Psycho IV/Return Of The Living Dead 4th of July themed recipes!

 Psycho IV/Return Of The Living Dead 4th of July themed recipes!

I'm a little behind with blogging, so I decided for my next two posts to combine together for two yummy little 4th of july themed treats. Psycho IV and Return Of The Living Dead are musts to watch around this time of year, so why not prepare a great snack to go with a cool 6-pack of beer!

Ps. We can thank Betty Crocker for these. Sorry kids, I don't have much baking skills!

Bates Motel fantastic 4th of July cake

                                                

Ingredients

Cake

1

box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ white cake mix

1 1/4

cups buttermilk

1/3

cup vegetable oil

3

eggs

1

tablespoon unsweetened baking cocoa

2

teaspoons royal blue paste food color

1

toothpickful violet paste food color

Frosting

1

jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme

1

cup butter or margarine, softened

2 1/2

cups powdered sugar

1/8

teaspoon salt

Directions

• 1 Heat oven to 325°F. Grease and lightly flour bottoms and sides of three 8-inch round cake pans, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• 2 In large bowl, beat cake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed about 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• 3 Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake 22 to 27 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched in center. Cool 15 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely.
• 4 Spoon marshmallow creme into large microwavable bowl; microwave uncovered on High 15 to 20 seconds to soften. Add butter. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and salt until smooth.
• 5 If necessary, trim rounded tops of 2 cake layers to flatten before assembling. Place 1 cake layer, top side down, on serving plate; spread with about 1/3 cup frosting. Top with second layer, top side down; spread with about 1/3 cup frosting. Top with untrimmed cake layer, top side up. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting. Store loosely covered.

Cemetery party bars

Ingredients

Crust

1 1/4

cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

1/4

cup powdered sugar

1/4

teaspoon salt

1/2

cup butter, cut into pieces

Filling

1

large green apple, thinly sliced 

1

tablespoon granulated sugar

2

cups bottled sour apple drink mix

3

envelopes unflavored gelatin

1

cup vodka

Directions

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In food processor, place flour, powdered sugar, salt and butter. Cover; process, using quick on-and-off motions, until dough is crumbly. Press in baking dish.
• 2 In medium bowl, toss apple slices with granulated sugar until coated. Arrange apple slices in single layer, not overlapping, on crust. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until edges of crust are lightly browned. Cool on cooling rack.
• 3 Meanwhile, pour 1 cup of the sour apple drink mix into large heatproof bowl; sprinkle gelatin over drink mix. Let stand 1 minute. Heat remaining 1 cup sour apple drink mix to boiling. Pour over gelatin mixture and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add vodka; stir until well blended.
• 4 Pour mixture over apple layer. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or until firm. Cut into 8 rows by 3 rows.

Let's party!!!

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

 I know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

If your my age, you very much remember how absolute terrifying I Know What You Did Last Summer was. Growing up in the 90's, in the Scream era, we were treated to countless slick star studded slashers.

I know what you did last summer

I still know what you did last summer

Scream

Scream 2

Scream 3

Halloween H20

Urban Legend

ect.

This fun little slasher basically is a full movie teaching you never to drink and drive AND always to make sure the body you dumb is always dead. What says the 4th of July more than people getting killed with a fish hook!

Graveyard Shift 1990

 Graveyard Shift 1990

The drinking game

"Show's ova!"

By 1990 Stephen King was a titan when it came to the world of horror. All ready publishing almost thirty highly successful novels, and being the mastermind behind so many classic films adapted from his work, it seemed as if by 1989 and 1990 there wasn't one piece of his that was getting the silver screen treatment.

Graveyard Shift was based off a short story from King's first collection of short stories in Night Shift. The finished project has always gotten mixed reviews, but is always a must to watch since the clean up crew work over the 4th of July long weekend. What better way to kick off this week by doing a good old fashion Stacy drinking game with a twist!

Rules…

Drink when…

A rat is seen.

A horrible Maine accent is heard.

Brad Dourif kills a rat

When blood is shown.

Somebody screams

Take a shot when…

When somebody dies

When somebody says "Graveyard shift"

When water is shown.

When somebody mentions Castle Rock

Waterfall…

A Beach Boy's song is heard.

When the giant rat appears.

When somebody mentions the 4th of july.

Secret Admirer (1985)

 Secret Admirer 

Today's summer pick comes from yet another C. Thomas Howell movie. I for one am more of a fan of say Red Dawn and The Hitcher, but Mr. Howell did make some pretty amusing movies one after another in the 80's and early 90's. Secret Admirer is a colorful fun little romance movie with more than one side story, and some pretty adorable young actors that take part in the fun. With talents such as Kelly Preston, Dee Wallace Stone, and even a young Corey Haim, this is a fun little romance movie that dates itself but captures teenage summer fun in a nutshell. 

Grandview U.S.A (1984)

 Grandview U.S.A

PLOT - Life in the small town of Grandview, Illinois is one that is just like any other city or town. Tim Pearson, soon to be graduating high school wants to go to Florida to study oceanography. He meets Michelle "Mike" Cody and is attracted to her. She runs the local Demolition Derby place. Ernie "Slam" Webster is on of the drivers in the derby who's wife is cheating on him and wants to later on be with Mike. Tim falls for Mike and a big love triangle is about to happen.

LOWDOWN -  There are certain movies that sadly due to either the time they were released, or a weak script makes them one of the many underrated fun little movies that get swept under the rug. Grandview U.S.A is one of them. Made when actors C. Thomas Howell, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Patrick Swayze were at their most popular, this movie was directed by Randal Kiesiser who at the time have developed several popular cult classics. Taking the idea of a small town boy, wanting badly to live his own life, and break away from his boring every day rules and future everyone expects of him, he rebels at one of the most important times in his life. At a crossroads, along with two other people from this small town, Tim begins to make choices that will affect not only his life, but the people around him.

Sounds pretty serious huh?

Well, it really isn't. In fact Grandview U.S.A by any length isn't a good movie at all. In fact it's just a fun dumb little 80's movie that help promise with such a story, but instead relied on the popular cast, some very cheesy and cringe worthy dream/MTV music video scenes, and cheesy lines. This is a lost little 80's gem that captures mid-Western small town life, and a young man hungry for more. I still remember taping this movie on TV years ago when I like pretty much any female out there was in love with C. Thomas Howell aka Ponyboy. I always liked the side story of "Mike" played by Jamie Lee Curtis who is the slightly older tomboy who has followed in her father's footsteps and has taken over the car derby which is slowly failing and losing money and being pressured by the bank and town to sell. I always felt this was a pretty powerful storyline for a female character in this era, and I loved her relationship with "Cowboy" her slow brother, and how hard she fights to hold onto the only place she ever knew. The town meeting scene is always a highlight in an otherwise silly movie. It's a small town girl fighting against all the hotshots with only a few people standing behind her.

I think that's why I always loved her little love affair with high school graduate Tim who is sorta the golden boy from his area. In fact I really felt Howell and Curtis played a pretty great on screen couple, and really didn't like how quickly they switched things at the end to wrap it up neatly with her and Swayze. Sure I liked his side story about him and his younger wife (played by Ms. Jennifer Jason Leigh) and I always get a huge kick out of the bulldozer scene. One of the best scenes of couple revenge ever. Still, him and Curtis just didn't seem to fit together and the fact she lands up with him always sorta busts my chops. Besides that, if you don't take this movie too serious and just view it as a silly 80's movie with a good soundtrack (love the catchy Air Supply song Grandview U.S.A) with some funny moments and somewhat cute love story, this is the movie for you.

I've always liked it since it takes place during the summer around graduation time. The best are the scenes between Howell and his sister (the apple down the shirt thing always gets me.) or of course the talking car "The door is ajar…" classic. With brief cameos from the Cusack siblings, this is a fun movie that I guess Jamie Lee hates in realty. Wow, harsh lady…harsh.

Grandview U.S.A means a lot to me simply because it was a favorite of mine around age 14/15, a fun summer movie, has some great lines like "Does a duck have lips?" and of course the fact I was able to write my very first movie review of this on 80's Movie rewind. 

So head on over to Grandview and dance like a complete idiot!

3 1/2 stars!

The Wraith (1986)

 The Wraith (1986)

And what I would have changed in it.

Today's choice for a summer movie comes in the 1986 car revenge film The Wraith. Now years ago this movie was recommended to me by a friend. It took until last year for me to finally catch it by chance and actually enjoy it quite a lot. The movie has a pretty impressive cast such as Charlie Sheen, Sherlyn Fenn, Nick Cassavetes, Randy Quaid, Griffin O' Neil, and Clint Howard. The movie was pre-winning Charlie Sheen who was fresh off one of my personal favorites Red Dawn. I'm sure he was coked beyond and back making this movie, but hey it was the 1980's…who wasn't? The reason why the Wraith stands out to me is because of what an actual fun watch it is. Pretty much The Crow before The Crow, the movie is about a strange teenager arriving in town unexpected a year after a local boy his age was found brutally murdered and his girlfriend having zero idea what happened since she blacked out the night he went missing. It doesn't take long for the local thugs who force people who take rides out in the desert, only to race, cheat, and take their cars to notice this new kid. 

Well faster than you can say tiger blood, a stunning Dodge MS4 comes along and starts to challenge the thugs to impossible races. Every time the car wins, one of the punks are found dead with their eyes burned out. Who's doing this and why?

I reviewed this movie last year and despite some cheesy moments, and huge holes in the plot, I really like this movie. The standouts for me of course are the soundtrack, car, and cast. But just for shits and giggles here are 3 things I would have changed which would in my eyes make The Wraith utter perfection.

1) Change the whole Jake/Jamie thing.

- I feel this would have been a truly awesome revenge movie had they cleared up a few things about what actually happened in the past and make it more believable. First off, I would of had the opening of the movie take place a year before hand. I would have a new actor play Jamie. In fact, maybe somebody polor opposite than Mr. Sheen. For the sake of casting I'll say they should of casted Damon Martin best known for his roles in Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Ghoulies II, and Amityville 1992 It's About Time. I would show Jamie being a happy go lucky teenager who seriously is the nicest guy ever. Have a good scene of him interacting with his brother, showing how close they are. Maybe even him at home with his parents, which you could have had the Jake character either visit and ride by seeing his parents still grieving him a year later. I know this is just a dumb popcorn race movie, but a little character development never hurt anyone. I would have that Jamie was a complete comic book nerd and loved to sketch. Maybe have him keep a notebook drawing a super hero called the Wraith wearing his helmet, and driving in his sports car. I could see before the beginning of the movie starts have him meet up with his girlfriend Keri and just after the two have sex an unseen group of people come in attacking them, knocking Keri out and slitting Jamie's throat. CUT TO BLACK with "Where's The Fire?" playing over the soundtrack with the credits starting as the couple driving around are forced to race the gang. I think showing how badly missed Jamie is would be better, and how his brother, family, and Keri never got over it. How even to this day it kills Keri that she can't remember what happened. 

2) Make the deaths more brutal.

- Hey it's a revenge movie right? Now I know it's not a horror movie but still, they pretty much could of done whatever they wanted. Sure I liked the whole burning their eyes out thing, but maybe make it a little more personal. Maybe that's what the gang did to Jamie's corpse? They used a blow torch and burned his eyes out so maybe that's why each gang member is found that way? I maybe wouldn't have kept that even during a huge explosion their body besides their eyes aren't harmed at all. I would go nuts. Maybe a brutal garage death where a power tool is used, or maybe somebody via The Hitcher getting yanked in two. Maybe I'm just being user violent right now but I feel some crazy no nonsense gore would be exactly what the doctor ordered for this movie. Also a better death for the main villain. His pay off should have been ten times better than that!

3) Change the ending.

- I would of had of course the final race happen between the Dodge and Packard, but have like I said earlier his death be ten times better. Maybe the cars crashed and he stumbles out on fire screaming running down the highway before dropping. Whatever happened I think it should have been ten times more brutal. On top of that I would of had the Dodge slowly turn into a brand new car like in Sleepwalkers when Jake gives the car to his brother. I mean for the love of God man, your handing him the murder weapon, you could at least change it. Maybe the brother figures out who he is and there's an emotional scene of him begging him to stay and in the end Jake leaves, giving him a brand new car. I also would of had Keri take just a wee bit longer trying to figure out who Jake was. I crack up during the ending scene when he goes "You know who I am…" and it seriously takes her a second before she smiles and says "Jamie!" Ahhh…maybe have him know something only Jamie knew. I don't know, it seems that I want American fucking Beauty here when we're talking about a movie where Clint Howard's hair steals the show. Maybe it's just me. 

Nevertheless, The Wraith is a fun movie changes or not that's a great watch and has an even better soundtrack!

Ten reasons why Summer School (1987) is awesome!

Ten reasons why Summer School (1987) is awesome!

If somebody asked me what was one of my favorite all time non-horror movies my answer would be simple.

Summer School.

This movie is "the" summer movie about likable screw ups and I'm going to explain why I love this film so…

10) The zany soundtrack

- The Summer School soundtrack is one of my all time favorites and thanks to a good friend I own it on vinyl! Featuring artist such as Blondie, and Oingo Boingo every song featured in this film is beyond catchy!

9) The LA/Beach setting

- Nothing says summer more than a movie taking place on the sunny beaches of California. Somehow this movie stays away from what really downtown LA looks like and keeps it bright and cheery showing the adorable high school, and of course Shoop's awesome beach side cabin where his fish suffers the terrible fate of Chainsaw and Dave's 4th of July fire crackers. Should have kept with the mellon bombs...

8) The awesome characters

- Chainsaw, Dave, Kevin, Pam, Denise, Rhonda, Alan, Robin, and yes Shoop. Oh and don't forget the guy who spent the entire summer in the bathroom. These characters are classic screw ups for the most part but beyond likable. Whenever you watch Summer School you feel like you are hanging with friends. By far the funniest coolest class of 80's teens I could think of!

7) The fact Shoop eats the whole movie.

- A huge minor detail I always get a kick out of is the fact that Shoop seriously eats in nearly every scene in the entire movie. Between donuts, apples, PBJ without bread, and even what appears to be a whole pie cracks me up. If you ever turn this into a drinking game, make it a rule to drink whenever he's shown eating, trust me you'll be wasted!

6) PG13 of the 1980's.

- It's pretty laughable to think this was aimed for a younger audience. If a remake was ever done today I know for a fact half of the things they said and got away with wouldn't fly. Between the lesson is swearing and gestures, and Chainsaw and Dave's gory effects, this film is a complete riot. In fact I'm sure I speak for many who have worked in effects or love gore, this movie was a huge reason behind this love. One of my favorite scene is the classroom massacre moments.

5) Chainsaw's room

- Chainsaw's bedroom I'm sure reminds us fellow horror nerds of our very own bedrooms growing up. This room, which is featured only in two brief scenes is complete and utter eye candy. One day I would love time freeze framing it and looking at every single little detail shown. Between the killer masks, props, and Jaws movie posters, this is a room I give total and utter respect to!

4) Wondermutt

- This isn't my dog! It's a beach dog! Who says a dog isn't a man's best friend? Wondermutt is by far one of the coolest dog's ever featured in a  film and gets the honor of wearing some killer shades on the soundtrack cover. Wondermutt has a taste for PBJ, long walks on the beach, and of course his toy head named Bob.

3) Mind Over Matter

- One of the more popular songs featured on the soundtrack is by actress, singer, and voice over actor E.G Daily best known for her work in Valley Girl, The Devil's Rejects, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure. This killer tune made for the movie plays when the cast takes the test. I will forever and always think of this song whenever I see people testing. Beyond awesome.

2) Shoop

- Hum, how do I sum up one of the most perfect men ever? Simple…Shoop. A complete kid at heart, Shoop became a teacher for all the right reasons. June, July, and August. Laid back, adorable, a snazzy dresser, and somebody that for no reason at all visits male strip clubs, he sums up perfection perfectly. If he's not teaching kids English and granting wishes, he's lending out his car, hanging with his beach dog, or going to jail on roller skates. Classy man!

1) Chainsaw and Dave.

- This movie is filled with colorful and awesome characters. The two standouts by far have to be the two horror nuts Chainsaw and Dave that steal the entire movie. Between the essay about Rick Baker, the screening of TCM, or being the team behind the classroom massacre, they are the sort of dudes you wish you knew in school. "Enough with safe and sane, time for dumb and dangerous."

Valley Girl (1983)

 Valley Girl (1983)

Nothing says the summer more than watching a totally bitching 80's movie that is responsible for some of the lingo people used for the better part of that decade. Featuring a 1983 take of West Side Story or even better Romeo and Juliet (minus the killing and tragedy) Valley Girl is a feel good movie that's a must to watch whenever the weather turns warm.

In tonight's post I feature a Where Are They Now? Segment. Of course Valley Girl features some amazing actors, but the true shinning star in this movie isn't Nic Cage, but the female star Deborah Foreman. Deborah played the adorable Julie, who was the sweet beautiful young teenager who dressed awesome and fell for the punk rocker Randy. Deborah was responsible for some of the best lines in this movie, and captures a sweetness I honestly don't think anyone else could top.

Deborah went on to star in many other popular movies such as Real Genius, My Chauffeur, April Fools Day, and of course my personal favorite Waxwork. Forever and always I will see Deborah falling into different worlds with Zach Galligan as Sarah Brightman. In fact last year I had the pleasure of meeting her at HorrorHound and she was by far one of the coolest sweetest people I've met. I'm still in awe over how amazing she was.

Deborah was a model turned actress who continued to star in feature films before moving up to the stunning Big Bear Lake area and splitting her time teaching yoga and creating her company P.O.W Jewels which features breathtaking pieces of art. 

So if you want to spend a cool night in on a hot summer night, sit on down to Valley Girl or better yet check out P.O.W Jewels to order some killer amazing jewelry today!

http://www.pearlofwisdomjewels.com

Side Out (1990) Ten times this movie served 90's fashion realness.

Side Out (1990) Ten times this movie served 90's fashion realness.

Nothing says the summer more than going to the beach. Or better yet, how about going to the beach and playing volleyball. Or how about playing volleyball with C. Thomas Howell, dressed in beyond colorful clothing looking like a complete idiot. Well guess what, if you were at a certain age in the year 1990…99% of you all did look like idiots, and guess what…I applaud you. I sadly didn't get the chance to look like an idiot in 1990…seeing that I was only three. Nevertheless, if you want a friendly reminder of some of the fashion that was served at the beginning of this decade, Side Out is a must to watch. On the very tail end of C. Thomas Howell's uber awesome 80's career of enjoyable films, Side Out is a cheesy B summer movie that's a hoot to watch. Here are just some images of some serious 90's fashion realness. Bust out the colorful patterns, and load up your boom box. We're going to the beach!

#Feelthefantasy

Thrashin' (1986)

 Thrashin' (1986)

Plot - Corey, a young and promising skateboarder decides to spend the summer in California with his buddies in the valley to train for the LA Massacre Down Hill. An intense and very dangerous skateboard race which very well might make or break his future. While visiting and exploring and partying he meets Chrissy, a beautiful young girl from out of town who happens to be the twin sister of the rival gang leader who he's competing against. An 80's take on West Side Story, Thrashin' is a colorful, fun summer film with a killer soundtrack, totally 80's fashion, and some amazing and memorable moments "Breakin is a memory!"

Olive films (who released my personal favorite Dangerously Close) is really starting to gain my respect since they announced at later this week they will be releasing Thrashin' on blu-ray. As of right now I haven't seen anything about special features (if there are any I'm guessing whatever ones are on the DVD. I'm praying the cast commentary makes it since it's one of the funniest I've ever listened to.) Nevertheless, I'll be happy since it's FINALLY getting the blu-ray treatment. This is a movie that's visually stunning with tons of killer bright colors. A must for any 80's movie fan to see. Stay tuned for a blu-ray review posted soon!

Graduation Day (1981)

 Graduation Day (1981)

I'm sadly a little behind on my last two posts due to a very busy weekend, so I'm trying to catch up with my last couple of posts. The first of course is two slashers that are highly underrated, and released at the beginning of the early 1980's slasher boom. These are movies that are a must to watch around this time of year. The first being Graduation Day. With some well known faces from this gene, along with an awesome unseen killer looking for creative ways to kill these unsuspecting teenagers one by one. As cheesy as this film it, I've always been a fan. I like how they decided to stray away from holidays and used a popular event like a school's graduation instead. Loved the opening scene, and of course of story of the school's team pressured by the crazy coach, which leads to the killer's insane acts of revenge. With a pretty cool ending, and some uber 80's moments, I'm a pretty huge fan. A must to watch around this time as you are attending graduations and who knows maybe even a disco party!

My second added on title comes from the movie House On Sorority Row. The reason why I picked this film is because the movie's events take place during June 19th. Yet another school slasher with some pretty awesome moments, kills, and storyline. Not a fan of the remake at all, but the original is a huge must to watch for any horror fan. Just wish they stayed with the original ending!

So I advise anyone this weekend, after watching either The Stepfather movies or Creepshow (Father's Day) to pop in these movies to have a truly awesome terrifying kick off to summer!

Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II

 Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II

Plot - In the late 1950's a wild teenager named Mary Lou was crowned prom queen at her senior dance. Sadly a recent ex boyfriend looking for revenge decided to play a little prank on her as she was crowned on stage. Within seconds the prank turns deadly, and Mary Lou went up in flames dying a slow and very painful death. Nearly thirty years later this horrible tragedy has been forgotten…until now. Mary Lou's spirit returns seeking a new body and of course the crown that was rightfully hers all those years ago.

Since years ago I did do a review on the highly underrated sequel of Prom Night, I decided to show off one of my all time favorite shirts Fright Rags has ever released. I clearly was a little excited when it came out.

This is a must for any horror fan to own. What truly makes the shirt is Mary Lou's phone number written in lipstick on the back. I can't tell you how many people at flea markets I go to give a double take whenever they see it.

Keep an eye on the Fright Rags website in case this shirt ever goes on sale again in the Graveyard section. Until then please remember. It doesn't matter who you go with…it's who takes you home!

http://www.fright-rags.com

Daddy's Girl (1996)

 Daddy's Girl (1996)

PLOT - A crazy unstable little girl begins going on a killing spree once her summer faction begins. Anybody that gets between her and her darling father she'll destroy. Gingers man…crazy.

Daddy's Girl is a cheesy awesome mid 90's thriller. Almost like a bad ass Lifetime movie. It has it's moments, and a must to watch as this crazy little girl goes bat shit and begins taking out anybody that gets in her way. There are some truly awesome movies about killer kids. Here are my top five…

Children Of The Corn

Bloody Birthday

Village Of The Damned

Orphan

Daddy's Girl