Ginger Snaps

Director - John Fawcett (Orphan Black, The Dresden Files)

Starring - Emily Perkins (IT, Supernatural), Katharine Isabelle (Freddy Vs Jason, American Mary), and Kris Lemche (Final Destination 3, Goosebumps)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The don't call it the curse for nothing"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

     I was in elementary school when my grandmother introduced me to Tom Savini's remake of Night of the Living Dead.  We followed that viewing up with the original Romero classic which would solidify me as a horror fiend.  My middle school years were spent moving from being a cinephile to a horror junkie and my high school years were fundamental to shaping my taste in horror.  The early 2000s were crucial with some seriously amazing genre films hitting shelves like Romero's Land of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead, Dagon, Bubba Ho-Tep, Jeepers Creepers, 28 Days Later, High Tension, Versus, and so much more.  Controversy aside, early 2000s horror really made me the person that I am today and one of those films that I would often watch over and over again is the John Fawcett film Ginger Snaps.  I was well into my DVD collecting at this stage but I had found the movie super cheap on VHS and couldn't pass it up.  I kept that for years before upgrading to DVD when I found all three of the Ginger Snaps movies dirt cheap.  It would be the first time I had the chance to see the sequels and I would hold on to them for years.  A few weeks back I was sent the brand new 4K release of the first Ginger Snaps film from Vestron Video.  I had just revisited the trilogy at the end of last year but will never pass up a reason to watch these films.  I want to thank Vestron for sending this one along for review.

     The film follows the Fitzgerald sister, Brigitte (Perkins) and Ginger (Isabelle), are two young teens in high school who are obsessed with death and gore.  They are outcasts and find themselves the butt of most jokes and school pranks.  That is until Ginger is bitten by something late at night.  As the month goes on, she finds herself becoming more attracted to the boys in her school while dressing more provocative.  Her mother suspects that it's because she's starting her period but Brigitte suspects that her sister may suffer from lycanthropy.  She tries to help Ginger but she refuses to listen at first blaming her sister of jealously but turns to her help when things turn bloody.

     It would be a lie to say that Ginger Snaps is a polarizing film because it's not.  It has it's fans and those that don't like it really hate it but it's not an even number across both groups.  The number of those that love this film is substantially higher but I still feel as if this one is a severely underrated werewolf flick.  Most guys I know skip over it because of how it focuses more on the female biology while intertwining it with the standard lore of werewolves.  Honestly, I love it and think most genre fans would dig this gritty werewolf flick if they gave it a chance.  The acting in this one is great.  The film's leads, Emily Perkins and Katherine Isabelle, are names that most genre fans were already familiar with prior to this 2000 release.  Perkins appeared in the first adaptation of Stephen King's IT and and episode of The X-Files while Isabelle was in episodes of Goosebumps and The X-Files.  Both had spent years in front of the camera by this point and deliver what I would consider to be the best performances of their careers.  They work so well together here and I've watched this one so many times over the years that I have to remind myself that they are not actually sisters.  The supporting cast is just as good as well.   Mimi Rogers and Kris Lemche do a wonderful job in their supporting roles.  The story for this one is not something overly complex or confusing to follow.  We have two teenage girls, one of which was bitten by a werewolf, who find themselves going through menstrual cycles, being bullied, and killing a werewolf.  Honestly, it feels like a more age appropriate spin on an episode of Big Wolf on Campus.  It's so damn simple yet brilliant.  Hell, the movie doesn't really do anything to date itself either and still holds up almost 30 years later.  Finally, the film features some great practical effects, as well as, great make-up effects.  We don't have a big body count here but the few deaths we get look great and so does the werewolf.  The werewolf is not one that will stand out among genre fans but it fits the film very well and works.  Overall, Ginger Snaps is one of the many great horror titles to come out of the early 2000s but I feel that it doesn't get the love that it truly deserves.  I can't recommend this UHD release from Vestron Video enough.  Check it out.  

The Screaming

Director - Jeff Leroy (Rat Scratch Fever, Dracula in a Women's Prison)

Starring - Vinnie Bilancio (Killjoy Goes to Hell, Giantess Attack vs Mecha Fembot), Wendi Winburn (Killer Cop, Satan's Menagerie), and Elizabeth Barris (Brimstone, Dead Air)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Come on in for a free evaluation.  We're dying to meet you!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Visual Vengeance, much like their sister label Wild Eye Releasing, is one of my favorite distribution companies.  They don't fight over rights to movies that get re-released on every format.  Movies like Evil Dead, Dawn of the Dead, American Psycho, and the like always find themselves getting re-released on whatever new format that hits the streets.  I'm ashamed to admit how many times I've bought Evil Dead II over the years.  Anyway, Visual Vengeance is a label that has been bringing forgotten and barely seen S.O.V. horror to blu for genre fans.  Honestly, they've released some seriously enjoyable films over the years.  Hell, their releases are one of the few that actually gets me excited to review a movie.  A few weeks back I was sent the 2000 horror film The Screaming to review.  The movie was directed by Jeff Leroy who I was very familiar with.  I had no seen then one yet and couldn't wait to dig into it.  Like always, I want to thank Visual Vengeance and MVD for sending this one over.

     The film follows a struggling college student who can't seem to find an answer to his money problems until he meets hot ass Crystal (Winburn).  She introduces him to Crystalnetics which he soon learns in a cult centered around her.  It seems like his prayers are temporarily answered when he joins but before long a strange German starts warning him that this cult could be dangerous.  He doesn't listen and soon learns firsthand that something sinister is going on.

     I was familiar with director Jeff Leroy prior to watching this after buying his movie Rat Scratch Fever many years ago when it was released.  I fucking loved it and decided I would review it.  This would be one of my first ever written reviews.  Since then I had watched a few of his other films but they never touched the absurdity of Rat Scratch Fever.  The Screaming, also doesn't hold a candle to it, is still an entertaining watch and was interesting to see how much he had grown as a filmmaker in the 11 years between the two films.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but it doesn't take away from the film.  The cast would go on to appear in several more films but around this time most of them were lacking experience.  The dialogue is a bit flat at times and awkward at times but it fits the film for what it is.  The story for this one really pulled me in.  I have a soft spot for horror films centered around cults and the occult.  While I would have loved it to be a bit more cult centered, it was still enjoyable as it was.  We have a few issues with pacing but the overall story was fairly enjoyable.  Finally, the film uses a lot of practical effects that look great for what it was.  We get some fun make-up effects and props that adds a lot to the look of the film.  Honestly, the film wouldn't be as fun as it is if it wasn't for them.  Overall, The Screaming is one of the more entertaining films in the Visual Vengeance catalogue.  It's not perfect but it's a lot of fun especially if you dig fun effects and campy acting.  Don't skip this release.  

Date with a Vampire

Director - Jeffrey Arsenault (Vampire Playmates, Dracula's Guest)

Starring - Lori Thomas (Stab 2, End of the World), Robin Macklin (Teach Me, Morning Glory), and Cynthia Polakovich (Tinsel Town, Nocturnia)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I grew up on vampire flicks.  While I loved the Universal Dracula and Hammer horror vampire flicks, I was obsessed with Fright Night, The Lost Boys, My Best Friend is a Vampire, Vamp, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Children of the Night, Subspecies, and so many more.  Vampires were an essential part of my childhood and a sub-genre that I still enjoy.  It's not often that I cross paths with a vampire flick that I've never seen but when I do you can bet your ass I'm going to check it out.  A few weeks back I got a press release for Date with a Vampire from my friends over at Visual Vengeance.  This was a new one to me so I rushed to my email and hit up Visual Vengeance for a review copy.  They sent me over to MVD and a few days later I had a copy to check out.  I want to thank VV and MVD for sending this one over!

     The film follows Violet (Thomas) who is a vampire that not only craves blood but is a sex addict.  She suffers from an endless cycle of bringing victims, male and female, back to her bed for sex before feeding on them.  However, her most recent victim is more than that.  

     I was excited when I went into Date with a Vampire but I quickly saw that this was not for me.  I have nothing against the films that explore the sexual side of vampirism.  There has always been a sexual allure to vampires that can be traced back to the very beginning of the vampire mythos and has been shown in films since Universal's Dracula.  With that being said, it can't be the only part of the story.  The viewer needs something else to sink their teeth into so to speak.  The acting in this one is not the worst I've seen.  While the cast does show a great deal of inexperience, they really got into their roles.  There was a few scenes where the dialogue was extremely awkward but the acting was decent for the most part.  The story for this one is a bit repetitive and one sided.  A female vampire wants to screw and then feed.  Literally the extent of it.  No real action, drama, or twists to hold the viewer's attention.  If the film would have embraced the sex and became a sexploitation then it would have became a bit more fun.  Finally, we have some make-up effects that looks solid for what it is but that is really the extent of the effects we have with this one.  Overall, Date with a Vampire is one I really hoped I could get into but it just wasn't for me.  The story was severely lacking and the absence of fun deaths made this one a tough one to finish.  Collectors will want to snag this release but those looking for something fun to watch may way to skip it.  

     

     

The Convent

Director - Mike Mendez (Killers, Tales of Halloween)

Starring - Joanna Canton (That 70's Show, Brimstone), Richard Trapp (Cradle 2 the Grave, Midgets vs. Mascots), and Dax Miller (Bette, Blood Surf)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Prayer will get you nowhere"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Mike Mendez is a filmmaker that I know has a serious fan base.  Several genre fans that I've befriended over the years are die hard fans.  While Tales of Halloween was a decent flick and Killers made me laugh, I wouldn't call myself a fan.  He's a talented filmmaker but nothing has really wow'd me.  That changed when I went into this double feature I put together for myself featuring his newest releases from Synapse Films.  Killers was a fun watch but a film that took itself way too seriously.  I followed that up with his 2000 horror flick The Convent.  Once again, I want to thank Synapse Films for sending this one over.  

     The film follows a group of college students that decide to break into an old convent to party it up.  The local legend states a woman several decades before was pregnant and the church forced her to have an abortion because it was the priest's child.  While they explore the property, drink, take drugs, and try to fornicate they inadvertently awaken the evil presence that has laid dormant there for all these years while uncovering the truth about why the convent has become a local legend.

     The Convent seriously surprised me.  The movie is easy to compare to the original Night of the Demons.  It has a similar story but the 80s look and style has been replaced with early 2000's nu metal trends.  Honestly, it was a lot of fun and easily my favorite Mendez film.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent and had me laughing.  Much like Killers, the cast is extremely over the top and very dramatic.  When you mix that with late 90s and early 2000's slang you get some memorable moments but they are not memorable for the right reasons.  Bill Mosley and Coolio deliver what I would consider to be the film's best performances.  The remainder of the cast delivers awkward or unintentionally funny performances that didn't ruin the film but didn't improve it either.  The story for this one is Night of the Demons but for the Limp Bizkit era.  We have a goth girl and a bunch of teenagers/early twenty-somethings who go to a local area with an urban legend attached to it where they accidentally unleash a demonic presence while trying to party and screw.  Honestly, this could have been a small budget remake and it would have still worked.  I loved the story and how it all came full circle.  We get the legend of the place, the real story of what happened, and a rich blending of both stories to give us a story that a lot of movies can't.  I really enjoyed the way it was written and while it does have a good portion of the same story as Night of the Demons, Mendez puts enough of his own spin on it so it doesn't feel like the same film from beginning to end.  Finally, the film has some amazing make-up effects and some gore.  I loved the looked of the possessed and when you mix that with the great looking death scenes and the large amount of blood we get, you have something that sticks with you for days after watching it.  Overall, The Convent was fucking fantastic.  While his other films did not impress me as much as they did other genre fans, it's The Convent that really made me respect Mike Mendez.  Since my initial viewing of the film I've now seen it three times and would love to get in another watch before Halloween.  This is easily my favorite release this year so do yourself a favor and snag Synapse's release.  

Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV

Director - Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger, The Class of Nuke 'Em High)

Starring - David Mattey (House of the Dead 2, Supernatural), Clyde Lewis (Nightfall, Nightbumpers), and Heidi Sjursen (I Was a Trannie Werewolf, PDA Massacre)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Action/Comedy

Tagline - "A tale of two Toxies"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a huge fan of Troma for many years now. The original Toxic Avenger was my introduction into the wild world of Troma. It wasn't long after that I was exploring other Toxie films. During my initial viewing of the four films making up the Toxie-verse, I found myself really drawn to the first and fourth film. These two films feel completely different from one another, yet they still pulled me in. It's not often that I watch the first Toxic Avenger and not watch the three sequels but when I do, I still toss in the fourth film. Citizen Toxie is among my favorite Troma releases, and I want to thank MVD and Troma for sending this one over in the Toxie 4K set to check out. 

      The film follows Toxie who finds himself blasted to an alternate Tromaville when a gang known as the Diaper Mafia blows up a school for special needs kids. His alternate counterpart, the Noxious Offender, is sent to his Tromaville. While Toxie is here, he meets Evil Kabukiman who is a drug dealer with Noxious. Now he must fight to get back to his world with his expecting wife before Noxious ruins his life. 

      Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV is a stereotypical Troma film with shock value humor, colorful characters, and a story that still fits in the Toxie-verse. It's radically different than the first film but can easily be compared to later Troma films like Poultrygeist and Terror Firmer. It's not perfect and not as gritty as the original but it stands out especially when compared with the two previous sequels which is known for how much fans dislike them. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. We have a lot of colorful characters that are reminiscent of cartoon characters which is something I love. It's easily the most over the top in regard to acting out of the four Toxie films and probably my favorite acted one. The story for this one is a lot of fun and once again the ballsiest of the Toxie films. We have some of the most offensive humor in all the Tromaverse mixed with some extremely funny gags, a lot of action, and a plot that works. I really liked the opposite spin on some of Troma's favorite characters, the new characters created for the film, and how the story plays out. It's a lot of fun and even though the film does try to push shock value by being offensive, it doesn't really take away from the overall film. Finally, the film has a lot of DIY practical effects that I really enjoy. We get more of the head crushing antics of Toxie that we know and love along with many more bloody moments. The effects are easily the best in the Toxie series but none of them hold up to the fish scene in part II. Overall, Citizen Toxie is a must see for Troma fans especially those just now getting into their films. It's a worthy sequel to an iconic character and doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend this 4K release.

Heavy Metal 2000

Director(s) - Michael Coldewey (The Fearless Four) and Michael Lemire (Spirou, The Little Flying Bears)

Starring - Billy Idol (The Doors, The Wedding Singer), Michael Ironside (Scanners, Top Gun), and Julie Strain (Grass Hook Massacre, HorrorTales.666)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure

Tagline - "Flakked, stacked, and action packed"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in middle school I remember seeing copies of Heavy Metal 2000 pop up at my local video store.  I had seen the original a few years prior but I had no idea a sequel was being released.  Every time I visited Dewey's Video I would look for a copy to rent until it was no longer in the New Releases section then it slipped from my mind.  I never did get to see it and I honestly forgot about it until I received the press release for the steelbook double feature from Sony.  I was quick to request a copy and when it arrived a week or so ago I had to quickly make time for it so I could finally see Heavy Metal 2000.  Like always I want to thank Sony for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a group of space miners who uncover a green shard.  The shard is a piece of the evil orb from the first film.  It possesses one of the miners turning him into an evil psychopath hellbent on ruling the galaxy and uncovering immortality.  After destroying a planet and taking a female hostage, a female survivor begins her journey to stop him and rescue her sister.  

     Heavy Metal 2000 just doesn't hit as hard as the first film but it's decent for a first time watch.  The metal soundtrack is kind of lame with the exception of a few songs and the animation reminded me a lot of films like Atlantis and Titan AE.  It's not bad but it's not as memorable or enjoyable as the original.  The voice acting in this one is actually a little better than the original.  The cast seems to be more in tune with the project and deliver a wide range of emotions that feels genuine at times and forced at others.  The late Julie Strain is fantastic along with Michael Ironside and the rest of the cast.  The supporting cast is solid as well.  They are all inconsistent but leagues above the first film.  The story for this one is more straight forward after dropping the anthology approach.  Honestly, I thought I was going to like this approach but the story doesn't have enough substance to run the length that it does.  I liked the set up and how direct it is but there is not enough meat on the bone so to speak.  It could be trimmed down heavily to improve the pacing and flow.  Finally, I really did like the animation but's not as unique and different as the original film.  It does look like an animated film of the time and lacks any memorable characteristic that makes the original stand out.  Overall, Heavy Metal 2000 is a forgettable sequel that fails to capture any of the magic the first film has.  It has a mostly generic hard rock soundtrack with a few stellar tracks along with a story that doesn't hold your attention.  It's alright for a first time watch but nothing that will stick with you.  

Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers

Director - Chris Seaver (Death O'Lantern, Geek War)

Starring - Chris Seaver, Casey Bowker (Teen Ape Goes to Camp, Scrotal Vengeance), and Lori Swierczek (Anal Paprika, Anal Paprika 3: Menage-A-Death)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago when I grabbed the Anal Paprika DVDs from Chris Seaver I found myself binging a bunch of his films that night.  I had a few of his Warlock Home Video releases that I had not watched yet.  So, I sat down with a bunch of cheap beers, some delicious snacks, and some pizza for a wild night.  The Seavage rarely disappoints but that night I found myself a little underwhelmed with Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers.  I wouldn't say it was bad but it wasn't as wild or enjoyable as the other films I binged that night.  After revisiting the first Anal Paprika I wasn't really looking forward to spinning part 2 but I'm glad I did because it was better than I remembered.  

     The film follows Johnsimon (Seaver), his brother Alfred (Bowker), and their carpet munching friend Toddy (Swierczek).  Johnsimon and Alfred receive an old amulet from their father who is secretly a vampire hunter. Soon the three find themselves in the middle of a vampire clan and their necks are on the line.  

      The first Anal Paprika film has a fucking wild story that I just absolutely love.  In fact, I'm such a huge fan of the idea behind that story that I'm very disappointed that it's just a short and not a feature length film.  AP 2 takes the characters from the first film, dashes in a little Troma, and then delivers that early 2000 no budget vampire fun that I lived on through my high school years.  I like it more this second viewing but it's not as enjoyable as the first film.  The acting in this one is more of the same from the first film.  The characters are funny and over the top goofy but the cast is having a lot of fun.  Their on screen chemistry adds to the fun of the film.  The story for this one is not as clever as the first film but it's cool to see these characters in another misadventure.  The original short's story is more humor than substance but I fucking loved it.  However, this one is a little more story focused.  It's fun and just as full of the humor you would expect from a Chris Seaver film but it's more story oriented like a standard horror film.  It was grounded and straight forward but it was very cliched and rather predictable.  The humor does pick up the slack but I don't see myself revisiting this one again anytime soon.  Finally, the film has some blood but don't expect to find a film with amazing effects and a high body count.  Overall, Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers is an enjoyable follow up to Seaver's original short but it's not as entertaining as the original.  It's worth your time for a first time watch.  

Chupa

Director - Tom Hoover

Starring - Peter Ferry, Mary Mahoney,  and Jim Lee Jones

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Pray they don't feed on you"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Watching a previously never released S.O.V. horror flick is something a lot of horror fans look forward to.  There is a few companies out there that track down and preserve S.O.V. horror and I respect each and every one of them.  A few weeks ago Tempe Digital announced that they would be releasing the 2000 unreleased S.O.V. horror flick Chupa on blu.  I had never heard of this one but I'm a huge fan of Bookwalter and Tempe so as soon as the orders went live for Chupa I quickly rushed to makeflix.com and grabbed a copy.  

     The film follows a group of professionals from various backgrounds who are recruited by the government to investigate a series of murders that took place in a small town in Ohio.  However, this investigation is unlike anything they have seen before and soon they realize that this is not what they suspected and one of them is not as they seem.

     S.O.V. horror is very hit or miss with me.  Sometimes it's an amazing horror flick with crazy gore and a halfway decent story while other times they are nothing more than kids just fucking around in their parent's basement with their video camera.  I never go into them expecting a life changing experience but I do look to them for a cheap good time.  Chupa was surprisingly fun but it was dull at times.  The acting in this one is well done which is very surprising considering that I can find very little about the cast on imdb.com.  They were all extremely comfortable in front of the camera and the characters they created were very well grounded.  They fit into the story very well but they don't really stand out when the film is said and done.  The story for this one is all over the place.  We get X-Files inspired government conspiracies, cryptids, and creatures that can change their appearance.  I really enjoyed the story for the most part and how it all came together.  With that being said, it does have several dialogue heavy scenes that drags on a bit too long ruining the pacing of the overall film.  Finally, the film has some blood but don't expect a lot of blood and gore.  Also, there is a scene near the end with some visual effects that had me laughing my ass off.  It was so bad but the unintentional laughs made if worth it.  Overall, Chupa is a bit slow but I did enjoy the story.  I liked the the conspiracy aspect and as a fan of The X-Files I really liked what this film pulled together.  It's fun and Tempe did a fantastic job putting out this release.  I highly recommend it.  

     

Versus

Director - Ryuhei Kitamura (Godzilla: Final Wars, The Midnight Meat Train)

Starring - Tak Sakaguchi (Yakuza Weapon, Deadball), Hideo Sakaki (Alive, Red Blade), and Chieko Misaka (Midnight Ghost Story, Suicide Club)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "Beware the past.  Fight the present.  FEAR THE FUTURE"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I was an active member of the Upcoming Horror Movie's forum.  All my spare time at home was spent there and my obsession with the forums spilled over into school.  I would often sneak onto them in classes that we had internet access in.  UHM and the members were vital for me discovering so many amazing horror titles that I would have never found other ways.  I grew up in the poorest county in the US so I couldn't just go out and talk with some of the locals about horror.  Anyway, it was during this time that Japanese horror films were introduced to me.  Versus was one of the first films I looked into and I absolutely loved it.  Sometime later I found it on a double feature DVD release and picked it up to add to my collection.  Honestly, I forgot all about this film over the years and was caught off guard when Arrow Video announced the blu release of it.  It was the perfect time to revisit this one so I reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.

     The film follows a prison escapee and the person he is chained with who wander through the woods until they meet the people helping them escape.  The organized crime ring is instructed to wait on their leader but soon find themselves overrun by the dead who are resurrected by the forest.  An unknown woman that was kidnapped and forced to be there seems to be the key to it all but because of the way she is treated by the gangsters the prison inmate takes up for her creating a fight amongst them all.  This forced them to fight for their lives through the woods while the goons are giving chase.

     I never realized just how much I enjoy Versus.  After revisiting it on blu I decided to watch it again the following the day.  It really is a fun and cheesy action horror film that is able to accomplish something that many have failed to do.  First and foremost, this is one of the cheesiest movies I have ever seen.  If you don't find yourself laughing throughout this one then you are clearly not paying attention.  However, the cheese mixes very well with the story.  The acting in this one is very over the top.  All the character deliver memorable roles and bring to life unforgettable characters.  The humor and comedic parts are spot on with some serious laughs being delivered at unexpected times.  However, the action oriented and fight scenes are nothing to scoff at.  The cast does an absolutely brilliant job in the fight scenes with a lot of the stunts really impressing me even though I have seen this one numerous times.  The story for this one has so much going on but still never over-complicates things.  We have the organized crime aspect that starts the film before moving head first into the horror aspect.  This is a smooth and fun transition.  We then have the angle where the fighters are ancient enemies and the forest is one of the many portals to hell.  It works and really pulls you in.  I do have a problem with the 2 hour run time but I also hate seeing the movie end.  An hour and a half is the perfect length for a film but I love Versus so much I really hate when the credits rolls.  Finally, this is one bloody action flick.  We get buckets and buckets of blood with some seriously fun practical effects.  The gore and dismemberment scenes are fabulously done and the make-up effects on the undead is great as well.  The most dedicated horror fans will really appreciate the death scenes here.  Overall, Versus is an absolute must for genre fans.  The movie has so much to enjoy that I would be here all day picking it apart if I had to.  This blu release from Arrow looks absolutely amazing.  The video and audio transfer is leagues above the DVD release I bought all those years ago.  Collectors will want to snag this one while you can.  

American Psycho



 



Director - Mary Harron (Constantine, Six Feet Under)
Starring - Christian Bale (The Dark Knight, Terminator Salvation), Justin Theroux (Zoolander 2, Six Feet Under), and Josh Lucas (Hulk, Session 9)
Release Date - 2000
Genre - Horror/Drama
Tagline - "Killer looks"
Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     Every decade has iconic films.  The 70s has The Exorcist, The Hills Have Eyes, and Dawn of the Dead.  The 80s saw a slew of horror films like Evil Dead II, Return of the Living Dead, and Child's Play.  The 90s is often called the worst decade for horror but there was some fantastic films to come out of that decade like Army of Darkness, Night of the Living Dead remake, and The Sixth Sense.  When I think about horror in the 2000s I immediately think about the 2000 Christian Bale flagship American Psycho.  This movie is beloved by most of the horror community and you can't get away from it.  I've seen lunch boxes, shirts, wallets, backpacks, patches, phone cases, and several dozen tattoos.  This film is one of the most popular in the horror genre.  This film was released when I was in middle school and I remember renting it when it hit tape.  I thought it was fun but nothing special.  In fact, I actually prefer the shitty sequel starring Mila Kunis over this one.  Anyway, the film was recently released on 4K Ultra HD and I was lucky enough to get a review copy.  Would this hold up 18 years later?

     The film follows investment banker Patrick Bateman (Bale) who is a shell of a man.  Patrick is obsessed with wealth and glamour preferring to live in luxury while obsessing over being better than his counterparts.  Patrick also struggles with emotions.  He has no connection to others which is what has lead to his secret hobby...killing people.  His obsession slowly consumes him and he can no longer control his impulses pushing him into going on a killing spree.

     American Psycho is one of those films that people tend to love but I could never get into like they did.  I could see why it had such an appeal but it just didn't sit well with me.  Now, after revisiting it I have to say I'm not really a fan of the film.  It just didn't hold up well and really tried my patience.  The acting in this one is great, for the most part.  Christian Bale fucking kills it.  His scenes where he can turn loose and be himself were fantastic.  He adds some light humor to dry scenes that would be otherwise unbearable to watch.  The supporting cast is hit or miss but the main focus of the film does a fantastic job and deserves the iconic status he does get just because he is so entertaining in these scenes.  The story for this one seems stretched way too thin for the running time we are given.  I've never read the book so I could not tell you the differences but I can tell you that this film is just too damn long.  There is way too many scenes where the dialogue will bore you to death and, as far as I can tell, serve little to no purpose to the overall story.  If the fat was trimmed, so to speak, the film would have flowed better but I don't think it would have saved it.  Finally, if you are looking for gore you wont really find it here.  There is some blood and some clever kills.  The effects for the kills do work but they are nothing memorable.  Overall, American Psycho is not for me.  I can see why so many love the film and I really want to due to Bale's performance but the film does fall flat.  I still recommend that everyone watch it at least once just to see how amazing Bale is in it. 



Killjoy

Director - Craig Ross Jr. (The 4400, Prison Break)
Starring - Angel Vargas (Baywatch, True Love), Vera Yell (Stigmata, Imagine That), and Lee Marks (Crossing Jordan, The Protector)
Release Date - 2000
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "He's not clowning around..."
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm not one to venture out of my way to see an urban horror flick but there has been some that popped up over the years that I actually enjoyed.  Films like Bones, Tales from the Hood, Vampire in Brooklyn, and Black Devil Doll have found themselves in equal rotation in my home but, for the most part, they are not for me.  Most of the time the horror feels forced or out of place while the rest of the film consists of drugs, gangsters, and other stereotypes that make up most blaxploitation films.  Several years ago the small town I live in opened up their first Dollar General store.  The town I grew up in had one so I was very familiar with them.  When it opened I went in and was shocked to see a movie section.  As I was browsing the titles I came across several Full Moon box sets.  One of those sets was the Killjoy trilogy.  For less than $5 I wasn't going to leave it behind.  I took it home and threw it on my shelf where it would gather dust until now.

     The film follows a young man named Michael (Kareem Grimes) who is in love with a beautiful young woman who is dating a known gangster.  He is jealous of Michael talking to his woman so he abducts him with the intentions of forcing him to leave her alone but he accidentally shoots him.  Before his encounter with the gangster, Michael tries black magic to call upon the vengeful demon Killjoy but it fails.  However, his death is able to resurrect him and Killjoy starts picking off those responsible for his death before setting his sights on Michael's love interest.

   
     I did not have high expectation for Killjoy.  When Full Moon releases a film it goes one of two ways.  It either becomes a hit and you see horror fans everywhere talking about it.  Or it sucks and Full Moon immediately stops talking about it while shit bashers bash the shit out it.  Killjoy is one of the few films I never heard any buzz about until the release of the third one.  Without the support of the horror community and the praises of horror fans I went into this one knowing it was a dud.  The acting in this one is laughable at best.  After digging through most of the cast's imdb pages I'm shocked that the acting was this bad.  The cast is half-assing their lines while attempting to be generic street thugs with no personality or distinguishable traits.  Their dialogue delivery is awkward and unnatural making almost every scene laughable.  The story for this one is not that original but it does have some redeeming qualities.  The idea of the vengeful demon Killjoy who can be summoned to kill those that have wronged you is very similar to the iconic horror film Pumpkinhead but does take the story out of the woods and places it in an urban environment.  This opened up a door of infinite possibilities but is unable to actually pull anything together worth watching.  Finally, the film does have a few on screen kills.  Most of which are full of horror CGI but we do get some practical effects.  Mostly on the undead victims of Killjoy and not in the deaths themselves.  Overall, Killjoy is a low point for Full Moon.  I can see what they are going for but the execution is horrendous.  Skip this one and check out Evil Bong.  

Sanctimony

Director - Uwe Boll (House of the Dead, BloodRayne)
Starring - Casper Van Dien (Starship Trooper, Dracula 3000), Michael Pare (Blubberella, Road to Hell), and Eric Roberts (Camp Dread, A Cry from Within)
Release Date - 2000
Genre - Horror/Thriller
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Very few filmmakers has had a career like German director Uwe Boll.  Boll is known the world over for creating films that bomb.  His biggest example of that is BloodRayne which was a film adaptation of the wildly popular video game.  The film barely made 3 million with an estimated budget of 25 million.  For those of you that can count, this was a huge lose.  Boll is also known for verbally abusing his fans and critics which has resulted is a lot of people turning their back on him and after watching several of his films I don't see how the man had fans to begin with.  Recently, Olive Films sent me a review copy of Boll's 2000 horror thriller Sanctimony.  I knew nothing of the film and was grateful I was able to check it out.  Thanks Olive for sending this one my way.  

     The film follows two detectives that are investigating a string of murders by a serial killer.  They soon find another body but this one turns up a witness.  The witness is a well-dressed investment broker that has an eye on the female detective.  He offers to take her out multiple times and she finally bites after her partner tells her that he has a hunch that he is the one actually responsible for the murders.  She invites him over where he pulls a gun on her, kills her, and then puts a trap for her partner's wife who is 9 months pregnant.  He falls for it and almost loses her.  He is able to save her and sets his sights on bringing the sadistic serial killer down before he can kill again...but he does kill again.
     People love to hate Uwe Boll and to be honest, he makes a great target to focus your hate considering how he treats members of the press and his fans alike.  However, I have no idea why people completely shun his films.  I have seen a few of the BloodRayne flicks and I was not a fan but they were far from being the worst films I have seen.  I actually watch his film House of the Dead at least once every few years for a good laugh.  That one is not bad at all just severely flawed.  I did not have high expectations for Sanctimony but I was very surprised by what I got and really enjoyed the film.  The acting in this one is very uneven.  The film has a great supporting cast that really helps push the film along but no one brings the degree of intensity that Casper Van Dien does.  His performance is on point and he really brings his character to life.  He is able to play both sides of his character very well.  When his character is trying to play it soft to get close to the cop you believe he is sincere.  You really expect them to fall in love.  However, he soon switches it up and turns into a true maniac and you can see the chaos in his eyes.  His performance is legendary.  The story for this one is a direct copy of American Psycho.  To make the film stand out Boll incorporates the Zodiac angle and has the killer play with the police before revealing his true identity.  This was fun to watch unfold but the story has moments that make it almost unconvincing.  The first instance is that the detect drive a VW Beetle.  With a film with a budget like this the cop needs something that advocates authority and a VW Beetle does not do that.  It would have been more convincing having him drive around in an old beat up car on it's last leg.  The story also makes you think there is a slight love interest between the two detectives even though he is dedicated to his wife.  This seems like two different angles that as written in at the last second.  The story does have it's flaws but is still fun for the most part.  Finally, the film does have a few on screen kills but the blood and guts are not the focus of this horror thriller. Instead, it goes the Se7en route and delivers a story full of turns instead of a gore show.  Personally, I would have loved to see some great gore and kills but the film is still interesting the way it is.  Overall, Sanctimony is a horror thriller that draws heavily from American Psycho, Se7en, and the Zodiac murders.  If you like story driven thrillers over gore filled horror then you will enjoy this one.  Check it out.