Blu-ray Review – Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama (1988)

      **Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, 1988**

      Directed by David DeCoteau

      Featuring Andras Jones, Linnea Quigley, Robin Stille, Brinke Stevens, George ‘Buck’ Flower, Hal Havins, John Stuart Wildman, Michael Sonye.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      After breaking into a bowling alley as part of a dare, a group of college students releases a powerful imp who grants them wishes with unforeseen consequences. Although the title suggests a bowling theme, this aspect is minimal. David DeCoteau’s 1988 horror/comedy has received a limited-edition Blu-ray release in the UK from 101 Films. If there’s a film that captures the cheesy elements of 1980s horror — the aspects that were once considered fun but look absurd today — this film is definitely it.

      Calvin (Andras Jones), Jimmie (Hal Havins), and Keith (John Stuart Wildman) are three very randy students living near a sorority house. After witnessing a sorority sister initiation that features a lot of spanking and whipped cream, the boys and the sorority pledges are assigned by their head sister Babs (Robin Stille) to break into the local bowling alley to steal a trophy, not realizing that Babs’ family owns the place, allowing her and the other sisters to prank them. However, when they run into Spider (Linnea Quigley), who is actually robbing the establishment, and inadvertently steal one of the trophies, they release a magical imp named Uncle Impie, who grants them a wish. This sets off a series of absurd events.

      This film offers a trashy twist on The Monkey’s Paw and is a brief yet entertaining piece of low-budget silliness from Charles Band's Full Moon Productions. If you are familiar with such films and can appreciate poor acting and basic makeup effects, you will likely find it enjoyable, provided you manage your expectations.

      ‘80s scream queen Linnea Quigley stands out as the only actor with a somewhat developed character, while the rest are largely caricatures or forgettable. Andras Jones may not be widely recognized, but he is arguably best known as Rick from A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, and he does decently here, although it feels strange seeing him play the straight man to Quigley’s tough punk character, until it becomes somewhat charming by the end.

      Most of the budget appears to have gone into the imp puppet, which fulfills its role adequately, with its voice (by Michael Sonye) lending it a 1970s blaxploitation feel that keeps the energy up. However, aside from a character dressed as The Bride of Frankenstein pursuing irritating teens in an abandoned bowling alley, there isn’t much horror present, and the comedy isn’t always intentional.

      Fortunately, the film is brief, at a brisk 80 minutes, and as an extra, 101 Films has included Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama 2 on the second disc. Whether this is truly a bonus is debatable, but it does manage to regain the neon pink aesthetic of the 1980s. That said, if you thought the acting in the original was poor, it seems award-worthy in comparison to this sequel.

      Functioning more as a remake than a sequel (complete with a gratuitous shower scene), Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama 2 runs for only an hour and the imp (now voiced by Derek Jeremiah Reid) doesn’t make an appearance until well past the halfway mark, leaving viewers to endure the limited acting skills of a largely unknown cast, although Kelli Maroney from Night of the Comet adds a touch of genuine 1980s credibility.

      Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama may not be an ‘80s classic, but it shares the same realm as films like Ghoulies, Chopping Mall, and Night of the Demons. It also pairs well with the Alien imitation Creepozoids (also available on Blu-ray from 101 Films) for a David DeCoteau double feature that will satiate your craving for cheesy exploitation, if such a desire exists. As for the sequel, it’s nice for the sake of completeness, but it's best to watch it once, appreciate its garish color palette, and then move on, much like those involved likely have.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward