Motel Hell
(spoiler-free movie review)
Motel Hell has everything I look for in a 1980’s horror flick. It’s funny, well-acted(mostly) and has an original concept. The pacing is swift and keeps the viewer entertained throughout the 101 minutes running time.
I went into this film totally blind. I saw a limited edition Scream Factory steelbook for sale at my local Best Buy and took the plunge. I knew absolutely nothing about this movie but was drawn-in by the fantastic cover art and the tagline “It takes all kinds of critters to make farmer Vincent’s fritters.” Luckily my blind buy turned out to be one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. Motel Hell is an excellent movie with a lot of strengths and a couple minor flaws.
From the first few shots of the movie, I could tell the director(Kevin Connor) was paying close attention to detail and this was a competently made film. Something that can’t be said for a lot of 80’s campy-horror flicks. Rory Calhoun as Farmer Vincent gives a wonderful performance that was both endearing and freighting. His co-stars also deliver solid performances with Nancy Parsons being a stand-out. Many will recognize her from the memorable role of Ballbricker in Porky’s. She’s equally entertaining to watch here.
The movie does lack in the gore department. Often the camera cuts away before any blood is depicted on-screen. Honestly, that’s perfectly fine with me and only helps enforce the horror/comedy tone of the movie. It strikes a good balance between the two genres, something that’s rarely successful.
As the end-credits rolled on Motel Hell I was already looking forward to watching it again. It’s funny, it’s scary and it’s full of memorable moments and quotable lines. This one’s a winner and always remember “meat’s meat and a man’s gotta eat.”
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
– coe33
- Media Format: Blu-ray (1.85:1, DTS-HD MA)
- Setup: Vizio 70″ 4K V-Series(V705-H) Television, JBL 9.1 Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Subwoofer, Sony UPB-X700 UHD Blu-ray Player
- Question: What’s your favorite movie role by actress Nancy Parsons? Cast your vote on the poll below!
Time Bandits
(spoiler-free movie review) A whimsical exploration of time and space with a satirical edge. Director Terry Gillian kicks off his “Imagination Trilogy” with the 1981 genre-bending Time Bandits. The film follows the adventures of Kevin (Craig Warnock), as he travels through time with a group of treasure stealing bandits. Joining Kevin on his journey is…
Ambulance and Edge of Tomorrow on 4k Blu-ray
(physical media spotlight) Two new movies just became available for pre-order on Amazon. Both titles are getting 4k physical releases! Scroll below to view descriptions and specifications for each new release along with Amazon links to purchase/pre-order the movies. Ambulance / Available December 31st, 2022 Movie Description In this action thriller directed by Michael Bay,…
The Deer Hunter
(spoiler-free movie review) An emotionally impactful movie with powerhouse performances and superb directing. Director Michael Cimino lovingly crafted a three-hour masterpiece that is amongst the most engrossing dramas ever captured on film. The Deer Hunter received a limited release in 1978 in an attempt to secure Oscar nominations, an effort that paid off as it…
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Follow coe33 on Letterboxd – The Social Network for Film Discovery
Categories
The Media Scroll 