August Underground's Mordum

Director(s) - Jerami Cruise (Murder Collection Vol. 1, Insomniac), Killjoy (Necrophagia: Sickcess), Michael Todd Schneider (His Devil's Night, Our Devil's Night), Fred Vogel (August Underground, The Final Interview), and Cristie Whiles 

Starring - Fred Vogel, Cristie Whiles (Murder-Set-Pieces, The Redsin Tower), and Michael Todd Schneider 

Release Date - 2003

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I dislike writing negative reviews especially when they are the films from people I've met and have always done right by me.  I refuse to lie in a review but it's very difficult to write a negative review and not disrespect the person that made the film.  I've met and talked with filmmaker and effects artist Fred Vogel several times at Cinema Wasteland.  He was always extremely friendly and happy to speak with fans and other horror friends.  Sadly, his film series August Underground just didn't look like something I would like.  I decided this October to give them a shot and with Halloween approaching I figured now would be the perfect time to spin them.  The first one was something I had to force myself to finish.  Not because it was graphic or visceral, because it wasn't, but because I found myself bored.  I was hoping the sequel would be better.

     The film, once again, follows a pair who go around torturing, degrading, and killing people while they film it.  This time around they bring someone else in on the madness. 

     I love a lot of bad movies.  Cheap and absurd seems to be my wheelhouse but I do find a few of the more gruesome and extreme horror films to be entertaining as long as they have a story to tell.  With that being said, I can't find the appeal of this series aside from the practical effects and gore.  For movie that span the length of a feature film I struggle to watch it for more than 15 minutes.  Watching people get in each others face and scream, obnoxious laugh, and rough up someone tied up doesn't cut it for story for me.  I need something that pulls me in and Mordum, much like the first film, just didn't do that for me.  The acting for this one is more of the first film.  The characters try way too hard to be edgey and offensive.  They try to be people that have no regard for other human lives but you can tell the cast is forcing this really hard.  It's not genuine and a few of the scenes are very awkward to watch.  I found myself rolling my eyes more often than not.  The story for this one is literally the same as the first film with the additional of an extra headcount.  It works for 15 or 20 minutes but after that you will find yourself drifing off to sleep.  This simple and straight forward story is stretched so thin that it becomes a chore to finish.  Finally, the film once again showcases some of the most impressive practical effects I have ever seen.  The fact that this wasn't put into a traditional horror film is a fucking crime.  As much as I dislike this film I still have to recommend watching it just to see the effects.  Overall, Mordum is barely a movie in my opinion.  I know so many of you love this series but I can't find anything redeemable here besides the effects which isn't enough alone to carry the film.  Please, tell me what you love so much about these!