Grunk the Smasher

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

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

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure/Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

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

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

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

Arabian Adventure

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

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

Release Date - 1979

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure

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

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

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

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

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

Rumpelstiltskin

 

Director - Mark Jones (Leprechaun, Triloquist)

Starring - Max Grodenchik (Six Feet Under, Tales from the Crypt), Kim Johnston Ulrich (Supernatural, Highlander), and Tommy Blaze (Viewer Discretion Advised, The Newz)

Release Date - 1995

Genre - Horror/Fantasy

Tagline - "When the fairy tale ends, the nightmare begins"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror has always been a genre of trends.  When something finds success you can expect find several copy cats along with others using the idea and making it their own.  In the mid 90s there was a trend where horror fully embraced the classic fairy tales.  Blending these fantasy stories and nursey rhymes with horror was something that made trips to the video store so much fun.  Seeing the titles and artwork often made my mind race with imagination.  Leprechaun was the first of these films that I remembered seeing in the video store and one that stuck with me through all these years.  However, it wasn't the only one.  Rumpelstiltskin was released by the same director in 1995 and Snow White: A Tale of Terror was released in 1997.   All three were at my local video store and I remember checking them out over the course of a few years.  While Leprechaun was a favorite of mine, I still remember enjoying the other two.  A few months back Terror Vision announced the release of Rumpelstiltskin on blu and UHD.  It had been decades since my last viewing so I quickly snagged a copy and when it arrived I added it to my watch list.

    The film follows a recent widow who is raising her daughter alone.  While antique shopping with her sister she finds a unique sculpture and decides she has to have it.  Unbeknownst to her, the sculpture is actually the prison for Rumpelstiltskin and the old tale about him doesn't warn them about the bloodshed that is about to follow.

     Rumpelstiltskin, though directed by the same director, is nowhere near as enjoyable as Leprechaun.  It's still a fun movie with great characters and some laughs but it borrows a lot from what made Leprechaun so enjoyable.  It's obvious Jones wanted a repeat of the success but didn't put in the work to give viewers something different that would stand out from Leprechaun in the 30 some years after it's release.  The acting in this one is solid.  We get some fun characters and others that blend into the background.  Ulrich and Blaze were my favorite performances by far.  Their chemistry on screen makes the film for me and I loved watching their personalities clash from early on.  Grodenchik does a decent job as the title character but you can't watch this film and not think about Leprechaun and the performance was nothing memorable.  His one liners don't always find their mark and his dialogue is a bit forced.  The story for this one is is exactly what you would expect.  We follow someone who mistakenly unleashes Rumpelstiltskin and is forced to flee for her life as he chases her because she has something he wants.  Desperate, she seeks out the person who sold it to her to stop him.  The exact same story as Leprechaun.  We follows a group of people who unleash a leprechaun and run for their lives as he chases them because they have something he wants.  When they can't defeat him they turn to the person that imprisoned him.  Wildly similar stories but this one has a lot more action and it feels like the budget is much bigger.  Don't get me wrong, I love the film but it doesn't have the charm as Jone's previous effort.  Finally, I love the look of Rumpelstiltskin.  He's a menacing looking creature that adds a lot of atmosphere to the film.  We get a few deaths with some blood and decent enough effects but they lack imagination and creativity.  Overall, Rumpelstiltskin is a solid direct to video horror flick that works for a late night monster movie but falls a bit short from what it could have been.  With that being said, the release from Terror Vision is easily my favorite in my collection.  I cannot recommend this one enough.  Check it out.  

Despiser

Director - Philip J. Cook (Invader, Beyond the Rising Moon)

Starring - Mark Redfield (Dark and Stormy Night, Cold Harbor), Doug Brown, and Gage Sheridan (Twilight of the Dogs, First Encounter)

Release Date - 2001

Genre - Horror/Fantasy

Tagline - "Fear for your soul"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     I know my brain is wired differently than most genre fans.  Most horror fans flock to films that are well polished, edited, and acted with top notch effects.  They want the blood and gore but they want it done with unforgettable practical effects.  Don't get me wrong.  I love that stuff too but I find myself drawn toward the films made on a shoestring budget with nylon stockings filled with tissues and dipped in red corn syrup as guts.  I live for these types of films and when I saw what could only be described as a CGI disaster that is Despiser, I knew I had to have it especially after I saw that my friends over at Visual Vengeance was releasing it.  I went ahead and snagged a copy and quickly added it to my watch list.

     The film follows struggling artist and veteran Gordon (Redfield).  He just lost his job and with his rent now behind, his wife has left him too.  He then finds himself in a car accident and awakens in a purgatory like hellscape with a faction of other survivors are in an endless struggle against Despiser, his right hand Shadowman, and legion of twisted soul hellbent on serving him.  

     Many genre fans would see a film like Despiser and turn their nose up at it and I completely understand.  However, movies like this one are the kind that excite me the most.  They may have horrible effects and the acting may be amateurish but they usually have a lot of imagination and creativity.  Despiser is one of those films.  While it may look like a direct to video Christian film from the earl 2000s, it's actually a solid fantasy horror flick with some of the worst CGI I've seen in a movie.  This brought about a lot of unintentional laughs and I could see myself revisiting it sometime in the near future.  The acting in this one is not the worst I've seen but the cast is extremely stiff in their performance.  The dialogue for most of the film comes out of their mouths almost as if they are drill instructors and afraid to show any emotion.  Several members of the cast would go on to appear in other films and I would love to check those out to see how far they have grown from this film into the next.  The story for this one is absolutely wild and I love it for that.  We have purgatory, high speed car chases, aliens, freedom fighters, romance, and more inside a film that has PBS quality CGI and looks like an early 00's Christian film.  The movie is a bit on the lengthy side but I didn't want it to end.  The pacing, campy dialogue, and editing is able to come together to almost stop time.  Finally, the film has a lot going on especially in regards to the computer generated effects.  The film uses a lot of CGI and every shot of it is horrible.  It's unintentionally funny yet you can't look away.  Sure, I would have loved some great practical effects gore but this horrible CGI is still entertaining to say the least.  Overall, Despiser is a must see.  Fans of b-movies and unintentionally bad movies will want to check this one out.  It's the holy grail for bad movie fans.  I absolutely loved it.  

The Warrior

Director - Sisworo Gautama Putra (Satan's Slave, Wolf)

Starring - Barry Prima (Hell Raiders, Revenge of the Ninja), W.D. Mochtar (Special Silencers, Mystics in Bali), and Dana Christina (Deadly Angels Strike Back, Five Deadly Angels)

Release Date - 1981

Genre - Action/Fantasy

Tagline - "No power on Earth - or in Hell - could stop him"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I started my writing career, over a decade ago now, I went into it with the goal of finding and reviewing long forgotten exploitation and action flicks.  While I had always loved horror, I grew up watching direct to video action flicks with my dad and cheap kung fu films and sci-fi fantasy movies with my grandma.  While my love for horror eventually took over, I still like to review old action and kung fu flicks from time to time.  A few weeks back my friends over at Mondo Macabro sent over the Indonesian Warrior trilogy.  I had never seen these films before and I couldn't wait to dig into them.  The first film in the trilogy, directed by Satan's Slave filmmaker Sisworo Gutama Putra, was released in 1981 as Jaka Sembung and retitled The Warrior.  I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over!

     Jaka Sembung (Prima) is an unstoppable fighter and leader of a rebel resistance fighting the Dutch government that has taken over his homeland.  When the armed forces are unable to stop him they turn to black magic to resurrect a former fighter to kill him.

     I had not seen this one prior to getting it in for review but I was familiar with the work the cast and the crew had done prior to or after filming this one.  Satan's Slave is one of my favorite horror films after my first time watching it a few years ago and I recently reviewed Special Silencers which featured W.D. Mochtar.  While I was familiar with some of their work, nothing could prepare me for this absurd mix of comedy, martial arts, and supernatural.  The acting in this one is extremely cheesy in the best way possible.  The cast, especially Barry Prima, ham up each and every scene and I absolutely dig it.  The characters are very cartoonish and their emotions are overdramatic but it works.  The story for this one is a lot of fun for a martial arts film.  While the martial arts aspect is at the front of the film, it combines a lot of different elements into something truly unique.  It has a lot of comedy scattered throughout it along with some horror elements.  It's not the first martial arts film to use horror but it is the first that I've seen that combines horror and comedy.  It works and doesn't overstay it's welcome.  Finally, the film has a lot of great choreographed fight scenes and the use of classic camera tricks but those looking for a lot of blood and gore will be disappointed.  Overall, The Warrior is a must see for fans of martial arts films and Indonesian cinema.  It's one of the wildest films I've seen and I couldn't imagine checking something like this out in the 80s when it was originally released.  I highly recommend it.  

Devil's Knight

Director - Adam Werth (Bermuda Island, Rancher's Kin)

Starring - Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, Flight 704), Kevin Sorbo (The Potwins, Hercules: The Legendary Journey), and Angie Everhart (Last Action Hero, Bordello of Blood)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Fantasy

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the last few years I've been fortunate enough to share the news for several Mahal Empire productions.  They have released several genre titles over the years and their casts have all been very impressive.  Sadly, I've not been able to review a lot of these releases with Bermuda Island being the only one I've seen...until now.  A few weeks ago I was sent a review link for the horror fantasy film Devil's Knight which had Kevin Sorbo and Eric Roberts billed as the top cast in the film.  I really wanted to check it out so I agreed to review it.  I want to thank the fine folks over at Mahal for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a wondering warrior who befriends a group of thieves celebrating their spoils by a campy fire.  He then tells them a story about his youth when he was a member of a group that slayed monsters and how he received the disfiguring scares that he has.  

     I knew absolutely nothing about Devil's Knight before going into it aside from the fact that it had Eric Roberts and Kevin Sorbo.  Granted, Sorbo is a bit of a trash person but I wasn't going to let political views ruin what could be a decent film.  The acting in this one was fun but some of the cast was trying way too hard to get into their DnD character.  While a lot of the dialogue comes across as natural, there is several scenes where the "accents" and way the dialogue is delivered just felt awkward.  Honestly, the cast is phenomenal and I would have loved to see them all deliver their dialogue in their normal voices and dialect.  The story for this one is a lot of fun.  We get a lot of character development along with a story that doesn't just follow medieval tropes.  It's not a predictable film and it doesn't over do it with the character development.  We have just enough to make the story interesting without bombarding the viewer with senseless scenes.  Finally, the film has a lot of on screen deaths and fantastic looking creatures.  We do get some computer effects that look a bit poor but the practical and make up effects look great along with amazing creature designs.  Overall, Devil's Knight is great medley of horror and fantasy that works.  Honestly, I was curious about the film but a part of me thought it wouldn't be as fun as it could be.  I was wrong and this was a fantastic watch.  I highly recommend this one!

Baba

Director - Pablo Otero (Umbra, Nexo)

Starring - Carolina Castellano (The Ministry of Time, Love in Difficult Times), Lucia Hoyos (Mambo, Down There), and Alvaro Ramos Toajas (Inspector Sun)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror/Fantasy

Tagline - "A short film by Pablo Otero"

Rating (out of 5):

     I've still got a handful of shorts left to review from the Dark Red Film Festival.  I recently marathoned several of their films but I decided to take a break from them after I had watched three or four of them.  I decided to get back into them after watching a few feature length films.  The first in this marathon was 2023's Baba from director Pablo Otero.  

     The film follows a young woman who returns to her childhood playhouse in the woods to see her imaginary friend.  They do a little reconnecting and that's when her talking rabbit notices the blood on her hands.  He knows she did something horrible but before he can find out the police arrive to arrest her.

     Baba is not a gory short with a story that will leave your squirming in you seat.  In fact, it's the exact opposite of that.  It's a film that relies heavily on character development and story which it has.  It's a fantastic short but it's another one that leaves me with more questions than answers.  The acting in this one is great.  The film's lead is acting out her entire scene with an imaginary puppet that is visually added.  I don't know if someone was filmed in place and green screened out for the rabbit or she was talking to someone not there the entire time.  Either way, she does a phenomenal job and I would be even more impressed if she delivered her dialogue with no one there.  The story for this one is a solid psychological thriller that makes you think the film is going one way but, instead, it goes in a completely different direction.  It wants you to think it's a sweet film about a woman rekindling her friendship with her imaginary friend but it's not.  With that being said, I have so many questions.  The most obvious is what lead to the bloody hands and the police after her, what was the body count, and did her imaginary friend and childhood lead to the murder/murders?  While it is a fantastic short, I feel this story could have been stretched a lot longer than it actually was.  Finally, if you are looking for amazing gore and great practical effects then you will be very disappointed.  The film does showcase some visual effects with the rabbit.  I liked the look of it in all honesty but I don't think it will age well.  Overall, Baba is a great short but does struggle from short blindness.  There is so much left to tell with this story which it doesn't really do as a short.  Regardless, it's still a fun watch so check it out!

Frankie Freako

Director - Steven Kostanski (Psycho Goreman, V/H/S/94)

Starring - Adam Brooks (The Editor, Dark Harvest), Matthew Kennedy (Manborg, Father's Day), and Conor Sweeney (Divorced Dad, Another WolfCop)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Comedy/Fantasy

Tagline - "It's time to get freako!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I found myself obsessed with the film collective Astron-6 when I start my career here at Horror Society.  When I was brought on I had just reviewed Father's Day on my blog and moved the review over.  It was then that I started looking more into them.  Not long after this I was able to track down a copy of Manborg and their short collection solidifying my love for the group.  Since then I've reviewed all their works aside from V/H/S/94 and that's because I was unaware they contributed to that anthology until now.  A few weeks back I received a press release from my friends over at Shout Studios for Steven Kostanski's Frankie Freako starring Adam Brooks, Matthew Kennedy, and Conor Sweeney.  While I didn't see the Astron-6 name used anywhere in the marketing for the film, I was still very familiar with those involved.  I reached out to Shout and they were kind enough to send over a screener link for me to check out.  I want to take a moment to thank Shout for allowing myself and Horror Society the opportunity to check it out!

     The film follows extreme square Conor (Sweeney) who finds himself home alone for the weekend while his beautiful (and sexually frustrated) wife is out of town.  He catches a late night ad for a party service and calls it.  He awakens the next morning to find his house trashed and three small creatures in his home.  As panic sets in, he tries to remove them and clean his house up before his wife arrives.  A prior job obligation derails this and once his gets his boss involved he finds himself fighting for his life as the three party animals refuse to leave.  Conor then learns that they live in an alternate dimension and use the phone lines to travel to Earth to party because their home world is ruled by an evil man.  Conor then vows to help them AND try to clean up the mess before his wife arrives back home.

     Frankie Freako follows in the same line as Psycho Goreman where it may have some adult language but could easily be family friendly.  The fact that they put out a film in the same  vein as Munchie, Norm the Gnome, Ghoulies, and other straight to video little creature films from the late 80s and early 90s really blows my mind.  Growing up I thought I was the only one renting these tapes from my local video store but I guess there was others out there like me.  Frankie Freako does one hell of a job capturing that look and feel while giving us an original story.  The acting is exactly what you would expect from a film starring these three.  While Matthew Kennedy is only here in voice only, you still get the fun performances from him along with Brooks and Sweeney.  They deliver that campy performances they are known for while keeping the tone of the film intact.  The supporting cast is solid as well but it's these three that make these films so much fun.  The story for this one is simple, straight to the point, and could have easily been a direct to video 90s movie.  A man calls one of those late night hotline ads that littered the commercial breaks of so many channels and finds his home overrun by little party animals with varying personalities that use the phone line to travel dimensions.  This is some straight Terror Vision/ Andy Colby's Incredibly Awesome Adventure type shit with puppets.  It's absolutely brilliant and a true love letter to the video store age.  The pacing is great, the humor almost always finds it's mark, and just when you think it's over it hits you with the amazing last act that you don't see coming.  Finally, the film is full of puppet mayhem.  I loved the distinct look of each puppet and the massive monster at the end.  My biggest complaint is the lack of gore in this one.  We do get some blood, and as I stated before, we have amazing puppets, but some gore would have went a long way with this one.  Overall, Frankie Freako is another fantastic release from Steven Kostanski.  Like usual, it's a throwback to a trend from our childhood and this trip is just as fun as the other.  I highly recommend checking this one out when you have the chance.  

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.

Army of Darkness

Director - Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell)

Starring - Bruce Campbell (Bubba Ho-Tep, Evil Dead II), Embeth Davidtz (Matilda, Thir13en Ghosts), Marcus Gilbert (Doctor Who, Rambo III)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror/Comedy/Fantasy

Tagline - "Trapped in time, surrounded by evil, low on gas"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of my close friends have heard the stories but my childhood was an unusual time for me. The woman that gave birth to me has severe mental issues and used religion as a way to cope with them. However, her mental issues made her turn fanatical with religion and when I was just a few months old she abandoned me. My father was able to find me safely. Fast forward a few years and she was back in our lives for a short period. I was maybe 4 or 5 at the time and she forced me to sit down and watch several movies over and over again because she believed they had hidden messages from God or some fucked up shit. Honestly, I liked a few of the films that she would force me to watch so I didn’t mind. One of the films was Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead II. I watched that tape so much in my youth that it stopped working after becoming snowy in certain spots. I love that movie and it was a stepping stone into the other Evil Dead films. In fact, original Evil Dead trilogy was the first movies I bought on DVD when Anchor Bay was still a thing. One of my favorite DVDs in my collection was Anchor Bay’s release of Bruce Campbell vs. The Army of Darkness. It was such a great release and I loved the artwork for it. I’ve watched it countless times in my life and I’m always looking for an excuse to watch it again. A few days back Scream Factory sent over the UHD steelbook release of the film for me to check out and I was happy to. Thanks Scream Factory! 

      The film follows Ash who finds himself in medieval times after using the Necronomicon to stop the evil that was released in Evil Dead II. Now, the wise man to the king suspects he is the chosen one foretold in the book to stop the deadites. He is sent on a journey to retrieve the book and site the incantation to stop them. However, he forgets the words and accidentally unleashes the deadite hordes on the castle and the innocent lives inside. Instead of fleeing, he stays to train the people and fight the deadites in hopes of returning to his time. 

      Army of Darkness is one of the wildest entries in the Evil Dead series but it’s not as goofy as it sounds. It’s a fun blending of horror and fantasy that other films would never gamble on. Director Sam Raimi took a big risk on this film and it paid off in a big way. In fact, it may not be the most beloved entry in the Evil Dead series but it easily the most popular with many non-genre fans hailing this film as it’s meshing of different genres. The acting in this one is top notch. Bruce Campbell never disappoints, and this is the beginning of the personality that Ash is known for now. In the first Evil Dead film he is a final girl more or less. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is a bit of a baby. In Evil Dead II he is starting to be a bit more of a smart ass but he is still a sweet heart that can carry slapstick humor. However, Army of Darkness shows him as the smartass we know and love. He has catchy dialogue and always carries the scene he is in. Embeth Davidtz and Marcus Gilbert are great as well as Sheila and Lord Arthur. In fact, the entire film is well acted. We have Tom Savini’s Night of the Living Dead’s Patricia Tallman, horror legend Bill Moseley and the iconic Evil Ash, and even a small appearance from Bridget Fonda just to name a few. The story for this one is unlike any other Evil Dead film but would be a prominent point in the comic series that would soon follow. The Evil Dead reboot would be a return to basics in a way but this story will always stand out among fans due to different it is from other films. The backstory of the Necronomicon is further explored here with more lore and deadites added to the fold. We have waring clans, knights, castles, dungeons, deadites, love, and slapstick. The film has perfect pacing and really works. Finally, the film is overflowing with practical effects. It’s not a gory flick but we do get some blood, fantastic creature designs, and plenty of skeletons with decaying flesh on them. The practical effects are phenomenal and still look good to this day. Overall, Army of Darkness is a radical follow up to the classic Evil Dead II that fucking works. Genre fans don’t get a lot of fantasy horror but this one is fun for the whole family. The steelbook release from Scream Factory is a thing of beauty and a must own for fans of the franchise.

Harlequin

Director - Simon Wincer (The Phantom, The Lighthorsemen)

Starring - Robert Powell (Frankenstein, Jesus of Nazareth), David Hemmings (Deep Red, Faerie Tale Theatre), and Carmen Duncan (Turkey Shoot, Ash vs Evil Dead)

Release Date - 1980

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "Are his powers more than magic?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm fairly new to ozploitation but I can, without a doubt, tell that these films are some of the most ambitious and entertaining films I have ever seen.  Where I'm new to these films I'm still being introduced to some of their most well-known films.  Most of these films are sent my way from Umbrella Entertainment as part of their Ozploitation Classics line.  Sometime back Umbrella sent over the 1980 fantasy horror ozploitation film Harlequin for review.  I was on the fence about the film but once I finally pulled the trigger on it I found myself loving it.  It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it.  I want to thank Umbrella Entertainment for sending it over.  

     The film follows a political figure who is about to lose his young son to an illness that has stumped doctors.  A strange man, a faith healer of sorts, makes an appearance and cures the child.  Soon his family is enamored with the stranger but the political figure's fixer does not like him and tries to sabotage him.  Soon the political figure finds himself torn between the man that healed his child and a career in politics.  

      I noticed that a few of my friends on social media stated that they didn't care for this one but I absolutely fucking loved it.  The movie was a solid mix of dark fantasy, horror, and even a bit of political thriller.  I can see why some people wouldn't dig it but I really enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  Robert Powell is absolutely amazing as the enigmatic faith healer.  His character made the film for me and I couldn't imagine the movie being as entertaining if someone else was cast in the role.  It's also great seeing David Hemmings in another genre film.  I've reviewed several films of his previously but they were not horror films.  Sure, I have seen him in several horror films but they were not movies sent my way for review.  He's such an amazing actor that really carries the scene.  When you pair him with Powell you get something truly entertaining. The supporting cast is solid but they don't touch a candle to these two in this film.  The story for this one is a political thriller with horror and fantasy elements.  The film has a false sense of who the real villain is that really works.  The twist at the end works and the movie makes you think it's predictable before pulling the rug out from under you.  There is a few slow scenes that will try your patience but the film as a whole is very well written.  Finally, the film has some blood and some very impressive gun shots but that's the extent of it all.  If you want a movie with a high body count and memorable practical effects then this one is not for you.  Overall, Harlequin was a pleasant surprise and one of the better ozploitation flicks I've seen so far.  I loved the story and the cast is amazing.  I highly recommend this release from Umbrella Entertainment.  

Dragonworld

Director - Ted Nicolaou (Subspecies, TerrorVisions)

Starring - Courtland Mead (The Little Rascals, The Shining), Janet Henfrey (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Doctor Who), and Alastair Mackenzie (Psychos, Snuff-Movie)

Release Date - 1994

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure

Tagline - "Out of the mist and into your heart"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Moonbeam Entertainment, with Empire and Full Moon alike, were a big part of my childhood.  I remember renting movies like Puppet Master, Re-Animator, From Beyond, and Prehysteria! a lot when I was younger.  I have a lot of fond memories watching these movies with my grandmother while my dad was out of town a lot.  I remember the first time I watched Dragonworld.  It was one of the few Moonbeam films that I didn't rent and actually watched on cable.  I believe it was on the original run of the Sci-Fi Channel before the rebranding.  I remember seeing the Moonbeam logo and immediately giving it my full attention.  It was a fun one but rather predictable even for my younger self.  I picked the DVD up several years ago but never revisited it until now.  When Full Moon announced the release of the blu I couldn't pass up the opportunity to let some nostalgia rush over me.  I reached out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.

     The film follows the young John McGowan (Mead) who is sent to Scotland to live with his grandfather after his parents perish in an automobile accident.  His grandfather is stuck in his old ways and raises John on them.  However, John has no normal Scottish childhood when he makes a wish on a magic tree and is granted a baby dragon as a companion.  The two grow up together and become the best of friends but when a documentary filmmaker doing a film on haunted castles uncovers the dragon he suggests that John lease him to a wealthy investor to help cover back taxes on the castle.  Soon, the wealthy man takes full control of the dragon after John signs a shady contract for him to risk his life to save his best friend.

     Dragonworld is a corny children's film with some cheesy effects and cliched characters but it's a film I would pick over the bigger budgeted movies from it's time like Air Bud and Little Giants.  It's not as fun to me as the original Prehysteria! but it's still up there with some of my favorite films from my childhood.  The acting in this one is great.  In fact, it's probably one of the better acted Moonbeam film I've seen.  You have a small role from Uh Huh in the live action Little Rascals film from the same era before we are given several memorable performances from some seriously gifted cast.  I like the cliched and campy back stories and characters that the cast gives us.  The story for this one is painfully predictable but still just as enjoyable.  The movie is straight forward and the viewer knows exactly what is going to happen before it happens.  Even as a kid I knew how the film was going to play out.  With that being said, the journey is so much fun.  I've seen this film a dozen times easily and I still find myself glued to the screen.  It does drag it's feet a few times during the middle aspect of the film but it's nothing that takes away from the experience.  Finally, the film has some extremely horrible visual effects and some fun and campy practical effects.  The visuals are pure shit but I loved the look of the dragon and the puppetry.  Overall, Dragonworld is another favorite of mine from my childhood and I love seeing it get the blu release it deserves.  I highly recommend picking this one up.

Pan's Labyrinth

Director - Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim, Blade II)

Starring - Ivana Baquero (Black Friday, High Seas), Ariadna Gil (Gods of Medicine, Here on Earth), and Sergi Lopez (Black Bread, Happy End)

Release Date - 2006

Genre - Fantasy/War/Adventure

Tagline - "What happens when make-believe believes it's real?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The year after I graduated high school I bought a stack of DVDs from my local video store.  Dewey's Video was recently sold a year or so prior and the new owners were big on rentals and sells.  Living in the middle of no where, this was the best place to snag movies without turning to eBay, Amazon, and other online retailers.  It was here that I first caught a glimpse of Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth.  I was big in the Upcoming Horror Movies' message boards and was pretty knowledgeable of new films but this one had got by me some how.  I snagged a copy on DVD with a few other films and that weekend I watched it for the first time.  I've watched it several times since then and I love it just as much with each viewing as I did when I first saw it.  A few weeks ago Umbrella Entertainment announced the release of the film as part of their Beyond Genres line.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy of their release my way for review.  I want to thank Umbrella Entertainment for sending this one over and allowing myself and Horror Society the opportunity to review this fantastic film.  Thank you.

     The film takes place in the early 40s in Spain with young Ofelia (Baquero) as she is being escorted with her mother who is expecting to her new step-father's home.  He is a ruthless general in the army who is fighting a war against a group of resistant fighters in the country side.  She's a fanatic of fairy tales and finds herself pulled from the horrors of her real life in to the fantasy realm of a faun who convinces her that she is the princess that he has been waiting for.  She has to complete three tasks in order to prove her royalty while her step-father wages war on the locals and he pregnant yet ailing mother prepares to give birth.

     Pan's Labyrinth is one of the most interesting and intriguing fantasy films to exist.  It's an adult oriented tale that brings blood, a compelling story, and wonderful written characters that cinema rarely sees anymore.  I have yet to meet someone that has seen this movie that didn't like it but the number of people that haven't seen it is staggering.  Del Toro is one of the greatest filmmakers of our time and this is one of his best films and what I would consider to be a timeless classic.  The acting in this one is phenomenal.  The Spanish speaking cast delivers some of the best performances I've witnessed and the fact that you are still appreciating their performances while reading the subtitles really shows how wonderful the cast is.  Baquero is great as the film's star.  She shows some serious skill in front of the camera for such a young age.  She has went on to star in several other films including a horror comedy opposite Bruce Campbell.  We have another fantastic performance from Doug Jones who brings the faun Fauno to life. His career is overflowing with fantastic creatures and beings with him donning heaving make-up and this is among one of his most memorable.  The rest of the cast is just as brilliant but the characters don't hold the screen like these two.  The story for this one pulls so many different themes and angles together into something truly enjoyable without over doing it.  The film is a fairy tale centered story at it's heart.  We then have a war torn Spain on top of it with a rebellion taking place.  We then have a mother trying to find a father figure for her daughter since the death of her husband while an evil military general is looking for any woman who will sire him a boy even if it kills her.  At the center of it all is a young girl who spends more time in her books than the real world.  It's beautifully written and the pacing is great.  The film is around two hours long yet it doesn't feel it.  We have great pacing, great character development, and a story that will pull you in.  Finally, the film has some great practical effects, amazing costumes, sets that will leave you mesmerized, and noticeable visual effects.  We have some blood and a few graphic moments but the visual effects take away from the fun.  However, the costumes and sets are fucking brilliant.  I can't praise them enough.  Overall, Pan's Labyrinth is one of the few films that truly deserves the Beyond Genres label and fits perfectly in Umbrella Entertainment's series.  It's got elements of horror, fantasy, adventure, war, and drama.  It's a brilliant film that I truly believe you should see it regardless of what type of films you enjoy.  It's a masterpiece.  

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 Sword and the Sorcerer

Director - Albert Pyun (Cyborg, Radioactive Dreams)

Starring - Lee Horsley (Nightmare Man, Showdown at Area 51), Kathleen Beller (Glitter, The Godfather: Part II), and Simon MacCorkindale (Jaws 3-D, NightMan)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Adventure/Fantasy 

Tagline - "A lusty epic of revenge, dungeons and dragons, wizards and witches, damsels and desire, anda warrior caught in between"
Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I wrote my review for Steel Dawn several weeks ago I spoke about how growing up with films like Conan the Barbarian, the Destroyer, and Red Sonja really sparked a love interest in adventure fantasy films.  I really enjoyed the sword and sandal films and would watch as many as I could.  I have so many of these films in my collection now and I often revisit them from time to time.  One of those films that often caught praise from fans was The Sword and the Sorcerer.  This is one of the most iconic adventure fantasy films to come out of the 80s and, honestly, it's one that I've never cared for.  I tried to watch it numerous times growing up but I could never get into it.  However, It's been a solid 25 years since I last tried to watch it.  When Shout Factory announced the release of the film on UHD I was curious.  Could I finally appreciate the film that I didn't like when I was younger or would I continue to disagree with the films avid fans?  I want to thank Scream Factory for always supporting Horror Society and myself.

     The film follows an evil King (Richard Lynch) who summons an evil necromancer to dethrone another king and banishing his only son.  While the king grows in power we jump a decade and the banished son has returned as a great warrior ready to fulfill his birth right.

     I love the goofy, cheesy, and testosterone fueled fantasy adventure films featuring hulking men, beautiful women, villainous kings, some magic, and a great deal of epic battles.  The Sword and the Sorcerer has all this but for some reason it fails to pull it all together into something that I enjoyed.  The acting in this one is the right amount of cheese meets overdramatic emotions resulting is that cliched yet enjoyable fantasy adventure characters.  It's not the most memorable performances from the cast but it's the most enjoyable part of the entire film.  The story for this one tosses everything that makes these types of films so much fun but struggles to find it's footing.  On paper this film is fantastic but when you put everything together you find yourself a little overwhelmed at times and underwhelmed at others.  The film has a major issue with pacing and the scenes are horribly put together.  Finally, the film has some light blood here or there but don't expect a blood bath or an outrageously gory film.  The deaths are just part of the story and nothing to stand out.  Overall, The Sword and the Sorcerer gets a lot of love but this is one of the many times that find myself feeling completely different.  I loved the acting and the characters but the story is such a chore for me to finish.  I really want to love it but I can't.  This is one I can't willingly recommend but if you are like me and love fantasy adventure films then maybe this one is up your alley.  

The Show

Director - Mitch Jenkins (Act of Faith, Show Pieces)

Starring - Tom Burke (The Crown, Extinction), Ellie Bamber (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Serpent), and Siobhan Hewlett (Dread, Torchwood)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Drama/Fantasy/Mystery

Tagline - "Enter a town where fantasy is reality"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm starting a new chapter in my life and that new chapter has granted me a vacation that I was not expecting.  With all these new changes and some free time on my hands I decided to finally check out the Watchmen miniseries.  I'm a huge fan of Zack Snyder's Watchmen adaptation but never found the time to check out the miniseries.  However, once I did I decided to keep the Alan Moore marathon rolling where I finally was able to check out The Show.  Shout Factory sent this one over a few months back but I was unable to check it out until now.  It seemed like the perfect movie to follow up Watchmen with.  Like always, I want to thank Shout Factory for hooking me up.

     The film follows the mysterious Fletcher (Burke) who arrives in the sleepy town of Northampton in search of an old necklace that was said to be stolen from his client.  However, his investigation leads him through a dark underworld and he discovers the real truth about the necklace and the inhabitants of the town.

     I had very little knowledge about this film prior to my initial viewing.  Hell, the only thing I really knew about it was that it was written by Alan Moore and that was about it.  It doesn't hit as hard as some of Moore's other work but it still has it's place in cinema even if I found it to be a little weak at times.  The acting in this one is nothing that stands out.  The characters are what you would expect from a film written by Alan Moore but the cast doesn't do that great of a job bringing them to life.  The cast is great but they lacked the energy you would expect from a film with characters so colorfully written and detailed.  The story for this one has a lot going on.  Moore has a knack for writing stories with beautifully written characters, amazing scenarios, and an almost trademark noir flair.  The Show has a lot going on but most of it is for show.  Most of the discoveries and wild additions to the story could be removed and the story would still be the same.  It's fun at times but all it does it extend the film's run time.  If anything, it leaves the viewer wishing the film would have explored these further.  It seriously needs to be edited and trimmed down further to make it flow better and adjust the pacing.  Finally, don't expect a blood bath.  We do have a little make-up effects and some light blood but that's the extent of it.  The film is a fantasy film at heart and the effects follows that genre.  Overall, The Show is a sold fantasy mystery that tries to capture that noir look and feel with a supernatural twist.  It works but it does have some noticeable flaws.  Check it out but don't expect a film that will stick with you.