Are these the scariest films of all time? Well. I’m not going to say that because horror is subjective and what scares me might not scare you and blah blah blah blah.
So, these might not be the scariest ten films of all time. But then again, they might…
In honor of this day, here are 6 trailers that are so patriotic, they’ll make our American readers reconsider their earlier decision to move to Canada!
Usually, on Sunday, I share trailers that feature a lot of violence. That’s just the nature of grindhouse trailers. But, today, I’m not in the mood for violence, even if it is deliberately over-the-top grindhouse violence.
That’s why these 6 trailers are all for comedic films. They are full of the promise of laughter and good cheer. Well, somewhat good cheer. There really aren’t that many truly cheerful grindhouse trailers.
Laughter, of course, is not the solution to the world’s problems. But, at the very least, it can make it easier to live from day to day.
So, usually, I post my latest edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film trailers on Sunday. However, yesterday was the final day that Cabaret was scheduled to be performed down here, at the Winspear Opera House, in Dallas. Jeff and I caught the final matinée performance and it was absolutely wonderful!
However, it also meant that I did not have time to do my usual Sunday morning posting.
Still, I am nothing if not dedicated! So, here below, are 6 late trailers for this wonderful Monday! Admittedly, these trailers may feel a little bit random. There’s no real theme to be found … or maybe there is.
Randomness can be a theme.
Right?
Anyway…
1) The Dark (1979)
I actually own a couple of DVD boxsets that feature The Dark but I’ve never actually gotten around to watching the movie. Say what you will about the apparent cheapness of the special effects, the monster does look like he could serve as potential nightmare fuel.
2) The Evil (1978)
It feels appropriate to follow up The Dark with The Evil. I’ve never seen this one either, but it’s apparently a haunted house film. There’s some evil involved.
3) The House Where Evil Dwells (1982)
On the other hand, I have seen The House Where Evil Dwells. Oh my God, is it ever a boring movie! But the trailer’s kinda fun.
4) Ghosthouse (1988)
Despite what the credits may say, Ghosthouse was not directed by Humbert Humphrey. This is an Umberto Lenzi film. This trailer is actually pretty tame by Italian horror standards but it’s still graphic enough for me to suggest that you not watch it at work or if you’re disturbed by fake-looking gore.
5) Zombie 5: Killing Birds (1988)
I actually reviewed Killing Birds on this site a while ago. I’ve always liked this trailer. It’s full of atmosphere and it has an almost dream-like intensity to it.
6) Teenage Exorcist (1991)
And finally, let’s end things with the trailer for Teenage Exorcist!
So, I guess we did kind of end up with a theme here — evil monsters, haunted houses, and stuff. I’m glad that worked out!
Fortunately, I’ve got my dates correct this weekend!
Anyway, without further ado, here are 6 action-filled trailers for Memorial Day!
Inglorious Bastards (1978)
No, not the Quentin Tarantino Oscar winner! This is the film that gave its name to Tarantino’s later work. The 1978 version of Inglorious Bastards was directed by Enzo G. Castellari and stars Bo Svenson and Fred Williamson.
From Hell To Victory (1979)
This World War II film was directed by Umberto Lenzi and features a surprisingly impressive cast for a Lenzi epic. (Surprisingly, for a Lenzi film of this period, it does not appear that Mel Ferrer is anywhere to be found in From Hell To Victory.)
The Last Hunter (1980)
This is actually one of the best Italian war films ever made. It was directed by Antonio Margheriti (who was given a shout out in Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds) and stars David Warbeck, Tony King, John Steiner, and Mia Farrow’s sister, Tisa. Tisa also starred in Lucio Fulci’s Zombi 2.
Tiger Joe (1982)
Margheriti followed up The Last Hunter with Tiger Joe. Also returning (though in different roles from The Last Hunter): David Warbeck and Tony King. The female lead was played by Annie Belle, who is probably best remembered for her co-starring role in Ruggero Deodato’s The House On The Edge of the Park.
Tornado (1983)
Tiger Joe was enough of a success that Margheriti made one more Vietnam-set film, Tornado.
Last Platoon (1988)
I’ve never seen this movie but the title was probably meant to fool audiences into thinking that it was a sequel to Oliver Stone’s Platoon. I will say that, having watched the trailer, it’s interesting to see Donald Pleasence playing an American army officer. This Italian film was directed by Ignazio Dolce.
To all of our readers in the U.S: Have a safe Memorial Day weekend!
So yesterday, I told my sister that I was going to go ahead and hop in my car and make the 45-minute drive to our uncle’s place. She said, “Uhmmm….okay, Lisa Marie,” and, at the time, I was confused as to why she sounded confused. After all, we go out to our uncle’s place every Memorial Day weekend. He has a big house. He has a big back yard and a pool that’s great for laying out and working on your tan. Celebrating Memorial Day weekend at our uncle’s is a Bowman-Marchi Family tradition!
And so, I drove out there. And when I arrived at the house, I thought it was weird that none of my cousins had arrived yet. Both my aunt and my uncle seemed surprised to see me but I figured they were just wondering where my cousins were as well. I mentioned to them that I was early and then, instead of sticking around to have a conversation, I ducked into the guest room and I changed into my favorite black bikini and then I went outside and I lay out by the pool.
And I have to admit that I was a little bit frustrated. Unlike all of my sisters and most of my cousins, I am pretty much incapable of getting a decent tan and it didn’t help that the sky was full of clouds. But I was even more frustrated by the fact that nobody else had shown up yet. Didn’t they know it was Memorial Day weekend?
Except, of course, it wasn’t Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day weekend is next week and somehow, I managed to get my dates confused. Both my uncle and my aunt were very understanding about my mistake and they were kind enough to both feed me and invite me to stay the weekend. I thanked them for their kindness, told them that I couldn’t wait to come back next weekend, and then — with my face almost as red as my hair — I went home.
Shut up, Jimmy Brooks! I’m almost done and my name’s not Ellie! Anyway, my point is that I was planning on making the latest edition of Lisa Marie’s Favorite Grindhouse and Exploitation Film Trailers a Memorial Day edition. And, next weekend, it will be. However, for this weekend, enjoy these 6 randomly and hastily selected replacement trailers, none of which have much to do with each other…
Through the Shattered Lens 