The rating 5/10, which I awarded to "Junior", is far too generous. I'm well aware of that. And yet, I can't help being mild for this insane and severely inept piece of Canuxploitation! The film is a bit of a mishmash between "Porky's", "I Spit on your Grave" and "Psycho". Interesting combo, to say the least, but it roughly just translates as juvenile (but welcome) nudity, tough chicks extracting vengeance, and a driveling maniac with a mommy complex. Although entirely filmed in ice cold Québec, the story supposedly takes place in the deep South. Two buxom babes, freshly released from prison, settle themselves in a lakeside town where seemingly only male hillbillies live. The craziest redneck of the bunch is named Junior, and he makes it his mission to terrorize the girls so that he can impress his mother. The scenes with "momma" form the most hilarious highlights of the film. She just sits there, on her porch, with a pair of binoculars in her hands and cheers for his idiot son from a distance. Momma can't be seen properly, but I strongly suspect she's played by a male actor, probably because the director couldn't find an old lady crazy enough to appear in his film. She/he isn't listed in the credits, neither. Despite the buzzing chainsaw on the VHS-cover, "Junior" doesn't contain much gore, suspense or action. Gratuitous sleaze, on the other hand, there is plenty! And jolly good, brainless fun as well.
18 Reviews
nipples
trashgang30 January 2012
Old horror magazines praised this Canadian stinker. Still it hasn't had a proper release and is only available in the US on VHS as Junior, in Europe it's available on VHS as Hot Water. If we look at the US box it is compared with Nightmare On Elm Street and Texas Chainsaw Massacre and we all know what that means. Pure crap. And it shows. It had nothing to do with those classics. In fact, it had nothing to do with horror. The European box showed some nudity, the US box a deranged (junior) with a chainsaw.
Let me be honest, this is pure exploitation and has nothing to do with horror. Towards the end it has some cruelty but that can't save this flick. But still this is haunted down because for two reasons, Jeremy Ratchford (junior) is having his first role as an actor here in Junior and look what became of him, Unforgiven (1992) Cold Case (2003) and a lot of appearances in series. The other reason is that Suzanne DeLaurentiis (K.C.) and Linda Singer (Jo) are running around the whole movie with stiff nipples and now and then even run gratuitous around with bare tits. And let me say that this is what this flick is all about, gratuitous nudity (watch the boat scene with the Molotov cocktail). Junior doesn't look like a madman but looks more like a retard and his mother isn't scary at all, it looks like a man dressed as a old woman (watched the end credits and 'mom' wasn't mentioned).
This is just a flick were some guys are having fun by just hanging around and annoying girls. And just watch the opening sequence were a pimp is getting his deal with the two girls, then you know enough. Suzanne is still in the business as producer and Linda just did some acting in trash flicks.
It's so strange that this flick still has his following. For a flick made at the end of the slasher era it doesn't deliver anything, maybe the end is worth watching and just listen what they have to say about TCM just before the end credits. If I tell you that the nipples were more interesting then this stinker does I need to say more?
Gore 1/5 Nudity 2,5/5 Effects 1/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 1/5
Let me be honest, this is pure exploitation and has nothing to do with horror. Towards the end it has some cruelty but that can't save this flick. But still this is haunted down because for two reasons, Jeremy Ratchford (junior) is having his first role as an actor here in Junior and look what became of him, Unforgiven (1992) Cold Case (2003) and a lot of appearances in series. The other reason is that Suzanne DeLaurentiis (K.C.) and Linda Singer (Jo) are running around the whole movie with stiff nipples and now and then even run gratuitous around with bare tits. And let me say that this is what this flick is all about, gratuitous nudity (watch the boat scene with the Molotov cocktail). Junior doesn't look like a madman but looks more like a retard and his mother isn't scary at all, it looks like a man dressed as a old woman (watched the end credits and 'mom' wasn't mentioned).
This is just a flick were some guys are having fun by just hanging around and annoying girls. And just watch the opening sequence were a pimp is getting his deal with the two girls, then you know enough. Suzanne is still in the business as producer and Linda just did some acting in trash flicks.
It's so strange that this flick still has his following. For a flick made at the end of the slasher era it doesn't deliver anything, maybe the end is worth watching and just listen what they have to say about TCM just before the end credits. If I tell you that the nipples were more interesting then this stinker does I need to say more?
Gore 1/5 Nudity 2,5/5 Effects 1/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 1/5
Hot Water's More Like A Cold Shower - But Way Less Invigorating.
P3n-E-W1s32 October 2022
Greetings And Salutations, and welcome to my review of Hot Water aka Junior; here's the breakdown of my ratings:
Story: 1.25 Direction: 1.00 Pace: 0.75 Acting: 1.25 Enjoyment: 1.00
TOTAL: 5.25 out of 10.00.
In Hot Water, Junior is a man-child with a problem similar to Norman Bates. His Mother. The worrisome thing is Junior's mommy is still alive and as mad as a hatter suffering from vestiphobia on Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot. She's only too happy to cheer him on when he wants revenge, all too happy to whisper in his ear to instruct him. Some mothers are just bad for their sons.
John Maxwell and Don Carmody deliver a slasher flick with a twist. Two ex-cons, KC and Joe, fresh out of the women's pen, have decided to make a new start and go straight. They've bought a lakeside property hoping to turn it into a profitable business and home. Luckily for the viewers looking for a Dark Thriller, it's not long before the women realise their dreams will be tougher to achieve than they originally planned. For one, it would appear that their nearest neighbour, Junior, is nuttier than a coconut tree - and not in a funny way either. The first meeting they have with Junior and his cohorts sees Joe turned upside down and dangled over a whirring outboard motor propellor. KC comes to the damsel's rescue with her trusty shotgun. Only to have the Sheriff step out from the shadows to announce that he's also Junior's friend. Talk about bad luck; the local psycho has friends in high places. But this is only the beginning of the girl's troubles. Will they win the day, or will Junior and his mates rule the roost? As it goes, the story isn't too terrible. Maxwell and Carmody could've enriched their characters a tad more. Sadly, there's no real depth to them. The mysterious stranger, Luke, who lives on the houseboat, is a perfect example. There's not much to his character, and that works to build his mystique. But it's not enough to make the viewers relate to him. Even a vague backstory showing his personality better would pull the audience into his story and the film more: You need to get the viewer to invest themselves into the tale a little. Without that investment, the story becomes dull. And that's the case here. No matter what happens to KC & Joe, or anybody else in the story, you don't care. In the finale, you find that you're indifferent to the outcome. You're not cheering for the heroines' survival. And that's an awful thing for this type of picture.
Sadly, Jim Hanley wasn't up to capturing this story on film. His directorial style is lacking. There are copious scenes that merited better, starting with the propellor torture of Joe. The set needed to be better lit because you hardly make out the whirring prop. The scene is supposed to send chills down the viewers' spine in the apprehension of a messy kill. However, the killing machine's veiled in shadow, making the threat less intimidating to the viewer. Then there's a motorboat chase on the lake. Sadly, it comes across as less than thrilling and action-packed. It's more like a damp squib at a funereal convention. It's trying to be funny, but the attendants are waiting to bury it forever - dead or alive. And there are plenty more missed opportunities to empower the film. Though, I do have to state the ending sequence is nearly there. It comes across better than the others, and the final twist helps. One reason many sections fail to envigorate the viewers' emotions is Hanley's slow pacing. This failure is particularly noticeable in the boat chase. The excitement needed ramping up, as did the speed of his cuts and splices. The point-and-shoot style he employs with the meandering tempo does nothing but make the chase tiresome.
Surprisingly, the cast is okay. Two actors give the impression of being professionals and not some amateurs looking for a break; Jeremy Ratchford, who plays Junior and Ken Roberts, who portrays the Sherriff. These two guys made the movie more watchable for me.
Hot Water isn't a movie I'd quickly recommend. It's average to the extreme and could've been much better. But if you see it on a streaming service for free and you're at a loose end for an hour or so, feel free to check it out. It should pass the time.
Junior, after you've sorted out those loose ladies, fetch my IMDb list - Killer Thriller Chillers, to see where I ranked Hot Water.
Take Care & Stay Well.
Story: 1.25 Direction: 1.00 Pace: 0.75 Acting: 1.25 Enjoyment: 1.00
TOTAL: 5.25 out of 10.00.
In Hot Water, Junior is a man-child with a problem similar to Norman Bates. His Mother. The worrisome thing is Junior's mommy is still alive and as mad as a hatter suffering from vestiphobia on Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot. She's only too happy to cheer him on when he wants revenge, all too happy to whisper in his ear to instruct him. Some mothers are just bad for their sons.
John Maxwell and Don Carmody deliver a slasher flick with a twist. Two ex-cons, KC and Joe, fresh out of the women's pen, have decided to make a new start and go straight. They've bought a lakeside property hoping to turn it into a profitable business and home. Luckily for the viewers looking for a Dark Thriller, it's not long before the women realise their dreams will be tougher to achieve than they originally planned. For one, it would appear that their nearest neighbour, Junior, is nuttier than a coconut tree - and not in a funny way either. The first meeting they have with Junior and his cohorts sees Joe turned upside down and dangled over a whirring outboard motor propellor. KC comes to the damsel's rescue with her trusty shotgun. Only to have the Sheriff step out from the shadows to announce that he's also Junior's friend. Talk about bad luck; the local psycho has friends in high places. But this is only the beginning of the girl's troubles. Will they win the day, or will Junior and his mates rule the roost? As it goes, the story isn't too terrible. Maxwell and Carmody could've enriched their characters a tad more. Sadly, there's no real depth to them. The mysterious stranger, Luke, who lives on the houseboat, is a perfect example. There's not much to his character, and that works to build his mystique. But it's not enough to make the viewers relate to him. Even a vague backstory showing his personality better would pull the audience into his story and the film more: You need to get the viewer to invest themselves into the tale a little. Without that investment, the story becomes dull. And that's the case here. No matter what happens to KC & Joe, or anybody else in the story, you don't care. In the finale, you find that you're indifferent to the outcome. You're not cheering for the heroines' survival. And that's an awful thing for this type of picture.
Sadly, Jim Hanley wasn't up to capturing this story on film. His directorial style is lacking. There are copious scenes that merited better, starting with the propellor torture of Joe. The set needed to be better lit because you hardly make out the whirring prop. The scene is supposed to send chills down the viewers' spine in the apprehension of a messy kill. However, the killing machine's veiled in shadow, making the threat less intimidating to the viewer. Then there's a motorboat chase on the lake. Sadly, it comes across as less than thrilling and action-packed. It's more like a damp squib at a funereal convention. It's trying to be funny, but the attendants are waiting to bury it forever - dead or alive. And there are plenty more missed opportunities to empower the film. Though, I do have to state the ending sequence is nearly there. It comes across better than the others, and the final twist helps. One reason many sections fail to envigorate the viewers' emotions is Hanley's slow pacing. This failure is particularly noticeable in the boat chase. The excitement needed ramping up, as did the speed of his cuts and splices. The point-and-shoot style he employs with the meandering tempo does nothing but make the chase tiresome.
Surprisingly, the cast is okay. Two actors give the impression of being professionals and not some amateurs looking for a break; Jeremy Ratchford, who plays Junior and Ken Roberts, who portrays the Sherriff. These two guys made the movie more watchable for me.
Hot Water isn't a movie I'd quickly recommend. It's average to the extreme and could've been much better. But if you see it on a streaming service for free and you're at a loose end for an hour or so, feel free to check it out. It should pass the time.
Junior, after you've sorted out those loose ladies, fetch my IMDb list - Killer Thriller Chillers, to see where I ranked Hot Water.
Take Care & Stay Well.
sleazy and full of extremely foul language, needs more blood
horrorbargainbin12 August 2002
A bit too much of the first half consists of the country boys having a good old time and terrorizing the always half nude ladies. The raw sex and predatory stalking is fun for sicko fans, but not very frightening. It's all shocking, but I would have preferred some murder with my raunch. Due to the low body count it is inferior to the similar psycho films, "Truth or Dare", "Mother's Day", "Skinner", and "Eaten Alive".
Not Good!!!!!!
pizowell17 September 2000
We've all seen bad movies, well this one takes the cake. I've seen that Junior movie box staring back at many times from my many journeys to the horror section at the local video store, and I was a little interested, it looks like it pays some homage to Texas Chainsaw Massacre, so I thought I'd get it. Mistake! Junior sucks hard, long, and with commitment. In other words it's really bad. Although it does win my award for most creative use of a bikini top. AVOID!!
Well... Canadian horror at its very worst!
t-paulsm12 October 2005
Heh...I'm surprised this movie still exists in any form, let alone it being available for rent!
This flick is one of the many bad slasher flicks that exist only for the T&A and the cheap laughs. The story line crosses a bit of "Texas Chainsaw massacre" with a screwy mamma-centred back story reminiscent of "Psycho", and a bit of the good old women-in-chains, tough-as-nail-ex-con broads tossed in for good measure - in other words, complete unoriginality wrapped up in half naked women spiced with a dash of utter idiocy! Looking on as the director attempts to make the marsh land of Quebec pass off as Southern U.S. bayou land is sad, I tell ya!
Funny thing for me is, I was actually at the premier of this flick as, at the time, I was pals with Ratchford, the film's "star". It was painful to watch on as Jeremy sank into his seat whilst the flick unfolded its mangled wings.
I'm happy to see that Ratchford, after this sham of a first flick, has grown into one hell of an actor. He can be seen regularly on the Canadian cop drama "Blue Murder", has appeared on "CSI", not to mention his role in the classic Clint Eastwood film "Unforgiven" - we forgive ya, Jeremy! It was a rocky start, but you done good, man!
~T.Paul
This flick is one of the many bad slasher flicks that exist only for the T&A and the cheap laughs. The story line crosses a bit of "Texas Chainsaw massacre" with a screwy mamma-centred back story reminiscent of "Psycho", and a bit of the good old women-in-chains, tough-as-nail-ex-con broads tossed in for good measure - in other words, complete unoriginality wrapped up in half naked women spiced with a dash of utter idiocy! Looking on as the director attempts to make the marsh land of Quebec pass off as Southern U.S. bayou land is sad, I tell ya!
Funny thing for me is, I was actually at the premier of this flick as, at the time, I was pals with Ratchford, the film's "star". It was painful to watch on as Jeremy sank into his seat whilst the flick unfolded its mangled wings.
I'm happy to see that Ratchford, after this sham of a first flick, has grown into one hell of an actor. He can be seen regularly on the Canadian cop drama "Blue Murder", has appeared on "CSI", not to mention his role in the classic Clint Eastwood film "Unforgiven" - we forgive ya, Jeremy! It was a rocky start, but you done good, man!
~T.Paul
So bad this movie was actually GOOD.
anthony_mij22 September 2008
Oh goodness this movie brings back memories, i bought this video 10 years ago, at a closing down video store, i was only 15 years old at the time. "HOW DID THEY LET ME BUY THIS VIDEO?? IT HAD A TOPLESS GIRL AT THE BACK OF THE COVER the guy at the store just looked at me after he saw the cover and didn't say anything. The movie is actually called "HOT WATER"(1985) in Australia but i never knew it is also known as "JUNIOR".
Anyway this is the story:(FROM BACK OF INSERT) Two beautiful young women suddenly find themselves at the centre of a terrifying whirlpool of horrifying violence, when they become the prime targets of a systematic reign of terror by a vicious gang of bikies. A rundown restaurant and a waterfront marina looks to be a golden opportunity for a fresh start after a life on the streets and a recent stretch in prison. Moving in they find themselves the unwilling landlords of the gang, who have long regarded the marina as their own. The merciless confrontation between the two sides rapidly escalates into a murderous, bloody climax.
"If you can get your hands on this title buy it!"
Anyway this is the story:(FROM BACK OF INSERT) Two beautiful young women suddenly find themselves at the centre of a terrifying whirlpool of horrifying violence, when they become the prime targets of a systematic reign of terror by a vicious gang of bikies. A rundown restaurant and a waterfront marina looks to be a golden opportunity for a fresh start after a life on the streets and a recent stretch in prison. Moving in they find themselves the unwilling landlords of the gang, who have long regarded the marina as their own. The merciless confrontation between the two sides rapidly escalates into a murderous, bloody climax.
"If you can get your hands on this title buy it!"
Fun Canuxploitation!
Maciste_Brother22 July 2003
JUNIOR (or HOT WATER) is a Canadian film that's amazingly trashy, but in a very good way. The film starts out with these two female convicts who are released from jail (the two women look pretty good for jailbirds). Anyway, one of the funniest moments I've ever seen happens the minute they leave prison: they meet the pimp/drug dealer and what ensues ALWAYS makes me laugh out loud whenever I watch it or think about it. It's so over-the-top exploitive, violent and unintentionally funny that the whole beginning of JUNIOR was worth the whole one buck I paid for the video. The beginning of film is a must see for lovers of trash. Not that there isn't more trash afterwards (there's lots more) but once the story settles down at the waterfront hotel/bar place, well, the level of lunacy seen at the beginning mostly disappears (except for a few places here and there, certainly when Junior is around). What's fun about JUNIOR is that the producers knew they were making an exploitation flick and they makes no bones about it.
I actually like almost everything about this genuine "So Bad It's Good" movie. The Canadian locals pretending to be the US. The bad over-acting. The all-over-the-map story, that veers from one genre to the next but eventually settles in full horror at the end. There are loads of deaths, a great boat scene, attempts at rape, an elderly woman who looks like a man in drag, some beefcake, gratuitous nudity, and some chainsaws, of course. The only thing missing from the whole "kitchen sink" package was some lesbian scenes between the two gals. Had the film included some lesbian action, JUNIOR would have been a complete smörgåsbord of exploitation elements under one title. Arf!!!
I rate this 2 stars as an average film but rate it 8 stars as a trashy film.
I actually like almost everything about this genuine "So Bad It's Good" movie. The Canadian locals pretending to be the US. The bad over-acting. The all-over-the-map story, that veers from one genre to the next but eventually settles in full horror at the end. There are loads of deaths, a great boat scene, attempts at rape, an elderly woman who looks like a man in drag, some beefcake, gratuitous nudity, and some chainsaws, of course. The only thing missing from the whole "kitchen sink" package was some lesbian scenes between the two gals. Had the film included some lesbian action, JUNIOR would have been a complete smörgåsbord of exploitation elements under one title. Arf!!!
I rate this 2 stars as an average film but rate it 8 stars as a trashy film.
Junior is a cut above your typical slasher
Bobbysoxxx1 May 2014
The main review on this page says it's a wannabe slasher. Well it's not a slasher. And I don't think it ever intended to be. Just clearly a film that was marketed as one because they didn't know which way to pigeon hole it. Just as combat shock was marketed as a war movie when actually its a gritty depiction of post traumatic stress disorder and mental illness. Granted this movie does have some hokey and schlocky moments (the mother and some genuine under reaction in a few scenes) But I think there is more going on here than just another mindless Texas chainsaw rip off.
I'll focus in a on a few key points as to why I think this is a cut above.
First off the strong female leads. These two girls are bad ass and don't take sh*t from anyone.
The building tension though out the film. From the first encounter the girls have with junior and his posse you can tell they are in over their heads. As juniors pranks escalate in cruelty the level headed girls start to unravel. You constantly see people over stepping their boundaries, coming into the girls house, chasing them around on boats, calling them every name under the sun. It builds a tension right into the sh*t kicking climax.
The whole fish out of water scenario. As much as this film may borrow from I spit on your grave, Texas chainsaw and psycho it also has elements of deliverance and straw dogs. It's really an interesting mix.
Don't let the other reviews fool you. Sure some of the dialog is cheesy and you have to suspend belief in a few scenes but it's a solid flick with some genuinely likable and despicable characters. Not just another hack n slash gore fest (which I also love) but there's more too it.
I'd say definitely check it out
I'll focus in a on a few key points as to why I think this is a cut above.
First off the strong female leads. These two girls are bad ass and don't take sh*t from anyone.
The building tension though out the film. From the first encounter the girls have with junior and his posse you can tell they are in over their heads. As juniors pranks escalate in cruelty the level headed girls start to unravel. You constantly see people over stepping their boundaries, coming into the girls house, chasing them around on boats, calling them every name under the sun. It builds a tension right into the sh*t kicking climax.
The whole fish out of water scenario. As much as this film may borrow from I spit on your grave, Texas chainsaw and psycho it also has elements of deliverance and straw dogs. It's really an interesting mix.
Don't let the other reviews fool you. Sure some of the dialog is cheesy and you have to suspend belief in a few scenes but it's a solid flick with some genuinely likable and despicable characters. Not just another hack n slash gore fest (which I also love) but there's more too it.
I'd say definitely check it out
A small film with an interesting ending
Christine_Plymouth_Fury195826 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
In a nutshell, this movie proved to be quite a pleasant surprise. It didn't leave me applauding for it in the end, but it also did not make me feel any urge to gauge my eyes out from watching it.
I had my doubts when I first read the negative reviews about this film. Even the brief description did nothing to lift my interest either, but I still gave it a go since I like forming my own opinions on a subject.
The movie started out with two women who just got out of prison and wanted to start a new life. They ended up in a small town where they had a run-in from the local sheriff who happens to immediately form a severe dislike for the two. Despite the prejudice they encountered along the way, they rented a dilapidated marina and made it their home. Not long after, though, they started to get harassed by rednecks. One in particular was a huge man named Junior who tried to pass for a creepy psycho retard, but never quite reaches it.
There is very little blood and gore seen in the movie, but what they lacked in that department, they made up for breast exposure and bikini scenes. The acting at times bordered on silly, but there was something about the movie that wouldn't let you turn it off in spite of it. I guess one could say that this movie is so bad, it's good.
Near the end of it, when you begin to think that the movie is getting to be monotonous, it surprises you with a bit of a twist. Nothing monumental, but clever nevertheless. The ending actually turned around my opinion of the entire movie. Admittedly, even if I would agree with anyone that this would never make a list as one of the industry's iconic films, I could say with conviction that it is worth watching.
I had my doubts when I first read the negative reviews about this film. Even the brief description did nothing to lift my interest either, but I still gave it a go since I like forming my own opinions on a subject.
The movie started out with two women who just got out of prison and wanted to start a new life. They ended up in a small town where they had a run-in from the local sheriff who happens to immediately form a severe dislike for the two. Despite the prejudice they encountered along the way, they rented a dilapidated marina and made it their home. Not long after, though, they started to get harassed by rednecks. One in particular was a huge man named Junior who tried to pass for a creepy psycho retard, but never quite reaches it.
There is very little blood and gore seen in the movie, but what they lacked in that department, they made up for breast exposure and bikini scenes. The acting at times bordered on silly, but there was something about the movie that wouldn't let you turn it off in spite of it. I guess one could say that this movie is so bad, it's good.
Near the end of it, when you begin to think that the movie is getting to be monotonous, it surprises you with a bit of a twist. Nothing monumental, but clever nevertheless. The ending actually turned around my opinion of the entire movie. Admittedly, even if I would agree with anyone that this would never make a list as one of the industry's iconic films, I could say with conviction that it is worth watching.
Highly entertaining exploitation film
Rubbed Raw28 December 2000
This movie combines several exploitation genres in a high energy, highly entertaining way. It includes Women In Prison, Good Old Boy Action Comedy, Horror, Soft Core Sex, Women Stand Up and Fight Back Against Town of Rednecks, and more! It is not, as the box suggests, just another slasher film. If you are looking for that, you might be disappointed. If you like campy humour, and lots of beautiful women in bikinis (and often out of them, too), you can't go wrong with Junior.
No, not that movie where Arnold Schwarzenegger has a baby.
mcassatt15 August 2001
This one's about two prostitutes who just got out of jail to start a new life in a small town, only there's one small problem, and it's name is Junior. The box makes it sound like this is your classic slasher flick, comparing itself to both "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Nightmare on Elm Street" and clearly stating it's "a cut above the rest." Here's the problem with that, the movie's only 80 minutes long and the only things that die by the hour mark are a plant and a dog. But any movie that features a scene where a girl makes a gas bomb out of her bikini can't be all bad.
Funky little hicksploitation minor great
Bloodwank1 September 2011
I'm not at all familiar with the hicksploitation genre outside of its out and out horror entries, so Hot Water was a bit of an education for me. It definitely comes under the mantle of horror mind, but it isn't the slasher or TCM clone it was marketed as, more a fun and trashy, even suspenseful hicks plus city gals equals bad times tale. Hookers KC and Jo get released from jail and find themselves rich after a run in with their crazy aggressive pimp. They decide to head out and start a new life, which they plan to do by setting up a marina in a backwater town, not counting on despicable locals, especially a retarded momma's boy by the name of Junior, who proves to make their stay pretty stressful, as well as the mean local sheriff. I was a little bothered by the pairs lack of logic here, I'm all for female empowerment and all that chit and KC and Jo make for highly appealing heroines, but I can't see anyone other than the most bull headed no brain trying to set up shop in a territory where just three people like them, as opposed to literally everyone else. Still, their unbelievable stubbornness marks them out as appealingly spunky and its good to see a film like this where the female leads have proverbial balls from the get go. The comely Suzanne DeLaurentiis (daughter of Dino?) is a blast as the tough and brassy KC, though I would have liked her even more had she not been sporting brunette hair as opposed to her seemingly natural red, since as we all know redheads are awesome to the max. Linda Singer is a nice contrast as the blonde and ditzy Jo with an amusing habit of talking about movies at relevant but inopportune moments and they have a fun chemistry, supported by Michael McKeever and Cotton Mather as their charming beaus. On the villainous side of things Jeremy Ratchford is effectively sleazy and unpleasant as Junior, packing a good lumbering menace, while Ken Roberts is suitably officious and scummy as the sheriff. The smart pace and build up of events is what really gives this one a kick though, things start with unwanted intrusion but grow to attempted rape, fish-hook violence, a terrific chainsaw attack and verbal abuse a-plenty amongst other things, lots of fun stuff here and a bodacious, surprisingly intense finale. The big downside is that there really isn't much in the way of bloodshed here, there are a few bits where full on brutality would have really worked but it just isn't there (although what is there was still enough to make the astoundingly cretinous BBFC of 1986 cut this one by nearly ten minutes for its UK video release. There's a bit of nudity though, which is pretty rad as the stars are fine. Overall this is real solid stuff, sweet locations, decent amount of the good stuff, could have packed more punch but still cool, check it out says I.
"I Just Love Barbecues, Don't You?!"...
azathothpwiggins20 August 2021
JUNIOR is the story of two perfectly-made-up, super model "inmates", named K. C. and Jo (Suzanne DeLaurentis and Linda Singer) and their adventures after getting out of prison.
After suffering and escaping the travails of their fiendish pimp's assault, K. C. and Jo wind up under siege by Neanderthal hillbillies.
In between attacks, they find time for being latched onto by leeches, romanced by a local Romeo, and nude sunbathing.
JUNIOR is a ludicrous, developmentally stalled "thriller" from the glorious 1980's. The heinous hicks are terribly, awesomely portrayed, helping to turn this mess into an idiot classic!
The title character's (Jeremy Ratchford) pop-eyed lunacy is unsurpassed! Then, there's "mama" the mute-man-in-a-wig matriarch of the slimy clan. A total hoot!
The best character by far is K. C. with her Tawny Kitaen mane. She's also the only one who seems to have a pulse, and acting ability.
For this movie it's important to be sufficiently inebriated. Even then, you'll either laugh, cry, or smack your brain with a pipe wrench over this one...
After suffering and escaping the travails of their fiendish pimp's assault, K. C. and Jo wind up under siege by Neanderthal hillbillies.
In between attacks, they find time for being latched onto by leeches, romanced by a local Romeo, and nude sunbathing.
JUNIOR is a ludicrous, developmentally stalled "thriller" from the glorious 1980's. The heinous hicks are terribly, awesomely portrayed, helping to turn this mess into an idiot classic!
The title character's (Jeremy Ratchford) pop-eyed lunacy is unsurpassed! Then, there's "mama" the mute-man-in-a-wig matriarch of the slimy clan. A total hoot!
The best character by far is K. C. with her Tawny Kitaen mane. She's also the only one who seems to have a pulse, and acting ability.
For this movie it's important to be sufficiently inebriated. Even then, you'll either laugh, cry, or smack your brain with a pipe wrench over this one...
I Want Some PP, Too
saint_brett6 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Movie starts out on the outside grounds of a Wautoma psychiatric unit as two Manson girls are released and dressed like lot lizards.
Imagine showing up to your parole officer dressed like that.
After being attacked in broad daylight, by some soap opera pimp, the two birds hotfoot it across the border and over into Canada. Don't know how they managed to smuggle a shotgun through customs. Oh, they're bribing this official who becomes a pig stuck in mud. I see.
The two prison cons stumble across an abandoned mariner port and just help themselves to the property without any title deeds, or proof of purchase.
On their first night they encounter Junior, who's something crossed between Hartman, (It's the hat) and Henry Bowers, but much worse. (Junior only ever went up to year one in his education so it seems.)
The two prison escapees take that whole "I don't need a man to make it happen" approach as everyone they encounter is a leech, who they're resentful of.
A Playboy centerfold moment sees a busty vampire sunbathing on a sun-kissed evening. Did I say vampire? I meant this fleshy humanoid, wrapped in skin, lady.
The other Manson girl meets up with Wings Hauser, who lives on a riverboat and makes love to plant life. (That scene with the fishhook is kind of grisly.)
This Junior kid is like a rabid Pepe Le Pew. (Are you allowed to mention that sleazebag's name anymore or will cancel culture strike?)
Junior keeps score updates with this Chop-Top character. Who I think was the star of the show. Is it a man or a woman? Either way, at the end it becomes barbeque anyway.
This movie is wild. It's like The Dukes of Hazzard on the Neely Henry Lake.
Another Playboy centerfold intermission break sees The Marlboro Man join in this time where the commercial is either gonna promote malt whiskey, cigarettes or condoms.
It's hard how to take this movie as there are elements of horror, slapstick comedy and sensual R-rated blue moonery.
The boom mic appears at the 58:35-minute mark. Oh boy. You had one job all movie, boy, and you failed to hold that thing out of frame! And he gets a credit at the end!
A lot of degrading name-calling won't sit well with the female audience.
You know, for a hillbilly, this Junior kid has perfect teeth. Did you notice? No, you didn't, as you were too busy looking at all the cleavage.
The movie ends on a strange note with the two terrified female leads consoling Junior, who put them through hell all movie. Why would they give two craps for his well-being? Don't make sense.
They shouldn't have included that 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' reference at the end as the credit's role. Be your own movie, not wear somebody else's t-shirt.
Movie wasn't boring, but my copy looked like it was pirated right off a Betamax laser disc. Hard on the eyes, man.
Imagine showing up to your parole officer dressed like that.
After being attacked in broad daylight, by some soap opera pimp, the two birds hotfoot it across the border and over into Canada. Don't know how they managed to smuggle a shotgun through customs. Oh, they're bribing this official who becomes a pig stuck in mud. I see.
The two prison cons stumble across an abandoned mariner port and just help themselves to the property without any title deeds, or proof of purchase.
On their first night they encounter Junior, who's something crossed between Hartman, (It's the hat) and Henry Bowers, but much worse. (Junior only ever went up to year one in his education so it seems.)
The two prison escapees take that whole "I don't need a man to make it happen" approach as everyone they encounter is a leech, who they're resentful of.
A Playboy centerfold moment sees a busty vampire sunbathing on a sun-kissed evening. Did I say vampire? I meant this fleshy humanoid, wrapped in skin, lady.
The other Manson girl meets up with Wings Hauser, who lives on a riverboat and makes love to plant life. (That scene with the fishhook is kind of grisly.)
This Junior kid is like a rabid Pepe Le Pew. (Are you allowed to mention that sleazebag's name anymore or will cancel culture strike?)
Junior keeps score updates with this Chop-Top character. Who I think was the star of the show. Is it a man or a woman? Either way, at the end it becomes barbeque anyway.
This movie is wild. It's like The Dukes of Hazzard on the Neely Henry Lake.
Another Playboy centerfold intermission break sees The Marlboro Man join in this time where the commercial is either gonna promote malt whiskey, cigarettes or condoms.
It's hard how to take this movie as there are elements of horror, slapstick comedy and sensual R-rated blue moonery.
The boom mic appears at the 58:35-minute mark. Oh boy. You had one job all movie, boy, and you failed to hold that thing out of frame! And he gets a credit at the end!
A lot of degrading name-calling won't sit well with the female audience.
You know, for a hillbilly, this Junior kid has perfect teeth. Did you notice? No, you didn't, as you were too busy looking at all the cleavage.
The movie ends on a strange note with the two terrified female leads consoling Junior, who put them through hell all movie. Why would they give two craps for his well-being? Don't make sense.
They shouldn't have included that 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' reference at the end as the credit's role. Be your own movie, not wear somebody else's t-shirt.
Movie wasn't boring, but my copy looked like it was pirated right off a Betamax laser disc. Hard on the eyes, man.
Really Bad Exploitation Picture
Michael_Elliott9 October 2015
Junior (1985)
* (out of 4)
K.C. (Suzanne DeLaurentis) and Jo (Linda Singer) are released from prison so they head down south where they plan on building a marina and living a peaceful life. As soon as they pull into the area the local rednecks let them know they're not wanting and for the next hour we see the girls harassed. Then a local man named Junior (Jeremy Ratchford) takes everything a step too far.
JUNIOR is also known as A CUT ABOVE and HOT WATER but I think anyone growing up in the 80s and visiting video stores will remember it under the JUNIOR title thanks to the wonderful video cover of a man with a chainsaw. Well, sadly that cover is another example of great artwork and lousy film because what we get here is pretty bad and certainly not what most are going to be expecting. If you're looking for a horror movie then you're going to have to wait until the final ten minutes of the picture.
Honestly, this here is more of an exploitation piece where a couple hot women are constantly barely wearing clothes while they fight off an assortment of weirdos. Pretty soon the title character shows up and things take a more deadly turn. I thought both DeLaurentis and Singer were cute enough in their roles and Ratchford was certainly good as the mentally challenged man. Still, there's just way too much boredom through the film to make it entertaining and it's not campy enough to be laughable.
* (out of 4)
K.C. (Suzanne DeLaurentis) and Jo (Linda Singer) are released from prison so they head down south where they plan on building a marina and living a peaceful life. As soon as they pull into the area the local rednecks let them know they're not wanting and for the next hour we see the girls harassed. Then a local man named Junior (Jeremy Ratchford) takes everything a step too far.
JUNIOR is also known as A CUT ABOVE and HOT WATER but I think anyone growing up in the 80s and visiting video stores will remember it under the JUNIOR title thanks to the wonderful video cover of a man with a chainsaw. Well, sadly that cover is another example of great artwork and lousy film because what we get here is pretty bad and certainly not what most are going to be expecting. If you're looking for a horror movie then you're going to have to wait until the final ten minutes of the picture.
Honestly, this here is more of an exploitation piece where a couple hot women are constantly barely wearing clothes while they fight off an assortment of weirdos. Pretty soon the title character shows up and things take a more deadly turn. I thought both DeLaurentis and Singer were cute enough in their roles and Ratchford was certainly good as the mentally challenged man. Still, there's just way too much boredom through the film to make it entertaining and it's not campy enough to be laughable.
"You can't hide from Junior. He always finds ya."
Backlash00721 November 2002
The box for Junior reads: "The most deranged lunatic ever to stalk the screen." Yeah, right. Junior's more like a deranged retard actually. Here's the story: K-C and Jo-Jo are a couple of not-so-bright hookers who are released from prison and travel south looking to start a new life. They stumble across a marina and decide to fix it up and make a business out of it?? This would be hard in, what I like to call, "real life" because the marina obviously did not belong to them. It's too ridiculous. But put all thoughts of real life aside when watching this pointless slasher wannabe. It's at this marina where the girls have a run-in with Junior and the boys. And what a run-in it is. Here's the local sheriff's words about gun control: "You know, I generally let people keep firearms round here to protect they luuvved ones, you know, and they propty." Not property, "propty." I've never heard the English language ba****dized so badly in my entire life. Truly funny stuff. But, alas, laughs can't even save this flop of a flick. Junior is strictly exploitation and strictly horrendous. Another tag line on the box compares Junior to A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. What a joke...a cruel, tormenting, and embarrassing joke.
Oh boy this was bad.
tm82nader1 September 2000
This is possibly the worst horror movie I have ever viewed. Basically it concerns two women fresh out of prison who meet an old friend. The pimp/friend/whatever starts beating on one of the women. They escape and steal his car and run off to Florida. Here these two wooden actresses find an abandoned marina, and decide to start a business out of it(?!)They encounter some not-too-friendly locals and a corrupt sheriff who harass them, especially Junior, an idiotic local who kills their dog, takes a chainsaw to their house,and does other things to make life miserable for our heroines. That's about it, with a few pointless nude shots. Don't be fooled by the promising cover, this disaster is unbelievably stupid and boring, and was a waste of the dollar I rented it for.
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