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Category: Horror

  • Sleepaway Camp (1983)

    Sleepaway Camp (1983)

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    After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Robert Hiltzik decided to start working on his first feature film. He decided to make a horror film since it was the cheapest to make and the easiest to sell. As a kid, Hiltzik had gone to Camp Algonquin in Argyle, NY, and thought it would be a great setting. His initial budget was $50,000, but he gained an additional $300,000 after his mother tragically died in a car accident. For the cast, he decided to cast teens aged 13-14 for the campers to add some authenticity. The movie was shot at Camp Algonquin during the off-season between September and October 1982 for five weeks. While there were a few known actors like Mike Kellin and Katherine Kamhi, everyone else would be making their debut. After a lengthy post-production phase, Sleepaway Camp had its New York premiere in November 1983.

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    Synopsis

    After surviving a boating accident as a child, Angela (Felissa Rose) is adopted by her Aunt Martha (Desiree Gould). She and her cousin Ricky (Jonathan Tiersten) are sent to Camp Arawak for the summer. While Ricky is very friendly and knows everyone, Angela is very introverted and never utters a word. This makes her the target of counselor Meg (Katherine Kamhi) and fellow camper Judy (Catherine Fields), who constantly torment her. To make matters worse, the head cook, Artie (Owen Hughes), almost molests Angela, only for Ricky to walk in. Shortly after, a mysterious figure knocks Artie over, causing a pot of boiling water to spill over his body. Soon, other campers wind up dead of bizarre circumstances, though the owner, Mel (Mike Kellin), wants to keep it hush-hush. Who is this mysterious killer, who will survive, and is Angela somehow connected with these murders?

     

    Review

    On the surface, Sleepaway Camp is no different from similar camp slashers like Friday the 13th or The Burning. This film stands out because of its homegrown feel, believable cast of memorable characters, and inventively unique kills. Despite not having a speaking line until the 30-minute mark, Felissa Rose is sympathetic and intense. It’s easy to feel bad for her when she’s getting picked on for seemingly no reason. But when she’s staring people down, her gaze is soul-piercing, and you know she’s up to something. Jonathan Tiersten is likable as Angela’s cousin, who’s trying to look out for her while spouting off numerous expletives. Karen Fields is another standout as the cartoonishly bitchy Judy, delivering her lines with an icy coldness. With his tiny red shorts, Paul DeAngelo is also memorable as the concerned head camp counselor. Also, Desiree Gould makes the most of her few scenes.

    While the kills aren’t all that gruesome, they’re unique and unlike anything seen in other slashers. These scenes are intense, whether it’s getting stung to death by bees or having boiling water dumped on your body. The effects were done by Ed French, who later earned an Oscar nomination for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Of course, it’s hard to talk about this movie without mentioning the ending, which I won’t reveal here. That said, it’s one of the most shocking endings in film history, though Robert Hiltzik cleverly hints at the twist. If I had any complaints, a few scenes go on too long, and some of the acting is questionable. Otherwise, this highly underrated slasher film should be talked about for more than just its twist ending. Overall, Sleepaway Camp is a humble horror film with a homegrown feel, memorable characters, and decent kills.

     

    Buy Sleepaway Camp from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Nma1W5.

    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 Sleepaway Camp (1983)

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  • Cellar Dweller (1988)

    Cellar Dweller (1988)

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    Today, Don Mancini is known for creating the Child’s Play franchise, but long ago, he was a UCLA graduate. While coming up with the first film’s screenplay, Mancini caught Charles Band’s attention and got a job with Empire Pictures. As with most of the movies he produced, Band presented Mancini with a poster and a title to work with. Mancini delivered a script that crossed John Carpenter’s The Thing and Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo. However, the screenplay as it was written would’ve been too ambitious for Empire, so Band had the script rewritten. After directing the minor hit Troll in 1986, John Carl Buechler adapted Mancini’s story for his second film. Ultimately, Mancini used the pseudonym Kit Du Bois and the film was shot on the sets used for The Caller. After premiering at MIFED in 1987, Cellar Dweller hit theaters worldwide in 1988.

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    Synopsis

    Comic book artist Colin Childress (Jeffrey Combs) sets himself on fire after one of his drawings spawns a demonic monster. Years later, aspiring artist Whitney Taylor (Debrah Farentino) enrolls in an art school run by Mrs. Briggs (Yvonne De Carlo). It turns out the school was built on the remains of Childress’ old house after burning to the ground. Whitney has come here specifically because she considers Colin her idol and wants to follow in his footsteps. Also attending the art school are Phillip (Brian Robbins), Amanda (Pamela Bellwood), Lisa (Miranda Wilson), and Norman (Vince Edwards). Soon, Whitney discovers that whenever she draws a comic strip with the Cellar Dweller, what she draws happens. Soon, the Cellar Dweller makes quick work of the other art students, whether or not Whitney wills it. Will she be able to stop it, or will she also fall victim to the Cellar Dweller?

     

    Review

    While it’s not on par with classics like Re-Animator or Trancers, Cellar Dweller is a perfectly watchable creature feature. The best thing about this movie is the central monster, designed by John Carl Buechler and played by Michael Deak. Admittedly, the monster doesn’t move much, but it looks fantastic and is among Buechler’s best works. Also, the concept of whatever the artist draws comes to life is pretty unique, though it’s never really explained. Debrah Farentino, credited by her maiden name Mullowney, does an excellent job as an aspiring comic artist. Classic actress Yvonne De Carlo gives a decent performance that’s about on par with her performance in Play Dead. It’s always a pleasure to see Jeffrey Combs in a movie, even for only the first ten minutes. Another noteworthy cast member is Vince Edwards, who starred in Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing and the long-running series Ben Casey.

    Pamela Bellwood is entertainingly bitchy as Debrah’s rival, and her death scene is pretty satisfying. The gore effects are equally strong, with the highlight being a decapitation scene done in slow motion. Cinematographer Sergio Salvati, who previously worked with Lucio Fulci, does a great job emulating a vintage horror comic. The score by Carl Dante, who also scored Slave Girls from Beyond Infinity, isn’t terrible, but it’s not particularly memorable. That’s honestly the best way to describe this film: not wrong by any means, but not all that memorable. With its 78-minute runtime, the movie gets in and out fairly quickly, though the last act feels like a rush. If you’re in the mood for a decent creature feature, this is a decent watch, but there are better options. Overall, Cellar Dweller is an underrated, if unremarkable, gem in Empire’s catalog.

     

    Buy Cellar Dweller from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PLOxV8.

    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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  • Croaked: Frog Monster from Hell (1981)

    Croaked: Frog Monster from Hell (1981)

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    Originally from Latvia, Ito Rebane, later renamed Bill Rebane, became a staple of cult cinema in the 60s and 70s. After working with producer Adalbert Baltes, Rebane sold his first independent production, the short Twist Craze, to American International Pictures. In 1961, Rebane decided to try his hand at feature filmmaking and started shooting Terror at Halfday in 1963. Unfortunately, he ran out of money and sold his footage to Herschell Gordon Lewis, creating the notorious Monster A Go-Go. In the later 1960s, Rebane purchased a ranch in Gleason, Wisconsin, which became his new studio, The Shooting Ranch. He shot numerous low-budget sci-fi/horror films there, most notably 1975’s The Giant Spider Invasion and 1987’s Blood Harvest. Rebane also made Rana: The Legend of Shadow Lake in 1975, but that film wouldn’t be released until 1981. The film was retitled Croaked: Frog Monster from Hell and eventually sold to Troma.

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    Synopsis

    Kelly Morgan (Glenn Scherer) and his girlfriend Chris (Doreen Moze) go to his childhood home at Shadow Lake. While there, he tells her about how a strange creature attacked him and his family when he was 11. We flashback to young Kelly Morgan (Brad Ellingson) at the homestead with his dad John (Alan Ross). At the lake, they meet a paleontologist named Elli (Karen McDiarmid) and her niece Susan (Julie Wheaton). Kelly brings them a strange bone he found, and Elli deduces that it came from a type of fish creature. Little do they know that said fish creature, locally known as “Rana,” is lurking around the surrounding woods. Rana attacks and kills a couple of sleazy loggers before making his way to Kelly and company. Now an adult, Kelly wants to find the creature’s lair to get revenge, but he’s unprepared for what he’ll find.

     

    Review

    Croaked: Frog Monster from Hell is one of many movies where the cover art is better than the actual movie. You look at the cover and its title, and it sounds like something akin to Humanoids from the Deep. Sadly, we get nothing nearly as gruesome and sleazy as Roger Corman’s movie about human-fish monsters running amok. Sure, some of the acting isn’t half bad, and there are some fun kill scenes, but it’s mostly boring. Much of the screen time is just dialogue, and most of it is either exposition or inane banter. Even when something menacing happens, no one seems to react or even care what’s happening. Granted, things do pick up once the creature shows up and starts killing people, but it doesn’t improve things much. Plus, the framing device ruins any suspense the movie might’ve otherwise had since we know that Kelly survives.

    Given the previous work of Bill Rebane, the fact that the movie looks so cheap shouldn’t come as a surprise. That said, there are plenty of cheaply-made B-movies whose low budget adds to their charm, such as Nightbeast. Sure, the middle act was slow, but the first and third acts were so ridiculous that they compensated for it. In this movie, the few kill scenes with the creature don’t make up for the slow parts. It doesn’t help that many of these scenes are so darkly lit that it’s hard to see what’s happening. Even at 86 minutes, it feels like the movie is dragging its feet to try and reach feature length. While there are certainly worse creature features, this is a dull affair best enjoyed with some substances. Overall, Croaked: Frog Monster from Hell isn’t one of the worst movies ever, but it’s not the best.

     

    Buy Croaked: Frog Monster from Hell from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pPnoj0.

    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 Croaked: Frog Monster from Hell (1981)

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  • The Creeps (1997)

    The Creeps (1997)

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    While many of his decisions stumbled, Charles Band would now and then be at the forefront of something big. He founded one of the first home video companies and was the first to film in post-Communist Romania. In the mid-90s, Band saw that Hi-Def was becoming a big thing, so he decided to jump on the opportunity. He announced a slate of 3D movies ready for the Hi-Def revolution but might have overestimated Hi-Def’s potential. One of these movies, Secrets of the Micromen, never got made, and another called Horrorvision.com came out years later. Band was no stranger to 3D, having previously directed Parasite 3D and Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn in the 1980s. Neal Marshall Stevens, who wrote Head of the Family and Hideous! under the pseudonym Benjamin Carr, penned the script. While it was planned for a 3D release, The Creeps got a 2D release in 1997.

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    Synopsis

    While working in the Rare Books section of the university library, Anna Quarrels (Rhonda Griffin) is approached by Mr. Jamison. He asks if he could study the original manuscript of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which he switches out for a fake. After discovering the false manuscript, Anna hires David Raleigh (Justin Lauer), a private investigator/video store owner, to investigate. He finds that Mr. Jamison is Dr. Winston Berber (Bill Moynihan), a mad scientist who’s stolen other rare manuscripts. He aims to use them with his “Archetype Inducer” machine to bring four of fiction’s greatest monsters to life. Unfortunately for the doctor, Anna and David retrieve the manuscripts while the monsters are being created, which has unintended results. The Mummy (Joe Smith), The Wolfman (Jon Simanton), Frankenstein’s Monster (Thomas Wellington), and Dracula (Phil Fondacaro) are all pint-sized! Will Berber restore them to full size, or will our heroes stop them?

     

    Review

    If you ever wondered what the Universal Monsters would be like as dwarves, then The Creeps is for you. It’s no secret that Charles Band has an affinity for tiny terrors, usually puppets or miniature demons. Some might find it suspect that the central gimmick is having miniature versions of classic monsters, especially for the time. Thankfully, Charles Band and Benjamin Carr were smart enough not to cram in a bunch of short jokes. Each beast, Dracula in particular, is taken seriously and given familiar but different looks that help set them apart. Phil Fondacaro effortlessly gives the best performance in the film as Dracula, given plenty of monologues to showcase his talents. Unfortunately, the other monsters are given little more than grunts and growls instead of dialogue and deep characterization. They still look like Laurence Olivier when compared to the regular human cast.

    Rhonda Griffin from Hideous! is given the lead but falls short of delivering a quality performance. She comes off as ditzy, whiny, and annoying, making it hard to care when she’s in peril. Justin Lauer plays a stereotypical movie geek/amateur womanizer who mostly spouts off titles of obscure exploitation movies. Bill Moynihan certainly tries as the over-the-top mad scientist, but Phil Fondacaro and his fellow monsters easily overshadow him. Full Moon veteran cinematographer Adolfo Bartoli gives the film style with colored lights and harsh shadows. Given that this was intended to be a 3D movie, there aren’t any moments where objects come toward the camera. At 80 minutes long, the film gets in and out fairly quickly, though it does drag to reach that length. Overall, The Creeps isn’t a bad choice for monster movie fans, but don’t expect anything all that special.

     

    Buy The Creeps from Amazon: https://amzn.to/43YALCK.

    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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  • Subspecies V: Blood Rise (2023)

    Subspecies V: Blood Rise (2023)

    [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=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]After the disappointing response to Subspecies IV: Bloodstorm, the series was put on hiatus for the next decade. As new franchises like Killjoy, The Gingerdead Man, and Evil Bong were introduced, hopes for Radu’s return seemed lost. Over the years, writer/director Ted Nicolaou and actors Anders Hove and Denice Duff wanted to return to the series. Nicolaou had even written a script for a potential new installment should Full Moon acquire the budget needed. In 2019, Charles Band announced that a fifth Subspecies film was in production as part of his “Deadly 10” initiative. Filming was supposed to start in July 2020 in Croatia, but the COVID-19 pandemic put the project on hold. The movie was shot over 18 days in Serbia in September 2022 before premiering at the Horrorhound Convention in March. After 25 years, Subspecies V: Blood Rise hit Alamo Drafthouse theaters in May 2023.

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    Synopsis

    During the Crusades, a knight rescues a vampire baby before it’s offered up as a sacrifice by its mother. After being defanged, the child is raised to serve the church and slay monsters, not knowing his origin. The vampire-turned-knight Radu (Anders Hove), accompanied by the monk Marius (Petar Arsic), infiltrates the castle of Prince Vladislas (Kevin Spirtas). After driving away the vampires, the two find Helena (Denice Duff), the mother of Vladislas’ child Stefan (Jakov Marjanovic). Despite Marius ‘ objections, Radu vows to protect them, so they go their separate ways, not knowing Helena is a vampire. She turns Radu and leaves with Vladislas and the Bloodstone, though Radu is found by his mother, Circe (Yulia Graut). After Circe trains him, Radu takes siblings Ariel (Stasa Nikolic) and Ash (Marko Filipovic) as his fledglings. Despite growing more powerful, Radu is still haunted by visions of his love, Helena.

     

    Review

    Let’s be frank; Full Moon Features has never been as good as it was in the early 1990s. Sure, they had some movies in the 2000s that were decent, but none were on par with their earlier work. While that era of Full Moon likely won’t return, Subspecies V: Blood Rise is the closest we’ll come to that. Using the locations and Vladimir Ilic’s excellent cinematography, Nicolaou recaptured the classic goth look of the earlier installments. While it would’ve been great for them to shoot in Romania like before, Serbia is a great stand-in. The sets look great, and the many landscape shots of the Serbian countryside add to the ambiance. The costumes and makeup effects look fantastic, and the Serbian crew deserves all the credit they get. Full Moon went above and beyond to make this the best sequel possible, and they more than succeeded.

    In addition to looking good, the film has some of the best performances I’ve seen in a Full Moon movie. Anders Hove is just as sinister as before, but he also comes off as somewhat sympathetic and pulls it off. Denice Duff is excellent as Helena, who looks great for her age and succeeds at being seductive and manipulative. The dynamic she and Hove have is a complete reversal of their relationship in the previous films, and it works. While he’s not in the movie much, Kevin Spirtas is having fun as the sinister Prince Vladislas. Stasa Nikolic and Marko Filipovic are great additions to the cast, and their backstory is just as tragic as Radu’s. While the film has plenty of blood and nudity, it takes itself more seriously, which might disappoint some fans. Otherwise, Subspecies V: Blood Rise is easily Full Moon’s best film in decades!

     

    Buy Subspecies V: Blood Rise from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UvTRxO.

    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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  • Netherworld (1992)

    Netherworld (1992)

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    After directing the original Puppet Master in 1989, David Schmoeller was experiencing a high point in his career. In 1991, Schmoeller helmed The Arrival, his first non-Charles Band production since 1982’s The Seduction nearly killed his career. Around this time, Schmoeller was attached to numerous projects that never got made for one reason or another. He was initially supposed to direct Whispers & Shadows, a sexual thriller for Full Moon, with David Decoteau producing. Band ultimately shelved the project because it was so far removed from what Full Moon was known for. Instead, Band assigned Schmoeller to a film that Ted Nicolaou was supposed to direct before helming Subspecies. The movie was shot in New Orleans with Adolfo Bartoli as the cinematographer and Mark Shostrom handling the effects. While initially planned for a January 1992 release, David Schmoeller’s Netherworld hit video store shelves that February.

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    Synopsis

    After his father’s death, Corey Thorton (Michael Bendetti) inherited his estate in Louisiana, though he never really knew him. Cory meets his father’s lawyer, Beauregard Yates, Esq. (Robert Burr), and his housekeeper Mrs. Palmer (Anjanette Comer). He also runs into Mrs. Palmer’s daughter Diane (Holly Floria), who’s overly flirty with Cory despite being younger. While at the estate, Cory is drawn to a local brother run by Mary Magdalene (Alex Datcher). He’s seduced by Delores (Denise Gentile), a prostitute who practices voodoo and is part of a cult of bird people. Cory discovers that his late father, Noah (Robert Sampson), has been working with Delores to bring him back to life. However, the ritual involves removing Cory’s soul and putting his father’s soul in his body. With Diane trying to help him, will Cory overcome Delores’ seductive way, or will he end up in the Netherworld?

     

    Review

    Out of Full Moon’s early catalog, Netherworld has plenty going for it, but not all of it gels together. It’s one of the more story-driven movies from Full Moon, which is ambitious but feels unfocused. Sometimes, it’s hard to follow what’s happening, and while I enjoy a slow burn, it doesn’t build up to anything. For instance, the ghostly flying hand featured on the poster barely plays a role in the movie. Acting-wise, everyone does a fine enough job, but nobody stands out in a good or bad way. Michael Bendetti comes off as a wet blanket, and Holly Floria is the least-convincing pre-teen I’ve ever seen. Denise Gentile and Alex Datcher do their best with the material and easily give the film’s best performances. The worst performance would be Holly Butler as a Marilyn Monroe-inspired prostitute with a cheap blonde wig and ill-fitting voice.

    Since this is a David Schmoeller movie, the film looks great and has excellent cinematography courtesy of Adolfo Bartoli. Mark Shostrom of From Beyond and Evil Dead II fame’s effects are solid, but they’re very minimal. Aside from one petrified corpse, the flying hand, and some creepy masks, there’s not much to see. The score, composed by Bon Jovi’s keyboard player, David Bryan, is probably the most noteworthy thing about the film. Along with some songs from Edgar Winter, the music elevates the film and adds an appropriately moody atmosphere. At under ninety minutes, parts of the film drag quite a bit, making it feel longer than it is. Full Moon completionists will undoubtedly be interested, but casual viewers will likely be bored by the end. Overall, Netherworld isn’t one of the best early Full Moon movies, but at least it’s not for lack of trying.

     

    Buy Netherworld from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Mpe3Od.

    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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  • Curse of the Cannibal Confederates (1982)

    Curse of the Cannibal Confederates (1982)

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    After dropping out of the University of Maryland in 1975, Tony Malanowski pursued a career in independent filmmaking. He started Little Warsaw Productions and made his first feature film, Night of Horror, in 1981. Before directing, Malanowski had a small part in Don Dohler’s 1978 sci-fi horror film The Alien Factor. He later was an associate producer and a second unit director on Dohler’s 1982 follow-up Nightbeast. Malanowski decided to remake his 1981 film that same year but with some extra gore, much like Dohler’s follow-up. Most of the cast and crew from Night of Horror returned for this pseudo-remake, including Steve Sandkuhler and Rebecca Bach. Malanowski’s film was released in 1982 as The Curse of the Screaming Dead before Troma acquired the rights decades later. They retitled the movie Curse of the Cannibal Confederates for their 2004 Toxie’s Triple Terror DVD.

    [/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=”20″ bar_bg_color=”#E02B20″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _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=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Synopsis

    Mel (Christopher Gummer), Wyatt (Steve Sandkuhler), and Bill (Jim Ball) are driving on a hunting trip in the southern US. They’re accompanied by their girlfriends Sarah (Rebecca Bach), Lin (Judy Dixon), and Blind Kiyomi (Mimi Ishikawa). While making a stop, Blind Kiyomi hears some strange noises and wants Mel to investigate, leading him toward a graveyard. He finds several items left behind by former Confederate soldiers and takes a diary from one of them. The group sets up camp at night when suddenly several Confederate soldiers rise from the grave as zombies. As the group fights off the Confederate zombies, they run into Deputy Franklin (Bumb Roberts) and Captain Fritz (Richard Ruxton). Neither of the police officers believes their story, but soon the Confederates catch up to them and eat them. Why are these Confederate zombies attacking, and who will survive the Curse of the Cannibal Confederates?

     

    Review

    Curse of the Cannibal Confederates is a brutal movie for me to review because there isn’t much to discuss. I make no exaggerations when I say that this is one of the most boring movies I’ve ever seen. Even Lloyd Kaufman has called this one of the five worst films in the Troma library, which is saying something. I’m not sure what the other four are, though I bet Igor and The Lunatics is one of them. Part of what makes this film so dull is that many shots last longer than they should. Moments like these show how the filmmakers are trying to reach the 90-minute mark. It doesn’t help that there’s no backing music or what sounds like a broken Casio keyboard droning endlessly. The acting is what you’d expect from this kind of movie: either flat or trying too hard to emote.

    This is also a hard movie to watch, either due to the film being overexposed or needing more light. Plus, the audio mixing is so bad that it’s often hard to understand what certain characters are saying. The zombies are pretty laughable; most have tons of white face paint plastered on and wear contemporary clothes. The gore effects aren’t the best, but they’re about on par with a low-budget horror film. Honestly, you could only get some enjoyment from this movie if you had some friends to suffer with. I understand that Night of Horror is even worse, but I don’t want to find out for myself. I agree with Lloyd that this is one of Troma’s worst movies, though I’m not sure why he’d release it. Overall, Curse of the Cannibal Confederates makes Redneck Zombies look like Night of the Living Dead by comparison.

     

    Buy Curse of the Cannibal Confederates from Amazon: https://amzn.to/42HeAjD.

    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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  • Killjoy’s Psycho Circus (2016)

    Killjoy’s Psycho Circus (2016)

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    While working on Killjoy Goes to Hell, writer/producer/editor/effects supervisor/director John Lechago started planning the next film. For the next installment, Lechago wanted to explore Killjoy and Batty Boop’s relationship, mortality, and life on Earth. However, Charles Band seemed reluctant to keep the series going, emphasizing Unlucky Charms and Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong more. Around this time, Full Moon launched fundraising campaigns to finance future movies while giving back to the fans. Through IndieGogo, Full Moon was able to fund 2016’s Evil Bong: High-5 and 2017’s Puppet Master: Axis Termination. The company decided to run a campaign for fans to contribute towards the 5th Evil Bong and Killjoy movies. After raising over $30,000, Lechago got to work on the 5-day shoot, mostly on sets at Full Moon Features. So, sixteen years after the original film, Killjoy’s Psycho Circus premiered on the El Rey Network in 2016.

    [/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=”70″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _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=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Synopsis

    After escaping judgment in Hell, the demonic clown Killjoy (Trent Haaga) now runs a late-night talk show. Dubbed Psycho Circus, he runs the show with his old troupe mates Freakshow (Tai Chan Ngo) and Punchy (Al Burke). In Hell, Beelzebub (Stephen F. Cardwell) is stripped of his rank as an archdemon for failing to bring Killjoy back. Beelzebub asks for a second chance, so he’s given a spaceship and a co-pilot named Jezebel (Lauren Nash). Meanwhile, Killjoy’s old girlfriend, Batty Boop (Victoria De Mare), catches the show and is shocked to see her replacement. After getting rid of her imposter, Luanne (Robin Sydney), Batty gets Killjoy to take her back, which he reluctantly does. During all this, Beelzebub challenges Killjoy, sending his Six Psychos and threatening to destroy Earth’s major cities. With his spaceship and an arsenal of weapons, Killjoy sets out to confront Beelzebub once and for all!

     

    Review

    Of John Lechago’s trilogy, Killjoy’s Psycho Circus is by far the most ambitious and significant film, though not without issues. To start with what works, the acting is still as wildly entertaining as in past movies. Trent Haaga, again, is the highlight of the film, spouting off tons of vulgarities while adding a devilish charm. Likewise, Victoria De Mare is having a blast playing the seductive yet plucky Batty Boop with her squeaky accent. Despite her minor role, Robin Sydney is also fun reprising her character from Evil Bong as a Batty Boop knockoff. Tom Devlin’s makeup effects are fantastic as always, and the CGI, while not the greatest, is decent, given the budget. It’s about on par with the CGI in Sharknado, but I feel it wasn’t meant to be intentionally bad. This isn’t going to win any Oscars, but I doubt Lechago is a lazy filmmaker.

    While ostensibly a B-movie, Lechago tries injecting some social satire, poking fun at commercialism and humanity. There are gags with Killjoy arguing with a sponsor, Killjoy mentioning his merchandise, and Killjoy meeting his ravenous fans. They even poke fun at themselves with a memorable scene of Killjoy arguing with Trent Haaga over Ángel Vargas. Admittedly, many of the jokes tend to fall flat, but a few made me chuckle here and there. Also, some of the acting does come off either bland or annoying, particularly from Lauren Nash and Tim Chizmar. Plus, even at just slightly under ninety minutes, several scenes go on for way longer than necessary. Still, considering this is the fifth installment in a franchise about a demonic clown, it’s not half bad. Overall, Killjoy’s Psycho Circus is on par with the last few films, for better or worse.

     

    Buy Killjoy’s Psycho Circus from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LDXbTk.

    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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  • Klown Kamp Massacre (2010)

    Klown Kamp Massacre (2010)

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    Growing up in the suburbs of Albuquerque, friends Philip H.R. Gunn and David Carlos Valdez found ways to avoid boredom. At some point, Valdez’s mother gave him a camcorder which he and Gunn used to shoot various short films. Their first homemade feature was 1994’s Edwin: The Tragic Story of the Clown Who Couldn’t Make Anybody Laugh. Over the years, the two worked together on numerous short projects before they decided to try making a feature film. Being huge fans of horror films like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street, they decided on that. They took the character Edwin and put him in a slasher film where he goes around killing other clowns. On a shoestring budget, filming lasted 15 days on a cattle ranch outside Cuba, NM, in 2009. Troma acquired the rights the following year and released Klown Kamp Massacre on DVD.

    [/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=”60″ bar_bg_color=”#EDF000″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _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=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Synopsis

    In 1991, Edwin the Clown (Jared Herholtz) went on a murder spree at Clown Camp and was never found. It’s now 15 years later, and the camp’s owner, Bonzo (Mike Miller), has decided to reopen despite the horrible tragedy. Brothers Vinnie (Nick Lopez) and Lenny (Reuben Finkelstein) decide to attend along with Tipsy (Matt Sanford) and Brandi (Tara Hahn). Also arriving are Philbert (Ross Kelly), Puff (Chris Payne), Squirts (Sandor Gattyan), Buzter Pie (Isaac Kappy), and Gerald (Daniel Gutierrez). These clowns are put through the wringer in learning to be funny, unaware that Edwin has returned to kill. While all this is happening, a romance between Philbert and Bonzo’s granddaughter Valerie (Kerri Duabe) starts blossoming. Unfortunately for our lovebirds, their fellow clowns are stabbed, shredded, beaten, melted, and even blown up increasingly gruesomely. Who will be the next victim and survive this Klown Kamp Massacre?

     

    Review

    If you go into a movie called Klown Kamp Massacre expecting an intelligent, thought-provoking experience, look elsewhere. Gunn and Valdez wanted to make a goofy film about a clown killing other clowns, and that’s what we get. This movie isn’t trying to be the next great horror movie; there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes, an 84-minute slasher about clowns getting killed in absurdly gruesome ways is all you need. To the filmmakers’ credit, they accomplished quite a lot with a minimal budget, like impressive practical effects and decent camerawork. Two kills in particular that stand out involve a seltzer bottle filled with acid and an exploding pie. Also, the night scenes are filled with fog and colored lighting, giving them a spooky feeling. Plus, a few dynamic camera angles help keep the action moving without getting too overwhelming. Gunn and Valdez show a lot of potential here.

    Given the subject matter, the acting is intentionally goofy, and while it isn’t great, there are a few standouts. Jared Herholtz sells the part of a struggling clown who ended up snapping because he couldn’t be funny. Kerri Duabe is likable as Valerie, who gets a whole backstory about childhood abuse, which adds some depth. Granted, this kind of film trying to handle such a sensitive subject might seem distasteful, so proceed with caution. Admittedly, most of the humor is pretty juvenile, relying on gross-out gags and sex jokes, but that’s Troma for you. The ending threw me for a loop without going into spoilers, so I must give them credit. As I alluded to early on, this isn’t the next great horror film, but it’s not trying to be. Overall, Klown Kamp Massacre is one of those movies best enjoyed with friends and your ideal substances.

     

    Buy Klown Kamp Massacre from Amazon: https://amzn.to/40BxdUL.

    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 Klown Kamp Massacre (2010)

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  • Evil Dead Rise (2023)

    Evil Dead Rise (2023)

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    After the release of Army of Darkness in 1992, the series laid dormant, although there were talks of another sequel. Following years of development hell, audiences were treated with a remake in 2013 from first-time director Fede Álvarez. The remake received primarily positive reviews and was a commercial hit, grossing $97.5 million against a $17 million budget. With the renewed interest in the property, Raimi’s Army of Darkness 2 became the Ash vs. Evil Dead TV series. While a sequel to Álvarez’s remake was discussed, these plans were scrapped, but a new film was announced in 2019. Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, and Bruce Campbell would produce, with Lee Cronin (The Hole in the Ground) as director. The movie was filmed in New Zealand in 2021 and was slated for a direct-to-streaming release on HBO Max. However, after positive test screenings, Evil Dead Rise got a theatrical release in April 2023.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”90″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) is a single mother raising her kids Danny (Morgan Davies), Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), and Kassie (Nell Fisher). She gets a visit from her sister Beth (Lily Sullivan), who recently found out she was pregnant. An earthquake at their apartment building opens a hole leading to an underground vault that Danny decides to investigate. He finds a strange book and some vinyl records and brings them to the apartment to learn more. The records are recordings that reveal the book is the Naturom Demonto, roughly translated as the Book of the Dead. The book was found by priests who translated it secretly and recorded the chants, which awakened an ancient evil. Said evil possesses Ellie and soon spreads throughout the apartment complex as Beth tries to protect the kids. Will our heroes survive the night or end up dead by dawn?

     

    Review

    Given my love of the series, I was very skeptical when I first saw the trailers for Evil Dead Rise. The movie didn’t look bad, but it felt more like a generic possession movie with “Evil Dead” in the title. Thankfully, Lee Cronin’s entry stands on its own and does the series justice. His directing is incredible, mixing some of Sam Raimi’s camerawork while adding a unique flair. Also, the performances all across the board are fantastic, with Alyssa Sutherland and Lilly Sullivan being the standouts. Sullivan shines as the reluctant but dependable hero who rises to the challenge to take on the Deadites. Sutherland wholly owns the role of the demon-possessed Ellie, mixing a playful charm with a sinister edge. Even the kids perform well in this, which is rare, especially in a horror film. Plus, the other tenets have their little moments to shine.

    Since this is an Evil Dead movie, you’d expect tons of bloody carnage, which this movie delivers. Like the original, this one doesn’t rely solely on gore but instead mixes it with genuine dread and suspense. In keeping with tradition, almost all of the effects are practical, a welcome change from today’s CGI-filled landscape. Roughly 6,500 liters of fake blood were made for this film, and they used every ounce of it on screen. A few references to the original films are also sprinkled in, but it feels more earnest and heartfelt than pandering. Unfortunately, this film doesn’t have the same B-movie charm as the original or Evil Dead II, which is disappointing. Still, at roughly 97 minutes, the movie delivers what fans want while telling a heartfelt story about a broken family. Overall, Evil Dead Rise honors what came before while standing on its own as something special.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch “Evil Dead Rise” playing in theaters starting April 21st[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    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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