Pearl

Director - Ti West (X, The Innkeepers)

Starring - Mia Goth (X, Suspiria), David Corenswet (The Politician, We Own This City), and Tandi Wright (Love and Monsters, Jack the Giant Slayer)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The X-traordinary origin story"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Earlier in the year I watched Ti West’s X and fell in love. While some were quick to compare it to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I found it to be much more than that. The TCM inspiration is clearly visible but the film has a lot more to offer the viewer than just another southern family butchering and eating people. In fact, it reminded me of a horror film that was inspired by a fan of sexploitation and hixploitation flicks. It’s easily my favorite film of the year and quickly climbed it my top ten all time favorite flicks. Not long after I reviewed X I was sent the press release for the prequel Pearl once again starring Mia Goth as a young Pearl many years before the events of X. I knew this was one I had to see but with a full-time job, three children, and a wife that doesn’t like horror I wasn’t able to check it out in theaters. However, as soon as I saw the press release for the physical release pop up in my inbox, I had to quickly reach out for a review copy. I’ve had a copy for a couple weeks, but I wanted to wait until I had enough time to watch X again before diving in. 

      The film follows Pearl who is a young woman living with her overbearing German mother and her invalid father while her husband is away fighting in World War I. They live on a small farm and struggle to stay afloat while the war wages on and the Spanish flu but she makes do. Pearl is not like most girls and liked to kill animals that are smaller than her. Whenever something small wonders onto her farm she is quick to snuff it out and feed to the gator living in the pond near her farm. When she’s not murdering livestock, she’s dreaming of becoming a star with aspirations of being a famous dancer. However, her mother doesn’t support her dreams and when she stands in her way, she finds her inner killer coming out. 

      I’ll be completely transparent with you. As much as I loved X, Pearl is nowhere near as wild and enjoyable. In fact, it was a bit of a disappointment. I liked it but it’s so much weaker than X and just didn’t deliver the same wild and raunchy story as the first film. Please don’t get the wrong idea because I actually liked the film but it’s not on the same level of intensity and story as X. The acting in this one is just as good, if not better, than X but the characters are not as colorful or memorable. Mia Goth is fantastic as Pearl and no one else could have portrayed that character like she did. Pearl has a bit more personality and on-screen presence than her other character in X. I know she was the elderly Pearl as well but the different character she portrayed was a bit of a wallflower compared to Pearl in this film. The rest of the cast is great as well but the bold personalities and characters that really stand out are absent here. The cast does a great job with the characters they were written but the fun performances are nowhere to be seen. The story for this one is a fantastic look at a character that doesn’t really get enough character development in X which makes sense considering they filmed both films back to back with that in mind. I loved seeing how she came to be so unhinged and her husband covering for her. I know a sequel is in the works the further tells her murderous youth but I wish we had a little bit more to this story than what we actually got. It’s fun and highly enjoyable but it feels held back more than X did. Finally, the film has some great on screen deaths and one impressive dismemberment scene. The practical effects look phenomenal but I was expecting a little more gore with the deaths than what we actually got. Overall, Pearl is not X and is nowhere near as memorable but it’s still one of the better horror films of the year. I highly recommend it especially after you watch X.

Halo Season 1

Creator(s) - Steven Kane (Closer, The Last Ship) and Kyle Killen (Awake, Fear Street: Part One - 1994)

Starring - Pablo Schreiber (American Gods, The Devil Has a Name), Shabana Azmi (The Black Prince, Next of Kin), and Yerin Ha (Sissy, Troppo)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Sci-Fi

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’m a product of being born in the mid-80s and growing up in the 90s. I can remember when my dad bought me the first Playstation when they were released. This was the dark gray brick before they released the smaller version and called it the PSOne. I can also remember the day my day took me to get the PS2 on launch and how I was one of the few kids in my class to have one. This would be the end of my Playstation fandom. A friend of mine down the road bought the first Xbox when it was released, and we would have lan parties to play the first Halo: Combat Evolved. I didn’t get that Xbox but when the Xbox 360 was released you can bet your sweet ass and half a tit that I got one. I’ve been an Xbox fan ever since. Halo was such a huge part of my middle school and high school years and I played a good chunk of them until Halo Reach. I was big on the multiplayer aspect to be completely honest, so I never really picked up on a lot of the mythology and lore from the storyline aside from what little bit was mentioned in Red vs Blue. When the news about the show was announced I was looking forward to checking it out, but I completely forgot to watch it until I received the blu release for review. I knew this was one I wouldn’t sit on too long before watching. 

      The series follows the UNMC in the 26th century who are at war with an alien collection known as the Covenant. The UNMC has a group of soldiers known as Spartans who have enhanced strength, endurance, stamina, and so on thanks to their years of testing and scientific advancements. When the Spartan’s leader Master Chief interacts with a Covenant artifact awakening a great power, he finds himself torn between memories he thought he had forgot and the UNMC that he had dedicated his life to and has been lying to him since he was a child. 

      I’ll be completely fucking honest with you when I say that I don’t know a lot about the Halo mythology and lore. In fact, if it wasn’t in the first Halo game’s story line or in multiplayer then I have no clue what is going on. I fucking loved the multiplayer in the series, but I never explored the story so I’m not one that can verify how close to the source material this show actually is. With that being said, I really enjoyed the show but there was some seriously cringy moments. It had a hard time capturing the tone of the game and failed at making a show that stood out from others like it. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed it, but it doesn’t hit like the games do. The acting in this is very well done. I liked the casting for the most part, but I just wasn’t feeling Pablo Schreiber as the unmasked Master Chief. His performance wasn’t that bad, but he was the weakest of the series. He didn’t really fit the character, at least in my eyes, and his performance was extremely dry when compared to everyone else. I know the Spartans are meant to show zero emotion and so forth, but he just felt the least genuine to me. With that being said, I felt the other three remaining Spartans were perfectly cast. They did so much with their roles and was able to pull off the emotionless aspect in a far better way. Also, the supporting cast is phenomenal as well. The story for this one doesn’t try to follow what was established by the game franchise, at least from what I can tell. Instead, it takes key moments and characters and revisions it for its own purpose in a similar fashion to the MCU and DCEU. I loved Halo’s blend of comedy and action, yet I didn’t see the humor in the show which was a huge disappointment for me. When fighting the grunts, needlers, and so on you could find comical moments that made the game have that comedic tone about it. However, the show keeps the same alien types, but they lacked the personality. The shows focus to a gritty military drama does take away from the overall film especially when you see the Covenant grunts and they not be funny. Also, the show struggles to find it’s own identity. It feels like a blend of Mandalorian and Star Trek: Discovery while implementing characters from Halo. It’s fun but there is very few things that separates it from other sci-fi shows like it. Finally, the props, locations, and practical effects look fucking fantastic. Some of the best I’ve seen especially in recent years. However, some of the visuals we get look fantastic while others were horrible. I liked the look of the Covenant aliens but the action scenes of the Spartans is straight up garbage. I don’t know who approved those clips but they are the worst visuals I’ve seen especially for something of this size. Overall, Halo season 1 has it’s own issues but it’s still a fun sci-fi show. If you are into shows like Mandalorian, Star Trek: Discovery and any other modern show centered around the military with sci-fi elements will want to check this out. I enjoyed it but it could have been better.

Revenge of the Chupacabras

Director - Jonathan Mumm (Blood of the Chupacabras)

Starring - Gary Agid (Smosh, Ant-Man and the Wasp), Brandon Atchison (Monsters of Destruction), and Jeff Baur 

Release Date - 2005

Genre - Horror

Tagline - It can smell your fear"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Visual Vengeance announced the blu release of Blood of the Chupacabras I knew this was going to be a release that I had to see. The movie is one I was curious about for some time but I never found the time or drive to search the film out to order it. When I received it in the mail I was surprised to discover that the film actually included a sequel that I did not know existed as part of the special features. Revenge of the Chupacabra was originally released in 2005 and though I was looking forward to checking out the first film. I was more than excited to see the sequel that had slipped through the cracks. Like always I want to thank Visual Vengeance for sending this one over for review. 

      The film follows a young woman that finds herself kidnapped by two professionals. In the same small town an elderly man escapes from an asylum after raving about a Chupacabra. The two stories collide when a bigger conspiracy is revealed about who is behind the kidnapping and a Chupacabra that is wreaking havoc on the organized criminals. 

      Revenge of the Chupacabra was not the film the first film was. In fact, the film was a complete mess from beginning to end. I went into this one immediately after watching the first film and found myself struggling to finish it. I know sequels are often tainted for not being as good as it’s predecessor, but this film was rough to finish which would explain why it was added to the special features instead of a double bill. The acting in this one is similar to the first film except the characters are not as wonderfully cliched. The characters are a little better written and the cast has a bit more to work with. However, the film’s story is pulled in so many directions that you can’t really enjoy the cast and the characters they portray. Instead, we transition from one angle to another which really cuts down on the scene and the cast. The story for this one is more like a cop drama with a little dark thriller tossed in but it feels like there is too many directions it’s trying to go. I don’t mind a horror film with layers but this one just feels like it was several ideas tossed together in hopes they would work together…which they don’t. The pacing is all wrong and the parts of the story that is interesting takes the backseat to the shitty ass abduction angle that is painfully predictable. Finally, we get more horrible CGI but this time the charm has warn off after spending most of the film suffering through the half written story. We get some minor blood and that is about the extent of the practical effects. Overall, Revenge of the Chupacabra is a cool addition to an awesome release but the movie itself was not what I was expecting. Skip it.

Blood of the Chupacabras

Director - Jonathan Mumm (Revenge of the Chupacabras)

Starring - Dan Leis (Narc, Nail in my Coffin), Rachel Sense (Scratch), and Loran Taylor (A Bullet Over Fives, Revenge of the Chupacabras)

Release Date - 2003

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The legend is true"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’ve always been a fan of cinema. I grew up in the video store renting movies like Space Jam, Heavyweights, Puppet Master, and any other VHS that caught my eye. When the 90s were ending and the 2000s were starting I reluctantly made the jump to DVD. I remember the first movies I ever bought on DVD were Sam Raimi’s Spider-man, Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Bruce Campbell vs The Army of Darkness, and Little Nicky. This was the turning point for me where I found myself favoring horror films over any other genre. This was also the time where I began finding indie horror flicks in big box stores. I snagged several films from companies like Brain Damage Films and Pendulum Pictures. It was around this time that I saw some posts in a horror forum I often frequented talking about the indie horror film Bloodthirst: Legend of the Chupacabra. I never had the chance to see it, but it did peak my interest. Fast forward many years and news breaks that Wild Eye’s Visual Vengeance label was releasing the film under the title Blood of the Chupacabras on blu. I was quick to message them, and they were kind enough to send a copy over my way for review. Like always, I want to thank Wild Eye for supporting Horror Society and myself! 

      The film follows a local reporter who finds herself investigating the mutilation of goats owned by a family nearby. She’s tired of doing these puff pieces and asks for something more important which she is granted. When a man is murdered outside a bar she is sent to report on it. Soon she uncovers the Latin legend of the Chupacabra, also known as the Mexican goat sucker, and how it has a deep history in the area that can be traced back to a nearby cave and a former professor who put a stop to a string of similar murders several decades before. 

      Blood of the Chupacabras is one of those films that is genuinely bad, but I had so much fucking fun with it. I loved the characters, the story that was all over the place, and CGI creature, and the horrible effects. It’s a low-quality film that has no business being as enjoyable as it is and I’m not ashamed at all to say I liked it. I know the horror hipsters that beat off to August Underground and A Serbian Film will comment that I was paid off with this review, but I wasn’t. I just like indie horror and this one was fun regardless of it’s short comings. The acting in this one is surprisingly well done. There were a few scenes where the cast was a little too stiff and awkward but most of the movie was very relaxed and genuine. Everyone, for the most part, worked very well together which made the story a little easier to swallow. Honestly, I really liked the cast and it’s a bit a shame that I never saw them in anything else. The story for this one has that mid-90s Sci-Fi Channel (before they rebranded) feel which is something I didn’t realize I liked. Most of the film follows a reporter trying to uncover the mystery behind a string of animal attacks and a handful of murders. We then have a cool angle featuring a professor hunting the beast and vampires. That’s right, a film about the Mexican Goat Sucker has fucking vampires. The movie is wild if you can look passed the no budget made for television look of the film. Finally, the film has some make-up and practical effects that does match the films budget but the highlight of the film is the CGI Chupacabra. The film knew it’s limits and full embraced it. I fucking loved this shitty looking creature. Overall, Blood of the Chupacabras is a lot of fun and one I can’t wait to revisit with some edible and beer. This is the kind of movies I look forward to reviewing and I want to thank Visual Vengeance for giving this the love it deserves.

Moonchild

Director - Todd Sheets (Bonehill Road, Hi-8 (Horror Independent 8)

Starring - Auggi Alvarez (The Witching, Zombie Bloodbath), Kathleen McSweeney (Violent New Breed, Zombie Bloodbath 2), and Zombie Bloodbath, Zombie Bloodbath 2)

Release Date - 1994

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi/Horror

Tagline - "A full moon can be fatal!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Todd Sheets is a filmmaker that really impresses me. Whenever I review one of his films, I have to mention how impressed by his career I am. Not many independent filmmakers can last as long as he has in the business and the fact that he has released some seriously fantastic films in his lengthy career is no small feat. With that being said, not all of his films speak to me. Some are fun and work while others just don’t work for me. A few months ago, Wild Eye’s sister company Visual Vengeance announced the release of Sheets’ Moonchild on blu. This was one I had never seen before, so I reached out to my friend at Wild Eye and they were kind enough to send a copy my way. Like always I want to take a moment to thank them for hooking me up! 

      The film follows a man who was forced to undergo an experiment that spliced his DNA with that of a wolf. The team behind the experiment kills his wife and takes his son who inherited his traits. He’s able to escape and begins a hunt for his son and the company that did this to him along with a rag tag group of survivors with their own scores to settle. 

      When I first received the press release for Visual Vengeance’s release of Moonchild I was fucking hooked on the film. The synopsis sounded like everything I didn’t know I needed in an S.O.V. action horror flick. Like I stated earlier, Sheets’ films are hit or miss with me but this one sounded like a love letter to the dystopian future gang flicks from the 80s that I love. However, the film really struggled to hold my attention and the story felt a bit underwhelming which was odd considering how much was going on in the film. The acting in this one is some of the most awkward performances I’ve seen in indie cinema. I’ve reviewed films from the teenage years of filmmakers like Chris Seaver and Todd Falcon along with countless first-time filmmakers ranging from teenagers in high school to middle schoolers playing around with their parent’s cameras. I can usually look passed inexperience but a lot of the scenes in Moonchild are awkward to watch. The cast seems to be confused as to who they are talking to at times and their sporadic eye movement along with their unconvincing performances made this wild ass story fall shirt. The story for this one is one of the most ambitious indie productions I’ve witnessed. It’s an action film at it’s base that reminds me a lot of films like Split Second and other straight to video action films that blended in elements of sci-fi and horror. We have a dystopian society ruled by corporations, gangs of madmen, shapeshifters, inhumans, and so much more. With that being said, the awkward acting and poor pacing takes so much away from what would normally be an amazing story. Finally, the effects are limits but still fun. We get some great sets, wardrobe, and locations but the lack of effects really disappointed me. I was expecting so much more from Sheets and his team in regards to this. There was a scene or two with some decent practical effects but not enough to satisfy those of us that know what he is capable of. Overall, Moonchild is a fucking wild film that has moments that will glue you to the screen scattered throughout a film that is about as interesting as watching paint dry. I love seeing films like this get the blu-ray treatment from Visual Vengeance but this is one I will not be able to revisit any time soon.

Scare Package II: Rad Chad's Revenge

Director(s) - Alexandra Barreto (Cut and Run, Lady Hater), Anthony Cousins (Scare Package, When Susurrus Stirs), Arron B. Koontz (The Pale Door, The El Chupugcabra), Jed Shepherd (Ghosts, Multiplex), and Rachele Wiggins (Deadhouse Dark, Ciere)

Starring - Steph Barkley (Caesar and Otto's Paranormal Halloween, Transylvania Shore),  Chelsey Grant (Whiskey and Wine, Dead Cell), and Luc Barrett (Thor: Love and Thunder, Barons)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "The call is coming from inside the movie"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Back at the end of 2020 I reviewed the horror anthology Scare Package. I loved the idea behind the film and a lot of the segments found their mark, but it was missing something that made it stand out from other genre anthologies. With that being said, the artwork for this film is one of the best posters I’ve seen on an indie horror production which would add to the film’s success. Many that I know that actually took the time to see it stated that it was mediocre and often ribbed me about my review saying I was paid off among other things. This would be the consensus for the film with it currently holding a 5 out of 10 on imdb out of 4k votes. Honestly, it was fun, but I can see why some genre fans didn’t like it as much as I did which is why I was shocked when I received word that a sequel was soon hitting Shudder. A few days after I received the press release, I was sent an email that the film was uploaded to Shudder’s viewing room for reviewers to check out. I wasn’t able to get to it right away but as soon as I found the time, I was quick to check it out. 

      The film picks up after the death of Rad Chad and as people gather to mourn his loss they find themselves playing a morbid game set up by the late Rad Chad and a horror fan that frequented his video store. 

      Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge is the type of film that starts out with a good idea before quickly spiraling into something that doesn’t hold a candle to the original concept. I liked a few of the segments, along with a huge part of the cast, but the overall film was very underwhelming. I was pretty fucking pumped to check it out, but the overall film left me feeling disappointed and cheated. The acting in this one is the highlight of the film. I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this film and how generic they were. The film is a parody of the genre, especially sequels, and the characters are no different. We have so many different character tropes portrayed here, and the cast does one hell of a job at bringing them to life. Hell, I don’t think the film would be nearly as enjoyable if the characters was not as fun as they are. The stories for this one is hit or miss with me. The wrap around segment that slowly becomes a half-assed parody of Saw that doesn’t really work. It’s not as clever as they expected and the deeper into the parody, we go the less and less it works. There was a few other tributes, or parody depending on where you are standing, was fun but having the entire wraparound segment parody Saw was a huge waste of time. However, a few of the segments were pretty fun. I liked Welcome to the 90s which follows a slasher that skips the typical party girls of a college and attack the smart and independent women that are your typical final girls. I also liked We’re So Dead which was a mix of Re-Animator and horror tales centered around children like Stranger Things. It was a fun story that could easily be morphed into a feature length film. Now, with that being said, I was not a fan of Special Edition, The Night He Came Back Again Part VI, and the wraparound. They just felt rushed and lacked anything for the viewer to latch onto. Finally, this film has some seriously impressive effects. We get a ton of blood and gore with some of the gooiest effects I’ve seen in a minute. If you want some messy scenes full of guts and other bodily fluids then this one is for you. Overall, Scare Package II feels like a sequel that is trying to cash in on what little success the first film had. With a middle of the road score on imdb I can only imagine that this one was greenlit due to numbers from Shudder. However, it lacks heart and imagination resulting in one of the dullest, yet bloodiest, sequels I’ve seen in recent years. Skip it.

The Things We Cannot Change

Director - Joshua Nelson (Triaphilia, 12 Slices of Life)

Starring - David Reyez Adamez (Lounge Lizards, Thoughts and Feelings), Ziad Alezabi (SEAL Team, Scenic Route), and Jay Barson (Fear and Salvation)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was a huge fan of vampire flicks when I was growing up. Movies like The Lost Boys, Fright Night, My Best Friend is a Vampire, Once Bitten, Children of the Night, and so on were movies that I would often revisit. I’d watch the absolute fuck out these films to the point that the tape would stop playing. In fact, my VHS of Fright Night and Return of the Living Dead was played so much that the actual tape wore out and many of the scenes were extremely distorted from years of viewing. By the way, I know RotLD is not a vampire film. I was just stating it was one of two films that I couldn’t stop watching. Anyway, as much as vampire flicks were apart of my childhood, they are not as common as they once were. Personally, I blame the Twilight Saga for this. I’m not going to bash the Twilight films but I think filmmakers are afraid to tackle vampires in a horror sense due to how they were romanticized and turned into a pop culture staple. That’s why I agreed to review The Things We Cannot Change when I received the email for it. I still have a soft spot for vampire flicks and this one is one of the most unique vampire films I have ever seen. 

      The film follows a group of people who have an unusual addiction. They are addicted to murdering people and drinking their blood. While some want to live a normal and peaceful life where they are not a danger to those around them but there is some who want to embrace their inner beast. 

      The Things We Cannot Change is not a horror movie in a traditional sense. However, it works very well for whatever it is. We have a story that is not what you would expect along with some decent performances and unexpected gore. This is the kind of indie production that I like to watch late at night with a few beers. It’s not the best film you will see this year, but it is a solid flick that has a story that is a bit different from others in the subgenre. The acting in this one is a bit awkward at times and at times it feels forced but I actually enjoyed it. I liked the characters, the energy the cast brought to the scenes, and the way in which they interacted with one another. The cast showed their inexperience but at the end of the day I still enjoyed their performances. The story for this one is a very interesting take on vampires especially in a post-Twilight world. There has been other films that approached vampirism like an addiction. Films like The Addiction and The Hunger (to a lesser extent) approach vampirism this way. However, what sets this film apart from the others is how the film was edited together while depicting both sides of the disease which is those that want to live a normal life and those that embrace vampirism. It does feel a little dorky at times and some of the awkward scenes makes it feel a bit dorky at times but if you stick with it and let the story progress you will find yourself enjoying it. Finally, this film really surprised me with the blood and gore. I was expecting some blood considering it was a vampire film but the gore in some of the scenes caught me off guard. The practical effects look good for the most part but there was a scene with a fake arm or leg that really cheapened the film in my opinion. Overall, The Things We Cannot Change is a different take on vampire mythology. It has a story that does stand out from other films in the sub-genre though the editing and story development did take a questionable approach. Regardless, I highly recommend checking this one out.

The Loneliest Boy in the World

Director - Martin Owen (Killers Anonymous, The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud)

Starring - Max Harwood (Seagull, Everybody's Talking About Jamie), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Cleaning Up, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), and Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes, The Inbetweeners 2)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "They're dying to be his friend"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I tend to gravitate toward the odd and weird side of the genre. Extreme horror often bores me with their lack of story and underwhelming attempts at shock value. I also find most main stream films to be repetitive and unoriginal, but they do deliver some entertainment from time to time especially if you want some mindless popcorn flick. Several weeks back I received the press release for the horror comedy The Loneliest Boy in the World. The artwork and trailer put me in mind of My Boyfriend’s Back meets Office Killer. I love both of those films, so I quickly reached out to Well Go USA for a review copy. I’ve actually been sitting on the blu release for a few weeks now, but sickness has prevented me from being as productive as I should have been. 

      The film follows a young man who lived a sheltered life. He lived with his mother but after a horrific swimming accident he was left alone. A social worker assigned to him wants him to find some friends and adapt to society or risk being institutionalized. He tries to make friends with a young lady who moved into the area but finds himself coming off as too strong. He soon befriends two grave diggers who moonlight as tour guides for the cemetery. He soon learns about some of the recently deceased that found their final resting places in the same cemetery as his mother. He soon builds his own family with the recently deceased and one morning he awakens to find that they have returned to life but are still decaying. This new-found family helps him with his self-esteem and communication skills which helps him get the girl and find his own place in the world. 

      I was really fucking excited to check this one out. I love these bright suburban black comedies and horror films like My Boyfriend’s Back, Edward Scissorhands, Greener Grass, and Fido. They are a starkly contrast to what I normally get in for review. The bright colors, vibrant personalities, and unusual characters are the opposite of the films I normally review with darker and grittier tones, grounded characters, and lack of imagination. With that being said, The Loneliest Boy in the World was enjoyable for the most part, but it did have a few scenes that I struggled to finish. It was nowhere near as fun as it could have been, and the writing was a bit underwhelming. I did enjoy it, but I will not be revisiting it anytime soon. I really enjoyed the acting in this one. We have so many well written characters and amazing performances from the entire cast. The film consists of a cast from varying age ranging from children to older adults, yet everyone delivers the same quality of performances. They all work so well together, and I love the character interactions together. The story for this one is a morbid spin on a fairy tale of sorts that takes liberties at times without giving the viewer any form of explanation. I liked the quirkiness of the story and how light hearted it is but the comedy never finds it’s mark, a few of the scenes feel out of place or tossed in after the fact, and the movie never answers the big question as to why the dead reanimate. Hell, if it did it did it in such a way that I never saw or heard. I liked the Office Killer aspect of the film with him taking the dead to his home to make his own friends and family but I would have really enjoyed an explanation about the dead coming back to life and a better ending than we received. Finally, the film has plenty of amazing make-up effects and one really enjoyable death scene. The practical effects are top notch and I loved the way the dead progressively decayed from scene to scene. However, the CGI was absolute garbage. The Chupacabra from Blood of the Chupacabras looked better than that poor dead dog. Overall, The Loneliest Boy in the World was a solid film for a first time watch but it has plenty of it’s own flaws. The writing misses it’s mark a majority of the time and the story needs more explanation. I really enjoyed it but I expect a good portion of the community will not. Regardless, if Greener Grass and My Boyfriend’s Back something you enjoyed then I highly suggest this one.

Earth Girls Are Easy

Director - Julien Temple (Absolute Beginners, The Comic Strip)

Starring - Geena Davis (The Fly, A League of Their Own), Jeff Goldblum (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Transylvania 6-5000) and Julie Brown (Clueless, Six Feet Under)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy/Musical

Tagline - "An out-of-this-world, down-to- Earth, romantic comedy"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was younger, I’m talking high school years, I was snagging each and every DVD horror and sci-fi set I could find. I loved seeing the random collection of films I had never seen or heard of before. The quality of these films were shit due to so many films being crammed onto one disc but it was still a cool experience to marathon them in their VHS like quality. One of those films was the 1989 sci-fi musical Earth Girls are Easy starring Geena Davis, Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans. I liked it but I would be lying if I said it was among my favorite films. I liked the look, style, and writing of the film but it’s one I can’t bring myself to watch over and over again. When Vestron Video announced that the film was getting a blu release I decided it was the perfect excuse to revisit this film that I had not seen for damn near twenty years especially for the price of their releases. 

      The film follows a woman who finds herself engaged to a man who can’t get it up for her. Sexually frustrated and questioning her marriage, she tries to surprise him at his home with a make-over but catches him cheating. She kicks him out and the next day finds three fur covered aliens that has crashed in her pool. While she struggles with the emotions of discovering the man you love is cheating on your, she also comes to the realization that she may love these strangers from another world more than her former fiancé. 

      Earth Girls are Easy is not a movie that is story rich or unique. It is a lot of fun and the visual style is something that makes it stand out from the crowd, but the lack of interesting story does hold it back from what it could have been. It’s one of those films that is a lot of fun for a first time watch or a revisit every couple of years, but it doesn’t really have that much of a replay value which would explain why you never really hear people talk about the film. Sure, fans mention it when it’s brought up but it’s never the center of attention from movie goers. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. The cast is amazing, and the characters make the film what it is to me. I couldn’t imagine this film if just one character was cast differently. The story for this one blends musical, sci-fi, comedy, and romance into something that is fully submerged in it’s decade. I could live without the musical aspect and the random dancing scene, but the remainder of the story is pretty fun if you like late 80s comedies. The scenes do tend to drag on at times and the romance angle does feel forced, but the sci-fi and comedy aspect of the film really works in my opinion. Finally, I love the look and style of the film. We don’t get any blood or anything of the sort but we get some fun locations and sets along with some corny yet fun make-up effects. Overall, Earth Girls are Easy is a classic late 90s comedy but it’s not making anyone’s top ten lists. Fans and collectors alike should snag this release from Vestron.

Deadly Dealings

Director(s) - Adam Freeman and Roman Jossart (The Campground, Nigrum Corvus)

Starring - Roni Jonah (Secrets of the Witch, Bigfoot Exorcist), Adam Freeman, and Jessa Flux (Space Babes from Outer Space, Voorhees: Night of the Beast)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A tale of love, loss, and resurrection"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

     It’s good to see indie horror begin to flourish again after the initial shut down due to the pandemic. When the world shit the bed in 2020 and continued to follow new guidelines and protocols throughout 2021 and most of 2022 left a lasting impact. The last two years saw just a percentage of the films get released that we were accustomed to which was a bummer. It seemed that indie productions got hit the hardest as many were unable to travel out of state due to their day jobs and restrictions. However, it seems that things are slowly getting back to normal in some capacity and new indie productions are hitting the streets. A few weeks back, possibly around Halloween, Adam Freeman’s Deadly Dealings received a limited YouTube run for the holiday. I was unable to watch it during that time but after speaking with Adam I was sent a link to check it out when I could. I want to thank Adam for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to see your film. 

      The film follows a young woman who is struggling with losing her brother. Her family tries to hold it together but deep down they are all missing a huge part of their lives. Her roommate turns her on to a spirit board and that night she has a dream that she can trade her dream for her brother’s life. The next day when she awakens she learns that it was more than just a dream and she bit off more than she expected.  

     Deadly Dealings is not going to be for everyone. In fact, a good portion of horror fans will not fully appreciate what Adam and his team gave us which is a damn shame because it does need to be seen. The story for this one was lacking but the film more than made up for it with colorful characters and beautiful cinematography. I love watching a film, especially an indie production, and every scene is a work of art. You can pause Deadly Dealings at any time and the still you have on screen is gorgeous. The acting in this one is solid for the most part but there was a few scenes that felt a little awkward. The characters are a lot of fun, especially once the film picks up, and the cast does a fantastic job for the most part. The story for this one is where I draw my biggest complaint with the film. The film has a solid baseline for a story featuring a broken hearted sister who is dealing with the traumatic death of her brother that lost his life protecting her. Mix in the black magic angle and you have something unique but it’s not fully explored like most genre fans would have liked. Instead, it’s mentioned in passing and we focus more on the distraught sister missing her protective brother. It’s a solid start but not enough to hold the viewer’s attention for over an hour. More development around the demon in her dream along with the why it was happening would have answered so many questions the viewer may have. Finally, the film has some blood and some solid practical effects but what really impressed me is the make-up effects and cinematography. I loved the look of the “person” that visits her in her dream and his make-up prosthetics is fucking perfect. I could only imagine what they could have accomplished if they tackled blood and gore with that same skill set. Overall, Deadly Dealings is not what you would expect. I hate to be so cliched as to call it unique and different but it is. It’s not a film that wants to shock the viewer. Instead, it offers up beautiful camera work, likable characters, and a story that has potential. If you are open minded I highly recommend checking this one out.

Christmas Cruelty

Director(s) - Per-Ingvar Tomren (School of the Dead, Banzai Motherfucker!) and Magne Steinsvoll (Killungard)

Starring - Eline Aasheim (Headless Entanglement), Tormod Lien (Karachi, Hotel Caesar), and Magne Steinsvoll 

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "This Christmas Santa is going postal"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I know most horror fans look forward to October and Halloween. Hell, I do too but I’m fucking obsessed with Christmas and this has only been amplified since I’ve started a family. I love decorating, going for drives to look at all the Christmas lights, and more importantly, the Christmas themed horror films. If you ask me, I’ll be completely honest with you and say that there is not enough Christmas horror films out there. With that being said, not every Christmas horror flick I review is good. Case in point is the 2013 Norwegian horror film Christmas Cruelty. I remember seeing this one make it’s rounds in the horror groups but I never wanted to fork out the absurd amount of money for a DVD release and my patience paid off. Unearthed Films recently put the film out on blu and my friends over at MVD were kind enough to send a review copy my way. 

    The film follows a group of young adults who prepare to party during the holiday season. What they don’t know is that there is another man preparing for the holiday who has a different way of celebrating the holiday which includes rape and bloodshed. 

      I don’t know if reviewing horror titles every day for the last 10 years, along with watching them every day for two some odd years, has desensitized me or Christmas Cruelty is not as brutal as I was led to believe. The last twenty minutes or so was graphic and extremely enjoyable but I’ve seen movies that are far worse and done better. The acting in this one was pretty solid. Reading a movie does take away from the impact but I was able to keep pace with the subtitles and enjoy the cast. The characters are fairly generic, but the cast really does go all in. It would have been a lot more enjoyable and easier to pay attention if the characters did have a bit more energy and personality. The story for this one is so fucking simple, yet it fails to pull it all together into something that you can enjoy year after year as the temperatures drop. A group of twenty-somethings or young adults getting together to party for Christmas before a maniac in a Santa costume arrives to cause havoc is nothing new nor is it something, we haven’t seen at least a dozen times over the last 30 to 40 years. However, it still has potential to be something memorable especially if it goes the extreme route… which I don’t think it actually did. The baby in the bouncy with the circular saw was funny but extremely cheap and not effective at all. The last twenty minutes were more action packed but the hour or so of dialogue heavy scenes with very little story progression. It moves at a snail’s pace through the first hour before moving to the faster paced ending that delivers the bang. Finally, the film has some decent effects for the most part but a few of them were rather funny rather it was intentional or not. I liked the use of practical effects for the most part but the scene with the baby was just so goofy and out of place that it threw the tone of the film off. Overall, Christmas Cruelty is a film that ends with a fucking bang but the hour or so build up doesn’t do it any favors. I wanted to enjoy this one but the dead pan scenes we get for 60 minutes made me almost turn it off several times. If you want some fun gore I recommend fast forwarding through most of this one.

Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini

Director - Jason Baker (The Misfits: Tour Video Collection, Welcome to RED ROOM)

Starring - Tom Savini (From Duck Till Dawn, Creepshow 2), Fred Williamson (VFW, Hell Up in Harlem), and Caroline Williams (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Sabrina the Teenage Witch)

Release Date - 2015

Genre - Horror/Documentary

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was on the fence about how to start this review. I absolutely adore Wild Eye Releasing and even if I don’t find myself enjoying the film, they sent me for review I still enjoy the moment. Watching an indie film is something that I love. It’s an experience even if the film doesn’t find it’s mark with me. A few weeks back I received their blu release of the horror documentary Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini. Savini is king to many horror fans and I have to admit that I thought the same when I was a teenager up until just recently. His effects work was my childhood and I can’t talk about many of my favorite films without talking about his hideous creations. As much as I respect him for what he has done for the genre and the memories he has created I would be lying if I didn’t mention how rude and arrogant, he was when I met him at a con in Pittsburgh a few years back. 

      The film follows the life of Tom Savini from his childhood and finding his love of monsters and theater. Before moving to his love life, enlisting in the military, and finding a knack for theater. Things are bumpy for Savini for a but another meeting with Pittsburgh native George A. Romero sends him in the right direction where he would create effects for some of the most acclaimed genre films of all time. 

      I met Savini several years back when I went to Steel City Con in Pittsburgh. I had no idea he was scheduled to be there and had went for the Dawn of the Dead reunion to meet Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Gaylen Ross and more. When I walked into the convention floor I immediately saw the line for Ken Foree, Road Warrior Animal, Linda Blair, and several cast members from Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. When you walked passed them to the vendor floor you were greeted with several tables of horror merch, hand made items, and a few other celebrities with Savini among them. I was fucking shocked to see him setting there with his handler all alone. I rushed over with my wife and toddler and asked if I could snag an autograph and a picture with him. He never said a word and his handler told me the price. I paid cash and pointed to the pic I wanted autographed. Once I did, he signed it and left it sitting where it was before turning to the side to have a conversation with his female handler. I paused for a moment and then asked if it was cool to snag a picture with him but before I could finish his handler said he wasn’t feeling like pictures today. Since then I’ve heard dozens, if not hundreds, of tales like mine. I don’t expect a celebrity at a convention to bend over backwards for me but I was expecting someone to show a little manners and at least speak to a fan that is handing over their hard earned money to meet them. Anyway, this film is an emotional look at the man known for bringing monsters to life and killing our favorite characters. The interviews in this one ranges from legends, alive and dead, to personal friends and fans of Savini. We have life long friends, family, colleagues, fans, filmmakers, and more who speak about Savini and his legacy. Honestly, I know he is a legend but it’s really impressive hearing so many people talk about him and his accomplishments. The topics discussed in this one are more focused on Savini on a personal level instead of the effects world that he created and is known for. When I said earlier that this is an emotional look at Savini I truly meant it. While it does discuss his work on films either in front of behind the camera, it mostly focuses on his passion, desires, family, and dreams. You get a really close look into his upbringing, finding his knack for make-up and theatrics, life in the military, divorce, and much more. It really does take a deep look into it all. On the other side of the same coin, many of us are more interested in his effects and acting work and wish the film would have focused more on that with some behind the scene stories of working on these classic scenes. Finally, the film takes a chronological approach beginning from his childhood until now. We have smooth transitions from one life event to the next and the editing is just as smooth. The film is a top tier documentary which makes sense considering it was directed by frequent Savini collaborator and former student. Overall, Smoke and Mirrors is a solid watch for genre fans especially those of you that grew up on the films Savini worked on. It’s a great look into his life but a doc about his effects with behind the scenes stories and so on would have been so much more fun. Regardless, I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Devil's Workshop

Director - Chris von Hoffmann (Drifter, Monster Party)

Starring - Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill, Pitch Black), Timothy Granaderos (13 Reasons Why, Room 104), and Emile Hirsch (The Darkest Hour, The Autopsy of Jane Doe)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "We all have our demons"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’m a sucker for titles and artwork but I’m the first to tell you not to judge a book by it’s cover. I love how certain titles and artwork sends your imagination into over time as it races through all the possibilities that could be before us when we hit play. A few weeks ago, I received the press release for the horror film Devil’s Workshop. The title didn’t do much for me but all the attached artworks for the film really intrigued me. I was also curious when I saw Emile Hirsch attached. I fucking loved the Autopsy of Jane Doe so I was looking forward to checking this one out. 

      The film follows an aspiring actor who is cast in a film about demonology and exorcisms. He turns to the internet to do some research on his role where he places an ad looking for a demonologist. He soon receives a call from one and she invites him to her rural home. She was a former host of a paranormal show and now lives a reclusive life. The two begin talking about demonology but soon he realizes that there is something more going on than a quick learning experience.

     The artwork and title for Devil’s Workshop made me think that I was going to be visiting a film with a dark occult aspect and Satanic imagery. I have a soft spot for films centered around cults and paganism, but Devil’s Workshop was not that kind of film at all. Don’t get me wrong because I actually liked the film to some extent, but it didn’t feel like a horror flick. In fact, it felt like a spiritual drama with some horror elements scattered throughout. The acting in this one is decent but the generic characters didn’t give the cast much room to work with. Hirsch stars as another aspiring actor who has made a small name for himself and has let the little bit of success go to his head. He wasn’t a big part of the story and his part could easily be cut from the film with little to no impact on the story. It’s clear his part was added last minute or filmed after production when he agreed to the film. With that being said, Radha Mitchell and Timothy Granaderos were great. Most of the film, possibly about 80 percent or more, focuses on these two and their interactions in the home. They work very well together, and their scenes felt natural. The story for this one is about discovery in a sense with a heavy spiritual theme. The film makes you think that it’s going to be dark and foreboding, but the film is anything but that. The dialogue heavy scenes and lack of anything horrifying makes it feel like a thriller with no atmosphere. Some attention to lighting, establishing atmosphere, and giving the characters a legitimate threat would have made this one so much better. It’s still decent for what it is but it’s forgettable and unimaginative. Finally, don’t expect a bloodbath or a film with memorable deaths. In fact, don’t expect a film with that many thrillers aside from some lazy jump scares that doesn’t work. Overall, Devil’s Workshop wasn’t a bad film. In fact, I actually liked it but there was a huge missed opportunity here. The movie is not what you would expect and could use a horror make-over. It’s worth a watch but don’t expect something that will stick with you for days after viewing.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Director - Steven Spielberg (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park)

Starring - Henry Thomas (Gangs of New York, Doctor Sleep), Drew Barrymore (Firestarter, Waxwork II: Lost in Time), and Peter Coyote (The Twilight Zone, The Legend of Billie Jean)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure

Tagline - "He is afraid.  He is totally alone.  He is 3 million light years from home"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It’s almost daily that I find myself surprised by what shows up for me to review in the mail. What really catches me off guard the most is when I receive non-horror titles for review considering the site is horrorsociety.com along with films that I consider timeless classics. Movies like George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, Fright Night, Universal’s monster movies, and so on. Recently, I shared a press release for the UHD release of Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extraterrestrial. This film is fucking legendary. It may not be a horror title but it does borrow from the genre and inspired countless filmmakers to pick up a camera. It had been at least 20 some odd years since I last watched this one so I would looking forward to revisiting it. 

      The film follows Elliott who is a bit of the black sheep of his family. His father left him sometime back and he lives with his older brother, little sister, and single mother in California suburbia. One night he finds something out of this world and lovingly named him E.T. He soon introduces the otherworldly visitor to his brother and sister but their secret is not kept for long after E.T. becomes ill and the government gets involved. 

      E.T.: The Extraterrestrial was not the first film of it’s kind but it is one of the best films of it’s kind. Way before this film’s release there was other horror and sci-fi flicks following kids or teenagers who find something strange and try to keep it a secret, but it seems like this type of story fucking exploded, especially in horror, after E.T.’s release. It’s an influential sci-fi film that really set the bar high for family friendly films. The acting in this one is amazing. I love late 70s and 80s Dee Wallace. Her emotional range was really impressive which really bums me out considering she is rarely cast as the lead in films anymore. Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore always impressed me as well. Their characters were written so well and the pair worked so well together. You really feel that child like sibling love/hate. Most of their scenes are genuine. The rest of the cast is just as enjoyable but these three truly stand out for me. The story for this one inspired so many other films and shows ranging from Mac and Me, Stranger Things, and many more. The movie does drag it’s feet from time to time it still finds a way to keep you pulled in. As someone who grew up watching this on VHS along with other films like it I have to admit that it’s not really that original. What makes this one stand out is how wholesome and well put together it is. Finally, the visual and practical effects in this one is legendary. The puppetry, the look of E.T., and the visual effects still hold up to this day. Overall, E.T.: The Extraterrestrial is a timeless classic that really does find an audience after 40 years. This film is a lot of fun but it does struggle with pacing. I highly recommend it especially if you are looking for something that the entire family can enjoy. Check out this UHD release!

Grindhouse Gospel 2

Director - Rowdy Riter (Grindhouse Gospel)

Starring - Rowdy Riter, Tanner James, and Jesse Rothhammer

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     I will always have a soft spot for indie horror. Watching filmmakers learn, grow, and express themselves through film is always a highlight of reviewing films. Not all indie productions find their mark with me, but I can always find something to appreciate in everyone unless it’s just a lazy release. A few months ago, aspiring filmmaker Rowdy Ritter hot me up to review his short Grindhouse Gospel. I fucking loved the name and decided to check it out. The film did lack in the story department, but I liked the style and camera work. A few weeks back Rowdy messaged me with a link to his new sequel Grindhouse Gospel 2. I was curious to see where this one would go so I accepted to review it. Thanks for sending it over Rowdy! 

      The film once again follows a man after committing murder who disposes of the body. However, instead of laying low for risk of being caught, he chose violence once again and his body count rises.    

     Grindhouse Gospel is not going to be for everyone. Hell, it’s not going to be for a lot of people but for those of you that enjoy no budget tributes to films long gone then you may appreciate what Rowdy brings to the table. The film has that grindhouse western feel that was popular in mid to late 70s exploitation flicks and popularized again when Robert Rodriguez was showing this influence in his films. I liked it but it could have used a little more substance with the story. The acting in this one has plenty of room for improvement but far from the worst I’ve seen. The cast is relatively small and everyone is fully committed to their roles but there was a few instances where the interactions or the scene was a bit awkward to watch. The story for this one is rather lacking. It’s more or less, an 20 minute extension of the first film which could easily be added with the original short and still retain it’s original structure. I would have liked to see a bit more character development and an actual plot but it was still decent as it is. Finally, the film has some blood but those of you looking for a body count and memorable practical effects will be very disappointed. Overall, Grindhouse Gospel has a look that I really dug and was enjoyable for a 20 minute flick. I would have liked to see a little more plot with it but it was decent for what it was. Check it out.