By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Whodunit movies are among my favorite overall genre. Whether highbrow classics like Psycho or little known cult films like Cheerleader Camp, I typically find them a great treat. Every time, I think I’ve seen all that came before the self-awareness days of Scream, I’m vamped to find out there’s another that I’ve yet to seen.
Such was the case with Iced (1988). The movie follows a group of friends who go to a ski resort for a fun relaxing vacation. Things turn tense when two of the men Jeff (Dan Smith) and Cory (Doug Stevenson) vie for the attention of Trina (Debra De Liso). Though, Cory is her current beau, she used to date Jeff and he refuses to let her go. He continuously brags about his skiing ability until Cory finally relents and decides to ski. The rest of the crew cheers the duo on, but when Cory comes back the victor, Jeff is not a good sport about losing. To make matters worse, the group busts him about the loss.
To cool off, Jeff puts his skis back on and begin down the hill only to fall and hit his head. Jeff is presumed dead.
Fast forward four years, and the entire group is invited to an exclusive ski resort that acts very similar to a time-share. They are given a free weekend as long as they meet with the real estate broker Alex Bourne (Joseph Alan Johnson) who attempts to sell them a cabin. When Alex comes up to meet the group, he has an instant attraction to Jeannette (Lisa Loring). They hook up despite her just breaking up with her longtime boyfriend who was supposed to show up at the cabin but didn’t. Thinking she was stood up, she decides to move forward, but in reality her boyfriend was murdered by someone dressed in the same skiing gear that Jeff died in.
The murders continue and in all honesty the death scenes aren’t bad. They’re certainly predictable and there’s nothing really new here. Still, for fans of the genre, this is one to enjoy.
The reveal at the end isn’t really surprising but there is something at the very end that was simply hilarious. Frequent horror viewers will see it a mile away, yet still enjoy it immensely. It’s like getting the toy you ask for on Christmas. You see it under the tree and know it’s the exact shape and size of what you asked for nonetheless when you open it, you’re elated. That’s the last 10 seconds of this movie. Does it make any kind of sense? NO. It’s it awesome? Hell yeah.
I was shocked to find out it was Lisa Loring in the role of the sexy Jeannette. I’m a huge fan of The Addams Family and it never occurred to me that the gorgeous gal getting naked in the hot tub was Wednesday! In some ways, I’m glad I found out afterwards. It’s just weird!
As for the film, it’s definitely worth watching. Though forgettable, it’s fun and silly. It went by fast and though it’s been done a million times when the formula is properly followed, I’ve always enjoyed it!
Scared Stiff Rating: 6/10
