Mountaintop Motel Massacre

For starters, how are we expected to be even slightly frightened for various redneck characters of this film, when the killer is an odd little hag who tries to kill them by dumping roaches and other little critters inside their bedrooms? If this sounds like "Abominable Dr Phibes" don't be fooled. This movie has none of the tongue-in-cheek wit of old Vincent Price flicks and none of the kinky sex appeal of most 80's b-horror flicks. Unlike with most movies of this type, Motel Massacre's pitfalls don't add up to campy popcorn treat. It is rare for a genre movie this bad to be soooo boring and dull. Even if you're a hardcore b-movie fan like myself, you will feel embarrassed just for watching it.

Even though the film has idiotic characters and bad acting, that's no reason to just dismiss it completely. Many of the best horror films have had terrible acting, and terrible dubbing, but people still love those movies. Anne Chapell plays a demented mother, who after being released from the local asylum, murders her daughter. She gets away with it by making the murder look like an accident. On a rainy night, several travelers stop by at the Mountaintop Motel, run by Chapell, little do they know what awaits them. The music adds to the freaky atmosphere, so does the lighting and the whispering voices. Certain scenes remind me of Let's Scare Jessica to Death. It's just a shame that so many people have dubbed this as just another retarded, poorly done horror film. Just watch the movie, and judge for yourself.

source: Mountaintop Motel Massacre

Moviecut—Mountaintop Motel Massacre

Mountaintop Motel Massacre

You want schlock? THIS is schlock! This is technically a bad movie. It's not directed well and the acting quite bad. But I found it to be quite proficient in the mood and atmosphere department. The old lady who plays Evelyn is very creepy. There are some surprisingly bloody moments in this film that will probably even make you cringe. After you watch this you'll probably feel kind of weird like I did, what with that moody synth music playing over the credits and all. And for a film to make me feel all oogy like that, I have to recommend it to horror fans. Again, it's bad film-making, but I have a special place in my heart for this one.

Mountain Top Motel Massacre isn't a horror film that you've probably heard of before and for good reason. The story is this: Crazy old lady kills the people that check into her run-down country motel. That's it. This movie lacks in every possible way. The story is a rather boring one, especially considering that there is no mystery or suspense to be had! The cast is utterly horrible, even to me who can sometimes tolerate a hammy performance. There isn't any style to the direction of this movie, no decent score, nothing in the way of talent at all! The movie is so cheap and uninteresting that it doesn't even make for a good joke. So, when all is said and done, it's possibly the lamest slasher film of the 80's! BOMB out of ****

Anna Chappell stars as the elderly Evelyn, who's let out of a mental hospital and starts running the Mountaintop Motel, a scuzzy string of run-down shacks out in the sticks that would have me sleeping in the nearest ditch. She snaps again and on a dark and stormy night kills people stranded at her hotel. Guests include a honeymooning couple, two reverends, a record executive and a pair of Barbara Mandrell clones who don't wear bras (a rainstorm and flimsy white shirts help to prove this). Funny sounding cosmic music plays whenever Evelyn is up to something devious. She lurks around in underground catacombs spying on victims with her bulging eyes, hears her dead daughters voice, sneaks snakes, roaches and rats into rooms and hacks people up with a sickle. This is no PSYCHO, just a silly regional concoction from Louisiana with a few laughs and some blood. Larry Buchanan fans will recognize Bill Thurman as an alcoholic reverend. Score: 4 out of 10

Even though the film has idiotic characters and bad acting, that's no reason to just dismiss it completely. Many of the best horror films have had terrible acting, and terrible dubbing, but people still love those movies. Anne Chapell plays a demented mother, who after being released from the local asylum, murders her daughter. She gets away with it by making the murder look like an accident. On a rainy night, several travelers stop by at the Mountaintop Motel, run by Chapell, little do they know what awaits them. The music adds to the freaky atmosphere, so does the lighting and the whispering voices. Certain scenes remind me of Let's Scare Jessica to Death. It's just a shame that so many people have dubbed this as just another retarded, poorly done horror film. Just watch the movie, and judge for yourself.

Yes, this movie has bad acting, a poor plot and no real horror to speak of...but it is also one of the 'so bad it's good' movies. Evelyn (who IS creepy, by the way) goes on a killing spree at her motel. I think the idea of Evelyn going from one cabin to the next through an underground tunnel was a neat idea. I also liked that not all of the likeable characters were killed. There is also some humor. While this movie is surely not of the caliber of Psycho or even Texas Chainsaw Massacre (both favorites of mine!) it is worth a look; if only for the camp value. Rent this off of the 99 cent rack, turn off the lights, and get ready to be scared...a little! But please do not disturb Evelyn...SHE ALREADY IS!