The Belko Experiment

Director - Greg McLean (Wolf Creek, Rogue) Starring - John Gallagher Jr. (10 Cloverfield Lane, Jonah Hex), Tony Goldwyn (The Last House on the Left, Dexter), and Adria Arjona (Narcos, True Detective)
Release Date - 2017
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Choose your weapon"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     James Gunn may be a new face to some of you with his recent blockbusters Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy 2 but he has been in the film business for some time now.  He started out his film career as a writer where he wrote for Troma and even starred in one of the few romantic comedies in Troma's catalogue alongside his ex-wife Jenna Fischer who also directed it.  He would direct a few small segments for Troma before moving on to his underrated masterpiece Slither.  From there he would write and direct his short lived web-series PG Porn and the criminally underrated vigilante/super hero comedy Super.  Now that Guardians has exploded all over the universe James' is a very popular man.  His recent screenplay partnered him with Wolf Creek director Greg McLean for The Belko Experiment.  This is one I was really looking forward to seeing but work won out and I was unable to see it in theaters.  When a blu was announced I had to jump on.  The film was worth the wait!
     The film follows a group of corporate employees working in Colombia.  One day things take a drastic change when all the locals are forced to go home leaving mostly American employees there.  As the day starts out normal the employees get into their normal routine when an unknown person comes across the intercom system telling them that they need to kill a certain amount of employees within a certain amount of time.  If they fail to do so then double that amount will die. Once they fail to meet their kill count the people behind the sick game start detonating explosives that are implanted into every employee's head.  They then tell the survivors that they have so long to kill as many people as possible.  The one with the highest kill count will survive.  One of them is able to get his hands on some of the explosives from the heads of those slain.  When he wins he is taken to a man behind the game and learns that it is a social experiment and it was actually conducted in several other locations.  Disgusted by what he had seen, he plants explosives on them and makes his escape as another announcer, this time not yet revealed, announces the next phase in the experiment.
     When I first saw the trailer for The Belko Experiment I knew it was a movie I had to see.  Immediately I started comparing it to Battle Royale, The Condemned, Tag, and even The Hunger Games to an extent.  All, except Hunger Games, are movies I really enjoy especially Battle Royale.   Battle Royale has been one of my favorite films for years.  The two films do have a lot in common but there was some differences.  The acting in this one is great.  John Gallagher Jr. is a strong lead.  I enjoyed his performance in 10 Cloverfield Lane but felt he was underutilized or not taken advantage of.  Tony Goldwyn and John C. McGinley was great as well.  Both actors were fucking intense.  They started out calm and collected before becoming unhinged and fucking insane to watch.  The supporting cast is just as effective at bringing this story to life.  They don't overreact and make their expressions feel genuine.  The story for this one does share several similarities with Battle Royale ranging from a group of people forced to fight and if they did not an explosive placed on them would detonate.  I really liked the fact that it was placed in a corporate environment where it is already cut-throat.  I've worked retail for a corporate chain of cell phone providers for almost a decade now and this film is pure satire.  It has some subtle humor tossed in that does come at the perfect time.  The film has a slow build but once the shit hits the fan you are glued to the screen.  Finally, the film has several on screen kills.  Some are rather unique and not expected while others, mostly the gun kills, are easily forgettable.  The effects for these are top notch.  They use mostly practical effects with just a little visual effects to make the blood pop.  Overall, The Belko Experiment was fantastic and one of my favorites of the year so far.  It gives horror fans a lot of the things they want in a big budget film that most other films are lacking.  If you are in the mood for something bloody, violent, with a sense of humor and style then look no further.  Check it out.  

The Survivor

Director - David Hemmings (Werewolf, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color)
Starring - Robert Powell (Frankenstein, Tommy), Jenny Agutter (An American Werewolf in London, Captain America: The Winter Soldier), and Joseph Cotten (Screamers, The Abominable Dr. Phibes)
Release Date - 1981
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Tortured with guilt...why did he survive an impossible crash?"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I first found myself becoming obsessed with horror when I was in middle school which was roughly around the time that Raimi released Spider-Man.  I was picking up a copy of Spider-Man on DVD at Wal-Mart when two men approached me and told me to check out two movies from the same director.  They pointed at Evil Dead and Bruce Campbell vs. the Army of Darkness.  I was familiar with Evil Dead by that point but the DVD of Bruce Campbell vs. the Army of Darkness was a new one to me.  I bought them both and when I got home I learned that the second film was just a special release of Army of Darkness.  Either way, I was a fan of both films and was glad I grabbed them.  A few years later, I was a sophomore in high school, and I met another horror minded teen and we became friends.  We became friends after he noticed my Evil Dead sticker on my folder.  After we started talking horror he mentioned he had just ordered a copy of The Survivor on VHS.  He showed me the VHS cover and I was not impressed.  That was 12 years ago now and Severin released the film on blu.  They did not use the artwork I saw then but something very different and way more impressive.  This was the first time I actually wanted to see the film after hearing about it.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows pilot Keller (Powell) who is the only survivor of a plan crash where over 300 people were killed.  While the crash is looked into he begins to question why he is alive and how he is able to survive an inferno that killed 300 others.  The deeper he looks into the mystery the more he learns that his surviving may be connected to the supernatural.

    


     I wasn't expecting a splatter flick when I tossed in The Survivor.  I was, however, looking forward to a moody horror film with chocking atmosphere and some tension.  Sadly, the film didn't really have that.  The story is very fun but if you have seen Carnival of Souls you can see the ending coming a mile away.  The acting for this one is pretty damn good.  I really enjoyed seeing Jenny Agutter in a genre role.  Most of you may remember who from her performance in the classic John Landis horror film An American Werewolf in London.  She was great in that film and, to be honest, she is gorgeous.  She one again delivers a great performance in The Survivor.  Robert Powell is a very strong lead and quickly sets out to show why he was cast in his role.  I really enjoyed his performance and seeing him in this film may inspire me to check out his other films.  The story for this one is oddly similar to Carnival of Souls only the car crash has been replaced with the aircraft.  Not much in the way of originality.  The story also suffers from poor pacing.  Some of the scenes drag on for what seems like hours which can easily put the viewer to sleep.  I should know.  Finally, those of you wanting blood and gore will not find it here.  We do get a few charred bodies that look good but that is the extent of the carnage this film boasters.  Overall, The Survivor was a bit of a let down in some regards.  If you have nothing else to watch it can fill that hour and a half mark very well but has no replay value at all.  Collectors will want it but the casual horror fan will not enjoy it.  

All the Colors of the Dark

Director - Sergio Martino (Torso, Blade of the Ripper)
Starring - George Hilton (Macho Killers, My Dear Killer), Edwige Fenech (Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key, Strip Nude for Your Killer), and Ivan Rassimov (Eaten Alive, Death's Dealer)
Release Date - 1972
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "They cannot be exorcised from the world because their power has grown too strong...their numbers too many"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     How do you follow up Brain Damage?  I wanted to stay in the realm of horror comedies but a recent addition to my collection caught my eye and peaked my interested.  I enjoy Italian horror for the most part but I'm not that fond of the Italian cannibal flicks and giallos are hit or miss with me.  I adore the work of Dario Argento but a few other giallos I've seen over the years really lacked the imagination and beauty.  The movie I recently got that looked fun was All the Colors of the Dark and was sent my way from Shameless Screen Entertainment.  This 1972 flick was directed by Sergio Martino who has fell victim to my reviews before.  Thank you Shameless for sending this one my way.
     The film follows a young woman who is romantically involved with a man but the two have not tied the knot.  Sometime ago they were expecting a child but a car accident robbed them both of the bundle of joy and, in doing so, her sanity.  Since the accident she believes she is being stalked by a knife wielding maniac and tries to find help.  She visits with a doctor but it doesn't seem to help her any until one day she meets another woman that lives in her apartment building.  She recommends visiting a man she knows for help.  She does and it seems to work at first but what she doesn't know is that she is about to become a member of a Satanic cult where the only way out is death.
     Italian horror, and giallos in particular, tend to have a slow buildup before the bringing the story full circle.  The viewer is expected to have patience and to give the film your undivided attention because if you miss just the smallest of details you could clueless later in the film.  All the Colors of the Dark was a fun Italian film with giallo flair but didn't have the complexity.  This is an Italian film after my own heart.  The acting in this one is solid.  I really enjoy watching Edwige Fenech.  She is an actress I only recently discovered and instantly fell in love with.  She is naturally beautiful and has the acting chops to back it up.  Her supporting cast is great as well but they don't stand a chance next to her.  The story for this one reminds me a lot of one of my favorite Christopher Lee flick, The Devil Rides Out.  I was not expecting the cult angle and it played out very well.  This is very effective storytelling and writing.  The story is a little slow but the movie continuously tosses in things to hold the viewer's attention.  Finally, those of you looking for the bloodsplatter of an Italian horror film will be a little disappointed.  The film does have a few on screen kills but they are very weak with very little entertaining value.  Overall, All the Colors of the Dark is a very effective horror thriller set against the backdrop of the Satanic cult scare of the late 60s and early 70s.  The film makes very good use of time and does a great job building tension.  I recommend this well shot horror film.  

     

Brain Damage

Director - Frank Henenlotter (Frankenhooker, Basket Case) Starring - Rick Hearst (Charmed, Warlock III: The End of Innocence), Gordon MacDonald (The Thin Red Line, Law and Order), and Jennifer Lowry
Release Date - 1988
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "It's a headache from hell"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     For as long as I can remember I've been a fan of Frank Henenlotter's.  When I was in high school the local video store began liquidating their stock to close their doors for good.  They started selling tapes around $5 but after time they quickly dropped the price to 50 cents.  One of the MANY tapes I grabbed during this time was Henenlotter's Frankenhooker.  I knew this film was made for me once I saw the cover and read the title.  I started grabbing up his titles.  My next stop was his 1988 Brain Damage before making my way to his Basket Case trilogy.  His films do not disappoint and are classic horror staple.  Sometime back Arrow Video released Brain Damage on blu.  This is one of the less talked about Henenlotter flicks but I fucking love it.  I reached out to Arrow and MVD about reviewing the film and they were kind enough to send a limited edition blu my way.  Thanks guys!

     The film follows Brian (get it?) who awakens under the weather and tells his girlfriend that he does not feel like going out.  Not to waste tickets, he sends her out with his brother.  Later that night he awakens to blood all over his head and shoulders.  He panics and rushes to the bathroom where he finds a strange creature has tapped into his brainstem.  The creature promises heaven on Earth through a drug it secretes into his brain if he promises to help him find people to feed on.  Brian agrees and plunges into darkness.  The former owners of the creature, names Aylmer, find out that Brian has possession of him they decide to arm up and get him back resulting in a scuffle and Aylmer's death...and Brian overdosing.

     When people mention Henenlotter horror fans immediately think of his classic film Basket Case or the popular Frankenhooker.  Very few people mention Brain Damage.  The film does have a cult following but nothing like the two before mentioned films.  Brain Damage is a fantastic film where practical effects meets storytelling resulting in one of my favorite horror comedies from the 1980s.  The acting in this one is fun.  The cast does a great job at bringing a range of emotions alive.  They are far from the type of cast that would win awards but they still make their characters very enjoyable and stand out from the crowd.  That's what I love about this film.  I thoroughly enjoy how colorful the characters are and the cast brings them to life.  The story for this one is a fun creature feature with one hell of a backstory.  The film, at it's core, is a creature feature but the end product is much more than that.  It is a horror tale about drug abuse and losing your family.  It also tosses in a very detailed and entertaining backstory for the creature which is something rarely done.  The film has great pacing, some fun puns and few good laughs, and delivers on the red stuff.  Finally, the film has several on screen kills. Watching Aylmer bury himself into someone's skull was very entertaining.  The kills all stand out and the practical effects are great.  The visual effects are dated but they still work regardless what year it is.  Overall, Brain Damage is a fantastic film.  The film is fucking bloody and brilliant.  This Arrow release is a must for any horror fan.  Check it out.

Women in Cellblock 9

Director - Jess Franco (Snakewoman, Helter Skelter)
Starring - Karine Gambier (European Sex Vacation, Private Nurse), Howard Vernon (Zombie Lake, Blood on My Shoes), and Susan Hemingway (Love Letters of a Portuguese Man, Elles Font Tout)
Release Date - 1978
Genre - Drama
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Women in prison flicks have never been a favorite of mine.  I know a lot of horror fans enjoy these flicks but they tend to be boring to me.  In my opinion, they are essentially torture porns set to the backdrop of World War II or some other conflict that involves mass prisons.  With that being said, I have seen a few that I really enjoyed but they were very story rich in a historical sense and was able to really hold my attention.  Sometime ago Full Moon started releasing some of the films of Jess Franco.  One of the films that was sent my way to review was the 1978 flick Women in Cell Block 9, or more known as Tropical Inferno.   I knew that I typically didn't care for this type of films but I really wanted to check out a Jess Franco flick that I had yet to see.  Thanks Full Moon for sending this one my way!

     The film begins with a truck carrying fruit that is stopped by the military in South America.  They investigate the cargo and find that the truck is smuggling women.  Six in total and three are suspected as working for the resistance.  The troops rape and murder the three not working for the resistance and take the three they suspect are back to the prison where they are slowly tortured for information.

 

     I was afraid that Women in Cell Block 9 was going to be as boring as the other women in prison flicks I had seen in the past.  Sadly, it was.  In fact, it was a chore just to finish it.  Jess Franco is one of those filmmakers that is hit or miss with me.  This was a miss.  The acting in this one is a little rough.  The film's main characters are solid.  They do a decent enough job for the most part but they struggle to convince the viewer they are in peril.  They overreact and make it almost laughable when they are being tortured.  The supporting cast has no on screen experience and should not have any dialogue.  Anytime they do it is clearly evident that they are inexperienced.  The story for this one is just like all the other films from the time period.  We find pretty, young women who are forced to be nude most of the film and are degraded physically, mentally, and sexually.  The story is one tracked and leaves very little for the viewer to grab hold of.  The film moves as a snails pace and the dialogue is very tedious.  Finally, if you are looking for blood you will find it but it is not that impressive.  The blood we get is the bright 3M blood made famous in Romero's Dawn of the Dead but there is no real gore or practical effects aside from some camera work and tricks.  Overall, Women in Cell Block 9 is not the type of film I would typically go for.  The women are beautiful but the film lacks story.  This is one of the few Franco flicks I would skip.