The Crazies

Director - Brock Eisner (The Last Witch Hunter, Fear Itself)

Starring - Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill, Pitch Black), Timothy Olyphant (Scream 2, Deadwood), and Joe Anderson (Doctor Who, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Fear thy neighbor"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many of you have heard the story about my grandmother watching Savini's Night of the Living  Dead while I was with her one night.  She wasn't expecting me to sit still long enough to watch it with her but I did.  I watched the whole thing with her and fucking loved it.  Right after this she left me watch the original from my favorite filmmaker, George A. Romero.  I was just a kid at this time and over the next few years I was lucky enough to watch others from him where I fell in love with them all.  Sadly, it wasn't until I was in high school that I was lucky enough to watch his underrated classic The Crazies.  I scored a VHS of this from the local video store that was closing and quickly tossed it in.  I absolutely loved it and when news several years later broke about a remake, I was excited to see it.  I went to the theater to check it out and loved it.  Eventually snagging a copy of the blu when it was released.  However, I never revisited it until now.  I recently received the new UHD steelbook for review and used this opportunity to rewatch it.  I want to thank Lionsgate for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a small town sheriff (Olyphant) who finds himself in the middle of the outbreak when a plane carrying a virus to be destroyed crashes in the swamp that feeds into the waterway that supplies the town with their drinking water.  The infested become mad with some turning to homicide.  The military comes in to cover up the accident by killing everyone in the small town but the sheriff, his pregnant wife, and other escape and try to find safety before the soldiers track them down.

     The Crazies 2010 does borrow a lot of the story from the original with a more modern spin.  There is a lot to like about the film, especially if you've seen the first movie, but there is some things that I never cared for with this remake.  The acting in this one is top notch but the characters themselves are not very likable.  Olyphant delivers a great performance and what I assume was the role that lead to him landing the role of Rayan Givens in Justified.  The characters personalities are damn near identical.  I'm also a huge fan of Radha Mitchell and love seeing her in genre films.  She's an amazing actress and this is one of  my favorite performances from her aside from her iconic role in Silent Hill.  We also have a great supporting cast who, one again, bring very unlikable characters to life.  The story for this one does  borrow heavily from the original while making changes to make it more appealing to modern audiences.  We have the story where a small town becomes ground zero for a virus that turns everyone in contact with it into a homicidal maniac.  We then have a government cover up, the wiping out of an entire town's population by the military, and a group of uninfected fighting soldiers and their own infected neighbors.  However, the characters don't have a lot of personality written into them and they are not very  likable.  I knew how the film plays out but I couldn't help but want one of the infected to get ahold of them.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood and fantastic practical effects.   There is some visual effects but they are used wisely to make the scene have more depth.  The practical effects are great and steal the show.  Overall, The Crazies doesn't surpass the original but it does bring the story into the modern era.  It has a great cast and amazing practical effects.  I highly recommend checking out this release from Lionsgate.  

Insidious

Director - James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring)

Starring - Patrick Wilson (Watchmen, Aquaman), Rose Byrne (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, 28 Weeks Later), and Ty Simpkins (Avengers: End Game, War of the Worlds)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It's not the house that's haunted"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few weeks back I was sent the UHD steelbook release of the James Wan directed horror film Insidious. I remembered watching this one years ago but I didn’t remember shit about the movie aside from The Conjuring’s Patrick Wilson starred in it three years before he took on the role of Ed Warren. This made me realize how many hard hitting horror titles was released over the last 15 years or so with 2010 having several films that are still making horror lists to this day. While I do enjoy Tucker and Dale vs Evil and Troll Hunter, Insidious is the one that has gained the biggest following. It spawned a very successful franchise that continued with a sequel just this year. I was really looking forward to revisiting this one as I prepare myself for my annual October horror movie binge. 

      The film follows a family that are horrified to find their son unresponsive in his bed. The doctors are stumped by what has happened to him and can’t explain his coma like state so his mother turns to a psychic that her mother in law recommended. They soon learn that he is an accomplished astral-projectionist that has strayed too far from his body. It’s something he had inherited from his father and now it’s up to him to astral-project so he can lead his son back to his body before something sinister uses it as vessel for evil. 

      Insidious is one of those films that feels a bit goofy when you explain the plot out loud but when you actually sit down to watch it you find yourself fully dedicated in the film. I really enjoyed the film and can see why so many other genre fans are obsessed with it but I do feel goofy talking about the plot out loud. It’ a strange story but the gamble does pay off. The acting in this one is great. I’m a huge fan of Patrick Wilson. He’s a phenomenal actor and this is no exception. Also, I’ve been a big fan of Lynn Shaye for most of my life. I first saw her in the comedy Kingpin as the crusty landlord that Woody Harrelson’s character sleeps with to cover his rent. She has a wide range of characters that she played and, while I find her to be severely underutilized here, she still delivered a fantastic performance. The supporting cast is solid but most do blend into the background with the exception of these two in my opinion. The story for this one is goofy but it’s done so fucking well that it works. The movie’s tone, tension, and suspense makes this story, that borrows heavily from the original Poltergeist, very effective. We follow a family who has an unresponsive child (or stuck in the TV) who hires a psychic to help them get him back. Then one of the parents, in this instance it’s the father, has to retrieve the child and bring them back. While it is similar to Poltergeist it still has it’s own imagery, characters, and mythos that I’m sure is further explored in future sequels. Finally, the film is not a bloody or violent one. The scares come from jump scares, painted demons, and haunting atmosphere. The make-up effects are great but those looking for gore will be disappointed. Overall, Insidious is worth your time especially if you gravitate toward the supernatural side of horror. I often skip pop horror but this one is worth the hype. Check it out on UHD now just in time for Halloween!

Paranormal Activity 2

Director - Tod Williams (Cell, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole)

Starring - Katie Featherston (The Lonely Host, Big Little Lies), Micah Sloat (Paranormal Activity, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones), and Molly Ephraim (A League of Their Own, Modern Family)

Release Date  - 2010

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Paranormal Activity is one of the most popular horror properties of our generation with no signs of slowing down. To date the franchise has seven films, a feature length documentary, another film scheduled for release next years and talks of a television series. It’s a wildly popular series that I’ve never had an interest in. When I received the Ultimate Chills Collection set I was excited to check them out. However, after finally watching the first film I have to say that I don’t have high hopes for the rest of the set. Either way, I went into Paranormal Activity 2 with an open mind and found myself once again struggling to finish. 

      The film takes place several months before the first film with Katie’s sister and brother-in-law welcoming in their newborn into their home. Things immediately start happening but they chalk it up to just strange occurrences and natural phenomenon. However, as their teenage daughter starts to investigate the happenings around the home she learns that a deal with a demon for the first born son’s soul could lay dormant for decades and her brother just happens to be the first male born in almost 100 years on her mother’s side. 

      Paranormal Activity 2 is not a better film that the first one but it does start to deliver on something that could be confused as a story. Honestly, I liked where the story wanted to go but the delivery and found footage style once again made this another movie experience that was unbearable. I hate writing negative reviews but I would be lying if I did in this case. The acting in this one is more of the same as the first film. The cast tries to have casual conversations but it’s extremely awkward to me and the dialogue is horrible. There was several instances where these drawn out scenes with small talk and unnatural dialogue almost had me tap out. I stuck through it for the review but who finds this enjoyable? The story that takes place during most of the film is exactly what we were given during the first film. Shit moving and falling while people joke about being haunted is not enough to hold the viewer for an hour. I did like the demon and first born son angle but that was not fully explored or really explained in detail enough to hold the viewer’s attention. Finally, the film has a little blood stains on clothes but that is the extent of it. If you are looking for some blood and gore then you will be very disappointed. Overall, Paranormal Activity 2 introduces a little bit of story but it doesn’t save it from the boring scenes and horrible dialogue. This is another one I would recommend skipping.

Star Vehicle

Director - Ryan Nicholson (Gutterballs, Live Feed)

Starring - Dan Ellis (American Guinea Pig: Bloodshock, Retardead), Sindy Faraguna, and Nathan Durec (Hitman 101, Detention Night)

Release Date 2010

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Dying for a ride"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've slowly came to the realization that the late Ryan Nicholson and I didn't really see eye to eye when it comes to his films.  I knew him before he passed and often shared news of his work on the site.  We had a working relationship, so to speak, but I had never really ventured into his films.  That was until Unearthed Films started putting out his work posthumously on blu.  I really dug Gutterballs and Famine but the others I had seen wasn't for me.  When Unearthed announced the release of Star Vehicle, aka Bleading Lady, I was looking forward to it.  I had actually owned Bleading Lady on blu for sometime when Breaking Glass released it but I never had the time to see it.  I reached out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send over a review copy.  I'd like to thank them and Unearthed for always supporting Horror Society and myself!

     The film follows a drive for an indie production that becomes infatuated with the film's lead.  He has a history of violence and once he is with his scream queen crush he finds himself going over the edge.  The film's director embarrasses him in front of everyone and this becomes the tipping point for him.  He murders the director and takes over the set turning it into his own snuff film.  

     I had heard polarizing things about this film.  Genre fans praised it for the blood and gore but complained about it's lack of story and acting.  I try to form my own opinion about movies and I usually have different tastes in film than most but what was said about this film was pretty much true.  It had some aspects that I enjoyed but the overall film was a huge miss for me.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  Dan Ellis has delivered some seriously impressive performances in several unforgettable indie horror productions over the years and he doesn't disappoint here.  He does get a little goofy at times where his intensity feels out of place but his overall performance was not a let down.  The supporting cast is where the acting in inconsistent.  Sindy Faraguna has only one other credit to her name on imdb and that is providing her voice to a video game.  However, the remainder of the cast delivers day time soap opera quality performances.  They were unintentionally funny and made the film lose any sort of atmosphere that it was going for.  The story for this one is short, simple, and stretched to a feature length running time.  A guy on an indie horror production set in the woods snaps and kills people on camera.  That's a pretty cool premise, and one that I've seen in other films that I've reviewed, but I was looking forward to seeing Nicholson's approach to it.  However, the way the film was shot made it feel rushed, chaotic, and struggled to properly develop the characters.  It gets straight into the bloodshed with little regard to actually making an entertaining film aside from a practical effects highlight reel.  Which brings me to my final part of the review. The practical effects in this one are fantastic.  Nicholson was not only a competent filmmaker but he was one hell of an effects artist.  The kills are brutal, bloody, and very enjoyable but the film around it was lacking.  If you read my review for Terrifier then you know exactly what I mean.  I feels like a highlight reel for his effects instead of a film with an enjoyable story.  Overall, Star Vehicle is a film that doesn't try to be anything other than violent.  If you love blood and amazing kills then you are in the right place but if you are like me and like a well rounded horror films with solid acting, a decent story, and great deaths then you will be disappointed.  Collectors will want to check out the release from Unearthed but if you are looking for a first time watch then I highly recommend digging through some other Unearthed releases.  

Bikini Jones and the Temple of Eros

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Scalps, The Alien Dead)

Starring - Christine Nguyen (Get Him to the Greek, The Coed and the Zombie Stoner), Heather Vandeven (Pleasure Spa, Badass!), and Rebecca Love (The Hills Have Thighs, The Departed)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Adventure

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Fred Olen Ray is a filmmaker unlike any other.  His career has spanned since the late 70s with his helming several iconic horror films through the 80s and early 90s before slowly shifting into the softcore parodies.  I love a good sleazy flick but Ray really turned me into a fan with his horror titles.  With that being said, I'll never turn down a chance to see nudity.  A few weeks ago my friends over at Makeflix was doing a 30 day pre-order for a new Retromedia blu release.  This double feature included Bikini Jones and the Temple of Eros along with All Babe Network.  I went ahead and snagged it and couldn't wait to spin it.

     The film follows Dr. Jones (Nguyen) who is tasked with stealing a totem from an evil millionaire.  The totem is said to show the location of the lost temple of Eros and legend states that whoever wears the tiara found in the temple controls all it's fortune.  She is able to steal it and cypher the totem to discover where the lost temple is but Evilla is hot on her tail and wants the fortune for herself.  

     I didn't expect Bikini Jones to be a masterpiece but I was hoping for a sleazy good time.  However, the movie was short on story and oddly lacking energy during the sex scenes.  It's not often I find myself bored during a softcore flick but Bikini Jones did it.  It was clearly a rushed cash cow on the Indiana Jones name.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a softcore porn parody of Indiana Jones.  Surprisingly, I enjoyed the characters we were given and the cast delivers a little better performances than you would find in a Sy-Fy original.  Nguyen could take over the world with her smile and she did a great job as Bikini Jones.  The entire cast goes all in but their sex scenes are sexy but super dull even for a softcore flick.  Honestly, a SFW print could be made of this one and it would be a lot better than it is.  The story for this one is an obviously cheap parody of Indiana Jones that takes the caves and adventure out of the story and puts it in luxury apartments and the bed.  It's unoriginal and even the sleazy aspect feels forced.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  A lot of skin and a CGI dinosaur are the only things to focus your eyes on.  The skin is nice and the dinosaur, not so much.  Overall, Bikini Jones was not as fun as I was hoping for.  The bodies looked nice but the story was not as wild and exciting as I had hoped for.  Sadly, this is one I would skip.  

No Reason

Director - Olaf Ittenbach (The Burning Moon, Legend of Hell)

Starring - Irene Holzfurtner (Savage Love, Zoe), Mathias Engel (Seven Days Sunday, Luther), and Alexander Gamnitzer (Escape, Zoo Doctor)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Sometimes death has no reason"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago I was introduced to German splatter artist Olag Ittenbach when I was gifted The Burning Moon by a friend.  I've always had a fondness for indie horror and there is something about no budget horror films that I absolutely adore.  The Burning Moon had that no budget look and feel in almost every aspect except the practical effects.  His practical effects and gore in his films are now iconic with Ittenbach becoming one of the most popular names in the extreme horror community.  When I saw that Unearthed Film was releasing Ittenbach's 2010 film No Reason on blu I couldn't wait to check it out.  I quickly rushed over and contacted MVD who was kind enough to hook me up with a review copy.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a young woman, who is a mother and wife, who discovers that her husband has been having an affair with the babysitter after she receives photos of the act along with a threatening note.  She runs herself a bath and soon falls asleep in the tub before awakening in her apartment covered in gore while a masked man walks her through torture and torment.

     I went into this one expecting to see a showcase of blood and guts and I was not disappointed.  With that being said, that was all the movie was able to deliver.  It lacked a story the viewer could grab onto and the characters are unlikable.  The gore is absolutely astounding but I need more to a movie than just a sizzle reel for gore effects.  The acting in this one is extremely one sided and inconsistent.  The film's lead delivers one of the most demanding performances I have seen in a horror film.  She really dedicates herself to the role and her performance is one of the few redeeming qualities of the film.  With that being said, the supporting cast delivers some of the laziest dialogue I have ever seen on film.  It really makes what little bit of story we get feel out of place.  The story for this one starts out interestingly enough before fizzling out.  We get a interesting premise at the beginning but the film goes seemingly nowhere.  We spent most of the movie watching our lead scream while rolling around in blood while a masked man kills people in front of her.  It makes the viewer believe there is a much bigger picture that will eventually reveal itself but it never does.  Finally, the film has some of the most impressive and repulsive torture scenes and deaths I have ever witnessed.  I can't remember the last time a movie actually made me look away but this one did that several times.  The kills are unforgettable and the effects really do blend the line between movie magic and real life.  Overall, No Reason is a phenomenal practical effect spectacular that lacks story.  Most of the side characters are annoying but the lead is absolutely astonishing.  If you love gore but don't care about story then this one is for you.  However, if you are like me and prefer gore with story then this is one you will want to avoid.  

Demon Mother

Director - Max Dementor (Conjuring the Devil, Lifeform)

Starring - Max Dementor, Sienna Aldridge (Man on a Cross, Serene Isley's Bound Beauties), and Maria de Jesus Castellon (Flesh for the Beast: Tsukiko's Curse, Monster's Inside Me)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "She gets inside you"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The weekend saw me having a movie marathon that was somewhat forced on me.  My gaming computer shit the bed on me so I wasn't able to spend my days off playing my usual games.  Instead, I hit play on the 4K player and dug into some movies.  After watching the SRS Cinema's release of Garden Tool Massacre I decided to toss in a Wild Eye release I had not seen yet.  This time I went with the 2010 film Demon Mother that was originally released under the title Shapeshifter.  I want to thank Wild Eye nd MVD for sending this one my way!

     The film follows Ben (Dementor) who has haunting dreams of killing people that has invaded into his personal life.  It has put a strain on his relationship with his girlfriend and the medication he's been taking doesn't seem to work anymore.  Soon he meets a mysterious redhead that is much more than a beautiful woman.  She shows him what she really is and in turn tries to get him to release the beast hiding inside of him.  He's reluctant to at first but soon finds himself hunted by a group of monster hunters who knows he much more than just human.

     I didn't know what to expect from Demon Mother when I tossed it in.  The artwork made me think I was going to be watching a no-budget rip-off of The Ring but the movie was not that at all.  In fact, I have no idea what the movie's poster was eluding to because it wasn't anything I saw in this film.  With that being said, I liked this one but it did take some time for it to warm up to me.  I can see many genre fans turning this off without giving it a chance which is a damn shame.  The acting for this one is very uneven but I wouldn't say it was bad.  The cast has very little experience which shows in a lot of the scenes but their dedication to their roles and the characters they brought to life made it enjoyable.  The film's director is also the star of the film but a good portion of his scenes are overacted which did make for some unintentionally funny moments while he was crying.  The story for this one reminded me a lot of the supernatural horror shows I watched growing up like Brimstone, Angel, and Buffy.  It's an action/sci-fi centered film with horror elements tossed in.  I liked it for the most part but the beginning of the film is extremely bland and uneventful which did make it a bit tough to stick with.  However, once the ball gets rolling it was fun.  Finally, the film has a few death scenes that are extremely bloody and graphic.  The effects shown really surprised me and one kill in particular was gorgeous.  I couldn't stop thinking about.  Overall, Demon Mother will be a turn off for some but if you stick with it you will find a fun film buried beneath the slow start.  I recommend checking it out.  

Goriest Production Short Compilation 2010 - 2020

Director - Patrick Fortin

Release Date - 2010 - 2020

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love how wild some no budget indie horror flicks can go.  I've seen parodies of some of my favorite horror movies, I've seen fan films, and I've even seen unofficial sequels.  I've always seen some wild original tales told with absolutely no budget.  A few days ago director Patrick Fortin reached out to me to review some of his works.  I started this strange journey with his 2020 horror flick Carnival of Gore.  When I was finished with that it was time for his short compilation which consists of shorts he had made from 2010 to 2020.  I once again want to thank Patrick for sending this over to check out.  

     This short compilation consists of segments ranging from slasher inspired shorts, to music videos, and a few animated segments.  There is a wide range of videos to be seen here.

     I've reviewed a few short compilations over the years and they were all fun experiences.  It's even more entertaining when they are compilations from the same director and you can witness them growing as a director.  I had a lot of fun with this comp here but it was a little too long for liking.  At almost two hours it becomes more a chore to finish than for fun.  The acting in these segments are very inconsistent.  We get some very amateur and inexperienced performances to extremely energetic and intense performances.  None are memorable or amazing but they work for the shorts and show plenty of promise.  The stories, much like the acting, is very inconsistent.  Some of the shorts were fun, like The Evil Massacre segment.  Keep in mind, these are no budget shorts but for the short running time they are fun.  My only real complaint with this comp is the running time.  This should have been split up into two different volumes.  The run time is almost two hours which is a bit too long for one sitting for a comp like this.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood, gore, and fun animation.  The blood and gore is fun but the budget did prevent it from being better than it is.  It's still very enjoyable for the segments.  Overall, this comp is fun especially if you are looking for a late night bloodbath with some booze.  Don't expect a life changing experience but go into it looking for some backyard fun.  

A Serbian Film

Director - Srdjan Spasojevic (The ABC's of Death)

Starring - Srdjan "Zika" Tordovic (Underground, The Fucking Dog), Sergej Trifunovic (Serbian Scars, Sleeper Cell), and Jelena Gavrilovic (The Outpost, Everly)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Not all films have a happy ending"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     There is very few films that are as polarizing and controversial as the 2010 horror comedy A Serbian Film.  From it's very release the film has gained a large cult following along with a dedicated base of genre fans that spend their spare time denouncing and ridiculing the film.  I read the synopsis for this one when it was first released and it didn't sound like it was something for me but I know plenty of people that praise this as their favorite film.  As a collector I was interested in adding the uncut release to my collection but I refused to pay those insane "eBay" prices for it.  When Unearthed Films announced a blu release of the uncut version of the film I figured now was the best time to finally check it out to see which side of the horror genre was right.  I want to thank MVD and Unearthed Films for sending this one my way to check out.  

     The film follows a former adult film star, Milo (Tordovic), who his now married with a son.  As life's expenses accrue he finds himself propositioned by a former colleague into work with a big name in the underground art film scene.  Milo reluctantly agrees and meets with him where he is offered a large sum of money with no details revealed on the project.  Milo's life is then turned upset down when he is drugged and introduced to the world of snuff films.

     I've heard from both sides of the argument on this one.  Some of my closest genre films love it while others say it's extreme for extreme sake.  Regardless, after reading the synopsis I was inclined to beleive the extreme for extreme sake side but I was still open to the film.  I found it to be beautifully shot and funny but most of the film was rather dull which is something I was not expecting to say.  A film that uses the phrase "newborn porn" and features a woman as she suffocates on a penis wouldn't normally be dull.  I liked it for the most part but it's not a film I could revisit.  The acting in this one is absolutely amazing.  Tordovic is phenomenal in his role.  His character has some very intense scenes and Tordovic delivers.  His supporting cast is just as amazing.  The characters are so well written and the cast has a lot to work with.  They really get into their roles which only fuels the already insane story.  The story for this one is shock value upon shock value but I found a lot of the scenes that many love to be funny.  I guess all these years of reviewing underground and extreme horror films has desensitized me but these scenes were extremely funny.  Sure, they are for shock value sake but I laughed.  My biggest complaint with the film is the run time.  This cut of the film is almost two hours long when it doesn't need to be.  We get almost an hour of character and story development before anything memorable happens and then we spend another 20 minutes before the highlight of the film kicks in.  It's cool getting an uncut release of the film but a good portion of the opening of the film could be removed and the film would still have the same impact.  Finally, the film has some seriously impressive practical effects.  We get some fun kills with some seriously bloody moments.  I wouldn't call these deaths extreme but they are fucking brutal.  I would recommend this one on the kills alone.  Overall, A Serbian Film has split the genre for a reason.  Some people fail to see the humor but I do see where they are coming from when they say shock value just for the shock value.  Did I like the movie?  Yes, I did but I can't say I see why anyone would call this one their favorite film.  It's funny, wonderfully acted, and beautifully shot but the story is just too long.  The blu does look fantastic as well.  I highly recommend snagging this release if you've never seen this film before.  Just remember, don't take it too seriously and you will have a good time.  

The Unwelcome

Director - Keith R. Robinson (Sniper Corpse, Silverhide)

Starring - Michael Cicchilo, Sinead Bannister, and Lea Garner 

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A terrifying investigation into a poltergeist"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several weeks ago I went through various social media platforms looking for indie horror news to post on the site.  I met a lot of amazing filmmakers, producers, and so forth looking to get the word out on their project.  This was when I met the folks over at Other Dimension Films.  This London based production company has been making movies for 11 years now and was kind enough to send two of their films over for review.  The first film, Sniper Corpse, was surprisingly fun.  After I finished that film I was ready to check out their 2010 paranormal film The Unwelcome.  I want to thank Keith and company for being kind enough to send these all the way over for me to review.

     The film follows two paranormal investigators who take on a case of a young women that seems to be suffering from a poltergeist haunting.  However, the two investigators suspect that something else may be at play when they notice that things only happen when she is upset or inconvienced.

     Sniper Corpse was a campy horror drama with a simple story that worked for a late night horror watch.  This made me look forward to spinning The Unwelcome.  I was really looking forward to it but the movie just wasn't for me.  It was way too long for the story we got and a lot of the tension and atmosphere was wasted with dialogue and drawn out scenes that did very little for the story.  I wanted to like it but I would be lying if I said I did.  The acting in this one is solid enough,  The cast is fairly small for the most part and the cast works very well together.  There is a few awkward scenes that were a little unintentionally funny but nothing that really stands out.  I was shocked to see that this cast had no experience prior to this film.  They did a solid job and didn't let their inexperience ruin their performances.  The story for this one was a fun beginning but the movie struggles to really find it's footing and then just ends.  The movie didn't need to be as long as it was and the dialogue in some of the scenes doesn't really fit the film that well.  A lot could be cut while keeping the integrity of the film.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments as it comes to a close but those of you looking for buckets of blood and gore will be very disappointed.  Overall, The Unwelcome reminded me a lot of the movies Brian Damage was releasing in the early 2000s.  I appreciate those kind of films because they were what I was watching when I first became obsessed with the genre but I couldn't like them all.  Just like The Unwelcome wasn't for me.  It was slow, dry, and unnecessarily long.  Fans of paranormal films should check it out but I can't recommend it.  

Twilight Vamps

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Biohazard, Evil Spawn)

Starring - Brandin Rackley (The Hillside Strangler, The Devil Wears Nada), Frankie Cullen (The Breastford Wives, Cleavagefield), and Christine Nguyen (Attack of the Killer Donuts, After Midnight)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Let's get the party started"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     The mid-90s and all the way through most of the 2010's Fred Olen Ray focused on softcore films.  That's where the money was for him and fans like myself were eating them up.  Movies with Bikini in the title or something clever like Beverly Hills Vamps and Cyborg Hookers are popular among cult fans but are far from perfect.  When I tossed in Bikini Frankenstein I was looking forward to a sleazy softcore parody of the classic gothic tale and that's exactly what I got.  I couldn't wait to spin the second film in the set which was 2010's Twilight Vamps that was also released under the title Lust at First Bite.      The film follows three gorgeous vampires that moonlight at strippers.  When a man discovers that his wife is having an affair he goes with some friends to the gentleman's club where he comes face to face with the three vampire strippers that feed on the rich patrons.

     Twilight Vamps is another funny and sleazy softcore flick that is fun when it has no right to be.  It's a cheap and obviously rushed production which is almost a trademark of Ray by this point but the film still finds a way to pull you in and entertain.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but a lot of the same cast from BF can be seen here.  They do a decent enough job but a lot of the scenes are a little awkward to watch.  You can tell the cast is rushing through their dialogue to get the softcore scenes.  It's not bad but it's far from award winning.  The story for this one works not only from the vampire angle but also from a softcore stripper angle.  By mixing the two you are guaranteed some sleaze and a pretty solid horror angle.  I really enjoyed this one and a lot more could be added to it but was cut due to the softcore sex scenes.  Honestly, the women are extremely sexy but watching them dry hump each other did absolutely nothing for me.  I really wish more of the story was explored.  Finally, the film has a little blood but if you haven't picked up on the fact that boobs is the center of attention here over gore then you clearly have no idea who Ray is.  Overall, Twilight Vamps is a sleazy but entertaining vampire flick.  It's a clever set up but if you are looking for a rich story and unforgettable acting then you will be disappointed.  Check it out.  

Bikini Frankenstein

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Evil Toons, Scalps)

Starring - Jayden Cole (Saints and Sinners, Bikini Royale 2), Brandin Rackley (The Hills Have Thighs, Twilight Vamp), and Frankie Cullen (Shark Week, Vampire in Vegas)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "She'll love you to pieces"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of this week was spent watching some of the 80s and early 90s of Fred Olen Ray.  Some I had seen before and was revisiting while others were first time watches.  A lot of the movies were very fun but some were duds.  As I make my way through the last few blus that I have left I'm find myself about to spin a softcore double feature from 2010.  After making some cheesy sci-fi horror flicks, Ray turned to softcore movies before settling down with Christmas flicks.  I'm very familiar with his softcore flicks and I couldn't wait to see the first film on this double feature release which is Bikini Frankenstein.  

     The film follows a failed college professor who is fired when he is caught sleeping with the dean's teenage daughter.  He returns to his home is Transylvania to continue his work on reanimating the dead where he finally succeeds at bringing a dead woman to life.  However, she has an insatiable sexual hunger that she has to quench.  

     Bikini Frankenstein is not going to be anyone's favorite but it is a sleazy good time.  It's stupid, cheesy, sexy, and just entertaining.  If you enjoy good horror parody or softcore horror flick then you will appreciate this one.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but I found myself laughing.  The cast is having a lot of fun in this one and it shows in the scenes.  The softcore sex scenes are rather dull but the other scenes are still fun and the cast does a surprisingly decent job.  Cheesy but fun.  The story for this one is a more modern retelling of the classic Frankenstein story except the monster is a female with a sex drive.  It's fun and sleazy but it has no replay value.  The shock factor wears off after the initial viewing.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  However, if nice tits and dry humping is your thing then you are in for a treat.  Overall, Bikini Frankenstein is not going to be for most genre fans but if you are a degenerate like myself then you will really enjoy it.  Check it out.  

Official Friday the 13th Parody

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Puppet Master: Axis of Evil

Director - David DeCoteau (Swamp Freak, 90210 Shark Attack)
Starring - Levi Fiehler (Moonshine Inc., Ray Donovan), Jenna Gallaher (Nightfall, Gateway), and Taylor M. Graham (Breaking Wind, Blood Effects)
Release Date - 2010
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The legends of horror have returned"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I recently watched Troma's Surf Nazis Must Die as a break from the Puppet Master series.  I really enjoyed my time with this box set but some of the movies were leagues better than others.  Sadly, some did not stand the test of time that well.  After watching Surf Nazis Must Die I decided to venture back to the Puppet Master Toulon's Trunk set to watch some more puppet on Nazi action.  The next film in the set begins a new era in the Puppet Master saga that ties the story closely with the opening act of the first film.  This installment, Puppet Master: Axis of Evil is the tenth film in the series and focuses more on the Nazis and World War II.  It wasn't a bad film but wasn't as great as some of the others.
     The film follows a young man with a bad leg who works as a hired hand at his uncle's hotel.  He befriends Andre Toulon and is told about his special puppets and the  Nazis' interest in them.  The Nazis are about to catch him so he kills himself after hiding his puppets in the wall.  The young man takes the puppets back to his mother's home and inadvertently discover the Nazis and Japanese working together to destroy a weapons manufacturing plant.  Now he must team up with his girlfriend and the puppets to stop the Axis power from sabotaging the war effort.
     I wasn't expecting much from this installment.  The last two didn't stand the test of time and were honestly a rather boring experience.  Axis of Evil was not a bad film.  In fact, it was actually pretty entertaining but it didn't look like the classic Puppet Master films.  Instead, it looked and felt like another Evil Bong or Gingerdead Man film.  The acting in this one is easily one of the weaker film in the series.  The cast is very one dimensional and does very little to make their characters feel believable.  The direction missed it's mark and the cast did not seem dedicated to their roles.  The story for this one is actually pretty clever.  The film picks up just mere moments after the first film and stars a whole new story arc.  Sadly, the story does start to fall apart towards the end.  Its obvious that the film was meant to have a sequel but cutting the story in half made this installment fall short.  Finally, the film does have a few on screen kills but they are pretty weak when you compare them to the other films in the series.  The practical effects are minimal and the visual effects are an eye sore.  With that being said, I love the look of the old and new puppets.  They look great and get the viewer excited for the film.  Overall, Puppet Master: Axis of Evil is a decent entry in the series but just doesn't cut it among the better films.  It is worth a shot but not much replay value.

Mad Cow

Director(s) - Michael Wright (Dark Side, Big Range) and Michael J. Rix (Tengers, Man in the Street)
Starring - Craig Brown (Paparazzi Princess), Billy Bush (Access Hollywood Live), and Angus Douglas
Release Date - 2010
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - Part man. Part cow. Udderly Crazy!"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Another week and another Tromatic Thursday approaches.  I started this a month ago and I've love being able to make time to watch and review Troma flicks that have been collecting dust for years.  Most of the films I reviewed I actually enjoyed.  They embodied the wacky and crazy stories that I expect from Troma but a few of them were turds.  Last week I checked out Killer Condom and enjoyed it.  I wanted to keep the crazy going so I went to my Troma collection and pulled out Mad Cow.  Mad Cow is the 2010 horror comedy from South Africa that was released by Troma in 2015.  I picked this one up a year or two ago at Cinema Wasteland from the Troma booth.

     The film follows an evil scientist that has created a half man and half cow hybrid that is terrorizing the countryside with a chainsaw.  The police is involved and they have a survivor one of the attacks involved while they try to capture or kill the evil beast but their plan backfires.  When they finally kill the creature its body parts rain down into the food of the locals turning them into the living dead with an appetite for flesh.

    
     Mad Cow looked like one of those films that I would absolutely love or would be a complete mess.  Lucky for me it was one that I really enjoyed.  The film was more humor than horror but it worked.  The goofy cast and story made a solid comedy with the horror tossed in for even more comedic effect.  The acting in this one is that over the top clichéd portrayal of characters that is typical in the Scary Movie franchise and other parodies that followed.  Sadly, this is the type of acting that made Anna Faris famous and is inexcusable.  I loved the characters and the cast did a great job with their comedic timing and line delivery.  Leslie Nielson would be proud. The story for this one just keeps going and going.  What the film delivers is one twist and turn after another with the next aspect of the story even more absurd than the last.  The story is fun and every scene is overflowing with comedy and cliches. Finally, the film has several on screen kills.  The effects are reflective of the budget.  The kills fit the film but are easily forgettable.  Overall, Mad Cow another fine addition to the Troma catalog.  If you love horror comedies that are batshit crazy then I suggest you pick this one up!