Faces

Director - Juan Ignacio Galvan (El Embarazado)

Starring - Carmen Sevilla (The Devil's Cross, The Glass Ceiling), Juan Pardo (Escala en Hi-Fi, Dias de Viejo Color), and Barbara Rey (The Night of the Sorcerers, The Ghost Galleon)

Release Date - 1978

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I've been reviewing these movies in this Exorcismo set for what feels like weeks now and it's been a wild ride to say the least.  Some of these films were a lot of fun while others were a bit difficult to finish.  I didn't mind the negative ones because these films were pioneering for Spanish cinema after the death of Franco.  As I work through the last leg of the set I find myself about to watch the 1978 horror film Rostros, or Faces, from filmmaker Juan Ignacio Galvan.  I was unaware that Faces was the film Rostros but I had seen the original poster for this one in the Upcoming Horror Movies message boards many years ago.  I never had a chance to see it or knew the alternate title was Faces but once I realized it was the same film I was excited to check it out.

     The film follows a struggle artist who has mad a career out of sculptures.  However, he has worked so many faceless sculptures that he now struggles seeing the faces of the people around him.  This changes while on a flight when he encounters a woman of unimaginable beauty.  He becomes infatuated with her and tries to pursue her but the closer he gets to her the weirder things are as their lives are turned upside by a strange woman in white.

     Faces is nothing like I expected.  Honestly, I liked the basis for the story but the unlikable characters and poor pacing made this one extremely mediocre.  I can see why it would be included in the set and why it was mentioned on the UHM message boards back then but this one was not for me.  The acting in this one isn't bad.  In fact, it's pretty well done by most of the cast.  The cast really gets into their roles and the characters are written very well for the story.  Sadly, the characters are not that likable and the decent performances are lost to the scene.  The story for this one is very interesting when you look at the film as a whole but it's execution, similar to other films in the set, doesn't reach it's full potential.  The sculptor lost to his own creations only to find obsession with a random woman is poetic.  You then have the voodoo aspect tossed in that adds some layer to the story but is not fully explored like I had hoped.  With that being said, the story doesn't really want to commit to any aspect of the story.  We bounce around from theme to theme without dedication to any of it.  Personally, I wish it would have fully embraced the voodoo aspect and gave us a chilling folk horror tale about the artist and his love interest.  Finally, this one doesn't really have a body count or a gore.  It's a character driven piece with a story that is meant to hold the viewer's attention.  Fans of the red stuff will be very disappointed with this one.  Overall, Faces has a story that was pretty fucking clever and surprised me with the little voodoo angle but it couldn't put it all together into something enjoyable.  I seriously wanted to like it but couldn't.  

Bitter Souls

Director - Tom Ryan (Splinter, Haunted)

Starring - Avaryana Rose (The Truth About Monsters, Outer Banks Slasher), Michael Hargrove (Candyman, Justified: City Primeval), and Destiny Leilani Brown (Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor, Hell House LLC: Lineage)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get a lot of movies in for review which doesn't leave me a lot of time to watch movies that I want to.  I see a lot of press releases for movies that peak me interest but I don't get the chance to watch them.  I see a lot of movies cross my desk and a good bit of them are movies that I never get to see.  Sometime back I received the press release for the horror film Bitter Souls starring up and coming starlit Avaryana Rose.  The movie stuck out to me due to it's voodoo theme but I was never given the opportunity to review it.  However, a few weeks later I received word that the film was streaming on Tubi.  I fucking love Tubi and added it to my watch list for when I could have a little movie night without the strain of reviewing movies.  After a few days I was still playing catch up on my review list, I decided to say fuck it and watch it anyway and just review it.  

     The film follows a young lady, Kendall (Rose), who finds herself in the sights of a delinquent.  However, he doesn't take kindly to her rejection and strangles her in the woods.  When she doesn't return home, her boyfriend turns to the local priest for help who turns him on to a voodoo practitioner who tries to help him locate her.  Sadly, they are too late and she is already dead and resurrected by the evil Immanuel who is building an army of the undead.

     I went into this one pretty excited to see an indie horror flick about voodoo.  It has been years since my last voodoo review and was really looking forward to this one.  Sadly, the movie just didn't do it for me.  It had an interesting enough story but it just didn't pull it all together into something enjoyable.  I seriously wanted to like it but it just didn't work for me.  The acting in this one is a highlight of the film.  The film boasts an impressive cast with young stars Avaryana Rose and Michael McKeever carry the film.  Their characters compliment each other very well and the two work so well together.  The supporting cast is great as well but it's these two that made the film as enjoyable as it was for me.  The story for this one had an interesting idea but lost touch with itself somewhere along the way.  I love the idea of a young woman harassed and murdered by a punk and his goons only to be brought back by voodoo to seek revenge.  It's such a fantastic and simple story that would have worked.  However, we also have the Immanuel building an army angle that doesn't really feel fully developed along with the priest that helps the guy find a voodoo practitioner.  I'm not religious but would a priest even acknowledge voodoo?  It feels like the film is trying to go in too many directions while not gaining traction on just one.  Finally, the film has some solid make-up effects and some light practical effects that fit the film very well but those of you looking for memorable kills will be a bit disappointed.  While the effects do look good for the film, they are not that elaborate and the deaths are nothing that will stand out to genre fans.  Overall, Bitter Souls is one of those films that I was really looking forward to but just didn't work.  I loved the cast and liked some of the story ideas but the overall film just missed it's mark.  I wanted to like it but I can't.  Skip it.  

The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story

Director - Jeremiah Kipp (Slapface, The Mortuary Assistant)

Starring - Typhena Wade (Secrets of an Influencer, One Night Stand Murder), Nikelola Balogun (Disco Inferno, Time Stamp), and Stephen Cofield Jr. (Terrifier 3, Harlem)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     Social media is a valuable resource for genre fans.  I love indie productions and often look through Instagram tags and indie movie groups for movies that I've never seen before.  I've found several fantastic movies that way.  A few weeks ago I was looking through an indie horror group when I found a post for Jeremiah Kipp's folk horror film The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story.  I grew up in southern Appalachia and had heard stories about boo hags but I wasn't too familiar with them so the film really peaked me interest.  It was shared in that same post that the film was now streaming on Tubi.  I absolutely love Tubi and how they give indie films such a big voice.  I added it to my watchlist and as soon as I could I hit play on it!

     The film follows a couple, Leah (Wade) and Asa (Cofield), who return to Asa's childhood home after the unexpected death of his mother.  Asa's father is leaving his family land with plans of leaving it to Asa and his wife.  However, a fresh start for the couple isn't exactly how it seems.  Leah becomes haunted by visions, fainting spells, and night terrors.  She soon learns about a local hoodoo legend and suspects that Asa's mom was cursed which was why she died unexpectedly and now she is cursed as well.  Asa, who grew up in the area and knows almost all of the locals, doesn't believe her which caused a strain on the two until tensions come to a boil.

     As I stated earlier, I went into this one with a vague idea of what a boo hag is and this movie didn't really deliver on the preconceived notions as to what I thought a boo hag was.  I always thought a boo hag was a cross between a witch and a vampire that would crawl out of their skin at night and slowly drain the life/steal the breath of people as they slept.  The area where I grew up in Appalachia called them haints or blue ghosts.  The Geechee Witch doesn't really follow the idea of what I thought a boo hag was but still delivered a solid hoodoo/voodoo story with steep southern lore.  The acting in this one is the film highlight.  The characters are fairly generic and flat but the cast does the best with what they had.  Their performances are very grounded and show a wide range of emotions.  Honestly, I feel like this story wouldn't have been as enjoyable if anyone else took over these roles.  The story for this one starts out fine and turns into a slow burn with a lot of great hoodoo and southern lore scattered throughout but the last leg of the film falls apart.  I loved the long burn the film tries to establish with the wife being cursed and how it tied to the late mother.  However, the story becomes painfully dull before the big reveal.  The last leg is very uneventful for the most part and the viewer finds themselves tuned out by the hour mark.  The movie has some serious writing and editing issues.  Finally, the film is not a bloody or gory flick.  I liked the look of the "witch" and we get some light make-up effects but that is the extent of the red stuff.  Overall, The Geechee Witch: A Boo Hag Story is not a bad movie.  Hell, I even enjoyed it but it's not without it's faults.  It is a bit tough to finish once you hit the hour mark but if you stick with it you will enjoy it.  Check it out.  

The Warrior

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

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

Release Date - 1981

Genre - Action/Fantasy

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

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

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

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

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

Child's Play

Director - Tom Holland (Fright Night, Amazing Stories)

Starring - Catherine Hicks (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Tucker's Witch), Chris Sarandon (The Princess Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas), and Alex Vincent (House Guest Massacre, The Dark Military)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You'll wish it was only make believe"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been writing poorly written reviews now for right at a decade and sometimes I find myself wondering why in the fuck someone would send a particular movie my way for review.  Most of the time these films are known the world over and have a large and loyal fan base.  Regardless, I'm grateful for any movie sent my way for review and always try to be as honest as I can be while being respectful.  Sometime back Umbrella Entertainment sent over Tom Holland's 1988 classic Child's Play.  This release was part of their Beyond Genres line.  I know that Child's Play is one of the most popular films to come out of the 80s and Chucky is, arguably, one of the many faces of horror but it's a film that I could live without.  For me, the Child's Play series never really gained traction until Bride of Chucky but the first film still has it's moments.  Like always, I want to thank Umbrella for sending this one over.

     The film follows a single mother and her young son who has a birthday approaching.  He really wants a Good Guy doll but because money is tight she is unable to get him one.  That is until a homeless man sells her one that he rescued from a burning toy store.  What they don't know is that the toy store fire was created when a detective chased notorious serial killer Charles Lee Ray who transferred his soul into a Good Guy doll after he was shot.  Now, the possessed doll is, Chucky, is trying to get his hands on an amulet so he can finish the soul transfer and put it in the little boy and he will let no one stand in his way.

     I know that most of the horror community loves this one and I do like watching it from time to time but I feel like the film missed so many opportunities.  It's still a fun film but the characters and story was better handled in films like Bride and Seed of Chucky than the first three films.  The acting in this is the film's high point.  Catherine Hicks and Chris Sarandon is absolutely fantastic together.  Sarandon's hardened detective character really works well with Hick's loving mother.  Both are cliched but they match the story perfectly.  Also, Brad Dourif absolutely shines in the role.  He's an amazing serial killer but his voice of Chucky is absolutely fantastic.  He's one of the highlights of the series and really comes into his own in later installments.  The story for this one takes itself too seriously for what it is.  We have a serial killer with a knack for voodoo that voices a child's toy.  It has one hell of a set up for a horror comedy but the serious tone falls of deaf ears.  If the killer was a little more grounded it would have worked as a serious horror film but the killer doll with the voodoo doesn't really fit the tone of the film.  Finally, the deaths fit the film very well with some solid practical effects.  However, the deaths don't really stand out.  Chucky and his relationship with the young boy is the focus of the film instead of the blood and gore and it shows.  Overall, Child's Play is a horror classic but I feel it may be a bit overrated.  Regardless, Umbrella put out a release that should satisfy the most die hard fans.  Check it out.    

The Show

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

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

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Drama/Fantasy/Mystery

Tagline - "Enter a town where fantasy is reality"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

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

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

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

Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence

Director(s) - William Lustig (Maniac, Vigilante) and Joel Soisson The Prophecy: Uprising, Children of the Corn: Genesis)

Starring - Robert Davi (The Goonies, Die Hard), Robert Z'Dar (Easter Sunday, Spring Fever), and Caitlin Dulany (Class of 1999 II: Substitute, House of Frankenstein)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The wrong arm of the law is back"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's not often but on occasion we do get a horror trilogy that is well rounded.  By the time a film has spawned a second sequel we are usually given a film loosely based on the first film and usually rushed to be completed as a quick cash grab.  Don't get me wrong, there is several third installments that are just as good as the original like Army of Darkness, Day of the Dead, and so on.  When I posted my original reviews of the Maniac Cop trilogy I had written positive reviews for all three films and soon found several comments days later bashing the third film.  Honestly, I know Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence is not as well rounded as the first two films but it shouldn't be completely discredited.  I actually enjoyed it and find it to be fairly consistent with the first two films.  When Blue Underground announced the release of Maniac Cop 2 and 3 on UHD I quickly requested a review copy.  Once again I want thank BU for sending this one my way to check out.  

      The film once again follows the undead cop Matt Cordell who is awaken from his eternal slumber by a voodoo priest wanting him to kill for him.  In the middle of the bloodshed is Detective Sean McKinney (Davi) who is struggling to cope with the shooting of a female police officer who is in a coma and not expected to live.  

     Maniac Cop 3 may not get the love it deserves from genre fans but I find it to be super fun with the direction it takes the story.  The fact we never received a followed up to what was created here is a huge disappointment and a disservice to genre fans.  The acting in this one is just a great as the second installment.  Davi is great as the hard-boiled detective that is trying to stop the bloody rampage of Cordell.  I like his performance a lot along with Z'Dar.  We get more screen time from him this time around when compared the first film.  The supporting cast is just as fun but the characters they portray do very little to push the film along.  The story avoids becoming an unnecessary sequel by giving viewers a different extension of the story that they were not expecting.  The voodoo priest angle mixed with the slasher aspects and police drama works very well in my opinion.  It goes drag it's feet in several scenes but if you stick with it you will find yourself thoroughly enjoying it.  Finally, the kills in this one does have some blood but they are not that memorable.  They are rather unimaginative but the blood and effects look decent enough to make them work.  Overall, Maniac Cop 3 may not be the best in the series but it's still an entertaining installment.  My biggest problem with the film is that it never inspired a follow up capitalizing on the story that was created here.  The UHD release from Blue Underground looks absolutely fantastic.  I highly recommend genre fans check this one out and give it a chance.  

Creepshow: Season 2

Starring - Kevin Dillon (The Blob, Platoon), Keith David (They Live, The Thing), and Ryan Kwanten (True Blood, Knights of Badassdom)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "11 terrifying tales of terror!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

     The horror anthology Creepshow is one of the most beloved anthologies ever with some of the most memorable stories from the George A. Romero and Stephen King collaboration.  It's a film that I grew up with and was very fond of.  The films sequel, because we are forced to ignore the third film, is just as iconic and entertaining as the first film.  When I first heard that Greg Nicotero and Shudder was working on a series based on the Creepshow films I was beside myself with excitement.  When I received that first season for review I fell in love with it.  It was a fantastic tribute to the film that Romero and King gave genre fans.  When I was contacted to review the second season I couldn't say yes fast enough.  As soon as it arrived I made time for it.  I want to thank my friends over at RLJE Films and Shudder for sending this one over!

     The show has 11 episodes, along with 2 specials, that follows siblings that are trying to run a murder bed and breakfast, an abusive uncle and his nephew who learns voodoo, an astronaut that is living in his father's shadow, Ted Raimi unleashing deadites on a public access show, and more.

     This second season of Creepshow fell a little flat but it still had it's moments.  Some of the stories felt like they were perfectly written to deliver on that comic charm while others felt like they were rejects from The Twilight Zone.  They wasn't bad but they did feel out of place.  The acting in this one is fun but I wouldn't call it great.  We get a lot of cameos from genre legends like Kevin Dillon from The Blob remake, Keith David from John Carpenter's They Live and The Thing, Ryan Kwanten from HBO's True Blood, Ted Raimi who is the brother of Evil Dead creator and director Ted Raimi who has appeared in several iconic films, Ali Larter from Resident Evil and Final Destination fame, C. Thomas Howell who has appeared in several classic 80s films like Red Dawn and E.T., Josh McDermitt from The Walking Dead, Breckin Meyer from Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare, Molly Ringwald who was known for her comedies in the 80s but many genre fans will recognize from The Stand and Office Killer, and Justin Long from Tusk and Jeepers Creepers.  This is a stacked cast with some memorable performances but some are extremely campy.  I really enjoyed the casting here and love that so many familiar faces were given roles in such an iconic show.  The stories in this one are hit and miss.  Some are tales that will stick with you for some time while others just feel out of place like they were discarded from other anthology series like The Twilight Zone.  I absolutely loved so many of these tales but the ones like Night of the Living Late Show, Sibling Rivalry, and The Right Snuff just didn't work for me.  I wanted to like them all like the first season but these segments are weak and out of place.  The horror element just wasn't there especially in Night of the Living Late Show.  It felt like a drama with a dark twist.  It's still a great season but very inconsistent.  Finally, the season has plenty of practical and visual effects with some fantastic death scenes.  The practical and make-up effects looks great but the visuals are inconsistent.  Some look surprisingly well done while others were rushed and noticeable.  Overall, Creepshow: Season 2 is an entertaining season with some worthy episodes but other episodes are rather weak.  I still would recommend this one but don't let the bad ones leave a bad taste in your mouth because the better segments are well worth it.  

Dead and Buried

Director - Gary Sherman (Raw Meat, Poltergeist III)

Starring - James Farentino (The Final Countdown, The Possessed), Melody Anderson (Flash Gordon, Firewalker), Jack Albertson (The Fox and the Hound, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)

Release Date - 1981

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "It will take your breath away...all of it"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     May years ago, when bluray was in it's infancy, I went on a buying spree on Amazon where I snagged some fairly new releases from Blue Underground.  I had to have Zombie along with Uncle Sam and few others.  I've always been a fan of Uncle Sam and my DVD copy of Zombie was starting to age from the repetitive viewing in college.  Another one of the blus I bought was 1981's Dead and Buried.  I watched it a few weeks after it arrived and remembered really enjoying it.  Sadly, it's been some years since that viewing but I was lucky enough to revisit it when Blue Underground sent over the brand new UHD release to review.  I have to admit that this one still holds up and I want to thank both MVD and BU for letting me check this one out.

     The film follows the small town sheriff of Potter's Bluff who is investigating a string of murders involving tourists.  The further he looks into the murders he starts to uncover that those that were slain are now getting up and walking around.  His investigations leads him to the town mortician and his wife.

     Dead and Buried is one of those films that has a solid following and it's clear why.  The film has some of the best atmosphere I have seen and when you mix that with the story and characters you find yourself in the middle of a fantastic horror tale that still has it's punch all these years later.  The acting in this one is absolutely fantastic.  Farentino, who also starred in another Blue Underground UHD release The Final Countdown, and is absolutely amazing in the role of small town sheriff.  He carries the film on his shoulders and his performance here is extremely underrated.  We also get a chilling performance from Jack Albertson.  I would have loved to see his character have a much bigger part in the film especially when the ending twist is revealed.  The supporting cast is great but it's these two that deliver the memorable performances.  The story for this one starts out interestingly enough and continuously builds up on itself.  I really enjoyed it especially during the film's climax.  The pacing is great while taking it's time to build atmosphere.  The tension and atmosphere works in the story's favor as well which is why this film is so enjoyable even after all these years.  Finally, the film has some make-up effects and a few impressive stunts but the film doesn't have the gore I was expecting.  We do get some gags here and there with some great practical effects that works.  Overall, Dead and Buried is a must see for genre fans and this release from Blue Underground is the best way to see it.  I've reviewed several UHD releases in recent years and this is by far my favorite.  The film is essential and this gorgeous edition is a must own for collectors.  Check it out because you will not be disappointed.    

Sacrificial

Director - Tony Schweikle (Spirit of the San Juans, Dobe and a Company of Heroes)

Starring - Carter Burch (Fatal Attraction, Venom), Elisabeth Ferrara (Lethal Weapon, Verotika), and Mark Laursen (Evil Things, My Haunted House)

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Embrace the Darkness"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a huge fan of Wild Eye's for sometime now.  I've collected their releases for almost a decade now and every month I look forward to their new releases just like I do with Vinegar Syndrome.  Just because I love WE doesn't mean I enjoy every release of theirs.  I love collecting them but sometimes they release a film that I just don't care for.  I always have fun watching a new indie release but sometimes it is a chore to finish the film.  A few weeks ago MVD sent over the 2018 film Sacrificial to review.  I love getting a new Wild Eye release to review and the artwork for this one really pulled me in but the film itself was extremely messy and difficult to follow.  I wanted to like it but I couldn't.

     The film follows a young man who accompanies a women he met at a bar to a voodoo ritual.  When he witnesses a human sacrifice he flees for his life and soon goes into hiding for fear that the cult will track him down before he can tell the story of what he saw.

     I was really curious about Sacrificial, originally titled Rum and Hot Peppers, but it only took about 10 minutes for me to realize that this was going to be a tough one to finish.  The movie had an interesting premise but the execution and story is just all wrong.  It's almost as if the story was never fully completed and a lot of scenes were added strictly to extend the run time.  I'm sorry, but this is one I don't care for.  The acting in this one is not perfect but I've seen a lot worse.  Some of the scenes were acted well enough for the movie to progress but a few of the scenes lacked energy or commitment.  It felt like the cast was just reading over their lines prior to filming.  No dedication at all which resulted in what was already a dull story becoming even more boring.  The story for this one started out interestingly enough but it struggled to find it's footing almost as if they had the premise written down but never took the time to write out where they would go with it.  The thought of a fake voodoo cult killing people as a tourist attraction is a little goofy but I actually liked that part of the film.  With that being said, the movie didn't know what to do with this.  We spent way too much time following one guy as he panicked and became paranoid.  This part of the film was too drawn out and extremely boring.  A good chunk of this could have been cut out resulting in a much shorter film that could have been a little more effective.  Finally, the film has some blood but don't expect anything that will stand out or hold your attention in regards to deaths.  The movie is more focused on character interactions over story and blood.  Overall, Sacrificial had an interesting idea but was unable to pull it all together into something enjoyable.  It feels like it was possibly a rushed project that resulted in a lot of corners cut.  This is one Wild Eye release that I can't recommend.  

The Embalmers

Director - Rebecca Rinehart (Faces of the Dead, Bloody Hooker Massacre)

Starring - Alyss Winkler (Slaughterhouse Slumber Party, Amazon Hot Box), Rob Mello (Happy Death Day, Trailer Park Shark), and Andrea Collins (The Hospital, Seven Screaming Women)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "They'll seal your fate"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Last year was one of the most chaotic and dividing times of my life and I'm sure it was that way for everyone.  Watching businesses close due to the pandemic while the uneducated and selfish masses argue with scientists over the use of masks really made me dislike the human race.  However, last year was not all bad.  Several filmmakers took the time to finish projects or launch new ones while the world was on lockdown.  Indie starlet Rebecca Rinehart used this time to crowd fund her directorial debut The Embalmers starring Alyss Winkler, Rob Mello, and Andrea Collins just to name a few.  The artwork sold me on the movie but with so many crowd funding campaigns going at once I forgot to snag a copy.  A few weeks ago others were showing off their copies of the film so I reached out to Rinehart and she hooked me up with a DVD.  After spinning Evil Everywhere I decided it was the perfect time to check it out.

     The film follows three siblings who run a funeral home.  Cy, Mae, and Billie have been over the funeral parlor for sometime now and it's because of a pat with a voodoo priest that they are able to remain young and service the members of the community. However, things get a bit messy when another voodoo practitioner moves in the area and uses two local idiots to help her obtain blood sacrifices.  This conflict of interest brings the two parties together for a fight that would seal the fate of the small community

     I find it strange how there is a lack of horror films centered around funeral homes and mortuaries.  Sure, we have The Undertaker and his Pals, Tales from the Hood, Mortuary Collection, and Mortuary but when you consider the how many horror films are out there you would be surprised how this perfect setting for a horror tale is rarely used.  That was my biggest draw to The Embalmers aside from the amazing poster.  The acting in this one is extremely awkward at times.  The cast works very well together.  They are comfortable with one another and you can see the chemistry between them all.  However, the dialogue delivery and emotional range in a lot of the scenes falls flat.  The story for this one is very bold and ambitious especially for an indie production from a first time filmmaker.  What we get is a movie with a lot of moving parts that makes for a clunky film that not only drags on but fails to fully capture what the story is trying to say.  In a perfect world Rinehart would have been able to fully explore every aspect of this awesome story she had penned.  However, the way the story is now just feels like a table reading with alternative models.  I found myself very underwhelmed and disappointed in what could have been with this story.  Finally, this is not a bloody or gory flick.  We get some great make-up effects on the cadavers in the film along with some minimal practical effects that look solid.  With that being said, we do get some goofy visual effects that stand out like a sore thumb.  Overall, The Embalmers is a film that looked great on paper but the film it's was a tough one to finish.  The movie may move at a snail's pace but the film itself feels rushed.  With that being said, I can't wait to see what Rinehart and company has in store for us next.  

Shrunken Heads

Director - Richard Elfman (Forbidden Zone, Modern Vampires)

Starring - Julius Harris (King Kong, Darkman), Meg Foster (The Lords of Salem, 31), and Aeryk Egan (Flatliners, The X-Files)

Release Date - 1994

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "Superheroes from their head to their necks"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Full Moon was my first love when it came to horror movies.  I still love the company and look forward to their new releases but nothing compares to the 80s and 90s Band produced films.  These movies were a huge part of my childhood and I spent many weekends renting this from my local ma and pop video store.  A few weeks ago I saw that Full Moon was releasing the 1994 Richard Elfman horror flick Shrunken Heads on blu.  I had seen trailers for this one on several of Full Moon's trailer compilations but I never actually had the chance to see it.  I quickly rushed to my email to request a copy and they were kind enough to send one my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows three teens who are bullied by the local gang of thieves and lowlifes.  When one of them records the gang stripping a car he turns the video over to the police for evidence and subsequently painting a target on their backs.  When the gang is released on bail from jail they kill the three teens.  The local shop keeper, Mr. Sumatra (Harris), breaks into the funeral home after their services and removes their heads.  He then performs a voodoo ritual to bring their souls back into their shrunken heads to get revenge on the gang that did this to them.

     Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from this one but I always thought the trailer looked fun and know how much I loved other Full Moon/Moonbeam releases from this time I couldn't wait to dig into it.  The movie did not let me down and actually impressed me a few times.  This was not a disappointment at all.  The acting in this one is the same quality that you would expect from other Full Moon films.  The cast has cheesy yet entertaining characters to bring to life and they do just that.  Harris, who is a screen legend, makes the film if you ask me.  His performance is unrivaled and as the film progresses so does his performance.  The story for this one is a voodoo superhero tale mixed with a crime thriller.  The movie could have easily been a Moonbeam release if a little bit of the adult humor and horror was toned down.  With that being said, I really liked it.  We get the pre-Night of the Living Dead zombies mixed with more voodoo and humor  along with the superhero angle kind of works in a cheesy way.  Some of you that take to the more serious side of cinema may not enjoy it but fans of campy horror will appreciate it.  Finally, this one has some practical and visual effects that are very polarizing.  The practical and make-up effects are fun.  I really liked the make-up effects on the undead and some of the practical effects are fun.  With that being said, some of the kills were very underwhelming and the effects for these were not that great.  Also, the visual effects are extremely dated.  The lightning and so forth is horrible and I'm sure they wasn't that impressive when it was released.  Overall, Shrunken Heads was very entertaining but extremely cheesy.  The typical Full Moon fan will love this one.  The blu looks great as well especially when you compare it to the quality of the trailer in most of the Full Moon compilations.  I highly recommend snagging this one.  

Bad Magic

Director(s) - John Polonia (Lethal Nightmare, Hellspawn) and Mark Polonia (Death Reel, Jurassic Prey)

Starring - Vincent Simmons, Bob Dennis (Among Us, Muckman), and Maria Davis (Feeders, Night Crawlers)

Release Date - 1998

Genre - Horror/Crime

Tagline - "He's riding a soul-train of terror"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Very few filmmakers can say they've had a career as lucrative as the Polonia Brothers.  The pair made movies together for over 30 years with Mark still making movies making movies after the death of his brother John.  Over the course of this span the two made movies together up until John's death in 2008.  The movies are known throughout the genre with several of them having a fairly decent cult following.  These two filmmakers are fairly polarizing to me.  I either really love the films or I can barely finish them.  There is no in between with them.  A few weeks back I received a few of the SRS Cinema's retro DVD releases with a few Polonia films in it.  It wouldn't be an SRS marathon if I didn't watch some Polonia madness!  The first on the chopping block is 1998's Bad Magic.  I want to thank MVD for sending this one over.

     The film follows a man who lost his brother in a robbery gone wrong when the gang he was in left him behind to die.  He seeks out the help of a voodoo priest to help him with his revenge in exchange for his soul.  He uses the resources given to him to kill the gang one member at a time before he loses his soul.

     I had no idea what Bad Magic was about prior to tossing it in.  I assumed it was about voodoo or some sort based on the title and artwork but that was about as far as it went.  However, the film is more of a vigilante crime with a little slasher overtone than it is a traditional horror flick.  I liked that aspect of it but the movie itself had too many issues for me to look passed.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  Some of the cast really gets into their roles while others awkwardly spit out dialogue.  Vincent Simmons delivers a strong performance as the film's lead but there is a few scenes where he was either tired or lacked energy.  These few scenes were extremely flat and unenthused.  The story for this one really pulled me in.  I was all about the revenge on a gang angle and the voodoo themed slasher worked very well with this.  It has a lot of possibilities and could really be something unique but the film ruins it's pacing by stretching the dull scenes and rushing through the more entertaining scenes in the film.  The pacing and story development clash in this one.  Finally, the film has several deaths.  They are cheap and funny at times but they are nothing that really stands out.  The effects are as cheap as possible and the mask used by the dead brother in the film is horrible.  It's clearly a latex mask from a Halloween display.  Overall, Bad Magic is one of the few Polonia busts.  When they are on their "A" game they knock it out of the park but there is a few that completely miss their mark.  Bad Magic is one of the few you can skip.  

Zombie Cop

Director - J.R. Bookwalter (The Dead Next Door, Ozone)

Starring - Michael Kemper (Robot Ninja, Chickboxer), Ken Jarosz (Maximum Impact, Midnight 2), and James Black (Godzilla, Detention)

Release Date - 1991

Genre - Action/Horror

Tagline - "You rights are hereby waived"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in college I ordered the Skinned Alive Brentwood Home Video release that had four films in the set.  I absolutely loved Skinned Alive when I was in high school so I went ahead and ordered this four film release for the bonus movies.  When I placed that order I found myself down the rabbit hole of indie releases when I came across the Bad Movie Police release of Zombie Cop.  I had never seen this one before but when I saw it was directed by Bookwalter under a different name I knew I had to have it.  When it arrived I decided to check it out but I found myself absolutely hammered (it was college after all) and I don't remember shit about it.  Sadly, that movie did not make the move from college to my home once I married.  I did replace it over the summer with the Bad Movie Police set but I never revisited it until the SOV Six Pack release.  I can see why I don't remember it but I still enjoyed it.

     The film follows a police officer who is hot on the trail of a crime boss that is a practitioner of voodoo.  He finds him during a drug bust but is unable to get the jump on him.  Instead, he finds himself covered in a strange concoction before he is mortally shot.  Later, he finds himself awakening from his grave with a bone to pick on the drug dealing voodoo priest that turned him into a zombie cop.

      There is only one way to watch a movie titled Zombie Cop and that is to expect a lot of cheap laughs and a ridiculous story.  If you toss in a movie called Zombie Cop and expect a serious film then you will be very disappointed.  The acting in this one is over dramatic and intense at times which is almost like a parody of the late 80s direct to video action flicks.  The cast has some experience but their emotions and actions are very ridiculous but it makes the movie so much fun.  I really enjoy the cast and how much energy they brought into the film.  The story for this one is straight forward and really does parody the action films of years prior.  We have a cop who dies, returns back to life, and seeks revenge on the drug pusher who killed him.  This is nothing new especially by 1991 with dozens of films released with similar stories aside from the resurrection aspect.  However, what makes this one so much fun is the zombie aspect along with the comedic aspects.  It may not be the most memorable films of Bookwalter but it is still fun.  Finally, this one has some blood but those looking for more will be very disappointed.  This one follows the action film tropes very closely and relies on the story and action more than the blood and gore.  Overall, Zombie Cop is a fun one but doesn't really have replay value.  I enjoyed it and could see myself spinning it again with some friends and plenty of beer.  The blu release looks alright but I think the film quality is just a little more improved than the DVD.  

Spell

Director - Mark Tonderai (Daybreak, Gotham)

Starring - Omari Hardwick (Kick-Ass, Power), Loretta Devine (Supernatural, Urban Legend), and Lorraine Burroughs (Midsomer Murders, Doctor Who)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Evil has it's roots"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My October horror binge has seen plenty of ups and downs.  I've watched some movies that really caught me off guard and impressed me while others were movies I wish I could destroy so no one else would have to suffer.  However, I can't recall many films that fully pulled me in and had me hanging in each and every scene.  Spell is one of those few movies.  Honestly, I had little interest in this one but once I started receiving different news blasts about it and and so forth I decided I would go ahead and check it out.  It seemed like the perfect movie to get me ready for Halloween and I was completely floored by how much fun I had with it.  

     The film follows Marquis (Hardwick) who is a wealthy and successful man who grew up in Appalachia but has put that behind him.  He wants to give his kids the life he never had but his childhood comes rushing back to him when he receives word that his father has passed.  He takes his family in his small plane to his father's home in the mountains but a storm hits forcing him to crash the craft.  He awakens in the home of Eloise (Devine) and her family who assures him that he was the only one who survived the crash.  Heartbroken, he tries to leave and finds his foot mangled.  Eloise is nurturing at first but soon her forceful tone reveals that something else is going on and his family may still be alive.

     I was extremely curious about this one when I learned that it was centered around Appalachia.  I've lived in West Virginia my whole life and spent summers with my brother and foster parents in Virginia but I had never heard of Hoodoo or Voodoo this far north.  It's not a common practice in the mountain states so I was very interested in seeing how this movie would approach it.  The acting in this one is absolutely fantastic.  Omari Hardwick is a great lead and does an amazing job carrying the film.  He really pulls the viewer in and you feel for him.  It takes a great deal of talent to pull those kind of emotions out of the viewer and he does an amazing job.  Wit that being said, Loretta Devine steals every scene she is in.  Movie goers are more accustomed to seeing her in a more light-hearted role but seeing her in this light really is something that will make you skin crawl.  Her warm and welcoming voice can easily send chills down your spine knowing she's a hoodoo priestess here.  Brilliant casting and having her in such a relaxed demeanor makes her character even more terrifying.  The story for this one definately had me glued to the screen.  Most of Appalachia, and especially West Virginia, is not known for Hoodoo and Voodoo.  In fact, this movie is the first time I had heard either of those mentioned within the state.  With that being said, it's nice to see a horror movie that mentions the state and it not be about inbred cannibals or drug dependent psychopaths.  It is something a bit different and I really enjoyed.  Finally, the film has some blood and some practical effects but nothing we haven't seen before.  However, the ending does have some pretty bad visual effects.  The flames in the barn start out looking decent but as the scene drags on they start to look worse and worse.  I'm sure there was another way they could have approached this.  Overall, Spell was not what I was expecting and my surprise favorite of the Halloween season.  I highly recommend checking out this well made supernatural horror thriller.  This is one I will be adding to my collection as soon as physical releases are available.    

Voodoo Apocalypse

Director - Vasni Ramos (En un Momento)

Starring - Sergio G. Ramos (Jose Pedro, Conoces a Gustavo?), Domingo Efege, and Jesus Santana 

Release Date - 2018

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Only two jerks can save the world from the apocalypse"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     It looks like my month is starting to pick up.  I may be sick but the movies I have lined up for the next few days seem to be pretty fucking solid putting the rut of bad movies behind me.  After watching a few duds and then checking out the amazing They Live Inside Us and season 1 of Picard I decided to dive into a blind buy I recently purchased.  A few days ago I was at Walmart when I saw the grindhouse inspired horror comedy Voodoo Apocalypse aka Apocalipsis Voodoo.  It looked fun so I grabbed it and as soon as I finished up Picard I dived deep into it.  

    The film follows two quirky and tougher than nails cops as they try to stop a voodoo musician with the power to raise the dead simply by strumming his guitar.  

     I've been watching exploitation flicks for almost 20 years now so I can appreciate a movie when a modern movies tries to capture what it meant to be an exploitation flick in the 70s.   Voodoo Apocalypse really does have that look and parodies some of the cliches but jokes run their course fairly early in the film.  It does become a bit tedious to finish it after that but It's a fun flick even if the humor falls flat towards the end of the film.  The acting in this one is extremely fun.  I really loved the cast and how dedicated to being a classic grindhouse character that they were.  Their performances are brilliant and their characters are something that will stick with you days after you've seen the film.  The story for this one is focused more on that authentic action exploitation look that it is at giving the viewer a decent story.  The theme of the film is fun but once the viewer discovers the story is lacking they realize that the gimmick is paper thin.  Its fun for what it is but the viewer will become tired of it by the 45 minute mark.  Finally, if you want some blood and gore you will be a little disappointed.  There is some bloody visual effects and several cheap explosions but nothing to satisfy the bloodlust several of you fucks have.  Overall, Voodoo Apocalypse has plenty of funny moments and memorable characters but the grindhouse gimmick and lack of a story really made it one that was hard to finish.  With that being said, the first 45 or 50 minutes is like fucking dynamite.  It's deserves at least one viewing but don't expect one with replay value.  

Weedjies: Halloweed Night

Director - Danny Draven (Horrorvision, Reel Evil)
Starring - Brett Hargrave (My Haunted House, In Her Shadow), Victoria Strange (The Deadly Ten), Yo Ying (Most Evil, Dead Bedrooms)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "The night he got stoned!"
Format - Streaming

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of Full Moon for as long as I can remember.  I remember renting the movies at the local video store, Dewey's Video, as a kid years before I became a horror fan.  I remember once renting Doctor Mordrid from there and begged the owner to sell me the tape when I went to return it.  In recent years Full Moon has changed their style of films after the success of Evil Bong and Gingerdead Man.  Soon movies like Killjoy Goes to Hell, Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong and so on have been churned out from them.  Older fans of Full Moon don't find these films entertaining but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love them.  They are so much fucking fun.  When I received the press release for The Deadly Ten I was beside myself.  I couldn't believe the news but I was genuinely excited for the films.  For those of you that don't know what The Deadly Ten is.  Full Moon has set out to release ten new films where they will be heavily documentary the ins and outs of the movie making process.  The first film, Weedjies: Halloweed Night, was released a week or so ago.  I rushed home and set up my Full Moon Streaming account to check it out.  I had plan on this review going live last week but the death of my brother-in-law made me push it back until now.  

     The film follows three young ladies who rent out an old hotel to throw a weed party on Halloweed Night.  They hope to make some money by charging a cover charge and offer them a special strain of bud to those that finish a scavenger hunt.  A night of drinking, smoking, and partying turns deadly when the three young ladies accidentally release the evil Weedjies from the weed-g-board.  Now they must trap them back in the board before midnight or their souls will be trapped in the board in their place.
     I didn't know what to expect when I hit play but I was surprised by how much fun the movie was.  Sure, it lacked the charm and atmosphere of the classic Full Moon films of yesteryear but it did deliver a fun horror comedy experience that I can see myself revisiting sometime in the near future.  The acting in this one is surprisingly more entertaining than a few of the previous Full Moon releases.  Most of the characters are not as memorable as previous FM films but the acting in this one is more consistent than previous films.  The characters, at least the ones the film is centered around, is more grounded and down to Earth when compared to films like Evil Bong.  I enjoyed the cast and the actors did a fantastic job with their performances.  The story for this one is goofy but fun.  I didn't care for the set up of the film centered around the girls hosting a weed party in an old hotel.  That was a bit on the silly side but I really got into the whole weed-g-board and the weedjies.  It was a fun film but I could see the weed be replaced with something else and the film becoming a Moonbeam release.  It's not as crude or raunchy as other Full Moon releases.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you are barking up the wrong tree.  The movie does have some cool looking little creatures with solid practical effects but the movie doesn't really feature any kills on screen.  Overall, Weedjies: Halloweed Night may not be the best and greatest horror movie of 2019 but it doesn't disappoint.  If you like your horror fun then look no further.  Check it out now on Full Moon Streaming.