"Writer and director Billy Ponn is one sick MF! Not only did he manage to take the irrational fear of clowns and legitimize it, but I'm certain he held a gun to the head of the entire crew to make this film. Circus of the Dead is torturous, raunchy, bloody good fun with grease paint, guns, and sharp objects." - Jeff of the Creepercast
The above statements are true, unless of course they are false. In which case they are definitely true. I also mean it in the most endearing, sick MF loving kind of way. Kinda like how Pappa Corn gives "it" what "it" wants, with a little less screaming, screaming is annoying, but keeps "it" happy. Circus of the Dead is an evil clown lovers dream, and the perfect nightmare for our clown fearing friends (right Jason?). It's also easy to believe that in the state that brought us Leatherface, Pappa and crew may exist. Not a comforting thought now that I think of it. And we're neighbors, will the clowns be coming here next?
Our murdering cast of clowns is not without a purpose. Their enigmatic leader Bill Oberst Jr (Pappa Corn) is actually playing a game of Lotería in which he matches the characters on the cards to their future victims. This is what draws his and his crües attention to doting family man Donald (Parrish Randall – The Quick and the Undead), his faithless wife Tiffany (Chanel Ryan – Bad Kids Go to Hell), and their daughter Rose. As if we haven't done enough Creepercast family name dropping Brad Potts (Zombies vs Strippers) also graces the screen with his “tough as nails” Trooper Weaver. These are only the big names in Circus of the Dead, the soon to be big names are the clowns themselves who have already made their screen debut in Doll Boy. I am, of course, referring to my favorite Noodledome (Ryan Clapp). There's also Mister Blister (Rusty Edwards), Jumbo (Mike Williams), after all, you can't have a true circus clown act without a little person or Pepe the Mime (Kyle Mueller). All of these killer clowns have something strangely endearing about them, and all are deadly little bastards that reminded me fondly of Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Oh yeah, our beloved Doll Boy (Sergio Gracida) pops in to bring the hammer down as well.
Circus of the Dead has been the most anticipated film of 2014. You've heard us talk to director Billy Ponn on the podcast and several news related articles have invaded the web with the warning that “The circus is coming, hide!” All with good reason, Circus of the Dead is an unrelenting slaughter fest. Pappa Corn is the ultimate evil that only wants to match his cards even it means taking you under his wing long enough to warp your logical brain into sillypuddy. His sidekicks all have personalities of their own even though they are obviously just in it for the kill of it (rumor has it Mr Fister will get his own feature!) The entire film is a roller coaster ride to death and mayhem. Ponn is also a genius at marketing, when you finally get a chance to check out this film notice the Perro Azul cigs and all the beer labels are of his own creation. On top of that Ponn uses every media available to push the circus on the masses with trading cards, specially designed posters, etc. I'm expecting action figures in the next months and hope I'm put on the list for Pappa Corn. I mean, who wouldn't want a Bill Oberst Jr. action figure that yells “It gets what it wants!” at everyone that walks by.
Circus of the Dead is not for everyone, but if you dig yourself some killer clown violence and mayhem its a do not miss...
