Truth or Dare: A Critical Madness (1986, Tim Ritter)

After horror films started taking off on the home video market in the early-mid 80's, producers realized they could make films cheaply to be released straight to video.  They could shoot them on video and release the films themselves to net a higher profit.  Truth or Dare is one of the early films shot on video and released straight to video.  With a budget of $250,000 and a 17 year old director still in high school, the results are, well, exactly what you'd expect.  Now, 14 years later, the film is available again on DVD from MVD Entertainment Group (after being out of print for quite some time).

Truth or Dare is the story of Mike Strauber (John Brace), an average guy who goes nuts after he finds his wife humping his friend.  Mike decides to drive around to get his head together and decides to pick up a female hitch hiker.  They go into the woods together and start playing Truth or Dare.  Things get ugly when they start mutilating each other, only to find that the woman is in Mike's obviously polluted psyche and that he is mutilating himself.  Woah.  After 13 months in a hospital to recover (we are told this by some very low tech scrolling text followed by an endless number of "..."s), Mike plays Truth or Dare again, this time with some fellow (imaginary) patients.  After cutting part of his face off, he then makes himself a mask (in metal shop, of course) to cover up his new hunting knife makeover and escapes the hospital.  Mike then goes on a killing spree (this time for real) and it is up to a bunch of bumbling cops to catch him.

Truth or Dare was an...uh...interesting film.  If it wasn't so damn weird and off the wall, I would say it was terrible.  The truth is, the film was quite watchable (though it would have been more so with a six pack and a bunch of friends to throw beer cans at the TV screen).  The acting is some of the worst ever committed to film (..er..tape) and it is so dated that you expect to hear the latest Banarama and Kajagoogoo songs at any moment.  Unfortunately we get some crappy synthesizer and schmaltzy piano music (I use the term music loosely) instead.  Surprisingly though, these elements, combined with some viciously taboo kills and unexpectedly well done stunts (which is I'm guessing where most of the budget went), are what make the film so fun.  Oh and if you're a fan of terrible music, you'll be excited to know that AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys plays the young Mike Strauber (which just adds to the oddness of this movie).  Yes, this movie is terrible and resembles many of the movies my friends and I used to make in high school, but its sheer ridiculousness makes it watchable.  Make sure you have plenty of beer and fellow bad movie loving friends to share the enjoyment.

RATING: 4/10 (this is an average of the film's 2/10 quality level and its 6/10 fun level)

Truth Or Dare? A Critical Madness

Deathsport / Battle Truck (1978/1982, Allan Arkush & Nicholas Niciphor/Harley Cokeliss)

Here we have yet another new release from Shout! Factory's Roger Corman Cult Classics line.  This time, we are greeted with a double feature of futuristic action films.  I was excited when this title was announced because I had been looking for an affordable copy of the previous, out of print versions of Deathsport for awhile, to no avail.  I had heard that Deathsport was the official sequel to the brilliant Death Race 2000 , which instantly made me excited.  Battle Truck however, I had never even heard of but figured it was probably worth a watch, based on the cast and its association with Corman.

Deathsport is the story of Kaz Oshay (David Carradine), a futuristic Range Guide (whatever the hell that is) who is captured by the evil ruler Lord Zirpola (David McLean) and imprisoned to be subjected to Deathsport, which has replaced the death penalty.  Deathsport is where the accused must survive a minefield on a motorcycle.  Oh, did I mention this film takes place in the year 3000?  Anyway, Kaz meets up with Deneer (Claudia Jennings) and as they try to escape, they are pestered by Ankar Moor (Richard Lynch), who has a secret bond with Kaz.

Battle Truck is another futuristic, sci-fi tale taking place after "the oil wars" where gas becomes impossible to find.  A small militia, lead by Colonel Straker (James Wainwright), who travels around in a gigantic armored truck (hence the film's title), finds a huge diesel reserve.  Straker's daughter Corlie (Annie McEnroe) refuses to go along with her father's evil ways and runs away.  She is found by desert loner Hunter (Michael Beck) and is brought to the nearby Clearwater Farm, a democratic community who accepts her as one of their own.  Corlie is soon kidnapped by her father and is then  pursued by Hunter to destroy the evil army and save Corlie.

Surprisingly, I didn't really like Deathsport.  In fact, there were a few scenes that I found unintentionally hilarious and cringe-worthy.  The story was hard to follow and the characters weren't very developed.  The use of matte paintings as backgrounds has NEVER been more obvious than in this film and the acting left much to be desired.  Even Carradine, who I usually love, was sleepwalking through the film.  There were a couple of positives about the film, a) Richard Lynch who is so eerily handsome and ugly at the same time and always dastardly and b) the scene with a naked Claudia Jennings stuck in the torture chamber surrounded by what looked like electrified stripper pole wind chimes.  The film's transfer was decent with the far more weathered "uncut" scenes added back in to make for the most uncut version available, something I don't love, but prefer over a cut version.  Oh and if you are looking for a sequel to Death Race 2000, check out Cannonball!, a film directed by Paul Bartel (Death Race 2000) and starring David Carradine (review coming soon).

Battle Truck on the other hand was awesome.  A very watchable, entertaining and surprisingly well made film (despite what I'm guessing was a super low budget).  The story and characters had some uncharacteristic (for a Corman film) depth, the acting was top notch all around and the action scenes, scenery, futuristic vehicles and costumes were all intricate and refreshing.  Michael (The Warriors) Beck did a great job as Hunter as did Annie McEnroe as the rebellious Corlie.  The rest of the cast were also fun (James Wainwright, John Ratzenberger, Bruno Lawrence) and the stunt motorcycle and vehicle work were amazing (especially the scenes with Hunter riding through the desert on his motorcyle).  Overall a very unexpected gem that deserves to be seen.  Shout! Factory's transfer for this scarce film looks clean and clear and features a director commentary track.

RATING:  4/10 (Deathsport) / 7/10 (Battle Truck)

Piranha (1978, Joe Dante)

Some of my dedicated followers (Hi Mom!) may be saying right now "Uh Starmummy, you stupid bastard, you already reviewed Piranha a year ago!"  Though this may be entirely true Mom, I thought it was worth revisiting, for two main reasons.  A) Alexandre Aja's "re-imagining" (or whatever the hell they are calling remakes these days) of Piranha in 3D is coming to theaters this month and B) Shout! Factory's new re-release of this out of print cult classic (on DVD and for the first time Blu-Ray) deserves some attention.

I'll summarize the plot quickly here (you can read my old review for a more detailed synopsis).  Two teens sneak into an abandoned research facility in the middle of nowhere, go skinny dipping in the random pool that they find there (always a good idea to go swimming in a pool found at an abandoned research facility) and get eaten by killer piranha living in the pool.  An investigator goes to look for them and, with the help of a recluse living near the facility, they accidentally release the piranha into the local river.  They must then find a way to stop the piranha from reaching a nearby summer camp and resort.

A refresher on this film proved worthwhile, for a few reasons.  I actually enjoyed it more than the last time I watched it.  Though not a perfect film, its mix of humor and horror worked well (though I am still one of two people I know who like Piranha 2 better).  The makeup FX work was very well done and the fact that the film had the audacity/balls to kill off a bunch of kids was refreshing (not that I condone child murder or anything).  The main reason I'm glad I gave the film a chance is due to the love provided by Shout Factory's new re-release.  The picture quality looks very bright and clean with very few blemishes and the sound is clear as well.  The bonus features alone are worth the price of the disc, including director/producer commentary, behind the scenes footage, making of featurette, bloopers, outtakes and much more.  Toss in a nice booklet, reversible cover art and a lenticular cover sleeve (on the DVD only) and you've got another fantastic release from Shout Factory.

RATING:  7/10 (though the quality of the bonus features make it a 10/10)

Humanoids from the Deep (1980, Barbara Peeters)

FINALLY, the long out of print horror classic Humanoids from the Deep has been re-released by my current favorite company Shout! Factory .  Originally released on DVD in 1999, this film has been out of print for several years but can now be had again finally, on both DVD and Blu-Ray.  I have seen many of Roger Corman's exploitation classics and Humanoids was one that I knew would be right up my alley.  Not only were the Humanoids designed by makeup FX wizard Rob (The Thing) Bottin, but it starred the great Vic Morrow right around the time he started making cheesy Italian films for Enzo Castellari and only two years before his tragic death on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie.

Humanoids from the Deep is as descriptive a title as it comes for an 80s horror/creature film.  The film is about mutant creatures who live in the water and eventually come on land looking for human women to breed with.  After a suspicious explosion occurs in the water, local fisherman Jim (Doug McClure) suspects something is not right in the town of Noyo, where he lives.  After some dead dogs are discovered, another local fisherman, Hank Slattery (Morrow) accuses Native American Johnny Eagle (Anthony Penya) of the killings.  Johnny opposes the fish canning company Canco, who wants to build in the area, and whom Slattery is in favor of.  They soon find that they have a bigger problem on their hands when the Humanoids start killing people and raping women.

Humanoids from the Deep was one of few films I have seen that actually lived up to the hype I created for it from wanting to see it for so long.  The film had plenty of gory killings, slimy badass monsters and plenty of women losing their bathing suits.  Morrow does a phenomenal job of playing the town jerk, not too far off from his racist asshole role in the Twilight Zone movie.  The rest of the acting (save some of the Humanoid fodder) is surprisingly accomplished and doesn't scream the low budget that some of Corman's other pictures do.  Speaking of budget, nothing here seems ridiculously cheap or cheesy, especially the monsters who kick all kind of ass.  If you're looking for a monster movie with lots of gore and T &A, Humanoids from the Deep is the film for you!

RATING:  8/10


 

                                                                                                                                                  

Shout! Factory releasing more Roger Corman Cult Classics TODAY!

That's right folks.  Today marks a very special day for many horror fans. 

FINALLY Roger Corman's much sought after Humanoids from the Deep is being re-released on DVD and Blu-Ray by the great Shout! Factory.  

 Not only that but also the much loved Joe Dante classic Piranha (on DVD and Blu-Ray) is here just in time to wet our appetites for the new Piranha 3D to hit theaters.

Lastly, a double feature of Death Sport (the official sequel to Death Race 2000) and Battle Truck (DVD only) will hit store shelves today too!

Pick them up at your local DVD seller or order them from Amazon using the links below.

Forbidden World (1982, Allan Holzman)

Continuing on with Shout! Factory's exquisite new releases of Roger Corman's Cult Classics, we have a film that I had actually never heard of until its announced release.  The film's poster/DVD cover actually made me think it was one of those 50s Sci Fi/ B movies.  When I found out it was an 80s Sci Fi/ B movie, I was sold.  I knew it would be chock full of what Corman's films are known for - low budget sets, a little T & A, some blood & gore and a whole lot of over acting.  Just the way I like it!  Shout! Factory's DVD release comes with the original theatrical cut of the film as well as an uncut version, under the title Mutant (plus a whole slew of Criterion-worthy bonus features).  This review is for the uncut Mutant version.

Mike Colby (Jesse Vint) and his robot pal Sam 104 (who looks eerily reminiscent of a Stormtrooper) are sent to the planet Xarbia to help out with a scientific experiment gone wrong.  The small group of scientists on Xarbia created something called Subject 20, which ended up killing all of the test animals in their lab.  When Colby arrives on Xarbia, Subject 20 has coccooned itself and begins mutating.  As expected, Project 20 escapes the confines of its holding tank and begins killing the crew members one by one.  Colby, in between seducing (or being seduced by) the research facility's two women, has to find a way to destroy the project, despite the scientists' pleas to keep it alive for some mysterious reason.

Forbidden World (or Mutant, whichever) is a wonderful, silly, sleazy, gory thrill-ride.  The film's short running time allows for rapid pacing and despite a miniscule budget, recycling of sets (particularly James Cameron's Galaxy of Terror set) and a talented crew of upcoming FX artists managed to create a neat little sci-fi/horror shocker.  Jesse Vint is adequate as Mike Colby, though I must commend his character's sly ways with women.  What other character (besides maybe James Bond) could go from bedding one female crew member to having a naked steam bath with another (before being rudely interupted by the alien, what nerve!).  The rest of the actors range from ok to over the top, though the women (June Chadwick from the 80s TV series V and Dawn Dunlap from one of my favorite movies of all time, Night Shift) are both very sexable (love the random shower/hair brushing scene between the two).  The alien designs are kind of silly but the ooey, gooey deaths of the crew members are well done and pretty nasty.  Some scenes are reminiscent to Alien (one is almost identical) but the film still works as an original, fun piece of B movie goodness.

RATING:  8/10

Galaxy of Terror (1981, Bruce D. Clark)

Shout! Factory does it again with a double dose of Roger Corman 80's Sci Fi Horror Action classics.  Just released this past week are Galaxy of Terror and Forbidden World (aka Mutant - review coming soon).  Galaxy of Terror I had heard of a few times over the years but it was very hard to find so I never got a chance to see it...until now.  I love 80s Sci-Fi films so that alone would make me see this film, but what really got me to make it a priority is the cast.  I mean what other 80s Sci Fi film brings together Freddy Krueger, Captain Spaulding from House of 1000 Corpses and Joanie Cunningham from Happy Days? 

A crew has been assembled to take the Quest, a space ship led by Captain Trantor (Grace Zabriskie) - who appears to have a slight case of post-traumatic stress disorder, on a rescue mission to the planet Morganthus.  Among the crew is Alluma (Erin Moran) who has special psychic powers, 2nd in command Baelon (Zalman King) who butts heads with our hero Cabren (Edward Albert), an easy going, likable crew member.  Then there is Quuhod (Sid Haig) the strong and silent crewman, Ranger (Robert Englund), assistant to the technical officer Dameia (Taaffe O'Connell).  When they get to Morganthus, they find the crew they are rescuing dead.  As they further explore and search for answers, each of the crew are picked off one by one by an alien lifeforce that feeds off their fears.

Galaxy of Terror was a cheesy, low budget sci-fi film produced by Roger Corman that works very well, despite it's weaknesses (mainly budget).  Many of the props (courtesy of set dresser Bill Paxton), scenery (production design by James Cameron) and special effects are rudimentary but actually turned out pretty decently.  The acting is not that great but the cast is a one of a kind ensemble of some of the most varied names in the entertainment business.  Zalman King (Trip with the Teacher/Blue Sunshine) does a great job as Baelon and Edward Albert (song of Green Acres' Eddie Albert) also excels as Cabren.  Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger, duh) shows some decent acting skills while Sid Haig's (House of 1000 Corpses) presence makes any movie worthwhile for me.  No review of this film would be complete without a mention of the Giant Worm Rape but I'll let you see that to believe it.  Overall, the film was exactly what I was hoping it would be, a fun, silly, gory, exploitation sci-fi flick sure to satisfy any B Movie fan.

RATING:  7/10