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Category: Full Moon Fridays

  • Puppet Master: Axis Termination (2017)

    Puppet Master: Axis Termination (2017)

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    After the release of Puppet Master X: Axis Rising in 2012, there was a renewed interest in Charles Band’s catalog. In addition to the launch of his streaming service, many of Band’s Empire Pictures catalog was getting rereleased. Companies like Shout Factory, 88 Films, and Kino Lorber were putting out blu-ray releases of From Beyond, Dolls, and Transformations. In 2015, Band signed a deal with the El Rey Network to broadcast Full Moon’s movies, starting with Puppet Master. Around the same time, Band announced a new entry in the series that would end the Axis Trilogy. Filming began in 2016 at Full Moon’s studios, though additional funding was provided through IndieGoGo, which totaled over $90,000. As an incentive, backers could have small parts, and El Rey ran a contest to be killed by the puppets. With help from the fans, Puppet Master: Axis Termination was released in September 2017.

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    Synopsis

    After Danny (Kip Canyon) and Beth (Jean Louise O’Sullivan) are murdered, the puppets are taken by Captain Brooks (Paul Logan). Brooks is given a special assignment from General Kip Hansard (Allen Perada) involving a group of psychics and puppets. The psychics are led by Dr. Ivan Ivanov (George Appleby), his daughter Elisa (Tania Fox), and Georgina Vale (Alynxia America). Meanwhile, Doktor Gerde Ernst (Tonya Kay) has taken control of the Nazi puppets: Bombshell, Blitzkrieg, and Weremacht. Ernst has been experimenting with help from Sturmbanfuhrer Steiner Krabke (Kevin Scott Allen) and Oberhelfer Friede Steitze (Lilou Vos). She’s found a way to extract more of the serum needed to keep the puppets alive and fighting. As Brooks and the Psychics fight the Nazis, Blade, Pinhead, Tunneler, Jester, Six Shooter, and Leech Woman fight the puppets. With the fate of the free world at stake, who will emerge victorious?

     

    Review

    Given that this was supposed to end the Axis Trilogy, it’s disappointing how lackluster Puppet Master: Axis Termination is. It’s not as bad as Puppet Master: The Legacy, but that’s not saying much, considering it was a clip show. For one, it’s disappointing that they took the previous films’ two leads and killed them off at the beginning. They’re not even given a proper send-off, but instead, they get gunned down in the street before the opening credits. Thankfully, the new characters introduced aren’t terrible, but it would’ve been nice to give Danny and Beth some closure. Some hastily added digital effects, especially the CG blood spray, also took me out of the movie. That bugs me because fake blood is easy to make, and they used real fake blood here. Considering this is the bloodiest entry, they may have run out of corn syrup and food coloring.

    The acting ranges from halfway decent to primarily flat, though there are a few standouts in the cast. Tonya Kay is easily the best part of the movie, playing her role as wickedly and devilishly as possible. Kevin Scott Allen also does a decent job as the psychic agent of Doktor Ernst, and Paul Logan makes for a solid square-jawed hero. The puppet effects are decent, though there are odd moments where they add people in costume on green screens. Seeing the puppets move weirdly fluidly makes me miss David Allen’s stop-motion work from the older movies. The pacing drags even at an hour and fifteen minutes, and the whole film feels anticlimactic by the end. It’s excellent that Full Moon got the fans involved in making this, but it’s disappointing how this finale turned out. Overall, Puppet Master: Axis Termination isn’t awful, but it’s not great, either.

     

    Buy Puppet Master: Axis Termination on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3U17uDn.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Galactic Gigolo (1987)

    Galactic Gigolo (1987)

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    Released in 1987, Psychos in Love was a minor hit for Charles Band’s Wizard Video. After this, Band offered director Gorman Bechard a multi-picture deal to produce more direct-to-video titles for Empire Pictures. With his previous film, Bechard had complete creative control since Band was merely distributing the movie. However, Bechard would grow to hate his time working with Empire Pictures, starting with a sci-fi sex comedy. Originally titled Club Earth, Bechard intended the film to be a “non-animated adult cartoon” with bright, flashy colors. In an interview with Cinefantastique, Bechard said Empire chopped the movie in editing and removed all the colors. To this day, Gorman Bechard has disowned the film and is thankful that Empire Pictures went bankrupt soon after. With all that in mind, let’s look at 1987’s Galactic Gigolo and see how bad it is.

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    Synopsis

    After winning a game show, the intergalactic alien Eoj (Carmine Capobianco) wins a trip to Earth. Specifically, he’s sent to Prospect, CT, “The Horniest Town in the Galaxy,” to sleep with as many women as possible. His arrival catches the attention of two groups of people, a family of Jewish rednecks and some mobsters. Billy Joe Bob (Barry Finkel), Big Peter Dick (Todd Kimsey), and Sammy Harry Bill (J.E.L. Gitter) want him captured. Meanwhile, Sonny (Michael Citriniti), Carmine (Tony Kruk), and Tony (David Coughlin) want Eoj to help them commit robberies. Tagging along with Eoj on his sexcapades are reporter Hildy (Debi Thibeault) and her photographer Waldo (Frank Stewart). During one of his more prominent sexcapades with Dr. Pepper (Ruth Collins), Eoj is intercepted by the rednecks and mobsters. Will Eoj escape them and finish his vacation, or is this Galactic Gigolo done for?

     

    Review

    Despite its flaws, I found Psychos in Love a fun, strangely heartfelt horror-comedy romance with a home-grown feel. Because of that, it hurts to say that Galactic Gigolo is one of the most unfunny comedies I’ve ever seen. Granted, I don’t go into a movie like Galactic Gigolo expecting something similar to The Marx Brothers or Mel Brooks. The humor is pretty low-brow, relying either on stereotypes, innuendos, or slapstick, complete with cartoon sound effects. It doesn’t help that the film doesn’t have much of a narrative, just going from one scene to another. It goes like this: sex scene, rednecks acting goofy, sex scene, mobsters doing whatever, rinse and repeat. Even at 80 minutes, the movie feels like it’s slowly plodding along, trying to get to the ending. Honestly, this movie was a slog for me, so be warned if you’re curious to watch it.

    Everyone in the cast plays their parts as exaggeratedly as possible, which can get irritating after a while. The worst is with the rednecks, who stretch their lines so long that you’ll scream, “Cut!” Like Bechard’s last movie, Carmine Capobianco and Debi Thibeault are easily the movie’s highlights and get the biggest laughs. They have a few scenes together where you can see the same chemistry they had in Psychos. Speaking in Bechard’s defense, I can see how he intended this to be like a live-action cartoon. I’m unsure how much Charles Band did to this movie, but I’d be curious to see Bechard’s original vision. Regardless, as unfunny as this movie is, I’d still watch this over It’s Pat or Freddy Got Fingered. Overall, Galactic Gigolo isn’t the worst comedy, but I still wouldn’t give it a glowing recommendation.

     

    Buy Galactic Gigolo on Amazon: https://amzn.to/40m5BUw.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Unlucky Charms (2013)

    Unlucky Charms (2013)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]During a meeting with Charles Band, editor Don Adams mentioned 1993’s Leprechaun, a sore spot for Band. For decades, Band had been known for making tiny terror movies, including Dolls, Puppet Master, and Demonic Toys. So, to have another low-budget company make a similar movie and have it be successful stung him. In 2011, Charles Band announced he would make his take on a horror-comedy about an evil leprechaun. After seeing America’s Next Top Model, Band injected a subplot around models competing on a reality TV show. According to effects designer Tom Devlin, Band cast the actresses for the models based on their Twitter followers. For instance, lead actress Tiffany Thornton had over 1 million followers when she switched from Disney to Full Moon’s camp. In 2013, Charles Band’s Unlucky Charms was released on DVD in a mock cereal box for promotional purposes.

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    Synopsis

    Five girls compete in a reality TV show to get a modeling contract and become company spokespeople. There’s Darla (Alex Rose Wiesel), Sheila (Nikki Leigh), Mika (Masuimi Max), Erin (Anna Sophia Berglund), and Audrey (Tiffany Thornton). Leading the competition is DeeDee Deville (Jeryl Prescott), and she’s accompanied by judges Pirl (Seth Peterson) and Baxter (Charlie O’Connell). Unbeknownst to the girls, DeeDee is using four magical charms to steal their souls so she’ll stay young. Meanwhile, Farr Darrig (Nathan Phillips), Bloody Bones (Peter Donald Badalamenti II), Pookah (Ben Woolf), and Banshee (Katrina Kemp) are hunting. It turns out DeeDee stole the magic she’s been using, and Farr and his cohorts are looking to reclaim it. However, they are under her control as they’re forced to kill off the competing models individually. Will DeeDee be stopped, and will the Irish terrors reclaim their Unlucky Charms?

     

    Review

    Say what you will about Leprechaun, but it was at least well-made and had a clear idea. With Unlucky Charms, it feels like Band had a lot of ideas but didn’t know how to execute them fully. The whole “modeling reality show” concept has much potential for parody, but they don’t do much with it. Also, for a Full Moon movie, the kills are minimal, with only two in total, and both are uninspired. Aside from the cycloptic Bloody Bones, the makeup effects look remarkably cheap, especially with Farr Darrig’s design. Unlike Warwick Davis’ iconic look, all Nathan Phillips gets are red splotches on his face and a wig. Even the version of Farr Darrig on the DVD cover looks more terrifying than in the actual movie. The film’s biggest problem is it’s boring and moves at a snail’s pace, even at under 90 minutes long.

    As much as this movie doesn’t work, a few bright spots make this at least tolerable to watch. For one, Nathan Phillips does a decent job playing the diminutive terror Farr Darrig, actually playing the part seriously. Jeryl Prescott, for her part, does an outstanding job as the villain, and the Dorian Gray-inspired plotline is handled well. Also, the five main actresses aren’t terrible, even if they were hired because of their Twitter followers. While many of the digital effects look shoddy, a few sequences aren’t half bad, namely the opening scene. Also, some of the film’s practical effects are alright, namely the Bloody Bones and Pookah designs. While I wouldn’t call this one of Full Moon’s worst movies, the fact that it’s unremarkable is almost worse. Overall, Unlucky Charms won’t ruin your day, but there are far better movies about evil leprechauns you could be watching.

     

    Buy Unlucky Charms on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CkFPZk.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Enemy Territory (1987)

    Enemy Territory (1987)

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    1986’s Eliminators had one of Empire Pictures’ biggest openings, grossing over $4 million at the box office. Following its relative success, Peter Manoogian was working on Deadly Weapon, which was meant to be a sequel to Laserblast. Charles Band’s then-wife, Debra Dion, gave Manoogian a script to read from Stuart Kaminsky, a writer known for pulp novels. The screenplay was initially set in Chicago, but because of Band’s deal with Tim Kincaid, the setting became New York. While Kincaid and his wife Cynthia De Paula were used to $100,000 shoots, Manoogian’s budget went up to $850,000. For the cast, Manoogian hired TV actor Gary Frank, Ray Parker Jr. of Ghostbusters fame, and former star Jan-Michael Vincent. The original DOP, Arthur D. Marks, was replaced by Ernest Dickerson, who had just worked on She’s Gotta Have It. In the end, Enemy Territory got a limited theatrical release in May 1987.

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    Synopsis

    Due to his alcoholism, Barry Rapchick (Gary Frank) has fallen on hard times as an insurance salesman. Down on his luck, his boss sends him to a rundown apartment complex to sign over a significant insurance policy. He meets with the elderly Elva (Frances Foster), who signs for the insurance and wishes Barry luck as he tries to leave the building. Unfortunately, Barry runs into The Vampires, the gang that controls the building, along with their leader, The Count (Tony Todd). He orders his goons to kill Barry, but he’s rescued by telephone worker Will Jackson (Ray Parker Jr). They run into Elva’s granddaughter Toni (Stacey Dash), who suggests they meet Vietnam veteran Mr. Parker (Jan-Michael Vincent). Meanwhile, The Count puts a hit out on Barry and Will for the gang members they’ve killed trying to escape. Barry’s job isn’t the only thing in danger when he enters Enemy Territory!

     

    Review

    Enemy Territory is as far removed as possible from other movies from Empire Pictures, like Re-Animator, Trancers, and Ghoulies. In a way, that works to help makes this film stand out from the rest of Charles Band’s library. Director Peter Manoogian and cinematographer Ernest Dickerson do a great job capturing the raw grit of 1980s New York. Even before Barry enters the apartment complex, the movie has this grimy, gritty, lived-in feel but with some 80s flair. This would make a great double feature with urban crime films like Exterminator 2 and Tenement. As simple as the story is, it touches on some relevant themes, such as redemption, racial tensions, and class warfare. A white businessman enters a rundown complex ruled by a gang leader who uses their struggles to take control. The themes practically write themselves with that kind of synopsis.

    What also makes this film work is a cast of memorable character actors giving it their all. Gary Chalk is great as the meager insurance salesman trying to reclaim his status at any cost. However, the real star is Ray Parker Jr., who shows he can be a capable lead and a skilled musician. It’s a shame this didn’t lead to more starring roles for Parker, but at least he has those Ghostbusters residuals. The always great Tony Todd shines as the ruthless gang leader, The Count, chewing tons of scenery while remaining intimidating. Jan-Michael Vincent has a few moments as a Vietnam veteran who uses a wheelchair, but he’s strung out on something. While not high art, it’s still an entertaining thrill ride that proves Empire Pictures was willing to branch out. Overall, Enemy Territory is a highly underrated action thriller in desperate need of a Blu-ray release.

     

    Watch Enemy Territory on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fGzI9sNG0lY.

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  • Seedpeople (1992)

    Seedpeople (1992)

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    After Empire Pictures went bankrupt following the release of 1989’s Arena, filmmaker Peter Manoogian had trouble finding work. Once Charles Band started Full Moon Features, Manoogian ran into him and made a deal with him. For $15,000, Manoogian would get to direct for four weeks, which turned into three to four months. While he was initially supposed to helm one film, Manoogian shot two back-to-back, the first being 1992’s Demonic Toys. That project went over so well that Charles Band had another in line for Peter Manoogian to direct. Originally intended as a “psychological thriller” by Band, the film became a riff on Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Manoogian tried to make it more of an action movie, but unlike his killer doll movie, this didn’t get sequels. Just weeks after his film about evil toys, Peter Manoogian’s Seedpeople hit video store shelves in May 1992.

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    Synopsis

    In the small town of Comet Valley, geologist Tom Baines (Sam Hennings) is visiting to lecture on meteorites. The townsfolk have become enamored with meteorites after several of them landed recently, much to the chagrin of local farmers. While visiting, Tom runs into his old flame Heidi Tucker (Andrea Roth), who’s dating the local sheriff Brad (Dane Witherspoon). Tom soon notices the other townsfolk are acting strange, Heidi’s niece Kim (Holly Fields) believing him and wanting to investigate. Meanwhile, strange plants have sprouted up all over town, sending local nutcase Doc Roller (Bernard Kates) into a panic. Tom and Kim soon find evidence suggesting a connection between the plants and the townsfolks’ strange behavior. Heidi initially doesn’t believe them, but after seeing video proof, she joins them in fighting the alien seed pods. Who will survive, the uncontaminated humans or the Seedpeople?

     

    Review

    Seedpeople isn’t as good compared to Demonic Toys, but it’s still an enjoyably silly creature feature. Sure, it’s a low-budget version of Don Siegel’s 1956 classic, but plenty of similar movies have been made. The acting is above average, but none of the performances would earn any awards recognition. Sam Hennings makes for a decent lead and has good chemistry with Andrea Roth, though their love triangle is unexciting. Bernard Kates has some fun moments as a crazy old man trying to expose the aliens despite being mocked. Full Moon regular Sonny Carl Davis also appears as a local farmer who meets a horrible fate. Peter Manoogian’s direction is decent, especially during the nighttime scenes where he uses various colored lights. It helps that he had Full Moon’s go-to cinematographer Adolfo Bartoli on hand to enhance the style.

    The film’s real highlight is the creature effects from John Carl Buechler and Mike Deak, primarily puppets and rubber suits. Each titular monster’s distinct look closely matches the box cover, which is a plus. Admittedly, the film’s low budget shows when you can tell the actors are just moving the puppets around. That said, it’s very progressive how they hired disfigured performers to wear alien costumes and gave them opportunities. This movie feels like the filmmakers wanted to pay tribute to classic 1950s B-movies and succeeded, for the most part. At barely under 90 minutes, the film goes by fairly quickly, though there’s a lot of filler sprinkled throughout. This isn’t on par with Full Moon classics like Puppet Master III or Dark Angel: The Ascent, but it’s decent. Overall, Seedpeople is best recommended as a rental, much like other Full Moon movies you’d find at the video store.

     

    Buy Seedpeople on:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Seedpeople (1992)

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  • Breeders (1986)

    Breeders (1986)

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    Tim Kincaid, real name Tim Felix, first hit the scene for his 1973 sexploitation film The Female Response. In 1976, Kincaid started making gay porn films under the pseudonym Joe Gage beginning with Kansas City Trucking Co. Up until 1985, Kincaid produced titles like El Paso Wrecking Co, Closed Set, Heatstroke, and Blue Hanky Left. In 1986, Kincaid and producer/wife Cynthia De Paula transitioned into mainstream filmmaking with the women-in-prison film Bad Girls Dormitory. Charles Band was so impressed with Kincaid’s work that he agreed to fund four DTV movies made in NYC. For the first film, shooting would last for ten days on a budget of $80,000 with effects by Ed French. While Kincaid had filmed Mutant Hunt beforehand, this sci-fi horror film would be released first. In 1986, Tim Kincaid’s Breeders hit video store shelves under Charles Band’s Wizard Video line.

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    Synopsis

    In the seedy streets of Manhattan, various women are being attacked and killed by a strange entity. Detective Dale Andriotti (Lance Lewman) and Dr. Gamble Pace (Teresa Yvon Farley) investigate what’s targeting these women and their connection. They find that the thing these women have in common is that they’re all virgins who’ve been raped. Among the victims are model Karinsa (Frances Raines), nurse Kathleen (LeeAnne Baker), and local girl Donna (Natalie Savage). Almost all of the victims end up catatonic or with some form of amnesia, making the investigation more difficult. Eventually, the women get up from the hospital, fully nude, and wander the streets in a trance. Detective Andriotti and Dr. Pace follow them into the sewers, only to discover something horrific. The sexual invasion is about to begin as the breeders emerge to try and conquer the Earth. Anything this hideous must be stopped from breeding!

     

    Review

    Without mincing words, Breeders is pure trash and not even the enjoyable kind of trash that you can laugh at. Sure, it has everything you’d expect in a cheesy B-movie: gratuitous nudity, bad acting, and gross effects, but it’s boring. So much nothing happens that, even at 77 minutes, it feels like a movie that’ll never end. For instance, there’s a sequence where a model strips naked and does yoga for at least three minutes. Other than having an excuse for more nudity, it just drags on and on without advancing the story. Then again, there’s so little story here that you could sum it up in one sentence. Acting-wise, I didn’t expect anything Shakespearian, but I highly doubt any of these people have ever acted before. Everyone’s line delivery is so flat and dull that they might as well be cardboard cutouts.

    While I haven’t seen much of Tim Kincaid’s work, I can only imagine they’re all just as poorly made. Not only are all the camera angles basic, but so many scenes drag out you’ll be begging for a cut. The one positive I can give this movie is that the effects, while cheap, are pretty decent. It shouldn’t be surprising since Ed French (Blood Rage, The Dead Come Home, and Sleepaway Camp) did the effects. The best effect shot in the movie is when a character’s chest bursts and reveals an alien monster. Also, the alien creature responsible for the ravaged virgins doesn’t look half bad, though we don’t see it much. That said, I can only recommend this to hardcore fans of Empire Pictures and the most curious viewers. Overall, Breeders should’ve been at least delightfully bad, but instead, it’s just plain bad.

     

    Buy Breeders from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oY46aA.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Breeders (1986)

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  • Hideous! (1997)

    Hideous! (1997)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]After their partnership with Paramount Pictures ended, Full Moon Features was financially precarious, solely relying on Kushner-Locke. It was in the late 90s that Full Moon took advantage of the burgeoning internet to announce their future titles. Some of the titles featured that got made included The Creeps, Shrieker, Subspecies 4, Puppet Master 6, and Blood Dolls. One of the other features mentioned wouldn’t be funded by Kushner-Locke but by producers David DeFalco and Michael Fiechtner. Shot on location in Bucharest over two weeks in February 1997, Charles Band directed while Benjamin Carr wrote the script. Carr previously wrote Head of the Family, starring Jacqueline Lovell and Michael Citriniti, a.k.a. J. W. Perra, who returned here. Another notable cast member was Mel Johnson Jr., who later partnered with Charles Band to form Alchemy/Big City Pictures. After a brief filming period, Charles Band’s Hideous! was released in August 1997.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”70″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Synopsis

    A group of sewage workers finds a strange embryo and sell it to the International Medical Specimens corporation. Headed by Ms. Belinda Yost (Tracie May-Wagner), she sells it to eccentric collector Napoleon Lazar (Mel Johnson Jr.) for $650,000. Word gets out to rival collector Dr. Lorca (Michael Citriniti), who has his assistant Sheila (Jacqueline Lovell) steal it. After the embryo is stolen, Lazar hires Detective Leonard Kantor (Jerry O’Donnell) to help him return it from Lorca. Along with Yost and her secretary, Elvina Shaw (Rhonda Griffin), Lazar and Kantor go to Lorca’s castle to confront him. While there, they see Lorca’s four other strange creatures, who break free and wander the castle. Soon, our hapless victims are picked off individually as Lorca and Lazar fight over ownership of the medical oddities. Who will survive against these deformed, depraved, and devious creatures and escape the castle?

     

    Review

    In some ways, Hideous! is almost a throwback to the Empire Pictures classic Ghoulies, both in story and visuals. Both are about people going to an isolated area and are systematically picked off by tiny creatures. Also, both movies have a similar lo-tech feel to the effects, which makes sense, given who handled the effects. Mark Rappaport, the film’s special effects supervisor, previously worked under John Carl Buechler on Demonic Toys. Admittedly, there is some questionable CGI, and the puppets aren’t the most complex, but they work for this movie. They’re not in the film very much, but the creatures are fun to watch when they are. Filming in a Bucharest castle adds much production value to the movie and helps it stand out. Say what you will about Full Moon using Romania, but it helped make their films look more expensive.

    For the most part, the cast plays their roles as campy as possible without going too overboard. Mel Johnson Jr. is one of the biggest highlights, and his back-and-forths with the rest of the cast are entertaining. Michael Citriniti is an excellent rival for Johnson, and Tracie May-Wagner is fun as the stuck-up rich bitch. Jacqueline Lovell is another highlight as Dr. Lorca’s sexy and devious assistant, spending her screen time with her cleavage exposed. She and Johnson easily have the movie’s most memorable scene, where she robs him while topless in a gorilla mask. Even in context, the sequence comes out of nowhere and is never brought up again, which makes it more bizarre. At under 90 minutes, the movie goes by pretty quickly and doesn’t have too many slow scenes. Overall, Hideous! isn’t one of Full Moon’s best, but it’s a decent creature feature.

     

    Buy Hideous! from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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    Where to watch Hideous! (1997)

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  • Zombiethon (1986)

    Zombiethon (1986)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]After making three back-to-back compilation tapes, Charles Band and Ken Dixon made one more to end it all. As mentioned before, Band acquired the rights to numerous low-budget horror films for his label, Wizard Video. Many of these were European and directed by exploitation filmmakers like Lucio Fulci, Jess Franco, and Pierre Chevalier. Also, by the mid-1980s, zombie movies were popular thanks to Return of the Living Dead and Day of the Dead. Luckily for Band, plenty of European zombie movies came out after the success of George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. Band and Dixon would use clips from various zombie movies using a wraparound story instead of hosts for this compilation. This was their last compilation tape, as Ken Dixon later directed 1987’s Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity. But before then, Charles Band released their zombie compilation Zombiethon to a ravenous fanbase.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”65″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    A zombie chases a young woman (Karrene Janyl Caudle) into The Historic El Rey Theater, occupied by various zombies. The young woman takes a seat as she and the other undead patrons watch clips from multiple zombie movies. We start with Lucio Fulci’s 1979 classic Zombie, most infamous for a brutal eye-gouging and zombie vs. shark death match. Unfortunately, the quality goes downhill as we move onto the notoriously bad 1981 schlockfest Zombie Lake. Things only get worse when we go to Jess Franco’s Oasis of the Zombies, followed by Murder Syndrome, aka Fear. Then, we get two 1970s offerings: 1970’s The Invisible Dead and 1973’s A Virgin Among the Living Dead. To cap off this compilation, we end with Ted V. Mikel’s The Astro-Zombies from 1968, previously featured in Filmgore. Stay away from any graveyards, as the liveliest Festival of the Dead is about to begin!

     

    Review

    Of all four of the compilation tapes made for Wizard Video, Zombiethon is undoubtedly one of them. It’s not as fun as The Best of Sex and Violence, but it’s a step above Famous T & A. This one tries to be unique by having a wraparound story instead of the usual host segments. These wraparound segments add charm due to their cheesiness but are disjointed, confusing, and repetitive. Each sequence boils down to a pretty girl getting chased by a zombie, running into a theater, rinse and repeat. In place of makeup, all the zombies wear masks, which come off as cheap but add to the campiness. Unfortunately, the wraparound has no resolution, as it ends with the zombies sitting in the theater. We never find out what happened to the various women who were chased inside, so I guess they’re dead.

    As for the clips shown, there’s a decent variety, but the compilation somewhat blows its load a little early. They start with a truncated version of Lucio Fulci’s classic, only to transition into progressively worse movies. Also, according to the book Empire of the B’s, the compilation features Dawn of the Dead, Burial Ground, etc. Unless they watched a different version than me, none of the other movies they mention are featured. Either way, this compilation does succeed in helping you avoid sitting through some utter garbage. Why sit through all 82 minutes of Oasis of the Zombies when you can watch the highlights shown here? Considering that Empire folded a few years later, it’s unfortunate we didn’t get more of these compilations until years later. Overall, Zombiethon isn’t the worst of the Wizard Video comp tapes, and it’ll make for some good background noise.

     

    Buy Zombiethon from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Evil Bong 2: King Bong (2009)

    Evil Bong 2: King Bong (2009)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Released in 2006, Evil Bong was a surprise hit for Full Moon Features, so a sequel was to follow. Charles Band announced the sequel in 2008, along with Killjoy 3, GingerDead Man 3, and Puppet Master: Axis of Evil. Band returned to direct alongside the late writer Dominic Muir, using the pseudonym August White, for the stoner sequel. Much of the original cast returned, though they could no longer afford Tommy Chong, and Brett Chukerman replaced David Weidoff. Since prolific cinematographer Mac Ahlberg retired, Charlie hired Terrance Ryker, who also shot The Haunted Casino and Dangerous Worry Dolls. They hired Jeffrey S. Farley for the makeup effects, who earned an Emmy nomination for his work on Babylon 5. While the last film was a mix of horror and weed humor, this sequel would lean further into stoner comedy. In July 2009, Evil Bong 2: King Bong hit DVD shelves worldwide.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”55″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Months after the last film, Allistair (Brett Chukerman) visits Larnell (John Patrick Jordan) at his apartment to catch up. The Evil Bong’s effects are lingering as Bachman (Mitch Eakins) has narcolepsy and Brett (Brian Lloyd) is obese. Additionally, Larnell has lost all sexual inhibitions and humps anything near him, including Brett’s girlfriend Luann (Robin Sydney). The guys get the delivery guy Rabbit (Sonny Carl Davis) to accompany them to the Amazon to find answers. They run into Velicity (Amy Paffrath), who’s working with Larnell’s grandpa Cyril (Jacob Witkin) to study some potent marijuana. She believes the weed could be used for medicinal purposes, while Cyril wants to sell it to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, Cyril and Rabbit use the weed to resurrect Eebee (Michelle Mais), only to be taken by the Poontang Tribe. Our heroes must battle with Eebee’s former mate, King Bong (Michael Shepperd).

     

    Review

    If you’ve seen the first one, you should know what to expect from Evil Bong 2: King Bong. This sequel is more of the same, but some slight improvements made here make this more tolerable. Moving the action out of the apartment and into the jungle adds variety and makes it stand out. Also, Brett Chukerman is a welcome replacement for the nerdy Allistair, making the character more of a snob. Amy Paffrath’s Velicity is an excellent addition to the series, offering plenty of charm and high energy. Sonny Carl Davis always looks like he’s having a good time, and Jacob Witkin has some of the best lines. The new villain, King Bong, has an excellent design, and Michael Shepperd gives him tons of personality. His performance reminds me of Michael Sonye as Uncle Impie from Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama.

    Before you go rushing to pick up the DVD, don’t expect the quality of 90’s Full Moon. The sets still look cheap, there’s an abundance of CGI, and most of the acting is pretty shaky. Anyone hoping for blood and more horror like the first film will be disappointed with this sequel. This movie is like an extended R-rated sitcom without the studio audience or the pauses for laughter. Most of the humor relies on marijuana, penises, obesity, and sex, and it’s pretty juvenile and outstays its welcome. Still, this movie moves much faster than the first film at roughly the same runtime. Plus, with this film opening on a recap of the original, you could skip to this one. Overall, Evil Bong 2: King Bong is more of the same as the first but is slightly better.

     

    Buy Evil Bong 2: King Bong from:

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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  • Filmgore (1983)

    Filmgore (1983)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]As I mentioned in my review of Famous T & A, many studios created compilation tapes to stock video stores. They were cheap to produce, gave audiences exactly what they wanted, and always made a profit. Charles Band and Ken Dixon had already made two compilation tapes, including 1982’s The Best of Sex and Violence. They got B-movie icons like John Carradine and Sybil Danning to deliver wry commentary over the clips shown. Band and Dixon hired Cassandra Peterson, who exploded in popularity as the horror hostess Elvira, for their next tape. They also brought Forrest J. Ackerman, the founding editor/writer of Famous Monsters of Filmland, to write Peterson’s quips. While the other compilations focused on violence or nudity, this one focused primarily on blood and guts. In 1983, Charles Band released the compilation tape Filmgore through his Wizard Video label.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”60″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    The Mistress of the Dark, Elvira (Cassandra Peterson), hosts this gallery of gore, offering her snide quips and “valuable assets.” First on the chopping block is Herschell Gordon Lewis’ 1963 splatterfest, Blood Feast, about an Egyptian caterer who’s a cannibal. Next, we get two of the most highly regarded 70s shockers, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Driller Killer. Then, we move on to Drive-In Massacre, Ted V. Mikels’ The Astro Zombies, and Carnival of Blood. We’re also treated to low-budget movies like Dr. Jekyll’s Dungeon of Death and Fiend, from Don Dohler of Nightbeast infamy. After this, we return to HG Lewis with what he’s considered his best film, 1964’s Two Thousand Maniacs! The collection ends with the notorious 1975 stinker Snuff, a pre-existing no-budget shocker re-edited with a gory ending. With Elvira as your guide, check out some of the goriest scenes that Hollywood has to offer.

     

    Review

    Compared to the earlier comp tapes, Filmgore is better than Famous T & A but worse than Sex and Violence. What makes this one more enjoyable is Cassandra Peterson, who’s entertaining as always as Elvira. She delivers each line with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek and has fun commenting on the movies. Also, while the other compilations were either trailers or random clips, this one offers the cliff notes of several films. Admittedly, this does lessen the impact of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre but prevents you from suffering through Snuff. Then again, spotlighting all the bloody scenes might also entice people to seek out the full movies. It’s similar to modern movie reviewers on YouTube, where people more or less condense a film to explain the plot. These comp tapes were ahead of their time, or I’m giving them too much credit.

    In terms of actual production, this is as cheap as you can get: one set, one actress, and one camera. The quips written by Forrest J. Ackerman aren’t the most clever, but they’re fun in a cheesy way. Cassandra Peterson is at least given more to do here than Sybil Danning, who looked confused the whole time. Some of the films chosen don’t feel like they belong, like The Astro Zombies, which isn’t all that bloody. The same thing could apply to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but at least the violence felt gruesome. At around 90 minutes, this compilation goes by fairly quickly and delivers on what it promises. There are better comp tapes out there, but this is a decent one to watch. Overall, Filmgore does what it sets out to do, but don’t expect anything of substance.

     

    Buy Filmgore on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jUPIxY.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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