The Legend of Bigfoot

 



Director - Harry Winer (ABC Afterschool Specials, SpaceCamp)
Starring - Ivan Marx (In the Shadow of Bigfoot), Peggy Marx (In the Shadow of Bigfoot), and Yukon Frida
Release Date - 1975
Genre - Documentary
Tagline - "Startling new motion picture footage of the elusive creature"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I would give anything to have been a young teen in the 70s.  There was so many amazing movies being released and there was so many drive-ins to watch them in.  This is just my opinion, but this was the best time for movie fans.  The 70s was a fantastic time for movies centered around sasquatch.  One film has become infamous since it's release and that is the 1975 The Legend of Bigfoot.  This stock footage film with a narrative was released as a bonus film in the AGFA release of Godmonster of Indian Flats.  I finished Godmonster and was very underwhelmed with it so I decided to go ahead and check out The Legend of Bigfoot and was surprised by how much I enjoyed this weird documentary. 

     The film follows Ivan Marx who is a self-proclaimed tracker.  He is often contacted to go out into the wilderness to track down things ranging from bears that are killing livestock to other wildlife.  He has lived his life in the woods and backs science but one trip changes that when he suspects something is out of the ordinary.  After speaking with others in his profession and convinces himself that there may be claims to bigfoot.  He then sets out to track it and suspects that it may be a migratory animal.  His hunch pays off and he is able to predict when and where they will be.  He is even able to capture evidence of the creatures foraging in the swamp.  

     I heard of this film for sometime but I never took the time to see what it was about.  The documentary aspect actually distracted me at first but as it progressed I actually enjoyed it.  The acting in this one is non-existent.  We follow a man recording himself in the wild while narrating the footage.  This is nothing memorable.  He is confident in himself and his adventures and that confidence works well for the film.  The story for this one is bold if anything but it holds the viewers attention.  The movie could have been 30 minutes long and be just as effective.  I'm glad it wasn't because I actually enjoyed watching it.  I'm sure some will believe this to be a genuine documentary but it is not.  Finally, this isn't a blood film as you could tell.  It does have some footage but the suits are out of scale for the rest of the film. The viewer doesn't get a look at the detail to really enjoy the creature aspect.  Overall, The Legend of Bigfoot is a different bigfoot film but it was fun to watch.  In fact, I could see myself checking this one out again.  Check it out now on the special features for AGFA's release of Godmonster of Indian Flats. 

 



Godmonster of Indian Flats

 



Director - Fredric Hobbs (Alabama's Ghost, Roseland)
Starring - Christopher Brooks (Jack and the Beanstalk, The Mack), Stuart Lancaster (Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns), and E. Kerrigan Prescott (Fiend Without a Face, Danger Man)
Release Date - 1973
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Wanted! Have you seen this sheep?"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I love modern technology and the thought of turning old scares the living shit out of me but I would have loved to live through the golden age of drive-in cinema.  The movies at this time were so much fun and I couldn't imagine watching this as part of a double feature at the drive-in.  I may not get to enjoy these at the drive-in but AGFA is doing a fantastic job with their blu line.  They are releasing some classic sleaze and trash on blu and these releases usually have a second film as a bonus feature that works very well as a double feature.  Sometime back they released the 1973 what the fuck creature feature Godmonster of Indian Flats.  I had owned the Something Weird DVD release of it for some time but I never got around to watching it.  I'm glad I held off checking it out because it was so much fun watching it as a double feature with The Legend of Big Foot.

     The film follows a small town in the middle of nowhere where a wealthy mayor is trying to turn it into a tourist spot by using an old west gimmick.  What they don't expect is a primordial gas to seep out of the ground and into a nearby sheep farm turning one of the innocent creatures into a bloodthirsty primal beast.  Now the mayor and one of the wild west actors must stop it before it ruins everything they had tried to build.

     I wasn't expecting a life changing experience with Godmonster of Indian Flats.  I wanted something extremely campy, dated, and fun.  The film was fun for a one time watch but I won't be revisiting it anytime soon.  The acting in this one is actually pretty good.  Some of the cast needed some work and better direction but most of the cast is actually surprisingly great on screen.  Their characters are fun and their performances make the dry scenes actually tolerable.  The story for this one is mirror image of the mad scientist run amok type films except this time we get mother nature creating the oddity and not science.  With that being said, I liked the creature and how weird it is but the film itself is just too damn long.  The movie could have ended several times before it actually did which would have worked better than the way the film actually ended.  The movie had a great start and solid middle but the ending was half assed.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you are barking up the wrong tree.  However, if you want to see a horrible sheep monster you are in luck!  Overall, Godmonster of Indian Flats is not a movie I will see myself revisiting but it was fun to pass the time.  With that being said, the bonus film on this release is worth picking this one up from AGFA and Something Weird.  



Lady Street Fighter

 



Director - James Bryan (Jungle Trap, Hell Riders)
Starring - Renee Harmon (Frozen Scream, Night of Terror), Jody McCrea (Major Dundee, Bikini Beach), and Trace Carradine
Release Date - 1981
Genre - Action/Crime
Tagline - "She makes the good guys happy.  She makes the bad guys bleed"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

    

     I don't know if its my age or just my tastes changing but I find myself getting more and more obsessed with exploitation than horror.  This is a kick started by Vinegar Syndrome but other companies were around before them.  Companies like AGFA and Something Weird.  Sometime ago AGFA start releasing strange exploitation flicks on blu and DVD.  I was sent some to review and I was instantly hooked on their weird and sleazy exploitation flicks.  Sometime ago I got the AGFA blu for Lady Street Fighter from MVD.  I had heard of this one but I never had the opportunity to check it out until now.  Thank you MVD for sending this one my way!

     The film follows a European kung-fu beauty who visits LA to hunt the group responsible for murdering her sister.  In her hunt she befriends a federal agent who may not be who he claims to be. 

     I knew this one was going to be a bad but fun experience and I was right for the most part.  The movie hit all the rights notes that I was hoping it would hit but there was some things that just didn't sit well for me.  I loved the acting in this one.  Most of the cast did not give a fuck.  Renee Harmon had no idea what she was doing and it was fucking brilliant.  Her sexy kung-fu fighting was absolutely laughable but it was still entertaining to watch.  She may be a lot of things but coordinated in bellbottom jeans is not one of them.  The rest of the cast is the same way.  They awkwardly spit out their dialogue and I fucking love it.  They give zero fucks at establishing a character and it makes the movie just that much more better.  The story for this one is a bit of a mess but fits the film.  The late 70s we saw several vigilante films where we follow a someone avenging the death of a loved one.  This started in the early 70s with Death Wish but once we hit 78 we were given hundreds of clones.  I'm surprised a film with a similar story was being released in the early 80s especially with a kung-fu feel.  I liked the story but there is several scenes that did not fit the story and create confusion.  Finally, This one has a few fight scenes with horrible choreography but doesn't have blood for you real gorehounds out there.  We have a little blood here and there but nothing that really adds up.  Overall, Lady Street Fighter is a fucking gem for fans of trashy cinema.  I recommend checking this one out with a few friends and a bunch of booze.  Its going to be a blast.  

 



Date From Hell

 



"Date From Hell" Horror Short Teaser Trailer from Amadon-Shannon Media Group on Vimeo.
Director - Ven Scott
Starring - Ava L'Amoreaux (Couples Night, Apple Seed), Samuel Brett Lee Howard (Pretty Bad Shape), and Jason Zentner (Meet Me There)
Starring - 2018
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

 

     I kind of took a break from watching movies for a few days.  I went a little overboard with some of the AGFA releases lately which are double feature in some cases.  I watched a handful of these releases and decided to spend the next few days playing some Xbox and spending a little more time with my family.  As the weekend approached I was sent a press release for the horror short Date From Hell.  The poster had me hooked so I reached out to see if I could review it.  I'm glad I did because this was a fun one. 

     The film follows a young couple who have a disagreement at a local bar and leave.  They head down a back alley but they are not alone.  A man sitting by himself watches them leave and follows with bloodlust in his eyes.  He attacks the man forcing his girlfriend to flee.  He chases after but when she trips and falls he is able to claim his second victim.  As he ended her life he is greeted with a huge surprise when he discovers they are more than just his ordinary victims.

     I went into this one not knowing a damn thing about it other than I absolutely loved the artwork for it.  I enjoyed the short for what it was.  It was a bit predictable and the ending is a little bit of a head scratcher but it was fun.  The acting in this one is great.  Samuel Howard and Ava L'Amoreaux are fantastic together.  Their characters feed off each other and they really move this short along.  I enjoyed their performance and the characters they created.  The supporting cast is great as well.  They are extremely comfortable on screen and do a great job.  The story for this one is solid for the film's running time.  It is a little predictable and you can see the twist coming a mile away but that doesn't take the entertainment away.  With that being said, the ending did leave me scratching my head.  Spoiler following - If they are the things they are and returned to the bar covered in blood why is no one freaking out?  Are the people there just like them?  If so, why was the killer who is not like them there at the beginning of the film?  Maybe I'm looking too far into this.  Finally, the film does not shy away from blood.  We get some fantastic effects with a ton of blood.  The effects are top notch and I love the beast at the end of the film.  Overall, Date From Hell is a highly entertaining short.  A feature length film would have been very underwhelming but the short time is plenty enough to get the point across.  Check it out. 



 

     



Marrtown



 



Director - Rich Rule (No Knock List, Khange Tha Game)

Starring - Kristen Mitchem (The Axeman of Henderson County, The Last Witch Hunter), Toni Marie Perry (Khange Tha Game), and Maria Olsen (Paranormal Activity 3, Neighbors)

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The monsters are inside us"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

 

Rating (out of 5):

     I always look forward to checking out a movie that has something to do with my state.  West Virginia doesn't give a lot of love to independent filmmakers.  It is a real struggle for them due to a number of reasons.   Lack of support is usually the biggest obstacle they will face.  I recently received No Knock List and Marrtown from West Virginia filmmaker Rich Rule.  I'll be completely honest.  I was not expecting to like No Knock List but I couldn't wait to see Marrtown.  The poster sold me on the film while No Knock List looked like a film I would typically skip.  I was wrong and actually enjoyed No Knock List and couldn't wait to toss in Marrtown.  Thank You Rich for sending these two films my way.
     The film follows Theo (Mitchem) who has returned home so she can finish college.  Her father recently passed away and her mother has turned to the bottle to cope.  Theo is struggling as well.  She is about to flunk out of college and now something strange is starting to happen to her.  She suspects she is part of a cursed bloodline and may actually be a witch.  He lives takes an even darker turn when she is given a locket which may be the cause for all her bad luck...or is it?
     I really wanted to like Marrtown.  No Knock List really shocked me by how well it was done and how solid the cast was.  The artwork had me sold on Marrtown but it just did not go the distance.  It has tremendous potential but fell short.  The acting in this one is extremely uneven.  Kristen Mitchem can carry a scene.  She is a very strong lead with some fantastic acting chops and easy on the eyes.  It would be a damn shame if we don't see her more in indie horror.  Sadly, her supporting cast just doesn't offer up as an entertaining performance.  Most of the cast struggles with volume control and spend most of the screen screaming at the viewer.  At first I found this funny but as the film progressed I became a little agitated with turning the volume up and down. Most of the characters are easily excitable and struggle to keep a calm demeanor even among scenes that don't call for it.   The story for this one has so much potential.  I fucking love stories centered around witches and the occult.  We don't see that a lot now but when one of these movies crosses my desk I sure as shit get excited.  Marrtown had a bold and ambitious concept but it was unable to pull all the elements together into an effective supernatural horror film.  The film moves painfully slow and then when the story hits an interesting turn we are then given something extremely predictable.  There is no real consistency as the film progresses.  Finally, gorehounds will not be satisfied with this one.  We get some decent practical effects early on and some very questionable visual effects here and there but nothing that stands out.  Overall, Marrtown had all the makings to be an unforgettable indie production but the pieced together story and inexperienced cast held it back.  After watching Rule's newest film I'm confident to say that if he ever wanted to tackle this film again it would be something that fans would want in their collection. 

          





No Knock List

 



Director - Rich Rule (Khange tha Game, Marrtown )
Starring - James Quinn (Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies, The Dark Knight Rises), Brian Stowell (The Last Witch Hunter, Body Farm), and Maria Olsen (Failing Grace, Ravenwolf Towers)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Evil shall be judged"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

 

      I'm originally from one of the poorest counties in the U.S.  I didn't seem like a rough place growing up but I realized just how bad it was when I left for college and I refused to go back once I graduated.  McDowell County is known the world over for its high unemployment and drug use which is the topic of a documentary on Netflix.  I don't hate the state I live in just don't want to return to the place I grew up.  I actually love West Virginia and believe that this one county gives the whole state a bad reputation that is does not deserve.  The state is beautiful and full of so many underappreciated artists and creative thinkers.  Sometime ago I befriended West Virginia filmmaker Rich Rule who was promoting his films No Knock List and Marrtown.  Rich recently contacted me to review both these films and I couldn't tell him no.  Thank you Rich for sending these over!

     The film follows two escaped convicts who are on the run for some serious crimes.  They decide to lay low for awhile stay in a wealthy boardinghouse where there is a rumor that the owner, Ms. Vangobels has hidden her fortune.  What should be an easy score turns into much more with their souls now at stake.

     I always get excited when I find a filmmaker from my great state.  There is always a bit of an excitement knowing that there is other fans of the genre from a state that is mainly conservative.  I had no idea what to expect when I tossed in No Knock List but I was surprised by how much I liked it.  There was several things that I would have liked to see done differently but I really enjoyed the finished product.  The acting in this one is solid but the casting is questionable.  The cast did a great job so that's not what I meant.  My problem with the cast is that some of the characters just don't look the part.  Everyone in this film is phenomenal.  Maria Olsen steals the show in every scene she is in.  She does a fantastic job and really brought the heat to this film.  I also enjoyed James Quinn and Brian Stowell's performance but the casting of them seems a little off.  These two are tremendous actors but having them play hardened criminals is a bit of a stretch.  Stowell looks like a physical education teacher in public schools and I'm pretty sure James Quinn has an identical twin that sold me my Kia... which was a solid purchase if you ask me.  I mean no disrespect to either gentleman.  They both did a phenomenal job and worked fantastically together but the role of escaped prisoners just didn't fit them that well.  The story for this one was pretty solid but does feel a bit boring when you put it to paper.  There has been countless films following similar plots.  In fact, it reminded me a lot of a segment in the horror anthology 10/31.  However, what makes this one stand out is the entertaining characters that bring the story to life.  With that being said, there was several things in the film that was a little goofy for a film with such a serious tone.  The one that stands out the most is the demon voice near the end of the film from Maria Olsen.  Her voice is dubbed over but the effect they are looking for does not work.  Instead it comes off as silly and ruins the overall tone of the film.  Finally, the film does have a little blood but minimal effects.  If you are wanting a bloody flick then you will want to go elsewhere.  This film relies heavily on character development and story over special effects.  Overall, No Knock List is a beautifully shot supernatural thriller with some enjoyable characters and a solid cast.  There is a few times where Check it out. 

 



Ragmork

 



Director - Eric Widing (Primordial, Hellhounds)
Starring - Tim Novotny (Dark Iris, St. Gabriel), John Bradley Hambrick (Devil's Trail, Scarewaves), Geoff Burkman (The Manson Family, Babysitter Massacre)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (Out of 5):

 

      I get sent a wide range of horror flicks to review for Horror Society.  Some are backyard horror flicks with zero budget, no experience, and a lot of imagination while others are a little more polished and from a filmmaker that has a vision and the know how to get there.  Several years ago I was sent the dark thriller Primordial for review from director Eric Widing.  I really enjoyed the movie and my review reflected that.  A few years has passed since then and Eric surprised me with another film to review recently.  This time he asked me to review his dark and benevolent horror thriller Ragmork.  Thank you Eric for remembering Horror Society and myself. 

     The film follows Viktor (Novotny) who grew up in a dysfunctional family and became an unstable adult working a 9 to 5 in a cubicle.  He suffers nightmarish hallucinations after he is attacked by a feral man named Ragmork.  Now he struggles between nightmarish hellscapes and the real world when he continues to see Ragmork even when he is not there.

       I honestly didn't know what to expect from Ragmork.  I didn't doubt I would like it but the title doesn't give the viewer any idea as to what they are going to get themselves in to.  I enjoyed it but there was a good 20 or 30 minutes where I was worried that the film was not going to be as entertaining as I would have liked.  The acting in this one is great.  Novotny does a fantastic job as the lead.  His role is very demanding but he delivers and carries the film on his back.  We also get a solid performance from Geoff Burkman as well.  Burkman is known for his roles in several films from Henrique Couto.  He controls his scenes very well and works perfectly with the remainder of the cast.  Ohio scream queen Erin R. Ryan has a small role in the film but she always leaves a lasting impression in every film she is in and Ragmork is no exception.  She is a fantastic actress that never holds back.  Ragmork is also the acting debut of Lucien Limberg who is the son of producer turned actor Jason Limberg.  Jason took the indie horror world by storm by his compelling scene in a Concept Media film where he purchased a cup of coffee.  Some real riveting stuff.  Lucien, however, is a far better actor than his father and did a fantastic job.  The story for this one is a bit of a slow build.  There was a good 20 or 30 minutes where I was concerned that this film was not going to go the distance but Eric and company kicked it into gear and finished strong.  The slow build does make use of its time for some character development but it will leave the viewer feeling as if they missed something very important due to the way the film is edited.  Don't get me wrong, the film is entertaining but the slow build and editing does make it a little confusing for some viewers.  Finally, if you want a bloody mess of a film you are barking up the wrong tree.  The film does have some blood and decent effects but the movie is a character piece that is very story rich.  Overall, Ragmork is a well made and thought out dark thriller that dabbles in paranoia and mental health.  If you want something dark and brooding then I suggest checking this one out from Eric Widing. 

 

     

The Maxwell Edison Chapters: The Taming of Patticakes



Director - Ryan Vincent Logsdon (Agoni)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I get a lot of hate as a reviewer.  I had weird tastes in movies.  I prefer the weird, outlandish, and exploitative films that have crazy characters and unforgettable stories.  People often accuse me of being a paid critic because I tend to like movies that most find awful or unwatchable.  These films are not awful to me.  I see imagination and creativity in most of these films.  Another reason I draw hate is because of my outspoken dislike of extreme horror films.  Most movies classified by fans as extreme horror are boring gore flicks with no story and extended scenes of torture that do nothing.  Hell, the shock value isn't there anymore like it once was in the early 2000s.  A few years back I came befriended director Ryan Vincent Logsdon who had just completed his first film Agoni.  This extreme horror film didn't rely on torture and other clichéd scenarios that most extreme fans tend to enjoy.  Instead, it focused heavily on a story that is extreme.  I really enjoyed this fucked up little film.  A few weeks ago Ryan reached out to me to check out his follow up short that continues the saga of Maxwell Edison from Agoni.  Thank you Ryan for allowing Horror Society and myself the opportunity to check this out!

     The film once again follows Maxwell Edison (Logsdon) who does what he does best which is rape, murder, and torture.  The first segment follows him as he destroys a fetus before moving on to giving a "film" star from the dark web exactly what he deserves.

     I've spoke with Ryan at several Cinema Wastelands and he is one of the nicest people you can meet.  He is extremely well spoken, genuine, and just a damn fine person to hang with.  With that being said, what the fuck is wrong with you?  The Maxwell Edison Chapters is even more fucked up than Agoni and that is saying something.  The acting in this one is solid.  The cast is one hundred percent dedicated to their roles but there is several scenes where they undersell or overact.  They are not very consistent but that doesn't take away from the overall impact of the film.  The story for this one is a total mindfuck and not for those with sensitive skin.  Some of the stuff make take place off camera but the mere notion of some of the scenarios and topics are enough to make your skin crawl or blood boil and this is all done without the use of the overused torture scene and pointless gore.  I love gore.  I honestly do but it has to fit the film.  This story packs a fucking punch and the sting afterward is something you will never forget.  Finally, the film does have some blood and decent practical effects but its nothing you haven't seen before.  You can appreciate the work went into it but it is pretty standard for a film with this budget.  Overall, The Maxwell Edison Chapters: The Taming of Patticakes is one of those films that will fuck up the rest of your day.  The movie leaves an emotional impact on the viewer which is something very few films can say.  If you ever get the chance to check this one out I highly recommend you do so.  Just make sure to leave the rest of your day open. 

 



Actress Apocalypse

 



Director - Richard R. Anasky
Starring - Garo Nigoghossian (Franklin: A Symphony of Pain, Dangerous People), Greg G. Freeman (Death-Scort Service Part 2: The Naked Dead, Dangerous People), and Jay Ingle (Reconciled, Deadly Dares: Truth or Date Part IV)
Release Date - 2005
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "When a documentary goes wrong you get an..."
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     Horror and exploitation cross paths more often than fans give them credit for.  Exploitation came about when small production producers saw trends in movies that sold and exploited it.  This resulted in films that often crossed genres but typically involved a lot of blood, gore, and nudity.  In 2005 Richard R. Anasky set out to make a behind the scenes mockumentary involving a no budget film crew making a horror film.  Actress Apocalypse was received well by several horror and exploitation critics but fell into obscurity as the decade closed.  Recently star Garo Nigoghossian reached out to me about reviewing the film because he is giving this film another release.  I agreed and I'm glad I did.  I really enjoyed this slice of exploitation goodness. 

     The film follows two brothers who want to make a no budget horror film but they can not see eye to eye on how to handle the process.  David B. Lincoln III (Nigoghossian) respects the women he casts in the film and tries to keep the set professional.  His brother Vance (Freeman) does not.  Women are there for his amusement and he wants the death scenes to be as real as possible.  So he goes behind his brother's back and kills the actresses on camera. 

     When I agreed to check out a movie for Garo I had no idea what the movie was and when I got it in the mail I have to admit that I was very underwhelmed.  I mean no disrespect but the artwork on the DVD is horrible and I immediately thought I was going to be watching something that I would never be able to finish.  I was far from the truth.  The movie was a fantastically sleazy good time and I loved every minute of it.  The acting in this one is extremely fun to watch.  The cast is fully dedicated to their roles and it shows in each scene.  The stars of the film is the Lincoln brothers brought to life by Garo Nigoghossian and Greg G. Freeman.  They work so well with each other and their scenes are very intense from time to time.  Nigoghossian brings some unexpected humor to the scene and Freeman brings the intensity and vulgarity.  The supporting cast is fucking fun as well but these two are the stars of this show.  The story for this one works perfectly for a no budget production.  The team behind this one knew exactly what they had to work with and how they had to handle the film which worked very well for the finished film.  The movie does start to slow down at times but that is remedied with pointless nudity and vulgar rants that will leave you laughing.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you wont find it here.  However, if you want to look at some of the best examples of the female form that film has to offer you are in the right place!  Overall, Actress Apocalypse may be mislabeled by some as a horror flick but that it is not.  Sure, it may share some of the key elements but this is a prime example of mid 2000s exploitation.  It's fucking sleazy, sexy, and highly entertaining.  Check this mother fucker out!