Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon Volume 2

Director - Addison Binek (Psycho Ape!, Psycho Ape: Part 2 The Wrath of Kong) 

Starring - Addison Binek 

Release Date - 2017 - 2021 

Genre - Horror/Comedy 

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've spent a lot of my time watching and reviewing Addison Binek's work.  That's not a bad thing.  In fact, it's far from it.  He has spent a lot of time and energy in his long running YouTube series Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon and I enjoy getting in the different collections for review.  He has released several over the years ranging from a few of the Shark collections, zombies and cannibals, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Troma.  Sometime ago he sent over a collection simply titled Volume 1 and a few weeks back I received Volume 2 in for review.  After finishing the Troma Edition release, it only made sense to spin this one and check it out.  I want to thank Addison for sending this one along for review!

     In this collection we once again follow host Addison Binek as he watching some horrible and not so horrible films while delivering witty one liners.

     Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon Volume 2 is a solid collection of episodes ranging from cult classics to modern day misses and everything in between.  Like with the other Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon, this isn't going to be for everyone but fans of puns and one liners may appreciate Binek and his brand of humor.  The acting in this one is more like a stand up comedy routine than it is traditional acting.  Binek is a one man show that seems to be enjoying himself in front of the camera.  While it's not acting in a traditional sense, he still gets into his horror host character and delivers the jokes with his flair.  The themes and set up for each episodes corresponds with the film he is riffing.  What we have is some 90s nostalgia, 60s schlock, and classic drive-in era monster madness with some funny, and not so funny puns.  A lot of the humor finds it's mark but a few jokes do fall a bit flat.  Finally, this is a no budget production.  We have some scenes from the film spliced in with Binek's segments.  While he doesn't bring any blood and gore to the series, the films he riffs does offer some of the red stuff or some cheap visuals.  Overall, Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon Volume 2 is another entertaining collection of episodes from the unusual mind of Addison Binek.  This is not going to be for everyone but those within this niche will truly appreciate it.  Check it out.  

The Gingerweed Man

Director - Brooks Davis (Bring Her to Me, Famous T&A 2)

Starring - Eli Jane (Ghost Babe, Women in the Dark), Roy Abramsohn (Quantum Leap, Weedjies: Halloweed Night), and Kelly Bunasawa (Milestone, I'm the Rule)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Comedy/Crime

Tagline - "The weedman cometh"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I originally watched the Gingerdead Man films, it was just a trilogy at the time.  Since then the franchise has expanded a bit with Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong, The Gingerweed Man, along with the cameos he's had in other Full Moon films.  It's a popular property that I somehow completely forgot about.  As I was catching up on the series with the cookie tin set I noticed that it included The Gingerweed Man as well.  This is another Full Moon film I let slip by me and couldn't wait to check out.  

     The film follows a little stoner with a lucrative weed delivery business with a female friend that he sincerely loves.  However, after a mysterious bud nugget named Baby Buddy falls into his lap, he is tasked with keeping it alive and getting his friend back from corrupt  organization wanting Buddy back to continue their nefarious research on him.  

     I knew absolutely nothing about The Gingerweed Man before diving into it and I have to say that this was easily my favorite film in the set and one of Full Moon's better titles of recent years.  It's nothing that most horror fans will appreciate but I found myself fucking loving it.  It's a comedy first and foremost but it has a few horror elements and a bit of drama to mix it up.  The acting in this one is on par with the Evil Bong franchise.  It's a better consistency than the Gingerdead Man series with a lot more time spent on character development and backstories.  The story for this one is not one I was expecting from Full Moon but I did enjoy it.  Gingerweed Man is a character that can carry several films if given the opportunity.  I could have lived without the Ooga Booga character and a some horror elements but it's still enjoyable as it is.  It's a quick watch that flows very well with a lot of humor and memorable one liners.  Finally, the film is not a bloody one.  We get a lot of puppet action and computer generated effects that look cheap but doesn't take away from the overall film.  Overall, The Gingerweed Man is a Full Moon eccentric film that combines multiple genres.  If you've ever wanted to see Halfbaked made by Full Moon then here is your chance.

The Blair Rabbit Project

Director - D. Kerry Prior (Roadkill, The Revenant)

Starring - Adam Powers and D. Kerry Prior

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "In October of 1999 two assholes and some actress they hired shot a stupid satire of a blockbuster found footage movie... twenty years later their footage was found"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed several parodies over the years for the site.  Most of them were adult films but that didn't make them any less enjoyable.  Hell, movies like Evil Head and Fuckenstein are movies that I still recommend to genre fans that prefer their films a bit on the sleazy side.  I've always been a fan of parodies.  I was finding my way into horror when the Scary Movie franchise was taking off.  Since then I've watched the first four films of the series, the slasher parodies Student Bodies and Screamwalkers, and several more.  Several months back I was browsing Instagram when I saw that Future Video had put out a few new releases on blu that I needed to add to my collection.  The first was the Blood Gorge/ Cruel double feature and the second was the found footage parody The Blair (Blare) Rabbit Project.  I was very curious about both releases and quickly grabbed them.  

     The film follows two aspiring filmmakers and an actress they found online as they head deep into the woods to uncover any truth to the legend of the Blair Rabbit.  However, tensions come to a boil when they find themselves lost in the woods and someone, or something, is stalking them when they discover little poop sculptures outside their tents.

     I'm not really a fan of the Blair Witch Project or the reboot.  The sequel is a solid film but it's been years since I've seen it.  Found footage has never been my thing but I was still excited to check this one out.  I was hoping it would be a humor filled found footage film that not only poked fun at what I dislike about found footage films but parodied one of the biggest horror titles of the last 30 years.  While it did have a few laughs, it was way longer than it needed to be and a bit difficult to finish.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a found footage film.  The cast tries to capture that authentic found footage vibe with the casual conversation and small talk which takes up 90% of the film.  It's extremely awkward to watch and doesn't give the viewer the chance to see what the cast can really do.  The story for this one has a lot of iconic Blair Witch moments and turns them into something funny or could be funny.  I say that because not every joke finds it's mark.  I did laugh at the film a few times but the overall movie failed to deliver on the comedy.  Instead, it feels more like a serious approach to a found footage film with the absurd twists to the original story.  The movie fails to find it's own footing and create the movie that it wants to be.  Finally, those wanting a lot of blood and gore will be very disappointed.  Hell, if you are looking for laughs and a fun parody then you will be disappointed.  Overall, The Blair Rabbit Project is a huge miss in my book.  I wanted to love it but its focus on being a found footage film rather than a parody makes it difficult to finish.  This is one I would skip.  

Daisy Derkins and the Dinosaur Apocalypse

Director - Mark Mackner (Evil Brew, Burning Down the Dollhouse or: The Legend of the Center City Bearhugger)

Starring - Nadia White (Mr. Buzzkill, Harvest of Horrors), Josip Peruzovic (Cool as Hell 2, WrestleMassacre), and Emilyanne Cusato (Dollface: Road to the Apocalypse, Brave the Dark)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Tagline - "It's not just any apocalypse"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I befriended filmmaker Mark Mackner several years ago, I did so as a way to follow his career and to keep up to date with his projects.  I was first introduced to his work when I found Daisy Derkins: Dogsitter of the Damned while browsing indie horror on social media.  I was very impressed by the film and sought him out.  Since then he has released several sequels to the film on DVD and streaming which I've been lucky enough to grab for my collection.  However, I never took the time to actually watch them due to my day job, personal life, and reviewing films sent my way for review.  That changed when Mark reached out for my to review his newest film Die, Daisy, Die!  Instead of jumping directly into that installment, I would go ahead and check out the previous films.

     The film once again follows Daisy (White) who has now set her sights on professional wrestling along with her time traveling film.  However, while she is training there is an evil sorcerer and a mad scientist scheming together to unleash dinosaurs on Earth to kill Daisy.  

       I am a big fan of Dogsitter of the Damned and went into the follow up film The Bloodthirsty Beast of Barren Pines very excited.  However, it was nowhere near as fun as the first film which made me a bit nervous for the third film in the series starring adult film star Nadia White.  While it wasn't as fun as Dogsitter, it was still better than Bloodthirsty.  The acting in this one is by far the best of the three films I've seen.  Nadia White is no stranger in front of the camera in a variety of different horror titles, as well as, adult films.  Her portrayal of Daisy is probably my favorite incarnation of the character so far.  We also have a tremendous amount of memorable characters, many of which are also very comfortable in front of the camera.  They delivers solid performances that makes the story a little more bearable.  The story for this one just didn't hook me like the first one did.  I loved all the colorful characters and humor incorporated into them all but I was expecting a dinosaur apocalypse and not what the film actually delivered.  A lot of the scenes could have been trimmed down to make the pacing on the film much better and a little more action would have went a long way.  While I do love the idea of a sorcerer and a mad scientist getting together to plot a global scale catastrophe, it doesn't full feel like the scope the title suggests which is a bit of a bummer.  Finally, the film is not a gory one.  It has some blood and a lot of cheap visuals effects.  While these were funny from time to time, it does become a bit repetitive and the humor wears off quickly.  Overall, The Dinosaur Apocalypse is a bit better than the second film but it fails to leave an impact like the first film did.  It's worth a watch but I don't see myself revisiting it any time soon.  

The Hike

Director(s) - Luke Walker (The Legend of Bloody Mary Tested, Haunted Graves) and Vinnie Vineyard (Wrestling with Ghosts, Camp Smokey)

Starring - Kandi Thompson (WJHC AM, Vinnie's Vantastic Rock N Roll Adventure), Vinnie Vineyard, and Luke Walker

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Run from the forest.  Run!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely love watching and reviewing indie horror flicks. It doesn't matter about the budget or experience. Hell, it doesn't matter if I like the film or not. I always have fun watching an indie production but sometimes I catch a movie that I just don't care for. Sometime back I was contacted by Vinnie Vinyard to review several of his films that are meant to explore the legends and lore of the Great Smokey Mountains. The first one on the chopping block was 2021's The Hike. I couldn't wait to dive into this one and I want to thank Vinnie for reaching out to me to check out his hard work! 

      The film follows a couple who plan on hiking for three days by themselves. However, this trip didn't go according to plan. They find a camera in some weeds with some horrifying images on it, an injured man, and hallucinations. Before long they find themselves confronted by three men who refuse to let them leave the mountain but that is only the beginning of their trip. 

      I was really excited when I hit play on The Hike. Many of you know that I have a soft spot for horror films centered in or around the woods. Slashers set against the backdrop of a summer camp, hixploitation, and any other form of horror or exploitation set in the woods has always caught my eye. The Hike looked like a movie that was made especially for me... but that wasn't the case. While I always enjoy watching indie horror films, I will had to admit that not all films are made for me. Some of them miss their mark and just don't do it for me. The Hike is one of those films. The acting in this one is solid but there is plenty of room for improvement. The cast is fairly small, and they interact with one another very well, but inexperience is evident. Several of the scenes are very awkward to watch and the dialogue is very forced. The story for this one is all over the place. The movie makes you think it's going to be steeped in Native American mythology and lore. It then switches gears and follows the three strangers stalking them through the woods reminiscent of Cannibal Campout with the hicks chasing the campers through the woods. Both ideas are very interesting but combining them and not giving each aspect the attention it deserves created a film that felt like it was lacking. They should have gone all in on one angle and gave it all they had instead of splitting it up like that. Finally, the film has some blood but if you are looking for some memorable deaths and amazing gore then you will be out of luck. The film's run time is mostly people walking around the woods acting lost or scared. Overall, The Hike tries to deliver on a pretty ambitious story but fails to pull all the parts together. The movie has an interesting story that has what feels like two different ideas clashing for screen time. I want to like it but it was a difficult one to finish. Skip it.

The Box

Director - Andrew Gibbs (Midnight Snack, Come Up Here)

Starring - Catherine Gibbs (Witch, Come Up Here)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few days ago, I started watching and reviewing several micro-budget horror films from Dark House Pictures and director Andew Gibbs. So far, I had watched and reviewed Witch, Midnight Snack, and Come Up Here. That left just one to check out which is The Box. It looks like this was the first micro-short Gibbs had uploaded to his YouTube channel. I want to thank Andrew for sending this over to check out! 

      The film follows a woman when her lights go off in her home. She proceeds to the basement and as she is looking through the breaker box the lights come back on. She turns around to find a strange box sitting behind her on the ground. She opens it for a moment to look inside and looks away for a second. When her gaze reverts back to the box, she discovers it is empty but something or someone is now standing behind her. 

      After watching this fourth and final micro-short from Andrew Gibbs I've realized that they are fun to watch but they don't deliver any sort of story for the viewer to grasp on to. I liked The Box for what it is but I feel like it has so much potential to be something more than a short running just a few minutes. The acting in this one is solid and fits the film very well. We once again have a very small cast with everyone except the film's lead only on screen for a few seconds. She does a great job, but we don't really get to see her "act" in a traditional sense here. The story for this one is another one from Dark House Pictures that has an interesting premise, but we never see where it goes. If the film was just a few minutes longer we could get a few answers to the questions that we have. Finally, this is another one with no blood or practical effects to speak of. Its relies on atmosphere and tension to get to the viewer and it almost succeeds. Overall, The Box is another micro-short that is beautiful to look at but doesn't really satisfy the viewer if they are looking for something with a bit of a story.

The Witch

Director - Andrew Gibbs (The Box, Midnight Snack)

Starring - Catherine Gibbs (Midnight Snack, The Box)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     My look into the micro-shorts of Dark House Pictures continues! A few months back director and Dark House Pictures found Andrew Gibbs reached out to me to review his shorts. I was unaware that micro-shorts were a thing but agreed to check them out regardless. I want to thank Andrew for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to see his films. The next short on the chopping block is his five-minute film Witch. 

      The film follows a woman who is home alone when she starts to hear strange sounds in the home. She tries to hide under her blanket but when she thinks it's safe to leave the warm safety of the blanket she discovers that something sinister is in the room with her. 

      While I may be new to the micro-short films, I'm starting to realize that sometimes being too short is a problem in the world of cinema. Don't get me wrong, Witch was an enjoyable short but it doesn't offer up enough substance for the viewer. The acting in this one is solid for the film especially since the short is around 5 minutes and no real interactions with other characters. The films lead does a decent job but you don't get to see any dialogue or real emotions due to the quick runtime. The story for this one is a great set up to something that could be much more than a short. I strongly believe that there is not enough horror films centered around witches. With that being said, this micro-short just doesn't have enough of a story to tell. It's a beautifully shot short that definitely is not a waste of time but it needs more to it. Finally, this film doesn't have any death scenes or crazy looking creatures for genre fans to gawk at. Overall, Witch is a beautifully shot micro-short but is lacking in the story department. It's a solid watch for the 5 minutes but don't expect something that is story rich. Check it out. 

Midnight Snack

Director - Andrew Gibbs (Witch, The Box)

Starring - Catherine Gibbs (Witch, The Box) and Claudio Mendrano 

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been lucky enough to review dozens of horror shorts over the years. These films range in length from 5 minutes to around half an hour. However, I was recently introduced to micro-shorts when I was sent a series of them from Dark House Pictures founder Andrew Gibbs. I had made a post at the end of September about my October horror binge, and he shot me a message. By this point I had already received 60 to 70s films to review but I was very interested in his work. I added them to my viewing list and when I finally could get around to checking them out, I started with his micro-short Midnight Snack. I want to thank Andrew for sending this one over for me to check out! 

      The film follows a woman who wakes up in the middle of the night and decides to raid the fridge. What she doesn't know is that something else is lurking in the home with the same idea. 

      I had no idea micro-shorts existed or that films this short were called that. I can see the appeal they would have to movie fans but it's difficult to fully review a film when it's barely over a minute long. Regardless, here I go! The acting in this one is solid for the film. We don't get to see the small cast explore their characters and their emotional range but for the story we get the cast does a fantastic job. The story for this one is fun especially when you consider how short it is. I loved the idea of someone going to the fridge in the middle of the night only to become a snack themselves. With that being said, I have so many questions that this film just doesn't answer. A longer short with a little meat on the bone would have cleared up any questions I had. Finally, this is not a bloody one but the suit for the creature looks great. I don't know if this was designed for this project or picked up from a costume store. Either way, it looks great, and I would love to see it appear in another film with a bit more to it. Overall, Midnight Snack doesn't have a lot of depth, but it is a lot of fun for a one-minute flick. Check it out. The information in this transmission may contain proprietary and non-public information of Lendmark Financial Services or its affiliates and may be subject to protection under the law. The message is intended for the sole use of the party to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use, distribution, or copying of the message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete the material from your system without reading the content and notify the sender immediately of the inadvertent transmission.

Dark Zone Thirteen Part 2

Director(s) - John Bowker (Werewolf Tales, The Evilmaker), Joe Sherlock (Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires, Blood Creek Woodsman), and Joseph Voegele (Axegrinder 3, Natasha Nighty's Boudoir of Blood)

Starring - Tonjia Atomic (Thingz, Penance), Melissa R. Bacelar (Skinned Alive, The Scream), and Melody Berg (Odd Noggins, Strange Things Happen at the Weird House)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I find myself in the middle of yet another Joe Sherlock mini-marathon and I’m really enjoying myself. I recently took on Blood Creek Woodsman along with the indie horror anthology Dark Zone Thirteen and loved them both. Blood Creek wasn’t like the newer films from Skullface Astronaut and Dark Zone Thirteen was a solid anthology that brought me back to what I enjoyed from the other Skullface films. It only made sense to follow up Dark Zone Thirteen with it’s sequel. Like always, I want to thank Joe for sending this one over for Horror Society and myself to check out. I truly appreciate it. 

      This sequel features even more stories from the famed thirteenth issue of Dark Zone featuring stories about serial killers moving into the same community as one another, time travel, the occult, and nudity. 

      Dark Zone Thirteen Part 2 is one of the few sequels that is just as the first film. Sequels often have a bad rep among movie goers for being weaker than the first film. They capitalize on the success of the first film with very little quality control placed in it. Dark Zone Thirteen Part 2 is able to deliver even more stories that work for the most part. The acting in this one is fun but it once again does show the inexperience of the cast. Everyone seems to be having a lot of fun with their roles which once again shows in the performances. The women are beautiful and while delivering the cliched nudity that makes horror so much fun they still deliver solid performances as well while showcasing little to no clothing. The stories for this one is solid for the most part. I did enjoy some more than others but even the weaker segments are still enjoyable.  Finally, the film has some blood and more DIY effects. While they don’t stand out they still work for the film especially if you dig no budget horror. Overall, Dark Zone Thirteen Part 2 is a solid follow up to the original anthology. I highly recommend it for fans of horror comedy and no budget horror. Check it out.

Channel 99

Director - Joe Sherlock (Things 666, Tales for the Midnight Hour II)

Starring - Tonjia Atomic (Hobo with a Trash Can, Scarewaves), John Bowker (We Need Earth Women!, Underbelly), and Richard Johnson (Drifter, Frames of Fear)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Sci-fi

Tagline - "We've got it!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’m now three films deep into my Skullface Astronaut marathon. Back before I started my Halloween binge I was contacted by filmmaker Joe Sherlock to review several of his films. I couldn’t get them worked into my month long horror binge but I still wanted to check out everything sent my way. As I worked through each movie sent to me I found myself standing before a dozen or so films from Sherlock. I decided this would be the perfect time to have a marathon of his films. I started with Drifter and moved on to Beyond the Wall of Fear. The next film on the list is another anthology of his that I was looking forward so I turned to Channel 99 and turned it on. 

      The film follows Channel 99 as it airs several films ranging from haunted showers, beautiful content creators with a taste for blood, and men in black. 

      Channel 99 is a lot of fun and reminds me of why I love anthologies so much. While it is a no budget production it still finds a way to hold the viewer’s attention more than most bigger budgeted films like Terrifier and it’s sequel. Yea, I said it. Those films have amazing gore but the story is lacking. The acting in this one is similar to the previous two films I’ve watched and reviewed. The cast is having a lot of fun and is really into their roles but inexperience is evident. I like the amount of memorable characters we get and how their personalities are so very different. Also, the amount of women comfortable in their own skin that show it off really makes it enjoyable for the “sleazy” movie fan. The stories for this one is inconsistent but none of them are what I would consider bad. It’s just obvious that some of them had more time spent on them than others. I love the Channel 99 angle again and how it takes me back to when I would watch movies on cable with my grandmother while my dad was out of town. I love that aspect and how it brought everything together. The segments are enjoyable but some are much more entertaining than others with my favorite involving the beautiful woman who live streams her heinous acts. Finally, the film has several on screen gags and effects but it once again suffers from lack of budget. We have a lot of creative effects and deaths but these are the least entertaining aspect of the film. Overall, Channel 99 is a fantastic indie horror anthology that is for fans of the VHS era and beautiful women in the nude. I highly recommend it.

The Abominations of Frankenstein

Director - Sebastien Godin (Ouija Mummy, Blood Rites of the Vampyr)

Starring - Anthony D.P. Mann (Phantom of the Opera, Terror of Dracula), Vicki Bitis (DinoGore, Poisonous Dreams), and Melissa Radford (Bug-Eyed Monsters Invade the Earth!, Once a Millenuim)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Stitch by stitch... he created a nightmare"

Format - Streaming (YouTube)

Rating (out of 5):  

     Several years back I befriended indie filmmaker Seb Godin on social media and began following his career. Around the time I met him he was releasing a few of his project on DVD and I snagged them for review. I loved his fondness for messy practical effects and horror films of the 80s and 90s along with the amazing titles like DinoGore, Lycanimator, and Slimoids. A few years back Godin began work on another film. The film, The Abominations of Frankenstein, looked like another enjoyable film. I followed it for sometime but things got away from me and I missed the release of the film and any news they shared about it. Over time I forgot about the film and never followed up with it until I saw that Seb had posted a link to their YouTube channel where several of their films were streaming for free until Halloween. I really wanted to see it so I worked it into my annual October horror binge. I want to thank Seb for allowing genre fans the opportunity to see his work for free during the Halloween season! 

      The film follows the great Dr. Frankenstein who is once again working on another patchwork creation in Canada. After prolonging his life for centuries and working in secret, he has created artificial life.

      The Abominations of Frankenstein is nothing like the previous films that I mentioned from Godin. While a lot of their other films felt like direct to video horror films of the 80s and 90s, their most recent films feel like a loving tribute to the classic Hammer horror films of the 60s and 70s meets arthouse. Blood Rites of the Vampyr had that fantastic European vampire charm that was popular in the mid to late 60s while The Abominations of Frankenstein felt like the mid-80s Full Moon Entertainment films that I grew up loving. Regardless of the inspiration, I loved the film. The acting in this one is seriously unbelievable. The film’s lead, Anthony D.P. Man, is fucking brilliant as the great doctor. He delivers one of the best performances I’ve seen in recent years and one that I’m still thinking about days after watching it. The supporting cast does a solid job but this is one film where one cast member outshines the rest. The story for this one is pretty straight forward. We have a beautiful rendition of Frankenstein and his obsession with creating life. We then have an assortment of characters make appearance but they are not as colorfully written before we meet the “monster” that is not really a monster at all. It does stay faithful in that extent but does add a more modern look into the tale while Godin adds his on spin to it. Finally, this is not a bloody or violent film like some of Godin’s other works. It’s a character driven piece that does a damn good job at holding the viewer’s attention. Overall, The Abomination of Frankenstein may not be for everyone but for those that have read the classic tale from Mary Shelley can really appreciate what Godin and company brought to life. I highly recommend it.

Gateway

Director - Niall Owens (Trust, Animal)

Starring - Tim Creed (Vikings, Maze), Kevin Barry (Michael Inside, Bridget & Eamon), and Laurence Ubong Williams (Humans, The Capture)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Crime/Thriller

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A couple of weeks ago I was asked to review the crime thriller Death Blow from filmmaker Chris Leto. I was surprised by how much I liked this blend of crime and horror elements. It made me wonder why there hasn’t been other films with similar premises. Around this time I received a message from an Irish actor I befriended years ago to check out the crime horror flick Gateway. I was really intrigued by this and the artwork really pulled peaked my interest but I was unable to watch it right away due to life and so on. After some time I was finally able to check it out and I’m glad I did. It was a very atmospheric and brooding horror tale. I want to thank John Ryan Howard for hitting me up to check this one out. 

      The film follows a group of low level thugs who botched a job and find themselves taking over an abandoned house. They attempt to grow weed in order to make back the money they lost for their crime boss. However, the lack of squatters in the home doesn’t deter them from moving in to work. Soon they find themselves overwhelmed by a benevolent presence and the real reason the home was vacant for so long. 

    I knew absolutely nothing about Gateway aside from artwork and the little bit of info given to me from the vague synopsis on imdb. The artwork really made my imagination wonder and I couldn’t wait to check it out. I really enjoyed the film but it’s one of those films that works for a first time viewing and stays on your mind for days after watching it but it doesn’t really have that much of a replay value. I liked it but I will not be checking it out again any time soon. The acting in this one is great. Some of the characters are bit more detailed than others but the cast does a fantastic job. The cast works very well together and the characters they bring to life is grounded and relatable. The story for this one is a very slow burn but once they are in the home the film does pick up. It has great atmosphere and a lot of character development. The first hour or so could have been trimmed down scientifically as to help with the film’s pacing along with a little more of the haunted house feel added to the film but that’s just my opinion. Finally, the film has a few deaths with a little blood but don’t expect memorable deaths with amazing gore. The kills fit the movie but are very limited with the blood. A little more imagination here would have went a long way. Overall, Gateway is a solid haunted house meets crime thriller flick that works. It’s a lot of fun especially if you are looking for something a little different. I highly recommend checking it out.

Death Knot

Director - Cornelio Sunny

Starring - Cornelio Sunny (Halfworlds, Paranoia), Djenar Maesa Ayu (Lampor: The Flying Coffin, Ghost Writer 2), and Morgan Oey (My Stupid Boss 2, Switch)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My journey into Asian cinema, specifically horror, has been short lived but very enjoyable. I began this journey about ten years ago after watching a few Japanese splatter films on Netflix. I had previously watched a few Asian horror films like Battle Royal but I never really looked into Asian cinema until I watched films like Gothic and Lolita Psycho. As much as I love the over the top and gory Japanese splatter films, I find myself more drawn to down to earth and grounded horror films. A few weeks back my friend from Well Go USA sent over the Indonesian horror film Death Knot to review. The trailer sold me on the film and once again I want to thank Well Go for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a pair of siblings who visit their childhood village when after they both have a nightmare that their mother killed herself. Her mother is accused of being a witch before her death and the two find themselves the center of hate by other villagers after her death. Not long after their arrival others in the village start killing themselves in the same manner as their mother, they are forced to confront the dark presence in the small village. 

      Death Knot is not going to be for everyone. In fact, a great deal of pop horror fans will find themselves underwhelmed with this one. It’s slow paced and a bit boring for the most part. However, it has fantastic atmosphere and even though the story is stretched a bit thin, it still has its moments especially for a first time viewing. The acting in this one is fairly well done. There was a few instances where the cast was a bit stiff and awkward but for the most part I found myself enjoying their personalities and interactions with one another. I almost get the feeling that the cast knew each other prior to filming because they worked very well together. Their on-screen chemistry really made the film feel believable. The story for this one is one I could really get into but it is stretched for too long. The movie would have been more effective if it was around 40 minutes to an hour long. However, at an hour and a half long we have a film that will try the viewer’s patience. Way too much time is spent establishing the sibling’s relationship instead of exploring the back story on their mother and the evil forces that plagues the village. Such a huge waste of potential. Finally, the film is not as gruesome or as violent as I was expecting. The film starts with a perfectly atmospheric scene that doesn’t truly set the tone for the film. The film relies heavily on tension and suspense, but it is unable to follow up that beginning scene. Instead, we get drawn out conversations instead of creepy imagery and gore. Overall, Death Knot is a solid horror film especially if you are looking for something supernatural to watch late at night but it is painfully in the middle of the road. Some fans will dig it while others will turn it off early. If it sounds like something you would enjoy then check it out.

Mad God

Director - Phil Tippett (Prehistoric Beast, Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation)

Starring - Alex Cox (Repo Man, Dead Beat), Niketa Roman (Cloverfield, Jurassic World), and Satish Ratakonda (Star Trek, The Chronicles of Riddick)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Fantasy

Tagline - "A journey beyond your wildest dreams"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’m a huge fan of Claymation, miniatures, puppets, and stop motion animation. It’s a lost art but there are some filmmakers out there keeping it around. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to review the films Clay Zombies, Misfit Heights, Giant Rubber Monster Movie, and a few more that evade me currently. They are fun and very different when compared to their other indie counterparts. Hell, it’s a big gamble for these indie productions to tackle any of these but it’s a gamble that I truly admire. A few weeks ago, I received word that the Shudder exclusive Mad God was getting a blu release from my friends over at RLJE Films. This stop motion spectacular was 30 years in the making and the trailer looked absolutely phenomenal. I reached out to my friends at RLJE and they were kind enough to send over the steelbook release for review. Like always I want to thank RLJE for supporting Horror Society and myself. 

      The film follows a being bound in leather and wearing a gas mask as he maneuvers through a desolate wasteland until he reaches a tower full of murder and mayhem. The traveler plans on planting a bomb and then fleeing the tower but is soon apprehended by a grotesque figure. He is soon subjected to the true horrors that take place inside the blood-stained walls. 

      Mad God is one of those films that people fall in love with after seeing it yet it doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves. It’s a phenomenal film that looks absolutely amazing, but a lot of genre fans will more than likely look over it due its unimaginative title and dull artwork. The title Mad God doesn’t really trigger your imagination and the artwork is a bit underwhelming. With that being said, this is a film that you should not be sleeping on. It’s a phenomenal film that truly deserves to be seen. I couldn’t imagine working on something for 30 years but his tremendous effort shows. The film doesn’t really have acting. At least, not in a traditional sense. Most of the film is creatures, monsters, and the undead that is created by Tippett. However, there is a few human characters that disembowel a humanoid but that is the extent of it. The story for this one is a bit simple but the way Tippett tackled it with his monsters creates a fantastic adventure that you can’t look away from. This is not a film that is story rich. Instead, its visually stunning and the decay and devastation from scene to scene is enough to really hold your attention. The movie progresses in the same manner that the original animated Lord of the Rings films did. It’s an adventure in an apocalyptic world with a lot of dismemberment and carnage. Finally, the stop motion and designs for this film is something that truly needs to be seen. It’s a violent epic with so much blood and gore. I loved the look of everything and how Tippett was able to blend in so many different mediums into one film. Overall, Mad God is a once in a lifetime film and Tippett should be extremely proud of all the hard work he put into it. It’s a film that will stick with you for years and you will never tire of it. I could watch this film on repeat and still find it fascinating. Do yourself a favor and watch it.

Star Trek: Lower Decks Season Two

Creator - Mike McMahan (Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites)

Starring - Tawny Newsome (The Twilight Zone, Space Force), Jack Quaid (Scream, The Boys), Noel Wells (Old Haunt, American Dad)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I believe it was last year when I was introduced to Star Trek: Lower Decks when I was sent season one for review. I’m a Star Trek fan and was interested but I was borderline obsessed when I saw that one of the writers of Rick and Morty, Mike McMahan, was involved. I’m a huge Rick and Morty fan so it was a no brainer that an animated Star Trek show featuring one of the writers would be comfort food for me. That first season was a lot of fun and after reviewing it I quickly rushed to the internet to ensure that a season two was approved. It was, along with a third, but I decided to hold off on binging them until they received a physical release. Sadly, I forgot to keep an eye on the series until season two showed up on my door step. I didn’t want to wait to check this out and as soon as I finished Creepshow Season Three I quickly tossed this one in. 

      The season once again follows the misadventures of the lower deck crew of the Cerritos. We follow them as they struggle with their own self-worth, career aspirations, friendship, and surviving the various missions they find themselves on. 

      I never watched the original Star Trek: The Animated Series all the way through. In fact, I gave up on it after a few episodes when I was younger. I really should revisit it at some time, but I can only imagine that it would do nothing for me especially after watching Star Trek: Lower Decks. The adult humor and characters only appearing in this series is what really attracted me to it. There is no sense of nostalgia or gimmicks to pull you in. Only the humor and adult centered atmosphere that you would typically not associate with Star Trek. I love this show and season two was just as good as the first season. The voice acting in this one is a lot of fun. We have fantastic performances from Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noel Wells, and Eugene Cordero among many more. The characters are a lot of fun and the voice acting is what makes these characters. The characters are well written, but they use generic and stereotypical sci-fi characters as a basis and then add their own spin on it. It’s not lazy but it is creative which gives the voice actors something to make their own. The stories for this season continue its story arch established in the first season but it does take the back seat in each episode as we take deeper dives in the Star Trek universe. We get a lot of references to other series and films without it becoming a clear cash grab for trekkies. The new missions are fun while keeping with the theme of the show and the humor almost always finds it’s mark. I was a little bummed by the lack of a continuous story, but the episodes were a lot of fun. Finally, I really enjoy the animation. The style is very similar to Rick and MortyWhich I think would help make it more appealing to the younger audiences especially if they are fans of the latter. Personally, the animation style is one of the reasons I was attracted to the show and one of the biggest turn offs I had from the original animated series. Overall, Lower Deck Season Two is another stellar hit. The characters, voice acting, and stories give viewers so much needed expansion to the Star Trek universe with that adult tone that the other shows and films lack. I highly recommend it.

Creepshow Season 3

Starring - Ethan Embry (That Thing You Do, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle), James Remar (Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, The Warriors), and Brandon Quinn (Big Wolf on Campus, The Nightmare Room)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     One of my favorite horror anthologies is George A. Romero’s Creepshow. It is an anthology that I hold in high regard and often compare other anthologies to it when I review them. When I heard that Shudder was turning it into a television series, I was beside myself. A new horror-based anthology series has not been done in a while and very few were able to do it successfully. The most popular anthology horror series that comes to mind is Tales from the Crypt but there have been others. I’ve watched and reviewed both seasons of Creepshow so far and loved them both equally. When I received the press release for season three, I knew I had to see it. I requested a copy and with the insanity the holidays and my family being sick I couldn’t review it on time. However, I was still able to work it in after the release date. 

      This season features double story episodes ranging from conspiracy theory survivalists that kill to keep their child but creates something sinister in the garden where he buries the body to a pedophile getting what he deserves when one of his young victims comes back to life in 1968.

      The Creepshow series is a lot of fun and season three is no exception. The show gives fans a lot of the same style of humor while paying tribute to EC Comics with their reap what you sow twists. Hell, the series more than makes up for the abysmal Creepshow III that should have never been greenlit. Some of the episodes are better than others but this was a fantastic season overall. The acting in this one is fantastic. We have genre regulars like The Devil’s Candy and The Walking Dead’s Ethan Embry and Dexter and Tales from the Darkside: The Movie’s James Remar just to name a few. The casting is phenomenal from top to bottom with some amazing performances from long time actors and up and comers. Everyone works so well together and the characters they portray work for the show. I was seriously impressed by the entire cast, old and young. The stories for this season are like the other two seasons. They are inconsistent, but the weakest link is still better than most movies I’ve reviewed over the years. My favorite of the season is the final episode which takes place during the early hours of the zombie outbreak in Night of the Living Dead. This particular story has a lot of different layers and the fact that it serves as another horror tale set during one of my favorite horror films makes it even better. I also enjoyed the one of the first episodes, if not the very first episode of the season, which follows a conspiracy theory proud boy that kills his wife to keep his son. The story was not what I was expecting at all and I very much enjoyed it. There was a few duds that was fun but nowhere near as enjoyable as most of the others. The episode following the horror nerd that collects props was extremely boring and so was the episode starring Big Wolf on Campus’ Brandon Quin about a billionaire buying a cursed painting. These episodes were decent enough but they were awkward and a bit cringy at times. This season is inconsistent but not bad. Finally, the film has a ton of great visual and practical effects. The visual effects are very noticeable but they compliment the practical effects. The kills are top notch and you damn well know that they wouldn’t skip on the red stuff. Overall, Creepshow Season 3 is another hit and I look forward to more seasons to come. Be sure to snag this on blu or check it out on Shudder!