My Top-10... (Part 1)

I’ve decided to do something a little different this week. I have seen a lot of people doing top 10 list in many sub-genres of horror. Lists like “My Top-10 Vampire Movies” are even “My Top-10 80’s Horror Boob Shots” ect, ect. I tend to love reading through these types of lists on other blogs and websites, even if I don’t agree it’s always nice to see where some movies stack up for other people.

As most of you know, I am a HUGE fan of goofy 80’s Slasher Movies…To me this era was the best, the kills pushed the envelope, the skin ran rampant through dusty VHS tapes. So today, I present to you part 1 of “My Top-10 Lesser Known 80’s Slasher Films”

10. Scalps

This forgotten little slasher gem is about a group of college kids who venture out into the desert in search of ancient Indian artifacts. The group however unknowingly awakens an evil Indian spirt who will stop a nothing to protect his land.

In short, this film is pretty fun. The acting is horrendous, and the plot is a little slow but once you get into the film the film kicks into overdrive and creates some pretty gory and violent kills. The score of the film is pretty cool too.

9. The Dorm That Dripped Blood (aka Death Dorm, Pranks)

TDTDB is about a small group of college students (notice a trend here) that stay at the college during Christmas break to clean out an old dorm so it can be demolished. Someone however is picking off the students, but is it really who they think it is? 

This film is a classic. Made by 2 UCLA students in the early 80’s on a next to nothing budget this film has become somewhat of a cult classic. This film is also one of the unfortunate victims of the early MPAA being heavily cut for excessive gore and violence. The plot is again slow to start but it picks up about 15 – 20 minutes in. Lucky enough for us hardcore slasher fans, synapse films released a stellar UNCUT Blu-Ray/DVD combo of the film that TRUMPS all the other releases of the film including the notoriously bad lighting problem of previous transfers.

8. Superstition 
Superstition is about a witch that was condemned to death and drowned in 1692. The witch curses the grounds she was killed on and promises eternal revenge. Jump to our present time (80’s) and the property has been given to a local church. Since the curse extremely violent things have happened here, and now the violence has escalated.

I love this film, not only does it involve witchcraft but it’s REALLY gory. The story is solid and the effects are great. The acting is again full of cheese, and the score leaves a bad taste in your mouth but it’s a fun & entertaining supernatural slasher flick.

7. Roctober Blood
A heavy metal rocker goes on a killing spree and after he is caught and executed he comes back, and is ready for his encore.

This film is BAD, the acting is terrible. The storyline is wack, and the kills are pretty basic. For some reason, I am drawn to this film like flies to shit (pun intended). Maybe it’s the sheer ridiculousness of it all, or the fact that it’s based around heavy metal. Still it’s a great watch, even better with a group of like-minded individuals of some equally bad beers.

6. Hell High
A group of high school teens decide they are going to get even with their wicked science teacher and play a cruel trick on her. The kids prank quickly goes wrong, and terrible things start happening to the students.

This film is a very good flick. The story is solid and the acting is not dreadful. The gore effects are good and the score is appropriate. While it’s not perfect (most slashes are far from it), it possesses a charm not found in most rare slasher films. I am honestly surprised more people don’t know about this film.

That’s it for part 1 of “My Top-10 lesser known 80’s Slasher Films.” Stay tuned for the next installment in the coming weeks. Thanks for reading! If you feel so inclined seek out these films and let me know what YOU think about them in the comments section below.