Horror Movie Reviews

I expected more from this film because so much had been written about it and when I saw the packaging I assumed it would be a wild little movie. This was not the case however. Due to obvious budget constraints "I Vampiri" is somewhat of a letdown. It's not bad, it's just disappointing. A wealthy countess stays beautiful thanks to "scientific methods"---blood transfusions---from female victims. Atmosphere is plentiful but it's SO low budget that it's creaky and not creepy. It would have helped had Bava been more daring with the story and plot elements but for some reason he wasn't. What is here is timid with very little action. Much time is spent on the detective pursuing leads and a lot of talk when the running time is so short. It's worth noting as an early Bava horror film but that's about it. He would obviously fare better in the future.

This movie is famous for two reasons: First, it was the the first talking horror film from Italy. Second, it was the directing debut of the Italian master of horror, Mario Bava. Original director, Riccardo Freda, had captured the first half of the film in 10 days of filming. The producers had agreed to a 12 day shoot and were not about to go over that. Mario was the cinematographer on the film and was asked if he could finish the movie in 2 days. He agreed and it was pulled off in what became a very stylish (almost a fimm noir) and well made gothic horror. It does have it's flaws mind you, but I really liked virtualy everything about this movie.

I Vampiri (The Vampire in Italian) plays almost as more of a detective movie than a straight horror. There is the dashing and hip reporter, Pierre Lantin (Dario Michaelis), who is trying to find out who is murdering people and draining their bodies dry of blood. He gives leads to the police who investigate them along with Pierre, but they find nothing useful in them. After he goes out on his own to investigate, Pierre is led to the local castle that houses an old and decrepid duchess along with her beautiful niece, Giselle du Grand (Gianna Maria Canale - director Riccardo Freda's longtime girlfriend and frequent star), whom he has some mysterious tie to from his past.

Pierre's partner from the newspaper they work at is on love with Giselle and is always making comments about her, even though it is clear that Giselle is romanticaly interested only in Pierre. Pierre spurns her at every turn and becomes interested in the friend, Lorette, of one of the victims (played by Wandisa Guida).

There are two story lines that I found hard to really figure out in this film: The first was the romantic interest between Pierre and Lorette. I didn't know there was an interest and then suddenly they are obviously an item. The second is that in the lower regions of the castle, there is a doctor who has faked his own death along with an assistant. They are doing experiments with lots of cool looking lab equipment and victims that have been kidnapped by a drug addicted thug (played by Paul Müller, who later appeared in many of Jess Franco's films). They are in cahoots with the duchess but exactly what they are doing with her is never clear. But neither of these nebulous plotlines takes away much from the movie.

The dvd is presented in 2.35:1 widscreen and the sound is Dolby Digital mono. The print looks fantastic, especially for a relatively obscure, 45 year old movie. It is released by Image Entertainment who has released several Mario Bava films on dvd. There are several trailers for these other Bava films on the disk along with the usual filmographies and also a 4 page insert with liner notes by film historian and author of "Mario Bava: All of the Colors of the Dark", Tim Lucas (who also recorded the commentary for Bava's next major film after I Vampiri, Black Sunday). The film really is well done and considered a classic for a good reason. My brother had bought this dvd and I borrowed it from him, but it is definitely on my list of movies to get, even in the [price] range.

Bava's first attempt at directing is nothing less than fabulous. While i usually shy away from subtitles, this film is worth the effort. Shot in beautiful black and white (the only way to do gothic horror) this movie moves along at a good pace. The blood of young women used to keep an elderly dutchess young and beautiful. Im fairly new to Bava and have noticed he seems to like the entrance to secret passages to be located in the fireplace. Interesting. At any rate this DVD plays very clear and clean. Bava's Black Sunday got me hooked and this movie just makes me want more.

A social teen outcast (played by Winona Ryder look-a-like Rainbow Harvest) discovers a mirror in her room that gives her special powers, which she proceeds to use violently on her taunting classmates. This supernatural horror/thriller takes way too long to really get going, but is pretty entertaining for the last forty or so minutes. Despite a few very silly moments and a baffling ending, there's enough blood, suspense, and nudity to satisfy horror fans looking for a quick fix.
** 1/2 out of *****

you will enjoy this movie. A true "B" movie of the 80's but it's fun watching Rainbow Harvest's payback to the "Big Shots" of those infamous high school days. Like I said just a fun little flick to watch. So buy it and enjoy!!!!

If you really want to be scared, and your not afraid of the dark, you must see this movie. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Director Sargenti did a fabulous job. I thought the acting was great. You will hope this movie never ends.

stephen king style horror set in a mental asylum - very low budget but good fun

This is one of those movies you love or you hate!
I think this movie is based in a PC game by the same name and somehow modified the plot, in an exelent way!
What would you expect from a movie with a name such as "SANITARIUM"? Disturbing things, twisted plot and madness... Well, this movie has it all.
The production is not that great, but the story is excelent. Maybe a little unbelievable, but it is a movie after all, not a documental, besides, it does its job, keep you guessing what's going on all the time!!!

this film was soo mcuh better than I htought is twas going to be - it builds up with tension - it is really good!!! I bought it because I thought the cover was cool adn although te dvd qulity was rubbish the film was really good

TENDERNESS OF THE WOLVES, director Ulli Lommel's rare first film, finally comes to video. Best known as an actor for director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Lommel and Fassbinder teamed up for this shocking film about a serial killer, with Fassbinder serving as producer. Following this collaboration, Lommel moves to America where he helmed the cult classic COCAINE COWBOYS starring Andy Warhol before filming a series of horror movies including THE BOGEY MAN and BRAIN WAVES.

TENDERNESS OF THE WOLVES is an adaptation of the life & crimes of one of Germany's most horrific serial killers, Fritz Haarman. Haarman was a homosexual pedophile, police informant,& black marketeer. He was also a butcher of young men & boys & after he has had his way with them, he would dismember them & sell their body parts as meat on unsuspecting customers. He was caught & was convicted of killing 27 victims, though he would confess that he has killed over 40 or 50. He sentenced to die by the guillotine. TENDERNESS OF THE WOLVES is not a very easy film to watch. There is very little in terms of sheer horror or violence, but the movie shows very graphic homosexual scenes & overtones. The film doesn't hide the fact that Haarman's world is full of depravity. He is surrounded by the scum of Germany's society. The film doesn't show Haarman butchering his victims, you only hear of chopping sounds through the walls of his neighbors as they wonder what Haarman is preparing for them. TENDERNESS OF THE WOLVES is a very creepy, dark, disturbing film about a man so full of evil & perverted that the viewer is left feeling wretched & dirty after viewing this film. This film is DEFINATELY NOT for everyone.

Dark retelling of the story of Fritz Haarmann, the "Hanover Vampire," and an interesting blend of true crime drama, serial killer mystery, and homage to such films as Fritz Lang's "M." Kurt Raab is eerie as Haarmann, with his bald head, bulging eyes, and sinister calm manner. A good amount of factual evidence from this case is included in the movie, and much of the atmosphere is left to the imagination - the warning of "graphic violence" on the box reverse side seems unnecessary, since only one murder and one attack are actually filmed. (Perhaps in 1973, this was considered "graphic," but it is tame by today's standards.) All in all, a very creepy movie.

I read some other reviews that say that this (DVD version) is better than VHS version. I've only seen the DVD release & hated it, so I can't imagine what lemon they put out on tape.

This is similar to "The Lost Boys" in that a group of young vampires hang around a holiday area; only this film is all totally done from the vampire's point of view.

Once again, it's another American film that doesn't actually like to dwell on the main feature of it's subject - vampirism. I say this because, the vampires all mill about the promenade, they discuss life in general, but when it comes to actually feeding, you don't really see it. Some girl's dragged under the promenade, and a vampire emerges with blood on his face. What happened - well as I say, in many American vampire films they don't like to show this part, because they think you won't sympathise with the character if you actually see him/her doing something inhuman!

I hate that! A vampire film should show blood sucking (this does show a vampire girl giving a sip to her friend). These two girls go out, open the back of a truck, jump in, close the door, and emerge having just fed. What happened inside? Did their prey die? Who knows? Did they overpower them with inhuman strength, or their power to mesmerise? Who knows?

This film left me cold.

I waited YEARS to pick this movie up on DVD after seeing a special screening. It was worth the wait. While I still would have liked to have seen it in true letterbox, I thought the picture looked great. Crisp and pretty clean, the colors are great on the transfer. The extras were very good as well. Honestly, I found myself with a lump in my throat after watching the Behind-the-Scenes Gallery. I don't know if it was the music or moving dedication, but it was done very well. The Auditions were also very fun to watch. It's clear why the actors got the parts they did because they were all so good. As far as the actual movie goes, it's still pretty darn cool. There are tons of fun referances to other movies while still being pretty original. The commentary track, while not technical, was also very fun to listen to. This disc is worth buying!!

I couldn't wait for this movie to come out on dvd and now that it has I couldn't be more pleased. My only complaint was that it wasn't in a true letterbox. The commentary stands as a special feature. It was nice to hear a director tell stories about making the movie rather than how the shot was filmed. Most of the technical lingo goes over my head on commentaries but this one was quiet entertaining. The movie itself looks great. This is a movie I pop in when my friends come over. I suggest you do the same.

for a B movie, it really wasnt bad, reminded me of some of the 80's spook flicks that came out when i was in high school... BUT i REALLY enjoyed the soundtrack !!! that guitar-ish sounding piece that is thru out the film is really awesome... i never heard of the composer BUT was wondering if there was a soundtrack available ???

I actually saw this movie at a film festival in new york...It's set up as a regular b movie with the scares and the chills but there's a real twist that kept me guessing. I can't wait to see this movie in the comfort of my own home.... with the lights off.

This movie is a very good saturday night movie to watch with a date. This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat one second and has you chuckling the next. A B-movie that I highly recommend.

After reading the two reviews, I purchased this movie and ran home to watch it. While I am not a fan of hollywood and prefer movies that are low in budget, occasionally, I have found with low budget 'horror' movies, the people who act in them seem like they just learned their lines in a hurry while eating a doughnut at the craft table. The script occasionally looms over unimportant information to give a tinge of real life banal conversation (I note specifically a conversation over a tea kettle and whether or not it still dribbles) and like many 'scary' movies gives the main baddy a list of coy phrases after he's killed someone.
The make up and CGI are laughable - specifically the ridiculous scene when they take the bible with the 'remnant.' The blood was like 70s bubble lettering. Oh, and on the subject of the scene when they find the remnant - exactly how many years were those candles lit for? 20? 30? That's incredible - perhaps they should have done a movie about a candle that can be lit for so long.
I will admit that there is one scene that had me giggling for a while when the baddy runs into a convenience store to get something to cover up his personal stench. Perhaps this movie should have come with the Stetson cologne to pour over the disk after watching it. P.U. ...

the first half went by at a decent pace. the second half went so fast. it was just a great horror movie.

I watched the movie "The Remnant" quite awhile ago but will never forget it! First of all because I believe Rick Jordan to be a very sexy hunk and just having him be one of the main characters had me enthralled all throughour the film!!! I want him to know he is very talented and to keep making movies because I will be a fan to everyone of them!!!
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Does the acting world not realize what a gem they have in this man? If you do not remember him, his most famous fole was that in Highlander: the Series and Highlander: Endgame.

Anyway, I am extremely curious to know what capacity he played in this particular film? Thank you to anyone who could repond.

Brendan Fehr shows his versatilty as an actor in this movie. He made his character so believable that even I, a huge fan, felt an enormous dislike for the character Simon. And his accent was right on. The movie itself was extremely well done and my heart ached for Annie. It makes you wonder how many women and young girls went through this kind of situation back then.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was filmed close to the town where I live, and many times when we are driving across the Prairies I wonder what it would have been like to be a settler and come unprepared for the miles of nothing- especially in winter. This movie depicts the hardships and trials of settlers with harsh reality.
There are many journies taken in this movie, and the characters mold, shift and change with their gaining of knowledge and experiences in the wild.
The acting is exceptional. Cory Sevier and Caroline DeHavernas both do a fabulous job of maturing their characters throughout the movie.
There is not a lot of flashy hollywood stuff , just a really good story portrayed in a realistic way with emotion, a simple setting, fabulous characters, and a great cast.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Fulci fan and have several of his movies. However, his movies fall into two categories: "So bad it's good" (Don't Torture a Duckling, Zombie, City of Living Dead, Beyond) and "so bad it's awful" ("Cat in the Brain, Manhattan Baby"). This originally made-for-TV film is the cornerstone of a third Fulci tier: a sincerely creepy, effective success of a horror movie.

Instead of utilizing the common concept of shoddy acting, implausible plotlines and buckets o'gore, Fulci makes House of Clocks an atmospheric and tense affair, relying more on narrative and disturbing ambiance- with surprising success. He still gives into the temptation for a bit of gore sprinkled throughout but nothing to the puke factor extent seen in Zombie or City of Living Dead.

A well crafted horror yarn in the mode of Avati's "House with Windows that Laugh". Had he continued along the same vein of restricting the gross-out factor while still incorporating plenty of shock as he did with Clocks, Fulci may have found more success than his Herschell Gordon Lewis-esque icon status amongst gorehounds.

This is a very weird film by Italian goremeister Lucio Fulci that was originally made for an Italian TV horror series called "House Of Doom" but was deemed too violent to be shown on TV. It concerns a wealthy elderly couple in a large estate which the husband has filled with all manner of ticking clocks and timepieces he has collected over the years. They seem benign at first but are revealed to be insane. They have murdered their niece and nephew-in-law and entombed their rotting corpses in the estate's chapel dressed in wedding attire. The wife, Sara, also murders the maid in the greenhouse when she discovers the corpses and threatens to leave. Meanwile, three fresh faced pot-smoking thieves (two guys and a girl) decide to rob the estate. Things go awry and the elderly couple is killed along with their one-eyed gardener. When the old man dies, his grandfather clock stops ticking and all the other clocks follow suit. The young thieves panic and try to get out but the couples' three big black Dobermans stand guard trapping them inside. Then all the clocks start spinning backwards and time begins reversing. The dead gardener, maid and elderly couple come back and begin killing the thieves leaving only the girl watching helplessly while the dead niece and nephew-in-law also return to life and kill the elderly couple! Whew! As if this wasn't enough, the whole thing turns out to be a nightmare experienced by the thieves simultaneously before they broke into the house! After discussing the "dream" and laughing it off, they decide NOT to rob the house and drive off only to die in a bloody car accident when the black cat they had found and put in a bag leaps out and mauls the driver's face causing him to run off an embankment. Well. As for complicated plot twists, this takes the cake. Fulci's reputation for gore is evident here as there is plenty of it in the deaths of the characters. The dubbing is ludicrous at times but not too bad and the film moves along rather nicely with the twists sustaining interest throughout. The performances are good and the photography is excellent. It's creepy, spooky and even scary at times. The DVD presentation is fine and the transfer is crisp and clear. I've read that this is tame for Fulci but I find it handled rather well. It's very watchable and I recommend it as a really strange Italian horror film for buffs. Check it out.

Fulci's sucess is a teeter-totter of unravelled contents and zombie-head explosions, but House of Clocks isn't a gore epic. I enjoyed this movie because of the inventive plot-concept Fulci uses to engage, not confuse--as in some of his flicks such as City of the Walking Dead. The characters, a trio of cleptos, find themselves caught up in a time warp started when they accidentally kill an old couple in their clock-ridden mansion. Don't give up until the end, the twist is deadly and I admit, it put a twisted smile on my face. There are a few gory moments--a lot of bullet wounds--in this movie, but if that's all you care about, then look somewhere else. Fulci fans need this as much as I need a damn good zombie movie.

If Amazon.com had a 0-5 rating this movie would definitly be a 0. It is the worst movie I have ever seen. Nat Puvanai and the whole cast can't act and the director can't direct at all. The special effects SUCK, the acting SUCKS, the directing SUCKS. IT ALL SUCKS. I reccommend instead of this movie Alligator. Alligator is a terrific creature feature with grrrrrrreat special effects!

This film was origionaly shot in Korean.It takes awhile to get into it but turns out good.As a result of a hurricane and chemical testing a giant crocodile swims to Korea and feeds off islanders.Can a doctor,his friend,and a local fisherman kill the savage beast after it killed their wives and children?From the depths of the ocean nature explodes with savage fury!

Giant rubber croc gorges on bikini-clad women. Yep. They just don't make 'em like this anymore! Grade-B campy funfest! Unfortunately the DVD picture quality is no better than the VHS. But if you are a collector of the Grade B flicks, this is a must have!