 FADE TO BLACK
1980 / d. Vernon Zimmerman
  
Avid cinemaphile Eric Binford struggles with social disorders which stem from living his abusive wheel-chair bound aunt. When his sanity ultimately slips away, he delves into a psychotic film fantasy, in which he becomes some of his most beloved movie icons. Atmospheric and fun the first time, the film doesn't hold up well on repeat performances. Still, effective performances by Dennis Christopher and Linda Kerridge (as the Marilyn Monroe look-alike love interest) make this worth a watch. Note the singular case.
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 FRIDAY THE 13'TH
1980 / d. Sean Cunningham
Splatter maestro Tom Savini lends his special effects wizardry to create this highly influential nerve grinder. Raw, shocking, and still an edge-of-your seat experience, this film helped set the stage for the next twenty years of slasher movies.
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 FRIDAY THE 13'TH
2009 / d. Marcus Nispel
Jason Voorhees returns to the silver screen, this time adding new tallies to his bodycount in slick, heavily polished, Hollywood style. Call me crazy, but I didn't think this film was half bad. A few intentionally funny chuckles, and as pointless as remakes may be, I don't mind Marcus Nispel as a director. Plus, the incredibly graphic and white-knuckle opening earned my respect.
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 FRIDAY THE 13'TH PART III: 3D
1982 / d. Steve Miner
Thanks to DVD, this puppy can now be viewed in splendiferous 3D once again! Corny, campy (literally!) fun, this is really one of the best sequels in the series and also sees Jason Voorhees trade in his one-eyed potato-sack for his trademark hockey mask. It's eye-popping enjoyment!
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 FRIGHT NIGHT
1985 / d. Tom Holland
Extremely fun and a great example of goofy 80’s horror. Charley Brewster loves late night horror movies, but what happens when he finds out that his new neighbour is nothing but an extremely sexy vampire intent on taking a bite out of all the babes in town? He finds out it’s time to kick ass, that’s what! Tom Holland (CHILD’S PLAY) directs the proceeding with an obvious love for the genre as seen in his homages to vampire films from years past. The cast has great chemistry and play off each other brilliantly, from Chris Sarandon’s seductive portrayal of the heavy to Roddy McDowell’s powerhouse presence as hammy horror actor Peter Vincent (get it?). The movie is a Hammer Film with a very 80’s mentality; we go from the foreboding and fog-enshrouded house of the vampire to a scintillating scene inside a nightclub where Sarandon lays the charm on the dance floor. You can’t help but smile good-heartedly at the cheese and warmth that emanates from this film. It’s not all silly references and fun games though; there are moments of genuine terror and surprise, especially when the vampires are seen in all their freaky bat-faced glory. The very definition of a feel-good horror flick with a little bite thrown in for good measure. Sequel: FRIGHT NIGHT PART II. (JC)
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