A young girl gets hurt on a laundry folding machine, a so-called Mangle. As her virgin blood is spilled on the machine it awakens some demonic power within it. Hungry for the pure drops it starts killing more of the laundry workers. Officer John Hunton (played by Ted Levine) decides to investigate but gets held up by the creepy owner William \'Bill\' Gartley (played by horror legend Robert Englund), who doesn\'t seem to want the "accidents" to stop.

Sometimes moviemakers just land themselves such a great deal that one should think nothing could go wrong. And funny thing is that it does never the less. I mean take a scrip based on a great author\'s short story (that would be Stephen King), get a talented horror director (that would be Tobe Hooper), add one of the best horror actor of character portrayal (Robert Englund) and spice the whole thing up with a Hollywood-sized budget - that at least can buy you a decent special effects-team. The result could only be a horror masterpiece, right? No! Even though Robert Englund manages to create a villain worth remembering this alone can not save a movie, which mildly put is just dull. It lacks mood, charms and/or thrills. Yes, it has some pretty gory effects - but the overall niceness of the movie just makes you feel that you\'re watching a cheap fantasy-movie. I actually fell asleep at some point and had to rewind to get the whole story. I wish I hadn\'t; nothing good came out of it and I actually would have preferred sleep to this movie. Perhaps I make it sound worse than it is - see for yourself and judge for yourself. I just don\'t like seeing so much potential gone to waste. If someone else got the resources used on this less-than-mediocre movie there\'s no telling how good a film it might have spawned.

Lamberto Bava’s directorial debut is an interesting if not exactly great film. It deals with a woman called Jane baker (Bernice Stegers), a housewife who by day sneaks off to spend time with her lover Fred. One day, whilst out indulging in her adulterous behaviour, her daughter Lucy drowns her brother Michael in the bath. Lucy then phones her mother telling her there has been a terrible accident and so Jane gets Fred to rush her home. However, on the journey home whilst negotiating a bend in the road the car spins out of control and Fred is horribly killed.

Fast forward a year and we see Jane being released from the mental hospital within which she has been residing. Upon leaving she returns to her old haunt, the house where she used to meet up with Fred for passionate liaisons. The room they shared their forbidden delights with has been left undisturbed, which she turns into a shrine to Fred, and the only other occupant in evidence is the blind musical instrument restorer, Robert Duval (Stenko Molnar), who lives downstairs. Duval has long had the hots for Jane and so bends to her every whim, never questioning her on her strange behaviour.

Duval, however, starts to get puzzled when he hears the sounds of intense lovemaking coming from her room when no one has entered the building and wonders what could be going on. At this point Lucy re-enters the scenario and starts poking around when her mother is out and she encounters a fridge with the freezer compartment padlocked. Her mother returns and goes frantic at Duval upon finding Lucy in her room, demanding to know why he let her in. But Lucy has already started to unravel the puzzle…..

The latter part of the film then descends into bizarre territory as we discover that Jane has been keeping Fred’s head in her freezer and it is this with which she has been indulging her necrophiliac desires. Lucy already knows this and ultimately confesses to her murder of Michael, which causes her mother to descend further into madness, and so the film hurtles to its conclusion of insanity and death.

Bava’s debut as a director after a period of apprenticeship under his father Mario is quite impressive on its own merits. It’s certainly an odd piece of horror cinema and the subject matter is quite repulsive even though Bava doesn’t quite pull it off. Not a bad little film overall and definitely worth a look, especially for fans of Euro horror. And it gives a whole new meaning to the saying “Keeping a cool head”.

Hellraiser 2 - USA | Main Cast: Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Kenneth Cranham | Directed by: Tony Randel | Original year of release: 1988 | Approximate running time: 99 mins | DVD release: Anchor Bay Entertainment | Region coding: Region 0 | DVD Extras: Widescreen and full-frame presentations, Audio Commentary with Tony Randel, Ashley Laurence and Peter Atkins, Lost in the Labyrinth - A featurette produced by Clive Barker, Theatrical Trailer, Still Gallery
Quote :

Although this is an admittedly inferior sequel to Clive Barker\'s original classic it still has plenty to recommend it. It\'s packed full of nightmarish imagery and show-stopping gore and once again introduces us to the hellish world of the Cenobites led by the formidable Pinhead (Doug Bradley).
The story picks up from the where the original Hellraiser left off. Kirsty (Ashley Lawrence) tells her story to the authorities who promptly place her in an insane asylum under the watchful eye of a certain Dr Channard (Kenneth Cranham), who himself has an obsession with all things demonic and hellish. Kirsty is raving about how the mattress upon which Julia (her stepmother) died must be destroyed to prevent her from coming back. The police assume she is mad but Channard arranges for the mattress to be taken to his residence. He is intrigued and fascinated by Kirsty\'s story and believes it enough to have obtained the Lament Configuration Box.

Channard\'s assistant, Kyle (William Hope), is less believing of the story however obstinately refusing to take Kirsty seriously. This all changes though when he pays a visit to Channard\'s house after overhearing Channard arranging to get said mattress. At the house Kyle witnesses Channard bringing in a patient from the hospital and sits him on the mattress. This particular patient is convinced that his body is infested with maggots and is prone to scratching himself, constantly trying to rid himself of them. Channard hands him a straightrazor, which the inmate immediately starts to use on himself to scrape off the maggots. Channard stands back and watches the ensuing carnage as the man slashes and slices himself deeply, all the while soaking the mattress in fresh blood. This bloodshed invokes the resurrection of Julia (Clare Higgins) in a blood-spattered sequence that is unflinching and quite unpleasant to watch. Kyle is also witness to all this and makes a quick exit before he is spotted and races back to the hospital to rescue Kirsty. Kirsty, however, wishes to go to Channard\'s house as she is on a personal quest to free her father from hell. Kyle agrees to go with her.

At Channard\'s house the look around trying to search out some clues. Kyle wanders off and meets his death at the hands of the merciless Julia and Channard arrives with a young girl from the institution who is a genius at solving conundrums. Channard gives her the Lament Configuration Box and he and Julia anticipate what\'s to come. The girl quickly solves the puzzle and so the Cenobites arrive, opening the door to their world. Channard and Julia enter this doorway to explore this strange new world, followed not long after by Julia and the young girl. Mayhem and copious bloodletting soon ensues as Channard himself is transformed into a Cenobite, Leviathan is unleashed and Kirsty tries frantically to find her father.

This is a very dark film, which also includes some nasty violence and graphic gore. But it also has an intriguing story and some great ideas thrown into the mix. Although nowhere good as its predecessor, it is still a very interesting film with some novel ideas. It still manages to achieve that sense of subversion that was so prevalent with the original, which is no bad thing. Overall it\'s an enjoyable movie and is a satisfying viewing experience..

Maniac - USA | Main Cast: Joe Spinell, Caroline Munroe and Tom Savini | Directed by: William Lustig | Original year of release: 1980 | Approximate running time: 88 mins | DVD release: Anchor Bay Entertainment | Region coding: Region 1 | DVD Extras: Animated menu\'s, scene selection, audio commentary, Radio Interview, "The Joe Spinell Story" docu, Theatrical trailers, TV Spots, Radio Spots, Gallery of Outrage, Poster/still gallery, Talent Bios, chapters/theatre ads insert card. | Audio : THX cert. DTS, Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Surround 2., Languages : English, French, Italian | Subtitles : optional Spanish | Quote :

Short synopsis:
Frank Zito (Joe Spinel) has no job, no relatives, no friends and no social life. He is haunted by his mother\'s accidental death. He kills young, attractive women , and dresses their scalps on mannequin dolls in his murky little apartment in New York City. Going outside means he must kill. In the young women\'s appearance he seeks the comfort of his deceased mother. Headlines in the papers detail about his deeds and depravities. He feels sorry for himself but can\'t stop it... he know he must go outside. Until he meets Anna (Caroline Munroe), a professional photographer. The two start dating and Anna expresses her fondness of Frank. Still, a little voice in his head tells him he must search for his mother and soon he makes his next victim. Just before Christmas he and Anna go out for dinner but Frank asks her if it\'s ok to go and stop by the cemetary to visit his mother\'s grave just before dinner. But seeing his mother\'s gravestone Frank loses it and things go terribly wrong for them...

Review :
This film, from the start on, creates a very intense, downbeat atmosphere. The setting of the film paints a gritty picture of suburban NYC and gives the viewer a peek into the depraved, pathetic and bleak life of a sick serial killer. But the way Frank leads his life and goes through his acts instills a feeling of compassion within the viewer. The murders are brutal but something about them is sensible, it\'s hard to explain. Joe Spinell gives away a very strong performance, very believable. His hulking figure and scarred face give him something bestial but at the same time very human and emotional. Caroline Munroe as Anna provides a strong contrast between the gritty everyday life of Frank and her beautiful and natural appearance when they are on a date. It renders the savagery of Frank\'s daily routine into a warm and friendly behaviour and makes this serial killer all the more human and understandable.

The motives for his killing and wicked depravity become clear quite fast, and although this has been doen numerous times afterwards in this type of movie, Maniac actually was the first to confront the audiences across the world with the effects of severe and prolonged child abuse. The psychological effect this film might have on the viewer, together with some in-your-face acts of brutality, gave this movie a notorious reputation for a long time. The MPAA made a lot of cuts in the theatrical version and domestic versions and the BBFC banned it right away. Luckily Anchor Bay bring us the longest (uncut) version ever made available. In the 21st century it might not disturb as much as more than 20 years ago, but atmospherically it holds up to such milestones as Silence of the Lambs, Henry and Seven. Essential for all serial killer freaks but even for a contemporary mainstream audience, this film would do very well.

Storyline :
Perhaps best known for his Cannibal Ferox, director Umberto Lenzi did Eaten Alive (a.k.a. Eaten Alive by the Cannibals, Doomed to Die, Mangiati Vivil, The Emerald Jungle, Mangiati Vivi Dai Cannibali) two years prior, in 1979.

Filmed on location in Sri Lanka, New York and briefly at the Niagara Falls (for the opening scene), the movie saw it\'s release in 1980. Almost all the animal cruelty and even some of the cannibal sequences, including the castration was ripped from Mountain of the Cannibal God, and some extra scenes where even shot in the same caves. Three people are assassinated by venomous blow-darts, and the assassin proves to have some connection with a Purification sect run by Rev. Jonas (Ivan Rassimov), a People\'s Temple/Jim Jones style cult. In the assassin\'s apartment the police discover an 8mm film which shows a strange ritual, some ancient ruins and statues as well as the face of a young American woman, Diana (Paola Senatore).

The film is showed to her sister Sheila (Janet Agren, also seen in Fulci\'s City of the Living Dead) who can confirm that her sister\'s been missing for some time. She in turn shows the footage to a Professor Carter (Mel Ferrer) who can tell her that the film was shot in New Guinea. So next thing, Sheila\'s off to the east, where she seeks aid from Vietnam deserter Mark Butler (Robert Kerman a.k.a. Roberto Bolla). They go into the jungle in search for the sect and Diana, but not without trouble. First some loony captures them, and when they manage to break free one of their guides is killed by a crocodile (the scene from Mountain of the Cannibal God). They get ashore, but the next night their second guide disappears with all their equipment, and they soon find his mutilated corpse nearby. Stumbling over a cannibalistic meal they manage to avoid a confrontation, but later they are hunted down and trapped by some natives. However these guys are from the Purification sect and so they\'re taken there to meet Jonas. Once there they witness a burial rite, where the bride of the deceased light the funeral pyre, and after the flame\'s burned out her three brothers-in-law all take their turn with her, in the ashes of the fire. It soon become clear to Mark and Sheila that Jonas rule the sect with an iron fist and keeps his flock obedient by drugging them down, and that he has no intention of letting them, or Diana go. Mark tries to escape the camp but he\'s attacked by cannibals and is forced to go back to the camp. But they don\'t give up and with the aid of a native girl, the newly turned widow (Me Me Lai); the three of them escapes the cult\'s village. Sheila who is heavily drugged down by Jonas flees the party and tries to get back to the sect.

While Mark sets after her, Diana and the native girl is attacked and raped by some of the cultist and by the time Mark has caught up with Sheila and bring her back to them, the cultists are killed and Diana and the girl is captured by the cannibals. They are tortured in a very gory sequence, were ears and breast are graphically cut off and they find themselves being the main course in cannibalistic meal. The cannibals cut them open, remove their guts and pry open their chests with wooden sticks.

At this time the police has sent helicopters out on search for Diana and when Jonas sees this he understand that his sect will be investigated and so by his order everyone commit suicide by stabbing themselves or drinking poison. Meanwhile Sheila and Mark, under attack from the cannibalistic hordes barely manage to climb aboard one of the choppers and are saved.

Our judgement :
Despite suffering a bit from it\'s stolen footage which often is more or less randomly put in, Eaten Alive, is quite entertaining and features some quite brutal gore scenes as well as some quite cheesy dialogue. When Sheila shows Pr. Carter the footage of the ritual he dramatically proclaims "How odd... how very odd". "You mean insane!" Sheila answers truly upset. Also in the helicopter that takes Sheila and Mark out into the jungle she asks him "do you like rock [music]?", to which he replies cool, "I like whiskey." And when the crocodile attack turn over the canoe he\'s fast to rescue his bottle of J&B.

Storyline :
Here comes one of the weirdest story?s you will ever hear from a non Japanese-movie? A totally, really pissed off hippie-gang that only lives for drugs (L.S.D) and enjoying the freedom of live, means barbequing rats for their meal (!?) making some very dangerous ?satanic-rituals? from that your mama always tried to warned you. (In 1971 this thematic was shocking?!) After the gang is consuming rabies-infected meat pies (would you taste it..?) they all turn into some bloodthirsty, foam gurgling-maniacs that go an unstopping rampage of violence and terror ! ! !

Our judgement :
Holy bile, this sleazo-maniac-hippie-cult-chessy-splatterfest has to be seen to believe. In best 70?s- style you learn to know what happens when you meet an hippie-gang that is infected with rabies: Heads easily disappear from their neck?, limbs getting chopped by axe and cannibal-style buffets can happen because of the heavy ?hunger !! The total jaw-dropping 70-year b-movie acting and the bright colours (yeah red, too..) creating an bone-chilling atmosphere that no other movie will deliver you once more so fast? Extreme censored since it?s release (germany: 3 tape releases were all heavily cut) this outstanding splatter-orgy is now presented through ?fangoria?s film label. Packed with untop-able bonus: deleted scenes, interview, trailer, tv- spots and 2 easter eggs (the opening of ?I eat your skin?,-mmhh..) and lots more, this will build ?white-foam? in your mouth too? This ?bullet of b-movie-making? is presented in its original 4:3 format and was remastered from the directors cut. David Durston (who also brought you the movie ?Stigma? 1972) takes place for a long interview, talking funny story?s about the making of the film. My personal viewing tip is watch this movie with your granny maybe she knows this one already, who know?s ? Till the next review from the bone-yard of sleaze? my dear friend, the screaming ?skull near me would also give the best notes for this movie readers?.!!!

The Abomination - USA | 1986 | Directed by Bret McCormick | Format : VHS / DVD (Splatter Zone Editor) | Quote :

First opinion :
A middle-aged woman is diagnosed with a tumor by a charismatic preacher. She vomits up what she believes to be the tumor. The "tumor" turns out to be a strange spore of sorts that can grow into a carnivorous creature. This spore inside the boy\'s body now makes him brutally kill people to feed the other spores, which grow into strange creatures as described.

Storyline :
A woman is suffering under a mysterious, pulsating tumour inside her lungs. She watches everyday the show of a religious ?t.v.-guru? who tells, that he will cure all tumours, disorders and diseases of the people. Some day as she lay back and watches this show again, she is having a spasm of coughing, it get harder and the lady pukes something like a worm or parasite out !! This ?Thing? than finds it?s way over night into to the body of her son, via an intrusion through the mouth. After that situation is happen, the beloved son transforms day for day into a ?blood-thirsty- human-flesh-needing? maniac, who kills only for the ?Abomination?, his boss, the girlfriend of his buddy and a few others must letting there life for up growing monster-collection? At the End the the thing gets bigger and greater and looks like ?Alien? on acid !!!!

Our judgement :
In the ?glory-gory? days of the 80?s where b-movie productions was produced on assembly belt like ?basket case, brain damage? or ?street trash? to name a few, Max Raven also had the idea to this thing to shot. While to plot and storyline is a little bit crappy and has his long parts in it, the Gore and FX Work of ?Dark FX? is astonishing. The Sick Tumour-creations, the eating deformation out of the cupboard is truly mind-snatching, okay it?s simple but it works ! For Splatter-maniacs is very interesting that in the first 3 minutes of the opener sequence (which is an Nightmare of the main actor) you got an gore ?best-of? of the fx. All in all an really good movie if you have a six pack beer and friends who like some b-movie trash Flicks too !! But defenitly worth a look. Relased as Tape in France from ?Videopoche Video Collection?, in Netherlands from ?Midnite Movies? on tape too and know finally on bloody as it is on dvd? A creepy night boys and ghouls !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jungle Holocaust - ITALY | 1977 | Directed by Ruggero Deodato | Format : DVD on Media Blasters / Shriek Show (U.S) | Quote :

Other title for this movie :
The Last Survivor, The Last Cannibal World, De laatste kannibalen, The Last Cannibals, Carnivorous, Mondo Cannibale 2, Ultimo Mondo Cannibale

First opinion :
A middle-aged woman is diagnosed with a tumor by a charismatic preacher. She vomits up what she believes to be the tumor. The "tumor" turns out to be a strange spore of sorts that can grow into a carnivorous creature. This spore inside the boy\'s body now makes him brutally kill people to feed the other spores, which grow into strange creatures as described.

Storyline :
Robert Harper was an average entrepreneur until he stranded on an isolated development on new guinea. Rolf, his true friend gets lost in this cruel jungle and robert find?s himself trapped in this cannibal-island of death. A primitive tribe that\'s not decent.. but malicious and savage !!!! Torture and humiliating are there employments, which robert must feel on his own body. He get\'s locked in a little cave where he must suffer with a carnage-attacking-exotic bird. (No kidding). In the afternoon he witnessing an sick incident. The cannibals taking one of their tribe, bound him on tree-stump, slitting up his wrists and let scrabble red-ants in his wounds?.oouucchhhh !!! One girl from the primitives is on roberts side, after long time of agony he can escape with the help of her, but the tribe catches her and eating her up for good. Finally robert find his friend rolf, and in the last minute, they can fly away with their stranded airplane End

Our judgement :
One of the true cannibal-sicko\'s brought to you by no one other than ruggero deodato, the master of this genre (The infamous Cannibal Holocaust). This flick got all that you needed and want from this type of film: Human-Flesh-Needing Primitives, Ultra-Cruel Animal Killings, An-Island of Endless Bushes and Trees, A simple Storyline and last but not least gore, gore, gore? !!!! Fans know the Actress Me-Me Lai, she appeared in Eaten Alive, Man from the deep river too. The fantastic DVD release from Shriek Show comes (as always) in an astonishing remastered-anamorphic widescreen transfer that will make your eyeballs split out? I think this is the definitive edition of this movie. And it\'s also packed with a lot of extras: Audio Commentary, Interviews, Rare Poster and Production Stills and more. Get this gore-met in it\'s full gory-glory, bon appetit, sleazer\'s.