Tape 45

Rabid (1977)
Horror/Thriller
Rated R, 91 min
Directed by David Cronenberg

Shivers (1975)
Horror/Thriller
Rated R, 87 min
Directed by David Cronenberg

There were fairly common elements in all of Cronenberg's early films: contagion, sexual awakening, and an obvious undercurrent of mistrust in medical organizations, I'd say. Shivers, the earliest of the two, concerns a plague of parasites in an isolated Montreal apartment complex. One of the tenants, a mad scientist of sorts, is experimenting on parasites that could function as replacement for diseased organs. His parasites instead kick the libido of their hosts up a notch or ten and the apartment turns into a swingin' orgy of parasite passers-0n. Whereas Rabid's plot begins after a woman (played by porn actress Marilyn Chambers) is injured in a motorcycle accident and requires plastic surgery. Another experimental procedure is attempted using artificial skin and the woman ends up with an odd phallus-like growth in her armpit that requires regular infusions of human blood. The folks she drains become "rabid" and exhibit zombie-like tendencies to attack and pass along their ailment. Both films suffer a little from their low production budgets and uneven acting... but the ideas are so perverse and outlandish they easily carry the narrative.

Replacement status: have both on VHS... will uprgrade to DVD eventually.

Halloween (1978)
Horror Thriller
Rated R, 91min
Directed by John Carpenter

The little horror film that solidified the mold for the modern slasher flick. Carpenter is a master of tension and mood and the framework introducing Michael at the film's introduction is key in keeping his presence in the back of our minds throughout. Having recently seen the orginal Black Christmas for the first time, a Canadian film from 1974, there are admittedly many tricks borrowed for Halloween. Still Carpenter's film is leaner and cleaner and stands as a classic.

Replacement status: replaced on VHS, waiting to find a used anniversary reissue on DVD.