Fright Night

Director - Tom Holland (Child's Play, Tales from the Crypt)

Starring - Chris Sarandon (The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Resurrected), William Ragsdale (Fright Night Part 2, Screams of a Winter Night), and Amanda Bearse (Married... with Children, Here Come the Munsters)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "There are very good reasons to be afraid of the dark"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I first found myself becoming horror oriented at the tail end of elementary school I became obsessed with the book series Goosebumps and Shivers. This soon spilled over to the television adaptation of the Goosebumps series along with Are You Afraid of the Dark? Soon I was discovering Stephen King, serial killers, and classic horror. It was around this time that I watched Fright Night for the first time. It was on cable but I can’t remember the channel or the circumstances around it but I do remember becoming obsessed with it. A few days later it was playing again and I made damn sure that I recorded it on tape when it aired again. Since then I’ve upgraded to DVD but I never was able to snag the blu due to it going out of print so quickly. Lucky for me, I was able to secure a review copy of the UHD steelbook release of the film a few days ago. This was a perfect addition to my October horror binge. 

      The film follows teenager Charlie Brewster (Ragsdale) who suspects that his new neighbor is a vampire. His girlfriend and friend believe he is having a break down and confusing the real world with the horror films he is a fan of. He tries to enlist the help of horror host Peter Vincent but he declines. However, his girlfriend and friend is able to convince Vincent to go along with it and help convince Charley that his neighbor is not a vampire. This doesn’t go according to plan and they quickly realize that vampires are real and one just moved into their neighborhood. 

      Fright Night, and it’s underrated and not that well known sequel, are films that I fucking loved in my younger years. I watched them constantly with The Lost Boys, Return of the Living Dead, and Children of the Night to name a few. Fright Night is what shaped my love of 80 vampire flicks a few years before I discovered The Lost Boys and I’ve quoted this movie for most of my life. It’s a fucking classic and a movie that I truly believe is essential viewing for horror fans. The acting in this is great and it’s the cast that makes this movie as memorable as it is. Ragsdale and Sarandon’s chemistry is fantastic. Sarandon’s arrogant vampire and Ragsdale high strung teenage horror fan finally finding a creature that goes bump in the night is so much fun to watch. Seeing them interact is one of the best parts of the film. Roddy McDowall and Stephen Geoffreys’ performance in this is fucking iconic. McDowall channels his inner Peter Cushing and fucking destroys it. I always found it strange that Amanda Bearse was in the film. Sometime before I found Fright Night I was already a Married…With Children fan. I was familiar with her from the show and seeing her as a different character always caught me off guard regardless of how many times I’ve seen it. The story for this one is horror first and foremost but there is a hint of romance which is common in vampire flicks of the 80s. We have characters that are very well written, a story that is predictable but entertaining, and some seriously impressive death scenes. It doesn’t bring something knew to the sub-genre but it still finds a way to leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Finally, the film has several amazing death scenes with some of the best effects to come out of the 80s. The bat form near the end of the film and the death of the familiar are both fucking iconic. Overall, Fright Night is a fucking must own for genre fans. With Halloween just around the corner this is the perfect movie to get you in the holiday spirit. Check it out and be sure to snag the new UHD steelbook!

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Director - Jim Gillespie (Venom, Eye See You)

Starring - Jennifer Love Hewitt (I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Munchie), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Scream 2), and Ryan Phillippe (Matlock, The Outer Limits)

Release Date - 1997

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "If you're going to bury the truth, make sure it stays buried"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was never really a fan of 90s slasher especially in the post-Scream world. Meta slashers just never did anything for me. In fact, a lot of times I felt like they came across as forced and rather cringy with a story that almost feels arrogant. I’m not one of the many horror fans that often bash 90s horror because some of my favorite films are from the 90s. However, 90s slashers lack what their 80s counterparts brought to the table. I’ve tried to give Scream a chance but it’s a franchise I just can’t get behind. I want to like them and have another series of films to enjoy but they just bore the hell out of me. Another popular 90s slasher series that I never gave the time of day is I Know What You Did Last Summer. That recently changed when I received the UHD release for review. I decided to go ahead and toss it in as part of my October horror binge. 

      The film follows a group of high school seniors who accidentally hit a pedestrian. With graduation around the corner and their futures in jeopardy they decide to toss the body in the bay and go on with their lives. A fast forward a year and the four have grown apart and their lives didn’t go as planned. They soon start to receive cryptic messages hinting to the incident they have tried to put behind them. Soon they find themselves playing a game of cat and mouse when a killer brandishing a hook and wearing slickers starts hunting them down one by one while they try to uncover who the real killer is. 

      I was not expecting to like I Still Know What You Did Last Summer as much as I did but I fucking loved it. The characters were more annoying than any other slasher I had seen but the story was almost a back to basics for slashers which was surprising considering it was released a year after Scream. I really enjoyed this one and now I may look into snagging the region B box set featuring the trilogy now. Regardless, I was very surprised by this film. It doesn’t really feel like the type of movie I would want to watch during my October horror binge but it did not disappoint. The acting in this one is easily the weakest point of the film. As a teenager I discovered Cruel Intentions and enjoyed Ryan Phillipe and Sarah Michelle Gellar performance and Gellar’s portrayal of Buffy made my elementary and middle school years. My point is I know this cast has serious potential, but they just feel stiff and unenthused. Almost like it wasn’t worth their time. The story for this one is reminiscent of the classic slasher formula where we follow a group of youths who wronged someone and it comes back to bite them in the ass later on. This formula was used for years with minor tweaks and here it still works. However, we get a much bigger budget and the douchiest characters in film history. In fact, I didn’t fucking like a single character in the film. It did make the film feel like it was dragging it’s feet from time to time but it does pick up and the “whodunit” aspect actually works. I didn’t think it was predictable and actually enjoyed the ride for the most part. Finally, the film has a few on screen deaths that fits the film’s fishing theme. The practical effects are very well done and the kills do stick out from the rest of the film. Personally, one of them is still replaying in my head days after my initial viewing. Overall, I Know What You Did Last Summer is one of a few slashers from the 90s that I actually enjoyed. I wish there was some characters that would have been liked but it’s still enjoyable the way it is. I highly recommend snagging this UHD release.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Director - Francis Ford Coppola (Dementia 13, The Godfather)

Starring - Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight, The Fifth Element), Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice), and Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "Love Never Dies"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      Since the initial release of Bram Stoker’s iconic novel Dracula there has been countless adaptations. Most were unofficial adaptations like the classic Nosferatu and the countless indie productions that spring up every Halloween season. However, there has been several official adaptations over the years like the classic Bela Lugosi lead Dracula and the underrated Spanish production that was filming on the same set as Dracula after hours. When I was a kid, I remember my grandmother buying Bram Stoker’s Dracula on VHS one year and we watched it a few times. I remember loving the sets, costumes, creature design, and the suspense the film delivers but thought it was a little too long for my childish brain to focus on for its entirety. Since then I’ve snagged the film on DVD and revisited it ever so often and I find myself loving it more and more with each viewing. Sometime back I received the press release that the film was getting an UHD Steelbook release. I quickly reached out to request a review copy and when it arrived, I had to work it into my month-long October horror binge. 

      The film follows Dracula Oldman), a former warrior for the church, who renounced God when his young bride killed herself thinking he lost his life in battle. We move forward several hundred years and Jonathan Harker (Reeves) travels to Transylvania to finish the process for Dracula to purchase property at Carfax Abbey. However, during Harker’s visit Dracula finds a locket with his fiancé in it. Her likeness to his lost beloved leads him to believe that she is the reincarnation of his lost love. 

     Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a fabulous film. Everything about this movie is amazing aside from the visual effects which I’m sure looked great at the time but did not age well. The locations, scenery, and costumes are amazing while the story delivers some fantastic atmosphere and tension. The acting in this one is legendary. The film has one of the biggest cast of stars that I’ve seen especially for a horror film. We have names like Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Waits, Cary Elwes to name a few. Everyone here delivers a legendary performance and there is no weak links. The cast is absolutely historic and they bring these literary characters to life in big ways. The original Universal Dracula is a great film and known for it’s performance from Lugosi but this film is the best acted Dracula adaptation to date. The story for this one truly fantastic. It’s a horror film but it also has a huge influence from fantasy and romance. The romance and fantasy influence is not overpowering. They leave their marks on the film but it doesn’t take center stage however. Also, it does follow the novel to a certain degree while taking liberties to make the story feel more genuine for film. I love it and think that the stand out changes works. Not only does it throw the viewer that has read the novel but it gives some good eerie moments and a lot of suspense. Finally, the film has a lot of blood, some amazing make-up effects, and dates visual effects that come together to create something that will entertain for generations. It’s not a gory flick but we have some seriously bloody moments and the creature make-up is fucking top notch. I love the looks we get in this film and the blood is just the icing on the cake. Overall, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is one of the most popular pop horror flicks of all time and for good reason. It’s massive budget is noticeable but not wasted. It’s a beautiful horror film that blends in fantasy and romance in a way that it doesn’t feel forced on you. I cannot recommend this one enough. Check it out.

The Other Side of the Mirror

Director - Jess Franco (Night of Open Sex, Mansion of the Living Dead)

Starring - Emma Cohen (Alone in the Dark, Horror Rises from the Tomb), Robert Woods (Creeping Death, Countess Perverse), and Francoise Brion (The Red Room, The Vertical Smile)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Famed exploitation filmmaker Jess Franco and I rarely see eye to eye but when we do it’s something to truly behold. While I respect his sexploitation efforts, I still find myself pulled towards his genre efforts a little more. Sometime back Mondo Macabro announced the release of Franco’s The Other Side of the Mirror which was also released under the title The Obscene Mirror. Mondo Macabro’s artwork for the blu release really made me interested in checking it out but a small part of me was worried that this would be another Franco flick I didn’t care for. Like always I want to thank Mondo Macabro and CAV for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a young woman who expresses her desire to marry to her father. He objects to the marriage, but she decides to go through with it anyway after speaking with her aunt. This turns out to be fatal as her father soon kills himself. Heavy with grief, she calls off the wedding and moves to the city to play in a band at a night club. She starts seeing her deceased father when she looks in mirrors and before long, she is killing any guy she starts to have feelings for. 

      Honestly, I really liked The Other Side of the Mirror but some parts of the film were a bit of a chore to sit through. Not because they were graphic or offensive but because the scenes were so drawn out and dull. The movie has a very interesting story that I’ve heard other people compare to Alice in Wonderland. However, I’m too stupid to find the connections there. I did like the story and most of the film but several scenes could have used a trim. The acting in this one is very well done. The cast is a little stiff at times but they do appear to be a little more loose in other scenes. Honestly, I liked the cast. Franco did a great job with his casting in this one and the cast did the best with what they were given. The story for this one reminded me of some of the lesser known giallos that I had seen over the years. A young girl living in the shadow of her father’s suicide that was brought on by her desire to get married only to become violent toward any man she gets close to is fucking poetry. The movie does have an issue with pacing but the story is so beautifully written and would have been at home during the gialli craze. With that being said, I’m not an Alice in Wonderland scholar and if folks say this movie is based on that then it could be but I don’t fucking see it. Finally, the film has a little nudity and minor blood but that’s about it. The movie is focused on the story and character development then it is a body count. Overall, The Other Side of Mirror was well worth my time. It didn’t really fit in with my October horror binge but it was a decent flick. Franco did a great job with the story. Mondo’s release is another must own especially if you are a Franco fan. Check it out.

The Horrible Sexy Vampire

Director - Jose Luis Madrid (Lucecita, Seven Murders for Scotland Yard)

Starring - Wal Davis (Love Camp, Red Rings of Fear), Barta Barri (Horror Express, Terror Island), and Anastasio Campoy (The Things of Love, Novela)

Release Date - 1971

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Mondo Macabro announced Love Brides of the Blood Mummy, The Other Side of the Mirror, and The Horrible Sexy Vampire I was fucking pumped. I knew I would be starting my Mondo Macabro marathon with Love Brides of the Blood Mummy but I was torn between which film I would follow that up with. I decided to keep the bloodsucking theme going and toss in The Horrible Sexy Vampire. Like always I want to thank Mondo Macabro and CAV for sending this one over! 

      The film follows a coroner and a police detective who are covering a string of murders. The coroner’s family has lived in the same home for centuries and he has read his ancestor’s diaries. He suspects that a baron in a nearby castle who died in the late 1800 is responsible for the murders when he awakens from his coffin to feed on fresh blood for several days after a few decades of sleep. Coincidentally, the baron’s ancestor movies into the castle prompting the baron to seek him out and beg him to end his life before he takes another. 

      This is one of the most misleading titles I have ever seen. I was expecting a sleazy vampire flick with gorgeous vampires seducing men. Instead, it’s a dude that looks like an extra from an episode of CHiPS dressed up as Dracula for a Halloween party while the story feels like it’s trying to go in two different directions. I really wanted to like this one, in fact I somewhat enjoyed the first 30 minutes or, but it became such a chore to finish. The acting in this one is pretty fucking solid. I liked the characters, the personalities the cast brought to life, and how grounded most of their performances were. There was a few weak links but most of the cast did a fantastic job. The story for this one is a bit of a mess. It starts out as a fairly decent yet generic vampire flick before going off the rails around the midway point. Here the story starts to make very little sense and is extremely goofy. If the film would have kept the steady pacing and built upon the story that was created at the beginning of the film it would have been a hit but once we hit the midway mark it becomes a struggle. Finally, the film has several death scenes but they don’t really have any blood. In fact, the lack of blood was very disappointing considering it’s a film about a vampire. Overall, The Horrible Sexy Vampire was nothing like I was expecting. In fact, it was a pretty big let down. I wanted to like it but it has a lot going against it. Sadly, this is one I can’t recommend.

Love Brides of the Blood Mummy

Director - Alejandro Marti (Elisabet)

Starring - George Rigaud (Striptease, The Black Pearl), Michael Flynn, and Catherine Franck (The French Love, Circle of Love)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "To stay alive, he needed her body and her blood"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     As my October horror binge continues, I find myself watching a wide range of titles ranging from animated horror flicks to movies with very loose horror elements that was sent over for review. When I started my month long journey, I had intended on reviewing the three new Mondo Macabro releases closer to Halloween because they looked like fun atmospheric pieces that would be perfect for spooky season. The first film in my Mondo Macabro marathon was the 1973 film Love Brides of the Blood Mummy which was also released as Lips of Blood. 

      The film follows an Egyptologist who travels to a secluded castle that is rumored to be owned by a wealthy collector with several Egyptian artifacts. When he arrives he is greeted by a tale from the owner about opening a sarcophagus that had a perfectly preserved body in it that was not mummified. Instead, the body was in a state of hibernation and when awoken it had to rape, torture, and then drain women of their blood daily in order to survive. 

      When I finished my viewing of Love Brides of the Blood Mummy, I headed over to Letterboxd to leave my rating of the film when I noticed that several friends has previously seen the film. Their ratings were atrocious. This made me a bit curious, so I head over to imdb and noticed the user ratings there as well. Genre fans seem to seriously dislike this one but I found it very enjoyable. Hell, I thought it was a perfect film to toss in to prepare for Halloween. The imagery and atmosphere is damn near perfect for the season but I was a little turned off by how rapey the story is. Regardless, I thought it was a great addition to Mondo Macabro’s catalogue. The acting in this one is very uneven. Some of the characters are very well cast while others felt like they were cast on the fly and in a very big hurry. I really enjoyed the character of John the Egyptologist and the collector that owns the castle. The imdb page for this is a bit of a mess so I opted out of mentioning names but these two characters were perfectly cast and acted. However, the supporting cast was clearly tossed together on the run. The story for this one will be quick to remind genre fans of the period pieces coming out of Hammer and Amicus at the time. In fact, there was so many vampire period pieces at the time that this one feels like it was originally going to be another one that was quickly changed to be a mummy film with a lot of the plot remaining intact. Honestly, I like it but I can’t help but wonder if I would like it more if it was a traditional vampire film. I don’t really care for the whole “mummy” angle when this one is not really a mummy. Looking back, it’s almost as if it was meant to be an Egyptian vampire but that is never fully explained or explored if that was the case. Finally, the film has some light blood on the neck and a lot of skin. If you’ve seen a vampire film from the late 60s to early 70s then you know exactly how the blood and effects are handled with this one. Overall, Love Brides of the Blood Mummy has a questionable story but the main characters and imagery more than make up for the questions you may have. It’s not a film that has a lot of replay value or a cult fanbase but if it fun for a late night watch especially if you want something simple and straight forward to dig into. Mondo Macabro did a great job with this release.

This is GWAR

Director - Scott Barber (American Clown, The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story)

Starring - Dave Brockie (Holliston, The Idiot Box), Ethan Embry (The Devil's Candy, Can't Hardly Wait), and Jon Freeman 

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Documentary

Tagline - "True story of the sickest band in the world"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     There has been numerous rock bands that put more focus and effort into their lives shows than most. There has been several bands that are known for their stage shows and live performances ranging from Kiss to Rammstein. I was born in the late 80s and grew up in the 90s so I grew up on old MTV and visiting the local video store. It seemed like the early 90s was a time for Gwar, the sci-fi horror inspired rock band with extreme live shows and concept albums that still find an audience to this day. They were featured in a Beavis and Butthead game, films centered around their characters at the local video store, and music videos on cable. While I’m a huge fan of other bands that are known for their live performances, I still strongly believe that Gwar’s live shows are something of legend. I’ve never been able to make it to one of their shows, but I can only imagine how wild it would be. Sometime back I received a press release for the documentary This is Gwar which was premiering on Shudder. I shared it on the site and meant to check it out but time got away from me. That was until I received the press release for the physical release. Due to internet limitations where I lived, I decided to pursue a review copy. A few days back a blu copy arrived for review and I decided that even though it wasn’t a horror flick or documentary it would still be fun to watch it during my October horror binge. Hell, Gwar is as close to a horror metal act as you can get anyway so it kind of fit. 

      The documentary goes in depth in the forming of Gwar when a punk front man and a comic book artist came together to create a DYI stage show that quickly grew. The bigger their audience grew the bigger the stage show grew. We then move into the roster change and the creation of other characters while showcasing some of the bands more memorable moments and troubles behind the scenes that many fans were unaware of. 

      Gwar, like many bands, have had their share of ups and downs. What makes their trials and tribulations so interesting and worthy of a documentary is that you never hear about their backstage drama and incidents unless it featured the death of one of their members. This is Gwar is a fantastic documentary about one of rock’s most unique bands that has the potential to never end. I absolutely adored this documentary which only furthered my respect for the band. The interviews in this one ranges from former and current band members and crew to fans and those that worked with them in different capacities over the years. The interviews are very thorough and informative. What makes them stand out to me is the fact that we don’t always see Gwar and its members in a positive light. We see some negative moments from the band’s history along with interviews from people who parted with the band on not so good terms. I love seeing interviews in documentaries where we see both sides. There is nothing duller than a documentary on a specific subject and everyone is blowing smoke up it’s ass. We don’t have that here and it’s nice seeing the positive and the negatives with the band. The topics covered really pulled me in. We move from the creation of the band through the ins and outs of their live shows, DIY costumes and props, to the drama and back stage antics in the band. The doc doesn’t try to show the band as perfect. We get the pros and cons of both. Finally, this is one of the most polished docs that I’ve seen in recent years. The editing is so fucking smooth and the transitions are perfect. This is an amazing production that is top notch. Overall, This is Gwar is a must see for any rock fan regardless if you like Gwar or not. If you are a fan of Gwar this then is a must own. I can’t recommend this one enough. Check it out on physical release today!

The Weird Kidz

Director - Zach Passero (Wicked Lake, Quantum Entanglement)

Starring - Glenn Bolton, Brian Ceely (Paranoid Flux, Terror of the Flames), and Tess Passero (Motel, Glimpse)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Campfires.  Creatures.  Puberty.  Ritual Sacrifice.  It's going to be a long night for..."

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love watching and reviewing movies. It’s a huge stress reliever and creative outlet to watch a movie and take the time to talk about what I liked, what I didn’t like, and whatever else I want to talk about. Some movies really excite me and I can’t wait to talk about while others just suck the enthusiasm out of me. One movie that I’ve been extremely excited about talking about after receiving the first press release is the animated horror film The Weird Kidz. This Lucky McKee produced hand drawn animated film caught my eye a few weeks back and I was quick to request a screener link. I’m glad I did because this was the perfect movie for my October horror binge. 

      The film follows a group of youths who are going camping for the weekend with the older brother of one of them and his girlfriend. On the way they stop for snacks and steal some beer when the clerk tells one of them about a carnivorous creature that the locals call the Night Child. He tries to tell the others about the tale but they brush it off. However, that night he is taken by the creature and the rest soon find themselves on the run from the beast. They soon learn that the entire town is part of a cult that routinely sacrifice to the creature. 

      The Weird Kidz was everything I had hoped it was and then some. It was a fun animated horror film that takes a fun, and cliched filled story, and gives it to us in gory detail. I know it took eight years for this one to get made but I fucking pray that we get follow up a hell of a lot sooner than eight years because I absolutely loved this. The voice acting in this one grows on you. At first it felt a little awkward and uneven with the animation but as the film moves on you find yourself falling in love with the characters and the voices associated with them. We also have May star Angela Bettis voicing a character which I absolutely loved. The story for this one brings us so many horror clichés that I fucking love. We have teens camping, nudity, humor, giant creatures, cults, dirty small town cops, and plenty of gore. It slowly builds giving us all the horror tropes we love before coming to a delightful explosion of animated chaos. The humor didn’t always find it’s mark with me but the actually story fucking pulled me in. It has everything horror fans love with the exception of zombies and slashers which I’m sure could be a possible sequel. Finally, the animated style, much like the voice acting, took a minute to grow on me but I eventually learned to love it. It fit the film very well and I loved how far they went with the blood and gore. Overall, The Weird Kidz is a must see for genre fans. It’s Stranger Things by way of Adult Swim and I fucking loved it. I can’t recommend this one enough.

Dark Glasses

Director - Dario Argento (Suspiria, Inferno)

Starring - Ilenia Pastorelli (Four to Dinner, All You Need is Crime), Asia Argento (Mother of Tears, Land of the Dead), and Andrea Gherpelli (Hidden Away, Black Arrow)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    Dario Argento is a filmmaker that I would absolutely call a master of horror. His career is legendary with many of his films being essential viewing for genre fans. My first Dario film, like many other horror fans, was Suspiria which is still one of my favorite films. He has released several amazing films in his career but some of his most recent efforts have been a bit underwhelming. While his Dracula 3D had some entertaining moments, it fell flat, and The Card Player is one that I’ve been unable to finish after several attempts. When I received the press release for his newest getting an exclusive Shudder release, I was skeptical. I was looking forward to a moody and stylish Argento film but was afraid that it would follow in his most recent flick’s footsteps. Regardless, the idea of watching a new Argento flick during my October horror binge really excited me so I decided to check it out. 

      The film follows a professional escort who has made a name for herself with her trade and good looks. However, after someone rams her car forcing her to crash head first into another vehicle blinding her and killing the two adults in the other vehicle. She learns to be sufficient on her own with the help of a coach and becomes friends with the little boy orphaned after his parents died in the crash that blinded her. He runs away from the orphanage and once the police start investigating her we learn that the man behind her horrific accident is still stalking her and killing anyone that gets near her before we learn who is doing the killing and why. 

      Dark Glasses is not a return to Argento’s full glory but god damn was it a great film. It was a violent and character driven film that does take us back to some of his work but it lacks the style and visuals that made so many of us fall in love with him to begin with. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a fantastic film but is clearly not firing on all cylinders here like we would have hoped. The acting in this one is amazing. In fact, I believe this may be one of his best acted films to date which is really saying something when you take a look at all the amazing performances in his previous films including the one’s that didn’t go over well with fans. The casting is damn near perfect, the characters are written very well, and the cast knocks their performances out of the park. Argento’s cast really impressed me with this one. The story for this one feels like a return to the cliched giallo murder mystery style, but it doesn’t surprise the viewer. The film has a great pacing and the scenes were not bloated with unnecessary dialogue. I was expecting a little something more intriguing in regard to the killer and his reveal so I was a little disappointed with that but it’s not something that ruins the film for me. Finally, the film has several scenes with amazing and bloody practical effects that seriously caught me off guard. As the film first opened, I was under the impression all the time and focus was spent on the characters but I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic effects and decent gore. Overall, Dark Glasses is the Argento we have been waiting for. It has an amazing cast, some great effects, and a story that is perfect for him. I did miss his trademark style and lighting but it was still fantastic as is. I highly suggest checking this one out.

Virt

Director - Rich Rule (Marrtown, No Knock List)

Starring - Brian Stowell (Deadly Demands, Sandman), Alex Blair (Bride Killa, Children as Giants), and Angelo Giannone (Kill, Red)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Sci-Fi/Mystery

Format - Streaming (online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago, I befriended West Virginia filmmaker Rich Rule on Facebook. I reviewed a couple of his movies that he was working on at the time but he kind of went silent sometime after. I know Facebook and their algorithm is all wonky but it had been some time since I’ve seen Rich post anything. A week or so ago he reached out for me to check out his newest film. Virt, his new sci-fi thriller, looked like a huge departure from his previous films which made me very curious. I agreed to check it out and I’m glad I did. It was a lot of fun. 

      The film follows a virtual software engineer who finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation when several young women are murdered with connections to him and the software he maintains. He decides to put his own life on the line to track down the killer that is using his software to get his victims and discovers that it’s someone that works in his office. 

      I didn’t know what to think about Virt at first. I was on the fence about the film the first 20 minutes or so before I eventually warmed up to the story and characters. It’s a very ambitious film for an indie production but the gamble pays off in this sci-fi thriller with a mystery angle. The acting in this one took some time for me but it eventually grew on me. The cast is stiff in their roles which made the scenes are the beginning of the film feel a little awkward. I don’t know if the film was shot in order or if you become accustomed to the acting as the film progresses, but it does feel like the cast comes into their own as the film moves on. The story for this one is essentially a murder mystery with a heavy virtual reality aspect throughout. It reminded me a lot of the sci-fi action flicks that were direct to video in the mid-90s. However, the action was swapped with a whodunnit storyline that actually works. The virtual reality aspect is a bit of a push for the film and comes across as a little goofy at times but it’s this aspect of the film that sets it out from other films. It could have been handled a little different in a more serious tone instead of the style that a lot of late 90s educational videos used. Finally, the film has some light blood and a lot of visual effects. The death scenes are not that impressive, but the visual effects are fun in a dated way. It looks cool at first but as the film progresses you see that it doesn’t really fit the film that well. Overall, Virt is a fun sci-fi thriller that reminded me a lot of the direct to video action flicks of the mid-90s. Instead of muscle bound martial artists fighting organized crime, we have a murder mystery. It’s not what I look for in my October horror binge but it was enjoyable. Check it out.

The Last Romantic Lover

Director - Just Jaeckin (Emmanuelle, The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak)

Starring - Dayle Haddon (Cyborg, The Hitchhiker), Gerard Ismael (Money Talks, Lonely Hearts), and Fernando Rey (Star Knight, Honey)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Romance

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     While it may be October and I’m in full horror mode I still find myself taking the time to check out some other non-horror releases. I don’t mind especially during the month of October because I do tend to over do it in preparation for Halloween. Sometime back I received word that Cult Epics was releasing Just Jaeckin’s The Last Romantic Lover from 1978. This is one that had been on my radar once I was turned on to exploitation, especially sexploitation, cinema so I was really looking forward to this release. I reached out to Cult Epics and they were kind enough to send a copy my way. If I’m going to interrupt my horror binge it might as well be with a movie like this.

      The film follows a lion tamer with a dying circus. He was entered into a contest by his carnival family in hopes he would win and they could the much needed money to update their circus along with replacing their recently deceased lion. The contest is being put on by a women’s magazine and the lion tamer qualifies. He makes it to the top ten and soon romance blooms between him and the woman who put the contest together who is already in a relationship. 

      The Last Romantic Lover was a surprisingly well put together and shot film. The cinematography is amazing and the story definitely caught me off guard. I was expecting a sleazy adventure but was given a surprisingly sultry romantic flick with memorable moments and characters. The acting in this one is very well done. There is no weak links in this film. The cast has some great characters written for them and they do one hell of a job bringing them to life. The story for this one starts out setting the ground work for what sounds like a sleazy good time but the film switches it up and actually plays out like a romantic film with some skin. It’s not as nudie as I was expecting but the story and delivery really impressed me. It has decent pacing but a few scenes do struggle to find their footing. Finally, don’t expect blood in this one. We get a character driven story with romance and intrigue but that is it. Overall, The Last Romantic is going to be destroyed by horror trolls in the comment section because it’s not a horror title. However, it’s a lot of fun. Cult movie fans will really dig this one. I highly recommend checking out this release from Cult Epics.

Gouge Away

Director - Jeff Frumess (Am I Demon?, Owen is a Dracula)

Starring - Matthew Ritacco (Beyond the Green Hole, It's Always Something), Jack Wheeler (They're Made Out of Meat, Gotta Get Mine), and Candy Fox (Lucifer's Bride 3: Born Again Lucifer, Lucifer's Bride 4: Vegas Vixen)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Crime/Comedy/Thriller

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

I get requests to review a lot of strange and weird films that may not fit in the conventional horror bubble. A great deal of the films sent my way for review that are not horror are often sci-fi flicks. I get the occasional exploitation film but if it’s not horror I can always bet on it being a strange sub-genre of sci-fi. Every so often I get a movie in that’s a little different. I’ve had a few romantic comedies, dramas, and even a crime flick here or there. A few weeks ago director Jeff Frumess reached out for me to review his organized crime centered flick. The film, Gouge Away, caught my eye with the artwork so I agreed to check it out. I knew it wouldn’t be a traditional horror flick but I still chose to include it in my October horror binge as I prepare for Halloween. I want to thank Jeff for sending this one over to check out. 

      The film follows Tony the Stamper who discovers that his close friend and mentor is missing. He pulls his contacts from his former enforcing days and learns that his friend experimented with drugs and his disappearance may coincide with a new drug flooding the streets and a new crime syndicate taking over. 

      I had no idea what Gouge Away was about when I agreed to review it. I knew it wasn’t a horror flick that I was expecting but it was a fun and enjoyable film that reminded me a lot of Nobody by way of Troma. I had a lot more fun with this one that I was expecting and I feel like many other cult cinema fans will feel the same way. The acting in this one is very impressive. I liked the characters, the humor that was written into them and how comfortable the cast was in portraying them. They worked so well together, the scenes were fun, and I liked how natural it was for so many of them to fit into their roles. The story for this one is somewhat generic in regards to organized crime flicks but it’s the addition of wild named characters, weird situations, and colorful performances that makes it stand out from the Goodfellas clones that were common during the video store age. It has that Troma humor that sometimes finds it marks and other times it falls flat. I found myself glued to the screen watching the story progress. It is dialogue heavy but the dialogue is well written. It doesn’t feel bogged down with clunky dialogue and dismal interactions. Finally, the film has some light make up effects but it’s not a bloody flick like I was expecting. The film is very character driven and doesn’t rely on the violence to move the film along. Overall, Gouge Away may catch some heat from horror hipsters expecting a blood bath but if you are fans of films with unique characters and a decent story then you will enjoy this one. Check it out.

The Guest Room

Director - Stefano Lodovichi (Christian, The Trail)

Starring - Guido Caprino (That Dirty Black Bag, My Body Will Bury You), Camilla Filippi (Deep in the Wood, Thou Shalt Kill), and Edoardo Pesce (Dogman, Ghost Night)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Thriller

Tagline - "One room.  One night"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     We are a little over halfway through October and I’ve seen some amazing horror flicks so far during my month long binge. Most of the films I’ve reviewed were new to me but a handful were actually new releases that really hit the spot as I prepared for Halloween. Several weeks back a friend of mine that runs a PR firm sent over a press release for the Italian horror/thriller The Guest Room. The film’s artwork didn’t do much for me but the trailer painted a much different picture. After I posted the press release to the site I was gifted a screener link. I figured it would make a welcomed addition to my October horror binge. 

      The film follows a young woman who is at the end of her will to live when she answers the door. She is greeted by a complete stranger who asks to be invited in. After several attempts to dissuade him she finally grants him access to her home. Soon a strange series of events with him leads to her having lunch with him that he had cooked for her. Soon her husband, who is no longer in love with her, arrives to check on her and her child after he received a text from her. Now the two are trying to figure out who he is they soon find themselves bound by him and forced to reveal hidden secrets to each other. 

      The Guest Room is not at all what I was expecting but I fucking loved it. It does get a bit absurd nearing the film’s final leg, but it is still a very enjoyable thriller with a lot of character development and a story that is not predictable. It’s not really the type of movie I’m looking for during the month of Halloween but it didn’t disappoint either. The acting in this one is great. The cast is very small but they all work fantastically well together. I loved how the characters had such contrasting personalities and how far the cast went to bring those traits to life. I don’t think this movie would have stood out like it does if someone else was to take over these roles. The story for this one doesn’t really feel like a traditional home invasion film but it does borrow some of the elements. Instead, it’s a character driven story with a lot of backstory than most films. It does get a bit weird and out there during the last portion of the film that I could have lived without but the overall story is very well written and adapted. Finally, the film has some blood but nothing that impressive. We get some make-up effects and a little blood splatter but that is the extent of it. Overall, The Guest Room is not the horror treat you are looking for this Halloween season but it is a well crafted thriller that I highly recommend. This one is well worth your time.

Hellraiser

Director - David Bruckner (Southbound, V/H/S)

Starring - Odessa A'zion (Ghosts, Let's Scare Julie), Jamie Clayton (Sense8, Chain of Death), and Adam Faison (Friend Request, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Hulu)

Rating (out of 5):

     I have a lot of controversial opinions with horror. Most people hate my take on the wildly popular Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. I regard the first film as one of the most important films in horror cinema but I prefer to watch TCM II, Leatherface: TCM III, and Next Generation. Another “hot take” of mine is regarding the Hellraiser series. I like the first two installments enough but Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth is my favorite of the series. Hell, I even dig the later films to some extent. When news broke that Hellraiser was getting a reboot I was actually looking forward to it. I was even more intrigued when I learned that Jamie Clayton was cast as the Hell Priest, aka Pinhead. When it arrived on Hulu I knew I had to watch it after Werewolf by Night. I’m glad I did because I fucking loved it. It’s up there with the third film for me. 

      The film follows a recovering addict who is kicked out of her brother’s apartment when he suspects that she has relapsed. Her boyfriend and her broke into a storage container and found the puzzle box assuming it was something of value. However, with each passing transformation of the box someone she knows is taken. Unaware as to what is going on, she is just a pawn to a much bigger game orchestrated by a wealthy man who is wanting to use the box to obtain immortality. 

      I’ve noticed that Hellraiser has split the horror community which is common for releases in recent years which is so fucking strange because this film was great. It brought some much needed Cenobite development to the series and a story that is more than just BDSM and body modification. For me, it works and I can’t wait to watch it again. The acting in this one is decent but I had some issues with the major casting. I wasn’t feeling Odessa A’zion and Drew Starkey as the leads. A’zion doesn’t carry the film for me. Her performance feels rather flat and I found myself not liking her at all. In fact, I was waiting on her character to find a gory end as the film progressed. Starkey was a stretch as well for me. He was loud and his emotion range as Kristen Stewart. He looked confused and bewildered the entire time. When he was told to react I’m sure the director didn’t mean like a deer caught in headlights. With that being said, I rather enjoyed the remainder of the cast. The Cenobites are fucking fantastic. They really got into character and gave us something that will stick with us. The supporting cast is surprising well done as well. The story for this one does make some noticeable changes set forth in the original franchise but I’m happy with them. The film takes it’s time to build tension and suspense while fully engulfing itself in the dark and brooding atmosphere that is prevalent in the original films. I loved the additional Cenobites introduced in this one and the lore around the puzzle box that was updated to fit the film. It gives us a little more depth that the original films lacked. Finally, I loved the make-up effects and designs in this one. The Cenobites looked amazing and the new Pinhead is just as amazing as Doug Bradley’s original depiction. The film has some bloody moments that blend practical and visual effects but the highlight of the film is the Cenobites and their unique looks. Overall, Hellraiser is easily one of my favorite installments in this legendary franchise. I can’t wait to see what sights they have in store for us in future films. I highly recommend this one.

Werewolf by Night

Director - Michael Giacchino (Monster Challenge, Star Trek: Short Treks)

Starring - Gael Garcia Bernal (Old, Z), Laura Donnelly (Tolkien, Dread), and Harriet Sansom Harris (Addams Family Values, American Horror Story)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Action

Format - Streaming (Disney+)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in elementary school, I became obsessed with Blade. I was already started down the path of horror by this point, but Blade was something that I was not expecting to fall in love with. It opened me up to Marvel comics and comics in general. The Blade film was my introduction to Marvel’s horror comic line with titles like Werewolf by Night, Tombs of Dracula, The Midnight Sons, and newer titles like Marvel Zombies. When the MCU started I never expected to see an introduction of these titles into the cinematic universe. After the announcement of the new Blade and Black Knight into the fold I still didn’t expect anything else. However, when news that Werewolf by Night was getting a TV special on Disney+ I was shitting a brick. Friday when it launched, I was on the couch ready as soon as I was off work. Since then I’ve watched it three times and could watch it just as many more times. 

      The film follows Jack who is attending a meeting with various monster hunters. They are gathering so they can compete to capture and kill a beast that is locked on the property and is holding the Bloodstone. However, he is secretly there to rescue the so-called monster before the other hunters get to him first. 

      The trailer and poster had me fucking sold on Werewolf by Night but I had no idea I would fucking love it as much as I did. It was a fantastic throw back to the classic Universal Monster movies with a pinch of their comic lineage tossed in for good measure. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing where they take fans next. The acting in this is amazing. The cast is phenomenal and they do a fantastic job at bringing classic Marvel dark characters to the screen. I would be here all day if I was to pick apart each and every amazing performance. The story for this one is a fantastic beginning to what could be the start of The Midnight Sons or any other group of dark characters from the Marvel universe. We have the introduction to, not one, but three substantial characters. The film runs at around 50 minutes so it doesn’t over stay it’s welcome. We get some great character development and a lot of action. Finally, the film is a treat for those of you looking for visual effects and some blood. It has some bloody but doesn’t over do it for obvious reasons. The werewolf keeps it’s human form reminiscent from Universal’s Wolfman. I also liked the look of Man-Thing. We also see a lot of CGI blood but it works especially in the black and white. Overall, Werewolf by Night is the Marvel film horror fans have been looking for. I knew something was coming with the announcement of Blade and the introduction of the Black Knight but I wasn’t expecting them to deliver something like this. I fucking loved it and it’s exactly what I needed to get excited for Marvel again. Check it out.

Two Witches

Director - Pierre Tsigaridis (I Who Have No One)

Starring - Rebekah Kennedy (Creature, The Curse of Babylon), Kristina Klebe (Halloween, Zone of the Dead), and Tim Fox (Westworld, Shameless)

Release Date - 2021

Tagline - "Witches don't die before leaving their legacy..."
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Arrow Video is an important company to most horror fans. Their re-release of genre titles on blu has brought some seriously underrated flicks to disc. I absolutely love adding their releases to my collection and I hope this is something that I’ll be doing for many more years to come. Aside from their re-releasing of older titles, Arrow has released some new flicks that would have flown under our radars normally. A few days back I received a press release regarding some new films that was launching on Arrow’s streaming service. After sharing the news on the site I was sent over a review link for the horror flick Two Witches. This one had been on my radar for some time and I was excited to add it to my October horror binge. I want to thank my friend Justin and Arrow Video for sending the link over.       The film begins with a young couple expecting their first child. While out to dinner the young mother to be spots an older woman starring at her. That night things go a little dark for her. Her boyfriend suspects that it’s all in her head or hormones acting up due to the pregnancy but when they visit a psychic healer things take a grim turn. The second portion of the film follows a young woman and her roommate. The woman suspects she is a witch after a sexual encounter sends her down a murderous path. 

      Two Witches was nothing like the handful of posters I had seen for it. I was expecting an atmospheric tale with witches for this Halloween season. Sadly, that was not the case. The film is a lengthy anthology consisting of two segments similar to George A. Romero and Dario Argento’s Two Evil Eyes. The acting in this one is very well done. The cast really goes all out and they work so well together. The characters are written in a way that you either really like them or you hate them. The cast does a fantastic job at bringing those aspects out of the viewer. Both segments are well acted and the casting is fantastic. The two stories in this one is hit and miss for me and from what I’ve seen in other reviews I feel as if that’s common for most that have seen the film. I liked the first segment pretty well. I liked the witch and the pregnant woman aspect. Witches and baby napping and baby feasting is the type of folklore I love seeing in films. It could have been in a different manner with a little more emphasis on the witch instead of the expecting hipster couple. The second story is a step away from the folk horror that makes witch flicks so enjoyable for me. It is a bit more grounded than the first segment and more horror oriented but it doesn’t gain as much traction as the first segment does. It had the potential to be something much more visceral but chose to be a character piece instead of a gruesome story. Finally, the film has some moments of solid tension and suspense along with one scene with great practical effects. However, it’s not the bloodbath most horror fans are looking for this Halloween season. Overall, Two Witches starts out with a very promising story with great atmosphere and a solid cast of characters but moves to a story that just doesn’t work or fits the film in my opinion. It’s a decent first time watch but has no replay value.