Death Knot

Director - Cornelio Sunny

Starring - Cornelio Sunny (Halfworlds, Paranoia), Djenar Maesa Ayu (Lampor: The Flying Coffin, Ghost Writer 2), and Morgan Oey (My Stupid Boss 2, Switch)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My journey into Asian cinema, specifically horror, has been short lived but very enjoyable. I began this journey about ten years ago after watching a few Japanese splatter films on Netflix. I had previously watched a few Asian horror films like Battle Royal but I never really looked into Asian cinema until I watched films like Gothic and Lolita Psycho. As much as I love the over the top and gory Japanese splatter films, I find myself more drawn to down to earth and grounded horror films. A few weeks back my friend from Well Go USA sent over the Indonesian horror film Death Knot to review. The trailer sold me on the film and once again I want to thank Well Go for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a pair of siblings who visit their childhood village when after they both have a nightmare that their mother killed herself. Her mother is accused of being a witch before her death and the two find themselves the center of hate by other villagers after her death. Not long after their arrival others in the village start killing themselves in the same manner as their mother, they are forced to confront the dark presence in the small village. 

      Death Knot is not going to be for everyone. In fact, a great deal of pop horror fans will find themselves underwhelmed with this one. It’s slow paced and a bit boring for the most part. However, it has fantastic atmosphere and even though the story is stretched a bit thin, it still has its moments especially for a first time viewing. The acting in this one is fairly well done. There was a few instances where the cast was a bit stiff and awkward but for the most part I found myself enjoying their personalities and interactions with one another. I almost get the feeling that the cast knew each other prior to filming because they worked very well together. Their on-screen chemistry really made the film feel believable. The story for this one is one I could really get into but it is stretched for too long. The movie would have been more effective if it was around 40 minutes to an hour long. However, at an hour and a half long we have a film that will try the viewer’s patience. Way too much time is spent establishing the sibling’s relationship instead of exploring the back story on their mother and the evil forces that plagues the village. Such a huge waste of potential. Finally, the film is not as gruesome or as violent as I was expecting. The film starts with a perfectly atmospheric scene that doesn’t truly set the tone for the film. The film relies heavily on tension and suspense, but it is unable to follow up that beginning scene. Instead, we get drawn out conversations instead of creepy imagery and gore. Overall, Death Knot is a solid horror film especially if you are looking for something supernatural to watch late at night but it is painfully in the middle of the road. Some fans will dig it while others will turn it off early. If it sounds like something you would enjoy then check it out.

Mad God

Director - Phil Tippett (Prehistoric Beast, Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation)

Starring - Alex Cox (Repo Man, Dead Beat), Niketa Roman (Cloverfield, Jurassic World), and Satish Ratakonda (Star Trek, The Chronicles of Riddick)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Fantasy

Tagline - "A journey beyond your wildest dreams"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’m a huge fan of Claymation, miniatures, puppets, and stop motion animation. It’s a lost art but there are some filmmakers out there keeping it around. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to review the films Clay Zombies, Misfit Heights, Giant Rubber Monster Movie, and a few more that evade me currently. They are fun and very different when compared to their other indie counterparts. Hell, it’s a big gamble for these indie productions to tackle any of these but it’s a gamble that I truly admire. A few weeks ago, I received word that the Shudder exclusive Mad God was getting a blu release from my friends over at RLJE Films. This stop motion spectacular was 30 years in the making and the trailer looked absolutely phenomenal. I reached out to my friends at RLJE and they were kind enough to send over the steelbook release for review. Like always I want to thank RLJE for supporting Horror Society and myself. 

      The film follows a being bound in leather and wearing a gas mask as he maneuvers through a desolate wasteland until he reaches a tower full of murder and mayhem. The traveler plans on planting a bomb and then fleeing the tower but is soon apprehended by a grotesque figure. He is soon subjected to the true horrors that take place inside the blood-stained walls. 

      Mad God is one of those films that people fall in love with after seeing it yet it doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves. It’s a phenomenal film that looks absolutely amazing, but a lot of genre fans will more than likely look over it due its unimaginative title and dull artwork. The title Mad God doesn’t really trigger your imagination and the artwork is a bit underwhelming. With that being said, this is a film that you should not be sleeping on. It’s a phenomenal film that truly deserves to be seen. I couldn’t imagine working on something for 30 years but his tremendous effort shows. The film doesn’t really have acting. At least, not in a traditional sense. Most of the film is creatures, monsters, and the undead that is created by Tippett. However, there is a few human characters that disembowel a humanoid but that is the extent of it. The story for this one is a bit simple but the way Tippett tackled it with his monsters creates a fantastic adventure that you can’t look away from. This is not a film that is story rich. Instead, its visually stunning and the decay and devastation from scene to scene is enough to really hold your attention. The movie progresses in the same manner that the original animated Lord of the Rings films did. It’s an adventure in an apocalyptic world with a lot of dismemberment and carnage. Finally, the stop motion and designs for this film is something that truly needs to be seen. It’s a violent epic with so much blood and gore. I loved the look of everything and how Tippett was able to blend in so many different mediums into one film. Overall, Mad God is a once in a lifetime film and Tippett should be extremely proud of all the hard work he put into it. It’s a film that will stick with you for years and you will never tire of it. I could watch this film on repeat and still find it fascinating. Do yourself a favor and watch it.

Star Trek: Lower Decks Season Two

Creator - Mike McMahan (Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites)

Starring - Tawny Newsome (The Twilight Zone, Space Force), Jack Quaid (Scream, The Boys), Noel Wells (Old Haunt, American Dad)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I believe it was last year when I was introduced to Star Trek: Lower Decks when I was sent season one for review. I’m a Star Trek fan and was interested but I was borderline obsessed when I saw that one of the writers of Rick and Morty, Mike McMahan, was involved. I’m a huge Rick and Morty fan so it was a no brainer that an animated Star Trek show featuring one of the writers would be comfort food for me. That first season was a lot of fun and after reviewing it I quickly rushed to the internet to ensure that a season two was approved. It was, along with a third, but I decided to hold off on binging them until they received a physical release. Sadly, I forgot to keep an eye on the series until season two showed up on my door step. I didn’t want to wait to check this out and as soon as I finished Creepshow Season Three I quickly tossed this one in. 

      The season once again follows the misadventures of the lower deck crew of the Cerritos. We follow them as they struggle with their own self-worth, career aspirations, friendship, and surviving the various missions they find themselves on. 

      I never watched the original Star Trek: The Animated Series all the way through. In fact, I gave up on it after a few episodes when I was younger. I really should revisit it at some time, but I can only imagine that it would do nothing for me especially after watching Star Trek: Lower Decks. The adult humor and characters only appearing in this series is what really attracted me to it. There is no sense of nostalgia or gimmicks to pull you in. Only the humor and adult centered atmosphere that you would typically not associate with Star Trek. I love this show and season two was just as good as the first season. The voice acting in this one is a lot of fun. We have fantastic performances from Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noel Wells, and Eugene Cordero among many more. The characters are a lot of fun and the voice acting is what makes these characters. The characters are well written, but they use generic and stereotypical sci-fi characters as a basis and then add their own spin on it. It’s not lazy but it is creative which gives the voice actors something to make their own. The stories for this season continue its story arch established in the first season but it does take the back seat in each episode as we take deeper dives in the Star Trek universe. We get a lot of references to other series and films without it becoming a clear cash grab for trekkies. The new missions are fun while keeping with the theme of the show and the humor almost always finds it’s mark. I was a little bummed by the lack of a continuous story, but the episodes were a lot of fun. Finally, I really enjoy the animation. The style is very similar to Rick and MortyWhich I think would help make it more appealing to the younger audiences especially if they are fans of the latter. Personally, the animation style is one of the reasons I was attracted to the show and one of the biggest turn offs I had from the original animated series. Overall, Lower Deck Season Two is another stellar hit. The characters, voice acting, and stories give viewers so much needed expansion to the Star Trek universe with that adult tone that the other shows and films lack. I highly recommend it.

Don't Fuck in the Woods 2

Director - Shawn Burkett (Bludgeon, Betsy)

Starring - Kaylee Williams (Teacher Shortage, Leaf Blower Massacre 2), Brittany Blanton (Squatch'd, She Burns in Hell: Chapter 2), and Cheyenne Gordon (They See You, The Wicked One)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     One of the coolest moments from my first year at Horror Society was when I befriended indie filmmaker Shawn Burkett while he was promoting his film Bludgeoned. I was looking around at different Facebook horror groups when I saw a post from him trying to stir up some noise for the film. I messaged the Facebook page for the film and was introduced to the film’s star Haley Jay Madison. I was soon introduced to my baby girl Shawn Burkett. I’ve followed Shawn and his fellow Concept Media found Ryan Stacy’s film career ever since. Concept Media has released quit the impressive filmography over the last decade but one film that has stood out is their creature feature Don’t Fuck in the Woods. When they originally announced the film, I was expecting a blood and boob filled slasher but they threw a curve ball at me. The film is seriously one of the better indie monster movies that I have seen, and it was no surprise that a sequel would be announced after the film gained a following based on the title alone. I was sent a review copy of the sequel a year or two ago but was asked to hold off on posting my review. Some time has since passed and Shawn reached out to me to review the Wild Eye release of the film. As a fan of Concept Media and Wild Eye I knew I had to do it…even though I had written a review for this one already. 

      The film picks up with the lone survivor of the previous film as she finds her way through the woods into a camp that is preparing to open. The counselors are there early to prepare for the children without expecting a blood drenched woman in a bikini wondering into camp. They try to calm her down but when they realize that a few of them are missing they slowly suspect that the story she is telling about a monster may be true. 

      Don’t Fuck in the Woods is one of the handful of indie films that I often recommend to horror fans. Burkett may have went with the title for pure shock value but it sums up the plot perfectly and it’s one hell of a horror flick. The sequel is a great follow up that you don’t expect. This follow up has boobs, sex…in the woods, humor, and a spin on the creature from the first film. It’s a lot of fun but edgy horror fans will more than likely spend more time mocking the title than actually watching it. The acting in this one is very well done. The characters are fairly cliched and generic, but the cast had a lot of fun with the roles. They really get into characters and you can really tell that everyone there is excited for the project. The energy is off the charts and the performances is what makes this one so much fun. Honestly, I need the extended footage Jason Crowe and Kaylee Williams in the tent. The story for this one does not follow the predictable path that you would expect. Instead, we get a new spin on it where the counselors become infected and sex crazed with a thirst for blood. It does take a bit too long to get rolling and too much time is spent developing the characters. Don’t get me wrong, character development is crucial to any film’s plot but it doesn’t take half a film to establish who the slut, jock, party guy, and so on characters. A little bit of the first 45 minutes could have been trimmed down some to make the film flow better. Finally, the film has some great make-up effects and a lot of blood. I really liked the look of the infected but a few of the deaths were a bit of a let down. I was expecting a little bit more from this one in regards to death. Overall, Don’t Fuck in the Woods 2 is the nude filled follow up you were expecting. If blood, boobs, and carnage is what you are looking for then look no further. Concept Media does it once again.

Creepshow Season 3

Starring - Ethan Embry (That Thing You Do, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle), James Remar (Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, The Warriors), and Brandon Quinn (Big Wolf on Campus, The Nightmare Room)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     One of my favorite horror anthologies is George A. Romero’s Creepshow. It is an anthology that I hold in high regard and often compare other anthologies to it when I review them. When I heard that Shudder was turning it into a television series, I was beside myself. A new horror-based anthology series has not been done in a while and very few were able to do it successfully. The most popular anthology horror series that comes to mind is Tales from the Crypt but there have been others. I’ve watched and reviewed both seasons of Creepshow so far and loved them both equally. When I received the press release for season three, I knew I had to see it. I requested a copy and with the insanity the holidays and my family being sick I couldn’t review it on time. However, I was still able to work it in after the release date. 

      This season features double story episodes ranging from conspiracy theory survivalists that kill to keep their child but creates something sinister in the garden where he buries the body to a pedophile getting what he deserves when one of his young victims comes back to life in 1968.

      The Creepshow series is a lot of fun and season three is no exception. The show gives fans a lot of the same style of humor while paying tribute to EC Comics with their reap what you sow twists. Hell, the series more than makes up for the abysmal Creepshow III that should have never been greenlit. Some of the episodes are better than others but this was a fantastic season overall. The acting in this one is fantastic. We have genre regulars like The Devil’s Candy and The Walking Dead’s Ethan Embry and Dexter and Tales from the Darkside: The Movie’s James Remar just to name a few. The casting is phenomenal from top to bottom with some amazing performances from long time actors and up and comers. Everyone works so well together and the characters they portray work for the show. I was seriously impressed by the entire cast, old and young. The stories for this season are like the other two seasons. They are inconsistent, but the weakest link is still better than most movies I’ve reviewed over the years. My favorite of the season is the final episode which takes place during the early hours of the zombie outbreak in Night of the Living Dead. This particular story has a lot of different layers and the fact that it serves as another horror tale set during one of my favorite horror films makes it even better. I also enjoyed the one of the first episodes, if not the very first episode of the season, which follows a conspiracy theory proud boy that kills his wife to keep his son. The story was not what I was expecting at all and I very much enjoyed it. There was a few duds that was fun but nowhere near as enjoyable as most of the others. The episode following the horror nerd that collects props was extremely boring and so was the episode starring Big Wolf on Campus’ Brandon Quin about a billionaire buying a cursed painting. These episodes were decent enough but they were awkward and a bit cringy at times. This season is inconsistent but not bad. Finally, the film has a ton of great visual and practical effects. The visual effects are very noticeable but they compliment the practical effects. The kills are top notch and you damn well know that they wouldn’t skip on the red stuff. Overall, Creepshow Season 3 is another hit and I look forward to more seasons to come. Be sure to snag this on blu or check it out on Shudder!

Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things

Director - Bob Clark (Porky's, Black Christmas)

Starring - Alan Ormsby (Death Dream, Lenny), Valerie Mamches (Wanda), and Jeff Gillen (A Christmas Story, The Naked Zoo)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You're invited or Orville's "coming out" party..."

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      Many years ago, I was browsing the used DVDs at the nearest FYE to me. This particular FYE was at Mercer Mall which was over two hours away from my home, but it was the closest one to me. During my middle school and high school years I would often make a trip up there every few months to snag some new horror movies for my collection. One time during one of these many visits I found a copy of Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things and The Undertaker and His Pals on DVD from Diamond Entertainment. I had a few other releases from them, one of which was Slave of the Cannibal God, and I pulled the trigger on this one. I’m glad I did because this would go on to become one of my favorite releases in my collection. The Undertaker and His Pals is rather decent but easily forgettable while Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things is easily one of my favorite zombie flicks. The only downside to this release was its poor quality. I almost upgraded it sometime back when the blu release of the film hit shelves, but I held out for some unknown reason. That changed when VCI announced the release of the film on UHD. I was quick to reach out to MVD to request a review copy. A few weeks later the UHD arrived and I knew I had to make time to check it out. 

      The film follows a theater group, led by the charismatic Alan (Ormsby), who visit an isolated island with the intentions of practicing. However, Alan has a different idea when he has two of his goons dig up the corpse to perform a mock Satanic ritual. When it fails to do anything, they take Orville back to the cottage they are spending the night. They plan on playing games with the corpse but soon the dead begin to rise from their resting places and head to the cottage where the real horror begins. 

      Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things is one of those films that is so simple yet so effective. The title catches people’s eyes and the original poster for the film really draws them in. However, it’s the film’s simple yet effective story that has gained the film the fanbase that it has. I’ve been a huge fan of this one for almost 20 years now and every time I watch it, I fall more and more in love with it. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. The cast is so comfortable around each other and their interactions, for the most part, feel genuine. The characters are so enjoyable and their energy is what makes the film so much fun. With that being said, the film wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t for Ormsby. His character is an asshole at heart, but the energy and on-screen presence makes his performance unforgettable. The story for this one is simple and clearly inspired by Night of the Living Dead. We follow a theatre troupe who find themselves in an isolated cabin on an island while the undead are trying to get in. With that being said, the black magic and humor does give the story a completely different feel and completely takes away from the fact that the story is so simple. When you add that with the fully developed characters you have a fantastic zombie film that doesn’t try to replace Night of the Living Dead but instead it compliments it. Finally, the film has some make-up effects that I never really cared for. The zombies look like their faces were painted and then flour was sprinkled over the paint. They look like dried out powdered donuts which is something I’ve never found menacing. It does add some unintentional humor but it’s nothing like the humor written into the film. Also, we get a few bloody deaths with decent enough practical effects but they are strangely enough, not the highlight of the film. Overall, Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things is a must see for zombie fans especially if you are into low budget flicks. I always recommend this one to fans of Romero’s NotLD and this UHD release is fucking top notch. I highly recommend it.

Night of the Tommyknockers

Director - Michael Su (Death Count, Bridge of the Doomed)

Starring - Richard Grieco (Jungle Run, Art of the Dead), Tom Sizemore (The Relic, Saving Private Ryan), and Robert LaSardo (Death Race, Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Western

Tagline - "When the sun goes down, they come out"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It’s not often horror fans find a western with them in mind but when we do we tend to be extremely critical of it. I don’t know a single genre fan that doesn’t enjoy a good horror western but due to their scarcity we usually hold them to a higher standard than other sub-genres. Honestly, I really look forward to horror westerns when I hear one is in production. I can thank my biological father for that. He lived on old westerns, so they were constantly playing in our home. Since I was bit by the horror bug I’ve been lucky enough to watch a few true horror westerns that I enjoy along with the slew of horror films inspired by westerns. A few weeks ago producer Sonny Mahal reached out to me to review their horror western Night of the Tommyknockers. Tommyknockers was made popular by Stephen King but as a lifelong resident of the Appalachia’s I had heard stories of them from miners since I was a small child. These urban legends are more popular in the western mining towns but anywhere that relies heavily on mining like McDowell County, where I grew up, had versions of their own. I quickly agreed to reviewing the film and tossed it in when I had the chance. 

     The film follows a group of outlaws on the run after robbing a bank. They decide to make a trip to a small mining town where it is rumored that they have struck gold. They arrive in the town at dusk and discover it abandoned with everything left in place. After they split up to investigate, they soon discover that the few survivors of the town has held up in the saloon. They soon realize that the miners in the nearby mines had went too far uncovering a large gold deposit and unleashing the hell of the tommyknockers. 

      Night of the Tommyknockers has a lot going for it which overshadows the bad but it’s far from perfect. There was a few things that I didn’t care for but I think I’m being a little overly critical, as I stated earlier, because it has been sometime since I’ve reviewed a horror western horror. It has a fantastic cast, a wild story, and the locations really work for the film. The acting in this one is fucking great. Honestly, I’ve never really been a fan of Richard Greico. He was alright in 21 Jump Street and the few films he did around this time but since then his performances were extremely stiff and he was clearly there for a quick paycheck. With that being said, he absolutely fucking killed it here. In fact, I didn’t realize it was Grieco until the credits were rolling. He seriously impressed me and made me rethink watching his performances in previous films. The film features another stellar performance, yet short lived, from legendary screen icon Tom Sizemore along with the always entertaining Robert LaSardo. The cast is impressive all around but seeing these three in the same film was thrilling. The story for this one works. The title, Night of the Tommyknockers, quickly makes genre fans think of the classic Romero film Night of the Living Dead and for good reason. Both films have similar titles and both feature people fighting to survive the night locked up in a building of some sort. We also have the legend of the tommyknockers which was popular among miners at this time and is sometimes still told to red hats. I loved the setup, the story, and the surroundings but the editing did get under my skin a few times. The film spends way too much time jumping from characters in different locations. When the movie starts to build steady momentum and atmosphere, we jump from the group in the saloon to the whorehouse upstairs or vice versa. I’ve reviewed enough movies to know that there was a better way to tackle this without making the film feel so clunky. Finally, the film has some great make-up effects and a lot of bloody moments. In fact, I was impressed by the look of the creatures along with a few of the death scenes. On the opposite side of that coin, we get some horrible visual effects and the wardrobe bugged the absolute shit out of me. Everyone’s clothing is so clean and tidy. When I watch a western, I want to see some dirty clothes and warn wardrobes. Overall, Night of the Tommyknockers was an unexpected treat. I really enjoyed the film and it really put Sonny Mahal and Mahal Empire on my radar. I’m seriously looking forward to the next film in the pipeline from them.

Carrie

Director - Brian De Palma (Scarface, Phantom of the Paradise)

Starring  - Sissy Spacek (Hot Rod, The Man with Two Brains), Piper Laurie (The Faculty, Twin Peaks), and Amy Irving (Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics, The Rage: Carrie 2)

Release Date - 1976

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "If you've got a taste for terror... take Carrie to the prom"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I often review indie productions and new theatrical releases when they hit store shelves. I love my job and I love getting to share my thoughts on movies especially indie productions. However, I often find myself getting over excited when I received a classic horror title for review when it gets a new format release. Several years back I was lucky enough to review the first two Evil Dead UHD releases and recently I was able to review Army of Darkness. It’s an amazing feeling being asked to review classic genre films as they get re-released on a new media so when Scream Factory sent over their UHD release Carrie I couldn’t fucking wait to dig into it. Carrie is not my favorite Stephen King adaptation but it’s a fucking classic that I still enjoy and I want to thank Scream Factory for sending this one over. 

     The film follows outcast Carrie White (Spacek) who is abused by her extremely religious mother and tormented by her fellow classmates as school. As prom season approaches, she finds herself the center of a horrible joke in which she is falsely awarded prom queen before pigs blood is dumped on her. Mortified and betrayed, she lets her anger take control and soon unleashes a telekinetic terror on those that wronged her. 

     Carrie has a lot of offer viewers which is why I think it’s still popular among movie goers and not just horror fans. The cast is what has always impressed me with the film but the story, atmosphere, and character development is among some of the best in genre history which is why Carrie is always lumped in with other classic horror icons. The film truly is a classic regardless of your tastes in cinema. The acting in this one is fucking iconic. If you completely ignore Spacek’s flawless performance, you will see find a film overflowing with talent. We have killer performances from Piper Laurie John Travolta, William Katt, and P.J. Soles just to name a few. The cast is fantastic, and every scene is filled with unforgettable performances. Honestly, I could be here all-day writing about the cast if I had the time to do so. The story for this one has so much going on. We have a popular kid who is not really an asshole, his girlfriend who feels sorry for Carrie and tries to give her an experience in high school that she would miss otherwise, a bitchy high school girl who holds a grudge, and her older boyfriend who orchestrates a horrible prank. We put all these characters, the religious aspect, and pseudoscience angle all come together to work in several different ways. It’s a film that embodies horror but can be enjoyed by others with a fondness for other genres as well. Finally, the film has several on screen deaths and a lot of blood but the deaths are a bit underwhelming. They fit the film and work for the story but the effects and imagery is a bit underwhelming. I’ve always been a bit disappointed in the lack of creativity with the death scenes but I will be the first to admit that I’ve seen this movie at least a dozen times, if not more, so maybe I’ve grown accustomed to them. Overall, Carrie is a fucking classic and Scream Factory is one of the few boutique labels that I would trust with putting this out on UHD. I highly recommend snagging this one especially if you are a collector.

Sighs from the Depths

Director - Richard Griffin (Seven Dorms of Death, Strapped for Danger)

Starring - Paul Nolette, Neil Redfield (The Serpent Writhes in a Glass, Disorienting Dick), and Bruce Church (Code Name: Dynastud, Long Night in a Dead City)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You are always welcome here"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating - (out of 5):

     I always find myself getting excited when I’m asked to review a film and it’s even more exciting when it’s a filmmaker that I’ve admired for years. I’ve been a fan of Richard Griffin for a long time, well over a decade at this point. He’s one of the most underrated filmmakers I’ve ever encountered with so many amazing films under his belt with movies like The Disco Exorcist, Nun of That, Murder University, Future Justice, Accidental Incest, Long Night in a Dead City, and many more. That’s why I was beyond excited when Richard reached out for me to review his newest short Sighs from the Depths. I want to thank Richard for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to watch his newest work. 

     The film follows a man and woman who hold special candle lit events for strangers. The woman tells those that visit her how they will die and what will be the cause but is something more going on? 

      Sighs from the Depths puts Griffin back behind the camera, but the downside is that the film is a short. Typically, I like reviewing shorts because I can do two or three in the same amount of time it takes me to watch and review a feature length film. However, when it’s a filmmaker you admire like Richard Griffin then the short run time is a but of a disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, the short is a fantastic short but I really need a feature length film from Griffin. It’s been far too long. The acting in this one is fantastic. The cast is relatively small, but everyone carries the film. The cast is natural in front of the camera, there is no awkward dialogue, and the characters are very well grounded. I know Griffin is involved with theater in his neck of the woods so I’m sure he used that connection to secure amazing talent for this short. The story for this one for this one is very intriguing but with the 10 minute run time I found myself wanting more. I need more back story and a much deeper look into these characters. It’s an effective short but it also falls victim to it’s short run time. Finally, the film is not a blood bath but it is visually appealing. I really enjoyed the look and tone of the film. It really sets the mood and solidifies the story. Overall, Sighs from the Depths is not a horror film in a modern sense. However, it is a brooding and atmospheric short that reminds me a lot of the classic horror tales that a lot of us grew up watching late at night in the dark of our living rooms. If you get a chance to check this one out I highly suggest you do.

Final Gasp

Director - David E. Teixeira (Stream, Visiteur)

Starring - Catarina Carvalho and Sergio Moco (Stream)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Sometime last year I was introduced to filmmaker David E. Teixeira when he asked me to review his short films Visiteur, Stream, and Play. Pause. Kill. I was impressed by what I saw but I was a little disappointed in their short run times. I was seriously impressed by the camera work and how grounded the characters in these two films were.  A few weeks back David reached out to me to review his newest short Last Gasp. With the holidays approaching and my day job ramping up I found myself unable to make time for the film but with the new year here on us I was able to work it in to my schedule. I want to thank David for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this one out. 

      The film follows a young woman who finds herself home alone when a strange package arrives with no name addressed to it. She assumes it’s belongs to one of her roommates and brings it into her apartment. It doesn’t take long before she realizes she has made a grave mistake opening the door and something sinister is in her home. 

      Last Gasp is much like the other films from Teixeira with beautiful camera work, a great performance from a young actress, and a story that is much bigger than the film’s run time. I really believe he has an eye for film that most filmmakers would kill for but the short run time is his biggest problem. I think that if he took the time to work on a feature length film he would create something that would seriously impress genre fans. Anyway, Last Gasp was a lot of fun. It was short and straight to the point but it’s length does work against it. The acting in this is great. The film, for the most part, follows a young woman who is interacting with things alone yet it’s not as awkward as it could have been. Her movement, dialogue, and the way in which she carries the scene is natural. I would have liked to see her story stretched out a little further to see how she would handle other situations. The story for this one is a smooth mix of post-Scream slasher and home invasion thriller. Teixeira’s stylish approach to this type of story could be something truly unforgettable. However, the film’s short run time has us watching the story unfold way too fast without answering any questions. There is so much to explore with the story here and having the short not explore it is criminal. Finally, the film doesn’t have a body count and if you are looking for heaps of blood and gore you will be very disappointed. The film relies heavily on suspense and tension instead of practical effects. Overall, Final Gasp is very atmospheric and beautifully shot but those of you with a taste for blood will be very disappointed. I recommend it but if this isn’t something that interests you then skip it.

Starship Troopers

Director - Paul Verhoeven (Total Recall, Hollow Man) 

Starring - Casper Van Dien (Sleepy Hollow, Casper Meets Wendy), Denise Richards (Wild Things, Tammy and the T-Rex), and Dina Meyer (Saw, Six Feet Under)

Release Date - 1997

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action

Tagline - "A new kind of enemy.  A new kind of war"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in elementary or middle school my dad got the cable box that unlocked the “premium” channels from the local cable company. This allowed us to have access to HBO, Cinemas, and The Movie Channel. I watched a lot of my favorite movies for the first time after we plugged that in. I was introduced to movies like Demolition Man, Brain Donors, and so many more. It was on one of these channels that I watched the sci-fi action film Starship Troopers for the first time. Since then I’ve watched it several times and I often wonder why this film is not talked about in movie circles. It’s a fantastic film that seems to go unnoticed by the masses. Anyway, a few weeks ago I received the press release for the UHD Steelbook release of the film and I was very fucking excited for this release. It’s not often I get a steelbook release in for review, so I was fully expecting to spend the cash for this one. However, a few days later it arrived for review. I had attempted to watch this several times since then, but I decided to wait until I had the house to myself, so I wouldn’t be distracted. 

      The film takes place in the distant future where mankind has achieved intergalactic travel. Humans has progressed significantly and their presence among the stars has provoked a war between them and a planet of giant bugs. The bugs, known as Arachnids, use an asteroid belt around their home planet to shoot meteors at Earth. It’s here that we follow a group of young soldiers in different branches of the Federation military who enter the way to fight for the family they lost after a meteor hit their home country. 

    Starship Troopers suffers from horrible CGI and too many hands in the pot in regard to characters and character development. However, it’s a fantastic sci-fi action film with bits of romance, horror, and comedy scattered throughout. Its throws everything at the viewer in hopes that something sticks and for the most part it does. Aside from the horribly cheap and date visual effects, this film is one of the better sci-fi flicks that still finds it’s mark all these years later. The acting in this one is hit or miss with me. Casper Van Dien and Denise Richards never did it for me in this one. Casper seemed to be trying too hard to be a hard ass while Richards can’t stop smiling. Even during her action scenes, she has this shit eating grin on her face. It’s so awkward and reminds me of a drunk sorority girl trying to get a guy’s attention. With that being said, these characters are not the ones that stick out anyway. Viewers often quote and talk about the performances from Michael Ironside, Clancy Brown, and Jake Busey. Hell, I even prefer Dina Meyer to Richards who out performed her in almost every way. The story for this one is a bit of a mess to follow but if you stick with it and pay attention you will find it very rewarding. As I stated earlier, the film has more memorable characters than the Star Wars franchise. We have so many well written and fully developed characters to enjoy which does stretch the story out. In turn, it stretches the film’s run time as well. I always felt that this could have been split into two films with a little more focus on the story. That way we could get more of the characters that makes this stand out from other sci-fi action films without compromising the story. I do like the story we get but I do feel like it takes the back seat a lot of the time so we can get a ridiculous amount of character development. Finally, the film has some seriously impressive practical and visual effects. However, on the other side of the coin we get some of the worst visual effects in cinema history. A good portion of the visuals we get look good and even hold up after all these years but there is some scenes with some of the worst visuals I’ve seen and that’s including Blood of the Chupacabras. We also get a surprising amount of blood and gore that still catches me off guard after all these years. Overall, Starship Troopers is a must see for any sci-fi fan. Horror fans can appreciate this one as well and this steelbook release is a must have. I highly recommend this one.

Creatures from Black Lake

Director - Joy N. Houck Jr. (Night of Bloody Horror, The Night of the Strangler)

Starring - Jack Elam (The Norseman, The Cannonball Run), Dub Taylor (Starman, Burnt Offerings), and Dennis Fimple (House of 1000 Corpses, Fangs)

Release Date - 1976

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Terror has reached new depths"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It’s no secret that I have a soft spot for cryptid-based horror films and I especially have a deep love for the bigfoot films of the 70s. The popularity of the Patterson-Gimlin footage lead to a huge influx of no budget bigfoot flicks that flooded the drive-ins for years to come. Most are barely watchable, but they are an experience in their own rights. One film that I had never seen before but was very much aware of was Creature from Black Lake. I snagged the DVD for this some years back but never found the time to watch it and once I started writing reviews for Horror Society I found myself watching films for myself less and less. That’s why I was extremely excited when I read that Synapse Films was releasing the film on blu. I knew the DVD I snagged years ago at FYE used was piss poor quality so I was looking forward to finally seeing the film in decent quality. I want to thank my friends over at MVD and Synapse for sending this one over for review. 

      The film follows two investigators who visit a small rural community after news reports that an ape like creature is terrorizing the residents. They encounter a sheriff that warns them about poking their heads around in the woods before setting out to do just that. After recording some interviews and sounds in the forest they find themselves face to face with the beast. 

      Creature from Black Lake is not a good movie. In fact, it’s pretty poor from several aspects. However, I fucking love movies like this. It reminded me a lot of The Legend of Bigfoot which is another from the same period that I enjoy. The faux documentary angle mixed with a lack of budget and cryptid hunting works for me. I know a lot of genre fans will be very critical of this one but I found it enjoyable and charming to some extent. The acting in this one is rough all around. There is a few scenes that was better to watch than others but the overall acting is very forced. The characters were either written on the fly or created on the spot. Regardless, the cast didn’t have much to grab on to and the performances were underwhelming. The story for this one is like others from the same time. The popularity of the Patterson-Gimlin footage sparked an interest for many in cryptozoology. Producers and indie production companies were quick to cash in on the craze with films following people searching for the cryptid before encountering them. This film is no different but, as I stated earlier, I found myself enjoying the low budget aspect and the simplicity of the story. Sure, it has plenty of awkward scenes that is dialogue heavy but I kind of enjoy it if I’m being honest. It’s mindless fun that I can toss in from time to time and just watch. It’s nothing amazing or spectacular but enjoyable for the occasional watch. Finally, the film is rated PG so don’t expect any blood and gore. Deaths take place off screen and the lack of blood is a bit of a disappointment. As for the creature, if you have watched any bigfoot film from the 70s then you know exactly what to expect. Overall, Creature from Black Lake is a forgettable film that is for a specific niche of the horror community. I enjoy it and I know other fans of bigfoot flicks that will appreciate it but for those of you with a hard on for A Serbian Film or foaming at the mouth to talk about August Underground will not enjoy it. I recommend it but you really need to know what you are getting yourself into with this one.

Smile

Director - Parker Finn (Laura Hasn't Slept, The Hidebehind)

Starring - Sosie Bacon (Wyrm, 13 Reasons Why), Jessie T. Usher (The Boys, Tales of the Walking Dead), and Kyle Gallner (Scream, Jennifer's Body)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Once you see it it's too late"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’ve been more invested in theatrical releases this year than years previously. I don’t know if that’s because the pandemic put such a strain on the indie horror community resulting in less than normal indie releases or the theatrical releases from this year has been more impressive. Regardless, the year has brought us X, Pearl, Black Phone, Barbarian, and I’m sure some others are skipping my mind. When I started receiving press drops for the horror film Smile I was somewhat interested in it. The viral marketing for the film was fucking brilliant but I was afraid the gimmick was wasted on advertising and not as enjoyable in the film. I requested a review copy and decided to give it a spin after revisiting X and its prequel Pearl. 

      Smile follows a therapist who finds herself haunted by a supernatural force after she witnesses a new patient’s suicide. While investigating the young woman’s life and what lead up to her suicide, she finds her life mirroring hers. It’s a race against to clock as she tries to find a way to stop the evil forces at work before she is forced to take her own life. 

      I went into this one hearing wonderful things about it but Smile ended up not being for me. I found myself watching my watch more than I was the screen and the unlikable characters made it one extremely tough film to finish. I wanted to like it but it just wasn’t for me. The acting in this one fairly decent but I found myself not caring about the characters at all. It was great seeing Kal Penn and Kyle Gallner. It’s not often that you see Penn in a genre film so that was cool. However, Gallner is known for his appearance in horror titles ranging from The Haunting in Connecticut, Jennifer’s Body, Red State, and the remake of A Nightmare on Elm St. just to name a few. I love seeing him pop up in genre titles from time to time. With that being said, the characters are very generic and flat which didn’t give the cast much to work with. The story for this one reminded me a lot of The Grudge with a lot of predictable scenes and gags. I did like the jump scares we get but the story itself was a mess in my opinion. The movie’s premise is easily compared to the Grudge where someone dies so many days after watching a cursed tape. In Smile, someone dies so many days after watching someone cursed end their own life. I assumed the film would focus more on mental illness and ride the line between horror and psychological thriller especially after you learn the protagonist was a therapist. Instead, The Grudge inspired story is so predictable that you can turn a first time watch into a drinking game. Finally, the film has some impressive make-up effects and some bloody deaths but if you are looking for gore then you will be very disappointed. In fact, the film has a small body count, but most are done off screen except for one or two and the deaths were not memorable. Overall, Smile had a lot of praise coming from the horror community but it’s clear it was overhyped. The movie wasn’t for me and if I really want to see a similar story again I’ll just toss in the original Grudge from Arrow Video. I wanted to like it because I hate writing negative reviews for movies sent to me but this is one I would recommend skipping.