DVD Review: MASKHEAD (2009)

I just recently finished watching Toe Tag Pictures' release of MASKHEAD, and I think I am still traumatized from it! This movie is messed up. It is sick, twisted, demented, and just plain dirty...so naturally, I loved it! I did feel the need to take a shower after watching it though, so be prepared to feel dirty after watching this film. The film was written by Scott Swan, and was directed by both Swan and Fred Vogel.

Here is the basic plot synopsis from the Toe Tag Pictures website:

Maskhead tells the depraved tale of Syl and Maddie, a lesbian couple who produce extreme fetish and dark specialty movies. With the help of their sociopathic associate, The Cowboy, the ladies audition numerous up-and-coming talent to act in their top selling, stomach-turning fetish series: "MASKHEAD", which features a large man in a bizarre mask who tortures and kills his "co-stars" on camera. Everyone has a fetish. What's yours? What turns you on?

That is really more of a plot than I could have ever come up with after watching the film. It is basically just Syl and Maddie, auditioning guys and girls for their films, (which we see through the eyes of their video camera), and then a cut scene to them "performing" in the film which finally leads to their murder. Each killing is different and more gruesome than the last. The acting is pretty good for a film of this caliber, and the gore effects are outstanding! I really think we might need to look into the making of this film, because some of these effects look so real, I wonder if they are actually fake or not! Not really, but I just want to make a point on how good the effects are. The main one is a man who is strapped in a chair and the main killer, known as Maskhead, breaks the man's arm with a hammer. His arm is bent and the skin is broken as blood pours out of the wound. This effect was very well done and the make up/effects crew on this film should be congratulated on the job they did.

The film also has some dark humor thrown in for good measure, mainly from the tales and the actions from the character of "The Cowboy".....I bet you can't guess where he looses his ring? ICK!! I quiver just thinking about it. Mainstream Horror fans probably won't like MASKHEAD, but if you like underground, grittier Horror films, then you will like this for sure. Also, fans of the "torture-porn" genre as it has been called (eg. the SAW and HOSTEL films) will like this film as well.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for MASKHEAD

CLICK HERE to purchase a copy of MASKHEAD on dvd from Toe Tag Pictures

DVD Review: MURDER COLLECTION V. 1

I have heard about a film called MURDER COLLECTION V. 1 for some time now. It is from Toe Tag Pictures and the the great director Fred Vogel, who's previous work includes the AUGUST UNDERGROUND series. I had previously read about this film in an issue of Rue Morgue magazine. In fact, Rue Morgue awarded MURDER COLLECTION V. 1 the "Best Gore Scene" of 2009, thanks to the wonderful gore effects of special effects supervisor Jerami Cruise. I finally got a chance to see the film, and I am happy to report it is definitely worth it's hype. This is a brutal film and definitely one worth checking out. Here is the basic plot:

Murder Collection: Volume 1, revives an early 1990’s Internet clip show, Murder, which was notorious for streaming videos of actual killings. After gaining popularity, the infamous show was discovered by authorities and shut down forcing the host, Balan, into obscurity. Over more than a decade in the shadows, the obsessed host continued to search for scenes of brutality that provoke a maelstrom of emotion. Balan has recently emerged from the darkness and is eager to show you his collection.

This is not a "fun" horror movie. There is nothing campy here...no dark humor or anything remotely funny. Even though the movie has a "plot", it is really nothing more than death scene after death scene with your host Balan talking a little between each one. The scenes in this film are remarkably realistic. From the scene of a terrorist beheading to the scene that won the "Best Gore Scene" award, a scene of what looks to be a real autopsy. Remember, nothing is real here, it is all just special effects for a movie, but you do have to keep telling yourself that sometimes. While this is not a movie every horror fan will love, a lot will, especially if you are fans of the FACES OF DEATH and TRACES OF DEATH type films. If anything, you at least have to appreciate the wonderful effects in the film, and the wonderful acting and directing for these scenes to come off as so real. I highly recommend this film. Watch the trailer below and let me know what you think. If you have seen this film, please comment and let others know what you thought of this film. As for me, I am now a big fan of Fred Vogels, and will be eagerly awaiting his next project!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for MURDER COLLECTION V. 1
CLICK HERE to purchase the MURDER COLLECTION V. 1 DVD
CLICK HERE to go to the TOE TAG PICTURES official website