Pregaming Halloween: Re watches and Real Estate Horrors

* Rewatches

Death Walks on High Heels (1971)

Dull as dishwater Giallo. Thought I’d missed something the first time around but nope.





Hider in the House (1989)

The most astonishing part of this is how effective it is despite the fact it does exactly what it says on the label. No twists, no subverted expectations. And it still works. It’s also nice to see pre punchline Gary Busey doing his thing.




The Final Terror (1983)

Above-average slasher in the woods flick. Held up on repeat viewing.




The Last Horror Film (1982)
I hadn’t seen this one in years and was really pleased with how well it’s held up. It’s a guilty pleasure to be sure but still a pleasure.


*Real Estate Horror

Are You in the House Alone? (1978)

High school stalker TV movie that makes up for lack of gore with relationship and domestic drama. Fairly effective for what it is thanks to a solid cast including Blythe Danner and Dennis Quaid in supporting turns.




Apartment 1303 3D (2013)

Yeah, no. Just terrible.



The Valdemar Legacy (2010)

Not particularly successful, slightly Lovecraftian, Gothic from Spain. Perhaps the last film with horror legend Paul Naschy. Sadly it’s barely a horror film and the dramatic elements aren't at all compelling. In fact, it eventually descends from boring to ridiculous, introducing Alistair Crowley, Bram Stocker, infamous accused murderesses Belle Gunnis and Lizzie frickin Borden. as characters. It's like crappy fan fiction.

The House (Húsið: Trúnaðarmál ) (1983)

Icelandic haunted house/relationship drama that starts slow, it takes nearly 20 minutes to get its protagonists into The House, and makes some interesting, though for me, not particularly satisfying narrative choices.

This was, according to Wikipedia, Iceland's official selection for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in '84, though it didn't make the shortlist of nominees that year. I can see why it was selected, as it does have a bit of an art-house vibe.