Forever Evil

My review was written in December 1987 after watching the show on United video cassette.

Originally titled "Nemesis", "Forever Evil" holds the dubious distinction of being perhaps the longest made-for-video horror effort to date. Bloated running time features a few good ideas and acceptable gore effects, but definitely would have been cut if theatrical release were envisioned.

Story is derived from the popular mythos of H. P. Lovecraft (not credited, with no screenplay credit displayed), as various survivors of encounters with a Grim Reaper-styled caped monster team up to find and fight some supernatural entity. Referring to mythical books such as Lovecraft's invention, "The Necronomicon", they deduce that the ancient god Yog Kothag, exiled to a distant star system, is being brought back by cultists to take over the Earth.

Pattern of murders on the map (pic was shot in Houston and Cold Springs, Texas) forms a pentagram, leading our heroes to descend upon Nash Realty for a bloody climax. It turns out evil realtor Nash (Howard Jacobsen) is over 100 years old, using as his zombie assistant a guy he killed over 60 years ago. Hero Marc (Red Mitchell) is turned into a zombie at film's end but stabs Nash to put a halt to Yog's Earth takeover bid.

Best thing here is an intriguing puppet designed by Luis Ibarra representing a monster baby, which recalls the fine Rick Baker creations for "It's Alive".

LOL! Man, I recently bought this movie, because I saw some old promos for USA's Saturday Nightmares, and this movie was in one of the intros. I vaguely remembered it, and after viewing it again I can see why.

While the movie itself, is forgettable, the effects and acting are hilarious. It's one of those, great, cheesy ass horror films from the middle, to late 1980's that is, unintenionally funny. Forever Evil, is like a cheap, rip off of "The Evil Dead", with horrible effects.

I'd only suggest this film to those who, truly enjoy a cheesy horror films from the 1980's. Younger viewers and people looking for a good horror film, don't waste your time, but if you love awesomely bad 'B' horror films from the 1980's this is right up your alley

An evil entity wreaks merciless havoc on a group of young people partying in an isolated house. The one survivor is Marc (Red Mitchell), who soon hooks up with Reggie (Tracey Huffman), who similarly survived a massacre. They also partner with a weary old police detective named Leo (Charles L. Trotter), and work the clues behind this mysterious antagonist and its ties to a real estate agent named Nash (Howard Jacobsen).

This viewer wanted to seek this one out after seeing some clips that looked entertaining. Alas, the clips are the all too brief highlights in a protracted experience that goes on much longer than any cheese-horror movie should. It runs an hour and 50 minutes, and the director's cut actually runs even longer than that at approximately two hours! It would seem that the filmmakers, including screenwriter Freeman Williams and director Roger Evans, were somewhat ambitious and wanted to make this a little bit more than the average regional B horror movie. But it's just too long and boring.

It's not without its charms. It's got a very loopy plot involving a god character named Yog Kathog and pulsing quasars. (Then again, the movie does tend to get bogged down in plot.) The effects are quite delicious, with some priceless visuals and some nice bargain basement gore. The acting may not be slick or terribly competent, but it IS entertaining. Jacobsen is a particular hoot as the bad guy. His final confrontation with Huffman is fun. But the balance of the movie never measures up to its opening.

It does have a sad postscript: star Mitchell seemed to be on the cusp of stardom, having gone on to act with Luke Perry in the rodeo drama "Eight Seconds", when he died in a car / train accident at the age of 33.

Four out of 10.

Rating 2** out of five

A Bad movie can be really bad with not so great actors and actresses and it's director. Well Forever Evil is very bad. It rip-off's the plot and location shooting for Evil Dead and has actors I have never seen before. Except for Red Mitchell who was later in a few other films before he was killed in a Train Crash. The director sinks into carnage to even bring up any scares and the photography is also bad. The only thing I enjoyed about Forever Evil was it's 'Scary' effects which are interesting but other than that that a hike and find another monster movie.

My dear Aunt Lucille, may she rest in peace, always told me that if I don't have something nice to say, then I'd best say nothing at all. With those wise words in mind, I will retain a humble silence while you enter your neighborhood movie rental store and approach the counter with this pissant excuse for a supernatural horror film.

That's right. I'm not going to say a single word while you shake your head in disbelief as a girl gets dragged into the night by A SINGLE FLIMSY STICK. Nope. I'll hold my tongue throughout the scenes of a rubber-mask-zombie wreaking very minor havoc upon characters you wish would die in pain and fear.

I'll politely refrain from commenting on how the folks who made this seem to have read someplace that THE EVIL DEAD was a virtual no-budget project, and, being aware of the considerable buzz which that film generated, decided to utilize a 3-day weekend to concoct this pallid "homage". And when the "surprise ending" comes around, don't expect my opinion to be forthcoming...I'll just sit quietly and listen as you hurl expletives at the video box.

2.5/10. But I'm not saying a damn thing.