Sid Haig
The Devil's Rejects director Rob Zombie resurrects one of the most notorious slashers in screen history with this re-imagining of the 1978 John Carpenter classic that spawned numerous sequels and countless imitators. As a child, young Michael Myers (Daeg Faerch) committed one of the most unspeakable crimes imaginable. Subsequently locked in an asylum and placed under the care of Dr. Loomis (Malcolm McDowell), the hollow-eyed boy grew into an emotionless man determined to escape back to his hometown of Haddonfield and complete the murderous mission that he began so many years back. These days, the long-abandoned Myers house sits decrepit and overgrown on a peaceful suburban street, its boarded windows and rotting wood a silent testament to the slaughter that has haunted Haddonfield for decades. Now Michael Myers (Tyler Mane) is back, and as the children of this typical Midwestern town fill the sidewalks for a fun-filled night of tricks and treats, Haddonfield is about to find out that there is no escape from pure evil. Brad Dourif, William Forsythe, Udo Kier, Dee Wallace, Sheri Moon Zombie, Danny Trejo, and Adrienne Barbeau co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Malcolm McDowell, Sheri Moon Zombie, (more)
A supernatural force drives a troubled female reporter to investigate a decrepit old house with a very dark past in this suspenseful tale of small-town terror starring Leslie Easterbrook, Sid Haig, and Bill Moseley. In the summer of 1981, a quiet town was shaken to its very core when an outwardly happy family was brutally massacred. Flash forward over two decades later, and the bloodbath has been all but forgotten by citizens looking to leave the horrors of the past to the history books. Now, as young story editor Elisabeth is drawn to the home and the fallen family members reach out from beyond the grave to tell their tragic tale, the sole survivor of the slaughter sets out to do everything within his power to ensure that the damning truth behind this shocking crime remains buried along with the rest of his ill-fated family members. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alexandra Holden, Sid Haig, (more)
This documentary travels behind the scenes of camp classics such as Plan 9 from Outer Space to visit the life and career of onetime horror star and TV horror hostess Vampira (aka Maila Nurmi). The title figure was previously portrayed by Lisa Marie in Tim Burton's picture Ed Wood. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maila "Vampira" Nurmi, Forrest J. Ackerman, (more)
A typical family burial ceremony turns into a life-or-death struggle with the living dead as the corpses of the recently deceased rise from their graves to feast on the flesh of the living in a three-dimensional remake of the George A. Romero classic. Barbara (Brianna Brown) and her brother Johnny (Ken Ward) have arrived at the cemetery to attend the burial of their beloved aunt, but their grieving is soon interrupted by the appearance of a menacing cannibalistic corpse with an exceptionally hearty appetite. After fleeing the cemetery in terror, Barbara is soon rescued by local college student Ben (Joshua DesRoches), and the pair quickly seeks refuge in Henry Cooper's (Greg Travis) nearby farmhouse. Though the prospect of becoming lunch for the living dead immediately prompts the frightened country-dwellers to board up the remote farmhouse until they can formulate an effective plan for escape, Barbara soon finds that the zombies outside may be the least of her worries when she uncovers the sinister secret of malevolent mortician Gerald Tovar Jr. (Sid Haig). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brianna Brown, Joshua DesRoches, (more)
A crack commando squad investigates a college campus inflected with a zombie virus in House of the Dead 2, a film that boldly continues where Uwe Boll's inept first film left off. When a demented professor (Sid Haig) starts to conduct experiments on fresh corpses, all hell breaks loose at Cuesta Verde University as hordes of undead college kids roam the secluded school. Now it's up to government agents Alex (Emmanuelle Vaugier) and Ellis (Ed Quinn) to find the zombie blood strain that initially started the epidemic so that a cure can be discovered. In their way are a student body of flesh-eating zombies and an inexperienced army unit headed by Dalton (Sticky Fingaz) that is assigned to aide them. Broadcast as a Sci-fi Channel exclusive in early 2006, the film was released to DVD in all its gory goodness shortly thereafter. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emmanuelle Vaugier, Ed Quinn, (more)
Directed by the prolific Rob Zombie, The Devil's Rejects is a sequel of sorts to 2003's House of 1000 Corpses, and picks up several weeks after House left off. This time, the clash revolves around the tribe of violent lunatics and decidedly valueless family members of the original film, who have come to be known as the "Devil's Rejects." After learning of the extended family's horrific attacks, a SWAT team is sent to take them into custody; all but their crazed Mama escape. In addition to creating a full-fledged media circus, this sends the sociopath housemates on the run, and they initiate a deadly road trip. Meanwhile, Mama has to deal with a violent, vengeful sheriff (William Forsythe). The Devil's Rejects features Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Sheri Moon, Michael Berryman, and Ken Foree, among other cult horror regulars. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, (more)
Aspiring genre filmmakers and horror fans alike will want to check out director Christopher P. Garetano documentary exploring the colorful world of independent fright cinema. With subjects including Wisconsin-based auteur Mark Borchardt, Las Vegas-based "method director" Ron Atkins, and New York drive-in junkie David Stagnari, Garetano shows how, with a vivid imagination, a dash of innovation, and some staunch determination, even filmmakers who lack adequate funds and resources can create compelling and entertaining horror films. Additional appearances by iconic horror figures Joe Bob Briggs and Herschell Gordon Lewis drive home Garetano's point by highlighting precisely how low-budget horror take the kind of risks needed to keep the genre fresh and exciting. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Quentin Tarantino's sprawling homage to action films of both the East and the West reaches its conclusion in this continuation of 2003's ultra-violent Kill Bill Vol. 1. Having dispatched several of her arch-enemies in the first film, The Bride (Uma Thurman) continues in Kill Bill Vol. 2 on her deadly pursuit of her former partners in the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, who, in a furious assault, attempted to murder her and her unborn child on her wedding day. As The Bride faces off against allies-turned-nemeses Budd (Michael Madsen) and Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), she flashes back to the day of her deadly wedding, and we learn of how she was recruited to join the DiVAS, her training under unforgiving martial arts master Pai Mei (Liu Chia-hui), and her relationship with Squad leader Bill (David Carradine), which changed from love to violent hatred. Originally planned as a single film, Kill Bill grew into an epic-scale two-part project totaling more than four hours in length; as with the first film, Kill Bill Vol. 2 includes appearances by genre-film icons Sonny Chiba, Michael Parks, Larry Bishop, and Sid Haig; Wu-Tang Clan producer and turntablist RZA and filmmaker and composer Robert Rodriguez both contributed to the musical score. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Uma Thurman, David Carradine, (more)
Taking his cue from such 1970s horror classics as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and The Hills Have Eyes (1977), animated rocker Rob Zombie goes celluloid with the throwback shocker House of 1000 Corpses. Running low on gas as they travel the highways of America in search of the ultimate roadside attraction, a group of teens pull into Captain Spaulding's (Sid Haig) museum of oddities (which also offers fried chicken and gasoline) only to become obsessed with uncovering the mystery of a legendary local maniac known only as Dr. Satan. When an attractive and mysterious hitchhiker subsequently offers to give the thrill seekers a personal tour of Dr. Satan's old stabbing grounds, a breakdown forces them to take refuge with a group of menacing oddballs as a fearsome storm rages outside. As the evening progresses and the backwoods hosts' Halloween festivities become ever more threatening, the teens soon realize that the legend of Dr. Satan may hold a bit more contemporary weight than any of them had previously thought. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, (more)
Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this adaptation of Elmore Leonard's 1995 Rum Punch, switching the action from Miami to LA, and altering the central character from white to black. Ruthless arms dealer Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), who lives with perpetually stoned beach-babe Melanie (Bridget Fonda), teams with his old buddy Louis Gara (Robert De Niro), just released from prison after serving four years for armed robbery. ATF agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and cop Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) bust stewardess Jackie Brown (Pam Grier), who was smuggling money into the country for Ordell. Ordell springs Jackie, but when middle-aged bail bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster) picks her up at the jail, he's attracted to her, and they choose a romantic route with detours. Mistrust and suspicions surface after Jackie pits Ordell and the cops against each other, convincing Ordell that she's going to double-cross the cops. Tarantino commented on the film's budget: "Jackie Brown only cost $12 million. You can't lose. You absolutely, positively can't lose. And you don't have to compromise." ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, (more)
- 1991
- PG
A live-action rendering of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, this time we follow the exploits of the two Cold War "no-goodniks", Boris and Natasha. Sent from their beloved Pottsylvania by their "Fearless Leader", their job is to try to capture a missing time-reversing microchip. Espionage films being what they are, however, "Fearless Leader" has something nasty up his sleeve. Big-name stars and guest appearances keep this one going. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
When the Brazilian rainforest home of young Princess Nisa (Laura Herring) is threatened by greedy American businesses, she travels to Los Angeles with Joa the shaman (Sid Haig). There Joa is thrown in jail, and Nisa must find a way to stop the rainforest destruction herself. When a young man who loves to dance crosses her path, and together they enter a televised lambada contest, Nisa might have found the answer to her prayers. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Elena Harring, Jeff James, (more)
- 1989
- PG
When a group of evil, power-hungry people take over a trio of kingdoms, it is up to a young magician to free his lands from their rule. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Carradine, Bobby Jacoby, (more)
- 1989
- R
Peter Berg stars as Henry, a chronic gambler forever in trouble with the mob and the law. Through the auspices of his old friend Cowboy Jack (M.K. Harris), Henry is hired as an all-around flunkey by gang boss Paul Hellwart (Terence Stamp). But there's a problem: Henry is currently sexually involved with a nubile young miss (Michelle Johnson) who happens to be Hellwart's main squeeze. Disloyalty begets violence, and violence begets more violence. Anyone looking for logical character development and clever plot twists will be disappointed by Genuine Risk, though action fans will get their fill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Terence Stamp, Peter Berg, (more)
In a future where the planet Earth has been poisoned by radiation, a fearless warrior named Dow (David Carradine) stands as mankind's last hope against a tyrannical ruler known only as The Warlord (Sid Haig) and his murderous band of mutant warriors. Accompanied only by the beautiful but fierce warrior Danny (Dawn Wildsmith) and the unpredictable Ammo, Dow attempts to conquer the desert savages who seek to rule the world. By summoning the courage and resourcefulness that will allow the fearless trio to do battle with an army of relentless killers, they make one last heroic attempt to save the world or die trying. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Carradine, Dawn Wildsmith, (more)
First airing on television, this campy romantic fantasy stars Vanna White (best known as the "letter turner" on the long-running TV game show Wheel of Fortune) as Venus, the goddess of love. Normally she lives in Mount Olympus with the other Grecian gods, but when a hairdresser accidentally revives her statue, Venus has no choice but to return to the mortal plane. Once there, she must earn the love of a modern man or else she will be forever banished from Mount Olympus. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
Drug enforcement agent Cat (Kathy Shower) is sent to Mexico by her boss (Robert Quarry) when fellow agent and former boyfriend Clint (Brian Thompson) is held captive by cocaine-trafficking fiends. The head of the drug cartel turns out to be Morgan (William Smith), a former agent now on the wrong side of justice. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Thompson, Kathy Shower, (more)
- 1983
Filmed in California, copyrighted in Turkey and enacted in Armenian, Forty Days of Musa Dagh is set in the decades following the Russo-Turkish war of 1878. Persecuted by their conquerors, a group of Armenian nationals form a resistance movement. The conquering Ottomans retaliate by committing some of the most egregious forms of genocide ever perpetrated. The bulk of the storyline takes place in 1915, when Armenian Gabriel Bagradian (Kabir Bedi), an officer in the Turkish military, relinquishes his commission and joins the resistance. The film culminates in the courageous defense against the Turks at Fort Musa Dagh. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kabir Bedi, Ronnie Carol, (more)
- 1983
In Black Rock, California, a seriously wounded B.A. (Mr. T) is tended to by Dr. Maggie Sullivan (Tricia O'Neil), who suspects that her patient is a member of a biker gang that is poised to raid the town and release its leader from prison. As a result, Black Rock's sheriff Hank Thompson (Ed Lauter) places B.A.'s fellow A-Teamers Hannibal (George Peppard) and Face (Dirk Benedict). Ultimately, however, Thompson and his prisoners join forces to protect the town from the savage biker hordes--while Murdock (Dwight Schultz) rushes to the scene in hopes of providing B.A. with a blood transfusion before it's too late! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
A postal investigator swoops down on Hazzard County to find out who is running a phony property mail scams. Of course, Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke) is the guilty party, but he manages to pin the blame on innocent postmistress Miz Tisdale (Nedra Volz). The old lady hides from the authorities at the Duke farm--making Jesse mighty nervous (Denver Pyle), knowing full well that the lovelorn Miz T. has set her cap for him, and won't take no for an answer! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
B-movie specialist Steve Barkett directs this sci-fi shocker about a pair of astronauts who return from a mission in space to discover that the world has been decimated by a nuclear holocaust. Arriving back on terra firma, the two space travelers learn that sadistic despots have horded high-tech weaponry and now reign through fear and violence. Now, in addition to fighting hordes of mutated marauders, the terrified pair will join a resistance movement in a valiant attempt to take back the planet and reestablish civilization. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Barkett, Lynne Margulies, (more)
- 1981
Quincy (Jack Klugman) is the technical advisor on a movie which is dramatizing an infamous murder case involving onetime socialite Victoria Sawyer (Carolyn Jones). Noticing several discrepancies in the script, Quincy begins to doubt that Victoria was guilty of the murder for which she is currently serving in prison; he also fears that the real killer may still be alive and at large. But to prove his findings, he needs the cooperation of Victoria herself--cooperation that the woman absolutely refuses to give. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
- PG
A former baseball player (Alan Arkin) has descended into alcoholism, and meets up with a has-been entertainer (Carol Burnett) when both spot a briefcase containing secret documents. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Arkin, Carol Burnett, (more)
