Yellow Dragon's Village

Director - Yugo Sakamoto (Green Bullet, Baby Assassins)

Starring - Yuni Akino (Stop the Bitch Campaign: Reboot, My Favorite Girl), Itsuki Fujii (Vampire Clay 2, Pan), and Wataru Ichinose (Antihero, Sacrifice)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been actively watching Asian horror films for around 15 years now and while my knowledge of Asian cinema is fairly small, I know that some of my favorite horror films I've seen have been Japanese.  Movies like House, Tokyo Gore Police, Meatball Machine, Ichi the Killer, Versus, and Helldriver just to name a few.  Several weeks back I bought a Japanese double feature from Terror Vision and added it to my watch pile to check out when I had the time.  I bought the set for the second film, Visitors, which is why my review appears out of order.  I had to watch the second film first but once I finished with it I quickly tossed in Yellow Dragon's Village.

    The film follows a group of college students who are making a trip out into the country for some camping when they run into car troubles.  They just happen to break down near an old village steeped in tradition with promises of getting their car repaired the following day.  However, the next day they awaken to one of their own missing and at breakfast they learn that the village has a strange ritual that involves butchering outsiders that stumbles upon them.  The town descends on them to slaughter when they flee but several in the group are actually trained in hand to hand combat for just this occasion after losing a family member to their sick game some years before.

     I went into this one absolutely blind and found myself really enjoying it.  The movie, much like Visitors, is far from perfect with a lot of issues with the story but is still very entertaining.  In fact, I could see this one spawning a sequel or even a prequel due to it's rich story with endless possibilities.  The acting in this one is very consistent and very well done.  Much like Visitors, the characters are very one dimensional with very little personalities.  The cast does the best with what they were given but the characters are easily forgettable.  The story for this one is pretty fucking clever.  The film's artwork made me think I was getting into a slasher.  Instead, the film follows a small village that lives like a cannibalistic cult that slaughters anyone that walks into their domain.  This would have been good enough for a straight forward horror flick.  However, we get the additional storyline of several of the youths who have trained to seek revenge against the villagers for killing someone they loved sometime ago.  It feels a bit cheap and doesn't really improve the film.  In fact, it pulls the film down in my opinion.  The movie would have been much better if the film followed the campers as they fought off the villagers.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood and minimal effects.  The kills fit the film very well but if you are looking for memorable deaths and outstanding gore then you will be disappointed.  Yellow Dragon's Village is a pretty solid Japanese horror film with a decent enough story.  While some of it could be edited out to improve it, the film is just fine as is.  It's not going to be someone's favorite film but it is entertaining.  

Yokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts

Director(s) - Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Mirrorman, Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell) and Kimiyoshi Yasuda (The Lefty Swordsman, Tokyo Gambler)

Starring - Kojiro Hongo (Satan's Sword, The Falcon Fighter), Pepe Hozumi (Ultraman Dyna, Super Robot Mach Baron), and Masami Burukido 

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Fantasy/Horror

Tagline - "The most spectacular specters the world has ever seen"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

    When I started the Yokai Monsters journey I never knew what to expect when Arrow Video sent the release my way.  However, I was very pleased with the look and style of the first film in the set 100 Monsters.  The film was so much fun and the look of the film is something that I'm still thinking about several days later.  I spent some time with Neon Genesis Evangelion before I decided to continue through the Yokai Monsters set.  Spook Warfare was a lot of fun as well but just didn't work out for me as well as the first film.  Once I finished Spook Warfare I went ahead and tossed in the final film in the original Yokai Monsters trilogy Along with Ghosts.

     The film begins with a caretaker in a cemetery who is murdered by a group of thugs.  His daughter finds his body and possible clue to who murdered him.  As the gangsters try to find her and get rid of the evidence they soon find themselves at the mercy of the Yokai.  

     Along with Ghosts fits in with the previous two films very well.  It's a copy cat of the other films in sense of style and atmosphere but I found the story of this one to be a little bit more fluid than Spook Warfare.  It didn't feel as chaotic and overwhelming than the other film.  Honestly, this is probably my second favorite film of the three.  The acting in this one fits the film but the characters are nowhere near as fun as the creatures.  This is one of the many consistent themes throughout these films.  The cast is great but the humans are merely there for story purposes while the creatures steal the show.  The story for this one mixes gangsters with monsters and it's surprisingly a lot of fun.  The film is written better than Spook Warfare which makes it a tad more enjoyable.  It's easier to follow, better pacing, and the story has a little more imagination.  Finally, this is not a bloody flick.  We get some fun monsters and great atmosphere but that's the extent of it.  It's a fantasy crime film with monsters so don't expect a blood bath.  Overall, Along with Ghosts is a fantastic installment in the Yokai Monsters trilogy.  Sadly, it's an end to an era with these films but it goes out with a bang.  

Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare

Director - Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Fangs of Darkness: Vengeance, The Invisible Swordsman)

Starring - Yoshihiko Aoyama (The Oiwa Phantom, Zero Fighters), Hideki Hanamura (Devil's Temple, Sleepy Eyes of Death: Sword of Villainy), Chikara Hashimoto (Fists of Fury, Gamera vs. Viras)

Release Date - 1968

Genre - Horror/Fantasy/Comedy

Tagline - "The most bizarre monsters the world has ever seen"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A week or so ago I decided to take a stab at the Yokai Monster Collection from Arrow Video.  I started with 100 Monsters and fucking loved it.  I loved the style of the film and the monsters made it so much fun.  I was fully prepared to start on the second film in the set, Spook Warfare, but decided to watch the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion with my kids instead.  After a week or so of watching the series and the follow up films I've decided it was time to go back and finish this set.  I had a lot of fun with 100 Monsters and Spook Warfare did not disappoint.  

     The film follows a Babylonian demon who is accidentally resurrected by some grave robbers.  As he makes his way through Japan he is spotted by a water spirit who tries to warn the other monsters.  They disregard him but as things take a turn for the worse they band together to stop it from destroying their beloved country.

      Spook Warfare was a lot of fun but not quite as enjoyable as 100 Monsters.  It still has the same style and look of the other film but the story is choppier and uneven.  I still had fun with it and even loved the idea behind the story but the film itself could use some polish and some smoother editing.  The acting in this one is solid but it's the monsters that steal the show.  I liked the cast for the most part but every scene with the monsters was so much fun.  I loved their energy, how they acted with each other, and their personalities.  It was so much fun watching them interact and carry the scene.  The story for this one is essentially a Yokai vs Babylon demon.  It has some great moments especially if you love campy fantasy movies about monsters and demons but I feel like something more could have been done with this story.  It's great as is but could have been a genre defining film if more was applied to it.  Finally, no blood and gore here but I did love the masks and costumes wore by the creatures.  They are a bit campy but it only adds to the atmosphere and look of the film.  Overall, Spook Warfare is a great addition to the Yokai Monster collection.  The story does get a bit chaotic at times which makes if a little difficult to follow but it's still very enjoyable.  Check it out.  

Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters

Director - Kimiyoshi Yasuda (Ghost Story: Depth of Kasane, Sleepy Eyes of Death: In the Spider's Lair)

Starring - Shinobu Araki (Satan's Sword 3: The Final Chapter, The Temple of Wild Geese), Saburo Date (Song of the Devil, Wolf Guy), and Jun Fujimaki (Demon Spies, Daimajin)

Release Date - 1968

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A fantastic world unlike anything you have ever seen!"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several months ago Arrow Video announced the release of the Yokai Monsters box set.  The artwork really caught my attention so I quickly looked into the movies to see what they were like.  After checking out a few trailers I knew I would fucking love them.  I reached out to MVD, who was handling the American releases for Arrow, to see about reviewing it.  When the standard edition was gearing up for release they were kind enough to send the box set my way for review.  After watching Mondo Macabro's Hiruko the Goblin I figured now was as good enough time as any to finally check them out.  I want to thank MVD and Arrow Video for sending this amazing set my way.  

     The film follows a small village who are moving out of their traditional values into a more modern lifestyle.  A local business owner wants to tear down an ancient shrine in order to build a brothel but refuses to surrender to local legends.  He listens to a village elder tell the story of the 100 monsters but still doesn't believe it.  Soon the village is overrun by the 100 monsters from lore.

     I knew 100 Monsters was going a bit different but I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.  I loved the look of the film and the light humor does find it's mark without taking away from the story and pacing.  It is a very enjoyable film especially if you don't take it so seriously.  The acting in this one is so much fun.  The film is full of colorful characters and energetic performances.  I loved the characters and the cast does a fantastic job bringing them to life.  As fun as the story is, it's the characters that makes the film as enjoyable as it is.  The story for this one is a lot of fun.  It's not a horror film per'se but it is a fun fantasy comedy with monsters.  The monsters are not scary or bone chilling but I really enjoyed the lore behind them and how they were used in the story.  I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing, use of humor to break up the scene, and the backstory they delivered.  Character development is put in the bac burner here but it's not something that completely ruin the experience.  Finally, the film has some great make-up effects and puppets along with some classic camera tricks to make the gag effective.  I liked most of the monsters and their look but the lack of blood was a bit disappointing.  Overall, 100 Monsters was not the movie I was expecting but I had so much fucking fun with it.  Horror hipsters may bitch about it but for those of you that are looking for something fun to watch will appreciate this late 60s flick.  I recommend it.  

Yummy

Director - Lars Damoiseaux (Chopper, Patient Zero)

Starring - Maaike Neuville (Perfect Darkness, Red Light), Bart Hollanders (Callboys, Salamander), and Benjamin Ramon (Cannibal, Team Spirit)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Facelifts, boob jobs, and zombies"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been really impressed by Shudder's streaming service and their line of exclusives and originals.  Sure, a few left me feeling underwhelmed but a majority of them have been absolutely amazing.  Several months ago I received the press release for the release of the horror comedy Yummy which was another Shudder exclusive.  This 2019 film looked fun but I wasn't able to review it upon it's release but had since snagged a copy of it for cheap from Amazon.  I've been sitting on the blu for a few weeks now and decided that it was time to finally check it out.  I'm not going to lie, I was really excited to finally check it out.

     The film follows a young woman and her boyfriend who are visiting a clinic so she can have breast reduction surgery.  However, the boyfriend finds himself wondering in an area he should not be and accidentally frees a young woman infected with something that has turned her into a flesh eating monster.  Slowly the hospital becomes infected forcing the young couple to team up with other survivors in order to make it through the chaos to survive.  

     I was expecting a pretty solid zombie flick but I was not expecting a zombie comedy to make me laugh like this one did.  In fact, I haven't laughed this hard at a zombie flick since Shaun of the Dead.  I was not expecting this kind of film but within just a few moments I was in love.  This is the most entertaining zombie flick I've seen in awhile. The acting in this one is solid.  The characters don't stand out like most other horror comedies.  In fact, the character are fairly flat but the cast does the best with what they were given.  It's not really the characters personalities that makes the film.  It's the situation that the viewer enjoys.  Regardless, this was no easy acting job for the cast and they all do a wonderful job.  The story for this one is extremely fun.  Zombies are extremely oversaturated at this time thanks to The Walking Dead and most deliver the same ol' boring story where there is internal drama among the survivors and the humans are the real monster.  Yummy gives us some of that but puts the humor to the front of the film along with the zombies.  Humanity showing it's monstrous side results in more comedic moments in the film.  I could really spin this one as a double feature with movies like Shaun of the Night or Night of the Creeps.  The humor found it's mark and the pacing is perfect.  With that being said, I wish the film had written in some more memorable characters that make horror comedies so much more fun.  Finally, all the best zombie flicks have brilliant death scenes and this one is no different.  We get some fun gory moments with some great practical effects.  Most of us horror veterans have seen this all before but Yummy does a great job with the kills and practical effects.  Overall, Yummy was not what I was expecting and it fucking rules.  I absolutely loved this goofy horror comedy and highly recommend it to other genre fans.  Snag a copy or check it out on Shudder.  You will not be disappointed.  

Ypsi's Emoni

Director - Greg DeLiso (Hectic Knife, Canada's Best Kept Secret)
Release Date - 2020
Genre - Documentary
Tagline - "Meet basketball's next big thing and where he was made..."
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Many years ago I decided to start a blog where I could review forgotten action and exploitation films from the 70s and 80s.  It was my way of finding a way to relax while enjoying movies that I love.  My original blog ran for a few months and before long my love for horror and blaxploitation took over and my main focus was indie horror.  I've primarily reviewed horror movies for almost a decade now but sometimes I want to switch it up a bit and review something out of my wheelhouse.  That is why I started my Trashploitation series that way when I don't feel like reviewing a horror flick I can toss something else in and check it out.  A few weeks back director Greg DeLiso reached out to me to check out his short documentary Ypsi's Emoni about a Michigan athlete rising to fame.  I'm a huge fan of DeLiso's Hectic Knife so I agreed to check it out even though I'm not one that follows sport.  Surprisingly, this documentary was extremely entertaining.

     This documentary follows a lifelong Detroit basketball fan who hears about a high school student making a name for himself among the sports community.  He visits the school, along with his film crew, to watch Emoni Bates in action where they are met with mediocrity at first but soon see the rising star shine on the court.

     Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed to review this for DeLiso.  I never watch sports and most of my spare time is spent on horror or Xbox but I review movies and decided that if I went into this one with that mindset I would be able to write a review.  I may not know a damn thing about Michigan basketball but I do know documentaries and this one was worth the time.  The interviews in this one mostly consist from Emoni himself or those very close to him.  They give an very in-depth look at his personal life and what drives him to be better on the court.  His passion is clearly shown in the 20 minute film and you can see why he is becoming the star that he is.  The interviews do seem to focus more on current and recent events rather than years prior which does make sense considering he is so young.  We get some smooth transitions between each segment and the topic being discussed with some nice shots added in for aesthetics.  Overall, Ypsi's Emoni may not be a film I would seek out on my own but it is very entertaining and worthwhile.  I hope I see this young athlete achieve all his goals and I can't wait to see what the future holds for DeLiso.  Check this one out!

The Young Seducers 2

Director - Erwin C. Dietrich (Caged Women, Rolls-Royce Baby)
Starring - Evelyne Traeger (Angels of Terror, The Innocent Abroad), Rena Bergen (Bed Bunnies, The Sinful Bed), and Melitta Tegeler (Nurses Report, Overnight Models)
Release Date - 1972
Genre - Erotic
Tagline - "They do anything to get what they desire"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It's Christmas Eve and I've reviewed four movies now.  I've worked my way through a couple holiday themed horror flicks before returning to some Erwin C. Dietrich sleaze.  Not too long ago I had a Dietrich double feature with Swedish Gas Pump Girls and The Women of Inferno Island.  Both were sleazy fun with more nudity than plot.  After watching a few horror flicks I decided to toss in another Dietrich flick from Full Moon.  This time it was a follow to an erotic anthology that I previously reviewed.  Thank you Full Moon for sending over the 1972 film The Young Seducers 2 for review!

     The film follows an author who gets a new assistant who will help him write some new stories.  The two collaborate and we follow several women who find themselves in some strange and usual sexual situations.






     I never expect to watch a sleazy film with a compelling story when I toss in a sexploitation flick.  What I do expect is to see some cheesy acting, awkward softcore dry humping, and a unintentionally funny story.  The first Young Seducers was full of skin but the story was somewhat interesting.  The Young Seducers 2 follows in it's predecessor's footsteps.  The acting in this one is what you would expect from an international skin flick.  The cast, for the most part, struggles to find their footing but seem more natural in the nude in front of the camera rather than fully clothed while acting.  The story for this one works for a softcore skin flick.  We follow an author and his assistant as they work together on several stories all featuring sexual situations.  It works to hold these segments together and offers up some entertainment value aside from the breasts.  I actually enjoyed this aspect of the film and wished more anthologies took this approach.  Finally, no blood and gore in this one.  However, there is more breasts than a man could eat for those seeking out the finer things in life!  Overall, The Young Seducers 2 is a worthy follow up to the original sleazy classic.  I highly recommend checking this one out the next time you need some skin.  It's available now on DVD from Full Moon!

The Young Seducers

Radio Promo: The Young Seducers from The Radio Ghost on Vimeo.
Director - Erwin C. Dietrich (Caged Women, High Test Girls)

Starring - Ingrid Steegar (Paul is Dead, Derrick), Evelyn Traeger (Angels of Terror, Teenage Sex Report), and Rena Bergen (The Sinful Bed, Swingin' Swappers)

Release Date - 1971

Genre - Comedy

Tagline - "The bare facts and nothing but!"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been on a huge exploitation kick the last few days.  Horror is and will always be my true love but sometimes I just need a little break to check out some other classic flicks.  After watching two great Blaxploitation flicks I wanted to keep the exploitation theme going.  I ventured to my collection and immediately went for the Vinegar Syndrome films that I still need to review when I remembered that Full Moon had sent over a few sexploitation flicks to check out.  The first sent this way is the 1971 anthology film The Young Seducers.  I dig the simplistic artwork for this one so I had high hopes that the film would be just as entertaining.  Thank you Full Moon for hooking me up!

     The film follows a group of reporters who are tossing headlines around when they make a stark discovery.  They find a trend of sexy young women who seduce older men in different ways.  Each reporter tells a story that had heard about or reported on in the passed that follows a young woman seducing older men.  Most of these take place in public settings like the bus and so on.

     I was expecting a sleazy flick with little story and horrible acting but what I was given was a sleazy flick with an unpredictable story and some solid acting.  The acting in this one was surprisingly entertaining.  The characters are cheesy and very predictable but the cast has fun with it which translates over well on camera.  No one is winning awards but they still do a fantastic job with their performance.  The stories for the segments are all the same but what makes them so damn entertaining is the backstory and the surroundings.  Seeing as to who the people involved are and the location of the story made this film worthwhile.  The areas, like the bus scene and the electronic shop, made the film very funny which is something you don't expect with a sexploitation flick.  Finally, you wont find any blood here.  Instead, you will see some hard bodies pressed against each other in one of the most unusual erotic comedies ever filmed.  Fans of oddball cinema may want to check this one out. 







Yor, The Hunter from the Future



Director - Antonio Margheriti (Cannibal Apocalypse, Last Blood)
Starring - Reb Brown (Captain America, Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf), Corinne Clery (The Devil's Honey, The Humanoid), and Luciano Pigozzi (Castle of the Living Dead, Exterminators of the Year 3000)
Release Date - 1983
Genre - Action/Adventure/Fantasy
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was little I was your typical 90s kid.  I loved Space Jam, Heavyweights, and Ghostbusters.  I lived on Nickelodeon and would sneak out of my room at night to watch Tales from the Crypt.  For my 8th birthday my uncle stopped by with two tapes he was taking back to a video store out of state on his way home.  These two tapes were Conan: The Barbarian and Jason Goes to Hell.  I liked them both but Conan was where it was at.  I watched it so many times that year.  It is because of this that I have a soft spot for these sword and sandal fantasy flicks.  A few months ago Mill Creek Entertainment released the oddball flick Yor, Hunter from the Future.  I remember bits and pieces of this one growing up but I couldn't remember much else.  I reached out and they were kind enough to send the blu my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows warrior Yor (Brown) who is wandering the planet alone when he comes across a small tribe who is under attack from a dinosaur.  He defeats the beast and wins the love of one of their own.  That night they celebrate his arrival but a rival tribe attacks killing many and kidnapping the woman.  He goes after them and gets her back and takes her with him, along with a survivor of the tribe, with him while he searches for answers to where he comes from and the answers behind his unusual medallion. 

     I love a good fantasy flick and I love cheese with my 80s movies so this felt like a movie made just for me 3 years before I was born.  It has so much going on and embodies the 80s just like some of my favorite films.  The acting in this one is cheesy and fun.  The cast has the difficult task of portraying larger than life characters that go through so many genres from sci-fi to fantasy and then adventure.  The cast does a decent job but the campiness of the story rubs off on the characters.  The story for this one is everything 80s had to offer and then some.  We have a sci-fi fantasy film that borrows heavily from Star Wars, Star Trek, and even a little Flash Gordon and mixes it with films like Conan, Beastmaster, and Deathstalker.  With that being said, the film does have a lot going on and we jump from segment to segment a little too quickly.  The film tried to toss everything but the kitchen sink and by doing so it creates and overactive film that may need some sort of medication.  Finally, the film isn't a bloody one but is home to several visual effects that are out dated and sci-fi sets and props that seem cheap but are pretty fun to look at.  Overall, Yor is not your typical fantasy adventure film.  It tries to be more and by doing so becomes less.  It is still a fun watch so check it out!



Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key

Director - Sergio Martino (Torso)
Starring - Edwige Fenech (Strip Nude for the Killer), Anita Strindberg (The Case of the Scorpion Tales), and Luigi Pistilli (A Bay of Blood)
Release Date - 1972
Genre - Horror
Format - BluRay (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Italian horror is a hit or miss sub-genre among horror fans.  Some love them all while other pick them apart and enjoy certain aspects.  Personally, I tend to think that I like them all but I typically avoid giallos because they bore the shit out of me when most feel like a murder mystery and not a horror flick.  Most are beautifully shot and offer up some spectacular imagery.  A decent amount of these beautifully crafted horror films typically gave the viewer buckets of blood and gore but not all of them.  One such horror film was 1972's Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key.  This was a film that I never knew about until Arrow released the Black Cats box set.  The film was another take on the Edgar Allen Poe story The Black Cat.  Arrow was kind enough to hook me up with a review copy of the set.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to check it out!

    The film follows a writer who lives in a very old mansion with his wife and their black cat amply named Satan.  The writer, Oliviero (Pistilli), is a drunk and very abusive towards his wife and often has an affair with one of his former students.  One day she turns up dead and they suspect that Oliviero's wife, Irina (Strindberg), is the one responsible.  Soon, their black maid is found dead not long after wearing Oliviero's mother's dreass.  Oliviero starts to suspect Irna for the murders and turns to physically abusing his wife.  Not long after this Oliviero's niece Floriana (Fenech) arrives.  Oliviero starts seducing her and soon Floriana and Irina hatch a plan to get Oliviero which results in Irina stabbing Oliviero.  Floriana agrees to keep their secret and asks for the family jewelry.  Irina agrees and then hatches out yet another plan with the killer of the first two murders to get Floriana.  The police arrive to investigate and soon finds the cat whining behind the walls in the cellar...
        I was a little upset after watching The Black Cat from one of my favorite filmmakers, Lucio Fucli.  The film had the Fulci style but lacked the gore that I have grown to love and admire from the godfather of gore.  When I tossed in Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key, I was hoping this one would bring the carnage but it did not.  The film has that Italian horror style but lacked the gore I was expecting.  The acting in this one is easily the best out of the set.  The cast works very well together and create some very genuine characters that feel so real.  Luigi Pistilli is a man you love to hate and his character is easy to despise.  That is what the film calls for and he delivers on that perfectly.  Anita Strindberg is brilliant.  She is able to channel that battered woman character perfectly before switching it up to a clever little lady who is able to manipulate everyone around her.  Also, Edwige Fenech is amazing.  She is sexy, seductive, and deceiving.  This is a role she is known for and I believe that is because she was born to play those type of characters.  The story for this one is a very layered take on the Edgar Allen Poe tale.  The film ends like the iconic story but delivers a very unique spin that almost feels like a crime drama and not a horror flick.  This works well on so many levels just a bit of a let down on the horror front.  Finally, the film has a few on screen kills but they are very lackluster.  The film has decent practical effects but do not apply any originality to the kills themselves to make them memorable.  Overall, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key is a solid Italian murder mystery with a great cast and an amazing take on The Black Cat but does not feel like a horror film.  I recommend it just keep in mind that it does not feel like a horror flick.

You Are Not Alone

Director - Derek Mungor (Desolation Wilderness)
Starring - Krista Dzialoszynski (The Key), David O'Brien, and Mary Mikva
Release Date - 2014
Genre - Horror/Thriller
Tagline - "A first person thriller"
Format - Streaming (Online screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Watching the found footage serial killer film Agoni awoken that thirst for indie horror that I once possessed and I started searching even harder for unknown indie gems when I came across the Facebook page for You Are Not Alone.   The film is a horror thriller shot in the first person point of view.  This is slowly becoming a trend with Agoni following that same format, as well as, P.O.V. and Hotel Inferno.   I reached out to the film's Facebook page and they were kind enough to send the link to the film's online screener my way.  I knew nothing of this film before hand and ended up enjoying it.

     The film follows a college girl who visits her family and friends during July 4th.  She meets up with several friends, goes for bike rides, and then buys some weed.  They head out to a party where she becomes separated from her friends and drunkenly walks herself back to home.  The downside to this is the town is under a curfew because there is a killer on the streets.  She goes home and falls asleep.  She awakens a few hours later when she hears a noise and realizes that she left her door unlocked.  She rushes down to lock the door when she spots someone standing in her yard staring at her home.  She warns him several times to leave or she will call the police and he finally listens.  She goes back to her room but the man has found a way inside her home forcing her to flee to a friends house.  Once inside, her friend has a hard time believing her until he receives a knock at the door.  He answers it and the man rushes him with a knife.  The man kills him and gives chase to the young woman.  He is able to subdue her but she refuses to give up the fight.
     It's hard for a first person film, or P.O.V., to feel like an actual movie and not a found footage flick.  Agoni and The Cohasset Snuff Film had no other option than to make the film a found footage flick but the modern classic Hotel Inferno was able to break itself away from this and deliver a genuine movie that was in first person.   The acting in this one is great by the entire cast.  The girl portraying Natalie does nothing but speak occasionally but the remainder of the cast is great.  We get several characters with some depth and personality which is something of a rarity among indie horror flicks in recent years.  The cast is able to adapt those characters into their own and genuinely believable.  This film has a great cast and it shows.  The story for this one is a slow moving thriller that just creeps along until the end.  The story is not original but it is unique in the way that it is a first person perspective.  The story does build in suspense as the film went along which was great.  The film is able to convey some serious dread which is another rarity among indie horror.  Finally, this film lacks on screen kills that fans of horror are looking for.  The film flows more like a thriller instead of a horror film which explains the lack of gore.  The film is also void of practical effects which is one of the things that so many love indie horror.  Overall, You Are Not Alone is a fun film that has some great atmosphere that reminded me a lot of the horror films from the 60s.  The story is not that original nor does it have a body count but it is still a fun watch at night with the lights out.