The VelociPastor

Director - Brendan Steere (Animosity, Unwound)
Starring - Alyssa Kempinski (I Clean Up Your Grave, High Fidelity), Greg Cohan (The Blacklist, Strange Angel), and Aurelio Voltaire (Model Hunger, ReAgitator: Revenge of the Parody)
Release Date - 2018
Genre - Horror/Comedy/Action
Tagline - "A man of the claw"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The weird just keeps on coming.  The last few days saw me reviewing the strangest bigfoot film to date, Bigfoot's Bride, the horrible remake of Rabid, and one of the strangest black comedies I've ever sat through Greener Grass.  I wanted to keep the weird going so I turned to my stack of movies I need to review to see what stood out.  The second I laid eyes on my films I saw my next watch which is the 2018 comedy action film The VelociPastor that was sent my way for review by Wild Eye Releasing.  I've had my eye on this one for a few weeks now and it was the perfect time to toss it in.  Thanks again Wild Eye!

     The film follows a priest who is given the ability to transform into a dinosaur after an accident while traveling the world after his parent's death.  After getting revenge on the pimp that killed his parents he soon uncovers a secret sect of the church that wants to use his powers for their own agenda but a hooker he has fallen in love with to fight crime and put a stop to the church ninjas...that is his brother he forgot about.
     I knew this film was going to be bat shit crazy but I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did.  After finally checking it out I've now watched it three times and is in the top running for my favorite film of the year.  It's exploitation meets everything I loved growing up.  We got dinosaurs, ninjas, pimps, hookers...I was a weird child.  Regardless, this has to be seen to be believed.  The acting in this one is not perfect but it works for the film.  I really enjoyed the characters and the fun that the cast had in their roles.  They do a fantastic job and make the film really enjoyable.  The story for this one is fucking bonkers and rejuvenates my love for indie cinema.  So much is thrown into this one that just when you think you've seen it all something else is added.  It may not work in the way of action or horror but some of it does add to the humor of the film which is always welcomed in my home.  Finally, if you are looking for a film filled with amazing practical effects and gore you will surely be disappointed.  However, if you are looking for a parody and tribute to exploitation films of the 70s with cheesy dialogue, some blood, and cheap effects then this one was made for you.  Overall, The VelociPastor is a movie you can watch with a crowd and a few beers or by yourself and still enjoy it.  The movie embraces it's no budget flaws and runs with it.  After giving this a spin I now have another hard on for indie cinema and I can't wait to dive into my next one.  

Greener Grass

Director(s) - Jocelyn DeBoer (Adam Ruins Everything, The Arrival) and Dawn Luebbe (Adam Ruins Everything, The Arrival)
Starring - Jocelyn DeBoer, Dawn Luebbe, and Beck Bennett (Zoolander 2, Ghosted)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Comedy
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've seen some pretty weird fucking movies the last few days and there is no signs of it slowing down.  After watching one of the weirdest bigfoot films to date and a huge disappointment of a remake for Rabid I decided to toss in the black comedy Greener Grass from Scream Factory and IFC Midnight.  This is one release I was very curious about and I couldn't wait to dig into.  I know many of you dedicated horror fans will immediately be turned off after seeing the artwork but fans of John Water's later films will really enjoy this one.  Thank you Scream Factory for sending this one my way.

     This strange film follows two suburban mothers who constantly try to out do one another but one finds herself coming up short when compared to her best friend.  She gives her friend her baby to try to impress her but soon finds herself feeling unloved when her only remaining kid is turned into a dog and her father gets custody of him after she divorces him after her friends tell her to.  While she tries to sort her life out she is kicked from her home by a serial killer and flees to her childhood home in order to find meaning.

     I knew this was going to be a different watch but not as weird as what it was.  It's weirdness was very welcomed and I absolutely loved it.  People compare this to the later Water's films meets The Stepford Wives and I can see that.  However, I see it as a satirical American dream meets Serial Mom.  The acting in this one is so god damn perfect.  These characters are so fucking fun that I can't imagine anyone else filling in their shoes.  The stars/directors of the film do an amazing job in their dual roles and I couldn't imagine anyone else pulling this off like they do.  As much fun as these two leads are the secondary characters are just as fun.  The comedy is ripe in this one and the characters ooze it.  The story for this one is one of those oddball comedies that relied heavily on social satire and awkwardness to deliver the punchlines in a similar manner to films like Napoleon Dynamite.  It works and the humor of suburban envy and outlandish scenarios really makes this film stand out from the crowd.  Also, the crisp imagery and beautiful sets makes this one extremely visually pleasing.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  The film is a character piece that is filled with humor.  If you are looking for a traditional horror film then you will be disappointed but if you are looking for oddball characters, beautiful scenery, and a unique story then this one is for you.  Overall, Greener Grass is a wildly entertaining and fun film that denies genres.  I highly suggest grabbing this one now because you will not be disappointed.  

Rabid

Director - Jen Soska (Dead Hooker in a Trunk, See No Evil 2), and Sylvia Soska (American Mary, ABCs of Death 2)
Starring - Laura Vandervoort (Jigsaw, Bitten), Benjamin Hollingsworth (A Flesh Offering, Once Upon a Time), and Ted Atherton (V-Wars, Max Payne)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm curious to see how well some of you take this review.  In the past I've been accused of being sexist in several horror groups because I'm not a fan of the Soska Sisters.  I've seen most of their work going all the way back to their Vomit Gore days and I'm not a fan.  Gender has nothing to do with this.  I'm a fan of several female directors and I judge the film not those responsible for it.  Hell, in many cases I never know who is involved with a project until after seeing it.  Regardless, when I heard that Cronenberg's classic was getting a remake I was all for it.  I'm a huge fan of Cronenberg and I absolutely love most remakes so I was excited for it regardless of who directed it.  Thank you Shout Studios for sending this one my way.  

     The film follows an aspiring fashion designer who is often mocked by her peers.  After a horrible biking accident she is left horribly disfigured and marks herself as a monster.  After some time she is taken to an experimental research facility to try and reconstruct her face using stim cells.  The procedure works perfectly but something is wrong.  Rose starts to crave blood and starts hallucinating that she is killing people.  After some time she pays the doctor a visit and quickly discovers that she is just a pawn in his bigger game using stim cells to create immortality.

     I had high hopes for this one.  I really enjoy the original film and the Soskas have a lot at their disposal to get this film where it needed to be but it just couldn't make it there.  The movie had some cool moments but at the end of the day it was forgettable and another example of Wal-Mart horror which is painfully mediocre.  The acting in this one is very inconsistent.  I really liked the lead.  Laura Vandervoort  does a fantastic job going from everyone's doormat to the center of attention.  Then she delivers an intense performance with her feverish scenes that really made the character worth watching.  Sadly, the supporting cast is not the same.  Some of the cast delivers a solid performance while others are extremely flat.  In some cases it looks like the name was cast and not the talent.  The story for this one takes a lot of the elements from the original film but is unable to put it together into something new and fun.  In fact, the original film mixed body horror with infected (zombies) where this one felt like a zombie flick post 2010.  This film just feels like a rushed zombie flick that you can get for a dime a dozen that reminded me a lot of the most recent Day of the Dead film.  The film did deliver some unintentional laughs in way of the infected growling and snarling.  It was so goofy and I couldn't help but laugh pretty fucking hard when I heard them.  I, for the life of me, can't see how anyone thought that was a good idea.  Finally, the film doesn't care to cover the viewer in blood.  We get so much blood and some solid practical effects.  The ending of the film and the effects during this scene is the highlight of the film.  Fans of traditional effects will truly appreciate this.  Overall, Rabid wasn't for me.  The film took a lot of the story from the original but was unable to deliver an effective adaption of it.  If you dig the Soskas you may enjoy this one but the film just fell flat for me.  Skip it.  

Bigfoot's Bride

Director - Erick Wofford (The Music of Erich Zann)
Starring - Jordan Phipps (Close Calls, Amazon Hot Box), Joel Rogers (Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Lawless), and Xia Orozco (The Horrific Evil Monsters, Private Dicks)
Release Date - 2020
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I absolutely adores 70s bigfoot flicks.  I used to love sitting up late with my grandmother watching these movies on Sci-Fi before they rebranded.  This love for these movies spilled over into my adulthood and I'm always on the hunt for a new no-budget bigfoot flick to check out.  I've seen a few bigfoot flicks over the years that was extremely enjoyable.  Films like The Big F, Sexsquatch, and Bigfoot Ate My Boyfriend all need to be seen to be believed.  I've also seen a few duds as well.  I highly suggest skipping Bigfoot Blood Trap unless you are into torturing yourself.  A few days ago I saw a post from another reviewer that he was checking out Erick Wofford's Bigfoot's Bride.  The artwork fucking sold me on the film and I had to see it.  I reached out to Erick and he was kind enough to allow Horror Society the opportunity to check it out.  Thanks Erick!

     The film follows a denim wearing deformed humanoid that lives in the woods.  He spends most of his days searching for men to eat and women to watch piss.  

     I've seen some weird ass bigfoot films in my life but this is by far the weirdest.. and I loved every fucking minute of it.  The bigfoot films I mentioned earlier are all movies that need to be seen to be believed.  Bigfoot's Bride is another movie that I just can't explain.  Fans of cult cinema and weird indie will just need to see it for themselves.  The acting in this one is solid but the characters are painfully flat.  They lack personality but the cast does a solid job with what they were given.  The characters are all grounded but the film really needs a character that stood out and add life to some of the scenes.  The story for this one is so fucking strange but it's fun as fuck.  Is the creature bigfoot, a Chernobyl victim, the missing link?  I don't know what this thing is but that's what makes it so much fun.  It stands out when compared to other bigfoot films.  I really enjoyed the look of the beast but the film would have been much more fun if it didn't talk.  His voice doesn't match the tone of the film and feels a little on the goofy side.  It doesn't take away from the finished product but removing it would make the tone more effective.  Finally, the film has some great make-up effects.  I loved the creature and it's look and we get some practical effects scattered throughout as well which only added more fun to the film.  We don't get a lot of gore but we do get some which is good enough for me.  Overall, Bigfoot's Bride is the best late night bigfoot flick that I've seen in awhile.  It's unusual and I can't wait to watch this one again with some friends and booze.  Check it out when you get the chance!

Trespassing

Director - Ryan Stacy (Failing Grace, It's Your Fault)
Starring - Brittany Blanton (Don't Fuck in the Woods, The Lamb), Kaylee Williams (Porkchop II: Rise of the Rind, Model Hunger), and Rob Collins (Trick, Season's Greetings 2)
Release Date - 2020
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Concept Media has been kicking ass and taking names the last few years.  Founders Shawn Burkett and Ryan Stacy are constantly turning out some of the best indie films of recent years with their films Failing Grace, It's Your Fault, Don't Fuck in the Woods, Bludgeon, and Betsy.  They show no signs of slowing down and have several more films in the pipeline for us horror fans.  Stacy recently finished his newest short Trespassing.  I was very interested in this project when the casting news was announced and couldn't wait to check it out.  I want to thank Ryan and Shawn for allowing myself the opportunity to check this one out!

     The film follows an aspiring photographer that is visiting the property of a friends in hopes of photographing an abandoned home.  What she doesn't expect to find is a man tied up and hanging from the rafters.  Now her evening hobby has turned dangerous when a group of masked wearing maniacs arrive and start killing everyone that has wondered onto the property.

          

     I've watched pretty much every release from Concept Media and I can safely say that I'm a huge fan.  I always look forward to their films and greet every one with open arms.  Trespassing really had my interest when I saw that Concept regulars Brittany Blanton and Payton Pleska, along with Jason Crowe, were cast.   This short was not a let down but I would have loved seeing some added to this and getting a feature length film out of it.  The acting in this one is great.  It's cool seeing Jason Crowe in the film but I feel as if his talents were never fully exploited.  He does a fantastic job but his character, though part of the twist, doesn't really bring much to the short.  I would have loved seeing this character having a much bigger part of the story.  It was also cool seeing Kaylee Williams in another Concept Media film.  My favorite performances comes from familiar Concept Media faces Brittany Blanton, Peyton Pleska, and Rob Collins.  Their performances make the film.  Collins delivers a fun performance but seeing how much bigger he is over the two female characters and how they boss him around was extremely amusing to me.  Blanton delivers another solid performance as well.  Her character doesn't really stand out like the others but she does a fantastic job.  The biggest shock to the cast is Peyton Pleska's performance.  She was very intense and her character definitely stood out among the rest.  You will not forget her performance in this one.  The story for this one is simple but does hit you with a twist.  The twist is very effective and works but I fill there is so much left to tell that Stacy and company could have milked the story for at least 60 minutes worth of run time.  I enjoyed the story and the cast made it enjoyable.  Finally, the film has several deaths.  There is some blood but the effects are very minimal.  The kills works for the film but what we get is very forgettable.  Overall, Trespassing is a well put together short that has an amazing cast and a solid story.  Stacy continuously grows with every film he releases and he should be proud of what he offers up this time with Trespassing.  Check it out.  

Swamp Thing

Creator(s) - Gary Dauberman (Swamp Devil, Annabelle Comes Home) and Mark Verheiden (Daredevil, Ash vs. Evil Dead)
Starring - Crystal Reed (Gotham, Teen Wolf), Andy Bean (It Chapter Two, Transformers: The Last Knight), and Derek Mears (Friday the 13th, Predators)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi
Tagline - "Go green, or else"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It was just a matter of time before the DC Swamp Thing series was on the chopping block.  Last year I sat down and reviewed the two Swamp Thing movies but was unable to review the original Swamp Thing series, not the 2019 series.  I had planned on getting a membership to the DC streaming service but never got around to it.  Lucky for me I didn't have to because the film received a physical release.  I reached out to WB and DC and was lucky enough to get a blu in for review.  The show was phenomenal and I wish I wouldn't have waited until now to check it out.  It was well worth my time.  

     The series follows Dr. Abby Crane (Reed) who visits her hometown in Louisiana when a strange disease takes several townsfolk ill.  She crosses paths with another scientist who is also working on the illness after he was employed by the wealthiest man in town who is using the swamp to gain his wealth.  What they uncover is that a mutagen is being used as fertilizer that has an unexpected side effect on the wildlife in the swamp.  When one of them is shot and left for the dead they fall in the swamp water and come back out changed.  Now in tune with the swamp, Swamp Thing helps Crane bring justice to the swamp and save those that has became ill to the illegal testing in the swamp. 
     I love the two Swamp Thing films but I never got around to watching the show that followed after the second film.  However, when I saw that a new show was being produced for the DC streaming service I was extremely interested in it.  The show is a lot darker than the two films I had enjoyed previously.  I liked it but there was some aspects I would love to see changed if they do decide to give us a second season.  The acting in this one is solid.  Honestly, the cast does a great job but I didn't care for any of the characters.  The characters are rather generic, even Swamp Thing, which makes the viewer tune out some as the series progresses.  The cast does a solid job with what they were given but they can't carry the show like they were expected to.  The story for this one works very well within the Swamp Thing storyline.  We see someone with money, or access to money, using the swamp and polluting it while Swamp Thing tries to protect it and, inadvertently, the people of the area.  This is the most Swamp Thing like story to come out of the Swamp Thing universe.  I really enjoyed it and though I didn't care for the characters I still loved the story that was being told.  Finally, this darker take on ST doesn't disappoint.  We get plenty of practical effects, fun deaths, and a great looking Swamp Thing.  Honestly, I really enjoyed the look of the creature and I loved all the practical effects.  We do get some CGI that does not take away from the show but the practical is top notch.  Overall, Swamp Thing the complete series is a must watch for DC fans and horror fans alike.  I enjoyed it but I could have went without all the dark scenes.  This is the first time I've ever had to turn the brightness up on my television just to review something.  

Terror Firmer

Director - Lloyd Kaufman (Poultrygeist, The Toxic Avenger)
Starring - Will Keenan (Tromeo and Juliet, Chop), Alyce LaTourelle (Daredreamer, Junk), and Lloyd Kaufman
Release Date - 1999
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "Let's make some art!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5): 

     Why not follow up one Troma review with another Troma review?  I recently revisited the 1990 vampire flick Def by Temptation and really enjoyed myself.  Vinegar Syndrome did a fantastic job with that release and I can see myself giving the film the attention it deserves for years to come.  After checking that out I decided to turn my attention to Troma's recent release of Kaufman's 1999 Terror Firmer.  This is one of the few Troma releases  I had yet to see.  I've owned the DVD for many years but several Troma fans told me that this was Kaufman's worst work yet.  I was always afraid of tossing it in but with the release of the new blu I decided to fire it up.  

     The film follows a blind filmmaker and his no budget film crew working on a new horror film when their set is plagued with mysterious deaths. Animosity among the cast comes to a boil as people begin to fear for their lives but in true Troma fashion the killer is revealed and nothing is as it seems.

      

     I feel stupid for sleeping on this one for all these years.  It was a fun movie but nowhere near as entertaining as other Troma releases.  I can see why so many dislike but I also found some enjoyment with it.  The acting in this one is what you would expect from a Troma release.  The character are unforgettable and fun but the acting is far from perfect.  The high energy cast mixed with the dialogue and scene makes the film funny but there is a few times when the acting is unintentionally funny.  The story for this one flows like a slasher except the tone is very much so Troma.  The slasher style is completely removed here and Troma makes it their own but it still works. I liked the killer's reveal and how the characters supported the story.  Fans of Troma will know what to expect with this one.  Finally, this one has some fantastic practical effects and some gore.  I liked the look of the practical effects and the kills.  There is several times the make-up effects made me laugh because the quality was nowhere near  that of the practical effects.  Overall, Terror Firmer is another fun Troma flick.  I wouldn't compare it to other Troma films but it does hold it's own.  The blu is a little underwhelming and almost the same quality as the DVD I have.  I tossed it in and didn't notice much of a different in quality.  Collectors may want this one for their collection but if you already own the DVD there isn't much special about this release.  

Def by Temptation

Director - James Bond III
Starring - James Bond III (ABC After School Specials, School Daze), Kadeem Hardison (White Men Can't Jump, Vampire in Brooklyn), and Bill Nunn (Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh, New Jack City)
Release Date - 1990
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "A terrifying tale of vampires and lust"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a Troma fan for so long that I can't really remember what it was like before I discovered Troma.  Hell, I was watching Troma before I knew what Troma was.  As a kid I fucking adored The Toxic Crusaders.  It was one of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons along with Mutant League and Creepy Crawlers.  I was also renting Troma movies before I cared about production companies.  When I was in elementary school I remember renting Def by Temptation at my local video store.  It was enjoyable but it was one film that I never revisited as I got older.  Sometime back Vinegar Syndrome released the blu of this 1990 vampire flick and I was lucky enough to get a copy for review.  Thank you Vin Syn for showing this underrated vampire flick some love!

     The film follows a young man, Joel (Bond), who is on the path to become a man of faith but starts questioning his life after having nightmares about his deceased father who was also a preacher.  He goes to visit his cousin K (Hardison) in New York so he could live a little and see if religion is truly where he wants to take his life.  However, he crosses paths with an unnaturally beautiful young woman who shows who is infatuated with him.  K had spoke with her previously and when she acts like she doesn't know him and casts no reflection in the mirror he knows his cousin is in trouble.  He partners with a government agent tasked with the supernatural and they try to stop her before she can kill Joel.

     Most of you know this already but for those of you that are new to my reviews I had to warn you now that I was a huge fan of vampires growing up in the 90s.  I fucking loved movies like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Children of the Night, and Vampire in Brooklyn.  In fact, Vampire in Brooklyn is why I picked up Def by Temptation as a kid.  The shop owner told me they were very similar so I grabbed it.  Looking back I think I still enjoy ViB more but this one is still highly entertaining.  The acting in this one is great.  James Bond III feels genuine in his character and does a great job...but his character is extremely underwhelming when compared to the rest of the cast.  I get that he is a shy, backwards, and awkward country boy fish out of water type of character but when he's in the same scene as these other characters he is overshadowed by their personality.  Kadeem Hardison is my favorite of the film.  I loved his personality and his character is so 90s that a wave of nostalgia passed over me.  The supporting cast is well played as well.  They all had great personalities and did not feel flat or one dimensional.  The writer really took pride in his work and made sure these characters were anything but cliched.  The story for this one is simple, straight forward, but fun.  We get your typical vampire searching for virgin blood only to find in with the pure of heart that is dedicating his life to his faith.  It's a real heaven and hell type story with vampires.  I really enjoyed it and how this simple story was more character driven than story.  The cast is able to carry the film and it works for what it is.  I can see why some people wouldn't enjoy this one but I personally enjoyed it very much so.  Finally, the film is filled with blood like a good vampire film should be.  We get some solid practical effects and the blood is the perfect shade of crimson.  Overall, Def by Temptation is one of the least talked about Troma releases but it deserves so much more than that.  Vinegar Syndrome did a fantastic job with this release and I highly recommend grabbing this for your collection.  

Let My Puppets Come

Director - Gerard Damiano (Dirty Movies, Night Hunger)
Starring - Luis De Jesus (Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Bloodsucking Freaks), David W. Beames, and Bradford Craig (Greased Lightning, Honky)
Release Date - 1976
Genre - Comedy/Musical
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get some pretty weird movies in to review and I fucking love it.  I hate throwing in some unoriginal gorefest with the same fucking story I've seen a few hundred times.  I wanna see something knew, weird, and completely strange. Several months back Vinegar Syndrome released the 1976 pornographic porn film Let My Puppets Go.  I've reviewed several puppet horror films over the years but never a pornographic puppet film.  I had to fucking see this strange stain on cinema history and reached out to them for a review copy.  Once again I want to thank Vin Syn for sending this one my way.
     The film follows three executives who find themselves in hot water when their last business venture tanks and their loan shark comes barking for his payment.  With just 24 hours to make the money back they set out to make a porn in order to make some quick cash.  After brainstorming a few scenarios that would be easy for them to film they start casting and handling crew but soon find themselves the center of some of their sexual fantasies as well.
     Well, it was a puppet porn but it wasn't as crazy as I was expecting.  Hell, I don't know what I was expecting but this wasn't as crazy as it sounds or I'm so desensitized by the shit I watch that the impact of this one did not hit as hard as it should.  Either way I had fun with it but I don't see myself revisiting this one anytime soon.  The voice acting in this one is funny at times and works with the characters.  I could totally see these characters taking on other films.  The voice acting is great which adds a great comedic aspect.  The story for this one is simple, repetitive, and often funny.  I liked what the film offered and puppet centered films are always fun but this one just took the joke a little too far.  I liked what the brought to the table but, in all honest, the film should have been a short instead of a feature.  Finally, no blood and gore in this one.  However, if felt and humor is your thing you will find your happiness here.  Overall, Let My Puppets Come is a fun gimmick for a sexploitation flick but does run out of gas about halfway through.  It's fun but don't expect a movie you will be dedication all your attention to.  Check it out now on blu from Vin Syn.