Jacker 3: Road to Hell

Director - James Panetta (Doomsday Stories, I Slay on Christmas)

Starring - Phil Herman (Amityville Zombies, Psycho Night), Debbie D (Phil Herman's Unearthed, Return to Bloody Creek), and Christopher Kahler (Sundown on Black Waters, Return of the Corn Zombies)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "The end is coming"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been reviewing movies here at Horror Society for almost 15 years now and I still find it funny when something I reviewed all those years ago comes back to me.  In March of 2016 I reviewed the Jacker double feature from my friends over at The Sleaze Box.  These S.O.V. crime thrillers looked like a lot of fun so I snagged a copy from them and added them to my watch list along with another Phil Herman S.O.V. film, Burglar from Hell.  It's almost ten years later and I was recently asked by filmmaker Phil Herman to review a couple of his newest films with one of them being a sequel to his S.O.V. classics.  I want to thank Phil for sending over Jacker 3: Road to Hell for review.  

     The film takes place 30 years after the notorious carjacker turned serial killer Jacker (Herman) went missing with no leads as to where he could be.  However, after a body is discovered murdered in a similar fashion to the way Jacker did his victims, the police start to suspect that the notorious killer was back.  Things take an even more unusual turn when former lover turned victim Gloria (Debbie D) reveals that she is alive and well before turning to news and podcasts to discuss her terrifying encounter with the Jacker.  

     When I originally watched these films from Phil Herman, I really liked Burglar from Hell but the two Jacker films were not for me.  I can see why S.O.V. fans would enjoy it but it was a little underdeveloped in the story department in my opinion.  I went into the third film with an open mind and a hope that this one would be a bit more enjoyable.  Sadly, this is probably the weakest of the three.  The acting in this one is very uneven. The cast in some of the scenes spit out their dialogue with absolutely no conviction.  It's almost as if they are reading their lines instead of acting.  Other scenes may feature a little better acting but it is awkward with unnatural body movement and delivery.  I've seen a lot of no budget genre films over the years and this one features some of the most awkward scenes I've had to review.  The story for this one is a rehashing of the first two films after a 30 year break.  The first two Jacker films were released in 1993 and 1996 before going dormant for 30 years with the Jacker randomly picking up where he left off.  By this point the Jacker has reached an almost cult like status with people cowering at the mere mention of him but the character himself is not that menacing.  There is nothing about him that makes him stand out or sends chills down the viewer's spine.  He looks like everyone's uncle that only shows up around the holidays with a buzz offering up unsolicited life advice.  We then add Debbie D as Gloria where she retells her story before we get back into a story almost identical to the first two films.  Finally, there is several deaths in the film but most of them are gunshots with very little effects.  The kills are not that imaginative and get lost in the shuffle of things.  Overall, Jacker 3 is not what I was expecting.  I was hoping the film would turn the killer into something a bit more terrifying instead of looking like the dude that hangs out at gas stations revving up his truck.  Sadly, I can't recommend this one.  

Hitcher in the Dark

Director - Umberto Lenzi (Cannibal Ferox, Nightmare City)

Starring - Joe Balogh (Moonstalker, Black Demons), Josie Bissett (Mikey, The Doors), and Jason Saucier (Constantine, Resurrection)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Thriller

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     If you have read my reviews for sometime then you may have noticed that I'm plagued by the number three when it comes to negative reviews.  If I watch a movie and I don't like it I soon find myself watching two more before I move on to a movie I enjoy.  It's not always 3 movies in a row but I've some how just made it through three films that I was not a fan of.  The Polonia Brother's Nightmare Vacation, the confusing Hideous Bog Monster, and Vin Syn's The Fear.  Vinegar Syndrome has sent over The Fear to review along with the 1989 Italian/American coproduction Hitcher in the Dark.  This is one I was very familiar with but had never seen it.  Collectors may recall seeing this one on DVD from years ago with the Giallo Collection plastered across the top of it.  I want to thank Vin Syn for sending this one my way.

     This film follows a mentally unstable Mark (Balogh) who picks up female hitchhikers in his RV before he kills them.  While visiting Virginia Beach he spots the lovely Daniela (Bissett) and watches her break up with her boyfriend before leaving.  He finds her walking and offers her a lift.  This is the beginning or her torment as he bounds and gags her before drugging her to have his way with her.

     I was pretty excited to give Hitcher in the Dark a spin considering how much of a giallo kick I was on but I was a little confused as to why it wasn't included in the gialli box sets released by Vin Syn.  After a few moments into the movie I realized that this was not a giallo at all and he DVD release I saw many collectors share years ago was improperly labeled.  The movie may be an Italian/American production but it is not a giallo.  However, it is a highly entertaining thriller that I enjoyed a lot.  The acting in this one is pretty fucking fun and I really enjoyed the casting choices.  Balogh is amazing as the unstable killer who is trying to fill the void of the love that abandoned him when he was a child.  It's a pretty cliched character but I love the intensity that Balogh brings to the screen.  Bissett is my favorite part of the film.  This beautiful actress delivers one hell of a performance as the woman in peril.  She's strong when she has to be but when she's in serious danger her emotions are extremely raw and grounded.  I loved her performance and how she portrayed the character.  The supporting cast is solid.  There is a few scenes where supporting characters are a little awkward but for the most part they deliver.  The story for this one reminded me some of another thriller from 1989, Mind Games.  The similarities are just in the scenarios but the overall stories are very much different.  Following a killer in an RV traveling the coast is a pretty clever setting for a sleazy slasher.  However, the film is more of a dark thriller with not as much bloodshed as I would have loved to see.  The way this one unfolded it focused more on his relationship with his victim and not a body count.  It wasn't what I was expecting but it was still held my attention from beginning to end.  Finally, the film has several deaths but they are very underwhelming and unoriginal.  We get some blood, a little practical effects, and just enough screen time to see them before moving on to the next scene.  Nothing that will stick with you like other films.  Overall, Hitcher in the Dark is not the sleazy giallo I was expecting but god damn was it not a fun one.  I really enjoyed this one and if you are open to it you will enjoy it as well.  Another amazing release from the folks over at Vin Syn!  Give this one a spin.  

Greener Grass

Director(s) - Jocelyn DeBoer (Adam Ruins Everything, The Arrival) and Dawn Luebbe (Adam Ruins Everything, The Arrival)
Starring - Jocelyn DeBoer, Dawn Luebbe, and Beck Bennett (Zoolander 2, Ghosted)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Comedy
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've seen some pretty weird fucking movies the last few days and there is no signs of it slowing down.  After watching one of the weirdest bigfoot films to date and a huge disappointment of a remake for Rabid I decided to toss in the black comedy Greener Grass from Scream Factory and IFC Midnight.  This is one release I was very curious about and I couldn't wait to dig into.  I know many of you dedicated horror fans will immediately be turned off after seeing the artwork but fans of John Water's later films will really enjoy this one.  Thank you Scream Factory for sending this one my way.

     This strange film follows two suburban mothers who constantly try to out do one another but one finds herself coming up short when compared to her best friend.  She gives her friend her baby to try to impress her but soon finds herself feeling unloved when her only remaining kid is turned into a dog and her father gets custody of him after she divorces him after her friends tell her to.  While she tries to sort her life out she is kicked from her home by a serial killer and flees to her childhood home in order to find meaning.

     I knew this was going to be a different watch but not as weird as what it was.  It's weirdness was very welcomed and I absolutely loved it.  People compare this to the later Water's films meets The Stepford Wives and I can see that.  However, I see it as a satirical American dream meets Serial Mom.  The acting in this one is so god damn perfect.  These characters are so fucking fun that I can't imagine anyone else filling in their shoes.  The stars/directors of the film do an amazing job in their dual roles and I couldn't imagine anyone else pulling this off like they do.  As much fun as these two leads are the secondary characters are just as fun.  The comedy is ripe in this one and the characters ooze it.  The story for this one is one of those oddball comedies that relied heavily on social satire and awkwardness to deliver the punchlines in a similar manner to films like Napoleon Dynamite.  It works and the humor of suburban envy and outlandish scenarios really makes this film stand out from the crowd.  Also, the crisp imagery and beautiful sets makes this one extremely visually pleasing.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  The film is a character piece that is filled with humor.  If you are looking for a traditional horror film then you will be disappointed but if you are looking for oddball characters, beautiful scenery, and a unique story then this one is for you.  Overall, Greener Grass is a wildly entertaining and fun film that denies genres.  I highly suggest grabbing this one now because you will not be disappointed.  

Terror Firmer

Director - Lloyd Kaufman (Poultrygeist, The Toxic Avenger)
Starring - Will Keenan (Tromeo and Juliet, Chop), Alyce LaTourelle (Daredreamer, Junk), and Lloyd Kaufman
Release Date - 1999
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "Let's make some art!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5): 

     Why not follow up one Troma review with another Troma review?  I recently revisited the 1990 vampire flick Def by Temptation and really enjoyed myself.  Vinegar Syndrome did a fantastic job with that release and I can see myself giving the film the attention it deserves for years to come.  After checking that out I decided to turn my attention to Troma's recent release of Kaufman's 1999 Terror Firmer.  This is one of the few Troma releases  I had yet to see.  I've owned the DVD for many years but several Troma fans told me that this was Kaufman's worst work yet.  I was always afraid of tossing it in but with the release of the new blu I decided to fire it up.  

     The film follows a blind filmmaker and his no budget film crew working on a new horror film when their set is plagued with mysterious deaths. Animosity among the cast comes to a boil as people begin to fear for their lives but in true Troma fashion the killer is revealed and nothing is as it seems.

      

     I feel stupid for sleeping on this one for all these years.  It was a fun movie but nowhere near as entertaining as other Troma releases.  I can see why so many dislike but I also found some enjoyment with it.  The acting in this one is what you would expect from a Troma release.  The character are unforgettable and fun but the acting is far from perfect.  The high energy cast mixed with the dialogue and scene makes the film funny but there is a few times when the acting is unintentionally funny.  The story for this one flows like a slasher except the tone is very much so Troma.  The slasher style is completely removed here and Troma makes it their own but it still works. I liked the killer's reveal and how the characters supported the story.  Fans of Troma will know what to expect with this one.  Finally, this one has some fantastic practical effects and some gore.  I liked the look of the practical effects and the kills.  There is several times the make-up effects made me laugh because the quality was nowhere near  that of the practical effects.  Overall, Terror Firmer is another fun Troma flick.  I wouldn't compare it to other Troma films but it does hold it's own.  The blu is a little underwhelming and almost the same quality as the DVD I have.  I tossed it in and didn't notice much of a different in quality.  Collectors may want this one for their collection but if you already own the DVD there isn't much special about this release.  

The Maxwell Edison Chapters: The Taming of Patticakes



Director - Ryan Vincent Logsdon (Agoni)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I get a lot of hate as a reviewer.  I had weird tastes in movies.  I prefer the weird, outlandish, and exploitative films that have crazy characters and unforgettable stories.  People often accuse me of being a paid critic because I tend to like movies that most find awful or unwatchable.  These films are not awful to me.  I see imagination and creativity in most of these films.  Another reason I draw hate is because of my outspoken dislike of extreme horror films.  Most movies classified by fans as extreme horror are boring gore flicks with no story and extended scenes of torture that do nothing.  Hell, the shock value isn't there anymore like it once was in the early 2000s.  A few years back I came befriended director Ryan Vincent Logsdon who had just completed his first film Agoni.  This extreme horror film didn't rely on torture and other clichéd scenarios that most extreme fans tend to enjoy.  Instead, it focused heavily on a story that is extreme.  I really enjoyed this fucked up little film.  A few weeks ago Ryan reached out to me to check out his follow up short that continues the saga of Maxwell Edison from Agoni.  Thank you Ryan for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this out!

     The film once again follows Maxwell Edison (Logsdon) who does what he does best which is rape, murder, and torture.  The first segment follows him as he destroys a fetus before moving on to giving a "film" star from the dark web exactly what he deserves.

     I've spoke with Ryan at several Cinema Wastelands and he is one of the nicest people you can meet.  He is extremely well spoken, genuine, and just a damn fine person to hang with.  With that being said, what the fuck is wrong with you?  The Maxwell Edison Chapters is even more fucked up than Agoni and that is saying something.  The acting in this one is solid.  The cast is one hundred percent dedicated to their roles but there is several scenes where they undersell or overact.  They are not very consistent but that doesn't take away from the overall impact of the film.  The story for this one is a total mindfuck and not for those with sensitive skin.  Some of the stuff make take place off camera but the mere notion of some of the scenarios and topics are enough to make your skin crawl or blood boil and this is all done without the use of the overused torture scene and pointless gore.  I love gore.  I honestly do but it has to fit the film.  This story packs a fucking punch and the sting afterward is something you will never forget.  Finally, the film does have some blood and decent practical effects but its nothing you haven't seen before.  You can appreciate the work went into it but it is pretty standard for a film with this budget.  Overall, The Maxwell Edison Chapters: The Taming of Patticakes is one of those films that will fuck up the rest of your day.  The movie leaves an emotional impact on the viewer which is something very few films can say.  If you ever get the chance to check this one out I highly recommend you do so.  Just make sure to leave the rest of your day open. 

 



Black Forest

Director - David Biggs (Blood Night, Sleepwalking)
Starring - Marie-Josee Dionne (Antibirth, Slasher), France Huot, and Jayson Stewart (The Pasta Killer!, A Dark Truth)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "In the heart of the wild no humanity remains"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Instagram has turned into a valuable resource for me.  I love reviewing indie films.  That's one of the reasons I started writing reviews.  I created an IG account almost two years ago and it was only recently that I started browsing hashtags.  For the most part I spend most of my time under #horror but now I spend all my time under #indiehorror where I come across some pretty fantastic stuff.  Not long ago I found posts on the Distant Fields' film Black Forest.  It looked like my type of film so I found them out on Facebook and reached out to them.  We did some talking and they were kind enough to send me a review copy along with some promo material.  Thank you for allowing Horror Society and myself to check out all your hard work!

     The film follows friends Bree (Dionne) and Jess (Huot) who plan a weekend camping trip in the wilderness of Canada.  They rent a canoe and head out but not before meeting an overly nice man who is heading to the same area as them.  They blow him off and do their own thing when they run into him again.  This time he turns hostile and leaves them for the night.  They plan to leave their site the following morning but he shows up and forces them to flee their campsite when he starts shooting arrows at them.  They flee through the woods trying to find a forest ranger and accidently stumble upon the killer's house where he is working with another guy to prepare for the end of civilization.  The two girls must first for survival or become their playthings.

     I was under the impression that this one was going to be a slasher but the film did not play out like that at all.  Doesn't make it a bad film because it was not a slasher.  In fact, it wasn't a bad movie just had a lot going against it making it not as entertaining as it should have been.  The acting in this one is pretty rough.  The leading ladies are absolutely gorgeous but the struggle to find their footing.  They come off as a little forced and the chemistry between doesn't feel natural.  They needed to rehearse before each scene with some direction from the director.  The remainder of the cast shows a lot of heart and dedication as well but they clearly did not show that much experience in front of the camera.  The story for this one tricked me.  I thought I was going to be watching a slasher in the woods, one of my favorite styles of slasher, but it flipped the switch on me.  Instead, we get a game of cat and mouse with a little inspiration from the Leonard Lake and Charles Ng murders.  This was fun and very similar to Amerikan Holokaust without the extremities but the film had horrible pacing issues.  Some of the scenes were painfully slow.  I'm talking so slow and boring that I almost turned the film off several times.  The overall film was entertaining but it was a trial by fire type of experience.  Finally, the film does have some blood and solid no budget effects.  I was a little impressed by how they used classic camera tricks to pull the kills off.  The deaths themselves were not that original but they still fit the film.  Overall, Black Forest is far from perfect.  The acting is off and the story has issues but the overall presentation was worth the watch.  Check it out. 



Slasher.com

Director - Chip Gubera (Song of the Dead, Fangoria: Blood Drive)
Starring - Jewel Shepard (Return of the Living Dead, Roots of Evil), R. A. Mahailoff (Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Hatchet II), and Ben Kaplan (Weekend Warriors, #ThisisCollege)
Release Date - 2017
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Think twice before you swipe"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm a sucker for a good slasher.  I prefer the slashers of the late 70s and early 80s.  Most modern slashers try too hard to be a Scream clone.  Scream is good and fun but it is not the ideal slasher and should not be used as a guide.  That is why I really dig the modern slasher throwbacks that have been trendy as of late.  These films are typically fun even though they have plenty of room to improve.  Not long ago I received the press release for the slasher flick Slasher.com.  It looked interested and the synopsis reminded me a lot of the slashers I grew up watching.  I reached out and was able to obtain a review copy of the film.  I had no idea the movie would play out like it did.  It definitely caught me off guard and I really enjoy it.

     The film takes places in a city where a maniac is mutilating women that he meets through online dating sites.  We then meet Kristy (Morgan Carter) and Jack (Kaplan) who met online and finally meet in person.  She has planned a romantic weekend getaway and booked a cabin online.  When they arrive they are greeted by the owner of the cabin, the Myers family.  They are a strange family but welcome them to their property and get them settled into the cabin.  The following night the two bang it out and the next day set out to enjoy the great outdoors but soon learn the Myers are not your typical family but Jack has a few tricks up his sleeve as well.  
     Slasher.com is not the film I was expecting.  When I first received the press release for the film I was under the impression that it was a modern slasher film set in the technological age like the horrid Smiley.  Luckily, the film was nothing like that and actually had some pretty clever spins and twists that I was not expect.  With that being said, it was pretty predictable at times.  The acting in this one is average.  I was expecting to have my pants knocked off when I saw Jewel Shepard and R. A. Mahailoff.  They put forth an entertaining performance but don't deliver the performance I was hoping for and know they are capable of delivering.  The remainder of the cast does a decent job as well but no one really stands out over the other.  The story for this one is a slow mess at the beginning but ends on a high note.  The film is painfully slow and chaotic when it begins.  You will catch yourself wanting to turn it off several times before the story actually pics up.  A little tighter writing and proper editing could have fixed this.  However, the last portion of the film and the ending were great.  I really enjoyed it but you can see it coming.  Finally, the film has some blood but lacks the gore one would suspect a slasher to have.  The practical effects we get are decent but the fact that the film doesn't have the imaginative kills most slashers are known for is rather upsetting.  Overall, Slasher.com is worth the watch but it leaves a lot of room for improvement.  The story needs works and the horror fan needs better kills.  Check it out because it is worth the watch.

The Blackcoat's Daughter

                                                        THE BLACKCOAT’S DAUGHTER

Directed By:               Osgood Perkins

Written By:                Osgood Perkins

Produced By:             Rob Paris, Adrienne Biddle, Bryan Bertino, Robert Menzies, Alphonse Ghossein

Starring:                    Emma Roberts, Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Boynton, Lauren Holly, James Remar

Running Time:          95 minutes

Rating:                       R for brutal bloody violence and brief strong language

Synopsis:                   A deeply atmospheric and terrifying new horror film, The Blackcoat’s Daughter centers on Kat (Kiernan Shipka) and Rose (Lucy Boynton), two girls who are left alone at their prep school Bramford over winter break when their parents mysteriously fail to pick them up.  While the girls experience increasingly strange and creepy occurrences at the isolated school, we cross cut to another story—that of Joan (Emma Roberts), a troubled young woman on the road, who, for unknown reasons, is determined to get to Bramford as fast as she can. As Joan gets closer to the school, Kat becomes plagued by progressively intense and horrifying visions, with Rose doing her best to help her new friend as she slips further and further into the grasp of an unseen evil force. The movie suspensefully builds to the moment when the two stories will finally intersect, setting the stage for a shocking and unforgettable climax.

A24 and DirecTV will release THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER in theaters and On Demand March 31, 2017.

Nightblade

Director(s) - Jim O'Rear (Camp Massacre, Ghosts of Tennessee) and Scott Tepperman (Magnetic Hightway: The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of the Independent Video Store)
Starring - Jim O'Rear, Scott Tepperman, and Todd Bridges (Monsters on Main Street, Dead Ringer)
Release Date - 2016
Genre - Horror/Drama
Tagline - "No clues.  No motives.  A city full of suspects.  Solving this case is going to be murder"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      Looks like I was lucky enough to be spared from the curse of the evil threes.  When I watch a bad movie for review I typically find myself in a three film rut.  I like to call this the shit ditch where all three films are horrible.  The last time this almost happened was when I saw The Orphan Killer which was a huge let down before I moved on to Wolf House.  Lucky for me I was able to dig my way out of that rut when I watched Death Race 2050.  It was fantastic but all good things must come to an end.  The next film on the chopping block was Jim O'Rear and Scott Tepperman's Nightblade.  Was this going to start a whole new streak of bad films or would I find something entertaining in this 80s style horror thriller?

     The film follows former cop Andy (Tepperman) who travels to the west coast with his childhood friend Nicky (O'Rear) to help him run his strip club.  Andy was recently removed from the force after his wife and child was murdered during a heist gone wrong.  He agrees and moves there to line the club out and to restart his life.  However, things take a bloody turn when their strippers start getting attacked and murdered by an unknown killer.  Now the police are investigating them forcing the two club owners to take the law into their own hands and hunt down the sick bastard before he kills again.

     I was looking forward to checking this out with hopes that it would blend an 80s buddy cop comedy with horror but I didn't have high expectations.  The film was actually able to combine the two and deliver a solid film that was a little rough around the edges.  The acting in this one just didn't have me sold on the characters.  The cast has a tremendous amount of experience and most of the scenes sold me on their on screen talent but a good portion of the dialogue just left me feeling unimpressed.  Especially at the beginning of the film with the dialogue between Jim O'Rear and Scott Tepperman.  I don't know what their relationship is off camera but on camera their dialogue is awkward to watch.  It does get better as the film progresses but the opening scenes are a little rough to watch.  The remainder of the cast is brilliant.  Their supporting cast does a great job carrying the film and they really bring the story to light.  The story for this one is a love letter to the late 80s and early 90s dark thrillers that you can find a dime a dozen at the local video store.  Fans of Night Game know exactly what I'm talking about.  They are able to take this style of film and bring it all together with the buddy cop comedy angle which plays out pretty well. With that being said, the film has several slow spots that needed something added to it to hold the viewer's attention.  Finally, the film has several kill scenes that are bloody but nothing that stands out or memorable.  We get some slashings and a stabbing or two but nothing we haven't seen before.  The effects we see are very effective but nothing complex or impressive.  Overall, Nightblade was an enjoyable experience.  The film is a great love letter to 80s cop films and late at night murder thrillers.  Check it out.