Demons

Director - Lamberto Bava (Midnight Killer, Demons 2)
Starring - Urbano Barberini (Opera), Natasha Hovey (Stay Lucky), and Karl Zinny (The Final Executioner)
Release Date - 1985
Genre - Horror
Tagline(s) - "They will make cemeteries their cathedrals and the cities will be your tombs." "Their Evil Becomes an Orgy of Bloodshed" and "You ain't worth shit - until you've seen...Demons" 

Rating (out of 5):

 
     When it comes to horror none are as relentless and brutal as the horror flicks that came out of Italy in the late 70s and 80s.  So many horror classics came from Italy around that time with films like Zombi, Suspiria, Inferno,The Beyond, City of the Living Dead, and Deep Red.  These films became hits among the horror crowd upon their release earning them all a huge and overflowing fan base.  However, one of the most popular Italian horror flicks was not always a hit among Italian horror fans.  That film is Lamberto Bava's Demons.  The film was released in 1985 and was produced by giallo master Dario Argento.  The film did not fair so well among horror fans upon it's release but has since went on to become one of the best examples of Italian horror and one of my personal favorites.  I had seen the film several times in my teenage years and was recently sent a review copy of Synapse's release on blu.  I decided that it was time to actually review the film after checking the blu out.
     The film follows a young girl who is given a ticket by a weird man wearing a chrome mask reminiscent of the mask worn by the phantom of the opera. The ticket is to a new theater in town that shows art house films.  The girl becomes curious and invites her friend to go with her.  The two arrive and meet two young men there and decide to watch the movie together.  The movie they watch involves a group of treasure hunters as they explore some ruins.  It is here that they unleash demons that possess those they come in contact with after scratching or biting them.  However, the theater they are in has a supernatural presence and makes the events in the film become real unleashing demons on the unsuspecting crowd forcing everyone to work together and survive or become possessed by something dark and sinister.
     When I watch an Italian horror film I expect to see buckets of blood and gallons of gore.  However, Demons is something a little different.  Demons is about story and character interaction more than it is about covering the viewer in gore.  That may be why the film was met with such reluctance.  However, the film may rely on story and character development to reach their desired effect it still houses some great blood and gore to make it an authentic Italian horror flick.  The acting in this one is Italian grade "A."  For an Italian film it is top notch but if I was to compare it to a film from the same time period made somewhere else it would fall short.  The Italians make their roles way too serious which sometimes leads to the characters being over the top but not in the same way we love the Japanese counterparts.  This lead to several characters becoming a nuisance while others become fan favorites.  The pimp from the film has went on to become a cult hero and inspiration for characters in other films, comics, and his own line of t-shirts.  The story for this one is a bit unusual but fun as hell.  The story is suspenseful from the very beginning and culminates perfectly at the end leaving the viewer with no dry spots.  I also like how the demons are similar to zombies but with way more personality and a lot more menacing.  Finally, the film has some very impressive on screen kills and special effects.  Demons offers some great kills but the film is home to some of the greatest special effects I have seen in 80s horror.  They truly have to be seen to be believed.  Overall, Demons is a triumph of Italian horror.  It has amazing special effects that should be seen by any and all fans of horror.  Check it out because you will not be disappointed. 

The Frankenstein Theory

Director - Andrew Weiner (BlackBox TV)
Starring - Kris Lemche (eXistenZ, Goosebumps), Joe Egender (The Hamiltons, Holy Ghost People), and Timothy V. Murphy (Sons of Anarchy, Shallow Ground)
Release Date - 2013
Genre - Horror
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Frankenstein, or the Mordern Day Prometheus is the amazing story written by Mary Shelley in 1818 and published anonymously and then again in 1923 under her name.  The story went on to leave an incredible footprint on cinema and horror alike with the first adaption taking place in 1910 by the Edison Studio (Thomas Edison's production company) by director J. Searle Dawley. That story has went on to inspire countless adaptions, parodies, and homages with Universal leading the pack with their 1931 classic staring Boris Karloff as the film's monster.  Hammer horror then took the stories and made a complete series out of it.  The late 70s and early 80s saw the rise of several Frankenstein parodies that continue to this day.  Sometime last year I was at Wal-Mart and a film caught my eye.  That film was The Frankenstein Theory.  This was a found footage take on the Frankenstein mythos.  It looked fun so I grabbed it and threw it on my DVD shelf to forget about until now.  Funny how often I do that.
      The film follows a college professor who has family ties to the original Frankenstein experiments that was assumed to be fiction until he shows documents to prove otherwise. He hires a documentary film crew to go with him to the frozen tundra of Canada to investigate sitings of the monster.  They hire a guide and the crew ventures out into the frozen unknown to see if they could find traces of something living on the ice.  They find a yurt and stay in it for the night and awaken in the morning to find their snow mobiles totaled.  The guide follows the footprints in the snow and never returns. They search for him and find his body.  They rush back to the yurt and get one of the snow mobiles running.  They send one of the crew members (not two?) for help but when he fails to arrive the next day they set out to find him.  The crew member carrying the camera does find his body and is then attacked by something massive.  The remaining crew members panic and rush from the tundra to the forest where they discover Frankenstein's monster is still alive and he has been killing everyone that enters the tundra for over 200 years.
     The story of Frankenstein and his monster has seen so many adaptations so it was only a matter of time before it found it's way to the found footage sub-genre especially where that particular sub-genre is so popular right now with the Paranormal Activity franchise. I don't really care for the found footage films but some are really worth watching.  It just depends on how authentic the filmmakers want to be.  The more authentic the found footage film is the more I tend to dislike it because every filmmaker thinks that the viewer wants to pay money to watch an amateur cameraman sit and shake the whole time.  This is incorrect and immediately turns me off from a movie.  However, this film did not take that route and gave us some great cinematography.  This was a well crafted found footage flick.  The acting in this one is not the best I have seen and that is a bit surprising considering the budget this film actually had.  Kris Lemche and Timothy V. Murphy were great in their roles but the remainder of the cast just lacked something either heart or conviction.  The story for this one is fun but it just wasn't what I was expecting.  I was expecting a found footage film where we had blurred images of the creature before a big reveal where he either knocked our socks off or made the viewer feel like he wasted his/her time watching the film.  The film lacked that build up of the creature.  We watch the whole film with only noises of the creature at night before we get the reveal and that was lackluster.  The story also has a lot of flaws to it.  Like how did Frankenstein's monster end up on the frozen tundra of Canada?  I think this would have been a more effective film if it was a found footage flick about werewolves or even a Yeti.  Finally, the film skips on the on screen kills and special effects.  Instead, the film relies heavily on the story development and character interactions which is one of the few things that made this film enjoyable.  Overall, The Frankenstein Theory is a decent film that could have been something more if they would have left the Frankenstein mythos out and used another horror creature.  It still deserves a watch so check it out!

 

Animosity

Director - Brendan Steere (Dead by Dawn)
Starring - Stephen Goldbach (Cockroaches), Michelle Jones (Zombie Killers: Elephant's Graveyard), and Alyssa Kempinski (Alpha Girls)
Release Date - 2014
Genre - Horror
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I typically find a film I am interested in and reach out to review it.  These films typically have something I find entertaining and my curiosity to watch it leads to me reviewing it.  However, writing for Horror Society has lead to me receiving films for review that I would typically avoid. Not long ago I was sent a review copy of the horror thriller Animosity from director Brendan Steer.  I had never heard of the film before and the artwork looked like something I would usually avoid.  However, Bloody Earth Films was nice enough to send me the film for review so I could at least take the time to give the film a watch and share my honest thoughts on it.  Thanks guys for sending me the film to check out!
     The film follows a recently married couple who move into a secluded home in the country side. It is here that she meets her husband's co-workers and a local redneck who likes to shoot his shotgun too close to her new home.  Things are strange around the house and she starts to do a little snooping and learns that her husband and his colleagues are conducting experiments on her.  The house they live in has supernatural powers and can resurrect the dead.  They do various experiments on her and eventually kill her so she can be resurrected and experimented on the next day with no memory of the horrors she had faced before.  However, she does catch on to their sick science experiment and fights back killing everyone that gets in her way including her asshole of a husband.
     When a movie tries to go against the grain and removes all the gore, breasts, and humor they need a strong story and a filmmaker that can pull that strong story off.  I have seen so many films fall apart because they had amazing stories and failed to tell that story on film. This film was able to tell the story but, sadly, that was about all the film was able to pull off.  The acting in this film was great.  The entire cast was solid and everyone fit their roles perfectly.  This is something to be proud of because so many indie productions do not have a cast this well rounded.  The story for this one is great but it does move at a snails pace.  The film starts out slow like a horrible first date and then ends with a bang.  The slow opening is hard to sit through to actually see the story take off.  A little better editing would have helped this out in that department.  Finally, the film does have some on screen kills and some decent special effects.  However, the kills are scarce and so is the special effects.  Fans of bloody horror will not be happy with this film.  Overall, Animosity is a film that had so much potential go to waste.  The story finishes strong but starts out so slow that the viewer may turn it off.  Check it out but be patient.

Ebola Syndrome (1996)

Ebola Syndrome (1996)
directed by:  Herman Yau
starring:  Anthony Chau-Sang Wong, Yeung-Ming Wan, Fui-On Shing

(out of 5)

     What can be said about Ebola Syndrome?  Sick, nasty, perverted, disgusting piece of trash?  Yep and ain't it great!  I am totally a fan of sicko movies.  Provided they have artistic relevance and value and yes I believe Herman Yau's Ebola Syndrome falls under that heading. 

I saw this for the first time about ten plus years ago when I bought it at a convention before I had such access to the internet sites I do now so at that point in time it was a real find for me and my sick movie collection.  It follows the exploits of Kai (Anthony Chau-Sang Wong) who is just an all around evil, selfish motherfucker end of story.  He rapes, he murders, he emotionally scars young children, he is just generally does whatever the hell he wants.  He works at a restaurant and is unhappy with life and tired of being "bullied" which is a laugh for me because there are two big subjects in the media nowadays Ebola and Bullying.

So Kai needs some pork at the restaurant and his boss has been dealing with the local African tribesman for butchered pigs.  Problem is however when they get there the tribe has contracted the Ebola virus and while Kai doesn't lay a finger on anyone at the tribe he does however manage to sneak off and rape one of the tribeswomen.  Upon doing this Kai becomes infected with the Ebola Syndrome and heads back to the restaurant to make some burgers mmmmmmm.  Without going into a lot spoiling details Kai goes on with a gory killer spree and flees to his hometown of Hong Kong to escape.  All the while he's doing this he continues spreading the Ebola Syndrome by wiping his mouth, nose, and even jerking off with a

piece of meat in the kitchen of the restaurant.  I really cannot recommend this film enough for any fan of Asian films or sicko perverted films.  It's filled with gore, rape, nudity, sex, and some pretty damn fine kills involving heads being torn off and even smashed to bloody greatness.  Awesome movie.  Great acting by Anthony Chau-Sang Wong who wasn't so happy after the fact when it was made from what I've read.



Bunnyman Massacre

Director - Carl Lindbergh (Bunnyman)
Starring - David Scott (Bunnyman, Kid Racer), Julianne Dowler (The Before Time), and Jennifer June Ross (Dick Night)
Release Date - 2014
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Monsters are real"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Sequels have always had a love/hate relationship among horror fans.  Most tend to hate them until they finally watch them.  I don't see how people can hate a movie they have never seen but most automatically start talking shit about a sequel until they see it.  If it's good then they will praise it for being a good film.  However, I am the opposite.  I beg for sequels, prequels, and remakes.  They give me a new take or continuation of my favorite films. Back in April I reviewed the slasher Bunnyman (read my review here)  by director Carl Lindbergh.  The film was fun as hell and I immediately learned that Lindbergh was working on a sequel.  I was fucking excited to see it and Midnight Releasing was kind enough to send me a review copy.  Thanks guys!
     The film once again follows Bunnyman and his redneck partner as they kidnap, rape, and butcher anyone that ventures into their countryside. They have made a small business out of turning their victims into beef jerky.  They work over a few campers, a bus full of kids, and a few members of the local police which raises awareness of all the deaths in the area.  The local sheriff pays them a visit and leaves.  The sheriff knows it is Joe, Bunnyman's redneck brother, and sets out to bring him to justice.  While the sheriff is investigating the murders, Joe and Bunnyman has a group of girls hostage and try to work up a trade.  They bring them more girls and they will let them go.  They do as there asked and Joe reveals he has lied.  He ties the girls back up and rapes them before they break free and flee through the woods.  Joe and Bunnyman chases after but the sheriff is also in the woods and a good, old fashioned showdown ensues...with chainsaws.
     The first Bunnyman was a fun slasher that gave us an unconventional killer in what could have been a parody of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.  The film was a fun experience but did have some stale moments. The thought of a sequel excited me.  I had hoped that the film removed everything that made the first film stale and replaced it with something bad ass...and it did.  This film was a vast improvement over the first in almost every aspect.  The acting in this film is phenomenal.  Every character was well portrayed but David Scott, who portrayed Joe, stole the show.  Every scene he was in was HIS scene.  He honestly made the movie what it is.  The story for this one is just a more detailed encounter of the first film.  However, this time around all the boring dialogue and stale scenes have been removed and a more fast paced story was put in place.  Finally, the film has some insane kills.  We get some great chainsaw and shotgun kills among some very imaginative kills.  We also get some great special effects that is able to combine practical and visual effects.  Overall, Bunnyman Massacre is a cut above the rest in the modern slasher movement.  The film truly has to be seen to be appreciated.  Check it out now!

Mrparka Review's "American Guinea Pig: Bouquet of Guts & Gore" Video Review

Faces

Director - Tom Ryan
Starring - Tom Ryan, Paul Gmitter (Baggage), and Edward X. Young (Burn in Hell, Bite School)
Release Date - 2014
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Sometimes all you need is a friend and a little good advice"
Format - Streaming (Online screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It is an amazing time we live in.  We have so many exciting and original indie horror films being released or going to be released very soon.  Sadly, so many horror fans would rather flood to theaters to watch a big budget horror film with no soul and heart leaving this indie flicks to go unnoticed and unwatched.  A few days ago director Tom Ryan reached out to me to view his flick Faces.  I am always up to watch a new movie especially if I have never heard of it before.  However, work and my personal life has been a little hectic and prevented me from seeing the film until now.  I wish I would have watched this film earlier because it was a damn good film.  Thanks Tom!
     The film follows Frank Walker (Ryan).  Frank is a man with a troubled past that served some time in prison before he was heavily medicated.  However, the medication does not stop people from acknowledging his past.  He is denied a job because he was once in prison.  He returns home heartbroken and decides to stop taking his meds.  He hits the local bar where he grabs a sixer to take back to his place.  A regular at the bar follows him home and asks to share the six pack and Frank agrees.  They drink a few beers and his house guest becomes belligerent resulting in Frank becoming angry and killing him.  His guest's face becomes implanted on the wall where he starts giving him advice on how to gain friends.  Frank listens and heads out to the home of the guy that denied him a job.  He kills him where his face becomes embedded on the wall with the other.  Now, he has his very own expert to tell him how to get the job.  This leads to him getting a job.  He heads back out to the bar for a few drinks and the bartender gives him advice on how to pick up a lady.  Later that night he kills him so he can have his own personal wingman on his wall.  He helps him get the girl but he kills her when she becomes nervous as he talks to a wall with nothing on it.  This all comes together as he is about to be kicked out of his apartment for not paying his rent.  He asks his new boss for an advance on his pay but is denied.  He kills him with an axe and is caught on camera committing the act.  The police is now looking for him so he hides out in his apartment until the landlord kicks the door down resulting in the girl down the hall stepping in.  The landlord snaps her neck and Frank kills him before hitting the road.
     I'm going to be honest and admit that I thought Faces was going to suck dog ass.  The title was bland and the indie community is so tight knit right now that it is hard for a title to go unnoticed.  However, I think I have learned to not judge a film by title or poster artwork.  The acting in this film is great.  The entire cast was amazing but the breakout star is director Tom Ryan.  He is very believable in his role and showcases a range of emotions that we rarely get to see in a horror film.  This is a man that needs to be cast in more indie productions.  We also get some great acting from Horror Society favorites Bradley Creanzo and Edward X. Young. This film has a great cast that really makes the film enjoyable.  The story for this one is more of the same but with a very clever and enjoyable spin.  We have seen countless horror films where someone snaps and kills for various reasons.  However, we have never had a film where someone kills so he can add that person to his wall so he could better himself in more than one way.  The film felt like a mixture of American Psycho meets the end scene of 8 Heads in a Duffle Bag and I loved it!  This goes to show how creative the indie scene can be.  Finally, the film has several death scenes.  Sadly, these kill scenes were rather bland and most had to actual kill off screen.  However, the special effects we do get more than make up for the below par kill scenes.  Overall, Faces is a bold indie outing that shows creativity is not dead.  This film has an amazing cast, a great story, and solid special effects.  Check it out!