Blu-ray Review: CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH 2: SUBHUMANOID MELTDOWN

CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH 2
Directed by Eric Louzil, Donald G. Jackson
Distributed by Troma Entertainment

  If you are familiar with Troma Entertainment, then you know what you are getting when you put in a film called CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH 2:  SUBHUMANOID MELTDOWN.   You are a getting a film that is just plain crazy, and that's what we like about Troma films, right?  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of the Troma website:

  First there was the super successful theatrical smash hit CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH...now comes the hyper-riotous, big budget sequel: CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH PART II: SUBHUMANOID MELTDOWN! The lovable cretins from Tromaville high school have graduated Summa Cum Weirdly, and the once peaceful Tromaville Institute of Technology is awash in a wave of violence and corporate greed. Meltdowns, massacres, and mutations abound on campus where humongous giant squirrels and obnoxious talking belly buttons are the least of your problems! Gloriously restored in all its anarchic glory, it's CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH PART II: SUBHUMANOID MELTDOWN like you've never seen it before!

 Now I must admit, I have never seen the original CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH, but I really don't think you have to have seen that one to enjoy this one.  In fact, the film give you a recap of what happened in the first on at the beginning, so you should be good to go.  Not that you really need to keep up with any sort of plot though, this just isn't that type of movie!   The plot is very unimportant to this film, as the focus here is more on all the crazy stuff going on around the college/nuclear power plant.   There are crazy experiemnts on the students, a gang called the Squirrels that terrorize the students, and worst of all, an actual giant radioactive squirrel that tears the place apart!   

  There is no denying this is a Troma film.  It has everything you'd expect from a Troma film including crude humor, bad special effects  (some so bad, it's good though), bad acting and gratuitous nudity.   If you are a fan of the Toxic Avenger films, you will love this one.  

CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH 2:  SUBHUMANOID MELTDOWN is available now on Blu-ray and contains the following special features:

*  HD transfer of the movie from original materials
*  Audio commentary
*  Music Video trailer
*  Interview with Troma star Lisa Gaye
*  Nuke 'Em High Saga trailers including Return to Nuke 'Em High: Vol. 1 & 2
*  Premiere of Mystery's music video "Return to Nuke 'Em High"
*  Lloyd Kaufman interviews James Gunn on the set of Guardians of the Galaxy
*  Troma at the Museum of Modern Art
*  The American Cinematheque honors 40 Years of Troma


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

Blu-ray Review: TROMA'S WAR (1988)

TROMA'S WAR
Directed by  Michael Herz, &  Lloyd Kaufman
Distributed by Troma Entertainment

  I can't tell you how much I love Troma films.....they are just so goofy and wild. They are impossible not to like.   TROMA'S WAR is one of Troma's films that I had never seen before, and I can't believe I went this long without seeing it.  While I love most all of Troma's films, this one catapulted to the top of my favorite's list for sure!   Here is a brief synopsis of the film courtesy of the Troma website:

  TROMA’S WAR is Troma’s masterpiece. Directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, TROMA’S WAR is packed with gargantuan battle scenes, heart stopping stunts, and never-before-seen special effects. TROMA’S WAR is the action film that all good citizens of the world can be proud of and enjoy! TROMA’S WAR is Troma’s answer to PLATOON and APOCALYPSE NOW. It is the first war picture that combines satire, sex, special effects make-up, stunts, gore and a beautiful love story.
   A small group of typical Tromaville citizens find themselves in the path of a terrorist army controlled by the power elite. The freedom of Tromaville and the world is at stake! TROMA’S WAR creates new kinds of heroes. A used car salesman, a handsome environmentalist, an obese junk-food gourmand, a seventy-year-old housewife, some sensational young women, a year old jingoistic baby and more sensational women all become deadly soldiers in the most unusual and explosive, action-packed combat film ever produced by the Troma Team.

  To me, this is Troma's true masterpiece. While the Toxic Avenger films might be more popular, TROMA'S WAR is probably the best made Troma film I have seen.  You can tell the budget was high on this film.  The acting is good, although some of it is very campy which is very typical of most all Troma films.   There are a lot of characters in this film, all of which are fun to watch in their own unique ways.  Aside from the silliness of the film, it is actually quite action packed with lots of gun play and tons of explosions!

  This is one I will definitely be revisiting soon.  If you are a fan of Troma films, this one is a must have in your collection.

  TROMA'S WAR is available now on Blu-ray which contains the following special features:

*  Director's commentary
*  London's War
*  Post war reflections
*  Kill-O-Meter
*  2 minutes with Rof
*  Veteran's Day: a post-tromatic reunion
*  Original theatrical trailer
*  Troma trailers


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

Blu-ray Review: THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II

THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II
Directed by Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman
Distributed by  Troma Entertainment / CAV Distribution

  If you are a fan of Troma films, then you definitely know about the TOXIC AVENGER films.  This is probably the #1 film series I think about when I hear the word Troma.   The Toxic Avenger character is by far their most popular character and I would assume most profitable.  He is truly a unique super hero!   Now, I have to admit, I had only seen the first Toxic Avenger film before now, so I was very happy when I saw that THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II had now been released on Blu-ray!  Here is the basic plot of the film from the Troma website:

  Toxie’s mean, green, and back on the screen! Melvin Junko was a nerdy 98lb weakling until he fell into a vat of toxic waste, turning him into the first ever superhuman superhero from New Jersey. This time the hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength takes on Tokyo. The Toxic Avenger Part II is a spectacular sequel with even more ingenious special effects, even more bizarre action, and even more unbelievably famous fight scenes. He’s come a long way from Tromaville, baby!

  Now usually sequels are not nearly as good as the original, but I have to say that I think THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II is just as good as the first.  I loved this film from the very opening scene till the end credits.    Like most of Troma's films, the film does not take itself seriously at all.  It is a cheesy movie with crazy dialog and some corny humor, and the typical Troma style gross out humor as well.   What this movie had that I wasn't expecting, though, was some excellent gore!  Most of the gore is pretty over the top and ridiculously unrealistic, but there was some gore in this film that looked amazingly real and actually made me cringe at times.  Part II of this film series also gives us some crazy, over the top fight scenes. 

If you were a fan of the original TOXIC AVENGER, you will definitely want to get your hands on a copy of this new Blu-ray.  THE TOXIC AVENGER PART II is available now on a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and contains the following special features:

*  Lovingly remastered HD presentation
*  New intro by Lloyd Kaufman
*  Director's commentary
*  Up close and personal with Toxie
*  A word from Troma's villainess Lisa Gaye
*  The Toxic Avenger on Japanese TV
*  The Toxic Avenger Saga trailers
*  The American Cinematheque honors 40 Years of Troma


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

DVD Review: FROM ASIA WITH LUST Vol. 1 [CAMP & HITCH-HIKE]

FROM ASIA WITH LUST VOL. 1 [CAMP & HITCH-HIKE]
Directed by Ainosuke Shibata
Distributed by:  Troma Entertainment

  Troma recently released this nice double feature of two Asian rape/revenge films by director Ainosuke Shibata.  The DVD contains the director's two films, CAMP and HITCH-HIKE.   Both films are centered on the theme of the strong female, who is raped and beaten, but comes back to inflict revenge on their predators.   Here are the more formal plot synopsis' from the Troma website:

CAMP: A camping trip will turn into a nightmare for sisters Akane and Kozue when they become trapped by five men who abuse and torture them. Kozue is brutally murdered but her sister manages to escape. Now, with the help of Misaki, a mysterious female vigilante, Akane is ready for her vengeance. And nothing will stop her until her sister's murderers pay for their crime!

HITCHIKE: The brutal Yoshio and his quiet young wife Saeko are on a road trip. Their drive will take a wrong turn when Yoshio decides to pick up a hitch hiker along the way. When the man reveals himself as a deranged bank robber and serial killer, the couple will be forced to cooperate in his getaway. Now it's Saeko s turn to take revenge on the man who drove her through hell!

  I am a huge fan of rape/revenge films.  As hard as it is to watch a woman being abused and raped, the payoff is always good when we get to see our strong female lead rise up and take revenge on those that did here wrong.  I love seeing the bad guys get what's coming to them!  Both of these films have that strong female character that do just that.  

  These films are very similar and star some of the same people. Both contain some great gore, although HITCHIKE relies on some CG gore in some scenes that just doesn't work.  It looks very fake and unrealistic.  Both films are very entertaining, though, with good stories and some great action.    This is a great double feature DVD at a great price, I highly recommend picking this one up.

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

DVD/Blu-ray Review: RABID GRANNIES

RABID GRANNIES
Written & Directed by Emmanuel Kervyn
Distributed by  Troma Entertainment

  Here is a film a lot of you might not know about.   It's a rare gem from 1988 called RABID GRANNIES.   I had heard about this one a while back, but it flew completely under my radar back in '88 when it came out.   I think I first heard about this film just about 3 or 4 years ago!    Here is the plot of the film from the Troma website:

Grannies are the greatest. They bake pies, tell stories and take you to the zoo. They don't ask for an arm and a leg in return. THEY WANT YOUR WHOLE BODY! It's off to grandmother's house we go for Rabid Grannies, the blood-splattered tale of two little old ladies who open a surprise package from Hell. Out slithers a mysterious fog that turns the grannies into ghouls who can't wait to sink their dentures into human flesh. Luckily for them, they have a houseful of juicy guests. Unluckily for their guests, these bone-crunching battle-axes just can't get filled up. RABID GRANNIES, these biddies bite!

  If you are a fan of '80s horror films, this is not one to be missed.  I think the 80's are by far my favorite decade of horror films, followed closely by the '70s.    This film has a very '80s feel to it and reminded me at times of the great gore movie, BRAINDEAD / DEAD ALIVE.   One reason I love horror movies from the '80s is the practical effects.  These always look so much better than today's CGI special effects.  This film has tons of great makeup and practical gore effects.  In fact, with this newly released 'Producer's Cut' of the film, we get to see some of the gore that was cut from earlier releases!

  Now, I do have to warn you about the Blu-ray transfer of this film.  All the day time shots are washed out in a yellow color, like a sepia tone, while all the night shots are washed in a blue color.  I assumed that is just how the film was since it was so old, but thankfully Troma packaged this with a DVD as well, and the DVD color is just fine, without the yellow and blue tinting.   I'm not sure what happened with the transfer, but it is a shame it is like this.  As I stated, the DVD is perfectly fine, though, so I watched the DVD.

  RABID GRANNIES is an extremely fun film, and I highly recommend it!   RABID GRANNIES is available now on the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Troma Entertainment and contains the following special features:

*  HD transfer of the movie from original materials
*  Producer's Cut of the film
*  Deleted Scenes
*  Interviews
*  Trailers
*  and much more!


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

 
 

Blu-ray Review: RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH: VOLUME 1

RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH:  VOLUME 1
Directed by Lloyd Kaufman
Distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment

  I can't tell you how happy I am to have seen this film.  I grew up loving Troma movies, they were great back in the 80s and 90's.   But there haven't been any good original Troma movies in quite some time in my opinion.  Troma hasn't put out on original movie in years.  Now they put out tons of DVD's each year, but they are just films that Troma has bought the rights to distribute....they aren't true Troma made films.   I grew up loving the TOXIC AVENGER films and films like SGT. KABUKIMAN N.Y.P.D.  I was extremely excited back in 2006 when a new Troma film was coming out.  That film was POULTRYGEIST:  NIGHT OF THE CHICKEN DEAD.   As excited as I was, I was a little let down by the film....it just didn't live up to the Troma standard I was used to.  Well, Troma is back with RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH:  VOLUME 1, and I am proud to say that this is exactly what a Troma movie should be.  This feels like a Troma movie straight out of the 1980s when Troma was in it's prime.   Here is the plot synopsis from the RTNH official website:

  Quentin Tarantino has been a fan and friend of Troma for years, and when he made Kill Bill in two volumes to create an “Event Film,” Lloyd Kaufman took note. “Michael Herz and I decided that to mark Troma’s 40th year we, too, would produce an ‘Event Film’ in two volumes just like Quentin did,” says Kaufman, “except slightly less lavish in the budget area.” Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Vol. 1 & 2, directed by Lloyd Kaufman, is a hilarious, thoughtful sci-fi “Event Film” with themes ripped straight from today’s headlines: the contamination and degradation of the world’s food supply, rampant bullying, and LGBTQ love triumphing over prejudice and violence. The film, a revisiting of Troma’s 1986 Class of Nuke ‘Em High is in the same vein as other classics such as Class of 1984, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, and Carrie, but seen through the unique vision of Lloyd Kaufman and the Troma Team. Welcome to Tromaville High School where, unfortunately, the glee club has mutated into a vicious gang of Cretins. Chrissy and Lauren, two innocent lesbian lovers, must fight not only the Cretins, mutants and monsters but also the evil Tromorganic Foodstuffs Conglomerate. Can they and Kevin the Wonder Duck save Tromaville High School and the world?

  I honestly don't remember the last time I had this much fun watching a Troma film.  This movie had everything you would expect from a Troma film and more.  One great thing about this movie was the humor.  While some jokes did fall a little flat, most were laugh out loud hilarious.  The movie was well written and paced perfectly.  There were never any slow or dull moments throughout the film's run time. All the great Troma characters and stereotypes were present, but also present were some great young actresses who played the leads of Chrissy and Lauren.  I expect to see much more from these two actresses in the future.  Oh, and I couldn't do a review of a Troma horror film without mentioning the crazy, over-the-top gore. There is plenty of that on hand here, so gore hounds will not be disappointed!

  RETURN TO NUKE 'EM HIGH:  VOLUME 1 will be available on DVD and Blu-ray on March 18th from Anchor Bay Entertainment.  Special features include the following:

·         Audio Commentary with Actors Zac Amico, Clay von Carlowitz, Catherine Corcoran, Stuart Kiczek and Asta Parades;

·         Audio Commentary with Writer/Producer/Director Lloyd Kaufman, Producer Justin A. Martell, Executive Producer Matt Manjourides, Associate Producer Regina Katz and Writer Travis Campbell;

·         Casting Conundrum;

·         Pre-Production Hell with Mein-Kauf (Man);

·         Special (Ed) Effects;

·         Cell-U-Lloyd Kaufman: 40 Years of TROMAtising The World;

·         “Architects of Fear – Edison Device” Music Video

·         Return To Nuke ‘Em High, Vol. 2 trailer 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to pre-order the DVD
CLICK HERE to pre-order the Blu-ray

Movie Review: FATHER'S DAY (2011)

 
FATHER'S DAY
Written & Directed by:  ASTRON-6
Distributed by:  Troma Entertainment


FATHER'S DAY is another movie filmed the style of an old grindhouse film.   Many filmmakers have tried this technique, but none that I have seen have captured that true grindhouse style quite like FATHER'S DAY has.  Here is the basic plot from imdb.com:

Ahab, a man obsessed with exacting a brutal, violent revenge on the man who murdered his dad, joins John, an eager priest, and Twink, a hot-headed street hustler, on an epic quest to find and defeat this mythical monster known as Chris Fuchman AKA The Father's Day Killer.
 
This is one crazy movie.  I can guarantee you that you have not seen a movie quite like this before.  The movie is done in perfect style that reminds you of watching a film late at night on TV back in the 70's or early 80's including a TV station introduction of the film and a commercial break in the middle of the film advertising the late movie coming on after FATHER'S DAY, called, STAR RAIDERS, which looks hilarious by the way.
 
The film is great and has something in it for everyone.  There is action, some humor, and loads of great gore, including a nasty scene where a man literally vomits his guts out!   Gross!
 
This movie is actually very hard to describe, because there is just so much going on.  The film gets especially crazy at the end when the the main characters descend into Hell to fight the Father's Day killer, who is a gigantic demon they three men must do battle against.
 
This movie is sick, twisted, perverted, and everything in between, so naturally, I loved it!
Check this one out if you have the chance.  FATHER'S DAY is in theaters around the country now in a limited release, and here is some info on the upcoming DVD/Blu-ray release from the Troma Entertainment press release:

"The 3-disc limited edition will now be released on June 12, just in time for Father's Day. It's the perfect gift for your father or abusive step-father! Only 10,000 numbered copies will be available, and the release will contain the film on blu-ray, a full length making-of documentary on DVD, a CD soundtrack and the many other bonuses for which Troma is known."
 
Oh, and did I mention Lloyd Kaufman plays God in the film?  That is reason enough to watch it right there!  This is one of Troma's better works lately and shows the true talent behind the Astron-6 team.  They are filmmakers to keep an eye on for sure!

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

DVD Review: PSYCHO SLEEPOVER (2008)

  
PSYCHO SLEEPOVER
Directed by  Adam Deyoe & Eric Gosselin
Distributed by Troma Entertainment and CAV Distribution

  
Ahh...Troma Films, you gotta love 'em...right?  Ha!  Well, PSYCHO SLEEPOVER is not one I loved, although it's also not one I hated.  I find it hard to write reviews on films like this when I don't really have an opinion in either direction, good or bad, about the film.   It's almost like I don't have anything to say about it since I don't feel strongly about it either way.  But I will give it a shot.  Before I go on, here is the basic plot from the CAV website:

After accidentally murdering her boyfriend, Debbie Dicky moves to a new town and meets three girls who invite her to a sleepover. The very same night there is a` breakout at the local insane asylum where forty serial killers escape and head over to crash the party. However, the girls at the slumber party might not be as helpless as the killers think.
 
First off, I love the premise of this movie.  Let's face it, the escaped mentally ill serial killer coming to wreak havoc on a slumber party or babysitter or something of the sort has been done before.  Many times before.  But PSYCHO SLEEPOVER is not just about a mentally ill serial killer escaping the insane asylum, it is about 40 serial killers that escape!!  All on the same night, and they are all heading to the exact same house!  HA!  Brilliant!   All the serial killers all have their own unique quirks about them, from their weapons of choice to their "costumes".   The cover of the DVD cracks me up with all the weapons around the edge of the cover all coming toward the "helpless girls".   

Another good thing about this film is the gore.  There is a lot of blood in this film, which is always a plus.  There are a ton of good gore shots, and although most are pretty cheaply done, they are all pretty effective.

The downside to this movie is that although it started off strong with a very funny scene between a regular guy and his catholic goody-two-shoes girlfriend (he is tired of just Eskimo kissing and she isn't ready to go "all the way" to kissing using lips! ha),  and ending strong, the middle just seemed to drag on a bit.   The running time is listed at just 87 minutes but I would swear it was 187 minutes!!
If you can get through that and make it to the end, you are treated to a wild and crazy romp when the girls fight back against the crazy serial killers! 

Like I said before, this one is a toss up for me.   I'm glad I watched it, but I don't see watching this again in the near future.  I can see how this could be a lot of fun as a party movie, if you had a bunch of friends over and just needed some mindless fun, this would be a great film to choose.

The DVD is being released on December 13th  and will contain the following special features:

*  Behind the Scenes
*  Deleted Scenes
*  Outtakes
*  Trailer
*  Audio Commentary


CLICK HERE watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to buy the DVD

DVD Review: EYES OF THE CHAMELEON (2005)

EYES OF THE CHAMELEON
Directed by:  Ron Atkins
Distributed by: CAV Distribution and Troma Entertainment
 

Take a look at that cover.....this is one of my favorite DVD covers I have seen in a long time.  I thought this was an old film that Troma picked up based on the cover....it had a 70's or early 80's look to it.  Everything about the cover is perfect, from the gory picture to the retro looking font.  I was surprised when I saw that this is actually a fairly new film.  It is actually from 2005 and unfortunately, the DVD cover was my favorite part of this film.
Here is the basic plot synopsis from the Troma website:

Sara is stuck in Las Vegas working a dead end bartending job. A chance meeting with a member of the occult triggers a psychotic break and she descends into a world of group sex, unrepentant drug use and rampant violence. As she spins faster and faster out of control, her friends are slowly killed off in mysterious and brutal ways. Is Sara being stalked by an unnamed killer or is she the one guilty of the murders?

This film starts off good, and I thought it was going to be somewhat of a tribute of the old Italian gaillo films, but it quickly sank into your typical, low-budget, slasher flick.    I wanted to like this movie, I really did.  Again, check out that cover!  Bravo to whoever designed that cover.  It would definitely catch your eye if you saw it on the shelf of your local video store.  

The acting overall is just so-so, and there really isn't much blood for a slasher film, especially since that cover displays such a gruesome scene..I expected the film to be filled with scenes like this.  I will say that the scene in the film where they got the cover pic is very well done.  The makeup effect artist did a tremendous job with the the machete to the throat effect.  Too bad there were not more scenes like this one in this film.  The film was very slow at times and led up to what was a very anti-climatic ending in my opinion.

From a technical aspect, the film has spots that are very blurry...almost pixelated at times.  The editing was also another issue I really noticed.  Normally you don't even think about the editing...normally the movie flows along and transitions from scene to scene seamlessly.  Not noticing the editing is a sign of good editing.  Unfortunately, I noticed the editing many times in this film.  It was very choppy at times and there were some very noticeable abrupt cuts between scenes. 

I am normally a fan of Troma's films....you usually know what you are getting yourself into.  You know they are going to be low budget and probably a little cheesy, but I usually like that.  This one
just didn't do anything for me.   

Chameleons are known for changing their outer skin to look like something else....EYES OF THE CHAMELEON did exactly that with its wonderful DVD cover, disguising itself  from what it really is.  This is a classic case of the old phrase "don't judge a book by it's cover".  The same applies to DVD's as well.

Now, keep in mind, this is one reviewers opinion.  I encourage you to still watch the film.  I always say everyone should give all films a chance, and some people might really dig this film, I just wasn't one of those people. 


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

DVD Review: KILLER YACHT PARTY (2010)

H

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: BLOOD JUNKIE (2010)

BLOOD JUNKIE

Directed by:  Drew Rosas
Distributed by:  CAV Distribution and Troma Entertainment

I recently watched one of the latest films picked up for distribution by the infamous Troma Entertainment.  It's called BLOOD JUNKIE, and it is well....just ok. Before I go any further, here is the plot synopsis from the film's official website:

Laura is supposed to babysit her little brother all weekend, but plans change when two studly high school graduates invited her and her best friend on a weekend adventure. Dragging her brother along, the five of them head to the woods for a killer camping trip. But the party of their lives is about to get cut short.

Blood Junkie is a 1980s-style horror comedy about a group of kids who discover a mysterious abandoned building where bad things happen. Shot in Wisconsin for $7000, Blood Junkie is a refreshing new vision in DIY independent filmmaking from first time feature filmmaker Drew Rosas. Bursting at the seams with bad ‘80s fashion, power synth anthems, and character clichés, Blood Junkie both embraces and pokes fun at the ‘80s horror film genre.

The film is not bad....but it's just not really good either.  The film is supposed to be a flashback to the great slasher films of the 80's, and in terms of making the film look like it is from the 80's,  it is a home run.  In fact, I was confused at first as whether or not the film was "lost" film actually made in the 80's that Troma ran across and picked up the rights to distribute.  But the film was made in 2010 for sure, thy filmmakers just did everything right to make it look old (well....almost, check out the convenience store for clues that the film was made in present day).   The music is great, straight from the 80's with overly synthesized sounds and the hair and dress donned by the actors was spot on.  I forgot how big eyeglasses were back in the 80's! Ha!  And if you were never around to witness stone washed jeans, then this film will be a visual time capsule that you can experience.  Also, if you were a male in the 80's, it was apparently a rule that you had to wear a jean jacket. 

Well, aside from the awesome trip down memory lane, the film provided little more.  Other than the opening title sequence, we do not see the killer in this film until 45 minutes in.   That is far too long in my opinion.  I understand the need to set up the main characters that will eventually be killed off...so we will get to know them and care about them, but by the time the killer got down to business, I was sick and tired of the characters and didn't care what happened to them at that point! 

This is director Drew Rosas' directorial debut (for a feature length film), so lets hope he learns from this film and improves upon his next one.  The film does show potential.  I look forward to seeing what Rosas does next, hopefully he can keep the elements that worked and fix the ones that didn't. 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

DVD Review: THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE (1992)

THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE

Written and Directed by:  Rolfe Kanefsky

Distributed by:  Troma Entertainment

I have a feeling most Horror movie fans have never heard of this film. I sure hadn't until I watched it recently, and while I can see why it might not be a very well known film, I think it should be. Here is the basic plot from the Troma website:

Three hot-to-trot couples and one goofy loner travel to an isolated country house for a weekend of debauchery, but soon realize they are not alone in the woods. One of them has seen this scenario before in dozens of horror movies, and he knows what it will take to defend themselves from an alien creature determined to eat the boys and mate with all the girls!

This is a unique film in that is the first that I know of to have a character that discusses Horror films throughout the film and warns his friends about doing things that he has seen people do in Horror films before.  In fact, this is the movie that many say inspired Kevin Williamson's screenplay for the film SCREAM several years later.  The character's name is Mike, and he warns everyone not to do the things most kids in Horror films do, including going skinny dipping and fooling around, or they are sure to die just like all those characters that he has seen in all the Horror films he watches. This was a neat idea and probably very unique at the time it came out.

The film itself is not great overall by today's standards, the film is campy with cheesy effects and some horrible acting.  While the film is from the 90's, it looks like it is more from the early 80's if you were to judge by the actors hair and clothing and by the film quality itself. The DVD looks like a direct transfer straight from a well worn VHS copy of the film. But if you are like me, sometimes all that can make a movie even more fun.  I even like the grainy, VHS feel of the movie.  It has a nostalgic feel to it. Take it for what it is and enjoy the absurdity of it all and I think you will come away really liking this film.   The film has some great camera work, especially the first person perspective shots meant to be what the alien/creature thing was seeing.  I always enjoy those kinds of shots and always appreciate more creative shots like that than just your routine camera angles.

There is also some fun gore effects on display, my favorite being a decapitation by glass door scene!  It was  a cheap effect, but it was done well.   The alien/creature itself was fun to see, and was another obvious cheap effect, and I would have liked to have seen it have more camera time, but I'm sure that had to do with budgetary restrictions, as this is an obvious low budget film for sure.

I recommend this DVD for all Horror fans. As with all their DVD's, Troma goes all out on this 20th Anniversary Edition DVD and have included tons of extras for you, including:

* New introduction by Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment
* New film deconstruction and secrets of success with writer/director Folfe Kanefsky
* New audio commentary with Mr. Kanefsky
* Rolfe Kanefsky's short film MOOD BOOBS starring Tiffany Shepis
* Behind the scenes featurette
* Original Cast auditions
* Pre-production footage and video storyboards
* Animation test footage and deleted scenes

* Production stills

* Original theatrical trailer and much more!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to buy the DVD

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of the film

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Troma Films