tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post5136782315878893088..comments2024-03-29T04:19:43.461-05:00Comments on F This Movie!: Junesploitation 2018 Day 13: Empire Pictures!Patrick Bromleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771837625286775607noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-86599163061975345232018-06-15T08:42:46.062-05:002018-06-15T08:42:46.062-05:00Dolls (1987)
‘Re-Animator’ and ‘From Beyond’ are ...Dolls (1987)<br /><br />‘Re-Animator’ and ‘From Beyond’ are two of my favorite horror movies but the rest of Stuart Gordon’s work is mostly a blind spot for me, so ‘Dolls’ seemed like a good fit. I’ve always loved Gordon’s sense of humor from the aforementioned films but something was immediately... off... with this film. I loved the doll effects and the over-the-top gore, but I found myself really disliking all the characters. Now, for the doll-murder fodder that’s to be expected, but I intensely disliked the doofy, child-like Ralph. His demeanor today plays as more child predator than child-at-heart, which makes the ending that much more disturbing. ‘Dolls’ is certainly not my favorite Stuart Gordon movie, but it’s a fun enough watch for the weirdness.Aaron Mansfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11738380648317649232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-14383140413998392062018-06-14T14:09:56.316-05:002018-06-14T14:09:56.316-05:00That sounds fantastic. My town's little video ...That sounds fantastic. My town's little video store and theatre does a couple cult movie screenings a month, where a guy dressed as a mad scientist does talking intros and transitions between films. Love that these home brew horror hosts are still keeping the art alive throughout the country.Stuart Gore-donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823792264591852948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-3018640342405555832018-06-14T06:53:53.574-05:002018-06-14T06:53:53.574-05:00Vicious Lips (1986):
Star Wars meets Spice World m...Vicious Lips (1986):<br />Star Wars meets Spice World meets hairspray. Rob DiCristinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13402698333999727219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-13259772167938348742018-06-14T01:55:37.342-05:002018-06-14T01:55:37.342-05:00From Beyond (1986)
Had never seen this one so thi...From Beyond (1986)<br /><br />Had never seen this one so this was the perfect opportunity. Holy mackerel. Right from the first scene this movie is bonkers. This was insanely awesome and I feel like I need to do a deep dive into Stuart Gordon’s films. <br /><br />Props to actually setting the film in Lovecraft county as well, hearing the Miskatonic University mentioned and seeing the shirt got me giddy. I wonder what Proffessor Armitage is working on while that hole affair occurred?<br /><br />Also I vote more days based off Stephanie’s interests next year! This theme + the podcast were choice. Chayse Spencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10223479172173446638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-39797842730270876342018-06-14T01:36:18.864-05:002018-06-14T01:36:18.864-05:00Re-animator (1985, dir. Gordon)
This was the hard...Re-animator (1985, dir. Gordon)<br /><br />This was the hardest pick of the month yet for me. The only Empire film I had seen was Creepozoids, and reading everyone's reviews and listening to the episode today got me interested in so many different movies. I decided to go with a safe bet because I now have a bunch of the other movies at the top of my watch list and I know I'll get to them very soon. I wanted to start with the one I've heard most about, though.<br /><br />I was expecting it to lean way more into horror-comedy, similar to Dead Alive, but it played it walked a fine line between laughter and grimace really well. I have a mad crush on Barbara Crampton, and Jeffrey Combs turn as the hero of the flick was a cool way to go. TedSchmosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04230349217031985069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-30967449029291321812018-06-13T23:33:55.069-05:002018-06-13T23:33:55.069-05:00I try to create my own midnight horror/creature fe...I try to create my own midnight horror/creature feature program experience on Saturday nights from time to time. I got a chance to watch one when I was living in Pittsburgh nearly a decade ago. Without a host to add to the fun, it is not quite the same, though. The best part is that you can program for yourself, not having to worry about broadcast rights or the content of the films. A Casual Listenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395983733474039015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-81367347464795955852018-06-13T23:02:38.497-05:002018-06-13T23:02:38.497-05:00TerrorVision (1986)
I picked this believing at th...TerrorVision (1986)<br /><br />I picked this believing at the time that it would be a first time viewing. It wasn't until I'd started watching it that I realized I had seen it on cable on more than one occasion as a kid (probably when I was around 7-8 years old). Of course while I could appreciate the horror aspects of it as a kid, only revisiting it now can I truly appreciate seeing Gerrit Graham and Mary Woronov as swingers. I'm also sure I didn't recognize Diane Franklin from Better Off Dead at the time. It's a fun, silly movie that seems to know exactly what it is.Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05129602094443434975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-27175313206695753232018-06-13T22:02:26.980-05:002018-06-13T22:02:26.980-05:00TerrorVision (1986)
Bet you thought I'd pick ...TerrorVision (1986)<br /><br />Bet you thought I'd pick ol' Stu, huh? Honestly, I love this movies look. Few studios these days would put this kind of money behind a comedy film with a single set, some gore effects, and picture quality that still looks sharp today. And Diane Franklin is a total babe to boot.<br /><br />Put this in your next fictional late night horror host marathon alongside Fright Night and Gremlins 2. It's truly a dying artform, and would be lost if it werent for the Svenghoolie and Joe Bob Briggs of the world. All hail the midnight creature feature, and godspeed.Stuart Gore-donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823792264591852948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-70743841746310264702018-06-13T21:57:07.417-05:002018-06-13T21:57:07.417-05:00From Beyond (1986)
Thing-esque special effects an...From Beyond (1986)<br /><br />Thing-esque special effects and Ken Foree from Dawn of the Dead made for a good time. Cole Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03641844595029240609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-61192847236732377632018-06-13T21:29:47.760-05:002018-06-13T21:29:47.760-05:00No need to be ashamed about waiting to see a film ...No need to be ashamed about waiting to see a film for the first time. There are so many movies out in the world to watch.<br /><br />The theme tune borrows heavily from Bernard Herrmann's Psycho score. I did not realize that until a recent re-watch. A Casual Listenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395983733474039015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-6075672936865226112018-06-13T21:18:57.630-05:002018-06-13T21:18:57.630-05:00Ghoulies (1984)
Not much more needs to be said ab...Ghoulies (1984)<br /><br />Not much more needs to be said about this odd little creature film. Silly and very entertaining. This cover may be the one that was most burned into my memory as a child yet I didn’t see the actual movie until I was much older.Ryan Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03833805229423092963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-11357803492388659592018-06-13T21:10:34.385-05:002018-06-13T21:10:34.385-05:00I love My Best Fiend. He was a true maniac but a d...I love My Best Fiend. He was a true maniac but a damn good and unique actor. Matt Sollenbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02088555561067804979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-62513413716590711272018-06-13T21:05:31.839-05:002018-06-13T21:05:31.839-05:00Definitely one of the best titles ever attached to...Definitely one of the best titles ever attached to a movie. A Casual Listenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395983733474039015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-69739856517119201262018-06-13T21:00:55.583-05:002018-06-13T21:00:55.583-05:00That song kicks (to quote you) all the dick.That song kicks (to quote you) all the dick.Daniel Eplerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866855763520017556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-21207721319887835382018-06-13T20:48:15.096-05:002018-06-13T20:48:15.096-05:00Zone Troopers (1985, dir. Danny Bilson)
I liked t...<i>Zone Troopers</i> (1985, dir. Danny Bilson)<br /><br />I liked this one! I've watched a bunch of Empire movies today and this one served as a really nice palate cleanser. Because it takes place in the '40s it felt so old fashioned. By far the best thing about it is the lead actors who play the soldiers. This movie is worth watching just to spend time with those guys.Daniel Eplerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866855763520017556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-59021748693627852912018-06-13T19:43:13.970-05:002018-06-13T19:43:13.970-05:00Nobody plays crazy like Klaus Kinski. Probably bec...Nobody plays crazy like Klaus Kinski. Probably because he was crazy. Werner Herzog's "tribute" to him, the film My Best Fiend, is fascinating. When I watched Crawlspace, I got the impression that Kinski did whatever he wanted to in front of the camera. A Casual Listenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395983733474039015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-14642082720639413472018-06-13T18:49:52.198-05:002018-06-13T18:49:52.198-05:00Vicious Lips (1986, dir. Albert Pyun)
My biggest ...<i>Vicious Lips</i> (1986, dir. Albert Pyun)<br /><br />My biggest takeaway from this film is the music and the musical numbers which freaking rule. LOVED all that stuff.Daniel Eplerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866855763520017556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-34399377889461569632018-06-13T18:34:46.901-05:002018-06-13T18:34:46.901-05:00I went ahead and jumped from Empire to Full Moon. ...I went ahead and jumped from Empire to Full Moon. <br /><br />DOLLMAN (1991) <br />A tough space cop is regular size on his home planet, but tiny in comparison to humans. This is bad news when he comes to Earth in pursuit of an intergalactic super-criminal. The filmmakers just don’t have the budget to do the tiny person effects, but darned if they’re not going to try. This was fun, although the many goofy characters on the periphery made it entertaining more than the hero and the main plot. <br /><br />BAD CHANNELS (1992) <br />Space aliens take over an Earth radio station with a plot to abduct human women. The dorky DJ tries to warn everyone, but no one believes him because he’s an infamous prankster. This is another winner, overflowing with crazy ideas. My favorite is how the aliens use music to entrap the ladies, causing them to hallucinate that they’re in a music video. These videos are the big set pieces, and each one is wonderfully ridiculous. Also, Martha Quinn is in this. I guess this is what Brad Goodman meant when he said, “I loved her in the thing I saw her in.” <br /><br />DEMONIC TOYS (1992)<br />A cops versus crooks standoff in a warehouse is interrupted by the titular toys. There’s a lot to enjoy, such as practical effects, stop motion animation, and Tracy Scoggins being awesome. The movie occasionally takes some dives into artsy weirdness, in scenes where characters are shrunk down to visit the inside of a spooky dollhouse, and some creepy little girls riding tricycles around. <br /><br />DOLLMAN VS. THE DEMONIC TOYS (1993) <br />Dollman, Tracy Scoggins, and the nurse from BAD CHANNELS team up to fight the Demonic Toys. About half the movie is devoted to the actual fight, so fans hoping for a big brawl will get one. The problem, though, is the nurse isn’t the one who was shrunk at the end of BAD CHANNELS, it was one of the other girls. There had better be some comic book tie-in somewhere that explains this plot hole. <br /><br />DEMONIC TOYS 2 (2010) <br />I’m skipping the Demonic Toys’ crossover with Puppet Master for that fateful day when I finally watch that series. That brings us to this one, about a group of occultist/paranormal investigator types who spend the night in a haunted castle, only to get picked off one by one. The cool weirdness of the first one is gone, making this feel more like a generic slasher. The toys crack a lot more jokes this time around. I’m guessing Chucky was an inspiration, but Chucky’s raw charisma is not easily recreated.<br />Mac McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04665675426679622487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-89420780081570766842018-06-13T17:45:51.167-05:002018-06-13T17:45:51.167-05:00Freaking Lance Henriksen crushes it in this one. U...Freaking Lance Henriksen crushes it in this one. Uneven flick (the Corman adaptation from 1961 is still the best), but fun if you want to see Stuart Gordon come the closest to doing "torture porn."J.M. Vargashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18293452334926334389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-74546010497580597282018-06-13T17:42:21.272-05:002018-06-13T17:42:21.272-05:00ADA Ben Stone getting jiggy with it to his favorit...ADA Ben Stone getting jiggy with it to his favorite rock album puts Tom Cruise-in-"Risky Business'" underwear dance to crying shame. Plus Sonny Bono playing essentially Harvey Weinstein Jr. really date "Troll" to the mid-80's. :-OJ.M. Vargashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18293452334926334389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-70481769368691530862018-06-13T17:31:48.732-05:002018-06-13T17:31:48.732-05:00Yeah - its Wombat shit crazy. It is so intent on e...Yeah - its Wombat shit crazy. It is so intent on entertaining you that it throws everything at the wall. Lindsay Wilkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18418341720079552415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-64767502155698829822018-06-13T16:48:32.173-05:002018-06-13T16:48:32.173-05:00Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama (1988)...Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama (1988) Dir: David DeCoteau<br /><br />Last one of the day. This one's kind of on the border because it was released right as Empire was imploding so it's technically a Full Moon film. I'm still counting it because A) Wikipedia and IMDB both list Empire as a production company and B) Michelle Bauer rule-if you have an excuse to watch a Michelle Bauer movie you do it dammit.<br /><br />I first saw this years ago on Joe-Bob's Drive-in and it still amuses the hell out me. Sorority girls, nerds and a thief played by Linnea Quigley all converge on a bowling that holds a trapped imp in a trophy (don't ask). Trophy gets broken, imp gets released, hijinks ensue. It's a totally entertaining way to spend 90 minutes.hibachijusticehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746187565371540594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-30752933932584628312018-06-13T15:22:16.446-05:002018-06-13T15:22:16.446-05:00Ghoulies (1984)
This one often gets lumped in wit...Ghoulies (1984)<br /><br />This one often gets lumped in with Munchies and Critters as a bunch of Gremlins knockoffs but that’s pretty unfair, especially for a movie as completely wombatshit insane as this one. [Extremely Stefon voice]: It’s got cults, slime, babynapping, killer tongues, chestbursting creatures, toilet monsters, Mariska Hargitay...<br /><br />Somehow this got away with a PG-13. I know that rating could be harsher back in ‘84 but holy shit this movie has some unexpectedly gruesome moments, plus a dash of ‘80s-approved PG-13 nudity. In other words, it’s the perfect gateway Junesploitation movie for the little ones, so invite the whole family! God bless Charles Band.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17867827164062216789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-18043368781627942942018-06-13T14:45:03.792-05:002018-06-13T14:45:03.792-05:00The Dungeonmaster (1984)
So this is where “I reje...The Dungeonmaster (1984)<br /><br />So this is where “I reject your reality and substitute my own!” comes from. The more you know.<br /><br />Softwareengineer Paul Bradford uses way to much time with his homemade personal computer, X-CaliBR8, so much it almost ruins his relationship with his girlfriend. On night they a kidnaped by Mestema, played by Richard Moll, one of the movies highlights. Moll has defeated all of his enemies and now looks for a worthy adversary. <br /><br />Its magic vs. Technology. <br /><br />The movie is really camp, and is from a time where it was allowed to have full female nudity in a PG-13 movie. The creature effect and design is fairly good for the time. The computer effects is mostly coloured laser shooting from his wristband.<br />Thor Fejerskov Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11536258081859819164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-12648440174870491972018-06-13T14:38:46.562-05:002018-06-13T14:38:46.562-05:00He's the best in this movie. Such a cool dad.He's the best in this movie. Such a cool dad.Daniel Eplerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866855763520017556noreply@blogger.com