DVD Review: DINOSHARK (2010)

DINOSHARK
Directed by:  Kevin O'Neill
Distributed by:  Anchor Bay Entertainment

Let me start by saying that I love all these cheesy creature features they show on the Sci-Fi...or, sorry, the Sy-Fy network. Anytime I flip by that channel and see a giant snake or weird fish conglomerate, I can't help but stop and watch.    I loved last years SHARKTOPUS film, but somehow I missed DINOSHARK, and after finally getting to see it last night, I have to say I think it is even better than SHARKTOPUS!  Here is the plot from the Anchor Bay website:


It was frozen in glacial ice over 150 million years ago. Global warming has just hatched it in the Arctic. And now, it has traveled to Puerto Vallarta for a massive Mexican buffet of sailors, swimmers, lifeguards, jet skiers, horny tourists, bikini babes and more. It thrives in warm water. Bullets will not pierce its prehistoric armor. And it can leap out of the ocean to devour helicopters and parasailers. Can a rogue fishing boat captain and a sexy science teacher stop this ravenous pliosaur before it takes a monster bite out of the local fiesta and all-girl water polo tournament? Eric Balfour (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, "24") and Iva Hasperger star – along with award-winning B-movie producer Roger Corman himself – in the top-rated Syfy sensation about the blood-crazed primeval mutation called DINOSHARK!


 DINOSHARK was just as much fun to watch as SHARKTOPUS  (sorry, but it's hard not to compare the two), but I think the creature in DINOSHARK can actually be taken a little more seriously than that of the creature from SHARKTOPUS.  The Sharktopus was silly, but this is basically just an ancient dinosaur thought to be extinct that is an ancestor of our modern day sharks.  So this isn't some crazy mixture of animals like some would expect.  I expected a cross between a T-Rex and a Shark or something crazy like that.  This is a good thing, though, as it can be taken more seriously and actually led to some genuinely creepy parts when you do see people getting attacked.  You can't help but think of JAWS when you see people getting tugged under the water, and the music with the subtle nod to the JAWS theme is very fitting as well.

The film has some great attack scenes including the shark plucking a parasailer right out of the sky! The attack scenes are done well and actually have a good amount of gore in them....we see a few shots of random body parts floating in the water and the scene of a body, or half a body to be exact, washed up on the shore was very well done.   The blood and gore effect were turned up a notch for this one!

The acting in the film was good too, which is always a pleasant surprise with this type of film, and getting to see Roger Corman in front of the camera playing Dr. Reeves was a cool treat.

I think this is only the tip of the ice burg for these creature features..I think we will see many more mixed up animals to come and I wouldn't be surprised if we get to see DINOSHARK vs. SHARKTOPUS someday!  I say keep 'em coming.  These are great, cheesy movies and are just plain fun.  I recommend DINOSHARK for sure! 


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

CLICK HERE to visite the official website of Anchor Bay Entertainment

This will either be the coolest movie ever....or the worst movie ever! It's MONSTER BRAWL!!!!

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What do you get when you have a bunch of classic monsters battle it out in the ring in the middle of a cemetery?   You get a MONSTER BRAWL!!!!  Here is the basic plot from the film's official website:

Set in the tradition of a Pay-Per-View main event, comes a grotesque and hilarious fight to the death featuring a cast of eight classic combatants in all.  Along with their colorful managers, these monsters compete is visceral bloody combat in the ring to determine the most powerful monster of all time.

This could go either way.....this could be lots of fun, or it could just be awful.  Hopefully I can get my hands on a copy of this to review for you.   The cast includes actor Dave Foley, Horror film icon Lance Henriksen, and wrestling legends Kevin Nash and "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart. 

MONSTER BRAWL was written and directed by Jesse T. Cook and is in Post-Production now.  I will provide you with more details as they become available.   Let me know what you think about this film after watching the trailer....will this one be a winner?


CLICK HERE to visit the official website and watch the trailer

Rob Zombie....musician, filmmaker, and......laundry detergent commercial director??

Thanks to my buddy Caleb for alerting me about what he found while browsing the website, theawesomer.com.   We all know Rob  Zombie from his days as a musician with his band White Zombie and his solo stuff...and more recently he has been known for his film making, with such credits as HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES, THE DEVIL'S REJECTS, and the HALLOWEEN remake and sequel.  Well, now he is throwing his talents into the realm of....directing commercials?  Well....that could be interesting...but what kind of product could he advertise that would stay true to his horror roots?  A commercial for a Halloween store would make sense...or maybe even or a retail store such as Hot Topic (where they sell his wife's clothing line) or maybe for power tools like chainsaws or something.  Well, his first commercial is for nothing like that...it is, in fact, a commercial for Woolite Laundry Detergent!  

Even with something as innocent as Woolite Laundry Detergent, Rob Zombie creates a commercial full of his signature style and mood.   Check this out now!


CLICK HERE to watch Rob Zombie's "TORTURE" Woolite commercial

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Here are the Horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 6/28/11:
(click a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  THE BABY
*  BENEATH LOCH NESS
*  BLOODY BIRTHDAY
*  CYRUS:  MIND OF A SERIAL KILLER
*  DAWNING  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE ELEVENTH AGGRESION
*  MELVIN
*  THE NESTING  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  NIGHTMARES
*  RAMMBOCK:  BERLIN UNDEAD
*  SEASON OF THE WITCH
*  ZOMBIE HOLOCAUST  [Blu-ray]

John Cusack to play Edgar Allan Poe in Relativity Media's film, THE RAVEN

I'm not sure how I hadn't heard about this, but I just saw on Bloody-Disgusting.com that the first pic of John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe in the film, THE RAVEN, has been released.  I didn't even know Cusack was starring in a film as Edgar Allan Poe!    Here is the basic plot from imdb.com:

A fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe's life, in which the poet is in pursuit of a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer's stories.

I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty cool to me.  I envision it will be a lot like a 'Jack the Ripper' film and an Edgar Allan Poe biographical film meshed together.  Sounds like a winner to me!!

The tentative theatrical release date for THE RAVEN is  March 9th, 2012.

I will definitely be posting a more info and a trailer as it becomes available.

GIVEAWAY TIME!! Enter to win an awesome III SLICES OF LIFE T-shirt!!

Earlier this month I posted a review of the horror anthology film, III SLICES OF LIFE from filmmaker Anthony G. Sumner.  Well, now you have a chance to win a cool III SLICES OF LIFE  T-shirt !  I have one L, one XL, and one 2XL to give away.  That's right, 3 lucky 4H Blog readers will win one of these awesome T-shirts!  Looks like these are all mens shirts....but you girls can wear them too!!  Read the rules below to find out how to win!!  

TO ENTER THE CONTEST, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS

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. Leave a comment on this post telling me how you first found out about the Hayes Hudson's House of Horror Blog, and also tell me your favorite scene from the film (or trailer if you haven't seen the film yet). Be sure to include your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS so I can contact you for your shipping info if you are the winner (if valid email address is not given, I will post the winners name on the site and winner will have one week to contact me with their shipping info. If prize is not claimed within one week, prize will be forfeited).

ALSO....be sure to tell me which size shirt you want. I will choose a winner for each size. You can only enter to win one particular size of your choosing.

3. Only one comment per person. Multiple comments will result in removal of all your comments therefore removing your chances of winning!

4. Contest is scheduled to end on Wednesday, July 6th, 2011. Comments must be left by the end of the day on 7/06/11 in order to count towards the contest.

5. Contest winner will be chosen using  random.org and must agree to let me post their name in a separate post stating who won the prize.

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

GOOD LUCK!!

Blu-ray Review: JU-ON WHITE GHOST / JU-ON BLACK GHOST (2009)

JU-ON WHITE GHOST
Directed by: Ryûta Miyake

JU-ON BLACK GHOST
Directed by:  Mari Asato

  I have to be honest....I am not a big fan of ghost stories or films.  I have always been more of a slasher flick and zombie guy, so I really wasn't too excited about seeing these latest 2 JU-ON films.   I am glad to say that after watching these excellent films, that I may be coming around to the good old ghost story.  In fact, I may even go watch the original JU-ON film which I have actually never seen!  Both these films are excellent and are being distributed together on the same DVD/Blu-ray by the fine folks at Well Go USA.  Here is the plot synopsis for both films from the Well Go USA website:


JU-ON: WHITE GHOST tells the story of senior high school student Arkane whose strong ESP power induces him into seeing Mirai, the fragic ghost of an old school friend.

JU-ON: BLACK GHOST tells the chilling story of a young woman called Fukie who discovers that she's carrying an unborn 'grudge', which vengefully curses all those around her.


  Both these movies are perfect examples of what movies in this sub-genre of horror films should be.  They were both very creepy and unnerving.   JU-ON WHITE GHOST was filled with creepy imagery and visuals, and a haunting soundtrack that was as creepy as the film itself.  The film was very well made and the acting was spectacular.    The real thrill was the creepy ghost that keeps showing up....an old lady in a white night gown that causes each character to die in different and unique ways.  Check out the trailer for the scene when the ghost first appears.....I can't describe the sound she makes, but is a creepy as hell!  Watch the trailer and you will hear it.....gives me chills just thinking about it. 

  While I enjoyed the JU-ON WHITE GHOST immensely, and thought it to be my favorite one after watching the first part of JU-ON BLACK GHOST......eventually BLACK GHOST kicked in to high gear and never backed off.   JU-ON BLACK GHOST became my favorite of the two films, mainly due to one major scene.   The character of Fukie is carrying a cystoma, her twin sister that she absorbed while in the womb.   After years of lying dormant, the cystoma becomes active and wants to finally be out and free of Fukie.  The scene when Fukie's unborn twin sister finally makes her "appearance" is just crazy...that's the only word to describe it.  

  Both films clock in at just at an hour each, which I liked because there were no "filler" scenes...these films are great from start to finish and I highly recommend them for all fans of horror....even those like me that aren't big fans of ghost films.  Give this one a chance and I think you will be pleasantly surprised how good a ghost film can be!


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

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Here are the horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 6/21:
(Click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  BLACK RAT
*  BUNNYMAN
*  DING DONG DEAD
*  FACE OF THE SCREAMING WEREWOLF
*  GROWTH  [Blu-ray]
*  KILLER STORIES:  CRIMES OF TORTURE AND HORROR
*  MEGA PYTHON VS. GATOROID  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  PSYCHO HOLOCAUST
*  THE RIG  [Blu-ray]

DVD Review: HEADHUNTER (2006)

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

HEADHUNTER
Written and Directed by:  Paul Tarantino
Distributed by:  XENON Pictures

I have to give serious props to writer/director Paul Tarantino for this film. HEADHUNTER has a distinct Sam Raimi feel to it, which is one of the many reasons I enjoyed it immensely. I do have to admit that I was a little skittish about it at first, having never heard of this film nor being too impressed by the trailer. But I’m happy to report that HEADHUNTER deserves an A+ in all categories.

If you’re not familiar with HEADHUNTER, here is the synopsis, courtesy of the film's official website:

   BEN CARUSO (BEN PARRILLO “A BETTER WAY TO DIE” “KILLING EMMETT YOUNG”) wants to improve his life. When DOUG BENNET, a high rolling client of Ben’s (MARK AIKEN “SHE CREATURE” “ALIAS”), offers to put Ben in touch with a top drawer corporate Headhunter, Ben thinks that all his troubles have been solved when in fact…they’re just starting.

   Ben meets the strikingly beautiful SARAH TIERNEY. As a corporate headhunter, Sarah delivers Ben a high paying job that’s only draw back is that it’s the night shift. Ben finds Sarah odd, a bit cold and quirky, but with a seductive edge that he cannot deny. Soon the two consummate their attraction and from that point on, Ben is no longer simply working at a job, instead Ben is about to discover he has just become slave to an ancient curse.

   During his night shift hours, Ben discovers he’s not alone in the vast and eerie office building. Instead, the office is haunted with the many tormented souls who have fell victim to Sarah’s charms. Sarah Tierney herself is more than just a little cold – she’s been dead for ten years. Having been murdered by a past lover who hacked her head off with an axe. Each year, on the anniversary of her death, she comes back as a ghost to hire a new charge to find her head, or die trying.

HEADHUNTER brings a unique story into the horror genre and gives plenty of scares and gore to go along with it. The story flows smoothly along and keeps the viewer engaged the whole time; there are no drag-points or slow areas to muddle things up. In short: it clocks in perfectly at 90 minutes long.

The camerawork is done well and the soundtrack creates a distinct and eerie atmosphere. In fact, the soundtrack is part of what gives HEADHUNTER it’s Raimi-esque feel. I could definitely see it as a throwback tribute to the 80’s horror jaunts.

Also, the acting is top-notch, with Benjamin John Parrillo and Kristi Clainos heading up an excellent cast. And finally, the gore is stellar, with my sole complaint being there just isn’t enough of it. One of my favorite scene involves a car smashing a guy to death against a wall. There are a couple of really nice beheadings, too...which is fitting, given the title of the film.

One of my favorite aspects of this film is the twist at the end. I can honestly say: I NEVER saw it coming. And it’s not a hokey, last-minute twist either. It’s one that catches you completely by surprise and gives you that “oh wow” sensation.

HEADHUNTER is a well-crafted horror flick that is definitely worthy of my DVD collection. It will keep you guessing, right up to the end. Just be sure and watch all the way through the credits...there’s a nice tidbit at the end of those as well.


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

Camp Motion Pictures to release THE BASEMENT in an awesome new box set!!

Check out this awesome new box set being put out by Camp Motion Pictures.  It features THE BASEMENT and 4 other films, including:  Captives, Video Violence, Video Violence 2, and Cannibal Campout. 
Here is a little info about the main feature, THE BASEMENT, and the plot synopsis, from the official press release:
The Basement is the lost 1989 Super 8 anthology feature film directed by Timothy O’Rawe (Ghoul School). Restored by director of photography Michael Raso in 2010, The Basement is a shining example of 80’s DIY cinema inspired by Amicus Films’ Tales from the Crypt and features elaborate special make-up and creature effects by Scott Hart.

PLOT SYNOPIS:

Four strangers are summoned to the basement of an abandoned house by a mysterious entity known only as The Sentinel. One after another, they are forced to witness heinous deeds they have yet to commit – and which will damn them for all eternity.

Swimming Pool – An unfaithful woman disposes of the evidence with a little help from a demonic water spirit.

Trick or Treat – Classic monsters exact revenge on a bitter man who refuses to honor Halloween.

Zombie Movie – Cocaine, hookers and reanimated corpses wreak havoc on the set of an independent film.

Home Sweet Home – A young man questions his sanity after purchasing a house where torture and mass murder were committed 6 years before.

This awesome box set will have THE BASEMENT on DVD and VHS!  The other films will all be on DVD.   This box set is set to be released on September 13th of this year! 

Check out the trailer below!

DVD Review: BLOODSUCKING NAZI ZOMBIES (1981)

BLOODSUCKING NAZI ZOMBIES
Directed by:  Jesus Franco
Distributed by:  Cheezy Flicks

This might be the best title of a Zombie flick I have ever seen!  BLOODSUCKING NAZI ZOMBIES is also known as OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES, but I like that the great folks at Cheezy Flicks went with the BLOODSUCKING NAZI ZOMBIES.   That is just an awesome title.  Now...if only the movie were as good as the title......

Here is the plot from the Cheezy Flicks website:

During World War II, a small German squadron was assigned the task of carrying a shipment of Nazi gold across the African dessert. Along the way, the squadron was ambushed by the Allies, and only one American survived who knew the secret. Years later, the American survivor tells his story to a cutthroat German treasure hunter, who promptly murders him. The American survivor's son, upon learning of his father's death, vows to travel to Africa and find the lost gold himself. While the desert is hazardous enough by itself, the dangers lurking around this oasis are more than any of the treasure hunters flesh eating Nazi zombies stand in their way to an unknown fortune.

So the movie wasn't as good as that awesome title led me to believe it might be, but it was still a pretty good movie overall.   I bet this was considered an especially good zombie flick back in 1981 when it came out, unfortunately I think it just hasn't held up over the past 30 years like some superior zombie films from the 70's and 80's have  (DAWN OF THE DEAD, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, for example). 

The main problem I had with this film was from a technical aspect.  The movie was very grainy and out of focus at times and even had some "tracking" issues which I didn' even know was possible on a DVD.  It is basically like watching an old VHS tape.  While sometimes that can be cool and kinda nostalgic, here it was just really annoying.  It looked almost like to make this DVD they just recorded the film off a TV while they played an old VHS tape of the film.  The film was so dark in parts that you couldn't even see what was going on.

BUT.....the parts you could see were really good.   There is a bunch of dialog, so you gotta get past that, but once you get to the zombies, you are in for a treat!  The zombie make up is actually really good....much better than what I expected to see.  Some of the zombies reminded me of those from Fulci's ZOMBIE,  including the squiggling worms in the eye sockets!   Real worms add a huge amount of realism to seeing a freshly exhumed zombie, I wish more zombie films practiced the art of putting live worms on their zombies!!

So, overall, this was just an OK zombie flick.  Nothing too special, but not horrible either.  I think this is definitely worth a watch.  While not all horror fans will enjoy this one, you zombie fans should at least check this out for the great zombie effects if nothing else.

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

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Here are the horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 6/14:
(click a title to to see a trailer for that film)

*  BLOOD NIGHT:  THE LEGEND OF MARY HATCHET
*  CHATROOM
*  DARK MOON TRILOGY
*  DEATH'S DOOR
*  FALL DOWN DEAD
*  FUGUE
*  GROUPIE
*  MIDNIGHT MOVIE:  THE KILLER CUT
*  RED RIDING HOOD  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  ROGER CORMAN DRIVE IN COLLECTION Box Set

Not too much that looks real exciting this week...I would suggest you watch the trailer for BLOOD NIGHT:  THE LEGEND OF MARY HATCHET.  It looks like it could be pretty good with some good gore!  Also, the ROGER CORMAN DRIVE-IN COLLECTION looks pretty cool.  It is a 6 disc box set that contains 15 of Mr. Corman's early films, and is available on Amazon.com for only $15.99!!  What a bargain!  HERE is the link to purchase this box set.

Here's another great iPhone/iPad game: TWISTED LANDS: SHADOW TOWN

Here's another great game for all you fans of horror apps for the iPhone/iPad.    The game is called TWISTED LANDS:  SHADOW TOWN.   This is a "hidden object" style game where you have to solve clues and puzzles and every so often you have a scene were you have to find hidden objects from a list.  After finding all the items, you will be told that one item in particular will help you along your journey and it will add it to your inventory.  What you do with that item is then totally up to you. 

The story is simple,  our main character and his wife are out on a boat when they get shipwrecked on an island.   You play the part of the husband, and when you come to, your wife if missing.  You must solve all the clues and used items you find around the island to help you along your way.  

The hidden object scenes are pretty easy, but some of the puzzles and mini games are really tough.  Along the way you will encounter some strange beings, including lost of ghosts of years past.  

This game was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it to those gamers that like more story and puzzle type games  (like MYST, for example).  There is no real violence or blood, so hardcore horror fans might not care for it, but I really enjoyed playing it. 

The iPhone/touch version is $2.99 from the app store, while the iPad version is $4.99.  There is a "Lite" version, so you can check it out before you purchase it to see if it is something you would enjoy.  

If you play it, let me know what you think.  Do you have some other favorite horror games for the iPhone/iPad?

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

DVD Review: KILLER YACHT PARTY (2010)

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KILLER YACHT PARTY
Directed by:  Piotr Uzarowicz
Distributed by: CAV Distribution and Troma Entertainment



I had never heard of this film before, but when it arrived in my mailbox, I was super excited to check it out!  I mean, with a name like KILLER YACHT PARTY, it had to be good...right?  Here is the basic plot from the Troma website:

Terror crashes a private yacht party when one by one the not, busty party girls are butchered by a mysterious killer. Who will survive the KILLER YACHT PARTY? Starring Kate Luyben (TRUE BLOOD).
Well, while the movie was good overall, it just wasn't as great as I was expecting it to me.  Of course, with the picture of the girl covered in blood on the front of the DVD, I was expecting one big bloodbath of a film...and a bloodbath it was not.    Now to be fair, this was built more like a murder mystery film more than a horror film, although it seems to be being marketed more towards the horror crowd.   For a horror film, it is a little lacking in fact that the few kills that are actually shown are done very quickly and with cut aways, leaving us mainly just to see the aftermath of the kills...and most of them are very tame in the gore department.  I'm sure this has to do with being a low budget film, but I feel they filmmakers could have used just a few more gore effects to amp up the horror.

The acting is actually very good for a film like this.  Most every character gives a great performance and as a mystery, the film does an amazing job of setting up all the main characters to create numerous possibilities of who the killer could be.  Almost every character is set up with a minor flaw or grudge that gives you a reason to think that they are the person responsible for the killings.  Because of this, the film was a success overall.  I honestly could not figure out who the killer was in this film, unlike most every other film in this genre where the killer is pretty obvious by the end of the movie.  This one surprised me, so for that I applaud the filmmakers.

So....while hardcore horror fans will be disappointed by the lack of violence and gore, those viewers that like a good murder mystery will want to check this one out for sure.


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

DVD Review: THE LEGEND OF BLOODY JACK (2007)

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


THE LEGEND OF BLOODY JACK
Written and Directed by:  Todd Portugal
Distributed by: The Asylum Home Entertainment

After I watch a film, I will sometimes go out to imdb.com and see what others have to say about it. I do this for my own personal entertainment value because I don’t have mainstream tastes and some of the movies I love, others hate…and vice-versa. So, it’s always interesting to see what other people think.

 One of the reviews I read for THE LEGEND OF BLOODY JACK on imdb.com says “Enjoyed it for what it is.” The reviewer previously mentions how he and a group of friends dressed as lumberjacks and then sat around and made fun of this film as they watched it. I didn’t get the impression that the production team was going for humor with this movie, but I can see how it can be taken that way.

 If you’re not familiar with the film, here is a synopsis courtesy of the DVD cover:

 Campfire urban legend Bloody Jack comes to life in this brutal telling of the true story behind one of America’s most prolific serial killers.

 I find it very interesting when DVD cases have quotes about the film from supposed critics…but there are no references as to who made the quotes. For example, this one touts: “Recalls the raw, savage horror of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Last House on the Left.” But that’s all it says…no indication of who actually said it or anything. Which begs the question: does the quote have credibility if someone like the director or producer says it? Hmmmmmm. The other quote says: “A modern 70s horror classic.” My first inclination is to say “Huh?” That sentence has way too much going on to even make sense, let alone describe the film.

 I also find it somewhat interesting that every other movie released nowadays is ‘based on true events’. Wow…if that’s the case, then reality TV has nothing on the movies…and there are about 467 million serial killers running lose in the woods/streets. I’m not sure if the claim for this film is true or just a method for marketing, but I’m not buying it regardless.

 Unfortunately, THE LEGEND OF BLOODY JACK didn’t do much for me. It’s not a bad film per se, but it’s a mediocre attempt at a slasher film that brings nothing new to the table. I did not find it entertaining at all, and the only thing it has going for it is some decent low-budget gore.

 The story itself is ho-hum: a descendant of an infamous slasher attempts to resurrect him and actually does, sending him on a killing spree for no apparent reason. Ok…several problems here: we never find out who Bloody Jack was, nor do we find out how he is able to kill like he does (he ‘blinks’ in and out of existence thanks to some nifty camera work as he’s killing). We are to assume this is because he’s resurrected, but we don’t know. We also never find out why he looks like Freddy Krueger with a scarf wrapped around his lower face.

 As for the acting, it’s not too bad, but nothing to write home about either. I think the cast does the best they can with the material they have to work with. But really, the scriptwriting doesn’t do them any favors, either.

 As mentioned above, the gore is pretty good, with plenty of hatchet scenes and even a nice beheading. Heck, a guy even loses his hand and his junk when he’s attacked while taking a pee break. Like I said…the gore is the only thing that this film really has going for it.

 All in all, I just wasn’t entertained at all with THE LEGEND OF BLOODY JACK and will not recommend anyone else to watch it. It's not awful…it’s just a lackluster attempt that recycles familiar aspects of an already overdone genre.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the film

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of The Asylum Home Entertainment

The official EVIL DEAD game app is finally here!!

Back in November of last year, I did a post about an official EVIL DEAD game app coming out for the iPhone/iPad.  I have been waiting patiently for this game to come out, and I am proud to report that the wait is over!  I haven't heard much about this, but just happened to run across it last night while browsing the iTunes store.  The game was officially released on June 3rd and is available now from the app store!!  The iPhone version is on sale for $2.99 and the iPad app is available for $4.99.

CLICK HERE to view the EVIL DEAD: THE GAME app trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the official website of the EVIL DEAD: THE GAME app, for more info and cool screenshots from the game.

Check out the great DVD distribution company, CHEMICAL BURN ENTERTAINMENT!

If you don't already know about CHEMICAL BURN ENTERTAINMENT, you might want to take a look!  I'm not sure how long this company has been around, but I found out about them not too long ago and they have some excellent films for us horror fans!!  If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you have probably seen some reviews of some CHEMICAL BURN ENTERTAINMENT titles including SCARLET FRY'S JUNKFOOD HORRORFEST  and THE DEFILED.   There will be many more reviews of CBE's titles coming soon, so check back often!  In the meantime, browse their website to look at all their awesome titles.  Also, click the links below to check out their Facebook page and their Twitter page!  Their Facebook page is full of great stuff, including periodic contests and ways to win free DVD's!!  Like their page today!!


CLICK HERE to Like CBE on Facebook
CLICK HERE to follow CBE on Twitter
CLICK HERE to visit the official website

This week's Horror related DVD releases: Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Here are the horror related DVD's coming out tomorrow, 6/7/11:
(click on a title to see a trailer for that film)

*  ASYLUM OF THE DAMNED [Blu-ray]
*  BURIAL GROUND (aka. THE NIGHTS OF TERROR) [Blu-ray]
*  DEVIL'S GROVE
*  EXORCISMUS
*  THE HOUSEMAID
*  IN HER SKIN
*  THE PASSING
*  PSYCHO GOTHIC LOLITA
*  RUBBER  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  SLICES OF LIFE
*  TORTURED
*  THE WILD HUNT
*  THE WRONG HOUSE

Holy Cow!  There is a LOT of DVD's coming out this week!!  Check out the trailer for PSYCHO GOTHIC LOLITA if you are into the Japanese splatter movies like I am.  Also, I will be getting BURIAL GROUND on Blu-ray for the first time for sure.  A lot of people don't like it, but that is honestly one of my most favorite zombie films of all time!   Check out the trailer if you have never seen it.  The zombie effects are really cool!

Book Review: THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS by Scott M. Baker

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

 

Note from Zombie Hayes:  My contributing writer, M. Scott Baker, is an author himself, so I pass on most any horror novel I get to him for review.  I thought it was great when I approached him about reviewing a book by an author named...Scott M. Baker!  HA!  So, just to clear us any confusion, the author of this book did not write his own review, and my contributing writer is not the author of this book. Confusing enough for ya? HA!  On to the review....

 

 

THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS

by Scott M. Baker

 

I guess technically this book should get an 'Awesome' rating simply because of the author's name. I mean, Scott Baker...that just has an awesome ring to it, doesn't it?

But seriously though, I have to be honest: I wasn't looking too forward to reading this book based on its title. I mean, it's simply not catchy or flashy. In short, it's bland. Thankfully, though, author Scott M. Baker's writing and story make up the for the blasé title. 

If you're not familiar with THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS, here is the synopsis courtesy of Amazon.com:

Modern day vampire hunters wage a brutal battle against the undead in the nation's capital. As former Boston cops, Drake Matthews and Alison Monroe thought they had experienced it all... until they found themselves tracking down a serial killer who turned out to be one of the undead. Stopping him cost them their careers and almost their lives. Thanks to an influential and anonymous benefactor, Drake and Alison find a new job ridding the streets of Washington D.C. of the vampiric threat terrorizing the nation's capital. Only this time, Drake and Alison are not facing a single vampire but an entire nest led by Ion Zielenska, one of history's most evil and twisted masters. As the vampires indiscriminately prey on humans, seeing them as nothing more than food to satiate their hunger, they create a wave of violence that threatens to engulf the city. Orchestrating the carnage is Antoinette Varela, the mistress of the nest, whose vendetta against the hunters is personal.

THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS is the first in a trilogy, and I've got to tell you: I can't wait to read the other two books in the series. Baker weaves an intricate world in which his vampire mythos unfolds. While Drake Matthews might be a bit stereotypical for books in this genre, the character of Alison Monroe as his partner is refreshing and new. Both are well fleshed out and give the reader many reasons to care about them. This obviously helps accentuate the immersion into the story.

I especially like Baker's vampires as well. Although they are slightly familiar, with their subtle sense of aristocracy, they are also savage and brutal, a cross between Anne Rice's sophisticated undead and David Wellington's blood-frenzied savages. This gives not a new, but definitely a unique take on the bloodsuckers, casting them in a more feral light. And with the story even going so far as to mention how the female vampires love to drain their victims during oral sex...well, let's just say that's definitely a new one on me.

Baker's writing is smooth and simple, with good prose and flowing descriptions. The action is very tight and kept me on the edge of my seat. My sole complaint about the book is that I found three grammatical errors (one is forgivable but three makes me think the editor was drowsy while going over the manuscript). Otherwise, The Vampire Hunters is a fun and loudly entertaining vision of vampires versus the living. I hope to read and review the other two titles in this series soon (HINT HINT, MR. BAKER). Check this one out for sure!

 

 

CLICK HERE to purchase the paperback

CLICK HERE to purchase the e-book

CLICK HERE to visit the author's official website

DVD Review: NUDIST COLONY OF THE DEAD (1991)

NUDIST COLONY OF THE DEAD
Written and Directed by: Mark Pirro
Distributed by:  Pirromount Pictures

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started watching this film.  I knew absolutely nothing about it and I had never even heard of it before.  I say that because I find it hard to believe.  I honestly don't know how I have never heard of this before.  Why don't I hear more about this movie?  This should be a modern day cult classic yet I don't think most people even know about it.  Before I go any further, here is the plot of the film from the film's official website:

A group of Nudists are forced to shut down their colony by a group of religious zealots. Rather than leave quietly, the nudists decide to protest by killing themselves on the site, vowing to return one day to terrorize the people who took over their land.
Five years later, a bunch of kids are sent to the ex-nudist colony, which has now been transformed into a campground for religious retreats. True to their promise, the nudist corpses rise from the grave, seeking revenge on the zealots who condemned them.

The film is a horror/comedy, but let me say that this movie is definitely more comedy than horror.  That is not a bad think at all, because the comedy here is actually really funny.  Most horror/comedy films just don't work...either the scary parts are not scary, or the funny parts just aren't that funny.  What you get here with NUDIST COLONY OF THE DEAD is a perfect mixture of the two.  In fact, this might be my new favorite horror/comedy movie!

As I stated, the comedy here is great!  Now keep in mind, the film came out in 1991, so some jokes might seem a little dated...and you will definitely laugh at some of the hair and clothes, but overall the jokes are still just as funny today.  The group of kids are traveling on a religious retreat to Camp Cutchaguzzout, built on the site of the old nudist colony.  There is a funny mix of characters here, and let me warn you, some are very politically incorrect, especially in today's times.   My favorite character was that of Juan Tu, who explains that one of his parents was Mexican and one was Japanese.  When someone asks if anyone knows how to hot wire a car, one of the female campers turns to Juan and says he must know how to hot wire a car since he's Mexican.  Juan takes offense to this and says "I'm part Japanese too, but I don't know how to bomb a harbor"!   You will find jokes like this throughout the film.  Another good example of the un-pc humor is the character of the African American Park Ranger....a character that was written with such stereotypical dialog, it is sure to set back race relations for years after seeing this (See link to clip below)! But....even though you know it's wrong, you can't help but laugh.  It is all done in fun, of course.

Aside from all the humor, there is a good horror element to the film and some really decent gore for such a low budget film.  There are some great makeup effects..including dismembered limbs, decapitated heads  (2 of which still talk!) and an incredibly well done scene of  a guy that gets cut in half at the waist, but his bottom half keeps running through the woods like nothing happened.  I have no clue how they did this effect, but it was amazing, especially considering it was done 20 years ago! The zombie effects are also pretty good...and yes, for all you guys out there, there are some nude female zombies!

I guess I can't finish a review of this film without mentioning the musical numbers.  Yes, musical numbers.  There are at least 3 or 4 in the film.  Normally this would be out of place, but in such a cheesy (and I mean that in a good way!) film as this one, they fit right in!  Luckily each one contains extremely funny lyrics, so they are all very funny to listen to.

If you are a fan of horror/comedy movies, check this one out for sure.  This film deserves a lot of credit for starting the horror/comedy trend...leading the way for movies such as the SCARY MOVIE franchise years later.  This is one you will definitely want to add to your DVD library.  The DVD comes with four bonus songs from the 1995 stage show, which were not in the original film.  Also, although the film has been remastered, it still has a low quality look to it, as the filmmakers at the time didn't have super high quality equipment.  It is not bad at all, though, and actually gives you the feel of watching an old VHS tape, giving it somewhat of a nostalgic feel.  



CLICK HERE to visit the official website and purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to see a clip from the film

STUPID ZOMBIES have invaded my iPhone!!

Thanks to my buddy Cody, I recently found out about a great new iPhone game called STUPID ZOMBIES!  It is an awesome game and highly addicting, so I thought I would share with all my blog readers!

STUPID ZOMBIES is a simple game.  You are a man with 5 bullets.  You have multiple zombie to kill on each level.  That's it.  Sounds simple enough..and it is when you first start out.  But the further you go into the game, the harder it gets.   You get to levels with multiple zombies, so you have to take out multiple zombies with your few bullets.  This is all done by shooting in the exact right spots, working the angles and obstacles.    At first you are just using a single bullet each time, but later in the game you will get bullets that split, bullets that bounce, and even some that explode.

The game is set up like ANGRY BIRDS in that you have different levels you have to beat before going on to the next one, and you are also graded on a 3 star system.   This is ANGRY BIRDS for us horror fans!    Also...I think the little man character looks exactly like Ash from ARMY OF DARKNESS....do you agree?

Check this game out if you have an Android or iPhone.  I'm not sure about the Android app, since I am on an iPhone, but the iPhone version has a free app (not as many levels and ads) or you can purchase the full game for only $.99 cents!  It's easily one of the best dollars I have ever spent.  You will get hours and hours of enjoyment from this game.


CLICK HERE to watch a video ad for the game

CLICK HERE to visit the official Stupid Zombies website and download the game for your iPhone or Android  (or visit your phone's app store)

Check out the trailer for the awesome looking ghost movie, THE UNLEASHED!

I was recently contacted by an employee of Dark House Films letting me know about their newest film, THE UNLEASHED.   I checked out the trailer, and I have to say this looks like it could be a lot of fun! Here is the basic plot from the DHF website:

Madison Kennard, a troubled woman dealing with her dark past, must venture home after an 8 year absence following her mother's death. Almost instantly after her return, Madison must cope with the haunting memories of a childhood best forgotten. Lindsay, a childhood friend of Madison's with an adventurous past, hears of Madison's arrival and has every intention of reconnecting a friendship once had. Bizarre and unexplainable events occur within the house after old friends come together and dabble with the infamous Ouija board. With the help of Andrew Porter, a renowned writer and expert on paranormal phenomena whom she met by chance, Madison soon discovers that there is more to the board than she realized and must uncover truths of her family's past to contain what had been unleashed.

 The trailer gives a hint in what we are in for when we get to see the full film, and it looks like we are in for a very creepy movie with lots of creepy imagery.   I am a big fan of "ghost" and "haunting" films, and I have to say that this looks like it will be among the best of this sub-genre of horror!  Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think!


CLICK HERE  to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE  to visit the film's Facebook Page
CLICK HERE  to visit the official website of Dark House Films

DVD Review: SLICES OF LIFE (2010)

3 SLICES OF LIFE
Directed by: Anthony G. Sumner
Distributed by: Maxim Media International / Midnight Releasing

3 SLICES OF LIFE is a horror anthology made up of 3 different stories dealing with 3 aspects of a persons life, including "work life", "home life", and "sex life".
Here is the basic plot from the film's official site:

Sexual Parasites, Disembowelment, Zombies, Serial Killers, Demon Children, Violent Vixens, Rabid Office Workers and Angry Embryos all spring to life from the flesh covered sketch books featured in Anthony G. Sumner's SLICES OF LIFE. Mira (Kaylee Williams) awakens in front of a seedy roadside motel with amnesia. She searches for clues to her identity in the pages of three bound sketchbooks, in which each book represents a different aspect of everyday life, maybe her life. Convinced that the characters from these books are roaming around the motel, Mira's reality begins to crumble. Are these visions real or is she going insane? Desperate, Mira turns to the motel caretakers (Marv Blauvelt and Helene Alter-Dyche), only to discover the true evil bound in the flesh covered books and the destiny they hold for her.

At home... at work... at play... terror is never far away.
Overall, this was a fun film, although this is mainly due to the third and final section of the anthology. The first two stories were fun, but were lacking a bit in my opinion.

First of was "Work Life" with a story called, W.O.R.M. The basic plot of this segment from the imdb page says "A lowly clerk at a nano technology firm unleashes a deadly virus at the office headquarters, giving new meaning to the term corporate zombie". This story was pretty good, although a "virus" that turns people into zombies through their computers (by a shock through the mouse?) was little far fetched for me, even for a horror movie. This segment of the film does have some good gore scenes (although nothing like what you will see in the 3rd act), so that is always a plus.

The second section was about "Home Life" with story called AMBER ALERT. The basic plot of this story (again from imdb.com) states "As local girls begin to disappear, a young pregnant woman is haunted by visions of evil demonic children hell bent on stealing her unborn fetus." This was the weakest of the 3 stories in terms of plot and actual entertainment value. I won't say much about this, as I don't want to spoil anything about it (it has somewhat of a twist when the kidnapper is revealed), but I will say that it too made up for some of its plot shor comings with some really good gore and effects. The demon effects were really well done, with peoples faces instantly transforming into a twisted demon faces. This was very well done and extremely spooky at some points...especially when it is a young child that transforms into a demon.

Ok...now to the good stuff...the really good stuff. The 3rd act about the womans "Sex Life" is titled, PINK SNAPPER. Kudos to the filmmakers for that blatently obvious play on words there! HA!  This third segment was the goriest of them all.  They definitely saved the best for last here. This one reminded me of an old Frank Henenlotter film.  The film concerns a brother and sister that take refuge in a house  that looks to be owned by an old man that mistreats his daughter by locking her up in the basement.  But...he has his reasons as these two soon find out.   The daughter is possessed by some weird creature that lives inside her....um..well, privates.   The male character finds this out the hard way after being suduced by the woman, resulting in a geiser of blood!   The beast makes its way out and transfers itself to the sister that has come into the room to see what all the screaming was about.   This whole scene uses lots of blood and goo....its pretty gross stuff.   I mean that in a good way!
Overall this was a very enjoyable film that you should check out for sure...especially if you are a gore fan like me!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to pre-order the DVD
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website