The Hills Have Eyes (1977) 8 out of 100

Susan's History with this Film:

This film was passed onto “The Jimi” for a reason……I couldn’t stomach watching it again.

James "the Jimi" Hattar submitted the following Feminist Slasher Project Investigation and Review:

Play by Play:

The “The Hills Have Eyes” (1977), starring a young Dee Wallace (The Howling) and the creepy lookin’ Michael Berryman, is a brutal low budget horror film from director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream). A decent remake of the film was directed by Alexandre Aja (High Tension) in 2006. More of a fight to survive than your typical Slasher flick, Craven created a tense, vicious film about cannibalism, rape, murder, child endangerment and the killing of animals; topics that are frowned upon compared to your typical Hollywood fare. I believe though that part of this film owes more to “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” than anything. Here the story breakdown for y’all.

During a cross country trip to California, the extended Carter clan (the family includes – mother, father, two daughters, one son, a son-in-law, a baby and the two family dogs) takes a detour into the heart of the desert in the hopes of finding a silver mine that the mother and father had inherited years before. Against the advice of a curious old man that owns a run down gas station, the family heads down a deserted dirt road (the desert area is a military bombing range) searching for the silver mine, but the father (an ex-cop) drives off the road, breaking an axle on the car and stranding the family in the middle of nowhere.

While the Carters are far from civilization, they are not alone. With names like Jupiter, Pluto and Mars; a crazed, cannibalistic, mutant family (kinda looking more like dirty hillbillies than anything) are watching these trespassers from the surrounding rock falls and are planning their attack. The Carter family splits up, the father heading in one direction for help, while the son-in-law heads in the other direction, leaving the son to watch over the three women and baby. As the night grows, the cannibalistic family makes its move. The All-American Carter family’s lives are shattered in a brutal attack that ends with rape, murder and the kidnapping of the baby. Now faced with the sorrow of their losses and an escalading fear, the remaining Carter family must become like their hunters in order to survive. The film then becomes a war between the Carter family and the mutant family as the desert sun climbs to its height. The drama unfolds in an abrupt conclusion.

The performances are pretty good from the actors portraying the Carters. You feel for the Carter family and the horrors they go through. It’s the acting of the mutants though that’s over the top and cartoonish for me. Not the best film by Wes Craven (that would be “A Nightmare on Elm Street”), but it’s well made and brutal. The violence is cruel and quick but the film is not overly graphic. Craven’s film makes you think though. What would you do in a situation where your family is threatened? When we are pushed into a corner and our family is in danger, normal, non-violent people can become monsters if it means survival. A classic, early work from Wes Craven.

Feminist Slasher Project Research:

The Carter women were portrayed as scared and hysterical when it came to danger and were weak physically and emotionally as victims. The women of the mutant family were obedient and scared of the men of their household. The men of both families were the leaders and the women were followers. The men turned out to do most of the fighting, but with the help of the women. The Carter women did their best to defend themselves, especially while trying to stop the mutants from kidnapping the baby. One of the mutant girls even has a conscience and decides to assist the Carters later in the story. Though trying to survive, the women in this film were not as independent or as strong as some may like. I liked this movie, but I will have to give “The Hills Have Eyes” a red light for the Feminist Slasher Project.

High Tension "Haute Tension and Switchblade Romance" (2003) 7 of 100

Susan's History with this movie: 

High Tension is one of those films that you watch and then after it ends.....you watch it again just to see where you missed the plot twist. I love this movie. It's disturbing and inventive and the reason horror movies are still being made. 

James "The Jimi" Hattar submitted the following investigation for The Feminist Slasher Project.

Play by Play:

“High Tension” (aka Haute Tension and Switchblade Romance) is a French Slasher flick directed by Alexandre Aja (Mirrors and The Hills Have Eyes remake).  The film has a style that is very much in the vein of the 70’s Italian horror films from Argento or Fulci.  “High Tension” is a gritty, unnerving horror film that features a twist midway in the story that tends to divide fans.  Here are the basics without giving much away.

Students Marie (Cécile de France) and Alex (Maïwenn) have no idea of the horrors that await them when they head off to visit Alex’s family, who live in a remote country home to study for their upcoming exams.  A creepy, psychopathic stranger (Philippe Nahon) attacks the whole family while Marie hides, tying up Alex and taking her away in his dirty old van.  Now it's up to Marie to go after the psychopath and save her friend -- but first, she must figure out what's really going on.

The movie moves at a brisk pace and it’s a game of cat and mouse between Marie and the killer.  Nahon’s portrayal of the killer has a personality that will genuinely frighten you.  The twisted killer just oozes of creepy perversion.  The twist tends to lose some viewers.  Not giving the twist away, you have to keep in mind that the first half of the film is being told from the main character's point of view when she asks the police interviewer if the camera is on.  When the twist actually happens, what we witness from then on is the actual truth.  The bottom line: you're either going to love the twist, or you're going to hate it.  I'll leave that up to you to decide.

Though not the best horror film, there's plenty to like here with non-stop bloody kills, good acting, an excellent score and some truly suspenseful moments.   The story relies more on tension building and a psychological fear based thrill.  Director Aja does an amazing job of creating atmosphere so tense that audiences sit with their hands clenched to their chairs through most of the movie.  “High Tension” has a classic horror feel with creative blood and gore effects by F/X genius Giannetto De Rossi (Zombie).  If you rent this film, do yourself a favor and watch the original French language version with subtitles, instead of the dubbed English version, it’s much better.  The Jimi highly recommends this flick.

 Feminist Slasher Project Research:

The portrayal of Marie and Alex in the film was that of attractive and intelligent college girls, with a lesbian undertone from one of the characters.  When the killer shows up, Alex turns into the damsel in distress while Marie becomes the heroine trying to save her friend and fend off the killer.  Alex later learns to fight back against the villain.  Now because of the twist, most will change their minds about this conclusion and say that the female characters are subjected to being violently and psychologically tortured throughout. 

The lesbian undertone from one of the characters may also cause most to change their minds that women who are gay are all manly looking and are perceived as crazed pychos.  Regardless, this story is still about and driven by strong women trying to survive mentally and physically by any means, without the aid of a male.  Though I really like this movie I will have to give “High Tension” a red light for the Feminist Slasher Project.   

The Last House on the Left (1972) 6 of 100

Susan's History with this movie:  I have an extensive history with this movie. I feel it is one of Wes Craven's best films. He took a story previously told and made it his own. It's not a film I enjoy watching but one I respect. 

Play by Play:

The Last House on the Left was the breakthrough film for horror movie legend Wes Craven. This film is based on the 1960 Ingmar Bergman film “the Virgin Spring”.

The story begins with a young girl named Mari who sets out on an night out on the town. She is portrayed as an innocent girl, the daughter of a physician and the golden girl of her town.

The story then flashes to four convicts, three males and a women. The youngest male entices Mary and her friend up to his apartment for what it seems is a fairly innocent marijuana exchange.  As the two girls enter the door is locked behind them and they struggle to leave the apartment . The next scene does not show any physical violence but leaves the audience with the knowledge that Mari’s friend is being raped by the two older men and the woman in the apartment. The next scene shows the two girls being thrown into the trunk of the convicts car. The music during this scene is very disturbing…..it’s an upbeat tempo which could be found in any romantic comedy of this time.

The convict’s car then breaks down and the two women are pulled into the woods right across from where Mari’s family lives. The next 30 minutes of this film are the most vile and misogynistic scenes I’ve ever witnessed in any movie. The two women are not only raped and violated by two of the older male convicts but also by the woman convict.

This film continues into a violent and bloody story of vigilantism on the part of Mari’s parents.

The Last House on the Left is not a typical slasher movie. The last 30 minutes of the film show Wes Craven’s imagination for the gruesome but the reality of the beginning of the film keeps you in a state of shock until the end. Mr. Craven tries to lighten the mood but all his attempts, in my opinion, are overshadowed by the horrific story told earlier.

Feminist Slasher Review:

While I think this is one of Wes Craven’s greatest films, it’s also one of the most disturbing movies I’ve ever seen. While Mari shows great strength through this film she cannot be considered a heroine. The other strong female character is Mari’s mother Estelle who feels so much pain for her daughter that she assists in the torture of those that are responsible for Mari’s fate.

This film does not exploit or objectify women in any way, if anything it makes people more aware of the horrors of life for our gender. That being said, I cannot give this a green light for this project. The reasons behind this are because of the blind hatred and understandable vengeance of the “heroes”. Unfortunately, that’s not a strength, it’s an impulse. This may be met with some objection, but I give this film a Red Light for the Feminist Slasher Project. 

StageFright (1987) 5 of 100

This film was investigated by Feminist Slasher Project Correspondent James "The Jimi" Hattar. I  involved The Jimi in this process because he gives some testosterone to this process. He is a horror movie addict and has the rare ability to criticize even the best of films. He's a man looking for perfection. The Jimi is an asset and I'm sure he will be a fan favorite. Below is his review....enjoy!

 Susan's History with this movie: I have not seen this movie and after the blazing review by "The Jimi"......... I'm kind of intrigued

 Play by Play:

“Stagefright” (aka Deliria, Aquarius and Bloody Bird) directed by Michele Soavi (Cemetery Man) is a late 80’s Italian slasher flick (overdubbed in English) in the style of Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava.  The story is your run of the mill psycho on the loose slasher, only this time it’s set almost entirely inside of a theater, where a troupe of actors and stage hands are rehearsing an off Broadway style musical called “The Night Owl”.  Now without giving much away, here’s what this movie is about.

  The production, a cheesy avant-garde musical about an oversized owl-headed serial killer, is lead by the arrogant and abusive director, Peter (David Brandon).  He treats his cast and crew like dirt, threatening to fire them at the drop of a hat.  Especially under the gun is Alicia (Barbara Cupisti), a dancer who's late with the rent and desperately needs the job.  Concealing an ankle injury, Alicia and wardrobe mistress Betty sneak out of the theater during a break to seek medical attention.  As luck would have it the first hospital they chance upon is a clinic for the mentally disturbed.  They're almost thrown out but a kindly doctor intervenes, treating Alicia’s ankle.  While there Alicia and Betty witness a man tightly bound to a stretcher.  The doctor casually informs them that the new patient is none other than Irving Wallace (Clain Parker), a former actor who went nuts and butchered 16 people in a sensational killing spree.  Wallace is not incarcerated there for long, though.

The maniac murders an orderly and escapes.  Back at the theater, Alicia is in deep dookie with Peter.  The insensitive director fires her on the spot for missing a stage call.  On her way out Alicia discovers a corpse in the parking lot.  The police are called and begin a search of the surrounding area.   Instead of shutting down the rehearsal, Peter is inspired by the potential publicity a real-life murder will bring to the play.  Peter bribes and persuades the performers into continuing the rehearsal into the night.  He even offers to reinstate Alicia, who wants no part of it.  When she tries to leave, she discovers all the theater exits are locked.  Wallace is hiding inside the theater, of course, and has the others trapped.  

The remainder of the film adheres to the tried and true Slasher formula of Stalk and Slay, with the maniac, ominously dressed as the owl-headed killer from the play, knocking off his victims in interesting and grislier fashion.  The killer uses a variety of implements as weapons throughout the film to kill his victims.  Implements that you’ll find very hard to believe, that anyone would be able to come across these things…in a theater of all places.  Also true to the formula, only one character will be left alive to face the murderer.  Can you guess who?  Then there’s the weak climax that leads to exactly the kind of stupid, nonsensical ending that left me cold to this flick.
                Soavi’s directing style saves the film with his eye for strikingly stylish compositions and ability to fashion fascinating set pieces.  The scene in which a costumed Wallace murders one of the dancers on stage in the middle of rehearsal (the others think it's part of the scene being played) is original.  Be prepared for the blood and guts, in typically Italian fashion, Soavi isn't afraid to let the red stuff flow freely.   

“Stagefright” is a slow paced movie that contains some decent kills.  It has style, but the plot, the stereo typical characters and overdubbed dialogue are completely ridiculous.  There is no tension and it's not scary at all, especially when the killer coming to get you has an over sized owl mask on.  Can you tell I didn’t care for this movie very much?

 

Feminist Slasher Project Research:

The portrayal of the female theater characters in “Stagefright” were your typical one-sided characterizations of women in Slasher flicks.  These sexy women are frightened, feeble, scream every few minutes and make dim-witted choices throughout the film (but then again, some of the men do the same).  The only exception is Alicia, who seems to be the only intelligent one in the whole theater and is the constant source of reason to the rest of the cheesy, one-sided characters.  In order to survive, a scared Alicia becomes a reluctant heroine in the film.  So, as a man and a lover of women, I give “Stagefright” a green light for the Feminist Slasher Project.   

Candyman (1992) 4 of 100

Susan's History with this movie: This is one of my favorite horror movies of all time. The script is amazing and the story is from the mind of Clive Barker. I'm going into this one with great love.

Play by play:

Helen is a graduate student in pursuit of proving some of the greatest urban legends. She is married to Trevor the Professor, who is very shifty from the start. Helen becomes intrigued by the story of The Candyman. We come to find out that the legend of Candyman involves saying his names 3 times in a mirror and then that person would be killed with his hook. Helen decides to investigate this legend first hand. Helen is skeptical thinking that all of the stories are myths explained by a serial killer rather than a supernatural boogeyman as told in stories. She investigates further by going to the buildings that some of the stories come from. She wants to prove that the poverty of daily life in this neighborhood is why the Candyman tale was made up.

Helen and her girl Bernadette discover a painting of Candyman in a ghetto apartment they break into. To be fair….Bernadette was so cool during this scene telling Helen she was crazy to be crawling around these apartments but Helen wouldn’t hear it. She’s all about the story.

Back to a dinner with Helen’s pretentious husband Trevor and his friends. We then hear the story of Candyman. (You will have to watch this film or read the book to get this story…sorry…It’s too good for me to write up)

So Helen goes back to the projects and is wearing less “cop like” clothing. She thinks Candyman is not a supernatural being but a gang member. She then gets her ass beat……by gang members. The gang members are then arrested.

Everything is all good now in Helen’s life. She thinks that the Candyman legend was all a story and she has put those men behind bars.

Helen is happy now…relaxing in her apartment when….. a lot of crazy ass shit happens. And then more crazy shit happens.

This is one of those films that I would never be able to give justice to by giving a play by play. Let’s just say……the urban legend comes true and kicks her ass.

I will leave you with this. Trevor gets what he deserves…….. 

Feminist Slasher Project Research: 

Herione = Helen.  99% of this film is showing how strong and determined Helen is. She gets beat down and keeps coming back for more. You can take the end of the film however you want, but she still comes out on top. Bright Green Light in for the Feminist Slasher Project.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Let's Take A Break From All This Blood!!!!

Alecia, Feminist Slasher Project International Correspondent, will from time to time give us recommendations of happier movies. This segment will be called "Let's Take A Break From All This Blood"

Here is her recommendation for this week:

Your international correspondent has the first non-slasher movie recommendation for you.

Youth in Revolt. With Micheal Cera.

Check it out. One of the best movies I have seen this year so far.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) 3 of 100

Susan’s History with this movie: I am a HUGE TCM fan but I have never seen this specific one. I have a bit of bias going in because of the franchise but I’ll keep an open mind.

Play by Play:

Okay…..so…..for this movie I’m not going to do a play by play because the storyline is so out there and not inventive enough for me to give it any praise.

I will say though….Dennis Hopper as Lefty is worth the 1hour and 45 minutes of confusion. Running around after Leatherface and his family of cannibals sometimes with a chainsaw as his weapon. Lefty Rocks! Best Lefty Line “I’ll take ya all to hell!!!!” Freakin’ priceless.

Being a HUGE TCM fan I didn’t like the cheesy….let’s try and make this a comedy intention of this movie. I get what they were trying to do but do it to another movie. Leatherface ends up being not even the least bit frightening in this film. 

I also noticed something else strange. One of the “Family” had a very similar personality to Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice character. Who ripped off whom? I need to look that up.

The obligatory dinner scene was torture to watch. I’m not talking torture like the original TCM where Grandpa beat that girl silly in the head and it made you want to cry. This was more of a “ohhhh good grief…..kill her already” torture.

Sooooo…..the lead character in this movie is ……a woman. And despite a horrible script she does KICK ASS. Her name is Stretch and she is a local radio DJ. Lefty uses her as bait and leaves her to be killed by the family. Nice guy that Lefty. I will always remember Stretch as the woman who seduced Leatherface in order to try and escape. Ummmm, it’s as gross as it sounds.

Lefty eventually comes to her rescue….sort of. He kind of just came in and said run as he was slicing up the family with his chainsaw. Stretch does run…..and takes out like three family members doing so and the movie ends with her on top of their lair waving a chainsaw around. Oh dear lord……

Feminist Slasher Project Research:

While it obvious from my notes that I did not really enjoy this movie I will say that Stretch was smart and could possibly have been mildly funny if someone else would have written the script. She’s gung ho from the beginning and ends up conquering all in a pretty epic way. There really aren't any scenes that are exploitive unless you judge Stretch for wearing very short shorts, but I don't. Bright Green Light for the Feminist Slasher Project.