Phil's Exploitation Cinema: THE WAGES OF SIN (1938) from Something Weird Video - February 14, 2019

THE WAGES OF SIN DVD Cover

THE WAGES OF SIN (1938)

Starring Constance Worth, Willy Castello, Blanche Mehaffey, Clara Kimball Young, Carleton Young, Paula Bromleigh
Cinematography by Harvey Gould
Edited by Robert Jahns
Produced by Willis Kent
Directed by Herman E. Webber
Originally released by Willis Kent Productions (as Real Life Dramas)
Released by Something Weird Video

Welcome everybody to a brand new installment series entitled Phil's Exploitation Cinema! In case you don't know the term, an exploitation film, "is a film that attempts to succeed financially by exploiting current trends, niche genres, or lurid content; are generally low-quality B-movies." Since the dawn of cinema, exploitation films have been part of the movie-going experience. Case in point, imagine if you will: The year is 1939. The two biggest films of the year GONE WITH THE WIND and THE WIZARD OF OZ are battling it out at their respective theater chains. But down the street, around the corner, and down an ally way there's an independently owned movie theater where they're showing a different kind of motion picture. One that offers something different, more adult, and more scandalous. The film in question is the exploitation classic THE WAGES OF SIN.

The film's official synopsis: The sole support of her worthless family, Marjorie Benton (Worth) works during the day in a sweat shop. But when Florence (Mehaffey), a co-worker, asks her to go on a blind date, Marjorie’s taken to a roadhouse where she gets her first taste of booze and drugs. Marjorie promptly gets shitfaced and attracts the attention of slimy Tony (Castello). With big plans for her future, Tony arranges to have Marjorie fired from her job, then asks her to move in with him, promising to marry her in the morning. Three months later, they’re still not married when Tony decides to pimp her out. By the time another three months pass, Marjorie’s a hard boiled hooker turning tricks at a local hotel under the “professional name” of Judy. Starting to “look seedy,” Tony finally ships her off to Fat Pearl’s whorehouse. All of which ends with Marjorie on trial for murder and a contest for the audience: “What will the verdict be? $1,000 in cash prizes will be given for the best answers. Mail your opinion in not over 300 words to Real Life Dramas, 4376 Sunset Drive, Hollywood, CA...”

Original Theatrical Poster (1938)

Australian born actress Constance Worth was originally brought over by RKO, but then was dropped her after her first two American features films (1937's CHINA PASSAGE being one of them)  failed at the boxoffice. She worked for about three years at Columbia while also appearing in poverty row films and B-westerns like BORROWED HERO (1941), CITY WITHOUT MEN (1943), and WHY GIRLS LEAVE HOME (1945). She even has an uncredited role in Alfred Hitchcock's 1941 film SUSPICION. Willy Castello was notorious for playing the "heavy" in many B-movies! Look for him playing almost the same character in other Willis Kent films like SMASHING THE VISE TRUST (1937), RACE SUICIDE (1938), and MAD YOUTH (1939). Actress Blanche Mehaffey started off as a dancer with the Ziegfeld Follies before appearing in Hollywood comedies, westerns and dramas. She starred opposite Charley Chase and Glenn Tryon in several short comedies for the Hal Roach Film Company from 1923 to 1929, before leaving to go study voice and languages for more than a year in New York City. She made her return in 1931 film THE SUNSET TRAIL starring opposite Bob Steele. She went on to appear in other B-movies and westerns like RIDER OF THE NORTH (1931), BORDER GUNS (1934), and THE SILENT CODE (1935). She would retire from the movie business after the completion of this movie. 

Producer Willis Kent is one of the most famous producers out of what was dubbed "The Forty Thieves," a group of directors and producers that operated outside the Hollywood Production Code during this time of cinema. Kent started off producing cheap, low budget B-movie westerns before churning out some of the most infamous exploitation films, such as THE PACE THAT KILLS, COCAINE FIENDS, and MAD YOUTH (all available from Something Weird Video), as well as SMASHING THE VISE TRUST, RACE SUICIDE, and his infamous film CONFESSIONS OF A VICE BARON. The reason why this was one of his infamous films was that it was mostly made up of scenes from earlier exploitation films with new footage of actor Willy Castello as a prisoner about to be executed who dictates the the story of his life of crime added on to the front and end of it! Overall, Kent produced 43 films from  1929 till 1958. He passed away in Los Angeles on March 11, 1966 at the age of 87.

Something Weird Video was founded in 1990 by Mike Vraney, a former concert promoter who worked at several theaters during his teenage years. Named after the Herschell Gordon Lewis film, his Seattle based company would specialize in, "in releasing a rich array of low-grade trashy out-of-the-mainstream independent fare on both VHS and DVD alike that runs the gamut from horror features to softcore flicks to vintage classroom scare items to TV commercials to hardcore X-rated smut to theatrical trailers to collections of nudie loops and burlesque clips." He would go on to release the film libraries of some of the greatest exploitation filmmakers of all time, including Lewis, David F. Friedman, Harry H. Novak, Joseph W. Sarno, Doris Wishman, William Grefé, Bethel Buckalew and Barry Mahon. Unfortunately, Vraney died from lung cancer on January 2, 2014. He was only 56 years old. His wife Lisa Petrucci now runs the company and continues the legacy of her late, beloved husband.

THE WAGES OF SIN is one of most famous, funny, cheesy, and ludicrous exploitation films of all time! It's a highly entertaining, wonderfully absurd and bonkers movie that diehard exploitation fans will love and new viewers will get an education on the dangers of drugs, vice, and sex!! If you have never seen an exploitation movie before, this is the perfect place to start!! It doesn't get any better than this!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

THE WAGES OF SIN is available on DVD-R from Something Weird Video. To purchase a copy for yourself, please visit their website at www.somethingweird.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show! 

Phil’s Top Ten Greatest Scream Queens of All Time - February 6, 2019

Michelle Bauer, Linnea Quigley, and Brinke Stevens (1988)

Besides writing for my blog, I've been very fortunate to write for other publications, both physical media (magazines and newspapers) and online websites over the years. One of those websites was the now defunct Blumhouse.com. About four years ago, I contacted an old friend of mine, who just happened to be the editor-in-chief of the website. I have known her for years, going all the way back to our Fangoria days, which I also wrote that website as well. I sent her some samples, and I ended up writing my first article for the website, ""PRESENTING THE TEN GREATEST SCREAM QUEENS OF ALL TIME!" which was posted back in December 27, 2016. Here, I listed my favorite Scream Queens from my past in alphabetical order and soon, it was being shared by the actresses themselves through several social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I was honored to have had my article shared by these talented women.

The reason I'm mentioning all this is that now in 2019, Blumhouse.com is no longer and is now called The 13th Floor. While it still has articles, stories, and news, it's different than it once was, and my article is no longer on their website. However, while cleaning out some of my old files on my computer, I accidentally discovered my original copy of my article! This was a very pleasant surprise, indeed! So I looked it over, made some changes to it, and updated as well. Overall, I  am very proud of it, but I found myself reminiscing of my youthful, carefree days of yeasterday.

I was very luck to be alive at the right place at the right time, and that time was called the 1980's. Granted, not everything was great in America at that time. Reaganomics, Black Monday, crack, the AIDS epidemic, and the cold war were taking its toll on the country, and growing up in the middle of all this wasn't fun. But during this decade, two very important events took place that would change my life forever.

At the beginning of the 80's, the VCR revolutionized home entertainment. Now, there were these cool places called video stores where I could rent movies. It's here that I was exposed to, what seemed at that time, an endless supply of horror movies. And trust me when I say that I rented every single one that had in stock! By the end of the decade, a new late night TV show debuted on the USA Network. It was called USA Up All Night and it aired every Friday and Saturday night and was hosted by Rhonda Shear and Gilbert Gottfried. Because of this show, my love for low budget B-movies began as well as my obsession for the buxom, bare breasted, badass actresses that became known as Scream Queens!

During this time, these ladies became the most popular actresses in the world, and garnered a huge and loyal fan base. They were all over the media outlets, appearing in magazines like Femme Fatales and Scream Queen Magazine. They were on E! Entertainment channel, MTV, and Entertainment Tonight as well as at film and comic conventions all over the country. While it was hard to narrow it down, these ladies proved to me time and time again that they were the best of the best. So, without further adieu, here is my list of the Top Ten Greatest Scream Queens of All Time!

1) Michelle Bauer - One of the members of the Scream Queen Trio that dominated USA Up All Night, Bauer has appeared in 152 films. In fact, between 1987 and 1998, she starred in over 36 movies! With films like ROLLERBLADE, HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS, THE PHANTOM EMPIRE, SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA, NIGHTMARE SISTERS, VIRGIN HIGH, ASSAULT OF THE PARTY NERDS, and THE TOMB, her status as a Scream Queen has been confirmed. By the 2010's, she starred in several of director David DeCoteau's 1313 film series, appeared in in Full Moon feature's GINGERDEAD MAN 2: PASSION OF THE CRUST, and teamed up with her fellow queens Linnea Quigley and Brinke Stevens for the 2014 film 3 SCREAM QUEENS. Her latest titles are DEATH HEADS: BRAIN DRAIN and THE PASSION CHRONICLES.

2) Monique Gabrielle - They broke the mold when they made this woman. Blonde, buxom, and breathtakingly beautiful, Gabrielle mad a splash in the acting world playing Tracey alongside future Hollywood superstar Tom Hank's in the 1982 comedy BACHELOR PARTY. In 1987, she appeared in the three of her most popular films ever: AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON, EMMANUELLE 5, and DEATHSTALKER II, the last two films were for the legendary Roger Corman's Concorde/New Horizons Home Video. Also, look for here in NOT OF THIS EARTH, THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING, TRANSYLVANIA TWIST, HARD TO DIE, EVIL TOONS, and the highly entertaining SCREAM QUEEN HOT TUB PARTY. In 2003, Gabrielle married adult film director Tony Angove and now runs her own adult film production company called Monique Gabrielle's Purrfect Productions in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

3) Debra Lamb - Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Lamb got her big break in John Hughes' PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (although her scene would be left on the cutting room floor) before going on to star in a slew of classic B-movie gems like THE INVISIBLE MANIAC, BEVERLY HILLS VAMP, EVIL SPIRITS, and DEATH ROW GAME SHOW, which was released on Blu-Ray from Vinegar Syndrome recently. After leaving the industry for personal reasons, Lamb returned to acting in 2012, and has starred in several films, including THE G-STRING HORROR, DISCIPLES, and A BLOOD STORY. She is also an accomplished author and was a writer for the publication Dark Beauty Magazine from 2011 to 2015. She currently has nine projects in various stages of production, including BLOOD CRAFT, YOU BELONG TO ME, and FRUIT OF THE POISONOUS TREE.

4) Becky LeBeau - She wasn't your typical Scream Queen. In fact, she wasn't really a Scream Queen at all, However, this curvaceous and busty actress bounced her way into many of young male adolecent dreams as well as in the movies. Making a big splash in the 1986 comedy BACK TO SCHOOL with comic legend Rodney Dangerfield, LeBeau went on to act in several erotic, comedy, and sci-fi films like BEVERLY HILLS GIRLS, NOT OF THIS EARTH, BIKINI DRIVE-IN, DINOSAUR ISLAND, and POINT OF SEDUCTION: BODY CHEMISTRY III. She also created the popular Playboy Channel show Soft Bodies during the 1990's, which was the precursor to her new multi-million dollar company called FantasyOne.

5) Linnea Quigley - She was the reigning "Queen of the B's" during the height of the USA Up All Night era. Standing at only 5'2", this short and petite actress appeared in some of the greatest horror and B-movies of all time, including SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, CREEPOZOIDS, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS, NIGHT OF THE DEMONS, SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA, VICE ACADEMY 1 & 2, and the recent 3 SCREAM QUEENS directed by David DeCoteau. Several of her films have been released on Blu-Ray, including NIGHTMARE SISTERS and the double feature MURDER WEAPON/DEADLY EMBRACED from Vinegar Syndrome.

6) Debbie Rochon - When it comes to modern day Scream Queens, no one comes close to what this Canadian actress has accomplished. With a staggering 249 titles to her credit and counting, Rochon is the embodiment of an independent film actress. Look for for her in TROMEO AND JULIET, TERROR FIRMER, SANTA CLAWS, WITCHOUSE 3: DEMON FIRE, HELLBLOCK 13, PLAY-MATE OF THE APES, KILLJOY 2: DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL, BIKINI BLOODBATH, and the sequel BIKINI BLOODBATH SHAKESPEARE. She has also written for publications like Fangoria Magazine and Videoscope Magazine, and was an on-air personality for several radio and Internet shows.

7) Jewel Shepard - This beloved actress stole my heart when I first saw her appear in Dan O'Bannon's 1985 THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. She went on to appear in a number of movies like MY TUTOR, HOLLYWOOD HOT TUBS, HOLLYWOOD HOT TUBS 2: EDUCATING CRYSTAL, CHRISTINA, PARTY CAMP, and CAGED HEAT II: STRIPPED OF FREEDOM. She's also an author and has written two fantastic books. The first was the 1992 "Invasion of the B-Girls" published by Eclipse Books, where she interviewed several of her peers like Brinke Stevens, Linnea Quigley, Mary Woronov, and Yvette Vickers.. The other was her 1996 autobiography "If I'm So Famous, How Come Nobody;s Ever Heard Of Me?" by Kitchen Sink Press. She's also written for publications like Details, Premiere, and Cosmopolitan. Since 2011, Shepard has been struggling with invasive breast cancer and has undergone several treatments, including chemotherapy, had lymph nodes removed, and a double mastectomy. Despite all this, she returned to acting with her latest film SLASHER.COM,which was released in 2017.

8) Tiffany Shepis - Let me say this right away: I love Tiffany Shepis! Seriously, how can you not? Not only is she beautiful, funny, and smart, but she is also one hell of an actress! She got her big break in the 1994 Troma classic TROMEO AND JULIET, directed by the great Lloyd Kaufman and written by James Gunn (yes, that James Gunn). Since then, she has gone on to star in over 137 movies, including CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV, TERROR FIRMER, SCARECROW, DELTA, DELTA, DIE!, DETOUR, CHAINSAW CHEERLEADERS, BLOOD OATH, BONNIE & CLYDE VS. DRACULA, THE QUEEN OF SCREAMS, DROPPING EVIL, TALES OF HALLOWEEN, and the SyFy Channel's SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE. I had the pleasure of meeting here at the Osio Theater in Monterey in October of 2017 for the special roadshow screening of VICTOR CORWLY, the fourth installment of the HATCHET series created by filmmaker Adam Green. In 2010, Shepis married writer/director Sean Tretta and broke millions of single guys' hearts, but we still love her anyway.

9) Brinke Stevens - It doesn't get any classier or sexier than Brinke Stevens! Born in San Diego, California, this former scientist turned actress became of the most beloved Scream Queen of all time. After appearing in the 1982 slasher film THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE, her career took off and she never looked back. With over 160 titles to her name, including SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA, NIGHTMARE SISTERS, SLAVE GIRLS FROM BEYOND INFINITY, HAUNTING FEAR, MOB BOSS, BAD GIRLS FROM MARS, TEENAGE EXORCIST, and HYBRID to name a few, she has received worldwide fame and a legion of fans. Fun fact: Stevens was briefly married to comic book artists Dave Stevens, creator of "The Rocketeer" and was the inspiration for his character Bettie. They both remained friends until Dave's passing in 2008.

10) Julie Strain - This statuesque Amazonian stands at an astounding 6'1", making her the tallest Scream Queen on the list! With 118 credits to her name, she became the new "Queen of the B-movies" from the late 90's to the mid-2000's. She starred in several popular action and sci-fi films, including THE DALLAS CONNECTION, SORCERESS, STARSTRUCK, LETHAL SEDUCTION, DAY OF THE WARRIOR, THE ROWDY GIRLS, BATTLE QUEEN 2020, and provided voiceover work for the animated movie HEAVY METAL 2000 and the video game Heavy Metal K.A.K.K. 2. For a time, Strain was married to Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Editor-In-Cheif of Heavy Metal magazine. She was also Penthouse Pet of the Month June 1991 and Penthouse Pet of the Year 1993. Strain announced her retirement from acting in October 2008. On July 16th 2018, it was announced by her on her Facebook wall that Strain was now suffering from dementia. All her fans continue to send her well wishes and hope she is resting.

Michelle Bauer, myself, Brinke Stevens, and Linnea Quigley (2014).

And there you have it my faithful readers! My Top Ten Greatest Scream Queens of All Time! Boy, did I have fun taking this little trip down Memory Lane! Back then, staying up all night was the only way to see some of these cult classics!  Nowadays, many of these films are available on Blu-Ray and on many streaming services, like Shudder, Troma Now, Full Moon Direct! So do yourself a favor, make a big bowl of popcorn, grab some drinks, and invite a bunch of your friends and kick back with one of these movies tonight!! Just make sure that if you invite any ladies over, they're not actually a couple of Hollywood chainsaw hookers!!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Cult Classics: SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA (1988) from FUll Moon Features - January 28, 2019

SORORITY BABES Blu-Ray

SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA (1988)

Starring Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, Michelle Bauer, Andras Jones, Hal Havins, John Stuart Wildman, Kathi O'Brecht, Carla Baron, Robin Stille (as Robin Rochelle)
Written by Sergei Hasenecz
Cinematography by Stephen Ashley Blake
Edited by Tom Meshelski, Barry Zetlin
Produced by Charles Band, David DeCoteau, John Schouweiler, Thomas Keith
Directed by David DeCoteau
Originally released by Urban Classics
Released by Full Moon Features

Hello B-movie fanatics and welcome to the first installment of Phil's Cult Classic of 2019! For today's film, I decided to revisit a favorite of mine, and for those who've read my blog, you may recall that I did a review of the this film several years ago. However, Charles Band, the man behind Full Moon Features, teamed up with director David DeCoteau to restore this beloved 80's gem of a flick. Looking brand new like never before, SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA is now once again available to fans in a new 2k restoration!!

The film's official synopsis: Three frat boys Calvin (Jones), Jimmie (Havins), and Keith (Wildman) sneak into the Tri-Delta sorority to witness the initiation of two new pledges Taffy (Stevens) and Lisa (Bauer). However the boys are busted by sorority sisters Rhonda (Kathi O'Brecht), Frankie (Carla Baron), and den mother Babs Peterson (Stille). As punishment, Babs sends the new pledges and the unwanted frat boys to the local bowling lane to steal a trophy. There the group meets Spider (Quigley) who is robbing the bowling alley. However an accident causes the trophy to break open, releasing an evil imp who then begins wreaking havoc by granting wishes that have dire consequences.

The film was directed by David DeCoteau, who was one of the Top Three B-movie directors during the 1980's (the other two being Rick Sloane and Fred Olen Ray). DeCoteau has directed several low-budget classics from the 80s, such as CREEPOZOIDS, NIGHTMARE SISTERS, DR. ALIEN. DeCoteau would also go on to direct films for Charles Band's company Full Moon Entertainment: PUPPET MASTER III, BEACH BABES FROM BEYOND, THE KILLER EYE for example. In recent years, he has directed a plethora of  television movies for the Hallmark Channel, including THE WRONG STUDENT, DEADLY LESSONS, and MY MOTHER'S STALKER just to name a few. Then there's the films he's made for his own company Rapid Hearts Pictures like the 1313 SERIES, LEECHES, 90210 SHARK ATTACK, and SWAMP FREAK. Overall, DeCoteau has directed a staggering 147 films!!

Original Theatrical Poster (1988)

Another interesting and noteworthy fact is that this was the first film that had all three of the legendary Scream Queens together at once. Quigley, Stevens, and Bauer were at that time the biggest names in the B-movie universe. They appeared in countless films during the 1980s, however it was DeCoteau who was able to bring these ladies together in one film. He would do this again with NIGHTMARE SISTERS that same year, and almost 25 years later, DeCoteau would reunite them again years later for 1313: COUGAR CULT and 3 SCREAM QUEENS. SORORITY BABES had a limited theatrical release on January 29, 1988, courtesy of Band's Urban Classics label. It was later released on VHS and was a staple on the USA cable's late night movie show UP ALL NIGHT during the 1990's. The show was hosted by Rhonda Sheer and Gilbert Gottfried on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively.

Again, this transfer of the movie is the best version that I have ever seen! It looks so damn amazing that I thought I died and gone to heaven. So the story goes is that DeCoteau was going through Band's collection at the Full Moon Warehouse and he came upon the original camera negatives of the film. So they took them, did a 2k scan of it, did a color correction, and added some new special features and released on Blu-Ray. For all these years, what Full Moon Features have been doing is releasing the movie on VHS and DVD, but using an old video copy as their source material, which is way it always looked bad.

As I stated, there's some cool new special features on the disc: Tales from the Bowling Alley: never before-seen behind the scenes featurette featuring an in-depth interview with director David DeCoteau on the making of the film, Original Theatrical Trailer, New 2017 Restored Trailer, Brand New audio commentary with director David DeCoteau, writer Sergei Hasenecz and Scream Queen Brinke Stevens, new intro by David DeCoteau, and several Full Moon Features trailers.

SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA is one of best B-movies to come out of the 1980s! While the film seems tame by today's standards, what makes it so much fun was that there's a touch of innocence to it. These films were just innocent fun, and unfortunately, they don't make 'em like this anymore. So if you're looking for a midnight movie to watch, give this film a whirl and have fun! Just don't let any imps out of bowling trophies! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD from Full Moon Features. To purchase a copy, visit their website at www.fullmoondirect.com. 

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!  

Phil wishes you all a Happy New Year!! - January 1, 2019

At the Cinequest Film Festival in March 2018.

Hello everyone out there on the internet and welcome to 2019!! Hard to believe that another year has gone into the history books! Now granted, the state of the world of 2018 was very bleak, which was reflected and referenced in many of the movies I watched. In these dark times, we look towards the world of art to see its commentary and views of life, love, and the political and social issues that have plagued this country, especially since November 2016. Overall, it was an interesting year; a year full of great movies, surprises, and losses.

As I mentioned in past posts, the Bay Area institution The Camera Cinemas officially closed all its locations in 2017, marking the end of an era of movie going experiences for many film lovers like myself. Basically, they went out of business, and I was completely devastated by this news. The Camera Cinemas played a pivotal and vital role not only for this blog, but on myself as well. They were the only place I could see the very best in independent cinema, documentaries, foreign film, as well as spotlight local films, artists, and film festivals like the Cinequest Film Festival and CASMFest. They were so important to the landscape of the Downtown San Jose area that, truth be told, hasn’t been filled yet. In 2018, both the Pruneyard Campbell and Downtown SJ reopened as new film theaters, with Csmera Cinemas co-founder Jack Nybloom being part owner in both businesses. The old Camera 7 reopened in the summer as the brand-new Pruneyard Dine-In Cinemas, completely remolded and refurnished with new reclining leather chairs, enhanced visuals and surround sound, and a restaurant Cedar Room (formerly the old Boswell Bar) as part of theater, providing very delicious meals and tasty drinks for the moviegoers. I had the pleasure of seeing some movies there and I did have a very positive experience, the old Camera 7 is still there with me. Same was said with the Camera 3 Cinemas on the corner of Second Street and San Carlos in downtown. It was reopened in February as the 3Below Theaters & Lounge, picking up where the Camera 3 left off. It’s still the home for the Comedy Sportz Impov Comedy Group, the midnight screenings of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW with my friends The Barely Legal shadowcast, an home for some of the best indie, foreign, and documentaries from all over the world. Now owned by Nyblom and with the former owners of the long gone Retro Dome in Saratoga, they added some new ingredients to the theater, namely retrospectives of classic Hollywood movies, and stage plays as well. So as the old saying goes, "Everything that’s old is new again." While I’m sad to say goodbye to the Camera Cinemas, it’s nice to welcome both the 3Below Theaters and the PrunyDine-In Cinemas to my movie going world!

After the Camera Cinemas closed, I frequented another local theater business, which also went through some renovations last year as well. The Cinelux Theaters have also been a staple here in the Bay Area, and I was more than happy to give them my support. I saw a plethora of movies at my three favorite locations: the Cinelux Alamden Cafe & Lounge in San Jose, Cinelux Plaza Theatre in Campbell, and the Cinelux Tennant Station Stadium 11 in Morgan Hill. Established over 50 years ago, the Cinelux Theateres are a great alternative to the overwhelming mall theaters, and they support several local organizations and international charities like March of Dimes, The Second Harvest Food Bank, and UNICEF for example. So if you’d like to support local businesses and are a cinema lover, then please visit your local Cinelux Theatres!!

With 2019, a wide array of works of art has now become part of the public domain, especially silent films. This is very good news for my friends over at the Niles Essany Silent Film Museum, which I came back as a volunteer and docent. It felt good to be back to one of my favorite places in the Bay Area, having been part of the museum family since 2006! We had a lot of great shows in 2018. Some of the highlights for me were the annual Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival, Charlie Chaplin Day weekend, our DVD release party for the museum’s silent film BRONCHO BILLY AMD THE BANDIT’S SECRET. Originally titled THE CANYON, the movies took four years to complete, and was made using the old hand cranked film cameras from the museum and was shot on Kodak black and white 35mm filmstock. The final cut looked absolutely stunning! It looked like it came straight from the silent film era! It was incredible to see, and I was so happy to get it on DVD! And now with copyright expired, many of the movies we have in our film vault can now be exhibited without the monetary constrainments that prevented the museum from screening them. So keep your eyes peeled to the museum’s website for some awesome silent film shows in the new year!!

 Then there are all the films that are now available on a plethora of streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and my personal favorite, Shudder. So many great films either fly under the radar or don't get to be screened at movie theaters, and therefore, having these media outlets gives the filmmakers a chance for an audience to find and watch their movies. And if this means watching a movie on my TV, iPad, or iPhone, then so be it! I just want the opportunity to view films that I wouldn't be able to see any other way. Not only that, but I'll be reviewing a lot of cool movies ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to indie films, cult classics to porno chic, comedy and GLBTQ films. You name it and I'll be watching and reviewing it!

As you can see, I'm gonna be very busy and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I'll have some other surprises that'll make you want to come back over and over again. So get ready folks for one hell of a ride in 2019!!

Thank you all out there who have been reading and supporting my blog. I don't get paid doing this. I do it for the fun of it. I'm a film fanatic, cinephile, movie junkie, whatever you want to call me. So I hope you'll stick around another year as I bring you another year of reviews, fun and adventures!

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!

Phil's Favorite Thanksgiving-Themed Horror Films - November 22, 2018

Hello everybody and Happy Thanksgiving! While all of you out there are visiting with families and friends, having turkey and wine, spending quality time with loved ones, what better way to celebrate the day than to watch some really awesome Thanksgiving themed horror movies! So I thought it would be not only fun but informative to share with you some of my favorite Thanksgiving themed horror films. This is something that I've been wanting to doing for a couple of years now, but never had the time to do until now. Some of these are classic horror staples, while some are newer releases that truly deserve your time and attention.

This list contains MY favorite movies that I have enjoyed and only titles that I have seen! So that is why you won't see other worthy titles. However, they are on my to-watch list so maybe they'll appear on next year's compilation. So my faithful readers, here is my Favorite Thanksgiving-Themed Horror Films of All Time!

5) THANKSKILLING 3 (2012):  The fowl-mouthed villain Turkie is back and hacking his way to find the last copy of "ThanksKilling 2" which has landed in the hands of a group of disturbingly crude puppets. The death toll rises as Turkie carves through the likes of Flowis the rapping grandma, Rhonda the bisexual space worm, Yomi the puppet in search of her mind, and their equally ridiculous friends who all travel through fantastical settings such as the FeatherWorld and Turkey Hell. With the guidance of Uncle Donny (Dan Usaj), the wig-wearing inventor of the PluckMaster 3000, Jefferson (Joe Hartzler), Head of Security at ThanksgivingLand, and a WiseTurkey, the gatekeeper to the FeatherWorld, our collection of raunchy characters hope to fend off the murderous rampage of Turkie, all while trying to help Yomi find her mind. If you're looking for a weird, batshit crazy Thanksgiving film to watch, this one is for you! Click here to view the film's theatrical trailer.

4) BLOOD FREAK (1972):  Just back from Vietnam, Herschell (Steve Hawkes) is at loose ends until one day he stops to help beautiful Bible-quoting Angel (Heather Hughes) fix her car. She takes him home, where her scapegrace sister, Ann (Dana Cullivan), immediately plies him with drugs in order to seduce him. Instantly addicted, he needs money for his habit and takes a job at a turkey farm, where he's instructed to eat some experimental lab-grown turkeys. He does, and undergoes a hideous transformation. Man, you gotta love the 1970's! In what other decade can you see something like this! This was such a fun-filled, cheesy low-budget gem of a flick that it makes PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE look like THE WIZARD OF OZ. Fun Fact: The turkey-monster head that co-writer/co-director Steve Hawkes wears was made of papier-mache. Yup, they don't make movies like this anymore! Click here to view the film's theatrical trailer.

3) THANKSKILLING (2009): While on their way home for Thanksgiving break, five college kids run "afowl" of a homicidal turkey that wants them dead. As the cursed bird hunts them down one by one, the survivors scramble to find a way to defeat the possessed creature. Will the bloodthirsty turkey make this their last Thanksgiving feast ever? When I first saw this movie, I couldn't believe what I was watching. I think I was asking myself, "What the actual fuck am I watching? It's like a Troma movie but without any of the social commentary!" Filmed in 11 days during the summer break between filmmakers Kevin Stewart and Jordan Downey's junior and senior year of college on a budget of only $3,500, the movie was only to be a standalone. However, they decided to make sequel, and decided to skip making a part 2 and went ahead and make THANKSKILLING 3 in 2012. Click here to view the film's theatrical trailer.

2) POULTRYGEIST: NIGHT OF THE CHICKEN DEAD (2006): When a fast food chicken restaurant is built on the site of an ancient Native American burial ground, the displaced spirits unite with the ghosts of exterminated chickens and transform into Indian chicken zombies seeking revenge! Now, it’s up to a dim-witted counter boy, his lesbian ex-girlfriend, and a burqa-wearing fry cook to put an end to the foul-feathered menace once and for all. If you're looking for the ultimate Troma movie, then look no further! Director Lloyd Kaufman's masterpiece has it all: social commentary on the fast food industry, addressing Native American issues, lesbianism, the idea of selling out to a major corporation, all the while singing and dancing its way into your heart! Click here to view the film's theatrical trailer.

1) BLOOD RAGE (1987): IT’S NOT CRANBERRY SAUCE! What do you get if you combine Thanksgiving, American TV star Louise Lasser (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman), killer ’80s synths and some truly gruesome special effects courtesy of Ed French (Terminator 2: Judgement Day)? Why, it’s Blood Rage of course! Twins Todd and Terry seem like sweet boys – that is, until one of them takes an axe to the face of a fellow patron at the local drive-in. Todd is blamed for the bloody crime and institutionalized, whilst twin brother Terry goes free. Ten years later and, as the family gathers around the table for a Thanksgiving meal, the news comes in that Todd has escaped. But has the real killer in fact been in their midst all along? Shot in 1983 but not released until 1987, BLOOD RAGE is a gloriously gruesome slice of ’80s slasher heaven. Click here to view the film's theatrical trailer.

And there you have it folks! My Favorite Thanksgiving-Themed Horror Films of All Time! I hope that this list inspires you to watch some of these films, or if you're a die hard horror fanatic, it will make you want to revisit these festive cinematic gems! Since many of these movies are available to watch on Blu-Ray, DVD, VOD or on streaming services like Netflex, Hulu and Shudder, there is a plethroa of ways for you to watch them. So start carving the turkey, get those mashed potatoes and rolls buttered up good, and set back and watch these films with your family today!

Thanks for reading, and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Phil attends the MST3K Live! 30th Anniversary Tour Featuring Deathstalker II at the City National Civic - November 7, 2018

Hello to all of you in cyberspace! So for those who may not know this, but one of my favorite television shows from the 90's was Mystery Science Theater 3000. Created by comedian Joel Hodgson, the show takes place in the not-too-distant future where Joel Robinson (Hodgson) is held captive by Dr. Forrester (Trace Beaulieu) and TV's Frank (Frank Conniff), and forced to watch B-Grade movies on the Satellite of Love with the help of his robot friends: Cambot, Gypsy (Jim Mallon), Tom Servo (Kevin Murphy) and Crow T. Robot (Beaulieu). During the duration of the show's existence, the cast went through a series of hosts (Michael J. Nelson replaced Hodgson in the middle of season 5 and Bill Corbett replaced Beaulieu as the voice of Crow from season 8) and villains (Corbett, Murphy, and Mary Jo Pehl took over when Beaulieu and Conniff left), even moving to different channels (the show was originally on Comedy Central, then moved to the Sci-Fi Channel). After ten seasons, the show was cancelled, and the lights on the Satellite of Love went dark. Then in 2016 Joel resurrected the show, thanks in large part to a very highly successful Kickstarter campaign, and the show was made and picked up by Netflix. Now 30 years later, right before the launch of Season 12, Joel, the bots, and new host Jonah Ray went on tour to bring the magic of MST3K to the masses, and my girlfriend Stephanie and I got to attend the show here in Downtown San Jose!

The event was held at the historic City National Civic, which was built in 1934 and has held numerous concerts and musicals since. The show was sold out and the excitement level was at an all-time high. MST3K fans came from all around the Bay Area, some in costumes and some brought some awesome looking homemade puppets of Tom Servo. I had miss the tour here back in 2016, but I knew there was no way I'd miss them this time around. Having been a fan for decades, this was a dream come true. And when the lights finally dimmed at 7:30pm, the fun was about to begin!

Beginning with the show's theme song, Jonah Ray, Crow and Tom Servo came out to great the San Jose crowd, with Joel Hodgson joining them on-stage shortly after them. The gang was back together again, and for tonight's film, they chose to riff the 1987 Roger Corman produced cult classic DEATHSTALKER II!

Original Theatrical Poster (1987)

The film's official synopsis: Deathstalker (John Terlesky) has a mission: to save the kingdom from the wicked grip of the immoral wizard Jerak and his queen Sultana. Together they have ruled the land by creating a controllable evil twin of the lovely Princess Evie (Monique Gabrielle). Capturing the real Princess Evie, Deathstalker must now return her to her rightful place of power — but the swordsman’s battle has just begun.

As stated previously, the film was produced by B-movie legend Roger Corman for his company Concorde/New Horizons. The film's star John Terlesky has appeared in numerous other projects like CHOPPING MALL, VALET GIRLS and THE ALLNIGHTER as well as TV series like Guns of Paradise, The Last Frontier and TV movies Battling for Baby, Bad Girls, and Voice from the Grave. He's gone to have a second career as a director, directing several TV episodes of The Blacklist,
Castle, Criminal Minds, Revenge, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Actress Monique Gabrielle was one of the most beautiful and popular Scream Queens from this era. Her resume includes several cult classics like AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON, EMMANUELLE 5, NOT OF THIS EARTH, THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING, HARD TO DIE and EVIL TOONS to name a few. Another B-movie actress appearing in the movie was the great Toni Naples as the female antagonist Sultana. Naples acted in other noteworthy cult films like CHOPPING MALL, TRANSYLVANIA TWIST, SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE II, HARD TO DIE, DINOSAUR ISLAND and SORCERESS.

The movie was directed by Jim Wynorski, who's made a name for himself as one of the kings of the low-budget, B-movie scene. He's directed over 110 films alone, and include some of my all-time favorites like CHOPPING MALL, BIG BAD MAMA II, NOT OF THIS EARTH, SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE II, HARD TO DIE, DINOSAUR ISLAND, MUNCHIE, and VAMPIRELLA, which were all produced by Roger Corman. In fact, many of his films were with Corman, who helped launch his filmmaking career. He also made a series of erotica thrillers that are still popular to this day. These titles include POINT OF SEDUCTION: BODY CHEMISTRY III, SINS OF DESIRE, VICTIM OF DESIRE, and BODY CHEMISTRY 4: FULL EXPOSURE.

Also known as DEATHSTALKER II: DUEL OF THE TITANS, the movie was released on home video on November 11, 1987 by New Horizons Home Video. This wasn't to be the last of the series, as Corman produced to more sequels, but they didn't have the magic, lunacy, and charm as the second installment.

This was such a fun date night for my girlfriend and I! And it's something I can finally check off my bucket list! To see a live MST3K show was a dream come true and you can all bet that I'll see it again if they go back on tour! As I am writing this, the new season has just dropped on Netflix. So if you are not familiar with the show, do yourself a favor and watch it now and prepare to have your funny bone tickled immensely!

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return is currently available to watch now on Netflix. To start your subscription, visit www.netflix.com. They also have a selection of episodes from past seasons as well. Select episodes are also available on DVD and boxsets from Shout! Factory. To purchase copies for yourself, visit their website at www.shoutfactory.com. And make sure you also the official Mystery Science Theater 3000 website at www.mst3k.com.

Thanks for reading, and keep circulating the URL!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: NIGHTMARE SISTERS (1988) from Vinegar Syndrome - October 21, 2018

NIGHTMARE SISTERS Blu-Ray

NIGHTMARE SISTERS
Starring Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, Michelle Bauer (as Michelle McClellan), Richard Gabai, Matthew Phelps, C. Jay Cox, Marcus Vaughter
Screenplay by Kenneth J. Hall
Cinematography by Vojislav Mikulic (as Voya Mikulic)
Edited by Tony Malanowski
Produced by John Schouweiler, David DeCoteau, Kenneth J. Hall
Directed by David DeCoteau
Originally released by Trans World Entertainment
Released by Vinegar Syndrome

Hello again everybody and welcome to Day 21! Hard to believe the month's almost over! I hope you've been having fun reading all my Halloween Horror Watch entries! Today's film is a true cult classic, and stars the three greatest Scream Queens from the 1980's! Plus, it was directed by one of the most prolific B-movie directors of all time! Made on a shoe-string budget and shot in four days, NIGHTMARE SISTERS is a must-watch this Halloween season!

The film's official synopsis: Three plain looking sorority sisters (Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, Michelle Bauer) decide to host a séance and invite their nerdy boyfriends to enjoy the fun. But when Omar (Dukey Flyswatter), a mystical shaman, suddenly appears in their crystal ball and tricks the girls into touching him, they’re suddenly transformed into ravishing succubi, determined to suck more than just souls. Will the guys be able to stop the madness before it’s too late?

The film did receive a limited theatrical release from Trans World Entertainment in June of 1988 before being available on VHS later that year. However, the company abruptly went out of business and as a result, less than 2,000 copies were distributed and the film fell into obscurity. Then in the early1990's, the movie was shown on the popular late-night cable show USA Up All Night, and received a new interest in it, albeit the infamouse bathtun scene was cut and repelaced with a newly shot scene of the three actresses dressed in lingerie, jumping on a bed, and bouncing balloons. But that still got teenager boys and young men's blood boiling. It was finally released on DVD 2003 Retromedia Entertainment (owned by fellow B-movie director Fred Olen Ray) and again DeCoteau himself through his own company Rapid Heart Pictures as a stand alone DVD and as part of the "Linnea Quigley: Grindhouse Triple Feature" DVD compilation. 

NIGHTMARE SISTERS is a cherished and beloved cult classic that's gotten better over the years! It's reputation as a VHS rental gem has become synonymous with that era's direct-to-video, low-budget horror comedies! Filled with cheesy acting, low-budget productions, goofy humor, gratuitous nudity, and far-out gore, the movie has gone to become an example of those bygone days when mom & pop video stores and late-night cable shows of the mid to late 80's ruled the world! It's a personal favorite of mine, and I know after watching the movie, it'll be your favorite as well! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

NIGHTMARE SISTERS is available in a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack from Vinegar Syndrome. To order a copy for yourself, visit their website at vinegarsyndrome.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil wishes you all a Happy New Year!! - January 1, 2018

At the VICTOR CROWLEY screening in Monterey.

Happy New Year everybody!! Well, another year has come and gone. While I didn't blog as much I would have liked to, I still saw a lot of films last year. Plus my life changed again. I moved back down to San Jose, I'm getting ready to go back to my old career and I'm watching movies at new theaters. So like the old saying goes, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

However, 2018 will be another fun-filled year! With the loss of the Camera Cinemas (the Camera 12, Camera 3 and the Camera 7 all closed in the last two years) as well as the Bluelight Cinema, I'll be seeing films more at the Cinelux Theaters, which is another locally owned business that I'll be supporting quite a bit. The old Camera 3 in Downtown San Jose will be re-opening as 3 Below, which will pick up where the Camera 3 left off, including the midnight screenings of THE ROCKY PICTURE SHOW with my friends The Barely Legal gang!! Also, I'll be going to the Cinemark Century Theaters as well as the AMC Theaters to watch my movies.

Not only that, but I'll be reviewing a lot of cool movies ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to indie films, cult classics to porno chic, comedy and GLBTQ films. You name it and I'll be watching and reviewing it!

With me being back home, I'll also be attending all my favorite film festivals and events, including the Cinequest Film Festival, CAAMFest, The San Francisco Silent Film Festival, The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum and the Peaches Christ shows!!

As you can see, I'm gonna be very busy and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I'll have some other surprises that'll make you want to come back over and over again. So get ready folks for one hell of a ride in 2018!!

Thank you all out there who have been reading and supporting my blog. I don't get paid doing this. I do it for the fun of it. I'm a film fanatic, cinephile, movie junkie, whatever you want to call me. So I hope you'll stick around another year as I bring you another year of reviews, fun and adventures!

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!

Phil pens "TEN LESSER KNOWN HORROR COMEDIES YOU SHOULD WATCH ASAP" article for Blumhouse.com - September 29, 2017

Hello again my faithful reader! So back in February of this year, I wrote a fun and interesting article entitled, "TEN LESSER-KNOW HORROR COMEDIES YOU SHOULD SEE ASAP." Here, I listed my personal favorite horror comedies of all time - films that I find myself watching on a frequently regular basis.

The horror genre has seen some outstanding and hilarious horror comedies over the decades — from the 1948 Universal classic ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN to 2004’s SHAUN OF THE DEAD, these films have become beloved titles, and in many cases box-office blockbusters. But several other horror comedies flew beneath the mainstream radar — independent films that most audiences don’t even know exist. Sure, most audiences know about YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, SCARY MOVIE and STUDENT BODIES, but there’s a whole other cinematic universe where some lesser-known but still hysterical horror comedies exist.

While these films aren’t quite household names yet, they are required viewing for those of you seeking something new to watch. A lot of blood, sweat and laughter went into making these movies — and for this, they deserve your attention. After all, as the old saying goes, “Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.” So, I sincerely hope you will enjoy reading my article.

Be on the lookout as I'll be posting my links to my articles here in the very near future! To learn more about Blumhouse.com, visit their website at www.blumhouse.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show! 

Phil pens "PRESENTING THE TEN GREATEST SCREAM QUEENS OF ALL TIME!" article for Blumhouse.com - September 17, 2017

Besides writing for my blog, I've been very fortunate to write for other publications, both physical media (magazines and newspapers) and online websites. One of those websites is Blumhouse.com, which, "contains a mix of original stories and the scariest content from around the web, including the latest news on upcoming films, TV, books, games, and more in the horror and thriller genres. Blumhouse.com also takes readers behind the scenes of films in production, giving fans special access to people who create their favorite movies."

A couple of months back I contacted an old friend of mine, who just happened to be the editor-in-chief of the website. I have known her for years, going all the way back to our Fangoria days, which I also wrote that website as well. I sent her some samples, and the rest is history.

My very first article for the website was "PRESENTING THE TEN GREATEST SCREAM QUEENS OF ALL TIME!" was published back in December 27, 2016. Here, I listed my favorites from my past in alphabetical order and soon, it was being shared by the actresses themselves through several social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I was honored to have had my article shared by these talented women. Now, I thought it was time to start sharing them here with you fine readers as well.

Be on the lookout as I'll be posting my links to my articles here in the very near future! To learn more about Blumhouse.com, visit their website at www.blumhouse.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil Gets Tromatized: B.C. BUTCHER (2016) from Troma Entertainment - Sept. 13, 2017

B.C. BUTCHER DVD Cover

B.C. BUTCHER
Starring Leilani Fideler, Natasha Halevi, Molly Elizabeth Ring, Devyn Leah, Parker Love Bowling, Miranda Robin, Kato Kaelin, Kadeem Hardison, Rodney Bingenheimer, Dwayne Johnson
Written by Kansas Bowling and Kenzie Givens
Cimematography by
Edited by Robby DeFrain
Produced by Lloyd Kaufman and Kansas Bowling
Directed by Kansas Bowling
Released by Troma Entertainment

Welcome back to another edition of Phil Gets Tromatized! Today's film has been long overdue. As you may recall, I conducted a series of interviews (click here to read them) with the stars of the then upcoming Troma film B.C. BUTCHER. It was the feature film debut from Kansas Bowling, who made the film at the young age of 16. Since then, the film has become a huge cult classic and garnered acclaim from critics and fans alike. Bowling was kind enough to mail me an autographed screener of the film, which I've been wanting to watch for the past year. Well, like the old saying goes, "better late than never." So let me tell you why B.C. BUTCHER rocks my world and why you must see it!

The film's official synopsis: When a tribe of cavewomen imparts cruel justice on one of their own their fate takes a turn for the worst. After discovering and falling in love with the corpse sacrificed by the girl-gang, a lone wandering giant of pre-historic mythos is inspired to homicide. Consequently the cavewomen are menaced by the heartbroken and bloodthirsty cave-brute with a grudge, and the prophetess among them is ignored when she predicts the tragic outcome. “BC Butcher” is hailed as the first pre-historic slasher film to ever be made. Shot on brilliant 16mm film, the film features actor Kato Kaelin, a cameo from Rodney Bingenheimer of KROQ Radio and a performance by Southern California rock group “The Ugly Kids”.

One of the aspects that I loved about the movie was the actresses were incredible! Leilani Fideler's Neandra is such a spiteful and vindictive antagonist that she will lie to cover her own mistakes, even if it costs everyone else in her tribe their lives. Natasha Halevi's Anaconda is the smart, practical one who calls Neandra on her shit and is my favorite character in the film. The fun and bubbly Poppy, portrayed by Molly Elizabeth Ring, is the cave girlfriend we all want. Bamba is blind but has the gift of sight, and is played amazingly by Devyn Leah. Add special appearances by Kato Kaelin and Rodney Bingenheimer and the rest of the incredible cast, you've got yourself an awesome B-movie classic!

The directing was superb and Kansas Bowling definitely has that auteur eye for directing! Her set-ups and compositions hearken back to those glory days of exploitation cinema: handheld, fast and in-your-face gore and beautiful actress fighting monsters. The look of the film lend also lend it to those days as well, having the movie shot on 16mm film stock! It looks fantastic and has that grainy look that can't be replicated with today's technology. Bowling has continued with this mindset, as she has been making a series of music videos and their all on 16mm. I can't wait to see what this talented filmmaker will produce for us next!

B.C. BUTCHER is my favorite new indie horror/cult classic film of 2017!! If Doris Wishman directed ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. it would look exactly like this! Fans of Troma movies and classic grinhouse films will have a blast watching this! Easily one of the best films in the Troma library!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

B.C. BUTCHER is currently available on both Blu-ray and DVD at your local retailer
nd on the Troma website. To purchase this film as well as books, posters and Blu-Rays and DVDs, visit www.troma.com. 

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Top 10 Best Post GRINDHOUSE Films of all Time - April 27, 2017

GRINDHOUSE Theatrical Poster (2006)

In 2007, directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's homage to exploitation double features GRINDHOUSE was released to theaters. With their films PLANET TERROR and DEATH PROOF, Rodriguez and Tarantino respectively, along with four fake trailers by Rodriguez (MACHETE), Edgar Wright (DON'T), Rob Zombie (WEREWOLF WOMEN OF THE S.S.) and Eli Roth (THANKSGIVING), they were able to recreate that visual experience of what it was like to go to these cinematic events. Their distributor The Weinstein Company thought they had gigantic hit on their hands, but instead, the exact opposite happened and it bombed both critically and financially. However, the film struck a chord with many young filmmakers, who were then inspired to make their own grindhouse style movie. This lead to a new trend of movies that harken back to the gritty, down and dirty days of 42nd Street cinemas and drive-ins.

In the past ten years, there's been a plethora of these films being released on home video, on demand and on streaming services. Some are incredibly amazing while others are just plain awful. But that's where I come in, weeding out the good, the bad and the ugly. So without further ado, here is my list of the 10 Best Post GRINDHOUSE Films of All Time.

HEADLESS Poster (2015)

10) HEADLESS (2015) Plot Synopsis: In this "lost slasher from 1978," a masked killer wages an unrelenting spree of murder, cannibalism, and necrophilia. But when his tortured past comes back to haunt him, he plunges to even greater depths of madness and depravity, consuming the lives of a young woman and those she holds dear. (View the film's trailer here)

This movie is not for the faint of heart. It's visually disturbing, graphically gory and just really, really creepy. Especially the little boy with the skull mask that he always wears. Director Arthur Cullipher holds nothing back on this feature. This is a perfect example of what old school grindhouse movies looked like! Fun Fact: HEADLESS is based on the film within a film from Cullipher's previous horror movie FOUND. To purchase a Blu-Ray or DVD copy for yourself, visit the film's website at headlessmovie.net.

RUN! BITCH!RUN! Poster (2009)

9) RUN! BITCH RUN! (2009) Plot Synopsis: Catherine and Rebecca are two Catholic school girls going door-to-door selling religious paraphernalia in order to pay for their books and education. Things go horribly wrong when they knock on the wrong door in the wrong neighborhood. (View the film's trailer here)

The film is a throwback to the classic rape and revenge films that dominated the 70's and early 80's. Think LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and MS. 45 and you'll have a idea of what kind of movie this is. Joseph Guzman directed and co-wrote the film with Robert James Hayes II. Cheryl Lyone and Christina DeRosa's performances of Catherine and Rebecca respectively are riveting and hauntingly realistic. This dirty little flick has the making of becoming a cult classic. The movie is available on DVD from Freak Show Entertainment.

THE EDITOR Poster (2014)

8) THE EDITOR (2014) Plot Synopsis: Rey Ciso was once the greatest editor the world had ever seen. Since a horrific accident left him with four wooden fingers on his right hand, he's had to resort to cutting pulp films and trash pictures. When the lead actors from the film he's been editing turn up murdered at the studio, Rey is fingered as the number one suspect. The bodies continue to pile up in this absurdist giallo-thriller as Rey struggles to prove his innocence and learn the sinister truth lurking behind the scenes. (View the film's trailer here)

The Canadian film group Astron-6's tribute to Italian Giallos is both hilarious and spectacular! I was completely enamoured with the performances, the compositions, the lighting, the bloodshed and the incredible Casio soundtrack! If you're looking for something unique and fantastic, then you need to see this movie! The movie is available on Blu-Ray and DVD from Scream Factory. To learn more about the Astron-6 group and their movies, visit their website at astron-6.com.

NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS Poster (2010)

7) NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS (2010) Plot Synopsis: Upon taking her vows to become a nun, Sister Sarah is abused, brainwashed and drugged into submission by the corrupt clergy. On the verge of death from a lethal dose of drugs, Sister Sarah receives a message from GOD telling her to take vengeance on all those who did her wrong. Armed with God's will and an arsenal of big guns, she dispenses Judgment Day on her former tormentors. When the church hires the merciless motorcycle gang the "Los Muertos" to track down and kill her they soon realize that this SISTER IS ONE BAD MOTHER. (View the film's trailer here)

Director  Joseph Guzman makes it on the list again but this time with a film that mines a classic grindhouse subgenre: Nunsploitation! Actress Asun Ortega is incredible as Sister Sarah as she's both holy and deadly! There's nothing more sexier than a beautiful nun with big guns blowing bad guys away! This is one film that deserves your time and attention. The movie is available on Blu-Ray and DVD from Image Entertainment.

SHE KILLS Poster (2016)

6) SHE KILLS (2016) Plot Synopsis: Sadie's life is destroyed when a vicious gang called 'The Touchers' targets her for their sadistic fantasies after witnessing her sexy but innocent naked frolicking in a nearby field. On her wedding night they attack her and her husband Edward, brutalizing both of them. But during the attack the virgin bride discovers a dangerous secret about her body - she is cursed with the legendary 'Fire Crotch,' a condition where Satan has laid claim to her vagina. After visiting her fortune teller friend Casparella, a space exorcism is attempted on her meat flaps, but it only ends up unlocking secret hidden powers inside her. Her hatchet wound becomes lethal, her most deadly weapon in her thirst for revenge against The Touchers and her fight against lustful men everywhere! (View the film's trailer here)

If your a fan of THEY CALL HER ONE EYE, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and THE CROW, then here's a movie that takes elements of all three and cranks the absurdity up to ten. The film doesn't take itself too seriously and director Ron Bonk knows this. He had fun making this film and we the audience are having fun watching it. Jennie Russo is riveting as Sadie and Trey Harrison's Dirk is one of the funniest villains of all time (the moustache gag is hilarious!). This is one movie that must be seen to believe. The film is available on DVD from SRS Cinema. To purchase a copy for your self, visit their website at srscinema.com/home.

DEAR GOD NO! Poster (2011)

5) DEAR GOD NO! (2011) Plot Synopsis: Outlaw motorcycle gang The Impalers tri-state rape and murder spree ended in a bloody massacre with rival club Satan's Own. The surviving members sought refuge in a secluded cabin deep in the North Georgia mountains. What first must of seemed like easy prey for a home invasion, became a living nightmare of depravity and violence. A young innocent girl being held captive may hold the key to the twisted secrets locked in the basement and the killing machine feasting on human flesh in the forest outside. (View the film's trailer here)

Drawing inspiration from old biker exploitation flicks such as WILD REBELS, THE BORN LOSERS and SATAN'S SADISTS, the movie is a perfect blend of bikes, blood and boobs. Mostly boobs. But there's a lot of bikes too. The violence is over-the-top gory fun, the characters are sick and twisted, and there's a topless girl wearing a Richard Nixon mask toting a machine gun. The film became an underground classic that is spawned the 2016 sequel FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS. Both movies are available on both Blu-Ray and DVD. To purchase a copy, visit the Big World Pictures website at www.bigworldpictures.us.

BLACK DYNAMITE Poster (2009)

4) BLACK DYNAMITE (2009) Plot Synopsis: This is the story of 1970s African-American action legend Black Dynamite. The Man killed his brother, pumped heroin into local orphanages, and flooded the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor. Black Dynamite was the one hero willing to fight The Man all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House. (View the film's trailer here)

Blaxploitation is a film genre that catered to black audiences back in the early 1970's. Films like SHAFT, SUPERFLY, COFFY, THE MACK, SHEBA, BABY and BLACK BELT JONES became huge boxoffice hits and are now regarded as cinema classics. This film does the same thing, paying homage to those films while having some fun tongue in cheek moments. Michael Jai White is absolutely fantastic as the title role. The man was born to play this character. Not only does he star in the movie, he also co-wrote the screenplay as well. The film became a huge cult classic that it became a cartoon series on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, which made it even more popular. The film is available on Blu-Ray and DVD. To purchase a copy as well as other merchandise, visit the website blackdynamite.com.

MACHETE Poster (2010)

3) MACHETE (2010) Plot Synopsis: The highly skilled Federale Machete is hired by some unsavory types to assassinate a senator. But just as he's about to take the shot, he notices someone aiming at him and realizes he's been set up. He barely survives the sniper's bullet, and is soon out for revenge on his former employers, with the reluctant assistance of his brother Cheech Marin, who has become a priest and taken a vow of nonviolence. If you hire him to take out the bad guys, make sure the bad guys aren't you! (View the film's trailer here)

The first fake trailer that opened in GRINDHOUSE became the first to become a full length feature film. Robert Rodriguez's film fulfills the exploitation criteria while adding political and social commentary. Danny Trejo is such a bad ass in the film and when he teams up with Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez to take down Robert De Niro, Jeff Fahey and Steven Seagal, it's a fucking blast to watch. The movie became a hug hit and in 2013 the sequel MACHETE KILLS was released. There is a rumor that the third film MACHETE KILLS AGAIN...IN SPACE (which is a fake trailer in MACHETE KILLS) is supposed to be still in the works. The movie is available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN Poster (2011)

2) HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN (2011) Plot Synopsis: A vigilante homeless man pulls into a new city and finds himself trapped in urban chaos, a city where crime rules and where the city's crime boss reigns. Seeing an urban landscape filled with armed robbers, corrupt cops, abused prostitutes and even a pedophile Santa, the Hobo goes about bringing justice to the city the best way he knows how - with a 20-gauge shotgun. Mayhem ensues when he tries to make things better for the future generation. Street justice will indeed prevail. (View the film's trailer here)

Directed by Jason Eisener, the movie started out as a fake trailer made for an international contest to promote the release of GRINDHOUSE. He won the contest and his trailer was shown within the movie in parts of Canada. Due to the overwhelming demand from fans, he decided to make it into a feature length film. Legendary actor Rutger Hauer steals the film as our hobo hero, who dishes out justice one shell at a time. The violence is crazy gory, there's blood everywhere, and it's balls-to-the-wall crazy fun! Anyone who is fan of exploitation movies needs to see this film! The movie is available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

FATHER'S DAY Poster (2011)

1) FATHER'S DAY (2011) Plot Synopsis: Ahab, a man obsessed with exacting a brutal, violent revenge on the man who murdered his dad, joins John, an eager priest, and Twink, a hot-headed street hustler, on an epic quest to find and defeat this mythical monster known as Chris Fuchman AKA The Father's Day Killer. (View the film's trailer here)

The group Astron-6 takes the number one spot! This movie is not for the squeamish. There are multiple scenes of male rape, tons of male nudity (but there's also plenty of female nudity), graphic gore and even genital mutilation. In spite of all that, this is actually a comedy that serves as both a homage and a satire of exploitation films. Now when you watch the film, even though it's low budget, it looks rather expensive. Believe it or not, the film's budget was only $10,000! The movie looks incredible, which once again reinforces my point that you don't need a lot of money to make your film. FATHER'S DAY is without a doubt the BEST exploitation film ever made! The movie is available on Blu-Ray and DVD from Troma Entertainment. Visit their website at www.troma.com. To learn more about the Astron-6 group and their movies, visit their website at astron-6.com.

And folks, there you have it! My Top 10 Best Post GRINDHOUSE Films of All Time! Man, this sure was fun! And I hope all you jive turkeys, biker dudes, groovy chicks and soul brothas and sistas had a good time reading all about these far out flicks. Now, there is no reason that ya'll can't checkout these flicks because they're all available to watch, either on home video or they're On Demand, iTunes, Netflix and other streaming services. So if you wish you could relive those glory days of 42nd Street or you're new to the whole exploitation genre, then these ten films are required viewing. So turn off your phone, close the blinds, order some pizzas a beer and spend a day watching these exploitation classics! Just make sure you save me a seat, will ya?

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!