Beyond Darkness

Director - Claudio Fragasso (Troll 2, Night Killer)

Starring - Gene LeBrock (Night of the Beast, Arctic Warriors), David Brandon (Delirium, StageFright), and Barbara Bingham (Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan, Terror at London Bridge)

Release Date - 1990

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The evil one has come to take the souls of the young"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I get quite a bit of movies in to review and most have the typical back story.  They are either indie productions made by genre fans wanting to contribute to the genre they love or they are re-releases of films from several decades ago looking for a new generation of admirers.  However, there is the occasional release that has some interesting story.  A few weeks back Severin Films and MVD sent over the 1990 Italian horror film Beyond Darkness to review.  This is a movie that I had always been interested in but never had the chance to see it.  What makes this film so interesting is how it was marketed upon it's release.  The film was billed as House 5, Ghosthouse 6, and even Evil Dead 5.  It's obvious that the film has nothing to do with the franchises it's trying to capitalize on but it's intriguing nonetheless that the film was released under these titles.  I want to thank Severin and MVD for once again providing Horror Society with a review copy of the film.

     The film follows a priest, his wife, and his two children as they move into an old home.  Strange things begin to happen and soon they discover that the home is possessed by an evil that wants to claim their two children.  A former priest, who is now suffering from a mental breakdown, tries to help the family but the church shuns him thinking he's crazy.  This doesn't stop him as he tries to save the family before it's too late.  

     I wasn't expecting an unforgettable film especially when you consider how it was shoehorned into several different franchises.  That immediately let me know that the story was going to be a little messy but that didn't stop me from wanting to watch it.  I knew it was going to be fun.  The acting in this one is a little flat but it wasn't bad.  The characters are very generic and lacked any distinguishable features.  In fact, there was several scenes where the cast blended in with the background while the story took over. The film would have benefited with having a cast with a little more energy and characters with memorable personalities.  The story for this one is a mash up of religious horror and a haunted house tale.  It felt like Poltergeist meets The Exorcist with a little bit of House spread throughout.  I liked the dark presence after the children but the film started to lose me with the Exorcist rip off along with the repetitive scenes of the former priest questioning his sanity.  Some parts of the story are expressed on screen several times which was redundant and slightly boring.  If the film would have focused more on the presence in the house and the horror the family faced it would have been far more enjoyable.  The pacing is off especially for the later scenes but it's still worth watching.  Finally, the film has several fun moments with make-up effects.  I liked the look of the demons in the home and when the son becomes possessed I really liked the look he had.  It's not a bloody or gory film that you would expect from an Italian horror flick but it's still enjoyable.  Overall, Beyond Darkness is a forgettable film but it's still enjoyable.  I would highly recommend checking it out late at night and with some other Italian classics.  It's just as fun as it is flawed and the Severin blu is great.  

Retribution

Director - Guy Magar (Werewolf, Children of the Corn: Revelation)

Starring - Dennis Lipscomb (Roswell, The X-Files), Leslie Wing (The Frighteners, Return to Halloweentown), and Suzanne Snyder (Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Return of the Living Dead II)

Release Date - 1987

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "The ultimate nightmare!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     What I love about boutique labels is how they are often bringing movies to our attention that we had never heard of prior to their releases.  Companies like Severin Films, Blue Underground, Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow Video, and so on have built large followings by releasing forgotten and little known genre films from yesteryear.  When Severin announced that they would be releasing the 1987 horror flick Retribution.  I had never heard of this one before so I was quick to rush to google to see what I could find on the film.  I checked out the trailer and then rushed to MVD to request a review copy.  I didn't care for the title but the artwork and trailer sold me on the film.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and Severin for continuing to support Horror Society!

     The film follows struggling artist George (Lipscomb) who flings himself off the top of his apartment building.  Luckily, he survives and his psychiatrist, Dr. Curtis (Wing), works with him to get his life in order.  Also, one of the residents of his building, Angel (Snyder), starts showing interest in him.  Things are looking up for George, that is until he falls asleep.  When he sleeps he has nightmares that he is killing random people and the following morning he learns that those people were actually murdered.  He starts investigating those that were murdered and finds one connection between them all.  A local gangster died the moment George tried to kill himself and George suspects that he is possessing him while he sleeps in order to tie up loose ends.  

     I went into Retribution blind aside from what I had seen in the trailer and I was completely surprised.  In fact, I fell in love with the film and feel like I've been missing out.  This is the kind of movie I could see myself watching over and over on VHS if I would have discovered it when I was younger.  It quickly became one of my favorite releases from Severin and if this review doesn't inspire you to check it out then I failed at my job.  The acting in this one is very well done but a lot of the characters do bleed into the background.  Lipscomb was great as George while Wing was fantastic as the doctor trying to help him through this living nightmare.  However, I wanted to love Snyder especially after I had recognized who she is and the amazing films she had been in but she was very underwhelming.  Her character was very well written but she acts like she's not invested.  The story for this one is fucking wild and goofy but I fucking loved it.  I loved the shy and reluctant painter finding his way through life after a suicide attempt only to have a former mobster take control of him as he sleep causing chaos.  It's a wild story that sounds goofy as I type it but if you are open to it you will enjoy it.  It has great pacing, awesome atmosphere, and some of the scenes were wild to watch.  Finally, the film has plenty of outdated visual effects that I actually enjoyed along with some great practical and make-up effects.  Some of the deaths scenes were a little more enjoyable than others but they all are fun especially when you see the late 80s visual mixed with them.  Overall, Retribution is a film that I wish I would have seen years ago.  I loved the characters, the story, and the look of the film.  It's campy at times but it's also a lot of fun.  I highly recommend snagging this blu from Severin.  It's well worth the money.  

An Angel for Satan

Director - Camillo Mastroncinque (Lost in the Dark, Crypt of the Vampire)

Starring - Barbara Steele (Black Sunday, Dark Shadows), Anthony Steffen (Escape from Hell, Django the Bastard), and Claudio Gora (The Manhunt, The Nun and the Devil)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I received a couple mid-60s gothic horror flicks to review that starred the forever lovely Barbara Steele.  I was relatively unfamiliar with her name but I did recognize her once I actually watched the films.  She's the face of Black Sunday and Nightmare Castle along with dozen of others classic horror tales.  I felt stupid for not knowing her name and have since collected a good portion of her films.  When Severin Films announced that they would be releasing 1966's An Angel for Satan on blu I knew I had to have it.  I reached out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send over a review copy for me. I want to thank them and Severin Films for always supporting Horror Society!

     The film follows a small coastal town held deep in superstition and their old ways.  With the lowering tide, they uncover an old statue that was lost over 200 years ago.  Many of the locals believe it to be a bad omen and when the wealthy local hires an artist to restore it they begin to panic thinking that this will bring bad fortune and death upon them.  When people start mysteriously dying they suspect that it's the statue's fault but something more logical is the real reason for the deaths.

      I was in the mood for a moody, gothic thriller and An Angel for Satan looked like the perfect film for that.  I loved the story and how it mixed well with the locations, wardrobes, and tension.  It's a film that not only relies on story but cinematography and atmosphere.  It's a beautiful film that works.  The acting in this one is solid and fits the film very well but the cast does lack energy.  The characters are very generic and the dialogue is thick but it works for the film.  It fits with the atmosphere and story but no one really stands out or sticks with the viewer.  The story for this one is pretty generic even for a horror tale from the mid-60s.  The twist is not predictable but the premise is something we have seen before especially for gothic horror tales from the same decade.  What makes this one stand out is the beautiful Barbara Steele.  Her presence makes it a must see for horror fans alone and though it is generic and cliched it still works as a solid horror piece.  Finally, don't expect a bloody or gory flick.  However, if you are in a mood for a dark and brooding horror flick then this one is for you.  Overall, An Angel for Satan is a fun first time watch.  I could see myself revisiting it but the impact is only effective on first time viewing.  The blu from Severin looks great and is the way I would recommend checking it out.  It's worth your time.  

Blood for Dracula

Director - Paul Morrissey (Flesh for Frankenstein, The Hound of the Baskervilles)

Starring - Joe Dallesandro (Cry-Baby, Theodore Rex), Udo Kier (Halloween, Modern Vampires), and Vittorio de Sica (The Hero, Snow Job)

Release Date - 1984

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "After Andy Warhol's Frankenstein..."

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been lucky enough to review several dozens of horror films centered around Dracula.  A bunch of them were the classic Universal releases while a good portion of them were the Hammer Horror titles.  The rest were one off films from the 80s, 90s, and 00s and there was even a few indie productions that were not too bad.  Dracula is one of the most iconic horror figures and there has been hundreds of adaptations of the character over the years.  In 1974 Paul Morrissey, Udo Kier, and Andy Warhol once again teamed up almost immediately after filming Flesh for Frankenstein to film Blood for Dracula which was also released under the title Andy Warhol's Dracula.  The film recently received an UHD release from Severin Films.  My friends over at MVD were kind enough to send over a review copy of this amazing release.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a dying Dracula (Kier) who leaves his castle with his servant to travel to Italy in search of virgin blood.  He visits a family with several daughters rumored to be virgins.  The family has came on hard times recently when the father gambled away their fortunes.  They believe that Dracula is the answer to their prayers but he's much worse when he starts feeding on the daughters and discovers they are no longer virgins.  Facing death, Dracula prepares to leave but discovers that their oldest daughter, who was once engaged, is actually still a virgin but the family's hired hand suspects he is a vampire and refuses to let him live once he discovers what he really is.

     Blood for Dracula is nowhere near as entertaining as Flesh for Frankenstein but it is one of the better Dracula films to come out of the mid-70s.  It's sultry, bloody, and rich in story but it does give us a different spin on Dracula which will turn some fans off.  It's a unique spin on the iconic character but what makes it different does make it a bit dull.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  Kier is an absolute legend and this is probably my favorite performance from him.  His portrayal of Dracula is completely different than what I was expecting and he absolutely nailed it.  The same can be said about the supporting cast.  The characters are all memorable with no noticeable weak links.  They are all beautifully written and the cast does a fantastic job bringing these characters to life.  The story for this one doesn't paint Dracula is a beautiful man with other worldly powers and an insatiable bloodlust.  Instead, he's a frail man struggling to stay alive as he searches for virgin blood in Italy in hopes that the residents of the country are strict Catholics.  It's a different take on the story and one that I somewhat enjoyed.  It does wear itself thin and watching Dracula whine becomes a bit repetitive as the film progresses.  I understand the need to set itself apart from other Dracula films but this one doesn't really feel like a Dracula flick.  It's still a fun watch but nothing like you would expect.  Finally, the film has some blood, plenty of nudity, and one hell of a death scene during the final moments of the film.  That final death scene is very impressive and one of the most memorable Dracula deaths that I recall.  The film is worth it for that scene alone.  Overall, Blood for Dracula is a must see for genre fans especially if you are looking for a new spin on the old Dracula tale.  It may disappoint some of you that are expecting a true adaptation but if you are looking for something new with blood and plenty of skin then I highly recommend it.  The UHD release from Severin is a must own. 

Flesh for Frankenstein

Director(s) - Paul Morrissey (Blood for Dracula, The Hound of the Baskervilles) and Antonio Margheriti (Cannibals in the Streets, Yor: The Hunter from the Future)

Starring - Joe Dallesandro (Cry-Baby, The Killer Nun), Udo Kier (Masters of Horror, Shadow of the Vampire), and Monique van Vooren (Sugar Cookies, Fearless Frank)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Brings the horror off the screen... and into your lap!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

   Horror has many faces.  When most think of horror film they think of iconic characters like Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Chucky, Dracula, the Gill Man, Pennywise and Frankenstein's monster.  Every creator, artist, and author longs to create something that lasts the test of time but very few did.  When Marry Shelley wrote Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus she had no idea that the story would leave such a lasting impact on literature before finding a second life in film.  Dr. Frankenstein and, more importantly, the monster is one of the true faces of horror with films, television, and comics still finding new adaptations to this day.  In 1973 filmmaker Paul Morrissey directed the Andy Warhol produced Flesh for Frankenstein.  The film was also released under the titles Frankenstein 3D and Andy Warhol's Frankenstein.  I had never seen this version of the story so when Vinegar Syndrome announced that they would be releasing the film on 4K UHD I was all for it.  I quickly pre-ordered and couldn't wait to finally check it out.  

     The film follows Baron Frankenstein (Kier) and his assistant Otto who is working to build the perfect man and woman to start breeding to create a new master race.  His desire to create these two leads him to murder those that have the desirable parts he needs.  However, the head he chose for the male is his new servants friend.  The servant is having an affair with Frankenstein's wife and knows something is wrong with his friend.  He tries to free him from the baron's clutches but more is going on that it appears.

       I had heard nothing but good things about Flesh for Frankenstein from other genre fans and the fact that it starred Udo Kier and was produced by Andy Warhol only fueled my desire to see it.  Honestly, I was surprised by this film and could see myself spinning it several more times before the week is out.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  The film is filled with fantastic characters that were brought to life by an amazing cast.  The supporting cast is great and I loved how far some of the cast went to make their performances feel authentic and genuine.  However, the film's star is clearly Udo Keir and he was brilliant.  His character turns something macabre and vile like a human autopsy into something sexual which was unusual but fun.  The story for this one borrows heavily from the Frankenstein mythos while making it something different and unique especially when you compare it to the other Frankenstein centered films of the late 60s and 70s.  The film focuses are a deranged scientist with an obsession with creating life but Flesh for Frankenstein takes it up a notch.  Not only is the baron attempting to create life out of death but he wants to create the perfect pair to build a master race.  The macabre meets sexuality is a heavy theme throughout this film and can be seen through out along with a sense of supremacy and incest.  We get a lot of different themes scattered throughout the film that doesn't feel like it's over doing it.  In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed everything that it threw at the viewer and when you mix that with the pacing and gore you will find yourself falling in love with one of the most unique versions of Frankenstein to ever grace film.  Finally, the film has some seriously underrated gore scenes that fit the story perfectly.  The gore is not for gore sake.  They fit the story and the way they work into the story it leaves a lasting impact on the viewer.  Especially during the sex scene.  Overall, Flesh for Frankenstein is one of the most unique and strangest films inspired by the writing of Mary Shelley.  It has so much going on without over doing it while delivering plenty of nudity, gore, and a story that is not as predictable as you would expect from a Frankenstein film.  This is a film that is worthy of Andy Warhol's name.  I highly recommend snagging the UHD from Vin Syn.  

The Misadventures of Fanny Starr

Director - Gary Whitson (Hayride Slaughter, Dead North)

Release Date - 1991

Genre - Horror/Adventure

Tagline - "Mystery and adventure! Countless deathtraps! Battling beauties!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I tossed in the Female Mercenaries on Zombie Island Collection release from Camp Motion Pictures I was more interested in the title film and sequel than I was the bonus films.  However, both films were a huge disappointment.  Don't get me wrong, I love having this release in my collection and I'm sure I will give it another chance in a few years but it's one of the worst films and sequels that I've ever witnessed.  I know the history behind W.A.V.E. and how they were a camera for hire production company but there was no heart or passion in those films at all.  However, when I started working on the special features and the bonus shorts I found myself oddly entertained by The Misadventures of Fanny Starr.  Letterboxd has this one as a feature length running time from 1991, however, the version on the release is titled as episode 2 which runs around 25 minutes.  Regardless, I liked what I saw and wouldn't mind tracking down some more of these episodes.

     This "episode" follows Fanny Starr who receives word that her twin sister Annie was murdered.  She was suspected of being a part of a witch's coven.  Fanny is a private investigator and starts investigating her death where she uncovers that the coven was under attack by a local religious figure.  The closer she gets to discovering what really happened to her sister she uncovers an even darker force is threatening her small town with ties to the detective working the case.

     I was expecting a sloppy short with women screaming, some slight nudity, and an incoherent nudity.  However, what I found was a short that reminded me of a no budget spin on Kolchak: The Night Stalker with awkward acting but a story that fits right at home in early to mid-90s direct to video horror hits.  It wasn't amazing and, at times, it was extremely goofy but I had more fun with it than I did the two films.  The acting in this one had me laughing.  In fact, I was laughing so hard at the short that my wife and kids had to check on me several times thinking something was wrong.  The cast is dry when delivering their dialogue and their emotional range is that of a free-range chicken.  However, their mannerisms and stiffness made for some seriously funny moments even though it was unintentional.  The story for this one is nothing original but the campiness and story mix together well enough to hold your attention. I enjoyed it but even at 20 minutes long I found my attention weakening.  A little originality would have went a long way.  Finally, don't expect some great blood and gore but there was a fun stop motion moment that caught me off guard.  It doesn't look  amazing but it's still fun.  Overall, The Misadventures of Fanny Starr is the highlight of this set but it's far from perfect.  I liked the idea behind it and would love to find some other episodes if there is more episodes.  

     

Female Mercenaries 2: The Mad Doctor of Zombie Island

Director - Gary Whitson (Vampire Brides, HorrorTales.666)

Starring - Pamela Sutch (Psycho Sisters, Sorority Slaughter), Tina Krause (Bad Biology, Hunters), and Suzi Lorraine (Spider-Babe, Chainsaw Sally)

Release Date - 2008

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started my Female Mercenaries journey I was looking forward to some no budget zombie action and beautiful women topless.  However, the first film was a mess of a flick and I struggled to finish it.  In fact, the two hour film took me almost four hours to finish because I had to take long breaks to let my brain rest.  I wanted to give myself some time before I hit play on the sequel so the following day I finally went into Female Mercenaries 2: The Mad Doctor of Zombie Island and I wish I wouldn't have.  I love no budget horror but these two films were a pain in the ass to complete.  

     The film once again follows a chaotic Earth that has been sent into darkness after a meteor strike.  Some of the survivors have drifted away from civilization while others scramble to hold on to what little humanity they have left.  An evil female scientist is attempting to take over the world but female warriors stand in the way of total control.

     Female Mercenaries 2 is an improvement over the first film in that it's not two hours long.  However, that is the only positive that I could find.  The movie was just as much a mess as the first film and damn near unwatchable.  I hate being so negative about a film, especially an indie production and one sent to me for review, but these two films are a chore to finish.  With that being said, having a sequel to the original leads me to believe that the first film actually had some sort of fan base.  If so, why?  What am I missing there?  The acting in this one is identical to what you will find in the first film.  The cast is chaotic, lacking energy, and lazily deliver their dialogue.  Any scenes that attempt to be "sexy" come across as awkward and unintentionally funny.  The story for this one is literally the same as the first film but a little more condensed.  It looks almost identical and doesn't really offer up anything new or a real continuation of the 1995 original.  Honestly, I have no idea what the point of this one was nor why it was even made.  Finally, don't expect any fun death scenes or sexy nudity.  The nudity is awkward and out of place and the deaths are extremely dull and unimaginative.  Overall, Female Mercenaries 2 is another huge disappointment.  It could have been a fun cheap and sleazy no budget flick but the lack of story, acting, and memorable deaths makes it another painful experience.  Skip it.  

Female Mercenaries on Zombie Island

Director - Gary Whitson (Abducted!, Sleepover Massacre)

Starring - Tina Krause (Bloodletting, Camp Blood 666), Pamela Sutch (Paranormal Captivity, Day of the Ax), and Laura Giglio (Deep Undead, Cannibal Sacrifice)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "In the year 2008 women control the zombie force..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     W.A.V.E. Productions is iconic among indie horror fans especially those that lived through the 90s and early 00s.  However, I was fairly unfamiliar with them until I watched the documentary Mail Order Murder: The Story of W.A.V.E. Productions.  Since then Saturn's Core and a handful of other boutique labels has released some of their films on blu.  One such company, Camp Motion Pictures, recently released the Female Mercenaries on Zombie Island Collection on blu which included the 1995 film Female Mercenaries on Zombie Island along with it's sequel Female Mercenaries 2: The Mad Doctor of Zombie Island.  This release also included a couple shorts.  I was very interested in this release so I reached out to my friends at MVD and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.  I had never seen any of these films so I started with title flick.  Thanks MVD for hooking me up with this!

     The film follows an evil female doctor who has been experimenting with brain transplants.  She is working with the older male leaders of the world and is going to transplant their brains into younger bodies.  However, she is manipulating them and is including a brain control device so she will have total control of them.  She has also created a drug that turns the other men into cannibalistic mutants.  The only thing standing in her way is two women who refuse to let her control what is left of the world.  

     I don't expect to find a film that will immediately leave a lasting impression on me when I toss in a W.A.V.E. flick, however,  I do expect some cheesy and sleazy fun.  Female Mercenaries looked like it could deliver both of those but it missed the mark.  It was sloppy, chaotic, and the story was stretched so thin that it was damn near impossible to finish.  I hate being so negative about a film but there is very little, if any, positive aspects to this flick.  The acting in this one is extremely lazy and just as chaotic as the rest of the film.  The cast awkwardly delivers their dialogue and they have no real commitment to their roles.  Each scene is rushed and it looks like the entire film was edited together using the first or only takes.  All the character lack personalities and it's difficult to tell most of the women apart due to their acting.  If it wasn't for their imdb pages I would have thought that they all lacked on screen experience.  The story for this one is something we have seen before but with a more female oriented approach.  Direct to video action movies, especially during the mid-90s, featured similar stories where the world is in shambles and an evil man is hell bent on taking over what is left of civilization by any means necessary.  That has been switched here to an evil woman but the story is still pretty much the same.  This basic premise is stretched to over 2 hours of run time which is almost 2 hours too long.  It could have been a little more enjoyable if it was trimmed down a lot and the story actually followed itself instead of focusing on scenes full of women in peril.  The sleazy aspect is wasted on poorly filmed scenes of women yelling but lacking any emotional attachment to their dialogue.  Finally, the film has a few instances of great practical effects while others lacked practical effects and just sprayed blood everywhere.  I really enjoyed the brain scene but that is the extent of it.  Overall, Female Mercenaries on Zombie Island is not as fun as I had hoped it would be.  I'm sure it would be a blast to watch in a room full of drunk horror fans but it's a difficult one to finish by yourself and sober.  Skip it.  

Superhost

Director - Brandon Christensen (Z, Still/Born)

Starring - Sara Canning (The Banana Splits Movie, War of the Planet of the Apes), Osric Chau (Supernatural, The Flash), Gracie Gillam (Fright Night, Z Nation)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Don't forget to like and survive"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a huge fan of the Shudder originals and exclusives.  Shudder has released some seriously amazing genre films over the last few years and their partnership with RLJE Films has brought many of these awesome releases to my collection.  Not long ago I received the press release for the blu release of the Shudder original Superhost.  I'm not much on horror films centered around social media but it's not often that Shudder lets me down so I requested a review copy.  It arrived while I was taking a break due to COVID but once I was feeling like my old self I decided to give it a go.  I want to thank RLJE and Shudder for sending a review copy my way.

     The film follows a young couple who are travel vloggers who have booked a house in the woods for a few days after they saw that it had an almost perfect rating.  Their stay starts out innocently enough but over the course of their stay the home's owner Rebecca (Gillam) says and does things that makes the couple question her sanity.  However, after doing some investigating and interviewing Rebecca they soon realize that the home's original owners disappeared without a trace and Rebecca was the last person to see them alive.

     Superhost wasn't exactly what I was expecting.  In fact, I was surprised by how the film played out.  It could have went the cheap route and made a vlog style horror movie that a lot of the no budget found footage films are going but it didn't.  Instead, it really focused on story and character development while keeping great atmosphere and tension.  It's predictable but the film does have replay value which is something we don't see often in most modern horror efforts.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  Sara Canning and Osric Chau are fantastic as the couple vlogging.  Their relationship is built around their online business and while one is in love the other is clearly using him to get what she needs to capture views.  I loved how their characters were written and these two did a fantastic job bringing them to life. We also get a small role from horror legend Barbara Crampton.  She never disappoints and her performance is great even though it is brief.  With that being said, Gracie Gillam is the star of the show.  Her character is fucking batshit crazy and her performance makes the film for me.  I absolutely loved what she did here and now I'm actively looking for her other films.  Please return to horror Gracie!  The story for this one is maybe about ten or 15 years too late BUT I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Travel vlogging was extremely popular with the rise of YouTube and blogs but no so much that important now with the rise of review sites like yelp and so on.  However, I still enjoyed the set up of the film.  It starts slow and build on the characters and as we progress we really see the characters come into their own before the story takes a sharp turn.  It is predictable but that doesn't take away from the fun performances and characters.  Finally, the film has some pretty gnarly kills that incorporates a mix of practical and visual effects.  One kill stands out from the rest and it has noticeable visual effects.  It wasn't bad but it does stand out when you look at the entire scene.  Overall, Superhost sounds like it will be a goofy and awkward watch but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The cast is absolutely amazing and the story works.  I highly recommend snagging this blu from RLJE Films.  

The Unhealer

Director - Martin Guigui (Cattle Call, Swing)

Starring - Elijah Nelson (The Sasquatch Gang, Colony), Natasha Henstridge (Ghosts of Mars, Species), and Kayla Carlson (Why Women Kill, CSI: NY)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Drama/Horror

Tagline - "With great power comes great pain"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I just spent a week working through seven films from Florida filmmaker William Grefe along with a documentary about his life and career.  It was fun watching these classic late 60s and 70s horror and exploitation classics and the documentary but I've spent a little too much time in decades passed.  I wanted to watching something a little newer so I turned to a new Scream Factory release.  The Unhealer is a dark drama starring Elijah Nelson and Natasha Henstridge.  I was curious about this one when I saw that Lance Henriksen was in it but the poster was turning me off. Regardless, I went into this one with an open mind and enjoyed it to some degree.

     The film follows the shy and timid teenager Kelly (Nelson) who has an eating disorder and is often bullied by the other kids in his high school.  His body is malnourished because he only eats foam and pencil erasers so his mother turns to a religious healer (Henriksen) to cure her son.  However, he dies during the process and bestows an ancient Native American power that reverses trauma from him and applies it back to those that tries to hurt him.  He uses his new powers to get revenge on those that bully him.  However, they retaliate and accidentally kill Kelly's mother Bernice (Henstridge).  This sends Kelly over the edge and he goes on a killing spree murdering anyone that was associated with the his mother's death.

     I knew from the poster and title that this was going to be goofy but I still enjoyed it.  It was a solid film over all but I did find myself rolling my eyes from time to time.  It's an interesting idea but it felt like it was written by a teenager or someone that was hoping to sell it to a distribution company that deals exclusively with mockbusters.  The acting in this one is very uneven and not the level of commitment that you would expect from the cast.  Henriksen is only in the film for around 10 minutes or so and his performance at that time is very underwhelming.  I like his character and the set up for the story that they laid before him but his short appearance and lack of screen time really is disappointing when you consider how much his name is plastered all over the promotion items for the film.  I did like Henstridge's performance.  Her character was very likable and she did a fantastic job as the mother.  You really believe that she loved Kelly.  As for the film's lead.  Elijah Nelson was great as Kelly but some of the later scenes where he is becoming power hungry and violent he doesn't feel genuine.  His performance is awkward to watch and it's difficult to take him seriously.  It's almost as if he was being directed to act that way by someone who has never seen an actual movie.  The story for this one has some very interesting aspects along with some out of place portions that are a little cringy and goofy.  The eating disorder angle is very grounded and serious which does add some depth to the film.  However, having him eat trash was pushing something serious to the point it was almost comedic.  Watching him eat foam takes away from the actual impact of that part of the story.  I did love the Native American lore that was mixed into the story but I feel like it was not explored to it's fullest potential.  Finally, the film does have some bloody moments with some impressive make-up effects and the viewer gets to enjoy them full.  We don't get a quick shot of it before it moves away.  Instead, it's the main focus of the scene and we get to appreciate the make-up effects.  Overall, The Unhealer is a film that could be the butt of viewer's jokes but I liked it.  I don't see myself revisiting it again but as a first time watch it was entertaining.  Check it out with an open mind and maybe a few beers.  

They Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe

Director - Daniel Griffith (Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture Odyssey, Tales of Folklore and Fright: Creating Trick r Treat)

Starring - William Grefe (Cool as Hell 2, Dark Universe), Frank Henenlotter (Basket Case, Frankenhooker), and Steve Alaimo (The Hooked Generation, The Naked Zoo)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Documentary/Horror

Tagline - "If there were rules to making a movie, one director would break them all!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     After a couple days of fun and exploitation goodness, I've finally reached the end of my William Grefe journey.  Prior to reviewing this box set I had only seen two of his films and was really looking forward to these.  Surprisingly, almost all of these films were extremely fun regardless of how cheesy they were.  As I reach the end of my journey I find myself reviewing the only film in the He Came from the Swamp not directed by William Grefe.  The last film is the William Grefe centered documentary They Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe from documentarian Daniel Griffith.  

     The documentary follows the filmmaking career of Florida maverick William Grefe.  It begins with a look back at his first acting gig when he was hired on as a writer and due to scheduling difficulties he was hired on to direct his own story.  Soon he was directing other racing films before helming two genre defining drive-in era horror films before moving on to other films of his.  During each year and film discussed we get several interviews from cast and crew that have great stories about working on these films.  

     They Came from the Swamp is a fantastic documentary that covers the entire filmography of William Grefe as a director.  I found it to be exceptionally informative and only fueled the desire to see his other films that I have not yet like Stanley and a few others.  It's attention to detail sheds some much needed light on several of his projects while giving new fans a lot of behind the scenes information and stories to enjoy.  The interviews in this has a lot to offer ranging from the cast and crew who worked on the project, to lifelong fans, and other filmmakers that were impacted by Grefe's work.  It's nice seeing such a wide range of people with so many different insights into the films discuss each film.  The topics discussed are in chronological order starting from his earlier films up until he stopped directing.  Having each film discussed evenly throughout the film works especially for genre fans who are truly interested in hearing about the behind the scenes of some of these historical films.  I love how thorough the interviews are and the topics that go from film to film really works.  I learned so much and considering how iconic several of these films are it was great to hear these amazing stories behind them.  Finally, this is a top tier documentary with some smooth editing, nice transitions and perfect pacing.  Daniel Griffith is a career documentary filmmaker and all the time and experience he has truly shines here.  Overall, They Came from the Swamp is a fantastic and informative look into the legacy of Florida's most underrated filmmaker.  What Griffith brings to the table and showcases here is absolutely astonishing.  I highly recommend it.  

Whiskey Mountain

Director - William Grefe (The Naked Zoo, Sting of Death)

Starring - Christopher George (Grizzly, Day of the Animals), Preston Pierce (Doomsday Voyage, Girls for Rent), and Roberta Collins (Saturday the 14th, Death Wish II)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Crime/Horror

Tagline - "Beyond the song and the legend... a search for treasure turn to terror"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm almost at the end of my journey as I work my way through the He Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe with just two films standing in my way.  One of those films is one that I was extremely looking forward to.  That film is the 1977 hixploitation horror flick Whiskey Mountain which features a theme song from Charlie Daniels.  The moment I finished Mako: The Jaws of Death I immediately tossed in the final disc from the set and hit play.

     The film follows two married couples who venture into the mountains looking for a cave that is supposedly the location of buried muskets from the civil war.  On their trip they find themselves surrounded by strange occurrences like random fires and so on.  They chalk it up to bad luck but when they finally reach the cave they discover that a group of hillbillies who use the mountain to grow pot.  They abduct the two couples and plan on murdering them to hide their secret stash.  However, the two men are able to escape and go into town to seek help from the local sheriff.  The local police are obviously in on it and refuse to help them.  They visit the local gun store and once they stock up on arms and ammunition they return to the mountain expecting war.

     Whiskey Mountain is a movie that I've wanted to see for several years now.    I discovered it when I was writing my review for the Incest Death Squad trilogy when I came across a list of hixploitation horror films.  It really caught my attention when I saw that it featured a theme song from Charlie Daniels and starred Christopher George.  There was several occasions where I had tried to buy the DVD through Amazon and other online retailers but the releases were not the best quality so I backed out.  When I saw that it was included in this set it made it even more intriguing and was the big push to review this one.  The film did not let me down and it's a damn shame this one doesn't get more love from other genre fans.  The acting in this one is probably the best of the Grefe directed films.  At least the ones I've seen and reviewed.  Christopher George never disappoints and his character here is a little more likable when you compare it to his other films like Grizzly and Day of the Animals.  His character is well grounded and down to Earth allowing George to show more of an emotional range than other films allow him to.  The supporting cast is just as great with a lot of the characters having a lot more personality for the viewers to enjoy than most Grefe films.  I especially enjoyed Robert Leslie's performance as the crazy old hermit.  He brought in some much needed humor and his character is the unofficial face of the film.  The story for this one works great as a hixploitation thriller that some will compare to Deliverance, which is understandable, but it still delivers on the entertainment.  Grefe has borrowed ideas from other films in the passed and this one was no exception.  The southern fed story mixed elements of his drug heavy films with that of the hillbilly thrillers of the late 70s that was becoming famous thanks to films like Deliverance and Smokey and the Bandit.  It's not the most original film but it still works especially if you are looking for something with horror aspects.  Finally, the film has a few death scenes but the kills are quick with little to no blood.  The deaths are not the focus of these scenes.  Instead, the deaths are meant to show the end of a character without the entertainment value of blood and gore.  Overall, Whiskey Mountain did not disappoint.  It's a bit of an odd ball film in the set but an enjoyable one nonetheless.  I highly recommend it.  

Mako: The Jaws of Death

Director - William Grefe (Whiskey Mountain, The Psychedelic Priest)

Starring - Richard Jaeckel (Starman, Killing Machine), Jennifer Bishop (Bigfoot, House of Terror), and Buffy Dee (Nightmare Beach, Super Fuzz)

Release Date - 1976

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Sheer terror!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I took a month or so to review some sharksploitation flicks.  Most of them were Asylum and Sy-Fy releases but I was able to find some films that were released in the months after Jaws which was a lot of fun.  One of the films that I had snagged on DVD with the intent of watching but never made the time was The Jaws of Death which was released under the title Mako or Mako: The Jaws of Death.  Obviously, this was a William Grefe film that I was very familiar with but never really had the time to watch until I received the He Came from the Swamp to review.  This wasn't one of the two films I was looking forward to the most out of the set but I was still interested in finally checking it out nonetheless.  

     The film follows an ocean diver who shares a link with sharks after a shaman gives him an ancient charm.  This connection with sharks alienates him from other people and when spear hunters encroach on his waters he turns to murder to protect the sharks from the humans he has distanced himself from.  

     I wasn't expecting a shark flick that would forever change the way I see shark movies but I was looking for a camp shark flick with plenty of fake blood and cheesy acting.  Mako wasn't the cheesy late night shark movie I was looking for but it wasn't a bad film.  Honestly, I enjoyed it but it is forgettable.  The acting in this one is solid throughout with several great performances shining through in each scene.  A few of the scenes did lack energy and enthusiasm but the overall acting in the film was pleasantly surprising.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting at all.  We have a mystical power that helps a lonely man communicate with sharks while others exploit and murder them in the choppy waters of the sea.  It's a different spin on sharksploitation but it's not as wild as some of the newer shark films I'm accustomed to watching.  I would have loved a little more insight into the shaman and the mystical side of the story instead of the man feeding people to the shark but that's just my opinion.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood and frenzied sharks but don't expect fun shark deaths and great practical effects.  The deaths are very lackluster and not a lot of fun in the grand scheme of things.  Overall, Mako is not the film that will fill any void you have for shark films but if you are looking for something different to watch late at night it will not disappoint.  It's not the best film in the He Came from the Swamp set but it's not one you should skip either.  Check it out.  

The Naked Zoo

Director - William Grefe (Sting of Death, Death Curse of Tartu)

Starring - Steve Oliver (Werewolves on Wheels, The Bloody Slaying of Sarah Ridelander), Rita Hayworth (The Wrath of God, The Bastard), and Fay Spain (The Godfather: Part II, Night Gallery)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Drama

Tagline - "The wicked games young swingers play..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As I work my way through the He Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe I find myself seriously having a good time.  I thought the set would be camp drive-in era monster movies but after the first two films I've worked my way through three drug-fueled films about drug dealing, drug abuse, and murder.  The Hooked Generation is a great film but the Psychedelic Priest really hit it off with me.  Now, I'm finishing the third film in the set that follows the same themes which is 1970's The Naked Zoo which features a guest appearance from one of my favorite bands Canned Heat.  

     The film follows bachelor Terry (Oliver) who is an author that is struggling financially but has used his sex appeal and charm to get his way through life with parties, sex, and drugs.  If necessary murder is an option as well but he prefers to fuck his way out of any situation.

     I was riding a high in some regards going into The Naked Zoo.  I was extremely impressed with The Psychedelic Priest and couldn't wait to the Naked Zoo especially once I discovered it had a small appearance from Canned Heat.  It wasn't a bad film.  In fact, I did enjoy it for the most part, but I did find it to be a little dull at times.  As you guessed it, it feels like it was rushed in several scenes which is something that is fairly common in Grefe's films.  The acting in this one is extremely uneven.  Oliver is inconsistent in his performance.  At times he delivers a seriously great performance but at other times he acts as if he is just tired and ready for the film to end.  I feel like this may be a result of the rushed production.  The supporting cast is the same way.  In some scenes they deliver fantastic performances and then other scenes they feel completely drained and uninterested.  The story for this one is all over the place.  Rita Hayworth's scenes were filmed differently from everything else and are added at random times which does nothing for the film while we bounce between each sex/drug use scene and the next.  It's chaotic at times and the story is difficult to follow.  However, if you stick with it you can find some fun in it.  Finally, the film does have a death or two but there is no blood or enjoyable practical effects.  Overall, The Naked Zoo is not the best film in the set but it doesn't disappoint and really does work as another great example of counter culture cinema of the late 60s and early 70s.  

The Psychedelic Priest

Director - William Grefe (Death Curse of Tartu, The Hooked Generation) and Terry Merrill (Beach Boy Rebels)

Starring - John Darrell (The Wars of the Roses, Whoops Apocalypse), Carolyn Hall, and Joe Crane

Release Date - 1971/2001

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I heard that Arrow Video was releasing He Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe I was curious about the release for several reasons.  I was looking forward to revisiting Death Curse of Tartu and Sting of Death but I was also interested in checking out two other films for the first time.  One of those films was The Psychedelic Priest.  This one really caught my eye because it was originally filmed in 1971 but wasn't released until 30 years later.  I've seen it mentioned in different movie groups over the years but never had the chance to actually see it until now.

     The film follows a priest who is drugged by some teenagers when he shares a drink with them.  This moment opens him up and he realizes that he is meant for more than just preaching sermons.  He still believes in his faith but wants to explore his mind and the world more.  On his adventure he tries many different mind altering drugs and meets different people from varying backgrounds before he goes too far down the rabbit hole.  After an accidental overdose, he finds himself back in religion.  

     The Psychedelic Priest is the highlight of this box set so far and I fucking loved it.  It's not a complicated film but it is a story that has a few layers that you may not pick up on as the film progresses.  This is the kind of film you can watch several times and still find something new to appreciate.  The acting in this one is great.  The cast is rather small and unexperienced but John Darrell carries the film.  His performance was fantastic and I fucking loved his spin on a religious character that finds recreational drugs.  The supporting cast is solid but it's Darrell and his character of the priest that makes the film as enjoyable as it is.  The story for this one is follows a priest who explores his own faith while opening his mind to psychedelics.  Controversial, especially for the early 70s, but it works on several ways.  It not only works as a drama about religion and counter culture but it also works as a film handling political and social topics of the time.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story and can see myself revisiting several more times before I get tired of it.  Finally, the film does have a little blood but this is not one with a body count.  It's a character driven piece that focuses more on story than gore.  Overall, The Psychedelic Priest is one of the highlights of the He Came from the Swamp box set.  It's a fantastic film that fully embodies the counter culture cinema of the time.  I highly recommend this one.  

The Hooked Generation

Director - William Grefe (Mako: The Jaws of Death, Sting of Death)

Starring - Jeremy Slate (The Lawnmower Man, My Name is Earl), Steve Alaimo (Hammerhead Jones, The Wild Rebels), and John Davis Chandler (Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead, Crash and Burn)

Release Date - 1968

Genre - Crime/Drama

Tagline - "Their bag  - supplying the hooked generation"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Florida filmmaker William Grefe has had one hell of a career.  He started out in the early 60s making racing films before creating two of the greatest drive-in horror classics of all time.  He then moved on to some rough exploitation films before slowly progressing into psychedelic exploitation films.  The first of those films was his 1968 crime drama The Hooked Generation.  Drawing inspiration from his film The Wild Rebels, he would find himself directing three drug-fueled films that were almost career defining for him.  I had never seen any of these films and was looking forward with them.  I started this journey with The Hooked Generation and it didn't disappoint.  

     A group of drug smugglers are forced to throw their narcotics overboard and are spotted by a young couple.  They abduct the young couple and attempt to get their drugs back.  Soon, they are beach bound where they find a tribe of indigenous living in the Florida everglades.  They shack up with them to lay low for awhile before robbing them at gunpoint and attempt to retrieve their drugs yet again but this time the coast guard is ready and a gun fight ensues.

     Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from The Hooked Generation.  I knew it wasn't going to be as campy and cheesy as Death Curse of Tartu and Sting of Death but I wasn't expecting it to be as serious and grounded as it was.  I enjoyed it but, like so many of Grefe's films, it could have been so much more than what it was.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun.  The cast in this one had a lot of experience prior to filming the film and many would go on to appear in some seriously iconic genre films.  I seriously loved the characters, the energy the cast brought into the film, and their on screen chemistry.  They all worked very well together and it looks like they were having a lot of fun on set which translated very well to the film.  The story for this one works very well as an exploitation film centered around killer drug smugglers who will stop at nothing to make a quick buck.  I really liked it but it's obvious that the film was rushed as the story progresses which is a theme among most of Grefe's films that I'm noticing.  I like it for the most part but the last leg of the film just doesn't do a great job of wrapping everything up nice and neatly.  Finally, the film has a little blood but don't expect some memorable deaths with great gore and effects.  Most of the deaths are gunshot wounds with some blood splatter and no make-up effects.  Overall, The Hooked Generation is an entertaining exploitation flick centered around heavy drug use and murder.  It marks a change in Grefe's filmography and I'm all for it.  I highly recommend it.