New Fears Eve

Director(s) - Eric Huskisson (13 Slays Till X-Mas) and P.J. Starks (Volumes of Blood, The Preylude)

Starring - Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp, Christmas Slasher), Dave Sheridan (Scary Movie, The Devil's Rejects), and Hannah Fierman (V/H/S, Dead by Midnight (Y2Kill)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "The doctor will slay you now!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Just a week or two ago I made the remark in a review that there wasn't enough New Years themed horror titles.  We have a couple slashers and a zombie movie from the 80s along with a couple random ones that popped up here and there over the last ten years or so but nowhere near as many Halloween or Christmas themed horror titles.  I said this in the review I wrote for Screw Year's Eve and I was not expecting to get an email a few days later from director P.J. Starks for his newest slasher New Fears Eve.  I've known P.J. for several years now after befriending him when he was promoting his horror anthology film Volumes of Blood and was looking forward to checking this one out.  I want to take a moment to thank P.J. for reaching out to me to review this one!

     The film follows a small group of friends who work for a company ran by a complete douchebag and his suck up manager.  They are gearing up for their annual New Year's Eve party where several people were laid off before hand.  However, as the night gets going, people begin getting knocked off by a murderer wearing a plague doctor's mask.  

     New Fears Eve is a slasher codirected by Eric Huskisson and P.J. Starks.  I've been familiar with Starks and his work for many years now but Huskisson is fairly new to me.  I reviewed Huskisson's 12 Slays Till X-Mas a year or so ago and, sadly, I wasn't a fan of the film.  It had a few moments that I liked but the overall film was a bit underwhelming.  The same can be said about New Fears Eve.  I was really excited for this one but I just couldn't get into it.  It had some moments but the overall movie just wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is solid.  The cast does a great job at getting into character but there is a few scenes where the dialogue is a bit forced or has no emotional range.  This doesn't happen during the entire film and is only confined to a few scenes.  I don't know if the filming was rushed or what but these scenes do stand out.  The story for this one is exactly what I would expect from a film centered around New Year's Eve.  New Year's Eve is nothing more than a reason to get together and party so it makes sense that almost every film centered around the holiday focuses on that aspect.  New Fears Eve is no exception and I respect that.  However, while the film gives us a solid premise and takes great care as to give us a decent slasher story, it struggles with giving the viewer likable characters.  The characters are extremely cliched, especially for a horror comedy, which made it difficult for the viewer to associate with any of them.  I've said this a few times throughout the year and it may be because I'm old and hateful but I was really hoping many of them met a tragic end at the hand of the plague doctor.  Finally, the film has several really graphic death scenes.  The effects look great and are easily the highlight of the film.  I would have loved to see more gore but the deaths do fit the slasher film very well and that's all any genre fan can ask for.  Overall, New Fears Eve has a story that I was expecting with some kills that looked great but the characters are so unlikable.  This has nothing to do with the cast and their acting ability but it does make it difficult to finish.  I seriously wanted to like this one but it wasn't for me.  

Night of the Damned

Director - Filippo Walter Ratti (Crazy Desires of a Murderer, Mondo Erotico)

Starring - Pierre Brice (Star Maidens, The Valley of Death), Patrizia Viotti (Amuck!, Death Falls Lightly), and Angela De Leo (Zorro in the Court of England, Julliette de Sade)

Release Date - 1971

Genre - Horror

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It looks like my trip through 60s and 70s cinema is still going strong after watching Terror-Creatures from the Grave along with Sexomania, Lady Desire, The Odd Job, Negatives, and Sparrows Can't Sing.  I had just finished Terror-Creatures from the Grave in the Danza Macabra Volume 4 set and decided to keep on going with the next film in the set which happened to be the 1971 film Night of the Damned which was originally titled La Notte Dei Dannati.  I want to thank Severin for sending this one over for review!

     The film follows a man who receives a strange letter from an old friend.  Fearing he may be in danger, he quickly makes the trip to his castle where he finds him on his deathbed.  He is convinced that he has been cursed but his new bride doesn't believe that to be the case.  He starts to investigate his friend's property and uncovers something rather strange.  Several centuries before, his ancestor had a woman burned at the stake for being a witch and had his family line cursed.  Sadly, he soon dies and those close to him starts to die gruesome deaths and are drained of their blood.  As he keeps investigating, with the help of the police, he uncovers the truth and the true evil stalking the property.

     Night of the Damned was a new one for me and I was really looking forward to checking it out.  Terror-Creatures from the Grave set the bar pretty high for me in regards to Italian gothic horror and, sadly, Night of the Damned did fall short.  It has some solid moments but the overall film was a bit of a drag if I'm being honest.  The acting in this is solid enough and is what you would expect from an early 70s film.  The cast is a bit dramatic and most of the scenes have that theatrical flair that is a bit cheesy in film but I dig it.  It fits the film and makes it feel like a slightly sleazy play.  The story for this one has a lot going on for such a simple plot.  The movie is basically a guy is cursed and the curse eventually kills him.  However, we have a Countess Bathory angle, so much character development, and a lot of backstory.  However, the film's pacing and extremely drawn out scenes with painstaking dialogue makes the movie feel a lot longer than it really is.  The movie could have used a little tighter writing and even tighter editing.  Finally, don't go into this one expecting a blood bath.  The death we do get mostly take place off camera and leave the rest up to our imagination or we get the aftermath which is not that impressive by any standards.  Overall, Night of the Damned is a movie that has a fantastic story but just doesn't live up to it.  It's too long for it's own good and could have used a lot of editing in my opinion.  This is one I would recommend skipping.  

Night of the Living Dead

Director - Tom Savini (Tales from the Darkside, Creepshow)

Starring - Tony Todd (Candyman, The Man from Earth), Patricia Tallman (Dead Air, Army of Darkness), and Tom Towles (House of 1000 Corpses, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer)

Release Date - 1990

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "There is a fate worse than death"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most horror fans that I've met over the years can tell you what triggered their obsession with the genre.  Mine was a product of the time I was raised.  I was born in the mid 80s and raised in the 90s so Goosebumps was my first love.  I was constantly harassing my dad to get me the books when they would hit store shelves.  However, it was watching Tom Savini's remake of Night of the Living Dead sometime during the early 90s that got me hooked on horror movies.  I watched it for the first time with my grandmother while my dad was out of town.  I loved it and asked if we could watch it again and she said no.  Instead, she showed me the original George A. Romero classic and my fate was sealed.  A few weeks ago I was sent the Savini remake on UHD for review which included the director's cut.  I had never seen this version of the film and had to see it.  I want to thank Columbia Pictures for sending this one over!

     The film follows a young woman, Barbara (Tallman), who finds herself fleeing through a cemetery when the dead come back to life.  Seeking refuge in a nearby farmhouse, she finds another group looking for safety.  However, tension comes to a boil when they struggle to agree on what they should do next resulting in altercations eventually resulting in the death of many of them at the hands of each other and the living dead.

     George Romero's Night of the Living Dead is one of the most important films in horror history and a pivotal zombie film that would forever change the sub-genre.  The film spawned several sequels, remakes, and unofficial sequels over the decades since it's original release but it's damn near impossible for me to watch the film without immediately watching Savini's remake or vice versa.  I love both of these films equally and the fact I was sent this film on UHD with the director's cut included is surreal.  I never expected this when I start writing reviews and sitting here banging on my keyboard for this movie is an amazing feeling.  The acting in this one is top notch.  There is no weak links.  We have some of the best zombie actors I've ever seen in a film.  I recently binged the entire Walking Dead universe and while there is some stellar performances among the dead in the show, none hold a candle to the cast playing zombies in this one.  The main cast is amazing as well.  They bring the same intensity as the original while keeping most of the original character's personalities intact.  This is a fantastic cast and their performances are one of the many reasons this film is essential viewing for genre fans.  The story for this one is damn near a shot for shot remake of the original with some minor changes but nothing that I would consider important.  We have most of the essential characters returning with the same personalities, the same locations, social issues, and struggles with the undead the original faced.  The minor changes are fun ones that many will not notice but people that have seen this one dozens of times will see them.  Finally, this one has some great make-up effects along with some unforgettable practical effects.  The make-up effects look great.  The zombies have a unique look with more focus on looking dead over rotting.  The deaths are great as well.  While the people don't really die on screen, the zombie deaths use great gags and look fantastic.  Overall, Night of the Living Dead is a must see for genre fans.  While the original is going to always be my favorite, this film is a strong 2nd.  The director's cut does add some to the film but the movie is damn near perfect as is.  Please check it out.  

Negatives

Director - Peter Medak (The Changeling, Species II)

Starring - Peter McEnery (Witchcraft, Hammer House of Horror), Diane Cilento (The Wicker Man, Dead Planet), and Glenda Jackson (Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Devil is a Woman)

Release Date - 1968

Genre - Drama

Tagline - "A bizarre modern drama of a man and two women locked in a sensual game of sex"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Severin recently released a few of Peter Medak's more not so known films.  The first was the 2018 documentary The Ghost of Peter Sellers which was about the making of his ill-fated pirate film with comedy superstar Peter Sellers.  It was then that I realized just how extraordinary Medak's career had been.  He helmed the classic horror film The Changeling along with episodes of Masters of Horror, Tales from the Crypt, The Twilight Zone, Breaking Bad, and many more.  Talk about a fucking legend.  When Severin sent over The Ghost of Peter Sellers, they also included a few more releases with one being a double feature featuring the 1968 Medak film Negatives.  This was another new one to me and I couldn't wait to check it out.  Like always, I want to thank the fine folks over at Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a couple who stay to themselves and their sexual exploration is mostly role playing with each other.  However, their worlds come crashing down when a new woman moves in near them and becomes infatuated with the couple.  The man wants to begin role playing as a different person than his normal persona and this causes a rift between the long time couple.

     I went into Negatives really excited after watching The Ghost of Peter Sellers and The Odd Job.  I really enjoyed both of those films but Negatives just wasn't for me.  Hell, I don't know who this movie would be for but it sure as shit wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is probably the best part of the movie.  The cast does a wonderful job and the characters are rather enjoyable.  Honestly, I wish these characters had a better story to shine in than what they were given.  The story for this one is a bit of a drag but had some interesting ideas.  A young couple who never got along unless they were role playing finding themselves falling apart with the introduction of a new woman has every right to be a fantastic sexploitation film.  However, making this story fit into a cheap drama with no humor or sex appeal is a huge miss.  Finally, those wanting blood or skin will be greatly disappointed.  The film is a character driven story that would have worked if it embraced the sex and not the weird drama tone it went for.  Overall, Negatives is a movie that I was really looking forward to but just couldn't get into.  While I loved the characters, I disliked everything else with this one.  Skip it for The Odd Job!

Nosferatu

Director - Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse)

Starring - Lily-Rose Depp (Tusk, Yoga Hosers), Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies, Mad Max: Fury Road), and Bill Skarsgard (It, Barbarian)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Succumb to the darkness"

Format - Streaming (Fandango at Home)

Rating (out of 5):

     I became obsessed with the Universal classic monsters when I was in high school.  At the time Universal was putting out DVD box sets for each of the monsters and I was scrambling to find them all.  This started my deep dive into the careers of some of the legends that portrayed many of the monsters like Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., an so on.  Chaney Jr. lead me to his legendary father and this turned me on to films from the silent era of Hollywood and what is one of the most iconic films of the time period, Nosferatu.  It was fairly easy to track down a copy of the film due to it being public domain now.  This is a film that I greatly admire and love that younger generations have discovered it because of Spongebob.  When news broke that The Witch's Robert Eggers was remaking the film, I knew I had to see it.  He is a filmmaker that has not let me down and I knew he would absolutely knock this one out of the park.  A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to receive a package for the film's digital release that included a code to check it out.  Damn right I took advantage of that to see the film.

    The film follows an underling sent to a castle deep in the Carpathians to see a Count.  The count is buying an old mansion in England and the young man is tasked with visiting him to sign the necessary paperwork.  What he doesn't know is that this is a ploy from his employer who is in leagues with the count.  The count is secretly a vampire with an obsession for the young man's new bride.  The count plans on locking him away and setting sail to England to be with her but he is able to escape.  He teams up with two doctors, one of which has knowledge of vampires, to stop the count from damning her soul.

     Nosferatu is an iconic silent era film that can be argued that it is still effective to this day.  It does have it's fair share of haters, especially those who disagree with the fact that it was a blatant rip off of Bram Stoker's Dracula.  This remake, like a lot of pop horror releases, seemed to split the genre community.  Some loved the film and hailed it as their favorite of the year while others were disgusted by the sexual energy an Orlok's mustache even though it was period accurate.  I went into this one with both in mind and found myself absolutely loving it.  It may not be as amazing as the original but it's still a must see for genre fans.  The acting in this one is unforgettable.  Hoult and Depp and fantastic.  Hoult has never disappointed me and I'm always looking forward to the next film of his.  Lily-Rose Depp also does a fantastic job as well.  Her performance here is legendary and images of her from the film will live on in cinema history.  The supporting cast is just as phenomenal.  Willem Dafoe, Bill Skarsgard, and so on deliver the same intense and amazing performances.  The story for this one does follow closely to the original film which does borrow heavily from the classic novel.  It's very romantic fantasy heavy with a lot of horror elements scattered throughout.  The film does rely on dialogue heavy scenes to get the character's background and story progressing but it's not that boring.  The atmosphere and tension helps with the pacing issue creating a very effective story.  Fans of The Witch and The Lighthouse will truly appreciate the way the story is delivered here.  Finally, the film has a high body count.  We get a lot of the traditional vampire kills that uses some blood and light make-up effects.  I also love the look of Skarsgard as Count Orlock.  The mustache does fit the period while paying homage to the man who created the Dracula legend.  With that being said, there is several scenes that use a heavy dose of computer generated effects that are a bit goofy.  Overall, Nosferatu is a must see especially if you like the original film or the works of Robert Eggers.  I know pop horror fans will flock to this one but if you are a lifelong genre fan that is on the fence then I highly suggest you check it out.  It's well worth your time!

Night of the Blood Beast

Director - Bernard L. Kowalski (Knight Rider, Blue Thunder)

Starring - Michael Emmet (Perry Mason, Attack of the Giant Leeches), Angela Greene (The Day of the Locusts, Futureworld), and John Baer (Terry and the Pirates, The Beverly Hillbillies)

Release Date  - 1958

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "No girl was safe as long as this HEAD HUNTING THING roamed the land!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've always looked forward to reviewing older titles.  When I saw older, I don't mean films released in the 80s and 90s.  While that may seem old to some, I don't see those films as "older" releases.  When I say I want to review older titles, I'm referring to films from the 40s, 50s, and 60s.  These are the movies I would sit up late with my grandmother watching with the lights out and a bowl of popcorn placed between us.  She loved sci-fi and would leave her television on the original incarnation of the Sy-Fy Channel before it was rebranded.  It was around this time that I first saw Night of the Blood Beast.  It's not the most memorable film but it just happens to be a film that was on television during many memorable moments.  The first viewing was with my grandmother, the second was when I was in college and needed some background noise while I was playing Fallout 3, and the third time was late at night with my daughter when she was a baby and wouldn't sleep.  It may not be my favorite movie but it's a movie that has a lot of fond memories tied to it.  That's why I jumped at the chance to review the new blu from Film Masters who I would like to thank for sending it over for review!

     The film follows an astronaut returning to Earth but something catastrophic happens.  He plummets to his death but his body doesn't show signs of decomposition.  As they begin to study it further they soon realize that an alien organism has taken control of the body and is now going on a murderous rampage.

     Night of the Blood Beast is one of the films that Roger Corman and his brother produced early on in their careers that found it's home in the drive-in circuit of the time.  With that being said, it's a film that most mock or ridicule for being bad.  While it is far from perfect, it still has it's own charm especially for later generations looking back at a bygone era.  I'm a millennial and watch these films a little differently than those who were alive during it's initial release in the same manner a younger generation will watch films from my youth.  It's a trip back in time where we get to see the different styles, slang, and culture of decades long gone before I was born.  Night of the Blood Beast is not perfect but I've always enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is classic camp.  The female cast in this one does that iconic scream that is often shown in vintage throwbacks to this time period.  They are overdramatic and ham up the screen.  The male cast is the exact opposite.  They are masculine to a fault and extremely corny.  This was the acting of the time but someone not from that era may find it unintentionally funny.  The story for this one melts horror and sci-fi themes of the time into a pretty solid, yet predictable, story.  Space travel and alien invasion films were taking over the drive-in circuit of the time.  Mix that with fears of infections an disease of the time and you have a great premise for a horror/sci-fi mash up.  While the film does have this great basis for a film in place, it does struggle with creating atmosphere and the lack of tension makes a lot of the more pivotal scenes fall flat.  Mix that with the editing, cheap sets, and campy acting and you have a film that may not be one of the most memorable films of it's time.  Finally, the film doesn't have the bloody deaths that many modern horror fans are looking for.  In fact, this is pretty mild for out standards.  We get a few make-up effects here and there but that is the extent of the carnage we get to see with this one.  Overall, Night of the Blood Beast is a film no one expected to have last as long as it did.  The Cormans were clearly cutting costs and rushing films out for various distributors with no regard to quality.  However, here it is.  A time machine for younger generations to see what horror and sci-fi films were like for the late 50s.  It is unintentionally funny an extremely cheesy but that's part of the charm.  I highly recommend checking out this release from Film Masters.  

Nail Gun Massacre

Director(s) - Bill Leslie and Terry Lofton

Starring - Rocky Patterson (Repligator, R.O.T.O.R.), Ron Queen (Trespasses), and Beau Leland (Dallas)

Release Date -1985

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Who will get nailed next?"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago, I was able to work out a trade with a member of the Upcoming Horror Movies' message board for a copy of Nail Gun Massacre on DVD. I had never seen this one before and was on the hunt for a copy. At the time it was out of print and a bit pricey, but I found someone not looking to get rich quickly who was also a member of the board for some time like I was. I traded him a couple DVDS and VHS for a few DVDs. When I finally received everything, I had traded for from him I was quick to check out the NGM DVD. I quickly fell in love with the film and before long I had accumulated a few shirts, hats, beanie, and even a poster or two for the film. I know it's not perfect and very cheesy but It's my kind of movie. A few weeks back Terror Vision announced that they would be releasing the film on UHD. I had to jump on this release. I pre-ordered it when it was available and once it arrived, I had to work it into my review schedule. 

      The film follows a small town that is being terrorized by someone in a motorcycle helmet and a nail gun. The sheriff is following every lead he can and surmises that these deaths are tied to a rape from several months prior with some of the victims being the men accused of raping a young woman. Now he must track down the suspect before more meet their end. 

      Nail Gun Massacre is one of the campiest slashers I've seen and what makes this one so enjoyable is how unintentionally funny it is. The movie has a lot of laughs, but it's not meant to be funny. It's a serious slasher that has gained a cult following due to its comical moments that were not planned or written into the film. The acting in this one leaves a lot to be desired but I honestly kind of liked it. I've watched a lot of no budget S.O.V. and regional horror films over the years and this may be among the better acting but that's not saying much. You can see a lot of inexperience and lack of direction in this one but that adds to it's charm. The story for this one is clearly meant to be taken seriously and draws inspiration from one of the greatest exploitation films of all time, I Spit on Your Grave. The film does switch the killer up to prevent it from being so predictable but anyone that has seen the two films can see how one influenced the other. With that being said, that is where the similarities end. The film takes on a much darker tone, but the atmosphere is lost when the killer talks with the robotic voice and you see the silly deaths. These unintentionally funny moments make the film as great as it is. Finally, the film has several deaths with a lot of blood, but the effects are pretty simple. The are nails cut to look like they are impaling the victims with blood splattered around them. While these kills do fit the film and offer up a few laughs, it does lack creative kills that make slashers so much fun. Overall, Nail Gun Massacre is one of my favorite horror films, but I love it for all the wrong reasons. The movie has no reason for being as good as it is but I'm glad a company like Terror Vision took the time to give fans an amazing release. I highly recommend snagging this one while you can

Night of the Blood Monster

Director - Jesus Franco (Bloody Moon, Hellhole Women)

Starring - Christopher Lee (Tales of the Haunted, End of the World), Maria Schell (Superman, Liquid Television), and Leo Genn (A Lizard in a Woman's Skin, Psycho-Circus) 

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Horror will hold you helpless!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Filmmaker Jess Franco had many frequent collaborators over the years but the one that always stood out to me was Christopher Lee. The pair would collaborate on several films together and I've been lucky enough to review some of them over the years. Sometime back Full Moon released Night of the Eagle which also starred Star War's Mark Hamill, Dracula from Severin, and two FuManchu films released by Blue Underground. Sometime back Blue Underground was re-releasing The Bloody Judge on UHD under its alternate title Night of the Blood Monster. This Franco/Lee collaboration is one I had owned for some time on DVD but never actually took the time to watch it. I want to thank my friends over at Blue Underground and MVD for sending this one over for review. 

      The film follows an evil judge who uses the witch trials in England as a way to gain political power and seduce women. When his power fails to seduce a woman whose sister he just sentenced to death, she joins a group of rebels along with her boyfriend to stop him from using his power for evil. 

      I can't believe I was sitting on this one for as long as I did without watching it. I absolutely love anything centered around witches and the witch trials so the fact that I've owned this film on DVD for years and never took the time to watch it really bums me out. It was a fantastic flick that has one of greatest titles I've had the chance to review. While I don't really care for the Night of the Blood Monster moniker, I love The Bloody Judge and wish they would have stuck with that for this UHD release. Regardless of the title, this film is worth every minute. The acting in this is amazing. Christopher Lee never disappoints, and he once again shows his on-screen talents. While he delivers a memorable performance, he doesn't outshine Maria Schell, Leo Genn, Maria Rohm, and Margaret Lee to name a few. The story for this one has a lot of moving parts but I absolutely loved it. I love that the film takes place against the backdrop of the witch trials but not fully focused on it. We then have corruption, conspiracy, seduction, and so much more. It's a film with a lot going on but doesn't fill overcomplicated or busy. Finally, the film has some blood and make-up effects but that is really the extent of it. The film relies heavily on sets, costumes, and characters to sell the film instead of gore. Overall, Night of the Blood Monster is a fantastic film and another amazing collaboration between one of the world's greatest actors and one of the greatest exploitation filmmakers to ever live. I highly recommend this one especially the UHD release from Blue Underground. Check it out

The Night Devours

Director - Jason Hawkins (The Last Slay Ride, Cross Hollow)

Starring - Maddey Pierson (Zuzu: The Rough Cut, A Nightmare Uncovered), Jason Hawkins, and Jason Reynolds (Jason Rising: A Friday the 13th Fan Film, The Brain that Wouldn't Die)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      A lot of times I get films sent to my inbox that I had never heard about or know anything about.  It's hard to explain but getting to see a film before it's released is extremely exciting.  I get sent a lot of films to review and sometimes my greed and curiosity gets the best of me.  I often find myself swamped with films that I want to watch and review but I'm unable to do so in a timely manner.  One of the films that I agreed to check out recently is the 2024 horror film The Night Devours from director Jason Hawkins.  I've had this one on my list for a few weeks but couldn't get around to it until now.  I'm glad I made time for it because it was a lot of fun.  I want to take a moment to thank Jason for sending this one over to me.   

      The film follows a young man who grew up obsessing over his father and being accepted by him. However, his father often neglected and abused him which has boiled into a hatred inside him. Night lighting as a ridesharing driver, he meets his victims when they book a ride in his vehicle. After each murder he turns to his camera to explain why he does what he does and how his upbringing is responsible. 

      The Night Devours was surprisingly well done. I knew nothing about it prior to my viewing but once I realized it was done in a found footage/mockumentary way I was ready to abort. I'm not a fan of these types of films but this one worked for the most part. It has great atmosphere, great character development though it is a bit cliched at this point, and a solid story. I did enjoy it but there are several things that could have been done differently to improve the film. I loved the acting in this one. I have a problem with films having scenes where they are doing the whole MTV's Real World confessional style rants in front of the camera. It's always awkward and most of the time the actor is trying too hard to make it feel genuine. That is not the case here. It works and I felt the different emotions being channeled during each of these scenes. While these repetitive scenes did overstay their welcome, the acting is great. Teh story for this one is very clever but it would be far more effective as a short. The male killer with daddy issues finding victims while working a ride sharing job at night is very clever but, it does repeat itself. The ride sharing victims and the camera confessionals repeat themselves too many times. These scenes should have been done once or twice because without feeling monotonies. Finally, don't expect a bloodbath or a gory flick. The film is character driven with no real blood or practical effects for the viewer to enjoy. Overall, The Night Devours is a solid indie flick about a serial killer but it would have been more enjoyable if it was trimmed down. Regardless, it's worth your time so check it out.

Night of the Demons 2

Director - Brian Trenchard-Smith (Leprechaun 3, Atomic Dog)

Starring - Amelia Kinkade (Night of the Demons, Road House), Jennifer Rhodes (Slumber Party Massacre II, Ghost Fever), and Merle Kennedy (Dollman, May)

Release Date - 1994

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Angela's throwing another party.  Trick or treat, sucker"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The first Night of the Demons is a film that I had seen numerous times over the years and often recommend to genre fans looking Halloween centered films for their October watch lists. I’ve upgraded the film to various formats over the years and the recent UHD release from Scream Factory is fantastic. While I’ve seen this movie countless times over the years, I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen Night of the Demons 2. I snagged the Olive Films DVD release many years ago and watched it a couple times since then but I always forget about it. Honestly, I like the sequel and I wish I would watch it along with the original more often. Recently, my wish came true when Scream Factory sent over a copy of Night of the Demons 2 on blu with their UHD release of the first film. I want to take a moment to thank them for sending it over! 

      The film picks up several years after the events of the first film. Angela’s sister Mouse is now attending a Catholic school for troubled youths after her parents killed themselves the year prior. Angela has been missing since the murders and the locals has contributed local legends to her and Hull House. The school is preparing for a dance but a group of them has decided to sneak off and party with some locals where they find themselves at Hull House. Mouse doesn’t want to be there but the longer she is she realizes that Angela is still there and something evil is in control of her. 

      Night of the Demons 2 is a solid continuation of the first film. While it’s not as good as the first film it still scratches that itch for a follow up that fans of the first film wanted. Honestly, I like it and really should be running a double feature every time I watch the first film. The acting in this one really surprised me. No matter how many times I watch this one I’m still surprised by Christine Taylor. She’s appeared in a few genre titles like The Craft, Scary Movie 5, Campfire Tales, and Here Come the Munsters but most don’t associate her with horror. That may be why her performance here stands out so much to me. While the characters are just as cliched as the first film, I find myself drawn to them more in this film. Their personalities stand out so much and the cast is amazing. Amelia Kinkade returns as Angela, the late Zoe Trilling delivers a fantastic and sexy performance, and the rest of the cast is just as great. The story for this one is a solid continuation of the first film but it does have it’s goofy moments. Having Angela return along with possessing more teens looking to party really fits the theme of the first film. However, having the demons cross the underground stream that was said to be a barrier they can’t cross by having a character steal the lipstick from the infamous scene in the first one is lazy writing in my opinion. Having the demons follow them in a more demonic manner would have made more sense instead of them attaching themselves to boob-lipstick. That’s really my only complaint with the story as the rest of it works. Finally, the film once again delivers some great practical and make-up effects. The deaths look great and the effects rival the ones seen in the first film. They look fantastic, fit the film, and deliver some humor which I was not expecting. While the film does lack a memorable scene like the lipstick-boob scene it still has fantastic effects. Overall, Night of the Demons 2 is a great follow up to a classic horror film. It may not reach the heights of it’s predecessor it still delivers. I highly recommend it.

Night of the Demons

Director - Kevin Tenney (Witchboard, The Cellar)

Starring - Amelia Kinkade (My Best Friend is a Vampire, Night of the Demons II), Linnea Quigley (Tourist Trap, Graduation Day), and Cathy Podewell (Growing Pains, Beverly Hills Brats)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You're invited to my party."

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I became friends with a student that had just transferred in. He was expelled from his previous school and we became friends after talking about horror, metal, and Johnny Cash. We watched a lot of movies over the next few years. Movies like Zombi, Susperia, Cemetery Man, Dead Heat, and so many more. One of the films I remember watching with him and a metric fuck ton of alcohol is the 1988 Halloween horror flick Night of the Demons. He had snagged it on VHS with some other films on eBay and we were marathoning them one weekend. That movie fucking stuck with me and I had to have it. I did a little digging and was able to snag the DVD and I’ve revisited it a number of times over the years until I upgraded sometime back to blu. When Halloween was quickly approaching I was sent the UHD release of the film from Scream Factory and couldn’t wait to dig into it. I want to thank Scream Factory for sending this one over. It was a nostalgia filled experience to watch it again. 

      The film follows a group of youths who break into an old mortuary known as Hull House to have a party on Halloween. What started out as a night of scares and drinking takes a deadly turn when a séance accidentally unleashes something sinister that has been laying dormant in the mortuary. Now Angela is possessed and her friends are about to be put through hell. 

      Night of the Demons is probably the most underrated Halloween horror film in the history of cinema. When Halloween rolls around most genre fans quickly rush to films like John Carpenter’s Halloween, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, and House of 1000 Corpses. While these are solid films that deserve their rightful place on your annual Halloween watch list, there are other films that really deserve your attention. Kevin Tenney’s Night of the Demons is one of those movies. It has a strong fan base and those that have seen it are absolutely ravenous about it. However, I’m always surprised by the amount of horror fans that have never seen the film. It’s a must see during the month of October but it can be appreciated anytime. The acting in this one is solid. The characters are very generic especially for a late 80s horror flick. We have characters that fit into normal clichés like the jock, bully, virgin, outcast, metalhead, and a sexually promiscuous couple. While they are rather generic, they still have personalities that make them stand out. The cast really gets into their roles and deliver some memorable performances that still stick with me after all these years. The story for this one is a bit generic as well but the execution is anything but. Teens partying on Halloween and summoning demons is nothing new to horror. It’s been done numerous times especially during the 80s. However, the scenes in this one makes it stand out. You have Linnea Quigley’s character having a mental break in the bathroom, the Demon Wind like changing of the property, the humorous dialogue, and the clear influence from the classic Italian horror film Demons. The viewer has so much to absorb and it’s a lot of fun to see unfold before you. Finally, the film has some seriously amazing effects. We get some amazing props, practical effects, and a what the fuck moment involving lipstick. Fans of 80s horror will truly appreciate the effects and death scenes that we are given. Overall, Night of the Demons is essential for the Halloween season and a horror title that should be on every genre fan’s shelf. I highly recommend snagging this UHD release from Scream Factory. It’s worth every cent.

Night of the Axe

Director - Shawn Wright (Spirit Board: Doorway to Death)

Starring - Lera Savannah (Titles), Kaci Frick (Barbara), and Justin Sisk (Wonder Woman 1984, True Terror with Robert England)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "For a group of friends, a night of fun becomes a night of terror!"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     I recently found myself having a Angel Bradford double feature. Back when I was gathering movies for my yearly October horror binge I was sent two films from different filmmakers. The first was the romantic horror flick Desperate Souls and the other was the slasher Night of the Axe. I wasn't able to get them in during October but I kept them in line to check out as soon as I could. I was very impressed with Desperate Souls and was very surprised to see Angel appearing in my next film Night of the Axe. This one was sent over to review from filmmaker Shawn Wright. I want to thank Shawn for sending it over for Horror Society and myself to check out. 

      The film follows a group of twenty-somethings who are putting together a school reunion of sorts. This small get together is meant for everyone to get drunk, high, and laid. However, what they don't know is that a mental patient has recently escaped his confines and is leaving a bloody trail straight for them. 

      Night of the Axe is exactly what I thought it would be. It's a no budget slasher with blood and nudity. Nothing more and nothing less which is exactly what I like to see when I'm in the mood for slasher goodness. Shawn Wright didn't try to re-invent the wheel or try so hard that he forgot how fun paint by numbers slashers can be. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to Shawn's next project. The acting in this one is a bit uneven but I did enjoy the characters. The cast works very well together and they look like they are having a lot of fun in front of the camera. This always makes no budget films a little more enjoyable and helps with inexperience. However, a few scenes were a bit awkward to watch. The dialogue was forced and was more like a table reading instead of actual acting. The story for this one is a straightforward slasher that doesn't stray too far from what made them so fun in the 80s. We get a mental patient steamrolling his way through people until he finds a house party serving as a reunion. It's not that original but it's fun, raunchy, and bloody. Finally, the film has several on screen deaths with a lot of blood and minimal effects that surprisingly works. They are not complicated or something that stands out like other films but it works for the gag. Overall, Night of the Axe may not be the next slasher classic but it's a well rounded indie slasher that satisfies the need for blood and boobs. I highly recommend it

The Night of the Executioner

NIGHT OF THE EXECUTIONER promo trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director - Paul Naschy (The Night of the Werewolf, Howl of the Devil)

Starring - Paul Naschy, Manuel Zarzo (My Dear Killer, The Two Faces of Fear), and Paloma Cela (A Town Called Hell, A Witch Without a Broom)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror/Thriller

Tagline - ""O God, to whom revenge belongs, thy vengeance now disclose" - Psalms 94"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I hit a few speed bumps in my October horror binge when I reviewed two films that I thought were horror when they were actually dramas. While they were not the films I was expecting I still enjoyed them. I just finished The Fear blu that was recently released by Mondo Macabro. I thought that it was a horror release but I was wrong. I actually enjoyed the film but it was not something I wanted in my October horror binge. I decided to take a second to make sure another Mondo Macabro release on my list for this month was in fact a horror film. That film was 1992’s Night of the Executioner. I had never seen this one before but I am a big fan of legendary Spanish director and actor Paul Naschy and when I saw that it was a horror title I knew I had to follow up the Fear with it. Once again I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for Horror Society and myself to check out. 

      The film follows a doctor (Naschy) who returns home with his wife and daughter after a day of shopping. What they don’t know is that a gang of thugs followed them. They break in and beat the doctor before raping and murdering his wife and daughter. He survives but the attack leaves him unable to speak. He vows revenge against the group and after working out and training with various weapons, he sets out to take them out one by one for taking everyone he loved away from him. 

      If you take the time to actually read my reviews then you may have noticed that the story description may sound like Death Wish and you would be right. This movie is a lot like the meme “can we get blank? No, we have blank at home.” With that being said, I enjoyed this one a lot. While it wasn’t that originally and features a mostly silent Naschy it was still able to entertain and that’s all I’m looking for. The acting in this one is a bit different than your typical Naschy film. Naschy is no stranger to playing monsters, nobles, royalty, and so on. He’s a very versatile actor with a lot of range. However, playing a silent killer is something I’ve never seen him tackle and I kind of liked it. He’s not that menacing but his character is very ruthless and calculating which fits Naschy very well. The supporting cast is fantastic as well but it’s Naschy that is center stage in this one and he does a wonderful job carrying the film. The story for this one is just a Spanish clone of Death Wish but it is still enjoyable. I don’t mind Bronson but I would much rather see Naschy in these roles and would have loved for him to take on multiple sequels to this one. The film is a bit of a slow burn but some of the scenes have brilliant tension before things come to a boil. It could use a bit of a small trim to help with pacing but nothing that would drastically change the overall film. Finally, the film has several deaths with a slight bit of blood with kills similar to Death Wish. We mostly get gun deaths and some stabbings. The effects are minimal and the deaths are easily forgettable. Overall, Night of the Executioner is the Spanish answer to Death Wish and I love it. While the deaths are not that enjoyable the remainder of the film is. I highly recommend it.

Nope

Director - Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us)

Starring - Daniel Kaluuya (Black Panther, Watership Down), Keke Palmer (Big Mouth, Scream: The TV Series), and Brandon Perea (Doom Patrol, Delivery)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     

     Several years back one half of the comedy duo Key and Peele ventured out into horror and really made a name for himself. Jordan Peele wrote and directed the hits Get Out and Us while also producing The Twilight Zone revival and Candyman reboot. I wasn’t too interested in his horror thrillers but after Blumhouse sent over their horror set a few Halloweens back and Get Out really impressed me. I quickly bought Us to add to my collection, but I never had the time to check it out sadly. When I heard that he was working on a sci-fi horror flick I wanted to see it theatrically but with work and three kids that did not happen. However, once I received the press release for the physical releases I knew I had to jump on this opportunity to check it out. I requested a copy and soon was sent a copy of the film on blu. Even though it is not a straight forward horror flick I still added it to my October horror binge. 

      The film follows OJ (Kaluuya) and his sister Em (Palmer) who try to keep their late father’s horse ranch open. They raise and train horses for film and television but have fell on hard times when their father Otis (Keith David) dies when something from a small plane strikes him in the eye. Since his passing the ranch has fell on hard times and OJ has been forced to occasionally some of his father’s prized horses to a local western themed amused mark owned by former child star Jupe (Steven Yeun). As the two struggle to pay bills and find a way in Hollywood they soon realize that something strange is happening at their ranch along with Jupe’s amusement park. They put out security cameras and soon realize that a specific cloud never moves out of the sky near the hills on their ranch. They soon realize that the cloud is something from another world that uses eyes to locate living creatures that it sucks up and feeds on. Jupe has been using Oj’s horses to feed them as part of their western show but after a stunt pulled by Em the ships sucks up everyone in attendance before setting it’s sights on OJ and Em’s ranch. 

      I didn’t know what to expect when I went into Nope but this movie did not disappoint. Honestly, it’s up there with the best theatrical release of 2022 with me along with X and Black Phone. It’s an amazing film that not only does an amazing job blending sci-fi and horror but also solidifies Peele as a modern master of horror. The acting in this one did take me a few minutes to warm up to them but by the end of the film I was really impressed by the cast. While I was really impressed by Steven Yuen and Keith David, I was hesitant with Kaluuya and Palmer at first. Kaluuya really impressed me in films Kick-Ass 2, Get Out, and Black Panther but it took some time for me to really warm up to him here. His character has a quiet demeanor that didn’t really work in front of the camera. However, as the film progressed, I found myself really digging the personality and mannerisms. One performance that really stood out to me was from relative new comer Brandon Perea. I really enjoyed his character and the intensity he brought to a few scenes. The story for this one begins with what feels like a modern western setting before switching up to a Signs inspired sci-fi setting before moving along to a full on horror story with an almost kaiju like story. The film is over 2 hours long but it doesn’t feel that way. In fact, it was over before I knew it which the only disappointing aspect of the film. The pacing is phenomenal, the story pulls you in and is full of imagination, and the characters are very well written. Finally, the film has one extremely bloody scene but that is really the extent of it. The movie shines with the visual effects that look amazing but for those of you looking for gore you will be very disappointed. Overall, Nope is a fucking must see for any sci-fi or horror fan. Hell, cinema fans in general will love what Peele has given us. I can see myself watching this one countless times and never tiring of it. I highly recommend this one.

Naked Over the Fence

Director - Frans Weisz (The Burglar, A Hot Summer Night)

Starring - Rijk de Gooyer (Nosferatu the Vampyre, The Wilby Conspiracy), Jennifer Willems (Pipo de Clown, The Burglar), and Jon Bluming (Vincent and Me, The Wrestler)

Release Date - 1973

Genre - Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been fortunate enough to review several films now starring sexploitation icon Sylvia Kristel who many may know from her iconic role as Emmanuelle and its sequels.  Many of those films were released by Cult Epics on blu in a solid box set.  The set was a lot of fun with most of them being damn good films that really surprised me.  Several weeks back Cult Epics announced another Sylvia Kristel release when they revealed the blu release of Naked Over the Fence.  I was looking forward to checking this out after I remembered how much fun I had with their previous set.  I reached out to Cult Epics and they were kind enough to send a copy over to check out.  Thanks guys.

     The film follows a young karate fan, an arcade owner, and a popular martial arts practitioner who find themselves entangled in an adult film production and a murder resulting in blackmail and an investigation to uncover the real killer.

     I didn't expect Naked Over the Fence to be a thriller.  I tossed this one in expecting another sexploitation film with a cameo appearance from Kristel.  Honestly, the story had promise but the overall film left me feeling underwhelmed and extremely bored.  I wanted to love it and I hate writing negative reviews for films someone took the time to mail me for review but this one just wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is pretty decent.  There were a few scenes where it looked like the cast was tired or reached their breaking point because the performance from the cast just feels flat and lacking energy.  Aside from these few scenes, I loved the casting and the characters they portrayed.  The story for this one has the best set up for a sleazy thriller but it never fully embraces either.  A murder mystery set against the back drop of a porn production has the potential to be something historic but the film's reluctance to embrace the sleaze and murder mystery leaves viewers feeling bored and difficult to finish.  I wanted to love it but it was painfully dull.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick and, honestly, the film is not as sleazy as it looks. Overall, Naked Over the Fence is alright for a first time watch but it's not going to be a lot of exploitation fans' cup of tea.  It's one I'm on the fence about recommending but if you like Sylvia Kristel then you may enjoy this one.  

Necro Files 2

Director(s) - Ron Carlo (Necro Files 2: Behind the Screams), Matt Jaissle (The Necro Files, Necro Files 3000), and Greg Lewis (Necro Files 2: Behind the Screams)

Starring - Isaac Cooper (Anti-Hero, Midnight Movie Madness), Steve Sheppard (The Necro Files, Anti-Hero), and Gary Browning (The Necro Files, Necro Files 2: Behind the Screams)

Release Date - 2003

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Lust never dies"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I befriended director Matt Jaissle on Facebook when he was promoting his newest indie horror film Necro Files 3000.  I was unfamiliar with his previous work but he was kind enough to send over his films The Necro Files and Necro Files 3000 for review.  Both films, though polar opposites, were extremely fun for different reasons.  I soon realized that The Necro Files has a bit of a cult following.  Recently, my friends over at Wild Eye Releasing put out the original Necro Files on blu and was kind enough to send a copy my way for review.  I was looking forward to revisiting this one and when I was browsing imdb while watching the film I realized that Jaissle co-directed a sequel in 2003 simply titled Necro Files 2.  I was quick to find a copy to check it out after revisiting the first film on blu.

     The film picks up some years after the first with the two detectives still working together to stop crime.  One has obviously picked up some bad habits after stopping the undead rapist in the first film but he is still quick to act when a new series of murders and rapes grip the city.  They soon start tailing his brother who they suspect is filling his dead brother's shoes and soon discover what is really going on.  

     Necro Files 2 is not the film the original is and doesn't offer up the comical mayhem Necro Files 3000 does.  It's not a bad film but it's obvious that there was more going on behind the camera than in front of it.  It scratched an itch I didn't know I had but it's nowhere near as enjoyable as the original film.  Competitionists or hardcore fans of the original may be interested in it but if the original is something you are on the fence about then this one is not for you.  The acting in this one is more of the same as the original film.  The cast goes all in but inexperience is obvious.  I liked the characters and how the cast approached them but in some scenes they use volume as a way to show emotion which is a bit awkward.  I'm not much for films where the cast has an issue with volume control and that's what happens here.  The story for this one is a pick up from the first one but it doesn't really have anywhere to go.  I liked it for the most part but I was hoping for something a little more than a similar story to the original film.  It's a solid follow up to the first but the lack of progression makes it one that will be easily forgotten.  Finally, this one is just as wild when it comes to no budget effects as the first.  It's bloody and gory with plenty of imagination to overcome the film's lack of budget.  A lot of fun for those of you with a taste for blood.  Overall, Necro Files 2 is not the polished and entertaining film as its predecessor but there were moments to enjoy.  I liked it for the most part but I don't see myself checking it out again.