Category: Full Moon Fridays

[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=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Released in 2005, The Gingerdead Man was a surprise hit for the struggling Full Moon Features. Charles Band was so impressed that he gave William Butler, who wrote the original, the chance to direct the sequel. Previously, Butler made 2004’s Madhouse and 2007’s Furnace, both low-budget movies that ended up being very successful. Seeing an opportunity, Butler agreed to do the sequel but only if given complete creative control. After telling Charles that he wanted to crucify the Gingerdead Man, Charles was entirely on board. Butler brought on Muffy Bolding and Aaron Strongoni, who he worked with on his previous features, to help write the script. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get Gary Busey to return, so they hired the late John Vulich to voice the titular character. On the 4th of July, 2008, Gingerdead Man 2: Passion of the Crust made its way onto video store shelves.

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Synopsis

Times are tough at Cheatum Studios, a once prolific moviehouse known for making low-budget genre films. Kevin Cheatum (K-von Moezzi) has taken to try to keep the studio alive to honor his late father. The studio is currently in production of the 9th entry in their Tiny Terrors series, but things are going downhill. Meanwhile, Heather Crocker (Kelsey Sanders) brings the terminally-ill Tommy Hines (Joseph Porter) to visit the studio as his last wish. During the tour, former scream queen Polly Bonderhoof (Michelle Bauer) bring a box of baked good to the studio. Inside the box is the Gingerdead Man (John Vulich), who wanders the studio searching for victims for a transmigration spell. As the body count rises, Kevin orders everyone to evacuate the studio as he and Heather try to find Tommy. While fending off the Gingerdead Man, Tommy reveals himself as Kevin’s worst fear: an online movie critic!

Review

While it was no cinematic masterpiece, I thought The Gingerdead Man had its moments and made for decent entertainment. The sequel, on the other hand, was a chore to get through between the lousy acting and dated stereotypes. As much as the absence of Gary Busey hurts, John Vulich does a decent job doing a Busey-like voice. Also, genre fans will enjoy the cameos from people like John Carl Buechler, David DeCoteau, and Greg Nicotero. Speaking of genre veterans, Michelle Bauer has fun delivering corny sexual innuendos and acting like a sexpot. K-von Moezzi is fine as the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed producer trying to maintain his father’s legacy. Though pretty, Kelsey Sanders is bland as the obvious love interest, and Joseph Porter comes off a bit annoying. The cast seems to be having fun in an otherwise ridiculous movie, but it’s too bad the audience isn’t.

In many ways, the film is similar to Troma’s Terror Firmer, about a movie shoot interrupted by a deranged killer. Both movies take potshots at the studios who made them, but Lloyd Kaufman’s film was much more intelligent and subtle. It also helps that Troma’s movie had more interesting characters, memorable kills, and a rebellious spirit only they could deliver. Here, the filmmakers try taking jabs at Full Moon Features, but it comes off as juvenile and a little mean-spirited. They even take jabs at people who criticize them, but they go for all the stereotypes you can think of. Also, for a movie called Gingerdead Man 2, the actual Gingerdead Man doesn’t factor much into the plot. At 82 minutes, the film feels padded as it struggles to reach feature length with its half-baked ideas. Overall, Gingerdead Man 2: Passion of the Crust isn’t very good. Go figure!

Buy Gingerdead Man 2: Passion of the Crust from:

• Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CQiI7d.
• Full Moon Horror: https://www.fullmoonhorror.com/products/gingerdead-man-2-the-passion-of-the-crust-pie-cover-dvd?ref=filmnerd.

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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[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=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]After the release of Puppet Master: The Legacy in 2003, Charles Band agreed that the series was in turmoil. Having rebranded his company as Full Moon Features, Band announced several sequels to past series in 2008. One of the sequels announced was a new Puppet Master movie that returned to Part 3’s WWII setting. To that end, Band hired series veteran David DeCoteau to direct and writer Dominic Muir for the screenplay. Like Killjoy 3, this entry would be filmed at ACE Studios in Foshan, Guangdong, China, founded by co-producer Henry Luk. In place of the original “Videozone,” Charles Band introduced the “Vidcasts,” a series of behind-the-scenes videos fans could follow along. Fans were cautious about whether or not this would live up to the prime era of Full Moon. After having its 2009 release pushed back, Puppet Master: Axis of Evil was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in 2010.

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Synopsis

At the Bodega Bay Inn in 1939, young carpenter Danny Coogan (Levi Fiehler) witnesses two Nazi spies entering Toulon’s room. The spies, Max (Tom Sandoval) and Klaus (Aaron Riber), find that Toulon killed himself and leave the hotel empty-handed. After they go, Danny finds Toulon’s puppet trunk hidden away and takes it back home with him. Meanwhile, Max and Klaus reconvene with Japanese saboteur Lady Ozu (Ada Chao), who plans to destroy an American manufacturing plant. Danny’s girlfriend Beth (Jenna Gallaher) at the plant works in the office and gets roped into the sabotaging plot. Soon enough, the Nazis kill Danny’s mother and brother, holding Beth hostage in a Chinese opera house. The Nazis are interested in Toulon’s secret to bringing the dead back to life, which is how the puppets move. With help from Blade, Pinhead, Tunneler, Leech Woman, Jester, and a Ninja puppet, Danny must stop the Nazis.

Review

While it doesn’t quite live up to Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge, Puppet Master: Axis of Evil is decent. For their low budget, the filmmakers managed to produce a movie that doesn’t look half bad. DeCoteau takes full advantage of the Chinatown locations and injects plenty of fog and shadows to add a noir look. Admittedly, it’s evident in the opening when they cut between the stock footage and the new footage. Still, the attention to detail is impressive, and the recreation of Toulon’s room, in particular, is solid. Also, the new score from longtime composer Richard Band is excellent, mixing the original music with a new track. Though David Allen’s stop-motion is sorely missed, the puppet effects look pretty good, though some of the movements are jerky. Also, adding a new ninja puppet is a nice touch that fits with the regulars.

Performance-wise, the cast generally does a good job, though there are some that stick out in a wrong way. Levi Fiehler is likable as a young man who wants to serve his country despite his condition. Jenna Gallaher is solid as his love interest Beth, and Taylor M. Graham stands out as Danny’s older brother. When it comes to the villains, the acting ranges from good to awful, though not without some caveats. Tom Sandoval is easily the best of the villains, while Ada Chao gives a very stilted and unnatural performance. I’m unsure if it’s because she doesn’t speak English and had to learn her lines phonetically, but it sounds awful. At slightly under 90 minutes, there isn’t a ton of filler, and it gets the job done relatively quickly. Overall, Puppet Master: Axis of Evil isn’t one of the best, but it’s not one of the worst either.

Buy Puppet Master: Axis of Evil from:

• Amazon: https://amzn.to/3F2Dwfo.
• Full Moon Horror: https://www.fullmoonhorror.com/products/puppet-master-axis-of-evil-blu-ray?ref=filmnerd.

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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[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=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Between 1979 and 1984, Charles Band struggled to make a name for himself in the film industry. His producing partners Irwin Yablans and Joseph Wolf ousted Band from Meda Home Entertainment, which he helped establish in 1978. Around this time, Charles got involved with producer Billy Fine and his company Ideal Films. He and producer Lawrence Applebaum were working on a project with director Craig Mitchell that wasn’t going well. About halfway through the shoot, Fine and Applebaum decided to hire Band to replace Mitchell as the director. Charles brought regulars like Ted Nicolaou, J Larry Carroll, Steve Neill, Paul Gentry, and his brother Richard. Despite being shot in 1981, it wasn’t released in the UK until 1983 and in the US in 1985. It wasn’t until March 1986 that The Alchemist got a wide theatrical release in the United States.

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Synopsis

In 1871, the alchemist Aaron (Robert Ginty) saw a dark wizard, DelGatto (Robert Glaudini), seducing his wife, Anna. Aaron tries stopping DelGatto only to stab his wife accidentally, which curses him to live forever as a monster. Cut to 1955, where Lenora (Lucinda Dooling) has quit her waitress job and is driving through the desert. Along the way, she picks up hitchhiker Cameron (John Sanderford) when she starts experiencing weird flashes of DelGatto. Elsewhere, Aaron stalks the nearby woods as a monster while his elderly daughter Esther (Viola Kates Stimpson) cares for him. Soon enough, Aaron and Lenora cross paths, and it turns out she’s the reincarnation of his late wife, Anna. With DelGatto hot on their trail, they decide to team up to free Aaron of his curse and stop DelGatto. It’s the ultimate magical duel as the dark wizard clashes with the alchemist!

Review

Having now seen The Alchemist, I fully understand why the film took so long to get a release. It’s because this is one of the most boring movies I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying a lot. The movie has a decent, albeit goofy, beginning and some solid opening credits, but everything grinds to a halt afterward. Most of the film centers on two bland leads that offer nothing of substance and barely progress the story. Every so often, we’ll cut back to Robert Ginty struggling with his curse, which is mildly interesting. Robert Ginty’s performance is way too good for this movie, especially coming off the wildly entertaining vigilante film, The Exterminator. Speaking of things being way too good, Richard Band’s score is epic, bombastic, and belongs in a better fantasy film. Plus, the finale offers some decent creature and gore effects, but that’s about it.

As easy as it would be to criticize Charles Band as a director, I can’t blame him, considering the circumstances. Unlike Parasite 3D, Metalstorm, or Trancers, this was a work-for-hire job rather than something he had invested in making. It doesn’t help that much of the nighttime footage is so physically dark that it’s hard to tell what’s happening. That might explain why cinematographer Andrew W. Friend only has one other credit to his name, 1982’s The Concrete Jungle. Honestly, there’s not much else I can talk about, considering what little happens during its one-hour and eighteen-minute runtime. It might be worth a watch for curious onlookers and Charles Band completionists, but it’s best avoided otherwise. Granted, Charles Band may not have started Empire Pictures without this movie, so there’s that at least. Overall, The Alchemist is a dull excuse for a fantasy-horror film that’s better left forgotten.

Buy The Alchemist from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iPqFed.

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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[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=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]After working as a production assistant for Roger Corman’s New World Pictures, a young David DeCoteau started making adult films. Under the pseudonym “David McCabe,” he directed several gay adult films, saving up for his first mainstream movie. DeCoteau raised $30K, which was enough for a 10-day shoot on 16mm film, so he developed a treatment called Succubus. Through a mutual friend, DeCoteau contacted Debra Dion, the development head at Empire Pictures and Charles Band’s then-wife. Since David already had filming locked down, Band was more than eager to join in, offering to reimburse DeCoteau’s $30K. At the time, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street was hugely successful, and Band wanted to capitalize on it. So, he asked David to change the title and create a new marketing campaign for this yet-to-be-made film. Under Band’s Wizard Video label, DeCoteau’s Dreamaniac hit store shelves in late 1986.

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Synopsis

Heavy metal artist Adam (Thomas Bern) agrees to loan his house to his girlfriend Pat (Kim McKamy) for a party. Her sister Jodi (Lauren Peterson) wants to get into a local sorority, offering to pay Adam to use the house. Soon enough, the other guests arrive, including sorority sisters Francis (Cynthia Crass), Jan (Linda Watts), and Rosie (Lisa Emery). Meanwhile, Adam performs a ritual to summon the succubus Lily (Sylvia Summers) to help him become a rock star. Unfortunately, Adam’s plan backfires as Lily kills the partygoers one by one to appease her need for a sacrifice. Eventually, Adam falls under Lily’s spell and joins her in attacking the party guests, even going after Pat. With help from local nerd Jamie (Bob Pelham), Pat learns what Lily is and must try to stop her. But will she overpower this succubus or fall victim to the dreamaniac?

Review

Despite this film’s quality, David DeCoteau has made some enjoyable B-movies, like Creepozoids and Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama. Sadly, Dreamaniac is not one of those enjoyable B-movies but rather an 82-minute endurance test. But before going into the negatives, I want to spotlight a few decent aspects of this movie. For starters, Kim McKamy, aka Ashlyn Gere, is pretty likable and easy to root for as the leading lady. Also, this movie has a delightfully cheesy synth score that could only have come from the 1980s. Plus, there are gruesome gore effects, such as a decapitation by a power drill and a scene of genital mutilation. These effects are the work of Tom Schwartz, whose credits include Scanners, Galaxy of Terror, and Hell Night. Sadly, these positive qualities can’t compensate for how dull and monotonous this movie is.

The movie’s biggest problem is that it’s boring, which is the worst thing a movie can be. Until the killings start, there is so much filler and padding that you’ll be checking your watch half the time. It doesn’t help that the cast, aside from McKamy, is either unlikable, uninteresting, or both. To her credit, Sylvia Summers is trying to be an over-the-top horror villain, but it doesn’t work. There are a few chuckle-worthy lines here and there, but most of the dialogue is utter garbage. While there are some gory moments, most of the kill scenes are substandard and lack any creativity. Plus, it has one of those “fake out” endings that will leave you more annoyed about what you just saw. Overall, Dreamaniac might be worth some laughs if you have friends and alcohol, but otherwise, it’s not worth it.

Buy Dreamaniac from:

• Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YA0Mbd.
• Full Moon Horror: https://www.fullmoonhorror.com/products/dreamaniac-dvd?ref=filmnerd.

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 Dreamaniac (1986)

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[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=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 2004, aspiring Canadian filmmaker John Lechago made the low-budget horror film Blood Gnome on a budget of around $20,000. The film made six times its budget, though Lechago couldn’t find the same success with 2008’s Magus. However, his output caught the attention of Re-Animator director Stuart Gordon, who introduced him to Charles Band. Band needed someone for visual effects, and since he had a background in the field, Lechago took the job. Lechago designed the visual effects for 2008’s Dangerous Worry Dolls, which impressed Band enough to give him a chance. Around this time, Full Moon was planning on reviving several franchises, including Puppet Master and Demonic Toys. One of those franchises would be Killjoy, which hadn’t seen a release since Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil in 2002. Eight years later, 2010 would see the release of Killjoy 3, aka Killjoy’s Revenge.

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Synopsis

College student Sandie (Jessica Whitaker) is housesitting for her professor (Darrow Igus) while he’s away on business. She’s staying with her boyfriend Rojer (Michael Rupnow), his friend Zilla (Spiral Jackson), and her BFF Erica (Olivia Dawn York). One day, a mysterious package arrives, and they open it despite Sandie’s protest, which turns out to be a mirror. Unbeknownst to them, the mirror is a gateway to another world, where the demonic clown Killjoy (Trent Haaga) rules. Joined by his accomplices Punchy (Al Burke), Freakshow (Tai Chan Ngo), and Batty Boop (Victoria De Mare), Killjoy demands blood. One by one, the college students are pulled into Killjoy’s world and subjected to different torture methods. Eventually, the professor returns and explains the situation to the students, informing them how to defeat the demon. Will our heroes survive, or will they be Killjoy’s next victims?

Review

Of the films in the franchise so far, Killjoy 3 is arguably the best one, though it’s not saying much. It’s not as good as classics like Puppet Master III or Dollman, but it feels like a return to form. While some may be disappointed by the filmmakers ditching the urban aesthetic, it’s a welcome change to keep things fresh. What also helps is Trent Haaga’s performance, as he chews up all the scenery around him and runs rampant. Unlike the last film, he’s given more free reign to deliver lines with maniacal glee and have more fun. Victoria De Mare works great alongside Haaga and has tons of fun as the seductive yet quirky clown succubus. Along with Killjoy, the character designs of Batty Boop, Punchy, and Freakshow are incredibly unique and memorable. There’s also a great mix of horror and dark comedy sprinkled throughout.

Unfortunately, the film sadly falls into the traps of many of the more recent Full Moon films. For one, the main actors playing the college kids are flat and not as memorable as the villains. Jessica Whitaker does put in the most effort compared to everyone else, though Spiral Jackson has some fun moments. Also, even for a movie by Full Moon, the production design is remarkably cheap, and the sets look flimsy. From what I understand, filming took place at a Chinese studio, which might explain the inferior quality. There’s also the occasional digital effect, but they add to the cheesy quality and mix in with some decent practicals. At an hour and eighteen minutes, the movie flies by quickly and will make a decent time killer. Overall, Killjoy 3 isn’t quite the return to the glory days of Full Moon Features, but it’s a good time.

Buy Killjoy 3 from:

• Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jIXZoB.
• Full Moon Horror: https://www.fullmoonhorror.com/products/killjoy-3-killjoys-revenge-dvd?ref=filmnerd.

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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