6:45

Director - Craig Singer (Dark Ride, Perkins 14)

Starring - Augie Duke (Necropolis: Legion, Hell's Kitty), Michael Reed (The Disco Exorcist, Brides of Satan), and Armen Garo (The Wolf of Wall Street, Gotham)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A dream vacation with some time to kill"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I know I've bitched and moaned about the pandemic but it really has left a lasting impact on the movie industry.  It's not often that I get in new movies for review because of all the new mandates put in place due to Covid-19.  However, I look forward to any film I get in for review that was filmed over the last two years.  Several weeks ago I received the press release for Craig Singer's 6:45.  Singer is the director behind some seriously underrated horror titles like Dark Ride and Perkins 14.  I was even more intrigued about the film when I saw that it starred the Disco Exorcist himself, Michael Reed.  I reached out to my friends over at Well Go USA and they were kind enough to send over a review copy for me to check out.  Like always, I want to thank Well Go for hooking me up with a review copy.

     The film follows young couple Jules (Duke) and Bobby (Reed) who are on their vacation.  They are in a secluded town that is only reachable by ferry but this particular week the ferry is not running in remembrance of a terrible murder that happened some years ago.  Their first morning their they awaken at 6:45 and begin their day like most would on vacation with some sight seeing, eating at local places, and some drinking.  However, that night they fall victim to a killer using the same method on them that happened to those that died all those years before.  The following day Bobby awakens at 6:45 remembering everything that happened the day before while Jules does not.  He quickly finds himself in a loop of awakening at 6:45, going about his day, and then dying.  After many, many, many repeats he decides to confess his infidelity to her to see what would happen and finds himself rid of the curse but something more sinister has happened... something so dark that he has completely wiped it from his mind.  

     Honestly, I was looking forward to 6:45.  Singer really impressed me with Dark Ride and Perkins 14.  I remember that I wasn't alone with Perkins 14 hit store shelves.  I was an active member of the UHM message boards and it was a common to see conversations about this one pop up for weeks after the film's release.  I was hoping that 6:45 would deliver the brutality that his previous films did while utilizing the fantastic actor that Michael Reed is.  Sadly, the film missed it's mark with me but there was some enjoyable aspects of it.  The acting in this one is absolutely fantastic.  Duke and Reed are phenomenal together.  I went through their filmography to see if this was their first time working together and as far as I can tell it is.  However, they have some seriously impressive on screen chemistry.  They were very comfortable with each other and their dialogue exchange feels very genuine.  I know I've praised Reed in the past for his performances and he continues to impress me.  With that being said, Duke is just as enjoyable in her role. The supporting cast is impressive as well but Reed and Duke's characters are the center of the story.  The story for this one is one of several horror films that borrowed the premise from the classic comedy Groundhog's Day.  I fucking loved Happy Death Day and it's sequel so this type of premise can be very effective in a horror film.  However, this one just doesn't set up an intriguing premise like some of the other films that use this same plot device.  I could really get behind a young couple getting murdered and murdered again as they try to uncover the reason for their continuing murder but the way 6:45 approaches the story makes it more focused on how the character of Bobby handles being stuck on repeat with the horror taking the back seat.  If it was more focused on the murders and who caused the original while tying it to them then it would have been a lot more entertaining than the psychological twist it goes.  I found it to be very underwhelming.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood which is what I expected from Singer.  We get some seriously bloody death but they are mostly the same over and over again.  We get some great practical effects for the kill but the repetitiveness of it takes the impact away from the viewer.  Overall, 6:45 could have been another great horror release from filmmaker Craig Singer but it struggles to find it's own footing.  It falls victim to it's own premise where the repeating storyline becomes repetitive.  It has a great cast and solid deaths but it's one I can't recommend.  

Movies for the Midnight Hour

Director - Jim Haggerty (I Dream of Dracula, The Slasher)

Starring - Jim Haggerty, Natalie Brooks (dots, Lights! Camera! Craig!), and Risa Cohen (My Husband the Flesh Hungry Corpse)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Comedy/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "An All-Night Festival of Midnight Movies"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love digging into a film collection or a loose anthology.  Seeing so many shorts and so forth in a decent amount of time can be so much fun and rewarding.  Several weeks ago I was looking through MVD's website when I found the Yellow Ape Productions short compilation titled Movies for the Midnight Hour.  I have a few films from Yellow Ape's Jim Haggerty in a couple of the Pendulum Pictures box sets so I was very curious about these films.  I reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send the blu release my way for review.  Like always, I want to thank MVD for supporting Horrror Society.  

     The film is a collection of 10 stories ranging from the spirits of the dead who are looking for a hand, to a commercial voce over actor who has crossed the line, and some witchy fun.

     Movies for the Midnight Hour has a lot of promise but the shorts that I liked the most just happened to be the shortest while the ones that I didn't care for seemed to make up the majority of the film.  It's a compilation and shouldn't be confused with an anthology but the inconsistency that comes with most compilations is still there.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part.  The cast feels comfortable in front of the camera but there was several instances where the cast's inexperience showed.  The on screen chemistry was great and everyone was fully dedicated to their roles but some scenes felt a little awkward to watch.  The stories for these 10 shorts are inconsistent.  Some, like the one following the commercial voice over actor turned deadly, was a lot of fun.  They were very campy but that's how I take my horror.  I love the silly side of cinema and watching horror movies like this and their cleverness is something I truly enjoy.  However, other shorts, like Reunion, just didn't work for me.  It's a roller coaster ride for sure with so many ups and downs.  At the end of the day it was a mixed bag with half being watchable and the other half being extremely dull.  Finally, if you love cheap effects and nudity then you are in luck.  We get a lot of nudity, some blood, and cheap practical effects that showed the short's budget.  Honestly, I love films like this and the effects didn't take away from the experience but added to it.  Overall, Movies for the Midnight Hour is for those of us that have a soft spot for no budget films, lots of nudity, and stories that are unconventional.  It's not the best experience but at least half of the shorts in this compilation was worth a watch.  Check it out but you've been warned.  

Anal Paprika 3: Menage-A-Death

Director - Chris Seaver (Ski Wolf, Phantom of the Grindhouse)

Starring - Chris Seaver, Casey Bowker (Resident Horror, Carnage for the Destroyer), and Lori Swierczek (Anal Paprika, Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers)

Release Date - 2001

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I know it was several years ago now but I don't remember watching the third Anal Paprika but I was still looking forward to revisiting it.  I absolutely love the first film and while the second film had plenty of room for improvement it was still very enjoyable.  It reminded me a lot of the vampire flicks I watched while I was in high school during the early 2000s from companies like Brain Damage.  Because I couldn't remember this final installment I was a little more excited to dig into it than the others.

     The film once again follows brothers Johnsimon (Seaver) and Alfred (Bowker) along with their carpet munching friend Toddy (Swierczek) who once again find themselves in the middle of another life threatening adventure.  While preparing for a Troma retrospective they uncover a coven a witches who have big plans for them and their souls.  

     Menage-A-Death is more of the same from AP: Vampire Killers.  It is more of a story driven film with humor and those lovable characters where the first film was clearly a parody that was more focused on the comedy.  It was enjoyable but, much like the second film, I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  The acting in this one is essentially the same as the first two films.  The characters are having a lot of fun on camera acting with their friends. They are very comfortable with each other and it shows.  They deliver some funny one liners and so forth but at the end of the day it's very amateurish.  However, I'm not complaining because I have a lot of fun with it.  The story for this one once again reminds me of the indie and no budget horror titles that companies like Brain Damage, Pendulum Pictures, and Tempe Video which makes sense considering Tempe releases several other films from Seaver around that time.  The film has the same type of humor that you would expect from The Seavage and Low Budget Pictures with a story centered around a coven of witches and lesbians.  It's not a compelling story but it works especially if you are a fan of no budget horror.  Finally, we get a little blood but don't expect amazing gore and great practical effects.  It works for this type of film but it's nothing amazing.  Overall, Menage-A-Death is a solid entry in the Anak Paprika series but when you compare it to the original short it does come up short.  I loved the original idea behind it and the fact that Seaver never fully explored these is a damn shame.  It's still a fun watch so check it out.  

Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers

Director - Chris Seaver (Death O'Lantern, Geek War)

Starring - Chris Seaver, Casey Bowker (Teen Ape Goes to Camp, Scrotal Vengeance), and Lori Swierczek (Anal Paprika, Anal Paprika 3: Menage-A-Death)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago when I grabbed the Anal Paprika DVDs from Chris Seaver I found myself binging a bunch of his films that night.  I had a few of his Warlock Home Video releases that I had not watched yet.  So, I sat down with a bunch of cheap beers, some delicious snacks, and some pizza for a wild night.  The Seavage rarely disappoints but that night I found myself a little underwhelmed with Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers.  I wouldn't say it was bad but it wasn't as wild or enjoyable as the other films I binged that night.  After revisiting the first Anal Paprika I wasn't really looking forward to spinning part 2 but I'm glad I did because it was better than I remembered.  

     The film follows Johnsimon (Seaver), his brother Alfred (Bowker), and their carpet munching friend Toddy (Swierczek).  Johnsimon and Alfred receive an old amulet from their father who is secretly a vampire hunter. Soon the three find themselves in the middle of a vampire clan and their necks are on the line.  

      The first Anal Paprika film has a fucking wild story that I just absolutely love.  In fact, I'm such a huge fan of the idea behind that story that I'm very disappointed that it's just a short and not a feature length film.  AP 2 takes the characters from the first film, dashes in a little Troma, and then delivers that early 2000 no budget vampire fun that I lived on through my high school years.  I like it more this second viewing but it's not as enjoyable as the first film.  The acting in this one is more of the same from the first film.  The characters are funny and over the top goofy but the cast is having a lot of fun.  Their on screen chemistry adds to the fun of the film.  The story for this one is not as clever as the first film but it's cool to see these characters in another misadventure.  The original short's story is more humor than substance but I fucking loved it.  However, this one is a little more story focused.  It's fun and just as full of the humor you would expect from a Chris Seaver film but it's more story oriented like a standard horror film.  It was grounded and straight forward but it was very cliched and rather predictable.  The humor does pick up the slack but I don't see myself revisiting this one again anytime soon.  Finally, the film has some blood but don't expect to find a film with amazing effects and a high body count.  Overall, Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers is an enjoyable follow up to Seaver's original short but it's not as entertaining as the original.  It's worth your time for a first time watch.  

Anal Paprika

Director - Chris Seaver (Filthy McNasty, Die-B-Que)

Starring - Chris Seaver, Casey Bowker (Ski Wolf, The Weirdsies), and Lori Swierczek (Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers, Anal Paprika 3: Menage-a-Death)

Release Date - 1999

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "The movie Yohan doesn't want you to see"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of filmmaker Chris Seaver for sometime now.  There is a few films of his that I don't really care for but most of his catalogue are fantastic.  His brand of humor just resonates with me and his films are a lot of fun.  Over the years I've been lucky enough to collect his films on DVD and occasionally on blu.  However, in recent months he has started upgrading his films to blu and periodically releasing them.  One of the releases he put out on blu was the Anal Paprika trilogy.  These are movies I've owned for sometime on DVD and couldn't wait to revisit them.  As soon as The Seavage was taking orders for the release I snagged one.  I couldn't watch it right away but as soon as I had the time I tossed them in.

     The film follows three dorky friends who decide to go for a hike through the local woods.  While there they tell each other stories about the local legend about a mentally disturbed man who reached his breaking point as a child when his father forced him to watch 80s and 90s sitcoms.  Now, he's homicidal and obsessed with John Stamos.  After learning about the legend they find themselves face to face with the menace.

     Anal Paprika is a short that sells it's self short.  It's a fun short but I could see so much more coming from it.  Don't get me wrong, I find the short to be very entertaining but a feature length slasher parody following a John Stamos obsessed killer is exactly what I need in my life.  It works as a short but it could have been a slasher for the ages if it was feature length.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a Chris Seaver film.  The characters are all full of energy and comical.  They deliver fun dialogue and it's clear they are all friends in real life because their on screen chemistry is amazing.  The story for this one is fucking brilliant.  Seaver is a huge nostalgia nerd so I'm not surprised that he created a story following a maniac obsessed with John Stamos.  It's funny and works but I feel like it's just a little too short.  Seaver could have easily turned this short into a feature length film.  Instead, it's a short and once the joke is explored we find it over.  Don't get me wrong, I thought it was a great short with so many laughs but the thought that we could have been given a slasher where a killer is stabbing people while quoting Uncle Jesse makes me extremely sad.  Finally, the film has a few deaths but the film's no budget dictated the effects.  It's not as bloody as I would have liked but the humor more than made up for the lack of carnage.  Overall, Anal Paprika is short and sweet.  I had a lot of fun with it and the creativity in the story really exemplifies what makes Seaver's films so much fun.  I highly recommend it.  

Doctor of Doom

Director - Rene Cardona (Night of the Bloody Apes, Treasure of the Amazon)

Starring - Lorena Velazquez (The Rape of the Sabines, She-Wolves in the Ring), Armando Silvestre (The Killing Zone, Amityville Playhouse), and Elizabeth Campbell (The Panther Women, Planet of the Female Invaders)

Release Date - 1963

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love discovering movies that are new to me.  Even if they are not for me and I don't like them I still find myself enjoying the experience.  It's even more fascinating when the film is international and from years long passed.  When VCI Entertainment sent over their release of Night of the Bloody Apes on blu I was fucking excited.  I had never seen the film before but I had heard about it which only stirred my curiosity.  Sadly, I was not a fan of the film but that didn't stop me from checking out the second film on the set which was 1963's Doctor of Doom.  This film was actually the original film to Cardona's Night of the Bloody Ape's remake.  This made me even more excited to finally check it out.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and VCI for sending this one over.

     The film follows a luchadora who's sister is attacked and left for dead.  The culprit is an ape like creature controlled by an evil scientist who is using the victims in his horrible experiments.  After discovering that her sister was one of several victims she sets out to find who is responsible and stop them before more suffer at his hands. 

     Doctor of Doom, in my eyes, was a better film than the remake which is strange considering both films were directed by Rene Cardona after he had spent almost a decade refining his skills.  Doctor of Doom just had a better pacing and atmosphere about it that Bloody Apes could not replicate.  The acting in this one is very similar to the remake.  The cast is great on screen, they work very well with each other, and their personalities hold the scene.  I really enjoyed the casting and how loud and enjoyable the characters are.  The cast had something to grab onto it.  The story for this one works much better than the remake.  The lucha story meets a slasher like story is such a fun combination that works in this case.  It's campy, with smooth pacing, and even though it's predictable it's still enjoyable.  I would have loved watching this one at the drive-in with some other lucha themed horror films.  Finally, the film has some make-up effects but that is the extent of it.  If you are looking for a bloody flick you will be very disappointed.  Overall, Doctor of Doom is the superior of the two films.  It's fun and campy.  I would highly recommend this one for those of you looking for an early 60s cheesefest.  It was a lot of fun. 

Night of the Bloody Apes

Director - Rene Cardona (The Batwoman, Santo in the Treasure of Dracula)

Starring - Jose Elias Moreno (The Magnificent Beast, Black Wind), Carlos Lopez Moctezuma (Death in Cold Blood, The Vampires of Coyoacan), and Armando Silvestre (Wrestling Women vs the Aztec Mummy, Amityville Playhouse)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Warning - this film contains scenes of extreme and explicit violence"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Last year I was fortunate enough to review two different releases featuring the films of Mexican filmmaker Rene Cardona.  Earlier last year VCI Entertainment sent over the Batwoman and Pantherwomen double feature for me to review.  Both films were an experience but they wasn't for me.  Sometime later Vinegar Syndrome released the Cardona Collection box set featuring Treasure of the Amazon, The Bermuda Triangle, and Cyclone.  Honestly, I enjoyed the hell out of this set and was impressed by how much I actually enjoyed it.  A few weeks ago VCI Entertainment announced another double feature with two more Cardona titles.  This time around it was Night of the Bloody Apes and Doctor of Doom.  I had never seen either title so I reached out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  I couldn't wait to dig into Night of the Bloody Apes.  Like always I want to thank them and VCI for supporting Horror Society.  

     The film follows a scientist who is trying to save his drying son from certain death.  He turns to the local zoo where he steals an ape's heart and transplants it into his son in hopes of prolonging his life.  It oddly works but only for a short time.  His son slowly starts to mutate into an ape and goes on a murderous rampage.  A local luchadora finds herself wrapped up in the murders and must act fast to stop the killer before he can strike again.  

     Honestly, Night of the Bloody Apes was not as fun as I had hoped.  In fact, I found it to be very underwhelming.  The movie itself is a remake of Cardona's earlier film Doctor of Doom but the inclusion of stock medical footage does not fit the film at all.  It could have been something more enjoyable if it followed the source material but these additional scenes completely breaks apart the pacing of the film.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  I enjoyed the characters and how much they brought to the film.  The characters fit the story very well and their personalities worked just enough to make the scenes a little more enjoyable.  Lucha films are hit and miss with me because of the characters but this one was surprisingly enjoyable that regard.  The story for this one has so much potential especially considering it was a remake by Cardona of one of his earlier films.  However, the pacing and flow of the film is completely destroyed by stock footage used featuring surgical procedures.  I love gore and nothing wrong with incorporating real surgeries into a film but this one was not done that well.  It has a different look than the rest of the film which completely ruins the effect it was going for.  I would have rather had the film be dry than feature this.  Finally, the film, as I stated earlier, the film does feature stock footage of surgeries in all it's bloody glory so hardcore gore hounds will find some thrills with that but if you are looking for practical effects you will find little here.  We get some odd make-up effects and blood but that's the extent of it here.  Overall, Night of the Bloody Apes wasn't for me.  The pacing is all of the place but the story has so much potential.  It could have been one hell of a campy drive-in era film but chose to go the shock value route which was a huge disappointment.  I wanted to like it but couldn't.  Skip it.

The Great Yokai War

Director - Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer, Audition)

Starring - Ryunosuke Kamiki (Bloody Monday, Summer Wars), Hiroyuki Miyasako (The Laughing Policeman, Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial), and Chiaki Kuriyama (Battle Royale, Kill Bill Vol. 1)

Release Date - 2005

Genre - Fantasy/Comedy/Adventure

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I originally received the Yokai Monsters Collection set from Arrow Video I was under the impression that it house four films from the late 60s and early 70s.  I had never seen these films before but the trailer for the films looked extremely fun.  That was the reason I reached out to MVD to see if I would review it.  While 100 Monsters, Spook Warfare, and Along with Ghosts were exactly what I expected.  I was surprised that the fourth film was more modern and was directed by legendary filmmaker Takashi Miike.  The film, The Great Yokai War, was a loose remake of Spook Warfare and my favorite film in the set.  It was absolutely amazing and I'm extremely grateful that it was included in the set.  Once again, I want to thank MVD and Arrow Video for sending this one over.

     The film follows a young boy who moves in with his grandpa in a new town.  During a festival he was chosen as kirin rider which is expected to protect the yokai, a group of ancient creatures and beings.  However, this could not come at the worst time as an evil man and his army of mechanical creatures ravage Japan in search of yokais that he uses to turn into his mechanical followers.  It's up to the kirin rider and the surviving yokais to stop the evil man and his mechanical abominations.

     The Great Yokai War is absolutely fantastic.  It's a fantasy adventure film for children but I found myself loving every minute of it.  It does try to capture that look and style of the original Yokai trilogy but it has a more modern influence.  Regardless, I thought it was absolutely fantastic and the highlight of this set.  The acting in this one is great.  The characters have just as much personality as the creatures which makes the scene way more enjoyable than the previous films in the set.  They are funny, full of energy, and work so well together.  Honestly, I loved the entire cast and the characters they portrayed.  I know there is a sequel and I seriously hope it features returning cast and characters.  The story for this one is a loose remake of Spook Warfare but it adds much more to the story.  As I stated earlier, this is a film aimed to children but I found it to be funny and very charming.  I loved how it used Spook Warfare as the basis for the film while building so much more to it.  It's a superhero movie that reminded me a lot of the Japanese super sentai shows and clones except it had Miike's touch and the Yokai Monsters influence.  You never know what to expect and the film progressed and the pacing is damn near perfect.  The film is over two hours long but it doesn't feel that way while watching it.  The writing is smooth and not lazy as the other films.  Finally, the film has plenty of make-up and practical effects along with some dated visual effects.  I loved the look of the yokai and really loved the cyberpunk look of the mechanical creatures but some a good bit of the scenes used some dated visual effects that just don't hold up well now.  It doesn't ruin the film but it is very noticeable.  Overall, The Great Yokai War is a must see for fans of Japanese cinema and those of you that grew up with shows like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and so on.  It's absolutely fantastic and you will not be disappointed.  I highly recommend it.  

Yokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts

Director(s) - Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Mirrorman, Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell) and Kimiyoshi Yasuda (The Lefty Swordsman, Tokyo Gambler)

Starring - Kojiro Hongo (Satan's Sword, The Falcon Fighter), Pepe Hozumi (Ultraman Dyna, Super Robot Mach Baron), and Masami Burukido 

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "The most spectacular specters the world has ever seen"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    When I started the Yokai Monsters journey I never knew what to expect when Arrow Video sent the release my way.  However, I was very pleased with the look and style of the first film in the set 100 Monsters.  The film was so much fun and the look of the film is something that I'm still thinking about several days later.  I spent some time with Neon Genesis Evangelion before I decided to continue through the Yokai Monsters set.  Spook Warfare was a lot of fun as well but just didn't work out for me as well as the first film.  Once I finished Spook Warfare I went ahead and tossed in the final film in the original Yokai Monsters trilogy Along with Ghosts.

     The film begins with a caretaker in a cemetery who is murdered by a group of thugs.  His daughter finds his body and possible clue to who murdered him.  As the gangsters try to find her and get rid of the evidence they soon find themselves at the mercy of the Yokai.  

     Along with Ghosts fits in with the previous two films very well.  It's a copy cat of the other films in sense of style and atmosphere but I found the story of this one to be a little bit more fluid than Spook Warfare.  It didn't feel as chaotic and overwhelming than the other film.  Honestly, this is probably my second favorite film of the three.  The acting in this one fits the film but the characters are nowhere near as fun as the creatures.  This is one of the many consistent themes throughout these films.  The cast is great but the humans are merely there for story purposes while the creatures steal the show.  The story for this one mixes gangsters with monsters and it's surprisingly a lot of fun.  The film is written better than Spook Warfare which makes it a tad more enjoyable.  It's easier to follow, better pacing, and the story has a little more imagination.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  We get some fun monsters and great atmosphere but that's the extent of it.  It's a fantasy crime film with monsters so don't expect a blood bath.  Overall, Along with Ghosts is a fantastic installment in the Yokai Monsters trilogy.  Sadly, it's an end to an era with these films but it goes out with a bang.  

Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare

Director - Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Fangs of Darkness: Vengeance, The Invisible Swordsman)

Starring - Yoshihiko Aoyama (The Oiwa Phantom, Zero Fighters), Hideki Hanamura (Devil's Temple, Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Villainy), Chikara Hashimoto (Fists of Fury, Gamera vs. Viras)

Release Date - 1968

Genre - Horror/Fantasy/Comedy

Tagline - "The most bizarre monsters the world has ever seen"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A week or so ago I decided to take a stab at the Yokai Monster Collection from Arrow Video.  I started with 100 Monsters and fucking loved it.  I loved the style of the film and the monsters made it so much fun.  I was fully prepared to start on the second film in the set, Spook Warfare, but decided to watch the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion with my kids instead.  After a week or so of watching the series and the follow up films I've decided it was time to go back and finish this set.  I had a lot of fun with 100 Monsters and Spook Warfare did not disappoint.  

     The film follows a Babylonian demon who is accidentally resurrected by some grave robbers.  As he makes his way through Japan he is spotted by a water spirit who tries to warn the other monsters.  They disregard him but as things take a turn for the worse they band together to stop it from destroying their beloved country.

      Spook Warfare was a lot of fun but not quite as enjoyable as 100 Monsters.  It still has the same style and look of the other film but the story is choppier and uneven.  I still had fun with it and even loved the idea behind the story but the film itself could use some polish and some smoother editing.  The acting in this one is solid but it's the monsters that steal the show.  I liked the cast for the most part but every scene with the monsters was so much fun.  I loved their energy, how they acted with each other, and their personalities.  It was so much fun watching them interact and carry the scene.  The story for this one is essentially a Yokai vs Babylon demon.  It has some great moments especially if you love campy fantasy movies about monsters and demons but I feel like something more could have been done with this story.  It's great as is but could have been a genre defining film if more was applied to it.  Finally, no blood and gore here but I did love the masks and costumes wore by the creatures.  They are a bit campy but it only adds to the atmosphere and look of the film.  Overall, Spook Warfare is a great addition to the Yokai Monster collection.  The story does get a bit chaotic at times which makes if a little difficult to follow but it's still very enjoyable.  Check it out.  

Children of Sin

Director - Christopher Moore (Triggered, Blessed are the Children)

Starring - Meredith Mohler (Triggered, A Stranger Among the Living), Lewis Hines (Mimi: Blood Thicker Than Water, Just Say That), and Jo-Ann Robinson (Scalps, The Devil Dolls)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "If you don't leave Abraham house a different person... you wont be leaving at all"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago an aspiring filmmaker reached out for me to review his no budget horror feature.  The film, Perversion, was not one that I cared for but there was certain aspects of the film that I did like.  This was his first feature film but he had previously worked on an extremely fun YouTube review series and a short.  Some time passed and Christopher reached out to review his newest horror feature Blessed Are the Children.  I love religious horror and couldn't wait to see it.  Just to be clear, when I say I love religious horror I mean horror films that follow religious extremists that take quotes from the bible literally.  Blessed Are the Children was fantastic so when Christopher hit me up later to review his politically charged horror film Triggered I couldn't say no.  This has become a trend between us because when he asked me yet again to review his newest film Children of Sin I knew I couldn't say no.  Like always I want to thank Christopher for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check out your hard work.

     The film follows the young Emma (Mohler) and her brother Jackson (Hines) who are sent to a religious home by their abusive and strict step-father.  The den mother, Mary Esther (Robinson), is dedicated to her faith and turning around the lives of those under her care.  However, when the youths show no willingness to change she turns to deadly means to save their souls.  When Emma and Jackson uncover the home's dark secret they must fight to survive the house that the lord did not build.

     Children of Sin is the perfect example of why I love religious centered horror tales.  When a horror film dives into the bible to give us "retellings" of fictiticious scenarios from the book in a modern setting I often find myself rolling my eyes through most of it.  These Kirk Cameron clones are fucking dull and cringy for the most part.  However, films that take religious fanatics and shows the real dangers of mental illness and how far fanatics will go.  Movies like Gold Told Me To, Se7en and Moore's Blessed Are the Children are great religious horror films and he should be proud of Children of Sin.  It's another fantastic example of how the mentally ill and disturbed succumb to religion as a way to cope with their instabilities.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  Mohler and Hines are great together as siblings.  Their interactions between one another feel genuine and is not forced at all.  Mohler was the lead in Moore's film Triggered and she does not disappoint in either.  We also get a fun role from the director himself who has made cameo appearances in several of his films.  I really liked his character here and how it fit into the film.  In my opinion, the real star of the show is Jo-Ann Robinson who plays the evil Mary Esther.  I absolutely loved this character and how she was written.  She does a fantastic job with her performance and really impressed me with her character.  Honestly, I need more of this character and soon.  The story for this one reminds me of a modern indie horror spin on those classic early 80s made for television thrillers.  We follow two teens who have their own issues who is sent to a home to find a better path than the one they are on.  However, lurking in the home that is supposed to be their salvation is their end.  I could see this story being inspired by those early 80s made for television films or paperbacks from the same time.  I loved it.  It has great pacing, fantastic dialogue, and amazing characters.  I think that Moore has a hit on his hands here.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the red stuff.  We get several themed deaths that look great.  We get a lot of blood and decent enough effects that make the kills work but those looking for some seriously brutal and gory kills will be very disappointed.  However, I had fun with them and they worked very well for the film.  Overall, Children of Sin is another fantastic indie horror film from a young filmmaker that I truly believes deserves your attention.  I highly recommend this one along with his films Triggered and Blessed Are the Children.  

    

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion

Director(s) - Hideaki Anno (Cutie Honey, Gamera 1999) and Kazuya Tsurumaki (Revival of Evangelion, The Dragon Dentist)

Starring - MEgumi Ogata (Vampire Princess Miyu, Hell Teacher Nube: The Movie), Megumi Hayashibara (Gundam vs Hello Kitty, Blue Exorcist), and Yuko Miyamura (Hyper Police, Spectral Force)

Release Date - 1997

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Neon Genesis Evangelion has really opened up the door for me to the world of anime.  Since I've started this weird and wild journey I've found myself creating a wishlist on Amazon and setting up queues on Hulu.  I seriously enjoyed the series and need more of this in my life.  When Shout Factory sent over the release I noticed that there was two film in the set.  After watching the series I quickly made my way to the first film and was very disappointed.  Read my review for that film if you want to know why.  This made me hesitant to watch the second film but curiosity got the best of me and I finally caved in.  It was solid but it was nowhere near as fun as the series.

     The film picks up with the Eva pilots who learn about a secret group within themselves hellbent on triggering a global killer known as the third impact.  As they fight to survive they uncover the true nature behind the Eva project and what the angels really are.

     The End of Evagelion is not as good as the series but it is leagues better than the abomination that was the first film.  I liked the direction that the film took but the writing just felt lazy.  There could have been so much more to this film than it was.  The voice acting follows right in line with the series.  The same cast returns to voice the characters from the series.  The voice acting isn't bad but a lot of the voices just doesn't match the characters that well.  I didn't hate it but the fact that the characters had voices that seemed a little silly did bring some of the scenes down.  The story for this one tries to fix the ending that was delivered in the show but it doesn't fully explore the idea it lays before us.  They either lost the budget for a second season or just didn't have the time to do it right but the film feels like such a missed opportunity.  I like where it when with solving the ending of the series and how half assed it was but it feels almost cheap.  Finally, the animation is in the same style as the series but not as bloody and oozy as the series.  IF you are looking for something a little darker then you will be disappointed.  Overall, The End of Evangelion is a superior film to the first and does a decent enough job at expanding the series but it still falls a bit short in my opinion.  The series had such a great idea and the movie only builds upon it but it doesn't go to the depths the series does.  It's worth a watch but don't expect a film as great as the show.   

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death (True)2

Director(s) - Hideaki Anno (Shin Godzilla, Gamera 1999), Masayuki (Revival of Evangelion, Manga Entertainment: The Art of Anime), and Kazuya Tsurumaki (The Dragon Dentist, Kill la Kill)

Starring - Megumi Ogata (Love Deeply, Tokyo ESP), Megumi Hayashibara (Pokemon: The First Movie, Pokemon), and Yuko Miyamura (Battle Royale, Berserk)

Release Date - 1997

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Earlier in the week I started my adventure of watching my first anime series.  A few weeks back Shout Factory, on behalf of their GKids label, sent over a review copy of their Neon Genesis Evangelion series.  I've never been into anime but I was open to it so I decided to watch it while I played Elden Rings.  Honestly, I found myself focusing more on the show than the game and eventually turned the game off to watch the show.  I fucking loved it and now have a massive cart full of animes to order from Amazon.  The release from GKids also included two films in with the special features.  As soon as I finished the series I quickly made my way to the special features to watch the two films.  The first was Death (True)2 from 1997.

     The "film" is an hour long retelling of the show consisting of segments from the show edited into a more condensed form.  

     What the fuck is this horseshit! I was fully prepared to dig into a feature length Neon Genesis Evangelion film but what I was given was a rehashing of the series.  If you needed a refresher on the show before watching a new movie then this one would have been pretty solid.  However, after just finishing the show and hitting play on this I have to say that I'm very disappointed.  The voice acting in this one is exactly what you get in the series because...it is episodes from the series trimmed down.  No need to really go in depth here because if you are reading this then your probably already read my review on the series.  The story for this one is, as I stated earlier, episodes from the show trimmed down to highlight the important parts.  The film is around an hour long so a lot of character development and arching themes from the series has been removed.  Finally, the animation is the same as the show but we don't get to enjoy a lot of the action and bloody moments like the series.  Overall, Death (TRUE)2 is a huge waste of time.  It's cool that it's part of the release but I would never recommend this one to anyone to watch.  It's a huge waste of time.  

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Creator - Hideaki Anno (Shin Godzilla, Gunbuster)

Starring - Megumi Ogata (Bleach, UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie), Megumi Hayashibara (Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon: MewTwo Returns), and Kotono Mitsuishi (Pokemon, Ghost Stories)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "A new world. A new technology.  One last hope for salvation"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm not much of an anime fan.  I've tried to be more receptive of them in recent years but when I was younger I often avoided them.  I do love both Vampire Hunter D films but that is about the extent of my anime knowledge.  Several months back Shout Factory announced the release of 1995's Neone Genesis Evangelion on blu.  I wanted to explore some animes so I decided to check this one out.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  I wasn't able to spin it right away but as I found myself obsessed with Elden Ring I decided to multi-task and finally break out the series.  I'm glad I did because it was a lot of fun.  

     The show takes place many years after a group of giant beings known as Angels wiped out most of humanity.  The surviving humans have grouped together in giant cities that can be driven underground in the case of an angel attack.  To fight the angels, scientists have build giant mechs known as Evas that are piloted by teenagers that are synchronized with the machines.  With their very existence on the line they still find time to worry about the normal teenager things like love, maturity, family, and so on.

     I'm very surprised by how much I actually liked this show.  It was a lot of fun even though it sizzles out by the last two episodes.  Hell, I liked it so much that I may start checking out some other animes now.  Who knew that Neon Genesis Evangelion would be a gateway anime?  The voice acting in this one is one of the few aspects of the show that I didn't like.  The voices didn't match all the characters in my opinion while others were perfectly cast.  This was very inconsistent and made the show have some unintentionally awkward scenes dude to the dialogue.  If the voice cast matched the characters then the scene and the series would have been just a little more enjoyable.  The story for this one is a lot of fun but it feels like the writing became lazy or they just gave up during the last leg of the show.  With that being said, I fucking loved the back story, the betrayal, and the mechs.  It's a great sci-fi action series with some seriously impressive lore.  I know there is two films that follow the series and I can't wait to spin them.  Finally, the animation is great.  We get some blood, a lot of awesome fight scenes, and some light gore.  Genre fans, especially those open to anime, will greatly appreciate this.  Overall, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a fantastic series that may spark a love for anime if you were not a fan already.  I highly recommend grabbing this release from Shout Factory as part of their GKids line.  

Uncle Sleazo's Toxic and Terrifying TV Hour

Director - Lucky Cerruti (Kindness of Strangers, Freak)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I find a lot of indie horror shorts and films from browsing through social media.  A good bit of them have been absolutely fantastic but some others were a bit disappointing.  A few years back I came across posts in different horror groups for the indie horror short Kindness of Strangers from director Lucky Cerruti and his production company Dead Vision Productions.  I enjoyed it and quickly befriended the director on Facebook.  Since then they have released other films from various filmmakers and a slasher from Cerruti titled Freak.  I absolutely loved Freak which only made the announcement for his newest film even more exciting.  When Cerruti announced the crowd funding campaign for his new anthology film Uncle Sleazo's Toxic and Terrifying TV Hour I was all for it.  I fucking love anthologies and couldn't wait to see what Cerruti brings our way.  It's been a few months since the crowd funding campaign and the film has slipped my mind until he reached out to me to check it out for the site.  I was quick to accept the invitation.  Thanks Lucky!

     The film follows a local televised broadcast of the Uncle Sleazo's Toxic and Terrifying TV Hour.  This special episode features three tales along with a series of commercials and infomercials.  The first tale follows a motorist that stops on a lone stretch of road only to find himself bit by an unknown dog.  Later he finds himself at an usual kennel with a strange man who wants to use wolvesbayne to turn him into a wolf permanently so he can be the alpha of a wolf pack.  The second story follows a young woman who visits a fortune teller.  She receives some rather grave and heartbreaking news.  She returns home and tries to summon a spirit and gets more than she bargained for.  The third tale follows a young man who receives a ghastly visit from someone very unexpected.

     I was very much looking forward to this anthology.  I'm a huge fan of horror films that try to capture that look and feel of films that I grew up with.  The wave of nostalgia is always welcomed.  Uncle Sleazo's tried to capture that look and feel of a late night horror host that so many genre fans grew up with in the 80s and 90s.  Sadly, my area didn't have those but that didn't stop me from renting the Elvira releases from my local video store just to get a little glimpse into it.  I wish my local TV stations had something like this growing up but living in Appalachia I was limited to reruns of The Red Green Show and religious programming.  Regardless, I really liked the idea and execution that Uncle Sleazo's delivers.  The acting in this one is solid enough for the film but the cast does show some inexperience.  It's not bad but there is a few scenes that is a little awkward at times.  I liked the characters and how the cast approached their roles but a little more experience would have went a long way.  The stories for this one are inconsistent but the overall film is worth your time.  I loved the angle of using a late night horror host as a way to tie the shorts together.  However, the shorts are very hit and miss with me.  I really liked the first one about the werewolf.  I would have preferred if it was a little more campy but it was still entertaining as it is.  The second story is solid but does show a little bit of a transition point for the film.  I liked it but it is a little weaker.  Then we dive into the final segment which was not that enjoyable in my opinion.  It had the best effects of the entire film but the story just wasn't there for me.  When you combine all this together with the wrap around segment and the faux commercials you find yourself having a lot of fun.  Finally, the film has some fun gory moments with great effects and some no so great effects.  Budget does dictate what you can work with so this no budget feature didn't have a lot to work with but they were still able to deliver some gore that I found to be very impressive.  Some of the make-up effects did get a laugh out of me but they still had a long way to go.  Overall, Uncle Sleazo's Toxic and Terrifying TV Hour is a horror anthology that many genre fans will truly appreciate.  The film has some room for improvements but it's still a fun indie horror feature.  I highly recommend checking this one out if you get the chance.  You will not be disappointed.  

     

Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters

Director - Kimiyoshi Yasuda (Ghost Story: Depth of Kasane, Sleepy Eyes of Death: In the Spider's Lair)

Starring - Shinobu Araki (Satan's Sword 3: The Final Chapter, The Temple of Wild Geese), Saburo Date (Song of the Devil, Wolf Guy), and Jun Fujimaki (Demon Spies, Daimajin)

Release Date - 1968

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A fantastic world unlike anything you have ever seen!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several months ago Arrow Video announced the release of the Yokai Monsters box set.  The artwork really caught my attention so I quickly looked into the movies to see what they were like.  After checking out a few trailers I knew I would fucking love them.  I reached out to MVD, who was handling the American releases for Arrow, to see about reviewing it.  When the standard edition was gearing up for release they were kind enough to send the box set my way for review.  After watching Mondo Macabro's Hiruko the Goblin I figured now was as good enough time as any to finally check them out.  I want to thank MVD and Arrow Video for sending this amazing set my way.  

     The film follows a small village who are moving out of their traditional values into a more modern lifestyle.  A local business owner wants to tear down an ancient shrine in order to build a brothel but refuses to surrender to local legends.  He listens to a village elder tell the story of the 100 monsters but still doesn't believe it.  Soon the village is overrun by the 100 monsters from lore.

     I knew 100 Monsters was going a bit different but I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.  I loved the look of the film and the light humor does find it's mark without taking away from the story and pacing.  It is a very enjoyable film especially if you don't take it so seriously.  The acting in this one is so much fun.  The film is full of colorful characters and energetic performances.  I loved the characters and the cast does a fantastic job bringing them to life.  As fun as the story is, it's the characters that makes the film as enjoyable as it is.  The story for this one is a lot of fun.  It's not a horror film per'se but it is a fun fantasy comedy with monsters.  The monsters are not scary or bone chilling but I really enjoyed the lore behind them and how they were used in the story.  I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing, use of humor to break up the scene, and the backstory they delivered.  Character development is put in the bac burner here but it's not something that completely ruin the experience.  Finally, the film has some great make-up effects and puppets along with some classic camera tricks to make the gag effective.  I liked most of the monsters and their look but the lack of blood was a bit disappointing.  Overall, 100 Monsters was not the movie I was expecting but I had so much fucking fun with it.  Horror hipsters may bitch about it but for those of you that are looking for something fun to watch will appreciate this late 60s flick.  I recommend it.  

Secrets of the Witch

Director - Dixie Gers (Piggy)

Starring - Dixie Gers, Roni Jonah (Shark Exorcist, Cannibal Cop), and Adam Freeman (Reunion from Hell, Cannibal Hookers)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A couple years ago I befriended actress and filmmaker Dixie Gers while she was promoting her first short film as director.  Piggy was a fantastic film that not only showed how talented she is behind the camera,as well as, in front of it.  Since then I've seen her in the Criminally Insane remake Crazy Fat Ethel along with several other films.  She's a talented actress that I'm a huge fan of.  A few weeks ago Dixie started sharing images and artwork for her newest short Secrets of the Witches on Facebook.  I was curious about the project but before I could reach out to her about it she surprised me with a link to the online screener.  I want to thank Dixie for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this one out.  

     The film follows a backyard party where a live band plays while everyone sets around drinking.  A woman walks through the crowd surveying them all before she eventually picks her target.  When he goes to piss she knocks him out.  When he awakens he discovers that he is tied to posts with other men while several women stand around them.  Soon their real intentions are reveals and it's not good for these men.

     I love how effective a short can be.  We get a story that's not watered down or stretch to get that feature length running time.  Instead, its straight to the point and often fun for the running time.  Secrets of the Witch was an enjoyable short but it is one of the few instances where I wish there was more to it.  I really liked it but I have more questions than answers.  The acting in this one is solid.  The cast isn't given a lot of time to actually interact with other characters with the film running around 11 minutes long and most of it is spent tied to posts.  I liked the casting but I feel that the film has several seriously talented names attached to it and the fact we don't get to see more from them is a little disappointing.  The story for this one is short and straight to the point but I have so many questions after watching it.  As I stated earlier, the film runs about 11 minutes but could easily be a feature length film.  It has a great set up but the short doesn't give you the reason why?  Sure, they are witches and even though I'm a guy I can still understand the urge to cut off some bro's pecker but I need more to it than that.  Some more meat on the bone so to speak.  Aside from the shorts lack of substance I still enjoyed the imagery and the little bit of story we do have.  Finally, the film has some solid practical effects and a few scenes will make most men squirm in their seat.  It's fucking bloody and I feel violated for just watching it.  Overall, Secrets of the Witch is a decent short from actress and filmmaker Dixie Gers.  She shows so much promise especially when you consider that this is her second time behind the camera.  I would love to see her expand on this one and give us a feature length film about a coven of dick hating witches.  I highly recommend it.