Legion of the Dead

Director - Olaf Ittenbach (Dard Divorce, The Burning Moon)

Starring - Michael Carr (Beyond Desire, Dream Stalker), Russell Friedenberg (Wind Walkers, Among Ravens), and Kimberly Liebe (Beyond the Limits, Sensitive Johnson)

Release Date - 2001

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Satan's army walks the Earth!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Olaf Ittenbach is a director that knows exactly how to bring the gore.  I'm not a fan of gore without a plot and Ittenbach does a great job at delivering a story to viewers as a vehicle to get gore to them.  I actually enjoy most of his films and always look forward to checking out one that I had never seen before.  Several weeks back I was sent Legion of the Dead from Unearthed Films to review.  This is one I had always wanted to see and was really looking forward to checking it out.  I want to thank Unearthed and MVD for sending this one over.

     The film follows two men who find themselves at the whim of a notorious serial killer.  They are able to escape and find themselves in the middle of a small town miles away from anywhere where they meet a beautiful bartender but soon learn that the town is under control of a mysterious man and his legion of the dead who wants the bartender.     

     I went into this one really excited and found myself really loving the practical effects.  Just like his previous films, Ittenbach delivered on the gore with this one.  The film was visually stunning with some great performances but the story itself was a bit underwhelming especially if you grew up watching From Dusk Till Dawn like I did.  I'll explain that more in a moment.  The acting in this one was really fun.  The film is fairly consistent from the entire cast, however, it's Christopher Kriesa as the Kern River Killer that made the film as fun as it was to me.  I wish we had an entire film centered around this character.  The story for this one does absolutely nothing to hide the fact that it was inspired by From Dusk Till Dawn.  It does add some to it so the film has some layers but the basic premise for the last half of the film is that same story found in FDTD.  The first part of the film follows the Kern River Killer with his two hostages and two men who is building a legion for the Blond Man.  These two stories come together to the finish the film out with people trapped in a bar fighting off demons.  Honestly, the story isn't that bad but it doesn't work out as well as I would have liked.  We have a lot of scenes that lead nowhere or does absolutely nothing to further the story along.  Finally, the film is an absolute clinic in practical effects.  We have so many amazing on screen kills and fantastic practical effects.  They look so good and almost make the film enjoyable.  Overall, Legion of the Dead has a great cast and some seriously impressive practical effects but I was very disappointed in the film's pacing and story.  I wanted to like this one but it just didn't work for me.  Fans of gore will enjoy it and this is a must own for collectors but those wanting something new to watch may want to skip it.  

Until You're Alone

Director - Christopher Wesley Moore (When the Trash Man Knocks, Children of Sin)

Starring - Derek Robert Hull Bond (Broad Daylight, A Time for Romance), Keni Bounds (Triggered, Blessed are the Children), and Jeff Buchwald (Bastard's Crossing, The Wilderness Road)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The only thing more terrifying than being alone... is discovering that you arent"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely love that we have a rise in LGBTQ+ films in the genre.  I love seeing all the representation in horror and, honestly, some of my favorite horror and exploitation flicks over the last decade or so has been LGBTQ+.  If you haven't seen Fags in the Fast Lane then do yourself a favor and check it out!  Anyway, I've been reviewing the films of actor/director Christopher Wesley Moore for a long time now.  It started with his film Perversion and hasn't stopped.  A few weeks back I was asked by Moore to review his newest giallo inspired murder mystery Until You're Alone.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but I worked it into my schedule as soon as I could.  I want to thank Christopher for sending this one along for review!

     The film follows a man who returns home early to find a sex worker in his home along with his dead husband.  The police suspect him for the murder forcing him to track down the sex worker to get some answers.  He soon learns that he is not responsible for the murder but one of his regulars may be the one behind the string of deaths targeting gay men.

     I've reviewed a good bit of Moore's filmography and I've enjoyed most of his work.  With that being said, this is easily my favorite film of his.  I loved the characters, a lot of the story elements, and how well the story was put together.  Honestly, this may be one of my favorite indie productions of the year.  The acting in this one is very well done... for the most part.  Moore is a fantastic actor but I've met enough sex workers that also doubled as indie actors over the years and he was not that convincing as a sex worker.  However, he can fucking carry a scene.  He really gets into character and completely transforms into any character you throw at him.  The supporting cast is great as well.  We get some great performances from across the board on this one and if I was to take the time to point out every one I would be here all day.  The story for this one works.  Typically, I don't care for modern giallo style murder mysteries because it's damn near impossible to capture the look of the iconic films from filmmakers like Argento and Fulci.  However, Until You're Alone is not only able to do so but also add in current tech trends without making it the center of the story.  Horror films centered around niche social media sites, trends, and so on date themselves and are extremely goofy.  The sex work through cam sites and so on works for the little bit that it's used in the film and is a pretty clever plot point in the mystery.  We do have a few scenes near the middle of the film that does feel repetitive but it doesn't really take away from the overall film.  Finally, the film gives us several slasher-esque style deaths that gives us some make-up effects without going overboard.  While the kills are not that memorable or imaginative, they still fit the film very well and look great.  Overall, Until You're Alone is a movie that I can see a lot of genre fans getting behind.  It's a fantastic LGBTQ+ themed giallo that is not easily predictable and works.  I highly recommend it.  

Fun-Size Pieces of Sharp Candy: The Movie

Director - Dylan R. Nix (The Demon of Serling, 10/31 Part IV)

Starring - Jason Eckles, David E. McMahon (He Never Left, Children of Sin), and Dylan R. Nix)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Step one to making a horror movie?  Don't!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've met some seriously talented filmmakers through Horror Society over the years.  Some of them are responsible for some of my favorite films that I've seen in the last 15 years while other created movies that are part of my go to lineup for various reasons.  These particular films mean a lot to me and I try to watch them as much as possible or, at least, once a year when I can.  Some years ago I befriended author and filmmaker Dylan R. Nix who was kind enough to send over his indie horror anthology Baron Von Laugho's Halloween Spook-A-Thon.  I've worked this one into my annual October horror binge every year since.  I've reviewed several other films from him, like The Demon of Serling and Sharp Candy, and I've really enjoyed them all.  Recently, Dylan reached out to me to review his new anthology Fun-Size Pieces of Sharp Candy: The Movie.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but as soon as I had the time I hit play on it.  I want to thank Dylan for sending this one over.

     The film follows Nix's character Baron von Laugho (Nix) has he once again takes us on a chilling journey through three horror tales.  The first involves a safe cracker who is tasked with opening an old safe for a small business unaware he was sealing his own fate.  The second story follows director Dylan R. Nix as he breaks the news to fans that the film failed to raise the funds needed to bring his vision to life before he receives a bit of fan mail in the shap of a doll in the Baron Von Laugho garb.  This awakens something sinister inside of him.  The final segment follows a movie critic who finds himself locked up with David E. McMahon who is drugged and dressed up as the Easter bunny.  

     Fun-Size Pieces of Sharp Candy: The Movie brings some of Nix's short stories to the Baron von Laugho universe which is something I fully support.  He is a huge fan of the genre and his films really demonstrate that.  Fun-Size was a solid anthology for the most part but like any indie production, there is a few aspects of the film that I didn't care for.  The acting in this one is a little underwhelming in a few scenes but is fairly well done for the most part.  Nix is at home as his Baron von Laugho character where he carries every scene he is in.  The supporting cat is a little inconsistent with some showing inexperience in front of the camera while others are very comfortable in their roles.  It's not poorly acted but there is a few awkward scenes.  The story for the segments are very uneven but finds a way to work in the end.  The bookend segment with Laugho telling horror tales actually works.  I enjoy it and could see this hold it over for several more sequels.  The first tale in this one is my favorite segment in the film.  It has a Tales from the Crypt style ending that you don't see coming and works very well.  The second segment is the weakest in the film for me.  I understand that this is more of a personal segment for the director when he was unable to raise the funds he needed to make the movie he wanted but it's out of place in the film and completely derails what could have been a solid psychologal horror segment.  The final segment is very middle of the road.  This Saw parody with the director taking his frustrations out on film critics with a drugged up horny David E. McMahon should have been the best thing ever filmmed by an indie director.  However, it's not as funny as it could have been.  It feels like it's trying a bit too hard and misses it's mark.  With all that being said,  some of Laugho's scenes were a little bit underwhelming due to some of the self-righteous dialogue.  It didn't fit the film and is a bit confusing.  Finally, the film doesn't really have the gruesome deaths that most genre fans are looking for.  The movie is very low budget and worked with what they had but money for practical effects were not in the cards.  However, we do have a pretty wild looking nutsack that looks like something James Bell may have crafted.  Overall, Fun-Sized Pieces of Sharp Candy: The Movie doesn't really hit like The Demon of Serling and Baron Von Laugho's Halloween Spook-A-Thon but it's a solid watch especially if you are a fan of Nix.  I fucking love horror anthologies and this one was worth a watch.  Check it out.  

Cradle of Fear

Director - Alex Chandon (Inbred, The Perv Parlor)

Starring - Dani Filth (Baphomet, Dominator), Emily Booth (Doghouse, Evil Aliens), and Stuart Laing (Halo, Silent Witness)

Release Date - 2001

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It's not if they die, it's how..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I had a friend that was really into Cradle of Filth.  I couldn't get into their music but it wasn't without giving them several tries.  Anyway, that same friend was a huge genre fan and was telling me about a British horror film that starred Dani Filth.  I found that pretty interesting at the time and was able to snag a copy of the DVD super fucking cheap from eBay.  Sadly, I didn't care for the film at the time and over the years I completely forgot about it.  A few weeks ago I was sent a copy of Unearthed Film's release of the film on blu for review.  Honestly, I don't remember a damn thing about the film aside from Dani Filth starring in it.  I decided to revisit it with this release and I would like to thank Unearthed for sending this one over for review.

     The film follows the unexpected spirals of several people with one unknown connection.  We follow a detective investigating a string of brutal murders.  A young woman hooks up with a goth guy at a club and soon discovers that she is carrying his child and can see visions of demons.  The detective's son works for an internet company who finds himself becoming obsessed with snuff films.  A amputee finds a leg and has it sewn back on with unexpected results.  Two women break into a home to steal some cash where they are confronted by the owner resulting in a bloodbath.

     I went into this viewing with an open mind because I absolutely hate giving a movie sent my way for a review a negative score.  I didn't remember a lot about my initial viewing of the film except I wasn't really a fan at the time but I had hoped that the film would sit with me a second time.  Sadly, that wasn't the case and I found myself not enjoying it the second time around.  The acting in this one is extremely stiff and flat.  Most of the cast delivers their dialogue with little to no conviction.  We have no emotional range and most of the dialogue delivery is extremely awkward to watch.  It's almost as if we are watching a high school play for most of the film.  There is a few scenes where we get some decent enough performances but not enough to make up for the akward ones.  The story for this one looks great on paper but wasn't executed that well.  I like the idea of all these people and the suffering they encounter is connected to a serial killer.  However, the film itself jumps from person to person which can be a bit confusing at times.  I wish the film was shot like a typical anthology as to make it easier to watch.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood and there is a few moments that try to be shocking but does not have the impact they wanted.  While they effects look decent, they are not that memorable.  Overall, Cradle of Fear has a fantastic idea but the way they went about it made it a bit difficult to finish. I seriously wanted to like this one but it's not for me.  

The Ugly

Director - Scott Reynolds (The Cult, When Strangers Appear)

Starring - Paolo Rotondo (Power Rangers Dino Charge, The Rule of Jenny Pen), Paul Glover (Spartacus, Power Rangers Ninja Steel), and Chris Graham (Power Rangers Beast Morphers, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys)

Release Date - 1997

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Murder is in the eye of the beholder"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I snagged a horror documentary as a bonus movie with another horror title that I picked up somewhere.  I think it may have been Walmart at the time but I honestly can't remember.  Anyway, this documentary talked about several horror titles from the popular franchises like Child's Play and Friday the 13th but it also featured some other films that I had never heard of before.  One of those films is the 1997 horror film The Ugly from New Zealand.  A friend of mine decided to track down the movies from this for us to check out and got a VHS copy from eBay.  I remember digging it but also being a bit underwhelmed by it.  The documentary made it seem like it was a lot more gruesome than what it was.  Fast forward two decades to me checking my mail when I was surprised to find a copy of the new blu from my friends over at Unearthed Films and MVD.  This gave me the perfect chance to revisit it and, like always, I want to thank MVD for sending this one over for review!

     The film follows a psychiatrist who is sent into an asylum to interview a serial killer.  This starts out innocently enough when we learn that he was bullied by other boys and his mother was very abusive.  However, the deeper into his past she goes, the more things don't add up until he finally admits that he sees people.  Those that he has killed will tell him to kill.  They are persistent and their persistence drives him mad until he finally kills them adding yet another face to the crowd.

     The Ugly is a film that is never really talked about among genre fans but the few times I've seen it mentioned it feels like it is embellished to some extent.  Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the film but even by late 90s standards, it's not that gruesome or depraved.  Hell, I don't even think it's gruesome by New Zealand's standards of the time.  The acting in this one is pretty damn good.  Paolo Rotondo gives an amazing performance.  He doesn't come across as menacing or sinister but his emotional range in this film is damn impressive.  I would have loved to see him give a little more intensity during the death scenes but his performance is still fantastic as is.  The supporting cast is solid but a lot of the characters are generic or very flat which doesn't give the cast a lot to work with.  The story for this one is very interesting and works for the most part.  A serial killer that is haunted by his victims is pretty clever.  However, I would have loved to explore more of his life and the time during the killings rather than the random flashbacks.  We know what happens before it happens.  If we would have followed him through his murders then we would have that sense of unpredictability.  It's still enjoyable but we know exactly where it's going before it gets there.  Finally, the film doesn't have imaginative deaths.  A straight razor across the throat of his victims is the extent of what we get.  We have black blood, which I assume is a censorship thing over there, and some solid make-up effects but nothing that will stick with you once you hit stop on the film.  Overall, The Ugly is a solid film that could have been so much more if we had some death scenes that stood out.  It's still a fun film but I don't feel that is nowhere near as violent as others let on.  Regardless, this release from Unearthed is fantastic.  Collectors will want to grab this one.  

Highway to Hell

Director - Bret McCormick (The Abomination, Repligator)

Starring - Benton Jennings (American Horror Story, Dexter), Richard Harrison (Terminal Force, Empire of the Dark), and Blue Thompson (Blood on the Badge, Ozone: The Attack of the Redneck Mutants)

Release Date - 1990

Genre - Action/Horror

Tagline - "A one way ticket to terror!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Visual Vengeance has been pivotal in releasing some seriously underrated or long forgotten S.O.V. horror to blu.  One of my favorite releases over the last several years is VV's release of Bret McCormick's The Abomination.  They later released anothr McCormick film Repligator on blu.  I really enjoyed both films and was surprised by just how different these two were.  They showed how versatile McCormick was as a filmmaker.  Recently, VV released another McCormick film that I had never seen before.  The film, Highway to Hell, is an action horror flick that I've wanted to see for several years now but never had the opportunity to check out.  I want to thank Visual Vengeance and MVD for sending this one along for review.

     The film follows a serial killer who has escaped prison and flees into the desert.  He continues his murderous ways while he is hunted by a cop who is seeking revenge for what this sicko did to his daughter (or sister?).  Caught in the middle of the cat an mouse game is a young woman taken hostage by the escaped serial killer.

     I went into Highway to Hell very excited to finally see the film.  This is one I had heard about for years but never had the opportunity to check it out.  While it does share a name with a film from 1991, these two films are very different.  With that being said, the movie just wasn't as fun as I had hoped for.  You can't compare this one to the previous films from McCormick that I had mentioned.  Repligator is a sci-fi horror mash up that completely embraces the campy side of the genres while The Abomination is one of the greatest no budget splatter films that I've seen.  Highway to Hell had an interest premise but it had trouble trying to find it's own identity.  The acting in this one is very stiff and corny.  The cast really hams up the screen but I wouldn't call it bad acting.  We just don't see a lot of conviction with the dialogue delivery and absolutely no emotional range unless you consider screaming to be an emotion.  The story for this one feels like it wanted to be an action flick centered around a serial killer but budget and other constraints prevented it from being what the director had envisioned.  The movie itself has a lot of identity issues.  One scene flows like a horror flick while another scene is set up like a drama with a cat and mouse story.  We don't have a lot of cohesion which makes me really curious as to what the original idea for the film actually was.  Finally, don't expect to see a lot of blood and gore.  This film is character driven with a lot of focus on the relationship between the two leads.  Overall, Highway to Hell is a confused film that had a story that I could have really got behind if they just stuck with it.  An action thriller about an escaped serial killer with a hardened cop hunting him could have been a film you would never forget.  I seriously wanted to like it but it just wasn't for me.  This is still an awesome release from Visual Vengeance especially if you are a collector but the movie this movie isn't going to be for everyone.  

Gracie

Director - Eric E. Poe (MonsterDICK, Mother Noose Presents Once Upon a Nightmare)

Starring - Erin Brown (Satan's School for Lust, Thrust), Tommy Cooper, and Mary Troutman (Ghosts of EastWind Castle, The 5th Wave)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "This picture perfect family has a dark secret"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm a fan of no budget cinema.  I've loved indie horror for as long as I can remember.  Movies like Romero's Night of the Living Dead, Raimi's The Evil Dead, and anything I could find at my local video store, Dewey's Video, really shaped my taste in movies growing up.  I will always seek out no budget indie horror just so I can experience it.  Sometime back I was contacted by actor and director Jon Devlin to check out a couple films he recently appeared in.  One of those films was Gracie which was directed by Eric E. Poe and starring Erin Brown.  I would have checked it out regardless because it featured Devlin but the second I saw Erin Brown's name I was all in.  I want to thank Jon for sending this one over for review!

     The film follows a hard working man named Vincent (Cooper), who wants nothing more than to lead a normal life.  However, Gracie (Brown) makes that damn near possible for him because she can't stop murdering people.  

      I was very excited to check out Gracie.  I've been a huge fan of Erin Brown since high school when she was still going by Misty Mundae.  Several of her films were in my collection and I would often watch them with my friends especially Screaming Dead.  A friend of mine gave me the movie on DVD and I watched it more times than I care to admit.  I love that she has returned to acting and this one is another fun role she has taken on over the last few years.  The acting for this one is solid but not very consistent.  Brown and Cooper were fantastic in their roles.  They really get into character and make their scenes so much fun.  Devlin does a great job as well but I'm starting to notice a trend of him getting cast as dull characters in films that he is not directing or producing.  He's very underutilized here which is a bit disappointing.  The story for this one left some room for improvement but was fun to some extent.  Having Brown play a seemingly innocent woman with an obsession with murder was a lot of fun.  The angle of Vincent trying to keep her out of trouble was an interesting angle that could have been a bit interesting if it was written a little better.  Why would Vincent allow this murderous woman to roam freely where she could leave the home at time she feels like murdering someone.  I think we have an interesting idea that wasn't fully fleshed out.  I had more questions than answered with this one.  Finally, the film has some red stuff and minimal effects.  While we do have a small body count, the deaths are not as memorable or enjoyable as they could have been.  Overall, Gracie has a great cast and an interesting enough story that almost makes it to the finish line.  While it does fall short, it is still enjoyable enough for at least one watch.  While it's not that memorable, is still has a few moments that don't suck.  Check it out.  

Velvicide

Director - Kenneth Perkins (Lux, Zepotha)

Starring - Gea Rose Henry (Allure, The Ms. Pat Show), J.D. Starnes (Murdaugh: Death in the Family, The House Among the Trees), and Jon Devlin (Screw Year's Eve, Phallacies)

Release Date - 2026

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Escape was only the first act"

Format - Streaming (online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Over the last week or so I've been watching several of the films in the Excorsimo set from Severin Films.  These Spanish films are historical due to the fact that they were made following the death of Spain's dictator and the removal of such strict filming regulations.  However, I'm getting a little burned out after a dozen or so films.  I decided to take a break and check out a few other movies sent to me for review.  The first up on the chopping block is the indie horror feature starring friend of Horror Society, Jon Devlin.  The film, Velvicide, was directed by Kenneth Perkins and stars Gea Rose Henry.  I want to thank Jon for sending this one over for review!

     The film follows two people from different walks of life that eventually cross paths.  Callum (Devlin) is an operator at a suicide hotline service who had recently listened to a caller that killed her husband and then herself.  We also follow Velvet (Henry) who was abducted, humiliated, and abused by a masked wearing mad man before she was finally freed left to live her life with the trauma inflicted upon her.  The pair is unaware of the other's existence until they cross paths resulting in an unexpected outcome.

     I went into Velvicide completely blind.  I had received a press release for it sometime ago and shared it on the site but nothing really stood out to me besides the fact that it featured Devlin.  I figured I would eventually check it out so I didn't check out the trailer and other promo material that accompanied the press release.  I try not to watch trailers for films that I'm going to review due to the fact that most of the time the trailer features all the best parts.  Velvicide is a film that had a great cast and an interesting story but was unable to pull it all together to create something enjoyable.  The acting in this one is great.  Gea Rose Henry delivers an emotionally charged performance that will linger with the viewer for days after watching it.  She really dialed in her performance and did a great job.  Devlin is great as well.  His character wasn't as interesting but he once again delivers a great performance.  The supporting cast is solid as well but it's these two that really stand out.  The story for this one is one that I found to be very interesting but it was unable to carry itself through the length of the feature length run time.  I loved the idea of a suicide hotline operator crossing paths with a woman with severe trauma.  There is a twist in there that I'm avoiding that I did love but it doesn't really help the film with it's obvious run time issue.  The story itself should have been adapted into a 30 minute short.  Finally, The film has some blood and some solid effects for what they are but don't expect to see some memorable kills that we want from most genre titles.  Overall, Velvicide is a film that has a great cast and a solid story but the story is not as effective as it could have been if it was trimmed down.  I wanted to love it but it just wasn't for me.  

Phil Herman's Unearthed

Director(s) - Derek Braasch (Torture the Flesh, The Ties that Bind), Will Devokees (Morbid Stories, Macabre Medicine), Marcelo Fabani (I Slay on Christmas, Doomsday Stories), Phil Herman (Burglar from Hell, Jacker), Christopher Kahler (Around Midnight, Hobo with a Trash Can), and James Panetta (Death From Beyond, Death in the Dark)

Starring - Butch Patrick (The Munsters, Bite School), Tina Krause (Bloodletting, Side Effects May Vary), and Tiffany Helm (Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, 13 Fanboy)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I find myself bitching and moaning with every horror anthology that I review about how almost every indie anthology lacks a wraparound segment that ties everything together.  Most of these anthologies are just shorts that role from one segment to the next with no reasoning behind it.  I know it's no easy task to make a movie especially when you have zero budget and using the bare essentials in regards to equipment but an anthology without a segment to bookend everything is not an anthology in my eyes.  A few weeks ago I was speaking with director and producer Phil Herman about a few of his projects that I was sharing on the site when he offered me two of his most recent films to review.  One of them just happened to be an anthology film simply titles Phil Herman's Unearthed.  The title intrigued me some but it the was film's poster that really made me curious about the film.  I want to thank Phil for sending this one over for review!

     The film follows an unfortunate character named Doom (Christopher Kahler) who is doing a bit of graverobbing when he finds an old book.  He takes us back to his humble abode where he begins reading us tales from inside which range from a detective who may have locked up an innocent man, a young bride and her father in law searching for her missing husband, and a woman who suspects her home might be haunted.

     Phil Herman's Unearthed is a movie that I couldn't get behind but it does do a few things right.  I went into this one a bit excited but the overall movie did nothing for me but I there was a few things that really impressed me.  The acting in this one is very uneven.  Some of the segments features some solid performances while others are inconsistent.  I don't know if this is a reflection of the direction or inexperience but each scene within each segment does vary.  I would like to add that it was awesome seeing Tiffany Helm from A New Beginning with a small role.  I would have loved to see her utilized more but it was still cool to see her even if the role was small.  The stories for this one is not what I was expecting.  The segment used as the wraparound segment was my favorite part of the film.  The character that is reading from the old book, similar to From a Whisper to a Scream, was a lot of fun.  It was a solid segment that pulled everything together very nicely.  The other segments were very hit or miss with me.  The one with the husband who was abducted by aliens was probably my favorite of the film but it was far from perfect.  This story had a lot of promise and I'm a huge fan of Kristina Santiago but it failed to really go somewhere worth noting.  The other three segments were very predictable and not that interesting.  I thought the short with the woman seeking help with her home was going to be a lot more fun than it actually was but it was extremely dull and slow paced.  Finally, the film features a wide array of effects.  We have some make-up effects that look fairly decent to some visual effects that do look cheap.  While the film was not as bloody as gory as I would have liked, the make-up effects were impressive.  Overall, Phil Herman's Unearthed had a solid premise with the horribly disfigured grave robber reading stories from an old book.  Sadly, the segments that made up the bulk of the film was not as enjoyable.  This is one that I really wanted to like but it wasn't for me.  Skip it.  

Cement

Director(s) - Ceus Rob (Zombies from Sector 9, The VHS Strangler - The Giallo Tapes) and Inge Vanleene (Death Files, Slime)

Starring - Ceus Rob, Inge Vanleene, and Steven Daemers (The Salesman, Paranoia Tapes 2: Press Play)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A decent into madness"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love reviewing indie movies.  It's always an experience to sit down and watch someone's hard work and aspirations on my screen.  It's a lot of hard work to make a movie even if I don't like the movie in question.  It happens from time to time.  I can't like everything even if it's from a filmmaker that released a film that I enjoyed previously.  Several years ago I was asked to review Zombies from Sector 9 and loved it.  It was a great zombie flick that almost brought me back to the sub-genre after the years of Walking Dead clones and unimaginative zombie flicks that followed in the shows success.  A few weeks back the director Ceus Rob, or Rob Ceus, sent me a link to check out his newest film Cement: The Final Brick in the Wall.  I greedily accepted the chance to check it out.  I want to thank Rob for sending this one over for review!

     The film follows a couple with an eye for drugs and murder who find themselves out of both.  In a plea to get fucked up, they work with some friends to rob, kill, fuck, and get fucked up.

     I went into this one completely blind.  I knew nothing about this film but I remember reviewing Zombies from Sector 9 and how much I enjoyed it.  Sadly, Cement was not for me.  I liked the premise but the film just didn't work for me as a feature length film.  Maybe if it was a short with a runtime of around 30 minutes then it would have been more enjoyable.  However, the movie the was way too long for me.  I seriously wanted to like it, and I did like a few things with this one, but the overall film just wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun.  I loved the characters in the movie but the dialogue and delivery is very awkward.  A few scenes are unintentionally funny due to the dialogue and how stiff it was delivered.  It doesn't really take away from some of the scenes but it does make a lot of the scenes that are dialogue heavy feel a lot longer than they really are.  The story for this one is interesting enough but is stretched too thin for the run time we do have.  I liked the idea of the film's protagonists being possible siblings and lovers who will easily kill if needed.  Honestly, I could find myself following these two anywhere if there was more to the story than just killing, getting fucked up, partying, and more getting fucked up.  The film really needed something more than dialogue heavy scenes that lead to nothing.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from violence.  We have some rape, murder, disfigurement with some minimal effects.  The film is on a tight budget and the effects reflect that.  Overall, Cement has the makings of an unforgettable underground horror film but the lack of a coherent story and heavy dialogue scenes that go nowhere makes it difficult to finish.  I wanted to love this one but couldn't.  

Bring on the Damned

Director - Brandon Bassham (Feartown USA, The Slashening)

Starring - Sydney Hirsch (The Secret of Cuck Island, Blood Stab), Zac Amico (Shakespeare's Shitstorm, Curse of the Weredeer), and Ian Fidance (Crank Yankers, The Last O.G.)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "An anthology from Hell!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror anthologies were such a huge part of my childhood.  I never claimed to be a genre fan until my later teenage years.  I grew up as a fan of cinema in general.  I didn't care what genre a movie or television show was apart of.  If something caught my eye, regardless if it was horror or not, I would watch it.  With that being said, I always loved watching horror anthologies.  Films like Creepshow, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, Twilight Zone The Movie, From a Whisper to a Scream, and so on.  My favorite part about these films was how they were all held together by one wraparound segment with Tales from the Darkside: The Movie being my favorite.  I still love anthologies and will go out of my way to watch them now.  A few weeks back I was sent a press release with a review link for the horror anthology Bring on the Damned from The Slashening and Feartown USA director Brandon Bassham.  

     The film features five segments ranging from a psychologist studying a woman who may be possessed, two killers who find themselves fighting over a woman, and a woman who can only nut when she kills a man.

     I was really looking forward to Bring on the Damned.  As I stated earlier, I'm a huge fan of horror anthologies and Bassham's Feartown USA and The Slashening are very enjoyable films.  However, I didn't necessarily care for Bring on the Damned.  It had a few fun moments but the overall film failed to gain any momentum with me.  The acting in this one is very well done.  The film has a lot of memorable performances and likable characters which made it a as enjoyable as it is.  The stories for the segments are clever, especially for those of you that like horror comedies or low brow humor like that found in South Park or many Troma releases.  I really enjoyed the giallo inspired disco segment along with the segment featuring two killers who quarrel over the woman.  They were clever stories but somewhere between the paper and filming, something was lost.  Most of the segments have moments that are funny but they do very little to hold my attention.  Also, the lack of a wraparound segment that held everything together really disappointed me.  Finally, the film does have some bloody moments.  We get a lot of blood, solid practical effects, and beautifully shot scenes.  It's not a gory flick so those looking for a lot of carnage may not be satisfied.  However, those of you looking for a beautifully shot flick with some solid effects and a decent amount of blood will appreciate what Bassham and company has brought us.  Overall, Bring on the Damned has some cool ideas that I really liked but the overall fil just fell short.  I wanted to love it but the few laughs and amazing cast that the film has wasn't enough to win me over.  

Jack the Ripper

Director(s) - Robert S. Baker (Black Out, The Hellfire Club) and Monty Berman (Melody Club, The Siege of Sidney Street)

Starring - Lee Patterson (Death Wish 3, The A-Team), Eddie Byrne (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Island of Terror), and Betty McDowall (The Omen, Shades of Greene)

Release Date - 1959

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Why were his victims always ladies of the night?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      True crime is extremely popular right now.  There is no short supply of podcasts, YouTube channels, documentaries, books, and so on.  People have always had an interest in the macabre with serial killers, unsolved murders, and mass shootings always drawing fascination from those who secretly find death fascinating.  One of the most popular unsolved true crime stories that has baffled investigators and left arm chair sleuths guessing is the Whitechapel Murders that was believed to be connected to the mysterious Jack the Ripper.  To this day this murder spree has not been solved but many believe it to be the work of a failed surgeon, a demented drunk, and even a rich businessman from the U.S.  There has been several films based on the murders and a few weeks back I was sent one for review from Severin Films.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one my way!

     The film follows Scotland Yard as they work every clue and angle they have  find the maniac that is mutilating working women on the streets of Whitechapel.  They get some help from a detective visiting from New York City but he finds himself sidetracked by a beautiful young woman who happens to be the daughter of a doctor who just happens to be absent during the murders.  

     Jack the Ripper isn't a memorable film or anything that changed cinema history.  The Whitechapel Murders are part of pop culture and was already infamous by the time this film was released.  Viewers knew how depraved the murders were and the film doesn't do them justice.   It's  rather tame even by late 50s standards but I still found myself enjoying it especially for a first time watch.  The acting in this one is a bit over dramatic at times but very well done.  Some of the scenes does a bit campy but nothing like you can find in more popular titles of the time.  I liked the characters and well the cast  found their footing in their roles.  The story for this one is a crime drama for the most part.  We do get a little romance and some character development that was unexpected but it does lack the horror and gruesome details that made the murders so infamous.  Finally, the film doesn't have the memorable deaths or terrifying moments that I was looking for.  Instead, the film focuses heavily on the characters and their interactions to get the story across.  Overall, Jack the Ripper is a solid late 50s crime drama that does not offer up anything new but is still enjoyable.  While I would have loved a bit more atmosphere and horror elements, it is still great as it is.  I highly recommend checking out this release from Severin.  

Ed Kemper

Director - Chad Ferrin (The Deep Ones, Pig Killer)

Starring - Brandon Kirk (H.P. Lovecraft's The Old Ones, Night Caller), Cassandra Gava (Conan the Barbarian, Night Shift), and Brinke Stevens (Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity, The Slumber Party Massacre)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror/Thriller

Tagline - "The true story of an American psycho"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     This looks to be the year of true crime for Horror Society and myself.  I've reviewed dozens, if not hundreds, of films about serial killers and madmen but I rarely get in true crime flicks to review.  Yet, here I am just four months into the year and I'm reviewing my second true crime flick.  Several weeks back Unearthed Films sent over Evilenko for review.  The film is based on the heinous crimes committed by Soviet serial killer Andrei Chikatilo.  It had been a very long time since my last true crime flick so I was really looking forward to it.  It was a solid enough film which made me turn to Tubi to watch a few more true crime flicks before I got back into reviewing.  A few days back I was sent the press release for the new Chad Ferrin film Ed Kemper.  I was really interested in this one so I reached out to Epic Pictures and they were kind enough to send over a link for me to check out.  I want to thank Epic for sending this one my way!

     The film follows Ed (Kirk) who is released from state care after spending years locked away for the murder of his grandparents when he was only 15 years old.  His mother blames him for his father leaving her and takes it out on her.  Ed gets a job and tries to get acclimated into society but finds himself drawn to female hitchhikers.  It doesn't take long before he is killing and then raping them before posing their corpses in different positions to photograph.  Eventually, his mother goes too far and he kills her before he is brought in by police.

     Ed Kemper is one very interesting guy.  Those that have met him in real life, especially those that have interviewed him for magazines and so forth, have stated that he is a very nice and well spoken individual even though he committed those horrible crimes.  What makes his story even more interesting is the fact that he narrates audiobooks for the blind and has over 5000 hours recorded on titles like Star Wars, Flowers in the Attic, and The Rosery Murders, and so much more.  This doesn't overshadow the atrocities he committed but it's not something you would expect from a gruesome killer.  This true crime thriller from Chad Ferrin really does capture the intelligent side along with how he used his charm to lure female hitchhikers into his car.  It's not my favorite true crime film but it's up near the top for sure.  The acting in this one is great.  Brandon Kirk steals the show with his portrayal of Kemper.  I had seen and watched videos of Kemper for years and while he does have some resemblance to the infamous killer, he doesn't really look like him.  With that being said, his demeanor and tone of voice does resemble Kemper.  I thoroughly enjoyed him here and look forward to seeing him appear in other genre efforts.  We also get a small performance from legendary scream queen Brinke Stevens along with a powerhouse performance from Cassandra Gava.  Gava and Kirk's chemistry on camera made the film for me.  The story for this one focuses on the relationship between the the deranged Kemper and his verbally abusive mother.  It makes this a huge part of the story without over doing it.  We then follow Kemper as he branches out to his murders, rapes, and photographing the corpses before his eventual arrest.  It has solid pacing, the scenes don't over stay their welcome, and the story is very easy to follow.  Kudos to the writers on this one.  Finally, the film does use some computer generated images to enhance a few of the scenes.  It's very noticeable but not bad.  We also get some great practical effects that are rather gruesome.  We don't get a lot of gory deaths but the prosthetics and props look absolutely amazing.  Overall, Ed Kemper is a top tier true crime flick.  I've been of a fan of the Ed Gein film starring Steve Railsback for years now and this one is up there with it.  It's got a great cast and does play close to the real story of Ed Kemper and his crimes.  Check it out.  

Evilenko

Director - David Grieco (The Ploy, Borgata America)

Starring - Malcolm McDowell (Halloween, A Clockwork Orange), Marton Csokas (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, Cuckoo), and Ronald Pickup (Doctor Who, Dark Floors)

Release Date - 2003

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The chilling story of the Soviet Union's most notorious serial killer"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Unearthed Films has really impressed me with their releases over the years but it seems they have stepped it up in notch of quality the last year or so.  Unearthed made a name for themselves releasing extreme and underground films.  Movies like 100 Tears, Hate Crime, La Petit Mort, and the Vomit Gore trilogy.  Now, they still release some of the most extreme indie films around, but they are dabbling in more popular titles like The Guyver, Homework, Calamity of Snakes, The Grand Tour, and several more I'm sure I'm forgetting.  I was a bit shocked when I received the press release for the UHD release of the 2003 true crime drama/horror film Evilenko starring the legendary Malcolm McDowell.  This is a film I was very familiar with but never actually seen it.  In fact, I had owned the DVD release for sometime but never took the time to open it and watch it.  Not long after I received the press release for the Unearthed release I received a copy of the film for review.  This was the perfect opportunity to finally check it out.  Like always, I want to thank Unearthed for sending this one over!

     The film follows a former school teacher that is harboring a dark secret.  The devout communist has been going all over the country killing and raping children and young women.  A special task force is established to catch him but they are unable to do so for years until one victim is able to escape.  Once convicted they learn that he possesses some sort of psychic ability but is sentenced to death regardless due to the nature of his crimes.  

     Evilenko is a film that finds its well deserved home at Unearthed Films along with all the other sick and depraved films.  The story, which is based around the real life serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, made me feel uneasy several times but fell short of being as effective as it could have been.  Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it but it stepped on it's own toes several times.  The acting in this one is great.  McDowell is one of the best to ever step in front of the camera and he is no exception here.  His portrayal as the deranged Evilenko makes the film what it is.  His line delivery is fantastic and seeing him in character gave me chills during certain scenes.  I was also impressed by Marton Csokas' performance.  His character was a great contrast to McDowell's and is probably my favorite performance from him to date.  The supporting cast is hit or miss.  Some have some great performances while a few scenes are a bit tough to watch.  It feels like the cast was in a rush to get through their dialogue and move on.  The story for this one is where the film struggles.  The film is based on the murders committed by Chikatilo which spanned years.  I understand it would be hard to put all that into a film without skipping years but the way it was done leaves out so much.  It's a bit difficult to follow and could have been done better.  In fact, I would rather had stuff omitted from the film rather than cramming everything in and having the story bounce from year to year.  Aside from pacing issues, there is moments in the film that really got under my skin which is saying something.  I don't know if it's the father in me or what but some of the scenes with the children really bothered me.  It's been a long time since I've felt that chill down my spine and I somewhat missed it.  Finally, the film has a few bloody moments but those looking for gore will be very disappointed.  The film uses the story and discussion of the gruesome acts to get a rise out of the viewer without showering them in gore.  Overall, Evilenko is a great film that does bounce around in the story but still delivers.  It has an amazing performance from Malcolm McDowell and Marton Csokas along with a few truly unnerving moments.  I highly recommend checking this one out especially the Unearthed Films release.  

Feed

Director - Brett Leonard (Man-Thing, Highlander: The Source)

Starring - Alex O'Loughlin (Whiteout, Criminal Minds), Patrick Thompson (The Road Killers, Birth of a Warrior), and Gabby Millgate (Babe: Pig in the City, Full Frontal)

Release Date - 2005

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - Can you stomach it?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was an avid horror fan when I was in middle school but it really didn't take hold until I was in high school.  It was at this time that I seriously started collecting.  I was constantly looking for DVDs and VHS to add to my collection and a lot of those horror movies released in the early to mid 2000s are still in my collection to this day.  One movie I purchased all those years ago is the 2005 Brett Leonard film Feed.  I've had the DVD for years but never watched it.  Honestly, I only bought it because it was super cheap and decided to add it to my collection.  Fast forward a few decades and Unearthed Films sends out a press release that they are releasing the film on blu.  It took me a few minutes to realize that I owned the After Dark DVD release of the film and never watched it.  I took a peak at the trailer, something I rarely do, and decided to finally check it out.  A few days after this I received the blu release for review and that's when I decided it was time to finally check it out.  

     The film follows an Interpol detective that works on cyber crimes.  He finds a website catering to women overeating and suspects that the person behind it may be up to more than just fattening up women.  The further he looks into it he uncovers that he also has a site where subscribers can make bets as to when the overfed woman dies.  He goes against his direct orders and continues the case.  He goes as far as to stalk the suspected killer and his wife and learns that much more is going on than he originally suspected.

     I went into Feed knowing as much as the trailer gave away but I think it was enough to get the basic premise of the film.  I typically avoid trailers and reading the synopsis on films I'm sent to review but for some reason I decided to check the trailer out for this Unearthed release.  I don't think it ruined the experience for me but I wish I had knew very little about this one before diving into it.  The acting in this one is very intense.  The film's lead, Patrick Thompson, is very intense in his role.  He is a bit overdramatic a lot of time but I really enjoyed the energy he brought to the film.  The supporting cast is just as strong.  We have a lot of overacting but, honestly, I liked it for the most part.  The story for this one had so much potential especially for the time.  Internet fetish sites and extreme sexual acts have always had a place on the internet so the story has a lot to use.  When you combine that with the grotesque overeating kink and secretly betting when they die you have something that could churn the stomachs of the most hardened horror fan.  However, the sickening acts committed in the film is not as effective as they could have been and the extremely long scenes filled with pointless dialogue ruins the film's pacing.  Finally, the film makes use of a great looking fat suit and some gore effects that look just as impressive.  However, the film doesn't have a body count and those wanting to see impressive kills will be very disappointed.  Overall, Feed might have been an impressive and sickening film in the mid 2000s but it just doesn't hit that had especially if you are a life long genre fan.  I wanted to like this one but I couldn't.