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Spider:
It's too bad we had to kill her. I really
liked the outfit she had on.
Full Moon's 1988 cult film is something of a hideous movie that will
make many cringe, roll their eyes, and have fun just the same.
Admittedly "Sorority Babes" has something of a nostalgic value as I can
still fondly remember watching it on late night cable in the nineties
trying to figure out what in god's name this movie was. Finally being
able to grab a copy, I now know why "Sorority Babes" isn't going in to
the film registry any time soon. Obviously, it's not a good film, but it
surely is a film that's so bad it's really damn good. It has all the
tropes of the eighties we love, the synth score, the nerdy college guys,
the sexy sorority babes, and the dated special effects that not even
music videos of the decade were touching. Quite often the budget shows
in this schlocky horror comedy, but I had so much fun nevertheless.
Three nerdy numbskulls from the local campus has just gotten word that
the Tri Delta initiation ceremony is happening that night and they've
decided to sneak to the their house and watch the happenings with gaping
jaws and giggles. The entire first half of the film plays like "Revenge
of the Nerds" where the three dorks are being taunted by the sorority
girls after they're caught spying on two of the pledges bathing naked
after being sprayed with whipped cream. Why were they sprayed with
whipped cream? I don't care, but it's a fun sequence.
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This movie is about as obligatory as it gets looking for any
excuse to elicit lesbian undertones every chance it gets. So
we're given a very long paddling scene, a showering scene,
and many more pointless sexual themes that just add to the
trashy fun. The Tri Deltas are making the three nerds and
the two pledges fish out a prized trophy from the local Bowl
O Rama, and in the middle of horse play and fumbling, they
happen to unleash a demonic imp from a trophy who spews
horrific one-liners at them and is about as funny as Robin
Williams as the Genie in "Aladdin." |
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Surely enough the imp is freed and he's offering up wishes! Everyone
whets their whistles except for nerdy Calvin who fears the Imp is up
to something, and the bad ass Spider, a punk rock chick who broke in
to the bowling alley to steal and refuses to also ask for a wish.
Surely enough the Imp is up to something as his wishes end up being
cons, and the three frat girls watching from the cameras become the
very monsters they enjoy watching on TV. The entirety of the film is
spent with Calvin and Spider as they struggle to find a way to stop
the Imp, and avoid the monsters, all of whom are merciless in their
attacks. They tear people up limb from limb and even broil someone's
face in a fryer.
My absolute favorite aspect beyond the Imp (who rightfully should be in
local comedy clubs delivering zingers), is Linnea Quigley who is an
entertaining heroine as the punker Spider who refuses to run and hide
and is more intent on stopping the Imp and battling the super strong
monsters. Her corny pep talks matched with her dated apparel makes for
one banner heroine. I'm still trying to figure out why no one in this
popular bowling alley never found the Imp before these saps. But don't
try to think about it. Director DeCouteau features some really funny
gags including bowling with a severed head, and one guy's wish for the
girl of his dreams who is so aggressive she begins to inflict bodily
pain on him. And for what it's worth, the film still has a very gritty
and barebones quality about it that shines for anyone interested in
re-visiting some eighties grade A cheese. Hell, say what you want about
this movie, but it's a proud place holder in my collection.
It's trash, there's no
arguing that, but in the end it's entertaining trash and one I can enjoy
if I want to remember horror comedies that were much more prone to
creativity and originality and not just completely reliant on shocking
us in to submission with its cynicism. "Sorority Babes in the Slime Ball
Bowl O Rama" is a guilty pleasure and one I intend to indulge in for
years to come. Old Uncle Impy guarantees!
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