Cocaine Bear

Director - Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2, Charlie's Angels)

Starring - Keri Russell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker), Alen Ehrenreich (Han Solo, Beautiful Creatures), and O'Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton, Godzilla: King of the Monsters)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "Get in line"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

       The pandemic has really tossed the television and movie industry on it’s head. Many companies tried not to gamble with lack of ticket sales while others taking huge risks with their movies. Genre films has seemed to flourish with X, Pearl, The Black Phone, Barbarian, and so many more taking the box office by storm. However, we’ve seen some strange films get the greenlight and these films are some of the most memorable films of the last three years. One film that has really taken off with movie goers is Cocaine Bear. For years the internet has seen various memes and clickbait articles claiming a bear ingested cocaine in the 70s. However, the fact this was turned into a film directed by Elizabeth Banks and starring Ray Liotta, Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Game of Throne’s Kristofer Hivju absolutely blows my mind. The film was such a hit that it has now inspired countless indie filmmakers to make their own films featuring critters on the verge of overdosing. We now have films like Cocaine Cougar, Crackcoon and the sequel Crackodile, Cocaine Crabs from Outer Space, and a few more that I’m sure I’m forgetting about. I know I’m seriously late to the party with this one but Cocaine Bear is one I couldn’t wait to check out. 

      The film follows a bear that finds itself enjoying a package of cocaine when a botched delivery lands several packages in the woods. Soon the bear goes on a murderous rampage in search for more nose candy. Stuck in the middle of the mayhem is the forest rangers, tourists, kids playing hooky along with their mom looking for them, the drug dealers trying to get their score back, and the police after them. 

      Cocaine Bear may not be for every fan of horror but for those of us that don’t have a stick up our ass or a hard on for extreme horror. It’s goofy, unexpected, and wild at times. Sure, the story is predictable and some of the cast is underutilized but the humor and effects more than made up for the film’s short comings. It’s a lot of fun and one that I wish I would have seen in theaters with some friends. The acting in this one is decent enough. I was really impressed with the cast. We have Ray Liotta, Keri Russell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Scott Seiss, Kristofer Hivju, and a few more I’m sure I’m missing. Some of the characters are more enjoyable with bigger personalities than others but seeing them all appear in the film really surprised me. I was more impressed with Scott Seiss and O’Shea Jackson’s performances than the others. Their characters were a lot of fun and both appearances were a pleasant surprise. Honestly, I can’t wait to see a sequel and what the casting director throws at fans. The story for this one is predictable but because you know where it’s going doesn’t mean it’s not a fun trip. We get a lot of random moments that you don’t expect but the twists and reveals that pop up here and there can be seen from a mile away. With that being said, it offers up part crime drama, part coming of age tale, and a lot of comedy. I fucking loved it but some horror snobs will turn their noses up to it but if you dig the crazier side of the genre then you will appreciate this story and how absurd it is. Finally, the film has plenty of blood and great effects. The film blends practical with visual effects which works for me but there was a few instances where the visuals looked cheap. They stood out and didn’t do the job they were intended to do. With that being said, I fucking loved the amount of blood and death scenes we got. It was a lot of fun seeing a film of this size get the bloody treatment that it did. Overall, Cocaine Bear is an instant classic. It’s fucking wild, brutal, and fucking hilarious. Honestly, I’m all for the clones that this one inspired and I can’t wait for a follow up that I’m sure we will be getting. Check this one out as soon as possible

Calamity of Snakes

Director - Chi Chang (China Heat, Bruce Lee's Deadly Kung Fu)

Starring - Yun-Peng Hsiang (The Challenge of the Lady Ninja, The Cold Sun), Yuen Kao (The Serpent Warriors, Edge of Fury), and Ping-Ou Wei (The Way of the Dragon, Jungle Heat)

Release Date - 1982

Genre - Action/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Unearthed Films has tossed me for a few loops over the years. The underground distribution company is known for releasing films such as A Serbian Film, 100 Tears, Evil Dead Trap, and so on. Stephen Biro and Unearthed has brought some visceral and brutal films to the masses. However, lately we’ve seen some unexpected releases. A month or two back Unearthed released the sci-fi drama Grand Tour starring Jeff Daniels. This is a film no one was expecting to see under the Unearthed banner but I was grateful that they took the rick of releasing something out of the wheelhouse. Now I’m sitting here reviewing another oddball release from Unearthed and I fucking loved it. Calamity of Snakes randomly showed up for review from MVD. When I looked at the cover art I was instantly hooked and surprised to see it was an Unearthed released. The next day I received the press release for the film and couldn’t wait to dig into. I want to thank MVD and Unearthed for sending this one over for review. 

      The film begins with a wealthy business man who orders his construction crew to murder thousands of snakes that he finds in a pit when building an apartment complex. Sometime later the building is finished and the new tenants move in. As they decorate their new homes and try to make things as cozy as possible they soon find themselves under attack by snakes seeking revenge. 

      Calamity of Snakes is not a film I would expect someone like Unearthed Films would get involved with. It seems more in line with the releases from labels like 88 Films and Eureka Entertainment. It’s not a violent film that turns murder and carnage into art like so many other films under the Unearthed banner but due to its graphic depiction of hundreds of snakes dying I can see why other labels were reluctant to snag it. Regardless, I’m glad someone did and it’s another cool released from Biro and company. The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a martial arts film from the 70s into the early 80s. It’s overdramatic with cliched characters but the high energy and zaniness of it all makes it so enjoyable. I loved the cast and the characters even though they did blend in with so many other films from the time. A little more personality would have went a long way but it’s still entertaining as is. The story for this one is not how it was initially intended. The film was cut for American audiences to represent a ruthless businessman slaughtering snakes by the hundreds so he can build an apartment complex. Honestly, I dig it and think it works as it is but this was not the original cut of the film. Finally, this film doesn’t have the greatest effects but some of you sicker genre fans will find some enjoyment out of the hundreds of snakes that are brutalized and murdered for the cameras. Honestly, I could have lived without this especially knowing they were murdered for entertainment purposes when some corny effects would have fit the film better. Overall, Calamity of Snakes is a campy film that doesn’t really fit into the Unearthed catalogue but I do appreciate the effort they put into this release. It is a bit of a gamble for them to release something outside of what they are known for but I honestly loved it. Also, those of you that are turned off but the murder of all those snakes, like myself, should note that a portion of sales is being donated to a good cause. I highly recommend this release and I hope Unearthed keeps up taking risks like this one.

Parasite Lady

Director - Chris Alexander (Necropolis: Legion, Female Werewolf)

Starring - Ali Chappell (Scream of the Blind Dead, Girl With a Straight Razor), Arrielle Edwards (Murdoch Mysteries, The Last Supper), and Kate Gabriele (Terrifier 2)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Full Moon Streaming)

Rating (out of 5):

     There is a lot of filmmakers that I love and respect. My childhood was filled with trips to the video store with bigger rentals taking place on Friday so I had an extra day to watch them with Sunday being the day they were closed. The dial up age went through my middle school and high school years with the latter being the year I joined a handful of horror message boards and forums. It was here that I would find a lot of the more modern and indie filmmakers that I absolute love and respect now. As the message boards fell victim to social media platforms I still use these sites to find filmmakers and other figures in my beloved genre that I would miss out on if it wasn’t for social networking. Many years ago, when I was first brought on to Horror Society, I befriended Chris Alexander when he started emailing me press releases for various projects. It was sometime before I realized who he was exactly and from there I had to search him out on my various social media profiles. He is a serious lover of the genre and his contributions include writing, composing, directing, and so on. Currently this long time journalist and writer is working for legendary producer and director Charles Band for his iconic Full Moon Features while keeping the famous horror magazine Delirium in print. I respect the hell out of this man and his love for the genre. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of all the things he’s accomplished in his life but her put in the hard work to get to where he is at. While I respect the hell out of him I will be completely honest about his films. A good portion of them are not for me. These arthouse style horror films doesn’t really appeal to me. I’m too dumb to understand them but I still go out of my way to watch them. Sometime back I was sent the review link for his newest film Parasite Lady. Sadly, I had a death in the family and wasn’t able to finish it. I had started it because I’m always curious about Chris’ films but it was too hectic to finish and give the review the attention it deserved. However, once things slowed down I decided to revisit it and check it out. 

      The film follows a vampire looking for her next victim near an aged carnival. When she spots her next plaything and meal she takes her back to a seedy motel room where she explores her body and feeds and appetite. 

      I’ve seen a good bit of Chris’ filmography and his films are hit or miss with me. While I dig his music work and respect his love for horror and literature, I find his films to be a bit too intelligent for me. I want to like them all but I can’t. Parasite Lady is another film of his that wasn’t for me. It’s a beautifully shot and put together film but for someone who spends his spare time watching films like Thankskilling and Killer Condom it’s over my head. I hate typing this out because I seriously respect the man but this just feels like another overly erotic vampire film for those that know what type of wine pairs well with fish. I don’t mean that as a jab because it’s not but it’s not a horror film for the everyday horror fan. I loved the casting in this one. Ali Chappell and Arrielle Edwards, along with two other equally as beautiful and talented actresses, bare it all in their performances. While it’s a fairly silent film with little to no actions, they carry the film without uttering a word. I wish the film gave them the chance to shine in a traditional acting sense but It was still solid performances from this small cast. The story for this one is where the film lost me. When I watched the film I never picked up that the vampire is an inter-dimensional traveler. I just assumed that she was a normal vampire but I apparently missed something about her traveling through dimensions. I wish the film had a little more focus on some sort of story instead of the heavy petting and blood splatter. Finally, the film has some blood and beautiful cinematography but if you are looking for loads of gore and buckets of blood then you are watching the wrong film. However, if some blood droplets and beautiful women are more your thing then you are in luck. Overall, Parasite Lady just wasn’t for me. It has Chris Alexander’s signature look and style but the lack of a coherent story made it a bit of a chore to finish. I wanted to love it but it was clearly not meant for me. Fans of arthouse style horror may dig it but those of you that like the campy and corny horror flicks like I do then you may want to check out something else from Full Moon.

Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter from Space

Director - Andrew J. Chambers (After School Lunch Special, Babezilla vs the Zombie Horde)

Starring - Clint Beaver (Ebola Rex, Amityville Karen), Katie Otten (Inner Worlds, Chit), and Joseph William Simmons (Nostalgia, After School Lunch Special 2: Sloppy Seconds)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Format - Streaming YouTube

Rating (out of 5):

     Several weeks ago I was browsing Instagram when I saw a post from Hojbob Productions about their newest short. Some of you may recall Hojbob as the folks behind the odd yet very entertaining indie horror anthology After school Lunch Special. Their new short, Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter from Space, is everything I look for in a new movie. I absolutely love films that march to their own beat and give us stories unlike anything we’ve seen before. I’m a sucker for drive-in era sci-fi flicks and seeing a tribute to such films with a Troma like twist instantly hooked me. I wasn’t asked to review this one but I had to just for the hell of it. 

      The film follows the rich son of a billionaire who has chartered a space ship to travel to a distant planet. The space explorers are unaware of why they are going there but the real reason of the trip is to bring back a giant gem that was made by a higher life form. What they don’t know is that the gem is the end of a giant butt plug and removing it invoked the wrath of a giant butthole. The sphincter follows them back to Earth where it destroys everything in it’s path until it gets his plug back.

      Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter from Space is one of those films that I could watch over and over again. It’s the odd side of cinema that reminds me a lot of films like Hamster from Hell, Inhumanwich, Oversexed Rug Suckers from Mars, and many more that pay a loving tribute and parody the sci-fi films from the 50s and 60s. I loved it but I am a bit disappointed by the short run time. This one could have easily been stretched into a no budget feature length film. The acting in this one is highly enjoyable. The characters are written to be a parody of the atomic age space films that would often play as a double feature at the drive-ins of the time. The cast does a fantastic job at recreating the style of characters that you would typically see in those types of films. The story for this one appeals to those of us that have horrible toilet humor and tend to gravitate towards films like Tales from the Crapper and Amityville Vibrator. It’s a bit crude for most movie goers but the loving parody of 50s and 60s sci-fi flicks still makes it something more than a film for people that still laugh at dick and fart jokes. The gem being a butt plug covering the gaping hole of a sentient sphincter is nothing short of brilliant writing and watching a pulsating anus kill people is something I didn’t know I needed in my life. Finally, the film has campy effects that fit the film perfectly along with some funny props and costumes. I loved the visual effects and camera tricks they used to pull the gags off. However, the lack of blood and gore may turn some of you off. Overall, Attack of the 50 Foot Sphincter from Space is a fucking must see for fans of you that dig indie cinema with a sense of humor. It’s clever and hilarious. Check it out

Debbie Does Demons

Director - Donald Farmer (Cannibal Cop, Shark Exorcist)

Starring - Jessa Flux (Shingles: The Movie, Deadly Dealings), Angel Nichole Bradford (Wolf Hollow, Mothman), and Morrigan Thompson (Girl blood Sport, The Curse of Lilith Ratchet)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Sorry!  Debbie doesn't do vampires."
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Filmmaker Donald Farmer has one hell of a career in filmmaking spanning damn near 50 years. No matter how you slice it, he has contributed to horror longer than most of us have been alive. Starting in the early 70s before snowballing into his more popular films in the 80s and 90s, he’s been working on one project of another for half a century resulting in classics like Demon Queen, Dorm of the Dead, Invasion of the Scream Queens, Savage Vengeance, and many more. I’ve been lucky enough to review some of his newer films like his remake of Cannibal Hookers and Hooker with a Hacksaw. I respect what he does and how he fully embraces the old horror cliché that blood and boobs sells movies. It may not be a selling point for me but I do love watching a movie that has both of them in it. I was all in when he announced his newest film Debbie Does Demons. The artwork and casting really caught my eye and I followed the project closely sharing everything he announced on the site. A few days back he asked for critics and reviewers to reach out to him to review the flick and I rushed to my messages to hit him up. He was kind enough to send over a link and here we are! 

      The film follows a late night horror host who finds herself stuck in the middle of a group of friends who decided playing with an Ouija board was a good idea and the evil Carmilla that they resurrected. Now, the late night horror host is forced to confront the witch Carmella before she can fuck the remaining friends and turn them into her mindless minions.

      Debbie Does Demons was nothing like I was expecting exactly. It was sleazy and full of humor with the title being very fitting but I was hoping for a film that had a little more to the story. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed what we got but I was hoping for an indie horror release with a bit more story behind it. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. Indie darlings Jessa Flux, Roni Jonah, Angel Bradford, Dixie Gers, and Morrigan Thompson all appear in the film along with indie actor Adam Freeman among several others that I’m not too familiar with. However, I loved the casting here and the performances they deliver. The characters made the film for me and I love seeing so many familiar faces take them on. We get a lot of energy, dedication, and personality that pulls the viewer in. The story for this one is Fright Night meets Debbie Does Dallas. We follow the lustful and evil Carmilla who is resurrected via Ouija board and is now fucking those that brought her back and turning them into her slaves. We then have Debbie, the late night horror host, who is brought into the chaos to stop Carmilla due to her knowledge of horror and the occult. It’s a fun film especially for those of us that grew up during the cable access days with no budget horror hosts and Fright Night on VHS. It’s full of nudity and just enough cliched horror to make it fun without overdoing it. Some of the scenes could be edited down a bit to make the pacing work better but it’s still enjoyable as is. Finally, the film has plenty of blood. The effects are solid in regards to what you would typically find in a S.O.V. horror flick . We get a great deal of practical effects but they are nothing that really stands out. Hell, if anything they bring some unexpected laughs. Overall, Debbie Does Demons is the type of film many of you are looking for. It has beautiful women, blood, and some laughs. It could have used some memorable death scenes but it’s still entertaining as it is. Check it out.

Hunt Club

Director - Elizabeth Blake-Thomas (Evie Rose, Unseen)

Starring - Mena Suvari (American Beauty, American Pie), Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers, Sleepy Hollow), and Will Peltz (Unfriended, The Collection)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Action

Tagline - "The hunters become the hunted"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     The last year or so has brought us some seriously unforgettable genre films from Ti West’s X to the film adaptation of Joe Hill’s Black Phone. I’ve really enjoyed this renewed interested in the genre and can’t wait to see what films head our way. While movies like Evil Dead Rise, Renfield, and The Pope’s Exorcist are playing in theaters, we have several horror titles hitting VOD platforms. Several weeks back I started receiving press releases for the horror action film Hunt Club starring Casper Van Dien and Mickey Rouke. I’m a fan of Dien and was curious about the film after reading the synopsis attached to the press releases. I was able to reach out to them and they were kind enough to send a screener link my way to check out. I wasn’t able to check it out right away but as soon as I could I hit play on it. 

      The film follows a woman who finds herself stranded at a road side diner when her girlfriend catches her making googly eyes with a young man and his father. They invite her back to their camp where it’s his son’s first hunting trip. She then tells her about a contest to win $100k. She agrees and goes with them. Things start out innocently enough when she meets other wealthy hunters and women they brought but as the night drags on she realizes they are not engaging in a normal hunt. They hunt women but what they don’t count on is that she is really there to avenge her daughter who was one of their hunting victims from a previous hunt. 

      Hunt Club is going to be compared to Surviving the Game and The Hunt and that’s because it’s just like those films. The Hunt was a bit of a letdown. I love these Surviving the Game style films but the political satire was not as clever as I had hoped for. While Hunt Club doesn’t offer up originality, it does offer up a mindless good time while fixing some of the issues I had with The Hunt. The acting in this one is my favorite aspect of the film. I fucking love Starship Troopers, Sleepy Hollow, and Modern Vampires so I was looking forward to see Casper Van Dien deliver another underappreciated performance. I really liked his character and as the film progresses you get to see him dial up the intensity. I was also impressed by American Pie’s Mena Suvari. She has appeared in several horror titles in the passed like Rage: Carrie 2, Don’t Blink, American Horror Story and many more. She was someone I was not expecting to see yet she completely surprised me. I really liked her character and she really showed that she is another name in the game that delivers underrated performances. The supporting cast is just as good but I would like to comment on Rourke. He doesn’t act anymore. He’s the same character in every film he’s been in for the last 10 or 15 years so the fact he was barely used made the film better in my opinion. Over using him more would have made the film feel cheaper than it is. The story for this one is almost identical to The Hunt except the characters are the opposite of each other. In Hunt Club we have wealthy men who are feeling threatened by smart and aggressive women taking over certain aspects of their lives that they deemed as a man’s right. Now, the lure women into their camp to hunt them. It’s during these trips that they finally get the control over women that they desire. This is a very intriguing back story and when you add the vengeful mother and her girlfriend you get a solid, yet generic, action horror film that is still fun for a first time watch. Finally, the film has several bloody and violent death scenes. The practical effects, when used, is very effective and look great. It makes the violence in the death scenes really stand out. However, this film features some of the worst visual effects I have ever laid my eyes on. I don’t know if they zapped their budget or what but these cheap and rushed visuals look like shit. Overall, Hunt Club was surprisingly enjoyable. I really liked the cast and the idea behind the story. It was bloody and violent but the visual effects were a huge disappointment. Check it out.

Dr. Saville's Horror Show

Director - Kevin R. Phipps (Friday the 13th Part 3: The Memoriam Documentary, Granny's Treasure)

Starring - Allen Valor (Love is Blind, Student Film), Michael Hanelin (Dead in 5 Heartbeats, The Trigger), and Ashlieya Mariano (The Misadventures of Harley Quinn, The Locker Room Mascot Massacre)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Indie horror is my bread and butter. As much as I love reviewing the various forms of exploitation, horror will always be my true passion with indie horror being something I’m truly passionate about. I love sharing news about indie projects when I get the chance to review them I try to find the positives along with the negatives to discuss. It’s so easy to bash an indie production but only fans of indie horror and the underground can appreciate what the team behind the film is trying to achieve. A few weeks back I was sent a press release for the indie horror anthology Dr. Saville’s Horror Show. I’m a sucker for horror anthologies and I really liked the title so I agreed to check it out. I decided this would be the perfect film to watch after checking out the new animated Batman flick and the large amount of non-horror titles send my way in April. 

      The film follows a business man that finds himself at a bar when his flight is cancelled. He is approached by an attractive blonde and invited back to her place. As he awakens he realizes he is bound while a masked man introduces him to three tales of horror. The first follows a bride-to-be looking to get into shape before her big day. She is introduced to an experimental procedure where she is given a manmade tapeworm that is designed to die once she reaches her desired weight. However, that does not happen and the tapeworm’s hunger grows until it craves human flesh. The second tale revolves around a man who is too picking when it comes to the opposite sex. An ex gives him a break up gift as a gag. He decides to open it and try to grow one of the Aqua Pets inside of the package. The next morning he finds the perfect woman on the floor. While he is living on cloud 9 with his new girlfriend he soon uncovers that she is extremely jealous with murderous tendencies. The third and final tale follows a loving father and his daughter as he protects her from the zombie apocalypse but something else is going on. 

      Dr. Saville’s Horror Show was an interesting anthology but the predictability and lack of an original wraparound segment made it easily forgettable. A horror anthology is just as strong as it’s wraparound segment and when it fails to give you anything new or enjoyable you are left with an unimaginative indie production that consists of several shorts with nothing tying them together. It was an alright short collective but I can’t call it an effective anthology because it didn’t have that fun segment that held them all together while setting the theme for the film. The acting in this one is very well done. I didn’t recognize a lot of the cast but I was impressed by their performances. Each segment had fun characters with likable personalities and a lot of energy. I loved how comfortable everyone was in front of the camera and I will keep an eye out for others films each and every one was in. The stories for this one is predictable but that doesn’t stop them from being enjoyable. The sea monkey bride along with the dad during the apocalypse tales were my favorite two. The first tale is fun but felt more like a Monsters or mid-80s episode from The Twilight Zone. I liked it but it just didn’t have the same feel as the other segments. My biggest, and honestly, only real gripe with the film is the weak wraparound segment. A dude tied up and being forced to watch movies by a masked man is something that has been done before especially in indie horror. It’s not that original and in this case it’s not that clever or enjoyable. It doesn’t hold the stories together well and if you took it out the film would be just as entertaining as it with it left in. A different segment to bookend the film or something more fitting for the title would have made it better in my opinion. Finally, the film has some practical effects but it’s not as bloody or gory as you would expect a film with Horror Show in the title would be. The make-up effects look solid enough but the death scenes are unimaginative and pretty straight forward. Overall, Dr. Saville’s Horror Show is a decent horror anthology that has some issues but is still enjoyable. Fans of indie horror should check it out but you should know exactly what you are getting into.

Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham

Director(s) - Christopher Berkeley (Extreme Ghostbusters, Men in Black: The Series) and Sam Liu (Batman vs. Dracula, Superman: Red Son)

Starring - David Giuntoli (Grimm, Ghost Whisperer), Gideon Adlon (The Craft: Legacy, Witch Hunt), and Karan Brar (Hubie Halloween, Pacific Rim: Uprising)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Action/Horror

Tagline - "An ancient evil awakens!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screeener)

Rating (out of 5):

I’ve been getting the DC animated films for review for several years now. While I wasn’t really a fan of animated flicks beforehand, I’ve found that I actually enjoy them now and often look forward to the next project. A few weeks ago I was at work when I received a package from WB. I rarely get packages anymore due to covid and the economy so when something shows up I get that little rush of adrenaline. When I opened it I was pleased to find a copy of Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham. I was familiar with the comic series but I had no idea that it was being adapted into an animated film. I couldn’t wait to dig into this one but I had to due to the amount of films I was behind on reviewing. However, once I finished a few streaming links sent over I decided it was time to finally check this one out. 

     The film follows wealthy rich playboy Bruce Wayne who is on an expedition when he discovers that Cobblepot and a few others have succumbed to madness after discovering something buried in the ice. When Bruce investigates he finds one survivor who is changing once he came in contact with the sleeping beast in the ice. Bruce inadvertently touches the ice encasing the creature which begins the awakening process. He rushes back to Gotham after a 20 year hiatus in hopes of uncovering the secrets of the being trapped in the ice only to be confronted with a world outside of science and a pact that traces back to his deceased parents. 

      The Doom That Came to Gotham could have been better but having a horror tale set around the dark knight in the 1920s is something I thought I would never see. While the animated films from DC tend to take a bigger risk their live action adaptations, I never expected that the series pinned by Hellboy’s Mike Mignola would get the animated film treatment. I really liked it especially as a fan of Mignola, Lovecraft, and the DC films but I couldn’t help imagine how much more fun it would have been if it would have fully embraced the horror side. The voice acting in this one is not my favorite. I didn’t necessarily care for most of the casting choices but I know the cast tried to capture the look and sounds of the 20s. With that being said, Batman didn’t sound like Batman and most of the other characters had voices that didn’t really fit the characters. The cast doesn’t do a bad job but they don’t really fit the characters they were hired to portray. I really enjoyed the story for this one. It gives viewers an alternate take on many of our most beloved Batman characters while putting a H.P. Lovecraft spin to it. I liked the creativity that went into the characters backstories to match the time period and settings of the new story but I feel like a lot more detail could have been spent on the Lovecraftian influences. Finally, I really enjoyed the animation and the setting for this one. Having the film take place during the time when Lovecraft was pinning his most famous tales. When you mix it with the solid animation done in a traditional DC style you have something that works for the story while catering to those DC fans that look forward to the animated films. Overall, The Doom That Came to Gotham is another solid DC animated flick that gives fans a story they would never see get the live action treatment. It’s a fun Lovecraftian spin on our favorite DC characters that I think a lot of fans will enjoy. Check it out

Horror in the High Desert 2: Minerva

Director - Dutch Marich (Infernum, Horror in the High Desert)

Starring - Laurie Felix Bass (Dead Power, Dead Cruelty), Suziey Block (Pickle's Horror Show, Dude Bro Part Massacre III), and Brooke Bradshaw (Reaptown, Miserable Sinners)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "No one just disappears"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

     Back in 2021 I was asked to review the found footage horror flick Horror in the High Desert from director Dutch Marich. I’m not a fan of found footage and though I often struggle to finish them, I found myself actually enjoying the film. I’ve written reviews for Horror Society since 2013 and while I’ve done thousands of reviews by this point, this one is easily my most popular. My reviews often go unnoticed aside from the day or so after their initial posting. However, my review for Horror in the High Desert is easily my most popular review and often over takes my most popular post of all time on the site with daily views. When Dutch announced a follow up film I knew I would have to review it just because of how popular the first one was. He sent me a review link a few weeks back but I wasn’t able to get to it in a timely manner. Since then the film has been released on Tubi and I was able to check it out there. I still want to thank Dutch for thinking about Horror Society when the film was released! 

      The film is a mockumentary following the disappearance of a young woman who was living in a trailer out in the Nevada desert. There was several murders around the time she went missing but the police and investigators were unable to find any leads besides a bag that was suspected to be hers with a recording inside that gives a small glimpse into the horrors of the Nevada desert. 

      Director Dutch Marich has done something very few people have been able to do and that’s get met to actually enjoy a found footage horror flick. I’ve seen and reviewed dozens, if not hundreds, by this point and I can count on one hand how many I’ve actually liked. Two of which would be his films. Found footage is one of the dullest sub-genres in horror but these two films have really pulled me in. Minerva doesn’t really answer the questions from the first film but paints an even bigger picture that I’m sure will come to full circle in a future sequel not yet announced. The acting in this one is like most mockumentaries where we follow the cast as they engage in faux interviews. It’s awkward and one of the many reasons I often find mockumentaries and certain found footage films to be unwatchable. As awkward as this is I didn’t mind it. Everyone is dedicated to the project and I enjoyed some of the characters. I would have rather watched them act out their scenes aside from the interview style but it fits the film and it works. The story for this one is a loose follow up to the first film where the main focus is on a missing woman along with a few murders committed in the general area. Not enough evidence is there to link them to the incident from the first film but it is suspected. I liked this approach to a sequel. It builds a much bigger story in scope while establishing a much larger sinister force. While it doesn’t help answer questions from the first film, it still entertains while giving fans a bigger picture to follow. Finally, it’s not a bloody film. In fact, it relies heavily on story and atmosphere so if you are looking for a gory found footage flick then you will be very disappointed. Overall, Horror in the High Desert: Minerva is a fantastic sequel and one of the few found footage flicks that I would recommend to genre fans. Dutch Marich is a fantastic filmmaker that everyone should look out for. Check this one out.

Bottle Monster

Director - Marjorie DeHey (Goldenrod, The Same Conversation)

Starring - Willie Aames (Bibleman, Dungeons and Dragons), Billie Proffitt (Killer Pad, The Dead Undead), and Ryker Overacker (Goldenrod)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Horror/Drama

Tagline - "The next evolution of horror"

Format - Streaming (Tubi)

Rating (out of 5):

      Last month I was asked to review several films that flirted with horror but wasn’t quiet horror films themselves. These movies has horror elements or darker tones but were actually dramas that flirted with the line of horror or thriller. Recently I’ve watched Spin the Wheel and The Other Side of Darkness and was very surprised by how much I enjoyed these dark dramas. Spin the Wheel was exactly what I thought it would be but The Other Side of Darkness completely caught me off guard. It was nothing like I expected but was still a fun watch. A few days after I was asked to review this two non-horror titles I was sent another dark drama that borrows from horror. The film, Bottle Monster, was streaming on Tubi for free and the team behind it was asking that I check it out to draw in some buzz for the release. I agreed and here we are. I want to thank them for bringing this one to my attention. 

      The film follows a mother and her young son who move into an old house in hopes of a new beginning. She’s a recovering alcoholic and believes a change in scenery will help her kick the habit and re-establish the relationship she once had with her son. As she struggles with her own demons she is confronted by something sinister living in the home and is putting her own child in danger

      I was really looking forward to this one. The synopsis and title really peaked my interested and I couldn’t wait to see another monster movie centered around an alcoholic mother and her young son. However, what I actually watched was a depressing drama with some jump scares and a “monster in the old house” side story that never fully expands into what it should have. I wanted to like this one but it wasn’t for me. In fact, I have no idea who it was intended for but those with a taste for horror or dark dramas will be disappointed. The acting in this one is not the worst I’ve seen but there was some moments that made me roll my eyes or ask why the scene wasn’t reshot. Most of these scenes involved the son which could be chalked up to his age and inexperience but I’ve seen films with much smaller budgets with younger actors able to pull it off. With that being said, I really did enjoy Billie Proffitt’s performance. I liked her character and she did a fantastic job in the role. The story for this one was not what I was expecting and was a bit disappointed in it. The film tries to use the metaphor or a drunk mother battling demons while she is in a home with a literal monster. The film needed to focus on the mother’s struggles or moving into a home that is inhabited by something sinister. Having the film split it’s time between the two does both story arch’s injustice while creating a film that tries the viewer’s patience. Finally, the film doesn’t really hit you with some blood and gore. We get a few little glimpses here or there of the rat in the basement and the “thing” in the house but that’s really about it if you want to ignore the horrible visual effects. If you are looking for memorable deaths or a monster movie in tune with The Gate or Ghoulies then you will be very disappointed. Overall, Bottle Monster had an interested idea with poor execution. It feels like two ideas clashing together resulting in a messy film that is not as enjoyable as it could have been. I wanted to like it but I’d be lying if I said I did. Skip it.