Directed by TOBE HOOPER Golan-Globus Surprisingly entertaining despite some significant drawbacks – chief among them the extremely subpar performance of the lead child actor and some pacing/editing issues – this remake of a 1950s film I haven’t seen showcases director Tobe Hooper’s flair for understated comedic touches, although as usual I have less than no … Continue reading Invaders From Mars (1986)
Directed by Mikael Salomon A Mark M. Wolper Production in Association with Warner Bros. Television Had I been aware this existed? I didn’t think so, but one scene convinced me I’d at least read about it somewhere before, and I have the sneaking suspicion it must have been a commentary by S. King himself. (I … Continue reading ‘Salem’s Lot (2004)
directed by tobe hooper distant horizon/filmex (pty) ltd/allied film productions You’d THINK that a story about a bloodthirsty industrial laundry machine – Box Office Mojo: “A laundry-folding machine has been possessed by a demon, causing it to develop homicidal tendencies” – would be a premise stupid enough to satisfy most people, but Tobe Hooper apparently … Continue reading The Mangler (1995)
directed by tobe hooper a mace neufeld production in association with derek power Opening with a predictable Psycho pastiche isn’t the most promising gambit, but Hooper’s fourth horror picture overcomes its penchant for paying homage to the classic monster films of yore. Set almost entirely within the grounds of a traveling carnival, at times nodding … Continue reading The Funhouse (1981)
directed by larry cohen larco Productions/420 demons As this picture began to unspool, I didn’t know if I’d be able to stand it, because once we reach the town of Jerusalem’s Lot, the production quality (acting, costumes, props, makeup) takes a severe nosedive – and it was iffy from the get-go. I persevered, however, and was … Continue reading A Return to Salem’s Lot (1987)
directed by tobe hooper vortex, inc. To paraphrase Chuck Eddy on Motörhead, “If you don’t know by now, you’re sure as hell not going to learn from me.” That’s more or less how I feel about this devastating picture, which retains its deeply unsettling effect with every viewing. No, it’ll never be the way it … Continue reading The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
directed by kim henkel ultra muchos, inc./river city films, inc. All right, so retconning this flick to be the sort-of “sequel” to the 1974 original makes sense. It’s at least half great: the first 45 minutes of this black horror comedy work well as a pastiche of the first go-round, with the added amusement of … Continue reading Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1997) aka The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1994)
directed by tobe hooper cannon films/golan-globus productions Hey, a new competitor for worst movie on this site! For some reason turning one of the best and most impactful horror movies ever made into an extended bout of broadly drawn “humor,” aggravating characterizations, little plot and no point, TCM2 is a chore to endure. Insulting in … Continue reading The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
SPACE RATS From Outer Space 