The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)

I'll be the first to admit this sword and sorcery flick isn't the best, yet it has enough budget and imagination to capture a young child's heart. Plus, enough tits to make a grown man bust at the seams. Despite the promise of the title and that gorgeous poster art, it doesn't quite fulfill its potential. Exceedingly dull at spots, it plods along through all the tropes of the fantasy genre, to a somewhat rousing conclusion. It's a mixed bag of sorts, distilled through the lens of '80s filmmaking, but has been heralded as a cult classic all the same.

2-bladed sword out of 5

Scary Movie 2 (2001)

This time, the target of ridicule is haunted house and supernatural horror movies. Starting off with the best parody of The Exorcist I've ever seen, the film only gets better from there and piles on the gags. It's safe to say this won't be for the prudes or the pearl clutchers, but it's funny if you're in the mood to lighten up. Chris Elliot, David Cross and Tim Curry remain highlights.

4 strong hands out of 5

Note: The best sight gag in this movie was actually a deleted scene. (NSFW)

House (1986)

When I think of the best horror comedies of the ‘80s, I think Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, Evil Dead II, An American Werewolf in London, Re-Animator…and House. This cheeseball classic has “cult” written all over it. Novelist Roger Cobb has his work cut out for him when he inherits his family home after his aunt mysteriously kills herself. Filled with Vietnam flashbacks, hallucinations, undead apparitions, an evil ex-wife monster, a missing son, and an old war buddy come back for revenge, it’s got it all. Probably my favorite haunted house movie I’ve seen outside of the original The Haunting (1963), The Changeling, The Shining and Poltergeist. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, of course. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore.

4.5 medicine cabinets out of 5