Director Jim Wynorski appeared on the horror and exploitation scene in the early 1980’s with a number of films that are now considered cult classics. His work includes films for such luminaries as Roger Corman and the Woolner Brothers. Some of his most love movies by midnight movie fans include Hard to Die, Sorority House Massacre II, The Haunting of Morella, Not of This Earth, Scream Queen Hot Tub Party, and The Lost Empire. Many highlighting some of the most famous 1980’s scream queens of the era. His second film, 1986’s Chopping Mall, is always mentioned as one of the top horror classics of the 1980’s.
When a large Los Angeles mall replaces their night watchmen with a group of robots, a malfunction occurs when lightning strikes the building causing the security-bots to become homicidal. During the same night a group of co-eds gets the opportunity to party it up all night at one of the department stores, but unbeknownst to them, their lives may be in danger as what should have been a night of nookie and fun turns out to be terror and murder.
Chopping Mall has been reintroduced to younger audiences with its brilliant remastering on blu-ray by Vestron. Filled with interviews, commentaries, and a picture that looks as good as the day it was released to theaters, the film is beginning to find new fans. Dark Discussions takes a look at this cult classic and gives their opinions on the movie and where it stands against other 80’s horror.