This film was actually made in 1986 (although I've read it was actually shot in 1985) but not released until 1990 as there were censorship problems as to the graphic nature of the film's proceedings. The film is loosely based on the lives of real life serial killers Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole. Henry lives with …
Continue reading Day 25- 31 Days of Halloween- Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
Whilst on holiday Virginia bumps into her old friend and one-time lesbian fumble, Bet. Virginia's 'friend' Roger asks Bet to continue with them on their travels but whilst on the train the next day Virginia is angry at the attention Bet is getting from Roger who insists that he and Virginia are actually just travelling …
Continue reading Day 24- 31 Days of Halloween- Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972)
The other half of a double-bill in UK cinemas with the other film being the far better The Incredible Melting Man. This was actually made for television in America. Killer bees have flown into America and are claiming their first casualties disturbingly close to New Orleans when their Mardi Gras is due to kick off. A …
Continue reading Day 23- 31 Days of Halloween- The Savage Bees
I first learnt of this film's existence by walking past a cinema at the tender age of 4 and seeing a poster for the double bill of this and a TV movie that was shown theatrically in the UK called The Savage Bees (to be reviewed tomorrow night). Even the poster for this genius double …
Continue reading Day 22- 31 Days of Halloween- The Incredible Melting Man (1977)
A remake of the 1958 classic gets a 70s update. The premise is the same but the reasons behind it are different. It seems like each incarnation of this film reflects the unrest of each society it was made in. This film depicts the 70s swing towards pop-psychology and psychiatry that was popular at the …
Continue reading Day 19- 31 Days of Halloween- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
A boat sails into New York but the only person onboard happens to be a morbidly obese zombie who seems to be pissed off and hungry. The daughter of the boat’s owner decides to venture to where her father had been, a Caribbean island called Matul. She takes along with her a journalist who smells …
Continue reading Day 18- 31 Days of Halloween- Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979)
I’ll always have a soft spot for this movie. An obscure horror film made in America in the 70s and set in a drive in. Whats not to like? Could it be the mentally challenged employee there called Germy who could be the killer? Or the local sex pest we see the cops interview? (‘I didn’t …
Continue reading Day 17- 31 Days of Halloween- Drive In Massacre (1976)
A scientist (played by Vincent Price with his usual aplomb) discovers an organism that attaches itself to the human spine and feeds on the feeling of fear from the host person. The parasite is known to be present as it makes the spine of the person feel a tingling sensation. For this reason its known …
Continue reading Day 16- 31 Days of Halloween- The Tingler (1959)
I first saw this when studying film at University. Tod Browning tries the sideshow carnival trick of sensationalism to try to bring audiences in to gawk at the disgusting freaks of nature. But he has a trick up his sleeve- he treats the ‘freaks’ as human beings, utterly likeable and as having feelings like everyone else. …
Continue reading Day 15- 31 Days of Halloween- Freaks (1932)
Vincent Price’s Dr Phibes avenges the death of his wife by bumping off the culprits with each murder having a biblical connection. Very camp, very funny and very unsettling- this is one of Price’s best just like Witchfinder General and the Poe films he also made with Roger Corman. Check out Phibes’ clockwork band- one …
Continue reading Day 6- 31 Days of Halloween- The Abominable Dr Phibes (1971)
Meathook Cinema 