Phil's Horror Watch: DOOM ASYLUM (1988) from Arrow Video - January 14, 2019

DOOM ASYLUM Blu-Ray.

DOOM ASYLUM (1988)

Starring Michael Rogen, Patty Mullen, Ruth Collins, Kristin Davis, William Hay, Kenny L. Price, Harrison White
Written by Richard Friedman, Rick Marx, Steve Menkin
Cinematography by Larry Revene
Edited by Ray Shapiro
Produced by Alexander W. Kogan Jr., Barry Tucker, Ted Hope, Steven G. Menkin
Directed by Richard Friedman
Originally released by Academy Video
Released by Arrow Video

Continuing the legacy of the totally radical year of 1988, today's film is another shining example of independent horror filmmaking, and an example of what not to do when making an independent horror film. This particular movie has a reputation of being one of  the worst films to come out of the 1980's, which to me is unfair. It's not that bad. It falls into the "It's so bad, it's good" category. What I loved about the movie that it tries really, really hard to be a good movie. And it's that good intentions that make DOOM ASYLUM such a charming movie!

The film's official synopsis: When a group of horny teens wind up on the grounds of a creepy abandoned asylum, they think they’ve found the perfect place to party. Little do they know that inside the building’s crumbling walls lurks a freakishly deformed maniac, driven to madness by the tragic loss of his fiancée in a car accident. With an array of grisly surgical tools at his disposal, it’s only a matter of time before the youngsters begin meeting various splattery ends at the hands of the ghoulish Coroner. Helmed by director Richard Friedman and also starring Penthouse Pet of the Year 1988 Patty Mullen, DOOM ASYLUM combines outlandish gore and a wise-cracking villain to create one of the most wildly entertainingly blood-spattered slashers of the late ’80s.

Now, this was my first time watching the movie, but I have known of its existence for a long time. Back in 1994, while I was at a horror convention here in San Jose,  I purchased a book called "Invasion of the Scream Queens" and it contained within its pages an interview with actress Ruth Collins. In her interview, the authors included a full page poster of DOOM ASYLUM, and it looked so cool. I looked for it at all of my favorite local mom & pop video stores, but always came up empty handed. Now, in 2019, I finally purchased my very own copy, and I must confess, it was soooo worth the wait!

Original VHS Cover Art (1988)

The movie is full of cheesy goodness that I'm surprised that it wasn't on the old USA Up Al Night show back in the 90's! The plot is paper thin, the acting is mostly wooden, the special effects are really awesome, and the characters are just so damn goofy that it puts a smile on my face. There's an innocence to the film, which is a common thread for a lot of the B-movies being made at that time. The film doesn't take itself seriously, and that's what makes it so much fun to watch! It's a type of film that doesn't get recognize enough, nor does it get made anymore. This is a lost art form, and I'm glad to see it back in the public's eyes once more!

The cast is totally awesome in their respective roles! Lead actress Patty Mullen became more well known a couple of years later when she starred in Frank Henenlotter's 1990 cult classic FRANKENHOOKER. Ruth Collins would go on to star in other low budget films like PSYCHOS IN LOVE, CEMETERY HIGH, PRIME EVIL, and DEADLY EMBRACE. The film would mark the acting debut of one Kristin Davis, who can also be seen in TV shows like General Hospital,
Melrose Place, and Seinfield, but it was her role as Charlotte York on the hit Showtime series Sex and the City that landed her in the public's conscience. Our antagonist Michael Rogen had a very short acting career, having appeared in a handful of projects. You can see him Frank Henenlotter's 1990 sequel BASKET CASE 2, PUNCH THE CLOCK, and on the television show Tribeca as Albert.

The movie was co-written and directed by Richard Friedman. Having directed some television episodes, he would go on to direct a plethora of projects, including PHANTOM AT THE MALL: ERIC'S REVENGE, SCARED STIFF, and DEATH MASK as well as TV shows like Silk Stalkings, Baywatch Nights, and Friday the 13th: The Series, as well as a series of short films and then that was that for him. It's too bad, because I would have liked to see more from him.

Once again the wonderful people at Arrow Video have pulled out all the stops restoring this lost classic! They did a brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, offer 1.85:1 and 1.33:1 versions of the feature, original uncompressed PCM mono audio, optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourne, and a fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Amanda Reyes for the first pressings of the Blu-Ray/DVD combo.

Arrow Video also dished out some pretty damn cool special features as well for the combo. Included are a brand new audio commentary with screenwriter Rick Marx, brand new audio commentary with The Hysteria Continues, a brand new interview with actress Ruth Collins entitled, "Tina’s Terror", a brand new interview with director of photography Larry Revene entitled, "Movie Madhouse", a brand new interview with special make-up effects creator Vincent J. Guastini entitled, "Morgues & Mayhem", Archival Interviews with producer Alexander W. Kogan, Jr., director Richard Friedman and production manager Bill Tasgal, and a stills gallery!

DOOM ASYLUM is one of the most entertainingly, goofy, silly, off-the-wall wacky slasher flick that I have ever seen in my lifetime!! If you're looking for a weird ass horror film from the Decade of Decadence that has to offer, then look no further!! From bad puns and 80's high-cut bathing suits, this movie has it all and more!! 4 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

DOOM ASYLUM is available on Blu-Ray from Arrow Video. To purchase a copy for yourself, visit the Diabolik DVD website at www.diabolikdvd.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the screaming!

Phil's Halloween Horrors Marathon, Day 30: Phil reviews KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE (1988) Blu-Ray from MGM-October 30, 2012

KILLER KLOWN FROM OUTER SPACE
Starring: Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson, John Vernon, Michael Siegel, Peter Licassi, Royal Dano, Chris Titus, Irene Michaels, Karla Sue Krull
Written by Charles Chiodo and Stephen Chiodo
Produced by Charles Chiodo, Edward Chiodo, Stephen Chiodo
Directed by Stephen Chiodo
A Chiodo Brothers Productions
Originally released by Trans World Entertainment
Distributed by MGM

Only two days left people so let's jump in Day Thirty! Throughout the 100+ years of cinema history, clowns have not only made us laugh, they have terrified us. OK let's face it, clowns are scary. They're just so damn scary and creepy and unerving. So when I first saw KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE on VHS back in 1988, I didn't know whether to be scared or laugh! Up until then, I have never seen a movie quite like this before.

So wrap your head around this synopsis: A spaceship - looking like a circus tent - lands in a field near a small town, signaling the attack of deviant, red-nosed, balloon-twisting psychos from another world who plan to annihilate mankind - by turning people into cotton candy! Luckily, the town's teen citizenry decides to fight back and teach the cosmic bozos a lesson. But these klowns are no klutzes, turning popcorn, peanuts and caramel corn into playful - but deadly - weapons of madcap destruction and mayhem!

Theatrical Movie Poster (1988)

Sounds more fun than shoveling elephant shit, huh? Well it is a then some! The Chiodo brothers takes the idea of clowns being eerie and frightening, and fuses it with the common theme of aliens coming down from space; thus giving us aliens that look like clowns. For what it is, the film is actually quite inventive; and while much of the action is clichéd and/or samey, it's the little things that ensure it doesn't get boring.

This was the only film that the Chiodo brothers ever made but they have worked on many other projects in other roles, such as producing and visual effects. One of the locations they used for the film was the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California (which was were THE LOST BOYS was filmed at). The film was released to theaters on May 27, 1988. The filmed went on to earn a total of $43,625,095 worldwide. Not too bad of a return from an estimated $2,000,000 budget.

The MGM Blu-Ray comes loaded with special features: Audio Commentary from the Chiodo brothers, Five Featurettes, Deleted Scenes with Director's Commentary, Bloopers, and the film's original trailer!

KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE is a true original cult classic that will now entertain a whole new generations of genre fans. So next time you and your date are bored and have no idea what to do, bust open a bottle of champagne, light some candles, pop this film in your player and watch the sparks fly! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE is currently available on Blu-Ray at your local retailer. You can also purchase a copy at the Amazon website at www.amazon.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the screaming!

Phil's Halloween Horrors Marathon, Day 21: Phil reviews EXCISION (2012) Blu-Ray from Anchor Bay Entertainment-October 21, 2012

EXCISION Blu-Ray Cover (2012)

EXCISION
Starring AnnaLynne McCord, Traci Lords, Ariel Winter, Roger Bart, Jeremy Sumpter, Malcolm McDowell, Matthew Gray Gubler, Marlee Matlin, Ray Wise, and John Waters
Produced by Dylan Hale Lewis
Executive Produced by Mark Linehan Bruner
Written and Directed by  Richard Bates, Jr.
A BXR Productions
Distributed by Anchor Bay Films

Here is it folks: Day Twenty-One! Thanks for joining me on my horror movie marathon! For today's film, I chose to review another indie horror film that was just released on Blu-Ray. With the onslaught of sequels, remakes, poorly made horror films coming out of Hollywood, the only pace to see unique and original genre film is in the indie scene, where a lot of filmmakers are pushing the boundaries and conventions of what defines a horror movie. Case in point today's film, which comes courtesy from Anchor Bay Entertainment. The film EXCISION can be best described as an art house horror film that combines horror and black comedy to create something extraordinary!

Here is the film's official synopsis: Based on writer/director Richard Bates, Jr.’s short film of the same name, EXCISION follows a disturbed and delusional high school student, Pauline (AnnaLynne McCord).  Pauline, with aspirations of a career in medicine, goes to extremes to earn the approval of her controlling mother (played by Traci Lords).  While dealing with both being an outcast teenager and having an obsession over curing her sister’s cystic fibrosis, Pauline becomes increasingly deranged as her fascination with surgery and flesh and blood grows into something compulsive and demonic, if not epic.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2012)

I have never seen such an ambitious and genre defying film in all my years! It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful horror films ever! I cannot begin describe just how truly incredible the film really is! There is so much going on in the film that it requires multiple viewings to understand all the themes going on.

AnnaLynne McCord is just riveting in her portrayal of outcast misfit Pauline. She shuns her beauty as found in her performance of Naomi Clarkon the CW's 90210 and completely transforms herself into the ugly duckling and deeply disturbed Pauline. It's a shame that the Oscars will overlook this performance, but this goes to show you of the Academy's ignorance. A standing ovation for AnnaLynne McCord's best performance ever!

The film premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, where it received raved reviews. The film was picked up by Anchor Bay Films and it played in limited released. The film was released last week on both Blu-Ray and DVD.

EXCISION is one of the most beautiful and gut wrenching films ever to come out of the genre! The film is brilliant, the acting is fantastic, the ending is just freaking unbelievable, and you're gonna love it! This is what an art house horror film should be! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

EXCISION is available on both Blu-Ray and DVD and can be purchased at your local retailer or on the film's official website. To purchase a copy visit www.excisionmovie.com. To check out other releases by Anchor Bay Entertainment, visit their website at www.anchorbayentertainment.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the screaming!

Phil sees Carnage at the CinéArts Theater Santana Row-January 22, 2012

After I saw THE IRON LADY at the Camera 7 Pruneyard, I made my way to the CinéArts Theater in Santana Row to see the new Roman Polanski black comedy film CARNAGE, which is based on the play God of Carnage by French playwright Yasmina Reza.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2012)

When two grade-school boys get into a confrontation in the park that results in one boy hitting the other in the mouth with a stick, their parents meet in a Brooklyn apartment to discuss the matter. The parents of the boy wielding the stick, Alan and Nancy Cowan (Cristoph Waltz & Kate Winslet), visit the home of Michael and Penelope Longstreet (John C. Reilly & Jodi Foster), who are the parents of the boy who was struck. What begins as a civilized meeting turns into utter carnage as both sets of parents bicker and fight with one another, thus reducing themselves to childish behavior.

It's been a long time since I've seen a Polanski film. Now what makes this such a genius film is that the film takes place in one location (minus the exterior shot of the park that are the bookends of the film). The entire film is set in the Longstreet's apartment, which is actually a set built on a soundstage. But that's what makes this film so amazing is that we can be contained in one setting for 90 minutes and be utterly entertained. Now it helps to have a great script (which this film has), have four very talented actors (again a plus), then have a legendary film director to bring it all together.

This is what many critics call a black comedy. It deals with real life problems and situations and finds humor in these uncomfortable and confrontational surroundings. Now like I said, it helps to have talented actors to make the characters in these situations believable and funny. Waltz is lawyer we love to hate who is also an absent father who cares very little about what his son did. Winslet is the superficial wife who gets really drunk and throws up during the movie (which by the way, Winslet still looks very sexy while projecting vomit all over the Longstreet's coffee table). Riley is the father that is passive and doesn't give a damn about anything, especially about Foster's obsession to writing her book about the hardship that is taking place in Africa.

Ploanski's directing in the film is perfect. Just absolutely perfect. The framing of his scenes, the over the shoulder shots, the scenes where we see Foster in the foreground but we see Riley in the mirror behind her, which show us that he's on the other side of the room. Just little tricks that he uses to create the space that these people are forced to inhabit in during their get together.

CARNAGE is already my favorite comedy for 2012! You don't get too many great black comedies these days and here's one that is just hilarious to watch! Highly recommended!! Five out of five stars!!

CARNAGE is currently playing in select theaters nationwide, including at the CinéArts Theater Santana Row here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://cinemark.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Horror Watch, Day 22: Phil sees TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL at the Osio Theater-October 22, 2011

My horror film marathon continues with this, Day Twenty-Two! My horror film thirst knows no boundaries. Today's film adventure took me back to my other hometown: Monterey! There at the Osio Theater (home of fine indie, foregin, and documentary films) in downtown Monterey, they were showing the horror/comedy film TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL. So ladies and gentlemen, prepare to start laughing your asses off!

US Theatrical Movie Poster (2010)

Two hillbilly buddies named Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) are off to fix up Tucker's new vacation home as well as go fishin' and beer drinkin'. However, along the way, they meet up a bunch of preppy, college kids who mistake them for backwoods, redneck, inbred, hillbillies who want to kill them all. As a result of this misunderstanding, our good 'ol boys' vacation goes from hilariously bad to outrageously worse, in a comical way.

This was such a funny movie! Both Labine and Tudyk are hysterical and portray their country bumpkin characters perfectly, with touches of believability, naivety, and humor. Also Dale's love interest Allison (Katrina Bowden) is fun, spunky, and very, very sexy. But what would our hero be without a nemesis. Dale must save his love from the evil, preppy, and slightly deranged college student Chad (Jesse Moss) who thinks he's saving Allison from the evil hillbillies.

Writer/director Eli Craig, along with screenwriter Morgan Jurgenson, are geniuses. They took the conventions and cliches of your typical backwoods hillbilly horror (ie THE HILLS HAVE EYES, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, and WRONG TURN), a spun in it in a complete 180 degrees and told the film from the hillbillies perspective, and taking it into the comedy genre, all the while providing all the gore, blood, and half naked girls that's required. By switching the protagonist and antagonist roles, Craig and Jurgenson added a new dimension to the film. Of course, Moss played Chad so evil and demented that I was so blown away by his performance.

The film was supposed to take place in the woods of the country, the film was actually shot in Canada. Also having a great cinematographer named David Geddes was also a major factor. The Canadian forest never looked so tranquil and breathtaking.  The film toured the festival circuit and received unanimous acclaim.  The film was distributed by Maple Pictures and it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2010. It finally found an American distributor, Magnet Releasing, to release the film to theaters earlier this year.

TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL is the best horror/comedy film since 2004's SHAUN OF THE DEAD. The film has such much heart in it that you can't help but to take it all in. So go out and see this film, so when it comes out on DVD, you can brag to your friends that you saw the film first in the theater.

TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL is currently playing in limited release in theaters nationwide, including at the Osio Theater in Monterey. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://osiocinemas.com. To view the film's website for future screenings, visit www.magnetreleasing.com/tuckeranddalevsevil

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees EVERYTHING MUST GO at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-May 25, 2011

Once again, I frequented the Camera 7 in the Pruneyard Campbell to see a film that my good friend Brad recommended to me last week. He said he really enjoyed it and it's a must see. Brad is like me, a film buff who loves going to the movies. So today I saw EVERYTHING MUST GO, and I have to admit, my friend picked a really good movie for me to see.

Will Ferrell portrays alcoholic executive Nick Halsey, who unfortunately is having a really bad day. He gets fired from his job, only to come home to find out that his wife has left him and locked him out of the house, with all his belongings left outside on the front yard. His car also gets repossessed and his bank accounts are frozen. While trying to make sense of his life, he holds a yard sale so he can start over anew. Joining him on his trip are his new neighbor Samantha (Rebecca Hall), a kid named Kenny (Christopher Jordon Wallace), and his AA sponsor Frank Garcia (Michael Pena).

Ferrell does a phenomenal job playing Nick, who numbs his pain and loneliness with beer after beer after beer. Seeing Farrell cast against type was a stroke of genius, and the payoff of seeing him barely holding on to his sanity was brilliant. It's a soft spoken, black comedic role for Ferrell. Not the type of roles he's known for playing, but he nails Nick perfectly, creating pathos and a sense of vulnerability.

This was the feature film debut by writer/director Dan Rush, who based the film from the short story "Why Don't You Dance?" by author Richard Carver. Rush's style of directing is very laid back; it feels like the film was improvised and he was there with a camera. I personally enjoyed the scenes when we see Nick up early at dawn and later at dusk, the golden sun gleaming almost like a beacon of hope for Nick to cling to.

EVERYTHING MUST GO is a wonderful, splendid, film that really captures that moment in time when your life transitions to something you weren't expecting. And at the end, you come out of it a better person. A solid script, fantastic acting, and great directing makes this film an enjoyable experience. So I say two big thumbs up!

EVERYTHING MUST GO is now playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in San Jose and Campbell. To view showtimes visit http://www.cameracinemas.com/index.shtml

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!