Tag Archives: Blood Feast

Gross Movie Reviews #628

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Blood Feast (4K/remake) – I had no expectations going into this film because just like a lot of horror movie fans I felt this had been done already… ‘Blood Diner’ anyone?! Hell even ‘Blood Feast 2’ made a decade or two ago? But of course that didn’t stop anyone as an American family the Ramses headed to Paris six months ago to start up an American restaurant/diner thing. Owner Fuad Ramses and his diner are having tough times so he has been working a second job as night security dude at a museum. One morning Fuad has lost his pills which are critical to his health (according to Caroline Williams, the wife) and that night he witnesses Ishtar. Ishtar fascinates Fuad so much he goes to the library to do research on the goddess. Thus his research makes Fuad believe he has found the answer to his failings in Paris and it all starts with preparation for a giant feast that upcoming Saturday night with his family. Not only is he feeding on those he is killing but his family will also feast all in the name of Ishtar! There is no doubt the film went out of its way to be gory as hell. The cast and structure was great as Robert Rusler stole the flick with his performance that felt like he should have been in the 1963 original film as Fuad. Also it was great seeing an appearance of H.G. Lewis doing a YouTube thing giving backstory to Ishtar, a very tasteful gesture of a cameo. But my original stance on the film is still 2 out of 4 stars. Let me explain: If there was no original H.G. Lewis I think myself and other horror fans would have celebrated this release as soon as it was announced because this remake is solid and wonderful. But the biggest problem for any filmmaker is you are tackling something “historical” not only in minds of horror movie fans but just fans of “cinema”. So at least for me as I watch this version (as good as Robert Rusler was) I cannot get that original out of my mind let alone the over the top greatness called “Blood Diner” from the 80s. Hell, there is still a large portion of horror fans still learning of the legend of H.G. Lewis? This film I believe falls under the category “of it will be appreciated by horror fans in a decade or so after its release…” Also with this 4K version is the uncut version of the film, a ‘making of’ featurette, music video, red carpet premiere in 2018, promo teaser, and Scare cam. The full package itself I give 3 out of 4 stars and can be found through www.synapsefilms.com .

Desert Shadows (Tubi) – This little weirdo creature feature has Mitch Pileggi as Donnie who has lost his brother out in the desert when hunting one afternoon. Donnie has this crazy story about a monster or Baru in this case has taken him. With no one believing him he finds a Professor Ridley at a university who does believe and knows of a possible experiment that had rumored escapee at an old shutdown government facility near the disappearance. With the help of the professor’s assistant Morgan, Donnie and her go back and look for clues in hopes of finding Donnie’s brother? Instead they find some aftermath of victims of the creature which it might be a parasite that cocoons its victims to change them, mold them. Come on people, weird creature, government facility, and the bad ass dude that played Skinner on X-files! Gimme this shit all day as I give this fun creature flick 2 ½ stars.

Hair Metal Shotgun Zombie Massacre (You Tube) – After a few years of trying to track this one down for my list (yes for those that pay attention I have a massacre list just like an Amityville list and we are now under eight movies to find on my massacre list out of like 220) I watched this on You Tube on some kind of channel that is a virtual theater??? Anyway, this film takes place somewhere in Texas after 1989 it claims where four desperate metal heads and their drummer screw up with an evil book. The band is struggling to make it and to record an album but finally get their chance at a studio that was placed inside a cottage in the middle of a cemetery that was used to bury rapists and murders. Yes indeed, that is Metal! Of course after getting the booze and drugs going they find the evil book in the basement of this studio and decide to use it for their music. Thus of course brings forth the dead in this rather gory little Indy film that has zombies crashing the recording session. Surrounded by the undead and even with their flame throwing guitar there is nothing to do but pray to Satan for help who is played by none other Tom Araya, who shows up to make the film worth the watch just for this moment! The 83 minute Indy film has its moments and is a definite must watch if you were a metal person in the 80s and early 90s as kudos to the filmmakers for keeping that vibe throughout the feature. The only thing I could of maybe added to this is if they would have gotten W.A.S.P. front man Blackie Lawless to show up with Tom Araya or one be god and the other to be Satan now that would have been wonderful? But fun times with this metal zombie chaos as yeah it could have been edited to probably 70 minutes but it has some great gore, good music, and fucking Tom Araya from Slayer as I give this 2 ½ out of 4 stars.

Pot Zombies (DVD/You Tube) – An Indy film from the early 2000s I remember being advertised at some of the horror conventions I use to go to at that time. This quick flick directed by Justin Powers has some locals secretly placing radioactive material into the weed seedlings. So now whoever smokes the weed turns green and has the munchies for human flesh! There really isn’t an ending to this movie but there is a sequel I plan on checking out soon and if you look up this film you will come across my favorite person of all time T-shirt Joe Garcia of www.fastcustomshirts.com making shirts and talking about the film as I give this no budget flick 2 out of 4 stars.

Nightmare Alley (DVD/remake) – A recent remake of a film that was unknown to me as I mostly check out horror flicks and such but anytime the name Guillermo Del Toro is attached to it you got my attention. This is a period piece that starts I believe some time after the first World War about a man Bradley Cooper playing a drifter who hooks up with a carnival one evening. As he stays and learns the ins and outs of the carnival lifestyle he meets a young woman named Molly that he cannot keep his eyes off of. After a while he convinces her to leave with him and two years later they have a mentalist duo act that caters to the rich. Bradley Cooper or Stan is warned of using these powers too much or for not so good things as they will lead to trouble? But as he starts to believe his own bullshit seeing the money getting bigger and bigger his life begins to crumble around him. This is a great telling of the Freakshow business in the first half of the 1900s. Again this isn’t a horror movie as much as an interesting drama as I give it 3 stars.

Willard (DVD) – Food of the Gods, SyFy Channel, etc., owe a lot to this classic that doesn’t get talked about much these days that also not only had a sequel of sorts but a remake with Crispin Glover that was dark and wonderful. It is always fun to go back and revisit something like this 1971 classic about a young man Willard, who is stuck in a terrible job where he is overworked and overwhelmed by his controlling mother. But things are about to change for Willard as he makes friends with a rat outside of his mother’s home and the friendship blossoms that helps Willard come out of his shyness. But just when things are beginning to look great for Willard, his mother dies, he is about to lose his house, and that ignorant boss of his has just fired him causing friction between Willard and his new rat friends. Fun horror stuff that is kind of light hearted by today’s standards but was definitely the template for future “animal attacks horror films” and “rat horror films”. Just as equally good is the remake with Crispin Glover which I believe is a more sinister and darker version of this film also worth checking out as I give this 3 stars.

Hold that Ghost (DVD) – A 1941 film that has Abbott and Costello in their second film ever as the comedy act play relief waiters who get fired the first night on. They then become gas station attendants to make ends meet. Trying to explain jobs that don’t exist any longer for those who don’t even know this was a job long ago? Anyway these two somehow get mixed up with a mob man Moose Manson and are with him when he dies so they get to inherit supposedly a haunted hotel. From there as someone is murdered and two guys claiming to be detectives but disappear as the hilarity ensues. This is just a fun reset for horror fans that are looking for that movie to help cleanse the palate before doing another deep dive in cinema as I give this 3 stars.

Blood Gorge (You Tube) – I received a screener of a 40 minute independent horror film from a new name to the scene Victor Gabriel who wrote and directed this slasher film that takes place around Halloween. Victor gets right to the point in this straight forward Indy slasher where a masked man is slaughtering his way through a group of young people with some fun unique kills. The cast is likable, Victor was sure to keep this tight so the story doesn’t grow dull (it’s hard to bring something new if anything to the slasher genre), love the Faces of Death jacket to engrain that 80s horror feel, but the surprise good thing of this first effort out is the effects as they are just delightful to see! Victor and company are not reinventing the wheel here but this has that “let’s see if we can accomplish this first before we do what we really want to do next” kind of film feel. An experimental project if you like to say as I believe they have succeeded with flying colors! Great stuff from a new name to me in the Indy world and look forward to seeing what is next as I give this project 3 out of 4 stars.

Saltville (DVD/You Tube) – From the mind that gave us Indy lovers “Music Store Massacre” comes an independent drama about racism still existing in a small mountain town of Virginia and the past coming back to haunt those who are corrupt. You know me this isn’t my usual cup of independent film tea but always enjoy getting to see stuff from a filmmaker that is completely off the beaten path. A brother returns home after twenty some years after a disappearance of their sister in the mountains that still haunts them. They disagree on just about everything including the new ski resort that is going to be built on the mountain but requires removing or forcing people who have lived up there out of their forest homes for hundreds of years. Sleazy lawyer, sinister plans to remove people, inbred blue people, racism, a missing sister, and using the Civil War as a back drop for this drama makes for an interesting project as I got give this film 2 ½ out of 4 stars.

Any comments please send to grossmoviereview@verizon.net or www.facebook.com/grossmoviereviews .

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 and support!

Blood Feast 4K remake review

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Blood Feast (4K/remake) – I had no expectations going into this film because just like a lot of horror movie fans I felt this had been done already… ‘Blood Diner’ anyone?! Hell even ‘Blood Feast 2’ made a decade or two ago? But of course that didn’t stop anyone as an American family the Ramses headed to Paris six months ago to start up an American restaurant/diner thing. Owner Fuad Ramses and his diner are having tough times so he has been working a second job as night security dude at a museum. One morning Fuad has lost his pills which are critical to his health (according to Caroline Williams, the wife) and that night he witnesses Ishtar. Ishtar fascinates Fuad so much he goes to the library to do research on the goddess. Thus his research makes Fuad believe he has found the answer to his failings in Paris and it all starts with preparation for a giant feast that upcoming Saturday night with his family. Not only is he feeding on those he is killing but his family will also feast all in the name of Ishtar! There is no doubt the film went out of its way to be gory as hell. The cast and structure was great as Robert Rusler stole the flick with his performance that felt like he should have been in the 1963 original film as Fuad. Also it was great seeing an appearance of H.G. Lewis doing a YouTube thing giving backstory to Ishtar, a very tasteful gesture of a cameo. But my original stance on the film is still 2 out of 4 stars. Let me explain: If there was no original H.G. Lewis I think myself and other horror fans would have celebrated this release as soon as it was announced because this remake is solid and wonderful. But the biggest problem for any filmmaker is you are tackling something “historical” not only in minds of horror movie fans but just fans of “cinema”. So at least for me as I watch this version (as good as Robert Rusler was) I cannot get that original out of my mind let alone the over the top greatness called “Blood Diner” from the 80s. Hell, there is still a large portion of horror fans still learning of the legend of H.G. Lewis? This film I believe falls under the category “of it will be appreciated by horror fans in a decade or so after its release…” Also with this 4K version is the uncut version of the film, a ‘making of’ featurette, music video, red carpet premiere in 2018, promo teaser, and Scare cam. The full package itself I give 3 out of 4 stars and can be found through www.synapsefilms.com .

Gross Movie Reviews #506

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Gross Movie Reviews #506

 

Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (Shudder) – A documentary that has been years in the making that centers on the actor Mark Patton from the second film in the series. For many years Mark was blamed by many fans for the failure of the sequel. In reality it did not fail it was just pointed out how “gay” the film was and the blame was placed on Mark Patton by the writer of the film and many critics over the years. This project and the aftermath changed his life so much he chose to walk away until he was contacted for the ‘Never Sleep Again’ documentary about the whole series and this is where Mark’s journey begins. A very interesting look into an industry that can just crush a human being into nothing but Mark has made it past it all to enjoy what he has now. This is a must watch for every Elm Street fan and horror fans in general as I give this 4 stars. For me I just always felt the film never fit the flow of the series and seemed darker than the first. But also too I wasn’t looking for the gay subplot like so many and just watching it for what it was a sequel. And for the love of Freddy ‘The Dream Child’ was just downright terrible not ‘Freddy’s Revenge’ and so glad Mark is on top of the world now.

 

Itsy Bitsy! (DVD) – A black egg is stolen from an ancient tribe and it is given to an old man for his now deceased wife. But the old man doesn’t see it that way and unwilling to trade or sacrifice to this ancient egg, things are predicted to go bad in his life soon. When the egg is broken it unleashes this huge hideous spider that slowly takes over the attic of his new neighbors or nurse and family who are going to take care of him. While things disappear, strange noises are heard, and the family is breaking a part slowly the huge spider is planning on the family being the feast it wants. Not a great spider film, it’s more of a second rate Goosebumps film than something fun as I give it 2 stars.

 

The Victim (YouTube) – A 1972 TV movie starring everybody’s sweetheart from the ‘Bewitched’ show, Elizabeth Montgomery where she plays a character named Kathryn Wainwright. Kathryn is worried about her soon-to-be divorced younger sister Suzie. So Kathryn travels to her sister’s out of the way place during a storm that has knocked out phone lines and roads. Once there Kathryn cannot find Suzie and has learned from a friend of Suzie’s the long time housekeeper was fired a while ago. As the mystery thickens the soon-to-be ex-husband shows up and the housekeeper is still lurking around. A quite fun TV mystery worth checking out if you got 70 minutes to burn as I give it 2 ½ stars.

 

The Strange and Deadly Occurrence (YouTube) – A TV movie from 1974 that looked like it had potential starring Robert Stack and Vera Miles. They are a family with their teenage daughter move out from the big city to the mountain small town area. First six months of living there everything is just fine then all of sudden problems with the electricity; a weird ass doctor dude asking to buy the place, gopher problems, and the daughter is having some strange dreams at night. The cops have been a few times and just believe it is the rich city folk overreacting, but when the weird doctor shows up dead in the pool things get interesting… Or should have? Not to give too much away like I did on our podcast Bloodbaths and Boomsticks: The buildup was cool but the payoff can go suck a bag of dicks because it was lame as I give this limp entry of a TV movie 1 star.

Shellmont County Massacre (DVD) – A small town has a serial killer problem suddenly and it quickly gets out of hand when a young man in a clown mask decides to start knocking on peoples’ doors. He absolutely enjoys the horror he brings to those who open the door. The serial killer is nicknamed “The Shellmont Butcher” when the bodies keep piling up and the sheriff no longer wants to bring the killer to justice but just end his existence. The actors were good, great exploding head effect along with some fun gore scenes, but the middle of the film feels more like filler than actually having something to keep you interested throughout the film. Hack off ten minutes or so of the filler and I believe independent fans are saying a lot of great things about this film as I give it 2 ½ out of 4 stars.

 

Battle Beyond the Stars (DVD) – Plain and simple this was Roger Corman’s answer to ‘Star Wars’… ‘The Magnificent Seven’ in outer space. A peaceful planet is threatened to be destroyed in a few days by an overlord in John Saxon. A young man is sent out into space to seek out mercenaries who would be willing to help their cause in fighting this overlord. Depending how you are looking at the ship the kid is flying it is either a huge ballsack or a pair of giant boobies! Anyhow the young man finds some characters who are more than willing to help fight Sador in a war in which Sador has never lost. The biggest threat to them all is the weapon called “Stellar Converter”, if they can stop that they can stop Sador. For 1980 and on a Corman budget the film still holds up somewhat today as I give the film 3 stars.

 

Milwaukee Murders (VHS) – A never released S.O.V. movie with big hair, so-called twenty-something actors playing high school kids, an exploding Ford Pinto, and a killer on the loose. But it isn’t just any killer it is Vanessa’s boy toy Huey who is being teased for seeing an older woman by his friends. Vanessa convinces Huey to kill for her and as proof she wants body parts. But be careful what you wish for Vanessa as it backfires and Huey comes for her also! The movie is terrible and hilarious as you can see why it was never released intentionally. Even it is bad I am glad I did get to watch it as I give it maybe… 1 star.

Massacre on Aisle 12 (DVD) – It is Christmas Eve and Dave has started his new job at the big hardware store. Dave and another employee try to move a heavy tool crib until they open it and find out along with all the store employees there is a dead body in it. Also a large sack of money! The employees are faced with a dilemma keep the money or call the cops. Or just lockdown the store and awkwardly not try to kill each other while trying to act like you don’t want the money… Money or not the bodies drop quickly and the filmmakers use the location to its fullest as I give this fun little horror comedy 3 stars.

 

Thunder (VHS) – Mark Gregory, a young Native American comes back home only to find trouble quickly with his local law officers. If that wasn’t bad enough a construction company has begun to build on the ancient cemetery that is protected by a treaty between the government and Indians many years ago. Thunder tries to do the right thing and take it to the authorities, the bank, but none of give a crap because he is a Native American. So Thunder decides to go to war with the police department and the construction company himself. The authorities try to make it out like Thunder is a crazy person but a news reporter who happens to be driving through the town stays to write a story. This might be the only way Thunder isn’t killed by the authorities? A fun Eye-talian rip-off of ‘First Blood’ starring Bo Svenson as the sheriff and it was shot in Arizona in 1983 as I give the film 2 ½ stars.

 

Thunder 2 (VHS) – After barely escaping a few years back Thunder returns to his small town again but this time he returns as a deputy sheriff who was hired by the governor. Thunder quickly learns of a corrupt deputy that is taking advantage of young poor Native Americans with drugs. Soon Thunder finds himself framed and sent to county jail. But of course that doesn’t last long as he breaks out and goes to war again with the town and the police. The first film was a fun rip-off where the sequel seems more like a thrown together film in hopes of making a quick buck with no thought as I give it 1 ½ stars.

 

Blood Feast (remake/DVD) – I had no expectations going into this film because just like everyone else I felt this had been done already… ‘Blood Diner’ anyone! Hell even ‘Blood Feast 2’ made a decade or two ago? But of course that didn’t stop anyone as an American family the Ramses headed to Paris six months ago and started an American restaurant. The owner Fuad is having tough times so he picks up a second job working night shift at a museum. One morning Fuad loses his pills which are critical to his health and that night is when he witnesses Ishtar. Ishtar has fascinated Fuad so much he goes to the library and does research on the goddess. Thus the research makes Fuad believe he has found the answer to his failings in Paris and it starts with a feast that upcoming Saturday night with his family. Not only is he feeding on those he is killing but his family will also feast all in the name of Ishtar. There is doubt the film is gory as hell and Robert Rusler has that voice that just fits the role for the film but I was still not impressed overall. The film isn’t overall and maybe this is more for the newest generation of horror fans but I will always have ‘Blood Diner’ as I give this film 2 stars.

 

Any comments please send to grossmoviereview@verizon.net or 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, John Shatzer, and me talking about horror flicks on the Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast at: www.bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com .

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 and support!

GROSSFEST IS COMING JULY 25TH AND 26TH, 2020… GO TO WWW.GROSSFEST.COM  FOR DETAILS!