Ghoulies (1985)

Upon returning to his family's abandoned mansion, Jonathan realizes he has inherited his father's powers of sorcery, which he uses to unwittingly unleash a handful of demons known as The Ghoulies! The tiny terrors run amok, getting into mischief and killing their unfortunate hosts before Jonathan summons the strength to defeat them. GHOULIES is good old fashioned B-Movie monster fun from Charles Band's early production company Empire Pictures (also responsible for TROLL and other campy classics). John Carl Buechler's creature designs are both creepy and original, even if the cheapness of the latex hand puppets shines through. One can't ignore the similarities between the film and its obvious influence GREMLINS, but it does enough to distinguish its own identity through its dark Fantasy roots in arcane magic. Rather than trying to mask its low budget, GHOULIES revels in its cheesy acting, confusing and pointless plot, and dated special FX. Its greatest faults lie in its weak structure and pacing, two distracting elements that make the first film less entertaining than its sequel. There is still plenty to like for the average B-Movie fan, making this a fun if not silly and stupid 80s sleeper!

Rating: 5/10.
Entertainment: 7/10.
Number of views: 3.

Horror in Culture: Fuse Chainsaw Awards

Great Moments in Horror: Rosemary's Baby

Sorority Row (2009)

After a sorority prank goes horribly wrong, the sisters of the Theta Pi house begin receiving threatening messages from a mysterious killer that knows about their deadly secret. SORORITY ROW delivers more trite mainstream Horror for the masses with no thrills or suspense. It reuses the same tired plot line established in I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER and countless other Slashers. The emotionless acting and callous characters become an absolute chore to watch, while the film takes itself far too seriously for what is nothing more than an empty, derivative plot. Every possible jump tactic has been employed to try to force a reaction out of the audience, which would be impossible to achieve otherwise while relying strictly on the script. Loud music cues and quick camera jerks are never acceptable substitutes for character driven suspense and timing, but whereas most other Slasher films would overcompensate for these common failures with gratuitous gore, SORORITY ROW remains consistently disappointing in its tame and uninspired deaths. The film is a pathetic mess that walks the same boring and predictable path as the APRIL FOOL'S DAY remake, and should be avoided completely.

Rating: 5/10.
Gore: 3/10.
Number of views: 1.

The Devil's Rain (1975)

The Supernatural 70s brought on a range of religiously charged Horror films following the success of THE EXORCIST, but instead of repeating the same serious psychological tones set by Friedkin or Polanski, director Robert Fuest (THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES) creates a light mood despite the dark atmosphere in this fun but cheesy Satanic flick. One of the devil's disciples attempts to deliver a bounty of souls to his master after reclaiming an ancient tome from the family that spoiled his evil plan 300 years earlier. It is up to the family's last remaining son to intervene and destroy Satan's minions once and for all! William Shatner and Ernest Borgnine ham it up in their respective roles of good versus evil, with their extreme overacting only adding to the charm and personality of the picture. Fuest's direction and style are far more reserved than in the PHIBES films, replacing the colorful Art Nouveau sets with darkly dressed halls and exteriors. Corbis' army of black-cloaked and eyeless followers are also quite unsettling as they silently block the Prestons' escape. The plot and characters inevitably take second stage to the special FX in the picture, which are best demonstrated in the goat-headed Corbis' make-up design and the gooey finale where the cult members are all melted away by The Devil's Rain. What it lacks in overall quality, it more than makes up for in campy fun, making THE DEVIL'S RAIN worth seeking out!

Rating: 6/10.
Entertainment: 7/10.
Gore: 5/10.
Number of views: 1.

DVD Releases: 3/16/2010

March 16th, 2010

The Fourth Kind (2009)
Director: Olatunde Osunsnandi
Publisher: Universal Pictures
Sub-Genre: SciFi / Horror
Synopsis: In remote Alaska, citizens have been mysteriously vanishing since the 1960s. Despite multiple FBI investigations, the truth behind the phenomena had never been discovered—until now. While videotaping therapy sessions with traumatized patients, psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) unwittingly exposes terrifying revelations of multiple victims whose claims of being visited by alien figures all share disturbingly identical details. Based on actual case studies, The Fourth Kind uses Dr. Tyler’s never-before-seen archival footage alongside dramatic reenactments to present the most disturbing evidence ever documented in this provocative thriller critics are calling “terrifyingly real…The most shocking alien abduction movie to date.” –Tim Anderson, BLOODY-DISGUSTING.COM


The Vengeance Trilogy (Sympathy / Old Boy / Lady) (2010)
Director: Park Chan Wook
Publisher: Vivendi Entertainment
Sub-Genre: Asian, Suspense / Mystery
Synopsis: The ultimate collection of three films by acclaimed Korean director Chan-wook Park that includes SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE, OLDBOY, and LADY VENGEANCE, 3 of Tartan's all-time top releases.


Eugene (2009)
Director: Jake Barsha
Publisher: Anthem Pictures
Sub-Genre: Asian, Suspense / Mystery
Synopsis: Do you know what life is? Life is whatever you want it to be! Eugene Prescott is a lonely man who desperately wants to make a connection with the world and people around him. Like most people he just wants to love and be loved. Tormented by loneliness and a deep need to connect with others, Eugene searches outside of himself for the answers only to find himself more perplexed by his confused sexual tendencies and repressed childhood memories. As the shield of his denial becomes stripped away, Eugene directs his rage inward. After a failed attempt at dating and an encounter with a hooker, Eugene s search leads him to the streets of Hollywood where he meets Josh, a young hustler who turns tricks to support a heroin habit, and Heather, a beautiful soft core porn model who dreams of starting a new life.


Click HERE for the complete list of releases!!

Sweet Cover Art: The Devil's Rain

Source: www.dvdaf.com

Ghost Ship (2002)

Another failure in the long line of Dark Castle Horror remakes following the (arguable) success of THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL. GHOST SHIP pits a salvage crew against a ship full of vengeful ghosts that seek to drive out the evil spirit that has tied them to the vessel. This tiresome take on the Old Dark House motif drags forward as the characters wander aimlessly through the ship's dark corridors with no rewarding suspense or bloodshed. An unforgettable opening sequence in which an entire dance floor of passengers is bisected by one of the ship's suspension cables promises fast-paced action and gore that never arrives. Instead, the audience is bludgeoned by one safe PG-13 death after another, hits that are not softened by the poor computerized FX or make-up work. The characters can only be judged from most annoying to least annoying, none of whom draw the least bit of sympathy or support as they are lined up only to be knocked down. Beck's heavy metal soundtrack and music video styling suggests that the film was geared directly towards turning a quick teen buck in its theatrical run, with no intent on creating a lasting effect on the viewer. This is garbage mainstream Horror at its worst.

Rating: 5/10.
Gore: 5/10.
Number of views: 4.

Right At Your Door (2006)

What would you do if terror struck home? Would you risk contamination to save a loved one? Would you trust the government to help you if you were infected? Could the news be relied on for the truth? These are all questions that must be examined while watching RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR, an apocalyptic Suspense Thriller in the vein of BUG and REC. After a series of 'dirty bombs' encase Los Angeles in a poisonous cloud, a husband and his infected wife must struggle to survive on opposite sides of the plastic sheets sealing their home. Mixed reports delivered in a Wellesian fashion filter in through the radio and television broadcasts, while the couple must hide to avoid capture from suspicious military officials. The film strikes an emotional chord in the wake of 9/11, tapping in to real life terrors that hit close to home. Director Chris Gorak implements a hyper-kinetic filming and editing style that intensifies the frantic pace and panic in the streets, while the tiny windows into the outside world delivered through the media create a huge scope on a small scale. Just when the script seems like it has no where to go due to its cramped shooting location, jarring suspense sequences and sharp twists maintain a steady forward momentum. The limited cast members deliver powerful and effective performances that also serve to drive an emotional high from start to finish. Lock your doors, seal your windows, then pop in RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR for a smart and frightening disaster flick.

Rating: 8/10.
Number of views: 1.

Press Release -- Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men

“MUSHROOM CLOUDS AND MUSHROOM MEN -- THE FANTASTIC CINEMA OF ISHIRO HONDA” by Peter H. Brothers.

AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA – March 8th, 2010: For the first time in America, a book has been published on Japan's foremost director of Fantasy Films: The book is called MUSHROOM CLOUDS AND MUSHROOM MEN – The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda.

Known primarily for directing such classic Japanese monster movies as Rodan, Mothra, Attack of the Mushroom People and the original Godzilla, Honda has been a much-overlooked figure in mainstream international cinema.

MUSHROOM CLOUDS AND MUSHROOM MEN is the first book to cover in English print Honda’s life as well comprehensively evaluates all 25 of his fantasy films. It is also gives objective and critical analysis of Honda's filmmaking methods, themes and relationships with actors and technicians.

Making use of extensive interviews from Honda’s colleagues, as well as a wealth of original source material never before gathered into one volume (including unpublished essays), MUSHROOM CLOUDS AND MUSHROOM MEN is an affectionate tribute to arguably the most-prolific and influential director in the history of fantasy films.

Here is the link to the publishing company with details:

http://www.authorhouse.co...Detail.aspx?bookid=65692. MUSHROOM CLOUDS AND MUSHROOM MEN is available on the Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders websites (ISBN No.: 978-1-4490-2771-1) and as an “E-Book.” An interview with the author about his book can be found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/encinostalgia.

Horror Quotes: Strangeland

Captain Howdy: So much flesh...so little time.

Source: www.imdb.com

Lame Cover Art: Jaws of Death

There is so much wrong with this I really don't know where to start. I'll forgo the obvious JAWS references in the images and get right to the meat of it. The image of the shark is breaching the waterline if you look at the bubbles cast on its back and the ripples right overhead. This firmly places the diver 10' overhead flying through the sky. Considering the shark seems to be swimming alongside this mysterious shadow, we can only assume it is Aquaman, using his amazing fishepathy to command the Great White to kill. Am I less likely to watch the film based on the terrible cover? Shit no.

Source: www.dvdaf.com

NEKRomantik 2 (1991)

Rob's recently deceased corpse is exhumed from the grave by a woman with the same necrophilic obsession he had shared in his life, who then brings his body home to fulfill her own sexual desires. After a chance meeting with a charming younger man, she attempts to maintain a normal relationship with her new love interest, but he is unable to satisfy her... At least, while he is still breathing. NEKROMANTIK 2 thrusts the audience back into a world of depravity and perversion, though this time Buttgereit handles the subject matter with a more tasteful and serious approach. Even with the minimal dialog, he is able to convey the inner struggle of a woman that is a prisoner of her own morbid desires through the mounting tension and visual storytelling. The film is less gruesome and over the top than its predecessor (though no less shocking), with the clear exception of the finale, which is arguably even more revolting and unexpected than the climax of the original. Pacing becomes Buttgereit's greatest challenge as he extends trivial scenes to unnecessary lengths in an attempt to justify the film as art. NEKROMANTIK 2 can be dissected as a metaphor for a diseased new relationship, praised as a daring hybrid of Exploitation and Art House, or enjoyed (dismissed?) as just another sickening shocker, but either way, Buttgereit manages to create an equal to his controversial first film.

Rating: 8/10.
Gore: 9/10.
Number of views: 1.

NEKRomantik (1987)

NEKROMANTIK is every parent's worst nightmare. It is the film they have built up in their minds to represent the Horror genre at large. However, genre fans will be surprised to find that the film is just as much a character study into the darkest recesses of the human psyche as it is a repulsive shocker. The action finds a man who is growing increasingly jealous as his wife begins to prefer making love with the festering corpse that he has brought home from work for their necrophilic escapades. After she leaves him for the corpse, he is left to wallow in despair as he spirals deeper in to his own psychosis and even more deplorable acts. Every scene of NEKROMANTIK is intentionally shot to shock and disgust, including unnecessary shots of urination, animal slaughter, and a range of perversions that are often irrelevant to the plot. The visceral gore goes far beyond anything that has been seen in the past, inducing vomit in even the hardened Horror fans through the use of real animal intestines and a sickening finale. The 8mm filming combined with the unnerving score and grotesqueries on screen culminate into a gritty and voyeuristic experience. Buttgereit makes bold statements concerning desensitization through media exposure, but he does so by using even more extreme sensationalism and gore than that which occurs in the films he is commenting against. Despite the purely exploitative plot and lurid themes, NEKROMANTIK is competently acted and directed in order to achieve maximum effect. The fact that it is not poorly made makes the film that much more powerful and dangerous, since it cannot be easily dismissed or disregarded as callow and unsophisticated garbage. This same form of subversive cinema would carry in to Buttgereit's subsequent films, and would also serve as a significant influence on later shockers found in the AUGUST UNDERGROUND series and more recently the equally necrophilic DEADGIRL. While certainly not for all audiences, NEKROMANTIK has a notorious reputation that is well deserved, making it an important (if not distasteful) entry in the genre.

Rating: 8/10.
Gore: 9/10.
Number of views: 1.

Curse of the Cat People (1944)

CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE is quite unlike its predecessor in many ways. The story finds Oliver and Alice, the protagonists of the original, concerned over their young daughter Amy as she begins to exhibit a series of off-putting childhood fantasies and delusions, the most alarming of which involves her imaginary friend that has taken the form of the obsessive Irena from the previous film. Parallels are drawn between Amy's dream world and Irena's spiraling madness that was brought on by her superstitious belief in the cat people. This transposes the 'curse' from the physical transformation that was alluded to in the first into a psychological condition brought on by isolation and loneliness. Subtle shifts between fantasy and reality are carefully crafted in the exteriors and lighting, while the same sharp contrasts and clean, precise cinematography are maintained throughout the rest of the picture. Although there are many ties to the original established through the returning characters and similar themes, CURSE unfolds as a dark childhood fantasy rather than the suspenseful mystery that was found in CAT PEOPLE. With a superb cast acting under seasoned genre vet Robert Wise's direction, CURSE functions as a successful companion to Tourneur's masterpiece.

Rating: 9/10.
Number of views: 1.