Grunk the Smasher

Director - Darin Wood (Badass Monster Killer, Planet of the Vampire Women)

Starring - Chris "Superbeast" Crotte (Hell's Coming For You), Marylin Monroach (Smosh, Lady Hyde), and Rae Wright (Smosh)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure/Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I was lucky enough to review Badass Monster Killer from Darin Wood when my friends over at Wild Eye sent it over.  I fucking loved the movie and would recommend it to people that would visit the Wild Eye table whenever I was working it at a convention.  I loved the blend of blaxploitation, creature feature, and crude humor.  Sometime around this time I was sent news of Wood's newest project which was a fantasy adventure film titled Grunk the Smasher.  I grew up on sword and sandal epics of the 80s and couldn't wait to check it out.  Sadly, several years had passed and I completely forgot about this one.  I was reminded about it when producer Christy Savage sent me an email to review it.  I couldn't wait and added it to my list to check out as soon as I could.  Thank you Christy for reaching out!

     The film follows rough barbarian Grunk the Smasher (Crotte) who finds himself tricked by an evil sorcerer and left to die.  However, with the help of a few unexpected allies who seek revenge against the same sorcerer, he sets out on an adventure for payback.  

     I went into Grunk the Smasher completely blind.  I had not seen a trailer, promotional images, or the synopsis for the film aside from what I could remember about my original post five years ago.  While I didn't enjoy it as much as I did Badass Monster Killer, I still had a lot of fun with it and I can see myself revisiting it sometime soon.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun but it's not something I would consider award winning performances.    The characters are cliched on purpose and a lot of the performances felt like they were part of a well established play but it's not bad.  It adds a lot of fun to the film but none of the performances stand out like other films from Wood.  The story for this one is a loving tribute to classic fantasy adventure films like both Conan films, The Barbarians, Ator, and so on.  We follow a hulking womanizing barbarian who find himself doing a job for an evil sorcerer only to be tricked and left to die.  He lives, obviously, and partners with others seeking revenge as well.  We have dark elves, witches, creatures, and so much more to enjoy scattered throughout the film.  It's not a compelling story but it is mindless fantasy fun.  Finally, the film has a lot of different effects to enjoy.  We have some puppets, practical effects, stop motion, and visuals.  They all do a wonderful of elevating the film and are visually appealing.  Overall, Grunk the Smasher is not going to be at the top of anyone's list but a lot of gen-x and millennials will enjoy what Grunk has to offer.  It delivers on exactly what it set out to and I really respect it in that regard.  Check it out.  

Trip to Bankgok, Coffin Included

Director - Jesus Franco (Down Town, The Devil Came from Akasava)

Starring - Howard Vernon (The Silence of the Sea, In the Eye of the Snake), Helena Garret (Angel of Death, Revenge in the House of Usher), and Jose Llamas (Slave of Crime, The Last Women in the Phillippines)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Adventure

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Jesus, or Jess, Franco isa filmmaker that I respect but I'm not the biggest fan.  His career is legendary spanning every genre and several decades up until his death.  While he was known for his sexploitation and horror efforts, he did take a crack at other genres from time to time.  Franco took to Bangkok in the mid-80s where he made a pair of action adventure films that recently found their way into the hands of my friends over at Severin Films.  Severin was kind enough to send me a copy of this double feature for review.  I was very cruious about this release and threw it on the chopping block as soon as I could with the first film Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a British officer who visits Thialand to investigate the murder of an ambassador.  He teams up with secret service and uncovers that the murder was carried out by a blind assassin that is part of a cult ran by an evil scientist. 

     I went into this one completely fucking blind and holy fuck is all I have to say.  I was not expecting this one to go the way that it does and a part of me actually enjoyed just how fucking random the movie is.  However, it struggles to find any traction which made it difficult for me to finish.  I seriously wanted to like it but it wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  Vernon and Garret are solid for most of their scenes but several other scenes were very disappointing and awkward.  The same can be said about the supporting cast.  Their dialogue delivery was awkward at time and most of them show zero depth.  The story for this one is not something I was expecting from Franco but I wish he would have fully embraced the bizare.  We have a blind assassin, a cult, and an evil scientist in a mid-80s action adventure film from a filmmaker that I admire due to his work in sexploitation and horror.  However, the story doesn't really ermbrace the weird like it could have and feels more like a cheap action flick that doesn't know what to do with the random humor.  Finally, don't go into this one expecting memorable kills and a lot of fun effects.  The film focuses heavily on the story and not so much on deaths and effects.  Overall, Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included is not the action adventure flick I was expecting.  It has a lot of aspects that I liked but they were just thrown away and never fully embraced.  Honestly, I would have loved it if it offered up more of the blind assassins and cult aspects.  It's worth a watch if you have an edible or some beers.  

The Hunters of the Golden Cobra

Director - Antonio Margheriti (Killer Fish, Death Rage)

Starring - David Warbeck (Breakfast with Dracula, Sudden Fury), Almanta Suska (The New York Ripper, The Gravy Train), and Luciano Pigozzi (Strike Commando, Robowar)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "The Mission: Recover the world's most priceless treasure.  The odds: impossible"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    I'll be completely honest here when I say I didn't know what to expect when I took a dive into this box set from Severin Films.  I was familiar with Antonio Margheriti and his horror titles so I knew I was going to see some campy writing and a rushed story that somehow finds a way to be cheap fun.  So far that has been exactly what these Indiana Jonesploitation films have been in this set.  Movies, much like the women I love, are a lot of fun when they are cheap and these three films are just that.  After Jungle Raiders and The Ark of the Sun God, I was left with the final film in the set which was the 1982 flick The Hunters of the Golden Cobra.  I once again want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows an American soldier who partners with a British officer on a mission.  Things happen and the American soldier is left for dead.  Fast forward a few years and the British officer finds the American soldier in an Asian country.  After a quick scuffle, the pair make ammends an agree to once again team up to retrieve an ancient artifact said to have a supernatural power.

     The Hunters of the Golden Cobra is the only film in the set where we have well written characters but lacked story.  This one was shot in 1982 and I would almost wager that it was rushed into production to cash in on the Indiana Jones craze while writing it as they went.  It's the weakest in the set but does have it's moments.  The acting in this one is easily the most inconsistent but my favorite of the set.  David Warbeck delivers my favorite performance of the three films.  It looks like he is having a lot of fun on set and that shows in each scene.  His on screen chemistry with John Steiner is fantastic.  The pair feed off each other and make the film as enjoyable as possible.  The supporting cast is hit or miss with some showing zero acting experience while others were clearly locals paid to fill space in front of the camera.  The story for this one, like the other three, starts out promising enough but does run it's course fairly early on.  We once again encounter rush stories with everything from Indiana Jones and other like it tossed at the viewer hoping something sticks.  It's clear it was only made to make a quick buck off fans.  Finally, the action is fiarly enjoyable in the early portion of the film but it's nothing original or memorable.  Those of us looking for fun deaths will be disappointed as well.  Overall, The Hunters of the Golden Cobra got my hopes up at the beginning with the fun characters but was once again a cheap watch with some fun moments but is easily forgettable.  It's worth a watch especially if you bring some beer.  

The Ark of the Sun God

Director - Antonio Margheriti (The Last Blood, Treasure Island in Outer Space)

Starring - David Warbeck (The Beyond, Razor Blade Smile), John Steiner (Tenebre, Sinbad of the Seven Seas), and Susie Sudlow 

Release Date - 1984

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "He is looking for action..."

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I didn't know what I was getting into when I tossed in the first film in the Antonio Marghertiti - The Jungles of Doom: His 80's Adventure Films.  Jungle Raiders was a decent watch but didn't offer up anything original.  Honestly, all it did was give us stuff we had seen already in Indiana Jones and the copycat films that followed.  That didn't stop me from wanting to dive deeper into this set where I tossed in 1984's The Ark of the Sun God.  Once again, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows a professional thief working a big score when he realizes that he has been set up.  Someone far more influential knows about him and his talents and plan on using him to get an ancient relic with unlimited power.  He is then forced to steal the Ark of the Sun God which is the sceptre believed to have belonged to Gilgamesh.  

     I went into this expecting to find a painfully generic Indiana Jones clone but found myself really interested in the story even though it did fizzle out.  With that being said, it was still a little fun fora first time watch.  The acting in this one is just as uneven as Jungle Raiders but the unintentionally funny moments are not there.  Honestly, I was looking forward to some of the laughs that I enjoyed in Jungle Raiders and was a bit disappointed that they were not here.  The main cast does a decent enough job with their roles while the supporting cast and extras were clearly locals plucked to be in the film.  The story for this one was surprisingly intriguing for the first half of the film but it does run out of gas before we hit the hour mark.  When you toss in the unlikable characters and bland action you are left with a film that just doesn't go the distance.  Finally, don't go into this one expecting a lot of action and memorable deaths.  We have some quick deaths with no effects and low budget action scenes but that is the extent of it.  Overall, The Ark of the Sun God is an easily forgettable film but it does have it's moments.  Stick with it and enjoy it.  

Jungle Raiders

Director - Antonio Margheriti (Yor: The Hunter from the Future, Cannibal Apocalypse)

Starring - Christopher Connelly (1990: Bronx Warriors, Night of the Sharks), Marina Costa (The Final Executioner, Greggio e Pericoloso), and Lee Van Cleef (Escape from New York, For a Few Dollars More)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Adventure

Tagline - "In the heart of the tropical rain forest lies a world of endless danger, mysterious romance, and wild adventure"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The 1980s was a wild ass time and I hate that I was born halfway through the decade.  I would have loved to have lived through the entire 80s as an adult so I could truly appreciate everything as it was being released.  The first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was released in 1981 and immedately became a hit.  So much so that it inspired a series of copy cat films which really took hold in Italy.  Director Antonio Margheriti helmed several of these films and my friends over at Severin released three of them in a box set.  They were kind enough to end it over for me to review and when I could I tossed in the first film that I pulled out which was Jungle Raiders from 1985.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows Captrain Yankee (Connelly) who scams rich adventurers into thinking they are exploring uncharted jungle for undiscovered treasure.  His easy meal ticket is thwarted when a real adventure presents itself and he is forced to uncover an ancient ruby for someone else. 

     I watched a few of these action adventure films growing up but I never realized that they were Jonesploitation.  However, now I can totally see that these films are and kind of appreciate them more than I originally did.  Jungle Raiders was a new one to me and I was excited to see it but it was a film that lost it's steam fairly early on.  The acting in this one is fairly inconsistent and unintentionally funny at times.  Connelly and Van Cleef deliver solid performances but the remainder of the cast is comical for the most part.  I went into this one sober and still found myself laughing during a few of the scenes due to the acting.  The story for this one borrows all the fun stuff from movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark but forgets to add a protagonist that the viewer can get behind along with something new for the viewer to enjoy.  The film starts out strong enough with the fake tours scamming the rich but soon loses it's gas as the film progresses.  The unlikable characters and predictable story makes this one difficult to finish.  Finally, the film is not one that memorable deaths or fun effects.  We have some cheap effects here and there but nothing that really stands out.  Overall, Jungle Raiders is a alright if you want something to watch but don't have access to Indiana Jones.  I wanted to like this one but it wasn't for me.  

Arabian Adventure

Director - Kevin Connor (Motel Hell, The Land That Time Forgot)

Starring - Christopher Lee (The Wicker Man, Hugo), Milo O'Shea (Barbarella, Theater of Blood), and Oliver Tobias (The Wicked Lady, Robin of Sherwood)

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure

Tagline - "Soar into a magical world of action, excitement and enchantment"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     This Christopher Lee collection from Severin Films has been a big surprise.  When I received this one for review I immediately noticed that I had only seen one film in the set prior to it's release.  Since then I've realized that I had seen another film in the set but it was under an alternate title.  With that being said, this set has been a lot of fun and only seems to be getting better.  As I hit play on the fourth film, Arabian Adventures from 1979, I was surprised to see how stacked this cast was and that it was directed by Kevin Connor.  I had never seen this one before but I couldn't wait to check it out.

     The film follows an evil ruler (Lee) who is after an ancient artifact that will grant him unspeakable power.  However, a young thief, his pet monkey, and an imprisoned prince to stop him from gaining the ultimate power and claiming the princess.

     I was really looking forward to checking this one out when I saw the cast list for it.  I figured the story for this one was going to be dated and steeped with unintentional racism that was common in American films from the 60s and 70s that represented other societies and cultures.  While it does show some of this to a degree, it was still a lot of fun for what it was.  The acting in this one is great once you look passed the white washing of the entire cast.  Lee as the evil ruler is absolutely brilliant and then we have fantastic performances from the entire cast.  While I would love to spend all day going over the cast alone for the film, I'm just too damn lazy to do so.  The story for this one is a lot like the classic film Thief of Baghdad where we have a prince who is being forced to find the ancient relic who befriends a young boy and his monkey to do it but must stop the evil ruler at all costs.  It's a fun fantasy adventure story with Middle Eastern customs that are white washed over in order to make them more appealing to western audiences.  Finally, the film is not one with blood and guts.  Instead, we get some really dated visual effects and camera tricks.  The film doesn't over do it in the special effects department due to budget issues but these gags does add to the fun of the film.  Overall, Arabian Adventure is a bit insensitive in regards to other races but is still a solid family friendly fantasy adventure.  I really enjoyed it and can see myself watching it a few more times before putting this set back on the shelf.  Check it out.

Dakota

Director - Wim Verstappen (Black Rider, Alicia)

Starring - Monique van de Ven (Amsterdamned, Daylight), Kees Brusse (Mysteries, Blue Movie), and Willeke van Ammelrooy (The Lake House, Lost Transport)

Release Date - 1974

Genre - Adventure/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of the movies I get in for review are horror and I have nothing negative to say about that.  Even if I don't like the movies sent my way for review, I still love watching them.  It's an experience sitting down to watch someone's hard work, seeing actors with little to no experience hope in front of the camera with nothing but love for the genre in their hearts.  With that being said, I do get in the random non-horror title for review from some of the boutique labels that I've became acquainted with over the years.  Most of them send over exploitation flicks or the random low budget direct to video action flicks that have been lost to time.  However, companies like Cult Epics have put a lot of time and focus on bringing international titles to the states in recent years which has broadened my viewing up greatly.  Sometime back they sent me the 1974 adventure drama Dakota from filmmaker Wim Verstappen.  I want to thank Cult Epics for sending this one over!

     The film follows a passionate pilot who wants take his DS3, or Dakota, plan across the Atlantic where he encounters several unexpected problems.  

     I knew Dakota wasn't going to be a movie that my typical readers would be interested in but I always feel obligated to review a movie that is sent to me regardless if it was horror or not.  With that being said, I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious about the film prior to watching it.  It looked interesting to say the least and I love watching movies I had never seen before regardless of the genre.  Sadly, the movie just wasn't for me.  It's not a bad movie but I'm clearly not the target audience for this adventure drama.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part.  The scenes with Brusse alone are very well done.  The setting for the film is very small with Brusse alone most of the time but he is still able to pull off some seriously fantastic acting with one sided dialogue and his mannerisms.  It's when Brusse is with other cast members that we see some stiff dialogue that is a bit awkward coming from the veteran actor.  The supporting cast is solid but Brusse is the main focus of this one.  The story for this one is straight to the point and I'm sure it's overflowing with details that only true aviators will understand.  I am not someone with an interest in planes or flying.  As for the film itself, I enjoyed it for a short time but did find myself bored through most of the film.  The beautiful shots from the pilots perspective and of the plane flying is beautiful but doesn't really hold the viewer's attention like it would someone that has an interest in the topic.  Finally, the film is not one with blood and guts so those of you looking for that type of film will be very disappointed.  The film is solely focused on the flight and how the pilot handles the issues he faces in his flight.  Overall, Dakota is going to be a film that several can appreciate for how beautiful the film is but even fewer can appreciate for the story telling.  I really wanted to like this one but at the end of the day it just wasn't for me.  

Deathstalker

Director - Steven Kostanski (The Void, Psycho Goreman)

Starring - Daniel Bernhardt (The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Logan), Patton Oswalt (Star Trek: Strange New World, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire), and Christina Orjalo (That's So Weird, The Big Comfy Couch)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Action/Adventure/Horror

Tagline - "Evil has many names.  Adventure has only one..."

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in elementary school an estranged uncle of mine gave me a couple tapes.  My dad was convinced that he stole them from a video store where he lived but we had no idea where they truly came from.  The tapes were Jason Goes to Hell, Halfbaked, and Conan the Destroyer.  Those three films would leave a huge impact on my childhood with the Conan tape opening up the door to so many sword and sorcery flicks.  I would rent a lot of these films over the years including the 1983 Roger Corman produced Deathstalker.  I enjoyed the film a hell of a lot and even enjoy the sequel to some extent.  In fact, I watched the first Deathstalker not too long ago, long before I knew a remake was in the works.  Anyway, a few weeks ago I received a press release for the release of the new Deathstalker film from director Steven Kostanski.  Kostanski is one of my favorite modern filmmakers and I couldn't wait to see what he would do with this classic tale.  I also wondered how he would incorporate his Astron-6 brothers into the film.  I reached out to Shout and they were kind enough to send over a review link to check out.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows Deathstalker (Bernhardt) who has gave up his birth name and wonders the world pillaging and killing those that stand in his way.  He finds a man dying on a battlefield and retrieves an amulet from him not knowing that it was cursed.  This sends him on a quest to reverse the curse but in doing so he will need someone who knows magic.  His first stop is the free a small magician named Doodad (Oswalt) and the pair set out to reverse the curse and put a stop to an evil Dreadite army before they awaken an evil force to take over the land.

     Director Steven Kostanski has released some of the most unforgettable horror films of the last 15 or 20 years with movies like The Void, Man-Borg, Father's Day, Psycho Goreman, Frankie Freako, and Leprechaun Returns.  This made me wonder what direction he was going to take his reimaging of Deathstalker.  Was it going to stay true to the action adventure style of the classic, was it going to be heavy on the horror, or would it be a beautiful medley of action, adventure, and horror.  The movie is exactly what the world needed and defies genres.  The acting in this is exactly what you would expect from a reboot of a film originally produced by legendary Roger Corman.  The cast is stiff, clunky, and delivers their dialogue like Mitch Hedberg delivers his one liners.  However, it fits the film and almost pays homage to the films that inspired it.  The characters are hulking barbarians, cut throats, and any other form of bad ass men you would find in the Golden Axe games.  The cast really gets into character and it makes the scenes a lot of fun.  The story for this one a typical sword and sorcery style adventure mixed with Power Rangers the Movie and Warriors of Virtue with a lot of blood and gore.  We get a simple plot where a sword swinging adventurer goes on a quest to stop a curse while a group of undead warriors try to stop him.  This is textbook fantasy if you ask me.  We then get some comedy and some monsters that remind me a lot of the creatures from Power Rangers.  They all have elaborate backstories and it adds a little more to the film than the predictable villains you would find in other films like it.  Finally, the film is overflowing with amazing practical effects.  We get a lot of gore, fantastic creatures, and amazing deaths.  The deaths look great and the effects make this one stand out above the rest.  Overall, Deathstalker is a must see for fans of monster movies, sword and sorcery, and Steven Kostanski.  This movie is better than I expected and I know this will be very controversial but this is one of the few remakes that surpass the original.  While I dig the original film, this is going to be a day one purchase for me and one I can see myself revisiting multiple times without tiring of it.  I highly recommend it.  

Dalek's Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

Director - Gordon Flemyng (Lovejoy, The Bill)

Starring - Peter Cushing (The Curse of Frankenstein, Hammer House of Horror), Bernard Cribbins (Doctor Who, A Fantastic Fear of Everything), and Ray Brooks (Late Night Theatre, House of Whipcord)

Release Date - 1966

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure 

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Peter Cushing really was a wonderful actor.  I've seen his performances in television, horror, sci-fi and many other genres that I'm forgetting about but they all have one thing in common, they were all unforgettable.  I've been a huge fan of his for sometime now, along with Doctor Who, so when I saw that Severin Films was releasing both Dr. Who films from the 60s starring Cushing I had to jump on them.  I ordered them as soon as I could and when they arrived I quickly made time for them.  After watching Dr. Who and the Daleks, I quickly tossed in the sequel, Dalek's Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.

     The film follows a constable who finds himself in the middle of a burglary.  He rushes to a police call box and discovers the inside is bigger than the outside.  Unbeknownst to him, he has just entered the TARDIS, a space and time traveling machine created by Dr. Who (Cushing).  They then find themselves transported to Earth in the year 2150 and the Daleks have taken over.  They are mind controlling the people they believe to be intelligent while forcing everyone else to mine.   The Dr., constable, and the Dr.'s niece and granddaughter join a group fighting for their freedom to stop the Daleks.  

     I really liked Dr. Who and the Daleks but it wasn't as enjoyable as the Doctor Who series.  However, it made me want to see Cushing star in his own series of Doctor Who.  He would have done a phenomenal job.  This brings me to the acting.  The film has a great cast.  Cushing, like always, delivers a fantastic performance.  It truly is a damn shame we never got a series with him as the Doctor.  These two films are as close to it that we will get.  The supporting cast is just as great.  We even get to see a young Bernard Cribbins who would appear in the Doctor Who show as Donna's grandfather, Wilfred Mott.  The story for this one is a bit more bleak and action forward especially when compared to the previous Dr. Who film.  The film focuses more on perspective and progression than it does the characters and their backstories.  This is something I really liked especially after watching the first film.  This sequel doesn't take the time to bring the viewer up to speed if they skipped the first film.  With that being said, the film does feel a bit repetitive with the fight scenes and the multiple cat and mouse scenes.  Also, it doesn't follow the show as close as I would have liked.  We have the Dr., who is a human here, along with the Daleks but that is about the extent of it. Finally, the film relies on the props and locations to get the film's look. It's not a bloody flick but the Daleks have that classic look and I love the look of the Cybermen in this one.  Overall, Dalek's Invasion Earth 2150 is a solid sequel and a fun mid-60s sci-fi flick with the legendary Peter Cushing.  I highly recommend checking out the Severin Films' release.  

Dr. Who and the Daleks

Director - Gordon Flemyng (Shades of Darkness, Flight into Hell)

Starring - Peter Cushing (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Horror of Dracula), Roy Castle (Dr. Terror's House of Horrors, Legend of the Werewolf), and Jennie Linden (Tales of the Unexpected, A Deadly Game)

Release Date - 1965

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure

Tagline - "The wildest space adventure on... or off the Earth!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I learned a lot in college and I don't mean in my studies.  I started my college career when I turned 21 and then found myself opening up to a lot of things that I normally wouldn't.  I never gave Ronnie James Dio a chance because of my dedication to Ozzy and the original Black Sabbath line up but a friend in college hooked me up with some songs and I fell in love.  I was also introduced to sci-fi shows I had never seen before.  I was familiar with shows like Star Trek,  Lexx, Battlestar Galactica, and so on thanks to my grandmother but this friend sent me in a whole new direction.  He recommended shows like Red Dwarf and the iconic Doctor Who.  The Doctor Who revival was just a few seasons into it and I binged those seasons over and over again that summer.  I was hooked.  I watched it often up until Robert Capaldi became the doctor.  Not because I disliked him but because time just got away from him.  Over the years since then I've watched some of the original serious with the original doctors along with the two Amicus films starring Peter Cushing.  A few months back Severin Films announced that they would be releasing those two films on UHD.  I quickly preordered these films and when they arrived I quickly added them to  my watch list and started with the first film, Dr. Who and the Daleks.  

     The films follows Dr. Who (Cushing) who has a created a machine that can travel through space and time that he has named TARDIS.  However, a man who visited his home to pick his granddaughter up for a date accidentally turns it on and sends them to a distant world ravaged by atomic war.  A group of creatures seeking refuge from the atomic radiation has created machines to live in called Daleks.  After all these years they are still waging war with a human like race that has created a solution to the radiation problem.  The Daleks, after realizing how smart the Dr. is, tries to use him as a pawn to trick the others into giving them their secrets.  The Dr., seeing through their plan, helps the others while stopping the Daleks.

     Dr. Who and the Daleks was a new spin on the Doctor Who serials that were popular of the time.  While it did offer up a lot of differences from the show, it still delivered on the whimsical side of sci-fi that wasn't explored a lot before then.  The acting in this is great.  Peter Cushing, along with Christopher Lee, is one of the bests to ever do it and this is no exception.  He brings on a new spin to the doctor and is brilliant in it.  The same can be said about his supporting cast.  The characters are all likeable and the acting is phenomenal. The story for this one has similarities to the show along with some major differences.  The TARDIS and Daleks are here in the same form they can be found in the show along with the companions that usually accompany the doctor.  In this adaptation, the companions are his grandchildren while the doctor, who is an an alien from Gallifrey, is human in this film.  We get some family friendly humor, some sci-fi action, and a huge scope for such a small film.  Finally, the effects are very dated which adds to the charm of the film.  It's not a bloody flick, but we do have some gorgeous sets, make-up effects, and the look of the daleks are iconic.  Fans of 60s science fiction will truly appreciate the effects in this film.  Overall, Dr. Who and the Daleks doesn't follow the show that closely but does borrow the important parts while making it's own path.  It's a lot of fun and Severin did a wonderful job with this release.  I highly recommend it.  

     

Unknown World

Director - Terry O. Morse (Godzilla, Godzilla: King of the Monsters)

Starring - Bruce Kellogg (They Were Expendable, The Golden Eye), Otto Waldis (Gomer Pyle: USMC, Hogan's Heroes), and Jim Bannon (Good Neighbor Sam, Wagon Train)

Release Date - 1951

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure

Tagline - "Adventure into the unknown!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I say this all the time and I absolutely mean it.  I wish I lived during the golden age of drive-in cinema.  I could see myself basically living at the drive-in watching every campy double feature and cheesy sci-fi and horror flick they had to offer.  While I was born decades after the fall of the drive-in, I still like to fantasize about what it was like as I watch these older films sent to me for  review.  A few weeks back my friends over at Severin Films sent me a few flicks to check out and among them was the 1951 sci-fi adventure flick Unknown World.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows an expedition team as they seek out a place inside the Earth for mankind to live if a nuclear war happened to occur.  During their voyage they do discover a vast land that could potentially be home to the human race along with a vast ocean network.  However, they soon learn that something is making those there sterile but before they could uncover the cause they are forced to flee when a volcano erupts.

    I went into Unknown World knowing absolutely nothing about it and it was nothing like I was expecting.  I liked it's unique set up and how the story got to where it was going but the ride itself was painfully dull and boring.  I seriously wanted to like it but it just wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is extremely cheesy but that is what makes these drive-in classics so much fun and enjoyable.  The over-reacting in some scenes and the underwhelming reactions in others is exactly what I was expecting.  The acting in films like this is my favorite part and this one did not disappoint.  The story for this one starts out in a fun way that really captures the time in which the film was made.  We are in the beginning years of the Cold War and the film starts out like a film meant to prepare you for the "big one."  We then move on to a cheesy sci-fi adventure to the middle of the Earth with generic characters, a little romance, and a lot of boring dialogue that doesn't help the movie out at all.  It's almost as if the film was being pulled in too many direction resulting in a finished film that fails to gain traction.  Finally, the film has some miniatures and some campy sets but that is about the extent of it.  Those with a eye for the red stuff will be very disappointed in that regard.  Overall, Unknown World is an interesting idea and one I could normally see myself enjoying but the execution here leaves us with a bit of a dull flick.  Fans of Cold War era sci-fi flicks might enjoy this one but I couldn't.  

The Primevals

Director - David Allen (The Dungeonmaster, Puppet Master II)

Starring - Juliet Mills (Ark: The Animated Series, Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar), Richard Joseph Paul (Oblivion, Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise), and Leon Russom (The X-Files, Tales from the Darkside)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Adventure/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "A civilization lost in time... Invaded one million years ago"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Full Moon Entertainment has done a lot of good for horror history over the several decades they have been in business.  Starting all the way back when Charles Band launched Empire International Pictures and the release of the classic films Re-Animator, From Beyond, Rawhead Rex, and Crawl Space just to name a few.  When Empire went out in 1988, Band launched Full Moon Entertainment the same year and has been making films under that banner ever since.  While some of the Full Moon releases are easily forgettable, he has still turned out classics like Puppet Master, Evil Bong, Subspecies, The Gingerdea Man, and many more.  Band and both companies have one hell of a track record.  That's why I began following The Primevals so intently when it was announced.  The film was a dream project by David Allen that began filming in the 80s but was shelved due to budget issues.  A few years back Full Moon began raising funds to finish this film and get it released.  I'm glad Band took the time to get this one out to fans of Full Moon and stop motion animation because it's a fantastic film!

     The film follows a group of scientists who venture deep into the Hymalayas in hopes of finding a live yeti after the remains of one was sent to them showing signs of brain surgery.  What they discover is a civilization lost to time that is being terrorized by ancient aliens that are using this ancient race of humanoids for experiments and entertainment.  

     The Primevals is a film that I can see a lot of the pop genre fans brushing off and I get it.  This film isn't for them.  It's for cinema fans that grew up on stop motion like Allen was known for.  This was a style that was over before my time but I always watched the films when I was little when I was a kid with my grandmother.  I remember watching all the Ray Harryhausen classics with her and often wished there was more movies with stop-motion.  This one doesn't disappoint especially if those style of films are your thing.  The acting in this one is very well done.  While the characters are very one dimensional and uncharismatic, the cast still does a phenomenal job at moving the film along.  The dialogue is very heavy but the cast does a fantastic job at finding the correct emotion for the scene which really does help with the film's pacing.  The story for this one is a bit out there but I really enjoyed it.  It's something different and makes great use of the stop-motion.  An ancient alien race enslaving a humanoid ape like species deep in the Himalayan mountains is something that would have been a wild story during the height of stop-motion.  Add in the characters, yetis, and the rest of the film and you are given something that you can watch over and over without tiring of it.  I found myself wanting to talk about it for days after watching it.  It sounds a bit goofy typing it out but it really was compelling.  Finally, the film has a little blood but the focus of the film is the creatures and the stop-motion which is absolutely gorgeous.  I loved the looked of the reptilian aliens, the missing link type creatures, and the yetis.  You can tell a lot of time and passion went into crafting these and I'm sure fans of stop-motion can appreciate the models as well.  Overall, The Primevals is a must see for fans of stop-motion and Full Moon alike.  It's a film that will go on to become a timeless classic and a staple in any Full Moon collection.  Check it out!

Vinnie's Vantastic Rock N Roll Adventure

Director - Brandon Bishop (Mesa Lake, The Drink with Aeon Cruz)

Starring - Vinnie Vineyard (The Hike, Camp Smokey), Luke Walker (WJHC AM, The Mark of a Killer), and Kandi Thompson (Taint My Ride, A Pokemon in the Maryland Wasteland)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Comedy/Adventure

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My Vinnie Vineyard and Luke Walker marathon is coming to an end. Several weeks back I was contacted by Vinnie to review several of his films that he had made with fellow filmmaker Luke Walker. I went into all four of these with an open mind, but it was clearly evident that these films were not for me. The Hike and WJHC AM was a chore for me to finish but Camp Smokey really drawn me in. I was a big fan of that film which further excited me to check out the last film in the marathon. I once again want to thank Vinnie for sending over Vinnie's Vantastic Rock N Roll Adventure. 

      The film follows Vinnie (Vineyard) who decided to live out his dream of living in a van and traveling the country when he is dumped by his girlfriend. As he makes his away across the country to see his favorite band he meets a wide array of characters and finds himself in unforgettable encounters. 

      I went into Vinnie's Vantastic still amazed by Camp Smokey and how much I truly enjoyed it. I really liked how this one started and the idea behind it, but the film was way too long and some of the scenes needed cut. Hell, I could have really gotten into it if the run time was around 60 to 80 mins. However, at over two hours, this film is just way too long for the story that it has. The acting in this one is probably my favorite part of the film. Vinnie is extremely comfortable in front of the camera and does a phenomenal job when he is portraying a character that is loosely, or not so loosely, based on himself. He's very natural on camera which really helps him set the scene. The supporting cast is just as fun to watch as well. While we do have a lot of the same returning cast, the lack of serious tone results in a lot less forced dialogue and awkward interactions. The cast is having fun on set, and it is shown in their performances. The story for this one is very interesting on paper but on camera it becomes repetitive for the most part. While the situation may vary, the overall flow of the film is the same thing over and over. We follow Vinnie as he travels to a new spot, meets new characters, and something happens that will negatively impact him the rest of the trip. Some of the later scenes could have been removed to help with the pacing of the film. Finally, don't expect any blood or gore with this one. Instead, it's a character driven piece with no body count. Overall, Vinnie's Vantastic Rock N Roll Adventure is another film of their I could see myself fully getting behind but the drawn-out scenes and repetitive nature of the film made it another difficult one to finish. That doesn't mean it's a bad film but it's one that I didn't personally care for.

The Other Side of Darkness

Director - Adam Deierling (Genesis, The Creature of Stark Hills)

Starring - Maggie Callahan (Acts of Violence, Judas and the Black Messiah), Scott C. Davis (Drop the Beat, Soupernatural), and Olivia Billings (Ding-Dong Ditch)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Drama/Adventure

Tagline - "Who will you become when the power fails?"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     In years passed I would often skip horror for a month as a way to recharge my batteries. I try to watch and review at least one horror title a day which can wear you down over time. As a way to combat that I would take a month to watch other flicks that I’ve been sitting on. It was mostly as excuse to watch the various exploitation flicks that Vinegar Syndrome, Impulse Pictures, and Blue Underground was releasing but I still kept an eye on indie releases. April has felt something like those months with the dozen or so non-horror titles that I’ve been asked to review. I don’t mind to step out of my beloved genre from time to time and I’ve actually enjoyed myself for the most part. Several weeks ago I was asked the review the drama The Other Side of the Darkness from director Adam Deierling. I was curious after seeing the film’s artwork and decided to check it out. I want to thank Adam for reaching out to me and letting me know it’s available to stream for free on Tubi. 

      The film follows a teenage girl who is living with a foster family working at her foster father’s shop trying to save up money to buy her first vehicle. As the world suffers from rolling black outs and power failures, she finds herself on a quest to find her birth mother which lands her on the doorstep of her supposed grandfather and the recovering alcoholic that he sponsors along with a plot to destroy America’s infrastructure. 

      The Other Side of Darkness is going to be one of those films that is polarizing among viewers. Horror fans digging into it expecting a post-apocalyptic action adventure like I did may be a bit disappointed. Hell, movie fans expecting a teenage action adventure who has a soft spot for indie cinema may a bit disappointed in this one as well. However, if you are open minded and ignore everything you are being told about the film then you may appreciate it. I liked it but it’s nothing like I thought it would be. The acting in this one is a little inconsistent but it’s not bad. The characters are very grounded and the most realistic characters I’ve witnessed in a film. The cast has a lot to work with here and they do a fantastic job. They deliver the dialogue very clearly and in a natural manner and they are fully dedicated to their roles but there is a few scenes where their performances does feel rushed. It doesn’t ruin the experience but it’s evident that their hearts wasn’t in it then. The story for this one feels like it’s being pulled in several different directions. It wants to be a coming of age adventure tale where a teenage girl finds her place in life but it slowly slips into this apocalyptic type scenario where continental U.S.’s power grid fails and the three youths find themselves in the middle of it. It would be a much more effective film if it chose one path to go down instead of trying to work both in. Also, there is way too much stock footage in this one. Sure, the shots are beautiful and it’s amazing drone work but the film could be trimmed down significantly if some of these unnecessary shots were cut. Finally, this is not a bloody or violent film. It does have a little action near the end but the film is character driven without the need of blood and gore. Overall, The Other Side of Darkness is nothing like I was expecting but I enjoyed it. A lot could be done to it to make it better but it still has it’s moments as it. If you are looking for something a bit different then I highly suggest checking it out on Tubi.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Director - Steven Spielberg (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park)

Starring - Henry Thomas (Gangs of New York, Doctor Sleep), Drew Barrymore (Firestarter, Waxwork II: Lost in Time), and Peter Coyote (The Twilight Zone, The Legend of Billie Jean)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure

Tagline - "He is afraid.  He is totally alone.  He is 3 million light years from home"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It’s almost daily that I find myself surprised by what shows up for me to review in the mail. What really catches me off guard the most is when I receive non-horror titles for review considering the site is horrorsociety.com along with films that I consider timeless classics. Movies like George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, Fright Night, Universal’s monster movies, and so on. Recently, I shared a press release for the UHD release of Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extraterrestrial. This film is fucking legendary. It may not be a horror title but it does borrow from the genre and inspired countless filmmakers to pick up a camera. It had been at least 20 some odd years since I last watched this one so I would looking forward to revisiting it. 

      The film follows Elliott who is a bit of the black sheep of his family. His father left him sometime back and he lives with his older brother, little sister, and single mother in California suburbia. One night he finds something out of this world and lovingly named him E.T. He soon introduces the otherworldly visitor to his brother and sister but their secret is not kept for long after E.T. becomes ill and the government gets involved. 

      E.T.: The Extraterrestrial was not the first film of it’s kind but it is one of the best films of it’s kind. Way before this film’s release there was other horror and sci-fi flicks following kids or teenagers who find something strange and try to keep it a secret, but it seems like this type of story fucking exploded, especially in horror, after E.T.’s release. It’s an influential sci-fi film that really set the bar high for family friendly films. The acting in this one is amazing. I love late 70s and 80s Dee Wallace. Her emotional range was really impressive which really bums me out considering she is rarely cast as the lead in films anymore. Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore always impressed me as well. Their characters were written so well and the pair worked so well together. You really feel that child like sibling love/hate. Most of their scenes are genuine. The rest of the cast is just as enjoyable but these three truly stand out for me. The story for this one inspired so many other films and shows ranging from Mac and Me, Stranger Things, and many more. The movie does drag it’s feet from time to time it still finds a way to keep you pulled in. As someone who grew up watching this on VHS along with other films like it I have to admit that it’s not really that original. What makes this one stand out is how wholesome and well put together it is. Finally, the visual and practical effects in this one is legendary. The puppetry, the look of E.T., and the visual effects still hold up to this day. Overall, E.T.: The Extraterrestrial is a timeless classic that really does find an audience after 40 years. This film is a lot of fun but it does struggle with pacing. I highly recommend it especially if you are looking for something that the entire family can enjoy. Check out this UHD release!

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind

Director - Rick Morales (Batman vs. Two Face, Lego Scooby-Doo!: Haunted Hollywood)

Starring - Manny Jacinto (Top Gun: Maverick, Brand New Cherry Flavor), David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, 300), and Artt Butler (Rhett and Link's Buddy System, Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Action/Adventure

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up with the Mortal Kombat franchise. I was in elementary school when the first game was released. I remember renting the first two games on Sega Genesis on the weekends when my brother would visit. When the first movie was released, I wasn’t able to make it to theaters due to the ridiculous long drive but that was another MK item that I often rented from the local video store. Hell, I even liked the second MK film even though it was hated by most. In recent years I’ve fall back in love with the Mortal Kombat universe due to the new live action films and the animated flicks from WB. Honestly, I really enjoy the animated films so when I heard that another one was scheduled for release, I knew I had to see it. I quickly reached out to WB and they were kind enough to send over Snow Blind for review. 

      The world have been ravaged and turned into a wasteland. Kano is the leader of the Black Dragon’s and subsequently is ruler of most of the world. Those that don’t fall under his reign soon meet a gruesome. A young warrior, Kenshi, finds himself standing toe to toe with Kano and his Black Dragon clan but when he is betrayed by a frail Shang Tsung, he finds himself blind. Former Lin Kuei warrior turned peaceful gardener Kuai Liang takes him under his wing to show him how to fight without the aid of his sight. As the Black Dragons make their way to another hidden village in the dunes the two, along with Scorpion, band together to stop the massacre and end Kano before more blood could be spilled. 

      I haven’t played many of the games from the last decade or so which has really furthered the story for the MK universe. I don’t know a lot about the lore now but that doesn’t stop me from really getting into these animated movies. Snow Blind delivers a story unlike anything I have seen within the MK universe so I can’t tell you if it follows the games or not but I can tell you that it was a lot of fucking fun. The voice acting in this one is great. I noticed right away that Kano was voiced by David Wenham. I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan and hearing Faramir voice Kano really surprised me. He did one hell of a job as Kano and fucking nailed his personality. The entire film is cast perfectly. I loved all the voice acting and how well each character was represented. The story was not what I was expecting at all and didn’t use the typical MK story where Earthrealm warriors and Raiden fight in the MK tournament. The apocalyptic setting with some not so popular characters, aside from Sub Zero and Scorpion, was unexpected but a lot of fun. I loved the character development, backstories, and the what the fuck ending we were given. Not taking the popular path really paid off here. Finally, I loved the animation style and the amount of gore we were given. Other MK animated films have some blood and light gore but this one is over the type and fucking glorious. I highly recommend it especially if you are in the mood for the red stuff. Overall, Snow Blind is probably my favorite of the MK Legends animated films. It’s bloody, unexpected, and gives us a story we haven’t seen before. I can’t recommend this one enough.