Gross Movie Reviews #702

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At Death’s Door (Tubi) – Another independent horror anthology hits the streaming site in where the stories go more for storytelling, suspense, and old school scares than your typical blood splattered anthology. First story deals with a young woman who has nightmares of a clown in her past and how it is connected to her father who she absolutely adores as you wonder is she insane or being led to believe something else? Second story tackles a serial killer who must check in with mom about his latest killer conquest as she rehashes the good old days of murdering folk. Third story has a podcast/radio host named John who dabbles in the paranormal as he claims he is a medium but slowly losing his mind. The last story has a beautiful young woman renting out a suite that causes her past to haunt her for a past sin in a place that isn’t what she thinks it is… A solid showing here folks as I believe it does enough different storytelling that this anthology will be a diamond in the rough for fans of the horror anthologies as I give it 3 out 4 stars.

Groundhog Day Massacre (YouTube) – A lost 1986 SOV short film that had me immediately at “massacre” from Insanity Productions and didn’t disappoint as it left me in smiles for hours after. The film begins with a quick “this might be connected to Amityville” scene but quickly introduces us to the killer who wears a paper bag over his head with safety goggles on and a sawzall with extension cord included. Yes folks, these kids did not hide it at all as this home movie is completely terrible and I love it! The extension cord comes unplugged a few times as the killer chases after his victims. But the real gem here is the background. Whether you are 3, 13, or 23 at the time of this short film being made it will for sure give you some happy flashbacks of that time in the 80s and for that entertainment I give this 3 out of 4 stars.

The Mystery of Dipyramidion (Fawesome) – An odd chap who is fascinated with this ancient artifact called the ‘Sky Key’ as he produces a show on social media called “The History Guy” where he tries to search but educate followers on these wonders. This latest dive into the wormhole of artifacts takes a weird turn as Nathan learns of a billionaire purchasing the artifact through an auction and Nathan has a plan to go see if he can grab it? The fascination of this relative unknown artifact is that throughout history anyone that has held it in their possession has great power. So through pure accident of getting the ‘Sky Key’ Nathan finds himself going through portals to different times, places, maybe even dimensions and collecting things to show off to his followers. But in the end Nathan believes he might be doing more harm than good and decides the adventure of a lifetime has to end. It is an innocent adventure film done rather entertainingly on no budget that I believe will find a following on streaming as I give it 2 ½ out of 4 stars.

Night of the Rats (DVD) – Besides being a horror weirdo that loves tracking down ‘Amityville’ and ‘massacre’ movies I always love me a good rat flick! And Mr. Matt Jaissle thank you for putting in the effort on making this happen. There has been some illegal dumping found at the Evans City power plant that has leeched into the sewer system causing rats to mutate and attack humans. Two individuals are in charge to quickly resolve this problem but little they know the invasion of killer rats cannot be stopped. Shit, I love the scene when they pull out the laser guns to start shooting the rats but that doesn’t stop it from being a fun lovable mess of a movie. Now to be honest I kinda seen the ending coming and wasn’t happy with it but honestly there can only be one ‘Rats: Night of Terror’. Overall I felt like the film was made just for me as I give this fun movie I had to own 2 ½ out of 4 stars.

Minnie’s Midnight Massacre (Tubi) – Twenty years after a young seventh grade girl is locked into a storm cellar by her bullies she has come back to stalk her bullies on vacation as she is dressed as Minnie Mouse. Even though the group of friends are celebrating how long they have stayed friends the aftermath of the bullying has haunted them but hasn’t stopped them from living their ‘best lives’ sort to speak. The film isn’t the best of ideas as it has been proven over the past year with the slew of films portraying Mickey Mouse aka Steamboat Willie since it went into public domain… But I liked the suspense building and the commitment of the Minnie killer but the ending can be seen a mile away which does take away a bit from the good I said after you witness it as I give the project 2 out of 4 stars.

Apocalypse Bigfoot (Tubi) – Some hunters at a hunting camp believe they have taken a shot at something odd or homeless person living out in the woods as they hope the next day of hunting will be better? The next day isn’t as the creature known as Bigfoot goes on a rampage and slaughters their asses. Now small town sheriff is sent to look into the murders but Bigfoot isn’t done as he wants blood from the community! Oh by the way nevermind the sheriff has animal control stuff readily available (too many questions for this slim plot point). Can the sheriff stop this hairy uncontrollable beast? Well you only know if you watch it as the sheriff uses his dead partner as bait as I give this uneventful Bigfoot film with a great title only 1 ½ out of 4 stars.

Robocidal (Tubi) – A Mark Polonia film that has a computer lab where a system failure and a fire in said building send Robot V-227 to leave the lab. The robot quickly starts a killing spree that catches eyes of two older no-nonsense detectives who begin their investigation and refuse to believe a robot can be the killer. With the bodies are piling up the detectives find clues that only leaves the robot as the killer causing them to panic plan to stop this piece of tech and its Robocidal ways! The term is used often throughout the dialogue so of course I had to write it in the review. It’s a little fun feature that has the vibe Mark actually made this in 2002 and just finally got around releasing it for us fans and for that I will give it 2 out of 4 stars.

The Outing (Blu-ray) – A slipcase in all and going by its original title “The Lamp” is what horror fans will know this horror film by as this is a well worth collector’s item for horror fans. (Review in 2024)  For me this was one of those late night “Skinamax” features I always caught on late Friday or Saturday night so of course I have a soft spot for it. Forgive me for only remembering the last 30 minutes of this movie but it is with kids sneaking into a museum after hours to party horror formula. The story begins with degenerates breaking into an old woman’s house finding “the lamp” and unleashing the evil in it causing their deaths. Short time after it ends up at a museum where some kids decide to sneak in after hours to stay overnight to party. Problem is the Djinn has already done its damage and now wants to slaughter the kids before it is forced back into the lamp. A fun but uneven horror film with a cool creature, some fun kills, and a great poster that many older horror fans remember hanging up in the video stores. This special edition explains even though there was no negative produced Vinegar Syndrome was able to still do a restoration and add in a few seconds here and there of scenes doing it. The package besides its cool slipcase and cleaned up film also include a commentary with producer and cast plus an absolutely delightful making of called “All in the Family” that is the gem of this supernatural horror package as I give this must have 3 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!  

Getting to know your Grossfest 2025 guest!

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Besides us coming back to the Comfort Inn as it’s officially the home of Grossfest. Same time every year but a third time is a charm to welcome this talented duo as a guest of Grossfest 2025 and believe fans of our little convention yinz will absolutely love them let us introduce yinz to The Mummy and the Monkey! Check out their work: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMummyAndTheMonkey

Its not just their work with B-movies, their love for horror classics, or their passion for Indy films… This wonderful duo is the link between the past horror hosts to what future horror hosts should inspire to be! Their passion is unmatched and absolutely enjoy what they do as I think they will enjoy the Grossfest 2025 atmosphere.

Grossfest August 1st & 2nd, 2025

Location:

Comfort Inn Conference Center

699 Rodi Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235

To book a hotel room for Grossfest 2025 you can use this link: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/YB53X6

August 1st, Friday 4-10pm

August 2nd, Saturday 11-7pm

(Movies and/or panels will be announced closer to the show)

For show info: http://www.grossfest.com or go to our Grossfest Facebook group or event page.

Vendor tables are $100 each and come with two passes contact grossfest@gmail.com for vendor application and how to pay.

Another guest announcement for Grossfest 2025!

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For this next Grossfest 2025 guest announcement is a person I would call a “super talented Swiss Army Knife” of independent cinema as they have carved out a career over the past decade plus I have not seen since the likes of Debbie Rochon or Tiffany Shepis! They have done everything from acting, stunt work, producing, writing, directing, podcasting, you name it this person has done it! This person has quickly become someone all Indy filmmakers strive to have in on their project and they just got started. Would not be surprised if Hollywood comes (if they haven’t already) calling for this person sooner than later as they might be known for their excellent work in such projects: Swamp Zombies 2, The Profane Exhibit, Mrs. Claus, Halloween Horror Tales, Teacher Shortage, Return to Splatter Farm, Legend of Crick Foot, with upcoming projects such as Terrifying T-Rex, Return of the Corn Zombies, and Amityville Pool Toy Massacre. This next guest isn’t just another pretty face in the crowd her drive and body of work has proven that. Grossfest folks we are honored to introduce yinz to the one and only Mel Heflin!

Grossfest August 1st & 2nd, 2025

Vendor, movie, and tattoo room hours:

August 1st, Friday 4-10pm

August 2nd, Saturday 11-7pm

Comfort Inn Conference Center

699 Rodi Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235

My favorite movies to rewatch from the past twenty years!

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Point of this list isn’t so much to piss everyone off as much I was asked to do a podcast recently and put together “my favorite twenty horror movies over the past twenty years”? So now that I have done the podcast, I thought I would post the list for those who didn’t or won’t hear the podcast.

Top 20

1) VFW

2) Hobo with a Shotgun

3) Shaun of the Dead

4) The Barn

5) Hexercise

6) 30 Days of Night

7) Holy Shit… Zombies!

8) Dead Snow

9) Wolf Cop

10) The Void

11) The Collector

12) Feast

13) The Devil’s Rejects

14) Don’t Kill It

15) Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

16) Frankenstein’s Army

17) The Rec 1-4 series

18) Pool Party Massacre

19) Garden Party Massacre

20) Planet Terror from Grindhouse

Breaking news … Grossfest adds one more surprise!

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Just when you thought we were done we are not? Remember we got two days of Grossfest this year folks so when we were able to connect the west coast with the east coast you know we couldn’t pass up accomplishing a goal we set out to do six years ago. Saying that we have a very special guest being added to our already packed Grossfest 2024 convention as their career is soaring high! Based out of L.A., California some of yinz may know this multi-talented individual who is a writer, director, producer, digital content creator, and recently started their own studio. This person may have accomplished so much in so little time but also it can be said that they have only just begun? Some Grossfest fans may know this person for their acting work in Arachnado 2: Flaming Spiders, 10/31, 10/31 Part 2, Amityville in the Hood, or Amityville Karen, or their producing work with Malvolia: The Queen of Screams or After Hours Cinema series, or their writing work for The Dark Web Tapes and Theatre of the Deranged III, or even better yet their directing work of segments for films Gore Theatre and 2 to Die For but also for their latest segment in the Body Count film? We at Grossfest are not just honored but excited to introduce all of yinz east coast independent film fans to the intelligent, beautiful, and beyond hard working Jennifer Nangle!

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3527272

https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fqueenmalvolia

https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fjennifer_nangle

Grossfest 2024

Friday and Saturday August 2 and 3rd, 2024

Comfort Inn Conference Center

699 Rodi Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235

Need to reserve a room: Hotel link to reserve a room for Grossfest 2024! https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/ET81E2

Tickets: $10 at the door for one day, $15 for both days for those who will be attending

Vendor room hours:

Friday 4-10pm

Saturday 11-7pm

Vendor tables Price is $80 for the two-day show.

Vendor Set Up: Friday August 2nd 12:00 pm – 4:00 PM

Vendor Hours: Friday 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM Saturday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Same place, same set up, two days long this time! (Remember let’s keep this simple and fun)

We accept Cash, checks or PayPal, Zelle or Venmo – Please make checks are payable to Tom Gross

Please send the completed and signed form along with your payment (if paying by check, address will be emailed or texted to you if needed).

If paying by anything other than check, just screenshot your completed app and email it back.

If you have any questions please email us at grossfest@gmail.com

Grossfest 2024 guests

Sean Donohue

Sushii Xhyvette Holder

Jessa Flux

Kelsey Livengood

Matt Cannon… also appearing with Matt is Victor Butler who was the detective in Hexercise. 

Jorge Delarosa

Nathan Rumler

Rebecca Rinehart

Special guests

Dave Castiglione

Steve Rudzinski

Jennifer Nangle

Also let’s not forget ultra-talented, super horror movie fan, tattoo artist Angel O’Connor who will be doing tattoos at Grossfest both days!

http://www.grossfest.com

A podcast on a cool post-apocalyptic cult film “ACCION MUTANTE”

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https://cinemadegeneration.podbean.com/

Cameron Scott is a podcaster who the past several episodes has been covering post-apocalyptic films but on his latest podcast for Cinema Degeneration decided to cover the film “Accion Mutante”. A cult French film that few have seen but is fun stuff as he asks huge horror fan and fan of this film Kay Crawford (director of Drain Snake Massacre) to dive into this great gem of a post-apocalyptic film that also has finally found its way on to Blu-ray! If you like podcasts, you are weird like me, and you love post-apocalyptic movies grab this episode as you will not be disappointed into this deep dive of “Accion Mutante”.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cinema-degeneration/id1550525634?i=1000637244731

That’s it! Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast comes to an end… for now?

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It’s been 12 or so odd years but it has all come to an end.  This is the final episode of the podcast, and in our typical fashion we have picked some mediocre movies to go out on. First John has picked a Robert Forrester starring and directed flick featuring genre staple “greasy” Joe Spinell in HOLLYWOOD HARRY.  And then Tim pick a real Tim kinda movie in MUTANT VAMPIRES FROM PLANET NEPTUNE.  And Kyle says “fair is fair” and talks about the beloved LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN.  We do all the regular stuff on the episode like answer your questions, read the news, and review what we have been watching over the past week.  And we also take a walk back to pick out some of our favorite movies we have ever featured on the show.  So download this episode and help us erase the memory of Pondo and The Party Animal from our minds.

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

A couple of lost episodes of the Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcast in this batch

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This week we come back to regale you with the pleasant tones of our voices screeching about weirdo movies… And we found another 3 flicks regulated to the darkest, dirtiest, most disgusting shelves of our collections.  First Tim picks a sci fi flick that almost every mom and pop video shop had but nobody seemed to check out in STARSHIP,  Then in honor of Michelle Nichols passing John picked one of her genre flicks in THE SUPERNATURALS,  and finally Kyle decides it’s finally time to check out ROAD GAMES starring Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis.  And we also do the rounds talking about what we watched while we were away, Answer your listener questions, and read all the news which may or may not be true.  So download this episode or Stacy Keach’s  dog will bite you in the butt.

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

This week we have 3 doozies to review and talk about.  First what if Dracula from the monster squad impersonated an ancient Aztec warrior and went around murdering people in a Cinemax like sleazy late night thriller… cause that is what we got in THE BANKER. Then Kyle want’s to catch up with the antichrist in DAMIEN: OMEN II. And finally an eldritch god in a rest stop bathroom needs some help in GLORIOUS.  We also talk about what’s happening in the movie rumor laden internet, read your questions, and rundown what we have been watching the last weeks.  So download this episode or no Lovecraft Glory Hole for you!

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

Another week is upon us and that means another show.  On this one John talks KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK, and fuck you Gene Simmons we bootlegged this movie!  Tim picks the new Brandon Cronenberg flick INFINITY POOL, And Kyle picks a real “DAD” movie in which Lee Marvin Fights Ernest Borgnine for the hobo train riding championship belt in EMPEROR OF THE NORTH.  We also have all the thrilling thrills of reading your listener questions, checking out the world of internet movie speculation, and recapping what we have watched this week.  So download this episode or Ernest Borgnine won’t give you a handy on a sundrenched beach.

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

We continue to unload a butt load of Bloodbaths and Boomsticks podcasts

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This week we unlock the basement and see what kind of flicks we can unearth as Kyle spring cleans the podcast to unleash a “lost” episode.  The first flick to rear it’s ugly head is DOCTOR DEATH: SEEKER OF SOULS, and Moe Howard shows up in this.  Next it’s an old staple from the horror section of the video store called EVIL LAUGH. And finally a weirdo part murder mystery part Eye-talian Giallo part spider fetus flick called SPIDER LABYRINTH.  And of course we run down what we have been watching, the newest news, and answer your listener questions.  So download this episode or Moe will eye poke you.

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

As we continue to spring clean our podcast we found another “lost” episode hiding under the fridge. On this show we talk about 3 more flicks.  The first being the movie PREDATOR may or may have not ripped off in WITHOUT WARNING starring Jack Palance and crazy ass Martin Landau. Next we have BLOOD THIRST a made in the 60’s but released in the 70’s chiller starring John’s number 1 dude Vic Diaz.  And finally old folks do some comedic killing to save their crumbling apartment killing in HOMEBODIES.  All this and the regular stuff wait.  So download this episode so Vic Diaz can continue to barbecue some fine naked ladies.

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

As the spring cleaning continues we roll up the dusty rug in podcast studio A to find yet another “lost” episode.  On this one Kyle talks about the new stranger danger flick starring our guy Ethan Hawke in THE BLACK PHONE.  And then we talk about a movie that only tim gross could have found in the backrooms of YouTube called MY LOVELY BURTN BROTHER AND HIS SQUISHED BRAIN. And finally we have that movie your mother warned about taking candy from in CURSE OF THE QUEERWOLF.  And like any other episode we rundown the news and what we have been watching along with listener questions. So download this episode or else Tim Gross might make us watch another weird movie with an 8 word title… and no one wants that.

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

As the spring cleaning continues we found another “lost” episode in that junk drawer that everyone seems to have in their house.  This time we have a true Asian oddity that has eluded us all but we have always wanted to check it out in EVIL DEAD TRAP.  Then we have the most metal zombies of all god damn time in their original outing in the franchise in TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD. And finally since we have made it this deep in our run of shows Kyle finally feels like it’s time to cover a movie that almost every podcast ends up covering in TOBE HOOPER’S LIFEFORCE.  And just like every week we have the news, listener questions, and the run down of what everyone watched this week.  So download this episode or the blind dead will forever cease to fuck shit up in the pit!

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

Two new episodes of Bloodbaths and Boomsticks

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This week we come back and throw 3 movies in your face of varying degrees of quality… but we will let you be the judge of that.  First we finally have a god damn Godfrey Ho movie on the show in the form of ROBO VAMPIRE 2: DEVIL’S DYNAMITE and boy howdy does Kyle dislike Godfrey Ho movies.  And secondly we have the first of the adaptations of Richard Matheson’s classic book I Am Legend in the form of 1664′ Vincent price classic THE LAST MAN ON EARTH.  And finally we unearthed a weird bit of 1995 cheese in The Haunted.  We hope you enjoy the ramblings and if you don’t there is always next time.  So, Download this episode of we will have to review more Godfrey Ho movies and no one want that.

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/

This time we throw 3 more genre flicks into the hopper and see what shakes out.  First Tim picks a Rod Steiger movie with a Kung Fu action premise straight from the bottom row of the Action section of you mom and pop video store in CATCH THE HEAT.  The John talks a film noir-ish type of jam with 1975’s The Dead Don’t Die.  And finally Kyle watches the original classic kid in trouble flick INVADERS FROM MARS.  And try as we might we try to get to the bottom of why everyone likes Peeps marshmallow treats.  All this and more like question, news, and what we have been watching. So download this episode or Rod Steiger won’t vote for you in the wet t-shirt contest.

http://bloodbathspodcast.blogspot.com/