Nightmare Beach

Nightmare Beach

Genre: Horror, Slasher, Thriller

AKA: Welcome to Spring Break

Director: Umbero Lenzi

Year: 1988

Diablo is a biker gang leader executed for the murder of a young woman. A year after his death, teenagers on spring back begin to die

Right let me get this out of the way quickly, this is a BAD film, however, it's one of the most entertaining and over the top (with its outrageous 80s style) flicks that I've ever seen. Some people argue that this is a Giallo, there are black gloves & a "who's the killer" plot though being from '88 this is an obvious attempt from Umberto Lenzi to cash in on the American slasher. But my god it's so much fun! 

The script is just awful, there's so many hilarious pieces of dialogue and memorable bit part pieces in this film, from the constant wet T-shirt competitions, the hotel pervert (who watches his guests undress) & the 80's hair-rock soundtrack.

Then amongst all that you have two of my all-time favourite character actors in John Saxon (who plays a really corrupt cop who'll stoop to any level to get the job done) & Michael Parks who plays an alcoholic Dr. The rest of the cast is mostly made up of TV actors from shows such as Sunset Beach! All the characters remain memorable even if it is for all the wrong reasons.

For pure entertainment value I can enjoy this film as much as any of the classic films that the Italians ever made, sure you have to be in the right frame of mind to watch it but if you know what you are letting yourself in for and embrace its weaknesses you'll find yourself entertained from start to finish. A gem of terrible cinema which I can watch again & again. 

I could go on & on, if ever there was a film to sit down with a few friends & a bunch of beers then it is this one. Definitely one of the it's-so-bad-it's-good kinda films & the kind that I can imagine some people absolutely hating but as somebody who can enjoy even the worst trash this remains a film that never fails to put a smile on my face.

Rating: ★★★★

With headphones that large she deserves to die.