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.  

Forbidden Game of Love

Director - Eloy de la Iglesia (The Priest, Confessions of a Congressman)

Starring - Javier Escriva (Brigada Central, Obscene Desire), John Moulder-Brown (The Devil in the Fog, Miss Marple: Sleeping Murder), and Inma de Santis (Sonatas, Estudio 1)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Drama/Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm going to have my hands full with Spanish cinema the next few weeks thanks to some of my favorite boutique labels and I'm really excited for the opportunity to check these out!  Not only has my friends over at Severin Films released a fantastic box set of late 60s and early 70s cinema from Spain but my friends over at Mondo Macabro has released a trio of Spanish horror and thrillers from area and era.  I just watched and reviewed Mondo Macabro's release of I Hate My Body and decided to follow it up with their second release of the the three which is the 1975 dramatic thriller Forbidden Game of Love.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over!

     The film follows a young couple who are hitchhiking after classes when their wealthy professor picks them up.  He takes them back to his home where he puts them up for the night.  The following day they try to leave and he refuses to let them go.  He then offers them a proposal.  He will provide them with everything they need or want if they promise never to leave.  They refuse at first but he has his servant force them to stay.  Overtime, the two start to succumb to his torture and brainwashing.

     I'm not well versed on the history of Spain but from what I can gather was that Spain was under fascist rule until the mid-70s.  This time, known as Francoist Spain, saw heavy censorship with a lot of the more bold and boundary pushing films getting censored.  That is one of the many reasons I'm excited to see these films from the time.  Forbidden Game of Love is not the wildest or craziest film I've seen but I can only imagine how a conservative government would lose their mind over it.  The acting in this one is very well done.  The cast works very well together and bring to life some fantastic characters with their performances.  Honestly, I really enjoyed the cast and how each character interacted with one another.  It made the film for me.  The story for this one is not as wild as I was expecting but that be due to years of sexploitation has desensitized me.  We follow a wealthy man and his rather timid associate/servant as they "torture" and brainwash a young couple.  It's nothing that brutal or extreme by any standards but it's a solid watch especially with the acting we have.  Finally, the film has some skin but don't expect it to be a bloody affair like you would expect from most of the films I review.  The film is very story rich and character driven.  Overall, Forbidden Game of Love is the kind of film that I would never have the chance to enjoy if it wasn't for companies like Mondo Macabro.  It's a wild film that may seem tame by today's standards but did get some knickers in a twist at the time, so to speak.  I highly recommend checking this one out.  

I Hate My Body

Director - Leon Klimovsky (Devil's Possessed, Strange Love of the Vampires)

Starring - Alexandra Bastedo (Batman Begins, The Ghoul), Narciso Ibanez Menta (The Beast Must Die, The Night of the Werewolf), and Gemma Cuervo (Midsummer Dream, Rain for a Dusty Summer)

Release Date - 1974

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The brain of a man... the body of a woman... the sexual horror story of our time!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Boutique labels do a lot for cinema history and preserving it.  They do so much for the horror community by restoring and releasing many forgotten films that either found themselves stuck in VHS or DVD era technology.  These labels also bring long forgotten foreign films to us as well.  Several weeks back Mondo Macabro and CAV sent over the press release for the 1974 sci-fi horror flick from Spain titled I Hate My Body.  I was recently sent a box set from Severin featuring films from Spain around the same time so this release from Mondo Macabro really peaked my interest.  Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a business man who is out of town for work when he suffers an accident.  He soon finds himself in a living nightmare when the doctor, a defacto Nazi doctor, places his brain inside the body of a beautiful young woman.  This completely changes his life for him.  His wife leaves him, he faces misogyny from his former peers, and his sex life is turned upside down.  

     I went into I Hate My Body completely blind and enjoyed the movie for the most part.  I don't typically care for the brain transplant style horror and sci-fi films but this one had some fun moments.  It's not a movie that I see myself revisiting but it was a solid first time watch.  The acting in this one is a bit clunky at times and very overdramatic at others.  The film is not grounded at all and the cast is inconsistent throughout.  The story for this one is more in line of an exploitation flick that points out the injustices that many women faced especially in the early 70s.  It's not really a horror film in a traditional sense but I'm sure it's a nightmare to live through.  The film has some solid pacing but a few of the scenes does drag on due to the stiff and awkward acting.  A little tighter editing would have went a long way.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  The film uses the story to get to the viewer.  With have some skin, a little practical effects for the hospital scenes and that is about the extent of it.  Fans expecting the red stuff going into this one will surely be disappointed.  Overall, I Hate My Body is a strange yet truly unique early 70s sci-fi horror flick that almost feels like a pro-feminism film.  It's not a movie that has great replay value but it's enjoyable for what it is.  Mondo Macabro did a fantastic job bringing this one to us uncultured heathens.  Check it out.  

The Mortuary Assistant

Director - Jeremiah Kipp (Slapface, The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story)

Starring - Willa Holland (Legion, Arrow), John Adams (Hellbender, Where the Devil Roams), and Paul Sparks (Waco, The Lowdown)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Alone with the dead"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm an avid gamer and have been most of my life.  Horror as always been an obsession but I spend more time with a controller or keyboard and mouse in my hand than I do watching movies.  I've been gaming on PC for a few years now and found dozens of fantastic indie horror games through Steam.  One of those eerily creepy horror games was The Mortuary Assistant.  This game was originally released in 2022 but it wasn't until last summer that I decided to finally play it.  I loved the atmosphere, the tension, and some of the little details they added into the game to really drive in that supernatural and occult aspect.  While the jump scares didn't always work, it still delivered one of the most genuinely unnerving playthroughs that I've experienced as an adult.  A few weeks back I received a press release for the film adaptation and was very excited for it.  My mind immediately raced with the ideas of how the movie would play out and which parts of the game would be included.  A few days later I received a link to review the film and I quickly jumped on it!  I couldn't wait to check it out.

     The film follows a young woman who is recently hired as an assistant at a mortuary.  She is then asked to cover a night shift after proving to the mortician that she is more than capable of taking care of things in his absence.  He has her come in one night when several bodies are delivered.  Alone, she starts preparing the bodies as normal but things are anything but.  She starts to receive strange phone calls from her boss and other strange occurrences before realizing that something is in the mortuary with her.  

     As I stated earlier, The Mortuary Assistant is one of the creepiest indie games that I've been fortunate enough to play.  It's not a perfect game but it makes great use of the location and story.  I had high hopes for this adaptation and was surprised to see that Jeremiah Kipp had brought the film to life.  I recently reviewed Kipp's The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story and enjoyed it.  This only fueled my excitement for the film.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  The film really is a one person show with Willa Holland doing most of the heavy lifting.  I'm a huge fan of the DC series Arrow and The Flash and knew she would do great in this role.  She really gets into the role and makes it her own while showcasing a wide range of emotions.  The supporting cast is effective in their roles but the movie is all eyes on Holland and she delivers.  The story for this one does make some minor changes from the game but still remains true to the game for the most part.  These changes are noticeable but it makes sense as to why they were made.  The location is very similar to the mortuary in the game and a lot of the trickets, symbols, and so on are very influenced by the game.  With that being said, the film is unable to duplicate the spine-chilling atmosphere and tension that made the game so much fun.  The film is dark and really tries to use the slow pacing to it's advantage but it just doesn't work like expected.  Finally, the film has some amazing effects.  The autopsy scenes are fucking phenomenal.  The effects for these scenes look top notch and unforgettable.  We also have some fun make-up effects on some of the characters.  Sadly, the main supernatural presence, shown on the film's artwork, is goofy.  I was hoping the film would take a more realistic look with the creature but what we get is laughable at best.  Overall, The Mortuary Assistant is a faithful adaptation to a very underrated game.  While it doesn't have the atmosphere that the game has, it is still an entertaining horror film.  Willa Holland is fantastic and the effects are a must see.  Check it out especially if you dig the game like I do.  

     

Sorority of the Damned

Director(s) - Joe Davison (Up All Night with Rhonda Shear, Frost Bite) and Roy Knyrim (Death Racers, Cemetery Gates)

Starring - Joe Davison, Kaleina Cordova (Knock Knock, American Horror Story), and Chelsea Jordan (On-Site, The Itch)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Witches be crazy"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely love horror comedies.  While Savini's take on Night of the Living Dead was my introduction to the genre, it was films like Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, Dead Heat, and so on that really made me a genre fan.  My shift from pop horror to indie horror hasn't been without it's own disadvantages.  I miss watching polished movies with decent acting.  I love the passion, originality, and creativity that accompanies the indie films but a lot of times they feature rough acting and barely resemble a movie.  There has been some well made horror comedies pop up over the last decade or so.  The Moleman of Belmont Ave., Deathgasm, and Psycho Goreman just to name a few.  Several months back I received a press release for the horror comedy Sorority of the Damned.  The film was recently added to Tubi and they were trying to get the word out.  I decided to check out the trailer, which I rarely do, and was surprised by how fun it looked.  I went ahead and added it to my watchlist.  After a few snow days here, I decided to check it out while I was snowed in.  I'm glad I did because it was a lot of fun.

     The film follows an educated man turned plumber who works for a sorority that often flushes feminine hygiene products.  He turned his back on his career when he learned that he comes from a long line of monster/witch hunters.  This comes in handy as the sorority he is employed for is about to be become by ancient witches with plans of taking over the world.  

     I went into this one with an open mind expecting to have some laughs but I was rather disappointed in that regard.  I grew up on Pee Wee's Playhouse, Beavis and Butthead, South Park, and the like so my sense of humor is pretty broad.  However, this film was not funny but it was still a lot of fun for what it is.  The acting in this one is one of the better aspects of the film.  Joe Davison wasn't doing it for me.  His Will Sasso inspired performance wasn't as funny as they thought and it made a lot of the scenes feel goofy in an unfunny way.  With that being said, I really enjoyed the supporting cast.  The women are beautiful and seriously talented in front of the screen.  In fact, I was impressed by them so much that I started looking at their previous films on imdb.com while I was putting this review together.  The story for this one is pretty clever but I kind of wish that it took itself a little more seriously than it did.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love horror comedies but a lot of time the humor doesn't find its mark.  Sadly, that was the case here.  The jokes are repetitive and most of them feel very forced.  With that being said, I loved the legacy of the witch hunter, the sorority being a front for an ancient coven, and the depth some of the characters had.  Finally, the film has some blood, fun costumes and make-up, and some really fun sets.  It's not a gory flick and does incorporate some cheesy visual effects but I appreciate how much time was spent on the practical effects with this one.  Overall, Sorority of the Damned is the kind of movie I could see myself renting as a kid in the late 90s.  It would have been a lot of fun to watch with some of the mid-90s Full Moon flicks.  While it does have some issues and lacks the humor they were going for, it was still fun especially for a first time watch.  Check it out on Tubi!

The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story

Director - Jeremiah Kipp (Slapface, The Mortuary Assistant)

Starring - Typhena Wade (Secrets of an Influencer, One Night Stand Murder), Nikelola Balogun (Disco Inferno, Time Stamp), and Stephen Cofield Jr. (Terrifier 3, Harlem)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     Social media is a valuable resource for genre fans.  I love indie productions and often look through Instagram tags and indie movie groups for movies that I've never seen before.  I've found several fantastic movies that way.  A few weeks ago I was looking through an indie horror group when I found a post for Jeremiah Kipp's folk horror film The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story.  I grew up in southern Appalachia and had heard stories about boo hags but I wasn't too familiar with them so the film really peaked me interest.  It was shared in that same post that the film was now streaming on Tubi.  I absolutely love Tubi and how they give indie films such a big voice.  I added it to my watchlist and as soon as I could I hit play on it!

     The film follows a couple, Leah (Wade) and Asa (Cofield), who return to Asa's childhood home after the unexpected death of his mother.  Asa's father is leaving his family land with plans of leaving it to Asa and his wife.  However, a fresh start for the couple isn't exactly how it seems.  Leah becomes haunted by visions, fainting spells, and night terrors.  She soon learns about a local hoodoo legend and suspects that Asa's mom was cursed which was why she died unexpectedly and now she is cursed as well.  Asa, who grew up in the area and knows almost all of the locals, doesn't believe her which caused a strain on the two until tensions come to a boil.

     As I stated earlier, I went into this one with a vague idea of what a boo hag is and this movie didn't really deliver on the preconceived notions as to what I thought a boo hag was.  I always thought a boo hag was a cross between a witch and a vampire that would crawl out of their skin at night and slowly drain the life/steal the breath of people as they slept.  The area where I grew up in Appalachia called them haints or blue ghosts.  The Geechee Witch doesn't really follow the idea of what I thought a boo hag was but still delivered a solid hoodoo/voodoo story with steep southern lore.  The acting in this one is the film highlight.  The characters are fairly generic and flat but the cast does the best with what they had.  Their performances are very grounded and show a wide range of emotions.  Honestly, I feel like this story wouldn't have been as enjoyable if anyone else took over these roles.  The story for this one starts out fine and turns into a slow burn with a lot of great hoodoo and southern lore scattered throughout but the last leg of the film falls apart.  I loved the long burn the film tries to establish with the wife being cursed and how it tied to the late mother.  However, the story becomes painfully dull before the big reveal.  The last leg is very uneventful for the most part and the viewer finds themselves tuned out by the hour mark.  The movie has some serious writing and editing issues.  Finally, the film is not a bloody or gory flick.  I liked the look of the "witch" and we get some light make-up effects but that is the extent of the red stuff.  Overall, The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story is not a bad movie.  Hell, I even enjoyed it but it's not without it's faults.  It is a bit tough to finish once you hit the hour mark but if you stick with it you will enjoy it.  Check it out.  

A Man for Emmanuelle

Director - Cesare Canevari (Killing of the Flesh, The Nude Princess)

Starring - Erika Blanc (Kill Baby... Kill!, A Dragonfly for Each Corpse), Adolfo Celi (The Phantom of Liberty, Madly in Love), and Paolo Ferrari (Nero Wolfe, Married to a Cop)

Release Date - Drama/Erotic

Tagline - "The queer... the erotic... the hippie... all turned her on!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I went into the Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection, I thought it was four films featuring Sylvia Kristel as the title character.  However, that was not the case at all.  The first three films in the set did feature Kristel in her iconic role but the fourth film really caught me off guard.  The final Emmanuelle film was actually the 1969 Italian drama A Man for Emmanuelle starring Erika Blanc as Emmanuelle.  I became very interested in the film especially when I realized that it was not one of the films starring Kristel.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows Emmanuelle (Blanc) who has her eye on someone.  Instead of approaching them like a rational human being, she starts sleeping with everyone she crosses paths with regardless of gender.  

     I went into this one not knowing what to expect.  Was this a film that would later inspire the Emmanuelle series that I know or would it just be a film that shares a common name?  I don't know the back story behind this one but I did like it as a film but it wasn't near as sleazy and enjoyable as the Sylvia Kristel films.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part and pretty consistent which is something you can't really say about the previous three films I reviewed.  Blanc doesn't really carry the scene like Kristel can but she is a hell of a lot better actress.  The supporting cast does a solid job as well but it's Blanc that's the focus of the film.  The story for this one is nowhere near as sleazy as the first film but does have some sexy moments.  With that being said, it does lack in the story department with what feels like an anti-sex message.  We have a woman bouncing from sexual partner to sexual partner as she explores her sexual freedom.  The further she goes into these encounters, the more her life is turned upside down.  The film seems to have a completely different message than the subsequent Emmanuelle films.  Finally, the film doesn't have the amount of skin as I was expecting but there is some.  Those of you wanting a sleazy watch may be disappointed just like those of you wanting some blood and gore.  Overall, A Man for Emmanuelle is nothing like I expected but it was still an enjoyable film.  While it doesn't live up to the Emmanuelle name, I can only assume that it inspired the now legendary franchise.  Check it out especially if you dig the other films.  

Goodbye, Emmanuelle

Director - Francois Leterrier (The Hippies, The Bodyguard)

Starring - Sylvia Kristel (The Swing Girls, Sexy Boys), Umberto Orsini (The Bible Collection: Esther, Beyond Good and Evil), and Jean-Pierre Bouvier (The Divorce, Mail from the Sky)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Drama/Erotic

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When Severin sent me the Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection, I had already seen the first two films in the set.  However, this collection features two Emmanuelle films that were new to me.  I do enjoy the first two films and had a lot of fun revisiting them which only made me even more excited to see these final two!  The next film in the set is the third Emmanuelle film from 1977 titled Goodbye, Emmanuelle or Emmanuelle III.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows Emmanuelle (Kristel) who is once again in an exotic location with her husband living the swinging life.  However, after Emmanuelle gets close with a filmmaker, her husband starts to become jealous and wants to keep her all to himself.  

     I know there is a lot of these Emmanuelle films but I wonder how many of them recycle the same stories?  Goodbye, Emmanuelle doesn't really bring us anything new but god damn was it still a lot of fun.  I went into this one thinking it was going to be the turning point in the series but I was wrong.  This is one of the instances where if it's not broke then it doesn't need fixed makes complete sense.  The acting in this one is more like the first film with Kristel really finds her groove as Emmanuelle.  She carries every scene she is in with her sultry sex appeal and natural charisma in front of the camera.  Sadly, the supporting cast is hit or miss in this one.  In some of the scenes the cast delivers stiff dialogue with zero emotion while other scenes are decently acted by the same cast members.  I don't know if these scenes are rushed, poorly written, or the cast is just over it by that point.  I can only assume but it's clear something is off.  The story for this one is just the same rehashing of the first two films with a little change.  We follow Emmanuelle and her husband in a different country as they get busy with different people.  However, this time we have the addition of the jealousy angle that takes up a very small portion of the film.  This little change does bring something new to the story but it's nothing that truly stands out when you sit back and compare it to the other films.  Finally, this one offers up just as much skin as the previous films.  Lots of beautiful women baring it all for sleazy movie fans to enjoy.  Overall, Goodbye, Emmanuelle is a solid entry in the iconic Emmanuelle series.  It's not a revolutionary sequel but it's still a fun watch.  Check it out.  

Emmanuelle II

Director - Francis Giacobetti

Starring - Sylvia Kristel (Private School, Private Lessons), Umberto Orsini (The Damned, Solomon), and Frederic Lagache 

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Romance/Drama

Tagline - "The erotic masterpiece"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm only assuming here but over the course of a decade or longer I think I've reviewed close to 100 sexploitation films thanks to companies like Mondo Macabro, Blue Underground, Vinegar Syndrome, Severin, Synapse/Impulse Pictures, and so on.  These boutique labels really care about preserving cinema.  While most have an eye for horror and exploitation, they do frequently release films that are on the sleazy side of cinema.  A few years back I was lucky enough to review an Emmanuelle double feature from my friends at Umbrella Entertainment.  I can no longer find those reviews for some reason but I do remember really enjoying those films thanks to the salacious performance from Sylvia Kristel.  A couple weeks ago I was sent the Saga Erotica: The Emmanuelle Collection by Severin to check out.  This was a great reason to revisit these historic films in 4K.  I want to thank Severin for sending it over!  

     The film once again follows Emmanuelle (Kristel) who travels to Hong Kong to find her husband.  On the way she has sex with a woman who professes that she was once raped by several women and enjoyed it.  She then meets a young man and his mistress.  She quickly becomes close friends with them both and starts sleeping with her before she moves on to exploring Hong Kong where she will continue to explore her sexuality.

     A lot of the sequels I review never live up to the original film.  However, Emmanuelle 2 is one of the few instances where the sequel is just as good.  This is wild when you think about how this is the directors only film and it's an erotic drama from the mid-70s.  Most of these films rarely gain traction yet the original film spawned almost a dozen sequels.  I remember liking Emmanuelle 2 when I first watched it several years back but I really appreciate it as a film after revisiting them both.  Between the two films, this one is not as enjoyable but as a film it is leagues above the original.  The acting in this one is very well rounded.  Sylvia Kristel once again shines as the sexy star of the film.  Her character is what makes these movies so enjoyable and her performance here once again shines.  The supporting cast delivers performances that are just as good making the acting in this one more consistent than the previous film.  The story for this one does expand on the previous film some but doesn't really bring anything new to the table.  What made the first film so much fun was the way in which Emmanuelle was reluctant at first to the sexual exploits she was in.  In this follow up we have her more than willing to dive head first into these encounters while giving viewers a similar story as the first film where we follow her in a different country as she experiences new sexual situations for the first time.  A little drama in this one would have went a very long way.  Finally, there is a lot of skin in this one with some gorgeous women baring it all for us to take in.  There is no blood or gore for us horror fans but fans of exploitation will really dig it.  Overall, Emmanuelle II has better acting and cinematography but the story doesn't really give us something new.  It's still a fun watch but don't expect something that will stick with you like the original.