I had rather low expectations for Pyewacket both based on a really dumb sounding title, and still think it’s laughable, but also these direct-to-video supernatural-horror movies generally aren’t very good. Well, this one genuinely surprised me with a well told story and solid performances
Someone’s Watching Me might not be top shelf John Carpenter, even when taking into account the limitations of being made-for-television, but it is quite entertaining with some genuine thrills.
In the Mouth of Madness is the best Stephen King adaptation that wasn’t with a trippy premise and great performance from Sam Neill under the direction of John Carpenter.
Piranha II could’ve been a fun bad movie but it was just plain bad with terrible acting, poor writing and just an all around miserable experience.
I had seen Memoirs of an Invisible Man back upon its release either in the theaters or on VHS but never since, and seeing it again 25 years later, and although yes the visual effects aren’t entirely impressive by modern day standards, it still wasn’t too back for that era while the story was a lot of fun to watch.
I’m not a big fan of the It’s Alive Trilogy or anything but understand its appeal amongst the horror crowd, especially in its simplicity given, at least in the first movie, you really don’t see the monster baby very much.
Full Moon High was the lesser of the teen werewolf movies that spawned out of the 1980s, taking a backseat to Michael J. Fox’s Teen Wolf, which was released four years later. Even so, there were a few humorous moments and Alan Arkin did a fun job in the lead.
Gate II is a fun and cheesy enough horror-fantasy that is by no means good but entertaining for the most part. The Blu-ray release through Shout Factory offers up fine audio/video transfers and nice to have any substantial bonus features to check out.
The Strangers is a movie that still holds up today as it did 10 years ago. Its simplicity, and restraint of using jump scares, really helps it stand out from others in the thriller/horror genre even when character development is, at best, minimal.
Hell Night is a fun little 1980s flick that felt more like a throwback to 1930s/1940s Universal monster movies and it always helps having Linda Blair in the lead.
Silent Night, Deadly Night isn’t a horror film I’ve ever completely loved but considering there aren’t many great Christmas horror films out there and with some cheesy moments, it’s still a fun little 1980s flick.
The Devil’s Candy doesn’t entirely break new ground in the supernatural horror realm, it is still well done film written and directed by Sean Byrne, a rising talent who I hope gets more opportunities.
Teen Wolf Too is really the quintessential example of a needless sequel, though not nearly as awful as something like Weekend at Bernie’s 2, not that’s all saying that much, even Michael J. Fox’s charm could’ve saved this.
Teen Wolf isn’t exactly a memorable film from the 1980s, not even the most memorable Michael J. Fox movie of 1985 for that matter, but it’s still a lot of fun and with that era, the make-up effects actually weren’t half and the movie itself is propelled on Fox’s charisma.
Ben is the sequel to cult favorite Willard and as with its predecessor, marks its debut at least in North America and while I wasn’t as enamored with this as some, it does make for a fun double feature.