Expect No Mercy

Director - Zale Dalen (Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Street Justice)

Starring - Billy Blanks (Lionheart, Bloodfist), Jalal Merhi (Fearless Tiger, Death Junction), and Wolf Larson (Tarzan, Hard Ticket to Hawaii)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "Where virtual reality begins"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started my Billy Blanks marathon with TC 2000 I soon realized that I was going to be in for a cheesy good...or bad time depending on how I wanted to look at it.  TC 2000 was not for me but there were some aspects of the film that I actually enjoyed.  I decided to go with the Vinegar Syndrome release of Expect No Mercy next.  I love those cheap sci-fi action films that were direct to video with a large portion of the story centered around a dated technology.  It looked like a lot of fun and I had hopes that it was better than the previous Blanks starred film.  

     The film follows a school of assassins that is being trained to kill using cutting edge virtual reality.  The feds send in an undercover agent to train as one of them and put a stop to the bloody trail they leave in their wake.

     Expect No Mercy was a better film than TC 2000 but it wasn't a great one.  It's a movie that had some fun moments and just as many not-so-fun moments.  I could see myself watching it with some friends and a bunch of beer when I was in college but this wasn't one of those times.  It was decent at best as a one time watch.  The acting in this one is exactly what anyone would expect from a film of this quality.  The cast looks like they are having a lot of fun but the dialogue and action scenes are very.  I usually enjoy these heavily choreographed action flicks but this one struggled to find it's footing.  The cast has a hard time delivering any sort of emotion with their dialogue and ham up every scene.  It's fun in a so bad it's good sort of way but it's exactly what you expect from a straight to video action flick.  The story for this one is very dated but still has a certain charm about it.  The sci-fi films of the early 90s using modern technology as the basis of their stories.  Movies like Brainscan, Mindwarp, and so many more date themselves with this but they still have that late night cinema charm that a lot of us enjoy.  Honestly, I could really get behind this story if the cast could have been taken seriously.  Finally, the film is not a bloody mess like many of us are looking for.  There is a lot of martial arts action and some cheap visual effects but that is the extent of it.  Overall, Expect No Mercy is alright for a first time watch but it's not very memorable and the film could have been so much more if it had a better cast.  Check it out, especially if you are a Vin Syn collector, but there is so many other great flicks from them that I would recommend before this one.  

TC 2000

Director - T. J. Scott (Star Trek: Discovery, Gotham)

Starring - Billy Blanks (The Last Boy Scout, Back in Action), Bolo Yeung (Bloodsport, Double Impact), and Jalal Merhi (Tiger Claws, The Circuit)

Release Date - 1993

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The year is 2020.  He's mostly human, and totally invincible... until now."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I lived through the video age and have fond memories of checking out all the amazing artwork for the different VHS releases at my locally owned video store, Dewey's Video.  I was born in the mid-80s and lived through the 90s so I was a product of the video store and 90s television.  The 90s was a hotbed for infomercials that have become a part of pop culture history.  Many my age can remember Miss Cleo, Pure Moods, and lastly, Tae Bo.  Tae Bo was a popular work out meets martial arts routine created by it's host Billy Blanks.  Aside from these commercials, I knew nothing of Billy Blanks until a few years later when I spotted him on the cover of a direct to video action flick.  I was fucking floored and quickly snagged the DVD of it.  When I was able to check it out I was very unimpressed by it.  I turned my back on the film and Blanks until recently when Vinegar Syndrome started releasing several of his films on blu.  I fucking love Vin Syn so it was a matter of time before I snagged copies of these films for my collection.  I've been sitting on their release of TC 2000 for several months now and decided to finally check out as the beginning of my Billy Blanks marathon.

     The film is set in a future where the rich and important have moved underground while the poor, less fortunate, and undesirables are forced to live above ground.  The film follows partners who are officers in the underground but when one of them is murdered the other becomes the prime suspect.  He flees to the surface to look for clues as to why he was set up while his deceased partner is turned into a crime fighting machine.

     When I originally ordered this one and was checking out the synopsis I was under the impression that Blanks was starring in a Robocop clone where he would be an unstoppable cyborg like character but that is far from the truth.  The film does have a touch of Robocop but its nothing like the artwork paints.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from an early 90s direct to video action flick.  Blanks is the biggest ham I've ever seen on screen.  His cliched one liners and emotionless stare is unintentionally funny but not a negative.  The supporting cast is more of the same.  The cast really tries but the flat writing and generic characters makes this one easy to forget and often difficult to finish.  The story for this one is like I said earlier.  It's a touch of Robocop with some comparisons to Demolition Man which was released the same year.  The film follows a society that has moved underground while those living in squalor and filth are forced to live on the surface.  This is the exact opposite of Demolition Man but the point remains the same.  We then have the character that dies and is brought back as more machine than human.  Though it's not Blanks character like the artwork portrays it's still a part of the story.  You then fill the film with lots of choreographed fights scenes that make no sense then you have TC 2000.  It's not very imaginative but does fit right at home with the other direct to video sci-fi action flicks.  Finally, the film has a little blood but they are poorly done and don't really work.  This film does not have a body count or memorable deaths which is a real travesty.  Overall, TC 2000 is an interesting concept but the execution is way off.  I wanted to love it, especially since Vin Syn was behind the release, but it was no fun at all.  Skip it.  

Knock, Knock, Knock

Director - Shawn Burkett (Don't Fuck in the Woods, Bludgeon)

Starring - Rob Collins (13 Slays Till X-Mas, Squatch'd), Stephen J. Hodke (Shriekshow, Season's Greetings 2), and Travis Wilson (Campground: The Requel, She Burns in Hell: Chapter 2)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of Concept Media for some time now.  I've been watching and reviewing their films since they released Shawn Burkett's Bludgeon.  Since then I've been a huge fan and always keep an eye out on their newest projects.  A few days ago Shawn hit me up to review his short Knock, Knock, Knock.  I had no idea that he had been working on this one and couldn't wait to check it out.  I had to wait a few days but as soon as I could I went ahead and hit play.  Thanks Shawn for sending this one over my way.  

     This one follows two friends who are staying the night in a hotel but a strange knock at the door interrupts their night.  After several more they soon find themselves at the mercy of a knife wielding mad man.

     Knock, Knock, Knock is extremely short at just three minutes long.  However, it is still fun for what it is.  Sadly, I feel that it is a little too damn short to actually answer any questions the viewer has.  The acting in this one is solid enough.  It's a short cast of mutual friends and that makes it feel a little more genuine.  The cast has some on screen experience but you can still see some inexperience from time to time.  The story for this one follows two guys in a hotel room who find a knife wielding man at their door.  It's a decent start but the film ends before the story truly gets going.  Who is the knife wielding maniac?  Why did he target these two dudes?  Why is Rob Collins so damn cool?  The short doesn't really find it's stride in just three minutes.  Finally, the film has a little CGI blood but don't expect a blood bath.  The CGI looks decent but it doesn't really stick with you once the short is over.  Overall, Knock, Knock, Knock is far from perfect but it's fun.  The one death is pretty fun but I have too many questions than the short has answers.  It's still a sharp short with a point but nothing memorable.  

Slaughterhouse Rock

Director - Dimitri Logothetis (Jiu Jitsu, Dark Realm) Starring - Toni Basil (Rockula, Easy Rider), Nicholas Celozzi (Tiger Claw III, The A-Team), and Tom Reilly (Married... With Children, Valley of the Dolls) 

Release Date - 1987 

Genre - Comedy/Horror 

Tagline - "Alcatraz, for 39 years it held society's most depraved killers.  Now it's home to something even worse"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I was hitting up my local pawn shops and thrift stores when I came across the DVD release of the 1987 horror comedy Slaughterhouse Rock.  I had never seen the film before and after a few weeks of owning it I decided to check it out one weekend with a few beers.  Sadly, I was unable to finish it and tossed it on my shelf.  When Vinegar Syndrome announced the release of the film om blu I wasn't really interested in it until I saw that it was a double feature with Hard Rock Zombies.  I decided to give it another shot after I watched Hard Rock Zombies.

     The film follows a group of friends who visit the infamous Alcatraz prison after one of them continuously has dreams about it.  They hope to find answers but soon find themselves face to face with a demon that possesses one of them while the ghost of a hair metal musician helps them find a way out.

     Slaughterhouse Rock was not for me and I hate to be that negative about it.  I wanted to love it but it was so fucking dull and damn near impossible for me to finish.  It was just as bat shit insane as Hard Rock Zombies but the pacing was all wrong for me.  Some smoother editing and better acting would have made this one a lot more entertaining.  The acting in this is far from perfect and several of the scenes felt lazy.  The cast has no enthusiasm in some of the later scenes and just spat their dialogue out with no conviction.  The earlier scenes are better acted but it was still awkward at times.  I love the dry acting that most early 80s slashers had but these characters blend in with others and it's often confusing trying to figure out who is who.  The story for this one is right up my alley but the lazy acting and editing makes it extremely difficult to follow.  I loved the demon possessing the group that is trespassing along with the ghost of the female hair metal victim but the remainder of the film is long, drawn out scenes with miserable dialogue as we bounce from scene to scene with no reason or explanation.  I could have loved this story but it doesn't work the way it is.  Finally, the film is not as gruesome as it could have been.  We get some generic deaths with some blood and unimaginative practical effects.  Overall, Slaughterhouse Rock is not one I can recommend but if you are eyeing the Hard Rock Zombies then it's worth the price.  However, if you want it just for Slaughterhouse Rock then I would skip this release.  

Hard Rock Zombies

Director - Krishna Shah (American Drive-In, Ironside)

Starring - E.J. Curse (Bones, Rules of Engagement), Geno Andrews (Dr. Alien, Martial Law), and Sam Mann (Roller Blade, Roller Blade Warriors: Taken By Force)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "They came from the grave to rock n' rave and misbehave"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in middle and high school I found myself obsessed with 80s horror.  Films from the 80s have always been a favorite of mine but when I found myself falling in love with horror I couldn't get enough 80s horror.  There are so many classic horror films from this long since passed decade like Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Hellraiser, Fright Night, The Lost Boys, and so many more.  However, there are other films that never make fans top ten lists but still deserve a watch.  One such film is the wildly outrageous horror comedy Hard Rock Zombies from 1985.  This is one I had seen many many years ago but didn't remember much about the film.  I knew it involved a hair metal band, Hitler, and zombies but that was it.  When Vinegar Syndrome announced that the film was getting a blu release I was ready to revisit it.  I ordered a copy and took advantage of my recent Vin Syn partner label marathon to finally check out the release.  

     The film follows a band that has a gig in a small town.  However, the townspeople do not like rock music and sets out to prevent them from performing.  However, Hitler has escaped Germany many decades prior and has been living secretly in this town along with his sex-craved dwarves and killer nazis.  When the band is murdered they come back from the grave to seek revenge against everyone in town.

     Hard Rock Zombies is far from perfect and the story is all over the place but it's a film that should not be slept on.  It's an unpredictable and chaotic film that does stand out but the flaws do stop it from becoming something truly memorable.  The acting in this one matches the film.  It's far from perfect but the cast is a lot of fun.  The awkward dialogue and over-dramatic emotions makes for some genuinely funny moments regardless if they were intentional.  Some of the cast does stick out from others but nothing that will stay with you once the film ends.  The story for this one is all over the place which is the film's best and worst quality.  I really enjoyed the chaotic story with Hitler, zombies, and hair metal but with so much going on it does lose its impact.  I would have loved a more zombie focused film with more backstory on Hitler.  However, the way the film is put together it mostly just throws everything at the viewer in hopes of something sticking.  It is a bit of an overload at times and the lack of detail makes it difficult to love.  It's fun for a cheap viewing especially with some beer but that's the extent of it.  Finally, the film has some questionable make-up effects but the lack of gore is my biggest complaint.  The film's flaws could have been overlooked if we had some enjoyable effects.  Overall, Hard Rock Zombies may be a polarizing film but if you dig cheap 80s horror with a lot of cheese then this one is for you.  I highly recommend it.  

Pathogen

Director - Emily Hagins (Scare Package, My Sucky Teen Romance)

Starring - Rose Kent-McGlew (Zombie Girl: The Movie), Alex Herskowitz (Zombie Girl: The Movie), and Tiger Darrow (Holy Hell, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D)

Release Date - 2006

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Do you know what happens when you drink the water?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm a huge fan of indie and no-budget horror from the early to mid-2000s.  I started collecting movies around this time adding movies from companies like Brain Damage, Alternative Cinema, and the likes.  Lately several boutique labels are re-releasing several of these films on blu along with several unreleased special features.  A few months back AGFA and Bleeding Skull announced the release of Emily Hagins' Pathogen from 2006 along with a documentary about the make of.  I'm familiar with Hagins and her films so I was very curious about it.  I snagged a copy when pre-orders went live and when I was working through some of Vin Syn's partner label releases I decided to finally check it out.  

     The film follows a group of teens who find themselves at the center of a zombie outbreak when several students and their family members become ill.  Soon they are fighting for their lives when friends and loved ones are now hellbent are ripping them apart.

     Pathogen is not a good film.  It's not and anyone that has seen it knows it's not.  What makes this one so special is that it was made by a group of pre-teens that shot something that looks better than most other films made by filmmakers from the same time.  The acting in this one is very inexperienced but the cast's dedication to their roles is something that most other indie films lack.  They really did try their best but their inexperience shows in each scene making it awkward most of the time.  I wanted to enjoy it but I found myself really wanting the scene to end.  The story for this one is simple and almost overdone during the mid-00's with so many no budget filmmakers tackling similar stories.  Infected water, food, and so on has been the catalyst for so many zombie flicks and the early 2000 horror films were no exception.  It wouldn't be until the release of The Walking Dead that this story would be run into the ground but it was still a very common plot point for decades.  Pathogen is a bit predictable and uneventful but it's fairly well put together and edited.  Finally, the film has some blood and light make-up effects but nothing that will stick with you after viewing it.  Overall, Pathogen is impressive when you consider the cast and crews age and experience but the film is honestly difficult to finish.  As a collector I'm proud to own this one but it's not a film I can recommend.  

Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street

Director(s) - Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen (Th3m)

Starring - Mark Patton (A Nightmare on Elm St. 2: Freddy's Revenge, Amityville Clownhouse), Cecil Baldwin (Dark Dice, Dreamboy), and Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm St., Galaxy of Terror)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The claws are out"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     The horror bug bit me when I was in elementary school and sometime during the summer between my last year in middle school and my freshman year in high school I found myself introduced to the slasher legend Freddy Krueger.  I fucking loved the original A Nightmare on Elm Street but it would be years before I would be able to watch the sequels.  A friend of mine introduced me to the entire series the year Freddy vs. Jason was released.  I remember loving all the sequels just as much as the original film.  Some of my friends had their favorites but I had a hard time picking which one I liked the most.  When I was in high school I joined Upcoming Horror Movies and made a lot of friends in the forums there but I quickly realized that many genre fans hated A Nightmare on Elm St : Freddy's Revenge.  Many had a lot of homophobic things to say about the film and often bashed it for the hidden "gay" story line.  Aside from the infamous gay club scene I never picked up on the a lot of the references many others picked up in the film.  Regardless, I always enjoyed the film and it's a damn shame that the response to it forced an aspiring actor to turn his back on his life long aspirations.  In 2019 filmmakers Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen set out to document actor Mark Patton's return to the limelight as the film that ended his career was celebrating its anniversary.  The film, Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street was released on Shudder before receiving a physical release.  The film received a blu release from one of Vin Syn's partner labels and I went ahead to snag a copy to check out.  

     The documentary follows actor Mark Patton who returns to conventions and the public eye after turning his back on the film industry after the release of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge.  We get a look into his life, his appearances at conventions and festivals, and how the film has changed his life forever.

     I've heard good and bad things about this doc.  Those that enjoyed it are also fans of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge and are interested in star Mark Patton.  However, the other side seems to be from general horror fans who claimed the film was just an hour and a half of someone holding a grudge.  I can see that but I actually enjoyed the doc.  It was cool to see how the film is being embraced by more genre fans all these years after its initial release.  The interviews in this one are what one sided.  We get a lot of screen time with Patton, which is understandable, but we only have a small section of the film dedicated to the man that pinned the film and blames Patton for "turning it gay."  I would have loved to hear more of his side explored as to understand how he thinks a movie he wrote and was translated to the screen was turned gay because the actor just happened to be gay.  The topics discussed fit the film perfectly.  We move through them in a chronological order which makes it easier to follow and a lot of fun.  It was actually pretty intriguing for fans of Patton to get a quick look into his career prior to Freddy's Revenge along with what he has been up to after turning his back to acting.  Finally, the editing, transitions, and overall polish of the doc is decent.  It's clear it was filmed mostly around cons and festivals with some of the interviews done in the back of vans and so forth.  Understandable considering they had to get done what they could when Patton had a free moment between Q and A, filming indie productions, and meet and greets.  Overall, Scream, Queen is a fairly solid horror doc that takes a look at one of the most infamous sequels in horror history.  I love the film and this is a great follow up to a movie with so much history behind it.  Check it out.  

     

An Ex-Hooker's Christmas Carol

Director - Dave Castiglione (Deep Undead, Before I Die)

Starring - Dave Castiglione, Phyllis Crouthamel, Deana Demko (Dark Tales from Channel X, Halloween Horror Tales)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Crime/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I ordered Backwoods Marcy I had no idea that a second film was included as part of the special features.  I know I wasn't much of a fan of Bookwoods but I was happy to be able to include it in my collection.  However, I was very interested in the bonus film which happened to be the 1995 film An Ex-Hooker's Christmas Carol.  I'm all for odd cinema and couldn't wait to check out this S.O.V. drama brought to us from Saturn's Core.

      The film follows a hooker who is caught stealing while on probation.  Her punishment is to work for a mentally challenged man who wants to show her the true meaning of the holidays.  

     An Ex-Hooker's Christmas Carol is a little better than Backwoods Marcy but that isn't saying much.  The movie does have a few random laughs, that I'm sure was unintentional, but the movie was almost just as difficult to finish.  I wanted to love it but it was one bad film.  The acting in this one is some of the worst I've seen.  The cast is inexperienced but they do try.  They are dedicated to their performance but their inexperience and lack of direction is very noticeable.  The story for this one is a no-budget attempt at the classic Christmas Carol that fails.  The characters are poorly written, the scenes are dull, and the story is stretched so thin that it fails to achieve what it set out to do.  I did laugh at a few unintentionally funny moments but the overall story is one huge missed opportunity.  Finally, no blood or guts for you sickos.  The movie is meant to be a cult movie fan's Christmas film but even then it doesn't really achieve that.  Overall, An Ex-Hooker's Christmas Carol is another one I can't recommend.  As a collector I'm super fucking pumped to own it but I'm not going to lie and saw I loved it.  

Backwoods Marcy

Director - Dawn Murphy (Before I Die)

Starring - Dave Castiglione (Psycho Sisters, After Midnight), G. W. Lawrence (Love is a Stranger Again), and Dawn Murphy

Release Date - 1999

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "She's homeless and hungry for sex, blood, and revenge!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Vinegar Syndrome announced their partnership with Saturn's Core I was so fucking excited.  I knew I wouldn't be a fan of every release but I was still excited to fill that S.O.V. void that many of us indie horror fans need to be filled.  When I saw the news that they would be releasing 1999's Backwoods Marcy I was fucking pumped.  I had never seen this one before I had seen several genre fans share copies of the film on VHS in different Facebook groups.  I pre-ordered it and wanted to see it when it arrived but movies sent to me for review took up most of my time. However, when I saw an opening in my schedule I was quick to toss it in.

     The film follows a city boy who finds himself traveling through some back roads when he comes across Marcy.  A wrong turn quickly turns deadly when he accidentally hits her with his car.  Soon he finds himself kidnapped by a bloody Marcy and forced to do whatever she wants.

     I never heard horror fans talk about how good this movie is or see anyone claim to love it so I knew it was going to be a rough one.  However, I was hoping it would be more enjoyable than it actually was.  I did like the idea behind the film but I still struggled to finish it.  The acting in this one isn't the worst I've seen but the cast is mostly inexperienced by this point in their careers and it shows.  The dialogue is awkward through most of the film and the emotions they portray are not convincing.  I've seen a lot of S.O.V. and no budget horror films that could have been filmed in someone's backyard for fun so I'm very well versed in indie cinema.  This one isn't the worst I've seen but there was plenty of room for improvement.  The story for this one could have been an interesting spin on hixploitation horror.  However, it failed to actually deliver a story that pulled the viewer in.  A guy driving for a good chunk of the film before being caged and abused just isn't that enjoyable.  If the characters had a little more personality and the story had a little more meat on the bone it could have been fun.  Sadly, the way it was made for a pretty difficult flick to finish in my opinion.  Finally, if you expect a bloody mess of a film you will be greatly disappointed.  There is a small bit of blood but that is the extent of it.  I was hoping for some enjoyable no budget effects and craft kills but this one did not deliver on that.  Overall, Backwoods Marcy was not enjoyable.  I love a good S.O.V. film and this one was not it.  This release is worth your money just for the bonus film but I would skip the film.  

Allegoria

Director - Spider One (The Harrowing of Marcus Muller, She Doesn't Really Like Rabbits)

Starring - Krys Fox (Underworld: Evolution, Nightmare at the End of the Hall), John Ennis (Zodiac, Eight Legged Freaks), and Bryce Johnson (American Horror Story, Death Valley)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Five stories about art and monsters"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Writing for Horror Society has given me the opportunity to watch and review films long before they are released.  While I prefer to watch indie productions I still find myself drawn to bigger budgeted films with a lot of hype.  While I tend to skip popular films I still find myself getting excited for the occasional pop horror flick.  Several weeks ago I shared news of Powerman 5000's Spider One's debut film Allegoria.  The horror anthology is getting its premier on Shudder in early August and I was lucky enough to get a screener link of it before then.  Like most my age I was a huge Powerman 5000 fan during my teen years and couldn't wait to check it out.

     The film consists of five stories centered around different arts and the monsters lurking beneath the skin.  The first story follows an acclaimed acting instructor who tells his students to bring out the monster inside them.  The second tale follows a painter who draws inspiration for his next piece from his heartless and greedy agent.  The third tale follows an author pinning a slasher story who is visited by his killer character only to have him help out in the most brutal way.  The fourth tale follows a young couple on a date.  One had a dream of becoming a rockstar while the other is an artist but one of them has other plans for their significant other. The fifth and final tale follows an aspiring actress living with her rockstar roommate who accidentally opens a door letting something sinister in.    

     You have no idea how god damn excited I was to watch this one.  Receiving news of Spider One's directorial debut really took me back to my youth listening to Tonight the Stars Revolt on my mp3 player.  I was so fucking excited to check out his work but it was quickly evident that this one wasn't for me.  I thought I would like the allegory angle int the film but what really happened was there was a movie with some fairly solid shorts with twists that went over my head.  I wanted to like it but I couldn't.  The acting for this one is fairly well done.  What we get is consistent acting throughout the entire film while the viewer is given cliched and one dimensional characters that are as easy to forget as the stories they are in.  I was very disappointed in Scout Taylor-Compton.  I'm a huge fan of hers and was extremely let down by how little screen time she was given.  I would have hoped that she would have been utilized more than she was.  The stories for this one have a lot of potential but they are so short that they never truly gain the traction they need to be effective.  I loved the set up for each and every segment but their short running time is their biggest obstacle.  When you combine that with the flat characters you get a mediocre horror anthology that just falls short of it's mark.  If the stories were explored to their fullest capabilities then this would be a much different film.  Finally, the effects in this one look decent enough but I was expecting much more.  We get some fun make-up effects and blood here and there but none of the deaths we do get are ones that will stick with you.  Overall, Allegoria is a little too over my head for my liking.  If the segments were longer and the stories fully explored I could see myself loving it but as it I find them to be a bit disappointing and almost rushed.  I wanted to love it but I couldn't.  

Stranger Things 4

Creator(s) - Matt Duffer (Wayward Pines, We All Fall Down) and Ross Duffer (Hidden, The Milkman)

Starring - Millie Bobby Brown (Enola Holmes, Godzilla vs Kong), Finn Wolfhard (It, Ghostbusters: Afterlife), and Noah Schnapp (Hubie Halloween, The Legend of Hallowaiian)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "Every ending has a beginning"

Format - Streaming (Netflix)

Rating (out of 5):

     Stranger Things is a roller coaster of a ride but not in a way many would expect.  When most movie and television fans refer to something as a roller coaster ride they are referring to how exciting and thrilling it is.  However, I like to call a film or show a roller coaster when it's inconsistent.  It has a lot of ups and downs.  Stranger Things is a roller coaster ride for sure.  Season 1 is amazing and the highlight of the series while season two and three were mediocre seasons at best.  I wasn't going to watch season four when it aired but I had invested way too much time into this show just to skip the latest installment.  This fourth season is just as good as the first season which is another high point in the show.  

     The film picks up almost a year after season three.  Eleven has moved to California with Will and his family.  While everyone is moving on with their lives, the group soon finds themselves at the center of another string of murders that may have ties to Eleven.

     Season 4 has so many memorable moments that have already embedded itself in pop culture.  Along with these memorable scenes we are introduced to yet another iconic character that quickly became a fan favorite.  This season has a lot more passion and heart in it that the previous two seasons and I hope the Duffer's keep it going in the next season.  The acting in this one is great.  The gang delivers some fantastic performances along with the introduction of Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson.  Munson is the star of this season and no one will disagree with you.  This cast is great and legendary now.  Even now those that have never seen the show before know who the characters are.  Their performances are now a big part of cinema history.  The story for this one builds upon the previous three seasons while taking it in a much darker direction.  It ties back to Eleven while taking us so much deeper into the Upside Down.  I loved most of this season and some of the scenes actually gave me goosebumps.  Finally, this is a pretty gory season with a lot of great visuals.  The film is host to a a lot of visual effects that look absolutely fantastic while the practical and make-up effects are top notch.  Overall, Stranger Things 4 is just as good as the first season and more than makes up for the mediocrity of season 2 and 3.  This is the season fans have been looking for.  Check it out, I highly recommend it.  

Deep Space

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Scalps, Biohazard)

Starring - Charles Napier (The Silence of the Lambs, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard), Ann Turkel (Humanoids from the Deep, Night Court), and Bo Svenson (Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker, Maniac Killer)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "They created a monster over lunch.  Now it's back for dinner"

Format - Bluray (Out of 5):

     A year or so ago I started collecting the Retromedia Entertainment releases that were exclusive to Makeflix.com.  I'm a fan of director and producer Fred Olen Ray and I've been collecting his films for years on DVD.  I was looking forward to upgrading many of those films to blu while a few of them were new to my collection.  Several months ago I was shocked to learn that Kino Lorber was releasing the 1988 sci-fi horror flick Deep Space that was directed by Ray as well.  This was one I had never seen before and I couldn't wait to add it to my collection.  I reached out to my friends at MVD and they were kind enough to send a copy my way to review.  Like always, I want to thank MVD for hooking me up!

     The film follows a cockroach-like alien that crashes to Earth with a satellite.  The beast begins killing locals and before long it's spawn joins in on the carnage forcing a cop to stop them when one of it's eggs hatches and kills his partner.  

     Deep Space is not a good movie.  It's unintentionally funny, it's predictable, and many of the scenes are rushed.  However, I had a lot of fun with it.  It's nowhere near as amazing as some of Fred Olen Ray's work.  It's campy and fun if you are into those types of films.  Most of you know by now just how into these types of films that I am.  The acting in this one is enjoyable but there is plenty of room for improvement.  I love Charles Napier and seeing him as lead in this film was really a pleasant surprise.  His performance wasn't the most memorable of his but he did a fantastic job.  It fits the film very well and he is one of the reasons the movie is as enjoyable as it is.  The supporting cast fits the film as well but the lack of memorable performances is a bit of a disappointment.  The story for this one is a cliched sci-fi and horror hybrid that follows the same song and dance that we've seen so many times from the 60s to even today.  The genre mashing stories following something crashing to Earth only to kill and possibly eat humans is nothing new.  In fact, I can count dozens of films that use this same story.  I love horror, especially those from the 80s, but this one doesn't really celebrate the year it was made like most of the other films from the time.  It's not a memorable 80s film and the story is painfully forgettable.  It's still fun for a first time watch but it's not something that you can rewatch over and over.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments with some practical effects.  It's not an overly gory flick but I do enjoy the look of the creature and the eggs/pods.  Overall, Deep Space is not a memorable film but it's entertaining enough for a first time watch.  I could enjoy it with some friends and some drinks but I don't expect to revisit it anytime soon.  Check it out.  

Uncle Sam

Director - William Lustig (Maniac, Maniac Cop)

Starring - Isaac Hayes (Escape from New York, South Park), Christopher Ogden (SLC Punk!, Pumpkin Man), and Leslie Neale (Twilight Man, Gremlins 2: The Batch)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "I want you... dead"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago, while I was still in high school, I was visiting my local video store when I noticed that they had placed most of their VHS into boxes and had them on sale.  Dewey's Video was a huge part of my childhood and so many memories of mine involved me walking up and down the video isles looking at the various tapes trying to find some to rent for the weekend.  When he sold his store while I was in high school the new owners wanted to upgrade the VHS releases to DVD and to do so they needed to sell their tapes.  It was a bitter sweet feeling walking out of there with bags of tapes knowing that I'll never be able to smell all the tapes as I walked up and down the walkways looking at the cover art.  One of the tapes that I snagged was 1996's Uncle Sam from William Lustig.  The cover art was pretty cool and the lithographic sleeve was rather unique.  The film was a fun watch and since then I've upgraded to blu when Blue Underground released it several years ago.  When I received the press release for the UHD release of the film from BU I used it as an opportunity to revisit this underrated mid-90s slasher.  I reached out to MVD and and Blue Underground and they were kind enough to send a copy my way for review which was just in time for July 4th.  

     The film follows the young Jody (Ogden) who looks up to his uncle who is in the military.  However, his uncle dies in combat during the Gulf War and his body is shipped back to them.  He becomes obsessed with his uncle and vows to enter the military as soon as he is old enough.  However, his uncle, the most patriotic man that ever lived, comes back to punish those that disrespect the country that he died for.

     Uncle Sam is not the best film from the 90s.  Hell, it's not the best film in William Lustig's filmography but it is enjoyable especially if you like holiday themed slashers.  As a fan of cheesy and campy horror films I absolutely adore this film.  It's not one that I can watch repeatedly but once or twice a year is just fine.  I can see some genre snobs and horror hipsters instantly hate on this film and that's alright.  This isn't for them.  This is for fans of the campy side of the genre.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but we do get some fun performances.  Isaac Hayes, The Duke and Truck Turner himself, delivers my favorite performance of the entire film.  I remember thinking how out of place Hayes was during my very first viewing of Uncle Sam but in the years since then I realize that he is among the best parts of the entire film.  With that being said, Ogden was awkward through most of the film.  I know he was young with limited experience but I've seen better performances from other actors his age.  In some of the scenes his performance feels forced and a lot of his emotions don't feel that genuine.  The supporting cast is solid but they are quick in the scenes and don't hold that much screen time.  The story for this one follows a basic slasher formula with an Independence Day theme.  We follow a masked slasher that finds himself wronged and seeks revenge.  This is the standard slasher formula made famous from the early 80s slashers.  However, decorating this one in red, white, and blue makes it stand out and appropriate for yearly viewings.  It is on the cheesy and campy side but I still love what it delivers.  It's simple fun.  Finally, the film has several death scenes with blood and some even fit the theme of the film.  One in particular is rather funny and still finds itself fully submerged in America and American history.  The effects are rather limited but the make-up effects and fucking phenomenal.  Overall, Uncle Sam is going to be one of those films that split the horror community but I enjoy it a lot.  If you are a fan of slashers or cheesy horror then I highly recommend you snag this release from Blue Underground.  I highly recommend it.     

Xpiation

Domiziano Cristopharo (Doll Syndrome, Red Krokodil)

Starring - Chiara Pavoni (Violent Shit: The Movie, XXX Dark Web), Emanuele Delia, and Karen Lynn (A Taste of Phobia, Scarecrowd)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the last few years I've been lucky enough to review a few films from Italian director Domiziano Cristopharo.  Several years ago Unearthed Films sent over his film Red Krokodil and most recently I was lucky enough to check out his Confessions of a Necrophile Girl.  His films are not for everyone but I have enjoyed most of his films that I've seen.  When Unearthed announced the release of his 2017 horror flick Xpiation on blu I was looking forward to it.  I quickly made my way to my email so I could request a review copy from my friends over at MVD.  I had been sitting on this one for a couple weeks and after watching Firestarter starring Zac Efron I needed some indie horror to recharge my batteries.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and Unearthed for sending this one over.

     The film follows a woman with her handheld camcorder who films a man torturing another nude man who is bound to a chair.  The woman sometimes records the abuse or at other times she allows torturer to breastfeed on her.  However, the only thing clear is that the man in the chair is there for their amusement and will not be leaving alive.  

     Confessions of a Necrophile girl and Red Krokodil are vile and disgusting films with great practical effects and stories that keep the viewer glued to the screen.  Sadly, Xpiation was one of Cristopharo's films that I did not like.  Most of you know my opinions on the "torture porn" sub-genre and this film was a textbook example of what it means to be a torture porn flick.  It might be something some of you extreme horror fans will love but it was extremely boring to me.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done for the most part.  IMDB doesn't do a great job listing the cast and characters, which is typical for a Cristopharo film, but it does make my job a little difficult.  Chiara Pavoni is the star of the film for me.  She's gorgeous and carries the film on her shoulders.  The lack of story is ALMOST made up for with her performance and how she carries the scenes.  I loved her here and my new collecting goal is to obtain the horror titles that she has appeared in.  I also believe that the man that is bound to the chair does a decent enough job considering that his only task in his role is to be bound and tortured.  With that being said, the man that is doing the torturing did make me laugh which I can only assume was unintentional.  He didn't really fit the film and was very out of place.  If the film was meant to be comical I would have enjoyed it a little more but the dark and gritty style of the film only clashed with this character.  The story for this one is straight forward and stretched extremely thin.  The film runs for around 70 minutes but 50 or so minutes of the film follows the man as he is tortured and the woman watches.  Sometimes the torture is split up with scenes of the women pleasuring herself, breast feeding the man doing the torturing, among other things.  The movie could have been more effective if it was cut much shorter. However, at 70 minutes it is stretched too thin and the torture is like beating a dead horse.  Finally, the film has some blood and light make up effects but this is nowhere near as gruesome as some of Cristopharo's other films.  Those looking for carnage will be a little disappointed.  Overall, Xpiation may be one of Unearthed Film's weakest titles.  I respect the hell out of Unearthed Films and director Cristopharo but this movie just wasn't for me.  It was extremely dull and boring.  This is one I would skip.  I would suggest checking out some other Unearthed releases instead of this one.  

Firestarter

Director - Keith Thomas (The Vigil, Arkane)

Starring - Zac Efron (Scoob!, Hairspray), Ryan Kiera Armstrong (American Horror Story, Black Widow), and Sydney Lemmon (Fear the Walking Dead, Helstrom)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Will she have the power... to survive?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Stephen King is the undisputed "king" of horror and not many would argue otherwise.  His literary works have inspired genre fans for decades and their film and television adaptations are beloved works of film for millions.  His films have been adapted by legendary filmmakers and starring some of the biggest names in cinema.  While I do enjoy most of his film adaptations there is still a few that just weren't for me.  About five or six years ago Scream Factory sent over their blu release of the film adaptation of his novel Firestarter.  It wasn't my favorite adaptation of his but it was an enjoyable film for the most part.  After the popularity of the new It and Pet Sematary adaptation it was only a matter of time before other adaptations of King's work got re-imagined.  When news of Firestarter broke I was ready for it.  While others were hating on Zac Efron for his involvement with the film I was open-minded about it.  It could be a lot of fun like It and PS.  I missed it when it aired on Peacock but when I received the press release for the physical release I was quick to request a copy.  I received my copy a few days and as soon as I finished Morbius I was quick to toss in Firestarter.  

     The film follows Andy (Efron) and his daughter Charlie (Armstrong) who is on the run.  Andy has gained psychic powers after participating in an experiment where he met his wife.  They marry and have a daughter that also has her own abilities.  However, the secret group behind the experiments, The Shop, hears about Charlie's abilities and will stop at nothing to gain control of her even if that means killing her mother who did not acquire special abilities like Andy and Charlie.  

     Firestarter from 1984 is a fairly decent King adaptation but it's far from perfect.  It's predictable and the game of cat and mouse does become repetitive as the film progresses.  This new adaptation has one hell of a score from legendary horror filmmaker John Carpenter but that's about the extent of the praise I have for the film there...aside from the acting.  The acting in this one is the high point of the film.  Efron is great as the protective father trying to keep his daughter out of the hands of an evil faceless corporation.  I really felt for him and watching his character change as the film progresses.  I was also impressed by Armstrong's performance.  She shows great talent for such a young age.  I can see her appearing in more genre films in the coming years so keep an eye out for her.  The supporting cast is great as well but the star of the show is Armstrong and she absolutely kills.  The story for this one is just as predictable as the original film but a lot of the scenes are extremely bland and dull which is the film's biggest problem.  The scenes that are action oriented or meant to deliver some thrills just happen.  They fail to pull the viewer in and the suspense misses it's mark.  As a father I find myself enjoying this story because I want to see the daughter and father duo overcome.  However, the way this adaptation approaches it completely ignores the tension and suspense.  Finally, the film has a lot of visual effects and some make-up effects.  The visuals look decent enough but the make-up effects look absolutely fantastic.  The sad part is there weren't enough of these scenes to truly enjoy the practical effects.  Overall, Firestarter is a missed opportunity.  Did this film have to be retold?  No, it didn't but it wasn't hurting anyone either.  I was actually excited to check it out but it was an extremely dull film.  This is one you should skip.  Don't waste your time on it.  

Morbius

Director - Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Child 44)

Starring - Jared Leto (American Psycho, Suicide Squad), Matt Smith (Doctor Who, Patient Zero), and Adria Arjona (Pacific Rim: Uprising, True Detective)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Sci-Fi/Horror

Tagline - "A new Marvel legend arrives"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     I was a huge fan of the MCU, Marvel Cinematic Universe, when I was in college.  The Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor films really pulled me in and I was hooked ever since.  However, the pandemic put a huge roadblock in the MCU which resulted in several television series and some releases that were not part of Disney/Marvel in a traditional sense.  The introduction of Spider-Man into the MCU soon spawned a Venom film, a sequel, and now Morbius.  Honestly, I was beside myself when I heard that Morbius was getting a film.  He is such an underrated Marvel character and I was so fucking pumped that he was getting the attention he finally deserved.  When Jared Leto was announced to portray Morbius I was still excited.  I didn't mind him as The Joker and his dedication to his roles are legendary.  When I received the press release for the film's physical release I was quick to request a copy  It arrived a few days back and as soon as I finished the first two seasons of The Boys I quickly tossed it in.

     The film follows the talented Dr. Morbius who suffers from a rare blood disorder.  In an attempt to cure himself and a lifelong friend, he creates synthetic blood.  Sadly, it doesn't cure him but it is a huge breakthrough with the capability to save millions.  However, his drive to cure himself lands him at a forbidden cave where he gives himself to the vampire bats that live there.  He successfully finds a cure for his disease but is now transformed into something much worse with a taste for blood.

     I was pretty fucking pumped to finally check out Morbius.  I didn't care what other people thought of the film and I couldn't wait to see the film for myself.  Sadly, this is one of the few instances where the masses were right.  It was a film with no passion and horrible storytelling.  The acting in this one isn't that bad.  Hell, I honestly liked the cast.  Leto still delivers a fun performance and having him act opposite of The eleventh doctor Matt Smith was a treat for fans.  Smith never disappoints and watching his character change like it does was fantastic.  His performance really feeds off Leto's and vice versa.  The supporting cast is solid as well but these two characters make the film for me.  The story for this one could be a lot of fun if it wasn't another paint by numbers origin story that felt rushed and almost pointless.  It was mindless by the book comic tale with horror elements that failed to actually capture what made the character so much fun. The character has a sizable fan base and the film could have picked from dozens of memorable stories featuring Morbius but the approach to the character that we get here is a disappointment.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood and a lot of visual effects that do look good but overdone.  The film utilizes this effect that shows wind tunnels and motion that runs its course fairly early on.  It looks fine but is not as enjoyable as the team behind the film thought.  Overall, Morbius had a few entertaining moments but the overall film was a huge waste of time.  I seriously thought that the masses were just being tough on Leto but this film is a big mess.  Skip it.