Well. I'm lucky to have the limited edition Blu-ray version of this film. It's an excellent print with only a few visual defects. Only available on VHS or poor quality DVD until recently. So basically you have a granddaughter who comes to stay with her grandmother to set up a B&B. The place used to be a funeral home. The granddaughter then realises that granny isn't what she seems after an unsavoury couple stay at the B&B and get bumped off along with a character that seems like just an ordinary tourist but that's when things become interesting. This is a mystery/horror film. Not much bloodshed and the pacing is quite slow. However William Fruet (Death Weekend) provides enough eerie atmosphere to cover up the lack of budget and gore and provides us with a decent mystery film that's spooky and entertaining. Anyone who has rated this film a 1 to 5 out of 10 has probably been brought up with modern horror where everything is instantaneous. Patience is needed with this one. Although not perfect it was a really decent effort on such a low budget. I won't give too much away but as others have said it's a low budget Psycho with spooky visuals and a decent score. My score 7.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Hazell
(1978–1979)
In one word sublime
4 July 2023
In an era of reality TV and Netflix it's probably strange that I can be bothered to write a review? The show was created a long time ago but it's utterly brilliant. Kids would scoff at the fashions and everything else but this show portrays London and all its filthy dead end locations and weaves it into a fascinating PI detective show. Nicholas Ball was wonderful and it's a shame he didn't get a massive break from this. Raw, gritty and a little bit strange at times it represents London in the 70s In all of its glory with fascinating characters and story lines. Watch for nostalgia but definitely watch.
Fear Is the Key
(1972)
Wow what a film
25 June 2023
Little known hidden gem of a film. I'd really like to know how the director got this gig. As a Brit I only thought of him as a director of documentaries and Likely Lads the Movie. How you go from The Likely Lads to this I'm not sure? It has one of the best car chases you will ever see. 15-20 mins of pure adrenaline, foot to the floor from the beginning. You also think this man is a scumbag but there's a real surprise in store. I'd love to return to the glory days of the 70s. Everything was raw, exciting and complely off the scale. Watch this as a double bill with Vanishing Point. You'll be superbly entertained.
Search and Destroy
(1979)
Underrated revenge film
15 February 2020
I'm always really shocked about how low some films score considering the crap that Hollywood churns out today. Sure its low budget and definitely wouldn't be made today considering Hollywoods lack of faith in making something a bit different from buddy buddy cop films. Basically the premise is that a bunch of Vietnam vets are being killed off. The assailant is shown quite quickly onscreen but that doesn't detract from a series of cat and mouse chase sequences that are both tense and filmed very compently. The issue from others but not in my opinion is that the killer doesnt have the kind of pulling power of say Sly Stallone in Rambo. To me the characterisation in this film is more than one dimestional as I feel Rambo is. A Rambo clone this isn't. It's a enjoyable film of set pieces with a really good story of revenge. The final scenes where the killer is chasing the remaining characters through the big city is really good. If you do happen to find a copy of this film. Watch it. You might discover a hidden gem. Recommended!
Night of the Dark Full Moon
(1972)
Awesome underrated film
20 December 2019
Yes it's a low budget horror but if you can forgive the poor picture quality the you'll find a truly amazing film.
As many people have said this predates Black Christmas by a few years. I'm not sure if Bob Clark copied some of the ideas or not but his film still stands alone as a classic.
This is an old fashioned horror film and the crackles and pops only add to the atmosphere.
Modern horror fans might not appreciate the broodingly slow build up to the grand reveal but I don't really care much for modern horror.
I'm really surprised that this film hadn't a bigger following. I think it's probably been confused by later offerings like Silent Night, Deadly Night which are completely unrelated to this film.
Summing up. If you like your horror films to have atmosphere, character and be really spooky then give this film a try.
Highly rated. A true hidden gem.
The story seems
As many people have said this predates Black Christmas by a few years. I'm not sure if Bob Clark copied some of the ideas or not but his film still stands alone as a classic.
This is an old fashioned horror film and the crackles and pops only add to the atmosphere.
Modern horror fans might not appreciate the broodingly slow build up to the grand reveal but I don't really care much for modern horror.
I'm really surprised that this film hadn't a bigger following. I think it's probably been confused by later offerings like Silent Night, Deadly Night which are completely unrelated to this film.
Summing up. If you like your horror films to have atmosphere, character and be really spooky then give this film a try.
Highly rated. A true hidden gem.
The story seems
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