XTRO (1982) – Episode 266 – Decades of Horror 1980s
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
Release Date: 09/02/2024
Decades of Horror | Horror News Radio
The Grue-Crew head back to 1953 to tackle a film from the first wave of 3D films, THE MAZE (1953), featuring one of the most bizarre twist endings of the decade. If you haven't seen this movie, you won't see it coming. While the films looks great and the cast, featuring Richard Carlson, Veronica Hurst, and Katherine Pate, is solid, the story and pace are snooze-inducingly plodding. If ever a film needed 3D, it may be this one. Yet, with all its flaws, the film has a B-movie charm to it. Catalog THE MAZE for "only the curious." Enjoy! THE MAZE (1953) Episode 234 - Decades of Horror: The Classic...
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PRIMAL RAGE (1988) is a horror movie that gets very little mention, accolades, or fanfare. Many horror fans may not have heard of the film, instead maybe they recall the 1995 video came or 2018 movie of the same name. For this episode, Bill steps up and declare "The Grue-Crew shall watch Primal Rage!" And so we did. What did we find: Mad scientists, crazed baboons, a rage virus turning college students into rampaging zombie-like monsters, and a gore-soaked Halloween party. Let's party! Enjoy! PRIMAL RAGE (1988) Episode 316 - Decades of Horror 1980s Quote: “Trust me, she’s more than your...
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Is this even a real movie? Ed Wood? The Grue-Crew set out to find out, reviewing the schlock fest known by many names: THE REVENGE OF DR X (1970), BODY OF THE PREY, THE DEVIL'S GARDEN, and VENUS FLY TRAP. Which ever title it is under, the result is the same: the most bizarre and god awful film of all time; yet, somehow, it is entertaining in its terrible glory. James Craig is a mad NASA scientist who seems to take up botany and creates a hybrid creature as if he were Dr. Frankenstein. WTF? Check out what the Crew think on this one. You have been warned. Enjoy! THE REVENGE OF DOCTOR X (1970)...
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Bill picks one of his favorite British Sci-Fi/Horror classics, DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (1954). Yup, Plan Nyah from Outer Space is on our streaming devices... and we love it. Sure, it is low budget. Sure, it is campy. This little gem is pure B-movie gold. An obnoxious, yet oddly beautiful, nutzo alien woman from Mars lands in the Scottish Highlands looking for men. Odd choice, but let's go with it. It's not long before she realized this was a mistake and she's ready to disintegrate them all.... all 7 or 8 of them. Poor, misguided alien. Hijinks ensue and the Grue-Crew are here to share their...
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The Grue-Crew revisit PSYCHO II (1983) - a horror movie sequel that shouldn't exist but does... and it's fantastic. Anthony Perkins returns to the franchise along with Vera Miles. They are joined by Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia, and Dennis Franz. Richard (Patrick, Road Games) Franklin directs from a Tom (Fright Night, Child's Play) Holland screenplay. The tables are turned and Norman Bates is now the prey... or is he? Mystery, plot twists, and mayhem ensue. Check out what the Crew think of this one as they discuss their first reactions, the cast of characters, and the stories behind the filming,...
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For this episode of Decades of Horror 1970s, the Grue-Crew cover the fourth film of the Blind Dead saga, NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS (1975). To make this episode even more special, we've invited Patreon fan, Crew friend, and Templar Knights champion Jerry Chandler. The Crew, discuss if the film is the best made of the four or if it is the best Blind Dead film of the series. Regardless, the film wears a Lovecraftian coat and pulls back on the gore and nudity. Still good? The Crew will let you know, listen now! Enjoy. NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS (1975) Episode 271 - Decades of Horror 1970s Tagline: "THEIR...
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Daphne mysteriously drives the crew back to 1965 to catch an early South Korean horror film, A BLOODTHIRSTY KILLER. With hints of Poe’s classics, Bava’s cinematography, and Murnau’s expressionistic scenery, writer/director Yong-min Lee blends together a rich thriller with strong early Asian horror themes and rich Korean lore. Follow the crew and guest-host Scott Wells in the depths of fear with killer cats, supernatural spirits, and gore galore. You won’t want to miss this. Enjoy! A BLOODTHIRSTY KILLER (1965, SALINMA) Episode 231 – Decades of Horror: The Classic Era Quote: “Grandma...
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The 3D craze was brief in the 1980s and the output quality was questionable, but the run was fun for all the wrong reasons. Among Friday the 13th part III, Jaws 3D, and Parasite, was AMITYVILLE 3D and the Grue-Crew are ready to investigate all the shenanigans. The film is from accomplished director Richard Fleisher and the cast includes Tony Roberts, Tess Harper, Candy Clark, and Robert Joy. And, in an early role, Meg Ryan appears alongside Lori Loughlin. The film has an unjust bad reputation, but it's much better then you'd expect. Some of the effects are laughable, while others are downright...
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For this episode, Doc picks MADHOUSE (1974), an Amicus / AIP horror film with a notorious reputation. Who knew? On set conflicts, heavy editing from the production team, Dr. Phibes director drops out with a celebrated editor taking the reins, and a script that was being rewritten every day are just some of the things that troubled this shoot. But what does the film have going for it? At it's core, it is a splendid idea, the locations and designs are often well done, and the cast is remarkable: Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, and Adrienne Corri. And then there's the "horror icon"...
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The Grue-Crew tackle the American pre-Code mystery-horror film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, and Frank McHugh. That film is MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933). Jeff invites a special guest-host and DoH Grue-Believer, Chris (ManCaveMan), to help better understand the special color process utilized to make this early color film. We also deep dive into the cast of characters, the taglines, marketing, and cast and crew. This episode (and this movie) should not be missed! Enjoy! MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933) Episode 231 - Decades of Horror: The...
info_outline“Stay in the car. ... Stay In The Car! ... GET BACK IN THE CAR!!” No one ever follows directions in horror movies. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Jeff Mohr, and guest Dirk Rogers – as they try to figure out precisely what is going on in Xtro (1982).
Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 266 – Xtro (1982)
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An alien creature impregnates a woman who gives birth to a man who was abducted by aliens three years ago. The man reconnects with his wife and son for a sinister purpose.
- Directed by: Harry Bromley Davenport
- Writing Credits: Iain Cassie, Robert Smith; (story by) Harry Bromley Davenport, Michel Parry; Jo Ann Kaplan (additional dialogue “Americanized”)
- Produced by:
- Robert Shaye (executive producer)
- Mark Forstater (producer)
- James Crawford (associate producer) (as James M. Crawford)
- Music by: Harry Bromley Davenport
- Cinematography by: John Metcalfe
- Special Effects by:
- Tom Harris (mechanical effects / special effects supervisor)
- Francis Coates (Creature Effects)
- Selected Cast:
- Philip Sayer as Sam Phillips
- Bernice Stegers as Rachel Phillips
- Danny Brainin as Joe Daniels
- Maryam d’Abo as Analise Mercier
- Simon Nash as Tony Phillips
- Peter Mandell as Clown
- David Cardy as Michael
- Anna Wing as Mrs. Goodman
- Robert Fyfe as Doctor
- Katherine Best as Jane
- Robert Pereno as Ben
- Sean Crawford as Commando (credited as Tok)
- Tim Dry as Monster (credited as Tik)
- Susie Silvey as Woman in Cottage
- Arthur Whybrow as Mr. Knight
- Anna Mottram as eacher
- Robert Austin as Van Driver
- Vanya Seager as Paula Phillips
Xtro (1982) is one of those movies. Either you love it… or you say, “WTF?” Or maybe both! Luckily, the 80s Grue-Crew are joined by guest host Dirk Rogers, an Xtro fan, to help sort out the mess and to point out why he likes it so much. It took a while for the crew to get the finer points, so you’ll have to check out the episode to see if any of Dirk’s teachings sink in.
The film depicts an alien impregnating human women with a “plunger” appendage and giving an eleven-year-old boy the power to bring anything he can imagine into reality. How could one expect anything but a five-ring circus?
At the time of this writing, Xtro is available on physical media as an all-region import Blu-ray formatted disc from Second Sight Films.
Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Bill, will be Death Ship (1980)! Co-written by Jack Hill (Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told; 1967) and starring George Kennedy, Richard Crenna, Nick Mancuso, Sally Ann Howes, Kate Reid, and Victoria Burgoyne. Yo, baby!
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