Throwback Thursday Review: 'HELLO MARY LOU: PROM NIGHT II' (1987)

In a genre where follow-up movies are especially known for "milking the cow", Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II is one of the greatest horror sequels ever made. I've said that since I saw it, and I still stand by that. Though it's not as dark or tragic, this always has and will give Carrie a run for it's money. Someone from the Village Voice once said that "it's like a Brian DePalma movie for slasher fans", furthering my point that it stands toe to toe with Carrie, and in my opinion is superior. For those of you who don't know, Brian DePalma is the director of the original Carrie, but is most known for his masterpiece starring Al Pacino, Scarface. This stand alone sequel in the Prom Night series is directed by Bruce Pittman who's been around the game for a while. His last directorial effort was in 2012 called The Last Movie, and while I've never seen any of Pittman's other works, this is enough for me to respect the mans talent. Even if all of his other work is throwaway stuff (which I'm not saying it is, I'm just saying...), he knocked this one motion picture out of the park. The cast offers Lisa Schrage (Food of the Gods II), Michael Ironside (Scanners), and Wendy Lyon (Warehouse 13 TV Series) in this supernatural tale of a prom night from hell as Mary Lou, a victim who died in 1957 at her school prom, returns 30 years later to wreck havoc and get revenge.

Horror Toy Tuesday: 'CHRISTINE' 1958 Plymouth Belvedere 1:25 Model Kit

John Carpenter's adaptation of Stephen King's novel, Christine, is one of my favorite horror films, and easily in my top 5 books King has written. There's not much that has been made from the movie, and there's not really anything that can be made toy or model-wise that would be profitable aside from making Christine herself. Although there are flesh and blood characters, the star is Christine, and she's the one everyone wants (no pun intended).

Throwback Thursday Review: 'HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH' (1982)

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 98 Mins
WRITER(S)- Tommy Lee Wallace
STARRING- Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin and Dan O'Herlihy
DIRECTOR(S)- Tommy Lee Wallace



Synopsis taken from IMDb
A large Halloween mask-making company has plans to kill millions of American children with something sinister hidden in Halloween masks. 




I'll be the first to admit that I was one of the many people who thrashed this film upon seeing it the first time. After John Carpenter's 1978 smash hit Halloween landed, we were given a less than worthy sequel just three years later. And although Halloween II was fair, it left a lot more to be desired about Michael Myers. Then, just one year after it's release, we're given Halloween III: Season of the Witch, which has absolutely nothing to do with Michael Myers or the first two films. So, yeah, a lot of people were severely let down, like myself. But, the fact that there was no Myers in it completely blinded almost everyone to how good the third film is as a stand-alone feature.

Throwback Thursday Review: WAXWORK (1988)

RATED- R

RUN TIME- 95 Mins

WRITER(S)- Anthony Hickox

STARRING- Zach Galligan, Deborah Foreman, and Jennifer Bassey

DIRECTOR(S)- Anthony Hickox 

Synopsis taken from IMDb

A wax museum owner uses his horror exhibits to unleash evil on the world. 

Unlike most of the other films reviewed for Throwback Thursday, Waxwork isn't one that I grew up with. I was about one year old when it was made, and somehow it passed by me growing up. I remember seeing it at a young age and actually not liking it. But, since then my opinions have matured, and I have better taste now. I wish I could have enjoyed this one in its prime at the right time, but it still looks good from my couch on my 54" plasma screen.

Throwback Thursday Review: THE HOWLING (1981)

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 91 Mins
WRITER(S)- Gary Brandner, John Sayles, and Terence H. Winkless
STARRING- Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, and Dennis Dugan
DIRECTOR- Joe Dante



Synopsis taken from IMDb
After a bizarre and near fatal encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem. 




Although based on the 1977 fiction novel of the same title by the late Gary Brandner (May 31, 1930-September 22, 2013), "The Howling" film is almost nothing like the book. It's very loosely-based, to put it modestly.  And after the success of the 1981 motion picture directed by Joe Dante (Gremlins), it spawned six sequels and a reboot in 2011. With each sequel decreasing in merit more than the previous installment before it, it wasn't until the fourth movie "Howling IV: The Original Nightmare" (1988) that Gary Brander's novel got a real adaptation that didn't digress his work. Just a shame the movie sucked.

Throwback Thursday Review: THE LOST BOYS (1987)

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 97 Mins
WRITER(S)- Janice Fischer, James Jeremias, and Jeffrey Boam
STARRING- Jason Patrick, Corey Haim, and Dianne Wiest 
DIRECTOR- Joel Schumacher



Synopsis taken from IMDb
After moving to a new town, two brothers are convinced that the area is frequented by vampires.




Last week, I told you all that I'd review my favorite vampire film of all-time....tada!

"The Lost Boys" was only one of many classic and memorable horror films to come out in 1987, the birth year of Grimm here. Although it's in the latter part of the 80's, that still didn't stop the 80's from kicking major ass. This was one of the first genre movies that I was exposed to growing up, and because of it's comical humor, it was always being played by my Dad, or my mom, or my sister. As a matter of fact, I still have the VHS from my childhood.

Get ready for murder,mystery and mayhem with "Mummy Cop"

"Mummy Cop is about the adventures of an average everyday detective...who happens to be a mummy. This season of Mummy Cop details the aftermath of crime lord Don Canoli's death, his daughter Lisa Canoli (Kim Graf) has stepped up in his place and has taken over the city's crime empire. Mummy Cop (Antonio Piluso) has to bring Lisa to justice but must also face his superiors such as The Mayor (James Royale), The Chief (Phil Calabro) and District Attorney Dracula (Seth Linehan). With a little help from Franken Fed (Erik Searle) he will make sure justice gets served. Get ready for murder, mystery, mayhem, MUMMY COP!"

I found out about "Mummy Cop" through Twitter and I'm already overly enthused. This is definitely the type of thing I'd watch.

It's spoofing the classic movies while giving a modern take and twist. This is definitely a show you make popcorn for and prepare to laugh. You have to love shows and movies that pay homage to the classics. That's what keeps the classics alive and adds to their immortality. Showing how they still, in this day and age, influence work being done is proof that the classics will forever live on.

"Mummy Cop" is a creative idea as a whole and that works for me. I can't wait to watch it. Independent films/shows are things that are done out of pure love for the genre. So you have to have respect for those that can get it right.

Who doesn't like seeing their favorite classic monsters whenever they can? Especially when it's done in some new light, with new perspective whilst also staying true to it's original core.

This is guaranteed to keep us laughing and entertained. So if you're as into horror humor as me, send a donation to these guys to help this happen. Just watch the trailer and see for yourself. I'll be keeping an eye on this one.



To visit the site and view the trailer click here.
http://www.mummycop.com/

To visit the Facebook page click here
https://www.facebook.com/MummyCopTheSeries

To follow them on Twitter click here
https://twitter.com/MummyCop1

And to make a donation click here
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mummy-cop-the-series?website_name=mummy-cop

Revisiting A Classic

Tobe Hooper's grisly 1974 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre shocked audiences around the world. It left an echo in the horror world that kept people talking. Based after the sadistic real life Ed Gein, Hooper's story exaggerates the things Gein did and turns them up a notch.

Though some critics said it was one of the goriest movies ever, the film hardly had any blood in it. And although the movie terrified audiences everywhere, I wasn't didn't get all the talk. I wasn't impressed with this movie at all. It just went right over my head, I didn't get what I was expecting.

Maybe it was because I was already about 17-years-old when I first saw it, and that by that time I had already seen some hardcore horror flicks? When I first watched this movie for the first time I was expecting brutality and things I'd need to turn my head away from. It didn't live up to the hype for me and I think that's what killed this movie to me. Of course, soon after I saw the remake and loved it. The remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes are the best remakes to date.

I'm pretty sure it's because I was expecting the brutality from it that I've gotten from newer movies, but the kills and effects in this movie didn't do anything for me. I guess it's stupid to expect that, but with movies like The Evil Dead and Cannibal Holocaust I was expecting something much more maniacal and disturbing.

As the movie replayed in my head a few times, I broke down and re-watched it. Same end result. I didn't like it. Now, I completely agree that it's a classic and I respect the hell out of this film and the people who made it. What this movie stands for and what it did for horror movies is groundbreaking. I just can't seem to see it from the popular consensus. 

I've decided after about 3 years to give this movie a shot again tonight. Maybe some of that hype that's died down will help me to like it more this time around? Anything is possible. I know there's something there, something that draws me to the movie and I don't know what. I think it's time to give it a third opinion. As soon as The Walking Dead ends tonight I'll be watching this movie again. Hoping to see something different in it than before. 

I have no idea if I'll like it or hate it, we'll see...

Monster Brawl (2011)

*** S  P  O  I  L  E  R  S ***

"It's the fight of the living dead!"

RATED- R

RUN TIME- 89 MINS

WRITER(S)- JESSE T. COOK

STARRING- DAVE FOLEY, ART HINDLE AND ROBERT MAILLET

DIRECTOR- JESSE T. COOK

Synopsis taken from IMDb

Eight classic monsters fight to the death in an explosive wrestling tournament set inside an abandoned and cursed graveyard.

STORY: This was a movie that I've had on my Netflix instant queue for a while now. I've heard some things about this movie and it got me interested enough to give it a shot. The whole movie is shot like a wrestling pay-per view from hell. Cameo's are made by UFC referee Herb Dean and long time wrestling manager Jimmy Hart, who is held in the company of some very attractive ring girls. Jimmy Hart actually favorited a tweet I made right after watching this movie, which I thought was cool.

I liked that it was filmed in a cemetery, although the set was somewhat poorly done and in one of the scenes where Frankenstein is being bashed with tombstones from The Wolfman you can see how apparent it is that the tombstones are foam. The setting of the film wasn't creative but it was fitting. The commentating during this movie will keep you laughing as well and I especially like that there are backstories and promo's for the monsters. The Wolfman comes off the most like a wrestler with some decent microphone skills.

There's some good monsters in here like Lady Vampire and The Mummy. They also have what I guess is their version of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Swamp Gut, a gassy and nasty slob of a being. Swamp Gut reminds me of what I think Swamp Thing would look like if he stopped working out. However, due to the caliber of the monsters, I found it obvious that it would come down to Frankenstein and The Wolfman. I was rooting for good ol' Frankie to win, and he does, but what an epic fight it is. I'm not certain on if there will be a sequel to this or not, but they definitely leave it open for one when Frankenstein is confronted by a zombified Kevin Nash.

Swamp Gut prepares to face off against the angry Wolfman

ACTING: The acting in this movie is poor and downright cheesy and ridiculous. But that is the type of movie this is, you'll find no Christian Bale in this movie. It isn't about acting, it's the entertainment value you get out of it.



SPECIAL FX/CREATURES: The special effects in this movie suffer a bit with some of the creatures looks and designs. You can tell this wasn't a big budget movie, Frankenstein and The Wolfman looked cool though. I like the intensity Frankenstein had because it matched his severely disfigured face and body. The other creatures weren't very creative in their designs or execution of their designs. I felt like the whole movie was just a means to let Frankenstein rip the Wolfman's head off.



OVERALL: This movie appeals to the manly nature in us men, you women may not like it as much. It taps into our inner child who used to watch wrestling and watch these monster movies and have our minds blown. It combines both things and is pure fun, I don't mean to sound cliche but it's a blast. It's a movie you can watch over and over again. It's a good one to watch with your buddy's while passing the popcorn and drinking beer. This is also a good way to introduce your kids to these monsters, but there is some gore.

THIS FILM GETS 3 REAPER SKULLS OUT OF 5

The Mummy (1932)

RATED- UNRATED
RUN TIME- 73 MINS
WRITERS- NINA WILCOX PUTNAM, RICHARD SCHAYER AND JOHN L. BALDERSTON
STARRING- BORIS KARLOFF, ZITA JOHANN AND DAVID MANNERS
DIRECTOR- KARL FREUND





Synopsis taken from IMDb
In 1921 a field expedition in Egypt discovers the mummy of ancient Egyptian prince Im-Ho-Tep, who was condemned to and buried alive for sacrilege. Also found in the tomb is the scroll of Thoth, which can bring the dead back to life. One night a young member of the expedition reads the scroll out loud, and then goes insane, realizing that he has brought Im-Ho-Tep back to life. Ten years later, disguised as a modern Egyptian, the mummy attempts to reunite with his love, an ancient princess who has be reincarnated into a beautiful young woman.



Let me start this one with some respect to a horror legend and icon. A face everyone knows.

BORIS KARLOFF 1887-1969

Grimm Reviewz salutes you, sir.

It is one of my shames to admit that one thing that I have never done, even though I was seriously watching horror films as a child, was finish the Universal Monsters series. The Mummy was one that I never got around to. You gotta remember, I was born in the late 80's so growing up these movies weren't as big to my generation. We had R.L. Stein's Goosebumps series. But it is one thing that I wish was different, I would love to be a kid when this film came out and having the excitement of going to see it and talk about it at school. I was just born a few generations later.

So time came for this one to come to the surface and be watched. I've seen alot of the classics but this was one that slipped through the cracks for far to long.

First of all, the make-up in this movie was insane for it's time. Not that Frankenstein and Creature From The Black Lagoon weren't up to par, The Mummy was just as good. The way they made movies work back then amazes me. Today everything just goes to CGI but back then you had to be creative if you wanted to make a scene work. True movie magic.

I thought that the acting in this movie was over dramatic like all the other Universal Studios Monster movies. It was endearing and appealing.

Ardeth Bey, who was The Mummy 10 years after being brought back from the dead who was also portrayed by Mr. Karloff was such an interesting character. You could see the malevolence in him under the surface, but he wasn't a bad guy. He had only good intentions. Just don't get in his way. He gives a guy a heart attack via mind power for crossing him.

The young female he gets to be his bride is so gorgeous and just radiates beauty. Even though she doesn't live up to today's standard of beauty I find her very attractive and fitting for the part. She did a great job as well.

The ending of the film was great. It was a great time watching this movie and feeling the thrill of seeing a classic horror film of such standard.

What it boils down to is how back when movies were in black and white, the horror was romantic, dramatic and poetic. There was always a reason for the villain to be how he or she is. They weren't ever just evil. They had reasons and more likely than not they were just misunderstood. If only today's horror held such elegance and charm.

THIS FILM GETS 3 REAPERS OUT OF 4

The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)

RATED-R

RUN TIME-86 MINS

WRITER-EARL E. SMITH

STARRING-BEN JOHNSON, ANDREW PRINE AND DAWN WELLS

DIRECTOR-CHARLES B. PIERCE

Synopsis taken from IMDb

Set in the late 40's the residents of Texarkana, Texas are left terrorized by a mysterious hooded killer who is stalking victims during the evening and leaving the local police at a loss.

This film isn't available on DVD or Blu-ray and I don't have a VHS player, but that doesn't stop a guy like me.

This film was based on true events.

My first impression going into this movie was that it was going to be a good movie because it's deemed a classic by alot of horrorhound's. And after watching I can't say that I disagree, however there was one scene in particular that almost ruined the movie for me. The hooded killer attacks a victim with a trombone and I thought that it was absolutely ridiculous. I know the film had some humor going in but this scene just did not fit in with the rest of the movie at all. My opinion of this movie would be higher if this scene weren't in it. Take a look.

Now before and after that particular scene I liked the movie and was entertained. It's crazy to see how far the slasher genre's gone. I wasn't scared of this movie, but it kept me watching. I also didn't like that the killer used a gun, it just didn't come off as appropriate to me. But it is based on true events so if the killer used a gun it makes sense and I can't bash it for that. 

I can see how some people would defend this movie's faults (like the trombone scene) but it wasn't a bad movie. The acting was decent, the story was clever and some of the kills were pretty cool.

The ending was good, could have been better but I liked it. I wish I was alive during it's release because I'm sure the effect would have hit me harder. It's just a movie that has gotten outdated. But that's okay! Alot of our favorite horror films could be laughed at by today's audiences.

There's not alot of gore at all, but that doesn't hurt a movie, and alot of gore wouldn't fit with this movie.

Walking away from the movie I was a bit disappointed but overall I liked it. I think it would have been better if it took itself more seriously.

2 1/2 stars for me.