So, I saw all three of these in a row at the final night of Camp Blood VI at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater. I was excited because I’d never seen any of them, and I was hoping to find a gem, which I kind of did, but, well, let’s just get into it.
August 23, 1982 (Spain)
September 23, 1983 (US)
Directed by Juan Piquer Simón
Written by Dick Randall and Roberto Loyola
Cast: Christopher George, Lynda Day George, Frank Braña, Paul L. Smith, Edmund Purdom, Ian Sera, Jack Taylor, Isabelle Luque, Gérard Tichy
Soundtrack: CAM
In the words of Michael Bluth, “I don’t know what I expected.“
“PIECES: It’s exactly what you think it is!” reads the brilliant tagline, and, I suppose it is, but, I guess I was hoping for something…a little more?
To be fair, it’s not the worst slasher movie I’ve ever seen, but it is one of the dumbest. Others have argued that Pieces is some sort of self-reflexive horror comedy, but I absolutely refuse to give it that much credit (it’s certainly no Slumber Party Massacre, I tell you what). I think the stupidity is exactly what it is on its face; nothing deeper. If you want to argue “so-bad-it’s-good,” that’s a different discussion (I still disagree), but clever? No.
And, frankly, the “Tower of Babel” method of filming without sound and dubbing in voices later does this movie no favors either (there are other films I haven’t minded it on, but it sticks out like a sore thumb here).
Also, they really get no mileage out of their Boston setting. I mean, I realize the film was a Spanish production largely shot in Madrid, but why even bring Boston up? Just set it in “The Town” like Frisky Dingo.
The kills, to say one positive horror movie thing, are pretty well-executed (and grisly), and overall the movie is just weird and interesting enough for me to not totally throw it in the trash, but I don’t exactly recommend it either.
And that’s all I have to say about Pieces.
Rating: ★★½ (out of five)
Directed by Joseph Zito
Written by Glenn Leopold and Neal Barbera
Cast: Vicky Dawson, Christopher Goutman, Lawrence Tierney, Farley Granger, Cindy Weintraub, Lisa Dunsheath, David Sederholm, Bill Nunnery, Thom Bray, Diane Rode, Bryan Englund
Soundtrack: Richard Einhorn
I never really thought about it before, but a major trope of slasher movies is a prologue in the past. Friday the 13th, Halloween, even Pieces, they all begin their stories years earlier, as does The Prowler, but what separates it from the others is just how much it leans into the period.
Frankly, I was a little disappointed The Prowler didn’t take place entirely in the 1940s, because the introduction is arguably the strongest part, at least visually.
However, it doesn’t entirely shoot its wad up front. The titular prowler is a striking antagonist, and the movie provides a lot of legitimate tension (in addition to some brutal kills courtesy of Tom Savini). The problem overall is that it’s more than a bit sleepy, and I found the conclusion pretty unsatisfying (honestly, this sentence could double as my review of Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, also directed by Joseph Zito).
Still, I like Vicky Dawson and Christopher Goutman as the leads (seems a shame that they didn’t have more prolific acting careers), and (especially compared to Pieces) the film makes good use of its location (Cape May, NJ apparently doubling for Avalon, CA).
It’s just not particularly special.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Written and Directed by Rene Daalder
Cast: Derrel Maury, Andrew Stevens, Robert Carradine, Kimberly Beck, Ray Underwood, Steve Bond, Damon Douglas, Rex Steven Sikes, Lani O’Grady, Dennis Kort, Cheryl Smith, Jeffrey Winner, Tom Logan
Soundtrack: Tommy Leonetti
Man, so this was… “surprise hit” would an overstatement, but it was undoubtedly the most interesting film of the night.
In contrast to, say, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, where the “teenagers” are at odds with their adult overlords, Massacre at Central High doesn’t even show a non-student until the very end of the movie. It’s a bit of a heightened reality, but not totally detached either. I’d say it’s like if American Graffiti and The Mechanic had a baby (no surprise that Massacre at Central High was an influence on Heathers).
The movie certainly features some creative kills, but to me the primary strength of the film is Derrel Maury as David. The role itself is reasonably well-written, but he does plenty of work himself to offer a compelling performance, and he and Kimberly Beck (future star of Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter…is there an echo in here?) have good chemistry. I wish I could say the same for Andrew Stevens as the other lead; it’s just not his finest hour. Thankfully there are some other highlights in the supporting cast (including Robert Carradine).
As I said, it’s not great, but it’s unique enough to see once.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
So, yeah, it wasn’t the greatest night of horror in my life, but at least it was all new to me, and at least I was among friends. That’s the real win.