Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge (1989)

Director: Richard Friedman

Starring: Derek Rydall, Jonathan Goldsmith, Rob Estes, Pauly Shore

A man loses his home and suffers life-threatening burns from a fire deliberately set by commercial real estate developers vying for his property. One year later, a shopping mall opens on the land, and a series of murders begins.

Developers of a new shopping mall wants Eric’s property. I was waiting for events to unfold which would lead to Eric’s reason for revenge, but unfortunately I waited in vain. His story was merely told in back flashes. Being such an important aspect of the film – and the very reason for Eric’s revenge – why was this not shown in the beginning? (like in the 1981 movie ‘The Burning’, for instance.) Also, if this is a vengeance story, the culprits should have been shown so we could have an idea who were to be avenged.

Instead, after a short intro establishing the characters, the film jumps ahead one year to the opening of the Mall. Eric now hides and lives in the Mall, and starts killing people. But if its about revenge, then why is Eric killing innocent people – like the piano player for instance? Did he have to die simply because he is employed by the Mall? And what about the security guard? Also simply because he works at the Mall? And the Mall owner’s son? Just because he was being a dick? If Eric is killing innocent people, why should I root for him? If he was a maniacal killer like Jason Voorhees, then it would have made sense. But this is supposed to be about vengeance.

I’m about to do spoilers, so stop reading if you intend watching the movie still. Melody was Eric’s girlfriend, and believing he is dead she is trying to move on. So, when she meets reporter Peter there is a spark between them, and this causes Eric to become jealous. But what did he expect? Why did he never try to contact Melody, since we learn he never died in the fire? To a certain extent I suppose I can understand he didn’t want her to see him all scarred and looking like a monster, but then why not allow her to move on? Instead – after a year!!! – he suddenly wants her with him and wants to keep her locked up like a prisoner! Oh, pfff!!

From the shallow characters to the very bad script and the equally bad execution, ‘Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge’ is not worth it, and forgettable, actually. When all was revealed I had more questions than answers. ‘Chopping Mall’ from 1986 – also set in a shopping mall – is by far a better option. Rather give ‘Phantom of the Mall’ a skip.

Would I watch it again? Enough said…

I, Madman (1989)

Director: Tibor Takács

Starring: Jenny Wright, Clayton Rohner, Randall William Cook

A bookshop clerk and wannabe actress starts seeing the disfigured killer from her 1950s pulp novels come to life and start killing people around her. She tries to convince her cop boyfriend, but to no avail.

‘I, Madman’ is not to be confused with 1981’s slasher movie ‘Madman’.

‘I, Madman’ happens to be the name of a novel…in the movie, that is. Virginia, who works at a book store, is obsessed with writer Michael Brand’s work. In search of his book ‘I, Madman’ she one day arrives home to find the book in front of her apartment.

Much of the events in the film is the visualization of the story as Virginia reads it. But when people start dying, the villain in the book becomes very real to her and the lines between fact and fiction starts to blur. Virginia’s boyfriend is Richard, a cop who investigates the murders. When Virginia tells him she knows when the next murder will take place, he disregards it as her obsession with the novels – especially with her having a habit of scaring herself whilst reading the novels. Virginia believes the killer to be author Michael Brand himself.

The villain is a truly creepy character and looks like an antagonist straight out of your worst nightmare. The make-up is very well done. In general, I rather enjoyed this movie and thought it wasn’t half bad.

Jenny Wright was nominated for Best Actress portraying Virginia.

Would I watch it again? Although a good watch, I somehow doubt it.

The Hand (1981)

Director: Oliver Stone

Starring: Michael Caine, Andrea Marcovicci, Annie McEnroe

A comic book artist loses his hand, which in turn takes on a murderous life of its own.

Jonathan and Anne Lansdale are having marital problems. Anne wants to move to New York to follow her dreams and suggests they live separately for a while. In a heated argument on the way to New York, Jonathan loses his hand in a freak accident.

Unable to find the hand, Jonathan now struggles to do his work as comic artist, and slowly sees his life falling apart. Him and his wife are becoming more distant and she finds solace in Bill, her yoga instructor. Meantime Jonathan’s agent suggests another artist take over his comic.

Having thoughts of revenge, his hand – still in the field and busy rotting – starts having a life of its own, and kills those who gets in Jonathan’s way. The hand design was pretty darn creepy and I enjoyed the way they showed the hand’s point of view, as if a predator. The attack scenes were sometimes more funny than scary watching actors fighting with a prop hand, but in general the effects were very good.

‘The Hand’ is a psychological horror thriller drama and Michael Caine delivers an excellent performance as Jonathan.

Would I watch it again? I doubt it.

Thanksgiving (2023)

Director: Eli Roth

Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Ty Olsson, Gina Gershon

After a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer terrorizes Plymouth, Massachusetts – the birthplace of the infamous holiday.

Jessica, her boyfriend and a few friends are going out for the evening after Thanksgiving dinner. They need to make a quick stop at Jessica’s Dad’s superstore, RightMart, but it is Black Friday and there are hordes of people waiting to take advantage of the specials. The security allows Jessica and her friends into the store, but when the crowd sees them inside, they rant and storm the store, resulting in a few deaths – including the wife of store manager Mitch.

A Year later, at the next Black Friday sale, a killer is on the loose targeting specific people who were linked to the tragic events of the year before. And so we watch a few people die horrible deaths. There’s loads of blood and guts, and the kill scenes are sure to satisfy slasher horror movie buffs. As for the film in general, I found it cliched, but I did like the killer’s unique mask.

The film felt like a mixed bag of ‘Scream’, ‘I know what you did last summer’, ‘Totally Killer’, and even a bit of ‘V for Vendetta’. It had the potential to be memorable, but when the killer was finally revealed I sat there thinking ‘what the hell’?? Why would this person be the murderer? Just why?? What was the reason for this bloody revenge? It made absolutely no sense and completely ruined the movie. It was a stupid and lazy reveal.

‘Thanksgiving’ earned $46.5 million on a budget of $15 million. It received 11 award nominations including Best Horror Film, Best Costume Design, and Best Use of Practical Effects.

Would I watch it again? No.

Nosferatu (1922)

Director: F.W. Murnau

Starring: Max Schreck, Alexander Granach, Gustav von Wangenheim

Vampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter’s wife.

How many vampire movies have been made over the years? Well, back in 1922 ‘Nosferatu’ was the very first vampire film ever made, based on Bram Stoker’s story. (Due to Stoker’s family refusing to sell the film rights, director F.W. Murnau simply changed the names and some of the events, and voila!, you have ‘Nosferatu’.)

This must have been a truly frightening premise when the film hit the theatres in 1922. Never before have the audiences seen anything like this. It is an epic story of forbidden love, but in the worst kind of way.

Hutter and his wife Ellen are happily married. Hutter works for estate agent Knock. When Knock receives a letter from Count Orlok stating he is looking to buy a home, Hutter must journey to his castle in Transylvania to present him with the paperwork. Set in 1838 travelling vast distances were not the easiest or fastest. While Hutter journeys to Transylvania, Ellen is to stay with Hutter’s friend Harding and his wife.

On his way to the castle, the townsfolk warn Hutter against going to Orlok’s castle, but an undaunted Hutter continues his journey. On arrival, he meets Count Orlok, who tells him he sleeps during the day. Hutter soon learns the terrible truths about his host. Upon seeing a photo of Ellen, Orlok is destined to connect with her. Thanks to good make-up, Max Schreck looks truly evil as Nosferatu.

The 1992 film ‘Dracula’ (aka Bram Stoker’s Dracula) starring Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves is almost identical to ‘Nosferatu’; just on a much grander scale. Also worth checking out is ‘Shadow of the Vampire’ from 2000, starring Willem Dafoe. This film is a fictionalized telling of the making of ‘Nosferatu’ and makes for very interesting viewing.

In German. (Silent Film)

Would I watch it again? I don’t think so.

Bloodwork (2012)

Director: Eric Wostenberg

Starring: Travis Van Winkle, John Bregar, Tricia Helfer

Two college students volunteer for pharmaceutical testing to make some extra cash.

Being a trial patient for a new drug myself, I certainly could relate to the premise. Fortunately – for me! – things didn’t get out of hand as it did for these poor guys – or not yet, that is!

The film starts off very realistic and well substantiated. They offer more than enough time for us to get to know and like the characters before the mayhem starts, so we can root for them. It is lighthearted at first, and fast-paced. I enjoyed the different characterizations. There’s also an interesting reversal of attitude among the characters.

‘Bloodwork’ turns uncomfortable real quick and you might want to watch some of the scenes through parted fingers, knees up to the chin! Believe me, it gets under your skin. During the final act, things spin out of control at a rapid pace. There’s also a few surprises in store. Be prepared, the film becomes rather brutal, gory and bloody.

The actors does an incredible job and I also found the script very good.

Would I watch it again? Yes.