House on Sorority Row (1983) Review

THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW

*** ½ Out of 5

Tagline- Where Nothing Is Off Limits

Release Date- January 21st, 1983

Running Time- 91-Minutes

Rating- R

Writer/Director- Mark Rosman

Starring- Kate McNeil, Eileen Davidson, Robin Meloy, Jodi Draigie, Harley Jane Kozak, Ellen Dorsher, Lois Kelso Hunt, Christopher Lawrence

By the time The House on Sorority Row was released in 1983 the slasher film, while still going strong was starting to hit a slight decline. After the success of John Carpenter’s Halloween in 1978 the slasher craze started and after the success of Sean Cunningham’s Friday the 13th in 1980 if anyone had any doubts on how financially successful these movies could be were erased. The 80s was very much the decade of the slasher flick with 1981 being the golden year with some of the post popular of the sub-genre being released and while the slasher film would continue through the 80s by the time House on Sorority Row came out these films were already heavily cliched even if still enjoyable. The House on Sorority Row was sort of middle of the pack when it comes to early 80s slasher flicks and while the film is fairly well made, but its bogged down by too many clichés that were starting to take their toll on the slasher flick by this time. I think even the biggest fans of the slasher even have to admit by this time things were getting a little stale, but House on Sorority Row has gained a nice cult following and while I don’t hold it in as high regard as some its still an entertaining flick despite any flaws.

After a few sorority sisters play a prank on the house mother and she ends up dead and the accidental death is attempted to be covered up and now the sorority sisters are being stalked and killed by an unseen killer could it the house mother Dorothy Slater (Hunt) whose body is now missing? The prank gone wrong plot is one of the more popular plots for these movies as it was something seen in The Burning, Terror Train & To All a Goodnight as well as a whole bunch more, but it’s still an interesting premise even if not original.

The screenplay by Mark Rosman has its moments, but the characters are a bit weak in general and are only there to add to the body count. Rosman wanted to a slasher movie that avoided the graphic violence and nudity, which isn’t such a bad idea, but the characters aren’t strong enough to fully carry the movie. In general they lack their own identity and are mostly interchangeable. Granted slasher movies aren’t known for having deep and complex characters, which is ok when making a splatter flick, but the lack of depth for the characters do at times hinder the script. Katherine (McNeil) makes for a solid if not a little boring final girl. I liked the character, but she’s the typical final girl. Vicki (Davidson) is the most entertaining character and no matter how cliched the bitchy character always seems to work. While the idea isn’t original, Rosman is able to make it work better than perhaps it should have and despite the shortcomings of the script it is stronger than the bulk of 80s slashers.

As director Mark Rosman delivers a fairly well made if not a bit underwhelming film. At only 93-minutes the film is a bit sluggish in its pacing at times and overall the film is a bit un-even. House on Sorority Row does lack some of the excitement often found in these films and it also mostly lack gore, which isn’t a must, but something this film could have benefited from. Rosman does make more out of the movie than there was and I liked what he was attempting to do. Rather than make a gore filled movie he focuses more on characters and suspense, but by 1983 all that could have been explored in these films had been done and the movie probably would have worked far better if it came out a couple of years earlier. Also as stated the characters weren’t strong enough to carry the picture when there are lulls in the action. There is some decent suspense and it also serves as a decent mystery as well. The 2nd half of the film does get a bit gorier, but only problem was the F/X weren’t all that great and it does hurt the death scenes. Overall despite the problems I had with the film, Rosman delivers a solid film and even with the flaws I enjoyed it for the most part.

Overall despite any complaints I have with the House on Sorority Row I do enjoy the film and while I wouldn’t rate it as one of the best 80s slasher films it is a solid and enjoyable movie. My review may not be overly glowing, but its worth a watch and again despite my problems with the film I do enjoy it and I think most slasher fans will also find enjoyment out of the movie.

Final Exam (1981) Review

FINAL EXAM

*** ½ Out of 5

Tagline- Some Pass the Test… God Help the Rest!

Release Date- June 5th, 1981

Running Time- 89-Minutes

Rating- R

Written & Directed By- Jimmy Huston

Starring- Cecile Bagdadi, Joel S. Rice, DeAnna Robbins, Sherry Willis-Burch, Timothy L. Raynor

Released in 1981 Final Exam despite the cult following its gained over the years is also a semi-forgotten movie and many of the reviews for the movie are sub-par. After the success of Halloween and Friday the 13th slasher films were quite the rage in the 80s and 1981 was one of the biggest years with Halloween 2, Friday the 13th Part 2, The Prowler, The Burning and My Bloody Valentine so its not difficult to understand why Final Exam isn’t more remembered. Quite honestly despite the poor reputation Final Exam has and its not without its flaws, but I think its better than its reputation and while this film may not reach the heights of the slasher films I mentioned I liked this one quite a bit and it may not be in my top 10 slasher flicks of the 80s, but to me its sort of the underdog slasher of the 80s.

The main influence on this movie was Halloween and Final Exam isn’t as scary or suspenseful as Halloween nor does it have the grisly gore F/X of the Prowler or the eerie atmosphere of My Bloody Valentine or the creative deaths like Friday the 13th. Final Exam may not have that fun factor many slasher films are known for and sure it doesn’t sound like there is much to this film, but it is a solid effort. I also think this movie stands out a bit as it doesn’t feature very much gore or nudity often featured in slasher films at the time of Final Exam’s release. During its original release and even now some cast the movie a side due to that, but what Final Exam tries to do is focus more on characters and give them a bit more to do than appear and be killed a few minutes after. The opening scene we have two deaths and than it takes until the 54-minute mark before we get another death and like the lack of gore and nudity that also is something that might turn off a lot of slasher fans. But I think all this works in the movies favor for the most part.

After the murder of two college students we shift to the nearby Lanier College as the students are talking final exams the murder shows up and sets his sights on the students of Lanier.

The screenplay by Jimmy Huston tries to avoid the pitfalls many slasher films often have and to a certain degree he manages to do that. The characters are sort of the typical that we often see in slasher films, but they also have a little more depth than we’re used to seeing. The first half of the movie does focus on the characters and while some viewers may find themselves bored with the lack of action I liked how Jimmy Huston wanted to make more of his characters and not simply have them their to add to the body count. Slasher films in general aren’t known for their characters and I suppose Final Exam isn’t all that different, but they do have a little more depth than the slasher films that dominated the 80s.

The script mixes in comedy and drama with students pulling pranks and the dramatic moments might be a little sappy in spots, but it also gives the film a little more depth than the bulk of the slasher films of the era and while this does work, but around the 30-minute mark the script does run out of steam due to the lack of plot. The 2nd half is when the action kicks in and the script becomes the standard stalk and slash screenplay of the 80s, but might work a little better due to the fact the characters are more established, well sort of works better. Overall the screenplay isn’t anything special, but I respect the fact Jimmy Huston wanted more focus on characters rather than faceless victims and while again the characters may not be all that different than we’ve seen in other films they do have a little more going for them.

As director Jimmy Huston delivers a well made movie that as stated avoids focusing on gore and nudity and shifts focus on the characters instead. While as I stated the first 30-minutes the film is entertaining, but it does begin to slow down and the pacing while never in my opinion bad can lag in spots though. After the opening murders we don’t get another one until the 54-minute mark, which will probably bore those looking for a body count film. If not for a few shots of the killer wandering the campus, which were clearly inspired by Halloween, its easy to forget you’re watching a slasher film since the first half plays out like I said more in tune with a comedy/drama.

The 2nd half is when the action kicks in and we get about 9 deaths in the final 30-minutes and while these scenes may lack the energy of other slasher flicks and the suspense and tension aren’t quite as strong as they could be, but since the characters are a bit more established it does help these scenes play out a little bit better than they would have if not for that. Final Exam may not be as suspenseful as other slasher films of the era, but again it does play out well and the final act with the killer chasing after Courtney (Bagdadi) plays out very well since the character is not only likable, but a little deeper than most final girls. Overall I think Jimmy Huston delivers an underrated movie with some decent suspense.

Some complained how the killer doesn’t wear a mask and there are several slasher films with a mask-less killer, but normally we don’t see their faces until the end like Friday the 13th and slashers like Maniac are quite different. We see mostly side shots of the killers face in Final Exam and when we do see his face its either a quick shot, hidden by shadow or something blocking his face. The final act we do see his face clearer and I think people complain because the killer here is modeled after Michael Myers and he’s the typical silent killer and normally they have a mask on. So it is a bit odd to see the silent killer and be able to see his face.

Another thing that draws mixed reaction is we never find out the killers name or motivation for why he’s killing people. I actually quite liked that; it does make it a bit more eerie since its so random. In one scene a character mentions a girl who killed herself because she wasn’t accepted into a sorority. Could that be a reason for the killings? Who knows and while I get why people disliked it, but the random nature of targeting anyone at least to me makes the film a little creepier and also standout from every other slasher flick. If anything I would say this is the Halloween connection again. Remember in the original Michael Myers has no motive other than being insane it wasn’t until the 2nd he has a reason.

At times while watching Final Exam you can see the influence it may have had on Kevin Williamson with Scream 2 and even a little on H20, which Kevin produced and did some uncredited rewrites.

Overall I enjoy Final Exam, but I clearly get why some find it boring; the suspense is decent, but not as strong as it could have been, it takes a while before the action kicks in and their zero gore. While sure it probably could have used a bit more gore, but when all is said and done I love how Jimmy Huston attempts at creating characters and not faceless victims and yeah the film is flawed and again I wouldn’t rate it in my top 10 slasher films of the 80s, but I very much enjoy this one.

Strip Nude for Your Killer (1975) Review

STRIP NUDE FOR YOUR KILLER

*** ½ Out of 5

Release Date- August 26th, 1975

Running Time- 98-Minutes

Rating- NR

Screenplay- Massimo Felisatti

Director- Andrea Bianchi

Starring- Edwige Fenech, Niño Castelnuovo, Femi Benussi, Solvi Stubing, Amanda

Released in 1975 Strip Nude for Your Killer is one of the sleazier Giallos and was directed by Andrea Bianchi best known to horror fans for directing the so bad it’s good Burial Ground, which also had a good amount of sleaze. With Strip Nude for Your Killer, Bianchi focuses more on sleaze than suspense and what we get is a good film, but not without its shortcomings. I have zero problems with sex and nudity in film, but I do think too much focus was put on that and the film needed a better balance as when it does focus on suspense, Bianchi actually does a fairly good job.

The screenplay by Massimo Felisatti is your standard Giallo from the era only with more sleaze; characters are entertaining enough, but are also rather faceless and not very likable for the most part. The plot deals with a botched abortion, which leads to the death of a woman and its covered up to look like an accidental death; not long after somebody kills the doctor who made the mistake and begins to target workers at a model agency. The plot while not the strongest this genre has to offer is decent enough to carry the movie for the most part. The identity and motive for the killer is a bit out there, but also works in a weird way. Overall the script was good enough, but at times does lose direction, but there is enough going on to make up for an ok script.

Director Andrea Bianchi crafts a solid movie with some decent suspense, but a lot more effort was put into the sleaze than anything else. When Bianchi focuses on the suspense he’s actually able to put together some effective scenes, but for the most part they take a backseat to the sleazier elements of the plot. Besides this the only other film by Bianchi I’ve seen is Burial Ground, which for me is one of the ultimate so bad its good movies and as fun as the film was lets be honest it was a hack job, but with Strip Nude for Your Killer, Bianchi shows to have some talent behind the camera and while at times the pacing can be sluggish, but for the most part the film works with some decent suspense and a lot of sleaze so there really aren’t many dull moments. While I don’t mind the sleazy nature of the film at all I would have liked to have seen a little more put into the suspense and tension since when Bianchi does focus on that the film works very well. Besides some pacing issues around the final act, Bianchi delivers an entertaining semi-suspenseful and highly sleazy film that mostly works well.

What this film has going for it is some very beautiful women who more often than not are naked or wearing as little as possible. The stunning Edwige Fenech is always a joy to watch clothed or not.

Overall Strip Nude for Your Killer is a solid Giallo that while flawed has enough action and beautiful women on display to keep things interesting and while the film at times can be a little sloppy, but fans of Euro cinema should give this one a watch. This isn’t exactly Dario Argento, but its still a solid Giallo. Despite the title and even the back of the box nobody strips for the killer, but there is a creepy scene with a woman totally naked getting stalked and killed.

Upcoming Horror Blu-ray Releases

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Funny Headlines Part V

Hellraiser: Deader Blu-ray Review

HELLRAISER: DEADER

(Note: This is a screener from Echo Bridge, however that has no impact on my review).

Release Date- May 7th, 2013

THE MOVIE- 3/5
Originally this was written as its own movie than later re-written to be part of the Hellraiser series. This one finds a reporter working on a story about a group called the Deaders who have found a way to bring the dead back to life. This of course leads to a showdown with Pinhead (Bradley). I like the Hellraiser series but I wouldn’t call myself a fan. This one was alright only hindered by some sluggish pacing and some scenes can often repeat themselves. Despite the flaws it is a decent viewing.

VIDEO- 3/5
The transfer is very hit and miss. After a bit of a rough start things improve, but nighttime scenes can be a little overly grainy and clarity is decent. There are moments when the video quality is strong, but for the most part it’s average. A little more into the video could have gone a long way, but in the end its simply average at best. Though it does make for a nice upgrade over the DVD.

AUDIO- 3/5
5.1 DTS

For the most part the audio is strong, but nothing here is demo worthy or anything and this isn’t the film to show off your system, but it gets the job done.

EXTRAS- 4/5

All the features from the old DVD have been brought over and while nothing great they are however solid enough and enjoyable.

Behind the Visual Effects
Deleted/Extended Scenes
Gag Reel
Location Scouting
Making of Hellraiser: Deader
Practical Effects with Gary Tunnicliffe
Storyboard Comparisons

FINAL WORDS ON THE DISC
Overall the film itself was simply ok and audio and video about average. Odds are if you’re a fan of the series you’ll pick this up no matter what and while not a great release it does improve on the DVD.

Fortress Blu-ray Review

FORTRESS BLU-RAY

(Note I received this as a screener from Echo Bridge, but that doesn’t factor into my rating).

Release Date- May 7th, 2013

THE MOVIE- 4/5
Excellent sci-fi/action film directed by Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator). John Brennick (Christopher Lambert) and his wife Karen (Loryn Locklin) are attempting to flee the United States due to the one child law, but they are caught and both sent to a prison in the middle of the desert where the inmates are forced to take a capsule that can deliver pain or kill when the inmates act up. Even though odds are against him, John with a few other inmates hatch a plan to,escape and John sets off to rescue his wife and unborn baby

While the plot isn’t fully explored as very little is explained, but has enough action and decent gore to make up for what lacks story wise. Fortress is just a blast and I really enjoyed this film and in my opinion is the best film Stuart Gordon has made.

VIDEO- 4/5
Echo Bridge can be hit or miss at times with certain transfers leaving a bit to be desired, but the video on Fortress is one of if not their best. Best way to describe it is if you’ve seen any of the MGM titles released by FOX that’s how this looks. Colors are strong as is clarity and detail. Close ups also show some strong detail. Grain level isn’t overbearing it just the right amount. There are moments where the quality can get a bit blurry and overly grainy, but throughout most of the film, the video is strong and while this isn’t demo worthy, Echo Bridge does deliver a strong transfer with no signs of DNR. Also the film is in its correct aspect ratio.

AUDIO- 3.5/5

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 isn’t the best track out there, but it is effective. Dialogue is crisp and clear and the action scenes carry enough of a kick to give this the passing grade. It won’t blow you away, but its strong enough.

FINAL WORDS ON THE DISC
While the lack of extra features is a letdown, but the film itself is more than worth the price and with strong video and good audio the blu-ray for Fortress makes for a worthy upgrade over the SD DVD. Despite the lack of extras this was Echo Bridge’s best release in terms of quality.