Beach Bro Bloodbath

Director - Jeff Tarkenton

Starring - Nick Alexander, Dariel Clark, and Kasim Ruffin

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Get the body you've always wanted this summer"

Format - YouTube (Streaming)

Rating (out of 5):

    Sometimes a movie poster or title will catch my eye and it makes me want to review it.  While most of the films I review were sent my way just for that reason, I sometimes see something that I want to talk about even before I watch it.  Several months back Mike D here at Horror Society reviewed the horror short Beach Bro Bloodbath.  The title alone sold me on the film but I wasn't able to check it out right away.  I made note about it and as I was preparing for my annual October horror binge, I decided to go ahead and give it a quick spin.

     The film follows the local police who are investigating a string of murders.  All the victims are young men who were scene trying to pick up women on the beach.  Is it someone holding a grudge or is someone else responsible for the deaths?

     Beach Bro Bloodbath offers up exactly what you would expect from the title.  It's not a short that will be winning any awards of making the anyone's year end best of list but it's a lot of fun for a 15 minute short.  The acting in this one is a bit on the stiff side.  The film tries to cover up the cast's inexperience with humor but it's not able to do that much heavy lifting.  Some of the scenes are a bit awkward and the comedic performances are a bit much at time but it's not the worst acting I've seen in an indie horror short.  The story for this one is a bit predictable but is exactly as had hoped for.  We follow a several beach bros as they try to pick up women at the beach who then find themselves murdered by beach inspired weapons.  It's simple and effective especially for a horror short but a lot of the humor doesn't find it's mark.  It's a feminist horror story at it's core but it may not come across as that right away.  Finally, the short has a lot of blood but the no budget is evident in this regard.  The kills fit the theme of the film but they are not that memorable.  Overall, Beach Bro Bloodbath is a solid indie horror short that is a lot of fun especially if you are looking for some horror with a summer punch.  Check it out.  

Born a Ninja

Director - Joseph Lai (Ninja Hunt, Golden Ninja Warrior)

Starring - Man Fei (American Commando Ninja), Patrick Largent (Power Kids, Team of Prodigies), and Martin Chan 

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Tagline - "A spy who will stop at nothing to complete his mission .  A scientist who is torn between love for the present and terror of the past"

Rating (out of 5):

      I've been a fan of kung fu and martial arts movies longer than I have the horror genre.  My dad bought some of these films on tape from someone and from that night on I was hooked.  I would watch them with my grandma and on several occasions I would pick one of these films over a horror title.  A few weeks back I was sent the double feature of Born a Ninja and Commando the Ninja from my friends over at Visual Vengeance.  I had just received two releases from them a few days prior and decided that when I had the time I would turn this into a marathon.  After Fungicide and The Screaming, I hit this double feature with Born a Ninja first.  I want to thank Visual Vengeance and MVD for sending this one along for review!

     Tanaka, a scientist with a past, is unable to face the sight of the atrocities he committed as a germ-war researcher during WWII. Martin, miraculously returns from the dead, recruits an ace but evil Ninja, Simon, to retrieve Tanaka and the formula. Lung, a master of a lost art joins the battle and goes head-on with Simon. The Japanese samurai and the Chinese martial arts finally encounter. battle between Ninjitsu finally starts. At the same time, Tanaka takes the plunge. In a burnt laboratory, he uses the golden horn to locate the germ formula. Despite the heroics, Tanaka’s gang is pursued once again by Martin, Daniel and Simon. Tanaka finally gets the formula but it is shot from his hand again. The ghostly image floods Tanaka’s mind and he is left laughing in an insane heap.

     Just so we are clear, I copied the synopsis from Letterboxd because I have absolutely no fucking clue as to what I just watched.  There was ninjas, talk about Hocus Pocus, grown men rolling around like it was a fighting tactic.  I love bad movies and I love when movies are bad on purpose but this was a difficult one for me to sit through.  As I've said in previous reviews, I hate writing a negative review for a movie that was sent to me but I'm always honest.  The acting in this one is unintentionally funny.  I found myself laughing more than I should have at a lot of the line delivery during the dialogue heavy scenes.  The cast was very inexperienced in acting which made a lot of the scenes funny when they shouldn't have been.  The story for this one is all over the place and I still have no fucking clue as to what was happening most of the time.  The best that I can piece together is that someone was a real piece of shit during WWII and wants to make up for his misdeeds but someone evil is wanting to use something he was affiliated with to cause mass death.  I could be wrong but the film is not very coherent or easy to follow.  We really need a tighter story and better editing.  Finally, don't go into this one expecting a blood bath with a lot of fun effects.  We have some ninja costumes and some not so bad fight choreography but that is the extent of it.  Overall, Born a Ninja could be a fun one if you are in a room full of like minded people who have been drinking but if you are looking for a campy kung fu flick then this one is not for you.  Sadly, I would suggest skipping this one.  

Bangkok, Date with Death

Director - Jesus Franco (Vampire Junction, Helter Skelter)

Starring - Jose Llamas (Slave of Crime, Angel of Death), Helena Garret (The Beast and the Magic Sword, Revenge in the House of Usher), and Eduardo Fajardo (Django, The Murder Mansion)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Jess Franco is a filmmaker that is never really consistent with me.  His career is legendary spanning multiple genres and decades.  However, I often find myself on the fence with his films.  For every film of his I like, there is a film of his that was damn near impossible to finish.  I respect the hell out of him but I'm not niave enough to know that every film of his is not for me.  A few weeks back I was sent the Jess Franco: From Bangkok with Bullets from my friends over at Severin Films.  I started with Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included and before throwing in the second film Bangkok, Date with Death.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows the wealthy daughter of a rich man who is kidnapped by a pirate of sorts.  Her father hires a private investigator to track her down instead of paying the hefty ransom they are demanding.

     I went into this one expecting the same sort of zany story without the intentional humor that made the first film in the double features as fun as it was.  Sadly, it wasn't and was easily the weakest of the pair.  As I said before, his movies are hit or miss with me and this set seems to be a miss.  The acting in this one is extremely uneven.  We have frequent Franco collaborator Lina Romay in a fun performance but that is about the end of it.  Everyone else in the film feels rushed through their performances.  The dialogue we have is extremely flat and most of the performances is extremely campy and not in a fun way.  The story for this one is a bit more straight forward that the first film in the set.  While we do have some beach karate and pirates, it's not as wild as I had hoped for.  Finally, this one doesn't have a lot of action and those of you wanting some fun deaths with great practical effects will be disappointed.  Overall, Bangkok, Date with Death was not the cheap action flick I had hoped for. I don't see this one improving with some edibles or booze.  Skip it.  

Beat Girl

Director - Edmond T. Greville (Guilty?, The Silk Noose)

Starring - David Farrar (The 300 Spartans, The Webster Boy), Noelle Adam (Sergeant X and the Foreign Legion, The Wonders of Aladdin), and Gillian Hills (A Clockwork Orange, The Killer Wore Gloves)

Release Date - 1960

Tagline - "My mother was a stripper... I want to be a stripper too"

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Christopher Lee is a name that any movie fan recognizes.  His career is legendary and he left his mark on every genre imaginable.  While I grew up on he Hammer horror films and later the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it was his late 90s and early 00s family friendly films that I've learned to appreciate the most.  His career spanned 70 years and showcased some of the best acting ever filmed.  I've seen a lot of his films over the years but I'm always open to watch more.  That's why I jumped at the chance to review Severin Film's Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Volume 3.  I had seen two of the films in the set but the other four were brand new to me.  I couldn't wait to check it out and as soon as I could I tossed in Beat Girl which was released originally under Wild for Kicks.  I want to thank Severin Films for sending this one over!

     The film follows a wealthy designer who returns to his home after being away for several months with his new wife in tow.  Waiting for him at home is his 16 year old daughter who is deep into the underground jazz scene.  The step-mother, who is a former stripper, tries hard to connect with her new step-daughter but the closer she gets to her the further away she pushes her into a career of stripping.

     Beat Girl is not the kind of film that I would willingly go out of my way to review.  This dance drama is not the kind of movie that I would be interested in.  However, seeing Christopher Lee's name appear on the poster made me instantly interested and while I was not a big fan of this one, I still enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is great and I might as well go ahead and dress my only problem with the acting.  That is that Lee himself is not in the film as long as I would have liked.  With that being said, David Farrar and Gillian Hills make the film.  Farrar is fantastic as the father that has distanced himself from his daughter and Hills is amazing in her role.  She absolutely kills and it makes this film as fun as it is.  The story for this one is kind of a bratty take on the dance drama of the era.  It's hard to like these wealthy, entitled characters but the film finds of way to keep it interesting and glued to the screen.  While this is not a film that I could see myself watching on my own, I still enjoyed the story and how well the pacing was.  Finally, don't expect a film with a body count or memorable deaths.  It's a character driven drama with a great cast.  Overall, Beat Girl is not the kind of movie many of you Horror Society readers would be interested in.  However, seeing Christopher Lee early on in his career is pretty fucking cool.  Check it out.  

     

Bloody Sex

Director - Manuel Esteba (Trampa Sexual, You Are a Traitor and I'll Kill You)

Starring - Ovidi Montllor (El Pico, 13 x 13), Mirta Miller (Santo vs Doctor Death, Ninja in the Claws of the CIA), and Diana Conca (Bloody Sect, Madame Olga's Pupils)

Release Date - 1981

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I opened up the Exorcismo set from Severin Films one title caught my eye.  As I stated in a previous review, I knew that some of these titles would be horror but I also assumed that several would be other genres.  One of the film had a title that summed up everything that I loved about horror when I was a teen.  The film, Bloody Sex, was a new one for me but the title had me sold on it.  An early 80s Spanish horror film with a title that brash had to be fun.  I've been keeping an eye on it as I progressed through the set and the second I could finally check it out I quickly hit play on it.

     The film follows a weird woman and her son who live in an old building many assume have been vacant since the world war.  They find unexpected guests with a lesbian couple and their friend arrive thinking the place empty.  A fun getaway then turns deadly when the mother and son starts picking them off one by one.  

     Bloody Sex is not the highlight of the set which I knew it wouldn't be.  It's one that is rough around the edges and struggles with it's own identity but I really enjoyed it.  It's a movie I could see myself tossing in again with an edible or a few drinks.  The acting in this one is very even and consistent.  It's not the best acting I've seen but it works for the film itself.  The characters are not that well written but the cast does the best with what they have along with what I can only assume is lack of direction.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting.  I assumed it was going to be a lot of sex and a lot of blood but that wasn't really the case.  We have a weird family dynamic, a lesbian couple and their odd third wheel, and the weird way people are murdered.  The film does have an issue with pacing and does not have to be as long as it is.  A lot of the more slower scenes could have been trimmed down a lot.  Finally, the film has some bloody sex as the title suggests but it's not as gruesome or as memorable as I had hoped.  We have some skin, some blood, and minimal effects but nothing that is noteworthy or enjoyable.  Overall, Bloody Sex could have given us a lot more blood and sex as the title suggested but it's still an enjoyable film.  I really enjoyed it but I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  

Battered Flesh

Director - Javier Aguirre (Count Dracula's Great Love, Hunchback of the Morgue)

Starring - Esperanza Roy (X, Medea 2), Barbara Rey (The Night of the Sorcerers, ...And Give Us Our Daily Sex), and Tota Alba (Inquisition, Demon Witch Child)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Drama

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      When I was looking over the films in the Exorcismo set from Severin, I was shocked to see that it didn't have a women in prison film in it considering how popular they were in the 70s.  I've reviewed dozens of these films over the years from boutique labels like Severin, Vinegar Syndrome, and Blue Underground.  Hell, even Full Moon and Troma have a few in their catalogue of films.  However, as I worked my way through the set and reached the 1978 film Battered Flesh I was excited to see that it was a women in prison flick.  The title made me think I was diving into a horror film but I was wrong.  It was a pleasant surprise and a solid film for what it was.

    The film follows a woman who finds herself behind bars for what appears to be fraud.  Here she is beaten, degraded, and humiliated by guards and other prisoners.  While she does find some friendship inside the walls, transfers and releases keep an everchanging dynamic in the prison yard.

     Battered Flesh is pretty straight forward for a women in prison flick.  The story is nothing we haven't seen before, the characters are pretty cliched especially by the late 70s, yet I still had fun with it.  It's nothing original but still fun.  The acting in this one is very one sided.  Roy does most of the heavy lifting in the film.  She's delivers a solid performance but the lack of character development and personality makes her blend into the background.  The supporting cast is pretty bland but no one tosses in a women in prison flick for good acting.  The story for this one is nothing we haven' seen before especially in a film with a premise like this.  A woman who is wrongfully convicted or convicted of a small crime is sent to a women's prison where she is sexually and physically abused, degraded, and singled out.  It's clearly a vehicle to get women nude and it succeeds.  With that being said, the drams works and is just enough to hold the viewer's attention.  Finally, we might have a little of the red stuff but don't expect a movie with some fun deaths.  We have some skin and that is about the extent of it.  Overall, Battered Flesh is a movie that is not going to really stick with the viewer after but was fun especially for a first time watch.  Check it out.  

Bell from Hell

Director(s) - Claudio Guerin (Estudio 1, Luciano) and Juan Antonio Bardem (The Corruption of Chris Miller, The Mysterious Island of Captain Nemo)

Starring - Renaud Verley (Summer of Love, The Suspects), Viveca Lindfors (Stargate, Creepshow), and Alfred Mayo (The Hunt, Voodoo Black Exorcists)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Who will escape the terror?"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up on on 80s and 90s horror and felt that films from these two decades were superior to all others.  However, that has started to change in recent years after watching and reviewing several horror titles from the 70s.  I've always liked the 70s Hammer horror releases but it wasn't until I started reviewing some of these gothic horror titles from boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome and Severin that I truly appreciated these genre films from that decade.  Some of my favorite films in recent years are from the 70s and I'm damn sure I will find more!  A few weeks ago my friends over at Severin Films sent me the Exorcismo set featuring several films from the 70s and early 80s Spain for review.  The set starts with two documentaries before getting to the 1973 horror title Bell from Hell.   

     The film follows a young man who is released from an asylum.  He was falsely put there by so she could have control of his family's wealth.  Now, he is a free and immediately uses his time to deflower his female cousins before turning his sights on his disabled aunt.  

     I went into Bell from Hell like I will most of the films in this set and that is completely blind.  I know absolutely nothing about these films aside from what little bit of information can be obtained from the releases' box art.  I'm glad I went into this one blind because the story is paper thin while still delivering some great atmosphere.  Honestly, while the story is predictable, the atmosphere and locations made the film worth it in my opinion.  The acting in this not the best I've seen but it's far from the worst.  What we have is inconsistent acting from scene to scene.  I don't know the story behind the film but it's almost as if the actors didn't care of the direction was more laid back during some of these scenes.  As I Said, it's not bad but the cast just doesn't seem to care in some of the scenes.  The story for this one is very reminiscent of the gothic horror tales from the 60s.  We follow a wealthy individual who has a "loved" one conspire against them because their is a large fortune involved.  I've seen a few films with similar stories and I'm almost certain two of them starred Barbara Steele in on both sides of the ruse.  It's not that original but it does come with a Tales from the Crypt style twist ending that I really enjoyed.  Finally, it's not a gruesome or gory flick.  However, it has some great tension and atmosphere that has made me really appreciate these horror tales from the 70s.  Their focus on on sets, locations, and tension really makes these films so enjoyable.  Overall, Bell from Hell isn't a bloody genre title with amazing effects and memorable deaths.  Instead, it's a rather slow burn that relies heavily on atmosphere and suspense to get to the viewer.  It's another film worth your time from the Exorcismo set from Severin Films.  Check it out.  

     

The Benefactress

Director - Guerrilla Metropolitana (Bits, Dariuss)

Starring - Marie Antoinette de Robespierre (Dariuss), Juicy X (Corporate Torment), and Elektra McBride

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "An exposure of cinematic freedom"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed a lot of extreme horror over the years.  I can only assume that spending several decades watching horror has desensitized me but a lot of the films advertised as being extreme are nothing more than arthouse shock by filmmakers who never watched porn until they were well into adulthood.  What we usually have is a lot of rape and fake self-mutilation with no real plot.  A couple weeks back I was contacted by a filmmaker to review his film which he pitched to me as an artistic film that could be compared to pornography and so on.  I agreed to review it and he immediately deleted everything he said and blocked me.  I noticed that the film was being released by a mutual friend so I contacted him about the filmmakers strange behavior.  I assume he messaged me through his personal page instead of his filmmaking page.  Regardless, I have no idea what happened but my friends over at Blood Pact Films sent me a link to check it out anyway.  

     The film follows a woman who is married to an evangelist who finds a movie that is so perverse and shocking that it awakens something inside her.  She then starts exploring her sexuality and before long finds herself taking advantage of someone who is at her mercy.  

     I went into this one expecting something very unsettling and wild but what I found is a movie that was extremely dull and not shocking at all.  In fact, the film has nudity but isn't really that graphic or violent.  I can recommend dozens, if not hundreds, of films that are more extreme than this one.  The acting in this one isn't very good.  In fact, it's awkward to watch through most of the film.  The lead is very stiff and not that natural in front of the camera.  The story for this one is pretty much non-existent.  We follow a women, who we are lead to believe is a high society character, that finds herself in the middle of a sexual awakening that could tarnish her reputation if someone finds out.  It could be an interesting short if someone behind the camera actually had a grasp on what extreme cinema is.  Instead, we have a story that falls flat and feels like it was created by someone that only watches pop horror and has no idea what extreme horror really is.  Finally, we have a lot of skin but those that want to see some of the red stuff will be very disappointed.  This one doesn't have a body count and no memorable deaths.  Overall, The Benefactress is not the film they think they made.  It's not extreme, shocking, or even that graphic.  I've seen movies on Skinemax growing up that was rougher than this one.  You may find it extreme if you grew up watching only Full House and Saved by the Bell.  I wanted to like it solely because Blood Pact Films released it but it's not for me.  I highly recommend skipping it.   

Blue Sunshine

Director - Jeff Lieberman (Squirm, Satan's Little Helper)

Starring - Zalman King (Galaxy of Terror, Trip with the Teacher), Deborah Winters (The Outing, Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo), and Mark Goddard (Strange Invaders, Lost in Space)

Release Date - 1977

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "After blue sunshine you're better off dead!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been accused of writing positive reviews for money which is absolutely absurd.  I wish I could get paid to do this but the truth is I do this for fun.  I've never received a cent from my work on Horror Society and all my reviews are my honest opinion.  I like what I like and some of my readers believe that my reviews are paid for.  Honestly, I just have weird taste in movies and I'm not ashamed of that at all.  The reason I'm saying this is because I'm about to write a review for Synapse Film's release of Blue Sunshine.  This is a film I first watch many years ago thanks to Elvira's Movie Macabre.  Since then I have snagged the DVD release of that episode along with a standard DVD release of the film.  I know many genre fans dislike the movie but I fucking love it and couldn't wait to check out this release from my friends over at Synapse.

     The film follows a man who is on the run after falsely being accused of murder he did not commit.  His friend, the real murderer, lost all his hair before going mad and killing their mutual friends.  Knowing something is going on, he starts investigating by himself while avoiding arrest where he uncovers a connection between him and other murders like it where the person lost all their hair and went mad.  He then learns that all the murderers had taken a drug called Blue Sunshine years before that may have triggered the murders.  

     I know Blue Sunshine has it's fans but I was under the impression that it was a genre title that was genuinely loved.  That changed after I posted on social media that I was checking out this release.  While no one said anything about the UHD release from Synapse, some genre fans were quick to bash the film.  This was shocking to me as I had always thought it was a film many of my like minded friends loved.  The movie itself is an awesome horror thriller that almost plays into the anti-drugs propaganda of the time.  It's extremely dated but that is what makes this one so much fun.  The acting in this one is great.  Zalman King is a fantastic lead.  He reminds me a lot of a young Sean Penn in some of the scenes which has always been a bit of a surprise to me.  His character doesn't show a wife range of emotions but he carries the film.  The supporting cast is great as well but it's King who is a one man show.  The story for this one is a horror thriller following a man trying to clear his name and get to the reason his friend snapped and killed several people before trying to kill him.  Toss in a "drugs are bad" message and you have a film that is frozen in time but is still extremely enjoyable.  It has great pacing and while it is predictable it still delivers a fun ride to it's destination.  Finally, we do get some blood but this is not a gruesome flick.  the film relies heavily on the story itself and the mystery surrounding the murders instead of the murders themselves.  It's because of this that we don't get memorable deaths.  Overall, Blue Sunshine is a film I absolutely love.  I'm blown away that genre fans don't dig it like it.  I know the movie has it's fan out there and this release is for you.  However, if you don't like it then I can only assume you smell your own farts for pleasure.  Check it out.  

Bitter Souls

Director - Tom Ryan (Splinter, Haunted)

Starring - Avaryana Rose (The Truth About Monsters, Outer Banks Slasher), Michael Hargrove (Candyman, Justified: City Primeval), and Destiny Leilani Brown (Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, Hell House LLC: Lineage)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get a lot of movies in for review which doesn't leave me a lot of time to watch movies that I want to.  I see a lot of press releases for movies that peak me interest but I don't get the chance to watch them.  I see a lot of movies cross my desk and a good bit of them are movies that I never get to see.  Sometime back I received the press release for the horror film Bitter Souls starring up and coming starlit Avaryana Rose.  The movie stuck out to me due to it's voodoo theme but I was never given the opportunity to review it.  However, a few weeks later I received word that the film was streaming on Tubi.  I fucking love Tubi and added it to my watch list for when I could have a little movie night without the strain of reviewing movies.  After a few days I was still playing catch up on my review list, I decided to say fuck it and watch it anyway and just review it.  

     The film follows a young lady, Kendall (Rose), who finds herself in the sights of a delinquent.  However, he doesn't take kindly to her rejection and strangles her in the woods.  When she doesn't return home, her boyfriend turns to the local priest for help who turns him on to a voodoo practitioner who tries to help him locate her.  Sadly, they are too late and she is already dead and resurrected by the evil Immanuel who is building an army of the undead.

     I went into this one pretty excited to see an indie horror flick about voodoo.  It has been years since my last voodoo review and was really looking forward to this one.  Sadly, the movie just didn't do it for me.  It had an interesting enough story but it just didn't pull it all together into something enjoyable.  I seriously wanted to like it but it just didn't work for me.  The acting in this one is a highlight of the film.  The film boasts an impressive cast with young stars Avaryana Rose and Michael McKeever carry the film.  Their characters compliment each other very well and the two work so well together.  The supporting cast is great as well but it's these two that made the film as enjoyable as it was for me.  The story for this one had an interesting idea but lost touch with itself somewhere along the way.  I love the idea of a young woman harassed and murdered by a punk and his goons only to be brought back by voodoo to seek revenge.  It's such a fantastic and simple story that would have worked.  However, we also have the Immanuel building an army angle that doesn't really feel fully developed along with the priest that helps the guy find a voodoo practitioner.  I'm not religious but would a priest even acknowledge voodoo?  It feels like the film is trying to go in too many directions while not gaining traction on just one.  Finally, the film has some solid make-up effects and some light practical effects that fit the film very well but those of you looking for memorable kills will be a bit disappointed.  While the effects do look good for the film, they are not that elaborate and the deaths are nothing that will stand out to genre fans.  Overall, Bitter Souls is one of those films that I was really looking forward to but just didn't work.  I loved the cast and liked some of the story ideas but the overall film just missed it's mark.  I wanted to like it but I can't.  Skip it.  

Blood Barn

Director - Gabriel Bernini (Triple Thriller)

Starring - Chloe Cherry (The Grinch XXX Parody, Don't Trip), Lena Redford (Nature is Speaking, And Back Again), and Andrea Bambina (Bagworm)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Don't go in the..."

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My favorite horror films take place in a cabin deep in the woods.  Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead 1 and 2, almost every slasher I love, and so on.  It's the perfect set up for damn near any horror story so I'm instantly interested in a movie that uses this location for their film.  Several weeks ago I received the press release for the horror film Blood Barn.  This Screambox original looked like it had everything you need to have a good time.  It stars the absolutely gorgeous Chloe Cherry and the story looked like one that would be perfect for the cabin in the woods set up.  I reached out to them for a review link and they were kind enough to send one over!

     The film follows a young woman, Josie (Redford), who invites a group of "friends" to her family old farm that has long since been abandoned.  She is trying to impress them but finds herself on the business end of their jokes and bullying.  However, as things go on and it's evident that she will never fit in, things take a bloody turn.  Their presence at the old farmhouse has stirred up something sinister which is taking control of them one by one forcing the remaining few to fight for their lives.

     I was really looking forward to this one.  I love the title, poster, and synopsis that I read when I received the press release.  However, the day before I watched it I found a post in a horror group talking about it and comparing it to Evil Dead.  This only fueled my desire to check it out and I have to say that they were not wrong.  It does borrow some elements from one of the genre's best independent films but it has enough originality to be it's own thing.   The acting in this one is great.  I love how by the numbers the characters are.  They are extremely cliched but they embrace it.  The cast brings a lot of energy and charisma into their roles which makes the scenes a lot of fun.  The cast really gets into their roles and it shows.  The story for this one blends slasher elements with films like Demon Wind and Evil Dead.  I really liked the premise and how it made use of the "barn" even though it was clearly a house.  Regardless, it worked for the most part but a few of the scenes are a bit dialogue heavy with no real reason to them.  I don't know if these scenes were meant to get the most out of Chloe Cherry or what but they do make the film feel a lot longer than it actually is.  Finally, the film has a lot of blood but it's not as gory as I would have liked.  I really enjoyed the deaths for what they were and the effects we do get.  The make-up effects are great but some memorable gory moments would have made this movie an unforgettable experience.  Overall, Blood Barn was a lot of fun and reminded me a lot of the mid-80s possession movies like Evil Dead II and Demon Wind.  While it wasn't the most memorable film in regards to gore, it was still worth a watch.  Check it out.  

Big Bad Betty

Director - Justin Sulham (Night of the Werewolves, Black Vulture)

Starring - Zach Palica (Dead Note, Everyday), Paul Ogletree (Southern Nightmare, Snake Creek), and Katrina Solo (The Mick, You Can Do Better)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "It's dinner time, and you're the main course"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Indie creature features are a weakness of mine.  Slashers and zombies are my preferred sub-genres but a no budget monster movie will always get my attention.  I grew up watching drive-in era monster movies with my grandma while my dad was out of town and that is one of my fondest memories growing up.  I still watch monster movies when I can and often look through hashtags on Instagram and Twitter looking for some that may have slipped by me.  A week or so ago I was contacted by filmmaker Justin Sulham to check out his indie monster movie Big Bad Betty.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but I did add it to my list to check out as soon as I could.  I want to thank Justin for reaching out to me and I apologize that it took so long for me to get this one to you.  

     The film follows a young woman who visits her late grandfather's horse ranch after his death.  She takes a group of her friends with her with plans on restoring it to sell or keep in her family.  However, an innocent time with her friend turns deadly when they uncover letters that her grandfather may have sired a sheep hybrid.  Unbeknownst to them, he really did make a sheep hybrid named Betty that has a taste for blood.  Now, Betty is stalking them and one by one they are ripping them apart.

     Big Bad Betty is a solid monster movie that does struggle a lot with it's own identity.  I enjoyed it for what it is but there was a few things that made the film fall short from being something that really stood out from the crowd.  Don't get me wrong, it's an entertaining movie but it does trip over it's own feet before it gets going.  The acting in this one is a bit uneven but still fun to watch.  The cast works great together but some of the scenes are a bit awkward.  I don't know if it's the inexperience showing or if these scenes were rushed.  Regardless, it's not bad acting but it does vary from scene to scene.  The story for this one struggles with finding itself but is still able to pull out a decent creature feature with a slasher vibe at the end of the day.  We have a few scenes that tries to establish that grindhouse look and feel that I can get behind.  We then move into a few scenes that was inspired by 80s cinema that I also enjoyed.  However, these nods to classic cinema trends does not run the length of the film.  They are random and out of place.  Honestly, I would have enjoyed if the film would have found one and stuck with it.  The same can be said about the characters.  Most of the characters are rather grounded and down to Earth while a few, not many, are meant to be used as comic relief.  Sadly, the humor doesn't really find it's mark which makes these character feel out of place.  These oddball characters feel like they are straight out of a Chris Seaver film while lacking his sense of humor.  With that being said, I really liked the set up of the story and what the monster really was.  It was different and worked as a modern slasher, as well as, a monster movie.  You can tell Sulham really loves the genre and wanted to contribute to the history of horror.  Finally, the film has some bloody scenes and a wild looking creature.  I love the look of the creature and how deformed it's appendages are.  The kills are very violent and fit the film very well.  We get a lot of blood and some decent effects but those looking for creative kills and memorable gore will be a bit disappointed.  Overall, Big Bad Betty is a fun monster movie inspired slasher that works for a late night watch with some beer or a good edible.  It's bloody, violent, and scratches an itch you didn't know you had.  Check it out!

Baba Yaga

Director - Corrado Farina (They Have Changed Their Face, Fumettophobia)

Starring - Carroll Baker (Baby Doll, Kindergarten Cop), George Eastman (Antropophagus, Erotic Nights of the Living Dead), and Isabelle De Funes (Pont Dormant, Esprits de Famille)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The psychedelic shocker based on the erotic comics of Guido Crepax"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

     I was really looking forward to this set when I received it for review.  Not only was Terror-Creatures from the Grave a movie, at the time, I had always wanted to watch but never had the chance but because it featured the 1973 film Baba Yaga.  Baba Yaga is one that I had seen pop up in so many horror groups and message boards but I never had the chance to check it out.  This just happened to be the last film in the set and I had high hopes that I would be ending it with a bang.  

     The film follows a photographer who is almost hit by a car driven by a strange woman named Baba Yaga.  She soon finds herself in the middle of strange occurrences.  Her camera seems to be cursed anytime she tries to take pictures of a living subject, a weird doll given to her by Baba Yaga is doing strange things, and everyone around her seems to be pushed further and further away.  She starts to suspect that Baba is a witch and is using her powers to alienate the young photographer so she can seduce or possess her.

     I went into this one only knowing that it starred Carroll Baker and had very little to do with the Baba Yaga folklore.  With that being said, this slow burn film didn't really give me that Italian gothic vibe nor did it feel like I was watching a horror title.  I seriously wanted to like it but this was one that had me absolutely bored to tears.  The acting in this one is great even from a cheesy mid-70s campy aspect.  The entire cast, aside from Baker, delivers what I would consider a reasonably grounded performance that works very well for a more modern horror title.  With that being said, Baker is extremely theatrical in her performance and stands out in every scene she is in.  I loved her performance but I feel that she was underutilized.  The story for this one is not enough to hold the viewer's attention over the full runtime of the film.  A photographer finding the most important aspect of her job becoming cursed and her entire life being pushed away as a witch forces her way into her life is a pretty solid story but the way it was shot leaves a lot of room for pointless scenes and a lot of dull dialogue.  This is one of those films that I find myself watching the clock more than I do the film.  We don't have enough going on to hold your attention.  Finally, if you want a bloody flick then you will be disappointed.  The movie is character driven instead of blood, gore, and atmosphere.  Overall, Baba Yaga is nothing like I expected.  It feels more like a supernatural drama rather than a horror tale.  I seriously wanted to like this one but it bored me to tears.  Skip it.  

Blood Bitch Baby

Director - Donald Farmer (Demon Queen, Vampire Cop)

Starring - Jessa Jupiter Flux (Fatal Desires, Crackcoon), Angel Nichole Bradford (31 Kills of Halloween, Return of the Corn Zombies), and Mel Heflin (Beaver with a Cleaver, Cheerleader Camp Elimination)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed several Donald Farmer flicks by this point and I always feel the need to comment on how long his career has spanned.  His earliest works were in the early 70s and he's still releasing several films a year.  That's impressive regardless if you are a fan of his or not.  He is a polarizing filmmaker.  I love some of his films and others I can barely finish.  That doesn't make him a horrible filmmaker.  In fact, it shows just how diverse of a filmmaker he really is.  Farmer, during his 50 year career, has worked in almost every sub-genre of horror you can think of.  I recently picked up two Blood Sick Productions releases for my collection and decided to review them after I got them in.  I started this double feature with Little Bo Creep and finished it with this one, Blood Bitch Baby.  

     The film follows Countess Bathory (Flux) who has made a deal with the devil for eternal youth as long as she can provide him with a mother to bare his young.  She begins a plan to lure in someone in the guise of taking care of her mental handicapped sister and once she has her in the home, she will use her to carry her master's spawn.

     Blood Bitch Baby was a blind watch for me.  I knew nothing about it besides the fact that it was directed by Farmer, starred three of my favorite indie scream queens, and was released by Blood Sick Productions.  I knew absolutely nothing about the story going into this one but it didn't matter.  It had Jessa Flux, Mel Heflin, and Angel Bradford which is all I needed to buy it.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from an indie production.  We have some stellar performances along with some that show inexperience and dedication.  My three favorite scream queens deliver the performances I expected from them.  All three are phenomenal actresses.  While many would immediately comment on their looks and move on, I feel it's important to comment on their on screen talent.  Yes, they are undeniably beautiful, but they do fantastic jobs in front of the camera.  Blood Bitch Baby is no exception.  All three are great with Flux delivering her most intense role to date.  I was very impressed by how far she was able to go in her role.  This is definitely among her more memorable performances here.  The story for this one is a spin on the Countess Bathory legend that has found it's way into horror for decades now.  In fact, I think this is the third film I've reviewed about her this year.  All films featured a beautiful woman who is doing something with blood to remain youthful looking.  This one does have a bit of a different spin on it with some memorable characters but at the end of the day it's the cast that makes this one stand out from the others instead of the uninspired story.  Finally, the film has some blood and not the deaths I was expecting.  This film once again features the creature from Little Bo Creep.  I would have liked something a bit different, especially after watching these two films back to back, but it wasn't bad.  The puppet looks good and I really love the color of the blood.  Overall, Blood Bitch Baby doesn't have the most memorable story but the creature and performances from Flux, Heflin, and Bradford makes this one a must see for indie genre fans.  Check it out!

Borderline

Director - Jimmy Warden (Cocaine Bear, The Babysitter)

Starring - Samara Weaving (Ready or Not, Mayhem), Ray Nicholson (Novocaine, Smile 2), and Eric Dane (Feast, X-Men: The Last Stand)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Streaming (Online Screening)

Rating (out of 5):

     Samara Weaving has had one hell of a career when you really sit back and look at it.  With a role in the short lived Ash vs Evil Dead, Monster Trucks,  Scream VI and starring roles in Mayhem, Ready or Not, The Babysitter, Bill & Ted Face the Music, and Guns Akimbo among several more.  She is a phenomenal actress who I'm sure we will see in many more genre titles for years to come.  A few days back I received a press release for the horror comedy Borderline starring Weaver and Ray Nicholson.  The trailer looked wild so I reached out for a screener link.  I want to thank my friends over at Strike Media and The Movie Partnership for sending this one over.

     The film follows pop star Sofia (Weaving) who finds herself being stalked by an escaped mental patient, his equally as deranged female friend, and their one eyed muscle bound companion.  He has plans on holding her hostage, kidnapping a preacher, and marrying her in his dream wedding.  What he doesn't count on is for Sofia to fight back and to have a body guard that seems to have nine lives.  

     I went into Borderline expecting a cast bringing high energy performances and a lot of laughs.  Sadly, that was not what I was greeted with when I hit play.  I seriously wanted to love this one but I couldn't.  It was painfully dull, predictable, and difficult to finish.  I hate to say it but this is one I would recommend skipping.  The acting in this one is the only part of the film that I actually enjoyed.  Samara Weaving delivers a damn solid performance.  This isn't my favorite character I've seen her to bring to life on the big screen but she does a great job with the role.  Also, Ray Nicholson delivers a great performance as well.  His character was very interesting but I was expecting a lot more insanity and energy from him.  With all that being said, Alba Baptista and Patrick Cox were the highlight of the film.  Baptista's character was just as intense and energetic as I thought Nicholson's character would be.  I seriously enjoyed her performance, along with Cox, and would love to see a follow up some how with just these two. The story for this one is not funny.  At all.  I didn't laugh the first time with this one but I did find it to be very goofy but not in a fun kind of way.  The film doesn't unfold chronologically.  Instead, we have some flashbacks and jump forwards that are completely unnecessary.  A romantic comedy thriller following a deranged stalker and a famous pop star would have been fun if it was a more traditional film but the jumping around and predictable ending leaves a lot on the table.  Finally, the film has a decent amount of blood but those looking for gore or a high body count.  The effects we get fit the film but they are very minimal and nothing that stands out.  Most of them were some stab wounds and one great looking slit throat.  Overall, Borderline is a bit of a disappointment.  While I love the cast, the story and deaths left a lot to be desired.  I seriously wanted to love it but this is one I would recommend skipping.  

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight

Director - Teruo Ishii (Yakuza Law, Japanese Hell)

Starring - Tetsuro Tanba (The 7th Dawn, Demon Pond), Goro Ibuki (Kamen Rider Decade, The Blood of Wolves), and Tatsuo Endo (Audition, Legend of the Devil)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Action/Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I wasn't always a horror fan.  While the horror bug bit me when I was young, I was normal up to that point.  I enjoyed watching anything with dinosaurs, cartoons, robots, outer space, and martial arts (kung fu).  I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and spent most of the time watching the Sci-Fi Channel before the rebranding.  When she wasn't watching Sci-Fi, we would watch random videos I would rent from the local video store.  These movies ranged from random mid-90s family flicks like Heavy Weights, The Big Green, Steel, and so on.  However, I would sometimes find some classic 70s martial arts flicks to watch.  My grandma didn't care for these films but I absolutely loved them.  I've been fortunate enough to receive a few of these films for review over the years and always look forward to checking them out while reminiscing about all the times I made my poor grandma watch these with me.  A few weeks back my friends over at Mondo Macabro sent over a blu copy of their release Bohachi Bishido: Code of the Forgotten Eight.  I had never seen this one before and couldn't wait to check it out.  Like always, I would like to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over!

     The film follows a man who attempts suicide but is rescued by two prostitutes.  The prostitutes are under the protection of the Bohachi Bishido who are an emotionless clan that rules over their prostitutes and their turf.  However, when a rival gang creeps into their land running prostitutes, they send in their newest member, the suicide survivor, take care of them.  His ruthless blood shed captures the sights of the local authorities which brings them snooping around their illegal trade.

     I went into Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight completely blind.  I knew absolutely nothing about it and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was an early 70s martial arts film that is also a pink, or pinku, flick.  Many of you may recall that when I discovered sexploitation, it didn't take long for me to find an interest in Japan's pinku and China's CAT III, so a film that is equal parts martial arts and sleazy pinku is right up my alley.  The acting in this is a lot of fun.  We have a lot of memorable characters that bring a lot of personality and energy to the scene.  We also have beautiful women baring it all to get the film that pinku status.  The story for this one is a bit more sleazier than you would expect from a typical martial arts flick of the time.  Most of the films like this that I've reviewed followed someone who trained their entire life to seek revenge against some sort of master that wronged them or their family.  It's a generic story but it's still fun when you mix in other elements.  However, Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight is an extremely raunchy tale of prostitutes, freeing yourself from social constructs and emotional burdens, and nudity.  Lots of nudity.  As much as I enjoyed this story, I did find it to be a bit boring at times and not even the beautiful skin of the cast could speed the story along.  Finally, the film does have some blood and some cheap effects.  Martial arts films of this time did have some blood and some over the top effects that sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.  Sadly, this one doesn't really meet my expectations.  I do believe that the team behind this one knew that and used the nudity as a way to make up for it.  Overall, Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight is a fun and sleazy martial arts flick.  It may not be my favorite Mondo Macabro release but god damn did I enjoy it.  It's far from perfect but that's part of the charm.  Check it out on blu and be sure to grab a few beers!