Sunday, October 28, 2012

Phil's Halloween Horrors Marathon, Day 22: Phil reviews FINAL EXAM (1981) DVD from Scorpion Releasing-October 22, 2012

FINAL EXAM DVD Cover (2011)
FINAL EXAM
Starring: Cecile Bagdadi, Joel S. Rice, Ralph Brown, DeAnna Robbins, John Fallon, Sherry Willis-Burch, Mary Ellen Withers, Timothy L. Raynor, Sam Kilman, Terry W. Farren
Produced by Carol Bahoric, Myron Meisel
Executive produced by John L. Chambliss, Lon J. Kerr, Michael Mahern
Written and Directed by Jimmy Huston
Originally released by Avco Embassy Pictures
Distributed by Scorpion Releasing

It's getting down to the wire folks so let's get Day Twenty-Two started! Here's another great and often overlooked horror film from the early 1980's. The film came out at the beginning of the slasher cycle of films that began with HALLOWEEN and FRIDAY THE 13TH. With these two films, there cam an avalanche of slasher films, ready to terrify audiences all around the country. With some suspenseful chilling moments and character development, FINAL EXAM is an exceptional slasher film that really does need to be rediscovered.

The film's official synopsis: At Lanier College, the semester is almost over. Exam week is coming to a close when some upper classmen play a prank by staging a phony terrorist attack. But the next excitement in the school won't be a prank. It's something a lot more final than an exam. Students are falling prey to the knife-wielding maniac hell bent on making sure that school is out... forever!

Theatrical Movie Poster (1981)
The film was written and directed by Jimmy Huston, who also directed MY BEST FRIEND IS A VAMPIRE and wrote the screenplay for the buddy cop action/comedy film RUNNING SCARED. Huston does a effective job of creating some moodiness, atmosphere, interesting characters, and a couple of gruesome mutilations. Lead actress Cecile Bagdadi does a great job as our favorite girl Courteny. Joel S Rice plays Radish with real depth as did the other cast members, espcially Wildman, Janet, Lisa, Mark and Gary. Overall they all played they're roles really quite well.

The film was originally released to theaters by Avco Embassy Films on June 5, 1981. The film found new life when it was released on VHS and developed a small cult following. Several years later, BCI released this film on DVD in September 2008 (that DVD is now out of print). On September 20, 2011 Scorpion Releasing re-released the film on DVD as part of the label's "Katarina's Nightmare Theatre" series. Special features include a hi-def transfer of the film, special introduction from host Katarina Leigh Waters, a brand new audio commentary with producer Myron Meisel, on camera interviews with some members of the cast and crew, and the film's original trailer.

FINAL EXAM is great little slasher film that deserves a second look! Scorpion Releasing has done a great job re-releasing the film and now you can enjoy this seldom seen slasher film. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars! Recommended!


FINAL EXAM is currently available on DVD from Scorpion Releasing. To purchase a copy for yourself, visit your local retailer or visit their official website at www.scorpionreleasing.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the screaming!

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