| Dolls |
| Director: Stuart Gordon Writer: Ed Naha Staring: Ian Patrick Williams, Stephen Lee, Carrie Lorraine, Guy Rolfe Released: 3/1987 Rating: R Studio: Empire Pictures and Columbia TriStar |
| A spooky old house in the middle of nowhere. The only place for a family to get out of the storm after their car gets stuck in the mud. Sounds pretty trite huh? Well, it is an 80’s film so you have to expect that. Triteness aside, and some bad acting as well, this film is great. Once inside said mansion the family meets a creepy old doll maker, his witchy wife and a house full of creepy dolls. One thing to keep in mind is that this movie came before Puppet Master so the concept of dolls come to life was original. That concept is done well here. Starting subtly and simply creepy it slowly builds to some great cheesy stop motion antics. Stuart Gordon is in fine form, fresh from directing his master-piece Re-Animator. He takes a more ghost story approach here instead of a gore-soaked one. Not that a doll cutting into someone ankle with a hack saw doesn’t make you cringe. The focus here is on the atmosphere and the scares come from a doll that wasn’t where you left it when you turned your back. Also, as with a lot of 80’s films, even though this is a horror film it has a decidedly fantasy overtone. The believe in magic is alive and well in the eyes of the little girl and the message of keeping your inner child is obvious. Those who meet there end do so in a rather just desserts way. All in all this movie is fun. The characters are a strange and a compelling bunch. Though over acted at times. The story is simple but well extruded in a great creepy house. Haunted houses are my favorite. Plus who couldn’t love a giant teddy bear that comes to life, turns grotesque, and kills. So pop up some corn and turn off the lights and get ready for a great dose of good 80’s cheese. Reviewed by: Jack |
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