Hide and Go Shriek

Hide and Go Shriek had the unfortunate luck of coming at the end of the original 80's slasher cycle where these films were lucky to play in a theater or two before getting dumped onto video. As a film, it's not as bad as you'd think. There are a few creepy moments here and there (especially the killer's fetish for dressing up like the victims they've just killed so they can fool the next victims into thinking that they are one of their friends) and there's a pretty gnarly decapitation by elevator that's truly a work of art.

The real selling point here is the heavy dollop of late-80's cheese on display. Everyone's clothes, hair, and makeup couldn't be more late-80's if they tried, which gives the film a fun time capsule feel. You just know it's one of those movies that could have only been made at a very specific place and time.

The ending killer reveal is so bizarre and off the wall that it must be seen to be believed.

Kids sneak into the furniture store one of their parents owns and are targeted by a killer who likes to play dress up after killing their victims. There's enough camp here with the kid's fashions and bad hairstyles if that's what you watch 80's slasher films for and the killer's monologue and reveal has to be one of the most bizarre you're likely to see in a film like this. There's a really nasty decapitation scene, too, which did boggle my mind when I first saw it. I'm still not sure how they did that.

Initially this appears to be the usual slasher formula of high schoolers sneaking into a furniture store to party throughout the night. Someone else is in the store killing the kids one by one. I won't give anything else away. There is a red herring, but this film is notable for giving a plot twist as we discover who the killer is and why they are doing what they are doing. All things considered I really enjoyed this film. It doesn't get remembered as much when 80's slashers are discussed. If you love horror films, go see this.

(**1/2 out of *****)

A group of horny young teenagers (aren't they all?) break into a furniture warehouse for a night of frivolous games and serious sex (or is it serious games and frivolous sex?) But, wouldn't you know it, a wet-blanket serial killer/madman has to start butchering everyone and spoiling all the fun. This looks even more low-budget than most ‘80s slashers, but I actually enjoyed it, once things got going. For one thing, the setting is great -- with an old, open elevator and multiple, dark floors full of mannequins and beds, so that the characters never know where the killer is, not to mention each other -- and the survivors are not necessarily the ones you'd expect (you never know who's gonna get it next.) There's the expected nudity and violence, but the mood and suspense place this one slightly above other teens-locked-in-a-building-with-a-psychopath slashers of its kind.

HIGHLIGHT: One girl waits for her boyfriend to come back to bed, unaware that the killer has messily disposed of him and put on his clothes, setting up a very scary scene of mistaken identity.

This movie has it's good moments... It has scary scenes, scary music, gore, original killings, and an original killer.

Give this movie a try. If you feel scared during the movie, I bet that at the end of it you'll feel like an idiot because the killer is VERY... Ok, you'll have to find it out heh heh.