Transylvania Twist

source: Transylvania Twist

Transylvania Twist

I saw this because Angus Scrimm is in it he steals the film when he makes fun out of his most famous horror character The Tall Man from the Phantasm films. But the film is more like a spoof and should not be taken serious at all and keep a look out for Boris Karloff has he makes a special appearance.

Two gags... Marissa and Dexter look at a painting of a woman. Dexter Ward: "Marissa, it's you." Marissa Orlock: "That's not me. I'm standing here. That's a painting of me." Marissa Orlock: "This is Dexter Ward, Uncle Byron. He's a friend." Byron Orlock: "Of anyone in particular, or just generally well liked?" That's it. That's all that made me laugh. Directed by Jim Wynorski, this horror spoof is not quite as utterly reprehensible as Repossessed or Scary Movie 5, but it's not far off. Robert Vaughn and Angus Scrimm appear of their own free will (we've all got bills to pay), but poor old Boris Karloff has no say in the matter (on the account of being dead). As with most Wynorski movies, there are several attractive top-heavy women throughout, but this being a PG rated movie, none of them take their clothes off.

Jim Wynorski directed some extremely watchable B-movies in the beginning of his career. Deathstalker 2, Chopping Mall, Sorority House Massacre 2, to name a few. While all cheesy, they were all fun. This film, however, is not among his bests by a long shot. (it IS however writer R.J. Robertson's best, but compared to House 4, Munchie strikes back, or Beastmaster 2, that's not particularly a ringing endorsement) Dexter accompanies Marisa to Transylvania in order to get to her uncle's funeral and subsequent viewing of the video will. She stands to inherit the family mansion, but sinister Byron, her other uncle (played by Robert Vaughn, who must have needed money in a bad way). The jokes and so-called 'parodies' are lame, obvious, extremely unoriginal, and more likely to produce a groan than anything even remotely resembling a laugh. If you're a maschocist rent this along with the equally atrocious Transylvania 6-5000 for the completely laughing double feature from hell. My Grade: D-

I've seen some pretty stupid films in my time but I must say that this one ranks right up there. Yet, I really enjoyed it. It was so stupid that you had to laugh. I loved Lord Orlocks last words, "I'll see you in the sequel!" How can you not laugh at that. I especially loved the rock stars opening music video, "Just give me action." It was just to funny. Once again, Excellent brain food! Out of 10............9/10

"Chopping Mall" director Jim Wynorski ventures into Mel Brooks and Leslie Nielsen territory with the over-the-top "Transylvania Twist", which mainly spoofs Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft, but also the 1930s monster flicks and some slashers. As with Brooks's movies, there's plenty of babes showing off their cleavage, and the characters break the fourth wall. There's even a scene from Roger Corman's 1963 movie "The Terror" (starring a young Jack Nicholson and Nicholson's then-wife Sandra Knight). Basically, if you accept something completely ridiculous, you'll have no trouble enjoying this movie. A similar movie released in 1989 was "Beverly Hills Vamp", starring Britt Ekland and Eddie Deezen. PS: Jay Robinson (Ephram) later co-starred in Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 adaptation of Dracula...which Mel Brooks spoofed as "Dracula: Dead and Loving It", featuring Leslie Nielsen as a hapless version of the count.

Easily one of the best Jim Wynorski movies, others being Dinosaur Island, Chopping Mall and Hard to Die. It spoofs some of the most famous horror movie villains and has many cameos such as the lovely Brinke Stevens, Monique Gabrielle, Angus Scrimm, Forrest Ackerman, Deana Lund and others. Basically a young man (Steve Altman) and a hot actress (Teri Copley) travel to Transylvania and they meet all sorts of wacky characters. Like scared villagers, vampires and vampire hunter Von Helsing. I was extremely surprised how funny it was considering this is rated PG, I don't really like most PG comedies, the only other that comes to mind is AIRPLANE, Highly recommended.

This film is a huge valentine (in a nice, blood-red heart) for fans of 80's horror movies. The pre-credits sequence alone is great if you've seen (and enjoyed) Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The rest of the movie is wonderful too, the perfect film for those of us who have, alas, seen way too many horror movies and still think the world ought to work that way. Teri Copley and Monique Gabrielle are gorgeous, sexy and funny, and Angus Scrimm, "Ace Mask" (uh, okay, Mr. Mask) and Robert Vaughn acquit themselves well with the material. Male lead Steve Altman doesn't make himself too tiresome, which is better than I expected, and there's a nice out-take from the late great Boris Karloff. The plot? It's all over the place, yet familiar at the same time, and makes all the right moves. See it if you love horror movies, and if you don't love horror movies...well, what are you doing here anyway?