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:

• New 2026 Commentary By Richard Terrasi
• Archival Commentary
• The Making Of Am I Evil
• Behind The Scenes Special Make Up Effects With Mikey Rotella
• Trailer
• "Anyone" Music Video By P-TSD
• SRS Trailers

 

 CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray 

DVD Review: DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2: THE NAKED DEAD (2017)

DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2:  THE NAKED DEAD
Written & Directed by Sean Donohue
Distributed by  The Sleaze Box

  A couple of years ago I had the privilege of reviewing an indi horror film called DEATH-SCORT SERVICE.  You can read that review HERE.   The film was from a company called The Sleaze Box and from that name, you should know what's in store for you when you put in one of their DVDs!

 The Sleaze Box is now back with  DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2:  THE NAKED DEAD, and unlike some sequels, this was just as fun of a film as the first one.   Here is the basic plot of the film per the film's imdb.com page:

 Deep in the heart of Las Vegas a new killer has emerged. Having survived the previous psycho's last wrath (Michelle) Krystal "Pixie" Adams is left behind to start anew and forget about her black past. Problem is this new murderer is unstoppable!!. A new group of up and coming hookers are on the streets left to pick up the pieces and start fresh. Will they survive, or will they become prey to this maniac slasher!

  Like the first film, if you are a looking for a plot driven,  smart, stylish, big-budget horror film, you might want to keep looking.   But, if you are like a lot of horror fans and just want to put in a fun dvd full of all the things that make horror great, then this is the movie for you!    DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2 if chock full of great kills with some amazing gore!  Add in plenty of sex and nudity and you get a classic grindhouse experience that you just don't see too much of these days.   Another note about the gore and special effects, all is done with practical effects which is definitely something worth mentioning, as most films today go the cheaper route of CGI, which I think we can all agree never looks nearly as good as the real thing!

  If you were a fan of the first film, or any of the other films from The Sleaze Box, you will love DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2!

  DEATH-SCORT SERVICE PART 2 is available now on Blu-ray and DVD from The Sleaze Box.  The DVD includes autographed cover art and a CD soundtrack!  Special features include trailers and deleted scenes.

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

 
 
 

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: DEAR GOD NO! (2011)

DEAR GOD NO!
Written & Directed by James Bickert
Produced/Distributed by Big World Pictures

 This film is nasty, and extremely offensive....so needless to say, I loved it!!

 If you are a fan of crazy, weird, and wacky exploitation horror films, then you are in for a treat with the film, DEAR GOD NO!  I've had this one for a while and just realized I had never done a review of it.  I popped it in the DVD player with very low expectations to be honest.  This is a very low budget independent film which we all know can go either way.  Usually these types of films are pretty bad, but I am happy to say that this film doesn't go down that road.  This film goes down a completely different road, one filled with bikers, babes, Nazis, and Sasquatch!   Ha!  It sounds crazy, I know, but somehow it all comes together and works!   Here is the official synopsis from the Big World Pictures website:

  Grab some popcorn, gas up the jalopy and grab your favorite girl. Big World Pictures presents the retro Bikers vs. Bigfoot feature film DEAR GOD NO! A thrill ride here to save cinema by delivering all the carnival fun of a 1970’s drive-in movie.  A vicious gang of thrill-kill bikers invades a home after a bloody shoot-out in a strip club. Humiliation and murder follow, but there is something in the basement and in the woods… Sasquatch! This shot on film politically incorrect exploitation throwback is a fun grab bag of biker film, home invasion flick, Bigfoot monster movie, stag loops, and even some Nazisploitation.

  One thing to take note of here is how well the filmmakers capture the look of an old 70's grindhouse flick.  Upon further research, I found out they shot this movie on 16mm film using vintage cameras, resulting in a sincere and unique dated look to the film.  This is a perfect throwback film and really makes me miss those old sleazy grindhouse films of the 1970's.  Thank goodness filmmakers like James Bickert are around to bring us new films that take us back to this great film era and genre.

  DEAR GOD NO! is not a horror movie per say, but it does have some horror elements throughout it.  It contains a good amount of gore, which all us horror fans love, and all of it seem to be practical effects.  This is crucial in making a throwback film, and the filmmakers did an excellent job with the blood and gore. 

  This film won't be for everyone.  It is pretty tasteless and offensive, so some viewers might be turned off by that.  For me, I loved every second of this film and hope to see more like it in the future.  It looks like that wait wont' be long, as director James Bickert has made a 2nd feature, a sequel to DEAR GOD NO! titled, FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS!   It just premiered at the 40th annual Atlanta Film Festival, and will be making the festival rounds in the coming months.  Expect a review of this new film right here on the 4H Blog as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of this film.   Until then, check out DEAR GOD NO! available now on DVD and Blu-ray!


CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray