Movie Review - The Greed of William Hart

The Greed Of William Hart

AKA:  Horror Maniacs

1948

The Cast

This dark thriller was a nice surprise.  I'd not seen this before so when it appeared on telly, thanks to the Talking Pictures channel,  I took the chance on it as the premise interested me.  Based on the nefarious Burke and Hare this tells the story of William Hart (Slaughter) and Mr Moore (Oscar) and their dealings with Dr Cox (Bell), for whom they procure cadavers for.  However, the doctor has a need for younger and fresher bodies so, greedy for money, Hart and Moore comply with the doctor's wishes... by turning murderous...

There's a lot which is good about this film.  I liked the way the director, Mitchell, opted for a more realistic feel.  The streets of Edinburgh are close and tight.  People pretty much lived in each other's pockets in that era.  Mitchell, then adds eeriness by adding fog and shadows.  It's also nice to see the size of the living quarters that the common folk were subjected to.  Hart runs a rooming house, in which there are just two rooms downstairs, a living room and a kitchen.  The living room is sparse, containing a table and chairs and a bed, where he and his wife sleep.  Upstairs is for their guests.  Life is hard so it's no wonder you do what you have to just to survive.  A hard life can make for hard men and both Hart and Moore have no compunctions about beating their wives into sublimation.  Moore's wife is so under the fist she's only too happy to squeal on Hart's wife, so she can take what's coming to her.

This builds up a bleak overlook to the film.  So enter Aubrey Woods portraying the simpleton Jamie Wilson.  This character is there not only to lift the film with a comedic element but is also the crux and pivotal role of the movie.  This was a good idea by the writer, Gilling, and the director.  Woods excels as Jamie and has some of the best lines in the film.  It's also nice because he is a breath of fresh air amongst the plethora of melodramatic actors, which can become a little too heavy at times when they deliver their lines - and this is probably the only drawback to the film.  Though, for the times, the acting is good to fair.

If you like your dark thrillers then I would recommend you check this out, should you get the chance.

I give this a Chiller Thriller Slash For Cash of 7.25 out of 10.

The Trailer

Video Nasty - Don't Go In The House

Don't Go In The House

1979

Turbine Films Inc.

Film Ventures International / G T O Films Ltd / Cinefear / Arrow Film Distributors Ltd.

5.5 / 10

This is a dark psychological thriller about the consequences of child abuse.  Donny Kohler is a man who is growing increasingly detached from his life.  One day, while he's at work he witnesses an accident which causes one of his work colleagues to catch on fire.  While the rest of the workforce rush about trying to help the man Donny stands transfixed and spellbound by the sight.

It brings back to him the memories of his mother's retribution for misbehaviour, where she would hold his hands and arms above the open flame of the kitchen hob.  This triggers his psychosis, flames cleanse the sins of man... and woman.

Kohler played admirably well by Dan Grimaldi - who is very good at making this psychopathic killer appear as normal - then sets out on his mission of cleansing his town.  The most chilling part of this film isn't the killing or the portrayal of Kohler, but the killing room.  Kohler covers the walls, floor and ceiling in sheet metal and adds a meat hook in the centre of the room, from which to hang his prey.  It's the idea that he's thought this through to this extent so as not to burn down his house that makes it a very creepy and chilling issue and adds a deep psychological darkness to the character. 

However, there are issues with the story, especially in correspondence with Kohler's character.  There are some scenes that don't quite gel with his personality.  And some of the directing could have been better.  The scene when Kohler goes out with his friend and ends up attacking his date is well thought out story-wise; however, it could have been acted and directed much better  There is a few scene's like this.

The director, Joseph Ellison, who co-scripted the story with writer Joe Masefield and Ellen Hammill, does create a good film with a variable pace and flow, which helps to create atmosphere and keep the viewers interested.  However, I feel he could have done more to bring it above average.

The acting is okay though nobody shines through or dominates the film.  This is a shame because I think if Dan Grimaldi was a little stronger in his craft it would have made the film a hell of a lot scarier,

Overall, the film suffers from averageness, though it is worth at least one watch.  This is a film I would love to see remade, though adding a stronger cast and director, as I believe the story could make a classic film.  I would gladly recommend the film to anybody who likes darker psychological thrillers and isn't too distressed by graphic and gory scenes.   This left a chill in my bones and I will be watching the film again.

Nergling - Video Nasties Scare - Don't Go In The House

Movie Review - The Last House On Dead End Street

The Last House On Dead End Street

AKA:  The Fun House 

1977

Production Concepts Ltd. / Today Productions Inc.

Cinematic Releasing Corporation / DCS Video Screams / Fright Video / Vinigar Syndrome

6.5 / 10

This film isn't as bad as it should be.  Let me explain, the concept is that after serving a sentence in prison for drug related crimes Roger Watkins has had an epiphany.  Kill people for fame and money.  To do this he will make snuff movies with the help of his friends.  Then for it to be told from the miscreant's point of view is a horrifying idea.

However, writer, director, and actor, Terry Hawkins does not turn this into an exploitation film or glorify or condone the horror's portrayed within.  What he gives his viewers is a psychological chiller, which is heavy on the chills.  Hawkins actually makes the audience think and reflect on the nature of the participants of the crimes committed.  I came away feeling mentally cold and more than a little sickened, which is a pretty hard thing to do as I have a strong stomach.  This emotion is a good thing though as I believe it was the aim of the filmmaker.  This is thought-provoking entertainment and not a happy and joyful performance; you should not come away from this movie feeling cheerful.  It should make the audience at least start to wonder how dark the thoughts within mankind are.  How far would one go to make money(?)  Or to be the person they are under their "Normal-World" mask?

The original title when the film was released in 1974 was The Fun House and there are rumours of the BBFC getting it wrong by banning the wrong Funhouse by choosing Tobe Hooper's film of that name from 1981 - see my review here.  When it was rereleased in 1977 to larger audiences somebody had the idea to use Wes Craven's success with The Last House On The Left to rename it to the present title.

I liked the way Hawkins builds up to the story.  The movie starts out slow as he paints the picture of Roger Watkins', his dream, the recruitment of his friends, and the choice of his victims.  Then when the killings start he takes his time to pull all the tension and disgust out of his viewers with some very nasty and graphic images.  The special effects team, as well as the lighting crew and cameramen, do a magnificent job of making all of this feel and appear realistic.  I've seen some pretty nasty horrific special effects, though this is one of the few that has stayed with me.

There's also the concept of what's next(?)  In this film, Hawkins asks the question of the porn business.  When people have become used to and complacent with the normal sex acts and even S&M is becoming run-of-the-mill then what's the next big thing(?)  To some extent, this is still evident today on the internet, so this notion and opinion are still viable today, especially when you get psychopaths posting animal cruelty videos online.

Hawkins is also a pretty good director and though it feels like it's been shot on a handheld 8mm there are some good camera angles and iconic shots which also add strength to the movie.  The use of imagery, particularly the use of Greek masks adds a nice eeriness. Apart from the unrelenting depravity, the only thing which makes this film a little grating is the acting which is below average, though to be fair, most of the actors are students.

Would I recommend this to anyone?  Yes:  To anyone looking to create horrific imagary, either for a horror or a thriller film then watch this movie... this is how it should be done, this is the kind of atmosphere you should be looking to create.  The same can be said of directors who are working on a budget.  If you're a film fan and have a strong constitution and enjoy thought-provoking movies then this could be for you, but don't think you'll be a happy bunny at the end of watching it.

Video Nasty - The Burning

The Burning

1981

Miramax / The Cropsy Venture : Filmways Pictures / HandMade Films / 20th Century Fox / Arrow Pictures / Cinefear / Thorn EMI

6 / 10

Time travel exists!  This took me right back to my youth when Friday night was video night and you'd trek around the stores to find the best deals and movies.  You had to work for your entertainment then, there was no pay-per-view or the internet.  Me and my mates would walk miles to get the right films.  Friday night was horror.  Though I never did see this one until now it's so reminiscent of the trash we used to watch that I felt as though I had been transported back in time.

This is the "Death" camp story that so many movie companies released after the success of Friday 13th.  Though this doesn't come anywhere near it does have one hell of a cast, including Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens, Holly Hunter, Ned Eisenberg, Brian Backer, and Leah Ayers.  It even has a soundtrack by The Wizard of the Keyboards Rick Wakeman.  The special effects are designed and created by Tom Savini.

Shame that with all this talent that the story lets them down; and who names a psychotic killer "Cropsy" didn't the writers see "Crapsy" just waiting to be shouted by the critics?  Even though the story isn't a direct rip-off of Friday 13th it's along the same lines, enough so that comparisons can be drawn.  However, it's the inconsistencies that made it irksome to me.  Especially the scene where the canoes have gone so they decide to take a lot of time to find wood and build a raft.  If it takes that much time then how did Crapsy, sorry, Cropsy get there before them... on foot?  Give the audience a little respect.

There are also quite a few dubious directional contretemps.  Such as the obvious doctored still in the end "Mine" sequence.  More so with the raft and canoe scene where the actions, reactions, and the outcome is totally unbelievable; though I shook my head is dismay and laughed, I did like the idea of it.

Even with these niggling elements, it's still entertaining.  I believe this is because of the lightness that permeates most of the film.  It's seventy percent good-natured romp with ten percent seriousness and twenty percent tensity.  It's because of this I would recommend this as a starter for a horrorfest, it'll set you up nicely for a more fulfilling main course.

Nergling - Video Nasties Scare - The Burning

Video Nasty - Absurd

Absurd

(1981)

Filmirage / Metaxa Corporaton : Medusa Pictures / Wizard Video

4.25 / 10

This is the Italian interpretation of John Carpenter's Halloween.  Though, writer George Eastman (who also star's as Mikos Stenopolis) gives the killer a different backstory.  It's this back story which places this film into the thriller genre rather than horror,  Mikos had taken part in some drug trials which a priest was overwatching.  These drugs gave Mikos' blood an ability to coagulate at a rapid rate.  This makes him nearly invincible.  Unfortunately, the drugs also drove him insane.

Mikos stumbles into town and when anybody crosses his path they are compensated with a grisly death.

There's not much else to the story and that's what makes the title of the movie so perfect.  This is an absurd story and film.

There's also very little to love about the movie.  The acting is average.  Sadly the worst actors are the two leads.  Annie Belle as Emily is okay for most of the picture but there are sometimes when she's wooden and stiff.  Her best parts are when she's strapped up in traction.  This isn't all her fault, her character isn't very well written.  In fact, all of the characters seem to be run-of-the-mill and a little dull.

Even though George Eastman wrote the story he decided to give the villain, whom he portrayed, no words.  Which may have been a good thing.  Though Eastman didn't have to worry about fluffing his lines he didn't add much to the character but size... the man is huge.  There were some scenes that could have added to the character.  Even the great non-talkers, Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees, appear evil and psychologically broken; this comes down to how the actor carried himself, he let his body act.  For example, one great scene from Halloween is when Michael lifts a teenager up and then pins him to a wall with a carving knife:  As the man hangs there Michael watches silently, then cocks his head to one side; this little action speaks volumes.  There's nothing like this in Absurd.

The special effects are passable though not great.  This can also be said for Joe D'Amato direction.  Even the music by Carlo Maria Cordio is similar in style to Carpenter's electronic soundtrack.  For the majority of the movie this music is annoying, though surprisingly, it works really well with the end chase scene.

The climax of the movie is pretty decent and does give the audience an iconic shot, which sends a shiver down the spine and they will remember.

This isn't a classic movie and nowhere near to becoming a cult.  If you like Halloween and Friday 13th then you could give this a look-see, it's worth at least one viewing.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - Absurd

Movie Review - The Cottage

The Cottage

(2008)

UK Film Council / Isle Of Man Film / Screen Yorkshire / Steel Mill Pictures : Pathe / Screen Gems / Sony Home Entertainment

6.5 / 10

When I watched this upon its original release, I hated it.  Literally, hated it.  Though that could have been because there were better films of the same ilk out at the time.  Now, however, with the influx of bad movies (and not in a good way) this looks as though it should win Oscars.

What you have is a kidnapping gone wrong, this is largely due to the ineptitude of the gang.  The only person who knows how to be rough and violent is David, who is nicely portrayed by Andy Serkis.  Unfortunately, he cannot get like minded people to help so he wrangles his brother Peter, over-acted by Reece Sheersmith (way too much Shouty-Shouty), and Andrew (who is a pathetic sop), played well by Steven O'Donnell.  They kidnap Andrew's step-sister Tracey, played woodenly by Jennifer Ellison, who likes to get violent and has a very blue vocabulary - you actually cheer when she gets taken out.

Things go wrong when the ransom money turns out to be tissues and Andrew is followed to the cottage by contract killers, hired by his dad.  Tracey gets free and takes Peter hostage after beating him to a pulp and stumble through the woods looking for a house with a phone.  This is where they come across a farm... with a cellar... a cellar that has strange noises coming from it...

The comedy comes from the script and the slapstick violence that is wrought upon Peter.  And I did find myself laughing out load.  There are also some nice tense moments when the people are walking through the woods.  And a creepy but funny scene at the local village telephone.

The story, though it differs from other psycho killer slasher movies by having a decent backstory, though overly long, is still directed in the run-of-the-mill fashion for this genre and offers nothing new, though it doesn't detract from the movie.

The main drawback is the characters of Tracey, Peter, and Andrew.  Which, after a short while, start to grind on every nerve I had.  Like I said, you're happy when the killer ends Tracey's constant vocal spew of swear words.  Peter is so high strung to be unbelievable, which is also Andrews problem, you cannot conceive of anybody being so useless.  You wonder how these two actually make it through their lives.

The other drawback is the gaping holes in the plot, which if you think about it are glaringly obvious and will annoy you...  so, leave your brain at the door and don't think - just enjoy!

That said it is funny enough and has enough action and story to make it interesting and keep your attention for at least one viewing.  Who knows, if I watch this again in another eight years time I may have to adjust my opinion of it once again.