Ragmork

 



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

Rating (Out of 5):

 

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

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

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

 

     

The Maxwell Edison Chapters: The Taming of Patticakes



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

Rating (out of 5):

 

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

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

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

 



Actress Apocalypse

 



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

Rating (out of 5):

 

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

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

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



Anatomy of a Psycho



Director - Boris Petroff (Shotgun Wedding, The Unearthly)
Starring - Ronnie Burns (the Honeymooners, Shotgun Slade), Pamela Lincoln (The Tingler, One Step Beyond), Darrell Howe (The Felony Squad, Teenage Idol)
Release Date - 1961
Genre - Crime
Tagline - "A terrifying searching expose"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

          I've been on a huge exploitation kick lately.  I started out by reviewing movies in the 80s a few weeks ago and that became a slippery slope to some bad exploitation flicks that are just too much fun.  I started working my way through my back log of AFGA releases when I got to The Violent Years which was written by the late and great Ed Wood Jr.  A bonus film on the blu was the 1961 crime thriller Anatomy of a Psycho which was supposedly written by Wood.  I had heard of this film beforehand but never had an opportunity to check it out.  Hell, I have two different releases of the film on DVD already.  One was from Something Weird and the other is a double feature from Vinegar Syndrome.  Thank you MVD for sending this one my way!

     The film follows Chet who is a bit of a rough one and is struggling with the fact that his brother was put to death for the murder of a man he tried to rob.  He vows to kill those responsible for convicting his brother and starts with the DA, the judge, before learning that his sister is about to marry the son of the eye witness that testified against him.  A series of unfortunate events leads to the murder of Chet's friend Moe and he pins the murder on the witness' son.  A rogue cop knows something is wrong and investigates the further and uncovers Chet's responsible for the murder and will stop at nothing to bring him to justice. 

     I went into this one with a bad taste in my mouth from The Violent Years but I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.  The movie was goofy as hell but I actually really enjoyed it.  In fact, I'm curious why this movie was the bonus feature on the release and not the main attraction.  The acting in this one is honestly not that bad but there was several scenes that left me scratching my head.  Especially the fight scenes.  I laughed at how bad they were and how awkward the cast was in them.  No choreography and you can tell the cast was afraid to touch each other.  The story for this one could be a pre-dated slasher in a way where someone wronged slowly stalks and extracts revenge on those responsible one by one.  It is not a horror movie, however, but it does work for the crime thriller angle.  Finally, there is one death scene but it is extremely boring and lackluster.  In fact, you will forget it before the movie is even over.  The effects are non-existent.  Overall, Anatomy of a Psycho is a flawed film but still well worth the watch.  It is definitely the highlight of The Violent Years release. 





The Violent Years

 



Director - William Morgan (Mercy Island, Secrets of the Underground)
Starring - Jean Moorhead (Death Valley Days, The Amazing Colossal Man), Barbara Weeks (Gun Girls, School for Girls), and Art Millan (Battle Hymn, The Man Behind the Gun)
Release Date - 1956
Genre - Crime/Drama
Tagline - "Teenage killers taking their thrills unashamed"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     Ed Wood is a filmmaker that had a huge impact on me growing up.  Like many people my age I discovered Ed Wood thanks to Tim Burton.  I had watched the film when I was younger with my grandmother and soon after discovered he was the same man behind the films Night of the Ghouls and Plan 9 from Outer Space which I had already seen with my grandmother.  Sometime ago the folks over at AGFA released the 1956 crime drama The Violent Years which was written by Ed Wood.  I had seen several movies directed by him but how would his brand of filmmaking be handled by a director that wasn't him?  I couldn't wait to see and thank you MVD for sending this one my way to review.

     The film follows a teenage woman who is neglected by her wealthy parents.  To kill time she forms an all female gang who rob and beat innocent people all over town.  They are instructed to trash a local school but the police catch wind of it and try to stop them.  A shootout ensues and a cop is killed before they are all caught bringing the blame back to the neglecting parents. 

     This was one of the films I was excited the most to review but it actually ended up being the first one so far that I was not a fan of.  The movie was honestly a chore to finish and the title, at least when compared to modern horror, was not that violent.  The acting in this one is great.  The cast is consistent and no one cast member outshines the other.  They work very well together which does make some of the scenes a little easier to swallow.  The story for this one is not really that violent.  I've seen movies from around this time and this film is nothing new or groundbreaking.  The movie moves at a snails pace and the "action" we do get is so lackluster that the viewer will find themselves playing on social media while ignoring the film.  The cheap and cheesy dialogue, acting, and sets that make Woods' films so much fun are nowhere to be seen leaving behind a boring experience.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you will need to go elsewhere.  There is a gun death but it is cheaply done with no effects.  Overall, The Violent Years is not the experience I was expecting.  The movie looks great but is not that enjoyable.  Fans of Wood will want to grab the blu from AFGA but if you are looking for something different to check out I can recommend several other films. 





Brawl Busters

 



Director - Jeong-yong Kim (Kung-Fu Party, The Shaolin Drunk Money)
Starring - Bruce Cheung (Bridge of Death, A Viper), Yong-seok Kang (Dracula Rises, Women's Fists), and Yeong-ran Seo (Bruce Against the Odds, Evil Spirit)
Release Date - 1978
Genre - Action
Tagline - "For the first time!  See the deadly flying razors"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I've been having the blast the last few days working my way through the AGFA releases to review.  I started with Bat Pussy which had the erotic sci-fi film Robot Love Slaves as a bonus film.  I then moved on to the amazing The Sword and the Claw which has the 1978 kung-fu film Brawl Busters as a bonus feature.  I absolutely loved The Sword and the Claw so I immediately took the plunge into Brawl Busters.  Once again I want to thank MVD for sending this one my way to review. 

     The film follows a young woman who is a master in kung-fu and trained by a shaolin monk after her father was murdered by an evil warlord when he refused to fight for him.  Now she is ready to get her revenge and she is bringing with her a group of female warriors all of which are just as deadly as her.



     I love the cheese and campy factor that you always get when you toss in a kung-fu flick.  Each one tries to outdo the next and usually delivers on a few unexpected laughs and some fun action scenes.  Brawl Busters was campy and not as well choreographed but still delivered on the fun.  The acting in this one is what you would expect from an international kung-fu flick.  The cast is very into their characters but there is a language barrier between how they act and what is translated into English.  It doesn't take away from the film.  In fact, it does add some unintentional humor to several dry scenes.  The story for this one is standard among kung-fu films.  In fact, it follows a similar story as The Sword and the Claw.  We follow someone that was orphaned and grew up into a powerful warrior only to get revenge on those that took their parents away.  The different between these two is that it does not have the humor that TWatC has.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you are watching the wrong movie.  Hell, if you want a great choreographed kung-fu flick you are watching the wrong movie.  The movie looks great and has a solid story with decent choreography but it is a flawed film.  Overall, Brawl Busters is a highly entertaining and energetic kung-fu film.  It is far from perfect but still a fun watch. 





The Sword and the Claw

 



Director - Natuk Baytan (Eagle House, Aladdin's Lamp)
Starring - Cuneyt Arkin (Burning, The Raid), Bahar Erdeniz (The Little Eye-Witness, Takip), and Charles Garret
Release Date - 1975
Genre - Action
Tagline - "Blood and guts action - from start to finish"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     When I was growing up I had a friend that loved kung-fu flicks.  While I was renting horror flicks and shitty family movies like Air Bud and Space Jam he would often grab those 70s king-fu flicks that you would have seen as a double feature at the drive-in.  I actually liked them as well but I didn't obsess over them like he did.  As I got older I started to appreciate them more and will toss them in from time to time.  I'm especially fond of Brucesploitation.  Sometime ago AGFA released the Turkish kung-fu flick The Sword and the Claw which was originally released under the title Lion Man.  After I started down the rabbit hole that is AGFA I had to toss this gem in.  Thank you MVD for sending this one my way.

     The film follows a man who was taken from his home as a child when his father, the king, is murdered by a man seeking to claim the throne for his own.  He is raised by a pride of lions and has adapted to their ways which includes using his hands as deadly paws.  Now he has returned to take back the throne that is rightfully his own and free his people from their tyrannical king. 

     You go into a kung-fu flick from the 70s expecting a certain level of cheese but this Turkish production took it to a whole new level.  I laughed until it hurt while watching Bat Pussy but The Sword and the Claw had me on the ground hurting because I was laughing so hard.  The acting in this one is bad but it is the kind of bad that is still very enjoyable.  Especially when you take the poor dubbing into consideration.  the cast is extremely dramatic and the dubbing does not match the characters or scenarios at all.  Some of the scenes had me fucking gasping for air after I watched the scene with the dubbing.  The story for this one is one you have seen in countless kung-fu films throughout the 70s but this time they add the Turkish touch to it.  The kung-fu skilled man who is a mystery to those that encounter them who then using his skill to stop the film's villain is nothing new but it does make for a very enjoyable film.  It's goofy as hell but so fucking satisfying.  Finally, this one has blood but its nothing you haven't seen before.  The kills are fast, often too quick to enjoy, with just blood splatter and no other practical effects.  They fit the film and offer up even more unexpected laughs.  Overall, The Sword and the Claw is another film you have to see to believe and the blu looks great from American Genre Film Archive.  Check it out.  

    

 



Robot Love Slaves



Starring - Sandy Carey (A Touch of Sex, Sex Delivery), Adam Ward (Pit of Perversion, Sky Pilot), and Candy Samples (Cock Robin, Disco Sex Party)
Release Date - 1971
Genre - Erotic/Sci-fi
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     

     Shit is getting weird in my house.  The week that I was off on vacation saw some Italian horror films, a 90s serial killer flick with Traci Lords, a drive-in classic, and an Australian horror film released by Wild Eye.  I decided to follow all this up with some sleaze.  I decided to go with the AGFA and Something Weird release of Bat Pussy which has a 2K restored release of Robot Love Slaves as one of the special features.  After I watched the hilarious Bat Pussy I decided it only made sense to watch and review Robot Love Slaves.  Thank you MVD for sending this one my way!

      The film follows a scientist who had a paralyzed wife and fantasizes about engaging in intercourse with her.  What he doesn't know is that she is faking her disability and has been cheating on him.  He has been working on robot sex slaves with human skin for others in the same situation like him.  He succeeds in making gorgeous sex robots but they have no off switch and take the sex too far.
     I knew this one was going to be another wild flick in the same way that Bat Pussy was but I actually found myself enjoying this one.  In fact, since I first watched it I've watched it three complete times.  It's so weird and out there but I fucking love it.  The acting in this one is hilariously bad.  The cast stumbles through their lines and stand awkwardly in the middle of the scene.  I loved how little an effort they put into their roles.  The story for this one is straight out of a late 60s drive-in classic with a sleazy twist.  The movie does drag a bit and the story is never fully explored as it should have.  Instead, they rely heavily on the sex scenes which are some of the worst to ever be filmed.  Finally, if you want blood you will be disappointed.  The same can be said for the horrible sex scenes.  Overall, Robot Love Slaves is one of those films people proclaim that are so bad they are good.  It was fun as fuck and highly entertaining even though it was shit on film.  Check it out as a bonus feature on Bat Pussy from AGFA and Something Weird. 



Bat Pussy

 



Starring - Sara Dildo
Release Date - 1973
Genre - Erotic/Comedy
Tagline - "dirty motherfuckas, fucking in my holy Gothum City!"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     I watch a lot of weird movies.  Mostly horror but I do dive into the twisted end of exploitation.  Personally, I love exploitation a little too much.  Maybe even more than I love horror.  Blaxploitation is easily my favorite of the sub-genres but I'm starting to warm up to the absurd world of sexploitation.  Sometime ago I got the Batman parody Bat Pussy in for review from MVD.  This AGFA and Something Weird collaboration looked entertaining but I always forgot I had it to be honest.  Recently Blood Lake was released by AGFA and I remembered I had several releases to review.  Thank you MVD for sending this one my way.  I really enjoyed it. 

     The film follows Gothum's caped crusader who has to defend the city from people having sex.  When a hillbilly couple sets out to get intimate Bat Pussy has to bounce into action and get in the middle of the action.

     I knew I was going into a very cheap porn parody but I had no idea I would laugh as much as I did.  The movie was horrible but I had a fucking blast with it.  It was well worth it.  The acting in this one is hilarious.  The cast has no idea what they are doing but that doesn't stop them from doing it.  The direction is completely gone so the cast is left to do what they think is right.  It works for a funny porn experience but for someone looking to get their rocks off may find it a struggle.  The story for this one is fucking brilliant for a porn parody.  The execution is really the only hang up.  The movie is extremely boring as a fuck film but the dialogue is fucking golden.  This movie is something I will be quoting until the day I die.  Finally, those of you looking for a bloody flick will not find it here.  Hell, if you want some solid dick slinging you wont find it here either.  This is some of the worst sex to ever be filmed!  Overall, Bat Pussy is more fun than you can shake your dick at.  I honestly laughed until it hurt.  You have to see this film to believe it.