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Reviews
Legacy of Thorn (2014)
Legacy of Thorn
LEGACY OF THORN takes place four years after a super pretty, popular high schooler named Jessica (Jade Willis) and her friends lived a nightmare. A nightmare known as a legendary force they called THORN. Present time Jessica and her friends decide to go back to the school and end the curse once and for all..
As things heat up they battle through the halls often times fighting each other, yet still have the same goal in mind. They must stop Thorn. However they quickly learn the reasoning behind the name THORN. Will they survive this hell and rid of him? Time will tell.
There are a ton of things I enjoyed about this movie, most notable would be the cinematography and clearness of the film itself. MJ Dixon and crew have seemed to found their groove and deliver a gory hardcore blood fest. The gore in this is sure to appease any gore monger. Now don't take that the wrong way, this isn't just a blood fest it's way more then that. The acting shines as well as they really really make you like their characters, or hate as for a certain character.
The effects were nicely done and for the most part looked very realistic. I'm not sure who the effects artist is but Dixon should hang on to them as , I personally felt they did an excellent job. Bottom line is this. If you have a group of buddies and want to hang out grab a few beers and some popcorn and sit back and enjoy. The movie is a lot of fun and is done very well...Dixon has yet put out another fine film. One that holds it's own in the infamous slasher genre. It's even a nice little nod to the original man called THORN, if you know who I'm talking about. I for one am anxious to see it's predecessor SLASHER HOUSE. Be sure to head over to Dixon's website for ways to order this awesome film as well as others.
Ditch (2016)
Ditch Day Massacre
DITCH DAY MASSACRE
Bill Oberst Jr. , Lynn Lowery
I received the opportunity recently to view a little indie flick called Ditch Day Massacre via the fine folks at From Dusk Till Con and must say I was extremely happy I viewed this. Over the years many a directors have tried their offering at establishing their place in the slasher genre and most fail miserably.Joe Hendrick has succeeded in this fashion. Thus is not the case here. DITCH DAY MASSACRE delivers the goods and notches itself firmly on the shelf with other great slasher flicks, Let me back up a little bit and drop you a plot synopsis. This movie revolves around Jenny Bilson, your token all American sweetheart. The one mistake she is unaware of making comes back to haunt her in a very violent way, as her past returns for revenge.
I have to strongly mention the performance of Bill Oberst Jr. The man has shown me in as few as 3 or 4 films (CIRCUS OF THE DEAD, A GRIM BECOMING, DITCH DAY MASSACRE ETC...) just how versatile he is and how far to the extreme he can take his character. His morose yet vulgar outings add such a creepiness to any film that allow the director to do so many things with him and leaves so many open doors open for them to go with other obsessions.
There isn't an overpowering presence of blood and gore herein but just enough to appease the eyes and allow the story to carry on.Just an outright refreshing horror film.period.
Blood Soaked (2013)
Blood Soaked
A freshman named Piper on her first day of college is seduced by an older co-ed and shares a sleepless night in the New Mexico desert partying it up. But this newly formed lesbian couple's first day together is violently interrupted by a pair of orphaned sisters with a taste for kidnapping, torture and the creation of flesh-eating zombies in their underground bunker! As they fight for their lives and attempt escape, the couple uncovers the sister's terrifying plan for a Fourth Reich army of the dead. Now, only the couple's wits and survival skills will save them from this undead Nazi nightmare.
BLOOD SOAKED is properly titled as the blood and sheer brutality in this film is mind boggling. There were several times that I was taken aback by what I'd just witnessed. So kudos must be given there. It seemed as if those involved in the production of this movie made exactly what they wanted to achieve. One aspect that confused me was why does it change from color to black and white mid stream? I think if it would have all been in black and white it would have been much better. I'm not sure if this was due to lack of funds. Being a special effects person myself I personally know showing blood in B&W is much more cost effective and easier to do so I'm hoping this was the case, it just kind of confuses the viewer but the greatness of the story and the attacks by the sisters quickly makes you forget about that and just carry on.
I must admit that for an independent film this one outshines most made and makes for a good creepy ass movie. For the majority of the film the cinematography is done well but at times it's like "whoa, we're watching The Blair Witch Project" with it's shaky camera shots. BLOOD SOAKED Is one that should definitely be played in a dark room to obtain the full creepiness. As for the play up of the movie "lesbians and boobs" I just don't see it. There was one kiss and very few boobs shown, which was fine by me as I despise films trying to ride the soft core porn train to obtain views. But being billed this way was just misleading.
Now it wasn't until I started this film that one of the NAZI sisters was played by Hayley Derryberry. she wasn't billed well and isn't even listed on the IMDb page which is a big shame. In no way am I trying to take anything away from Heather Wilder or Laina Grendle's performances. They were excellent yet I personally felt that Derryberry's performances was the best in the film. She showed the psychosis we're supposed to believe from the girls to the fullest without over doing it. As stated I'm not trying to take anything away from the film it just saddens me when i see a performance as such and the person delivering isn't even credited. But enough of that. BLOOD SOAKED is one hell of a weird, bloody film.
The Bunker (2011)
the Bunker
Joe Monks I received this little gem in the mail one day from director Joseph Monks and me and a friend set down and peeped it. It also came with a sweet little comic book called SICK AND TWISTED that is super super cool. But enough about that for now and back to the movie in question. Julia ,played by Saskia Gonzalez, better known as Jewel to her friends and family, is a teenage runaway who is unwilling to live within the rules and boundaries set by her parents. She has run away once before, and her father's connections have kept that quiet. This time, however, an election cycle is about to begin and the scandal of a runaway daughter has congressman Robert Jennings desperate. Desperate enough to have half the NYPD out quietly looking for his daughter, and desperate enough to pay privately to have her found and brought back home. The problem for those looking for her, though, is that she is no longer on the streets, and is instead imprisoned in an underground bunker, having been kidnapped by a sadistic serial murderer. Jewel knows exactly how much longer she has left to live, but will it be long enough for anybody to find her? The direction set forth is excellent thanks to Joe Monks which I must add is blind!!! yes i said blind. So that's miraculous in its own. The acting, well, where oh where to start. Gonzalez completely sells the hell out of her role as she makes you truly fell a sense of despair and hope she gets away as she tries to figure out just how she's going to do so. The character of the sadist is played by none other then veteran to this genre Terry West is off the chain. He's a big big guy and is very intimidating. He instills a sense of fear in the viewer and really gets under your skin. As stated the direction of this movie solidly flows and is just outright a great little film. I do have to ask who in the hell the lady in the black was. They fail to explain that, other then that THE BUNKER is an excellent way to fill up some time so grab a few brew-skis and a bag of popcorn. I believe his transition from comic books to film making was pretty flawless. Enjoy the movie.
Black Sheep (2006)
Freaking Were-Sheep!!!
On a small farm in New Zealand, brothers Angus (Eli Kent) and Henry (Nick Fenton) Oldfield and their friend Tucker (Sam Clarke) are rounding up sheep. Angus the older brother is wearing a leg brace and walks with a limp so his help is fairly much limited. It would seem that his lack of participation gives him plenty of time for mischief. So while Henry and Tucker are off working Angus kills Henry's pet sheep Dudley and terrifies him by dressing up in the dead sheep's carcass. This torture is interrupted by the housekeeper, Mrs Mac (Glenis Levestam), telling them that their father has died in an accident.
We then move forward to 15 years later as Henry has come home to pay Angus a visit. Not since the accident 15 years ago has Henry been able to be anywhere around a sheep. He now, has a fear that the sheep will attack and kill him. This all sounds humorous to Angus and tells Henry he's just scared to actually work
Since his and their fathers departure he's (Angus) been running the farm. Only now, he's come up with a new kind of sheep that'll put him on the map. They bicker as estranged brothers do and Henry leaves with Tucker. While all this brother love is going on local hippies Grant (Oliver Driver) and a young woman called Experience (Danielle Mason), sneak into the farm to take photos of a research laboratory. Grant impulsively steals a container of waste and runs off. Grant trips and breaks the container. A small but feisty sheep foetus emerges and bites him, then crawls off and bites an adult sheep, thus causing a mass quantity of were-sheep, if you will.
As Henry and Tucker continue to drive on they are blocked off by a sheep with a bite on the nose. Tucker gets out inspecting the sheep and placing it back where it goes. While he's doing this and Henry is starting to have a panic attack Experience reaches inside the truck, grabs the gun and demands they help her look for Grant. They have no choice but to do so. Once they spot what's going on the high tail it back to the truck, Experience following. After what she's just done to them she asks for a ride. Henry being the nice cat that he is agrees. All hopping back into the truck Tucker is trapped in the cab with one of the infected sheep. Tucker fighting of the sheep in the cab and Henry and Experience left to fend the horde that now chases the truck. Has there become a were-sheep outbreak? Will Henry, Experience and Tucker escape their carnage? And mostly, who is behind all of this? These are questions you must find out on your lonesome by watching the movie!.
Herein lies several homage's to some of the old school greats. The Sheep within this film reminded me a lot of the were wolves in THE HOWLING, so much that there is almost an identical scene where a human turns into one of the were-sheep. The effects on the sheep were freaking phenomenal. The crew behind this did a bang up job (literally). BLACK SHEEP is definitely one for the gore lovers. From morphing humans to animatronic foetus sheep the pits of bloody bowls they WILL be pleased! But the most noticeable homages definitely are EVIL DEAD and SHAUN OF THE DEAD. Having really enjoyed SHAUN OF THE DEAD , this is what I wish it would have been like. From its zany EVIL DEAD like situations to the balls out HOWLING-esquire creatures BLACK SHEEP was easily one of the best films I've seen this year. The only thing I can see that should keep this film from getting a good theater run would be its brief sequence nod to bestiality between Angus and a super sheep. Given that New Zealands' offering of a horror film in BLACK SHEEP will definitely catch American views off guard. It's that messed up folks
trust me
SEE THIS when it comes out..
Halloween (2007)
Halloween the way it should have been
Oh wow! Where oh where to start? First and foremost it's no surprise that I'm not a big fan of remakes, or spin off remakes, if you will. To date there has been only one movie remade that I felt was better then its predecessor. And that film was THE HILLS HAVE EYES. Well it seems I've been taken aback. Having understood his direction and enjoyed House of 1000 Corpses but despising The Devils Rejects I was in between on whether or not to like Zombies directing style. He was one for two in my opinion. But now! Now this; a remake of Halloween, are you serious?
It seems they were. They've gone and taken one of the best films in American cinematic history and remade it. And Rob Zombie of all people!! Well I can be man enough to admit when I'm wrong. Mr Zombie. You should be proud of yourself. You sire have created something I feel will be one of the talked about greats for many years to come. Let me skip to the explanation and just explain it! The major difference in this version as compared to the original is that instead of having Michael standing out on the sidewalk with the butcher knife then fast forwarding to 15 years later. Rob Zombie does just what I've always wondered why they never did. He's shown "WHY" Michael was so messed up. As a young boy Michael didn't really have a chance. Coming up in a sub level family with the siblings; mother and a typical bad step dad. From experience we can all pretty much say it's safe to agree this is a perfect formula for chaos in any household such as this. He gets picked on at school and at home so what did they expect would happen?? On Halloween 1963, in the town of Haddenfield, 6-year-old Michael Myers played miraculously by newcomer Daeg Farch, snaps killing his step dad by tying him to the couch with duct tape while asleep then cuts his throat. After a baseball bat to a victims head and the infamous butcher knife slashing he picks his baby sister, Laurie, up and sits on the stoop waiting for his mother to return home. Estranged and mentally unstable, Michael is imprisoned in Smith's Grove Sanitarium under the care of Dr. Sam Loomis (Malcolm McDowell) for the murders he's committed.
As Dr. Loomis tries to befriend Michael he seems to get through to him for the better part but that soon diminishes and Michael refuses to talk from this point on. Several years go by and Michael is now a grown adult. From what seems to be the turning point in this story is when Dr. Loomis speaks to Michael telling him he's moving on that there's nothing left for him to do. Since Dr. Loomis departure things at Smith's Grove Sanitarium have gone to crap. They've since accumulated orderlies just seeking that paycheck with no care of patients. One dumb ass even goes so far as to pick on Michael and brings in one of the new women patients and violates her with help of another orderly in Michaels' room. Killing the orderlies and from this point on we see what we once new as the only Halloween there was
..
I could go on and on about how much of a brilliant movie this was but if you don't want to watch this movie from what you've just read then I don't know how to persuade you into doing so. As previously stated Rob zombie took a brilliant movie in its time and added what I feel a lot of people wish they could have seen, or known. He added a face to what we've seen. He's added a conscience. Michael wasn't just a straight up pussy ass slasher he was a young boy who never had the chance, so he took it! The acting herein was excellent and spot on but props need to go out to young Daeg Farch. His performance was better then the majority of adult actors I've watched. He was creepy and his demeanor from the get go makes you keep one eye open while watching him. Zombie must be very pleased he had such an excellent actor at his disposal. Now don't get me wrong this baby was laden full with excellent actors from Danielle Harris to Malcom McDowell to the man himself, Tyler Mane or X-men fame as Michael Myers. And for all those die hard Carpenter fans, don't worry, there are plenty of nods to him from Zombie here and once it gets to Michael arriving in Haddonfield it does follow pretty good with the original, just sped up with a little more bite by our killer at hand. By that I mean that instead of him just walking around with a stupid freaking knife in his hand stabbing people, he actually picks them up and slings their asses around like rag dolls. This was a much appreciated addition. In my opinion it gives Michale some backbone and adds a little more fear. Anyone can stab you. But can they pick you up, swing you around and then stab you???? If you only take my word on one film review you read, please let this one be the one. Rob Zombie's Halloween is one hell of a good movie, one that will go on my shelf as my favorite films of all time. Thank you Mr Zombie for giving us something different and keeping with that odd gritty style you do so well
.
Night Feeders (2006)
Highly recommended
Reminisce of a Sunday afternoon sci-fi channel special NIGHT FEEDERS tells the tale of a small redneck town going through the motions; arguing with their wives over whether he should fix the car or her TV. He chooses the television to fix first if he values eating, according to her
.Amidst all the hillbilly love a meteor has fallen from the skies and landed in the small one horse town. Doing what seems to be a normal occurrence for them a group of deliverance like guys head off into the woods for a little "R and R", but what they don't expect is the meteor that has landed on the town has brought someone with it
. Will the visitors overtake their town or will it be "Carolina BBQ at its finest"? NIGHT FEEDERS was a nice change of pace of a nightly movie viewing experience. Director Jet Eller put forth a lot of devotion and effort into making NIGHT FEEDERS one of the few independent sci-fi films to actually be worth while. There have been so many floating around that just do no justice for those involved. NIGHT FEEDRS is no such case. Sitting here typing up this review I honestly cant think of anything that bothered me about this film
.The story was top notch and I must make note of how well Eller achieved in keeping me entertained throughout the film with his unique style of story telling. And I'd be a fool to not mention the performance of the acting, which surpasses that of a norm indie film. I thought there was a nice array of characters herein to make this a highly enjoyable movie. The performance of Donnie Evans was my favorite part of this movie. At one point he was trying to light the campfire and flamed it up to high grazing his face, asking "are my eyebrows still there??" Lines such as that throughout the film really added a different kind of vibe to this film making this one of my favorite Sci-Fi films ever seen. Kudos go out to Jet Eller and the amazing cast , led by Evans. Thanks guys; and it's Texas BBQ at its finest!!!!!!
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Snow Day, Bloody Snow Day (2005)
Snowday Bloody Snowday
A group of buddies get together once a week and sit and discuss horror movies..As they get into the night they soon realize that it's began snowing. But it hasn't only just started snowing. It's brought zombies with it!! Even though their town is overrun by the undead, most are oblivious to them an dare more interested in the snow. As mesmerized as they are they realize someone must do something about this, and that they do. Arming themselves with ludicrous weapons such as a playstation controller they head out to kick some zombie ass!!! Running at right around 12 minutes SNOWDAY BLOODY SNOWDAY has just the right elements needed to make this work. A funny , clever story backed by great acting and superb cinematography at the hands of krk nordenstrom, this movie works. One thing that must be noted was the beauty and excellent use of surrounding objects for a great prism of colors. Jessica Baxter and Faye Hoerauf definitely have a knack for direction as it shines brightly in SNOWDAY BLOODY SNOWDAY. My only beef with this movie would be it's length. As asinine as it sounds, me enjoying the shorter movies from time to time because of the work load, this is one movie I'd like to see drawn out a little longer. Other then that, this was an enjoyable viewing. The folks at Tangent Productions should be happy with this film!!
Addiction (2003)
Addiction
Addiction hailing from Joshua Nelson was a magnificent tale of three different forms of addiction. When you first think of the word addiction you immediately think of drugs. That is not the case in Addiction The Movie. Writer Joshua Nelson looks at life, and points out that not only drugs can be addicting, but life itself .
The first little segment is about a man named Bobby (Frank Franconeri) who pretty much has a good life. He has a beautiful wife and a decent job .Things seem pretty copesetic. Even with all of this he's still a little stressed so Bobby and his wife Lisa (Mim Granahan) plan a trip to just, ya know, get away for a bit . Really the only down-falls Bobby might have is that he's sort of a pushover and always has been or,his cousin Frankie (Joshua Nelson, also the writer) who is addicted to heroin, and just got out of the joint keeps coming around . He begs Bob to help him out a little, and Bob shuns the idea that Frankie might be back on Heroin, but helps him anyways. One night after getting off work on his way home Bobby gets mugged. He fights with the guy and ends up killing him. Not knowing what he should do he runs back to his office and site for a while to think things over. Bobby freaks out with his first brush with this new experience, he has a rush of feelings he's never felt before, and he doesn't know how to handle them.
On deciding to keep it to himself he returns home to a very different life than when he left that morning. Bobby finds he's become an insomniac, and the only way for him to sleep is to quench his new undying thirst for murder. So he get's up and goes to the park. While there he talks to a bum who is complaining that he doesn't want to live anymore, Bobby asks him " are you sure you wanna die" the man agrees so Bobby obliges. Bobby is slowly loosing control of his life at this point and everyone including his wife believes that there is something severely wrong with Bobby.
Frankie takes the money he got from Bobby and pays a visit to his dealer. Begging for more time to get the rest he's just put himself into a hole he may never be able to crawl out of. These guys mean business. Frankie comes up with all sorts of crazy stuff to get out of his debts. He even whores his girlfriend out to the pusher to buy more time. Throughout addiction we meet Ruthie (Lydia Fiore). Ruthie can't seem to hold a job very long due to her gutter mouth, and doesn't know what she's going to do to support her daughter. She talks with a friend one night about watching her daughter so she can pull tricks again.. She feels like that's all she'll be able to do from now on, that , that's all she's good at. I believe Ruthie holds a very dramatic part to this film and was pretty much the turning point within.
So as you can see addiction is not what you'd first perceive it to be. O no it's much better than just what the the title says. This movie had my attention the entire time; as I was butt firmly planted in the chair with eyes wide open. The acting was so superb; it only made the story that much more enjoyable, which was tremendous to begin with. Just watching Bobby go further down the spiral, and see his life spinning out of control was just pure creepy . Slowly he'd get snappier, and more restless, until he reached his breaking point where there was no return. Addiction is full of tension and eerie thought provoking scenes. I'ts been nice to watch a movie where you didn't have your token slasher of much blood. Just a plain eerie twist of events that tie each other together. I guess the thing that makes addiction such a great movie is with the exception of Bobby's actions these are all people we either know or have heard of. That addictions can be in every household in one way or another. Even the supporting cast would make this movie worth the watch. The superb team of James Tucker and Joshua Nelson's effort of Addiction just shows us what we can expect from these guys in the future.Murder becomes ones passion. Ones obsession. Ones compulsion.
Zombie Cult Massacre (1998)
Zombie Cult Massacre
Marvin and Sally are on their way to putting the crappy things behind them and making a new start. As their lives go they cross paths with a Mt. Carmel like cult, thus introducing us into one hell of a splatter fest.
As they Marvin and Sally settle in and try to understand their new family, things aren't rolling so smoothly. Marvin is to be reprimanded for his disbelief and is drugged into a euphoric state of mind. Waking up estranged and in a superhero like walking dead, things begin to get interesting. Amidst Marvins' transformation, Sally is enslaved by the cult's leader, Jeffrey. Trapped in his spell she begins to fall for him and is oblivious to the slaughtering and head explosions surrounding her.
ZOMBIE CULT MASSACRE was an unexpectedly original take on zombies supported by hardcore gore effects at the hands of Jim VanBebber. Effects such as some pimp shotgun decapitations to nasty hatchet whacks and even torn boobs, bottom line is the gore hounds will be pleased as they are a plenty in this film. Living in Texas and experiencing the David Koresh ordeal and his Davidians, watching ZOMBIE CULT MASSACRE shows to have been influenced by the ordeal. Because it falls so closely with the Davidians I believe It helps set the tone for this flick. Even if you don't know what I'm talking about, just keep in mind you will be watching some jacked up stuff here folks. Personally I wasn't sure if I was watching a movie or an unleashing of a freakish cult. And because of that I commend Jeff Dunn for an excellent splatterfest.
Straight out of the gate ZOMBIE CULT MASSACRE was an extremely slick flick. The cinematography was crisp and every light was utilized. I had a good time watching this film and I'm happy to add to my collection. One thing that does puzzle me though is why more people aren't seeing this movie
.You have no clue what you're missing. Check it out
Shin kanashiki hittoman (1995)
Another Lonely Hit-man
After serving 10 years in prison due to a drug-induced assassination of a rival gang boss Tachibana (Ryo Ishibashi) enters a world that's nothing like it was when he went in. Once a respected and feared Yakuza mastermind, he now must try and adapt within the confines of the new generations vision of honor. As he still garners a somewhat decent amount of respect he just tries to get by. Hooking up with a prostitute he's been in passing by with he begins to feel some sense of comfort. Upon stumbling across her being beaten down by her pimp, Tachibana can't just sit by and do nothing. So he commences in putting down an old school Yakuza ass whipping, thus beginning a showdown with the "now" boss, Sato.
ANOTHER LONELY Hit-man is fairly slow paced film that explodes at the most opportune times and kicks you back a few seats. The overall gloomy and depressing ambiance set forth by Rokuro Mochizuki is just as the title says, "another lonely hit-man", sad and lonely. One thing I kept telling to myself over and over again is "damn, at least your life's not like that". The demeanor by none other then the director himself Ryo Ishibashi adds that perfect tone needed and achieved to make this such a successful film. One thing I must make note of is how the complete brutality is overshadowed by the gloominess yet fits perfectly. This film is definitely one you seriously need to check out. Just keep in mind it moves a little slow, but it is very much worth the viewing.
As usual Artsmagic DVD just didn't feel right giving us such a cool flick, but they had to go and add some cool extras such as a really pimp interview with Asian guru Tom Mes
.The cats over there have struck a gold mine
. ANOTHER LONELY Hit-man
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Kichiku dai enkai (1997)
Kichiku : Dai Enkai (Banquet of the Beasts)
Set in 1970s Japan, Aizawa, leader of a little wanna be Yakuza, political student group has been arrested. He being behind bars has put a toll on his health, and it's just a matter of time before he passes on. The group is taken over by Masami, Aizawas' girlfriend. , who fucks everyone she can to control her stronghold. But once the groups' glorious leader commits suicide, the chaos begins.
As the group slowly starts to realize the disorganization they have created they start to turn on each other, causing mass paranoia. Masami, possibly from all the humping she's done throughout the film, begins to snap. This is when the bloodbath begins. Beginning to crumble from the countless hours of chaos, Masami starts to assassinate the group.
As sad as it may seem this is where the real beauty of this film begins. Now don't get me wrong. This is an excellent film. Director, Kazuyoshi Kumakiri has an excellent eye for mother earth's creations, and disasters for that matter, and gives us a good solid story. From reading the title and checking out the box, I was really expecting more gore. The gore that was in it was supremely excellent and nasty as all hell. And the sex was good, not your typical sex, but the orgies they conducted, the shotgun masturbations. That kind of sex. There were some pretty wild things going on in this group. But I really believe the directors' exploitation of presumed actual events and every day pitfalls for the Asian culture hits hard and gets no more real than this. Sad as it is, chaos and suicide seem to be a real problem in teens of today over there, which Kumakiri shows us with his surrealistic vision..
All in all Kichiku: Dai Enkai is a really good film. The only downfall I have with this film is the pace was pretty slow up until about mid-way point. If I were to tell you that this film was Kumakiris' art house flick, would you believe me? I wouldn't. This film is pure beauty.
www.unspeakablemag.com
Ghoul School (1990)
Ghoul School
So I'm checking out this movie I received recently called GHOUL SCHOOL. Originally it was filmed in 1990, sad thing is
it shows!! The story starts out with a couple of school punks searching for a hidden treasure, and mistakenly unleash a chemical into the school's water supply. A chemical that causes everyone it comes into contact with to become flesh-eating ghouls. Actually it just turns them this blue. Now it's up to a couple of geeks and a really crappy metal band to escape the mayhem before the students consume everyone in sight! As stated prior, GHOUL SCHOOL plays like a cross between Class of Nuke Em High and Saved By the Bell. Though it's really not fair to compare it to Class
The story itself was a really good idea, and could be a cool movie, given that the effort put forth were better. Watching the extras and hearing the commentary from director Timothy O Rawe, even he wishes he could have redone it. They even try to bank off of Howard Sterns' sidekick Jackie the Joke Man. His scene really has no bearing at all to the film. All he does is set and tell these dumb ass jokes. The effects of the ghouls were weak and had no heart at all. All they do is paint them blue. That's it..
Bottom line is this was really a waste of my time and was beyond cheesy. although I'd really like to see him redo this with his assets today.
www.unspeakablemag.com
Nain sôruzu (2003)
9 souls
When a bomber, a patricide, a pornographer, and a mad biker, together with various other forms of social scum, have had enough of their sh** infested cell, they spot a rat and look for the hole. Escaping from the sewage the group of 9 souls, take advantage of their new found freedom and head for civilization. What soon follows is not surprising. Complete mayhem and terror follow in their wake. It seems that each has some unfinished business to take care of.
Loosely based on The Great Escape, 9 SOULS is by far in the top 5 best films I've seen this year. Running at right around 2 hours 9 SOULS will deliver a story so powerful it'll literally leave you breathless. The beautiful, yet subtle, use of the rolling country sides adds the realism that is expected from this story. The vision of director Toshiaki Toyoda (Blue Spring, Porno Star), is completely mind boggling as he implements a sense of pity towards the characters. As quickly as each character grasps their dream, it's as quick as it's torn from them. Now, all responsibility of the success of this film should not fall solely on the shoulders of the director, yet props must go to the actors as well. This film was full of excellent acting from top to bottom. Ryuhei Matsuda (the son of Miyuki Matsuda of Audition) delivers a stellar performance, and seems to bring some of his mothers eeriness to the screen.
I must give props to Artsmagic DVD as well. This is the 6th film of theirs I've seen now, and they seem to get better and better each DVD. The sound quality is perfect and the picture; clean and crisp. It's very annoying trying to watch a film that is too dark in transfer, so the discs from theses cats are nice.
Bottom line is this film will soon receive masterpiece status by viewers' world wide. Keep an eye out in 2005 for 9 SOULS; it's really amazing film to watch.
After the Apocalypse (2004)
After the Apocalypse
AFTER THE APOCALYPSE somewhat reminded me of a Quest for Fire type flick (in a weird way) done in a David Lynch format. Set in a bleak, post-urban landscape in the aftermath of the Third World War. Five survivors trying to make sense of a New World after a devastating urban catastrophe challenges all their human needs. It seems that this group of four men and one woman are forced to communicate to each other without speaking, because of deadly toxins in the air.
As stated before when I compare Yasuaki Nakajima's to that of Lynch, I do so in the manner of Nakajima's vision for showing us a world through landscapes and environmental thematic situations. With masturbations, a cannibalism and rape situation, a line has been severed and the reality sets in. Discovering sand for the first time would be an oversight to most, but is precious to the characters in this film. Nakajimas' implementation of dramatic situations through the woman survivor, such as being alone and giving birth, in a world so messed up. To me that is just plain terrifying, I could only imagine how she must have felt..
AFTER THE APOCALYPSE is an eerie, yet beautiful film. The pure simplicity of the story flows like a cloud and really reaches the viewer. The acting was superb as each piece of the puzzle is crafted and the tensions are raised, at the hands of the actors, throwing out the script at times and showing us their own interpretations. I felt that was another huge aspect of making this such a dramatic film. And it doesn't hurt when the one behind the helm lends his hand at the acting duties; and very well done at that. AFTER THE APOCALYPSE is a very unique and well directed film, which makes me believe there's some great talent to keep an eye out for. AFTER THE APOCALYPSE is just a damn fine flick..