TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND is here!!!

  There will be no new posts for the next few days, as I am headed down to Dallas, TX to take in the sights and sounds of TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND!   This will be my 9th year in a row to attend, and it is always a blast!  I'll tell you all about it upon my return!  


Thanks,

Zombie Hayes

Blu-ray Review: BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR (1989)

BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR
Directed by:  Brian Yuzna
Distributed by: Arrow Video / MVD Distribution

  Have I told you that Arrow Video is becoming my favorite DVD/BD company?  They are constantly putting out amazing releases of some classic horror.   One of their latest releases is of Director Brian Yuzna's classic, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR!   This is a sequel to the classic film, RE-ANIMATOR, which just so happens to be one of my Top 5 favorite horror films of all time! 
While nothing can compare to the original classic, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR comes about as close as you can get.  This is an amazing film that re-creates the tone and fun of the first film.  I'll go ahead and toss out the plot synopsis courtesy of the Arrow Films website, although I have a feeling most true horror fans are already well aware of this one:

  The success of Stuart Gordon’s hit horror-comedy Re-animator meant that a sequel was all but inevitable. The resulting follow-up, Bride of Re-animator – this time helmed by director Brian Yuzna (Society, Return of the Living Dead 3) – would prove that there was a good deal more life left in the story of Dr. Herbert West and his ghoulish exploits.
  It is 8 years since the Miskatonic massacre. Unperturbed by the disastrous outcome of his previous meddling with the dead, Dr. West (again played by Jeffrey Combs) continues his research into the phenomenon of re-animation; only this time, he plans to create life – starting with the heart of his young protégé Dan’s dearly deceased, Meg Halsey. Surely nothing could go wrong?
  With special effects master Screaming Mad George (the man behind the infamous “shunting” sequence in Society) on hand to contribute a host of characteristically weird and wonderful creations – including zombified bats and a one-eyed finger spider – Bride of re-animator is a more than worthy successor to Gordon’s original cult classic.

  Again, I wont go into much of the film, as it's over 25 years old, I'm sure most of you have seen it before.  You probably already own this on DVD.  What I want to bring you attention to here is this limited edition release that Arrow has put out.  They have awesome special features with most all of their releases, but this limited edition 3 disc set is truly an amazing release.   Buying this new set, even if you own an older released DVD is a no brainer.  Check out all these special features:

DIRECTOR-APPROVED 3-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
*  Brand new 2K restorations of the Unrated and R-rated versions of the film, approved by director Brian Yuzna
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
*  Original Stereo 2.0 audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
*  Limited Edition Collector’s Booklet
*  Limited Edition Packaging

DISCS 1 & 2 – BLU-RAY/DVD – UNRATED VERSION
*  Brand new 2K restoration of the Unrated version
*  Brand new audio commentary with Brian Yuzna
*  Audio Commentary with Brian Yuzna, star Jeffrey Combs, visual effects supervisor Tom
*  Rainone and the effects team including John Buechler, Mike Deak, Bob Kurtzman, Howard Berger and Screaming Mad George
*  Audio Commentary with stars Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott
*  Brian Yuzna Remembers Bride of Re-animator – brand new featurette in which the director looks back at the making of the first Re-animator sequel
*  Splatter Masters: The Special Effects Artists of Bride of Re-animator – Brand new FX featurette with a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Robert Kurtzman of KNB, Screaming Mad George, Tony Doublin and John Buechler
*  Getting Ahead in Horror – archive making-of featurette
*  Deleted Scenes

DISC 3 – BLU-RAY – R-RATED VERSION
*  Brand new 2K restoration of the R-rated version


So there you have it....this set has hours of special features for you to enjoy!  This set was released just a few weeks ago, and is already out of print and is selling out fast!  Amazon.com still has a few copies, so get your hands on a copy asap before they are gone!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack

 

 

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, April 26th, 2016

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's coming out tomorrow, 4/26:

*  CRYPT OF THE LIVING DEAD / HOUSE OF THE LIVING DEAD  [DVD]
*  DEATH BECOMES HER  [Blu-ray]
*  KRAMPUS  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE MILLION EYES OF SUMURU / THE GIRL FROM RIO  [Blu-ray]
*  SSSSSSS  [Blu-ray]
*  VIXENS FROM VENUS  [DVD]
*  THE ZERO BOYS  [Blu-ray/DVD combo]

DVD Review: DEAR GOD NO! (2011)

DEAR GOD NO!
Written & Directed by James Bickert
Produced/Distributed by Big World Pictures

 This film is nasty, and extremely offensive....so needless to say, I loved it!!

 If you are a fan of crazy, weird, and wacky exploitation horror films, then you are in for a treat with the film, DEAR GOD NO!  I've had this one for a while and just realized I had never done a review of it.  I popped it in the DVD player with very low expectations to be honest.  This is a very low budget independent film which we all know can go either way.  Usually these types of films are pretty bad, but I am happy to say that this film doesn't go down that road.  This film goes down a completely different road, one filled with bikers, babes, Nazis, and Sasquatch!   Ha!  It sounds crazy, I know, but somehow it all comes together and works!   Here is the official synopsis from the Big World Pictures website:

  Grab some popcorn, gas up the jalopy and grab your favorite girl. Big World Pictures presents the retro Bikers vs. Bigfoot feature film DEAR GOD NO! A thrill ride here to save cinema by delivering all the carnival fun of a 1970’s drive-in movie.  A vicious gang of thrill-kill bikers invades a home after a bloody shoot-out in a strip club. Humiliation and murder follow, but there is something in the basement and in the woods… Sasquatch! This shot on film politically incorrect exploitation throwback is a fun grab bag of biker film, home invasion flick, Bigfoot monster movie, stag loops, and even some Nazisploitation.

  One thing to take note of here is how well the filmmakers capture the look of an old 70's grindhouse flick.  Upon further research, I found out they shot this movie on 16mm film using vintage cameras, resulting in a sincere and unique dated look to the film.  This is a perfect throwback film and really makes me miss those old sleazy grindhouse films of the 1970's.  Thank goodness filmmakers like James Bickert are around to bring us new films that take us back to this great film era and genre.

  DEAR GOD NO! is not a horror movie per say, but it does have some horror elements throughout it.  It contains a good amount of gore, which all us horror fans love, and all of it seem to be practical effects.  This is crucial in making a throwback film, and the filmmakers did an excellent job with the blood and gore. 

  This film won't be for everyone.  It is pretty tasteless and offensive, so some viewers might be turned off by that.  For me, I loved every second of this film and hope to see more like it in the future.  It looks like that wait wont' be long, as director James Bickert has made a 2nd feature, a sequel to DEAR GOD NO! titled, FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS!   It just premiered at the 40th annual Atlanta Film Festival, and will be making the festival rounds in the coming months.  Expect a review of this new film right here on the 4H Blog as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of this film.   Until then, check out DEAR GOD NO! available now on DVD and Blu-ray!


CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

 
 

DVD Review: SILENT RETREAT (2016)

SILENT RETREAT
Directed by Ace Jordan
Distributed by Midnight Releasing

  I had never heard of this film when it arrived in my mailbox for review.  I honestly didn't expect much going into it, and I am happy to say that this film was a very pleasant surprise for me.  I really didn't expect it to be as good as it was.  Here is the basic plot from the Midnight Releasing website:

  Six members of a media company go on a weekend business retreat at an isolated lodge in the woods. When one of the members goes missing, they discover that the lodge was formerly a private mental institution. One by one, they fall victim to the dark secrets buried at the lodge.

  I'll be honest, I think why I wasn't expecting much out of this film was from that plot synopsis. I felt like this was going to be just another generic people get killed one by one type of film that we have all seen many times before.   It turns out, this film is so much smarter than that.  The film is full of dark humor and some great kills, including a horrifying bear trap incident!    The film also contains a very engaging story line and includes a great plot twist that had me second guessing the entire film I had seen up to that point. 

Another thing worth noting here is the acting, which I thought was very good from everyone involved.   This is a great, fun film that I would recommend for sure!  

  SILENT RETREAT is out now on DVD and contains the following special features:

*  Interviews
*  Trailer
*  Slideshow
*  Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Ace Jordan and Associate Producer Colin Carey


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

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, April 19th, 2016

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's coming out tomorrow, 4/19:


*  ALL HALLOWS EVE:  OCTOBER 30TH  [DVD]
*  GOREOTICA  [DVD]
*  GOREWHORE  [DVD]
*  HELGA:  SHE WOLF OF STILBERG [DVD]
*  SHE WOLF RISING  [DVD]
*  THE STUFF  [Arrow Blu-ray/DVD combo]
*  THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2  [Blu-ray]
*  YAMISHIBAI:  JAPANESE GHOST STORIES  [DVD & Blu-ray]

Check out the trailer for FUN WITH HACKLEY: AXE MURDERER!

  Take a look at the hilarious trailer for the upcoming horror/comedy, FUN WITH HACKLEY:  AXE MURDERER!   Here is the plot synopsis from the film's official website:

  Since 1980, Hackley has personified fear. This prolific masked serial killer has axed his way through hundreds during his reign of terror. He doesn’t kill because he’s crazy.  It’s just his job.

 Hackley is one of the many killers employed at Revelation Killing Solutions! The third most profitable corporation in the growing industry! Hackley is the longest tenured team member in the “Slashers” division, but has lost the enthusiasm he once had for the job.

“Fun With Hackley” is a comedy feature film that chronicles the adventures of Hackley as he stumbles at the office and rethinks his life, love and career.

 

  This looks like it is going to be a very fun film!  The film was written by Garrett Hargrove and directed by Tim Sanders.   Check out the film's official website to keep up to date with info and updates on when/where you can see the film!

www.funwithhackley.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blu-ray Review: ESCAPE FROM THE BRONX (1983)

ESCAPE FROM THE BRONX
Directed by:  Enzo G. Castellari
Distributed by:  Blue Underground

  A couple of months ago I posted my review of Director Enzo G. Castellari's 1990:  THE BRONX WARRIORS.  You can see that review HERE.  Castellari is back with his sequel to that film, ESCAPE FROM THE BRONX.   As much as I enjoyed the original film, I think this might be one of the few times when the sequel is actually better than the first film.   Here is the basic plot of ESCAPE FROM THE BRONX courtesy of the Blue Underground website:

 The year is 2000 and the Bronx has been reduced to a decaying, desolate wasteland infested with swarms of vicious street gangs and outcast scavengers. When an imperialistic mega-corporation plans to rebuild the doomed "No Man's Land" into a perfect metropolis, they unleash their secret army of sadistic death squads to wipe out the few remaining inhabitants. But beneath the twisted rubble, fierce legions of resistance fighters arm themselves for the final onslaught - ready to die for their homeland. And ready to kill for it. 

  As I mentioned above, I think I actually enjoyed this film better than the original.  This film was action packed throughout the entire running time, and even had quite a few instances of some good gore, which is a always a plus in my opinion!  The film is very bloody and violent, and in fact, boasts a body count of 174 deaths!   That's more than any horror movie I think you could find! 

  Now I have to admit, it had it's faults, including some pretty silly dialog and some laughable action scenes.   Some of these include our lead character Trash blowing up a helicopter with about 3 or 4 shots of his pistol!  He also shoots at a van (with what seems like unlimited bullets) until it explodes as well.   Maybe vehicles back in the 80's were just highly explosive compared to today's vehicles and our safety standards!   Although these scenes are a bit silly, they actually give the movie as certain charm and definitely don't take away from the enjoyment of this film.

  I highly recommend this one for all fans of exploitation, grindhouse type cinema.

  ESCAPE FROM THE BRONX is available now on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Blue Underground.  As always, Blue Underground has done an amazing job with this package with a beautiful Blu-ray transfer and some great special features including:

*  Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Enzo G. Castellari
*  Enzo G. Castellari and Fabrizio De Angelis In Conversation Part 3
*  The Hunt For Trash - Interview with BRONX WARRIORS Superfan Lance Manley
*  Theatrical Trailers
*  Poster & Still Gallery


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

Blu-ray Review: KILD.TV (2016)

KILD TV
Directed by  William Collins
Written by Channing Whitaker

  Here is a film a lot of you probably know nothing about.  It's a great, low budget, slasher flick called KILD TV about a local horror show where the murder is real!   Here is the basic plot synopsis:

  Ten years after a series of unsolved serial killings, a determined journalist cracks the case and prepares an expose for air, all the while keeping his secret that the twisted killer now works in his own station. As he covertly prepares, a skeleton crew of the local TV station begins to air their live, late-night horror show, featuring a ghoulish host named Dr. Perseco.

  Unbeknownst to all, one crew member has already been viciously murdered and her body hidden. A violent thunderstorm rolls in as two more of the crew and the journalist disappear.
  The TV show continues with over-the-top macabre antics and Perseco’s dark humor until the mutilated body of one of the missing is discovered. The midnight crew is now in a full panic and frantically tries to flee the building, only to find all lines of escape and communication sabotaged. They are trapped inside with the killer somewhere in the station!
  Thunder strikes and the lights go off, leaving only emergency power available, and one hope for rescue; they must broadcast or die. They plea for help on the air, but the plan falls on deaf ears when viewers believe it’s just a hoax. No help is coming. Soon, more lifeless, brutally slain bodies turn up and the pressure mounts to identify the killer before another is found slaughtered.
  As the mystery begins to unravel, it becomes clear that the killer is among them.  Friends and colleagues begin distrusting each other, and, with every step inching ever closer to discovering the killer, another body falls.

  I love finding movies that I have never heard of and have read nothing about.  I like being able to go into a film without any prior knowledge and without anyone having any preconceived opinions of a film based on any reviews I might have seen or heard.   While I had not read anything about this film, after viewing it I think it is just a matter of time before we all start hearing a lot more about this film.

  I loved the concept of this film, with a local horror movie show coming under attack by a killer and their only means for help was broadcasting to ask viewers to call the police.  Most everyone watching assumes it is fake, and just part of the show.   That is terrifying to me to think that could be happening and people are just sitting on their couch laughing and having a good time while people are actually dying!  I know...it's just a movie, but that concept is creepy as hell!

  The movie is very well done, with everyone turning in a great acting performance.   Dr. Perseco played by actor D.C. Douglas  was especially good.  He played a wonderful cable horror host, and it almost makes me sad that he is not a real horror host.  He would be a great one for sure!    The effects are also pretty good in this film, with some great gore including a nasty head bashed in with a computer screen!   Also, to go along with all this doom and despair, their is some humor throughout the film, although some of it is pretty dark humor.  I did literally laugh out load at one point, though, so well done to the filmmakers for throwing in some pretty good humor.

  I really liked this film.  KILD TV is not a huge budget, blockbuster type of film for sure.  It's a low budget independent film, but it is just as enjoyable as some of the big studio horror films I have seen lately. 

  The film is being self-distributed by the filmmakers, so make sure to grab a copy today and support indie filmmaking!  Visit http://www.kildmovie.com./ to purchase a limited edition, unrated and uncut version of the film on DVD or Blu-ray.  You can also order autographed copies of the film! 


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

This week's horror related DVD and Blu-ray releases, April 5th, 2016

Here are this week's horror related DVD/BD's coming out tomorrow, 4/5:

*  #HORROR [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  ANGUISH  [DVD]
*  AVA'S POSSESSIONS  [DVD]
*  THE BLACK CAT  [Arrow DVD & Blu-ray]
*  CHERRY TREE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  CREEP  [DVD]
*  DEADLY WEEKEND
*  THE ENTITY  [DVD]
*  EXIT 14  [DVD]
*  THE EXORCISM OF ANNA ECKLUND [DVD]
*  FROM PARTS UNKNOWN  [DVD]
*  THE HALLOW  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE HOARDER  [DVD]
*  LAKE FEAR  [DVD]
*  SHOPPING TOUR  [DVD]
*  THE TELL-TALE HEART  [DVD]
*  YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM, AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY  [Arrow DVD & Blu-ray]

DVD Review: E.N.D. (2015)

E.N.D.
Directed by:  Luca Alessandro, Allegra Bernardoni, Domiziano Cristopharo, and Federico Greco
Distributed by One 7 Movies / CAV Distribution

  I am a huge fan of zombie films.  Zombie movies are probably my favorite horror sub-genre.  You never really know what quite to expect when going into a low budget zombie film like this, but I am happy to report that this was a very nice addition to the zombie film genre.  Here is the basic plot from the CAV Distribution website:

  Three different times, three different places, three different steps... of the plague.
  Day 1. Italy. In a funeral home. The owner of the agency, the hearse driver and the make-up man are forced to deal with an epidemic spread by cocaine. Soon, the corpses ready for the burial wake up in their coffins.
  Day 1466. When the epidemic already devoured the whole country, an American soldier and a pregnant woman are surrounded by zombies in a cabin in the woods. When the woman gives birth to her baby, the man understands that he has no more chance for survival.
  Day 2333. The country is divided in two factions. Some of our characters preserved themselves. Some… remained human beings.

  With the release and popularity of the hit T.V. show, THE WALKING DEAD, we have seen a huge surge in the amount of zombie films released over the past few years.  Some of them have been good, but more often they are not very good at all.   While E.N.D. is not the best zombie film I've seen lately, it was a very entertaining addition to my zombie film collection.    One thing about this film I really liked was how it showed the zombie plague from three very different points along the zombie plague timeline, starting with the very first zombie in the first part of the film, to a world filled with zombies in the third/final part of the film.   

  I want to particularly talk about the middle section of the film.  Part 2 was my favorite section of this film by far. I love the setting of a cabin in the woods with zombies coming from any direction.   This section had some of my favorite zombie effects and some of the best kills, including a zombie getting his face spaced in with a cinder block! 

  One thing to take note of with this film was the mixing of practical zombie effects with computer animated zombies.  While you could tell that some of these zombies were completely CG and fake, they were still very creepy with their fluid like movement/motions.

 For a low budget, independent horror film, I think the filmmakers did a remarkable job with this one.  Check it out if you get the chance. 
 
E.N.D. is available now on DVD from CAV Distribution and includes the following special features:

*  Backstage
*  Trailer 1
*  Trailer 2
*  Interview with screenwriter Antonio Tentori
*  Photo gallery


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

 

  

 

Check out the trailer for the horrifying new Turkish horror film, BASKIN

  I have seen some chatter about this one for a while now on social media, so finally checked out the trailer today to see what all the talk was about.  I have to say I think this is going to be the kind of horror film that we have not seen in quite some time.  It looks truly terrifying in some parts.    Here is the plot of the film from the IFC website:

  A five-man unit of cops on night patrol get more than they bargain for when they arrive at a creepy backwater town in the middle of nowhere after a call comes over the radio for backup. Entering a derelict building, the seasoned tough guys and their rookie junior, who’s still haunted by a traumatic childhood dream, do the one thing you should never do in this kind of movie: they split up. They soon realize they’ve stumbled into a monstrous charnel house and descend into an ever-more nightmarish netherworld where grotesque, mind-wrenching horrors await them at every turn. This is one baskin (that’s “police raid” to you non-Turkish speakers) that isn’t going to end well. But wait! Things aren’t what they seem in this truly disturbing, outrageously gory, and increasingly surreal film whose unpredictable narrative slippages pull the carpet from under your feet and keep you guessing right up to the final moment. A wildly original whatsit that reconfirms Turkey as the breakout national cinema of the moment.

Check out the trailer and let me know what you think!




CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website.