Fairy Tale Themed Horror Films, Past and Present

The 90s were a high time for low budget horror infused fairy tales.  Horror has always been an expanse and varied genre which can easily blend and utilize multiple elements.  Some of these elements are easily displayed in films such as: 'Leprechaun' (1993), 'Rumpelstiltskin' (1996), 'Pinocchio’s Revenge' (1996), and the superbly produced Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997).  All of these films have taken these supposed children’s stories of moral and basically thrown caution to the wind.

Every possible dark element has been exposed and played up.  In addition to some intentional comedic factors for example, Warwick Davis as the lecherous leprechaun skateboarding while in pursuit of his victims, or Max Grodénchik as the deal making dwarf, Rumpelstiltskin, whom at one point in the film chases after an eighteen wheeler in a go-cart

Low budget films have always had a broad sense of creativity in that nothing is off limits.  This being said one wonders where the recent resurgence in fairy tale themed programs has spawned from.  Last year brought us Red Ridinghood and this year alone we have a slew of other tales to look forward to such as: 

Mirror, Morror the lighter toned more whimsical version of Snow White which will be released by Relativity Media and stars Julia Roberts as the Queen, and Lily Collins as Snow White

Roughly three months later, yet another version of the same tale will be released. This second version is set to be a darker tale which also focuses on the empowerment of Snow White. The woodsman set to kill her betrays the queen's orders (played by Charlize Theron) and teaches Snow White to defend herself.

Unfortunately, Hansel and Gretel: Witch hunters has been delayed until next year and will presumably remain unreleased, but there will also be a variety of children's film which will also contain fairy tale themes.

Massacre on a Low Budget

Nail Gun Massacre; also known as Texas Nail Gun Massacre was released in 1985 by Magnum Entertainment. Director Terry Lofton realized early on that the limited budget would greatly influence the quality of the film and so he played up the comedic aspects of the film.

Part of what makes this film so enjoyable is the it does not takes itself seriously. Everything from the canned acting, cheesy dialogue , and unbelievable murder sequences are part of what has made this film a low budget success.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from the film; it had first come to my attention through a news subscription from Texas Frightmare Weekend in association with Fantastic Fest and was advertised as "a movie for humans who hate humans and movies." This odd description is what caught my attention. It was also an opportunity to catch a rare screening of a film I had never heard of.  The shared experience of watching Nail Gun Massacre with an audience definitely was an enjoyable one.

The film is filled with goofy moments, but my favorite has to be the one starring Lofton's grandmother who delivers my favorite line "Remember the days when no mosquitoes or killers would bother you?" She was also the actual store clerk at that particular film location. She had been asked to stand in when the original actress never showed the day of the shoot, unfortunately Mr. Lofton's grandmother would later come to regret her decision to appear when she later realized how much nudity was in the film.