Apocalypse Road

Director - Brett Bentman (The Night Before, Hot Dog)

Starring - Kate Kohler (The Sauce, Arriving), Ashlyn McEvers (22 Jump Street, Star-Crossed), and Lance De Los Santos (1917, Breakers)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror/Action

Tagline - "Run. Fight. Survive"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My indie horror marathon is winding to a close and I have to admit that I really enjoyed myself.  When I returned from vacation I decided this was the perfect time to dive into a Wild Eye Releasing marathon.  I started with Bonejangles before leading into Clownado and Countrycide.  I enjoyed all three and decided to squeeze in one more flick.  This time I went with the 2016 post-apocalyptic tale Apocalypse Road.  I want to take a second to thank Wild Eye for once again hooking me up with another movie for review.

     The film follows two sisters who are struggling with their own pasts as they fight in a world in which civilization has crumbled.  They heard stories about safety near the coast and make an effort to get there but soon find themselves separated.  The two go very different paths but refuse to let anything come in between them reuniting.

       I was really looking forward to this one.  I love post-apocalyptic films and was really looking forward to an indie one.  Sadly, this one was more like a drama centered around sisters than an action or thriller post-apocalyptic flick.  The acting in this one is solid but the characters are extremely vanilla.  The film follows two sisters and they chose to cast two ladies that look similar.  This makes sense but due to their personalities being identical I often found myself confused as to who was who.  I get that the cast was doing the best with what they had but everyone just came across as extremely flat and easily forgettable.  The story for this one is simple and could have worked but instead of focusing more on the perils of a crumbling society we find two sisters who, in all fairness, are pretty shitty human beings that will do anything to reunite with one another.  I understand that the story was trying to portray the two as dedicated to each other but the things they do to innocent people to reach each other is despicable.   Honestly, the drama and dialogue made it a rough one to sit through.  I often found myself checking the running time to see how much longer was left.  The action was limited and the character interactions were drawn out.  Finally, the film has a few kills with some blood but don't expect scenes full of gore and carnage.  We mostly get gun shot wounds with decent effects that fit the film but nothing memorable.  Overall, Apocalypse Road is a film that has a solid story but the delivery is just all wrong.  The characters do not stand out and the story is very dialogue heavy.  I really wanted to like it but at the end of the day I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy it.  Wild Eye has several amazing movies I can recommend but this is not one of them.  

Countrycide

Director - Brett Kelly (Ghastlies, My Fair Zombie)

Starring - Robin Hodge (Ouija Shark, Murder in High Heels), Joel Elliott (Unholy Night, Monster Pool: Chapter Two), and Peter Whittaker (Homicycle, Raiders of the Lost Shark)

Release Date -2017

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Welcome to the great outdoors"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Last week I took a vacation and decided to distance myself from writing reviews so I could recharge my batteries so to speak.  When I returned home I was ready to dive back into my movies.  I was especially looking forward to having an indie horror marathon.  I've neglected these films recently and wanted to get back into the films that started my review career.  I decided to throw in a few Wild Eye DVDs that I've been sitting on for some time.  After watching Bonejangles and Clownado I decided to toss in the 2017 Brett Kelly film Countrycide.  I want to thank Wild Eye for always supporting Horror Society and allowing us to review your releases. 

     The film follows a young man and woman driving across country to attend a wedding.  On their journey they discover that they secretly like each other and start to see where this takes them.  After a long day driving they decide to pull over somewhere and camp.  What they don't know is that the secluded wooded area they just picked is home to three sadistic men who hunt humans.  

     I've had this one for sometime before I finally broke down to watch it.  I'm a huge fan of Wild Eye and over the years they have released some amazing films from even more amazing filmmakers.  Some of these filmmakers I am lucky enough to call friends.  However, every once in awhile they release a film with some bland artwork.  Countrycide is one of those releases.  The film was surprisingly entertaining but I can't help but judge a book by it's cover.  I was raised during the video store era and looking at the VHS slips was almost as fun as renting movies.  Regardless, I shouldn't have put this film off as long as I did because I really enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is very well done.  The characters are rather cliched and generic but the cast did a wonderful job at portraying them.  I really liked the 3 murderers and Robin Hodge did a fantastic job as the film's lead.  Sadly, these characters are not that memorable but it works for the film.  The story for this one is not nothing unique or something we haven't seen before.  However, it is still entertaining for the most part.  We do get a few scenes that feel like they drag on but if you can make it through these you will find yourself enjoying the ride.  Finally, the film does have some blood but don't expect a gore soaked horror flick.  The effects are minimal and most of the kills take place off camera.  Overall, Counrycide is a solid effort from Brett Kelly and is worth your time.  If you are looking for something that reinvents the genre you will be disappointed but if you want a solid film you have never seen before then I highly suggest grabbing this one.  

     

Die Die Delta Pi (Revisited)

Director(s) - Sean Donohue (Dead Residence, Death-Scort Service) and Chris Leto (Crazy Lake, The Housewife Slasher)

Starring - Aaron J. Nelson (Theatre of the Deranged II, Terror Talk), Krystal Pixie Adams (Earth Girls are Sleazy, Cannibal Claus), and Andrea Alfonso (Scream Dreams 2, The Housewife Slasher)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Its pledge week and all the girls of Delta Pi are just rushing to die"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I was lucky enough to review the Sean Donohue and Chris Leto directed slasher Die Die Delta Pi.  I remember really enjoying it for what it was and often recommended it to fans looking for indie slashers with that 80s flair.  It has been a few years since I first saw this one and it was about time I revisited it.  Sean recently contacted me to review the new blu release of the film with some additional special features..and boy are those special features entertaining.  Once again I want to thank Sean for sending this one over.

     The film follows a sorority during rush week in 1986 when hazing takes a grizzly turn.  One of the sorority's more timid rushes is accidentally knocked into the fire.  We fast forward to now and the sorority sisters of Delta Pi are being hunted one by one by an unknown killer with a vendetta.  

     I love so many different sub-genres in horror but I will always be a slasher fan.  I grew up renting them from the local video store and as I got older indie filmmakers started paying tribute to these unforgettable slashers.  Sean Donohue and Chris Leto did a fantastic job with this no budget throwback.  The acting in this one is still uneven to me.  Some of the characters are way more entertaining than others while some of the cast doesn't seem that dedicated to their role.  Which, while I'm on the topic, is one of the new special features on the blu where one of the ladies of the film has a meltdown on set because she couldn't remember her lines.  This is audio only but still highly entertaining.  The story for this one is simple and borrows heavily from the frat/sorority slashers from the mid to late 80s.  We follow a sorority where something tragic happened sometime ago and now it is coming back to bite them in the ass.  Nothing really new here but it's not about the destination but the ride.  DDDP doesn't try to bring something new to the table but makes it sleazier...which it does.  It's fun and works nicely as a double feature with other slashers from the period.  Finally, the film has kills straight from the slasher textbook.  The kills are fun and the effects are solid.  With that being said, the kills fit the film which is something I always look forward to.  Overall, Die Die Delta Pi is a fun and sleazy throwback to classic 80s slashers with plenty of boobs and blood.  The film quality is not noticeable over the DVD.  However, there is one added a special feature that really makes this one a must have for fans of indie slashers.  Check it out now on blu from Gatorblade Films.  

The Hunt

Director - Craig Zobel (Westworld, American Gods)

Starring - Betty Gilpin (The Grudge, GLOW), Hilary Swank (The Reaping, Bojack Horseman), and Ike Barinholtz (Suicide Squad, The Twilight Zone)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror/Action

Tagline - "Decide for yourself"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Way back before the outbreak of Covid-19 I saw the trailer for the politically charged horror thriller The Hunt.  The release of the film was delayed due to several members of the community felt that the film was telling citizens to pick up arms against a certain political party.  This really made me want to check this one out.  Sadly, when it did hit theaters in my area it was soon followed by Covid.  I was unable to see it before the theater closed so I waited patiently for it to hit store shelves so I could finally check it out.  Before I left on vacation I received the blu in the mail for review and I couldn't wait to dive into it.  I know my intentions was to marathon some indie horror flicks but this is my most anticipated movie of the year so I didn't want to sleep on it.  Thank you Universal for sending it my way.  

     The film follows a group of strangers that awaken with their mouths gagged in the middle of nowhere.  They have no idea where they are but soon find themselves hunted.  They quickly learn that the legend of Manorgate - a legend that elite liberals kidnap and hunt working class conservatives, is very much real and it's their fault that they are participates in this year's hunt.

     I went into this one expecting a cheesy action horror flick but I found myself rolling my eyes more than not.  I find it difficult to dedicate myself to a political party just because I can't agree with either side 100%.  I guess that would be the reason this film felt more goofy than fun.  It was still an entertaining watch but the shock value I thought the film would have was not there.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part.  Some of the characters are really enjoyable while others were a little more cringy.  Honestly, I found the deplorable characters to be far more entertaining than the others.  I work retail and seeing how the are represented on film is exactly how they act when we remind them of our mask policy.  Ethan Suplee was brilliant in his role, as well as, Wayne Duvall, and Hilary Swank.  Their characters, from my experience, was pretty spot on.  With that being said, I feel like the elite liberals missed their mark.  The writing team had so many stereotypes they could have went with but went with some that didn't work that well with the story.  The cast does a decent job but these characters just don't have the detail written into them as the deplorables do.  The story for this one reminds me a lot of films like Battle Royale, The Condemned, and even The Hunger Games to certain extent.  I love these types of films but the thought of this one having a political satire approach really excited me.  The film worked for the most part but I do believe that the ball was dropped on the liberal front.  There is so many different angles they could have approached that would have gave this film an even balance.  Instead, if feels more focused on making fun of the far right/conspiracy theorists.  I liked it for what it is but there is plenty of room in the story for improvement.  My favorite part of the film is the crazy dialogue ranging from conservative rants, to "woke" liberals, and even the price of cigarettes at the state level.  This movie had a lot of thought applied but is a little one sided.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood and gore.  We get a few memorable kills that make great use of gore.  The practical and visual effects are pretty solid and well worth watching the film to enjoy.  Overall, The Hunt is a politically fueled action horror film with some comedy sprinkled in.  I can see some of you getting too hung up on the political side and refuse to enjoy it.  However, if you can put politics aside and just watch the movie you may find yourself enjoying it.  Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of moments that made me physically facepalm but I still had fun with it at the end of the day.  

Clownado

Director - Todd Sheets (Bonehill Road, Dreaming Purple Neon)

Starring - John O'Hara (Ouija Death Trap, Sleepless Nights), Rachel Lagen (Crave: Roots of Evil, Dreaming Purple Neon), and Bobby Westrick (Goblin, Madhouse)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "It's about to get twisted"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I apologize about my lack of reviews the last week or so.  I started my ten day vacation and decided to take a break from writing reviews.  I still enjoy writing them after almost a decade of doing this but sometimes I over do it and the fun feels more like a chore.  Anyway, with my vacation coming to an end I decided to get back into my writing.  I wanted to stay indie for a few movies and had myself a little Wild Eye releasing marathon.  The first on the chopping block is the 2019 horror comedy from director Ted Sheets, Clownado.  Sheets is no stranger to my reviews and the movies of his I have reviewed are split.  Regardless, I want to thank Wild Eye for sending this one over!

     The film begins with a young woman engaging in a secret affair when she is caught by her gangster husband that earns a living as a clown.  He kills his wife's lover and she flees the big top life.  However, the horror isn't behind her.  A curse befalls her husband and the other clowns at the circus and they are swept up by a tornado where they follow and torment her along with the small town she finds herself in.  

     Honestly, I wasn't expecting to like Clownado.  I like goofy horror flicks but Clownado just looked like something that was a drunken idea that got a few laughs and rushed into production.  However, I found myself really enjoying this one.  It still very well could be a drunken idea brought to life but it still entertained which is more than I can say for other clown films previously reviewed.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent but that doesn't take away from the overall film.  John O'Hara delivers my favorite performance in the entire film.  His character is very intense and he goes above and beyond to make his scenes memorable.  Also, I really enjoyed Rachel Lagen and Dilynn Fawn Harvey's performance.  Their beautiful but strong female leads really worked in the film's favor.  We also get a cameo from adult film legend Jeanne Silver.  It was awesome seeing her in a genre film.  The supporting cast is solid but some of their performances are a little underwhelming or their characters are painfully flat.  This sometimes happens with a film of this type.  We get so many characters with well written backstories and different personalities but on the backside you notice some characters are more developed than others.  The story for this one is extremely ridiculous but it's the kind of ridiculous you can enjoy.  Who doesn't love a no budget wild ride with clowns, tornadoes, and Cayt Feinic's killer knockers?  With that being said, a few scenes do drag on with a little unnecessary dialogue.  A little tighter editing would help smoothen out the flow of the film.  Finally, this one isn't the bloodiest indie film I've seen but we do get some blood here and there along with some fun make-up effects.  The killer knockers were my favorite gag in the film but there is several other memorable moments scattered throughout.  Overall, Clownado is a film that will leave you feeling let down if you take it seriously.  However, if you give it a go with a few beers and some friends you will find yourself having some fun and a few cheap laughs.  Pick it up now on DVD from Wild Eye releasing.  

One Cut of the Dead

Director - Shin'ichiro Ueda (Take 8, Formal Warrior Suit Ranger)

Starring - Takayuki Hamatsu (Mystic Shrine Maiden, Followers), Yuzuki Akiyama (Kamen Rider Zi-O, Queen), and Harumi Shuhama (One Cut of the Dead Spin-Off: In Hollywood, Black Maiden: Chapter Q)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Don't stop shooting!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've seen several horror fans talking about the horror comedy One Cut of the Dead.  This 2017 Japanese film was added to Shudder not too long ago and horror fans have been eating it up.  With the physical release nearing I received a press release for the steelbook release from RLJE Films.  I was curious about the film so I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a review copy of the film my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a low budget film crew working on a new zombie movie when things take a dark turn.  The film is being shot in an old building and the director takes it up on himself to feed into an urban legend revolving the building only to discover that it is real and the dead are really walking the Earth.

     I was curious about this one but the quote saying it was as entertaining as Shaun of the Dead really made me wonder what I was getting into.  At the end of the day I have to admit that I enjoyed it but I can't compare it to SotD because these films are not in the same league. The acting in this one is my favorite aspect of the film.  When it comes to horror you often find generic and cliched characters that bleed into the background.  OCotD is not like this.  The characters are very enjoyable and the cast does a phenomenal job at bringing them to life.  I really enjoyed them and I sincerely hope that if this film gets a sequel we see the same cast make a return.  The story for this one is pretty fucking clever but once you've seen it the impact is no longer there.  The film crew working on a zombie film in one cut is genius if you ask me.  However, the delivery does take away from the film especially in the third act.  By this point the viewer is seeing some of the stuff repeated for the sake of the story and it does become a little boring.  Finally, the film has some surprising effects that fits the them of the film very well.  Sadly, the "deaths" we get are not that memorable but we do get to enjoy some practical and make-up effects.  Overall, One Cut of the Dead doesn't bring the laughs and fun like Shaun of the Dead but it's unique story and delivery makes it a must see for genre fans.   The steelbook is one of the cooler steelbooks I've seen so collectors will definitely want to jump on that.  Check it out now on blu from RLJE Films.  

Point Defiance

Director - Justin Foia (Doe, The Double)

Starring - Derek Phillips (Longmire, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Josh Crotty (Isle of the Dead, Grimm), and Lauren Elaine (Party Monsters, Criminal Minds)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Thriller

Tagline - "You can't bury the past"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I never know what is going to show up for review.  Sometimes I get movies that I've been following for months that I truly want to see and other times I receive movie's that I've never heard of.  Last week I received two movies from Bayview Entertainment to check out.  The first film was a drama titled Waterlily Jaguar that featured an amazing cast but the story took a winddown on the second half.  The second film was the 2020 thriller Point Defiance.  The artwork made me think this one would be painfully generic and not that entertaining.  I was wrong.  I want to thank Bayview for sending this one over.  

     The film follows Peter (Phillips) who is on house arrest for an unknown crime.  His brother Alex (Crotty), a veteran, pays him a surprise visit after the two go more than a year without seeing each other.  Things start out smoothly but soon Alex's erratic behavior leaves Peter on edge.  One night Alex orders an escort and starts drinking which is something Alex is against.  The next day his life is turned upside down when he makes the connection to the escort and a missing woman from the area.  Then his brother's secret business in his barn makes him suspicious.  To make matters worse, the police are now questioning him about her disappearance.  

     I went into this one with an open mind but I wasn't expecting the much.  However, I was very surprised by the film and it's quality.  I enjoyed it for the most part but the final act did make me face palm.  With that aside, I was pleased with the film.  The acting in this one is fucking fantastic.  I loved the two Allen brothers.  Phillips and Crotty worked so well together.  They have great chemistry on film and they absolutely crushed their scenes together.  Honestly, this film would have failed early on if it wasn't for them.  The story for this one has me sold during the first portion of the film but once we enter the third act I found myself rolling my eyes due to the predictability of the story.  The brothers struggling to accept each other and the people they have become was a solid story line.  However, the second part of the film changed that up and delivered a predictable and chaotic story that is not as fun on screen as I'm sure it was on paper.  Finally, the film does have some blood but if you are looking for a straight forward horror flick you will be disappointed.  The film is focused on the story and not blood and gore so true horror fans will not find the effects they are looking for.  Overall, Point Defiance is a solid thriller but the flow of the film is dampered by the predictable twists that are tossed near the ending of the film.  Even the most inexperience genre fans will see these coming from a mile away.  However, that doesn't ruin the film but does take away from the impact.  You can check the movie out on DVD now from Bayview Entertainment.  

Bonejangles

Director - Brett DeJager (The Legend of Cooley Moon, 10/31)

Starring - Kelly Misek Jr. (The League of Ordinary Gamers, My Crazy Ex), Jamie Scott Gordon (The Devil's Machine, Outlander), and Hannah Richter (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Courier)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "When bones rattle, blood will flow"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the weekend I treated myself to an indie horror marathon.  I've spent a great deal of my time watching Andy Sidaris action flicks and the occasional big budget horror production here and there.  I wanted to return to my indie roots and this time I decided to throw myself a Wild Eye party.  I went through my review stack and decided that the first film in my marathon would be the 2017 horror comedy Bonejangles from director Brett DeJager.  DeJager is no stranger to Horror Society and my reviews.  He has contributed segments to both 10/31 anthologies.  I want to thank Wild Eye for sending this one my way and I'm sorry it took so long to get to it.  

     The film follows two officers who is tasked with transporting notorious supernatural serial killer Bonejangles to a facility that is capable of holding him.  Normal weapons can't kill Bonejangles and they need a facility that will hold him.  Their travel takes them halfway which is the hometown of one of the officers which is hiding a secret.  Once a year the dead rise from their grave and they are controlled by an evil succubus.

     I've been sitting on this release for sometime and I can't give you an honest answer as to why.  Honestly, I really enjoyed the film and rumors of a sequel on the horizon gives me something to look forward to.  The acting in this one worked very well for the film.  I really enjoyed most of the characters and the cast does a phenomenal job at bringing them to life.  I'll be upfront with all of you.  I liked the characters so much that I immediately ran to imdb to see if they were making an appearance in the rumored sequel.  This cast needs to make a return.  The story for this one blends slashers, zombies, witches, and humor.  Sure, it does get a little sloppy at times and a few plot holes are lazily covered over but the end product is extremely fun.  I loved the unkillable slasher that is unleashed on the undead and I really enjoyed the succubus angle as well.  The comedy works to lighten up the scenes but the film still has some plot holes that are mentioned in passing as if these small statements fix them.  Finally, this isn't the bloodiest zombie flick I've seen but I still really liked the practical and make-up effects.  We get several on screen death that use some solid practical effects and some blood.  The kills are not that memorable but they still work for the film.  Overall, Bonejangle is far from perfect but it's faults does not take away from the film.  I really enjoyed it and I can see myself throwing this one on again soon.  Fans of horror comedies will want to invest in this one.  Check it out on DVD now from Wild Eye entertainment.  

No Mercy

Director - Richard Pearce (South Pacific, The Long Walk Home)

Starring - Richard Gere (The Mothman Prophecies, The Hoax), Kim Basinger (Batman, My Stepmother is an Alien), and Jeroen Krabbe (The Punisher, Snuff-Movie)

Release Date - 1986

Genre - Crime/Drama

Tagline - "When passion and hatred know no limits, expect no mercy"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the weekend I set out to finish the Andy Sidaris films that was sent my way from Mill Creek Entertainment.  I enjoyed myself for the most part but the repetitiveness of the stories did wear thin as my day went on.  After I finished my marathon I decided to keep the action rolling.  I went to my review stack and I saw that I had a few action films to go with.  I decided that since I was already working on some Mill Creek blus that I could keep that trend rolling and review their blu release of No Mercy.  This 1986 film starred Richard Gere and Kim Basinger.  I want to thank Mill Creek for sending this one my way.

     The film follows Detective Eddie Jillette (Gere) who follows up on a lead on a hit when he crosses paths with the lovely Michel (Basinger).  Michel is "owned" by an evil man named Losado that is responsible for killing Eddie's partner.  Eddie's lust for revenge takes him to New Orleans so he can bring Losado to justice but has to fight for his life when he realizes that Losado will not go peacefully and neither will his private army of hired goons.

     I had never seen this one prior to getting it in for review but I had heard of it.  Several friends of mine are fans of this one so I went in with high hopes.  I have to admit that I was very impressed by what I saw and I can see myself checking this one out again.  The acting in this one is solid but the characters are painfully cliched.  Richard Gere delivers a solid performance but his stereotypical generic cop character has no personality and very forgettable.  The same can be said for most of the characters.  The cast does a solid job with what they were given but it is very evident that more thought went into story rather than character development.  The story for this one is very entertaining.  The police detective falling in love with a beautiful woman that is owned by a crime boss in New Orleans is simple enough but the action scenes are very drawn out and entertaining.  They do an outstanding job holding the viewer's attention but don't expect characters more than you would find in your typical day time soap.  Finally, the film does show several on screen kills.  Some are gun wounds while others are knife.  The effects are great for the kills and the blood flows by the bucket.  No gore but people looking for an action flick with blood will be satisfied.  Overall, No Mercy is a fun action flick that has a very solid story but the characters are just an after thought.  The blu release from Mill Creek is barebones but I do love the VHS slip with these releases.  Check it out now on blu from Mill Creek Entertainment.  

Waterlily Jaguar

Director - Melora Walters (The Muse, Drowning)

Starring - James Le Gros (Constantine, Justified), Mira Sorvino (Mimic, Space Warriors), and Stacey Oristano (Ghost Hunt, Criminal Minds)

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Drama

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get a lot of different movies to review.  Many of you know that I love strange and weird cinema.  I blame that on John Waters, Troma, and renting straight to video horror films from the video store growing up.  I do find myself enjoying films that are not so weird and unusual but I typically don't go looking for them.  Sometime back I was asked to review two films from Bayview Entertainment.  I agreed without knowing too much about them.  When I received them I quickly realized they were not horror flicks.  At least, not horror in the sense most of us see horror.  I didn't mind though.  I was still open to checking them out.  The first one I put on the chopping block is the 2018 drama Waterlily Jaguar from Melora Walters.  I want to take a second to thank Bayview for sending these my way!

     The film follows successful author Bob (Gros) who is struggling with his next novel.  He wants to make something more serious that will leave his mark on history.  However, his next topic becomes an obsession and this obsession puts a strain on everything in his life including his own marriage.  

     I had no idea what to expect when I tossed this one in.  I knew it wasn't a horror flick but it still looked entertaining...and it was for the first half of the film.  The acting in this one is exceptional.  James Le Gros was marvelous as Bob the author.  His performance carried the film and his character was great as the subject of the film.  The supporting cast is great as well but the characters are not as entertaining as Bob.  The story for this one starts out great as we watch a wealthy writer become obsessed with the topic of his next novel but once we hit the 40 minute mark we find ourselves struggling to finish the film.  The film starts out fine but once we hit the midway mark we find ourselves watching more than one character and how they are struggling.  It is a little overwhelming and almost chaotic.  I feel like the movie started out with a single thought in mind but before it ends we find ourselves struggling with an incoherent story.  Finally, those of you looking for blood and gore will not find any here.  The film is not brooding or menacing and those wanting their horror fix will not find it here.  Overall, Waterlily Jaguar is a film that has promise but loses traction halfway in.  Some serious editing and a tighter story would make this one a more solid flick but the way it is it is a struggle to finish.  

Fit to Kill

Director - Andy Sidaris (Hard Ticket to Hawaii, Guns)

Starring - Dona Speir (Do or Die, Picasso Trigger), Roberta Vasquez (Hard Hunted, The Rookie), and Julie Strain (Day of the Warrior, Psycho Cop Returns)

Release Date - 1993

Genre - Action

Tagline - "They're fearless"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     ...and just like that my Andy Sidaris marathon is over.  This is the last film that I have of the Andy Sidaris films on blu from Mill Creek Entertainment.  So far I've taken a look at Malibu Express, Hard Ticket to Hawaii, Picasso Trigger, Savage Beach, Guns, Do or Die, Hard Hunted, and now I end with Fit to Kill.  Malibu Express is my favorite by far but they all have their own redeeming qualities. I can't be too sad because I hear that two more Andy Sidaris blus are on their way here from Mill Creek so expect those reviews very soon!

     The film, yet again, follows agents Donna (Speir) and Nicole (Vasquez) as they work together with crime boss Kane to find a diamond that was recently stolen.  The diamond is meant to be a peace offering to Russia after it was stolen several decades ago by Nazis and has now fell in the hands of some jewel thieves.  

     I really enjoy these films and Fit to Kill is no exception.  However, these movies should never be binged watched no matter how much you love trashy cinema.  One of two on occasion is fun but if you do like I did and watch a handful in one sitting then you will find out just how repetitive these truly are.  The acting in this one is very similar to Hard Hunted.  Speir and Vasquez, along with the other hard bodies, do a solid job.  They show of their bodies and deliver those cheesy action one liners than many of us love so much.  However, Geoffrey Moore once again steals the show.  His performance is above everyone else's in the film.  He does a fantastic job and I hope he makes appearances in other Sidaris films.   The story for this one is more of a direct sequel to Hard Hunted but is still part of the other films from Hard Ticket to now.  We do get some more fun stuff added to this one that does make it stand out from the previous films but for the most part it is still pretty repetitive.  Finally, this one has no blood and gore as you suspected.  However, we do get plenty of boobs and random sex scenes at the most inopportune times.  Overall, Fit to Kill is far from perfect but god damn is it fun.  If you look cheesy action flicks with some sleaze then you will want to add this one to your collection.  The blu from Mill Creek looks fucking amazing and I recommend it.  

Hard Hunted

Director - Andy Sidaris (Guns, Do or Die)

Starring - Dona Speir (Savage Beach, Fit to Kill), Roberta Vasquez (Picasso Trigger, Fit to Kill), and Geoffrey Moore (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Sherlock Holmes in New York)

Release Date - 1993

Genre - Action

Tagline - "The world's hottest undercover agents are back!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Here I am in the home stretch of my Andy Sidaris marathon.  A few months back I started receiving these Andy Sidaris blus from Mill Creek and I've fucking loved them.  However, one or two here and there is fine but marathoning them does take the fun away from them.  Their repetitiveness and lack of originality does start to wear on the viewer if you binge several of these films at a time.  Regardless, I had fun and love the cheesy dialogue and tacky one liners.  Next on the chopping block is the 1993 film Hard Hunted.  Thank you Mill Creek for sending that one this way.  

     The film once again follows undercover agents Donna (Speir) and Nicole (Vasquez) as they find themselves in the middle of a race to stop another crime lord, Kane (Moore) who is after a jade Buddha.  What they don't know is that the Buddha is secretly a nuclear relay and he will use it to gain global power.

     By the time I had tossed in Hard Hunted I had already watched 3 other Andy Sidaris films in rapid succession.  The film are fun but I feel that watching so many back to back has taken a toll on my pain receptors.  The acting in this one is actually a little bit better than the previous films.  Dona Speir and Roberta Vasquez return to the characters they have portrayed for a handful of movies now.  These performances fall into the same level as previous films with the two spitting out corny dialogue and letting viewers enjoy their beauty.  However, this time I was shocked by Geoffrey Moore's performance.  I really loved his character even though he bared the same name as the villain from the previous film.  Sidaris is a man that rarely let go of something he likes and Kane seems to be his favorite villain name.  The story for this one is more of the same as the previous films.  We follow beautiful people who must stop someone rich and power hungry from doing something even more despicable.  The one liners are still funny but the story, at least by this point, is running thin.  I'm sure I wouldn't have an issue with it if I would have spaced out my viewings but seeing it so close to the others makes it a little less entertaining.  Finally, if you want blood you will be disappointed.  However, if you want boobs, explosions, and boobs you will find true happiness.  Overall, Hard Hunted is a fun late night action flick but I wouldn't recommend watching this many Sidaris flicks back to back.  Space them out over some time that way you don't tire of the stories.  The release looks great from Mill Creek and deserves to be in any collection.  

Do or Die

Director - Andy Sidaris (Malibu Express, Guns)

Starring - Pat Morita (The Karate Kid, Mulan), Dona Speir (Picasso Trigger, Hard Ticket to Hawaii), and Roberta Vasquez (Hard Hunted, Fit to Kill)

Release Date - 1991

Genre - Action

Tagline - "This may be the last game they'll ever play"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm almost through with my Andy Sidaris marathon.  On one hand I don't want the cheesy 80s and 90s action to end but, on the other hand, I'm ready to return to my beloved genre.  The Sidaris marathon has been pretty fun for the most part and pretty consistent if you ask me.  The films all have action, beautiful women, explosions, boobs, explosions, boobs, and so on.  Explosions and boobs...  Anyway, as I work my way through these films I find myself on the 1991 film Do or Die featuring Pat Morita as the villain.  I want to once again thank Mill Creek Entertainment for sending these over because they were all very enjoyable.

     The film once again follows DEA agents Donna (Speir) and Nicole (Vasquez) as they fight off yet another crime lord.  This time, the evil Kane (Morita), has sent six different ninja death squads out to kill the girls.  They enlist the help of other agents to fight them off and stop Kane.  

     I love action films that I can toss on and just watch.  No thinking involved and no mindfuck plots that makes you think you missed something.  Sidaris' action films are everything I love about no budget action flicks.  The beautiful women are deadly, their is cheesy as fuck stories, and explosions.  Do or Die does tone back the nudity when compared to earlier films but we still get some boobs here and there.  The acting in this one is mediocre but that is expected if you have watched the previous installments.  The characters have some painfully cheesy dialogue but you can't deny how much fun they are having with their roles.  The fun does translate very well into the scene.  Cheesy but you will enjoy yourself.  The story for this one is literally the same story we've been given in the previous films.  We follow these beautiful hardbodies as they take on an international crime boss.  Random explosions and unrealistic sex scenes fill in the space between the action.  Nothing new but still works.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you clearly have the wrong film.  However, if boobs and cheesy one liners are your thing then you are in for a treat!  Overall, Do or Die is far from perfect but you can't deny the fun it delivers.  The acting is rough around the edges but the dialogue is awesome and the story is fun.  Check it out on blu from Mill Creek which looks fantastic.