Classic-Horror.com | Reviewing the History of Horror Movies

Our editor-in-chief Nate Yapp is proud to have contributed to the new book Hidden Horror: A Celebration of 101 Underrated and Overlooked Fright Flicks, edited by Aaron Christensen. Another contributors include Anthony Timpone, B.J. Colangelo, Dave Alexander, Classic-Horror.com's own Robert C. Ring and John W. Bowen. Pick up a copy today from Amazon.com!

Review: Beyond the Darkness (1979)

Submitted by Rob Wrigley on Wed, 2002-07-10 15:19

Now here's a grisly little number. A lot of films have the title of "most sickening film ever made". Some even aspire to it. Try as they might, though, few directors were willing to cross barriers a violate taboos the way Joe D'Amato (aka Aristide Massaccesi) would. His first, and arguably, his best, horror film was been restored and remastered by Media Blaster's Shriek Show label. Buio Omega (Aka Beyond the Darkness, Buried Alive, Blue Holocaust, etc.) is a film not to be missed by fans of graphic, intense horror.(read more...)

Review: Cujo (1983)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Tue, 2002-07-09 00:00

Vacillating between moments of excellence and moments of extreme mediocrity, Cujo is enjoyable but ultimately a bit disappointing.

Dee Wallace (who plays a fine genre mom -- she was the mom in E.T., also) is Donna Trenton (no she doesn't have a New Jersey-ite accent or hairdo), wife, mother and philanderer. She has a twinge of uneasiness about her. Whether she is under or overreacting to philanderer guilt is debatable. It could also be indigestion.(read more...)

Review: Crucible of Terror (1971)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Sun, 2002-07-07 01:00

Ostensibly a horror film, Crucible of Terror is more a drama. As a drama, it is adequate, but there is nothing particularly notable about it. There are hundreds of adequate dramas out there, and hundreds of more than adequate ones. So there is no reason that a drama fan is likely to seek out this film. Since it is marketed as horror, and has horror elements, I'll review Crucible of Terror primarily for fans of that genre.(read more...)

Review: The Crazies (1973)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Sat, 2002-07-06 01:00

The Crazies deserves wider recognition. Known primarily to hardcore horror fans, and in particular George A. Romero fans, this solid 10 is one of the better films of the 70s.

In the same vein as societal breakdown stories such as Fahrenheit 451 and Soylent Green, every aspect of The Crazies conveys claustrophobia, panic and confusion. Romero creates this not only through the plot and dialogue, but from the pacing of the dialogue, the pacing of the edits, rapid fire edits in some places, an opening that begins in confusion, an excellent score, etc.(read more...)

Review: Circus of Fear (1966)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Thu, 2002-07-04 01:01

Based on the titles that this film is known as, and the fact that Christopher Lee is in it, many people might assume that Circus of Fear is a horror film. It isn't. It's a fairly straightforward mystery/suspense film. So, if you are looking for horror only, avoid this one. On the other hand, if you are a fan of mystery and suspense, you might like Circus of Fear.(read more...)

Review: C.H.U.D. (1984)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Tue, 2002-07-02 01:01

I have to say that I was almost dreading watching this movie. Not only had I heard bad things about it from other people, but I watched C.H.U.D. 2: Bud the Chud - the horror film that currently holds my "worst of all time" title - less than a week before. What a difference! C.H.U.D. is a great film.

The story, as might be expected, concerns "Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers" - or mutant bums, affected by toxic wastes illegally stored in abandoned tunnels deep beneath New York City. While the premise might sound ridiculous, it is no more absurd than the basis of just about any comic book hero. C.H.U.D. is actually an atmospheric, engaging film.(read more...)

Review: Cassandra (1986)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Mon, 2002-07-01 01:01

Cassandra is a great film, but one that's more in the vein of classic horror pacing than modern attention deficit syndrome-caterers. Scenes develop slowly and there are very subtle, Eraserhead-like pauses between bits of dialogue in some sections, as well as an exemplary conveying of unspoken communication.(read more...)

Review: The Carpenter (1989)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Sat, 2002-06-29 01:01

One abundant well that can provide objects of horror is the bond of trust that we often adopt towards others - often without much justification. The receivers of this trust range from strangers we pass on the street to workers of various jobs that require them to come into close contact with us- doctors, repair persons, etc. The Carpenter hinges on one such bond - that of giving construction workers access to our homes in a way that borders on an invasion of privacy.(read more...)

Review: Carnival of Blood (1970)

Carnival of Blood / Curse of the Headless Horseman Double Feature

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Thu, 2002-06-27 01:01

Carnival of Blood is so beautifully original in composition and execution that it reminds you what an art form filmmaking is. This isn't to suggest that some films are not art or that most are not quality art. Rather, Carnival of Blood suggests what it does through pointing out the well-worn grooves of the filmmaking norm by not following most of them.(read more...)

Review: The Burning (1981)

Submitted by Brandt Sponseller on Tue, 2002-06-25 01:00

I really wanted to like this film. Of course it's horror, and being a fan, I want to like most horror films. Also, it contains work from two of my favorite artists-make-up/special effects man Tom Savini (responsible for the make-up and effects of quite a few classics of the genre, including Romero's Dawn and Day of the Dead movies, Maniac, Friday the 13th, etc.), and keyboardist/composer Rick Wakeman (famous from the band Yes).(read more...)