Blu-ray Review: LOST AFTER DARK (2014)

LOST AFTER DARK
Directed by Ian Kessner
Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment

  If you are a fan of slasher films, I have a feeling you would agree that the best slasher flicks came out back in the 1980's.  Apparently director Ian Kessner  realizes this as well, as he has turned back the clock and made his very own 1980's slasher film!   Here is the basic plot of LOST AFTER DARK courtesy of the Anchor Bay website:

  Spring Ball, 1984.  Adrienne (Kendra Timmins, Midnight Sun, "Wingin' It"), a straight-A student, joins her quarterback crush Sean (Justin Kelly, Maps To The Stars, Big Muddy) and some friends in sneaking out of their high school dance for some unsupervised mayhem.  The teens' party plans hit a snag when they run out of gas on a deserted road.  They head out on foot and discover a rundown farmhouse where they hope to find help, but instead find themselves at the mercy of Junior Joad (Mark Wiebe, Sweet Karma), a cannibal killer from an urban legend. After the brutal murder of one of their friends, the group's quest for help becomes one of survival. Will anyone survive the night?

  If you think they don't make good slasher films these days, think again.  I for one am getting very bored with all the possession and paranormal horror films that have been dominating the horror genre for the last few years.  I miss the good 'ol slasher films from my childhood growing up in the 80's.    Luckily, thanks to LOST AFTER DARK you can re-visit the glory days of the slasher film.  

  The filmmakers did a remarkable job getting the 80's feel to the film.   I loved all the clothes, the hair, and even the girl on the bus playing with the Rubik's Cube!   I also liked the slight grainy look to the film, reminding you of the days of watching films at the theater that were not presented in a crisp, digital display.  But, don't think that the 80's setting and look is just a gimmick for this film.  The film itself is a very smart and stylish slasher flick, with some great kills and gore.  It would have stood on it's own as a great slasher film even if set in modern times.  I think the throwback to the 80's just added one more element of fun for this film.

  One thing to note for sure was the acting.  I thought most all of the actors did a great job. I especially liked seeing Robert Patrick  as the tough guy principle.  

  I highly recommend this one.  LOST AFTER DARK is available now on DVD and Blu-ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment.


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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 27th, 2015

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that came out tomorrow, 10/27:

*  ABSOLUTE ZOMBIES
*  ARMY OF DARKNESS  [Blu-ray]
*  BOARDING HOUSE
*  CREEPS
*  DEVIOUS
*  DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS
*  EDGAR ALLAN POE'S BLACK CATS
*  THE HORROR NETWORK
*  THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 3   [Blu-ray/DVD combo]
*  PARANORMAL HALLOWEEN
*  RAGS
*  THE SADIST
*  SCAREWAVES
*  TRUE FEAR:  THE MAKING OF PSYCHO

Sorry for the lack of posts recently...

  It's been very busy around here lately, and this past weekend I was lucky enough to get to go to the Wizard World Comic-con in Tulsa, OK.   I went for one reason, and that was to meet the living legend, Mr. Bruce Campbell!!  Mission accomplished!   Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog posts!! 
  Also, I did giveaway not too long ago, and to be honest, I kinda forgot about it until now!   I will announce the winner on a blog post this week!

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 20th, 2015

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that came out today, 10/20:

*  DEATH-SCORT SERVICE
*  THE EXORCISM OF MOLLY HARTLEY  [Blu-ray]
*  FINAL DESTINATION 5-FILM COLLECTION 
*  I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 3   [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  JURASSIC PARK COLLECTION  [Blu-ray/3D Blu-ray combo]
*  JURASSIC WORLD  [Blu-ray/DVD combo]
*  KWAIDAN   [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE LARRY FESSENDEN COLLECTION  [Blu-ray]
*  THE OBLONG BOX  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS:  BORDELLO OF BLOOD
*  TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS:  DEMON KNIGHT  [Blu-ray]
*  THE VATICAN TAPES   [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  Z FOR ZACHARIAH  [DVD & Blu-ray]

Blu-ray Review: MOSQUITO (1995)

MOSQUITO
Directed by Gary Jones
Distributed by  Synapse Films / CAV Distributing

  Once again, I am reviewing a film I have always heard of, but have never had the chance to see.  MOSQUITO has long been out of print on DVD, and was going for big bucks on ebay.  I was about to think I would never see this film until now!  The great folks at Synapse Films have put together a remarkable release of this cult favorite!   For those not familiar, here is the basic plot of the film from the Synapse website:

  Science-fiction becomes horrifyingly real for a park full of innocent campers, as a hideous horde of mutated mosquitos viciously attack without warning! A band of survivors flees the bloodthirsty swarm in a death-defying attempt to warn the world of the mosquito menace. Led by a brave young couple and a resourceful government agent, the group realizes their only hope is to take on the bloodthirsty bugs in an explosive final showdown! A chilling blend of sci-fi, humor and old-school horror, MOSQUITO is a tour de force of terror. Starring genre icon Gunnar Hansen (the original “Leatherface” from THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE) and the late, great Ron Asheton (founding member of the punk rock band, The Stooges), MOSQUITO is a gore-drenched tale made with traditional stop-motion and practical effects!

  I love finding hidden gems like this film.  Most of today's new horror films just can't compare to most of these older films.  One thing you'll notice right off the bat with this film is that all of the gore is done by practical effects!  That is a huge plus in my book.  The computer generated effects look really fake most of the time, especially when dealing with blood/gore.   The mosquitos look awesome in this film and the damage they do is pretty crazy.   Most all of the kills come by the stabbing of people with the mosquito's proboscis, but one kill in particular stays on the guy as his blood is sucked from his body by the huge mosquito, resulting in a very gruesome, eye-popping effect! 

   The acting in this film is good all around, and it was really fun to see screen legend Gunnar Hansen (a.k.a. Leatherface) on screen, especially when he yields his trusty chainsaw to take care of the overgrown bugs! I also really enjoyed actor Steve Dixon as the scientist looking for the meteor that hit.   Ron Asheton plays the park ranger that adds some comic relief to the film, which made the film even more fun.  

  I really wished this movie would have been horrible, because then I could have made some funny mosquito themed jokes like, this movie really sucked, or, I don't know what all the buzz was about...I'm sure I could come up with more.   The bottom line is, this movie was an incredibly fun and will be one I will revisit many times, I'm sure.   If you are a fan of creature features, you will want to add this one to your collection for sure! 

  MOSQUITO is available now from Synapse Films and CAV on DVD and Blu-ray and contains the following special features:

*  Audio Commentary with Director Gary Jones, Director of Photography and Co-Writer Tom Chaney, and Producer David Thiry
*  "Bugging Out!" The Making of Mosquito - Featurette
*  Deleted & Extended Scenes with Optional Director Commentary
*  Behind-the-Scenes Footage with Optional Director Commentary
*  Still Gallery
*  Theatrical Trailer
*  Reversible Cover Art


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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 13th, 2015

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 10/13:

*  2 BEDROOM 1 BATH
*  BATES MOTEL:  SEASON 3  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE BROOD [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  BEFORE DAWN   [DVD/Blu-ray combo]
*  CHILL:   THE KILLING GAMES
*  DEAD CROSSROADS
*  DEXTER:  THE COMPLETE SERIES
*  THE FOLLOWING:  THE COMPLETE SERIES  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  MARY, MARY, BLOODY MARY
*  MOSQUITO  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  NEON MANIACS
*  NIGHTMARE 
*  THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA  [Blu-ray]
*  PRO-WRESTLERS VS. ZOMBIES  [Blu-ray]
*  THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA  [Blu-ray]
*  THE SAND 
*  SHAKMA
*  TULPA
*  WAYWARD PINES:  SEASON 1 

Blu-ray Review: TURKEY SHOOT (1981)

TURKEY SHOOT 
(a.k.a. ESCAPE 2000)
Directed by:  Brian Trenchard-Smith
Distributed by CAV Distribution / Severin Films

 I have had the DVD of ESCAPE 2000 for years, yet have never even opened it.  I had no idea what a cult classic I was holding onto until I recently got the chance the check out the new Blu-ray of the film from Severin Films, using the original title, TURKEY SHOOT.   Here is the basic plot of the film from the CAV website:

  In a totalitarian near future, defiant citizens are labeled ‘deviants’ and sentenced to brutal ‘behavior modification’ camps. But when new prisoners Anders (Steve Railsback of THE STUNT MAN and HELTER SKELTER) and Walters (Olivia Hussey of ROMEO & JULIET and BLACK CHRISTMAS) are chosen as human prey for rich people to hunt, they will be thrust into a nightmare of depravity, dismemberment, cleaved skulls, exploding heads, lesbians with crossbows, the insane hungers of a deformed cannibal circus freak, and more. Michael Craig (THE VAULT OF HORROR), John Ley (BMX BANDITS) and Roger Ward (MAD MAX) co-star in this notorious blood-and-thunder shocker – also known as ESCAPE 2000 and BLOOD CAMP THATCHER – from maverick Ozploitation director Brian Trenchard-Smith (STUNT ROCK, DEAD END DRIVE-IN) and producer Antony I. Ginnane (PATRICK, THIRST), now fully restored in HD from the original vault negative.

  This is a film I don't see talked about much for some reason, as to me it was an amazing film deserving of many accolades!  The film stars one of my favorite genre actors, Steve Railsback.  This is probably my favorite performance of his that I have seen.  In fact, all the acting was pretty good in this film, although some of the dialog is pretty funny.  Some of it is intentionally funny, I'm sure, but some is not.   That is one thing that gives this film it's charm, though.  

  One thing to note is that TURKEY SHOOT is action packed from the beginning to the end.   This is not really a horror movie by definition, although are some good kills and gore.  It's more of a good 'ol exploitation film.   It reminded me a lot of the ILSA films and the other "women in prison" flicks from the 1970's, especially the first part of the film as we see the new arrivals to the prison.  The second half of the film plays out more like a RAMBO type revenge flick, as Paul and Chris have to stay alive as they are being hunted for sport. This second half is where we see some of the best gore, like a man getting his hands cut off with one swipe of a machete! 

  This movie is a lot of fun, and I can't recommend it enough. This would be a great film to get together and watch with a group of friends that like this type of film.   The new transfer looks amazing on Blu-ray and is well worth the purchase. 

  TURKEY SHOOT is available now on DVD and Blu-ray from Severin Films and CAV Distribution and contains the following special features:

*  The Ozploitation Renaissance roundtable discussion with Brian Trenchard-Smith, Antony I. Ginnane and Vincent Monton (26 minutes)
*  Turkey Shoot: Blood & Thunder Memories - featurette with actors Michael Craig, Lynda Stoner and Roger Ward (24 minutes)
*  Brian Trenchard-Smith Interview (10 minutes)
*  NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD: Extended Interviews with Brian Trenchard Smith, Antony I. Ginnane, Steve Railsback, Lynda Stoner, Roger Ward, Gus Mercurio and Bob McCarron
*  Audio Commentary with Brian Trenchard-Smith
*  Turkey Shoot Trailer
*  Escape 2000 Alternate Title Sequence
*  Blood Camp Thatcher Alternate Title Sequence


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

DVD Review: HONEYSPIDER (2014)

HONEYSPIDER
Directed by Josh Hasty
Distributed by Brain Damage Films

  This is one of those films that can really grab your attention just from the DVD cover art.  I mean, look at that cover...looks pretty cool doesn't it?  I even love the font they used for the title.  But, does HONEYSPIDER the film live up to the snazzy cover art?  Well, before I give you my opinion, lets check out the plot synopsis from the Brain Damage Films website:

  It’s Halloween in 1989 and college student Jackie Blue wants to enjoy a quiet birthday in the midst of a chaotic semester. Her friend Amber persuades Jackie to come to the annual Monster Mash party on campus after her shift at the local movie theater. As murder plays out on the silver screen during the theater’s Horrorthon, Jackie begins to fall under a strange spell, all while a mysterious stranger watches her every move. As the night unfolds, Jackie slowly unravels. Everyone around her is turning up dead. Jackie finds herself helplessly trapped as the night comes to a shocking and gruesome end.

 From the looks of the cover, I was expecting this to be more of a "creature-feature" type film.  It turns out, spiders play a very small role in the film, and it actually a mixture of a slasher and occult film.  That might sound like a weird combination, but it actually fits together pretty well.  Now keep in mind this was a pretty low budget film.  For being such a low budget film, I think the filmmakers did a remarkable job with all aspects of the film.  There were some great sets and costumes, as well as a few pretty good gore effects (using all practical effects) that looked really good.   

  The plot of the film sounds simple enough, but I have to be honest about this...I had a hard time following what was going on.  The movie was kind of all over the place, and just when I thought I knew what was going on, something else happened that confused me.   Maybe I'm just easily confused, though!  Ha!  Either way, this did not keep me from enjoying the film overall.   There are a few dream/hallucination sequences that were very creepy and atmospheric, almost giving this film a sort of art-house feel to it.  Also worth noting is the acting.  I thought everyone involved did a great job, which is something you don't see a lot of the time with these low budget independent films. I especially liked newcomer Mariah Brown, who plays the main character of Jackie.  Her gorgeous smile and dimples were very nice to look at, and she did a remarkable job with some of the hard scenes she had to act in.

  Overall, HONEYSPIDER was a lot of fun and I would definitely recommend this one. The DVD is available now from Brain Damage Films and contains the following special features:

*  Director Commentary
*  Producer Commentary
*  "The Ghost in You" Music video
*  Menu with Poster Art
*  Trailer


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

Blu-ray Review: EATEN ALIVE (1976)

EATEN ALIVE
Directed by  Tobe Hooper
Distributed by Arrow Video / MVD Entertainment Group

  This is another example of a classic horror film that somehow I had never seen.  Director Tobe Hooper's TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is probably my favorite horror film of all time.  Actually, it might be my favorite film of all time, period!  It would naturally make sense that I would check up Hooper's follow up to TCM asap!  Why I never have I really couldn't tell you, but better late than never I guess.  I am so thankful to have finally seen this film.  It's not in the same league as TCM, but it is very close and actually has a lot of the feel of the original TCM.  Here is the plot synopsis from the MVD website:

  MEET THE MANIAC & HIS FRIEND. Nearly a decade before he donned Freddy Kruger's famous red and green sweater, horror icon Robert Englund delivered a supremely sleazy performance in Eaten Alive - another essay in taut Southern terror from Tobe Hooper, director of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Deep in the Louisiana bayou sits the ramshackle Starlight Hotel, destination of choice for those who like to check in but not check out! Presided over by the bumbling, mumbling Judd (and his pet croc which he keeps in a large pond out front), the patron of this particular establishment may seem like a good-natured ol' Southern gent - but he has a mean temper on him, and a mighty large scythe to boot... Oozing atmosphere from its every pore (the entire film was shot on a sound-stage at the famous Raleigh Studios, which lends it a queasy, claustrophobic feel) Eaten Alive matches The Texas Chain Saw Massacre for sheer insanity - and even drafts in Chain Saw star Marilyn Burns as the terrorised woman-in-peril, alongside William Finley and Mel Ferrer.

  As mentioned above, this film has a very familiar feel to it.  You can definitely tell this is by the same director that did THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, as it has the same gritty, dirty feeling that TCM did.   In fact, the owner of the motel (played by Neville Brand) could easily be a member of the Sawyer family from TCM, as he has the same crazy feel to him.    Worth noting also is Robert Englund's early performance as Buck.  It was neat seeing "Freddy" in this early role. 

  While this is technically a "creature feature" since it contains a killer crocodile, the real stars of this film are the creepy characters and especially Judd, the hotel owner, who actually feeds the people to the hungry croc.  Judd is the true killer, here....his pet croc being his "weapon" of choice.   

  If you are fan of director Tobe Hooper and especially of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE,  you will definitely want to add this one to your movie collection.

  Arrow Video has recently released EATEN ALIVE in an awesome Blu-ray/DVD combo pack.   Arrow Video has easily become my favorite film company, as they always do a remarkable job with their film restorations, special features, and packaging/artwork.   EATEN ALIVE is available now from Arrow Video and MVD Entertainment and contains the following special features:

*  Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, approved by director Tobe Hooper
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
*  Original Mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Audio commentary with co-writer and producer Mardi Rustam, actors Roberta Collins, William Finley and Kyle Richards, and make-up artist Craig Reardon
*  New introduction to the film by Hooper
*  Blood on the Bayou – a brand new interview with Hooper
*  Gator Bait – a brand new interview with star Janus Blythe
*  Monsters and Metaphors – a brand new interview with make-up artist Craig Reardon
*  The Gator Creator – an archive interview with Hooper
*  My Name is Buck – an archive interview with star Robert Englund
*  5ive Minutes with Marilyn Burns – the Texas Chain Saw star discusses her role in Eaten Alive
*  The Butcher of Elmendorf: The Legend of Joe Ball – featurette looking at the true-life story of the South Texas bar owner on whom Eaten Alive is loosely based
*  Original theatrical trailers for the film under its various alternate titles: Eaten Alive, Death Trap, Starlight Slaughter and Horror Hotel
*  TV and Radio Spots
*  Alternate Opening Titles
*  Behind the Scenes Slideshow
*  Stills and Promo Material Gallery
*  Audience Comment Cards
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
*  Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Brad Stevens, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

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

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 10/6:

*  AIR  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  BURNT OFFERINGS  [Blu-ray]
*  BURYING THE EX  [Blu-ray]
*  CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  DARK PLACES  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  DEAD RISING:  WATCHTOWER
*  DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE  [Blu-ray]
*  EATERS
*  FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED  [Blu-ray]
*  GRAVY  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  HONEYSPIDER
*  HOW TO KILL A ZOMBIE
*  INSIDIOUS 3  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE INVOKING 2
*  JUNE
*  MONSTERS AMONG US
*  THE MUMMY   [Blu-ray]
*  NAVY SEALS VS. ZOMBIES  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  NOCTURNA
*  OLD 37
*  PENNY DREADFUL:  COMPLETE 2nd SEASON  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  SHARKNADO 3  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THE STRANGER  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA   [Blu-ray]
*  TREMORS 5:  BLOODLINES  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  WE ARE STILL HERE  [DVD & Blu-ray]

Blu-ray Review: POLTERGEIST (2015)

POLTERGEIST 
Directed by  Gil Kenan
Distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

 Most horror fans will know that this is a remake of the 1982 film of the same name.  While many horror remakes are frowned upon by most true horror fans, every now and then a remake comes along and you realize that a remake can be a very fun way to re-visit a great movie from the past.  POLTERGEIST was one of those films for me.   Here is the basic plot of the film from the 20th Century Fox website:

  From legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, The Grudge) and director Gil Kenan (Monster House) comes this “thrilling” (Justin Lowe, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) film starring Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt. After the Bowen family moves into a seemingly perfect suburban home, sinister spirits begin to haunt them. And when the terrifying apparitions abduct Maddy, their youngest daughter (Kennedi Clements), the Bowens must find a way to rescue her – or they’ll lose her forever. With suspenseful storytelling and jaw-dropping visuals, this electrifying take on a spine-chilling classic will haunt you from its early nightmarish moments to its exhilarating climax!

  It seems like all Hollywood is putting out these days is possession and/or "haunted" films of some sort, with the likes of the the INSIDEOUS and PARANORMAL ACTIVITY films, and movies like THE CONJURING.  While POLTERGEIST fits into those categories, it still manages to seem fresh and new, and really sets itself apart from the above mentioned films.   This film has some crazy, over the top effects, just as you would expect if you were a fan of the original series of POLTERGEIST films.  While this new film relies on more CG effects than the original did, they are used very well and fit in well overall.    The acting is very good in this film as well, from the adults to the kids.  Everyone put in a very good performance, with the children putting in some very powerful acting jobs. 

 The original POLTERGEIST is one of my all time favorite horror films.  This new re-envisioning of the film does a wonderful job re-creating the fun and scares that the original delivered to us back in the early 80's, although I will admit that I will always be biased to the original.  The original came out when I was 6 years old, and I probably saw it a few years after that, so I was still very young.  It really freaked me out and I have always had a spot for it in my horror loving heart!

  I have a feeling that younger audiences will get the same feeling from this film if they are seeing this one without ever seeing the original. I can only hope they will have as fond of memories of this film as I do of the original.

  POLTERGEIST is available now on DVD, Blu-ray, and 3D Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and contains the following special features:

*  Alternate Ending
*  Still Gallery
*  Theatrical Trailers
*  Extended Cut of the film  (Blu-ray only)

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray
CLICK HERE to purchase the 3D Blu-ray