SPELLCASTER [1988]

 IT IS WITHOUT DOUBT ONE OF THE EIGHTIES-EST MOVIES I'VE WATCHED THIS YEAR . . . AND I'VE WATCHED A FEW. 

One of them -- PALE BLOOD -- only about a week ago.  But while PALE BLOOD was extremely 1987-1988-feeling, SPELLCASTER is much more 1985-feeling.  Which is appropriate since, although released in 1988, it was shot in 1986! 

The plot features an MTV-like channel (here called "Rock TV" imaginatively) sponsoring a contest in which a group of winners get to go to Italy along with music video icon Cassandra Castle to a genuine castle owned by a mysterious Senor Diaboli where they get a chance to search for a hidden million dollar cheque.  Of course, I'll give you one guess as to whom their host really is.    As each contestant makes their own "poor choice", their unseen host arranges a horrible death for them.  The film plays just like a Full Moon horror flick and that's because it's by Charles Band's Empire Pictures company; the film even takes place in Charlie Band's very own Italian castle which he bought and used for so many of his films.  Adam Ant only appears in the movie towards it's very end so his prominence on all the poster art is quite the cheat.  The film even casts a real life KROQ DJ/California TV VJ Richard Blade in the rather substantial role of the Rock TV VJ Rex. 

The best part of the entire film, besides how fun all the silliness becomes, is Bunty Bailey's performance as spoiled rock star Cassandra Castle who elevates every scene she's in.  Bailey, of course, is probably best known for appearing in the groundbreaking A-ha music video for "Take On Me" but her role here and in the Stuart Gordon classic "DOLLS" are both wonderful and it's a shame she wasn't cast in more movies than the handful she did.  The rest of the cast ranges from adequate to OK.  But it's the sheer fun dumbness of the film that entertains.  And of course the brand-new Vinegar Syndrome blu-ray with slipcaseis just spectacular!