The Dead Ones

Director - Jeremy Kasten (The Profane Exhibit, The Thirst)

Starring - Sarah Rose Harper (The Last Days of Capitalisms, The Last Time), Brandon Thane Wilson (Wonder Woman 1984, Star Trek First Frontier), and Katie Foster (Ghosts Don't Exist, Disconnected)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "High school is hell"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The last few days I've been busy watching some indie horror flicks that was sent my way from Wild Eye Releasing and SRS Cinema.  Some were fun and entertaining while a couple were a bit of a let down.  All in all, I enjoyed myself but it was time to venture to some other movies that I needed to review.  The next movie I placed on the chopping block is the 2019 supernatural horror film The Dead Ones from director Jeremy Kasten and released by Artsploitation Films.  The trailer looked really interesting and I couldn't wait to see just how crazy it was going to be.  Thank you Artsploitation for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a group of teens who are forced to clean their school as part of their summer detention. However, a group wearing masks and armed with weapons has other plans.  They lock the troubled youths in the school and set out to kill them one by one forcing them to fight for their lives against the armed intruders and their own dark pasts.  

     The Dead Ones is a highly imaginative and fun but the story does get rather chaotic and confusing at times.  I really enjoyed it for what it was but there was a time when the movie completely lost me and forced me to rewind it to ensure I wasn't missing something.  It was fun but troublesome.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  The characters are really fun and enjoyable.  The cast does a fantastic job and really brought out some intense performances.  As a father I have to admit that the cast really did hit me in the chest with their performances.  They took the subject matter and really amplified that with their portrayals.  The story for this one has a lot going on.  The portion following the teenagers trapped in the school while masked murderers stalk them is a pretty powerful story.  It really works and, as I stated earlier, as a father it really fucking hits.  With that being said, the weird paranormal angle they tossed in does extend the film's running time but it does take away from the film's impact. Finally, the film does have some blood.  It's not a gory flick but the film does not shy away from the blood.  We get puddles of it early on but once the school massacre begins we get some solid kills that really work well with the film.  Some of the gunshots I struggled with determining if they were practical or visual effects so kudos to the effects team there.  Overall, The Dead Ones struggles to find it's footing but does still deliver a fun and gruesome horror film.  Parents will find it more shocking than others.  It's worth a watch so check it out from Artsploitation Films.  

Penny Pinchers: The Kings of No-Budget Horror

Director - Dustin Ferguson (Ebola Rex, 5G Zombies)

Starring - Todd Jason Cook (Horrorscope, Demon Dolls), Donald Farmer (Cannibal Hooker, Hooker with a Hacksaw), and Chris Seaver (The Weirdsies, Death O'Lantern)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been watching a few indie releases that I've been sitting on for sometime now.  A lot of these got lost in the shuffle when I had to box up all my movies after the house fire.  As I was sorting some things I discovered a great deal that was sent my way for review that I never got around to.  One of those movies is the 2017 indie horror documentary Penny Pinchers: The Kings of No-Budget Horror.  I had wanted to see this one for sometime but never did get around to reviewing it once I received it.  I hate that I had lost it after the fire but once I re-found it I knew that I had to see it.  Thanks MVD and SRS for sending this one over!

     The documentary speaks with indie filmmakers Chris Seavers, Todd Sheets, Johnny Dickie, Donald Farmer, Todd Jason Cook, Tim Ritter, Lloyd Kaufman, Phil Herman, and Dustin Ferguson about the ups and downs of no-budget filmmaking. 

     I was really interested in this one because several filmmakers that I greatly admire were featured in it but I have to admit that I am a little confused after actually seeing it about the point of the film.  The moniker "The Kings of No-Budget Horror" made me believe that the documentary was following filmmakers that had turned no-budget filmmaking into careers that spanned decades.  Filmmakers like Farmer, Seaver, Herman, Cook, and Kaufman made sense to have in the doc but the addition of Dickie and Ferguson was a little confusing.  Both are fairly new to filmmaking especially in 2017 and when compared to the others who have 20 or 30 years in the business.  Maybe tossing in filmmakers like Henrique Couto, J.R. Bookwalter, Richard Griffin, and Dustin Mills just to name a few would have made the title really work.  The interviews are very interesting.  We get some very thorough and in depth recollections from some of the most iconic filmmakers in the business revisiting the make of some of their classic films.  It was also great hearing the struggles they faced first hand, as well as, how they got started in the business.  All of them are well grounded and really paint a realistic look at filmmaking and not just stories of rainbows and sunshine.  I respect Dustin Ferguson and Johnnie Dickie greatly and feature them whenever I can on the site but their stories, when compared to the others, doesn't really have the impact as the directors that's been doing it for decades has.  The topics discussed are very interesting and people looking for inside knowledge of directing their own movie will find some very interesting things discussed from long time filmmakers.  Finally, the editing in this one is extremely smooth and helps the flow of the interviews.  It works very well and information is not lost in the transitions.  Overall, Penny Pinchers: The Kings of No-Budget Horror is an entertaining and insightful documentary with some astonishing stories from some of indie's favorite filmmakers.  The title is a little misleading but the documentary still works.  Check it out.     

Suffering Bible

Director - Davide Pesca (After Midnight, A Taste of Phobia)

Starring - Nicola Fugazza and Mery Rubes (Rage Killers, Fame de Vampira)

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Horror

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I follow a lot of different companies that release some seriously fun titles.  Over the years I've became a fan of Wild Eye, MVD, Brain Damage, Midnight Films, Troma, Scream Team Releasing, SRS Cinema, and so on.  They don't always release a movie that I love but a majority of their releases entertain.  The last few days I decided to work through some movies that had been sent my way for review that I had neglected.  A few of those releases from SRS Cinema.  After watching Bad CGI Sharks I decided it was time to give 2018's Suffering Bible a spin.  I had not heard of this one prior to receiving it for review so I couldn't wait to see what was waiting for me.  Thanks SRS and MVD for sending this one over!

     The film consists of short segments, or chapters, that are loosely based on biblical stories ranging from torture, cannibalism, and self-mutilation.

     I'm a member of several horror and collectors groups so it's not often I come across a movie that I've at least never heard of the title before but Suffering Bible from SRS seems to have slipped by several of us.  Which is weird considering a sequel was released not long after this one.  Sadly, once I tossed this one in I soon discovered why this one is not mentioned in these groups.  The "acting" in this one is hard to explain.  The segments are people acting out crude and brutal acts on themselves or others.  There is no character development, personalities, or acting in general.  Just people doing things on camera.  The stories for this one is a tongue in cheek take on pieces of the bible that have nothing to do with one another.  The movie is just segment after segment of people making a bloody mess with no real hint of a story to hold it together.  Gore for the sake of gore.  Finally, the film boasts some pretty impressive practical effects.  This is the only real redeeming quality of the film.  The lack of a story to hold everything together really is a disappointment because the effects really are something to be seen.  Overall, Suffering Bible is an arthouse approach to extreme horror but the lack of story and characters makes it a painfully dull experience which is a damn shame because the effects are worth it.  This is one I cannot and will not recommend.  

     

Evil River

Director - Marco Rosson (New Order, Vendetta)

Starring - Marcella Braga (Dark Resurrection, The Italian Dream), Claudia Marasca (The Perfect Plan, The Broken Key), and Toni Pandolfo (Dracula 3D, Rasputin)

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Beware the water witch"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

I get a lot of movies in from Wild Eye for review.  Honestly, I'm a huge fan of theirs and I want to see everything they release.  They are a rapidly growing company and release several movies a month.  With a catalogue is expansive as theirs it would be extremely difficult for me to like all their movies.  I know this and they know this.  As much as I love and respect Wild Eye I still find some of their films to be tough to finish.  Sometime ago I received the press release for Evil River.  This Italian horror film was originally titled Shanda's River which was changed for North American release.  I was excited to check it out especially after I heard it was compared to the classic film Suspiria.  I want to thank Wild Eye for sending this one my way.

     The film follows a woman writing a piece on women sufferings and travels to a small Italian village that is the site of a witch's burial.  With her is a professor and a tour guide.  This innocent trip turns bloody when she witnesses men in robes kill the tour guide and the professor.  She awakens in her hotel room and is forced to relive that day over and over again.

     I was excited to toss this one in but it was evident within minutes that I would not be enjoying this one.  The movie had an interesting story but the execution and scenes were troubling.  I really wanted to like it but I couldn't get into it.  The acting in this one is solid enough but there was room for improvements.  The cast was very dedicated to their roles but their performances were a bit dry.  They lacked emotions and the dialogue was very forced.  The characters were not that genuine which made some of the dialogue heavy scenes feel heavy.  The story for this one is Suspiria meets Groundhog's Day.  Sadly, I find films that repeat themselves to be unoriginal and boring.  The second the viewer gets the predictability of the scene the impact is removed and you are left with a scene that doesn't work.  I will give credit where credit is due with the story.  It is one hell of an idea but it doesn't transcribe well on film.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from blood.  We get several kill scenes with a ton of blood and solid practical and make-up effects.  The kills are, mostly, in the center of the scene which gives the viewer plenty of time to soak them in.  Overall, Evil River wasn't what I was expecting.  The story has potential but the way it was done makes it a tough one to finish.  Wild Eye has several amazing releases in their filmography that I would recommend instead of this one.  

Bad CGI Sharks

Director - MaJaMa

Starring - Matthew Ellsworth (Potluck), Jason Ellsworth (Potluck), and Matteo Molinari (Drive In, The Silence of the Hams)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    I love weird and bad movies.  It's no secret by this point and I blame Troma for my horrible taste in film.  The goofier the movie the more I want to see it.  Sometime last year I started seeing posts for the horror comedy Bad CGI Sharks.  I'm not much for the sharksploitation sub-genre but this movie looked funny so I reached out to SRS Cinema and MVD and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way  Thanks guys for allowing me the opportunity to review this strange little film!

     The film follows estranged brothers, Jason and Matthew, that reconnect after years apart.  During their youth they had dreams of making a shark movie but life took them in different directions.  While one of them still has dreams of directing their own movie the other is more grounded and wants to keep his life on track.  However, that doesn't happen when a poorly constructed CGI shark starts terrorizing Hollywood sticking the brothers in the middle of the carnage.

     I love watching an indie movie that doesn't take itself too seriously.  If a movie can be fun while making fun of itself then I know I will at least have laughs. Bad CGI Sharks is a movie with laughs, memorable characters, and a solid story but the scenes are a little dry and some of the jokes are repetitive.  I still enjoyed myself but I don't see a revisit anytime soon.  The acting in this one is pretty fun.  The cast really gets into their roles but some of the scenes is a little forced.  The characters are fun and not easily forgettable but the cast's inexperience does show.  The story for this one is funny and really mixes fantasy and sci-fi elements with sharksploitation.  Calling this a horror tale is a bit of a stretch but I will admit that this movie is more entertaining than it should be.  This goofy story that felt like it was thought up in a weed smoking session is pretty fun if you just go with it.  There is a few scenes that are very uneventful and boring which does bring the movie down but not enough to make it unwatchable.  Finally, if you want great practical effects and plenty of gore then you are in the wrong place for that.  However, if cheap CGI is your thing then you will find your fill here.  There is no practical effects in this one but it is full of shitty looking sharks.  It's funny at first but the joke does run it's course fairly early on.  Overall, Bad CGI Sharks is an interesting idea that works for a no budget comedy but the humor does wear thin and some of the slower scenes are a bit tough to sit through.  This is one I would recommend watching with friends and beer but not alone and sober.  

A Psycho's Path

Director - Rocky Constanzo (Ditch Party, Hallowed)

Starring - Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (The Midnight Meat Train, The A Team), Steve De Forest (Action Impossible II, Keepin' It Real), and Noel Gugliemi (Dawn of the Zombie Apocalypse, 3 From Hell)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "No one is safe"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     Sometime back I received the tow horror titles Savage Creatures and A Psycho's Path for review from ITN Distribution.  Savage Creatures looked like a movie right up my alley and it was for the most part.  The movie is full of so many classic horror moments but the acting did stop it from achieving greatness.  However, A Psycho's Path really peaked my curiosity.  I was very curious to see how a horror film with Noel Gugliemi and Quinton Jackson was going to play out.  I want to thank ITN for sending these two releases my way!

     The film follows a sleepy desert town that is turned upside down when a string of murders shocks the community.  The police suspect that it is an escaped criminal listed as John Doe (Jackson) but are unable to track him down.  The local police frantically search for him before he can kill again but he continues to raise his body count.

     A Psycho's Path is an interesting movie that failed it's execution.  I really struggled to figure this one out and at the end of the day I have to admit that I did not care for it.  The movie couldn't make it's mind up on rather it wanted to be taken seriously or not.  The acting in this one is solid.  The entire cast takes on pretty serious roles and did the best with what they were given.  They did a great job and really made the movie better than what it was.  The characters are rather forgettable and extremely flat but they work with the story fairly well.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward but struggles with it's own identity.  The film is serious in tone.  However, a lot of the impact of the story is lost by the cast's ridiculous wigs.  These little silly things in the film really takes away from the simple story.  Also, the film moves at a snails pace which really does a number to the tone of the film.  Finally, the film has several death scenes with plenty of blood and some practical effects but they do get lost in the shuffle of the scene.  Most horror films slow down with the carnage so the viewer can appreciate them but A Psycho's Path lets it blend into the background.  Overall, A Psycho's Path is a mediocre horror flick that I've started called Wal-Mart horror over the years.  It brings nothing to the genre and falls victim to the hands of time.  Most people that have seen it will forget about in soon enough.  Honestly, I would skip this one.  

Savage Creatures

Director - Richard Lowry (The UFO Conclusion, Jessica: A Ghost Story)

Starring - Greg Travis (Starship Troopers, Watchmen), Cean Okada (Bubba Ho-Tep, Joe Somebody), and Victoria Steadman (Preacher, Apocalypse Rising)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The forces of evil are about to collide"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's been an awesome last few days checking out some older movies from my childhood that recently got the blu release.  Seeing movies like Little Monsters, Shivers, and Tourist Trap get an updated release really hit me with a wave of nostalgia.  However, a trip down memory lane is a bit of a boring one at times.  After checking out those older films I needed something newer so I decided to treat myself to a few new indie releases that was sent my way for review.  The first movie on the chopping block is the 2020 film Savage Creatures that was sent over from ITN Distribution.  

     The film follows two beautiful young ladies who find themselves at the hospitality of a god-fearing woman and her son.  However, they are secretly killers who chop up visitors and put them in their freezer.  What these two killers are unaware of is that these two innocent looking young ladies are actually vampires that are centuries old.  Once they make quick work of the religious murderers they are introduced to the local priest and nun before they find out that the world is has been visited by aliens that are turning humans into zombies.

     Savage Creatures is one of those movies I get in for review that I had never heard about previously.  The trailer had be excited for it and I have to admit that I had fun with it.  It was far from perfect but it did entertain so I will give it that.  The acting in this one is solid enough but there is plenty of room for improvement.  The cast really gets into their roles but the characters they portray does fall flat.  They move with the story for the characters are very unforgettable.  The story for this one really does throw everything at you.  We have serial killers, vampires, nuns with guns, aliens, and zombies.  With that being said, the story doesn't toss all this at you at once.  It gives you time with each one before moving on.  It has solid pacing and the stacking of the creatures really works for how it was handled.  I really did enjoy the story for what it was.  Finally, the film has several on screen kills.  We get a fair amount of blood with some basic practical effects.  It works for the gags and the story we are given but for those of you looking for memorable practical effects will be disappointed.  Overall, I really enjoyed Savage Creatures.  It's not a perfect horror film but it hits the spot for those of you looking for a late night no-budget horror flick.  Check it out.  

Tourist Trap

Director - David Schmoeller (Puppet Master, Netherworld)

Starring - Chuck Connors (Soylent Green, Werewolf), Jocelyn Jones (The Stranger Who Looks Like Me, Cannon), and Jon Van Ness (Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, The Hitcher)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Every year young people disappear"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

I'm love seeing all these movies I used to rent back in my childhood are finding a second life on blu.  When I was in elementary school I would often rent movies based off the VHS art.  I was a basic kid and if something caught my eye I would rent it.  This is how I discovered Full Moon and Empire.  I had watched a good portion of Full Moon's releases over the years including their 1979 film Tourist Trap.  I rented it once in my youth but I remember not really caring for it.  I know some of my horror friends love the film so I was excited to check it out when I heard Full Moon was re-releasing the movie uncut on blu.   I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a review copy of the amazing big box VHS style release.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a group of twenty-somethings who have car trouble.  They are miles from town and seek the help of an older gentleman who owns a now closed museum.  He is strange and does his best to separate them all from one another and soon they start disappearing until the ones still alive uncover the hideous truth.

     I wasn't too impressed with the film when I was a kid but I do have to admit that it was pretty fun watching it as an adult.  It's cheesy and campy but I find myself enjoying these kind of movies more now as an adult than when I was a kid.  The movie is far from perfect but it was fun for what it is.  The acting in this one is entertaining but boy is it cheesy.  The cast really hams up their roles but it adds to the atmosphere of the film.  The film is an early slasher so the cast is painfully stereotypical of slashers from that time.  They are one dimensional but the cast has fun with it.  The story for this one is a very different take on a sub-genre that was really finding it's own in 1979.  Slashers, at heart, had been popular for a couple of years but not quite like it will be in a few years after this point.  The story uses several slasher elements but not many of the slasher trophes that horror fans love.  The masked mannequin killer is fun but extremely campy.  This release from Full Moon is the uncut version, which, I can't recall what was added between this release and the tape I watched as a child.  However, the movie does flow very well but there is several dry scenes that will try your patience.  Finally, the film has several slasher inspired kills.  The is a little blood here and there but not much in the way of practical effects.  Overall, Tourist Trap is not for the serious slasher fan out there.  However, if you are in the mood for something on the campy side I would highly recommend checking out this release.  The transfer is solid but not the best I've seen.  It is a step up from DVD but does not reach the full capability of what the blu can achieve.  

Shivers

Director - David Cronenberg (Scanners, Rabid)

Starring - Paul Hampton (Babylon 5, Deadly Exposure), Joe Silver (Deathtrap, Rabid), and Lynn Lowry (The Crazies, Model Hunger)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Being terrified is just the beginning"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the years I've been fortune enough to review several films by David Cronenberg.  With a career that has spanned almost 50 years he has directed many iconic films over the years.  In 1975 he released the horror film Shivers starring Paul Hampton and Lynn Lowry.  This film would go on to gain a cult following and would he would be crowned king of body horror.  This is a movie I had seen before but I didn't recall any of it.  Vestron Video recently announced the release of the film on blu which gave me the perfect time to revisit it...or watch it for the first time.  Regardless, I couldn't wait to see it so I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way for review.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a wealthy apartment complex where the people are friendly but one if them is harboring a dark secret.  He has manufactured a parasite that spreads through sexual interaction.  A doctor and nurse soon find themselves face to face with several infected who have heightened sexuality after they come in contact with others infected.  Soon the entire complex is infected forcing the doctor to run for his life.  

     After I took the dive into the seedy world of Shivers I realized that I may not have actually watched this one before because I would have remembered this one if I had seen it before.  It was a sexually driven horror film that brings real life horrors to the big screen.  STD and so on are extremely dangerous and scary for a young adult so a horror film centered around that is enough to make any viewer's skin crawl.  The acting in this one is decent for what it is but the characters are not that entertaining.  The character's carry the film to an extent but their unenthused performances and cliched personalities brings very little to their scenes.  The story for this one really works especially now with the younger crowd who are exploring their sexuality.  STDs mixed with the mindless infected is an effective horror piece.  It is a little on the goofy side but the impact is still there.  Finally, this one has some blood with some fun practical effects but for those of you looking for gore will be very disappointed.  The practical effects of the tumors and so on is very entertaining and may make some of the viewer uncomfortable but they do their job.  Overall, Shivers is a fantastic film that has great atmosphere and a solid story.  The acting is a little underwhelming but the film is still worth it.  The blu from Vestron looks great but I have seen better transfers from much older releases.  

Little Monsters

Director - Richard Greenberg (The Process, Tales from the Crypt)

Starring - Fred Savage (The Wizard, Deadpool 2), Howie Mandel (Bobby's World, Gremlins), Daniel Stern (Home Alone, City Slickers)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Comedy/Adventure

Tagline - "Some friends can be REAL MONSTERS. And some monsters can be REAL FRIENDS."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was born in the mid-80s and raised in the 90s.  My youth revolved around the video store and Sega Genesis when I was younger.  I was often renting movies and games for the weekend and rarely ventured outside during these two days off from school.  Over those few years I watched so many amazing movies that stuck with me.  One of those movies was the 1989 children's comedy Little Monsters.  I rented this one so many times as a kid and eventually bought the DVD around the Halloween season one year.  It has been a few years since I saw the movie but when Vestron announced the release of the film on blu I knew I would use this as an opportunity to check it out again.  Thank you Vestron for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows Brian (Savage) who traded room with his little brother Eric (Ben Savage) because he believes a monster is living under his bed.  He sets out to prove a point but soon realizes that Eric was right and there is a monster under the bed.  On the second night he makes a trap and traps the monster, Maurice (Mandel), from returning under the bed.  Impressed by Brian's ingenuity, he takes him to the underworld where the monsters live.  The two becomes friends but soon another danger reveals itself before Brian.

     I remembered loving Little Monsters when I was younger but when I tossed this one in I found myself becoming extremely bored with it.  It's still an entertaining film but it just didn't age well with me.  I still had fun revisiting it but I don't see myself tossing it in again anytime soon.  The acting in this one is great.  Both Savage brothers are amazing in their roles.  Fred can be hit or miss with me in his films but I always enjoyed his performance here.  However, the real star is Howie Mandel.  The character of Maurice is highly entertaining and I'm still amazed after all these years that Mandel is the man behind the makeup.  He does such a fantastic job and I often forget that was him.  The story for this one is absolutely amazing and I'm shocked it didn't spawn an animated series like so many other movies of the time.  With that being said, as an adult, the film does become rather boring at times.  The underworld with stairs to other rooms with different monsters just really enthralls me.  It's such an amazing story.  Sadly, the dialogue between the youths in the film does make the movie feel a little boring.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  However, the make-up effects are fantastic and somewhat iconic by this point.  Everyone knows what Maurice and several other monsters look like.  Overall, Little Monsters is a huge part of the childhoods of many of us but does the film really hold up?  I say yes but only to an extent and the blu from Vestron look great.  The transfer looks great but it's not something that I was super impressed with.  I've seen other much older films with better transfers.  Millennials will really appreciate this release more than others.  

Dahmer

Director - David Jacobson (Tomorrow You're Gone, Down in the Valley)

Starring - Jeremy Renner (The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Bruce Davison (X-Men, Creepshow), and Artel Great (Save the Last Dance, 24)

Release Date - 2002

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Tagline - "One man, 17 bodies.  His story is finally told"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's weird how you can look back at times and remember what was your favorite movies during certain parts of your life.  When I was in high school I was obsessed with Night of the Living Dead (original and Savini's remake), Dawn of the Dead (the remake would come out in a few years), and the Evil Dead trilogy.  However, the movies Cemetery Man, Zombie 2, The Dead Next Door, Skinned Alive, House of 1000 Corpses, and Ed Gein (not the Kane Hodder flick) would play a huge part of my life during this years.  My close friend was a huge fan of the Ed Gein film and we would often watch it.  I really enjoyed it but he was borderline obsessed with it.  This love opened the door to other serial killer flicks from around the same time.  Movies like Gacy, Dahmer, Bundy, and The Hunt for the BTK Killer.  A few days ago I was surprised to get the 2002 film Dahmer from MVD for review.  This Jeremy Renner starring film was released as part of their MVD Marquee line.  Thanks MVD for sending this one over!

     The film follows factory worker Jeffrey Dahmer (Renner) who lures gay men to his apartment with promises of alcohol where he drugs them.  Once unconscious, he fulfills his sexual desires and curiosities with them which sometimes triggers flashbacks to previous exploits and adventures that lead him to this point in his life.

     I remember watching Dahmer a few times when I was in high school but I don't remember my impressions of the film.  However, after revisiting it all these years later I have to say that I honestly didn't care for it.  There is several things that the film did right but the overall film was just messing and chaotic.  The acting in this one is pretty well done.  Renner has made a name for himself as an amazing actor with starring power but the relatively unknown Renner in 2002 delivered a phenomenal job as the notorious serial killer.  The supporting cast is solid and deliver some noteworthy performances but Renner really brings it home with his portrayal of the deranged and calculating killer.  The story for this one is not in chronological order and told in a series of flashbacks.  They are unpredictable and break the flow of the film up.  The scene starts out by setting itself up and setting the tone then completely derails itself with a flashback.  There has to be another way to approach the flashbacks without destroying the integrity of the film.  Finally, this film inspired by one of the most notorious serial killers in America history is rather dry of blood.  The film is very character and story driven which spends most of the film getting to know Dahmer and not really how he did what he did so those wanting blood will be disappointed.  Overall, Dahmer is a bit of a let down.  It has some entertaining moments but the story is a bit messy and the lack of blood really makes it a tough one to finish.  The blu does look good and, as a collector, I really like having it on my shelf but I doubt I will be revisiting it.  

Ghost Ship

Director - Steve Beck (Thir13en Ghosts)

Starring - Gabriel Byrne (End of Days, Stigmata), Julianna Margulies (Snakes on a Plane, Dinosaur), and Ron Eldard (Super 8, Deep Impact)

Release Date - 2002

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Sea evil"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I was a full fledged horror fiend.  I was obsessed with horror and I couldn't get enough.  The remake of House on Haunted Hill and Thir13en Ghosts were films that really impressed me and I had high hopes for the Dark Castle label.  In 2002 they took a turn from remaking the works of William Castle to release their original film Ghost Ship.  The film was fairly entertaining but would soon be forgotten by genre fans soon after release.  In fact, I remember renting the film a few times during it's initial release but after a few months I forgot about it myself.  A few weeks ago Scream Factory announced the release of the film on blu with amazing artwork.  It had been sometime since I last saw the film so I reached out to Scream about reviewing the blu.  I want to thank them for sending a copy my way!

     The film follows a salvage crew who is approached by a mysterious man about salvaging an ocean liner.  The reluctantly agree and make their way out to find it. Once inside strange things begin to happen and the crew suspect something more is at play here when gold bars are discovered on board.

     Ghost Ship is not a film that brings something new to the genre or redefines a sub-genre but it is a well made supernatural horror film with a surprising amount of blood.  I never see horror fans discussing this film which is a damn shame.  The opening scene itself is fantastic and should be a huge part of horror history.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  The entire cast does a fantastic job but the characters are pretty one dimensional and forgettable.  The cast did the best with what they were given but the characters are not that well written.  The story for this one is not your typical ghost story.  It's got elements of crime mixed in with a rather complex supernatural tale.  Honestly, I think it works but because it's not a straight forward ghost tale it may turn some horror fans off which is why it's not as popular as it deserves to be.  The film does reach a few dry spells but it quickly pulls itself out of it.  With that being said, the ending does feel rushed and chaotic while reminding me a lot of a paranormal take on the ending of Anaconda.  I'm sure genre fans that have seen both can agree with me there.  It's very cliched and disappointing.  Finally, the film has one of the most memorable openings of any horror film.  There is so many deaths and it's absolutely fucking amazing.  The fact that hasn't earned it a spot among horror fans really breaks my heart.  The rest of the deaths in the film are not as entertaining as this opening scene but they are still fun.  The practical effects look great, however, the visual effects are very dated.  They did not age well.  Overall, Ghost Ship is not perfect but I have so much fun with it.  The blu looks absolutely stunning.  The audio and video is clear which does make the visuals look even more dated but that's beside the point.  I highly recommend picking this one up.  

Pet Sematary Two: Revisited

Director - Mary Lambert (Pet Sematary, Tales from the Crypt)

Starring - Edward Furlong (Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Detroit Rock City), Anthony Edwards (Revenge of the Nerds, Zodiac), and Clancy Brown (SpongeBob SquarePants, Starship Troopers)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Raise some hell"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many, many years ago I decided to start a blog to review movies in my spare time.  This was before I was invited to Horror Society so I would review random movies just for the hell of it.  It was around this time that I decided to review Pet Sematary Two as I was nearing Halloween.  It's a movie that, in my opinion, is just a little better than the first one.  Sometime back Scream Factory released the film on blu and sent it my way.  I debated on revisiting this one for a review but after watching the first one for review it only made sense to give this one another watch.  Thanks Scream for sending this one over!

   The film follows Jeff Matthews (Furlong) who recently lost his mother. She was an actress and was accidentally electrocuted while filming her newest film. Jeff and his father moves back to their hometown where Jeff befriends the sheriffs pudgy stepson while his father sets up shop as the town vet. The sheriff breeds rabbits and one night his pudgy stepson's dog gets into one of the cages and he shoots the dog. Cue the Indian burial ground from the first film. They take the dog to the Indian burial ground and the dog comes back to life to kill the sheriff. The two kids freak out and take the sheriff back to the Indian burial ground and bury him. Later he returns and kills his wife, stepson, and local bully before digging up Jeff's mother and unleashing hell on Jeff and his father.

     Pet Sematary is a great film but I personally like the sequel just a little bit more. The film has more atmosphere and tension than the original creating an all around dark presence. I am in no way saying that the original does not have atmosphere and tension because it does. This movie just seems a lot more darker and moody which truly adds to the horror. The movie is also able to ride the events from the first film to only enhance the viewing experience. Very few sequels are able to pull that off. The acting in this one is great and on the same level as the original. Sadly, I am not a fan of Furlong even though he has been in many movies I thoroughly enjoy. There is just something about him I don't really care about. The rest of the cast does a great job especially Brown. He is very menacing and creates a brooding presence in every scene he is in. The story is more or less the same as the original except a lot darker and the family ties are severed straight from the beginning creating a darker tone making the characters seem alone during the entire ordeal. I personally like this variation of the story a little more but it would have been so much better if Fred Gwynne was in it. Finally, the special effects in this one is amazing. I love how the re-animated look in this one compared to the first one. Each time I watch it I am in utter awe.  The on screen death are creative and fun for the most part.  A few of them are unoriginal but the other side of the coin shows some fun death scenes.  Overall, Pet Sematary Two is a better film than the first one in my opinion.  The characters are far more enjoyable and the darker atmosphere really brings the story to life.  Honestly, this is a movie for what I like to call the Fangoria generation and the effects are great.  The blu is an improvement over the DVD release and look absolutely great.  I would recommend picking it up and adding it to your collection.  

Pet Sematary

Director - Mary Lambert (Tales from the Crypt, Pet Sematary II_

Starring - Dale Midkiff (The Crow: Salvation, The Outer Limits), Fred Gwynne (The Munsters, The Mysterious Stranger), and Denise Crosby (Itsy Bitsy, Dolly Dearest)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Sometimes dead is better"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Elementary was when I discovered that horror was my genre that I could embrace.  Goosebumps, as I stated prior to, is what opened my mind to horror and soon I found myself reading the works of Stephen King, cryptozoology, and Appalachian ghost stories.  I was already aware of King's work before my horror obsession after watching the films Maximum Overdrive and Pet Sematary with my grandmother when I was much younger but I never read his works until after I discovered Goosebumps.  Pet Sematary was one of my comfort horror films growing up that I would often spin when I was having a bad day or just needed something to watch when television was boring.  I recently received a blu set of several of King's adaptations.  After watching The Dead Zone for the first time I went ahead and revisited this tale from my childhood.  

     The film follows the Creed family that recently moved to the small town.  There is an old path leading away from their home that leads to an old pet cemetery.  However, there is a legend that if you continue through the cemetery you will find yourself in an old Native American burial ground.  The family face some strange occurrences after moving in.  The father Louise (Midkiff) is the doctor at the university and lost a patient his first day at work and soon finds himself haunted by the young man that passed away.  Soon their pet cat Church dies after it is struck by a vehicle.  Afraid of how heartbroken his daughter will be, he turns to his neighbor Jud (Gywnne) who tells him about the burial ground.  They bury the cat and the next day Church reappears but not acting like it's usual self.  Things go back to normal but another tragedy strikes with their youngest child is struck by a truck and dies.  Heartbroken and grieving, Louise buries him in the burial ground and sparking the end of his family as he knows it.

     Pet Sematary is one of the most popular horror films to come out of the 90s and has went on to become one of the biggest horror titles in horror history.  Even if you don't like the film you've still seen it and know exactly how iconic it is.  It has inspired other horror films, novels, and artwork for the last 30 years and no one can deny it doesn't deserve it's spot in horror history.  Honestly, I love the film and I am still shocked that I was sent a copy of it to review.  The acting in this one is top notch.  Midkiff and Gywnne are fantastic together.  Their characters feed off each other and their acting skill in front of the camera really works for both characters.  The newest PS film is a fantastic film but the characters are not as entertaining as this one.  The supporting cast is fantastic as well with the child actors not getting as much credit as deserve.  The story for this one terrified me a s child and still gives me chills at times. turning a Native American burial ground into a horror legend has always fascinated people but twisting it into a way to bring the dead back to life is fucking genius and unique.  Some of the scenes are dry but they don't take away from the overall film.  Finally, the film has some great practical effects.  It's not as bloody as it could have been but the deaths we do get and the practical effects are fucking great.  The first kill is the best in the film but it does not set the tone for future deaths.  Overall, Pet Sematary is a fantastic watch especially late at night or during the Halloween season.  I've seen this movie so many times and it usually gets a re-release around Halloween with different artwork.  The blu looks great but so did the DVD I bought several years back with no real noticeable difference between the two.  

The Dead Zone

Director - David Cronenberg (Videodrome, The Fly)

Starring - Christopher Walken (The Prophecy, Sleepy Hollow), Brooke Adams (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Stuff), and Tom Skerritt (Alien, Contact)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "He can see the future.  But can he escape it?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up reading Stephen King and watching his film adaptations.  His movies, like Maximum Overdrive and Pet Sematary, were movies I often watched growing up years before I was a horror fan.  Several weeks ago I was sent the Stephen King blu set that featured Pet Sematary, Pet Sematary (2019), The Stand, Silver Bullet, and 1983's The Dead Zone.  I had seen everything in this set prior to getting it to review except The Dead Zone.  I had heard great things about it over the years but I had never seen it before.  I did watch the show when I was in high school but I knew it would be nothing like the original film.  Once I got the set in for review I knew exactly which film I would be starting with.

     The film follows Johnny Smith (Walken) who falls into a coma after suffering an automobile accident.  He awakens five years later.  His body has deteriorated over those long 5 years but he is slowly getting his strength back but he also discovers that he gets a second sight from touching people and objects.  He is able to save several people from catastrophes but when he shakes the hand of a local politician he sees that he will be the cause of suffering in the future.  He takes it upon himself to rid the world of this evil.  

      I hate when I hear people praise a movie for years, even decades, and I never take the time to watch it only to find out for myself that the movie is damn near perfect.  I knew The Dead Zone would be amazing.  A film directed by David Cronenberg and starring Christopher Walken couldn't be bad but I wasn't expecting it to be as much fun as it was.  The acting in this one is absolutely perfect.  Walken, Adams, Skerritt, and so on were perfectly cast for the film.  Walken is a pop culture icon for hos now famous mannerisms and tone but in The Dead Zone he showcases his fantastic acting.  His character carries the film and he does an amazing job.  The supporting cast is just as entertaining but Walken is the center of attention.  The story for this one is a great mesh of sci-fi para-science and horror.  The psychic helping the police and others find a serial killer and using his powers to stop the mass suffering is a pretty entertaining and clever spin on the genre.  Sure, it's not that original by the 80s but King's writing style makes it fun.    The movie does slow down at times but the character and story keeps the viewer following along.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  We do get a little blood but the film itself is more focused on the characters and the story instead of the blood.  The practical effects we get work for what they are but gorehounds will be disappointed.  Overall, The Dead Zone Is an absolutely amazing sci-fi/horror mashup that really works.  I fucking loved the story and the acting is top notch.  This blu release is a crystal clear transfer but far from the best I've seen.  If you have never seen this film I would highly suggest checking it out.  

To Your Last Death

Director - Jason Axinn (Space Guys in Space, Funeral Sex)

Starring - Morena Baccarin (Deadpool, Serenity), Dani Lennon (Bite Me, The Love Witch), and Ray Wise (Batman: The Killing Joke, Jeepers Creepers 2)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Lock the bets"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror is a very divisive genre.  Not only can horror elements be mixed with other genres but the horror genre itself consists of so many different sub-genres and styles that can be used by a filmmaker to make something truly unique.  Horror has been blended with animation in the past for film and television with shows and movies like Mr. Pickles, The Halloween Tree, Vampire Hunter D, and so on.  It does happen but not that often.  Sometime ago I received the press release for the 2019 horror action animated flick To Your Last Death.  The trailer was violently fun so I reached out and was able to get a review copy.  I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed this one.

     The film follows a young man who is the daughter of a wealthy businessman.  Her two brothers and sisters have grown distant but are brought together by their father.  He reveals that he has an inoperable brain tumor and expresses his disappointment in them all.  He judges each and every one of them and then sends them to their death.  His daughter Miriam survives and is taken to the hospital where the police suspect her of going crazy.  Here she meets the Gamemaster who offers to take her back in time 24 hours so she can save her siblings but she has other plans for Miriam.

     I didn't know what to expect from this one.  The trailer looked fun and I really enjoyed the animation style but I was afraid the movie would be one of the many that highlighted the good in the trailer while leaving nothing for the viewer to see in the actual film.   I was wrong.  The voice acting in this one is pretty consistent.  Some of the voices fit the characters a little better than others but all were solid.  The cast does a great job at charging the scene with just their voices and several have a great emotional range.  The story for this one is The Belko Experiment meets Supernatural.  We follow people stuck in a high rise as they fight through their father's hired mercenaries all while being controlled by a higher power.  It's fun but it is stretched a little too thin.  The hour and a half running time is a bit of a drag with the story the way it's told.  The predictability also takes away from the impact of the story.  It's still a fun watch but some of the fat could be trimmed down.  Finally, though animated, the film has some pretty violent death scenes with plenty of gore and blood.  Nothing is off limits with animation and the filmmaker took full advantage of this to deliver some bloody bits for the viewers.  Overall, To Your Last Death is a violent and beautifully stylized animated action horror flick that begs to be seen.  It was highly entertaining albeit a little too long.  Some of the scenes did drag on a bit but the overall flick was worth it.  Check it out.  

Tower Rats

Director - Kevin Walter (Trailersploitation, Drive-In Grindhouse)

Starring - Lloyd Kaufman (After School Lunch Special, Easter Bunny Bloodbath 2: No More Tears), Tyler Gallant (Death by VHS, Night of the Sea Monkey: A Disturbing Tale), and Doug Sakmann (#Shakespeare's Shitstorm, Cross Bearer)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Comedy

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the last few years I've met several amazing people that is associated with Troma.  Most of you know my love for Troma and it's been an awesome experience meeting others who love or has worked with Troma in the past.  Sometime back I befriended filmmaker Kevin Walter on Facebook and he told me about his upcoming film Tower Rats and how it featured several Troma alumni.  I was curious about the film and over the coming months he would share different segments from the film.  A few days ago he sent me over the near finished product for review.  Thanks Kevin!

     The film has no story.  Instead, it features shorts and different segments featuring various actors and actresses ranging from drag queens to a love affair with a teddy bear.

     Troma and the films associated with this iconic indie production company are always weird, unique, and sometimes experimental.  Tower Rats is easily the weirdest and unconventional movie I had ever seen.  I'm 34 years old and this is the strangest film I've seen out of the three decades I've been watching movies.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  Some of the scenes are fairly well acted while others are pretty cringy at times.  Due to the length of the cast I can't give credit to where credit is due but some were great while others showed great inexperience.  The segments in this one all lack a story.  The film consists of skits and shorts that are funny but have no connection to one another.  It's chaotic and unorganized but it does deliver some laughs and crazy moments.  Finally, the film has a little blood but it is not a horror flick.  This sketch shitshow is more focused on story and characters rather than blood.  Overall, Tower Rats is unlike anything you will ever see in your life.  I don't know if that's a good thing but that definitely makes it unique.  Honestly, I had some laughs and fun with this one but it's damn near impossible to describe.  Check this one out if you ever get the chance.