The Eleventh Commandment

Director - Paul Leder (Murder by Numbers, The Baby Doll Murders)
Starring - Bernard White (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Magical World of Disney), Marilyn Hassett (Deadly Nightmares, Rock-A-Die Baby), and Dick Sargent (Teen Witch, Bewitched)
Release Date - 1986
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Thou shall not rape, steal or murder"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Every month I rush to my mail box in hopes that today is the day that I get Vinegar Syndrome's monthly releases in.  This company quickly became one of my favorites and you never know what they are going to announce next.  Their monthly releases are usually equal parts exploitation and horror.  Sometimes the exploitation is sleazier than most but they are always consistent with their releases.  Back in July Vin Syn released the sexploitation period piece The Naughty Victorians along with the 1986 religious thriller The Eleventh Commandment and the often ignored Larry Cohen film Perfect Strangers.  After giving The Naughty Victorians a spin it only made sense to follow it up with The Eleventh Commandment.  Thanks again Vin Syn for sending this one over.

     The film follows Robert (White).  Robert is the son of a wealthy business owner who was murdered by his own brother.  To make matters worse, Robert watched his uncle kill his father before raping his mother.  Now, years later, Robert is locked up in a mental hospital where he has turned to Christianity as a way to cope.  His wealthy uncle is trying to convince Robert to sign over his father's business to him and is using the doctor at the mental asylum to get this done.  However, a weakness in the nursing staff allows Robert a chance to escape and begin his killing spree.  He will stop at nothing to get his uncle back for killing his parents and locking him away for all those years.
     Vinegar Syndrome is a great company for finding movies that you would never hear about other wise.  Most companies focus on popular films to re-release because they know they can make their money back on these titles.  I love The Evil Dead and Phantasm but I can only buy the same movie so many times before enough is enough.  A lot of times with Vin Syn their blu releases are the film's first release since VHS.  The Eleventh Commandment is one of the many films they've released over the years that I had never heard of until their press release was sent around.  With that being said, I enjoyed it for what it is but it wasn't without it's own flaws.  The acting in this one is the high point of the film.  Aside from a stellar performance from Dick Sargent and Lauren Woodland, I really enjoyed Bernard White's performance as the gentle killer.  He is unlike most madmen you would find in a horror film and he really pulls the viewer in.  You feel for him and want him to kill those that wronged him.  Such an amazing performance from a virtually unknown actor.  The story for this one has slasher elements but plays out more like a religious thriller.  The slasher elements follows a man that was wronged (Robert) who then seeks to kill those responsible for wronging him.  This is similar to slasher stories found in Prom Night and Friday the 13th.  However, the style in which it was done flows more like a made for television religious thriller.  It works if you are wanting something different but I don't see much in the way of replay value.  Finally, the film has several on screen kills but they lack originality.  Most of the kills follows Robert as he stabs people in the gut.  We get some bright red blood but nothing out of the ordinary.  With that being said, we do get two kills from gun shots that was exceptional.  Not that original but they were very well done.  Overall, The Eleventh Commandment is one you don't hear people talk about but it does deserve at least one viewing.  The story works well but it will not be making anyone's top ten lists.  The blu from Vin Syn has a great transfer with clear images and consistent audio.  I highly suggest checking it out.     

The Naughty Victorians

Director - Robert Sickinger (Love in a Taxi)
Starring - Susan Sloan (Wild Girls, Heavy Load), Beerbohn Tree (Skin-Flicks, The Night of the Spanish Fly), and Angel Barrett (Private Practice, Wet Rock)
Release Date - 1975
Genre - Comedy
Tagline - "The first totally erotic major motion picture"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few days ago I spent three or four days reviewing just as many Jess Franco flicks that was sent over for review from Severin Films and Blue Underground.  I then jumped back into horror with both feet reviewing some new classics, as well as, some classic horror films from yesteryear.  As much as I love horror I always find myself becoming obsessed with exploitation in all it's different flavors.  Back in July I got a few of Vinegar Syndrome's releases in for review.  One of those releases really peaked my interest and I couldn't stay away from it.  I want to thank Vin Syn for sending over the 1975 sexploitation flick The Naughty Victorians.  

     The film follows Jack (Tree) who is engaged to Alice (Sloan).  He can't wait until his wedding night so he builds a contraption in his sound proof basement where he ties her up to have his way with her.  She doesn't like it at first but before Jack is finished she finds herself enjoying it.  After the fact she becomes his accomplice and the two lure other women into his sex dungeon to torture and enlighten. 

     A nudie flick set during the Victorian era really made my mind wonder with the possibilities.  The movie was not what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it.  Honestly, it was the cast that made this one as entertaining as it was.  I couldn't imagine anyone else in this film aside from Tree and Sloan.  The acting in this one is my favorite part of the movie.  Sloan is great as the female lead but her energy is only matched by Tree's charisma.  The characters are great and the dialogue really brought the humor to this skin flick.  The story for this one is simple but works for what it is.  It's a sexploitation flick that doesn't make the viewer think.  It's straight forward and brings out the nudity fairly well.  Finally, those of you looking for blood and gore will be very disappointed.  Hell, if you are looking for women getting tortured you will be disappointed.  However, if boobs and bush is your pleasure then you will be satisfied.  Overall, The Naughty Victorians is a sleazy period piece that has some laughs.  It is a fun watch but don't expect something that will stick with you.  The blu is a brilliant transfer from Vin Syn that I would highly recommend for collectors.  

Valley of Carnage

Director - Damian Bishop
Starring - Chief, Anthony J.K., and Sloppypapatv
Release Date - 2020
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "Recorded in EP mode for maximum quality"
Format - Streaming

Rating (out of 5):

     Social media is an invaluable tool if you love no budget horror.  I often look through the indie horror and no budget horror hashtags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Most of the time it's dumb ass posting pictures of theatrical releases because they have no idea what they are talking about but if you shift through the shit you can come across some real hidden gems.  A few days ago I was looking through them when I came across a podcast page mentioning the S.O.V. inspired short Valley of Carnage from Dungeon Entertainment.  I found their Instagram page and reached out to them.  Sadly, I missed the copies of the film they had for sale but the short is available on YouTube so I was at least able to check it out.
     The film follows a man who is in a loveless marriage.  His wife tries to fuck him but he's sick of her.  He countlessly tells her no before snapping.  He bashes her face in with a hammer and then goes to work as if nothing has happened.  Two of his co-workers find his behavior to be odd and the fact that he is covered in blood make them suspect that he is responsible for a string of murders.  They contact the FBI who sends their very best Dimebag Darrell looking agent to track him down and stop him before he can kill again.
     I've watched Valley of Carnage twice now and I was struggling about how to approach the review.  The movie is fun but I couldn't think of what to compare it to then it dawned on me.  The reason I love this short so much is because if reminds me of a Chris Seaver film that was run through the VCR until the video quality degraded.  If it's not inspired by one of Seaver's films I would be shocked.  I loved the characters, the plot, the humor, and even the gore.  My only issue with the film is the video quality at times hurt my eyes with the dark images and contrasting bright white background.  It's hard to watch a movie when it makes your eyes water.  The acting in this one is funny as fuck.  The characters are out there but it fits the film perfectly.  The fake accents, the main characters forced yelling, their dry emotions all come together to make a film that doesn't take itself seriously.  It works and the cast really contributes to that.  The story for this one is so fucking simple that is barely fills the short's run time.  In fact, the story could be trimmed down even more to be a little more effective.  Finally, the film has a few death scenes.  We get some pretty bloody practical effects.  The way the effects were done they don't really fit the scene but they are fun to look at regardless.  We also get a little bit of visual effects that actually fit the film due to the video quality. Overall, Valley of Carnage is the bloody and hilarious horror short you didn't know you needed in your life.  I seriously hope that this crew turns out some more content because I really enjoyed myself with VoC and I can't wait to add it to my collection.  Keep up the good work!

The Best Must Die

Director - Paul Annett (Tales of the Unexpected, Saturday Night Thriller)

Starring - Calvin Lockhart (Predator 2, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me), Peter Cushing (Horror Dracula, Curse of Frankenstein), and Marlene Clark (Enter the Dragon, Ganja and Hess)

Release Date - 1974

Genre - Horror/Mystery
Tagline - "One of these eight people will turn into a werewolf. Can you guess who it is when we stop the film for the WEREWOLF BREAK? See it ... solve it ... but don't tell!
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I don't get to review enough werewolf flicks.  Late last month I was able to review Franky and His Pals, Silver Bullet, and the month before that I reviewed Night Howl but these reviews are far and in-between.    That's why I was so excited to review the 1974 Amicus production The Beast Must Die starring Calvin Lockhart and Peter Cushing.  I couldn't wait to toss it in and as soon as I finished up my Lucio Fulci and Jess Franco marathons I knew it was time to give this one a spin.  Thanks Severin for sending this one over.

     The film follows wealthy hunter Tom (Lockhart) who invites eight people to his home that is secluded from the rest of the world.  Here he plans on exposing one of them as a werewolf so he can hunt them on his property.  However, his plans doesn't go as smoothly as he had hoped and his guests start dying one by one before he can uncover who is truly the werewolf.

     I was pretty excited to check this one out.  A werewolf flick from Amicus that starred Peter Cushing sounded right up my alley.  Sadly, the film just wasn't as fun as I was hoping.  In fact, I struggled to finish it.  The acting in this one is absolutely incredible.  I expected to see Cushing as the film's star but Calvin Lockhart was phenomenal as the film's lead.  His character works and he commands every scene he is in.  Even the scenes he shared with Cushing.  The supporting cast is just as amazing.  The story for this one is not your conventional werewolf flick.  It's mostly a murder mystery with a werewolf twist.  People die and the film follows the "whodunit" premise where we know it's a werewolf but WHO is the werewolf.  It would have been an interesting watch but the film's painfully dull scenes following Lockhart rushing through the woods is rough to sit through.  So much of this story could have been trimmed down to make it more entertaining.  Finally, the film doesn't have the werewolf transformation scenes that make some of them so iconic.  In fact, the werewolf is just a dog with a headdress.  It's very laughable and doesn't deliver the campy fun that most werewolf flicks have.  We do get a few scenes with some blood and solid practical effects but they get lost in the shuffle of the story.  Overall, The Best Must Die has an interesting concept but the execution is just all wrong.  It was a tough one to finish.  The transfer from Severin looks absolutely fantastic but the movie itself is not.  

Skinned Alive - Revisited

Director - Jon Killough
Starring - Mary Jackson (The Exorcist III, Big Top Pee-Wee), Scott Spiegel (The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II), and Susan Rothacker (Robot Ninja, Kingdom of the Vampire)
Release Date - 1990
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "Unhinged! Insane! Totally Out Of Control!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I started writing reviews on my blog just for the hell of it.  As much as I love horror the goal of the blog was to dive into exploitation and action flicks that time has forgotten.  However, I took the time to review a few of my favorite horror flicks in between action adventures.  One of those films I reviewed early on in my review career was the 1990 Jon Killough horror comedy Skinned Alive.  A friend from high school introduced me to this slice of pure bliss.  Recently Tempe Digital remastered the film and released it on blu.  This was the perfect excuse to revisit it.

     The film follows Crawldaddy (Jackson), her son Phink (Spiegel), and her daughter Violet (Rothacker) who travel around in their van killing and skinning people for their leather business.  They run into van trouble in a small town and the local mechanic puts them up in his house for the night while he works on it.  They make the best of it and rack up a few extra bodies to tan but the former cop turned drunk suspects they are up to no good and soon an all out suburban war ensues between the three and the drunk divorcee.  

     I absolutely love this movie and I don't watch it nearly as much as I would like but my love for it shouldn't blind you to what it really is.  The film, as much as I hate to admit it, it painfully rough around the edges and the humor is the only thing holding it together.  I love it but I'm not surprised it's rating on imdb is around 3.  People just don't appreciate the slapstick horror flicks like I do.  The acting in this one is rough but I absolutely love the characters.  Crawldaddy, Phink, and Violet sell the film for me.  It's a real indie cinema tragedy that we never got another film with them.  I know they die in the flick but so much more could be done with them story wise.  I also enjoyed Dead Next Door's J.R. Bookwalter's cameo in the film.  The supporting cast is just as fun with many memorable characters making appearances.  The story for this one is extremely simple but fits in perfectly during the S.O.V. era of horror.  It works in the blood and gore while not making it the complete center of the story.  The character's dialogue fits in well with the story and most of the slower scenes is filled with enough humor as to not bore the viewer.  Finally, the film is overflowing with blood and gore.  The effects are hit and miss.  When they hit they look great but when they miss they offer up some unintentional laughs which, in a way, works as well.  Overall, Skinned Alive is not for everyone but if you like the funny side of horror you can truly appreciate what Skinned Alive brings to the table.  The blu looks absolutely stunning and leagues better than the DVD I previously owned which was VHS quality.  I highly suggest upgrading to the blu if you have the DVD or grabbing a copy if you have never seen this trashterpiece.  It's such a fun film and Tempe did an amazing job with this release.  

Naked Cannibal Campers

Director - Sean Donohue (Death-Scort Service, Die Die Delta Pi)
Starring - Sushi Xhyvette Holder (Death-Scort Service Part 2: The Naked Dead), Sith Jade, and Veronica Raine
Release Date - 2020
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Three best buds head to the lake for a weekend of fishing. Unfortunately they become the bait... "
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When it comes to sleaze no one can out do director Sean Donohue and his GatorBlade Films label.  I was first introduced to Donohue when he released his now seminal slasher Die Die Delta Pi but since then he has showered viewers with blood and boobs on several occasions.  His popular Death-Scort Service series is often praised by horror groups on social media and critics alike.  Several months back director Nathan Rumler released his film Amityville Vibrator and I was completely blown away by this sleazy and blasphemous masterpiece.  Not to be out-sleazed, Donohue went to work on his newest flick Naked Cannibal Campers.  Much like Amityville Vibrator, NCC was one of my most anticipated films of the year.  As soon as I could order a copy I jumped on it and recently got it in.  I immediately tossed it in.
     The film follows a group of guys that illegally go to the side of a lake that is off limits to campers.  There they meet three beautiful women who are always open for a party as long as clothes are optional.  What the men don't know is that these three ladies, along with the female forest ranger, are cannibalistic witches who need their bodies in more than one way.

     Nudity, much like extreme horror, is pretty pointless in a movie unless it fits well with the story.  I'm just being honest.  If I'm really in the mood for some tits and ass I can just go to pornhub to watch some redheads piss on each other.  However, I'd rather spend my time watching a movie that embraces itself.  It's fully aware that fans want blood and nudity so they are written into the story.  That's why movies like Amityville Vibrator, Death-Scort Service, and NCC work so well.  They know exactly what they are and they write the nudity and gore into the story so that it works.  It's not out of place or awkwardly placed.  The acting in this one is fun but there is some room for improvement.  I really enjoyed the characters.  The guys are your typical cliched guys with the frat boy mentality.  They do a solid job.  The witches are the star of the show.  All four of them are absolutely gorgeous who bare it all for their roles.  The characters are fun and I can't wait to see them come back for more in a sequel.  The story for this one had me sold since Donohue first announced it.  Cannibal witches in the woods eating people while nude is fucking brilliant, simple, and could take the viewer anywhere.  As much as I love the story it does snag during a few scenes that are dialogue heavy.  The dialogue is a little rough at times but once that is over the film picks right back up.   Finally, the film is full of blood.  We get a couple fantastic kills that showcases some of the typical gore effects that fans can rely on from GatorBlade.  The kills make great use of the practical effects and works for the story.  Also, boobs...  Overall, Naked Cannibal Campers will not be for everyone but if you are the kind of person that doesn't like it then it's safe to say I probably don't care for you.  It's sleazy as fuck and just as blood.  I highly recommend checking out this film as soon as you can!

Piggy

Director - Dixie Gers
Starring - Dixie Gers (Crazy Fat Ethel, Preexisting Conditions), Cameron Scott (Nightblade, Blood Moon River), and Sarah Ramsey (Crazy Fat Ethel)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Horror
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm making my return to horror after spending the last four days watching some Jess Franco sleaze that was sent my way from Severin and Blue Underground.  I have a few movies from Vinegar Syndrome and Wild Eye that I need to review but I decided to go with a short that was recently sent my way from first time director Dixie Gers.  The indie actress turned director starred and directed in her first shirt titled Piggy.  She announced pre-orders for the film so I jumped on it and she was kind enough to send a link over for me to review so I wouldn't have to wait on my copy of the film to arrive.  Thanks Dixie!

     The film follows plus sized bartender Lillie (Gers) who is often ridiculed and the butt of everyone's jokes.  One of the patrons of the bar she works at starts showing her interest and she reluctantly goes out with him.  Things go well and the two hook up.  The following day he ignores her at the bar and when she confronts him about it he starts calling her a pig along with his goons.  Heartbroken, she flees the bar and goes home and later receives a text from him apologizing.  He was only acting that way because he was with his friends.  Fed up with how she is always treated by men she invites him over with revenge on her mind.

     I had seen Dixie's posts about the film for sometime now and I've always been curious about the project.  I knew it was going to be a project that is very personal to her but I didn't realize it would be a film that would speak for some of my personal experiences as well.  In fact, I can see this film hitting hard with several people.  The acting in this one is great.  Gers' does a phenomenal job as the film's lead.  Her character is very down to Earth and the personality is absolutely perfect for the story.  The supporting cast is entertaining as well.  They work for the film but Gers is obviously the focal point of the film.  The story for this one works for the film's running time.  It has a lot of heart and passion behind it but it also works for a short horror film.  The topic behind the film is something, I'm sure, that Gers is passionate about.   As a bigger guy I've been through similar situations as her character in the film so I know exactly how crushing that feels.   However, the horror elements are still there as well.  I could see this film expanded upon and turned into a feature length film in the same vain as I Spit on Your Grave.  Finally, the film has one death scene but it works for the film.  We don't get to really enjoy it like we would in most horror films but for this flick it works.  There is plenty of blood but those looking for practical effects will be disappointed.  Overall, Piggy is a well shot short that has a great story.  There is so much that could be don't with the Lillie/Piggy character so I hope that it is expanded upon in the future.  This is one short that I highly suggest you check out.  

Night of Open Sex

Director - Jess Franco (Shining Sex, Cecilia)
Starring - Lina Romay (Red Silk, Faceless), Antonio Mayans (Angel of Death, Relic Hunter), and Lorna Green (Emanuelle in the Country, Pick-Up Girls)
Release Date - 1983
Genre - Thriller
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The last few days has been VERY sleazy.  When I received Jess Franco's Shining Sex from Severin Films and Cecilia from Blue Underground I decided I would have a Franco marathon.  I've been sitting on Severin's Night of Open Sex and Cries of Pleasure for a minute.  Shining Sex and Cecilia was a fun experience but Cries of Pleasure let me down greatly.  Honestly, I could barely finish it.  I was hesitant to toss in Night of Open Sex but I did and was very surprised by how much I enjoyed it.  As always, I want to thank Severin Films for sending this one my way to review.

     The film follows erotic dancer Moira (Romay) is paid a large sum of money to pretend to be someone else in order to obtain secret information for their organization.  Several different organizations are after hidden gold and Moira finds herself stuck in the middle with sexually charged situations.

     The title Night of Open Sex made me think that this one was going to be a lot like Cries of Pleasure and would lack a story.  However, that was the furthest from the case.  The film, much like Shining Sex, was out there and you never knew what was going to happen.  The only thing for certain in this odd piece of sexploitation was the sex scenes.  The acting in this one is fun for the film but nothing memorable.  Romay is hot as ever and really does command the scene with her body but her character is very one dimensional.  The supporting cast works with what they were given but the characters, like Romay's is very flat.  The story for this one is all over the place and a little difficult to follow at times.  It's pretty wild and ambitious for a sexploitation flick but the story does get lost in the sex scenes.  You watch wondering what is going to happen next but the intrigue is something interrupted with the sex.  Finally, the film does have some blood but nothing that would get horror fan's heart racing.  Instead, if you want plenty of skin then you are in luck.  Overall, Night of Open Sex is an odd sexploitation film with lots of twist and turns which has nothing to do with the sex scenes.  The blu looks great from Severin but some of the scenes does show some grain.  It's still worth checking out especially for Franco fans.  

Cries of Pleasure

Director - Jess Franco (Shining Sex, Cecilia)
Starring - Lina Romay (Lust for Frankenstein, Vampire Blues), Rocio Freixas (Police Destination Oasis, The Erotic and Wacky Tunnel of Time), and Antonio Mayans (The Bounty Killer, Stop Over in Hell)
Release Date - 1983
Genre - Thriller
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Jess Franco and I have a strained relationship.  His movies either hit right with me or completely miss their marks.  After watching two fairly entertaining I knew I would be trying my luck as I prepared for my third and fourth Franco flick.  I recently reviewed Shining Sex from Severin and Cecilia from Blue Underground.  I wanted to keep the Franco train rolling and decided to toss in Cried for Pleasure which was also released by Severin.  This was pushing my luck because this one did not hit like the other two films did.  I still want to thank Severin for sending this one over.  

     The film follows a man who invites his new plaything to live with him, his wife, and his mentally stunted friend that plays guitar and watches the nudity.  His wife is also mentally unstable and was recently released from a mental hospital so he is using his new girlfriend as bait to push her over the edge so he can inherit her fortunes.

     I've seen some amazing Franco flicks and I've seen some Franco flicks that I struggled to finish.  This one falls somewhere in between the two.  The movie would have worked if it was a lot shorter but at an hour and a half the story was stretched way too thin.  The acting in this one is pretty good.  Lina Romay delivers a fantastic performance while the supporting cast, which is fairly small, does great to pick up the slack.  The sec scenes are very intimate but the characters do fall flat.  The story for this one is a sexploitation of a classic story used in horror movies over the last 60 years.  We follow a man who married into money and is using his girlfriend as a way to get rid of his wife.  It's not that original and sex scenes that stretch for so long makes it painfully boring.  Sexy, but boring.  Finally, if you are looking for the red stuff you will not find any here.  However, nudity is in EVERY scene.  Overall, Cries of Pleasure just wasn't for me.  It moved so slow and the story just didn't have enough meat on the bone.  The blu looks great but the film itself just wasn't that entertaining.