A Hammer film that looks to Greek mythology for the basis of it's plot with the mythical creature known as The Gorgon (a woman with snakes for hair and the ability to turn anyone who looks her in the eye to stone) being adapted and shone through the Hammer Films' prism. This film features the …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 26- The Gorgon (1964)
An earthquake uproots cockroach-like bugs that can set fire to things and, more importantly for a horror film, also to animals and humans. But never fear, a biology professor played by Bradford Dillman is on the case. This great little 70's B movie is directed by Jeannot Szwarc (who would go on to make the …
William Lustig's depraved classic was massively controversial when first released. It garnered the ultimate accolades for an exploitation film- it was HATED by Siskel and Ebert (Gene Siskel said he made it to the shotgun murder then had to leave the preview screening as he couldn't stomach anymore!) and it was picketed by feminist groups. …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 24- Maniac (1980)
An eccentric millionaire invites five strangers to a haunted house with each receiving $10,000 if they last the night. This is a William Castle film so you know it's going to be genius. And it doesn't disappoint. I love the house with it's sliding doors, acid bath and shadow play. Vincent Price in the lead …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 23- The House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Martin is by filmmaker George A Romero and was his favourite film from his oeuvre. Martin is a young man who we see travelling by train to Braddock in Pittsburgh to live with his elderly cousin, Tata Cuda who seems convinced that Martin is the latest in a long line of vampires ('the family curse'). …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 13- Martin (1978)
I remember so well the 1981 BBC1 adaptation of Day of the Triffids. It may now be dated but, by Christ, it gave me plenty of sleepless nights as a 6 year old boy. Years later I discovered the work of author John Wyndham who is now one of my favourite writers. Day of the …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 5- Day of the Triffids (1963)
A family rent a huge house for the summer from it's brother and sister owners who have one condition for the rental- that their elderly mother stays in the house and they provide her with meals. Things then start to go crazy for the new inhabitants and it's almost as if the house is alive …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 4- Burnt Offerings (1976)
I remember when I lived in London I loved perusing the list of films being shown citywide in the listings magazine Time Out. In those days (the mid 90s) there were plenty of funky little cinemas showing all manner of films old and new, renowned and obscure. I remember going to see Witchfinder General and …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 2- Witchfinder General (1968)
Two goons think they're going to hit paydirt by bringing coffee beans from Ecuador to California. But they also bring with them several deadly tarantulas. I only found out about this TV movie after hearing the song of (almost) the same name by Sleaford Mods. This is a very dull affair. Not even Tom Atkins …
Continue reading 31 Days of Halloween- Day 1- Tarantulas The Deadly Cargo
Ahh, the 3D craze of the early 80's. Some films were great and used the gimmick really well (take a bow, Friday the 13th 3D) whilst others were films just a flat and mediocre in 3D as they would have been in 2D. This film belongs in the latter category. I only watched this as I …
Meathook Cinema 