Tank’s Tricks ‘r Treats: 31 Scary Movies in 31 Days – Paranormal Activity 4, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Friday the 13th Part 3, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark

Long time no scream, Uncle Tanker here with a plethora of updates on the Tricks ‘r Treats challenge.

This makes 17 films in 24 days, but I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve..

I have 4 more flicks to “disgust” with you.

Movie #14 – Plan 9 from Outer Space

In California, an old man (Bela Lugosi) grieves the loss of his wife (Vampira) and on the next day he also dies. However, the space soldier Eros and her mate Tanna use an electric device to resurrect them both and the strong Inspector Clay (Tor Johnson) that was murdered by the couple. Their intention is not to conquer Earth but to stop mankind from developing a powerful bomb that would threaten the universe. When the population of Hollywood and Washington DC see flying saucers in the sky- a colonel, a police lieutenant, a commercial pilot, his wife and a policeman try to stop the aliens.

Wildly considered to be one of the worst movies of all time, director Ed Wood was just a wide eyed director with big dreams. Making movies was his dream and his dreams came true. Too bad his films are pretty terrible. Thanks to shows like MST3K and Rifftraxx his movies live on. The only true way to watch this is with an audience or with riffs. I saw the Rifftraxx version and its hilarious. So in this case the movie is a trick, but a treat if its riffed with riffs (say that five times fast).

Movie #15 – Friday the 13th part 3

Immediately after the end of Friday the 13th, Pt. 2, Jason Voorhees  heads back to Crystal Lake, this time to terrify rich girl Chris and her band of summer-cottage guests. Chris, it seems, is haunted by an earlier encounter with Jason, and her romantic entanglements with local boy Rick do little to ease her nightmares. Meanwhile, the gruesome antics of Shelly lead to an escalating case of ‘the boy who cried wolf’. When he’s not incurring the wrath of motorcyclists, he’s annoying the other guests with his fake mutilations.

Soon, stage blood turns to real as guests and bikers alike fall prey to the killer lurking in the barn out back. This film has two major distinctions: It was originally released to theaters in 3D, and it’s the first film to showcase Jason’s trademark hockey mask. I have had the privilege of seeing both 2D and 3D but for this viewing I watched the watered down version with my son who is slowly becoming a horror fan like his old man.

Friday the 13th has never been a series with the greatest films, they’re generally reviled by the mainstream- but the horror community have a fondness for them. These films are a lot of fun and entertaining. Yes, they are formulaic, but that’s what makes them fun. Treats for the campers.

Movie #16 – Paranormal Activity 4

It has been five years since Katie murdered her sister and disappeared with her infant nephew, Hunter, in tow. Now, a new family is about to fall prey to nighttime terrors. A mysterious accident next door leads to teenage Alex and her family becoming the temporary guardians of Robbie, a very creepy neighbor boy. Cameras installed throughout Alex’s home capture the sinister events that unfold after Robbie’s arrival.

I’ve never been a big fan of this series, but I do feel with each sequel they have gotten increasingly better. I especially enjoyed part 3. It brought new things to the table and created an interesting mythos to latch onto. Three was a prequel of sorts, and now with four we are back to the present. Sadly, this film just doesn’t deliver. It isn’t scary (I jumped once) and it did nothing to further the story or mythos. In fact, they shoehorned the mythos into the final 10 minutes.

The cast was not likeable and I was very bored. I did see it by myself, so I didn’t get to experience the fun of watching it with an audience. I still think this would have been a let down, plus I probably would have been annoyed with people’s reactions, much like I was with part one. Just wasn’t drinking the Ecto Cooler. Trick for the non fans of the series.

Movie #17 – Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

When her Great Aunt dies, famed horror hostess Elvira heads for the uptight New England town of Falwell to claim her inheritance of a haunted house, a witch’s cookbook and a punk rock poodle. But once the stuffy locals get an eyeful of the scream queen’s ample assets, all hell busts out and breaks loose.

Can Elvira find love with a handsome cinema owner, avoid her creepy Great Uncle, titillate the town’s teens and become a Las Vegas dance sensation all without being burned alive at the stake? I remember when it came out in 1988, my old man hated this film. That being said, it wasn’t something prevalent in my household. Twenty-four years later I finally saw this on Netflix Watch Instantly. I have to say this was actually a lot of fun. Yes, it is campy and cheesy, and there are horrible puns at every turn. I think that’s its charm. Plus Elvira has always been one my crushes growing up. Not sure why …? This was a big surprise treat in my pillowcase.

That will do it for now kiddies. Until next time …

Coming Soon:

• The Lost Boys
• Blade 2
• Frankenstein
• Bride of Frankenstein
• A Nightmare on Elm St.
• Scream