Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Curse of the Blue Lights Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 29, 2023

Regional horror gets a hit of weirdness in 1988’s “Curse of the Blue Lights,” with co-writer/director John Henry Johnson trying to bring a monster mash to Pueblo, Colorado, cooking up a tale of ghouls looking to make a meal out of curious locals. Johnson is a little ambitious with his plot, but he’s stuck with a small budget to help realize it, wisely investing in the wonders of makeup, with the production tightly focused on creating various enemies with grotesque appearances, including zombies and a malicious scarecrow. “Curse of the Blue Lights” doesn’t win hearts and minds with pacing, as Johnson likes to keep the feature crawling along to best get the run time to a sellable 90 minutes. However, he occasionally scores with his B-movie moves, showcasing some amusing and periodically impressive creations from his crew, who really work hard to make sure the unreal side of the effort is memorable.

In the small town of Dudley, something sinister is happening. Inside a crypt at the Sunny Hills Cemetery, the Ghoul Clan has returned to power, with leader Loath (Brent Ritter) organizing a special feast, planning to bring top monster The Muldoon Man (George Schanze) back to life. All Loath requires is food, which comes in the form of liquified humans, sending minions Bor (Kent Fritzell) and Forn (Willard Hall) into Dudley to snatch innocent people, returning them to the crypt for meal preparation. Local lovers Ken (Patrick Keller) and Sandy (Deborah McVencenty), and Paul (Clayton McCaw) and Alice (Becky Golladay) make a special discovery while visiting a make-out spot late one night, catching a glimpse of blue lights tied to a Dudley urban legend. Pursuing the light, the gang is soon faced with the murderous intentions of Bor and Forn, accidentally taking possession of a gold disc that’s a key to the ghoul realm, putting Loath on the warpath as he seeks to reclaim his property and reawaken The Muldoon Man.

“Curse of the Blue Lights” opens with arguably its best scene, detailing an attack by one of the ghouls, who’s dressed up as a scarecrow, looking to take out a Dudley farmer. It’s not particularly vicious, but it’s slightly disgusting and features neat makeup work on the monster. It’s a shot of semi- intensity Johnson never really returns to, but he’s ready to create a world with “Curse of the Blue Lights,” taking his time with the ghouls, who create a base of operations inside a crypt, using their homebrew magic to melt human bodies, with these liquid remains sent down a pipe. The screenplay spends a lot of time inside this area, with Loath a loquacious man of power, organizing a resurrection plan, trying to keep goons Bor and Forn in line as the trio attempts to feed their hidden patient, facing many problems on their way to world domination.

“Curse of the Blue Lights” introduces Colorado urban legend, but it doesn’t stay there for very long, soon following the four youngsters (soon joined by three local bullies) as they march toward danger in the name of curiosity, uncovering Loath’s subterranean kingdom. The gang claims the gold disc, which should inspire a battle between the ghouls and the humans, but “Curse of the Blue Lights” isn’t built for excitement, it’s more of a talky viewing experience, with the characters discussing their plans while sitting in cars, walking in the dark, and exploring evil places. There’s magic, with a witch consulted to help inspire a final showdown, but Johnson doesn’t ramp up suspense, preferring to drag things out in a movie that could easily shed 50% of its deadly banter and fantasy make-em-up dialogue.

Curse of the Blue Lights Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 2K scan of the 16mm answer print. It's a grainy, dark image for "Curse of the Blue Lights," but the viewing experience remains film-like, and detail reaches as far as possible, laboring to explore the intense makeup activity in the feature. Ghoul appearances are appreciable, with bumpy appearances. Humans also retain some facial particulars. Color is challenged by the overall darkness of the endeavor, but ghoul activity brings out reds and blues. Greenery is distinct, and primaries are defined on costuming. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, handling crypt events and evening exploration.

Curse of the Blue Lights Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix does deal with the technological limitations of the "Curse of the Blue Lights," with sound recording a challenge for the filmmakers. Clarity is agreeable, with acceptable dialogue exchanges that occasionally encounter muffling due to ghoul teeth issues. Scoring is simple, but supports the monster-mood of the endeavor, with some suspenseful surges. Sound effects are basic.

Curse of the Blue Lights Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features co-writer/director John Henry Johnson.

• Commentary #2 features co-writer/director John Henry Johnson and actor Brent Ritter.

• "Demons Down in Pueblo" (97:13, HD) is an extended making-of for "Curse of the Blue Lights," featuring interviews with writer/director John Henry Johnson, co-writer Bryan Sisson, makeup assistant Joe Ore, special effects makeup artists David Romero and Mark Sisson, and actors Max Massmann, Kent Fritzel, Marty Bechina, and Brent Hilvitz. Formative years are recalled, with Johnson understanding the world of film production while receiving an education in the world of photography. Sisson was the horror geek, trying to learn more about makeup effects from the masters of the 1980s. Finding some success and confidence with his first endeavor, 1981's "Damon Runyon's Pueblo," Johnson was ready to try again, eventually connecting with Sisson, going forward with 1984's "Zebulon Pike and the Blue Mountain." Unable to secure funding for another historical drama, the men turned to horror, coming up with "Curse of the Blue Lights," doing something with Pueblo mythology. A deep dive into makeup effects is provided, with the production working with whatever resources it could find to generate monsters for the picture. Brent Ritter is celebrated, with Johnson tailoring the role for him, and anecdotes are shared about the actor. Other cast members are recalled, highlighting thespian dedication and patience with makeup application. Work on The Muldoon Man is spotlighted, with the team hoping to create a menacing figure for the movie. Troubled times are revealed, as long, hard hours with little reward inspired a few cast members to quit the shoot. Local support from Pueblo is recalled, making use of locations and spaces, and post-production is explored. Career ambitions from the cast and crew are presented, with Mark Sisson actually making a living in Hollywood for many years, and the distribution story is examined.

• "The Making of 'Blue Lights'" (6:25) is a photo album that charts the production process, with text explaining the whole journey of the film.

• Additional Footage (3:52, SD) provides a look at more action from "Curse of the Blue Lights," sourced from a VHS copy of the film.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Curse of the Blue Lights Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Curse of the Blue Lights" doesn't connect with screen tension, but there's a big show happening with monster makeup, and Johnson knows it, taking his time exploring the ghouls and their flesh-melting plans, bringing in zombies and The Muldoon Man to add to the nightmare(?), giving the production some gruesome visuals (and magical ones too, including mirror portals). Not everything is executed perfectly, but intent carries the film far, with the creatures of the crypt interesting to watch, giving the production a nice genre presence as gross events are organized and the ghouls make a plan to terrorize Dudley.