Sator

Director - Jordan Graham (Midground, Specter)

Starring - Michael Daniel (Specter, Midground), Rachel Johnson (Specter), and Aurora Lowe

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "After you have suffered, he will find you"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I received the listing for Umbrella Entertainments March releases I found myself getting very excited for several of these titles.  While Bad Boy Bubby peaked my interest, I found myself really looking forward to two of the horror titles they were bringing to DVD.  The first that caught my eye was the 2019 supernatural horror flick Sator.  Several people that I know that are into horror praised this one prior to Umbrellas release so I was really looking forward to it.  I want to thank Umbrella for sending this DVD all the way to the U.S. for us to review.  

     The film follows a family that lives deep in the woods.  The family is fairly sufficient on living off the land and rely on their seclusion but something is haunting them.  An evil spirit known as Sator has latched onto their grandmother and soon set's it's sights on her grandson.

     I was so excited to for Sator.  The artwork and imagery really made my mind race with the possibilities as to what was going on.  I was hoping for a seriously fun pagan horror flick but what we got was a slow paced character piece that just couldn't pull me in.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  I liked the characters and the cast does a fantastic job in their roles.  With that being said, the characters are dull for the most part.  The film doesn't put them in situations that hold the viewers attention.  The story for this one is an interesting premise that could have been one hell of a horror movie but the pacing and flow of the film is just all wrong.  We get these long and drawn out shots that serve no purpose to the story.  They are an attempt to create atmosphere and tension but leaves the viewer sitting their idly with nothing to grab their attention.  More often than not I found myself looking at the time on my phone than watching the film.  The editing needs to be tighter and more focus on the Sator aspect of the film.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you will be very disappointed.  This film focuses more on the characters and how they interact with the supernatural entity than it does with practical effects and gore.  Overall, Sator just wasn't for me.  I love a good, slow burner with plenty of atmosphere and tension but this one just leaves you out in the rain.  The most interesting aspect of the story is never fully explored and the scenes are just too long.  Skip it.  

Bad Boy Bubby

Director - Rolf de Heer (Alien Visitor, Charlie's Country)

Starring - Nicholas Hope (Scooby-Doo, The Invisible Man), Claire Benito (Ultraman: Towards the Future, Struck by Lightning), and Ralph Cotterill (Howling III, Ultraman G)

Release Date - 1993

Genre - Comedy/Drama

Tagline - "He's been in his room for 35 years... it's time to let him out!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As a collector I find myself pulled to certain genres.  I love horror, which is a give in, but I enjoy exploitation more than I do horror.  I absolutely adore finding exploitation and the various sub-genres to add to my collection.  However, I occasionally get a movie that defies labelling.  A month or so ago Umbrella Entertainment announced the blu release of the 1993 film Bad Boy Bubby.  I had heard of this one before when it received a DVD release here in the U.S. but I never had a chance to check it out.  This is a film that supposedly defied labelling which really peaked my curiosity.  I reached out to Umbrella and they were kind enough to send a blu my way for review.  

     The film follows Bubby (Hope) who is a prisoner in his home.  Bubby is 35 and his mother has him convinced that the outside world lacks air.  However, after a stray cat wonders in and his father, who has been absent since birth, finally appears proving that air is outside.  He accidentally kills both his parents and is free from his claustrophobic prison.  Now, in the real world he finds himself exploring his sexuality and how the real world operates.

     Trying to classify Bad Boy Bubby is damn near impossible.  The film is bleak yet funny.  It's depressing yet inspiring.  It's scary yet comforting.  The movie is unlike anything I had seen before and I don't think I will see anything like it for the remainder of my life.  This movie is a must see for any cult movie fans.  The acting in this one is very one sided but it's absolutely insane.  The supporting cast is solid but the characters are not as entertaining as Bubby.  Nicholas Hope does one hell of a job as Bubby.  His performance is funny and heartbreaking at the same time.  He has appeared in so many different films since this one but this is, by far, his most memorable performance in my opinion.  He makes this film what it is.  The story for this one is a bit different than most of your other films.  The movie takes an unconventional approach to story telling but it works.  Following the mentally stunted Bubby as he explores a modern day (early 90s) world makes for a weird and depressing discoveries.  With that being said, the movie was almost 2 hours long.  Several of the scenes could be trimmed down to make the movie flow a lot better but the film is still a must see the way it is.  Finally, the film is not a bloody flick.  We do have some deaths at the beginning of the film but they did not showcase any blood or gore.  The movie is very much focused on character interactions over practical effects.  Overall, Bad Boy Bubby is one of the strangest yet entertaining films I've seen in a long ass time.  This release from Umbrella is a must own.  Snag it when you can because you will not be disappointed.  

Songbird

Director - Adam Mason (Into the Dark, The Devil's Chair)

Starring - K.J. Apa (Riverdale, Dead Reckoning), Sofia Carson (Descendants, Feel the Beat), and Craig Robinson (This is the End, Hot Tub Time Machine)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Sci-Fi/Thriller

Tagline - "The only way out is together"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     We've been under the claustrophobic grip of Covid for a year now and a lot has changed in those 12 months.  Movies are no longer being filmed like they once were.  People are social distancing, wearing masks, and limiting their time in public places.  Sure, a select group of mouth breathers are putting everyone at risk by choosing not to follow precautions and guidelines but for the most part we are all doing our part to protect one another.  Because of all these changes we are faced with challenges when making movies.  Some television shows and movies have worked the covid aspect into their storyline but 2020's Songbird wrote it's entire film around the pandemic.  Following precautions and guidelines, the film was able to complete and wrap a feature length film while following a story that could have some truth to it.  When I received the press release for this one I knew I had to review it.  I'm glad I did because I enjoyed it.  

     The film takes place in 2024 where Covid-23 is rapidly wiping out the population.  The plague started three years prior but over time each strain of covid gets worse and worse.  Those immune to it are given immunity bracelets while those that are not are forced to quarantine at home.  However, if you become infected the sanitation department will take you to the "Q" zone until you succumb to covid.  We follow a mail courrier who is immune and unable to see his girlfriend who has to stay in her apartment.  However, when her grandmother becomes ill he will stop at nothing from saving her before she is taken to the "Q" zone.

     I was on the fence about Songbird.  One part of me was really interested in the film considering how relevant it is to use now but another part of me was skeptical as to how good a movie could be considering all the new precautions and guidelines.  Honestly, the film could be better but considering all the restrictions I have to say that the film turned out pretty damn well.  The acting in this one is pretty fucking good.  Apa and Carson is great as the young couple struggling through the pandemic.  Their chemistry is fantastic and you really believe there is something happening between them.  Their emotional range is so far and they really pull the viewer in.  We also get a more serious performance from comedian Craig Robinson.  His talents are underutilized but he still does a fantastic job with what he was given.  We also get Peter Stormare and Bradley Whitford in their element.  Both deliver outstanding performances with Stormare taking the cake with his high intensity scenes.  The story for this one is really fitting considering it's getting it's release as we just finish year one of the pandemic.  Seeing the world still under quarantine four years after the beginning of the pandemic is chilling and seeing how far the world falls apart adds a new fear to some of us.  With that being said, some of the film's aspects are a little absurd.  The concentration camps for infected and the person over the sanitation department freely killing people is a bit ludicrous but many of the anti-maskers would argue that this is our future if we allow the government to enforce mask mandates.  Its a grounded story that shows the fears of many.  Finally, this one has some bloody but the focus is not blood and guts.  It's how one disease or virus can shut down the entire world in with the collape of civilization comes a new form of power.  Overall, Songbird plays both side of the coin.  We get a film that shows just how far a pandemic can go if people don't follow the guidelines but we also see how ridiculous some suspect the government would go to get this undercontrol.  It's a fun one that I would highly suggest checking out.  

Zed's Dead

Director - Sean Donohue (Naked Cannibal Campers, Die Die Delta Pi)

Starring - Jason Henne (Crazy Lake, Halloween at Aunt Ethel's), Patrick Duncan Weston (The Lost Digit), and Joe Makowski (Amerikan Holokaust, Cannibal Claus)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Crime/Thriller/Drama

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was an odd kid growing up but I'm sure most movie and horror fans can say something similar.  My tastes in movies today comes from my love of Goosebumps and Shivers horror novels for kids, Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Eerie Indiana on television, and the films of John Waters, George A. Romero, and Quentin Tarantino.  While most of my friends were not interested in the movies of Waters and Romero they did find value in Tarantino's movies like I did.  We would often watch Jackie Brown, Reservoir Dogs, and Pulp Fiction while a couple of my friends would smoke pot.  Pulp Fiction would be my favorite of the three but it would become extremely popular among my friends and over the next couple of years I would burn myself out on it.  It has been damn near 20 years since I last watched the movie but I remember it vividly.  A few weeks ago director Sean Donohue revealed that he had finished a film that was loosely based around the characters Zed and Maynard.  I'm a fan of Donohue's and was looking forward to checking it out Zed's Dead when it was released.  However, Sean surprised me yesterday when he hit me up with a link to review it.  I couldn't wait and I want to thank Sean for allowing me the opportunity to review the film before it's release.

     The film follows Z (Henne) and M (Weston) who live with their gimp.  M owns a pawn shop while Z works as a security guard.  The pair use M's pawn shop as a way to get victims to rape, rob, and murder.  

     I like Donohue's films.  His eye for sleaze and blood makes for an always entertaining experience.  He's really upped his game the last year or so with films like Naked Cannibal Campers and Sushii's Sex Seance.  When he announced Zed's Dead I was curious and confused.  How in the fuck would he approach such a film and how would it look like a Donohue film?  After watching it I can safely say this is right at home with the Gatorblade family.  It's bloody, sexy, and extremely fun.  In fact, I could easily give this one another spin after I finished watching it for the first time.  It's that damn fun.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  Henne and Weston are great as Z and M.  Weston doesn't really look like Duane Whitaker aside from the beard but I really liked his performance.  He really gets into character and does a fantastic job.  Henne on the other hand.  He doesn't look like Peter Greene but god damn did he have his mannerisms down.  His performance was pretty fucking intense at times and he absolutely nailed it.  The supporting cast is just as solid.  The characters are not as well written but they are mostly only introduced to be killed.  The story for this one is fucking wild but it does become a bit repetitive.  Watching Z and M do their thing with their unsuspecting victims is fun.  It brings out the sleazy side of the film along with the blood.  It's very fun in an exploitative manner.  However, this bait and catch scenario is done into the ground a bit.  The movie is barely over an hour long so it doesn't feel like your time is wasted and watching these people die is highly entertaining but it is a bit of a bummer a little something else wasn't added to it.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood and nudity.  The film is character driven but Donohue knows his fan base all too well so he delivers on the blood and practical effects.  Some of the effects work better than the others but the blood and nudity is great.  Overall, Zed's Dead answers the questions as to what happened to Zed according to Sean Donohue.  I absolutely loved it and fans sleazy character driven exploitation flicks will really want to give this one a spin.  Check it out if you can.  

Pedita Durango

Director - Alex de la Iglesia (The Day of the Beast, The Last Circus)

Starring - Rosie Perez (Birds of Prey, White Men Can't Jump), Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Skyfall), and Harley Cross (Shriek of You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth, The Boy Who Cried Bitch)

Release Date - 1997

Genre - Crime/Horror

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Severin announced their March releases I was really excited for most of them.  I was really curious about Nosferatu in Venice because I had heard so many crazy stories about Kinski and the filming of it.  I was also curious about the 1995 horror comedy The Day of the Beast and the 1973 sexploitation flick A Scream in the Streets but I wasn't really interested in their release of the 1997 crime thriller Perdita Durango from The Day of the Beast director Alex de la Iglesia.  When I received the package from MVD I saw that they included Perdita Durango in the package.  I decided to wait to watch it last and it looks like I had saved the best for last.  This was, by far, the best film of the four releases.  I want to thank MVD and Severin for sending them this way.  

     The film follows Perdita (Perez) and her voodoo priest boyfriend Romeo (Bardem) who kidnap two American teenagers to sacrifice during one of his rituals.  However, the ritual is interrupted by a rival of Romeo's forcing him to take the captives with him as he smuggles fetuses across the border into Las Vegas with the authorities hot on his tail.

     Perdita Durango was the one that looked uninteresting to me when I first received these in for review.  The artwork is bland and boring but the film was anything but that.  I absolutely fucking loved this bat shit crazy flick and I can't recommend it enough to cult cinema fans.  The acting in this one is absolutely insane.  I've never been a fan of Rosie Perez.  My brother was twelve years older than me so when I was growing up he controlled the television until he moved out.  White Men Can't Jump was ALWAYS playing and Rosie irritated the hell out of me in that film.  However, she really delivers a fun performance here.  Her character is pretty typical of her other characters from different films but it does come natural to her.  With that being said, Javier Bardem is the star of the show.  I've liked him in every film I've seen him in but this is the craziest performance from him I've seen yet.  He's one of the most underrated actors in the business and this performance is unforgettable.  You should watch this movie for Bardem if nothing else seems interesting to you.  The supporting cast is great as well.  We get the legend Screamin' Jay Hawkins as a voodoo priest, James Gandolfini as a DEA agent, and Santiago Segura.  The story for this one is a lot longer than it should have been but the wild ride more than makes up for the lengthy run time.  The movie flows like a roller coaster.  We get some slower scenes before moving into some faster paced scenes with plenty of what the fuck moments scattered throughout.  It's very creative, violent, and entertaining.  Finally, the film has plenty of bloody deaths.  Most of the kills are gunshot deaths but the blood and practical effects look absolutely amazing.  Lots of blood and the deaths fit the film perfectly.  Overall, Perdita Durango is a fucking must see.  If you like the Once Upon a Time in Mexico series or anything from Tarantino then I highly suggest you fucking check out this crazy ass film.  The UHD release from Severin looks great but they should have opted for more eye catching artwork that would peak curiosity.  I highly recommend this release.  

Feaster Sunday

Director - Brian Papandrea (The Big F, Beyond the Valley of Belief)

Starring - Brian Papandrea, Allison Maier (Spring Break Zombie Massacre, Space Babes from Outer Space), and Patrick L. Dear (Guardia de Male, Chubbies)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Thriller

Tagline - "Opening night is going to be KILLER!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Brian Papandrea and the folks at Rock Bottom Video are the type of filmmakers that really excite me.  Not in a boner way but they make me excited to watch movies again.  I get so many movies in to review that are cashing in on a trend or are trying way too hard to be an extreme horror flick only to fail miserably.  When I hear that Brian Papandrea is stepping into the director's chair I can't help but get excited for whatever he brings to us next.  His career so far has not disappointed me and when he announced Feaster Sunday I knew I would have a new Easter classic to watch yearly.  A few days ago Brian reached out to me to review Feaster Sunday and I couldn't say yes fast enough.  Thanks Brian for allowing myself and Horror Society the opportunity to review the film. 

     Dr. Gideon Lear just wants to put on the greatest Passion play this little town has ever seen, but his Jesus has disappeared, the lead actress is distracted by a love triangle with the understudy and a high school sweetheart, some filthy hobo won't go away and someone is painting ominous warnings on the door.

     When Brian first announced Feaster Sunday I was expecting a holiday themed slasher but after 15 or so minutes it was evident this was something very different.  It's not a film I would expect from him but it wasn't a bad film either.  It made it's own path and created something very different and very entertaining.  Brian and company should be really proud of what they accomplished here.  The acting in this one is great.  Papandrea is just as talented in front of the camera as he is behind it.  His characters are usually over the top and extremely funny but this time around he delivers a very grounded but slightly exaggerated character that really sold the story.  I also enjoyed Allison Maier's performance as well.  She has appeared in several films that I was lucky enough to review in the past.  She is absolutely gorgeous and extremely talented.  The character she brought to life in the film is very much an important part of the story and she does one hell of a job with it.  I was really surprised by the performance we got from Dustin Mills.  He's no stranger of stepping in front of the camera when he needs to but he has made a name for himself by directing.  However, here he has shown that he could be taken very seriously as an actor.  He brought some much needed laughs to the film.  The supporting cast is just as fun.  Dave Parker is always going to be Jesus and Terrence Cover delivers another fantastic performance.  I promised after my last review of a film that included him that I would not forget about him...and I didn't.  The story for this one has a lot going on with it.  The film has some slasher moments but it is far more than your average slasher.  This angle is not the focus of the film and is only there at certain times.  Instead, the main focus of the film is Eddie and his "relationship" with the female actress.  This part of the film reminded me so much of the black comedy Office Killer which I fucking loved.  Brian said this was unlike any of his other films and he was right but that doesn't mean it's a bad film.  I fucking loved the story, the progression, and watching the character interact.  Finally, the film has some blood but the film is more story and character driven than it is gore focused.  The blood looks good and the few gags we get look solid enough but gorehounds may be disappointed here.  Overall, Feaster Sunday is an odd Easter film that I cannot recommend enough.  I love the cast, the characters, and the unexpected story.  Papandrea took a gamble with this one and it pays off in a big way.  This is, by far, my favorite film of his and I can't wait to revisit it when it gets an official release.  

A Scream in the Streets

Director(s) - Carl Monson (Will to Die, The Takers), Dwayne Avery (Weekend Lovers, Booby Trap), Bethel Buckalew (Midnite Plowboys, Southern Comforts), and Harry H. Novak (Inspirations, Moments of Love)

Starring - Joshua Bryant (Night Gallery, Highway to Heaven), Frank Bannon, and Rosie Stone (Racing Fever)

Release Date -1973

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Tagline - "A city ripped apart by sin and lust!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Severin announced their four March releases I was shocked by a couple of the title but the artwork on one really caught my eye.  Most know my love for horror but my close friends know how much I adore exploitation cinema.  These films from the late 60s through today were something that had to be seen to appreciate.  The 70s was the hay day for exploitation cinema and when Severin announced the release of the 1973 sexploitation flick A Scream in the Streets I knew I had to have it.  Some genre fans may know this film as Girls in the Street which is what I had originally heard the film as when I was a member of the Upcoming Horror Movies message board some years ago.  I want to thank MVD and Severin for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a town under panic as they are under the assault of a rapist/murderer who dresses as a woman to lure in his victims.  Two detectives are sent to investigate the string of rape and murders but struggle with finding him when their sexual desires get in the way.

     This release was the one I was the most excited for but it was easily the weakest of the four releases.  I was bored out of my mind during most of it and the sex scenes were so mind-numbingly slow with no energy what so ever.  The acting in this one is not bad but the cast delivers some of the driest performances I've ever seen in a sexploitation flick or otherwise.  The cast lacked energy and their emotional range is that of a high school play.  There was a few scenes where they picked up the slack but these scenes were few and far in between.  The story for this one is a sexploitation version of Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things which was released two years prior.  We follow a man in drag as he rapes and murders people which is similar to Aunt Martha.  However, this film puts a lot of focus on the sex scenes which were extremely low-brow and boring.  I could have really got into this one if more emphasis was put into the rapist angle over the police investigating and fucking.  It was rather dull and I found myself watching the clock more than I was watching the film.  Finally, the film has a few deaths but they are nude women with random blood splatter on them.  If you are looking for blood or gore you will be greatly disappointed.  Overall, A Scream in the Streets is a bit of a boring sexploitation flick that has a great story but the cast doesn't dedicate themselves enough to the film.  The blu looks great and collectors will want to snag it but if you are looking for a first time watch I would recommend something else.  

The Day of the Beast

Director - Alex de la Iglesia (The Last Circus, Witching and Bitching)

Starring - Alex Angulo (Pan's Labyrinth, Possessed), Armando De Razza (Lightning Strike, The Squad), and Santiago Segura (Blade II, Pacific Rim)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "A comedy of Satanic action!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several months ago Severin revealed that they would be releasing two new films on UHD for the first time.  As a collector, this really excited me.  Vinegar Syndrome and Arrow Video has been doing an amazing job with their UHD releases and I couldn't wait to see what Severin had in store for us.  When it was revealed that the two UHD releases would be The Day of the Beast and Perdita Durango I was excited.  I had never seen these films but I was extremely excited to check these out.  After watching Nosferatu in Venice I decided to spin the 1995 black comedy The Day of the Beast.  I want to thank Severin and MVD for sending this one over.

     The film follows a rogue priest who has uncovered a hidden code in the bible that predicted the apocalypse would happen during Christmas in 1995.  He teams up with an occult television host and a metalhead to prevent the end of the world.

     The Day of the Beast is one I had heard a lot about prior to Severin's announcement.  A lot of horror fans that have similar tastes in film as me often recommended it to me but I was always hesitant to pull the trigger on it especially when I saw the quality of releases out there.  Now I feel like a fool because I think I found my new Christmas must watch.  It was goofy, dark, and extremely fun.  Sure, it does feel a little dumb at times but I loved it.  The acting in this one is very entertaining.  Angulo was great as the priest trying to save the world.  He's goofy at times but his character's personality really made the film.  De Razza was great as well as the television host reluctantly pulled in by this theory.  His character was just as fun as well.  With all that being said, genre veteran Santiago Segura delivers my favorite performance.  He always brings the most memorable characters in a film to life and here his metal head character fit so well with the Satanic angle.  I fucking loved him.  The story for this one is a bit of a stretch but if you just go with it the pay off is well worth it.  Having a priest uncover a hidden message in the bible that predicts the apocalypse is a pretty good start for a black comedy if you ask me.  Following this religious hero as he gains two accomplices in the way of an occult master and a metal head is even more brilliant especially if you are a horror fan that loves metal.  It does drag it's feet a few times throughout but these slower scenes make way for better scenes.  Finally, the film isn't a gory one.  It does have some blood and a few great practical stunts involving fire.  I was a bit let down by these scenes, however, the scenes with the horned demon more than make up for the lack of gore.  Overall, The Day of the Beast is not the movie I was expecting at all.  I loved the character and the story but a lot of the humor does miss it's mark.  Regardless, its a movie I will be revisiting every December and a movie I would highly recommend checking out.  The UHD release from Severin is great.  The artwork for the release is a little bland but I highly recommend checking it out.  

Nosferatu in Venice

Director(s) - Augusto Caminito (Grandi Cacciatori, Maschi e Femmine), Klaus Kinski, Maurizio Lucidi (Street People, Hot Blooded Boarding School), and Luigi Cozzi (Hercules, Devil Fish)

Starring - Klaus Kinski (Nosferatu the Vampire, Jack the Ripper), Barbara De Rossi (Stay as You Are, The Cricket), and Yorgo Voyagis (The Odyssey, Killer Kid)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Klaus Kinski is a name that many genre fans know but have chose to forget in recent years after the sexual abuse claims from his daughter.  A despicable as they are I can't help but wonder how a film like Nosferatu in Venice came to be released.  Don't get me wrong, I've very much grateful for the hard work that Severin put into their release but the film itself is extremely controversial for a number of reasons so it's no wonder that I'm shocked Severin was able to give this film an amazing blu release.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one my way to review.

     The film follows an educated man who is searching for Nosferatu who was last seen at a carnival in the late 1700s.  His search is successful and he learns that Nosferatu has awakened and is yearning for true death which can only come at the hands of his true love.

     Nosferatu in Venice was controversial at the time of it's release and even more so now with recent claims of Kinski's incestuous relationship with his daughter.  The film was originally meant to be an unofficial sequel to Kinski's Nosferatu the Vampyre.  The filming was plagued with issues from Kinski butting heads with the director, the original director being fired after filming a few scenes, and Kinski sexually abusing actresses during their scenes.  Issues aside, it was a very eerie and well put together late 80s horror film.  The acting in this one is pretty solid but some of the cast was a bit underwhelming while Kinski feels extremely distant.  The supporting cast does a solid enough job but some of the cast is a little inconsistent.  The characters are still fun but some of the scenes, especially the controversial sex scenes, are awkward or uncomfortable to watch.  Kinksi, on the other hand, does not deliver the performance many fans of Vampyre would expect.  It's as if his heart wasn't in the role.  He feels distant and not in it for the right reasons.  The story for this one is stretched extremely thin and a little hectic at times but if you stick with it you will find something worth your time in the end.  The horror aspect just isn't what you would expect.  It flows more like a dark drama or thriller with extremely long and uncomfortable sex scenes.  I liked the supernatural aspect and the way the vampire can be killed but the story is stretched longer than it should be.  It's roughly and hour and a half but if you remove the long, drawn out scenes you would get a solid hour film.  It would have been so much more enjoyable if those scenes were cut.  Finally, the film has some blood but if you are looking for gore you will be disappointed.  Kinski looks great as Nosferatu but he doesn't look as menacing as Vampyre.  The make-up effects look great but it does look like a quicker make-up job than the original film.  Overall, Nosferatu in Venice is not the quintessential Kinski film but it does have it's moments.  I enjoyed it but viewers should still note the films controversial history.  The blu looks great with Severin doing a phenomenal job.  Check it out.  

The Bermuda Depths

Director - Tsugunobu Kotani (The Last Dinosaur, The Ivory Ape)

Starring - Leigh McCloskey (Inferno, Babylon 5), Carl Weathers (Predator, Rocky), and Connie Sellecca (Captain America II: Death Too Soon, The Greatest American Hero)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Fantasy

Tagline - "It came up from the..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     In the mid to late 70s an American production company teamed up with a Japanese film company to create three made for television movies using techniques from both companies to create something unique for American television audiences.  In 1978 the pair released the fantasy adventure film The Bermuda Depths starring Carl Weathers.  This odd but entertaining film has been released on some form of format over the years and I've seen images from it but I never had the opportunity to check it out for myself until now.  When Warner Bros. announced the blu release of this one I jumped at the chance to see it.  I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed it.  I want to thank WB for sending this over.

     The film follows a scientist and his crew who are searching the deep sea when they encounter a larger than life sea turtle that has connections to one of the young men and his youth.

     The movie was not what I was expecting at all but I had so much fun with it.  I don't see myself watching this one again but I found it very charming.  It was very much what you would expect from a made for television movie from the 70s but with that Japanese kaiju-esque flair.  The acting in this one is not that great.  I wouldn't call it bad but it's definately cheesy.  The characters are fun and the cast really gets into their roles but they ham up the scenes.  The story for this one is chaotic, a little confusing, but fun for the most part.  The supernatural aspect of the film is a bit out of place and not as fun as you would think but I absolutely loved the giant sea turtle roaming the sea.  It's fun and really has that 70s Japanese kaiju look and feel to it.  It was a fun part of the story but not enough to make it as fun as it could have been.  Finally, this is not a bloody or gory flick.  This fantasy film focuses on the beautiful scenaries of Bermuda along with the the turtle.  We don't get a lot of turtle action but it's fun watching it "swim" in the ocean.  Overall, The Bermuda Depths is not the film the poster or artwork paints but it's a fun fantasy film.  The blu from Warner actually surprised me by how good it looks but the lack of special features is very disappointing.  Check it out.  

Isle of the Dead

Director - Mark Robson (The Ghost Ship, Edge of Doom)

Starring - Boris Karloff (Frankenstein, The Mummy), Ellen Drew (Science Fiction Theatre, The Mad Doctor), and Marc Cramer (Beware of Ladies, The Canterville Ghost)

Release Date - 1945

Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Will keep your screaming"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     There may not be a bigger name in horror history than Boris Karloff aside from the likes of Bela Lugosi but Karloff is the original horror icon.  His portrayal of Frankenstein's creation is iconic and the introductions for many of us into the genre.  His career was so much more than Frankenstein.  He starred in several of the classic Universal Monsters films and many more productions over the years.  In 1945 he starred in the Mark Robson horror thriller Isle of the Dead.  This is one I had never seen before and when I received the press release from Warner Bros. I quickly responded and asked for a copy to review.  I want to thank WB for hooking me up!

     The film follows a general (Karloff) during the war of 1912 who is burying the dead due to the pandemic.  A reporter visit with the general to the Isle of the Dead to visit his long-dead wife but are spooked by a young woman singing.  Soon they discover a Swiss archeologist living on the island along with a few others.  When they start to die the doctor and general suspect the plague but the local superstition beleives its a form of vampire causing the deaths.  

     I didn't know what to expect from Isle of the Dead exactly considering I rarely ever hear this one mentioned by genre fans.  Karloff is a legend that has worked on some of the most iconic films in history but Isle is one rarely mentioned.  After watching it I can see why.  It wasn't a bad film but it was very uneventful.  I don't mind a slow burn, and this one held my attention, but I can find a much more entertaining film featuring the late Karloff.  The acting in this one is solid.  Karloff delivers an amazing performance.  His character is very dry and doesn't stand out like some of this other characters but he doesn't disappoint either.  The supporting cast is not bad either.  The characters, much like Karloff's, are pretty flat but they really give the scene their all which does not disappoint.  The story for this one tries to throw the viewer for a curve but you see everything coming a mile away.  Almost 80 years later and films are still as predictable today.  However, I liked it.  It doesn't over-complicate things and the story still holds your attention well enough.  I would have loved for it to be a more straight forward story but it still works.  Finally, this is not a bloody or gory flick which exactly what you would expect from a pre-60s horror flick.  Overall, Isle of the Dead is a solid horror entry from the mid-40s that has a great cast and a decent enough story.  The transfer of this release looks absolutely fantastic but the lack of special features may turn off some collectors.  I highly recommend it.  

Event Horizon

Director - Paul W. S. Anderson (Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat)

Starring - Laurence Fishburne (Matrix, Pee Wee's Playhouse), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, In the Mouth of Madness), and Kathleen Quinlan (The Doors, The Hills Have Eyes)

Release Date - 1997

Genre - Sci-Fi/Horror

Tagline - "Infinite space.  Infinite terror"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've always been a cinephile.  I remember spending most of my childhood in front of the television watching anything and everything that slightly held my attention.  Horror took over in late elementary school but I still found other genres to be entertaining.  I remember when I was in middle school I watched the sci-fi horror flick Event Horizon for the first time.  I enjoyed it and when the local video store went out of business I snagged it on VHS for my collection.  It has been sometime since I had viewed it so I didn't remember a lot about it.  A few months ago Scream Factory announced the release of the film on blu and I started chomping at the bit wanting to see it.  I emailed them and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.  It arrived a few days ago and I quickly put it into my movie rotation.  Thanks Scream Factory for hooking me up!

     The film follows a salvage crew who travel deep into space to recover the lost Event Horizon which disappeared 7 years prior.  The ship was a prototype to travel faster than light and was engaged in testing when it disappeared.  Now, they salvage crew is tasked with finding the crew and determining what happened to the ship but what they find is something from Hell itself.  

     I remember watching Event Horizon all those years ago but I don't remember a damn thing about the movie.  This made for this revisit to be a fantastic one because it was almost as if I was seeing the movie for the first time...which is not far from the truth.  The movie was extremely fun and one that I can't believe I went so long without revisiting.  It was a blast.  The acting in this one is unforgettable.  Fishburne absolutely nails it as the space captain trying to protect his crew.  He never disappoints and this is no exception.  The real star of the show is Neill who delivers a very grounded and charismatic performance at the beginning of the film only to go completely off the rails in a performance that rivals his character in In the Mouth of Madness.  I absolutely loved watching the progression of his character and how he fully evolves at the end of the film.  The supporting cast is just as entertaining with no weak links in this chain.  The story for this one is nothing new especially for 1997 but most of the other films are sci-fi action adventure films where this one is a horror sci-fi mash up.  A salvage or rescue crew retrieving a lost ship is something that has been in sci-fi flicks for several decades.  However, this story has a little bit of Doom mixed in with it which is extremely fun.  Having a black hole punch a way into another dimension allowing something evil to escape is absolutely fantastic.  I loved how the story and characters slowly descended into madness.  When you mix the story with the sets you get a claustrophobic horror story that works very well.  Finally, the film has plenty of great effects and some unforgettable deaths.  It's not gory but has plenty of blood, eye-gouging, and great practical effects.  One death in particular continues to play over and over in my mind.  I absolutely loved it.  Overall, Event Horizon is one of the most underrated horror films of our age.  It's got one hell of a cast and the story really does send some chills down your spine.  I was absolutely blown away by this one and will be revisiting it again soon enough.  This Scream Factory release is a must own for genre fans.  I highly recommend it.  

The House of Usher

Director - Alan Birkinshaw (The Masque of the Red Death, Killer's Moon)

Starring - Oliver Reed (The Brood, Burnt Offerings), Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Prince of Darkness), and Romy Windsor (Howling IV: The Original Nightmare, Camp Nowhere)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Edgar Allan Poe's vision of horror is now a new motion picture"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most influential writers in the horror genre and no one would question that.  I was born in the 80s and lived through the 90s so a lot of my time was spent in the local video store.  The late 80s and the early 90s was another revival of Poe adaptations.  Full Moon was one of the companies leading the charge but they were not the only company cashing in on another Poe boom.  In 1989 Alan Birkinshaw directed Oliver Reed and Donald Pleasence in The House of Usher which was based on Poe's Fall of the House of Usher.  The House of Usher was released on blu by Vinegar Syndrome as part of their VSA line and after Cthulhu Manson I couldn't wait to give this one a spin.  

     The film follows a young couple who are visiting the young man's uncle in his mansion when they have a car accident.  She is able to walk away from the crash and the nearby home, the Usher estate, is where they were heading.  His uncle tells her he will get his nephew to the hospital while she brings him into his home.  However, strange things begin to happen and she learns that his uncle intended to kill his nephew so he could marry and reproduce with his future bride.

     I was concerned when I didn't hear genre fans, as well as, Vinegar Syndrome collectors talking about this film.  Cthulhu Manson was far from perfect but it was an entertaining film but horror fans were silent on this release.  The House of Usher was similar to CM.  It was far from perfect and rough around the edges but I enjoyed it.  The fact that genre fans are ignoring this one is a tragedy.  I liked it but I do know the film's short comings.  The acting in this one was actually pretty fun.  Oliver Reed delivers a pretty fun performance but he does get a little cheesy at times.  I really enjoyed his character but his performance is overshadowed by the insane and ridiculous performance from legend Donald Pleasence.  I was not expecting this type of character from him and he fucking delivers.  I wanted more of this and would give anything to see him portray a character like this in another movie.  With that being said, I was surprised by Romy Windsor's performance.  This is not the first film I've seen with her in it but she was channeling her inner Susan Sarandon here.  I liked her performance here and she really gets into character.  The supporting cast is solid with some of the characters being a little more entertaining than others.  The story for this one is based on Poe's story but It's been many, many years since I read it.  I can't recall his written story at all so this review is based purely on the movie itself.  The way the story unfolds leaves it open to be predictable and very clunky at times.  It's not as neat and smooth as it should have been but that doesn't stop it from being fun.  The predictability does take away from the impact of some of the scenes but if you seen one movie like this then you know exactly what to expect.  Finally, this one has a few deaths but don't expect a gory mess.  We do get some blood and a little bit of practical effects but these are easily forgettable.  The kills are nowhere near as fun as I would have liked.  Overall, The House of Usher is another solid release from the fine folks at Vinegar Syndrome.  The movie is fun for a first time watch but may not be one that will stick with you.  Collectors will want to snag this one up.  

Cthulhu Mansion

Director - Juan Piquer Simon (Slugs, Satan's Blood)

Starring - Frank Finlay (Lifeforce, Tales of the Unexpected), Marcia Layton (Screen One, The Upper Hand), and Luis Fernando Alves (Dangerous Curves, The Greek Labyrinth)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The final resting place"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome's January releases had several titles that really caught my eye.  I was more interested in Cthulhu Manson and House of Usher but I had to wait to watch those because I had placed my Jan. pre-order with Fun City's Jeremy pre-order which didn't release until this month.  Vin Syn did hook me up with review copies of Satan's Blood and Dark Tower which only fueled my excitement for Cthulhu Manson and House of Usher.  I finally received my January package a few days back and I couldn't wait to dig into this release.  

     The film follows a group of thugs who kill a drug dealer in order to steal his coke.  They then kidnap a stage musician, his daughter, and his mute assistant before forcing them to take them back to their home to lay low while the police search for the them.  What they don't know is that the musician has dabbled in the occult and his home is now overpowered with a supernatural presence.

      I went into this one not knowing much about it.  I had saw that several of my horror friends had watched the Vin Syn release after receiving it but aside from that I had not heard anyone talking about it.  I assumed it was because most genre fans didn't care for it and didn't spend their time nor energy talking about it.  This only excited me even more.  After finally watching it I can say that it's not the best movie I've seen but I actually enjoyed it and I welcome the "paid review" comments after this.  The acting in this one is absolutely atrocious.  I like the characters but the cast makes absolutely no attempt at delivering the best performance they can.  Even the talented Frank Finlay is extremely underwhelming here.  I was so unimpressed with the cast that I turned to the internet to look them up only to learn that most critics panned the acting in this one.  The story for this one is not as in depth with the Cthulhu mythos as I would have liked but for a haunted house flick it's pretty solid.  The movie doesn't take the viewer deep into the madness of Lovecraft aside from the name Cthulhu.  It does explore insanity and the occult a little but the movie is more focused on the crime aspect which compromises the horror aspect.  The movie could be one hell of a haunted house flick but the crew behind this one had other plans.  Finally, the film has some blood and some uneven make-up effects but the lack of gore was a bit disappointing.  There is a few instances of make-up effects where the first is actually pretty impressive.  The character is in bed and his face is oozing.  I loved the look of it. However, the second make-up effects sequence that gains screen time looks like a turd.  Really, watch the movie and see for yourself.  The kills are quick and uneventful which is a huge let down.  Overall, Cthulhu Manson could be a difficult watch for some but I found it fun for the most part.  There is some missed opportunities and some of the worst acting I've seen but I enjoyed it.  The blu looks great as well.  Vin Syn never lets me down with their releases but sometimes their films are not as good.  

Heavenly Desire

Director - Jourdan Alexander (Needful Sins, Sex Heist)

Starring - Serena (Trashii, Hot Ones), Johnnie Keyes (Teenage Trouble, Behind the Green Door), and Seka (Princess, Pretty Looks)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Comedy/Western

Tagline - "Hotter than hell"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Vinegar Syndrome has released some of my favorite adult films over the years with SexWorld being my favorite to date but they are still surprising me with some solid sexploitation.  I just spent an hour and twenty minutes watching the charming Taxi Girls from 1979 and decided to keep the Peekarama going with the second film on their newest blu release, Heavenly Desire, which is another 1979 release.

     The film follows two prostitutes working a brothel who are murdered when two stray bullets hit them during a duel.  Their ghosts awaken in the 1970s when the devil tasks them with corrupting two virgin sorority girls before they are married.  The sorority house is now located where the brothel was.  They set out to help the two young ladies spread their legs.

     Taxi Girls was a pretty fun flick that not only delivered on the story and humor but was extremely sexy.  Sex scenes aside, it was a seriously fun film that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I expected Heavenly Desire to be the weaker of the two films but I was wrong.  The movie actually made me laugh and it was just as fun as Taxi Girls.  The acting in this one is just a little more entertaining than TG.  I really enjoyed watching Johnnie Keyes as the devil.  His performance is charismatic and he really does steal the scene.  I also enjoyed watching ghosts Serena and Seka.  They are absolutely gorgeous and delivered some fun performances as well.  The supporting cast is just as fun with a lot of different personalities being displayed.  The story for this one is a mash up of many different genres.  We start the film as a western before moving to the horror-esque elements following the ghosts and the devil before moving into a college age sex comedy.  Honestly, it works and I really fucking enjoyed it.  I'm almost certain I watched an 80's teen comedy with a similar story but I can't remember the name of it.  Regardless, it was really fun and I greatly enjoyed it.  Finally, no blood and gore but if you went into this one expecting it then you have bigger problems on your hands than no blood or gore.  The film is full of sex, gorgeous women, and some humor that really does find it's place.  Overall, Heavenly Desire is a sleazy and fun film that is a great pairing with Taxi Girls.  The offbeat comedy and gorgeous women work very well together.  I highly recommend it.  

Taxi Girls

Director(s) - Jourdan Alexander (Junkyard Anal, The Maids) and Bob Chinn (Blondie, Country Girl)

Starring - John Holmes (The Devil in Mr. Holmes, Disco Sex Party), Nancy Suiter (The Ecstasy Girls, 800 Fantasy Lane), and Mike Ranger (Never So Deep, The Velvet Edge)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "Come ride with us... we'll make your meter run like never before"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I just spent the better part of a week watching and reviewing a handful of no-budget indie flicks.  Most were horror flicks but a few of them were thrillers or crime dramas.  Regardless, I enjoyed myself for the most part but I've horrored myself out a little bit.  I wanted to dive outside the genre for a bit and watch something a little different.  A few days ago I received my January package from Vinegar Syndrome which had the newest Peekarama release.  This was perfect.  It was something on the sleazy side of cinema while I recharged my batteries.  The first film in the set was 1979's Taxi Girls.

     The film follows a young working girl who is tired or working on her back only to get busted by the police.  She decides to take out a loan to buy some cars to use as taxis where the men customers could pay extra for...extra.  The business takes off and soon they are making money hand over ass until the rival taxi service starts coming up short.

     I was never one for the vintage porn or sexploitation but Vinegar Syndrome really opened my mind to these types of films.  I love when I go to movie collecting groups and you find those random members that think they are superior because they don't watch these types of films.  They are literally missing out because these movies are pretty fucking fun and well worth a watch.  Taxi Girls is another fine Peekarama release from Vin Syn.  The acting in this one is pretty fun.  The characters are very cheesy but the cast does a solid enough job in their roles.  I was really impressed by Nancy Suiter who made a huge splash in the adult world around this time and then disappeared.  She's absolutely goregeous and very playful in front of the camera.  I enjoyed her performance a lot.  The story for this one is, obviously, centered around sex but the character development and story really is entertaining.  I loved how the main character had dreams of becoming a stand up comedian as it mixed with her successful business venture where the rival taxi services becomes enraged by their success.  It was a really fun story that not only works as sexploitation but as a dramedy as well.  Finally, no blood or gore here.  However, there is plenty of skin, money shots, and several orgies.  Overall, Taxi Girls is a sleazy good time with a gorgeous cast and a pretty solid story.  I highly recommend this one.  

Ghoul Scout Zombie Massacre

Director - Eric Eichelberger 

Starring - Joshua Cheramie, Vance Clemente (Devil's Prey, Short Comings), and Penelope Grand 

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few months ago I was searching for Troma releases on Amazon when I came across a list of indie releases that was new to Amazon Prime.  A few of these releases really caught my eye but one really stood out and that was 2018's Ghoul Scout Zombie Massacre.  Many years ago I reviewed Razor Sharp Studio's Catholic Ghoulgirls from West Virginia filmmaker Eamon Hardiman.  That title really put me in mind of that so I had to jump on it.  It arrived a few weeks back and I had to toss it in as soon as I had time for it.

     The film follows a brother and sister pair with an evil plan to rule the world.  The brother is known for directing gay porn but is also an evil scientist with plans on using women from his sister's reform school to sell girl scout cookies that turn those that eat them into the living dead.

     I went into this one really fucking excited to give it a spin.  It looked like the kind of indie zombie flicks that I grew up loving.  However, the film was anything but that.  I did like a few things about it but at the end of the day I found it to be a chore to sit through and one that just didn't work out.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  Some of the characters were zany and a little over the top which is something I really enjoy.  They brought some nice humor to the film and made the lack of a story not be as obvious.  With that being said, some of the cast delivered some dry and unenthused performances.  These particular cast members are a little more awkward to watch and don't fully commit to their characters.  The story for this one reminded me a lot of the zombie flicks I was watching in the early 2000s.  It was cheesy, comical, and didn't take itself too seriously.  Sadly, it overstayed it's welcome and gives the viewer a film that is almost two hours long with a story that would barely run 40 minutes.  I liked the wild story the film attempts to give us but the way it was approached was just all wrong.  I love a story that takes the time to give us character development but this movie spends way too much time on it, as well as, shoving so many unnecessary scenes down our throats.  This movie is just too long.  Finally, the film has some blood and some make-up effects but nothing that would stand out to the typical genre fan.  The zombies have some black and gray paint on their faces and we get some blood splatter here and there.  Overall, Ghoul Scout Zombie Massacre is a huge waste of time. If you have two hours to kill I would suggest watching a five minute clip on Pornhub and then reflect on your poor choice in porn for the next hour and 55 minutes.  skip it.