I often think about my love of cinema, where it began and the influences on it, both film-based and what was going on around me. I was born in February 1975. My arrival into the world coincides with the day on which Stephen Murphy, the BBFC's secretary, first saw a new independent film called The …
Another past event has just popped up in the Memories section of my Facebook account. Apparently, 15 years ago I was watching Halloween at the National Film Theatre. And apparently, I have scanned and posted the NFT notes for the screening. As I remember, this screening was utilising a brand spanking new 35mm print that had …
Disney Pictures once made a horror film. Really! In the early 80's, they decided to capitalise on the horror boom and make a scary film for young adults. The Watcher in the Woods was made in 1980. It holds the honour of being possibly the most rented VHS tape of yours truly when he was …
Continue reading When Disney Dipped It’s Toe Into The Horror Genre- The Watcher In The Woods (1980)
Arnold Masters is in prison for a crime he didn't commit. His mother who had a tumour was due to be operated on but wasn't. The doctor due to undertake the procedure was then found dead in his office by Arnold, who was then framed for his murder. He tells his backstory to a fellow …
Continue reading Day 24- 31 Days of Halloween- Psychic Killer (1974)
This Steven Spielberg-directed movie made for TV and adapted from Richard Matheson's short story still packs a punch. David Mann is a travelling businessman venturing to an appointment across California but is slowed down considerably by an ominous truck that at first inconveniences him until things suddenly take a much darker tone. This film could …
It's extremely brave to decide to make a sequel to a beloved horror classic. It can almost feel like some kind of suicide mission as critics and the general public alike will trot out the hackneyed old cliche of 'It's not as good as the first film!' as if this is an extremely original and …
Continue reading Day 22- 31 Days of Halloween- Look What’s Happened To Rosemary’s Baby (1976)
Two couples decide to go camping in the woods. Arriving separately (darn that wonky radiator!), they soon realise that the woods aren't as peaceful and reinvigorating as they first thought. It is in fact a killing ground for a father who mudered his philandering wife, went mad and took his two young children to live …
Continue reading Day 18- 31 Days of Halloween- The Forest (1982)
Duane books into the sleazy flophouse Hotel Broslin with a large basket. It's contents consist of his deformed twin brother who he used to be conjoined with. Both Duane and his twin are hellbent on enacting revenge on the surgeons who separated them against their wishes. Basket Case will always occupy a special place in …
Continue reading Day 17- 31 Days of Halloween- Basket Case (1982)
A boat sails into New York containing what appears to be innocuous boxes of coffee. However they actually contain alien eggs that cause people to explode when a change in heat cause the eggs to emit their contents. Yes, this is a cheap Italian Alien rip-off but it's darn entertaining nonetheless. There might be considerable …
Continue reading Day 16- 31 Days of Halloween- Contamination (1980)
A young man travels from Rome to New York to investigate his sister's disappearance after she was living in the same apartment building where an ancient witch resided. This was Argento's second instalment of his much lauded 'Three Mothers' trilogy. All of the Giallo elements are here as are Argento's striking visuals as a backdrop …
Continue reading Day 14- 31 Days of Halloween- Inferno (1980)
Meathook Cinema 