Friday, June 24, 2011

CLASSIC HORROR -- Happy Birthday to Me -- 1981


So, earlier today on this gloomy, rainy yet humid Friday, I decided to check out the 80's slasher film Happy Birthday to Me, directed by J. Lee Thompson (RIP). Now, I heard of the film but never had a chance to check it out...well so I thought. As I was watching the film, it started to seem familiar so I'm pretty sure that I saw it before.


So, the film is about a girl named Virginia aka Ginny who survives a tragic accident and because of that accident, she has to move away to get special treatment that will block out parts of her memory. Four years later, she comes back in the town she was originally in, before her accident happened & all. Ginny is now a senior at Crawford Academy and surrounded by all her rich, popular friends. Unfortunately for Ginny, she starts to experience black outs days before her 18th birthday. As a result, one by one her friends disappear/die. Ginny begins to wonder if she's killing her friends since she black outs and forgets things. Sounds simple enough?




I enjoyed this film even though it kinda reminded me of April Fool's Days (1986) just a tad bit...not that its a bad thing. Also there were some parts that were dragged out a bit too much. It wasn't torture to watch this film at all nor was it a ridiculously long film. But I just thought if it got straight to the point it wouldn't have been as long as it was.
I also admit this film was hard to follow sometimes...it was like I wasn't quite sure what I as watching because some flashbacks Ginny was having had me just LOST. But the ending, which is what this film is most famous for, was quite awesome in a Scooby-Doo-where-are-you kinda way. It was very surprising. I did hear that there is going to be a remake...BIG surprise! And it'll be in 3D, another HUGE surprise. I do recommend this film to people who enjoy the whole 80s slashers & if you don't like 80s slashers than you might not dig it...MIGHT not!

11 comments :

  1. UnknownJune 25, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    I have to watch this again its been awhile. I do love my slashers.

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  2. Real Queen of HorrorJune 25, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    I think you should! Do you have a favorite slasher?

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  3. UnknownJune 25, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Not sure I have a favorite but Black Christmas (1974) is definitely up there. I think it was ahead of it's time. But i,ll watch all types of slashers cause usually something in it will be redeeming whether its the kills are unique or they have a weird main character like the movie Maniac which actually has both.

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  4. MarcusJune 25, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Hey! Thanks for commenting on my blog because through that I was able to find yours :).

    I've been meaning to see Happy Birthday to Me for a good while now... I have seen April Fool's Day though so it'll be interesting to see the similarities between the two. All I know is that 80s horror is pretty fun so I'm looking forward to it.

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  5. Real Queen of HorrorJune 25, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    @Slowdeath 77, you're absoulutely right about Black Christmas. I never really thought that it was, I just thought that it was timeless so I guess that's the same thing! Maybe you could do your top slasher films, I'd like to know. I haven't seen Maniac, but I'll check it out, I'm always down for weirdos and awesome kills. Lol.


    @Marcus, your welcome! It was no problem, I'm glad you even checked out my blog! I appreciate it so much. :) 80s slashers ARE always fun! I think you'll like Happy Birthday to Me, there are also so cool kills in that one..very unique!

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  6. msmariahJune 26, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    I need to watch this one again. This takes me back to the 80's, walking through the video store looking through the vhs boxes in the horror section. Fun times.

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  7. UnknownJune 26, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    yeah I got to make a Slasher lists there's just soooo many, and even if it's not that good there usually is some part that I like. I reviewed some Final Exam,Girls Night Out and we have a vlog on The Burning. Maniac I like a lot Savini special effects you can't beat. Have you seen Henry portrait of a serial killer, or Bloody Birthday, Bloody Birthday killer kid movie another sub genre that is creepy especially 70's 80's ones.

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  8. Real Queen of HorrorJune 26, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    @MsMaria yeah, you should definitely check it out then for memories! :)

    @Slowdeath77 I looooooved The Burning, I'm going to check out your stuff. I haven't seen those but I have heard of Bloody Birthday, it's on my watch list. I love those 70s/80s films.

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  9. Film DeviantJune 26, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Definitely don't make 'em like they used to, huh? The 80's are probably my favorite decade of horror so far. I have sooo many favorites from that era...it's not even funny. Btw...how's the Mac?

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  10. Real Queen of HorrorJune 26, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    @FilmDeviant they really don't. :( I think 80s is my favorite as well, I enjoy watching movies from that era.

    The Mac is diiiiiivine, I'm so in love. ^^ Thanks for asking!

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  11. Dead Moon NightJune 30, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    Always wanted to see this one! I love slashers from this era and Thompson is my favourite Charles Bronson director!

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