Five Nights at Freddy's 2

Director - Emma Tammi (Five Nights at Freddy's, Into the Dark)

Starring - Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Ultraman), Piper Rubio (Robogobo, Project U Move), and Elizabeth Lail (You, Robot Chicken)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You there?"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm an avid gamer and a horror fan.  I love to game when I'm not watching movies and I love even more when the two worlds collide.  I've been lucky enough to review a few horror video game adaptations with Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City, Silent Hill, The Last of Us, and Five Nights at Freddy's.  I really enjoyed most of those adaptations but wasn't really a fan of Five Nights at Freddy's.  The movie itself was very underwhelming to me.  I was actually pretty excited for the film and found myself struggling to finish it.  Fast forward to now and I was given the opportunity to watch the sequel.  I was on the fence about checking it out but after watching the trailer, I decided to give it a chance.  I'm glad I did because it was leagues better than the first film.  

     The film takes place one year after the first film.  Mike (Hutcherson) is still struggling to provide for his little sister Abby (Rubio) after the horrific events they went through.  However, the terror is not yet behind them as a sinister presence at the very first Freddy Fazbear's Pizza location tricks her into letting out the haunted animatronics and they begin killing adults that they think did them wrong.

     I'm not going to say that Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is a contender for my favorite film of the year or any of that.  It's far from perfect and I did have some issues with it but it was still a fun watch.  I wish I would have liked it more than I did but it's an above average flick that somehow better than it has any right to be.  The acting in this one is my biggest complaint.  The film has characters that are extremely unlikable and the cast's performances are fairly lazy.  The film's leads, Josh Hutcherson and Piper Rubio, act as if their hearts aren't in it.  They have no energy for most of the film and the dialogue feels forced.  Elizabeth Lail gives us a little bit more but it's still not impressive.  She has a little more emotional range but is still stiff during a lot of her scenes.  I don't know if the scenes were rushed or they just didn't have their heart in it but the acting in this one is very disappointing.  The story for this one does pick up from where the first one left off but made it a bit more interesting.  We get some back story on the disappearances and murders that took place decades ago before going deeper into the lore of Five Nights at Freddy's.  With that being said, we have a lot of scenes that are unnecessarily long.  They throw off what little bit of atmosphere the film tries to establish while making the film longer than it needed to be.  Finally, the film has some blood but it's not that graphic which is what you would expect from a horror title with a PG-13 rating.  I do like the visuals and the looks of the animatronics but that is about the extent of it for me.  Overall, Five Nights at Freddy's is a better film than the first film but it's still a movie that is barely above average.  The audience for this one is children and I think it works for them while playing fanfare to adults watching.  It's a solid film but it's nothing memorable.  Check it out especially if you want something to watch with your little ones. 

Bitter Souls

Director - Tom Ryan (Splinter, Haunted)

Starring - Avaryana Rose (The Truth About Monsters, Outer Banks Slasher), Michael Hargrove (Candyman, Justified: City Primeval), and Destiny Leilani Brown (Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, Hell House LLC: Lineage)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get a lot of movies in for review which doesn't leave me a lot of time to watch movies that I want to.  I see a lot of press releases for movies that peak me interest but I don't get the chance to watch them.  I see a lot of movies cross my desk and a good bit of them are movies that I never get to see.  Sometime back I received the press release for the horror film Bitter Souls starring up and coming starlit Avaryana Rose.  The movie stuck out to me due to it's voodoo theme but I was never given the opportunity to review it.  However, a few weeks later I received word that the film was streaming on Tubi.  I fucking love Tubi and added it to my watch list for when I could have a little movie night without the strain of reviewing movies.  After a few days I was still playing catch up on my review list, I decided to say fuck it and watch it anyway and just review it.  

     The film follows a young lady, Kendall (Rose), who finds herself in the sights of a delinquent.  However, he doesn't take kindly to her rejection and strangles her in the woods.  When she doesn't return home, her boyfriend turns to the local priest for help who turns him on to a voodoo practitioner who tries to help him locate her.  Sadly, they are too late and she is already dead and resurrected by the evil Immanuel who is building an army of the undead.

     I went into this one pretty excited to see an indie horror flick about voodoo.  It has been years since my last voodoo review and was really looking forward to this one.  Sadly, the movie just didn't do it for me.  It had an interesting enough story but it just didn't pull it all together into something enjoyable.  I seriously wanted to like it but it just didn't work for me.  The acting in this one is a highlight of the film.  The film boasts an impressive cast with young stars Avaryana Rose and Michael McKeever carry the film.  Their characters compliment each other very well and the two work so well together.  The supporting cast is great as well but it's these two that made the film as enjoyable as it was for me.  The story for this one had an interesting idea but lost touch with itself somewhere along the way.  I love the idea of a young woman harassed and murdered by a punk and his goons only to be brought back by voodoo to seek revenge.  It's such a fantastic and simple story that would have worked.  However, we also have the Immanuel building an army angle that doesn't really feel fully developed along with the priest that helps the guy find a voodoo practitioner.  I'm not religious but would a priest even acknowledge voodoo?  It feels like the film is trying to go in too many directions while not gaining traction on just one.  Finally, the film has some solid make-up effects and some light practical effects that fit the film very well but those of you looking for memorable kills will be a bit disappointed.  While the effects do look good for the film, they are not that elaborate and the deaths are nothing that will stand out to genre fans.  Overall, Bitter Souls is one of those films that I was really looking forward to but just didn't work.  I loved the cast and liked some of the story ideas but the overall film just missed it's mark.  I wanted to like it but I can't.  Skip it.  

The Girl Inside the Photograph

Director(s) - Ed Alexander and David Michan (Less Than Nothing, Price of Fame)

Starring - Jaira Brownlee (Daughters and Sons, Hatching), Marie Issermann (Dear Cancer, The Man Who Lived Forever), and Donald A. Rogers (An End to New Beginnings, Exalted)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I get a wide range of genre titles in to review and I never know exactly what I'm going to find when I hit play on a movie.  These movies range from horror comedies with very little horror to extreme horror with buckets of gore and zero story.  However, a lot of the stories I get for review fall somewhere in between the two.  Several weeks back I received an email to check out the indie horror feature The Girl Inside the Photograph.  I agreed to check it out but couldn't get to it right away so I added it to my list.  After a couple weeks I was able to finally check it out.  I want to thank co-director David Michan for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a young girl who discovers that her cat is missing.  While she is investigating the feline's disappearance, she uncovers strange things happening in her home.  She looks into the home's history further and learns that those that lived there before her also suffered through strange occurrences.  After interviewing them, she learns that something sinister is in the home and she could find herself becoming part of the house's history.

     I went into this one completely blind.  I skimmed the press release when I got it because I knew I would be watching it and I have to say that I don't think the synopsis nor the trailer would have ruined the experience for me.  The movie has a lot going on and while there was some things that I liked, the movie itself just wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is solid.  The characters are written to fit the story very well.  Their personalities do not clash and the cast does a fantastic job at bringing them to life in front of the camera.  With that being said, some of the scenes during the middle portion of the film felt a bit dry.  They had no emotional range and the dialogue came out almost like a table reading.  I don't know if something was going on during filming or what but it just didn't fit that well.  The story for this one is a bit of a haunted house-esque type story mixed with a mystery.  I feel like this could have been a solid story if it was in written form.  However, the way the story unfolds on film is a bit dull.  The drawn out scenes with no endgame in sight made the film feel a lot longer than it actually was.  Finally, this is not a bloodbath like most of us genre fans are looking for.  The movie itself relies heavily on character interactions and scenes with brooding atmosphere to get to the audience.  Overall, The Girl Inside the Photograph has some great cinematography and acting but the story left a lot of room for improvements.  This one is not for me but you may dig it.  Check it out and support indie cinema!

Blood Barn

Director - Gabriel Bernini (Triple Thriller)

Starring - Chloe Cherry (The Grinch XXX Parody, Don't Trip), Lena Redford (Nature is Speaking, And Back Again), and Andrea Bambina (Bagworm)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Don't go in the..."

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My favorite horror films take place in a cabin deep in the woods.  Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead 1 and 2, almost every slasher I love, and so on.  It's the perfect set up for damn near any horror story so I'm instantly interested in a movie that uses this location for their film.  Several weeks ago I received the press release for the horror film Blood Barn.  This Screambox original looked like it had everything you need to have a good time.  It stars the absolutely gorgeous Chloe Cherry and the story looked like one that would be perfect for the cabin in the woods set up.  I reached out to them for a review link and they were kind enough to send one over!

     The film follows a young woman, Josie (Redford), who invites a group of "friends" to her family old farm that has long since been abandoned.  She is trying to impress them but finds herself on the business end of their jokes and bullying.  However, as things go on and it's evident that she will never fit in, things take a bloody turn.  Their presence at the old farmhouse has stirred up something sinister which is taking control of them one by one forcing the remaining few to fight for their lives.

     I was really looking forward to this one.  I love the title, poster, and synopsis that I read when I received the press release.  However, the day before I watched it I found a post in a horror group talking about it and comparing it to Evil Dead.  This only fueled my desire to check it out and I have to say that they were not wrong.  It does borrow some elements from one of the genre's best independent films but it has enough originality to be it's own thing.   The acting in this one is great.  I love how by the numbers the characters are.  They are extremely cliched but they embrace it.  The cast brings a lot of energy and charisma into their roles which makes the scenes a lot of fun.  The cast really gets into their roles and it shows.  The story for this one blends slasher elements with films like Demon Wind and Evil Dead.  I really liked the premise and how it made use of the "barn" even though it was clearly a house.  Regardless, it worked for the most part but a few of the scenes are a bit dialogue heavy with no real reason to them.  I don't know if these scenes were meant to get the most out of Chloe Cherry or what but they do make the film feel a lot longer than it actually is.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood but it's not as gory as I would have liked.  I really enjoyed the deaths for what they were and the effects we do get.  The make-up effects are great but some memorable gory moments would have made this movie an unforgettable experience.  Overall, Blood Barn was a lot of fun and reminded me a lot of the mid-80s possession movies like Evil Dead II and Demon Wind.  While it wasn't the most memorable film in regards to gore, it was still worth a watch.  Check it out.  

Infinite Summer

Director - Miquel Llanso (Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway, Here Come the Problems)

Starring - Teele Kaljuvee-O'Brock (Popcorn Prologue, Eyes that Stare Too Long), Johanna-Aurelia Rosin (Free Money), and Hannah Gross (Joker, Mindhunter)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Sci-Fi

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

     I love weird movies.  I can remember watching odd sci-fi and horror titles when I was younger with my grandmother.  I would spend a lot of time with her while my dad was out of town and we would watch any thing we could find on local access, Sci-Fi Channel, and so on.  We watched a lot of MonsterVision, USA Up All Night, and the like.  She loved to experience a movie and I think I've grown into that same mentality when it comes to movies.  I may not like all the movies I watch but I always enjoy the experience especially if they are a bit weird.  A few weeks back I received a copy of Infinite Summer on DVD for review.  This was strange in itself as I had to pay for postage when I picked it up from the post office which I have never had to do before.  The movie looked interesting enough so I added it to my watch list.

     The film follows a young woman who tries a virtual dating app and meets a strange man who appears at her home, unwelcomed, in the middle of the night with a weird mask that is supposed to help her meditate.  Her friends warn her about trying it but she does anyway.  After using it she learns that her two friends tried it after her and are addicted to it.  As she further explores the meditation app and why her friends are so addicted, she learns from two federal agents that the man is sneaking drugs into his home made masks.

     I had received a press release for this one sometime back so I knew that it was going to be a mind trip type of story but it wasn't as trippy as I had expected.  In fact, it wasn't really that trippy.  It had an odd story but it was nowhere near as wild and strange as the artwork and trailer painted.  The acting in this one is very uneven.  The cast isn't bad but the characters are very unlikable.  We have some awkward scenes with stiff dialogue but I blame that on the writing.  The story for this one could have been a lot more enjoyable if it would have embraced the strange trippy aspects of the story.  Instead, what we have is a virtual reality inspired sci-fi flick that isn't very original.  I would have loved if the film focused more on the virtual reality around the meditation app rather than it does the drug aspect.  Finally, the film has a lot of visual effects that look surprisingly well done.  They do stand out but that is is the point of these visuals.  The film doesn't have any of the red stuff that we would like to see but we have a ton of visuals.  Overall, Infinite Summer was not what I was expecting.  Honestly, it was a bit dull for the most part that does not fully explore the part of the film that is the most interesting.  I wanted to like this one but it wasn't for me.  Skip it.  

Garden of Love

Director - Olaf Ittenbach (The Burning Moon. Black Past)

Starring - Natacza Boon (Beyond the Limits, School of Silence), James Matthew-Pyecka (Legend of Hell, Chain Reaction), and Daryl Jackson (Dard Divorce, Gorky Zero: Beyond Horror)

Release Date - 2003

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Welcome to the communion of the dead"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     German splatter is a term I used to hear all the fucking time when I was a regular on the Upcoming Horror Movies (UHM) message boards back in the day.  Only one name was ever mentioned and that was Olaf Ittenbach.  It was during this time that I was fortunate enough to watch the films The Burning Moon, Black Past, and Premutos: The Fallen Angel.  The movies were unforgettable and the effects were amazing.  Over the years his films have slowly trickled out on blu with the most recent offering being his 2003 film Garden of Love, which was released as The Haunting of Rebecca Verlaine and possibly as Born Undead at one time.  I want to thank my friends over at Unearthed Films for sending this release over for review!

     The film follows a young woman who starts to suffer from voices that she cannot figure out.  However, as the film progresses she soon learns that her family was brutally murdered and she was the only one to survive while voices are actually her late family instructing her to find the killer so they can finally rest.  

     Garden of Love is one of those films I had never heard of until a boutique label got their hands on them.  Olaf Ittenbach and his amazing effects have made a name for themselves among horror fans so I was genuinely excited to finally check it out.  While the story was lacking, the film still found a way to entertain.  The acting in this one was solid for most of the movie but a few scenes had me laughing my fucking ass off.  This one scene in particular involves a meeting between the young lady, here adoptive parents, and someone that knew about the murders before his daughter interrupted them.  This whole scene is awkward but the man behind the desk is so bad and awkward to watch.  There is another scene later in the film with a similar performance.  These scenes do interrupt the flow of the film and ruins what pacing the film does have.  The story for this one is an interesting idea on paper but does not work too well on film.  I loved the idea of a group of brutally murdered ghosts helping their living relative find their killers.  The way they look undead really made me think of American Werewolf in London.  However, the film struggles to find any real momentum.  The scenes are painfully dull, for the most part, and a lot of the characters are extremely flat and one dimensional.  With that being said, I could really see this story taking hold on genre fans if it focused more on the victims instead of the lone survivor.  Finally, this film has exceptional effects.  I knew Ittenbach wouldn't let me down and this film fucking delivered on the gore.  We have some seriously impressive practical effects and a few scenes that will truly stick with you for sometime after watching this bloodbath.  Overall, Garden of Love is not my favorite film from Ittenbach but god damn was it bloody in all the right ways.  The story may come up short but it's still a fun one just for the gore.  Check it out now on blu from Unearthed Films.  

Cabin Fever

Director - Eli Roth (The Green Inferno, Thanksgiving)

Starring - Jordan Ladd (Death Proof, Club Dread), Rider Strong (Darkening Sky, Critical Role: One Shots), and James DeBello (Detroit Rock City, Scary Movie 2)

Release Date - 2002

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Catch it!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Genre fans love to find filmmakers to shit on.  They are easily the most opinionated fanbase there only second to the metal community.  I've been writing for Horror Society for over a decade and I've been a genre fan since the mid-90s so I've seen how rabid and spiteful the horror community can be.  One filmmaker that has always drawn criticism from fans is Eli Roth who has given the genre some fantastic films in my opinion.  While Roth and Rob Zombie are quick to catch hell online, I would much rather watch their body of work over the Terrifier trilogy and the Scream franchise.  Honestly, I'm a fan of Roth's and can remember watching Cabin Fever on VHS when I was in high school.  I know a lot of genre fans refused to watch it because "modern" horror sucked but I've always been open to all horror.  Since then I've watched all of Roth's work but I never revisited the first Cabin Fever after I left for college and lost my tape collection.  That recently changed when Lionsgate sent over their new UHD steelbook release for review.  It had been damn near 20 years since my last viewing and couldn't wait to revisit it.

     The film follows a group of twenty-somethings who venture deep into the woods for a little drinking and hunting.  However, their idyllic trip is anything when they encounter a man who is extremely sick.  He has open sores all over his body with puss oozing from them.  Things then take an even deadlier turn when their vehicle becomes damaged after one of the sick tries to steal it.  Stuck deep in the woods with no phone, they try find a way to get into town for help but when one of their own becomes infected they are forced to find their own way to survive.  

     Cabin Fever is not a film that anyone will say is their favorite film.  It might be someone's favorite Eli Roth film but they would be wrong.  I like Cabin Fever and I think it's a solid, well rounded film but it's not the best of anything if I'm being honest.  It's a fun flick that anyone can enjoy regardless if you are a genre fan or just someone that appreciates good movies.  The acting in this one is very uneven but not bad.  Honestly, I like the cast in this one.  James DeBello and Jordan Ladd make the film for me.  Their characters are so different and so memorable.  I also enjoyed the supporting cast.  While they are unintentionally funny,  they deliver solid performances as well.  In fact, they are probably just as memorable as DeBello and Ladd's.  With that being said, Ryder Strong, Cerina Vincent, and Joey Kern's performances were a bit underwhelming.  While Vincent was nice to look at from a misogynistic standpoint, her character was very cliched and forgettable.  The story for this one is unique and not like your standard cabin in the woods type film.  A group of young adults in a cabin deep in the woods with plans of fucking and getting high/drunk is nothing knew.  Hell, it's damn near essential for most slashers.  However, this one differs from others and plays into the fear many have of us of unknown infections.  I'm not a germaphobe but I would do everything possible to avoid a skin eating disease.  The movie does a great job at creating tensions between those in the small cabin when the disease is introduced.  The film has great pacing, some humor that works, and some clever deaths.  Finally, the film has some pretty gruesome scenes with some fun gore.  It's not the bloodiest film I've seen but I loved the effects for this one.  The gore, though limited, looks great and the make-up effects are top next.  Here we are 20 some years later and still talking about the gooey effects for this one.  Overall. Cabin Fever is not the film people will use to describe Eli Roth's career but it is a solid flick.  It's crazy to revisit this one and see how far he has grown as a filmmaker when you compare it to something like Thanksgiving.  It's still worth a watch especially this new UHD unrated release.  Check it out!

Heathens

Director - Nathaniel Paull (Rock Bottom, Straight Jacket)

Starring - Kirstie Drew (Allow Access, Reluctant Blues), Tiffany Michelle Foster, and Casey Jane (Rennie)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Join the sisterhood"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been writing reviews for a long time now and most of you may know my stance on found footage and mockumentaries.  I know a lot of people enjoy these sub-genres but I just can't get into them.  Sure, there has been a few of each that I've found over the years that I enjoyed but most of them are damn near unwatchable for me.  As much as I dislike them, I always find myself agreeing to review them when asked to check them out.  A week or so back I was contacted by Nathaniel Paull to check out his movie Heathens.  I quickly agreed with no knowledge about the film.  I did so because the poster sold me on it.  It's easily one of the best film posters I've seen in the last several years.  I wasn't able to get to the film right away but after a few days I was able to finally check it out.  I want to thank Nathaniel for sending this one over for review!

     The film follows a group filming a documentary about a small group of witches in a small town.  This group consists of witches from various backgrounds and disciplines as they come together to protect themselves while growing as witches.  However, drama seems to follow one of the members creating a dangerous situation for the rest of the coven.

     Have you ever wanted to see a film that is equal parts This is Spinal Tap and The Craft?  What about a movie that feels like episodes of The Office mixed with What We Do in the Shadow?  Well look no further.  I went into Heathens completely blind which is my preferred way to watch a movie I'm going to review.  All I knew about the movie came from what could be seen from the poster.  I had no idea that it was a mockumentary but that didn't matter.  The movie itself surprised me and I found myself really getting into it.  The acting in this one makes the film for me.  The characters are very well written which gives the cast a lot to work with.  Some of the cast has very little, if any, on screen experience which does show in a few scenes.  However, they do a wonderful job and make the film as fun as it is.  In fact, I will actively be seeking out other films these young ladies appear in and hope they appear in future films.  The story for this one is pretty fucking clever in regards mockumentaries.  We follow a coven of witches in a small town where every member has their own background and different view on what it means to be a witch.  We then have some drama added to the mix which works and doesn't feel too outlandish.  With that being said, I felt the film tried to be funny but didn't really find it's mark with the humor.  I don't know if I'm the target audience for the jokes but its clear that the film wanted to be a comedy. In fact, it wasn't really a horror film either.  More like a dramedy centered around witches.   Finally, don't expect a bloodbath with this one.  The film itself is a character driven piece that works but doesn't have a lot of the red stuff that many of us genre fans are looking for.  Overall, Heathens is not going to be for everyone but god damn did I enjoy it.  I love the characters, the cast, and how everything unfolded but I would have loved some horror elements added to it.  Honestly, I really enjoyed and highly recommend it.  Check it out.  

Big Bad Betty

Director - Justin Sulham (Night of the Werewolves, Black Vulture)

Starring - Zach Palica (Dead Note, Everyday), Paul Ogletree (Southern Nightmare, Snake Creek), and Katrina Solo (The Mick, You Can Do Better)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "It's dinner time, and you're the main course"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Indie creature features are a weakness of mine.  Slashers and zombies are my preferred sub-genres but a no budget monster movie will always get my attention.  I grew up watching drive-in era monster movies with my grandma while my dad was out of town and that is one of my fondest memories growing up.  I still watch monster movies when I can and often look through hashtags on Instagram and Twitter looking for some that may have slipped by me.  A week or so ago I was contacted by filmmaker Justin Sulham to check out his indie monster movie Big Bad Betty.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but I did add it to my list to check out as soon as I could.  I want to thank Justin for reaching out to me and I apologize that it took so long for me to get this one to you.  

     The film follows a young woman who visits her late grandfather's horse ranch after his death.  She takes a group of her friends with her with plans on restoring it to sell or keep in her family.  However, an innocent time with her friend turns deadly when they uncover letters that her grandfather may have sired a sheep hybrid.  Unbeknownst to them, he really did make a sheep hybrid named Betty that has a taste for blood.  Now, Betty is stalking them and one by one they are ripping them apart.

     Big Bad Betty is a solid monster movie that does struggle a lot with it's own identity.  I enjoyed it for what it is but there was a few things that made the film fall short from being something that really stood out from the crowd.  Don't get me wrong, it's an entertaining movie but it does trip over it's own feet before it gets going.  The acting in this one is a bit uneven but still fun to watch.  The cast works great together but some of the scenes are a bit awkward.  I don't know if it's the inexperience showing or if these scenes were rushed.  Regardless, it's not bad acting but it does vary from scene to scene.  The story for this one struggles with finding itself but is still able to pull out a decent creature feature with a slasher vibe at the end of the day.  We have a few scenes that tries to establish that grindhouse look and feel that I can get behind.  We then move into a few scenes that was inspired by 80s cinema that I also enjoyed.  However, these nods to classic cinema trends does not run the length of the film.  They are random and out of place.  Honestly, I would have enjoyed if the film would have found one and stuck with it.  The same can be said about the characters.  Most of the characters are rather grounded and down to Earth while a few, not many, are meant to be used as comic relief.  Sadly, the humor doesn't really find it's mark which makes these character feel out of place.  These oddball characters feel like they are straight out of a Chris Seaver film while lacking his sense of humor.  With that being said, I really liked the set up of the story and what the monster really was.  It was different and worked as a modern slasher, as well as, a monster movie.  You can tell Sulham really loves the genre and wanted to contribute to the history of horror.  Finally, the film has some bloody scenes and a wild looking creature.  I love the look of the creature and how deformed it's appendages are.  The kills are very violent and fit the film very well.  We get a lot of blood and some decent effects but those looking for creative kills and memorable gore will be a bit disappointed.  Overall, Big Bad Betty is a fun monster movie inspired slasher that works for a late night watch with some beer or a good edible.  It's bloody, violent, and scratches an itch you didn't know you had.  Check it out!

The Power of Darkness

Director - Mario Sabato (To the Heart, India Pravile)

Starring - Carlos Anton (Breve Cielo, Alta Comedia), Cristina Banegas (The Two Popes, Dr. Lazarus), and Aldo Barbero (The Curious Dr. Humpp, Socias)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love it when a boutique labels focus on international titles.  For many of us it's the first or only time that some of these titles are brought to our attention.  I guess I could be more proactive and spend more time looking for obscure films but so many amazing companies like Mondo Macabro have done the work for me.  A few weeks ago I received the Argentinian thriller The Power of Darkness from Mondo Macabro with two other films from Spain.  I seriously love checking out films from decades ago from other countries and couldn't wait to dig into The Power of Darkness.  Like always, I want to take a moment to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a man who used to have it all but has found himself falling on hard times recently.  Struggling to to keep a roof over his head and food on the table, he is reintroduced to a childhood friend who tells him about a group of blind people who have entered a cabal to bring down those that can see.  He immediately starts thinking about the strange things that has happened to him recently and suspect that what he was told is actually true.  

     The Power of Darkness was nothing like I expected and was easily my favorite of the three films Mondo Macabro sent over for review.  It's a strange story with a solid cast and some great atmosphere that works as a late night watch or if you just want something different during the day.  The acting in this one is solid and very consistent.  While some of the performances were better than others, I still found myself really impressed by the cast.  Hell, even the supporting cast that only appears on screen for a brief moment delivers great performances.  The story for this one is very interesting for a late 70s film but feels right at home with our current political climate.  Here we have a film following a man that lost everything and is grasping at anything he can to get ahead when he is told about a group of blind individuals that are punishing those that are successful and not blind.  I'm sure it was a wild idea for the late 70s but in the world of Q, Trump as president, and the wild conspiracy theories we hear daily, it's something that feels not so wild.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  It has some great atmosphere and the location at the end of the film looks amazing but that is about the extent of it.  The film is a character piece and relies heavily on the protagonist.  Overall, The Power of Darkness is a fun watch with a story that is very unusual.  I really liked it but I know this one is not going to be for everybody.  I highly recommend it especially if you like movies that are unique.