Reviewed by Melissa Antoinette Garza
I’m a fan of Clint Howard. The Ice Cream Man is one of my favorite B movies of all time. There’s just something lovable about him. I remember as a kid seeing him win the MTV Lifetime Achievement Award and I was so psyched. In fact, I may be in the minority but of the Howard brothers, Clint is my favorite – Happy Days notwithstanding.
I like Ron Howard. He’s made a lot of great flicks and was on two great shows, but to my knowledge he’s never summoned Bull from Night Court using a computer to avenge his dead puppy from a bunch of bullies including the redhead’s dad from That 70’s Show.
No, for that we need the one and only Clint Howard. I was so happy that this film was on Youtube. I saw a video going over the craziest hacks ever shown in movies. This was on the top of the list and rightfully so.
The movie opens with Father Esteban (Richard Moll) holding a Satanic Ceremony. Years later, Stanley (Howard), a nerdy kid at a boarding school is picked on by the rest of the football team. Though a player himself, his other teammates keep trying to force him to sit games out. Despite, being tortured he refuses and insists on playing . The school has a rule that everyone on the team gets to play and he wants his turn. He actually wants to build friendships as well but they’re all douchebags. The coach is no better encouraging the biggest douche Bubba (Don Stark) to hurt him so bad that he’d have to sit out.
He is beaten and picked on relentlessly. Having no friends, the cook takes pity on him and makes him a special steak. They sit and talk for a bit, and then Stanley sees a dog with puppies. He takes a liking to the runt and the cook allows him to take it with him.
Soon, the bullies put their sights on the dog to get their revenge. Meanwhile, Stanley is working on his computer to conduct a séance and obtain revenge on those who wronged him.
This is a lot like Carrie (1976). The tone is the same and the movie is taken seriously. I wasn’t surprised how much I liked this. Typically, I enjoy early 80s horror and this is no exception. The film is dark and really doesn’t have too many laughs. This isn’t really even a B movie in the way one would expect. It more-so falls in line with horror classics like Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street.
Most notably are the performances within the movie. Don Stark made a great bad guy and he really invokes hatred. Horror icon, R.G.Armstrong also gives a great and haunting portrayal. Whether Race with the Devil, The Beast Within, Predator, or Children of the Corn, Armstrong always delivers. Likewise the star, Clint Howard never disappoints. He’s great in this and the viewer is pulled in towards Stanley’s side from the moment he hits the screen.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7.5/10
