I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

The Horror Show (1989) ** 1/2 (out of 4)Detective Lucas McCarthy (Lance Henriksen) finally manages to arrest the notorious serial killer known as Meat Cleaver Max (Brion James). However, at the electrocution, something goes wrong but finally Max is pronounced dead. This should be the end of Lucas but instead he becomes convinced that Max has somehow survived and is coming after his family.THE HORROR SHOW, for some reason, got released in certain parts of the world as HOUSE III even though it has absolutely nothing to do with that series. I stayed away from this film for quite a while just thinking that it was some sort of cheap horror film but it actually turned out to be much better than I expected thanks to some good characters and some bloody effects.I really thought the character development for the lead detective was quite good and Hendriksen is such a fine actor that even though this is a horror film you don't mind going along for the ride. I thought the screenplay was quite good, if cliché, and it managed to hold you attention through the various scenes where the lead character is basically questioning his own sanity. The detective character was a good one but so was the serial killer. He was certainly a demented character and after the opening sequence and a certain bit of violence, you know this guy is for real and a nut.Both actors did a very good job with their roles and this certainly helps makes this a bit more than your average slasher. It also doesn't hurt that there are some very good special effects and especially if you're watching the uncut European version, which restores some of the gore that was cut out of the U.S. theatrical release. The film also offers up some nice cinematography and a good music score.THE HORROR SHOW isn't a masterpiece but it's certainly much better than what you typically get with a film like this. The two lead performances really sell the story and this is very much worth watching.

Although "The Horror Show" was marketed outside of the U.S. as a sequel to the "House" movies, it has nothing to do with either of the previous entries in the series. The only thing in common with those two is the movie's production crew and the fact that it's about a house in which supernatural happenings occur. There are a few unintentionally hilarious parts to be found in the film, but overall it's a mess that really comes unraveled in the end.After seemingly dying in the electric chair, mass murderer Max Jenke (Brion James) returns from the dead seeking revenge on the detective who captured him, Lucas McCarthy (Lance Henriksen). The killer is now in spirit form and able to manifest himself anywhere he pleases. He begins terrorizing McCarthy's family with every intention of killing them one by one. The desperate McCarthy must find a way to put a stop to Jenke's bloody trail of retribution."The Horror Show" is rated R for violence, gore, adult situations, nudity, and language. It's pretty much par for the course when it comes to horror movies of the 1980s and 1990s. I'm positive it was mandatory to have at least one nude scene in all of these types of films during that era.There are those who say it's all about the journey and not where you're going. If that's a mantra you live by, "The Horror Show" may be worth a watch for you. I would like to mention that throughout the film, Lance Henriksen and Brion James do pour their hearts into their respective roles. All I can say is it's nowhere near as entertaining as I remember it being when I first saw it on cable back in the day. I'm rather lenient when it comes to my horror and slasher films, but this was a bigger mess than I'm able to make excuses for and just accept.

When one of the writers is named "Alan Smithee", it is usually not a good sign, and it's easy to see why one of the original writers pulled his name off of this. Other than the presence of Lance Henriksen and Brion James, the movie is boring and makes no sense. Watching James turn into a human barbecue, and then return from the dead to torment Henriksen, is not exactly Oscar material. In addition, the teenage siblings are both annoying and stereotyped. Countless trips to the basement simply to build tension along with numerous jump scares, does not a movie make. So what you get is a strong opening, followed by a script that really goes nowhere. If you don't believe me, just ask Mr. Smithee". - MERK

Brion James should have received a World's Hammiest Acting Award for his portrayal of Max "Meat Cleaver" Jenke in this ridiculous 80's horror film. Its your typical "serial killer gets electric chair and returns to get revenge on the cop that caught him" late night low-budgeter, and Director, James Issac exhibits no shame in utilizing every 'Nightmare on Elm Street' cliché possible. Lance Henrickson is at his usual intense role as the cop that busted ole Max, and he's being set up for the murders that keep taking place after Max's electrocution. He's out to get Lance and his wife, pretty daughter and annoying teenage boy for stopping his bloody reign of terror. Lance is haunted by the usual bad dreams and hallucinations accompanied by his fellow policemen and psychologist that don't believe him. Its cheesy film-making at its very worst with incompetent writing and dialog. This is only out to please fans of the genre, but its worth seeing for Brion James' amusing performance (dig that horrifically demented laugh) complete with all the exhausted one-liners and needless profanity. Funniest scene: Jenke's image appears in a Thanksgiving turkey during one of Henrickson's hallucinations. Unfortunately, this seems like it was badly edited for an R rating.