Tank 432

Director - Nick Gillespie (Samuel and Emil vs The Word, The Shadow Seamstress)
Starring - Rupert Evans (Hellboy, The Boy), Steve Garry (The Fallow Field, Rough Around the Edges), and Deirdre Mullins (The Frankenstein Chronicles, Whitechapel)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "There's no turning back"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     After watching several no budget indie flick I wanted to mix it up a bit and check out something a little more polish.  I recently checked out the two Sasquatch films Mountain Devil and Something in the Woods.  Aside from those I was able to watch and review the indie films Betsy and Slimed.  All these films are great but I sometimes I like to mix it up a little.  A little while ago I was sent the psychological horror film Tank 432 by Scream Factory in conjunction with IFC Midnight.  I was on the fence about this film due to the fact that most of the film's running time takes place in a tank.  I then had to remind myself that the film Battery takes place in a car and is easily one of my favorite modern zombie films.  I went into it with an open mind and I'm glad I did.  I actually enjoyed Tank 432.  Once again I want to thank Scream Factory for allowing me to check this out.

     The film follows a military unit making their way through a desolate countryside when then encounter women locked in freight liners.  They take them out and are immediately under fire from an unknown enemy.  They continue their march through the countryside until they find an abandoned tank.  They empty it out and climb inside to seek refuge.  However, their fight is not over when they discover a strange medication inside the tank that is mentally taking its toll on the inhabitants.

     I heard some rough things about this film going into it.  A lot of horror fans complained that it was a boring film with little to no action.  I can see their point but I personally enjoyed it.  Tank 432 may not be one of the most enlightening horror films I had ever seen but it was still entertaining.  The acting in this one is pretty entertaining.  Each actor delivered a unique character that was both very well portrayed and memorable.  I really enjoyed Rupert Evans and Michael Smiley's performance.  Their characters were great and well balanced.  I was a little disappointed that Smiley was not more utilized.  Great casting on the film's part.  The story for this one is very bold but does come across as underwhelming.  The psychological horror angle does come across as weak and almost undermines the raw horror the beginning of the film establishes.  The film would have been a powerful tale of claustrophobia if it would have abandoned the psychological aspect.  Finally, the film does have a few on screen kills but they are rather lackluster and boring.  Most involve gun shot wounds.  The effects are great but once you seen a great gunshot would you've seen them all.  Overall, Tank 432 is far from perfect but I enjoyed it.  It has several noticeable flaws but the overall film is enjoyable.  Check it out. 

    

Slimed

Director(s) - Eric Manche and Jeff Nitzberg
Starring - Jordan Lee, Dustin Triplett, and Jessica Borusky
Release Date - 2010
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi/Comedy
Tagline - "Action. Horror. Exploding children"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     My luck with indie horror films has been in point the last few days.  Recently, I was lucky enough to check out the werewolf film Betsy from director Shawn Burkett and Concept Media before moving on to the bigfoot centered films Mountain Devil and Something in the Woods.  After watching these I wanted to continue my indie horror spree and check out some more no budget fun.  Next on my list is one of the newest acquisitions of Troma and will premier on their streaming service Troma Now.  The film, Slimed, was originally shot in 2010 and just now found distribution.  I love anything Troma so I reached out to them and they were kind enough to hook me up.  Thanks Troma for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check out this film!

     The film follows atheist park ranger Rock Rockerson (Lee) who is about to lose his park to back taxes when he encounters a bible salesman named Pepe(Triplett).  Pepe proposes that they build a nature center in the middle of the park to appeal to a younger generation and Rock agrees.  They venture out to a secluded part of the park with a horrible past to build when Rock discovers that Pepe was tricking him into building a church.  While they are quarreling a test subject from a chemical company rolls down the hill covered in a glowing green substance.  They set out to investigate the origin of it and discover a corporate conspiracy and a world unlike their own.

     I have a high standard when it comes to Troma.  I want wacky characters, ridiculous stories, and gruesome kills.  Slimed delivered just that.  I loved the way the film was shot, the story, the characters, and the overall look.  Slimed delivered and is easily one of my favorite Troma distributed films of recent years.  The acting in this one is not great but I love the way it was done.  All the characters are not natural.  Instead, you get characters as if they were written for a children's program.  The acting and the cast reminded me a lot of shows like Pee Wee's Playhouse and I fucking loved it.  The story for this one is fun.  It never has a slow moment and continuously builds upon itself.  Also, there is several twists and turns so you never know where this crazy rollercoaster ride will take you next.  The film does a great job at incorporating horror and sci-fi elements that you can find in drive-in staples of the 50s and 60s.  It was a pleasant surprise and I really enjoyed that.  Finally, the film is a visual feast.  It has tons of classic visual and practical effects.  The practical effects are decent but nothing memorable but what really stands out is the campy visual effects and classic camera tricks.  I love seeing things like that in indie cinema.  When you can't make the visual effects look authentic you can still have fun with them which can be seen in the works of Dustin Mills and the modern holiday classic Thanksgiving.  Overall, Slimed is a testament of indie horror filmmaking and turning a no budget into an unforgettable film.  I cannot recommend this film enough. 

      

Something in the Woods

Director(s) - David Ford (Sense of Urgency) and Tony Gibson (Gypsy Moon)
Starring - David Ford, Angela Harger (Deadly Notes, The Session), and Mike L. Hall (Devil's Deal, Skookum: The Hunt for Bigfoot)
Release Date - 2016
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Inspired by true events"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     With the Mothman Festival approaching I am in a huge cryptid mood.  I've loved cryptozoology for years but with recent visits to Point Pleasant I've become a little more obsessed with it.  As I was going through everything I need to set up the Horror Society/Wild Eye Releasing booth I decided to look up other films centered around bigfoot, Mothman, Braxton County Monster, and so on when I came across a Facebook page for the family thriller Something in the Woods.  This was a film right up my alley so I reached out to them.  They were kind enough to send over a link to an online screener.  With my review of Mountain Devil looming I decided to make a bigfoot double feature.  I want to thank the folks by Something in the Woods for allowing me to check the film out for the site!

     The film follows John Hartman and his family who lives in a small town surrounded by forests.  He is a foreman for a logging company that is making great strides in the logging industry.  Things take a dark turn when John spots a hairy creature walking on two legs around his property.  He tries to catch the creature but it seems to be one step ahead of him.  When he learns that the creature has been spying on his youngest son he sets out to kill the creature before it can tear his family apart.

     Something in the Woods is not your typical horror film.  In fact, this dark thriller is aimed for families.  With that being said, it is still a fun film for any horror fan or cryptid enthusiasts.  The acting in this one was surprisingly good.  Budgets usually dictate talent but this film has one hell of a cast regardless of the budget.  Director David Ford is awesome as the film's lead.  He is a powerful character and really has that fatherly charm that people look for in a farther figure.  He takes control of his scenes and carries the story.  The supporting cast is just as great and I can't praise them enough.  The story for this one is great for the topic but it is a bit of a slower burner.  The story does a great job with character development and establishing the story but it moves at a snails pace.  A little more action or story oriented scenes scattered throughout would have made this one a lot better.  Finally, this isn't the blood and gore bigfoot flick like The Big F.  Instead of gore and practical effects we get solid storytelling and a creature feature set in a dreary atmosphere.  Overall, Something in the Woods may not be the horror film you are looking for but fans of bigfoot and other cryptids will really enjoy this dark thriller.  Check it out!

Mountain Devil

Director - Ryan Cavalline (Stockholm Syndrome, Dead Body Man)
Starring - Eric Altman, Eddie Benevich, and Dennis Dean
Release Date - 2017
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Based on true events"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     By this point it is no surprise that I am a fan of cryptozoology and local folklore.  Growing up in West Virginia I was raised on the tales of Mothman of Point Pleasant and the Braxton County Monster.  Both are state known legends that really kicked me into horror.  I discovered cryptozoology around the time I read through my school libraries Goosebumps collection.  It was then that I was introduced to several Appalachian ghost story collections and some had tales of bigfoot, the Mothman, and one eye witness account of the Braxton County Monster.  I was hooked on these stores.  I'm not a believer but I do have an interest in the matter.  Sometime ago Wild Eye released the Ryan Cavalline film Mountain Devil.  Having a story centered around bigfoot made me curious.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to hook me up with a review copy.  Thanks guys!

     This docu-drama follows a team of investigators as they try to follow the steps of Frank Peterson who had an encounter with a bigfoot type creature years before.  They set up shop in the area their video footage was filmed and spend the night in hopes of catching the mysterious cryptid on film.  While this is taking shape we are given interviews from locals that has witnessed similar creatures while in the woods nearby.

   




   
     Before I start this part of my review I do have to say that this review is far from perfect.  In fact, some may find it unwatchable but I really enjoyed it.  I can see where Cavalline was going with it and was entertained by it but there was several things I would have changes.  The "interviews" in this one are fun but some are a little awkward to watch.  Some may be camera shy or their first time on camera and it shows.  However, some are natural in front of the camera and deliver their dialogue in a pleasant manner.   With that being said, the "re-enactment" scenes were solidly acted.  I really enjoyed these little cut scenes and would have loved to see them become their own standalone flick.  The story for this one was entertaining but it could have easily been split into two separate flicks.  The first portion, the documentary, is a fun look at a supposed encounter where a hunter and his friend shoot and kill a bigfoot like creature.  We have a look at the family who had heard the story and a candid interview with the person themselves.  This should have been a stand alone film.  The other portion, the re-enactments was a solid look at a bigfoot horror film.  These scenes are short and few in between but I would have loved for this to be it's own film.  The story was simple and would have worked on a no to low budget.  Finally, this isn't your typical horror film with the blood and gore.  It does have a sasquatch kill that is bloody.  The effects are not the best but that is why I loved it.  It reminded me of a cheap shot on video kills from the 90s.  Overall, Mountain Devil is not the film you are expecting.  This documentary/mockumentary is fun if you have an interest in cryptozoology but there is plenty of room for improvment.  Cryptid fans will need to check it out.  

Betsy

Director - Shawn Burkett (Don't Fuck in the Woods, Bludgeon)
Starring - Kelci C. Magel (Midsummer Nightmares, Season's Greetings), Josh Miller (Nothing Good Ever Happens, Applecart), and Marylee Osborne (Primordial, Babysitter Massacre)
Release Date - 2017
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Concept Media is one of my favorite indie companies in the game.  Founders Shawn Burkett and Ryan Stacy have a very unique sight into the indie film world and their films always stand out because of it.  Their films Midsummer Nightmares, Bludgeon, Ladies Night, and Don't Fuck in the Woods are staples among indie horror fans.  Not long ago director Shawn Burkett announced a new film simply titled Betsy after the success of his last film DFitW.  I really like the way Shawn approaches horror films and I knew I would enjoy myself with Betsy.  I want to take a moment to thank Shawn for sending this one my way.  Fuck you Shawn.

     The film follows Betsy (Magel) who was attacked by a strange man on the street.  He bites her on the shoulder before making off.  After three weeks she is still shaken by her experience and is visiting a support group to overcome her attack but things are not that simple for her.  As the full moon approaches she starts to suffer nightmares.  Driven to the brink of insanity she finally snaps when the moon is full and the true beast within emerges going on a bloody rampage in a small, sleepy town.

     Horror films has so many ways they can go.  They can be series with a rich story that keeps the viewer glues to the television.  They can be completely ridiculous and we follow a shit monster or possessed condom as they go on a bloody rampage.  Some take a psychological approach while others are dark and ominous like the classic gothic tales almost forgotten.  Shawn's films are always dark in nature but are full of bright characters full of life.  Betsy had Shawn's trademark look and delivered on the classic monster movie feel.  The acting is great in some scenes and awkward in others.  The cast is sharp and the film consists of some of the best names in indie horror.  Kelci Magel is great in her role.  Her character is weak at the beginning of the film but we see her transform into something malicious.  She was great and Shawn made the right choice with her.  With that being said, I'm always shocked when I see Josh Miller in a film.  I've talked to him several times at Cinema Wasteland and he is very approachable and takes control of the conversation which you wouldn't expect considering he typically portrays the weaker men in films like Nothing Good Ever Happens.   He is a very talented actor and one I can see staying in the game for years to come.  The supporting cast is great as well but some of the scenes does involve some awkwardly delivered dialogue that just does not feel natural.  The story for this one is a bit of a slow burner but it does come to a great climax.  The story does move a little slower at the beginning but it does a great job at character development.  The ending does pick up the action and delivers some monster carnage reminiscent of some of the classic Universal monster movies.  Finally, the film does have several on screen kills full of the red stuff but doesn't deliver the gore one would associate with a werewolf film.  The kills we do get showcase solid practical effects but I feel as if there was some missed opportunities with the gore.  Overall, Betsy is a werewolf film with a bite.  The film has the perfect look and is a great homage to classic werewolf films of yesteryear.  The cast is great...sexy and deadly.  Check this movie out if you ever have the chance.  You will not be disappointed.   

Last Day of School

Director(s) - Michael Mahal (Behind the Scenes, 30 Days 30 Girls) and Sonny Mahal (Sin City Players)
Starring - Michael Forsch (Captain Spaceman: The Lost Episode, Dismembered), Ben Stobber (Knight Witch, $tripped), and Nailya Shakirova (Betrothed, Desert Dwellers)
Release Date - 2016
Genre - Comedy
Tagline - "4 students, 24 hours + 5 insane tasks = graduation"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I think of Troma I immediately start thinking about low budget horror films with incredibly crazy characters and over the top situations.  This is how Troma has made a name for themselves by distributing and creating their own.  Their brand is legendary and every horror fan associated Toxie with indie cinema.  Troma may be known for their no to low budget gore flicks but they have released several non-horror titles.  They have a few romantic comedies, sex comedies, sci-fi flicks, and so on.  Recently, Troma acquired the 2016 comedy Last Day of School directed by Michael and Sonny Mahal.  I love Troma and have been collecting then for almost as long as I had been collecting movies so I needed to see this one.  I was able to reach out to Troma and they were kind enough to send one my way.  Thanks!
     The film follows four typical college guys who would rather spend their time with ladies and partying than graduating.  Over the years at college they became friends with a rather nerdy but genius guy who does their work for them if they let him hang out with them.  On their final day of class the professor, who just caught his wife cheating and went on a bender, throws a pop quiz and catching them all cheating.  The professor offers them a chance to graduate.  They must perform 5 tasks for him to exact revenge on his cheating wife and her lover in order for them to graduate.  This tasks are not easy and they must do everything they can to complete them in order to graduate.

     I wasn't looking for a film to rival Porky's, Animal House, or Revenge of the Nerds but I was looking for something with a few laughs and beautiful women.  Last Day of School did have a couple laughs spread out throughout the film but comes across as oddly generic and unoriginal.  The acting in this one is not that great.  In fact, it was a little embarrassing to watch at time.  The cast could have pulled these characters off it was a lot earlier in their career but they just aren't believable as 22 to 22 year olds.  They all try to channel their inner Stifler which makes it come across as forced and clichéd by this point.  It just doesn't work that well.  The supporting cast is decent when given a chance which isn't that often.  The story for this one took the plot of National Lampoon's Animal House but twisted it some.  In Animal House we follow a frat who is about to be kicked out of college and decide to stick it to them on their way out.  This film is like that except the men are forced to raise hell or be kicked out of college. Almost thirty years later the story is clichéd and predictable.  It honestly felt like a direct to DVD sequel to American Pie.  The laughs were funny but there was few and far in between.  Finally, this isn't one for blood and gore.  If you want that you will need to visit another Troma flick.  Instead, we get beautiful women and lame ass humor.  Overall, Last Day of School could have been a good film but decided to play it safe and release a college comedy that borrows heavily from so many other films.  The film had a solid indie budget and could have delivered something memorable instead of this film which I am sure will be forgotten over the years only to be found in the collections of Troma supernerds.