Another Forgotten Sleazefest from 1980's Canada
Scorpion Releasing's Katarina's Nightmare Theater collection continues with their latest release American Nightmare from 1982 (filmed in 1981).
Katarina introduces this film as being one of their most uncomfortable and seedy releases yet and warns the viewer. If ugly people and strip clubs are what she is referring to then you will survive, as the blood is to a minimum here. Some nudity is thrown around but most of it comes from some really gross looking strippers. The "horror" in this film is urban decay and the film does exceed in that department with flying colors. I'm into gritty underground cinema so while I was hoping for a more fast-paced thriller, this film seems to drag on a bit to wallow in the dregs of society. Its a bit oppressive.
Genre favorite Michael Ironside plays a detective after the killer who is offing all the female "talent" in this film. Too bad he isn't given much to do here.
The biggest disappointment is the film quality its...
Gritty City Kitty
American Nightmare
The "Katarina's Nightmare Theatre" range of DVD's from Scorpion Releasing has brought new life to some long forgotten horror gems from the video era, and I for one am very happy about that. I genuinely feel that - despite some snoozers and losers - their overall range is one of the most fan-friendly and interesting on the market today. This film hasn't been available in my neck of the world since the days of videotape, so it's a welcome addition to my collection.
"American Nightmare" is an early-eighties Canadian tax-shelter production from Paul Lynch, the man behind "Prom Night" and "Humongous". It's a grimier film than either of those, and deliberately so. It's not "Maniac" level grimy, and there are some occasional light moments, but overall an attempt has been made here to deglamourize the big city and emphasize its potential to degrade and dehumanize. The story revolves around a murdered young woman from a good family who had fallen into a life of...
Under-appreciated horror thriller
Despite some poor low budget production qualities, AMERICAN NIGHTMARE is a well made and sometimes scary movie about early 80s urban decay that has some neat perspectives to offer that differentiate it from the rest of its kin. A must for slasher or giallo fans.
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