Posterized: Now Playing 1980

Thirty years ago this month the United States elected a former b-movie actor as President, "then whose Vice-President, Jerry Lewis?!?!", but not a lot of films were released. Amongst the paltry selection is an amazing cult classic rock opera musical Biblical parable and a film that single handily led to the erosion of a major studio (and is actually pretty decent despite the era's reviews).

Posterized: Now Playing October 1980 vs October 2010

Back in October 2007 I bemoaned the lack of horror releases in the Halloween month. That year I believe only 30 Days of Night and whatever Saw sequel they were up to at that point came out that year. This year, the tide thankfully seems to tilt back to a more horror centric release schedule. While I'd like to think my little rant on this lowly read blog was the catalyst for a change in studio thinking, it probably has more to due with last year's successful October releases of Zombieland and Paranormal Activity. Of course, after offering praise for the improvement since three years ago, I have to admit none of the titles really inspire me: Let Me In (the American remake of Let the Right One In), Hatchet II, Chain Letter, Case 39, My Soul to Take, I Spit on Your Grave remake, Paranormal Activity 2 and Saw 3-D. But perhaps there's an unexpected gem amongst there.

Now, let's turn our wayback machine to October 1980, where only 5 horror genre films (according to IMDB where I get these dates from) saw release. Will any of this year's releases be considered in the storied company of the likes of Terror Train and Motel Hell in thirty years? Only time will tell...

Here's all the films released in America thirty years ago this month.

Posterized: Now Playing September 1980

Theatres throughout America were showcasing an eclectic mix of exploitation fare, foreign releases and eventual Academy Award nominated dramas thirty years ago this month, including two personal favorites from respected auteurs.