The BRINK
www.thunderheadstudios.com/brink
A Ben Cooper film
Starring Rachel Balzer and Mitch Toles
Very scary film, Great acting and just looked good.
Any project that uses Thomas Edison in a horror plot, Hey, where could they go wrong.
There is be-headings, Multiple drownings and some truly shocking scenes. Script was by John Bowker and Cooper.
That Mitch Toles,He works a lot must be talented, Huh !
I keep looking on Ebay for one of these Edison “ Talk To The Dead “ phones, No luck yet.
The shocker could be “HEY”,Was this like Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead or James Cameron’s Titanic ?
DRAGONQUEST
Theasylum.cc
“Remember Ralph Bakshi’s WIZARDS ? Finally someone got near Anne McCaffrey's Dragon series of books …”
The character or pedigree of Dragonquest may be suspect,But this is a fun ride on a flame-engorged dragon or one of ice !
The cast is pretty terrific, Marc Singer ( Who the script was probably written for as writers were kids back when ‘Beastmaster’ was the ‘shite),
Is great as a character wizard and reminded me of ‘Vaughn Bode’ imp from CHEECH WIZARD.
Brian Thompson,As the evil wizard and lord over Flaming Dragon( Don’t Go There !)
Is truly menacing and my wife thought very ‘Darth Sidious aka Palpatine’from Star Wars films.
Jason Connery, Was hardly on screen and seemed not commited to his role of down-trodden king.
The Dragon CGI is impressive and very character-driven, Obviously a plus to goings of of the traveling trio.
HORROR GRINDSHOW DOUBLE FEATURE
A Ron Ford & Mac Cobb flick.
With Jackson Bostwick & Wes Deitrick
This a obvious labor of love and something for all-genre video geeks to eat up !
Okay, Lets get the mean comments out of the way,These 2 films are totally different by accident or on purpose, First one (Twist Of A Vampire) comes off as nostalgic and something from a kindler-gentler era, Second( The Road) is gritty-vicious and takes no prisoners.
Do these films jell together , NO, But they are entertaining and at a theatre one would warn parents that violence goes from pg13 to R, Almost building to climax of gore.
( Ed.note- Hey in 'Grindhouse',Death Proof and Planet Terror didn't jive either, Hmm.)
'Twist' has some tributes to Darren McGavin, A death scene from Dark Shadows and a nice surprise ending.
'Road' has very scary moments and some awesome effects with headless, dismembering and ooze.
Stars: Jackson Bostwick ( Tv's Captain Marvel & TRON),Ron Ford ( TIKI) and Wes Deitrick( Home Of The Brave) are used well and enjoyed the witty scripts. To add to The 'Grind House' genre, There are trailers for Crawling Brain/Paint Drying: The Movie/Hollywood Mortuary and Ho Ho Homicidal.
Extras include: Trailer and interviews, Hey how can you interview Mac Cobb( Nasty S. O.B.) and not Jackson Bostwick ?
COUNTDOWN: JERUSALEM
Faithfilms.cc
With- Kim Little & Clint Browning
Meaningful, Thought provoking and explains some things in the news.
A news reporter has to deal with what could be the end of structured humanity.
Is it Rapture ?, Could these disasters be man-made somehow ? What is logical conclusion to A HOLY WAR ?
In a departure for FAITHFILMS, This was half filmed in Jerusalem, Actually on location.
Kim Little does the job as ' Everywoman' in crisis and Clint Browning, Who may be an Angel, Helps her make sense in a illogical, Political-laced message of a movie.
THE TREK
thetrekmovie.thedrafters.com
A film by Lola Wallace & Tom Devlin
Starring John Karyus
'Kind of BIGFOOT meets CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR ?'
This movie seems to be a train wreck, That you have to watch,Two couples who are TOTALLY different, But similar.
The couple just going into woods to explore and the cannibals who have been �in the woods�,Too long.
Began to see the humanity in primitives and the degeneration of 'Civilized' Man & Woman.
The makeup effects are great and story is logical, You feel for these couples who fate has thrown in a blender together and Who will survive ?
There is some physical 'tit for tat' with dismemberment, That will have you looking away from screen.
THE RAPTURE
www.rapturethemovie.com
A Johnny K Wu 'Live Anime'
Bio-engineered angel and Scorpion-based character takes us on a fascinating adventure.
Great CGI and martial arts lend themselves to a anime-flushed tale of intrigue and betrayal.
We always pick on the covers, Betraying our sales background, 'Rapture' comes with a cover reminding one of Frank Miller's SIN CITY. It's artsy-fartsy look is impressive and vague,Go MATRIX or go B-Movie graphics,But please don't scare your core audience away ( Back cover is more what we want).
This movie is an obvious labor of love, That delivers to viewer not aware of the bells & whistles involved.
Cast was more than adequate, Many of the males have 'That Caesar 'haircut that's belies a Biblical nuance.
Entertaining movie, Extras include making-of featurettes that explain the effects for laypeople, Oh ! that soundtrack.
LOBSTERFACE CHRONICLES
With Gannon Grace,Brad Paulson & JPRitter.
(firefuel aka www.myspace.com/ritterinla )
�In the tradition of Triumph, The Insult Dog and Acmed The Dead Terrorist and including Billy from SAW movies.
Next to Hell Boy,This is the best of RED heroes, LF has quite a few sexual adventures inbetween drinking escapades.
The use of a real puppet adds to the talking scenes, But distracts from the ground movement of figure; In LF defense ,Thunderbirds puppets never could use their hands or walk (See Team America for updated version) normally ?
This is a fun film, It can be raunchy and yet you believe LF has issues and still takes every opportunity to give it to the humans !
18 YEAR OLD VIRGIN
(theasylum.cc)
THIS is a very funny movie, Really captures all that teen angst about getting sexed stuff.
Katie wants to lose her virginity at a senior party and has numerous misadventures in trying.
Very well written and acted, For what it be.
Although cast is unknowns and with a challenging budget, Think they pulled off what well known and heavily financed features fail at.
Lots of crude jokes and ample nudity, Congrats to all bringing back the Old Asylum !
THE DAY THE EARTH STOPPED
Theasylum.cc
C. Thomas Howell, Judd Nelson
Forget the lawsuits, hype and tension,This is a good Sci-Fier !
C. Thomas Howell can direct and when we watched the extras (Always first for the homework of critics) he has a bigger role then anticipated.
Tiny Juggernaut again comes thru with some reel effects that don't give away the budget.
There is some discussion of Bug Hall, Playing the alien when he is known as the 'New' Alfalfa from Little Rascals remake ; He did a nice believable turn.
This movie is a throwback to the Old Asylum, Who just went for it on film, Not PC anymore ,Okay There is NUDITY, There I said It !
�Hate to mention this, But script is closer to Michael Rennie / Gort The Robot version then Keanu is attempting .
Oh,Yeah'The Earth Does Stop'But, Not some cars ???
INTO THE WOODS
www.oocities.org/pharmpon/INTOTHEWOODS
Nancy Feliciano, Tiffany Sinclair & Joel Wynkoop.
Phil Herman has quite a comeback in ITW, With his �Go-To Scream Queen� Nancy Feliciano returning.
Nancy has a Rosie Perez/Juliet Binoche look, And who doesn�t like seeing them naked.Nancy goes thru dozens of costume changes, And owing to her fetish video rep has some long looks at her feet ?
This is a scary dvd and has some real moments with Nancy being vulnerable and Tiffany Sinclair having the best lines ON A PHONE !
Really wanna know where the wilderness chase scenes were filmed, Has quite a look to Nancy In Peril.
Phil Herman, Here�s my only question�WHY are you nude as often as Nancy ???
MERLIN and the WAR OF THE DRAGONS
Theasylum.cc
Directed By Mark Atkins, Starring Jurgen Prochnow
Dragons are beloved by the film watchers , They have a mystique that takes us away from Wall Street and Bail Outs.
The dragons are depicted awesomely , CGI never looked so good in a film, Congrats to Tiny Juggernaut-again.
The acting brings you in to this time of past, No actor let us down with unreal emoting.
Jurgen Prochnow , Of DUNE fame; Could have phoned in his performance, BUT Prochnow does a great job as Mage and Mentor to Merlin.
Great cover art, Great acting and let�s face it you picked because of the dragons and the unusual way they exist is plausible.
Whenever a film from The Merlin/King Arthur school is released we wonder if people go back to the source, Read a book or seek out earlier Knights Of The Round Table movie/tv fare.
HOT ROD HORROR
www.myspace.com/hot_rod_horror
Combining Murder, Ghosts & Hot Rods with a driving soundtrack !
You know they say that nothing great came out of Fresno; Besides raisins, This was until now with HRH.
A nice collection of classic vehicles including Street Rods, Race Cars and a sweet motorcycle are used as props to enhance the authentic flashbacks.
Let�s talk about �AXEL�, The main bad guy�Maybe a ghost or demon and comes with some driving skills.
I like the Willy O interpretation, I wanted some scary makeup on character but, Maybe the car he drives like possessed and the ghost-like nuances were enough, He had to act more than Robert Englund with mask.
The stunts are pretty safe and then there was one, Done with a tire iron and blow torch, STEALS the whole movie and took a father and son stunt team to cook it !
Okay, Let�s sum up to make this a Modern Cult Classic film, Guys get ahold of the Speed Channel on cable tv and sell this puppy to them, Talk with Autozone and get it carried in their stores by the counter and put Willy O and His Rat Rod on tour in car shows with copies of HRH to autograph/sell !
SUNDAY SCHOOL MUSICAL
Written & Directed By: Rachel Goldenberg.
Starring : Candise Lakota
www.faithfilms.cc
Get past the title, And the doors it opened !
This is a very well done musical with no low points like cussing or bad clothes worn by teenagers to sell it to an easy market.
The music is very strong, Dance numbers well choreographed.
The screenplay and direction were done by a first timer, But couldn�t tell by results.
Two choirs have challenges and by joining the strengths and weaknesses equal out.
A moment by outside characters, That was definitely un-christian resolves into a happy ending.
ATTITUDE FOR DESTRUCTION
Starring Colby Veil and Lisa Lyon.
www.myspace.com/attitudefordestruction
�Is this a publicity stunt by Axel Rose ?�
��Prelude to finally releasing Chinese Democracy cd???�
This Horror Rock movie is pretty entertaining, Albeit an adventure in gore.
The two leads (Colby-Axel?, Lisa as Antonette LeVey?) are very good in roles and lend a extra creepiness to Guns �N Roses coincidences.
Lots of slashing, not GUNS (LOL) were used in executions !
Soundtrack by Hollywood Roses and others is very good, Which would be a problem for a Rock Band � themed movie.
GRAPPLING WITH YOUR DEMONS
www.grapplingwithyourdemons.com
Starring Marc Wasserman
This movie is not meant to entertain, But enlighten.
Kept on thinking he is gonna reform and will have a happy ending, No such luck its like SIN CITY in some ways�You know the leads are despicable,But come on Happy Faces anyone ?
Some good acting especially from Marc, One hopes he is not like this out of character. The ladies had a tough job and The wife got out just in time, Hookers not so much.
Make-up was great and real�Right to the end.(REALLY, watch this).
The only break in mayhem was a �Wee Sigmund Freud, looking like Albert Einstein � fellow who interjects the leads problems, Maybe He was �AE� symbol,Because this lawyer demon thought he was too smart to be bothered with any other suggestions.
TINY DANCER
Angrybabymonkey.com
Directed by : Ford Austin
Academy Award Nominee (best short film)
This film has a magic to it.
We feel enthralled by this tiny woman who flys thru the air to safety.
Yes, She can dance, But More she can heal with her moves to remember.
Actually filming on the Universal Studios backlot, Must have been thrilling for cast & crew�But, With dancers make-up needs where else could one go ?
CEREBRAL IMPRINT : The Movie
angybabymonkey.com
This a feature film based on a cable series.
Starring: Ford Austin(Days Of Our Lives),Richard Grove(Army Of Darkness),Ethan Phillips(Star Trek: Voyager) and Felissa Rose( Sleepaway Camp).
Plot: So, In 1967 Scientists trap Aliens and scoop out their brains and put in computer and get a CEREBRAL PRINT of what the Aliens encountered,Kewl point, this is shown thru the Alien's POV.
This movie is fun, and fluid in style.
The writing is very witty and the cast could be on Mad-TV or SNL.Numerous locations & sets, Make-up is appropriate and sometimes gory.
I felt sorry for the Aliens that died to make this documentary, Not a lot of sympathy for the humans who perished.
These aliens carry around a probe to FEEL how humans tick, Can you say EWWWW !
Oh, gotta love the slogan,Wait for it,'Let the probing Begin' !Ford Austin has some nibbles for CP from Fangoria TV and Sci-Fi Channel.(imdb �05)
ATOMIC SPACE BUG
Available at Indieflix.com
Starring : Conrad Brooks.
This film will surprise , Fans of all those Creature Features before!
I really like the fact they pay tribute to their idols in all phases of production.
The opening was like all those warnings from William Castle, �You are going to be scared----Just listen to my directions on how to survive ATOMI-VISION !�
ASB comes off like a MST30000 version of the �Original� THING ! ,You have an unbeatable alien and people trying everything to stop it.
Notable performances from this �Robert Forster�- ish Sheriff and Conrad Brooks with a bunch of lines and defined character.
STAIRWELL: Trapped In The WTC Towers
Starring: Sean R. Walsh
Available at Indieflix.com
Okay, This is a controversial film, Just because of the timing of original release.
Picture the fact that you know it has to be low budget, IT takes place in a STAIRWELL, For God Sakes�EVIL DEAD happened in a shack .
Sean was very good as the fireman with dialogue from the heart, Why was he smoking in middle of movie though ?
Not sure why it switched from color film to b/w maybe to match stock footage, When the towers fall you forget such trifling details as our hero and his responsibilities try to survive.
I saw tension, drama, and passion and was not prepared for the ending.
http://hesdead.angelfire.com/
A Etheridge co-production
This seems like a film from the 1940�s,You know like one of those �Inner Sanctum� adapted from radio to films.
Lots of intrigue and doppel ganger set-ups.
Really liked what they are able to do with minimal money and sets., Never once thought �Oh, How direct-to-video� production, The script isn�t cheap !
The acting was very good and the one with accent (Campion) never strayed from character, Thank God.
The effects and, Yes, There were a few gun shots in post, Were very well done.
Hope, Florida Tourism, Is helping you out�great scenic plugs.
Great extras and trailers�About that song, Migdalia that is most unsettling tune.
NIGHT OF THE FLESH EATERS
http://www.myspace.com/jrenice
Starring : Gia Franzia and JR McGarrity.
This movie is quite amazing, What an original idea, Backs it up with great effects and acting.
That JR McGarrity has a way with film and brings actresses like Gia Franzia along for his crazy ride of cinema.
Now 1313FX has done a great job with these crazy mythical monsters, That could be action-figures next to anything Charles Band� has produced, Really I couldn�t tell which I would want most sitting on my mantle in a place of honor next to the GI Joes or Marionettes, I�ve collected. Bring them back in sequel or prequel or just for Halloween at Graumanns Theatre, LOL !
Not, So fond of the title, But what�s special is I guess was original title to Night Of The Living Dead ( Glad someone used it).
ZOMBIE FILM FEST / Biddle Productions
www.blogtv.com/People/BiddleProductions
Starring : Ron Ford./ Make-up: Jackie Biddle.
Okay, Can�t say this enough needs a cover image befitting the project, Barring this put the shorts on Youtube instead of an anthology that has to stand as a whole.
Let�s dissect each one. First I must say the idea that Ray Biddle has is funny in that it shows Zombies like George Romero rarely did.
Guess ZOMBIE A GO GO is a real bar with a myspace, That�s almost as funny as these zombies looking for a little CHEERS. Great make-up and Ron gets lots of helping with actors who rock.
ZOMBIE FAST FOOD, Hated�No more comment. (During the extras I learned why included, That�s nice.)
LIL� RED,Almost the best�Makeup came and went, EXCEPT the demise of Ron as Homeless Guy�WOW, Seriously I couldn�t believe Ron didn�t take those blows ! ZOMBIE CORP., Very funny faux ad for Zombies-For-Hire�Nice work.
The ZOMBIE RACE, News Anchors take the show and this worked on such a minimal level, Awesome results to view.
VEGETARIAN ZOMBIE, Again THE make-up was Ron�s greatest co-star and chewed the scenery more than once. Probably some of Mr. Ford�s best emoting in a year.
IF this is what these two are up to look out for HO, HO, HOMICIDAL !
SAVAGED
Starring Debbie Rochon & Valkrie
"Don't let her out after dark!"
What a great script, Sets up the situation, Gets to know the characters and lets us discover the plot unfolding.
Hocus-Focus Studios have outdone themselves with this wonderful movie.
Debbie Rochon NEVER looked better, Performed such victim-tainted scenes and does the job EVERY star should do !!!
Valkrie is such a good canine actor and used as if trained by Rudd Weatherwax or Frank Inn( Google them up peoples).
The makeup was used only once, But very effectively in a mauling.
Side note: Heard the writer and director were really attacked by dog on set ?
VAGRANT
www.vagrantthemovie.com
Lou Vockell, Director
With: Russ Hurley, Gerri Sutyak and Randall Morris.
I�m left breathless after this GRIND HOUSE skool of filmmaking effort.
So scary and spine tingling(do peeps still say ?),This is like �Texas Chainsaw Massacre had been acccidently edited with Reservoir Dogs out-takes.�
Really enjoyed,But glad was watched during the day with curtains drawn open,Could�nt even pause�Afraid �Vagrant� character would hear me push the button.
Heard Brain Damage� is considering release, Gentlemen do the deal and unleash this edgy item of niche horror.
Okay, Have an idea prequel with Beefy Travolta-esque character and Vagrant beings beginnings.
DEATH RACERS
Theasylum.cc
� Don�t Get Me Wrong, I Like Jason Statham !�
Butt, This is an awesome �car wars� type film like the Original �Death Race� with Carradine & Stallone.
The cast (which we can discuss later),writers and director DID there jobs amazingly.
The cars were great and by Sota FX, They need to do those cars shows or go to the Las Vegas resort with Automobile Museum. There is a Scarface Car, Lesbo Web ? sports car, GI Joe-ish Jeep, and The ICP Clown Screamer�with Product Placement speakers.
The plot, YES, The plot moves along�You have a bad guy who isn�t all bad and HEROES who love to kill anyone in their way.
Cast: Insane Clown Posse are very likable in a PENNYWISE from �IT� kind of way, Again setting Clowndom back aways .
Raven from WWE does a journeyman job as bad guy, Work more sir.
Dustin Fitzsimmons (guy with video camera) has the most to do besides ICP and his character goes thru some �bad ju-ju�.
Robert Pike Daniel as governor is quite a character, Not changing any views in a election year.
Damien Puckler (metal man) In a suit by Makeup Guru Joe Castro. Damien might have one of the BEST non-speaking roles, YOU just plain rock-Sir !Kind of a riff on Vernon Wells Mohawked Baddy from �Mad Max�.
Stephen Blackehart (tv host) was one of my first interviews with my old site and Is finally getting the meaty roles with Theasylum and Full Moon.
Minor( but favorable) mention goes to :
Jason Ellefson- He was great as a Scarface � Tony Montana� issued mess of a driver, This is a minor accolade, Because YOU WERE SO MEAN in �Street Racer� !
� Also Ken Hall and his fabricators and Chris Watson for your editing prowess on trailer.
Faith Film's EVIL
faithfilms.cc
"EVIL" is kind of hard to nail down AS ANYTHING !
Its a RUSSIAN made film that is dubbed into English( Not so successfully ,scene by scene).
The faith-related message comes across,In a slight way.
Now the plus and there are lots is effects,camera work and backgrounds.
Amazing Effects are thruout and amazing stuff not done on these shores by our effects houses,WOW !
Camera work- how did they do these shots,With a computers help,Must have been...Only way achievable.
The scenery is Other Worldly and has a look,Well that is Russian or European or Somewhere else.
So,The plot moves and we feel for the priest/journalist who must endure thru the maze of EVIL !