(HORROR) Friday the 13th - 1980 ** 1/2

Having never watched any of this franchise it was rather exciting for me to get to see the first in the series the other day.
However, my excitement disappeared rapidly when I realised how awfully dated and cheesy the whole thing was. I can't actually see what all the fuss is about. Rather like 'Sleepaway Camp' (which spawned plenty of sequels but was utterly stupid to watch) this was a typical slasher from the 1980s, although it really can't compare to anything like Halloween or Texas Chainsaw.
Jason, the main 'star' of these films, is only viewed for about 3 seconds near the end of the film, so I would imagine that I will end up seeing the next one just to see if he makes a more lengthy appearance (a rather clever marketing ploy I think).

(HORROR) Silent Night, Deadly Night - 1984 *** 1/2

Oh yes, it was cheesy, it was camp, but I was scared!
After witnessing his parents brutal slaying by a maniac in a Santa costume, a young boy named Billy is sent to an orphanage. Here, he grows to intensely dislike the Mother Superior, and relishes the chance to get out once he turns 18 and earn some money.
By chance, he gets a job in a local toy factory and does very well, even developing feelings for one of the girls who works there. However it all changes when, at the last minute, his boss asks him to step in and cover the shop's Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, which brings back all the horror Billy experienced years ago. He flips, and begins a massacre of his own.
I liked it, I couldn't stop watching it, and I'd like to see the sequel.

(HORROR) The Dentist 2: Brace Yourself - 1998 **

No way near as funny and cheesy as the first film. A weak offering from the maniacal dentist who has escaped from a high security prison and is intent on doing what he does best - punishing people with bad teeth by mauling their mouths etc. The subject matter is quite amusing I guess, I mean the idea of a killer dentist is a novelty, but it just isn't pulled off here like it was in the previous movie, despite still entertaining the same lead actor. Watch the first for a laugh, but no the second.

(HORROR) The Stepfather 2 - 1989 ***

This is one of those films where I probably would have tried to sneak into the cinema to see if I had been a teenager in 1989. I enjoyed the first offering, and while this certainly wasn't as strong as that, it had plenty of gruesome and very cheesy moments. It's the same guy from the last one, this time on the lookout for a gullible divorcee that he can start a new life with. Once he finds her, all seems to be going well, except other people seem to keep getting in the way.

One for those jokey movie sessions that aren't taken too seriously.