Directed by Kevin Connor. Written by Robin Clarke and Raymond Christodoulou. Based on stories by R. Chetwynd Hayes. Starring Peter Cushing, David Warner, Donald Pleasance, Angela Pleasance (his daughter), Ian Bannen, Diana Dors, Ian Carmichael, Ian Ogilvy, Lesley-Anne Down, Jack Watson and Rosalind Ayres.
Plot: an anthology of 4 short stories revolving around a British antique shop and it’s mysterious owner (Cushing)
The first story, The Gate Crasher, is about a group of people who perform a seance and wake up something that’s been trapped in a mirror. It’s kind of a week story. We didn’t understand why the man was trapped in the mirror to begin with. And was he a vampire or no? We weren’t sure of that either. We didn’t like this story all that much.
We did however, like the second story, An Act of Kindness. It’s about a peddler that invites a man (who happens to be a thief and a liar) into his home for tea and cake. But the peddler’s got a strange daughter that answers the prayers of children. I won’t tell you how it ends, but it is justified and we really enjoyed it. It had a fantastic motive and a really awesome cast. We love The Pleas.
The third story, The Elemental, was another letdown. It’s about a clairvoyant that tries to get this “elemental” that keeps attacking his wife, off his shoulder. The rules were a bit shaky with this one. One minute the dog could sense the elemental, but then in the end it couldn’t. Why did things change? The ending did not move us either. DJ made up a much better one that would’ve gotten way more points.
The Door, the fourth and final story, went back up again in our points system. It’s about a man that buys a big, ugly door to use in his house as one of his closet doors, but it ends up transforming his stationary closet (need to get me a stationary closet, btw) into a large, dusty drawing room. And the drawing room has a dude in it, too, who should have looked scary at least, but didn’t. It was a bit over-the-top dramatic, but it was original and we liked it.
So, do we recommend the movie? Yes. But be warned that only half the stories are actually good stories.
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
View all posts by TaraRomero
BLOOD RED REVIEWS 