3/22/13
Even though this may not be the usual fare here on Lit, but I just wanted to share my reviews and opinions of selected films. I hope you enjoy my reviews of these two films.
*
"The Seduction" - 1982
Directed and Written by: David Schmoeller
Music by: Lalo Schifrin
Starring: Morgan Fairchild and Andrew Stevens
Co-Starring: Michael Sarrazin, Vince Edwards and Colleen Camp
Run Time: 104 minutes
"The Seduction" is an erotic thriller of a TV anchorwoman spied upon and stalked by an obsessed fan. Jamie (Fairchild) is a beautiful, successful career woman. Derek (Stevens) is an obsessed psychopath who watches her and attempts to become a part of her life. When Jamie discovers his true intentions she must fight for her life.
"The Seduction" is a nice little erotic thriller, that builds up the story to the final confrontation between Jamie and Derek. Morgan Fairchild is simply gorgeous, and does a very good job with the script given. Andrew Stevens does well as the psychopath Derek. The rest of the cast does little, and is not really likeable. Colleen Camp does little in her role, and could have been utilized more instead of being just simple screen filling. Vince Edwards was just a simple waste of space. Michael Sarrazin was not likeable at all, and, more or less deserved to die off in this film. Only Fairchild and Stevens save this film from being a total disaster. Seeing Fairchild naked is worth the viewing alone. There are a few plot holes, but nothing to cry over. Camp and Edwards could have been utilized as victims for the psycho Derek for the build up to the final showdown, but they were not, too bad, it would have made this film even better. All in all, I like this film only for Fairchild and Stevens. I saw this film once, some 25 years ago, and just recently viewed it again after seeing the StudioCanal release. It is not top notch. But still worth a view.
Notes:
Director David Schmoeller originally wanted Theresa Russell for the role of Jamie.
Actors Peter Gallagher and Michael Keaton were considered for the role of Derek.
Oscar winning actress Bette Davis was a fan of the film, and after watching it on cable television she allegedly sent Fairchild a letter praising her work.
This was the theatrical film debut of Morgan Fairchild.
***
"Tourist Trap" - 1979
Directed by: David Schmoeller
Written by: David Schmoeller and J. Larry Carroll
Music by: Pino Donaggio
Starring: Chuck Connors and Jocelyn Jones
Co-Starring: Tanya Roberts
Run Time: 90 minutes
Four people go in search of their missing friend. What they find is Slausen's Lost Oasis, and a mannequin dressed museum and a seemingly abandoned mansion owned by gentle old Mr. Slausen. He agrees to help with their car trouble, but one of the girls decide to look for a working phone inside the house even though Mr. Slausen warned them not too. Hidden in the home is Mr. Slausen's misunderstood brother with telekinetic powers. What they soon learn is that the mannequins seem very much alive, and that there is something more terrifying behind the mask!
This film is truly unique, tense, creepy and very well done. This film melds an older tradition of the uncanny with the more brutal 1970's mode, splicing together elements of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Carrie" and "House of Wax" - a blend that doesn't sound like it should work, but really does. This film is one of those horror films where trying to apply logic is a waste of time. This low budget film showcases what can be achieved with little blood and no nudity, and really stands out from the normal slasher films of the '70's and '80's. Chuck Connors (TV's "The Rifleman" and "Branded") gives one of his best, and darkest performances I've ever seen outside of westerns. Jocelyn Jones does well, as does Tanya Roberts. I really wasn't into the other actors, they really weren't that likable. But, all in all, a nice little film that stands on it's own, and I recommend a viewing.
Notes:
Italian composer Pino Donaggio was working on Joe Dante's "Piranha" at the time, and Director David Schmoeller who spoke Spanish, as did Donaggio was able to convince the composer to score the music for "Tourist Trap".
Robert A. Burn, who worked on Tobe Hopper's "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" handled the art direction and the majority of the special effects, including the mannequins.
In his book "Danse Macabre", Stephen King praised the film as an obscure classic, noting the film "wields an eerie spooky power, as wax figures begin to move and come to life in a ruined, out-of-the-way tourist resort."
***
Check out more of my reviews as I continue to write and watch films in between my regular story writings here on Literotica!
Even though this may not be the usual fare here on Lit, but I just wanted to share my reviews and opinions of selected films. I hope you enjoy my reviews of these two films.
*
"The Seduction" - 1982
Directed and Written by: David Schmoeller
Music by: Lalo Schifrin
Starring: Morgan Fairchild and Andrew Stevens
Co-Starring: Michael Sarrazin, Vince Edwards and Colleen Camp
Run Time: 104 minutes
"The Seduction" is an erotic thriller of a TV anchorwoman spied upon and stalked by an obsessed fan. Jamie (Fairchild) is a beautiful, successful career woman. Derek (Stevens) is an obsessed psychopath who watches her and attempts to become a part of her life. When Jamie discovers his true intentions she must fight for her life.
"The Seduction" is a nice little erotic thriller, that builds up the story to the final confrontation between Jamie and Derek. Morgan Fairchild is simply gorgeous, and does a very good job with the script given. Andrew Stevens does well as the psychopath Derek. The rest of the cast does little, and is not really likeable. Colleen Camp does little in her role, and could have been utilized more instead of being just simple screen filling. Vince Edwards was just a simple waste of space. Michael Sarrazin was not likeable at all, and, more or less deserved to die off in this film. Only Fairchild and Stevens save this film from being a total disaster. Seeing Fairchild naked is worth the viewing alone. There are a few plot holes, but nothing to cry over. Camp and Edwards could have been utilized as victims for the psycho Derek for the build up to the final showdown, but they were not, too bad, it would have made this film even better. All in all, I like this film only for Fairchild and Stevens. I saw this film once, some 25 years ago, and just recently viewed it again after seeing the StudioCanal release. It is not top notch. But still worth a view.
Notes:
Director David Schmoeller originally wanted Theresa Russell for the role of Jamie.
Actors Peter Gallagher and Michael Keaton were considered for the role of Derek.
Oscar winning actress Bette Davis was a fan of the film, and after watching it on cable television she allegedly sent Fairchild a letter praising her work.
This was the theatrical film debut of Morgan Fairchild.
***
"Tourist Trap" - 1979
Directed by: David Schmoeller
Written by: David Schmoeller and J. Larry Carroll
Music by: Pino Donaggio
Starring: Chuck Connors and Jocelyn Jones
Co-Starring: Tanya Roberts
Run Time: 90 minutes
Four people go in search of their missing friend. What they find is Slausen's Lost Oasis, and a mannequin dressed museum and a seemingly abandoned mansion owned by gentle old Mr. Slausen. He agrees to help with their car trouble, but one of the girls decide to look for a working phone inside the house even though Mr. Slausen warned them not too. Hidden in the home is Mr. Slausen's misunderstood brother with telekinetic powers. What they soon learn is that the mannequins seem very much alive, and that there is something more terrifying behind the mask!
This film is truly unique, tense, creepy and very well done. This film melds an older tradition of the uncanny with the more brutal 1970's mode, splicing together elements of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Carrie" and "House of Wax" - a blend that doesn't sound like it should work, but really does. This film is one of those horror films where trying to apply logic is a waste of time. This low budget film showcases what can be achieved with little blood and no nudity, and really stands out from the normal slasher films of the '70's and '80's. Chuck Connors (TV's "The Rifleman" and "Branded") gives one of his best, and darkest performances I've ever seen outside of westerns. Jocelyn Jones does well, as does Tanya Roberts. I really wasn't into the other actors, they really weren't that likable. But, all in all, a nice little film that stands on it's own, and I recommend a viewing.
Notes:
Italian composer Pino Donaggio was working on Joe Dante's "Piranha" at the time, and Director David Schmoeller who spoke Spanish, as did Donaggio was able to convince the composer to score the music for "Tourist Trap".
Robert A. Burn, who worked on Tobe Hopper's "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" handled the art direction and the majority of the special effects, including the mannequins.
In his book "Danse Macabre", Stephen King praised the film as an obscure classic, noting the film "wields an eerie spooky power, as wax figures begin to move and come to life in a ruined, out-of-the-way tourist resort."
***
Check out more of my reviews as I continue to write and watch films in between my regular story writings here on Literotica!