Paramount
1990 Color
93 Mins.
Starring Deborah Harry (a.k.a. Blonde), Matthew Lawrence (the one who got mega hot in The Hot Chick), Christian Slater, Steve Buschemi The forever gorgeous Julianne Moore, James Remar, Rae Dawn Chong William Hickey, David Johansen and Alice Drummond.
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen King, George Romero and Michael McDowell
Directed by John Harrison
Rated R for language, violence, gore, sexual situations and nudity.
How long has it been since you've revisited this classic or have you ever? I always forget how good each individual story is in this horror anthology based off the popular TV show. So for fun I've decided to rate each segment separately, Just in case whoever is reading this if anyone is lol is an a rush and can only watch one.
First up Lot 249. This one stars Julianne Moore Christian Slater and Steve Buschemi. It centers around a strange young man (Buschemi) who after being cheated out of a prestigious award by a privileged douchey couple orders up an ancient mummy and resurrects it to enact revenge. The mummy of course murders n the way n which the corpses were prepared back in the day. Including brain being pulled out through nostrils and stuffing the body with flowers.This one is written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle so it has a slightly adventurous historic tone. The maeup effects are top notch and the performances sold in a darkly comic tone. I just wish the killing scenes had been a bit longer and more elaborate but it's all so fun especially that last little twist. ***.75/5
Cat from Hell centers around the billionaire owner of a pharmaceutical company who is targeted by a deadly feline after having murdered over five thousand of it's friends. He of course hires a hit man to take the little cutie out with horrifying results. This is the most fun one out of all of them. It's a little goofy in spots but that epic death scene and resurrection are what nightmares are made out of. I personally find cats adorable but it definitely made me look twice. ***.5/5
Lover's Vow stars the oddly attractive James Remar who after witnessing a brutal murder by the hands of a gargoyle makes a promise to it to never say anything. The same night he meets a gorgeous Rae Dawn Chong and his luck in life skyrockets. But what happens when he finally reveals the secret is where the horror lies. Sure the creatures execution is a bit hammy by today's standards but I think it's rather impressive. This is definitely my favorite of the bunch and the most emotionally resonant it all culminates to a sad but creeptastc finale. ****/5
And finally last but not least is the wraparound story featuring iconic songstress Debbie Harry a.k.a. Blondie as she begins to prepare a young boy she's kidnapped for a cannibalistic dinner party. The little boy is played by a very young Matthew Lawrence as he reads each ghastly tale to her. The last little bit is where all the real fun is at. But the story is a nice way to keep the proceedings flowing. ***.5/5
Overall the film is great. Each story is paced perfectly and the wrap around story is perfect for the proceedings. It's more than worth a revisit or a discovery if you haven't seen. I just wish they made the sequel that was supposed to happen but with a modest box off take of just a little over 16 million it wasn't in the cards. ****/5
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