Saturday, August 6, 2016

The Overlook Theatre Reviews: Scary Tales

of 6 viewers "Liked" "Scary Tales" (USA, 1993)
Here's what the creatures had to say:

Lord Battle - "If micro-budget horror films prove that limitation is the mother of creativity, Scary Tales proves she's in heat. Watch as the most metal horror anthology host introduced short stories about video games, infidelity, and cursed jewelry. Scary Tales isn't for everyone but if you like SOV film, this may be the one you've been waiting for." - 5 Stars

Huntress - "I don't need to make any excuses for this shot on video, micro-budget horror anthology; it's actually really good. I love anthologies and I totally support the decision to not tie all the stories together, as it would have taken away from the movie. The practical effects looked great, I'd definitely watch Scary Tales again." - 4 Stars

Math Mage - "Excellent effects, cleaver use of horror tropes (especially the minimalist wrap-around), and better performances than some professional actors. It was hilariously bad, instead I was pleasantly surprised that it was just hilarious!" - 4.5 Stars

Dabbles - "What this movie lacked in production, it made up for in effects. It was fun and unexpected! I usually score based on production and story but this movie doesn't deserve that, so I'm giving it a 5. They win." - 5 Stars

Action Panda - "Scary Tales? More like "Silly Tales" due to amateur actors and inane dialogue. However, this indie-shot-on-video film is saved by its over the top gore and special f.x. Came in with really low expectations but came out ridiculously entertained." - 4 Stars

The Great Hornito - "Scary Tales was a fun anthology for being a micro budget horror movie. The special effects were great but the only thing scary about the movie was the narrator and the acting. The last short story was actually about a really cool fantasy video game but the drunk redneck's bellybutton was a Scary Tale all in itself. Overall I'm glad I watched it and would watch it again but next time with alcohol." - 3 Stars




The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*
(Below is for after you've seen the film)

The niche horror sub genre that is micro-budget is enjoyed by a particular few. The film standards for this fandom are best described as authentic failures as there is a very clear difference between an honest attempt like Scary Tales and a company trying to cash in on low-budget horror (ie. Troma or Full moon).

Below is an excerpt from Minimum Under Drive Issue #5

Bleeding Skull: So every short story that was in Scary Tales had existed in some form before?

Doug Ulrich: Sliced In Cold Blood was the original one. Al liked slasher movies. He came up with the idea and wanted to play the main part, of course. The original version, which we shot in '92, just had this guy walking around killing people for no reason. And then a friend of ours, who wound up playing one of the victims - she'd gone to a university for film making and she was very knowledgeable - she said the only problem was that there was no real reason for the murders. So we added in the part about the guys wife cheating on him, so there'd be a little more logic to it rather than a guy just going on a rampage and killing everyone. Even though it still kinda comes off that way.

The other two stories had really been around for a while. Satan's Necklace goes back to '82 or '83. I'd written a short story called "Satan," about a young lady who was renting out a room. A guy shows up to rent it, and they kind of become friends, and towards the end of the story it's revealed that he's the devil. He starts transforming, and maybe he kills her... I don't remember. So then I shot it as an early version.

- Bleeding Skull interview with director Doug Ulrich

Purchases from Bleeding Skull Releases receive an issue of Minimum Under Drive when listed! The Zine is awesome and always informative.


-Lord Battle

The Overlook Theatre materialized in a residence for a special screening on  7/28/2016
*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating.

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