White Crocodile Queen

Director - H. Tjut Djalil (Lady Terminator, Mystics in Bali)

Starring - Suzzanna (The Earth Gets Hotter, Birth in the Grave), Soendjoto Adibroto (Kliwon Friday Night, Samson and Delilah), and Vera Magdalena (Permainan Dibalik Tirai)

Release Date - 1988

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was not familiar with the horror starlit Suzzanna prior to getting the Suzzanna: Empress of Darkness from my friends over at Severin.  I'd be lying if I said I was and I always try to remain honest in my reviews.  I was still excited to check out these films but I was not aware of how important she was to Indonesian horror.  After watching Pact with the Forces of Darkness, I quickly tossed in the second film in the set which was the 1988 film White Crocodile Queen.  Like with all my reviews, I would like to thank Severin for sending this one over!

     The film follows a man who steals an amulet that is said to grant those that wield it the power to overtake any crocodile.  For this he is cursed for the next 20 years where both of his sons die.  His only remaining child, his daughter, is now at risk of dying so he turns to a local widow who might have a way to stop the curse.  However, he learns that she is possessed by the ghost of the original owner of the amulet who is hellbound on revenge.

     White Crocodile Queen is about on the same level as Pact with the Forces of Darkness.  It's not a horror title that will stick with you for sometime after watching it but it is a solid genre flick.  With that being said, it was extremely campy which reminded me a lot of the Bollywood films that I've reviewed in the past.  It's fun but isn't as fun as it could have been.  The acting in this one is nowhere near as fun as the first film.  The characters are all charictures of what you would expect from a film like this but it's not bad.  The cast has a lot of energy and really get into their roles but the awkward dance-esque numbers and constant smiling made a lot of the scenes feel silly.  The story for this one is not what I was expecting but I did enjoy it for what it was.  A supernatural Bollywood inspired movie with possession, magical amulets, and awkward scenes that bring in unintentional laugh was not what I was expecting.  I really enjoyed loved how unconventional it was in a western sense but it doesn't really have any replay value.  Finally, we get some blood, some fun camera tricks, and some great make-up but that is really the extent of it.  The movie is very story driven with a lot of great visuals but don't expect to see something gory.  Overall, White Crocodile Queen is a fun film for a first time watch.  It's a solid Indonesian horror film that may be more fun if you were a bit high or buzzed.  I liked it but I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  Check it out.  

It: Welcome to Derry Season 1

Creator(s) - Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman, It: Chapter Two), Andy Muschietti (Mama, It), and  Barbara Muschietti (Mama, They Will Kill You)

Starring - Taylour Paige (The Toxic Avenger, Brothers), Jovan Adepo (Overlord, Watchmen), and Stephen Rider (Daredevil, Luke Cage)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Go back to where IT all began"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've read a lot of Stephen King's work over the years.  His novels and short stories, along with Goosebumps, was one of the reasons I fell in love with the horror genre.  He's a titan in the horror and literary worlds but I would be lying if I said I was an expert in his work.  Sure, I've read a lot of his work and watched many adaptations over the years but I can't verify how close these adaptations are to their source material.  What I can say is that a lot of his written work and their adaptations are a lot of fun.  Sometime back I was sent word that IT, specifically Andy Muschietti's two films starring Bill Skarsgard, was getting the television treatment.  I didn't follow it closely but I knew I would eventually be checking it out.  Fast forward to a few weeks back and I was lucky enough to get the blu release sent over for review.  I wasn't able to get to it right away but made time for it as soon as I could.

     The series takes place in the town of Derry in 1962 where a young boy went missing.  Several months later three more were brutally murdered in a theater where only one girl survives.  One of the theater's employees, a black single father, is arrested for the murder.  His daughter, the lone survivor, and two other students start looking further into the missing student and the blood soaked history that Derry shares where they uncover the truth about Pennywise.

      I know I paraphrased a lot with the show but it throws a lot at us without over doing it.  It did take some time to gain some traction with me and it wasn't until episode 3 or 4 that I actually started getting into it but once I did I was really hooked.  The acting in this is great for the most part.  Some of the characters are very unlikable and it's not because they were written that way.  The cast is really dedicated to their role and deliver some seriously impressive performances especially from the young cast.  As the series progresses we have some intense performances that shows why everyone was cast in their respective roles.  The story for this season serves as a prequel of sorts to It and It: Chapter Two.  We get a lot of insight into some of the previous feeding cycles of Pennywise along with why he took on the appearance of the clown.  We also get a lot of social commentary from the early 60s mixed in with the character development.  It's very well written and works well but my biggest issue with the show was how long it took to get going.  The first three or so episodes could have been condensed to give the viewer more to grab onto.  Finally, this series doesn't hold back with the visual effects.  I know practical effects can be pricy especially when you have a show with eight episodes   However, a good deal of the visual effects look like shit.  They are very noticeable which was good for a laugh the first few times but they do become eye rolling as the show moves on.  Overall, It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 was a great continuation of what the 2017 film and it's sequel established.  While I can't remember exactly how accurate those films are to the written work, I can safely say that I enjoy it very much.  I do hope we have a season 2 eventually but until then I highly recommend checking out season 1.  

     

Beat Girl

Director - Edmond T. Greville (Guilty?, The Silk Noose)

Starring - David Farrar (The 300 Spartans, The Webster Boy), Noelle Adam (Sergeant X and the Foreign Legion, The Wonders of Aladdin), and Gillian Hills (A Clockwork Orange, The Killer Wore Gloves)

Release Date - 1960

Tagline - "My mother was a stripper... I want to be a stripper too"

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Christopher Lee is a name that any movie fan recognizes.  His career is legendary and he left his mark on every genre imaginable.  While I grew up on he Hammer horror films and later the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it was his late 90s and early 00s family friendly films that I've learned to appreciate the most.  His career spanned 70 years and showcased some of the best acting ever filmed.  I've seen a lot of his films over the years but I'm always open to watch more.  That's why I jumped at the chance to review Severin Film's Eurocrypt of Christopher Lee Volume 3.  I had seen two of the films in the set but the other four were brand new to me.  I couldn't wait to check it out and as soon as I could I tossed in Beat Girl which was released originally under Wild for Kicks.  I want to thank Severin Films for sending this one over!

     The film follows a wealthy designer who returns to his home after being away for several months with his new wife in tow.  Waiting for him at home is his 16 year old daughter who is deep into the underground jazz scene.  The step-mother, who is a former stripper, tries hard to connect with her new step-daughter but the closer she gets to her the further away she pushes her into a career of stripping.

     Beat Girl is not the kind of film that I would willingly go out of my way to review.  This dance drama is not the kind of movie that I would be interested in.  However, seeing Christopher Lee's name appear on the poster made me instantly interested and while I was not a big fan of this one, I still enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is great and I might as well go ahead and dress my only problem with the acting.  That is that Lee himself is not in the film as long as I would have liked.  With that being said, David Farrar and Gillian Hills make the film.  Farrar is fantastic as the father that has distanced himself from his daughter and Hills is amazing in her role.  She absolutely kills and it makes this film as fun as it is.  The story for this one is kind of a bratty take on the dance drama of the era.  It's hard to like these wealthy, entitled characters but the film finds of way to keep it interesting and glued to the screen.  While this is not a film that I could see myself watching on my own, I still enjoyed the story and how well the pacing was.  Finally, don't expect a film with a body count or memorable deaths.  It's a character driven drama with a great cast.  Overall, Beat Girl is not the kind of movie many of you Horror Society readers would be interested in.  However, seeing Christopher Lee early on in his career is pretty fucking cool.  Check it out.  

     

Whispers

Director - Miroslav Petkov (Paranoia, Room #4)

Starring - Miroslav Petkov, Simona Rose (Creep Footage 3: Night Nurse, OnlyFangs), and Nikol Topalova

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - The park is listening"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been asked to review several indie features over the last month or so.  Some have been fun while others were clearly not for me.  While I didn't care for some of them, I still enjoyed watching them.  I love to experience indie movies and see all the hard work that goes into the feature.  That includes movies that I may not have liked.  Sometime back I was asked to review Whispers from Miroslav Petkov.  I loved the poster for the film and quickly agreed to check it out.  In fact, I took a break from reviewing the Exorcismo set from Severin just to watch it.  Sadly, it wasn't for me but I respected what Petkov was going for.

     The film takes place in a small town with a paranormal presence.  Several people have gone missing with their loved ones frantically searching for them.  However, as they get close to the cause, they start to witness something sinister.

     I went into Whispers completely blind which is my preferred way to watch indie flicks that I'm going to review.  I didn't care for the film itself but there was some things I did enjoy.  The acting in this one is very uneven.  Some of the performances are extremely flat with forced dialogue and zero emotional range.  However, we do have some fun performances scattered throughout the film.  It's evident that we have a cast consisting of experienced and inexperienced players.  The story for this one is an interesting idea that only learned was a sequel to two previous films.  While I had never seen the first two films, I can only assume watching them beforehand would have answered a few questions that I have here.  As for just this film, I found the pacing to be all off.  What we have is a solid base for a supernatural tale but the awkward character interactions and horrible pacing makes it difficult to finish.  Finally, don't expect a film with a high body count and memorable deaths.  The film uses the story to get chills to the viewer.  It almost succeeds but the pacing and lack of tension makes it impossible to achieve.  Overall, Whispers is a film that could have been so much more but the fails to really gain any traction.  I really wanted to like it but it wasn't for me.  I'll circle back around and check out the first two films before revisiting this one.  

The Woman in the Yard

Director - Jaume Collet-Serra (House of Wax, Orphan)

Starring - Danielle Deadwyler (The Harder They Fall, I Saw the TV Glow), Okwui Okpokwasili (I Am Legend, The Exorcist: Believer), and Peyton Jackson (Pet Investigators, Young Dylan)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Don't let her in"

Format - Blu (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I tend to stay away from pop horror but they have been surprising me a lot over the last few years.  Pop horror usually misses the mark with me.  They tend to be quick cash grabs with predictable jump scares and unimaginative deaths.  However, some of my favorite horror films of recent years are pop horror flicks with movies like X, The Black Phone, The Substance, Longlegs, Sinners, and many more.  A few weeks ago I was sent a copy of the Jaume Collet-Serra's The Woman in the Yard for review.  I knew absolutely nothing about this one and usually take what Blumhouse releases with a grain of salt but I was looking forward to checking it out.  

     The film follows a disabled widow and her two kids who are struggling after the accidental death of the family patriarch.  They are struggling financially and are about to lose their farm when a stranger visits their property.  Her children soon learn that something strange occurred the night their father died and her mother had something to do with his death.  This is the reason the woman has appeared resulting in the widow revealing some dark secrets.

     I'll be honest with everyone reading this.  I was excited to see The Woman in the Yard.  I knew absolutely nothing about the film but I loved the film's artwork and title.  With that being said, it was a huge disappointment.  The characters were extremely unlikable, the story failed to find traction, and lacked any sort of atmosphere that you would expect to find in a genre title.  I don't know what this film was going for but I feel as if they missed their mark by a great deal.  The acting in this one is fairly decent.  The cast seems very comfortable in front of the camera and feed off each other very well.  However, the characters are so damn unlikable.  I'm sure that was how it was written and doesn't reflect the cast's on screen talents but these characters truly suck.  The story for this one is painfully dull.  I was hoping it would be a slow build up to a fantastic ending but I was wrong.  The film moves slowly, never catches speed and when something does happen, its predictable.  I don't know if this is based on some sort of legend or myth but if it is I would like to learn more because the film doesn't do it justice.  If anything, it might turn people away from it.  Finally, don't expect a film with a body count.  Instead, the film focuses on the character's interactions and dynamic to progress the story.  Overall, The Woman in the Yard is a huge disappointment.  It lacks story, relatable characters, and the lack of atmosphere and tension makes it feel like a lackluster drama.  This is one I would recommend skipping.  

Wan Pipel

Director - Pim de la Parra (Lost in Amsterdam, Rubia's Jungle)

Starring - Borger Breeveld (The Obsessed One, Wiren), Diana Gangaram Panday, and Willeke van Ammelrooy (The Killer is on the Phone, Paradise Lost)

Release Date - 1976

Genre - Drama

Tagline - "At last a movie with heart"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I never know what will show up for review but each and every film I receive makes me excited.  Is this going to be a new favorite, something historical that will stand out in the history of cinema, or will it be something that I don't care for?  I never know until I pull the trigger on the play button.  Most of the time the films are horror or, at the very least, have some sort of horror theme within.  However, that's not always the case.  A few weeks ago I received the blu release for the 1976 drama Wan Pipel, or One People, from my friends over at Cult Epics.  This was a new one to me and even though it wasn't a horror flick, I was still excited to check it out.  Like always, I want to thank Cult Epics for sending this one over.

     The film follows a young man who is studying in Amsterdam when he receives a call that his mother was dying in his home country of Suriname.  His girlfriend gives him the money  to return home and he does.  However, once he returns home he begins to become enthralled with his heritage and country.  He even goes as far as to fall in love with a local woman and refuses to go back to the Netherlands to finish his studies.  

     I knew absolutely nothing about Wan Pipel prior to watching it but I actually enjoyed it.  It's not a movie I can se myself revisiting anytime soon but it was solid for a first time watch especially for something that wasn't horror-centered.  The acting in this one is solid but there was a few scenes where the acting was very forced and the cast didn't show a lot of experience.  The cast is fully submersed in their roles but the scenes are not consistent.  The story for this one is a fantastic character driven story about patriotism and embracing where you are from.  However, this story does somewhat run thin once you see the direction the film is actually going.  A little more character arcs or an interesting dilemma would have made the film much more enjoyable.   Finally, those of you looking for blood or memorable deaths will be very disappointed.  The film is a strict drama with focus on character development and growth.  Overall, Wan Pipel is a solid foreign drama that is a fun first time watch.  This is a great release from Cult Epics that I highly recommend checking out especially if you are a collector.  

Welcome Week: A College Horror Anthology

Director(s) - Blake Douglas, Ethan Gomez Zahnley (Johnny Wick: Chapter 2, Satan's Servant), and Lenny Ibarra

Starring - Joanna Zimbler (The Night Never Fades, Bad), Angelo Kern (Planetquake, Bull Shark 3), and Kimberly Girkin (Stage Fright, Monsters of Mine)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of horror anthologies for as long as I could remember.   I've mentioned several over the years that I grew up watching over and over.  Movies like Creepshow, Creepshow 2, Twilight Zone: The Movie, Tales  from the Darkside: The Movie, From a Whisper to a Scream, and so on.  I love checking out a new anthology and absolutely love when they have a fantastic wrap around segment that ties everything up neatly.  A few weeks back I found a post on Instagram for the indie horror anthology Welcome Week: A College Horror Anthology.  I really liked the artwork and decided to reach out to the page.  They got back to me with a review link to check out.  I decided to check it out after my Visual Vengeance and want to take a moment to thank the folks over at the Welcome Week Instagram page for sending this one over!

     The film follows a group of college freshman going to a party during their first week at school.  However, things take a deadly turn when someone starts killing the students in gruesome manners.  One of the students reveals that he had hand to hand combat training in order to attend college because his siblings all met horrific fates while in college.  While trying to save his friends, he recounts their tragic tales while making his way across campus.

     I went into Welcome Week knowing absolutely nothing and was surprised by just how unique the film was.  Sadly, a lot of the film wasn't for me but that doesn't mean it will not find it's targeted audience.  I went into this one with an open mind but found myself not enjoying it like I had hoped.  The acting in this one is very well done and consistent which is something you don't really see in anthologies featuring segments from varying directors.  The characters are cliched and not written that well but the cast does a solid job with what they were given.  The stories for this one varies.  The wrap around segment is a cool idea while I was watching it but after watching the film it feels like a cheap way of pulling them all together.  It would have been more effective if each segment was written for the film and consistent.  Instead, it's clear that each one was filmed at different times and just happened to feature freshman in college meeting a horrible end.  Aside from the wraparound segment, none of the other segments reference each other.  Also, some of the stories actually feature similar stories to one another.  We follow college students dying to a mysterious killer or something supernatural and occult like.  Finally, the film has some blood and solid enough make-up effects.  These do fit the film but they are not memorable or imaginative.  Overall, Welcome Week: A College Horror Anthology is one of those films that is interesting on paper but didn't work out too well on film.  It features a great cast but the stories themselves requires the viewer to overlook a lot for it to make sense.  Sadly, this is one I would skip.  

Wolf Man

Director - Leigh Whannell (The Invisible Man, Insidious: Chapter 3)

Starring - Christopher Abbott (Kraven the Hunter, Possessor), Julia Garner (Ozark, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), and Matilda Firth (Vampire Academy, The Power)

Release Date - 2025

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Protect your own"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many genre fans, myself included, cut their teeth on the Universal Monster movies.  I remember collecting the reissues VHS as a kid and picking up extra copies to trade among friends.  This was long before the genre really took hold.  I was still watching shit like Air Bud, Heavyweights, Space Jam, and any other kid appropriate film of the mid-90s but there was always joy in watching Bela deliver Dracula's iconic lines or Boris throwing that little girl in the water.  The films have seen several reboot over the years with some being personal favorites of mine.  Brendan Fraser's The Mummy being one of them.  A few years back Blumhouse produced The Invisible Man and it was one I went into with an open mind but in the end I didn't enjoy it.  However, the success of the film spawned interest in more classic Universal Monsters and before long we were given Wolf Man from Leigh Whannell who also directed the Invisible Man.  I had reserves about this one but I was still interested in it.

     The film follows a father who receives documentation that his missing father has been declared dead along with the keys to his childhood home deep in the woods.  He decides to take his family there to try and rekindle his marriage and spend more time with his daughter.  However, their trip there is anything but normal when their vehicle is ran off the road by a humanoid creature and the person taking them to the cabin is killed.  He suffers an injury but is able to get his family to safety in his father's cabin but soon finds himself severely ill.  As he slowly succumbs to his illness, his body starts to change.  He starts losing his teeth, finger nails, and hair.  It doesn't take long before he is unrecognizable but he still has a little of his humanity left and puts himself between the creature, who happens to have the same tattoo as his father, and his family.  

     I went into this one not knowing what to expect.  I had seen some promotional images and a few pictures from some event but that was the extent of my knowledge of the film.  With that being said, I actually enjoyed the film.  There was a few things that I didn't care for but the overall film was enjoyable.  I will say that if you went into this one expecting a solid werewolf flick then you may be disappointed.  I would recommend going into this one with an open mind and to expect what you wouldn't expect from a film titled Wolf Man.  The acting in this one is one of my biggest problems with the film.  Abbott and Garner show absolutely zero emotion.  They scream but the entire film their faces remain stone.  I thought Kristen Stewart was the worst for showing no emotion but these two rival her with their performances here.  The remainder of the cast, as short as it may be, was solid enough but with these two starring it didn't leave much room for the cast to make up for their shortcomings.  The story for this one borrow some from the original Wolf Man along with the 2010 remake but not enough to be noticeable.  In all three films we follow an estranged son returning to his family home and that is about the end of the similarities.  The film takes a more grounded take on werewolf lore that almost feels like it was influenced by Ginger Snaps.  It treats it as a sickness or disease rather than people being cursed to turn into a monster by moonlight.  I prefer the original lore surrounding werewolves but I kind of liked this take as well.  Sure, the story does drag it's feet in the third act and is a bit bloated near the ending but the overall film was enjoyable.  Finally, the film has some great practical effects and a few awesome scenes that I don't want to go into great detail with but I absolutely loved the self-harm scenes.  I would have liked a bit more monster make-up and some gore but we can't always get what we want.  Overall, Wolf Man is nothing like the original or the 2010 remake but I still enjoyed it.  While I'm not the biggest fan of Whannell, he did a solid job with this one.  It's not going to be an iconic film or one that defines the genre but it's still fun for a late night viewing.  Check it out.  

Wake Up

Director(s) - Anouk Whissell (We Are Zombies, Summer of 84) and Yoann-Karl Whissell (Turbo Kid, Total Fury)

Starring - Turlough Convery (Ready Player One, Resident Evil), Benny O. Arthur (Django, Helix), and Jacqueline More (Punch, The Wheel of Time)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "From save-the-world to survive-the-night."

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago, around 2015 or 2016, I watched Turbo Kid for the first time.  Since then I've watched it at least a dozen times and often discuss it among fans on social media.  It's a popular film among collectors and one I have yet to meet someone that doesn't like it.  The Whissell's did not stop there with Turbo Kid.  Since then the pair has released Summer of 84 and We Are Zombies.  I was lucky enough to review We Are Zombies last year but it looks like it wasn't the only film they completed in 2023.  Looks like sometime after We Are Zombies, the two made another horror film titled Wake Up.  I sent a screener link to check it out a few days ago and couldn't pass it up.

     The film follows a group of activists that break into a furniture super store after hours to vandalize it.  However, they don't expect to run into two security guards with one of them being unstable and obsessed with hunting.  

     Wake Up is a movie with one of the most straight forward stories I have seen in a film.  When you mix that with obnoxious characters and fun deaths you get something that doesn't really live up to the legacy Turbo Kid has but it's still a god damn good film.  The acting in this one is very well done.  The characters in the film are not likable and I'm positive by the story that they were written that way.  The cast does a fantastic job at bringing them to life but at the end of the day, regardless of how good the acting is, they can't die fast enough.  With that being said, I seriously enjoyed Turlough Convery's performance.  He's absolutely brilliant as the unstable security guard that turns his passion of hunting into a way to get revenge on the group of protestors that he thinks accidentally killed his brother.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward and very enjoyable.  A group of protestors break into a furniture story and a scuffle results in one of the security guards hitting their heads.  The other security guard, his brother, snaps and seeks revenge on the group while they are locked in the building.  It has great pacing and each scene holds your attention resulting in a fun watch especially for genre fans.  Finally, the film has some bloody deaths that work very well for the film.  The effects look great and are unique to the film but I would have liked a little gore to go along with it.  Overall, Wake Up is a violent film that surpassed my expectations.  While I wasn't fully sold on the title and artwork, the film did speak for itself.  It's another genre hit from a duo that should not be doubted.  Check it out.  

Worst Laid Plans

Director(s) - John Hale III (The Conduit, 10/31 Part 2), Jeremy Herbert (Killer Deal, The Childish Thing), Christopher G. Moore (Gut Punched, Backward Creep) 

Starring - Daniel Allen (The Things with the Glowing Green Eyes), Keegan Badillo, and Matthew J. Baker 

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You'll wish you weren't here"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up steadily watching and renting slasher and zombie flicks when I could.  Hell, I still go out of my way to watch these two sub-genres but I've realized as I've grown older that anthologies were a big part of my childhood.  I grew up watching films like Creepshow, Creepshow 2, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, The Twilight Zone: The Movie, From a Whisper to A Scream, and many more.  I loved the wrap around segment, the little connections each short story would sometime toss in for those paying attention, and the mix of shorts we were given.  When director John Hale III announced that he was connected to the indie horror anthology Worst Laid Plans, I knew I would be checking it out eventually.  Sadly, I completely forgot about it until I was completing my collection of Scream Team Releasing releases and realized I never grabbed a copy.  I went ahead and added it to my cart and added it to my review list when it arrived.

     The film features three stories.  The first, Deep in the Heart," follows a family on a guided tour through a cavern when they cross paths with an abnormally large catfish with a taste for human flesh.  The second tale, You've Been Saved," follows two friends on a road trip when they think they've encountered a human trafficking situation.  However, on further investigating they learn there is more to the situation than appears.  The third and final tale, Taylor Family Vacation '93," follows a family on vacation with the dad recording everything with his tape recorder.  When he spots a strange man in the footage, he sets out to find answers and uncovers the ultimate truth.

     My biggest complaint with a lot of modern indie horror anthologies is the lack of wraparound segments that connect all the shorts together and serve as a sort of bookend.  A lot of the modern horror anthologies, especially indie productions, lack these stories.  Worst Laid Plans is one that doesn't have a wrap around segment nor is the segments consistent.  I enjoyed the overall film but some of these stories are better than others.  The acting in this one is actually very well done through the entire film.  The cast in all three segments do phenomenal jobs and really make their characters enjoyable.  It's not often I review an anthology featuring segments from various filmmakers and the acting is this consistent.  The stories for this one are not as consistent as the acting.  The film plays out in order of enjoyment, at least it does in my opinion.  The first segment, Deep in the Heart, is from director John Hale and is my personal favorite of the film.  A monster living in a cave deep in the mountains is something anyone in Appalachia would find interesting.  You throw in the great character development and acting and you have a great standalone short.  The second segment, You've Been Saved from Christopher G. Moore, had a story I actually liked but didn't fully explore every aspect of it.  Two former friends that have grown apart meet up to take a road trip and party when they cross paths with what could be a human trafficking situation.  It's an interesting premise but shouldn't have ended when it did.  The story has so much more to give viewers.  I need more on the two people "baiting" humans and what became of them.  If this anthology receives a sequel then it better have a follow up segment for this one!  The final segment, Taylor Family Vacation 93 from Jeremy Herbert, is the segment that did nothing for me.  The premise is very interesting but it reminded me too much of a segment in another horror anthology that's name is eluding me.  It may be from the V/H/S franchise but I can't recall.  Anyway, it follows a mother recording her child and every time she does a sinister force is visible.  When she tries to investigate it further it's discovered she's actually dead and the person she was seeing as sinister in the footage is the child's father who is raising the child alone.  This one follows a father who is seeing a strange man through the lens of his camera but not when he takes it down.  Upon further investigating he learns a surprising secret.  This one doesn't really fit with the theme of the other two aside from the vacation/traveling aspect and is not something I could really get into.  It was a bit dull and, as I stated earlier, it reminded me a lot of another segment from another horror anthology.  Finally, the film has some great practical effects.  We have a fun creature in the first segment and a fantastic mask with make-up effects in the second segment.  I really liked the look and editing of the third segment but the lack of gore really disappointment me with all three shorts.  Overall, Worst Laid Plans is a fun themed horror anthology but there is a lot of room for improvements.  It may not send chills down your spine but it will make you plan your next trip with extra care.  Check it out.  

     

The Warrior and the Ninja

Director - H. Tjut Djalil (Dangerous Seductress, Lady Terminator)

Starring - Barry Prima (Get Married 3, Jakarta Undead), El Manik (Buffalo Boys, Hell Raiders), and Rita Zahara (The Ghostly Face, Jungle Virgin Force)

Release Date - 1985

Genre - Action/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      It's hard to find a trilogy or franchise where all the films are consistently good.  Most series become rushed garbage by the time it reaches the third installment.  The companies want to cash in on the film's previous installments so they skip quality control and focus more on quantity.  Sure, there is several series or trilogies that have solid third entries but it's not something that happens often.  I was very excited when I was sent the Warrior trilogy from Mondo Macabro.  I had never seen the films before and was looking forward to some non-horror to check out.  However, in the back of my mind I was hesitant about tossing in the third film.  After watching the first two films it was time for the third one to be placed on the chopping block...and I loved it.  

     The film once again follows Jaka Sembung (Prima) who is still fighting against the Dutch military.  He seems to have finally met his match but things take a turn in his favor when he is saved by a female ninja who helps him fight the good fight against the oppressive regime.  

     The Warrior and the Ninja may not be as good as the original films but god damn was it just as fun.  It takes a story with a lot of elements from the previous film and gives us more martial arts and black magic action.  As I said, it's not as good as the previous two films but its a lot of fun.  The acting in this one is consistent with the other two films.  Barry Prima once again hams up the screen with his cheesy interpretation of a classic action star.  His emotionless expression and stiff dialogue is so much fun when you add in the intentional and unintentional humor along with the action.  The supporting cast is more of the same with a lot of campy performances and uneven dialogue.  The story for this one does borrow parts from The Warrior Against the Blind Swordsman.  We see Jaka Sembung partner with a female ninja to fight the Dutch army.  While that is the only similarities to the story itself it still features several amazing fight scenes, humor, and cartoon like characters.  Finally, this is another one that uses classic movie tricks along with extensive choreographed fight scenes.  They are fun to watch but those wanting blood may be disappointed.  Overall, The Warrior and the Ninja is one of the few instances where the trilogy ends on a high note and doesn't feature a quick cash grab.  It's a lot of fun and still has all the qualities that made the previous two films so much fun.  Check them out!

The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman

Director - Dasri Jacob (Angling Dharma, Rosita)

Starring - Barry Prima (Jaka Sembung, Hello Ghost), Advent Bangun (Without Mercy, Revenge of the Ninja), and Gudi Sintara (Escape from Hellhole, Golok Setan)

Release Date - 1983

Genre - Action/Comedy
Tagline - "The Warrior, the man with supernatural strength is back"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I spend the entire month of October binging horror movies sent to me for review from various filmmakers, distributors, producers, and so on.  A lot of times these spill over into November where I spent most of the month playing catch up.  I love horror and I could never turn my back on my beloved genre but sometimes I do need a little break.  Mondo Macabro's Warrior trilogy couldn't have came at a better time.  I needed something fun and a bit different to watch so I could recharge my batteries before diving into the Christmas themed horror that is quickly approaching.  After watching 1981's The Warrior, I quickly moved on to the sequel which was 1983's The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman.

     The Dutch army is unable to defeat Jaka Sembung (Prima) so they hold a tournament to find a champion capable of beating him.  A blind swordsman comes out as victor and using magic he is able to trick the Dutch army into thinking he actually defeated Jaka Sembung.  However, when they find out they try to kill him.  He inadvertently teams up with Jaka Sembung and the pair terrorize the army together.  

     I had no idea how a film could be a follow up to Jaka Sembung but The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman fucking did.  It was bigger, bolder, and the humor was still able to find it's mark.  Honestly, this sequel was more enjoyable than the first film which is really saying something.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect in a follow up film to Jaka Sembung.  The acting is very cheesy with even more colorful characters added to this follow up.  We get some fun performances from the cast as they bring some of the most animated characters in movie history to life.  The story for this one is a solid continuation from the first film with the addition of new characters.  We continue to have the inclusion of magic and the martial arts is still the main focus of the film.  Also, the film doesn't shy away from the humor.  In fact, this installment seems to include more humor than the first film which is one of the reasons I enjoy it more than the first.  Finally, we don't get a lot of the blood and gore that some of us likes but we do get some great old school camera tricks and amazing choreography.  The fight scenes are a lot of fun and the main reason to watch any of the films from this trilogy.  Overall, The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman is a must see for martial arts fans especially if you like The Warrior.  I couldn't look away from this one and I know you will too.  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.  

What Happens After the Massacre?

Director - Brandon Guiles (Peggy, Lower Spirits)

Starring - Ty French (Black Doorway), Carolyn Coffee (Lower Spirits, Peggy), and Jeramey Mosher (All My Friends Are Dead, Lower Spirits)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've met a lot of filmmakers over the years that truly impressed me.  They make the films they want to see without exploiting trends or fads that may pop in horror from time to time.  While I am an avid fan of exploitation, I still love original and off beat genre titles from time to time.  One filmmaker that continues to do his own thing while turning out impressive films is Brandon Guiles.  Over the years I had been fortunate enough to review his films All My Friends Are Dead and Peggy which are fantastic films that march to the beat of their own drum.  Recently, he announced a new film that would hopefully answer the age old question "What Happens After the Massacre?"  Brandon was kind enough to send the film my way for review and for that I want to thank him!

     The film follows a summer camp that is trying to reopen their doors the day after a maniac in a mask killed several people there.  Now, the counselors are tasked with getting the camp ready for the campers while the masked killer is still lurking in the woods.

     What Happens After the Massacre? is not what I was expecting at all and I think that may be why I liked it as much as I did.  I went into this one thinking I was about to watch a dark thriller or drama about a group of final girls or the like reminiscing about losing their friends to a slasher.  Instead, we get a pretty straight forward slasher that does somewhat fit the title but could have went in another direction with the naming of the film.  Regardless, I really liked it even if it wasn't the film I was expecting.  The acting in this one is very well done.  The film is not only directed by, but stars Guiles along with several familiar and fresh faces.  They deliver natural dialogue and all their characters are grounded for the most part.  A few of the scenes are a little stiff but it's nothing that takes aware from the overall film.  The story for this one is a bit of a stretch but still flows like a traditional slasher.  So we have two greedy camp owners who refuse to shut down after several people are murdered and the killer is never found.  It's very silly in that regard and anyone watching it knows the police would shut it down to investigate.  However, if you look passed that you will find a solid slasher that takes us back to the woods where it all began.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments but budget is clearly a factor here so the effects are minimal.  The crew did the best with what they had and they work for the film but gorehounds may be a bit disappointed.  Overall, What Happens After the Massacre? is a slasher for genre fans that grew up on made for television movies and shows like Are You Afraid of the Dark?.  It pays tribute to the golden age of the sub-genre but doesn't offer up the memorable kills that many slasher fans are looking for.  Regardless, I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.  

We Are Zombies

Director(s) - Francois Simard (Wake Up, Summer of 84), Anouk Whissell (Red Head Red Dead, Turbo Kid), and Yoann-Karl Whissell (Total Fury, Ninja Eliminator 3: Guardian of the Dragon Medallion)

Starring - Alexandre Nachi (Death of a Ladies Man, Snow Angel), Derek Johns (The Boys, The Umbrella Academy), and Megan Peta Hill (Kung Fu, The Flash)

Release Date - 2024

Genre - Horror/Comedy     

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I recently quit my 9 to 5 to focus on using my degree to teach so I could spend more time with my kids.  I originally put in my two week notice with enough time to have a two week vacation before school started.  However, my previous employer did something I was not expecting.  They told me to just stay home AND they would pay me through my two week notice.  That gave me an entire month to stay at home and watch movies.  I recently had a health scare so my focus wasn't to hit the reviews hard but to relax and focus on some life changes.  This meant binging zombie movies while I played Once Human.  I started with Romero's Dead films before watching random zombie titles.  It was during this time that I received a press release for the zombie comedy We Are Zombies from the team behind Turbo Kid.  I really wanted to see it so I requested a review link.  An hour later I was adding it to my zombie marathon.

     The film follows two friends, Karl (Nachi) and Freddy (Johns), who frequently partner with Karl's sister Megan (Hill) to pick up unwanted zombies from burdened families.  The dead has came back to life and after so long the bodies decompose to the point that they are no longer able to move or function.  This has resulted in several businesses popping up to help families remove them from their home.  Their business strategy is to intercept these calls and snatch the bodies for themselves so they can cash in on the retrieval. This has lead to two corpse retrieval employees coming up extremely short costing their company a large sum of money.  They decide to kidnap Karl's grandmother to hold for ransom forcing the three to scramble to find the money so they can get her back.

     We Are Zombies is one of the many zombie flicks post-Walking Dead that is enjoyable but fails to set itself apart from the hundreds of zombie comedies that find their way to store shelves.  Honestly, I enjoyed it but it's a film I will forget about in a few weeks until someone else mentions it again.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun.  I liked the relationship between Nachi and Johns' characters.  They work very well together and create a great dynamic similar to other characters in zombie comedies like Ed and Shaun from Shaun of the Dead and Mike and Brent from Deadheads.  The rest of the cast is just as enjoyable with a lot of different personalities coming out on display.  The story for this one is basically a crime comedy set against a world where the dead doesn't die.  We follow two con men who partner with someone else intercept calls to pick up the dead so they can turn them in for the reward.  This is a clever crime film with a lot of horror elements that does work.  With that being said, it is a bit predictable and the ending is not as enjoyable as the earlier portion.  Finally, the film has a lot of fun practical and make-up effects.  We get a lot of blood, great looking zombies, and some decent gore in later scenes.  While I did enjoy it, nothing really stood out in that regard.  Overall, We Are Zombies is a solid zombie flick for fans of Buck Wild, A Little Bit Zombie, and Undead.  While it was very enjoyable, it is a bit forgettable.  Check it out.  

WJHC AM

Director(s) - Vinnie Vineyard (Camp Smokey, The Hike) and Luke Walker (Wrestling with Ghosts, How Men React to Unfaithful Partners)

Starring - Vinnie Vineyard, Tracy Yaste (Snapped, Logan's Chapel), and Luke Walker

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "Keeping good folks joyful until the end of days"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (Out of 5):

     A few days back I attempted to start a Vinnie Vineyard and Luke Walker marathon when I was asked to review a few of their films.  I had never heard of these four flicks before so when Vinnie asked me to check them out I was quick to say yes.  I started with the first film on the list which was simply titled The Hike.  The film made me think it was going to be something steeped deep in Native American folklore but went on to become a hixploitation flick that was rather lacking.  I had a health scare and was unable to finish the marathon but once I had things sorted I went ahead and hit play on the second film, WJHC AM.  I want to go ahead and thank Vinnie for sending this one over as well.

     The film follows an aspiring DJ who finds the break he is looking for when he is hired on at a local religious radio station.  His first night on the job should have been pretty straight forward but the fear of Y2K and the second coming of Jesus sends his first night straight to hell.

     I went into WJHC AM with an open mind.  I absolutely hate writing a negative review for a film sent my way for review especially if the filmmaker is extremely kind.  Vinnie Vineyard was extremely down to Earth when I spoke with him and I felt like a major ass for writing a negative review for The Hike but it wasn't for me.  After about 15 minutes or so into WJHC AM I realized that I would not be digging it which was a bummer.  I've met a lot of filmmakers over the years doing this and not all of their films were for me but I continued to stay friends with them and sharing any news they may have on the site.  It looks like Vinnie may be another filmmaker that just doesn't do it for me.  That doesn't mean he is a bad filmmaker but his films don't necessarily resonate with me.  The acting in this one is a lot of fun and probably my favorite aspect of the film.  The cast is really dedicated to their roles and give it everything they have.  They work very well together and the personalities that they bring to life in front of the camera was very impressive.  The story for this one had so much potential to be something that would truly stand out but fails to fully explore those elements.  I grew up in Appalachia and have seen my fair share of religious mania and though I was fairly young I lived through the Y2K craze.  I've seen how worked up many of them became.  A horror film centered around this would have been a lot of fun.  However, much like The Hike, the intriguing aspects of the film was only explored for brief moment in the film while drawn out scenes of dialogue make up most of the film.  The Y2K scare would have been more enjoyable than the atheist working in a christian radio station.  Finally, the film has a little blood but don't expect a lot of gore or memorable deaths.  Overall, WJHC AM is another one with an interesting premise but just couldn't pull it together.  I seriously wanted to like this one but it was difficult for me to finish.  I have to recommend skipping it.