(1980)
Dir - Brian De Palma
Overall: GOOD
Indulging in full Hitchcock worship, Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill is a slick, visually compelling thriller that still manages to be quite silly at times. Considering that Italian giallos were heavily inspired by the master of suspense anyway, it is no surprise that De Palma's work here has way more in common with such European proto-slashers than any of the contemporary and derivative American ones being churned out in droves at the time. Split screen photography, narrative call backs, hammy recordings of the disturbed killer, bright red blood, an escort woman protagonist, and a borderline outrageous transsexual reveal, all of these ingredients and more would fit right at home with any of the early works of Lucio Fulci and Dario Argento. Flashy camerawork and elaborate set pieces help create some fun, tense moments that make up for the rather foreseeable mystery and dated insensitive-ness. Thankfully, the script and performances are rather snappy and despite its eye-borrow raising qualities, the dark humor and sleaze compliments the expertly controlled suspense quite efficiently.
(1985)
Dir - Howard Storm
Overall: GOOD
Notable as being Jim Carey's first staring role, Once Bitten also doubles as one of a handful of 80s vampire comedies. The only theatrically released effort from television director Howard Storm, it has aged about as well as any other such farcical, largely juvenile-centered romps from the decade. The political incorrectness ranges from subtle, (like a Caucasian actor playing an Indian stereotype librarian), to blatant, including one of the most laugh out loud scenes in a high school shower where an entire locker room of boys run out in a homophobic panic. For his part, Carey is remarkably toned-down from his then ludicrous stand-up act and the continued over-the-top physical humor shtick that would help make him a household name, though he does an adequate job as a horny though good-natured teenager. The script is silly enough and Storm's direction brisk enough to keep the funny moments prominent and the story also offers a unique enough tweak to the undead mythos to warrant some consideration from horror aficionados.
(1989)
Dir - David Irving
Overall: MEH
A knowingly dumb sequel to a knowingly dumb film to begin with, C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. has an entirely different creative team and cast, acting as a loose follow-up that is essentially just another zombie outbreak comedy. The walking, flesh-munching ghoul's behavior is rather inconsistent. Sometimes they talk and use logic to seek out more "meat" to devour, other times they seem like they have the language capacity and comprehension skills of a newborn kitten. The titular character, (played enthusiastically by Gerrit Graham), is mostly mute, but he is also love-struck and able to examine his zombie minions like a drill Sargent making sure his cadets are standing in formation properly. Not that any of these deviations really matter; it is the amount of chuckles delivered that does. There are a handful like a group of flesh-eating kids trick or treating, a zombie poodle launching into the air attacking someone in the background, and Bud and his crew crashing a high school dance that are adequately amusing. It could be better, but it is innocent fun nevertheless.
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