Welcome to one of the main features of 'Castle Dracula,' the movie reviews section.
The reviews placed here are from all around the world, from the USA to the UK Japan
and everything inbetween. The formats reviewed are video and DVD. I have included the
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also notice that there are some DVD-R reviews. These are not 'bootlegs' or 'copies'
but official screeners that I have been sent containing an as yet unreleased film to 
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- Eaten Alive - NTSC Video -  

Do you like low-budget shockers? 
If you do Eaten Alive is a movie for you. 
Set in the swamps of the deep American south, 'Eaten Alive' has that certain 
feeling that horror movie lovers look for.
Director Tobe Hooper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist, Lifeforce) creates
the perfect low-budget atmosphere. 
Most of the scenes take place at the 'Starlite Hotel'. It is a rundown inn managed
by a murderous loner and drug addict named 'Judd' (Neville Brand). Judd has an
interesting pet. It is a man-eating crocodile from Africa. 
All of the scenes take place in the darkness. 
The mood is gloomy. 
It is a hopeless situation for all the characters. 
Hooper wastes no time in giving us the shocks that we expect. 
A runaway teen shows up at the hotel after being thrown out of the local brothel. 
Judd unsuccessfully tries to force himself on her. He then beats her, stabs her 
repeatedly with a pitchfork and feeds her to the crocodile. The poor girl is still
alive as she is being devoured. It is a very graphic and disturbing scene. 
Other scenes are just as savage. A woman lodger named 'Faye' (Mary Burns who plays
'Sally' in 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre') is bound and gagged and tied to a bed 
knowing her young daughter is at the mercy of Judd.
A man is decapitated with a sickle. A family pet is eaten by the monstrous crocodile.
Each of these scenes has the magnitude of distress that adds to the overall frantic
demeanor of the film.
'Eaten Alive' is Tobe Hoopers film immediately after his classic shocker 'The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre'.
Several scenes parallel those in 'TCM'.
Faye is wrapped in a shower curtain and beaten by Judd. This is similar to the same
thing that happened to her character 'Sally' in 'TMC'.
Faye screaming and attempting to escape from the hotel is identical to what happens 
to 'Sally' in 'TCM'.
A chase scene also occurs in 'Eaten Alive'. Instead of 'Leatherface' chasing 'Sally'
thru the woods with his chainsaw, Judd chases an intended victim through the woods
with his sickle. During this pursuit Judd has some of the same mannerisms as 
'Leatherface'. Most will not notice these alike situations. I only did because I am
such a big fan of 'TCM'. It really did not bother me. 'Eaten Alive' does not heavily
rely on the strengths of its predecessor. It has its own progression and psyche. 
The storyline is not very tight. In fact, the plot at times seems to be nonexistent. 
I had the feeling the script was written either as the movie was shot, or that the 
budget was so skimpy that portions of the script were not able to be shot. 
Okay, there are a few problems with the overall production. Still, other features of
the movie make it worth at least considering. 
Its revolting theme and graphic depiction of madness are on-line with some of the
best horror movies. Hooper proves that a large cash flow is not needed to make a 
watchable film.
Despite the low budget, a decent cast was assembled for Eaten Alive. 
Neville Brand fits perfectly as 'Judd'. Brand gives 'Judd' the insanity that only
a talented actor could. Carolyn Jones plays 'Miss Hattie', the brothels owner. 
Carolyns character could have had a larger effect on the story. Instead her role 
became no more then a bit part. Mel Ferrer is 'Harvey Wood'. He is a sympathetic
father searching for his runaway daughter. Stuart Whitman fits well as 'Sheriff Martin'. 
Robert Englund, better known as 'Freddy Kruger', is 'Buck'. 'Buck' is a sexual 
deviate whose morals shift throughout the movie.  
I like 'Eaten Alive'.
It is not for everyone.
Hardcore horror fans will enjoy it. 
I would advise anyone who likes 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' to watch it.
Seeing what an above average cast and a talented director can do with extreme 
limitation is worth it. Chances are that you will have to search pretty hard to find
this one.  

Reviewed By Scal Williams.

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