Sleepaway Camp

Starring: Felissa Rose, Johnathan Tiersten
Written by: Robert Hiltzik

Director: Robert Hiltzik
Year: 1983

Rating: * *    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *  )   Total: * * *

Two cousins are sent to camp for the summer, but strange accidents begin to befall the other campers.

Angela is a shy and unassuming girl. Through flashback sequences we see that some ten years  before, Angela, her brother, and their Father were involved in a boating accident. The accident killed both the brother and father, and left her injured. She went to live with her eccentric aunt Martha, and her cousin Ricky. Now, on the verge of being a young woman, Angela, and her cousin Ricky are sent to summer camp. Immediately some of the kids begin to pick on Angela, as she prefers to keep to herself. Ricky is extremely over-protective of her, and gets into a few fights because of this. 

Eventually, someone is taking matters into their own hands. Campers and camp leaders begin experiencing strange, and often fatal accidents. A Cook is knocked into a boiling pot. A bee's nest is placed in the men's room stinging one boy to death. On and on it goes. Eventually, the maniac grows less subtle, as the accidents become downright murders. But who's doing the killing, and why?

Like a good magician, the film makes use of misdirection. Almost immediately it suggests that Angela may be the psycho killer, but as it goes on, we suspect it might be hot-headed Ricky. Still, at times it seems there may be a third, unknown suspect at work.  Regardless, when the killer is finally revealed, it can truly be said no one saw this one coming. Probably the most shocking reveal in the history of horror/slasher films, and a bit creepy too.

While Friday the 13th may have cornered the "Summer Camp Killer" market, Sleepaway Camp proves that there is still plenty of room for films of similar plot and locations to thrive. Don't go into this film expecting Shakespeare, it's still low-brow slasher fair, but so what. It's a crazy fun film that can still scare the un-jaded, and surprise those who think they've seen it all. This film has launched a few sequels over the years, but none have had he imact the first film did.

SEE THE TRAILER: Sleepaway Camp

Friday the 13th part 2

Starring: Amy Steel, John Furey, Walt Gorney, Warrington Gillette
Written by: Ron Kurz

Director: Steve Miner
Year: 1981

Rating: * * 1/2    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * 1/2

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the woods.

This follow-up to the successful Friday the 13th film picks up where the other left off. Mrs. Vorhees is dead, but the killings continue.

The movie opens in a quiet, unassuming neighborhood. We are lead into a house occupied by Alice (Adrienne King), the survivor from the original Friday the 13th. After a brief conversation with her Mother over the phone, we infer from that conversation that some time has passed, and that Alice is getting therapy for her nightmares, caused by the events of Crystal Lake. When she opens the refrigerator, surprise! The decapitated head of Mrs. Vorhees rests on the shelf, decomposing. Alice gasps in fear and then...someone from behind her kills her. Thus, Jason begins his murder spree.

We return to the lake. Now, a different set of people are looking to open up a summer camp. This isn't Camp Crystal Lake, as that area is now regarded as a death trap. No, this camp is looking to open several miles away, but well within Jason's domain.

The plot is very similar to the first. The only thing different is we know who the killer is, we just don't see him. Jason's history and motivation are clearly defined. He did not drown, but has survived on his own for over 30 years. He happened to witness Alice behead his Mother, and this drove him into a psychopathic rage for which there is no turning back.

The killing scenes get a little more elaborate this time around. This time, we get a little more insight into Jason. Ginny Field (Amy Steel) stumbles upon Jason's cabin. A simple structure where he's built a shrine to his Mother, including a table with her sweater, and her head as a centerpiece. Ginny uses the sweater to act as Jason's Mother, defending herself from him with a more psychological edge than simply fight or flight. 

Of all the serial killer franchises, Jason is a character of constant evolution. Even if the plots and settings are the same, Jason changes. At this point, he is new at this. He doesn't have superhuman strength, nor is he a zombie. He is simply a wild man. He even hides under a potato sack hood, as his trademark hockey mask doesn't show up till the next film. 

A decent follow-up in which the formula hasn't been played out yet. 

SEE THE TRAILER: Friday the 13th, part 2

A Nightmare On Elm Street

Starring: Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp
Written by: Wes Craven

Director: Wes Craven
Year: 1984

Rating: * * *    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * *

The spirit of a dead child murderer stalks the children of his murderers in their nightmares. 

One of the more original concepts to come along in films of this type. The monster isn't under the bed, or in the darkened woods. This monster is in your dreams, and if he kills you there, you die in real life. To make matters worse, in the dream world, the monster has complete control over the environment, while the dreamers have to make sense of their surreal surroundings.

The story centers around Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), a man accused of a series of child murders years ago. Due to a loophole, Freddy was found not guilty. However that didn't stop a mob of angry parents from chasing him down to an old boiler room and torching it, burning him alive. Now it seems their children are being haunted in their dreams by a burnt looking man in a red/green sweater, and a trademark glove that replaces fingernails with knife blades. Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) is so afraid to dream she forces herself not to fall asleep. Yet she can't do that forever, and slips in and out of consciousness. This makes for some classic moments as she awakens into the dreamworld, sometimes unseemingly so. This keeps the audience intrigued, wondering if she's really walking down the hall in the real world or the dream world. Wes Craven also does a good job of applying the surrealism of dreams onto the film. Characters open the door to their homes only to enter a boiler room, or a school, or even the outside. From dreams they can catch a glimpse of what's happening to others in the real world. The transitions from one to the other are done seamless and with great effect. 

Unlike fellow slashers Michael and Jason, Freddy talks, and this just adds so much to his character. In later sequels, Freddy is somewhat of a wise-ass, but here he is truly creepy and menacing. 

SEE THE TRAILER: A Nightmare On Elm Street

The Exorcist III

Starring: George C. Scott, Ed Flanders, Brad Dourif
Written by: William Peter Blatty

Director: William Peter Blatty
Year: 1990

Rating: * * *    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus -   )  Total: * * *

A cop must deal with he fact that a serial killer that he arrested and saw put do death years ago has returned.

George C. Scott stars as detective Kinderman, an older, world-weary cop investigating a series of murders that are eerily similar to the murders committed by the Gemini Killer, a serial murderer that died 15 years ago. While disregarded by some as a copycat, Kinderman knows the difference. False stories about his m.o. were planted in newspapers, yet this killer's methods are an exact match.

His investigations lead him to a mental hspital, where a patient sits alone in isolation, a patient that looks like a priest he once knew, Father Damien Karras. But that's impossible, Damien died falling down a flight of stairs during an exorcism in Georgetown. As Kinderman begins speaking to him, he identifies himself as the Gemini Killer. He goes on to mention that "old friends" felt his work should continue, and placed his soul in the body of the priest, just as he was shedding his mortal coil. From there, the Gemini travels to others, mostly catatonics, who he uses to escape the hospital and continue his killing.

An intriguing follow-up to the Exorcist, and much better than the abysmal Exercist II: the Heritic, William Peter Blatty does himself proud. He writes a tale that is sometimes scary, sometimes compelling. A horror meets detective story if you will. Brad Dourif puts in one of his best performances as the Gemini Killer, running the gambit of emotional dialogue from sarcasm to rage. 

Sadly, no film in the Exorcist series will ever top the original, but even after 20 years, the Exorcist III is the only sequel worth a darn.

SEE THE TRAILER: The Exorcist 3

Motel Hell

Starring: Rory Calhoun, Paul Linke, Nancy Parsons
Written by: Robert Jaffe, Steven-Charles Jaffe

Director: Kevin Connor
Year: 1980

Rating: * *   Stars       +       (Fan Bonus 1/2  )  Total: * * 1/2

"It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent's fritters."

This horror-spoof film goes for scares and laughs. Seems Farmer Vincent (Rory Calhoun) and his sister Ida Smith (Nancy Parsons) are in the business of selling fritters. What they don't tell the public, is the fritters are made from people. It seems they kidnap unsuspecting travelers and bury them in the garden up to their necks. They remove their vocal chords so they can't scream, and feed them till their fat enough to be harvested.

One this occasion however, Farmer Vincent falls for a young beauty and instead of killing her, keeps her alive in the hopes of marrying her. She seems compliant enough, until she learns the true horror of what's going on at the roadside hotel and restaurant.

This film falls into the category of "so bad its good." Some scenes are funny, which is hard to determine if the laughs were intended, or the result of bad filmmaking. Either way, a great beer and pizza movie to watch with friends. 

SEE THE TRAILER: Motel Hell 

Friday the 13th

Starring: Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Kevin Bacon
Written by: Victor Miller

Director: Sean S. Cunningham
Year: 1980

Rating: * * *    Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *   )  Total: * * * *

A group of camp councilors look to re-open an old camp ground where a young boy had drowned years ago. But someone doesn't want the camp to open, and is killing them off.

Hard to imagine, but there was a time when there was no internet, no cell phones, no i-pods. People actually went outdoors, and camping, fishing, hiking and paddle boating were considered fun activities. Traditionally, scary stories were told around the campfires about slashers and psychos, who happen to be "locals", who go about their grizzly business and never been apprehended. Friday the 13th takes this concept and creates an entire film based on such a fire-lit urban myth. 

The story springboards off the idea that years ago, a young boy drowned in the waters at Camp Crystal Lake. The camp quickly closed down there after. The young boy's body, Jason, was never recovered, and some claim that a wild-man roams the woods, possibly Jason himself. Now, a group of young men and women have purchased the grounds and are looking to restore the camp grounds and re-open them to the public. But someone is stalking them, killing them off one by one. Alice (Adrienne King) is the last survivor and uncovers the truth, that the killer is none other than Jason's Mother, Mrs. Pamela Vorhees (Betsy Palmer). In a final confrontation, Alice kills Mrs. Vorhees by beheading her at the shores of the lake. She awakens in the hospital with the police there, informing her she's ok, and will take her statement whenever she's ready. She recalls an experience that she's unsure if it happened, or if it was a dream, but she clearly remembers that after killing Jason's mother, that Jason himself appeared and dragged her under the water. She believes Jason is alive, and still roaming the woods around Crystal Lake.

This simple, yet compelling story works on so many levels. One of the first in the "slasher' film genre, this movie is a complete story in and of itself, yet also works as complete exposition for future films in the series when the iconic Jason Vorhees picks up where his mother left off. His history, motivation, and domain are clearly established here. It also has the unique distinction of having a woman playing the role of serial killer, a role universally regarded for men. Although low budget, special effects and make-up grand master Tom Savini proves his worth with great effects and innovative techniques making each murder scene original and never before seen on the big screen. Harry Manfredini's musical score becomes the iconic theme of the entire series and instantly as recognizable to horror audiences as John Williams theme to Jaws.

30 years later, Friday the 13th comes off a bit campy, as older teen audiences are at this time more familiar with the works that have spoofed this series before actually seeing this series. Younger kids will get it. They'll hide their eyes and sleep with the lights on, just as we did when we first saw it.

SEE THE TRAILER: Friday the 13th

The Entity

Starring: Barbara Hershey, Ron Silver, David Labiosa
Written by: Frank De Felitta

Director: Sidney J. Furie
Year: 1982

Rating: * * *   Stars       +       (Fan Bonus 1/2  )  Total: * * * 1/2

A single mother is tormented by an invisible demon.

Barbara Hershey plays Carla Moran, a single mother of three going about her daily routines when she's attacked and raped by an invisible presence in her house. The entity seems to return again and again, sexually assaulting her. Fearing for her safety and the safety of her children she stays with friend, but has to return home when her friend and husband get into a fight. With nowhere to turn, she seeks the help of a psychiatrist, Phil Sniederman (Ron Silverman), who believes this is all in her head. He also begins to suspect that she's having sexual fantasies about her oldest son, Billy, and is pushing the review board into having her committed. 

Unlike traditional haunted house stories, there is no escalation of events. The disturbances start of the film in a big way, and continue on from there. The fact that the entity is seeking to sexually assault Carla is a profound concept for films of this ilk. From a woman's standpoint, being the victim of rape is in and of itself a humiliating and shameful experience. It's something they don't like to share. But it returns again, and if she doesn't talk about it and seek help, how will she escape the torment? The problem here is it isn't human. It's a demon, or ghost, or some type of malevolent spirit. People who are affected by such entities are also reluctant to share their experience for fear of skepticism and ridicule. So watching this film, one truly gains sympathy for Carla as she has to deal with the shame and ridicule of a "ghostly rapist." It isn't until she comes across some university students who investigate such things that she feels vindicated and empowered to confront the entity. But her psychiatrist feels they are only reinforcing her delusions and thus is only making things worse for her as she'll never get better.

The film is supposed to be based on a true story, much like Amityville Horror, adding to the creepy factor. Due to its subject matter, parents will want to keep their youngsters away from this film. But nearly 30 years later, this film still can scare audiences.

SEE THE TRAILER: The Entity

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

This month we at Retro-Review celebrate Halloween all month long. 31 days of movies featuring ghosts, goblins, slashers and monsters. So turn down the lights, hide under the blanket, and grab some candy. And our first offering for your viewing pleasure....

Starring: Edwin Neal, Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Gunner Hansen
Written by: Tobe Hooper, Kim Henkel

Director: Tobe Hooper
Year: 1974

Rating: * * * 1/2   Stars       +       (Fan Bonus *  )  Total: * * * * 1/2

Five teenagers travelling through Texas encounter the most macabre and horrifying event of their lives.

Sally and her invalid Brother Franklin, along with three friends, travel to the cemetery to visit their Grandparents grave. Reports of a graveyard vandalism and desecration are in the newspapers, and they want to be sure their grandparents' grave is ok. Along the way they pick up a hitchhiker who exhibits strange behavior. He claims to be an out of work slaughterhouse employee and speaks with delight about the techniques used in killing. After the stranger cuts his own hand with Franklin's knife, they boot him out of the van.

Running low on gas, they stop at a filling station where a strange old man tells them they're out of gas and he's still waiting for the gas truck to show up. The teenagers take off to an old house they think is abandoned after a dip in a swimming hole, only to find its inhabited by the old man, the hitchhiker, and a large, retarded transvestite who dresses in women's clothes, and skin, known as Leatherface. This is a family of cannibals who kill and slaughter the teens one by one. 

From the opening credits, we're treated to sickening and bizarre photos of bodies, desecrated at a cemetery, and situated in various bizarre poses. The narrator (voiced by John Larroquette) tells us that these events that we're about to see is an account of what befell a group of teenagers travelling through a rural Texas town, quickly establishing this film as "real." Did this really happen? Urban myths have been told, but Tobe Hooper, the director, has us believing right from the get go, this is based on a true story. The low budget production and an unknown cast made the film feel more documentary than mere horror entertainment. 

Once things get going, the horror is unrelenting. Isolated miles from anyone, captured and tormented by a family of degenerate psychopaths, it seems hope has vanished hours ago. In a final desperate act, Sally, the sole survivor, desperately hurls herself through the living room window and runs as fast as she can trying to flag down help on the road, all the while Leatherface gives chase. Unlike traditional horror movies where the final female hero vanquishes the villain, here the only thing to do is run. The narrator closes the film, informing us police found horrifying evidence, but no trace of the family. They are still out there, and at large.

SEE THE TRAILER: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre