Blu-ray Review: SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA (1988)

SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA
Directed by:  David DeCoteau
Distributed by:  Full Moon Features

  I am a huge fan of Full Moon Films....they have some great, cheesy films that have brought horror fans years of entertainment and continue to do so to this day.  While I have seen a lot of Full Moon films,  there are plenty of classic ones I have just never got around to seeing for one reason or another.   SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA is one of those films.  I have always heard of this title, but have never seen it until now.   Here is the plot synopsis from the Full Moon Direct website:

  In a bowling alley from hell...there's only one way to score!

  There are no freshmen in the college of love, and they're about to graduate to madcap mayhem when a sorority prank goes crazy. Out to steal a trophy from a local bowling alley, the kids accidentally unleash the imp -- a sadistic little spirit with a diabolical sense of humor. He creates demons and loves sexy women. He's the original party animal, inviting you to come along and die laughing -- just like everybody else.

  The Sorority Babes won't live through initiation, but don't blame that cute little killer. He's evil by nature and funny as hell. And even if you can take a joke, it kills you.

  Linnea Quigley, Andras Jones, Robin Rochelle, Hal Havins and Brinke Stevens star in the much anticipated Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama. Restored from the original 35mm camera negative and with some exclusive extra features, including the oldest Behind-The-Scenes feature Full Moon has ever presented, Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama is so funny it just might kill you!

  The first thing I noticed with this film is that is stars 3 of the greatest scream queens around...Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, and Michelle Bauer.  They are staples of a lot of Full Moon films, so seeming them together in the same film was a lot of fun.   In fact, everything about this film is a lot of fun!   It was originally titled THE IMP as the film focuses on an imp that is released from a bowling trophy.  I don't think the film ever explains why the imp is trapped in a bowling trophy, but being a Full Moon film, I didn't really expect it to!  Ha!   The imp is pretty evil, and turns some of the girls into demons, but he is pretty funny while doing it!  He throws out the one liners and reminds me a lot of  the Black Devil Doll.  

  The acting in the film leaves a lot to be desired, but that is expected with a cheesy 80's horror flick like this.   It doesn't take away from the movie at all.  The one thing that did bug me was the character of Jimmie played by Hal Havins.  This is one of the most irritating characters I have seen in a while.  Hal is the same person that plays Stooge in NIGHT OF THE DEMONS that also came out in 1988.  He is the big, jock character. He is annoying in that film too, and he basically plays the same character in this film.  Luckily, Jimmie is one of the first ones to fall victim to the imp, getting his head torn off by the demons and then having it used as a bowling ball! 

  While Jimmie's head might have been a gutter ball, SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA is a perfect strike in my opinion!   It's a quick 80 minutes that is fun the entire running time.   The film was recently released on a brand new Blu-ray and it is quite an improvement compared to the older DVD release.  The Blu-ray contains the following special features:

*  Tales from the Bowling Alley! Never-before-seen behind the scenes featurette!
*  NEW audio commentary with director David DeCoteau, writer Sergei Hasenecz and Scream Queen Brinke Stevens.
*  Full Moon Trailers

 I need to point out that the behind the scenes featurette is an amazing addition to this Blu-ray.  I am really surprised the filmmakers thought to film a behind the scenes feature way back in 1988.   It is as much fun as the film is, especially the exclusive interview with the imp itself!   This is a must have Blu-ray in my opinion!


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

 

DVD Review: BABES BEHIND BARS

BABES BEHIND BARS
Directed by  Charles Band
Distributed by  Full Moon Features

I am a huge fan of trailer compilations, and Full Moon Features Grindhouseflix line of dvds have been putting out some great ones lately.  The latest one I watched was called BABES BEHIND BARS.   This is a compilation of all the great "Women In Prison" flicks from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. 
Here is some more info on the dvd from the Full Moon website:

Welcome to Babe Jail, where the best shower a girl can get is from the warden's hose, and interrogation always ends in intercourse! This outlandish compilation of trailers and clips spotlights the women-in-prison sub-genre of grindhouse exploitation films, which were most popular in the 70's and 80's. Hosted by the illegally-sexy “Roxie” and her demented ogre-of-a-cellmate, “Lavondra,” you've been sentenced to watch the best of the most degrading, perverse, and sadistically sexist filth ever sent to the slammer. The prison bars may be cold, but the babes are hot!

  As I have mentioned before in reviews for trailer compilations, these are perfect for me due to my short attention span.   Plus, I could never watch all these films just due to all the time it would take, so this is a great way to get all the highlights and pick out a few that I really want to track down and see.  I thought I knew most all of the Women In Prison flicks out there, but this DVD showed me I was way wrong.   There are titles featured on here that I have never heard of in my life.   There are also all the more well knows ones such as BIG DOLL HOUSE, CAGED HEAT, and the ILSA films.

  This is another great Grindhouseflix title to check out from Full Moon Features.   You can purchase the DVD below, or watch this and tons of other great grindhouseflix on Full Moon's awesome streaming service!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to visit Grindhouseflix.com and sign up for Full Moon's amazing streaming service.

It's not too late to stock up on your favorite FULL MOON films during their massive 50% OFF Valentine's Day sale!!

 








 




  I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day!  If you didn't get what you really wanted for Valentine's Day (which I assume is tons of Full Moon movies), well you are in luck!   The Full Moon Valentine's Day sale is still going now through Monday, February 16th!    Don't miss out on your last chance to get tons of great DVD's, Blu-rays, and Toys for 50% off the normal price.  This is a great sale so stock up while you can! 


CLICK HERE to visit the Full Moon website
CLICK HERE to watch a Valentine's Day message from Charles Band and some of the classic Full Moon Scream Queens!

DVD Review: BLOOD OF 1000 VIRGINS

BLOOD OF 1000 VIRGINS
Distributed by Full Moon Features

  I am loving the Grindhouseflix line of films that Full Moon has put out recently!  BLOOD OF 1000 VIRGINS is another great title from that line of films.  Here is a description of the film from the Full Moon website:

  The young and the innocent have their lives threatened by sick degenerates, evil creatures, and the devil himself! Will they escape with their virginity intact? Will they get revenge on their pervy attackers? Will our host make it out alive?  All these questions and more will be stripped down and explored in the sultriest series of trailers hosted by "Playboy Playmate" Nikki Leigh.
Bare witness as our host guides you through topics like MALE and FEMALE VIRGINS, learn as she explains the many REASONS FOR STAYING A VIRGIN, run in fear while being chased by those WHO HUNT VIRGINS, and watch the blood fly when the tables are turned with the REVENGE OF THE VIRGIN.
So stay intimately close to our host as you wade ankle deep through the BLOOD OF 1000 VIRGINS!

  First off, I was amazed that there were so many films about this subject!  I guess it was a pretty hot topic back in the 70's which is when most of these trailers look like they are from.  There are tons of exploitation films on display here, some you will have heard of probably, but a bunch that I have a feeling you might not have ever known existed.  I know there were plenty on here that I didn't know about.   Some of the films are your mainstream sex comedies, and party/teenager flicks, but there are a few that are just totally out there.  Take for instance the film CHATTER BOX, about a woman with a talking vagina!  Or, DEADLY WEAPONS about a woman with huge, um...weapons, that she uses to kill the bad guys with!  This is crazy stuff that you just don't see anymore these days.   It is awesome to have all of these films preserved in a trailer compilation like this.

  This is one of the most enjoyable of the Grindhouseflix in my opinion.   I love trailer compilations like this.  I enjoy seeing all these old films and discovering new ones that I have never heard of.

  BLOOD OF 1000 VIRGINS is available now on DVD and at fullmoonstreaming.com, and contains the following special features:

Special Features Include: -Charles Band Grindhouse Intro
-Nikki Leigh Interview
-Mike Diva's Grindhouse Megamix
-Blood of 1000 Virgins Trailer
-Six Grindhouse Trailers


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

The Sci-Fi classic TRANCERS now available on Blu-ray!

  I thought all you Sci-Fi fans might like to know that the classic Sci-Fi film, TRANCERS, is now available on Blu-ray!   For those not familiar with this film, here is the basic plot synopsis from the film's imdb.com page:

Jack Deth is a kind of cop/bounty hunter in the bleak Los Angeles of the future. He's become obssessed with chasing Whistler - an evil criminal who uses powerful hypnotic powers to convert people into zombie like creatures known as trancers. Whistler has managed to escape through time travel and is loose in 1980s L.A. but Deth is on his trail.

 TRANCERS is available on Blu-ray for the first time from fullmoondirect.com, and has been remastered with AMAZING Widescreen color correction, 5.1 surround sound, and an incredible amount of extras including the following special features:

* Audio Commentary by Tim Thomserson and Charles Band
* Daniel Griffith's Trancers Featurette
* Rare Interview with Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt, and Megan Ward
* Complete Trancers: City of Lost Angels Segment from the Pulsepounders Trilogy
* Rare Stills Gallery
* Rare Full Moon Trailers

 Hopefully, I will have a full review of the film coming soon!!

CLICK HERE to order the Blu-ray!
CLICK HERE to watch an excerpt from the Trancers Featurette exclusively available on the Blu-ray

Check out these great Black Friday/Cyber Monday DVD/Blu-ray sales!!

 









 I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!   As you know, today is the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday!   Well, you don't have to go out and face the crowds  today, as lots of online retailers are offering Black Friday deals on their online stores!   Horror fans should definitely take advantage of these following Black Friday deals from some popular movie companies, most of which last all weekend long:


VCI Entertainment is offering 55% off on all their DVDs and Blu-rays!!! VCI has tons of classic horror movies on their site.  Click the pic below to go to the VCI site and us the CYBER55 promo code at checkout to get the discount!

Severin Films has a great 40% off sale and a buy 2 get a free DVD/Blu ray deal!!  Here is the info from the Severin Films site:

Starting Midnight this Friday, November 29th EST the Severin store will be knocking 40% off the price of all Severin and Intervision catalogue DVD and Blu-ray titles in stock. PLUS with every two discs purchased you get to choose a free INGLORIOUS BASTARDS, HARDWARE or BIRDEMIC disc to go with your order. Just specify in the notes with your order your choice of freebie out of HARDWARE single DVD or Blu-ray, INGLORIOUS single DVD or Blu-ray, or BIRDEMIC DVD or Blu-ray. If you order four discs then choose two freebies and so on. Please note that the catalog sale does not include the latest release HOT NIGHTS OF LINDA or HOUSE ON STRAW HILL but everything else is fair game while stock lasts! Sale ends at 11.59pm on Sunday, December 1st so stop by www.severin-films.com/store!


Full Moon Entertainment is offering a great deal where if you subscribe to their streaming service for 3 months (about $18), then you get 3 free DVDs or Blu-rays!! 

DVD Review: GINGERDEAD MAN 3: SATURDAY NIGHT CLEAVER (2011)

  
GINGERDEAD MAN 3
Directed by: William Butler & Silvia St. Croix
Distributed by: Full Moon Direct
 
Let me start by saying that I have not seen any of the previous GINGERDEAD MAN films, so I wasn't sure if I would be totally lost when watching GM3, but rest assured it didn't matter. Sure, I might not know why this particular baked good is on a killing rampage, I missed his back story I'm sure,  but that really doesn't matter. All you need to know is that this is not your ordinary gingerbread man and he likes to kill people. There, that is all the back story you need, now you can sit back and enjoy GINGERDEAD MAN 3: SATURDAY NIGHT CLEAVER!
Here is the basic plot (from the back of the DVD cover):
 

After cleverly escaping the maximum security Research institute of Homicidal Baked Goods, the Gingerdead Man stumbles upon a time machine and finds himself
sent back in time as he slaughters the contestants of a 1970's Roller Boogie contest. The only hope for survival is when a young girl blessed with the gift of
telekinesis makes the scene.
  
First off, you have to know what you are getting into when you put in a film called GINGERDEAD MAN 3: SATURDAY NIGHT CLEAVER! HA! Don't expect the best horror movie you've ever seen and don't expect Mr. Gingerdead Man to be walking the carpet at next years Oscar awards. What you do get with this film, though, is a fun, entertaining, hour and however long this movie is...and that is what I expect when I put in a movie. GM3 did not disappoint in that aspect. This film is a lot of fun.
  
I knew I would like this movie from the very beginning. It starts off with a hilarious spoof of the film, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. In this film, FBI agent Clarice Darling goes to talk to the infamous Gingerdead Man, but first must walk the hallway with homicidal baked goods locked up on both sides, including a loaf of french bread and a nasty little cream puff that says something very rude to her (as much as I want to tell you what he says, I don't want to ruin the joke for you!!).

This was just one of the many movie parodies throughout this film, there is also a hilarious spoof on the PORKY'S bathroom scene and spoof on the Stephen King flick, CARRIE.
 
Aside from the comedic aspect of the film, there was plenty of horror as well, including a great scene where some roller girls are having a car wash outside the Roller Rink to raise money, and our friend the Gingerdead Man hooks the water hoses to vats of Sulfuric Acid...needless to say when the girls start wetting each other down, things turn from sexy to downright disgusting in a matter of seconds, as the girls flesh begins to be eaten off the bone!!
 
Overall, this is a winner for me when it comes to Full Moon movies......I enjoyed this one as much as I have enjoyed any of the other film Full Moon has released recently. I recommend you check this one out if you can just set aside some time for just a fun movie, you'll get a good laugh out of it at yeast, I mean least!! HA!!

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

Blu-ray Review: SUBSPECIES (1991)

 

SUBSPECIES
Directed by:  Ted Nicolaou
Distributed by:  Full Moon Entertainment

SUBSPECIES is one of those films I have always known about, but had never seen before.  I remember seeing it years ago on the shelves at my local movie rental store, but I just never got around to renting it.  Well, it's 20 years later, and what better way to see it for the first time than on an excellent remastered Blu-ray!  (click here to watch a short video to see the difference in the original version and this newly remastered HD version).  For those of you not familiar with this film, here is the basic plot courtesy of imdb.com:

The evil vampire villain Radu returns to his hometown of Prejnar, after spending years in exile. He steals the precious blood stone which is said to be bleeding from all saints, from his father and kills him. Meanwhile two American schoolgirls teams up with a local girl for a work on Roumanian culture. Radu becomes attracted to them but runs into trouble when his brother Stephan helps the girls.

This is one of my new favorites when it comes to the Full Moon films.  Now let me say, Full Moon films are an acquired taste, I know.  Much like how Troma films have their fans, Full Moon has their fans as well, and you know what you are getting yourself into when you pot a Full Moon film into your DVD player.  I personally, love the Full Moon films.  While some are super silly, (GINGERDEAD MAN anyone?), they are still a lot of fun, which is what I want out of a horror film.
This one is actually one of the more serious efforts from Full Moon.   This is Full Moon's signature vampire film and they have given us a nice edition to the vampire genre.  

Veteran horror actor Angus Scrimm brings some major credibility to the film, although he is only in the film a very short time.   The main vampire, Radu, is played by actor Anders Hove, and is one of the  most menacing vamps I have seen on film in a long time.  His elongated hand and fingers made me think of on of the first on screen vampires,  F.W. Murnau's NOSFERATU.  The makeup effects for Radu are excellent, and his creepy, raspy voice gets my vote for the creepiest vampire voice of all time.

My only downfall with the film is that I would have liked to have seen a little more bloodletting....I mean, it is a vampire movie right?  I think I only counted 2 or 3 neck biting scenes in the entire film.  Also, I would have liked to have seen more of the actual subspecies, Radu's evil minions that were created from his fingertips that he broke off and brought to life.  These are cool little stop motion creatures  (reminded me of Full Moon's PUPPET MASTER film) that I really wanted to see be more of a vital part of this film.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed SUBSPECIES and recommend it to all my readers, especially those that are fans of the other Full Moon features.

Special Features on the DVD and Blu-ray include:

*  Subspecies VIDEOZONE:  Making of Documentary
*  6 Full Moon trailers



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




CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Full Moon Entertainment

Check out Full Moon Entertainment's latest feature, EVIL BONG 3D!

The great folks at Full Moon Entertainment mailed me a DVD containing the first 22 minutes of their latest feature, EVIL BONG 3D!!!    I checked it out and I have to say I think anyone that gets a chance to check this out in the theaters is in for a big treat!   The first 22 mins went by super quick and left me wanting to see more asap!!   The acting was actually pretty good and the movie is full of fun humor.  I can't wait to see more!  The film is playing in limited theaters around the country, so check it out if you live close to one of these spots where it is playing.   Here is the list of upcoming showings:

4/16 - Madcap Theaters--Tempe, AZ
4/20 - Inwood Theater--Dallas, TX
4/22 - Plaza Theater--Atlanta, GA
4/23 - Orpheum Theater--Madison, WI
4/30 - Hollywood Theater--Portland, OR
5/14 - The Forum Arts Center--New Jersey

Along with the film screening there will be an opening act by Charles Band's Full Moon Horror Road Show!  Also, not only is the film in 3D, but it is also being shown in awesome Sniff-O-Rama!!  You will get a scratch and sniff card and the movie will tell you when to scratch the appropriate smell!!
Also, if that weren't enough, there will be special celeb's on hand at these screenings, including stars such as Sig Haig, Jeffrey Combs, Stuart Gordan, and more!  CLICK HERE to see the list of which celebrities will be at each screening.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website
CLICK HERE to purchase advance tickets for these screenings

DVD Review: KILLJOY 3 (2010)

KILLJOY 3

Directed by John Lechago

Produced and Distributed by Full Moon Entertainment

I have to make a confession here. I had never heard of the KILLJOY movies until KILLJOY 3 came along. I assume there is a KILLJOY and KILLJOY 2, but I have never seen 'em. Heck, I didn't even know Full Moon Entertainment even made such a series, and I am a huge fan of Full Moon and their films. Somehow, I just missed this series of films. Before I go any further, here is the basic plot from the imdb website:

The demon clown Killjoy is resurrected once again, but this time he is not given the name of his victim and is trapped in his realm. Using a magic mirror he lures four unsuspecting college students into his realm where he can have his macabre fun! A mysterious man returns and we finally discover who Killjoy's true target is!

As sated before, I haven't seen the first two films, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of this film by any means. Maybe some things would have made a little more sense, like some background info on Killjoy the Clown, which I assume was covered in the first film. But that being said, this is still a crazy, fun film that you can enjoy without seeing the other 2 films. Killjoy the Clown is a fun character which reminds me of a perfect hybrid of Pennywise the clown from Stephen King's film, IT, and Jim Carrey's MASK character. He is goofy buy deadly at the same time.

Along with Killjoy, we also get to see three of his demonic clown friends, including Punchy the Clown, Freakshow, and Batty Boop. Batty Boop is a seductive evil clown, with a very interesting costume, or lack thereof, actually. Her "costume" is nothing but body paint which is very interesting to say the least. My favorite clown friend of Killjoy's is the one they call Freakshow. He is very creepy upon first glance, but then becomes even more so when you realize he has a small, underdeveloped conjoined twin attached to his abdomen. Although somehow he is able to launch this little imp at people to attack them, still joined by what looks to be an umbilical cord type thing. Very strange indeed, but a lot of fun to watch for sure!

While the film does get confusing at times, with people going back and forth between the realms by means of the special mirror, this film is still a lot of fun overall. If you are a fan of the other Full Moon films, then you should like this one as well. It has all the signature things that makes the Full Moon films so much fun. Check this one out if you have the chance!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Full Moon Features

Blu-Ray review: PUPPET MASTER: AXIS OF EVIL

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PUPPET MASTER: AXIS OF EVIL
Directed by: David DeCoteau
Produced and Distributed by: Full Moon Features
Release date: 2010

I recently watched the 9th installment in the highly successful PUPPET MASTER film franchise titled PUPPET MASTER: AXIS OF EVIL. Before I go on with the review, here is the basic plot from the film's imdb page:

In a Stateside hotel during the height of World War II, young Danny Coogan dreams of joining the war effort. Following the murder of hotel guest Mr. Toulon by Nazi assassins, Danny finds the old man's crate of mysterious puppets and is suddenly thrust into a battle all his own. He discovers that Nazis Max and Klaus, along with beautiful Japanese saboteur Ozu, plan to attack a secret American manufacturing plant. After his family is attacked and his girlfriend Beth is kidnapped, it is up to Danny and the living deadly Puppets to stop this Axis of Evil.

I have to make a confession here....I have only seen the first PUPPET MASTER film, and that was years ago when I was a kid. Somehow, I missed the next 7 films, which brings us to this 9th (and definitely not the last) PUPPET MASTER film. First off, I have to say that I LOVED this film. It brought back memories of watching the first film years ago, and seeing the same puppets in all their glory really brought back the memories. Luckily, with puppets, they don't age like actors do, obviously, so they look exactly the same as I remember them from so many years ago! One of the excellent things about this film is that you do not have to have seen all the other films in this series to understand or enjoy this film, as I am proof of that. I understood everything perfectly, as basically all you need to know is explained here.

The acting in the film is surprisingly good, as is the direction and camera work. Director David DeCoteau has worked on some earlier installments of the franchise, so he knows what he is doing and what looks best on film when it comes to filming the puppets. The camera work is very impressive with some great shots of the puppets, including some first "person" views from the eyes of the puppets. One thing that surprised me about this film is how clean and sharp it looked. Now, I did watch the Blu-ray version, which may have something to do with it, but the film looked amazing. While we are on the technical stuff, I want to mention a couple more things. The lighting in this film, which I really don't notice or pay attention to in most films, really jumped out at me and made an impression. Some of the close up shots of the puppets and the use of lights and shadows on their faces was truly remarkable.

The other thing I must mention is the music. Composer Richard Band (brother of producer, Charles Band) has done tons of work on Full Moon films before, including most all the previous entries into this franchise, and he is back to work on this installment as well. I first really took notice of Richard Band and his music when he did the music to the film, RE-ANIMATOR. That is one of my all time favorite movies and one of my favorite movie themes. I was glad to see Mr. Band did the music for this film as well, and it definitely shows. In fact, a few times in the film I noticed some music that had parts sounding very similar to the RE-ANIMATOR theme which was definitely a pleasant thing to hear. On a side note, the use of the glowing green stuff to make the puppets come alive was a similarity to RE-ANIMATOR which I can't help but wonder how intentional it was. But back to the music, I don't often take notice of the music in films as much as I should, but I couldn't help to notice the great caliber of music this film had. That was a very nice addition to an already great film.

If I had to have a complaint about this film, it would be that I would have liked a little more gore, but that is just a personal preference. While that would have been fun, it is not necessary and the movie is still great without it. I also wasn't big on the ending as it ended rather abruptly, but at the same time, the way it ended perfectly set up the possibility of a new PUPPET MASTER film, so that is a good thing for sure!

Fans of the PUPPET MASTER series should really enjoy this latest installment, and as stated before, don't worry if you haven't seen the other films in this series, as the film should still be very enjoyable to those that haven't.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD, Blu-Ray, and related Puppet Master merchandise!


CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Full Moon Features