Here i was getting ready to watch Chopping Mall when i remembered that my brother loaned my dvd some time ago.
So i watched The Initiation instead. It was a surprisingly good college slasher flick.
And guess what? The last 40 minutes takes place in a big shopping mall I didnīt know that at all. This was shot in Dallas so i believe that the mall is also there.
Daphne Zuniga is very good, this was her second feature film. And Hunter Tylo (credited as Deborah Morehart here)... WOW! She wasnīt afraid to show some skin back in the day. It was also nice to see Marilyn Kagan again. (She was one of the foxes, in Foxes)
Some gruesome death scenes, Tom Selleck poster on the wall, VW Convertible, public bathroom scenes, cool mall and a twist in the end. What else do you need? Check it out!
[ 16. August 2016, 00:06: Message edited by: aTomiK ]
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
I must see this Atomik! Zuniga!! I love that you point out that it has "public bathroom scenes!" haha
that last picture is still creeping me out just typing this though...haha
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
aTomiK.. great addition for the '31 Days of Horror". Your brother's dvd is actually a rare gem. This movie was released only briefly on DVD in 2002 and is now out-of-print again.
Daphne Zuniga is awesome in "The Initiation" and the the twist ending makes the movie so worth it for 80's fans. If you watch it don't let the first half of the film drag you down, because the second half is where the action is at its best.
And aTomiK .. at least you made it to a chopping mall last night.. so you go that going for ya.
Another Clu Glulager classic.. okay not really, but he is great in a small role.
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
Just caught this on Netflix! Never heard of it until now. I loved it! Right up my alley!! Daphne Zuniga was great & seriously could Hunter Tylo be any more beautiful in this? An obscure little 80's slasher gem! I must own the DVD!!
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
The dvd is still available so get it if you donīt have it!
Posted by the young warrior (Member # 9554) on :
i got initiation last year on a double disc with mountain top motel massacre,initiation i really like,always liked daphne zuniga since i first saw her in the sure thing,good thing about the anchorbay disc is it was the first time i've seen initiation uncut,my old vhs was slightly trimmed of gore.
went to watch mountain top motel massacre and only managed about half of the movie,just seemed to test my patience a bit,could not take to it at all, i'll have to give it another try at some point.
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
I remember watching Mountain Top Motel Massacre during one of our movie weekends back in the 80s but donīt remember much about it.
People say that it sucks but i would like to see it again.
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
The dvd is still available so get it if you donīt have it!
I'm a little confused. Looks like a DVD version of this was released in 2002 with a red cover & not the original artwork...and then another version was released in 2011 with the original artwork. Does anyone know if there is a difference in the film itself? I want the original uncut version...
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
I have the 2002 Anchor Bay release and itīs definitely uncut. Donīt know anything about the 2011 Image Entertainment release.
[ 16. August 2016, 00:17: Message edited by: aTomiK ]
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
The discs are different, but the movie is identical on both discs. Image Entertainment has recently been re-releasing a lot of movies that were initially released on dvd by Anchor Bay about a decade ago. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Image 2011 re-release.. but if you have the choice, i would pick the Anchor Bay version without a doubt.
[ 06. February 2012, 12:18: Message edited by: Johnny Roarke is reckless ]
Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
This is in my Netflix instant que! Can't wait to watch it!!
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
Thanks Johnny!! I appreciate your clarification! I ordered it today!!! Great twist at the end!! Pettyfan, I think you're gonna like this one !
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
Watched it today, thanks to this topic (somehow missed it when it was created) and Valley suggesting I watch it.
Thought it was great! Loved Zuniga in it...and cool to see Clu Glulager & Vera Miles play her parents.
Question... is it worth it to seek out the double feature dvd with Mountain Top Motel Massacre..or just with the dvd only with Initiation?
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
"The Initiation" is definitely a forgotten 80's gem of a slasher film.
Daphne Zuniga is excellent in it in one of her first roles and it was great to see Vera Miles and Clu Gulager in different roles. Hunter Tylo and the other girls were entertaining, but I actually enjoyed the silly antics of the guys in this one. They looked like they were having a blast fooling around in the mall .. well until the killer started spoiling the fun.
The kills had some creepy gory to them and the girls had scream queen vocals. Nice twist ending too!
aTomiK mentioned that "The Initiation" was filmed in Dallas. Well, if you are interested in visiting the filming location someday .. the mall scenes were filmed at the Dallas Market Center. Thought it was amazing that it just recently celebrated its 50 anniversary.
Screenshot from film:
Anniversary pic:
Wanna go on a late night shopping spree?
Posted by cindymancini (Member # 679) on :
quote:Originally posted by Valley: "The Initiation" is definitely a forgotten 80's gem of a slasher film.
Well, if you are interested in visiting the filming location someday .. the mall scenes were filmed at the Dallas Market Center. Thought it was amazing that it just recently celebrated its 50 anniversary.
Screenshot from film:
Anniversary pic:
Wanna go on a late night shopping spree?
YES!!! Late night shopping sprees & being trapped in a mall are my business!! LOL!!
Great pics Valley!!
Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
Watched this this afternoon....I really, really liked it! I guess I kinda saw the ending coming, but not quite that way lol. Daphne Zuniga plays Victoria Davis on One Tree Hill and I swear she still looks the same!
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
pettyfan.. when you mentioned you were gonna watch this.. I was thinking that this movie would be on you would enjoy.
Cindy.. I agree that this movie and "Chopping Mall" make a great double feature. Might even be able to throw in "Fast Times At Ridgemont High".. cause wasn't it filmed over night?
Ronnie.. glad you enjoyed it!
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
Caught this one today on Netflix Instant. Definitely had some genuinely creepy moments in it. The whole section that took place at the mall was pretty scary, especially the part with the girl who was screaming into the intercom while she was being killed, and also the girl being dragged into the elevator. That mall was creepy all by itself! Oh, and the recurring dream that Kelly has was pretty scary too.
The movie as a whole sorta reminded me of Happy Birthday to Me in a way. Both great movies in their own way though!
It was released on DVD again last fall and it's pretty cheap on Amazon. Looks like they used the original cover art too
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
The Initiation blu hitting the stores november 2016.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
Brand new restoration from original film elements High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation Original Uncompressed Mono PCM audio Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Brand new audio commentary by The Hysteria Continues Brand new interview with actor Christopher Bradley Brand new interview with actress Joy Jones Original Theatrical Trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic James Oliver
Posted by the young warrior (Member # 9554) on :
I really enjoy The Initiation and it is one that I feel is quite underated,love the new Arrow cover art as well for an alternate cover though I still favour the excellent original art!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
