My Bloody Valentine

My Bloody Valentine

Starring Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, Neil Affleck, Don Francks

Directed by George Mihalka

The late 70s brought to life the slasher genre with revolutionary films like "Black Christmas" and "Halloween," and also introduced the concept of "holiday horror" - horror movies centered around holidays.  The 80s brought a slew of these holiday horrors, including 1981's "My Bloody Valentine," which seems to be just another generic slasher centering around Valentine's Day, but something about it has endeared horror fans all these years later, and even famed director Quentin Tarantino lists it as his favorite slasher film of all time, and was even "worthy" enough for a modern-day remake.

The film centers on the small mining town of (aptly named) Valentine Bluffs, where the majority of the residents work in the local mine.  Twenty years ago there was an accident and four men died, but one managed to survive by eating his dead co-workers and was institutionalized after being rescued.  The man - Harry Warden - was released a year later and murdered his two bosses who left the mine early to attend a Valentine's Day party, and left their hearts as a warning to never hold a Valentine's Day party again.  Warden was re-institutionalized, and the town slowly began to forget about him, and now a group of youths are planning the first Valentine's Day party since the massacre.  Led by the Sheriff's son TJ (Paul Kelman), his friend Axel (Neil Affleck), and Sarah (Lori Hallier) - the woman of both their affections - they plan the biggest, wildest Valentine's Day party ever.  Then people start turning up dead, their hearts sent as a warning to not hold the party, and TJ's father Jake Newby (Don Francks) scrambles against time to find Harry Warden before he commits another Valentine's Day massacre.

The performances were admirable for the little bit they were given, as the film focused its time on two separate stories - the kids planning the Valentine's Day party, and the elders who are trying to uncover where Harry Warden is before he strikes again.  None of the actors are extremely memorable, but they're enjoyable to watch for the moment: from the easily fainting mayor to the typical bartender warning of doom to the sole-cop-in-town trope, the elders are enjoyable and entertaining, and are given more material here than in other films of the like.  Likewise, the teens (I guess they're more young adults since most of them work in the mines) are varied in their characterizations - the central love triangle that's rather unbelievable (since you don't really feel any love between them), the overweight comedic relief, the coward, the lovebirds, and especially the annoying friend who you would never want with you when you find a dead body - they each leave imprints on the mind, even if you don't remember their actual names.

The killer in the film is also different than the likes of Michael Myers or Billy Lenz in that he's a former miner, and his costume of choice isn't really a costume at all, but his work apparel.  The miner is decked head to toe in black clothing, and his miner's mask is truly terrifying, if not a bit debilitating to the killer himself, since it gives him very limited vision and is not able to see anyone around him.  His weapon of choice is a mining axe, which he uses to its full potential, but isn't just limited to that.  It's a unique villain for a movie like this, and really sets the mood incredibly well.

"My Bloody Valentine" is enjoyable in the fact that it's only 90 minutes long, and the horror begins almost immediately and continues throughout its short runtime.  The film knows its purpose, and doesn't overstay its welcome like your drunk uncle on Thanksgiving night, but instead offers exactly what it promises, and even gives a little twist at the end that's honestly not that twist-y but still a valiant effort (honestly, even back then, how could anyone not notice Harry Warden's supposed escape from the mental institution?).  The kills are typical when it comes to slasher films, and they're surprisingly tame compared to other slasher films of the time - most notably because it was released shortly after John Lennon's murder, and there was an outcry overall for less violence in movies, but yet it still provided some unique kills and quickly edited makeup and prosthetic designs that were unique and varied.

When it comes to horror-themed holiday films, "My Bloody Valentine" ascends to the higher tier of films, due to its unique style, fun kills, unique killer, and equally unique setting.

The Score: B+