Blu-ray Review: MY ONLY FRIEND'S A CORPSE (2025)

MY ONLY FRIEND'S A CORPSE

Written & Directed by:  Jack Bayless

Distributed by: MVD Entertainment

   I have a feeling today's film for review is one you have never seen or heard of!   I had no clue what this movie was when it arrived in my mailbox for review, but the title was interesting and the cover art was top notch!  

  

   The film is a very low budget horror comedy called, MY ONLY FRIEND'S A CORPSE.  I figured with a title like that, I had to give it a spin!  I'm glad I did, because this was a fun one, for sure!

 Here is the plot synopsis from the MVD website:

  My Only Friend's A Corpse is a DIY horror-comedy from writer-director Jack Bayless that sends an unlikely pair on a grotesque road trip through the supernatural underbelly of the Midwest. Danny, a punk runaway with nowhere to go, discovers a sentient, badly decaying corpse behind a dumpster. Instead of fleeing, he strikes up an improbable friendship with the undead stranger, who soon reveals an ambitious mission: humanity can only be saved by killing God.

  Danny joins the corpse on his quest, and the two set out across the Midwest through a world populated by monsters, demons, angels and other supernatural horrors. What begins as a bizarre adventure grows progressively more violent as Danny is drawn deeper into his companion's apocalyptic plan. With each encounter, the distinction between salvation and destruction becomes harder to recognize, while the friendship between the two remains at the darkly comic center of the story.

 Keep in mind this is very low budget film, so don't go into it expecting a masterpiece of cinema.  What is lacks in polish, it makes up for with charm.   I feel like you could tell this was a film made by someone that truly loves the horror genre. 

 One thing I really liked about this film was that the comedy was not over the top.  It was definitely more of a horror film that comedy, but there were quite a few funny instances along the way, mainly in the dialog between Danny and the corpse.   It's a buddy movie as they travel across the country and come across all sorts of strange beings on the way to their final goal. 

 The make up and effects were also really good for the most part, and it was nice to see all the make up and practical effects.  Some of the monsters they encounter along the way are really terrifying, especially the one they meet at the house where "God" is. 

  The final scene where Danny and the corpse battle "God" was quite hilarious, and not at all what I expected to happen.  

 This was a quick film clocking in at only 70 minutes.  It was well paced and a lot a fun.  I would definitely recommend this one!

  MY ONLY FRIEND'S A CORPSE is available now on DVD and Blu-ray and contains the following Special Features:

*  Audio Commentary from Director Jack Bayless

*  Interview with Cast & Crew Featurette

*  Trailer 

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

CLICK HERE to purchase the BLU-RAY

Blu-ray Review: RED FLAG DOWN (1992)

RED FLAG DOWN

Directed by:  Christopher P. Smith

Distributed by:  Bloodsick Productions / MVD Entertainment

 Up for review today is another film I have never seen, nor even heard of before.   I assume this will be the case with most people as it seems to be a very obscure film.  It's so obscure that I can't even find a listing for it on IMDb.com!   The film is called RED FLAG DOWN.  It's a SOV film from 1992, and looks like a film that my friends and I made on our camcorder back in the 7th grade.  Although I will say this film has a much better story than our Jr. High action films!

Here is the basic plot of the film from the MVD website:

 

  From the makers of such cult classics as THE GIRL FROM S.I.N. and A NIGHT TO DISMEMBER comes an action-packed, bullet-ridden hell ride that rips down the walls between fantasy and reality! When the eccentric owners of a state-of-the-art paintball park invite a young city reporter to preview their genius, things get out of hand when one team realizes they've been tricked into using real bullets, and killing their opponents. Those who were forced to kill their own friends confront the crazed owners only to find they're trapped in the game - and the only way out is through the barrel of a gun! Revenge runs wild in a bloody kill-or-be-killed exchange of death where the final twist is the most shocking plot yet! A shot-on-video super rarity from 1992, RED FLAG DOWN is a wacky, violent, and raw regional action comedy bursting with blood-dripping squibs, quirky characters, and an army of bullet-ridden dead bodies. This hard-to-find SOV shoot-em-up is on target to delight every fan of backyard no-budget movie magic. Blood Sick Productions is proud to present this film in collaboration with Lunchmeat for the first ever disc release of this 1992 SOV classic!

  First off, let me start by saying this is a pretty quick watch.  The Blu-ray cover lists it at 1hr and 2 minutes, but my BD player marked it at 52 minutes.   I mention that because there are some really slow scenes here....which is funny to me considering how short the run time is.   There is a lot of "filler" of the actors just running through the woods looking for their targets.   I felt like the filmmakers had a good idea, but not good enough for a feature length film.  I think this would have worked much better as a 20-30 minute short film. 

  The movie is basically just scenes of people getting shot in slow motion with blood squibs going off.  I think the entire budget was spent on blood squibs, so they really wanted to use them all and show them off!   Unfortunately, this got really repetitive after a while. 

  One positive thing I have to point out was the nice plot twist at the end.  I thought the fact they were tricked into using real guns/bullets was the twist, but the filmmakers had one more twist for the audience that I did not see coming.

 Overall, this is a very underwhelming film.  I have to wonder how some of these films get such nice Blu-ray releases.   If you are a fan of the 90's SOV movies, you'll probably want to check this out, but for most people this one would be a bit of a let down, unfortunately. 

 RED FLAG DOWN is available now on Blu-ray and contains the following Special Features:

• *  Welcome To Florida Asshole!!! - A short film by James Hollenbaugh featuring Christopher Smith
• *  Liner Notes by James Hollenbaugh
• *  Commentary Track by Josh Schafer from Lunchmeat and Brewce Longo & Kasper Meltedhair from Blood Sick Productions

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: TAG: THE ASSASSINATION GAME (1982)

TAG:  THE ASSASSINATION GAME

Written & Directed by:  Nick Castle

Distributed by:  Synapse Films / MVD Entertainment

  If the name Nick Castle rings a bell for you, it's because you probably know him as the actor who played Michael Myers in John Carpenter's 1978 classic, HALLOWEEN.   I hate to admit it, but I had no idea he was a director as well.  In fact, he has 13 films he is listed as the director of on his IMDb page.   A lot of these are comedies, including one of my favorites, MAJOR PAYNE.   I guess I don't pay attention to the credits of films much, or maybe I just forgot, but I certainly didn't remember he directed that one!   

  Castle's directorial career began with the subject of today's review.   1982's "TAG:  THE ASSASSINATION GAME".  Here the basic plot synopsis from the Synapse Film's website:

  Before the majority of 1980s college movies were all about nudity, slapstick comedy, beer bongs and bad decisions, TAG: The Assassination Game gave this genre a killer twist. In this 1982 film noir-inspired gem, a group of students turns dorm life into a mock battle royale by playing a game that could never be done on campuses of today.  The rules of TAG are simple. Players try to “murder” each other using rubber-tipped toy dart guns. If you are shot, you are “killed” and taken out of the game permanently until only one player remains. Unfortunately for this year’s TAG players, one sore loser is determined to win at any cost, even if it means murdering his competition for real!

  Let me start off by saying this was an extremely fun film!   I know it doesn't seem like a movie about a psycho killing off college kids should be described as "fun", but it is done in way that it just is.  The film doesn't take itself seriously, and there is some dark humor throughout the film that lightens the mood.  

  What starts as a simple game of campus tag using rubber darts, descends into something more when the reigning champ, Loren Gersh" gets "killed" in a way he felt was unfair.  This infuriates Gersh to the point that he takes "The Assassination Game" moniker to heart, and he trades in his rubber darts for real bullets!  

  Gersh does a good job of hiding his killings.   My favorite was when he was under the bleachers that his next target was sitting on watching track and field practice.  He times his shot perfectly with the starting pistol the coach shoots to start the race, so no one notices his kill!  

 

  Something else that was so much fun about this film, was seeing actors I knew from other films, but really hadn't seen in many other films.   Robert Carradine plays the lead role in TAG.  I pretty much only know his as Lewis Skolnick from the REVENGE OF THE NERDS films.   Linda Hamilton plays the other lead, and we all know her from her many films, but I mainly know her from TERMINATOR 2, of course.  The part of Loren Gersh is played by Bruce Abbott, of RE-ANIMATOR fame. 

  This is a very unique films as it's hard to categorize into one genre.  It's not truly a horror movie, although it does involve killing and shows dead bodies.  It is more action I would say, and a bit of a psychological thriller.  Throw in a love story with Carradine and Hamilton's characters and you truly have a film that has something for everyone in it!

  TAG: THE ASSASSINATION GAME is available now on Blu-ray and contains the following Special Features:

*  Audio Commentary with Director Nick Castle and star Robert Carradine

*  Original Theatrical Trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from Synapse Films

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from MVD Entertainment

Blu-ray Review: SWEET MEATS (2025)

SWEET MEATS

Written & Directed by:  Ricky Glore

Distributed by:  Troma Films  / MVD Entertainment

 If you are a fan of Troma films, you basically know what kind of film you are getting into.  SWEET MEATS  is no different and fits perfectly in the Troma films library.   More of a dark comedy than a horror film, it's a fun film that is worth a watch for sure!   Here is the basic plot synopsis from the MVD website:

Bobby Sweet is a country music legend and has been the world-renowned face of 'Sweet Meats' since establishing his first restaurant with his wife. Sometimes a 'secret ingredient' should stay that way.

 If you are looking for a scary horror film, this is not the film for you.  It's not scary at all, but it's not supposed to be.  As I mentioned before, this a horror-comedy, with more of an emphasis on the comedy.  Horror comedy films are tough to make in my opinion.   It's hard to mix totally opposite genres like that and make it work.   I am pleased to say that the people behind SWEET MEATS made it work!    This movie is actually really funny.   It tells the story of a simple man named Bobby that just wants to be a country music star, but gets caught up running a restaurant with his controlling girlfriend.  

  His girlfriend has a plan to make their burgers different than other restaurants using a special kind of meat.   I'm sure you can guess what kind of meat that is!   While the basic premise is not original, the execution of the concept is for sure.    As stated before, Bobby wants to be a country music star, so we are gifted with music performances throughout the film.  They all tell a story, basically about what is happening at that point in the film.  The songs are really funny and some are actually really catchy!  

  Something else that I need to point out about this film is the acting.  In addition to writer, director, and lead actor Ricky Glore doing such a great job, all the actors in this film were really good.   Low budget films,  especially horror-comedy films,  can be ruined by bad acting.  That was not the case here.   Kudos to the entire cast, but especially to the other two leads, Timmy Barron as Bobby's best friend Jerry, and to Eileen Earnest who plays Bobby's girlfriend, Laddie.   These were all very good comedic actors and had great performances. 

  SWEET MEATS is a fun film that I highly recommend checking out! 

SWEET MEATS is available for pre-order now, with a release date set for September 8, 2026.  The Blu-ray contains the following special features:

• *  New Commentary Track
• *  'The Grind' - The Making of Sweet Meats
• *  Evolution of a Song: Writing the Music of Sweet Meats
• *  Cast and Crew Feature-Length Interview
• *  Tromatic Extras

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer 

CLICK HERE to pre-order the Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: SCREAM DREAM (1989)

SCREAM DREAM

Directed by:  Donald Farmer

Distributed by:  Visual Vengeance / MVD Entertainment

  Visual Vengeance is back, with another horror film from the 1980's you have probably never heard of!  This was the case for me, at least.   The film  is 1989's SCREAM DREAM from Director Donald Farmer.  Here is the basic plot synopsis of the film from the MVD Entertainment website:

When heavy metal front woman Michelle Shocked is fired from her band for bad press related to Satanic rumors, she proves everyone right by transforming into a bloodthirsty demon who embarks on a spree of killing and possession.

Donald Farmer's Scream Dream is both the perfect example of a regional Shot-On-Video film, and one of the most insane heavy metal horror movies of all time. Made during the height of 1980s 'Satanic Panic' in the USA, Scream Dream is overflowing with rubber monster action, gore-drenched murders, unisex teased hair and more bar band metal music than you can shake a studded wristband at.

  If you are a fan of SOV films, you will want to get your hands on a copy of this one.  If you like the nostalgic feeling of watching movies on VHS, this is the film for you!  

  SCREAM DREAM is not great by any means, and the story is a little lacking, but I still enjoyed it.  It is VERY low budget, so know that going into it.  I was really hoping being newly released on Blu-ray that the picture quality would be vastly improved.  It if is improved any, I sure couldn't tell, and I would have hated to see it before!   I will say though, the rough VHS look of the film gave it some of it's charm, and actually might have helped with the enjoyment of this film. 

  The acting is sub-par, although Gene Amonette who plays the band's manager, Lou, was quite hilarious.  It was probably more so due to the dialog and some of the lines he has in this film than his acting, but either way he was hilarious. 

  The true star of the show here is the gore and the special effects.   While a lot of the kills are offscreen, unfortunately,  the few we do see are very good.   This includes one of the best throat slashing scenes I have seen in quite some time. It was actually very impressive.  The makeup of the demon itself was very good as well, even by today's standards.   I guess I should mention that not ALL of the effects are good.  There is a hand puppet used as a demon that chews on people's necks and ankles and it is quite silly looking. 

 Oh, let me also mention that the heavy metal band in this films is pretty laughable by today's standards.  I guess that's what we considered as heavy metal back then! 

  I will say this for Visual Vengeance,  they do a remarkable job with their marketing of these films and the production value on their physical releases. The cover art, slip covers, and bonuses inside the Blu-ray cases are top notch.  These films they are releasing are getting a lot better of a physical release than they should, most likely!  SCREAM DREAM is no exception to that, as it has some cool treats packed inside!  I do like the fact Visual Vengeance is bringing these lesser known films to the mainstream, though.  I know a lot of people like these old SOV films, so they are definitely catering to that specific audience. 

 SCREAM DREAM releases on July 28 from Visual Vengeance and contains the following Special Features:

• *  SD master version from original tape elements
• *  Commentary with Producer/ Director Donald Farmer
• *  Heavy Metal Horror Primer - Video Essay with Justin Decloux and Adam 'Riot' Thorn
• *  Actor Nick Riggins Interview
• *  Actress Jesse Raye Interview
• *  The Art of the Scream: Special Effects Artist Rick Gonzales Interview
• *  Behind the Scenes Image Gallery
• *  Donald Farmer Theatrical Q&A Excerpts
• *  Trailers
• *  Visual Vengeance trailers
• *  Reversible sleeve featuring original VHS art
• *  Folded mini-poster
• *  ‘Stick Your Own’ VHS sticker set - FIRST PRESSING ONLY
• *  Limited Edition O-Card - FIRST PRESSING ONLY
• *  Limited Edition Scream Dream Guitar Pick - FIRST PRESSING ONLY
• *  Optional English subtitles

CLICK HERE to pre-order the Blu-ray from MVD Entertainment

Blu-ray Review: THE UGLY (1997)

THE UGLY

Written & Directed by:  Scott Reynolds

Distributed by:  Unearthed Films / MVD Entertainment

  THE UGLY is one of those films that I had always known about, but have never seen.  I feel like it's not talked about much, which is why I probably never made a point to see it.   After watching this film, I am shocked it is not talked about more often. 

Here is the basic plot synopsis from the Unearthed Films website:

 Confined to a mental institution, disturbed young serial killer Simon (The Rule of Jenny Pen's Paolo Rotondo) is tormented by cruel orderlies and his own personal demons including “The Ugly” which compels him to kill. Now at his request, Dr. Karen Schumaker (The Brokenwood Mysteries’ Rebecca Hobbs) arrives to discover whether Simon is fit to be released back into society. As the terrifying secrets within Simon’s mind are revealed, no one will be left unscathed by the horrors about to be unleashed.

  If you are a fan of serial killer films, this one is a must see.  This is New Zealand's answer to THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and while not on the same level of that film in terms of budget and production values, it's extremely well made and very entertaining.   The acting in this film is very good, especially from the two main stars, Paolo Rotondo who plays the killer (Simon) and from Rebecca Hobbs who plays the Doctor sent to judge whether or not Simon is fit to be released from prison.   They have a great onscreen chemistry.   

 The movie is pretty simple in terms of production and set.   The film pretty much just takes place at the prison Simon is being held at.   Most of the film is the Doctor and Simon talking in an interrogation room.   The doctor is trying to get inside the mind of Simon to figure out why he killed and to figure out if she thinks he will continue to kill if released.    The doctor asks about all his past kills, in which Simon gives us the details.  We are shown flashbacks to each of his kills, so we see the scene he is describing.   Some of these are pretty brutal, and there is a bit of gore.  

 What sets this film apart from all the other Serial Killer films out there, is the addition of this supernatural element.   "The Ugly" is what Simon calls the vision he sees in his head telling him to kill.   It basically a group of what look to be dead people in a living state that torment him until he kills.   Killing is the only way to make "The Ugly" go away,  yet they always come back eventually and he has to kill again to get them to go away.  

 The film does a good job of showing how "The Ugly" started, with a traumatic experience Simon suffered as a child.   I found this very interesting and was glad to find out how "The Ugly" got it's name!

  

  One thing to note about this film was that in all the gore scenes, the blood was black.  It wasn't in black and white as the scene is in full color, but instead of being a crimson red like expected, it's always a dark black color.   I searched around online for an explanation.  Some say that it's black because Simon doesn't view his victims as human.  He sees them more as a machine or entity, and the black is like the oil that makes the machine run.   Another explanation I saw was that it enhanced the film's dream-like, unsettling aesthetic instead of just conventional gore.   Either way it was an interesting choice by the filmmakers.  

  If you haven't seen THE UGLY, I highly recommend it.  If you have the old DVD  (which if memory serves me was an old Blockbuster exclusive),  you'll definitely want to upgrade to this new Blu-ray.  

 THE UGLY is available now from Unearthed Films and contains the following Special Features:

• NEW 4K restoration of the film from the original 35mm interpositive
• NEW Original Theatrical 2.0 Stereo and 4.0 DTS-HD MA Surround
• NEW Commentary with actors Paolo Rotondo and Rebecca Hobbs, moderated by Nathaniel Thompson
• NEW Scott Reynolds short films 'A Game with No Rules' & 'The M1nute'
• NEW 1997 Radio New Zealand Interview with Scott Reynolds
• NEW Isolated Score
• NEW Photo Gallery
• NEW Original Theatrical Trailer
• NEW The Ugly Visual Essay
• NEW Collectable Booklet
• Reversible Cover

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from Unearthed Films

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from MVD Entertainment

 

Blu-Ray Review: HIGHWAY TO HELL (1990)

HIGHWAY TO HELL

Directed by:  Bret McCormick

Distributed by:  Visual Vengeance / Wild Eye Releasing / MVD Distribution

  The only HIGHWAY TO HELL film I had ever heard of was the 1991 horror/dark comedy film from director Ate De Jong.    Look up the film and I'm sure you'll recognize the iconic cover art that was in every Blockbuster and Mom and Pop video store back in the 1990's.   

  When this HIGHWAY TO HELL arrived for my review, I assumed it was that movie with different cover art.   That is not the case.  This is actually a completely different film that came out one year before in 1990.  This is more of an exploitation road adventure movie, and as bad as it was, it was still quite a fun watch!   Here is the basic plot synopsis from the MVD website:

Convicted mass-murderer Toby Gilmore has escaped from prison, and the open desert becomes his playground for sadism and destruction. Determined to stop him after failing to execute him years earlier, officer Earl Dent (Richard Harrison) sets out on a relentless pursuit that turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. But Gilmore has taken a hostage--Fran Tucker, a young woman caught in the wrong place at the worst possible time. As the chase hurtles across backroads and wastelands, Dent closes in, each mile bringing he and Gilmore closer to an explosive reckoning on the highway to hell.

Shot in rural Texas, Highway to Hell stands as a prime example of the regional, low-budget filmmaking that fueled America's video boom of the 1980s and '90s. Originally released on VHS via Rae Don Home Video, the film showcases director Bret McCormick (The Abomination, Repligator), a key figure in the Texas exploitation underground, whose raw energy and ingenuity turn poverty row resources into a fast-paced, sun-baked thriller that captures the true spirit and grit of independent genre cinema.

 This is a very low budget film and it shows.  The acting is not great, the effects are pretty bad, but like I mentioned before, this was still a lot of fun to watch.   It might be a case of laughing AT the film versus laughing WITH the film, though, as I assume this was supposed to be a serious film at the time.   The film follows our killer, Toby Gilmore, as he carjacks his way across country with the law on his tail.  No one is safe from Gilmore, not women or even children!  Gilmore will do anything he has to survive and not go back to prison. 

 Some laughable moments include our killer shooting a truck with one shot from a pistol and it exploding into a huge fireball.   Another is Gilmore shooting a helicopter out of the sky with his pistol, also with a huge explosion!   That pistol he carries must pack quite a punch!

 While the film might not be exceptional by any means, this physical release of the film is for sure.  Visual Vengeance spared no expense on giving this film quite the stellar release.   The film has reversible cover art and an awesome slip case.  There are tons of Special Features including the following:

* Region Free Blu-ray

* SD master from original tape elements

* Commentary with director Bret McCormick

* Director Bret McCormick interview

* Red Hot Asphalt:  actor Richard Harrison interview

* Road Trip: actress Blue Thompson interview

* Writing A Road Map to Hell:  screenwriter Gary Kennamer interview

* Actor Tom Fegan interview

* Image Gallery

* Bonus Movie: REDNECK COUNTY FEVER (1992), directed by Gary Kennamer

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Commentary track with Bret McCormick and Gary Kennamer

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Bret McCormick interview

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Gary Kennamer interview

* Visual Vengeance trailers

* "Stick Your Own" VHS Sticker set

* Reversible sleeve featuring original VHS art

* Folded REDNECK COUNTY FEVER mini-poster

* Optional English Subtitles

* Limited Edition O-Card featuring original poster art (First Pressing Only)

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Blu-ray Review: GARDEN OF LOVE (2003)

GARDEN OF LOVE

Directed by:  Olaf Ittenbach

Distributed by:  Unearthed Films / MVD Entertainment

 If you are a fan of Director Olaf Ittenbach, then you probably already know about this film.  I have known about Ittenbach for a while now, but I can honestly say I have never seen any of his films.  I heard all the hype around his film DARD DIVORCE, and even tracked down a copy on DVD, but have yet to watch it.  Apparently his films are supposed to be pretty extreme and graphic.  Well, if all his films are like GARDEN OF LOVE, then I can definitely confirm that that is the case.  

Here is the plot synopsis from the Unearthed Films website:

The story of a young woman tormented by bloody visions of a past she can't really remember. All she knows is that all of her family was slaughtered when she was very young. Now, the spirits of the dead lusts for vengeance and they want Rebecca to guide those responsible to them. Rebecca reluctantly agrees and bloodspurting chaos ensues.

  This film was previously released on DVD under the alternative title, THE HAUNTING OF REBECCA VERLAINE. So if you have seen that, just know this is the same film.  But...you'll probably want to do yourself a favor and upgrade to this new Blu-ray, as the picture and colors look amazing!

  If you are a gorehound, you are going to LOVE this one.   Did you like the opening scene of TERRIFIER 3?  Well, if so, you are going to love the opening of this film. In fact, this reminded me so much of TERRIFIER 3, that I have no doubts the makers of that film were a fan of Ittenbach and this film in particular. The similarities are uncanny.   

  The gore is definitely the main star here, but unlike other films that are just made to showcase the gore and effects, this one actually has a really cool story with a nice twist ending.    This film definitely  has more substance than most gore films I am used to watching.  That being said, I have to keep focus on the gore here, as there is so much of it, and it is all so well done.   Throat slashings, beheadings, appendages being ripped of, face splittings, and disembowelments are just a few of the things you will witness in this film.  The fact that it is all done with practical effects makes it that much better. 

 If you have not seen this film, I highly recommend it.  This is one I am glad to add to my collection and will be re-visiting very soon.   This film also makes be want to check out some of Ittenbach's other films!   

 GARDEN OF LOVE is available now on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films, and contains the following Special Features:

*  Making of Garden of Love

*  A Look Behind Garden of Love

*  New Outtakes

*  New Photo Gallery

*  Trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from Unearthed Films

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray from MVD Entertainment

Blu-ray Review: FRIGHTMARE (1983)

FRIGHTMARE

Directed by:  Norman Thaddeus Vane

Distributed by:  Troma Films / MVD Entertainment 

  I am always excited when I get a film to review that I have not seen before.   The new release of FRIGHTMARE from 1983 is one of those films.  In fact, I actually own the old Troma DVD of the film, but it's one that has set on my shelf for years and has yet to be watched.  Today I sat down to watch the newly released Blu-ray, and I am now mad at myself for not watching this sooner!   Before I go any further, here is the basic plot synopsis from the Troma Films website:

Following the death of legendary horror actor Conrad Radzoff (Ferdy Mayne, The Howling II, Conan the Destroyer) , a group of overzealous drama students steal his corpse from his crypt and take it to the decrepit haunted house where his finest fright films were made. As the night goes on, the students lean the true meaning of terror, as Conrad’s vengeful spirit takes them out one by one. Featuring incredible special effects by Chuck E. Stewart (Critters, The X Files Bruce Almighty) and early performances by Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator), Nina Talbot (Night Shift, Puppet Master II), Scott Thomson (Police Academy I-IV) and Donna McDaniel (Hollywood Hot Tub), Frightmare is a bloody terror trip from the Tromatic 1980s.

  The movie is from 1983 and stars a pre RE-ANIMATOR Jeffrey Combs.   It was fun seeing him in something that was not any of the RE-ANIMATOR films, as those are the films he is most known for, of course.   Ferdy Mayne plays the star of the film, Conrad Radzoff.   Radzoff is a cult horror actor / icon, kind of like a Bela Lugosi or Boris Karloff type.   He has tons of fans and is one of the biggest stars there is.  It's no wonder that with his untimely passing, that fans of his don't want to let him go.   In fact, this certain group of teenagers want to party with him!   So, they break into his mausoleum to steal his body.  Sounds pretty normal right?    They successfully exhume his body and take him to a deserted house throw a wild party.  All goes good at first, until people start dying! 

 It seems that Conrad Radzoff is not one to stay dead!  He awakens and starts killing off the teens one by one.  I don't think they really explained how he came back to life, or if they did I missed it.  Regardless, once Radzoff wakes up and goes on his killing spree, we get treated to a very fun movie!  Practical effects are a plenty here, with one of the greatest beheadings I have seen on film.    The head rolling down the stairs with a loud "splat" sound on each step became almost laughable as it lasted so long. Kudos to the sound designer for that one!  

 While not a masterpiece by any means, FRIGHTMARE is a fun and entertaining film.  If you love 80's films, this is one you'll want to check out.  It definitely has that 80's vibe to it.    

 FRIGHTMARE is available now from Troma Films and contains the following Special Features:

• * Original DVD Intro Featuring Lloyd Kaufman and Debbie Rechon
• * Archival audio interview with Director Norman Thaddeus Vane
• * Historical Commentary with David Del Valle and David DeCoteau
• * The Hysteria Continues (audio commentary from 'The Hysteria Continues' Podcast)
• * Original Theatrical Trailer
• * Artwork Gallery
• * Man With A Camera: Video Interview With DP Joel King
• * A Gory Lesson From The Set Of Meat For Satan’s Ice Box
• * INNARDS! Music Video
• * Radiation March

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Blu-ray Reveiw: DELINQUENT SCHOOLGIRLS (1975)

DELINQUENT SCHOOLGIRLS

Directed by:  Greg Corarito

Distributed by:  VCI Entertainment / MVD Entertainment

 The 1970's was such an interesting decade for entertainment.  You had so many different genres that were popular within those ten years.   Think of music that was popular.  You had Southern Rock, Funk, R&B, and the outbreak of Disco toward the end.   Movies were the same way.  You had some of the greatest horror films of all time, think TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and the EXORCIST, but then mixed in with these serious films was the Exploitation boom.   

  Exploitation films came on fast in the 1970's, and  really only lasted for that decade, with a few outliers here and there.  One of the most notable exploitation sub-genres was the Nazisploitation films.   Think films like the ILSA series, SS EXPERIEMTN LOVE CAMP,  and SALON KITTY just to name a few.  Nunsploitation films were also huge in the 1970's, with films such as BEHIND CONVENT WALLS,  THE DEVILS,  ALUCARDA, and SCHOOL OF THE HOLY BEAST.  The most popular exploitation films, though, was probably the Women in prison films.  There were films in this sub-genre way before the 1970's and lasted well into the 1980's, but they were definitely at the height of their popularity in the 1970's with such films as THE BIG BIRD CAGE,  THE BIG DOLL HOUSE, and CAGED HEAT among countless other titles.  

  This brings us to our subject for review today, Greg Corarito's 1975 exploitation feature, DELINQUENT SCHOOLGIRLS, a.k.a. CARNAL MADNESS.    While definitely an exploitation film, this one doesn't really fit into any sub-genre of exploitation films.   It's definitely a unique one, although it contains all the tropes of your typical exploitation film. 

 Here is the basic plot synopsis of the film, from the VCI Entertainment website:

Our protagonists in this K-Mart budgeted cinematic carrion are escapees from an insane asylum! One is an ex-baseball player turned rapist, another is gay, and the ringleader is a low-rent impressionist. When they stumble upon an all-girls school, antisocial behavior with these siliconed “students” ensues, but with a twist – the busty babes know karate!

  As I mentioned before, this is a very unique exploitation film, that doesn't fall into any certain sub-genre.   There is no doubt by watching it that it is an exploitation film, though, as there is really no substance to the film whatsoever.  The films is basically an excuse for the 3 escaped insane asylum members to torment beautiful women in some sadistic ways.   What's interesting about this film, though, is that it is more "comedic" than most exploitation films of this time.   I put "comedic" in quotations because it is supposed to be comedic, but really misses it's mark there in my opinion.    One of the escaped asylum patients is a comedian, specializing in impressions.  Although if his regular comedy routine is as bad as his impressions are, I don't want to hear it!   His impressions are laughably bad.  Instead of the producers hiring an actual impressionist, they must have just hired an actor and told him he is going to do impressions in this film.  They are laughable in the wrong way for sure!

  Another weird thing about this film, is that in some scenes where they are terrorizing the women, the women like it, or end up liking it at some point.    In one scene, after all the violence and raping is done, the three escaped patients and the women they just abused are all sitting around a table drinking, laughing, and playing cards!   

  I've seen some weird exploitation films in my lifetime, but this ranks up there among the weirdest for me!   It's a strange movie for sure, but an interesting one, and is a time capsule into the strange cinema of the 70's.  

 DELINQUENT SCHOOLGIRLS is available now from VCI Entertainment and contains the following Special Features:

• *  Two original theatrical trailers for Delinquent Schoolgirls.
• *  Archival Commentary track by Bob Minor, Actor and Stuntman, with psychotronic expert, Elijah Drenner.
• *  Video Featurette 'Psychotronica: Dive into Cult Cinema'.
• *  2-Sided Coverwrap.

CLICK HERE TO purchase the Blu-ray from VCI Entertainment

CLICK HERE TO purchase the Blu-ray from MVD Entertainment