The Good Exorcist

Director - John Stifter (Chum, Scumbag)

Starring - Daniel Degnan (Tim the Terrible, Greywood's Plot), Brittaney Ortiz (Grandma's House, Another Day at the Office), and Avery Merrifield (Log Truck, Buried Treasure)

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Not today, Satan"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A year or so ago I befriended director John Stifter after he shared a post in a horror group about his religious horror comedy The Good Exorcist.  I watched the trailer for the film and immediately sought him out about the film.  He let me know that the film was picked up for Troma to stream on their streaming service Troma Now with a future physical release date not yet planned.  I started to watch it several times on Troma Now but never actually got around to it.  However, the day I saw the blu release on MVD I knew I had to review it.  I quickly reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and Troma for supporting Horror Society and myself.

     The film follows Father Gil (Degnan) who is called to a ranch that is experiencing a haunting of some sort.  Gil suspects that it is a demonic presence and his investigation leads him through the lives of those that live there where uncovers more than he can chew.

     The Good Exorcist is not a horror film first.  In essence it's a comedy that tosses in some horror elements.  Honestly, I liked the approach that Stifter has and how the film progresses.  It's rather unique and a lot of fun.  Hell, it's possibly the most light hearted horror film I've ever reviewed.  Horror hipsters may not appreciate it but I sure as hell did.  The acting in this one is very enjoyable.  The characters are very well written and this gives the cast something great to work with.  The cast has experience and it shows in every scene.  I enjoyed their performances and hope to see Stifter reunite them again in another horror project.  The story for this one is a character piece where we follow Father Gil as he interacts with a family as he suspects one of them is possessed by a demon or the devil itself.  The pacing is great but some of the dialogue heavy scenes does feel a little awkward at times.  I really really enjoyed how the story was approached and executed.  Finally, don't expect a bloodbath.  We have some blood and some make-up effects along with some visual effects but that is the extent of it.  The film is mostly concerned with the characters and not the red stuff.  Overall, The Good Exorcist is not what I would consider Troma worthy.  It's funny but it's not as odd and out there as most of the films that Troma has stamped.  I loved this film and I can't recommend it enough.  If you want a Troma like film then this one is not for you but if you do want something with a sense of humor then you need to check this one out.  

     

Stuck on You!

Director(s) - Michael Herz (The Troma System, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.) and Lloyd Kaufman (Tales from the Crapper, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead)

Starring - Irwin Corey (Jack, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion), Virginia Penta, and Mark Mikulski (C.H.U.D., Loving)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "You'll come unglued with laughter"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I have to admit that I didn't have as much fun with Troma's The Sexy Box as I thought I would.  I enjoyed The First Turn On!! but Waitress! was a bit of a disappointment.  It's because of this that I was on the fence about Stuck on You!  I had hoped that it would be another sleazy comedy with Troma's sense of humor but it did miss it's mark with me.  This may explain why Troma switched gears and went the horror direction.  Regardless, I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending the Sexy Box over for review.  I may not have enjoyed this flick but it was still an awesome experience to review another Troma film.

     The film follows a married couple on the rocks.  They seek a divorce and while appearing in court the judge decides to tell them different tales of love throughout the ages.

     Stuck on You! is an interesting concept and another comedy based anthology from Troma that has potential but doesn't really work like I had hoped.  I liked the idea behind the film but the segments are too short and the humor is the weakest of the three films.  It's obvious it was rushed out to cash in on the video rentals of the time but quality control was non-existent.  The acting on this is probably the most Troma-like of all their films.  The characters are over the top and very eccentric but they try so hard.  They are inexperienced but a lot of them would go on to appear in some decent films and television shows.  Honestly, the acting is probably my favorite part of the film and the characters.  The fact that they couldn't have been written into bigger roles.  The story for this one is one of those ideas that looks good on paper but doesn't translate well to the screen.  I was expecting the film to be sleazier than it and the lack of sleaze and humor made this one painfully dull watch.  The wraparound segment involving a judge was a clever set up for the other stories but the following segments lacked any sort of entertainment.  They were dull, generic, and rushed.  Finally, this isn't a bloody flick as you would have guessed.  Overall, Stuck on You! is a disappointment.  I want to praise Troma for everything they do but this one just wasn't for me.  This is one I would skip if I was you.  

The First Turn On!!

Director(s) - Michael Herz (Troma's War, The Toxic Avenger) and Lloyd Kaufman (Tromeo and Juliet, Terror Firmer)

Starring - George Harrell (Incoming Freshmen, Perfect Stranger), Michael Sanville (Dreams Come True, Outlaws), and Googy Gress (The Flamingo Kid, Wayne's World 2)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "It's always the wildest"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I joined a cult movie server on Discord and it was a lot of fun while it lasted.  It wasn't that big with just a few dozen members that were extremely nice and respectful of each other.  A few times a month the server would host a group watch where they would play a movie and talk about it while it streamed.  One of those films that we watched and talked about was Troma's The First Turn On!!  This was my first time watching it and it was a lot of fun in a virtual group.  Sadly, that Discord server would soon fall apart as horror hipsters and toxic fans took over the group turning a fun experience into something completely miserable.  When Troma announced the blu release of their Sexy Box I was looking forward to revisiting this one.

     The film follows a group of campers and their chaperone who find themselves trapped in a cave.  To pass the time they decide to share their personal sexually experiences with one another in comedic fashion.

     The First Turn On!! really embraces the sex comedy which really works.  It almost feels like an anthology film which in it's essence it is.  Fans of sleazy comedies will truly appreciate what Troma brings to the table.  The acting is this one is standard Troma.  The cast is inexperienced but their dedication to the role is what makes the film so much fun.  The laughs find their mark and the comedic timing is damn near perfect.  The characters are not as generic as you would think and the cast does a great job and brings them to life.  Hell, some are even memorable and their dialogue and one liners stick with you even days after watching it.  The story for this is an unexpected anthology that I really enjoyed.  It's not often that you find an anthology that is more of a comedy instead of a horror tale.  Some of the stories are a little more enjoyable than others but none of them are bad.  I laughed a great deal during this one but they are rather dated especially for an early 80s film.  Finally, don't expect a lot of blood in this one.  If you want some laughs and a little sleaze then you know where to find it.  Overall, The First Turn On!! is one of the better films in the set.  It's funny, raunchy, and one of the better written sex comedies of the early 80s.  I highly recommend this one.  

Waitress!

Director(s) - Michael Herz (Troma's War, The Toxic Avenger) and Lloyd Kaufman (Shakespeare's Shitstorm, Terror Firmer)

Starring - Jim Harris (Squeeze Play, American Ninja 4: The Annihilation), Carol Drake, and Carol Bevar (The Yum Yum Girls)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "The fun starts as soon as you're seated"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When cult movie fans discuss Troma they often talk about their horror efforts like The Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke 'em High, Poultrygeist, Terror Firmer, and so on.  Troma's gruesome and often messy stamp on the genre is undeninable.  Co-founder Lloyd Kaufman, and to a lesser extent Michael Herz, has inspired filmmakers for almost 50 years now which is an impressive feat in it's own right.  However, many fans often over look their early efforts.  In the late 70s and early 80s the sex comedy was very popular and with the coming age of VHS Troma decided to try their hand at it.  Drawing inspiration from films like Animal House and Porky's, Troma would release several sleazy comedies which they would release in a DVD box set called the Sex Box.  With DVD now on the way out and blu-ray holding strong, Troma has released three of those films in a new Sex Box on blu.  When I heard the news I ran as fast as I could to my computer and requested a copy from my friends over at MVD who was kind enough to send a copy over.  While I was in the middle of an inpromptu Troma marathon I decided to spin this set starting with 1982's Waitress!  Like always, I want to thank MVD for hooking me up!

     The film follows three women who find themselves working at a questions restaurant for various reasons.  One of the women is on the hunt for a man.  Her gorgeous good looks but simple mindedness has men falling heads over heels for her but she fails to see it.  Another waitress is an aspiring actress and will stop at nothing to portray her favorite historical character, Joan of Arc, on the big screen.  The third waitress is the daughter of the restaurant owner who has made some questionable decisions in her short life before she is forced to work here as a form of punishment.

     Waitress! is a film I've owned for some time after I snagged the Sex Box set on DVD for cheap many years ago.  However, I never got around to actually watching this one.  I had seen The First Turn On sometime ago but I never ventured farther into the set with the other two titles.  This is why I decided to start with Waitress!  I really like the artwork for the film.  It's not only a true product of it's time but it really had my imagination working overtime.  Sadly, the film was not that fun.  It has a few good laughs but it's nowhere near as enjoyable as the artwork.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a Troma film from the 80s.  The cast is energetic and extremely comfortable in front of the camera but their inexperience does show.  The dialogue is awkward at times but the cast really does give it their all.  The downside to this is that the characters are all fairly generic and easily forgettable which gives the cast nothing to really work with.  The story for this one has all the wild jokes and puns that you come to expect from a Troma film but the rapid scene change, chaotic scenes, and underwhelming story does make this one a bit of a snooze fest for movie fans.  It was clearly rushed through to cash in on the VHS comedy craze.  Finally, don't expect any blood or guts.  We get some nudity but that is about the only fun visuals that we do get.  Overall, Waitress! is not for the standard Troma fan.  This film did help pave the way for the more memorable films that we know and love but is not one I can recommend.  I love Troma and tried to give them the benefit of the doubt but this movie just wasn't fun.  Skip it.  

     

The Cheerleader Sleepover Slaughter

Director - Christopher Leto (Die Die Delta Pi, The Housewife Slasher)

Starring - Taylor Herd (Beer Tales), Indica Jane (Bratty Foot Girls), and Sydney Spaulding (A New Daylight)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago I was lucky enough to review Chris Leto and Sean Donohue's Die Die Delta Pi.  It was one of the first films that was sent my way for review which meant a lot to me.  The fact that the pair trusted a nobody to review their film is still something that sticks with me.  I loved the nasty little slasher and the two know how much of a fan I am.  I've reviewed all their releases since then and love when either one of them hit me up to check out their newest creation.  A few days ago Leto hit me up to review his newest film The Cheerleader Sleepover Massacre which was produced by Donohue.  I was really looking forward to this one so I quickly accepted the offer.  Like always, I want to thank Chris for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check out your newest film!

     The film follows a snobby cheer-leading squad who receives an invite to party at a young girl's home while her mother is out of town.  There have been several disappearances in the area but they are unable to connect the dots until it's too late.  

     I was unaware that The Cheerleader Sleepover Slaughter was a sequel to Die Die Delta Pi but I'm all for it.  I knew it was going to be a sleazy cheerleader slasher and it fits right at home as a distant sequel.  Leto and Donohue have another hit on their hands with this one.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  I know most of you don't throw on a film like this to catch amazing performances from actors that attended prestigious acting school.  In fact, most of you will see who is cast in this one and hit play in hopes of seeing nudity and blood.  With that being said, the cast delivers some fun performances...and nudity.  This film has another enjoyable performance from Sushii Xhyvette Holder, as well as, some great performances from some new faces.  I was really impressed by Taylor Herd, Indica Jane, and Sydney Spaulding.  I seriously hope I see those three in more genre titles especially Jane.  Her attitude, beauty, and naturalness in front of the camera made her a favorite of mine.  The supporting cast is solid as well but these are the standout stars in my opinion.  The story for this one is a slasher tale we have seen so many times before but the added sleaze and ending connecting it to Die Die Delta Pi does make it stand out ever so slightly.  It wasn't as predictable as it sounds and the killer's reveal was not what I was expecting.  It's a clever reveal with a rather generic sleepover slasher.  It's fun but it's missing the charm that DDDP has.  Finally, the film has some blood and several death scenes but the practical effects are nothing that will stand out to most genre fans.  I was expecting a little more blood and lots more gore.  There is nudity but it doesn't make up for the lack of the red stuff.  Overall, The Cheerleader Sleepver Slaughter is a worthy follow up to one of the better indie slashers to come out in recent years.  It's not perfect but it does satisfy those of us looking for some blood and boobs.  Check it out.  

Hi-Fear

Director(s) - Anthony Catanese (Sodomaniac, Girls Just Wanna Have Blood), Tim Ritter (Truth or Dare, Sharks of the Corn), Todd Sheets (Bonehill Road, Dreaming Purple Neon), Brad Sykes (Camp Blood, Plaguers), and Josephine Sykes (Hi-8, Hi-Death)

Starring - Geoff Allen, Sheila Brandon Allen (Hollywood Werewolf, Clownado), and Raven Black 

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "What are you afraid of?"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago, almost a decade now, I was contacted by indie filmmaker and producer Bob Sykes to review his anthology film Hi-8 (Horror Independent 8).  Honestly, it was a lot of fun.  The set up and concept behind the film really worked for an anthology film and the segments were indie horror gold.  I enjoyed it a lot and I still recommend it to this day when people ask me for movie recommendations.  A few years after the success of Hi-8 Sykes and other filmmakers gave fans a worthy follow-up in Hi-Death.  Hi-Death was another great horror anthology that lived up to it's namesake but just not quite as good as the original.  It's a lot of fun especially if you enjoyed the first film.  I knew the popularity of the two films would inspire another sequel and it did.  A few days back Brad reached out to me again to review the third installment Hi-Fear.  Like always I want to thank Brad for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check out your hard work!

     The film follows an aspiring author and illustrator who receives a mysterious call where she is forced to tell four gruesome tales to the caller.  The first story follows a group of young men looking for a good time in a whorehouse but soon discover that this particular one has a dark secret.  The second tale follows a preacher who suspects his wife is sleeping around on him.  In a fit of rage, he strangles her and tries to hide the body.  However, an officer that is part of his congregation "helps" him hide the body with disastrous results.  The third tale follows a homeless teen who finds herself stalked by a demented man who thinks he is saving her soul.  The fourth and final tale follows a group staying in a cabin that was meant to be the base of operations for a film.  However, when no one shows they try to contact the outside world and quickly realize something catastrophic has happened.  

     Hi-Fear is not a bad film but it is the low point in the Hi-8 trilogy.  I loved the aesthetics and stories in the original which was loosely carried over into the film's first sequel.  However, Hi-Fear just doesn't feel like a Hi-8 follow up.  It's a decent indie anthology but it doesn't have that look and feel that made the first film so much fun.  Honestly, I'm not a fan of the title or the wrap around segment but the rest of the film was just what I was looking for.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  Some segments were a little better done than others.  The wraparound segment for the film feels a little forced and her reactions were underwhelming but not bad.  Just one of the many reasons this segment doesn't work for me.  The first story has some decent acting along with the second segment but my favorite acting can be found in the third and fourth segments.  The characters are a little better written and the cast in these two do a fantastic job in their roles.  The stories for these varies and progressively gets better as the film goes on.  The segment doesn't work for me.  It feels a little cheap and just tossed together last minutes as a way to book end the segments together.  I love a good anthology and what makes Hi-8 so fun to me was the way everything was connected.  Hi-Fear doesn't have that.  The first segment feels like two different stories that were forced together.  If you separated the first portion with the preacher, his wife, and the officer you would have a pretty straight forward horror tale that could be pretty grounded and brutal.  Sadly, it's not explored fully and the addition of the cannibal family at the end feels like another segment that could stand out on it's own.  I would have loved to see this family explored further and be the center of their own segment.  The third segment following the homeless teen living on the street is one that took a few minutes to get the wheels rolling but once it gets going it delivers.  The same can be said about the fourth tale.  It's a slow burn but once the story starts picking up you find yourself glued to the screen.  Finally, the film has some visual and practical effects.  Some of the segments have some decent looking effects with some blood and light make-up effects while others have some very noticeable visual effects that don't work like they were intended for.  Overall, Hi-Fear is a decent follow up to Hi-8 and Hi-Death but it's the weakest link in the trilogy.  I had fun with it but it's inconsistent humor, acting, and wraparound segment does make it one that I can't love but I did enjoy it.  Check it out especially if you are a fan of the other films.  

Fresh Hell

Director(s) - Ryan Imhoff and Matt Neal

Starring - Lanise Antoine Shelley (Empire, Chicago Fire), Ryan Imhoff (Wilt, Chicago P.D.), and Will Mobley (Stuck in Reality, Chicago Med)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A horror story for these dumpster fire days"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The pandemic put a large strain on the film industry and an even bigger hit on indie cinema.  While the film industry had to quickly adapt to the the new norm the indie filmmakers around the world had to figure out new ways to make no budget films.  Some turned to films with small casts while trying to social distant and only having relatives and friends on set to lower the risk of exposure.  However, some would modernize the found footage sub-genre.  Last year I was lucky enough to review the indie horror flicks Full Disclosure and Hacked which added the popular elements of found footage with popular modern conveniences like podcasting and video calls.  A few weeks ago I was asked to review the indie horror flick Fresh Hell from filmmakers Ryan Imhoff and Matt Neal.  The title really caught my attention and I agreed to it.  

     The film follows a group of friends who lost touch during the pandemic.  To reunite, they decide to host a group video call so they can catch up with each other.  What started as an innocent virtual get together quickly turns into something much more dangerous when a bearded stranger joins in place of one of their own.

      Fresh Hell's title, poster, and tagline really pulled me in.  I was looking forward to a wild and unhinged horror film that summed up the last two years.  However, what was before me was a solidly written film that lost traction along the way.  I wanted to like it, and some things I did, but I found it difficult to watch at times.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  The cast has very little experience but they all work very well together.  Their inexperience doesn't show and they all do a fantastic job at creating their characters.  With that being said, co-director Ryan Imhoff made the film for me.  I loved his character The Stranger and how intense he was.  I would have loved to see this character in a more traditional film.  I loved his personality, intensity, and energy that he brought to the film.  The movie may have missed it's mark with me but I would watch it again just to watch The Stranger.  The story for this is an interesting idea but it does date itself with the Zoom call angle which is a huge part of the story.  That's not really a bad thing when you consider that it's centered around the pandemic but in a few years when this slips from memory the film will not have the impact that it does now.  I liked the idea behind The Stranger, the trippy cult/dog thing and how fucking out there it goes.  However, the first thirty minutes or so will really try your patience.  The only thing that was keeping me awake was The Stranger.  The whole video conference set up is extremely awkward to me.  I can't explain it but I have no interest in films with this set up.  I first saw it with Full Disclosure last year and now it's in several more indie flicks since the pandemic started.  Finally, this is not the bloodiest movie I've seen.  We get one really cool gag that I won't spoil along with some little bloody moments here and there but nothing that memorable.  Overall, Fresh Hell is a cool idea that just didn't work for me.  I know some genre fans will love it but it's one I didn't care for.  I did like Imhoff's performance and I would recommend this one 100 times over because of that but that's the extent of it.  

Ditched

Director - Christopher Donaldson (Necessary Evil, The End)

Starring - Marika Sila (The Twilight Zone, Lucifer), Kris Loranger (Cut Bank, Winter Kill), and Lara Taillon (Corner Gas, Spiral)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "They deserve this"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Epic Pictures is a name that I often gravitate towards.  Some of their releases have been really enjoyable with a few even becoming some of my favorite films in my collection.  A few weeks ago I saw that MVD was releasing the 2021 horror thriller Ditched from director Christopher Donaldson.  The trailer and plot looked a lot of fun so I reached out to my friends over at MVD who was handling the release and they were kind enough to send one over.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and Epic Pictures for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this out.

     The film follows an some paramedics, a patient that they were transporting, a few police officers, and a prisoner in their car who all awaken after a horrible accident.  The remember being forced off the road but no one can remember what happened after the accident.  Then things take a gruesome turn when they become hunted one by one by a group of ghillie wearing killers who have their own form of justice to serve.  

     I was really interested in Ditched.  It looked like a wild dark thriller with plenty of fun horror moments and possibly some entertaining yet cliched tropes for genre fans.  However, that was not the film at all.  Instead, it was an amazing story that was poorly done.  The lack of suspense and tension coupled with the unenthused dialogue created some seriously dull scenes for viewers.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  I liked the cast and the generic characters.  The cast did a great job bringing these unoriginal characters to life.  The story for this one has so much fucking potential but the lack of tension and characters with memorable personalities really makes it fall off the rails.  I loved the idea behind the film and can't help but wonder what it would have been like if the film focused more heavily on the ghillie clad justice seekers instead of the first responders like it does.  If the film would have went all in on the horror instead of the dark thriller then it would be a much different experience.  The fact that the characters are meant to be unlikable really makes the movie fall apart as well.  Finally, the film has some seriously gruesome gore and great deaths but the movie itself doesn't fully utilize them.  The practical effects are fantastic and the gore looks amazing but it's kind of like adding top tier cheese and pepperoni to a shit pizza.  Overall, Ditched wasn't for me.  Hell, I don't know who it would be for.  I loved the concept and the gore but the execution is all wrong.  Skip it.  

Deadly Games

Director - Scott Mansfield (Imps*, The Tell-Tale Heart)

Starring - Jo Ann Harris (The Manhunter, Oliver and Company), Sam Groom (Otherworld, Deadly Eyes), and Steve Railsback (Ed Gein, Turkey Shoot)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Only he will hear you scream"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Like many horror fans, I'm a sucker for slashers.  I was in middle school when the bug bit me and before long I was snagging ever movie I could get from my local video store and big box retails stores.  I remember falling in love with the original My Bloody Valentine and April Fool's Day.  Since then I've amassed a decent collection of late 70s and 80s slashers.  Sadly, not all of them are worth a damn and some are a bit too difficult to finish but I still have fun with them.  Sometime ago Arrow Video announced the release of the 1982 slasher Deadly Games.  This is one I had never seen before so I shot my friends over at MVD a message and they were quick to send a copy my way.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and Arrow for hooking me up.  

     The film follows a young woman who returns to her hometown when her sister falls to her death from her home.  The police suspect that someone may have been in the house with her but are unable to prove it.  Soon the bodies start to pile up and she suspects that the killer could be one of the unlikely friends, one of which is the sheriff and the other the manager of a local theater.  

     Deadly Games is not a slasher that will stick with you like so many others do.  Slashers are an experience for the most part but some are painfully mediocre and the middle of the road.  With so many amazing slashers that can be found that give us unforgettable killers, historic final girls, and settings that would inspire films for decades so it's disappointing when you find a movie that is still solid but doesn't give you any of those.  Sadly, that is Deadly Games that film.  It's not bad but doesn't stand out out like so many great ones.  The acting in this one is pretty well done.  It's cool seeing Steve Railsback as another loaner type character.  I was introduced to him after his appearance as Ed Gein in the film by the same name about the notorious Wisconsin grave robber and murderer.  He's such a fantastic actor and his performance here was solid as well.  However, the character he portrays doesn't stand out from the film.  He blends in with the background like so many other characters in the film.  Honestly, I liked the acting but the flat and cliched characters made the film just another faceless film in a sea of forgettable slashers.  The story for this one is just another slasher with a skimask-ed killer killing people in some unimaginative ways.  Most of the writing was clearly spent on the dialogue and the quick whips instead of the character development and story.  It's predictable and almost by the book in regards to slashers but it is still fun for what it is.  It doesn't try to stand out but still succeeds at being an effective slasher.  Finally, the deaths are some of the lamest in slasher history.  They are extremely dull and the lack of creativity and blood makes it a huge disappointment.  Overall, Deadly Games is a solid slasher that works for the most part.  We don't get a fun and memorable masked slasher or entertaining deaths but it still satisfies if you are looking for something you've never seen before.  Check it out.  

Final Justice

Director - Greydon Clark (Black Shampoo, Dark Future)

Starring - Joe Don Baker (Mars Attacks, Cape Fear), Rossano Brazzi (Fear City, Elvira's Movie Macabre), and Venantino Venantini (Aladdin, The King's Whore)

Release Date - 1984

Genre - Action/Crime

Tagline - "Joe Don Baker is looking for trouble"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm a sucker for 80s action flicks.  I love the campy characters, predictable stories, and the poorly coordinated action sequences are a thing of beauty.  These 70s and 80s gems were the reason I started writing reviews.  I wanted to watch this cheesy and often forgotten films while writing about how I felt revisiting or watching for the first time.  Sometime ago I watched a Rifftrack or Mystery Science Theatre 3000 episode where they riffed the 1984 action flick Final Justice starring Joe Don Baker.  I remember enjoying the episode but I don't remember shit from the movie.  When MVD announced that the film would be part of their MVD Rewind collection I was all about it.  I quickly reached out for a review copy and they were kind enough to send one over.  I want to thank MVD for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check it out.  

     A small town sheriff from Texas finds himself in the middle of an international game of cat and mouse when two murders shoot and kill his partner forcing him to shoot one of them.  When an extradition to Italy goes wrong it's up to the sheriff to hunt for his partners killer in a foreign land.  

      Final Justice isn't a bad movie.  It's campy, corny, and sleazier than expect but I had fun with it.  The Riff Track or MST3k episode was more enjoyable but it's still fun on it's own.  Fans of those early 80 western inspired action films will have a blast but someone wanting a bigger story and memorable characters will be a bit disappointed.  The acting in this one is unintentionally funny but I still had fun with it.  This is not Joe Don Baker's proudest moment.  The movie seems like a burden to him which is where a lot of the unintentional humor comes from.  His character reminded me a lot of how my father acted when my brother would visit us with his kids.  He was happy to be there but he would clearly rather be some where else.  His character is generic and he does very little to give the viewer someone with a fun personality.  The supporting cast is much of the same.  The cast only does the bare minimum which is funny at times and dull at others.  The story for this one is more or less the same as so many other films from the same time.  An office of some sort is on the hunt for a killer who may have ties closer to home.  However, this one take a stereotypical Texas officer out of his element and in a different country.  It's predictable, goofy, and surprisingly sleazy.  We do get a bit of nudity which was not expected.  Finally, we get some blood and some nice gun shot wounds but that's the extent of it. It's not a gory flick for you sick fucks.  Overall, Final Justice is not as enjoyable as it could be but if you want a cheesy as fuck flick with boobs and actors who doesn't want to be there then this film is for you.  I had fun but it's not for everyone.  

Liar's Moon

Director - David Fisher (Toy Soldiers)

Starring - Matt Dillon (The House that Jack Built, The Flamingo Kid), Cindy Fisher (The Blues Brothers, Bad Ronald), and Hoyt Axton (Gremlins, Encino Man)

Release Date - 1981

Genre - Drama/Romance

Tagline - "They chose the most forbidden love a boy and girl could know!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When MVD announced their MVD Rewind Collection line I was pretty fucking excited for it.  MVD has handled distribution for a bunch of great indie labels and their Marquee line was great as well for some of those not so popular theatrical films that a lot of us were renting on release day from the local video store.  However, that MVD Rewind Collection was said to focus on films during the beginning of the VHS era that never gained traction on disc.  For the most part, the releases in the Rewind Collection have been phenomenal with only one or two that wasn't for me.  I'm a sucker for 80s cinema so when MVD announced the release of 1981's romantic drama Liar's Moon starring Matt Dillon I quickly jumped on it.  I want to thank MVD for sending this one over because it was a lot of fun.

     The film follows the lower working class Jack Duncan (Dillon) and wealthy Ginny Peterson (Fisher) who is the daughter of a wealthy banker.  Their parents want's them to date within their economic class but the two refuse to listen.  They let their hearts lead the way and they elope.  After some time their wedded bliss is struck down when a lie Jack's bother told comes back to put Jack's wife in danger.

     Liar's Moon was not what I was expecting at all but I really fucking enjoyed it.  It's a romantic drama that doesn't feel as corny as you would expect from an early 80s period piece.  I loved the characters, the predictable story, and the overall look of the film.  It was a lot of fun and another fantastic film from my favorite decade.  The acting in this one is great.  Matt Dillon and Cindy Fisher are fantastic as young lovers breaking their family's wishes is fantastic.  They do an amazing job at pulling the viewer in with their emotional range.  I loved them and their on screen chemistry.  The film also has an amazing performance from the supporting cast.  We have a small performance from Lilly Munster herself Yvonne De Carlo along with a memorable performance from Jim Greenleaf.  I fucking loved his character and personality.  The story for this one is predictable.  The romance is clearly there but it's not as mushy and corny as you would expect.  The drama is the star of the show.  I loved the characters and how they were written which made the story even more enjoyable.  However, once you discover one piece of the story the ending becomes predictable.  It's still great but you know where it is going.  Finally, the film has a little blood but that is it.  Don't expect a bloodbath in this one.  Overall, Lair's Moon is a great early 80s drama with romance mixed throughout.  Honestly, I kind of loved it and I can see other 80s movie fans enjoying it as well.  Check it out.  The MVD blu is the best way to see it.  

Stranger Things 3

Creator(s) - Matt Duffer (Hidden, Eater) and Ross Duffer (Wayward Pines, The Milkman)

Starring - Millie Bobby Brown (Enola Holmes, Godzilla vs. Kong), Finn Wolfhard (It, Ghostbusters: Afterlife), and Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands, Alien: Resurrection)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "One summer can change everything"

Format - Streaming (Netflix)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Stranger Things 4 was released I realized that I had missed several seasons.  I fucking loved the first season and watched it several times.  However, when I started season 2 I found myself halfway through the season and not enjoying myself.  I forgot about it until the release of Stranger Things 4 reminded me that I needed to get caught up.  I was able to finish the season and quickly moved on to Stranger Things 3 where I felt the same way as I did with Stranger Things 2.  It was hard to make it passed the middle of the season but once I did I found myself enjoying it.  That mid-season hump is real with this show.

     The film follows the gang after the events of season 2.  A new indoor mall has opened and life seems normal for a very short time.  The gate that Eleven closed left behind a part of the Mind Flayer and now the Russians have built a testing facility under the mall where they are attempting to open the gate again.  It's up to Hopper and the group to stop the Mind Flayer and the Russians.

     Stranger Things 3 does exactly what 2 did.  It takes the viewers deeper into the story that was already established while bringing even more characters into the mix.  I like the characters so don't take that the wrong way but it suffers from the same problems that Avengers: Infinity War did.  Too many characters and not enough story.  It's great but problemed.  The acting in this one is just as good as the other seasons.  There is no weak links and all the characters well written giving the cast so much to work with.  This amazing cast and lovable characters is the series weakness.  There is so many amazing performances and memorable characters.  The story for this one picks up a little after the last season and does a fantastic job at continuing the story.  We have a fantastic addition of the Cold War scare with the Russians opening the gate to the upside down.  The introduction of the new characters does take away from the story but not enough to make it unlikable.  Finally, the series once again delivers some great visual and practical effects.  The visual compliments the practical effects which is something you rarely see as effective as it is here.  I'm not really a fan of the giant monster but it doesn't necessarily look that back.  Overall, Stranger Things 3 is another step forward from Stranger Things.  It's a lot of fun if you stick with it but the mid-season hump is fucking steep for sure.  Check it out but don't expect something as fun as the first season.  

Nightmare

Director - Freddie Francis (Tales from the Crypt, Legend of the Werewolf)

Starring - David Knight (The Devil's Agent, Clue of the Twisted Candle), Moira Redmond (Alleyn Mysteries, A Shot in the Dark), and Jennie Linden (Dr. Who and the Daleks, Tales of the Unexpected)

Release Date - 1964

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "THREE SHOCKING MURDERS.  Did she dream them?... or do them?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Hammer released some seriously unforgettable horror films during their years in production.  Their partnership with Universal Pictures brought their classic monsters into a whole new light that still delight fans to this day.  During their years they released so many amazing films and over time several of them have become buried or overlooked by genre fans.  In 1964 Hammer released the gothic horror tale Nightmare to audiences. It never clicked with fans like their Universal adaptations but is till a fantastic horror film.  Over the years you could find it locked away in several of the Hammer box sets as another title that was meant to boost the count in the set without receiving the treatment it truly deserved.  That changed when Scream Factory announced the blu release of this often overlooked film.  I had seen this one several times over the years and couldn't wait to revisit it so I reached out to Scream and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows Janet (Linden) who is away at a private school but reoccurring nightmares force her expulsion.  She returns to her home with her maid, driver, and on occasion, her guardian Henry Baxter (Knight).  Her mother snapped when she was younger and killed her father resulting in Janet's fear that she would inherit her mother's mental disorder.  After returning home she finds herself haunted by visions of a woman with a distinctive scar on her cheek.  After several hauntings she is introduced to Baxter's bride who just happens to be the woman from her visions.  Janet snaps and kills her resulting in her incarceration.  However, the woman that she had been seeing in her visions was actually a plant from Baxter and as more murders appear he wonders if his plan to have his wife killed did push Janet over the edge or is something more supernatural happening in the estate.

     Nightmare is far from the best that Hammer had to offer.  In fact, I wouldn't include it in my top ten or even top twenty but that doesn't make it a bad film.  In fact, it's real enjoyable and the story oddly works even though it's predictable while combining elements from other films.  You have to give this one a chance but if you go into it with a negative attitude you will be very disappointed.  The acting for this one is very enjoyable.  Knight is fantastic as the loving father figure and the calculative man with greed and lust on his mind.  His performance is fantastic and even though the story is predictable his performance and character progression makes it worth watching.  Linden is great as well.  Her intensity steals the scene.  She gives the movie her all and is fantastic.  The supporting cast is great as well with so many great performances.  The story for this one blends the main plot from Strangers on a Train with Nightmare Castle which would release a year later based on a popular plot from other films before it.  It's predictable but not bad.  The film is essentially split up into two parts but it works.  You follow the story like a good book that you've read many times before.  It's a lot of fun especially when it's combined with the amazing set locations and atmosphere.  Finally, the film doesn't give us blood but does more than make up for it with great cinematography and fantastic sets.  Overall, Nightmare is a great watch especially if you are looking for something with great atmosphere to watch late at night.  Snag this release from Scream Factory because you will not be disappointed. 

Pan's Labyrinth

Director - Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim, Blade II)

Starring - Ivana Baquero (Black Friday, High Seas), Ariadna Gil (Gods of Medicine, Here on Earth), and Sergi Lopez (Black Bread, Happy End)

Release Date - 2006

Genre - Fantasy/War/Adventure

Tagline - "What happens when make-believe believes it's real?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The year after I graduated high school I bought a stack of DVDs from my local video store.  Dewey's Video was recently sold a year or so prior and the new owners were big on rentals and sells.  Living in the middle of no where, this was the best place to snag movies without turning to eBay, Amazon, and other online retailers.  It was here that I first caught a glimpse of Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth.  I was big in the Upcoming Horror Movies' message boards and was pretty knowledgeable of new films but this one had got by me some how.  I snagged a copy on DVD with a few other films and that weekend I watched it for the first time.  I've watched it several times since then and I love it just as much with each viewing as I did when I first saw it.  A few weeks ago Umbrella Entertainment announced the release of the film as part of their Beyond Genres line.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy of their release my way for review.  I want to thank Umbrella Entertainment for sending this one over and allowing myself and Horror Society the opportunity to review this fantastic film.  Thank you.

     The film takes place in the early 40s in Spain with young Ofelia (Baquero) as she is being escorted with her mother who is expecting to her new step-father's home.  He is a ruthless general in the army who is fighting a war against a group of resistant fighters in the country side.  She's a fanatic of fairy tales and finds herself pulled from the horrors of her real life in to the fantasy realm of a faun who convinces her that she is the princess that he has been waiting for.  She has to complete three tasks in order to prove her royalty while her step-father wages war on the locals and he pregnant yet ailing mother prepares to give birth.

     Pan's Labyrinth is one of the most interesting and intriguing fantasy films to exist.  It's an adult oriented tale that brings blood, a compelling story, and wonderful written characters that cinema rarely sees anymore.  I have yet to meet someone that has seen this movie that didn't like it but the number of people that haven't seen it is staggering.  Del Toro is one of the greatest filmmakers of our time and this is one of his best films and what I would consider to be a timeless classic.  The acting in this one is phenomenal.  The Spanish speaking cast delivers some of the best performances I've witnessed and the fact that you are still appreciating their performances while reading the subtitles really shows how wonderful the cast is.  Baquero is great as the film's star.  She shows some serious skill in front of the camera for such a young age.  She has went on to star in several other films including a horror comedy opposite Bruce Campbell.  We have another fantastic performance from Doug Jones who brings the faun Fauno to life. His career is overflowing with fantastic creatures and beings with him donning heaving make-up and this is among one of his most memorable.  The rest of the cast is just as brilliant but the characters don't hold the screen like these two.  The story for this one pulls so many different themes and angles together into something truly enjoyable without over doing it.  The film is a fairy tale centered story at it's heart.  We then have a war torn Spain on top of it with a rebellion taking place.  We then have a mother trying to find a father figure for her daughter since the death of her husband while an evil military general is looking for any woman who will sire him a boy even if it kills her.  At the center of it all is a young girl who spends more time in her books than the real world.  It's beautifully written and the pacing is great.  The film is around two hours long yet it doesn't feel it.  We have great pacing, great character development, and a story that will pull you in.  Finally, the film has some great practical effects, amazing costumes, sets that will leave you mesmerized, and noticeable visual effects.  We have some blood and a few graphic moments but the visual effects take away from the fun.  However, the costumes and sets are fucking brilliant.  I can't praise them enough.  Overall, Pan's Labyrinth is one of the few films that truly deserves the Beyond Genres label and fits perfectly in Umbrella Entertainment's series.  It's got elements of horror, fantasy, adventure, war, and drama.  It's a brilliant film that I truly believe you should see it regardless of what type of films you enjoy.  It's a masterpiece.  

Fist of Fury

Director - Wei Lo (Slaughter in San Francisco, Attack of the Kung Fu Girls)

Starring - Bruce Lee (Enter the Dragon, Way of the Dragon), Nora Miao (The Big Boss, Naughty Naughty), and James Tien (Blade of Fury, Mr. Vampire II)

Release Date - 1972

Genre - Action/Crime

Tagline - "Bruce Lee claims his revenge through death and beyond"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Bruce Lee may not have created the Chinese kung fu explosion from the late 60s and early 70s but he did bring it to the mainstream making it a worldwide phenomenon.  Lee was a worldwide superstar that brought Chinese cinema to other countries during a time when Japanese films were overtaking the markets.  After his death we would see impersonators continue his legacy in what would later be termed Bruceploitation.  I respect Lee and his legacy but I've always had a soft spot for Bruceploitation films and, a lot of times, I prefer them over Lee's actual films.  I've seen most of Lee's films and though they are great movies I still prefer the cheesy and campy Bruceploitation films.  Sometime back Umbrella Entertainment announced their new line of films called Films of Fury.  One of the films they released as part of this new line was 1972's Fist of Fury that was also released under the title The Chinese Connection in American markets.  It had been a long time since I last saw this film so I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send this one over.  I was excited for this new line of films and revisiting this classic.  I want to thank Umbrella Entertainment for sending this one over.

     The film follows Chen (Lee) who returns to his hometown to marry his fiancee when he discovers that his master is dead.  He suspects that something strange was behind his death and his investigation leads him to a Japanese dojo that was his master's biggest rival.  Soon he finds himself fighting not only the racism the Chinese were facing by the Japanese but a clan of Japanese martial artists who was responsible for his master's death.

     Fist of Fury is not my favorite film starring Bruce Lee.  In fact, it's probably the weakest of his films but it still has some fun moments and a fairly forgettable story.  The only reason this one is even remembered to this day is because he starred the legendary Lee.  It's fun to toss in with some other films of Lee or Bruceploitation but it's not a movie that most people would recommend or stands out from the others.  It's a mediocre film and that's being generous.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from an early 70s film from Hong Kong.  Lee hams it up on camera delivering his intense facial expressions and flashing his smile when the occasion arises.  The supporting cast delivers decent performances at time and awkward performances at others.  The characters are fairly generic and one dimensional with Lee being the only real stand out character.   The story for this one has no reason to be as long as it is.  I know I'm tough on this one but it's because there is so many other films that are better.  Fist of Fury has a fairly simple and straight forward story that is predictable and mostly dull aside from the fight scenes.  A lot could be trimmed from the film and the story would still make sense.  It would help with the weird pacing the film has which would also help keep the viewer's attention.  It's clearly just a vehicle to show off Lee which is a shame because later films of his had both story and his amazing martial arts skills.  Finally, the film has some light blood and a lot of fighting but if you are looking for a bloodbath then you will be disappointed.  The fight scenes are a lot of fun with some great choreography but it could have been a lot bloodier.  Overall, Fist of Fury is not a bad film but if you compare it to other Bruce Lee films you will find it floating around the bottom.  The story is a bit of a bummer but the action makes up for it.  This release from Umbrella is strictly for collectors and I highly recommend snagging a copy.  

Stranger Things 2

Creator(s) - Ross Duffer (Wayward Pines, Saturday Night at Norm's) and Matt Duffer (Hidden, Eater)

Starring - Winona Ryder (Heathers, Edward Scissorhands), David Harbour (Hellboy, Black Widow), and Natalia Dyer (Velvet Buzzsaw, After Darkness)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "It only gets stranger..."

Format - Streaming (Netflix)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Netflix released the first season of Stranger Things I was obsessed.  I fucking loved the show.  As soon as I finished the last episode I started it over and forced my wife to watch it.  Before the second was released I had watched the first season three times overall.  However, when Stranger Things 2 was released I found myself struggling to finish it.  In fact, I stopped on the fifth episode and turned my back on the show.  It wasn't until recently when part one of Stranger Things 4 was released that I decided to go back and give Stranger Things  another shot.  It was a solid series but it was nowhere near as fun as the first season.

     This season follows the gang who is still struggling with the upside down when will becomes possessed by a tentacle creature known as the Mind Flayer that pulls the gang and their surrounding family into the fight to save their little town from destruction.

     Stranger Things 2 doesn't have that kick that the first season had.  It's not a bad follow up to the original season but I feel like it's introducing too many characters with so much back story and their own story arcs that it's taking away from the overall show.  Don't get me wrong, I do like the new characters and I like the attitude change they gave Steve but there is so much going on that it makes the main plot of the film lose the impact it was going for.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  The returning cast gives us some seriously amazing performances while giving us even more of the characters that we grew to love.  I really like the fact that Steve, portrayed by Joe Keery, is no longer a douche and a fan favorite.  I'm glad he was moved up in importance and I love the new characters we are given as well but this is the season's downfall.  The story for this one is a serious attempt at following up to the first season.  We get the DnD inspired story with the Lovecraft inspired creature getting the name of Mind Flayer.  We also get a plethora of new characters that does over saturate the story.  This season would have worked if they would have kept the character list short and tight.  Instead, we get so many different side stories.  It's almost as if this season was written by Bethesda.  I liked the set up of the story and how it went but it could have been so much more fun if we would have just focused on the gang and the continuation of this story without the unneeded distractions.  Finally, this season is just as beautiful as the first season.  We have some great practical effects, lots of blood and gore, and some fantastic visual effects.  The deaths are violent and bloody with some good use of practical and visual effects.  Some of the visual effects are a little noticeable at times but overall they are almost as perfect as the practical effects.  Overall, Stranger Things 2 is a serious follow up to the first season.  It isn't without faults and spreads itself too thin at times but is still worth your time.  If you are like me and loved the first season you will find it underwhelming at times but it does have it's moments.