I'm pleased to announce that we have a new reviewer to CRITICAL CONDITION. His name is Mario Dominick and he wrote all the reviews that you will read below. He emailed asking me to review the following films. I told him that I try to stay away from these films since most of them are shot on video (SOV) and I usually avoid these type of films since they give me headaches or a longing to put a bullet in my brain. I emailed him back and asked if he would like to review the films and put a much-needed new perspective on them since I would probably trash the flicks (at least the ones I have viewed). Surprise of surprises if he didn't take me up on the offer. What you will read below are his takes on the films. Welcome Mario! (All reviews written by Mario will have an "MD" after the review.)
AND
THEN THEY WERE DEAD (2004)/GUILTY PLEASURES (1997) -
Cinema Image Productions brings us a double feature of two fun low
budgeters featuring murder, mayhem, madness, blood, sex, and more. AND
THEN THEY WERE DEAD is the story of seven strangers who get
invited to a dinner party. The characters are your traditional
"Clue" types (businessman, butler, maid, horny guy, bitchy
wife). An unseen assailant begins picking off the sleazy characters
one by one quickly turning this into a slasher/whodunit/mystery.
Ray Schwetz directs and Joe Zaso, Tina Krause, Darian Caine (who
gets murdered while naked in the shower), and Schwetz himself all
star. Marcus Koch handled the make-up effects. GUILTY
PLEASURES brings us a macabre pair of stories, one directed
by Joseph F. Parda and the other directed by Joe Zaso. Two women
living in an apartment building are both facing dilemmas that lead to
unspeakable horrors. In "Nocturnal Emissions," Silvia
Resino (Alexandra Paulhiac) breaks up with her boyfriend. Around the
same time, a psycho targeting nude models kills one of her friends.
She then begins to receive threatening phone calls, her ex-boyfriend
immediately becomes a suspect and a detective (played by Zaso) tries
to get her to help him out. Naively thinking the detective is
somebody she can trust and will do what's best for her, it leads to a
conclusion that makes her sorry she ever got involved with him.
"Method to the Madness" tells the story of Rosemarie Curtis
(Sasha Graham), a pretty young actress in New York City trying to get
work. Looking for help with "method acting," she finds an
acting coach who she believes will be helpful. Problem is, her friend
Monica fears a horrible secret from the past that Rosemarie can't
seem to suppress any longer will reveal itself. This makes for a
horrifying ordeal involving death and more as it eventually causes
Rosemarie's downfall. AND THEN THEY WERE DEAD and GUILTY PLEASURES
are both enjoyable B-movie horrors that deliver in gore and nudity
and are entertaining in cheesy kind of way. AND THEN, in my
opinion, is the better movie of the two, obviously since it was made
much later than PLEASURES and it has the better quality and
effects. Fans of Joe Zaso, Tina Krause, Darian Caine, and Sasha
Graham should definitely add this DVD to their collection. The
special features on the AND THEN side of the disc include a
commentary with Ray Schwetz and Joe Zaso, a behind-the-scenes
documentary, photo gallery, and trailer and the PLEASURES side
includes a commentary with Zaso, photo gallery, and trailer. A Cinema
Image Productions DVD Release. Unrated - MD
AT
DAWN THEY SLEEP (2000) - My
first experience with Morbid
Vision Films. AT DAWN THEY SLEEP tells the story of two
drug lords named Stephen and Ian (Brian Paulin and Rich George) who
run into some trouble with one of their rivals and find themselves in
the middle of an all-out gang war involving drugs, guns and violence.
The two go out looking for adventure one night and bring home a
couple of girls who seem normal at first. After sleeping with them,
the two wake up in the morning to find the girls gone and they both
feel nauseated and can't figure out what happened to them. It so
turns out that the girls were angels from the other side and they
infected them with a virus that turns them into vampires with a
thirst for blood by biting them on the neck. Stephen and Ian both
become immortal, join a gang of vampires and are directed to kill and
drink the blood of the living so the angels can reclaim the world
that they believe belonged to them. Eventually a demon from hell
intervenes to stop the angels from having everything all to
themselves which results in an action-packed showdown with a
supernatural battle between good and evil. AT
DAWN THEY SLEEP is a very enjoyable video gore effort. Brian
Paulin directed, wrote, stars, co-produced, composed, photographed,
edited, did makeup effects and basically handled the whole project
single-handedly. The film is loaded with everything you could ask
for: gun battles, car crashing, violence, naked females, profanity,
cheesy monster outfits and devil makeup, and outrageous and
over-the-top gore scenes including beheadings, disembowelments,
dismemberments, throats ripped out, brains blown out with guns, heads
split with axes, flesh ripping, melting bodies and knives through
skulls. In other words, perfect for a Friday night when you have a
six pack and get together with your buddies. The Video Outlaw DVD
contains many extras such as director's commentary, behind-the-scenes
documentary, outtakes, still galleries, a 12-minute short film called DAMNATION
and trailers for other Video Outlaw releases. Other movies by Paulin
and Morbid Vision include DEAD
GIRL ON FILM (2001), MUMMY
RAIDER (2002) and BONE SICKNESS
(2004). A Video Outlaw DVD
Release. Unrated - MD
THE
ATROCITY CIRCLE (2005) - Ohio's
Andrew Copp, creator of THE
MUTILATION MAN (1998) and BLACK
SUN (2003), brings us this brutal revenge story involving a
young man named Brandon (Chris Workman) who's plagued by memories of
old high school friends raping a young girl who he had a crush on in
a basement while they were getting drunk and playing drinking games.
Now married and studying to become a doctor, Brandon does his best to
let go of the horrible memories, but they keep getting worse and
worse. Eventually Brandon takes it upon himself to track down the now
grown-up high school kids who had raped the girl near and dear to him
and drove her to suicide and proceeds to bump them off in a variety
of extremely brutal and gory ways. Andrew Copp has done a splendid
job creating a disturbing and nihilistic film with THE ATROCITY CIRCLE.
The acting (especially from Workman) is very good for the most part,
the guys playing the rapists do a fine job making the characters come
as the sleaziest scum on the planet, and the film doesn't shy away
from the red stuff at all as people are tortured, slashed, stabbed in
the head, castrated, dismembered, gutted, have their rectums carved
out, etc. If you enjoyed AUGUST UNDERGROUND
(2001) and MURDER-SET-PIECES
(2004), this one should be up your alley. The Apparition Films DVD
contains a director's commentary, an outtake and bloopers reel, the
original trailer, and trailers for THE MUTILATION MAN and BLACK
SUN. With Michelle McLaughlin, Greg Nichols, Thomas Nealeigh,
Joe Mackenzie, and Geoff Burkman. Copp and Matt Brassfield appear as
rapists. An Apparition Films
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
ATTACK
OF THE KILLER REFRIGERATOR (1990) -
Here's a video that's a true oddity. It's two short films on one tape along
with a documentary. First up we have ATTACK
OF THE KILLER REFRIGERATOR, a 15 minute short about a group
of college kids who get drunk at a party and decide to defrost a
refrigerator. The fridge doesn't take too kindly to this and it comes
to life and starts killing and eating the kids. One character loses
their arm in the door and another is impaled on the handle. The only
way to stop this rampaging machine: pull the plug. Next we have THE
HOOK OF WOODLAND HEIGHTS, a 40 minute short concerning an
escaped psycho who lost one of his hands. He finds his way into the
woods near Woodland Heights, gets a hold of a barbeque fork, sticks
it on his stump and goes on a gory rampage. Finally, we have a
"making of" documentary that takes us behind the scenes of WOODLAND
HEIGHTS. It also has interviews with the cast and crew,
promotional footage, and footage from the movie's screening at a
local theater. This video is definitely fun to watch. Both short
films from Michael Savino and Mark Veau are humorous, gory, and
cheesy as hell. The documentary is very interesting too. If you
happen to stumble upon a copy, check it out. A Donna Michelle
Productions Release. Not Rated - MD
AUGUST
UNDERGROUND (2001)
Looking for something different in the world of low budget
filmmaking? Well, look no further than the films of Pittsburghs
Fred Vogel and Toe Tag Pictures. This home video classic follows two
sick and deranged psychopaths and
their adventures torturing and killing people in Southwestern
Pennsylvania while one of them films it all with a camcorder. The
movie was shot to look like a home movie intentionally. Vogel wanted
to portray the world what the world looks like through the eyes of a
serial killer. He wanted to give it the look of a snuff film. The
film is definitely not for all tastes. Its loaded with
extremely graphic sex, rape, torture, gore and full frontally nude
women strapped to chairs covered in blood with contusions on their
faces and sitting in a pile of their own feces. We are treated to a
scene where the killers go into a convenient store, stab the clerk
and force a couple of customers to sniff each others assholes.
People have their heads hammered in with waffle-nosed claw hammers
and we get plenty of graphic scenes with every bodily fluid
imaginable. If you want blood, shit, piss, vomit and cum, this
certainly delivers it all. Its an incredibly disturbing and
offensive movie that I found myself enjoying. AUGUST
UNDERGROUND has gained some cult status since it first hit
the independent film scene in 2001 and has spawned two sequels, AUGUST
UNDERGROUNDS MORDUM (2003) and AUGUST
UNDERGROUNDS PENANCE (2007). Vogel also directed REDSIN
TOWER (2006) and handled gore effects for Nick Palumbos
MURDER-SET-PIECES
(2004). Vogel stars along with Allen Peters, Aaron LaBonte, Ben
LaBonte, AnneMarie Reveruzzi, Alexa Iris, Victoria Jones, Dan
Friedman, Stephen Vogel and Casey Eganey. The Toe Tag Pictures 2-disc
DVD has lots of extras including two audio commentaries, a
67-minute documentary called Hammer to the Head: A Closer Look
at A.U., a 102-minute Outsiders Perspective
called August Underground: Too Real for Comfort, still
gallery and more. A Toe Tag Pictures
DVD Release. Unrated - MD. NOTE: All the
films in the AUGUST
UNDERGROUND series are
released in limited VHS "die-cut"
slip sleeves
by boutique label Massacre Video.
- Editor
AUGUST
UNDERGROUNDS MORDUM (2003)
More gore, rape and torture from Fred Vogels Toe Tag Pictures
of the
Pittsburgh underground. This sequel follows Vogel again as our main
psychopath and a sicko girl who likes to have sex with her brother.
Her brother acting as their cameraman follows them on their murder,
rape and torture rampage across Pittsburgh. People have their heads
bashed in with hammers, throats are slit, our main psycho killers
scream and swear at each other a lot throughout most of the film, and
in one scene they torture a couple of girls by sticking their fingers
down their throats and vomiting on them. This sequel has a little bit
more gore than the first one and has the same sickening rape and
torture scenes with graphic shots of every bodily fluid imaginable.
You dont know what pornographic and disturbing is until you
watch this. Vogel co-directed and co-wrote with Jerami Cruise,
Killjoy, Mike Schneider and Christie Whiles, who all have acting
roles. The Toe Tag DVD
contains the Necrophagia Rue Morgue Disciple music video, deleted
scenes, trailers and a still gallery. A Toe
Tag Pictures DVD Release. Unrated - MD. NOTE:
All the films in the AUGUST
UNDERGROUND series are
released in limited
VHS "die-cut"
slip sleeves
by boutique label Massacre Video.
- Editor
AUGUST
UNDERGROUNDS PENANCE (2007)
The conclusion to the AUGUST UNDERGROUND
trilogy once again follows the
psychopathic couple from the last film and their adventures with a
camcorder as they murder and torture people in Pittsburgh. This is
probably the sickest of the series. We get the usual graphic rape,
skulls hammered in, slit throats, some disembowelments and
dismemberments, masturbation scenes, vomit, girls strapped naked to
chairs and having semen smeared on their breasts, our two psychos
screaming and swearing at each other, and a family murdered on
Christmas. You got to give to Fred Vogel and Toe Tag for making the
most outrageous, vile and offensive movies to come out of Pittsburgh.
Their true horror fans that know how to keep fans entertained. The
Toe Tag DVD of PENANCE contains an audio commentary with the
Toe Tag crew, a documentary called Disemboweled: Behind the
Bile, extended and deleted scenes, a still gallery slide show,
trailers and a couple music videos. Vogel directed and co-wrote with
Christie Whiles. They both star together. With Shelby Vogel, Jerami
Cruise, Anthony Matthews, Renee Bell, Sara McGill, and Mikol Bell. A Toe
Tag Pictures DVD Release. Unrated - MD. NOTE:
All the films in the AUGUST
UNDERGROUND series are
released in limited VHS "die-cut"
slip sleeves
by boutique label Massacre Video.
- Editor
BACK
FROM HELL (1993) - Black
priest Father Aaron (Shawn Scarbrough) goes to visit his friend Jack
(Larry DuBois) who
sold his soul to the Devil in hopes of finding fame and fortune in
Hollywood. Instead Jack finds himself cursed. Anybody who looks into
his eyes becomes possessed into wanting to kill him and he somehow
conjures up the spirit of Satan. Aaron tries to help save Jack's soul
and the two try to stop the Kingdom of Hell from reigning over the
world. In the process they have to go up against a possessed cop,
zombies, and hooded satanic cult members with axes. This low
budget 16mm effort from director Matt Jaissle is actually better than
one might expect. Jaissle keeps up the pace throughout and the movie
is never boring. There are some very funny parts (like when a hand
comes out of a book and grabs the priest by his nuts) and some
extreme gore too. We get an arm stabbed with forks, limbs hacked off,
throat slitting, eyes popped out, spilled intestines, bodies cut to
pieces, etc. The film is definitely worth checking out. Jaissle and
company later made LEGION
OF THE NIGHT (1995) and THE NECRO FILES
(1997). An HV Films Release. Not Rated - MD
BEAUTY
QUEEN BUTCHER (1991) - Deep
from the bowels of early '90s shot-on-video mayhem and from the vault
of Camp Motion Pictures comes this
never-before-released-in-any-format-until-now SOV cheese fest that
makes one wonder why a company like Cinema
Home Video never picked it up for release back in the day. Phyllis
Loden is an overweight, unattractive nerdy high school girl looking
to become beautiful like the other girls and win a beauty pageant.
Constantly picked on, ridiculed, and teased by a group of snobbish
beauty pageant queens, Phyllis desperately looks for a way to change
her looks, enter the contest and become the next beauty queen
extraordinaire. When one of the nasty beauty pageant bitches decides
to get even with Phyllis by doing away with her cat after it caused
her to have an allergic reaction, Phyllis decides enough is enough
and proceeds to slaughter her pageant tormentors one by one. While BEAUTY
QUEEN BUTCHER is a welcome release from Camp and it's nice they
came across a lost SOV slasher from 1991, by no means is it a good
movie by any stretch of the imagination. One of its biggest problems
is that it's too long and could've used better editing. They're
really isn't a whole lot of gore on hand either, but one of the few
bloody deaths where a girl is stabbed with her beauty pageant crown
is kind of amusing. If you're a really big SOV/backyard horror
enthusiast, this may be of some interest to you. Just don't expect
anything truly memorable or a gorefest that's worth getting up in
arms about. This appears to be the only movie director Jill Zurborg
ever made. The Camp DVD contains a behind-the-scenes documentary and
trailers for other Camp releases. A Camp
Motion Pictures DVD Release. Unrated - MD
BEFORE
I DIE (2003) From Phil
Herman and Falcon Video comes the perfect companion piece to HORRORTALES.666
(2003). This time we are presented with three short stories from Joel
D. Wynkoop, Sharkey Video and Falcon. The wraparound segment stars
Herman as a writer whos suffering from writers block and
is basically beating his head against the wall to come up with some
new ideas. He comes up with the
following three stories. Time for Dessert from Wynkoop
Productions stars M. Catherine Holseybrook as a lady with an appetite
for men. It so appears that something very sinister lies behind her
seductive ways. The men she seduces and takes to a hotel all end up
disappearing. An average, bored and horny bachelor looking for
adventure hopes he can get lucky and get into bed with Ms.
Holseybrook. Unfortunately for him, her dark secret shows itself and
he finds himself wishing he would have took his business elsewhere.
Last Resort from Sharkey Video stars Dawn Murphy and
David Lee as a couple who go to an old resort in the middle of
nowhere for a honeymoon. It appears they havent seen THE
SHINING (1980) enough to know to stay away from resorts that
have a bad history and have been abandoned for good reason. The
spirits or whatever it is that inhabit the place send them messages
that they want them out. After getting out of there, Lee learns
something about the resorts past that may change his life
forever. Someone Is Sleeping In My Bed from Herman and
Falcon starts off with a couple mischievous trick-or-treaters being
bumped off by a masked psychopath. We are then introduced to a woman
played by the lovely Nancy Feliciano who is stalked by the psycho in
her home. The ending to this story (which I wont give away)
comes as a surprise that somehow ties it to the wraparound and kind
of reprises the first segment of HORRORTALES.666. Youll
have to see it for yourself. BEFORE I DIE is another nice
collection of short films from three of the hottest independent
producers on the underground scene. While it doesnt seem to
rely as much on the T&A as others of its ilk, it does have enough
steamy moments to keep the perverts entertained. As for graphic
violence and bloodletting, gorehounds may find it kind of dry. But
its still something bad movie fans and connoisseurs of zero
budget horror should eat up nonetheless. For fans of Nancy Feliciano
and Dawn Murphy, this is definitely the perfect treat for you.
Written and directed by Dave Castiglione, Dawn Murphy, Phil Herman
and Joel D. Wynkoop. Wynkoop has a part as one of Holseybrooks
victims in the first segment. With Gusto Perez, Kevin Bangos, Chris
Hurban, and Brock Richards. A Falcon Video Release. Available on DVD
as a part of the Pendulum Pictures DECREPIT
PIT OF NIGHTMARES 50-Movie Set from Brain
Damage Films. Unrated -MD
BITS
AND PIECES (1985) - A
psychopath named Arthur (S.E. Zygmont) is stalking women and
slaughtering them
with various tools. It turns out that his mother abused him when he
was a child and now he hates women. That's usually the case with
these movies. A police lieutenant (Brian Burt) tries to stop him
while developing a relationship with one of the victim's friends
(Susanna Smith). There's not that much to recommend about this one,
though it is a very corny movie and has some occasional funny moments
(like when Arthur bumps into a guy and the guy says, "Watch
where you're going apple ass!"). There is some nudity and a fair
amount of bloodshed but not a whole lot of graphic gore. This is
director Leland Thomas's only movie. The cinematography is by Thomas
Callaway who went on to photograph many genre movies including ones
by Charles Band and David DeCoteau. If you like MANIAC
(1980) or THE LOVE BUTCHER
(1975) you may find some enjoyment in this. With Sheila Lussier,
Tally Chanel, Elaine Bartolone, and Sandy Brooke. A Trans
World Entertainment Release. Not Rated - MD
BLACK
DEVIL DOLL FROM HELL (1984)
- This early shot on video effort is definitely one of the
weirdest films I've ever seen for sure. Directed by (a still-alive) Chester
Novell Turner on a budget of about 32 cents. It stars (a
still-alive) Shirley
L. Jones as a religious black woman who goes
into a magic shop and buys a strange black voodoo doll puppet. It
seems that the doll somehow always finds its way back to store the
day after somebody buys it. She starts hallucinating about the doll
having sexual encounters with her. Eventually the doll comes to life,
knocks her unconscious, ties her to a bed, and begins to sexually
molest her. She then begins to enjoy it and the doll says things like
"I'm going to pop your cherry bitch!" and "Beg for it
bitch!" The next day the doll mysteriously disappears. Jones
then tries relationships with other men, but they can't seem to
fulfill her desires like the doll did. She then goes back to the
store to buy it again but soon finds out the doll has something evil
in mind. Mere words cannot describe this movie. I'd say it's in a
class of its own. There's lots of nudity and obscene language and the
movie is guaranteed to offend. The acting is pretty bad and the
photography is washed out and has the look of a poorly shot porn
movie. The Casio keyboard music score, however, is very good. I
really liked the rock song that plays over the opening and end
credits. I'd have a hard time recommending this to anybody who
doesn't watch anything beyond the mainstream movies, but if you're
adventurous, a bad movie fan and a shot on video enthusiast, this
should be right up your alley. Mr. Turner also wrote and produced. He
composed the score too. He later made a movie called TALES
FROM THE QUADEAD ZONE (1987), another shot on video feature.
A Hollywood Home Theatre VHS Release. Unrated - MD. NOTE:
Both of Turner's films are now available os
a limited
edition VHS, double
feature DVD or a stand-alone
VHS or
hardboxes
from Massacre Video
with commentary
on the DVD from the elusive Chester N. Turner and Shirley L. Jones (All
are in very limited supply [except for the DVDs] and sold out by the
time you read this, making me believe it is an eBay scam to charge
ridiculous prices for the product made).
The DVD contains
a different cut of BDDFH
from the Hollywood Home Theater VHS version (but it also
contains that version, too).
Massacre Video has milked the re-discovery of Chester Turner, having
him and Shirley Jones make personal
appearances at various theatrical venues and conventions after
the showing of their films, but it is apparent that Turner would have
rather stayed in obscurity. - Editor
BLOOD
FOR THE MUSE (2001) - Terry M.
West brings us one of his best efforts with this black and white film noire-esque
gore film about a video store clerk named Josh (Josh Robinson) and
his obsession with the "Muse of Tragedy," a mythic figure
and apparent goddess long believed to appear when tragedies strike.
He decides to keep this goddess alive by going out and finding call
girls and brutally hacking them to death. He meets up with college
student Sara (Tina Krause) whom he falls in love with. His mission to
keep killing to keep the Muse alive soon interferes with his ability
to form a romantic relationship with Sara leaving him torn between
which is more important, the Muse or Sara? BLOOD
FOR THE MUSE is a beautifully shot, disturbing feature with
plenty of graphic murders, nudity and sex. With a cast featuring Tina
Krause, Pamela Sutch, Ruby LaRocca, Deana Enoches, and adult film
actress Tammy Parks, some stylish scenery, and a beautiful music
score, there's certainly much to enjoy. Terry M. West wrote,
directed, executive produced, edited and makes an appearance in the
film himself. Currently available on DVD as a bonus feature on the Shock-O-Rama
release of SATAN'S
SCHOOL FOR LUST (2002), BLOOD
FOR THE MUSE is soon to be available on DVD as an "Omega
Edition" from West's Pleasant
Storm Entertainment label. A Dark Muse Films VHS Release. Unrated
- MD
BLOOD LAKE (1987) - Best known as one of the shittiest of the '80s SOV slashers, BLOOD LAKE features a group of teens who travel out to a lakeside house for a summer vacation and are soon being picked off one by one by a fat, country bumpkin-looking knife-wielding psychopath. It features hilarious overacting, some really crappy gore effects, a shot of a spider crawling on a ceiling (thrown in for no apparent reason), and an ending that makes no sense whatsoever. As bad as it is, it's still very entertaining in a weird sort of way. It's an absolute must-see for all bad movie fanatics. Directed by Tim Boggs from a script by producer Doug Barry who also stars. With Angela Darter, Mike Kaufman, Andrea Adams, Travis Krasser, Christie Willoughby, and Tiny Frazier. A United Entertainment VHS Release. Not yet available on legitimate DVD. Not Rated - MD
THE
BLOOD SHED (2007) - Indie genius
Alan Rowe Kelly brings us this tale about an inbred New
Jersey backwoods cannibalistic redneck family named the Bullions.
Papa Elvis Bullion (Terry M. West) looks after his kids led by
Beefteena (played by Kelly) along with Butternut (Joshua Nelson) and
Hubcap (Mike Lane) and their friend Sno Cakes (Susan Adriensen) as
they capture and kill folks who become a nuisance to them. Among
those unfortunate are an obnoxious kid who gets pulled in half, the
local police officer who has his nuts squashed with pliers, and
people from a fashion photo studio who end up as guests at the most
hellish dinner party ever filmed. Watch as the wacky Bullion family
argues and bickers, spies on their neighbors, and strike at their
enemies in gruesome fashion. THE
BLOOD SHED is a movie well worthy of cult status and the
current following it has in the underground horror scene. Alan Rowe
Kelly in drag makes Beefteena Bullion one of the most twisted horror
characters ever conceived. I look forward to Kelly's upcoming
anthology GALLERY OF FEAR
(2009). Be sure to check out his first feature I'LL
BURY YOU TOMORROW (2002) as well. Extras on the Heretic
Films DVD of THE BLOOD SHED
include a commentary with Kelly, a behind-the-scenes montage,
trailer, and cast bios. With Jerry Murdock, Zoe Daelman Chlanda,
Katherine O'Sullivan, and Michael Gingold. A Heretic Films DVD
Release. Unrated - MD
THE BLOODY VIDEO HORROR THAT MADE ME PUKE ON MY AUNT GERTRUDE (1989) - Micro budget horror guru Zachary Winston Snygg started off his career with this incredibly cheesy, low quality, backyard camcorder affair with a 12-word title concerning a gangster who shoots himself a snuff film for a racketeering enterprise, but to his dismay, accidentally returns the video camera he rented to the video store with the tape of the murder still in it. Murder, mayhem, deceit, and double crosses ensue as he tries to retrieve his tape. Shot with very little money and it certainly shows. There are lots of laughable gore effects on display, overacting, corny humor, credits printed on typewriter paper, and more. If really cheesy home movies are your cup of tea, you can't go wrong with this. A Video Outlaw Release. Unrated - MD
BONE
SICKNESS (2004) This shot
on video gore classic from Brian Paulin and Morbid
Vision Films tells the story of a guy with a degenerative bone
diseases whos being cared for by his wife whos
desperately trying to find a cure. She enlists the help of his friend who
thinks he has a cure. Having a lot of experience in the medical
field, this friend robs the graves of a cemetery taking bones and
other parts. He grinds up the body parts to form a medication that
can cure the bone disease. Only problem is, the dead buried in the
cemetery dont take to kindly to being robbed by grave robbers
and they come back as flesh hungry zombies that cause chaos on a
level unseen since Peter Jacksons DEAD
ALIVE (a.k.a. BRAINDEAD
1992). Brian Paulin has created an indie horror masterpiece
with BONE SICKNESS. It
could quite possibly be the goriest American-made independent zombie
movie in over a century! We get people barfing and shitting worms and
maggots, beheadings, dismemberments, exploding heads, guts pulled out
through asses, spinal cords ripped out, people sawed in half, heads
squashed with tombstones, heads ripped in half, brain spilling,
innards spilling, intestine and throat munching, people melting and
exploding, brains squashed out of heads, etc. To sum up BONE
SICKNESS in a word: Outfuckingstanding! Ive become a
loyal Morbid Vision fan after seeing this one. I cant wait to
see their new movie FETUS (2007).
The Unearthed Films DVD contains some cool extras including audio
commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, outtakes, bloopers, an
interview with Paulin, still gallery and more. Paulin wrote,
produced, directed, edited, composed, acts, and handled the make-up
effects. With Darya Zabinski, Ruby LaRocca, Rich George, Kevin
Barbare, and Ernest Hutcherson. An Unearthed
Films DVD Release. Unrated - MD
THE
BRIDE OF FRANK (1996)
Very low quality and totally whacked out horror comedy borrowing
elements from John Waters and Troma movies. A wrinkled old bum named
Frank is hired to work in a New Jersey warehouse. Frank is hard to
understand at times and we are provided with subtitles on occasion.
His co-workers give him everything he wants. They take him to a strip
club one night
and he decides he wants a woman. His friends promise to get him one.
He says he wants tits which turns out to be the only
thing hes interested in. The movie consists of Frank calling
phone sex lines and getting his friends to send him hookers until he
finds the perfect woman. When people get on Franks bad side, he
threatens them with Ill bite your dick off! or
Ill cut off your head and shit down your throat! or
Ill rip out your eye and skull fuck you to death!
Frank keeps all his promises as he bites off a drug dealers
dick, knocks a nerds head off and shits down his neck, rips a
cross dressers face off, shoves a knife up underneath a fat
girls chin and through her mouth, smacks an 8-year-old girl on
the head with a pipe and runs over her head with a trailer truck, and
yanks out a whores eye and screws her brains out through the
eye socket. The movie goes out of its way to offend everybody.
Its loaded with gratuitous sex, T&A, vulgarity, fart and
booger jokes, and cheap gore. The only other thing director Steve
Ballot (using the name Escalp Don Blade) has done to date is a small
part in Howard Sterns PRIVATE
PARTS (1997). THE
BRIDE OF FRANK appears to have been shot on Super 8. It never
had an official distributor for a good many years. The only way you
could obtain a copy of the film was through bootlegging outlets. Sub
Rosa Studios recently released it on DVD. This is the first time
its ever been officially available in the US. The DVD contains
many extras including audio commentary, deleted scenes, alternate
ending, promotional materials, trailers, hidden bonuses and more.
With Morgan Tara, Frank Meyer, Johnny Horizon, Victor Delvalle, Bruce
Frankel, Jim Moresca, Rena Ballot, Arnell Dowret, Steve Ballot, Eric
Kaplan, Eddie Regan, Sal Mogavero, Bernard Briley, and Sergio Lopez.
A Sub Rosa Studios DVD Release. Not
Rated - MD
BRIDE
OF KILLER NERD (1992) - Toby
Radloff returns as Harold Kunkle in this sequel to the slasher comedy KILLER
NERD (1991). Kunkle is having problems with seeing the
ghosts of the people who he murdered in the first film. He gets
depressed and slowly becomes
suicidal. He then meets up with a teenage girl nerd named Thelma
Crump (Heidi Lohr). Thelma is being harassed in high school by her
classmates and wants to be with somebody who likes her for what she
is. She then begins a relationship with Harold. Thelma's classmates
who picked on her tell her they want to make it up to her by inviting
her to a party. They invite Harold as well. After the two find out
that they were invited to the party to be humiliated in front of the
whole senior class, they get their revenge by slaughtering all the
kids. Thelma castrates a guy with her teeth and Harold breaks his
neck. Before stabbing a girl in car, Thelma says, "I'm going to
slice you up and then I'm going to pee on you!" A girl is
stabbed in the shower. One guy is impaled on a stick and another has
his throat gorily slashed. Before proceeding to kill another girl,
Thelma remarks, "You have nice breasts. I'm going to lop them
off and stuff them in my bra. Then I'll have big titties too!" I
think I enjoy this sequel even more than the original. This one has
even more humorous dialogue and it has a better story. I can't wait
for the day when Wayne Alan Harold and Mark Steven Bosko make SON OF
KILLER NERD! A Riot Pictures Video Release. Available on DVD from Troma
as a double feature with the first KILLER
NERD. Not Rated - MD
BURGLAR
FROM HELL (1993) Thief
Frank the Tank (Bryant Sohl) breaks into an apartment complex, beats
up an old lady, and proceeds to take money shes hiding in a
pillow. After finding the money and proceeding to make off with the
goods, the old lady gets a shotgun, blows him away and buries him in
the backyard. A couple friends get together with some black dudes to
spend the night at a friends apartment.
One black girl staying with them is into witchcraft. She gets them
all together to hold a séance and she accidentally ends up
resurrecting Frank the Tank. He rises from his grave as a zombie that
goes through several different stages of rot (with gooey
disintegrating flesh make-up) and proceeds to have his revenge and
kill anybody who gets in his way. Gory mayhem ensues. BURGLAR FROM HELL
is a fun shot-on-video gore comedy from Phil Herman who would go on
to do the JACKER movies and the MIDNIGHT
trilogy. The film has a fine B-movie cast including Barry Gaines, Ben
Stanski, Nancy Feliciano, and Debbie D (who goes topless in a few
scenes). Frank the Tank rips a guys throat out with his bare
hands in the beginning before he becomes a zombie. A guy has his arm
ripped off and is beaten to death with it. One guy has his head
punched clean off. Before doing away with Debbie D, Franks
penis rots off and he says, Oh, my peepee! Guess I dont
have any use for you anymore. The sickest scene in the movie is
a part where a guy is on the toilet with diarrhea and Frank comes in
with a shovel, sticks it in the guys stomach and cuts his
bowels open and drains and eats the digested food out of him while
its going through his system as he takes a shit. I got a really
putrid acid vomit taste in my mouth during this part. Another sick
part is when a guy gets boiled alive by scalding hot water in shower
stall. If youre in the mood for something thats cheap,
gross, sleazy and gory, this is the perfect movie to pop in the
machine on a boring and rainy afternoon. A Falcon Video Release. Unrated
MD NOTE: Now available on DVD
from Icon Film Studios/The
Sleaze Box. - Editor
CAMP
BLOOD (1999) - Here we go. Another
videotaped slasher-trash flick. This one seems to be somewhat of a
cult favorite amongst fans of these types of movies (myself
included). Four college kids get together for the weekend and go on a
trip to
Camp Blackwoods. They run into a tough-talking woman named Harris who
turns out to be their guide. After getting their campsite set up in
the woods, Harris tells them a story around the campfire about a guy
who killed his wife and her lover after finding them in bed together.
A legend that the clown mask-wearing killer still roams the woods
won't seem to go away. Soon enough, they wake up the next morning to
find the body of what appears to be Harris burnt to a crisp on the
campfire wood. One of them suspects that it's the clown killer so
they decide to get their asses out of the woods. Soon they have a
run-in with the clown boy with a machete. One girl sprains her ankle
trying to get away. One guy tries to be a hero and take on the killer
himself. And one guy accidentally kills his wounded girlfriend
thinking she's the killer. After they've all been bumped off, it's
down to the heroine to have the final showdown with clown boy. While
it's certainly nothing new (and the killer's identity becomes very
obvious almost less than halfway through), the film does have its
moments. There are some decent gore scenes as well and a little
nudity and sex at the beginning. You can tell FRIDAY
THE 13TH (1980) is what really inspired the people who made
this. The ending kind of reminds you of the ending of THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974). Writer-Director Brad Sykes
made CAMP BLOOD 2 (2000) after
this. His other films include EVIL
SISTER 2 (2001), DEATH FACTORY
(2002), LORD OF THE VAMPIRES
(2002) and GOTH (2003).
David Sterling produced and Jeff Leroy edited and handled the
videography. With Jennifer Ritchkoff, Michael Taylor, Tim Young,
Betheny Zolt, Courtney Taylor, Joseph Haggerty, Meredith O'Brien,
Vinnie Bilancio, Ron Ford and Tim Sullivan. A Burning Moon Home Video
Release. Not Rated - MD
CAMP
BLOOD 2 (2000) - If you
couldn't get enough of a machete-wielding psycho clown killer
chopping up youngsters in the woods,
the great Brad Sykes brings to you CAMP
BLOOD 2! Tricia (Jennifer Ritchkoff), the survivor from the
first movie returns. After being locked away in a mental institution
after going crazy from the horrible bloodbath in the woods and being
thought by many to have been the killer, Tricia is approached by a
sleazy filmmaker who wants to make a BLAIR
WITCH (1999)-style movie about her experience. She agrees to
be a technical advisor on the film crew. Once the crew gets set up in
the woods and starts filming, one of them disappears and doesn't come
back. They start to wonder what's going on. Soon it turns out that
another clown-masked killer is on the loose and the crew starts
getting picked off one by one in various gory ways. This one's just
about on the same level as the first one. Lots of blood, a little
T&A, some cheesy dialogue and you know who the killer is before
the show is half over. If you're planning an evening of getting drunk
with your friends and you need something to laugh at watch CAMP
BLOOD 1, 2 & 3 (WITHIN
THE WOODS) [1999 - 2005] back to back. You might have fun.
David Sterling produced (again) and Jeff Leroy was the editor and
photographer. With Courtney Burr, Brannon Gould, Natascha Corrigan,
Ken X, Tim Sullivan, Lisa Marie Bolick, Garrett Clancy, Missy Rae
Hansen and Mark Overholt. A Spectrum Films Release. Not Rated
- MD
CANNIBAL
CAMPOUT (1988) - I must say,
I'm a much bigger shot on video enthusiast than most people are. I
think this videotaped gore fest from Jon McBride could quite possibly
be my all-time favorite shot on video movie. It would make a good
double bill with Pericles Lewnes' REDNECK
ZOMBIES (1987). CANNIBAL
CAMPOUT concerns a group of college friends who
go on an outing for the weekend in the backwoods of New Jersey. It
appears as though a trio of demented redneck cannibal killers are
stalking the woods and brutally slaughtering and eating campers. The
film has funny dialogue, amusingly cheesy moments, and lots of
extreme gore. There's a machete through the brain, machete to the
throat, axe in the head, dismemberment, disembowelment, gut munching,
etc. The opening murder of a girl jogging alongside a road seemingly
comes out of nowhere and is very shocking. The fetus scene near the
end is really sick ("A womb with a view."). I noticed that
all the characters seem to share the same first name with the actors
playing the parts. McBride stars along with Amy Chludzinski,
Christopher Granger, Richard Marcus, Gene Robbins, Carrie Lindell,
and Joseph Salheb. McBride made WOODCHIPPER
MASSACRE (1988) after this and is now making movies with the
Polonia brothers. A Donna Michelle Productions Release. Unrated
- MD NOTE:
I finally relented and bought a copy of this film off of Mario. I
must say I was pleasantly surprised. Even though the acting is
strictly one-note (except for the cannibal who wants to fuck the
girls before he eats them!), the effects are above-par for a SOV
feature, the retarded cannibal wears a flight suit complete with
helmet and oxygen mask and there are several moments of real
suspense. Jon McBride (who co-directed and co-produced this feature
with one-shot wonder Tom Fisher and wrote it under the pseudonym
"John Rayl") went completely downhill after this one as all
his other films will bear me out (even though Mario may disagree with
me). This is actually a good SOV film, especially if you are under
the influence of a controlled substance and with a bunch of friends.
- Editor.
Available on DVD in early
2007 from Camp Motion Pictures.
CHAINSAW
SALLY (2004) - Filmmaker Jimmy O
Burril along with Redfield Arts bring us a new take on the often used TEXAS
CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974)-style formula in the horror genre
with this bloody and humorous grade B low budgeter. Sally (April
Monique Burrill, wife of director Jimmy O) is a librarian with a dark
past and a murderous side that takes over at night. She along with
her transvestite brother
Ruby (Alec Joseph) both witnessed their parents (their father played
by the original "Leatherface" Gunnar Hansen in the
flashbacks) murdered by three intruders in their home before saving
each other by killing the intruders in self-defense when they were
youngsters. Sally targets her enemies with the help of Ruby by doing
away them in a variety of gruesome ways, the chainsaw being the
device used most frequently. Businessman Steve Kellerman (Mark
Redfield) who becomes friends with Sally is interested buying the
land where Sally and Ruby used to live as youngsters and where they
witnessed the murder of their parents. When Steve and the landlord
get on Sally's bad side, she soon unleashes her fury on them, making
them experience a horror that they won't soon forget. CHAINSAW
SALLY is a very fun picture that delivers in gore and campy
humor with a touch of old fashioned "trailer trash" horror.
Burrill does a fine job in the lead role and her husband Jimmy is a
talented director who really knows the horror genre and manages to be
very creative. There are some really nasty death scenes including
multiple chainsaw slayings and dismemberments, a bloody castration,
and a sick torture scene with a girl having acid dumped down her
throat causing her guts to spill out her ass and into a bucket. The
"Godfather of Gore" Herschell Gordon Lewis even makes a
cameo appearance himself. It's a very twisted film that delivers. I
look forward to seeing the sequel that is in the works right now as
we speak. Shock-O-Rama's DVD of SALLY contains a good amount
of extras including a commentary with Jimmy and April, a
behind-the-scenes featurette entitled "Saw Dust: The Making of
Chainsaw Sally," a music video, Gunnar Hansen and H.G. Lewis
interviews, an artwork gallery, trailer, and trailers for other
Shock-O-Rama releases. With David R. Calhoun, Kristen Hudson, Aaron
Martinek, Brad Smoley, and Suzi Lorraine. A Shock-O-Rama
Cinema DVD Release. Rated R - MD NOTE: Believe
it or not, this film spawned an internet-based
show presented by Hershell Gordon Lewis and starring April
Monique Burrill as Chainsaw Sally. It lasted for two
seasons, from
2009 to 2011.
- Editor
CITY
IN PANIC (1987)
- This Canadian slasher concerns a radio talk show host and
detectives who try to track down a psycho
in a black suit and hat who's slicing up people with AIDS (both
homosexual and heterosexual) in a big city. The killer gets to be
known as "M" because he carves the letter M onto the bodies
of all his victims. Most people I've talked to hate this movie, but
I'm one of the few who actually liked it. I thought the idea of a
killer targeting people with AIDS was something a little different
for the slasher genre. The killings are very graphic and gory and
include some splashy slashings and stabbings, a PSYCHO
(1960) shower scene at the beginning, a male stripper being
repeatedly mowed down by a van in an alley, and a scene where a
security guard sticks his wang through a hole in a bathroom stall and
the killer hacks it off sending blood spraying everywhere. The film
is definitely not for those with weak stomachs. With David Adamson,
Leeann Westegard, and Ed Chester. Directed by Robert Bouvier. A Trans
World Entertainment Release. Available from Brain
Damage Films under the title 13.
Not Rated - MD
CRADLE
OF FEAR (2001) - A British
shot-on-video horror anthology from UK underground goremeister Alex
Chandon (BAD KARMA - 1991, DRILLBIT
- 1992, PERVIRELLA - 1997, NIGHT
PASTOR - 1998, and INBRED
- 2011) that is an extreme, in-your-face gore-filled thrill-ride
starring Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth as "The Man." The
Man is a super nasty revenge spirit called upon by an incarcerated serial
killer to seek brutal vengeance on the people who brought about his
imprisonment. The Man is the link connecting four gruesome stories,
the first one concerning a woman who has a date with what turns out
to be a demon from hell. The next day she suffers hallucinations
leading up to a bloody conclusion involving the birthing of the
demon's grotesque offspring. The second concerns two lesbian thieves
who break into an old man's apartment and end up killing him in the
process of the robbery. Their plan to make off with his loot then
backfires in a rather messy way. The third concerns an amputee who,
after losing his leg in an accident, thinks he's discovered a miracle
by finding a way for a doctor to give him a new leg, only this gift
turns out to be the ultimate curse. The fourth concerns a businessman
who becomes obsessed with a vile porn/sadism/torture website. He
can't stop viewing the site and using its "create your snuff
film" feature. The site ends up costing him his job and his home
as his situation soon turns into a horrific nightmare made reality in
which he cannot escape. CRADLE
OF FEAR is a terrific low budget gorefest from Alex Chandon
who you can tell through and through is a dedicated splatter fan.
British scream queen Eileen Daly stars as Natalie. There's plentiful
nudity and gore effects that rival that of Olaf Ittenbach's work,
including dismemberments, disembowelments, heads ripped apart,
creatures erupting from stomachs, and much more. If gushing blood
sprays, demons, and sick creature effects are what you're looking
for, look no further than CRADLE
OF FEAR. The DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes
featurette, stills gallery and trailers. An Image
Entertainment DVD Release. Unrated - MD
CRINOLINE
HEAD (1995) - A group of
obnoxious teenagers go out to a cabin in the woods for a vacation.
One tells a story about
a kid who cannibalized his mother at the place years ago when the
food supply ran out. The kid ended up in an institution and kept a
crinoline skirt that his mother was making for a baby doll. You know
where this all leads to, right? We end up with a psycho wearing a
crinoline skirt on his head stalking and killing the dumb kids one by
one. As far as low budget slasher comedies go, this one isn't too
bad. While there isn't any nudity and not a whole lot of gore, the
film is still pretty entertaining for what it is. There's a funny
death by celery scene and a scene where a girl is drowned in a toilet
and her corpse is later seen with feces smeared on the face. There
are some pretty good bands on the soundtrack and the VHS contains a
music video after the movie. Director Tommy Faircloth made GENERATION
AX (1998) after this. With Brian Kelly, Tommy Faircloth,
Tracy Powlas, Cathy Slaminko, and Liz Taheri. A Scorpio International
Ltd. Release. Not Rated - MD
CUTTING
MOMENTS (1997) - Perhaps
the most professionally done film I've ever reviewed for this section
of this website. Douglas Buck is a filmmaker from Canada who's become
well-known for his 2006 remake of Brian DePalma's SISTERS
(Buck's version stars Chloe Sevigny and Stephen Rea) and his
contributing a segment to the recent horror anthology THE
THEATRE BIZARRE (2011) (one that also features segments by
Tom Savini, Buddy Giovinazzo (COMBAT
SHOCK - 1986), Richard Stanley (HARDWARE
- 1990), Karim Hussain (SUBCONSCIOUS
CRUELTY - 2000), David Gregory (PLAGUE
TOWN - 2008), and Jeremy Kasten (THE
WIZARD OF GORE - 2007)). He is also known for his intense
and dramatic anthology feature FAMILY
PORTRAITS: A TRILOGY OF AMERICA (2003) which features CUTTING
MOMENTS along with his other shorts HOME (1998) and PROLOGUE
(2003). Here we will take a look at what I feel is the best of the FAMILY
PORTRAITS trilogy. CUTTING MOMENTS starts off with a
young boy playing with Power Rangers dolls in his front yard while
his father is
focused on trimming the bushes with hedge clippers. Both very quiet
characters, the father comes up to the boy and is immediately
disturbed by the position in which he sees the toys laying on the
ground and proceeds to pick them up. Later on, the boy, father and
mother are all shown eating dinner. The mother asks the boy how
school was. The kid doesn't seem interested in talking at all and is
anxious to leave the table. Something appears to be very wrong with
this seemingly normal family. The mother is having the worst possible
suspicions about the father and son's relationship. She seems to want
her husband to notice her more. One day, she dresses up in a pretty
red dress with lipstick and make-up to get him to take an interest in
her, but he continues to watch sports on TV. This seems to trigger a
psychotic episode in the mother as she goes into her bathroom and
wipes off her lipstick. What then proceeds is one of the most graphic
scenes of self-mutilation ever committed to celluloid. She mutilates
her lips with a wiry bathroom brush and slices off what's left of her
lips with a pair of scissors. After this horrific act of
self-inflicted torture, she then finally gets the attention of her
husband, leading to a gory murder-suicide during sex between the
couple as the husband does away with what's left of their sexual
organs with the help of his own hedge clippers. The son is thus left
an orphan in the end. CUTTING MOMENTS
has been called one of the most disturbing movies ever and it's one
that certainly lives up to its hype. Shot on 16mm by Douglas Buck,
the film quickly became a favorite of many film festivals and Buck as
a director has received praise from many of extreme cinema's most
prominent figures such as Abel Ferrara (THE
DRILLER KILLER - 1979, MS. 45
- 1981) and Gaspar Noe (I STAND ALONE
- 1998, IRREVERSIBLE -
2003). CUTTING MOMENTS is often seen played alongside other
disturbing horror shorts like Nacho Cerda's AFTERMATH
(1994) and Mitch Davis's DIVIDED
INTO ZERO (1999). First released on VHS by Alternative
Cinema on their Shock-O-Rama line as part of a short films
compilation (also called CUTTING MOMENTS), the film then got
its best treatment when released on DVD by Home Vision Entertainment
as part of the FAMILY PORTRAITS anthology. When you watch the
shorts on the DVD in the order in which Buck filmed them, each short
actually gets progressively less horrific with HOME being a
similar disturbing drama, but not being anywhere near as graphic and
when you finally get to PROLOGUE it's mostly a straight-up
drama and not horror at all. Whichever you like best, you can
definitely agree Buck is an underrated director and talent to be
reckoned with. Tom Savini consulted on some of the effects on CUTTING
MOMENTS. The Image/Home Vision 2-disc DVD of FAMILY PORTRAITS
contains the three separate shorts with director's commentary on the
first disc and the three shorts cut together as a feature anthology
film on the second disc with extras including behind-the-scenes
footage, still galleries, trailers, another early short film from
Buck, and more. FAMILY PORTRAITS is a Home Vision/Image
Entertainment DVD Release. Unrated - MD
DARK
CRAVING (1993) - John A.
Russo, writer of NIGHT
OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) and director of MIDNIGHT
(1980), brings us this low budget Pittsburgh-shot adaptation of his
novel "The Awakening." The film opens with Benjamin Latham
(Kevin Kindlin), an 18th century physician being hanged after being
accused of being a vampire. He is resurrected in modern day
Pittsburgh and comes out of his grave in a
construction field naked. After finding some clothes and finding his
way into society, he meets up with a priest and confesses that he was
hanged as a vampire back in 1776 but in order for him to stay alive
in the present time, he must kill and drink blood. A rash of killings
ensue all over town in which victims are found with poisonous saliva
in their bloodstreams. Lt. Vargo (Tom Savini), whose daughter was
murdered years before, is trying to solve the murders. Latham meets
up with a female zoo curator (played by Moon Unit Zappa) and falls in
love with her. Meanwhile, a series of copycat killings occur where
victims have their blood drained from their bodies. It appears the
culprit behind these murders is somebody who wants to be immortal
like Benjamin. This leads to a climactic battle between vampire and
human monster. DARK CRAVING (originally released on VHS by Tempe
Video as HEARTSTOPPER)
is, for the most part, a half-decent film. Tom Savini gives a fine
performance as the police lieutenant. The film, however, has a
tendency to drag in some places. In fact there were moments when I
felt like I was drifting off to sleep. On the other hand, there are
some decent make-ups and blood effects by Savini, Jerry Gergely and
Greg Funk, and the locations in Pittsburgh that were used seem to
work very well. I haven't read Russo's original novel that this is
based on, so I really couldn't do a comparison, but overall the film
is a fairly enjoyable low budgeter. Michael J. Pollard is featured in
a cameo as "Dr. Lubbock." The original Tempe VHS under the
title HEARTSTOPPER features the B's Nest Video Magazine after
the movie featuring interviews with Russo and Savini, a horror merch
promo spot with Jeannie Jeffries Brown, and Tempe trailers including
a trailer for Bill Hinzman's THE MAJORETTES
(1986). The Shriek Show DVD contains a making-of featurette,
interviews with Russo and make-up effects artist Jerry Gergely, the
original soundtrack, photo gallery, and the original trailer. A Shriek
Show DVD Release. Not Rated - MD
DARKEST SOUL (1994) - Two young punks Tommy and Mark (Al Darago and Jeff Witte), constantly getting fired from jobs at fast food places and grocery stores, are hired to dig graves at a cemetery. The two are satisfied with the job but they want more money. They decide to start stealing jewelry off the corpses so they can sell them to get money. Mark starts shooting up on drugs and his addiction leads to unfortunate results for both him and Tommy. Though labeled as a horror movie, I'd have a hard time calling this zero budget video quickie "horror." It's more of a drama focusing on two characters and how shitty their lives are. The only real horror scenes come at the end. The film is too boring and depressing to be of much interest. If you like movies put out by Sub Rosa, then this might be an okay way to kill 65 minutes, but there are better Sub Rosa flicks like SAVAGE HARVEST (1994), GUT-PILE (1997), and MEAT MARKET (2000). Director Doug Ulrich wrote and produced with Al Darago. Ulrich and Darago made SCREEN KILL (1997) after this. A Salt City Home Video Release. Unrated - MD
DARKNESS
(1993) - Here's a vampire movie that's certainly not your average
vampire story. In the beginning a young
man witnesses a bloody massacre in a convenient store at the hand of
a vampire. He finds himself on the run as the community is besieged
by bloodsuckers and has to fight to survive. He arms himself with
various weapons and tries to fight the lead vampire Livens with other
survivors. This low budget Super 8 gore fest from Leif Jonker is
probably one of the best Super 8 movies I've seen. It's almost on par
with J.R. Bookwalter's THE
DEAD NEXT DOOR (1988). The film is very dark most of the
time but I think that adds more to the atmosphere. It's definitely
one of the goriest movies I've ever seen. The vampires in this one
are more like zombies almost. We get throat rippings with jugular
fountains, blood spraying everywhere, and an amazingly bloody finale
where all the vampires begin to melt and explode in the sunlight.
It's an absolute nonstop chunk blower. Highly recommended. With Gary
Miller (who also did the effects), Michael Gisick, Randall Aviks,
Cena Donham, and Steve Brown. A Film Threat Video Release. Unrated
- MD NOTE:
Also available as a 2 disc DVD
from Barrel Entertainment. - Editor
DEADBEAT
AT DAWN (1988) - Jim
VanBebber's low budget masterpiece is easily one of the all time
greatest independent films and one of the most brutal movies ever
made. VanBebber stars as Goose, a gang member in Dayton, Ohio who's
forced to quit the gang by his girlfriend. His fellow gang members
don't take too kindly to this. Danny and the Ravens, a gang leader
and gang Goose's gang has been going up against, send a couple of
their toadies out to kill Goose's girlfriend. After finding his
girl's bloody, brutally bludgeoned and eviscerated
corpse in his apartment, this completely pushes him over the edge.
We watch as he goes out trying to get money from his low life, junkie
father and goes to bars and gets drunk. At one point Goose
contemplates suicide, only to be found and picked up by one of his
fellow gang members who were a little peeved at him for leaving the
gang. It turns out they have teamed up with Danny and the Ravens and
they try to use Goose to help them with an armored car robbery. After
agreeing to go along with this, Goose still hasn't forgotten about
what they did to his girl and plots his brutal revenge against them.
What follows is one of the bloodiest gang wars ever committed to
celluloid filled with shoot-outs, people run over with cars, broken
necks, heads split open, throat slittings, stabbings, fingers bitten
off, decapitations, kung fu, and more. One of the most extreme and
disturbing underground movies ever made, DEADBEAT
AT DAWN is a powerful and incredibly brutal experience that
will leave you feeling like you were hit below the belt multiple
times for days afterward. Beautifully shot on 16mm with some
excellent stunt work and very realistic effects (handled by VanBebber
himself), DEADBEAT
has often been compared with Buddy Giovinazzo's COMBAT
SHOCK (1986), and has a very grindhouse vibe to it similar
with other movies like BASKET CASE
(1982) and STREET TRASH
(1987). All I can say is you haven't lived until you've seen DEADBEAT
or VanBebber's other classic THE
MANSON FAMILY (2003) for that matter. If you want to see
brutality done right, you can't go wrong with VanBebber. The now
out-of-print Synapse Films DVD contains an audio commentary with
VanBebber and producer Mike King, outtakes, VanBebber's vicious and
disturbing short film MY SWEET SATAN
(1993) (originally released on VHS by Film Threat Video) with
optional commentary by VanBebber and the cast and crew, a promotional
short for a never produced slasher film called CHUNK
BLOWER VanBebber had planned to make (also with optional
commentary by Jim), and a director filmography. Now available on DVD
from Dark Sky Films as a
2-Disc Special Edition with new extras either separately or as a part
of the "Visions of
Hell: The Films of Jim VanBebber" box set which also
contains THE MANSON FAMILY. A Synapse
Films DVD Release. Not Rated - MD
DEAD
CLOWNS (2003) - Steve Sessions and
B-Horror.com/This Is Not A Dream Productions bring us
this killer clown story about a southern Gulf Coast town that finds
itself beset by a horde of zombie clowns. They were clowns that died
years ago in a train accident in which the train crashed to the
bottom of the sea near the coast while they were doing a circus tour.
As the result of a massive storm that hits the coast, the waterlogged
corpses of the clowns come back as zombie killers that kind of look
like Fulci zombies and they use a variety of weapons to do away with
their victims in various gruesome manners. Steve Sessions (whose
other efforts include CREMAINS
(2001), HELLBOUND:
BOOK OF THE DEAD (2003), MALEFIC
(2003), SOUTHERN GOTHIC
(2005), TORMENT (2008), and AT
THE HOUSE OF MADNESS (2008) manages to make DEAD
CLOWNS a gory, suspenseful thrill ride with an excellent
B-movie cast including Jeff Dylan Graham, Debbie Rochon, Eric Spudic,
Brinke Stevens, Lucien Eisenach, Kimberly Lynn Cole, and Robyn
Griggs. The characters are all very interesting (especially Spudic as
a wheelchair-bound man fighting off the zombie clowns) and the
make-up effects aren't half-bad either. Overall, DEAD CLOWNS
is a decent micro budget effort worth popping in the DVD player on a
rainy evening. The Lions Gate DVD doesn't contain any significant
extras except for a trailer and trailers for other releases. A Lions
Gate Films DVD Release. Rated R - MD
DEAD
GIRLS (1990) - This slasher tells
the story of the "Dead Girls" rock band. The lyrics in
their songs say that life is
a "bummer" and it's not worth living. A group of teenagers
listen to the lyrics and commit group suicide by slitting their
wrists. The lead singer's young sister who led the kids in the group
suicide survives and ends up paralyzed. She goes on a retreat with
her sister and her band to a cabin in the mountains. Soon a masked
psycho begins picking everyone off one by one. The killer uses
weapons according to lyrics in the songs. Overall, this movie isn't
the greatest, but you could do far worse. There is some decent gore
and deaths and there are so many damn twists near the end, it almost
gives you a headache. The people who made this one gave us other low
budgeters like FATAL IMAGES
(1988), HELL SPA (1992), THINGS
(1993), THINGS 2 (1998), and HAUNTED
(1998). You can visit them on the web at: www.unknownproductions.com
(link no longer operational) Directed by Dennis Devine and written by
Steve Jarvis. With Diana Karanikas, Angela Eads, Kay Schaber, David
Chatfield, Jeff Herbick, Brian Burr Chin, Marshall Martin, and Carol
Albright. A Raedon
Home Video Release. Unrated - MD NOTE:
Later released on VHS by Cinematrix
Releasing. For a truly mind-numbing experience, try watching
Devine's CURSE
OF PIRATE DEATH (2006). It's so bad, it could probably
cure cancer! - Editor
DEADLANDS:
THE RISING (2006) Low
budget apocalyptic zombie movie starts off with America being
besieged by a string of biological weapon attacks. People are
directed by federal and local authorities to head off to secure areas
being maintained
by the military in the evacuation procedures. But it turns out that
the weapons used in the attacks were harboring some unknown element
that brings the dead back to life. And they appear to be hungry for
human flesh. A small Midwestern town is overrun by zombies and gory
mayhem ensues. The heroes of the story Gary and Brian along with
Brians wife Michelle and their son fight for their lives. In
going up against the flesh-craving ghouls, they hope to escape to a
safe place somewhere and find out if there are any other survivors
like them. DEADLANDS: THE RISING
is a pretty decent first effort from Gary Ugarek who directs, writes,
produces, edits, composes and stars as Gary. The film has its moments
of gore (ripped out organs, brain eating, flesh and gut munching,
spinal cord ripped out, etc.) and the filmmakers made good use of
everything they had knowing they didnt have much money. It will
be interesting to see what Ugarek can do if given a bigger budget.
The Tempe/Splatter Rampage DVD contains a directors commentary,
cast commentary, an interview with Ugarek, an interview with producer
Brian Wright (who stars as Brian), the original teaser trailer, a
10-minute short film called I AM ZOMBIE MAN with an
introduction by director Nick Thompson, and trailers for other
Splatter Rampage releases. With Dave Cooperman, Michelle Wright, and
Connor Brandt. A Tempe DVD
Release. Not Rated - MD NOTE: Followed by DEADLANDS
2: TRAPPED (2009; directed by Gary Ugarek) and a
third part to make it's debut in the Spring of 2012. - Editor
DEAD
LEAVES (1998) - This bizarre
underground art house horror effort follows a man named Joey (Haim
Abramsky) as his mental
state declines after his girlfriend Laura (Elizabeth Gondek) dies in
an unfortunate housekeeping accident in his apartment. Failing to
cope with the death of his dear love, he attempts to preserve her
body and continue to live with her like things were when she was
among the living. He abandons his apartment, places his girlfriend's
body in his car and goes on a road trip through a large portion of
the eastern United States (from New York and through New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and on to West Virginia). We watch as Joey's
psychological condition continues to deteriorate, leading to some
strange and disturbing occurrences in the realm of his relationship
with his deceased love. DEAD LEAVES
is an interesting low budget film that carries a unique artistic
style that sets it apart from many other indie flicks done at its
level. For the most part, it plays out like a less extreme version of NEKROMANTIK
(1987) while maintaining its own original ideas. For those looking
for a different kind of micro budget horror flick, shot on film and
emphasizing a truly unique artistic approach, this one is definitely
worth a look. It's a tragic love story that touches on disturbing
subject matter and tells a story without being too shocking or
grotesque, but leaves you with a feeling of unease by way of a
psychological angle. Director Constantin Werner went on to direct the
romance fantasy THE PAGAN QUEEN
(2009) and has worked as an associate producer on Nico B's BETTIE
PAGE: DARK ANGEL (2004). Nico B's company Cult Epics ended
up distributing DEAD LEAVES on DVD. The late Rozz Williams (PIG
- 1999) did some music for DEAD LEAVES along with Camarillo
Blues Triangle, Gitane Demone, Mutant Press and Soma Sonic. The DVD
of DEAD LEAVES features an
audio commentary with Werner and a behind-the-scenes documentary. A Cult
Epics DVD Release. Unrated - MD
DEAD
MEAT (1993) - With the diverse
list of obscure gems from the early 1990's direct-to-video era,
various low budget features shot on formats like video, 8mm and 16mm
have gone on to gain nice little cult followings for themselves
thanks to the internet. One of
these hidden gems from this era is a Super 8 gorefest by Tom Vollmann
called DEAD MEAT. DEAD MEAT
is a twisted little flick about a serial killer known as the
"Senses Taker" who has been gruesomely removing the senses
from his victims. Fingers, feet and noses are just a few of the body
parts he collects. A couple detectives try to track the maniac
down. The psycho appears to be a church gardener with a perverse
agenda. He stores his victim's body parts in a freezer and keeps the
appetite of his hungry piranhas in a tank satisfied with their
remains. DEAD MEAT is cheesy and laughable at times, but it
has a very gritty look and a sort of grindhouse feel thanks to its
old school Super 8 cinematography. The acting isn't the greatest but
the overall enthusiasm and inspiration of the filmmakers helps and
the extremely perverse characteristics of the killer give the film a
twistedly disturbing and depraved streak which helps carry it through
making it a corny but unsettling experience. DEAD MEAT has had
at least three different releases on VHS. Originally self-distributed
by the filmmakers through their production company Cool Movies, it
was then distributed through Todd Cook's Cemetery Cinema and then
again through Kevin Lindenmuth's Brimstone Productions in the late
'90s. This review is based on the Cemetery Cinema release. The cast
includes Nick Kostopoulos, Jim Darley, Reid Ostrowski, John Klein,
Malcolm Jones, Patrick Mann, Amy Hahn, Susan Ohlson, Richard Shavzin,
and Jim Rainer. A Cemetery Cinema VHS release. Unrated - MD
DEADWOOD
PARK (2007) - From Eric Stanze
and Wicked Pixel Cinema
comes what is arguably their best, most accomplished film to date. It
tells the story of the town of Eidolon Crossing, a town that was once
prosperous and the home to Dogwood Park, a successful amusement park
that children would go to all the time. But all this changed once
kids started disappearing and turning up brutally murdered. Bodies
were found in an old mine shaft. This led to the park's closure and
the eventual collapse of Eidolon Crossing's economy and it's
reputation as a peaceful place. Jake Richardson's (William Clifton)
brother disappeared in the town back in 1979. Being obsessed with
finding out who was behind his brother's disappearance and finally
getting to the bottom of whoever or whatever was responsible for all
the other bizarre occurrences and deaths from over the years, Jake
goes back to the town to investigate in hopes of getting the truth
once and for all. But getting the truth turns out to be an uphill
battle and a nightmare as well. Jake is haunted by the spirits of the
dead children and hears voices and sees other apparitions. Jake is
driven to desperation to find out what it all means and what he finds
in the end turns out to be something much bigger than he bargained
for. DEADWOOD PARK is a beautiful, eerie, suspenseful, and
atmospheric film. It is without a doubt Wicked Pixel's greatest
accomplishment thus far. The movie doesn't rely on blood and guts to
be scary (although it does get kind of gory near the end), the choice
of location and scenery is excellent, and William Clifton gives a
fine performance in the lead role. It goes to show how far Eric
Stanze and Wicked Pixel have come over the years. This is absolutely
their most professional-looking film to date. The Cinema Epoch DVD of DEADWOOD
contains an audio commentary with Stanze, outtakes, and a music video
of "Zombie '79" by Crypt 33. With Lindsey Luscri, Bryan
Lane, Jason Allen Wolfe, Ramona Midgett, Dick Mintzlaff, Joseph R.
Engel, Daniel Byrington, Benjamin Gaa, Matthew S. Sinopole, Paul
Wendell, Jessica Boston, Jason Christ, Julie Farrar, and Emily Haack.
A Cinema Epoch DVD Release. Unrated - MD
DEATH
METAL ZOMBIES (1995) - A
metal head named Brad Masters who stutters a lot wins a radio station
contest and receives the demo tape of a new album from a heavy metal
band called Living Corpse. Brad and his friends listen to it not
knowing that it contains a track that turns
its listeners into zombies. They become flesh hungry ghouls and the
evil spirit of the band's lead singer tells them to go out and kill.
The town gets overrun by zombies and Brad's girlfriend and another
one of his friends must find a way to play the tape backwards to stop
them and destroy Living Corpse's reign of terror. This shot on video
horror comedy (also known as DEAD
ROCK ZOMBIES) is definitely one of the cheapest-looking
micro budget crap fests I've ever seen. It falls into the "so
bad it's funny" category for sure. This one is about on the same
level as the stuff from W.A.V.E. Productions.
The acting is so bad you'd swear these people went to some kind of
school to learn how to act that way. We get lots of cheap gore
effects, incredibly dumb characters, a Richard Nixon-masked killer
inspired by HORROR
HOUSE ON HIGHWAY 5 (1985) who has nothing to do with the
plot, a Kurt Cobain look-alike, a rapper who sits on a knife,
references to other big metal bands (including Metallica), and laugh
out loud dialogue. The end credits say the film is dedicated to Kurt
Cobain since it was made shortly after his death. The music in this
one is by Relapse Records. Some of the bands on the soundtrack are
Pungent Stench, Dead World, Dismember, Brutality, Exit 13, etc. DEATH
METAL ZOMBIES is a prime example of what you get when you give
gore movie and metal fans a couple hundred bucks, lots of fake blood,
a blank cassette and a camcorder (a very cheap one too, since the
movie is so dark most of the time). Director Todd Jason Cook did
other shot on video horrors like EVIL NIGHT
(1992), DEMON DOLLS (1993), THE
DUMMY (a.k.a. BLOODY ANNIVERSARY - 1994), and FRIGHTMARES
(1997). His Texas-based company named Cemetery Cinema (a poor man's Sinister
Cinema) went out of business in 1998. Cook has not directed
anything else since. Not really surprising when you think about it.
The company distributed early movies by Chris Seaver and Low
Budget Pictures. With Lisa Cook, Bill DeWild, Todd Cook, C. Jo
Vela, Mike Gebbie, Thomas Banta, Terry Aden, Wes Dodson, Jan Mundorf,
Sabrina Cook, Milly Leonard, and Jerry McGhee. A Cemetery Cinema
Release. Also available on DVD
as a "10th Anniversary Edition" from Horrorscope
Films. Unrated - MD NOTE: Todd Jason
Cook (a musician by trade) returned to the director's chair in 2010
with the film ZOMBIEFIED.
- Editor
DEMON DOLLS (1993) - Weird-ass, confusing, forgotten shot-on-video gore shocker from Todd Cook and Cemetery Cinema (of DEATH METAL ZOMBIES [1995] fame) tells the story of a couple of bozos named Scott and Nick who try to bring Scott's girlfriend Stacey's favorite doll to life by practicing weird rituals. After that fails, the two give up, and later the doll suddenly comes to life all by itself. As it turns out, the doll is possessed by the devil (surprise, surprise) and it has the power to imitate anyone it sees or comes into contact with. It orders Scott to kill his friends and after Scott refuses to comply, it imitates Scott and starts killing them all. The doll soon possesses Scott and Stacey and has them go against each other in a supernatural battle of "evil vs. evil." Are you able to follow any of this? If not, that doesn't surprise me. Ultra-cheesy BLACK DEVIL DOLL FROM HELL (1984) rip-off is not really something worth going out of your way for, but if you're somebody like me who must have everything at all costs, go ahead and see for yourself if it's worth the effort. After all, it's my job to review these things because I have to. Cook writes and directs and stars as Scott. With Lisa Cook, Rik Deskin, Joey Scarborough, Penny Spellman, and Scott Spellman. A Cemetery Cinema Release. Unrated - MD
DEMON
QUEEN (1986) - A cannibalistic
vampire succubus named Lucinda (Mary Fanaro) is picking up men in
bars, taking them
back to hotel rooms, and tearing out and eating their hearts and
throats after sex. A junkie named Jesse (Dennis Stewart) runs into
some trouble with a couple fellow drug dealers. Lucinda saves him
from getting his ass kicked by chowing down on the one's throat and
scaring the other away. Jesse takes her back to his place because she
has nowhere else to go. His girlfriend doesn't take too kindly to
this. He soon learns that Lucinda is a demon queen who feeds on flesh
to survive. Some of her victims come back as zombies. This is the
first of camcorder guru Donald Farmer's shot on video gore fests. He
of course brought us other "classics" like CANNIBAL
HOOKERS (1987), SCREAM DREAM
(1989), and AN EROTIC
VAMPIRE IN PARIS (2002). You pretty much know what to expect
with this one: lots of blood, boobs, and low production values. It
has bad acting and weak photography, but the gore is very graphic and
includes throat rippings, throat munching, a face ripped off, frothy
zombie drool, and a nauseating heart ripping with lots of spurting
blood. The make-up effects (handled by an unsung Rick Gonzales who
also worked with Tom Savini on DAY
OF THE DEAD [1985]) are surprisingly half decent. If you love
watching really amateurish video features, this could be your cup of
tea. All others should stay clear. With Cliff Dance, Patti Valliere,
David Blood, and Rick Foster. A Mogul
Video Release. A DEMON QUEEN DVD
available from www.b-movie.com.
Also available in very limited supply on VHS,
DVD or a DVD
Hardbox from boutique label Massacre
Video. Not Rated - MD. All
are in very limited supply and sold out by the time you read this,
making me believe it is an eBay scam to charge ridiculous prices for
all the product made by Massacre Video. The thing that really bothers
me about this trend is not the limited supply (Hey, everyone has to
make a buck or two in this world), but the fake-looking, beat-up
boxes that are supposed to remind us of the VHS boxes we saw on
shelves at the video rental stores. This backfires, unfortunately,
because the main buyers for this product are much too young to
remember those days in the 80's & 90's to gather their
meaning. They were nothing but a horny little gleams in their
parents' eyes.- Editor
DISCONNECTED
(1983) - Police try to track down a serial killer who's murdering
and mutilating women in Waterbury,
Connecticut. Barbara Ann (Frances Raines) is upset with her twin
sister Alicia for sleeping with her boyfriend. Meanwhile Barbara Ann
is getting weird phone calls with awful loud noises and vibrations
coming from the receiver. She soon meets up with Franklin (Mark
Walker) and begins a relationship with him. Franklin is a kind but
strange young man. Soon it turns out that he is a psychopath who
picks up women, takes them back to his place, and brutally stabs them
to death after sex. After Franklin is gunned down by the police, they
think the nightmare is over but it isn't. More women turn up dead and
Barbara Ann keeps getting the strange phone calls slowly driving her
to madness. It all has something to with a creepy old man she met at
the beginning who asked to use her phone. This film is the directing
debut of Gorman Bechard who gave us PSYCHOS
IN LOVE (1986) and CEMETERY
HIGH (1988). While those films are clearly horror comedies, DISCONNECTED
is a more serious film. I found it to be very disturbing. The scene
where Raines has a dream about hanging up a blood splattered painting
and the scene at the end where she destroys the telephone and hears
strange voices and noises in her apartment is very unsettling. The
film isn't horribly gory, though it does have a few bloody scenes.
It's scary for the most part in a Hitchcock kind of way. There are
some Hitchcock references in it as well. It's kind of hard to find
but worth checking out if you get the chance. With Carl Koch and
Carmine Capobianco. An Active Home Video Release. Not Rated - MD
DUCK!
THE CARBINE HIGH MASSACRE
(1999) - One of the most controversial indie flicks of all time,
William Hellfire and Joey Smack's take on teen angst and school
violence is a violent, gory, and over-the-top excursion into
dangerous waters that landed the two
of them in jail at the time. Let free once it was determined no crime
was committed, their movie has gained a cult following as a feature
with a political message about how the media has a tendency to
exploit violence and death in today's society rather than the movie
just being an exploitation of the Columbine tragedy itself which some
had accused it of being. Hellfire and Smack both star in the roles of
two outcast high school kids whose characters are based on Columbine
killers Eric Harris and Dylan Kleibold. The characters put up with
teasing and bullying at school and one day decide they have no faith
that anyone can help them with their problems and the two go on a
shooting rampage at their high school before taking their own lives.
The story is actually not too farfetched in describing the kind of
atmosphere the Columbine kids were most likely exposed to. The
environment the kids are in is filled with sex, drugs, rock music,
religious fanatics, jocks, and peer pressure. Hellfire and Smack did
a fine job of portraying the reality of these situations that occur
everyday in schools across the country. While the movie has a
tendency to be a little over-the-top at times, for the most part the
social commentary on how people are so quick to judge something as
being exploitive while at the same time exploiting awful events
themselves on an almost daily basis is very evident throughout and
the overall message is very effective. Hellfire and Smack co-directed
and co-produced as well as co-wrote with Pete Jacelone. The cast
features Misty Mundae, Lilly Tiger, Kendall 'Shorty' Ward, Liz
Bathory, Mike Raso, Zachary Winston Snygg, and Bob Gonzo. The Shriek
Show DVD of DUCK contains deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes
Court TV footage, "Today is the Day" concert footage,
interview with Hellfire, photo gallery, and trailers. A Shriek
Show DVD Release. Unrated - MD
THE
EDISON DEATH MACHINE (2006) -
George Bonilla and ZP International bring us one of their most
original efforts with this story about art gallery thieves who come
across a long-thought lost machine of Thomas Edison's that, when it
has its power turned on, can communicate
with the dead. When this group sees what power the machine holds,
they use it to help them resurrect dead historical figures to obtain
their treasures that were buried with them. Once another crime
syndicate becomes privy to what's going on, a battle ensues over the
machine and soon everyone will learn that obtaining such power will
come with a price that's more than they bargained for. While ZOMBIE
PLANET (2004) and REDWOOD JUSTIN
(2006) are moderately entertaining horror-action films that combine
fantasy and adventure with the zombie and vampire subgenres, THE
EDISON DEATH MACHINE takes on a totally different concept
and the result is a more creative and better-crafted film. While the
effects and stunt work are just as good as the other films and the
movie contains the same Full Moon-style atmosphere common with other
Bonilla and ZP films, the more interesting story and concept is what
elevates this one above the others. The result is an entertaining
B-grade horror flick and despite the limited resources and low budget
ZP was working with, the intriguing story and characters help things
along the way. With Stacey T. Gillespie, Ashley Arkels, Billy W.
Blackwell, Cherokee Hall, and Frank Santoroski. The ZP International
DVD of THE EDISON DEATH MACHINE
contains a commentary with Bonilla, bloopers, trailers, and animated
menus. A ZP International DVD Release. Not Rated - MD
EVIL
AWAKENING (2004)
- X Posse Productions brings us the story of the "Cochwoods
Monster" (pronounced cock woods). Legend has it that people who
masturbate in the Cochwoods forest threaten to conjure up the monster
who will go on a crazed killing spree. We start
the story out with Geno and his low life, foul-mouthed fat slob
friend named Sam who lives with his father. Sam drives around cursing
and spewing all sorts of obscenities like there's no tomorrow
("Ah, you cocksucker! You motherfucker!", "You stupid,
motherfucking, cunt sucking faggot!", and "You monkey tit!
Monkey tit! Monkey tit!"), runs over an old man standing in the
middle of the road and pees on him. It so turns out that somebody
went and cranked one off out in Cochwoods and the evil Cochwoods
Monster (basically a man in standard black slasher clothing with a
monster mask) springs up and goes on gory rampage turning the
countryside upside down. It's up to Geno and the local cops to find a
way to trap the monster and kill it. Despite being zero budget and
shot with a camcorder with incredibly cheesy acting, stunts and
effects, EVIL AWAKENING manages to be a very fun time with
lots of humor. Director Geno McGahee definitely has his heart in the
right place as the campy feeling the movie starts off with keeps up
for the duration and there's plenty of gore and funny one-liners to
keep you entertained. This alone makes it easy to forgive some of the
shortcomings with the technical factors. It will be interesting to
see what Geno and X Posse can do when they have more money. The DVD
contains a commentary with the crew, the original 1996 EVIL AWAKENING
short film, a music video, trailer, and a promo teaser for Geno and X
Posse's new movie RISE
OF THE SCARECROWS (2008). An X Posse Productions DVD Release. Unrated
- MD
EVIL
NIGHT (1992) College nerd
Jimmy Fisher (Spencer Trask) is having a rough time. Hes
constantly being picked on by the other
students and hes looking for a break. After a girl who he
likes decides to play a cruel joke on him with the help of some other
frat boys, Jimmy decides enough is enough. Being a science genius, he
creates a potion that gives powers to levitate objects with his mind,
he dons a clown outfit and pursues to bump off all his tormentors at
a students house party in various gory and innovative ways. We
get fingers through eyes, car sun roof decapitations, dismemberments,
beer bottles down the throat, heads blown off with exploding
cigarettes, lawn sprinkler impalements, spiked frat paddles in the
back, heads crushed with boots, and a finale where the lead female
screamer uses Jimmys potion to bring all the dead bodies back
to life as zombies. The first shot on video effort from Todd Jason
Cook and Cemetery Cinema of Texas is a not a bad little timewaster if
you need to kill 90 minutes. Cook would of course go on to do the
supernatural doll flick DEMON DOLLS
(1993), the anthology movie HORRORSCOPE (1994), the zombie
comedy classic DEATH METAL ZOMBIES
(1995), and the killer ventriloquist dummy flick THE
DUMMY (1994). With Holly Aeck, Mark Chavez, Rik Deskin, Todd
Cook, Alan Finney, Scott Spellman, Penny Weiss, Cynthia Wilson, Lisa
Forbes and Lisa Cook. A Cemetery Cinema Release. Unrated - MD
FEAR
OF THE DARK (2001)
The year is 1981 and a crazed psychopath is running rampant in a
small town
slaughtering families and unsuspecting town folk with an axe, machete
and sickle. After murdering the parents of young girl by the name of
Alice Walker, he disappears for 20 years. Now Alice is grown up
(played by Rosemary Gore) and keeps seeing the maniac in her
nightmares. Her friend tells her shes driving herself crazy and
she needs to let go of the past. Soon enough, Alice sees the murder
of a family in one of her dreams, and the next morning its
reported that a family was brutally hacked to death. A string of more
gory killings ensue that Alice can see in her sleep. She believes
shes psychically linked to the killer. She decides to go out
and find him herself and stop him even if she dies trying. Though the
films twist ending can be seen coming from a mile away,
its a very enjoyable video gore effort from Glen Baisley. The
killings are very nasty and splattery (including a very nauseating
disemboweling scene). The effects by Anthony Eikner and Brian Spears
arent too bad. Rosemary Gore does a good job in the lead role.
Baisleys other horror efforts include THE
TENEMENT (2003) and SINS
OF THE FATHER (2004). You can visit the production company
on the web at www.lightanddark.net.
The Brain Damage Films DVD has numerous extras including cast and
crew commentary, behind the scenes bloopers, deleted scenes,
alternate footage, alternate ending, extended scenes and more. With
Vanessa Edwards, Mike Lane and Herb Smithline. Fangorias
Michael Gingold has a small part as a coroner. A Brain
Damage Films DVD Release. Unrated - MD
A
FEAST OF FLESH (2006) - The most
recent feature from Happy Cloud Pictures (originally known as ABATTOIR)
to see release starts off with a young woman being rescued from an
attacker in alley by a dark figure who informs her of a "safe
place" where she can go. The "safe place" turns out to
be the Bathory House. A few friends decide to get together and go up
to the Bathory House for a night of fun and sex with some hookers. Only
problem is this motley crew doesn't quite know what they're getting
themselves into. It so turns out that the girls of the Bathory House
are vampires with a thirst for human blood. The night of fun and sex
ends in a bloodbath. One guy decides to go search the brothel for his
girlfriend who ran off to become a prostitute. He then ends up
blowing the lid off the pressure cooker by breaking an old treaty
between the vampire whores and a group of Irish mercenaries. The lead
mercenary Sheridan (Mike Watt) gets together with his buddies to
fight the bloodsuckers and rescue the one dude's missing girlfriend.
It's an all-out monster killing fest in the vein of THE
RESURRECTION GAME (2001), but with vampires instead of
zombies. You get your blood, gore, sex and action. Fun for the whole
family! Watt wrote and directed and Amy Lynn Best produced and plays
the part of Elizabeth, the lead vampire. The Bloody Earth Films DVD
of A FEAST OF FLESH contains an audio commentary with Watt and
Best, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a gag reel, a short film
directed by Josh Smith entitled A FEAST OF SOULS, and trailers
for other Camp Motion Pictures and Bloody Earth releases. With Stacey
Bartlebaugh-Gmys, Aaron Bernard, Sofiya Smirnova, Steve Foland,
Alyssa Herron, Bill Homan, Jeff Waltrowski, Zoe Hunter and with
special appearances by Debbie Rochon, CHAINSAW
SALLY star April Monique Burril and director Jimmy O Burril. SPLATTER
MOVIE: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT (2007) was the next feature for
Happy Cloud. Visit them online at www.happycloudpictures.net.
A Bloody Earth Films
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
THE
FERAL MAN (2002) Danny James
is a guy whos going through a rough time. He has to put up with
a crappy job, his love life is going down the
drain and he has to deal with the death of his father. Late one
night, Danny is attacked by an unseen force (an animal?). Not being
able to remember what exactly happened, he decides to put it behind
him. Then all of a sudden Danny starts to change and his friends and
family take notice. He loses his job and then things really begin to
take a nosedive. A string of murders begins to plague the town with
bodies turning up mutilated. Danny notices himself beginning to
transform. It turns out that whatever it was that he ran into that
one night has caused him to turn into a manbeast with a taste for
human blood. THE FERAL MAN is not a bad little low budget
horror/gore quickie from Brett Kelly who also gave us THE
BONESETTER (2003) and THE
BONESETTER RETURNS (2005). Kelly writes, produces, directs
and stars as Danny. The Tempe/Splatter Rampage DVD is loaded with
extras including audio commentary with Kelly, cast and crew
interviews, an interview with Kelly, an outtakes reel, a short film
called GOOD DOG, DEAD DOG (2004) with optional commentary by
Kelly, previews for FINAL CURTAIN
(2005) and SPACEMEN, GO-GO
GIRLS AND THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS (2004) and trailers
for other Splatter Rampage releases. Visit Kelly online at www.brettkelly.net.
With Mary MacPherson, Mark Courneyea, Steve Patterson, Eric Schmidt
and Corey Stevenson. A Tempe
DVD Release. Not Rated - MD
FILTHY
MCNASTIER: MAXIMUM DOUSCHE (2005)
& FILTHY MCNASTIEST:
APOCALYPSE FUCK! (2005)
Youve got to give it to Chris Seaver and Low
Budget Pictures. When it comes to the bad, the offensive, the
funny, the gory, the outrageous, the over-the-top
and the risqué in the world of low budget filmmaking, nobody
beats them. The Tempe/Splatter Rampage Double Feature DVD of FILTHY
MCNASTIER and FILTHY MCNASTIEST proves just that. The two
sequels to the LBP classic FILTHY
MCNASTY provide the perfect entertainment for male and
female viewers. In MCNASTIER, a young girl is tired of having
small boobs and wants giant knockers so the guys will like her. Phil
the Demon is back to grant her this wish. But as always, you have to
be careful what you wish for. We are introduced to a vampire by the
name of Razor McBleed whos a Journey fan and things soon start
to go downhill. In MCNASTIEST, a young man is tired of his
small penis and wants a humongous shlong so he can declare himself a
real sex machine. His huge-breasted bitch girlfriend (played by adult
film star Cherry Brady) breaks up with him because of this. He
enlists the help of his witch friend so she can summon the Sex Demon
to give him what he wants. This fails at first and later the Sex
Demon appears (I believe its the sister of Phil the Demon). The
female demon makes the witch girl magically grow a dick so they can
fuck. Then the demon magically grows a dick and kills the witch girl
by pulling her guts out through her asshole while shes screwing
her up the ass. Our lonely guy with the small dick wakes up to the
find that the demon has granted his wish and he has an enormous
4-foot shlong. But as expected, this miracle soon turns out to be a
curse. The parties in both movies end in gore-soaked bloodbaths with
vampires and zombies. The films are loaded with sick and offensive
material in the vein of Troma, naked girls, dicks getting chopped
off, dismemberment, toilet humor, and more outrageous stuff that I
cant remember at the moment. MCNASTIEST contains
appearances by Andy Copp, Henrique Couto, John Karyus, and
Tromas Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. Watch this double feature on a
night when youre in the mood for a good up-all-night
vomit-semen-blood-feces-spunk-dookie fest. The Splatter Rampage DVD
contains commentaries on both films by Seaver and the LBP gang,
directors introduction, a special Teen Ape Love Doll
commercial, and trailers for Splatter Rampage DVD releases. A Tempe
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
5
DARK SOULS (1996) The
second shot-on-video feature from Jason Paul Collum concerns a group
of high school buddies who get together and decide to take some
unsuspecting students out in the woods to shoot a movie in the
wintertime. Unfortunately for the teens going along with this, what
they dont know is theyre being tricked into acting in a
snuff film. After a couple kids are killed off, the surviving
teen girl (Tina Ona Paukstelis from THE
UNEARTHING - 1994) and boy (Matthew Winkler) run off into
the woods and fight for their lives. They find their way to a
guys house and ask to use his phone. But the killers end up
finding their way the house and the man and his wife both meet
gruesome demises. The two then find another house and ask the
homeowner (Karen Dilloo) to call for help. Unfortunately it turns out
that she is a part of the murderous gangs snuff filmmaking
conspiracy. The two find themselves cornered with the leading psycho,
and his thugs are preparing them for the final cut of their film.
More attempts to escape are made and from then on out the two teens
fight to defeat the psychopaths. For an early SOV effort from the
director who would go on to bring us the more professional OCTOBER
MOON (2005), 5 DARK SOULS isnt that bad.
Granted, its nothing that youd want to brag about, but if
youd like to take a look at a filmmakers work as it
progresses with time, effort and money, its a pretty decent
example to follow. Financed by Michael D. Moore and MDM Productions.
The film contains a scene where the kids rent the Moore Video release
of DERANGED (1974). R.M.
Hoopes, Alucarda and Dika Newlin did the soundtrack. Brinke Stevens
is thanked in the end credits. The tape contains trailers for other
Moore releases, information on the releases of Collums MARK
OF THE DEVIL 666: THE MORALIST (1995) and Tim Ritters CREEP
(1995), an interview with Collum and a few of the cast members, behind-the-scenes
footage and bloopers. Collum did 5 DARK
SOULS PART 2: ROOTS OF EVIL (1998) next. Collums 5
DARK SOULS PART 3: RETRIBUTION (2003) has yet to see release.
Tempe is supposed to release a 5 DARK SOULS trilogy 3-disc
special edition DVD sometime in late 2007-early 2008. With Sy
Stevens, Tracy Pope-Stevens, William Krekling, Mick Wynhoff, Darcey
Vanderhoef, Javier Rivera, Brian Hansen, and Cathy Sagal. A Moore
Video Release. Not Rated MD
5
DARK SOULS PART 2: ROOTS OF EVIL
(1998) Jason Paul Collums sequel to his 1996 cult
hit about snuff
filmmaking psychotic kids concerns the story of a female professor
named Olivia Clark (Julie King) whos interested in researching
the story of the killings that rocked a small Wisconsin town four
years ago. She proceeds to interview several friends and family
members of all the victims and killers. But everybody who she
interviews soon turns up dead. It is learned that one of the maniacs
named Piper got away and another one named Nancy ended up in a mental
institution. Somebody who closely resembles Eddie, another one of the
psychos who got killed four years ago, is seen wandering around a
college campus. Its suspected that this person may be a twin
brother of Eddie. As the bodies pile up, Olivia begins to feel wave
of terror closing in on her. While this sequel is every bit as
interesting and enjoyable as the first film, its main problem
is that its way too long (two and a half hours). It seems like
it couldve used more trimming to tighten the pace and
theres some boring bits that we couldve done without.
Its not horrible, but had it been 50 minutes shorter, it
wouldve cut back on viewers dozing off. With Tina Ona
Paukstelis, Matthew Winkler, Karen Dilloo, Christopher D. Harder, Sy
Stevens, Darcey Vanderhoef, William Krekling, Tracy Pope-Stevens,
Brian Hansen, Dennis Smart, Tami Klamm, Kip Keckler, and Dillon
Mapel. A Moore Video Release. Not Rated MD
5
DEAD ON THE CRIMSON CANVAS (1996) -
After artist Richard Streeb (Mony Damevsky), whose artwork has a macabre
theme of death and dismemberment, is murdered and disappears, his
brother Bill (Joe Zaso) sets out to find him. The police investigate
while Bill is searching for answers as to what happened on his own
and trying to provide comfort to Richard's wife Gloria (Liz Haverty).
Things become more and more bizarre as the mystery unravels. Bloody
deaths, sex, and sleaze are all thrown into the mix. 5
DEAD ON THE CRIMSON CANVAS is a pretty decent tribute to the
giallos of Argento and Bava with some nice Hitchcock touches along
the way. Shot on Super 8 for very little money by director Joseph F.
Parda, the settings in the film have a rather gothic quality and
there are some okay gore effects as well as some T&A and sex for
good measure. The twist ending takes a really neat turn and the
overall tribute to classic giallos pays off quite nicely. The Cinema
Image DVD contains an audio commentary with director Parda and Joe
Zaso, audition footage, a stills gallery, slide show, and trailers
for other Cinema Image releases. The DVD also contains an insert with
a review of the film by Paul J. Brown that was published in an issue
of Is It Uncut? Magazine. A Cinema Image Productions DVD Release. Unrated
- MD
FLESH
FOR THE BEAST (2003) - An
occultist by the name of Alfred Fischer found himself an amulet
that possesses unusual powers a century ago. Now in the present, a
group of parapsychologists make a trip out to a mansion believed to
be haunted to investigate and are confronted by three demons in the
form of beautiful women. It appears that Fischer conjured up the
demons with the amulet before his death. The group of investigators
find themselves trapped in a hellhole as the demons pick them in off
in extremely gory ways and zombies of past victims return to wreak
havoc. Embarrassed as I am to say this, I must admit I actually liked
this one. I don't think it's nearly as bad as what some have said.
Granted, it's not without its flaws, but I've seen much worse. Terry
M. West wrote and directed this one for Carl Morano and Fever Dreams
Productions. It's not the best thing West has done, but it's very
professional looking for the most part, there's a good bit of nudity
to be found, and the gore and make-up effects by Brian Spears and
Pete Gerner are actually pretty good. Legendary British scream queen
Caroline Munro is featured in a cameo and the cast also features fine
B-movie gals like Ruby LaRocca, Barbara Joyce, and Jane Scarlett.
That alone makes it worth watching. Buckethead did the soundtrack.
The Shriek Show DVD contains a behind-the-scenes featurette,
interviews with Caroline Munro and actor Aldo Sanbrell, a teaser
trailer, photo gallery, and trailers for other Shriek Show releases.
With Caroline Hoermann, Clark Beasley Jr., Aaron Clayton, Jim Coop,
David Runco, Victor Flynn, Sergio Jones, Mike Sinterniklaas, and
Kevin G. Shinnick. A Shriek Show
DVD Release. Available in R and Unrated versions. - MD
FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOODY NIGHTMARE (2006) - Filmmaker John R. Hand brings us this bizarre and intriguing take on the Frankenstein story, shot on Super 8 and written, directed, produced, edited by and starring Hand. Hand is Dr. Victor Karlstein who runs a medical facility. After his girlfriend dies due to a condition at the clinic, Karlstein manages to reanimate her, but she needs the fresh body parts of women in order to survive. Acts of murder and butchery ensue as Karlstein searches for body parts needed to give the love of his life a new body. FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOODY NIGHTMARE is a decent, ambitious effort with a very artsy feel to it. While definitely not the best I've seen, there is much worse. Some viewers may find it confusing and may need multiple viewings to understand it better. Those with an open mind who are able to follow it closely will be able to appreciate Hand's effort and his handling of the picture on such a shoestring budget. That along makes the DVD worth a purchase. You also have to love the name of one of the characters, "Andrew Milligan." Nice homage I must add. The Unearthed Films DVD contains a director's commentary, a making-of featurette, photo gallery, and trailers for other releases. An Unearthed Films DVD Release. Unrated - MD
GEEK
MAGGOT BINGO (1983) - Nick
Zedd films are an acquired taste. Of the films of his that I've seen
so far, I'd say GEEK MAGGOT BINGO
(a.k.a. THE
FREAK FROM SUCKWEASEL MOUNTAIN) is my favorite. This low
budget 16mm horror spoof became popular at midnight showings
and has gained some cult status. It spoofs old Universal monsters
like Dracula and Frankenstein, uses props and sets that look like
they came from high school plays, and it delivers in cheesy gore,
sex, and offensive humor. Donna Death stars as the vampire
Scumbalina, Robert Andrews is Dr. Frankenberry, Brenda Bergman is
Buffy, Richard Hell from the punk band The Voidoids is the Rawhide
Kid, Bruno Zeus is the hunchback Geeko, Gumby Spangler is Flavian,
and Jim Giacama is Dean Quagmire. The Formaldehyde Man created by
Frankenberry is a two-headed monster that wreaks havoc near the end.
Some of the makeup and gore effects by Tyler Smith, Ed French and Tom
Lauten are half decent. Horror host John Zacherley does an
introduction to the movie and he tells us to strap Dixie cups to our
noses. Fangoria's Bob Martin has a cameo as "Uncle Bob"
himself trying to sell magazines to the Formaldehyde monster. He gets
his head ripped off and the head keeps talking. I thought that was
one of the funniest scenes in the movie. The DVD from Eclectic
DVD Distribution contains an interview with the cast and the
Zedd short films ELF PANTIES, LORD
OF THE COCK RINGS, and THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA.
Be sure to check out Zedd's first feature THEY
EAT SCUM (1979), a Super-8 punk rock splatter comedy that
probably laid the groundwork for Peter Jackson's BAD
TASTE (1987) and MEET
THE FEEBLES (1989). A Penetration
Video Release. Not Rated - MD
GHOUL
SCHOOL (1990) - A high school's
water supply gets poisoned by an unusual chemical. The chemical
causes students and members of the school's swim team to turn into
flesh eating zombies that wreak havoc in the school. It's up to two
horror fan nerds and a rock
band to stop the hungry ghouls. In all honesty, I thought this was a
funny, tongue-in-cheek Troma-inspired horror comedy. There's lots of
good lines in this one like "I think they're putting too much
chlorine in the pool," and "We're trying to save you, not
fuck you." I thought it was hilarious how every time somebody
asks what's going on, the kids say, "It's the swim team!"
There's also a scene where the kids watch ROBOT
NINJA (1989) on TV. The film has plenty of graphic gore
including dismemberments, guts pulled out, a beheading, throat
ripping, a head ripped open, zombies spewing green stuff, etc. We get
appearances by Joe Franklin and Jackie "The Joke Man"
Martling as themselves. The one scene with Martling telling a bunch
of corny jokes to Franklin is a total laugh riot. If you like I
WAS A TEENAGE ZOMBIE (1987) you'll probably enjoy this one. Written-produced-directed
by Timothy O'Rawe. With William Friedman, Scott Gordon, Paul Venier,
Nancy Sirianni, Ed Burrows, and John Paul Fedele. A Tempe
Video Release. Also available on a special "Splatter
University Edition" DVD from Camp
Motion Pictures. Unrated - MD NOTE: I knew
director Tim O'Rawe when he worked at a local Blockbuster Video in
Totowa, NJ
(this was about the mid-80's). He kept telling me that he was going
to direct a horror film in the near future. It's all he would
ever talk about. It looks like he did it. This movie was lensed in
Wayne, NJ using local landmarks like the high school and various
businesses. This film has been floating around for years (and usually
gets awful write-ups) and has now been released on DVD!!!
Unfortunately, O'Rawe has never directed anything else except the
unfinished THE BASEMENT
(1989), which Camp Motion Pictures picked-up, re-edited and dubbed-in
dialogue (since the Super 8 production was filmed without sound) and
released it as part of a kick-ass
VHS/DVD box set. - Editor
THE
GOD MEMOIRS (2007) - Bringing a new
kind of twist to the traditional serial killer story, Brian
Hirschbine and Abortion Bin Productions bring us the story of a
character known as "The Man" (played by Brandon Hursell).
The man has tried to find answers to life's many
questions for years. Trying to understand God and why some things in
the world occur the way they do, he does monologues where he talks
about God and people's beliefs. In a flashback, where are shown the
man as a child and how he was stabbed, almost to death, by his father
right after his father gorily beat his mother to death with a frying
pan. His father then blew his brains out. In order to find these
answers to life's many questions, he resorts to killing as a way to
find the human condition. He uses dismembered body parts, organs, and
flesh from his victims to put together what he believes is God's
creature. THE GOD MEMOIRS is one of the most unusual films
I've ever seen to say the least. It has some beautiful imagery and it
makes you become sympathetic towards the killer in a way most movies
never do. The scenes of him talking grab your attention and hold you
throughout. While it's not an all-out gorefest, there is some gore
and torture to be found, and some very disturbing scenes as well.
It's a film that's very hard to describe. Just the fact that it's
hard to describe is what makes it so unique. It's clearly a thinking
man's serial killer film that makes you see how the killer views the
world and how he's clearly thought of himself as a failure all his
life. In some ways, it can show how cruel the world itself can be
too. Once again, it's very unusual to find a gore film that does what
this one does. For all these factors, Brian Hirschbine must be
commended for making the film such an intriguing experience.
Hirschbine went on to do SYNCHRONICITY
(2008) and BLACK ICE (2008)
next. The Sub Rosa DVD contains an interview with Hirschbine and star
Brandon Hursell, some deleted scenes, a blooper reel, and preview
trailers. Visit Abortion Bin online at www.freewebs.com/abortionbin.
A Sub Rosa Studios DVD Release. Unrated
- MD
GORNO:
AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY (2004)
- This micro budget effort from filmmakers Oliver Assiran and
Les Norris is something much different from the typical film you see
Brain Damage Films release. To be sum it up, it's a drama with a
grim, daunting view of the youth of today living in the most
undesirable environments. It actually plays out like a cheaper, amped
up version of Harmony Korine's GUMMO
(1997), which many reviewers have compared it to (even the titles are
similar: "Gummo" - "Gorno"), and focuses on
subjects like school
shootings, sex, murder, drug use, etc. making other such movies like
Gus Van Sant's ELEPHANT
(2003), Ben Coccio's ZERO DAY
(2003), and Larry Clark's KEN PARK
(2003) come to mind. Lucas Corcoran stars as Kelly Brady, a juvenile
delinquent who, in his opening narration, says, "Fuck life."
Kelly's sister was raped and murdered a year before. He goes around
on his bike selling drugs to various undesirables in his neighborhood
and causing all kinds of mischief. Meanwhile, two documentary
filmmakers who go by the names "Chuck Norris" and
"Ollie North" (played by Les Norris and Oliver Assiran
themselves) are making their rounds in town interviewing people about
the Brady murder. A Satanist is among the people they interview. The
film is filled with many bizarre subplots and situations involving
weird and seemingly unsympathetic characters that come into play. We
get a butcher that accidentally cuts off his fingers, a serial killer
being hunted by a couple detectives, a crazy kid who drinks blood
because he believes he's actually a vampire, etc. GORNO is
quite a mixed bag of a do-it-yourself art house effort. Does it
work as a movie? To be honest, it kind of works in the same way that
John Waters' early films work: crazy, vile, and offbeat. It's a good
example of rough renegade filmmaking at its best with a
pseudo-documentary style that may appeal to some fans of things like
Giuseppe Andrews' dark comedies and certain films from the Cinema of
Transgression movement. It gives the same effect as watching any of
those. Therefore, it's not for everyone's tastes for sure and some
may find it offensive. Nevertheless, it's a shoestring budget effort
from a couple ambitious filmmakers who set out to achieve what looks
like a genuine piece of social commentary. Whether or not it succeeds
in the message trying to be conveyed is debatable, but in the end,
it's definitely a piece of art filmmaking that fans of the
avant-garde should view at least once. GORNO is available on
DVD from Brain Damage Films.
Unrated - MD (Also available on Pendulum Pictures' TOMB
OF TERRORS 50-Film DVD Compilation
- Editor)
GRANNY
(1999) This short (58 minute) slasher made for peanuts is
actually better than youd think. Its much more
interesting than most of the Hollywood slashers that come out today
and its more entertaining than most of the SOV slashers of
recent years. A group of friends gather together. One of them scares
the others with horror stories. Soon a killer in an old hag mask
shows up and starts slaughtering them all. While it sounds like your
average slasher fare, the film is actually suspenseful in some parts
and the ending has lots of twists (which I wont go into of
course, because I try not to insert too many spoilers into my
reviews). It also earns points for being shot on film instead of
video. The killings are very gory and include a splattery
axe-in-the-head death, many bloody knife stabbings and eyes poked
out. A baggy-over-the-head suffocation is thrown in for good measure.
If you find it for sale on VHS or DVD anywhere for $6.00, go ahead
and grab it. Directed by Boris Pavlovsky (who also co-wrote and
co-produced). With Sava Popovic, Katie Dugan, Tomi, T.J. Bigbee, John
Stoops, Annemieke Van Der Meer, Rebecca OMarrah, Nathalie
Ohnena, David Coleman, and Ivan Veres. A Dead Alive Productions
Release. Also Available on DVD from Brain
Damage Films. Not Rated - MD
THE
HACKERS (1988) - Yet another
unearthed shot-on-video gem from the golden era of SOV cinema, THE HACKERS
is a gorefest from
a Michigan company called Camelot Studios who are still around
today. Pa Hacker and his idiot sons are the typical backwoods type
psychopaths who prowl the roads of rural Michigan looking for easy
prey, including hitchhikers, joggers, etc. A guy gets his thumb
sliced off before the opening credits roll. From that alone, you know
what kind of movie you're getting. The Hacker family disguise
themselves as housing contractors and they terrorize the main heroine
at an estate she's staying at. There's a beheading, a scalping, one
of the killers accidentally slices his finger off with a circular
saw, etc. THE HACKERS does not
disappoint as it slings the grue and gore in an H.G. Lewis style.
This one was distributed by the director John J. Duncan and Camelot
Studios themselves on VHS in 1988. It mainly got circulated in
Midwestern video stores at the time and Camelot supposedly got 3000
units into distribution. THE HACKERS is cheesy, gory, and
enjoyable in the same way that films like CANNIBAL
CAMPOUT (1988) and 555
(1988) are. Camelot released other features before this, including a
family-friendly film called BLACK
RIVER MONSTER (1986). They can be visited online at www.camelotstudios.net
where they sell THE HACKERS and their other films on DVD. If
you're a diehard VHS collector and can find the tape for a decent
enough price, I strongly recommend picking it up. And remember,
"A twisted mind is a terrible thing to waste!" A Camelot
Studios VHS Release. Not Rated - MD
HELLROLLER
(1992) - This super cheap SOV crap fest presents us with a story
about a mentally unstable wheelchair-bound guy
named Eugene who goes on a killing spree in Los Angeles. It appears
his mother who worked as a prostitute was raped and killed by Siamese
twin homeless guys. I think that pretty much sums up the story (what
exists of it anyway). This one definitely has home movie written all
over it. There's lots of bad acting, effects, sound and camera work
and some really corny humor. Basically, HELLROLLER
is one of those movies you pop in the VCR when you need a good bad
movie to make fun of. You may find it kind of amusing in a weird way.
There is some nudity to be found and there's a good B-movie cast
including Michelle Bauer, Tammara Souza, Elizabeth Kaitan, Ruth
Collins, Johnny Legend, and Eric Caidin. Those are about the two best
factors the movie has going for it. Director Gary J. Levinson (who
also acts) has only made one other movie to date (BEAST -
2005). One can only wonder what that one is like. A Dark Side Home
Video VHS Release. Not Rated - MD NOTE: Also
available on DVD from
an outfit called VHShitfest (it's a pressed DVD, not a DVD-R) that
has an interview with the film's co-director, Stuart Wall, an episode
of THE PEOPLE'S COURT
where the film's artwork is the center of attraction and a copy of
the shooting script.
(They have also released a VHS version without any of the extras.) - Editor
THE
HOOD HAS EYEZ (2007) - Catholic
schoolgirl Kimmy meets up with her fellow schoolgirls at a Los
Angeles playground
and the group decides to skip school and have a ditch party. Heading
up to the LA hills, the group has a nasty run-in with a group of
gangsters who are out looking for trouble. The trouble this gang
causes for the girls involves brutal, vicious rape, assault, and
torture of the worst kind. Driven insane by the horrific degradation,
sexual molestation and mutilation of her friends, Kimmy seeks revenge
on the gangsters in the most excessively brutal and outrageously
gruesome ways imaginable. THE HOOD HAS EYEZ is a zero budget,
gory, genital mutilation-filled sleaze fest featuring broken beer
bottles thrust into vaginas, filthy Sanchez, fetuses ripped out from
between legs with coat hangers, gangsters sucking soiled tampons,
golden showers, balls clipped off with garden tools, nails hammered
into penises, hacked off limbs, beheadings, and more. It's a must see
for fans of the extreme underground. Director Terrence Williams'
other efforts include TRANSIT
(2005), THE RIVER: LEGEND OF LA LLORONA (2006), REVENGE
OF LA LLORONA (2007), CURSE
OF LA LLORONA (2007), and the upcoming HORNO
(2009). The self-released Cinema Threat Productions DVD of HOOD
contains a behind-the-scenes featurette, bloopers, trailer, and a
still gallery. A Cinema Threat Productions
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
HORRORTALES.666
(2003) This shot-on-video horror anthology is a B-movie
followers wet dream. We are presented with five stories and a
wraparound segment. The wraparound segment stars Joel D. Wynkoop as a
burglar who breaks into a writers home. He comes across a
computer with a set of short stories called
HorrorTales.666. He starts reading the stories and
cant stop. The first story Woman in Shadows comes
from Phil Herman and Falcon Video and stars Herman as a man going
through a dilemma with his girlfriend (Kimberly Lynn Cole). He keeps
seeing images of a woman in his apartment. She keeps appearing and
disappearing. Hes apparently suffering from blackouts and believes
this woman hes seeing may be somebody who knew and cant
remember who she is. The second story Luck of the Irish
comes from Dusty Fleischman and Morbid Productions and is about a
reporter on the trail of serial killer. For some reason he has very
accurate hunches as to where the killer is going to strike next. The
third story The Dead Forest comes from Ryan Cavalline and
4th Floor Pictures and is about a guy (Adam Berasi) who kills his
baby because it wouldnt stop crying. He puts the baby in a
trash bag and buries it in the woods. The guy is stricken with guilt
and becomes suicidal. He starts hearing voices in his head. Ghosts or
spirits of some kind in the woods start playing tricks on him and
slowly drive him to insanity. The fourth story Payback is
Hell comes from Gary Whitson and W.A.V.E.
Productions and basically doesnt have any real story at
all. It starts out with Pamela Sutch taking a shower and then
changing into a tight nurses outfit and high heels and goes to
put on a show for a photographer. The photographer strangles her to
death, end of story. The fifth story Stop It, Youre
Killing Me comes from Michael Hoffman Jr. and Wet Floor
Productions and stars Bill Cassinelli as an easygoing man named Jerry
with a friend named Brad whos kind of a thorn in his side.
Jerry meets a woman at a bar and the two of them hit it off from
there. What seems to be going perfectly is soon derailed as Jerry
finds that Brad betrayed him by taking his girl and it pushes him
over the edge. Overall, HORRORTALES.666 is a nice collection
of short films from some of the leading filmmakers on the indie
scene. The first segment holds your attention throughout. The second
segment is interesting enough even though its something
thats been done many times before. The third segment is done in
an eerie Edgar Allen Poe-type style. The fourth one there was really
no need for at all, but just to see Pamela Sutch naked and getting
killed. The fifth one is easily the most accomplished story and has a
twist in the end that makes you go Ha! Ha! like Nelson on THE
SIMPSONS. The movie is only 60 minutes long, so if you have
an hour to kill and you want to see quick examples of the work from
Falcon, Morbid, 4th Floor, W.A.V.E., and Wet Floor, this is the way
to go. With Nancy Feliciano, Julie Strain (as a publisher in the
wraparound), and Davie Keye. A Falcon Video Release. Unrated -MD
THE
HOUSE THAT SCREAMED (2000)
Mark and John Polonia (SPLATTER FARM
1987, FEEDERS
1996, BAD MAGIC 1997, TERROR
HOUSE 1998) get behind a 16mm camera for the first
time to give us what is arguably their best film ever. The story
follows a horror novelist by the name of Marty Beck (Bob Dennis) who
rents a creepy old house in rural Pennsylvania so he can have a place
to stay
while he finishes his latest book and get some inspiration. After
moving into the house, Marty starts to experience some weird
disturbances and is plagued by nightmares and gruesome images in his
head. He soon learns that ghosts of people who lived at the house in
the past haunt the place. Soon the ghosts, apparitions, and
nightmarish images of ghastly slayings and mutilated bodies begin to
drive him to insanity. It becomes apparent that the ghosts will not
go away without a fight. Marty is eventually faced with a grim
decision that comes with him being forced to choose between his life
or facing continuous hell on earth. THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED is
without a doubt the Polonia Brothers most polished film to
date. While the film has enough skin and bloodshed to satisfy the
gore and sleaze fanatics, the story and characters are ultimately
what make the film work and hold your attention throughout. It shows
what the Polonias are actually capable of. I know when most
people think of them and their movies, they immediately think of
words like cheap, cheesy, shot-on-video, etc. Not in this case.
Its nice to see what some people are capable when given the
opportunity. As they say, its always good not to judge a book
by its cover. Tyler Smith (GEEK
MAGGOT BINGO 1983, SCARED
STIFF 1986) handled the effects. Mark and John later
did THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED 2: HELLGATE
(2001) with Jon McBride. The Sub Rosa DVD of THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED
has many cool extras including a commentary with the Polonia
Brothers, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, location tours,
bloopers, outtakes, trailers, etc. With Stevan Anselmi, Robert
Thomas, Courtney Marie, Anthony Thomas, John Polonia, and Gabrielle.
A Sub Rosa Studios DVD Release. Not
Rated - MD
THE
HOUSE THAT SCREAMED 2: HELLGATE
(2001) Mark and John Polonia team up with Jon McBride to
bring us this shot-on-video sequel to THE
HOUSE THAT SCREAMED (2001). Parapsychologist Dr. Pollenfax
(Jon McBride) and two of his students (Brice
Kennedy and Jeff Dylan Graham) head out to the creepy old house on
Wingate Road to study the place months after the mysterious
disappearance of horror novelist Marty Beck. Soon their stay at the
place turns into a supernatural nightmare as they have ugly run-ins
with demons and ghosts and various gruesome goings-on ensue.
Pollenfax occasionally has run-ins with the apparition of a beautiful
woman in the shower. The trio has to battle with the forces-that-be
if they want to get out of the house in one piece. While this sequel
isnt as good or as interesting as the first movie, it isnt
bad at all. There are some pretty decent effects and cool creatures,
which are the creations of Brett Piper. While I think it was the
story and characters that really stood out in the first movie, the
sequel is made worthy by the special effects, lightning and creative
visuals. Bob Dennis is seen in flashbacks as Marty Beck. McBride and
the Polonia Brothers teamed up again to do DWELLER
(2002) and many other video features that have picked up by Brimstone
Productions, Sub Rosa Studios and Pop Cinema. The Sub Rosa DVD is
loaded with all sorts of goodies including audio commentary, 3
behind-the-scenes featurettes, bloopers, still gallery, web links,
trailers, etc. With Leslie Culton, Richard Feil, and Todd Carpenter (John
Polonia's AMITYVILLE
DEATH HOUSE - 2014, which also has an appearance by an
obviously coked-out Eric Roberts! - Editor). A Sub
Rosa Studios DVD Release. Not Rated - MD
ICE
FROM THE SUN (1999) - One of the
weirdest, most bizarre, atmospheric, hypnotic, and beautiful
independent films of all
time, Eric Stanze's ICE FROM
THE SUN is a film that's guaranteed to please fans of the
macabre and much more. Focusing on The Presence, a figure that exists
between Heaven and Hell and an enemy of both, a young girl is chosen
as the mortal who must go after The Presence and kill him. A
psychedelic ride through the world of The Presence follows featuring
tormented souls, gore and bloodshed, torture, and other horrors all
from a seemingly parallel universe. A group of friends who tap into
the world of The Presence all end up meeting their final judgments
and it's not a pretty sight. It's up to our young female mortal to
defeat him once and for all. Shot on Super 8 by Stanze and featuring
truly outlandish images and gory set pieces, ICE
FROM THE SUN is easily one of the best examples of artsy
filmmaking on a shoestring budget. From the weird sound effects to
the brilliant music score to the well-done make-up effects, ICE
FROM THE SUN is proof that there are filmmakers out there
who can succeed in making something that totally knocks the socks off
viewers with little money. Disturbing and euphoric, the film is
indeed one of Stanze and Wicked Pixel Cinema's best works. The Sub
Rosa DVD contains two audio commentaries with the director and crew,
a behind-the-scenes still gallery, and two trailers. With Ramona
Midgett, Angela Zimmerly, Todd Tevlin, Jason Christ, Tommy Biondo, Jo
Palermo, and D.J. Vivona. Visit Wicked Pixel online at www.wickedpixel.com.
A Sub Rosa Studios DVD Release. Unrated
- MD
I'LL
BURY YOU TOMORROW (2002) -
Alan Rowe Kelly's first feature film is this clever, tongue-in-cheek, and
gory micro budget effort involving lust, necrophilia, murder, and
grave robbing in Port Oram, New Jersey as Dolores Finley (Zoe Daelman
Chlanda) shows up in town to get a job as an embalmer at the local
Beech Funeral Home run by Mr. and Mrs. Beech (Bill Corry and
Katherine O'Sullivan). Handyman Jake (Jerry Murdock) and female
corpse makeup artist Corey (played by Kelly in drag) are involved in
a secret corpse stealing business and are worried about Finley
jeopardizing their operation. Finley appears to be hiding a dark
secret as she seemingly becomes attached to the corpse of Eddie, a
kid killed in a car accident (actually murdered by Jake). Eddie was
the brother of the local sheriff's girlfriend. Mrs. Beech believes
that Finley is her long dead daughter returned to her. The sheriff
and other folks become suspicious of the actions going on at the
Beech place. Soon enough, murder and mayhem ensues as Jake teams up
with Finley to help her with her needs and conflicts arise. I'LL
BURY YOU TOMORROW is an entertaining, blood-soaked low
budgeter with plenty of guts and dismemberment and some nudity as
well. The only problem is that it runs a little too long. That aside,
the performance from Chlanda as the lead is great and all the proper
horror elements are in place and should be enough to satisfy. You can
visit Alan Rowe Kelly on the net at www.alanrowekelly.net.
The Heretic Films DVD contains several deleted scenes as extras as
well as bloopers, a photo gallery, and trailers. A Heretic Films DVD
Release. Unrated - MD
IMMORTAL
(1995) This is a low budgeter that tries to take a
somewhat different approach to the usual vampire story. The film
tells the story of Dex Drags (Andrew Taylor), a young college age
guitarist who performs with his band at nightclubs. Dex has a very
dark secret. He seems to be addicted to blood. If I can remember
correctly, it has something to do with an ancient vampire curse.
(Please forgive me for the foggy memory its been a while since
I watched it.) He does his best to keep a lid on the secret. This
causes difficulties for him with regards to his relationship with his
girlfriend and his relations with other friends and band members. The
rest of film follows the painful consequences of his blood drinking
problem and what he must do in order to solve his dilemmas. While
its nothing too special, IMMORTAL
is really not a bad picture. In my opinion, the film deserves some
points for originality. Some parts of the film are very eerie, there
is a little bit of gore and the soundtrack is very good. The acting,
however, isnt that great and the movie is kind of boring in
some places and the sets are sometimes poorly lit. Thats what
it really suffers from, unfortunately. The film has a fabulous
tagline: Dex, Blood, and Rock-N-Roll! I really liked
that. Written, produced, directed and edited by Walt Bost and Steven
D. White. With Meredith Leigh Sause, Mike Shaw, Steve Williard, Randy
Jones and George Taylor. A Spectrum Films Release. Also available on
DVD from Brain Damage Films
as a directors cut. Not Rated - MD
IT
CAME (1993) - An extraterrestrial
sound wave is picked up by a satellite and finds its way into a
laboratory where it kills a scientist and melts a telephone into his
head. The frequency is then transmitted into the phone lines and ends
up in the computer system of
an adult movie company called Throbbing Video. The deadly sound wave
finds its way into the body of an electrician and he turns into a
crazed psycho and the wave travels from person to person in the
building turning whoever crosses paths with it into a homicidal
maniac. Only an alcoholic doctor named Vibrum Moroflex knows how to
stop it. IT CAME is a silly and campy low budgeter that turns
out to be a really good time. The movie opens with Dr. Moroflex
giving drinking game instructions for watching the movie. The rules
are #1: When Moroflex takes a sip you must take a drink from a
mutually agreed beverage. #2: Speed counts. The last player to take a
sip at any round must take a penalty sip. #3: Anybody who can
understand or remember the plot at the end of the game will be
declared the winner. For viewer participation, disclaimer #1: Alcohol
is required. And finally, disclaimer #2: The makers of the movie do
not acknowledge or accept responsibility for any consequences you may
suffer from playing the game. There are some very funny scenes and
some really gory parts as well (including an ultra-splattery power
drill killing). One of the funniest characters is the boss who says
fuck every two seconds. He ends up having his hand pinned to his
eyeball. The one guy who goes nuts from the sound waves and starts
imitating Jack Nicholson in THE SHINING
(1980) is quite a riot too. After he kills someone with a drill, he
cleans it off in the bathroom and after killing another person with
it, he says, "Oh shit! I just cleaned this mother fucker!"
We are shown the actors practicing their lines during the end credits
and we get some crazy credits like "Asst. Production Manager: NO
ONE WOULD WORK FOR FREE," "Stuntman: NONE," and
"Leading Homerun Hitter Of All Time: HANK AARON." This is
probably hard to find, but it's worth checking out if you come across
a copy. With Jessica Cushman, Rob Springer, John O'Neil, Alex
Emanuel, Joseph Tudisco, John Brosseau, Daniel Kearns, Joseph Bacino,
Gail Lelyveld, Nancy Aguilar, and Howard Arneson. Directed by Bret
Stern. A Primal Screen Pictures Entertainment Release. Unrated
- MD
JACKER (1993) This shot-on-video slasher from Phil Hermans Falcon Video stars Herman as Mike Rivers, a dude who loses his cool and kills his girlfriend (Nancy Feliciano) and makes it look like suicide. He then goes a rampage across the city carjacking various motorists and killing them. A group of detectives try to track the psycho down before more blood is shed. After the sister of Detective Jackson (Patrice Jackson) is bumped off by the psychotic carjacker, it pushes him over the edge and he decides to take matters into his own hands and find the maniac himself. This leads to a brutal climax involving a fight to the death between the detective and the psycho jacker. If it sounds cheesy, youd be correct. Its amazing how dumb the police in this one are as most of the evidence pointing in the killers direction is right in front of their faces and they blow every opportunity they get. Herman and Jackson get into a fistfight in a couple scenes where police are investigating the scene of a crime and neither of them is brought up on assault charges. The close up of a burning toy car in one scene where a car is supposed to blow up is enough to have any average viewer rolling on the floor in complete side-splitting laughter. That being said, its movies like these that in the end turn out enjoyable because of how corny they are. Especially with one like this where its clear the filmmakers had hardly any money at all. Not everybody appreciates this stuff as much as some do, which is understandable. If you go in expecting CITIZEN KANE (1941) youll be beyond disappointed. If you know youre in for something thats shot with a camcorder with little money and if you dont take it too seriously, you may have a fun time. JACKER 2: DESCENT TO HELL (1996) followed. Herman wrote the screenplay and Ben Stanski directs. With Barry Gaines, Ben Stanski, Matt OConnor, and Debbie D. A Falcon Video Release. Unrated MD NOTE: Now available on DVD from Icon Film Studios/The Sleaze Box. - Editor
JACKER
2: DESCENT TO HELL (1996) Mike
Rivers (Phil Herman), the psychotic carjacker, seems to have somehow
survived after being thrown over a cliff by Detective Jackson
(Patrice Jackson) at the end of the original JACKER
(1993). Mike finds his way back to his old life and is haunted by the
ghost of his dead girlfriend (Nancy Feliciano). He continues his
bloody carjacking/murder spree leaving
a trail of shot, stabbed, beaten and mauled bodies all over town. He
is especially hungry for revenge on the police force that almost had
him killed. Rivers sets up a scenario in which Jackson can get blamed
for the murders and this goes totally haywire and Jackson and another
cop end up shot dead by one of their fellow officers who now has the
blame placed on him. Jacksons friend James (Barry Gaines) who
was injured in a car explosion in the first movie gets out of the
hospital and tries to assist authorities in tracking down Rivers. For
a while it appears that Jackson is still alive as he calls James and
says hell pick him up at the hospital. Only it turns out that
Rivers has taken Jacksons skin and dressed himself up in it and
James finds himself in for a nasty surprised when hes picked
up. James manages to get away and finds himself on the run. Things
take even more bizarre turns as James has nightmares in which
hes apparently in hell with Rivers. Rivers goes after more
innocent victims. It seems that hes a superhuman force that
cant be stopped as he gets shot and cut up multiple times and
keeps coming back. This all culminates in a twisted conclusion that
really leaves you guessing. JACKER 2 is suspenseful, bloody,
sexy, filled with action, and really messes with your head at times.
The ending definitely leaves an opening for JACKER 3 (you
really need to make this Phil). Herman wrote the screenplay again and
Barry Gaines takes up the directing job this time. With Ben Stanski,
Matt OConnor, Dyan Kane, John Korcz, Joel D. Wynkoop, Marilyn
Ghigliotti, Katrina Elias, and Bryant Sohl. A Falcon Video Release. Unrated
MD NOTE: Now available on DVD
from Icon Film Studios/The
Sleaze Box. - Editor
KILLER
NERD (1991) - Nerd Harold Kunkle
(Toby Radloff) is having problems. He's constantly getting harassed
and teased and he wants to find some way to get girls to like him.
His mother isn't much help. She keeps telling him to "accentuate
the positive." He enlists the help
of a videotape that teaches him how to dress and act cool. He goes
out, gets a spiked haircut and goes to a nightclub. He picks up a
couple of girls who take him back to their hangout place where he
meets up with their two boyfriends who picked on him earlier. After
they beat him up, he decides he's had enough. He then proceeds to
bump off all his tormentors in extreme gore fashion. An office worker
who made fun of him is decapitated. A girl who he liked but didn't
take him seriously has her face melted off with acid. Kunkle punches
his mom in the face, straps her to a chair, dumps drain opener down
her throat and buries a meat cleaver in her head. One girl has her
belly slashed open with a knife. The two thugs who beat up Kunkle
find themselves tied to chairs with dynamite sticks strapped to their
heads. Kunkle sets off the fuses and their heads explode repainting
the room with blood and cranial innards ("Blood red with brains!
Blood red with brains!") This is a hilarious shot on video gore
comedy from Wayne Alan Harold of Kent, Ohio. Toby Radloff who plays
Harold Kunkle is actually a nerd in real life. His favorite movie is REVENGE
OF THE NERDS (1984) and he worked as a comic strip writer
for Harvey Pekar in Ohio. He also appeared in a few MTV spots. Harold
and co-director Mark Steven Bosko made BRIDE
OF KILLER NERD (1992) after this. The sequel is even better.
With Lori Scarlett, Tony Zanoni, Heidi Lohr, and Richard Zaynor. A
Hollywood Home Entertainment Release. Available on DVD from Troma
as a double feature with BRIDE. Not Rated - MD
KILLERS
BY NATURE (2005) Two
friends (Eric Spudic and Jason Contini) get together and reminisce
about their days in high school. One of them brings up the kids who
used to pick on them and give them a hard time. One gets the idea of
getting even with all their high school enemies by playing cruel
jokes on them. They proceed to go find one of their old school
tormentors and give him a good scare. The prank soon goes haywire
when one of them accidentally shoots the kid in the neck with a
crossbow. Faced with a dead kid, they decide to get rid of the body
and hope nobody will ever find who did it. When one of their old
enemies comes across them while theyre trying to hide the
corpse and throws eggs at them, they chase him down on his bike into
the woods and this bully meets a gruesome end. The two decide they
have a thirst for killing. This duo then proceeds to slaughter the
rest of their high school enemies in various gory ways. The bodies
pile up all over town and soon no one is safe. The directorial debut
of B-movie buff Eric Spudic isnt too bad. It got a few laughs
out of me in some parts. I think its main problem is that its
kind of unrealistic in how the two friends are able to kill in
virtually broad daylight with nobody seeing them and be able to carry
out their killing spree for so long with nobody connecting any dots
or getting suspicious. Spudic writes, produces, directs and stars as
Jeffrey. Ron Bonk and Eric Stanze were the executive producers.
Jeremy Wallace (THE
CHRISTMAS SEASON MASSACRE 2001, THE
UNDERTOW 2003) was a production associate. Steve
Sessions (CREMAINS
2001, HELLBOUND:
BOOK OF THE DEAD 2003, MALEFIC
2003) composed additional music. Spudic has written BUTCHERED
(2003), CREEPIES
(2004), AQUANOIDS
(2003), EVIL
UNLEASHED: THE MUMMY (2003), BLOODY
TEASE (2004), and DEADLY
CULTURE (2007) and has also acted in PSYCHO
SANTA (2003), DEAD CLOWNS
(2003), ZOMBIEGEDDON
(2003), MINDS OF TERROR (2003), SAVAGE
HARVEST 2: OCTOBER BLOOD (2006) and HALLOWEEN
NIGHT (2006). The extras on the Sub Rosa DVD of KILLERS
BY NATURE include directors commentary, a couple bonus
videos, still gallery, Killers by Nature drinking game,
and trailers. With William Clifton, Nick Hearne, Rory Stumpf, Linda
Webb, and Matthew Doty. A Sub Rosa Studios
DVD Release. Unrated - MD NOTE: Eric Spudic is
one of the nicest guys in the business and he should be getting a lot
more attention than he is. At least that's what I think. His script
for CREEPIES
always makes me laugh out loud. - Editor
THE LAST SLUMBER PARTY (1987) - A mental patient escapes from a hospital in a surgeon's outfit with a scalpel, slashes up a couple of doctors, and heads off to crash a slumber party where some high school girls are fooling around. The girls' boyfriends show up to join the party and soon the kids are being picked off one by one by the escaped psychopath. Better known as one of the worst of the '80s backyard slasher efforts, this one features laughable gore effects, awful acting, a subplot about an accomplice killer that comes into play briefly then peters out after he gets bumped off, dream sequences within dream sequences, changes in the film stock from 16mm to Super 8, etc. In other words, if you want to host your own version of MST3K on a Friday evening, this one is a perfect candidate. Directed by Stephen Tyler and starring Jan Jensen, Nancy Meyer, Joann Whitley, Danny David, Lance Descourez, Paul Amend, David Whitley, and Rick Polizi. Available on DVD from VCI Home Video as a double feature with TERROR AT TENKILLER (1986). A United Home Video VHS Release. Not Rated - MD
LAS
VEGAS BLOODBATH (1989) - A
businessman named Sam Butler (Ari Levin) comes home and finds his
wife in bed with another
man. He shoots the both of them. He then cuts off his wife's head,
carries it around with him and talks to it. Butler goes on a gory
killing spree in Las Vegas, bumping off anyone who reminds him of his
wife. He goes after the girls from B.L.O.W. (Beautiful Ladies of Oil
Wrestling), holds them hostage and proceeds to slaughter them all one
at a time. This ultra low budget shot on video feature from Vegas is
definitely one of the most downright sadistic and repulsive movies
I've ever seen. Yet it's so damn amusing and over-the-top it's almost
comical giving it some sort of weird charm one can't put their finger
on. There's lots of incredibly gory and nasty killings in this one.
Levin ties a prostitute's leg up to his car, drive away, and rips her
leg off. He goes into a bar when nobody is around and pulls out his
wife's head and says to the bartender, "Get me a beer! And get
this bitch one too!" before blowing him away. A gardener has his
head flattened with a shovel. One girl is drilled to death and
another has a hammer claw stuck up underneath her rib cage. An arm is
pulled off. A Jehovah's Witness has his neck slammed in a door so
hard that it snaps his head off! A driver who gives Levin the middle
finger has his finger blown off with a gun and he says, "Let's
see you pick your nose with that!" And the most sickening scene
of all is when he cuts open a pregnant woman, rips out the baby and
splatters it against the wall. Directed by David Schwartz. David
Dalton who handled the gore effects also plays the Jehovah's Witness
and he works on haunted house shows in Las Vegas. A Burning Moon Home
Video Release. Not Rated - MD
LETHAL FORCE (2001) - Filmmaker Alvin Ecarma of Divergent Thinking Productions brings us this fun, fast paced, and gory spoof of actions films cited as doing for the action genre what Wes Craven's SCREAM (1996) did for horror movies. The son of a gangster named Jack (Frank Prather) is kidnapped. Jack is forced to go against his badass tough guy partner Savitch (Cash Flagg Jr.) in order to save his son from being killed as part of a deal he made with hit man Mal Locke (Andrew Hewitt). Chaos ensues with many kung fu battles, bloody shootouts, torture, masked villains, and more. LETHAL FORCE is a movie that offers plenty of action for fans of the movies of John Woo, Sergio Leone, and Quentin Tarantino as well as lots of gushing gore and splatter in the Troma tradition. With it, Alvin Ecarma offers something for everybody to enjoy. The Unearthed Films DVD of LETHAL FORCE includes many extras such as a director's commentary, some short films from Ecarma, photo and art galleries, and trailers. Visit Divergent Thinking on the web at www.divergentthinking.net. An Unearthed Films DVD Release. Unrated - MD
LIVE
FEED (2006) - In an effort to cash in
on the success of HOSTEL
(2005), this low budget effort from Canada brings us a story about
some friends on vacation in a city in China, or so it appears. It's
never really explained whether they're just in a Chinatown in the
states or in another country. After upsetting a local Chinese
gangster at a strip joint, the group finds themselves crashing for
the night at a local porno theater and getting rooms
for an evening of wild sex. Unfortunately for them, they soon end up
wishing they stayed somewhere else as it turns out the gangster whose
bad side they got on is a psychotic cannibal who gets his minions to
trap, torture and kill people with the help of a masked butcher and a
demented chef while they videotape the acts of sadism and mutilation
so the boss can get his jollies while munching on human organs and
body parts. What follows is an orgy of outrageously sick and gory
killings and torture ranging from inventive torture devices, to
decapitations, to disembowelments, to dismemberments, to a girl being
tortured by having a plastic tube rammed down her throat so a snake
can slither down and crawl out her stomach after being gutted, to
genital violence, to a sick scene involving a severed penis, and much
more. LIVE FEED is a very
entertaining and over-the-top splatter fest with enough gushing gore
and graphic sex and nudity to satisfy genre fans. Director Ryan
Nicholson's effects company Flesh & Fantasy, Inc. did a fine job
with the prosthetics and blood effects and the lead female actress
did a fine job I must say. Nicholson's other directing efforts
include the brutal rape/revenge quickie TORCHED
(2004) and the recent outrageous and super gory '80s slasher
throwback GUTTERBALLS
(2008). I certainly look forward to seeing more from Ryan and
Plotdigger Films. The MTI Home Video DVD of LIVE
FEED contains an audio commentary with Nicholson and a
couple of the actors, a behind-the-scenes featurette entitled
"Behind-the-Blood: The Making of Live Feed," deleted and
alternate scenes, the full fake porno created for the movie called
"Womb Service," a promotional spot for the Richmond Night
Market in Canada where part of the movie was filmed, and trailers.
Visit Plotdigger online at www.plotdigger.com (That internet
address is no longer in use. They have opened a group on Facebook.
Just search for them using the word "plotdigger". - Editor)
With Kevan Ohtsji, Taayla Markel, Stephen Chang, Colin Foo, Greg
Chan, Rob Scattergood, Lee Tichon, Caroline Chonjnacki, Ashley
Schappert, Mike Bennett, and Ted Friend. An MTI
Home Video DVD Release. Available in R and Unrated
versions. - MD. Also available in
a limited edition VHS
from Massacre Video (It
is in very limited supply and sold out by the time you read this,
making me believe it is an eBay scam to charge ridiculous prices for
the product made). - Editor
LUNCH
MEAT (1987) - A group of teenagers
go on a vacation to the San Bernardino Mountains in California.
That's where
they run into a family of crazed cannibal hillbillies who chop
people up with various gardening tools and sell human meat to a local
hamburger joint. The survivors try to get away while being pursued by
the psychotic rednecks in the mountains. This low budget slasher shot
on Super 8mm is actually better than what I was expecting the first
time I saw it. Granted, it's not the best movie I've ever seen, but
there are worse. Kim McKamy does a good job as the heroine. The movie
has a fair amount of gore, but it's not quite as bloody as other
movies of its ilk. It bears somewhat of a passing resemblance to CANNIBAL
CAMPOUT (1988). That was the movie I first thought of when
watching it. Directed by Kirk Alex. With Chuck Ellis, Elroy Wiese,
Joe Ricciardella, Robert Oland, Mitch Rogers, Rick Lorentz, and Bob
Joseph. A Tapeworm Video Release. Not Rated - MD
MACHINES
OF LOVE AND HATE (2003) -
From director Joseph Parda and Cinema Image Productions comes this Lynch-esque
low budget feature starring David Runco as a drifter with a troubled
past who finds himself faced with a series of bizarre occurrences. After
being nearly run down by a young girl (Tina Krause), she takes him
back to her house to help him out and introduce him to her parents
(Eileen Daly from RAZOR BLADE SMILE
[1998] and SACRED FLESH
[2000] and Roland Johnson). He finds himself slowly becoming attached
to the family while at the same being plagued with nightmarish
flashbacks, ghastly visions of violence and death, and visions of
what may lie ahead for him and the family. A scene of the mother
sharpening a knife in the kitchen before breakfast brings us a slew
of potential horrific scenarios that apparently happen in the
drifter's mind. It all culminates in an artsy mindfuck filled to the
brim with sex, gore, revelations, and more. MACHINES
OF LOVE AND HATE is a movie that's hard to describe. There
are plenty of weird scenes on hand that are guaranteed to mess with
your head as well as some nudity from Krause and Daly. The Lynchian
style Parda gave the film may be a touch some will find themselves
enjoying while others may find it a bit much at times. The blood, sex
and nudity are enough to satisfy horror fans that view that as
requirements. If you're looking for something different and somewhat
outlandish, this may make for an adequate viewing. The Cinema Image
DVD contains Joseph Parda's black and white short SZAMOTA'S MISTRESS
starring Joe Zaso and Tina Krause as an extra along with trailers for
other Cinema Image releases, stills gallery, and an Eileen Daly
biography. A Cinema Image Productions
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
MAMA'S
HOME (1988) - A woman who was
sentenced to jail after being blamed for letting her baby die in a
burning house
decides to get revenge on her dimwitted junkie ex-husband and his
family since he was really responsible for catching the house on
fire. She goes along with her two brothers (one psychotic and the
other mentally challenged) and they hold her ex-husband's family
captive while he's away at work. They show his new wife a video of a
home movie that clearly shows it was him who caused the fire. After
drowning the dog in an aquarium and stabbing the babysitter, the wife
decides to go up against the psychos and fight back to save her baby.
This is another shot on video flick from Gary P. Cohen who gave us
the classics VIDEO VIOLENCE...WHEN
RENTING IS NOT ENOUGH! (1986) and VIDEO
VIOLENCE PART 2...THE
EXPLOITATION! (1987). MAMA'S HOME (a.k.a. CAPTIVES)
is a slightly more serious movie than the VIDEO VIOLENCE
movies. Some of the acting is pretty good and the movie doesn't rely
as much on gore as VIDEO VIOLENCE 1 & 2 did. It
appears as though something went haywire with the masters at Majestic
Home Video because the audio goes out of sync about at around the
50-minute mark and stays that way the rest of the movie. It certainly
isn't a problem with the tape I have. All the copies are like that.
If you like VIDEO VIOLENCE 1
& 2 you'll
probably enjoy this one as well. With Jackie Neill, Lisa Cohen, Linda
Herman, Art Neill, Gary P. Cohen, and Zachary Cohen. A Majestic Home
Video Release. Unrated - MD NOTE:
It seems director Gary Cohen disowns this version of his film since
the distributors
took it away from him and cut it themselves, shuffling scenes
around, deleting other scenes and renaming it MAMA'S HOME (a
title he truly despises). Cohen hopes to get the rights back to this
film and release it in his own "Director's Cut" of CAPTIVES
the way it was meant to be seen. It looks like it will happen in the
near future. (It's on the wonderful THE
BASEMENT VHS & DVD Box Set [along with VIDEO VIOLENCE
1 & 2 and CANNIBAL CAMPOUT]
from Camp Motion Pictures.)
A special thanks to Joe of the website BLEEDING
SKULL for some of this info. - Editor
MARAUDERS (1986)
- One of the absolute best 1980s shot-on-video efforts, this no
budget Australian wonder from Mark Savage is a nasty grindhouse-style
feature that sadly never saw release in the states until Subversive
Cinema picked it up and released it on DVD as part of a box set
called "Savage
Sinema from Down Under" which includes Savage's other works SENSITIVE
NEW-AGE KILLER (2000) and DEFENCELESS:
A BLOOD SYMPHONY (2004). Already having been compared to
brutal and disturbing cinema like LAST
HOUSE ON THE LEFT (1972) and THE
BOYS NEXT DOOR (1985), MARAUDERS is an intense and
gruesome portrayal of two vicious sociopaths named J.D. and Emilio
who violently leave their troubled lives at home behind and head out
on a rampage of killing and rape only to have one of them be hit by a
car and his leg injured. They head out to chase down the culprit
named David to get revenge on him and kill anyone who gets in their
way. David is out looking for his girlfriend as he wants to
take her to a cabin in the forest making her think she'll be safe but
it turns out he has sleazy plans of his own and is not much better
than the murderous scum tracking him down. Meanwhile, a gang of
vigilantes head out into the woods seeking to track down J.D. and
Emilio to get revenge on them for the carnage and chaos they've left
behind. MARAUDERS is vicious,
disturbing, bloody, and brutal and is a film worthy of more attention
from today's SOV enthusiasts. Mark Savage is a very underrated
filmmaker. He created a beautiful artsy splatter film with DEFENCELESS,
a film without dialogue that plays out much like a non-speaking
theatrical play with symphony music, hence the subtitle "A Blood
Symphony." The Savage Sinema set is sadly out of print now due
to Subversive going under, but if you can find any films in the set
available separate and used for a good price, they're well worth
picking up. Subversive's 2-disc edition DVD of MARAUDERS
contains an audio commentary, a making-of documentary, a disturbing
short film from Savage called STAINED (2006), several
additional Savage short films, trailers, and much more. MARAUDERS
stars Zero Montana, Colin Savage (Mark's brother), Megan Spencer, and
Paul Harrington. If you want a good example of true Australian outlaw
filmmaking, look no further than the works of Mark Savage. Try to
hunt down the Savage Sinema set if you can. A Subversive Cinema DVD
Release. Not Rated - MD
MARK
OF THE DEVIL 666: THE MORALIST
(1995) Jason Paul Collums first effort is an
unofficial sixth installment of the MARK
OF THE DEVIL series (I only know of two other MARK
OF THE DEVIL films. The original,
made in 1970 and the official
sequel, made in 1973. - Editor). Shot on video and
with little money, the story concerns a serial killer whos
slaying people that are considered
to be the cause of societys problems in
ritualistic fashions. This includes gays, prostitutes and minorities.
All the victims have a 666 carved behind their ears. A
female reporter teams up with a detective investigating the case. The
reporter notices the killer seems to follow scenarios from certain
horror movies when committing his gruesome acts of butchery. Clips
from DERANGED (1974) are seen
on TV. There are lots of shots of the horror section inside a mom and
pop video store. While MARK OF THE DEVIL 666 certainly
isnt Collums best film, its still fairly
entertaining for what it is. Most would probably trash it as an SOV
piece of crap, which is understandable. Its one of those movies
youd have to watch when you had the right mindset with your
expectations lowered and you were interested to see horror fans take
a stab at making their own project with hardly any money. Michael D.
Moore and MDM Productions financed this along with Collums 5
DARK SOULS (1996) and 5 DARK
SOULS 2: ROOTS OF EVIL (1998). Tim Ritter co-produced.
Alucarda did the music. The tape contains an interview with Collum
after the feature. With Karen Dilloo, Mick Wynhoff, Tami Klamm, Lee
Worrell, Jeannine Campeau, Sy Stephens, Darcey Vanderhoef, Elizabeth
Brouliette, Dillon Mapel, and Collum as a victim. A Moore Video
Release. Not Rated MD
MIDNIGHT
2: SEX, DEATH & VIDEOTAPE
(1993) - John A. Russo's shot-on-video sequel to his cult
classic MIDNIGHT (1980)
follows the adventures of the now grown-up surviving devil cult
family member Abraham Barnes (played by Matthew Jason Walsh) from the
original film. Abraham continues the murderous ways of his family by
picking up girls in Pittsburgh, having sex with them and brutally
murdering them in front of his home video camera, hence the "Sex,
Death & Videotape" of the title. Fans of Russo's original
may be disappointed in the fact that this is shot on tape and that it
takes place in a completely different environment than the original.
I kind of enjoyed it, however. Those with a soft spot for SOV flicks
will most likely find something to enjoy and diehard Russo fans will
want to seek it out nonetheless. Clips from the original are featured
as flashbacks. Originally released on VHS by Tempe
Video. The Sub Rosa DVD contains interviews with Russo and
Matthew Jason Walsh, Sub Rosa trailers, and other extras. With Lori
Scarlett, Jeannie Jeffries, David Wagner, Tina Bookwalter, Bob
Michelucci, Vince Rossetti, David Lange, and Bill Morrison. J.R.
Bookwalter produced. A Sub Rosa Studios
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
MIDNIGHT
SKATER (2002) - This shot on
video effort from Ohio tells the story about a group of college kids
who are trying to identify a mysterious skateboarder who's been
prowling the campus at midnight and spray painting graffiti. They're
also trying
to find out why some female students have disappeared. A psychopath
named Richard Norton is chopping up college girls in his dorm and the
campus's drug dealers have been selling an unusual drug that causes
its users to slowly rot and turn into flesh eating zombies. For such
a cheap production, MIDNIGHT SKATER
is highly enjoyable! It has to be one of the best shot on video
flicks in recent years. I really liked how it combines both slasher
and zombie movie elements. While the acting is really cheesy for the
most part, the film is outrageously gory with some really over the
top splatter effects. You can tell the filmmakers really knew what
they were going for and had a fun time making it. It definitely
wasn't meant to be taken seriously. That's for sure. The Splatter
Rampage DVD has some nice extras including a commentary by the cast
and crew, deleted scenes, a short film called THE STRANGER,
and trailers for MIDNIGHT SKATER and other Splatter Rampage
releases. You can visit the filmmakers online at www.compoundpictures.com.
DEMON SUMMER (2003) is
another video feature they did and it's also available on DVD from
Tempe's Splatter Rampage. Directed by Lucas Campbell who co-wrote
with Andrew Campbell and Stacy Silvers. With Cory Maidens, Mike
Neeson, Nick Jackson, Ashley Holeman, Luke Campbell, Jen Meissner,
and Roza Haidet. A Tempe DVD
Release. Unrated - MD
MINDS
OF TERROR (2003) A
college girl travels out to the abandoned Stone Ridge mental hospital
with her brother and friend so she can write a story on how the place
is supposedly haunted. Their car breaks down along the way and they
end up having
to walk the rest of the way. Upon arrival, they run into Jeffrey
Vandoren who was once a member of the hospital staff. Jeffrey lives
in seclusion at the place. He tells them stories about the cases
involving various mental patients who have been residents of the
institution and their psychotic tendencies that put them away. Only
it appears Jeffrey has more skeletons in his closet than what
hes telling them. The kids run into ghosts of past mental
patients and see bloody images of a massacre of the hospital staff by
the patients that was a rebellion lead by a fellow inmate. The trip
to write a story on ghosts quickly turns into a nightmare as the
skeletons in Jeffreys closet begin to reveal themselves. MINDS
OF TERROR is a pretty decent homemade horror effort that should
please those who enjoyed STRAWBERRY
ESTATES (2001). The film has numerous surprises, a fair
amount of splatter, and some B-movie regular cameos including Conrad
Brooks, Joe Estevez, Robyn Griggs and Eric Spudic. Written, produced
and directed by Mark Adams and executive produced by Wild Range
Productions. With Randy Allen (as Jeffrey), Nicole Crawford, Patrick
McCaffery, Matthew Mazouch, Chris Watson and Len Kabasinski. Review
based on a screener DVD from Adamstar Pictures (www.adamstarpictures.com).
The DVD contains behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast
and bloopers. This disc has been authored by Zombie House Productions (www.zombie-house.com).
Not Rated - MD
MR.
ICE CREAM MAN (1995) - As we
dig deeper into the realm of low rent shot on video schlock, we find MR.
ICE
CREAM MAN. A young boy and his friends grow leery of a mysterious
ice cream man who's been hanging around their neighborhood. A
detective who has been teaching kids at the local elementary school
about the "buddy system" is investigating the mysterious
disappearances of some youngsters. The disappearances are of course
tied to the weird guy with the ice cream truck. As it turns out the
ice cream man is a psycho who's out to "ice" them all.
Low-grade slasher quickie might be okay for those who like homemade
horror and are looking for a way to kill 65 minutes. Others looking
for something really polished should probably look elsewhere. There's
some really cheap gore, a tad of nudity, and a downright confusing
ending. I'd appreciate it if anybody can explain that ending to me.
This one came out around the same time as the Clint Howard horror
comedy ICE CREAM MAN
(1995). Some people have confused the two movies in the past. There
was article about this in Fangoria magazine back at that time. MR.
ICE CREAM MAN was supposedly made before they even knew about the
Clint Howard flick. Director Mack Hail plays the part of the ice
cream man. He co-wrote with Jim Mills who plays the detective. Hail
also starred in NUTBAG (2000)
and CARNAGE ROAD (a.k.a. CARNAGE:
THE LEGEND OF QUILTFACE - 2000). Hail's other directing efforts
are CREEP (1998) and TRANSAMERICAN
KILLER (a.k.a. SWITCH KILLER
- 2004). The production company's website is www.gotfilms.com.
With Henry Weckesser and Cindy Reed. A Dead Alive Productions
Release. Not Rated - MD
MONSTROSITY
(2007) - George Bonilla and ZP International bring us what is
quite possibly their
best picture yet with this fun slasher tale involving a mutant that
escapes from a circus freak show and goes on a killing spree. Years
later, a group of kids out looking to party find an abandoned factory
where a couple people were believed to have been gorily hacked up by
the mutant and, being typical dumb horror movie partygoers, throw a
party in this place. They have a run-in with the factory's caretaker
who stumbles across a buried treasure that includes Nazi gold. Soon
something bumps one of the kids off. Might the escaped sideshow
attraction have something to do with this? The caretaker and kids
battle the monster, which at one point goes after them with a nail
gun in a scene that may be a little tribute to 1985's THE
NAIL GUN MASSACRE. A scene with a woman's talking severed
head on a table seems to pay tribute to THE
BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE (1962). MONSTROSITY
has a good old-fashioned '80s horror vibe and cool make-up effects.
ZP regulars Billy W. Blackwell and Stacey T. Gillespie star again and
this time, the crew brought in John Dugan from the original TEXAS
CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) who plays a sheriff in this one.
The cool monster and deaths, slasher movie atmosphere, and '80s David
DeCoteau-style B-movie touches help make this ZP's most enjoyable
effort thus far. The ZP International DVD of MONSTROSITY
contains a commentary with Bonilla, bloopers and outtakes, a bonus
cartoon, trailers, and animated menus. A ZP International DVD
Release. Not Rated - MD
MONSTURD
(2003) - Have you ever watched a movie that made you laugh so
hard you shit yourself? Here's one that's guaranteed to do just that.
Serial killer Jack Schmitt (very clever name) escapes from jail. The
police and FBI go after him and corner him in a sewer. After being
gunned downed by the cops, chemicals in the sewer that were dumped
by a company called Dutech merge with his body. The combination of
chemicals, sewage and other wastes transform him into a giant turd
monster that goes on a rampage. He comes up through peoples' toilets
and eats them while they're doing number 2. One guy plunging his
clogged toilet gets sprayed with diarrhea water before the Monsturd
sucks him down the toilet. A little kid's dad is eaten. Two idiot
cops (including one who plays around with a sock puppet making it do
crazy stuff and having everybody look at him like he's nuts) drive
around town with a bullhorn telling people not to use their toilets.
They say, "If it's really an emergency, do what they did in the
old days. Just crap in a bucket and throw it out the window. Or
better yet, just crap your pants. It's not that bad." Then he
says, "Come on everybody. Let's do the crap your pants
dance!" and he sings, "The crap your pants dance&ldots;.
The crap your pants dance&ldots;. Let's all do the crap your pants
dance." The heroes of the story find out that Maalox is what
will kill the Schmitt monster, so they dress up in radiation suits,
strap diapers to their heads and start shooting it with Super Soaker
water guns filled with Maalox. I have never laughed so hard at
anything in my entire life. This shot on video horror comedy from
Rick Popko and Dan West of 4321 Films
(whose next film will be RETARDEAD)
has got to be one of the funniest low budget movies I've ever seen.
And I've seen pretty funny ones in my life, but this one is super
funny. Better yet, it's "laugh till you crap yourself"
funny. There were so many moments when I had to rewind I almost wore
the tape out. I'm not kidding. I thought I was going to vomit up a
lung from laughing and rolling around the floor so much. Popko and
West are my heroes. These guys don't miss an opportunity with this
one. They know how to make a cheesy movie. I wasn't surprised when
they threw in a reference to SOUTH PARK
with a kid watching an offensive cartoon on TV with a talking turd
named Mr. Spanky. There's even a character whose name is Johnny
Waters. Fans of SOV cinema haven't lived until they've seen this one.
It's an instant classic. A "crap fest" that's worth getting
for a night of laughter and gags. With Paul Weiner, Beth West, Dan
Burr, Brad Dosland, West and Popko as Deputy Dan and Deputy Rick and
Mark Pirro (DEATHROW GAMESHOW
- 1987) as a police sketch artist. A Dead Alive Productions Release.
Available from Elite Entertainment
in a special edition DVD with audio commentary, behind the scenes
footage and other extras. Not Rated - MD
MULVA:
ZOMBIE ASS KICKER! (2001)
& FILTHY
MCNASTY (2002) - It's time I welcome you to the world of Low
Budget Pictures. If you love outrageous, over the top, hilarious
splatter comedies in the style of Troma, then the films of LBP and
Chris Seaver should definitely be
up your alley. I took the time to take a look at the Tempe/Splatter
Rampage DVD double feature of Chris's MULVA: ZOMBIE ASS KICKER!
and FILTHY MCNASTY. MULVA is the story of weird and
nerdy 23-year-old girl named Mulva who has an obsession with
chocolate syrup. When she goes to Tromaville to get candy on
Halloween night, she ends up having to fight for her life as the town
gets overrun by flesh eating zombies. LBP characters Mr. Bonejack and
Teen Ape come to the rescue and they fight the flesh eaters together. MULVA
has all you could want in a cheap, shot on video splatter quickie:
extreme gore, loads of toilet humor, and references to other horror
classics, GHOSTBUSTERS
(1984), and Peter Jackson and Troma films. They even throw in a
tribute to "Mr. Roboto" by Styx. We also get cameo
appearances by Debbie Rochon and Trent Haaga and an appearance by
Lloyd Kaufman himself at the end along with Toxie, Sgt. Kabukiman,
and other Tromettes. FILTHY MCNASTY is the story of a couple
of unpopular girls named Julie and Liz (played by Debbie Rochon and
Miss Kitty) who get turned into irresistible, hot babes by a demon
named Phil. Julie and Liz show up at a guy named Max's party. Teen
Ape ends up crashing the party too. Everybody thinks it will be a fun
night of sex and booze, but soon the party turns into a living hell
on earth as Phil the demon tries to kill them all. While I think FILTHY
is the lesser of the two, it's still a highly enjoyable horror comedy
with everything you could expect from an LBP flick: offensive humor,
in-joke references, gore, sex, nudity, a guy masturbating with feces,
a girl's head impaled on a demon penis, and good ole celebrity
attacks in the vein of SOUTH PARK
(this time they skewer Adrian Zmed and Mario Van Peebles). The films
of LBP and Chris Seaver are the types of movies more people need to
see. Everybody who loves sick and outrageous horror/gore comedies
should give them a try. The Splatter Rampage DVD of MULVA and FILTHY
contains introductions to both movies and some entertaining and
informative audio commentaries that I could listen to over and over
again. You can visit Chris and the gang online at www.lowbudgetpictures.com.
A Tempe DVD Release. Unrated
- MD
MUTILATIONS
(1986) - A college
professor takes his students on a field trip to see UFO sightings in
rural Oklahoma. The area is being plagued by mysterious cattle
mutilations. Along the way, they run into a half-dead cow with its
flesh ripped off, a flying saucer, and a farmhouse with an old hermit
named Oliver Matson. They find themselves having to fight for their
lives as they get attacked by stop-motion animated alien monsters
inspired by Ray Harryhausen. This cheesy, local sci-fi/horror effort
shot in Oklahoma by writer-producer-director Larry Thomas (who as far
as I know has not done anything else that has been released) is an
okay timewaster for those who enjoy cheap '80s direct-to-video
schlock. One of the good things about it is that it appears to have
been shot on actual film instead of video (it was probably shot in
16mm and then transferred to tape). I'm guessing the budget was about
$10,000. The make-up and splatter effects (handled by much of the
same effects team that worked on BLOOD
CULT (1985), REVENGE
(1986), and THE RIPPER (1986))
are pretty decent. The stop-motion creatures and claymation effects
aren't too shabby, but they can't hold a candle to Harryhausen. If
you happen to find this in a bargain bin at a mom and pop video store
somewhere and it's really cheap, go ahead and grab it. With Al Baker,
Katherine Hutson, Bill Buckner, Harvey Shell, John Bliss, Shelly
Creel, Matthew Hixenbaugh, William Jerrick, Pam Michaels, Jackie
Shook, and Richard Taylor. A Baron Video Release. Not Rated - MD
THE
NECRO FILES (1997) - A couple of
cops track down and kill a psychopathic rapist who kills and eats the
guts of his
victims. A group of dimwitted Satanists practice a ritual over the
dead serial killer-rapist's grave and sacrifice a baby. They end up
bringing the maniac back to life as a flesh eating cannibal zombie
with a foot long weiner. A Satanist who pisses on his grave has his
dick ripped off and another one has the dick shoved through his head
(!). Another Satanist has his guts ripped out. The zombie rapist goes
a gory rampage screwing women with his giant shlong and disemboweling
them and ripping them to pieces. The sacrificed baby comes back to
life as a flying demon baby from hell. The two cops who killed the
psycho follow the trail of chaos until they have to confront the
zombie pervert themselves. Hilarious and over-the-top shot
on video gross-out gore comedy from Matt Jaissle of BACK
FROM HELL fame has enough blood, guts, dismemberment, vomit,
nudity, sex, and toilet humor to satisfy fans of homemade splatter
films, porno horror, offensive comedy and backyard exploitation trash
cinema. This is the type of movie that more of the 18-21 year old
crowd needs to see. They need a change from the usual Hollywood
garbage. If you're planning an evening of getting drunk with your
friends and there's nothing else at the video store, get this. Todd
Tjersland wrote and executive produced. Tjersland followed this up
with NECRO FILES 2: LUST NEVER DIES
(2003). You can visit Todd online at www.toddtjersland.blogspot.com.
With Isaac Cooper, Steve Sheppard, Gary Browning, Todd Tjersland,
Theresa Betsul, Jenn O'Cide, Dru Berrymore, Anne R. Key, Jason McGee,
and Christian Curmudgeon. An Astaroth Entertainment Release. Unrated
- MD
NEKRO (1998)
- Focusing on the topic of necrophilia in a most disturbing
manner similar to that of Jorg Buttgereit's NEKROMANTIK
(1987) and Nacho Cerda's AFTERMATH
(1994), NEKRO is an ambitious and pretty damn disgusting
16-minute short film from
Vince Roth (a.k.a. David Becker) and Mick Nards (a.k.a. Joe Bosco).
Originally a production of their old company In Hell Productions, NEKRO
takes place in a quiet neighborhood. A crummy-looking old van pulls
into a house's driveway. A dark-clothed, hooded man steps out
dragging into the house an unconscious woman. Once we enter a white
bedroom, the viewer is subjected to one of the most depraved, bloody
freak shows ever committed to celluloid (or video, can't tell what
format this was shot on) and when you're done watching it, all I can
say is you'll feel like you're going to hell for sure! Graphic sex,
rape, gore, and necrophilia all with a psychotic satanic atmosphere
to it crammed into a grimy little 16 minutes. That's the best way to
sum it up. Roth and Nards were obviously looking to sicken and offend
as many as possible, and it's safe to say they succeeded. Roth and
Nards' other two shorts DON'T GO IN THE FUCKING WOODS (????)
and SIX-PACK THAT BITCH
(????) were, as far as I know, never released. They released NEKRO
as a handmade VHS limited to 50 copies (!) back in the late '90s.
Good luck tracking that down! You can find DVD-Rs of the film easily
on the net (which is the way I saw it). Bootleg company Twisted Anger
offers it as a bonus feature on one of their custom DVD-Rs of a
Japanese gore film (the name of which escapes me at the moment).
Until it gets an official release, that's your best bet of seeing it.
Roth and Nards and now going by their Becker and Bosco names today
and have made two new movies that star cult filmmaker Jim VanBebber,
one a short called MIRK RIDERS
(2010) directed by Becker and the other a feature called THE
BOTTLE, THE CHAIN AND THE DAMAGE DONE (2011) directed by
Bosco. Both of these should be seeing release very soon. NEKRO
is Unrated for obvious reasons. - MD NOTE: It was
released on an extremely Limited Edition VHS
(50 copies) by Massacre Video,
which is now long OOP. - Editor
NIKOS
THE IMPALER (2003) - German
filmmaker Andreas Schnaas, well known for his extreme gore flicks
like the VIOLENT SHIT movies
and ZOMBIE 90
(1990), brings us one of his wackiest movies yet with NIKOS
THE IMPALER, the fourth entry in the VIOLENT SHIT
series. From a script by Ted Geoghegan, NIKOS features a
Romanian barbarian named Nikos being resurrected at a New York City
art gallery during an art show. Armed with a sword, Nikos proceeds to
chop everyone to pieces in the art museum while college students led
by a professor (Joe Zaso) fight to survive and find a way out. The
professor and only remaining survivor (Felissa Rose) manage to get
out while Nikos proceeds to wreak havoc across NYC. NIKOS is
filled with beheadings, dismemberments, crushed heads, ripped off
faces, people sliced in half, throat slittings, entire fronts of
heads sliced off, ripped off breasts, disembowelments, as well as
some nudity, ninjas, Hitler magically coming out of a ZOMBIE
DOOM (1999) video box in a video store (Eva Braun even shows
up), references to Troma movies, and so much more. One of the best
things the movie has going for it is its amazing cast featuring names
like Joe Zaso, Felissa Rose, Andreas Schnaas (as Nikos), Hugh Daly,
Mike Marino, Brian Michael Finn, Danny Lopes, Jasi Cotton Lanier, Ray
Schwetz, Darian Caine, Debbie Rochon, Lloyd Kaufman, Tina Krause,
Jamie Greco, etc. The incredibly over-the-top gore effects by Marcus
Koch are plentiful and pretty awesome. The great B-movie cast, gore,
T&A, humor, and in-joke references all add up to make NIKOS
an entertaining splatter comedy that delivers the goods. The Cinema
Image limited edition DVD is loaded with extras including commentary,
featurettes, interviews, deleted and extended scenes, short films,
soundtrack snippets, trailers, and more. If you can find it (it was a
limited edition so it may be hard to find now), be sure to snatch it
up. A Cinema Image Productions DVD Release. Unrated - MD
OCTOBER
MOON (2005) Life seems to
be going well for Elliot (Jerod Howard), a young heterosexual man who
lives with his mother
(Judith ODea from NIGHT
OF THE LIVING DEAD 1968) and is about to be married
to his girlfriend (Tina Ona Paukstelis). Elliot becomes the new
secretary for 30-year-old homosexual businessman Corin Buckman (Sean
Michael Lambrecht). After Elliot and Corin go out to eat with their
boss Nancy (the always lovely Brinke Stevens), Corin starts to
suspect that Elliot may have some homosexual tendencies. Elliot
suddenly begins to realize he likes Corin more than a friend. The
only problem is that Corin is insistent on staying with his
23-year-old boyfriend Jake (Jeff Dylan Graham). Soon Elliot cant
leave Corin alone. His co-workers begin to take notice. He
eventually admits that hes gay. Corin keeps telling him that
hes staying with Jake and he needs to accept it. Elliot finds
himself completely obsessed with Corin. It tears his relationship
with his girlfriend apart and his mother throws him out of the house.
Now Elliot has become psychotic and is growing increasingly violent.
Hes willing to resort to any extreme measures he needs in order
to be with Corin. OCTOBER MOON is definitely one of the most
original movies Ive ever seen. Its most certainly one of
the better gay-themed horror movies out there. Low budget filmmaker
Jason Paul Collum has created a picture that really holds the
viewers attention throughout and keeps you on the edge of your
seat towards the end. The performances from Jerod Howard and Sean
Michael Lambrecht are very good too I must add. Collums other
movies include MARK OF THE DEVIL 666:
THE MORALIST (1995), 5 DARK SOULS
(1996), 5 DARK SOULS PART 2: ROOTS OF EVIL
(1998), JULIA WEPT
(2000) and the documentary SOMETHING
TO SCREAM ABOUT (2003). NOVEMBER
SON: OCTOBER MOON 2 (2008) is now in post-production. The
Tempe DVD of OCTOBER MOON has some good extras including cast
and crew commentary, a very entertaining 8-minute featurette where
Collum discusses the films production, a production still
gallery, web links to websites of cast and crew members and trailers
for SOMETHING TO SCREAM ABOUT as well as OCTOBER MOON.
A Tempe DVD Release. Not Rated
- MD
OZONE! ATTACK OF THE REDNECK MUTANTS (1986) - A chemical plant causes a hole to open in the ozone layer over a small town in Texas. This causes the town's redneck inhabitants to turn into the slimy, drooling, flesh hungry mutant zombies that the title suggests. This incredibly obscure Super 8 horror comedy from Bret McCormick (aka Max Raven) and Matt Devlen who gave us THE ABOMINATION (1986) is a blast! It's got blood, gore, guts, slime, vomit, watermelon smashing, chicken chasing, crotch grabbing, and hilarious dialogue. An old lady named Mother Video comes on occasionally and tells you to stop the movie before it gets any worse. The Troma fans will definitely get a kick out of this one. With Scott Davis, Blue Thompson, Brad McCormick, Janice Williams, Rhonda Rooney, and Barbara Dow. A Muther Video Release. Not Rated - MD
PIG
(1999) - This 8mm black and white art house short is probably
well-known for its being a creation of the late Rozz Williams, the
original lead man of the band Christian Death. Rozz committed suicide
in 1998 after filming the movie. He made it on a shoestring budget with
Nico B, the man behind one of the best horror, cult, exploitation,
and art house DVD labels today, Cult Epics. PIG is very much
an expressionist short that follows in the footsteps of such bizarre
and surreal art film classics like Bunuel's UN
CHIEN ANDALOU (1929), Lynch's ERASERHEAD
(1977), and E. Elias Merhige's BEGOTTEN
(1990). The story concerns a pig-masked serial killer who takes his
victim out into the desert and practices bizarre torture rituals on
him. The killer references a book called "Why God Permits
Evil." There's some graphic nudity and some cringe-inducing gore
during a scene in which the killer carves the word "PIG"
onto the chest of the victim and pierces his nipples threading string
through them which he uses to tie around the penis. Rozz Williams
stars as the killer and James Hollan plays the victim. PIG
is a disturbing but beautiful 23-minute artistic piece that perfectly
captures moods with its desert location, 8mm film, and gritty
setting. Williams was definitely an interesting and talented
individual. I don't know what else he may have gone on to do in the
way of film if he were still with us, but he was definitely somebody
into the more dark side of art and you can see it in PIG for
sure. The now out-of-print Cult Epics DVD of PIG
(limited to 1334 copies [and then they pressed 666 more discs, for
a total of 2000 - Editor]) includes a booklet modeled after the
"Why God Permits Evil" book in the film and extras include
a commentary with Nico B, audio excerpts of Williams' final
interview, behind-the-scenes stills, outtakes, photo gallery,
original Super 8 test footage, a Williams tribute video by Nico B,
and biographies. PIG is currently available on an art house
shorts compilation from Cult Epics entitled CINEMA
OF DEATH and is also available as part of a 2-disc
Blu-Ray/DVD combo from Cult Epics containing Nico B's follow-up film 1334
(2011). A Cult Epics DVD
Release. Not Rated - MD
REANIMATOR
ACADEMY (1992) This
shot on video horror comedy from Fort Worth, Texas is an attempt at
spoofing the RE-ANIMATOR
movies. After the beginning when a hooker ends up dead after she has
a nasty run-in with a gangster who she was hiding money from and his
dimwitted sidekick, we are introduced to a sorority house in Fort
Worth where a frat brothers Jeffrey Combs-like mad scientist
friend named Edgar Allan Lovecraft (Ha ha ha. Very funny.) shows up
with the head of a dead comedian he got from the morgue. He shows off
his re-animator serum and uses it to bring the head back
to life. The head comes back, tells a lot of bad jokes, and Edgar
sees fame and fortune. After Edgars buddys girlfriend
dies from falling and hitting her head on a concrete step, he uses
the serum to bring her back and she experiences the side effect
called Shrew Syndrome. Edgar says it only happens with
women and finds a cure for her. Later on the gangsters from the
beginning read about Edgars discoveries in the local newspaper
and decide to enlist his help so they can bring their dead hooker
back to life. Edgar manages to bring her back to life and as
expected, she has the Shrew Syndrome. Only problem is,
shes a lot harder to reason with than the college girl who was
brought back, Edgar and the gangsters cant control her, and she
goes on rampage across the campus punching the heads off of
unsuspecting college boys. Edgar and the gang follow the trail of
decapitated heads until it brings them to the zombie bitch and leads
to the final confrontation. Im sad to say it, but this movie
couldve been so much more. It had the potential to be a really
funny low budget movie, but the jokes were so lame, it started to get
really annoying after a while. Theyre virtually no gore at all.
We just get some comical scenes of heads being punched off and flying
through the air but theyre not bloody at all. Overall, it
wouldve been better had they not did the same stupid jokes over
and over. Im glad to have a copy of the film, but I doubt
Ill ever watch it again. Director Judith Priest (who co-wrote
with Benton Jennings) has not done anything else to date. The end
credits promise a sequel called HEAD WEST that, as far as I
know, never panned out. I have to say Im not surprised. With
Steve Westerheit, Tricia Anderson, Connie Speer, Richard Perrin,
Benton Jennings, Julian Scott, Sarah Paxton, Tom Fegan and J. Scott
Guy. A Cinema Home Video Release. Not Rated - MD
RECONCILED
THROUGH THE CHRIST (2004)
Floridas low budget moviemaking guru Tim Ritters most
recent film is something thats a definite change of pace for
him. Most familiar with Tim and his work usually think of the low
budget gore and splatter cult hits TRUTH
OR DARE? - A CRITICAL MADNESS (1986), KILLING
SPREE (1987), CREEP
(1995), and the TRUTH OR DARE sequels WICKED
GAMES (1994) and SCREAMING
FOR SANITY: TRUTH OR DARE 3 (1998). (And Ritter's DEADLY
DARES: TRUTH OR DARE IV [2011] - Editor) With RECONCILED,
Tim breaks away from all the gore and insanity of those movies and
delivers a story that makes people think about religion in
todays society and its influence on politics and how we
think of ourselves and the effect religion has on us. Corrupt
businessman Franklin McDowell (Ron A. Blair) is going through a
stressful time in his life. His wife is cheating on him and its
becoming evident that their marriage cannot go on. He decides
hes not going to let her get away with doing this to him and
packs up a gun and heads out with the intention of killing her. Along
the way he picks up a hitchhiker. Shortly afterward he pulls off the
road and attacks her. She gets out and runs into the woods and he
chases her down with a knife. When he catches up to her and attempts
to kill her he is confronted by a strange preacher dude. The preacher
convinces Franklin to let the hitchhiker go and he hitches a ride
with him. Along the way, the preacher starts talking about things
that strangely begin to reach into Franklins inner character
and feelings and emotions that hes afraid to admit to. Franklin
keeps denying everything the preacher says of him. After shooting him
in the head, Franklin puts his body in a trash bag and takes it out
to the woods to bury it. But the preacher comes back and Franklin
beats him to death a shovel. He buries him and drives away hoping
hes dead, but not so. The preacher keeps coming back again and
again. Franklin can run over him with his car, shoot him, stab him,
burn him up, but he just cant kill him. Its apparent that
hes dealing with supernatural forces. He sees a lake turn into
blood and a fire-breathing dragon destroy a church. Can the forces
convince Franklin to admit to his mistakes and see himself for who he
is before he can kill his wife? RECONCILED is definitely one
of the most original religious-themed horror movies Ive ever
seen. The film turns out to be very effective and it delivers a very
powerful message about the influence of religion on society and the
way we view ourselves as human beings and innermost feelings we keep
locked up inside. This is a movie that horror fans should see at
least once for something different and something that seeks to
deliver a strong moral message. Fans of Tim Ritters other
movies should find it interesting too despite its lack of the
over-the-top gore thats prevalent in all his other movies. The
Sub Rosa DVD contains a commentary with Tim, behind-the-scenes
footage, making of special effects footage, and trailer. With Larry
Joe Treadway, Andrew Willett, Lori L. Holley, Kathleen Ritter, and
Jay Ingle. A Sub Rosa Studios
DVD Release. Not Rated -MD
RED
MIDNIGHT (2005) - US/Italian
co-production from Cinema Image Productions is an anthology film
presenting us with three tales told by a psychic at the Red Midnight
theatre who a reporter by the name of Karen Marks goes to see as part
of an assignment. The first
story "Anathema" (directed by Ray Schwetz) tells us of a
man who moves into a new home after the death of his wife and son.
Soon enough, bizarre occurrences take place in the house, and a ghost
(played by Jasi Cotton Lanier) makes contact with him. The second
story "The Creation of Dr. Grecoz" (directed by Brian
Michael Finn) tells us of an eye surgeon who creates a new set of
eyes for his son who was scarred and lost his vision in a fire.
Thinking it's a miracle that he's finally able to see again, the son
soon comes to realize that his father really wasn't looking out for
the good of him but rather looking to exploit his loss of vision as
an opportunity to create a perfect child, so to speak, as a way to
fulfill a long kept fantasy of his. The third story
"Pilgrimage" (directed by Giovanni Piangiani) is a
giallo-style short thriller about an FBI agent (played by Joe Zaso
who also produced the anthology) who travels to Rome to investigate
the bizarre, ritualistic murder of his partner. He comes across a
Satanist who practices human sacrifices and a battle of good vs. evil
between the agent and Satanist wages on. RED MIDNIGHT is an
entertaining, low budget horror anthology that offers an array of
homages to many contemporary horror films, Asian flicks, and older
giallos from the 1970s. The set pieces are all very effective and the
wraparound segment with a psychic telling the stories to an audience
was quite an original touch I must add. Worth seeking out if
anthologies are your cup of tea. The Cinema Image DVD features
commentaries by Schwetz, Finn, Piangiani, and Zaso as well as
behind-the-scenes footage, still galleries, and trailers for other
Cinema Image releases. With Roger Woo, Stephanie Roy, Giada Vadala,
Shawn-Caulin Young, Christine Bonfanti, Patrick J. Egan, Maurizio
Rapotec, Hugh Daly, and Lindley Lee. A Cinema Image Productions DVD
Release. Unrated - MD
THE
REDSIN TOWER (2006) - Fred Vogel
and Toe Tag Pictures, creators of the notorious fake snuff/torture
porn AUGUST UNDERGROUND series,
bring us their first "actual film" with this gory,
disturbing, and intense low budget effort mixing slasher movie and
supernatural horror elements. Kim (Bethany Newell) breaks up with her
boyfriend Mitch (Perry Tiberio). Having doubts as to whether or not
she did the right thing, her goth chick friend Becky (Jessica
Kennedy) tries to cheer her up and takes her out to party with some
other kids for a night of music, booze, and sex. Mitch isn't handling
the break up very well. He calls Kim up over and over trying to get
her to talk to him but she won't answer.
He gets more and more frustrated and desperate as the minutes go by.
Becky, who always thought Mitch is a loser, takes Kim out for a night
on the town and tells her to forget about him. They meet up with some
friends at a party. Mitch heads out on his bike to find Kim and tell
her he still loves her. He breaks up the party by calling the police
and telling them there's a party going on with underage drinking and
loud music causing a disturbance. This forces Kim, Becky and the gang
to go party some place else in town. They decide to move the party up
to the infamous "Redsin Tower," an ancient building where
an occultist by the name of Matteo Redsin practiced vicious human
sacrifices. The tower is believed by some townsfolk to still be
haunted by Redsin's spirit. Laughing those stories off, the gang ends
up partying in the tower, breaking out the music and booze and
getting ready for a night of fun and games and sex. Soon things start
to get weird as the kids one by one have encounters with the
supernatural. Mitch finds his way up to the tower and proceeds to
brutally hack up the partygoers in order to find Kim. A gore-drenched
bloodbath ensues involving demonic possession, maggot and worm
puking, axe murders, a weird bird-like creature, gut spilling,
encounters with otherworldly forces, and more. REDSIN
is definitely Toe Tag's best movie to date. The cinematography,
acting, and effects are all splendid and the movie takes several
unexpected turns and manages to keep you on the edge of your seat
throughout. The picture looks excellent for a film that was shot on
digital video, as any first time viewer would swear it was 35mm.
Overall, REDSIN is an
excellent effort from Toe Tag and it definitely shows what they're
capable of and how they've come along very well in such a short time
after kicking things off with the AUGUST UNDERGROUND
movies. I look forward to seeing what their next film will be like.
Toe Tag's DVD of REDSIN presents the movie in 16x9 widescreen
and in 5.1 Surround and has a nice little selection of extras
including a commentary with Fred Vogel and the Toe Tag gang, an
introduction by Toe Tag, a behind-the-scenes make-up effects
featurette entitled "Butchering Becky" with commentary by
effects creator Jerami Cruise where he describes how the scene where
the goth chick Becky is hacked up was pulled off, a behind-the-scenes
photo gallery, and two trailers. Show Toe Tag your support and visit
them online at www.toetag.biz and
get your copies of REDSIN and the AU
trilogy. A Toe Tag Pictures DVD Release. Unrated - MD NOTE:
Director Fred Vogel's next film was SELLA
TURCICA (2010), a film that takes him in a much
different direction, except for the gore-filled finale. NOTE #2: REDSIN
was distributed on a very limited quality
on VHS by
boutique label Massacre Video (It
is very limited in supply and probably sold out by the
time you read this, making me believe it is an eBay scam to charge
ridiculous prices for the product made). NOTE #3: Now
available in an unbelievable 5
DISC POSSESSION EDITION DVD from ToeTag, that has so many
extras (deleted, extended & alternate scenes, featurettes and a 2
½ hour documentary!), you
will spend the better part of a day viewing it all. This is the
recommended version. - Editor
THE
RED SKULLS (2005) - Andrew and Lucas
Campbell bring us what is quite possibly their best film yet with
this gang story about a gang leader named Uri who decides to quit his
gang "The Red Skulls" after one of his friends was murdered
by members of another gang known as "The Rats." Fellow Red
Skull Lester doesn't take too kindly to Uri's walking out on them and
ascends to the thrown as the new leader of
the gang. Lester rules the gang with an iron fist and plans to lure
Uri into a trap with the other Red Skulls to get back at him.
Lester's plan is soon sabotaged after female gang member Ruby poisons
the ale they're drinking at their house party. Unfortunately for her,
she didn't realize this poison is a substance that turns people into
flesh eating zombies. It's THE WARRIORS
(1979) meets NIGHT OF
THE LIVING DEAD (1968) as the Red Skulls ooze and spew blood
and turn into cannibalistic zombie gang members from hell. It's gore
galore as limbs are torn, necks are chomped, guts are spilled, and
the gang members who didn't drink the ale are left fighting for their
lives. Lester is still determined to get Uri. "The Rats"
are still out to get the Skulls. A bloody, chaotic battle between
gangs, rival gang members, and the undead is what we get. THE RED SKULLS
is a gory, original, campy, and entertaining effort from the Campbell
Brothers with some decent make-up effects (by Ricky Lee Leonard and
others), some good one-liners, and some good music as well. The
Campbell's went on to do CORDOBA NIGHTS
(2007) and POISON SWEETHEARTS
(2008) after this. The Tempe/Splatter Rampage DVD of THE RED SKULLS
contains a commentary with the cast and crew, a behind-the-scenes
featurette, a featurette on the film's make-up effects, an outtake
reel, a music video, preview trailer for CORDOBA NIGHTS, and
trailers for other Splatter Rampage releases. With Lucas Campbell,
Ashleigh Holeman, Ryan Maille, Laura Robbins, Jen Meissner, Andrew
Mercer, Knayte Lander, John "Ed" Bishop, James L. Edwards,
and Chuck Cieslik. A Tempe
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
RED
SPIRIT LAKE (1993) - Here's a
movie that gave me a headache the first time I watched it. It took me
two viewings before I could fully understand what it was all about. I
think it's better if you have a beer while watching it. It starts off
with a group of thugs led by a sleazebag named Diego torturing a
woman because they want her to sell them Red Spirit Lake. She refuses
and they end up killing her. We are then introduced to Marilyn
(Annabel Lee) who goes up to her Aunt Abigail's house at the lake to
take care of the place in the wintertime after her aunt dies.
Marilyn's great grandmother was supposedly a witch and there was a
history of witchcraft in her family. It appears as though the
spirits of witches haunt Red Spirit Lake. Marilyn has weird dreams
and sees witches or the ghosts of witches wandering around. Caretaker
brothers Matthias and Thomas tell Marilyn about how they met up with
angels and they help "lock away the demons." Matthias and
Thomas were apparently abducted by aliens and operated on. They claim
it was angels. Thomas ended up with a scar on his forehead in the
shape of an X that oozes green stuff on occasion. Matthias
masturbates (in graphic detail) to Marilyn doing aerobics. Diego
still wants to get the lake and the house. He sends out two hired
killers to ice Marilyn. Thomas tries to fight one of them off but
ends up getting killed with a sledgehammer. Matthias shoots one and
the other runs off. Diego himself later shows up and drugs and rapes
Marilyn. Then one of the witches appears, bites his tongue out and
makes him cut his penis off. Marilyn's friends Shirley, Bob and Frank
who she invited earlier show up. Bob enjoys going into a hot sauna,
chanting "om," then running out naked in the freezing cold
and snow, and running back in. The ghost of a witch shows up to give
him a blowjob and ends up "disturbing his subtle energy
fields." He burns his hand on the sauna door and the witches
burn him to a crisp. Two of Diego's hired killers, Wesley and
Gabriel, show up. Gabriel ties up Shirley, undresses her, burns her
breast with a cigarette, then rapes her and slits her throat. Wesley
and Gabriel go after Marilyn and Frank. They both struggle. Frank
ends up having his brains blown out with a gun. The witches resurrect
Shirley and she throws Gabriel down on the kitchen table and fists
him up the ass. He hacks up blood and dies. The witches then lure
Wesley out into the snow. They dance around and Wesley undresses. He
then ends up freezing to death. In the end Marilyn is gunned down out
in the field by Matthias. He ends up with a scar on his forehead and
says, "Angel's coming soon." This shot on video movie from
director Charles Pinion is hard to describe. It is absolutely one of
the weirdest, most offensive, vile, sickening and disturbing movies
I've ever seen. There were parts in it that I couldn't bear to watch
and I've seen some pretty horrendous things in movies before. There's
lots of extremely explicit male and female nudity and graphic sex
making it practically equivalent to soft-core porn. The film has some
pretty bloody scenes as well. While there is not quite as much
graphic gore as I was expecting, the violence has some sort of mean
streak to it, making it very unsettling in some places. I actually
felt like vomiting when I watched it the first time (the graphic
castration scene mentioned earlier is a prime example). It wasn't
quite as shocking the second time around. Director Pinion plays the
part of Matthias. With Holly Adams, Rick Hall, Bob Log, Jurgen
Straub, Richard Kern, Mark Adomaitis, Julie Marlow, Tessa
Hughes-Freeland, and Kembra Pfahler. Pinion made WE
AWAIT (1996) after this. I'd really like to see his first
movie TWISTED ISSUES (1988). A Something
Weird Video Release. Not Rated. Charles Pinion now has a
website: www.charlespinion.com.
He's selling limited edition signed DVDs of TWISTED
ISSUES, RED SPIRIT LAKE
and WE AWAIT. - MD
REDWOOD JUSTIN: VAMPIRE HUNTER-DANCE WITH A VAMPIRE (2006) - George Bonilla and ZP International's stab at the vampire subgenre of horror pits Redwood Justin (Stacey T. Gillespie) against a group of vampires who kidnapped his sister years ago. Redwood teams up with Bolt Upright, a wannabe superhero and sidekicks Doc Q and Glenda to battle the vampires and their 200-year-old clan leader. Disco music and dancing, kung fu, bloody vampire battling, and more proceed as Redwood fights to save his sister. REDWOOD JUSTIN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, for what it is, is a pretty enjoyable micro budget vampire film with some decent visual effects, good make-ups, and some moments of campy humor. Like with ZOMBIE PLANET, this one has the same Charles Band/Full Moon vibe and Redwood is a character somewhat cut from the same cloth as Kane in ZOMBIE PLANET. Bonilla and ZP would go on to improve upon this with THE EDISON DEATH MACHINE (2006) and MONSTROSITY (2007). With Matthew Perry, Amy Wills, Bob Singleton, Billy W. Blackwell, and Frank Farhat. The ZP International DVD of REDWOOD JUSTIN: VAMPIRE HUNTER contains an audio commentary with Bonilla, trailers, previews for other ZP movies, and animated menus. A ZP International DVD Release. Not Rated - MD
THE RESURRECTION GAME (1998/2001) - Somewhere in the future, something called the "Infestation" is causing flesh-eating zombies to run rampant and turn into an everyday life problem. It's up to a former police detective, a scientist, and a couple of zombie exterminators to uncover a corporate conspiracy that is behind the flesh eaters and the "Infestation." It's a bloody fun ride as the four battle zombies and get to the bottom of the conspiracy. This low budget, 16mm horror comedy from my friends Mike Watt and Amy Lynn Best at Happy Cloud Pictures is quite a good time for those looking for a zombie movie with gore and laughs. It has a good '80s horror feel to it. It's also a must for people who enjoy movies like THE DEAD NEXT DOOR (1988) and DARKNESS (1993). THE RESURRECTION GAME (originally known as NECROMANIAC) was shot in Pittsburgh and stars Ray Yeo, Kristin Pfiefer, Francis Veltri, Bill Homan, Jasi Cotton Lanier, Debbie Rochon, and Charlie Fleming. Mike wrote, produced and directed and plays the part of Adam. Amy co-produced and stars as Sister Bliss. Paul McCollough composed the music score. My review of the film is based on a working version, so the picture quality wasn't the best, and the sound and credits aren't complete. Other Happy Cloud titles include WEREGRRL (2002), SEVERE INJURIES (2003), and SPICY SISTERS SLUMBER PARTY (2004). Unrated - MD
RETURN
IN RED (2007) - Director Tyler
Tharpe (FREAK -
1997) brings us this tense, suspenseful, and terrifying
film about an odd van that shows up in a rural Indiana town and
causes a disturbance. The van stops near farmhouses at night and the
doors open up revealing some kind of satellite dish inside that gives
off a weird humming sound frequency that causes people to go crazy. A
young man tries to find out who's behind it, but ends up disappearing
after he pokes his nose where it doesn't belong. The van shows up at
a factory one night and the sound frequency starts up. A young female
office worker inside unaware of what's going on goes out into the
work area to find a bloody mess as the workers are all killing each
other and committing suicide in gory ways. RETURN IN RED is an
excellent 16mm effort with some very suspenseful moments, some fairly
decent acting from one child actor, and an ending that leaves the
story open to the viewer's interpretation. Who could be doing this
odd sound frequency experiment? Could it be the government? Your
guess is as good as anybody's. There are some decent make-up effects
(by Michael Todd Schneider of Maggot
Films, who also appears as a victim) as well. The Image DVD
contains a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, an audition
reel, trailer, a stills gallery, and some DVD-ROM extras. With Linda
McCormick, Betty Niccum, Michael G. Young, David Tess, Mary Atkins,
Kate Black, and Eric Boring. An Image
Entertainment DVD Release. Unrated - MD
ROT
(1999) - Make-up
effects guru and Florida-based filmmaker Marcus Koch (100
TEARS - 2007; FELL -
2010) brings us this cautionary tale involving young punk couple
Muzzy and Sarah (Billy Scam and Tiffany Stinky). Sarah is a
necrophiliac and she contracts a flesh eating disease after having
sex with a cadaver. She then spreads it to Muzzy through sexual
intercourse and the two of them slowly begin to "rot"
alive. The two of them are soon on the verge of spreading a
nationwide pandemic that threatens to disintegrate anybody who comes
into contact with it. The whacko Dr. Olsen (Joel D. Wynkoop) who's
responsible for the disease is believed by Sarah to have a cure for
it. Government agents soon get involved and gooey, gory chaos ensues. ROT
manages to be a pretty enjoyable early effort from a filmmaker who
would later go on to do effects work for ALIEN
AGENDA: ENDANGERED SPECIES (1998), CITIZEN
TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV
(2000), NIKOS THE IMPALER
(2003), AND THEN THEY WERE DEAD
(2004), GHOST LAKE
(2004), CLOSET SPACE
(2008), and SWEATSHOP
(2010). Wynkoop's insanely over-the-top performance as Dr. Olsen is
one of the best things the movie has going for it. Some of the make-up
effects aren't too bad considering the budget and the movie has some
very funny moments as well. It's definitely worth popping in the VCR
on a boring afternoon. The VHS contains a behind-the-scenes segment
after the movie. A Video Outlaw
Release. Unrated - MD
SAVAGE
HARVEST (1994) A
group of friends get together to help Karen (Ramona Midgett) clean up
her uncles old house in the woods. One of them tells a story of
black magic rituals practiced in the area and supposed demonic
possessions and
stones that cause anybody who comes into physical contact with them
to become demonically possessed. Soon enough, this unfortunate group
finds out that these stories are true as they come across demon
stones that turn people into homicidal, bloodthirsty monsters, people
begin to disappear and the little adventure into the woods becomes a
supernatural bloodbath of horror. SAVAGE
HARVEST is a great SOV effort from Eric Stanze who would go
on to give us ICE FROM THE SUN
(1999), THE SEVERED HEAD NETWORK
(2000), SCRAPBOOK (2000), I
SPIT ON YOUR CORPSE, I PISS ON YOUR GRAVE (2001) and CHINA
WHITE SERPENTINE (2003). You can tell THE
EVIL DEAD (1983) was Stanzes biggest influence with SAVAGE
HARVEST. The film is loaded with over-the-top and outrageous
gore and splatter. Dismemberments? Check. Disembowelments? Check.
Slime, guck and bile? Check. Make sure you dont eat before
watching. Visit www.wickedpixel.com
for all the info you need on Stanze and Wicked Pixel Productions. The
Sub Rosa SAVAGE HARVEST DVD contains two audio commentaries, a
behind-the-scenes documentary, stills gallery, preview trailers and a
music video. With Lisa Morrison, William Clifton, David Berliner,
D.J. Vivona, Rebecca Kennebeck, Rick Fischer, Pat Coffey, Tommy
Biondo and Jerry Bates. A Sub Rosa Studios
DVD Release. Elite Entertainment
is supposed to release SAVAGE HARVEST 2:
OCTOBER BLOOD (2006) on DVD this summer. Unrated -MD
SAVAGE
HARVEST 2: OCTOBER BLOOD (2006) -
This sequel to Eric Stanze's gore-drenched
1994 classic introduces us to a low budget horror filmmaker
named Tyge Murdock (Benjamin Gaa) who has a run-in with a string of
unfortunate events. An actor was killed in a set accident on one of
his films. Trying to put the tragedy behind him, he goes back to his
old hometown to collect himself in hopes of putting his life
back on track. After returning home, he meets up with an old high
school friend named Ashley Lomack (Emily Haack). It turns out Ashley
is the sister of Mikki Lomack (Lisa Morrison) who survived the
original night in hell in the first movie. Mikki committed suicide a
few years after. Tyge's friend Deke (David Propst) is taking care of
a drifter named Zack (Eric Stanze). It appears Zack knows a good bit
about the original bloodbath from ten years earlier and the cursed
stones that turn people into flesh eating demons upon contact. The
stones re-emerge and eventually it leads to another night of hell on
earth as one unfortunate soul becomes possessed and the curse spreads
from one person to another via a sharp, oozing demon tongue. A
blood-gushing, innards splattered orgy of gory mayhem ensues
involving chainsaw dismemberments, a spike through one's eye,
impalements, a crotch chewed out with a chainsaw, crowbars through
heads, heads twisted off, legs pulled off, hearts ripped out, pickaxe
in the mouth, etc. SAVAGE
HARVEST 2 is definitely one of the best sequels anybody could
pull off. Director Jason Christ is a man of talent and perspective.
The gore is great, the performances from Gaa, Haack, and Stanze are
pretty decent, and there are some moments of tension and suspense
throughout. Elite Entertainment's 2-disc special edition DVD of SAVAGE
HARVEST 2 is loaded with goodies including three audio
commentaries (including Jason Christ and cast and crew members), an
hour-long behind-the-scenes documentary entitled "Harvest
Season: The Making of Savage Harvest 2: October Blood," deleted
scenes with optional audio commentary by Jason Christ, an outtakes
reel, stills gallery, three of Jason Christ's short films, and
trailers for every movie in the Wicked
Pixel Cinema catalog. If you're a low budget horror fan, you owe
it to yourself to pick this one up as soon as you get the chance.
With Jonathan Baker, Julie Farrar, Anna Knobeloch, and Eric Spudic.
An Elite Entertainment DVD
Release. Unrated - MD
SCHIZOPHRENIAC:
THE WHORE MANGLER (1997)/NECROMANIAC:
SCHIZOPHRENIAC 2 (2000) - Ron
Atkins and Cut Throat Video team up with Brain Damage Films to bring
us a double feature of two of the "most vile pieces of filth
ever made." SCHIZOPHRENIAC
tells the story of Harry Russo (John Giancaspro) a filmmaker and drug
addict who's losing his grip on sanity. Harry decides to rid the
world of whores and goes on killing rampage targeting Las Vegas
prostitutes. Harry carries his puppet "Rubberneck" around
with him, dresses up in women's clothing, plays with lipstick, dances
around naked, rants to himself, says fuck a lot and
spews other obscenities as well as lots of ethnic slurs, bashes a
hooker's head to bits with a baseball bat, cuts a drunk's dick off,
stabs, slashes and shoots three people in an adult movie theater, and
in the end finds himself on the run and unable to tell what's reality
and what's a dream in a very confusing ending. NECROMANIAC
continues Harry's adventures killing, torturing and having anal sex
with the dead bodies of his victims. Harry carries
"Rubberneck" around again, has a run in with Jesus, plays
obscene pranks at the drive-thrus of fast food joints, rants in
public, strangles an old lady, swears a lot, holds a couple
prostitutes hostage, and this time is being hunted down by Vegas
police (including an foul mouthed, racist asshole detective played by
Nick Palumbo) and the brother of one of his victims in the first
movie. The ending paves the way for a third movie that Atkins has in
the works right now as we speak. SCHIZOPHRENIAC and NECROMANIAC
are both incredibly offensive, brutal, gory, and showcase the
adventures of a psychopath who has it in for prostitutes, gays and
minorities with absolutely no regard for decency or morals
whatsoever. It's clear Ron Atkins really knew what he was going for
with making these two and Giancaspro's incredibly over-the-top acting
is something to see indeed. There's times when you feel like laughing
but it would be for all the wrong reasons. These two cult classics
are what I'd call the definition of "sick." Politically
incorrect doesn't even describe them. They're indeed a love it or
hate it affair. Where do I stand? I really can't say for certain.
Atkins has certainly improved as a filmmaker with each movie. SCHIZO
and NECRO seem to be an homage to serial killer flicks like MANIAC
(1980) and HENRY:
PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER (1986). While they're nowhere
near as well made or as effective as those two, they both stand as
two examples of low budget filmmaking from a director who's very
inspired and not willing to be deterred by any constraints on
"how far a movie can go." Watch them and decide for
yourself. The Brain Damage Double Feature DVD of SCHIZO and NECRO
contains trailers and a Harry Russo music video entitled "Die
Cunt." The two movies are also available on DVD separately from
Atkins' Cut Throat Video
as collector's editions with more extras. Be sure to check out
Atkins' other movies DARK
NIGHT OF THE SOUL (1998), EAT
THE RICH: THE CANNIBAL MURDERS (2000), GRIP
(2002), and THE SINS OF GOVERNMENT
(2003/2004). A Brain Damage Films
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
SCRAPBOOK
(2000) - Eric Stanze and Wicked
Pixel Cinema bring us this disturbing tale about a serial killer
named Leonard (Tommy Biondo) and how he documents his life in a
scrapbook. Leonard takes Clara (Emily Haack) hostage. He rapes, beats
and tortures her and forces
her to write down how she feels about her ordeal in his scrapbook as
he has done with his other victims. Trying to figure out a way to
escape, Clara makes several attempts which fail which lead to some
very brutal and hard-to-watch scenes. Clara then uses Leonard's
scrapbook to communicate with him and trick him into thinking she's
no longer going to resist his perverse games leading Leonard to a
nasty surprise in the end. Filled with torture, graphic sex, nudity,
and gore, SCRAPBOOK
is a very disturbing and brutal picture that documents the sheer
insanity of a psychopath. Some very unpleasant scenes throughout the
film include Clara having sour milk dumped on her and being
duct-taped inside a garbage can, a part where she has a few of her
toes hacked off with an axe in a barn, and Leonard tying her up in
the shower videotaping her naked while he holds a razorblade to her
face. The end scene, which involves the bottoms of feet being cut
open with a steak knife, actually made me flinch. There's also nasty
scene of rectum violence involving a whisky bottle. SCRAPBOOK
is definitely one of Stanze and Wicked Pixel's best movies and also
one of their most disturbing as well. The Sub Rosa DVD contains an
audio commentary with Eric Stanze, Jeremy Wallace and Emily Haack, a
behind-the-scenes featurette, preview trailers, still gallery, etc.
With Todd Tevlin, Elizabeth Hammock, Sam Maiden Jr., and Angelia
Sanderson. A Sub Rosa Studios
DVD Release. Unrated - MD
SCREEN
KILL (1997) - A horror movie fan
named Doug meets up with an old high school friend named Ralis who
sings in a nightclub
band that does theatrics and special effects. Doug and Ralis decide
to make a slasher movie together. When they film a scene of girl
being killed, Ralis goes too far and really kills her by cutting her
throat. Doug is shocked and scared at first, but decides to go along
with it anyway and they get rid of the body. They decide to start
picking people up off the streets and tell them they're going to be
in a horror movie. Little do these people know that they're being
tricked into starring in a snuff film. A guy's dick is sliced off and
he has it shoved down his throat, a girl has her face smashed with an
iron, a homeless person is drilled in the eye, another girl is cut in
half with a chainsaw, and one guy is half-decapitated with a machete.
One of Ralis's band members is hung upside down by a tree branch and
he has his head blown off with dynamite. Soon Doug's girlfriend
notices he's acting strange and she eventually becomes aware of what
he and Ralis are doing. She, of course, ends up really sorry in the
end. As far as dime budget shot on video gore flicks go, this one
certainly isn't the worst of the bunch, but it's not very good
either. The acting is pretty weak and the photography is rather poor.
There are some good gore scenes however. If homemade horror is your
cup of tea, I say go for it. With Al Darago, Mark Williams, Ann
Jagerman, Debbie Jackson, and Bobby Raber. Directed by Doug Ulrich. A Brimstone
Productions Release. Also available from Video
Outlaw under the title SNUFF KILL.
Unrated - MD
SERIAL
KILLER (2002) Ryan
Cavalline and 4th Floor Pictures bring us a picture thats a
disturbing look at the life of serial killers. Horror writer Michael
(Adam Berasi) decides to write a book about convicted killers and
what motivates them to kill. For the project, he interviews several
convicts in prisons and institutions and asks them what killing was
like for them. The book hes writing turns out to
be very realistic. In fact, its so real that the killings
described turn out to be the same as brutal murders of women that are
occurring as he writes the book. The alleged killer is shown at his
house ranting to himself, collecting cut outs from porn magazines,
and playing with lipstick. Michael receives tapes of the butchered
women before their deaths tied up naked to chairs by the killer and
saying, By the time you see this I will be dead and
giving their last words. What exactly is going on? Whos really
committing the murders? Is somebody deliberately trying to mess with
Michaels head? See the movie and find out for yourself. SERIAL
KILLER is a pretty good indie splatter effort. Ryan Cavalline
wrote, produced, directed and edited and does a pretty decent job.
You could tell he was going for something serious and disturbing in
the vein of HENRY:
PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER (1986). Some of the acting is
surprisingly good and the effects arent too bad considering the
budget. The film is definitely not for the faint of heart or the
easily offended. Thats how much you need to know before popping
it into the DVD player. The Brain Damage Films DVD contains an audio
commentary with Cavalline, a behind-the-scenes featurette, trailers
for other Brain Damage releases, and trailers for other movies by 4th
Floor Pictures. Other movies by Cavalline and 4th Floor include DEMON
SLAUGHTER (2003), DAY
OF THE AX (2004), DEAD
BODY MAN (2004), DEAD
BODY MAN 2: SEPARATION ANXIETY (2005), HOUSE
OF CARNAGE (2006), and the upcoming ASPIRING
PSYCHOPATH (2007). With Pamela Sutch, Vic Badger, Desiree,
Eddie Benevich, Rebecca Anderson and with special appearances by Ron
Ford, Joel D. Wynkoop, Ron Bonk and Phil Herman as serial killers
being interviewed. A Brain
Damage Films DVD Release. Unrated - MD
SEVERE
INJURIES (2003) - Slasher
fans, it's time to meet Melvin Hubble. Melvin has made many
unsuccessful attempts to kill. His father shows him his family photo
album and tells him that all their family members have been insane
and have had the spirit of killing in them
since birth, but they've all been so incompetent they couldn't kill
a cockroach. Melvin's dad asks him to hand him a fork to stick in the
toaster to fix it and dad gets electrocuted and the last thing he
tells Mel before he dies is to go out and kill. He adds that it must
be a sorority house filled with girls running around in lingerie. Mel
listens to what his father says, goes out in his welder's mask and
with his machete handy and tries to kill a few times but is
unsuccessful once again. He comes across the Ro-Ro-Ro Sorority House.
A bunch of college girls and guys throw a party at Ro-Ro-Ro one
night. He attempts to kill a girl in the shower but chickens out.
Later a girl goes into the bathroom to fix her hair. Mel shows up
behind her while she's looking in the mirror. He jumps up and down
and waves but this girl is so stupid she can't see that anybody's
standing behind her. She suddenly turns around and gets a machete in
her stomach. Mel has had his first kill. He then proceeds to
slaughter the rest of the partygoers in various gory ways (assorted
stabbings, machete through the brain, dismemberment, chainsaw
disembowelment, beer can in the eye, tree branch through the head,
etc.). Only one problem, one of the guests at the party who gets
hooked up with the nerdy girl of the sorority turns out to be
psychotic as well. When the two catch up with each other at what they
were intending to be a double murder, they get upset with each other
and decide it's war. It's a laugh-out loud splatter fest from there
on out. SEVERE INJURIES is perhaps my favorite film from Happy
Cloud Pictures. Amy Lynn Best directs and stars as the nerdy sorority
girl Lauren. She co-produced with Mike Watt (who wrote) and Ron Bonk.
The film has a great B-movie cast: Charlie Fleming (who's hilarious
as Melvin), Robyn Griggs, Lilith Stabs, Bill Homan, Jasi Cotton
Lanier, Debbie Rochon, Ryli Morgan, Mark Baranowski and special
appearances by Lloyd Kaufman and Brinke Stevens. The Sub Rosa DVD has
many extras including two audio commentaries, one with Amy Lynn Best,
Mike Watt, Robyn Griggs and Kevin Kline and the other with Amy,
Charlie Fleming, Tim Gross and Jim Steinhoff, outtakes and bloopers,
trailers, WEREGRRL (2002) as a
bonus feature and WEREGRRL outtakes and interviews. A Sub
Rosa Studios DVD Release. Unrated - MD
SHADOW:
DEAD RIOT (2006) - Carl Morano
and Fever Dreams Productions bring us a crazy genre-blending shot-on-digital
effort that combines elements of zombie movies, women-in-prison
films, and Asian martial arts flicks all in the style of good old
1970's grindhouse cinema. Solitaire (Carla Greene), a tough young
black girl is sent to a maximum-security prison that is now a prison
for women. The
facility was once the scene of the execution of a serial killer, who
made a deal with the devil, known as Shadow (genre star Tony Todd)
years ago. The supernatural activity Shadow was involved in had an
effect on the other prisoners causing them to riot and be gunned down
by guards who took their bodies buried them beneath the lawn of the
prison. Shadow comes back from the grave with a vengeance and
unleashes the dead prisoners from underneath the prison yard lawn as
a horde of flesh eating zombies. This all happens after a prisoner
who cuts her foot trying to escape bleeds on the ground and down into
the soil. A tremendous amount of hell breaks loose with some serious
kung fu and ass-kicking scenes, zombies wreaking havoc in the prison,
a girl who gives birth to a mutant zombie baby, gore, guts, exploding
heads, and more. Solitaire proves herself to be very tough as she
fights off the mean girls of the prison, zombies, and Shadow in the
end. SHADOW: DEAD RIOT
is one wild ride for exploitation fans. It has everything fans could
ask for: Copious amounts of gore, nudity, sleaze, lesbians, zombies,
kung fu, references to other B-movies and horror classics, etc. The
cast also features Misty Mundae and Ruby LaRocca as well as little
cameo appearances by Bill Hinzman ("Graveyard Zombie") as
"Romero the Zombie" and Captain Haggerty ("Fat Zombie
Aboard Boat") as "Lucio the Zombie." Barbara Joyce and
Debbie D are also featured as prison inmate extras. Directed by Derek
Wan from a screenplay by Fangoria's Michael Gingold. Allan Cooke,
Brian Spears and Pete Gerner handled the make-up effects. The Shriek
Show 2-disc Unrated DVD contains a cast and crew commentary, isolated
music score, a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, an
artwork gallery, music video, and more. A Shriek
Show DVD release. Available in R and Unrated
versions. - MD
THE
SHIVERS (1998) - Todd Sheets
brings us this tale filled with grue and gore about the infamous
Dread Mansion. Dread Mansion
is a place with an awful past that no one in their right mind would
ever think about buying or even embrace the idea of throwing a party
in it. But, sure enough, some dimwit buys the place and plans a
Halloween party. One of his friends tells the partygoers a story
about the supernatural happenings believed to have taken place in the
old mansion years ago and the man who once lived there who murdered
his family. Throwing caution to the wind, the gang enters the place
thinking those stories about it being haunted are just hogwash. Soon
enough, the supernatural forces lurking within begin doing away with
the characters in gruesome fashion. A girl is strapped to a table,
gutted and then is fed her intestines through a milk jug and funnel,
a weird fungus comes out of a bathtub unleashing a flesh eating goo
that melts a dude into a puddle of slime, a guy is tortured by having
his teeth yanked out, a zombie is stabbed in the eye with an
umbrella, a demon gets a machete through its brain, and a really
messy chainsaw dismemberment with gushing blood and innards are just
a few of the gory goodies that splatter the screen in this Sheets
outing. It's a must for gorehounds and SOV horror enthusiasts
everywhere. With Rico Love, Antwoine Steele, Nick Stodden, Jenni
Geigel, Ruth Adams, Jolene Durrill, Abe Dyer, Lyla Johnson, Byron
Nichodemus, Rod Will, Becky Stodden, Brenna O'Brien, Pat Stodden,
Rachel Wintermeyer, and Jerry Norris. A Shock-O-Rama
Cinema Release. Unrated - MD
SHRECK
(1990) - Horror movie fan Roger Drake lives in a house where a
Nazi fugitive named Max Shreck once lived. Roger and his
friends decide to form a club called "The Dogs of Gore" and
hold a séance for Shreck on the anniversary of his death. They
practice a ritual to resurrect him and this goes horribly awry (as
usual) and they end up bringing him back to life and find themselves
fighting for their lives as they get trapped back in the time when he
lived in the house and was torturing and slaughtering people in the
most vile, sickening ways imaginable. This no budget shot on video
gore fest from Don Adams and Harry James Picardi is better than what
I was expecting. There are some really nasty scenes of dismemberment,
disembowelment, torture, and mutilation. I seem to remember reading a
review where somebody said it ranks up with SPLATTER
FARM (1987) as the most offensive shot on video horror flick
from the US, but it's definitely nowhere near as offensive as that
one. Obviously this person didn't see RED
SPIRIT LAKE (1993). I think it's safe to say that that's the
most offensive one of all. The VHS contains a short behind the scenes
segment after the movie. The filmmakers really seemed to have fun
time shooting it and seemed very enthusiastic about the experience
overall. With William Lantry, T.K. Malone, Anthony Vandeuren, Sharon
Wozniak, Dan Popple, and Big Joe Mueller. A Video
Outlaw Release. Unrated - MD NOTE:
The error-filled (but essential) site IMDB
lists this film as being photographed by the notorious Jim Wynorski
using the pseudonym "Arch Stanton". According to our friend
Greg Conley at YourVideoStoreShelf,
Wynorski sent him an email that stated: " I
never came near this picture. I used the Arch Stanton alias
one time on SCREAM
QUEEN HOT TUB PARTY. But that was it."
Of course "Arch Stanton" was the name used on the grave
marker in the cemetery that Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli
Wallach were searching for in THE
GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY (1966). A shortened version of SHRECK
(along with a "Making Of" segment) can be found on the Tempe
Video DVD of VENGEANCE
OF THE DEAD (2001), also directed by Don Adams and Harry
James Picardi. If anyone has a decent-sized scan of the SHRECK
VHS cover (It's impossible to find), please email it to me. I'll be
sure to give you credit and some movie-related goodies. - Editor
SKIN
CRAWL (2007) - Debbie Rochon stars
as a woman who's the descendant of a 17th century witch (also played
by Rochon in the opening flashback) who was murdered after she and
her two sisters were hunted down by villagers. Her sisters put a
curse on the future generations of
the family enabling supernatural forces to get revenge on those who
do wrong to any descendants. Rochon's husband (Kevin G. Shinnick) is
cheating on her with another woman (Julian Wells). The husband and
mistress get together and plot to have her killed so they can make
off with her money only to have her come back to life as a zombie
hungry for revenge and the husband, mistress and gangsters involved
in having her killed end up sorry they ever messed with her and her
family's curse. SKIN CRAWL is a great B-movie from first time
director Justin Wingenfeld. The film contains gore and guts, worms,
nudity, etc. and Rochon and Wells are perfect in their roles. The
make-up effects (by Brett Piper and Michael R. Thomas) are pretty
decent and the movie kind of has a '70s vibe to it combining elements
of the supernatural and revenge movies of that era. Shock-O-Rama's
DVD of SKIN CRAWL contains a commentary with Wingenfeld and
producer Michael Raso, a behind-the-scenes featurette entitled
"Under Your Skin&ldots;The Skin Crawl" containing
interviews with Rochon and Wingenfeld, and a Shock-O-Rama trailer
vault. With Armand Anthony Mazza, John Paul Fedele, Rodney Gray,
Heidi Sjurssen, Ruby LaRocca, Misty Mundae, Barbara Joyce, Terry M.
West, and Michael R. Thomas. A Shock-O-Rama
Cinema DVD Release. Rated R - MD NOTE:
Also available as part of Shock-O-Rama Cinema's SUBURBAN
PSYCHO 4-FILM HORROR COLLECTION. - Editor
SKINLESS
(2013) - (NOTE: Since Mario is so busy with his
professional career [and I couldn't be happier for him], I decided to
review this no-budget film since people have been telling me how good
it is. Hopefully, Mario will have some time in the future to supply
more reviews to this section, but until then I will be supplying
unbiased reviews - Editor). If you want to see what $2,000 and
some intense imagination can achieve, I would recommend that you
purchase this film. Originally shot under the title THE
BALLAD OF SKINLESS PETE, director/co-writer/editor/music
scorer Dustin Wayde Mills, one of the new wunderkinds of no-budget
filmmaking (Whose other films include THE
PUPPET MONSTER MASSACRE - 2010; NIGHT
OF THE TENTACLES - 2012; ZOMBIE
A-HOLE - 2012; EASTER CASKET
- 2012; BATH SALT ZOMBIES
- 2013; HER NAME WAS TORMENT
- 2014; and nearly a dozen more), does a splendid job here, but it
wouldn't be nearly as effective if it weren't for the acting talents
of Brandon Salkil (who co-wrote the screenplay and is a regular
player and screenwriter in Mills' films) and Erin R. Ryan, who are so
good, I see nothing but great success in their future. And you would
think that with a title like this,
the film would be wall-to-wall gore, but while there is plenty to
keep gorehounds delighted, deep-down inside this is a parable about
how our current healthcare system ignores the dying when there are
treatments that can cure them (I, too, was a victim of that very same
corkscrew crooked healthcare system, where I learned that the FDA
does have a price limit on what it will spend to keep you alive, so
it is up to the suffering individual themselves to look for proven
treatments outside the United States, even if it means breaking
useless laws. A human life should have no price but, until we get the
FDA and the government to understand that dying people are willing to
try anything to stay alive, that is just what people like myself will
do. And I am still here because of it. I may have gone broke doing
it, but a person can always make more money. They can't make another
life.). The film opens with Dr. Alice Cross (Ryan) strapped to a
gurney, pleading for Pete (Salkil) to get some help, but Pete (who we
do not see in this sequence) tells Alice, "That person...that
organism...no longer exists." The film then moves a couple of
months earlier, where a totally nude Pete and his also totally nude
"girlfriend" Olivia (Allison Fitzgerald) have just finished
making love (we see a nasty open sore on the backside of Pete's left
shoulder) and Olivia has to leave for her college finals, as soon as
she finds her panties (Pete thinks that sex is just sex and doesn't
mean it has to be a commitment). While Olivia is walking out of the
house, she meets Pete's partner in medical research, Alice, who gives
Olivia the cold shoulder, because there is some chemistry (pardon the
pun) between Pete and herself that goes back to when they were in
medical school together, but neither one of them ever acted on it.
When Olivia goes downstairs to the lab, Pete still has no pants or
underwear on, so she tells him to get dressed so she doesn't have to
stare at his penis (While there is full frontal nudity by both women,
we only get to see the naked ass of Pete. I am not gay, but I think
that films should start showing penises for the women and gay men,
because vaginas have been on film in a whole lot of low-budget genre
films throughout the years and I can count the times I have seen a
penis in these kind of films on one hand). It seems that Pete has
genetically invented a way to cure melanoma and all other kinds of
cancer and it is called a "phasia worm", a
genetically-altered new life form that eats cancer cells until there
are no more left in the human body and then dissolves and is released
through the sweat glands. So far, Pete has only been able to use the
worm on human corpses, but the worm has a side effect: It also eats
the human skin. Pete and Alice do an autopsy on the only phasia worm
left and synthesize the chemical the worm secretes, so all they have
to do is inject live animals with the new serum to see the results.
Bad news comes when their chief financial contributor, Neil (Dave
Parker), refuses to fund them anymore until they come up with
results. Until then, his wallet is closed (and, yes, he's a prick).
Rather than wait 20 years for the FDA to approve the serum after many
clinical trials (and I firmly believe that the FDA would never
approve such drugs because their pockets are full of healthcare and
big pharm company's money). Pete decides to use the serum on himself,
since that large open sore on the back of his shoulder is melanoma
and, eventually, he will die from it. He shows Alice the huge sore
and what he is about to do, but she says if he uses the serum on
himself, she will never come back (which will hurt Pete more than he
knows because Alice is the only real friend he has had for most of
his life). But a dying man has to do what he has to do and, when
Alice leaves for the night, he injects himself with the serum and,
the next morning, the huge sore on his shoulder has disappeared. Pete
thinks he has finally created a cure for cancer. But like all good
intentions, it comes with a price, and Pete is about to experience
the mother of all problems. At first, everything is peaches and cream
for Pete, but his major stumbling block is that he can't tell Alice
what he has done. Then the situation begins to get very serious, as
he wakes up one morning with his shirt bloody where the sore
originally was. He takes off his shirt to discover that it is now
triple the size it was before and it is spreading. It seems the serum
is eating his skin like the worm did on the human corpses in his
trials. Two weeks pass and Pete has not answered any of the phone
calls or texts Alice has sent him, so she and Neil enter his house
and go down stairs to the lab. They find blood everywhere and Pete
has covered himself head-to-toe in medical scrubs, wearing what looks
like a rubber mask with a surgical mask and sunglasses. While Alice
is checking out another part of the lab, Pete takes off his mask and
excretes some kind of liquid right into Neil's face, making his skin
dissolve. He also pulls off Neil's right hand (the skin stretches
like cheese on a pizza) and, for good measure, removes Neil's lower
jaw with his bare hands. Pete goes to eat the jawbone, but Alice sees
it all and tries to escape the house. Pete captures her, knocks her
out and when she wakes up, she discovers she is locked in the attic
with no way to escape, while Pete wraps Neil's body in plastic and
puts it in another room. Pete then enters the attic, hands Alice some
toiletries and tells her the whole sordid story of what happened in
the past two weeks (via flashback). Pete takes cold showers and baths
as his skin dissolves to counteract the itching it causes and he
surgically removed his own face with a scalpel before it is eaten
away (that mask he wears is not rubber at all, but Pete's actual face
removed from his head!). He had also called Olivia over and invited
her to work with him over the Summer, but it was only a ruse. When
she arrived, he told Olivia to strip ("Let me see your skin.
Come closer, let me touch you!") and he sprayed her with his
secretion over her whole body, making all the skin on her body
dissolve, Pete eating her flesh to survive (the serum has also given
him an extremely long, thin tongue, almost like a tentacle [a running
theme in a lot of Mills' films]). He wrapped Olivia's body in plastic
and puts it in the same room where he would eventually put Neil.
Alice is repulsed by the whole story, as Pete asserts his love for
her and says he has loved her since college, but he didn't want to
put their friendship in jeopardy. Alice says that she always loved
him, but only as a friend and she never had romantic feelings for
him, so Pete leaves the attic. Alice is forced to piss and shit in a
bucket (The last time I shit in a bucket was over 30 years ago when
me and a friend were driving in the middle of nowhere and I suddenly
got a case of explosive diarrhea [damn you scrapple!] and shitting in
a bucket is not as easy as it looks.). Alice finds an old photograph
of her and Pete in college, but more importantly, she find her small
canister of pepper spray hidden in her backpack which Pete missed.
Pete allows her to come downstairs after a couple of days to use the
shower and shes hides the small canister of pepper spray in her
vagina by cutting the strings on her tampons and using toothpaste as
glue (when toothpaste dries, it does have the elements of glue) to
attach them to the canister for easy removal (She is resourceful,
I'll give her that.). Pete gives her an ugly black dress and makes
her put it on in front of him (it looks like an ugly bridesmaid's
dress). Pete is obviously as mad as a hatter by now, as he tells
Alice the entire human race should be exactly like him. It seems that
the jawless Neil is not quite dead yet, as he rises from the plastic
and brandishes a gun he had on his body. Peter catches him
just
in time and beats him to death by pummeling his head into a bloody
pulp and then he exposes himself to Alice for the first time (It's a
really decent makeup job). Alice pulls her pepper spray from her
hoo-ha and uses it on Pete's face. His already skinless face become
gooier, as his long tongue wraps around a fleeing Alice's ankle and
pulls her towards him. He ties Alice to a chair and duct tapes her
mouth, as she watches Pete pull off a piece of Neil's flesh and eat
it off a plate like a normal person would eat dinner. Pete pulls the
duct tape off of Alice's mouth and once again tells Alice that he
loves her, but when he hears Alice say, "Just because I was
being nice to you (in college) doesn't mean I was obligated to fuck
you!", he goes bonkers and squirts the pepper spray into Alice's
eyes. Alice wakes up wrapped in plastic in that special room that
Pete reserves for his victims, but she is really unable to see
because of the pepper spray. She is attacked by the monster dog Pete
experimented on (who he calls "Itchy"). The dogs goes to
grab her with its own long tongue, but Alice rips it from its mouth
and crushes Itchy's head with a crowbar. Alice tries to escape the
house with very blurry vision, but Pete is waiting for her at the top
of the stairs. We are now at the point where the film began: Alice
nude and strapped to a gurney, while Pete is about to do something
awful to her. Since he lost his penis and testicles to his disease,
he plans on impregnating her by sticking his long tongue into her
vagina (And they say oral sex doesn't cause pregnancy!). As his
tongue gets closer and closer to its destination, Pete finally gets a
conscience and rips his tongue out of his mouth, releasing Alice
before he dies. Alice cradles him before she shoots him in the head
with Neil's gun. Alice sits next to Pete's dead body crying her eyes
out and the film ends, proving that even monsters can redeem
themselves because there still is some semblance of humanity hiding
in their bodies. For a film only costing two grand, Dustin
Mills gets a lot of nasty gore, a literate screenplay and,
especially, believable acting from both Brandon Salkil and Erin R.
Ryan. He does this by keeping the cast down to four people and
filming everything on two sets. It's like a filmed play, but with
full-frontal nudity and bloody effects. Mills is a prolific director
and I haven't seen anything else he has done, but I will be
purchasing a few of his films to see if they keep the same standards
as this one. Clocking in at a small 80 minutes, the film doesn't
overstay its welcome and it looks decent for a filmed-on-digital-tape
film. These DTV/SOV films have improved a lot since the late-80's
& 90's, so I plan on watching a few more to see if my mind has
changed about them. I seriously doubt they have acting as good as is
in this film, though. Recommended for people who don't mind horror
films with small casts and and underlining parable on what people
must do to stay alive when the government fails them. An MVD
Visual DVD Release. Not Rated.
SKINNED
DEEP (2004) Make-up
effects artist Gabe Bartalos makes his directorial debut with this
low budget 16mm splatter comedy. The film blends elements of THE
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974), MOTEL
HELL (1980), BLOOD
SALVAGE (1990) and all of Frank Henenlotters movies.
This tells the story of an insane family living at a lodge out in the
desert with an old mother who sticks a hose in the back of her neck
to get nutrients from dead fetuses cased in glass, a deformed son
with a huge brain sticking out of his head like a MARS
ATTACKS (1996) alien, a midget who uses dish plates like
throwing stars (played by the one and only Warwick Davis of LEPRECHAUN
[1992] fame), and a mutant dude with big sharp mechanical metal jaws
and a wicked looking martial arts-type blade as a weapon of choice.
This crazed bunch sets traps to run vacationers off the road and
tow them back to their place for help. One vacationing family ends
up being victim of one of their traps. Little does this family know
that these people are cannibalistic psychopaths. The mom has her
throat slit, the dad is sliced open like a fish, the young son is
split in half down the middle, and the big-brained son convinces his
family not to kill the teenage daughter. They hold the poor young
girl hostage. Brain-head really likes her. She tries to convince him
to let her go. In the meantime, anybody who comes into contact with
the psychotic family doesnt make it home alive. Some old dudes
show up (one of them is played by the legendary Forrest Ackerman).
One of them has their hand blown off with a small silver peace sign
thats actually a bomb. A couple others have the explosive
devices attached to their heads and the device is set off and their
heads explode. One old guy decides to get tough and go up against the
midget. This old dude mashes Warwick Daviss face into a bloody
pulp and rips his head off with his bare hands, tosses it through the
air and it lands on a couples windshield while theyre
driving. Theres also a ROAD WARRIOR
(1982)-style chase scene where the family tortures the teenage girl
by strapping her to the front of their truck and driving her down the
desert highway. They come across a bunch of guys in a pick-up truck.
Our metal-jawed freak jumps onto the truck and starts slicing
everybody up. After running the truck off the road, they kill the
remaining survivor named Petey (played by New York actor Peter
Iasillo Jr. who was a zombie extra in DAY
OF THE DEAD (1985) and has also acted in IGOR
AND THE LUNATICS (1985), SPOOKIES
(1985) and STREET TRASH
(1987) by dumping sand down his throat. The finale in the film where
the teenage girl tries to escape is very gooey and icky when she rips
a piece of Brain-heads brain off and his head falls apart and
oozes green guck and kindergarten ABC letter blocks come out of it
and form I love you. The mother gets her hose pulled and
melts into a pool of slime. Metal Jaws gets pulverized into pieces by
a motorcycle. SKINNED DEEP
is a movie thats in a class of its own. Gabe Bartalos basically
took elements from every Henenlotter movie and threw them in blender.
No surprise, since he handled the effects for Franks BRAIN
DAMAGE (1988), FRANKENHOOKER
(1990), BASKET CASE 2
(1990) and BASKET CASE 3: THE PROGENY
(1992). One scene where the big-brained freak is imagining himself
running naked down the street in New York City definitely reminds one
of the dream sequence in BASKET CASE
(1982). Brain-head himself even looks like something out of one of
the BASKET CASE
sequels. Gabe was even nice enough to cast Davis as the midget since
he handled Warwicks make-up in the LEPRECHAUN movies.
Gabes Atlantic West Effects handled the make-up effects and Al
Magliochetti did the visual effects. Overall, SKINNED
DEEP is a very entertaining gore effort from a first time
director. My only gripe about the film: If you have to watch the end
credits, turn the volume off. You hear the films heroine
screaming as they role. Its very annoying. Frank Henenlotter,
Arnold Gargiulo, and all of Gabes other friends are thanked in
the end credits. You can visit Atlantic West Effects online at www.atlanticwesteffects.com.
The Fangorias Gorezone DVD of SKINNED DEEP contains a
directors commentary, a cool behind-the-scenes featurette and
preview trailers. With Karoline Brandt, Eric Bennett, Linda Weinrib,
Lee Koceila, Liz Little, Jay Dugre, Alan Tuskes, Clayton Martinez,
John Deall, Bill Butts, Les Pollack, Joel Harlow, Aaron Sims, and
Kurt Carley. A Hart Sharp Video DVD Release. Rated R - MD
SLAUGHTER
DISC (2005) - David Quitmeyer
and Steel Web Studios bring us this rare mix of porn and horror as we
are introduced to Mike (Robert Williams), a lazy low life who sits
around doing nothing but jacking off to porn videos. His girlfriend walks
out on him and he eventually loses his job. He becomes obsessed with
adult film star Andromeda Strange (Caroline Pierce) and orders one of
her DVDs through her website. Andromeda is supposed to be one of the
nastiest S&M fetish porn girls on the scene. Mike receives her
DVD in the mail. The DVD is a bizarre, transparent disc. He puts the
disc in and settles in with his hand lotion and proceeds to watch as
Andromeda engages in sick, sadistic sexual acts involving blood and
straight razors. Andromeda kills herself at the end by slitting her
throat. The next day, Mike puts the DVD in again, and Andromeda is
back (apparently a zombie) and begins pleasuring lucky guys in bed
before torturing and killing them in very graphic ways. Necrophilia,
close up penetration and oral sex, graphic slashings with razors, a
head gorily mashed to bits with a hammer, and other depraved acts
ensue. Once Mike realizes that Andromeda is really killing the people
in the video and sees her kill one of his friends, he proceeds to
tell authorities that a sick nymphomaniac is killing people on camera
and he's somehow able to see it all through the DVD, but to no avail.
Getting rid of the disc and getting Andromeda out of his life turns
out to be harder than he thought as the zombie nymph from hell
proceeds to destroy him. SLAUGHTER
DISC is an original micro budget torture porn flick with
enough graphic gore, torture, and sex to keep fans of "gore
porn" satisfied. There were some really nasty moments in it that
made me cringe, I must say. I look forward to seeing more from
Quitmeyer and Steel Web. The Steel Web DVD of SLAUGHTER
DISC contains a behind-the-scenes featurette, outtakes,
photo gallery, production notes entitled "The Curse of Slaughter
Disc," trailer, and a few hidden Easter eggs. A Steel Web
Studios DVD Release. Unrated - MD
SLAUGHTERED
VOMIT DOLLS (2006) - Here
it is, the first ever movie to start a whole new genre of film called
"Vomit Gore." Filmmaker Lucifer Valentine, a current
Canadian resident who was originally born and raised in South Africa,
graphically throws his depraved visions in our faces with this
disgusting, but yet oddly fascinating film. Reviled by some and loved
by others, I had often wondered which category I would fall into
after viewing it for the first time, and to be honest, I'd say my
overall view of it is neutral. It's a film that's definitely
unwatchable at times, but at the same time its story is rather
compelling and tragic. What's most disturbing is the fact that much
of it is
based on things Lucifer Valentine had experienced in his life.
Raised by Satanist parents and also a Satanist himself, he spent a
good chunk of his life exploring the hardcore underground porn scene
and became acquainted with many actresses on this scene and has had
much interest in the XXX films of Max Hardcore who did a lot of vomit
fetish porn. A real-life vomit fetishist, or emitophile as it's
called, Lucifer Valentine's SLAUGHTERED
VOMIT DOLLS stars Ameara LaVey (who was murdered in Canada on
September 1, 2017), once his real-life girlfriend, as a bulimic
wannabe dancer with a troubled past who resorts to becoming a porn
actress, a stripper and prostitute because she has no money and
nowhere else to go. LaVey's character in the film is actually based
on herself in real life and some snippets of home movies Lucifer made
with her while they were living together are edited into the film
throughout. We are treated to seemingly random moments where the
so-called "Vomit Gore" genre the film belongs to makes good
use of the term with incredibly sickening scenes of people puking on
each other, torture involving a girl's eyes plucked out and the
eyeballs are then vomited on, a guitarist hacking someone's arm off
and sticking the fingers down his throat to make himself puke while
on stage, and cannibalism in which a guy saws the top of someone's
head off, scoops out the brains and eats them and then pukes the
liquefied brains back into the open skull. He then proceeds to drink
the regurgitated remains and recycle them repeatedly by puking them
back up again, drinking them, puking them back up again, over and
over and over. In the end, the viewer is really left perplexed as to
what they just viewed and not really sure how to categorize it. The
film is gross, offensive, and disturbing, yet, it seems to work best
as an experimental feature. Those looking for something with an
experimental feel may want to give it a look at least once, but those
looking for traditional horror should best steer clear. In my view,
that's what best sums it up. Often compared with movies like CANNIBAL
HOLOCAUST (1980), NEKROMANTIK
(1987), the GUINEA PIG
series, AUGUST UNDERGROUND
(2001), and MURDER-SET-PIECES
(2004), but in my opinion, the only comparison to those films lies
with the many controversial gore, violence and sex elements featured
throughout. Other than that, SLAUGHTERED
VOMIT DOLLS is its own entity. Lucifer Valentine followed
this up with REGOREGITATED
SACRIFICE (2008) and the third entry in the trilogy is
coming out later this year (That would be titled SLOW
TORTURE PUKE CHAMBER [2009]
- Editor). The Unearthed Films DVD release of SVD
contains a director's commentary, a commentary with star Ameara
LaVey, a making-of featurette, photo gallery, production notes,
footage from Valentine and LaVey's home movies, trailers and more. An Unearthed
Films DVD Release (RS is also now available from
Unearthed as well). Unrated - MD NOTE: This is
why I let Mario review these films. I think he is going extremely
easy on this film in his review. I have also seen this and REGOREGITATED
SACRIFICE and all I can say about them is that they are a
few steps below porn films in my mind (it doesn't surprise me that Max
Hardcore, who is currently serving time in federal prison on
obscenity convictions, is an influence)
and seem to callously cross the line from fantasy to reality,
catering to those kind of people without any real moral center (And
I'm not talking about Satanists. Some of my best friends are
Satanists, Wiccans, Athiests and
Agnostics. I'm talking about the hardcore
fetishists, the kind of people that have no problem "crossing
the line" to get a thrill.).
Anyone who enjoys watching people puking and re-puking fluids and
chunks of matter need to have their heads examined, in my opinion. I
find these films morally reprehensible, but hey, that's just me.
There are people out there who also enjoy watching other people
squash objects under their feet. To each their own. I'm also very
surprised to learn that Unearthed Films is involved in all
this. - Editor
SLIME
CITY (1988)
- A young art student named Alex (Robert C. Sabin) moves into an
apartment building in New York City. His weird neighbors who are into
the occult give him green wine and Himalayan yogurt. This causes him
to melt and ooze and he transforms into a gooey,
blood crazed, homicidal slime monster. It appears as though the
neighbors are doing this to him in order to reincarnate the soul of a
dead alchemist named Zachary in his body. Alex's girlfriend takes
notice of his strange behavior and in the end she has to fight for
her life and go up against him in order to destroy Zachary's evil
spirit. This is a very campy and enjoyable low budget splatter
effort. Shot on 16mm on a budget of about $50,000. The film has some
really good gore scenes including some smashed heads, a gang member's
hand eaten by Alex's stomach and an incredibly slimy and over the top
finale where Alex's girlfriend hacks him to pieces in the apartment.
After she slices his stomach open with a knife, his intestines fall
out and he just picks them up and stuffs them back in. After she
chops his head off, his body still walks around and the head gives
orders. The craziest scene would have to be the head splitting open
and the brain crawling out. Scott Coulter did a hell of a job with
the make-up effects. Director Gregory Lamberson had worked as the
production manager on I
WAS A TEENAGE ZOMBIE (1987) and he was also an assistant
director on PLUTONIUM BABY
(1987) and Frank Henenlotter's excellent BRAIN
DAMAGE (1988). After SLIME CITY,
he directed a vampire flick called NEW
YORK VAMPIRE (a.k.a. UNDYING
LOVE - 1991) and a shot on video psycho thriller called NAKED
FEAR (1999). Lamberson is now writing horror novels and
continues to work on films. The steadicam work in SLIME is by
Jim Muro (director of STREET TRASH
[1987]). Jim has of course gone on to be one of the busiest steadicam
photographers in Hollywood. With Mary Huner, T.J. Merrick, Dennis
Embry, Dick Biel, Jane Doniger Reibel, Bunny Levine, and Marilyn
Oran. A Camp Video
Release. Available from Shock-O-Rama
Cinema in a DVD collector's
edition with director's commentary, a "making of"
featurette, trailer, trailers for other Shock-O-Rama releases, NAKED
FEAR as a bonus feature, and a collectible booklet with
director's liner notes. Not Rated - MD NOTE:
In 2010, director Gregory Lamberson directed a sequel, SLIME
CITY MASSACRE, starring Debbie Rochon (who is quickly
becoming a great actress). UPDATE: Shock-O-Rama
has released the original film, along with two other Gregory
Lamberson films (mentioned above) and a short, in the SLIME
CITY GRINDHOUSE COLLECTION DVD set, with liner notes by Roy Frumkes.
- Editor
SOUL
OF THE DEMON (1991) - A couple
kids skipping school ride their bikes out to a lake and discover a
small gargoyle-looking statue figure sticking out of the ground. An
old man warns them about the powers it possesses. They go to a
library and read a book on passages similar to the "Book of the
Dead." The one kid gets together with his older teenage brother
and his friend and they throw a party with their other friends from
school to hold a séance. Then all hell breaks loose as the
young kid becomes possessed and the boys and girls start to die off
in extremely gory ways. Heads are exploded, people are dismembered,
people are cut in half, and heads are cut in half. SOUL OF THE DEMON
is actually a pretty decent SOV effort with some pretty good effects.
It's an obvious homage to THE EVIL DEAD
(1982) that director Charles Lang manages to pull off very well.
Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Charles has directed anything
else. With Sky Daniel, Garry Godfrey, Harold Allen, John Bonito, Kirk
King, Sophocles Frangakis, Jonathan Sudbury, Crystal Ortega, Bonnie
Henchal, Traci Lera-Michelin, and Liz McKeown. A Dead Alive
Productions VHS Release. Available on DVD from Brain
Damage Films as a part of the Pendulum Pictures "Hardcore
Horrors" 6-movie set and the "Tomb
of Terrors" 50-movie set. Not Rated - MD
SPINE (1986) - Obscure shot on video slasher dreck tells the story of a psycho who's stalking and killing nurses for no apparent reason. The killer writes the name Linda in blood after each killing in which he ties them up and stabs them to death. Some inept detectives try to stop him. Eventually the maniac finds his way into the house of one of the nurses and he terrorizes her and her friend for the rest of the movie. Definitely not one of the better shot on video flicks out there. The film has some poorly done gore, no real gratuitous nudity, and some cheesy sound effects. But it's all kind of amusing to some extent. If you enjoy home video splatter/trash pics like BOARDINGHOUSE (1982), SLEDGEHAMMER (1983), BLOOD CULT (1985), and 555 (1988) this may be of some interest to you. With R. Eric Huxley, Janus Blythe, Lise Romanoff, Antoine Herzog, Abby Sved, Marie Dowling, and James Simonds. Written-produced-directed by Justin Simonds and John Howard. A 4-Play Video Release. There is also a bootleg Canadian DVD floating around on eBay. Not Rated - MD NOTE: Now available on legitimate DVD & Limited Edition VHS from Massacre Video. - Editor
SPLATTER
FARM (1987) - Oh my god! One
does not know where to start when it comes to describing this
extremely rare shot on video masterpiece. It's absolutely horrible.
It's got bad acting and editing and the production values are lower
than a grade school play. But
the movie is so laughably and disgustingly bad, you don't know
whether to laugh or puke your guts out. That's what makes it so fun
to watch. Twin brothers Joseph and Alan (Mark and John Polonia) go
out to visit their aunt who lives on a farm. What they don't know is
that their aunt's handyman named Jeremy (Todd Rimatti) is a
psychopathic, sadomasochistic necrophiliac who likes to hack people
up with farm and gardening tools and have sexual relations with the
dismembered body parts. In this movie you will see the following:
Jeremy using a severed arm and a decapitated head to pleasure
himself, one of the twins being drugged by his aunt so she can have
sex with him, a dream sequence where one of the twins craps up a big
butcher knife on the toilet and pulls his colon out through his
mouth, a male rape scene with fisting and pissing, frontal male
nudity, a cat eating vomit, little kids chocking on lye-laced
cocktails, etc. Yep, this is a movie that really takes pleasure in
grossing us out to the max. You can tell the movie had no effects
budget. There's lots of really cheap but extreme gore. The
screeching, high-pitched harpsichord and keyboard music score is
enough to make you want to take the gun to your head. You'd be pretty
hard pressed to find an actress worse than the one playing the aunt.
This is the type of movie you need to watch with a bunch of friends
when you're really drunk. The Polonia's went on to do several other
shot on video features (including a few with Jon McBride). Directed
by P. Alan and produced by J.K. Farlew. With Marion Costly, Jeff
Seddon, and Bernice Tombs. A Donna Michelle Productions Release There
is now a SPLATTER FARM: 20th
Anniversary Edition DVD available exclusively from
www.regalstudios.com . Also available on DVD
from Camp Motion Pictures. Not Rated - MD
TALES
FROM THE QUADEAD ZONE (1987) -
All I have to say is wow! More shot on video cheesiness from BLACK
DEVIL DOLL FROM HELL director Chester N. Turner. In some
ways, this one is a little bit better than that movie. The wraparound
story of this anthology movie stars Shirley Latanya Jones from BLACK
DEVIL DOLL as a mother whose son died years ago. The spirit of
her son apparently lives
inside a coffee cup (don't ask me where they got this idea) and the
cup floats around while she talks to it and reads it stories. She
finds a book called "Tales From the Quadead Zone" and reads
two stories. The first story is called "Food For?" and is
about a poor redneck family living out in the boonies who have a very
limited food supply. They argue and yell at each other a lot. One of
the sons eventually decides that death is the only way out of misery
for them and he grabs a shotgun and starts killing them all. The
second story is called "The Brothers" and is about two
black brothers named Ted and Fred who have always been enemies. Fred
dies from a heart attack and Ted decides to steal Fred's body from
the funeral home for some weird deed for personal reasons and ends up
conjuring up a demonic zombie clown killer with disastrous
consequences. The wraparound finishes off with Jones's husband coming
home. After he finds out that she's been talking to the cup, he beats
her and tries to kill her. The two of them struggle and she grabs a
knife and stabs him repeatedly in the stomach. While he's laying on
the kitchen floor bleeding to death, he manages to get to the
telephone and call the cops. When the cops show up and find the
husband dead they tell Jones that they're taking her in. She tells
the cops she needs a minute before she leaves and goes into the
bathroom and cuts her own throat with a razor. The ghost of the dead
mother and son still inhabit the house in the end. This ultra-obscure
no budgeter isn't quite as weird as BLACK DEVIL DOLL, but it
is a very original movie in itself and all the stories are very
creative. Unlike Turner's previous film, this one actually has some
gore and bloody death scenes and it doesn't have an all-black cast.
Good luck finding it. You may be able to find some DVD-R's floating
around that are really cheap, but the last original VHS that I saw on eBay
went for over $70! Luckily I was able to get mine from Cinema
Wasteland for only $20. It was the last copy they had. Aren't I
lucky? With John W. Jones, Jamar E. Bankhead, Patrick D. Tanguy,
Richard Tanguy, Dan Kugler, W.J. Rider, Doug Daverport, Johnnie
Tanguy, Chris Calloway, Kim Nichols, Tammy Nichols, Jeff Miza, Ronda
Rider, Keefe L. Turner, Larry Jones, Lawrence R. Jones, William
Jones, and Tommy L. Miller. A BC Video Release. Unrated - MD NOTE:
And at 61 minutes long, it doesn't overstay it's welcome! - Editor. NOTE
#2: Both of Turner's films are now available os
a limited
edition VHS,
a double
feature DVD or a stand-alone
VHS or hardboxes
from Massacre Video
with commentary
on the DVD from
the elusive Chester N. Turner and Shirley L. Jones (All
are in very limited supply [except for the DVDs] and sold out by the
time you read this, making me believe it is an eBay scam to charge
ridiculous prices for the product made).
Massacre Video has milked the re-discovery of Chester Turner, having
him and Shirley Jones make personal
appearances at various theatrical venues after the showing of
their films, but it is apparent that Turner would have rather stayed
in obscurity. - Editor
TALES
TILL THE END (1996)
Another shot-on-video anthology from Phil Herman and Falcon Video.
Three friends Parker (played by Phil Herman), Damien and John get
together and soon find out that the US is under a state of emergency
as an experimental chemical has caused a poisonous outbreak that has
wiped out all of Europe and is headed to the US. The poison turns its
victims into flesh hungry cannibals. Its become evident that
the end of civilization may be near. The three drive around till they
find an area where theyll be safe. They find their way to an
underground hideout and bring all their belongings from their car.
While hiding from the deadly outbreak, the three of them decide to
tell stories about incidents that had recently happened to them.
Damien tells the story about the knife of a homicidal maniac that he found.
It turns out the knife is beholden to some supernatural force and it
causes Damien to go ballistic and start killing his friends until one
of them tries to get the knife out of his hands to break the curse.
Parker tells the story about his experiencing filming a low budget
horror movie that turns out to be BURGLAR
FROM HELL (1993) and his quest to get a distributor. He
talks with several actors including Joel D. Wynkoop. Joel tells him
about all the movies hes done including TRUTH
OR DARE (1986), KILLING
SPREE (1987), and WICKED GAMES
(1994). The distributor who Parker finds tells him he likes the story
and is willing to distribute the movie. But when he takes the movie
to him and tells him its shot on video, the distributor tells
him theres nothing he can do with it and he wants something
shot on film and calls Parker a piss clam. After taking
this rejection, Parker gets mad and takes the BURGLAR FROM HELL
tape, stabs it with a knife and then stabs the distributor in the
chest with the knife and the guy dies with a BURGLAR FROM HELL
VHS pinned to his chest. John tells the third and final story about a
disingenuous housewife Jessie (Debbie D) and how she cheats on her
husband with every man in the neighborhood. Her husband Jim is well
aware of the affairs shes having but doesnt want to come
out and admit it for fear of putting her through too much pain. In
the story, John is somebody who has a crush on Jessie, but she keeps
rejecting him. After Jessie and Jim finally come face to face about
the fact of her affairs, he straps her to a chair and proceeds to cut
her fingers off one by one for every time the phone rings and nobody
answers. After losing two fingers, John comes in and beats Jim to
death and hopes hell be able to sweep Jessie off her feet for
saving her life. Unfortunately she continues to reject him and brush
him off as a loser. He then proceeds to finish the job her husband
started by cutting off her fingers for every time the phone rings and
their isnt an answer. She eventually bleeds to death. After
Parker, Damien and John are all done telling stories, Damien and John
become flesh-eating cannibals and Parker finds hes immune to
the toxic chemical. Hes then left to fend for himself. TALES
TILL THE END is nowhere near as entertaining as HORRORTALES.666
nor does it have the charm of BURGLAR FROM HELL, but its
still worth a look if you like really cheap movies with the sole
point of displaying lots of T&A and mindless bloodshed. With
Barry Gaines, Ben Stanski, Joe Scalici, and Dyan Kane. A Falcon Video
Release. Unrated - MD
THINGS
(1989) - College buddies Don and Fred go to visit their friend
Doug at his cabin in the woods. Doug's wife is pregnant
and it turns out that a doctor conducting weird medical experiments
somehow impregnated her with bug parasites. She dies after giving
birth to jumbo-sized killer bug creatures and they cause trouble for
Don, Fred and Doug in the cabin during a blackout. Fred mysteriously
disappears and Don and Doug try to find him while fighting off the
giant bugs. This ultra low budget Super 8 vomit fest from Toronto is
definitely one of the worst atrocities ever committed to film. Yet
it's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen too! Porn star Amber
Lynn plays a TV news reporter who reads her lines off of cue cards.
This is her first non-adult movie. They throw in references to George
Romero and Traci Lords. There's also a scene where the guys make fun
of a cheap horror movie playing on TV. We get lots of extreme (but
amateurish) gore effects, slime, puking, paper mache bug puppets, and
outrageous dialogue. My favorite lines are "Does a toilet flush
in a blackout?" "Oh my god! I hammered your head in! Are
you alright?" and "Little fuckers! Come back with my
eyeball!" Get this one if you need a good laugh. Barry J. Gillis
co-wrote and co-produced with director Andrew Jordan. He also plays
the part of Don. Nick Zedd is thanked in the end credits. With Doug
Bunston, Bruce Roach, and Jan W. Pachul. An InterAmerican
Entertainment Release. It is now available on special anniversary
edition DVD from www.things1989.com
(link no longer active). Not Rated - MD NOTE:
Available on legitimate DVD from InterVision
Picture Corp., an offshoot label of Severin
Films. - Editor
THINGS
(1993) The wraparound story of this SOV horror anthology
from Sterling Entertainment
starts off with a businessman who cheats on his wife leaving a motel
room after sex with a prostitute. His wife, whos very upset
about his affair, sneaks into the motel room,
threatens the hooker with a gun and ties her up to a chair. She then
proceeds to tell her two stories. The first story, The
Box, concerns a group of hookers who travel out to a small town
in the desert to move into an old theater. They bought the theater
thinking it would make a good whorehouse. The mayor of the town is a
very creepy dude. He doesnt seem to take too kindly to whores
hanging out in his town. He then unleashes a slimy slug-like monster
with a nasty set of teeth that lives in a box on the group of
hookers. The thing burrows into peoples stomachs
and eats their guts. The second story, Thing in a Jar,
concerns a woman (Courtney Lercara from Tim Ritters KILLING
SPREE [1987]) who keeps having nightmares about her husband
killing her and dismembering her. She has a dream where he cuts her
eyes out, one where he throws her against a door and she gets her
teeth knocked out and another where he snaps her hand off. She tells
her best female friend about the dreams. Her friend warns her that
her dreams might be trying to tell her something and she should leave
her husband now before the nightmares become real. Little does she
know that her friend and husband already have a plan to kill her and
bury her body, move out of town and take her money. After being
stabbed by her husband, she comes back and attacks her husband and
her friend while theyre making love (they thought she was
already dead). She then ends up with her eyes cut out, her hands
chopped off and her teeth pulled out. They bury the body in the front
yard and put her clown jar where she was keeping money on top of the
soil with the eyes, hands and teeth inside and dump acid in it to
destroy the evidence. Over night, the acid somehow causes the
dismembered body parts to morph together into a bloody, gooey, slimy
intestine monster with hands, eyes and teeth. It bites the
husbands hand off. The girlfriend then finds his mutilated body
in bed with the eyes ripped out. The intestine monster then proceeds
to strangle her to death. When the forensics find the dead bodies,
the hands and eyes of the husband and girlfriend turn up in the clown
jar while the wifes body parts are mysteriously reattached. End
of story. THINGS is a very
weird, twisted, original and gory anthology film. Definitely one of
the better homegrown horrors out there. The make-up effects and
creatures (by Mike Tristano) are very well done. Dennis Devine (FATAL
IMAGES 1988, DEAD GIRLS
1990, HAUNTED
1998, etc.) directs the first story and the wraparound while Jay
Woelfel (BEYOND
DREAMS DOOR 1989, UNSEEN
EVIL 1999, DEMONICUS
2001, etc.) directs the second story. These two cult favorites
put all their low budget moviemaking talents to good use with both
stories. THINGS even managed to spawn two sequels, THINGS
2 (1998 directed by Dennis Devine and Mike Bowler) and DEAD
TIME TALES (1998 directed by Ron Ford). With Kelly-Jean
Dammeyer, Neil Delama, Bob Frey, Judith Montgomery, Kathleen
ODonnel, Scot Pierce, Trey Garris, Deborah Stevens, Kinder
Hunt, Jesse Hernandez and Jeff Burr (as a coroner). A Burning Moon
Home Video Release. Not Rated - MD
TWISTED
ISSUES (1988) Charles
Pinions first foray into the home video splatter scene is this
weird, funny, gory, and sick zero budget shot-on-video effort
concerning a young skateboarding kid who gets killed by a gang of
drug addict punks after they give him a hard time and he retaliates.
After running him over with their car, a Frankenstein wannabe doctor
and his female assistant find his body in the parking lot and take
him back to their lab where they manage to re-animate him. He wakes
up with a bandaged face and skin
from his face grafted to his legs. He goes ballistic and kills the
doctor with a steak through the heart and demands his assistant give
him his skateboard back. The skateboard has the wheels broken off of
it and he takes a power drill, drills a hole through his foot and
nails the skateboard to it. He then proceeds to do away with the gang
of druggies and their friends in ultra-gory ways. While this is all
going on we are shown a young man named Charles (played by director
Charles Pinion himself) and his girlfriend watching all the events
involving the skateboarder and his friend on television and the two
of them fight and kill each other but keep coming back to life.
Throughout the movie we are shown television clips of the Pope,
Ronald Reagan, politicians, evangelists, NASA footage, old
Nazi/Hitler film footage, the famous 80s brain on
drugs anti-drug ad, punk rock music videos and various punk
bands are featured on the soundtrack throughout. Like Pinions
later films RED SPIRIT LAKE
(1993) and WE AWAIT (1996), TWISTED
ISSUES is a film thats very hard to describe and it
seems to be in a league of its own. Id say Pinions work
is most comparable with that of Jim VanBebber and the works of Nick
Zedd, Richard Kern, Lydia Lunch and everybody else in the Cinema of
Transgression scene. TWISTED ISSUES
has gained some minor cult status ever since being self-distributed
by Charles on VHS back in 1988 and its been covered in Film
Threat, Shock Cinema, Ecco and Gorefest magazine. Charles co-wrote
with Steve Antczak who also stars. With Paul Soto, Lisa Soto, Hawk,
Debra Althea Lausanne Phillips aka English, Rachel Guinan, David
Peck, Jorge Cervera, Sam Gough, Michelle Gould, David Hecht, K.P.
Pete Brightman, Vic Wilkinson, Chuck Speta, Pam Gauthier, Paige
Kelly, Jennifer Canal, Karin Roach, Ross Jones, Walt Pressley, Coop
Bill Perry, Clif Nelson, Robert Marvin, Tom Nordlie, and Robyn
Goodkind. This limited edition (313 copies) signed DVD-R edition of TWISTED
ISSUES available directly from Charles himself contains a slide
show of Charles old Twisted Tissues-Funnies Two
comic strip from back in the late 80s and trailers for TWISTED,
RED SPIRIT LAKE and WE AWAIT. RED SPIRIT LAKE
and WE AWAIT are also both available from Charles in limited
edition signed DVD-Rs. Go to www.charlespinion.com
for order info. An Inferential Pictures DVD Release. Not Rated
- MD
VIDEO
VIOLENCE PART 2: THE EXPLOITATION! (1987)
- New Jersey's Gary P. Cohen returns with a sequel to the shot on
video classic VIDEO VIOLENCE...
WHEN
RENTING IS NOT ENOUGH! (1986). Snuff film-making bad guys
Howard and Eli (UKE and Bart
Sumner) from the first movie are back and this time they have their
own pirated cable TV show in which they review snuff films that
people send in. It's an all-out gore and splatter fest with a
commercial for a toy critter named Wilbur that eats the throats out
of little boys, a small town sheriff and his wife putting a criminal
in an electric chair in their basement and making his head explode
with high voltage, college girls throwing a party with a pizza man
and then cutting him up into little pieces, a girl being killed at a
video store by having her head "shrink-wrapped," and
advertisements for "Best of the Howard and Eli Show"
videos. Howard and Eli torture a guest B-movie actress on their show
by strapping her to a chair, cutting her wrist open and pulling the
nerves to make her hand give the middle finger, and cutting off her
thumbs. The film's composer Gordon Ovsiew plays Howard and Eli's
keyboardist Gordo. We get many references to other genre classics,
jokes, toilet humor, nudity, and a promise at the end for a VIDEO
VIOLENCE 3. The Camp Video VHS is "Approved by Bob
Dobbs" and the film is "Too Violent to Rate." The tape
has previews for other Camp releases at the beginning like EVIL
SPAWN (1987), HOLLYWOOD
CHAINSAW HOOKERS (1988), and DEATH
ROW DINER (1988). Shock-O-Rama
Cinema will be releasing a Special Edition Double Feature DVD of VIDEO
VIOLENCE 1 & 2 later this year. I hope the DVD has CAPTIVES
(a.k.a. MAMA'S HOME - 1988) as a
bonus feature and director's commentary on all three films. A friend
told me Gary is going to wait and see how well the DVD sells. If it
sells really well, he's going to go ahead and make VV3. With
Elizabeth Lee Miller, Art Neill, Jackie Neill, Lisa Cohen, David
Christopher, and Ray Clark. A Camp
Video Release. Both Part 1 & 2 are now available on DVD
from Camp Motion Pictures (and
also on the excellent THE
BASEMENT VHS/DVD box set - Editor). Not Rated
- MD
WE
AWAIT (1996) - This is another shot
on video feature from Charles Pinion who gave us RED
SPIRIT LAKE (1993). This one
is even more weird and confusing than that movie. This movie is like
a crazy acid trip. That's what best describes it. WE
AWAIT is the story of a man named R.K. Tipple who meets up
with a weird Goth family who are apparently cannibals. Their pet dog
is actually man who chose to become a dog. They do experiments with
drugs and the uncle comes up with a green concoction that they refer
to as nectar. They give this "nectar" to Tipple and tell
him that it "strengthens the blood." Tipple eventually
becomes one of them, a cannibal. There's also a weird scene near the
end where the family goes on a "spirit drive." It's them in
a car tripping out and seeing psychedelic images and a giant Jesus.
This movie has to be seen to be believed. Like RED SPIRIT LAKE,
this one gave me a headache when I watched it the first time and it
took me a second viewing to fully understand it. It's got weird and
disturbing imagery, S&M, gore, TV footage of evangelists and
preachers, etc. Pinion plays Barren and Annabel Lee from his previous
film plays Xena. With Tommy Angel, Connel Little, Alyssa Wendt, Peter
Weiss, Dana Smith, Winston Smith, Andrew Powers, Becky Wilson, David
A. Clark, and Steve Dipace. Also included on the Something Weird VHS
is an early short film of Pinion's called MADBALL. A Something
Weird Video Release. Not Rated. Charles Pinion now has a
website: www.charlespinion.com.
He's selling limited edition signed DVDs of TWISTED
ISSUES, RED SPIRIT LAKE
and WE AWAIT. - MD
WOODCHIPPER
MASSACRE (1988) - John,
Denise, and Tommy have to stay home for the weekend with
their annoying Aunt Tess while their father goes away on a business
trip. When Aunt Tess tries to take away little Tommy's Rambo survival
knife, he accidentally ends up stabbing her and killing her with it.
The three decide to get rid of her by cutting up the body, freezing
the parts, and throwing them in the family woodchipper. They decide
to tell dad that she had to leave early. Tess's convict son Kim is
out looking for money so he can pay his debt to the mob. When he
shows up at the house trying to get money from the kids, he finds
it's not that easy. This is the second shot on video feature from Jon
McBride after CANNIBAL CAMPOUT
(1988). While that one was a lot gorier, WOODCHIPPER
MASSACRE is funnier. It's fun watching the kids try to
figure out what to do to hide the fact that they killed their aunt
and clean up the mess before their father gets home. It's absolutely
hilarious! You have to see it. McBride stars (again) as John. With
Denice Edeal, Tom Casiello, Patricia McBride, Kim Bailey, and Perren
Page. A Donna Michelle Productions Release. Not Rated - MD. Available
on DVD
from Camp Motion Pictures. - Editor
ZOMBIE
BLOODBATH (1993) - Todd
Sheets movies are the kind that you watch with friends on rainy
evenings when you don't have much to do. They're cheap, shot on
video, gory, mix elements of older B-movies and drive-in flicks, and
always have the proper dash of humor.
While the ZOMBIE BLOODBATH trilogy definitely isn't the best
of his work, the movies are a decent example for young filmmakers out
there trying to get an idea of how things work in the low budget and
home video movie market. ZOMBIE
BLOODBATH opens with a nuclear power plant melting down.
Zombies show up and eat people and people melt into puddles of goo.
Some town folk find themselves running afoul of the rampaging
zombies. It appears the nuclear power plant was built over an Indian
burial ground. The one thing about Todd's movies is that they don't
make much sense and all the matters is all the fake blood, piles of
organs, and gut munching that is so much fun to watch. That's really
the whole point. With Chris Harris, Auggi Alvarez, Frank Dunlay,
Jerry Angell, Cathy Metz, Cheryl Metz, T.G. Watkins, and Tonia
Monahan. Todd followed this one up with ZOMBIE
BLOODBATH 2: RAGE OF THE UNDEAD (1995) and ZOMBIE
BLOODBATH 3: ZOMBIE ARMAGEDDON (2000). His other films
include DEAD THINGS (1986), ZOMBIE
RAMPAGE (1989), BIMBOS B.C.
(1990), PREHISTORIC
BIMBOS IN ARMAGEDDON CITY (1991), DOMINION (1992),
GOBLIN
(1993), BLOODTHIRSTY
CANNIBAL DEMONS (1993), VAMPIRE
HOLOCAUST (1997), THE SHIVERS
(1998), WHISPERS IN THE GLOOM
(1998), FEAR OF THE DARK
(2000) and CATACOMBS (2000).
I think his best film so far is VIOLENT
NEW BREED (1996). Visit him on the web at Extreme
Entertainment. He loves to hear from his fans and loves to talk
about horror movies with anyone. An Englewood Entertainment Release.
The ZOMBIE BLOODBATH TRILOGY
is also available in a 2 disc DVD edition from Camp
Motion Pictures. Unrated -
MD NOTE: Todd Sheets' latest horror film (as of
this writing), HOUSE
OF FORBIDDEN SECRETS (2013) is getting very positive
reviews and he even got Dyanne Thorne and Lew Temple to star in it!
Is it possible that Sheets is becoming a good director? Only time
will tell, but this is a great start. - Editor
ZOMBIE
BLOODBATH 2: RAGE OF THE UNDEAD
(1995) Todd Sheets
sequel to his 1993 SOV zombie fest is definitely a step up from the
last one. We start off with some guys robbing a farmer and his wife
at their farmhouse. They torture the wife and demand that the farmer
give them his goods. Demons and zombies show up. One guy is eaten and
another is crucified, has a scarecrow hood sewn
to his face and is turned into a scarecrow. Years later a group of
friends go out into the countryside on a vacation and their van
breaks down. Three convicts escape from a nearby prison. A couple
thieves hold up the local deli in town. The group of friends finds
their way to a farmhouse where the three convicts are holding some
young girls hostage after killing their mother and father. The
scarecrow comes to life after being disturbed and raises the dead
from their graves. All chaos ensues as zombies surround the farmhouse
and everybody tries to escape. The ones that manage to get out alive
find their way into town and meet up with the two thugs terrorizing
everyone at the local deli. Its a nonstop chunk blowing gore
and guts fest from there on out. Todd Sheets piles on the gallons of
stage blood and buckets of innards from the slaughterhouse once
again. Zombies pop a guys eyeballs out of his head and pull his
brains out through his eye sockets, a guy is tortured by having
broken glass in a white paper bag dumped down his throat, a girl has
a gun set off between her legs blowing a hole in her nether regions,
one girl is forced to jump up and down barefoot on broken glass, a
guy has a knife shoved up under his chin and the blade bursts out
through his tongue inside his mouth (you get to see it in a POV shot
from inside the mouth), zombies munch on flesh, tongues are bit out,
stomachs, intestines and liver are ripped out, a zombie has a crowbar
shoved through its mouth and out the back of its head, a guy is
stabbed in the gut, and the heroine of the movie finds flesh eating
bacteria in an abandoned truck and dumps it on the zombies causing
some incredibly icky meltdown scenes with zombies melting into bloody
messes and their heads exploding. If gore is what youre looking
for, youve come to the right place. With Dave Miller, Kathleen
McSweeney, Gena Fischer, Nick Stodden, Jody Rovick, Becky Stodden,
Rebecca Rose, Lisa Metz, Byron Nichodemus, Rod Will, Mark Glover,
Harry Rose, Jennifer Geigle, P.J. Parker, Jerry Angell, Matthew Jason
Walsh, Steve Wilcox, Jeff Sisson, Dwen Doggett, Pat Stodden and Paul
Van Dan Elzen. An Englewood Entertainment Release. Unrated - MD
ZOMBIE
BLOODBATH 3: ZOMBIE ARMAGEDDON
(2000) More gore, guts and zombie action from the great
Todd Sheets. In ZB3 we start out hundreds of years into the future
where soldiers are taking control of government-made flesh eating
zombies in a cave. The zombies are rounded up and put in a large
capsule and loaded onto a shuttle where they are launched into space
and end up in a black hole.
The zombies somehow get sent back through time and end up in a cave
underneath a high school. Its an ordinary school day where some
students are doing detention time ala THE
BREAKFAST CLUB (1985), a couple nerds are setting up their
own radio broadcast in the basement, and an actor is teaching martial
arts in the school gym. The nerds of the story uncover the shuttle
from the future underneath the school. They run into some zombies and
eventually all hell breaks loose. The students in detention, the
actor and sidekick, and the nerds find themselves fighting for their
lives as the flesh hungry zombies overrun the school. From there on
out, its gore galore with spilled intestines, organ eating,
flesh ripping, dismemberments, etc. A zombie chows down on a severed
arm, the school principal is munched on and later comes back as a
zombie himself, one of the nerds stabs a zombie in the eye repeatedly
with an electric carving knife and then saws its head off, necks are
chomped, a character gouges a zombies eye out with his thumb,
the kids do battle with a cyborg zombie in the cave, and we gets lots
of funny lines like Next thing I know, Im in fucking THE
RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985), to which somebody
replies, Good movie. Another good one is, And then
all of a sudden a bunch of extras from DAWN
OF THE fucking DEAD
(1978) show up. With ZB3, Sheets throws in lots of
comedy, kung fu, carnage and creative kills. Buy the ZB
trilogy 2-disc DVD from Camp
Motion Pictures, make some popcorn, and get together with some
friends for a night of chills, spills, gore, laughs and cheesiness.
With Abe Dyer, Curtis Spencer, Blake Washer, Jolene Durrill, Jen
Davis, Ruth Gordon (no, not that Ruth Gordon), Phil Wymore, Jenni
Geigel, Rico Love, Antwoine Steele, Byron Nichodemus, Jeff Dylan
Graham, John Bain, Will Crews, and Ari Bavel. An Evil
Arab Video Release. Unrated - MD
ZOMBIE
PLANET (2004) - From Kentucky
filmmaker George Bonilla and his company ZP International comes this
outlandish and fun horror and sci-fi fantasy adventure hybrid about a
drifter named Kane (Frank Farhat) and life in a futuristic
post-apocalyptic world that has been overrun by the living dead. As
the result of a special enzyme-related diet, people have been driven
to consume lots of read meat
until a point where they've become cannibalistic, flesh eating
zombies. The government remedies the problem by splitting people into
groups including protected "safe zones" for the wealthy in
big cities of the US and a group of "dregs" and zombies
everywhere else where folks driven into poverty as a result of the
famine and carnage resulting from the special diet and these folks
fend for themselves against the living dead. Kane becomes acquainted
with a group of these "dregs" and soon meets up with a
super villain named Adam and his group called the "Upper
Class." A battle between Adam's sinister group and Kane ensues.
Kung fu, battles with zombies, MAD
MAX BEYOND THUNDER DOME (1985)-inspired fight sequences,
gore and guts, and more abound in this zombie/action adventure with a
Full Moon vibe. Bonilla and company followed this one up with ZOMBIE
PLANET 2: ADAM'S REVENGE (2005). The out-of-print Tempe DVD
release of ZOMBIE PLANET contains an audio commentary with
Bonilla, a second commentary with actor and cinematographer Billy W.
Blackwell and cinematographers Roy Mason White, Barry Stout and Todd
Burrows, a promo teaser for ZOMBIE PLANET 2, and Tempe
trailers. ZOMBIE PLANET 1 & 2 are now both available from
ZP International themselves as a combined movie entitled ZOMBIE
PLANET: THE KANE CHRONICLES. The first film is also now
available from ZP separately as well. Other Bonilla and ZP titles
include REDWOOD JUSTIN: VAMPIRE
HUNTER-DANCE WITH A VAMPIRE (2006), THE
EDISON DEATH MACHINE (2006), MONSTROSITY
(2007), HELL-EPHONE (2008),
and SANTA CLAUS VS.
THE ZOMBIES (2010). A Tempe
DVD Release. Not Rated - MD NOTE: The
entire three films are available from R Squared Films Inc. as THE
ZOMBIE PLANET TRILOGY. - Editor
ZOMBIE
RAMPAGE (1989) For those
looking for something gory, extremely low budget, cheesy, and shot
with a camcorder, you just cant go wrong with the films of Todd
Sheets. ZOMBIE RAMPAGE is a fairly enjoyable early gore
romp of Todds.
Ill just say this, dont watch it expecting good acting
or for story. Watch it for all the flesh eating and gut spilling
action. Since its been a while since I last watched this one,
Ill try to summarize it the best I can. It starts out with a
gang fight scene at the beginning with a fast-paced punk rock version
of Spirit In The Sky playing on the soundtrack. A guy who
was just heading to a train station minding his own business to go to
a reunion and meet up with some friends ends up in the middle of
nightmarish chaos with zombies, gangs and homicidal maniacs running
rampant. We are then treated to many scenes of characters running
away from zombies, zombies chowing down on human innards and other
organs and body parts, karo syrup goop and blood dumped all over the
actors, zombie ass kicking, gang action, etc. One girl is stabbed
through the side of her face with a knife. In one scene the zombies
eat a baby out of a stroller. The film has a really kick ass
soundtrack. Todd is a guy who really knows how to score a movie. Like
I said, dont watch it for plot or acting, watch it for all the
zombie action, crazy editing, cheesy effects, and soundtrack. The
Directors Cut VHS contains a making of
segment after the feature with behind-the-scenes footage, outtakes,
an interview with Todd, and the original trailer. A Cinema Home Video
Release. Not Rated - MD
ZOMBIE
TOXIN (1998) - I must say, this
videotaped British whack-job gross-out horror comedy blending
elements of Monty Python, Peter Jackson, George Romero and Andreas
Schnaas is definitely one of the stupidest and most outrageous pieces
of zero budget backyard slime on the home video market. The plot (if
you can even call it that) concerns two guys who get turned into
zombies after coming into contact with a dead horse. They end up
contaminating a yeast field. Some weird Nazi-wannabes get a hold of
the yeast and decide to put it in bottles so they can distribute it
around the world and infect people. This leads to some unfortunate
results for them. End of story. You get some extremely cheap gore,
torture, zombies vomiting and defecating on each other in graphic
detail, bottles getting up by themselves and attacking people, and a
guy who gets all his limbs hacked off and is carried away at the end
by a Mary Poppins on crack (I'm not kidding). I swear, this movie was
probably some experiment to see how much toilet humor and sick,
idiotic, outrageous, over-the-top and ridiculously exaggerated
graphic scenes could be crammed into 75 minutes. It's one of those
things that must be seen to be believed. I don't know how else to
describe it. In any event, you'll definitely laugh until you puke.
Directed by and starring Thomas J. Moose. With Adrian Ottiwell, Lee
Simpson, and Robert Taylor. A Shock-O-Rama
Cinema Release. Not Rated - MD