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.

Lisa Frankenstein

Director - Zelda Williams (Kappa Kappa Die, Dark/Web)

Starring - Kathryn Newton (Freaky, Supernatural), Liza Soberano (She's the One, Everyday I Love You), and Jenna Davis (Stay At Home, M3gan)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "If you can't meet your perfect boyfriend...make him"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Diablo Cody has made a name for herself after penning several unforgettable films over the years. While I'm not really of fan of her dramas and comedies, I'm a huge fan of her forays into horror. Jennifer's Body may draw criticism from horror hipsters, but I enjoy it. I think it's a great popcorn horror flick. When I started receiving press releases for Lisa Frankenstein, the newest film written by Cody, I was very interested in it. I heard a lot of great things about it when it hit theaters, but I wasn't able to check it out during that time. However, I was lucky enough to land a review copy of the film on blu. 

      The film follows Lisa (Newton) who lost her mother to a deranged axe murderer some time ago. Her father remarried to a verbally abusive woman with a genuinely kind daughter. She spends her spare time at an abandoned cemetery near her new home. One evening while laying on a grave she makes a wish that she was with the guy buried there before the headstone is struck with lightning. That night the corpse awakens and breaks into her home after mistaking her plea for help with a proclamation of love. Now she must traverse high school in the 80s while trying to hide a living corpse that loves her so much, he is willing to kill for her. 

      Jennifer's Body is a seriously underrated pop horror flick, and I was expecting more of the same from Lisa Frankenstein. After diving into it I can safely say that I enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than Jennifer's Body. I'm clearly not the target audience for the film either but it is still enjoyable especially if you are in the mood for something with a bigger budget and a little on the family friendly side. The acting in this one is so much fun. Kathryn Newton is amazing as the film's lead while Cole Sprouse does so much while doing so little. These two are created together. We then had unforgettable performances from Liza Soberano, Carla Gugino and Joe Chrest. This is a fantastic cast and when you add them to the beautifully written characters you are left with something that sticks with you days after watching it. The story for this one has a lot that I can appreciate, not only as a genre fan, but as a movie fan in general. I love the playful name that reminds a certain age group of the folders, pens, pencils, and other school supplies they had from the late 80 and early 90s. You then have a lot of characters with very developed backstories and a story that fits the namesake very well. I do have some questions like why is a Victorian era corpse so fresh? I know it's a romantic horror comedy catered to the female demographic, and it takes liberties to make the story work but a moment to explain a few things would go a long way with some of the viewers. Finally, the film has a lot of make-up effects and few gags that look great but nothing that will impress the genre fans looking for blood and gore. I loved the look of the creature but that is the extent of the effects. Overall, Lisa Frankenstein is a fun pop horror flick that absolutely works. I seriously enjoyed it and I hope Diablo Cody continues writing horror titles.

Imaginary

Director - Jeff Wadlow (The Curse of Bridge Hollow, Truth or Dare?)

Starring - DeWanda Wise (Jurassic World Dominion, The Twilight Zone), Taegen Bums (Monarch, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changer), and Pyper Braun (Superkitties, Erin and Aaron)

Release Date -2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Meet Chauncy, he's not imaginary, and he's not your friend"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When it comes to modern horror there are very few production companies as successful as Jason Blum and his Blumhouse Productions. Films like Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Get Out, M3gan, and Five Nights at Freddy's. While I do like some of their films, I wouldn't call myself a fan of theirs. The Blumhouse films that I do like are films that I absolutely love. However, I can count on the one hand how many of their films I do like. The rest are pretty horror by numbers and boring to me. I don't deny their impact on the horror genre but most of their films are not for me. Sometime back I started receiving press releases for the Blumhouse produced Imaginary from Lionsgate Films. The trailer didn't get me excited for it, but the marketing and synopsis did pique my interest. A few weeks ago, I was sent over a screener link for the film and decided to check it out. 

      The film follows a young woman, her new husband, and two stepdaughters as they move into her old childhood home. She was forced to leave as a kid and was not allowed to come back. However, after her father was placed in an assisted living facility, she is able to finally move back into her home. Once they are all settled in, her youngest daughter announces that she has become friends with an imaginary friend Chauncy. This starts out innocently enough but over time things get more and more strange. Eventually she learns that an evil entity is pretending to be her imaginary friend to lure her back into his home revealing why she was forced to leave her home and father at such a young age. 

      As I stated before, the trailer for Imaginary did not really sell me on the film. The marketing and synopsis did make me a little curious about the film, but I should have stuck with my initial gut feeling after watching the trailer. Imaginary is one of those horror films that has so much potential but is unable to pull it all together to give viewers something memorable. The acting in this one is one of the few aspects of the film that I actually enjoyed. DeWanda Wise and Taegen Burns made the film for me. I love their character dynamics and how they interact with each other. With that being said, I didn't necessarily care for the remainder of the cast nor the characters they portrayed. The story for this one left so many questions unanswered and was extremely predictable. The overall flick felt like it was created in one big brainstorming session. The characters, aside from the stepmother and her oldest daughter, feel like generic movie characters that offer up very little to the story. You already know the older woman is evil from the moment you see her, so the reveal is predictable, the monster after the mother and not the child is predictable, and everyone escaping the creature is also predictable considering the film's rating. Finally, this one doesn't have any blood and gore along with some not so impressive visual effects. I loved the look of the set in the creature's lair but that is the only thing that was visually appealing about the film. Overall, Imaginary is another forgettable flick with Blumhouse attached. It's painfully predictable, unlikable characters, and a goofy creature. This is one I would highly recommend skipping.

Paranormal Sexperiments

Director - Terrance Ryker (Escape from Pleasure Planet, Cosmic Calendar Girls)

Starring - Blair Williams (Sweet Sting of the Black Widow, Psychotic Behavior 2), Erika Jordan (Model for Murder: The Centerfold Killer, Femalien: Starlight Saga), and Robert Donavan (Night of the Tommyknockers, Snow White and the Seven Samurai)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Sex after death"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I bought the Glamour Ghouls Collection I didn't care about the second film in the set. I saw College Co-Eds vs Zombie Housewives and was sold on it. Paranormal Sexperiments just didn't sound like something I would be interested in. However, after wasting my time on the first film, I figured it made sense to check out the other one. Hell, I had already spent the money on it so it makes sense to give it a watch. 

      The film follows a struggling college student who is about to be evicted when she learns that she inherited a notorious mansion simply by liking the obituary of the previous owner on social media. The owner was a cruel woman and it was rumored that she had an old book filled with an ancient power. Now, with her gone, several people want to get their hands on the book. What they don't expect in the home is the spirit of the late owner who possesses people and forces them to have sex as part of a ritual to bring about a great evil. 

      I hate when a film uses a play on the Paranormal Activity series. I never liked the Paranormal Activity films so seeing punny or clever plays on that title never made me want to watch a movie. I had no interest in Paranormal Sexperiments but I did love it after taking the time to actually watch it. If it was named something else, I could see it gaining a cult following. However, other genre fans are like I am and tend to stay away from films titled like this if they don't like the Paranormal Activity films. The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a cast consisting of softcore and hardcore stars. The women are beautiful, the men are there to serve their purpose, but that is about the extent of it. The story for this one was a lot of fun and not only works from a haunted house horror film standpoint, but as a sexploitation flick as well. I loved the spirit possessing people and making them screw each other. You add the evil power aspect into the mix and you have a pretty solid horror story. It was fun. well paced, and worked. Finally, the film has a little dash of visual effects but that is the extent of it. The main focus is the nudity rather than gore. Overall, Paranormal Sexperiments was a surprisingly fun sexploitation flick that I was not expecting to enjoy. This was well worth the price of the Glamour Ghouls Collection even though the other film was a huge bust. Check it out

College Coeds vs. Zombie Housewives

Director - Dean McKendrick (Deadly Pickup, Frankenspy)

Starring - Karlie Montana (Sci-fi Vixens from Beyond, Haunted Hotties), Frankie Dell (Daria, Invisible Centerfolds), and Mary Carey (Trasharella, Wolf Mother)

Release Date - 2015

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     I found myself falling in love with exploitation when my dad snagged a couple blaxploitation flicks on VHS. This would spawn a lifelong obsession with all sub-genres of exploitation. It was just a few years back when I was introduced to sexploitation thanks to my friends over at Vinegar Syndrome. Since then, I've been actively hunting for new titles to check out. That brings me to a recent acquisition from Makeflix. A few weeks back I picked up the bluray Glamour Ghouls Collection which features two sexploitation flicks. I wasn't able to check them out right away but I was able to work them in now. The first on the chopping block is College Co-Eds vs Zombie Housewives. 

      The film follows a a scientist who is working on a sex enhancement drug to give to his wife. When he tests it on his female assistant, he thinks he has succeeded. He rushes home to try it on her not realizes that his assistant tricked him so she could get laid. While out of the office she gets a call from a fellow scientist who warns her that if anyone ingests the drug they will turn into mindless zombies. She soon turns into a mindless zombie herself. Unaware of the side effects of his new drug, the scientist sneaks some into his wife and her friend's drink. Before long they both turn into zombies and start attacking the scientist, his friend, and a group of college cheerleaders staying nearby. 

      I knew this was a softcore sexploitation flick but it was nothing like I was expecting. Honestly, this is the reason I bought this release and after 15 minutes I wish I wouldn't have. The movie was nowhere near as fun as the other softcore/sexploitation flicks I've seen in the past with Fred Olen Ray attached. I wanted to love it but it was extremely dull. The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a film of this caliber. The cast is notable for their hardcore and softcore work which is more focused on the sex appeal than it is acting prowess. The cast is very good-looking and there is plenty of nudity, but it doesn't make up for the not-so-great acting. The story for this one could have been one hell of a horror sexploitation flick like Evil Head. Instead, it goes the route of the skinamax route with no real plot. A scientist making a sex drug only to turn people into brain dead zombies is so perfect for a film like this. Sadly, the zombies that we get are the White Zombie kind where they are just mindless people under the control of the drug. It doesn't really work even for a skin flick standard. Finally, this one doesn't have any blood or effects. It does have a lot of nudity and not so enjoyable acting. Overall, College Co-Eds vs Zombie Housewives is one you can skip regardless of if you want a skin flick or not. It's not as enjoyable as many other films other there like it.

Velma

Director - Scarlet Moreno (Delores, Phaedra)

Starring - Scarlet Moreno

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's been a couple months since I've reviewed a horror short, and it looks like the time has come to remedy that. Several weeks back I was asked to review the horror short Velma from actor and filmmaker Scarlet Moreno. Moreno is known for her work with Rebel Without a Crew: The Series and Delores. I was extremely curious about the short and agreed to check it out. I couldn't get to it until now and want to apologize to them for taking so long. As well as thank them for allowing Horror Society the opportunity to check it out! 

      The film follows Velma (Moreno), who has a problem. She is looking for love but finds herself always heartbroken when her dates take a sexual turn. Instead of finding romance, her partners find a bloody end that they were not expecting. 

      I knew nothing about Velma before going into it aside from the fact that it was directed by and starring Scarlet Moreno. I loved the poster they sent over for the review and it really set my imagination off. My mind was racing with all the possibilities of what it was about, but nothing prepared me for what the film was actually about. The acting in this one is great. The cast is very small but Moreno is center stage the entire time. She is wonderful as the film's lead. She delivers a very passionate performance which really sells the short to the viewer. The story for this one is short but very sweet. The short is able to do a great deal of character development during it's limited run time. We are able to see how emotional Velma is and why she is the way she is. With that being said, I think Velma needed a little more meat on the bone so to speak. I need more of this along with his history. Finally, the film has some blood with some solid effects but it's not a graphic death scene. Fans of pop horror will appreciate it but more demented genre fans will be a bit disappointed. Overall, Velma is a great short that would not necessarily work as a feature length film. It has a great character brought to life by a fantastic actor who also directed it. I highly recommend checking it out if you ever have the chance.

Drama Queen

Director - David E. Teixeira (Mater, Mannequin)

Starring - Catarina Carvalho (Final Grasp, Dead Talk Tales: Volume 1) and David E. Teixeira

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young woman, who was eager to find love"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      It's not often that I get to review a horror short for the site but when I do I jump at the chance especially when it's from a filmmaker that hasn't let me down in the past. A few years ago, I was introduced to filmmaker David Teixeira when he asked me to review several of his horror shorts. I was lucky enough to review Final Gasp, Stream, Visiteur, and Play. Pause. Kill. I haven't heard from David since until a few weeks ago when he reached out to me to check out his newest short Drama Queen. He never let me down before, so I greatly accepted the offer to check it out. I want to thank David for sending this one over for review! 

      The film follows a love torn woman who is angry over the fact that the man she has been trying to date is gay. Instead of moving on and finding another romantic interest, she decides that if she can't have him then nobody else can. 

      I had no idea what Drama Queen was about and while I did enjoy the short, I did find the title to be accurate and misleading at the same time. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. The film has a very small cast but it's a one woman show. Catarina Carvalho is fantastic as the film's lead. She brings so much energy to the character and without her I don't see the short hitting like it does now. The story for this one is a bit light-hearted with almost a comical approach to it but the actual plot of the film of the film is very disturbing. The LGBTQ+ witnesses' horrible atrocities in the name of hate and religion so this story is not that farfetched. In fact, it's horrifying from the real world standpoint. I couldn't imagine being a member of a community that draws so much controversy because of how they love and this short really demonstrates this. It doesn't overstay, it's welcome and works very well. Finally, the film has some blood but it's not something that will satisfy the blood hungry genre fans. The death fits the film but nothing that imaginative or creative. Overall, Drama Queen is a great short that really strikes a nerve with it's viewer. As an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, I find this story to be very unnerving even though it's not really meant to be that shocking. Check it out.