Director - Steven Reifsteck (McMurderer, Attack of the Scarecrow from Mars)
Starring - Steven Reifsteck, Kyle Reise (Late Night Skin, Hunting a Pigman: Part One), and Johnny Vintage (Hunting a Pigman: Part One, Attack of the Scarecrow from Mars)
Release Date - 2022
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
Sometime last year I cross paths with the Janice.Click Instagram page and my life was never the same again. I found them after a friend of mine tagged them in a picture of their Happy Meal box that they releases as part of their McMurderer release. McMurderer was a wild short that really caught me off guard. Hell, even a year later and I'm still not sure what it was I watched. Since then the collective behind Janice.Click has put out another short and a feature length film that somehow snuck passed me. I went ahead and ordered both for my collection and after watching X and Umma I decided it was time to let have my brain melted by the short The Curse of the Fatwolf.
The film follows a young man who was bitten by a fatwolf and must destroy it with a silver pizza before he can regain his humanity.
When you hear the title The Curse of the Fatwolf you know exactly what type of film you are getting into. It was ridiculous and a lot of fun without being too over the top and unwatchable. I had a lot of fun with it and fans of indie horror comedies will appreciate it as well. The acting in this one is fun but the cast is not trying to impress anyone. They say their lines of dialogue and move on to the next but the humor more than makes up for their lack of acting. I really enjoyed the fatwolf sense of humor and puns. The story for this one is short, sweet, and to the point. We get a stereotypical werewolf film but the tropes we all know and love is swapped with fat jokes. It's funny and at just 16 minutes it doesn't over stay it's welcome. Finally, don't expect a bloodbath or extremely gory deaths. The werewolves are wearing cheap masks and that's the extent of it. Overall, The Curse of the Fatwolf is pretty funny but still the weird and strange style that you would expect from the team behind McMurderer. Check it out.
Director - Iris K. Shim (The House of Suh, Of Kin and Kind)
Starring - Sandra Oh (Invincible, Turning Red), Fivel Stewart (American Satan, Hansel & Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft), Dermot Mulroney (The Purge, The Righteous Gemstones)
Release Date - 2022
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "A mother's love never dies"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I'm still excited for any new horror film that comes our way in 2022. When the pandemic hit in 2020 the film industry, among many others, took a massive hit. Many companies like Vinegar Syndrome and Scream Factory were able to continue their work re-releasing classic films on a newer format. However, new films were not being made as rapidly as I was used to. So far this year I've reviewed a handful of films that were released this year which is drastically less than previous years so when I receive a new movie for review I'm jump on it. Several weeks ago I received the press release for the supernatural horror film Umma starring Sandra Oh. It looked fun so I reached out for a review copy. Once it arrived I made time to check it out.
The film follows a Korean-American mother and her daughter who live off the grid on their farm. She had grew estranged from her family in Korea and hoped to forget about them but when her mother dies her uncle brings her remains to her so they can perform a Korean ritual to appease her spirit. However, she refuses and soon the spirit of her mother starts invading their lives turning her into the person she refused to be.
I was really excited to check out Umma. Sandra Oh is one of an actress and I couldn't wait to see what kind of supernatural horror she was going to be apart of. Sadly, the movie was predictable and most of the characters are very unlikable. I wanted to like it but I couldn't find much to actually grab onto. The acting in this one is great but the characters are not that likable at all. Sandra Oh never disappoints but her character was unlikeable. I don't know if it was written that way or that was an unexpected product of her performance but I didn't like her character at all. It made me not want to finish the film. I was really impressed by Stewart and Mulroney as well but the real focus is on Oh and her relationship with her mother. The story for this one has so much fucking potential. It could have been one hell of a horror tale about struggling relations between a mother and daughter and the repercussions it causes between the daughter and her own daughter. However, the pacing of the film along with the predictability makes it lose any sort of impact that it needed to be effective. The viewer is just going through the motions when they hit play and the story just sort of happens. A genuinely creepy tale misses it's mark and becomes another less than mediocre ghost tale. Finally, the film has some surprisingly well done visual effects for the deceased mother that would be very effective if the film was able to pull together any sort of atmosphere or tension. However, if you want a body count or blood then you will be very disappointed. Overall, Umma was a bit of a disappointment. I liked the cast but the characters are not likable and the story falls apart. It's decent for a first time watch but even then you will be watching the clock more than the film.
Director - Ti West (The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers)
Starring - Mia Goth (Suspiria, A Cure for Wellness), Jenna Ortega (Scream, Insidious: Chapter 2), and Brittany Snow (Hairspray, Prom Night)
Release Date - 2022
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Dying to show you a good time"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I have a love/hate relationship with A24. While most genre fans praise every horror film they release I find myself liking only a few of them. However, the few that I actually like I absolutely adore. I fucking loved Midsommar, The Witch, and The Lighthouse but most of the other ones that I've seen were huge disappointments. That's why I never rush to watch a new A24 because I know their track record with myself. When I saw the trailer for Ti West's X I wasn't impressed. Horror has seen enough Texas Chainsaw Massacre inspired horror films over the years so I wasn't interested in it. However, when I received the press release for the physical release I went ahead and requested a copy. I saw a lot of hype for it among my friends on social media so I was a little curious about it. I had to admit, that everything I thought I knew about the film was wrong and X is one of the best horror titles of the year, if not the last five years.
The film follows an amateur adult film crew who travel deep into Texas to film their porn The Farmer's Daughters at the farm of an old couple. They rented an old farm structure to film in without the couple finding out. Things start off innocently enough with the crew filming their sex scenes without the elderly couple's knowledge but during one of the scenes they are seen through the windows in the cabin. That night things take a dark turn when the elderly woman, who is sexually frustrated, starts stalking the crew one by one killing them in graphic manners until her husband joins in forcing the aspiring porn stars to fight for their lives.
X was not what I was expecting and once shit hits the fan it holds back no punches and gives horror fans everything they want. Initially, when I saw the trailer for the film I thought we were getting another Texas Chainsaw Massacre ripoff or clone but the movie isn't that at all. In fact, not knowing what is coming is what makes this film so god damn effective. I absolutely loved it and think this is going to be in the running for best film of the year along with The Sadness. The acting in this one is absolutely fantastic. We have so many amazing performances with no weak links at all. The characters are wonderfully written which gives the cast something to work with. Mia Goth is the star of the show delivering a dual performance as Maxine, the aspiring porn star with a coke problem, and Pearl, the elderly sex fiend who is not afraid to kill in order to get what she wants. The supporting cast is just as fantastic with amazing performances from Jenna Ortega, Kid Cudi, Brittany Snow, and Martin Henderson. The story for this one does have that southern Texas charm that was made famous by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre but, honestly, the comparisons between the two can end there. X does feel like a southern fried slasher with the elderly couple cutting down amateur filmmakers without feeling like another TCM clone. The movie moves at a snails pace during the first hour but the characters, story, development, and dialogue makes it enjoyable. With that being said, once we hit the hour or so mark we are taken on a blood soaked rollercoaster ride through murder and mayhem. When I say that this movie throws everything at the viewer it does. It's absolutely amazing and I can't wait to revisit this. Finally, this film is fucking bloody. We get several different death scenes. Some involve slit throats, gun shot, crushed fingers, and even a gator gnawing. The effects are fucking top notch and you will seriously be thinking about these deaths for days after watching it. Overall, X is not what I was expecting and that's a good thing. Ti West gives genre fans the first film in what I'm sure will be an unforgettable franchise. Do yourself a favor and watch this one as soon as you can because word on the street is that the X prequel Pearl is on it's way.
Director(s) - Davi Crimmins (The Bert Show: The Sad Tale of Buster Brown), Eric Davis (Dead by Midnight (11pm Central), Hannah Fierman (Dark Circles), Greg Garrison, Melissa Haas (#PrettyFunny, Donut Ex Machina), Torey Haas (The Neon Dead, Dead by Midnight (11pm Central), Jay Holloway (Dead by Midnight (11pm Central), Jenna Kanell (Fear Haus, Deathless), Anissa Matlock (Dead by Midnight (11pm Central), and Tony Reames (Terror at Camp Creek, Sacrifices)
Starring - Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, Hatchet), Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, House of 1000 Corpses), and Erin Brown (Dickshark, Mummy Raider)
Release Date - 2022
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "Screaming online now"
Format - Screener (Online)
Rating (out of 5):
Several years ago I was asked to review the horror anthology Dead by Midnight (11pm Central) from filmmaker and effects artist Torey Haas. I had reviewed some of his work prior to this and he new I was a huge fan of indie starlet Erin Brown (Misty Mundae) so he reached out to ask me to review the film. I fucking loved it and was lucky enough to snag some posters and other merch from the film to add to my collection. Fast forward a few years and director Tony Reames recently hit me up to check out the unexpected sequel. I had no idea that this film was in the works but I was excited non-the-less. I want to thank Tony for reaching out to me and allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this one out.
The film follows The Temptress who hosts a streaming service called Dead by Midnight which is part of Hell's bigger plan to acquire souls. The Temptress takes us through several segments along with the commercials that you would expect.
Y2Kill was a lot of fun and had a lot of laughs that I was not expecting but it does fall a little short of it's predecessor. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and could see myself revisiting it as a double feature with the first but the first film is easily my favorite. The acting in this one is great. We get so many amazing performances from some seriously talented actors. I would be here all day talking about it if I went through each one. Honestly, I'm impressed by the acting in this one and how each filmmaker was able to bring such amazing performances out of their cast. The stories for this one are inconsistent but most are a lot of fun. My favorite is the one the film starts with which is titled Hellevangelist. It was a fantastic idea that I could see being turned into a feature length film. I find organized religion to be extremely terrifying and this gives it a little humor and a new spin on religious horror. I also enjoyed Jasper, Clean Ur Room, and GutCruncher but I was not a fan of the commercials and Heroes of Time. Heroes of Time feels out of place and just doesn't match the rest of the film that well. I can get behind a horror spin on The Guild but this one just feels incomplete. As for the commercials, they just didn't work for me. I didn't care for the humor and they threw the flow of the film off. Finally, the film has a lot of blood, some great make-up effects, and some fantastic practical effects. We also get some fun animation as well that really caught me off guard. The deaths took me back to my childhood when I would rent straight to video horror titles at my local video store. Overall, Y2Kill lives up to the Dead by Midnight name. It's a great follow up to a horror anthology with some bite. If you enjoyed the first film then you will not be disappointed with this one either. Check it out.
Director - Yukihiko Tsutsumi (First Love, The Mourner)
Starring - Maho Nonami (Negative Happy Chainsaw Edge, Bitter Blood), Eiko Koike (Hell's Garden, Black Gospel), and Yoriko Kamimura (Kamen Rider W, Kamen Rider Zero-One)
Release Date - 2003
Genre - Drama/Horror
Tagline - "Envious roommates in a duel to the death"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Unearthed Films has released some of the most brutal and shocking genre pieces over the years from their in house produced American Guinea Pig films to their distributed works. When it comes to extreme horror very few companies do it better. However, Unearthed has been known to release some standard horror fair. Not too long ago Unearthed announced the release of the 2003 Japanese dramatic horror film 2LDK. I was very curious about this one. The artwork didn't look brutal or graphic which made me very curious about the flick. I was quick to reach out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send over a review copy. Like always I want to thank MVD and Unearthed for hooking me up!
The film follows two aspiring actresses who just happen to live together. To applied for the same role which as created hostility between them. Soon, tensions come to a boil and things turn deadly.
Honestly, I had no idea what 2LDK was about but in my mind it was sure as hell a lot more interesting. I loved the idea behind the film but the execution just bored the living shit out of me. I wanted to love it and I hate writing a negative review for my friends over at Unearthed but this film just wasn't for me. The acting for this one is decent enough. The cast is small and the characters have great on screen chemistry but the two main characters are so much alike that the film does become confusing at times. The cast does a decent enough job in their performances but their lack of distinguishing personalities does make it a bit dull of a watch. The story for this one is a very interesting spin on a roommate drama that turns deadly in the final moments. I liked the concept but the way in which the film is done makes for an extremely dull film where we watch two unlikable characters become petty with each other. Finally, this film is pretty dry until the final moments and then the blood hits. It's only one quick scene but the effects are great with plenty of blood. Overall, 2LDK wasn't for me. It was a pretty cool idea but the long dialogue heavy scenes and lack of progressing story makes it a difficult one for me to finish. I love Unearth but this release is not for me.
Director(s) - Henry Levin (Journey to the Center of the Earth, Murderer's Row) and George Pal (Black Sabbath: Time Machine, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao)
Starring - Laurence Harvey (Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dial M for Murder), Claire Bloom (Clash of the Titans, The Haunting), and Karlheinz Bohm (Combat!, The Magical World of Disney)
Release Date - 1962
Genre - Fantasy/Adventure
Tagline - "In wonderful color!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
The Brother's Grimm or Grimm's Fairy Tales is a huge part of pop culture and many of the tales they collected went on to become hits the world over. Many consider the two to be controversial but their collections of stories are among some of the most important in literary history. When I was younger I remember catching bits and pieces of The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm while my grandmother was watching television. I spent a lot of time at her home as a child and it was here that I was able to see some of my favorite films for the first time. However, this was one of those films that I was not interested in. It just didn't look like something a kid would enjoy so I found other things to occupy my time. Fast forward to a few months ago when I received the press release for the Warner Archive Collection release of the film. I was going to skip on it but decided to check out the trailer. I'm glad I did because the film looked pretty fucking good. I responded to the press release and before long I received the review copy. After watching the fucked up Thriller: A Cruel Picture I decided to ground myself with something a little more lighter.
The film follows the two Grimm brothers, Wilhelm and Jacob, who are known for their writings. However, they both struggle with the ladies and often come up short on their knowledge of the opposite sex. A local man of power contacts the two to write about his life and we are then taken into three of their tales.
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm is not the kind of film you would expect to be reviewed on the site but I couldn't help myself. The trailer looked fun and the film was just that. I know the keyboard warriors are going to have a field day in the comments but I wanted to review this one so here I am. The acting in this one is fun. The film has so many amazing performances and some memorable characters that make the film what it is. There is no weak links with the cast and every does their part. Honestly, if I was to take the time to recognize everyone that did an amazing job I would be here all day. The story for this one is a lot of fun and works great as an anthology of sorts. I loved the premise with the two brothers working on something for a duke or nobleman before transitioning to the actual stories being told. It was a lot of fun but with a film that is over 2 hours long I found myself wishing it would hurry up. A lot of the scenes are bloated and could use some heavy trimming. This would help the pacing and flow of the film substantially. Finally, this is not a bloody flick. However, if you are into a beautifully shot film with great characters and an amazing story then this one is for you. Overall, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm is not going to be for the crowd that frequents the site but general movie goers will love this whimsical and well put together film. I enjoyed it and the blu isn't half bad either. We get a little more than your typical Warner Archive Collection but there is still room for additional materials.
Director - Bo Arne Vibenius (Hur Marie Traffade Fedrick, Breaking Point)
Starring - Christina Lindberg (Diary of a Rape, Maid in Sweden), Heinz Hopf (Mask of Murder, The Hired Gun), and Despina Tomazani (Shadow of the Earth, Barbecue Them!)
Release Date - 1973
Genre - Thriller
Tagline - "The movie that has no limits of evil!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Many moons ago I joined the message boards on Upcoming Horror Movies as a way to discover horror movies that I would have missed out on otherwise. One of the rooms on UHM was for exploitation and considering how much I loved blaxploitation I decided to dive in to see what else I was missing. One film that immediately jumped out to me was 1973's Thriller: A Cruel Picture aka They Call Her One Eye. Before long I had snagged the film on DVD and checked it out. It was not what I was expecting and everything I wanted it to be. Since then I've learned a lot about exploitation in general and would consider this to be poster child for exploitation cinema. It's a fantastic film that I recommend to anyone that loved cult cinema or rape revenge flicks. Sometime back Synapse Films announced the release of the film on blu and sometime later MVD was kind enough to send a copy my way. Like always I want to thank MVD and Synapse for hooking me up!
The film follows Madeline (Lindberg) who is mute after an old creep tries to sexually abuse her when she was a child. During her teenage years she is kidnapped by a stranger after he offers her a ride. Her gets her addicted to heroine so she will work for him as a prostitute and after a struggle with a John she has her eye removed as punishment. Over time she discovered that the man that kidnapped her has been mailing her parents nasty letters which upsets them greatly. So bad in fact, they kill themselves. This triggers Madeline and she begins training for her revenge again him and the others he worked with.
They Call Her One Eye is everything you expect from an exploitation film. It's sleazy, brutal, and holds nothing back. Honestly, this is one of the most violent and vile exploitation films I've witnessed and when you mix that with un-simulated sex scenes you are given something you will never forget. The acting in this one is not the best but it works for the film. Lindberg is the highlight of the film. She does an amazing job and you really feel for her with everything she goes through. Her stone cold stare works for viewers and her dedication to the role makes the film what it is. I couldn't imagine this film working if anyone else was in the role. The supporting cast is solid but they don't hold the screen or your attention like Lindberg does. The story for this one is rape revenge at it's finest but we have a lot of character development and build up that works in it's favor. The film is a little longer than most but it doesn't feel like it's wasting your time. Every scene feels like it works and progresses the story instead of feeling like filler. Finally, the film has a lot of blood and boobs. Most of the kills are done by gunshot but the film makes good use of the scene slowing the kills down for the viewer to enjoy. It's not a gory flick but the blood, gunshot deaths, and nudity is enough to make the film unforgettable. Overall, They Call Her One Eye is a film that has to be seen to be believed. It's shocking, sleazy, and timeless. This release from Synapse is perfect for collectors. Check it out.
Director - Jorge Grau (The Legend of Blood Castle, Violent Blood Bath)
Starring - Cristina Galbo (The Killer Must Kill Again, The House that Screamed), Ray Lovelock (The Last House on the Beach, Queens of Evil), and Arthur Kennedy (Killer Cop, The Tough Ones)
Release Date - 1974
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "They tampered with nature - now they must pay the price..."
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Several years ago, while I was in high school, Anchor Bay released a series of box sets with similar themes called Fright Packs. Some were campy 80s, others were Satanic, and one was a fun set centered around animals. One that I had to have was the Walking Dead set with Italian and US zombie films. It was my first introduction to classics like Dead Heat, City of the Living Dead, House by the Cemetery, and my favorite in the set. That film was Let Sleeping Corpses Lie that was also known as The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue. I fucking loved this film and watched it several times since I initially bought it. Synapse Films released the film in a beautiful steelbook but I had to skip on that release. However, Synapse Films knows that fans wanted a standard edition release and gave it to them. I want to thank MVD and Synapse for sending this one over.
The film follows a young man and a woman he is helping get to her sister's home. However, things are not as peaceful as they would have liked when a man who killed himself a week earlier awakens from the dead with the ability to resurrect the dead. Now, those reanimated corpses are killing innocent people and the local authorities think it is them. It's up to them to stop the undead before the police can lock them up for the heinous murders.
The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue is a fucking fantastic zombie film that doesn't get the credit that it truly deserves. It's eerie, atmospheric, and the story is not another clone of Night of the Living Dead. What makes this one stand out from others is that it was released just six years after George A. Romero introduced the concept of flesh eating zombies to movie goers instead of the voodoo version that was popular in cinema. I absolutely adore this movie and I'm glad Synapse gave us this release. The acting in this one is great. The cast works so well together and the characters are written very well but the standout stars of the film are the undead. I love how the undead are in this one. They really do deliver a chilling performance. The film for this feels a lot like a loving tribute to NotLD with a little twist. In the original NotLD they mention that radiation from a probe. However, in Living Dead in the Manchester Morgue has the dead coming back to life thanks to a piece of experimental farming equipment. However, the addition of the one zombie making more is not only terrifying but a great addition to a zombie flick. I love the small twist of originality and how it changes what the film could have been into what it is. Finally, this one has some seriously fantastic gore and some of the most memorable deaths in horror history. The tombstone death especially is one of my favorites. The gore will satisfy the most hardcore of gorehounds and the effects are top notch. Overall, The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue is a must see for genre fans especially if you dig the zombie sub-genre. This release from Synapse is a must own for genre fans and collectors alike. I can't recommend this film enough.
Director - Erle C. Kenton (House of Dracula, The Ghost of Frankenstein)
Starring - Boris Karloff (Fear Chamber, Black Sabbath), Lon Chaney Jr. (The Wolfman, The Alligator People), and J. Carrol Naish (The Monster Maker, Dracula vs. Frankenstein)
Release Date - 1944
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "All together!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When Umbrella Entertainment sent over their Retro Horror Triple Feature Volume 1 I was so excited to review three of the Universal Frankenstein films that I didn't realize that the three films in the set were not consecutive sequels. The set included The Bride of Frankenstein, a sequel to the original film, Son of Frankenstein which is the follow up to Bride, and House of Frankenstein which followed The Ghost of Frankenstein. The later of which is not included in the set. Regardless, I had seen all the Frankenstein films previously and was looking forward to revisiting the three in this set and reviewing them.
A deranged man, who was once an aspiring scientist, escapes from jail along with his hunchback assistant and make their way to Frankenstein's castle in hopes of finding his journal so they can continue their work. However, they soon find that his castle has been destroyed and in the rubble they find the Wolfman and his monster frozen. They thaw the two and use them find his journals they can keep Frankenstein's legacy going.
The film takes place after the events of The Ghost of Frankenstein which is not included in the set but you don't necessarily need to watch it to follow the film. It only answers the "why are they frozen?" question. This, like Son of Frankenstein, is not the high point of the franchise but is a solid enough sequel. The acting in this one is fantastic. One of the few consistent aspects of the franchise is the acting. This time around we see Karloff portraying a different character. His "Frankenstein" like character is just as intense as Colin Clive's performance in the first two films. His character has a little more personality but doesn't make the viewer forget about the previous scientist. In the role of the monster we have Glenn Strange who would portray him in several of the Frankenstein sequels. His look is different but still reminiscent of the original Frankenstein and the performances are a little more stiff than Karloff's but not bad. We once again see Chaney reprising his role as The Wolfman which he had became recognized for. His character is not the star of the film but he still delivers a fantastic performance as always. The story for this one once again gives us a similar story to the first three films but building up on what was introduced in The Ghost of Frankenstein with the big Universal monsters coming together. We once again follow a scientist working on Frankenstein's experiments along with Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein's monster getting thrown into the mix. It's not the vs. film horror fans are looking for and it's extremely cheesy but it's enjoyable for the most part. Finally, the creatures look great with some great make-up effects and costumes but don't expect any blood or gore. Overall, House of Frankenstein is cheesy, campy, but fun. It's the most original horror films but it's an enjoyable entry in this iconic franchise.
Director - Rowland V. Lee (Tower of London, A Night of Terror)
Starring - Boris Karloff (The Terror, The Mummy), Basil Rathbone (Hillbillys in a Haunted House, The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini), and Bela Lugosi (Dracula, Plan 9 From Outer Space)
Release Date - 1939
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi
Tagline - "The phantom monster show"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Universal's Frankenstein spawned several sequels and was tied into several other franchises but very few touched the popularity that the original and Bride of Frankenstein did. However, even though they were not as popular, the sequels were still lucrative enough for Universal to continue producing them. After the major success of The Bride of Frankenstein, Universal set out on another sequel starring Boris Karloff as the iconic monster. This time around we would see Bela Lugosi appearing in the film as well. That film would be 1939's Son of Frankenstein.
The film follows the son of Dr. Frankenstein who returns to his family's home after spending many years abroad. The locals are not happy that another Frankenstein is occupying the home but that doesn't stop him from picking up where his father left off. In his father's laboratory he meets Ygor (Lugosi) who introduces him to the creature his father created. The creature is in a coma but very much alive so the good doctor sets out to awaken the beast.
Son of Dracula doesn't really have that punch that makes the first two films so enjoyable but it's not bad either. It pretty much has a similar story as the first two films but with some minor changes that tries to make it feel different and somewhat succeeds. The acting in this one is great. Karloff has fine tuned his performance as the monster by this point and absolutely nails it. The said part of this performance is that he is hardly awake during most of the film. Basil Rathbone was great taking on the reigns as a Frankenstein. His intensity and emotional range doesn't match Colin Clive's but he's still entertaining in his role. My favorite performance comes from Lugosi who portrays Ygor in one of his most memorable performances outside of Dracula. The film may be forgettable but Lugosi's performance here is not. The story for this one is pretty much the same story as the first two films but with some changes. Instead of Frankenstein creating life, we find him awakening the beast while the townspeople suspect something is wrong. It's not that far of a stretch and doesn't really further the story from the first film any further. It's said that most of the film was written write before production which completely makes sense when you consider the lack of originality. Finally, the make-up effects are just as great as the first two films and the sets and locations are still gorgeous but nothing new is being delivered to the viewer by this point. Overall, Son of Frankenstein is a quick cash grab that has some memorable moments from a rather unforgettable film. It's still a great watch and a solid entry in one of the most iconic horror franchises in history. It's worth a shot but it's the beginning of what most would call beating a dead horse.
Director - James Whale (Frankenstein, The Invisible Man)
Starring - Boris Karloff (Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Isle of the Dead), Elsa Lanchester (Mary Poppins, Terror in the Wax Museum), and Colin Clive (Frankenstein, The Stronger Sex)
Release Date - 1935
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi
Tagline - "...more fearful than the monster himself"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I was introduced to horror I was staying at my grandmother's house while my father was out of town. We watched Savini's remake of Night of the Living Dead. I fell in love with it so she introduced me to the original Romero's classic. That was about the oldest film I had really seen at that time but over the years I was introduced to some older films. When I was in high school a friend of mine was obsessed with the Universal monsters. It was at his house that I was introduced to the real original horror films. I fucking loved them and before long I was adding them to my collection. Since then I've upgraded these films to several different formats. Sometime back my friends over at Umbrella Entertainment announced their Retro Horror Triple Feature Volume 1. They were kind enough to send a copy my way which gave me a fantastic excuse to revisit these amazing films. the first film in the set was the timeless Bride of Frankenstein.
The film takes place sometime after the events of the original film. Dr. Frankenstein survived and wants to turn his back on his research but an obsessed scientist, Dr. Pretorius, forces him back into his line of work when he finds his creation alive. Together the two scientists work to create the monster a bride.
The Bride of Frankenstein is damn near as iconic as the original Frankenstein film and is one of the most recognizable genre films in history. Images of the Bride has almost became horror's unofficial mascot along with Legosi's Dracula, and the classic slashers like Freddy and Jason. Honestly, out of the classic Universal Monsters films I would have to say that The Bride of Frankenstein is easily my favorite for several different reasons. It's a true horror classic and is required viewing for genre fans. The acting in this one is legendary. Colin Clive delivers my favorite performance of his. He's just as intense in this film as he was in the first but this go around he has a wider emotional range that he absolutely nails. Karloff once again knocks it out of the park as the monster and even takes his performance a little further by giving him a little more dialogue and personality. With that being said, my favorite performance of the film is from Ernest Thesiger who portrays Dr. Pretorius. He's the star of the show in my opinion and his performance is the gold standard if you want my honest opinion. The story for this one is more or less the same as the first film with a scientist creating life out of parts from cadavers. However, with the sequel everything is doubled. We now have two scientists working on a second creation. It works, oddly enough, and the new characters and Bride are just enough to make this one just as enjoyable, if not more enjoyable, than the first film. The pacing is damn near perfect and the writing is extremely smooth. Finally, the film has some gorgeous make-up and sets. The locations are textbook examples of gothic scenery and the make-up on both creations are iconic. Overall, The Bride of Frankenstein doesn't need a review. It's a damn near perfect film and one of the best sequels in cinema history. If you have yet to see this one then I highly recommend you correct this.
Starring - Rino Romano (The Batman vs. Dracula, Spider-Man), Alastair Duncan (Wizards, Stillwater), and Evan Sabara (Dinosaur, Malcolm in the Middle)
Release Date - 2004
Genre - Action/Sci-Fi
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I was in middle and high school I was an avid Nickelodeon fan. Even up until adulthood I found myself still watching Nick. I grew up during their Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Aaahh! Real Monsters, and All That years but during my teenage years I was still watching shows like Danny Phantom, The Fairly Odd Parents, and Avatar: The Last Air Bender. It's because I was so dedicated to Nick that I often missed out on the DC and Marvel shows because they aired on other networks. I didn't get to watch shows about Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, and so on during those years which is something I've come to regret. Not too long ago I received The Batman: The Complete Series on blu to review. This show originally aired when I was in high school in 2004 and ended in 2008. I knew of it but never took the time to check it out. Sadly, after watching it now I have to admit I feel like a fucking fool for sleeping on it. It was a lot of fun.
The series begins one year after Bruce Wayne (Romano) takes to the night to fight crime as Batman. Bruce learns to work as billionaire philanthropist during the day and crime fighter at night while stopping villains like Scarface, Joker, Firefly, and Mr. Freeze.
The Batman was a lot more entertaining than I thought it was going to be. The episodes don't overstay their welcome and the characters they give us are awesome new renditions of the classic characters we've grown to love. It's a lot of fun and only gets better with each episode. The voice acting in this one is one of the only aspects of the show that I didn't care for. Honestly, this isn't my first outing with Romano as Bruce Wayne but he just doesn't feel right in this show. I know it's meant to depict a younger Wayne in his infancy as Batman but his voice just doesn't feel right to me. He's not bad but his voice just doesn't fit as the caped crusader. With that being said, I was a fan of the rest of the voice acting and the cameos the show saw. We get some great work from legends like Clancy Brown, Udo Kear, Mitch Pileggi, and Adam West just to name a few. Such a fantastic ensemble. The story for this show doesn't really deviate too far from the source material. Most of the characters do get a more modern adaptation that I think works especially if you have lived through all the films and newer shows that try to capture them like they are in the comics. Seeing the newer looks does give the viewer something different to enjoy. With that being said, each episode is a lot of fun and even the later seasons are still very much enjoyable. This animated series doesn't lose any steam. Finally, it took me a few episodes to warm up to the animation but once I did I actually found myself enjoying it. It is exactly as you would expect from an animated series in the early 2000s. It has amazing colors and the detail on the characters are great. Overall, The Batman is a fantastic series that I feel a lot of fans slept on it when it originally aired. I had a lot of fun with it and if my son ever takes a moment to slow down and actually watch television I will show him this one. I highly recommend it.
Director - Alejandro Hidalgo (The House at the End of Time)
Starring - Maria Gabriela de Faria (Deadly Class, Plan V), Joseph Marcell (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Doctor Who), Will Beinbrink (It Chapter Two, Hidden in the Woods)
Release Date -2021
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "God and the devil cannot exist in the same body"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
One of the most effective sub-genres in horror, at least for me, is religious horror. I'm not a religious man but after growing up in the bible belt in living in Appalachia I have an unrationed fear of people of religion going too far and hurting people in the name of their beliefs. Movies like Red State really hits hard with me because I've seen how little devout Christians actually care about other humans when it comes to the extremity of their faith. However, as an atheist I struggle to find most religious movies actually set around the faith to be frightening or horrifying. With that being said, there is a film from time to time that is released that is actually fun and genuinely terrifying. A few days ago I received the religious horror film The Exorcism of God for review. I was expecting another lackluster religious horror film following the same ol cliches that doesn't work for me but I was wrong. I actually enjoyed this one. I'm not in love with it but it was fun for a first time watch.
The film follows an American priest who is performing an exorcism alone in Mexico when a young woman becomes possessed. However, the demon flees from her and into the priest forcing him to sleep with the unconscious woman. For eighteen years he lives with the guilt of what he has done until he discovers that a young woman, in prison for murder, is possessed by an evil presence and is his daughter. Now he must save her from the evil being and risk his own soul in the process.
The Exorcism of God is not the new Exorcist or The Omen but it's a fairly enjoyable religious film with some great eerie atmosphere and great tension. It is a bit predictable but the great cast and dark locations makes this one a very enjoyable first time watch with a little replay value. The acting in this one is great. The female cast is fucking fantastic. When they are possessed they absolutely send chills down the viewer's spine. It was also great to see Joseph Marcell in a genre film. Like most people my age, I grew up on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air so it was cool to see him in front of the camera again. I was really impressed by Will Beinbrink and his performance. His characters makes the film in my opinion and I sincerely hope we can see a follow up film and where his character goes from here. The story for this one uses a lot of Catholic horror cliches but it does add some new twists. The locations the story takes place at makes the film work and the twists, though predictable, are still enjoyable. The film does struggle with pacing but if you stick with it you will enjoy it. Finally, the film has some seriously bloody moments and great make-up effects on the possessed. I was not expecting the bloody and violent deaths or the great looking demons. Overall, The Exorcism of God does not reinvent the sub-genre but it is a great contribution to it. I highly recommend especially if you have a love for religious horror. It's well worth your time.
Director - Jonathan Zaurin (Gore Grind, Santa Baby)
Starring - Pat Garrett (The Muppet Christmas Carole, Muppet Treasure Island), Pete Bird (Dirt, Hourglass), and Ellie Jeffreys (Angry Nazi Zombies, Temptation)
Release Date - 2021
Genre - Horror/Drama
Tagline - "That's the way to do it" Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Sometime ago I received a press release for the indie horror film Wyvern Hill. The artwork and title really caught my attention but over time the project slipped from my mind until a few days ago when director Jonathan Zaurin contacted me to review the film. The movie inked a distribution deal and since the title was changed from Wyvern Hill to Hollow while receiving new artwork. Honestly, I'm not a fan of the new name and artwork but I also don't own a distribution company intent on making money. Regardless, I agreed to check it out and as soon as I finished Sewer Gators I went ahead and hit play on this one. I want to thank Jonathan for sending this one my way.
The film followed an elderly mother who is suffering from early onset dementia. Her daughter and son-in-law purchase a fixer upper in order of moving her in so they can keep an eye on her. However, they don't expect a serial killer has moved in with her and is using her rapidly deteriorating mind as a way to hind in plain sight.
Hollow is an interesting premise that could have been something rather unique and memorable but at the end of the day just feels like two fantastic stories forced together into something a little difficult to enjoy. If the movie would have stuck with one plot over the other it would have been a truly enjoyable film. The acting in this one is great. Pat Garrett was amazing in her role as the aging mother. Her emotions feel genuine and she does an amazing job at pulling the viewer in with her story. The supporting cast is great as well. There is a few scenes that feel rushed but most of the film is well acted. The story for this one feels like two films put together and neither of them work well together. The aging mother struggling to cope with her increasing disability actually worked for me. I liked it a lot and could see myself seriously enjoy a drama starring Garrett. However, the serial killer angle doesn't work for me. It would be fine if it was explored more but the fact that it is random scenes here or there that does little for that angle makes it feel like it was just added to give the film a feature runtime. Finally, the film has a little of the red stuff with some fun kills that fit the seral killer aspect of the film but they are done rather quickly and not that memorable. Overall, Hollow could be one hell of a serial killer film if it applied itself a little more or one damn fine drama about a woman and her aging body. Sadly, it doesn't work together and should be split apart in order to make something more enjoyable.
Starring - Manon Pages (Purgatory Road, The Purge), Austin Naulty (Hell Heist, Preacher), and Kenny Bellau (Bad Grandmas, Fast Food and Cigarettes)
Release Date - 2022
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "It's gonna be a crappy day"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I receive dozens of press releases a day. Some look interesting while others look like something I wouldn't enjoy. However, it's not everyday that a movie shows up in my email that makes me immediately want to watch it. A few weeks ago I was working on my reviews for Alligator 1 and 2 for Scream Factory when I just happened to receive a press release for the indie horror comedy Sewer Gators. This was one of the few instances where I had to see it sooner than later. I reached out through the email and was able to secure a screening link for this one. Like always, I want to thank them for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this out.
The film follows an alcohol abusing small town sheriff who is investigating a series of murders that looks like they are done by alligators that make their way through the toilets. Standing in his way is the mayor who refuses to cancel their annual gator festival and a journalist looking for his next big scoop.
Sewer Gators was not what I was expecting at all. It was a movie that struggled to find it's own identity. The artwork, tagline, and trailer paints a no budget comedy that parodies both Alligator films. However, the reality is that it's a dry no budget indie horror movie that lacks originality and devoid of any type of humor. God knows I wanted to love this one but I couldn't find anything enjoyable with it. The acting in this one is isn't the worst I've seen but it is clearly evident that most of the cast is inexperienced. They deliver the best performances they can but there was a few scenes that were awkward to watch. As I said earlier, these are not bad performances but they are inexperienced. The story for this one made me think it was going to be a parody of Alligator since it featured several elements from the film but that wasn't the case at all. The movie follows a cop who is tasked with stopping a gator in the sewer while those in political power scoff at the notion which is the same plot of the two Alligator films. The "humor" tossed at us in this one misses it's mark and a no budget take on the classic creature feature leaves a lot of room for improvement. In fact, the story is so dull I had to re-watch it several times because I kept tuning out. The movie could have been something fun if it would have tried something original and had some laughs that were effective. Finally, don't expect a blood bath because you won't find it here. There is some fake gators and a lot of cheap visuals but that's the extent of it. Overall, Sewer Gators is the biggest disappointment of the year. I thought it would be some no budget fun but that was not to be had. Sadly, I have to suggest everyone skip this one because you will be just as disappointed as I am.
Director - Nate Thompson (Cult Affairs, The Cult Leader)
Starring - Madelein Malice, Dakota Musarelli, and Nate Thompson
Release Date - 2022
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "In the dark it waits"
Format - Streaming (YouTube)
Rating (out of 5):
Sometime ago I was contacted by filmmaker Nate Thompson to review his horror short The Cult Leader. The short really impressed me and I was quick to befriend him on Facebook so I could keep an eye on his upcoming projects. Since then he has began work on a new short titled The Dead Record and when he finished it he was kind enough to send a link over for me to check out. I want to thank Nate for keeping Horror Society in mind when it was finished so we could check it out.
The film follows a record store employee who has a package dropped off by a mysterious stranger. When a co-worker arrives he decides to give the record contained inside it a listen. Before long he finds himself drifting off to sleep and is soon tormented by a female demon.
The Dead Record is one of the few horror shorts that kind of doesn't work as a short. It's leaves too many questions unanswered and with a little more writing and exploration it could be a damn good feature film. Regardless, it's a fun short but I can't help but wonder what it would have been like if the backstory was fully explored. The acting in this one is very solid. The cast is small but everyone carries their own weight very well. Nate is great as record store clerk and really shines during the darker scenes. His small talk is a little awkward at times but nothing that takes away from the film. The supporting cast is great as well but I feel like there could be more screen time for Malice and her character. She was very underutilized. The story for this one is a super short spin on Lords of Salem where we find someone that receives a mysterious record that has a supernatural connection. It's fun for a short but I need more like why this particular record, where did it come from, and who was the guy that dropped it off. It's cool to leave some things up for the viewer's imagination but these questions really need answered for the film to be effective. I like it as it is but it doesn't live up to it's full potential. Finally, the film has some cool make-up effects and the demon looks cool but a little on the generic side. However, if you are looking for blood then you will be very disappointed. Overall, The Dead Record is a fun horror short that can be found streaming on YouTube. It's nothing groundbreaking but it does bring some enjoyment to the genre. Check it out.
Director - Brian Patrick Butler (Hatred, The Phantom Hour)
Starring - Nick Young (The Vagrant, The Case of: Dakota Moore), Alexandra Slade (5150, Luminous Flux), and Michael C. Burgess (South of 8, Hacksaw)
Release Date - 2020
Genre - Comedy/Sci-Fi/Horror
Tagline - "You have been saved. This does not mean you are safe"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
What I love about horror is that the possibilities are truly endless. You can have a serious horror film baked in the horrors of the real world that showcase just how sick and depraved mankind truly is. On the other hand, you can explore the horrors that go bump in the night and explore the deepest and darkest reached of our imagination. Personally, I love the weirder and unusual side of the genre. Films that are trashy, odd, and from filmmakers who are not afraid to take a risk are the type of movies I love the most. A few weeks ago I received a press release for the horror comedy Friend of the World from director Brian Patrick Butler. The film was acquired by Troma and most of you know my obsession with them. A few days back Brian reached out to me to review the film and I quickly said yes. It was not what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it. Thanks Brian for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this one out.
The film takes place after a great war. A young filmmaker awakens underground among the dead and dying. As she makes her way through the unusually large bunker she crosses paths with general who takes her in. However, she is far from safe as other survivors are changing. They are mutating into something else and the generals vaccine to cure it causes severe hallucinations. To make matters worse, the general has an ideology different than her own and often looks down on her.
Friend of the World is a film that will exceed expectations and surprise many of it's viewers. It's a film that blends many genres along with some satire into something that not only horror fans but movie goers in general can appreciate. The acting in this one is great. There is no weak links in this film. Young and Slade are fantastic together. They contrast so well and fit in the story perfectly. Young's performance is my favorite of the film. He can be intense at times and his dialogue was damn near perfect. His portrayal is great and one of the memorable performances in the film. Slade's performance is down to Earth and just enjoyable. Her character doesn't have the same robust personality as Young but she knocks it out of the park as well. The supporting cast is great as well but the lack of screen time does make it difficult for viewers to appreciate. The story for this one is a wild blend of horror, sci-fi, and comedy. We get some unexpected humor, a Cronenberg take on the infected, and a politically charged post-apocalyptic film that doesn't over-complicate things. The infected portion of the film wasn't explored as much as I would have liked but the character driven scenes were fantastic to watch. Finally, the film has some great make-up effects and some visuals that I thoroughly enjoyed. Shooting the film in black and white gave the movie a little leeway with the effects. I enjoyed them and they fit the film very well. Overall, Friend of the World may not look like a film many genre fans will enjoy but I assure you that this is one you will not want to miss. I highly recommend this odd and strange spin on the post-apocalyptic sub-genre.
