WJHC AM

Director(s) - Vinnie Vineyard (Camp Smokey, The Hike) and Luke Walker (Wrestling with Ghosts, How Men React to Unfaithful Partners)

Starring - Vinnie Vineyard, Tracy Yaste (Snapped, Logan's Chapel), and Luke Walker

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "Keeping good folks joyful until the end of days"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (Out of 5):

     A few days back I attempted to start a Vinnie Vineyard and Luke Walker marathon when I was asked to review a few of their films.  I had never heard of these four flicks before so when Vinnie asked me to check them out I was quick to say yes.  I started with the first film on the list which was simply titled The Hike.  The film made me think it was going to be something steeped deep in Native American folklore but went on to become a hixploitation flick that was rather lacking.  I had a health scare and was unable to finish the marathon but once I had things sorted I went ahead and hit play on the second film, WJHC AM.  I want to go ahead and thank Vinnie for sending this one over as well.

     The film follows an aspiring DJ who finds the break he is looking for when he is hired on at a local religious radio station.  His first night on the job should have been pretty straight forward but the fear of Y2K and the second coming of Jesus sends his first night straight to hell.

     I went into WJHC AM with an open mind.  I absolutely hate writing a negative review for a film sent my way for review especially if the filmmaker is extremely kind.  Vinnie Vineyard was extremely down to Earth when I spoke with him and I felt like a major ass for writing a negative review for The Hike but it wasn't for me.  After about 15 minutes or so into WJHC AM I realized that I would not be digging it which was a bummer.  I've met a lot of filmmakers over the years doing this and not all of their films were for me but I continued to stay friends with them and sharing any news they may have on the site.  It looks like Vinnie may be another filmmaker that just doesn't do it for me.  That doesn't mean he is a bad filmmaker but his films don't necessarily resonate with me.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun and probably my favorite aspect of the film.  The cast is really dedicated to their roles and give it everything they have.  They work very well together and the personalities that they bring to life in front of the camera was very impressive.  The story for this one had so much potential to be something that would truly stand out but fails to fully explore those elements.  I grew up in Appalachia and have seen my fair share of religious mania and though I was fairly young I lived through the Y2K craze.  I've seen how worked up many of them became.  A horror film centered around this would have been a lot of fun.  However, much like The Hike, the intriguing aspects of the film was only explored for brief moment in the film while drawn out scenes of dialogue make up most of the film.  The Y2K scare would have been more enjoyable than the atheist working in a christian radio station.  Finally, the film has a little blood but don't expect a lot of gore or memorable deaths.  Overall, WJHC AM is another one with an interesting premise but just couldn't pull it together.  I seriously wanted to like this one but it was difficult for me to finish.  I have to recommend skipping it.  

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Director - Stephen Chiodo (Alien X-Mas, Elvira's Movie Macabre)

Starring - Grant Cramer (Auntie Lee's Meat Pies, Night of the Living Dead: 30th Anniversary Edition), Suzanne Snyder (Amazing Stories, The Preppie Murder), and John Allen Nelson (Quantum Leap, Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror/Sci-fi/Comedy

Tagline - "In space no one can eat ice cream!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I have had a lot of films that influenced my upbringing. I pretty much lived at my local video store when I was a kid and when I didn't have movies to watch that I had rented I would be watching movies I owned with my Grandma. I was obsessed with the films AirBud, Prehysteria, Adventures in Dinosaur City, Space Truckers, Ernest Scared Stupid, and several others until I was bitten by the horror bug when my Grandma and I watched the 1990's remake of Night of the Living Dead. From then I was obsessed with that film, the original Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, The Guyver, Return of the Living Dead, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space just to name a few. All these films were a huge part of my childhood and I still watch them whenever I get the chance now. Last Halloween my youngest was intrigued by the Killer Klowns merchandise at Spirit Halloween. I got her a Funko POP and a few other little things from the film and that night she asked me to show her the movie. I was so excited to share something I enjoyed so much as a kid with her and now we watch the film almost every other month. Recently, Scream Factory released the film on blu with an awesome steelbook. They were kind enough to send over a copy for me to review which was the perfect reason to rewatch it with the kids. While I was a bit sad to retire my Midnite Movies DVD I was excited to check it out on blu. I want to thank Scream and Shout Factory for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a young couple who witness something falling from the sky. When they head into the woods to investigate, they find a large circus tent. They go inside and find grotesque clowns not of this world who are turning the locals into cotton candy so they can consume them. They then partner up with a small-town cop and two ice cream truck vendors to stop the killer clowns from outer space from eating everyone in town. There is so much to love about Killer Klowns from Outer Space. The atmosphere, sense of humor, the clever writing, the score and soundtrack, set designs, and so on are absolutely perfect. Two of my three children will walk around singing the theme song by The Dickies randomly. The movie, while a brilliant blend of horror, sci-fi, and comedy, is perfect for any age. I've talked about cult and genre films with hundreds of people over the years and I've yet to meet someone who doesn't love this film. The acting in this one is one of the highlights of the film. We have one of my favorite performances from the legendary John Vernon. Many may recall him from his roles in Tales from the Crypt, National Lampoon's Animal House, Ernest Goes to Camp, Blue Monkey, and so many amazing voice acting gigs. I loved his character and would have loved to see a bit more of him throughout the film. The same can be said about Michael Siegel and Peter Licassi as the Terenzi brothers. They were a lot of fun to watch and deserved a much larger role in the film. The film's leads do a great job as well. Suzanne Snyder has appeared in several iconic 80s films aside from this one. Fans can check her out in Night of the Creeps, Return of the Living Dead Part II, Weird Science, and The Last Starfighter. Grant Cramer is great as well and was perfect casting to play opposite Snyder. He appeared in several iconic 80s comedies and horror films as well like New Year's Evil, Beverly Hills Brats, and several more classic films from the time.   The supporting cast is a lot of fun as well but these make the film for me.  The story for this one is out of this world...pun and all.  The idea of clowns being out of this world and not part of human culture may explain a lot to those with coulrophobia.  I loved the idea of clowns being aliens and everything we associate with them and circuses because they visited Earth sometime before.  Then you blend that in with a solid 80s comedy and you have something that really works.  It took a lot of brainstorming and thought to make this story work but it's clear they put in the time.  The film is well written, has great pacing, and the humor doesn't take away from the campy horror the film is able to provide.  Finally, this film is not gory but makes up for it with the humor, fantastic looking clowns from outer space, amazing set locations, and props.  The film also incorporates a lot of classic camera tricks and techniques to make the gags work.  While it doesn't offer up gore or a lot of blood, it is still full of amazing effects.  Overall, Killer Klowns from Outer Space may be one of my favorite horror films to come out of the 80s.  It doesn't have a following like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm St. but it still delivers.  I highly recommend snagging this one from Scream Factory if you are a fan of the film or looking for something new to see.  It's worth it.  

Jacob's Little Helper

Director - Richard Russell (A Family Matter, Dinner Guest)

Starring - Heather Bayless (Workplace Romance, Powerball), Anna Dutilly (Virus, Scavengers), and James L. Edwards (Bloodletting, Hell Van)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's not often that I get to review horror parodies, but I will jump at the opportunity each and every time it presents itself. Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to review the 80s slasher parody Student Bodies when it was released on blu. It was a beautiful parody of the slasher films of the late 70s and 1980. Not too long after that I was sent over several steelbook releases for the unforgettable Shaun of the Dead to review. This parody/love letter to Romero's Dead films is one of my favorite zombie flicks and probably the only romantic movie that I can watch on repeat. Just recently I was lucky enough to review the horror parody of Caddyshack appropriately titles Caddy Hack. I love parodies and frankly, I believe that we don't have enough horror parodies to enjoy. That is why I jumped at the opportunity to review Richard Russell's short Jacob's Little Helper. Like always, I want to thank Richard for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a young woman who is appearing on a talk show with declining numbers to discuss her relationship with a masked slasher that she has befriended. She has been with him for some time helping him become one of the best slashers in the business, but things became complicated between the two when she started dating his rival who kills teens in their sleep. Things go from being a friendly interview to deadly when the interviewer dons a mask and attempts to kill her in order to improve his declining ratings. 

      Jacob's Little Helper is a clever parody of Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm St., and Nightbreed to a lesser extent. It makes great use of its short run time while not being short on imagination and creativity. I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this one. The acting in this one is very well done. James L. Edwards never disappoints. I've reviewed at least a dozen or so films that feature him and every one of them was very enjoyable. He's so natural in front of the camera and always gives it his all. I also enjoyed Heather Bayles' performance. Her character was very playful, and she did a fantastic job as well in front of the camera. The story for this one is a lot of fun with so much potential for other shorts with the groundwork already been laid before them. Having a female companion to a Jason like character who helps him become one of the top slashers is pretty clever. I loved the nod to Freddy with her dating the dream slasher and having the interviewer switch it up and become a masked slasher out of nowhere, similar to the doctor portrayed by Kronenberg in Nightbreed. You can tell Russell is a fan of these films and I seriously hope he can work in more parodies like this one in the future. Finally, the film has several deaths with some blood but don't expect large amounts of gore or a high body count. The short was clearly made on a very small budget and did the best they could with what they had. Overall, Jacob's Little Helper is not going to be the slasher you are expecting but it's a must see if you are fans of the sub-genre. I highly recommend checking this one out

Touch

Director - Justin Burquist (Broken Knuckles, Proxy)

Starring - Eva Ceja (American Bigfoot, Titanic 666), Randy Davison (The Manos Chronicles, Ronald's Little Factory), and Steve Froehlich (Into the Daylight, Beverly Hills Bandits)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Screener (Streaming)

Rating (out of 5):

     I will never turn down the opportunity to review a horror short. Some of my favorite films that I've been lucky enough to review over the years have been shorts and I'm always open to checking out the next one sent my way. A few weeks back I was sent over the horror short Touch from Dan Butler. This was a new one to me and when I saw that it was a crime thriller/horror short I was very interested. I want to thank Dan for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a young woman who is brought on to investigate her first homicide case. However, she is no normal detective as she has a supernatural ability she can use to uncover the killer. 

      I've always had a soft spot for shorts but sometimes their short run time works against them. Case in point, Touch is a fantastic short, but I have so many questions about the character and her situation. I need more and a seven minute short just doesn't cut it with this fantastic idea. The acting in this one is very well done. The film's star is great in her role, but we don't have enough screen time to really appreciate what she can truly bring to the table. The supporting cast is solid as well but, once again, the short is over before you really get to see what they can do. The story for this one really made my imagination run wild. I grew up on Brimstone, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and The X-Files so having a story following a detective with supernatural abilities solve murders is right up my alley. It doesn't feel forced or awkward like The Dead Zone television adaptation and I could really get behind the characters that are introduced here as they traverse other murder cases. Honestly, this short is written very well and I would love to see this further explored or redone into a feature film. Finally, the film has some blood and a few gags but nothing genre fans haven't seen before. While the fight scene was done in a unique manner it doesn't deliver on the gruesome deaths that most genre fans are looking for. Overall, Touch is a unique crime thriller/horror tale that has so much more potential. It deserves to be more than a short. If you ever have the chance to check this one out I highly recommend you do so. You will not be disappointed.

Anxiety

Director - Eric Stanze (Ice from the Sun, Savage Harvest)

Starring - Jackie Kelly (Tennessee Gothic, The Man in Room Six), Jason Christ (Deadwood Park, Ratline), and Marcella Miller (Doorway, Heat)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Don't let is consume you"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago, I reached out to the Wicked Pixel Facebook page asking for news to share on the site or movies to review. I befriended filmmaker Eric Stanze and since then I've been fortunate enough to review his films Scrapbook, Ratline, and In Memory Of. I haven't really heard anything from Stanze since the pandemic began and was caught off guard a few days ago when he messaged me to review his newest film Anxiety. I had no idea he was working on a new film, and I jumped at the opportunity to check it out. I want to thank Eric for sending this one over. 

      The film follows Renee (Kelly) who is a recovering alcoholic. She finds herself struggling during the early stages of the pandemic and when her inner demons begin to show themselves, she has nowhere to turn but within herself. 

      I went into Anxiety knowing absolutely nothing aside from the fact that it starred Jackie Kelly. I had no idea what to expect but deep down I was hoping for another visceral underground film like Ratline and Scrapbook. The acting in this one is absolutely phenomenal. Kelly really impressed me when I first saw her in Stanze's In Memory Of and she did not disappoint here either. Most of the film followed her character alone but she does a wonderful job carrying the film in that regard. Her narration blends very well with her actions in the scene to hold the viewer's attention. It was also great seeing Jason Christ as well, but I was a disappointed in how little screen time he actually had. The remainder of the cast does a phenomenal job as well with a surprise performance from the director himself. The story for this one really threw me for a loop and was something I was not expecting. The film is heavily influenced by the pandemic, and I have a huge suspicion that it was shot early on during the pandemic with social distancing fresh in everyone's mind. This would explain Christ's performance and why he was only shown during recordings. Would also explain the small cast and the locations chosen for each scene. I liked how the pandemic played a crucial part in the young woman's mental stability and battle with alcohol dependence. So many people suffered losses during the pandemic and the isolation and uncertainty caused many to seek mental health treatment. The anxiety portion of the film is very relatable to many of us but it does move at a snail's pace. I was ready to rate the film a 3 out of 5 and move on but then we hit the last 20 minutes or so of the film which is where it picked up for me. The anxiety fueled nightmare and fear of relapsing meets ghosts of her past resulting in a hellish look into her future if she doesn't stay her course to clean living. Finally, the film had me fooled into thinking it was going to be relatively mild until we reached the last stretch of the film where we got some blood and fun effects. I knew I shouldn't have doubted Stanze and his dedication to his fans when it comes to blood. Overall, Anxiety is one hell of a ride from a seriously underrated filmmaker. The cast is great, and the story may take a little too long to get going but once it does it does not disappoint. I highly recommend this one.

The Hike

Director(s) - Luke Walker (The Legend of Bloody Mary Tested, Haunted Graves) and Vinnie Vineyard (Wrestling with Ghosts, Camp Smokey)

Starring - Kandi Thompson (WJHC AM, Vinnie's Vantastic Rock N Roll Adventure), Vinnie Vineyard, and Luke Walker

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Run from the forest.  Run!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely love watching and reviewing indie horror flicks. It doesn't matter about the budget or experience. Hell, it doesn't matter if I like the film or not. I always have fun watching an indie production but sometimes I catch a movie that I just don't care for. Sometime back I was contacted by Vinnie Vinyard to review several of his films that are meant to explore the legends and lore of the Great Smokey Mountains. The first one on the chopping block was 2021's The Hike. I couldn't wait to dive into this one and I want to thank Vinnie for reaching out to me to check out his hard work! 

      The film follows a couple who plan on hiking for three days by themselves. However, this trip didn't go according to plan. They find a camera in some weeds with some horrifying images on it, an injured man, and hallucinations. Before long they find themselves confronted by three men who refuse to let them leave the mountain but that is only the beginning of their trip. 

      I was really excited when I hit play on The Hike. Many of you know that I have a soft spot for horror films centered in or around the woods. Slashers set against the backdrop of a summer camp, hixploitation, and any other form of horror or exploitation set in the woods has always caught my eye. The Hike looked like a movie that was made especially for me... but that wasn't the case. While I always enjoy watching indie horror films, I will had to admit that not all films are made for me. Some of them miss their mark and just don't do it for me. The Hike is one of those films. The acting in this one is solid but there is plenty of room for improvement. The cast is fairly small, and they interact with one another very well, but inexperience is evident. Several of the scenes are very awkward to watch and the dialogue is very forced. The story for this one is all over the place. The movie makes you think it's going to be steeped in Native American mythology and lore. It then switches gears and follows the three strangers stalking them through the woods reminiscent of Cannibal Campout with the hicks chasing the campers through the woods. Both ideas are very interesting but combining them and not giving each aspect the attention it deserves created a film that felt like it was lacking. They should have gone all in on one angle and gave it all they had instead of splitting it up like that. Finally, the film has some blood but if you are looking for some memorable deaths and amazing gore then you will be out of luck. The film's run time is mostly people walking around the woods acting lost or scared. Overall, The Hike tries to deliver on a pretty ambitious story but fails to pull all the parts together. The movie has an interesting story that has what feels like two different ideas clashing for screen time. I want to like it but it was a difficult one to finish. Skip it.

The Abandoned

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Director - Nacho Cerda (Aftermath, Genesis)

Starring - Anastasia Hille (Snow White and the Huntsman, The Tunnel), Karel Roden (Hellboy, Orphan), and Valentin Goshev (Children of Wax, The Foreigner) 

Release Date - 2006

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Death never runs out of time"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the last several weeks I've received a couple releases from Unearthed Films that I really needed to watch and review. There were three releases that I needed to watch and while I really needed to get those reviews posted I was a bit bummed that this mini marathon was coming to an end. I thoroughly enjoyed Deadgirl and Mexico Barbaro II and was really looking forward to tossing in The Abandoned. This was another release from Unearthed that I was unfamiliar with and couldn't wait to see what it was about. I want to take a moment to thank MVD and Unearthed Films for sending this one over for review. 

      The film follows a young woman who travels to the Russian countryside in search of answers about her birth and her parents that put her up for adoption after receiving a strange call. She is able to find her old family home which appears to have been abandoned for several decades. While looking around she is terrified to discover a woman that looks like her but deceased. She then meets a strange young man and after some discussion they suspect they may be twins separated at birth. As they look further into their past they learn some unsettling secrets about their family and they may be trapped in their family home with no escape. 

      I knew absolutely nothing about The Abandoned prior to the press release for it which only added to my curiosity. I also love the artwork for this release. It's simple and somewhat cliched by this point but I absolutely loved it. I didn't know what to expect when I went into this one but I really enjoyed Deadgirl and Mexico Barbaro II so I had somewhat high expectations. It didn't disappoint but it was the weakest of the three films that I watched. The acting in this one is very well done. The cast is very small and it's because of this that we get some great character interactions, especially between co-stars Anastasia Hille and Karel Roden. Everyone works very well together, and they do a phenomenal job in each and every scene. The story for this one is fucking wild but does strut the fine line between complex and confusing. I loved the idea of the twins meeting up in an abandoned home meeting their future dead selves. I also loved the location for most of the film and the time traveling aspect. However, the reveal of the killing and who brought them together did enter confusing territory. I had to rewind a few times to make sure I didn't miss anything. While it's an amazing story, the editing could have been done a bit better. Finally, the film has a lot of blood and several amazing practical effects gags but those looking for gore will be a bit disappointed in that regard. While it is light on that front, the effects we get are fantastic and really stand out in the scene. Overall, The Abandoned is another solid release from Unearthed Films. While it's one of the tamer genre releases it still delivers on the red stuff. I highly recommend checking it out.

Mexico Barbaro II

Director(s) - Diego Cohen (Honeymoon, Mark of the Devil), Christian Cueva (Voices, Vampiro), Ricardo Farias (Deliver, Vampiro), Michelle Garza Cervera (Abismal, The Original), Carlos Melendez (My Encounter with Evil, Clickbait), Lex Ortega (Atrocious, Mexico Barbaro), Abraham Sanchez (Devastcion, Sanguijuelas), Sergio Tello (T is for Tamales), and Fernando Urdapilleta (Consuelo, Atrapada)

Starring - Yeray Albelda (The Darkest Days of Us, Fear the Walking Dead), Alejandra Anaya, and Gabo Anguiano (Devil's Reflection, Control Z)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Nine tales of terror from south of the border"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    I love having little movie marathons when I can. I know I'm not the fastest person to review a film and sometimes I will sit on a movie for weeks at a time before I can review it. This sometimes results in me having a couple releases from the same company that I need to check out. I recently found myself holding on to three different Unearthed Films' releases that I needed to review. After watching the wildly enjoyable Deadgirl, I tossed in the horror anthology Mexico Barbaro II. While I had never seen the first film, I was still very excited to check this one out. Like always, I want to thank MVD and Unearthed Films for sending this one over for review. 

      The film features 9 horror tales ranging from a solider meeting his end by a bullet only to come back as a vengeful demon, a family mutilating their abusive father, an addict taking her addiction too far, two young men wanting to make an adult film with two beautiful women who are hiding something, and more. 

      I went into Mexico Barbaro II hoping that the segments in this sequel did not connect to the ones from the first film where I had never seen it. Lucky for me, it looks like they are eight or nine original segments that call Mexico Barbaro II home are original stories or if they are sequels, they can be enjoyed without seeing the first film. Most of you know how much of an anthology fan I am, and Mexico Barbaro II did not disappoint. The acting in this one is a bit inconsistent. With nine different filmmakers contributing their own segment to the film bringing their own different styles, experience, and budgets it only makes sense that there would be inconsistencies. With that being said, there were no bad performances but some of the segments have more memorable performances than others. The same can be said for the stories in the film. I liked a good deal of the segments and found myself absolutely wanting more but I think that nine stories were just too many. Sure, removing some would have shortened the run time but an anthology doesn't need a damn near dozen stories to be enjoyable. Maybe set some aside for a third film and focus the remaining run time on a wraparound segment that tied everything together. My favorite part of an anthology is the wraparound segment and not having one is a huge disappointment. Finally, this film is extremely violent and full of fantastic make-up and gore effects. The practical effects look great, the blood is plenty, and these kills are very enjoyable. Overall, Mexico Barbaro II is a brutal anthology that crams in nine segments into it's feature length run time. While the segments are enjoyable, the lack of a story putting them all together does make it feel like a collection of shorts with no purpose. It's still a lot of fun and I highly recommend snagging the blu from Unearthed Films

Deadgirl

Director(s) - Marcel Sarmiento (V/H/S Viral, The ABC's of Death) and Gadi Harel (Operation Midnight Climax, Nights Like These)

Starring - Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead, Red Riding Hood), Noah Segan (Knives Out, Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever), and Jenny Spain (Harvest, American Girls)

Release Date - 2008

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Every generation has its story about the horror of growing up"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I watch and review a lot of horror movies and I've done so for over a decade now. While I do try to watch at least one movie a day and have for some time, I can remember a good portion of all the films I've seen over the years. However, occasionally I will watch a movie and recall bits and pieces of it with no recollection of actually watching it. Several weeks back my friends over at Unearthed Films sent over their blu release of the 2008 horror film Deadgirl written by Trent Haaga. When I received the blu for review I was under the impression that I had never seen the film before but once I hit play, I quickly realized that a good chunk of this movie was very familiar to me. Like always, I want to thank MVD and Unearthed Films for sending this one over for review. 

      The film follows two friends who decide to spend their evening exploring an abandoned asylum near their home when they make a startling discovery. They find the body of a dead woman and flee thinking they stumbled upon the corpse of a former resident. The next day one of them goes back and discovers that she's actually still alive in some capacity and can't be killed. Their friendship is then pushed to its limits when one of them uses her as a sex slave and the other wants to cut her loose and free her. Things take an even more dramatic turn when some bullies find out about her resulting in one of them getting bitten by her. He slowly starts dying and becomes a member of the undead just like her. This gives one of them the idea to kidnap a woman and have her bitten in order to create another sex slave and when he chooses his friend's crush for the candidate it forces him to act. 

      I went into Deadgirl thinking I had never seen it before but as the movie went on, I realized that I recognized a great deal of it. I don't remember watching this and considering I never owned a copy of the film until Unearthed sent me a review copy has me very perplexed as to how I had seen it. The only thing I can think of is it was part of a watch party when I was a member of the Upcoming Horror Movies message board back around the time this was released. Regardless, I enjoyed this one way more than I thought I would and could see myself revisiting it again sometime soon. The acting in this one is decent but I'm not a fan of the characters and their personalities. The cast works very well with each other, and they are fully committed to the film but the characters they were given to portray are very unlikable. In fact, there is not one character in the entire film that I cared for. A little more focus on character development and wardrobe that stood out would have gone a long way in this one. The story for this one is a lot of fun even though it crawls at a snail's pace. I once read a short story about a group of teens who find a girl zombie near some train tracks. They chain her to a tree and build a fort around her. They then would meet every evening after school to nut on it until she broke loose. I don't which story came first but it reminded me a lot of it. It's a lot of fun, fucked up, and very unpredictable. Finally, the film doesn't boast a high body count but the kills we do have are fantastic. We have amazing practical effects, and one death in particular really stands out with the viewer. Overall, Deadgirl has a pretty solid cult following and for a good reason. It's a pretty fucked up movie but it's not something I would call extreme. It's graphic and bloody at times but all genre fans can appreciate it. I highly recommend snagging the Unearthed Films release.

Phantom Fun-World

Director - Tory Jones (The Wicked One, They See You)

Starring - L.C. Holt (Late Checkout, Party Bus), Celeste Blandon (She Burns in Hell: Chapter 2, Jack O'Chan in Halloween Fight Night!), and Jace Carson (They See You, How I Got Here)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of slashers since I was a kid. I remember watching Friday the 13th and several sequels with my grandma at her house. Watching the random slashers that would pop up here and there on cable and the plethora of tapes I rented from my local video store. I remember snagging films like My Bloody Valentine, Tourist Trap, Sleepaway Camp, and so on from Dewey's Video to watch all weekend while destroying a case of generic Mountain Dew and potato chips. Slashers are a huge part of my collection and I always go out of my way to review any indie slasher I can. Over the years I've reviewed several films from Tory Jones and Jonestown Films. Over the years I've been lucky enough to review several of their films and when I was browsing Tubi I found one I had never seen before. In the past I was able to review their films The Wicked One, Wicked Ones, Angel, and They See You but I had missed Phantom Fun-World somehow so when I saw it on Tubi I jumped on it. 

      The film follows a young woman taking care of her teenage brother after her mom suffered from addiction issues. She lands a job at Phantom Fun-World before it's grand re-opening. There are rumors that the place is haunted but the real story is that the owner's son went crazy and killed several teens that were bullying him. Now, as the fun world prepares for it's big day someone is stalking the new employees and killing them one by one. 

      I went into Phantom Fun-World completely blind, and I honestly enjoyed the movie when it was said and done. It's not a slasher that I see myself revisiting anytime soon but it was a fun first-time watch. I really enjoyed the cast and while the story is predictable it still works especially for a slasher. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. The entire cast does a fantastic job in their roles. Their dialogue comes across as genuine, the characters are all very grounded and easily likable, and their on-screen interactions are fantastic. The story for this one is a solid slasher spin set against an indoor fun park. The slasher's backstory is extremely generic, and the so-called twist is very predictable. With that being said, I loved how the characters are written and how everything works very well with the film's location. Finally, the film has several great slashers inspired deaths with solid practical effects. It's not the goriest slasher I've seen but the practical effects we do get look fantastic. Overall, Phantom Fun-World may not be one that has a lot of replay value but it's fun especially if you are looking for something new. I highly recommend checking it out on Tubi when you get the chance. If you dig it then look into watching Jonestown Film's other releases.

Invaders from Proxima B

Director - Ward Roberts (Dust Up, Pro-Ana)

Starring - Ward Roberts, Jeremiah Birkett (The American Society of Magical Negroes, Lucifer), and Samantha Sloyan (The Midnight Club, Midnight Mass)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Tagline - "Fun for all ages"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a horror fan for as long as I can remember but there was a time when I was renting anything and everything I could at my local video store. Dewey's Video was a huge part of my childhood and so were films like Mac and Me, Spaced Invaders, Critters, *batteries not included, and Invaders from Mars. I've always had a soft spot for sci-fi flicks with little aliens. I still find myself going out of my way to watch other movies like those from that time that I may have missed growing up. A few weeks ago, I started receiving press releases for a sci-fi comedy called Invaders from Proxima B and it caught my attention. The invader was clearly a puppet and the trailer looked extremely fun. I reached out and was able to secure a screening link for it before it was released. 

      The film follows a man who witnesses something fall from the sky one evening at his home. He finds what looks like a small spacecraft of some kind but unable to find anyone or anything near it. The next day, he finally meets the pilot when he is introduced to a strange creature from Proxima B who has come to Earth to protect all life on the planet as Earth prepares to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. 

      I was really looking forward to checking out Invaders from Proxima B but about 15 minutes or so after hitting play I realized that I was in for a tough sit. As much as I wanted to like the film, I just couldn't find anything enjoyable in it. The acting in this one is hit or miss with me. I've reviewed dozens of family friendly horror, sci-fi, comedy, and dramas over the years so I'm accustomed to acting aimed at children. However, here the acting is a bit absurd and extremely overdramatic. Most of the cast have a lot of energy and great on-screen presence but they try to be characters you would find in television show for kids. I've watched enough Blippi with my kids and would like something a bit more original. The story for this one was actually pretty clever and one I could really get behind. The entire planet being auctioned off to other advanced civilizations for various reasons is very imaginative with near limitless possibilities. However, having a little hand puppet there to save the day with alien hunters and so forth chasing them just felt like a missed opportunity. I was so looking forward to something like Alien Planet with more aliens and humor instead of Blippi with a puppet. Finally, the film makes great use of visual effects. They do look cheap, but I honestly enjoyed them, and it added some much-needed color to the film. Overall, Invaders from Proxima B was a big disappointment. I was really looking forward to a fun family friendly flick with a puppet for an alien but that was not the case. The film just felt off from the very beginning and couldn't pull it together before the credits rolled.

Carrie

Director - Kimberly Peirce (Dear White People, I Love Dick)

Starring - Chloe Grace Moretz (Dark Shadows, Let Me In), Julianne Moore (Psycho, Hannibal), and Gabriella Wilde (Doctor Who, Wonder Woman 1984)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You will know her name"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Stephen King has contributed a lot to the horror genre over the decades. His writing has influenced countless over the years, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. When you mention King's name while discussing cinema you will often hear mention of Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining, Silver Bullet, Sleepwalkers, Creepshow, Maximum Overdrive and so on. The film adaptations of his work are iconic but one film that I immediately think of when someone mentions King is the original adaptation of Carrie from Brian De Palma. I don't know why I immediately think of this version, but I do. Hell, it's not even my favorite Carrie film when it's all said and done. The '76 adaptation is an amazing horror film and so is the 2002 adaptation, But Carrie 2 has always been my favorite in the Carrie franchise. Back in 2013 Carrie was once again adapted into a film from King's original story and I paid it no mind until I heard that Chloe Grace Moretz was attached. I checked it out when it was released theatrically, and I remember liking it but I never revisited it since the original release. Honestly, I forgot about it until recently when Scream Factory announced that they were releasing the film on UHD. I decided it was the perfect time to revisit this one, so I reached out to my friends over at Scream Factory and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way. Like always, I want to thank SF for hooking me up! 

      The film follows the socially awkward Carrie (Moretz) who lives with her extremely religious and abusive mother. An incident in school when she starts her period results in a video being made of her in the moment of embarrassing panic. One of them is suspended from school and not allowed to go to prom so she puts a prank on motion with her boyfriend after learning that another girl had her boyfriend ask her to prom to make up laughing at her. This extremely hurtful prank results in Carries date being knocked unconscious and her covered in pig's blood while she was on stage being crowned prom queen. This sends Carrie over the edge when she starts using her newfound teleketic powers to kill everyone that's laughed at her. 

     I know my taste in films is odd, but I refuse to lie or say I like something that I truly don't. Carrie 2: The Rage is my favorite Carrie film closely followed by the original Carrie. While I didn't remember a damn thing about the 2013 Carrie, revisiting it was a lot of fun and placed it near the original in my opinion. It doesn't have the same tone or atmosphere that made the original so much fun but with a more modern spin to it. I honestly enjoyed it and I wish I had revisited it sometime before now. The acting in this one is great. As I stated earlier, I'm a big fan of Chloe Grace Moretz. She never disappoints and this may be my favorite performance from her. While most may be quick to toss up her performance as Hit-Girl from Kick-Ass, I would be more confident mentioning Carrie. She shows great range here going from a timid and bullied teen to a real-life monster with abilities. I also loved legendary actress Julianne Moore as her deeply religious and abusive mother. I was not expecting her in that role during my initial viewing and it still caught me off guard in this revisiting. She's such an amazing actress and seeing how she approached the role reminded me a lot of the devout older Christians in Appalachia where I grew up. The supporting cast is solid as well, but these two performances made the film for me. The story for this one follows the source material for the most part but it does take some liberties with it to make it more appealing to a modern audience. I loved the addition of recording Carrie in the showers and posting it online later. This is something that that is still happening in school and works very well with the story. I also loved how religion and child abuse go hand in hand with the film. I've witnessed this a lot where I grew up and nothing is more terrifying to me than organized religion. When you take those and add the iconic telekentic abilities Carrie is known for and you get a pretty fast paced film that doesn't let up once it picks up. It has great pacing, and the action really holds your attention. Finally, the film has a lot of blood, but it doesn't really give the viewer any memorable deaths. The kills use a lot of visual effects, and they happen too quickly for the viewer to truly appreciate. Overall, Carrie is another fantastic adaptation of King's work. It has an amazing cast, and the story is able to be updated without taking away from what made the original story so enjoyable. I highly recommend checking out this UHD release from Scream Factory.

In a Violent Nature

Director - Chris Nash (Liplock, My Main Squeeze)

Starring - Ry Barrett (Beyond the Chamber of Terror, The Hoard), Andrea Pavlovic (Become the Wounded, Nosocomephilia), Cameron Love (American Mystery, An Unexpected Killer)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Nature is unforgiving"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've heard genre fans say this is the time for the horror film and I may be obligated to believe them. I've been a champion of indie cinema for decades now and while that does make me feel old, I refuse to turn my back on these passionate and imaginative filmmakers. I love indie horror and how these filmmakers can turn scripts with no budgets into something truly remarkable. That's why I would often turn my back on pop horror. These mindless films often catered to investors pockets instead of the horror fan but that hasn't really been the case in recent years with films like X, Pearl, The Black Phone, Barbarian, and Late Night with the Devil. I recently saw an ad for In a Violent Nature and then a few days later I received a press release featuring some lobby cards they released for the film. I watched the trailer and found myself seriously wanting to see it, so I reached out to them about reviewing it. A few days went by, but I eventually received a link for an online screener. As soon as I finished Isleen Pines I immediately hit play on this one. 

      The film follows a deranged killer that is awakened when a group of campers bother his final resting place near an abandoned fire tower. Now he is making his way through the woods that he lived and died in killing everyone he crosses paths with in the most brutal fashion imaginable. 

      I'm typically the last to see a theatrical release because I rarely rush to theaters for something. Most pop horror films are a bit of a disappointment if you ask me, but I have been surprised by several the last few years. In a Violent Nature is another one that surpassed my expectations. I know this will be a polarizing film among genre fans but if you have patience then this one will pay off. The acting in this one fits the film very well and works but it's acting in a traditional sense. Due to the way the film was shot, the cast is acting out their scene but not always necessarily on camera. I liked the characters we get but the star of the show is the killer... well, his back anyway. The story for this one is nothing we havent seen before but what makes it stand out is the way it was shot. What we have is a story that feels like one of the later Friday the 13th sequels shot almost exclusively from Jason's perspective. We follow an undead slasher who is awakened by teens or twenty-somethings looking to party in the woods. However, instead of following the victims as they are picked off one by one, we follow the killer as he goes about his maniacal business. While I did love this aspect of the film and could easily watch an entire franchise this way, I did find several of the scenes to be extremely drawn out for no reason. I understand the shot and what they were wanting to achieve but it did make for several dull scenes. Finally, this film has some of the most memorable and imaginative kills in slasher history. The on-screen deaths are extremely violent, gory, and very out there. Hell, some of the deaths, while showcasing a lot of imagination and creativity, are so absurd that they almost feel campy and out of place with the film. The effects are top notch, and you couldn't ask for a gorier slasher but some of the kills are so out there that it makes them go against the tone of the film. Overall, In a Violent Nature is one of those horror films that tries to reinvent the genre, or sub-genre, with a new spin on it. While I loved the way it was done and how it approached the slasher sub-genre, I don't see this being a trend that will stick. I would absolutely love to see more in this universe, but I would not want to see every slasher pick this up after seeing this. I absolutely loved it and hope we get another film in this series.

Isleen Pines

Director(s) - Matthew Festle (Hacked, Jackson and Matt's Halloween Investigation #3) and Alexys Paonessa (Party of Darkness)

Starring - Naiia Lajoie (The Gingerweed Man, Alien Apocalypse), Darren Deng (Spoonful of Sugar, The Last Night), and Jackson Turner (Found Footage of Fear, Meathook Massacre Part VI: Bloodline)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Halloween will never be the same!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's hard to believe that the pandemic started a little over four years ago now. In early 2020 the world as we knew it would cease to exist with things still not returned to "normal" as most businesses have adopted new practices that were brought about from the pandemic. During that first year of the shutdown, I befriended filmmaker Matthew Festle on Facebook as he was promoting his found footage/pandemic inspired film Hacked. I'm not a fan of found footage flicks but I gave it a watch and was surprised by how much I liked it. Fast forward a few years and Matthew hits me up again to review another film. I quickly said yes and before I knew it a copy of the film arrived on my doorstep... well, the po box but the point remains the same. I couldn't wait to check out his newest film Isleen Pines and I once again want to thank Matthew for sending this one my way! 

      The film follows a small town as everyone gets together for their annual Halloween party and costume contest. However, on the way to the party one of them finds something strange on the sidewalk. When he touches it he finds himself infected with something other-worldly. Soon, party goers start going missing and before long a sinister creature crashes the party killing everyone in its path.

      The artwork on the blu release of Isleen Pines really made my imagination work overtime. I absolutely loved the indie comic art that featured the cast of characters fighting the creature from the film. I knew nothing about the film, but that artwork showed me everything I needed to know prior to going into it. Honestly, I loved this movie but it's nowhere near as cool as the artwork the blu release is sporting. The acting in this one is really enjoyable. While some of the characters are written better than others, the acting is pretty consistent through the entire film. The cast did a wonderful job working with each other and making the scene as entertaining as possible. The story for this one is a lot of fun especially if you are a fan of 90s made for television Halloween flicks and the 10/31 trilogy. A group of twenty-somethings getting together to celebrate Halloween with some cheap beer and cheaper costumes is a simple start to any Halloween flick and I respect it. Then throw in an evil monster and you have an effective horror film set during our favorite holiday. I loved how the story centered around so many different characters without over-complicating the plot. It has great pacing, fun dialogue, and one hell of a credit scene. Finally, the film makes very light on the practical effects until the very end of the film. It's here that we have a body count with some blood and fun effects. They are far from perfect, but they work for this film. Overall, Isleen Pines doesn't try to reinvent the Halloween horror sub-genre but wants to add to it another quality film that you can watch annually. It succeeds and deserves to be watching each year as the leaves fall and you start welcoming the trick or treaters. Check it out.

Inverted

Director - Tristan Clay (Red Eye, USED)

Starring - Jennifer Nagle (Gone with the Dead, Amityville Apt.), Kaici Lore (The Dark Web Tapes), and Destinie Orndoff (Red Hollow, The Haunting of Mia Moss)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Join the cult or fight to survive"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of you know by this point that I was born in the mid-80s and grew up during the video store heyday. I remember going to Dewey's Video every Friday evening after school and loading up on tapes to watch through the weekend. While I've always been a fan of horror, I'm obsessed with 80's cinema in general. I would rent 80s action, drama, comedy, and romance. I didn't care as long as it was made in the 80s. Hell, I'm still like that to this day. However, as I got older, I've found myself really interested in 70s exploitation and horror flicks especially those centered around cults and the whole Satanic Panic scare. This started when I stumbled on the William Shatner lead film The Devil's Rain, and others like Enter the Devil, Satan's Cheerleaders, and Race with the Devil. This was why I was excited when I received an email for the 70's inspired occult horror film Inverted that featured my good friend Roman Jossart as director of photography asking to review the film. I quickly worked it into my schedule and decided to hit play when I finished watching the blu release of the 1997 adaption of Stephen King's The Shining. I want to thank director Tristan Clay for sending this one over for review. 

      The film follows a group of strangers who are brought together by two women and sent through several "trials" as forced initiations to join their cult. The two ladies are looking for the strongest of the group as their build their cult in preparations of the second coming of Christ. As their group gets smaller and smaller, one of them refuses to submit to their twisted games and is about to fight back before she is forced to join. 

      I went into Inverted completely blind as to what it was aside from what was included in the email when I was asked to review it. I prefer to go into a movie knowing absolutely nothing about it to avoid preconceived notions or ideas about the film. This worked in favor for Inverted. I enjoyed it quite a bit but it's an indie production that is far from perfect. The acting in this one is great. The cast features a wide range of characters, and the cast does a great job at portraying them. The film has several standout performances from names like Destinie Orndoff, Dixie Gers, Maria Olsen, Susan Lanier, and Bryan Kruse just to name a few. However, the two that really stood out to me were Jennifer Nagle and Kaici Lore. These two were amazing together. Their energy matched each other and the way they fed off each other made their scenes even more enjoyable. The story for this one is predictable and repetitive but I found myself enjoying it for the most part. I loved the characters and how developed they are along with the location that the story mostly takes place. Any horror film set in the woods plays on my love for the mountains in which I grew up. When you toss in the cult angle then you have my full undivided attention. I was fully invested in Inverted, but I did find it to be very predictable and the torture scenes did get a bit repetitive. In fact, some of them could have been cut and it would have no impact on the overall story. Finally, the film has a lot of blood and several deaths but nothing that will really stand out with the viewer. The gags that we do get are classic effects like the notched machete and slit throat but that's the extent of it. Overall, Inverted is a solid attempt at paying tribute to a time when films about Satan were very common. I enjoyed it as it is, but I would have loved to see some memorable deaths and some of the scenes trimmed down. Check it out.