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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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  • Leprechaun (1993)

    Leprechaun (1993)

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    Since the 1970s, Mark Jones has worked in television primarily as a writer for animation and live-action. His credits include Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, Heathcliff, The Fall Guy, The A-Team, Misfits of Science, and The Highwayman. While he had some success, Jones wanted to be a filmmaker, so he decided to make a low-budget horror movie. He made the central figure an evil leprechaun, taking inspiration from Lucky Charms commercials and films like Critters. Jones brought the idea to Trimark Pictures, and they agreed to finance what would become their first in-house production. Jones hired Warwick Davis, who was in a dry spell after making 1988’s Willow, for the lead role. With a roughly $1 million budget, the movie was shot in Valencia Studios and Big Sky Ranch between October-December 1991. After an aggressive marketing campaign from Trimark, Leprechaun hit the silver screen in January 1993.

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    Synopsis

    Dan O’Grady (Shay Duffin) returns home from Ireland after stealing gold from an evil leprechaun (Warwick Davis). Unfortunately for him, the leprechaun managed to follow him home, and he wants his gold back. O’Grady overpowers the leprechaun with a four-leaf clover and locks him in a crate, only to suffer a stroke afterward. Ten years later, J.D. Redding (John Sanderford) and his daughter Tory (Jennifer Aniston) rent O’Grady’s house for the summer. J.D. hires contractors Nathan (Ken Olandt), 10-year-old Alex (Robert Hy Gorman), and dimwitted Ozzie (Mark Holton) to re-paint the house. While exploring the place, Ozzie finds the leprechaun’s crate and accidentally brushes off the four-leaf clover, freeing him. Soon, Ozzie and Alex discover the leprechaun’s gold at the end of a rainbow and stash it away. Determined to reclaim his gold, the leprechaun goes on a rampage as our heroes fight to survive the tiny terror.

     

    Review

    Leprechaun is a ridiculously silly horror-comedy with a laughable monster and a nonsensical plot, and that’s perfectly fine. Sure, this movie is no masterpiece like The Exorcist or Rosemary’s Baby, but it doesn’t have to be. Mark Jones and his crew wanted to make a comedic fantasy slasher, and they mostly succeeded at it. With such a low budget, the filmmakers do a decent job of making the film look dynamic. There are colored lighting, tilted angles, low-angle shots, and running POV shots to help keep the pacing going. Admittedly, the film’s first half drags as we’re introduced to the main cast and their plotlines, which aren’t that exciting. Aside from the five-minute opening, the leprechaun doesn’t show up until roughly 30-40 minutes in. But when he does, the movie gets more ridiculous and fun as the leprechaun wreaks havoc.

    The film’s real highlight is Warwick Davis as the evil Leprechaun, and he’s having the time of his life here. He delivers ridiculous lines with such devilish glee that it almost feels like he improvised most of his dialogue. What helps are the makeup effects by Gabe Bartalos, which look impressive given their limited budget. Of course, the most noteworthy cast member aside from Davis is a then-unknown Jennifer Aniston, who’s decent, if unmemorable. Ken Olandt is ok as Jennifer’s love interest Nathan, even if he looks like a knock-off version of Kevin Bacon. Mark Holton has some funny moments as the dim-witted Ozzie, and Robert Hy Gorman has the movie’s best line. At over 90 minutes, the film goes by quickly, despite a few dead spots. Overall, Leprechaun is hardly the next great horror classic, but it doesn’t have to be, and that’s perfectly fine.

     

    Buy Leprechaun from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TggpRj.

    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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  • VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media (2016)

    VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media (2016)

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    People have wanted to watch their favorite movies at home and share them with others for generations. In the late 1970s, the VHS (Video Home System) tape was introduced as a new way to watch content. In the 80s and 90s, VHS became the dominant video format, and numerous video stores popped up worldwide. Unfortunately, as time progressed and technology advanced, the need for physical media diminished in favor of digital content. While DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K UHD are still around, most consumers are happy using their favorite streaming service. However, in the early 2010s, there was a sudden resurgence in the popularity of the VHS format. In 2012, Tom Seymour and Ken Powell began working on a documentary detailing the rise and fall of home video. After years of work, VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media was released by Troma in 2016.

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    Synopsis

    New York City film fans Tom Seymour and Ken Powell started a podcast about cult cinema and B-movies. During their show, they decided to create a series called VHS Massacre, where they find random tapes and riff them. Along the way, they conducted a series of interviews with cult film figures about home video’s impact and its decline. Subjects include genre journalist John Bloom, aka Joe Bob Briggs, Troma founder Lloyd Kaufman, and cult actress Debbie Rochon. They also chat with B-movie figures like Troll 2‘s Deborah Reed, Samurai Cop‘s Mark Frazer, and The Room‘s Greg Sestero. Sadly, almost every video store the documentarians visit closes shortly after, showing the decline in physical media. They discuss how streaming and the internet killed home media in some ways and the benefits of streaming. But the question remains: is there still life in VHS, or will physical media be phased out entirely?

     

    Review

    VHS Massacre has a lot going for it, first and foremost being the genuine passion and love for the subject. These guys have a love not just of movies but of VHS that shines throughout the documentary. You feel their excitement when they find an obscure tape in a small New York East Village store. Also, the interviews they get are highly entertaining and informative, detailing how the VHS boom helped independent filmmakers. We hear Lloyd Kaufman talk about how the conglomerates and media corporations ruined it for the independents. We also hear from fans of VHS, who show off their collections and talk about their appeal amongst collectors. A brief history of home video formats is discussed, from the VHS and Betamax rivalry to the rise of DVD. Interestingly, the documentary isn’t entirely one-sided since people like Joe Bob Briggs talk about the benefits of streaming.

    As well-intentioned as the documentary is, parts of it come off as somewhat scatterbrained, namely some of the subjects. One minute, they’re talking about VHS tapes they found, followed by an interview with Deborah Reed from Troll 2. As entertaining as the discussion is, it has nothing to do with the subject, which happens quite a bit. Someone will talk about physical media, then another random interview with cult film figures will be interjected. If they discussed the VHS release of Troll 2 or Samurai Cop, that would’ve been relevant, but it’s not mentioned. At 72 minutes, it’s quick, but you’ll wish they had discussed the rise and fall of physical media more. Still, this documentary does an excellent job of highlighting how physical media should be preserved and remembered. Overall, VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media is a solid, if unfocused, documentary perfect for cinephiles.

     

    Buy VHS Massacre from Amazon: https://amzn.to/401TyuO.

    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 VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media (2016)

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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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  • Blood Junkie (2010)

    Blood Junkie (2010)

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    In 1899, the U.S. Glue Company factory in Carrollville was founded to make glue from animal hide remnants. The factory was sold to the Peter Cooper Corporation in the 1930s before being sold in 1976 to Rousselot. During all this time, the factory continued to produce glue until it was ultimately shut down in 1985. Fast forward to 2004, when aspiring filmmaker Drew Rosas stumbled across the glue factory with his friends. Rosas always wanted to make a horror film similar to 1980s slashers, so he picked the factory as his setting. After putting together a 50-page script and an additional month of preproduction, the three months of shooting commenced. On a $7,000 budget, the movie titled initially Rocky Trails was shot mainly around Wisconsin with some LA pick-up shots. Now retitled Blood Junkie, the film premiered in Milwaukee in 2010 before Troma released it on DVD in 2011.

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    Synopsis

    It’s Summer 1989, and friends Craig Wilson (Nick Sommer) and Teddy Bender (Mike Johnson) are looking to score. Meanwhile, Laura (Sarah Luther) has to babysit her little brother Andy (Brady Cohen) while their parents are away. She uses her mom’s emergency money to buy booze with her friend Rachel (Emily Treolo) to party all weekend. Laura and Rachel run into Craig and Teddy at the liquor store, who invites them on a camping trip. The girls agree, but Laura has to bring Andy along since she still has to look after him. After a night of booze, drugs, and sex, Laura and Rachel check out the old chemical factory nearby. Little do they know that a mysterious figure in a jumpsuit and gas mask lurks throughout the factory. But this isn’t just your average junkie, as this maniac is a Blood Junkie!

     

    Review

    Given how low of a budget they had to work with, it’s impressive that Blood Junkie was even finished. Drew Rosas’ love of 80s horror is on display, from the fashions to the music and even the killer’s look. Admittedly, the killer is a knock-off of the one from My Blood Valentine, but it’s nonetheless creepy. Sadly, the kills are few and far between, and they don’t happen until the movie’s last third. What helps make up for it are the inventive camera angles and the fitting synth wave music. Not only is the score catchy, but the use of synthesizers helps this feel like something out of the 1980s. Not all of the jokes land as a comedy, but a few gags get a hearty chuckle. The movie is a bit of a mess, but you can tell there’s an effort put into this.

    Unfortunately, what ultimately hurts this film are the characters, who are unlikable and annoying to the point of frustration. Everyone plays their parts with a very hipstery self-aware attitude, making them less quirky and more obnoxious. Sure, these characters will die, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t want to see at least one of them survive. Granted, that could’ve been the filmmakers’ intent to make the characters obnoxious 80s stereotypes, similar to those in TerrorVision. The only difference is that Nicolaou made them endearing, whereas no one in this movie has that quality. Supposedly, this was originally a 30-40 minute short film, and I think it would’ve worked better that way. At 72 minutes, the movie goes by fast, giving off a vibe of trying to rush to the end. Overall, Blood Junkie has some glaring flaws, but the effort put into it almost makes the experience worth it.

     

    Buy Blood Junkie from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SYOuox.

    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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  • Creed III (2023)

    Creed III (2023)

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    On a $50 million budget, Creed II was a commercial success, grossing $214 million worldwide, even outperforming its predecessor. Critically, while not as well-regarded as its predecessor, the sequel still saw favorable reviews, which naturally meant another sequel. In 2018, people suggested professional boxer Deontay Wilder could play the son of Clubber Lang, Rocky’s opponent from Rocky III. Michael B. Jordan announced a third entry in development in 2019, and in 2020, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Zach Baylin was hired. Later that year, it was announced that, in addition to starring, Jordan would also be making this his directorial debut. While Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and Wood Harris returned, Sylvester Stallone announced in 2021 he wouldn’t return as Rocky. The movie was shot primarily in Atlanta between January and April 2022 on a budget of $75 million. After premiering in Mexico City, Creed III hit theaters in March 2023.

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    Synopsis

    Three years after retiring from boxing, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) runs the Delphi Boxing Academy to train future champions. When not running the gym, he’s spending time with his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). One day, Creed gets a surprise from his old friend Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors), who recently exited jail. Damian wants Creed to give him a chance at boxing, so Creed reluctantly has him spar at the gym. However, Damian gets aggressive while sparring and is thrown out, but Damian makes it clear he wants a title shot. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Damian gets a shot at fighting the world champion Felix Chavez (José Benavidez Jr.). He wins by fighting dirty, and Adonis learns of Damian’s true intentions and agrees to end his retirement to fight. Will Adonis put Damian in his place, or will Damian retain his world championship status?

     

    Review

    While it’s not as great as the original, Creed III easily surpasses the second installment in this spin-off series. First, Jonathan Majors continues to show he’s a force to be reckoned with by giving another fantastic performance. Thankfully, it’s an excellent performance in a good movie instead of a mediocre film like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The rest of the performances are equally outstanding, with Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson doing their best work. Wood Harris also does an excellent job as Adonis’ coach Tony Evers, and Phylicia Rashad shines as Adonis’ adoptive mother. Admittedly, Sylvester Stallone is missed, but his exclusion helps make this series stand apart from the Rocky franchise. This installment firmly establishes that, while part of the Rocky series, this spin-off franchise can work on its own. Thankfully, there are enough references to past movies, so this feels like part of the same series.

    With this being his first time behind the camera, Michael B. Jordan showed great promise as a director. He makes the fight scenes more dynamic and fluid with its mix of slow-motion and extreme close-ups. The best part is the fight between Adonis and Damian, where the audience disappears, and the focus is on them. There’s no music, no cheering, nothing but the deep breathing of the two boxers squaring off. It is a well-staged sequence, and it feels like the culmination of all the backstory we’re given on their relationship. The story is incredibly riveting as we explore more of Adonis’ childhood and his guilt over abandoning his old friend. My only complaint is that it does feel predictable at points, but that could be symptomatic of the franchise’s formula. Overall, Creed III is another knockout in this long-running franchise that shows a lot of potential for the future.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch “Creed III” playing in theaters starting Mar 3rd[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _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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  • 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.

    [/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=”4.20.0″ _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” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    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.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Where to watch Breeders (1986)

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  • LolliLove (2004)

    LolliLove (2004)

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    While she’s famous today as Pam from The Office, St. Louis native Jenna Fischer was unknown in the early 2000s. She moved to LA in 1998, mostly landing small parts in Spin City, Cold Case, and That 70’s Show. Shortly after moving, she attended a charity event for a low-income school, where she saw something that stuck with her. While everyone in attendance was formally dressed and eating fancy meals, the schoolchildren were forced to sing. Two years after moving, Fischer married aspiring filmmaker and fellow St. Louisan James Gunn, who had just done The Specials. With Gunn’s help, she took the charity event experience and started working on a mockumentary about wealthy people doing charity. With a budget of $2,000, filming was done mostly on weekends over four years with Jenna, James, and their friends. Upon completion, LolliLove premiered at the St. Louis International Film Festival in November 2004.

    [/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=”80″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _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=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    Jenna (Jenna Fischer) and James (James Gunn) are a young, hip couple living in Southern California with a dream. Wanting to help others, as well as get name recognition, Jenna and James decide to start a charity program. Dubbed “LolliLove,” the program entails giving a lollipop with an inspirational drawing/message to a homeless person to brighten their day. They try getting help from their wealthy friends Jason (Jason Segel) and Linda (Linda Cardellini), but neither is interested. As the couple struggles to get the program off the ground, Jenna and James’ marriage gets rocky. They try talking with Father Lloyd (Lloyd Kaufman) to fix their marriage while working on bringing their charity to life. Thankfully, with help from her friends Sarah (Sarah Sido), Michelle (Michelle Gunn), and Judy (Judy Greer), things are a go. Will their charity program succeed or fail like so many others?

     

    Review

    LolliLove is a wicked satire that pokes fun at the hypocrisy of well-to-do trying to do charity for selfish reasons. The characters claim they want to help the poor, but it’s clear they’re only doing it for attention. While they talk of wanting to do good, they’re immediately put off once they meet the homeless. When James and Jenna do a presentation to try and get a sponsor, it’s so artificial that it’s hilarious. Fischer perfectly captures how ridiculous it is that certain people only do charity for self-love and recognition. Aside from them being married at the time, Fischer and Gunn play off each other well and have great chemistry. The film is worth watching to see future superstars like Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, and Judy Greer. Along with Fischer and Gunn, the supporting cast gets the satire and plays along with it.

    The mockumentary style works for this film, and it weirdly predicts Jenna Fischer’s future success with The Office. Framing this like a documentary adds a sense of realism to where you believe the ridiculousness on screen. Admittedly, the movie’s not quite spot-on as similar mockumentaries like This Is Spinal Tap, but it still works. The film goes by quickly at a little over an hour, though there is some padding that drags it down. It doesn’t help that much of the dialogue was improvised, which makes the film feel unstructured. Also, the film’s satire might put off some audiences and make them think it discourages trying to be charitable. However, Fischer and company never intended to make that point, but rather that even the most well-intentioned can stumble. Overall, LolliLove is a brilliantly witty social satire that, while uneven, is still relevant today.

     

    Buy LolliLove from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3m8cd9v.

    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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  • Cocaine Bear (2023)

    Cocaine Bear (2023)

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    In December 1985, convicted drug smuggler Andrew C. Thornton II threw several bags of cocaine from an airplane. While Thornton died due to a faulty parachute, some of the cocaine was found by a black bear in Georgia. Sadly, the bear passed away, and its body was found three months later, along with 40 plastic containers of cocaine. In December 2019, filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller announced they were producing a horror-comedy inspired by the true story. The film was based on a script by writer Jimmy Warden, and Universal announced the project’s development in 2021. They announced actress Elizabeth Banks would be directing, having previously helmed Pitch Perfect 2 and the 2019 Charlie’s Angels reboot. The movie was shot in County Wicklow, Ireland, from April to October 2021 on a $30-35 million budget. After another year of post-production, Cocaine Bear hit theaters in February 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=”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=”4.16.0″ _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=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    Synopsis

    A massive shipment of cocaine is dropped from an airplane and lands in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The drugs are found by a black bear, who ingests the cocaine and starts attacking local hikers. Meanwhile, Tenessee detective Bob (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) is investigating and determines it belonged to drug dealer Syd White (Ray Liotta). Over in St. Louis, Syd sends his fixer Daveed (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) to go to Georgia and retrieve the coke. Daveed meets with Syd’s depressed son Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich) to search for the lost drugs, with Bob soon behind them. In Georgia, local nurse Sari (Keri Russell) is looking for her daughter Dee Dee (Brooklynn Prince), who ran off. With help from Dee Dee’s friend Henry (Christian Convery), she searches for her missing daughter, the bear running rampant. Will Sari rescue her daughter, will Syd get the drugs, and who will survive against the Cocaine Bear?

     

    Review

    Cocaine Bear is one of those movies where it can’t seem to decide what it wants to be. Is it trying to be a fun, gore-filled horror-comedy about a coked-out bear killing people? Or does it want to be a serious yet comedic movie about various characters being drawn together by the bear? Of the 95-minute runtime, about 10-15 minutes of it is devoted to the bear going on a rampage. For all the crazy bear stuff, we have to watch these human characters meander about and settle their plotlines. You get the impression that Elizabeth Banks might’ve wanted to go the more extreme route only to dial it back. To their credit, the actors all do a decent job of taking this ridiculous movie seriously, which makes it funnier. The biggest standouts are O’Shea Jackson Jr and Alden Ehrenreich, who have some great and forths.

    Keri Russell isn’t terrible as the mother trying to find her daughter, but she comes off as somewhat bland. Ray Liotta, who sadly passed away after filming, has some entertaining moments, though he isn’t in the movie much. The rest of the supporting cast has a few moments, but none stand out memorably except for Isiah Whitlock Jr. Most audiences watch this movie for the coked-out bear, which it delivers on, even if the CGI bear sticks out. Granted, the digital effects aren’t terrible, and some decent practical gore is sprinkled in, so that helps. Still, people expecting the movie to be just like the trailer and poster might be disappointed. Sure, there are the over-the-top bear scenes you hope for, but there’s not enough to live up to the hype. Overall, Cocaine Bear has some B-movie thrills, but it’s padded chiefly with tons of filler.

    [/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch “Cocaine Bear” playing in theaters starting Feb 24th[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _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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