Creature with the Atom Brain

"Creature with the Atom Brain" is a 1955 sci-fi horror, directed by Edward L. Chan. The stars include Richard Denning, Angela Stevens and Michael Granger. 

Two mad scientists have found a way to create zombies with nuclear materials, and using them to commit murders. A lot of engineering and advanced technology went into their experiment, but they have gruesome intentions. The police are suspicious about the nature of the murders and the fact radiation has been left behind. The killers have super human strength too, and it was rumoured there's dead men walking the streets!

This film used fireworks as a gunshot sound effect. It was the first film to do that. Also the making of the film was rushed and had very few breaks, It was the director's way of keeping cost low while making this film quickly. There's some cool action sequences and amusing dialogue even though it's not a comedy. The scene with the "army" of zombies was the highlight of the film. It must also be worth pointing out there's a number of mistakes and plot holes in this one. Overall, it was quite an entertaining B movie!

A no-brainer rating of 3/10.

Blood Strawberry  

Legacy of Satan

This is a 1974 horror film directed and written by Gerard Damiano. The stars include John Francis, Lisa Christian and Paul Barry. 

A Satanic cult is searching for a queen, and an innocent woman has been chosen without her knowledge. She's happily married and things are going well until she has a nightmare. She's soon pulled into the cult by dark magic and a friend inviting them to a party. Overnight she becomes like a different person but only her husband is concerned about her uncanny interest in blood.   

There's gruesome scenes and a few eerie characters. Too much awful background noise throughout this film is annoying. This was released in 1974 but actually was made in 1972. Sandra Peabody has a minor role as a handmaiden, while the late Christa Helm is a blonde cult member. A modest film with some violence. 

I rate this weirdness a 1/10. 

Blood Strawberry

Dead Men Walk

"Dead Men Walk" is a 1943 horror film directed by Sam Newfield and the stars includes George Zucco, Mary Carlisle and Nedrick Young. 

After the death of his twin brother, a doctor gets rid of all of his books relating to the occult. Yet his brother's loyal servant carries the coffin into a secret location, and the dead man wakes up. A curious vampire film with a familiar story, but the difference here is that this undead creature casts a shadow! The niece of the doctor becomes mysteriously unwell and there are some bite marks on her neck. Something isn't right, but we the audience know!

The actor playing the doctor also plays the vampire, but to tell them apart, the doctor wears glasses. The film was made in just six days! They made the vampire here like a ghost with scenes of him vanishing through walls and looking transparent. Actress and blonde WAMPAS Baby Star Mary Carlisle didn't make anymore films after doing this one. She married Englishman James Blakeley who worked in television. Actor Dwight Frye, who appears in this film, died the year the film was officially released. George Zucco appears in many more horror films. 

I rate this low lit film 3/10. 

Blood Strawberry      

Hydra: The Lost Island

This 2009 fantasy horror film called "Hydra" is also called "Hydra: The Lost Island." It was directed by Andrew Prendergast, and the stars include George Stults, Michael Shamus Wiles and Dawn Olivieri.

A group of archaeologists are stranded on a remote tropical island but soon discover that there's a huge snakelike monster from Greek myths and legends living there. A ship carrying prisoners end up illegally on the island later on, with the sole purpose of hunting humans but this all becomes a test. While the creature is often wounded. it restores and grows another head! 

The Hydra is the name of the monster as it's from Greek mythology. Its able to pick up the heat and movements of its victims at night. A number of gory scenes scattered throughout the film is a treat for horror fans! For those into fantasy, they would like gorgeous scenery, the Greek ruins, the ancient sword used by Hercules and appreciate the special effects. I rate this a glorious 8/10.

Blood Strawberry       

A Reflection of Fear

This 1972 film is a horror/thriller directed by William A. Fraker and the stars include Robert Shaw, Sandra Locke and Sally Kellerman. It's based on the novel Go To Thy Deathbed by Stanton Forbes.

A teenaged girl named Marguerite lives a sheltered life with her mother and grandmother until something threatens her happiness. She has an unseen friend among the dolls in her room that hides through the secret passages. Soon blood is spilled, Marguerite is frightened and her father appears in her life after many years of being absent. There's something going on and a mystery in the house.  

The movie is also called "Autumn Child." Sandra Locke plays Marguerite and she's really eleven years younger than actress Mary Ure who played her mother. The film looks flowery and scenic but the story is very weird. It hints of incest and the characters are creepy. The film is a rotten apple so it gets a 2/10

Blood Strawberry