The Initiation / Mountaintop Motel Massacre (Double Feature) [DVD]

THIS WAS THE MOST CREATIVE HORROR FILM IVE EVER SEEN LOVED IT!!!!!

Though the slasher film wave had largely petered out by 1984, there were still some entries at the tail end of the era that carried on the torch (of a form that would prove to never completely die and would even experience a regeneration of interest much later on in the '90s).One example that I feel is somewhat underrated is Larry Stewart's "the Initiation" (filmed in 1983; released '84). It stars a very young Daphne Zuniga in an early film appearance as a college freshman sorority pledge who agrees to sneak into and spend the night with her cohorts and their boyfriends in a huge multi-floored Texas shopping center after hours and closing time. Unbeknownst to them, a killer is locked in there with them and proceeds to pick them off one by one, in a film that has all the slasher conventions of the past present and yet is relatively well acted, directed, and stylishly executed.There is an interior subplot regarding the recurring dreams Daphne's character is having, of a brutal childhood murder, and while some have said the first hour drags on too long, at least it makes this one different than your average run of the mill slasher, a form of which audiences had grown increasingly tired with by this time.Back to the slasher conventions, there is some good gore here and a couple of really choice scenes of requisite female nudity (one briefly full frontal to boot), including a really welcome scene of some hot sorority babes showering. In addition, good use is made of the confining environment of the setting and I thought the mall after hours with the lights out was quite creepy looking. Particularly effective is the scene where one of the victim's screams are captured over the mall's P.A. system, which I felt was a nice original touch."the Initiation" has since been released as a double feature DVD with "Mountaintop Motel Massacre," but I would recommend collectors get the original (now out of print) 2002 Anchor Bay version, which while containing no special features at least includes a reproduction of the film's original movie poster. And in typical Anchor Bay fashion, the picture quality is superb for such an old movie, usually looking as if it could have been shot yesterday.All in all, I would say "the Initiation" has enough "good stuff" in it to keep any fan of '80s slashers satisfied.

I'm reviewing Initiation 2016 not the lame 80's movie like a lot of these reviews. This was an incredible piece of work, whoever cast this thing did a hell of a job,I mean the main dude, the main bad guy, everybody was an incredible actor, there was only one bad guy goofball but he was really good too the way they wrote his part, they didn't overdo it. I really liked the cinematography,scoring, everything. I thought the lighting,camera work,editing were all really cool. The story was a little like "kungfu" with grasshopper remembering etc. but there was really cool stuff there to think about just like "kungfu" tv show. I think this is the best movie I've ever seen shot with a red, I don't like most cinealta or red type camera movies they just have this real life boring look, but there's a lot of stuff involved but this looked cool to me, like film. This is what indie filmmaking is all about, this director and writer are badasses and so are these actors. This was one nice piece of work. The main character and the main bad dude should be in a bunch of really high budget movies, I mean they are excellent actors. I saw this once previously and completely forgot the whole movie, so usually that means it's nothing great but it was like watching a brand new movie the second time and impacted me, I mean you just don't see many indie movies made with true skill and talent and achieve what they're trying to, especially here on prime or netflix. It was mostly on one set though like what i call a "play" style movie but it had just enough other scenes to make it ok, cause it was good and I don't like " play" style movies all shot on one set.

I actually auditioned for this film years ago and did not get cast. I remember speaking with writer/director Oren about the story and the characters and I was engaged simply by hearing the words. I have only now been able to watch the finished product and I have to say that Oren and his team did a fantastic job. Given the independent budget and production for this film, it does not feel that way at all. What you get on the screen is a product of noticeable quality.For the most part the performances are strong and grounded. The camera work is visceral and immediate. The editing comes together nicely to make you forget you are watching a film. Given that the brutal fist fights are the keystone of this story, the fight choreography is arguably the most important element and I am pleased to say that it woks extremely well. I found my self watching their every move, my teeth clenched, and my face occasionally wincing with each crunch sound effect.Given that this is not a big budget film, one should not go into it expecting Fight Club or Warrior. This is an indie film through and through, but it is one of the better produced indie films. Keep that small fact in mind when you sit down to watch this thriller and you will not be disappointed.

The movie definitely was believable in terms that a group of white boys would go around kidnapping random strangers, and forcing them to participate in fights for their evil sadistic secret society. I have to admit the fight scenes were great, because they kept me on the edge of my seat. Naturally I was rooting for the victims. The characters did an awesome job, considering the low budget of the movie. I did notice that the movie didn't delve into, or add to any type of significant historical value regarding this secret society. All they really concentrated on was the actual initiations of the new members into the society, after they've won their assigned fights. In all, the movie definitely a movie to see, and for that I give it 4 stars.

Super Slasher!Story, Kills, Spannung - alles gut gemacht!

I had never heard of this movie but I am glad I came across it. It isn't non stop gore and suspense but more of a horror drama with a nice twist at the end. The death scenes are good, it isn't predictable. If you like horror drama movies with a slow build up with plentiful back story and psychological elements, this is the DVD for you.

Perfect!

"Initiation" is the reason to purchase this two film DVD if you're into slashers. It's the story of a college girl made to take part in a sorority prank involving breaking into the local shopping mall that's owned by her parents. Earlier a killer had escaped from a nearby mental asylum and then ends up at the mall.This is a very good 80's slasher that has surprisingly been quite forgotten. The film contains some bloody deaths,the usual type characters and a bit of gratuitus nudity as well. It's well directed with many suspenseful moments and good music that adds to the tension. The ending was very good too with an exciting face off and final twist."Mountaintop Motel Massacre" is basically about a crazy woman who starts killing all the guests at the Motel she runs. She goes through secret passages and trap doors to get into the guests rooms before killing them.I know this is quite a campy horror and has a bit of a cult following, but personally I found it a bit boring. I don't hate the film but it's definitely something i wouldn't rush to watch again. It takes ages for the deaths to begin and even then they aren't that great and all quite the same. The film is poorly directed and the acting terrible, but some may get more from this than me.

i give the initiaion 5 stars because it is one of the best slasher films of the genre.Well made and acted.