Absurd



Director - Joe D'Amato (The Blade Master, 2020: Texas Gladiators)
Starring - George Eastman (StageFright, Delirium), Annie Belle (House on the Edge of the Park, Forever Emmanuelle), and Charles Borromel (Ladyhawke, House of Lost Souls)
Release Date - 1981
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Pray you survive the hunt"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I've been in a movie mood and wanted to check out some older horror films.  I love the modern indie horror flicks made with no budgets but sometimes I want that nostalgic feeling that older movies give me.  I started my vacation and before I left for it I checked out Joe D'Amato's Anthropophagous.  I enjoyed it for what it was but it wasn't as extreme or gory as I was lead to believe.  The only logical follow up to that was the tongue-in cheek sequel Absurd.  This film was released on blu along with Anthropophagous by Severin Films and I was lucky enough to get a review copy.  Thanks Severin for sending one my way!

     The film follows a man who has a blood clotting anomaly that makes him almost immortal.  He is mad and murders everyone he comes in contact with.  He is in an accident and rushed to a hospital where he regains consciousness and begins his murderous rampage all over again.  A priest is hunting the man and tries to stop him before he is able to kill more innocent people.

     I went into this one thinking Absurd was a sequel of sorts to Anthropophagous but was shocked to find that it did not share a story but similar elements.  The stories are very similar but the storyline themselves are very different.  Either way, it was still a fun watch and I actually liked it a little more than Anthropophagous.  The acting in this one is extremely uneven.  George Eastman's performance is the highlight of the film.  Watching him clubfoot around killing people is the highlight of the film but the supporting cast was not as entertaining.  The victims struggled to find the correct emotions for their situation which made some of the death scenes funny when they were meant to be taken seriously.  The story for this one is pretty simple and straight forward.  The film was written with John Carpenter's Halloween in mind and that is evident.  You get that slasher feel but set against the backdrop of Anthropophagous.  This surprisingly works for what it is but there is some issues with pacing.  The movie needs some fat trimmed with slow moving scenes and boring dialogue.  Finally, the film has several fun death scenes with amazing practical effects.  I typically enjoy the bright red blood but in this one it did take away from the top notch effects we get.  The kills are unforgettable and work with the story very nicely.  Overall, Absurd is a trashy Italian slasher inspired bloody mess that I thoroughly enjoyed.  The film may not be a direct sequel to Anthropophagous but it is in spirit.  Check it out on blu now from Severin Films. 

 

 



Anthropophagous

 



Director - Joe D'Amato (Porno Holocaust, Absurd)
Starring - Tisa Farrow (Zombie, The Last Hunter), Saverio Vallone (Passion of Love, The Dark Side of Love), and Serena Grandi (Lady of the Night, Bride of Violence)
Release Date - 1980
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "It's not fear that tears you apart...It's him"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I call myself a fan of Italian horror but I'm not a very good fan.  I've liked so many Italian horror films over the years but I have to admit that I've not seen that many.  It has picked up in recent years with classic and long forgotten giallos getting blu releases from companies like Arrow Video, Severin, and Blue Underground.  When I first started watching Italian horror films I came across artwork for the 1980 video nasty Anthropophagous which was directed by Joe D'Amato.  The film is known through the horror community for being gruesome.  Recently the film received a blu release through Severin Films.  I had always wanted to check it out so I reached out to them for a review copy and they were kind enough to send one my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows a tourist group who visit a secluded Greek island when the discover that the town there is deserted.  Their getaway turns deadly when they discover a mad cannibal has murdered and ate the entire town and now they are on the menu.

     I went into this one expecting an early 80s extreme Italian horror film that brought the gore and shock value.  I was greeted with a pretty bloody horror flick but it wasn't as extreme and brutal as I had imagined.  I'm sure it was for the early 80s but compared to other Severin releases it isn't that brutal.  The acting in this one is fun.  The characters are traditional Italian horror characters and it they work very well for the film.  The story for this one is simple and works for the film.  It is a bit of a stretch but its still fun for what it is.  The movie has great pacing and the actions works very well to break up the slower scenes.  Finally, this is a bloody and gory one.  We have plenty of blood and amazing gore.  The kills are fairly brutal but the film doesn't really give you something that you haven't seen before.  Overall, Anthropophagous is a fantastic early 80s Italian horror film.  It isn't as gruesome as I was expecting but it is still a must for any horror fan.  Check it out on blu now from Severin. 





Between Worlds

 



Director - Maria Pulera (Falsely Accused, El Matador)
Starring - Nicolas Cage (Mandy, Mom and Dad), Franka Potente (The Conjuring 2, American Horror Story), and Penelope Mitchell (Hemlock Grove, Vampire Diaries)
Release Date - 2018
Genre - Horror/Thriller
Tagline - "His new life is haunted by old ghosts"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     Nic Cage has been on a roll lately.  He had a string of hits with films like Mandy, Mom and Dad, and Into the Spider-verse.  I was a fan of his growing up but the 2000s saw Cage appearing in several horrible films that earned him recognition for accepting roles in films without reading the script.  I'm not going to lie, I fucking love Season of the Witch and Drive Angry but I know a bad movie when I see a bad movie.  Fans are now backing Cage after Mandy and I don't blame them.  I fucking loved Mandy and when I heard Cage was cast in Between Worlds I knew I would have to see it.  As soon as I saw the film was going out to reviewers I had to get a copy and I was lucky enough to get one in for review.

     The film follows trucker Joe (Cage) who lost his wife and five year old daughter in a house fire.  Joe has tried to move on and has met Julie (Potente) who is a single mother who almost lost her daughter in a motorcycle accident.  Julie does something question involving dark arts to get her daughter back but something goes wrong.  Instead of Julie's daughter's soul entering the body it's Joe's dead wife.  Now she is using Joe to stay alive and Julie is forced to stop her and break Joe's heart or lose her daughter forever.

     I went into this one with a lot of excitement and quickly realized that this one was going to be a task to complete.  The movie had a lot of flaws and nowhere near as awesome as the artwork but was still watchable.  The acting in this one is actually impressive.  Cage is a bit of a buzzkill which may remind viewers of films from his Left Behind phase.  With that being said, I absolutely loved Penelope Mitchell's performance.  Her character was very layered and at time intense which demanded a lot from her.  She did an amazing job and definitely exceeded my expectations.  The story for this one is stretched way too thin.  The first hour or so of the film is painfully slow and the story is barely sprinkled about.  Instead, we get a drunken Cage wondering through his scenes and getting his dick wet.  Honestly, and I can't believe I'm saying this, Cage's sex scenes are fucking bland.  No wonder he has went through a few divorces.  The story needed heavily edited and possibly rewritten to cut out some of these pointless scenes.  Finally, if you are looking for blood and gore you will be very disappointed.  The film has some visual effects here and there along with some great sets but they get lost in the slow moving story and pointless scenes.  Overall, Between Worlds is a disappointing film.  It's not one of the worst films I've scene recently and was an easy way to kill an hour and a half.  It has no replay value and very predictable.  Skip it.  



Death Toilet

 



Director - Evan Jacobs (The Reckoning, Insect)
Starring - Isaac Golub (Black Friday, The Park), Mike Hartsfield (The Riverbed, How Many Times Can I Say I Love You?), and Evan Jacobs
Release Date - 2018
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "You can runs...butt you can't hide"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I love stupid movies.  I can't help it.  Movies that refuse to take themselves seriously and offer up large than life characters are usually movies that stick with me.  Sometime ago Ron Bonk and his SRS Cinema announced that they would be doing a limited run of the new horror comedy Death Toilet.  I did not give a fuck what the movie was about.  All I knew was that I had to have it for my collection.  I went ahead and ordered it and before it arrived I had several people tell me that they had already watched it and it was right up my alley.  I got it in a few months back but I never had the time to check it out until now.  I'm glad I did.

     The film follows a Vietnam vet who moves into the house that his brother mysteriously was murdered in.  After he moved in he starts to notice the toilet acting strange and soon discovers that the toilet is haunted.  He calls for an exorcism but the presence is far more powerful than he truly knows.

     Death Toilet is a bad movie.  Don't let my review steer you in the opposite direction.  The movie is a fucking train wreck through a shit show but god damn do I love every minute of it.  The acting in this one is far from perfect.  The cast over exaggerates every scenario which makes the scenes very fun and gives the lack of story some depth.  They take their lack of experience and turn it into something fun.  The story for this one is a little uneven but does offer up some ridiculous movie fun.  The film does suffer from pacing issues and cutting some running time would make it a little more fun but the film is still very enjoyable the way it is.  I do like the comical approach to this silly story and the end product is very entertaining.  Finally, this film does have some blood but the effects, or the lack there of, does show the film's budget.  We get a little bit of blood here and there and that is the extent of it.  With that being said, I laughed by ass off at the fun 90s visual fireballs shooting from the shitter.  Overall, Death Toilet is fucking fun.  The movie is far from perfect but you can't deny how entertaining this one is.  Check this one out!

Red Eye

 



Director - Tristan Clay (Sin, Desolate)
Starring - Heather Dorff (Dry Spell, Dark Realm), Destinie Orndoff (Party Night, Red Hollow), and Hayden Wilberger
Release Date - 2017
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "He wants to see your insides"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I have a soft spot for movie based on my home state.  I've lived in West Virginia pretty much my entire life so movies like October Sky, We Are Marshall, The Dancin' Outlaw, and Wrong Turn have been a huge part of my life.  I love seeing places I know or near to me on screen regardless of their representation of the state.  As I got older and more obsessed with horror I loved when I discovered that there was several indie directors releasing films within the state.  Directors like Brad Twigg, Eamon Hardiman, and Justin Channel has released several amazing indie films that were made within the state.  A few years ago I caught wind that West Virginian Tristan Clay was crowd funding for his first feature film.  The slasher Red Eye (not to be confused for the Wes Craven film from 2005) successfully hit their goal and the film was made.  I couldn't wait to check it out and several months back my friends at MVD was kind enough to send a review copy my way.  Thanks guys.   

     The film follows an aspiring filmmaker who takes a group of people who hate each other into the woods in hope of filming a documentary around the legend of Red Eye.  Legend has it that he was a backwoods man who ate his children and now murders anyone that ventures into the woods.  The young filmmaker's friends bite off more than they can chew when they discover that the legend of Red Eye is real if you want it to be.

     I wanted to love Red Eye.  I went into this one wanting to fucking love it and be a champion of Tristan Clay and his production company...but I couldn't.  The movie was a huge disappointment and will be remembered as one of the most generic horror films of recent years.  This is a prime example of Wal-Mart horror.  The acting in this one is rough.  I've watched no budget backyard movies and I've reviewed films with million dollar budgets.  I always take the budget and experience into account when watching a movie but Red Eye just didn't work for me.  The cast was right but for the wrong reasons.  We have the guy that looks like your little brother's best friend that is a waiter at Olive Garden as the film's asshole character.  He could have easily been the young filmmaker that flips the script as the movie progresses.  The characters are extremely clichéd and one dimensional which is another factor in the film's performance being so flat.  The story for this one is a bit of a chore to sit through.  We get a standard slasher story that you see in several modern slashers attempting to capture that 80s vibe.  They venture into the woods looking for the spot, cabin, tree, whatever associated in a slasher legend before encountering said legend.  It does abandon the "you wronged me" portion of so many slashers like Friday the 13th and Prom Night but it is still pretty common stock in slasher films.  With that being said, the pacing is off.  The film moves at a snails pace for the first 45 minutes or so and the viewer is forced to watch painful dialogue between characters they don't like.  It's rare that I come across a movie and I can't wait to see them all die.  Most slashers give the viewer a taste of death randomly throughout the film to keep the viewer on their toes.  Red Eye goes the other route where the viewers prays that everyone on screen dies in brutal and horrific ways.  Finally, the film does have some gore here and there but it does not capitalize on it.  We get some cool shots that could be pretty brutal but the film would then cut away or change focus onto something else turning what could be unforgettable slasher moments into clichéd slasher fodder.  The effects we do get are top notch but very underutilized.  Overall, Red Eye could have been the slasher film of the year but it failed to pull together anything memorable.  Instead it becomes another prime example of what it means to be Wal-Mart horror.  Skip it. 





The Possession of Hannah Grace

 



Director - Diederik Van Rooijen (Deadline, Black Widow)
Starring - Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars, Glee), Grey Damon (The Flash, American Horror Story), and Kirby Johnson (5150, Gaia)
Release Date - 2018
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Death is only the beginning"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     The horror genre is often seen as a stale genre by some horror fans.  Though I can see where they are coming from I have to completely disagree.  Most of these horror fans are what I call pop horror fans.  They refuse to give indie horror films a chance and live in the theater.  I can see why someone would be bitter if that was the only style of horror they are willing watch.  With that being said, not all major horror films are trashed.  I was recently sent a press release for the new horror film The Possession of Hannah Grace.  The film looked extremely generic but a refreshing escape from the no budget indie films I typically enjoy. 

     The film follows a recovering addict who is hired to work the graveyard shift in a morgue.  Her first night doesn't start off innocently when a homeless man tries to gain entry into the morgue.  Later a mutilated body is brought in and things turn weird.  Her equipment malfunctions and then wounds on the body mysteriously heal.  It is then that she discovers what the homeless man is trying to do and why the body of the mutilated woman is defying nature.

     I went into this one with an open mind.  Most of these exorcism and possession films give the viewer the same story over and over again while trying to not copy The Exorcist.  Most fail at this but there has been a few movies that was effective.  The Possession of Hannah Grace was not horrifying nor did it deliver a unique horror film but it was entertaining which is all I can ask for.  The acting in this one is not bad but the cast falls a little short on their performances.  Scenes with a lot of excitement and action feel lackluster and boring because the cast has no energy.  They bring nothing to the film so the viewer gets nothing from the scene.  The story for this one is clichéd and generic but still offers up some genuine suspense.  I liked the story but I believe that's because it reminded me of the solid Autopsy of Jane Doe.  Like I stated earlier, this film is not scary or original but it does entertain.  The generic story with solid pacing and great suspense is enough to work in it's favor.  Finally, if you want a bloody horror film you may want to check elsewhere.  The film has a solid looking corpse and some kills that resemble a Skrillex music video but that is the extent of it.  Overall, The Possession of Hannah Grace was far from perfect or memorable but it did satisfy the hunger to watch a big budgeted horror flick.  I recommend checking this one out if you want a late night popcorn flick.  





The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot

 



Director - Robert D. Kryzkowski (Elsie Hooper)
Starring - Sam Elliot (Road House, Justified), Aidan Turner (Being Human, The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey), and Sean Bridgers (The Woman, True Blood)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Adventure/Drama
Tagline - "An American myth"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

      I love weird movies and I love when a filmmaker takes a chance with a movie that is very different than anything else you can find for the time.  That's why I love Troma so much.  Their movies are always unique and off the wall crazy.  Sometime ago I received a press release for the adventure drama The Man Who Kills Hitler and Then Bigfoot.  This movie looked like it was mad for me.  It fucking has Sam Elliot, Nazis, and bigfoot.  I honestly can't think of anything else I would want to see just in the title alone except maybe boobs.  A few days ago I was contacted about review copies of the film and I couldn't pass it up.  Thank you for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check  this one out. 

     The film follows Calvin Barr who is asked by the U.S. and Canadian government to kill bigfoot who they suspect is carrying a deadly plague.  He is tasked with the responsibility because he is responsible for going undercover during World War II to kill Hitler. 

     I honestly don't know what kind of film I was expecting but the movie given to me was nothing like I had envisioned.  The movie is entertaining but it could have been so much more.  The acting in this one is solid.  Sam Elliot delivers a superb performance along with Being Human star Aidan Turner but the rest of the cast just falls flat.  The characters are extremely unlikable and the cast does nothing to make them stand out.  They are written flat and performed that way.  The story for this one was my biggest hang up with the film.  We follow Calvin Barr as he daydreams about being younger before World War II about the life his lived and the woman he loved.  This is a solid story but having it split up into smaller scenes scattered throughout the film makes it difficult to follow.  Honestly, the film would have been more effective if we followed the elder Barr has he was asked to kill bigfoot and then we got the entire flash back at once before returning back to Barr before he tracks down bigfoot. This would have made sense.  Instead, the film we are given is confusing and awkwardly edited.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you will have to look elsewhere.  We do get a fun diseased bigfoot and a few small effects here and there but the film is solely story focused.  Overall, The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot is a messy film that can still be fun.  The story is unique but they definitely dropped the ball. 

 



Teratomorph

 



Director - Joe Meredith (South Mill District)
Starring - Joe Meredith, Martin Trafford, and Cidney Meredith (South Mill District)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi
Tagline - "The alien menace is regenerating"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     

          This is the week where I struggle to get anything review related done.  Cinema Wasteland is just a few days away and that's all I can think about.  Aside from drinking and buying as much horror and cult films as I can, I like to meet the celebrity guests when they are ones I admire and this Wasteland has several that I do.  I really need to review some movies but my mind wants me to lay on the couch and watch the films associated with the amazing guests I'll be meeting this weekend.  With that being said, I really need to knock out these reviews and the next one up is the sequel to 2018's horror short South Mill District.  Teratomorph was released early this year from director Joe Meredith who I just discovered will be making an appearance at Wasteland. 

     The film once again follows survivors in a post-apocalyptic world after an alien war has wiped out most of humanity.  Now an evil corporation is running experiments on the living using the Havoc Virus.  We follow a young boy who is left to his own to survive against the harsh elements but he is far from normal and soon the changes within start to show on the outside. 

     South Mill District really impressed me.  Joe Meredith and company took an amazing idea and turned it into something that truly knows no end.  This story can literally go on forever with limitless possibilities.  This, and Joe's love of the gruesome, come together to create something very enjoyable in the world of horror and indie productions.  The acting in this one is similar to the first film.  The cast is mostly doing scenes alone but they really get into their roles which makes the scenes work.  Their emotions are off from time to time but they still deliver stellar performances.  The story for this one dives deeper into the story we were given with the first film but with more detail provided.  Joe lays even more ground work for more follow ups with a story that could know no end.  I loved the pacing and how deep and dark this story goes.  Finally, this film is visually a work of art.  The effects are top notch, the gore is great, and the lighting is straight out if Italy in the 70s.  Overall, Teratomorph is another fantastic short from someone that truly gets horror.  I highly recommend this one so check it out. 





South Mill District

 



Director - Joe Meredith (Teratomorph)
Starring - Toby Johansen (Slimoids, Backyard Vampire), Cidney Meredith (Teratomorph), and Joe Meredith
Release Date - 2018
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Where the line between human and alien is blurred..."
Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I discover a lot of interesting horror films just browsing the horror groups on Facebook.  Sometimes I come across movies I've never heard of before and other times I discover filmmakers with several films under their belts that are new to me.  One director that I recently discovered is Joe Meredith who is the director behind the two shorts South Mill District and the follow up Teratomorph.  I loved the artwork for them so I reached out to Joe and grabbed a copy of each to check out.  I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed them.
     The film takes place on a world ruined by an alien war where the last remaining humans are living experiments for the Eon Corporation.  We then follow two of these former test subjects are they wonder the desolate wasteland while an alien spider is incubating inside of them.




     I honestly had no idea what to expect from South Mill District but I do know I was fucking excited.  After I received the film I was told by a friend that it reminded them a lot of James Bell's work but with more focus on story.  That was enough to give me a boner.  The film hit hard and didn't let up.  The only downside is the film's short running time.  The acting in this one is not your typical performances.  The scenes are done with just one person so there is not much dialogue but the cast still does a fantastic job.  They really get into their roles and have fun doing it which shows.  The story for this one is very intriguing.  I really liked what Meredith was going for.  Sadly, this story is so much bigger than the short we are given with limitless possibilities.  That is my biggest complaint with the short.  I hate that it is a short.  We have a story that can go anywhere and we are given a 20 minute short.  I understand it takes time and money to make a movie but this story has so much to be told.  Finally, this film has several scenes for you gorehounds.  We get some traditional stop motion creatures with some outstanding practical effects.  I loved the look of the creatures along with the other practical effects.  Meredith has a style all his own and that stands out when it came to the creatures.  Overall, South Mill District is a visually pleasing and gruesome horror short.  It packs a punch but the short running time does leave the viewer wanting more.  I highly recommend checking this one out.