The Daily Dig: Curse of the Blue Lights (1988)

If you enjoy over-the-top performances from actors in heavy makeup, “Curse of the Blue Lights” is the flick for you.

A crypt filled with demons, zombies, and ancient evils is the perfect way a group of teens can spend their weekend. Let’s dig into 1988’s CURSE OF THE BLUE LIGHTS, directed by John Henry Johnson!

As I See It

The whole production rests upon the performers in makeup. The exaggerated kills filled with malevolent whimsy take this micro-budget, amateur endeavor with terrible audio into the realm of a raucous good time. It’s the type of film you watch with a group of good, spooky friends and a few too many beers.

Without Mark Sisson’s make-up effects and Brent Ritter and company’s melodramatic acting, all you’re left with is a formulaic tale about dumb teens finding and releasing an ancient evil.

You’ve got to appreciate the work and effort that went into the set design as well. It seems to be from a mind that has a theater background. The space is utilized perfectly on every set. We see exactly what we need.

Say what you want about the quality of the acting or the cheesy storyline, but to me, it seems like it was a blast to work on this film and probably took a lot of sweat and elbow grease.

Famous Faces

Nothing to see here.

Of Gratuitous Nature

It has the charm and innocence of a small company play. There’s nothing to sneeze at.

Heartthrob

Mark Sisson’s special effects work is the belle of this ball. Created under the moniker “Wizard Effects Group”, Sissons additionally worked on both A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 & 5 as part of R. Chris Biggs EFX shop and later with the legendary Kevin Yagher.

Ripe for a Remake

Grab the Blu-ray, pop it in, fill a cooler, invite your friends, and laugh and slay with the original.

Spawns

No progeny to report.

Where to Watch

The good folks at Vinegar Syndrome saw fit to put Curse of the Blue Lights out on Blu-ray in spring 2023 with a new 2K scan that includes brand new features, including a commentary track from writer/director John Henry Johnson and a making-of documentary. Code Red put out a DVD about a decade ago.