Hayes Hudson's House of Horror: July 2026

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Blu-ray Review: SCREAM DREAM (1989)

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

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Blu-ray Review: AM I EVIL (2007)

AM I EVIL

Directed by: Richard Terrasi

Distributed by: SRS Cinema

If you have to ask, then you probably are! After watching this film, I can confirm you definitely are!

AM I EVIL is the name of today's film that is up for review. This is another film I have never heard of or seen/read anything about. After watching it, I'm wondering how that is possible.

Now don't get me wrong, this is not a masterpiece of horror cinema by any means, but for a directorial debut, it's a solid film that was very entertaining. It was also very brutal, much more so than I was expecting.

Before I go any further, here is the basic plot synopsis from the SRS website:

Andrew Lakewood seems to be a normal guy. But deep within him is a dark side, hidden, until one day, his thoughts and fantasies become real. "Am In Evil" is a horrific and disturbing character study of a homicidal killer!

Being a lower budget independent film, I wasn't expecting too much out of this one, but boy was I wrong! Everything about this film seemed bigger than the budget was. A lot of independent films are killed by the level of actors they are able to get. This was not the case with this film. The acting was excellent, especially from all the actresses that portrayed the victims. They all did an amazing job and looked truly terrified in many scenes.

The film in pretty simple in plot, basically our main character Andrew seduces women, and then brings them back to his place to have sex, and then kill them....although not always in that order! We are then witnesses to all of Andrew's depravity, including beheadings and disembowelings! One of the more disturbing scenes including watching Andrew play in the guts and blood of his latest victim. Everything is silent except the faint music of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata playing the background. The visual of seeing such a heinous act while listing to one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever created, was definitely a shock to your senses!

If you are a fan of the so called "torture-porn" sub-genre of horror films, this one is a must watch for you. Be warned, this one is not for the squeamish!

AM I EVIL is available now on a new 4K Restoration 20th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition, and includes the following Special Features: