Black Roses (1988)

In John Fasano's sophomore feature we find more of the same components from his first film: heavy metal, monster puppetry and poor filmmaking. With a story that plays out like an after school special, the senior residents of Mill Basin are wary of the titular band's stop in their sleepy town and the evil influence they have on their children. And what do you know? All their fears are realized. As yet another vehicle for the music, the uninspired plot suffers. The sfx are uneven as most of the puppetry is corny and cartoonish with only one particularly disturbing creature creation.

1 great scream out of 5

Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare (1987)

aka The Edge of Hell

Written by the body-building rocker Jon Mikl Thor, this Canadian B-horror follows the fledgling rock group The Tritonz to a rural abode where they can record new material. The house is infested by puppets.. er I mean demons. They only look like finger puppets. Obviously intended as a fun little vehicle for Thor's music, it's terrible on too many levels to mention. Its greatest downfall is the pacing. In typical murder-by-numbers fashion, band members are taken out one by one. This should continue till the inevitable climax, but in a drum solo-like intermission, it continues instead with sex scene filler. Fortunately the rest of the film is saved by an incredible twist in the final climactic scene which turns everything on its head.

2 intercessors out of 5