Jeff Reviews 'Hell's Kitty' (2018)

Written and directed by Nicholas Tana (and starring), 'Hell's Kitty' is a horror/comedy based on a web series of the same name based on "true-life" events about Nick, a Hollywood writer, whose love life is jeopardized by his hellacious cat named Angel. Nick's best friend and neighbor, Adam, (movie extra and slacker) is convinced that Angel is possessed. But Nick adores his cat and defends her despite all the obvious ominous warnings. There are other problems besides Nick's possessed cat. Nick never gets any sleep because the downstairs neighbor, a nameless recluse and horror movie makeup artist, stays up all night making strange noises, and leaving traces of blood in the hallway. Worse, Angel scratched his neighbor, Lisa, a girl Nick once dated, and Lisa is threatening to sue. But as strange supernatural events take place, and people start disappearing, Nick must do something to prevent further cat-astrophes before his life becomes a living hell. Admittedly I know nothing about the series, but, I'm pretty sure this soon to be released film is a culmination of the series in a cohesive storyline. Which is just fine with me since it means I'm experiencing the entire thing for the first time, as it was likely meant to be, and will be for you.

'Hell's Kitty' is an original and hilarious love letter to horror films. It features cameos, nightmare sequence homages to the classics, and a possessed cat. Even the characters names draw from beloved horror features from Father Damien to Rosemary Carrie. Scenes include well-placed objects like Stephen King novels and more importantly, 'Hell's Kitty' is a who's who of horror movie icons old and new. It's a plethora of anybody who's anyone in horror royalty. We've got the incredible Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes), Courtney Gains and John Franklin (Children of the Corn's Moridicia and Isaac, as... well, Mordicia and Isaac), Dale Midkiff (Pet Cemetary), Kelli Maroney (Night of the Comet), reigning scream queen and succubus Victoria De Mare (Killjoy), Lynn Lowry (Shivers, Cat People), Chanel Ryan (Bad Kids Go to Hell, Circus of the Dead), Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog, Creepshow), and our beloved Master of Creeps Bill Oberst Jr (Circus of the Dead, Abraham Lincoln Vs Zombies), just to name a few. Believe me, that is just a few. Even a Killer Klown shows up to get its ass kicked by the demon kitty. 

Now I'm definitely not going to say that 'Hell's Kitty' is brilliant in any way. But it is everything you could possibly love and hate about a B-horror comedy. You'll love mining the film for popular horror references. Between all the blatantly placed callbacks ('The Shining', 'Children of the Corn', and 'The Exorcist' just to name a few) and all the well-placed items in a scene, or even cleverly placed lines in dialogue, there is a lot of horror nostalgia to look for. You'll also love the cameos that not only strengthen the homages but humorously play on what we think we know about these characters based on their iconic roles. My favorite is when Michael Berryman, a very scary looking guy who (if you follow him at all on social media, is really pussy cat) first pops into a room to a startled Nick and says "Do I scare you?" Bill (Oberst Jr.) as a creepy vicar is, as always, briliantly portrayed. Also, Doug Jones possessed by a cat demon is horror comedy gold. How's that for a tease?

As for what's possible to hate about 'Hell's Kitty" keep in mind that I mean it in the "you gotta love it anyway" way. So, of course, there are some quirky and or ridiculous aspects of the film. One of them is the slightly disjointed clipping together of the webisodes into the storyline. It's kind of fun although slightly annoying. The plot itself is amazingly goofy. Again, you gotta love it despite that. I mean who hasn't thought that cats are possessed by a demon? I'm pretty sure all of mine are despite being just as cute as Angel. Now Nick's relationship with his cat is very creepy. But all that makes sense once the mystery of the demon unfolds, and who can't appreciate the idea that a house cat could shred someone she doesn't like to bloody ribbons. Finally, when Dale Midkiff finally makes his appearance it will blow your mind. Just sayin'.

Ahead of the March digital and DVD release of the feature film, the filmmakers behind 'Hell’s Kitty have produced a hilarious video for their original song CHAINSAW KITTY. The CHAINSAW KITTY music video was meant to reflect the often schizophrenic personality of the movie’s central antagonist and is currently available on Amazon and Spotify; soon to be available on iTunes.

Hell's Kitty: "Chainsaw Kitty" music video from Smart Media LLC on Vimeo.

To kick off the movie release and to share their love for cats, the creators behind the film teamed with HOLLYSHORTS MONTHLY SCREENINGS and the TLC CHINESE THEATER recently hosted a premiere at the legendary theatre to raise money for FixNation.org. FixNation provides a free, full-time spay/neuter clinic with two full-time veterinarians capable of sterilizing as many as 100 cats per day. They also help hundreds of cats find suitable homes. For more info on the cause click here.

'Hell’s Kitty' is available on all VOD platforms March 13, 2018 and on DVD March 27th, 2018 via Wild Eye Releasing.

Finally, when you get your hands on 'Hell's Kitty' be sure to have the bar stocked for a ‘Drinking Game’ from Doug Jones where you have to chug a beer when someone screams in the movie, Angel the cat scratches someone or you spot one of the many horror icons in the movie (be it Doug Jones, Adrienne Barbeau, Dale Midkiff, Michael Berryman et al). See the infographic for the rules and good luck!

'HELL'S KITTY' MUSIC VIDEO FROM THE MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK

Ahead of the March digital and DVD release of the feature film, the filmmakers behind the new horror-comedy Hell’s Kitty have produced an exciting music video for their original song CHAINSAW KITTY. Hell’s Kitty the movie is distributed by Wild Eye Releasing On VOD and DVD starting March 13, 2018. The CHAINSAW KITTY music video was meant to reflect the often schizophrenic personality of the movie’s central antagonist - a supernatural, loving, but possessive cat named Angel. The song is currently available on Amazon and Spotify; soon to be available on iTunes.

HELL’S KITTY – MUSIC VIDEO

Hell's Kitty: "Chainsaw Kitty" music video from Smart Media LLC on Vimeo.

ABOUT THE SONG – CHAINSAW KITTY
The writer / director Nicholas Tana (Sticky: A (Self) Love Story), who also appears in the film, worked closely with the Hell’s Kitty composer, Richard Albert (Losing Touch), to create music for the film that properly reflects the movie’s antagonist, Angel. Angel is a cute and loving cat with an evil, jealous side to her often onerous personality, both supernatural and schizophrenic. CHAINSAW KITTY, was written, performed, and recorded by Richard Albert(Losing Touch) with lyrics by Nicholas Tana (Sticky: A (Self) Love Story). The song was originally intended for a scene with Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk), in which the cat’s claws turned into chain saws. Though that particular scene was never shot, the creators, Nicholas Tana, and producer Denise Acosta, loved the music enough to include it in another scene involving Ashley C. Williams (The Human Centipede) and Barbara Nedeljakova (Hostel), rocking out to it on all fours!

ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK – COMING SOON
The upcoming Hell’s Kitty soundtrack is to be released after distribution of the film in March by Wild Eye Releasing; however, is currently available for review. Appearing on the soundtrack is the Hell’s Kitty theme song, My Pussy’s Possessed, which is used as the central score throughout the film.
“MY PUSSY’S POSSESSED was inspired by my love of the whimsical, haunting compositional style of Danny Elfman, those quirky but memorable Meow Mix commercials from the late 70s, and the stirring flying Monkey chants from The Wizard of Oz.”
– Nicholas Tana, Writer / Director
The music for the soundtrack was created as an international collaboration between writer/director, Nicholas Tana, who lives in The United States, and composer, Richard Albert, from Germany. Tana wrote most of the lyrics for the songs, as well as some of the melody lines and chord progressions. Richard Albert, produced, mastered, and contributed the music, andvocals, for every song.
“The choice of musical styles available on the soundtrack, is meant to reflect the bizarre and twisted taste of the movie's main antagonist, Angel, a fiery hell cat with a penchant for ear-shattering rock songs, and a weakness for cheesy 80's love songs.”
– Richard Albert, Composer
“The CATchy combination of rock, death metal, and (even) cheesy love songs, which the album contains, is enough to fulfill nine lives, and have you dancing so hard, you may not always land on your feet.”
– Nicholas Tana, Writer / Director
Also featured on the Hell’s Kitty soundtrack is BRAIN ADAMZ, and DOWN BELOW, and the pop opera song, TONIGHT YOU'RE ALL I NEED, performed by HermanoBlanco (Nicaragua), produced by Richard Albert, with lyrics written by Nicholas Tana.
“BRAIN ADAMZ is what Brian Adams might sound like if he played in a Death Metal band.”
– Richard Albert, Composer
“DOWN BELOW was inspired by Maury Laws’ Heat Miser/Cold Miser, and created for the film’s infernal finale.”
– Nicholas Tana, Writer / Director
“TONIGHT YOU’RE ALL I NEED is reminiscent of artificial fireplaces, candles, and hallmark cards; a tribute to 70s love songs designed to get you laid. And it’s the most romantic love song ever written (for a cat, anyway).” – Nicholas Tana, Writer / Director

'HELL'S KITTY' DRINKING GAME FROM DOUG JONES!

To celebrate the release of HELL’S KITTY on VOD this month, it’s a ‘Drinking Game’ where you, for instance, have to chug a beer when someone screams in the movie, Angel the cat scratches someone or you spot one of the many horror icons in the movie (be it Doug Jones, Adrienne Barbeau, Dale Midkiff, Michael Berryman et al).

ABOUT THE MOVIE
The movie Hell’s Kitty is about a Hollywood writer, who tries to find love in L.A. with a possessed and possessive pussycat named Angel, and features more horror icons than any movie in history. Guest stars include: Dale Midkiff(Pet Sematary), Doug Jones (The Shape of Water), Adrienne Barbeau (Swamp Thing), Ashley C. Williams (The Human Centipede), Kelli Maroney (Night of the Comet), Courtney Gains (The Children of the Corn), Barbara Nedelkajova (Hostel), and Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes); and costume work by Charles Chiodo (Killer Klowns From Outer Space). Lee Meriwether (Batman) known for her performance as Catwoman in both the original Batman movie and the TV series also makes a cameo in the film. Nina Hartley (Boogie Nights)has a bit part as a nightmarish zombie, too. The film is scheduled for release on VOD 3/13 and DVD 3/27 by Wild Eye Releasing.

HORROR ICONS DOUG JONES, MICHAEL BERRYMAN, ADRIENNE BARBEAU & MORE UNITE FOR THE HORROR HISS OF MARCH "HELL'S KITTY

Today’s greatest horror icons unite for the purrfect scare!
Doug Jones (The Shape of Water), Dale Midkiff (Pet Sematary), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes), Courtney Gains (The Children of The Corn), Lynn Lowry (Cat People), Kelli Maroni (Night of The Comet), Ashley C. Williams (The Human Centipede), Barbara Nedeljakova (Hostel), Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), John Franklin (The Addams Family) and a ‘Killer Klown’ team up for some Pawplay this March!
Based on the web series and comic book of the same name, and inspired by writer-director Nicholas Tana’s experiences living with a professedly possessed cat, Hell’s Kitty tells of a covetous feline that acts possessed and possessive of his owner around women. The results are as funny as they are frightening!
Nick (Tana), a Hollywood screenwriter, discovers his cat has become murderously possessed, and will stop at nothing to rid him of any women in his life. As his life unravels out of control, Nick must find a way to have his kitty exorcised of the demonic spirit haunting her and creating a body count.
With characters named after classic horror movie characters (Jones plays Father Damien, Berryman is Detective Pluto, Nina Kate is Dr. Laurie Strodes, Barbeau is Mrs Carrie), and a tone reminiscent of some of the ‘80s greatest horror-comedies, Hell’s Kitty is undoubtedly the horror hiss of March!
Hell's Kitty is written and directed by Nicholas Tana and produced by Denise Acosta.



To kick of the movie release and to share their love for cats, the creators behind the film teamed with HOLLYSHORTS MONTHLY SCREENINGS and the TLC CHINESE THEATER recently hosted a premiere at the legendary theatre to raise money for FixNation.org. FixNation provides a free, full-time spay/neuter clinic with two full-time veterinarians capable of sterilizing as many as 100 cats per day. They also help hundreds of cats find suitable homes. For more info on the cause click here.
Hell’s Kitty is available on all VOD platforms March 13, 2018 and on DVD March 27th, 2018 via Wild Eye Releasing.


"Hell's Kitty" on VOD March 13 and on DVD March 27