90's Foreign Horror Part Seven

BLOODMOON

(1990)

Dir - Alec Mills

Overall: WOOF

 

One of only two films to be directed by UK-born cinematographer Alec Mills, (both ozploitation, the other being the same year's Linda Blair-starred Dead Sleep), Bloodmoon technically qualifies as a slasher movie despite the fact that almost absolutely nothing happens throughout its hundred-minute running time.  This is not to say that nothing happens to qualify it as a slasher movie; it is to say that nothing happens period.  Usually such movies are a colossal bore due to the fact that they are little more than a predictable waiting game for people, (usually attractive young adults engaging in sexual exploits), to get killed. While there is an adequate amount of naked boobs here and it opens with a typical, unmemorable death scene, nearly an entire hour goes by after that which is utterly bankrupt on suspense.  There is an all girls Catholic school, some assholes from other schools in a rivalry that the film quickly forgets about, only the most minimal amount of drama between characters that all look the same, and then bodies finally start dropping on camera again as a teacher who may as well be Paul Bellini's brother is revealed to be the murderous wacko.  If you love bottom-barrel hair metal though, this has you covered.

 

MUTE WITNESS

(1995)

Dir - Anthony Waller

Overall: GOOD

Though its tone lacks consistency at irregular intervals, writer/director Anthony Waller's Mute Witness gets by quite well on suspense and its hooky premise.  An international co-production shot on location in both Moscow and Germany, the cast speaks English, Russian, and sign language which contributes to not only the comedy but also the tension as both the characters and audience members are purposely left a little behind as to what everyone is saying. Said cast also randomly includes Alec Guinness for two scenes, both of them shot without him having to get out of his car, which is not an exaggeration.  The movie is at its best during its nerve-wracking chase/break-in sequences where ala Alfred Hitchcock, minor details and near misses are crucially important.  It is quite funny when it tries to be, but the third act in particular revs up this comedic aspect somewhat distractedly as the plot gets much more convoluted.  Still, there are enough surprises and clever moments overall to carry it through.

 

BLEEDERS

(1997)

Dir - Peter Svatek

Overall: MEH

The low-budget, Canadian adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's "The Lurking Fear" Bleeders, (Hemoglobin), is not particularly acceptable, but it is of note to genre fans for being one of the last productions that Dan O'Bannon was involved with before his death twelve years later.  Bannon is one of three credited screenwriters on a story that barely even maintains a passing resemblance to Lovecraft's source material and is more of a hodgepodge of genre cliches.  There is a mysterious family blood ailment, mysterious grave robbings, mysterious ground-dwelling creatures, and it all has the look and feel of an Are You Afraid of the Dark? episode with a steady, ominous keyboard score that is punctuated by electric guitar flourishes at regular intervals.  Plot-wise, it is straight-forward stuff and the cast do their best while being stuck with dialog that can only make them look silly under the circumstances.  Rutger Hauer collects a paycheck as a town physician and a top-billed Roy Dupuis spends most of his scenes looking depressed that he failed an audition to be in Interview with the Vampire.  The inbred monster things look pretty adorably gnarly though.