Spotlight--Lair of the White Worm

Browsing through some 80s horror films on Netflix, I stumbled across the "Lair of the White Worm", and was intrigued at first by the cast, which featured a young Hugh Grant, Catherine Oxenberg, and Amanda Donohoe.  It is an understatement to say this horror film has it all: murder, monsters, pagan rituals, nude nuns, lesbians, snakes, creepy music, and Hugh Grant sporting a unibrow. Quite simply, what more can one ask for in a horror film based on a Bram Stoker story?

While, the film is very campy at times it is thoroughly entertaining and a departure from most horror films of the 80s. Directed by the great Kent Russell, the film fuses horror and British black comedy effortlessly. The gorgeous and talented Amanda Donohoe is perfect as Lady Sylvia Marsh, and Hugh Grant as a young foppish aristocratic officer is a departure from his normal romantic comedy fare.  However, don't expect over the top gore and violence like the standard 80s slasher of the day.

So if your in the mood for a fun, campy, and entertaining horror film be sure to check out this overlooked gem. Trust me you will not be disappointed.

Although the focus of this blog is on horror films of the past, I wanted to share briefly how much I enjoyed the screening of "Krampus: The Christmas Devil" on IHTV and the Angry Bros.  The film was great indie horror.

Friday the 13th Part Three-- Where it Ranks in the Series

With Friday the 13th fast approaching, I would be remiss in not dedicating a post to the longest running slasher series of them all.  While if you asked 13 different people, you would get 13 different responses as to what is the best Friday the 13th film.  As for me the answer is simple--part three, which I am sure will draw some laughs, confusion, disagreements, and finally some approvals.

Because of the following:

Originally released in 3D billed as a New Dimension in Terror
Featured a 3 member motorcycle gang replete chains, which you gotta love
Ample nudity
Jason dons the iconic hockey mask for the first time

Although, I was to young to see the film in 3D at the theaters I can certainly remember, the excitement it caused during the 3D revival of the early 80s culminating in Jaws 3D.   Also, how can one argue with a three person motorcycle gang paying a visit to Camp Crystal Lake.  As a teenage boy viewing the film on VHS a few years later, the films T & A scenes are the best of the early films.

More importantly, for the first time in part three, Jason puts on his trademark mask. In my opinion, the mask defines the character and unifies his persona throughout the series. Even more than his deadly machete, the mask is the true staple of his character.  It appears from other stories and interviews that using a hockey mask was an on set serendipitous decision by the special effects supervisor that was later endorsed by the film's director, Steve Miner.  If true, I hope the effects supervisor has found away to get some royalties off coming up with the mask idea. 

Lastly, part three is the last film of the series to have the same look and feel of the original.

For diehard fans of part three there is a great where are they now YouTube clip of the cast and crew. Part three produced doctors, lawyers, and game show winners, apparently Jason scared some sense into some of them.  Here is the link Where Are They Now

Is the Slasher the Quintessential Horror Genre?

Perusing all thing Slasher Film, I came across this great article on Flavor Wire, where the author, Greg Cwik argues that the Slasher film is the Quintessential Horror film amongst the myriad of sub-genres, which exists.  He further posits that in the 80s Slasher films reached their apex, and were merely extensions of the Gordon Gecko attitude, which pervaded the decade.   Overall, it is great reading for all die-hard fans of the genre, and I highly recommend it.

 Slasher Article

An 80s Horror Slasher List

This week in lieu of a review, I decided to share a horror compilation list of 80s slasher films that I found perusing imdb.com.  While, I consider myself a big fan, this list was very impressive and authoritative, and showcased films I had never heard of, especially from the early 80s.  I have already placed a few in my Netflix que, and on my Amazon list.   The film Happy Birthday to Me with the late great Glenn Ford has me particularly intrigued. 

Check out this great list here:
80s Slasher List

If you got a list you would like to share or feature please email me. 

--Lee Turner also contributes to www.bizarrepetitions.com

THE INITIATION

 

With aptly named titles like Sorority House Massacre, and The House on Sorority Row, the 80s spawned a “Sorority” sub-genre of the Slasher film, featuring attractive coeds, a college setting, hazing rituals, and most importantly a sorority house.  This week’s spotlight film The Initiation, while formulaic at times stands out from other sorority slashers of the day.  What makes, The Initiation a standout is the excellent casting, unique settings, and shock ending.

 

 

 The cast includes the gorgeous Daphne Zuniga of Spaceballs and Melrose Place fame, and the equally gorgeous Hunter Tylo of the soap opera The Bold and Beautiful, as well as veteran actors, Vera Miles and Clu Gulager.  The director Larry Stewart includes a healthy dose of great killer POV shots, and some excellent for the genre atmospheric scenes

 

Sure there is fun gratuitous nudity, some cache sorority pranks and rituals thrown in for good measure, but The Initiation is still very entertaining to watch.  One of the film’s more notable departures from standard sorority house fare is the finale, which takes place in a shopping mall, as opposed to the Sorority House.  Further, the director’s use of the mall’s P.A. system to in a sense to broadcast some the murders was also noteworthy.

So if your in the mood for a fun and entertaining 80s horror film, look no further than the under appreciated --The Initiation.

Lastly, if interested in sharing a blog post idea, a film to spotlight, a best of list, please email me or the staff of IHTV. I look forward to hearing from everyone.

 

--Lee Turner a life long fan and aficionado of slasher films.  His blog spotlights those forgotten slasher films from the late 70s through the early 90s, as well as features where are they now segments, remake news, and best of lists.

 

The Burning

As my inaugural post, for a blog dedicated to all things vintage slasher, I could think of no better film choice to spotlight then---The Burning.  Not only does the film utilize the obligatory teenagers at a summer camp, sans Friday the 13th , but  how can one argue with a hedge clipper wielding burned and horribly disfigured villain named Cropsy?  The Burning is an underrated precursor to 80s Camp-Slasher, which inspired a host of more well-known films that followed, and is worth viewing if you’re a fan of old school 80s slashers.

Written by the great Harvey Weinstein of future Miramax fame, and featuring a talented cast including:  Jason Alexander of Seinfeld, who is hardly recognizable with a full head of hair, future Oscar winner Holly Hunter in very small role, Fisher Stevens of Short Circuit, and last but not least the gorgeous blonde Leah Ayres best known as Van Damme’s love interest in Blood Sport. The film also features special effects make-up by the great Tom Savini, and a score by Rick Wakeman.

Although the storyline of an abused and disfigured camper/caretaker seeking revenge against some attractive and promiscuous teenagers is not the least bit original; however, the film’s energy, brutality and special effects help elevate the film above others in the genre. Likewise, the music and atmospheric cinematography help The Burning standout from similar films of the era. Lastly, no spotlight or reference to the The Burning, would be complete without mentioning the mass-killing scene on the river raft, which is hall of fame worthy, 80s slasher film fare, and by all accounts got the film banned in the UK.

So if you're in the mood for a campy 80s slasher, be sure to check out the under appreciated-- The Burning.


--Lee Turner a life long fan and aficionado of slasher films.  His blog will spotlight those forgotten slasher films from the late 70s through the early 90s, as well as feature where are they now segments, remake news, and best of lists.  He also blogs for www.bizarrepetitions.com