Tantrum 2: Phantom of the Demon

Director - James Bell (Manuer, Nutsack)
Starring - James Bell, Mae Bell (Tantrum, Nutsack Part 1: Lucifer's Cosmonauts), and Nathan Rumler (Beyond the Valley of Belief, The Big F)
Release Date - 2017
Genre - Horror
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm not much on gore films for the sake of gore.  Gore is awesome when it fits a story but just random scenes tossed together with nothing but gore is boring to me.  I'm the same with experimental films.  Most experimental horror films toss together beautiful imagery with grotesque figures and gore for no reason.  Usually there is no story connecting the scenes which is once again boring to me.  Cue in James Bell.  James is a filmmaker I greatly admire and any chance I get to talk with him I take it.  His films are overly gory and full of imagery that sometimes has little to nothing to do with the plot but he makes it work.  The overall story, regardless of how small it may be, works well with the finished product giving the viewer a rather unique experience.  Recently, James began production on a new film with his lovely wife Mae.  The film is a sequel to Bell's Tantrum.  James reached out to me and asked me if I was interested in reviewing Tantrum 2: Phantom of the Demon and I couldn't say yes fast enough.  Thank you James for reaching out to me and allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to see your hard work.

     The film follows the young man (presumably from the original Tantrum) who is now roaming the cityscape killing anything that crosses his path. We also follow a young woman (Mae Bell) who is struggling with demons of her own and sexual desires.

    







     James is a very unique filmmaker and that is something I've said since my first viewing of Dog Dick.  He doesn't follow trends or try to fit in.  He gets an idea in his head and runs with it.  His films stand out among the sea of Walking Dead clones and paranormal found footage flicks.  They are fun, bloody, and at times they can be extreme but they all have a story that the viewer has to thoroughly pay attention to or they will miss something that will completely throw the viewing experience off.  Bell forces his viewers to pay attention and I love that.  The acting in this is just as unique as the film itself.  The cast do not really interact with one another unless violence is involved so traditional acting methods are not shown here.  Instead, we get a film consisting of actors portraying murders, mad men, and victims.  The cast looks like they really had fun on set and that is evident with how great each scene plays out.  The story for this one is a continuation of what was started in the first film.  It is short, simple, and wastes no time getting into it.  So many horror films try to build atmosphere and tension only to push the viewer away.  Bell jumps right into the middle of the carnage and the insanity never lets up.  There is a few moments that could be titled extreme but fans of Bell will know what to expect by now.  Finally, there is so much carnage.  The film is overflowing with on screen kills, practical effects, and slimy gags.  The kills we get are very brutal, relentless, and the effects are great.  There is a few scenes that show the film's budget but the overall look is great.  Overall, Tantrum 2: Phantom of the Demon is another great release from Very Fine Crap Video.  James has grown so much as a filmmaker and this film is a testament to that.  This film is for you if you like crazy ass horror films full of blood and gore.  Check it out.