Director - Dean McKendrick (Deadly Pickup, Frankenspy)
Starring - Karlie Montana (Sci-fi Vixens from Beyond, Haunted Hotties), Frankie Dell (Daria, Invisible Centerfolds), and Mary Carey (Trasharella, Wolf Mother)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
I found myself falling in love with exploitation when my dad snagged a couple blaxploitation flicks on VHS. This would spawn a lifelong obsession with all sub-genres of exploitation. It was just a few years back when I was introduced to sexploitation thanks to my friends over at Vinegar Syndrome. Since then, I've been actively hunting for new titles to check out. That brings me to a recent acquisition from Makeflix. A few weeks back I picked up the bluray Glamour Ghouls Collection which features two sexploitation flicks. I wasn't able to check them out right away but I was able to work them in now. The first on the chopping block is College Co-Eds vs Zombie Housewives.
The film follows a a scientist who is working on a sex enhancement drug to give to his wife. When he tests it on his female assistant, he thinks he has succeeded. He rushes home to try it on her not realizes that his assistant tricked him so she could get laid. While out of the office she gets a call from a fellow scientist who warns her that if anyone ingests the drug they will turn into mindless zombies. She soon turns into a mindless zombie herself. Unaware of the side effects of his new drug, the scientist sneaks some into his wife and her friend's drink. Before long they both turn into zombies and start attacking the scientist, his friend, and a group of college cheerleaders staying nearby.
I knew this was a softcore sexploitation flick but it was nothing like I was expecting. Honestly, this is the reason I bought this release and after 15 minutes I wish I wouldn't have. The movie was nowhere near as fun as the other softcore/sexploitation flicks I've seen in the past with Fred Olen Ray attached. I wanted to love it but it was extremely dull. The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a film of this caliber. The cast is notable for their hardcore and softcore work which is more focused on the sex appeal than it is acting prowess. The cast is very good-looking and there is plenty of nudity, but it doesn't make up for the not-so-great acting. The story for this one could have been one hell of a horror sexploitation flick like Evil Head. Instead, it goes the route of the skinamax route with no real plot. A scientist making a sex drug only to turn people into brain dead zombies is so perfect for a film like this. Sadly, the zombies that we get are the White Zombie kind where they are just mindless people under the control of the drug. It doesn't really work even for a skin flick standard. Finally, this one doesn't have any blood or effects. It does have a lot of nudity and not so enjoyable acting. Overall, College Co-Eds vs Zombie Housewives is one you can skip regardless of if you want a skin flick or not. It's not as enjoyable as many other films other there like it.
Director - Joe Sherlock (Thingz, Dark Zone Thirteen)
Starring - Melody Berg (Things 666, Axegrinder 3), Juniper Bloodraven (Strange Things Happen at the Weird House), and John Bowker (Odder Noggins, Topless Tori's Tomb of Terror)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi/Comedy
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I’m moving into the fourth film in my Skullface Astronaut marathon and I’m having an absolute blast. While Drifter is my favorite film of Joe Sherlock’s so far, I would be lying if I said I didn’t like them all. I’m a huge of indie horror and when you toss in monsters, beautiful women in the nude, blood, more beautiful women in the nude, aliens, and men in black then you are cooking with gas as my dad would say. After binging Drifter, Channel 99, and Beyond the Wall of Fear, I was ready for the next film on the list. This film, Odd Noggins, is one I had heard about for some time but never had the opportunity to see it. Like always, I want to thank filmmaker Joe Sherlock for sending this one over for review.
The film follows a small town who finds themselves watching a sci-fi film about aliens.
Nothing unusual about this but things take a strange turn when everyone is getting ready for a Halloween party and the women start killing the men before leaving on a space ship.
Odd Noggins may be the more popular title from the Skullface Astronaut catalogue but it’s not my favorite. I did like it for what it was but it’s not a title I would pick to re-watch. It was fun and entertaining Skullface film but it’s not without it’s own faults. While I did like it I will admit that it’s easily the weakest of the four films I’ve seen. The acting in this one is what I was expecting. We have more beautiful women in the nude and a bunch of memorable characters portrayed by people with little to no credits on their imdb pages. I liked the casting and the energy but the dialogue is awkward at times and it’s clear that many of them have never been in front of the camera before. The story for this one is entertaining but could be better. I liked the idea of people watching a sci-fi flick on cable only to have their lives become a sci-fi story themselves. We have the women killing the men before moving to a space ship and blasting off. While I did like this aspect I’m more confused as to why this happened. Did the movie brainwash the females or were they merely aliens transplants that were finally ordered to kill? The movie doesn’t do itself any favors with the way it tells the story. It leaves so many questions unanswered. Finally, the film has some alright practical effects and no budget visuals. The kills are enjoyable in a comical way and the visuals are rough but that only adds to the charm of the film. Overall, Odd Noggins is another solid entry in the Skullface Astronaut catalogue. It’s deserves a watch but could be a lot more enjoyable if the story was a little more tighter.
Director - Jason Baker (The Misfits: Tour Video Collection, Welcome to RED ROOM)
Starring - Tom Savini (From Duck Till Dawn, Creepshow 2), Fred Williamson (VFW, Hell Up in Harlem), and Caroline Williams (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Sabrina the Teenage Witch)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror/Documentary
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I was on the fence about how to start this review. I absolutely adore Wild Eye Releasing and even if I don’t find myself enjoying the film, they sent me for review I still enjoy the moment. Watching an indie film is something that I love. It’s an experience even if the film doesn’t find it’s mark with me. A few weeks back I received their blu release of the horror documentary Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini. Savini is king to many horror fans and I have to admit that I thought the same when I was a teenager up until just recently. His effects work was my childhood and I can’t talk about many of my favorite films without talking about his hideous creations. As much as I respect him for what he has done for the genre and the memories he has created I would be lying if I didn’t mention how rude and arrogant, he was when I met him at a con in Pittsburgh a few years back.
The film follows the life of Tom Savini from his childhood and finding his love of monsters and theater. Before moving to his love life, enlisting in the military, and finding a knack for theater. Things are bumpy for Savini for a but another meeting with Pittsburgh native George A. Romero sends him in the right direction where he would create effects for some of the most acclaimed genre films of all time.
I met Savini several years back when I went to Steel City Con in Pittsburgh. I had no idea he was scheduled to be there and had went for the Dawn of the Dead reunion to meet Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Gaylen Ross and more. When I walked into the convention floor I immediately saw the line for Ken Foree, Road Warrior Animal, Linda Blair, and several cast members from Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. When you walked passed them to the vendor floor you were greeted with several tables of horror merch, hand made items, and a few other celebrities with Savini among them. I was fucking shocked to see him setting there with his handler all alone. I rushed over with my wife and toddler and asked if I could snag an autograph and a picture with him. He never said a word and his handler told me the price. I paid cash and pointed to the pic I wanted autographed. Once I did, he signed it and left it sitting where it was before turning to the side to have a conversation with his female handler. I paused for a moment and then asked if it was cool to snag a picture with him but before I could finish his handler said he wasn’t feeling like pictures today. Since then I’ve heard dozens, if not hundreds, of tales like mine. I don’t expect a celebrity at a convention to bend over backwards for me but I was expecting someone to show a little manners and at least speak to a fan that is handing over their hard earned money to meet them. Anyway, this film is an emotional look at the man known for bringing monsters to life and killing our favorite characters. The interviews in this one ranges from legends, alive and dead, to personal friends and fans of Savini. We have life long friends, family, colleagues, fans, filmmakers, and more who speak about Savini and his legacy. Honestly, I know he is a legend but it’s really impressive hearing so many people talk about him and his accomplishments. The topics discussed in this one are more focused on Savini on a personal level instead of the effects world that he created and is known for. When I said earlier that this is an emotional look at Savini I truly meant it. While it does discuss his work on films either in front of behind the camera, it mostly focuses on his passion, desires, family, and dreams. You get a really close look into his upbringing, finding his knack for make-up and theatrics, life in the military, divorce, and much more. It really does take a deep look into it all. On the other side of the same coin, many of us are more interested in his effects and acting work and wish the film would have focused more on that with some behind the scene stories of working on these classic scenes. Finally, the film takes a chronological approach beginning from his childhood until now. We have smooth transitions from one life event to the next and the editing is just as smooth. The film is a top tier documentary which makes sense considering it was directed by frequent Savini collaborator and former student. Overall, Smoke and Mirrors is a solid watch for genre fans especially those of you that grew up on the films Savini worked on. It’s a great look into his life but a doc about his effects with behind the scenes stories and so on would have been so much more fun. Regardless, I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Director - Gregory Plotkin (Black Mass, Hell Fest)
Starring - Chris J. Murray (Bad Roomies, The Temp Life), Brit Shaw (Bones, Dead Draw), and Ivy George (Rhett and Link's Buddy System, Killer Therapy)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "For the first time you will see the activity"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I started this Paranormal Activity journey, I expected to find a series of films that I absolutely hated. Found footage is not a sub-genre that I actively follow and the first Paranormal Activity didn’t look that interesting to me. That’s why I put them off for so long. However, I really tried to go into them with an open mind but I’ve been fucking miserable with this franchise aside from The Marked Ones. The Marked Ones was a fantastic horror film and one of the few found footage films that I enjoy. This made me look forward to the next installment which was The Ghost Dimension. Sadly, this one decided to go back to the way the first three films were made and deliver a piss poor sequel that completely ignore what the previous film introduced.
The film once again follows a wealthy family that movies into the home from the first film. The father and uncle find a box of VHS tapes (that was stolen in the sequel?) and decide to give them a watch. They soon see Katie and her sister who are being taught and mentored by a man about their “imaginary” friend Tobi. Soon strange things start to happen involving their daughter and everything is caught on camera.
The Ghost Dimension is easily one of the worst films in the franchise. It’s pretty much the same story as the first two entries where we follow a rich family who panic when pots and pans start falling off their display racks. It doesn’t work and the fact they returned to the same home, or similar home, with another group of cliched and generic white people made it feel like a forced reboot. The acting in this one is what you would expect. The cast delivers some seriously awkward dialogue and their small talk is so dreadful. I hate when found footage uses this technique to make it feel genuine but after 5 or 6 films at this point they should really focus on story instead of authenticity. The story for this one does take what was established in the first 4 films uses it as a basis for the film but it doesn’t really explore it like it should have. Instead, it reverts back to when the film was more focused on jump scares and shaking furniture. I was riding a high after The Marked Ones and this was a piss poor excuse for a story to follow that film up with. Finally, the film has some attempts at jump scares and some odd looking visual effects but nothing really stands out. We have a little more of a creature design that we don’t really have in previous films but the way it was done was not thrilling or terrifying. Overall, The Ghost Dimension was a huge waste of time for me and an even bigger disappointment. How can you give genre fans a film like The Marked Ones and then follow it up with this unimaginative dribble? Skip it.
Director - Michael Dougherty (Trick r' Treat, Godzilla: King of the Monsters)
Starring - Adam Scott (Step Brothers, The Twilight Zone), Toni Collette (Hereditary, Nightmare Alley), and David Koechner (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse)
Release Date- 2015
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "...is coming to town"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Michael Dougherty doesn't have many films under his name as director but the few he has helmed are fantastic. In his filmmaking career he has created one of the most iconic Halloween anthologies of the last 30 years with Trick r' Treat. The creation of little Sam has went on to become a pop culture icon that can be found everywhere during the Halloween season. He then brought in the second Godzilla film in the new Legendary series with Godzilla: King of the Monsters. In 2015 he directed the horror comedy Krampus which has went on to become a holiday horror classic among fans. I wanted to see this one when it was originally released but work and life got away from me resulting in a missed opportunity. Since then I've snagged the blu release but never got around to checking it out. That changed when Scream Factory announced the UHD release of the film. I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way. Thanks Scream Factory!
The film follows a young boy who is not enjoying the holiday season like he used to. His older sister is spending more time with her boyfriend than him and his cousins are mean to him. He writes Santa a letter asking for a return to the way Christmas used to be. That night a storm blows in and sub-zero temperatures resulting in a power outage. When his sister goes to her boyfriend's and fails to return home his father and uncle go looking for him when they are attacked by something in the snow. When they return home they soon learn that the old myth of Krampus is real and he's going from house to house adding to his body count.
Krampus is one of the most popular modern Christmas horror films and for good reason. It's not on the same level of fun and iconic imagery as Trick r' Treat but Dougherty's eye for creating legendary holiday horror films is damn near unmatched. I really liked Krampus and can see this one joining my yearly holiday horror flicks like the original Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night. My biggest disappointment with the film is that I waited so long to watch it. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. I'm a huge fan of David Koechner so it was cool to see him appear in another horror comedy. He was underutilized here but the serious tone and grounded characters did make the actual humor stand out. I also liked Adam Scott as well. His character fit the film very well and he did a fantastic job in the role. With that being said, I'm not really a fan of Toni Collette. She always looks confused in every film I've seen her in. Here she does show a little more of an emotional range but she is still the weakest point in the film in my opinion. The story for this one takes the Krampus legend and turns it into a campy horror comedy that completely absorbs itself in the holiday spirit. I loved the creatures Dougherty introduced in the film along with the winter storm setting. I also loved the claustrophobic vibe of the film mixed with the offbeat humor. With that being said, I sincerely hope that this is just the first installment in a series of film set up with this storyline and creatures. Finally, the film has some amazing creatures that mixes practical effects and visuals. The visuals do stand out but the practical effects look absolutely fantastic. I loved the clown puppets when it opened it's mouth as well as a few of the other creatures. It's not the bloodiest or goriest horror flick I've seen but the practical and visual effects are very imaginative. Overall, Krampus is a fun holiday horror film with a lot of creativity and Christmas charm. I wasn't feeling Christmas this year but this movie helped get my head in the right place. I highly recommend snagging this release from Scream Factory. You will not be disappointed.
Director - Johann Tetreault (Homicidal Maniac, The Demon Club)
Starring - Lindsey Baker, Anna Talakkottur (Jurassic World, Finding Carter), and Xeno Zoltar (Homicidal Maniac)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The second movie from the "Mad Genius" Johann Tetreault"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
When I watched it the first Homicidal Maniac I didn't expect to dislike it as much as I did but it was one of the worst film experiences I had ever seen. I hate to be that negative but the movie just felt tossed together with little to no regard about being entertaining. It had some nudity and blood but these were not as fun as they usually are in another film. The double feature I recently acquired from Sleaze Box had the sequel that was made 8 years after the first film. I had hoped that Tetreault had matured as a filmmaker and this follow up would be a much better film. Sadly, it was not and it was just as much of a chore to finish as the first film. If anything, the women are more attractive, at least to me, but that's the only redeeming quality that I can see.
The film picks up several years after the first film with the crazy seafood chef now living with his girlfriend with the events of the first film behind him. However, he is triggered once more and goes on another killing spree which does result in the police searching for him. However, he is able to get the upper hand on them and brings the female investigator deep in the woods where she becomes another one of his female playthings that he tortures, rapes, and murders.
I really do hate being negative about an indie production but I'm struggling to find anything redeeming about this film aside from Saturn Suicide. Sure, he made good use of the former Suicide Girl but the movie itself is still a tough one to finish. The acting in this one is similar to the previous films. A good bit of the cast assumes that if they raise their voice that they are "acting" but that's the furthest from the case. The cast spits out awkward dialogue and their emotional range is the same as Kristen Stewart. I know the cast consists of mostly inexperienced actors but I've reviewed several no budget films with no experience and they did a far greater job than this. With that being said, this film has what feels like the longest simulated sex scene I had ever seen which only makes sense considering it was the gorgeous Saturn Suicide. The story for this one is literally the first film with just one small change. We get the addition of the police but aside from that its mostly a rape, torture, and kill flick with nothing redeeming. In fact, I've seen shorts with a run time of less than five minutes deliver more story than this one. Finally, the film has some blood, and a lot of boobs but don't expect memorable deaths and gore. In fact, it's just the same as the first film. Some blood splatter and that's the extent of it. Overall, Homicidal Maniac 2 was another disappointment. I love indie horror but this one does not have the heart that I expect from indie efforts and I have no idea what the story is that the filmmaker is trying to tell. Honestly, I would skip this one as well.
Director - Joseph Springer Jr. (Aura, The Legend of Young Link)
Starring - Bill Kennedy (Frankenstein's Patchwork Monster, Captain America: Winter Soldier), Erika Frase (Return to Nuke 'Em High Volume 1, The Legend of Six Fingers), and David Clemins (Tail, Tales of Darkened Light)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Mankind's last...Stand Off"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I was first getting into horror I found myself becoming obsessed with zombie flicks. Tom Savini's Night of the Living Dead was the film that pulled me into the genre but Romero's Night of the Living Dead was my first obsession. This spiraled out of control and before long I was grabbing any and every zombie movie I could find. This would go on for almost a decade and would change after the release of AMC's The Walking Dead. I was a huge fan of the comics and the series had me until season four. Since then the market has become saturated with Walking Dead clones that offer up nothing for the viewer. A few zombie flicks has popped up here and there since 2010 that was worth a damn but for the most part they all have been underwhelming. A few weeks ago director Joseph Springer reached out for me to review his 2015 zombie flick Stand Off. It had been a few days or weeks since my last zombie flick so I agreed to check it out. Thanks Joseph for sending this one over!
The film follows an ex-government agent who finds himself in the middle of a zombie outbreak when a secret experiment was is accidentally released. As he fights for his life with other survivors he soon discovers that the person that set him up originally is the person behind the outbreak. Revenge soon follows. \
Stand Off is not a straight forward horror flick. It's an action film with zombies which may explain why I liked it as much as I did. I didn't find myself rolling my eyes as I realized it was yet another Walking Dead inspired film. Instead, it was a great action flick with horror elements scattered throughout. It was still pretty cliched and cheesy at times but very enjoyable. The acting in this one is surprisingly well done. The cast has some serious film credits to their names and they deliver some great performances. The characters, as I stated before, is cliched but the cast really dives into their roles. Their on screen chemistry is great and they all work very well with the story. With that being said, the characters do blend into the background and are not that memorable. The story for this one is one that reminded me a lot of the zombie flicks that would play on Sy-Fy around October. We follow a copy (?), a nurse, and an ex-government agent as they fight through the undead and a conspiracy. Nothing really new or clever but it does entertain and the story has just enough action and additions that it holds your attention. Finally, the film features some no budget make-up effects and some of the worst visual effects I've seen in a feature film. The make-up effects reminded me a lot of the early 2000s horror film Meat Market. It's not the best I had seen but it wasn't the worst. With that being said, the visual effects were laughable at best. The blood splatter and the bullet scene were extremely goofy and had me laughing my ass off. The film really didn't need these added. Overall, Stand Off may not be for everyone but I fucking enjoyed it. It took me back to the world of no budget zombie flicks before The Walking Dead ruined it. I recommend checking this one out if you are in the mood for some undead fun.
Director - Chris Seaver (Moist Fury, Filthy McNasty)
Starring - Meredith Host (The Weirdsies, Death O'Lantern), Jesse Ames (Return to Blood Fart Lake, Deathbone), and Desiree Saetia (Zombie Babies, Phantom of the Grindhouse)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
It took some time but here I am with the final film in Chris Seaver's Filthy McNasty quadrilogy. The series has some up and downs but overall I've been a little disappointed. The first film is fantastic and I really enjoyed it. However, the second and third films were tough to sit through. I love Seaver and his films but there is a few of his that I don't care for with Filthy McNasty 2 and 3 being among them. I was on the fence when I tossed in Filthy McNasty 4 but the film was very enjoyable. It not only expanded the story that we were given in the first three films but gives the viewer some new and entertaining characters.
The film follows two sex demons who are summoned by a socially awkward sex-ed teacher who wants to be more attractive to her students. The spell works but the two sex demons are now wreaking havoc at Bonejack High leaving a group of nerdy students to stop them before they can kill everyone.
Filthy McNasty 4 fits in to what I like to call the modern era of Chris Seaver where his films look better and the stories have more layers to it. They still feature his sense of humor and hilarious dialogue but the movies are all around improved upon. I enjoyed it a little bit more than I did the first film but it doesn't hold a place in my heart like the original does. The acting in this one is a little bit better than the previous films but fits in perfectly with the more newer films from Seaver. He reuses a lot of the cast from previous films and it's clear they have used every film as experience to grow. The cast creates some seriously memorable characters and the dialogue is hysterical. The story for this one combines some of the elements from the previous three while taking the story in a forward motion. I absolutely loved the fact that this one does not follow the same beaten path the previous films used. Sure, it was funny for the first film but three years later it's like beating a dead horse. Hell, I liked this one so much that I would love to see Seaver build upon it yet again. Finally, the film has some bloody moments with some alright practical effects and some gags but nothing that stands out or memorable for horror fans. Overall, Filthy McNasty 4 is a great Chris Seaver film and a worthy instalment in the Filthy McNasty series. This is the best looking film by far and one I highly recommend. Check it out.
Director - Chris Seaver (Mulva: Zombie Ass Kicker, Death O'Lantern)
Starring - Meredith Host (Evil Night, Taintlight), Desiree Saetia (Moist Fury, Zombie Babies), and Kate Lewis (Phantom of the Grindhouse)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Comedy/Fantasy/Adventure
Tagline - "Four geeky virgins, one dead body, use your imagination"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
When it comes to indie filmmaking very few filmmakers can say they have been making movies for three decades. Chris Seaver, the mad man behind some of the craziest indie films to ever be filmed, has been making movies in one compacity or another for almost 30 years. I discovered his films about 10 or 15 years ago when I started collecting the Brentwood Entertainment DVD sets. When I scored their Ghoul School release I found Seaver's horror comedy Mulva: Zombie Ass Kicker. I was fucking hooked from that point on. His movies are unlike anything I have ever seen and I'm constantly recommending his movies to new genre friends. Several years ago Seaver sent over his comedy adventure film The Weirdsies to review. It was by far my favorite Seaver film and easily the most polished. It has been some years since I last seen this one and when I saw that Makeflix was releasing it on blu I decided to snag a copy and revisit it.
The Weirdsies follows four young adults who want to lose their v-cards. When they hear tale of a recently deceased body a days walk away near the train tracks they set out to make use of dead man's rigid bone. However, along the way they encounter local bullies, aliens, and others that stand in their way of their sweet lay.
The Weirdsies is unlike any other film from Seaver. It still has his trademark dialogue and unforgettable characters but the overall look and feel of the film is by far his best. The film doesn't look cheap and rushed like a lot of his films and the cinematography is leagues above his previous films. Though his remake of Evil Night comes close to looking this good this is still his best film and one that I highly suggest fans of cult cinema to check out. The acting in this one is great. Even though I had seen this one before I still found myself laughing at these performances. The entire cast delivers some memorable one liners and hilarious dialogue. Meredith Host once again knocks out a seriously funny performance and her masturbation scene is the stuff of legends. Desiree Saetia and Kate Lewis are great as well. All three work great together and their comedic timing is perfect. We also get another hilarious performance from Josh Suire. He always brings high energy to his performance and this is no exception. The story for this one is a black comedy approach to a group of people wanting to lose their virginity. It's American Pie meets Nekromantic and it fucking works. The humor, the disgusting desire to get vaginally and anally wrecked, and the weird encounters along the way all work. The film pulls the viewer in and hits you with a lot of what the fuck moments and tons of humor. When I say that this is Seaver's best yet I truly mean that. Even the writing for this one is the best he has done yet. Finally, this isn't a bloody horror flick like most of you are expecting. We get a little bit of practical effects and some visual effects but the film is more focused on the characters and the story instead of blood and gore. Overall, The Weidsies is a fucking wild ride that only someone with thirty years experience could deliver. I highly recommend snagging this loaded blu from makeflix.com. You will not be disappointed.
Director - John Williams (Crispy's Curse, Mothertown)
Starring - Darren McAree (There's Something in the Shadows, Dead Town), Matthew Sandland (Beneath Still Water, The Director), and George Newton (Predator Dark Ages, Whiteblade)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "2 men, 2 weeks to live, too many vampires"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I fucking love a good horror comedy that finds a fun balance between horror and comedy. Films like Evil Dead II, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, Dead Alive, and so many more has entertained thousands if not millions of fans over the years with their unique blend of horror and comedy. A few weeks back I saw that MVD was handling the release of Wild Eye's The Slayers. I'm familiar with John Williams after reviewing his film Mothertown sometime ago so I was really curious about this one. I reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send this one over. Like always, I want to thank MVD and Wild Eye for always supporting Horror Society and allowing us the opportunity to review their films.
The film follows two nitwits who are part of a doomsday cult. When the other members of the cult kill themselves they decide to not to and spend the next two weeks checking off their bucket list. They buy an old bus and make out on a trip across the UK where they find themselves in Scotland where they cross paths with a stranger. After an incident they suspect he is a vampire and decide to follow him where they watch a vampire hunter kill him. Soon they are tossed in the middle of a war between the living dead and a small band of vampire slayers.
The Slayers is not the film I was expecting but I had a lot of fun with it. The humor worked and the horror, though light, was still very entertaining. The film is a little heavy on the humor but it is still charming and fun. I can see some of the more hardcore and blood hungry genre fans not caring for this one but those of you that are more focused on story and character development you will really enjoy it. The acting in this one really surprised me. The supporting cast is all in and deliver some very enjoyable performances. A lot of the character stood out and the cast was phenomenal in their roles. With that being said, Darren McAree and Matthew Sandland are the stars of the show. Their portrayal of the two idiots that are part of a doomsday cult is fucking hilarious. I really enjoyed the energy they brought to the film and their characters are so much fun. The story for this one is simple but I enjoyed it. Two idiots find themselves in the middle of an ancient war between vampires and slayers. I liked it but some of you may not enjoy a film that is more humor than horror. The horror aspect takes the backseat through a lot of the film in the same way that it does in Lesbian Vampire Killers. I enjoyed it and found it funny but only about 70 percent of the jokes found their marks. I would have loved to see a little more focus on the horror and a little less on the jokes that felt forced. Finally, the film has some funny gags with plenty of blood and some visuals that didn't look too bad. Most films with this kind of budget usually employs some of the worst visuals imaginable but this one doesn't. They looked decent for what they were and the practical effects did as well. Overall, The Slayers is an enjoyable indie horror comedy that may not be for everyone but if you enjoy the light side of the genre then you will love this one. Check it out now on DVD from Wild Eye Releasing.
Director - Krist Rufty (Cutting Room, Psycho Holocaust)
Starring - Vanelle (Witching Hour II, Dark Awakening), Billy Garberina (Deathbone, I Heart U), and Samantha Novak (House of Purgatory, Wicked Wood)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror/Fantasy
Tagline - "G down the hole forever"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
As I push forward is my movie marathon I find myself at a bit of a unique situation. Several weeks ago I saw that MVD was handling the Wild Eye release of Alice in Deathland that is part of their Raw and Extreme line. The Raw and Extreme line has been pretty entertaining up to this point so I reached out for a review copy. After watching a few no budget indie flicks I decided to finally dig into this one when I realized I had actually seen this one before. As always, I want to thank MVD and Wild Eye for sending this one my way.
The film follows Alice who is a junkie who works for her supplier as a prostitute. She was married and expecting her own bundle of joy but gave in to her addiction and returned to her slums. While her husbands practically searches for her she had to deal with her drug use, physical abuse, and the cries of her ancestors trying to steer her in the right direction.
Alice in Deathland is one I had reviewed about five years ago when Wild Eye released is under the title Rags. I really enjoyed it then and I didn't mind revisiting it. Honestly, I feel that Alice in Deathland is a much better title than Rags and I love the new artwork even though the original Rags DVD art was great as well. The acting in this one is very one sided. The film has some amateur performances that show talent but lack experience and then you have the intense performance from Billy Garberina who steals every scene he is in. It was not fair to the remainder of the cast that they had to share the camera with Garberina. The story for this one is a great fantasy horror film that I believe borrows heavily from Alice Through the Looking Glass. It was great, had tons of twist and turns, and then went bleak delivering some horror that was very unexpected. The film did drag on a bit at times and needed edited a little better to make the story tighter but it still delivered when it counted. Finally, the film does have a few on screen kills hat are not that impressive or entertaining. However, the film delivers the gore in other ways that I will not mention to prevent from spoiling. The effects for these are minimal but they rely heavily on camera work and editing to pull the gag off. Overall, Alice in Deathland is one impressive piece of indie cinema. The film has one of the most memorable characters I have seen in recent years and one highly entertaining story that goes against the current infatuation with slashers and zombies. Check out this highly original film whenever you get a chance.
Starring - Paxton Collins (In the Original Geek, Freedom Kowalski - Episode 3), Gemma Garcia (The 5th Kind, Quartz), and Seth Barrett
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Sci-Fi/Horror
Tagline - "It's amazing! It's prophetic!"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)
Rating (out of 5):
I try to make it a habit to search for indie horror films through Amazon and eBay to find movies that have somehow slipped passed me. A lot of times I find some extremely fun and wild movies that most of my horror friends have missed. Recently I was doing my normal digging when I found the no budget zombie flick Blaming George Romero. I wanted to take advantage of the free shipping so I kept digging for a few more movies to add to my cart when I found the sci-fi film The Rise of the Robots. this one looked like another wild ride so I quickly hit add to cart. Once I finished with Blaming George Romero I figured now was just as good a time as any to spin Rise of the Robots.
The film follows a college professor, two of his students, and a local good ol' boy who find themselves under attack when robots from another planet posses all of mankind who are addicted to staring at their phones. They must act fast to save the human race before the robot prove they are superior.
A few months ago I watched Inhumanwich and fucking loved it. The blend of drive-in era sci-fi and comedy was an absolute blast. I was hoping The Rise of the Robots would be very similar and it was. It was a fun sci-fi comedy mash up that paid tribute to the classic age of sci-fi cinema. The acting in this one a dry and extremely flat but that was done on purpose. The film fully embraces the b-movie campiness of the classic sci-fi films and the cast is fully dedicated to the aesthetics. I really enjoyed the characters and how the cast approached their roles. The characters are very entertaining and it's the cast we have to thank that made this movie so much fun. The story for this one is a fun send off to golden age of drive-in cinema and classic sci-fi flicks meets modern day society. The robots taking over the human race by infiltrating their cellphones is brilliant. Six years later and this still rings true. The story is extremely campy and fun which works with how goofy it is. With that being said, the story is stretched a little too thin. It becomes a little dull in the middle but picks back up as we reach the final stretch. Finally, this is not a bloody flick. We get some classic visual effects that was very cheesy but fun. I enjoyed it for what it was. However, if you are looking for something bloody then you will be very disappointed. Overall, The Rise of the Robots is a cheesy good time. It's not going to be a movie that will stick with you but it's very entertaining for a first time watch. Check it out.
Creator(s) - David Benioff (Troy, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and D.B. Weiss (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Starring - Iain Glen (Resident Evil: Extinction, Kick-Ass 2), Gwendoline Christie (Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, The Hunger Games: Mickingjay - Part 2), and Aidan Gillen (The Dark Knight Rises, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Action/Fantasy
Tagline - "Vengeance is coming"
Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I finished season four I had intended of waiting a few days before I went into another season. I have some movies I need to check out and review but season four really hit hard with me so I decided that go ahead with season five. I was sent home when a co-worker tested positive for Covid so I had plenty of time to dig into this season and holy fuck was it better than I expected.
This season once again follows the kingdom as Joffrey's brother, now king, is wed and his forces are squashing down rebellions throughout the 7 kingdoms. While things sort themselves out in the kingdom, the rangers are divided as Jon Snow sympathizes with the wildlings and let them in for fear of the white walkers but mutiny among his ranks leads to his untimely death.
As the show gears up for the battle between the 7 kingdoms and the white walkers I find myself becoming increasingly excited. I absolutely love this story arch and the fact that it keep taking up more and more screen time really excites me. I'm sure season six will be even better! The acting in this season is probably the most impressive with many of the title characters taking on even more intense performances. I was completely blown away by how far Lena Headey was willing to go for her role. She literally bared it all for the show and her performance this season blows all the previous seasons out of the water. Her character is written for you to hate and she does a fantastic job. The story for this season, once again, picks up brilliantly from the previous season with even more character development. Characters that were just shown briefly in previous seasons or that was not the most well developed characters are now transitioning to likable characters or more development is placed on them. I really like the direction they took Jamie Lannister and how he is becoming one of my favorites of the show. Finally, the practical effects and deaths are a little more brutal this time around but they are overshadowed by the dated and poorly done visual effects for the dragons and white walkers. I'm sure they looked good five years ago when it was released but now I find these effects very funny. Overall, Season five is easily the most action packed and epic season of the series so far but I know the future seasons are only going to improve from here. Fantastic season.
Director - Tommy Slama (Alabama Sasquatch, Bumper Hardwood's Thanks Giving Day Special)
Starring - Tommy Slama, Elizabeth Knight, and Robbie Cox
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "See how the other half lives"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
Several years ago I reviewed the two no budget horror comedies Weedwolf and Alabama Sasquatch. They were cheap, funny, and completely off the wall. I really enjoyed myself and told several friends about them after reviewing them. Jump forward a few years and both films would get an official release from my friends over at Wild Eye. Around that same time Wild Eye released another film of theirs that I had not seen prior. Back in 2015 Tommy Slama and company made the film American Freakshow and recently Wild Eye released it under the new title Bloody Scum. I decided my October Horror Binge would be the perfect time to finally check it out. Thanks Wild Eye for sending this one over!
The film follows a group of backwoods hillbillies who have a knack for kidnapping women and killing men. When several groups make their way into their woods they find themselves deep in abducting and killing but will they have their hands full when they come across boy scout legend Bumper?
It has been almost 10 years since I reviewed Alabama Sasquatch and Weedwolf so I couldn't remember a lot about them. I do remember bits and pieces and some of the scenes still makes me laugh but overall I couldn't remember the overall story. Lucky for me this film is not really a sequel in a typical sense to those other films and flows as it's own film. I enjoyed it for the most part and it reminded me a lot of the mid 00's Troma releases. The acting in this one is over the top and extremely goofy. The cast, though mostly lacking on screen experience, had a lot of fun with their roles which showed in each scene. The characters are very enjoyable and made the slower scenes very entertaining. The story for this one is nothing we haven't seen before but the addition of heavy humor and some slapstick makes it an easy watch. I can't see myself tossing this one in again but it's hard to tell what kind of mood I will be in 5 or so years from now. Finally, the film has a lot of fake blood and cheap practical effects which only adds to the tone of the film. Some of the kills were unintentional funny while others were very intentionally funny. Regardless, the film has blood but not the amazing practical effects that most of you are looking for. Overall, American Freakshow, aka Bloody Scum, is a fun watch for those of you that live on cheap beer and Troma flicks. It has some laughs, cheap effects, and fun characters. Check it out if you are looking for something different to watch but don't let the cover art for this one paint the picture for the film because you will be very disappointed.
Starring - Olivia DeJonge (Better Watch Out, The Sisterhood of Night), Ed Oxenbould (Better Watch Out, Paper Planes), and Deanna Dunagan (The Exorcist, Running Scared)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "No one loves you like your grandparents"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
I never realized it until now but I guess I am a fan of controversial filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. I remember when I was younger and his films The Sixth Sense, The Village, and Signs was released. I was quick to grab all them for my collection but I never considered myself a fan. However, after finally watching his 2015 horror hit The Visit I finally realize that I do enjoy his body of work. I'm glad I finally took the time to check it out because I really enjoyed it.
The film follows siblings Becca (DeJonge) and Tyler (Oxenbould) who travel to the country alone to spend time with their grandparents who they had never met. Their mother fell in love with a substitute teacher and left to be with him which caused some friction between her and her parents. Now, some years later, they want to finally see and meet their grandchildren. The trip starts out innocently enough but over time they realize that something is wrong with their grandparents.
Starring - Jennifer Lopez (The Cell, Anaconda), Ryan Guzman (Pretty Little Liars, Heroes Reborn), and Ian Nelson (The Hunger Games, Teen Wolf)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "A moment she couldn't resist. An obsession he can't control"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
When I received this Blumhouse horror set there was several releases in it that I had wanted to check out for sometime. Movies like The Visit and Get Out to be more specific. However, one film that I was really not looking forward to checking out was the 2015 horror thriller The Boy Next Door. I remember seeing trailers for this one back when it was released and thought that it looked like something Lifetime or Hallmark would air during Halloween. However, this one really surprised me. I really enjoyed it for what it is but I don't see myself going out of the way to watch it again.
The film follows recently separated Claire Peterson (Lopez) who is a school teacher. She lives with her son and meets her elderly neighbor's nephew Noah (Guzman) just days before classes start. One night after a botched date she starts drinking when he calls her needing help with dinner. She goes over to help and soon the two hook up. She freaks out when she awakens and he tries to calm her down. Seeing that it's not working he stops and she leaves. He tries to keep it going but she tries to remain professional and realistic while explaining to him it was a mistake. This pushes him over and he starts sabatoging her work and home life. When she refuses to break he goes deeper into his obsession resulting in deadly consequences.
I was not expecting The Boy Next Door to pull me in like it did but I found myself getting sucked into the story and when it was over and done with I was shocked by how much I enjoyed it. It's not a movie I would go out of my way to watch again but if I was channel surfing and caught it on I would check it out again. The acting in this one works for the film but there is several inconsistencies from most of the cast. Lopez delivers a fantastic performance during the last half of the film but the first half she is very underwhelming. The same can be said for the supporting cast. Everyone brings it in the last half of the film but the slow paced scenes and unenthused performances in the first half makes it a little difficult to stick with. The story for this one is something you could find on a Lifetime movie from the 90s. A teacher getting in over her head and the student becoming obsessive isn't very horror filled but can be a fun day time dark thriller. However, the last 20 minutes of the movie is really heart-pounding and action packed. Horror related but not enough to really call the film a horror flick. Finally, if you want blood and gore you will not find it here. The film is more story and character driven instead of on the red stuff. Overall, The Boy Next Door is a surprisingly fun thriller that works. I know a lot of you horror minded readers will skip this one but you really should check it out. It was well worth the time.
Starring - Corey Taylor (Rust, White Trash Smash), Brittany Enos (Last Day of School, Rust 2), and Taylor Kilgore (Rust, The Immortal Wars)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Beauty has a price"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
The last few days I set my sights on two indie horror films from director Joe Lujan. The first was his horror short Rust followed by the sequel Rust 2, stylized as Ru2t. The first film in the series was a bit of a let down and I found myself becoming severely bored with it. I had little hopes for the sequel but found myself really enjoying it. I don't see myself tossing it in any time soon but I definitely enjoyed it. When Joe sent me these two films on blu to review he also sent over two other films to check out. I was riding the high of Rust 2 and decided to hurry onto his next film. The next one on the chopping block is his 2015 horror film Atelophobia.
The film follows a group of mean spirited pageant contestants who are often belittling and degrading a young woman who wants nothing more than to fit in. After suffering years of abuse she snaps and abducts these beautiful yet evil women to torture and disfigure. Robbing them of the thing they love most...their beauty.
I was looking forward to viewing this film but I did have some doubts. First off, I had to look up Atelophobia because I had no idea what the fuck it meant. The other reason I had doubts was because it centered around a group of pageant contestants. I was almost certain that the characters and scenario would turn me off but I actually really enjoyed what Lujan delivered. The acting in this one starts out a little mediocre before we really get into the solid performances. The snobby beautiful women really get under your skin which is a true testament to their performance. They were written to hate and they do a tremendous job at pulling that emotion out of the viewer. They then switch it up and turn from bitch to helpless victim delivering yet another solid performance. The captors and their leader, Meredith I believe her name was, are a little on the cheesy side. They look and act like characters in a late 90s industrial music video which does take the tone away from the movie somewhat. The dark and gritty look of the torture scenes do receive a few unintentional laughs as a result. The story for this one works for what it is and the title, though not that appealing, perfectly fits the film. Some people, like myself, will see the title Atelophobia and skip on it because they do not know what that means prior to viewing. However, if you look beyond the title you will find a very grounded torture flick that is a little more than torture porn. It has some slight social commentary and solid pacing which works. Normal torture porn turns me off to a horror film but this one works with the characters you start out hating. Finally, the film has some impressive practical effects that fit the them of the film. We watch several beautiful woman as they are disfigured. The effects work and they stick with you long after you turn the film off. Overall, Atelophobia is a surprisingly hard hitting film. Some people will look at the artwork and title for this one and look over it but I highly recommend checking this one out. You may be surprised as well.
