4. Nightmares In A Damaged Brain (1981)
An Italian slasher movie that ended up on the Video Nasty list for its strong violence and bloody gore. It also contains strong silliness and sheer bloody nonsense. Directed by Romano Scavolini, the film is concerned with the adventures of George - who has just been set free from a mental institution. He is travelling to his family in Florida whom he plagues with crank calls. The closer to his family he gets, the worse his hallucinations become and the more atrocious his acts of violence. He makes it to the family home but his kids manage to kill him. It is revealed that he caught his father in sadomasochistic sexual activity with his mistress and he chopped them to bits with an axe. Just before the credits roll, George's son winks at the camera indicating that he is a psychopathic little s**t, just like Daddy. The film posters of Nightmares in a Damaged Brain screamed "Special effects by Tom Savini!". This was a total lie. I think maybe Savini had a phone call or something similarly minor with a member of the film crew, but he was in no way involved with the movie to the extent that the distributors claimed. The film is grimy and grotty - it just looks seedy and depressing. The acting is barely competent, which given the dreadful script is unsurprising. Apparently a distributor spent 18 months in jail for refusing to make a second long cut to the film. I wouldn't advise spending 18 seconds on this piece of crapola. The only mirth derived from it is when George lies on the ground, apparently seized by murderous apoplexy, clad in y-fronts and foaming at the mouth. That is about the best bit in the ilm - lending us an unintentional chuckle.