Dunno which horror film to see this weekend at the cineplex by the sea. Dawn of the Dead or that bloody 'Jesus died to save us' thing. Both would be good, just so we can compare special effects and death scenes. I saw the Romero Dawn Of The Dead when it came out and it scared the bejesus out of me. It shouldn't have really as it was so tongue in cheek and cheesy but, back then, I didn't do irony and thought that was how we were all going to die (such an impressionable 16 year old). It was shown on a double bill with Scum which was quite enjoyable but put me off wanting to try bumming (for a few more years anyway).
Another popular double-bill at that time was The Incredible Melting Man and Coma. Both these films also worried me into running all the way home in the dark (when I finally got to see the Purple pixies Paisley Park Complex years later it reminded me of the hospital from Coma). I used to buy American horror movie magazines from a 'specialist' shop in Newcastle every now and then and was fascinated by a huge article on the making of the Incredible Melting Man. About a year later, while making my way to school, I wandered past the local cinema and stopped dead in my tracks in front of the 'Coming Soon' poster. There, in full gory colour, was The Incredible Melting Man (on the poster, not in person) And it was a AA certificate (minimum age 14). Hurrah! New films started on Sundays in those days so there I was on opening night with 75p in my pocket (45p entrance and 30p for sweets) vibrating with excitement. Come 10.30pm I was racing home (in case the IMM was chasing me) then burst indoors to tell Mum and Dad all about the movies. "You'll give yourself nightmares watching all that rubbish' Mum said. I never did though.