Skinned Deep

Director - Gabriel Bartalos (Saint Bernard)

Starring - Les Pollack (Generation Why?, Blackmailing Santa), Aaron Sims, and Kurt Carley (Godzilla, A Haunted House 2)

Release Date - 2004

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Meet the surgeon general!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     At one time Fangoria was THE name in horror.  So many of us grew up reading the magazine and a lot of the films we consider classics now were first introduced to use because of Fangoria.  At the height of their popularity they dabbled in film distribution and production.  Hell, they produced one of the most underrated vampire films of our time, Children of the Night, in 1991.  In the early 2000s Fangoria attached themselves to several indie horror films under Fangoria Presents Gorezone Video.  This was the first time I had heard of the extremely odd horror flick Skinned Deep that starred the Leprechaun himself, Warwick Davis.  It was a strange film to say the least but I did enjoy it.  When Severin announced the release of the film on blu I decided that this is the best time to revisit it.  I reached out to MVD, who was handling the release, and they were kind enough to send over a copy for review.  

     The film follows an all American family who venture out for their family vacation when they become the target of a deranged and disfigured "family" who kill tourists that venture into their neck of the woods.  We then follow the daughter of the slain family who is taken in to be one of them after one of them takes a liking to her.  However, she refuses to succumb to their murderous ways and starts fighting back.  

     Skinned Deep has been a joke among a lot of the horror groups on social media after it's release from Severin.  I can see why a lot of the more serious horror fans have been mocking it but as someone who loves Troma and the weird side of indie horror I can't help but love it.  It's so fucking wacky yet the atmosphere and scenery is perfect for a horror film.  I appreciate what the team behind this one was trying to do and this is one that never loses it's charm.  The acting in this one is extremely cheesy but very enjoyable.  The characters are all extremely fun and almost all of them stand out.  The characters may ham up their performances but they do a fantastic job at bringing unforgettable characters to life.  The story for this one is a blend of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, and House of 1000 Corpses.  I never picked up on the resemblances between this one and those three films but now they stick out.  With that being said, I still enjoy how those films come together with the odd sense of humor to create something that still makes me laugh even after all these years.  It's a goofy story that borrows heavily from classic horror films.  Finally, the film has some fun death scenes that only get better as the film progresses.  The practical effects are a lot of fun and the film not only showcases great prosthetic and prop effects but some fun make-up effects as well.  The film has a lot of gory deaths that makes it a must watch for fans of bloody horror flicks.  Overall, Skinned Deep is a strange and entertaining film that is a lot of fun.  It has fun characters and some great death scenes.  This release from Severin is a must own.  Check it out.   

Siege

Director(s) - Paul Donovan (Lexx, DEFCON-4) and Maura O'Connell

Starring - Tom Nardini (Kung Fu, Another World), Brenda Bazinet (Goosebumps, Friday the 13th: The Series), and Daryl Haney (Xtro 3: Watch the Skies, The Unborn)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Tagline - "Today, their city.  Tomorrow...yours!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     I've been reviewing Severin's releases for several years now and for the most part I always enjoy them.  However, they always release at least one movie in each batch that I don't care for.  So far I'm three movies deep into this batch of releases and each film seems to be better than the last.  After watching Born for Hell and Invaders of the Lost Gold I decided to spin Siege next.  This is another one I had never seen before but the artwork really made it look fun.  I want to thank MVD and Severin for sending this one over.  

     The films takes place during a police strike when a group of men enter a gay bar looking to cause trouble.  They kill everyone but one escapes and flees into a nearby apartment building.  They soon gather their numbers and place the building on lockdown while demanding they release the man forcing those on the inside to fight through the night.  

     Siege was not the movie I was expecting but holy fuck did I love it.  It's not a horror film in a traditional sense but it is an out of the box crime thriller that really took took on a subject that was taboo for the early 1980s.  I really enjoyed it and I'm checking it out for the second time as I type this.  The acting in this one is solid enough for the film but there was several dry scenes where the cast just wasn't delivering the best possible performances.  With that being said, I was really looking for characters that stood out from the others.  We get a lot of characters that resemble other characters or act too much like other existing characters.  There is not a lot of individuality in this one.  The story for this one mixes politics with home invasion.  We have the police in strike that answers the question "who will you call if the police isn't available?" which has been a political topic for decades.  Also, including a gay character as a main point of the story was almost unheard of for 80s cinema.  It did occur in some films but not as often as it does now a days.  With that being said, I absolutely loved the story and how it followed the group barricaded in their home and forced to fight off armed homophobes.  It was a lot of fun and I can see bits and pieces inspiring the holiday classic Home Alone.  Finally, the film has some bloody but graphic deaths that fit the theme of the film.  The kills don't stick with out or necessarily stand out but I absolutely loved them.  The effects worked in the kill's favor but I would have really enjoyed a little more blood or gore.  Overall, Siege is another fantastic release from Severin.  They really impressed me with this one and I can see myself spinning this one yet again in the coming weeks.  I fucking loved it and this release looks absolutely gorgeous.  

Invaders of the Lost Gold

Director - Alan Birkinshaw (The Masque of the Red Death, The House of Usher)

Starring - Stuart Whitman (Night of the Lepus, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters), Edmund Purdom (Pieces, Killer vs Killer), and Woody Strode (Spartacus, Vigilante)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Horror/Adventure

Tagline - "Get ready for a horror safari"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few days ago I busted into the Severin Film's release of the 1976 horror flick Born for Hell.  I was not expecting to enjoy that one ass much as I did which put me in a mood to binge the other Severin releases that were sitting by the television.  The second film sitting there was the 1982 adventure horror film Invaders of the Lost Gold aka Greed.  This was one that I was really curious with but didn't know if I would dig it.  Regardless, I want to thank MVD and Severin for sending this one my way because I did enjoy it.  

     The film follows a group of treasure hunters who adventure deep into the jungles of the Philippines where a troupe of Japanese soldiers hid it in a cave when the local tribe attacked them.  Now these treasure hunters make the dangerous trek into the jungle in hopes of finding the treasure but someone among them plans of keeping it all to themselves.   

     Invaders of the Lost Gold is not what I was expecting but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It did drag on at times and a lot of the characters are pointless but it was a fun late night watch.  The acting in this one is pretty well done by the entire cast but only a few of the characters stood out from the others.  None of the cast really stands out but some of the characters are a little more entertaining than the others.  The story for this one blends jungle adventure with murder mystery disguised as tribal exploitation flick.  It starts out strong as first but then finds itself hitting a crawl with random moments of action and mystery.  The twist you see coming but the ride there is still fun.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments but nothing too graphic or memorable.  The film is more focused on the journey and the mystery aspect over the exploitation and bloodshed.  Overall, Invaders of the Lost Gold is an unusual film that I found myself really enjoying.  The movie did drag on at times but the action and murder mystery angle did work.  It's fun for a first time watch but I don't see myself revisiting it anytime.  The release from Severin looks great and one I would highly recommend.     

Born for Hell

Director - Denis Heroux (The Uncanny, Initiation)

Starring - Mathieu Carriere (Quantum Leap, Special Treatment), Debra Berger (The Inglorious Bastards, Dangerously Close), and Christine Boisson (Night Nurse Massacre, The Way Out)

Release Date - 1976

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "For these nine young women, opening the door that night meant ending their lives!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Severin has released some of the most impressive films over the years.  They are a company that I greatly admire and I'm always on the look out for their releases.  A few months ago Severin announced the release of the 1976 horror flick Born for Hell, aka Naked Massacre.  This is actually a movie I had heard about before and actually own a copy of it on DVD under it's alternative title but I've never made the time to check it out.  Granted, my DVD is not the best quality so when Severin announced it's release I was ready to upgrade the grainy DVD for a better transfer.  I reached out to my friends over at MVD who were handling the release and they were kind enough to send over a review copy.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows an American war vet that served in Vietnam who arrives in Belfast.  With the city ripped apart by a civil war he uses the chaos to break into the home of a group of nurses where he meticulously takes them out to rape and murder.

     Born for Hell is not only a truly entertaining film but one that has a bit of history behind it.  The film was met with heavy controversy when it was released.  Several women and feminist organizations felt the film was glamourizing domestic abuse and abuse towards women.  Though this was not the first film to depict violence toward women in this manner it was one of the few to be release during a time when women's rights were being pushed by the various organizations.  With that being said, it's a very powerful that hits hard and pulls emotions.   The acting in this one works for the film and I found myself thoroughly enjoying everyone in the film.  Carriere was fantastic as the murderous Vietnam vet that that has a cold stare and when he smiles you get chills down your spine.  The supporting cast is great with the nurses delivering some intense performances.  They all deserve equal praise but I'm too lazy to sit here and name them all individually.  The story for this one starts out rather slowly but once it picks up it really leaves the viewer feeling uncomfortable.  It's not a movie that will leave you guessing or pulls in heavy emotions but it works very well as a horror film.  The sinister war vet with murder and lust in his eyes as he tortures and slays nurses is truly demented.  If you haven't noticed by now, this one is loosely based on the Richard Speck murders.  Knowing that it is based on a horrible true crime also adds another dimension of to the overall film.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood but that's the extent of the effects in this one.  We don't get gore or memorable kills but the acting and story is just enough to pull the viewer in.  Overall, Born for Hell is an absolutely brilliant slice of horror from the late 70s.  It's very underrated and one of my favorite releases from Severin.  I highly recommend checking this one out.  

The Herculoids

Creator - Alex Toth (Space Ghost, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast)

Starring - Mike Road (Godzilla, The Fantastic Four), Ted Eccles (Bad Ronald, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour), and Virginia Gregg (Psycho III, The Fockford Files)

Release Date - 1967

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Being born in the 80s gave me the ability to grow up through some of the most iconic television shows in history. However, previous decades had their own iconic shows as well along with some nearly forgotten series.  In 1967 Hanna-Barbera released the sci-fi fantasy series The Herculoids and would have episodes rerun for two years before finally cancelling.  I'm a huge fan of Hanna-Barbera but this is one series I had never really seen before.  When Warner Bros. announced the entire series was getting released on blu as part of their Archive Collection.  I quickly reached out and they were kind enough to send over a review copy for me to check out.  

     The series follows a barbaric king, his wife, his son, and their group of creatures who protect their planet from invading forces and various other threats.

     I was really excited to check out The Herculoids.  I had watched Thundarr not too long ago and was really excited to check out another sci-fi fantasy series in the same line.  The Herculoids was a great series that may have been the inspiration for shows like Thundarr and Masters of the Universe.  It was a lot of fun but the sudden ending to the show really left me feeling empty and wanting more.  The voice acting in this one is fun but far from the best I had seen.  The shows I grew up on seemed to have characters that really stand out.  You find yourself thinking about the things they said days after watching episodes.  However, The Herculoids doesn't really stand out.  Their voices resemble other characters from the Hanna-Barbera catalogue of the time.  Also, the characters lacked the memorable personalities that make them stand out.  The story for this one is very similar to other sci-fi fantasy shows.  I really enjoyed it and how the series really did take leaps and risks with it.  The creatures and scenarios we find The Herculoids in is what really sold me on the show.  I don't see myself revisiting the series anytime soon but I wouldn't mind newer episodes to dig into.  Finally, the animation is exactly what you would expect from a late 60s Hanna-Barbara's cartoon.  Honestly, I enjoyed the art style but it might not be something that stands out to some viewers.  Overall, The Herculoids is a fun short lived series that brings the sci-fi fantasy elements to the viewer.  It may not be memorable but it's not bad.  I really enjoyed it and the blu looks great.  It does lack supplemental material but it's worth the price.  

The Maid

Director - Lee Thongkham (The Last One, Tears of Remedy)

Starring - Ploy Somarin (Single Lady, Girl from Nowhere), Savika Chaiyadej (Holy Man, Train of the Dead), and Kannaporn Puangtong (Charming Deception, Karn La Krang Neung... Nai Hua Jai)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Dark secrets serve no one"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    When I started writing reviews, almost a decade ago now, I found myself becoming obsessed with Asian splatter.  This opened the door to some of the more serious Asian horror films.  It's rare that I come across one that I don't like so I'm always open to check out something new and fun.  Sometime back Epic Pictures Group announced that they would be releasing the 2020 supernatural horror film The Maid.  My friends over at MVD was handling the release so I reached out to them for a review copy which they were quick to hook me up with.  I would like to thank Epic Pictures and MVD for sending this one over.  It was a slow build up but the pay off was well worth it.  

    The film follows a young maid named Joy (Somarin) who is hired to work as a live-in servant for a very wealthy family who have a mentally ill daughter who is forbidden to leave the home.  Soon she finds herself haunted by the ghostly images of a maid before she uncovers the house's dark secrets and the murder the occurred there.

     I was ready to deliver a very negative review for The Maid by the time I had hit the hour mark.  It was predictable, dull, and difficult to follow.  I liked the atmosphere and location of the film but the movie itself was so fucking boring.  However, the last act of the film completely caught me off guard and delivered exactly what I wanted.  The acting in this one is great.  The film has a brilliant cast that really does go above and beyond for their roles.  The first hour or so of the film is a little underacted.  However, once the film hits that final act we get some brilliant performances from everyone especially Somarin.  That final scene brings out some intensity and energy which I really enjoyed from the cast.  The story for this is a serious chore for the first hour or so.  It's a cliched supernatural horror film following a wealthy family and a supernatural presence.  It's slow, odd, and predictable but the environment and atmosphere is great and if you stick with it the ending more than makes up for the sloppy first half of the film.  Finally, the film is rather dull for most of the film but the last 20 minutes or so is an absolute bloodbath with some of the most amazing practical effects I have ever laid my eyes on.  In fact, one scene had me feeling like Charlie Sheen and I just watched a life murder.  These practical effects need to be seen to truly appreciate how insane they are.  Overall, The Maid is a dull and dreadful film that fucking explodes in a last ditch effort to save the viewer.  I highly recommend checking it out and being extremely patient with it.  

Great White

Director - Martin Wilson (Roll, I Promise)

Starring - Katrina Bowden (Tucker and Dale vs Evil, Sex Drive), Aaron Jakubenko (Spartacus, Neighbours vs. Zombies), and Kimi Tsukakoshi (Doctor Doctor, The Other Guy)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Take your final breath"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I love horror and how broad the genre can be.  There is so many sub-genres with horror and a lot of them can deliver some pretty fun films.  Sharksploitation flicks can be good cheesy fun with movies like 2-Headed Shark Attack, Santa Jaws, and Ghost Shark.  These are the kind of shark flicks I enjoy.  However, there is a different side of these shark flicks that have their own fans.  These shark flicks tend to be more serious in nature which just don't deliver the fun in my opinion.  When I received the press release for RLJE Films release of Great White I was on the fence about it.  I love the cheesy and campy shark flicks but this one still looked entertaining.  I decided to reach out and see about reviewing it and was lucky enough to get a blu sent my way to check out.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a pilot and his girlfriend who are expecting their first child.  He is charted by a Japanese couple to fly out to an isolated island that was the site of a terrible accident where only one person survived.  However, this innocent trip turns deadly when their seaplane is destroyed by a shark and they are forced to survive in a raft floating adrift in the ocean while hungry sharks hunt near them.

     Great White is not one of the films I would go out of my way for which is a damn shame because I really enjoyed it.  As much as I love the goofy side of sharksploitation I still really enjoyed this one.  The acting in this one is great.  The characters are very enjoyable and the reactions and emotions throughout the film are very genuine.  I was shocked to see Bowden in this one after seeing her appear in Tucker and Dale vs Evil and the highly underrated Sex Drive.  The story for this one is simple and straight forward.  I tend to skip on the more serious toned sharksploitation because their unintentional cheese is extremely cheesy.  However, Great White is able to pull off a horrifying shark story without compromising the tone and atmosphere.  I enjoyed the backstory that was presented along with the character development.  It's not often that you find a movie like this where the characters don't blend in with the background.  Finally, the film has some blood and some make-up effects.  During one scene we get a great look at a corpse rotting on the beach that I really enjoyed.  With that being said, the film has some very inconsistent visual effects.  There was some scenes where the visuals looked great but there was a few scenes where the visuals looked very dated and rushed.  Overall, Great White isn't going to be for everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I would have loved some gore but I'm not going to cry over it.  I recommend it.  

The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2

Director - Deon Taylor (Dead Tone, Nite Tales: The Movie)

Starring - Mike Epps (Resident Evil: Apocalypse, The Hangover), Katt Williams (Scary Movie V, Friday After Next), and Lil Duval (Meet the Blacks, Scary Movie V)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm grateful for any film that is able to be released in 2021.  With the pandemic entering another phase it's highly unlikely that we will see the quantity of movies that we were accustomed to any time soon.  So, when I get something in now to review I think how fortunate it is that a movie was able to be made during this whole mess.  A week or so ago I received a package for the release of The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 which included a shirt, copy of the movie, popcorn and candy, and Ciroc.  It was all housed inside of a bad ass coffin.  It was the coolest package I had ever received which made me excited to check it out.  I had never seen Meet the Blacks but I was looking forward to checking out this follow up.

     The film follows Carl Black (Epps) who survived the events of the first film and has now wrote a book about them.  However, he has ran through all his money and is pinched to write a new novel.  Uninspired and at his wit's end he finds himself suspecting his new neighbor is a vampire after Cronut (Lil Duval) suggests it.  Cronut is correct and soon Carl and his rag tag team of neighbors is forced to fight the neighbor and his horde of undead lackys.  

     I was sold on the movie by the film's classic styled poster and Katt Williams playing a vampire.  However, the movie was very unoriginal and the humor was extremely forced.  I did like it a little more than the two Boo films but that's not saying much.  The acting in this one is alright.  The characters are exaggerated but not in a fun way.  A good bit of the cast appeared in some of the Scary Movie films and the characters reminded me a lot of those.  Some high energy and serious dedication but the humor doesn't find it's mark.  With that being said, Rico could have been the center of the film.  His personality and awkwardness reminded me a lot of the characters from a Chris Seaver film and that's something I could really get behind.  The story for this one is predictable but has some pretty fun moments.  The movie is painfully mediocre but the atmosphere and scenery is perfect for a late night monster movie or something to spin as you wait for Halloween.  It's not really scary and the humor misses at least 90% of the time but it does have some fun moments regardless of how bitter I sound in this review.  Finally, don't expect a bloodbath with this one.  The film doesn't really feature practical effects but you can expect to see some visual effects.  Some are solid enough but others are laughable.  It's shocking how uneven the visual effects are.  Overall, The House Next Door is a movie that has phenomenal atmosphere and sets but the story is lacking.  It deserves at least one watch but don't expect a film that will stick with you.  

Stand Off

Director - Joseph Springer Jr. (Aura, The Legend of Young Link)

Starring - Bill Kennedy (Frankenstein's Patchwork Monster, Captain America: Winter Soldier), Erika Frase (Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1, The Legend of Six Fingers), and David Clemins (Tail, Tales of Darkened Light)

Release Date - 2015

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Mankind's last...Stand Off"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was first getting into horror I found myself becoming obsessed with zombie flicks.  Tom Savini's Night of the Living Dead was the film that pulled me into the genre but Romero's Night of the Living Dead was my first obsession.  This spiraled out of control and before long I was grabbing any and every zombie movie I could find.  This would go on for almost a decade and would change after the release of AMC's The Walking Dead.  I was a huge fan of the comics and the series had me until season four.  Since then the market has become saturated with Walking Dead clones that offer up nothing for the viewer.  A few zombie flicks has popped up here and there since 2010 that was worth a damn but for the most part they all have been underwhelming.  A few weeks ago director Joseph Springer reached out for me to review his 2015 zombie flick Stand Off.  It had been a few days or weeks since my last zombie flick so I agreed to check it out.  Thanks Joseph for sending this one over!

     The film follows an ex-government agent who finds himself in the middle of a zombie outbreak when a secret experiment was is accidentally released.  As he fights for his life with other survivors he soon discovers that the person that set him up originally is the person behind the outbreak.  Revenge soon follows.  \

     Stand Off is not a straight forward horror flick.  It's an action film with zombies which may explain why I liked it as much as I did.  I didn't find myself rolling my eyes as I realized it was yet another Walking Dead inspired film.  Instead, it was a great action flick with horror elements scattered throughout.  It was still pretty cliched and cheesy at times but very enjoyable.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  The cast has some serious film credits to their names and they deliver some great performances.  The characters, as I stated before, is cliched but the cast really dives into their roles.  Their on screen chemistry is great and they all work very well with the story.  With that being said, the characters do blend into the background and are not that memorable.  The story for this one is one that reminded me a lot of the zombie flicks that would play on Sy-Fy around October.  We follow a copy (?), a nurse, and an ex-government agent as they fight through the undead and a conspiracy.  Nothing really new or clever but it does entertain and the story has just enough action and additions that it holds your attention.  Finally, the film features some no budget make-up effects and some of the worst visual effects I've seen in a feature film.  The make-up effects reminded me a lot of the early 2000s horror film Meat Market.  It's not the best I had seen but it wasn't the worst.  With that being said, the visual effects were laughable at best.  The blood splatter and the bullet scene were extremely goofy and had me laughing my ass off.  The film really didn't need these added.  Overall, Stand Off may not be for everyone but I fucking enjoyed it.  It took me back to the world of no budget zombie flicks before The Walking Dead ruined it.  I recommend checking this one out if you are in the mood for some undead fun.  

Barf Bunny

Director - Jonathan Doe (Victims of the Surgeon's Scalpel, Carving the Cadaver Vol. 1)

Starring - Felicia Fisher (Green Hell, Fluid Fields) and Marcus Koch (Circus of the Dead, Die Die Delta Pi)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Remember when I said sometime ago that I get some strange movies to review? I recently watched Horror Help 2: AI of the Dead and thought that would be the weirdest flick I've reviewed and would be so for some time.  However, that was quickly toppled by a short that was sent my way from filmmaker Jonathan Doe.  The film, Barf Bunny, features adult model and actress Felicia Fisher and a cameo from effects artist Marcus Koch.  The poster for the film was one of the best I had seen and I was very curious about the film so I agreed to check it out.  Thanks Jonathan for reaching out!\

     The film follows a beautiful young girl who has no table manners and an endless appetite.  However, she can only eat so much before she becomes too full resulting in her regurgitating her meal back up.  However, her horrible table manners attracts an evil rabbit who has an eye for bloodshed.  

     I was familiar with actress Felicia Fisher prior to Barf Bunny due to her work with Samhel.  However, I have to say that I was hoping this film would be more of a traditional horror film rather than the experimental arthouse fetish films that she is known for.  The poster really sold me on the film and I couldn't wait to check it out but the movie was exactly what I was afraid of.  The acting in this one is not done in a traditional sense.  We follow Fisher as she playfully eats her food before forcefully throwing it back up.  This goes on for most of the film before the death scene.  Can't really judge the acting in a film like this but she's cute so that should stand for something.  The story for this one blends fetish with shock value and neither really works for me.  The film could have been fun if it ran about 10 minutes or less but seeing that it was over thirty minutes made it extremely difficult to finish.  I have nothing against those in the horror community that like films that blend fetishism with extreme horror but the lack of story really turns me off.  Barf Bunny could have been something somewhat enjoyable if it wasn't stretched to the length that it was.  Hell, I only enjoyed the death scene and that was only in the film for around five minutes.  Finally, there is one death in the short but it's fucking worth it.  The practical effects are absolutely astounding and the only reason I would recommend this film.  The blood and effects blend together nicely to create something that really stands out.  Overall, Barf Bunny is the type of film that caters to fans of Vomit Gore and A Baroque House.  It's not going to be for everyone.  I didn't care for it but I also didn't understand.  It's not a bad film, its just not something I would throw in for myself.  

All Men Can Be Monsters

Director - Christian Fescine

Starring - Everett Lauster, Kayla Orben, Kevin McComb

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     I went through a spell where I was getting in a lot of different shorts to review.  I actually enjoyed checking out all these shorts that was sent my way.  Some directors are extremely passionate about the films they had written and knew that their stories would not work as a feature length film.  A few weeks ago I was contacted to review the short All Men Can Be Monsters which was available on YouTube.  I haven't seen many horror shorts this year so I was excited to dive into another one.

     The film follows a man who is seeing a woman who has recently broke up with her boyfriend.  However, her ex is still trying to get back with her forcing him to try and confront him.  Sadly, her ex is a bigger man and beats him up.  That night while the two are having dinner something horrible happens to the young man and she is forced to call her ex for protection from the beast within.

     When I was contacted to review All Men Can Be Monsters my mind immediately started racing with all the possibilities as to what the short would be about.  It was an extremely effective short that I really enjoyed but the story could have been so much more.  The acting in this is great.  The cast is relatively small but everyone really does a fantastic job.  Their chemistry on screen is great and their reactions feel genuine.  The story for this one is exactly why I love shorts.  It's simple and straight to the point.  We get a grounded relationship complete with the ex that refuses to leave but there is something darker at play here.  I liked the way the film went but it was predictable and left a lot on the table.  The "beast" within the lead was fun but I could see so much more coming out of this story besides the whole "ex boyfriend was right" angle.  I liked it but as a genuine horror fan I could see so much more carnage coming out of a story like this.  Finally, the film has a little make-up effects but nothing that stands out or memorable.  It's not a blood bath like I was expecting but it was still enjoyable.  Overall, All Men Can Be Monsters is a fun watch.  The cast is amazing and the story makes great use of it's time.  If you have around 20 minutes to kill then I would highly suggest hitting play on this one.  

Horror Helper 2: AI of the Dead

Director - Shane Vozar

Starring - Shane Vozar (Chester Grim's Mausoleum, Toxic Alien Zombie Babes from Outer Space)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get asked to review a lot of different movies.  Some extreme horror, some horror comedies, some are feature length while others are shorts.  I get movies from all over the world to review and I get excited to watch each and every one of them.  Sometimes, I get something in to review that just leaves me baffled.  I don't know where to even start with the review for some of these films but I try my best.  A few weeks ago filmmaker and YouTuber Shane Vozar reached out to review his newest film on his YouTube channel.  The film, Horror Help 2, looked extremely strange so I was down to check it out.  Thanks Shane for reaching out to me to check it out!

     The film is a product review, as well as, a product demonstration of software that some influencers and content creators could utilize for profit.

      When Shane reached out to review Horror Helper 2 I had no idea what the film was about but once I hit play on it I was confused as to how I would even approach this review.  Essentially, it's a video review of software that he had purchased so I didn't know where to even begin with this review.  I decided to approach it as I would a documentary.  The "acting" in this one is Vozar going over the pros and cons of the AI software that he purchased while discussing how it could be used in a horror aspect.  Nothing that really stands out here.  No story or premise here.  As I stated earlier, it's a product review video that is feature film length and once I reached the 30 minutes mark I was ready to turn it off.  I understand why Vozar was interested in the software and created the video but it's almost impossible to review his film like I would an actual movie.  I have no interest in the software so spending an hour and a half on a video about it was a chore to finish.  Finally, the film has some visual effects that doesn't really help the video nor does it hurt it.  The effects are just there to fill the screen and nothing else.  Overall, Horror Helper 2 isn't something I could recommend to horror fans.  If you are interest in the software then maybe you can check it out.  Honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing with the film but I still want to thank Shane for sending it over to check out.  

Dark Stories

Starring - Kristanna Loken (Bloodrayne, Lethal Weapon), Michelle Ryan (Doctor Who, Cockneys vs. Zombies), and Dominique Pinon (The Oxford Murders, Delicatessen)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Monsters are not always in your head"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror anthologies were such a huge part of my childhood.  During the beginning of my horror addiction I found myself obsessed with George A. Romero so Creepshow and Creepshow 2 was the foundation of my anthology love.  Soon I was diving into Twilight Zone: The Movie, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, From a Whisper to a Scream,  and Tales from the Hood just to name a few.  What makes a great anthology, at least to me, is the wrap around segment.  If that doesn't do a good job holding the other tales together then I struggle to enjoy myself.  A few weeks ago Shout Studios announced the DVD release of the 2019 anthology film Dark Stories.  As I said, I'm a sucker for a good horror anthologies so I reached out to them for a review copy which they were kind enough to send over.  Thank you guys.

     The film follows a single mother and her son who receive a strange gift.  It's a life sized wooden man.  After putting him together she soon realizes that the wooden man is alive and intent on killing her.  She soon finds herself bound to a chair while he approaches with a knife.  In a last ditch effort to save her life she offers to tell her captor a series of horror tales throughout the night until dawn where something worse than any story she told is waiting for it's breakfast.

     Prior to writing this review I did a quick Google search and discovered that Dark Stories was originally intended to be an anthology series rather than a film.  I don't know the reasoning behind abandoning this for the film but it worked for the most part.  The acting in this one is very well done.  A lot of the segments consist of dual languages that switch back and forth forcing the viewer to be on their toes.  I wasn't really a fan of this but it is very impressive how the cast could effortless jump between languages like that.  Also, the cast does a phenomenal job at getting into character.  They are truly dedicated to their roles and it shows.  The stories for this is very inconsistent but they do get better and the film progresses.  By the half way point in the film I was ready to give this one a negative review but soon after this the segments picked up and really delivered.  The ones that really stood out to me was the segment following the murdered man seeking revenge and the story of the jogger who finds herself in the park while ghosts haunt her.  The highlight of the film was the wrap around segments that did a fantastic job bookending the entire film.  It does borrow from the premise of Tales from the Darkside: The Movie where both follows someone about to die as they buy their time by telling stories.  It works and the twist was one I didn't expect.  Finally, the film has some fun effects and gags.  We get some great practical effects and some questionable visual effects.  The practical is great and adds a lot to the film while the visual effects were hit and miss.  They all stood out but some were not as bad as others.  Overall, Dark Stories is an uneven horror anthology that has some fun segments and not so fun segments.  However, the good outweigh the bad.  I recommend checking it out especially if you are looking for some late night scares.  

Brotherhood of the Wolf

Director - Christophe Gans (Silent Hill, Necronomicon: Book of Dead)

Starring - Samuel Le Bihan (The Mountain Detective, Journey of No Return), Mark Dacascos (Drive, Double Dragon), and Jeremie Renier (Brotherhood of Tears, Tomorrow at Dawn)

Release Date - 2001

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "The year is 1766...the hunt for a killer has begun"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in college I had an eclectic group of friends.  We all lived in the same building but we all came from different background and had different interests.  I was the only one of the group that liked horror but they all could appreciate a good film.  One of my friends at the time was a huge fan of critically acclaimed films.  He was always trying to get us to watch some movie he found that won a bunch of awards but I never really had an interest in them.  I guess I was a shitty friend.  Anyway, when we would all get together and drink we would often spin movies.  I would notorious for playing Necroville, Black Dynamite, and O' Brother Where Art Thou? and he would spin random movies.  However, there was several occasions where he tried to show us Brotherhood of the Wolf.  I had sit down to watch it at least a dozen times but I never finished it because I would get too drunk and go off on drunken adventures.  When I saw that Scream Factory was releasing it on blu I figured now was the perfect time to finally give the film the attention it deserves.  

     The film follows Gregoire de Fronsac (Bihan) and his Native American companion Mani (Dacascos) who visit a small French town in the 18th century that is plagued by a series of murders.  The locals suspect it is a wolf or some sort of beast.  As the days turn the weeks they find themselves hunted and the beast is part of a much bigger cabal tied to the church.

     Brotherhood of the Wolf, aka Le Pact des Loups,  is a film that I was too young to appreciate at the time but holy fuck is it amazing.  It has a few hang ups that stops it from being perfect but god damn is it close.  It blends genres together to create something that resonates with everyone.  The acting in this one is great.  Dacascos delivers my favorite performance of his followed closely by Drive.  I absolutely loved his character and wish that the film would have dived a lot deeper into his back story.  Bihan is great as the man leading the charge against the beast.  He was very charismatic and does an amazing job during the action scenes.  The rest of the cast does a great job as well.  The characters are all great on screen and the cast delivers some memorable performances.  The story for this one has so much going on that it would be almost impossible to mention it all in one review.  We get church sects, incest, armored beasts, martial arts, sex scenes, racism, and so much more.  I really enjoyed the period piece of the story all the different genres it mashed together to deliver something very unique to the viewer.  With that being said, as much as I love the movie there is no need for it to be almost three hours long.  so much could be trimmed down from it.  Finally, the film has some impressive practical and make-up effects and no so impressive visual effects.   We get a few scenes with corpses mutilated by the beast that look absolutely stunning especially the body left in the bog.  However, the visual effects from the fight scene along with the beast were extremely dated.  The visuals may have been good for the time but now they look poor.  Overall, Brotherhood of the Wolf is an absolute must see for any movie fan regardless of their preferred genre.  This blu release from Scream Factory is absolutely gorgeous and the way I would recommend any fan to see it.  It's worth every cent and every minute.  

The Night

Director - Kourosh Ahari (Generations, In Passing)

Starring - Shahab Hosseini (Labyrinth, Midnight Sun), Niousha Noor (My Immigrant Family, Stitchers), and George Maguire (The Zodiac, Fight Club)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It never ends"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The pairing of IFC Films/IFC Midnight and Shout/Scream Factory has brought some unforgettable films over the years.  When I see that a collaborative release is announced I quickly rush to my email to see if I received a press release.  Sometime ago Shout Factory sent out a press release for several IFC joint releases with one of them being the Iranian horror film.  It looked very interesting so I reached out to Shout Factory to see if I could get a copy in for review.  When it arrived I couldn't wait to toss it in. I want to thank Shout Factory and IFC Films for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a young couple who visit a hotel with their newborn.  A quit evening turns menacing when strange sounds awake the couple.  Soon they discover that the hotel is a supernatural hotspot and their night is only beginning.  

     I was really interested in The Night after seeing the film's artwork and synopsis but it made it evident fairly early on that it was going to be a slow burner.  I don't mind a slow horror film as long as it uses it's time wisely to build atmosphere and tension.  Sadly, The Night tries to build up on the atmosphere but it fails to pull it off.  The acting in this one is absolutely fantastic.  The cast really goes above and beyond for their roles.  Hell, if it wasn't for the cast this film would be too damn dull to watch.  I really enjoyed the characters and following them as they effortless go through Persian and English was fascinating to watch.  The story for this one could have been something much more enjoyable.  Instead, it was painfully predictable and felt like I was watching a horror film inspired by American Horror Story: Hotel and bits of The Shining.  I liked the setting of the film and what it tried to establish but the supernatural angle and overall tone of the film just didn't work for me.  It fell into cliche territory which ruined what it had going for it.  Finally, don't expect to see a bloodbath.  The film relies heavily on characters and story with just a little bit of make-up effects to elevate some of the more darker scenes.  Fans looking for practical effects and death scenes will be disappointed.  Overall, The Night has one hell of a cast and a great setting but the story really does need some tweaking.  Once you figure it out all the fun is sucked out of the film.  I'm sure others will enjoy it but I wasn't a fan aside from the brilliant cast.  

Batman: The Long Halloween Part Two

Director - Chris Palmer (Voltron: Legendary Defender, Superman: Man of Tomorrow)

Starring - Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, My Bloody Valentine), Josh Duhamel (Transformers, Turistas), and Naya Rivera (The Master of Disguise, Frankenhood)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Action/Crime

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the years I've discovered that I'm a huge fan of the DC animated films.  These one shots often deliver on a level that the live action films cannot.  Even the most weakest of the animated films is leagues better than most of their live action counterparts.  When WB and DC announced a two part animated adaptation of The Long Halloween I was all for it.  A few months ago part one was released and though I enjoyed it I found it to be very underwhelming.  Around that time my work and personal life took off and things were spinning rather frantically.  So frantically that I completely forgot about part two until it arrived for review.  I want to thank WB and DC for sending this one over!

     The film picks up sometime after the first film with the Falcone crime family still being terrorized by the serial killer known as Holiday.  As Batman continues his search for the killer he begins to suspect that someone close to the case may be the killer and soon Harvey Dent, now going by Two Face after a chemical attack, is bringing together Gotham's underground criminals.  

     The Long Halloween Part Two does pick up the pace so to speak and deliver a little more action but it doesn't deliver the impact that a lot of the previous DC films, especially the Batman titles, did.  It blends together several genres with some horror elements as well but when it was done and over with I found it to be an easily forgettable film.  The voice acting is great.  It's awesome to hear Ackles tackle the dark knight again.  I still struggle with hearing him as Dean Winchester but he still delivers a fantastic job.  The rest of the voice cast is great as well.  Everyone does a fantastic job and bring a lot of iconic characters to life.  The story for this one dives into the story that was established in the first part.  We get a lot of red herrings thrown as us but if you stick with it you will find yourself unsure of who the real Holiday is.  With that being said, the action sequences and the side-arks are not as enjoyable and it takes away from the overall film.  I feel these two films would be more enjoyable if all the side stories were removed and just one film remained.  It's not enough going on worth while to warrant two films.  Finally, the animation is solid and on par with the other DC films.  I loved the look of all the characters and seeing Dent's transformation was a highlight of the film.  Overall, the Long Halloween Part Two is worth a watch but it doesn't leave a lasting impression on the viewer.  It's not a bad film but it's nowhere near as amazing as it should have been.  It's worth a watch, however.  

Transformers: The Movie

Director - Nelson Shin (My Little Pony, Dennis the Menace in Mayday for Mother)

Starring - Orson Welles (History of the World: Part 1, Shogun), Robert Stack (1941, Airplane!), and Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek, The Outer Limits)

Release Date - 1986

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action

Tagline - "Beyond good, beyond evil, beyond your wildest imagination"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was born in 1986 and lived through the end of the 80s and up through the 90s.  I'm a product of the 90s but I'm very much obsessed with the 80s.  When I was little, around 5 or so, my uncle introduced me to the cartoons he watched in the early 80s.  Cartoons like He-Man and Transformers.  He-Man is a phenomenal show but the Transformers really stuck with me.  So much so that I'm still slightly obsessed with it to this day.  I was in middle school when I first saw Transformers: The Movie and it absolutely gutted me.  Watching my favorite Transformers die was gutwrenching but I still loved the movie.  I bought the DVD when it was released and still toss it in on occasion.  When Shout Factory announced the UHD release of the movie I had to jump on it to revisit.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows the Autobots who are waging a war with the evil Decepticons for control of the planet Cybertron.  As their war wages on they find themselves outnumbers and outgunned.  To make matters worse, a giant planet eating robot names Unicron has set it's sight on Cybertron and the keeper of the Matrix of Leadership.  The last surviving Autobots flee Cybertron to regroup while Unicron transformers dying Decepticons, including Megatron, into heralds of his own chaos to hunt down the Autobots.

     Transformers: The Movie crushed the childhood of so many children when it was released.  I was late to the party by sometime when I finally watched it but the impact was still the same.  It's a phenomenal film but that story line really hits viewers, especially Transformer fans, extremely hard.  The 80's was the decade for Saturday morning cartoons and a lot of those cartoons founds themselves landing several movies like My Little Ponys: The Movie, Masters of the Universe, and so on but Transformers: The Movie has everything fans of the cartoons of the time could ask for.  The voice acting in this is leagues above the animated series.  We have Orson Welles voicing one of the biggest animated villains in cartoon history along with Leonard Nimoy knocking it out as Megatron's upgrade Galvatron.  Robert Stack tackles Prime's replacement Ultra Magnus while Judd Nelson voices my favorite of the G2 Transformers, Hot Rod.  We get some familiar voices returning for the original run of Transformers but the new additions are what sticks out the most.  The story for this one brings out a wide range of emotions.  The point of the film was to transition American audiences from the first generation of Transformers and the toy line to the second generation.  This G2 run included Unicron, Hot Rod, Galvatron, Kup, and others while ending fan favorites like Starscream, Optimus Prime, Ironhide, and so on.  While this made sense from a marketing standpoint it was crushing to many fans as they watched their favorite characters die.  Aside from that, the film is an absolute blast.  We have so many new characters with memorable personalities along with a lot of action on a much bigger scale than the show.  Finally, the animation is better in some aspects than the show.  This is the UHD release so you can expect to see some great imagery as colors pop and a lot of the more darker scenes are much more enjoyable with this release.  I know the DVD release I've had for some time had some dark scenes that forced me to adjust the brightness a few times during my many viewings.  Overall, Transformers: The Movie is one that has stuck with me for many years and still delivers.  I wasn't around during the film's initial release but I can only imagine how hard it hit fans.  This is a must own release from Shout Factory that I highly recommend you grab.  It's essential for fans of Transformers.