people of witchcraft and seeing them punished. Too bad he’s also corrupt, andContinue reading “‘The Conqueror Worm’ is About as Raunchy as You’d Expect, Given the Title, but Not Scary”
‘Cello’ is Subtle but Powerful
Korean movie, AKA Chello hongmijoo ilga salinsagan. Mi-ju (Hyun-Ah Sung) is a music professor recovering from a car accident in which her friend Tae-yeon (Da-an Park) was killed. Her life takes a turn for the worse after listening to a cassette tape of Tae-yeon and her playing music. Her family is disintegrating, from her sister-in-law Kyung-ranContinue reading “‘Cello’ is Subtle but Powerful”
‘A Brush with Death’ is More Like a Brush with Mediocrity
Low budget movie, supposedly “based on true events.” Five teenage girls (cheerleaders, natch) head to a relative’s mansion for the weekend, and decide instead to visit the house nearby where a young boy killed his sociopath brother. When one of the girls disappears, the other four have to scramble to avoid the same fate. MaybeContinue reading “‘A Brush with Death’ is More Like a Brush with Mediocrity”
Kasi Lemmons’s ‘The Caveman’s Valentine’ is Gorgeous and Intense
Romulus (Samuel L. Jackson), also known as the Caveman, is a homeless schizophrenic man. In another life he was a brilliant concert pianist, but he now lives in a cave in Central Park. After coming across a dead body, he decides it’s the work of his phantom enemy Steiberson, and vows to solve the case.Continue reading “Kasi Lemmons’s ‘The Caveman’s Valentine’ is Gorgeous and Intense”
‘Case 39’ Isn’t Particularly Original, but Still Quite Enjoyable
Emily (Renée Zellweger) is a social worker who comes into contact with Lilith (Jodelle Ferland), a ten-year-old girl who has been showing signs of neglect. Lilith’s parents clearly dislike her, and Emily eventually catches the two of them shoving Lilith in their oven. Emily gains custody of Lilith, who unfortunately is not as sweet andContinue reading “‘Case 39’ Isn’t Particularly Original, but Still Quite Enjoyable”
