Director - Jack Mulvanerty (Everything Decays, Split)
Starring - Emily E (Mutilation Theatre, Symphony of Suffering) and Jack Mulvanerty
Release Date - 2023
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Horror is such a vast genre. It truly is unique when you consider all the various sub-genres, trends, and styles that make up the entire horror community. While I respect all things horror, I know not all horror movies sent my way will be home runs. In fact, there is a good chance that a great deal of them are films that I won't enjoy but I'm always grateful when a director reaches out to me to review their work. Recently, filmmaker Jack Mulvanerty hit me up to review several of his newer films. I recently watched Everything Decays and Scarlet Piss Princess. I decided to keep the Mulvanerty marathon going with his 2023 film Dolls are Meant to be Trash. I want to once again say thanks to Jack for sending this over.
The film follows a young woman, played by Emily E, who spends her time cutting herself, piercing herself with needles, and other forms of self-mutilation.
I knew what I was getting into after watching Everything Decays and Scarlet Piss Princess, but I wasn't expecting it to be as repetitive as it was. I'm not much on the cutting, piercing, and so on in film but I can see why some genre fans enjoy it. These things do have their own fans in the fetish horror community but for someone that enjoys a story in their film, I was underwhelmed. The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect. The cast shows some serious dedication with the extreme acts they commit but there is no acting in a traditional sense. The story for this one is basically "watch an attractive woman mutilate her body and other sexual acts." It's beautifully shot but for someone, like myself, wanting to dig into a horror film with a story, it is a bit of a disappointment. Finally, the film has some blood and other bodily fluids but it's not something gorehounds and old school effects fans would be looking for. Overall, Dolls Are Meant to Be Trash is a film for a select group of movie fans and I'm not one of them. The film looks good and I found myself drawn in by the heinous acts committed in front of the camera but this is one I will not be revisiting
Starring - Emily E (Mutilation, Dolls Are Meant to Be Trash) and Jack Mulvanerty
Release Date - 2023
Genre - Erotic/Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I've spent a lot of my adult life watching and reviewing movies for Horror Society. I absolutely love getting a movie in for review that I've never seen before even if it's one that I don't necessarily enjoy once I finally see it. I love checking out all the different approaches to horror and how the genre resonates with the filmmakers. With that being said, I'm not naïve enough to think that I will love every horror title sent my way. Some movies are just not meant for me but that doesn't necessarily mean they are bad movies. I was recently sent several films from filmmaker Jack Mulvanerty. I reviewed his film Creeps back in 2013 when he was just a teenager and was looking forward to seeing how he has grown as a filmmaker. I decided to follow up Everything Decay's with his film Scarlet Piss Princess. I want to thank Jack for sending this one over!
The film follows a camgirl, played by Emily E, who dives into a deep depression after a camming session. She then begins to explore body mutilation and other forms of self-torture.
I typically stay away from extreme horror and the many sub-genres that branch off from it. I tend to like the goofier side of the genre. I want to see slashers with an ass for a mask, living placentas, gay killers who kill hetero's, and killer turds. Most extreme horror flicks lack the stories that I need. I hate when I hit play on a movie and it's 90 minutes of violence with no story or substance. I do like some extreme horror films because they rely on story while giving us extreme acts of violence, gore, and so on. However, being extreme just to be edgy is not enjoyable to me. Scarlet Piss Princess is extreme in a way but it's more of a fetish horror film that will make pop horror fans feel extremely uncomfortable. The cast consists of just one person, Emily E, who does some extreme acts to her body. The film is extremely demanding, and she is all in. The story for this one is pretty much non-existent. The film was made to showcase the beauty of Emily E. along with the various forms of self-torture that she does to her body. While it's not my type of film I still found myself glued to the screen which is saying something about it. Finally, the film has some blood but not the fake shit. Those with a weak constitution will want to skip on this one. Overall, Scarlet Piss Princess is not going to be for everyone. If you like watching beautiful women draw blood and other extreme acts, then this one is for you. However, if you are like me and dig films with a story then you will find this one a bit difficult to finish.
Starring - Emily E. (Mutilation Theatre, Doll Are Meant to Be Trash) and Jack Mulvanerty
Release Date - 2024
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Several years back I was contacted by a couple of teenage filmmakers wanting to get the word out on their films. It was impressive seeing everything they were able to create while going to school and no resources. I lost touch with one of those filmmakers, Jack Mulvanerty, but he recently sought me out to check out several of his new films. His 2013 no budget splatter flick Creeps: a Tale of Murder and Mayhem was a lot of fun, so I quickly said yes. The first one I checked out was his newest film Everything Decays. I want to thank Jack for sending this one my way!
The film follows a beautiful young woman who soon finds herself at the whelm of a man who uses her to act out his most perverse fantasies.
It's been a long time since I first befriended Jack Mulvanerty and it looks like his filmmaking style has grown tremendously as he has over the years. Everything Decays is a far cry from the last film of his I reviewed and while I don't care for this type of film, I can see why so many genre fans do. The acting in this one is not acting in a traditional sense. The film is essentially a fetish horror flick, so the two-person cast is acting out extreme fetish acts. The story for this one is textbook torture porn but with more emphasis on the sexuality of the acts rather than the horror. This is where the film kind of lost me. While the female lead, Emily E, is absolutely gorgeous, it just wasn't enough to hold my attention on such a thin plot. Finally, we do get some practical effects and a lot of blood, real and fake. I really enjoyed the practical effects that we do get but I'm not much on seeing the real thing. I guess I'm a pussy in that regard. Overall, Everything Decays is for those of you that like films in the same line as Barf Bunny. While most horror fans will not appreciate it, those with an eye for extreme horror and fetish horror will really enjoy it. Check it out.
Director - James Balsamo (Bite School, Killer Waves)
Starring - James Balsamo, Joe Borlik (Hollywood Werewolf, Karate Cop), and Dani Bliss (Las Vegas Frankenstein, Silly Dilly Why So Killy? (Dildo of the Dead))
Release Date - 2024
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
It's not often I find a sequel to be just as good, or better, than the original film. I've seen films like Return of the Living Dead Part II and Halloween II (Carpenter's) be equally as enjoyable as the original film but there have been a few sequels that have surpassed the original in my opinion. While I respect the films Hellraiser and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, it's the sequels to them both that I enjoy more than the originals. That brings me to Karate Ghost 2: Dojo of Death from director James Balsamo. I was sent this one a few weeks back, but I wasn't able to get to it then and didn't really want to make time for it after watching the original Karate Ghost. However, I'm glad I did because I enjoyed it. I want to thank James for sending this one over!
The film once again follows Nick Laser (Balsamo) who is tasked with stopping the evil Black Belt Joe who has escaped his belt and is going on a rampage.
I went into Karate Ghost 2 expecting it to be another rough watch but I found myself enjoying it for the most part. Sure, I'm over horror films shot guerilla style at horror conventions but the absurdity of this one mixed with Balsamo's humor made it worth my time. The acting in this one is just as uneven as in the first film. Balsamo's performance is wild. He once again brings in that exaggerated performance that is clearly meant to parody straight to video action and martial art films of the 80s and 90s. However, the remainder of the cast seems to consist of people he had ran into at various conventions or paid to cameo in the film. It's very inconsistent and doesn't really do much for the film aside from destroy the pacing. The story for this one is extremely campy and cheesy but I dig it. It's follows in the next logical evolution of the story with Black Belt Joe escaping again. While I did have fun with it, the film could have been trimmed down to a short without the cameos and convention goer scenes. These really did take away from the pacing and impact of the story. Finally, the film has more of the DIY effects shown in the first film with fake limbs, blood, and even a creature of two. It's a lot of fun and adds another layer of humor to the film but those of you looking for serious gore will be disappointed. Overall, Karate Ghost 2 is an improvement overthe first film but there is a lot that could be changed to make it better. However, I enjoyed it and if you dig campy action flicks then I'm sure you would too
Starring - Joe Borlik (Karate Cops, Hollywood Werewolf), James Balsamo (Milfs vs Zombies, Hanukkah), and Charles Wright (It Wants Blood 2, Killer Waves 2)
Release Date -2023
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
A year or so ago I came into contact with filmmaker Bobby Canipe Jr. when he was promoting his S.O.V. inspired slasher Grandma . I knew very little about this one but when I was able to check it out I fell in love with it. It's far from perfect and very rough around the edges but it's a lot of fun and did a great job at nailing that S.O.V. vibe and look. I haven't seen anything of his since but that recently changed when filmmaker Jame Balsamo reached out to me to review his film Karate Ghost 2. I had never seen the first Karate Ghost so when I mentioned this to James he was kind enough to send over a link to that film as well which just happened to be directed by Bobby. I want to thank James for sending over both of these films.
The film follows an aspiring karate instructor who purchases an old dojo with a reclusive janitor living in the back. The janitor is the legendary Nick Laser who brought an end to Black Belt Joe's reign when he trapped his soul in his belt many years ago. Now, with the dojo under new management, the soul of Black Belt Joe is released forcing Nick to once again stop him.
I knew very little about Karate Ghost before going into it but the artwork and title had me fucking pumped. However, once I was greeted with an introduction by the legendary Charles Wright as his Godfather character in what felt like a Cameo video, I knew this was going to be different and not necessarily in a good way. The acting in this one is very inconsistent. We have some performances where the cast is looking at the camera and just spitting their dialogue out. Then when have other scenes with a lot of energy and comedic timing. Director, producer, and actor James Balsamo carries the film with his exaggerated take on straight to video action films that many of us grew up on. The story for this one felt like it was meant to be something much different, and the direction was changed halfway through. I loved the over-the-top karate action, the exaggerated dialogue, and the crazy deaths but the film hits a huge lag where it slows down to crawl for a good bit before picking back up. The pacing is all over the place which is another reason why I suspect that it was written on the fly or had major elements of the story changed. Finally, the film has a lot of violent deaths with some decent, and some not so decent, practical effects. The deaths fit a karate centered film and some of the effects are great. However, some of the effects are very amateurish and just didn't fit that well. Overall, Karate Ghost is the kind of movie I could seriously get behind, but the awkward pacing and extremely cheap effects makes it feel like it was a film put together on the run or on a severe time crunch. I wanted to love it but I couldn't.
Director - Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger, The Class of Nuke 'Em High)
Starring - David Mattey (House of the Dead 2, Supernatural), Clyde Lewis (Nightfall, Nightbumpers), and Heidi Sjursen (I Was a Trannie Werewolf, PDA Massacre)
Release Date - 2000
Genre - Action/Comedy
Tagline - "A tale of two Toxies"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I've been a huge fan of Troma for many years now. The original Toxic Avenger was my introduction into the wild world of Troma. It wasn't long after that I was exploring other Toxie films. During my initial viewing of the four films making up the Toxie-verse, I found myself really drawn to the first and fourth film. These two films feel completely different from one another, yet they still pulled me in. It's not often that I watch the first Toxic Avenger and not watch the three sequels but when I do, I still toss in the fourth film. Citizen Toxie is among my favorite Troma releases, and I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending this one over in the Toxie 4K set to check out.
The film follows Toxie who finds himself blasted to an alternate Tromaville when a gang known as the Diaper Mafia blows up a school for special needs kids. His alternate counterpart, the Noxious Offender, is sent to his Tromaville. While Toxie is here, he meets Evil Kabukiman who is a drug dealer with Noxious. Now he must fight to get back to his world with his expecting wife before Noxious ruins his life.
Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV is a stereotypical Troma film with shock value humor, colorful characters, and a story that still fits in the Toxie-verse. It's radically different than the first film but can easily be compared to later Troma films like Poultrygeist and Terror Firmer. It's not perfect and not as gritty as the original but it stands out especially when compared with the two previous sequels which is known for how much fans dislike them. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. We have a lot of colorful characters that are reminiscent of cartoon characters which is something I love. It's easily the most over the top in regard to acting out of the four Toxie films and probably my favorite acted one. The story for this one is a lot of fun and once again the ballsiest of the Toxie films. We have some of the most offensive humor in all the Tromaverse mixed with some extremely funny gags, a lot of action, and a plot that works. I really liked the opposite spin on some of Troma's favorite characters, the new characters created for the film, and how the story plays out. It's a lot of fun and even though the film does try to push shock value by being offensive, it doesn't really take away from the overall film. Finally, the film has a lot of DIY practical effects that I really enjoy. We get more of the head crushing antics of Toxie that we know and love along with many more bloody moments. The effects are easily the best in the Toxie series but none of them hold up to the fish scene in part II. Overall, Citizen Toxie is a must see for Troma fans especially those just now getting into their films. It's a worthy sequel to an iconic character and doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend this 4K release.
Director(s) - Michael Herz (The First Turn On!!, Stuck on You!) and Lloyd Kaufman (A Halloween Carol, Shakespeare's Shitstorm)
Starring - Ron Fazio (The Supernatural Diaries, Clover), Phoebe Legere (King of New York, Marquis de Slime), and Rick Collins (Vampire's Embrace, Parts of the Family)
Release Date - 1989
Genre - Action/Comedy
Tagline - "The real American superhero"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I've learned a bit about genre fans, more specifically Troma fans, the last few days while I was watching the new UHD Toxic Avenger box set. I've always like the film series as a whole but never realized that many Troma fans dislike Toxic Avengers II and III. While the films are very different from the first and fourth film in the series, they are unique in how they were shot which may be why so many Troma fans dislike them. While both films were filmed as one film and then split up due to the amount of footage does create a bit of an odd flow for these two films, but I enjoy them. Like always, I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending over this box set!
Toxie has once again cleaned up Tromaville and has entered severe depression when he learns of a surgery that could restore his beloved's eyesight. Sadly, he doesn't have the ridiculous sum of money required to get her the surgery. He agrees to be a spokesperson for Apocalypse Inc. where he is able to afford her surgery while inadvertently turning his back on Tromaville and his fans. As the money comes rolling in he becomes less like himself and more like a corporate sellout. He soon realizes this and returns to his old ways resulting in a battle between Toxie and the evil leader of Apocalypse Inc., the devil himself.
If I was to take the time to rank all the Toxic Avenger films, Toxic Crusaders included, Part III would be low man on the totem pole. It's not that I hate it because I most definitely don't, but I would rather be watching one of the other films in the series over this one. With that being said, it's hard not to watch Part II without following it up with Part III. The acting in this one is obviously consistent with Part II considering both films were filmed as one and then split during editing. Nothing I can really say here that I didn't say in my review for Part II. I like the energy, the personalities that each character brings to the screen, and the dedication they all have for their roles. The story for this one does bring everything full circle but I feel like the elements that made Part II so enjoyable are lacking here. I loved the trip through Japan and watching learn about their customs, culture, and fighting styles. We have some Troma-inspired slapstick, and a lot of great characters. In Part III we have a return to Tromaville where Toxie becomes a corporate flunky that just doesn't work. It's a bit dull and very predictable once it starts rolling. I liked how the evil corporation is a front for the devil and the big battle at the end is a lot of fun but the film just doesn't have the spunk as the previous two films. Finally, the film once again showcases a lot of DIY effects. We get some great make-up effects, more bloody moments, and a few memorable deaths scenes. While the effects are not the focus of the film, they still work, especially when you consider the film's budget. Overall, Part III is still a great addition to the Troma franchise but it is the weakest of the four films. Check it out.
Director(s) - Michael Herz (Troma's War, The Troma System) and Lloyd Kaufman (Terror Firmer, Tromeo and Juliet)
Starring - Ron Fazio (Shell Shocked, Basket Case 2), John Altamura (Heaven Becomes Hell, Party Girls), and Phoebe Legere (King of New York, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.)
Release Date - 1989
Genre - Action/Comedy
Tagline - "Tackling toxic trouble from Tromaville to Tokyo"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I go into all sequels, remakes, prequels, and spin offs with an open mind. While most genre fans are quick to hate any project that is a continuation of a property they enjoy, I look forward to seeing where this new film, series, or what have you takes us. While I do look forward to these films, I'm not naive enough to know that most sequels, remakes, and so on are never as good as the original with very few exceptions. I was a huge fan of The Toxic Crusaders along with Creepy Crawlers, Mutant League, and Beetlejuice growing up. In high school I was able to watch the original Toxic Avenger which sent me on a path of Tromalightenment. Not long after watching the first film I was snagging a copy of the three sequels. I've watched all three films a dozen times a piece, but the first film will always be my favorite. When I was digging into the UHD release of the film I decided to binge them all. I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending this amazing set over.
The film follows Melvin, the Toxic Avenger, who has cleaned up the crime in Tromaville and has settled down as caretaker for a center for the blind. However, a greedy corporation, Apocalypse Inc, wants to move into Tromaville so they can have better access to New York City. They come up with a plan to trick him into going to Japan to look for his estranged father giving them time to pollute and corrupt Tromaville. While in Japan Toxie finds his dad but discovers he is a drug trafficker. He murders him and then learns sumo before returning to Tromaville to save the town he loves.
Sequels get a bad rep, but I tend to enjoy them. In fact, when I posted on social media that I was watching this one I received several messages from several genre fans expressing their dislike of Parts II and III of the Toxic Avenger film series. Honestly, I like all four films along with the animated series, but I can see why fans of the first film don't care for this follow up. I've been a Troma fan for a few decades now and this film is another staple in the wild world of Tromaville. It's nowhere near as fun as the original but it's still a fun watch especially if you are a fan of the Troma backed films. The acting in this one has more energy than the first film but we have so many characters on screen at a time. It's a lot of chaos and some scenes have dialogue flying at the viewer with absolutely no time to comprehend what is happening. This would become a staple of Troma films in later releases. The story for this one is pretty bold, especially for an indie production company like Troma. We continue with the toxic theme but this time we bring in corporate corruption, exaggerated characters, and a crime spin that works. While the film doesn't have the same gritty style story as the original, it still works and feels more like a Troma release than the original flagship film does. Finally, the film is full of bloody and ridiculous DIY effects that are reminiscent of the first film but on a much larger scale. Many of the deaths involve foam heads, lots of fake blood and some latex but we do have some iconic scenes like the fish nose gag that is still funny regardless of how many times I've seen it. Overall, The Toxic Avenger Part II may not be as good as the first film, but it doesn't have to be. It's a solid follow up that doesn't try to recreate what the first film does, but instead it gives viewers an unpredictable path for fans to go down. I highly recommend it.
Director(s) - Michael Herz (Waitress!, Stuck on You!) and Lloyd Kaufman (Troma's War, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead)
Starring - Andree Maranda, Mitch Cohen (Chiller Cinema, Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko), and Jennifer Babtist (Alien Sex Phone Psycho, Class of Nuke 'Em High)
Release Date - 1984
Genre - Action/Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "The first superhuman-hero... from New Jersey"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I find it funny how certain movies stick with you and can shape you in a way that you would never expect. When I was in high school, I watched Troma's The Toxic Avenger for the first time and immediately fell in love with it. Not only did this introduce me to the world of indie filmmaking and no budget cinema, but The Toxic Avenger instantly became one of my favorite films. I had seen the Toxic Crusaders as a child but had no idea it was based on a film. To date I can confidently say that I've seen the film well over 100 times and I love it so much that I have it forever tattooed on my arm. I've owned the film on DVD, VHS, and blu so when MVD and Troma announced the UHD release of the film I knew I had to review it. I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending over this release for me to check out.
The film follows the nerdy custodian Melvin who finds himself in the middle of a prank gone wrong when he falls from the upper floors of a fitness center and into a barrel of toxic waste. He is then transformed into a mutated fighter of crime.
The Toxic Avenger is one of the films that you absolutely love or hate. I've met people with Toxie tattoos as well along with extensive collections and signed memorabilia. I've also met people who have turned hating Toxie and Troma into their entire personality. However, I've never met someone that was on the middle ground, which really speaks volumes to the film. Sure, my review is a bit biased, but I'd be more impressed if someone has read this review and had never seen the film before. The acting in this one is fun with a lot of energy but you can tell who has no experience and who has just a little. It doesn't stop them for going all out in their roles but the dialogue is loud and awkward through most of the film. Don't get me wrong, this is part of the charm that the movie has but fans of big budget cinema and award-winning acting will truly be miserable during this one. The story for this one is so much fun and pretty ambitious for a small budget film. A scrawny nerd falling into toxic waste and becoming a mutated hero is clearly a parody of superhero movies, comics, and shows. What makes this one stand out from other films is the horror elements and shock value. Several scenes in this film could not be done today but that is why so many people love it. It pushed the boundaries of what was funny while delivering some blood and gore to potential renters that picked the movie at a video store. Finally, the film has a lot of practical and make-up effects that still draw viewers in after all these years. The scene when Melvin is transforming into Toxie looks so good, especially in 4K. The fight scenes with the random bloody moments fit the film but if you are focused too much on them then you will see the budget's limits. Overall, The Toxic Avenger is a cult classic that deserves this release. Fans of the film and collectors of UHD will want to add this one to their collection. It's a must own!
Director(s) - Tom Fisher and Jon McBride (Among Us, Woodchipper Massacre)
Starring - Jon McBride, Amy Chludzinski and Christopher A. Granger
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Friends don't let friends eat friends"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
I started taking my movie collecting seriously about ten years ago. I had always bought movies and took the time to organize them, but it wasn't until I was married that I started focusing on what I was adding to my collection. I would often spend a few hundred on Amazon getting DVDs for films I had never seen, which led me to Camp Motion Pictures and their S.O.V. releases. Under their Retro 80s series of releases, I was able to snag a bad ass DVD set made to look like a VHS big box along with a few other solo titles like Cannibal Campout. I love having it in my collection, but I never made the time to actually watch it. That changed when Terror Vision released the film on blu. While I love the Retro 80s release, I couldn't pass up the chance to upgrade to blu. Once it arrived, I had to make time to finally watch it.
The film follows two couples who head out camping in the woods. On their way to their campsite, they encounter some hostile locals but are able to get away from them...but not for long. These hillbillies are cannibals and just happen to come across their campsite.
Cannibal Campout is far from perfect but holy fuck was it a lot of fun. That is a bit of a bummer considering how long I've owned the DVD release but never took the time to watch it. Regardless, I'm glad I finally checked it out and the first time seeing it was this release from Terror Vision. The acting in this one was very well done. A lot of S.O.V. horror flicks that I've reviewed had performances that were forced and overdramatic at times. However, Cannibal Campout had a great cast and some memorable characters for them to bring to life. The story for this one is a pre-Wrong Turn backwoods cannibal slasher that would become even more popular in the 2000s. We follow a group of innocents who happen to be camping in a cannibal family's hunting grounds. It's nothing overly complicated but it works for a cheap horror flick. Finally, the film has some blood, fake body parts, and a lot of creativity. While the effects are not the best I had seen, they still work for the film and find their marks with the viewer. Overall, Cannibal Campout is a great no budget schlocky cannibal flick that fans of films like Dead Next Door and Skinned Alive will enjoy. Grab it on blu now from Terror Vision.
Director(s) - Chris Leto (Death Blow, The Cheerleader Sleepover Slaughter) and Sean Donohue (Cannibal Claus, Zed's Dead)
Starring - Jess Flux (Murdercise, CarousHELL 3)
Release Date - 2023
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I've been writing reviews for indie horror releases for over a decade now and during that time I've met some filmmakers that I greatly admire. Florida based filmmakers Sean Donohue and Chris Leto were among the first directors to allow me to review their work, which is something that meant a lot to me. I've reviewed a lot, if not all, of their films to date so when Sean hit me up to review their new anthology, I quickly agreed to it. I want to thank Sean for sending Phobophobia my way to review!
The film follows the "final ghoul" Jessa Flux as she shows us several different stories featuring different phobias ranging from clowns, animals, intruders, and confined to small spaces.
Phobophobia is a fun indie horror anthology that progressively gets better as the film moves along. The first few stories had me second guessing myself and why I hit play, but it was around the third segment that I started to enjoy myself. This is fairly common in indie horror anthologies and something I've come to expect when I turn them on. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. I'm a huge fan of Jessa Flux and love seeing her take on the role of a horror host. Her charisma and sex appeal holds the viewer's attention, and her whit is quick to remind viewers of the equally sexy and funny Elvira. The segments in the anthology is fairly well acted as well but I am unable to find names due to the imdb page for the film only listing Flux. This leads me to believe that these were possible films sometime back and put together with Flux tying them all together. The stories for these segments are inconsistent but it works if you stick with it. I didn't care for the claustrophobic and coulrophobic stories, however, the next four segments make up for it. We have a fear of witches, animals, intruders, and aliens. The segment about witches and the one about animals are easily my favorite but these last four make the film for me. They are not too long, have solid characters, and some have some seriously fun gore. Finally, the segments, much like the quality, vary in blood and gore. The blood and gore that we do get looks absolutely fantastic. I as seriously impressed by it and hoped that it would lead to even more blood in the coming shorts. Unfortunately, most of the shorts are bone dry, which is a shame. Overall, Phobophobia starts out slowly but does find it's footing as the film moves on. It ends on a strong foot and the idea behind it could be carried on to more films. Honestly, it works and could easily be pushed into a sequel or even a trilogy with Miss Flux hosting. Check it out.
Director - Tom Holland (Child's Play, Fright Night)
Starring - Robert John Burke (Robocop 3, Dust Devil), Joe Mantegna (Airheads, The Twilight Zone), and Lucinda Jenney (3 From Hell, The Late Shift)
Release Date - 1996
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Let the curse fit the crime"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I've been fortunate enough to review several Stephen King adaptations over the years thanks to my friends at the various boutique labels re-releasing these films on blu and UHD. I've seriously enjoyed several of his film adaptations, including the one he directed, but I haven't seen them all. One film I never got around to seeing is Thinner. I had bought the film years ago on DVD but never had the desire to watch it. However, I had to finally check it out when Scream Factory released the film on blu. They sent it my way for review which I'm grateful for, but I just didn't think I would enjoy it. The synopsis on the back of the DVD made it sound like it was going to be predictable and unintelligent to watch. However, I was very wrong, and I want to thank Scream Factory for sending it over.
The film follows a lawyer who is struggling with his weight. His wife and doctor are constantly bringing up his weight and forcing him to diet, which has not been so successful at this point. One night after celebrating winning a big case they accidentally strike a woman with his car killing her instantly. The accident lands him on trial where he uses his ties with the judge and chief of police to get out of it. After the trial he is approached by the elderly father of the woman he killed where he touches his face while whispering "thinner." That evening he notices he is losing weight and suspects his new diet is working but as the days go on, he realizes he was cursed by the man and so was the judge and chief of police.
I never thought a film like Thinner would interest me but here I am writing a review after watching it twice. It's not my favorite King adaptation but it is a fantastic film that combines horror, crime, and drama into something that works. Some genre fans may not appreciate it, but fans of all genres will truly enjoy it. The acting in this one is great. Robert John Burke is fantastic as the overweight lawyer who finds himself quickly wasting away. His performance has a wide range of emotion, and he absolutely nails it. The supporting cast is just as fantastic. We have amazing performances from Kari Wuhrer, Joe Mantegna, Lucinda Jenney, Daniel von Bargen, and many more. The story for this one is a bit predictable but I really enjoyed the ride. The blending of crime, drama, and horror works very well with the story centered around gypsy curses and corrupt lawyers, judges, and cops. While it does slow down dramatically during the middle portion of the film, it is still able to pick back up and deliver a very strong ending that perfectly wraps up everything with a little twist that you see coming but doesn't take away from the effectiveness. Finally, the film has a lot of make-up effects and prosthetics but it's not a bloody or gory flick. While I hate the fat make-up used on Burke, I loved the make-up used on the judge and the chief. They both looked absolutely amazing and worked. Sadly, Burke's make-up is laughable at best and does bring about a bit of unintentional humor. Overall, Thinner is a fantastic King adaptation that may not bring the chills you would expect but still finds a way to entertain. This release from Scream Factory looks great and deserves to be in any collector's collection.
Director - Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell)
Starring - Liam Neeson (Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, Gangs of New York), Frances McDormand (The Twilight Zone, The Butcher's Wife), and Colin Friels (Seven Deadly Sins, Dark City)
Release Date - 1990
Genre - Horror/Action
Tagline - "They destroyed everything he had, everything he was. Now, crime has a new enemy, and justice has a new face"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
My middle school and high school years were defined by George A. Romero and Sam Raimi. I discovered Romero when I was a kid staying at my grandmother's house and I rediscovered Raimi in middle school when I bought the Evil Dead trilogy on DVD when I was starting my collection. I had realized that Evil Dead II was a film I had watched as a child when my mother was still around. I fucking loved Raimi's approach to film and had never seen a film of his that I didn't like. During my high school years, I was rabid for other films from both filmmakers, and it was here that I was introduced to the Darkman trilogy. I had picked up the DVD release of all three films at Walmart and binged them when I got home. While they do drop in quality as the trilogy progresses, I still found myself enjoying them greatly. Fast forward almost 20 years and here I am reviewing the new UHD release from Scream Factory. I want to thank them for sending this one over and allowing me the opportunity to reminisce for a minute.
The film follows a scientist working on a synthetic skin in his lab at his apartment when he is left to die by a gang of thugs looking for a document that his girlfriend had obtained. He survives the attack but due to the massive number of burns that his body has received, the doctors are forced to severe his nerve endings, so he is not in a constant state of pain. Using his synthetic skin and no pain tolerance, he sets out to seek revenge on those that tried to kill him.
Darkman is one of the better superhero films pre-Blade and one that I can watch over and over again without tiring of it. It's a cleverly written action film with a lot of memorable characters that I always made me want to immediately toss in the Dick Tracy live action film. Many may argue that this one is not horror, and they could easily win that argument, however, its horror influence is very evident from the make-up effects to the death scenes. The acting in this one is fucking amazing. We have Liam Neeson, the late Larry Drake and Danny Hicks, Frances McDormand, Ted Raimi, and a cameo from Bruce Campbell. Fans of the genre and cult cinema will truly appreciate this cast and how amazing they are in these fantastic characters. The supporting cast is just as great, creating what is one phenomenal well-rounded film. The story for this one has a great twist that you really don't see coming, some well-placed action scenes that holds the viewer's attention, and some developed characters. This is clearly not a film that was approved and rushed into production. The way the story is told combines action, crime, noir, and horror elements to create something that is still enjoyable all these years later. Finally, the film has iconic make-up effects along with some seriously impressive action scenes that really pulls the whole film together. We do have a little blood but don't expect a bloodbath or gore in tune to Saimi's previous films. Overall, Darkman is a must-see action/crime film that charades around as a superhero film. Raimi does not disappoint and neither does this UHD release. Check it out.
Director - Jason Hawkins (The Last Slay Ride, Cross Hollow)
Starring - Maddey Pierson (Zuzu: The Rough Cut, A Nightmare Uncovered), Jason Hawkins, and Jason Reynolds (Jason Rising: A Friday the 13th Fan Film, The Brain that Wouldn't Die)
Release Date - 2024
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
A lot of times I get films sent to my inbox that I had never heard about or know anything about. It's hard to explain but getting to see a film before it's released is extremely exciting. I get sent a lot of films to review and sometimes my greed and curiosity gets the best of me. I often find myself swamped with films that I want to watch and review but I'm unable to do so in a timely manner. One of the films that I agreed to check out recently is the 2024 horror film The Night Devours from director Jason Hawkins. I've had this one on my list for a few weeks but couldn't get around to it until now. I'm glad I made time for it because it was a lot of fun. I want to take a moment to thank Jason for sending this one over to me.
The film follows a young man who grew up obsessing over his father and being accepted by him. However, his father often neglected and abused him which has boiled into a hatred inside him. Night lighting as a ridesharing driver, he meets his victims when they book a ride in his vehicle. After each murder he turns to his camera to explain why he does what he does and how his upbringing is responsible.
The Night Devours was surprisingly well done. I knew nothing about it prior to my viewing but once I realized it was done in a found footage/mockumentary way I was ready to abort. I'm not a fan of these types of films but this one worked for the most part. It has great atmosphere, great character development though it is a bit cliched at this point, and a solid story. I did enjoy it but there are several things that could have been done differently to improve the film. I loved the acting in this one. I have a problem with films having scenes where they are doing the whole MTV's Real World confessional style rants in front of the camera. It's always awkward and most of the time the actor is trying too hard to make it feel genuine. That is not the case here. It works and I felt the different emotions being channeled during each of these scenes. While these repetitive scenes did overstay their welcome, the acting is great. Teh story for this one is very clever but it would be far more effective as a short. The male killer with daddy issues finding victims while working a ride sharing job at night is very clever but, it does repeat itself. The ride sharing victims and the camera confessionals repeat themselves too many times. These scenes should have been done once or twice because without feeling monotonies. Finally, don't expect a bloodbath or a gory flick. The film is character driven with no real blood or practical effects for the viewer to enjoy. Overall, The Night Devours is a solid indie flick about a serial killer but it would have been more enjoyable if it was trimmed down. Regardless, it's worth your time so check it out.
Director - Andrew J. Chambers (Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter, After School Lunch Special)
Starring - Morrigan Thompson (Debbie Does Demons, Karate Ghost), Ivy Smith (Attack of the 50 Foot CamGirl, Giantess Battle Attack), and Raven Foyt (After School Lunch Special 2: Sloppy Seconds, Babezilla vs. The Zombie Whorde)
Release Date - 2023
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I was in middle school the world went fucking crazy for The Blair Witch Project. I remember kids arguing at lunch and recess about it being real. While I was still one of those kids that fully thought wrestling was real, I never bought into the hype that The Blair Witch Project was real. My argument was always that if people really died would they be showing it in theaters? When I finally watched it I remember thinking it didn't live up to the hype but it wasn't the worst movie that I had seen. My biggest problem with the film was the lack of witches. I was looking forward to a film centered around a witch and all I got was three assholes arguing with one another for an hour or so. The horror genre rarely gets films that are worth a damn centered around witches in a traditional sense. We may get one every couple of years to enjoy and that may be pushing it. That's why I was so fucking excited to see A.J. Chamber's Lust, Magic, and the Witches' Sabbath. An indie horror film about witches starring one of my favorite indie horror scream queens Morrigan Milam (Thompson). I want to thank A.J. for sending this one over!
The film follows a young woman who moves out of her family home wanting to get her life started without her mother's help. She befriends a witch in her new town and is invited to join her coven. However, another young woman in the area has turned to religion after a traumatic childhood. Now she has plans of eradicating the witches from her hometown.
I knew very little about Lust, Magic, and the Witches' Sabbath prior to watching it aside from what the title suggested. I went into this one blind, and I found myself struggling until the last half of the film. I didn't care for the film during the first 30 minutes or so but once the film gained traction, I found myself really digging it. The acting in this one is very well done. Morrigan is one of my favorite indie actresses and she never disappoints. This film is no exception. I struggled with the characters and found myself not liking most of them, but her character was very down to Earth and grounded. I also liked Attack of the 50 Foot CamGirl's Ivy Smith. She is almost unrecognizable here and does a phenomenal job. In fact, her performance is probably the best in the film. With that being said, the remainder of the characters are lacking in development. The cast does a great job with what they were given but the characters are flat and not that likable. The story for this one is exactly what I'm looking for when I hit play on a horror flick about witches. We have the witches' holding ceremonies in the woods, nudity, Satan, and heavy religious elements. I absolutely loved this story, but it is a little back end heavy. The last half saves the film while the first half is a bit difficult to finish. Some editing a little more action in the first part would have helped the flow of the film. Also, a little more time on developing the characters would have gone a long way as well. Finally, this isn't a bloody film. It focuses mor on the characters and their interactions more than blood and gore. We go get a fair bit of nudity so that is a plus. Overall, Lust, Magic, and the Witches' Sabbath is a sexy yet extremely slow film about witches and deep seeded religion. I enjoyed it and I think you will too if you stick with it. Check it out.
Director(s) - James Groetsch, Shawn Korby, and Bill Weiss
Starring - Matt Felmlee (The Strip, Lovers and Liars), Loreal Steiner, and Jeff Tatum (Drop Dead Gorgeous, The Hymens Parable)
Release Date - 1990
Genre - Horror/Crime
Tagline - "Knock, knock Ted... It's the wrong door"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
I've been having a lot of fun with my recent Visual Vengeance marathon. I was able to see a film I had wanted to for almost 20 years during this time along with some films that I instantly fell in love with. I had wanted to see The Abomination for YEARS and was finally able to on blu thanks to Visual Vengeance. I also checked out the awesome Repligator, Vampires and Other Stereotypes, and now The Wrong Door from 1990. This is another release from Visual Vengeance that I didn't know existed until I received the press release. I forgot to reach out for a review copy when it was released but I wanted to see it regardless. I ordered a copy and when it arrived I decided to start this marathon with The Wrong Door closing it out.
The film follows a college student who takes a last-minute gig to play a Jester for a birthday party instead of working on his project that is due. However, this quick gig for some extra cash takes a strange turn when he goes to the wrong door. A woman answers and mouths "help me" to him but he reluctantly ignores it when a patron from the party he was ordered for drags him to the correct room. After the party he goes back to check on her and finds her on the floor bleeding. He panics and flees the room but when he returns, he finds her body has disappeared and is greeted with two men looking for her. This is only the beginning of a wild night in store for him.
When I ordered this one for my collection, I knew absolutely nothing about it aside from VV was handling the release. The film's artwork made me think the film was about a killer jester or something like that. I was not expecting the dark crime film that was setting before me. I really enjoyed the film but it was not the horror film I was expecting. The acting in this one was actually very well done. I really liked the casting and the energy they brought to the film. While the film could have benefited from a little more development with the characters, the cast did a great job with what they were given. The story for this one can be a little difficult to follow but I liked the overall story and how it unfolded. A dude arriving at the wrong door to find a woman in distress only to find her murdered later is pretty compelling stuff. You toss in the suspected murderers looking for her body and tying up loose ends also creates a fun cat and mouse story. Where this movie starts to struggle is the random locations the dead/dying woman is randomly found at. If this had been a little more linear and used, then the film would have been a lot easier to follow. Finally, we get a little blood but that is the extent of it. This is not a bloody flick and those seeking a body count will truly be disappointed. Overall, The Wrong Door was surprisingly fun and one I was not expecting to like as much as I did. This is another great release from Visual Vengeance. Check it out.
Starring - Linnea Quigley (Return of the Living Dead, Hunters), C. Courtney Joyner (Lurking Fear, From a Whisper to a Scream), and Kurt Levee (Evil Sister)
Release Date - 2002
Genre - Horror
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
When genre fans throw around the label Scream Queen there is so many names they could be referring to. Some instantly think of Jamie Lee Curtis, Danielle Harris, Neve Campbell, Heather Langenkamp, and so many more. However, since I heard the term in high school I've instantly thought of Linnea Quigley. She starred in so many films that I loved during my middle school and high school years like Night of the Demons, Silent Night Deadly Night, and especially Return of the Living Dead. When Visual Vengeance announced that they would be releasing the 2002 Brad Sykes film Scream Queen I was amused in the fact that it did star Quigley. I reached out to them, and they were kind enough to send a
copy of the release over for review. Like always, I want to thank VV for hooking me up with a copy!
The film is centered around the death of a well-known horror actress after she leaves the set of her newest film. The death is considered suspicious because it happened after she had an altercation with a co-star. It doesn't take long for the bodies to start piling up with everyone involved in the film starts dying one by one leaving many to wonder if her death was accidental or is someone exacting revenge for her death.
I knew very little about Scream Queen aside from it being directed by Brad Sykes and starred Linnea Quigley. I've covered Brad's work for some time now, and I respect him, which is why it's hard to type this. However, I wasn't a fan of this one. I've been a huge fan of Quigley's for damn nearly 20 years, but this film just doesn't utilize her in a way that I would have liked while delivering a story that is very predictable. I went into this one extremely excited, but it was difficult for me to finish. The acting in this one is awkward from start to finish. It's the only consistent part of the entire film. The cast doesn't deliver horrible performances, but the forced dialogue and unnatural body movement made the scenes feel a bit weird to watch. The story for this one could have been a lot of fun but the predictability and lack of enjoyable characters makes it fall short. The idea of a horror icon meeting a violent end then a slasher like story follows where anyone attached to the film meets a horrible end sound fucking awesome on paper. Sadly, the pacing is all wrong, the scenes are dull, and the story only works if you really can't see who the killer is and, to be honest, you would need to be blind to miss it. Finally, the film's deaths leave a lot to be desired. I went into this one thinking it was going to be a bloody and violent film but was very disappointed in the lack of red stuff and clever deaths. Overall, Scream Queen feels like a movie that was written and shot on the fly. It doesn't feel like it had the love and care that the other films from Syke's have had. I love Visual Vengeance and what they are doing but this is one I couldn't get behind. skip it.
