News
Late to the Party: Puppet Master (1989)
Welcome back to another weekly edition of Late to the Party, the review series where iHorror writers finally get around to watching horror classics that have admittedly flown under our own personal radar. This week, I watched Puppet Master.
Puppet MasterĀ is a 1989 direct-to-video cult classic that somehow spawned eleven sequels (with a twelfth currently in production – written by S. Craig Zahler ofĀ Bone Tomahawk andĀ Brawl in Cell Block 99 brilliance… frankly, I’m shocked).
In the film, a group of psychics collect at the home of an old colleague after they are summoned for vague reasons that I admittedly wasn’t paying close attention to. Their recently departed colleague, Neil, had been working with them to find a method of giving life to inanimate figurines – a technique supposedly created by the Egyptians.
After a suspicious radio silence from Neil, the psychics gather to “settle the score” and – of course – discover a deadly collection of unique dolls. Then things get messy (as they are wont to do).
This may be a controversial opinion, but really the only parts of this movie that actually held my interest were the killer puppets. Everything else was pretty “meh”. Actually, I’m going to assume that’s probably not outlandish considering that’s kind of the point of the whole franchise, right?
The puppets are certainly (somehow) effective at their murderous goals. This is – admittedly –Ā somewhat strange since they don’t look particularly menacing or strong or capable. It’s hard to find them genuinely frightening or threatening (aside from the fact that they move on their own and one pukes out live leeches).
The puppets are a little silly (predictably, surely) and their design is a wee bit baffling at times. That being said, I understand that the subsequent films (many of them prequels) flesh out the character designs of each puppet.
I certainly respect that dedication to build the characters of each puppet, but it doesn’t help the absurdity of seeing the toys out of context. When you’re starting a film with no franchise in mind, it’s something you should probably be mindful of.
Overall, I found the film to be underwhelming. I had high hopes, given the wild popularity of the franchise and its now iconic puppet characters (particularly the “leader” puppet, Blade).
While Puppet Master is by no means a great film, I’m glad I finally got around to watching it. If nothing else, it’ll give me a reason to watch the sequels. I get the sense that this is one of those horror franchises that is more than the sum of its parts.
I’m not confident that the sequels are technically better films, but I’m just genuinely curious about the prequels at this point. I want that character development!
I’m also pretty sure the sequels caught on to the actual selling point of the film and decided crank up the puppet presence for an overall more satisfying bloodbath. So, silver linings, people.
Keep an eye out for more from Late to the Party, or click here for previous reviews!
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News
Watch ‘The Burning’ At The Location Where It Was Filmed
Fangoria is reporting that fans of the 1981 slasher The Burning will be able to have a screening of the film at the location where it was filmed. The movie is set at Camp Blackfoot which is actually the Stonehaven Nature Preserve in Ransomville, New York.
This ticketed event will take place on August 3. Guests will be able to take a tour of the grounds as well as enjoy some campfire snacks along with the screening of The Burning.
The film came out in the early ’80s when teen slashers were being churned out in magnum force. Thanks to Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, filmmakers wanted to get in on the low-budget, high-profit movie market and a casket load of these types of films were produced, some better than others.
The Burning is one of the good ones, mostly because of the special effects from Tom Savini who had just come off of his groundbreaking work on Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th. He declined to do the sequel because of its illogical premise and instead signed on to do this movie. Also, a young Jason Alexander who would later go on to play George in Seinfeld is a featured player.
Because of its practical gore, The Burning had to be heavily edited before it received an R-rating. The MPAA was under the thumb of protest groups and political bigwigs to censor violent films at the time because slashers were just so graphic and detailed in their gore.
Tickets are $50, and if you want a special t-shirt, that will cost you another $25, You can get all the information by visiting the On Set Cinema webpage.
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Movies
‘Longlegs’ Creepy “Part 2” Teaser Appears on Instagram
Neon Films released an Insta-teaser for their horror film Longlegs today. Titled Dirty: Part 2, the clip only furthers the mystery of what we are in for when this movie is finally released on July 12.
The official logline is: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.
Directed by former actor Oz Perkins who also gave us The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs is already creating buzz with its moody images and cryptic hints. The film is rated R for bloody violence, and disturbing images.
Longlegs stars Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, and Alicia Witt.
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News
Exclusive Sneak Peek: Eli Roth and Crypt TV’s VR Series ‘The Faceless Lady’ Episode Five
Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Crypt TV are knocking it out of the park with their new VR show, The Faceless Lady. For those unaware, this is the first fully scripted VR horror show on the market.
Even for masters of horror like Eli Roth and Crypt TV, this is a monumental undertaking. However, if I trust anyone to change the way that we experience horror, it would be these two legends.
Ripped from the pages of Irish folklore, The Faceless Lady tells the story of a tragic spirit cursed to wander the halls of her castle for all of eternity. However, when three young couples are invited to the castle for a series of games, their fates may soon change.
So far, the story has provided horror fans with a gripping game of life or death that doesn’t look as if it will slow down in episode five. Luckily, we have an exclusive clip that may be able to satiate your appetites until the new premiere.
Airing on 4/25 at 5pmPT/8pmET, episode five follows our final three contestants in this wicked game. As the stakes are raised ever higher, will Ella be able to fully awaken her connection with Lady Margaret?
The newest episode can be found on Meta Quest TV. If you haven’t already, follow this link to subscribe to the series. Make sure to check out the new clip below.
Eli Roth Presentās THE FACELESS LADY S1E5 Clip: THE DUEL – YouTube
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