Braindead (1992)
This nineties zombie flick follows young Lionel Cosgrave (Timothy Balme), a young man from New Zeland dealing with love, his controlling mother and a zombie outbreak in his small town. Possibly one of the goriest horror films ever made, Braindead does not hold back when it comes to blood and guts, however the film's slapstick tone makes it a bit easier to watch.
Why it deserves a chance?
It may come as a surprise but Braindead is one of Peter Jackson's early films. That's right, before taking on Tolkien's epic Middle-Earth franchise, Jackson began his career with comedic splatter films shot in his homeland of New Zeland. If you're a fan of films like Evil Dead II then this will be right up your street as it packs on both the gore and the comedy. With everything from zombie babies to lawnmower massacres, Braindead is one of the greatest and most hilarious splatter films of all time.
The Raven (1963)
No not the John Cusack one, this is a loose adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's iconic poem of the same name. It follows Doctor Erasmus Craven (Vincent Price) who mourns the death of his deceased wife Lenore (Hazel Court). Craven is approached by a mysterious raven (Peter Lorre) who was once a man but had been turned into a raven and seeks Dr. Craven's help.
Why it deserves a chance?
Not only does the film feature Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and the man himself, Boris Karloff, it also features a young Jack Nicholson in one of his earliest roles. If you're familiar with the works of Roger Corman you'll know that his low budget films are generally cheesy but fun, The Raven is no exception. From Peter Lorre's performance as a bird man (before Michael Keaton came along) to a hilarious wizard battle between Price and Karloff, the film is both a stylish and enjoyable watch for and fans of the horror genre, despite it's campy nature.
Halloween III: Season of The Witch (1982)
In a departure from the Michael Myers story, the third installment of the Halloween franchise follows Dr. Daniel Challis (Tom Atkins) and his attempts to foil the evil schemes of warlock Conal Cochran (Dan O'Herlihy) on Halloween night. In a plot that involves evil masks, robots and stonehenge the film goes deeper into the history and traditions of the holiday itself.
Why it deserves a chance?
A Halloween film without Michael Myers? Well believe it or not the franchise was originally intended to be an anthology, each installment having a new story revolving around the eponymous holiday. However after the success of the first film, a direct sequel was rushed into production and so Season of the Witch became the third installment. Before watching it I was skeptical but the film really is not all bad. The acting is strong, specifically from Atkins and O'Herlihy, it's soundtrack is almost as good as the originals and it has one of the bleakest horror film endings ever. Season of the Witch is a severely misunderstood film that people don't give a chance, but it really does work without Myers and his Captain Kirk mask.
Demons (1985)
In a mysterious cinema at the heart of Berlin, a group of people fight for survival when a possessed mask causes them to turn into savage demons. Among the group are a blind man, an elderly married couple and a pimp named Tony (Bobby Rhodes). Together they fight against the forces of darkness in an attempt to survive the night.
Why it deserves a chance?
Not only is the film directed by Lamberto Bava, son of Italian giallo master Mario Bava, it's also written by another icon of Italian horror, Dario Argento. The film is certainly cheesy, from it's dubbing to Tony the pimp's dialogue alone, many (including myself) will spend most of the film laughing. However, Demons is one of the most entertaining horror films you will ever watch. It has grizzly and believable gore effects, a catchy soundtrack (including Billy Idol's White Wedding) and a hilarious performance from Bobby Rhodes. Whether you're watching it for the violence or the laughs, Demons has something for everyone and will appeal to anybody who appreciates the horror genre.
House by the Cemetery (1981)
When the Boyle family move into a mysterious house beside a cemetery their lives become increasingly strange when a number of brutal murders begin taking place. Unbeknownst to them, there is something horrifying living in their basement.
Why it deserves a chance?
Ok I should probably clarify that the films plot doesn't exactly make much sense, the acting is a bit dodgy and the character of Bob Boyle (Giovanni Frezza) is enough to turn you off the film. However, I should also clarify that this is a Lucio Fulci film and although Fulci's films usually tend to have ludicrous plots they are always tense and chilling. House by the Cemetery is no exception, it's plot is weak but it has such an eerie atmosphere from start to finish that you won't care about the plot. It also has one of the most prolonged death scenes ever, and that's just the cut version. I'm no stranger to horror films but this one made me feel uneasy throughout and although it doesn't make much sense at all, Fulci manages to create an eerie atmosphere throughout.
So there are 5 cheesy horror films that I feel deserve a chance. Now those are just my opinion and many of you will probably still think they're crap, but it shows that even if a film is camp or cheesy it can still find an appeal in certain audiences. If you feel I've left anything out let me know as I'm always open to checking out cheesy horror films and hearing what other people like. Until next time!
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