Armand Mastroianni's 1980 "He Knows You're Alone" might have borrowed a number of shots from John Carpenter's 1978 film "Halloween." It might have drawn from that movie's score, and it might have conceived of its unstoppable villain in a similar way. But it doesn't deserve to be left in the margins of the '80s slasher movie boom, especially given that it isn't a lesser entry in the genre.
Despite the movie being a decent-sized hit at the time of its release, grossing nearly $5 million per BoxOfficeMojo, it has largely been forgotten, outside of an early Tom Hanks appearance as a jogger. Compared to the best-known entries in the slasher subgenre of horror, there wasn't any kind of easy iconography to get absorbed into mainstream pop culture. Its relatively low budget means that there's fairly limited coverage and occasional bits of technical cost-cutting. But there's a strong sense of dread throughout,...
Despite the movie being a decent-sized hit at the time of its release, grossing nearly $5 million per BoxOfficeMojo, it has largely been forgotten, outside of an early Tom Hanks appearance as a jogger. Compared to the best-known entries in the slasher subgenre of horror, there wasn't any kind of easy iconography to get absorbed into mainstream pop culture. Its relatively low budget means that there's fairly limited coverage and occasional bits of technical cost-cutting. But there's a strong sense of dread throughout,...
- 7/29/2023
- by Anthony Crislip
- Slash Film
Although it may be the dead of winter, Scream Factory is looking to warm our horror-loving hearts with four new Blu-ray announcements for May: King Kong (1976), He Knows You're Alone, Eyes of a Stranger, and The Hand:
King Kong (1976) Collector's Edition Blu-ray: "Finally!! 1976’s big budget remake of King Kong stomps its way onto Blu-ray in North America for the first time! Here are the early details we have at current time to share:
• National street date for North America (Region A) is May 11th.
• This will be presented as a 2-Disc Collector’s Edition and will come guaranteed with a slipcover in its first three months of release.
• The newly commissioned artwork pictured comes to us from artist Hugh Fleming. This art will be front-facing, and the reverse side of the wrap will feature the original theatrical artwork. \
• Extras will be announced on a later date. However, we...
King Kong (1976) Collector's Edition Blu-ray: "Finally!! 1976’s big budget remake of King Kong stomps its way onto Blu-ray in North America for the first time! Here are the early details we have at current time to share:
• National street date for North America (Region A) is May 11th.
• This will be presented as a 2-Disc Collector’s Edition and will come guaranteed with a slipcover in its first three months of release.
• The newly commissioned artwork pictured comes to us from artist Hugh Fleming. This art will be front-facing, and the reverse side of the wrap will feature the original theatrical artwork. \
• Extras will be announced on a later date. However, we...
- 2/8/2021
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Following the horror juggernaut that was Halloween (1978), major studios were very interested to hop in bed with stalk and slay splatterfests. When the Paramount distributed Friday the 13th (1980) looked to be muy lucrative, the big boys jumped hard on the mattress to see how much coin they could dislodge. MGM was no different, and made their claim with He Knows You’re Alone (1980), a film that ultimately survived the dog pile with winning characterizations over slavish Carpenter imitations.
Filmed in December of ’79 on Staten Island and released at the end of summer, He Knows You’re Alone made nearly $ 5 million for MGM against a meager $ 250,000 budget. A tidy profit to be sure, but it was recognized by most critics (and horror fans alike) as a messy pastiche of everything that worked about Halloween but operating with a lot less wattage. I think that’s only partially true – He Knows actually manages to create memorable characters,...
Filmed in December of ’79 on Staten Island and released at the end of summer, He Knows You’re Alone made nearly $ 5 million for MGM against a meager $ 250,000 budget. A tidy profit to be sure, but it was recognized by most critics (and horror fans alike) as a messy pastiche of everything that worked about Halloween but operating with a lot less wattage. I think that’s only partially true – He Knows actually manages to create memorable characters,...
- 7/1/2017
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Joseph Losey doesn't normally make trendy, lighthearted genre films, and in this SuperSpy epic we find out why -- an impressive production and great music don't compensate for a lack of pace and dynamism, not to mention a narrow sense of humor. Yet it's a lounge classic, and a perverse favorite of spy movie fans. Modesty Blaise Blu-ray Kl Studio Classics 1966 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 119 min. / Street Date August 23, 2016 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95 Starring Monica Vitti, Terence Stamp, Dirk Bogarde, Harry Andrews, Michael Craig, Clive Revill, Alexander Knox, Rossella Falk, Scilla Gabel, Tina Marquand Cinematography Jack Hildyard Production Designer Richard MacDonald, Jack Shampan Film Editor Reginald Beck Original Music John Dankworth Written by Evan Jones from a novel by Peter O'Donnell and a comic strip by Jim Holdaway Produced by Joseph Janni Directed by Joseph Losey
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
When I first reviewed a DVD of Modesty Blaise fourteen years ago,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
When I first reviewed a DVD of Modesty Blaise fourteen years ago,...
- 7/29/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
By Todd Garbarini
When I was a teenager, the Boy Scout troop that I was a member of consisted of nearly 25 scouts. We had a few older scouts whom the rest of the younger scouts looked up to, and during our weekend camping trips the seniors made every effort to scare the beejezus out of us youngsters with ludicrous tales of ghosts or killers hiding out in the woods. These stories were often woven around a campfire in the late hours of the evening when we were all seemingly vulnerable. During the summer of 1980, Sean Cunningham’s Friday the 13th was doing well at the box office, so I was already aware of these “murderers in the woods”-themed films. This didn’t make it any easier for us to go on camping trips! The success of Friday the 13th gave birth to countless carbon copies of young adults-being-stalked-in-the-woods films.
When I was a teenager, the Boy Scout troop that I was a member of consisted of nearly 25 scouts. We had a few older scouts whom the rest of the younger scouts looked up to, and during our weekend camping trips the seniors made every effort to scare the beejezus out of us youngsters with ludicrous tales of ghosts or killers hiding out in the woods. These stories were often woven around a campfire in the late hours of the evening when we were all seemingly vulnerable. During the summer of 1980, Sean Cunningham’s Friday the 13th was doing well at the box office, so I was already aware of these “murderers in the woods”-themed films. This didn’t make it any easier for us to go on camping trips! The success of Friday the 13th gave birth to countless carbon copies of young adults-being-stalked-in-the-woods films.
- 8/7/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Prepare to be corrupted and depraved once more as Nucleus Films releases the sequel to the definitive guide to the Video Nasties phenomenon – the most extraordinary and scandalous era in the history of British film. Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide Part 2, a three-disc collector’s edition box set, is being released on DVD on July 14th 2014, to tie in with the 30th Anniversary of the Video Recordings Act 1984.
For the first time ever on DVD, all 82 films that fell foul of the Director of Public Prosecutions “Section 3” list are trailer-featured with specially filmed intros for each title, alongside a brand new documentary – Video Nasties: Draconian Days (review), directed by Jake West.
And to celebrate the release, Film4 FrightFest is hosting a special event – the world exclusive London Premiere of the finalised unseen extended 97 minute cut of Video Nasties: Draconian Days at The Prince Charles Cinema on Thurs 3 July, 8.30pm. The...
For the first time ever on DVD, all 82 films that fell foul of the Director of Public Prosecutions “Section 3” list are trailer-featured with specially filmed intros for each title, alongside a brand new documentary – Video Nasties: Draconian Days (review), directed by Jake West.
And to celebrate the release, Film4 FrightFest is hosting a special event – the world exclusive London Premiere of the finalised unseen extended 97 minute cut of Video Nasties: Draconian Days at The Prince Charles Cinema on Thurs 3 July, 8.30pm. The...
- 5/21/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
First poster for Armand Mastroianni's Dark Desire suspense starring Kelly Lynch and Nic Robuck. In the film, when Caren, an unhappily married woman, loses her son in a tragic accident, she turns to her son's gorgeous college roommate for comfort and soon starts to suspect that her new lover may be responsible for her son's death. Also in the cast are Brian Borello, Jarrett Sleeper, Mika Boorem, John Laughlin, with Nia Peeples and Michael Nouri. The film's scripted by Julie Lynch (1998's Remembering Sex) and produced by Ed Polgardy, Sean Davis and Armand Mastroianni.
- 12/6/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
First poster for Armand Mastroianni's Dark Desire suspense starring Kelly Lynch and Nic Robuck. In the film, when Caren, an unhappily married woman, loses her son in a tragic accident, she turns to her son's gorgeous college roommate for comfort and soon starts to suspect that her new lover may be responsible for her son's death. Also in the cast are Brian Borello, Jarrett Sleeper, Mika Boorem, John Laughlin, with Nia Peeples and Michael Nouri. The film's scripted by Julie Lynch (1998's Remembering Sex) and produced by Ed Polgardy, Sean Davis and Armand Mastroianni.
- 12/6/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Meat Loaf confers with Ally Sheedy in Citizen Jane.
Green Apple Entertainment will release the crime mystery TV film Citizen Jane, starring Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club) and Sean Patrick Flanery (Deadly Impact), on DVD on Aug. 23 for a list price of $26.98.
Based on a true story that dominated the headlines in the 1990s and the subsequent best-selling book by James Dalessandro, the movie tells the tale of Jane Alexander (Sheedy), who lives an enviable life in San Francisco with the handsome and slyly charismatic Tom O’Donnell (Flanery). But Jane’s idyllic life is shattered when her beloved, elderly aunt is brutally murdered.
Embarking on an epic, 13-year journey to track down the killer, Jane stuns authorities with her shrewdness and intelligence and ultimately brings her aunt’s killer to justice. In the process, she starts up the activist group Citizens Against Homicide, which supports families looking for justice.
Green Apple Entertainment will release the crime mystery TV film Citizen Jane, starring Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club) and Sean Patrick Flanery (Deadly Impact), on DVD on Aug. 23 for a list price of $26.98.
Based on a true story that dominated the headlines in the 1990s and the subsequent best-selling book by James Dalessandro, the movie tells the tale of Jane Alexander (Sheedy), who lives an enviable life in San Francisco with the handsome and slyly charismatic Tom O’Donnell (Flanery). But Jane’s idyllic life is shattered when her beloved, elderly aunt is brutally murdered.
Embarking on an epic, 13-year journey to track down the killer, Jane stuns authorities with her shrewdness and intelligence and ultimately brings her aunt’s killer to justice. In the process, she starts up the activist group Citizens Against Homicide, which supports families looking for justice.
- 7/15/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Being afraid of what might be under my bed or inside my closet is a childhood fear that used to leave me frozen in terror. I assume it is part of growing up. I still remember like it was yesterday when one night in my room I cowered under my blankets because a pair of glowing red eyes were glaring back at me from the closet; the same kind that are attached to the monster in Cameron’s Closet. I guess it was fate that art would somehow imitate my life, and that I would get to interview Armand Mastroianni, the director of the film.
Jason Bene: The film is written and adapted from a 1987 novel by Gary Brandner, a horror writer who authored the novel The Howling. You previously directed the favorites He Knows You’re Alone and The Supernaturals. What made you decide to make Cameron’s Closet?...
Jason Bene: The film is written and adapted from a 1987 novel by Gary Brandner, a horror writer who authored the novel The Howling. You previously directed the favorites He Knows You’re Alone and The Supernaturals. What made you decide to make Cameron’s Closet?...
- 7/1/2011
- by Jason Bene
- Killer Films
Men in Black III, Hellboy II: The Golden Army and Fantastic Four are big time films that make-up/visual effects artist Bart J. Mixon has had a hand in. His name doesn’t jump out at you like Rob Bottin and Rick Baker, but the man is one of the best in the business. Today we go old school with Bart and look at the southern fried zombie flick The Supernaturals.
Jason Bene: The field of special make-up FX took off in the 80′s. How did you start out in the business?
Bart J. Mixon: I started out as a fan doing make-ups on myself and friends in Houston, Texas, in the ‘70’s. I was a member of a comic book club (the Hcca) and one of the other members new some very basic information on make-up effects – taking life casts with plaster, slip latex casting, etc. – so I...
Jason Bene: The field of special make-up FX took off in the 80′s. How did you start out in the business?
Bart J. Mixon: I started out as a fan doing make-ups on myself and friends in Houston, Texas, in the ‘70’s. I was a member of a comic book club (the Hcca) and one of the other members new some very basic information on make-up effects – taking life casts with plaster, slip latex casting, etc. – so I...
- 6/24/2011
- by Jason Bene
- Killer Films
This month sees the release of A Nightmare on Elm Street, a remake that’s been a long time coming. With so many slasher revivals going on, be they remakes or original properties, it’s important now to look back on the genre and learn a few of its intricacies. The wealth of material to cover is staggering. The films that follow do not necessarily represent the finest work the genre has to offer, but were selected for their uniqueness and appeal.
If any of these tickle your fancy, I've included some Amazon links to buy the ones that are still in print. Unless otherwise noted, all of these releases present the films in their original aspect ratio and in their most complete versions available to date.
[Note: While extensive measures have been taken to eliminate graphic details in deconstructing the films, trailers and clips have been provided wherever applicable. They can at times be exceedingly violent, and quite spoiler-heavy. We urge you to use judgment before viewing them. Thank you.]
Inferno (IMDb)
1980, Dario Argento
The core difference between director Dario Argento’s celebrated Suspiria and its overlooked follow-up, Inferno, is simple: Inferno hates you.
If any of these tickle your fancy, I've included some Amazon links to buy the ones that are still in print. Unless otherwise noted, all of these releases present the films in their original aspect ratio and in their most complete versions available to date.
[Note: While extensive measures have been taken to eliminate graphic details in deconstructing the films, trailers and clips have been provided wherever applicable. They can at times be exceedingly violent, and quite spoiler-heavy. We urge you to use judgment before viewing them. Thank you.]
Inferno (IMDb)
1980, Dario Argento
The core difference between director Dario Argento’s celebrated Suspiria and its overlooked follow-up, Inferno, is simple: Inferno hates you.
- 4/1/2010
- by SaulB
- JustPressPlay.net
He Knows You’Re Alone is an unorthodox low budget slasher released back in 1980. Way back before slashers were a regular genre staple. The story pits serial killer versus soon to be brides, in what really equates to an extremely dark case of jealousy and rage. Ray Carlton (Tom Rolfing) is a lover scorned turned psychopathic murderer, and since his own relationship crumbled years ago, he’s taken a liking to disposing of brides. After all - if he can’t be happy - no one can!, isn’t that how it goes?
For young Amy Jensen (Caitlin O‘Heaney), wedding bells are on the horizon. She and Phil (James Carroll) are scheduled to be married in a matter of weeks, and by some strange twist of fate…or telekinetic abilities, Ray knows it. Given Ray’s unexplained, but acute awareness of the situation he sets out to bring premature...
For young Amy Jensen (Caitlin O‘Heaney), wedding bells are on the horizon. She and Phil (James Carroll) are scheduled to be married in a matter of weeks, and by some strange twist of fate…or telekinetic abilities, Ray knows it. Given Ray’s unexplained, but acute awareness of the situation he sets out to bring premature...
- 9/7/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Matt Molgaard)
- Fangoria
Alicia Coppola and Elizabeth Berkley lead the cast of "Black Widow", a telefilm for Lifetime.
Randall Batinkoff, Tambi Locke and Brady Smith co-star in the thriller, produced by RHI Entertainment in association with Larry Levinson Prods.
"Widow" revolves around journalist Melanie (Coppola) who suspects that her close friend Danny (Batinkoff), a millionaire real estate developer, has fallen for Olivia (Berkley), a woman who has married and murdered her previous husbands, including a software tycoon (Smith).
Locke will play a psychiatrist who introduces Olivia to Danny.
Armand Mastroianni is directing the film from a script by Riley Weston.
Coppola, who plays Mimi Clark on CBS' drama "Jericho", will next be seen on the big screen in Walt Disney Pictures' "National Treasure: Book of Secrets." She is repped by APA and Alan Iezman at Shelter Entertainment.
Locke, who co-starred on Fox's pilot "Born in the USA" this past development season, is repped by Stone Manners and Bob McGowan of McGowan Management.
Randall Batinkoff, Tambi Locke and Brady Smith co-star in the thriller, produced by RHI Entertainment in association with Larry Levinson Prods.
"Widow" revolves around journalist Melanie (Coppola) who suspects that her close friend Danny (Batinkoff), a millionaire real estate developer, has fallen for Olivia (Berkley), a woman who has married and murdered her previous husbands, including a software tycoon (Smith).
Locke will play a psychiatrist who introduces Olivia to Danny.
Armand Mastroianni is directing the film from a script by Riley Weston.
Coppola, who plays Mimi Clark on CBS' drama "Jericho", will next be seen on the big screen in Walt Disney Pictures' "National Treasure: Book of Secrets." She is repped by APA and Alan Iezman at Shelter Entertainment.
Locke, who co-starred on Fox's pilot "Born in the USA" this past development season, is repped by Stone Manners and Bob McGowan of McGowan Management.
NEW YORK -- Author James Redfield's best-selling New Age novel The Celestine Prophecy is set to hit the big screen, with Sarah Wayne Callies and Matthew Settle to star. Armand Mastroianni (Touched by an Angel) is helming the indie project from a script adapted by Redfield with Barnet Bain. Bain (What Dreams May Come) also will produce along with Beverly Camhe and Terry Collif.
- 2/19/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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