Nightmare at Noon [DVD] [1988]

Nightmare at Noon certaintly is a surprise. Its the type of movie that you may catch on a late night on a distant channel while channel flicking- and well just be glued to it.What sets this obvious low budget thriller/horror/western -yep you read that right, apart from so many others is the fact that its basically 90 mins of pure entertainment. Its chock a block full of explosions and fires and more explosions and fires and boy did they hire some great stuntmen.It also stars such versatile characters as George Kennedy, a very underated character actor, whose humour always seems to shine through. Then theres the everlasting Wings Hauser- whose name demands respect. The late great Brion James plays the bad guy.Its a genre swapping movie- that is hard not to like. Great comedic moments too- watch out for Kennedy claiming that he hasn't drank water for years- its the way he tells em'.Well worth the price which is currently as low as 1p. Go get it.

I was a big Wings Hauser fan in the 80s. I thought he was going to be a star. On the strength of this title it is amazing that he was not one of the biggest B movie stars of that era. This is an over the top classic. Really it is stupid, crass and over the top but it does it so well. You will cry with laughter and glee. A classic 80s movie.Nasty scientists put something in the water. Then the poor inhabitants of a small town in the US drink the water. Which makes water drinkers turn into zombies. Can our brave band of heros survive?

My husband does a podcast (The 80s picture house) and he watches all these supposedly crap films from the 80s. I have to say, that all these type of films look like they're going to be TERRIBLE, but in fact they're all solid gold. I have never laughed so much in my whole life as I have at these films.Faves being SHOTGUN, SAMURAI COP and MALIBU EXPRESS.Fantastic.

Great low budget movie but the ending is way over the top.

great film x

I chanced upon this long forgotten gem after checking out director Nico Mastorakis' earlier flick 'The Zero Boys', courtesy of those fine folks at Arrow who put out a pretty nifty restoration on Blu-Ray. Sadly, this 1988 production is a DVD only review from a low budget line who crank 'em out fast and cheap. Which in an ironic twist of fate pretty much reflects the movie...Sheriff Hanks (the always amazing George Kennedy) is law and order in the sleepy backwater desert town of Canyonland and business isn't particularly booming. Well, that is until Albino lunatic Brion James ('The Horror Show', 'Bladerunner') arrives to initiate a diabolical James Bond-lite experiment: Pollute their water supply in order for everyone to turn into bloodthirsty zombies and kill each other. Hey, its probably more cost effective than wanting to take over the world or create a new race of superhumans in outer space. However, I digress: With the locals taking a trip to loony tune town and spouting green goo, its up to Hanks and his newly acquired team to save the day: Amusingly annoying big city couple Ken (the reliably bonkers Wings Hauser) and Cheri Griffiths (Kimberly Beck from 'Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter'), laconic ex-cop turned generic western hero clone Reilly (Bo Hopkins) and the sheriff's own daughter Julia (Kimberly Ross). Now, this haphazard group must band together in order to survive, save the town and ensure James' evil scheme is thwarted - hopefully, all in time for tea.The movie, although clearly strapped for cash is an efficiently produced vehicle for Mr Mastorakis' off the wall talents. Due to the amazing desert location, the limited finances aren't that evident and thankfully for a throwaway direct to video piece - it features a great cast who bring their A-game. Lead Kennedy is his usual excellent self and leads the picture with an assured hand, ably supported by Hauser, Hopkins, Ross and Beck... Brion James brings up the rear making sure this one flits from A to B in a yes, bizarre but ultimately fun (and laid back) fashion. The screenplay by Mastorakis and Kirk Ellis ('Terminal Exposure' and 'Hired to Kill') is a schlocky brew designed to reel in the horror crowd, but also canny enough to ensure Western buffs are given their dues - especially the characterisation of Bo Hopkins' role who feels like he's just stepped out of a mid 50s Gary Cooper flick...Hollywood DVD's UK release sports an uneven transfer with knockout audio. Sure, this is a cheapjack genre flick with a bonkers premise yet firmly acknowledges its direct to video aspirations - but I can't say anything bad about it. Any movie with George Kennedy partnered with Wings Hauser blowing away pea soup spewing zombie folk whilst cars flip over and explode against a desert landscape certainly has my attention. And for the price Amazon are asking for it - you never know, it may grabs yours, too.

RILEY RILEY!!!!This film is a piece of comical genius. Bo Hopkins and Wings Hauser make the perfect comedy duo. Zombies need killing. So Riley Riley kills them. It's imple yet superb fun for all the family.A guy on fire even runs into a van and explodes it. This film rocks. Buy it!!!!!!!