Paranormal Sexperiments

Director - Terrance Ryker (Escape from Pleasure Planet, Cosmic Calendar Girls)

Starring - Blair Williams (Sweet Sting of the Black Widow, Psychotic Behavior 2), Erika Jordan (Model for Murder: The Centerfold Killer, Femalien: Starlight Saga), and Robert Donavan (Night of the Tommyknockers, Snow White and the Seven Samurai)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Sex after death"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I bought the Glamour Ghouls Collection I didn't care about the second film in the set. I saw College Co-Eds vs Zombie Housewives and was sold on it. Paranormal Sexperiments just didn't sound like something I would be interested in. However, after wasting my time on the first film, I figured it made sense to check out the other one. Hell, I had already spent the money on it so it makes sense to give it a watch. 

      The film follows a struggling college student who is about to be evicted when she learns that she inherited a notorious mansion simply by liking the obituary of the previous owner on social media. The owner was a cruel woman and it was rumored that she had an old book filled with an ancient power. Now, with her gone, several people want to get their hands on the book. What they don't expect in the home is the spirit of the late owner who possesses people and forces them to have sex as part of a ritual to bring about a great evil. 

      I hate when a film uses a play on the Paranormal Activity series. I never liked the Paranormal Activity films so seeing punny or clever plays on that title never made me want to watch a movie. I had no interest in Paranormal Sexperiments but I did love it after taking the time to actually watch it. If it was named something else, I could see it gaining a cult following. However, other genre fans are like I am and tend to stay away from films titled like this if they don't like the Paranormal Activity films. The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a cast consisting of softcore and hardcore stars. The women are beautiful, the men are there to serve their purpose, but that is about the extent of it. The story for this one was a lot of fun and not only works from a haunted house horror film standpoint, but as a sexploitation flick as well. I loved the spirit possessing people and making them screw each other. You add the evil power aspect into the mix and you have a pretty solid horror story. It was fun. well paced, and worked. Finally, the film has a little dash of visual effects but that is the extent of it. The main focus is the nudity rather than gore. Overall, Paranormal Sexperiments was a surprisingly fun sexploitation flick that I was not expecting to enjoy. This was well worth the price of the Glamour Ghouls Collection even though the other film was a huge bust. Check it out

Romeo's Distress

Director - Jeff Frumess (Am I Demon?, Beyond the Green Hole)

Starring - Anthony Malchar, Renee Mandel (Gouge Away), and Kimberely A. Peterson 

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror/Romance

Tagline - "Why does love have to be this way?"

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’m still playing catch up from October which is extremely pathetic for a film reviewer. I know a lot of others that review films for sites, blogs, YouTube, and so on and they tend to stay on top of it. They can catch a film when it’s released and have a review up same day. I’ve never been that fast. To make matters worse, back in October I made a post looking for indie horror flick to review as part of my October horror binge and was greeted with over 100 films. I couldn’t turn them away so I added them to my watch list to slowly chip away at. One of those films is Jeff Frumess’ Shakespeare inspired fantasy horror film Romeo’s Distress. Sometime back I reviewed his film Gouge Away and was looking forward to checking it out. I want to thank Jeff for sending it over! 

      The film follows James. James seems to be lost in the world often catching a beating from another a young man when he’s not busy roaming the cemetery. James is in love with Jane but Jane is dead. Her father did not want the two together and after her death he vows to never let him linger around her final resting place. While the viewer feels sorry James, the film further reveals that maybe Jane didn’t love James back and he may have crossed the line. 

      Romeo’s Distress was not the film I was expecting but it’s a film that quickly gained my respect and admiration. I’m not cultured and I know I have the worst sense of taste when it comes to film and other mediums. I know nothing about Shakespeare or his work but I have seen a few horror flicks that parody or pay tribute to him in their way. While I couldn’t tell you how close this film is to the work it is inspired I can tell you that it’s one of the better indie dark fantasy films that I’ve seen. The acting in this one is great. I noticed that this was the first, and in a few instances only, acting credit for a good portion of the cast which is seriously impressive. While the whole film features a fantastic cast, I was seriously impressed by Anthony Malchar in the lead role. His character has many layers and he showed talent beyond his years with his performance. The story for this one is a gothic fantasy thriller that takes the viewer on a ride they would not expect. When the film starts the viewer is given a glimpse into the world of a lonely young man trying to find happiness in the world. It’s not until much later in the film that we see the sinister side. It’s brilliant and if you give it a chance the pay off is well worth it. Finally, don’t expect a film full of amazing effects and memorable deaths. Instead, we are given a character driven film that replies heavily on it’s amazing story. Overall, Romeo’s Distress is a prime example of what can be done with no budget and a brilliant story. I highly recommend it.

Beyond the Wall of Fear

Director - Joe Sherlock (Drifter, Odd Noggins)

Starring - Tonjia Atomic (Thingz, Scarecrow County), John Bowker (Twisted Fates, Axegrinder 3), and Tom Griffith (The Alien Factor, Nightbeast)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My Skullface Astronaut marathon is in full force as I move on to my second film on the list of films he sent over titled Beyond the Wall of Fear. While I assume there is some order that I should be watching them, I’m just too lazy to do the research to make sure I watch them in order. I will say that I was a big fan of Drifter and couldn’t wait to dig into this horror anthology from 2016. 

      The film begins with a woman who is having horrible nightmares and when she dies of fear it is revealed her torment was orchestrated by a man in black. The second tale follows two men who is searching for something and uncovers an evil older than man himself. The third story follows a man and his dog going for a walk while something lurking out of sight is on the hunt for something. The fourth tale follows a writing looking for inspiration who finds herself in some sort of Lovecraftian nightmare. We then round the film out with four more tales involving a couple on a date, witches, a drug addled individual, and people who become ravenous after becoming infected by an unknown agent. 

      I had no idea that Beyond the Wall of Fear was an anthology but I’m always open to checking them out when they are sent my way. I grew up on Creepshow, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, Twilight Zone: The Movie, and From a Whisper to a Scream so I always go into a new one excited. I went into this one with my normal enthusiasm for indie horror but if I would have known it was an anthology I would have been a bit more excited. Regardless, I enjoyed the film but some of the segments were better than others. The acting in this one is inconsistent but not bad. Much like Drifter, the cast is really into their roles. They are fully invested in the film and deliver the best performances they can. Inexperience is evident but I loved the energy and the cavalcade of characters that we are given. The stories for this one is inconsistent but as an overall film they work. It’s hard to find an anthology where every segment is consistent so it’s to be expected. With that being said, I’m a huge fan of how this was set up to look like a late night cable production. I grew up on shows like USA Up All Night and MonsterVision so seeing a film attempt that look and feel really brought me back. Finally, the film is a no budget production and the effects clearly show that. They do the best with what they have and I enjoy it. I’ve always had a soft spot for indie cinema and seeing diy effects on screen has always been something that I’ve been impressed by. It shows a lot of creativity and ingenuity. They may not always look the best but they are still passionate about what they do. Overall, Beyond the Wall of Fear is an entertaining indie horror film with beautiful women in the buff and some enjoyable stories. Some are better than others but they all are worth the time. Check it out

They Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe

Director - Daniel Griffith (Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Motion Picture Odyssey, Tales of Folklore and Fright: Creating Trick r Treat)

Starring - William Grefe (Cool as Hell 2, Dark Universe), Frank Henenlotter (Basket Case, Frankenhooker), and Steve Alaimo (The Hooked Generation, The Naked Zoo)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Documentary/Horror

Tagline - "If there were rules to making a movie, one director would break them all!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     After a couple days of fun and exploitation goodness, I've finally reached the end of my William Grefe journey.  Prior to reviewing this box set I had only seen two of his films and was really looking forward to these.  Surprisingly, almost all of these films were extremely fun regardless of how cheesy they were.  As I reach the end of my journey I find myself reviewing the only film in the He Came from the Swamp not directed by William Grefe.  The last film is the William Grefe centered documentary They Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefe from documentarian Daniel Griffith.  

     The documentary follows the filmmaking career of Florida maverick William Grefe.  It begins with a look back at his first acting gig when he was hired on as a writer and due to scheduling difficulties he was hired on to direct his own story.  Soon he was directing other racing films before helming two genre defining drive-in era horror films before moving on to other films of his.  During each year and film discussed we get several interviews from cast and crew that have great stories about working on these films.  

     They Came from the Swamp is a fantastic documentary that covers the entire filmography of William Grefe as a director.  I found it to be exceptionally informative and only fueled the desire to see his other films that I have not yet like Stanley and a few others.  It's attention to detail sheds some much needed light on several of his projects while giving new fans a lot of behind the scenes information and stories to enjoy.  The interviews in this has a lot to offer ranging from the cast and crew who worked on the project, to lifelong fans, and other filmmakers that were impacted by Grefe's work.  It's nice seeing such a wide range of people with so many different insights into the films discuss each film.  The topics discussed are in chronological order starting from his earlier films up until he stopped directing.  Having each film discussed evenly throughout the film works especially for genre fans who are truly interested in hearing about the behind the scenes of some of these historical films.  I love how thorough the interviews are and the topics that go from film to film really works.  I learned so much and considering how iconic several of these films are it was great to hear these amazing stories behind them.  Finally, this is a top tier documentary with some smooth editing, nice transitions and perfect pacing.  Daniel Griffith is a career documentary filmmaker and all the time and experience he has truly shines here.  Overall, They Came from the Swamp is a fantastic and informative look into the legacy of Florida's most underrated filmmaker.  What Griffith brings to the table and showcases here is absolutely astonishing.  I highly recommend it.  

Green Jello Suxx Live

Director - Rob Gabriele 

Starring - Bill Manspeaker (Cool as Hell 2, Space Ghost Coast to Coast), Lloyd Kaufman (#Shakespeare's Shitstorm, The Toxic Avenger), and Damien Manspeaker

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Documentary

Tagline - "The Guinness Book world record holding, Grammy award nominated, multi-million selling godfathers... of punk rock puppet band"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Green Jello, or Green Jelly, is a band that saw huge success with their music video for Three Little Pigs.  I'm not much on punk but I remember listening to this one when I was younger.  Hell, I have it on my Amazon Music playlist right now.  It's a catchy fucking song.  However, my knowledge of GJ stops there.  When Vinegar Syndrome's partner label announced the release of Green Jello Suxx Live on blu I was hesitant to grab it.  On one hand, I love a good documentary but on the other I don't care enough about GJ to spend money on a doc about them.  My mind changed when I saw that it had Lloyd Kaufman in it.  I went ahead and snagged a copy and after watching Smile and Heavy Trip I figured now was just as good a time as any to check it out.  

     The documentary follows Bill Manspeaker as he tours through Ontario, Canada.  Bill is the founder and front man for Green Jello who has amassed over 600 band members in his band that way he has somewhere to stay and members of the band regardless of what town he plays in.  We follow Bill as he prepares for shows, watch him perform, and all the work behind the scenes as he moves from town to town.

     I'm a sucker for documentaries regardless if I have an interest in the top or not.  I was already on the fence about spending $25 for a doc about a band I've only heard one song from before but seeing Lloyd was in it I decided I'd give it a shot.  I'm glad I pulled the trigger on it because I really enjoyed it.  It doesn't make me want to dig deeper into the band or anything but it was a fun doc that really showed the viewer what it was like being in a rather innovative band.  The interviews in this one are very insightful but very one sided.  The interviews consist of current and former band members along with Manspeaker himself.  It's cool seeing how many people were impacted by this band and how many proclaim it to be their favorite punk band.  However, it's mostly all rainbows and unicorn farts.  None of the interviews are from people with something negative to say about him.  I remember some time back, not too long ago, that there was an issue with GJ and a promoter and the thread spiraled out of hand with people talking about how much of an asshole and dickhead Manspeaker can be when performing.  It would have been very interesting to hear from people that don't have the same opinion of Manspeaker as most of the people in the doc.  In fact, some of my favorite documentaries usually takes the time to show both sides of the coin so to speak.  Green Jello Suxx Live is fan made and that shows.  The topics discussed in this one mostly follows around on the "current" tour GJ was on when this was filmed and how Manspeaker has found a way to provide himself with a place to stay and band members for each town he visits.  This is a genius way to tour and ensure that you always have fresh musicians with no internal drama.  This was very interesting and makes up a bulk of the film but I wish more time was spent on discussing the earlier years of Green Jello.  It was only mentioned briefly and that was the most fascinating of the entire film.  Finally, this one is put together very nicely.  Each segment and scene flows smoothly together even though a lot of the footage is a bit hectic considering it follows a high energy punk act.  Overall, Green Jello Suxx Live is a fun documentary about a legendary theatrical punk band that many don't know.  I would highly recommend checking this one out regardless if you are a fan of them or not.  It's a well made doc.  

Dolly Deadly

Director - Heid Moore (Mommy, Soul Doubt)

Starring - Justin Moore (Dolly Deadly 1.5, Kill Dolly Kill), Kimberly West-Carroll, and Jay Sosnicki (Elliot, Hi-Death)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "All dolled up and ready to kill"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of Troma for sometime now.  Ever since I first found the tapes in high school I was hooked.  Writing for Horror Society has it's own perks.  Getting to hear about new and upcoming horror movies prior to their release is a big one.  Sometime back I received the press release from Troma announcing that they had acquired the indie horror film Dolly Deadly for their streaming platform Troma Now.  Sometime has passed and I saw that the film was getting a blu release.  I had yet to see it so I went ahead and snagged a copy to check out when I had the time.  After watching Reunion from Hell I decided it was the perfect time to give it a spin.

     The film follows Benji who lives with his grandmother and her deadbeat boyfriend in the trailer park.  He lost his mother when he was a baby and now only has dolls and stuffed animals of hers to remember her by.  Because of his attachment to these he is often ridiculed and mocked by his family and friends.  He finally reaches his boiling point and things turn deadly.  

     Dolly Deadly is not what I was expecting at all but I fucking loved it.  The film would be the second movie in my unintentional LGBTQ double feature after spinning Reunion from Hell.  It was extremely well written and fun with that Troma trash/punk aesthetic.  I really enjoyed it and I think if you were open minded you would as well.  The acting in this one is phenomenal.  The supporting cast brings to life a wide array of characters that are not only memorable but very fun to watch.  Even if you are meant to hate the character you still find yourself enjoying their performance and almost picking out common traits you share with them.  With that being said. Justin Moore is the star of the show.  He doesn't let his age or lack of experience stop him from shinning.  His portrayal of Benji brings out a lot of emotions in the viewer.  As someone who grew up in a broken home I really felt his performance.  He really struck a chord with me.  I can't wait to see him appear in other genre titles as he gets older.  The story for this one is one we've seen before but with a little LGBTQ flair.  We've seen so many horror and exploitation films following a kid/teen/pre-teen who is bullied and neglected living in a trailer park before turning to bloodshed.  Hell, just a few months ago I reviewed Gun Crazy which follows a couple from a trailer park that goes on a mass shooting.  What sets this one apart from the others is the added trash cinema flair with the young killer donning a dress while killing.  It's hard not to say this is a horror film from the mind of a John Water's fan but fans of both will see the similarities.  Finally, the film has some extremely bloody and violent deaths with some solid practical effects.  We get a little gore but nothing that will really stand out.  Overall, Dolly Deadly is not your typical horror film.  It has an emotional range that most indie films are unable to produce while delivering the standard horror chills.  I highly recommend this one.  

Jungle Trap

Director - James Bryan (Hell Riders, Don't Go in the Woods)

Starring - Renee Harmon (Lady Street Fighter, Frozen Scream), Frank Neuhaus (Night of Terror, Run Coyote Run), and Heidi Ahn (Out All Night, Cousin Skeeter)

Release Date - 1990/2016

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago, before I was into the American Genre Film Archive blu releases, I found the Bleeding Skull website.  I appreciated their love of obscure and odd films and checked out some of thier reviews and write ups.  I also noticed that at one time they released a movie or two.  The one that really caught my eye was Jungle Trap from director James Bryan.  Bryan is a filmmaker that has had several films on my chopping block from Vinegar Syndrome.  Sadly, they were no longer making copies of this release.  Fast forward a few years and AGFA and Bleeding Skull has once again teamed up for a blu release and this time it was a Bryan double feature with Jungle Trap and Run Coyote Run.  I quickly snagged a copy and as soon as I could I tossed in Jungle Trap.  

     The film follows a team of explorers who venture deep in the jungle to a hotel that was once the site of a tribe war between the hotel staff and a local tribe.  Things start out innocently enough but soon turn strange when members of their party go missing and then the hotel staff disappears.  Thats when the survivors learn that the hotel staff were ghosts and the tribe will be attacking them as soon as the sun sets.

     Jungle Trap is the unfinished 1990 film from James Bryan and Renee Harmon.  The film went unfinished for sometime before Bleeding Skull would find it, finish it, and release it.  It's a far out there story and film with an even more entertaining backstory but the overall film is a dud.  I wanted to like this one but I couldn't bring myself to it.  The acting in this one had me laughing my ass off.  This is the kind of acting that you love to see when you are downing cheap beer with cheaper friends at Cinema Wasteland.  The cast overreacts through most of the scenes and their dialogue delivery is absolutely atrocious.  Bryan is capable of creating some fun genre efforts but he was very disconnected with the cast on this one.  The story for this one is a wild idea with a very interesting plot but the execution is rough.  I know it took the film a couple decades to be completed but the production value and lack of direction really makes this one a tough one to finish.  I love a good bad movie but this one lacks the good.  With that being said, a haunted jungle hotel with an angry tribe really is a good premise for a horror flick.  We just need the execution.  Finally,  the film has a cheap decapitation gag that I really enjoyed and a few cheap gags here and there but for the most part it's rather dry.  No blood or chaos that I was expecting considering the story.  Overall, Jungle Trap was not what I was expecting.  I know it took a long time to be completed but it's a tough one to finish.  I've seen some bad movies in my life and this is among them.  Collectors will want to snag it but don't expect something enjoyable.  

Dark Show

Director - Olivier Parthonnaud (Bad Mood, Noody: 3D)

Starring - Tim Charles (Flawless, Through the Fire), Matthew Mellalieu (Playing Dead, Demon), and Joanne McCallin (All the Pretty Fishes, Starting from Scratch)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Fear in the extreme"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     After four movies I've finally reached the end of my five film Wild Eye Releasing movie marathon.  Vicious and Suicide Club, though they are both not specifically horror, were absolutely amazing. I would recommend both of these films to any genre fan with confidence.  Sadly, The Death Pledge and Godforsaken were not that great.  In fact, both of these films were tough for me to finish and my tolerance for bad movies is pretty high.  The last film in the binge is the 2016 horror flick Dark Show from director Olivier Parthonnaud.  I once again want to thank Wild Eye and MVD for sending this one over.

     The film follows a reality television series who puts people in "extreme" situations.  Forced with low ratings they attempt to revamp the show by casting an actor from France.  However, their trip outdoors turns deadly when a tattooed man with a taste for blood starts killing the crew one by one leaving only the actor remaining.

     I went into this one thinking it was a found footage flick but I was surprised to see it wasn't.  Instead, it's filmed in a reality show type manner almost like Survivor and so forth.  This was an interesting spin on the genre especially for an indie production.  However, the pacing and story just wasn't enough to hold my attention.  The acting in this one was great.  The characters were very fitting to the story and the cast did a great job at moving the story along to a certain degree.  However, the characters blend in to the background more than they should.  They trade personality for heritage which doesn't make the scenes any more entertaining.  Accents don't equal personality.  The story for this one is very interesting, however, it doesn't work for a film that runs almost an hour and a half.  If they film would have stuck with just the scenes that pertained to the story the movie could have been a smooth 40 minutes or so which would have worked.  They way the movie is edited and cut now we have so many mind numbingly boring scenes following the characters wondering through the dark castle corridors.  It's painfully dull and really breaks the pacing of the film up.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments but for those of you looking for memorable kills and amazing gore will be greatly disappointed.  The movie is focused on the characters and the scenarios they are in.  Overall, Dark Show features a solid cast and has a very interesting concept but the idea falls apart on screen.  This is one you should skip.  

Vicious

Director - Jason Rosenblatt (For Dad, Toxic Zombie: Embrace the Horror)

Starring - Angela Nordeng (1000 Ways to Die, Jurassic City), Tommy Harrington (Dick Strange: American Made, The Maestro), and Jason James Richter (Ghost in the Graveyard, The Last Rampage)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Tagline - "She's just getting started"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A month or so ago my friends from MVD hooked me up with a giant box of movies to review.  Most of them were new releases from SRS Cinema with a random release from Trionic Entertainment with the rest being movies from Wild Eye.  I had a huge SRS marathon and recently reviewed the Trionic release so it was time to dig into some of these Wild Eye releases.  The first one I tossed on the chopping block is the 2016 crime thriller Vicious.  It looked like a wild ride and I couldn't wait to check it out.  I want to thank Wild Eye and MVD for sending this one over.

     The story for this one follows Belle (Nordeng) who is working as a stripper while she puts herself through law school.  When one of the patrons gets a little too close and follows her home she begins to stress and fear for her life.  That is until she meets and older gentleman who pays her very well to talk.  She opens to him and lets him into her life a little more than she should have resulting in her worst fear becoming reality. 

     I went into this one knowing it wasn't a horror flick and I found myself fucking loving it.  The cast, the story, the cinematography.  I found myself falling in love with this one the longer I watched it.  I know some of you genre fans will write this one off but I fucking loved it and if you will give it a chance I'm sure you will too.  The acting in this one is fucking phenomenal.  Angela Nordeng is fucking brilliant as the stripper working through school.  She's a strong female lead that delivers a wide emotional range that really made the film for me.  I could really see her pulling off the final girl role in a slasher.  It's also worth noting that she is absolutely gorgeous.  She is perfectly cast for this role as if it was almost written for her.  I was also impressed by Tommy Harrington.  His character has many layers and he pulls them off brilliantly.  His innocence at the beginning of the film before slowly changing into the controlling and calculative maniac is nothing short of amazing.  The same can be said for the supporting cast.  There is no weak links in this chain.  The story for this one throws you for a loop and is one that goes in a full circle.  The premise could easily be written into a horror film but they way it was approached delivers so much character development and death that no horror film can deliver.  What we get is a strong character piece with great pacing and just enough twists and turns to hold your attention without giving too much away at the beginning.  I didn't care for the red herring near the beginning of the film but once the movie runs it course you see exactly why it was done that way.  Finally, the film has several deaths but they are nothing that really stands out.  If you are looking for memorable and unique kills then you will need to sort out another film from the Wild Eye catalogue for that.  Overall, Vicious completely blew my mind.  This is one of the best acted indie films I've seen in a long time and the story pulls you in.  I cannot recommend this film enough.  Do yourself a favor and check it out!

Crazy Fat Ethel

Director - Brian Dorton (Trashology, Preexisting Conditions)

Starring - Dixie Gers (Piggy, 13 Slays Till X-Mas), Jenny Coulter (Trashology, Preexisting Conditions), and William Allen Nugent (Trashology)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Kill for meals"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     A couple summers back I befriended director Brian Dorton after I saw him post in a horror group.  He was selling copies of his movies and I was interested in grabbing a few.  It was then that I realized that Brian was the director of Trashology which I had reviewed sometime before when Olive Films sent me a review copy.  I was interested in his blu release of Crazy Fat Ethel which was a remake of Nick Millard's Criminally Insane.  I snagged a copy for my collection but I never really found the time to watch it for fun.  With Dorton's newest film available I figured now would be the best time to finally check it out.  

     The film follows Ethel (Gers) who is released from a mental care facility to live with her aunt.  Ethel loves to eat but when her family and friends get between her and her meals things turn deadly.  

     I had just binged both Criminally Insane films so I was ready for this retelling from Brian Dorton.  The original Criminally Insane was fantastic but the follow up was a huge disappointment.  Dorton's Crazy Fat Ethel took what fans love about the original and then gave them exactly what they wanted with the original.  I love both films and for different reasons but Crazy Fat Ethel is exactly how Criminally Insane should have been.  The acting in this one is pretty fucking solid.  I didn't know how the movie would play out with Gers in the lead.  She's such a sweet person and I couldn't imagine her in the lead role and the mentally unstable Ethel but she absolutely nailed it.  She's such a phenomenal actress and I saw a lot of Priscilla Alden's Ethel in her performance.  I was really impressed by how far she went with this performance.  The supporting cast is solid with some delivering a little more memorable performances than others.  It's inconsistent but nothing bad.  The story for this one is based on what we were given with the original with a little bit more of a backstory, a look at her life in the mental institute, and the cannibalism that was just barely explored in the first film.  Dorton really is a fan and took what he enjoyed from the originally while expanding it and making it more bound in the genre.  I really enjoyed how we watch the abuse Ethel suffers before we transition to her being at home and becoming the unhinged food obsessed killer that we expect.  Seeing this slowly build and then finally erupt is a rewarding watch and then we are given even more carnage with the cannibalism aspect which really does fit in well with the food obsession aspect.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood and some surprisingly well used gore.  A few of the kills are reminiscent of the original film using a meat cleaver and some camera tricks and gags.  However, there is one seen that stands out because the production steals a page from the Dawn of the Dead handbook where they used real gore from a butcher I would assume.  Really caught me off guard and works so well for the film.  Overall, Crazy Fat Ethel is a fantastic retelling of a classic genre hit.  Dorton really does this one justice and knocked this one out of the park.  I highly suggest you snag a copy of this one when you can.  It was a blast.  

Lotus Eyes

Director - Joshua Land (Ape Canyon, The American Dream)

Starring - Mitch Holson (V/H/S/ 2, Wonder Woman 1984), Anna Fagan (Ape Canyon, The Visitation), Shannon Lanier (The Dark Knight Rises, Signals 2)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Drama

Tagline - "Who can you trust when the world ends?"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I have a soft spot for post-apocalyptic movies.  Not every filmmaker can pull off a Mad Max inspired feature but there has been some very clever no-budget post-apocalyptic films to be released over the years.  A few of those has found a home with Wild Eye.  A few weeks ago Wild Eye sent me the 2016 post-apocalyptic drama 2020: Fallen Earth which was originally titled Lotus Eyes.  I can see why the title was changed but I do find it a little funny that a 2016 film was retitled 2020: Fallen Earth.  Regardless, I want to thank Wild Eye for sending this one over.  I absolutely loved it.

     The film follows teenager Simon (Holson) who has decided to leave the care of his mother to live with his uncle on a farm.  The economy has tanked due to an oil crisis leaving many in poverty and barely able to eat.  The journey to his uncle's starts out innocently enough and soon he befriends two others looking for a better opportunity.  However, inner turmoil's and unable to trust newcomers forcing them to separate until he reaches his uncles.  He soon learns that the grass is not always greener on the other side when he learns that his uncle only keeps able bodied workers on the farm and those that are sick or ill are forced out to starve.

     When I tossed this one in I assumed it was a horror tale but I was wrong.  However, I was not disappointed.  In fact, I found myself thinking about this long after it was over.  I absolutely loved it and recommended it to several genre fans after I watched it.  Wild Eye has released several of my favorite movies on DVD over the years and this releases adds another to the list.  The acting in this one is great.  The characters are not that well written and can easily blend into the backdrop but the cast does a phenomenal job in their performances.  The cast is extremely young and inexperienced but they show so much promise in front of the camera.  It's been a few years and the cast has appeared in a few more films but nothing really genre specific which is a bit disappointing.  The story for this one is not a horror tale.  In fact, it's not really suspenseful either.  The film is a drama set against a decaying civilization with the characters choosing one of two options.  They can either help one another or they can look out for themselves.  The movie does a fantastic job showing how easy it is to become selfish in difficult times but it also shows how someone can help others without putting people at risk.  Having these types of characters clash works in this post-apocalyptic setting.  With that being said, there is some pretty dry scenes that really pushes the viewer's patience.  These scenes are few and far in between but they are there and it breaks the pacing up.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  In fact, it's not really that gruesome at all.  There is some scenes with a few dead bodies but they do not show blood or gore.  Remember, this is a drama and not an extreme horror flick.  Overall, 2020: Fallen Earth is not what I was expecting but I fucking loved it.  If you are looking for a Mad Max style film you will be very disappointed but if you are a fan of the CBS show Jericho then you will really enjoy this one.  I highly recommend it.  

Game of Thrones: Season 6

Creator(s) - David Benioff (Troy, Brothers) and D.B. Weiss (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)

Starring - Maisie Williams (The Owners, The New Mutants), Alfie Allen (John Wick, The Predator), and Isaac Hempstead Wright (The Boxtrolls, The Awakening)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Fantasy/Action

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

Rating (out of 5):

     It's hard for me to find the time to watch a television show in it's entirety.  I work a full time job and I have three little ones that can't stand when their parent leaves the room.  Bathroom breaks are fun...  Anyway, I find it difficult to binge a television show especially if it contains nudity.  At the beginning ofthe month I binged five seasons of Game of Thrones because I was stuck at home due to a co-worker testing positive for Covid-19.  That was a bit of a task for me so I took a few weeks to take a break from the show before making the return.  I had a three day weekend and decided it was time to get back into it.

     This season begins with the resurrection of Jon Snow who regains the Night's Watch after executing those that turned their swords on him while his half-brother goes deeper into his visions where he uncovers the truth about Jon and who the white walkers really are.  Jon then regains his army and marks on Winterfell to reclaim it from the Bolts.  In the south a religious order is splitting the city forcing Cersi to commit her most attrocious act yet.  

     Season one did try my patience.  I wasn't a bad season but it was rather boring and focused way too much on the political aspect of the show.  In other seasons we get more action, character development, and the northern storyline which is my favorite aspect of the show.  Sadly, season six seems to be a bit of a drag.  It's still an improvement over that first season but not by much.  The acting in this one, and all previous seasons, is absolutely fantastic.  This is some of the best acted television I've ever seen.  I never thought I would see a television show with this many unforgettable performances but this does not disappoint.  The story for this one does, to an extent, put the northern story on the backburner while it dives back into the political side of the show where new rulers forge alliances while the Mother of Dragons continues on her quest to gain an army to take back the 7 Kingdoms.  It wasn't a bad season and the story is essential for the bigger story at hand but the diplomatic storylines is extremely dull to me.  Finally, this season is just like the previous seasons.  It's not afraid to get bloody when it has to and the kills are great.  The practical effects are top notch and work very well for the scenes.  With that being said, the visual effects are hit and miss for me.  There is times when the dragons look great and then others they are laughable like previous seasons.  Overall, Season six is another solid entry into one of pop culture's most memorable shows.  It is a little too slow for me but it still hit the spot.  

Night of the Clown

Director - Dustin Ferguson (Ebola Rex, 5G Zombies)

Starring - Jennii Caroline (Amityville Toybox, The Dummy 2), Colby Coash (Camp Blood 4, Blood Claws), and Breana Mitchell (Meathook Massacre, Doll Killer)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It was a killer Halloween party..."

Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed several films from Dustin Ferguson this month.  Sadly, they were hit or miss with me.  Penny Pinchers, Wrong Side of the Tracks, and Runaway Nightmare were all solid watches and movies I could totally see myself diving into again.  With that being said, Asylum of the Devil and Angry Asian Murder Hornets were huge disappointments.  I know the "new normal" has changed the way movies are made so I'm giving AAMH the benefit of the doubt but Asylum just didn't feel like a completed film.  After I recently watched Todd Cook's Night of the Clown I noticed that the disc was actually a double feature with Ferguson's remake included.  Chris Seaver's remake of Cook's Evil Night was a fantastic film so I couldn't wait to dive into it.

     The film follows a group of party goers who are preparing for a Halloween party.  However, a serial killer clown that was burned alive 30 years ago has returned and is turning the woods into his slaughterhouse.

     The original Night of the Clown is a wacky and weird slasher that doesn't take itself too seriously.  The original director took on five different roles in the film which added some much needed laughs.  Sadly, this remake does not embody any of the qualities that made the first film so much fun.  In fact, it completely re-writes itself into something completely different.  The acting in this one is the only aspect that hs better than the original film.  The characters are grounded and more genuine, however, they are not that memorable.  They fall victim to horror cliches and the performances are forgettable.  The story for this one mixes A Nightmare on Elm St. with serial John Wayne Gacy.  We follow a serial killer who is captured by the locals and burned at the stake.  Hell, the killer even has the surname Gacy.  If you put that to the side you are still given a film that does not feel finished.  We have a film that run about 60 minutes with a 5 or 10 minute intermission.  The film already struggled with pacing before this and then completely loses the story after this point.  It's a struggle for even the most adamite no budget fan to finish.  Finally, the kills in this one are unimaginative and forced.  The original does not have memorable kills as well so this is pretty consistent with the first.  Overall, Night of the Clown was a huge disappointment and easily the worst movie in my October horror binge.  I was so excited for this one and then I was hit with the harsh reality that more time went into the artwork than it did on making the acutal film.  Skip it.  

Inhumanwich!

Director - David Cornelius (The First Date, Some of My Best Friends)

Starring - Matt Laumann (The Polterguys, 1000 Ways to Die), Michael Peake (Day Four, The First Date), and Jack Burrows (Frog Wife, Parks and Recreation)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "Terror beyond your wildest appetite"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the years I've collected several thousands of movies.  I used to have a room in my home dedicated to housing my collection but since the fire and the remodel my collection is still in totes.  I hate not seeing my collection on shelves and with that many movies I often forget about what I've collected.  A few days ago I pulled out a few totes to go through for movies to watch for my October horror binge when I found my copy of Inhumanwich! on blu.  This is a blind buy from a couple years ago.  A friend of mine of was selling some of his movies and I pulled the trigger on them.  Most of them were movies I had never heard of and I wanted them for my collection but I never had the time to check them out.  I can't believe I waited this fucking long to watch this amazing piece of indie cinema!  It was damn near perfect.

     The film follows an astronaut in space who travels through a radioactive field while eating a sloppy joe.  The radiation mixes his DNA with that of the sloppy joe turning him into a flesh eating mound of meat.  He returns to Earth and goes on a rampage devouring everyone it encounters forcing the military to get involved.

     I love the goofy side of indie cinema.  When a movie takes itself too seriously I often find myself becoming bored and unimpressed.  Most lack the budget to pull off a serious flick but, in all honestly, the horror comedies are where my heart lies.  Inhumanwich! is everything that I'm looking for in an indie flick.  I had me laughing, the story is fun and engaging, and it didn't waste my time with pointless dialogue.  The acting in this one is over the top and very dramatic but in a slapstick inspired manner.  I really loved the energy and enthusiasm the cast brings to the film which only helped shape the tone of the film.  The characters are extremely fun with perfect comedic timely and fun personalities.  The story for this one is clearly a parody of the classic sci-fi horror film The Blob.  The blend of comedy, sci-fi, and horror works very well.  I found myself completely pulled in by the story and there was plenty of laughs to be had.  Most movies like this over do it with the stupid humor and repetitive humor but this one continuously caught me off guard.  The Blob parody works as a basis but the film offers up it's own unique spin to it without over doing it.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  However, it does a fantastic job at delivering old style visual effects and camera tricks to get that 1950s and 60s sci-fi movie vibe.  I loved the look of the creature and the old style effects really helped with the tone of the film.  Overall, Inhumanwich! may not be the movie you want for your Halloween season but you can watch this movie at anytime and enjoy yourself.  I can see myself watching this one several more times before the year is over and one I will consistently watch over the years.  I fucking love it and I'm sure you will too if you give it a chance.  

A Stoinkmare on Halloween Street

Director - Chris Seaver (Death O'Lantern, Evil Night)

Starring - Alec Lambert (Stoinky Beach, The Weirdsies) and Clint Kelly (Call Girl of Cthulhu, Deadliest Prey)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     What I enjoy most about the films of Chris Seaver is that his love for the 80s always finds its way into every movie he makes.  His dialogue, story, and even the characters just drip that 80s charm.  When I got this blu in I was excited for all three films but his Halloween themed installment is really what had my interests.  With Halloween quickly approaching I decided it was time to toss the blu in and see if he gave me another film to watch during my favorite holiday.

     The film follows the guys as they look for something to do during Halloween when they catch word that a woman is throwing a house party and is looking for some fine folks to hook up with.  What they don't know is that she is a witch and an aspiring female prop comic that needs pumpkins to smash.  Sadly, there is a pumpkin shortage and she is going to turn her party guests into pumpkins. 

     A Stoinkmare on Halloween Street was everything that I had hoped for.  It was centered around Halloween, it featured those highly entertaining characters that can be found in many of the Warlock Home Video releases, and it was overflowing with Seaver's humor.  This is one I can see myself spinning this time of year every year.  The acting in this one is the same style as the other films in the set.  The cast is full of high energy, goofy, and just having a blast with friends in front of the camera.  They are extremely comfortable with one another and that translates very well in each scene.  The story for this one takes the cast into another quick adventure centered around Halloween with another Seaver favorite making their return.  The story is rather quick but it works for the short running time.  Finally, this one does not have any real practical effects but Seaver does use some visual effects that were horrible and good for a few laughs.  Overall, A Stoinkmare on Halloween Street extremely cheap, vulgar, and fucking funny.  If you are looking for a short watch this Halloween season let A Stoinkmare on Halloween Street be it!

Train to Busan

Director - Sang-ho Yeon (Seoul Station, Peninsula)
Starring - Yoo Gong (The Suspect, Like a Dragon), Yu-mi Jung (Visitors, Psychokinesis), and Dong-seok Ma (The Eternals, The Outlaws)
Release Date - 2016
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Life-or death survival begins"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm always late to hit movies.  I love and respect my horror brothers and sisters but I know my tastes in movies are always different than theirs.  I tend to like bad movies which often draws me criticism.  Regardless, I like what I like which is why I often disregard films that the all praise.  I know my taste clashes with them and most of these so called "must see" movies usually let me down.  A few years ago the South Korean zombie flick Train to Busan made waves through the horror community.  I figured it was worth the hype but I was still skeptical so I put off checking it out.  Sometime last year, or the year before, I found the blu at Big Lots for a few dollars and figured I would snag it to add to my collection.  With the sequel's release just around the corner I was asked to review it.  So, before I gave it a spin I needed to watch the original.  I didn't NEED to review the first one but I thought that if I took the time to watch it then I might as well talk about it.

     The film follows a father and daughter as they make a train ride from Seoul to Busan but encounter a horde of zombies that turns this casual day trip into a living nightmare.

     It's not often that a horror movie lives up to the hype but Train to Busan did.  I couldn't take my eyes off the damn thing and I still can't stop thinking about it.  I would be lying if I said it was the best zombie film I've seen but I'll be damned if it's not in the top 5.  The acting in this one works for the film.  It's a little difficult to really pay attention to the acting if you are forced to read subtitles but the cast does a great job.  The story for this one is simple enough but the characters are so well written and developed that you can't help but feel pulled in.  The writing is very well done and and as a father I found myself very invested in this one.  I love when a movie exploits a parent's love for their child.  It really makes it personal and have a harder impact on the viewer.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood.  I wouldn't call this a gory flick but there is plenty of blood along with the wounds you associate with a zombie film.  The practical effects looks great and the make-up effects are awesome.  There is some visual effects that look rather silly but this does not drag the film down at all.  Overall, Train to Busan is a god damn masterpiece.  I know this review is too late and most of you have seen it but if just one of you decides to check it out for the first after reading this then I did my job.  Check it out.  

Apocalypse Road

Director - Brett Bentman (The Night Before, Hot Dog)

Starring - Kate Kohler (The Sauce, Arriving), Ashlyn McEvers (22 Jump Street, Star-Crossed), and Lance De Los Santos (1917, Breakers)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror/Action

Tagline - "Run. Fight. Survive"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My indie horror marathon is winding to a close and I have to admit that I really enjoyed myself.  When I returned from vacation I decided this was the perfect time to dive into a Wild Eye Releasing marathon.  I started with Bonejangles before leading into Clownado and Countrycide.  I enjoyed all three and decided to squeeze in one more flick.  This time I went with the 2016 post-apocalyptic tale Apocalypse Road.  I want to take a second to thank Wild Eye for once again hooking me up with another movie for review.

     The film follows two sisters who are struggling with their own pasts as they fight in a world in which civilization has crumbled.  They heard stories about safety near the coast and make an effort to get there but soon find themselves separated.  The two go very different paths but refuse to let anything come in between them reuniting.

       I was really looking forward to this one.  I love post-apocalyptic films and was really looking forward to an indie one.  Sadly, this one was more like a drama centered around sisters than an action or thriller post-apocalyptic flick.  The acting in this one is solid but the characters are extremely vanilla.  The film follows two sisters and they chose to cast two ladies that look similar.  This makes sense but due to their personalities being identical I often found myself confused as to who was who.  I get that the cast was doing the best with what they had but everyone just came across as extremely flat and easily forgettable.  The story for this one is simple and could have worked but instead of focusing more on the perils of a crumbling society we find two sisters who, in all fairness, are pretty shitty human beings that will do anything to reunite with one another.  I understand that the story was trying to portray the two as dedicated to each other but the things they do to innocent people to reach each other is despicable.   Honestly, the drama and dialogue made it a rough one to sit through.  I often found myself checking the running time to see how much longer was left.  The action was limited and the character interactions were drawn out.  Finally, the film has a few kills with some blood but don't expect scenes full of gore and carnage.  We mostly get gun shot wounds with decent effects that fit the film but nothing memorable.  Overall, Apocalypse Road is a film that has a solid story but the delivery is just all wrong.  The characters do not stand out and the story is very dialogue heavy.  I really wanted to like it but at the end of the day I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy it.  Wild Eye has several amazing movies I can recommend but this is not one of them.  

Terror 5

Director(s) - Sebastian Rotstein (Rabbit 105, Historias Breves 8) and Federico Rotstein (Rabbit 105, Historias Breves 8)

Starring - Airas Alban, Augusto Alvarez, and Naiara Awada (27: The Cursed Club, Cherry Pie)

Release Date - 2016

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "This all happened, more or less"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

          I haven't been movie watching like I normally do.  Instead, I've found myself addicted to Pubg again.  I know this game is buggy as fuck and needs reworked but I absolutely love it and the deployment of bots added even more fun to it.  After taking a week off from reviewing I decided it was time to watch a few movies.  After watching a few Artsploition flicks I decided to give the action thriller Bloodshot a watch.  When it let me down I decided to give another Artsploitation flick a spin.  This time I went with the 2016 Argentinian horror film Terror 5.  I want to take a moment to thank Artsploitation for sending this movie my way!

     The film consists of 5 stories interwoven together and taking place in the same town.  The first follows two teens on a date where they visit their school.  The dude is under the impression he is going to get laid but uncovers that she is into something a bit more darker than he would like.  The second story follows an unlikable couple that try to spice things up in the bedroom so they visit a hotel to add a little kink to their sex life but find something much more.  The third story follows a bullied teen who has had enough and kills his "friends" that pick on him.  The fourth follows two ladies men that want to girlfriend swap but quickly discover that is not for them.  The fifth and final story for this one follows a corrupt politician responsible for several deaths.  Those that died return from the grave to seek revenge.

      I was really excited about this one.  I had seen some of the images from the film that was sent with the press release and it looked fucking awesome.  However, once the film starts you quickly realize that the film may have some impresses imagery and camerawork but lacks on substance.  The acting in this one is pretty solid but the cast's talent is lost in the clunky characters they portrayed and the film's choppy editing.  Honestly, the living characters are really hard to like.  The viewer is just waiting for them to meet their demise.  The stories for this one has potential, for the most part, but just doesn't do it for me.  The first story could be a real sick masterpiece but takes a bit of a soft approach to it.  I could see it taking a real Serbian Film route but we don't get that.  The last story with the undead is by far my favorite of the film.  It's a slow moving classic take on zombies that I really enjoyed but the segment is just too short to truly appreciate it.  Finally, the film has some brutal deaths and solid practical effects but they are not the center point of the segment.  They just roll on through with the story while the horror hands looking for blood are forced to ride along.  The viewer doesn't get to really enjoy these scenes.  Overall, Terror 5 has some very entertaining ideas but they are delivered in a painfully bland manner resulting in an forgettable anthology.  Skip it.