Midnight Marquee has always been one of my favorite publishers because of their wonderful books on classic horror films. But in “Minds of Fear” author Calum Waddell takes a look at 30 modern classics or near classic horror films and I must say I was overjoyed by his choices. You won’t find the Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street films here, instead Waddell chooses to spotlight some wonderful, yet lesser know horror films from the 70’s, through present day.
First, Waddell gives readers the major credits such as cast, director, writer, special effects, and year of release. Next comes a detailed synopsis of each film. One word of caution though…they do include spoilers. Following that is Waddell’s thorough and honest critique of each film, and finally, memories of the film shared by the director and cast members.
While Halloween is credited as being the film that kicked off the slasher film genre, the fact is that Bob Clark’s wonderfully atmospheric “Black Christmas” pre-dated Halloween by four years. Yes, the same Bob Clark who would direct on of the great teen comedies, “Porkys” as well as the holiday classic, “A Christmas Story”. In fact, Clark talks about how John Carpenter was a fan of the film and asked if we was going to do a sequel. Clark wasn’t, but said if he did, it would be called “Halloween” and the killer would have been caught and placed in an asylum, later to escape and return to the campus he terrorized. Despite the similarities, Clark doesn’t feel that Carpenter owes him anything.
Michael Berryman, the undeniable star of the original “The Hills have Eyes” has nothing but fond memories of the Wes Craven film. In fact Berryman claims to have the entire movie memorized including the lines of the entire cast.
Waddell is on the money when he proclaims that the 1988, big-budget remake of “The Blob” was a vast improvement over the original “B” film. It’s quite a shame the film didn’t get much press at the time of its release. It boasted a solid cast and outstanding special effects without the benefit of CGI technology that was only just emerging. Without benefit of CGI, director Chuck Russell still managed to pull off some of the most gruesome death scenes ever put on film before or since.
“Motel Hell” was one of my favorite drive-in movies in the early 80’s. The cult classic became a regular viewing my friends and I. For me, it was the first film that combined horror with elements of comedy (no matter how twisted). The poor victims, buried out in the fields up to the neck and gurgling under their sacks still gives me the willies! Star Rory Calhoun had been a pretty big star in the 50’s and 60’s, performing mainly in westerns. He appeared in just about every western TV show of the era including “The Texan”, “Bonanza”, “The Virginian”, “Gunsmoke”, “Rawhide”, and “Death Valley Days”. One would guess he had to be a bit embarrassed by his role in “Motel Hell” but it didn’t stop him from turning in a wonderfully over-the-top performance.
I also have to give credit to Waddell for choosing “Wrong Turn” as one of his Future Classics. While derivative of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, Wrong Turn was vastly superior to that film’s remake as well as the other “crazed, backwoods family” horrors such as “House of 1,000 Corpses”. Other little known gems covered by Waddell include “Evilspeak”, “Rabid” , “The Toxic Avenger” and “An American Werewolf in London”.
Minds of Fear takes a look at these films in a scholarly yet thoroughly fannish view, if that’s even possible. You’ll be scouring the video stores to find these great films as soon as you finish the book.
– Tim Janson
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
