Genre: B Horror
Sub-category: Campus Horror, Demonic Possession
Setting: Bowling Alley
Predictable: Delightfully Predictable
Scare Factor: I slept with the lights on
Gore Factor: Moderate Gore
Look-at-these: Some Female Nudity

Synopsis: Keith, Jimmie and Calvin are a couple of lonely college guys that decide to peep-in on a local sorority. After being caught spying on a sacred initiation ritual (HINT: it involves spanking), they are forced to help the two new pledges pull-off a sophomoric stunt -- stealing a bowling trophy from the alley in the mall. Naturally, the five collegians choose the trophy that harbors the evil demon Uncle Impie. The five would-be cat burglars, three conniving sorority sisters and the token bad-girl Spider must find a way to stop Uncle Impie before he steals their souls.

Title: Some Sorority Babes and some Slimeballs run in to trouble at the local Bowl-O-Rama. Also known as The Imp.

Analysis: I've enjoyed a number of Director David DeCoteau's recent homoerotic horror flicks (The Brotherhood, Voodoo Academy, The Frightening), so I decided to check out one of his earlier B horror films. In some circles, Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama is considered a cult classic; however, I'd never even heard of it before I started digging into DeCoteau's filmography. Despite it's rather lascivious title, Sorority Babes isn't softcore porn parading as horror. Like DeCoteau's other works, it's a tasteful film with stunning visual effects and an original story. What more can you ask for?

Linnea Quigley (Night of the Demons, Pumpkinhead II) has starred in dozens of horror films, earning her the title of Scream Queen. Personally, I don't think she's a very talented actress. She's stiff, unsympathetic and her lines flow like maple syrup. She pauses before almost every line, as though she needs to stop and think about what she's going to say. You can almost hear the hamster wheel turning. Luckily she plays the badass biker chick (Spider) in Sorority Babes, so she doesn't need to emote the audience. I have to admit that she looks great in leather. Terrible actress, beautiful body. If you want to see her naked, you'll have to check out Night of the Demons or one of her other films.

Former Penthouse Pet Michelle Bauer (Dresden Diary, Virgin High) and model Brinke Stevens (Witchouse 3, The Slumber Party Massacre) have more acting credits than Quigley, but their performances in Sorority Babes are only marginally better. They just don't offer much credibility to the pledge wannabes Lisa (Bauer) and Taffy (Stevens). We do, however, get to see these two lovely young ladies completely naked. After all, you can't put Sorority Babes in the title without throwing in a little flesh. The remainder of the cast are relative unknowns who simply fill space. Thankfully, DeCoteau has always managed quite well with mediocre talent.

The visual effects and make-up are used sparingly, holding the focus on the story and atmosphere. The possessed humanoids are lightly made-up, spooky without the overkill. Uncle Impie is an adorable little puppet that was well visioned. Taking the cutesy route was risky, but I think it fits well with the rest of the film. Just as John Carpenter (Halloween) showed that you don't need lots of gore to be scary, DeCoteau shows that you don't need elaborately grotesque puppets either. The cinematography is unremarkable, allowing the audience to enjoy the simplicity of darkness.

The story is Revenge of the Nerds meets Night of the Demons. We have three stereotypical geeks and a half-dozen beautiful women fighting back a miniature devil at the local bowling alley. As ridiculous as this tale might sound, it's actually well written and masterfully told. There's even a love story for the true romantic, capping-off a night of terror with a traditional 80's feel-good ending. There's just so much to love.

Special Features: A couple of trailers, a few cast biographies and some Full Moon propaganda. Nothing spectacular.

Final Comments: Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama is a must-see for any cult film fan. The story is engaging, the effects are frightening and the direction is tasteful. Don't be fooled by the title, I think that almost anyone could find something to like about Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama.

DeCoteau's Homoerotic Thrillers: The Brotherhood I, II, III, Leeches!, The Frightening, Voodoo Academy

DeCoteau's Non-Homoerotic Thrillers: Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, Witchouse, Ancient Evil: Scream of the Mummy


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age