9. Nightmares In A Damaged Brain (1981)
Directed by Romano Scavolini, Nightmares in a Damaged Brain was one of the ultimate Video Nasties whose name inspired awe and terror in both measures in naive youngsters throughout the 1980s and 1990s. When this dirty little slasher was finally released in the noughties, everyone who watched it scratched their head in disbelief and wondered what the heck the fuss was about. Basically, a prematurely released mental patient called George Tatum has terrible nightmares, kills young women and is in pursuit of his estranged wife and children. Scavolini aspires to make a meaningful horror film - spanning across the subgenres - but the film does not come off as scary. There are too many gigantic plotholes in the film and the direction is sleazy, grim and mean spirited. The special effects makers in the film claimed Tom Savini had a lot to do with the film. It is certainly a gory affair but Savini had nothing to do with the movie. They besmirched an innocent man's reputation! The best bit of the film shows George having some sort of fit and foaming at the mouth whilst clad in a pair of Y Fronts. At least this was funny. Nightmares in a Damaged Brain is a favourite of Grindhouse fans, fans of guts and gore and in general fans who like depraved films. Despite its fierce reputation as a terrifying Video Nasty and all of the gore and killings the film throws at us, nothing can make this a scary film. It is instead a downbeat and depressing affair.