my thoughts on.... 'Halloween' (2018)

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

Every once in a while you get excited about something that's coming out. I'm not talking about general excitement, but honest to goodness, kid on Christmas, excitement. That's how it was when I went to the theater to see the newest installment in the 'Halloween' legacy. Way back when I first heard about a pitch that had happened by David Gordon Green and, none other than, Danny McBride for a new 'Halloween' film.... needless to say, I was confused. What on earth does this comedic actor and (primarily) television writer/director, know about horror? But the more I read about it and saw the legitimate passion they had for the project, the more interested I became. Then they dropped the bombshell. This was going to be a direct sequel to the original 1978 John Carpenter film. Once again, I was a little bit gobsmacked. Why on earth would you retcon everything from the past 6 sequels (not counting part 3) and/or not continue what Rob Zombie had started? It seemed a rather bold decision. Once again, I read all of the articles and saw that they had a vision. They saw something fresh and new that the rest of us did not and genuinely wanted to make the 'Halloween' film that we'd all been waiting for. I mean, the original part 2 was written in a drunken stupor and John Carpenter himself, wasn't really keen on how it turned out. Part 3 was it's own thing. Parts 4-8 created an almost impossible timeline of events and confusing back story that watered down the original material to an almost unwatchable place. Even part 8, that really could have been something good, turned into one of the biggest farces ever committed to the screen. Rob's films, essentially, could stand on their own and didn't leave much room for a continuation of the story. So, when I looked at it as a whole, what other direction could you go? Then, Jamie Lee Curtis signed on and all was well in the world. At that point, we all knew that this may be something special. Here we are, a couple of years later and the film has been unleashed to the world and it is doing some crazy box office. This just proves that Michael Myers has a staying power that can't be underestimated and that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

The film begins in Smith's Grove Sanitarium, the home of Michael Myers for the past 40 years. Now, an old man, he's never spoken a word and lives his days out as a bit of a modern day boogeyman; retired. Two podcasters come to visit him, in the hopes of getting some kind of an interview and a story for their latest episode. Upon meeting with Michael, one of them shows him the mask and we get the idea that perhaps there is something still a bit supernatural about 'The Shape'. They then head to the home Laurie Strode. The survivor of that single murderous night, in which Michael killed five other people and left her alive to tell the tale. She now lives in, basically, a compound that's compete with a shooting range, floodlights, all kinds of security and no one else but herself. The two podcasters once again attempt to get a story, in the hopes of possibly having her and Micheal sit down together to hash out their differences. We see Laurie is now a PTSD sufferer and has had a life full of sadness and struggle. All because of the actions of one man. She turns down the offer and escorts the two off her property. We then meet her daughter and granddaughter, who rarely see her, but are soon joined together for a meal. This turns out to be a bit of a good bye dinner, as Laurie plans to murder Michael as he's being moved to another location. She realizes that she can't go through with it and while Michael is on his way to his new home, he escapes. From there, it's back to Haddonfield, to once again pick up where he left off and possibly finish what he started.

I really don't want to divulge much more than that, because this is such a new film and part of the joy in seeing it is the ability to watch the events unfold naturally. While this might not be a perfect film and may have been a bit to over hyped by the press, it does pay off on the majority of what it promised. A return to form and a story that's worthy to be included in the canon that is 'Halloween'. One of the big things that immediately jumps out at you, with this film, is the score. John Carpenter returns to take what he originally wrote and expands on it in ways that punctuate the film beautifully. There are some intense moments that are only amplified by the musical score. What he's done with the music is perfect and fits tonally with what David was going for with the film itself. They really work quite well together and it lends some credence to the entire affair. Another aspect of this film that really spoke to me was the erasing of all that came after part 1. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy 2 and 3 quite a bit, but never really could appreciate the later outings like the rest of the fandom does. It wasn't until Rob Zombie's films, that I really got into the Michael mythos. I always felt like they were continually diluting what made the main character scary in the first place and making him more of a puppet that a monster. Whereas Jason was an undead killing machine and Freddy was a murdering mirth maker, Micheal became confusing. This wipes that slate clean and leaves you with the impression he may be more than just a man, but maybe not? It seems as though they were taking aspects of the other ten films and incorporating them into this one, in bits and pieces, but never really giving the audience more than a nod that they even existed. All in all, this film just felt 'right'. Like it fit perfectly in the world that John created and gave us some much needed closure on the story. Not that it's necessarily over....

With all of that being said, there were some things here that didn't work. There are some logic jumps, which kind of come with the territory. I mean, you can't make a horror film without it. At least not with a modern day boogeyman. There was one scene in particular that seemed a bit out of left field. I don't want to provide any spoilers, but it involves the doctor and.... well, you'll know it when you see it. However, the moment that part has ended, what happens next raises a lot of very interesting questions that make me look forward to the commentary on the DVD/Blu-ray release. I've also got a few minor issues with the mask itself, as I think I got a little bit spoiled with the quality of the one that Rob had created for his films. Not too mention, that if this is supposed to be the one that was used back in 1978, I would think that it wouldn't have been wearable by 2018. Based on what I know about latex masks. (Which isn't much). Finally, the ending. I'm a little puzzled by the decisions that were made with how to close out the third act. The final two shots and the (sort of) cut scene after the credits. They leave us with more questions than answers and it felt just a bit confusing. I don't know what the plan was with the franchise, when they were writing it, or if there was a plan, but it leaves me wondering if/and or what would happened next? Maybe that was the goal? All in all, this is a solid entry into the series and bookends nicely with the original films and even the remakes. Sadly, the majority of the other big names have fallen on hard times. The 'Friday the 13th' films have all but petered out, unless they do another reboot or find a fresh way to pick up where the left off. The 'Nightmare on Elm Street' films left us on a high note, only to kill that with a horrific remake. With 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', it's become one of the most absurd timelines in cinema history. Although, I really enjoyed the most recent installment, it didn't really leave them room to grow. It's like each films is almost it's own separate entity with only Leatherface tying it all together. The 'Child's Play' films have held things together really well, in my opinion, and may finally be making a mistake with a reboot, but time will tell. Finally, 'Hellraiser'... well, that's just a mess. For the newest 'Halloween' (2018) I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 star ranking and have added it to my list of the 'Top 13 Horror Films of 2018' and justifiably so. It's a love letter to the first films, while breaking its own new ground. If you get a chance, go see this one in the theater with a room full of people and I think you'll walk away feeling satisfied. Also, thank you to Danny McBride and David Gordon Green for not making Laurie without the flaws and scars of someone who's endured a traumatic experience. Far too many films shy away from this for their 'final girl' and sadly, it ends up cheapening the story line and the characters that have been created. Bring on the next film!



If you like this film, please revisit: 'Halloween' (1978), 'Halloween' (2007) and consider the rest of them too. We all have our favorites, eh?

my 'classic' thoughts on.... 'Thankskilling'

Dragging the depths of my old horror reviews, I thought they might need to see the light of day again. So, I bring you some of Joel's 'Classic' horror reviews....

Let me start by saying, this movie is AWESOME! I'll begin this review by telling you that I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. This film is so freaking fun and funny that I can't help but love it. It's on par with some of the best of the Troma movies. It's terrible, but in a terribly wonderful way. I mean, it's about a killer turkey, what's not to love? The turkey talks and has one liners out the butt. He swears like a sailor and this movie starts out crazy and just keeps going crazier from there. I mean, the start of the movie involves a pilgrim woman with her breasts hanging out, being chased by a killer turkey. He makes a lame joke and then proceeds to dispatch her. It's just so strange that it works. It's obvious that the turkey is a giant puppet. The film makers don't even try to hide it. The scenes are over the top and gross. Things that you would never even dream of happening.... happen in this film. Like a turkey fornicating or using shotgun or getting urinated on by a dog. Have I gotten your attention yet? If not, then this may not be the movie for you.

The basic premise is that a Native American shaman creates this turkey to avenge the wrongs that had happened to his people. Every 505 years, the turkey comes back to exact more revenge. It just so happens that on his most recent visit for murder, five kids are on Thanksgiving break and happen upon him. At that point, the demonic turkey is on the hung. He slowly tracks them down one by one (We, the viewer, have no idea how) and kills them off throwing out a one liner in triumph.

In my mind, I think the writer got really high and just had fun letting it all flow. There are no boundries and nothing is sacred. Just look at the poster for it and you'll understand. One of my favorite scenes involves the father of one of the kids, who also happens to be the sheriff. The turkey comes to his house with a pair of Groucho glasses on and the sheriff thinks he's one of his daughters friends. The sit down to have coffee and talk. It's a very bizarre scene where I kept asking myself, “Why is the sheriff not noticing that this is a giant, talking turkey?” I'll never know why. Then, the turkey kills the sheriff and makes a mask out of his face. He puts it on as a disguise, along with the sheriff's ten gallon hat. When the kids show up to find a book on how to possibly stop the murdering bird, they don't even notice that the turkey is already in the house posing as the girls father. Its' hilarious!

I cannot recommend this one enough. If you're a fan of bad movies that are so bad that they're good again, like a Troma film, then is a big winner for you. Stop reading this review and go spend an hour and six minutes to revel in the craziness. You'll thank me when you're done. End of story.

(NEW thoughts: I've seen this several more times since this review, as well as it's sequel. They are bat crap crazy and I love every second of them. While they may not be everyone's cup of tea, for the initiated.... they are like winning the golden ticket.)



This is nothing else quite like this film, except for maybe something out of the Lloyd Kaufman catalog.

my thoughts on.... 'The Night Watchmen'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

I love when you find a trailer that you'd forgotten about and didn't even remember, that suddenly strikes a chord with you and happens to be streaming on Amazon Prime. It's like the perfect storm for any film lover. While I've found Amazon Prime to be a dumping ground for any low budget horror that's ever been made, they sometimes pull a rabbit out of a hat or accidentally find something worthwhile. That's exactly what happened with 'The Night Watchmen' and I'm so thankful it did. Sometimes it's a crap shoot when you watch something blind. You may get gold or you may get a rotten egg. What I wasn't expecting with this one, was finding another potential entry into my 'Best Horror of 2018' list. Yes, you heard me right, this one was that good. (in my opinion). This film presents itself like a zombie movie, but then you quickly learn it's something else. What it turned out to be, was not at all what I was expecting or planning on, it was a new take on an old theme, but turned on its head. Plenty of jokes that cover a wide spectrum of humor and lots of icky stuff going on to make the horror hounds happy. It's a tricky formula to pull off, but director Mitchell Altieri and his crew of writers Ken Arnold, Dan DeLuca and Jamie Nash did just that. That made a mountain out of a potential mole hill. This is a horror comedy done right. Think 'Stakeland' meets 'Shaun of the Dead' meets 'Half-Baked' and you've got a pretty good idea what you're in for. While I would never call this a perfect film, by any stretch, it's a whole lot of damn fun and I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion. That's a rarity for this old, grizzled, scary movie man.

The movie takes place hot on the heels of a world famous clown and his circus compadres fall ill to a strange disease and all die. As they are out of the country, they are shipped back to the states for a proper memorial and service. What the rest of world doesn't realize is that they've been infected with something that will raise them back from the dead to feast upon the living. Meanwhile, in an office building, a new security officer is starting his new job. The three old school vets of the field are enjoying hazing the new guy as the coffin of Blimpo the Clown is delivered to their complex by mistake. In a deal where the guards take weed in trade for looking the other way over night, the casket is left in their care. Before long, Blimpo comes back and begins infecting the rest of the office building and turning them into the same evil as him. The only thing standing in the way of mass clown carnage is the hapless security guards and a few of the other staff that are still in one piece. Who will make it through the night, as all bets are off.

One of the biggest reasons I think that this film is so successful is the main cast of characters played by Ken Arnold, Dan DeLuca, Kevin Jiggetts, Kara Luiz and Max Gray Wilbur. They're likable, you care about them, they are all very charismatic and they commit to the project with complete sincerity. A film like this wouldn't work if everyone was just half assing it. They also have great chemistry and comedic timing, which drama is easy, making a joke land about dead monsters farting.... that's hard. Speaking of which, that's a real thing. Every time one of the undead finally bites the dust, they let a big one rip. I don't know who's idea that was originally, but it gets funnier as the film progresses. I should also mention that James Remar makes an appearance in this film as an incredibly greasy and unlikable guy. It's kind of an odd turn for an actor of his caliber but it works. He's brilliant. There's also a lot going on here in the way of callbacks to other classic films and tropes. Such as the outline of a crowbar, when the crowbar is missing. ('Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn) or the wonderful 80's montage that they have. Think 'The A-Team' meets a horror film. There's more beyond that, but I don't want to spoil all the fun. Now, there is one thing that bugged me about this movie and I didn't really appreciate what the film makers were going for, until the very end. The music. The music in 'The Night Watchmen' doesn't work for me. I don't know what it is about the music, but it feels almost out of place with the rest of the film. It's not until the very end that I really appreciated it. However, by that point, it had kind of switched over to a more 80's rock anthem kind of thing, which incidentally.... this film seems to have ended on a possible sequel kind of a note. I sincerely hope that they come back for another round. I also hope that everyone involved with the original agrees to return as well. I don't smell a long running franchise, but one more time around the block wouldn't hurt.

If you're looking for something that's off the beaten path and not something you've maybe ever even heard of, then 'The Night Watchmen' is for you. It's irreverent, funny, frightening at times and all around a good time. There's very little not to like about this film. It hits all the right chords on queue and the pacing is spot on. I never felt like it rushed or was trying to be anything more than it was. One of the biggest problems with movies in general, is that they have a great 1st and 2nd act, but then peter out in the 3rd. With this one, they kept the pace up right until the last 3 minutes of the film, when they slowed down to end it on a high note. I would easily give this 4 out of 5 stars and am looking forward to watching it again in the near future. I have a personal affinity for horror comedy, as it blends two genres I love into one delicious stew and this one was very tasty indeed. If you have a spare bit of time and want to just enjoy the simpler side of life, then this is one that I can't recommend enough. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, for those of you who get the joke, you'll thank me for it later.



If you like this, check out: 'Burying the Ex', 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'What We Do In the Shadows'

my thoughts on.... 'Herschell Gordon Lewis' Bloodmania'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

When Herschell Gordon Lewis passed away in 2016, I was saddened by the loss. Not because I was a huge fan of his body of work, but because of who he was and how uncompromising he could be. He was in the business to make money and do it by cashing in on untapped markets, primarily gore. He basically brought about a new genre that was unheard of in the 60's. No one had ever seen anything like it, but he knew it would draw a crowd and that meant asses in seats and money in his pocket. He was a fascinating man who was charismatic, well spoken and quite humorous. Needless to say, I was a fan of him. I even have his box set in a place of honor, resting above my film library, for all the world to see. While he stepped away from the world of horror cinema, to go make his fortune elsewhere, the genre kept moving forward without him. He inspired generation after generation of hungry film makers out to prove their worth in the field. Before his untimely passing, he threw his hat back into the ring one final time, as a love letter to all of his fans. The film that he left behind, is the film I'm talking about now: 'Herschell Gordon Lewis' Bloodmania'. An anthology film that was made on a shoestring budget that features all the earmarks of the master. While this may not be a jumping off point to start a retrospective on his career, it was a solid way to end the adventure. A worthwhile send off for a man who forged his own path and left a permanent mark on the landscape. Granted, this film is not going to win any awards for its high quality film making or stellar acting performances, but that wasn't the point. That's the biggest thing you have to understand, before viewing this film. If you go into it for any other reason, other than your love of the man behind the camera, then you may be left wanting. What lies ahead is my journey, one last time, down the blood soaked path of Mr. Lewis. Remembering him fondly and smiling from ear to ear. RIP Herschell, you were a true trailblazer and proof once again that horror is just as much about the creator as it is about the concept.

As this is an anthology, there is no single narrative. The only constant is the introductions to each segment by Herschell himself. He almost serves as the proverbial Crypt Keeper of the film. Providing us with some horror style “dad jokes” before the mayhem begins. The film begins with the traditional theme song, performed by Herschell, as we get almost an infomercial style intro. The first story is probably the best. It tells the tale of a man who just can't win, no matter what he tries. Think Wil E. Coyote, but with a bloody hook and a lot of gore. It plays out almost like a commentary on society itself, as we have basically a found footage style story telling method. It's a little rough, but it almost feels like the good ole days. The second story, is intended to be all about love. As a woman continuously keeps dying at the hands of her lover. Over and over she is put into horrifying situations that always end in her ultimate demise, only to find out that she's been in a coma for years. Now, an old woman, she is almost forced to keep living out these terrible fantasies as she is unable to wake up. The next story is about a home that is inhabited by something in the walls. Every new family that moves into the house, is ultimately killed. Over time, we learn that there's a creature in the wall that loves hair. She's almost a feral type woman, who finally meets her match when a couple move in with their two little girls. Finally, the last story is about a band manager who has a fetish for killing women. This one is where things get a little off the rails, as it almost becomes a demented cartoon at the end. Despite all of this, the film ends. Sadly, with no outro from Herschell himself, which left me feeling a little unsatisfied.

What really works in this film, is that you can tell it was made by the fans. Everyone involved seems to want to be there, because they love what Herschell Gordon Lewis had done in the past and loved him. Almost as if they wanted to be a part of something greater than themselves. To that, I give them all kudos. It may never reach the heights of his original films, but it was a nice way to close out a career. What's kind of fascinating is that despite Herschell's reasons for becoming a film maker in the first place, he continually seems to place nuggets of wisdom and comments on society at large. For example, there are several, rather, pointed digs at the media and it's philosophy of “If it bleeds, it leads” mentality. There is also a few moments of young girls opting to take videos on their phones, rather than helping those in need. It's these kinds of little nods that make me think he knew there was some power within his storytelling, even outside of the money. He was a true enigma and a bit of a conundrum. One of the more fun things about this film, outside of the obvious, was his little nods to other film makers. During the segment about the creature living in the walls of the home, two of the realty companies that are selling the house are named 'E. Roth Realty' and 'JS Waters Realty'. For those who may not have caught it, Eli Roth and John Waters are two film makers who moved independent films and horror films forward with their rather extreme method of storytelling. Not too mention, they were both Lewis fans. While I wish he would have stuck to the use of practical effects only, there were some instances of CGI being utilized.... and not very well, I might add. Finally, there is some pretty over the top absurdity going on here. Namely the treadmill chase during the final segment or the steamroller scene in the first one. But despite all of the shortcomings and minor issues I had with the film, it was still a lot of fun and there was some genuinely good things going on.

While Herschell Gordon Lewis may not be everyone's cup of tea or maybe not anyone's cup of tea, you can't deny his body of work. The man was a machine in the 60's and 70's and pumped out film after film for a market that was hungry for content. Not only that, he was giving the people what they wanted: nudity, violence and gore. Things that mainstream Hollywood wouldn't or couldn't provide. Does that make him some kind of smut peddler? Perhaps. But when you hear him speak and look at what he accomplished outside of film making, the man was a legend. Never ceasing in his drive to work and create, he is a personal watermark for me and I strive to be the man he was. 'Bloodmania' is by all standards, a low budget, shot on video trashterpiece. A grimy plaque left on the headstone of a man that redefined what horror was. If you venture to view this visceral visage, go into it knowing that it wasn't made to be an epic tale or the great American movie. This was made to satisfy millions of fans who were hungry for one more course in the meal that only the master could prepare. While as a film, it's genuinely only a 2 out of 5 star rating, but as a final chapter in Herschell Gordon Lewis' life, it's 4 stars all the way. We will never see another one like him in my lifetime, if ever. They say that there's nothing new under the sun anymore, but I don't believe this to be true. I think there's still more to discover and create, it's just harder to find a niche that hasn't already been satisfied. Let's just hope that there's still young, up and coming film makers who are going to keep reaching for the stars. Because I, for one, want to be there when they reach their goal.



If you like this, check out some of Herschell's other films: 'Blood Feast' (1963), 'The Wizard of Gore' (1970) and 'Two Thousand Maniacs!' (1964)

my thoughts on.... 'Terrifier' (2017)

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

I watch a lot of horror films. I know, big surprise, right? I've mentioned in several other reviews how I've become a little jaded after partaking in so many different films in my life. Because of this, it's not as easy as it was to come across something that catches me off guard and lights that little spark inside me that started so many years ago. One of the instances of this occurring was with the Damien Leone film, 'All Hallows Eve'. In particular, his introduction of Art the Clown to the horror community at large. Now this wasn't his first outing, he actually was first seen in Damien's short film called 'Terrifier' from 2011. Art is a minor horror icon or will be soon, especially after seeing the full length feature version of 'Terrifier' that just came out on March 13th. Just the character design alone, is enough to establish him in the genre. Then you throw in the actual characters mannerisms and modus operandi and you've got yourself a force to be reckoned with. He may not be as well known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown or the Killer Klowns from Outer Space, but he should be. He's the stuff nightmares are made of and afraid of. I actually had a visceral reaction to him, when I watched 'All Hallows Eve'. I was drawn to the character itself, but repulsed by his actions. Kind of the anti-hero effect. Not unlike someone like Captain Spaulding. He's a very charismatic and likable fellow, but when you consider and see what he's actually capable of, he's incredibly deplorable. Despite that, I still love him and would have him tattooed on my arm. (and probably will at some point.) Art the Clown made the same kind of impression on me. He overshadowed all the other aspects of 'All Hallows Eve' and cried out for a full length film that just featured his horrifying exploits. Well, when I finally heard about that dream becoming a reality, I jumped at the chance to see what Damien had to offer us. Needless to say, I wasn't let down. The film I'm referring to is 2017's full length version of 'Terrifier'.

The film opens with an interview of one of Art's surviving victims. Now left with a face that resembles that of Gary Oldman's Mason Verger from Ridley Scott's 'Hannibal'. She's reflecting on what life is like, now that she's been left in this state. Cut to Art suiting up and gearing up for another Halloween night, ready to provide nothing but tricks and no treats. We then jump to a scene of two women, in full fledged costumes, coming home from a night of Halloween partying. Both are pretty drunk and unable to drive. While trying to decide what they should do, they spot Art watching them from an ally way. A little creeped out and thinking they need food, they wander into a late night pizzeria to have a slice and sober up a bit. Of course, Art follows them in and sits down, staring at them the whole time. Eventually, the owner kicks him out and the ladies eventually leave. When they come back to their car, the tire is flat. One of the girls calls her sister to come and bail them out. The same girl then has to pee. She heads into an old building where the exterminator is out on a smoke break. While inside, there's a news report on the car radio that a clown has killed the two guys working at the pizza place. Realizing what's going on, the girl who's still in the car is soon met with Art being in the car too. Before long, he's terrorizing the girl in the building and things just go south from there. In terms of the characters in the story, not the film itself.

The basic plot of this film is incredibly simple. One clown, one night and a lot of bloodshed. But don't let that trick you into thinking this is your run of the mill horror film. It's so much more than that. There are several things I love about this film, even within the first 20 minutes. The whole thing reads like an old 70's grindhouse epic. From the title cards, to the overall presentation of the film. It just oozes grit and grime and gory goodness. Not too mention, that in the pizzeria murders, one of them is quite possibly the most creative kill I've seen in a long time and that's saying something. The soundtrack is incredibly solid. Paul Wiley, the man behind the music, creates a soundtrack that has overtones of John Carpenter's 'Halloween' score, but with it's own flair and flavor. Speaking of sound, the sound editing in this is amazingly well done too. Kudos to Jake Bjork and Jason Milstein for knowing when music accentuates the tension and when to let things just coast on the ambient sounds of what's going on. Far too often in horror films, the music is either overly done or the sound effects are poorly carried out. We see this most often in low budget, indie scare fests. I get that monetary limitations can create issues with this part of the film making process, but this proves that it doesn't have too. I'd go so far as too say that this has some of, if not the best, sound I've heard in a film in the past decade. It's an underappreciated art form. (No pun intended) It helps to move the movie forward and feed into your fears. Another aspect of 'Terrifier' that doesn't disappoint, is the special effects. Just like in 'All Hallows Eve', the gore is off the charts. There are literally buckets of blood that flow. I don't know how they managed to pull off what they did, but it speaks volumes to what Damien and his crew are capable of in future endeavors. Now, don't let me lead you down the path that this is a perfect film, because it's not. There are some issues here. Nothing major that take away from the overall piece, but there's a fight scene, for example. It's kind of an important sequence in terms of the film and it looks so staged that it takes you out of what's actually going on. There's also the acting of Will the Exterminator. While, I love the character of Will and I think he's supposed to be a really likable guy, he's just very stilted and stiff. Once again, taking you out of the sequences he's involved in. Which is unfortunate, because he has a natural charisma that makes you like him. The last sticking point for me happens in the first part of the third act. I can't go into too many details, because I don't want to spoil anything, but we'll just say that going full 'Silence of the Lambs' was maybe a poor decision. Whatever momentum was built up and carrying you to the big finale, is just stopped as the brakes are slammed on and we all have a WTF moment. Perhaps that's what Damien was going for when he wrote it, but it hurts more than helps the film.

What else can I say at this point? It's pretty obvious that I loved 'Terrifier'. It was all the things that horror needs right now. We have monsters and madmen going to the Oscar's and winning, so we've got the smart and artsy side of the genre covered, what we still are needing is the dark and dirty side of the coin. Damien Leone is carrying that banner proudly. Right up until the very end of this film, I was already watching it with the eyes of a man who saw an entry on his 'Top 13 Horror Films of 2018'. It's a done deal. It would take 12 other pretty freaking amazing films to push this one off the list. Maybe it'll happen? But I doubt it. Speaking of the ending, I was a little concerned at first with the direction the film was heading, right after the big climax. What ultimately ended the story was perfection. It still reeked of the grindhouse elements, while adding in some 80's franchise kind of pieces and the final shot is just brilliant.... but that's not the end. There's one last thing that happens, that makes you rethink the entire film and have the instant desire to watch it again with different eyes. That's the sign of good film making. Kind of like the theory of ending a pop song on a minor chord. The sound tricks your brain into thinking the song isn't over, so you want to hear it again. But with 'Terrifier', it isn't a trick, it's a real treat and something that I wish more films were capable of. This is easily a 4 out of 5 star film and makes me excited for what's next from Mr. Leone. He's got a very firm handle on what makes horror, horror. He's created a monster for a new era, all the while incorporating the aspects of everything that's come before. I was a little hesitant going into this one, after the strength of 'All Hallows Eve'. I mean, the “Sophomore Slump” is real, but not with Damien Leone. He skipped all the other grades and graduated with honors. Long live Art the Clown, you psychotic, sick and twisted bastard.



If you like this one, check out: 'All Hallows Eve', 'Clown' and 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space'

my thoughts on.... 'Veronica'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

Ouija boards and possession are nothing new in cinema. We've seen this story so many times, ever since William Friedkin's 'The Exocist' opened the door. Over the years, we've come to grow a bit tiresome of the tale, at least in the circles I run in. For the overall viewing public, these movies must be doing something right because Hollywood keeps pumping them out. Then, you have a film like 'Veronica'. Co-written and directed by the amazing Paco Plaza, the man gave me the '[REC]' franchise. A series of plague films that set my teeth on edge and redefined the genre, not unlike Danny Boyle's '28 Days Later'. Therefore, the bar was pretty high, even before I pushed 'Play' on my Netflix queue. A Spanish director that knows how to direct tension and terror, without ever really allowing the viewer the chance to get too comfortable. Because of all of this, I came into this film with high expectations despite the track record of similar films in the past. What's funny about film watching in this day and age, is the influence of social media. Long before you ever even begin to start watching something, you've been influenced by posts from other like minded viewers. I may be partially at fault here, as I'm a member of countless horror themed pages, but I try to avoid reading too much about new films, so as to not spoil anything for me. What this film was being buzzed about, was how truly scary it was. It was almost as though it was being heralded as the next 'Babadook'. A film that took someone else explaining why it was so significant to me, to really appreciate it for what it was. It seemed to be bleeding into my feed from everywhere. That just fueled my curiosity and caused me to put up some barriers, believing it couldn't be what they were saying it was. For the casual viewer, maybe, but for a long time horror fanatic and fanboy.... it takes a lot to impress me anymore. That's not to say that I don't love a ton of the new things that are coming out, but it's been awhile since I've seen something that truly terrified me. The world is just too scary as it is to have anything imagined put a sense of fright into me. Thus began my journey into the world of 'Veronica'.

This film tells the story of a 15 year old girl named Veronica. (played by the impressive for her age, Sandra Escacena). She's the matriarch of her family, not by choice, but by necessity. Her mother is working constantly to support her three other siblings, which forces Veronica to be the mother of the household. Getting them up for school, bathing them, feeding them and generally being their only caregiver. During the day of a solar eclipse, she and two friends, sneak into the basement of their school to use a Ouija board to hold a séance to contact Veronica's dead father. As the eclipse is told to be a potent time for the spiritual world to connect to ours, the girls mistakenly unleash a demon (or sorts) who begins to plague Veronica's everyday existence. She gains some help from the blind nun at the school, who warns her to protect her brother and sisters from the evil force, as her mother is completely oblivious to it all. Things begin to escalate and soon she realizes that the only way to undo the evil she has wrought, is to try and re-create the situation that allowed it into the world to begin with. What she wasn't expecting was what horrors might still be yet to come.

This film opens with a call to the police for help. As they arrive in Veronica's apartment, the look of terror on their face speaks volumes. We rewind to 3 days earlier and the story goes from there, telling us the events that led up to the beginning. Despite the worn out plot device, this film still feels fresh to me. I give a lot of credit to Paco's direction and his ability to make the actors working for him be believable in unbelievable situations. By setting the tone at the outset of the story, he creates a constant sense of dread throughout the piece. Even through we don't know where the story will go or what the fate of all of our characters are, you still can't help be feel trapped in a world that is beyond your control. Not unlike Veronica herself. In a way, the film is almost a meditation on becoming an adult and having the reality of being a grown up thrust upon you, when you're not ready. How overwhelming it feels to be in a position of authority, when you're just kid yourself. I don't know if that was his intention, but if you read between the lines of the story, it becomes very clear. That's where this film sets itself apart from all the other films after 'The Exorcist'. It's almost as if the evil is a metaphor for growing up. For Veronica's absentee father or for her being a late bloomer. Not yet a woman, but required to do the job of a full grown one. It didn't really hit me until late in the third act, but that's where this draws a lot of comparisons to 'The Babadook'. Using the “monster” of the film as a visual representation of the terrors of something else. Something far too real. Because of this, I give him a lot of praise and adoration. It also proves my point, once again, that horror is becoming smarter. It's not just about teens in the woods who want to do drugs, get drunk and have sex, only to be killed by the masked madman. It's now about telling a modern day parable. Wake up folks. This isn't your parents horror anymore. This is the stuff that wins Academy Awards. (I'm looking at you Jordan Peele). Is this at that level? No. But I have to give it credit, where credit is due.

While this was by no means a perfect film, it was above the flood line of so many other horror movies I've seen as of late. I'm not a fan of possession films or Ouija board films, but this ended up being so more than that. The direction, the art department, the script and especially the actors. They all brought their best to the table and lifted each other up in the overall piece. I don't believe this is the incredibly scary film that the internet would lead you to believe it to be. All that aside, I still really enjoyed it and feel that it's deserving of a 4 out of 5 star rating. There were few issues with the CGI and practical effects, but even that is forgivable. Actually, there was one moment that was pretty damn creepy. It's early on after Veronica has come home from the séance. She's turned off the television and you're watching her movements through the reflection on the TV. As she turns to walk away, you see a man/thing standing behind her and his head turns and watches her, as she walks away. He then turns and follows. It's very effective. Not a new plot device, but one that when utilized properly, can yield pretty unnerving results. This is currently streaming on Netflix and I recommend you give it a watch. Turn off all the lights, kick on the surround sound and cuddle up under your safest blanket. I think you'll have a good time and it will give you something to talk about around the water cooler in the morning.



If you like this, check out: 'The Exorcist' (1973), 'The Babadook' and 'The Last Exorcism'

my thoughts on.... 'Die Hölle aka Cold Hell'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

Before we get started, let's talk about the elephant in the room. While I don't believe that this film is horror, it's hitting Shudder on March 15th, which is a primarily horror based streaming service. Then you take into consideration some other films that seem to get qualified as horror, that I don't agree with that distinction. 'The Silence of the Lambs' and 'I Saw the Devil', being the two closest analogs I can think of to 'Die Hölle aka Cold Hell'. There are certainly others, but that's not why I'm here, to dispute what qualifies as a horror film. After all is said and done and I've gone home for the day, this film was amazing, regardless of it's classification. I, personally, would throw it into the revenge thriller or serial killer genre, but that's a slippery slope. Case in point, 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer' or 'August Underground'. Those films are about serial killers, but have crossed that line into horror. I think where the line ends up for me, is what's more reality based horror. While the earlier examples border more on the dramatic side to a bit of the fantastical, the latter two fall much more on the true horror of man to another man. Not unlike the home invasion genre, which to me is one of the ultimate horrors. Nothing more frightening than having the safety of your own home destroyed. I can watch Jason Voorhees do his thing for hours and never think twice, but the film 'Secuestrados aka Kidnapped' (2010), I never need to see again. It left a permanent scar. So, now that I've set the tone for this review, let's talk about the plot. For once, I didn't write this myself, as I felt like letting Shudder do the talking for me.

Synopsis courtesy of the Shudder press release: "Özge is a young Turkish-born taxi driver, who attends evening classes and is also an ambitious Thai-boxer. She rarely speaks and trains hard. One day she witnesses an extremely brutal murder. The suspect is an insane serial killer, inspired by Islam. And he is convinced that Özge has seen him. A life-and-death struggle ensues. In his job as a police officer, Christian Steiner often has contact with people from immigrant backgrounds. Some years ago his wife left him, taking their child with her. Since then Steiner has been living with his father and cares for him as best he can. Steiner finds it very difficult to trust other people, especially women."

I am a die hard lover of 'women in power' films. I think that's one of the reasons I love horror so much. For far too long, women were the cowering and fragile victims in the corner. Somewhere around 'Halloween' (1978) everything changed. Ever since then and maybe even before then, “The Final Girl” concept was born. The last one standing and usually the one who vanquishes the bad guy, before the credits roll. I love stories where the odds are stacked against our protagonists and yet they come out on top. Sometimes it's only one, sometimes it's many. In 'Cold Hell', we see a woman who's already been broken, but she's been fighting literally and figuratively to regain the strength she lost. Perhaps she never did, but she needed to prove to herself that she was still inside somewhere. Suddenly, she's put in a position where she's backed into a corner by accident when she witnesses the aftermath of what one man does to a woman. When he realizes he's being watched, she becomes his next target. She seeks help from a very doubtful and apathetic police force, her family, friends and even her former lover. Ultimately, she's on her own. It takes everything she's fought so hard for, to provide her the strength to meet this head on. It's a story we can all relate to in some way. Maybe not in any direct correlation to our own lives, but as a metaphor for the struggles we all have to overcome. It's a tale of facing your demons and overcoming them at all costs.

This film is filled with well rounded characters that seem to each have their own capability to be the main character. I don't know if they all had predetermined backstories, that we only get glimpses of, but it feels as though there's a much deeper well that they're all drawing from throughout the film. It's beautifully shot, using a very rich color palette that makes it incredibly enjoyable visually. The story is very engaging and the primary antagonist, is portrayed like a shark. Singular in his purpose, but still blending in with all the other fish around him. That leaves us with Özge (played by the electric Violetta Schurawlow). She's a cab driver by night, a overly caring friend by day and a cold hearted stranger to those who she feels aren't worthy of more from her. She's strong, independent and willing to do whatever it takes to protect those that she loves. I'm trying not to give away too much about this film, as it's something I recommend highly, for lovers of the genre, to see. It has a little bit of something for all of us. It may not have the sheer scope of 'I Saw the Devil'. As a matter of fact, it's a very simple story and it doesn't need to be more than that. It almost hearkens back to the old 70's revenge films. Where you have a character that is content on living their life one way, but then something horrific happens that throws them into a chaotic frenzy of blood lust. It actually takes our heroine a while to decide that what she has to do is stop looking for others to protect her and take the law into her own hands. But you can hear and audible click, when the wheels stop turning in one direction and she makes a hard left turn into Charles Bronson territory. This film easily deserves a 4 out of 5 star rating. The director, Stefan Ruzowitzky, took something old and made it new again and I'm thankful for that. There's something very satisfying about living out that fantasy of taking back what's been taken from you. I have very few misgivings about this film. It engages you within the first few minutes and doesn't let you go until the credits roll. How many films can you say that about these days?

'Die Hölle aka Cold Hell' lands exclusively on Shudder starting March 15th!



If you like this, check out: 'Thriller: A Cruel Picture aka They Call Her One Eye' (1973), 'The Brave One' (2007) and 'Baise Moi' (2000)

my thoughts on.... 'Victor Crowley'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

Adam Green, oh how I love your work. You never let anyone get in the way of what you want to do, which is usually something steeped in your love of the horror genre. Your 'Hatchet' series was a love letter to the 80's over the top slasher genre that took things to another level of insanity, but in a good way. Granted, I'm not the biggest fan of the Victor Crowley design, however, that's a minor hang up. You consistently get staples of the genre to join you in your madness, as your 'Hatchet Army' wallows in the fruits of your labor. In this 4th installment in the series and a re-branding of the franchise, Adam continues to do things his own way. This time, there seems to be a much lower budget, but he makes use of every dollar to make an incredibly fun film that features some of the mainstays and plenty of new faces to get ripped off. I think the best way to describe Adam's body of work is, “Metal”. There's a certain air to his projects that just feels like a heavy metal concert. Not just his use of metal icons, (I'm looking at you, Dee Snider in 'Holliston') but the way he presents his films. He also loves to blend a healthy dose of comedy among all the blood, guts, gore and icky stuff. It gives the audience a chance to breath and to laugh a little at the pure craziness that's unfolding before them. In 'Victor Crowley', he has some genuinely laugh out loud moments that are undeniable. By now you can probably tell that enjoyed this film. It's no secret that I'm a fan.

This time around, it's been 10 years since Victor Crowley's last rampage. No one has seen or heard from him and it seems like maybe he's gone forever. In the time that's passed, the Honey Island swamp has become a tourist attraction. People flock from miles around to visit his old stomping grounds. There are even toys in his likeness. The only survivor, that's telling the tale, is Andrew (played by Parry Shen). He's written a, somewhat factual, book on the events that nearly took his life. While on a promotional book tour, he's offered the opportunity to go back to the swamp and do an interview. Hesitant at first, he eventually gives in, when the money is too good to pass up. Meanwhile, a trio of indie horror film makers are trying to get their film adaptation of the massacre off the ground. They try and enlist Andrew to be a part of it, but he's already on his way out the door to the swamp. They head to the same destination to make a mock trailer of the film to get funding. While they're there, they begin playing the chant on YouTube that was used to bring him back from the dead. Not realizing that by doing this, they're starting the whole cycle over again. As Andres is on his way there, his plane crashes in the swamp. The trio goes to help and thus the rebirth of Victor Crowley begins.

While this film truly feels like it's on a budget, that doesn't make it any less enjoyable or entertaining. Adam utilizes minimal sets and actors, to increase the amount of blood shed and money shots. There are a few missteps in terms of special effects, but overall it's above par. This is one of the biggest draws of these films though. The over the top gore. With the 'Hatchet' films, there is zero subtlely when it comes to the violence. It's almost to the level of a Road Runner cartoon, but with entrails and eyeball gouging. It legitamtely feels like an 80's slasher film ala Tom Savini in his prime. While that may light a lot of us onlookers fire, there are some other horrific moments that don't require a blood pack or innards. Case in point, a drowning. Adam does his best to drive the point home so that when the death finally happens, it has meaning. It doesn't quite get to that level, but kudos to him for trying. He also pulls out all the stops with some fun casting choices, Kane Hodder ('Friday the 13th'), Laura Ortiz ('Holliston'), Brian Quinn ('Impractical Jokers'), Felissa Rose ('Sleepaway Camp'), Tiffany Shepis (anything low budget horror, probably has Tiffany in it), Jonah Ray ('Mystery Science Theater 3000' from 2017), Tyler Mane ('Halloween' 2007 and 2009), Adam Green (makes a cameo), Joe Lynch ('Holliston') and even Tony Todd ('Candyman') makes a comeback of sorts. Also, if you stick around through the credits, you might find another surprise. If that's not enough to get you interested, then you're reading the wrong blog.

At the end of the day, this is another decent entry in his incredibly fun franchise. If you don't mind spending almost the entire movie in or around a crashed, tiny airplane. If you like your horror on a budget. If you enjoy a solid laugh, while peeing yourself a little at the horror. If any of those things seem like something you'd dig, then this is a movie for you. It's a prime example of a film where you kind of shut your brain off at the door and just enjoy the hour and a half with old friends. It's a film that you can watch with your other Creepercast friends and share in the glow of a genre fanatics love letter to his fans. This film felt like Adam was paying tribute to his followers and thanking them for sticking by him for all these years. He didn't have to go back to the well, but I think we're all a little better for it. We don't have enough film makers in horror that just kind of do something for the sake of doing it. You can't have prime rib every night of the week forever. Sometimes you need some cotton candy. Something light and sugary to cleanse your palette. A treat that makes you feel like a kid again. That's what 'Victor Crowley' is. As long as you go into it with that mentality, then you won't walk out disappointed. I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars, for being the perfect piece of bloody candy. If you're a fan of the first three films, this may feel a bit unfinished, but I have a feeling that we're going to get another sequel at some point. If Jason Voorhees taught me anything, it's that you can't keep a good villain down.



If you like this, check out: 'Hatchet', 'Hatchet II' and 'Hatchet III'

my thoughts on.... 'Zibahkhana' aka 'Hell's Ground'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

I can legitimately say that I've never seen a Pakistani horror film. Ever. Not for any other reason, except that I've never come across one before. That all changed last night, thanks to a tip from my other favorite horror Facebook page: 'The Video Bunker'. I had no idea what I was getting into, outside of a few vague reviews that I read and some back and forth on the Facebook post. What I got from that little bit of information, made me curious enough to immediately seek this one out. Let me say, I was NOT disappointed! If you are familiar with foreign cinema at all, then your expectations may be a little skewed. I know that I kept expecting a Bollywood style send up of the horror genre that I love. Compete with dance numbers and singing. I'm happy to announce, that none of that occurred during this film, but there were still elements of that, bubbling under the surface the entire time. The primary reason this film caught my attention, aside from the Pakistani angle, was that it was labeled as their first “splatter” film. Let's stop and think about this for a moment. This film was released in 2007. Herschell Gordon Lewis first brought gore on the scene in 1963.There's a 44 year gap between America's first exposure to the stomach churning aspects of horror and when Pakistan got their first taste. That's longer than I've been alive. That alone, should be more than enough to wet your appetite to see this film. What's fascinating about this is that despite that huge span of time, they've seen enough American horror films to know what blood, guts and gore should look like. Granted, some of the special effects were lacking, in the make up department, but the rest were spot on with anything you would have seen at the same time here in the states. That's saying something. Before we get to much further into this, let's breakdown the plot for a moment.

'Zibahkhana' aka 'Hell's Ground' tells the story of 5 young people that are setting out on an overnight trip to see a rock show. (Sound familiar?) Before they're setting out for their trip, we get some various news footage and reports that some other things are happening that are causing something similar to a zombie outbreak. Although that's never really mentioned, you get that impression from the information provided. Along their way to the show, they stop to get some food from a vendor that's famous for their tea and food. After only a short while, the only person who's eaten it, begins to feel ill. They pull over and he gets out, because he's going to be sick. He's then attacked by one of these zombie like people. After being surrounded by more of these creatures, they get out of the area as quickly as possible. All of them then decide they need to find somewhere to get help, when they come across a little shack and the man inside tells them he can get them where they need to go. As it turns out, he's a little bit crazy and has a severed head in his bag. They kick him out and end up running him over. From there, things go from bad to worse and I don't want to spoil anymore than I already have.

This film borrows heavily from so many American horror counterparts, that you can pick them out as they happen. Especially the man in the shack. He is the Pakistani analog for the hitchhiker in the original 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'. I'd love to go more into detail, but part of the overall fun of this film, is seeing all of it's roots showing throughout its run time. Another little fun nod to the genre, is the vendor at the tea shop. In an earlier scene, we see that one of the main characters is a horror fan and he stops for a moment to watch a snippet from another Pakistani horror called 'Zinda Laash' aka 'Dracula in Pakistan'. The man who plays Dracula, his name is Rehan, also plays the tea vendor. The main character even calls him out, in a very blatant nod to the other film. It's wonderful. What's also fascinating about this film, is the way that the story and violence are handled. It's clear the cultural differences are driving the way things play out. The script, the characterizations, everything about this is Americanized, but clearly staying within the Pakistani culture. Even the background music is straight out of a 1960's Pakistani film and feels very out of place to those of us raised on films here in the states. Including zombies, feasting on skin, guts and gore.... but never actually putting any of it in their mouths. The movie itself is incredibly entertaining. There's nothing really bad that I can say about it. I couldn't take my eyes off of the screen the whole time. Partially, because it was all so unfamiliar that it set me on edge and partially because I had absolutely no clue what they were going to throw at me next. I mean, there are zombies, but the actual main villains are a trio of cannibalistic family members. They've even got their own version of Leatherface, called 'Baby'. A man in a burqa, who's been raised as a woman. It's crazy.

All in all, there are so many things going on in this film, that I would be remiss in telling them to you in complete detail. The pure joy of this film is experiencing it for yourself. Seriously, for any hardcore horror film nerd, you need to this this one. If for no other reason, than to see what we've been seeing our whole lives, through a different lens. The script is simple, the characters are boilerplate and the movie is kind of silly, but all of it in the most lovingly fantastic way. At some point, I'll need to add this one to my library. It needs a bigger audience and deserves one. My only hope is that they continue to make their way down this bloody path. This film is a great start and feels like 'The Evil Dead' had a baby with the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2003) and those are only two of the many influences felt during this film. I can honestly say that I've never seen anything quite like this before and may never see anything quite like it again. In America, this would have been someone's confused student film that lays the groundwork for amazing things later. Here, it's an attempt to bridge the gap with their American counterparts and create something truly horrifying. I have nothing but love to give. If you have the chance and can track it down, this is a 4 out of 5 star horror film that is as good or better than a lot of what I've seen recently. Maybe I'm looking at it through rose colored glasses, but as a jaded horror film fan, it's a breath of fresh air and a much needed one at that.



If you like this film, check out: 'The Evil Dead' (1980), 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2003) and 'High Tension' aka 'Haute Tension' (2003)

my thoughts on.... 'Frankenhooker'

As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....

It was 1990 and the insanity of the 80's was barely behind us. Frank Henenlotter was in the midst of making his follow up to the bizarre 'Basket Case', while also taking on another twisted tale: 'Frankenhooker'. A modern take on the classic tale of the creature that never wanted to be born. Only for this version, she was made of the spare parts from some of New York's finest ladies of the night. The end result was less of a tragic monster, but of a monster with multiple identities and a desire to 'date'. Now, Frank is no stranger to the weird. He loves to push the boundaries of bad taste, not unlike his peers of the time and this film was no different. It featured creatures that seemed to have leaped from the fever dreams of horny 13 year old boys. Somewhere within all of the grime and gristle of it all, was a love story. One that drove an amateur scientist to do the unthinkable, after being overwhelmed by the grief he felt from losing his fiance. The problem was, that he was just as unhinged as the characters that inhabited this version of New York. The end result was not the dream that he had hoped for, but a nightmare of comedic proportions. Does this sound like something that might intrigue you? If so, then read on!

The story begins with Jeffrey and Elizabeth, about to celebrate her father's birthday. Jeffrey, being the soon to be mad scientist that he was, had created a remote controlled lawn mower. When it goes haywire, Elizabeth is shredded into multiple parts and instantly killed. Fast forward a short while and we come to find that he's kept the head and a few other spare parts, with the desire to put her back together so that they could live happily ever after. In order to accomplish this, he would need to obtain the missing parts from other sources. Using a power drill and his rudimentary knowledge of the human brain, he comes up with a plan. He's going to find the perfect analog for Elizabeth, using a hooker. After getting a bevy of beauties together, he has a change of heart and can't go through with it. The problem is, that the wheels are already in motion, as they've found his weapon of choice and are all killed. Seeing an opportunity, he takes all the parts and promises to put them back together once he's completed his bride to be. What he creates instead, is a monster. A street walking bundle of confusion that kills without knowing it. He sets out to try and make it right, but what happens next is something that you just have to see for yourself.

With a name like 'Frankenhooker', you kind of already get the idea of what kind of film you're in for. While it's not pornographic or even that overtly sexual, there are still several scenes containing nudity and sexual situations. It's not your mother's 'Frankenstein', let's put it that way. What Frank has created is a black comedy, that relies heavily on body horror and gruesome slapstick. The acting is not that great and the characters are fairly simple. What this movie ultimately has going for it, more than anything, is its star Patty Mullen. A former Penthouse Pet and a young starlet with only one other credit to her name, 'Doom Asylum'. This was, sadly, her final film, as she never worked again and went on to live a normal life. Patty is the lynch pin that holds this all together. She's bright, funny and just oozes charisma. Maybe she isn't the best actress, but the second act, where she first becomes 'Frankenhooker' is worth the price of admission. It's this part of the film that has earned it the cult status that it retains to this day. If the entire movie would have been her playing the role and the third act would have ended differently, then the whole movie would have been much stronger. Sadly, it felt like the ending was a bit rushed and created for shock value. Granted, it makes sense in the story line and was a bit of a morality tale, but you could have accomplished the same thing with other methods.

With all of that being said, don't take this to mean that I didn't enjoy this film. I had a lot of fun with it and it reminded me of the days in high school, where we'd order a couple of pizzas and watch something silly on a Friday night. It's the true definition of a guilty pleasure. For that and for the wonderful performance of Patty Mullen, I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars. James Lorinz, who played Jeffery, should have been played by someone else and some restraint would have been nice, in terms of the ending. If you can look beyond all of that, like I did, and if you enjoy your horror on the weird side.... then this might be something for you. Synapse Films did a fantastic job on the transfer to Blu-ray and the supplemental materials are enjoyable. I can see why this one holds a sweet spot in a lot of peoples hearts. Patty has gone on record saying that she'd love to play 'Frankenhooker' again, in another film. We can only hope that someday, maybe that will happen. Until then, if you own this film, expect strange looks from people who see it on your shelves, but that's the price you pay for being a lover of the bizarre.



If you like this film, check out some of Frank's other works: the 'Basket Case' trilogy, 'Brain Damage' and 'Bad Biology'