Invitation Only

Director - Kevin Ko (Incantation, Doomsday Reverse)

Starring - Ray Chang (When Geek Meets Serial Killer, Tomb Mystery), Julianne Chu (The Ghost Tales, 100 Days), and Maria Ozawa (Geisha of Death, Erotibot)

Release Date -2009

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A party to die for"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I respect the hell out Stephen Biro and Unearthed Films but I’ve never been a hardcore fan. Biro and company has released some seriously important indie and extreme horror films over the years and his focus on Cat III releases in recent years really impressed me. However, there is several Unearthed Film releases that just didn’t work for me. By now, most of you know that I’m not a fan extreme horror that trades story for gore and shock value. I love gore but it needs to fit the story so when a movie consists of someone tied to a chair and tortured with nothing else going on I often find myself uninterested. Luckily, not all of Unearthed releases are like this. Recently, they released Invitation Only. This 2009 Taiwanese horror film is one I had never heard about until Unearthed announced it’s release. I reached out to MVD, who was handling the physical release, and they were kind enough to send a copy my way. Like always, I want to thank Unearthed Films and MVD for supporting Horror Society and myself. 

      The film follows Wade who is the driver for a wealthy man who is president of a huge corporation. After he finds him sleeping with a model, he is offered an invitation to a party for the upper class in hopes of keeping him from telling others. He accepts the invitation and attends the exclusive party where he is given $20 million from his employer to have some spending money. However, he finds himself with a handful of other first time invites when things go south. They soon learn they are not who they say they are, and the party is a front for the wealthy to torture and kill people. 

      I went into Invitation Only completely blind aside from the preconceived notions I had in my head based on the title alone. I’m glad I didn’t dig too deep into this one because I absolutely loved being blindsided by the story, the gore, and the acting. This is easily one of my favorite Unearthed Films’ releases and it has revitalized my love for the company. The acting in this one is very well done. I liked the wide array of characters and how natural the cast was in front of the camera. The female cast carry their own and are extremely gorgeous. Their experience in front of the camera also shows that they are more than just eye candy. They help carry the film and deliver some seriously underrated final girl performances. The male lead and his employer is the heart of the film and their chemistry together is what makes this film as enjoyable as it is. Their personalities are opposites and they bring a wide range of emotions to the cat and mouse chase during the last leg of the film. This is some fantastic casting. The story for this one is not that original, but I really did like the approach to it. We’ve seen dozens of films over the years following people invited to parties or other events only to discover that it is some sort of sick and twisted game put on annually by the locals, elite, corporations, and so on. Ones that instantly come to mind are the films Murder Party and Surviving the Game. I can name many more but the point stands that this is not a story we have seen before but Invitation Only makes it their own by putting their own spin on it. It works and you find yourself wanting more. It has great tension, locations, and the deaths set it apart from many other films with similar stories. Finally, the kills in this one are fucking relentless. The film does not shy away from the blood and the practical effects we are given are damn near perfect. I’m sure if you paused the scene you could find something wrong with them but from just watching the film, twice in my case, they are fucking phenomenal. The deaths are nothing we haven’t seen before but the amount of hate and brutality in the scene makes them stand out. Overall, Invitation Only is a fucking must see for genre fans. I’m sure the hardcore Unearthed fans have seen more extreme horror that packs a harder punch but for those of us that enjoy stories and blood will truly appreciate this one. Check it out.

Coraline

Director - Henry Selick (James and the Giant Peach, Monkeybone)

Starring - Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds, The Twilight Saga: New Moon), Teri Hatcher (Spy Kids, Supergirl), and John Hodgman (Flight of the Conchords, Parks and Recreation)

Release Date - 2009

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "Be careful what you wish for"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in college I would often visit the local theater to check out some genre releases along with anything else that catches my eye.  My freshman year of college I was dating a woman that was very unpleasant but I didn't see it at the time.  My friends did and they adopted the nickname "unpleasant" for her and would call her that behind her back.  One week night she drug me out to watch the Laika Studios film Caroline.  I had not heard of this one before but when I watched it I fucking fell in love with it.  As soon as it was released to home video I quickly rushed to FYE where I snagged the collectors set.  It's such a charming yet eerie film that still delivers to this day.  Over the summer I introduced my oldest daughter to it and she absolutely loved it as well.  I love that this speaks to different generations.  A few weeks ago Shout Factory reached out to me to review  the film for their new blu release of select Laika releases.  I couldn't turn it down.  I want to thank Shout Factory for sending this classic over!

     The film follows Coraline (Fanning) who moves with her parents to an old house that has been turned into three apartments.  Coraline and her family live in the main house while the eccentric Bobinski and his mouse circus live in the attic and the lovable and jaded Miriam and April live in the basement with their dogs.  She is left to explore the house and the surrounding land while her parents work on a gardening catalogue but things take a weird turn when she finds a key to a cubbyhole.  Inside she fights a gateway to another world with her "other" mother and father.  They look like her parents, minus buttons over their eyes, except they are loving and showering her with affection.  Things are perfect in this world...almost too perfect but before Coraline realizes that she finds herself trapped in the other world and when she finally frees herself and returns to her own she is sent back to rescue her parents who was kidnapped by her other mother.

     Coraline is a film that I don't think I could ever tire of.  It's brilliant and the one of the few films that I can still watch as an adult and still find myself getting sucked into it like a child.  It's an amazing film that is only disliked by people who had never seen it.  After giving it another revisit I would safely say that it is in my top 20 favorite movies.  Absolutely adore it and this release from Shout Factory is just as awesome.  The voice acting in this one is just as brilliant as the film.  We get some stellar performances from Keith Davidz, Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Ian McShane, and many more.  I loved the characters they brought to life on the screen with just their voices and every single character stands out.  It's almost perfect and the cast does a stellar job.  The story for this one brings a lot to the table.  We get a story about family, the affection a child desperately seeks, an intriguing ghost story all mixed into a world of magic and mystery.  I've seen this film several dozens of times now and I still glue myself to the screen like it was my first viewing.  Finally, the stop motion animation is absolutely gorgeous.  Some of the scenes are beautiful and the cast of characters all look great.  They have their own look about them and at this point in time they are now iconic especially Coraline and the other mother.  I love the artistry used here and the stop motion is mesmerizing.  Overall, Coraline is something the entire family can enjoy.  It's crazy, beautiful, and heartfelt.  I highly recommend it and the Shout Factory release is the way to go.  Check it out.  

Hanger

Director - Ryan Nicholson (Gutterballs, Famine)

Starring - Debbie Rochon (Model Hunger, Exhumed), Dan Ellis (American Guinea Pig: Bloodshock, Star Vehicle), and Nathan Dashwood (Arrow, Smallville)

Release Date - 2009

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Payback is a bitch of a whore"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     In 2019 the indie horror genre lost one of it's most revered filmmakers to cancer when Canadian filmmaker and effects artist Ryan Nicholson passed away.  I had befriended Nicholson on social media and was soon sharing news of his projects on the site.  He was a seriously underrated effects artist but his films were a little hit or miss with me.  Gutterballs and Famine were very entertaining but Live Feed wasn't for me.  When Unearthed Films announced the blu release of Nicholson's 2009 horror flick Hanger I was very curious about it.  I reached out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film begins with a prostitute that is nearing the end of her pregnancy when her pimp takes a hanger to her.  He aborts the baby and disposes of it in a dumpster but accidentally kills the prostitute in the act.  A homeless man found the baby and raised him.  On his 18th birthday the homeless kicks him out and sends him on his way to becoming a man.  His mother's John, and possibly his father, takes in him to raise him but his cruel up bringing awakens something evil in him.  Now, with a taste for blood, he sets out with his mother's John to kill the pimp responsible for the heartache he has suffered.  

     I know a lot of my friends in the horror community love Hanger, almost as much as Gutterballs, so to say I was excited to check this one out would be an understatement.  Sadly, the movie was not that fun me and I struggled to finish it.  There was a few cool moments but the overall film was trying too hard to be something it wasn't.  The acting in this one isn't bad but the characters doesn't fit the film.  I'm a huge fan of horror comedies so I understand over the top characters that move the story along.  However, the characters here reminded me a lot of the indie horror comedy The Taint except the film was extremely serious in tone.  The cast does one hell of a job at creating characters that stand out, and by god they stand out, but they don't fit the film at all.  The story for this one is something fun and rather unique but struggles with it's own identity.  The atmosphere, settings, and story all come together to make a very dark and blistering horror tale but the characters don't fit in with it.  Their Troma-like personalities make this story feel like it's trying to be a horror comedy...which it lacked any sort of humor.  Some of the characters would spit out poor attempts at one liners but they fail to land.  If the jokes would have came more naturally it would have been more enjoyable but the "jokes" the way they are do nothing for the film.  Finally, this film, like most Nicholson films, have some of the most impressive gore I've ever seen.  We get a lot of practical and make-up effects that should be seen by genre fans.  The story is lacking but the effects and blood is not.  Overall, Hanger is an effects heavy horror tale from the late Ryan Nicholson.  The story doesn't work but the effects are out of this world.  The blu from Unearthed doesn't look that much better than DVD quality but the addition of the special features makes it a must own for collectors.  

Cockhammer

Director - Kevin Strange (Dream Reaper, Dead Shit)

Starring - Kevin Strange, Joe Hammerstone (The Beast of Calvary Creek, Tales of Fear), and Devlin Wilder (Ghost Tenant, James vs. The Devil)

Release Date - 2009

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Sanity is for sissies"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many, many years ago I was a member of the message boards at Upcoming Horror Movies.  This was a forum that taught me so much about the genre especially indie horror.  I joined around 2006 but it wasn't until around 2009 or 2010 that I become more engaged on the boards.  It was here that I first heard about indie filmmaker and author Kevin Strange.  Several members of the forum had mentioned his films.  I never got to see any of his films but I did befriend him on social media where I read and reviewed several of his novels.  A few weeks ago Strange reached out to me to review his new graphic novel Cockhammer Lives.  I agreed and when I received it in the mail to check it out I was surprised to find a copy of the film Cockhammer inside.  I want to thank Kevin for sending this one over because this is one I had wanted to see for sometime.  

     The film follows two sex obsessed stoners who find their girlfriends missing after going on a drug run.  When they start hunting them down they discover that they were abducted by two hitmen working on the orders from former porn filmmaker turned occultist Cockhammer (Strange).  He plans on using them as a way to grant himself immortality.  It's up to the two stoners, who was dead set on getting their brown eyes pumped by dildos, must fight demons, drug dealers, and hitmen to get their women back.  

     I could only assume what how this film was going to play out after reading a few of Strange's literary work but I have to admit that the movie was nothing like I was expecting.  The movie was way more comedy than I was expecting but I really had a great time with it.  The acting in this one is not something I would call the best but it is fun.  The characters are all very enjoyable and memorable.  The cast has a lot of fun with the characters and it shows in every scene.  With that being said, some of the cast has little to no experience in front of the camera and it's obvious.  Regardless, I really loved the over the top and comical performances we get here.  The story for this one is one that I don't think I could explain and do it justice.  It has demons in drag, stoner humor, Lovecraftian nods, fleshlights with crabs, and so much comical dialogue that you will forget that you are night watching a Chris Seaver flick.  I really found this one funny and I loved how much Strange actually put into the story.  With that being said, some of the jokes are repeated, or at least similar jokes made, that they just wasn't as funny the second or third time.  It's a well put together story but some of the laughs are a bit forced.  Finally, the film has some gore and fun make-up effects.  We get one really fun and gore scene features demons in drag which also showcased some fantastic make-up effects that I was not expecting.  I also really enjoyed the make-up effects on Cockhammer when he transforms.  Aside from this scene in particular the movie is not that bloody.  Overall, Cockhammer is a horror comedy with a lot of stoner humor, sex jokes, and an Evil Dead/Lovecraft flair.  I really enjoy it I look forward to dig into the other films from Strange's Hack Movies. 

Friday the 13th

Director - Marcus Nispel (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Frankenstein)

Starring - Jared Padalecki (Supernatural, House of Wax), Danielle Panabaker (The Flash, Sky High), Amanda Righetti (Captain America: The First Avenger, Deranged Granny)

Release Date - 2009

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Welcome to Crystal Lake"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in college I wasn't collecting movies like I once was.  I was on my own, working a full time job, and a student full time.  That doesn't mean I had cut horror completely out of my life.  I just was unable to spend the money on movies like I once was.  That didn't stop me from going out and watching the Friday the 13th remake when it was released.  I know I went to see it opening weekend but I didn't remember a damn thing about it.  I even picked up the DVD when it was released and watch it...yet I don't remember a damn thing about it.  While I was digging through this box set I went ahead and finished with this easily forgettable remake.

     The film opens with a woman killing counselors at a summer camp before she is beheaded by one of them.  We jump forward several years and the camp is now abandoned and falling in on itself.  A group of twenty-somethings are camping nearby when they are attacked by that woman's son, Jason.  A few months go by and one of the victim's brother arrives looking for her as another group of college students arrive to drink it up and party.  Jason once again crashes their party forcing them to fight for their lives or die by his hand.

     I genuinely love remakes.  John Carpenter's The Thing, Vincent Price in the House of Wax, Marcus Nispel's Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Tom Savini's Night of the Living Dead are fantastic remakes that I've spent many hours enjoying.  I say this because I'm not one of these people that immediately hate on remakes without giving them a chance.  Friday the 13th is not a bad remake but it's painfully forgettable without bringing us something new to watch.  Honestly, it could have been a little more entertaining if I had not spent the last week watching the original series before this one.  The acting in this one is enjoyable but far from perfect.  I'm a huge Supernatural fan and I enjoy the second remake of House of Wax so it was awesome seeing Jared Padalecki in this one.  He is a bit of an odd duck in the film and doesn't really fit in but his Sam Winchester performance does oddly work here.  I also enjoyed Danielle Panabaker as the film's female lead.  She's not a strong final girl but the film mixes it up on us with her.  The supporting cast is solid as well but there is several characters that you just wont like.  The characters are written that way but the cast does a solid job at making them unlikable.  The story for this one blends the first four films of the original films into one while changing some of the characters around.  I kind of liked the meshing of the important moments from the first four films but it does make these aspects feel meaningless.  The pacing is fairly smooth and we get plenty of slasher action to break up some of the more slower scenes.  Finally, the film features some slasher inspired kills.  The practical effects are solid and the kills match the film but they are nothing we haven't seen before.  In fact, when compared to all the other films these kills are fairly easy to forget.  Overall, Friday the 13th is not a bad remake but its painfully bland and forgettable.  It's fun if you are wanting something different but if you are binging the Friday the 13th franchise I would stop before this one.  

     

Daybreakers

Directors(s) - Michael Spierig (Winchester, Jigsaw) and Peter Spierig (Winchester Jigsaw)

Starring - Ethan Hawke (The Purge, Sinister), Willem Dafoe (Shadow of the Vampire, Spider-Man), and Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Event Horizon)

Release Date - 2009

Genre - Horror/Sci-FI

Tagline - "The battle between immortality and humanity is on"

Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in college I would often go to the theater to check out whatever caught my eye that weekend.  I went with my ex, my wife when we started dating, my friends, and I even went alone a few times.  There is something special about watching a movie in a theatrical setting when compared to a home viewing.  I watched mostly horror but there was other genres that I would venture into if I thought the movie was interesting.  It was one of my many trips to the theater that I watch the 2009 sci-fi horror flick Daybreakers.  The Twilight Saga was still a popular thing at the time so vampires, much like zombies now, was a guaranteed profit.  I liked the movie and I purchased it sometime after the release for my collection.  Recently, it was announced that the film was getting a new 4K Ultra HD release and I was lucky enough to get a review copy.
     The world has succumbed to vampires when most of the world's population was infected by a bat carrying the disease.  Now they are struggling to feed the masses with humans in hiding and the ones they do find are farmed for their blood.  An epidemic is now gripping the vampires.  The blood shortage is resulting in starved vampires mutating into more batlike creatures that feed on each other.  A synthetic blood is in development but Dr. Edward Dalton (Hawke) finds a cure for vampirism.  A human, who was once a vampire, has learned of a way to jump start the heart ending vampirism.
     I liked Daybreakers and watched it several times since my first viewing but it has been several years since I gave it another spin.  I was curious how it would hold up.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  We have an amazing cast with actors one would not expect to see in a vampire sci-fi horror film. Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Sam Niell are all fantastic.  This would be the first in a string of horror movies starring Hawke.  He is a strong lead and very versatile in his roles.  His approach to the vampire is unusual but works for the sake of the story.  Dafoe is another amazing actor that brings an unforgettable character from the film to life.  In fact, his performance is my favorite in the film.  The story for this one is a little goofy but it works for what it is.  A world ruled by vampires is about to crumble due to lack of blood.  This is a solid baseline for a vampire flick.  We then get these add ons that works as well like the fully mutated vampires, the forests on fire due to vampiric animals getting exposed to sunlight, and the race for a cure work as well.  Sure, a few moments make you roll your eyes but the overall film has solid pacing and a story that does play with your imagination.  Finally, this is a real bloody films  The practical effects are what you would expect from a film with this kind of budget but the visual effects did not age well.  The green screen shots look like shit and the CGI is very laughable.  Overall, Daybreakers was a solid film when it was released and still a fun watch.  It did not age as well as some classic horror titles but it still deserves a watch.  Check it out on 4K now.  

[Rec] 2

 



Director(s) - Jaume Balaguero (The Nameless, Fragile) and Paco Plaza (A Christmas Tale, Second Name)
Starring - Jonathan D. Mellor (Brain Drain, On Fire), Oscar Zafra (The Return of El Coyote, My Prison Yard), and Ariel Casas (Battle Games, Nowhere)
Release Date - 2009
Genre-  Horror
Tagline - "Fear revisited"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

 

     Sometimes a sequel is better than the first film.  It doesn't always happen but there is a few times where I liked the sequel more than the first film.  My most controversial opinions on horror are how much more I like Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 more than the original films.  I wasn't expecting a lot when I tossed in [Rec] 2 but I was very surprised by just how much more I enjoyed this installment over the original film.  I know a lot of horror fans really liked the first film but this follow up was far superior in my eyes. 

     The film follows a man from the health department and four armed military escorts enter an apartment building that is under quarantine.  The escorts are to follow the health department official while he searches for a cause of a virus but they don't make it far before they are overtaken by the infected.  Two of the escorts fall to the infected but the others are able to escape.  That is when the official from the health department reveals that he is a priest and those infected are actually possessed by a demonic virus and they need the blood that another priest was working with in order to find a cure.  They make their way to the attic where Angela was last scene and find her.  The priest refuses to call for their extraction so she kills him and changes her voice to sound like the priest in order to radio for their release from the building.

     I didn't have much hope for [Rec] 2 after watching the first film but this one was genuinely better.  They took what was established in the first film but made it more interested and not so by the book like most zombie/infected movies would.  The acting in this one is once again solid.  The cast has to portray generic and clichéd characters but they give it their all which shows in every scene.  This really helps move the story along and keeps it interesting.  The story for this one takes what is mentioned in the last 15 minutes or so of the first film and expands upon it.  This was a very interesting angle and this film goes deep into this angle.  Religious horror can go so many ways but [Rec] 2 does a great job at giving us something different than just a boring zombie movie.  Another major improvement is the fast paced scenes when compared to the first.  It was a struggle to finish the first film but this one kept me glued to the screen.  Finally, this one is more of the same in terms to on screen deaths.  We get plenty of blood and out of focus zombies but we do not get gore or elaborate death scenes.  Overall, [Rec] 2 takes everything from the first film and makes it so much better.  Many may argue they are the same movie but I will really have to question them as to if they truly watched the two because the sequel is far superior if you ask me.  This gives me hope for the third and fourth film.  



Drag Me to Hell

 



Director - Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Darkman)
Starring - Alison Lohman (Big Fish, Kraa! The Sea Monster), Justin Long (Tusk, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story), and Lorna Raver (Charmed, Star Trek: Voyager)
Release Date - 2009
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Christine Brown has a good job, a great boyfriend, and a bright future.  But in three days she's going to hell"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I get personal in some of my reviews.  I use most as some weird form of journals and in several of them I discuss some of my childhood which is not what most would consider a healthy or normal upbringing.  Sam Raimi was a huge part of my childhood rather I wanted him to be or not.  The woman that gave birth to me suffered from mental health issues and put all her time and energy into religion.  My little sister and I was forced into watching religious films and several horror films that had very little with religion.  The two films that stood out to me was Gold Told Me To! and Evil Dead II.  I didn't mind being forced to watch these two films but I never did get the reasoning behind her forcing us to.  As I got older I realized how amazing Sam Raimi is and I started collecting his work.  While I was in college he released Drag Me to Hell.  I remember liking it but it was easily forgettable.  Recently, Scream Factory released the film on blu.  It was time for me to revisit this one and Scream was kind enough to send a copy my way.  Thanks guys!     

     The film follows loan officer Christine (Lohman) who is working for a promotion to assistant manager at her bank.  While trying to show her manager she can make tough decisions she declines an elderly woman her third extension on her mortgage payment.  The elderly lady is a gypsy and places a curse on her after she attacks her in a parking garage.  At first Christine doesn't believe in the curse at first but she quickly realizes her soul is in danger when a demon starts stalking her.  She seeks the help of a mystique to solve her problem but this curse goes much deeper than they suspected. 

     I remember Drag Me to Hell had a fun story but it was overshadowed by unlikable characters and horrible CGI.  After revisiting it I still stand by initial opinion of the film.  It is fun to watch every decade or so but no replay value at all.  The acting in this one isn't bad but the characters are really hard to get behind with the exception of the gypsy that placed the curse.  The cast does a solid job with the characters they are given but the writing makes it difficult for you to feel any emotions at all towards the main protagonist.  Honestly, with the story we are given you can easily want her to die.  You feel sympathy for the gypsy and understand why she did what she did.  The story for this one is really enjoyable but does have room for improvement.  I loved the gypsy curse angle and the rabbit's hole we go down with the young woman but I honestly feel that the story would have more impact if the characters were likable.  Justin Long's character is constantly ignoring his girlfriend's warnings which is really fucking aggravating.  The film's protagonist does a dick move to better herself resulting in her own demise.  The gypsy is the only one you feel any real emotion for and you find yourself rooting for her in a fight scene.  It just feels like some major changes happened from script to screen.  Finally, this film is a messy one.  We have several disgusting gags that implements top notch practical effects that is not only impressive but really makes the film as enjoyable as it is.  Sadly, it also incorporates horrible CGI that does take a lot away from the scenes.  Overall, Drag Me to Hell has a lot going for it but weak characters and horrible CGI stops it from being perfect.  The cast is great and the story is fantastic but you just have no emotional connection to the film except in a negative way.  It's still a fun watch and the Scream Factory blu is a must.  Check it out. 



Cars 3

Director - Bobby Hacker (Betmax, All the Wrong Reasons)
Starring - Bobby Hacker, Tyler Jones, and Richard Bain
Release Date - 2009
Genre(s) - Action/Comedy
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I decided to get an early jump on Tromatic Thursday.  I really want to post a Troma review every Thursday but the last two week made it difficult and I almost missed my deadline.  This week I tried to get a head start on it.  I was working through my collection of Troma flicks when I remembered I purchased the cleverly titled Cars 3 sometime ago on Amazon and never opened it.  As you can tell, this Cars 3 is not the Disney/Pixar film.  Instead, it is a movie directed by Bobby Hacker based on the popularity of his YouTube Cars series where he portrays a car salesman.
     The film follows Tim who is a sleazy cars salesman who almost lost his used car lot.  After a failed series of commercials and a rock band he makes a deal with the devil.  He is given supernatural powers and the gift of sale and in one year the devil gets his soul if he cant sale a Mercury Topaz.  With his final days winding down he sets out to force anyone on his lot to purchase the car before he loses his soul.
   

     I had no idea what this movie was about but I had watched a trailer sometime ago and knew I would love it.  The trailer does not do this film justice.  This one was of the craziest movie experiences I have ever had and that is why I love Troma.  The acting in this one is batshit crazy and over the top.  Bobby Hacker is completely ridiculous but his over the top performance makes the film what it is.  The supporting cast takes their rolls a little more seriously but Hacker's performance is so outlandish that it makes the film worth watching.  The story for this one is fun and works for a short but the short running time is disheartening.  I was expecting a feature length running time but was given a film barely running 30 minutes.  The story fills the 30 minutes very well but I was expecting more.  I loved what Hacker brought to the table and this only makes me even more excited for more Troma and how unique they are.  Finally, this film is a visual feast.  The visual effects are cheap and low grade but they are done to capture that cheap local commercial look.  This worked very well where the film doesn't take itself too seriously.  There is some blood but it is using the same visual style as the rest of the film.  Overall, Cars 3 is balls to the wall anarchy on film.  I can't recommend this film enough.  Check it out.

The Real Wolfman

Director - Claire Callahan (Nightmare Next Door)
Starring - George Deucher and Ken Gerhard (Monsterquest)
Release Date - 2009
Genre - Horror
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When most people think about the classic Universal monster movies most immediately think about Dracula or Frankenstein and for good reason.  Both films are iconic and images from these two films are ingrained in pop culture and set the stage for most Halloween decorations.  They truly are classic horror films.  However, as entertaining as both films are I often find myself picking the Wolfman over these two films.  I just really enjoyed the characters and the lore the story was centered around.  When it was announced that the History Channel documentaries Frankenstein: The Real Story and The Real Wolfman was being released together I really wanted to see it.  Mostly because of the Wolfman doc.

     The documentary follows a retired police detective and an active cryptozoologist that travel to France to investigate the Beast of Gevaudan which is believed to be a wolf that killed over 100 people between 1764 and 1767.  The retired police detective sets out to prove that it was the work of a serial killer while the cryptozoologist attempts to prove the existence of werewolves or possibly a prehistoric hyena that secretly survived in the woods nearby.

    




The second I tossed this movie on and hit play I could tell exactly what type of documentary/show I was in for.  It was almost a play by play reproduction of one of my favorite television shows, Monsterquest.  Sadly, this was not as entertaining as most of the episode of that show.  The special was uneven and not properly planned.  The interviews conducted in this one are very one sided.  The only skeptic or person fully emerged in the myth is the police detective.  Sadly, this makes for a very uneven special.  When dealing with the paranormal, supernatural, and cryptid I prefer to see people from both sides of the coin.  Makes for a very informative documentary while showing the same topic from a different perspective.  The information given in the film is very biased as well.  The film follows two people trying to investigate a story that happened over 200 years ago.  This was a bit of a stretch and left no room for possibilities.  Finally, the special rolls just like a continuation of Monsterquest but not as entertaining.  Its more of a reality show than a documentary but that doesn't make it entertaining.  Overall, The Real Wolfman was a very disappointing experience.  The special was boring, disorganized, and a complete waste of time.  Skip it.