The Last Matinee

Director - Maximiliano Contenti (Neptunia, Fruit Stars)

Starring - Ricardo Islas (Zombie Farm, Night Fangs), Luciana Grasso (Harpoon, Terror 5), and Franco Duran (Lov3)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "No talking.  No texting.  No breathing"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several months ago I started receiving press releases for the slasher film The Last Matinee that starred indie filmmaker Ricardo Islas as the film's killer.  I was familiar with Islas' films prior to this so I was very curious to see him star in a slasher.  As the weeks passed I honestly forgot about the film until Vinegar Syndrome announced the release from one of their partner labels.  I loved the look of the trailer and the poster honestly sold me on it so I was quick to order a copy.  After watching Saturn's Core release of Shatter Dead I decided to go ahead and throw this one in.

     The film follows a group of movie goers who visit an old theater for a late night viewing of a horror film.  However, the theater is being stalked by a madman who with a knack for collecting his victims eyes.

     I was really looking forward to The Last Matinee especially after seeing so many genre fans praising it.  I liked it but it was very much a mediocre slasher void of story and filled with fantastic kills and effects.  The acting in this is very well done.  We get a bunch of characters with personalities that stand out and the cast does a fantastic in their role.  I loved the characters and how some added some much needed laughs to the film during the more slower scenes.  The characters were better written than the story which gives the cast something to work with.  I enjoyed the cast and now I'm seriously looking into other genre films that they have appeared in.  With that being said, I was seriously impressed by Ricardo Islas as the film's slasher.  If his character had a distinguishable look about him I could see it becoming another horror icon.  However, the fact that his character reminded viewers of the killer from I Know What You Said Last Summer.  Maybe having a killer with a memorable look would have went a long way especially considering how strong the performance was here.  The story for this one is pretty much non-existent but it has just enough to get the viewer through to the death scenes.  The film's premise is people in a theater as a killer stalks them for their eyes.  Nothing more simpler or straight to the point.  However, it would have been far more enjoyable if it was a short instead of a feature length film.  I've seen more mediocre slashers in the last five years and this is one of them.  It's not a bad experience but it has no replay value and the actual lack of story makes it dull at times.  The characters do pick up some slack but they can't carry the film on it's back the entire time.  Finally, the film has some seriously amazing practical effects.  The deaths are great and the gory deaths make the film what it is.  I was seriously impressed by this and one of the few reasons I would recommend this film.  Overall, The Last Matinee is a middle of the road slasher with a great cast and amazing effects but the lack of story does make it easily forgettable.  It's worth at least one watch but don't expect a slasher that will stick with you.  

     

Shatter Dead

Director - Scooter McCrae (Sixteen Tongues, Betamax)

Starring - Stark Raven (Sixteen Tongues), Flora Fauna, Daniel 'Smalls' Johnson (Pacific Blue, Son of the Beach)

Release Date - 1994

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "God hates you"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school, and a few years after I graduated before venturing off to college, I would often spend my nights and spare time at a friend's house with some other friends.  We would often drink and watch random horror and exploitation films.  We were all avid eBay buyers and often snagged films we had never heard of or caught our eyes.  One of my many purchases at that time was Scooter McCrae's Shatter Dead.  I remember liking it but I don't remember a god damn thing about it all those years ago so when Saturn's Core announced the release of the film on blu I was ready to upgrade my copy and revisit it.  Saturn's Core has really impressed me since partnering with Vinegar Syndrome so I was really looking forward to this release and checking out the film that I completely forgot about.

     The film follows Susan (Raven) who is one of the few living people left in the world.  The Dead are no longer dying but living forever.  She is trying to make her way home but the living dead, lead by an enigmatic preacher, are on the hunt for the living so he can grow his ever growing legion of the undead.  

     I loved the story and the approach it took.  It's not your typical zombie movie and the amount of creativity is still impressive almost 30 years later.  It is held back by the film's budget but as a fan of indie horror I found it to be extremely entertaining.  I'm honestly shocked that I didn't remember this one after my initial viewing.  The alcohol may have had something to do with it or I didn't appreciate it as much at my young age but now I fucking love it.  The acting in this one is solid but the cast is fairly inexperienced or has no experience at all.  I liked the wide array of characters that we are given and the cast does a fantastic job at bringing them to life.  However, a few of the scenes were a bit awkward which can be chalked up to the cast's lack of experience.  I liked it but there was room for improvement.  The story for this one is nothing like I had seen before when speaking about the undead or zombies.  We have people who can't die and punishment for betraying the evil preacher is receiving a disability that you will never outlive.  It's such a wild story that I seriously enjoy.  Keep in mind, this is a no budget S.O.V. horror film but the budget doesn't stop it from being so much fun.  Finally, the film has plenty of blood and some light gore but it works.  I enjoyed the deaths and how they fit into the film.  If you want blood then this film is for you.  Overall, Shatter Dead is a must see for fans of indie horror and S.O.V.  I fucking loved it and I'm respect the hell out of Saturn's Core for bringing this film to blu.  I highly recommend checking it out.  

Death of Nintendo

Director - Raya Martin (The Great Cinema Party, Smaller and Smaller Circles)

Starring - Noel Comia Jr. (Rainbow's Sunset, Parasite Island), Agot Isidro (Magikland, Love at First Stream), and Moi Marcampo (Since I Found You, Moon of Desire)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     The Vinegar Syndrome partner labels has caused a stir among genre fans and collectors.  Vin Syn's monthly releases does add up quickly and when you add the ever growing partner labels to them you find yourself in financial turmoil.  However, I love that they are bringing films to our attention that we would often overlook.  Case in point, 2020's Death of Nintendo from Altered Innocence.  This comedy from the Philippines is one I would have looked over if Vin Syn had not brought it to our attention.  As soon as I could pre-order it I did.  

     The film follows a group of boys who are all raised by their mothers in early 90s Philippines.  They like competing in video games, sports, and any other aspect they can.  However, they also have to deal with bullies, peer pressure, and growing up.

       Death of Nintendo had a lot of promise but it was one that I didn't care for at all.  I have a soft spot for coming of age dramas and comedies but DoN just couldn't pull it all together for me.  I liked the idea behind the film but the film the way it is just wasn't for me.  The acting in this one is fairly well done.  The young cast shows experience well beyond their years and the supporting cast is fantastic as well.  With that being said, the characters are painfully generic which didn't give the cast much to work with.  They are not given personalities that stand out which is one of my biggest complaints about the film.  The characters are so painfully generic that you find yourself often confused as to who is who.  This is not necessarily the cast's fault but the acting is so grounded and straight forward that you often struggle to comprehend who is portraying which character.  The story for this one is so uneventful.  Following a group of juveniles in the early 90s as they struggle to find themselves without fathers during the same time-frame that I actually grew up sounded like a film made just for me.  Sadly, the film is overflowing with small talk, cringy dialogue, dry scenes that do very little to forward the barely existing stories.  I do enjoy coming of age films but this one is lacking the anecdotes.  It seems like most of the writing went into making the film feel authentically 90s instead of story.  Finally, no blood or gore in this one.  We have some light humor that does find it's mark but a good deal of the laughs fall flat.  Overall, Death of Nintendo doesn't really fulfill it's goal of becoming a nostalgia filled coming of age comedy that it set out to be.  The story is lacking and most of the humor doesn't really work.  I love the premise but the execution just doesn't work.  This is one I would skip.

6:45

Director - Craig Singer (Dark Ride, Perkins 14)

Starring - Augie Duke (Necropolis: Legion, Hell's Kitty), Michael Reed (The Disco Exorcist, Brides of Satan), and Armen Garo (The Wolf of Wall Street, Gotham)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A dream vacation with some time to kill"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I know I've bitched and moaned about the pandemic but it really has left a lasting impact on the movie industry.  It's not often that I get in new movies for review because of all the new mandates put in place due to Covid-19.  However, I look forward to any film I get in for review that was filmed over the last two years.  Several weeks ago I received the press release for Craig Singer's 6:45.  Singer is the director behind some seriously underrated horror titles like Dark Ride and Perkins 14.  I was even more intrigued about the film when I saw that it starred the Disco Exorcist himself, Michael Reed.  I reached out to my friends over at Well Go USA and they were kind enough to send over a review copy for me to check out.  Like always, I want to thank Well Go for hooking me up with a review copy.

     The film follows young couple Jules (Duke) and Bobby (Reed) who are on their vacation.  They are in a secluded town that is only reachable by ferry but this particular week the ferry is not running in remembrance of a terrible murder that happened some years ago.  Their first morning their they awaken at 6:45 and begin their day like most would on vacation with some sight seeing, eating at local places, and some drinking.  However, that night they fall victim to a killer using the same method on them that happened to those that died all those years before.  The following day Bobby awakens at 6:45 remembering everything that happened the day before while Jules does not.  He quickly finds himself in a loop of awakening at 6:45, going about his day, and then dying.  After many, many, many repeats he decides to confess his infidelity to her to see what would happen and finds himself rid of the curse but something more sinister has happened... something so dark that he has completely wiped it from his mind.  

     Honestly, I was looking forward to 6:45.  Singer really impressed me with Dark Ride and Perkins 14.  I remember that I wasn't alone with Perkins 14 hit store shelves.  I was an active member of the UHM message boards and it was a common to see conversations about this one pop up for weeks after the film's release.  I was hoping that 6:45 would deliver the brutality that his previous films did while utilizing the fantastic actor that Michael Reed is.  Sadly, the film missed it's mark with me but there was some enjoyable aspects of it.  The acting in this one is absolutely fantastic.  Duke and Reed are phenomenal together.  I went through their filmography to see if this was their first time working together and as far as I can tell it is.  However, they have some seriously impressive on screen chemistry.  They were very comfortable with each other and their dialogue exchange feels very genuine.  I know I've praised Reed in the past for his performances and he continues to impress me.  With that being said, Duke is just as enjoyable in her role. The supporting cast is impressive as well but Reed and Duke's characters are the center of the story.  The story for this one is one of several horror films that borrowed the premise from the classic comedy Groundhog's Day.  I fucking loved Happy Death Day and it's sequel so this type of premise can be very effective in a horror film.  However, this one just doesn't set up an intriguing premise like some of the other films that use this same plot device.  I could really get behind a young couple getting murdered and murdered again as they try to uncover the reason for their continuing murder but the way 6:45 approaches the story makes it more focused on how the character of Bobby handles being stuck on repeat with the horror taking the back seat.  If it was more focused on the murders and who caused the original while tying it to them then it would have been a lot more entertaining than the psychological twist it goes.  I found it to be very underwhelming.  Finally, the film doesn't shy away from the blood which is what I expected from Singer.  We get some seriously bloody death but they are mostly the same over and over again.  We get some great practical effects for the kill but the repetitiveness of it takes the impact away from the viewer.  Overall, 6:45 could have been another great horror release from filmmaker Craig Singer but it struggles to find it's own footing.  It falls victim to it's own premise where the repeating storyline becomes repetitive.  It has a great cast and solid deaths but it's one I can't recommend.  

Movies for the Midnight Hour

Director - Jim Haggerty (I Dream of Dracula, The Slasher)

Starring - Jim Haggerty, Natalie Brooks (dots, Lights! Camera! Craig!), and Risa Cohen (My Husband the Flesh Hungry Corpse)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Comedy/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "An All-Night Festival of Midnight Movies"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love digging into a film collection or a loose anthology.  Seeing so many shorts and so forth in a decent amount of time can be so much fun and rewarding.  Several weeks ago I was looking through MVD's website when I found the Yellow Ape Productions short compilation titled Movies for the Midnight Hour.  I have a few films from Yellow Ape's Jim Haggerty in a couple of the Pendulum Pictures box sets so I was very curious about these films.  I reached out to MVD and they were kind enough to send the blu release my way for review.  Like always, I want to thank MVD for supporting Horrror Society.  

     The film is a collection of 10 stories ranging from the spirits of the dead who are looking for a hand, to a commercial voce over actor who has crossed the line, and some witchy fun.

     Movies for the Midnight Hour has a lot of promise but the shorts that I liked the most just happened to be the shortest while the ones that I didn't care for seemed to make up the majority of the film.  It's a compilation and shouldn't be confused with an anthology but the inconsistency that comes with most compilations is still there.  The acting in this one is solid for the most part.  The cast feels comfortable in front of the camera but there was several instances where the cast's inexperience showed.  The on screen chemistry was great and everyone was fully dedicated to their roles but some scenes felt a little awkward to watch.  The stories for these 10 shorts are inconsistent.  Some, like the one following the commercial voice over actor turned deadly, was a lot of fun.  They were very campy but that's how I take my horror.  I love the silly side of cinema and watching horror movies like this and their cleverness is something I truly enjoy.  However, other shorts, like Reunion, just didn't work for me.  It's a roller coaster ride for sure with so many ups and downs.  At the end of the day it was a mixed bag with half being watchable and the other half being extremely dull.  Finally, if you love cheap effects and nudity then you are in luck.  We get a lot of nudity, some blood, and cheap practical effects that showed the short's budget.  Honestly, I love films like this and the effects didn't take away from the experience but added to it.  Overall, Movies for the Midnight Hour is for those of us that have a soft spot for no budget films, lots of nudity, and stories that are unconventional.  It's not the best experience but at least half of the shorts in this compilation was worth a watch.  Check it out but you've been warned.  

Anal Paprika 3: Menage-A-Death

Director - Chris Seaver (Ski Wolf, Phantom of the Grindhouse)

Starring - Chris Seaver, Casey Bowker (Resident Horror, Carnage for the Destroyer), and Lori Swierczek (Anal Paprika, Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers)

Release Date - 2001

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I know it was several years ago now but I don't remember watching the third Anal Paprika but I was still looking forward to revisiting it.  I absolutely love the first film and while the second film had plenty of room for improvement it was still very enjoyable.  It reminded me a lot of the vampire flicks I watched while I was in high school during the early 2000s from companies like Brain Damage.  Because I couldn't remember this final installment I was a little more excited to dig into it than the others.

     The film once again follows brothers Johnsimon (Seaver) and Alfred (Bowker) along with their carpet munching friend Toddy (Swierczek) who once again find themselves in the middle of another life threatening adventure.  While preparing for a Troma retrospective they uncover a coven a witches who have big plans for them and their souls.  

     Menage-A-Death is more of the same from AP: Vampire Killers.  It is more of a story driven film with humor and those lovable characters where the first film was clearly a parody that was more focused on the comedy.  It was enjoyable but, much like the second film, I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  The acting in this one is essentially the same as the first two films.  The characters are having a lot of fun on camera acting with their friends. They are very comfortable with each other and it shows.  They deliver some funny one liners and so forth but at the end of the day it's very amateurish.  However, I'm not complaining because I have a lot of fun with it.  The story for this one once again reminds me of the indie and no budget horror titles that companies like Brain Damage, Pendulum Pictures, and Tempe Video which makes sense considering Tempe releases several other films from Seaver around that time.  The film has the same type of humor that you would expect from The Seavage and Low Budget Pictures with a story centered around a coven of witches and lesbians.  It's not a compelling story but it works especially if you are a fan of no budget horror.  Finally, we get a little blood but don't expect amazing gore and great practical effects.  It works for this type of film but it's nothing amazing.  Overall, Menage-A-Death is a solid entry in the Anak Paprika series but when you compare it to the original short it does come up short.  I loved the original idea behind it and the fact that Seaver never fully explored these is a damn shame.  It's still a fun watch so check it out.  

Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers

Director - Chris Seaver (Death O'Lantern, Geek War)

Starring - Chris Seaver, Casey Bowker (Teen Ape Goes to Camp, Scrotal Vengeance), and Lori Swierczek (Anal Paprika, Anal Paprika 3: Menage-A-Death)

Release Date - 2000

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago when I grabbed the Anal Paprika DVDs from Chris Seaver I found myself binging a bunch of his films that night.  I had a few of his Warlock Home Video releases that I had not watched yet.  So, I sat down with a bunch of cheap beers, some delicious snacks, and some pizza for a wild night.  The Seavage rarely disappoints but that night I found myself a little underwhelmed with Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers.  I wouldn't say it was bad but it wasn't as wild or enjoyable as the other films I binged that night.  After revisiting the first Anal Paprika I wasn't really looking forward to spinning part 2 but I'm glad I did because it was better than I remembered.  

     The film follows Johnsimon (Seaver), his brother Alfred (Bowker), and their carpet munching friend Toddy (Swierczek).  Johnsimon and Alfred receive an old amulet from their father who is secretly a vampire hunter. Soon the three find themselves in the middle of a vampire clan and their necks are on the line.  

      The first Anal Paprika film has a fucking wild story that I just absolutely love.  In fact, I'm such a huge fan of the idea behind that story that I'm very disappointed that it's just a short and not a feature length film.  AP 2 takes the characters from the first film, dashes in a little Troma, and then delivers that early 2000 no budget vampire fun that I lived on through my high school years.  I like it more this second viewing but it's not as enjoyable as the first film.  The acting in this one is more of the same from the first film.  The characters are funny and over the top goofy but the cast is having a lot of fun.  Their on screen chemistry adds to the fun of the film.  The story for this one is not as clever as the first film but it's cool to see these characters in another misadventure.  The original short's story is more humor than substance but I fucking loved it.  However, this one is a little more story focused.  It's fun and just as full of the humor you would expect from a Chris Seaver film but it's more story oriented like a standard horror film.  It was grounded and straight forward but it was very cliched and rather predictable.  The humor does pick up the slack but I don't see myself revisiting this one again anytime soon.  Finally, the film has some blood but don't expect to find a film with amazing effects and a high body count.  Overall, Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers is an enjoyable follow up to Seaver's original short but it's not as entertaining as the original.  It's worth your time for a first time watch.  

Anal Paprika

Director - Chris Seaver (Filthy McNasty, Die-B-Que)

Starring - Chris Seaver, Casey Bowker (Ski Wolf, The Weirdsies), and Lori Swierczek (Anal Paprika 2: Vampire Killers, Anal Paprika 3: Menage-a-Death)

Release Date - 1999

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "The movie Yohan doesn't want you to see"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of filmmaker Chris Seaver for sometime now.  There is a few films of his that I don't really care for but most of his catalogue are fantastic.  His brand of humor just resonates with me and his films are a lot of fun.  Over the years I've been lucky enough to collect his films on DVD and occasionally on blu.  However, in recent months he has started upgrading his films to blu and periodically releasing them.  One of the releases he put out on blu was the Anal Paprika trilogy.  These are movies I've owned for sometime on DVD and couldn't wait to revisit them.  As soon as The Seavage was taking orders for the release I snagged one.  I couldn't watch it right away but as soon as I had the time I tossed them in.

     The film follows three dorky friends who decide to go for a hike through the local woods.  While there they tell each other stories about the local legend about a mentally disturbed man who reached his breaking point as a child when his father forced him to watch 80s and 90s sitcoms.  Now, he's homicidal and obsessed with John Stamos.  After learning about the legend they find themselves face to face with the menace.

     Anal Paprika is a short that sells it's self short.  It's a fun short but I could see so much more coming from it.  Don't get me wrong, I find the short to be very entertaining but a feature length slasher parody following a John Stamos obsessed killer is exactly what I need in my life.  It works as a short but it could have been a slasher for the ages if it was feature length.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a Chris Seaver film.  The characters are all full of energy and comical.  They deliver fun dialogue and it's clear they are all friends in real life because their on screen chemistry is amazing.  The story for this one is fucking brilliant.  Seaver is a huge nostalgia nerd so I'm not surprised that he created a story following a maniac obsessed with John Stamos.  It's funny and works but I feel like it's just a little too short.  Seaver could have easily turned this short into a feature length film.  Instead, it's a short and once the joke is explored we find it over.  Don't get me wrong, I thought it was a great short with so many laughs but the thought that we could have been given a slasher where a killer is stabbing people while quoting Uncle Jesse makes me extremely sad.  Finally, the film has a few deaths but the film's no budget dictated the effects.  It's not as bloody as I would have liked but the humor more than made up for the lack of carnage.  Overall, Anal Paprika is short and sweet.  I had a lot of fun with it and the creativity in the story really exemplifies what makes Seaver's films so much fun.  I highly recommend it.  

Doctor of Doom

Director - Rene Cardona (Night of the Bloody Apes, Treasure of the Amazon)

Starring - Lorena Velazquez (The Rape of the Sabines, She-Wolves in the Ring), Armando Silvestre (The Killing Zone, Amityville Playhouse), and Elizabeth Campbell (The Panther Women, Planet of the Female Invaders)

Release Date - 1963

Genre - Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love discovering movies that are new to me.  Even if they are not for me and I don't like them I still find myself enjoying the experience.  It's even more fascinating when the film is international and from years long passed.  When VCI Entertainment sent over their release of Night of the Bloody Apes on blu I was fucking excited.  I had never seen the film before but I had heard about it which only stirred my curiosity.  Sadly, I was not a fan of the film but that didn't stop me from checking out the second film on the set which was 1963's Doctor of Doom.  This film was actually the original film to Cardona's Night of the Bloody Ape's remake.  This made me even more excited to finally check it out.  Like always, I want to thank MVD and VCI for sending this one over.

     The film follows a luchadora who's sister is attacked and left for dead.  The culprit is an ape like creature controlled by an evil scientist who is using the victims in his horrible experiments.  After discovering that her sister was one of several victims she sets out to find who is responsible and stop them before more suffer at his hands. 

     Doctor of Doom, in my eyes, was a better film than the remake which is strange considering both films were directed by Rene Cardona after he had spent almost a decade refining his skills.  Doctor of Doom just had a better pacing and atmosphere about it that Bloody Apes could not replicate.  The acting in this one is very similar to the remake.  The cast is great on screen, they work very well with each other, and their personalities hold the scene.  I really enjoyed the casting and how loud and enjoyable the characters are.  The cast had something to grab onto it.  The story for this one works much better than the remake.  The lucha story meets a slasher like story is such a fun combination that works in this case.  It's campy, with smooth pacing, and even though it's predictable it's still enjoyable.  I would have loved watching this one at the drive-in with some other lucha themed horror films.  Finally, the film has some make-up effects but that is the extent of it.  If you are looking for a bloody flick you will be very disappointed.  Overall, Doctor of Doom is the superior of the two films.  It's fun and campy.  I would highly recommend this one for those of you looking for an early 60s cheesefest.  It was a lot of fun. 

Night of the Bloody Apes

Director - Rene Cardona (The Batwoman, Santo in the Treasure of Dracula)

Starring - Jose Elias Moreno (The Magnificent Beast, Black Wind), Carlos Lopez Moctezuma (Death in Cold Blood, The Vampires of Coyoacan), and Armando Silvestre (Wrestling Women vs the Aztec Mummy, Amityville Playhouse)

Release Date - 1969

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Warning - this film contains scenes of extreme and explicit violence"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Last year I was fortunate enough to review two different releases featuring the films of Mexican filmmaker Rene Cardona.  Earlier last year VCI Entertainment sent over the Batwoman and Pantherwomen double feature for me to review.  Both films were an experience but they wasn't for me.  Sometime later Vinegar Syndrome released the Cardona Collection box set featuring Treasure of the Amazon, The Bermuda Triangle, and Cyclone.  Honestly, I enjoyed the hell out of this set and was impressed by how much I actually enjoyed it.  A few weeks ago VCI Entertainment announced another double feature with two more Cardona titles.  This time around it was Night of the Bloody Apes and Doctor of Doom.  I had never seen either title so I reached out to my friends over at MVD and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  I couldn't wait to dig into Night of the Bloody Apes.  Like always I want to thank them and VCI for supporting Horror Society.  

     The film follows a scientist who is trying to save his drying son from certain death.  He turns to the local zoo where he steals an ape's heart and transplants it into his son in hopes of prolonging his life.  It oddly works but only for a short time.  His son slowly starts to mutate into an ape and goes on a murderous rampage.  A local luchadora finds herself wrapped up in the murders and must act fast to stop the killer before he can strike again.  

     Honestly, Night of the Bloody Apes was not as fun as I had hoped.  In fact, I found it to be very underwhelming.  The movie itself is a remake of Cardona's earlier film Doctor of Doom but the inclusion of stock medical footage does not fit the film at all.  It could have been something more enjoyable if it followed the source material but these additional scenes completely breaks apart the pacing of the film.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  I enjoyed the characters and how much they brought to the film.  The characters fit the story very well and their personalities worked just enough to make the scenes a little more enjoyable.  Lucha films are hit and miss with me because of the characters but this one was surprisingly enjoyable that regard.  The story for this one has so much potential especially considering it was a remake by Cardona of one of his earlier films.  However, the pacing and flow of the film is completely destroyed by stock footage used featuring surgical procedures.  I love gore and nothing wrong with incorporating real surgeries into a film but this one was not done that well.  It has a different look than the rest of the film which completely ruins the effect it was going for.  I would have rather had the film be dry than feature this.  Finally, the film, as I stated earlier, the film does feature stock footage of surgeries in all it's bloody glory so hardcore gore hounds will find some thrills with that but if you are looking for practical effects you will find little here.  We get some odd make-up effects and blood but that's the extent of it here.  Overall, Night of the Bloody Apes wasn't for me.  The pacing is all of the place but the story has so much potential.  It could have been one hell of a campy drive-in era film but chose to go the shock value route which was a huge disappointment.  I wanted to like it but couldn't.  Skip it.