Amsterdamned (1988) Horror Slasher

  Amsterdamned (1988) -  This is a slasher film I had never seen, it opens with a POV of someone in the water in the canals of Amsterdam. The sound and the ducking under the water of this point of view tells us that it is someone in scuba gear. When the diver steals a butcher knife from a restaurant we know we are going to get right to the business of this slasher film right away. Moving right to the first kill establishes the setting, a poor sex worker after fighting off a cab driver is stabbed to death and dragged in to the canal but a killer in a scuba suit.  We have a setting but the fun that has just begun does not stop there. Wasting no time a tourist boat full of scouts runs into the body of the sex worker that the killer hung from a bridge scarring the poor kids for life.
  After being introduce to our feature cop Eric (Huub Stapel) and his teenage daughter Anneke (Tatum Dagelet) we get right into the solving of the canal killer. At this point you could anticipate that the cop will be on the case and that some time in the future his daughter will be at risk from the killer. This film does not waste time and we soon get a second murder scene where two guys collecting water samples from the canals are brutalized and left in their blood splattered boat. Eric meets John van Meegeren (Wim Zomer) a river cop. The two have a history with Eric's exwife so they have that we can work together but will show each other a bit of attitude kinda relationship. We will see if John saves Eric's life later in the movie, that is what the dynamic suggest. Now the cops know there is a diver prowling the canals so they have to hop into action to solve the crimes. Time to check out diving schools and all registered divers. They red herring the manager of the local dive club a bit but Eric being there is also so he can meet his love interest in the film Laura (Monique van de Ven). Also we meet Martin, a psychiatrist and former diver.
The murder scenes and body discovery scenes are pretty good in this film and as the bodies pile up pressure goes up for Eric to solve the crimes. We learn that Martin could be a suspect also a guy who use to dive but gave it up after some kind of event. We also see that there are canals all over this city and that will make it hard to track down the killer. Of course he goes from stalking and killing at night to killing in the middle of the day. A cool visual as he kills a pretty waitress who is floating on the canal getting sun in her plastic raft. Even with pressure from the Mayor we see a bit of internal politics and the way the bureaucracy works in the country. I like how Eric's boss defends him to the Mayor even though he has spent more time pursuing Laura than the case. You can also feel the Giallo influences on this film, its blue lighting at night mixed with reds, close ups of feet, hands and weapons it all works in what really has turned into a police procedural for the most part. The police get a lead but miss the guy as he rides away on a motorcycle. There is a chase scene that I was not expecting as the cops try to corner the man on the motorcycle. This lead seems like a red herring also. His arrest sets up the trope where the higher up officials want this guy to be prosecuted but Eric is not sure he has his man. What to do, oh yeah Laura and Eric get to bump uglies while we get another murder thus proving Eric was right.
  I loved the underwater scuba fight the cops death. We have boats following the bubbles of the killer from their boats. A real slow motion chase scene that still seems to have a bit of tension. They eventually trap the bubble producer in a lock so they just have to wait for him to run out of air and surface. They start pumping the water out of the lock sure that they have the killer but when the water level falls enough we see he shed his tanks and got away. Still after him though they think they have him again only to see him slip through their hands. Since this is about the canals in Amsterdam the movie can't be complete without a boat chase scene on the waterways. Eric pursues a guy dressed in black leather  all though the city at high speed. So reminiscent of like a James Bond movie even at the end with the giant explosion. The pursuit then continues on foot through the sewers. Eric is shot with a dart and passes out but not before shooting the guy.

  The story switches from hospitalized Eric to love interest Laura, she arrive at her therapy session where Martin is late. As she listened t music the camera pans the room focusing on a door in the back of the apartment. Laura hears a bang and goes to investigate. Searching the boat house because of course he lives on the canals and now our suspicion about him is raised. As Laura walks around we see the discarded Salvation Army collection can and we have to believe that Martin is the killer. Now Laura is in jeopardy being at his place all alone and not suspecting him. Then she finds his wet suit with water on it and his mask shattered and she knows. She calls the hospital to talk to Eric but he is still passed out from medication. She should just call the police but apparently is too panicked to think of it. Martin comes home and she has to hide.  Will Eric learn about Laura being trapped with Martin in time? Can Laura find a way to sneak out of the house without Martin catching her?  It all plays out during a rain storm with thunder and lightening and when it does there is a frantic scene that really is a proper climax.

  I like this film well enough, some mystery about the killer a cop in pursuit it all adds up to an entertaining story. We finally get the story of who the killer is and how a chemical spill underwater deformed him and drove him mad. The ending is a bit disappointing but overall this is a well crafted film. I watched it on DVD in a print that was less than perfect from Netflix but very view-able. SO they never brought back the red herring of the club manager and his daughter was never really developed other than to show that Eric is an absolutely horrible neglectful father.

Things:

Written and directed by Dick Maas he is known for Prey (2016) and one of my favorite Christmas horror movies Sint (2010).
I learned in the commentary that they did not actually light the scenes on the canals but waited until dusk to get the blue light effects.

Spitting in a cops face, is something you don't see too often.

Kills, one hooker, two environmentalists, one salvation army worker, and old man on his boat, a river cop so the body count is pretty low.

From Wikipedia "At the American Film Market in 1988, the movie would go on to become the third highest selling motion picture that year. Vestron Pictures released the film dubbed in English on home video. The dubbed version featured the voices of lead actors Huub Stapel, Monique van de Ven, and Serge-Henri Valcke in English, as they speak English quite well. The film was given a limited release, grossing $14,819 on 5 screens in its opening weekend in North America, and a total of $98,003 over its entire run"

CoronaVisions: Other things my eyes are seeing and ears are hearing while hunkering down.

  This uniquely strange experience we are all dealing with has left us with many hours to fill while sitting at home. This being a house with every possible entertainment possibility streaming through it as well as a movie collection that is somewhere around 3000 films I feel privileged to be able to distract myself really with ease. I am writing about many of the films I watch on this blog and am adding this running list of things I checked out. Here I will just touch on things that I've seen but not necessarily that I want to right a full review on. You can suggest things movies@edhovey.com

UPDATED REGULARLY!!!!
Next Movie!    "Late Phases"

Podcasts Count too!!

Pseudopod - This is the best horror fiction podcast out there. Original and also reads of some wonderful classics. It is worth your time.

Here's the Deal w/ Joe Biden - I have to try to get to know Biden now that Bernie has dropped out. So far he seems like a bit of a jerk.

The Ezra Klein Show -  Another journalist trying to make a difference during these trying times.

Rumble - Michael Moore podacsting from the heart of the pandemic in NYC

NOFS(Nightmare on Film Street) podcast is good horror entertainment. This latest is Mindhunter vs. The Cell.

In Our Times - This is a BBC history pod that I absolutely love.

One Album at a Time
Band                                   Album                                   Year

R.E.M.                      Automatic for the People                1992

Pxndx                        Amentes Sunt Amentes                  2006
This is the album that came out after their controversy where they were accused of plagerism. I like this band but still not sure if they peoperly addressed those carges.

The Screens Sessions

The Platform (2019) - A really on the nose analogy for trickle down economics, but really well done and certainly a message that America needs. 

One Album at a Time
Band                                   Album                                   Year

Otis Redding                 Live in Europe                           1967

N.W.A.                        Straight Outta Compton               1988


The Screens Sessions

Kingdom (2019) This is a Netflix series set in what looks like late 19th century Korea. I am guessing the timeline here, there were a few guns but mostly swords. The story is one of political intrigue where an adviser to the dead King uses a Resurrection procedure which makes the king a zombie. Unfortunately for them this spreads outside of the palace. Disposed Prince Lee Chang, must grow to become the leader that the country needs as the zombie plague spreads. 

SX_Tape (2013) - Found footage can be a thing that either you like it or you don't. There is always this thought, "Why is he/she still filming?" when the shit is hitting the fan. This one has that issue as well as being really similar to Grave Encounters (2011). In this a couple thinking about doing a sex tape enter a closed hospital to explore their idea. Then shit gets real.

The Golem (2018) -  This was a surprising film to me, bringing religious myth and a historical drama into a horror package that delivered within the main character's arc. The story of a scapegoated community during a plague who has not been touched by the death only because they are isolated. When the threat from the greater world arrives one resident takes a drastic step to try to protect the community, bring to life the titular Golem. But you know its horror sometimes there are unintended consequences.

Ever After (2018)  - aka EndZeit is a new take on an old and worn trope of the Zombie film. I like the character arcs in this film and since that is where the story lives found the movie enjoyable. Not a ton of zombies but that is not what this one is about.

One Album at a Time
Band                                   Album                                   Year

Machine Head                Unto the Locust                         2011
Fucking killing it on this album, not the most upbeat thing in my collection but the music is killer. This is fast and hard so don't expect ballads.

La Fuga                         Definitive Collection                  2017
Another really solid Spanish language Rock band who have been doing it for years
   
Jackson Browne               For Everyman                          1973
Great songwriting and incredible voice Jackson Browne is wonderful.

Ice Cube                           Death Certificate                      1991
Yep! Place for this in my collection. Platinum his 2nd solo album. Kicks ass.

 Hank Williams             Settin' the Woods on Fire            2006
Compilation of Hank's Greatest hits Why don't you love me like you used to do?

Gang of Four                   Entertainment!                          1979
Like that punk sound, totally would not have been into this band but for Rolling Stone's top 500 albums. This one sits at #483 and I am glad I found it. That guitar riffs are really great on this album. And the version I have has a cover of "Sweet Jane" Live

Fleetwood Mac                Rumours                                  1977
A classic. it is #26 in Rolling Stones Top 500 albums of all time   I am not personally a fan but I have to say I know a lot of the songs since I am old enough to listen to a lot of radio.Since I have been collecting the 500 of all time this is in the collection.

Cold                            The Things We Can't Stop            2019
I have liked Cold since I saw them at a Lollapaloosa back in the early 90s. This album is classic Cold with its' enticing sound walls and heart felt lyrics. Perfectly Cold.

Daniel Innantuono             Katiebird                                 2006
This is a soundtrack to a horror movie that is guitar based fragmentation and chords with themes for the film. Reminiscent of early Pink Floyd in its approach it worked well on a walk where I was focusing on Pokemon GO.

Eagles                                  Eagles                                    1972
Not my favorite Eagles album but this 1972 recording has a couple songs everyone should know in "Take it Easy" "Witchy Woman" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling"


The Screens Sessions

Legion (2010) - Kelly's first pick on our horror group watch, a group of strangers is besieged by supernatural forces because the pregnant waitress at the roadside diner is pregnant with the second coming of Jesus and demonic forces want to kill the child before it is born. This movie did not hold up very well although I don't think I liked it when it originally came out.

The Screens Sessions

Better Call Saul - This show is a bit of a acquired taste, a show about an unreliable but somewhat likable lawyer with a low moral bar. Sometimes its like watching a slow motion car wreck but if you like that, the interpersonal aspects are well defined and the character arc solid.

Devil's Pass (2013) - This was a Joy pick, a filmmaker and her crew investigating a legendary story about a group of hikers who died in the Ural Mountains of Russia, find more than they expected when they recreate the hike. Pretty decent little movie with a weird sci-fi ending. I like the mystery of the film but I kept feeling like it could have been better, tighter.

Star Trek Picard - I can''t really say I like this series, its a strange mix of gleeful Star Trek sentimentality and hokey save the universe adventurism. I am a completest so I keep popping in no matter how outrageous the plot gets. Seriously when someone dies let them be dead.

Event Horizon (1997) - My last pick for a film watch, this is a decent sci-fi horror film with a good cast and a mind fuck of an idea. Some of the effects especially objects floating in the space ship must have been really cool computer graphics in the 90s but now are so dated. When the first folding space drive is tried on the Event Horizon the ship disappears, well its back and Our crew is going to investgate. But where has the ship been and what did it bring back?


Podcasts Count too!!

All the podcast from the Zombiegrrlz  These Stream Queens - Horror movie talk about film found on the streamingverse, Zombie Girls the original horror talk pod, The Cast of K about all thing Dark Towera working through the books one chapter at a time, and The More Deadly Podcast hitting one movie an episode.

Post Mortem - Writer Director Nick Garris is also a wonderful interviewer and this guest oriented podcast allow us to learn about people in the movie business. Horror themed.

Best of the Left - This is my favorite political podcast, people who are not progressive may want to avoid this. Or listen and hear how others think about things.

Shockwaves - Horror talk from some great personalities with guest on top of that.

Pod Save America - Former Obama aids talk about the news of the day.

NOFS(Nightmare on Film Street) pocast is good horror entertainment.

What a Day! - A daily dose of what is going on in the country in a quick fifteen minute format, start your day with What a Day!

A Star to Steer Her By. - It's a Star Trek podcast, they are currently reviewing two episodes of Deep Space Nine each pod. ITs nerdy and fun to listen too.

Hysteria - The Women of Crooked media talk the topics of the day before ending with a Hill to Die on, defending any stance that does not need to be defended. Smart, informed and current.


The Screens Sessions

Supernatural - In its 15th season and the Winchester boys and Angel Castiel are in the final conflict. Not with the devil or his minions, been there done that, but with God himself. This season we see that God has created the multiverse so that he can live through the characters he creates. Sam and Dean are having none of it and with the help of Death and the Son of the Devil (Jack) they are planning to bring the all mighty to his knees. Well they hope for that outcome, in its final season and a bit worn this show still warms my heart.

Under the Shadow (2016) -  A low budget film with some great scares and a compelling story. This is Joy's second pick and she picked a winner. This is a tense little tale of a mother and her daughter left alone in a Tehran apartment building during the Iraq-Iran war where she is in constant threat from Iraqi missiles. At the same time while her neighbors all flee for safer destinations she and her daughter experience horrors outside the war threats, as a Djinn attaches to her daughter and wreaks havoc on their already complicated lives. Well done small film by Babak Anvari with some really great low budget scares. Joy says the version she watched was poorly dubbed but I had the in Iranian subtitled version and found it enjoyable.

One Album at a Time
Band                                   Album                                   Year

Babasónicos                     Infame                                     2003
This is a solid main stream rock band from Argentina, spanish language.  Easy to listen to and enjoy the songs are tight and the music solid. I find this very singable rock with no hard edges.

A.N.I.M.A.L.                   Usa Toda Tu Fueza                 1993
If you like 90's heavy metal this band could do it for you. Spanish language hard beats and raging guitars. Why do I only have their first album? I think I first came across this album because it has a cover of Highway to Hell on it.

The Screens Sessions

The Walking Dead Season 11 - I should have stopped watching this show years ago. It has lost its shine probably 6 seasons ago but I am a bit of a completest. I just find most of this show at this point is problems that can be solved by killing the enemies leader. One bullet solutions! Of course you could argue that two bullets would be needed to end "The Whisperers" threat but hey it is doable. So I am still watching without enthusiasm.

The Hunt (2020) Yes I dropped the $20 on a film that would have no box office at all if it was not moved from theaters to streaming. This one is a bit of an odd cookie, a very competent action film. A clever satire where I am not sure where I stand on the politics of it and a lesson to all about doing your research; Especially if you are going to grab a group of people to hunt at a manor in Croatia. Maybe I should have gone with the safer "The Invisible Man". Still I think I like the film it kicks along at a good pace and has a final fight to the death that rivals Uma Thurman and Vivica A. Fox's fight in Kill Bill. Betty Gilpin carries the film with a smoldering acceptance of her situation and an ability to kick ass..

Westworld Season 3 - Here we are in season three and the show is still interesting Delores seems to be in the real world while Maeve seems to be aware but unable to leave the park. Bernard continues to investigate his nature and the structures of the world. It is all good fun so I watch the dvr version of the show each week.