Scott LeBrun Another entry into that 80s genre trend of "heavy metal horror", "Black Roses" is positively goofy entertainment about the title band, which is about to embark on its first tour. They decide to start in a relatively small burg named Mill Basin, and the kids are happy because this is the most exciting thing to ever happen to their town. But all is not "rosy". The band are Satanists, can transform into demons, and listening to their music causes the impressionable youths to become demonically possessed as well. Mayhem ensues.This may be due to the budget not being particularly impressive, but overall "Black Roses" is fairly mild stuff that never really cuts loose. Only in the last dozen minutes or so does it become pretty cheese-tastic, with some absolutely hilarious-looking low-rent creature FX.At its best, this is somewhat interesting for portraying the generation gap, and the typical reaction of adults and authority figures to the spectacle of heavy metal. The mayor (top character actor Ken Swofford, 'Fame') urges reason, putting forth the fact that he and his peers had parents that disapproved of the musical acts with which they themselves grew up. The hero is actually one of the adults, an English teacher played by John Martin ('Sunset Beach'), who tries hard to inspire and relate to his students.The cast is mostly nondescript, but there are familiar faces that raise the curiosity level: Julie Adams, the leading lady of "Creature from the Black Lagoon", as the uptight Mrs. Miller, real life rock musician Carmine Appice as a Black Roses band member, Paul Kelman, the hero of the original "My Bloody Valentine", and, in a highly amusing film debut, Vincent "Big Pussy" Pastore of later 'The Sopranos' fame. Pastore plays a parent who is attacked by a bug monster that emerges from a speaker.As a parting word, the music is generally pretty good (Me Against the World is by Lizzie Borden) for any metal-head like this viewer. But the movies' few assets can't quite compensate for a completely underwhelming ending.Six out of 10.

GL84 Appearing in a small-town for a concert, a rock group is initially prohibited from playing only to be granted the opportunity to perform once nobody realizes their a threat, but when the truth is revealed and their Satanic purpose is explained a teacher tries to stop their deadly plans.This was an enjoyable and intriguing genre effort. One of the more interesting elements present in this one is the rather strong sociological storyline featured here. The ability to make a connection between the desire for freedom and the oppressive nature of the townspeople through their constrictive laws and rules creates a nice contrast here and sets this up on a far more noteworthy setup than expected. That plays into how the students begin to change and react to the appearance of the band which slowly begin to worm it's way into the small town as it begins with them being lethargic and uninterested in their studies before turning into far more violent and vicious behaviors. As well, this also has the rather exciting and enjoyable action scenes being featured throughout, from the concerts they play that features the band turning the audience into the demonic creatures through their music to the different inserts of the townspeople being beaten up or brutalized. The different scenes of the creatures having an influence on the townspeople is nicely broken up by the scenes of their other influences including the creature appearing from the speaker system to attack others or the series of kids going wild killing others in town by running them over, bashing them with ceremonial artifacts or other such antics. When it raises the stakes with their rampage across town using their possessed forms, this one offers a lot of cheesy fun with the creatures running wild in several rather fun brawls leading into the wild and frantic finale that has plenty of likable elements. Moreover, the influx of practical effects here gives this a lot to like and there's plenty of fun creatures and transformations to be had showcasing all these rather impressive scenes. Coupled with the cheesy tunes, there's a lot to like to hold it up over the few minor flaws. The main flaw with the film is the fact that there's just not a whole lot of motivation given here for what the point of the group is supposed to actually be doing. Initially, it seems to be a simple case of youthful corruption but then it turns out that the students are turning into murderers followed by them becoming monstrous killers with no real sense of coherence available for telling this story. There's nothing even given in the lyrics of their songs since there are so many different songs passed off as original works of this band so it doesn't really offer a message at all. Had this one been able to really settle on what the point of the bands' appearance in the town would've been, it had a chance to really approve since the lack of any reasoning with them being here holds this one back considerably. Likewise, there's also the film really having some cheesy good times here that makes for somewhat challenging times to get through with the puppets and latex prosthetics coming off goofy more than terrifying. However, it's not nearly as problematic as the other problems.Rated R: Graphic Language, Graphic Violence and Nudity.

ryannemetz The town of Mill Basin gets their opportunity to host the hard rock band Black Roses. However, I don't think the band tours anywhere else. Anyways, once they arrive in town, it's hell on earth. The kids soon get demoniacally possessed after listening to too much of this hard rock music. The band's vocalist, Damian, is the main culprit for all of the chaos. Damian's got a cool look. He's dressed in all black and has a cool hair style. This story kind of gets its premise from the problem with hard rock and all of the suicide incidents from real life situations attached to such bands as: Slayer, Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne. Black Roses was released in 88', which was right around when these law suits unfolded. This sort of music was really popular then and parents and teachers really were against this entire movement. The story basically takes the premise that if you listen to Heavy Metal, you too, will become a maniac. It sure makes one laugh. The kids in this picture begin shooting their parents and beating up their fellow classmates. The script isn't that great, but the 80's music makes up for it. Time after time, you'll hear LIZZY BORDEN's "Me Against The World." This song is featured at least three or four times. There is also a cool song by the title of "Soldiers in the Night." This song, too, really cranks! The special effects are cheesy, but they seem to work for satisfactory basis. I like the part when a guy gets sucked through a mounted wall speaker, case in point to my summary title. Stay away if you can't handle a juvenile script and head banging music from the 80's. 5/10

doctorgonzo23 i swear I say this flick for rent in a 7-11 when I was still a pre-teen.I've had a vague recollection of the box art and the general plot ever since. Being the dedicated bargin bin hound that I am, I finally managed to find a copy of this movie. I'm a giant fan of B-movies in general, but this film just didn't seem to make effective use of the wacky plot. It could have been a lot more over the top; it ended up being pretty slow going during some sections. The F/X are actually halfway between funny/cheesey and somewhat half decent. Although I enjoyed this movie for all of its b-graded goodness (i.e. bad music, bad acting, some T&A from the leading female), i reccomend it to serious fans of the b-horror genre. If you ever get a chance to pick it up used for a few bucks, it's good for a laugh. However, Rock N' Roll Nightmare, by the same director, is an absolute MUST HAVE.