The Horror Show (1989)

Absolutely the worst movie.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

What a lame title. Seriously. This only promotes the next Nicholas Sparks movie to be named: The Sappy Love Story or Tyler Perry starring in Madea's Transgender Fight with Trump.This unofficial House Part III was such typical 80s horror VHS sequel, it's a shocker it went to the Silver Screen. Further, like the other horror flick, Ocra, I'm also shocked this didn't get sued for blatantly stealing from A Nightmare on Elm Street or the upcoming, at the time, Shocker, from producer Sean S. Cunningham's friend Wes Craven.I digress, this movie was okay and actually had its moments, but overall it was horribly miscast, from the Bishop lead to his horribly bland wife to his National Lampoon's Vacation kids to the "stupid-laugh" villain.Stepping back a bit. No offense against actress Rita Taggart who played our "hero's" wife, but damn, she was awful to look at in this movie. Not talking about her looks, but how bland she was and uninterested she looked to be in this feature. I'm sure Taggart went onto better projects, and hey! She appeared in Where the Bears Are! Good for her!I digress, again. Captured serial killer gets the electric chair only to return to haunt the family of the cop who brought him down. Sound familiar? Well, granted Shocker hadn't come out at the point of The Horror Show's release, but given this movie centers around a deceased serial killer who cuts open his victims and after death comes back via basement furnace to haunt teenagers and the final battle (spoiler, sorry) ends in a broiler room that eventually brings the killer back to the real world. Huh. I would think Sean's friend, Wes, would be a little less flattered and more egging to call his attorney back then. It's certainly not the worst movie I've seen, but at least it got the House series back to horror and an R-Rating. Even when the audience didn't know this was part of the House series.***Final thoughts: This is probably my first movie I've seen from the writer: Alan Smithee. Man, if we had internet back then, this Smithee thing would never have flown. (Too long of a story to explain. Look it up, you movie amateurs. Haha.)

Originally this wasn't anything to do with the 'House' horror franchise so I've read. It seems the same crew made this film but it was an independent horror flick, I'm not really sure why they gave it the title 'House III', confusing and odd state of affairs.Anyway this film doesn't revolve around a haunted house but mainly a serial killer in the form of Brion James. Horror/sci-fi legend Lance Henriksen is the cop who captures Jenke but when he gets electrocuted in the chair it seems to zap him into another dimension or reality where he can continue his killing ways much like Freddy Krueger.This film did in fact come out in the same year as Craven thriller 'Shocker' and the results are suspiciously the same I must say. It seems director Isaac may have borrowed a few elements from Craven's world for this film.The first 'House' film was a horror thriller with slight comedy, the second film was a horror comedy adventure, now this third film is a straight horror thriller. Its not terrifying or particularly original (as I have mentioned) but its not for the younger audience and does include some gore. The sequence where Jenke is executed is easily the most horrific moment with some vain popping effects that remind you of 'Scanners' and make you wince at the same time. There are some good body part moments also that are kind hokey but add to the atmosphere.The film is totally saved by James as the killer Jenke and Henriksen as the cop, if it wasn't for these two top actors the film would be pants. James hams it up hugely but does come across as menacing despite his annoying laugh, while Henriksen's lean greyhound like physic and face always seems to fit any role.This still feels like a TV movie of sorts for some reason, doesn't have that true film like quality if that makes any sense. Its not a bad film either, not scary despite more blood and gore than the previous films, but more towards plain silly with enjoyable moments. I guess one of the funniest things is seeing Henriksen giving his all (as he always does) despite being cast in such an average forgettable film. Its still solid stuff if your a horror fan.6/10

Although "The Horror Show" was marketed outside of the U.S. as a sequel to the "House" movies, it has nothing to do with either of the previous entries in the series. The only thing in common with those two is the movie's production crew and the fact that it's about a house in which supernatural happenings occur. There are a few unintentionally hilarious parts to be found in the film, but overall it's a mess that really comes unraveled in the end.After seemingly dying in the electric chair, mass murderer Max Jenke (Brion James) returns from the dead seeking revenge on the detective who captured him, Lucas McCarthy (Lance Henriksen). The killer is now in spirit form and able to manifest himself anywhere he pleases. He begins terrorizing McCarthy's family with every intention of killing them one by one. The desperate McCarthy must find a way to put a stop to Jenke's bloody trail of retribution."The Horror Show" is rated R for violence, gore, adult situations, nudity, and language. It's pretty much par for the course when it comes to horror movies of the 1980s and 1990s. I'm positive it was mandatory to have at least one nude scene in all of these types of films during that era.There are those who say it's all about the journey and not where you're going. If that's a mantra you live by, "The Horror Show" may be worth a watch for you. I would like to mention that throughout the film, Lance Henriksen and Brion James do pour their hearts into their respective roles. All I can say is it's nowhere near as entertaining as I remember it being when I first saw it on cable back in the day. I'm rather lenient when it comes to my horror and slasher films, but this was a bigger mess than I'm able to make excuses for and just accept.

What it's used to be called in the UK , When he wasn't selling too well by it name as and the the plot with Shocker came out with the same kind of plot and poster about the same time so they decided to name it House 3.If they didn't name it House 3, I don't think I would have seen it! however This as go nothing do with house Series at all, it just from same Producer of the house series that all.This was not a bad movie, I found this movie very dark in the good as it was more serious the house sequels. This about Detective who catches Meat Cleaver Max" and watches the electric chair execution from the audience.Soon is haunted in his Dream about him, which some times can end up being really in the movie. Some parts of the movie were very slow moving however I did still kept in tune of the movie, I really enjoyed some of effect near the end of the movie. Some of the make up effect was really good and fun to watch.The acting was really good in this movie from the whole cast it's was Okay movie I give 5 out of 10