Talk to Me

Director(s) - Danny Philippou (Deluge, RackaRacka) and Michael Philippou (RackaRacka)

Starring - Sophie Wilde (Boy Swallows Universe, Everything Now), Joe Bird (Rabbit, Treasure), and Miranda Otto (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of indie and no budget horror for decades now which is something weird to say. I was born in the late 80s and lived through the Ma and Pop video store boom. I was always watching direct to video horror, sci-fi, and action flicks which was how I was introduced to Full Moon and Troma. Full Moon and Troma, especially Troma, opened the door to indie and no budget cinema to me and I never looked back. It's because of this love for no budget cinema that I often skip big budget or pop horror titles because they often lack the imagination these films have. With that being said, I've seen some seriously amazing pop horror flicks like Ti West's X, The Black Phone, Late Night with the Devil, and Barbarian to name a few. I receive a lot of press releases for pop horror that I share on the site and when I received one for A24's Talk To Me I wasn't really interested in it. Honestly, it looked a bit too goofy while trying to be serious for me. I was going to pass on it until I received the blu release for review. I decided to finally check it out after taking a quick break from horror. 

      The film follows a group of youths who figure out a way to communicate with the dead using a plaster hand. It becomes a party gag with others recording them as they hold the hand and react to the spirits they are seeing. Things take a dark turn when one of them holds the hand and the spirit takes control of them, forcing them to hurt themselves. They are unable to knock the hand off quickly and he is knocked unconscious. He's rushed to the hospital, but things seem off for one of them. She starts to see people from the other side at random moments including her recently deceased mother. As she rushes to figure out what is going on she realizes that the spirit that was in her friend is still there allowing others to come forward. 

      I didn't know what to expect when I tossed in Talk To Me to watch but I was not expecting to love it as much as I did. The movie has phenomenal character development, one hell of a cast, and a story that I found myself fully submersed in. Honestly, I never expected to like this one as much as I did and it's difficult not to sit here all day talking about how much I loved it. The acting in this one is great. I loved seeing Miranda Otto from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She's an amazing actress with unmatchable screen presence. With that being said, she was severely underutilized here. I would have loved to see her in a much larger role. The standout performances, for me, came from Sophie Wilde and Joe Bird. Wilde carried the film and showcased a wide range of emotions. Her performance felt very genuine, and she really pulls the viewer into her pain and torment. Bird also delivers one of the most sinister performances I've ever seen in a modern horror film. I'm seriously a fan now and look forward to his other genre efforts. The story for this one is not a like the other horror efforts that follow people hosting a seance or playing with Ouija boards. Instead, it's a party game where somewhere holds a plaster hand, which has its own backstory, and they are able to see a spirit while no one else can. The twist that happens when the teenager is possessed and hurts himself leaving the door open is predictable, but it doesn't ruin the impact of the remainder of the story. It has great pacing, lots of action, and the sense of dread at time is almost choking. Finally, the film has some beautiful practical and make-up effects that only add to the overall experience. I loved the look of the spirits and the make-up effects that were incorporated but the blood and gags used were what really took the film over the top. While it's nowhere near as violent as Evil Dead Rise, it still incorporates some seriously impressive effects. Overall, Talk to Me is one of a handful of modern pop horror flicks that does not disappoint. It's a well-rounded horror film that has some genuine scares and great effects. I highly recommend checking this one out.

Arm Wrestling Roulette

Director - Eric Palmer (Action!, Inheritance)

Starring - Melissa Sapienza (A Paranormal Documentary, Killer Campout Part II), Jim Bob McClane, and Clint Black 

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Thriller/Drama

Tagline - "Step up to the table... and feel the rush"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been reviewing horror flicks over at Horror Society for over a decade now and it still blows my mind when I get in contact with a filmmaker to review their hard work. It's an absolute blast and something I hope never ends. However, as much as I love horror, I sometimes find myself a little burned out with my beloved genre. It's not often but I do get asked to review non-horror flicks from time to time. Several months back filmmaker Eric Palmer sent me his found footage horror flick Action! to review. I'm not saying the film was bad but I'm not a fan of found footage so it didn't really find its mark with me. However, after speaking with him after I posted the review, he mentioned some other films he had made, and I agreed to check em out. One of the films caught my eye. The movie, Arm Wrestling Roulette, looked absolutely wild and I couldn't wait to check it out. I decided to finally check it out after a huge horror marathon. I want to thank Eric for sending this one over for review! 

      The film follows Chip (Jim Bob McClane) who finds himself in the middle of an arm-wrestling tournament after finding videos of it at night while on a bender. However, this is no ordinary arm-wrestling tournament. In this tournament the loser has to place a bullet in a revolver, spin it, and then place the end against their head as they pull the trigger. He's been thinking about killing himself a lot lately but that changes when he meets another competitor and the two fall in love. He has something to live for but that, in itself, was short lived when she loses a match and is not so lucky with the roulette. Now, he's hell bent on beating the man responsible for her loss resulting in her killing herself. 

      I went into Arm Wrestling Roulette completely blind and instantly fell in love with it. While I would struggle to categorize it, I would say that it borrows heavily from drama, thriller, and action genres which works. I would love to see Eric expand upon this story further in the future. The acting in this one is so much fun. Jim Bob McClane is great as the drug addled man looking for some cheap fun or a way out. He carries the film for most of it's run time, but we do have a great supporting cast with another great performance from Melissa Sapienza. Melissa has been in several films I've reviewed recently like another Eric Palmer film Action!, Brad Twigg's Deathboard and Killer Campout Part II, and The Legend of Crick Foot. Honestly, I've been seriously impressed by her performances and it's a shame she doesn't have a bigger role in this one. The story for this one really caught my interest and has the potential to have a follow up film or two. An underground arm-wrestling ring where the loser has to play roulette with a revolver is fucking brilliant. I don't know if this was from something else that Eric had seen or thought of himself, but I absolutely love it. With that being said, the tone of the film is uneven and not very consistent. The film begins with a gritty atmosphere with the drug abusing drunk trying to remember the night before while looking for information about the arm-wrestling videos he saw before. When his love interest is introduced, the film does become a bit cheesy, which I don't mind, but it doesn't really fit the first part of the film. After her death the film dials up the camp as we get arm-wrestlers with gimmicks similar to late 80s and early 90s professional wrestlers. Honestly, I loved this but I do wish that the film followed this through the entire run time instead of the last leg. Finally, the film has some blood but don't expect a gory flick with a high body count. It does have some blood but nothing that will stand out for the viewer. The film focuses on the story more than it does the red stuff. Overall, Arm Wrestling Roulette has no right being as good as it is. The story is phenomenal, and the cast makes it stand out. I highly recommend checking this one out if you ever have the chance.

Caddy Hack

Director - Anthony Catanese (Hi-Fear, Girls Just Wanna Have Blood)

Starring - Dana Ackerman (Girls Just Wanna Have Blood), Max Alcarado (Bikini Watch, I Love You Sabado!!!), and Joe Biedron 

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Welcome to a hole new world of horror!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago, I was introduced to director, musician, and graphic designer Anthony Catanese when he was working on his horror comedy Sodomaniac. A slasher about a killer wearing an ass mask was a movie I couldn't pass up. I befriended him on social media and followed the project the best I could and one day my patience paid off when Anthony hit me up to review the finished project. I was hooked on his style of filmmaking from that point forward and since then I've been lucky enough to review Hi-Death, Girls Just Wanna Have Blood and Hi-Fear. Sometime back my friends over at Wild Eye Releasing sent me their blu release of his horror comedy Caddy Hack. I wasn't able to check it out right away, but I worked it into my watch list to watch as soon as I could. Like always, I want to thank Wild Eye for sending this one over! 

      The film follows a struggling golf course on the eve of a big event when the caddies are forced to hunt down and kill groundhogs that have been mutated by the dimwitted groundskeeper. Now they are bloodthirsty and will stop at nothing to maul anyone caught on their golf course. 

      I absolutely love Anthony's sense of humor. I feel like we were raised on the same television shows and movies which left a lasting impression on us. Sodomaniac and Girls Just Wanna Have Blood are great additions to two sub-genres that I love. While slashers are always popular, vampire films don't get the love they deserve in the post-Twilight world. However, he took the risk with Girls Just Wanna Have Blood, and it paid off. I knew it was going to be a good time when I saw that Wild Eye was releasing a horror parody of Caddyshack from him and I was right. I absolutely loved Caddy Hack and I'm glad I was able to finally check it out. The acting in this one was very enjoyable. The cast makes up for inexperience by making their characters larger than life. They have big personalities and bring a ton of energy to each scene. I love the characters and this cast does one hell of a job bringing them to life in front of the camera. The story for this one is a fun parody/tribute to the classic comedy Caddyshack. I love that the groundhogs are mutated by a fertilizer created by an idiot. It's such a simple spin on a well-known comedy that works for the premise of the film. The movie makes great use of its run time, has great pacing, and the comedic timing is spot on. The comedy works in a Troma sort of way, which is something I really enjoy. Finally, the film has a lot of great practical effects and a few visual effects. The film has a few amazing gags but isn't that gory. The effects for these gags work but the visual effects used stand out. Overall, Caddy Hack is a fantastic horror parody that genre fans will truly enjoy. If you grew up on 80s media, then this film is for you. Check it out.

Static

Director - Anna Hammill (The Best of Intentions, Quarantine)

Starring - Mary Beth Eversole (The Social Dilemma, Office Chatter), Megan Farley (The Rite Gift, The Ace), and Shirley Jordan (Abbott Elementary, Linked by Love)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love reviewing shorts but most filmmakers prefer to tackle a feature length film. While I understand the want to make a feature length film, I sometimes wish a filmmaker would realize that the story they are attempting to adapt doesn't have enough content to make a feature. Sometime back I was sent info on a short titledStatic from Macabre Productions. I wasn't able to get to it right away so I added it to my list to watch when I could. After recently watching a few other shorts that were sent my way for review, I decided it was time to check this one out. I'm glad I did because this one packed a punch. 

      The film follows a young woman speaking with her therapist about events leading up to a horrible incident. She's struggling with post-partem depression and her constantly crying baby only made matters worse. She then begins to hear voices tell her to "do it" before finally placing a pillow over the newborn's face. 

      I went into Static completely blind and found myself getting a gut punch of emotions. I'm a father of three and I have custody of my niece so any film that features a story like this will solicit a reaction out of me if it's done well. Static succeeded and and had me gutted. The acting in this one is fantastic. The cast is very small, but the performances are bigger than the film. The characters are very well written, and this small cast goes above and beyond to bring them to life. The story for this one is short, simple, and full of emotion. It's very effective to viewers that are in tune to their emotions along with parents or someone close to little ones. A mother struggling with depression after the birth of a child is no laughing matter and shows the horrors of the real world, as well as parenthood. It doesn't overstay, it's welcome and is very effective. Finally, this one doesn't have any blood and gore. Instead, it relies on the subject matter to get to the viewer instead of a body count. Overall, Static is a top-notch horror short that shows viewers that zombies and slashers are not the only thing in life to be afraid of. Check it out.

Artifacts of Fear

Director - Rusty Apper (The Whistler, Halloween: The Wake)

Starring - Luke Morgan (The Man in the Cave, New Year's Eve), Cameron Patmore, and Laurence R. Harvey (The Human Centipede 3(Full Sequence), Frankenstein Created Bikers)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "What are you afraid of?"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up during what I like to call the golden age of anthologies. The early to mid-80s is known for the abundance of slashers that was being released almost daily during that time but the mid-80s to mid-90s saw some of the most iconic anthologies hit theaters and video store shelves. While Creepshow and The Twilight Zone: The Movie was in the early 80s, the mid 80s to early 90s saw Creepshow 2, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, Two Evil Eyes, From a Whisper to a Scream, Body Bags, Tales from the Hood, and so many more. I still have a soft spot for horror anthologies, especially indie anthologies. A few weeks back, or maybe longer, filmmaker Rusty Apper reached out to me to review his anthology film Artifacts of Fear. I wasn't able to get to it right away, but I worked it into my watch list as soon as I could. I want to thank Rusty for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this one out! 

      The film follows two guys who are looking for something to be the center of attention at their house party. One of them takes the other to an antique store that's out of the way to see if they can find something creepy enough to do the job. They meet the shop owner (The Human Centipede 2's Laurence R. Harvey) who takes them to the basement of the shop to show them a piece he just got in. It turns out to be an old story telling machine similar to the old fortune teller machines from the turn of the 1900s. He leaves them alone with the machine so they can look it over and in his absence it tells them three bone chilling tales before the real horrors is unleashed on them. 

      A horror anthology falls apart if the wraparound segment doesn't hold the entire film together. The Creepshow trilogy and television series has The Creep, Tales from the Crypt has The Cryptkeeper, and From a Whisper to a Scream has Vincent Price reading stories from a book. A good anthology needs something that ties the segments together and Artifacts of Fear makes good use of the animatronic storyteller. It is a bit odd that an old coin operated machine is telling modern stories but I'm not here to pick apart little details like that.  The acting in this one is consistent all the way through which is very surprising for an indie anthology. It's normal for an indie anthology to have segments that feature impressive acting while others feature not so impressive acting. However, Artifacts of Fear is consistent throughout the entire film with solid acting. Laurence R. Harvey is great as the shopkeeper. Many recognize him for his role in the second Human Centipede movie and while that is a fantastic film, Laurance has appeared in many more films and never disappoints. I would have loved to see him have a bigger role or more screen time, but I'll take what I can get. The remainder of the cast is just as good with some amazing performances from everyone involved. The stories for this one are just as consistent as the acting. While I did like some more than other, this one doesn't really have any weak links so to speak. The wraparound segment works very well for tying all the shorts together. The bulk of the film consists of three stories ranging from a witch's skull to a serial killer. They are a lot of fun and very enjoyable but not as memorable as the book end story. Finally, the film has some blood and some visual effects but those of you looking for serious gore and a body count will be a bit disappointed. The film relies heavily on character development and storytelling to make up for the lack of gore. Overall, Artifacts of Fear is a fantastic modern horror anthology with some rich storytelling and an amazing cast. I highly recommend adding this one to your late night viewing especially if you are wanting something that can make your skin crawl. Check it out.

Erecting A Monster 3: The ResErection

Director - Jon Devlin (Erecting A Monster, The Missing Left Sock)

Starring - Jon Devlin, Jezibell Anat (Morningstar, The Corn Teen), and Renee Honeycutt

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Bigger, longer, harder"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely love reviewing shorts, but I rarely get the opportunity to review them. Most filmmakers want to tackle a feature length film over a short one. While that is all fine and good, shorts can be more effective especially if the story is lacking. With that being said, some stories have too much to tell which requires a feature length film or two to give it the justice it deserves. A few years back filmmaker and actor Jon Devlin contacted me to review a feature length film he was starring in. After I posted the review, he once again contacted me to review a horror short he directed and starred in. The film, Erecting a Monster, was the kind of indie flick that I love. It's absurd, full of potty humor, and completely unique when compared to other genre films of the time. The short spawned two sequels since then. I reviewed the follow up film a year or so ago and a few days back Jon hit me up to review the third film, The ResErecting. I want to thank Jon for sending this one over for review! 

      The film follows Victor (Devlin) who is living with the trauma of the past while trying to move forward. He decides to transition into a woman but cannot get the necessary surgery because she does not have the skin of the penis to be shaped into a vagina. Her friend reminds her that her schlong is buried nearby, and they can dig it up in order to do the surgery. They dig it up and accidentally resurrect it. Now the dong is going around eating people and growing. They must once again stop it before it grows to gigantic proportions. 

      Erecting a Monster 3 did not go the direction I was expecting, and I truly respect that. The follow up went in a whole new direction while keeping the same sense of humor that made the first two films so much fun. I would have loved to see Devlin pull his resources and knock out a feature length film with this same story, but I'll take whatever I can get. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. The entire cast has a lot of energy, and you can really tell that everyone had fun on set because it is shown in every scene. Jon's performance makes the short for me. His character is a lot of fun, and he does an amazing job at getting into character. I also thought Steve Johnson was funny and I'm glad he was able to reprise from the previous film. With all that being said, this one introduces us to Renee Honeycutt, and I seriously hope she is able to snag roles in more horror productions. The story for this one is the most logical continuation of the first two films now that I sit here and think about it. I was expecting something along the lines of a zombie dong biting men and their dongs falling off turning into more zombie dongs. However, having the protagonist transition into a woman and the pecker growing after each meal and shedding its skin is total fucking genius. It makes great use of it's run time and still has room to another continuation. Finally, the film has some practical and visual effects that are really fun. I loved the fake penis skin and the buckets of blood we get but some decent gore would have gone a long way. Overall, Erecting a Monster 3 is the sleazy horror short about a killer wiener that you didn't know you needed in your life. I highly recommend checking out this trilogy as soon as you can. You will not be disappointed.

Martian Girl Massacre

Director - Morrigan Thompson-Milam

Starring - Morrigan Thompson-Milam (Debbie Does Demon, Karate Ghost), Tobi Tobi, and XXX-Mas, Phantom Fun-World)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I couldn't tell you which movie it was, but a few years ago I reviewed something that starred Morrigan Thompson, and I instantly turned into a fan. I love her camera presence, how natural she is in front of the camera, and the dedication she has for each role she performs. It also helps that she is easy on the eyes. After seeing her in that film I sought her out on social media, and I've been following her career ever since. Sometime back she announced that she would be directing a sci-fi horror short titled Martian Girl Massacre. I couldn't wait to see it and every time she mentioned it, I would have to hold back the urge to ask her how long until we could see it. That changed when she posted last week asking reviewers to check it out. I quickly messaged her, and she was kind enough to send a link my way to check it out. I want to thank Morrigan for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to review the new short! 

      The film follows four twenty-somethings who travel to an airbnb for a quick getaway. What they don't expect is a strange creature to be roaming the backyard and turning one of them into a vicious killer. 

      Thompson is known for her colorful characters and baring it all in front of the camera. She's a talented actress that never disappoints so I was very excited to see her sci-fi horror short. With that being said, Martian Girl Massacre didn't disappoint. It was a little on the campy side and had a few unintentional laughs, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. While Thompson is the star of the short, and does a fantastic job in her role, her co-stars are just as good. The characters are written very well to fit the story and the cast does a wonderful job at bringing them to life. The story for this one is really fun especially if you grew up during the direct to video age. We get an alien that takes over control of this woman who then goes on a rampage killing anyone she crosses paths with. It's simple and reminiscent of so many no budget S.O.V. flicks of the late 80s and early 90s. I also found myself laughing at a few unintentionally comedic moments like the scene she is telling everyone she saw an alien kill someone. They proceed to tell her that they don't believe her, so she goes to bed. AN ALIEN JUST KILLED SOMEONE AND SHE DECIDES TO GO TO BED! While I did enjoy it, a lot, I wish it would have been longer with a little more backstory on the alien itself. Finally, the film has a campy looking alien and a lot of blood. We have some effects on a budget, but they work. I loved the blood, and the look of the alien made the short for me. Overall, Martian Girl Massacre will not be everyone's cup of tea but fans of Troma and Warlock Home Video will truly appreciate this no budget horror sci-fi medley. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to see what Morrigan Thompson has in store for us next!

Night of the Blood Monster

Director - Jesus Franco (Bloody Moon, Hellhole Women)

Starring - Christopher Lee (Tales of the Haunted, End of the World), Maria Schell (Superman, Liquid Television), and Leo Genn (A Lizard in a Woman's Skin, Psycho-Circus) 

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Horror will hold you helpless!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Filmmaker Jess Franco had many frequent collaborators over the years but the one that always stood out to me was Christopher Lee. The pair would collaborate on several films together and I've been lucky enough to review some of them over the years. Sometime back Full Moon released Night of the Eagle which also starred Star War's Mark Hamill, Dracula from Severin, and two FuManchu films released by Blue Underground. Sometime back Blue Underground was re-releasing The Bloody Judge on UHD under its alternate title Night of the Blood Monster. This Franco/Lee collaboration is one I had owned for some time on DVD but never actually took the time to watch it. I want to thank my friends over at Blue Underground and MVD for sending this one over for review. 

      The film follows an evil judge who uses the witch trials in England as a way to gain political power and seduce women. When his power fails to seduce a woman whose sister he just sentenced to death, she joins a group of rebels along with her boyfriend to stop him from using his power for evil. 

      I can't believe I was sitting on this one for as long as I did without watching it. I absolutely love anything centered around witches and the witch trials so the fact that I've owned this film on DVD for years and never took the time to watch it really bums me out. It was a fantastic flick that has one of greatest titles I've had the chance to review. While I don't really care for the Night of the Blood Monster moniker, I love The Bloody Judge and wish they would have stuck with that for this UHD release. Regardless of the title, this film is worth every minute. The acting in this is amazing. Christopher Lee never disappoints, and he once again shows his on-screen talents. While he delivers a memorable performance, he doesn't outshine Maria Schell, Leo Genn, Maria Rohm, and Margaret Lee to name a few. The story for this one has a lot of moving parts but I absolutely loved it. I love that the film takes place against the backdrop of the witch trials but not fully focused on it. We then have corruption, conspiracy, seduction, and so much more. It's a film with a lot going on but doesn't fill overcomplicated or busy. Finally, the film has some blood and make-up effects but that is really the extent of it. The film relies heavily on sets, costumes, and characters to sell the film instead of gore. Overall, Night of the Blood Monster is a fantastic film and another amazing collaboration between one of the world's greatest actors and one of the greatest exploitation filmmakers to ever live. I highly recommend this one especially the UHD release from Blue Underground. Check it out

Last Voyage of the Demeter

Director - Andre Ovredal (The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Troll Hunter)

Starring - Corey Hawkins (Kong: Skull Island, The Walking Dead), Aisling Franciosi (Game of Thrones, God's Creatures), and Liam Cunningham (Clash of the Titans, Masters of the Universe: Revelations)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The legend of Dracula is born"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror has a lot of iconic stories but very few are as memorable as Bram Stoker's Dracula. This iconic tale has spawned countless movies, unofficial sequels, and some may even argue that is created an entire sub-genre to horror. It's one of the most recognizable stories that has been adapted many times on film. While I love the story of Dracula, I will be the first to admit that I'm tired of all the adaptations telling the same story. That's why I was very excited for The Last Voyage of the Demeter. I was really looking forward to watching a film about the ill-fated crew on the ship that brought Dracula from his homeland to Carfax Abbey. Sadly, I wasn't able to check this one out in theaters but as soon as I could work it into my schedule I did, and it just happened to be right after I watched another movie starring David Dastmalchian. 

      The film follows the doomed crew of the Demeter as they make their way to England unknowingly with Dracula in tow. The crew is uneasy at night and when they discover a woman aboard claiming to be the food supply for a creature in a coffin like crate they are transporting. Soon they realize that their ship is now a crypt, and everyone's life is in danger. 

      I went into The Last Voyage of the Demeter hearing a lot of mixed things about it. Typically, I enjoy the horror titles that get a lot of hate from genre fans. However, when a film divides the horror community like this one did then I'm a little weary of it. However, after finally seeing the film, I can see why so many disliked it but I enjoyed it especially as a pop horror flick. The acting in this one is pretty solid. A lot of the male crew blended into the background or was simply there to die. However, some of the crew did stand out and had great character development. With that being said, the entire film was well acted but not everyone stood out or was as memorable as others. The story for this one is an interested spin on a known story that so many genre fans know and love. The film takes one small portion of the book and turns it into a feature length film. While the pacing does struggle from time to time, I was still impressed by how far the story was able to go and didn't feel claustrophobic. Finally, the film has a lot of blood, make-up effects, and visual effects that fit the film very well. While I think the visuals will not age that well, I really did like the make-up effects shown in the film. Overall, The Last Voyage of the Demeter is a bit of a slow burner but once it picks up it delivers. I really enjoyed how it brought us a famous part of Bram Stoker's Dracula that we have never seen before. Fans of the novel should check this one out

Late Night with the Devil

Director(s) - Cameron Cairnes (Scare Campaign, Warren and Hal) and Colin Cairnes (Under One Roof, 100 Bloody Acres)

Starring - David Dastmalchian (Last Voyage of the Demeter, Dune), Laura Gordon (Saw V, Undertow), and Ian Bliss (The Matrix Reloaded, Man-Thing)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Warning! May be disturbing to some viewers"

Format - Streaming (Vudu)

Rating (out of 5):

     I typically focus most of my attention on indie and no budget genre films but the last decade or so, specifically the last 5 or so years, has brought us some unforgettable big budget pop horror films. Over the last few years I fell in love with Ti West's X, Freaky, Black Phone, Happy Death Day, Barbarian, Lisa Frankenstein, Prey, Evil Dead Rise, Midsommar, and more I'm sure I'm forgetting. While I have a soft spot for indie horror and always will, I've been getting overly excited for more mainstream pop horror recently so when I saw that David Dastmalchian was attached to the new IFC Films produced flick, Late Night With the Devil, and I knew I had to see it. He's been active in the movie world for almost 25 years but recently gained in popularity after appearing as Polka-Dot Man in James Gunn's Suicide Squad. His career was already impressive before landing that role after appearing in The Dark Knight, Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie, Sushi Girl, and The Belko Experiment. He's a fantastic actor and I couldn't wait to see him kill it in Late Night With the Devil. 

      The film follows a struggling late-night television host who has several interesting guests on his nightly show. It starts out innocently enough when a magician practicing mysticism demonstrates some of his abilities. His next guest is a former magician turned supernatural debunker. Things take an interesting turn when the final guests are revealed to be an author who has been working with a teenage girl that was rescued from a cult. She agrees to a séance and things take a deadly turn and no one in the studio is safe. 

      I went into Late Night With the Devil knowing nothing about the film aside from it starring Dastmalchian. I'm glad I went into this one blind. It made the story really even more enjoyable not knowing what it was inspired by or where it was going. The acting in this one is amazing and I truly mean that. While I'm a huge fan of Dastmalchian, he is not the highlight of the film. His character is amazing, and he does a wonderful job in his performance, but he is not the center of attention so to speak. Ian Bliss and Fayssal Bazzi carried the film for me as their portrayal of the spiritualist and the debunker until Ingrid Torelli's character was revealed. Once she arrives, she steals the show. She was amazing and her performance here rivals Linda Blair in The Exorcist. The story for this one is one I never expected to see as the basis for a horror film. Many years ago, renown supernatural debunker and former magician James Randi went on television to prove that magician James Hydrick did not have superpowers. The event was hosted by Bob Barker and is still a popular video online among debunkers and nonbelievers. Once this is established, we move into another popular topic of the late 70s which was the occult and Satanic Panic. The little girl surviving a cult who had plans of using her as a sacrifice really is the nightmare of so many from the late 70s. This is fantastic writing that works well at character development and pacing. Finally, the film does have a little blood and some wild visual and practical effects. I absolutely loved the visuals. They were kind of cheesy but it fit the film so well. Overall, Late Night With the Devil is one of the better horror releases of the last few years regardless of if you are a fan of pop horror or not. I highly recommend checking this one out!

Bundy Manor

Director - Alexander Boyd Watson (Screams from the Dark, How to Be a Serial Killer: A Jack Myers Story)

Starring - Julie Cordell-Seamons (Silent Night, The Christmas Dragon), Paul Anthony Sonnier Jr. (Call of the Void, Star Wars: Dresca), and Walter Mecham (Hereditary, 4K Killer)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You choose to be there, he decides if you leave"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been lucky enough to review hundreds of indie horror productions over the decade or so that I've been with Horror Society. I've been a fan of indie and no budget horror films for as long as I can remember so when a filmmaker reaches out to me to review one, I immediately jump at the opportunity. Over the years I've been fortunate enough to review films that I fell in love with and had to immediately add to my collection. With that being said, not every filmmaker's work resonates with me. That doesn't mean they are bad films, or I didn't enjoy myself. As I said before, I love watching indie and no budget films even if the movie is one, I didn't care for. I love seeing the effects, how the scene was set up, the cast acting out their dialogue, and so on. Every movie is truly an experience even if the movie just didn't work for me. Sometime back I was contacted by filmmaker Alexander Watson to check out his horror film Bundy Manor. I wasn't able to check it out right away, but I was able to work it into my schedule. I want to thank Alex for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a family that moves into an estranged relative's home after her death. They learn that one of the neighbors has an extreme haunt that he runs year-round. When the noises of the "tortured" keep them up all night, the father of the family confronts him. After an exchange of words, the haunt owner offers him a deal. If he can make it through the haunt without giving up, then he will shut it down. However, if he quits then the haunt can continue to operate. The father is unable to complete the haunt but in doing so he becomes suspicious of the owner and why the props look so real. 

      I went into this one thinking it was about infamous serial killer Ted Bundy but that was far from the truth. Instead, the movie was a torture porn approach to the new trend of turning extreme haunts into a horror film. Honestly, I've never been a fan of haunted attractions and people that like extreme haunts have never been in an abusive relationship. Anyway, Bundy Manor could have been something very enjoyable and memorable, but it was extremely dull while failing to gain any traction. The acting in this one is one of the few aspects of the film that I truly enjoyed. The casting in this one is great. The cast worked so well together and did a phenomenal job at bringing the characters to life. While some of the scenes were a bit slow and boring, I still found myself caught up in the acting. The story for this one is very interesting in theory. The idea of an extreme haunt killing select patrons and using their body parts as props for the haunt is pretty fucking clever. A similar spin to some other films I've seen where a director cast actors for his movie and it's actually a snuff film. I, honestly, loved this idea but the execution doesn't work. We have way too much of the film's run time dedicated to the family's dynamic and not the horror next door. A good bit of the movie could be cut to reshape the story and make it more effective. Finally, the film has some blood and some great props and prosthetics, but the death scenes are very underwhelming. I was expecting a lot more imagination in the film's deaths over what we were actually given. Overall, Bundy Manor just didn't do it for me. I loved the cast and the idea behind the film, but the long scenes and little horror made it one that I can't recommend to genre fans.

Killer Campout Part II

Director - Brad Twigg (Milfs vs. Zombies, Shriekshow)

Starring - Kay Leahy (Bloody Summer Camp, Curtain Call), Justin P. Martin (10/31 Part 3, Shriekshow), and Brucellious Morris Jr. (Go Away, Murder in the Family)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Welcome to Camp Phoenix... you wont be coming home"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been writing reviews at Horror Society for over a decade now and during that time I've befriended several amazing filmmakers. One filmmaker I met early on in my career was West Virginia native Brad Twigg of Fuzzy Monkey Films. I was introduced to Brad when he was promoting his horror comedy Milfs vs. Zombies and I've followed his career ever since. Honestly, his brand of film has always been the style of movie that I enjoy. I love the campier stories with buckets of blood that he offers viewers. Sometime back Brad released his slasher Killer Campout, and it would gain a very decent following which prompted him to create a follow up. I followed the project pretty closely, but it slipped my mind over the last few months with everything going on in my home life. That's why I was very surprised when Brad reached out to review the finished film. I couldn't say yes fast enough and had to quickly work it into my schedule. Like always, I want to thank Brad for sending this one over. 

      The film begins with a trio of youths digging up the corpse of Gene Blackwell in hopes of resurrecting him. They actually succeed and unleash the now undead killer back into the woods where he used to hunt in while a group of orphaned teens are camping nearby. 

      Director Brad Twigg and Fuzzy Monkey Films has released some seriously impressive indie horror tiles over the years. Milfs vs. Zombies may have been my introduction to his work, but it was films like WrestleMassacre, Killer Campout, Frames of Fear, and so on. With that being said, Killer Campout Part II is easily my favorite film of his. He held nothing back with this one and not only was it a fantastic sequel but it's easily one of the better slashers to come out in recent years. The acting in this one is hands down the best in the Fuzzy Monkey catalogue. Honestly, I'd be here all day if I took the time to credit everyone that did an amazing job in the film. Two of my favorite indie horror starlets, Morrigan Thompson and Angel Nichole Bradford, appear in the film for a short time which is a bit of a shame. I would have loved to see them take on a much larger role. We also see some Fuzzy Monkey regulars like Julio Fernandez, Luba Hansen, and Rick Jermain just to name a few. The story for this one is a great continuation of the first film while paying tribute to the face of slashers, Jason Voorhees. I grew up on the Friday the 13th franchise and I've always loved the slashers that take place in the woods or at a camp. Killer Campout and Part II takes the simplest of stories centered around camping and it works. Part II then adds the resurrected killer in a similar fashion to Voorhees during Friday the 13th Part VI. It works and gives the film its original slasher back with a great spin on it. Also, the film takes the story a bit further with its character development and the sub-plot around the Blackwell family. Finally, the practical effects in this one are great and so are the deaths. These death scenes are extremely violent with some of the most impressive effects I've seen in indie cinema. Overall, Killer Campout Part II is a brutal slasher and one of the better sequels I've seen. It's a movie that is as mean spirited as Terrifier and its sequel but much better. I highly recommend checking this one out if you ever have the chance. You will not be disappointed.

Compression

Director - Jakob Bilinski (Volumes of Blood, Bloody Hooker Bang Bang: A Love Story)

Starring - Emily Durchholz (Real Cool Time, Gayliens), Kevin Roach (The Confession of Fred Krueger, The Bad Man), and Michele Rose (Dark Nights, Grown Men on Tricycles)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get a lot of different horror titles from various sub-genres in for review. While I personally find the slashers, zombies, and vampires to be more entertaining, I'm still open minded to other sub-genres. Each sub-genre offers up solid offerings if you are open to experience them. However, some sub-genres are a little too clever for my liking. I'm a simple man and the more complexed films are difficult for me to enjoy. A few weeks back I was sent over the psychological thriller/horror film Compression from filmmaker Jakob Bilinski. I wasn't able to check it out in a timely manner due to my work schedule, home life, and other movies sent over to review before I agreed to review this one. However, I decided to work it in to my schedule now after I watched a no budget martial arts film. I want to thank Jakob for sending this one over for review! 

      The film follows a successful true crime podcaster who is struggling with demons of her own and who decides to try a recreational drug for the first time. Things start out innocently enough but as the high starts to peak she begins to revisit some of her past traumas forcing her to face them once again. 

      I knew absolutely nothing about Compression prior to watching it. The image sent along with the screener link didn't give me any insight into the film, so this was a true blind watch. With that being said, the movie wasn't really for me. I loved the look of the film, and the cast is fantastic, but the story just wasn't working for me. That doesn't mean it's a bad film, but it does mean that some films are just a little complicated for me to enjoy. The acting in this one is great. The cast is rather small, and everyone carries their own weight throughout. The characters are very well written with a lot of personality that the cast does a great job at bringing to life. The story for this one is very interesting but is stretched too thin with not enough going on to hold the viewer's attention. An agoraphobe who hosts a true crime podcast is an interesting character choice that I was very interested in. However, the film's pacing is its biggest problem. One scene was a 15 minute or so phone conversation while another is 20 minutes of the lead acting out her trip. A lot of the film could be trimmed down to help with the flow. Also, the film does become a bit confusing as the trip fulling manifests. Finally, the film has beautiful cinematography and lighting with some blood but don't expect a body count. This thriller relies heavily on story instead of the blood and guts that most horror fans crave. Overall, Compression is not a bad flick but it's not for me. It's a beautifully shot psychological film with a great cast but the story just didn't work for me. Fans of thrillers may be interested in it but most horror fans may not appreciate it like it deserves to be appreciated.

Battle Legends: The Legend of Battle Master

Director - Matt Enos (The Slim Duffy Show, Last Days in Waldo County)

Starring - Matt Enos, Donald Bulley, and Lyle Lord (The Jim Duffy Show)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Action/Comedy

Tagline - "He was the best... he killed the rest"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Everyone knows me and my love of horror. I've made so many friends in the horror community over the years and a lot of them send over news on their projects almost daily. While I love horror and everything to do with it, I didn't start out writing horror reviews. My original blog that I started about 14 years ago, was focused on forgotten action and exploitation flicks. I was buying up all the discount box sets I could find at Wal Mart and Amazon at the time and wanted to talk about them in some capacity. It didn't take long for my love of horror to take over and over time I became more focused on indie horror than other genres. I think that is why I always get excited when something is sent my way for review that isn't horror. While I love the genre, I sometime get a bit bored with it and could really use something different to recharge my batteries. Sometime back I was contacted by director and character actor Matt Enos. He sent me over a link to check out his film Battle Legends: The Legend of Battle Master. I knew absolutely nothing about this movie, but the artwork sold me on it. I want to thank Matt for sending this one over! 

      The film follows the legendary Battle Master (Enos) who is training his little brother to follow in his footsteps. However, during one of his brother's scheduled fights, the Battle Master is challenged by another local fighter who is able to defeat him. He spirals into a depression but is eventually able to pull himself out of it to regain his title as Battle Master. 

      When Matt Enos hit me up to review his film, he was kind enough to link his YouTube channel The Jim Duffy Show to prepare me for the film. I chose to disregard that and went into the video raw and dry. I'm glad I did because I absolutely fucking loved it. This is the kind of movie that gets me excited for indie cinema. The acting in this one is fucking bonkers but it's so much fun. Matt Enos takes on the role of multiple characters, as well as directing. I loved his energy and how he is able to spin each character into different personalities and traits. The supporting cast is solid as well, but Enos makes the film. The story for this one is a lot of fun. This is the low budget martial arts film that we expected from Dir Wit Films but never got it. It has a lot of humor, references to the show that I missed out on by not watching it beforehand, and a decent story if this was a direct to video action flick from the late 80s or early 90s. The entire point of the film is to entertain, and it does exactly that. Enos is hilarious as all the characters he portrays and the plot works. There were a few scenes that made me wish it was trimmed down some, but the overall film has great pacing and flows very well. Finally, the film has some fun visual effects that are almost a parody of the effects seen in the films it was inspired by. While it does have some cheesy effects, it doesn't have any blood or gore. Overall, Battle Legends: The Legend of Battle Master is the type of film that fans of Troma and Dir Wit Films will eat up. It's so much fun regardless of what genre it is. I'm going to be binge watching The Jim Duffy Show over the next few days because of it. I highly recommend checking this one out.

The Children of the Woods

Director - Jake Robinson (They Are Here, The Wendigo)

Starring - Jesse L. Green (Killer Campout, Z-ERO), Angel Nichole Bradford (Amityville Ripper, Hollywood Werewolf), and Dana Brooke Hamilton (Sleepless Beauty)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The truth is within the woods"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's not often that I come across a found footage flick that I actually enjoy. Many of you know how I dislike the found footage sub-genre. Most of these films are difficult for me to finish, which is why I always disclose this at the beginning of each found footage review that I do. With that being said, there are a few that I've found that are actually enjoyable. A few weeks back actor and producer Matt Burns sent me a few films he was attached to for review. One film just happened to be a new found footage flick. The film, The Children of the Woods, was directed by Jake Robinson and stars one of my favorite indie scream queens, Angel Nichole Bradford. I want to thank Matt for sending this one over for review! 

      The film follows an investigative journalist and her cameraman who visits a small town to investigate a long history of disappearances. While interviewing the local authorities they are shown a video recovered from a search for a group of missing campers who went deep into the woods to spread the ashes of their dead friend. What should have been a trip full of remembrance and mourning, turns deadly when cloaked attackers come out of the woods to kill and kidnap those that have ventured into their sacred forests. 

      I went into this one knowing nothing aside from the fact that it has one of the coolest posters I had seen in a long time. It made it known that it was found footage and the title, along with the upside down cross, made me think it was focused on a cult of sorts. While I don't enjoy found footage flicks, I'm a huge fan of horror films centered around cults and The Children of the Woods did not disappoint. The acting in this one is very uneven but I tend to dislike the way found footage flicks are acted. I seriously despise films where most of the movie is the cast sitting around recording themselves having small talk. It's so awkward and tend to be overdramatic. With that being said, Angel Nichole Bradford does a solid job through most of the film even though we don't really get to see her act in a traditional sense. I also enjoyed Kelsey Ann Baker's performance as well. There were a few awkward moments during the dialogue heavy scenes at the beginning of the movie but they both leveled out during the last leg of the film. The story for this one is reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project but it does have it's own twist to it. In TBWP we follow a group of aspiring filmmakers exploring the legend of the Blair Witch along with the strange occurrences that has happened in the woods of a small town. In The Children of the Woods, we follow an investigative journalist who visits a small town who has a long history of people disappearing after going into the woods. They are shown a video by the authorities of a group of twenty-somethings who venture into the woods never to leave again. Pretty similar stories with the witch aspect being replaced by a cult. The film does have a slow build up that takes far too long to get going but once it does it holds the viewer's attention very well. Honestly, the first 30 minutes or so could easily be trimmed to fix the film's pacing which is one of the many reasons I'm not a fan of found footage. Finally, the film doesn't really have any blood or gore for the viewer to enjoy. The film is character driven with a simple and straightforward story, but gory effects are missing from this one. Overall, The Children of the Woods is a surprisingly enjoyable found footage film even if you don't like the sub-genre. It's hard for me to find a ff flick that I like, and this one did not disappoint. It has a great cast, and I really enjoyed the story. I would have loved to see some memorable deaths and solid effects, but the film is still fun as it is. I highly recommend it.

The Legend of Crick Foot

Director - Bone Jawnson

Starring - Bone Jawnson (The Farmhouse Murders, Halloween the 31st: The Curse Continues...), Shannon Atkins (Anna Key), and Todd Bobenrieth (House of Cards, Banshee)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I always feel like I should preface every found footage or mockumentary that I review with a warning about how I typically avoid these types of films unless they are sent my way for review. I've never been a fan of this style of filmmaking, but I always go into them with an open mind. A few weeks back my friend Matt Burns sent over a few films he was attached to for review. The first is the cryptid mockmuntary The Legend of Crick Foot. While I'm not a big fan of mockumentaries, I have a soft spot for anything to do with cryptids. I want to thank Matt for sending this one along to check out. 

      The film follows an aspiring filmmaker who investigates a string of sightings involving a humanoid covered in hair known as crick foot. The creature frequents cook outs and other outdoor gatherings in hopes of stealing hot dogs. 

      I went into this one expecting a certain kind of film but was greeted with something completely different than I had in mind. Regardless of how the film played out, I found myself waiting for the credits to roll. As I said earlier, this is not the kind of film I typically like so my review, like any indie horror review, should be taken with a grain of salt. The acting in this one is extremely awkward. A majority of the film consists of interviews with the cast as they discuss their fictitious encounters with Crick Foot. I believe that these segments were filmed elsewhere and sent to the director to edit into the film. Regardless, these interviews are awkward to watch and don't give this amazing cast the chance to show viewers what they are capable of. The story for this one is not what I was expecting at all. I thought I was going to be digging into a found footage flick in the same vein as The Blair Witch Project where we feature a documentary filmmaker investigating a cryptid only to be fighting for his life. Instead, it's a filmmaker loosely investigating Crick Foot and a majority of the film features self-shot interviews with the cast. It might have worked as a short but it's too long to be effective as long as it is. Finally, this is not a violent film. In fact, the only scary thing about this one is what the cryptid does to hot dogs. No blood or gore for those of you looking for it. Overall, The Legend of Crick Foot is not for me. Fans of mockumentaries might dig it but I was not a fan. I recommend skipping it.