It always becomes an interesting experience to return to older reviews and examine to see if it still holds a valid argument for the critique.
Prom Night [1980]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: At a high-school senior prom, a masked killer stalks four teenagers who were responsible for the accidental death of a classmate six years previously.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: Sometime in the 80s to feed my slasher craving
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 5.4/10
MY RATE THEN: 5.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: No, it is a typical slasher fare, no surprises found in the storyline; a slight attempt at misdirection. Jamie Lee Curtis, was in popular demand, with two other films in 1980 The Fog and Terror Train. A downside for the movie is the disco feel of the music, but its overlooked. Just note the movie lead to three sequels with no true connections and was even remade.
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Exeter [2015]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: A group of teenagers accidentally release an evil spirit that starts to possess them one by one.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: November 2015
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 4.5/10
MY RATE THEN: 4.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: No, it is still the same, for this possession film which includes the overexaggerated contouritic characteristics found in other films such as Grave Encounters [2011]. Most of the film still contains references for the younger teens and doesn’t convey to a broader audience, for example using silly clichés and too jumps rather building frights.
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The Return of the Living Dead [1985]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: When two bumbling employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally released a deadly gas into the air, the vapors cause the dead to rise again as zombies.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: Late 80s
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 7.3/10
MY RATE THEN: 8.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: Hell no! I really like this flick, the gore, the humor, and the killer punk track. The cast fits well together, Clu Gulager who came on board, never had the opportunity to bond with remainder cast, but his talent never shows it and that works as stand-off character versus the punks. Linnea Quigley is quite memorable in the film.
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Jaws [1975]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: When a massive killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Long Island, it’s up to the local police chief, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: Sometime in the early 80s
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 8.0/10
MY RATE THEN: 8.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: No way, this movie is definite classic, though likely to be remade once Spielberg passes on, a dreadful action. Anyway, this movie truly balances so many actions, returning to theaters every year is wonderful thrill ride, this year of 2025 it was available in every format 4K HD, 3D, and even IMAX. I saw it in 3D, very cool.
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KillerSaurus [2015]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: When a scientist runs short of funding for his life-saving medical Bio-Printing research, he accepts an offer of investment from a shadowy military organization. In return, he is forced to use his technology to create the ultimate battlefield weapon – a full size Tyrannosaurus Rex. After a horrific accident in which the dinosaur massacres his research team, the scientist shuts down the project. However, his investors demand results and it can only be a matter of time before the deadly T-Rex is unleashed upon the world.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: Sadly, in October of 2017
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 2.6/10
MY RATE THEN: 2.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: Nope, not at all, it is still a terrible movie and was part of the DOA film reviews. One thing aside from the film that shows lack of care is the plot summary on IMDb contains spelling errors, the one above was corrected by me, how hard is it to use spell check. However, that is just one of several mistakes one could find in the movie, for example two primary issues first the storyline never connects together and secondly, it is supposed to be a creature feature, eventually one needs to show the entire beast that never happens just random pieces.
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Jeruzalem [2015]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: When a couple of American young adults fly to Israel to visit the city of Jerusalem, a biblical nightmare falls upon them.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: July 2016
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 4.7/10
MY RATE THEN: 4.5/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: No, while it Is in the subgenre of found footage it does finally overcome that commonly frown on question by viewers why are they filming everything all the time. Herein, they use a form of google glasses which becomes the filming device and reason. Overall, this movie contains religious-horror themes, as well as demon winged monster which turns the human race into mindless zombies, the budgetary constraints do limit the massive attacks, but glimpses down through the glasses allow just enough intrigue for the viewer to keep watching.
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Union Furnace [2015]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: A petty car thief in a small Southern Ohio town gets involved in an underground game of life and death.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: October 2017
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 6.6/10
MY RATE THEN: 5.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: No, it is still a deeper meaning exploration of character depth set in Saw-like setting though not showing the extremism that occurs in those films. Instead, being taken, all of those involved are playing a game to escape of life of being poor filled with wretched problems in exchange for one wealth and power.
A side note, this film was one of the first that was published on the site.
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Ghosts of War [2020]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: Five American soldiers assigned to hold a French Chateau near the end of World War II. This unexpected respite quickly descends into madness when they encounter a supernatural enemy more terrifying than anything seen on the battlefield.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: Likely first half of 2020
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 5.4/10
MY RATE THEN: 5.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: No, it is still an average spooky tale, and nightmare scenarios plague soldiers on sides of World War II. Nevertheless, those final 10-minutes still ruin all that came before it.
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13 Ghosts [1960]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: A family inherits a house with 12 ghosts who want a 13th.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: I think late 70s
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 6.1/10
MY RATE THEN: 6.0/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: No, in fact, I watch this film on a repeated basis, there is just something I enjoy about the quirky humor and the movie is just a fun viewing pleasure. Margaret Hamilton has a moment of knowing black humor that breaks the 4th wall of acting but is memorable for many reasons. There’s even a line that many of my friends reference about – the character Buck is stated to have every ghost story book, and while I do not own them all my collection is vast and highly enjoyable just like this wonderful William Castle movie.
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Lavalantula [2015]
SUMMARY PER IMDB: Volcanic eruptions in Los Angeles unleash a swarm of gigantic, lava-breathing tarantulas.
DATE WHEN I SAW IT ORIGINALLY: September 2015
THE IMDB RATE AT TIME OF REV: 4.6/10
MY RATE THEN: 4.5/10
HAS MY VIEW CHANGED: Nope, this movie was created and packaged to in same style as Sharknado, never takes itself seriously. The dialogue was filled with zany exchanges and partial reuniting of Police Academy actors. It is a classic b-movie that Syfy smartly directed to the 30–40-year-old demographics rather than the typical teenager market.