From Beyond The Grave
1973 ***1/2
One of the best anthology films from this era, based on stories from British horror author R. Chetwynd-Hayes. All the stories stem from items purchased at an antique store run by Peter Cushing. Segment one, The Gatecrasher involves a man who is possessed by an evil spirit that enters him by way of a of a haunted mirror he purchases. This is my favorite of the stories but the rest are well worth viewing too. It’s one of those films where everyone gets their comeuppance, kind of how I wish life really worked sometimes.
The Barrens
2012 **1/2
A man takes his family on a camping trip to a remote area where her grew up. The area is rumored to be plagued by the notorious Jersey Devil, a murderous beast that roams the woods. When dad starts flipping out saying it is following him the family begins to suspect that dad is losing his mind. The film is a constant play of is he or isn’t he crazy with a solid conclusion at the end. Don’t you just love it when they don’t leave you hanging.
Mirror Mirror
1990 **
Sad rip off two solid films, it’s as if Beetlejuice and Carrie mated and had this poor excuse of an offspring. I’d like to say Karen Black is the saving grace but it’s Karen Black in the least Karen Blackiest role ever, she is just simply a mom. Karen & her lame emo Winona Ryder look alike daughter move into a house where an evil spirit possessed mirror resides. Miss emo is a major outcast at school who soon discovers the mirror gives her super powers and she soon goes on a killing spree. By the time she realizes she’s made a huge mistake she is knee deep into demon poop and there doesn’t seem to be a way out. Less than meh, skip it.
Werewolf: The Beast Among Us
2012 **1/2
Village is plagued by a werewolf, wolf hunters come to town, murder and mayhem, the wolf is revealed, what a twist! This film isn’t bad it’s just what is to be expected of your average werewolf flick. Same old story set in like the early 1800’s this time blah, blah, blah. This is exactly why films like American Werewolf in London & Dog Soldiers stand out and reign superior, originality wins. Watch it, skip it or put it on while you exercise like I did. Mildly entertaining and lots of action.
1962 ****
Another solid anthology but that was to be expected with a stellar cast including Vincent Price in the lead for all three segments joined by Peter Lorre (Don’t you just love Peter Lorre’s voice) & Basil Rathbone as well as some lesser know actors who do a fine job too.The three short sequences are based stories from Edgar Allen Poe, Morella, The Black Cat/The Cask of Amontillado combined together and The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar. My favorite type of horror to watch on a cold and rainy afternoon.
1991 ***
This silly film starring Jeff Fahey had the perfect recipe of camp & horror to make my day. The whole idea is just so outrageous and I love it. The body parts of a notorious serial murderer are harvested and given to some needy folks. A writer receives an arm and soon finds his new arm has a mind of its own and a craving for violence. He hunts down the other recipients and winds up in an all out battle against the person who received the head. Unintentionally hilarious with one of the funniest car chase scenes since Abbott & Costello took on the Keystone Cops!
4 comments:
Body Parts cracks me up. I bitch nonstop about the uselessness of crawling hands but what about a rogue hand that's still attached?
"What could the hand do to Jeff Fahey?"
"Cut him while shaving! But like really hard!
Excellent review bomb, Cat! I thought I had seen Tales of Terror but sadly when I looked it up on the Monster list I saw that I had only watched Tales From the Hood (don't bother).
I keep thinking that first picture you posted is Mr. Hooper.
I am going to check out both anthology movies you reviewed (I'm a sucker for anthology).
Have any of you guiys heard of the Alfred Hitchcock TV show called "Suspicion"? It aired for 40 episodes before the more famous Alfred Hitchcock Presents but it is every bit as fun. Go to YouTube and watched Bette Davis star in "Fraction of a Second", loved it!
Thanks for finding that JPX I had never heard of it before.
great roundup!
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