"Heavy Mental (2009)" Review

Synopsis: When he discovers that his guitar is possessed by the spirit of slain rock god Eddie Lee Stryker (writer-director Mike C. Hartman), headbanger Ace Spades (Josh Hooper) hits the streets of Detroit to help the restless soul get revenge on his killer: sexy underworld boss Mrs. Delicious (Brenna Roth). But when they uncover the gangster's plans to kill other rockers at a local concert, Stryker turns Ace into a heavy-metal monster to defeat her.

Review: At long last there is finally another Heavy Metal themed movie that follows in the tradition of such films as "Black Roses", "Rock N Roll Nightmare", and "Death Metal Zombies" to name a few. Like those other films stated the camp factor is turned way up on this one as well.  You can really tell that this film was made by a true fan of Troma's work because Heavy Mental has the look, the feel, and the budget (which is very little) of a Troma film. The acting is quite bad ,but it seems that the bad acting was intentional so it definitely works for this film. Now when it comes to the gore well you get really cheaply done decapitations, arm dismemberment, and disemboweling ,but I couldn't help but like it. You can tell that the director is kinda new at this because there is several spots where you can see the shadow of the camera and the shadow of the boom mic on the actors. It is definitely good to see the creation of a new heavy metal super hero and I really hope they continue on with another film and bring back this character. Overall this is a great film to sit back with a group of friends and drink some beers and have a good time watching!

-Daniel Damnation

Director: Mike C. Hartman

Genre: Horror

DVD Release Year: 2010

Theatrical Release Year: 2009

Time Length: 100 mins.

Company: Troma Films

Website: www.Troma.com

Troll 2 Coming To Blu-Ray October 5th!

Yes everyone the cult classic from director Claudio Fragasso which is known as the worst best movie ever made. It's going to come out in a Blu-Ray/DVD combo which you can pre-order at amazon.com for $17.99!

"Night of Death! (1980)" Review

Synopsis: When she takes up her new post at an eerie convalescent home deep in the French countryside, nurse Martine (Isabelle Goguey) soon discovers that several missing co-workers may have fallen prey to an unspeakable evil rumored to roam the hallways at night. But as Martine looks deeper into the mystery, she suspects the home's aged residents know more about the menace than they let on.

Review:  If you ever get a job offer from a place called Deadlock House, don't take it! From director Raphael Delpard come this french horror film that will take you through the demented Deadlock House. I was very intrigued by the cover of this DVD which to me looks like something that would of happened in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre house added with a group of creepy elderly people. Now when it comes to the film I must say that I was actually found this film to have alot more atmosphere than I was expecting, I figured all this film would be is one that is filled with tons of gore and little to no atmosphere. There is alot of creepy moments in this film especially when all the elderly people are walking down the hall on the way to go capture they're late night snack. The music really does help to accentuate the atmosphere and feeling of this film and perfectly adds a creepy feeling when necessary. For me seeing elderly people as cannibals in a film was something different because most the time it's a cannibal tribe or just some deranged serial killer. Added to the cast you also get a sadistic headmistress and a very creepy maintenance man which both fit perfectly in this film. Overall this is a good film that seems to of been lost in the shuffle until a great company like Synapse Films cleaned this one up and released this for our consumption!

-Daniel Damnation

Director: Raphael Delpard

Genre: Horror

DVD Release Year: 2009

Theatrical Release Year: 1980

Time Length: 94 mins.

Company: Synapse Films

Website: www.synapse-films.com

 

 

"Stepfather 2 (1989)" Review

Synopsis: Terry O'Quinn returns in this sequel as the man who incorporates himself into one family after another and then butchers them for fun. Presumed dead, we was actually captured and sent to an institution, but escaped. Having established himself in a small town with a new identity, he finds the perfect candidate for a new family in Carol, a real estate agent, and her son Todd. Can someone stop him before he once again satisfies his bloody urges?

Review: Daddy's home and I am moving the fuck out! Like the previous film in the series Terry O'Quinn is back at it again and he is looking for the perfect family ,but like before everything is perfect until he lets the psycho in him out. I love the first film ,but honestly I found this one to catch and keep my attention alot more. Terry O'Quinn does a great job once again playing as the stepfather who has the wit of Hannibal Lecter mixed with the charmingly deranged personality like that of Ted Bundy. This film also has a great lineup of actors like Meg Foster, Caroline Williams, and Jonathan Brandis . Besides the actors what stood out for me also was the ending of the film, which I won't give off in this review ,but I can say that it makes it all worth the wait. This is one of those films where after you see the first one you wonder how the hell they could make a second one and really have a story that will make it work and I can say they really made it work for this film. Now I have to say that unfortunately with this one if you've seen the original than alot of the surprise will be gone for you when it comes to how the stepfather charecter is and what he is going to do. They did a great job with the transfer and sound on this DVD and they also give you plenty of bonus features which makes this an upgrade from the long out of print DVD copy that came out back in 2003. Overall I have to say that f you've seen the original and loved it then you will love this one as well and I highly suggest you go out and buy this DVD!!!

-Daniel Damnation

Director: Jeff Burr

Genre: Horror

DVD Release Year: 2009

Theatrical Release Year: 1989

Time Length: 88 mins.

Company: Synapse Films

Website: www.synapse-films.com

"Battle Girl: The Living Dead In Tokyo Bay (1992)" Review

Synopsis: Disaster strikes Tokyo when a meteor crash-lands, releasing a toxic cloud over the city. Panic ensues as gangs run rampant and a mob of zombies is unleashed. Now, only Keiko (Cutey Suzuki) -- the brave daughter of a military officer -- can stop the chaos. With few humans left to fight the zombie menace, Keiko dons her powerful leather battle suit to take down the undead ghouls and save Tokyo!

Review: Being a huge fan of Asian zombie films I have to say I was quite excited to get a chance to watch and review this film. Seeing alot of the other films from The Asian Cult Cinema Collection put out by Synapse Films I knew I was in for something good or at least decent. Well what this film turned out to be for me was a little less than what I was expecting. Basically I was expecting an all out action packed blood bath ,but what I got was a slightly slow paced zombie films with badly done fight scenes and not as much gore as I was hoping for. When I say badly done fight scenes I say this because the choreography was just plain bad and quite sloppy. Even though it was not what I was expecting does not mean I didn't like it because for what this film was it was decent. I wish this film would of had a bigger budget because it this film had alot going for it ,but kinda failed due to bad some casting and lack of funds. Now if they would of made this film to be more like a zombie comedy like the film Biozombie then it would of worked better in my eyes. Overall this was a film with alot of potential and kinda fell flat for me ,but does work for what it is.

-Daniel Damnation

Director: Kazuo "Gaira" Komizu

Genre: Horror

DVD Release Year: 2010

Theatrical Release Year: 1992

Time Length: 74 mins.

Company: Synapse Films

Website: www.synapse-films.com

 

 

"Sick Girl (2009)" Review

Synopsis: Young Izzy (Leslie Andrews) is a girl with issues. Her parents may be dead. Her older brother is fighting in Iraq and she’s raising her younger brother, Kevin, all by herself. Things are tough but, with the help of her motorcycle-riding friend Barney, she deals with her situation the best she can. Unfortunately, Izzy isn’t exactly stable… and her way of dealing with life’s problems includes finding people to torture and kill in the barn near the family home! When a trio of bullies picks on her brother Kevin at school, all hell breaks loose. The two that die are the lucky ones…

Review: The cover of this DVD says "Say Hello to Izzy. Then Say Goodbye.", well when I see Izzy I am fucking running for my life before I ever say hello. From the start of this film you go on a twisted ride along the side of one sick bitch named Izzy. This film really lived up to all my expectations and then some, everything about this film I enjoyed. I thought the cast was perfectly picked all the way from the supporting cast to the lead actors, everyone played there roles very believably even in situations that are unbelievable. The overall look and feel of the film helped set the mood of the oncoming slaughter that was to be at the hands of Izzy. It may be my sick sense of humor but I found some parts to have some dark humor added into some of the scenes. It's interesting to watch how she balances her love for her family and her dark side that makes her commit depraved acts of torture and killing. If you are someone who cannot handle truly fucked up acts of torture and violence I say stay away because some of the violence pushes it to the edge. An added bonus to this film is that Stephan Geoffreys (from Fright Night) plays as Kevin's teacher. Overall this is a killer film that is one of the best serial killer films since Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer!

-Daniel Damnation

 

Director: Eben McGarr

Genre: Horror

DVD Release Year: 2009

Theatrical Release Year: 2009

Time Length: 79 mins.

Company: Synapse Films

Website: www.synapse-films.com

 

 

"Header (2006)" Review

Synopsis: While trying to provide for his ailing girlfriend, crooked ATF agent Stewart (Jake Suffian) becomes enmeshed in a nightmarish string of grisly murders involving deranged rednecks, deviant sex and the most disturbing act of vengeance ever imagined: the header.

Review: Hey Boy! Do you wanna know what a "header" is? Well in this review you will not find out what a "header" is! Now at this time I can't compare this film with the book in which it was adapted from ,but if the books as twisted as the film I will be searching out for the book very soon. This is one of those films I heard alot of buzz over from various horror fans ,but I never really got to check it out until now and for me this film did live up to the hype and even surpassed it. Now I must warn you that going into this film you must be prepared for some fucked up acts of depravity that may taint your mind. When it comes to the story it's not really that complex ,but there is more to it than just being about 2 backwoods hillbillies who kidnap women and do depraved acts on them, there is actually an interesting story that you follow throughout about a ATF agent who struggles to take care of his ill wife and he has to become a "bad cop" in order to pay for her medicine. The acting can be pretty over the top and times ,but does go well with the overall feel of the film especially after you find out what a "header" is. The gore effects are done well also but for the most part not all the gore is fully on screen while it is happening. I would easily rank this up there with the likes of "Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door" when it comes to how fucked up the story is. Overall this is a great film that I would highly recommend to gore hounds and people who are just looking for a good old fashioned fucked up horror film!

-Daniel Damnation

Director: Archibald Flancranstin

Genre:Horror

DVD Release Year: 2009

Theatrical Release Year: 2006

Time Length: 89 mins.

Company: Synapse Films

Website: www.synapse-films.com

 

 

TROMA’s KAUFMAN AND HERZ GREENLIGHT ASTRON-6’s FATHER’S DAY MOVIE

August 9, 2010 (New York, NY) – Troma Entertainment will be producing the upcoming film FATHER’S DAY from powerhouse Astron-6. FEARnet calls a (NSFW) clip of FATHER’S DAY “indescribable…utterly depraved!” and says that the film “looks absolutely fantastic!” (For those of you hoping to continue your employment, here is a PG trailer.)

FATHER’S DAY should prove an excellent complement to Charles Kaufman’s classic film MOTHER’S DAY, distributed by Troma. MOTHER’S DAY was recently remade by Darren Lynn Bousman, Brett Ratner and Richard Saperstein and it is most likely that this will also happen to FATHER’S DAY.


Troma's FATHER'S DAY  Uncut Trailer
Uploaded by TromaTeamVideo. - Full seasons and entire episodes online.

"The Image (1975)" Review

Synopsis: A worldly Parisian, Jean (Carl Parker) thinks he's seen and done it all until he meets an entertainer, Claire (Marilyn Roberts), and her young protégé, Anne (Mary Mendum), who introduce him to a sensual but dangerous world of sexual cruelty, bondage and emotional manipulation.

Review:  I must be honest and say that this is the first film from Radley Metzger that I have ever laid eyes one and I have to say that I was amazed by how much I enjoyed it. See I am not into these type of films like some people are but I do find them very enjoyable when they are done well. This film is definitely erotic ,but it didn't leave me with a sleazy feeling afterwards like some films in the erotica genre do. Now even though I did not get a sleazy feeling I must let you know that there is some pretty explicit sex acts in this film. The biggest highlight for me about this film was the exquisite nudity and the sadomasochistic bond between the younger woman and older woman. The acting and look of the film is top notch as well and the scenery at times can be quite breath taking. This film I have to say is one that perfectly blurs the line between a typical softcore film and a hardcore adult film ,but doesn't go to the point of making this film sleazy ,but at the same time not making it into a boring typical softcore film. I would recommend this to couples who are into S&M ,but don't want something too hardcore and I would recommend this also to anyone who is a fan of erotic films. Overall this was a superb film and quite possibly one of the best erotic titles I have ever had the chance to view.

-Daniel Damnation

Director: Radley Metzger

Genre:Adult/Erotica

DVD Release Year:2002

Theatrical Release Year: 1975

Time Length: 94 mins.

Company: Synapse Films

Website: www.synapse-films.com

"Fart: The Movie (1991)" Review

Synopsis: Russell has two passions: watching television and farting! He also loves Heather. Heather HATES farting. The eternal triangle! One day she warns him, "if they ever allow farting on television, you'll never leave the house!" One evening he goes to sleep in front of the TV, and "it" happens. Virtually everything on TV is fart related, from sitcoms and commercials, to newscasts and dramas.

Review: I knew from my first look at the cover I was in for a bad film and yes that is what I got. See I am a fan of crude humor and I do like to watch films that use plenty of dick and fart jokes ,but this one was fucking horrible. I get what they were going for ,but I just found this film to be boring and repetitive with very little true comedy. I can't say that there wasn't a few spots that made me laugh because I did get a laugh out of a couple of scenes. One thing that kinda surprises me is that this film was co-written by Steven Bank who is most famous for Spongebob Squarepants. Honestly there is not much I can really say about this film besides the fact that I really did not like this film and I verge on the edge of hating it. Overall this is bad film that no one should waste their time or money on!

-Daniel Damnation

Genre: Comedy, Release Year: 2010(DVD), Time Length: 91 Minutes, Company: Sub Rosa Studios/MVD Visual, Website: www.srscinema.com / http://mvdb2b.com

"Malabimba: The Malicious Whore (Uncut Version) (1979)" Review

Synopsis: The lives of Andrea Karoli (Enzo Fisichella) and his grief-stricken family are turned upside down when the body of his teenage daughter, Daniela (Katell Laennec), becomes possessed by the spirit of her recently deceased mother. Directed by Italian schlock film master Andrea Bianchi, this exploitation thriller also stars Mariangela Giordano as Sister Sofia, the nun tasked with exorcising the spirit from young Daniela.

Review: Looking for an erotic rip-off of "The Exorcist", well if that's what you are looking for then you will love this Italian sleaze fest. Now when I say sleazy I mean sleazy, this film is filled with plenty of sex, nudity, incest oddly enough some stuffed animal santa play. This version also has the "hardcore" footage added back in which surprisingly didn't take away from the film like it does with some films like Thriller: A Cruel Picture. There is plenty of sex ,but there is not as much gore as I thought there was going to be ,but there is a nun suicide scene that makes up for the lack of gore so I can't complain too much about the gore. One thing I did get that I did not expect was a film that was not boring and I say this because I have realized that there is decent amount of Italian exploitation films that are slow moving and at times boring (but they do make up for in the violence and gore) ,but I found this one to be quite entertaining. This film also has a great atmosphere with a very gothic feel to it that really helps to set the mood. I think the cast was picked perfectly and each actor plays their role with perfect sleaziness. Now even though I did like this film I definitely would not say it's the best Italian film I have ever seen ,but it is the best Exorcists ripoff. Overall this a great film from the sleazy sub-genre of  Italian exploitation cinema and would recommend this to any genre fan or sex-ploitation fan!

-Daniel Damnation

Genre: Exploitation/Sleaze , Release Year: 2007(DVD), Company: Severin Films, Website: www.severin-films.com

"Vintage Lesbian Erotica (2010) (Uncensored Version)" Review

Review: This DVD is a compilation of lesbian erotic films that if I'm not mistaken are from France and they expand from the 1920's up to the 1960's. Alot these short films are more on the playful side than the hardcore side ,but there is a decent amount of what some may consider a little more on the hardcore side (ie. oral sex and masturbation) well at least in this uncensored version.I have to say I am not too much of a fan of films like this one ,but I can appreciate some of the art and effort it took to make these films. The thing that especially drew me away from this one was that all the women had armpit hair which I am not a fan of. Now fans of these films and of erotic films like this will love the footage contained on this one ,but if your not a fan then please look elsewhere because you will just be wasting money. Now if you do buy this I can say you will get your bang for your buck because there is a total of 23 short films that come in around 2 hours. I must also add that a decent amount of them are silent with no music ,but for some of these the music doesn't matter. Overall even though this was not mys cup of tea I can still say that for anyone into these type of films will be very pleased with what this one has in store for them.

-Daniel Damnation

Genre: Erotic, Release Year: 2010(DVD), Time Length: 120 Minutes, Company: Cult Epics, Website: www.cult-epics.com

"Lights, Camera, Dead (2010)" Review

Synopsis: Lights Camera Dead is a dark-comedy that tells the tale of die hard filmmaker “Ryan Black” and an ever so pretentious screenwriter, “Steven Dydimus”, who will stop at nothing to complete their self-proclaimed zombie masterpiece “The Music Box”.Halfway through shooting a fed up cast and crew quit, thus shutting down production. But not for long . . . the fast, efficient filmmakers devise a plan to “finish off” their flick . . . and there will be blood! 

Review: I have been hearing alot of good things about this one for awhile and now I get to finally sink my teeth into this one. At first when I began watching this film I found the hype that I heard about it to be over-hype until I got further into the film and then I changed my mind. This film does have some originality to it when it comes to the plot and storyline, it reminds me in ways of a film I saw recently called "Splatter Movie", mainly dealing with the whole "shooting a film inside of a film" and "crew being killed off one by one" aspects. I did enjoy this film but I just wish I couldn't of predicted alot of the film like I did as I watched it, most veteran horror fans will probably have the same experience as I did. Now even though I found it predictable doesn't mean that I did not enjoy this film because I actually really liked it and for what it is I think they did a great job on the very little budget they had.Yes the acting is bad at times and some of the dialogue is bad as well ,but it did work for this film because they did mix some pretty good humor in to not keep the film too serious. The only thing I can't agree with about this film is how it says "Less Bore...More Gore" on the back because that statement isn't entirely true, there is about the average amount of gore and non-gore footage as your typical horror film. Overall this is a pretty cool film that takes the horror genre and adds a little spice to it.

-Daniel Damnation

Genre: Horror, Release Year: 2010(DVD), Time Length: 80 Minutes, Company: Sub Rosa Studios/MVD Visual, Website: www.srscinema.com / http://mvdb2b.com