Attack of the 50 Foot CamGirl

Director - Jim Wynorski (Chopping Mall, The Return of Swamp Thing)

Starring - Ivy Smith, Christine Nguyen (Attack of the Killer Donuts), and Eli Cirino (No Name and Dunamite Davenport)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Tagline - "Hell hath no fury like a 50 foot tall woman!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Full Moon Entertainment had big plans before the pandemic shut most of the world down.  They announced ten films that would be coming out with some partners of their but after two of those films were completed before the world shut down.  Since then Charles Band has changed focused to some other projects that he could knock out while working around COVID restrictions.  It felt like a few weeks ago Charles Band announced a new film was in the works.  The film, Attack of the 50 Foot CamGirl, would be directed by cult filmmaker Jim Wynorski and starring softcore starlet and model Christin Nguyen.  Full Moon has been constant in posting updates about the film but I was not expecting to receive a review invitation a few days ago.  I was quick to reply to it and as soon as I could make the time to watch it I did.  I want to thank Full Moon for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to review this one!

     The film follows social media influencer and cam model Beverly Woods (Smith) and her husband Bradley (Cirino) as they try to work in new angles to help with her plummeting numbers.  She partners with a team of scientists to create a renewable food source to end world hunger in order so she can up her numbers and possibly win the Noble Peace Prize.  However, she wants to skip all the proper testing and ingests a hot dog wiener and immediately begins suffering from stomach pains.  She goes to bed and the next day she awakens a little bigger and before long she grows to monstrous heights.  Not only has her body grown in size but so has her ego as well.  Her husband and her assistant, who he is having an affair with try to scheme behind her back but before long she consumes the prototype food to grow just like her and a battle ensues.

     I wasn't expecting much with Attack of the 50 Foot CamGirl.  I knew it was going to be full of nudity, humor, and a story that is predictable but enjoyable and that is exactly what it is.  I laughed a few times and found myself pulled in with the nudity and simple plot that does borrow heavily from the classic story The Blithe Spirit.  The acting in this one really surprised the hell out of me.  Nguyen is no stranger to my reviews having appeared in several films I've reviewed from Fred Olen Ray and Wynorski over the years.  Honestly, I think this is my favorite performance of hers and it seems like she had a lot of fun with the role as well. Newcomer Ivy Smith is the star of the show and she shows experience beyond her years.  She's absolutely gorgeous and so natural in front of the camera.  I was shocked to discover that this was her only role credited on imdb.  I can see Full Moon putting her in more films.  She's a natural and they would be fucking stupid not to cast her in more fun films like this.  The story for this one is a lot of fun especially if you like those cheesy Attack of the 50 Foot what evers.  I love those campy and cheesy type of films and CamGirl does a fantastic job of balancing the nudity, the campy story line, and fun characters.  The film does have a few scenes that are a bit too long but the overall film flows very well.  With that being said, I loved how the story was able to almost parody the classic supernatural story The Blithe Spirit especially with the ending that we get.  Finally, don't expect a blood bath.  However, if skin and laughs are more your speed then this one is for you.  Overall, Attack of the 50 Foot CamGirl is way better than it deserves to be.  I had so much fun with it and I look forward to the next chapter in this story.  Keep an eye out for Ivy Smith as well.  I see big things coming from her in the near future.  Give this film a watch when you get a chance.  You will not be disappointed.  

Veronica: Skeletons in the Closet

Director - Dylan A. Young (Something in the Woods, Better Safe Than Sorry)

Starring - Chloe Howcroft (Warpaint, Note to Self), Brad Belemjian (Ouija Craft, Death Ranch), and Emily Parker 

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've befriended so many indie filmmakers over the years.  So many, in fact, that I often discover posts on Facebook from people I've known on social media for years that I had no idea were actually filmmakers.  Social media is a great way to network but platforms like Facebook are horrible for showing you posts from the same people while others go hidden.  A week or so ago I was browsing Facebook when I saw a post from Dylan Young.  I've been friends with him on Facebook and followed him on Instagram for some time but I had never seen posts about his films until now.  I commented on it and before long a link to his short Veronica: Skeletons in the Closet was in my inbox.  I want to thank Dylan for sending this one over because I absolutely loved it.

     When Veronica's night takes an unexpected turn, she's left to deal with the consequences of someone else's actions.

     Veronica: Skeletons in the Closet was not what I was expecting and was a damn fine horror short.  It could use a little beefing up in the story department but the overall short, which runs around nine minutes, is well worth your time if you are ever given a chance to check it out. The acting in this one fits the film very well but the story and short run doesn't give the cast a great chance to show what they are fully capable of.  That is one of the biggest draw backs of a short.  In some instances the cast doesn't have enough time to deliver memorable performances.  The story for this one is fun but I feel like there is more that could be told.  I liked the concept of the film with the young girl finding a "purpose" after something horrific was done to her but I think the idea could be so much more than a nine minute short.  Maybe Dylan will expand it in a sequel or a feature length film in the future?  Finally, the film has some blood and light gore which I was not expecting.  The practical effects look great but the way they were delivered could have been done in a different manner to leave a great impact on the short.  Overall, Veronica: Skeletons in the Closet was a fantastic short.  I know I was a little hard on it but that is because I know it could be so much more.  Dylan shows a lot of promise as a filmmaker and is fully capable of unleashing hell on viewers.  If you ever have a chance to check this one out I highly suggest you do so.   

Hybrid Hazards

Director - Alexis Ramirez (Were-Creature, Werewolves of Stayville)

Starring - Julia Davo (Were-Creature Chronicles, Oscar's), Stephanie Falciano (No Shark, Mute), and Jesse Choy (Were-Creature Chronicles)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's been sometime now since my last short review and I'm very much looking forward to it.  When done effectively, a short can be a seriously enjoyable experience.  I love watching a new short especially one that makes great use of it's run time.  A week or so ago I was contacted to check out the short Hybrid Hazards when I was sent the press release by email.  It was from director Alexis Ramirez and after watching the teaser for it I was on board.  I reached out and Ramirez was kind enough to send over a link to check it out.  I want to thank director Alexis Ramirez for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check out their hard work!

     The film follows a young woman in a rock band who brings her friends back to her mother's business/building when things take a dark turn for the young men accompanying her.  

     Hybrid Hazards is not the kind of short that will be making waves at festivals or quickly gathering a following in horror circles but it was a well put together short with a simple story.  I enjoyed it but I can see it splitting some genre fans with it's lack of originality and simplicity.  The acting in this one is fairly decent.  The cast has limited experience but they very comfortable in front of the camera and are fully dedicated to their roles.  The characters are written for the film so they don't really stand out but they don't take away from the film either.  The story for this one reminds me a lot of the Creepshow holiday special where we see were-people transforming and killing people in their space.  It's simple and straight to the point.  I do feel like some character development and backstories for them would have made this one so much more enjoyable.  Finally, the film has some enjoyable make-up and a little of blood but that's the extent of it.  The creature make-up doesn't look bad but it reminds me a lot of the face paint kids get at fairs and festivals.  It doesn't really stand out but it fits the short and it's budget.  Overall, Hybrid Hazards is a solid watch but the story is lacking a little meat on the bone so to speak.  I liked the idea behind it but a little more insight into the characters and their stories would have went a long way.  If you have a few minutes to kill I would highly recommend checking this one out.  

Playing with Fire

Director - Alain Robbe-Grillet (The Blue Villa, The Man Who Lies)

Starring - Jean-Louis Trintignant (Stranger Than Fiction, Dead Certain), Philippe Noiret (Step by Step, Dead Tired), and Anicee Alvina (The Terrorist, The Forbidden Room)

Release Date-  1975

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It took me a few days but here I am.  I'm finally on the last film in the Sylvia Kristel 1970's Collection from Cult Epics.  This release featured four films from the 70s that supposedly starred Emmanuelle actress Sylvia Kristel.  Two of the films so far featured her in a small capacity but it was still awesome to experience these films.  However, as I finish up my marathon I find myself hitting play on a movie that I honestly had no interest in watching.  I was hoping that 1975's Playing with Fire would be like Pastorale 1943 and catch me by surprise.  

     The film follows a wealthy man who finds his adult daughter the target of a kidnapping ring.  They take her back to a mansion where they drug and pimp the women out unless he can pay the ransom in a timely manner before they charge him interest.  

     Honestly, Playing with Fire wasn't a bad film but it was difficult to follow and the editing was very chaotic.  However, I still found myself enjoying it but I don't want to subject myself to this messy film any time soon.  The acting in this one is fairly well done.  The characters are painfully generic but the cast goes all in to their roll.  I enjoyed most of the scenes and loved watching the cast in this odd and intense situations.  It would have been far more enjoyable if some of the characters had more memorable personalities but I still liked the acting as it was.  The story for this one is all over the place but the basic premise is short and simple.  Honestly, I fucking loved the idea behind the film but it's hard not to think about how awesome this one would have been if it was a straight forward sexploitation film.  The writing and editing could be a lot better and coherent.  Instead, the movie is difficult to follow and at almost two hours long it could use a trim.  Finally, the film has some nudity but don't expect a bloody film.  It's not as sleazy as I would have liked but it's not a bad watch either.  Overall, Playing with Fire is the weakest film in the set but it's still fun for the most part.  It is a difficult watch at times but if you stick with it you will find some fun.  Check it out.  

Pastorale 1943

Director - Wim Verstappen (Black Rider, Blue Movie)

Starring - Frederik de Groot (The Little Riders, Star Cops), Leen Jongewaard (My Blue Heaven, Looking for Eileen), and Coen Flink (The Bluffers, Flanagan)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - War/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Back when I received the press release for this release I wasn't too keen on Pastorale 1943.  The artwork was boring and the synopsis just didn't sound that entertaining.  Hell, the only reason I even requested this set for review was for Julia and Mysteries.  However, when I finished both those films and tossed in Pastorale 1943 I was surprised by how great the film was.  It is one of the better films in the set and another prime example of why a movie fan should never judge a book by it's cover.

     The film follows a small Dutch village that is occupied by German forces in 1943.  We follow a group of unorganized resistance fighters who plan on assassinating one of their own because they are a Nazi sympathizer.  

     Pastorale 1943 is easily my favorite film in the set but it's far from perfect.  It suffers from timing issues and the movie is far too long for the type of story we are given.  I really did enjoy it but at over two hours long I found myself truly struggling to finish it.  It's a great period piece about Nazi occupation that many history buffs can appreciate.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  I loved the characters and how far the cast went to bring them to life.  Some of the scenes have light humor which they pull off perfectly but I was really impressed by how great the casting was here.  It is a bit of a shame how little Sylvia Kristel was in the film considering how the film is part of her box set from Cult Epics.  The story for this one is great. It's a war time drama with a lot of characters and a story that is easy to follow but worth the pay off.  The story could be condensed to fix the lengthy run time due to it's ridiculous length.  However, if it was around an hour and a half it would be more manageable.  I love the set up and premise but the pacing and timing is a little off for my tastes.  Finally, don't expect a bloody film or one with lots of skin.  It's focused on the story which has no room for blood or boobs.  Overall, Pastorale 1943 is another odd one that I was sent for review but I fucking loved.  I highly recommend this one especially if you are looking for something outside of horror.  It's a lot of fun.  

Mysteries

Director - Paul de Lussanet (Dear Boys, Alle Dagen Feest)

Starring - Rutger Hauer (Hobo with a Shotgun, Blind Fury), Sylvia Kristel (Emmanuelle, Dracula's Widow), and David Rappaport (Amazing Stories, The Bride)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Drama/Mystery

Tagline - "The romance.  The ecstasy.  The passion"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I originally saw the announcement for Cult Epics release of Sylvia Kristel 1970's Collection I was seriously interested in 1978's Mysteries starring Kristel and Rutger Hauer.  I've reviewed several films starring Hauer over the years but this was one I was very interested in.  The film was based on Knut Hamsun's novel and was surprisingly well received when it was originally released.  I don't think I had seen a Hauer film from the 70s so as soon as I finished Julia I was ready to toss in this drama.  Like always, I would like thank Cult Epics for sending this one over.

     The film follows a wealthy visitor to a small coastal town where he makes a name for himself by being mysterious.  He befriends a little man nicknamed Midget and before long becomes involved with two women but who is the man and why does he act so strangely?

     Mysteries is not the type of movie many of us would expect me to review for Horror Society.  However, it's exactly the type of film that I wanted to review when I started this journey a decade ago.  I wanted to review movies that were lost to time and Mysteries is just one of those films.  I appreciate that Cult Epics took the chance with this one and included it in their set because it was a lot of fun.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  Sadly, Kristel was not the star of the show with Hauer and Rappaport taking front and center.  She is in the film quit a bit but this is a vehicle for Hauer and he makes good use of his screen time.  It was strange seeing how young he was here and he still does a fantastic job.  The supporting cast is great as well but it's Hauer that pulls the viewer in.  The story for this one is well paced and put together but it does take a minute to get the ball rolling.  Once it picks up you find yourself pulled in and wondering what will happen next.  It's not predictable but once you've seen it you know exactly what to look for during your second viewing which does take away from it's replay value.  Honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and how it progressed.  It wasn't over complicated or too long.  It fit the run time perfectly.  Finally, don't expect a body count with this one.  It's a drama that looks like it was made for television with no blood or carnage. Overall, Mysteries will draw hate from many of you that read my reviews but for those of you looking for a drama will enjoy this one very much so.  It's a great film.  

     

Julia

Director - Sigi Rothemund (Summer Night Fever, The Old Fox)

Starring - Jean-Claude Bouillon (A Family Secret, The Hitchhiker), Sylvia Kristel (Dracula's Widow, Emmanuelle), and Teri Tordai (Caligula, House of Pleasure)

Release Date - 1974

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My knowledge of 70s cinema is very limited but in recent years I've found myself becoming more and more open to them after falling in love with boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome, Impulse Pictures, and Severin Films just to name a few.  Since then I've found myself more open to 70s cinema especially exploitation films.  Sometime back Cult Epics announced the release of Sylvia Kristel 1970's Collection on blu.  The four films in the set are all films I had never seen before so I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  I decided to start with the 1974 sexploitation film Julia.  Like always, I want to thank Cult Epics for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this set out.  

     The film follows a young man who is boarding a train when he spots a beautiful young woman.  He tries his luck with her but goes nowhere when she leaves him to have sex with someone else.  Later, he is picked up by his father at the train station and his father also picks up the beautiful young woman.  They go to his home and more sexual tension and adventures follow.

     I've been a fan of sexploitation for a few years now but my knowledge of them is very limited.  However, it is something that I want to continue to watch and enjoy and I have companies like Cult Epics, Vinegar Syndrome, and Impulse Pictures to help me along on this journey.  Julia is not one I had heard about prior to CE's announcement but it was one of two films in the set that caught my eye.  I was looking forward to another sexploitation film starring Kristel and it did not disappoint.  The acting in this one is solid and among the top tier in regards to sexploitation films.  The characters are fairly generic but the cast delivers some decent performances.  Some of the cast, Kristel include, delivers great performances while the rest of the cast delivers a decent enough performance.  The lack of character development does make it a bit disappointing but nothing that takes away from the overall film.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward and simple.  It's fun for a first time watch with no over thinking or complicated plot devices.  It's sexy and entertaining but has no replay value.  Finally, no blood in this one.  However, if you are in the market for some skin then this film will not disappoint.  Overall, Julia is not going to be for everyone but if you like sexy exploitation films then I highly recommend it.  Check it out.  

Wrath of Daimajin

Director - Kazuo Mori (Rampaging Dog, Violent Hawk)

Starring - Hideki Ninomiya (Daimajin, The Space Giants), Shinji Hori, and Masahide Iizuka (Human Torpedos)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "A wave of evil has been unleashed"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Daimajin and Return of Daimajin are rather unique kaiju films when you compare them to the more popular or mainstraim kaiju films that were coming out of Japan during the 60s and 70s.  The third film in the trilogy, Wrath of Daimajin, is the oddest of the three.  Though it is set up like the previous two films in regards to being a period piece with fantasy aspects and drama before the last leg of the film unleashes the kaiju fun, it's put together like a children's film.  I never really noticed that during my original viewings but where I'm older now I can see and appreciate that more now.  It's a lot of fun and one that children can get behind.  It might be considered the weakest of the three by many fans but I like it.  I could appreciate it a little more if I hadn't watched the other two films previously.  

    The film follows a small village where the men have been taken by an evil warlord and his army to perform hard labor.  When one of them is able to escape and return to the village it inspires several children to make the trek across the dangerous mountain to find their loved ones.  However, the mountain and soldiers put the children's lives in peril forcing one of them to pray to the god of the mountain unleashing the Daimajin on them all.

     Wrath of Daimajin once again delivers a similar story to the other films but it's focus on children does make it feel a little different than the other two.  It's fun but nothing that makes it truly stand out from the other two films.  The acting in this one is probably my favorite of the three films.  The young cast is great.  Their experience is limited but they are great.  They are comfortable in front of the camera and do an amazing job at bringing their little but big characters to life.  The supporting cast is exactly what you would expect after watching the other films but it all comes together to work.  The story for this one is basically the same premise as the other two films but with some minor changes.  The film still follows a village in turmoil while an evil general/warlord forces reign upon them.  However, instead of the film following the villagers, it follows children who try to save the day before Daimajin unleashes his wrath.  Nothing too drastic but just enough to stand out from the other two.  Finally, the film is not bloody but if you stick with it you will have the same kaiju fun as the other two films using similar effects.  Overall, Wrath of Daimajin is just as fun as the other films.  I would not recommend watching them all together but they are all equally as enjoyable.  

Return of Daimajin

Director - Kenji Misumi (Shogun Assassin, Satan's Sword)

Starring - Kojiro Hongo (Enbalming, The Haunted Castle), Shiho Fujimura (Tokyo Gambler, Killer Whale), and Taro Marui (Drunken Harbor, Fangs of Vengeance)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "Colder than ice, unyielding as stone, divine retribution is at hand"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The Daimajin trilogy is rather unique for several different reasons.  The period piece fantasy film is surprisingly enjoyable by itself by the kaiju portion that appears during the last acts never disappoint.  This is unlike most kaiju films that try to put the creatures in the spotlight.  However, the Daimajin Trilogy has a story to tell and focus more on it than big monster carnage.  Another reason these films are so different is because it's a similar story that was filmed by three different filmmakers with some of the same crew.  I love all three films but they can be difficult to binge together because the stories are so similar.  However, I do enjoy it so after I watched Daimajin I went ahead and hit play on Return of Daimajin.  

     The film follows an evil general and his army that is capturing villages by force.  When they come across another village the villagers fight back but the numbers are against them.  However, instead of giving up they pray to their god who answers their prayers.  

     Return of Daimajin doesn't bring something new or inventive to the trilogy but it still effective.  Like I stated earlier, it does get a bit repetitive watching all three films together but I honestly enjoyed it even though it was so similar to the first film.  The acting in this one is just a good as the other film.  We get some great performances and colorful characters.  The cast does an amazing job bringing them to life while fitting the style and story of the film.  Some of the performances are a little more enjoyable than others they are mostly consistent.  The story for this one is more or less the same as the first film with some smaller changes.  It's still a fun period piece fantasy film for most of the running time before transcending into a kaiju romper during the last 15 or 20 minutes.  The pacing is a little off but it's not enough to ruin the experience.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  We have some little splashes of red here or there but that's about it.  The enjoyable aspect of the film is the ending with the classic camera tricks, miniatures, and overlapping images.  I fucking loved it.  Overall, Return of Daimajin is a lot of fun especially if you are a kaiju fan.  It is a bit repetitive especially if you watch it back to back with the other films but I have fun with it.  Check it out.  

Daimajin

Director - Kimiyoshi Yasuda (Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters, Mute Samurai)

Starring - Miwa Takada (Killer in the Night Mist, Fencing Master), Yoshihiko Aoyama (Zero Fighters, Black Trump Card), and Jun Fujimaki (Devil's Flute, Demon Spies)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "Behind the mask of stone, the fire of vengeance burn!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was younger I was no stranger to kaiju films.  I would often watch Godzilla and Gamera movies with my grandmother along with any other Japanese produced kaiju film that may air late at night on cable.  This, like many of other films I love now, carried over to adulthood.  I still seek out and watch as many as I can with many of them finding their way into my collection.  Many years ago a friend of mine gave me a DVD set, that was possibly a bootleg, of The Daimajin Trilogy.  A few years later I upgraded the set to blu when Mill Creek Entertainment released it.  I've watched these films several times now and when Arrow Video announced that they would be putting their touch on a Daimajin box set I knew it was the perfect time to revisit the three films.  I reached out to MVD who was handling the release and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a Japanese village that is under siege by an evil lord and his army.  Their lord is murdered and the evil lord takes the throne. He orders the dismantling of a giant stone statue that they worship but once they begin they soon learn that their god is not one to be messed with.

     Daimajin is a fun mash of fantasy, period drama, and kaiju.  Films like Gamera, Godzilla, and so on is more focus on the kaiju mayhem but Daimajin is mostly a period piece with fantasy elements before spilling into kaiju fun.  It still works but it is a little misleading if you go into it expecting one kind of film.  However, if you know it's connections to the Yokai Monsters film series then you will know exactly what the film is and can fully appreciate it.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  I like the wide array of characters and how far the cast went to bring them to life.  The characters fit the film very well and the cast makes each and every scene very enjoyable.  Some do stand out a little more than others but it's nothing too drastic.  The story for this one is a fun period piece featuring a village being overrun by an evil lord and his army.  The film could have easily followed this story until the end and been just as enjoyable.  However, the last 15 or 20 minutes of the film gives us some kaiju fun which does give the film a change of pace but oddly still fits the style of film.  It really is a lot of fun but the dialogue heavy scenes during the first two thirds of it does affect pacing.  Finally, this film has a little blood but no real practical effects or carnage.  However, the kaiju scenes are fucking beautiful.  We get some classic camera tricks, overlaying images, and great use of miniatures.  It's a lot of fun visually for a mid-60s kaiju film.  Overall, Daimajin is criminally underrated.  It's a gorgeous film and the kaiju action at the end is icing on an already delicious cake.  I highly enjoy this one and I'm sure most fans of these types of films will really enjoy it.  

Steel Dawn

Director - Lance Hool (One Man's Hero, Missing in Action 2: The Beginning)

Starring - Patrick Swayze (Road House, Donnie Darko), Lisa Niemi (Super Force, Max Headroom), and Brion James (Bladerunner, Spawn)

Release Date - 1987

Genre - Action/Adventure 

Tagline - "He is the desert warrior, carving the future with his sword"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was first getting into movie collecting and spending hours at the video store I became obsessed with Conan the Barbarian and it's sequel.  This started a lifelong love for these fantasy films with swords, creatures, and epic villains.  I rented so many of these film from my local video store and since then I've acquired as many as I can on DVD, blu, and VHS.  However, the 80s was a wild time and a lot of films that made their way to VHS never received widespread disc pressing until recently.  Sometime back Vestron Video announced the release of the 1987 Patrick Swayze film Steel Dawn.  This Mad Max meets Conan the Barbarian film was one I had never seen before but I had heard about it over the years.  I snagged a copy when I could and while I was having a mini Vestron Video marathon I decided it was time to finally check it out.  

     The film follows a mysterious traveler (Swayze) as he walks through the desert wasteland after civilization has crumbled.  The world is lacking water and the last few pockets of humanity are in turmoil fighting amongst themselves for the last bit of drinking water available.  He arrives at a small settlement where a group of survivors are treating water but they are constantly harassed and attacked by an evil man and his gang of ruthless savages.  The traveler is a former soldier and works with the settlement to purify water while fighting off the goons sent by the evil man who wants the land they are on.  

     Steel Dawn is painfully generic but it's not a bad film.  It combines the more memorable story elements from post apocalyptic films like Mad Max with the adventure fantasy films like Conan the Barbarian.  It's a middle of the road film that is a lot of fun for a first time watch or to spin every few years but it does not stand out like many of the other films like it that was released years before.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun.  I'm all for any film that utilizes Brion James.  He's always fun to watch and I loved that he has such a big role in the film.  Swayze doesn't disappoint as well.  His character is not as memorable as his other films but he does deliver that emotionless and stoic performance that he is popular for.  The supporting cast is solid as well but all of the characters are fairly generic and forgettable.  The story for this one doesn't really offer up anything new but I do like the combining of fantasy sword and the sandal elements with the post-apocalyptic elements.  It could have been done in a much bigger scope but the way it is delivered to us is still enjoyable but the thought of what it could have been it a travesty.  We get a lot of long, drawn out scenes with some roughly choreographed fight scenes with some fairly solid story.  The fight scenes had me laughing but it doesn't take away from the overall film.  Finally, there is a little blood but don't expect a high body count or carnage.  The deaths are quick with no practical effects.  Overall, Steel Dawn is a lesser known Patrick Swayze film that is rather unforgettable.  It is fun if you give it a chance but it's not one you can revisit often.  I recommend snagging it especially if you are a collector.  

Dream a Little Dream

Director - Marc Rocco (Murder in the First, Scenes from the Goldmine)

Starring - Corey Feldman (The 'Burbs, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter), Jason Robards (Something Wicked This Way Comes, Circle of Fear), and Meredith Salenger (Lake Placid, Daredevil) 

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Comedy/Romance

Tagline - "With dreams like these, who needs reality"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As a fan of 80s cinema I've learned to appreciate the two Corey's at a very young age.  Both have appeared in some of the most iconic films from that decade with a great deal of them being personal favorites of mine.  I've seen most of the films that featured them both but a few have slipped through the cracks.  Several weeks ago Vestron Video announced that they would be releasing the 1989 romantic comedy Dream a Little Dream on blu.  This just happened to be one of the films that I had never seen before.  I was quick to reach out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Like always I want to thank Vestron Video for supporting myself and Horror Society.  

     The film follows teenage Bobby (Feldman) who is a bit of a nuisance to the older dream researcher Coleman (Robards) that lives nearby.    Bobby is struggling as a teenager in the late 80s while Coleman struggles to grasp what it's like to be a modern teenager.  One evening Coleman and his wife are performing an experiment in their yard when they are hit by Bobby and Lainie (Salenger).  When Bobby awakens he is no longer himself but the subconscious of Coleman in his body.  Now Coleman must pretend to be Bobby while trying to find a way to get back to his body.

     I know several social media friends that were very excited for this release.  I actually enjoy several 80s romantic comedies so I was really looking forward to giving this one a spin.  However, at just under two hours long I found the film to be very repetitive and drawn out while giving the viewer very little to hold on to.  I can see the appeal of the film to some people but not even the Two Corey's could save it.  The acting in this one is great.  Feldman is beginning his transition into the eccentric Jackson-esque Feldman but is still able to deliver a solid performance which does become a strain for him in later films.  Jason Robards is absolutely fantastic as the elderly dream researcher.  Honestly, his character made the film for me.  With that being said, I was a little disappointed in how little screen time Corey Haim had in the film.  I know he broke his leg prior to filming and some parts had to be changed but I wasn't expecting him to take the back seat in the film.  The story for this one really is at home in the late 80s.  It has that light supernatural spin on a romantic comedy similar to films like Heavenly Kid, Teen Witch, and to a great extent the Wraith.  I could see myself really getting behind it if both Corey's were in the film the same amount of time and was not a two hour film.  Some could have been cut and the story could have been a little more fluid.  Finally, this one doesn't have any blood and gore.  Hell, it doesn't really have much humor either.  It's billed as a romantic comedy but it's clearly a romantic drama.  Overall, Dream a Little Dream was not what I was expecting and not something I enjoyed.  It bills both Corey's in the film but Haim is barely utilized.  It's a cool film for your collection but it's not one I would revisit.  

Candyman: Day of the Dead

Director - Turi Meyer (Sleepstalker, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Starring - Donna D'Errico (Escape from Area 51, Reno 911!), Tony Todd (Candyman, Night of the Living Dead), Mark Adair-Rios (Charmed, Encino Man)

Release Date - 1999

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Repeat his name five times if you dare"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I miss the video store age.  I never lived in an area with a Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.  Instead, my area had Dewey's Video and the short lived Buck's Video.  Dewey's was the far superior video store but Buck's was where you went if you were looking for games.  I spent a lot of time browsing the tapes at Dewey's and as I got older I spent most of my time on the right side of his store where he housed the sci-fi and horror tapes.  I remember looking at the VHS artwork for movies like the Leprechaun series, several releases from Full Moon, and the last two Candyman films.  I had watched the Candyman trilogy several times growing up but I don't remember a lot about the third film Day of the Dead.  When Vestron Video announced the release of the film on blu I used this as an excuse to revisit all three films.  I want to thank Vestron for sending Day of the Dead over for review.  

     The film follows Caroline (D'Errico) who discovers she is the descendant of Daniel Robitaille, the Candyman.  She has several of his paintings and is putting them in an exhibit to showcase that he isn't the monster many believe him to be.  However, the owner of the gallery wants to use the legend around him to cash in on his name.  This proves to be a poor choice when saying his name five times in front of a mirror awakens him sending him on another bloody rampage as he tries to convince his distant relative to join him.

     Day of the Dead is by far the weakest of the trilogy but it could have been something really enjoyable.  I love the lore that was brought to Candyman in Farewell to the Flesh but Day of the Dead is unable to build upon it.  Instead, it delivers the same story while changing the location from New Orleans to Los Angeles.  I wanted to love it, especially after watching the first two films, but I couldn't.  The repetitive nature of the story made it a bit of a drag.  The acting in this one is solid but it is reminiscent of the original Candyman.  The cast, Todd included, is great while the female lead just wasn't doing it for me.  I loved the entire cast and the characters they brought to life.  Todd once again doesn't disappoint and knocks it out of the park but D'Errico's performance is very underwhelming.  A few scenes are worthwhile but most of her scenes are awkward and forced much like Madsen's in the original.  Candyman relies on strong female leads and she doesn't do it for me.  The story for this one is basically Farewell to the Flesh but the setting is changed from NOLA to LA with the focus of African American struggle in 90s America is swapped with Latin American struggles in late 90s America.  The small changes is not enough to make the film feel new or a proper continuation of the story.  It's repetitive and predictable.  It's clearly a cash grab on the property with no heart of passion put into the writing of this follow up.  Finally, the film has some horrible visual effects and decent practical effects but nothing that really stands out for viewers.  Farewell to the Flesh really did raise the bar for the series and this one just rushed through it.  Overall, Candyman: Day of the Dead is just a quick cash grab on a property that has a decent fan base.  It's just a regurgitated story with some minor changes that gives viewers nothing substantial to hold on to.  Collectors and fans of the first two Candyman films will want this release for their collections but someone looking for something enjoyable to watch will be disappointed.  

Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh

Director - Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I)

Starring - Tony Todd (Candyman, Night of the Living Dead), Kelly Rowan (The Gate, Hook), and Caroline Barclay (Species, American Gothic)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Evil comes when you call his name"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     I spent a great deal of my time in Dewey's Video.  It was my local video store and it was my mecca.  I was there every couple of days and always on Friday to rent a few Sega Genesis games and a stack of VHS.  I fucking loved walking up and down the aisles searching for the movies that I would be taking home for the night or weekend.  When you entered his shop and took a hard right you walked passed his bead covered doorway to his adult films and into a room full of sci-fi and horror films.  I spent a lot of time in that corner of the store and remember how amazing the artwork was for most of the horror titles.  One that stuck out to me was the bee comb artwork for Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh.  It was so simple yet pulled me in.  I had watched the first film several times but never the second so I rented it that weekend with a few other genre titles.  I remember really loving the film and when I was in college I finally snagged my first copy of the film on DVD.  Honestly, I haven't watched it since college and while I was preparing for my review of Candyman: Day of the Dead I decided to revisit the trilogy.  I immediately spun Farewell to the Flesh after the first film.

     The film follows a teacher in New Orleans who is given word that her brother was arrested for murder.  Their father was murdered several years before and it has went unsolved.  Her brother is obsessed with the lore of Candyman and when his sister discovers that her brother suspects Candyman she uncovers the truth about her family heritage and their ties to the Candyman.  

     Farewell to the Flesh is not as good as the original film but it's still a fantastic follow up.  I love the cast, the location, the expansion of the backstory, and the deaths.  It's one of the few sequels that are almost as good as the original source and leaves a lot on the table for future installments.  I like the acting in this one more than the first installment.  Todd once again knocks it out of the park as Candyman but this time the female lead, Kelly Rowan, is a better female protagonist than Madsen was in the first film.  Her emotions are genuine and she is able to carry the film better as well.  I really enjoyed the character she portrayed.  The supporting cast is just as great with just as many memorable performances as the first.  The story for this one takes the move from Chicago to New Orleans to further explore the back story to Daniel Robitaille and how he was cursed to become Candyman.  It's a much bigger look into it and tying it to the characters in the film makes it have an even bigger impact.  Slavery and how the white slave owners treated freed blacks is still a major point of the story but it's not as weighted as it was in the previous film.  Finally, the film turns it up a notch with the deaths.  We get some deaths with a little more imagination and creative effects.  I really enjoyed them this go around and they do stand out while fitting in with the theme of Candyman.  The effects are great which really solidifies the character as a 90s slasher icon.  Overall, Farewell to the Flesh is a great follow up to an amazing film.  It's a prime example that not all 90s horror was bad.  I highly recommend this one especially if you plan on revisiting the first film.  

Candyman

Director - Bernard Rose (Snuff-Movie, Paperhouse)

Starring - Virginia Madsen (Dune, Swamp Thing), Tony Todd (Night of the Living Dead, The Crow), and Kasi Lemmons (The Silence of the Lambs, Vampire's Kiss)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "We dare you to say his name five times"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When it comes to 90s horror there is several titans that battle to be the face for the decade that typically draws scorn from the dedicated genre fans.  Honestly, I'm guilty of dragging 90s films through the mud but I do enjoy a fair deal of films from this decade.   Franchises like Leprechaun, Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Tremors, and Candyman and iconic now and perfect examples that horror from the 90s should not be overlooked.  While Scream is probably the most popular franchise of them all I would admittedly say that it's one I don't care for with Leprechaun and Candyman being my favorite overall franchises.  Candyman and it's two sequels are films I remember renting often from my local video store.  I had a lot of fun with it and couldn't wait to revisit it.  When Vestron Video sent over Candyman: Day of the Dead to review I decided to this was the perfect time to revisit the trilogy.  

     The film follows Helen Lyle (Madsen) who is writing a thesis on local legends and finds herself going down the rabbit hole surrounding the Candyman.  Her investigation into Candyman lands her in the slums at Cabrini Green where she learns the backstory about Candyman and who he was.  After saying his name five times like legend suggests, she finds herself at the center of a nightmare that she can't seem to wake.

     The first Candyman film is a fucking horror masterpiece.  It blends urban horror, urban legends, and blaxploitation together to create something that I can argue was not done until this Clive Barker penned story was adapted into film.  Sure, blaxploitation dabbled in horror during it's infancy but nothing this dark and bleak was ever produced during blaxploitation's heyday.  Most of the blaxploitation's horror attempts were usually parodies of specific films and covered in the humor that made the films so much fun.  Candyman is no such film.  It's a movie that spawned in an entire sub-genre of urban based horror that filled video store shelves in the early to mid-90s.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun.  Tony Todd will always be Ben from the Night of the Living Dead remake to me but he will live in infamy as the iconic Candyman.  Hearing him deliver his dialogue while slowly stalking his victim still sends chills down my spine regardless of how many times I've seen it.  His performance is iconic for a reason and no one could have pulled off this character like he does.  The new installment does a decent enough job but it doesn't have the impact that Todd's performance does.  The supporting cast is great with a lot of stand out performances and colorful characters to make the film have more depth than it does.  Virginia Madsen always felt underwhelming in this one to me and still feels that way after revisiting it.  Her panic and distressed scenes always made me laugh and this go around it just felt forced and awkward.  The story for this one does more than explore an urban legend.  It shows the struggles that many struggling families, mostly minorities, go through in slums in the inner city projects.  It's social commentary on city live in the early 90s still resonates all these years later.  You then have the backstory centered around slavery and the mutilation and murder of a free black man by wealthy white people.  You center a supernatural slasher in the middle of all this and you have yourself a film that is unlike anything at the video store before it.  Finally, the film has plenty of bloody deaths with some great practical effects.  We get some awesome props, make-up effects, and the deaths fit in with the film fucking perfectly.  It's not that gory but the deaths work well for the film and add another layer of enjoyment to an already enjoyable film.  Overall, Candyman is a fucking iconic film and a testimony that not all 90s horror films suck.  I highly recommend this classic if you haven't seen it before.  

     

Scream

Director(s) - Matt Bettinelli-Olpin (Ready or Not, Devil's Due) and Tyler Gillett (V/H/S, The Midnight Show)

Starring - Melissa Barrera (Acting for a Cause, Vida), Jack Quaid (The Boys, Star Trek: Lower Decks), and Mikey Madison (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, The Addams Family)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It's always someone you know"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The 90s was the decade that I grew up in.  I'm a product of the video store, Sega Genesis, Nickelodeon, and Goosebumps.  I caught the horror bug from my grandmother who let me watch Savini's remake of Night of the Living Dead when I was a kid and soon after I was renting horror movies from my local ma and pop video store, Dewey's Video.  The 90s is often scoffed at in terms of horror releases.  Even I'm guilty of it but in retrospect the 90s released some seriously iconic films that spawned some successful franchises.  The 90s gave us Leprechaun, Wishmaster, Candyman, and the most popular of all, Scream.  Honestly, I'm not much of a fan of the Scream series.  I can appreciate how Wes Craven was able to poke fun at a dying sub-genre and in turn was able to resurrect it.  I get the appeal of the film series to genre fans but I feel like it was a missed opportunity to be an iconic horror comedy.  When I heard that the film was getting a reimagine/sequel I was on the fence about it.  I was curious about how it would play out but a part of me knew it was going to fall in line with the rest of the films.  Regardless, I'm still thankful I was able to check it out.  Even if I dislike a film I still enjoy the movie experience.

     The film takes place several decades after the initial film when a young woman gets a call that someone in the ghostface mask tried to kill her younger sister.  She returns to her hometown to see her sister and reveals to her that the reason she has been distant for so many years and left town was because she discovered that her real father was Billy Loomis, one half of the killers from the first film. When Ghostface attacks someone else she is forced to contact the survivors of the original murders, Sidney Prescott, former officer Dewey, and journalist Gale Weathers, to help her find who is behind the murders and why.

     I like the idea behind Scream but the execution is where it loses it's me.  The thought of a meta-slasher that knows what it is has the perfect set up to become one hell of a horror comedy.  However, a slasher that knows it's a slasher that takes itself too seriously is a bit of a drag to me.  I actually liked season one of the show but the four films prior to it are a bit of a let down.  They are cringy and extremely awkward while being very predictable.  However, Scream 2022 is actually tolerable.  Don't get me wrong, it's still predictable and the killers are painfully obvious but I still had some fun with it.  With that being said, I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  The acting in this one is actually pretty well done.  I didn't really care for Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette but I did really like the new characters and the cast.  Campbell and Cox felt out of place honestly and was only involved to pacify the diehard fans.  Arquette was surprisingly enjoyable but his performance was cut short...  The story for this one is a sequel to the original with a predictable story but it does have it's moments.  You pretty much know who the two killers are from the very beginning and the dialogue throughout really hits it home when you start to suspect.  The original does have an edge over this one in that regard because you never know who the real killer, or killers, are unless you had seen the film before.  Aside from some cringy dialogue and repetitive plot points from previous films it still finds a way to make itself relevant in 2022.  Finally, this one has the most impressive death scenes in the entire series.  It's not the goriest but these kills are fucking brutal with great practical effects and light visual effects to make them stand out better.  I recommend checking out this installment just for the deaths.  Overall, Scream is a fairly decent installment in a series of films that I normally avoid.  I'm not really a fan of the franchise but this installment is leagues above the other films.  Check it out.