Iced (1989)

Directed by Jeff Kwitny [Other horror films: Beyond the Door III (1989)]

I’m not ashamed to say that I find Iced an enjoyable slasher. Of course, since I like 3/4’s of all 70’s and 80’s slashers, perhaps that doesn’t come as a surprise.

Iced is a low-quality late addition to the slasher genre, and doesn’t really have much to add. The kills vary in quality (weakest, by far, was a hot tub electrocution, but both the icicle kill, along with the bear-trap death, were quite fun), but for the most part, they were all good fun. The setting, a secluded cabin in the snowy wilderness, was delightful also (reminiscent, almost, of 1984’s Satan’s Blade).

None of the cast did particularly amazing, but I will say, many of the folks in this flick have been in other classic (and not so classic) films around the same time. Debra De Liso (Trina), who did, in my opinion, pretty decently throughout, was in The Slumber Party Massacre (1982). Doug Stevenson (Cory) was briefly in The Prowler (1981). Ron Kologie (Carl) was in the mess Cards of Death (1986). Joseph Alan Johnson (Alex) was also in The Slumber Party Massacre, along with 1987’s Berserker (a slasher I’ve not had the pleasure to view yet). Lastly, Lisa Loring (Jeanette) was in Blood Frenzy (1987).

So while not great, those actors and actresses certainly got around the horror genre, and all things considered, no one really did terribly in Iced (the nudity certainly didn’t hurt matters). Oh, the conversations were often awkward or stilted, but isn’t that half the fun? And don’t get me started on that utterly ridiculous ending…

Iced is one of those flicks that would probably only appeal to slasher fans. It’s not the bottom of the barrel, as far as quality goes (1986’s Night Ripper! might get that accolade), but Iced is certainly no Friday the 13th. That said, I enjoyed the hell out of this movie, legitimately. Not an A+ slasher, but an all-around solid viewing.

(One last side-note: this movie has no DVD or Blu-Ray release currently – it’s on VHS only. Damn shame).

8/10