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Movie Review: Fright Night

August 1st 2010 08:33


Plot: A young horror buff by the name of Charlie Brewster (William Ragsdale) becomes convinced that his next-door neighbour, Jerry Dandrige (Chris Sarandon) is a vampire, and must enlist the help of his friends and his hero (Roddy McDowall) to stop his murderous rampage!

Having seen Sarandon in Bordello of Blood, I was inspired to revisit this old classic. The movie follows young horror-nut Brewster as he desperately tries to enlist his friends, and later washed-up horror presenter Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall) to help him combat Vamp-next-door Dandrige. I hadn't seen this one in years, but I've been having a good run with revisiting childhood classics, and so thought I would give this one a fresh reviewing. And, again, this one has failed to disappoint; I can still say with refreshed clarity that this is one of my favourite vampire movies of all time.


Acting: Probably the stongest part of this movie. Simply put, everyone is fantastic. However, there are 4 performances in particular that stand out above the rest. First mention in the best supporting actor category goes to
Now say AAAAHHHHH
Stephen Geoffreys as 'Evil' Ed Thompson. His performance as the quirky if slightly unhinged best friend is top-notch, particularly after be becomes one of the undead. The fact that he went on to star in hardcore gay porn... don't hold that against him (or do, if you're into that kind of stuff!). His high-pitched, maniacal cackle still creeps me out to this very day. However, it is the three leads who steal the spotlight, and what a contest it is to pick a favourite from the trio; Brewster, Vincent and Dandrige. Ragsdale offers a fine performance as Brewster, even if at first it is a bit hard to empathize with his character (I mean... who turns down a long-awaited sexual encounter to stare at a coffin!?). However this is a scripting thing, and doesn't at all detract from Ragsdale's portrayal. However, in my mind his performance is overshadowed by that of Roddy McDowall as Peter Vincent, recently-fired host of Fright Night, and closet coward.
McDowall does something really special with his character, and gives us one of those performances that almost seem written just for that person. Apparently David Tennant (of Dr. Who fame) is set to take McDowall's place in the upcoming remake... not quite sure how I feel about this yet!


I have, of course, saved the best for last. The highlight of the movie, the king among princes, is Chris Sarandon, and his wicked portrayal as the vampire Jerry Dandrige.
I don't think I can emphasize enough how well Sarandon portrays the character, ranging from a ruthless killer to a charismatic seductor with ease. In vampire mode he is, of course, helped out by some impressive prosthetics, but even when he's just plain ol' Jerry, he still manages to convey an air of menace. Sarandon has played some great roles over the years, but to me he will always be Jerry Dandrige.

Script: While I have read some criticisms of the script, I really didn't have any problems with it. Sure, if you look at it too closely you will find some plot holes, and some parts don't make that much sense, but in comparisson to most of the junk around at the moment it's a very solid script. It delves into campiness without becoming cheesy, and manages to achieve that perfect blend of gore, tension and black comedy that is so hard to achieve.

Effects: Excellent. The vampires are
Come here and gimme a kiss!
horrendous looking, and there are several graphic death scenes that were particularly impressive death scenes (Evil Ed, Billy Cole and Dandrige, to be precise). The CGI, while looking dated, is thankfully kept to a minimum (as it should be!), so the movie has aged well.

Overall, this movie is a wickedly fun romp, with some excellent performances and great effects. If you haven't seen it, you're doing yourself an injustice... and if you have, you know it's time to take it out, blow the dust off, and treat yourself to another viewing. I know I will be.
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Movie Review: Bordello of Blood

July 18th 2010 10:53


Plot: An overzealous reverend (Chris Sarandon) obtains a mystical artifact that allows him to control the vampire queen, Lilith (Angie Everhart). He uses her to create a bordello full of vampires, with the intention of using them to wipe out all of the towns sinners. Meanwhile, a down-on-his-luck detective, Rafe Guttman (Dennis Miller) is hired by reverend's assistant Katherine Verdoux (Erika Eleniak) to find her missing brother, Caleb (Corey Feldman). Guttman uncovers the secret behind the bordello, and tries to prove it to the rest of the town before the vampires turn him into lunch.

Bordello is the second part of the Tales from the Crypt trilogy, following 1995's Demon Knight.. Unfortunately, due to it's poor reception at the box office, the third installment was canned. However, after 2001's Ritual also performed poorly, it was retrospectively added to the trilogy.

Now, I loved Demon Knight, and so I had high hopes for this one. Like it's predecessor, I had seen this one way back when I was just a wee lad, and I have fond memories... and, again, it has held up well. It has gore, it has shameless nudity (I mean... it's set in a damn bordello!), and it has some great comedy. However, despite being entertaining, it isn't as good as DK, and it isn't hard to see why it flopped at the box office.

Acting: For the most part, not bad. Dennis Miller has the standout performance as smartass detective Rafe Guttman, a role in which he is cast perfectly. I have a feeling that he improvised alot of his lines (or else the role was written specifically for him), and he is genuinely funny to watch. Also enjoyable to see is Reverend J.C. Current, suitably amen'd
Corey Feldman's feeling a bit heartless
and hallelujah'd by Chris Sarandon. Interestingly, Sarandon played a wicked vamp in Fright Night, so it's nice to see him on the other side of the fangs, so to speak. Also keep and eye out for Whoopi Goldberg, who gets in a 15 second cameo as a hospital patient, and for William Sadler as the Crypt Keeper's not-so-friendly Mummy companion.


The big letdown for me was Angie Everheart as Lilith.
Baby, you can suck more than just my blood
Don't get me wrong, her performance, despite being a bit poor in parts, was ok overall... but what elevated Demon Knight to awesome-status was Billy Zane, and unfortunately Angie just doesn't compare. That being said, it isn't nearly enough to spoil your fun (and she is ridiculously good looking), but she doesn't have that cheesy charm. One genuine criticism I have is that Everheart doesn't get her kit off, but I guess we can't have everything...

Script: Piss-poor. But come on; it's a movie about a bordello full of vampires, and a Tales from the Crypt movie to boot. If you came here expecting a high-quality script, you must be (at least) mildly retarded.

Definitely gonna feel THAT in the morning
Effects: Awesome. Although the CGI looks a bit dated, the creators opted to use prosthetics, and they use that to great effect. Also, there are plenty of hearts being ripped out, heads being torn off, dismemberment, and of course vampires being reduced to heaps off puss, so the gorehounds will not be left wanting.

Overall: This is not a film that takes itself seriously. I mean... how is that possible in a movie in which a detective and a reverent take on a whorehouse full of vampires with supersoakers and water pistols? What it is... is wickedly entertaining. So sit back, crack open a beer with some mates, pass the spliff, and just enjoy.
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Posted By: Someone - Category: Vampire, Good Horror
   


Movie Review: Demon Knight

July 12th 2010 11:14


Plot: A man (William Sadler) is protecting a mystical key, while being hunted by a demon (Billy Zane).

Demon Knight holds a special place in my heart. I remember when I first saw it, sometime in the mid-late 90's, and it scared the crap out of me. As such, I was pretty hesitant to come back to it, seeing as how poorly my other childhood memories had held up to modern scrutiny (case in point: Lost in Space... god that was a shocker). However, I am happy to report that Demon Knight is still a bitchin' movie.

Hi there. Give me your soul, please.
It centres on the story of Frank Brayker (Sadler), a mysterious loner on the run from the cops, and more importantly on the run from a powerful demon called The Collector (Billy Zane). After his car is destroyed, Brayker takes refuge at a hotel, but is soon discovered by the town sheriff, accompanied by the Collector. Realizing that his subterfuge will not secure the key, the Collector kills the sheriff, and then lays siege to the hotel in an attempt to kill (or seduce) it's occupants and obtain the key.

Acting: The cast contains some big-name actors, including Jada Pinkett-Smith (although it was just Pinkett at the time), Dick Miller
Maybe damnation isn't so bad after all
and Thomas Haden Church, as well as the two leads. However, it is Zane who steals the show with his suave portrayal. The Collector not only tries to kill everyone, but also tries to tempt them into surrendering their souls, using their deepest desires against them, and Zane's... well, haminess, is just cast perfectly in this role. Sadler and the rest of the supporting characters offer solid performances, but you will have eyes only for Zane.

Effects: Being made in the 90's, the CGI looks very dated
All right Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my close-up
. Thankfully it's use is kept to a bare minimum, and the vast majority is done with some awesome make-up effects. The Collector's demon henchmen look suitably hiddeous, but it is the posessed humans that look truely horrendous. While the prosthetics aren't groundbreaking, they are more than enough to disgust and entertain.

Script: Probably the weakest part of the movie... but then again, it is a Tales From The Crypt movie, complete with intro and epilogue from the Crypt Keeper himself. There are a few plot holes, and some of the dialogue is a little cheesy, but it shouldn't be anywhere near enough to put you off seeing the movie.

Overall, crap CGI aside, this movie has aged well. A dramatic classic it surely ain't, but if you're in the mood for a bit of fun, then this should be right up your alley.


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Posted By: Someone - Category: Demons, Great Horror
   


Movie Review: Daybreakers

March 5th 2010 02:46


Premise: An infection originally from bats spreads through humanity, turning the majority of humanity into vampires. These vampires then enslave most of the remaining human populace, using them as living blood farms. However, there is not nearly enough blood to go around, and without fresh blood the vampires devolve into mindless mutant bat-people, the wicked looking Subsiders


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2009: The Worst of the Worst

January 1st 2010 01:46
Well, it seems the 'Best of 2009' posts are a dime-a-dozen these days, so with that in mind I present to you the Evil Pleasures God-Awful Craptacular '09!

In order to make it on to this prestigous and exclusive list, a movie must be so terrible, so despicable, so ... awful, that it makes your eyes hurt and your nose bleed, and just watching it is enough to drain both your intelligence and your will to live


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Movie Review: The Final Destination

December 22nd 2009 11:37


Premise: A group of friends are watching a car race, when one has a vision of a freak accident that results in several cars crashing, destroying part of the stadium and killing a fair chunk of the audience. He leads his group and a few others to safety, avoiding their deaths. However, Death isn't finished with them just yet, and they will have to find a way to save themselves before Death catches up with them


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Posted By: Someone - Category: Psychological, Absolute Trash
   


F*ck you Murphy and your stupid law.

December 8th 2009 00:36
Murphy's law is, basically, the bane of my existance.

Right after I got back into full reviewing mode, BAM, my computer has a hissy fit and dies. Couple that with a new job, and EvilPleasures has taken a backseat


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Hiatus? What Hiatus?

October 9th 2009 10:31
Ah, the calls of real life. How they distract you from what's truly important... like reviewing B-grade horror movies. However, I am now determined to find the time to keep this site regularly updated, so expect the flow to resume.

So don't you worry, my children. Daddy's home.
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Screamers: The Hunting

October 9th 2009 10:13


Premise: Following on from the original Screamers, a group of army-type people must return to Sirius 6B to investigate a distress beacon. They get there and start dying. cough *Aliens* cough


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Posted By: Someone - Category: Creature, Good Horror
   


Movie Review: District 9

August 17th 2009 14:06


Premise: Aliens land on Earth, with their ship settling to hover above Johannesburg. Instead of a delegation or an army, it appears the aliens are refugees and their ship has shut down. They are moved to a camp beneath the ship, which quickly devolves into a slum, walled in and ruled by gangs. Fast forward 20 years, and inter-species tensions are at breaking point. Seeking to control the situation, the government hires MNU (Multi-National United) to evict the million aliens, and move them to another camp further outside the city, where they will not cause so many problems


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