HACK-O-LANTERN Reviews and free on Tubi

  

‘They’re looking for new blood’
Hack-O-Lantern is a 1988 American horror film about a grandfather who is the leader of a murderous satanic cult that sacrifices its victims on Halloween.

Directed by Indian-born Jag Mundhra (Open House; Night Eyes) from a screenplay by Carla Robinson.

The movie has also been released as Halloween Night, Death Mask and The Damning.

The Spencer Films production stars Hy Pyke (Vamp; Lemora; Nightmare in Blood; Slithis), Gregory Scott Cummins, Katina Gamer (Cannibal Hookers), Carla Baron, Jeff Brown, Michael Potts and Patricia Christie.

Review:
Hack-O-Lantern is the epitome of straight-to-video late ’80s cheesy horror, with big hair, cheap costumes and dodgy yet copious splatter effects, mundane metal rock from D.C. La Croix (“You’re the Devil’s son!”) and Mercenaries, a fair amount of female nudity, the requisite puerile party scene, dialogue that’s delivered with no conviction whatsoever by a mainly amateurish cast, and a painfully distracting synth score that seems more suited to accompany a silent movie.

On the plus side, Hy Pyke overacting as the dodgy Grandpa villain with a Southern drawl to savour is hilarious, and his supposedly evil antics are what keep the plot alive when it threatens to falter.

Although low-grade in effort and outlook, Hack-O-Lantern is nonetheless thoroughly enjoyable trash, especially when taken on its unambitious terms. Needless to say, the Halloween elements are merely incidental and the climatic finale is a letdown.
Adrian J Smith, MOVIES & MANIA

Trailer:

 Three minute highlights:

Blu-ray release:
On January 30, 2018, Massacre Video released a remastered, extras-a-plenty Blu-ray + DVD.

Buy Blu-ray: Amazon.com

New 2K restoration from the original camera negative
Remastered 2.0 stereo mix and original mono mix
Newly recorded audio commentary with producer Raj Mehrotra
English language captions
Isolated soundtrack option
The Power Is In The Blood featurette (featuring interviews with stars Gregory Scott Ummings and Katina Garner).
Rare public access interview featuring Katina Garner, Marya Gant and director Jag Mundhra
Behind-the-scenes photos
Trailers for other Massacre Video Releases

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