Fungicide

Director - Dave Wascavage (Suburban Sasquatch, Adventures of a Haunted House)

Starring - Wes Miller (Suburban Sasquatch), David Weldon (Zombie by Design, Tartarus), and Mary Wascavage (Adventures of a Haunted House, Zombies by Design)

Release Date - 2002

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "You don't pick them, they pick you"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago I bought a 50 movie set of indie, no budget flicks.  Hell, I bought several of these sets because those are the kind of movies that I seriously love.  I couldn't tell you which set it was in but one of them had the 2002 horror comedy Fungicide from Suburban Sasquatch director Dave Wascavage.  I was still in college when I snagged this set and the first time I watched it I was absolutely hammered on confiscated alcohol that I had taken from my residents when I was an RA.  I remembered some kung-fu mushrooms and horrible visual effects but that was about it.  A few weeks back my friends over at Visual Vengeance sent me a copy of the film on blu for review.  Honestly, I was really excited to revisit it because it had been damn near 20 years since my original viewing.  This gave me the perfect excuse to check it out.  Once again I would like to thank Visual Vengeance for sending this one over for review!

      The film follows a wanna be scientist that works in his parent's basement.  His mother thinks he is working too hard and forces him to take a vacation.  In pure bad movie fashion, he takes a test tube full of his experiment fluid where he accidentally spills it in the grass turning the vegetation around his vacation home into mushroom monsters.  

     I'm a fan of the no budget masterpiece Suburban Sasquatch and I know that I had watched Fungicide in the past which made me really excited to check out this blu release.  Sadly, I didn't care for this one.  It has a lot of the elements that made Suburban Sasquatch so much fun but it wasn't able to duplicate the results.  The acting in this one is fun for the kind of film it is.  The cast consists of those with no on screen experience and some with very little experience.  The characters are all over the place ranging from high energy comical characters to more serious characters that feel out of place.  Those that watch enough no budget horror will know exactly what I mean.  The story for this one is a fun mash up of the science run amok, straight to video action of the mid-90s, and little creature features.  I really dig what they were trying to achieve but the film just doesn't have the humor that made Suburban Sasquatch so much fun.  Most of the scenes are dull with the exception of the bonkers fight scenes and random deaths.  Honestly, I wish more time was spent on just one aspect of the story instead of having everything as spread out as it was.  It would have helped with the pacing tremendously.  Finally, the film has some of the worst visual effects I have witnessed and some of the most creative no-budget practical effects I have ever seen.  The film really did use everything they had at their disposal which resulted in some unintentionally funny moments and no so memorable deaths.  A mushroom creature fighting people could have been so much more fun that what it was.  Overall, Fungicide is a movie that I thought I would be fully behind but found myself seriously struggling to finish it.  I hate writing a negative review for a movie I was sent but I'm just being honest.  I could recommend several other Visual Vengeance films over this title.  

Showdown in Secret City

Director(s) - Vinnie Vineyard (Wrestling with Ghosts, Camp Smokey) and Luke Walker (The Hike, Haunted Graves)

Starring - Travis Graves (Swipe Wrong, Logan's Chapel), Kandi Thompson (WJHC AM, Tainy My Ride!), and Luke Walker

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Comedy/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "Artificial intelligence vs low intelligence"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love reviewing independent features.  I don't care if they are movies that I like or dislike.  It doesn't matter if it was made for a few dollars to just shy of a million.  All that matters to me is that they are made by someone passionate about the project and not just someone wanting to cash in on whatever trend is sweeping through the horror community at the time.  Watching an indie movie is an experience that I really enjoy even if the movie wasn't that great to me.  Sometime ago indie filmmaker Vinnie Vineyard contacted me to review several of his films.  The movies that I was lucky enough to review were hit or miss with me.  For every movie that I liked, there was one that just wasn't for me.  A few weeks back he reached out to review his newest film which is a sci-fi comedy titled Showdown in Secret City.  I wasn't able to get to it right away and I would like to apologize to Vinnie for the delay on the review.

     The film follows a small production company when they realize they signed over all their rights when they signed an agreement to have their films streaming in a different country.  Now they are forced to film a movie written entirely by AI.  They do as instructed for fear of losing their jobs and find themselves responsible for a box office hit.  Instead of celebrating, they quickly realize that the company they started for fun is long gone and they are just a cog in an AI machine.

     I knew absolutely nothing about this one prior to giving it a watch.  The title didn't really stir my imagination and the poster did absolutely nothing for me but the film's tagline really peaked my interest.  AI is a huge deal among the indie community and I was really curious to see what that had to do with the film.  The acting in this one is inconsistent but it's not bad.  Some of the scenes have some forced dialogue that is a bit awkward to sit through while other scenes feature a more relaxed cast that is able to deliver dialogue more naturally.  The scenes later on in the film is much more genuine and the cast does a much better job interacting with one another.  The story for this one takes some time to get moving but once it does it is surprisingly fun.  The beginning 20 or 30 minutes of the film made me think that I was about sit through another film like The Hike.  However, I stuck with it and the film did pick up substantially.  I loved the way AI was used in the story, the addition of the "porn and cats," and how people absolutely loved the film made with AI.  AI is controversial as hell but we all know how people, especially keyboard warriors, are hypocritical.  With all that being said, a lot of the humor didn't find it's mark.  I did chuckle at their AI representative going topless due to the amount of people that search for porn.  It was about the only funny moment that I found in the film.  Also, there is a documentary film crew "filming" the entire ordeal but they only appear randomly through the film and it doesn't really feel like the mockumentary I was expecting early on.  Finally, don't expect a film with memorable deaths or a lot of blood.  Instead, this is a sci-fi comedy that is light on the comedy.  It's satirical in nature but not catered to those of us that have a taste for the red stuff.  We don't really have any practical or visual effects to enjoy.  Overall, Showdown in Secret City is not what I was expecting at all.  I could blame my age and cynicism because I didn't find the movie funny but it was enjoyable for the most part.  It has a clever story that was fun but is not without some holes in the plot.  Check it out.  

Until You're Alone

Director - Christopher Wesley Moore (When the Trash Man Knocks, Children of Sin)

Starring - Derek Robert Hull Bond (Broad Daylight, A Time for Romance), Keni Bounds (Triggered, Blessed are the Children), and Jeff Buchwald (Bastard's Crossing, The Wilderness Road)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The only thing more terrifying than being alone... is discovering that you arent"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely love that we have a rise in LGBTQ+ films in the genre.  I love seeing all the representation in horror and, honestly, some of my favorite horror and exploitation flicks over the last decade or so has been LGBTQ+.  If you haven't seen Fags in the Fast Lane then do yourself a favor and check it out!  Anyway, I've been reviewing the films of actor/director Christopher Wesley Moore for a long time now.  It started with his film Perversion and hasn't stopped.  A few weeks back I was asked by Moore to review his newest giallo inspired murder mystery Until You're Alone.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but I worked it into my schedule as soon as I could.  I want to thank Christopher for sending this one along for review!

     The film follows a man who returns home early to find a sex worker in his home along with his dead husband.  The police suspect him for the murder forcing him to track down the sex worker to get some answers.  He soon learns that he is not responsible for the murder but one of his regulars may be the one behind the string of deaths targeting gay men.

     I've reviewed a good bit of Moore's filmography and I've enjoyed most of his work.  With that being said, this is easily my favorite film of his.  I loved the characters, a lot of the story elements, and how well the story was put together.  Honestly, this may be one of my favorite indie productions of the year.  The acting in this one is very well done... for the most part.  Moore is a fantastic actor but I've met enough sex workers that also doubled as indie actors over the years and he was not that convincing as a sex worker.  However, he can fucking carry a scene.  He really gets into character and completely transforms into any character you throw at him.  The supporting cast is great as well.  We get some great performances from across the board on this one and if I was to take the time to point out every one I would be here all day.  The story for this one works.  Typically, I don't care for modern giallo style murder mysteries because it's damn near impossible to capture the look of the iconic films from filmmakers like Argento and Fulci.  However, Until You're Alone is not only able to do so but also add in current tech trends without making it the center of the story.  Horror films centered around niche social media sites, trends, and so on date themselves and are extremely goofy.  The sex work through cam sites and so on works for the little bit that it's used in the film and is a pretty clever plot point in the mystery.  We do have a few scenes near the middle of the film that does feel repetitive but it doesn't really take away from the overall film.  Finally, the film gives us several slasher-esque style deaths that gives us some make-up effects without going overboard.  While the kills are not that memorable or imaginative, they still fit the film very well and look great.  Overall, Until You're Alone is a movie that I can see a lot of genre fans getting behind.  It's a fantastic LGBTQ+ themed giallo that is not easily predictable and works.  I highly recommend it.  

Hantu Ambulance

Director - Nayato Fio Nuala (After School Horror 2, Horror House)

Starring - Suzzanna (White Crocodile Queen, Santet 2), William Alvin, and Dimaz Andrean (Setannya Cuan, El: The Movie)

Release Date - 2008

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Suzzanna returns"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm a fan of early 2000s horror.  I was in high school in the early 2000s and this was the time I really found myself becoming obsessed with the genre.  It was during these years that my movie collection grew substantially.  After snagging some must own genre titles, I quickly took a deep dive into indie and no budget cinema.   Companies like Midnight Release, Tempe Video, and so on were my go to.  I never expected that I would be reviewing a late 2000's Indonesian no budget horror film that found it's way into a boxset from my friends over at Severin.  The final film in the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness is the 2008 supernatural tale Hantu Ambulance.  I want to take a moment and thank Severin for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a young man who is moving away from his family home to be closer to school.  His grandmother tries to talk him out of it but he is unwilling to listen but soon learns that his family is cursed.  His grandmother made a deal wit ha benevolent force for fortunes if she provides it with a sacrifice.  She did not keep up with her end of the bargain and now it is taking her family from her one by one.

     I had no idea what to expect when I tossed this one in.  I knew it was a newer film but it wasn't until I was putting the review together that I learned that it was Suzzanna's last film and her first feature film in almost 20 years after taking a hiatus to deal with health issues.  Sadly. this is easily the worst film in the set and one that I struggled to finish.  The acting in this one is very awkward.  The Bollywood style camp and cheese that made the first three films in the set so fun are now replaced with a more serious tone.  Most of the cast lacks on screen experience which makes a lot of these "serious" scenes feel a bit awkward.  The cast really tries to get into their roles but the lack of experience and emptions makes many of the scenes unintentionally funny.  The story for this one uses the severely underrated generational curse lore that I've been fortunate enough to read in several novels and stories through the years but rarely see as the focus of film.  This would have works in a J-Horror style film if they didn't toss in the random ambulance storyline with some of the random encounters that take place.  It feels as if the story was never finished and the filmmakers used what resources they had with the little budget left to piece something together.  I seriously wanted to like this story but it's missing so much.  Finally, the film tries to offer some jump scares but they never work and the practical effects that you would expect from a film featuring Suzzanna are nowhere to be found.  The movie doesn't give us the death scenes we would like and the effects we do get are forgettable.  Overall, Hantu Ambulance is a missed opportunity all around from the acting and story to the death scenes.  I sincerely hate that this is the last film Suzzanna appeared in because it's difficult to finish.  I hate to say it but I would skip this one.  

Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic

Director - David Gregory (One-Way Ticket to the Other Side, Taste the Blood of Martin)

Starring - Clift Sangra (Suzzanna: Buried Alive, Suzzanna: Witchcraft), Joko Anwar (Reunion Z, Macabre), and Gope T. Samtani (Ghost in the Cell, Smothered)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The mysterious true story of Indonesia's iconic horror star"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I don't know why the set is packed in the order that it was but I'm too lazy to take the time to see what order the films in the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness were released.  Instead, I'm just pulling then out one by one with the fourth film being the 2024 documentary Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic which should not be confused with the 1981 film The Queen of Black Magic starring Suzzanna herself.  Honestly, I was kind of excited to check out the doc so I could learn more about this Indonesian horror legend that I had never heard of before.

     The film explores the early works and extrordinary career of Indonesia's biggest horror star, Suzzanna.  

     The legend of Suzzanna is one that I find extremey underrated especially after watching this documentary.  I never realized just how prolific and incrimental her films were to not only the horror community in Indonesia, but also, the Indonesian movie industry in general.  The interviews in this one range from family friends, acquantices, fans, and those inspired by her work to pursue film.  We get a wide range of interviews with an even wider range of backgrounds and connections to the legend.  The topics discussed range from her life before her iconic career to her career, her hiatus from filming, and then her reemergence as on of the biggest horror icons in the country.  They are in chronoligical order and carry a lot of information.  Finally, the film is very well editing and pieced together.  The transitions are not overwhelming and work great for the type of documentary that they are going for.  Overall, Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic is the movie that I wish I had watched first when I started checking out this set.  It's very informative and really opened my eyes as to how important Suzzanna is to horror history.  I highly recommend it.  

Kliwon Friday Night

Director - Sisworo Gautam Putra (Wolf, Primitif)

Starring - Amit Abidin (The Stabilizer, Revenge of the Ninja), Soendjoto Adibroto (White Crocodile Queen, Pact with the Forces of Darkness), Ali Albar (Diskotik DJ, Satan's Slave)

Release Date - 1986

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    The Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness set from Severin Films is one hell of a ride that I was not expecting.  I considered Putra one of my favorite directors for the sole reason that I absolutely adore his film Satan's Slave.  However, after watching a few of the films in this set I can safely say that he may not be my favorite but I still respect the hell out of him.  I've reviewed a few of his films in this and I have to say they are the true definition of what it means when people say a movie is a roller coaster ride.  The movies have so many ups and downs but that doesn't mean they are good.  Hell, by western standards, these films are not that great but I still have fun with them.  I was still excited to check out the next film of his in the Suzzanna set, Kliwon Friday Night.  

     The film follows a struggling author who rents a supposedly haunted house to work on her next piece of fiction.  However, the spirit in the home refuses to give her a chance to write as it immediately starts attacking her and anyone that comes near the property.  

     I knew it wasn't going to be but in the back of my mind I was hoping that I would be in the same vein as Satan's Slave.  I know you are probably sick of me saying it but I fucking love this movie.  Kliwon Friday Night was not like it but it had some of the weirdest moments I've ever seen in a movie.  The acting in this one is pretty consistent with the other films in the set.  We have a lot of campy performances with a lot of energy and unforgettable characters.  While I don't really have a lot more to say about it, I don't necessarily hate the acting but it wasn't what I was hoping for.  The story for this one feels like the movie was shot without a finished script.  We have the basic premise which features the author and a haunted house but the remainder of the film is random scenes, a dance number, and that is about it.  It was fun so don't take that the wrong way but it doesn't really make sense.  Looking back, I bet I would have loved this one a lot more if I had popped a 100mg edible.  Finally, we get some make-up effects but those looking for gore and memorable deaths will be very disappointed.  However, if a dance number with a little person is more your speed then this one is for you.  Overall, Kliwon Friday Night is a mess of a film but if you dig cult cinema like I do then you can appreciate this weird ass movie.  Check it out.  

      

Malam Satu Suro

Director - Sisworo Gautama Putra (Wolf, Sanet)

Starring - Suzzanna (The Earth Gets Hotter, Hantu Ambulance), Fendy Pradana (Valentine, Dia), and Nurnaningsih (Yoan, Cowok Komersil)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was excited when Severin sent me the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness set for review.  My knowledge of Indonesian horror is damn near nonexistent but the one film I had seen previously, Satan's Slave, is one of my favorite films.  So far this set has delivered two solid films but neither are close to reaching the level of awesome that Satan's Slave is.  The third film that I decided to watch is the 1988 supernatural horror Malam Satu Suro which just happened to be directed by Sisworo Gautama Putra who also directed Satan's Slave.  This is the second film from Putra that I've seen in this set so far and easily the best film.  I hate to say it again, but it's not as good as Satan's Slave but holy fuck was it still a lot of fun.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a power being that gives it all up to become human.  She soon falls in love and starts a family but this idylic life is cut short when an evil witch and her cult discover who she really is.  They force her back into her original form which removes her from her family.  Heartbroken and alone, she sets out to kill everyone in the cult responsible for taking her family from her.  

     I will be hard pressed to find  better film in this set.  This is the kind of film that I'm looking for when I snag a Bollywood horror title from the 80s.  While this may be an Indonesian horror release from the late 80s, it was clearly inspired by Indian films of the time.  I enjoyed it for what it was and could see myself possibly revisiting it again if I ever want something to follow up Satan's Slave with.  The acting in this one is probably the most enjoyable out of the set so far.  The characters are very outlandish and generic but the cast really had fun in their roles.  They brought a great deal of energy to the scenes but the characters lack of depth and the cast's inexperience does make some of the intentional humor miss it's mark.  The story for this one is a bit predictable and unpolished but the eccentric characters and wild moments more than makes up for it.  I went into this one expecting it to be similar to the previous two films but I was wrong.  I found myself laughing at the fun characters even though I knew exactly where the story was going.  Honestly, if more time was spent in the writing process then this film would have been untouchable.  Finally, the film has some blood and some fun make-up effects but don't expect a gory affair that will stick with you for days after watching it.  We get some minimal practical effects and some entertaining make-up but that is about the extent of it.  The deaths are rather bland and just blend into the background.  Overall, Malam Satu Suro is a seriously fun supernatural Indonesian horror tale that did make me laugh a few times.  While it's not a film that I can see myself watching over and over again, I do see myself checking it out every couple of years.  Check it out.  

White Crocodile Queen

Director - H. Tjut Djalil (Lady Terminator, Mystics in Bali)

Starring - Suzzanna (The Earth Gets Hotter, Birth in the Grave), Soendjoto Adibroto (Kliwon Friday Night, Samson and Delilah), and Vera Magdalena (Permainan Dibalik Tirai)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was not familiar with the horror starlit Suzzanna prior to getting the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness from my friends over at Severin.  I'd be lying if I said I was and I always try to remain honest in my reviews.  I was still excited to check out these films but I was not aware of how important she was to Indonesian horror.  After watching Pact with the Forces of Darkness, I quickly tossed in the second film in the set which was the 1988 film White Crocodile Queen.  Like with all my reviews, I would like to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a man who steals an amulet that is said to grant those that wield it the power to overtake any crocodile.  For this he is cursed for the next 20 years where both of his sons die.  His only remaining child, his daughter, is now at risk of dying so he turns to a local widow who might have a way to stop the curse.  However, he learns that she is possessed by the ghost of the original owner of the amulet who is hellbound on revenge.

     White Crocodile Queen is about on the same level as Pact with the Forces of Darkness.  It's not a horror title that will stick with you for sometime after watching it but it is a solid genre flick.  With that being said, it was extremely campy which reminded me a lot of the Bollywood films that I've reviewed in the past.  It's fun but isn't as fun as it could have been.  The acting in this one is nowhere near as fun as the first film.  The characters are all charictures of what you would expect from a film like this but it's not bad.  The cast has a lot of energy and really get into their roles but the awkward dance-esque numbers and constant smiling made a lot of the scenes feel silly.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting but I did enjoy it for what it was.  A supernatural Bollywood inspired movie with possession, magical amulets, and awkward scenes that bring in unintentional laugh was not what I was expecting.  I really enjoyed loved how unconventional it was in a western sense but it doesn't really have any replay value.  Finally, we get some blood, some fun camera tricks, and some great make-up but that is really the extent of it.  The movie is very story driven with a lot of great visuals but don't expect to see something gory.  Overall, White Crocodile Queen is a fun film for a first time watch.  It's a solid Indonesian horror film that may be more fun if you were a bit high or buzzed.  I liked it but I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  Check it out.  

Pact with the Forces of Darkness

Director - Sisworo Guatama Putra (Satan's Slave, Wolf)

Starring - Suzzanna (The Earth Gets Hotter, White Crocodile Queen), Elly Ermawati (Saur Sepuh: Satria Madangkara, Saur Sepuh 2: Pesanggrahan Keramat), and Piet Pagau (Revenge of the Ninja, Deadly Angels Strike Back)

Release Date - 1991

Genre - Horror

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years back I was sent the 1982 Indonesian horror flick Satan's Slave from Vinegar Syndrome for review.  I had never seen it prior to that but it was a film I instantly fell in love with.  It's a movie that I've watched several times since then and I can see myself revisiting it again in the near future.  This unforgettable film was directed by Sisworo Guatama Putra who also helmed several other genre flicks.  Sometime back I was sent the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness from my friends over at Severin Films.  When  I opened it up to watch the first film in the set, Pact with the Forces of Darkness from 1991, I noticed that Putra directed this one as well.  I couldn't wait to dig into this one and like always I want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film with begins with a family preparing for the night when their home is invaded by goons who slaughters everyone before leaving.  The mother, with her dying breath, makes a pact with a demon to get revenge on those that slaughtered her family.  

     I went into this one completely blind and found myself enjoying this one.  It was unintentionally funny at times and the nod to Freddy Krueger was fun even though it did feel cheap.  I can see why this one doesn't get the international notoriety as Putra's other films but it ws fun.  The acting in this one was surprisingly well done.  A lot of the cast had very little, if any, acting credits prior to filming this one yet they all did pretty damn good.  The characters are fairly flat, even for a horror film, but the cast does a solid job with what was written for them.  The story for this one is nothing we haven't seen in horror before, especially by the time this one rolled around in the early 90s.  We have someone who kills off his opposition only for one of them to make a deal with a demon on their deathbed to get revenge.  I've seen similar stories in action, thrillers, and even sci-fi features but none had the Indonesian spin that these had.  Honestly, I enjoyed it.  It's not the most original film but the pacing works.  I may not revisit this one anytime soon but the story works for a first time watch.  Finally, this one doesn't shy away from the deaths but they are not that fun or memorable.  The effects are minimal and work for the gag but are nothing that stands out.  Overall, Pact with the Forces of Darkness is a solid entry in the world of Indonesian horror but it's not as fun or memorable as other films from Putra.  Check it out.  

Fun-Size Pieces of Sharp Candy: The Movie

Director - Dylan R. Nix (The Demon of Serling, 10/31 Part IV)

Starring - Jason Eckles, David E. McMahon (He Never Left, Children of Sin), and Dylan R. Nix)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Step one to making a horror movie?  Don't!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've met some seriously talented filmmakers through Horror Society over the years.  Some of them are responsible for some of my favorite films that I've seen in the last 15 years while other created movies that are part of my go to lineup for various reasons.  These particular films mean a lot to me and I try to watch them as much as possible or, at least, once a year when I can.  Some years ago I befriended author and filmmaker Dylan R. Nix who was kind enough to send over his indie horror anthology Baron Von Laugho's Halloween Spook-A-Thon.  I've worked this one into my annual October horror binge every year since.  I've reviewed several other films from him, like The Demon of Serling and Sharp Candy, and I've really enjoyed them all.  Recently, Dylan reached out to me to review his new anthology Fun-Size Pieces of Sharp Candy: The Movie.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but as soon as I had the time I hit play on it.  I want to thank Dylan for sending this one over.

     The film follows Nix's character Baron von Laugho (Nix) has he once again takes us on a chilling journey through three horror tales.  The first involves a safe cracker who is tasked with opening an old safe for a small business unaware he was sealing his own fate.  The second story follows director Dylan R. Nix as he breaks the news to fans that the film failed to raise the funds needed to bring his vision to life before he receives a bit of fan mail in the shap of a doll in the Baron Von Laugho garb.  This awakens something sinister inside of him.  The final segment follows a movie critic who finds himself locked up with David E. McMahon who is drugged and dressed up as the Easter bunny.  

     Fun-Size Pieces of Sharp Candy: The Movie brings some of Nix's short stories to the Baron von Laugho universe which is something I fully support.  He is a huge fan of the genre and his films really demonstrate that.  Fun-Size was a solid anthology for the most part but like any indie production, there is a few aspects of the film that I didn't care for.  The acting in this one is a little underwhelming in a few scenes but is fairly well done for the most part.  Nix is at home as his Baron von Laugho character where he carries every scene he is in.  The supporting cat is a little inconsistent with some showing inexperience in front of the camera while others are very comfortable in their roles.  It's not poorly acted but there is a few awkward scenes.  The story for the segments are very uneven but finds a way to work in the end.  The bookend segment with Laugho telling horror tales actually works.  I enjoy it and could see this hold it over for several more sequels.  The first tale in this one is my favorite segment in the film.  It has a Tales from the Crypt style ending that you don't see coming and works very well.  The second segment is the weakest in the film for me.  I understand that this is more of a personal segment for the director when he was unable to raise the funds he needed to make the movie he wanted but it's out of place in the film and completely derails what could have been a solid psychologal horror segment.  The final segment is very middle of the road.  This Saw parody with the director taking his frustrations out on film critics with a drugged up horny David E. McMahon should have been the best thing ever filmmed by an indie director.  However, it's not as funny as it could have been.  It feels like it's trying a bit too hard and misses it's mark.  With all that being said,  some of Laugho's scenes were a little bit underwhelming due to some of the self-righteous dialogue.  It didn't fit the film and is a bit confusing.  Finally, the film doesn't really have the gruesome deaths that most genre fans are looking for.  The movie is very low budget and worked with what they had but money for practical effects were not in the cards.  However, we do have a pretty wild looking nutsack that looks like something James Bell may have crafted.  Overall, Fun-Sized Pieces of Sharp Candy: The Movie doesn't really hit like The Demon of Serling and Baron Von Laugho's Halloween Spook-A-Thon but it's a solid watch especially if you are a fan of Nix.  I fucking love horror anthologies and this one was worth a watch.  Check it out.  

Bangkok, Date with Death

Director - Jesus Franco (Vampire Junction, Helter Skelter)

Starring - Jose Llamas (Slave of Crime, Angel of Death), Helena Garret (The Beast and the Magic Sword, Revenge in the House of Usher), and Eduardo Fajardo (Django, The Murder Mansion)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Jess Franco is a filmmaker that is never really consistent with me.  His career is legendary spanning multiple genres and decades.  However, I often find myself on the fence with his films.  For every film of his I like, there is a film of his that was damn near impossible to finish.  I respect the hell out of him but I'm not niave enough to know that every film of his is not for me.  A few weeks back I was sent the Jess Franco: From Bangkok with Bullets from my friends over at Severin Films.  I started with Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included and before throwing in the second film Bangkok, Date with Death.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows the wealthy daughter of a rich man who is kidnapped by a pirate of sorts.  Her father hires a private investigator to track her down instead of paying the hefty ransom they are demanding.

     I went into this one expecting the same sort of zany story without the intentional humor that made the first film in the double features as fun as it was.  Sadly, it wasn't and was easily the weakest of the pair.  As I said before, his movies are hit or miss with me and this set seems to be a miss.  The acting in this one is extremely uneven.  We have frequent Franco collaborator Lina Romay in a fun performance but that is about the end of it.  Everyone else in the film feels rushed through their performances.  The dialogue we have is extremely flat and most of the performances is extremely campy and not in a fun way.  The story for this one is a bit more straight forward that the first film in the set.  While we do have some beach karate and pirates, it's not as wild as I had hoped for.  Finally, this one doesn't have a lot of action and those of you wanting some fun deaths with great practical effects will be disappointed.  Overall, Bangkok, Date with Death was not the cheap action flick I had hoped for. I don't see this one improving with some edibles or booze.  Skip it.  

Trip to Bankgok, Coffin Included

Director - Jesus Franco (Down Town, The Devil Came from Akasava)

Starring - Howard Vernon (The Silence of the Sea, In the Eye of the Snake), Helena Garret (Angel of Death, Revenge in the House of Usher), and Jose Llamas (Slave of Crime, The Last Women in the Phillippines)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Adventure

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Jesus, or Jess, Franco isa filmmaker that I respect but I'm not the biggest fan.  His career is legendary spanning every genre and several decades up until his death.  While he was known for his sexploitation and horror efforts, he did take a crack at other genres from time to time.  Franco took to Bangkok in the mid-80s where he made a pair of action adventure films that recently found their way into the hands of my friends over at Severin Films.  Severin was kind enough to send me a copy of this double feature for review.  I was very cruious about this release and threw it on the chopping block as soon as I could with the first film Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a British officer who visits Thialand to investigate the murder of an ambassador.  He teams up with secret service and uncovers that the murder was carried out by a blind assassin that is part of a cult ran by an evil scientist. 

     I went into this one completely fucking blind and holy fuck is all I have to say.  I was not expecting this one to go the way that it does and a part of me actually enjoyed just how fucking random the movie is.  However, it struggles to find any traction which made it difficult for me to finish.  I seriously wanted to like it but it wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  Vernon and Garret are solid for most of their scenes but several other scenes were very disappointing and awkward.  The same can be said about the supporting cast.  Their dialogue delivery was awkward at time and most of them show zero depth.  The story for this one is not something I was expecting from Franco but I wish he would have fully embraced the bizare.  We have a blind assassin, a cult, and an evil scientist in a mid-80s action adventure film from a filmmaker that I admire due to his work in sexploitation and horror.  However, the story doesn't really ermbrace the weird like it could have and feels more like a cheap action flick that doesn't know what to do with the random humor.  Finally, don't go into this one expecting memorable kills and a lot of fun effects.  The film focuses heavily on the story and not so much on deaths and effects.  Overall, Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included is not the action adventure flick I was expecting.  It has a lot of aspects that I liked but they were just thrown away and never fully embraced.  Honestly, I would have loved it if it offered up more of the blind assassins and cult aspects.  It's worth a watch if you have an edible or some beers.  

Voices from Beyond

Director - Lucio Fulci (The Beyond, Zombie)

Starring - Duilio Del Prete (Dagger Eyes, About That Strange Girl), Karina Huff (Time for Loving, The Gamble), and Pascal Persiano (Demons 2, Paganini Horror)

Release Date - 1991

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "In the tradition of H.P. Lovecraft"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I spent a lot of my time in high school watching the horror films of Lucio Fulci.  It started with his biggest hit stateside, Zombie.  This Italian sequel to Dawn of the Dead started it all for me.  My friend was absolutely obsessed with his work and over the next couple of years we would watch some seriously amazing movies like The Beyond, City of the Living Dead, House by the Cemetery, and The New York Ripper to name a few.  When I was in college I found the DVD for Voices from Beyond for a reasonable price.  I watched it and enjoyed it but it wasn't as memorable as some of the previous films I had seen from Fulci.  Regardless, it was a decent watch and when Severin announced their new release of the film on UHD I quickly jumped at the chance to revisit it.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over for review.  

     The film follows Rosie (Huff) who visits her late father's estate after his unexpected death.  Her estranged family is bickering over who will inherit what but after the reading of the will they discover that Rosie inherited it all.  Things go strange as Rosie starts hearing her late father from the grave as he tries to help his daughter find his killer.

     Voices from Beyond is a lot of fun but it's nothing like the heavy hitters Fulci released before this one.  It's atmospheric and eerie for those wanting a late night fright but it doesn't stand out for those familiar with Fulci and his horror hits.  The acting in this one is very well done and probably the best acted horror title in Fulci's filmography.  The characters are not that well written and it's hard to like many of them but the cast does a phenomenal job in their roles.  The story for this one is a supernatural forward tale that focuses more on the mystery aspect of the murder than the murder itself.  It moves slowly and takes it's time to build tension and atmosphere which I do appreciate.  With that being said, it does feel more like a supernatural murder mystery than a horror tale which may be one of the reasons this one doesn't get the love that other Fulci films get.  Finally, we get some great make-up effects and some props that look great but those looking for the memorable deaths and amazing gore will be very disappointed.  The movie focuses more on the father/daughter relationship and the mystery around his mother more than the effects.  Overall, Voices from Beyond is an often overlooked Lucio Fulci film but it is a solid film.  It's not the bloodiest or goriest film but the effects look great and the story works.  Check it out now on UHD from Severin.  

The Hunters of the Golden Cobra

Director - Antonio Margheriti (Killer Fish, Death Rage)

Starring - David Warbeck (Breakfast with Dracula, Sudden Fury), Almanta Suska (The New York Ripper, The Gravy Train), and Luciano Pigozzi (Strike Commando, Robowar)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "The Mission: Recover the world's most priceless treasure.  The odds: impossible"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    I'll be completely honest here when I say I didn't know what to expect when I took a dive into this box set from Severin Films.  I was familiar with Antonio Margheriti and his horror titles so I knew I was going to see some campy writing and a rushed story that somehow finds a way to be cheap fun.  So far that has been exactly what these Indiana Jonesploitation films have been in this set.  Movies, much like the women I love, are a lot of fun when they are cheap and these three films are just that.  After Jungle Raiders and The Ark of the Sun God, I was left with the final film in the set which was the 1982 flick The Hunters of the Golden Cobra.  I once again want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows an American soldier who partners with a British officer on a mission.  Things happen and the American soldier is left for dead.  Fast forward a few years and the British officer finds the American soldier in an Asian country.  After a quick scuffle, the pair make ammends an agree to once again team up to retrieve an ancient artifact said to have a supernatural power.

     The Hunters of the Golden Cobra is the only film in the set where we have well written characters but lacked story.  This one was shot in 1982 and I would almost wager that it was rushed into production to cash in on the Indiana Jones craze while writing it as they went.  It's the weakest in the set but does have it's moments.  The acting in this one is easily the most inconsistent but my favorite of the set.  David Warbeck delivers my favorite performance of the three films.  It looks like he is having a lot of fun on set and that shows in each scene.  His on screen chemistry with John Steiner is fantastic.  The pair feed off each other and make the film as enjoyable as possible.  The supporting cast is hit or miss with some showing zero acting experience while others were clearly locals paid to fill space in front of the camera.  The story for this one, like the other three, starts out promising enough but does run it's course fairly early on.  We once again encounter rush stories with everything from Indiana Jones and other like it tossed at the viewer hoping something sticks.  It's clear it was only made to make a quick buck off fans.  Finally, the action is fiarly enjoyable in the early portion of the film but it's nothing original or memorable.  Those of us looking for fun deaths will be disappointed as well.  Overall, The Hunters of the Golden Cobra got my hopes up at the beginning with the fun characters but was once again a cheap watch with some fun moments but is easily forgettable.  It's worth a watch especially if you bring some beer.  

The Ark of the Sun God

Director - Antonio Margheriti (The Last Blood, Treasure Island in Outer Space)

Starring - David Warbeck (The Beyond, Razor Blade Smile), John Steiner (Tenebre, Sinbad of the Seven Seas), and Susie Sudlow 

Release Date - 1984

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "He is looking for action..."

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I didn't know what I was getting into when I tossed in the first film in the Antonio Marghertiti - The Jungles of Doom: His 80's Adventure Films.  Jungle Raiders was a decent watch but didn't offer up anything original.  Honestly, all it did was give us stuff we had seen already in Indiana Jones and the copycat films that followed.  That didn't stop me from wanting to dive deeper into this set where I tossed in 1984's The Ark of the Sun God.  Once again, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a professional thief working a big score when he realizes that he has been set up.  Someone far more influential knows about him and his talents and plan on using him to get an ancient relic with unlimited power.  He is then forced to steal the Ark of the Sun God which is the sceptre believed to have belonged to Gilgamesh.  

     I went into this expecting to find a painfully generic Indiana Jones clone but found myself really interested in the story even though it did fizzle out.  With that being said, it was still a little fun fora first time watch.  The acting in this one is just as uneven as Jungle Raiders but the unintentionally funny moments are not there.  Honestly, I was looking forward to some of the laughs that I enjoyed in Jungle Raiders and was a bit disappointed that they were not here.  The main cast does a decent enough job with their roles while the supporting cast and extras were clearly locals plucked to be in the film.  The story for this one was surprisingly intriguing for the first half of the film but it does run out of gas before we hit the hour mark.  When you toss in the unlikable characters and bland action you are left with a film that just doesn't go the distance.  Finally, don't go into this one expecting a lot of action and memorable deaths.  We have some quick deaths with no effects and low budget action scenes but that is the extent of it.  Overall, The Ark of the Sun God is an easily forgettable film but it does have it's moments.  Stick with it and enjoy it.  

Jungle Raiders

Director - Antonio Margheriti (Yor: The Hunter from the Future, Cannibal Apocalypse)

Starring - Christopher Connelly (1990: Bronx Warriors, Night of the Sharks), Marina Costa (The Final Executioner, Greggio e Pericoloso), and Lee Van Cleef (Escape from New York, For a Few Dollars More)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "In the heart of the tropical rain forest lies a world of endless danger, mysterious romance, and wild adventure"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The 1980s was a wild ass time and I hate that I was born halfway through the decade.  I would have loved to have lived through the entire 80s as an adult so I could truly appreciate everything as it was being released.  The first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released in 1981 and immedately became a hit.  So much so that it inspired a series of copy cat films which really took hold in Italy.  Director Antonio Margheriti helmed several of these films and my friends over at Severin released three of them in a box set.  They were kind enough to end it over for me to review and when I could I tossed in the first film that I pulled out which was Jungle Raiders from 1985.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows Captrain Yankee (Connelly) who scams rich adventurers into thinking they are exploring uncharted jungle for undiscovered treasure.  His easy meal ticket is thwarted when a real adventure presents itself and he is forced to uncover an ancient ruby for someone else. 

     I watched a few of these action adventure films growing up but I never realized that they were Jonesploitation.  However, now I can totally see that these films are and kind of appreciate them more than I originally did.  Jungle Raiders was a new one to me and I was excited to see it but it was a film that lost it's steam fairly early on.  The acting in this one is fairly inconsistent and unintentionally funny at times.  Connelly and Van Cleef deliver solid performances but the remainder of the cast is comical for the most part.  I went into this one sober and still found myself laughing during a few of the scenes due to the acting.  The story for this one borrows all the fun stuff from movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark but forgets to add a protagonist that the viewer can get behind along with something new for the viewer to enjoy.  The film starts out strong enough with the fake tours scamming the rich but soon loses it's gas as the film progresses.  The unlikable characters and predictable story makes this one difficult to finish.  Finally, the film is not one that memorable deaths or fun effects.  We have some cheap effects here and there but nothing that really stands out.  Overall, Jungle Raiders is a alright if you want something to watch but don't have access to Indiana Jones.  I wanted to like this one but it wasn't for me.