Monster Dog (aka Leviatán) (1984)
Review by Nightscares Reborn
Alice Cooper, well known for his electrifying stage performances and his innovative use of make-up (before other rockers followed suit), plays the lead role of “Vince Raven” who unwittingly leads his band into a weekend of terror they will never forget.
Vince (Alice Cooper) feeling that his music videos have been kind of going down hill along with his music career decides to take his band out to his old family home, a place he hasn’t been to for years because of the dark past he has kept hidden even from his girlfriend, Sandra, to shoot a new music video for a new song. Unfortunately, that turns out to be a bad idea, as upon arriving they find the caretaker, Joss, missing. Soon many strange things start to go wrong as the dark secret of Vince’s past is about to be revealed.
I thought this Monster Dog was pretty good even though it did have its dull moments and some of the worst acting ever. Alice Cooper stars as Vince Raven, a rocker with a dark secret that soon he and his friends will come to face. He gives off a surprisingly good, yet sometimes creepy performance, just fit for Alice. Victoria Vera stood tall, as well, playing the girlfriend of Vince. Monster Dog had a pretty decent storyline to it…almost. Although the look of the monster dog itself looked terribly fake, it still had a creepy effect to it.
The movie also has 2 previously unreleased songs by Alice entitled, “Identity Crisis” and “See Me In The Mirror.”
Monster Dog wasn’t shot in Mexico or even the Philippines, as many people might believe. This movie was filmed in Spain, exactly at Torrelodones, a little town near Madrid. The mansion which appeared in the film really exists, and has been used for other movies.
The movie was rumored to only be seen in the Philippines, but it found its way into every video store from coast to coast, as was told to Alice. I’m sure glad it made it to the USA. If it would have had a better supporting cast, it would probably be a whole lot easier to find today. I even own a rare VHS copy of it myself.
Monster Dog is an alright movie, at least in my opinion, if you don’t mind some of the worst acting ever but still enjoy a movie so bad that it still has a creepy feel. It is a real treat for fans of Alice everywhere. I spent 15 long years trying to find this movie. Only a best friend of mine and myself remembered it, showing you how (un)popular it was. I finally came across it at a newly opened Family Video store years back. I got lucky enough to be able to buy it off of them. Right there that goes to show you that if you never give up hoping to find something you know exist, you’ll one day find it.
As for Monster Dog, if you’re lucky enough to find it, get it and you won’t be disappointed. Well, maybe you will but at least it’s still creepier than most of the so-called horror movies out there today…but again, only in my opinion…
Available on Amazon
Popularity: 1% [?]
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