The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Director: Robert Fuest

Starring: Vincent Price, Joseph Cotten, Virginia North

Doctor, scientist, organist, and biblical scholar Anton Phibes seeks revenge on the nine doctors he considers responsible for the death of his wife.

From what we learn throughout the movie, Dr Anton Phibes’ wife was treated by nine doctors, but they failed to save her life. Not able to speak after a car crash, Phibes invented a way to have his voice heard by using a speaker, or rather what appears to be a gramophone. Horribly scarred, he uses prosthetics and make-up to appear normal.

Out for vengeance, Phibes kills the doctors one by one in the most horrific ways. I must be honest, these killings were highly improbable and by no means realistic, but this is a horror comedy after all and many of the kill scenes were more funny than horrible. I believe this was done intentionally. Being a lighthearted film, it goes with the territory.

The detectives trying to crack the case mostly serve as comic relief characters and therefore not to be taken seriously. They discover Phibes is killing the doctors according to the Ten Plagues of Egypt, and must now try to protect the doctors who are marked for death.

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

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.

My Bloody Valentine (1981)

Director: George Mihalka

Starring: Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, Neil Affleck

A decades-old folk tale surrounding a deranged murderer killing those who celebrate Valentine’s Day turns out to be true to legend when a group defies the killer’s order and people start turning up dead.

‘My Bloody Valentine’ was a bloody nice surprise! The film has a distinct ‘Friday the 13th’ feel, with good acting, a good story, and nice characters.

The film is set in a small town, Valentine Bluffs – ‘the little town with a big heart’. The town is organizing it’s first Valentine’s dance in twenty years and the town is painted red – with Valentine’s decorations, that is. The excitement is soon doused, though, when organizers of the event start turning up dead.

When the dance is cancelled, a group of youngsters decide to have a Valentine’s party at the local mine, owned by one of the youngster’s Dad – and all hell breaks loose. As with most slasher movies, the youngsters always get horny in the most inconvenient and unconventional places, at the most inappropriate times. This then usually establishes them to be next in line for the kill.

‘My Bloody Valentine’ was exciting and delivered a few truly creepy moments, and effective jump scares. There’s also an interesting back story and love triangle. This is a classic, underrated movie, and an interesting twist ending, too. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Would I watch it again? Yes.