Dealings

Director - Michael S. Rodriguez (Lake of Shadows, Lamb Feed)

Starring - Manuel Ramirez, Artour Pogosian, and Sparkle Soojian

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Crime

Tagline - "Lies, greed, lust, death.  They all must be dealt with"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Michael S. Rodriguez is an indie filmmaker that has really impressed me over the years.  I've been following his work for several years now and I love watching how much he grows between each short and feature length film he releases.  He's delivered some seriously chilling horror tales along with some sci-fi fun and a few exploitation flicks with all of them receiving positive reviews from me.  When he reached out to me to check out his crime short Dealings I was on board.  I couldn't wait to see what kind of new film he had crafted for us.  Thank you Michael for reaching out!

     Dealings follows a bar owner who keeps his money in a safe in his office.  He hired a private investigator to trail his wife who he suspects is cheating on him.  Once her confirms his suspicions he attempts to coerce the investigator to take her out for a rather large sum.  However, the investigator has already made a deal with the cheating wife to snuff out the bar owner.  The murder quickly spirals out of hands resulting in several double crossings.

     Dealings was a really entertaining short that starts out slow but gains momentum quickly.  As much as I liked it I did find it to be a little too predictable which results in one that doesn't have much replay value.  The acting in this one is great.  The entire cast delivers a fantastic job and everyone really gets into their characters.  The characters are written into the story very well and the cast does a fantastic job making them work.  The story for this one is a straight forward crime thriller that has a fun twist but the film continues to deliver the same twists that you see coming after the first.  It's almost like a rollercoaster the first big drop catches you off guard but you become prepared for the others before it finishes.  I really liked the characters that were written into the story and the setting for the story.  Finally, the film has several deaths scenes.  Most of these are quick and nothing that stands out but Rodriguez made them fun.  The film is more concerned with the story than the red stuff so don't expect a bloodbath.  Overall, Dealings is a short and sweet film with a great cast and a fun story.  It shows how Rodriguez is still growing as a filmmaker and has plenty of stories to tell.  I look forward to his next project and what he brings to the table.  Check it out.  

Triaphilia

Director - Joshua Nelson (Faces of a Dead Woman, Pandora's Nightmare) 

Starring - Chelsea Rose Barreto (Psycho-Therapy, Tales from the Waiting Room), Vincent Caprio (Orderly Disorders, Mysteries at the Museum), and Daniela Favaloro (How Can I Help You?, I...Have Issues"

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "There's a reason bad things come in threes"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     A lot of people bitch and moan about modern horror movies.  They are quick to say that the genre is dead and everyone is stealing from classic films or remaking popular titles.  Sure, this does happen and more often than it should but the people that say this are pop horror fans and rarely venture to the horror underground.  There is so many amazing indie horror productions getting released on a weekly basis.  Hell, I think I have my ear soundly on the ground within the indie horror community but hundreds of indie movies gets released without a single word reaching my ears.  A few weeks ago I received a message to review a new horror anthology titled Triaphilia.  The artwork and title really peaked my curiosity so I agreed.  I was not disappointed.  

     The film follows a peculiar antique store overflowing with rare and unique items.  Three of which are sold to unsuspecting individuals looking for gifts.  However, these items they bought are cursed and each one brings about and unusual end to the people buy them.  

     Triaphilia reminded me a lot of the indie horror flicks I was snagging while I was in high school and college from Brain Damage Films except it had a much better video quality and a cast with experience.  I enjoyed it but it doesn't leave a lasting impression.  The acting in this one is really well done.  The cast really does a fantastic job and delivers some seriously great performances.  With that being said, the characters are very cliched and flat.  In a lot of the scenes the character blends into the background.  No one really stands out and that includes the death scenes and the scene with the demon.  I liked the cast, a lot, but the characters could have been written a lot better than they were.  The three segments and the wraparound works for an anthology.  The wraparound holds everything together nicely while establishing each segment before they begin.  I really liked that and how tight everything was written together.  However, the film doesn't give the viewer something that stands out.  All the tales are fun for first time viewing but they are pretty standard and generic for the most part.  The first segment is my favorite of the film but even then the part that I like could be found in other films with similar stories.  Finally, the film has some blood and some solid make-up effects.  The kills are nothing we haven't seen before but they are red and fit the film very well.  The make-up effects are solid as well which makes these kills work.  Overall, Triaphilia is a fun and entertaining horror anthology that is nice and neat in a tight package.  The camera work and cast is great and the stories work so well together.  Sadly, it doesn't offer up anything that really sticks with you.  It's a film you will not remember when it's all said and done but it's fun while you are watching it.  

Badass Bunyip

Director - Gerardo Chierchia (Dark Ditties from Down Under, Tales That Broke My Brain)

Starring - David Black (Horror House, Gruesome Discoveries), Anastasia C. Kouloukas (The Faceless Man, Dark Night of the Zomboogies), and Benji Wragg (The Danger of Dating, Blood and Glory)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "No rhyme.  No reason.  No chance"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Work has been kicking my ass lately so my reviews have been lacking but I'm trying to focus as much free time as I can to get caught back up.  A few weeks ago I posted in several horror groups on Facebook looking for news to post to the site.   I was then asked by several directors, producers, and so forth to review their films.  One of the first films I was asked to review was produced and starred David Black.  Black hit me up to review the horror comedy Badass Bunyip.  I love a good horror comedy and quickly accepted his offer to review it.  Thanks for reaching out David!

     The film follows a man and woman who enter the Australian bush (if that is the correct terminology) to have a little Christmas fun day drinking and hiking.  However, their drunken trip awakens the bunyip and the two quickly learn that it is more than just a local legend.

     Badass Bunyip is Australia's answer to the wild horror comedies of Chris Seaver.  I love goofy horror comedies with characters that wouldn't fit in the typical serious horror films.  Badass Bunyip was a fun follow up to my Seaver marathon but at an hour and forty minutes long I found myself wishing it was a lot shorter.  The acting is fun.  The cast is relatively small but the film's two leads are great.  The characters are over the top and extremely entertaining.  Their chemistry together made the scenes very enjoyable and the humor seemed to always find it's mark.  I wasn't expecting this style of filmmaking and this type of characters but I was all for it.  The story for this one is stretched way too thin and runs longer than it really has to.  I enjoy a good ozploitation film and seeing a horror flick based on Australian legend was fun but the way this movie was done left plenty of room for improvement especially in the editing department.  The movie mostly consists of the two sitting around in the woods drinking and delivering their dialogue.  This is split up with scenes of the bunyip killing before the film reaches it's climax.  As much as I loved the characters we don't need an hour and forty minutes of them sitting around drinking and being funny.  So much fat could be trimmed down on this story.  Not only would it help hold the viewer's attention but it would make the story a little more effective.  Finally, the film has some blood and cheesy death scenes that made me laugh the first round but each death is pretty much the same.  Overall, Badass Bunyip is a funny ozploitation flick with a solid story and hilarious characters.  The movie is a bit too long and a one trick pony so to speak but I enjoyed it.  If you are looking for some goofy fun then you are in luck.  

Filthy McNasty 4: Carnal Holocaust

Director - Chris Seaver (Moist Fury, Filthy McNasty)

Starring - Meredith Host (The Weirdsies, Death O'Lantern), Jesse Ames (Return to Blood Fart Lake, Deathbone), and Desiree Saetia (Zombie Babies, Phantom of the Grindhouse)

Release Date - 2015

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     It took some time but here I am with the final film in Chris Seaver's Filthy McNasty quadrilogy.  The series has some up and downs but overall I've been a little disappointed.  The first film is fantastic and I really enjoyed it.  However, the second and third films were tough to sit through.  I love Seaver and his films but there is a few of his that I don't care for with Filthy McNasty 2 and 3 being among them.  I was on the fence when I tossed in Filthy McNasty 4 but the film was very enjoyable.  It not only expanded the story that we were given in the first three films but gives the viewer some new and entertaining characters.

     The film follows two sex demons who are summoned by a socially awkward sex-ed teacher who wants to be more attractive to her students.  The spell works but the two sex demons are now wreaking havoc at Bonejack High leaving a group of nerdy students to stop them before they can kill everyone.

     Filthy McNasty 4 fits in to what I like to call the modern era of Chris Seaver where his films look better and the stories have more layers to it.  They still feature his sense of humor and hilarious dialogue but the movies are all around improved upon.  I enjoyed it a little bit more than I did the first film but it doesn't hold a place in my heart like the original does.  The acting in this one is a little bit better than the previous films but fits in perfectly with the more newer films from Seaver.  He reuses a lot of the cast from previous films and it's clear they have used every film as experience to grow.  The cast creates some seriously memorable characters and the dialogue is hysterical.  The story for this one combines some of the elements from the previous three while taking the story in a forward motion.  I absolutely loved the fact that this one does not follow the same beaten path the previous films used.  Sure, it was funny for the first film but three years later it's like beating a dead horse.  Hell, I liked this one so much that I would love to see Seaver build upon it yet again.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments with some alright practical effects and some gags but nothing that stands out or memorable for horror fans.  Overall, Filthy McNasty 4 is a great Chris Seaver film and a worthy instalment in the Filthy McNasty series.  This is the best looking film by far and one I highly recommend.  Check it out.  

Filthy McNastiest: Apocalypse Fuck

Director - Chris Seaver (The Weirdsies, Anal Paprika)

Starring - Meredith Host (Paranormal Investigation Agency, Evil Night), Cherry Brady (Riverdead, Ultimate Cherry), and Jason McCall (Heather and Puggly Cockblock the Apocalypse, Phantom of the Grindhouse)

Release Date - 2005

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "The female of the species is the most deadliest of all..."

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     As I move farther into my Chris Seaver marathon I find myself moving into a mini-Filthy McNasty marathon.  After watching the first two films I found myself divided.  The first film is a memorable horror comedy that started my obsession with Seaver and his films while the second film almost put me to sleep.  From the title and tagline I could tell the third film was trying to move the story along so I went into it with an open mind.

     The film follows a man who just lost his dream woman because he is "smaller" than she would like.  He turns to his friend who practices witchcraft to make his schlong bigger.  The spell works and his dong grows to massive proportions.  His new found dong and confidence leads him to throw a party in its honor.  However, the female sex demon that granted his wish also attends the party looking for sex and bloodshed.  

     Filthy McNastiest had me laughing and brought a little more than the previous installment did.  However, at the end of the day the film was basically the first two films just thrown at us with a little different premise.  The acting in this one is pretty standard for a Low Budget Pictures/Warlock Home Video release.  The cast goes all in to their roles and delivers some one liners and cheesy performances.  No one here is winning awards but their dedication to their roles and the dialogue is fun to watch.  The story for this one is basically the same as the first two films but with more dick jokes and the sex demon is female this time around.  We follow someone practicing magic and unleashing a sex demon that finds itself in the middle of a party with plenty of victims.  We do get some funny dialogue and a few new jokes but the film is essentially the same and a bit of a drag.  Finally, the film has the same effects from the previous two films.  The demon's make-up effects looks better in this one and a few of the practical effects is a little better than previously but it's not bad.  Overall, Filthy McNastiest is a little better than McNastier but not by much.  I had a few laughs but not enough to save the film.  

Filthy McNastier: Maximum Dousche

Director - Chris Seaver (Geek War, Die-B-Que)

Starring - Tim Ekkebus (Anal Paprika 3: Menage-A-Death, Silent Horror), Brie Jones, and David Autovino (Bad Cupid,  Filthy McNasty)O

Release Date - 2005

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Ladies...open wide and taste it"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     Mulva: Zombie Ass Kicker! and Filthy McNasty may have jump started my love for Chris Seaver's films but the FM series is one that I never did get around to watching.  I did eventually buy the quadrilogy DVD some years back for my collection but I never did make the time to watch it.  With the new blu set from Tempe Digital I decided to remedy that and finally give it a spin.  I wasn't expecting the follow up to be as fun as the first film but I knew I would be laughing.

     The film follows Phil the sex demon as he crosses paths with an old vampire acquaintance.  He talks him into going with him to a party where they can fuck and kill everyone there.  The party just happens to be hosted by Max who was killed and resurrected in the first film.

     Filthy McNastier had some laughs and that Chris Seaver sense of humor but the film was just a rehashing of some of the first film with little to no progress in terms of story.  I guess I was expecting a little something more but this one did disappoint.  The acting in this one is more of what you would expect from a Low Budget Picture's film.  The cast really gets into their roles and deliver some fun dialogue but the characters are not as bold and entertaining as the first film.  I was expecting Razor to be a big part of the story and deliver some laughs but he basically blended into the background.  The story for this one is pretty much more of the first film without giving us anything new.  I was looking forward to a little more lore or backstory to the sex demon which the film was pretty much void of that.  Instead, we get another party scenario with sex and death.  It would have been fun maybe if I didn't marathon it with the first film.  Sadly, I did and found myself a little bored with it.  Finally, the film has more no budget effects and blood.  It works for the film but those of you looking for memorable deaths will be very disappointed.  Filthy McNastier isn't a worthy follow up to one of Seaver's classic films.  The blu looks a little better than DVD quality but nothing spectacular.  

Filthy McNasty (Revisited)

Director - Chris Seaver (The Weirdsies, Mulva: Zombie Ass Kicker!)

Starring - Debbie Rochon (Slime City Massacre, Model Hunger), Miss Kitty, and Tim Ekkebus (Scrotal Vengeance, Quest for the Egg Salad)

Release Date - 2002

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

      I've been a huge fan of Chris Seaver for sometime and that love started with his wild horror comedy Filthy McNasty.  Some years back, almost a decade now, I bought the Brentwood Entertainment DVD set that included two Chris Seaver Films along with Ghoul School and a horror documentary.  Filthy McNasty was the one that really stuck out to me.  Soon I was searching for all his films and eventually befriended him on Facebook so I could stay on top of his releases.  A few weeks ago Tempe Video releases a whopping 13 film set of Seaver's flicks which was the perfect reason to revisit the film that started it all for me.  

     The film follows two young women who are often over looked by the popular kids.  Wanted to feel something other than rejection, they turn to the local goth kid to use magic to make them attractive.  The spell works but it also awakens a sex demon who begins running a train on the local teenagers.

     Filthy McNasty is not a good movie.  It's poorly acted, poorly written, and poorly filmed.  Yet, it finds a way to entertain.  I enjoy it a lot and love seeing it compared to Seaver's more recent films.  Seeing just how far he has grown as a filmmaker really is impressive.  His sense of humor is still the same but his films are way more pleasing on the eyes now.  The acting in this one is pretty rough around the edges.  By the early 2000's Debbie Rochon had already made a name for herself in the indie film community and she delivers a fun performance here.  With that being said, she does match her co-star, Miss Kitty, and gives the viewer some cheese as she hams up the scenes.  The supporting cast shows their inexperience but they still have a lot of fun in front of the camera.  They have so much energy and their performances are extremely fun.  The story for this one is simple in theory and perfectly showcases Seaver's sense of humor.  What Seaver gives us is the beginning of what would be a fun four film series that he progressively builds upon.  It does drag it's feet at times and just under 50 minutes a few scenes could be cut but it's still funny for the most part.  Finally, the film has some no budget effects that delivers a few laughs but nothing we haven't seen before.  Overall, Filthy McNasty is the film the opened me up to the Seavage and I owe it so much.  Sure, it's a rough one but it's funny and charming.  The blu release isn't much better than my DVD release of the film but the additional content makes it worth it.  

The Wraith

Director - Mike Marvin (Hamburger: The Motion Picture, Sunstorm)

Starring - Charlie Sheen (Red Dawn, Amazing Stories), Nick Cassavetes (Assault of the Killer Bimbos, Quantum Leap), and Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks, Thrashin')

Release Date - 1986

Genre - Action/Horror

Tagline - "He's not from around here"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in high school I made friends with a few guys that liked horror as much as me along with someone who mostly liked the same type as music as us but wasn't so much interested in the movies.  However, there was one horror film that he went on and on about.  He was a car guy and would always beg us to find The Wraith for him so he could watch it.  We snagged a DVD, that I still have to this day, finally watched it.  While most of my friends were not impressed with it I found myself loving it.  I'm not a car guy but this cheesfest was an absolute blast.  It's been years since I've seen it and when Vestron Video announced a blu release of the film I was absolutely ready to revisit it and upgrade my copy.  

     The film follows Jake (Sheen) who is new in town and finds himself fascinated with local hottie Keri (Fenn).  However, Keri is off limits because locally goon Packard (Cassacetes) has laid claim to her.  Packard will do anything to make her his even if it means kill any guy that stands in his way.  Packard is also the leader of a car gang that forces men to race for slips.  Shortly after Jake's appearance a mysterious man appears in an all black car and starts racing the gang one by one resulting in their deaths.  Soon Packard is left to face the wraith in the car alone and confronting the man he murdered sometime ago.

     The Wraith is an unconventional slasher that fucking works.  Sure, some horror fans will bitch and complain about it but as someone who doesn't have a stick up my ass I believe this is one of the most original and unique slashers ever made.  The acting in this one is fun but I found it to be a little uneven.  Sheen, Fenn, and the rest of the cast does a solid job.  Their characters are rather generic but they are fun and work great with the film.  I really enjoyed the casting in this one but Cassavetes and Clint Howard steal every scene they are in.  Their character stood out from the rest and offered some great entertainment value.  The story for this one is basically a classic slasher underneath the street racing theme.  We get someone that was wronged who comes back to seek revenge against those that wronged him.  We then add the Dodge concept car that kills people and you have The Wraith.  It's fun and cheesy as fuck at times.  It does drag in a few place but the action scenes more than make up for it.  Finally, don't expect blood and gore.  We get a little bit of make-up effects and tons of explosions.  The red stuff was replaced with flames and fumes.  Overall, The Wraith is a great mid-80s horror/action hybrid that may not be everyone's cup of tea but I enjoy it.  The release from Vestron looks great as well.  If you have not seen this one then I highly suggest picking up this release.  

Initiation

Director - John Berardo (The Labyrinth, The Grand)

Starring - Isabella Gomez (Modern Family, Big Hero 6: The Series), Lindsay LaVanchy (Scream: The TV Series, and Not so Union), and Froy Gutierrez (Teen Wolf, Light as a Feather)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Murder is trending"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm the worst when it comes to judging movies by the cover.  I've been writing reviews for almost ten years and I've been watched hundreds of movies I thought would suck because the title or artwork was bad.  A few weeks ago I received the press release for the 2020 horror film Initiation.  The artwork and tagline made me think of the slasher Smiley.  Smiley is one of the worst films I had ever seen so the thought of watching another film like it made my skin crawl.  However, I watched the trailer for Initiation and decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.  I request a review copy and I'm glad I did because I absolutely loved this one.  

     The film follows Ellery (LaVanchy) who is a college student who finds her world thrown upside down when her brother is murdered in his frat house.  She suspected he may have been involved with a sexual assault of one of her sorority sisters and soon finds herself fighting for her life other members of her brother's frat and her own sorority sisters are hunted down one by one by a masked wielding maniac.

     I absolutely fucking love the college slasher flicks of the mid-80s that would run their course at the end of the decade.  A few random college centered slashers would pop up now and then but none of them really capture that look and feel of the slashers from the golden age.  I didn't know what to expect when I received Initiation but I found myself loving it.  It was a great college centered slasher that didn't try to pay homage to the slashers of yesteryear.  Instead, it paved it's own way and created a slasher for the modern era.  I sincerely hope we get another flick.  The acting in this one is solid.  The characters are painfully cliched and most of the cast looked like they stepped off the set of a CW production.  The characters do fit the film and the cast does a decent enough job but when the movie was over the entire cast and characters were forgettable.  The story for this one is a modern spin on the classic slasher.  At it's heart we have a slasher where the killer is someone that was wronged and seeking revenge.  However, the film incorporates a lot of modern elements like social media bullying, women's rights and sexual harassment, and technology.  Honestly, it works and I found myself pulled in.  I enjoyed the story so much that it didn't bother me that the characters blended into the background.  Finally, the film had some extremely fun deaths that were perfect for a great slasher film.  We get a lot of blood and some decent practical effects.  It has some fun kills but don't expect gore.  Overall, Initiation was a fucking blast.  It was a slasher for fans of the sub-genre and it did not disappoint.  I highly recommend checking it out.  

A Quiet Place Part II

Director - John Krasinski (The Office, A Quiet Place)

Starring - Emily Blunt (Jungle Cruise, Sherlock Gnomes), Millicent Simmonds (A Quiet Place, Close Up), and Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, The Dark Knight)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Silence is not enough"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Theatrical releases rarely catch my eye but every now and then something hits the big screen that just screams "watch me."  I'm a huge fan of The Conjuring universe along with some others that allude me for the time being.  One film that I enjoyed but not as much as everyone else was A Quiet Place.  It was a fun popcorn horror flick but not one that stuck with me like so many others.  When news of a sequel was announced I was for it.  Sure, I wasn't going to call in sick to work to check it out but I was curious to see where the story took us.  Then the pandemic happened and the release was sidelined.  Honestly, I completely forgot about the film until I received the press release for the UHD release.  I was quick to request a copy and soon one arrived.  I knew it was going to be fun but I was hoping it would have more of a kick than the first one.  

     The film picks up sometime after the first film with Evelyn and her children as they struggle to survive as her husband Lee was killed by the creatures that hunt by sound.  While searching for resources they meet up with a former family friend who is living in a vault after his family was taken the day the creatures crashed to Earth.  As resources and supplies dwindle, Evelyn's daughter Regan (Simmonds), sneaks off to stop the creatures with her hearing aid and the hopes she can find a radio station to broadcast a frequency that could kill them. 

     I was curious where a follow up to A Quiet Place would take us but I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.  The story goes in a direction I was not expecting and the introduction of new characters made for a great follow up that I actually enjoyed more than the first film.  The acting in this one is great.  I'm not really a fan of Emily Blunt and her character in both films is easily the weakest part of the films.  Her character has no emotional range and she always looks startled in every scene.  With that being said, the rest of the cast does one hell of a job.  Simmonds once again delivers an amazing performance and really is the star of the film while Murphy's introduction to the franchise was very enjoyable.  The story for this one has so much going for it.  We get a great backstory as to what happened and where the creatures came from along with a great continuation of the story established in the first film.  I really a lot of the scenarios introduced in the film but several scenes had predictable outcomes.  I enjoyed it but the impact is taken away due to the predictability.  Finally, the film has some bloody moments with some practical and visual effects.  We get a few gags with some great practical effects but the visual effects and the creatures were a bit of a disappointment to me.  I'm not a fan of these twig like creatures that look like a mantis that has mutated.  The visuals for these creatures are hit and miss.  During some of the scenes the visuals looked alright while others the visuals did look a bit rushed.  Overall, A Quiet Place Part II is my favorite between the two.  We get so much more added to the story and some great new characters introduced.  I can see a part three in the future and I'm excited to see it.