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 

4K Ultra HD Review: THE UGLY STEPSISTER (2025)

THE UGLY STEPSISTER

Directed by:  Emilie Blichfeldt

Distributed by:  Second Sight Films

 THE UGLY STEPSISTER is a film I had been curious about for a while, and finally got the chance to check out thanks to Second Sight Films and their new 4K Ultra HD release of the film.   

 Set in the 19th Century, THE UGLY STEPSISTER is a reimaging of the Cinderella story, but with a very dark and brutal twist.  

Here is the basic plot from the Second Sight Film's website:

An impressionable and idealistic young woman dreams of marrying the kingdom’s prince but her beautiful stepsister becomes her greatest rival. Increasingly desperate she resorts to extreme measures in a quest for the physical perfection she believes will win the prince’s heart.

 This is a extremely well made film, from the acting to the wonderful practical effects.   The film focuses on ugly duckling sister, Elvira, and her desire (or more so her Mother's desire) to become beautiful so the Prince will choose her for his wife.    While Elvira's stepsister Agnes is the clear front-runner for the Prince's hand in marriage, a sexual encounter with the stable boy pretty much gets Agnes ostracized from the family.   This opens the way for Elvira to woo the Prince, but she must make some drastic changes first!  

 The changes Elvira does to herself and has done to her, are extremely hard to watch and very cringe inducing.  I looked away from the screen many times, something I rarely do with a horror film.   She uses the only techniques they had at the time, including voluntarily eating a tapeworm to help control her weight.   I looked online to see if this was a technique that was actually used back then, and apparently it was.  It is extremely unsafe, though, which you will see why in this film.  There is a good reason we don't use that form of weight loss these days!    Other modifications Elvira has done to her are a nose job, and the addition of fake lashes.   Adding fake eyelashes might sound like no big deal, but a close up of the eyelashes being sewn onto her eyelid caused my whole body to clinch up!  

 All these things pale in comparison, though, to the main modification Elvira does to herself, all in order to fit into the slipper that was lost at the ball.   You can use your imagination to figure out what she does, or if you can stomach it, just watch this film!  

  THE UGLY STEPSISTER is like a 19th Century version of HOSTEL, except all the body torture is completely voluntary.   This is body horror at it's finest, with graphic scenes disguised by the beautiful cinematography and costumes of what otherwise would look like a beautiful art film.  Kudos to Director Emilie Blichfeldt on an amazing first feature film, I look forward to her future projects. 

  THE UGLY STEPSISTER is available now on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and a 4K Ultra HD limited edition, and contains the following Special Features:

• Presented in HDR with Dolby Vision

• New audio commentary with Director Emilie Blichfeldt and Filmmaker Patrik Syversen

• New audio commentary by Meagan Navarro

• This Is My Ball: a new interview with Emilie Blichfeldt

• Generational Trauma: a new interview with Actor Lea Myren

• Take Up Space: a new interview with Actor Thea Sofie Loch Næss

• Character and Gore: a new interview with Effects Artist Thomas Foldberg

• The Beauty of Ugly: The Effects of The Ugly Stepsister

• A Cinderella Story: Kat Hughes on The Ugly Stepsister

• Deleted Scene

• Short Films: How Do You Like My Hair? and Sara’s Intimate Confessions

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K Ultra HD

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition

4K Ultra HD Review: SS EXPERIMENT LOVE CAMP (1976)

 

SS EXPERIMENT LOVE CAMP

Directed by:  Sergio Garrone

Distributed by:  88 Films / MVD Entertainment

 I am sure all my readers are aware of exploitation films, and even sexsploitation films, but not all of you might be aware of the exploitation sub-genre called Nazisploitation.  Nazisploitation films contain all the ploitations.....exploitation, sexsploitation, and of course...Nazis!  

 Nazisploitation started back in 1964 with the release of a film called LOVE CAMP 7, but is was 1974's ILSA, SHE WOLF OF THE SS that really gained popularity and started the Nazisploitation rage of the late 70's.   Nazisploitation films were all the rage, with such titles as SALON KITTY (1976), THE GESTAPO'S LAST ORGY (1977),  SS HELL CAMP  (1977), and SS GIRLS (1977) just to name a few.   All these films follow the basic same premise/plot....women are experimented on in many different ways, all to the enjoyment of the SS officers and guards.  They all end (usually) with the women taking over and getting revenge on the SS officers in some brutal way.    

 SS EXPERIMENT LOVE camp is not the best film of the bunch, but it's entertaining enough to justify adding to your Nazisploitation collection  (I assume we all have one of those, right?).   Here is the basic plot from the MVD website:

Possibly the most infamous entry into the Nazisploitation genre, Sergio Garrone's SS Experiment Camp is a harrowing and deliberately triggering experience which, even by today's standards is as powerful as it was when originally released in 1976. From its provocative, tabloid baiting original poster of a naked woman dangling crucified and naked, the movie pushed the boundaries as far as it could. Set during the tail-end of World War II we follow the deranged experiments performed on innocent prisoners of war by the utterly sadistic and evil Colonel von Kleiben in his attempt to create the perfect Aryan race. Shocking, notorious and endlessly exploitative, the movie continues to disgust audiences all over the globe nearly 50 years after its initial release.

 The film is pretty tame by today's standards to be honest.  They are lots of surgeries and mutilations, but most are pretty fake looking.   Most of the torture scenes are not too extreme.  One "torture" was placing a woman in a tub of water and then slowly decreasing the temperature until she is frozen alive.   This effect was actually pretty good, especially for the time. There is of course the lesbian lovemaking scenes that any "Women in Prison" or Nazisploitation film can't go without.   Also, this might be the only film in existence that shows a testicle transplant.  No need to go into details on that, I'll let you get the film and check that out for yourself! 

 I remember watching this film many years ago on DVD, and I remember how dark and grainy the film was.  I'm sure it was a cheap release and it looked like it.    The new release from 88 Films is presented in a brand new 4K remaster, and it looks amazing.   I love seeing older films like this being remastered and cleaned up, to the point where they don't look as old as they did on VHS or DVD. 

 SS EXPERIMENT LOVE CAMP is available now, and includes the following Special Features/Bonus Material:

• *  INCLUDES SLIPCASE WITH ART BY JOEL ROBINSON
• *  BOOKLET WITH NOTES FROM TIM MURRAY AND RACHAEL NISBET
• *  Brand New 4K remaster from the Original Negatives presented in Ultra High Definition (2160p) in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
• *  Presented in Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR10 Compatible)
• *  High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio also included
• *  English 2.0 LPCM Stereo with Optional SDH Subtitles
• *  Italian 2.0 LPCM Mono with newly translated English subtitles
• *  Audio Commentary by Italian Cinema Experts Eugenio Ercolani and Nanni Cobretti
• *  Sadistically Yours, Sergio G. - An Interview with Director Sergio Garrone
• *  SSadist Sound - An Interview with Music Historian Pierpaolo De Sanctis
• *  The Alibiso Dynasty - An Interview with Editor Eugenio Alabiso
• *  Framing Exploitation - An Interview with Cinematographer Maurizio Centini
• *  Italian Opening and Closing titles
• *  Original Trailer

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K UHD 

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Check out the first release from Unearthed Films new TOO EXTREME FOR MAINSTREAM line!

  If you are a horror fan, then I'm sure you are well aware of the production/distribution company known as Unearthed Films.   Owned by Stephen Biro, Unearthed Films puts out some of the most disturbing and extreme horror DVDs and Blu-rays.  Well, if that wasn't good enough, they are now rolling out a new line of films called TOO EXTREME FOR MAINSTREAM which will only be available through the Unearthed Films website.   These are films that Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, etc. would refuse to carry due to the nature of the films.   I am super excited about this new line of films, and the first release in this new line has been announced and will be available to pre-order today!

 The first release is the John Wayne Gacy serial killer film, TORMENT.  The film was directed by Adam Ford  and is a great choice for the TOO FXTREME FOR MAINSTREAM film line!  Here is the basic synopsis from the UF website:

Based on the John Wayne Gacy Murders. A young man wakes up after a one night stand and finds himself in the clutches of one of the most notorious serial killers to ever stalk the earth. 

 
There will be 3 different purchasing options for TORMENT, including a super rare "Gacy Bundle" limited to only 20 sets!  The DVD and Blu-ray will also be limited.  They will only be available for pre-order from 4/13 through 5/11.   They will only produce as many copies as they sell during this pre-order time frame.  See below for the different purchasing options:

Option1:
DVD (limited to the number of units sold): $25+shipping

Option 2:
BLU-RAY (limited to the number of units sold):  $30+shipping

Option 3:
THE INFAMOUS GACY BUNDLE  (limited to only 20 sets!):  $395 +shipping

Item included in the Gacy Bundle:

* A one-of-a-kind 9" x 12" painting of John Wayne Gacy by artist Lou Rusconi: Each painting is wrapped and signed by Lou and it will be a mystery which one you will get.

*One letter signed by John Wayne Gacy sent to Merle Allen of The Murder Junkies

*One Novel: "Killer Clown: The John Wayne Gacy Murders" written by Terry Sullivan with Peter T. Maiken

*The DVD "SERIAL KILLER CULTURE" directed by John Borowski

*A Limited Edition Blu-ray of "TORMENT" based on the Gacy murders with a limited edition blood painting cover by artist Ryan Almighty (limited to 20)

*A Limited to 50 signed print of a painting, painted in blood, of Pogo from artist Ryan Almighty 

*A hand painted patch of Pogo the clown made by Jeremi Cruise of ToeTag EFX

 Yes, you read that correctly....the Gacy Bundle will contain a letter hand signed by John Wayne Gacy himself! 

 Unearthed Films has hit a home run with this first release in the TOO EXTREME FOR MAINSTREAM film line.  Pre-order your copy starting tonight at 8pm Eastern time! 


CLICK HERE to visit the Unearthed Films website and pre-order TORMENT on DVD or Blu-ray
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer for TORMENT

DVD Review: EXCESS FLESH (2015)

EXCESS FLESH 
Directed by   Patrick Kennelly
Distributed by Midnight Releasing

  A lot of films sound like they are going to be extreme, or the trailer makes them up to be and then they let us down.  EXCESS FLESH is NOT one of those films!  This film was even more extreme and disturbing than I thought it would be!  

Here is the plot synopsis from the film's official press release: 

  Jill is obsessed with her new roommate Jennifer, a promiscuous and sexy hotshot in the LA Fashion scene.  New to the city and recently single, Jill is unable to keep up as she binges and purges to stay thin; eventually hating herself and everyone around her.  Her jealousy and rage spiral out of control -- Jennifer has everything, and Jill wants to be just like her.  If Jill can’t BE Jennifer, she must destroy her.

  This film reminds me a lot of MARTYRS or INSIDE.   Not in terms of plot, but in terms of the extremeness of the film.  The film is very graphic and disturbing.   Jill obviously has some very deep emotional and mental issues, and they all come to a head once she snaps and begins keeping Jennifer locked up in their apartment.   Jill treats Jennifer in an extreme way, making her eat like a dog out of a bowl, or not letting her eat at all.

  The film is very artistic at some points, and then very dirty and graphic at others.  It has an interesting balance of beauty and repulsion, all mixed together.   The acting is wonderful by all involved, especially by our two main characters.   Both are very convincing as a captor and victim.  The film also has an excellent soundtrack, with some "music" that is more of just noise and static at some points, which really highlights the disturbing scenes occurring on screen at the time.

  I can't say enough good things about this film!  This is a must see and a must have for any horror DVD collectors out there.  EXCESS FLESH will be available via DVD and VOD March 8th, 2016!  Check out the links below to stay up to date on news and DVD release info!


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to view the film's official website
CLICK HERE to view the film's official Facebook page

DVD Review: AMERIKAN HOLOKAUST

AMERIKAN HOLOKAUST
Directed by Chris Woods
Distributed by Icon Film Studios/The Sleaze Box

  I have seen some brutal movies before, but this one is among the most brutal film I have ever laid eyes on.   The film is called AMERIKAN HOLOKAUST and is about two of the worst serial killers in American history.   What we see is the videotape that the killers made as they documented all the women they kidnapped, tortured, and killed.  

  Obviously this is going to draw comparisons to the cult AUGUST UNDERGROUND series.   While they are very similar in nature, AMERIKAN HOLOKAUST steps it up a notch (or two) in terms of violence and perversion from the AU films. While we don't just see women kidnapped and tortured, AMERIKAN HOLOKAUST goes all out and adds cannibalism and some of the most grotesque gore I have seen in a film in quite some time.   The acting is extremely good by Bob Glazier and Jules Sceiro who play the parts of the serial killers.  They give very extreme performances and are very believable in their roles.  Most of the female actresses playing the victims do a great job as well, especially for the tough role they had to play.  A couple of them seemed a little too calm in nature considering their circumstances, but overall the acting was very good.

  Again I have to mention the gore.  At one point, a woman is murdered and then cut open while one of the killers begins to eat her intestines and then do naughty things with her spleen.  I'll leave that up to your imagination...until you actually watch the dvd, of course, then the exact image will be stuck in your head forever like mine! Ugh! 

  If you are looking for a scary horror movie with a great plot and scares, this is not the film for you.  If you are a fan of the AUGUST UNDERGROUND trilogy, SCRAPBOOK, SCHRAMM, or similar films, then this is the DVD for you.  AMERIKAN HOLOKAUST is truly shocking, something you don't see much these days with the normal, mainstream horror films.  Kudos to the filmmakers for such an incredibly realistic view on this subject matter.  Knowing that people like this actually exist in the world make this even more shocking and hard to believe.  

AMERIKAN HOLOKAUST and all their other DVD's (except newest releases) are on sale for only $5 (plus S&H) for the entire month of October!  Click the links below to watch the trailer and purchase the DVD!


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