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Gross Movie Reviews #430

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Gross Movie Reviews #430

 

Gnome Alone (DVD) – A wonderful B-movie starring Vern Troyer as an “evil gnome” who is part of a curse and a mark that has been passed down through several generations. You wish for someone to be horribly disfigured this ugly gnome goes and takes care of it. When an old bag lady is run down by a drunken frat boy Zoe a store clerk has the mark/evil gnome passed on to her. Wanting revenge and police not helping people that were involved with the accident and the cover up begin to die and Zoe is the one to blame. It’s hilarious and corny and well worth curiosity as I give the pint-sized horror flick 2 ½ stars.

 

The Traveler (DVD) – So this movie from filmmaker Jonathan R. Skocik came to me in the mail the other day. Never mind it surprised me but it was an independent film I pooped all over back in 2006. So I took it as a sign that it was time to rewatch this Indy film and give it another chance. It is supposedly an all-new director’s cut of the film being released. Can’t hurt… But for those who don’t know the film it centers on a couple who have car troubles and find themselves at the ‘death house’ looking for help? But a few other people are already there to hang and do graffiti. To their surprise a stranger shows up explaining the only way to leave the house is to be the only one left. Each time he shows up they must vote on who dies. Of course their deaths are not swift but very torturous. As usual not my cup of tea or Indy flick but I can say this isn’t the worst movie I have seen as I said in 2006 as other horrible films have been released since: “The Christmas Season Massacre” being one of them. The acting isn’t terrible, some of the effects are good, but in the end I still don’t like the film too much. But hey people go check it out and you decide if I am right as you can find out more about the movie and the filmmaker at: www.facebook.com/BlackBootProductions .

 

The Lonely Ones (DVD) – A group of young friends head to a cabin to party and tell scary stories to each other. Some strange creatures or I should say ghouls show up to crash the party. Sounds like a fun horror film but fails as the film is a bit dull. It wastes a lot of time setting up the story between a cheating boyfriend and the girl he is trying to get back with. The ghoul idea and the weird biker dude is interesting but again the whole relationship thing drags this horror to a slow haul. For that I can only give this flick about ghouls 1 star.

Robowar (DVD-R) – Oh Vincent Dawn aka Bruno Mattei I so enjoy the messes you call movies. Don’t walk but run to your computer for this 1988 gem as Mr. Dawn pretty much made a scene for scene ‘Predator’ rip-off. Yeah, it’s not as good as that great flick with Arnold but this stars a racist robot! A strike force is sent into the jungle on a secret mission where they are to face-off with a robotics experiment gone wrong. Omega One is the robot’s name and looks like a cross between Charlie Sheen’s suit from “The Wraith” and a suit they may have stolen from Full Moon’s “Mandroid”. When Omega One isn’t destroying the strike force its busy wandering the jungle repeating, “Greasy” the whole time. A big flaming piece crap? Yes it is! Will I watch it again? Damn right I will as I give it 3 stars just because I am still laughing.

 

Pulse (DVD) – Little Joey Lawrence goes to visit his dad in California for the summer. Only problem Joey wasn’t there to be haunted by a smart pulse of electricity trying to kill him and move on to the next house. Joey spends much of the movie trying to convince his father and other people it’s real until some major accidents happen. Then we have one last showdown between the pulse of electricity and the tag team of Joey and his father. If you are a fan of TV horror movies you will enjoy this as I give it 2 ½ stars.

 

Axe Massacre (DVD) – A holiday horror short film where a masked Santa Claus climbs down the chimney unannounced to slaughter a family on the holy night. Fun stuff and looks cool but why did he do it and why the mask? I give this short film 1 ½ stars.

 

Machete Maidens Unleashed (DVD) – An amazing documentary that features what it was like to shoot and produce films in the 60s, 70s, and early 80s in the Philippines. Sets were built for you, labor was cheap, no laws enforced there, and Roger Corman took full advantage of this situation to produce many films and start several careers. A good portion of the documentary deals with the actresses of this time, one of them being Pam Grier who also took full advantage of the opportunity. Lots of Sid Haig and they explain why the age of filming in the Philippines went away. I give this excellent piece of history 4 stars.

 

Trailer War (DVD) – This collection of trailers really centers on some unknowns and B-movies favorites that feature Craig Sheffer, David Carradine, Donald Pleasence, Henry Silva, Hal Holbrook. This collection digs deep in the vault for films like: Inframan, The Dungeon Master, World War of Kung Fu, The Man From Hong Kong, Force: Five, Maniac Cop 2, Partners, Nightmare Honeymoon, The Scaremaker, and Shoot. If you got two hours to kill and enjoy watching trailers this is the DVD for you as I give it 3 stars.

 

Any comments or questions please send to grossmoviereview@verizon.netor www.facebook.com/grossmoviereviews . Remember folks always support your local independent movie theater, independent video store, and independent filmmakers! It will keep horror alive………

Don’t forget you can also hear Kyle Poling and me talking about horror flicks on a weekly basis on the Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast at: www.bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/ also available at http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kyle-poling-2/bloodbaths-and-boomsticks?refid=stpr

 

Plus you can always go to the greatest T-shirt place online or if you are in Texas visit the store of “Fast Custom Shirts” where T-shirt Joe is the only place you should purchase your horror T-shirts: Go to www.fastcustomshirts.com for details.

 

Oh it’s real and it’s happening… GROSSFEST! July 28, 2018! Go check out www.grossfest.com for all the details! 

Gross Movie Reviews #429

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Gross Movie Reviews #429

 

Vengeance Runs Red (Vimeo) – A short film from filmmaker Philip Brocklehurst that tells the story of two who men who are haunted by a past mistake. A young dude takes upon himself to serve justice that is due. I give it 2 ½ out of 4 stars. Want to find out more go here: www.facebook.com/philip.brocklehurst.9

 

War of the Dead (DVD) – The film isn’t horrible but it’s not great either. The film is just another run of the mill Nazi zombie flick that isn’t very memorable. Sorry horror folk no “Outpost”, “Dead Snow”, or “Frankenstein’s Army” here. Just keep moving along as I give this flick 1 ½ stars.

 

The Rezort (DVD) – Another fun take on the zombie genre from the UK I believe? Ten years has passed since some worldwide virus turns millions of humans into zombies. The antidote was introduced to everywhere except one island. This island has now become a ‘Jurassic Park’ of zombies where some big corporation got the idea of if you got the money they have the zombies to shoot and kill. But no one thinks how are they resupplying the stock of zombies? The story mainly revolves a woman whose father was killed during riots when the zombie virus first started to spread. She believes going to this island will get her over her nightmares and fears? Once there she has faced her fears but wasn’t counting on the zombies getting loose in the park and begin feasting on all vacationing there. Now, she and a small group of others have five hours to get off the island before the military levels the island! A wildly entertaining zombie flick folks as I give it 3 ½ stars.

 

Nemesis 3: Time Lapse (VHS) – I got bored and decided to fall down the Albert Pyun wormhole again and watched these not needed sci-fi sequels that feature Tim Thomerson and Sue Price. In this mid-90s sequel Sue Price is searching out and destroying cyborgs as Tim Thomerson keeps a watchful eye over her for Central Command. Central Command wants her alive at all costs. Really folks not a whole lot happens in this flick but if you are a Tim Thomerson fan I totally get why you would track this bad boy down as I give it 1 ½ stars. The film also is known as “Nemesis 3: Prey Harder”.

 

Nemesis 4: Cry of Angels (VHS) – Albert Pyun brings back Sue Price one more time for what I like to call “Nemesis 4: Sue Price Bangs all the Cyborgs”. Never mind Andrew Divoff’s head speaks about cyborg non-sense throughout the movie. Sue Price’s goal in 2080 apparently is to be naked and bump uglies with all the cyborgs and then kill them. I believe the alternative title to this flick was actually “Hardbodies 3”? But that couldn’t be confirmed or denied at this time. But the gist of the flick this time around is Price’s character fucked up at some point and now there are Hunters all over her naked muscle bound ass! It wasn’t a great flick but it was a hell of a lot more interesting than the last sequel where she sat in a desert for about 75% of the damn movie. I give the flick 2 stars and you may also find this movie under the title “Death Angel” in some countries…

Swiss Army Man (DVD) – Possibly the most bizarre, completely entertaining, and glorious film you will ever watch in your life. I do not say that lightly. Daniel Radcliffe said it best on a late night talk show, “It’s a film about farting, erections, and a dead guy.” If you do not find that funny: one, this isn’t the film for you and two, you are most likely dead inside? The film begins with a young man played Paul Dano who is trapped on a small island trying to hang himself until he sees a dead body wash up on shore. Its Manny aka Daniel Radcliffe and once he begins farting Dano’s character rides him across the water to freedom and onto an adventure that will blow your mind. They become friends, eat out, share stories, start fires, and fight a bear. You get the picture? If you haven’t witnessed this film yet make it so because the ending makes the movie even more bizarre and fun. I give this hilarious flick 4 stars farting all the way.

 

Avenging Force (DVD) – One of Michael Dudikoff’s better action flicks outside of the “American Ninja” saga. Dudikoff’s buddy, Steven James of course is running for senate. Until some rich white racist dudes with their leader John P. Ryan decide to kill him and his family. On top of that they make Dudikoff play “Surviving the Game” eight years before Ice-T did! This 80s action flick will satisfy your action flick hunger if needed as I give it 3 stars.

 

Love Eternal: The Silent Film Cut (YouTube) – Forte Films Entertainment as at it again flaunting their filmmaking talents with a cool throwback short film version of Dracula and Mina. Done their way they give ‘silent era film buffs’ a tasty treat. Wonderfully done this filmmaking group needs more support and money because I would love to see these guys making a couple features a year. I give this fun treat 3 out of 4 stars and you can find out more at: www.fortefilmsentertainment.com .

Explorers (DVD) – Holy crap folks I do not know how I missed this 1985 flick starring Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix. This was so in my wheelhouse. But after reading some of the info on it and how it was considered a flop maybe somehow it fell off my cable watching radar as a kid? Apparently this movie was over 3 hours long and I believe Paramount Studios were like “nope”, not happening Joe Dante. The film is reportedly unfinished but a finished product. Very strange stuff but anyway folks the story centers on Ethan Hawke who has a weird dream about aliens and an image. He draws it and shows it to his best friend who of course is the nerdy kid down the street doing experiments in his basement. Hawke’s character continues to have these weird dreams and once his two friends become a part of it and his nerdy best friend uses a computer to make a bubble they decide its plans for a spaceship. The spaceship consists of a trash can, an old carnival ride, microwave doors, and a computer in the movie that didn’t exist in reality but was built just for this movie. They fly around and fuck shit up until Dick Miller finds them and eventually go off planet to meet the aliens. Really not too much to the movie but it is a fun glorious kick in the ass of childhood if you are a 80s kid? I give the entertaining film 3 stars.

 

Any comments or questions please send to grossmoviereview@verizon.netor www.facebook.com/grossmoviereviews . Remember folks always support your local independent movie theater, independent video store, and independent filmmakers! It will keep horror alive………

Don’t forget you can also hear Kyle Poling and me talking about horror flicks on a weekly basis on the Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast at: www.bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/ also available at http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kyle-poling-2/bloodbaths-and-boomsticks?refid=stpr

 

Plus you can always go to the greatest T-shirt place online or if you are in Texas visit the store of “Fast Custom Shirts” where T-shirt Joe is the only place you should purchase your horror T-shirts: Go to www.fastcustomshirts.com for details.

 

Oh its real and its happening… GROSSFEST! July 28, 2018! Go check out www.grossfest.com for all the details! 

Two new episodes for your listening pleasures

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This week we welcome back our good buddy Jon Cross to the show to talk about one of our favorite subjects DONALD PLEASENCE in HALLOWEEN 6, TREASURE OF THE YANKEE ZEPHYR, and DOUBLE TARGET.  We also chat about missing Rutger Hauer in the new Blade Runner flick,  A brief history of The X-Files, Kyle falls down a Verne Troyer based YouTube wormhole, Vietnam flicks,  The awesomeness of Paul L. Smith,  Mothra hatred, and most importantly DONALD god damn PLEASENCE!!!!

 

www.bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com

This week Tim and Kyle get together to discuss a movie that is a hotly contested subject out there in internet land in THE SHAPE OF WATER.  Also we chat about a flick that could be called Victorian Ghostbusters in WINCHESTER.  And a flick about a killer clown before the glut of killer clown movies that we are getting now these days in AMUSEMENT.  Also we discover Kyle’s extreme hatred of Michael Shannon, Destroyed bathrooms, CHUDS, and other nonsensical garbage.  So enjoy!

 

www.bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com

3 Rivers Comicon announcement!

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3 Rivers Comicon, hosted by New Dimension Comics, has commissioned a custom beer by Helltown Brewing featuring original bottle label art from Witchblade and will host a bottle release party  on May 19, 2018 .

“Every year the beer gets more amazing for 3 Rivers Comicon .”, says Todd McDevitt, owner of New Dimension Comics and promoter of 3 Rivers Comicon.  “For our 3rd year, I’m excited to partner with Top Cow to bring Witchblade to our custom beer.  Plus, when legendary painter Joe Jusko signed on to lend his brush the label, I knew the perfectness of this project was complete.”

 

The exclusive beer will be brewed by Helltown Brewing, based in Mt. Pleasant, PA.  Witchblade Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout with be brewed with coffee added this year.  “For the last 2 years, Helltown made a secret, small batch coffee variant for our beer release party during the convention. “ says McDevitt. “Barrel aged coffee beers are my personal favorite and I wanted to share my joy with everyone this year.  Helltown is my choice to create this custom brew for the 3rd year because they do such great, delicious work!”   This beer will only be made exclusively for 3 Rivers Comicon and New Dimension Comics.

 

May 19th at 7:00  is the bottle release party at 3 Rivers Comicon in West Mifflin.  Top Cow President Matt Hawkins and artist Joe Jusko, will be on hand to autograph bottles.  Tickets at $39.99 include weekend admission to 3 Rivers Comicon, catered food, and free samples of the custom beer.  Or, fans can catch up with previous years bottles with the Triple VIP ticket for 69.99 and go home with a bottle from all 3 years.

 

About 3 Rivers Comicon : The annual comic convention will be held  May 19-20  at  3075 Clairton Rd., West Mifflin, PA.   Bringing comic creators, fans, and vendors together for a true comicon in Pittsburgh. Website:  www.3riverscomicon.com

 

About New Dimension Comics: New Dimension Comics is the Pittsburgh region’s largest comic book specialty retailer chain, with 6 locations: Butler, Ellwood City, Cranberry, Century III Mall, Pittsburgh Mills Mall, and Ohio Valley Mall.  Created by Todd McDevitt when he was just 17 years old, the chain has delivered the world of comics to fans since 1986.  Website: wwwndcomics.com

Gross Movie Reviews #428

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Gross Movie Reviews #428

 

Groundhog (YouTube/DVD) – A popular news anchor for Channel 13 is in a horrible accident that kills her on the way back from a small town ‘Groundhog Day’ celebration. Her cameraman/boyfriend Logan witnesses the tragic event and has trouble forgiving the groundhog. For the past five years Logan has used drugs and therapy to help him cope with the tragedy. Logan keeps having horrific gory visions of his dead girlfriend that is beginning to drive him out of his mind. The holiday is upon us again and Logan has finally lost his shit and has made the decision to go on a killing spree all the way back to that small town. Well of course to go kill that demented groundhog that started this whole mess. Can Logan be stopped as he leaves a bloody mess all the way to the groundhog’s doorstep? First, it’s a holiday horror flick so you had me interested right away. Second, I really enjoyed James Balsamo’s cameo. Third, someone is using a NES Duck Hunt gun in a scene. Fourth, the independent film has its flaws but David McDonough and crew kept it bloody and entertaining as I give this fun holiday horror flick 3 out of 4 stars. For more about the film go check out: www.facebook.com/Boombasticfilms .

Slaughter Drive (DVD) – Ben Dietels independent film tells the story of a man named Doug who is a filmmaker. Doug gets home feeling like a failure when his last film doesn’t go over well only to be greeted by his soon-to-be ex-wife bumping uglies with another man. With things this bad Doug tries to get past his troubles and start on his next project which has him setting up his camera in the local park. While there friends convince Doug to leave the camera and go drinking with them. Some hours pass and Doug heads back only to be confronted by a stranger who says nothing and runs off. Doug comes to regret leaving his camera in the park later as this stranger maybe his new weirdo neighbor who is killing off Doug’s friends. When Doug watches the footage of what his neighbor done Doug tries his ass off to convince police and his two best friends that he is living next to a crazed killer! It is crude, hilarious, and rough around the edges kind of slasher with some excellent effects work. It also helps many Yuengling bottles make it into scenes along with someone mentioning their buckeye in conversation… I give this hilarious film 3 ½ out of 4 stars.  Find out more at www.bpofilms.bigcartel.com .

 

Star Wars: Rogue One (On Demand) – So they went and did another prequel… But a one-off no less… And it was good. Basically if you ever wondered how or who help build the Death Star and why Darth Vader started chasing Princess Leia across the universe here is your answer. It may not have that charm of the original three but this movie did give me “A New Hope”. I give it 3 stars.

 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Theater) – So Rey has found Luke Skywalker hoping he will save the universe? Instead he is old and still pissed that the wannabe Darth Vader kid is lame. While the First Order is destroying the Resistance, Rey learns she has abilities stronger than anybody anticipated. After believing the Jedi should just die out at last minute Luke does best “Old Ben” imitation. Just like “The Force Awakens” it’s a fun reminder what the “Star Wars” universe can be as I give it 3 stars.

 

Black Panther (Theater) – Bottom line Marvel movie fans Black Panther’s universe is much bigger than you can imagine and how much it will impact the next “Avengers” flick. For the most part this is an origin story of the character and has a kick ass villain to boot. The Black Panther isn’t all about staying hidden but believes the world needs help but first he must save his kingdom from his cousin. A cousin that was abandoned in America and not brought home after his father’s death. The film is absolutely wonderful and the landscapes are just beautiful. Marvel should be proud of the job they did with this fun film because it stands in my top five Marvel films to be rewatched over and over again. Now do me a favor and give me another damn “Blade” movie for the love of Wesley Snipes! Saying that this comic book movie is a must see as I give it 4 stars.

 

Justice League (DVD) – Once again I just feel like the DC universe rushed this story along. With Superman dead and Steppenwolf (who?) coming back to reclaim the planet Batman and Wonder Woman believe it is time to start a super team? Of course this team struggles until Superman is reborn and begins kicking ass. The movie isn’t good or bad it just exists. Now saying that again they can do no wrong with the Wonder Woman character but the film just felt forced they could have done this another way? It also feels like they tried not to fail instead of trying to take a chance with this team-up flick. Either way I will keep watching as they churn them out and just hope they do better with the Justice League world as they go on? I give the film 2 ½ stars.

 

Big Bad (DVD) – A lower budget off the radar monster flick that involves some teenagers involved with a school fundraiser that has them staying overnight at the old Marion County jail. Unbeknownst to them their teacher has decided to make them bait for a beast-like creature he has been tracking for decades. When he gets roughed up and leaves the kids for the next meal it is up to the three teenagers to escape the jail and the beast and find some help. It is a pleasant cornball-type of monster flick that I believe will appeal to most horror movie fans. Weird bloodthirsty creature, the jail being real, and teenagers making fun of each other about their cell phones or not bringing it. I love finding stuff like this as I give it 3 stars.

 

Hot T-shirts (YouTube/VHS) – A sex comedy about a guy named Joe who runs a bar that is about to go out of business??? Until, Joe decides to have a wet T-shirt contest on a nightly basis. And pretty much ¾’s of the film is wet boobs from 1980 so enjoy as I give it 2 stars. If nothing else besides boobs watch it for the hilarious bad bar fight.

Wastelander (Vimeo/DVD) – Sorry folks it’s not a documentary for one of the longest running horror movie conventions out there Cinema Wasteland. But it is still something unexpectingly cool. A post-apocalyptic flick directed by Angelo Lopes set in the distant future. A man known as ‘Wastelander’ or Rhyous is searching the wasteland for E.D.E.N. Many believe it doesn’t exist, many just want the tech, and Rhyous is searching for it for answers. With the world dying around him this quest consumes but there is others that what his attention. When Rhyous disagrees with all because they don’t info he seeks he becomes a marked man in the wastelands. The film gets bonus points for the pseudo-Interceptor that should have been used more and understanding the point of fun post-apocalyptic flicks of the past. Honestly I am surprised we haven’t had more films like this like we did in the early 80s when some nut had their finger on the button. The only thing missing that could have made this better is Fred Williamson and being made in Italy. Mr. Lopes I say, “Bravo my friend.” This film fits right in with the likes of: Future Hunters, The New Barbarians, 2019: The Fall of New York, etc. Hell I can easily see this being a SyFy Channel feature? Anyway thank you Mr. Lopes for not disappointing me as I give this cheesy post-apocalyptic film 3 out of 4 stars. For more details check out: www.facebook.com/wastelanderthemovie .

 

Any comments or questions please send to grossmoviereview@verizon.netor www.facebook.com/grossmoviereviews . Remember folks always support your local independent movie theater, independent video store, and independent filmmakers! It will keep horror alive………

Don’t forget you can also hear Kyle Poling and me talking about horror flicks on a weekly basis on the Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast at: www.bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/ also available at http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kyle-poling-2/bloodbaths-and-boomsticks?refid=stpr

 

Plus you can always go to the greatest T-shirt place online or if you are in Texas visit the store of “Fast Custom Shirts” where T-shirt Joe is the only place you should purchase your horror T-shirts: Go to www.fastcustomshirts.com for details.

 

Independent horror fans it is coming… GROSSFEST! July 28, 2018! Go check out www.grossfest.com for all the details! 

Wastelander Faces a Horrifying Future World this February 20th on Digital Platforms!

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West Hollywood, California (Monday, February 19th, 2018) – Angelo Lopes’ Wastelander has just completed a week long theatrical run, in Hollywood. Now, Wastelander is set to show on Digital platforms, this month. The film blends several genres together: action, sci-fi and horror. Influenced by films such as George Miller’s Mad Max (1979), The Bad Batch (2016)  and others, Wastelander stars: Brendan Guy Murphy, Jon Proudstar and Carol Cardenas. Indican Pictures will also release this exciting title, on DVD, this March. A preview of the Wastelander’s home entertainment releases are available here.

In the film, an ex-soldier wanders the wastes. Rhyous (Murphy) finds a group of survivors, in search of Eden. He agrees to help, but cyborg bandits roam the area. Rhyous must fight off The Scourge, if he ever wants to find peace, in this desolate future.

 

Wastelander will show through Digital platforms later this month. On February 20th, this action packed title will be available through platforms such as: DirecTV, Comcast, Sony Playstation, YouTube Moves and many more. This release will be followed by another, on DVD. This March 13th, Wastelander will create another dust-up on DVD, in an unrated format. The action continues in the desert with Wastelander throughout February and March!

 

The film’s official synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic landscape, an ex-soldier wanders in search of his lost home and family. He meets an odd collection of survivors including cybernetic humans who convince him to lead them through the wasteland while searching for the legendary safe haven, Eden.  But when a band of pillaging raiders called The Scourge hunt them – they must fight to survive in this cruel dystopia.

Release Date: February 20th, 2018 (Digital) and March 13th, 2018 (DVD).

Director/writer: Angelo Lopes.

 

Cast: Brendan Guy Murphy, Jon Proudstar, Carol Cardenas, David Morden, Sian Vilaire & A. Stielstra.

 

More details at Indican: http://www.indicanpictures.com/indicanpictures/wastelander/

 

A fan page for Wastelander: https://www.facebook.com/WastelandertheMovie/

 

Available here, on Amazon (Digital):

 

https://www.amazon.com/Wastelander-Brendan-Guy-Murphy/dp/B079598FHZ/

 

About Indican Pictures: Indican Pictures acquires and distributes feature films to a broad range of entertainment outlets by providing a diverse selection of movies across: theatrical, home video, TV, VOD, PPV and streaming platforms.

Gross Movie Reviews #427

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Gross Movie Reviews #427

 

Devilution (YouTube) – Zane Hershberger’s 2012 short film that has a way awesome intro inspired by 1988’s “Night of the Demons”. With that in mind the premise of the film is about a couple young ladies who wanna get in the Halloween spirit while hanging at home. They have a séance and some other games of trying to communicate with people from the past. Things seem tame until one of the girls is placed in a trance and something evil has awakened. It’s like a lost sequel to the underrated “Witchhouse” films that were released by Full Moon. This film clearly proves Zane is another name in independent filmmaking that will not disappoint as I give the short film 3 out of 4 stars.

 

Amusement (DVD) – A rather under the radar killer clown flick from 2008 that involves three women being stalked and kidnapped in 2008. The kidnapper/man that is stalking is only nicknamed as ‘The Laugh’. Apparently as kids he was friends with all three of the women and the three women picked on him horribly. This had some effect on him as he became a lonely creepy dude who lived in a big old house with lots of time on his hands. So he dresses as a clown to terrorize them and keep them in his rape dungeon so they know what it was like for him? Nothing groundbreaking but enough interesting stuff happens to keep the plot from going stale as I give the film 2 ½ stars.

 

Puppet Master: Axis Termination (DVD) – Finally, six years later we get the last entry in the ‘Axis’ trilogy. A hard ass military man named Captain Brooks is teamed with a Dr. Ivan and his companions who have special abilities are meant to take down Nazis. The Nazis have a special division that was very interested into magic and occult and believed this would be the answer to take down the U.S.! Captain Brooks and his team of personal with special abilities also use the puppets to gain an advantage in defeating the Nazis for good in this very hokey but bloody entry into the ‘Puppet Master’ universe. The film is not terrible but is nowhere the best of the long running series. I believe if there is one thing to take away from this entry is that Charles Band can do better? “Axis Termination” seemed more just thrown together to end the trilogy than attempt at making another memorable entry into the ‘Puppet Master’ universe. I give this entry 2 stars and honestly hope that Full Moon and Mr. Band begin work on one-offs for this series as there is an audience wanting it? That is if he isn’t trying to do more generic infomercials that are excuses for movies aka “Evil Bong” flicks through indiegogo campaigns…

 

Killing Gunther (DVD) – A weird, hilarious, and fun action comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the best paid assassin ever. But a hitman gets the idea of getting a team together and a small film crew to film them “Killing Gunther” to prove they are better. As they fumble their way through the film trying to kill him it becomes every reality TV show wrapped into one movie… with assassins. Arnold doesn’t really appear until about ¾’s of the way in but well worth the watch for his appearance and the climax of the film as I give it 3 stars.

 

Nazis at the Center of the Earth (DVD) – A couple researchers stumble upon a Nazi ship of some kind under the ice in Antarctica. They disappear and word of their disappearance gets back to their lab partners who set out to look for them. Soon the research scientists trip across a tunnel that leads them into the center of the earth where the world has been flipped upside down. Jungles and extinct creatures all around them, a world that was only a theory among scholars. They find a building that has not only their friends but is full of Nazis still experimenting with flesh. They need fresh flesh to keep their decaying bodies going. Some crazy scientist that was Hitler’s right hand man has found a secret to keep them alive. Soon the researchers become part of the experiments to help bring back Hitler so they can launch their warship to take over the world again! Jake Busey, Dominque Swain, Asylum Entertainment, and Nazi experiments always makes me give a movie a chance and glad I did as I give it 2 stars.

Pharisee (Vimeo) – Independent filmmaker Tim Novotny has a new feature hitting the streets that is a very dark, long bloody tale of vampirism. The film begins with a detective grilling a woman named Zoe about what really happened with all the murders around the city. She claims to understand, “You have to start at the beginning.” A gang of punks looking for trouble on the bad side of town reciting lines from “The Lost Boys” meet a dark figure named ‘Pharisee’ who just rips them to pieces for their blood. Pharisee stays under the police radar by killing and feasting working girls and strippers. While ripping throats out he meets Zoe, a girl like him who is a broken person and introduces her to his brutal world. But there is one difference between Zoe and Pharisee and that is Pharisee is haunted by a past he cannot get away from. With Zoe becoming a part of Pharisee’s world and Pharisee destroying all the strippers and hookers a mob boss puts a hit out on him which can only end super bloody. The movie is amazingly dark and has no happy place or comedy and thrives on Pharisee’s outlook of the world.  This vampire flick is a down and dirty horror flick about death. I enjoyed the wonderful gritty vampire tale but if I have to complain about something it would be its near two hour running time that does drag a little in the middle of the film. In saying that Mr. Novotny makes sure you will have enough sex and violence to satisfy two movies as I give it 3 out of 4 stars. For more details go check out:   www.facebook.com/NovotarianSyndicate .

 

Victor Crowley (Blu-ray) – The fourth entry into the “Hatchet” series has Victor Crowley returning to his roots in the swamp to begin killing again. This mishap begins when Andrew Yong after a decade since the horror he faced he writes a book about “The Bayou Butcher” and goes on tour. Meanwhile a filmmaker who is also a huge fan of Mr. Yong’s wants to get him to do a cameo in her fake trailer about Crowley? Before she really has a chance to ask Andrew is pulled away for a big deal to go back to the swamp for a network special. The plane goes down in the swamp and the filmmaker and crew while there try to help the survivors. While doing that they forgot they left YouTube on trying to learn part of the script that has someone reciting the voodoo ritual to bring Crowley back. Once the right person aka Tony Todd shows up saying the ritual and Crowley is back from the dead on a killing spree again. I really enjoyed this entry as it seemed to keep it simple and keep it very bloody but also hit all the right slasher film cues as I give it 3 ½ stars.

 

The Misplaced (Vimeo) – A four minute short film about a couple who argue over things going missing in their house with no answers. Then Andrea sits down to eat ice cream and notices her phone is missing until she looks behind her. The short film is interesting but would have enjoyed a little more building of who or what was behind her and why? Wouldn’t be surprised that it is investment short film for the bigger project of it? I give the short film 2 ½ out 4 stars.

Post-Apocalyptic Desolation (Vimeo) – The latest independent short film from Alex Wesley where a soldier is part of a time traveling experiment. He ends up in the future, October 2199 where all he is finding is death and destruction. The soldier continues to explore and record everything he does in hopes of someone finding the record he has left behind. Days pass as he keeps exploring only to be trapped by some kind of half monster and half machine that kills the soldier. Then takes him back to the secret lab, rebuild him, and the new cyborg monster is part of a first person shooter game like “Doom”. The film was very entertaining and feels like if Todd Sheets became a gamer in the early 90s and decided to make an alternate version of “Zombie Bloodbath” in Russia? What helps make this post-apocalyptic film work is the location as every zombie film should be filmed there or at least the next “Outpost” flick set in the future as I give the flick 3 out of 4 stars. But anytime someone starts their movie title with “Post-Apocalyptic”, I am in!

 

Any comments or questions please send to grossmoviereview@verizon.netor www.facebook.com/grossmoviereviews . Remember folks always support your local independent movie theater, independent video store, and independent filmmakers! It will keep horror alive………

Don’t forget you can also hear Kyle Poling and me talking about horror flicks on a weekly basis on the Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast at: www.bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/ also available at http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kyle-poling-2/bloodbaths-and-boomsticks?refid=stpr

 

Plus you can always go to the greatest T-shirt place online or if you are in Texas visit the store of “Fast Custom Shirts” where T-shirt Joe is the only place you should purchase your horror T-shirts: Go to www.fastcustomshirts.com for details.

 

Independent horror fans it is coming… GROSSFEST! July 28, 2018! Go check out www.grossfest.com for all the details! 

TERROR FILMS Is Seeking Short Films For Televised “Terrifying Tuesdays”Original Series!

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Los Angeles, CA – (February 8th, 2018) – With their diverse library of indie horror films continuing to dominate major digital platforms around the world, genre distributor Terror Films is currently seeking completed short films.These shorts will be used to enter the limited television series space.

 

The original series concept will be titled “Terror Films Presents: Terrifying Tuesdays.” This series will be comprised of six original, never-before-seen short films – presented in a weekly, episodic format. Each episode will be released as a stand-alone episode, once a week, every Tuesday for six weeks leading up to Halloween. On Halloween Day, Wednesday, October 31st, viewers will be able to binge watch all six episodes. Each episode would open with pre-produced prologue created by the label specifically for the series.

 

Although Amazon Prime is the current platform the series would be released on, the label isn’t ruling out pitching the final product to many of their other relationships, including: Shudder, Starz, Netflix and Hulu.

 

“This is our take on ‘Tales From The Crypt,’ if you will,” stated Terror Films President Joe Dain. “There are so many incredibly talented filmmakers out there. The level of originality and quality we have seen over the years with shorts has often surpassed what we see in full-length features. We not only want to give these filmmakers a real opportunity to have their short films showcased but wrapping them into a limited series format will allow us to elevate the marketing angle. We’re incredibly excited about the possibilities.”

 

Selected filmmakers will share in the revenue generated, either through a licensing deal secured by the label or from the Amazon Prime Revenue Share program.

 

Terror Films Executive and Head of Acquisitions Jim Klock will be overseeing the submission and selection process. Films will be subjected to very specific guidelines, which the distributor has provided below. The deadline to submit your completed short is June 1st, 2018.

 

Submission Guidelines:

 

  • Inclusive of credits, shorts should be no less than 25 minutes but no more than 40 minutes maximum.

 

  • Films must be 100% completed.

 

  • Absolutely no scenes of violence towards women, excessive nudity, extreme graphic violence or overt visual gore.

 

  • Shorts must not have had any online exposure at all! (YouTube, Vimeo, iTunes, Amazon, Festival or Filmmaker’s Website, Social Media etc.). Festival participation is okay but they must not have appeared online in any way.

 

  • No science fiction shorts! We are looking for traditional horror. (hauntings, possessions, witches, deranged killers, etc.).

 

  • You must own all rights to images, actors and music/score. “Festival Rights Only” will not be accepted.

 

  • Only seeking English Speaking shorts. No foreign language films with/or without subtitles will be considered for this particular project.

 

  • If you shot your film under the SAG New Media Agreement, filmmakers will be responsible for contacting SAG and paying any residuals from revenue received.

Copies of all executed SAG contracts must be available for review if requested.

 

  • A 5.1 sound mix preferred but not required.

 

  • All films subject to approval and acceptance based on all of the above along with a QC (Quality Control) report that shows that the film is technically ready to be delivered onto the Amazon platform.

 

  • Submission Deadline ends June 1st, 2018.

 

If your film(s) meets the above guidelines, please submit it/them to: submissions@terrorfilms.net

 

If we’re interested in acquiring your film, someone from the Terror Films team will contact you. Please do not send emails requesting the status of your submission.

 

To learn more about Terror Films, visit: www.terrorfilms.net

New episode is up my friends!

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This week we take a look at a sequel to an underappreciated sports/comedy flick in GOON: LAST OF THE ENFORCERS and Tim talks about a genre classic DEMON WIND (or as Kyle calls it Bootleg Evil Dead) Also, we talk about what we think are the best sports flicks, hockey fights, that time that Kyle thought The Florida Project was a found footage horror flick.  So, download this if you love hockey hair!

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

A little less than six months to go till… GROSSFEST!

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Hello people, independent horror movie fans, vendors, authors, fellow geeks. Quite a few people have recently ask, “What is the goal of Grossfest?”

 

The goal of Grossfest isn’t just to have fun but to do a film festival, convention, whatever you wanna call it a little bit different. Grossfest is not here to compete with the local Steel City Con, Living Dead Festival, or even Horror Realm at The Hollywood Theater. Grossfest is an idea that yes, started off as a joke but was always an idea of something that I have always wanted to do. It’s an idea that has been rolling around in my head for many years. Hell, some of the people who got to see the Bastards of Horror film festival years ago at Horror Realm knew I always would like to do something like this. The point of this idea is to have an event once a year with help that will cater to independent filmmakers, independent actors, their films, independent authors, and celebrate them. Give them another platform to show off their work! Instead of the Indy people being only a small part of the event how about make them the biggest and best part of the event?

 

I want this event to not only be something I have always enjoyed for so many years about low budget and independent movies. But how about have an event where not only focuses on these cool talented people but introduce them to a crowd of film lovers and geeks that may not know them or only heard of them. Plus, have the filmmakers and so on meet each other filmmakers, gain new fans, etc. Also we all know conventions can be expensive believe me I have been there done that for years. The other part of the goal of Grossfest for me and the others behind it is we are not in it for the money, but to celebrate the independent genre. So that means keeping costs of tickets and vendor spaces low so we can do this every year at the same location! As I always said, “you never know when meeting these talented people and seeing their films when you might be introduced to the next Tom Savini or George Romero or KNB FX group?”

 

By some chance the event isn’t successful a really cool person, Tim Wilder (R.I.P.) said to me, “Order pizza and turn it into a party. All of our friends will be there anyway and there will be awesome movies!” And that I can never argue.

 

So if you are interested in being a vendor, contact us (grossfest@gmail.com) tables are only $50. Just a fan or wanna see what all the fuss is about tickets will be $10 at the door.  You are a filmmaker or producer that has a feature or a short film? We are taking those. Of course we already have our main lineup of films but we do have a segment where the best feature and short film sent to us will have a spot in the movie lineup but also win a “Grossfest” award! And again if successful my hope is to have another movie room to show off even more independent movies…

 

Guest list:

Todd Sheets

Brian Paulin

Thomas Berdinski

Jim Roberts

Eliza Jayne

Steve Rudzinski

Justin M. Seaman 

Zane Hershberger

 

Nick Charles

Terrence Main

 

All are welcome to the Grossfest event and if you have questions or want more details about the hotel go to www.grossfest.com or the Grossfest Facebook group page. Otherwise I will see yinz all in less than six months on July 28th, 2018 at The George Washington Hotel in Washington, Pa.

 

P.S. Thank you to the people who are taking a chance and standing behind this event and putting their time and money into it.

 

#grossfest2018 , #grossfest

 

Thank yinz,

Tim Gross