#SlasherSunday2020
My Watchlist for Slasher Sunday 2020. (@CampCthulhu)
Can't Stop, Won't Stop! The Carnage Continues!
Fifty-Two Weeks, One Hundred Slashers, Endless Kills...
Era Stats:
1950s (Lost Age) - 1
1960s (Dark Age) - 3
1970s (Proto Age) - 5
1980s (Golden Age) - 42
1990s (Silver Age) - 16
2000s (Remake Age) - 13
2010s (Bronze Age) - 19
2020s (Retro Age) - 1
Can't Stop, Won't Stop! The Carnage Continues!
Fifty-Two Weeks, One Hundred Slashers, Endless Kills...
Era Stats:
1950s (Lost Age) - 1
1960s (Dark Age) - 3
1970s (Proto Age) - 5
1980s (Golden Age) - 42
1990s (Silver Age) - 16
2000s (Remake Age) - 13
2010s (Bronze Age) - 19
2020s (Retro Age) - 1
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- DirectorEd HuntStarsLori LethinMelinda CordellJulie BrownThree children are born at the height of an eclipse of the sun. Ten years later, they begin to murder the people around them - even their family members.Week 53 - January 5, 2020
Era: Golden Age (1980s)
Holiday Special: My Birthday
Note: Part of the Slasher Classics Collection!
Mini-Review: An early Golden Age 'killer kids' slasher here. The plot was very demented, but mostly straightforward here (it's pretty much all laid out from the beginning and follows through with its intentions). The cast was great here - especially the children (I liked Debbie and Curtis the most). Speaking of them, they were also the killers, along with another kid, and they were highly entertaining (especially Curtis). They used a few different methods to kill, but Curtis mainly used a revolver.
The kills were pretty standard (mostly gunshots), but I enjoyed the scenarios in which they were carried out in ('arrow head' was my highlight). The climax was pretty awesome and quite thrilling (I liked that part where Joyce and Timmy were trapped). The ending seemed like a setup for more, but, as we know, there isn't. Final thoughts, the soundtrack was adequate here and set the mood nicely. I liked the junkyard action set piece a lot. Overall, this would've been incredible if the kills were more creative, but it was still a pretty great and thoroughly enjoyable Golden Age slasher here.
Some great performances and an entertainingly quirky plot redeem the mostly average kills here.
Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Best Character(s): Debbie (Elizabeth Hoy) & Curtis (Billy Jacoby)
Kill Count: 8 (Overall: 764) - DirectorByron QuisenberryStarsPepper MartinHank WordenEthan WayneA group of friends on a rafting trip down a river stop in at an old ghost town to spend the night. Soon their rafts disappear, and then they begin to be eliminated one by one by a mysterious killer.Week 53 - January 5, 2020
Era: Golden Age (1980s)
Mini-Review: Another Golden Age slasher, which also released in 1981, here. This was mostly pretty standard backwoods slasher stuff here (it does get a little weird near the end, though). The plot has a very slow pacing and more than a few scenes seemed like padding (there's literally a collection of scenes where the characters wait around for something to happen). The cast was pretty plain here with no real stand outs (I guess Janice was my favorite).
The killer was sort of unique (their origin and appearance) and used an arsenal of bladed weapons. I kept expecting something more in regards to their appearance, and didn't actually believe they were going to do what they ended up doing (but they did). The kills were very weak and unimaginative with bad gore ('balcony beheading' was my highlight). The climax and ending both weirded me out, and I had to rewatch it to understand what was even happening (the killer (un)reveal was the most jarring).
Final thoughts, the soundtrack was very groovy here and did a decent job of breaking up the otherwise monotonous vibe. There wasn't really anything else particularly noteworthy about this, ultimately. It was all pretty rote (and sometimes boring). It seemed like there was an idea at something grander with regards to the killer and his rival, but it all just ended on a pretty impotent note, unfortunately. Still, I'd probably take this over something like 'Don't Go in the Woods' (which also came out the same year).
A very bland early 80's slasher, which features a groovy soundtrack and not much else.
Rating: 4/10 (Mediocre)
Best Character: Janice (Cynthia Faria)
Kill Count: 7 (Overall: 771) - DirectorWes CravenStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid ArquetteA year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.Week 54 - January 12, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Silver Age (1990s)
Mini-Review: A late 90's 'Dead Teenager' slasher here. This is the first slasher that I've ever watched - back when I was very young. It's been a while since I last saw it, but it held up pretty nicely. The plot is pretty straightforward (even though they try to throw some curve balls in there), and the pacing is perfect (the runtime is a bit longer here but it's justified). The cast was pretty pitch perfect (they all played their roles well, but I guess Sidney was my favorite).
The killer, 'Ghostface', has a pretty iconic disguise with a really nice looking mask. He uses a hunting knife as his main weapon (another obvious classic with a gnarly design). The kills were all pretty awesome with some savage and fantastic looking gore ('sequel pass denied' was my highlight). The climax and ending were kind of safe (more characters survived than they usually do), but still entertaining.
Final thoughts, lots a extreme closeups in this, which were kind of funny at times. Most of the script was great, but some of the dialogue was dated. I liked the scenes with Ghostface lurking around randomly in the background (reminded me of Michael's stalking habits). I guess this could now be considered a classic (especially of this particular era), and it holds a special place in my heart as it was my introduction to the genre. This is probably my favorite and also the best slasher from the 90's, and has earned the top grade from me.
A wonderful and inventive 90's slasher, which features a commanding and highly entertaining use of the various tools of the genre.
Rating: 10/10 (Masterwork)
Best Character: Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell)
Kill Count: 7 (Overall: 778) - DirectorWes CravenStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid ArquetteTwo years after the first series of murders, as Sidney acclimates to college life, someone donning the Ghostface costume begins a new string of killings.Week 54 - January 12, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Silver Age (1990s)
Mini-Review: Another late 90's slasher, which is also the first sequel to Scream (1996). The plot was pretty much what the first was to some of the classic slashers (self-referential and self-aware; they mention sequels and their relationship with the originals, et cetera). Its got an even longer runtime than the first, but has the same expert pacing (rarely a dull moment). I didn't care as much for the story as the original, but there were some positives over the first.
The returning cast was just as good as the first, but the new cast was only mostly good (Mickey and Debbie were the stand outs (and shout out to Cici), but I still liked Sidney the most). The killer, Ghostface, had the same disguise and weapon as the first (which I still liked). The kills were a bit more elaborate in here, but not as gory or particularly imaginative (balcony backstabbing was my highlight).
The climax and ending were very 'theatrical', and were mostly satisfying (some of it was pretty over the top, though). Final thoughts, some of the kill scenes felt vignette-like in their story segregation (particularly the sorority house). I enjoyed Cotton's increased role in here (which, as mentioned, was a positive over the original). This was similar but just different enough to warrant its existence. It didn't really 'improve' on its foundation, but it was still a pretty great entry overall.
A worthy, albeit less unique, sequel to the original with some grander set pieces and a few more elaborate kills.
Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Best Character: Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell)
Kill Count: 10 (Overall: 788) - DirectorWes CravenStarsDavid ArquetteNeve CampbellCourteney CoxWhile Sidney and her friends visit the Hollywood set of Stab 3, the third film based on the Woodsboro murders, another Ghostface killer rises to terrorize them.Week 55 - January 19, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Remake Age (2000s)
Mini-Review: An early 2000's slasher, which is the second sequel to Scream (1996). The story had a few plot threads going on here, which gave off a sort of episodic vibe. It got pretty convoluted by the end (especially the killer reveal, which I didn't care for). The core cast was all about the same as the previous movies, and the new cast was mostly good (shout out to Tyson, Sarah and Stone). I think Gale was probably my favorite this time around.
The killer is the same as usual with the same disguise and hunting knife. Their personality was a bit flamboyant at times, though (in contrast to previous killers who were usually more brutish). The kills were fairly basic with the exception of 'bringing down the house', which was very over the top ('studio shanking' was my highlight). The climax and killer reveal, as mentioned, didn't do much for me and were pretty convoluted (the connections to the first movie felt forced). The ending was standard but upbeat (and seemed to have a certain degree of finality to it).
Final thoughts, I get what this was attempting to achieve with its plot and setting (parody Hollywood), but, to me, it failed to deliver in that regard. There's a lot of silly weird stuff in here like; the bizarre supernatural dream sequences which felt out of place, that gratuitous Jay and Silent Bob cameo, and that goofy 'throwing knife to forehead' bit. This had the right idea, and, even though the story was a letdown, it still had some good performances and a great pacing, which led to a mostly decent viewing.
A weird and wacky early 00's slasher, which, despite a contrived story and underwhelming ending, still managed to be a mostly decent entry.
Rating: 6/10 (Decent)
Best Character: Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox)
Kill Count: 10 (Overall: 798) - DirectorWes CravenStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid ArquetteTen years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.Week 55 - January 19, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Bronze Age (2010s)
Mini-Review: An early 2010's slasher and the third sequel to Scream (1996). This seemed to be back to basics for the most part; the plot, the characters, and the general structure was about on part with the first two. The story appeared to be trying to replicate the first in some ways, but was still different enough (the amount of plot threads is reduced, and the story was more simple than the previous entry). The cast, returning and new, was mostly great here (Kirby is an obvious stand out, but I liked Sidney the most by the end).
The killer is also similar to the first two with a return to the brutish nature here. The kills were probably the most interesting in here with easily the highest amount of blood and gore (some of the gore is CGI, but it looked convincing enough - 'impromptu lobotomy' was my highlight). The climax and killer reveal were both meant to be a shout out to the original, so they ended up being pretty familiar. The ending was mostly satisfying, and reminded me a lot of Black Christmas (2006) (in fact, it's almost identical with the villain even getting killed in the same way as Agnes).
Final thoughts, the 'movie-within-a-movie' opening was pretty weird but a neat concept overall. I liked most of the call backs, and the idea of the Stab franchise becoming long winded with weird stuff like time travel was kind of funny. Apart from that, there wasn't much other weird or wacky stuff in here - it was mostly just a standard slasher (not that that's a bad thing, though - it played well enough to these established conventions). This was definitely a step up from the previous entry with the story and increased blood and gore making for another great entry here.
A smoother and simpler story and some amped up blood and gore make this entry a pretty great return to form here.
Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Best Character: Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell)
Kill Count: 12 (Overall: 810) - DirectorJim HoskingStarsMichael St. MichaelsSky ElobarElizabeth De RazzoRonnie runs a Disco walking tour with his son, Brayden. When a sexy woman takes the tour, it begins a competition between father and son for her love. It also signals the arrival of an oily strangler who stalks the streets at night.Week 56 - January 26, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Bronze Age (2010s)
Mini-Review: A strange 2010's Slicer (Slice of Life/Slasher) here. As mentioned, the plot is largely Slice of Life, and is very bizarre (and it just gets progressively more weird as it goes on). The cast was pretty much all perfect here, and served their roles incredibly well (shout out to Oinker, but Big Ronnie was my favorite). Speaking of Big Ronnie, he was also the titular killer of the movie. His disguise as the 'Greasy Strangler' was pretty grotesque, but it did live up to the title.
He mainly uses his bare hands (again, living up to the title) to commit his kills (he seems to have super strength when he's the Greasy Strangler). The kills were all mostly simple but still pretty funny (I loved all of the eye poppings). The climax and ending were both surreal and not really what I expected (especially the last two scenes). They did seem to fit the theme of the movie, though (and were just weird enough).
Final thoughts, there's lots of gross/disgusting stuff in here (like the weird fake genitals or the 'nose pick' aftermath shot). There's also lots of nudity in here (pretty much all of the main characters get fully naked at some point). Nice shout out to Ms .45 (1981) during the theater scene. I loved that weirdo spotlight dance number that came out of nowhere (Big Lipped Alligator Moment). The soundtrack was all fantastic, but I loved the main theme ('Get On The Greasy') the most. This might be one of the best Slice of Life movies I've seen, and is easily the best of the Slicers that I've watched. It's so weird, and so awesome - it earns the top grade from me.
A thoroughly bizarre and sometimes grotesque slasher-like with a killer soundtrack, a perfect cast, and a zany Slice of Life story.
Rating: 10/10 (Masterwork)
Best Character: Big Ronnie / The Greasy Strangler / Jody (Michael St. Michaels)
Kill Count: 8 (Overall: 818) - DirectorCarlton J. AlbrightStarsEdward TerryJoan RothStacy HaidukA psychotic killer convicted of multiple murders is released on parole after spending twenty years in prison. His psychosis immediately takes over and he goes on a killing spree.Week 56 - January 26, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Silver Age (1990s)
Note: Part of the Slasher Classics Collection (No. 29)!
Mini-Review: A late 80's / early 90's Troma simplistic slasher. The plot and cast were both pretty straightforward with the story in particular being very basic. I did like Beth, but the titular killer, Luther the Geek, was my favorite. He doesn't wear a disguise (he does wear a few different outfits, though), and uses razor sharp metal dentures (a unique and inspired choice). The kills were simple, but very bloody with some nice gore (the first throat tear was my highlight).
The climax was a bit long and drawn out, but has a decent conclusion. The ending was pretty weird (Luther's 'cluck'-out was very flamboyant), and that last chicken clucking out loud made me laugh. Final thoughts, this had a lower budget vibe about it (limited locations, simple story, etc.) with some classic filmmaking mistakes in there (crew in reflections, mostly). This was a standard offering here overall with its lead character making it an entertaining enough watch here.
A fairly barebones and straightforward slasher, which features some elevation from its awesome gore and the entertaining titular character.
Rating: 7/10 (Good)
Best Character: Luther Watts / The Freak (Edward Terry)
Kill Count: 8 (Overall: 826) - DirectorRoy BoultingStarsHywel BennettRussell NapierHayley MillsMartin Durnley (Hywel Bennett) is a troubled young man. With a mother who insists on treating him like a child, a stepfather who can't wait to see the back of him, and a brother with Down's Syndrome shut away in an institution, is it any wonder he retreats into an alternate personality - that of six-year-old Georgie? It is Georgie who befriends Susan Harper (Hayley Mills), but friendship soon turns into obsession. When Susan begins to distance herself, something inside Georgie snaps and he embarks on a killing spree, with Susan as the next target.Week 57 - February 2, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Dark Age (1960s)
Mini-Review: A 60's character-centric slasher here. This was a lot like these Dark Age slashers in that it laid its focus on the main character, and less on the kills (it's most similar to Peeping Tom (1960)). The runtime is extended, but the pacing was adequate (it never really lags, and much of the scenes have a meaningful payoff). The cast were all great (shout out to Gerry and Susan) with Martin and Joan being my favorites (I was originally just going to say Martin, but, upon reflection, I decided that Joan was just as strong of a performance).
Martin was also the killer. He reminded me of an amalgamation of Norman Bates and Mark Lewis. The kills were minimal (only two), but they had a certain stylishness with the way they were filmed ('scissors slaying' was my highlight). These kills had pretty much no gore, but they were somewhat bloody (the scissors one mostly). There's some more blood (and gore) in the hallucinations near the end, though. The climax and ending were similar to Peeping Tom, but a little less definitive.
Final thoughts, the soundtrack (which is actually what this film is probably most known for) is fantastic, and the main theme is awesome. This was pretty light for a slasher, but, as mentioned, that seems to be par for the course for these 60's slashers (a lot of them have much superior character development (or even just character development in general) than these modern slashers). The story was fairly straightforward, but enjoyable and the cast gave this the extra elevation it needed to be a pretty great watch.
A dark character-focused 60's thriller with great performances, an iconic soundtrack, and some stylish slasher-esque kills sprinkled in.
Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Best Character(s): Martin Durnley / Georgie Clifford (Hywel Bennett) & Joan Harper (Billie Whitelaw)
Kill Count: 2 (Overall: 828) - DirectorDon JonesMikel AngelStarsJames LempKay NeerJeremiah BeecherThe twisted tale of Caleb, and his alter ego Lester. After being pushed around too far, Caleb transforms into Lester and returns to those who have wronged him.Week 57 - February 2, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Proto Age (1970s)
Mini-Review: A 70's character-centric slasher here. I decided to pair this with Twisted Nerve (1968) because of their similar themes, and they did indeed go well together. Although it was similar in that regard, the plot ended up having more in common with Psycho (1960) (the Caleb and Lester dynamic was more in line with Norman and 'Mother'). The cast was kind of all over the place in this (some were wooden, but others, like most of the main cast, were great). Caleb and his split personality, Lester, were my favorites here (shout out to Sheila, though).
Speaking of Lester, he's also the killer. He wears a few different disguises and even changes his accent when wearing them. He mainly uses power tools for his kills (sort of like The Toolbox Murders (1978)). The kills themselves were mostly simple (the pool one was probably the most elaborate - 'heavy shearing' was my highlight) and decently bloody. The climax and ending weren't what I expected, and were a little abrupt (there is something of a twist that happens, but it didn't really change much in the actual ending). The last scene was kind of flamboyant and funny, but I liked it.
Final thoughts, I didn't really care for the melodramatic romance subplot with Russ and Flo (it didn't take away too much, though). The runtime was short with a good pacing. Some weird robotic-like dialogue at times (you'll know it when it happens). I watched Code Red's release of this, and, just like The Redeemer: Son of Satan, it had some picture and sound issues (it could be chalked up to the print quality, though). I had fun with this overall - the story and characters were pretty quirky at times, and it gave off the correct vibe here.
An obscure and somewhat bizarre proto-slasher with a lively lead character, quirky performances, and a familiar but still pretty fun story.
Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Best Character: Caleb / Lester (Erik Stern)
Kill Count: 6 (Overall: 834) - DirectorUlli LommelStarsSuzanna LoveRobert Walker Jr.Jeff WinchesterA woman who, as a child, witnessed her prostitute mother getting killed by a client, marries an abusive man, and is suffering from homicidal schizophrenia.Week 58 - February 9, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Golden Age (1980s)
Note: Part of the Slasher Classics Collection (No. 21)!
Mini-Review: A grim Golden Age thriller/slasher (thrasher?) hybrid here. The plot had a strange structure here (multiple time jumps), but the runtime was short with tight pacing. The story itself was very downbeat, but I enjoyed it a lot. The cast was mostly decent (no real stand outs here, but they served their roles) with Olivia being my favorite.
Olivia was also the killer (well, mostly), and wears a nice looking 'disguise' when she's out hooking. The kills were minimal but had a good amount of blood ('toothbrush takedown' was my highlight, and also one of the more creative kills I've seen). The climax was satisfying (yes, lol), but the ending itself was pretty abrupt (still likable enough, though).
Final thoughts, I liked the soundtrack, which had a dark dreamlike vibe to it. Some decent shots in there. Although this was released during the Golden Age of slashers, it felt more akin to the proto-slashers of the 70's (particularly The Toolbox Murders and Blood and Lace). There's not much to this overall, but it does have a few noteworthy bits (and, to me, appealing resemblances) with a great and likable lead character.
A dark and dreamlike 80's thriller with some slasher-like kills, a nice score, and a likable lead, which overall has favorable comparisons to some earlier proto-slashers.
Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Best Character: Olivia (Suzanna Love)
Kill Count: 4 (Overall: 838) - DirectorAndrew CampbellLucas CampbellStarsRaymond TurturroAshleigh HolemanRoza HaidetOn the depraved streets of Cleveland, young women are dealt hard lives. Trudging through days of filth, poverty and crime, they do what they can to survive.Week 58 - February 9, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Remake Age (2000s)
Mini-Review: A 2000's exploitation-style throwback slasher here. That description is probably cooler than the movie actually is, unfortunately. The plot is basically a bunch of PSA/cautionary tale-style vignettes (think Sex Madness (1938)). The stories themselves were pretty mediocre (although that could be intentional?), and I really hated the last one. The runtime is short, but there's still some obvious padding (like the extended dance numbers). The cast was pretty bad across the board (multiple characters fumbling their lines) with the exception of Agatha, the wife (who was my favorite).
There isn't a singular killer here since there's multiple storylines (again, I liked Agatha - who is one of the killers). The kills were pretty lame ('a long way to fall' was my highlight) with some awful fake blood (it was probably the worst that I've seen - it literally looks like red finger paint (ketchup would've been more believable)). The final act has the last storyline and contains the climax and ending, which, as mentioned, I hated (I did sort of like that girl's father whose name I can't remember). The actual ending itself just sort of happens (complete with freeze frame final title card).
Final thoughts, the script was very heavy handed here (probably intentional), but it was kind of clever and funny at times (like the 'I hate late fees!' bit or when Schemer just leaves that interview). I didn't like the bad green screen, cheapo look, or the voice overs (although they did seem true to what they were trying). Classic filmmaking blunders like crew in reflections and shadows. There wasn't much to like about this, and I wasn't really feeling its seemingly intentionally bad execution (and, to me, this just ended up being bad period).
Although the intent was clear and the idea was interesting, the apparently deliberately poor presentation hindered it and mostly just led to a bad offering here.
Rating: 3/10 (Bad)
Best Character: Agatha (Sarah Rinear)
Kill Count: 7 (Overall: 845) - DirectorJamie BlanksStarsDenise RichardsDavid BoreanazMarley SheltonFive women are stalked by an unknown assailant while preparing for Valentine's Day.Week 59 - February 16, 2020
Era: Remake Age (2000s)
Holiday Special: Valentine's Day
Mini-Review: An early 2000's holiday-themed slasher here. Most of this was pretty straightforward here; the plot and its structure and the story overall (killer's origin in prologue) was about what you'd come to expect. It does do a few things similar to some 90's slashers (which it has more of a relation to), but it played out like an 80's slasher for the most part. The cast was solid, and I liked them all, but Paige (and her bold brows) was my favorite.
The killer, Jeremy Melton, or the 'Cherub', had a pretty typical origin (as mentioned), and it was almost identical to another Valentine's Day slasher, Be My Valentine, Or Else (1981). He wore a decent disguise (the suit was plain but the mask was nice looking and theme-appropriate). He used an assortment of weapons (including archery, which, again, was true to his 'cupid' theme). The kills were mostly creative ('shot through the heart' was my highlight) with a good amount of blood (not much gore, though).
The climax with Kate throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Adam made me laugh, but the actual ending itself was grim (the killer reveal in particular was very dark). Final thoughts, there's some comedic moments in here, which I actually enjoyed (like the part when Kate dunks her head in the toilet). Although there was some dated stuff in here (like the dating tapes), this did feel pretty modern (like it could be released today with minimal changes and still feel like a current day flick). This didn't really seem like it was out to 'change the game' or anything, but it was still pretty great and fun viewing here.
A 2000's slasher which plays out in a familiar fashion, but receives some elevation from its solid cast, good kills and dark ending.
Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Best Character: Paige Prescott (Denise Richards)
Kill Count: 9 (Overall: 854) - DirectorChris LaMartinaStarsBennie Mack McCoy IVLizzy DenningNicolette le FayeA high school election turns deadly when a homicidal maniac dressed like Abe Lincoln starts killing off candidates.Week 59 - February 16, 2020
Era: Bronze Age (2010s)
Holiday Special: Presidents' Day
Mini-Review: An early 2010's low budget school slasher here. I watched this director's other film, Call Girl of Cthulhu (2014), in Spooktober 2019, so I was somewhat anticipating this. This was low budget all the way, and conveyed that vibe throughout. The plot had a standard runtime, but a sluggish pacing. The story itself was pretty ridiculous and very nonchalant (mostly with regards to the investigation portion of the story). The cast was all pretty mediocre with some bad delivery (I suppose Leonard was my favorite by the end).
The killer, 'Lincoln', had a weird looking mask (the eyebrows in particular), but an otherwise decent disguise. He used a few weapons, but favored a splitting axe that he found early on. The kills were pretty simple, but had some decent gore ('pop goes the eyeball!' was my highlight). The climax and ending were both pretty standard with the killer reveal and final confrontation reminding me of Rush Week (1988).
Final thoughts, I didn't really care for the script here (I mentioned the bad delivery earlier, but the script itself just has some clunky/bad lines in there as well). I also didn't care for the garage band soundtrack either (it wasn't horrible, but it didn't do anything for me). I did like the principal who has a guitar to jam out on for no real reason. I mentioned the similarity to Rush Week earlier, and I'd actually probably put it on par with that (not good, not bad - just really average).
A flawed but mostly average effort here, which is redeemed somewhat by the decent-looking gore.
Rating: 5/10 (Average)
Best Character: Leonard Wright (George Stover)
Kill Count: 20 (Overall: 874) - DirectorDouglas AarniokoskiStarsPaz de la HuertaKatrina BowdenJudd NelsonBy day, Abby Russell is a dedicated nurse, but by night, she lures cheating men to their brutal deaths and exposes them for who they really are.Week 60 - February 23, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Bronze Age (2010s)
Mini-Review: An erotic 3D early 2010's slasher here. I didn't really know what to expect going into this, and that pretty much carried throughout the entire movie. The story is definitely different, but when you break it down - it's pretty familiar (the killer reveal, mostly). The plot's structure was also different (kind of scattered), but its pacing was adequate. The cast was mostly great here (shout out to Rachel and Judd Nelson as Dr. Morris) with Abby being my favorite.
Speaking of Abby, she was also the killer. Apart from her nurse's uniform, she doesn't really wear a disguise (she does get 'dressed up' when she's on the prowl, though). For weapons, she mostly just uses whatever's at her immediate disposal (lots of medical utensils). The kills were creative and very bloody with some nice gore ('scissors slaughter' was my highlight). I watched the 2D version, so the 3D was lost on me (you can still tell where the 3D would've been, though).
The killer reveal and climax were where this found some familiarity (you'll know it when it happens). The ending has loose ends and seems like a setup for more (I'm usually pretty indifferent about sequel hook endings, but this was a good enough finale). Final thoughts, there's lots of nudity in this (mostly from Paz), which is par for the course. Overall, I watched this to see Paz and wasn't disappointed. If I had the means to watch the 3D version, I would've (some of the 3D seems like it could've been cool).
An unconventional slasher with some great and colorful performances, elaborate and gruesome kills, and a thrilling and fun finish.
Rating: 9/10 (Incredible)
Best Character: Abby Russell (Paz de la Huerta)
Kill Count: 14 (Overall: 886) - DirectorDrew BoltonStarsDennis BudesheimAlejandro La RosaMarkus KelleAmerican Pyscho, Party Monster and DJ Steve Aoki all combine for Killer Unicorn!Week 60 - February 23, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Bronze Age (2010s)
Mini-Review: A very, uh... 'niche' late 2010's slasher here. I went into this blind, and decided to watch it based on the poster alone, and this was very not what I expected it to be. The plot was basically the same as I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) (guy gets left for dead and comes back a year later for revenge). The runtime was short with decent pacing (its beats follow through very promptly, for the most part). I didn't really care for much of the cast here (they were all just so rotten, and I especially hated the main character, Danny).
Most of the acting from them was very over the top and kind of cringy (I did like Jess, and would've preferred her as the main character). The killer, the Unicorn, as mentioned, is pretty much the Fisherman from I Know What You Did Last Summer. His disguise is eye catching and he mainly uses a knife. There isn't much to him ultimately (what you see is what you get). The kills were mostly weak (lots of cutaways) with bad CGI blood ('burned inside out' was probably the best, and had some actual gore).
The climax seemed rushed, and the ending itself was pretty abrupt (kind of typical for these indie slashers, though). Final thoughts, the humor in this was mostly a miss with me (I did like a couple of the quips). I really didn't care for any of the nudity or, uh, 'related' scenes (you'll know it when it happens). The subject matter of this overall wasn't my cup of tea (and probably won't be for most either). It was kind of competently made, but didn't have enough appealing things for me, personally.
A niche slasher which, although somewhat decently made, failed to leave a favorable impression due to its derivative plot, weak kills and dodgy ending.
Rating: 3/10 (Bad)
Best Character: Jess (Biblegirl666)
Kill Count: 11 (Overall: 897) - DirectorStewart RaffillStarsDenise RichardsTheo ForsettPaul WalkerAn evil scientist implants the brain of murdered high-school student Michael into a Tyrannosaurus. He escapes, wreaks vengeance on his high-school tormentors, and reunites with his sweetheart Tammy.Week 61 - March 1, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Silver Age (1990s) / Bronze Age (2010s)
Mini-Review: A bizarre 1990's/2010's romantic comedy/killer inanimate object/Sci-Fi slasher concoction here. I watched Vinegar Syndrome's 2019 rerelease of this movie, titled; 'The Gore Cut', for this review. The plot was very brisk here, but the story was extremely weird (it starts off like a teen romcom, goes into this mad science business, and finally evolves into a comedy slasher in the vein of Chopping Mall). The cast was adequate here (Tammy and the T-Rex were my favorites, but shout out to the r a r e Efren Ramirez cameo as the Pizza Boy).
The killer was the titular T-Rex, but was also technically Michael. I loved the T-Rex's design and he himself was a pretty unique killer overall. He mainly uses his teeth to kill. The kills were extremely bloody with some great looking gore (as expected - the first beheading was my highlight). The climax was pretty straightforward (including the final confrontation with Michael and the Doctor). The ending itself was very weird, but I liked it (you can probably guess why) and it kind of reminded me of the beginning of Frankenhooker (the bit with the brain, mostly).
Final thoughts, I enjoyed most of the humor in this (like the bullet-ridden guy who shows up at the hospital or that lady's comically oversized nails). I also enjoyed those weird stop motion VFX when they showed the T-Rex moving (especially when Tammy rides it). Some juicy filmmaking errors in there (like the 'crew in car reflection' shot or the blatantly visible puppeteer hand during the barn scene). This wasn't perfect but I had a lot of fun watching it, and it fully lived up to the 'Gore Cut' part of the title.
A very weird but effective combination of teen romcom and Sci-Fi slasher, which exploits its bizarre ingredients to make for a fun and entertainingly bloody result.
Rating: 9/10 (Incredible)
Best Character(s): Tammy (Denise Richards) and The T-Rex (Puppetry)
Kill Count: 10 (Overall: 907) - DirectorDanishka EsterhazyStarsDani KindSteve LundCelina MartinYoung Harley is having a dream birthday; he and his family are going to watch the taping of his favourite show. But the dream becomes a nightmare when the animatronic stars turn homicidal.Week 61 - March 1, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Bronze Age (2010s)
Mini-Review: A late 2010's comedy slasher here. This was basically just Chopping Mall here. The plot was pretty straightforward and very similar (stranded in secluded location with malfunctioning killer robots), but the story offered a somewhat different vibe (the spin being on this old TV show, which is still popular in this movie). The cast was mostly average here (Beth was my favorite, but shout out to Stevie).
The killers, the Banana Splits, as mentioned, were similar to the Killbots from Chopping Mall. They each have a different 'personality' though, and looked mostly true to their original show incarnations. They used a few different killing methods here. The kills were pretty creative and very bloody with some nice gruesome gore ('fifth billed, first killed' and 'took it down to hammer town!' were my highlights).
The climax and ending were pretty basic for the most part (I did like the fight between the last two robots, though). The final scene seems to suggest that there's more to come, but we'll see. Final thoughts, I am kind of familiar with the actual show (The Banana Splits), so seeing the rendition of the show in this movie brought back positive memories. Overall, I'm not sure if the tone aligned evenly by the end, but it was still an enjoyable and good enough watch here.
A curious late 2010's Sci-Fi slasher with some nice gore, which makes the most of its basic workings to deliver a pretty good final product.
Rating: 7/10 (Good)
Best Character: Beth (Dani Kind)
Kill Count: 22 (Overall: 929) - DirectorAnders PalmStarsGregory CoxFiona EvansEdward BrayshawJackson is a lonely serial killer who is really beginning to question the point of all his killing. He is losing focus on why he started to kill in the first place. The future looks bleak until he meets a blind girl, Shelly, who begins to show him that life isn't so bad. It is all up to Jackson to decide if he's going to stop killing and start learning responsibility and think about finding a real job and starting a family.Week 62 - March 8, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Golden Age (1980s)
Mini-Review: A late 80's meta/romance/parody (?) slasher here. As mentioned, this had a 'meta' aspect to it (it might even be considered full parody, like I questioned earlier), and it also featured an almost romantic comedy angle. The plot feels somewhat episodic here (it can easily be broken up into a few different contrasting vignette-like segments), and I'm not sure if it fully blended together by the end (and depending on preferences it may end up dragging in sections). The cast was all pretty adequate here (I liked Shelly a lot, but Jackson was my favorite).
Jackson was also the killer, who wears a hockey mask and an overcoat as his main disguise (it was clearly meant to evoke Jason's appearance, but it was still a pretty good looking outfit - the mask in particular had a nice grungy look). He uses a few different weapons and kill methods. The kills were very bloody with some great looking gore ('face rip with a side of chest burst' was my highlight, and one of the coolest looking kills I've seen). The climax and ending were kind of a letdown (particularly in regards to Shelly's final scene), but it did ultimately end on a thematic (and kind of funny) note.
Final thoughts, I enjoyed the writing in this for the most part, and the dialogue was pretty sharp and clever at times. There's a lot of allusions to Friday the 13th in here (if you're like me, and have seen the entire series, then you'll notice pretty much all of these references); from Jackson's mask to his origin (summer camp) to the story featuring the actual day (the final massacre is stated to take place on Friday the 13th). The makeup and effects looked mostly good here (Jackson's face looked kind of iffy at times (and sort of like the Toxic Avenger), though). I can appreciate the effort that went into this, and the attempt at trying something different with the story - it was an interesting and overall pretty great mixture here.
An amusing and strange romcom-slasher mixture, which features some goretastic kills and a clever and quirky story with an albeit unfortunate ending.
Rating: 8/10 (Great)
Best Character: Jackson (Gregory Cox)
Kill Count: 14 (Overall: 943) - DirectorScott GlossermanStarsNathan BaeselAngela GoethalsZelda RubinsteinThe next great killer and psychopath has given a documentary film crew exclusive access to his life as he plans his reign of terror over the quiet town of Glen Echo.Week 62 - March 8, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Remake Age (2000s)
Milestone: '100th Watched' Film
Mini-Review: A 2000's mockumentary-style meta slasher here. This basically plays its initial style until the final act, and then becomes a pretty typical slasher. The plot had a mostly decent pacing here (and did a pretty good job of setting its story up). The cast was good enough here (nobody really impressed me here - Leslie was probably the best, but shout out to Robert Englund as Doc Halloran).
The killer, Leslie Vernon, had an affable personality (even when he's 'on the job') and wore a decent-looking disguise (the mask had a nice design, but the rest was mostly average). The kills were mostly disappointing (they're largely average with minimal blood and gore - 'heart in hand' was my highlight). The final act (climax and ending) was mostly standard and conventional (including the 'post-credits' scene).
Final thoughts, the mockumentary/meta aspect of this was interesting (and kind of weird?) at first, but once it became a standard slasher it lost some of its luster (luckily this happened in the final act). The references to other slashers (Freddy, Jason and Michael are all literally named in the film) were curiously blunt (I didn't really care for them ultimately). The switches between 'documentary' and 'cinematic' camerawork was smooth (even when it happens midscene). The soundtrack was nice and foreboding. This was pretty good overall; competently made and a distinctive premise - if the kills and ending were better (or more extravagant), then this could've been great.
A 2000's meta slasher with a unique take and some nice camerawork, which mostly outweighs the weaker kills and conventional ending.
Rating: 7/10 (Good)
Best Character: Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel)
Kill Count: 10 (Overall: 953) - DirectorBill RebaneStarsTiny TimItonia SalchekDean WestJill, visiting home from college, arrives to find her parents missing, and their home vandalized. Soon, matters take a turn for the worse, when she finds herself stalked, and her friends disappearing one by one.Week 63 - March 15, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Golden Age (1980s)
Note: Part of the Slasher Classics Collection (No. 34)!
Mini-Review: A late 80's conventional slasher here. A lot of this was mostly standard here. The story and plot were very pedestrian overall (and kind of reminded me of Luther the Geek (1990), even though that came out afterward) with a decent enough pacing. The cast seemed amateur, but they also serviced their roles well enough here (some stiff line delivery at times). Tiny Tim as Marvelous Mervo was my favorite (shout out to Gary, though).
The killer had a pretty flamboyant personality, which I liked (good performance). Their disguise was pretty lame overall (just a stocking mask really), and their main weapon was a hunting knife. The kills were simple (all throat slashings), but they were very bloody (third slashing was my highlight). The climax, killer reveal, and ending were all pretty straightforward (the reveal in particular shouldn't really come as a surprise, and was poorly hidden).
Final thoughts, although some of the acting was stiff, the writing was pretty mediocre in general (there are some funny parts, but there's lots of flat lines). Lots of nudity in here (mostly from Jill). There's multiple SFX fails (like the classic 'crew in car reflection' shot or the unfortunately visible blood pack during that one throat slashing). I enjoyed the ending theme, which was by Tiny Tim. This was really basic in a lot of ways, but by the end I still found this to be a pretty good and enjoyable viewing here.
A very plain slasher with a mundane plot and ordinary but bloody kills, which gets a bit of elevation from some colorful cast performances.
Rating: 7/10 (Good)
Best Character: Marvelous Mervo (Tiny Tim)
Kill Count: 4 (Overall: 957) - DirectorTobe HooperStarsElizabeth BerridgeShawn CarsonJeanne AustinFour teenagers visit a local carnival for a night of innocent amusement, but soon discover that nothing there is innocent or amusing.Week 63 - March 15, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Golden Age (1980s)
Mini-Review: An early 80's carnival slasher here. This spent a lot of its runtime with the characters around the carnival (riding the rides, seeing the sights, et cetera, et cetera), and reminded me a bit of Terror Train (1980) (substitute the carnival stuff for the magic show and such). Despite that, the plot and story were entertaining and the characters were mostly great (shout out to Liz, but Kevin Conway as the Barker was my favorite).
The killer, the Monster (as he's identified in the credits), had an awesome and gruesome appearance (and pretty unique). He wears a Frankenstein's monster disguise early on, which looked kind of funny (mostly the mask). He uses a few different kill methods here (including his claws). The kills were simplistic and pretty bloodless (most of the blood and gore was in aftermath shots) but I liked the way they were filmed ('clawed to bits' was my highlight).
The climax and ending had some nice suspense, but the monster's defeat was kind of impotent (it seemed like it could've been extravagant but it just sort of happened - just the like actual ending itself for the most part). Final thoughts, nice dual shout out to Halloween (1978) and Psycho (1960) at the beginning with the 'killer' POV/shower scene. This had a certain stylishness about it with its great direction and good performances - had the kills and 'kill-pacing' been a bit better then this could've been great. As it is, it was still a pretty good and fun watch.
Despite some sluggish pacing and bland kills, it mostly lives up to its title with a fun story, a good cast, suspenseful moments, and a nice and stylish direction.
Rating: 7/10 (Good)
Best Character: Conrad Straker (Kevin Conway)
Kill Count: 6 (Overall: 963) - DirectorBrendan CowlesShane KuhnStarsLeighton MeesterNicholas D'AgostoMelora HardinHorror gets Super Sized when Horny The Clown, the demonic mascot of "Hella-Burger," starts slashing Orange County teenagers with his meat cleaver from Hell.Week 64 - March 22, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Remake Age (2000s)
Mini-Review: A late 2000's 'killer clown' video slasher here. It's all very 'by-the-numbers' here with little that really stands out. The plot and story were both very bland (killer's origin in flashbacks, the whole nine yards), but with a decent enough pacing. I hated pretty much the entire cast here (they were all completely rotten and incredibly unlikable with some mediocre acting - the only slight exception was Detective Chase).
The killer, 'Horny the Clown', had a typical origin (as mentioned) and wore a somewhat nice looking disguise (looks sort of like Sweet Tooth from Twisted Metal). He used a 'stylized' cleaver as his main weapon. The kills were about half creative ('deep face fried' was my highlight) and half plain (simple stabbings) with some mostly shoddy VFX gore (the practical stuff looked good enough, but the obvious CGI looked really bad). The climax and ending were both pretty boilerplate here (including the nonexistent sequel hook; 'it's not over yet').
Final thoughts, I hated most of the dialogue here (just some really awful screenwriting). I also hated the terrible 2000's hard rock soundtrack (although that's forgivable as a product of its time). Shout out to that bizarre and gratuitous Morgan Spurlock cameo. I did like the knock-off Final Destination-esque pre-death 'signs' that the killer did (which is kind of ironic since the male lead here ended up starring in Final Destination 5). This wasn't really very remarkable at all with the bad stuff outweighing what little good there is, and making for a pretty contemptible viewing here.
A 2000's video slasher which features some unique kills but suffers from its rote story, shoddy CGI and contemptible characters.
Rating: 3/10 (Bad)
Best Character: Det. Brenda Chase (Lola Glaudini)
Kill Count: 14 (Overall: 977) - DirectorSean HaitzChris PotterStarsSean HaitzBill MoseleyAustin JuddFive disparate youths, lost on a road trip to the location of the infamous 'mangrove slasher,' end up being pursued by a cadre of cannibal clowns.Week 64 - March 22, 2020 (Double Feature)
Era: Bronze Age (2010s)
Mini-Review: A low budget late 2010's 'killer clown' slasher here. There wasn't much too this, and it still somehow ended up being disappointing. The plot had a pretty standard setup but the story took its time to get going and wasn't really worth the wait, frankly. The cast was pretty bad overall and the characters were paper thin (Bill Moseley is there, but his performance wasn't really anything special (his character doesn't really do anything either)).
There's multiple killers, all of them being clowns, with them having a Texas Chainsaw/'Rob Zombie' quality to them (mostly Rob Zombie, though). Moseley's character, Mr. Kharver, was one of them and was easily the most developed (in fact, he's pretty much the only villain who gets any meaningful characterization). The rest were one-dimensional cannon fodder, and I pretty much hated all of them. There's also random bikers who enter the fray and battle against the clowns at one point (they don't really help the victims and are mostly a diversion).
The kills were somewhat creative and very bloody with some decent gore ('splitting headache' was my highlight). They were probably the only real positive about the entire movie, honestly. The climax was very shoddy and incoherent (there's a lot of stuff that happens and it all just gets mashed together into one big mess). The actual ending was a sequel hook, which I hated (I also hated the scene before that with the resolution of the main character's story).
Final thoughts, there's some really garbage-tier and laughably bad CGI and green screen in here (you'll know it when it happens - seriously, the ejecting shotgun shells had me laughing out loud). Some more terrible screenwriting here (seems to be a recurring theme with these particular slashers). This was very bad overall and took its time to go pretty much nowhere with its kind of decent kills being the only thing that kept it from being flat out useless.
A few decent-looking kills are the only things that shine in this monotonous, underwhelming, and fruitless evil clown slasher.
Rating: 2/10 (Terrible)
Best Character: Mr. Kharver (Bill Moseley)
Kill Count: 17 (Overall: 994) - DirectorWilliam FruetStarsMartin HewittRalph SeymourElaine WilkesIn order to join a sorority, three friends go to a hazing party in an old house where a sadistic bloodthirsty demonic spirit is lying in wait.Week 65 - March 29, 2020
Era: Golden Age (1980s)
Holiday Special: April Fools' Day
Milestone: '1,000th Kill' Film
Mini-Review: A late 80's supernatural slasher here. This was very similar to a few other themed slashers from this era (mainly Hell Night (1981) and April Fool's Day (1986)). The plot in particular has a similar structure to Hell Night (slow buildup to a free for all massacre near the end). The characters are likable and the performances are decent-to-good here (shout out to Jennifer (but only in the third act - you'll know it when it happens), but Vivia is my favorite).
The killer, 'Allan', has a really badass disguise (it's basically a deep sea diver's suit), and uses whatever's at his disposal to kill. The kills are mostly bloodless but there are a few creative ones (including 'shock and awe', which is my highlight). Most of the blood and gore is in the aftermath shots ('fridge discovery' is my favorite of those - also special shout out to that kill for being the 1,000th kill in Slasher Sunday). The climax and ending are both dark and bleak (it's pretty much the exact opposite of April Fool's Day).
Final thoughts, I really enjoyed the double fake out opening (and would totally watch the first segment if it was real). There's some great costuming in this (I mentioned the killer's outfit, but I also really liked a lot of the costumes during the party scenes (especially Blake's Gill-man costume)). The supernatural possession stuff near the end was sort of similar to Sorority House Massacre II / Hard to Die (1990) (although the possession faces were better acted here).
Coincidentally, this came out the same year as two other April Fools' Day slashers, Slaughter High and April Fool's Day, but, unlike them, this actually followed through with its story (despite the earlier fake outs). If the kills had been a bit better (less cutaways), then this could've been great, but it was still pretty good overall here.
The likable characters, fun surprises and dark ending redeem the derivative framework and the somewhat basic kills in this.
Rating: 7/10 (Good)
Best Character: Vivia (Sherry Willis-Burch)
Kill Count: 15 (Overall: 1,009)