Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon: The Holiday Leftovers Collection

Director - Addison Binek (Psycho Ape!, Tromasterpiece Theatre: Poultrygeist)

Starring - Addison Binek

Release Date - 2011/2026

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Holiday horror is a guilty pleasure for a lot of genre fans.  There is something entertaining about a horror film completely embracing the holiday theme with it's deaths and killer.  On the other side of the same coin, not all holiday themed horror and comedies are fun especially if they are half-hearted sequels released years, if not decades, after the original was released so they could cash in on the original's popularity.  A few weeks back I was sent two collections from my friend Addison Binek featuring episodes of his long running YouTube series Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon.  This second collection is consists of random episodes of holiday episodes that he was unable put in other collections.  Like always, I want to thank Addison for sending this one over for review!

     The series follows the dapper Addison as he shows clips from various films and then painstakingly makes puns about their shortcomings.  

     I love holiday horror and I've really enjoyed these collections from Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon.  His previous sets are great to toss in as those specific holidays approached.  However, this release, as fun as it is, doesn't really have a designated holiday you can associate it with.  These random episodes are entertaining but the fun of having a constant theme throughout is not there.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a no budget YouTube series where the star pretends to smoke a pipe.  It's fun in a stand up kind of way but don't expect something that will stick with you for years to come.  The themes for each episode is reflective of the film he is watching.  He does a great job at bringing us some humor to match the film while fully embracing his no budget production.  Finally, don't expect the smoothest edits or amazing transitions.  The show doesn't try to be polished and professional looking.  We have Addison sitting or standing in front of the camera as clips from various movies are cut into frame.  While crude, it works and is a lot of fun.  Overall, Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon: The Holiday Leftovers Collection is a great collection of episodes from an underrated YouTube series.  While they do get repetitive, I still enjoy watching them from time to time especially when Addison releases a new set.  Check it out if you dig cult cinema and indie productions.  It's a lot of fun.  

The Blair Rabbit Project

Director - D. Kerry Prior (Roadkill, The Revenant)

Starring - Adam Powers and D. Kerry Prior

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "In October of 1999 two assholes and some actress they hired shot a stupid satire of a blockbuster found footage movie... twenty years later their footage was found"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've reviewed several parodies over the years for the site.  Most of them were adult films but that didn't make them any less enjoyable.  Hell, movies like Evil Head and Fuckenstein are movies that I still recommend to genre fans that prefer their films a bit on the sleazy side.  I've always been a fan of parodies.  I was finding my way into horror when the Scary Movie franchise was taking off.  Since then I've watched the first four films of the series, the slasher parodies Student Bodies and Screamwalkers, and several more.  Several months back I was browsing Instagram when I saw that Future Video had put out a few new releases on blu that I needed to add to my collection.  The first was the Blood Gorge/ Cruel double feature and the second was the found footage parody The Blair (Blare) Rabbit Project.  I was very curious about both releases and quickly grabbed them.  

     The film follows two aspiring filmmakers and an actress they found online as they head deep into the woods to uncover any truth to the legend of the Blair Rabbit.  However, tensions come to a boil when they find themselves lost in the woods and someone, or something, is stalking them when they discover little poop sculptures outside their tents.

     I'm not really a fan of the Blair Witch Project or the reboot.  The sequel is a solid film but it's been years since I've seen it.  Found footage has never been my thing but I was still excited to check this one out.  I was hoping it would be a humor filled found footage film that not only poked fun at what I dislike about found footage films but parodied one of the biggest horror titles of the last 30 years.  While it did have a few laughs, it was way longer than it needed to be and a bit difficult to finish.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a found footage film.  The cast tries to capture that authentic found footage vibe with the casual conversation and small talk which takes up 90% of the film.  It's extremely awkward to watch and doesn't give the viewer the chance to see what the cast can really do.  The story for this one has a lot of iconic Blair Witch moments and turns them into something funny or could be funny.  I say that because not every joke finds it's mark.  I did laugh at the film a few times but the overall movie failed to deliver on the comedy.  Instead, it feels more like a serious approach to a found footage film with the absurd twists to the original story.  The movie fails to find it's own footing and create the movie that it wants to be.  Finally, those wanting a lot of blood and gore will be very disappointed.  Hell, if you are looking for laughs and a fun parody then you will be disappointed.  Overall, The Blair Rabbit Project is a huge miss in my book.  I wanted to love it but its focus on being a found footage film rather than a parody makes it difficult to finish.  This is one I would skip.  

Screamwalkers

Director - Sean King (The Ghouligans! Super Show!, Hunter's Moon)

Starring - Elizabeth Davoli (In America, To Be the Best), Sasha Graham (Trivial, Side Effects May Vary), and Julia DeVita (Distant Things)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "You're gonna need more than nine lives"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago now I befriended filmmaker Sean King when I came across a post of his for his series The Ghouligans.  I spoke with him some and he was kind enough to send over a few discs with several episodes on them.  I immediately fell in love with them and I've been fortunate to add most of their releases to my collection over the years.  Since then I've kept an eye on his project on social media so I can stay in the loop.  Sometime back he started posting about his newest horror comedy Screamwalkers.  I wanted to contribute to the crowdfunding campaign at the time but money was a little too tight for me to do so.  However, I quickly snagged a copy when I saw that it was now available and up to order.  

     The film follows a young girl in a small college town sometime after her boyfriend was brutally murdered.  When another murder happens nearby she connects with a young man who lost his pregnant girlfriend during the murders.  The two become close but as more murders occur and they both become prime suspects.  That is until one of the detectives assigned to the case comes face to face with the killer donning a cat mask.  Now they must uncover the secret behind the new string of killings and how they are connected to the one's from the young woman's past.  

     I knew Screamwalkerss was going to be a parody flick but I didn't realize how many films it would actually parody.  It was a lot of fun and offered up some clever humor without going overboard similar to films like Scary Movie.  The acting in this one was funny when it was meant to be and solid during the more important scenes.  The film is obviously not to meant to be taken seriously and the acting is pretty campy throughout most of it.  Fans of Chris Seaver and Troma will know exactly what I mean by that.   The story for this one pays homage/parodies so many iconic horror franchises.  The first is the obvious Scream nod. then we have Monster Squad, Sleepwalkers, and a few more that are alluding me at the moment.  It's obvious King is a genre fan with a wonderful sense of humor and used that to his advantage to make a Scream parody without it feeling like another Scary Movie.  Finally, the film has a surprising amount of gore that looks very well done.  I wasn't expecting that much of a throw back to 80s carnage with this one but the kills are violent and look absolutely great.  Overall, Screamwalkers is the 90's S.O.V. Scream parody that you didn't know you needed in your life.  While it's not perfect, it more than makes up for it's shortcomings with humor and gore.  I highly recommend it.  

Jacob's Little Helper

Director - Richard Russell (A Family Matter, Dinner Guest)

Starring - Heather Bayless (Workplace Romance, Powerball), Anna Dutilly (Virus, Scavengers), and James L. Edwards (Bloodletting, Hell Van)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's not often that I get to review horror parodies, but I will jump at the opportunity each and every time it presents itself. Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to review the 80s slasher parody Student Bodies when it was released on blu. It was a beautiful parody of the slasher films of the late 70s and 1980. Not too long after that I was sent over several steelbook releases for the unforgettable Shaun of the Dead to review. This parody/love letter to Romero's Dead films is one of my favorite zombie flicks and probably the only romantic movie that I can watch on repeat. Just recently I was lucky enough to review the horror parody of Caddyshack appropriately titles Caddy Hack. I love parodies and frankly, I believe that we don't have enough horror parodies to enjoy. That is why I jumped at the opportunity to review Richard Russell's short Jacob's Little Helper. Like always, I want to thank Richard for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a young woman who is appearing on a talk show with declining numbers to discuss her relationship with a masked slasher that she has befriended. She has been with him for some time helping him become one of the best slashers in the business, but things became complicated between the two when she started dating his rival who kills teens in their sleep. Things go from being a friendly interview to deadly when the interviewer dons a mask and attempts to kill her in order to improve his declining ratings. 

      Jacob's Little Helper is a clever parody of Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm St., and Nightbreed to a lesser extent. It makes great use of its short run time while not being short on imagination and creativity. I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this one. The acting in this one is very well done. James L. Edwards never disappoints. I've reviewed at least a dozen or so films that feature him and every one of them was very enjoyable. He's so natural in front of the camera and always gives it his all. I also enjoyed Heather Bayles' performance. Her character was very playful, and she did a fantastic job as well in front of the camera. The story for this one is a lot of fun with so much potential for other shorts with the groundwork already been laid before them. Having a female companion to a Jason like character who helps him become one of the top slashers is pretty clever. I loved the nod to Freddy with her dating the dream slasher and having the interviewer switch it up and become a masked slasher out of nowhere, similar to the doctor portrayed by Kronenberg in Nightbreed. You can tell Russell is a fan of these films and I seriously hope he can work in more parodies like this one in the future. Finally, the film has several deaths with some blood but don't expect large amounts of gore or a high body count. The short was clearly made on a very small budget and did the best they could with what they had. Overall, Jacob's Little Helper is not going to be the slasher you are expecting but it's a must see if you are fans of the sub-genre. I highly recommend checking this one out

Caddy Hack

Director - Anthony Catanese (Hi-Fear, Girls Just Wanna Have Blood)

Starring - Dana Ackerman (Girls Just Wanna Have Blood), Max Alcarado (Bikini Watch, I Love You Sabado!!!), and Joe Biedron 

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Welcome to a hole new world of horror!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago, I was introduced to director, musician, and graphic designer Anthony Catanese when he was working on his horror comedy Sodomaniac. A slasher about a killer wearing an ass mask was a movie I couldn't pass up. I befriended him on social media and followed the project the best I could and one day my patience paid off when Anthony hit me up to review the finished project. I was hooked on his style of filmmaking from that point forward and since then I've been lucky enough to review Hi-Death, Girls Just Wanna Have Blood and Hi-Fear. Sometime back my friends over at Wild Eye Releasing sent me their blu release of his horror comedy Caddy Hack. I wasn't able to check it out right away, but I worked it into my watch list to watch as soon as I could. Like always, I want to thank Wild Eye for sending this one over! 

      The film follows a struggling golf course on the eve of a big event when the caddies are forced to hunt down and kill groundhogs that have been mutated by the dimwitted groundskeeper. Now they are bloodthirsty and will stop at nothing to maul anyone caught on their golf course. 

      I absolutely love Anthony's sense of humor. I feel like we were raised on the same television shows and movies which left a lasting impression on us. Sodomaniac and Girls Just Wanna Have Blood are great additions to two sub-genres that I love. While slashers are always popular, vampire films don't get the love they deserve in the post-Twilight world. However, he took the risk with Girls Just Wanna Have Blood, and it paid off. I knew it was going to be a good time when I saw that Wild Eye was releasing a horror parody of Caddyshack from him and I was right. I absolutely loved Caddy Hack and I'm glad I was able to finally check it out. The acting in this one was very enjoyable. The cast makes up for inexperience by making their characters larger than life. They have big personalities and bring a ton of energy to each scene. I love the characters and this cast does one hell of a job bringing them to life in front of the camera. The story for this one is a fun parody/tribute to the classic comedy Caddyshack. I love that the groundhogs are mutated by a fertilizer created by an idiot. It's such a simple spin on a well-known comedy that works for the premise of the film. The movie makes great use of its run time, has great pacing, and the comedic timing is spot on. The comedy works in a Troma sort of way, which is something I really enjoy. Finally, the film has a lot of great practical effects and a few visual effects. The film has a few amazing gags but isn't that gory. The effects for these gags work but the visual effects used stand out. Overall, Caddy Hack is a fantastic horror parody that genre fans will truly enjoy. If you grew up on 80s media, then this film is for you. Check it out.

Battle Legends: The Legend of Battle Master

Director - Matt Enos (The Slim Duffy Show, Last Days in Waldo County)

Starring - Matt Enos, Donald Bulley, and Lyle Lord (The Jim Duffy Show)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Action/Comedy

Tagline - "He was the best... he killed the rest"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Everyone knows me and my love of horror. I've made so many friends in the horror community over the years and a lot of them send over news on their projects almost daily. While I love horror and everything to do with it, I didn't start out writing horror reviews. My original blog that I started about 14 years ago, was focused on forgotten action and exploitation flicks. I was buying up all the discount box sets I could find at Wal Mart and Amazon at the time and wanted to talk about them in some capacity. It didn't take long for my love of horror to take over and over time I became more focused on indie horror than other genres. I think that is why I always get excited when something is sent my way for review that isn't horror. While I love the genre, I sometime get a bit bored with it and could really use something different to recharge my batteries. Sometime back I was contacted by director and character actor Matt Enos. He sent me over a link to check out his film Battle Legends: The Legend of Battle Master. I knew absolutely nothing about this movie, but the artwork sold me on it. I want to thank Matt for sending this one over! 

      The film follows the legendary Battle Master (Enos) who is training his little brother to follow in his footsteps. However, during one of his brother's scheduled fights, the Battle Master is challenged by another local fighter who is able to defeat him. He spirals into a depression but is eventually able to pull himself out of it to regain his title as Battle Master. 

      When Matt Enos hit me up to review his film, he was kind enough to link his YouTube channel The Jim Duffy Show to prepare me for the film. I chose to disregard that and went into the video raw and dry. I'm glad I did because I absolutely fucking loved it. This is the kind of movie that gets me excited for indie cinema. The acting in this one is fucking bonkers but it's so much fun. Matt Enos takes on the role of multiple characters, as well as directing. I loved his energy and how he is able to spin each character into different personalities and traits. The supporting cast is solid as well, but Enos makes the film. The story for this one is a lot of fun. This is the low budget martial arts film that we expected from Dir Wit Films but never got it. It has a lot of humor, references to the show that I missed out on by not watching it beforehand, and a decent story if this was a direct to video action flick from the late 80s or early 90s. The entire point of the film is to entertain, and it does exactly that. Enos is hilarious as all the characters he portrays and the plot works. There were a few scenes that made me wish it was trimmed down some, but the overall film has great pacing and flows very well. Finally, the film has some fun visual effects that are almost a parody of the effects seen in the films it was inspired by. While it does have some cheesy effects, it doesn't have any blood or gore. Overall, Battle Legends: The Legend of Battle Master is the type of film that fans of Troma and Dir Wit Films will eat up. It's so much fun regardless of what genre it is. I'm going to be binge watching The Jim Duffy Show over the next few days because of it. I highly recommend checking this one out.

Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter from Space

Director - Andrew J. Chambers (After School Lunch Special, Babezilla vs the Zombie Horde)

Starring - Clint Beaver (Ebola Rex, Amityville Karen), Katie Otten (Inner Worlds, Chit), and Joseph William Simmons (Nostalgia, After School Lunch Special 2: Sloppy Seconds)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Format - Streaming YouTube

Rating (out of 5):

     Several weeks ago I was browsing Instagram when I saw a post from Hojbob Productions about their newest short. Some of you may recall Hojbob as the folks behind the odd yet very entertaining indie horror anthology After school Lunch Special. Their new short, Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter from Space, is everything I look for in a new movie. I absolutely love films that march to their own beat and give us stories unlike anything we’ve seen before. I’m a sucker for drive-in era sci-fi flicks and seeing a tribute to such films with a Troma like twist instantly hooked me. I wasn’t asked to review this one but I had to just for the hell of it. 

      The film follows the rich son of a billionaire who has chartered a space ship to travel to a distant planet. The space explorers are unaware of why they are going there but the real reason of the trip is to bring back a giant gem that was made by a higher life form. What they don’t know is that the gem is the end of a giant butt plug and removing it invoked the wrath of a giant butthole. The sphincter follows them back to Earth where it destroys everything in it’s path until it gets his plug back.

      Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter from Space is one of those films that I could watch over and over again. It’s the odd side of cinema that reminds me a lot of films like Hamster from Hell, Inhumanwich, Oversexed Rug Suckers from Mars, and many more that pay a loving tribute and parody the sci-fi films from the 50s and 60s. I loved it but I am a bit disappointed by the short run time. This one could have easily been stretched into a no budget feature length film. The acting in this one is highly enjoyable. The characters are written to be a parody of the atomic age space films that would often play as a double feature at the drive-ins of the time. The cast does a fantastic job at recreating the style of characters that you would typically see in those types of films. The story for this one appeals to those of us that have horrible toilet humor and tend to gravitate towards films like Tales from the Crapper and Amityville Vibrator. It’s a bit crude for most movie goers but the loving parody of 50s and 60s sci-fi flicks still makes it something more than a film for people that still laugh at dick and fart jokes. The gem being a butt plug covering the gaping hole of a sentient sphincter is nothing short of brilliant writing and watching a pulsating anus kill people is something I didn’t know I needed in my life. Finally, the film has campy effects that fit the film perfectly along with some funny props and costumes. I loved the visual effects and camera tricks they used to pull the gags off. However, the lack of blood and gore may turn some of you off. Overall, Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter from Space is a fucking must see for fans of you that dig indie cinema with a sense of humor. It’s clever and hilarious. Check it out

Anal Paprika

Director - Chris Seaver (Filthy McNasty, Die-B-Que)

Starring - Chris Seaver, Casey Bowker (Ski Wolf, The Weirdsies), and Lori Swierczek (Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers, Anal Paprika 3: Menage-a-Death)

Release Date - 1999

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "The movie Yohan doesn't want you to see"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of filmmaker Chris Seaver for sometime now.  There is a few films of his that I don't really care for but most of his catalogue are fantastic.  His brand of humor just resonates with me and his films are a lot of fun.  Over the years I've been lucky enough to collect his films on DVD and occasionally on blu.  However, in recent months he has started upgrading his films to blu and periodically releasing them.  One of the releases he put out on blu was the Anal Paprika trilogy.  These are movies I've owned for sometime on DVD and couldn't wait to revisit them.  As soon as The Seavage was taking orders for the release I snagged one.  I couldn't watch it right away but as soon as I had the time I tossed them in.

     The film follows three dorky friends who decide to go for a hike through the local woods.  While there they tell each other stories about the local legend about a mentally disturbed man who reached his breaking point as a child when his father forced him to watch 80s and 90s sitcoms.  Now, he's homicidal and obsessed with John Stamos.  After learning about the legend they find themselves face to face with the menace.

     Anal Paprika is a short that sells it's self short.  It's a fun short but I could see so much more coming from it.  Don't get me wrong, I find the short to be very entertaining but a feature length slasher parody following a John Stamos obsessed killer is exactly what I need in my life.  It works as a short but it could have been a slasher for the ages if it was feature length.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a Chris Seaver film.  The characters are all full of energy and comical.  They deliver fun dialogue and it's clear they are all friends in real life because their on screen chemistry is amazing.  The story for this one is fucking brilliant.  Seaver is a huge nostalgia nerd so I'm not surprised that he created a story following a maniac obsessed with John Stamos.  It's funny and works but I feel like it's just a little too short.  Seaver could have easily turned this short into a feature length film.  Instead, it's a short and once the joke is explored we find it over.  Don't get me wrong, I thought it was a great short with so many laughs but the thought that we could have been given a slasher where a killer is stabbing people while quoting Uncle Jesse makes me extremely sad.  Finally, the film has a few deaths but the film's no budget dictated the effects.  It's not as bloody as I would have liked but the humor more than made up for the lack of carnage.  Overall, Anal Paprika is short and sweet.  I had a lot of fun with it and the creativity in the story really exemplifies what makes Seaver's films so much fun.  I highly recommend it.  

ZillaFoot

Director - Anthony Polonia (Sister Krampus)

Starring - Dave Fife (HalloweeNight, Bigfoot vs Zombies), Cassandra Hayes (She Kills, Amityville Island), and Wayne W. Johnson (Night of Something Strange, Tales of Dracula)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Sci-Fi/Action

Tagline - "The beast of both worlds"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     SRS Cinema has spent years, if not decades, bringing indie horror productions to the masses in the form of VHS, DVD, and now blu.  In recent years Ron Bonk and SRS has brought us some entertaining kaiju films from Japan.  They may not always be the best films but I always have a lot of fun watching an indie production regardless if I like the movie or not.  In the wake of their kaiju releases from Japan, they've also snagged some domestic kaiju flicks for release.  Among those releases is Anthony Polonia's ZillaFoot.  I'm familiar with the Polonia brother but Anthony is one that I was unfamiliar with.  I tried to do a little research and the best I can uncover is that he is the son of one of the legendary Polonias.  I was very interested in the film so I reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film takes place on Earth where mankind has used atomic weapons to get the attention of other life out in the universe.  They send a new creature to terrorize Earth.  It crashes on the planet it is suspected to be a meteor but once they visit the location the find the creature, ZillaFoot.  This half Godzilla, half bigfoot awakens from his crash landing and starts his bloody rampage kaiju style. 

     ZillaFoot is meant to be a parody of kaiju films and other Japanese horror tropes but it comes across as forced, unoriginal, and extremely dull.  I wanted to love it especially when you consider that its a parody of kaiju flicks by someone with Polonia blood pumping through his veins but it was on the boring side.  The acting in this one isn't the worst I've seen but there was plenty of room for the cast to grow.  Most of the scenes the cast is dubbed over in a mocking tribute to Japanese cinema that we get here in the states.  It was funny at first but did wear it's course.  Because of this, we are given some rather unenthusiastic performances and the dialogue heavy scenes are awkward to watch for the most part.  I would have enjoyed this one a little more if the cast was given characters with memorable personalities to portray.  The story for this one is predictable, boring, and not as funny as it's intended to be.  I was really looking forward to a kaiju parody and was hopping it would be some giant monster laughs and grade-school comedy.  However, what we have is a film overflowing with mindless dialogue, scenes with nothing to do with the story, and humor that does not reach it's intended mark.  It was a great opportunity that was wasted on what feels like a rushed production.  Finally, the film has some nice sets but the costume is laughable and the lack of decent visual effects made this one a huge disappointment.  Overall, ZillaFoot is what American kaiju fans didn't know they didn't but the film itself it damn near impossible to finish.  I would love to see Polonia, or anyone for that matter, remake this one and give us the parody this film should have been.  

Spy on the Fly

Director - Ray Harrison (The Roman Springs on Mrs. Stone, Always on Sunday)

Starring - Warren Fremming 

Release Date - 1967

Genre - Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

I'm not a fan of the James Bond films.  My grandmother would try for years to get me interested in them but they were just something that bored the hell out of me.  I loved the cheeky characters but I hated how the situations and stories were always so predictable and cliched.  Sure, I love cheesy movies that are often predictable but it was something about how series the movies tried to be that just turned me off.  When I ordered the What Really Happened to Baby Jane? and the films of the Gay Girls Riding Club I never expected to see a drag parody of a James Bond film.  Yet, here I sit writing a review for Spy on the Fly from 1967.  I didn't care for it but it was a lot more fun than most of the James Bond flicks.

     The film follows a female spy who travels to San Francisco to stop an evil villain from nuking the world.  However, her trip there results in several hijinks and calamities.  

     I've never been a fan of spy films.  I grew up as a normal kid watching age appropriate films like Space Jam, Transformers: The Movie, Good Burger, Air Bud, and so on.  I was born in the mid-80s but the 90s was my playground and during that time I was never really interested in spy flicks.  In late middle-school and early high school I was introduced to John Waters after a few years of horror so my tastes in film started to change.  That would explain why I found myself more interest in Spy on the Fly than films like those with James Bond or Mission Impossible.   Regardless, Spy on the Fly had some moments but was also a wash like most of the films it was trying to parody.  The acting in this one is consistent with the other film in the set.  The cast is all high energy and charismatic on screen but the characters have no depth and no attachment to the story.  Not really the casts fault but don't expect a traditionally acted short here.  The story for this one is difficult to follow which is a theme for the films in this set.  Its goofy, and there is a few humorous moments, but the way the film was shot doesn't leave an actual plot or story for the viewer to enjoy.  It's chaotic and difficult to follow.  Finally, don't expect a bloody mess of a film.  No blood or gore here but we do have some men in drag bringing about levels of energy on screen that is rarely duplicated.  Overall, Spy on the Fly is another weak contribution to this set.  It's not really a bad film but the lack of story and characters does make it a difficult one to finish.  Honestly, I would skip this one for this releases flagship short.  

     

The Roman Springs on Mrs. Stone

Director - Ray Harrison (Always on Sunday, What Really Happened to Baby Jane?)

Starring - Antonio Vierra 

Release Date - 1963

Genre - Comedy/Romance

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I had no idea what to expect when I ordered What Really Happened to Baby Jane? and the Films of the Gay Girls Riding Club.  I knew somewhat about the people behind it but I had no idea what the films in this set was going to be like.  I was underwhelmed by Always on Sunday but the set paid for itself with What Really Happened to Baby Jane?  I couldn't wait to dive deeper into these drag parodies and the third in the set was The Roman Springs on Mrs. Stone which was, as you guess it, another parody.  This time the film was a parody of The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone.  I was unfamiliar with the film it drew inspiration from but that didn't stop me from diving into it head first.  

     The film follows a woman who travels to Italy where she meets a young man.  He tricks her into loving him while he conspires with an evil woman.

     I actually enjoyed this one even though I was not familiar with the original film.  I'm sure there was aspects of the film that went over my head but I found it funny and charming the way it was.  The acting in this one is similar to Always on Sunday where we follow overdramatic and eccentric characters as they do extraordinary things.  The cast is fully committed to their roles even though it is apparent that they don't have a lot of on screen experience.  It's still fun to watch all their energy while they are having fun.  The story for this one is difficult to follow but it's mostly the characters and their interactions that makes this one enjoyable.  As I stated earlier, I'm not familiar with the original film so I can't attest to how close it is to it but as a drag film I would have to say it's fun and slightly funny at times.  Finally, the film has no blood and gore which is to be expected from a film like this.  However, if you are looking for an early 60s short with some laughs then this one is for you.  Overall, The Roman Springs on Mrs. Stone is not going to be for everyone and that's alright because it wasn't made for everyone.  It was made for people who like to have fun and have a taste for odd cinema.  It's unique but not replayable.  It's worth your time but nothing life changing.  

What Really Happened to Baby Jane?

Director - Ray Harrison (All About Alice, Always on Sunday)

Starring - Freida and Roz Berri

Release Date - 1963

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     As 2021 was coming to an end I decided to try to watch as many of the films in the new AGFA and Something Weird blu release of What Really Happened to Baby Jane? and the films of the Gay Girls Riding Club.  The film film to play was the short Always on Sunday.  It was a little underwhelming but I did appreciate what they were doing especially when you consider it was a short made by the gay community in the early 60s when something like that was considered taboo.  The second film in the set is where this release gets it's name from.  What Really Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1963 "parody" of the 1962 horror-thriller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?  I had seen the film it was mocking and couldn't wait to check it out.

     The film follows Baby Jane who suffers an accident after receiving an award for her performance.  However, her jealous sister is tasked with taking care of her.  Her sister was once a child star but was never able to transition to adult stardom like her sister.  

      What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is somewhat of a historic piece of horror genre which inspired several elderly centered horror titles in it's wake.  It's a fun film for what it is but it's not one I would say that I love or would add it to any list.  However, I think I was more excited to see a drag parody of the film than I ever was with the original.  This thirty minute parody is more of a queer homage to an eccentric horror thriller that was popular at the time.  I enjoyed it but, much like the film that inspired it, I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  The acting in this one is fun.  The cast is very eccentric and the characters match the film it's parodying while keeping with the silent motif that can also be seen in Always on Sunday.  They do a lot, especially with the story, without saying a single word.  The story for this one is a fast tracked parody of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? which I had mentioned several times now, but it's done in the GGRC style.  It's a silent tribute with some bold characters and some funny moments.  I actually found it funny and really enjoyed it for what it was.  Finally, don't expect blood or gore in this one.  It's centered around the characters and their place in the parody of WEHtBJ.  It has a little bit of a horror tone but it's not really a bloody horror flick that most of us expect out of the genre.  Overall, What Really Happened to Baby Jane? was a fun rip at the classic with a drag touch.  I think it's an important film in regards to cinema and a solid watch but it doesn't have much of a replay value.  

Bikini Jones and the Temple of Eros

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Scalps, The Alien Dead)

Starring - Christine Nguyen (Get Him to the Greek, The Coed and the Zombie Stoner), Heather Vandeven (Pleasure Spa, Badass!), and Rebecca Love (The Hills Have Thighs, The Departed)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Adventure

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Fred Olen Ray is a filmmaker unlike any other.  His career has spanned since the late 70s with his helming several iconic horror films through the 80s and early 90s before slowly shifting into the softcore parodies.  I love a good sleazy flick but Ray really turned me into a fan with his horror titles.  With that being said, I'll never turn down a chance to see nudity.  A few weeks ago my friends over at Makeflix was doing a 30 day pre-order for a new Retromedia blu release.  This double feature included Bikini Jones and the Temple of Eros along with All Babe Network.  I went ahead and snagged it and couldn't wait to spin it.

     The film follows Dr. Jones (Nguyen) who is tasked with stealing a totem from an evil millionaire.  The totem is said to show the location of the lost temple of Eros and legend states that whoever wears the tiara found in the temple controls all it's fortune.  She is able to steal it and cypher the totem to discover where the lost temple is but Evilla is hot on her tail and wants the fortune for herself.  

     I didn't expect Bikini Jones to be a masterpiece but I was hoping for a sleazy good time.  However, the movie was short on story and oddly lacking energy during the sex scenes.  It's not often I find myself bored during a softcore flick but Bikini Jones did it.  It was clearly a rushed cash cow on the Indiana Jones name.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a softcore porn parody of Indiana Jones.  Surprisingly, I enjoyed the characters we were given and the cast delivers a little better performances than you would find in a Sy-Fy original.  Nguyen could take over the world with her smile and she did a great job as Bikini Jones.  The entire cast goes all in but their sex scenes are sexy but super dull even for a softcore flick.  Honestly, a SFW print could be made of this one and it would be a lot better than it is.  The story for this one is an obviously cheap parody of Indiana Jones that takes the caves and adventure out of the story and puts it in luxury apartments and the bed.  It's unoriginal and even the sleazy aspect feels forced.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  A lot of skin and a CGI dinosaur are the only things to focus your eyes on.  The skin is nice and the dinosaur, not so much.  Overall, Bikini Jones was not as fun as I was hoping for.  The bodies looked nice but the story was not as wild and exciting as I had hoped for.  Sadly, this is one I would skip.  

Mulva 2: Kill Teen Ape!

Director - Chris Seaver (Ski Wolf, Geek War)

Starring - Debbie Rochon (Killer Rack, She Wolf Rising), Meredith Host (Return to Blood Fart Lake, Evil Night), and Lauren Seavage (Moist Fury, The House on Bonejack Hill)

Release Date - 2005

Genre - Action/Comedy

Tagline - "Mulva is back... and this time she's kicking monkey ass"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've met a lot of genre fans that love Chris Seaver and his films.  I've also met several people who don't care for his style of films.  I can understand that because some people like horror to be on the serious side while others love to blend horror and comedy.  I love goofy horror and Seaver's brand of comedy works for me but there has been a few of his films that just didn't work for me.  After watching Mulva on blu it only made sense to hit play on Mulva 2: Kill Teen Ape!  

     The film takes place five years after the first films where Mulva is considered a hero of Tromaville after the zombie attack.  However, Teen Ape is jealous of her new found popularity and tricks her into meeting him at a secluded location with the promise of treats.  When she arrives she is brutally beat and left for dead by Teen Ape and his henchmen.  Now, Mulva is out of her coma and ready to even the score. 

     I know my initial viewing of the first Mulva film was not a fun experience but I enjoyed it more revisiting.  However, this is the first time I've seen this sequel and I have to say that I'm not really a fan of it.  I found a good bit of it funny but some of it felt forced and repetitive.  I wanted to love it but I just can't.   The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a Low Budget Picture's release.  The characters are extremely colorful, funny, and charismatic.  They stand out and definitely deliver some memorable moments.  A lot of the characters are parodies of some of the Kill Bill characters, which the film is a parody if you didn't pick up on it.  The cast really goes all in and it shows in each scene.  The story for this one is a Seaver spin on Kill Bill.  It almost works but it does feel like a lot of the gags are a bit of stretch.  I loved how wild the characters are and the dialogue is funny but the scenes fall a little short.  There is so many different possibilities with a story like this but the way Seaver approached it left so much on the table.  Finally, the film has some blood here and there and the typical no budget effects that most indie films like this utilize but nothing that really stands out.  The focus of this one is on story and the character development but not so much the effects.  Overall, Mulva 2 was a bit of an ambitious film for an indie production but I wasn't really a fan.  It has some laughs and a few familiar faces but that's it.  I can recommend more entertaining Seaver films to enjoy.  

Deathbone

Director - Chris Seaver (Evil Night, SexSquatch)

Starring - Billy Garberina (Necroville, Moist Fury), Meredith Host (The Weirdsies, Death O'Lantern), and Casey Bowker (Wet Heat, Carnage for the Destroyer)

Release Date - 2011

Genre - Fantasy/Adventure/Comedy

Tagline - "Prepare to get boned"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of you that have followed me for some time now and may have noticed that I'm a huge fan of Chris Seaver.  His brands Low Budget Pictures and Warlock Home Video have been a huge part of my movie collection journey for several years now.  For the most part I've collected most of his films with the exception of a few but there is still a couple I have yet to watch and review.  A few weeks ago MVD announced that SRS Cinemas was releasing Seaver's 2011 fantasy adventure film Deathbone on DVD as part of their retro line.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send over a review copy of it.  I want to take a moment to thank MVD and SRS Cinemas for sending it over.  

      The film follows Deathbone (Garberina) who is approached by an elf to rescue her villiage that was overrun by an evil Goblin.  Deathbone reluctactly agrees to the quest and their journey begins.  They make their way to the villiage where they encounter other swordsmen, orcs, witches, and lustful faries before reaching the overrun villiage where an epic battle ensues.

     Not everyone will enjoy Seaver's films.  I love his humor and bold stories but some people may be turned off by the lack of budget.  Over the years he has released some extremely entertaining films but there has been a few duds.  Deathbone is one that is a bit different than he other films but I really enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect in a Seaver flick.  Garberina is absolutely brilliant as Deathbone the barbarian.  His mannerisms, dialogue, and charisma was so funny to watch.  He really got into his role and made the title character come to life.  The supporting cast is just as intense, funny, and entertaining.  Everyone gets into their roles and has a lot of fun.  That fun translates very well to the camera.  The story for this one is a parody of the fantasy adventure films that a lot of grew up watching like Deathstalker, Beastmaster, and the most obvious film, Conan.  The humor carries well throughout the entire film but the story does hit a few dry patches.  The movie is stretched a bit thin at times but it's still a fun watch if you stick with it.  The humor does a great job at masking the story's weaknesses.  Finally, the film is not a bloody and gory one.  We get some low-brow fight scenes and some surprisingly well done make-up effects but that is the extent of that with this one.  Overall, Deathbone will not be for everyone.  However, if you are a fan of the funnier side of cinema then I would highly recommend digging into this slice of back yard fun.  It was funny and very enjoyable.  

Twilight Vamps

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Biohazard, Evil Spawn)

Starring - Brandin Rackley (The Hillside Strangler, The Devil Wears Nada), Frankie Cullen (The Breastford Wives, Cleavagefield), and Christine Nguyen (Attack of the Killer Donuts, After Midnight)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Let's get the party started"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     The mid-90s and all the way through most of the 2010's Fred Olen Ray focused on softcore films.  That's where the money was for him and fans like myself were eating them up.  Movies with Bikini in the title or something clever like Beverly Hills Vamps and Cyborg Hookers are popular among cult fans but are far from perfect.  When I tossed in Bikini Frankenstein I was looking forward to a sleazy softcore parody of the classic gothic tale and that's exactly what I got.  I couldn't wait to spin the second film in the set which was 2010's Twilight Vamps that was also released under the title Lust at First Bite.      The film follows three gorgeous vampires that moonlight at strippers.  When a man discovers that his wife is having an affair he goes with some friends to the gentleman's club where he comes face to face with the three vampire strippers that feed on the rich patrons.

     Twilight Vamps is another funny and sleazy softcore flick that is fun when it has no right to be.  It's a cheap and obviously rushed production which is almost a trademark of Ray by this point but the film still finds a way to pull you in and entertain.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but a lot of the same cast from BF can be seen here.  They do a decent enough job but a lot of the scenes are a little awkward to watch.  You can tell the cast is rushing through their dialogue to get the softcore scenes.  It's not bad but it's far from award winning.  The story for this one works not only from the vampire angle but also from a softcore stripper angle.  By mixing the two you are guaranteed some sleaze and a pretty solid horror angle.  I really enjoyed this one and a lot more could be added to it but was cut due to the softcore sex scenes.  Honestly, the women are extremely sexy but watching them dry hump each other did absolutely nothing for me.  I really wish more of the story was explored.  Finally, the film has a little blood but if you haven't picked up on the fact that boobs is the center of attention here over gore then you clearly have no idea who Ray is.  Overall, Twilight Vamps is a sleazy but entertaining vampire flick.  It's a clever set up but if you are looking for a rich story and unforgettable acting then you will be disappointed.  Check it out.  

Bikini Frankenstein

Director - Fred Olen Ray (Evil Toons, Scalps)

Starring - Jayden Cole (Saints and Sinners, Bikini Royale 2), Brandin Rackley (The Hills Have Thighs, Twilight Vamp), and Frankie Cullen (Shark Week, Vampire in Vegas)

Release Date - 2010

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "She'll love you to pieces"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     Most of this week was spent watching some of the 80s and early 90s of Fred Olen Ray.  Some I had seen before and was revisiting while others were first time watches.  A lot of the movies were very fun but some were duds.  As I make my way through the last few blus that I have left I'm find myself about to spin a softcore double feature from 2010.  After making some cheesy sci-fi horror flicks, Ray turned to softcore movies before settling down with Christmas flicks.  I'm very familiar with his softcore flicks and I couldn't wait to see the first film on this double feature release which is Bikini Frankenstein.  

     The film follows a failed college professor who is fired when he is caught sleeping with the dean's teenage daughter.  He returns to his home is Transylvania to continue his work on reanimating the dead where he finally succeeds at bringing a dead woman to life.  However, she has an insatiable sexual hunger that she has to quench.  

     Bikini Frankenstein is not going to be anyone's favorite but it is a sleazy good time.  It's stupid, cheesy, sexy, and just entertaining.  If you enjoy good horror parody or softcore horror flick then you will appreciate this one.  The acting in this one is far from perfect but I found myself laughing.  The cast is having a lot of fun in this one and it shows in the scenes.  The softcore sex scenes are rather dull but the other scenes are still fun and the cast does a surprisingly decent job.  Cheesy but fun.  The story for this one is a more modern retelling of the classic Frankenstein story except the monster is a female with a sex drive.  It's fun and sleazy but it has no replay value.  The shock factor wears off after the initial viewing.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  However, if nice tits and dry humping is your thing then you are in for a treat.  Overall, Bikini Frankenstein is not going to be for most genre fans but if you are a degenerate like myself then you will really enjoy it.  Check it out.  

Halloween Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon

Director - Addison Binek (Psycho Ape!, Tromasterpiece Theatre)

Starring - Addison Binek

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Not long ago I spent almost four hours watching episodes of Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon that was sent my way from star and director Addison Binek to review.  I didn't know how to even begin to review this MST3K inspired show so I decided to approach it like I would a movie or television show.  The first DVD I to a stab at was his Movies to Watch on Thanksgiving Afternoon which was surprisingly fun.  Once I was done with those episodes I decided to immediately jump into Halloween Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon.  I want to thank Addison for sending these over.  I had a lot of fun with them.

     The DVD follows Addison as his riffs Halloween and other horror themed movies with his own brand of prop comedy and jokes.

     Halloween Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon is a fun collection of holiday themed episodes that are extremely fun to watch.  Addison is a funny individual and his brand of humor is what I look for in indie productions.  I can watch his movies all day and never get tired of them.  However, Binging four or five hours of Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon is a bit of an overkill.  I had fun but it was a bit much.  His show is fun but I can't binge it like I do other series. The acting in this one is a one man show.  Binek is so charismatic in front of the camera and he's very natural with it.  He delivers his jokes, props, and continues to do his thing.  He's very passionate about this show and it really shows.  With that being said, watching this show for as long as I did you find yourself looking for a little more to the show that this.  Maybe that is where the inspiration for Tromasterpiece Theatre came in to play.  Fans like his sense of humor but needed something else from the show.  The story for this one is more of a comedy improve sketch and tribute to MST3K.  The theme of each episode is focused on the movie being watched.  It works for the episode but for those looking for an overlapping theme or story obviously missed the point of the show.  Finally, no blood or guts in this one.  The movie clips shown on the show may feature them but Binek himself does not contribute to this.  Overall, Halloween Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon is a fun watch during the Halloween season.  Of course it would be more fun to watch the films he is riffing but if you want something different then I highly recommend checking these out.