Blu-Ray Review: HIGHWAY TO HELL (1990)

HIGHWAY TO HELL

Directed by:  Bret McCormick

Distributed by:  Visual Vengeance / Wild Eye Releasing / MVD Distribution

  The only HIGHWAY TO HELL film I had ever heard of was the 1991 horror/dark comedy film from director Ate De Jong.    Look up the film and I'm sure you'll recognize the iconic cover art that was in every Blockbuster and Mom and Pop video store back in the 1990's.   

  When this HIGHWAY TO HELL arrived for my review, I assumed it was that movie with different cover art.   That is not the case.  This is actually a completely different film that came out one year before in 1990.  This is more of an exploitation road adventure movie, and as bad as it was, it was still quite a fun watch!   Here is the basic plot synopsis from the MVD website:

Convicted mass-murderer Toby Gilmore has escaped from prison, and the open desert becomes his playground for sadism and destruction. Determined to stop him after failing to execute him years earlier, officer Earl Dent (Richard Harrison) sets out on a relentless pursuit that turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. But Gilmore has taken a hostage--Fran Tucker, a young woman caught in the wrong place at the worst possible time. As the chase hurtles across backroads and wastelands, Dent closes in, each mile bringing he and Gilmore closer to an explosive reckoning on the highway to hell.

Shot in rural Texas, Highway to Hell stands as a prime example of the regional, low-budget filmmaking that fueled America's video boom of the 1980s and '90s. Originally released on VHS via Rae Don Home Video, the film showcases director Bret McCormick (The Abomination, Repligator), a key figure in the Texas exploitation underground, whose raw energy and ingenuity turn poverty row resources into a fast-paced, sun-baked thriller that captures the true spirit and grit of independent genre cinema.

 This is a very low budget film and it shows.  The acting is not great, the effects are pretty bad, but like I mentioned before, this was still a lot of fun to watch.   It might be a case of laughing AT the film versus laughing WITH the film, though, as I assume this was supposed to be a serious film at the time.   The film follows our killer, Toby Gilmore, as he carjacks his way across country with the law on his tail.  No one is safe from Gilmore, not women or even children!  Gilmore will do anything he has to survive and not go back to prison. 

 Some laughable moments include our killer shooting a truck with one shot from a pistol and it exploding into a huge fireball.   Another is Gilmore shooting a helicopter out of the sky with his pistol, also with a huge explosion!   That pistol he carries must pack quite a punch!

 While the film might not be exceptional by any means, this physical release of the film is for sure.  Visual Vengeance spared no expense on giving this film quite the stellar release.   The film has reversible cover art and an awesome slip case.  There are tons of Special Features including the following:

* Region Free Blu-ray

* SD master from original tape elements

* Commentary with director Bret McCormick

* Director Bret McCormick interview

* Red Hot Asphalt:  actor Richard Harrison interview

* Road Trip: actress Blue Thompson interview

* Writing A Road Map to Hell:  screenwriter Gary Kennamer interview

* Actor Tom Fegan interview

* Image Gallery

* Bonus Movie: REDNECK COUNTY FEVER (1992), directed by Gary Kennamer

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Commentary track with Bret McCormick and Gary Kennamer

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Bret McCormick interview

* REDNECK COUNTY FEVER - Gary Kennamer interview

* Visual Vengeance trailers

* "Stick Your Own" VHS Sticker set

* Reversible sleeve featuring original VHS art

* Folded REDNECK COUNTY FEVER mini-poster

* Optional English Subtitles

* Limited Edition O-Card featuring original poster art (First Pressing Only)

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Congratulation to the winner of the latest 4H blog giveaway!!

 Congratulation to Michael A., the winner of my latest DVD giveaway!  Michael will be getting an awesome MOLD prize pack courtesy of the great folks at Wild Eye Releasing! The prize pack contains a DVD and Limited Edition VHS version of the film MOLD.

Congrats Michael, check your email for a message from me and shoot me your mailing address and your prize will be on it's way! 

Thanks to everyone that entered, and be on the lookout for our next giveaway!!

DVD Review: BLOOD SLAUGHTER MASSACRE (2013)

BLOOD SLAUGHTER MASSACRE 
Directed by  Manny Serrano
Distributed by Wild Eye Releasing / MVD Entertainment

  Let me start this review by saying whoever did the cover art for this DVD release is brilliant.  The cover art is very simple, clean design with a depiction of a very creepy looking killer holding a huge bloody knife complete with the reflection of his latest screaming victim.  Kudos to the art department!  Now if only the movie would have been as good as that cover makes it look!  
  Before I go any further, here is the basic plot synopsis from the MVD website:

  Ten years ago, the sleepy suburb of Havenwood was plagued by a string of unsolved murders, by a masked maniac remembered only as The Ripper. Now a new series of killings has begun, and teenagers are turning up dead everywhere. But can The Ripper be stopped this time around? Blood Slaughter Massacre is an incredible homage to slasher movie nostalgia, and featuring a killer 80's style soundtrack.

  First off, with a name like BLOOD SLAUGHTER MASSACRE, you would think you were getting a parody of slasher flicks.  That title just screams sarcasm...but alas, what is presented is a straight, serious slasher flick.  The acting is pretty awful, as is the production quality of the film.   In some spots it looks like a home video camera recorded it and then in other spots it goes in and out of focus.
One thing this movie does have going for it are the kills, including some very gory scenes such as a shower stabbing and a woman getting chainsawed in half!  But...just some good kills don't make the movie a good movie by any means.   The cons definitely outweighed the pros in my opinion on this one.    One major flaw I thought was the editing and running time.  At 113 minutes, I thought there were many times of slow placing and unnecessary dialog.  If they would have tightened this up to a good 'ol 80-90 minutes, I think the film could have been a lot better.

 BLOOD SLAUGHTER MASSACRE is available now on DVD from Wild Eye Releasing and MVD Entertainment.  It contains the following special features:

*  Feature length commentary with Manny Serrano (Director/Writer/Editor), Lindsay Serrano (Producer/A.D./Head of SFX) and Louie Cortes (Writer/Cinematography).
*  Over 12 minutes of deleted scenes
*  Extended scenes
*  A VHS rip of the BSM promo tape, containing the three faux-trailers the film is based upon
*  Demons of the Night - Music Video by Midnight Flashback, with footage from the film
*  Behind-the-scenes featurette
*  The Ripper Action Figure Toy Commercial, starring Johnny Dickie (Slaughter Tales)


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

It's GIVEAWAY time!!! Enter to win an awesome DVD/VHS prizepack from Wild Eye Releasing!

 Wow, I had no idea it has been sooo long since I've done a giveaway here on the 4H blog!  So, let's not make it any longer....let's do a giveaway right now!!  Up for grabs is what I consider one of my greatest prizes ever!  This is a LIMITED EDITION Collectors VHS / DVD bundle of the film MOLD! courtesy of the fine folks at Wild Eye Releasing!   Enter for your chance to win this awesome prize, completely FREE!  That's right, I'll even pay the shipping to you (U.S. only).  You've got nothing to loose!  Tell your friends! Enter today!

TO ENTER THE CONTEST, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. If you are not already, become a FOLLOWER of this blog! (Click the JOIN THIS SITE button under the "Followers" section of the blog on the right hand side). Ok, I'm feeling nice, you don't HAVE to become a follower of this blog to enter, but I sure would appreciate it!  
     

2. Leave a comment on this post with your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS so I can contact you for your shipping info if you are the winner (if valid email address is not given, I will post the winners name on the site and winner will have one week to contact me with their shipping info. If prize is not claimed within one week, prize will be forfeited). For an extra entry, share the link to this contest on your facebook, twitter, myspace, google+, etc. Put in the comment where you shared the link and post a link to it if possible.

3. Only one comment per person. Multiple comments will result in removal of all your comments therefore removing all your chances of winning!

4. Contest is scheduled to end on Wednesday, October 14th, 2015. Comments must be left by the end of the day on 10/14  in order to count towards the contest.

5. Contest winner will be chosen by random.org and must agree to let me post their name in a separate post stating who won the prize.

6. Due to shipping costs, contest is open to U.S. Residents only. Thank you for your understanding.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

It's giveaway time!! Enter to win this great DVD prize pack from Wild Eye Releasing!

 I realized how long it has been since I have done a DVD giveaway and figured now is as good of time as any to remedy that!  So, I am going to give one lucky reader an awesome prize pack courtesy of the fine folks at Wild Eye Releasing! 

 Up for grabs is a copy of THE BLOODY APE and GOTH KILL on DVD, along with a GOTH KILL mini poster!    One winner chosen at random will win all this great stuff!   Tell your friends!


TO ENTER THE CONTEST, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1. If you are not already, become a FOLLOWER of this blog! (Click the JOIN THIS SITE button under the "Followers" section of the blog on the right hand side). Ok, I'm feeling nice, you don't HAVE to become a follower of this blog to win, but I sure would appreciate it!  

2. Leave a comment on this post with your NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS so I can contact you for your shipping info if you are the winner (if valid email address is not given, I will post the winners name on the site and winner will have one week to contact me with their shipping info. If prize is not claimed within one week, prize will be forfeited). For an extra entry, share the link to the contest on your facebook, twitter, myspace, google+, etc. Put in the comment where you shared the link and post a link to it if possible.

3. Only one comment per person. Multiple comments will result in removal of all your comments therefore removing all your chances of winning!

4. Contest is scheduled to end on Saturday, , August 16th, 2014. Comments must be left by the end of the day on 8/16  in order to count towards the contest.

5. Contest winner will be chosen by random.org and must agree to let me post their name in a separate post stating who won the prize.

6. Due to shipping costs, contest is open to U.S. Residents only. Thank you for your understanding.

GOOD LUCK!!!

DVD Review: BLITZKRIEG: ESCAPE FROM STALAG 69 (2008)

BLITZKRIEG: ESCAPE FROM STALAG 69 was produced, written, and directed by Keith J. Crocker and released by Wild Eye Releasing. Some might remember Mr. Crocker from his past feature film, THE BLOODY APE. This time around, Mr. Crocker goes from a creature film to the forgotten genre of the Nazi exploitation film, in the likes of ISLA: SHE WOLF OF THE SS, SS HELL CAMP, etc. Here is the basic plot from imdb.com:

Enter Stalag 69, where torture is just the Beginning for this bloody band of Nazi Butchers! Germany, 1945. Stalag 69, a POW camp ruled by the sadistic SS commandant Helmet Schultz, is nothing but a blood-soaked playground for this perverse Nazi monster who uses his American, Russian, and British prisoners in cruel and ghastly biochemical weapons experiments. When a group of young, wanton USO girls are captured and fall into the hands of Schultz and his battalion of butchers, the brutality is turned up and the unsuspecting girls are gored, gouged and ground up - all for the pleasure of Schultz and his SS brothers and sisters. Now it's up to the rag-tag survivors of the camp to strike back against their captors and Escape from Stalag 69, alive or on a slab!

BLITZKRIEG is a welcome return to the Nazi exploitation films of the 60's and 70's. The acting is pretty good throughout the film and the blood and makeup effects are excellent. Crocker spares no expense when it comes to recreating the torture scenes reminiscent of Nazi films prior. The Horror the Nazi's shell out to the prisoners is horrible...but it doesn't compare to the Horror that the prisoners give back when they extract their revenge on the Nazi soldiers!

The film is paced pretty well, although I do think a minor flaw is that the film might be a little long. Clocking in at 135 minutes, I feel that there were a few scenes that could have been edited out for a shorter run time. That is just my opinion though, so take that for what it is worth. Overall this was a very fun, entertaining film, which is what every film should be. This film was a vast improvement over Mr. Crockers previous effort, and I look forward to any future projects he is involved with!

The DVD itself is packed with special features, including commentary, trailers, deleted scenes, bloopers, production stills, and more!

CLICK HERE to visit the official BLITZKRIEG website and watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to buy the DVD


CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Wild Eye Relesasing

DVD Review: THE BLOODY APE (1997)

Sometimes I wish I would have been born about 20 years sooner than I was. I missed out on the whole drive in/grindhouse movie experience. Luckily, we have films like THE BLOODY APE to remind us what those times were like and let us younger folks take part in the grindhouse experience, all in the comfort of our own home! No sticky floors and shady characters to deal with...well, in most homes anyway.

Here is the basics plot synopsis from Wild Eye Releasing:

THE BLOODY APE is the most outrageous, drive-in movie take on Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue" ever committed to film. A carnival barker foolishly releases his 400 pound gorilla, who then literally goes bananas on a rampage of raw rape and boffo butchery - leaving the low rent population of Long Island either sexually violated, slaughtered - or both! From maverick indy filmmaker Keith J. Crocker (Blitzkrieg: Escape from Stalag 69), THE BLOODY APE is a gore-soaked love letter to the sex and violence of the grind house movie era that pulls no punches and offers no apologies for wallowing in a skin-drenched stew of crudeness and camp! Banned from numerous festivals around the world, ignored by critics and loathed by the politically correct....but now there just is no stopping THE BLOODY APE!

As stated above, THE BLOODY APE is a tribute to the grindhouse flicks from the 60's and 70's and looks like it definitely belongs in that era. The film was shot entirely on Super 8 and looks very cheap and grainy, all intentional of course. The acting in the film is ok. There are some moments of major over-acting in some spots by some actors, but I think this was also intentional, as the old grindhouse and drive-in films were known to have less than stellar acting.

The movie doesn't take itself seriously at all, so you shouldn't either. Don't watch this film if you are looking for a truly good cinematic experience. That is not what this movie is or wants to be. But if you are wanting a movie you can watch with a group of friends and have a good time and a good laugh, the THE BLOODY APE is your film.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer (WARNING: Not safe for work! Trailer contains nudity and bloody Ape mayhem!)

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Wild Eye Releasing

DVD Review: GOTHKILL (2009)

Written and directed by J.J. Connelly, GOTHKILL is a fun movie, and while it contains it's share of minor flaws, is still a very entertaining and fun flick! Here is the basic plot synopsis from imdb.com:

When Catholic Priest and Inquisitor Nicholas Dread finds out that innocents are being burned as witches he decides to do something about it. Unfortunately for him, his superiors don't agree and he's burned at the stake alongside two women he forced confessions from. While dying, Nick curses god and makes a pact with Satan to reign over his own kingdom someday at any cost. Now, in 21st century New York City, Dread has returned to finish the deal. His end of the bargain with Satan must be fulfilled, and many will die so Dread can take the throne in his kingdom of over one hundred thousand corrupt souls. He just has to find the right bunch of victims...and it just so happens the best Goth Club in the city is ripe for this bloodthirsty butcher bent on revenge! Can a group of Goths and wanna-be vampires hold their own when the real thing arrives?

First, let me get the minor negatives out of the way. The acting in this movie is just not that great, although I did like the acting from Flambeaux, who played the main character of Nicholas Dread. I am not sure if his acting was really that great, or if it was so bad that it was good, but either way I enjoyed his character. The next thing is the plot, or lack thereof. I would have never come up with the plot synopsis above just by viewing this movie. That being said, sometimes you don't need deep character development and an intricate plot to enjoy a just-plain-fun movie. Lastly, the sound is bad in some scenes. The scene in the jail cell stands out particularly, as it sounds like it was filmed with no mics, but just the built in mic on the video camera. The sound is this scene is a bit muffled and has an echo to it.
hhNow, having said all that, the positive part of this movie is that it is just plain fun! The scenes of the underground goth culture looks to be extremely realistic, or what I would assume it would look like assuming I have never been anywhere near an underground goth club. The film is full of blood, gore, and torture, reminiscent of the old 42nd street exploitation films, of which I am a huge fan of. The scene where Dread possesses the body of Anne was very well done, and used a very creepy voice alteration to signify that Anne was possessed. The ending has a crazy scene, where Dread is in Hell and torturing all his victims...it is a big scene for such a low budget film and was done very well. It was a fun ending to the film. Also, check out that dvd cover art...that has to be the the coolest dvd cover I have seen in a long time!
The unrated dvd contains the following "Most Evil Extras":

*Video Commentary-featuring director J.J. Connelly, Falmbeaux, and Eve Blackwater
*Original Trailers
*Q&A with director from NYC screening
*Gothkill live performance chronicle
*Publicity & Production stills

This was director J.J. Connelly's feature film debut, and some freshman flaws do show, but if this is a sign of what is to come from Mr. Conelly's career, then I will be sure to keep up with his follow ups to this film!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for GOTHKILL
CLICK HERE to purchase a copy of GOTHKILL on dvd

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Wild Eye Releasing