Dolls (1987)

I remember seeing this movie on the shelves at the old-school video store in my neighborhood.  My mom never let us rent it, but fortunately, this is 20 years later and I can watch it on Netflix.  I had no idea this was a Charles Band movie, but it only makes sense.

My husband actually summed this movie up pretty well: "This is the most ridiculous movie I've ever seen.  But I cannot stop watching."  And that's pretty much what I think anyone would feel about this movie.

In a scene vaguely reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a family is stranded by the side of the road in the middle of a torrential rainstorm.  There's a mom, dad, and a young girl (Judy)  The parents can't seem to stand their young daughter, and seem satisfied to just leave her on the side of the road.  But the trio treks up to a looming mansion, where they find an elderly couple living alone.  As it so turns out, they are custom dollmakers, and their house is filled with the fruits of their labor.

As they get settled in, some more stranded guests arrive -- this time two trampy hitchhikers and the ultra nervous guy that picked them up.  This old couple seems to love having guests (or victims, whatever) and invites these three to join in on the fun.  Of course, as we know from the movie cover, the dolls are very much alive and out for blood.

The 80s truly were a wonderful era of all things creepy crawly.  From The Gate to Gremlins to Troll, there really hasn't been an influx of such a variety of creature-type slashers since that glorious decade.  Dolls is no exception in the realm of wonderful cheesiness, good effects, crazy acting, and a fun storyline.  This flick is currently available on instant Netflix, which we all will appreciate when they raise their prices come September.