Horror Bites - Final Nails

LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (1974)

For a series that eventually became rather long in the tooth the Hammer vampire series is strangely adverse to giving a character like Count Dracula something to do. He's a fascinating villain that has remained popular for a reason after all. As Christopher Lee himself said why not use the source material? And I don't mean in bizarre half measures like the Jess Franco version. But for whatever reason the lure of using new gimmicks and storylines unrelated to Bram Stoker was always more appealing to the studio producers. So let's take a look at their further attempts to freshen up the whole thing... through the magic of traditional Kung Fu and contemporary kitsch.

Scorecard

OCTOBER

FILM OF THE MONTH: Horror Express ☆☆☆☆

HCF Review - Summer Days

HIS MOTORBIKE, HER ISLAND (1986)

While Obayashi may be known for his eccentric, and often rather psychedelic, flights of fancy, it’s time to take a relaxing road trip to the countryside. A breezy summer holiday kind of ride where a group of friends are addicted to Kawasaki engine sizes instead of having to fight a supernatural threat. Which isn’t to say that it lacks a particular film-making style this time around, but it’s generally a different kind of experience. Motorcycle culture and karaoke moments come together in a simple, and occasionally musical, tale of duelling egos and youthful obsessions. Perhaps the overall effect will be too melodramatic or clichéd for those looking for something more outrageous, but it offers an easy going story about clashing personalities.

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Horror Bites - Fear in the Night

THE NIGHT WALKER (1964)

William Castle is often remembered for directing spooky films like House on Haunted Hill, in which stars such as Vincent Price were paired with movie theatre gimmicks. Simply wearing 3-D glasses wasn't enough, he went the extra mile to get the audience excited. But less is said about this release, an attempt at a more straightforward thriller, made a script by Psycho author Robert Bloch. It's a story full of atmosphere but features Barbara Stanwyck from Double Indemnity rather than a horror film regular. Of course it's still pretty hokey as a product of its time, but as a mystery tale there are some fairly striking moments that stand out even by today's standards. Let's take a closer look at this venture into fantastical dreams and waking nightmares.

HCF Review - The Aimed School

SCHOOL IN THE CROSSHAIRS (1981)

Time for a story about extra-sensory perception and alien beings from Venus. Which, if these kind of movies are to be believed, are the sort of things that happen at schools in Japan all the time. But beyond the surreal waking dreams and nightmares of Obayashi’s work, famously seen in 1977’s House, what about real life study? Interestingly in this case he takes a lot of time to explore the idea of academic work versus sports clubs, and conformity against individual freedom. Should psychic powers be used to cheat in Kendo matches? Should roller-skating kids be stripped of their willpower by patrols of brainwashed committee members? Perhaps these questions answer themselves but it’s still an entertaining, if mostly light-hearted, examination of these kinds of issues.

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