I've tried to watch Near Dark (1987) a bunch of times and this is the first time I've actually watched all the way through. I really want to like this one, because it's a classic 80s vampire flick, and I can see why people would enjoy it, but I just don't like the (dirty, crust punk/neo-western) vibe. 🤷♀️
Henry: A Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) is a strange film, wherein the titular serial killer is the protagonist. I put off watching this film for a long time, because I don't like violence or gore in films. However, unlike in most slashers, you mostly don't see Henry killing his victims. Henry (Michael Rooker) goes about his daily activities, and the mutilated corpses of women surface in his wake. The murders, if not exactly incidental to his life, seem as natural as any other part of his routine. However, there were some graphic and deeply disturbing scenes in the movie. Rooker is almost TOO convincing as a cold-blooded, murderous thug. I don't know if I can really "recommend" this movie, but it was certainly effective for what it was -- a more realistic, less romanticized view of violence. It's based on a true story, too, of Henry Lee Lucas.
Lifeforce (1985) was terrible. It seems like it should have been right up my alley -- 80s vampire horror with a sci-fi twist -- but god it was just sooo boring!! I almost never do this but I had to turn it off at a certain point, it was just going on and on, it felt neverending. 😅 Some awesome sets, but the practical effects don't hold up, either. Not impressed. If you want a decent movie about vampires in space, may I recommend Planet of Blood (1966).
Possession (1981) was incredible! And Lovecraftian, which came as a pleasant surprise. With Sam Neill, 12 years before Jurassic Park. Themes of madness, death, perversion, doubles, radical love. Incredible story, cool effects, dope music, and fascinating shots. I've said it before but I'll say it again, nothing beats 80s horror. Recommended if you liked Dead Ringers (1988).
The Company of Wolves (1984) was a romp! I'm a sucker for practical effects and transformation horror (and Angela Lansbury!), so even though the story was not super inspired, this one was right up my alley. ❤🐺❤
Nicole and Michael joined us for Prom Night II (1987), a campy supernatural slasher. The 80s is easily my favorite decade for horror, and although this movie was pretty goofy at times, there were some very neat effects, including a totally awesome classroom scene (who knew chalkboards could be so frightening?).
Once Bitten (1985) was cute. I love Countess Dracula (1971), and this comedic take on the story was a gas. I'm surprised I'd never seen this one, honestly. 80s forever.
Megan and I plunged into the abyss with Dario Argento's insane giallo Phenomena (1985). My all-time favorite horror film, Suspiria (1977), is by Argento, and this film stars the exquisite Jennifer Connelly one year before her appearance in Labyrinth, so I was pretty psyched for this movie. The narrative has been called "muddled," but that's a dramatic understatement. It starts out as a rational and linear (if fantastic) story, but abruptly devolves into visual and narrative chaos and depravity. The aesthetics of the film are great and characteristic of the genre, with intense colors, crazy zooms, and wild music (Iron Maiden, anyone?). I LOVED the movie until its utterly strange denouement... now need to sit with it a bit. Still, I'd recommend! // Oh also, there was some weirdness with the release of this film (they cut out 20 min and re-released in English as the widely-panned Creepers). We watched the so-called "hybrid" version, with ~6 min of footage where no English audio exists, so there were random Italian scenes. 🙄 These were supposed to appear with subtitles, but did not on Amazon prime, so brush up on your Italian!
A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) was very silly, but it did have a few awesome scenes. They really let the fog machine guy go hogwild with this one. 😂 Lovely, flowing costuming for knockout Joey Wong.
Put a little Lovecraft in your life, with From Beyond (1986)! This Cronenberg-esque body horror thriller was just what the doctor ordered. 👍👍👍 gnarly practical effects ftw!!
1980s horror is my favorite kind, and I loved the darkly comedic elements in Parents (1989), but in the end, this film was a little too scattered to be really effective. And it drove Mark crazy that the kid mutters so much that you can't understand him. 🤣 Some good ghoulish close-ups of meat tho... dinner never looked so sinister. 🍖
Wow... Society (1989) was nuts. One of the horror tropes I really like is the paranoid, everyone's in on it, me-against-the-world conspiracy (cf The Truman Show, Rosemary's Baby), which this explored to good effect. The practical effects were pretty gnarly too, and I loved the tongue-in-cheek visual humor, reminiscent of my all-time-favorite movie, Heathers (1988).
I watched Prince of Darkness (1987) a couple days ago, and I've been letting it stew in my brain a little bit before writing a review, but this one just didn't really do it for me. 80s horror is my favorite so this should have been my jam, but I REALLY wanted to slap mullet girl and mustache man 🤣, and the plot felt a little thin for my taste. If pressed, my favorite part of the movie would have to be the swirling green tank of doom.
Watched Dario Argento's Opera (1987) tonight. WOW, it was amazing! Soo many incredible shots (love the crow's eye at the beginning), gorgeous music, and the series of strangely beautiful yet utterly grisly murders. I don't want to include any spoilers, but there was at least one shot I've definitely never seen before - honestly not sure how they did it. 😱👍👍
Saw Child's Play (1988) for the first time. My favorite decade for horror, which is prob why I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would (grr Chucky's stupid face... 🤣) but this movie was... very silly, to say the least. 😅 Also sad, that poor kid was treated terribly by all the adults. Altho what a tough little kid! Phantasm vibes.
Mark and I did not quite make it all the way thru The Beyond (1981), aka "...and you will live in terror! The Afterlife." The title was the best thing about this utterly ridiculous film. The dialogue (dubs) is so bad that it seems like a porno. This movie is ripe for hecklevision. (Normally I never wimp out on finishing movies, but we were busy and our streaming rental expired, and I just couldn't bring myself to spend another $3.99 on this nonsense. 🤣🤣)
The Dead Zone was great! Young Christopher Walken is still so creepy looking 😅, though surprisingly with moments of charm. I love Cronenberg.
WOWWWW Santa Sangre (1989) is one the best movies I've ever seen, across genres. Such richness and depth of emotion! So very strange and haunting!! Brilliant. I knew I loved Dario Argento (Suspiria is my all-time favorite horror movie), but now I am pretty damn impressed by Claudio Argento, too! What a talented family.
Despite having the advantage of having been made in the 80s, aka the best horror decade, this movie was pretty terrible. The dialogue was kind of hilarious, tho. For one example of a representative exchange:
Doctor Robert Elliott: How are things going with you and Mike?
Kate Miller: Fine.
Doctor Robert Elliott: Good.
Kate Miller: [considering for a moment] No, they're not fine. What a stupid word that is. He gave me one of his wham-bang specials today and I'm mad at him. Isn't that right? Shouldn't I be mad at him?
Doctor Robert Elliott: Yeah. Did you tell him?
Kate Miller: Of course not. I moaned with pleasure at his touch - isn't that what every man wants?
Doctor Robert Elliott: I don't know. Is it?
Kate Miller: Don't start that stuff with me.
Mr. Vampire (1985) is one of the dopest movies I've ever seen - definitely top 20. Kung fu vampires, great plot, great humor, just really fun to watch. Definitely recommend to all!!
