Director - Andrew Gibbs (Midnight Snack, Come Up Here)
Starring - Catherine Gibbs (Witch, Come Up Here)
Release Date - 2021
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (YouTube)
Rating (out of 5):
A few days ago, I started watching and reviewing several micro-budget horror films from Dark House Pictures and director Andew Gibbs. So far, I had watched and reviewed Witch, Midnight Snack, and Come Up Here. That left just one to check out which is The Box. It looks like this was the first micro-short Gibbs had uploaded to his YouTube channel. I want to thank Andrew for sending this over to check out!
The film follows a woman when her lights go off in her home. She proceeds to the basement and as she is looking through the breaker box the lights come back on. She turns around to find a strange box sitting behind her on the ground. She opens it for a moment to look inside and looks away for a second. When her gaze reverts back to the box, she discovers it is empty but something or someone is now standing behind her.
After watching this fourth and final micro-short from Andrew Gibbs I've realized that they are fun to watch but they don't deliver any sort of story for the viewer to grasp on to. I liked The Box for what it is but I feel like it has so much potential to be something more than a short running just a few minutes. The acting in this one is solid and fits the film very well. We once again have a very small cast with everyone except the film's lead only on screen for a few seconds. She does a great job, but we don't really get to see her "act" in a traditional sense here. The story for this one is another one from Dark House Pictures that has an interesting premise, but we never see where it goes. If the film was just a few minutes longer we could get a few answers to the questions that we have. Finally, this is another one with no blood or practical effects to speak of. Its relies on atmosphere and tension to get to the viewer and it almost succeeds. Overall, The Box is another micro-short that is beautiful to look at but doesn't really satisfy the viewer if they are looking for something with a bit of a story.
Starring - Andrew Gibbs, Catie Gibbs, and Emily Gibbs
Release Date - 2023
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (YouTube)
Rating (out of 5):
I'm starting to suspect that micro-shorts have such low run times that it makes it impossible to tell any sort of story. I can see these being very effective as proof of concepts or funding purposes but I'm struggling to see the benefit of having a short less than five minutes long. Several months back I was contacted by director Andrew Gibbs to review several of his micro-short indie horror films. So far, I've seen Midnight Snack and Witch before moving on to this one, Come Up Here. I want to thank Andrew for sending this one over.
The film follows a woman who is home alone when she hears a noise upstairs. When she calls out asking if her family has returned early, she hears a voice that sounds like her husband telling her to "come up here." She reluctantly ascends the stairs where she notices the attic door is slightly opened. When she approaches the door she turns her back to it as her husband and son rushes through the door while the thing in the attack uses the distraction to sneak up behind her.
Come Up Here is a little bit more like a traditional short when compared to the other micro-shorts I've seen so far. While it was still a little too short to get anything really going, it was able to give viewers some sort of story to follow. It wasn't a lot but it was more than the previous two films had established. The acting in this one is a little more than what we were given in the other two shorts. We get some dialogue delivery and a little more emotion. I liked it but I wish we had a little more to the film so we could see what she is truly capable of Infront of the camera. The story for this one is decent enough for a short but I want to know more about the creature in the attic. Things like how did it get there, why is it there, and what is it going to do with the mother? I liked the idea of this one but I'd love to see more to it. Finally, the film isn't a bloody one but I fucking loved the masked used. I don't know if it was made for this project or picked up for a prop or Halloween store. Regardless, it looks awesome. Overall, Come Up Here is another beautifully shot genre short that has a great looking creature but the lack of story and gore does make it feel like it's a puzzle missing important pieces.
Starring - Catherine Gibbs (Midnight Snack, The Box)
Release Date - 2021
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (YouTube)
Rating (out of 5):
My look into the micro-shorts of Dark House Pictures continues! A few months back director and Dark House Pictures found Andrew Gibbs reached out to me to review his shorts. I was unaware that micro-shorts were a thing but agreed to check them out regardless. I want to thank Andrew for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to see his films. The next short on the chopping block is his five-minute film Witch.
The film follows a woman who is home alone when she starts to hear strange sounds in the home. She tries to hide under her blanket but when she thinks it's safe to leave the warm safety of the blanket she discovers that something sinister is in the room with her.
While I may be new to the micro-short films, I'm starting to realize that sometimes being too short is a problem in the world of cinema. Don't get me wrong, Witch was an enjoyable short but it doesn't offer up enough substance for the viewer. The acting in this one is solid for the film especially since the short is around 5 minutes and no real interactions with other characters. The films lead does a decent job but you don't get to see any dialogue or real emotions due to the quick runtime. The story for this one is a great set up to something that could be much more than a short. I strongly believe that there is not enough horror films centered around witches. With that being said, this micro-short just doesn't have enough of a story to tell. It's a beautifully shot short that definitely is not a waste of time but it needs more to it. Finally, this film doesn't have any death scenes or crazy looking creatures for genre fans to gawk at. Overall, Witch is a beautifully shot micro-short but is lacking in the story department. It's a solid watch for the 5 minutes but don't expect something that is story rich. Check it out.
Starring - Catherine Gibbs (Witch, The Box) and Claudio Mendrano
Release Date - 2021
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (YouTube)
Rating (out of 5):
I've been lucky enough to review dozens of horror shorts over the years. These films range in length from 5 minutes to around half an hour. However, I was recently introduced to micro-shorts when I was sent a series of them from Dark House Pictures founder Andrew Gibbs. I had made a post at the end of September about my October horror binge, and he shot me a message. By this point I had already received 60 to 70s films to review but I was very interested in his work. I added them to my viewing list and when I finally could get around to checking them out, I started with his micro-short Midnight Snack. I want to thank Andrew for sending this one over for me to check out!
The film follows a woman who wakes up in the middle of the night and decides to raid the fridge. What she doesn't know is that something else is lurking in the home with the same idea.
I had no idea micro-shorts existed or that films this short were called that. I can see the appeal they would have to movie fans but it's difficult to fully review a film when it's barely over a minute long. Regardless, here I go! The acting in this one is solid for the film. We don't get to see the small cast explore their characters and their emotional range but for the story we get the cast does a fantastic job. The story for this one is fun especially when you consider how short it is. I loved the idea of someone going to the fridge in the middle of the night only to become a snack themselves. With that being said, I have so many questions that this film just doesn't answer. A longer short with a little meat on the bone would have cleared up any questions I had. Finally, this is not a bloody one but the suit for the creature looks great. I don't know if this was designed for this project or picked up from a costume store. Either way, it looks great, and I would love to see it appear in another film with a bit more to it. Overall, Midnight Snack doesn't have a lot of depth, but it is a lot of fun for a one-minute flick. Check it out.
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Director - David Kerr (Curse of the Slasher Nurse, Return of the Slasher Nurse)
Starring - Matthew Sharpe (Bloody Summer Camp, Bad Witch), Christine Oswald (Nightmare Pageant Moms, Sutherland), and Emily Zinski (Emily Who Was Very Sad)
Several years back I befriended filmmaker Dave Kerr on Facebook when he was promoting Bloody Summer Camp. Most of you know how much I love slashers, so I was all over this one. We spoke and after that he started sending news about his projects to be covered on the site. Since then, I've spoken with Dave and frequent collaborator Michael McGlynn at several horror conventions. Their love for the genre is evident so when they announced that they were raising funds for a new horror film titled Go Away I was ready for it. Several months back when I was preparing for my October horror binge Dave was kind enough to send over a link for Go Away. I want to thank Dave and the Slasher 15 crew for sending this over for review!
The film follows an estranged family coming together for a dinner after revealing that their mother remarried a few years back. Their bickering and arguing is cut short when a group of masked intruders make their way into their home. They tell them to hide and if they are able to escape then they can live but if they are found then they will be slaughtered. What should be a simple game of hide and seek for the killers takes a deadly turn when they realize that the home, they just broke into belongs to a killer that is more cunning and has more experience than all of them combined.
I had posted about Go Away several times before I was able to finally see it but I made sure I kept the synopsis a secret to myself because I knew I would be reviewing it eventually. I usually just copied and pasted the news from the press releases and did very little reading. I typically do that to films I want to review later down the line and I'm glad I did because there was a part of the plot that I was not expecting and really enjoyed. The acting in this one is fantastic. We have amazing performances from genre icons Thom Matthews (Return of the Living Dead, Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives), Tuesday Knight (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, The X-Files), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp, Zombiegeddon), and Robert Mukes (House of 1000 Corpses, Bone Tomahawk). It was great to see them in another genre title that doesn't just exploit their names. They get decent screen time and do great in their roles. With that being said, the star of the show are the is the rest of the cast. They carry the film and do a fantastic job. The story for this one is not another home invasion horror flick with no depth. It is a home invasion horror film but with a spin to it. It has a slasher sub-plot that makes it feel completely different while keeping the basics of the sub-genre intact. I loved the "twist." the characters, and how well the sub-plot and story worked together. Finally, the film has some seriously solid practical effects that I was not expecting. We get a decent amount of blood and some seriously impressive practical effects. The kills fit the film very well and I love the mask design for the intruders. Overall, Go Away is one of those titles that will cause ripples in the indie horror community. I highly recommend it especially if you dig slashers and home invasion flicks. It's well worth your time.
Director - Neil Meschino (Mold!, The Mildew from Planet Xonader)
Starring - Edward X. Young (Easter Sunday, Sheriff Tom vs. the Zombies), Luke Pendley (The Candy Tree, Boxhead), and Julia Salka (Mold!)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "They're here"
Format - Streaming (Tubi)
Rating (out of 5):
I've covered a lot of horror films over the years at Horror Society. Some are films that are sent my way to cover while others are movies I find on social media while browsing posts in horror groups. One film that I was following heavily only to forget about over time was Neil Meschino's creature feature Maggots. Neil was brought to my attention many years ago when I received MOLD! to review. I was so impressed with that film that I sought Neil out on Facebook so I could keep an eye on his future projects. When he started posting about Maggots, I was quick to cover it on the site and anytime a new image or casting announcement was made. However, the longer I wrote for Horror Society the more people would seek me out on the platform so I could cover their project. Before long, his film was buried in the avalanche of indie films that is my newsfeed. In fact, over time I had forgotten about the film until Neil commented on a post, I had made some time back stating that it was streaming on Tubi. I had to fucking see it so I added it to my review list to check out.
The film follows an eager college student looking to find a way to use his scientific knowledge as a way to support himself in college. He speaks with a professor who agrees to let him go into an area that he suspects is being contaminated by pollutants from fracking if he takes a few other students that are struggling with his class. The group of college students prepare for a weekend of drugs and partying but quickly learn that fracking has caused mutations in the local wildlife and the flies in the area are the size of dogs with maggots that can take off full appendages.
Mold! is one of those indie horror films that you never forget. I absolutely loved everything about it and when Meschino announced a new cut of the film with additional footage called The Mildew from Planet Xonader I was quick to add it to my collection as well. Neil is a fantastic filmmaker and Maggots is another priceless indie horror film for genre fans to enjoy. The acting in this one is very well done with some seriously impressive performances. The film has a lot of memorable characters, and the casting is damn near perfect. I found myself looking through the cast's imdb pages to see what else they had been in because they all showed what I thought was experience. The story for this one is a classic when nature meets science scenario that reminded me a lot of the 90s horror film Mosquito where a group of people are in the woods being terrorized by giant mutated bugs. However, this film embraced it's camp to give us some memorable characters it what feels like a love letter to 80s monster movies. The film has great pacing, and the scenes don't overstay their welcome. I also like how broad this story is and how we could get a sequel with a number of different mutated lifeforms found in nature. Finally, the film is packed full of great practical effects. The maggots look amazing. Hell, it's a damn shame they didn't get more scream time. Well also get some great kills and mutilations. I was not expecting the effects to be the caliber that they are. The film needs to be seen just for the effects alone. Overall, Maggots is an indie creature feature made by a genre fan for genre fans. This is one you will not regret watching so check it out on Tubi now!
Director - Joe Sherlock (Odd Noggins, Odder Noggins)
Starring - Tiffany Beall (Zombie Chronicles: Infection Zone, Odder Noggins), Melody Berg (Dark Zone Thirteen, Things 5), and Juniper Bloodraven (Odd Noggins)
Release Date - 2023
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "This sex comedy is about to get really weird"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (Out of 5):
I’ve been fortunate enough to watch and review a good portion of Skullface Astronaut’s catalogue. I’ve had a lot of fun watching these crazy, nudity infested films that go above and beyond to entertain. However, all good things must come to an end and here I am with the last film sent to me for review from filmmaker Joe Sherlock. Today I watch and review his sex comedy/horror film Strange Things Happen at the Weird House. Like always, I want to thank Joe and Skullface Astronaut for sending this one my way to review.
The film follows a low budget film crew who are living in the home fighting over pizza and filming skin flicks. However, something strange is living in the basement and soon starts making it’s sinister presence known as it picks them off one by one.
It was bound to happen eventually and it looks like Strange Things Happen at the Weird House just happens to be the first film in the Skullface Astronaut catalogue that I didn’t care for. There was some things I liked about it but the overall film just felt dull. I hate to be negative about a film sent my way for review but when you dig through a filmmaker’s filmography like this you are bound to find a film or two that you don’t like. The acting in this one is exactly what I would expect from a Skullface Astronaut film. The cast is having a lot of fun in their roles and the women are nice to look at but this one doesn’t really have the characters most of the other film does. It feels as if the film was cast with no characters written or developed. The story for this one is right up my alley but fails to fully pull it all together. A house full of beautiful busty women running around nude while a monster is in the basement is every b-movie horror fan’s dream. However, the film just plays out with the monster angle never fully culminating into something worth while. I wanted to like it but I found myself watching the clock more than the screen. Finally, the film has some visual effects that showcase the film’s budget but the kills don’t stand out. The highlight of the film is the excessive nudity which is always welcomed. Overall, Strange Things Happen in the Weird House has a lot of nudity but not the laughs I was expecting. I can recommend some other films from Skullface instead of this one
Director - Joe Sherlock (Beyond the Wall of Fear, Twisted Fates)
Starring - Tonjia Atomic (Smart House, Axegrinder 3), Tiffany Beall (Strange Things Happen at the Weird House, Zombie Chronicles: Infection Zone), and John Bowker (Things 666, Channel 99)
Release Date - 2023
Genre - Horror/Comedy/Sci-Fi
Tagline - "another strange trip..." Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I’ve enjoyed the few Skullface Astronaut mini-marathons that I’ve done over the last month or so. I’ve seen some beautiful woman in the nude, memorable characters, and some fun stories during this time and my trip isn’t over just yet. I just started another mini-marathon and started with Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires which I absolutely loved. I could see myself when I was in high school becoming obsessed with this one in the same way I was Necroville. After that un flick I moved on to Joe Sherlock’s sequel to Odd Noggins. Odd Noggins is a unique film to say the least and was very curious if this follow up could deliver in that regard. I want to thank Joe once again for sending over Odder Noggins for review.
The film follows a busty spy with a camera implanted in her left breast, who is tasked with uncovering moles within her organization. Her mission brings her face to face with an interdimensional traveler who is doing experiment on humans.
Odder Noggins is just as strange as the first film. While it is overflowing with nudity, it is still able to deliver a unique story that can hold the viewer’s attention. Sure, there is plenty of breasts to hold your attention as well but the story is so wild that you can’t help but want to see where it goes next. The acting in this one is everything you can ask for in a no budget spy film with sci-fi elements. We have beautiful and busty women without their clothes on, enjoyable characters, and decent performances. While there was a few awkward scenes and some lines of dialogue that was forced, the acting really surprised me in this one. The story for this one blends the classic spy films of the 60s with Skullface Astronaut’s Mr. Birch character. Add a dash of straight to video skin flicks and a nod to The Brain that Wouldn’t Die and you have Odder Noggins. It’s a lot of fun even if you’ve never seen the first film which you should have seen by now. Finally, the film has some visual effects but it relies mostly on the characters and nudity to entertain the viewer over effects. Overall, Odder Noggins is a worthy follow up to one of the oddest indie films I have ever seen. I highly recommend it and this sequel.
Director(s) - Michael Hegg and Joe Sherlock (Odd Noggins, Odder Noggins)
Starring - Dee Alsman (Underbelly, Twisted Fates), Emily Andrews (Hairspray, The Devil's Trail), and Erin Arbogast (Vicious Circle, The Popcorn of Doom)
Release Date - 2004
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "Ya'll come back now, ya hear?"
Format - Streaming (Tubi)
Rating (out of 5):
Last month I started working through a good portion of Skullface Astronaut’s filmography. This started from a post I made at the end of September when I asked for indie films to watch and review during my October horror binge. Director Joe Sherlock was kind enough to send me over links to several of his movies so I decided to have a few mini-marathons every couple of days. This time around I decided to start 2004 horror comedy Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires. Like always, I want to thank Joe and Skullface Astronaut for sending these over.
The film follows a backwoods family who has won a contest to have an interior designer remodel one of their rooms. While he is getting acclimated to his new surroundings, a female vampire and her servant has relocated to their neck of the woods and plans on turning the yokels into her bloodsucking servants.
Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires is probably one of the most amateurish films in the Skullface Astronaut catalogue but it’s probably one of my favorites. I was in high school in the early 2000s and was obsessed with indie and no budget horror flicks. I was an active member of the UHM message boards and founds so many of my favorite films through them. I could totally see myself loving this film if I would have watched it when it was originally released. It’s the perfect amount of goofy and I’m a sucker for a vampire flick. The acting in this one is extremely fun but it’s obvious that this was the first film for a lot of the cast. I applaud their dedication but the inexperience does make a few of the scenes feel a little awkward. The story for this one is simple and straight forward but at times it didn’t feel like a horror flick. With that being said, I loved the way the film was set up. While the horror does take the back seat, the characters and their personalities steal the show. I would have loved a bigger role for the vampires in the film but it works without it. Finally, the film doesn’t really have any deaths or effects for the viewer to enjoy. It’s a no budget film and the crew did the best with what they had. Sadly, memorable deaths were not part of the cards. Overall, Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires is one of the few hixploitation horror films that I’ve been lucky enough to review. It’s a subgenre that I wish more filmmakers would approach because you can get project like this. The film is funny and the characters are very memorable. The vampires do get the short end of the stick but it still works. Check it out.
Starring - Amanda Megan (Frosty's Revenge: Seasons Bleeding 3, Horrortales.666 Part 2), Scotty McCoy (The Body Count, Friday the 13th: Dead Before Dusk), and Tyler Ebert (Slasher Scotty, Friday the 13th: Dead Before Dusk)
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Some family isn't worth fighting for"
Format - Streaming (YouTube)
Rating (out of 5):
I’ve reviewed more no budget slashers in my tenure at Horror Society than any other sub-genre. Hell, I believe that slashers are my favorite sub-genre in horror so I tend to go out of my way to find them to review. Back at the end of September I made a post looking for a few indie flicks to watch during my October horror binge but found myself overwhelmed with over 100 films sent over for review. One of those films was the slasher Samhain. This “Killer Cut” of the film was sent over and while I wanted to add it to my watch list immediately, I decided to watch the films in order that I received them which put this one near the bottom of the stack.
The film follows a group of nerds who hear a woman scream in the woods near their home. When they investigate they find a woman who was just attacked. They soon learn that a deranged man has escaped from an asylum near them and is leaving bodies in his wake.
No budget slashers are my bread and butter essentially. I fucking live on them and I’m a little more lenient on them than other genre films. I absolutely love these type of films so when I say that I struggled to finish this one then know that I seriously tried. I gave the film the benefit of the doubt but when the end credits started rolling I found myself asking “why?” Keep in mind that this is a different cut of the film known as the Killer Cut which was edited by the killer himself, Brett Harris, but I can’t imagine the original cut of the film being that much different. The acting in this one is pretty much nonexistent. It’s a group of what I suspect would be friends in front of the camera awkwardly talking. There is no attempt at creating characters and the dialogue is so forced it feels like THE scene in I Spit on Your Grave. I’ve seen backyard horror films with no experience and I understand that inexperience is common in films like this but the acting in this one feels like very little effort was put into it. The story for this one is not an original one but I love these films that fully embrace the slasher tropes that we grew up loving. A deranged man escaping from a local asylum is right up my alley. Sadly, that’s about the extent of the story that was thought ahead. We have a masked killer that carries on casual conversations with the would be victims, not plot of the film to follow, and characters with no development. Finally, the film has a few on screen deaths but they are indicative of the rest of the film. Doesn’t seem like a lot of thought went into their execution and nothing really stands out about them. Overall, Samhain: The Killer Cut is a rough one to sit through. I respect any one that picks up a camera and makes their own film but not all of those films are worth watching. I would like to see the follow up films to this one just to see how much everyone has grown since filming this one. However, this film is one to skip.
Director - Michele Soavi (The Church, StageFright)
Starring - Rupert Everett (Dead on Time, Shrek 2), Francois Hadji-Lazaro (Brotherhood of the Wolf, The City of Lost Children), and Anna Falchi (Kin Novak is on the Phone, The Tracker)
Release Date - 1994
Genre - Horror/Comedy/Romance
Tagline - "Zombies, gun and sex, oh my!"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
Every movie buff, especially genre fans, have that one film they have tried to watch for years but never had the opportunity. The movie is either hard to find or various obstacles get in their way. I call these movies unicorns because they take on an almost mythical tone. My unicorn is the 1994 Italian horror/romance film Dellamorte Dellamore. When I was in high school I was an active member of the Upcoming Horror Movies message board. One of the other members had an image of what looked like a grim reaper in his signature. I was fascinated with that image for a few days and finally asked them what it was from. He told me about the film Cemetery Man from director Michele Soavi. I rushed to eBay with a friend where we pooled out money together to buy a copy of the film on VHS. It took a few weeks but the day it arrived we prepared to give it a watch. After about 20 or so minutes into our first viewing the VCR started to make a loud whining sound before it ate the tape. It would be several more years before the film would get a DVD from Anchor Bay but I was quick to pre-order it. When it finally arrived the post office was kind enough to customize the package and it’s contents for me resulting in a dislodged disc that wouldn’t play in my PS2 or my friends DVD player. Anchor Bay was kind enough to send over a replacement disc but that took several more weeks. When I was able to finally watch the film I feel in love with it. It was unlike anything else I had seen at that point. The DVD quickly became one of my prized possessions that I still appreciate all those years later. That changed recently when Severin released the film on UHD. While the DVD held some fond memories, I could not wait to add this release to my collection.
The film follows a caretaker at a small Italian town. He lives in a little shack on the property with his nearly mute assistant and they are tasked with keeping the dead…dead. Those buried in this particular cemetery return after 7 days to feast on the living. He puts them down with a quick bullet to the head so the town doesn’t get overrun by the undead and for fear he would lose his job. He eventually falls in love with a beautiful widow but when her husband breaks free of his coffin and bites her, the caretaker is forced to shoot her. Heartbroken, and struggling with his own mortality, he befriends a group of college women. One of them shares a striking resemblance to his now dead loved one so he goes with them back to their house. He spends the night with her and the following morning he learns that they are prostitutes that are paying their way through college by selling their bodies. He panics and burns the home down with them trapped inside. Once again heartbroken, he meets a young woman working as the mayor’s assistant. She too is identical to the woman he once loved. She mentions that she has commitment issues and does not want to be with a man sexually. Succumbing to rumors that his impotent, he seeks medical help to take away his manhood so he can be with her only to discover that she was raped and she liked it. Now, he’s heartbroken for the third time and without the use of his penis which forces him to go on a killing spree before trying to skip town.
I don’t say this a lot but Dellamorte Dellamore, aka Cemetery Man, is easily the most beautiful horror film I’ve seen in my short life. We have a not so typical horror story that blends comedy and romance in a way I had never seen before or since along with several gruesome scenes that reminds the viewer that they are in fact watching an Italian horror film. I might be a bit biased here but Cemetery Man is one of my favorite horror films and this Severin release is a must own for horror fans and collectors alike. The acting in this one is great. Rupert Everette is absolutely amazing as the romantic cemetery caretaker (he’s not an engineer). His character is what makes the film and his performance is nothing short of brilliant. When you add the fantastic performances from model Anna Falchi and the “Gna” from Francois Hadji-Lazaro you have performances that are truly unforgettable. The characters are so enjoyable and the cast truly gives it their all. The story for this one is a mix of comedy and romance with a lot of horror thrown in. The romance is a huge part of the story and while it does take the front seat, it doesn’t make the horror take the back seat. Both coexist in the film in a way that is rarely seen and never as successful as it is here. You then have the humor to break up some of the more drawn out scenes a little bit. They all work together very well without making the horror feel out of place which became normal after the success of Shaun of the Dead. While I do love SotD I will be the first to admit that the horror is second to the humor and romance. This film keeps it in the front. The film also has great pacing and doesn’t over stay it’s welcome. Finally, this film has some seriously great effects with a lot of gore and beautiful sets. I love the sets and locations used in the film. Movies don’t really look like this anymore and these locations and sets give this film the perfect gothic look and feel. This really works with the film’s atmosphere and tone making it even more effective. You add that with the fantastic make-up and practical effects and you have a film that can only be seen to be appreciated. Overall, Cemetery Man, or Dellamorte Dellamore, is one of the most underrated Italian horror films in cinema history. The film is absolutely amazing and this release Severin is essential for horror fans or fans of this film. Check it out.
Director - Michael S. Rodriguez (Lamb Feed, Lake of Shadows)
Starring - Sparkle Soojian (Wolf Corps, Strange Files), Michael Wainwright (Death House, Lilith), and Matt Macedo (The Sinister Strain, A Portrayal of a Subtle Suicide)
Release Date - 2024
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Pray for dawn"'
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Many years ago I befriended filmmaker Michael S. Rodriguez when he was promoting his horror short Night of the Sea Monkey: A Disturbing Tale. Since then he has became one of my favorite indie filmmakers with films like Lamb Feed, Homewrecked, and Lake of Shadows. That’s why I was so quick to accept his offer to review his newest film when he reached out to me. The film, Daisy, is a horror film centered around a cryptid which brought me back to his first short. I was excited to check this one out and want to take a moment to thank Michael for sending it over my way for review!
The film follows a mechanic who is trying to run his father’s garage but is not doing that great of a job when a young couple walk in looking for a thermostat for his antique truck. The man kills them and then hides their bodies. The father and brother of one of the victims goes searching for them and visits the mechanic where they reach a dead end. The brother suspects the man of something sinister and returns later to discover that he is hiding a creature in the back of the garage and has been feeding travelers and the stranded to it at night.
I knew absolutely nothing about Daisy prior to watching it. I saw the artwork and the tagline but that was all I had to go on as I went into this one. With that being said, this is probably my favorite film from Michael. I’m not too familiar with the lore around the cryptid that he chose to center the film around but I admire the fact that he used one that has not been overdone like bigfoot or mothman. While I’m a huge fan of cryptids and love the lore around them, I’m a little tired of the found footage flicks focused on bigfoot or mothman. The acting in this one is very well done. I liked a lot of the characters and while I liked the acting I can safely say that there was some uneven performances. Michael Wainwright and Matt Macedo makes the film for me. While Wainwright brings an intense performance that could easily be compared to classis horror villains, Macedo brings in some much needed humor that does break up the film a bit. It’s not a horror comedy but some random moments of humor goes a long way with films as dark and brooding as this one. The supporting cast is solid but some are not as experienced in front of the camera as others resulting in some uneven scenes. The story for this one works especially for a monster movie. I liked the idea of a soldier finding a creature in the sand and bringing it back stateside only to discover that it’s monster with an insatiable appetite. He loves her and does everything he can to provide for her but he knows that eventually something bad is going to come from this. The creature is a human/bat hybrid which is reminiscent of Ghilan in middle eastern folklore but it’s refreshing seeing something aside from the more popular cryptids . While I enjoy the originality of the film, I did find some of the scenes to be a little long winded. A little more trimming would have helped the pacing out tremendously. Finally, the film has some great practical and make-up effects. I loved the look and design of the creature and the deaths are what you would expect from a monster that feeds on humans. It’s a bloody and violent film that horror fans can appreciate. Overall, Daisy is much more menacing than the title suggests. The film has a great cast, a fantastic story, and a memorable creature design. Fans of classic monster movies will want to see this one. I highly recommend it.
Director - Dylan R. Nix (Sharp Candy, Baron Von Laugho's Halloween Spook-a-thon)
Starring - David E. McMahon (He Never Left, Johnny Z), Claire Louise Huder (The Truth About Monsters, The Things We Bloom)
Release Date - 2023
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Even a serial killer needs a friend"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Many years ago I befriended filmmaker, actor, and author Dylan R. Nix on social media. I believe the initial contact was through Instagram when he was sharing pictures from his Halloween horror anthology Baron von Laugho’s Halloween Spook-a-thon. I made contact with him and was lucky enough to get a review copy where I immediately fell in love with it. Since then I’ve incorporated it into my October horror binge each year and recommend it to anyone that is willing to listen. Since then Dylan has put out anthology series, another movie or two, and several written works. Way back in October he reached out to me to review his newest horror feature The Demon of Serling. I wasn’t able to squeeze it into my October horror binge but I kept it in queue until I could get to it. Due to the large volume of films sent over during that time I wasn’t able to get to it until now. I want to thank Dylan for being so patient with me and allowing Horror Society the opportunity to see his newest film.
The film follows a young man who is searching for his girlfriend who is either missing or dodging him. He suspects that she is avoiding him but news of a serial killer dubbed the Demon of Serling preying on women in the area has him a little on edge. Things take an unexpected turn when he helps his landlord place something heavy in his vehicle. He realizes it was a body but instead of panicking, he befriends him. The two have long conversations which leads to the young man realizing that his relationship woes is brought on by himself.
I absolutely fucking loved this film. In fact, I watched it twice prior to writing this review. While I wouldn’t necessarily label it a horror film I would call it an effective dark drama. Going into this one thinking it’s a horror film will leave you feeling very underwhelmed but its extremely enjoyable if you are looking for a true crime drama or a dark thriller. The acting in this one is great. Nix has entertained me during Halloween for several years now as Baron Von Laugho. He is very energetic and really gets into character in the film. However, we see a different side of him in The Demon of Serling. He is way more serious, grounded, and a huge asshole. This just shows how well rounded he is as an actor and I can’t wait to see his other genre efforts in front of the camera and behind it. With that being said, I was blown away by David E. McMahon as Semward Yarley, the Demon of Serling. He’s one of my favorite actors and has been for sometime so I was genuinely excited to see him partner with Nix on this project. He is not the traditional serial killer you would expect in a true crime flick and which also speaks to his skill as an actor. I was also impressed by Claire Louise Huder’s performance. Not only is she extremely gorgeous but she was so genuine in her role. Her character was very grounded and the film makes great use of her acting and sex appeal. The story for this one is a character driven piece that focuses more on the relationship of a young man struggling with find himself and love and a man who was abused as a child who takes his frustrations out on women. The character dynamics is a lot of fun and a film that consists mostly of conversations between two characters oddly works. I found myself pulled in and didn’t look away until the credits. With that being said, as much as I enjoyed the film I did find the film’s run time to be a little too long. A few scenes could use some trimming without compromising the story’s integrity. Finally, this is not a bloody flick. Sure, there is a little of the red stuff but the film’s main focus is the characters and their interactions with one another over blood and gore. Overall, The Demon of Serling is a fantastic indie drama about a serial killer and a man trying to sort his life out. It’s not a film you would expect a horror site to cover but I honestly loved it. I highly recommend it.
Director - J. R. Bookwalter (The Dead Next Door, Robot Ninja)
Starring - James L. Edwards (Deathboard, Zombie Cop), Drew Fortier (Dwellers, Brimstone Incorporated), and Floyd Ewing Jr. (Skinned Alive, Robot Nija)
Release Date - 2024
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The only thing more fatal than the virus... is the cure"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I was in high school I befriended a new student who was also interested in horror movies. We shared movies back and forth with one another along with introducing each other to horror titles we had never heard of before. It was around this time that he introduced me to Tempe Video. He was an avid effects fan and reader of Fangoria so he had picked up the film The Dead Next Door and Skinned Alive sometime before hand. I remember one night watching both movies multiple times while drinking. I absolutely loved both of these movies and after that initial viewing I quickly got my own copy of both for my collection. I’ve added most of the Tempe releases to my collection over the years and upgraded them when I was able to as they made premiers on new formats. I’m a huge fan of J.R. Bookwalter and his messy horror films so when I received the press release about the theatrical run of his newest film Side Effects May Vary I had to reach out to him. He was kind enough to send over a screening link and I want to thank him for the support he’s shown myself and Horror Society.
The film follows Glenn (Edwards) who is a conspiracy theorist during the onset of a pandemic. When he becomes ill he is forced by his wife to get a vaccine to overcome his illness. While it helps him overcome his sickness, he does slowly start to disintegrate and crave human flesh.
I went into Side Effects May Vary knowing nothing about the film aside that it was from legendary indie filmmaker J.R. Bookwalter and starring frequent collaborator James L. Edwards. This pairing has resulted in some seriously unforgettable moments in horror cinema. This pairing in Side Effects May Vary is no exception. It’s another fantastic film with oozy effects and a story that is still relevant today but would have made a bigger impact a few years ago. The acting in this one is great. James never disappoints when he is attached to a film whether it be in front of or behind the camera. His character here is very relatable. While he doesn’t share the same views as I do I still found it very grounded and down to Earth because we all know people just like him. We also get a fantastic performance from Drew Fortier who has been in several other films that I was lucky enough to review in the past. I like his character and how he approached the role. The supporting cast is just as solid but these two stand out and carry the film. The story for this one isn’t something new or original but it does have Bookwalter’s spin on it. The film’s impact would have been greater if it was closer to the beginning of the pandemic but Covid restrictions and so forth made that damn near impossible so I understand why it took so long for this to hit theaters. Also, I wish the film embodied more of the wild off the wall conspiracies that we’ve heard over the last four years. With that being said, Bookwalter’s spin on this familiar tale is a lot of fun. I’ve reviewed several indie productions that featured people taking experimental drugs and found themselves mutating into flesh crazed fiends. However, in this film the person retains part of their humanity. You add that with the film’s supporting characters and their storylines and you have something that will hold your attention during the entire run time. Finally, this film has amazing practical and make-up effects. The film’s make-up effects are absolutely top notch. I couldn’t help but think of other films with this much puss, slime, and oozing skin like The Stuff and The Blob. Fans of Bookwalter’s earlier films and horror movies that don't shy away from the red stuff will truly appreciate this one. Overall, Side Effects May Vary is the contender for best horror movie of the year and it’s only February. This is the kind of horror movie that got me into reviewing and I hope this is the beginning of more horror films from J.R. and James. Check it out if you ever get the chance.
Director - Jeff Frumess (Am I Demon?, Beyond the Green Hole)
Starring - Anthony Malchar, Renee Mandel (Gouge Away), and Kimberely A. Peterson
Release Date - 2016
Genre - Horror/Romance
Tagline - "Why does love have to be this way?"
Format - Streaming (YouTube)
Rating (out of 5):
I’m still playing catch up from October which is extremely pathetic for a film reviewer. I know a lot of others that review films for sites, blogs, YouTube, and so on and they tend to stay on top of it. They can catch a film when it’s released and have a review up same day. I’ve never been that fast. To make matters worse, back in October I made a post looking for indie horror flick to review as part of my October horror binge and was greeted with over 100 films. I couldn’t turn them away so I added them to my watch list to slowly chip away at. One of those films is Jeff Frumess’ Shakespeare inspired fantasy horror film Romeo’s Distress. Sometime back I reviewed his film Gouge Away and was looking forward to checking it out. I want to thank Jeff for sending it over!
The film follows James. James seems to be lost in the world often catching a beating from another a young man when he’s not busy roaming the cemetery. James is in love with Jane but Jane is dead. Her father did not want the two together and after her death he vows to never let him linger around her final resting place. While the viewer feels sorry James, the film further reveals that maybe Jane didn’t love James back and he may have crossed the line.
Romeo’s Distress was not the film I was expecting but it’s a film that quickly gained my respect and admiration. I’m not cultured and I know I have the worst sense of taste when it comes to film and other mediums. I know nothing about Shakespeare or his work but I have seen a few horror flicks that parody or pay tribute to him in their way. While I couldn’t tell you how close this film is to the work it is inspired I can tell you that it’s one of the better indie dark fantasy films that I’ve seen. The acting in this one is great. I noticed that this was the first, and in a few instances only, acting credit for a good portion of the cast which is seriously impressive. While the whole film features a fantastic cast, I was seriously impressed by Anthony Malchar in the lead role. His character has many layers and he showed talent beyond his years with his performance. The story for this one is a gothic fantasy thriller that takes the viewer on a ride they would not expect. When the film starts the viewer is given a glimpse into the world of a lonely young man trying to find happiness in the world. It’s not until much later in the film that we see the sinister side. It’s brilliant and if you give it a chance the pay off is well worth it. Finally, don’t expect a film full of amazing effects and memorable deaths. Instead, we are given a character driven film that replies heavily on it’s amazing story. Overall, Romeo’s Distress is a prime example of what can be done with no budget and a brilliant story. I highly recommend it.
Director(s) - Ron Ford (Tombstones of the Blind Dead, The Mark of Dracula), Bob Olin, and Joe Sherlock (Blood Creek Woodsman, Beyond the Wall of Fear)
Starring - Ariauna Albright (Bloodletting, Polymorph), Dee Alsman (Underbelly, Abomination: The Evilmaker II), and Amanda Bounds (Blood Creek Woodsman, Platoon of the Dead)
Release Date - 2012
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I’ve been watching a good chunk of the Skullface Astronaut filmography and I’m been enjoying every minute of it. I’ve been binging several films before taking a break to watch some other films sent my way for review. My most recent mini marathon of Skullface Astronaut is about to come to an end. On this go around I was lucky enough to review Blood Creek Woodsmen, Dark Zone Thirteen, Dark Zone Thirteen Part 2, before moving on to the last film in this batch. Now I’m finishing with the 2012 horror anthology Twisted Fates. I once again want to thank Joe Sherlock and Skullface Astronaut for sending this one over for myself and Horror Society to check out.
The film follows two men going door to door to spread the good word when they find themselves tied up and forced to listen to several horrifying tales.
Twisted Fates may be my favorite horror anthology from Joe Sherlock and Skullface Astronaut. I liked most of the stories and and characters with several having enough potential to have their own spin off film or segment in another anthology. Hell, I found myself a little disappointed when the film actually ended. The acting in this one is very enjoyable but extremely awkward at times. I liked the energy and how involved some of the cast was with their scenes. However, several scenes felt awkward to watch due to their inexperience but the good outweighs the bad. The stories for this one is a lot of fun. The wraparound segment reminded me a lot of Tales from the Darkside: The Movie with the woman telling the abducted men stories in the same fashion as the witch makes the little boy she has caged read stories from a book she read as a child. MY favorite segment of the film involves the beautiful killer who moves into a nice community only to meet a set of twins who also murder. There is some clever writing here with some fun twists that utilizes the film’s lack of budget. Finally, the film has blood and boobs but don’t expect the kills to stick with you. The characters carry the film and the nudity adds another layer of enjoyment but the death scenes are a bit underwhelming. Overall, Twisted Fates is probably my favorite horror anthology from Skullface Astronaut. The humor, nudity, and story telling works very well in my opinion which takes away from the film’s lack of budget. I highly recommend it.
Director(s) - John Bowker (Werewolf Tales, The Evilmaker), Joe Sherlock (Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires, Blood Creek Woodsman), and Joseph Voegele (Axegrinder 3, Natasha Nighty's Boudoir of Blood)
Starring - Tonjia Atomic (Thingz, Penance), Melissa R. Bacelar (Skinned Alive, The Scream), and Melody Berg (Odd Noggins, Strange Things Happen at the Weird House)
Release Date - 2021
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I find myself in the middle of yet another Joe Sherlock mini-marathon and I’m really enjoying myself. I recently took on Blood Creek Woodsman along with the indie horror anthology Dark Zone Thirteen and loved them both. Blood Creek wasn’t like the newer films from Skullface Astronaut and Dark Zone Thirteen was a solid anthology that brought me back to what I enjoyed from the other Skullface films. It only made sense to follow up Dark Zone Thirteen with it’s sequel. Like always, I want to thank Joe for sending this one over for Horror Society and myself to check out. I truly appreciate it.
This sequel features even more stories from the famed thirteenth issue of Dark Zone featuring stories about serial killers moving into the same community as one another, time travel, the occult, and nudity.
Dark Zone Thirteen Part 2 is one of the few sequels that is just as the first film. Sequels often have a bad rep among movie goers for being weaker than the first film. They capitalize on the success of the first film with very little quality control placed in it. Dark Zone Thirteen Part 2 is able to deliver even more stories that work for the most part. The acting in this one is fun but it once again does show the inexperience of the cast. Everyone seems to be having a lot of fun with their roles which once again shows in the performances. The women are beautiful and while delivering the cliched nudity that makes horror so much fun they still deliver solid performances as well while showcasing little to no clothing. The stories for this one is solid for the most part. I did enjoy some more than others but even the weaker segments are still enjoyable. Finally, the film has some blood and more DIY effects. While they don’t stand out they still work for the film especially if you dig no budget horror. Overall, Dark Zone Thirteen Part 2 is a solid follow up to the original anthology. I highly recommend it for fans of horror comedy and no budget horror. Check it out.
