FIRESTARTER (1984) Blu-ray Review

SCARE-A-THON Totals to Date:

Total Movies Watched: 7
Total First Time Views: 5
Amount raised for BOXVILLE: $448.14

Firestarter (1984) d. Mark L. Lester (USA) (114 min) (2nd viewing)

During a top-secret experiment that leaves the rest of their comrades insane or dead, two of the test subjects undergoing a pituitary gland enhancing drug series end up marrying and producing a child capable of starting infernos with her mind. The nefarious government agency, “The Shop,” observing from afar, decides that Charlie McGee’s (Drew Barrymore) talents should not go unharnessed and plan to spirit her away from her father Andrew (David Keith) and Vicky (Heather Locklear). On the run, Andrew and Charlie dodge and weave, using their extraordinary mental gifts as needed to stay alive and at liberty. The Shop recruits Native American tracker and assassin, John Rainbird (George C. Scott), to bring in their quarry, which he does with disquieting ease. But Rainbird quickly becomes obsessed with Charlie’s power, and so begins the struggle for who will control the young pyrokinetic, raising the question if anyone can….

STRANGE BEHAVIOR aka DEAD KIDS (1981) Blu-ray review

Strange Behavior (aka Dead Kids) (1981) d. Michael Laughlin (Australia)

A most peculiar bloody little treat from Down Under (although shot mostly in New Zealand), featuring a surprisingly prestigious cast, a funky script co-written by future Oscar winner Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Chicago) and director Michael Laughlin. Something mysterious is taking place within the small town of Galesburg, IL, where cash-strapped high school students are invited to serve as test subjects for experiments going on at the local college. Rather than rashes or mood swings, however, the unexpected side effects in this case include gashing, slashing, and murder.