Fck'n Nuts

Director - Sam Fox (Bad Acid, Unagi)

Starring - Maddie Nichols (Creepshow, The Purge), Vincent Stalba (The Blood of the Dinosaurs, Crooked Alley), and William E. Harris (Bill and Ted Face the Music, The Wilderness Road)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

I’ve watched and reviewed hundreds upon hundreds of horror titles during my ten years of writing for Horror Society. I’ve seen some strange horror films during that time ranging from living placenta, killer condoms, monsters made of poop, cum kaiju, and even a haunted vibrator. Nothing could have prepared me for the horror short Fck’n Nuts. I was contacted a few weeks back to review this weird short and couldn’t pass up the title. I agreed and tossed it into my October horror binge. After my Scream Team Releasing marathon and Suitable Flesh review I decided it was time to finally check it out. I want to thank filmmaker Sam Fox for reaching out and sharing this fine piece of indie cinema with me! 

      The film follows a young girl who has a surprise knock at the door. She is shocked to see that the one visiting her home this late in the day is her boyfriend. He then proclaims his love for her and demands to meet her parents. She is reluctant but after several minutes of him begging she finally succumbs to his demands. She walks him inside and he immediately starts to feel something is off. The closer he gets to them the worse he feels. It’s then that he realizes that they are fuckin nuts… and he’s allergic. 

      Fck’n Nuts was nothing like I was expecting but it quickly became my favorite short of the year. I can see this one making it’s way to top of several top ten lists when the year comes to a close. I loved the characters, the location, the costumes and set, and the twist at the end. It all works to create a short that you will be thinking about for days after you’ve seen it. I fucking loved it and I can’t wait until other genre fans have seen it so we can talk about it. The acting in this one is great. It is a very small cast but they work so well together. The film’s “human” characters are very grounded and believable while the parents were so much fun. The story for this one is short, sweet, and straight to the point. While the story is building you find yourself wanting to know why she is afraid to introduce him to her parents. Are they vampires? Are they deranged serial killers that wear masks made out of flesh? Are they Trump supporters? Then the big reveal hits and you can’t help but laugh at what could be one of the biggest puns in horror cinema. Finally, the film is not a bloody one but it does have fluids with some great effects that I was not expecting along with some great “creature” costumes. The make-up and practical effects look great and I loved the campy look of the parents. Overall, Fck’n Nuts is a must see for genre fans. This is the nightmare that you get when you pop an edible and fall asleep watching Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. I fucking love it and can’t recommend it enough.

Beneath the Old Dark House

Director - Matt Cloude (Johnny Ghoulash Escapes from Creightonville, Bloodbath in Creightonville)

Starring - Brinke Stevens (The Slumber Party Massacre, Savage Streets), Christy Johnson (Mortuary, April Fool's Day), and Kaylee Williams (Porkchop II: Rise of the Rind, Leaf Blower Massacre 2)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Terror is at the door"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     A few weeks ago I placed an order on Scream Team Releasing’s website for several films that I needed to add to my collection. I needed to snag The Barn Part II, 10/31 Part 3, and a few others that they had put out in the last year or so. One of those films was Matt Cloude’s Beneath the Old Dark House. This is one that I had been looking forward to for sometime but always forgot to order a copy. Once they arrived I decided to have a Scream Team Releasing marathon during my annual October horror binge. After HeBGB TV, The Barn Part II, and 10/31 Part 3, it was finally time to check out this indie horror anthology. 

      The film follows a beautiful young woman who finds herself abducted by a masked man. He takes her back to his “dwelling” under the house where he shows her three shorts. The first story follows a man who finds himself infatuated with a waitress. He slashes her tire while she is working and then offers her a ride home after her shift. He tricks her into going to his home where the real fun begins. The second story follows a young woman who inherits an old home. While cleaning she finds an old doll in the attic which is never a good sign. The third and final story follows a self proclaimed history buff who visits an acclaimed author in her historic home. He later reveals that he suspects of her being something dark and sinister with a horrible lineage tied to the home. 

      I was really looking forward to Beneath the Old Dark House. When it was first brought to my attention I didn’t know it was directed by Matt Cloude. I’ve known Matt for years through social media and I respect the hell out of him. No one can question his dedication to the genre and what he has contributed to it over the years. Beneath the Old Dark House is a decent enough film but there was some things about the movie that I didn’t care for. It’s a decent enough horror anthology that deserves a sequel. The acting in this one is fairly decent. Some of the scenes are better acted than others. My biggest gripe with the acting is the scenes that involves the characters in distress or terrified. Their screams were just screaming. There was no emotion behind them and their faces seem blank behind the screaming. With these scenes aside I actually enjoyed the acting. I liked the cast and found myself digging through their imdb credits in hopes of seeing them in other genre efforts. The stories for this one is inconsistent but not that bad. The wraparound segment was a bit of a letdown. I’ve seen several horror anthologies where people are watching or forced to watch movies on VHS. I like the character we see and wish more of him was utilized in this wraparound segment. The first story is probably my favorite of the film. I liked the characters and how methodical and calculative the killer is. Honestly, I wish this one was a little longer as well. I could see this one being stretched into a feature length film and still able to hold the viewer’s attention. The second story is another solid entry in the film. I liked the atmosphere, the location, and the set up for the story. It did lose me with the whole “rewind” angle but it didn’t necessarily ruin the story. The third story was easily the weakest of the three but had the most promise. I love a good demon/vampire hunting story and this one stated out so well only to fizzle out. It had an amazing beginning but the middle and end just wasn’t there. Finally, the film has some blood, decent make up effects, and beautiful locations. The film has some fun practical effects and I loved the look of the monster in the wrap around segment but I was expecting a little more gore or memorable deaths. Overall, Beneath the Old Dark House is a solid indie effort that works. It does have some room to grow and not without faults but if you stick with it you will enjoy this horror anthology. Check it out.

10/31 Part 3

Director(s) - Michael Ballif (They Live Inside Us, The Witching Season), Jed Brian (13 Slay Till Xmas, Unlisted Owner), Jonathan Patrick Hughes (Tales from the Grave, Bad Hare Day), Jacob Perrett (Weird Fiction, Spine Chiller), Brad Twigg (Killer Campout, Wrestlemaniac), Zane Hershberger (Force to Fear, 10/31), and Jennifer Nangle (Theatre of the Deranged III, 60 Seconds to Di3)

Starring - James Morris (He Never Left, Curse of Crom: The Legend of Halloween), Emily Ashby (American Murderer, Count Spookula's Horrorthon), and Vickie Becker 

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Some of my favorite horror titles are anthologies. I grew up on Creepshow, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, Twilight Zone: The Movie, From a Whisper to a Scream, and Two Evil Eyes. I’m always up for a new horror anthology so when I saw some social media friends share news on the indie horror anthology 10/31 several years back I knew I had to see it. It was a great indie horror anthology that not only spawned a sequel but it spawned two. I really enjoyed 10/31 and 10/31 Part II so when I had the opportunity to order Part 3 I jumped on it. I added it to my Scream Team Releasing marathon as part my annual October horror binge. 

      The film once again follows horror hostess Malvolia who once again brings us a collection of shorts that will chill you to the bone. The first tale follows a recently divorced man who wants to turn his home into a haunted house attraction. He finds the perfect decoration in the form of a mummy at a local shop but this Is more than just a mummy prop. The second tale follows a couple that move into their new home and realize they are not the only ones there. The third tale follows a group of twenty-somethings who decide to break into the home of a former teacher only to discover that he has a dark secret hidden in his basement. The fourth and final story follows an evil Jack in the box. 

      I went into this one really excited and it did not disappoint. I absolutely love horror anthologies especially when they have a solid wrap around segment that ties everything together nicely. While I did enjoy this one I think I prefer the first two films to this one. It deserves an occasional revisit but I don’t see myself trying to add it to my annual October horror binge. The acting in this one is very well done and consistent with the other films. We have a lot of fun characters that may be cliched but are still very enjoyable. The segments have great energy, some great dialogue, and the cast does not hold back. The stories for this one is a bit hit or miss with me. Once again, I find myself not caring for the wraparound segment. I like the idea of a horror host showing viewers some horror tales but we only see her at the beginning of the film and at the end. She doesn’t appear between each segment to deliver horror puns or entertain the viewer. I feel like that is a big missed opportunity. The first segment from Michael Ballif really set the tone for the film. It was a lot of fun and really fits the October feel that this anthology series is known for. The second story from Jacob Perrett is a parody/tribute to Italian giallo. This is probably my favorite short in the film. It doesn’t really represent the time of year but it was a lot of fun and something I can see genre fans enjoying. The third story is probably the weakest in the film. This one is from filmmaker Brad Twigg who I am a big fan of. I was looking forward to this particular segment but it was the weakest of the film. While it does bring us back to the Halloween setting we are given characters we don’t care for with a story that was ridiculous. Who breaks into someone’s home through the front door to take pictures of the homeowner getting busy? The final tale is from Force to Fear director Zane Hershberger. This story was a loving tribute to the killer doll sub-genre and was very well done. It doesn’t fit the Halloween aspect of the film but I thoroughly enjoy it. Finally, the film has plenty of awesome practical effects along with some fairly decent make-up and visual effects. Some of the segments are a little bloodier than others but they are very consistent in the quality of effects even though they were done by different crews. It’s not the bloodiest entry in the trilogy but there is enough blood to satisfy those of you with a taste of the red stuff. Overall, 10/31 Part 3 is a solid entry in a very popular Halloween horror anthology series. It’s not my favorite of the three but it was enjoyable for a first time watch. Check it out.

The Barn Part II

Director - Justin M. Seaman (10/31, Volumes of Blood: Horror Stories)

Starring - Lexi Dripps (The Barn, Supah Ninjas), Sable Griedel (Tales from the Grave, Force to Fear), and Mitchell Musolino (The Men Who Built America, The Barn)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "This Halloween no one can stop the harvest"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     It wouldn’t be the Halloween season without a new film from Scream Team Releasing. Over the last handful of years I’ve been lucky enough to watch several of their releases and it’s not often that I find one I don’t like. Several years ago director Justin Seaman directed what would be one of the more popular slashers of the last ten years. The film, The Barn, was released through his label Scream Team Releasing and would be one that I try to watch every Halloween season along with a few more of their releases. A year or so back Justin started working on the anticipated sequel and brought in several genre icons to appear in the film. He was able to bring back Linnea Quigley along with Joe Bob Briggs, Diana Prince, Doug Bradley, and Lloyd Kaufman. I was really looking forward to checking this one out and snagged the blu when it was released. I wasn’t able to watch it when it arrived but I knew it would fit in perfectly during my October horror binge. 

      The film takes place several years after the first film. Halloween was banned after the disappearance of several teens but the ban was recently reversed. Now a local sorority is planning a fundraiser and decide to hold a haunted barn and maze in honor of the missing teens. However, Halloween traditions and superstitions once again come into play when they knock on the barn unleashing the evil spirits trapped in a well. Now the monsters are back to wreak havoc on those looking to have a little Halloween fun. 

     The Barn Part 2 was the sequel I was hoping for. It is a solid follow up while still giving slasher fans something to watch during the Halloween season. There was some aspects of the film that I did not like but the overall film was very enjoyable. I loved the atmosphere, locations, and the effects but some of the story and casting did leave me a bit confused. What I’m trying to say is that I liked the film but it is far from perfect. The acting in this one was enjoyable. We get several returning cast members who do a fantastic job reprising their roles. I like a lot of the characters but the casting did make me laugh. I was born in the mid-80s and I know I’m getting up there in age but some of these college students or teenagers were portrayed by people older than me. A lot of films do this and it has become a bit of a joke among genre fans but The Barn Part 2 took it to a whole new level. Aside from this, I really liked the cast along with the Scream Team Releasing filmmakers making cameos along with the horror legends that make appearances as well. The story for this one expands on what was introduced in the first film while giving fans something else to latch on to it. The film is more than just a sequel to a slasher. It expands the mythos created in the first film and introduces new horror elements to the series that was absent from the first film. I liked the introduction of zombies along with the new monsters. When you combine that with the backstory to the monsters you have something that could truly span several films. Finally, the film has a lot of great practical effects and some very noticeable visual effects. While I didn’t care for the visual effects I did like the practical. The deaths look fantastic and they fit the film very well. While I was expecting the film to be a bit more gorier it was still bloody and violent. Overall, The Barn Part 2 is a worthy sequel to one of the most popular indie slashers in the last 10 years. I really enjoyed where the story took us and along with the new elements introduced here. I sincerely hope we get a third film. I highly recommend it.

HeBGB TV

Director(s) - Eric Griffin (1-888-5-Blue-You), Adam Lenhart (1-888-5-Blue-You), and Jake Mcclellan (Dead in 5 Heartbeats)

Starring - Andrew Bowser (Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, The Green Shit), Zenobia Decoteau, and Josh Dorsheimer (Never Too Late, Hacktress)

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "Don't touch that dial"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      I love how unique and strange indie cinema can be. Some filmmakers have so many ideas and a strong sense of humor resulting in films that will stick with you for days or even weeks after watching them. A few weeks back I was ordering a few movies from Scream Team Releasing to add to my October horror binge when I came across HeBGB TV. I remembered sharing a few press releases for this one sometime back but it had completely skipped my mind when I moved on to the next post. I quickly watched the trailer for the film and promptly tossed it in my cart. I had to have it and I couldn’t wait to see it. Fast Forward to now when I decided to have a Scream Team Releasing marathon with HeBGB TV being the first film. 

      The film follows two children who receive a mysterious package. When they open it they are surprised to find a television receiver titled HeBGB TV. When they plug it in they are introduced to someone who wants to show them all the programs the device has for them. We then enter a world full of dancing candy corn, stoners and pesticide, phone sex operators, Frankenstein’s monster and hot dog wieners, Onyx the Fortuitous, and much more. 

      HeBGB TV is not going to be for everyone. It’s a wild and colorful ride with a lot of horror puns and memorable characters but those of you looking for something along the lines of August Underground or Terrifier will be very disappointed. However, if Shit & Champagne mixed with a little bit of Hee-Haw and WNUF Halloween Special sounds fun for you then I highly recommend snagging this one. The acting in this one is a lot of fun. The characters are all over the top and very enjoyable. Some of the cast portrays different characters but they all stand out and have their own distinct personalities. The fact that they were able to keep track of all the characters they brought to life and not just recycle them over and over is seriously impressive to me. The stories for this one are a lot of fun but some clearly had more thought and work put into them than others. I loved the sense of humor, the delightful horror and Halloween puns, and the energy each segment brought to the film. While I loved the format and lay out of the film I would love to see this team tackle a straight forward anthology. Finally, the film is full of DIY effects that I absolutely loved. We have some fun puppets, campy late night visual effects, blood, and lots of make up effects. This film offers a lot for those of you with an eye for effects but understand films on a budget can’t compete with major motion pictures. Overall, HeBGB TV is everything I hoped it was and then some. It’s funny, bloody, and very entertaining. I don’t know if I will add this to my Halloween list but I can see this one quickly becoming a comfort film for me. I highly recommend this no budget treat.

Suitable Flesh

Director - Joe Lynch (Chillerama, Mayem)

Starring - Heather Graham (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, The Stand), Judah Lewis (Summer of '84, The Babysitter), and Barbara Crampton (From Beyond, Re-Animator)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Who do you think you are!"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I was talked into watching the web-series Holliston. The series starred filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch. Both filmmakers have made serious contributions to horror over the years but one seems to overshadow the other. When I mention Holliston to genre fans they often praise Green and his Hatchet franchise. He’s an amazing filmmaker but I always found the Hatchet series to be a bit underwhelming while I greatly enjoy Lynch’s films. Not only did he direct Strapping Young Lad’s Love, which is one of the best tributes to Evil Dead II, he also directed a segment in Chillerama, Wrong Turn 2, Knights of Badassdom, Mayhem, and an episode of Creepshow. His filmography is fantastic and I’m always excited to check out something he is attached to. A few weeks back I was sent a press release for his newest film Suitable Flesh. The film starred horror legend Barbara Crampton and Heather Graham. I reached out to RLJE Films and Shudder and they were kind enough to send a screener link my way. I really want to thank both of them for sending it over because I absolutely loved this movie! 

      The film follows a psychiatrist who has an unexpected patient barge into her life. He seems to be suffering from multiple personalities but she soon learns the truth. The boy is host to something very sinister and very old that is able to transfer itself from host to host after it comes in contact with someone and chants an ancient prayer. 

      Suitable Flesh is probably one of Lynch’s best films. Everything from the cast to the set locations are phenomenal and the story is fucking brilliant. The film is not just mindless blood and guts but it doesn’t shy away from the red stuff either. It’s very story driven and the amazing performances makes it a must see film for genre fans. The acting in this one is amazing. While I want to spend most of my time talking about my horror crush Barbara Crampton, I would be doing Heather Graham an injustice. Graham makes the film what it is. She brings her character to life and her performance is nothing short of brilliant. The film has some great performances from the supporting cast as well including Crampton but I will be here all day if I mention everyone by name and talk about the amazing performances. The story for this one is inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s The Thing on the Door Step. I read this one years ago but I don’t remember shit about it so I can’t speak on hos close to the course material it is. However, from a film standpoint, the story hits hard. It’s not overly complicated and confusing. We do have some body jumping but it’s done in a straight forward fashion which is easy for the viewer to follow. The pacing is perfect, the characters are very well written, and the scenes are not stretched out to make up for run time. With that being said, the twist ending is cliched and very predictable. It was the only time during the film that I rolled my eyes. If you have seen any films over the last 60 years that features a similar story then you know exactly what the ending consists of. Finally, the film is extremely bloody and violent. Not every scene has death and blood but the few times it does they more than make up for it with fantastic practical effects and buckets of blood. I highly recommend alone just for the effects and death scenes that we get. Overall, Suitable Flesh is one of the better Lovecraft adaptations and easily the best film in Lynch’s filmography. I highly recommend it especially if you are looking for something to add to your next Re-Animator and From Beyond marathon.

Unquiet Death

UNQUIET DEATH promo trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director(s) - Ferid Boughedir (Sweet Smell of Spring, Villa Jasmine) and Claude d'Anna (Salome, Foursome)

Starring - Aly Ben Ayed (Tunis Top Secret, Play Dirty), Ursule Pauly (The Nude Vampire, The Rape of the Vampire), and Sophie Vaillant (Number 96, Nanou)

Release Date - 1970

Genre - Crime/Drama/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      We just passed the halfway mark to Halloween a few days ago and I'm still trying to watch as many horror titles as possible before the month ends. However, that has been a bit of a challenge this year with the handful of dark dramas and mysteries that have been sent over for review. I don't mind these types of films but I primarily watch and review horror for the month of October. A few weeks ago Mondo Macabro sent over the Broken Mirror and Unquiet Death double feature for review. I was under the impression that these were genre titles but after I finished Broken Mirror I quickly learned that it was not. Regardless, I still enjoyed these films and I want to thank Mondo Macabro for hooking me up with these two fantastic dramas for review! 

      The film follows three sisters who visit their late uncle's estate. While there they are forced to deal with his former servant, which brings about uncomfortable interactions between him and the three. He eventually snaps and starts ordering the women around as if he is the owner of the lavish estate and they are his slaves. It doesn't take long before the three of them have enough and stand up to him. 

      Unquiet Death is another beautifully shot international drama that did not disappoint. While I thoroughly enjoyed it, it's another film like Broken Mirror that I will never revisit. It's a fantastic first time watch but once you know exactly what is going to happen it loses it's thrill. The acting in this one is great. The three female leads are fantastic together. They have amazing chemistry and go above and beyond to make the scene work. While the cast is fairly small, they are all firing on the same cylinder. Everyone carries their weight so to speak but these three lovely ladies make the film for me. The story for this one is a solid drama that bills itself as a mystery. While I don't see the mystery aspect of the film I still thoroughly enjoyed it as a drama. It was unexpected and something you never saw coming. It has smooth pacing, wonderful dialogue, and well written characters. Finally, this is another one that is not a bloody flick. This is character focused but it works. Overall, Unquiet Death is not what I was expecting but I still enjoyed it. It's a drama that does get dark at times. I highly recommend it. 

The Broken Mirror

THE BROKEN MIRROR promo trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director - Claude d'Anna (Macbeth, Foursome)

Starring - Max von Sydow (Flash Gordon, Game of Thrones), Micheline Presle (Call Me Victor, The Blood of Others), and Francois Arnal (Pentimento)

Release Date - 1975

Genre - Drama/Mystery

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Every year for as long as I remember I've spent the entire month of October binging as many horror titles as possible. Most of the time I'm able to at least watch one movie a day but there have been some Octobers in the past that I was able to watch almost 90 films. Sadly, this year I may not hit my normal 31 films for the month due to the fact that I've watched a few non-genre titles expecting them to be horror releases. This time around it was another Mondo Macabro release that I still really enjoyed. A few weeks back Mondo Macabro sent over the Broken Mirror and Unquiet Death double feature for review. I was unfamiliar with both of these films and couldn't wait to check them out. I started with Broken Mirror and while it wasn't horror, I still enjoyed it. I wan't to thank Mondo Macabro for sending these over! 

      The film follows Anne who restores classic paintings. When she becomes pregnant and has a visit from her mother, she starts to remember a strange painting she had in her possession some time ago but doesn't remember what happened to it. As she starts to uncover the truth about the painting and the mystery around it she finds herself being followed by a stranger. 

      Broken Mirror is one of those films that you really appreciate as your watching it but once the dust has settled and you look back to reflect on it you find yourself impressed with the film but don't see yourself revisiting it. I really enjoyed the film and will recommend it to anyone who likes international films or mysteries. It's a beautifully shot and acted film but it doesn't have the replay value I often look for in a film. The acting in this one is great. The entire cast does a phenomenal job but Maire-France Bonin is the star of the show as the pregnant artist who restores old paintings. She carries the entire film on her back. She delivers an emotionally draining performance that really hits hard with the viewer. You put that in a mystery, and you have yourself a film that really pulls the viewer in. The story for this one is not as predictable as most other mysteries. While I did enjoy the premise and the overall film I do have an issue with the film's pacing. The scenes are extremely uneven, and a lot spend too much time on cinematography and random shots of the sets over the actual story. Don't get me wrong, the film is beautifully shot but this does take away from the story. Finally, this is not a bloody film. The main focus of this one is the protagonist and the mystery surrounding the strange painting. Overall, Broken Mirror is a beautiful film that has a great cast and a solid story. It could be trimmed down sum but isn't that bad of an experience as is. I highly recommend it 

The Night of the Executioner

NIGHT OF THE EXECUTIONER promo trailer from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Director - Paul Naschy (The Night of the Werewolf, Howl of the Devil)

Starring - Paul Naschy, Manuel Zarzo (My Dear Killer, The Two Faces of Fear), and Paloma Cela (A Town Called Hell, A Witch Without a Broom)

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Horror/Thriller

Tagline - ""O God, to whom revenge belongs, thy vengeance now disclose" - Psalms 94"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I hit a few speed bumps in my October horror binge when I reviewed two films that I thought were horror when they were actually dramas. While they were not the films I was expecting I still enjoyed them. I just finished The Fear blu that was recently released by Mondo Macabro. I thought that it was a horror release but I was wrong. I actually enjoyed the film but it was not something I wanted in my October horror binge. I decided to take a second to make sure another Mondo Macabro release on my list for this month was in fact a horror film. That film was 1992’s Night of the Executioner. I had never seen this one before but I am a big fan of legendary Spanish director and actor Paul Naschy and when I saw that it was a horror title I knew I had to follow up the Fear with it. Once again I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over for Horror Society and myself to check out. 

      The film follows a doctor (Naschy) who returns home with his wife and daughter after a day of shopping. What they don’t know is that a gang of thugs followed them. They break in and beat the doctor before raping and murdering his wife and daughter. He survives but the attack leaves him unable to speak. He vows revenge against the group and after working out and training with various weapons, he sets out to take them out one by one for taking everyone he loved away from him. 

      If you take the time to actually read my reviews then you may have noticed that the story description may sound like Death Wish and you would be right. This movie is a lot like the meme “can we get blank? No, we have blank at home.” With that being said, I enjoyed this one a lot. While it wasn’t that originally and features a mostly silent Naschy it was still able to entertain and that’s all I’m looking for. The acting in this one is a bit different than your typical Naschy film. Naschy is no stranger to playing monsters, nobles, royalty, and so on. He’s a very versatile actor with a lot of range. However, playing a silent killer is something I’ve never seen him tackle and I kind of liked it. He’s not that menacing but his character is very ruthless and calculating which fits Naschy very well. The supporting cast is fantastic as well but it’s Naschy that is center stage in this one and he does a wonderful job carrying the film. The story for this one is just a Spanish clone of Death Wish but it is still enjoyable. I don’t mind Bronson but I would much rather see Naschy in these roles and would have loved for him to take on multiple sequels to this one. The film is a bit of a slow burn but some of the scenes have brilliant tension before things come to a boil. It could use a bit of a small trim to help with pacing but nothing that would drastically change the overall film. Finally, the film has several deaths with a slight bit of blood with kills similar to Death Wish. We mostly get gun deaths and some stabbings. The effects are minimal and the deaths are easily forgettable. Overall, Night of the Executioner is the Spanish answer to Death Wish and I love it. While the deaths are not that enjoyable the remainder of the film is. I highly recommend it.

My Best Friend is a Vampire

Director - Jimmy Huston (Final Exam, Death Driver)

Starring - Robert Sean Leonard (House, The Manhattan Project), Evan Mirand (Se7en, Fight Club), and LeeAnn Locken (Carter High, Broken Vessels)

Release Date - 1987

Genre - Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "Vampires and teenagers are a lot alike.  They're just misunderstood"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     I started my horror journey as a fan of zombie films when I was introduced to Tom Savini’s remake of Night of the Living Dead. I was hooked from that moment on. I was snagging any and every zombie movie I could find but a late night viewing of Fright Night II sent me down the path of vampires. From then on I was hunting for any 80s and early 90s vampire films I could find. This was my favorite time for vampire flicks and there was several worth mentioning like Fright Night, The Lost Boys, Vamp, Children of the Night, Once Bitten, and 1987’s My Best Friend is a Vampire. My Best Friend is a Vampire, or I Was a Teenage Vampire, is one of several films I snagged on VHS when my local video store was going out of business. It’s a fantastic film that I never saw get the DVD aside from those multi-film releases where each movie is compressed to hell to put more titles on each disc. That changed recently when Vestron Video released the film on blu. I love this campy late 80s vampire flick so it was a no-brainer when I saw it on store shelves. I couldn’t wait to revisit this one and even though I wasn’t sent this one for review I still wanted to check it as part of my October horror binge. 

      The film follows high schooler Jeremy who finds himself on the run from a vampire slayer and his minion after a late night date with a mysterious woman. She bit him before they were interrupted and in the mean time he has noticed his body is changing. To make matters worse, the vampire slayer and his goon is hunting his best friend because they believe he is the vampire. While adjusting to his new life, he befriends another vampire who takes him under his wing and uses his new powers to get the girl of his dreams. Things start to look up for him but the vampire hunter and his persistence has to be stopped before his best friend and girl friend is killed by them. 

      My Best Friend is a Vampire is not something that I would call traditional horror. It’s more of a coming of age comedy that just happens to be centered around a vampire. I know many fans of this film are going to attack me when I say this but The Twilight Saga is more horror than this movie. With that being said, I fucking love it. It’s one of my favorite 80s films and I’m so fucking stoked to have it on blu. The acting in this one is great for the film but the cliched characters and the paint by numbers story doesn’t leave a lot of room for memorable performances. I like the cast but if you’ve seen any comedy centered around high schoolers or a vampire film of the time then you have seen characters exactly like this. I liked the cast and their performances but the characters are not as memorable as other films. The story for this one is a heavy mix of so many films from the early to mid-80s. We have the awkward high school kid who has a crush on someone with the rather loud and outspoken friend that is the source of humor for the film. Can be easily compared to Teen Wolf in that regard. We then throw in the vampire aspect with the mentor and vampire slaying which is a bit of a reversal from Fright Night. I love the story but I’m also not blind to how it was tossed together for a quick buck. Finally, the film isn’t really that bloody or violent. We do have “blood” products in the film but you don’t really see the red stuff. The film is more focused on the comedy aspect over the blood and violence. Overall, My Best Friend is a Vampire may piss off some horror purists but I fucking love it. It’s a fantastically 80s film that I’ve paired several times with films like Vamp and Fright Night. I highly recommend snagging this blu from Vestron Video