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Reviews
Chillers: Old Folks at Home (1990)
Good intentions gone awry!
A young couple decides to take in and old couple as an act of kindness and social conscientiousness. But good feelings turn sour when the homeowners begin to feel trapped in their own home. It seems that the "underpriveledged seniors" have some quirky habits that create havoc and leave the young couple in a state of exasperation. When the well-intentioned couple attempts to evict the seniors, a social worker reminds them that they are contracted to keep them in their home. This story is well acted, entertaining, and humorous. I found this episode worthwhile and mildly suspenseful. On a personal note, I have taken in homeless friends on occasion and was reminded constantly of my own battles with my ungrateful guests while watching this humorous but all-too-realistic portrayal of good intentions gone awry!
Neighborhood Watch (2005)
Gory, Yes. Good, ummm... No.
I love all types of horror movies. Movies with ghosts, teenage camp-counselors getting killed, intruders in your dreams, devil worship, monsters, zombies, stalkers, murderers, etc . . . Anything with apparitions, suspense, violence, killings, shocking moments, jolts, and gore. But none of these elements work unless they are accompanied by at least a few good actors, likable characters, half-way decent continuity, and semi-believable situations. In the gore department, Deadly End (Neighborhood Watch) delivers. Unfortunately, it ends there. Characters and situations are unrealistic and annoying. Young "Wendi" whines about everything and is afraid of her own shadow. I couldn't help but laugh when she hid in a box and didn't come out even though her husband was home looking for her! I also shook my head at the implausibility of Bob's lack of concern for his old neighbor when she crashed in his yard. And the diarrhea trail (yes, we are treated to a trail of poop!) that Bob leaves atwork is cartoonish! There are police who ignore break-ins and poisonings. During the neighborhood watch meeting, neighbors are flat caricatures who defend the psycho who proceeds to kick a life-support plug and calls Wendi a C***! ! And did anyone notice that the perverted power-guy and the psycho (Adrian), both had huge dark rings under their eyes that look drawn on. They both acted alike, so I guess that crazy people can be identified by dark circles under their eyes!
And how hard is it to figure out that the flowers from the psycho caused Wendi's poison oak reaction? I knew it as soon as the doctor mentioned poison oak. And I'm not a doctor, but how overdone was Wendi's allergic reaction to the oak? She looks like a severe burn victim or a monster.
Yes, the poop on the pants, the barfing, the flaking and pus on Adrian's face, and the surgical hole in Adrien's side are truly disturbing. And as far as shocking the audience with gore, the finale delivers. That said, don't expect good acting, believable situations, or any realistic ambiance to this movie. The sets are minimal and the fire engine scene is so low budget it resembles a high school play. This movie could have rocked with the right budget and actors. As it stands, it just disappoints.
Blood and Lace (1971)
Great premise but fails due to bad script
Great premise. Troubled teen goes to group home that mistreats children. Disappointingly, the movie has so many scenes that lack realism and common sense that the movie is totally unbelievable. The overriding discrepancy occurs when our heroine, Ellie, finds a girl tied up in the attic who is thirsty and starving. But when she has a chance to tell her detective friend who can help her, Ellie neglects to report that a girl is dying in the attic. This, in spite of the fact that she is rebellious, unhappy, and wants to leave. Instead, she tells the cop she is sure there have been many runaways! That scene alone ruined the movie for me, but there were other discrepancies. For example, after the custodian chops off a runaway's hand, he keeps it in a visible suitcase in a room that the kids have to clean. Also, when the woman who runs the group home finds out about an inspection, she moves 3 dead bodies covered in sheets from a walk-in freezer in order to find a better hiding spot. Of course, an unlocked room is the best spot! The 3 dead kids with dead-white complexion, bleeding gashes, and bloody sheets are laid on beds and not even covered! At one point, our main character, Ellie, walks into this room and proceeds to question the dead corpses; never realizing that they are bloodied stiffs! In another hole in logic, some of the kids during the dinner-table scene speak of the place as if it wasn't so bad. This, in spite of 3 missing "runaways" and hello! ... a girl tied up in the attic! You would think at least one of them would have been close enough to care what happened to the 3 "runaways" or the poor sod in the attic! Of comical value, most of the "kids" in the home are well into their 20's and at the time of the movie, the character Bunch, who was supposed to be 16, was actually 24! Finally, the monster at the end of the movie looks like a guy with a rubber mask over his head. Not scary, just laughable. In conclusion, while some of the acting, the production, and the premise are good, the movie is burdened and ruined by a dumb and totally unbelievable script. 4.5 out of 10