Welcome to Hayes Hudson's House of Horror (4H)

Your online source for Horror news, info, and reviews. I cover new and classic Horror, as well as Exploitation and Cult films. I also discuss books, comics, games, toys, clothing, etc, as long as it pertains to the Horror genre. My movie reviews are short and to the point, as I know when I come across a long review, I tend to skip that one. I hope you enjoy your time at my House of Horror! Come on in!

Monday, January 31, 2011

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Here are this week's Horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 2/1/11:
(click on the title to see a trailer for that film)

* BAD BIOLOGY [DVD & Blu-ray combo pack]
* CHAIN LETTER [DVD & Blu-ray]
* HATCHET II [DVD & Blu-ray]
* LET ME IN [DVD & Blu-ray]
* MONSTERS [DVD & Blu-ray]
* PLEASURES OF THE DAMNED: THE EUROPEAN CUT
* RED RIVER
* VIRUS X

Some good DVD's this week! I recommend....no, I demand you go get LET ME IN. It was one of, if not THE best Horror film of 2010 and is on my top 20 list of all time. A great vampire flick that all fans of Horror should check out.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

DVD Review: FINAL REMAINS (2005)

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---------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker---------

FINAL REMAINS (aka. MORTUARY)
Directed by Shawn Hazelaar
Distributed by Vanguard Cinema
2005

FINAL REMAINS (also known as Mortuary) is an interesting example of how not to make a movie. Oh sure, the basic elements are all there -- the DVD cover looks good (although a bit familiar), the plot sounds interesting, and even the movie itself looks good overall…but none of that matters if the execution of the plot is lacking.

The plot for FINAL REMAINS is this, courtesy of writer/director Shawn Hazelaar:

Deerhaven has been burdened by disappearances for more than two decades and local officials have come up empty as no trace of the missing have ever been found. An eccentric psychiatrist with questionable credentials comes to town implicating the local mortician, Henry Parks. Claiming to be Henry's former doctor from a facility where Henry had been institutionalized, Dr. Gronig suggests that the mortician may not have been suitable for release and may be using his father's parlor as a cover for deeper, darker things. During the same week four young college students plan for the local Friday night bash, but Monte has bigger plans for them. He wants to do something different and takes them from party to the local mortuary for a kinky midnight treat. The problem is that some of the doctor's implications may have been true and for Monte, Sky, Tina and Tony, this will be a night they will never forget. That is if they survive.

First, the good stuff.

The movie looks great for being a low-budget production. The sets are well done and the cinematography is excellent. Heck, even the acting is tight; there are a few members of the cast, including Leon Acord and Heather Hartmann , that I’d like to see in future productions.

But here’s the bad.

The underlying problem with this film is that it is, for lack of a better term, lifeless. Yes, it does stick (basically) to the plot as listed above. But there’s so much non-action and non-drama crammed into the film that it gets boring really fast. Not to mention the fact that many of the later scenes involve the four students simply sitting around in the mortuary, drinking and getting high. If I want to see a slacker-dope-film, I’ll go watch Half-Baked and at least laugh a little bit.

Even putting that aside, the action finally does kick up and the killer does start chasing them. But just when we’re on the verge of finding out whom he/she is, the most bizarre thing happens: the killer crawls into a furnace and burns himself alive.

WTF?

And after THAT, we force-fed a trippy, this-is-supposed-to-be-a-Twiligh-Zone-moment-but-it-makes-no-sense scene involving a secret room in the mortuary. At this point, my head started hurting. I’m not sure if it was because I was still trying to process what happened, or if I was about to have a rage-blackout.

As the credits rolled, I sat there wondering what had just happened. Did I really just see that? Did the movie really just end that way? What was the point? At that moment, ‘lifeless’ changed into ‘annoying’. Any semblance of pleasure that I might have derived from Final Remains left at that point. A possible decent movie was ruined because of a lack of resolution (or sense).

Although it is well made, FINAL REMAINS should remain in the DVD mortuary because it is just about as dead and lifeless as the average corpse. I would like to give writer/director Shawn Hazelaar a nod for trying, but I’m still too angry with the movie at this point to do so. For now, avoid this one unless you're just wanting to piss yourself off.

-SB


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD




CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Vanguard Cinema








Saturday, January 29, 2011

DVD Review: KILLJOY 3 (2010)

KILLJOY 3
Directed by John Lechago
Produced and Distributed by Full Moon Entertainment

I have to make a confession here. I had never heard of the KILLJOY movies until KILLJOY 3 came along. I assume there is a KILLJOY and KILLJOY 2, but I have never seen 'em. Heck, I didn't even know Full Moon Entertainment even made such a series, and I am a huge fan of Full Moon and their films. Somehow, I just missed this series of films. Before I go any further, here is the basic plot from the imdb website:

The demon clown Killjoy is resurrected once again, but this time he is not given the name of his victim and is trapped in his realm. Using a magic mirror he lures four unsuspecting college students into his realm where he can have his macabre fun! A mysterious man returns and we finally discover who Killjoy's true target is!

As sated before, I haven't seen the first two films, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this film by any means. Maybe some things would have made a little more sense, like some background info on Killjoy the Clown, which I assume was covered in the first film. But that being said, this is still a crazy, fun film that you can enjoy without seeing the other 2 films. Killjoy the Clown is a fun character which reminds me of a perfect hybrid of Pennywise the clown from Stephen King's film, IT, and Jim Carrey's MASK character. He is goofy buy deadly at the same time.

Along with Killjoy, we also get to see three of his demonic clown friends, including Punchy the Clown, Freakshow, and Batty Boop. Batty Boop is a seductive evil clown, with a very interesting costume, or lack thereof, actually. Her "costume" is nothing but body paint which is very interesting to say the least. My favorite clown friend of Killjoy's is the one they call Freakshow. He is very creepy upon first glance, but then becomes even more so when you realize he has a small, underdeveloped conjoined twin attached to his abdomen. Although somehow he is able to launch this little imp at people to attack them, still joined by what looks to be an umbilical cord type thing. Very strange indeed, but a lot of fun to watch for sure!

While the film does get confusing at times, with people going back and forth between the realms by means of the special mirror, this film is still a lot of fun overall. If you are a fan of the other Full Moon films, then you should like this one as well. It has all the signature things that makes the Full Moon films so much fun. Check this one out if you have the chance!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD



CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Full Moon Features

Friday, January 28, 2011

Check out IDW's new Midnite Movie Comics -- MOTEL HELL

I recently discovered that IDW Publishing has recently put out a line of "Midnite Movies" comic books. These are series of comics based on cult horror movie favorites. The first up is MOTEL HELL, based on the 1980 film of the same name. For anyone who has not seen MOTEL HELL, do yourself a favor and go watch it asap! It is about a man named Farmer Vincent who kidnaps travelers and plants them in his garden, with only their heads exposed. He then feeds them slop until they are plump and ripe for the picking and he then turns them into his "Farmer Vincent Fritters"! A very crazy concept and a crazy film for sure. The comic takes this basic plot premise and runs wild with it and is a great read. Check out this 3 issue series if you are a fan of Horror comics!
Check your local comic book store for these cool comics, or order them directly from IDW by clicking HERE.















Thursday, January 27, 2011

DVD Review: LET ME IN (2010)

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LET ME IN
Directed by Matt Reeves
Produced by Overture Films and Hammer Films
Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment
2010

Let me start by saying that LET ME IN is one of the best Horror films I have seen in a long time. I really didn't think I was going to enjoy it this much. For those of you that aren't aware, LET ME IN is the American remake of the Swedish film, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, which was based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Here is the basic plot from the Anchor Bay website:

In bleak New Mexico, a lonely, bullied boy, Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee of The Road), forms a unique bond with his mysterious new neighbor, Abby (Chloe Grace Moretz of Kick-Ass), who moves from town to town with the man who appears to be her father (Oscar® Nominee Richard Jenkins of The Visitor). Trapped in the mind and body of a child, however, Abby is forced to hide a horrific secret of bloodthirsty survival. But in a world of both tenderness and terror, how can you invite in the one friend who may unleash the ultimate nightmare?

I saw the original film, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, about 6 months ago and was blown away by it. I was wondering if the American remake would have as much effect on me since I had already seen the original. I thought I might just be watching the same thing over again, and for that reason, I was not overly excited about seeing this film. I couldn't have been more wrong. This film was amazing to watch and effected me just as much as the original film did, if not more so.

The movie seems to be set back in the 1980's, so it features some great pop songs from the 80's. These popular songs mixed with scenes using an original instrumental score is very effective in setting the proper moods. The film is shot beautifully with some great camera angles and high elevation shots. The cinematography is wonderful in this film, full of contrasting colors and moody shots.

The main characters in the film are Owen and Abby, played by child stars Kodi Smit-McPhee , and Chloe Moretz , respectfully. The actors that portrayed these roles could have made this film either very bad or very good, as the story is centered on them and they get the most camera time. Lucky for us, these fine young actors pull off one of, or actually two of, the greatest acting performances I have seen in many years. It is very seldom you see child actors with these kind of intense acting skills. The chemistry between these two on screen is amazing and they really make you feel for their characters and their individual and unique struggles. The kids from LET THE RIGHT ONE IN did a good job, but McPhee and Moretz trump these original performances in every aspect.

Along with the great acting are some of the greatest and craziest scenes you will ever witness in a film. One notable scene is that of a car wreck, where the entire shot of the wreck is done by a camera inside the car. This gives you a unique view of a wreck which is not normally seen. Another amazing scene was that at the pool when Owen is being bullied. Abby shows up and what follows is some crazy action and carnage. I don't want to say too much, as not to give anything away, but this is one scene that you will remember long after you watch it on screen.

If you are a fan of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, you will love this American version. If you have never seen LTROI, you might even love it more, as it will be very unique and original to you. Whether you like Vampire movies or not, you need to check this film out. I am not a big Vampire fan by any means (I am more of a Zombie guy, I guess!), but I LOVED this film and have placed it on my list of favorite Horror movies ever! Do yourself a favor and check this film out as soon as you can!

LET ME IN will be released on DVD and Blu-ray next week on February 1st. You can pre-order by clicking the links below.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray




Wednesday, January 26, 2011

DVD Review: BEST WORST MOVIE (2009)

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BEST WORSE MOVIE
Directed by: Michael Stephenson
Distributed by: NEWVIDEO

For those that don't know, BEST WORSE MOVIE is a documentary about what some consider to be the worst movie ever made, TROLL 2. If you have never seen TROLL 2, do yourself a favor and get a copy NOW. It is a horrible film, yet it is sooo much fun to watch, hence the title of this documentary, BEST WORSE MOVIE!! On a side note, TROLL 2 has absolutely nothing to do with the original TROLL film, but T2 director, Claudio Fragasso, just used the popularity of that film title to try to gain an instant audience for his TROLL 2.

I was going to review TROLL 2 a while back after watching it for the first time, but I just couldn't figure out how. I couldn't decide if I wanted to write a good review about a bad movie that was actually fun to watch, or write a bad review for it since it is such a bad movie, even though it is fun to watch. Needless to say, that review never got done. This review will be a no brainer, though. No matter what you think about TROLL 2, you will absolutely love BEST WORST MOVIE. This is quite possibly one of the greatest documentaries about a film I have ever seen. Here is a little about this film from the film's official website:

In 1989, a group of unknown Utah actors starred in what would be crowned the worst movie of all time: TROLL 2. After two decades of running from this cinematic disaster, the cast can no longer hide from the legion of followers that celebrate them for their ineptitude.

BEST WORST MOVIE, directed by TROLL 2’s once-disgraced child star, Michael Paul Stephenson, unravels the stories of these unforgettable real-life characters and the colorful army of devotees who continue to revel in the film’s perfectly flawed brilliance.

At the center of this celebrated documentary is the improbable story of a small-town Alabama dentist-turned-cult-movie-icon, and an Italian filmmaker who come to terms (or doesn’t) with his internationally revered cinematic failure.

BEST WORST MOVIE is an affectionate and intoxicatingly fun tribute to the single greatest bad movie ever made and the people responsible for unleashing it on the world. The result is a hilarious and tender offbeat journey that pays homage to lovers of bad movies and the people who make them, while investigating a deeper story about the strange nature of celebrity, the catharsis of redemption and the humanity that exists in making even the worst movie ever made.

As stated above, the person behind this brilliant film is none other than Michael Paul Stephenson, the child star from the film who played the son, Joshua, in TROLL 2. Stephenson did a remarkable job with this documentary, getting interviews with almost every single cast member from the film, including even some of the actors that played the trolls! He then rounds up everyone he can to have one big screening of the film with all cast/crew in attendance.

The film focuses mainly on actor George Hardy, who played the Dad in the film. He is a dentist in Alabama now and while he is far removed from the Hollywood acting scene, he still reminisces about his acting days. Mr. Hardy is a very outgoing, super friendly and funny guy, and really is the main factor in this film being so entertaining. George Hardy is very proud of his role in TROLL 2 and is able to embrace it and have fun with it now. Footage of him attending multiple TROLL 2 screenings and Horror conventions across the country is very entertaining.

Other memorable interviews include that of Don Packard, who played the creepy Drug Store owner in TROLL 2. Mr. Packard is a very interesting man and tells about how he was dealing with a bad mental illness at the time of the filming of TROLL 2. Also, the interview footage of director Claudio Fragasso is very interesting as well. Fragasso thinks a lot of his film and thinks the film itself is wonderful, but carried out poorly by the actors.

One of the the most interesting and moving interviews was that with actress Margo Prey, who played the Mom in the film. Mrs. Prey seems like a very troubled individual now with many issues at hand. She has distanced herself from the film and acting in general while she takes care of many of her issues, one of which is caring for her elderly mother who lives with her. Mrs. Prey is the only member of the main cast that director Stephenson can't convince to come to the screening, even after he and Hardy make a personal trip out to her house. This is a very interesting scene in the documentary, as while she distanced herself from the film, she is kind enough to invite Stephenson and Hardy in to reminisce a bit about the film and even re-enact the famous car scene right in her living room! This is amazing footage that Director Stephenson did a remarkable job on capturing.

The film ends with a "what they are doing now" segment over the end credits, showing you what all the main cast/crew are up to these days. This is a great film that my review can't do justice. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this film asap!

The DVD includes over an hour of exclusive bonus features, including:

* Deleted Scenes and Interviews
* Music Video
* Fan Contributions
* Filmmaker Q&A with Creative Screenwriting Magazine
* A Provocative Message from TROLL 2's Goblin Queen, Deborah Reed


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Check out the awesome trailer for the latest AfterDark film, HUSK!

I finally got around to watching the trailer for HUSK, the newest film from AfterDark Originals I have been hearing about, and I have to say that this movie looks great! I guess I wasn't too excited about this film after the awful 2002 film, SCARECROW left a bad taste in my mouth for scarecrow movies. Luckily, this film looks like it will erase any bad feelings for these types of films, as this trailer looks absolutely awesome!
Here is the plot of HUSK from the AfterDark website:

When a murder of crows smash into their car windshield, a group of young friends are forced to abandon the vehicle, leaving them stranded beside a desolate cornfield. Hidden deep within the cornfield they find a crumbling farmhouse – but they soon discover that instead of a sanctuary, the house is actually the center of a terrifying supernatural ritual that they are about to become a part of…



CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

Monday, January 24, 2011

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 1/25/11:
(click a title to see a trailer for that film)

* ALLIGATOR (1979)
* BREAD CRUMBS
* DEADSPACE: AFTERMATH [DVD & Blu-ray]
* DISTURBED
* FRIGHT FLICK
* HOUSE OF BONES
* INTERVIEW WITH A SERIAL KILLER
* KILLJOY 3
* PRIMAL
* SANTA SANGRE [DVD & Blu-ray]
* SAW: THE FINAL CHAPTER
* THE TRAVELER

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Check out the Bombshell Pinups 2011 Zombie Pinup Planner and read how you can WIN ONE FOR FREE!!!

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BombshellPinups.net has taken two things we all love, Pinup models and Zombies, and has created the awesome Bombshell Pinups 2011 Zombie Pinup Planner!!
This 12 month Calendar/Planner contains a different beautiful Zombie pinup girl for each month. Along with the normal calendar is a section for notes to help you stay organized and keep
up with whatever meetings/plans you have for that month.

Along with the normal Calendar stuff, each month also features a handy Zombie tip, helpful tips to help you survive a zombie outbreak. Also included each month is a recommendation of a Zombie themed book!
Stay organized, gain valuable information, and look at hot Zombie pinups all at the same time! This is one calendar you can't be without!!

Now for the real good part....I am not just going to tell you about this great Calendar/Planner....the fine folks over at BombshellPinups.net have given me one of these fine Planners to give away to one lucky reader of this website!! Now, you are going to have to work a little harder than usual for this one.....just leaving a comment like usual won't work this time. This time we are going to have a little fun and see how creative you all can get!! Also, this contest is only running for a week, so get your entries in asap!!
Here is how you can win the Bombshell Pinups 2011 Zombie Pinup Planner:


1. If you are not already, become a FOLLOWER of this blog! (Click the FOLLOW button under the "Followers" section of the blog on the right hand side).

2. Here is how to enter...Ladies, send an email to: hch91@hotmail.com with a picture(s) of you dressed as a zombie doing your best zombie pinup pose....it doesn't have to be anything too elaborate.....put some green/yellow makeup on your face, just something to looks somewhat zombie-ish! Or, you could even photo-shop a regular pic of yourself to make you look zombiefied.
Guys, you can enter too...just send a pic of of your favorite female zombie, whether it be a spouse dressed up like a zombie or photo-shopped to look like a zombie, or a pic of a hot female zombie from a comic book or movie (does one exist??) or even an original drawing/sketch. Just something that celebrates the joys of being a beautiful female Zombie!
The best picture in my opinion will be chosen as the winner. Original pics will get more notice than pics from a comic or film, just to let you know.

(Winner will be emailed and will then have one week to contact me with their shipping info. If prize is not claimed within one week, prize will be forfeited and contest will be re-opened to find a new winner).

3. Contest is scheduled to end on Monday, January 31st, 2011. Emails must be sent by 11:59pm Central time on 1/31/11 in order to count towards the contest.

4. Contest winner will be chosen by me and must agree to let me post their name (and pic, if appropriate) in a separate post stating who won the prize.

5. Due to shipping costs, contest is open to U.S. Residents only. Thank you for your understanding.

Leave a comment if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them!

GOOD LUCK!!


CLICK HERE to purchase a copy of the 2011 Zombie Pinup Planner

Saturday, January 22, 2011

DVD Review: ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! (2008)

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ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES!
Directed by: Jason Murphy
Production Co.: In The Dark Entertainment
Distributed by: Passion River Films

ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES!, also known as STRIPPERS VS. ZOMBIES, is a great, fun film that doesn't take itself serious (and how could it with a name like that). The film wasn't made to win any awards or great accolades, it was made to entertain you and give you a laugh, which it does both. Here is the basic plot from the imdb website:

A drug experiment gone wrong produces a league of blood-thirsty zombies. It is up to a small band of exotic dancers trapped in a gentleman's club to fight back. Together they must rely on their wits and skills to survive the night, and pray that they don't become victims of the flesh-eating zombies!

Ok, well I guess the plot listing is pretty pointless, as what else do you expect a movie subtitled STRIPPERS VS. ZOMBIES to be about? This movie combines two things most all guys like, Strippers and Zombies, so how could you NOT like a film about that? Well, remember the film ZOMBIE STRIPPERS? Somehow, that film managed to be horrible, even though it contained both Zombies and Strippers. Luckily, this film gets it right and is a much more enjoyable film than the aforementioned film.

While the plot is pretty basic, it still manages to introduce something to the Zombie genre that I hadn't seen before. That something is a Zombie "antidote", if you will, that gets accidentally injected in a regular person. Now, anytime a zombie bites that person, the zombie has a violent reaction and explodes! Good for mankind, but bad for the man that has to keep letting the Zombies bit him in order to kill them all!

The film is obviously low budget, but still manages to have some great Zombie effects, including a great weed eater to the face scene, a great chainsaw impalement scene and a spectacular shotgun head shot scene that I actually had to rewind to see how they did it. It was CGI, but it was done very smoothly were you couldn't see the transition. A great effect for sure. While a lot of the kill scenes are CGI, some were done with practical effects. Both looks pretty good, although the Zombie explosions at the end are totally CGI and are lacking in their believability. Other than that, this is a fun, entertaining film overall.

DVD Special features include:

* Blooper Reel
* Commentary from the Writer and Director
* Making of Featurette
* Extended 3D Opening Scene


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to buy the DVD
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website

Friday, January 21, 2011

DVD Review: MOTHER'S DAY MASSACRE (2007)

---------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker---------

MOTHER'S DAY MASSACRE
Directed by: Jeff Roenning
Distributed by: Midnight Releasing

I have to admit up front: this movie is A LOT of fun to watch. I really enjoyed it.

And it’s definitely not what I thought it was going to be, either. Based on the description, I was expecting a hum-drum trip down Familiar Lane. But instead, MOTHER'S DAY MASSACRE is one of those rare gems that entertained me on several different levels. It made me cringe during some scenes and it made me laugh during others.

If you’ve never heard of MOTHER'S DAY MASSACRE, here’s the synopsis, straight from the DVD cover:

Jim Cavanaugh is a shy, suburban New Jersey teenager. His mom left when he was a child and his father is a real jerk. The unrelenting psychotic domination of his redneck father forces Jim to search out his long lost mother. His quest takes him to the backwoods of Jersey, where he encounters semi-retarded hillbillies who have a taste for strangers and Peterbilt trucks. Nobody escapes the bloodletting in this heartwarming tale of a family reunited. Sure to be a holiday classic.

The synopsis alone is enough to draw me in. Any movie that describes a massive bloodletting as a ‘heartwarming tale of a family reunited’ instantly piques my curiosity. I mean, how can it not? And when the Special Features boast a ‘drunken commentary with the director and crew’…WOW…it’s like Christmas for me, all over again! (The surprise part, not the drunken part…just want to clarify that).

MOTHER'S DAY MASSACRE is definitely bizarre and some folks might not like it. It is very well done and appears to have a high production budget. The special effects are top notch, with lots of blood bursts and even a nice head-shot (impressively done with CG, by the way…check out the Head Surgery featurette in the Special Features). My sole complaint is that I wanted more. There are several instances were more carnage could have been thrown in, but I’m sure budget constraints were the reason they weren’t.

The acting is surprisingly great as well. I didn’t have high expectations about the acting to be honest but I’m happy to report I was way off base. The cast is superb, with Mel Gorham leading the way as the psychotic mother Dolores (yes, folks, Mel is a woman) and Greg Travis as the equally deranged father, Tex. I gotta tell you: I haven’t seen a more screwed up set of characters since THE DEVIL'S REJECTS. This family is beyond dysfunctional…they are just plain insane!

One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Dolores visits Tex to try and get compensation from her stolen pot crop. Tex’s son is the reason Dolores’ crop is seized by the police and she believes she is entitled to some money from Tex. Instead, Tex pops her in the mouth and tells her to get off of his porch. With blood running out of her mouth, Dolores points at him and screams (in Latin-drenched English) “I came here tonight to maybe f&*k you, but I now I’m gonna’ f&*k you up!”

While the ending is quite tragic and happy at the same time (I won’t give it away…you must see it to believe it), I love the way everything is wrapped up…er, sort of. Resolution is given for all of the plot points, even if it’s not the way you expect things to wind up. There certainly is a bloodbath at the end and, well…let’s just say not everyone has a happy ending. I won’t say anymore.

Do yourself a favor and snatch MOTHER'S DAY MASSACRE up immediately. I don’t think you’ll regret it. It is a comedic, horror-filled trip into the bizarre, and one that you will want to take again and again.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website




CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Midnight Releasing

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Congratulations to the CRUSTACEAN Contest Winner!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Debra Michael, winner of the latest Hayes Hudson's House of Horror giveaway!!! Debra will receive a DVD of the hilarious Horror/Comedy film, CRUSTACEAN as well as a CD Soundtrack to the film, featuring all the great music from the film!

Don't worry if you didn't win, you can get your very own copy of the film by clicking here!

Thanks to all that entered and keep an eye on this site for another exciting giveaway coming in the next few days!!!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Blu-Ray review: SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD (2009)

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SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD
Directed by: George A. Romero
Distributed by: Magnet Releasing/Magnolia Home Entertainment
Production Year: 2009

Every Horror fan should be very familiar with the name George Romero. Considered the Father of the modern Zombie film, he brought us such classic movies as NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, DAWN OF THE DEAD, and DAY OF THE DEAD. He then took a break from the Zombie films but 20 years later came back with 2005's LAND OF THE DEAD, then quickly followed that up with 2007's DIARY OF THE DEAD. 2 years later and we are given his latest entry into his 'DEAD' series, SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD. Here is the basic plot from the Magnet Releasing website:

The newest film from horror master George A. Romero (legendary creator of the Night of the Living Dead franchise) picks up where Diary of the Dead leaves off. On a small island off the coast of Delaware, live two families locked in a struggle for power and control over the fate of the undead. The O’Flynns approach the zombie plague with a shoot-to-kill attitude. The Muldoons feel that the zombies should be quarantined and kept “alive,” in hopes that a solution will be discovered. For both families, existence on Plum Island is a nightmarish world where humans are the minority and zombies rule.

As stated above, this film takes off right were DIARY OF THE DEAD leaves off, and even contains some of the same characters. For those that saw DIARY, then it is really neat how it is tied all together, but what is great is that it is done in a subtle way, so that it is not the least bit confusing to those who haven't seen DIARY. You don't have to have seen the past few 'DEAD' films to get this one, but if you have, then that is a bonus for you.

I love Romero's original DEAD trilogy (NIGHT, DAWN, DAY), and was super excited when LAND OF THE DEAD was released back in 2005. Unfortunately, I was, like many fans, greatly disappointed in that film. I enjoyed DIARY OF THE DEAD a little more, but was still not 100% satisfied. Well, 3rd time's a charm apparently, as this latest film in the 2nd trilogy, if you will, left me with a smile on my face and a feeling like I had when I watched the films in the original trilogy.

The film has some great Zombie effects, and some great attack scenes. My only complaint is that many of the Zombie kills were done with CG, instead of practical effects. I guess it had to be that way though, as CG provides the effect you need at a fraction of the cost. Some great Zombie kills includes a flare gun to a Zombie's chest....heating up his insides until the Zombie's head burst into flames, and a hilarious death by fire extinguisher! Another great thing about this film is the humor throughout it. The Zombie fishing scene is especially funny!

One really cool aspect of this film is that while the O’Flynns just kill any Zombie they come in contact with, the Muldoon family is really trying to co-exist with the Zombies. In fact, they are trying to find a way where they can make Zombies eat things other than humans, such as animals. This is a unique twist on the Zombie genre that I have not seen before.

This film goes much deeper than most Zombie films, as it really makes you think about the 2 sides to dealing with the Zombies. The Muldoon's keep their loved ones shackled and chained, so that they can't harm anyone, in hopes that someday a cure will be found. The other family, the O’Flynns, have the opposite approach and kill off anyone that has turned, and sometimes kill them before they have even had a chance to turn. While Romero's films usually hold a deeper meaning than just Zombies, I can't help but wonder if this film holds a deeper sub-plot of how people deal with those loved ones who have terminal diseases or those that are comatose with no signs of waking up. Do you "pull the plug" so to speak, like the O’Flynns, or do you act like the Muldoon's and keep them around in their current state in hopes that a cure will be found someday and bring your loved one back to how you remember them being. While I may be reading way more into this film that I should be, it definitely makes you think.

A great story, great acting, and great Zombie action is the perfect recipe for a fun and entertaining Zombie film! This is one you will want to check out for sure.



CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the standard DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the 2-disc Ultimate Undead Edition
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

DVD Review: AAAAAH!! INDIE HORROR HITS VOL. 2 (2010)

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---------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker--------
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AAAAAH!! INDIE HORROR HITS VOL. 2
Produced by: Crypt Club Productions Inc.
Released: 2010

Back in October, I had the distinct pleasure of reviewing the first volume in this horror-hits compilation. If you didn’t catch the review, click here. But if you did get a chance to read it, you might remember that I enjoyed Volume 1 immensely.

To be honest, though, I didn’t enjoy Volume II as much as the first, but it is still really good and definitely worth watching. My only reservation about Volume II is that it had a couple of films that did not really engage me. For example, Hell’s Habit is a short that is filmed in black and white with no sound and uses subtitles to convey the dialogue. I respect the vintage aspect of this one, but did not find it entertaining at all for some reason.

Another short titled Out of the Darkness makes no sense to me. It basically entails a man fighting with his pregnant wife and then storming off to drink and drive. After an insinuated wreck, he awakens in a strange woman’s home and then basically has an affair with her. We find out at the end that he actually died in the wreck. Although it is shot well, the confusing storyline threw me off.

BUT…with those negatives aside, there are three true gems in this compilation, three films that I absolutely LOVE. First is a short titled The Room. This one starts off as a woman imprisoned in a room for an unknown reason, but quickly escalates into much, much more. I love this one because it’s NOT what you expect it to be. And the chilling ending leaves you with a feeling of dread…for her AND the rest of the world.

Second is The Strain, a short that details a man’s trials as he succumbs to a strange virus that causes genetic mutations. The man’s wife is forced to watch as her husband slowly changes and eventually has to survive the end result. The suspense in this one really got me. I found myself wringing my hands at certain scenes, urging her verbally to ‘get a move on!’ My reaction is a true testament to how well The Strain is done.

And finally, my third favorite out of the whole bunch is Trick or Treat. This bizarre horror-dark-comedy is pretty short in length, but very impactful. It follows a young woman who opens her door to a trick-or-treater on the night after Halloween and the hellacious chaos that ensues afterward. The costumed kid in Trick or Treat is one of THE CREEPIEST characters I’ve seen in a long time. Part of the creepy factor is that you never see his face…but the ending and what he does will literally make you cringe!

I have to give the short film Gnaw an honorable mention too, because I sure do love a good zombie flick. Gnaw is intense and has a great ending. My only complaint is that we never get to see any of the living dead! I would attribute this to a low budget, and if that’s the case, the production team does a masterful job of building suspense without the visual elements.

The coolest thing about a collection of short films is that you never know what you’re going to get. Sure, the DVD cover will usually tell you the titles of each film and maybe a one sentence description. But that doesn’t describe much about what the films are going to show you.

All of the films I’ve watched in both volumes of the AAAAAH!! INDIE HORROR HITS series have been well done and worthy of praise on a production level. The acting is tight, the special effects are (for the most part) top notch, and the cinematography is some of the best around. I would dare say that many of these directors and DPs could compete with some of Hollywood’s biggest names at this very moment.

The folks at Crypt Club have a great resource in bringing on these unique talents and I tip my hat to them for doing so. There are not many avenues for indie filmmakers to try and make a name for themselves outside of the festival circuit, so this format is a great way for them to show what they can do. And it’s also enjoyable for us as the audience as well!

Definitely give the AAAAAH!! INDIE HORROR HITS series a look!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD






Sunday, January 16, 2011

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Here are this weeks Horror related DVD's coming out Tuesday, 1/18/2011:
(Click on a title so see a trailer for that film)

* ROGER CORMAN'S CULT CLASSICS Double Feature: UP FROM THE DEPTHS / DEMON OF PARADISE

Looks like a pretty lame week for Horror DVD's...oh well, save your money for some good weeks coming up soon!!
Also, dont forget...tonight and tomorrow night are the last chances you have to enter my latest DVD prizepack giveaway!! CLICK HERE to go to the post and enter!!

Comic book spotlight: BLOKES TOMB OF HORROR #5

Yesterday I reviewed BLOKES TOMB OF HORROR #4, and today I will let you know about the latest issue, which is issue #5. Issue 5 is the "Italian invasion Issue 2", which features the wild tales of the DJUSTINE character seen in previous issues. These are all new stories so you don't need to have read the previous issues to enjoy this newest issue (although as good as this comic series is, there is no reason not to go back and read all the back issues!). I can honestly say this series is in my top 5 favorite Horror comics of all time! That is saying a lot, but I just love these comics and I know you other horror fans will too.


BLOKES TOMB OF HORROR #5


Issue #5 gives us Horror fans a whopping 12 stories to dig into. Each story is written by DJUSTINE creator Enrico Teodorani with artwork by a different artist, so each story you can a unique visual take on the story and the character of DJUSTINE. Stories in this issue include the following:


DEATH WALKS WITH DJUSTINE - The first tale of DJUSTINE shows here in an epic showdown between her and Diabla, the Devil's own daughter!
BEWARE DJUSTINE IS COMING - a small western town beckons DJUSTINE to help them rid their problem of the dead rising from the graves....but after DJUSTINE takes care of their problem, her problems are just beginning!
DJUSTINE IN THE CHURCH OF EVIL - DJUSTINE interrupts a groups attempt to offer up a girl to Satan, but is she too late??
DJUSTINE AND THE DEAD - A short, simple story told with no dialog, which shows us what DJUSTINE does best....killing the living dead!! (on a personal note, the artwork by Enrique Badia Romero is one of my favorite envisionings of the DJUSTINE character)
DJUSTINE CONTRA EL HOMBRE LOBO - A one page depiction of DJUSTINE battleing werewolves!!
5 GRAVES FOR DJUSTINE - DJUSTINE is has been invited to a graveyard duel by infamous gunslinger Ringo Hauff, but when she arrives, she finds her old nemesis, Diabla, who has received the same invatation. But this is no time to fight amongst themselves, as they have to team up to fight Ringo Hauff and his undead gang of friends!
DJUSTINE VS ZOMBI GUNSLINGER - DJUSTINE has to use something a little stronger than bullets when she is facing an undead enemy!
DJUSTINE BY THE CEMETERY - DJUSTINE has battled the undead and werewolves, so it was just a matter of time before she had to battle a vampire!
THE WITCH IS BACK - DJUSTINE take revenge on the townfolk that accused her friend of being a witch and burning her alive.
MADAM FRANKENTEINS CASTLE OF FREAKS - Madam Frankenstein has control over a group of freaks that do her every bidding...but when DJUSTINE takes that control away, Madam Frankenstein's freaks extract their revenge on their former master!
THAT CURSED DAY OF WINTER - While DJUSTINE had every intent of taking in this criminal alive, the wanted poster did say DEAD or alive....
HOUSE OF NIGHTMARES - while taking refuge in an old home, DJUSTINE is captured and treated in all sorts of inhumane ways, but lucky for her, she wakes up to discover it was just a dream....or was it? (This is my other personal favorite art style of the DJUSTINE character drawn by Nik Guerra)

This is another great issue to add to your collection. Be warned that is one is not for the kiddo's for sure (not that any of the other issues are!), but this issue packs even more brutal violence and busty babes than most issues! Click the link below to purchase issue #5 today!





CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Virus Comix

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Comic book spotlight: BLOKE'S TOMB OF HORROR #4

You might remember from a while back when I did a post about the awesome comic book company, Virus Comix. Well I have just read the latest 2 issues of their awesome title, BLOKES TOMB OF HORROR, and I have to say that these just keep getting better as they go. I'm not sure how that is possible considering how good those first few issues were, but they do seem to keep getting better! Each issue of BTOH contains multiple short stories written by different writers and different artists on almost every story. Each artist brings their own style of art and what you end up with is a very cool collection of stories and art styles, all together in one volume. This is a very cool comic and I highly recommend it for all you fans of Horror comics! The latest issues are #4 and #5. Reviewed here first is issue #4. Check back tomorrow for my review of issue #5!

BLOKES TOMB OF HORROR #4

Blokes Tomb of Horror #4 states on it's cover that is "52 pages of Blood Dripping Madness!" and it doesn't lie. BTOH #4 gives you 7 tales of non-stop horror! Stories include:

DARK WULF CHAPETER 2 -(continued from issue #2) continues the story of a great warrier who battles the n the evil and undead, in order to seek revenge on those that killed his wife and child.
PARIS 1830 - tells the story of a killer on the loose in France, but this is no ordinary killer!
TOMB OF BLOKE VS CALEVERA - a tale of a razor clawed woman battling the undead who falls victim to one of the undead enemies she battled..but is this the last we have seen of Calevera??
FRANKENSTEIN VS THE LIVING DEAD - see what happens when an army of the undead invade a castle, but not just any castle....Frankenstein's castle!!
CALAVERA: BLOODBOUND - a darkly funny story where Calavera saves the life of a girl about to be killed by a winged vampire demon...or does she?
CALAVERA IN STRANGER AEONS - a short story, told with no dialog, but explained in a quote from H.P. Lovecraft --"and in stranger aeons, even death may die"
THE DEVIL AND THE GIRL- a tale of love between two lovers gone horribly wrong with beautiful artwork by Stefano Alghisi.

As I stated above, each issue of BTOH just keeps getting better. Issue #4 is another great issue that kept me entertained the entire length of the comic. With some anthologies like this, you might get one or two great stories, a couple good ones, and then some that you just skip over because they don't keep your attention. That is not the case here with BTOH #4. Each tale is entertaining and a fun read. Each story is fairly short, so they jump right into the action and don't let up. Virus Comix has hit another home run with Blokes Tomb of Horror #4!!


Buy Blokes Tomb of Horror #4


CLICK HERE to visit the Virus Comix website and purchase back issues and other titles

Friday, January 14, 2011

DVD Review: COLONY (1995)

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---------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker---------

COLONY
Directed by: Tom Berna
Distributed by: Apprehensive Films
Production Year: 1995

The DVD case for COLONY boasts “The original super-8mm cult classic”. I’m not sure in what context this movie is considered a classic, but it sure can’t be the GOOD MOVIE category, unfortunately. While the premise sounds interesting, the execution for this movie is lacking.

If you’ve never heard of COLONY , here is the premise courtesy of imdb.com:

Jim Matthews, a PR exec for a genetic design firm, is sleeping with Jenny Dole, a secretary. When Meredith Weaver (Jim's wife and a genetic designer with the firm) finds out about the affair, she doses him with an experimental serum, causing his limbs to separate from his body and take on lives of their own.

I don’t enjoy ripping a film to shreds, but there’s honestly nothing positive I can say about this one. The acting is bad, the script is poor, and the cinematography is horrible. Even the DVD transfer is bad; I thought there was something wrong with the disk when I first started playing it. The DVD picture quality looks as if they put a camcorder in front of a TV and then recorded the VHS copy as it played. It is so bad that during certain parts of the movie, the screen blanks out but the movie somehow keeps going!

Aside from that, the movie itself is a disaster. Supposedly, the film was shot in the mid-90s, but the clothes and hairstyles appear to be from the mid-80s. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily, but it really turned me off from a visual point-of-view. The cast is annoying, barely putting any effort into their acting as they vomit out their lines in a zombie like manner. The story is slow-paced and we are forced to endure in agony as the main character amazingly lures women into dark corners to eat them. And the special effects…WOW…they are beyond terrible.

There’s not even any decent gore to speak of. We see a few streams of blood here and there, but I really wanted to see someone getting eaten! Instead, the camera conveniently moves to the side as the action starts happening and we only hear wet, grotesque sounds. To me, this is a cop-out. I’d much rather the camera just cut away to a different scene or something and let us imagine how horrible the situation was.

Overall, I have to grade Colony as an epic fail. It’s not even one of those movies that are so bad they’re good. It's just plain bad. In short, don’t waste your time with this one.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Thursday, January 13, 2011

DVD Review: RESONNANCES (2006)

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Directed by: Philippe Robert
Distributed by: CAV Distributing
Year: 2006

I recently sat down to watch the French Horror film, RESONNANCES. I had never heard of this movie before watching it, so to be honest, I wasn't really too excited about seeing it. I figured if it was any good I would have heard about it, right? Wrong! This was a very entertaining and well made film. I am very surprised I hadn't heard about it before now.
Before I go any further, here is the basic plot from the Synapse Films website:

A perfect getaway for a group of friends turns into a nightmare in this amazing French micro-budget horror/sci-fi film! Thomas, Yann, Vincent and three female friends hop into their cars and travel to the French mountains for a relaxing weekend trip. On their way, a dangerous psychopath escapes from prison and there’s even talk of a ghostly female apparition haunting the area. After picking up a suspicious hitchhiker, a thick fog envelops their cars and sends them all over a steep cliff! Barely surviving the fall, they soon discover something even more horrifying. An ancient creature lives under the ground… listening and waiting. It’s ready to devour anyone and anything in its path and this group of friends is very much on tonight’s menu!

While this is obviously a low budget film, the filmmakers do a really good job of making seem like a bigger movie than it in in terms of production costs. The creature effects in this film are really well done, although we really don't see too much of the creature. We mainly see the hump of earth moving as the creature plows through the ground toward his next victim. This is a very well done effect, though, prompting me at many times to ponder how this effect was done so well on such a small budget. The film compares itself to the film TREMORS on the back of the DVD case, and I would have to say that is a pretty good comparison, except this film has far less comedy in it than TREMORS did. Now there are a few humorous parts, but overall this film is meant to be more serious than TREMORS was. The creature in this film is attracted to sound, just like in TREMORS, so that comparison is very valid.

While a lot of the effects in this film are CGI, there are some practical effects as well. It is a pretty good mixture and I applaud the filmmakers for keeping some effects practical, without relying solely on CGI like some films do. The acting in this film is really good for the most part and the film does a great job of keeping the suspense and never letting the film get slow or dull. If I had to have a complaint about the film, it would have to be from a technical aspect. The film is very dark in some scenes, to the point were it was kinda hard to tell exactly what was happening. Other than that, the films is a fun watch and one I would recommend for sure! This was director Philippe Robert's first full length film to direct. He does a great job here and I look forward to future projects from Mr. Robert.
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CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to buy the DVD
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Check out contributing writer Scott Baker's interview with D4 director, Darrin Dickerson

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Scott Baker is a contributing writer here at the 4H blog, but as some of you know, he also has his own blog he runs called SHATTERED RAVINGS, which focuses on Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror films. Recently, Scott had the chance to interview Darrin Dickerson, the writer and director of the awesome film, D4! He, like me, is a huge fan of this awesome film. You can check out his review of the film here, and my review of the film here. If you have not seen this film, you are missing out on one of the coolest independent Sci-Fi/Horror hybrids that has come out in a long time!! Do yourself a favor and check it out. Read Scott's interview with Mr. Dickerson by clicking below.


CLICK HERE to read the interview

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Movies you may have missed: FIRE SERPENT (2007)

I recently stumbled across this trailer while browsing the CineTelFilms website. FIRE SERPENT was directed by John Terlesky, who is mainly a TV actor and director of such series as Army Wives, Ugly Betty, Boston Legal, and Castle! Here is the basic plot from the CineTelFilms website:

A massive firestorm unleashes a dormant species of fire creatures set on a path of destruction.

It looks like this was originally aired back in 2007 on the Sci Fi network (now SyFy). I have not seen this film, but I definitely want to check it out after seeing this trailer. Some of the effects look a little cheesy, which is to be expected from a SyFy movie, but some of it looks pretty creepy, especially the fire monster possesed women that shoot fire from her eyes!! Have any of you seen this film? Is it as good as the trailer makes it look, or is it one we need to avoid? Discuss!!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

Monday, January 10, 2011

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 1/11/11:
(Click a title to see a trailer for that film)

* THE CHAINSAW SALLY SHOW Season 1 (web series)
* HALLOWEEN NIGHT
* LEGION: THE FINAL EXORCISM
* PIRANHA 3D [DVD & Blu-ray]
* THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE

Sunday, January 9, 2011

It's time for another DVD giveaway!! Register to win your free CRUSTACEAN prize pack today!!!

I have good news and bad news....first, the bad news. I had my first contest winner not claim their prize!! After a couple of emails with no response, I have no choice but to redo the last giveaway...which brings us to the good news! You now have another chance to win my last CRUSTACEAN DVD /CD Soundtrack prize pack! You could win a DVD of the awesome film, CRUSTACEAN, along with the CD Soundtrack of the film featuring some of the funniest songs you have ever heard!!

Here's the deal, if you didn't enter the first time, you are welcome to add a comment for a chance to win. If you already entered the original contest by leaving a comment on the original post, then you are already entered in this new giveaway, as I will be going off the comments from the original post....BUT, as a special thank you, if you want to double your chances of winning, share the contest post on your Twitter, MySpace, or Facebook pages. If you do that, then you can leave one (1) additional comment stating how/where you shared the contest post. It's that easy!!
Be sure to click the yellow link below to go to the original contest post to enter. (comments left on this post will not count towards the contest.....comments must be left on the original contest post)
This new contest will now run through Wednesday, January 19th, 2011. New comments must be left by the end of the day on January 19th to count toward the contest.


CLICK HERE to view the past review I posted of CRUSTACEAN
CLICK HERE to watch the uncensored trailer (NSFW)


CLICK HERE to go to the original post and leave a comment to win!!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Check out the trailer for the new Hammer film, THE RESIDENT

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THE RESIDENT is the newest film from the the reformed Hammer Studios, and stars Hilary Swank and legendary Hammer actor, Christopher Lee . The film is written and directed by Antti Jokinen. Here is the basic plot from imdb.com:

When a young doctor suspects she may not be alone in her new Brooklyn loft, she learns that her landlord has formed a frightening obsession with her

I don't know about you, but I am really excited about this film after seeing the trailer for it. Christopher Lee looks really creepy, and I am glad to see him back in this kind of role.
THE RESIDENT is currently planned for DVD release on March 29th of this year.



CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

Friday, January 7, 2011

DVD Review: FABLED (2002)

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---------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker---------


FABLED
Directed by Ari Kirschenbaum
Distributed by Indican Pictures

When I first read the DVD cover of FABLED, I was a little confused. The plot synopsis didn’t sound quite like horror…but it sure didn’t sound like your average human drama, either. It did sound interesting, though. So with no trepidation whatsoever, I sat down last night and watched it.

If you’ve never heard of this film, here is the plot courtesy of imdb.com:

Joseph just broke up with his girlfriend and is not taking it very well. He thinks she is plotting against him with their mutual psychiatrist. His dog is missing and he suspects the people at work might be behind it. Then there is the unshakable guilt over his past. It just might all be bearable, somehow possible to live through, if it weren't for those damned 'monsters' that keep trying to kill him.

First off, let me start by saying this movie is visually appealing on many levels. It is shot very well, with many unique camera angles. The aesthetic design of each set is eye-catching as well, with many of the set-pieces placed just so, at strategic points to draw your eye away from the action every now and then.

But while it is pleasing to follow with the eye, following the plot is a little more difficult. The story that unfolds on the screen is accentuated with a fable-like narrative that is told verbally by a young girl. We see Joseph fighting his withdrawal into madness, while we hear the story of Lupold, a wolf who is betrayed by a crow.

The point behind the narrated fable is to accent Joseph’s plight but in some cases it’s hard to tell what’s going on between the two stories. As crazy as it sounds though, the combination actually works well and helps to keep you guessing until the end. But even then, you are still given no concrete resolution. Instead, you must make your own conclusions as to what was happening in the story.

I enjoy movies with this type of bizarreness when they are done well, and FABLED is actually one of the better films I’ve seen in the genre. This movie pulls no punches and turns a young man’s descent into madness into a dark fairy tale of sorts. Writer/director Kirschenbaum skillfully blends the chaos of human insanity with a plausible fable that eventually ignites into a wildfire of violence.

Actor Desmond Askew does an amazing job with the main character of Joseph. I’ve never seen Askew in a film before, but I hope to see him in future projects. His emotional range is impressive and the depth to which he portrays his characters is intensely believable. Askew’s supporting cast is top-notch as well, with J. Richey Nash playing Joseph’s best friend, Alex, and Michael Panes portraying the lucid Dr. Frumkes.

For as much as I enjoyed this movie, though, I will stress that it won’t be for everyone. FABLED is a twisted trip down a warped rabbit hole. Some of us can relate to Joseph’s downward spiral as he fights off the anguish of losing his girlfriend and his dog, and tries to decide if the world really is out to get him or not. Thus, do not go into this movie hoping for a happy ending. You won’t get it, regardless of how you interpret the final scenes. But what you will get is one hell of a ride.



CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD


CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Indican Pictures