Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Director(s) - Kevin Altieri (Stripperella, Transformers Prime), Boyd Kirkland (Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero, Wolverine and the X-Men), and Frank Paur (Gargoyles, Spawn)

Starring - Kevin Conroy (Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?, Jay and Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie), Dana Delany (Tombstone, The Batman), and Hart Bochner (Die Hard, Supergirl)

Release Date - 1993

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The dark knight fights to save Gotham City from it's deadliest enemy"

Forma - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I’ve been lucky enough to watch and review several of the animated Batman films over the last five years or so. The DC animated universe releases or films that I often get very excited for and when they find their mark they are seriously enjoyable. The great thing about the DC animated films is that they are continuously releasing new films while remastering and re-releasing some of the older films. When I was a kid I remember seeing TV spots and posters for Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. I remember immediately thinking of the Don Coscarelli film Phantasm and my imagination took over as I imagined Batman taking on the Tall Man and his legion of undead dwarves. Sadly, I never got around to seeing it and over the years I had completely forgot about it until I received the UHD release for review. I had heard nothing but good things about this one and I couldn’t wait to dig into it. I want to thank WB and DC for sending this one over.

      The film bounces between Bruce Wayne at the beginning of his crime fighting career when he was romantically involved with a beautiful and current day when leaders of the organized crime world are being hunted down by a caped villain. Everyone, including the police, suspect that the one behind the murders is Batman forcing him to work quickly to uncover the real killer while exploring his own past. 

      Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is based on the Batman Animated series and features one hell of a voice cast. While I do see why so many Batman fans enjoy this animated feature I will admit I am a bit underwhelmed. I absolutely loved the animated series as a kid but this film didn’t really have the same appeal and flow as the show. I was recently sent the show on blu for review and was able to revisit this classic series. While it has been some time since then I can still remember it very well. The film is decent but it is nowhere near the level of the show. The voice acting in this one gave me chills especially now after the passing of long time Batman/Bruce Wayne Kevin Conroy. It wouldn’t be an animated Batman film with Conroy if it didn’t have Mark Hamill as The Joker. We also have appearances from Stacey Keach, Dana Delany, and so many more. The voice casting in this is so impressive and everyone does a phenomenal job. The story for this one has a fantastic character arch and one hell of a reveal. However, the impact of the film is lost in the film’s flashbacks that throws off the flow of the film. The pacing is all off and the film’s climatic moments is made ineffective with the random flashbacks. The film needed a more traditional story that moves in a linear path instead of back and forth like it is. Finally, I love the film’s animation style. It’s the same style as the animated series and is more a traditional take on American cartoons. I love the look and it works well with the action sequences and the various assortment of characters. We also get the classic Gotham backdrops that was seen in the show which is another thing that I loved about the show. The back drop and still paintings look so fucking good. Overall, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is one of the more popular Batman animated films but I can think of better ones. However, it’s still a fantastic film that deserves a watch. The UHD release looks gorgeous and should be in any fan’s collection. Check it out.

Resident Evil: Death Island (Review)

Director - Eiichiro Hasumi (Mozu the Movie, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness)

Starring - Matthew Mercer (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match), Nicole Tompkins (Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made, American Horror Story), and Kevin Dorman (Resident Evil: Vendetta, Avatar: The Way of Water)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I’m an avid gamer and that’s a part of my personal life that I rarely get to talk about on Horror Society. When I’m not at work or watching horror flicks I’m in front of my PC hacking away at whatever game I’m obsessed with at the time. I’ve been gaming for decades by this point and while I hate to admit to my age I still find it impressive that I’ve been gaming for so long. I remember playing the original few Resident Evil games on PlayStation but I was never really a huge fan of the games. I did enjoy the fourth installment but I wouldn’t call it one of my favorite games. However, I fucking loved the first film adaptation and didn’t mind the sequels that much. I also adore Welcome to Raccoon City. While I may be in the minority here I know I’m not alone. When it comes to the animated films I find myself on the fence for most of them. They are the middle of the road in terms of entertainment. When I received the press release for Resident Evil: Death Island I almost skipped on it. I thought about it for a few days and decided to continue watching the series even though they have been a bit underwhelming to me. I’m glad I didn’t sleep on it. It was surprisingly decent and one of the better films in the animated series. 

      The film follows Leon who finds himself in San Francisco searching for a missing scientist while Claire is also in the city investigating something that is attacking orcas. When Jill and Chris show up battling a new form of zombies that are turning without being bit they realize that something is happening in San Fran and a new T-Virus may have been released. 

       The first live action adaptation of Resident Evil was something that I watched continuously when I was in high school. I’m not a fan of Marilyn Manson but his score for that film was spectacular. I liked the sequels but they were nowhere near as good as the first film. I know hardcore fans of the games didn’t care for Welcome to Raccoon City but I loved it almost as much as the first RE film. When it comes to the animated films I find them to be films you turn on when you want some background noise. They don’t really do anything for me but that seems to be changing. Death Island held my attention and I found myself really enjoying it. I don’t care for this political and terrorist centered story lines these newer animated films have but it’s not something that completely turns me off from the film. The voice acting is great which has never really been a complaint I’ve had for these films. There was a few instances where it feels like the cast was just reading from a script with no emotion behind their voice but it’s not consistent or enough to drag the film down. I liked the voice casting and really enjoyed most of the scenes. The story for this one doesn’t really feel like the original Resident Evil games that I remember playing and I think that is why I’m a bit reluctant to this series. It’s a film series full of bioterrorism, espionage, Mission Impossible style action along with dashes of Resident Evil lore. It’s not a bad mix but this is the first film in the series that I was fully behind. With that being said, the pacing in this one is off. Some scenes are long winded and not very enjoyable while others are more fast paced and action oriented. The slower scenes go on for far too long which does strain the viewer’s patience. Finally, I liked the animation style. It looks good and on par with the other films. We also get some bloody moments and I loved the looks of the mutations. Overall, Resident Evil: Death Island doesn’t really scratch that itch that I may have for a new Resident Evil film but it is one of the better animated films in the series. Fans of the other films will enjoy where the story is taking them but more traditional Resident Evil fans may dislike this approach to the franchise. Regardless, I liked it and would recommend it to genre fans.

Justice League: Warworld

Director - Jeff Wamester (Legion of Super-Heroes, Green Lantern: Beware My Power)

Starring - Jensen Ackles (The Boys, Supernatural), Ike Amadi (Primal, Trollhunters: Defenders of Acadia), and Troy Baker (Star Trek: Lower Decks, The Last of Us)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

While most of the movie world is busy arguing over the DC cinematic universe and the future that James Gunn has in store for us, I have been waiting on the DC animated movies to hit store shelves. While a few the last year or so were a but underwhelming, I still thoroughly enjoy them. A few weeks ago I was sent Justice League: Warworld for review. This was a title I was very unfamiliar with but a quick google opened me up to a world of characters and storylines I was oblivious about. Like always I want to thank WB and DC for sending this one over for review. 

    The film follows Diana Prince, Bruce Wayne, and Clark Kent who find themselves in various tales without their memories or how they got there. However, their quick wit and seeing familiar faces awakens some memories. Bruce Wayne, the world’s greatest detective, starts putting all the pieces together when he discovers he is on Warworld and Martian Manhunter is being imprisoned. Mongul is using his psychotic ability to control the entire plant but Lobo betrays him wanting control of the planet himself. While Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman is unconscious, they are saved by Harbinger who warns them of the impending Crisis. 

      Warworld is easily one of the best DC animated films I’ve reviewed in the last year or two. There is a few others that I enjoyed more than this one but it’s near the top in my honest opinion. It’s a story that we will never seen get a live action adaptation and I’m ok with that because this animated adaptation works. I know this review is going to catch hell in the comment sections of various social media platforms once this goes live because it’s not horror and so on but I don’t care. It was enjoyable and I look forward to any other DC animated film that is brought our way. The voice acting in this is fantastic. Jensen Ackles is the voice of Bruce Wayne and once again makes fan wish someone would hire him to don the cowl. He does a phenomenal job as the caped crusader and I look forward to other animated adventures with him cast. The rest of the voice casting is fantastic as well but Ackles is the star of the show in my opinion. The story for this one makes you think this is a series of shorts or an anthology but as each segments end we start to see the characters begin to remember each other. It’s the slow progression with each segment that starts to build the overall story. It was very effective and seeing a sci-fi noir, a sword and sandal fantasy film, and a classic western in the in the DC universe was very enjoyable. Finally, I loved the animation style. This is the type of animation that I truly enjoy. It’s more of a traditional approach that brought me into the DC animated universe to begin with. I don’t mind when they take on other styles of animation but this one is more my speed. Overall, Warworld is not the best of the animated DC films but it is one of the better ones. I loved the story and voice acting along with the return to the traditional animation style. I highly recommend this one.

Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part One

Director - Kerry Shawcross (RWBY Volume 1, RWBY Chibi)

Starring - Ozioma Akagha (Runaways, Rugrats), Jen Brown (Scare Package, Death Battle), and Tiana Camacho (My Inner Demons, Beefcake Boys)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "A new era of adventure"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’ve been digging these animated DC films for several years now. I know Horror Society and my readers are not the target audience for these films but I absolutely love them. I do often catch hell from readers for writing reviews for these films but I genuinely enjoy them and know that there is several of our followers out there that dig them as well. I’m always open to these releases and when I get a new one in I tend to try to make time for them as soon as possible. A few weeks back I received Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen Part One. This was a strange one to me as I have no idea what RWBY is but the artwork really peaked my interest. I want to thank WB for sending this one over. 

      The film follows Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Flash, Cyborg, and Vixen who find themselves transported to the planet Remnant. They partner with heroes of this planet to stop evil creatures called Grimms from taking over while investigating the cause as to why they were transported to this planet. 

      I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about RWBY. I was recently introduced to anime after watching My Hero Academia and Attack on Titan but that is about the extent of my knowledge. I had hoped that my lack of knowledge of RWBY wouldn’t prevent me from enjoying the film but I found myself questioning everything and a lot of the stuff, especially pertaining to RWBY, was never fully explained or explored. I wanted to like it but I couldn’t find anything to grab onto as a fan of DC. The voice acting in this probably the best part of the film. I loved the energy and range of emotions that we get in this animated film which is seriously impressive when you consider that this is all done with just their voice. The story for this one needed a lot of work. The film just tossed in two franchises in hopes that it would stick but it relies heavily on the viewer knowing both properties. I get that most viewers will not be tossing this in like I did only knowing the DC side of the film but a little bit of backstory and development would have made this one so much better. Finally, the artwork and style really worked for the film especially considering it was the JL in an anime setting. I really liked the look of the film but wish I was more invested in the story. Overall, Justice League x RWBY Part One just wasn’t for me. I really wanted to like it but seeing I was blind to most of the source material meant I didn’t appreciate it like a fan would. If you are a fan of RWBY and JL then you may like it but if you are going into it clueless like I did then you will not enjoy yourself.

Unicorn Wars

Director - Alberto Vazquez (Homeless Home, Birdboy: The Forgotten Children)

Starring - Jon Goiri (Birdboy: The Forgotten Children, Decisiones), Jaione Insausti (Betizu Izar Artean, Nola Egin Zen: Euskal Bikoizketa), and Ramon Barea (Stories to Stay Awake, Lullaby)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Action/War

Tagline - "Bear witness"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’ve reviewed a lot of wild and weird movies over the years ranging from claymation films following people in a post-apocalyptic world where milk is dangerous to a movie where a living placenta is forced to go to school. I love the odd and unusual so when I heard that Shout Factory was releasing the animated film Unicorn Wars I knew I had to see it. I had never heard of this Spanish film before I received the press release but once I saw the trailer I knew I had to see this. I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy over for review. I seriously want to thank Shout and Scream Factory for supporting Horror Society. 

      The film follows a group of teddy bears who are in base camp preparing to be deployed in a war between bears and unicorns. The unicorns turned on the bears many years ago when they began destroying the forests for their own greedy endeavors. The bears are not a uniform group as some aspire to topple the military leaders and take control of the bear army while others just want to end the fighting. 

      Unicorn Wars looks like a cute and cuddly movie made by that never out grew their Lisa Frank phase. However, the film is anything but. It’s bloody, violent, and has a deeper social commentary for those of you that actually pay attention to the story. It has a lot to unpack but it’s one hell of a film with a lot to say. The voice acting in this one is very well done. It’s hard to judge the acting in a film when you have to read subtitles but seeing an animated film with subtitles is not so difficult. The voices really worked for the characters they portrayed and I found myself digging through the film’s imdb page to check out the cast’s other work. The story for this one is more than just teddy bears versus unicorns. It has a whole social commentary about deforestation, religious fanaticism, vanity, and greed. It does incorporate a lot from various genres like war, drama, comedy, and horror but doesn’t fully commit to any. I was also impressed by the amount of memorable characters with contrasting personalities that don’t blend together. A lot of animated films are guilty of creating the same characters over and over with different designs because it’s easier and cheaper. Unicorn Wars does not do that. Instead, they took the time to give almost all of the characters different personalities and backstories which adds a lot to the film. Finally, I love the animation in this one and when you mix that with the trippy scenes and gore you get something that looks great and really gets the point across. We have some great animation and the gore just pops against the beautiful backdrops and colorful characters. Overall, Unicorn Wars will not be for the average horror fan but if you dig animation and odd films then this one is for you. It has a fantastic story and so much blood. I highly recommend it.

All-Star Superman

Director - Sam Liu (Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, Batman: Soul of the Dragon)

Starring - James Denton (Good Witch, Face Off), Christina Hendricks (The Neon Demon, The Bad Santa 2), and Anthony LaPaglia (So I Married an Axe Murderer, Empire Records)

Release Date - 2011

Genre - Action/Sci-fi

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few years back I was introduced to the DC animated universe. I believed the film that did this was Gotham by Gaslight or Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay. I can’t remember which one it was that I first received for review but it was the film that jump started my love for these animated features. Since then I’ve reviewed most of them and loved almost all of them. However, I have not been able to review some of the older animated flicks. That changed a few weeks ago when I received the UHD release of the 2010 film All-Star Superman. I couldn’t wait to check this one out and I want to thank WB for sending this one over my way for review. 

      The film follows Superman who finds himself dying after a failed mission to the sun that was sabotaged by Lex Luther has Superman overdosing from the radiation. Knowing that his end is near, he takes Lois to his Fortress of Solitude and reveals that he is Clark Kent. He gives Lois a special serum that makes her like him for 24 hours and eventually stop an invasion before Samson and Atlas arrive. They give Lois a rare necklace and try their might against Superman to win Lois’ affection. However, the necklace was stolen by them and the real owner, Ultrasphinx, takes Lois forcing Superman to save her. Now, knowing his life is at an end, he takes the city of Kandor to another planet to survive not expecting to make it back from the journey. However, he does and finds the world he left behind now changed when two other survivors of Krypton found their way to Earth following in Superman’s trail. They use the world as a template to rebuild their beloved planted regardless of the people currently living there. When Superman tries to intervene he discovers that they are sick and sends them to the Phantom Zone until he can find a cure. 

      I didn’t mind All-Star Superman. In fact, it was a decent animated DC flick but it’s nowhere near as enjoyable as some of the later titles. In fact, I found it to be a bit too chaotic with too many story arcs going at once. It was a fun first time watch but I would rather revisit some of the other DC animated films instead of this one. The voice acting in this one is very well done. The film has a bunch of iconic characters from the DC roster and they are all voiced very well. The story for this one felt like several episodes from an animated Superman show that I was not familiar with that was strung together to make a feature length film. I didn’t mind the story but the different arcs and plot points could have been expanded resulting in a film series or a trilogy that would have been far more enjoyable. Don’t take it the wrong way. The film is still a decent watch as is but the story does feel a bit too chaotic and all over the place. Finally, I really enjoyed the animation and it looked great in 4K. This is more of a traditional animated style that I expect when I toss in an animated DC flick and it looks very crisp and bold on this release. Overall, All-Star Superman is not something I typically review but granted with the opportunity I couldn’t pass it up. It was a lot of fun and one that looks fantastic in 4k. I highly recommend snagging this UHD release especially if you are a collector.

Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham

Director(s) - Christopher Berkeley (Extreme Ghostbusters, Men in Black: The Series) and Sam Liu (Batman vs. Dracula, Superman: Red Son)

Starring - David Giuntoli (Grimm, Ghost Whisperer), Gideon Adlon (The Craft: Legacy, Witch Hunt), and Karan Brar (Hubie Halloween, Pacific Rim: Uprising)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Action/Horror

Tagline - "An ancient evil awakens!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screeener)

Rating (out of 5):

I’ve been getting the DC animated films for review for several years now. While I wasn’t really a fan of animated flicks beforehand, I’ve found that I actually enjoy them now and often look forward to the next project. A few weeks ago I was at work when I received a package from WB. I rarely get packages anymore due to covid and the economy so when something shows up I get that little rush of adrenaline. When I opened it I was pleased to find a copy of Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham. I was familiar with the comic series but I had no idea that it was being adapted into an animated film. I couldn’t wait to dig into this one but I had to due to the amount of films I was behind on reviewing. However, once I finished a few streaming links sent over I decided it was time to finally check this one out. 

     The film follows wealthy rich playboy Bruce Wayne who is on an expedition when he discovers that Cobblepot and a few others have succumbed to madness after discovering something buried in the ice. When Bruce investigates he finds one survivor who is changing once he came in contact with the sleeping beast in the ice. Bruce inadvertently touches the ice encasing the creature which begins the awakening process. He rushes back to Gotham after a 20 year hiatus in hopes of uncovering the secrets of the being trapped in the ice only to be confronted with a world outside of science and a pact that traces back to his deceased parents. 

      The Doom That Came to Gotham could have been better but having a horror tale set around the dark knight in the 1920s is something I thought I would never see. While the animated films from DC tend to take a bigger risk their live action adaptations, I never expected that the series pinned by Hellboy’s Mike Mignola would get the animated film treatment. I really liked it especially as a fan of Mignola, Lovecraft, and the DC films but I couldn’t help imagine how much more fun it would have been if it would have fully embraced the horror side. The voice acting in this one is not my favorite. I didn’t necessarily care for most of the casting choices but I know the cast tried to capture the look and sounds of the 20s. With that being said, Batman didn’t sound like Batman and most of the other characters had voices that didn’t really fit the characters. The cast doesn’t do a bad job but they don’t really fit the characters they were hired to portray. I really enjoyed the story for this one. It gives viewers an alternate take on many of our most beloved Batman characters while putting a H.P. Lovecraft spin to it. I liked the creativity that went into the characters backstories to match the time period and settings of the new story but I feel like a lot more detail could have been spent on the Lovecraftian influences. Finally, I really enjoyed the animation and the setting for this one. Having the film take place during the time when Lovecraft was pinning his most famous tales. When you mix it with the solid animation done in a traditional DC style you have something that works for the story while catering to those DC fans that look forward to the animated films. Overall, The Doom That Came to Gotham is another solid DC animated flick that gives fans a story they would never see get the live action treatment. It’s a fun Lovecraftian spin on our favorite DC characters that I think a lot of fans will enjoy. Check it out

Legion of Super-Heroes

Director - Jeff Wamester (Green Lantern: Beware My Power, Guardians of the Galaxy)

Starring - Meg Donnelly (The Winchesters, Z-O-M-B-I-E-S), Harry Shum Jr. (Greek, Mortal Kombat: Legacy), and Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, My Blood Valentine)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action

Tagline - "The future of justice"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’ve been watching the DC animated films for a few years now and most of the time they do not disappoint. I haven’t watched a lot of the older animated films but the ones from around 2016 or so on are mostly phenomenal films. A few weeks back I received the press release for Legion of the Super-Heroes. This particular group of heroes from DC are ones I’m not too familiar with but I was still open-minded about checking it out. Not long after that press release, I received a copy of the film on UHD for review. I was very interested in it to begin with but after receiving it for review I was even more intrigued after looking over the images on the back of the cover. After watching the disappointing crime thriller Mindcage I decided to take a step away from my beloved genre and check out this animated feature. 

      The film follows Kara, aka Supergirl, who arrived on Earth several months ago and is still struggling to live with the loss of her home planet Krypton. Her little cousin, Kal-El, was just a baby when his planet was destroyed and was able to grow up not knowing who he was while Kara was already a young woman who was lost in space before finally arriving on Earth. Kal-El notices her struggling to adapt and offers her an alternative. He sends her to the 31st century to train at a superhero academy. Unbeknownst to her, there is an evil organization known as the Dark Circle is scheming through both timelines and it’s up to her and a group of other super students to stop them before they can take over. 

      I will be completely up front and honest about Legion of Super-Heroes. It’s the weakest DC animated film I’ve seen to date but it’s not unwatchable. In fact, it was alright for a first time watch but I will not be throwing this one on again any time soon. It’s a cast of characters most people will not care for in a story that is pretty fucking lazy even for an animated film. It has its moments, but you really have to stick with it to find them. The voice acting in this one is probably the highlight of the film. No one really stands out, but the performances are very consistent. Honestly, I was expecting a little more out of the voice cast but what we do get is still great. I was just hoping they would have a little more personality and intensity at times. I’m more accused to the previous DC films and shows but not everything can be Teen Titans. The story for this one is an interesting premise but it’s a stretch at how we get there and then we have some questionable moments that doesn’t fully make sense. I had to continue reminding myself that I’m not really the intended audience for this one. The first big eye roll moment is how Superman just pulls a time traveling grenade out of his underwear and casually takes her into the future. Then, 1000 years apart, the Dark Circle is up to no good. It leaves you with more questions than answers but if you are a kid you may not think of these things. Finally, I really liked the animation in this one. It’s leagues above the previous DC animated film I reviewed. It’s more of a traditional style that I think fits the film much better than Battle of the Super Sons. Overall, Legion of Super-Heroes is not like the previous DC animated films that I had previously reviewed. The story takes big leaps without explain itself and the characters are not that likable but it’s something different and alright for a first time watch. DC fans will want to check it out but casual viewers may want to skip over it.

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.

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.

Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons

Director - Matt Peters (Injustice, Justice League Dark: Apokolips War)

Starring - Jack Dylan Grazer (It, Shazam!), Jack Griffo (The Loud House, Overrun), and Laura Bailey (American Dad!, Big City Greens)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I’ve learned to appreciate the DC animated films over the years. I was reluctant to take the dive into these films but after seeing consistent release upon release I decided to finally take the plunge into the animated depths. While some of them just didn’t pack that big of a punch, most of them were a lot of fun and well worth my time. A few weeks ago I received word that a new film was in the works. Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons looked like interesting enough so I reached out to WB who was kind enough to send over a review copy. Like always, I want to thank WB for supporting Horror Society and myself. 

      The film follows Jonathan Kent, the 11 year old son of Superman and Lois Lane, discovers that he has powers along with his father’s super identity. However, it comes at a bad time as the parasite Starro infiltrates the Watch Tower and takes control of the Justice League forcing him to team up with Batman’s sidekick and Bruce Wayne’s son Damien Wayne. The two youths put their lives on the line to save their parents and the world from the interstellar star fish. 

      It took me some time to look passed the film’s animation style. Even now looking back, I have to admit that I never fully got passed the art style. It’s not bad but it’s just not something I enjoyed especially when you compare to other animated DC films that I’ve been lucky enough to review in the past. I liked the story and the set up for the film but I think the second Suicide Squad did Starro better. Regardless, I liked it and could see myself revisiting it. The voice acting is solid. I’ve seen some DC films miss the casting and I’ve seen others hit perfectly. Super Sons falls somewhere in between. I found the casting to work for the film but there was several instances where it felt a little flat and emotionless. Almost as if some of the rehearsals and table reading was cut into the film. The story is a decent attempt at an origin story for Jonathan Kent before he dons the mantle of Superboy. I liked the set up and how he struggles to find his own before teaming up with Robin to form the Super Sons. I also liked the premise of their parents becoming incapacitated forcing them to work together to save the world. However, there could have been other DC villains to use instead of recycling James Gunn’s Suicide Squad. DC is too vast and limitless to reuse characters like this. Finally, the animation didn’t really work for me. I wouldn’t say it looks bad but I thought it looked cheap and rushed. It didn’t have the texture and boldness that I grew up enjoying. Animation, like most millineials my age, is a huge part of our lives regardless if it’s something new or something nostalgic. This animation may be a new style but it just didn’t have the same qualities I like. Overall, Battle of the Super Sons may not be the best DC animated film I’ve seen or one that stuck with me but it was a lot of fun. I highly recommend checking it out. You will not be disappointed.

The Weird Kidz

Director - Zach Passero (Wicked Lake, Quantum Entanglement)

Starring - Glenn Bolton, Brian Ceely (Paranoid Flux, Terror of the Flames), and Tess Passero (Motel, Glimpse)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Campfires.  Creatures.  Puberty.  Ritual Sacrifice.  It's going to be a long night for..."

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love watching and reviewing movies. It’s a huge stress reliever and creative outlet to watch a movie and take the time to talk about what I liked, what I didn’t like, and whatever else I want to talk about. Some movies really excite me and I can’t wait to talk about while others just suck the enthusiasm out of me. One movie that I’ve been extremely excited about talking about after receiving the first press release is the animated horror film The Weird Kidz. This Lucky McKee produced hand drawn animated film caught my eye a few weeks back and I was quick to request a screener link. I’m glad I did because this was the perfect movie for my October horror binge. 

      The film follows a group of youths who are going camping for the weekend with the older brother of one of them and his girlfriend. On the way they stop for snacks and steal some beer when the clerk tells one of them about a carnivorous creature that the locals call the Night Child. He tries to tell the others about the tale but they brush it off. However, that night he is taken by the creature and the rest soon find themselves on the run from the beast. They soon learn that the entire town is part of a cult that routinely sacrifice to the creature. 

      The Weird Kidz was everything I had hoped it was and then some. It was a fun animated horror film that takes a fun, and cliched filled story, and gives it to us in gory detail. I know it took eight years for this one to get made but I fucking pray that we get follow up a hell of a lot sooner than eight years because I absolutely loved this. The voice acting in this one grows on you. At first it felt a little awkward and uneven with the animation but as the film moves on you find yourself falling in love with the characters and the voices associated with them. We also have May star Angela Bettis voicing a character which I absolutely loved. The story for this one brings us so many horror clichés that I fucking love. We have teens camping, nudity, humor, giant creatures, cults, dirty small town cops, and plenty of gore. It slowly builds giving us all the horror tropes we love before coming to a delightful explosion of animated chaos. The humor didn’t always find it’s mark with me but the actually story fucking pulled me in. It has everything horror fans love with the exception of zombies and slashers which I’m sure could be a possible sequel. Finally, the animated style, much like the voice acting, took a minute to grow on me but I eventually learned to love it. It fit the film very well and I loved how far they went with the blood and gore. Overall, The Weird Kidz is a must see for genre fans. It’s Stranger Things by way of Adult Swim and I fucking loved it. I can’t recommend this one enough.

Dead by Midnight (Y2Kill)

Director(s) - Davi Crimmins (The Bert Show: The Sad Tale of Buster Brown), Eric Davis (Dead by Midnight (11pm Central), Hannah Fierman (Dark Circles), Greg Garrison, Melissa Haas (#PrettyFunny, Donut Ex Machina), Torey Haas (The Neon Dead, Dead by Midnight (11pm Central), Jay Holloway (Dead by Midnight (11pm Central), Jenna Kanell (Fear Haus, Deathless), Anissa Matlock (Dead by Midnight (11pm Central), and Tony Reames (Terror at Camp Creek, Sacrifices)

Starring - Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, Hatchet), Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, House of 1000 Corpses), and Erin Brown (Dickshark, Mummy Raider)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Screaming online now"

Format - Screener (Online)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I was asked to review the horror anthology Dead by Midnight (11pm Central) from filmmaker and effects artist Torey Haas.  I had reviewed some of his work prior to this and he new I was a huge fan of indie starlet Erin Brown (Misty Mundae) so he reached out to ask me to review the film.  I fucking loved it and was lucky enough to snag some posters and other merch from the film to add to my collection.  Fast forward a few years and director Tony Reames recently hit me up to check out the unexpected sequel.  I had no idea that this film was in the works but I was excited non-the-less.  I want to thank Tony for reaching out to me and allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this one out.  

     The film follows The Temptress who hosts a streaming service called Dead by Midnight which is part of Hell's bigger plan to acquire souls.  The Temptress takes us through several segments along with the commercials that you would expect.

     Y2Kill was a lot of fun and had a lot of laughs that I was not expecting but it does fall a little short of it's predecessor.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and could see myself revisiting it as a double feature with the first but the first film is easily my favorite.  The acting in this one is great.  We get so many amazing performances from some seriously talented actors. I would be here all day talking about it if I went through each one.  Honestly, I'm impressed by the acting in this one and how each filmmaker was able to bring such amazing performances out of their cast.  The stories for this one are inconsistent but most are a lot of fun.  My favorite is the one the film starts with which is titled Hellevangelist.  It was a fantastic idea that I could see being turned into a feature length film.  I find organized religion to be extremely terrifying and this gives it a little humor and a new spin on religious horror.  I also enjoyed Jasper, Clean Ur Room, and GutCruncher but I was not a fan of the commercials and Heroes of Time.  Heroes of Time feels out of place and just doesn't match the rest of the film that well.  I can get behind a horror spin on The Guild but this one just feels incomplete.  As for the commercials, they just didn't work for me.  I didn't care for the humor and they threw the flow of the film off.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood, some great make-up effects, and some fantastic practical effects.  We also get some fun animation as well that really caught me off guard.  The deaths took me back to my childhood when I would rent straight to video horror titles at my local video store.  Overall, Y2Kill lives up to the Dead by Midnight name.  It's a great follow up to a horror anthology with some bite.  If you enjoyed the first film then you will not be disappointed with this one either.  Check it out.  

The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm

Director(s) - Henry Levin (Journey to the Center of the Earth, Murderer's Row) and George Pal (Black Sabbath: Time Machine, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao)

Starring - Laurence Harvey (Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dial M for Murder), Claire Bloom (Clash of the Titans, The Haunting), and Karlheinz Bohm (Combat!, The Magical World of Disney)

Release Date - 1962

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure

Tagline - "In wonderful color!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The Brother's Grimm or Grimm's Fairy Tales is a huge part of pop culture and many of the tales they collected went on to become hits the world over.  Many consider the two to be controversial but their collections of stories are among some of the most important in literary history.  When I was younger I remember catching bits and pieces of The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm while my grandmother was watching television.  I spent a lot of time at her home as a child and it was here that I was able to see some of my favorite films for the first time.  However, this was one of those films that I was not interested in.  It just didn't look like something a kid would enjoy so I found other things to occupy my time.  Fast forward to a few months ago when I received the press release for the Warner Archive Collection release of the film.  I was going to skip on it but decided to check out the trailer.  I'm glad I did because the film looked pretty fucking good.  I responded to the press release and before long I received the review copy.  After watching the fucked up Thriller: A Cruel Picture I decided to ground myself with something a little more lighter.  

     The film follows the two Grimm brothers, Wilhelm and Jacob, who are known for their writings.  However, they both struggle with the ladies and often come up short on their knowledge of the opposite sex.  A local man of power contacts the two to write about his life and we are then taken into three of their tales.

     The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm is not the kind of film you would expect to be reviewed on the site but I couldn't help myself.  The trailer looked fun and the film was just that.  I know the keyboard warriors are going to have a field day in the comments but I wanted to review this one so here I am.  The acting in this one is fun.  The film has so many amazing performances and some memorable characters that make the film what it is.  There is no weak links with the cast and every does their part.  Honestly, if I was to take the time to recognize everyone that did an amazing job I would be here all day.  The story for this one is a lot of fun and works great as an anthology of sorts.  I loved the premise with the two brothers working on something for a duke or nobleman before transitioning to the actual stories being told.  It was a lot of fun but with a film that is over 2 hours long I found myself wishing it would hurry up.  A lot of the scenes are bloated and could use some heavy trimming.  This would help the pacing and flow of the film substantially.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  However, if you are into a beautifully shot film with great characters and an amazing story then this one is for you.  Overall, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm is not going to be for the crowd that frequents the site but general movie goers will love this whimsical and well put together film.  I enjoyed it and the blu isn't half bad either.  We get a little more than your typical Warner Archive Collection but there is still room for additional materials.  

The Batman: The Complete Series

Creator - Bill Finger (Batwoman, Titans)

Starring - Rino Romano (The Batman vs. Dracula, Spider-Man), Alastair Duncan (Wizards, Stillwater), and Evan Sabara (Dinosaur, Malcolm in the Middle)

Release Date - 2004

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    When I was in middle and high school I was an avid Nickelodeon fan.  Even up until adulthood I found myself still watching Nick.  I grew up during their Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Aaahh! Real Monsters, and All That years but during my teenage years I was still watching shows like Danny Phantom, The Fairly Odd Parents, and Avatar: The Last Air Bender.  It's because I was so dedicated to Nick that I often missed out on the DC and Marvel shows because they aired on other networks.  I didn't get to watch shows about Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, and so on during those years which is something I've come to regret.  Not too long ago I received The Batman: The Complete Series on blu to review.  This show originally aired when I was in high school in 2004 and ended in 2008.  I knew of it but never took the time to check it out.  Sadly, after watching it now I have to admit I feel like a fucking fool for sleeping on it.  It was a lot of fun.  

     The series begins one year after Bruce Wayne (Romano) takes to the night to fight crime as Batman.  Bruce learns to work as billionaire philanthropist during the day and crime fighter at night while stopping villains like Scarface, Joker, Firefly, and Mr. Freeze. 

     The Batman was a lot more entertaining than I thought it was going to be.  The episodes don't overstay their welcome and the characters they give us are awesome new renditions of the classic characters we've grown to love.  It's a lot of fun and only gets better with each episode.  The voice acting in this one is one of the only aspects of the show that I didn't care for.  Honestly, this isn't my first outing with Romano as Bruce Wayne but he just doesn't feel right in this show.  I know it's meant to depict a younger Wayne in his infancy as Batman but his voice just doesn't feel right to me.  He's not bad but his voice just doesn't fit as the caped crusader.  With that being said, I was a fan of the rest of the voice acting and the cameos the show saw.  We get some great work from legends like Clancy Brown, Udo Kear, Mitch Pileggi, and Adam West just to name a few.  Such a fantastic ensemble.  The story for this show doesn't really deviate too far from the source material.  Most of the characters do get a more modern adaptation that I think works especially if you have lived through all the films and newer shows that try to capture them like they are in the comics.  Seeing the newer looks does give the viewer something different to enjoy.  With that being said, each episode is a lot of fun and even the later seasons are still very much enjoyable.  This animated series doesn't lose any steam.  Finally, it took me a few episodes to warm up to the animation but once I did I actually found myself enjoying it.  It is exactly as you would expect from an animated series in the early 2000s.  It has amazing colors and the detail on the characters are great.  Overall, The Batman is a fantastic series that I feel a lot of fans slept on it when it originally aired.  I had a lot of fun with it and if my son ever takes a moment to slow down and actually watch television I will show him this one.  I highly recommend it.  

Heavy Metal 2000

Director(s) - Michael Coldewey (The Fearless Four) and Michael Lemire (Spirou, The Little Flying Bears)

Starring - Billy Idol (The Doors, The Wedding Singer), Michael Ironside (Scanners, Top Gun), and Julie Strain (Grass Hook Massacre, HorrorTales.666)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Sci-Fi/Adventure

Tagline - "Flakked, stacked, and action packed"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in middle school I remember seeing copies of Heavy Metal 2000 pop up at my local video store.  I had seen the original a few years prior but I had no idea a sequel was being released.  Every time I visited Dewey's Video I would look for a copy to rent until it was no longer in the New Releases section then it slipped from my mind.  I never did get to see it and I honestly forgot about it until I received the press release for the steelbook double feature from Sony.  I was quick to request a copy and when it arrived a week or so ago I had to quickly make time for it so I could finally see Heavy Metal 2000.  Like always I want to thank Sony for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a group of space miners who uncover a green shard.  The shard is a piece of the evil orb from the first film.  It possesses one of the miners turning him into an evil psychopath hellbent on ruling the galaxy and uncovering immortality.  After destroying a planet and taking a female hostage, a female survivor begins her journey to stop him and rescue her sister.  

     Heavy Metal 2000 just doesn't hit as hard as the first film but it's decent for a first time watch.  The metal soundtrack is kind of lame with the exception of a few songs and the animation reminded me a lot of films like Atlantis and Titan AE.  It's not bad but it's not as memorable or enjoyable as the original.  The voice acting in this one is actually a little better than the original.  The cast seems to be more in tune with the project and deliver a wide range of emotions that feels genuine at times and forced at others.  The late Julie Strain is fantastic along with Michael Ironside and the rest of the cast.  The supporting cast is solid as well.  They are all inconsistent but leagues above the first film.  The story for this one is more straight forward after dropping the anthology approach.  Honestly, I thought I was going to like this approach but the story doesn't have enough substance to run the length that it does.  I liked the set up and how direct it is but there is not enough meat on the bone so to speak.  It could be trimmed down heavily to improve the pacing and flow.  Finally, I really did like the animation but's not as unique and different as the original film.  It does look like an animated film of the time and lacks any memorable characteristic that makes the original stand out.  Overall, Heavy Metal 2000 is a forgettable sequel that fails to capture any of the magic the first film has.  It has a mostly generic hard rock soundtrack with a few stellar tracks along with a story that doesn't hold your attention.  It's alright for a first time watch but nothing that will stick with you.