Anguish (1987)
Very hard to describe but this is one hell of a film and definitely shouldn't be missed. A film-within-a-film thriller about a group of people who are terrorized in a movie theater by a killer while watching a horror film about a murderous optometrist looking for eyeballs who stalks his victims in a movie theater. It's very intense and highly original, do yourself a favor and see it.
The Rosary Murders (1987)
Here is a film not to be missed. Detroit is plagued by a series of murders (what? I don't believe you) of priests and nuns, with each victim found holding a black rosary. The police cannot catch the serial killer and the Church can't protect its flock. When Father Robert Koesler (Donald Sutherland) hears a confession from the murderer, he isn't sure what to do (it's a toughie). Can he respect the Seal of Confession even if it means putting more lives, perhaps even his own, in jeopardy?
All American Murder (1991)
For all the giallo/whodunit fans out there, here is a film you should check out. An outcast with a past on the outs with his father and society in general gets transferred to a new college and falls in love with his dream girl; everything is looking to be on the upswing until she winds up getting torched and he takes the blame for it. Not wanting to fry himself -and with a little help from Christopher Walken- he sets out to clear his name, but it seems bodies keep piling up around him as the seamy underbelly of this seemingly perfect town and its inhabitants are exposed and the noose around his neck tightens. It's got funny, witty dialogue from likeable characters (as well as likeably hateable characters) and the atmosphere is taut but fun.
The Psycho Lover (1970)
A psychiatrist uses his position of influence and trust to induce a psychotic patient the police suspect of being a murdering rapist to off his wife. Things get fouled up when the wife finds out about his plan, cold bloodedly turns the tables and leaves his world shattered. Leaving aside a few gratingly crappy late 60's/early 70's pseudo folk songs and some campy scenes here and there, this is better than average for this type of film. All things considered it is entertaining throughout, with a definite sense of atmosphere, style and suspense.
Buried Alive (1989) and (1990)
The first of these films follows a young woman teaching at a spooky old girls’ school overrun by ants and staffed by some unusual types including Donald Pleasence. Spurred on by a series of horrific hallucinations, she begins to investigate the mysterious disappearances of several students. The second, A married woman and her lover plot to kill her husband to make off with the insurance money. However, their attempt to murder him using poisonous fish toxins backfires in surprising ways.
Thanks for these recommendations Ghastly1! Have always passed All American Murder by at the video store but now I really want to see it! What a great cast and very shocked to see it was directed by Anton Williams of Happy Days fame!?!. Lookalike it’s currently on Tubi!
I remember the JJL BURIED ALIVE (’90) was a big hit at my video store back in the day. Always recommended it and always got positive feedback from renters.
I was lucky enough to see ANGUISH in the theater which added yet another layer to the film within a film/theater within a theater experience!
All American Murder didn't have the greatest VHS cover in history, granted, so I can see how one would skip by it, but this is definitely a don't judge a book by it's cover (or rather don't judge a film by it's VHS cover) type scenario; give it a watch, I think you'll be happy you did.
When I first saw Buried Alive, I went into it reluctantly for some reason which escapes me now, but I was surprised by how much I liked it. See, I can admit (those rare occasions) when I'm wrong.
I was born too late to see most of the films I love in theatres, but in a way I am also kind of glad I didn't, because finding them in a video store and seeing them on VHS at home kind of made me feel special, like I had discovered something no one else in the world knew about (as dumb as that sounds, I've lead a very isolated, insular life). Anguish was one of those experiences for me.
If I remember correctly, The Rosary Murders was directed by Fred Walton, of When a Stranger Calls and April Fool's Day.
(BTW – the new nunsploitation horror movie, Immaculate, is really good. Lots of Catholic imagery, and most of the supporting actors are Italian, so it has that Italo-horror feel).