'80s Trash: Doom Asylum (1987)

This is a dumb Film.  Did the Title give it away?  This is Doom Asylum, a 1987 Horror Film.  The basic Plot involves a car accident, a giant leap of logic and a killer with a messed up face.  He doesn't invade your dreams or wield a chainsaw, but he definitely wants to remind you of those people.  The Cast is notable for a couple of reasons, depending on how much you follow Films.  This is one of only TWO Films that Patty Mullen did- the other being Frankenhooker.  She also did something else, but I'll get to that in the Stinger.  It also features a future TV Star that will definitely NOT want you think of her as the person from THIS Film.  This has blood.  This has guts.  Does it have any brains?  To find out, read on...

 A car accident takes place while a couple is celebrating their winnings in a lawsuit.  The woman dies, but the man survives...but not for the better.

I know it's a Slasher Film set-up, but I'm pretty sure he'd die from the infections within about 5 minutes!

10 years later, the Daughter he left behind decides to hang out with her boyfriend and friends RIGHT BY THE SITE OF THE ACCIDENT.

To be fair, it also holds an abandoned Asylum, so...HUH?!?

The group has company in the form of an all-girl Punk Rock Band.

Such a classic set-up, no?

Dad is apparently still alive, never sought help, went crazy and just kind of hung around for a Decade.  What luck that his Daughter (played by the same Actress as 'the Wife') finally showed up!

He starts killing off the group one-by-one and yes, the black guy dies first.

On the plus side, it puts an end to the 'funny' fantasy bits of him and (the only black) girl in the band running in the field like an old Movie.

Speaking of old Movies, the narrative stops cold a few times to play long clips from some.

Classic rule of Cinema- don't show a better Film during your own.

That big TV Star I teased- it's Kristin Davis from Sex & The City.  She did this while still in Film School (and it shows).

With the Cast mostly gone now, Dad takes the girl hostage, because...um, he loves her?

I'll get back to you on that...

Ultimately, she is the Final Girl (big shock) and kills him.  She walks off, apparently planning to just leave now?  Alright.

A dumb, dumb Movie.  There are many, many problems with this Film.  The Plot makes no sense.  The Acting is not great.  The Pacing is off.  The Humor is...odd.  Positives?  Lots of practical effects and gore that has mostly-aged well.  The Setting is the best part as this is a *real* closed down Asylum that once existed in New Jersey.  It has all of the stuff that they would need and they try to use every area.  There's just a silly little Film shot in said great Location and using the inspired gore.  If you're into '80s splatter, there's some fun to be had.  If you're more discerning, this is a slow-paced, ridiculous Film that cuts to another Film for long stretches about 5 times.  Sadly, it's too early to be cutting to Night of the Living Dead to make Bingo.  None of it makes sense.  None of it is that clever.  See it for the Setting and Gore if you're a weirdo like me.  Everyone else can skip it safely.  Now let me *subtly* plug the Podcast by reminding you that this Film's Star is a part of a WCW Wrestling History (and a silly part at that)...

Next time, more trashy stuff and more fun stuff.  Should I stay in the '80s?  Stay tuned...