The Art of Scare

Since I am a moron my original post is being pushed till next week. I grabbed the wrong usb cable and can not upload pictures from my camera. But regardless I have and equally good post for you today.

I am a graphic designer by trade. I went to school for it and landed a rather kush job using my degree. I have always been fascinated with the illustrations of 80’s horror films. During the early 80’s most of the films used artists to design their posters and cover art. As a result, a lot of really cool and original artwork came out of it. Here are some of my favorite posters I would see as a kid rooming through left over posters at my moms old video store.

First on the list is Curtains (1983). I love this poster. The old lady mask in the background is a really nice touch, seeing as how the killer in the film wheres a mask similar to this. The creepy blank stare porcelain doll give the poster an air of unease. I really enjoy the mouth of the old hag tuning into curtains as well.

To sum up Curtains basically an actress commits herself into a mental institution to study for a role. While there the director of the film in which she is studying has her officially committed and offers the role to 6 younger actresses that are all invited to the directors home for a weekend audition where one woman will be crowned. Eventually the girls start being picked off 1 by 1 by someone in an old hag mask!

While this film is a classic in the slasher genre is has not gotten an official DVD release, it has been featured in a horror 4 pack but offers up a horrible transfer and has left most of the genre junkies quite pissed about it! Find this movie and watch it!

Alone in the Dark (1982) is a film that I had to hunt down when I first saw it. I vaguely remember seeing this poster in the old poster bin at the video store my mother worked at. I have always thought this poster was one of the better of the genre films of is time. There is no chance of misinterpretation with this guy. The waist down depiction of the man with the axe really sets the focal point for this poster. The blood stained axe lets you know your in for some slashing, and the lone home in the background really captures the desolate feeling of films final showdown.

Basically the film is about 4 escaped mental patiants that go on a killing rampage. All the while after their doctor from the asylum. I would also suggest people see this film. I consider this to be one of the better slasher movies of the 80's. The story is very well put together and the acting is pretty good as well. Also the late Jack Palance is featured as a lead in this gem.This film is available on DVD through Amazon and most other online DVD retailers. Check this classic out!

Last on today's list is the ORIGINAL Prom Night (1980) featuring Jamie Lee Curtis in here 3rd film role and the late Lesile Nielsen. This film for me is a staple in the slasher genre. I always remember this seeing this film in the video stores, and actually seeing 2 different posters, the other being Miss JLC as prom queen with a bloody axe in a bouquet of roses. I always found this poster to be very effective. Seeing the silhouette of the killer and only his eyes and hand holding a glass shard really adds to the mystic of the films killer. Being that you don't know who the killer is until the final seconds of the movie this poster nails it. I like the simplistic approach to the poster as well, the artist didn't convolute the artwork with things that were unnecessary.

The basic rundown of the film is much like any other slasher film out. A group of high school senior are being stalked by an unknown killer in a ski mask wearing all black. For me, they story of why the killer is stalking the high schoolers is what makes me like this film so much. Prom Night is available on DVD but has had multiple released by different companies, and most of the transfers are not that great. But hey its the slasher genre so the transfers only add to the sleaze.

Thats all for today, I hope you like my artwork post today, let me know what you thought!

Critters (1986)

First there was Gremlins, then there was Critters. Critters is one of those cheesy sci-fi flicks that came out in the 80’s as an answer to a film by another company. While this is tactic has been denied, there are a lot of similarities between the two. Fans will never know what is true for sure, but at any rate we all received a very nice bit of 80’s cheese out of it!

Critters is about a race of small fuzzy aliens that escape from a prison asteroid, crash land in a small American town, and reek havoc on its inhabitants. Critters is all good fun, while its defiantly not cinematic gold, it has its charm. The creatures themselves are the best part of the film. They all have their own personality and in-turn makes the film a lot more entertaining.

The film boasts some nice puppet and practical effects, and one of my favorite songs from an 80’s movie “Power Of The Night” by the fictional rocker Johnny Steele. That song is just classic 80’s! The lyrics are so funny and the song makes about 2000 appearances in the film as well which add to the hilarity.

Critters stars Dee Wallace (Stone), Scott Grimes and Don Keith Opper. While the acting is defiantly typical 80’s, the actors add a bit of humility to roles. Dee Wallace screams some more and Scott Grimes causes entertaining mischief. The film also sports a younger, fuller haired Billy Zane in his second feature film role. Just wait till you get a load of that hair!

This film is just all around fun. I would recommend this to anyone who hasn’t seen it or is looking to kill some time with a fun sci-fi creature feature. This rather simple formulaic effort gets a 3 out of 5 stabs for the sheer fun of the film! If you are interested in purchasing Critters you can do so at amazon on stand alone DVD or 4 Disc Critters Collection Pack featuring all 4 Critters films. View the trailer below. On a side note, listen to music in the trailer below, does it sound familiar? Yes! New Line Cinema recycled the Nightmare On Elm Street score and used it trailer for Critters! Classy New Line.

  GLP Rating

Blood Junkie (2010)

The 80's, a plethora of VHS, Cassettes, Acid Washed Jeans, Leg Warmers and the Rubik's Cube. But the 80's also birthed the era of the slasher film! Slasher films in the 80's were literally a dime a dozen, while short lived, most left a mark with their viewers. I am a child of the late 80’s (88’ to be exact) so I had the opportunity to experience most of these things, although it wasn’t until the 90’s. Something about this time period for film and pop culture really stuck with me. So when it comes to watching new horror films I almost always feel like there is something missing (even if it is perfect). Now that I think about it, it's just the nostalgia of the films I grew up on, the setting, film grain, and 80’s culture in general.

Blood Junkie (a.k.a Rocky Trails) is a film that captivated me. Upon hearing about the film I immediately got very excited. As most of you already know, I am a HUGE fan of the Slasher sub-genre, so seeing this film was a no brainer. When I finally got the chance to see it I was not disappointed at all.

The film is set in the glorious 80’s, a group of teens set out the abandoned Rocky Trails Campground to have a weekend of drinking, sex and fun. However just beyond the old overgrown trails is a blood hungry maniac looking to eradicate all that enter his domain.

I had so much fun watching this movie. Director Drew Rosas did a magnificent job of recreating the 80’s slasher style. The cinematography, film grain, original soundtrack, and costume design took me back to the days of watching the likes of The Nail Gun Massacre, and Night School on VHS in my childhood bedroom. With just the right amount of 80’s cheese, and horror, this film delivered all the horror goodies!

This film was shot in Wisconsin for $7,000, and subsequently released by Troma Films. That to me is one reason this film is so great. The editing, special effects, and camera work make this film look like it has a budget of way more. The acting by Nick Sommer, Mike Johnson, Sarah Luther, and Emily Treolo was great, with just the right amount of bad! I can not begin to tell you how much I loved all of their performances. I will say that this movie will probably only work for hardcore genre buffs, most casual fans may pass this over if they don’t have education in the area.

This film serves up all the best things from the 80’s Slasher flicks. The cheese, gore, T&A, score, and more really take you back to a time when horror wasn’t over thought, and delivered the most outlandish characters in the world. This film gets GLP’s stamp of approval with 4 out of 5 stabs. If you are interested in seeing this movie it is available on DVD and On Demand trough Amazon. Also you can go to The Surgery Room, and Blood Junkie’s official website’s and Facebook for more information. View the trailer below.

GLP Rating

Puppet Master (1989)

I am a product of the home video era. I was raised in a video store. The earliest memories I have as a child were running up and down the isles of the numerous local video stores my mother managed. See, My mom had been working in the home video industry for quite some time when I came around. I can recall sitting in back rooms of NUMEROUS video stores watching any video I wanted... As long as I didn't get out of line and start acting them out. One of the first horror movie covers to really intrigue me was Full Moon Video's Puppet Master. I thought it was great, dolls that come to life to do their masters bidding! I was instantly hooked. Every chance I got I would pop in the series and just watch terrified of the possibilities that my action figures could do the same. But unfortunately we all grow up sometime, some faster than others, some just look grown up. I always held on to this film, even after all my wrestling and cartoon action figures had long been goon and forgotten.

While this movie is definitely not perfect, there is a quality of charm that make up for the continuity issues and goofs. And while this film doesn't give me the awe struck feeling it used to, it still manages to take me back to a time when things were simpler. Charles Band's Puppet Master is a creative film with very innovative villains. The dolls are my favorite part of this film. Blade, Leech Lady, Pinhead, Tunneler, and Jester all struck a chord with me. I even at one time had a small jester action figure. All the creative elements in this film make it a stable in the horror genre, & also did enough to spawn 9 total films, the 10th which is due out in October of this year. While critics have almost nothing but hate for these gems, the fans have giving their stamp of approval on this Full Moon Franchise.

Long story short this film is about a group of psychics brought together again by the death their colleague. Soon things in the Bodega Bay Hotel starting getting strange when friends start disappearing and the group begins to have violent visions of the demise. Aside from the creativity and amazingly crafted puppets, this film is hit or miss. Most of the acting is subpar at best, and there are so many continuity errors if your playing a drinking game to them you would probably be passed out on the floor before the movie ends. Fortunately as I said before this film has this charm about it that really keeps me interested, even when I am utterly disgusted by the events that are unfolding on the silver screen. Maybe is nostalgia, or maybe not.

Even though the actors could have stepped up their game, the gore and special effects are very well done. Full Moon Entertainment thrives off putting out B-Movie's with gore and t&a. This film delivers both in rather creative style. Without giving away anything, lets just say the endings practical effects really carry the film. Let’s not forget the animatronics! At the time of Puppet Masters release Child's Play had come out only a year before, and Stuart Gordon’s Dolls (Produced by Full Moon's Charles Band) the year before that. The animated doll had not been done so well before this point, with the exception of the Made-For-TV classic Trilogy Of Terror in 1975.

I rather enjoy the work of Full Moon Entertainment, even if they are low on production quality and full of campy cheese. I thrive to be entertained and Full Moon delivers the goods. With all that said Puppet Master is no masterpiece. While full of awesome effects and creativity, the acting is lack luster at best. In the case of this film, the dolls carry the work. The dolls make you want to watch the whole movie. I mean, come on... Killer Puppets... That’s pretty sweet in my book. GLP gives this Full Moon effort a 3 out of 5 stabs for creative villains, great special effects, and amazing puppet design. If you would like to know more about Full Moon Entertainment or the Puppet Master series please check out Full Moon Direct or Full Moon Horror. This film is currently available in many different forms, The Box Set Collection featuring all 9 of the Puppet Master films. Single DVD, Blu-Ray, and Midnight Horror TriplePack with Puppet Master 2 & 3. View the trailer below.

GLP Rating

The Raven (2012)

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before..."

- Edgar Allan Poe                         

    "The Raven"                        

Let me start this by saying FINALLY. My road to actually seeing this film was absolutely ridiculous to say the least. It seemed that everything in the world did not want me to see this film, from theaters to personal issues it seemed as though The Raven would have alluded me.

As I said before I felt like I was destined not to see this movie. When I initially wanted to see this film, a family event popped up that kept me from attending. The second time I tried to see this film was supposed to be at a local drive in theater, but yet again the film eluded me by being replaced by MEN IN BLACK 3 of all films. I did, however, stay persistent. Finally a pal of mine and I decided we would go see it in the theaters one Friday evening. So we check fandango, got the time and off we go. We get there ask for tickets and are informed that theater no longer had the film! WHAT!!! Still wanting to see this film we looked on fandango one last time at the next theater closest to us, they had it starting in 20 mins and we could make it! So we rushed over, asked for tickets and fandango failed us yet again by not having the film at said time. So needless to say I felt I was cursed NEVER to see this film. Obviously that curse was lifted due to some wonderful people, that will remain unnamed, that lent me a screener copy of the film.

The Raven is a fictional take of the final days of Edgar Allan Poe, with a wonderful twist. Released by Rogue, a company of Relativity Media, this film delivers all the goods of a horror film with a physiological thriller twist. Basically A serial killer is on the loose in an 1849 Baltimore, Maryland, striking fear into the city by killing victims in fashions described in Poe’s fictional stories.

I want into this film with some hesitations. When I first caught wind of the films lead role of Poe going to John Cusack, I was a little wary. Don’t get me wrong I am a fan of Cusack’s previous work, but I was unsure as to how he would do with a period piece such as this. All things aside I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed Cusack’s performance. I think he brought his own spin on the role which played out rather nicely.

I thought the film was shot well. The direction was straight and to the point. The director James McTeigue did a great job of keeping the viewer on their toes by throwing in some nice angled shots. The film uses both CG and practical effects which is nice, but I do wish most of the on screen kills used more practical effects.

I really liked this movie and will rush out to my local dvd/blu-ray retailer to snatch it up as soon as its official release. GLP gives this film 4 out of 5 stabs for creative story, strong lead performance and original twist on Edgar Allan Poe’s final days. If you would like to pre-order the film you can do so here. The official street date for blu-ray and dvd is October 9, 2012. So until then you can watch the trailer below!

GLP Rating