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Deadtime Stories (1986)

Deadtime Stories (1986)

RELEASED November 28, 1986 RUNTIME 93 mins DIRECTOR Jeffrey Delman 

WRITERS Jeffrey Delman, J. Edward Kiernan, Charles F. Shelton 

STARS Scott Valentine, Nicole Picard, Matt Mitler

COUNTRY United States LANGUAGE English 

STUDIOS Overseas FilmGroup, Scary Stuff 

GENRES Horror, Comedy

Streaming on: TubiTV, Hoopla, Shout TV, FlixFling, Amazon




The plot: An uncle who has no business being around children at all is left to babysit his nephew. He regales him with 3 different bedtime fairy tales most likely scarring the poor kid for life. I hope he didn't get paid. 


Random observations: 

  • Deadtime Stories still has a Facebook page, although they haven't posted since 2019 when a special edition vinyl of the soundtrack was released. 
  • All the special effects in this movie were done in-camera.
  • This film is like what happens if you order The Princess Bride on Wish.
A half-assed anthology using bastardized fairy tales. The soundtrack is the best thing about this. Melissa Leo is fun to watch.



0.2/1 Directing

0.5/1 Cinematography

0.4/1 Visual design

0.2/1 Editing

0.2/1 Plot 

0.1/1 Dialogue

0.2/1 Acting

0.7/1 Soundtrack/Score/Sound

0.2/1 Originality

0.4/1 Rewatchability

Total: 2.9/10 Binge Bones




The verdict: Schlocky and fun, but somehow mind-numbingly slow in places. A must-see for any 80's horror fan, but the opening credits are more memorable than the film itself.


 

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