Terrifier 3

Director - Damien Leone (Frankenstein vs. the Mummy, All Hallow's Eve)

Starring - Lauren LaVera (The Well, Chestnut), David Howard Thornton (Gotham, The Mean One), and Antonella Rose (Fear the Walking Dead, Candy)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Twisted Christmas"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     The Terrifier films have gained a lot of fans over the years and it's impressive to see a film series with a moderately small budget gain the success that it has.  Art is a prominent figure at Spirit Halloween and can be found on shirts at various stores like Spencer's and Hot Topic.  He's also featured as an operator in Call of Duty.  However, I'm not a fan.  I watched the first two films sometime back and while I was impressed by the gore, the films themselves were lacking.  I wanted to love them but both films are like the Scream franchise to me.  They are widely popular but I can barely finish them.  When news about the third Terrifier broke, I figured I would skip it,  The first two did nothing for me and I would almost bet the third would be the same way.  However, my interest in it was peaked when it was revealed to be a Christmas flick.  I have a soft spot for Christmas horror and knew I would need to see it eventually.  I became even more interested in the film after Umbrella Entertainment announced an UHD release of all three films in a nice box set.  I snagged it and after wait forever, it was finally time to check it out.  

     The film once again follows Art the Clown who is back after Victoria Heyes becomes possessed by the little girl from part 2 and grows a new head for him inside her.  The two are reunited and begin their killing spree 5 years later and once again set their sights on Sienna and her family.

     I went into Terrifier 3 hoping it was as good as the general public lead me to believe but at the end of the day it was just like the first two films.  It's full of amazing gore, some humor (intentional and unintentional), and unlikable characters with painstakingly dull dialogue.  I wanted to love this one so I could have a new Christmas flick to enjoy during the holidays but this one wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is exactly what I expected.  The cast does a decent enough job but the characters themselves are not likable at all.  Thornton has become a pop culture icon with his portrayal of Art.  He really does get into the character and I couldn't imagine someone else donning the make-up.  With that being said, I'm glad the film embraced a second killer with Victoria.  Art's silent killing and miming is a bit dull to me while the Heyes character brings much more personality.  In fact, I would much prefer this character having her own film over Art.  The story for this one is just a vehicle for the kills.  I love a good horror film with brutal deaths and amazing practical effects but I need a story to get me there.  Terrifier 3 was severely lacking in this department.  Art and Victoria awaken after a 5 year nap to kill Sienna and her brother.  While the story may be similar to a Friday the 13th sequel, unlike a Friday the 13th sequel, the unlikable characters in Terrifier makes this one a difficult one to finish.  Finally, it wouldn't be a Terrifier film if there wasn't over the top blood and gore.  The deaths in this one will become just as iconic as the Art character.   They are brutal, violent, and look absolutely amazing.  The practical effects are top notch and easily the best of the trilogy.  Overall, Terrifier 3 is consistent with the other films but don't offer up much to the diehard horror fan but if you don't watch a lot of horror or only watch theatrical releases then you may enjoy yourself if you are not accustomed to the amount of gore that this one delivers.  While I did enjoy the deaths and effects, I can name several other films that offer just as impressive death scenes with stories that are worth your time.  

100 Tears (Revisited)

Director - Marcus Koch (Bad Blood, Rot)

Starring - Georgia Chris (The Punisher, Vampire Biker Babes), Joe Davison (Stranger Things, Sorority of the Damned), and Raine Brown (Psycho Street, Plasterhead)

Release Date - 2007

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Everyone loathes a clown"

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago I reviewed the indie clown slasher 100 Tears from effects artist/director Marcus Koch.  I remember thinking that the film was amazing but wasn't a fan of the music and how loud it was compared to the rest of the film.  I remember watching the film several times that week while I prepared my review and couldn't get passed the ridiculously loud music that was very distracting.  Fast forward several years and Unearthed Films is putting the film out on blu and they were kind enough to send me a copy.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and Unearthed Films for sending this one over!

     The film follows two journalists who are investigating the murders committed by a prolific killer.  However, their investigation has lead them straight into the path of the clown killer Gurdy (Jack Amos) who is leaving a pile of bodies in his wake.  

     Horror has always been masked slashers, vampires, zombies, and werewolves to me and I know most genre fans feel the same way.  However, clowns have always had a chokehold on the genre with films like It, S.I.C.K., Camp Blood, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Killjoy, Blood Harvest, and many more.  In recent years the clown sub-genre has been flipped on it's head with the release of the Terrifier trilogy.  The first film caused a stir when released but the second and third films went on to catapult Art the clown to pop icon status.  With that being said, I was never a fan of Art and the Terrifier films though I have yet to see the third installment.  The films have tremendous gore but the story is so fucking weak.  Even the second installment, which is overflowing with story, tries too hard to be something it's not.  However, 100 Tears was Terrifier before Terrifier was a thing.  It's a killer clown film with amazing gore but it does something the first film could not and that delivers a decent story.  The acting in this one is a bit inconsistent.  It's not what I would call bad but some of the scenes is a bit stiff while others are better acted.  I don't know if it's inexperience or the rushing of scenes but they are not consistent from scene to scene.  Also, what happened to Raine Brown?  I loved to watching her when I started my writing career and haven't seen her name appear in anything in years.  Her imdb shows her most recent film credit is 2017.  I'd love to see her make a come back to the indie horror community.  The story for this one is pretty basic but it works and is just enough to get us from kill to kill without boring us to tears.  Not to compare this one to Terrifier, but that is my biggest complaint with the film.  It has very little story, unlikable characters, and amazing gore while being released a few years after 100 Tears.  100 Tears does delivers what most horror fans are looking for.  It's a coherent story with somewhat likable characters and crazy deaths.  The pacing is a bit on the slow side when people are not dying but we have a death scenes frequently to offset that.  Finally, this film has some of the most brutal and graphic deaths I've seen.  I reviewed this film in 2012 for the first time and I can probably count on one hand the amount of films that has surpassed it in regards to carnage.  The effects are top tier and these deaths set the standard for the films I've reviewed since my initial viewing.  Overall, 100 Tears isn't as polished as most films with the quality of kills that this one is.  While the music is still distracting, the film is a must see for genre fans.  I highly recommend this blu release from Unearthed Films.  

Tent Burner

Director - Steven Reifsteck (McMurderer, Fish Piss)

Starring - Michael Atkinson, Justin Cottingham (Attack of the Killer Potatoes, Blood Pizza), and Doyle Dow (Shrek Crack)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed several films by the indie collective Janice.Click over the years.  Starting with the insanely odd McMurderer and followed by Attack of the Scarecrow from Mars, and Shrek Crack.  Since then they have released several other films but I let these releases get away from me.  I decided to snag a couple of their releases to finish the collection.  When they arrived I quickly added them to my watch list and the first on the chopping block was the 2024 flick Tent Burner.

     The film follows two aspiring Satanists who decide to kill a hermit that has been camping deep in the woods in a tent with his dog as a sacrifice.  They loot the tent after killing him where they find an old VHS tape and then set fire to it to cover up their heinous act.  When they get back to their home they decide to give it a watch and discover the atrocities that were on it.

     Tent Burner doesn't have the parody style humor that makes the previous films so enjoyable.  Films like Attack of the Scarecrow from Mars and Fish Piss mock horror trends and parody a lot of stereotypes that many horror fans are very familiar with now.   While Tent Burner does poke fun as some horror tropes, it's a more serious film that I enjoyed.  It's not my favorite Janice.Click film but I loved it and hope this is a new direction for them.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from this group.  The characters all fit the stories fairly well with some standing out a bit more than others.  The Juggalo styled story probably had my favorite characters in it and I love how it parodied their lifestyles and stereotypes.  The stories for these vary in quality but they all have a more serious spin to them than previous Janice.Click releases but still poke fun or parody many sub-genres and genre cliches.  The segment that serves as the film's bookend is inspired by V/H/S/ where people watch "disturbing" videos before something bad happens.  The segments shown from the VHS are not consist but they do work for shorts.  I mentioned it before, but the segment with the aspiring trailer rapper really made me laugh and worked for the most part.  None of them over stayed their welcome but I could see them being expanded upon at a later time.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood and some very cheap effects.  While a lot of the deaths and effects we do get are forgettable, they fit the film very well.  It's clear that the film has a very low budget and they did the best with what they had.  Overall, Tent Burner doesn't really feel like a normal Janice.Click release but I really enjoyed it.  It continues their parody of horror tropes but is much more serious in tone which I enjoy.  I definitely recommend this one to indie horror fans so check it out!

Rumpelstiltskin

 

Director - Mark Jones (Leprechaun, Triloquist)

Starring - Max Grodenchik (Six Feet Under, Tales from the Crypt), Kim Johnston Ulrich (Supernatural, Highlander), and Tommy Blaze (Viewer Discretion Advised, The Newz)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Horror/Fantasy

Tagline - "When the fairy tale ends, the nightmare begins"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror has always been a genre of trends.  When something finds success you can expect find several copy cats along with others using the idea and making it their own.  In the mid 90s there was a trend where horror fully embraced the classic fairy tales.  Blending these fantasy stories and nursey rhymes with horror was something that made trips to the video store so much fun.  Seeing the titles and artwork often made my mind race with imagination.  Leprechaun was the first of these films that I remembered seeing in the video store and one that stuck with me through all these years.  However, it wasn't the only one.  Rumpelstiltskin was released by the same director in 1995 and Snow White: A Tale of Terror was released in 1997.   All three were at my local video store and I remember checking them out over the course of a few years.  While Leprechaun was a favorite of mine, I still remember enjoying the other two.  A few months back Terror Vision announced the release of Rumpelstiltskin on blu and UHD.  It had been decades since my last viewing so I quickly snagged a copy and when it arrived I added it to my watch list.

    The film follows a recent widow who is raising her daughter alone.  While antique shopping with her sister she finds a unique sculpture and decides she has to have it.  Unbeknownst to her, the sculpture is actually the prison for Rumpelstiltskin and the old tale about him doesn't warn them about the bloodshed that is about to follow.

     Rumpelstiltskin, though directed by the same director, is nowhere near as enjoyable as Leprechaun.  It's still a fun movie with great characters and some laughs but it borrows a lot from what made Leprechaun so enjoyable.  It's obvious Jones wanted a repeat of the success but didn't put in the work to give viewers something different that would stand out from Leprechaun in the 30 some years after it's release.  The acting in this one is solid.  We get some fun characters and others that blend into the background.  Ulrich and Blaze were my favorite performances by far.  Their chemistry on screen makes the film for me and I loved watching their personalities clash from early on.  Grodenchik does a decent job as the title character but you can't watch this film and not think about Leprechaun and the performance was nothing memorable.  His one liners don't always find their mark and his dialogue is a bit forced.  The story for this one is is exactly what you would expect.  We follow someone who mistakenly unleashes Rumpelstiltskin and is forced to flee for her life as he chases her because she has something he wants.  Desperate, she seeks out the person who sold it to her to stop him.  The exact same story as Leprechaun.  We follows a group of people who unleash a leprechaun and run for their lives as he chases them because they have something he wants.  When they can't defeat him they turn to the person that imprisoned him.  Wildly similar stories but this one has a lot more action and it feels like the budget is much bigger.  Don't get me wrong, I love the film but it doesn't have the charm as Jone's previous effort.  Finally, I love the look of Rumpelstiltskin.  He's a menacing looking creature that adds a lot of atmosphere to the film.  We get a few deaths with some blood and decent enough effects but they lack imagination and creativity.  Overall, Rumpelstiltskin is a solid direct to video horror flick that works for a late night monster movie but falls a bit short from what it could have been.  With that being said, the release from Terror Vision is easily my favorite in my collection.  I cannot recommend this one enough.  Check it out.  

Coven of the Black Cube

Director - Brewce Longo (Pumpkinman Lives, A Corpse for Christmas)

Starring - Morrigan Thompson-Milam (Bl0od and Breakfast, Crackcoon), Zoe Angeli (LoveDump, Flesh Eater X), and Josh Shafer (Busted Babies, Slaughter Tales)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been reviewing indie horror for over ten years and during that time I've reviewed everything from living placenta, killer condoms, gay Jesus, and even a haunted vibrator.  Horror is filled with endless possibilities especially when genre fans get behind the camera.   I love slashers, zombies, werewolves, and witches.  The later two don't get the love the other two sub-genre get.  A few weeks back I found a horror flick starring Morrigan Thompson-Milam.  Those of you that read my reviews know that I'm a huge fan of hers so when I saw that she was in Coven of the Black Cube I had to grab it.  The witch sub-genre doesn't get the love it truly deserves and seeing a witch flick with a bit of an unusual story made me extremely excited to see it.

     The film follows a young woman, named Vi (Milam) who finds herself on the shit end of a bad relationship.  She finds herself in a shop owned by a group of witches who sell potions, incantations, and any other word you can use to associate magic to witches.  She finds a potion she uses to make her former lover fall in love with her but it backfires.  It kills her ex-girlfriend but not all hope is lost.  The gorgeous witch at the shop has her eye on her and the two start dating.  What Vi doesn't know, is that her new lover and her coven secretly help women in abusive relationships remove their abusers from the equation.  As the two lovers get to know each other, bodies start to pile up.

     Coven of the Black Cube is a film that a lot of genre fans will immediately dismiss.  It's a film that tries to capture the VHS look which a lot of horror fans will dislike.  The modern era of films getting polished, remastered, and restored to be released on formats that provide the best possible picture quality available has many of us forgetting about the quality of films we used to watch growing up.  I don't mind the grainy, gritty looks like this one and others like it but there was a few scenes that needed a bit more light.  The acting in this one is a bit uneven but not what I would call bad.  The cast is really into their roles and you can tell it was a fun project by their character's interactions on camera.  With that being said, experience does vary from person to person resulting in a few scenes where the cast felt a little stiff.  The story for this one doesn't over stay it's welcome and gives us just enough to hold our attention.  We have beautiful women as witches, beautiful women that are not witches, unique deaths, and solid enough pacing.  With that being said, the story we do have is stretched a bit thin.  The movie could have about 10 to 15 minutes trimmed from it.  Some of the scenes are a bit bloated and it does pull the pacing down some.  The movie is fine as is but this would help the story move along much better.  Finally, the film has some deaths with a bit of blood and some limited practical effects.  The film did the best with the resources they had but don't expect a film with gore that will stick with you for days after watching it.  Overall, Coven of the Black Cube is a solid no budget witch flick that surprised me.  A lot of genre fans will not appreciate the film as it is but the select few that still live in the VHS age will enjoy the aesthetics.  Check it out.  

The Substance

Director - Coralie Fargeat (Revenge, The Sandman)

Starring - Demi Moore (Ghost, Tales from the Crypt), Margaret Qualley (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, Poor Things), and Dennis Quaid (Jaws 3-D, Great Balls of Fire!)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "It'll change your life"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've seen a lot of pop horror in recent years that has truly impressed me.  I've been a champion of no-to-low budget indie cinema for decades now but the recent surge in big budget horror that isn't shitty has created a bit of excitement from genre fans who are now returning to theaters to see their beloved genre.  I've been more open to big budget horror after films like X, Last Night with the Devil, Longlegs, The Black Phone, and Nosferatu.  Another bigger budgeted horror film that I heard a lot about was The Substance starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.  This is one that came out of nowhere but some horror friends that I highly respect suggested it.  I quickly added it to my watch list after ordering a copy from Amazon.  

    The film follows aging actress Elisabeth Sparkle (Moore) who finds herself removed as host of her long standing fitness show.  The television exec cut her due to her age and is looking to hire someone much younger.  Afraid of falling into obscurity, she finds herself with a once in a lifetime opportunity to try The Substance.  The glowing, green serum states it will bring out the better version of yourself but you have to "switch" every seven days.  She reluctantly tries it and finds her inner beauty manifesting into a much younger woman.  Her younger self, Sue (Qualley), auditions for her show and gets the job.  Soon she is skyrocketing into popularity and quickly making a name for herself as an up and coming celebrity.  The more popular she becomes, the less likely she is to switch out with Elisabeth resulting in the original body aging even more rapidly.  Once the body is beyond repair, she is forced to try The Substance for herself in hopes of creating another younger version of herself.  This fails and something far more sinister crawls out of her.

     The Substance is one of the few big budget films that left me thinking about it for days after my initial viewing.  As of the time I'm writing this, I've watched it three complete times and certain scenes about 4 or 5 times.  It may be my favorite film of the last 10 which is not something I would say lightly.  It's an amazing body horror film that not only holds the viewer's attention the entire time but it has a powerful message about Hollywood and what it demands from women looking to make a living.  The acting in this one is amazing.  Demi Moore is one hell of an actress and this is easily my favorite role of hers.  She bares it all for the camera and holds nothing back.  This is a career defining film and one that will make her a genre name for decades to come.  The Substance is my introduction to Margaret Qualley and she is most definitely a name I will be looking for in future genre titles.  Her performance rivals Moore's but in a good way.  Just like their characters are cut from the same clothe, so is their performances.  Also, Dennis Quaid delivers another fantastic performance.  His political opinions may have caused controversy in recent years but god damn was he fantastic in this one.  This is another performance from the film that will be remembered for decades to come.  The story for this one is so fucking brilliant.  The medical treatment that spawns a younger and better version of you to rip itself from your spine forcing you to share your life with them every 7 days or the body ages rapidly.  You then mix in the beauty standards of Hollywood and how easy it is to throw away women because they have been fortunate enough to age another year.  It's a fantastic story that will age as gracefully as Moore herself.  Finally, the effects in this are absolutely mesmerizing.  We have some of the best practical effects I've seen with some great bloody moments.  We also have a monster costume that I was not expecting and was so impressed by it.  Overall, The Substance is one of the best body horror flicks since Cronenberg's Videodrome.  It's a must see and I can't recommend this movie enough.  Please do yourself a favor and watch it!

MacWolfen

Director - Megan Brock

Starring - Megan Brock, Eric Dollich (Attack of the Scarecrow from Mars, Fleischwolf), and Steven Reifsteck (Fish Piss, Tent Burner)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I say this often but we need more werewolf flicks in the indie horror community.  We get dozens, if not hundreds, of slashers and zombie flicks a year but we rarely get werewolf or witch flicks.  Both sub-genres just happen to be favorites of mine and due to the lack of films in these sub-genres I often jump on any that I cross paths with.  Several weeks back I was placing an order at Janice.Click when I saw they were releasing the short MacWolfen on DVD.  This was a new one to me so I had to snag it.

     The film follows two horror nerds that volunteer to watch over a junkyard late at night.  A night of pizza and b-grade horror films turn deadly when a werewolf decides to use the junkyard as it's hunting ground.

     MacWolfen was a 100 percent blind buy and I don't regret it at all.  It's far from perfect and was clearly a passion project from a genre fan wanting to dip their toes into filmmaking.  While the movie missed it's mark with me, I appreciate the effort that went into the film and look forward to their next horror outing.  The acting in this one has a lot of room for improvement but it's not the worst I've seen.  In fact, it's somewhere in the middle especially for a no budget flick.  The cast does the best they can in their role but they show clear signs of inexperience.  The story for this one is simple but the way the film unfolds makes it a tough one to finish.  The short implements several scenes that do absolutely nothing to the story itself.  If these were removed the short would run around 15 to 20 minutes and would be more effective.  I loved the idea of watching horror movies while eating pizza before a werewolf attacks and that should have been the main focus of the film.  

     

Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend

Director - Jeff Werner (Die Laughing, Kicking It)

Starring - Kristine DeBell (Meatballs, Trophy Heads), Jason Williams (Flesh Gordon, Danger Zone), and Anthony Lewis 

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Crime

Tagline - "Take them away for a weekend... then try and let them go!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     You can never judge a book by it's cover especially when you often blind buy movies like I do.  Sometimes movies paint a specific picture with it's cover art and name only to completely blow your mind when you finally watch it.  This just happened to me when I ordered a copy of Cheerleader's Wild Weekend from MVD.  This is part of their MVD Rewind Collection and looked like a fun late 70s or early 80s sec comedy.  However, once the film arrived and I tossed it in, I quickly realized that was not what this was.  Regardless, I still enjoyed it.

     The film follows two rival cheerleading squads on a bus to a competition when they find themselves kidnapped by a group of former football players for ransom.  However, as the police fumble to find the lost bus, the captors decide to host a sleazy beauty pageant with the cheerleaders while they wait for the ransom money.

     I went into this one expecting a Porky's/Malibu High type film. Instead, it was a raunchy crime thriller was still entertaining but not what I was really in the mood for.  I was expecting some cheap laughs and a lot of skin but a lot of skin and a bit of late 70s crime wasn't that bad.  The acting in this one is a bit better than I was expecting.  The characters are 100% forgettable but the cast is clearly having a lot of fun on set which translates very well to the scene  While the characters are one dimensional, it doesn't stop the cast from delivering decent enough performances.  With that being said, some of the cast is very inexperienced and it shows in several of the scenes.  The story for this one is not to be expected by the film's alternate title.  However, it's original title is more accurate to the film but it isn't as sexy.  The original title, The Great American Girl Robbery, perfectly sums up the actual film.  As for the story itself, the film has an average run time but the story could have been done in less than 40 minutes.  It's the random top less scenes that drags the time out.  I'm all for looking at beautiful women in next to nothing, or nothing for that matter, it does become a bit dull after the 20th or 30th time in the same film.  We needed more to it.  Finally, the film doesn't have a body count or any of the red stuff.  However, there is a lot of nudity and some raunchy puns for those interested.  Overall, Cheerleaders' Wild Weekend is a bit misleading but still enjoyable.  While the poster paints a much different picture, it still delivers on the beautiful women which is all that matter.  Check it out on blu from MVD now.  

Trick or Treat

Director - Charles Martin Smith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Air Bud)

Starring - Marc Price (Killer Tomatoes Eat France!, Little Devils: The Birth), Tony Fields (Monsters, Werewolf), and Lisa Orgonlini (Paper Dolls, House of Glass)

Release Date - 1986

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "What are you afraid of?  It's only rock and roll"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     Horror fans have always loved Halloween which is one of the many reasons there is so many films centered around the holiday.  I've been collecting horror films for years, damn near 20 years now, and I always snag any horror film I find that takes place on Halloween.  Many years ago I remember I was traveling with my brother when I found a copy of Trick or Treat on DVD at a random store with a picture of Gene Simmons and Ozzy on the front.  Many of you have seen this DVD and probably made fun of it because of how shitty looking it is.  Regardless, I snagged the movie and watched it as soon as I could.  Honestly, I loved it and have watched it a few times since then but time has moved way too fast for me.  Before I knew it, it had been years since my last viewing.  A few weeks back I received a copy of the new UHD release from Synapse Films which gave me the perfect reason to check it out.  

     The film follows metal fan Eddie (Price) who is an avid follower of rocker Sammi Curr (Fields).  Eddie is often mocked at school and his social life is nonexistent.  It's because of this that he has attached himself to Curr and his lyrics.  Things take a dark turn when Curr is found dead before the release of his next album could be released.  He visits a local DJ (Simmons) who just happens to have the only copy of the album in existence and offers it to him.  Eddie doesn't see how odd this is and takes it with him.  Things start to take an even stranger turn when the record becomes a way for Eddie to communicate with the late rock star.  The rock star starts to instruct him on what to do to handle his bullies but after a near death run in with one of them he reluctantly listens.  This results in Sammi seeking another unfortunate soul to be used a pawn for his true endgame which is to kill as many people as he can.

     Trick or Treat is one of those films that I always love watching but never willingly throw in to watch for myself.  It's like the films Cemetery Man, The Beyond, From Beyond, and Teen Wolf.  These are all films that I absolutely love but I never watch unless I have a reason to.  I own many collectables, shirts, posters, and so on for all these films.  Hell, I can quote huge parts of them but I never watch them unless a new release hits shelves or something happens to sparks a watch.  Honestly, it's a great movie and one that I can watch over and over again without tiring of it.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun.  Marc Price brought to life one of my favorite movie characters and after all these years I still find myself associating with his character.  He makes the film for me and I've always wondered why he never made a name for himself in the horror community especially after the release of this film.  Also, the late Tony Fields is phenomenal as the maniacal musician Sammi Curr.  It's a shame that his performance here didn't become as iconic horror villain with the likes of Freddy and Jason.  The supporting cast does a knockout job as well but it's these two that makes the film as enjoyable as it is.  The story for this one is not only great for the Halloween season but fans of metal and horror in general will appreciate it.  While the movie does take place leading up to Halloween, it's not an important part of the story.  In fact, the film could literally take place at any other time during the year and still be effective.  We have a lot of fun dialogue, two cameos from rock royalty, and great pacing.  Finally, the film does have a body count but the deaths are the film's weakest aspect.  We get a lot of visual effects that did not age well along with some fantastic make-up effects on Curr but that is the extent of it.  Those of you seeking blood and gore will be very disappointed.  Overall, Trick or Treat may not be your go to horror film for the Halloween season, but it is one of the most underrated horror films I've reviewed.  It's a fantastic horror flick that does a fantastic job at blending rock and pop culture with horror.  I highly recommend checking out this release from Synapse!  

Evilenko

Director - David Grieco (The Ploy, Borgata America)

Starring - Malcolm McDowell (Halloween, A Clockwork Orange), Marton Csokas (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, Cuckoo), and Ronald Pickup (Doctor Who, Dark Floors)

Release Date - 2003

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The chilling story of the Soviet Union's most notorious serial killer"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Unearthed Films has really impressed me with their releases over the years but it seems they have stepped it up in notch of quality the last year or so.  Unearthed made a name for themselves releasing extreme and underground films.  Movies like 100 Tears, Hate Crime, La Petit Mort, and the Vomit Gore trilogy.  Now, they still release some of the most extreme indie films around, but they are dabbling in more popular titles like The Guyver, Homework, Calamity of Snakes, The Grand Tour, and several more I'm sure I'm forgetting.  I was a bit shocked when I received the press release for the UHD release of the 2003 true crime drama/horror film Evilenko starring the legendary Malcolm McDowell.  This is a film I was very familiar with but never actually seen it.  In fact, I had owned the DVD release for sometime but never took the time to open it and watch it.  Not long after I received the press release for the Unearthed release I received a copy of the film for review.  This was the perfect opportunity to finally check it out.  Like always, I want to thank Unearthed for sending this one over!

     The film follows a former school teacher that is harboring a dark secret.  The devout communist has been going all over the country killing and raping children and young women.  A special task force is established to catch him but they are unable to do so for years until one victim is able to escape.  Once convicted they learn that he possesses some sort of psychic ability but is sentenced to death regardless due to the nature of his crimes.  

     Evilenko is a film that finds its well deserved home at Unearthed Films along with all the other sick and depraved films.  The story, which is based around the real life serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, made me feel uneasy several times but fell short of being as effective as it could have been.  Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it but it stepped on it's own toes several times.  The acting in this one is great.  McDowell is one of the best to ever step in front of the camera and he is no exception here.  His portrayal as the deranged Evilenko makes the film what it is.  His line delivery is fantastic and seeing him in character gave me chills during certain scenes.  I was also impressed by Marton Csokas' performance.  His character was a great contrast to McDowell's and is probably my favorite performance from him to date.  The supporting cast is hit or miss.  Some have some great performances while a few scenes are a bit tough to watch.  It feels like the cast was in a rush to get through their dialogue and move on.  The story for this one is where the film struggles.  The film is based on the murders committed by Chikatilo which spanned years.  I understand it would be hard to put all that into a film without skipping years but the way it was done leaves out so much.  It's a bit difficult to follow and could have been done better.  In fact, I would rather had stuff omitted from the film rather than cramming everything in and having the story bounce from year to year.  Aside from pacing issues, there is moments in the film that really got under my skin which is saying something.  I don't know if it's the father in me or what but some of the scenes with the children really bothered me.  It's been a long time since I've felt that chill down my spine and I somewhat missed it.  Finally, the film has a few bloody moments but those looking for gore will be very disappointed.  The film uses the story and discussion of the gruesome acts to get a rise out of the viewer without showering them in gore.  Overall, Evilenko is a great film that does bounce around in the story but still delivers.  It has an amazing performance from Malcolm McDowell and Marton Csokas along with a few truly unnerving moments.  I highly recommend checking this one out especially the Unearthed Films release.