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MOUNTAINTOP MOTEL MASSACRE
(1986)
Directed by Jim McCullough, Sr.
Anchor Bay Entertainment DVD
Reviewed 04.17.08
Review by Joseph A. Ziemba
THE FILM
The old folks have taken over the
asylum. Hi-fives to the old folks.
Mental hospitals are The Best, especially
when it comes to slasher films.
Grandmas are The Best, especially
when it comes to real life. Mountaintop
Motel Massacre initially utilizes
both of these things, but somehow,
it is not The Best. However, it's
still pretty good. How do I know?
Well, when two newlyweds arrive
at Grandma's motel of death, they
discover a filthy sack in the middle
of the bathroom.
Bride: "Eww. Vernon, what is
this?"
Vernon: "Ah, just an old sack.
Throw it in the corner. I'm so horny,
I can't stand it."
Thus, we, as cultivated slasher
devotees, stumble upon what this
film can offer our sensitive palettes:
Personality. Lots of it. Mountaintop
tells the story of an old lady,
her dreary motel, and her penchant
for killing random customers at
said motel. That in itself is a
serviceable, if uninspired, place
to hang a hat. Yet, as a slasher
film in search of deliverables,
this sucker falls flat. Gory excitement
bookends the whole thing, but overall,
it's just people running around
in the rain and banging on cabin
doors. Or is it?
Working kind of like Final Exam,
but exchanging developmental charisma
for entertaining emptiness, the
almost-slick Mountaintop
dishes some fun; all thanks to its
goofy leads. An elderly, whiskey-chugging
preacher (Larry Buchanon fave Bill
Thurman). His craggy carpenter pal
(who actually stops to take a dump
midway through the film). The randy
newlyweds. An exquisitely portrayed
mid-80s Dude. Two bimbos in search
of a singing career. And of course,
Grandma and her killer animals,
underground tunnels, and empty detachment.
You can't latch onto these people
emotionally, but you can latch on
superficially. And who doesn't want
that once in awhile?
Before I hit the tunnels, it should
be noted that this film was hoisted
from the same dirty sack which held
Creature From Black Lake.
That is, the dirty sack of father-son
exploitation ass-kickers Jim McCullough(s).
Hi-fives are The Best.
AUDIO AND VIDEO
The dirty sack has vanished. I kinda
miss it, but Mountaintop
looks exceptionally nice. There's
a hint of grain, deep contrasts,
and the print is flawless. Mono
sound does the job. Yep. In addition
to this early single disc, the film
is now available as a DVD two-fer
with The Initiation. Pret-tay
good.
EXTRAS
A fine theatrical trailer goes nuts
with the taglines. You know, "Any
moment might be CHECK-OUT TIME!",
and stuff like that.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Grandma. Gore. Goofs. You bet. Mountaintop
Motel Massacre may be out of
shape, but glory still lingers.
This is a sedate, mid-budgeted slasher
which should warm the cockles of
most anyone looking for such a thing.
Old folks included. |
Crazy Fat Grandma
This is fierce
My new look
Yeah, no biggie
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