Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3 (1993) from Vestron Video Collector's Series - October 5, 2018

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3 Blu-Ray

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3
Starring J. Trevor Edmond, Melinda Clarke, Kent McCord, James T. Callahan, Sarah Douglas, Jill Andre
Written by John Penney
Cinematography by Gerry Lively
Edited by Christopher Roth
Produced by Roger Burlage, Lawrence Steven Meyers, Brian Yuzna
Directed by Brian Yuzna
Originally released by Trimark Pictures
Released by Vestron Video

Welcome to Day Five of my Halloween Horror Watch! Today's film is a personal favorite of mine. Ever since I watched this all the way back in 1993, it left an indelible impression on me. It was an unique horror film that had drama and romance, a la Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, but with blood and guts. It was still a gnarly fright flick, but it had heart as well. It was also a major departure from the franchise because of these elements. So let me tell you all about the horror classic RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3 from Vestron Video Collector's Series.

The film's official synopsis: In RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD: PART II, the chemical Trioxin turned people into flesh-eating zombies. Now, the government is trying to control these unstoppable cannibalistic killers in RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3. When a young man uses the chemical to bring his girlfriend back to life after a motorcycle accident, she is driven to eat the only thing that will nourish her... human brains! She tries to stop her own feeding frenzy but a chain reaction has already begun, as hordes of undead are unleashed from the grave!

I've always been a fan of director Brian Yuzna, and I've always felt that he has never really been given enough credit for his contributions to the genre, or as an accomplished filmmaker. The list of titles that he has worked on are infamous! From being a producer on movies like RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND, DOLLS, TICKS, and NECRONOMICON: BOOK OF THE DEAD to to directing SOCIETY, BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR, THE DENTIST and THE DENTIST 2, and PROGENY. In 2000, he traveled to Spain to team up with producer Julio Fernández to created Fear Factory so they could produce, "modestly budgeted genre (horror, sci-fi, fantasy) films for the international market (shot in English language) using genre talent from all around the world and to develop local talent." There, he made the films FAUST (based on the ulta-violent underground comic book), DAGON (based on the H.P. Lovecraft short stories), THE NUN (different movie), BENEATH STILL WATERS and BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR (the final film of the series). This was his fourth film as a director and it's often overlooked because it strayed away from the dark humor of the previous two installments. It was much dramatic and I really loved that aspect. It still had all the gore but there was much more going on with the story and its characters. And it looked amazingly stylish for being a low budget horror movie.

Original Theatrical Poster (1993)

Another aspect that made the movie so memorable was the performance of its lead actress Mindy Clarke, now known as Melinda Clarke. She was only 19 at the time she made the film, but she was already an accomplished actress, having been playing the character Faith Taylor on the daytime drama Days of Our Lives. Her portrayal of Julie Walker was just so unbelievably outstanding!! She literally carried the movie on her shoulders! He transformation from a angst-filled teenager to an undead zombie was heartbreaking and gory as hell! That iconic image of her as the mutilated and pierced up zombie is legendary. It's so iconic that I'm very surprised that no one has made an collectible action figure of her yet! So to you guys over at NECA, Not Just Toyz, Sideshow Collectibles, you might want to get on this ASAP!!

The movie was released by Trimark Pictures on October 29, 1993 in a limited release run. It really found its audience when it came out on VHS. It was also released Unrated on VHS, which had more gore in it, which showcased the special effects. It was eventually released on DVD in less then stellar transfers, but it finally received the red carpet treatment in 2016 when it was released on Blu-Ray by Lionsgate on its Vestron Video Collector's Series label.

The Blu-Ray comes loaded with special features that fans will devour! It includes an Unrated Version of the film for the first time ever, Audio Commentary with Director Brian Yuzna, Audio Commentary with Star Melinda Clarke and Special Effects Supervisor Tom Rainone, Ashes To Ashes - A Conversation with Director Brian Yuzna and Screenwriter John Penney, Living Dead Girl – An interview with Actress Melinda Clarke, Romeo Is Bleeding – An Interview with Actor J. Trevor Edmond, Trimark & Trioxin – Interviews with Production Executive David Tripet and Editor Chris Roth, The Resurrected Dead – Interviews with Special Make-up Effects Designers Steve Johnson and Chris Nelson, Storyboard Gallery, Still Gallery, and Theatrical Trailers.

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3 is an unsung horror classic from the 1990's!! I had a blast re-watching the movie after all these years, and it's never looked this amazing! Fans of the zombie genre who are tired of watching the same old zombie movie, this will be like a breath of fresh air! It's got great characters, an interesting story, awesome special effects, and it's a love story as well!! What more could you ask for in a horror film?!? So check out this movie tonight with someone you love! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3 is currently available on a Special Edition Blu-Ray from Diabolik DVD. To order a copy of the movie for yourself, please visit their website www.diabolikdvd.com. Also, checkout the Vestron Video Collector's Series Facebook page for information on upcoming releases.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!

Phil's Hallowen Horror Watch: HOUSE SHARK (2017) from SRS Cinema - October 2, 2018

HOUSE SHARK Blu-Ray Cover

HOUSE SHARK
Starring Trey Harrison, Michael Merchant, Wes Reid, Wayne W. Johnson, Melissa LaMartina, Nathan Bonk, Jennie Russo
Written by Ron Bonk
Cinematography by Ron Bonk
Edited by Ron Bonk
Produced by Ron Bonk, Jonathan Straiton, Howard Gromero, Tim Ritter
Directed by Ron Bonk
Production by SRS Cinema and Duke Films
Released by SRS Cinema

Welcome to another installment of Phil's Halloween Horror Watch! For this edition, I watched the latest project from the legendary Ron Bonk. If you are not familiar with his name, you should! Bonk has been making low budget films for over twenty years, directing films like CITY OF THE VAMPIRES (1993) and THE VICIOUS SWEET (1997), MS. CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST (2012), and EMPIRE STATE OF THE DEAD (2016). One of the pioneers of the Shot-On-Video movement (or S.O.V. has it's affectionately called), he has also written and produced a slew of other titles for other filmmakers. He's also the brain and the brawn behind SRS Cinema, releasing a number of horror, sci-fi, cult, and SOV titles. Today, I had the pleasure of watching his latest creation known as HOUSE SHARK, and as he puts it, "It's JAWS in a house!"

The film's official synopsis: Just when you thought it was safe to go home! When Frank (Trey Harrison) finds his happy home under attack by a dangerous but largely unknown breed of shark, he's enlists the aid of the world's only "House Shark" Expert, Zachary (Michael Merchant), and a grizzled former real estate agent, Abraham (Wes Reid), to embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast and claim back his life.

Bonk plants his tongue firmly in cheek as the film's title alone should indicate you that your suspension of disbelief will be used. And holy shit was this film freaking awesome! He and his crew had a damn good time making this movie and it shows! Containing over-the-top acting, not-so special effects, blood and guts, and a house shark, the film delivers the goods in spades!

Film's Promotional Poster (2017)

Our three leads are terrific in their respective roles. Trey Harrison is the everyday man, who just happens to have a shark in his house that keeps eating people. He plays Frank with sheer fun and . Michael Merchant's Zachary is the scientist with a funny accent who plays off Harrison so well that I just laughed every time he said something. But for me, the Oscar goes to Wes Reid for his portrayl of the drunken insane hero Abraham, who's a cross of Ahab from MOBY DICK and Robert Shaw 's Quint from JAWS (which was perfect for this film). Together, these three actors ham it up for the camera and it's just awesome! They have such amazing on-screen chemistry that I'm surprised that they haven't been teamed up before! I hope they will be starring in another film together soon!

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the the genius of Ron Bonk. This man directed the hell out of the movie! Combining traditional framing with Grindhouse style compositions, the film feels almost like a throwback to those classic B-movies I used to watch on USA Up All Night back in the 90's. He keeps the story moving with gore, laughter, blood, and the importance of family and friendships made along the way.

Now I purchased the special two-disc limited slipcover edition Blu-Ray that was also signed by the cast and crew. In this edition, there's a plethora of special features, including three separate commentaries,  bloopers, deleted scenes, Skype sessions, the film's trailers, slide show, and trailers for other SRS films. There's also a DVD that's available as well, plus shirts, shoes, pillows and other memorabilia from the film!

HOUSE SHARK is a modern day cult classic that will make you stand up and cheer!! It's a film that doesn't take itself seriously at all and knows what's its purpose is: to entertain audiences everywhere with its absurd humor and hilarious originality!! This is a future midnight movie for sure!! So make sure you watch this movie during this Halloween season!! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

HOUSE SHARK is available in a special collector's edition Blu-Ray and DVD. To purchase a copy for yourself and other memorabilia, please visit their website at srscinemastore.com.

Thanks for watching, and enjoy the horror!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III (2015) from Scream Team Releasing - October 1, 2018

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III Blu-Ray

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III
Starring Alec Owen, Ben Gigli, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Erik Sandoval, Chelsea St. John, Skyler Rousselet, Greg Sestero
Written by Various Screenwriters
Cinematography by Jon Salmon
Edited by Brian Firenzi
Produced by Various Producers
Directed by Tomm Jacobsen, Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon
Production by 5 Second Films
Released by Scream Team Releasing

Hello friends and welcome to another year of Phil's Halloween Horror Watch!! Throughout the month of October, I watch an ungodly amount of horror films and write a review for each one! For today, I watched a bona fide cult classic that has plenty of gore, blood, and laughter to go around! So strap in folks as I talk about the bloody hilarious and grotesquely charming indie cult hit DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE PARTY III!

The film's official synopsis: A satirical twist on the gory and sexually charged 1980’s slasher genre, DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE PARTY III is presented as the only surviving VHS copy of the reviled horror franchise’s third, and final, installment. In the wake of two back-to-back mass murders on Chico’s frat row, loner Brent Chirino must infiltrate the ranks of a popular fraternity to investigate his twin brother's murder at the hands of the serial killer known as Motherface. As they are picked off one by one, Brent and his fellow Dude Bros must face the terrifying reality that their deadly foe, believed to have been killed (twice!), has returned from the grave (again!), and is hell-bent on the destruction of the Delta Bis.

Original Promotional Poster (2015)

This was such a brilliant satire and a loving homage to the classic 1980's slasher films! By having it looked like it was recorded off a TV onto an old VHS tape, the fate of this long lost horror classic still continues to scare up laughs with modern audiences. And containing a cool 80's sounding soundtrack, the role reversal of having the woman wanting to take a man's virginity, cheesy acting, and a copious amount of blood, the movie was just so much fun to watch!

According to their website, film company 5-Second Films is "a vertically-branded viral humor depository, delivering original commercially-minded content to shareholders and upwardly mobile males, females and space chickens ages 18-35 (with disposable income) since October 30th, 2008." All their films are exactly five seconds long, so it's not just a marketing ploy folks! The inspiration for the film was based on a short fake trailer with the same name. Funded by a Kickstarter campaign in 2013, the gang went straight into making their short into a feature length reality once they reached their goal.

Hats off to directors Tomm Jacobsen, Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon for crafting a slasher movie that would fit into the lexicon of 80's horror films. Their compositions and set-ups are lifted right from that era, and they cram so much fun and gore into each frame! It truly does look like it was recorded on an old VHS tape, and includes some hysterical commercials. These gentlemen have certainly done their homework, and thus, should be applauded for their hard work!

Big news came earlier this year when it was announced that the film would be available to view on the horror streaming service Shudder, which was when I first saw the film. But then, Scream Team Releasing (founded by indie filmmaker Justin M. Seaman, the writer/director of the 2016 cult hit THE BARN) announced that they were releasing the movie on a special collector's edition Blu-Ray! The special features on the disc includes a Director's Commentary, Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes, Trailer, English, Spanish & French Subtitles, and the making-of documentary "Livers of Darkness"

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III is an over-the-top modern day cult classic that horror fans will get a kick out of!! It's easily this year's "Best Bro Horror Flick!" So for all you bros out there, grab your best bro, pick up a couple of kegs, kick back on the couch and check out your fellow bros up on the TV screen! Just make sure that you leave a space for Motherface!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

DUDE BRO PARTY MASSACRE III is available on a special collector's edition Blu-Ray. To purchase a copy for yourself, please visit their website at screamteamreleasing.com. To learn more about 5-Second Films and to watch their films, visit their website at 5secondfilms.com.

Thanks for watching, and enjoy the horror!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: POOL PARTY MASSACRE (2017) from Floating Eye Films - October 1, 2017

POOL PARTY MASSACRE Blu-ray Cover

POOL PARTY MASSACRE
Starring Kristin Noel McKusick, Margaux Némé, Crystal Stoney, Jenifer Marvick, Destiny Faith Nelson, Nick Byer, Mark Justice, LeeAnna Vamp, Alexis Adams
Written by Drew Marvick
Cinematography by Brian Mills
Edited by Brian Mills
Produced by Drew Marvick and Brian Mills
Directed by Drew Marvick
Released by Floating Eye Films

Slasher films hold a special place in my heart. It could be because I grew up during the dawn of the slasher craze that swept America, especially during the 1980's: The FRIDAY THE 13th, HALLOWEEN and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET sequels, the SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE films, SLEEPAWAY CAMP, and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE movies for starters. It seemed like every week there was a new slasher film in theaters that begged for my attention. The love for this genre continues to this very day, which brings me to today's review for the film POOL PARTY MASSACRE, which I picked up at the Sinister Creature Con in Stockton back in June.

The film's official synopsis: When Blair, a high maintenance young socialite invites some friends over to her parents house for an intimate pool party, they are unaware that a serial killer is hiding inside the house. What started out as a relaxing summer day by the pool quickly turns into a nightmare as the unknown killer begins to stalk and murdering the young girls one by one.

Original Movie Poster (2017)

Writer/director Drew Marvick's film is a loving homage to those awesome 80's slasher films that we grew up on. The women are hot, the kills are gory and it's entertaining and fun to the max!! His set-ups and compositions are excellent, there's awesome character development, the film flows smoothly and has a fantastic third act (which I won't be revealing because this is a spoiler-free review). It also helps that Marvick is a fan of the genre and that love resonates within each frame of the movie. I can't wait to see what this talented filmmaker does next!

Another aspect that I enjoyed was the characters themselves and there's plenty to fall in love with. There's bitchy spoiled brat Blair Winthorpe, played by the stunning Kristin Noel McKusick. Margaux Némé plays Blair's BFF Nancy (and is the love of life). Adult film star Alexis Adams appears in the film as the sexy Tiffany. All of the cast have great on-screen chemistry and viewers will have a good time watching all these beautiful ladies get bumped off one right after the other. Also look special cameos by LeeAnna Vamp, hubbie Cameron Lee Vamp and Marvick himself.

And last, but not least, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the kills in the film, which will make hardcore horror fans scream like Catholic school girls! They are freaking outstanding and bloody as hell! And there's a lot of blood, guts and gore to be found here!! Hat goes off to special makeup effects artist Christopher Arredondo for supplying the fun and boodshed!!

POOL PARTY MASSACRE is a totally radical slasher movie that will entertain you to death!! This is the perfect flick to watch with pizza and drinks! The movie is a bona fide cult classic in the making and the perfect tribute to the heyday of 80's slasher movies!! 4 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

POOL PARTY MASSACRE is available on both Blu-Ray and DVD. To purchase a copy for yourself, and other cool memorabilia, visit the film's website at poolpartymassacre.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Horror Watch: ANTIBIRTH (2016) from IFC Midnight/Scream Factory- Sept. 2, 2017

ANTIBIRTH Blu-Ray Cover

ANTIBIRTH
Starring Natasha Lyonne, Chloë Sevigny, Meg Tilly, Mark Webber, Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Emmanuel Kabongo
Written by Danny Perez
Cinematography by Rudolf Blahacek
Edited by Aden Bahadori
Produced by Cole Payne, Roger M. Mayer, Natasha Lyonne, David Anselmo, Justin Kelly
Directed by Danny Perez
Originally distributed by IFC Midnight
Released by Scream Factory

I've seen some pretty bizarre horror films during my tenure here on planet Earth. While entertaining, I've often found myself scratching my head and asking myself, "Why the hell am I still watching this?" It's a question I'm sure you've all asked yourselves quite often when you're watching a movie that is utterly and completely batshit crazy. Whether it's a Troma movie, an Edward D. Wood Jr. masterpiece, or a Roger Corman cult classic, there are some movies that are so far out there, you would need a telescope to fine the plot. Case in point, the movie that I just saw entitled ANTIBIRTH, that truly falls in that "batshit crazy" category that I mentioned earlier.

The film's official synopsis: Hard-drinking, pill-popping, bong-ripping Lou (Natasha Lyonne) and her best friend Sadie (Chloë Sevigny) spend their days adrift in a drug infused haze. But one wild night out becomes a bad trip that never ends when Lou wakes up with symptoms of an unexplained, highly abnormal pregnancy. Who—or what—is growing inside her? As her due date approaches with alarming swiftness, the fear, paranoia, and conspiracy theories begin to pile up. Spiked with blasts of hallucinatory color, surreal shocks, and subversive comedy, the audacious feature debut from Danny Perez is a no-holds-barred descent into delirium.

Original Theatrical Poster (2016)

Watching the film was the equivalent of taking a handful of acid while drinking the leftover Kool-Aid from Jonestown. It's a madhouse of trippy colored lights and filters, incoherent plotline and acting that borders on spastic avant garde and high school play. So yeah, it was a batshit crazy movie to watch.

I loved watching Natasha Lyonne in the movie though. She's always been an underrated actress in my humble opinion. Having seen her shine in the 1998 indie film SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS, she quickly became popular and starred in films like DETROIT ROCK CITY, BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER, SCARY MOVIE 2 and the AMERICAN PIE series. Today's filmgoers will recognize her from the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black as Nicky Nichols and from the IFC series Portlandia. The film captures her eccentric and eclectic style of acting as Lou, who is balls out crazy and funny as hell. It's almost as if she's playing herself, which is like watching a brilliant trainwreck unfold before your naked eyes. Chloë Sevigny is the best friend that you love to hate cause of all the stupidly bad decisions that she makes. Together, these two fine ladies have great on-screen chemistry and bring their chaotic friendship to the big screen.

Writer/director Danny Perez isn't your ordinary, run-of-the-mill, wannabe Hollywood filmmaker. Oh no, that would be too boring and predictable. Nope, our guy wrote a script that is completely out of this world; landing somewhere between Ingmar Bergman and a John Waters storyline. It's wonky and bizarre with lighting and compositions straight out of a Dario Argento film. It's irrelevant, incomprehensible and just fucking weird. So it was pretty interesting for all the wrong reasons.

The film premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2016 and was picked up by IFC Midnight shortly thereafter. It was given a limited theatrical release before being distributed on Blu-Ray and DVD by Scream Factory in February of 2017.

ANTIBIRTH gets my vote for Best Cult Classic Film of 2017 award! If you find yourself questioning you place in the world and have difficulty accepting the sad state that your life is currently in, then this movie is right up your alley! 3 1/2 out of 5 stars! Worth watching!

ANTIBIRTH is currently available on Bu-ray and DVD. To purchase a copy for yourself, visit your local retailer or order it from Scream Factory by visiting www.shoutfactory.com. To learn more about IFC Midnight and their film library, visit their website at www.ifcfilms.com.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the show!

Phil sees LAKE NOWHERE from The Ravacon Collective/Ursidae Parade -September 1, 2017

I love horror films. You've probably heard me mention that on more than one occasion. Can you blame me? Having being raised on the Bay Are show Creature Features and the birth of VHS and video stores, there was a mountain of horror films that I had access to watch! Now in the 21st Century, we know have awesome streaming services that provides us the convenience to watch them anytime we want. Plus, it's another platform for young up and coming filmmakers to showcase their films. A perfect example of this indie spirit is the film I saw on Shudder entitled LAKE NOWHERE and it was totally awesome!

The film's official synopsis: From the vaults of the golden age of slasher films comes LAKE NOWHERE, a raucous, bloody romp which resurrects the thrill of gory midnight movies for an hour-long plunge into the depths of horror. Inspired by the dusty days of VHS, LAKE NOWHERE is preceded by original trailers & commercials, replicating the experience of watching a long lost bootleg tape. When a group of friends arrive at a desolate lakeside cabin, they are stalked and murdered by a Masked Maniac, whose lust for blood transcends our world. This age-old tale of senseless slaughter quickly spirals into the realm of supernatural horror and classic monster movies, as we learn the true power that lies within LAKE NOWHERE.

This was a very pleasant surprise! The film is a love letter to the days when VHS, video stores and cable stations ruled the world. Aesthetically pleasing, the film's appeal is that it looks as if it was recorded off of TV. We see a fake beer commercial (Wolf White Beer) and a cool fake trailer for an Italian giallo movie (HARVEST MAN). And as an added bonus to make it feel more authentic, we can see what was recorded over during the film! Yup, who didn't re-record and reuse the same VHS tape over and over again! This sick guy used to do that all the damn time!

The film itself is, "all thriller, no filler!" Clocking in at a lean, mean 51 minutes, directors Christopher Phelps and Maxim Van Scoy capture the look and feel of classic 80's slasher movies perfectly. Forgoing the standard character development and origin story, the movie contains the very basic ingredients: sex, blood and awesome kills! The visuals, combines with the radical synth soundtrack, the viewer is instantly transported back to the heydays of the slasher and VHS craze!

Since the release of GRINDHOUSE back in 2007, there has been a plethora of retro-styled movies that hearken back to the days when 42nd Street ruled New York. Once the VCR came into the mix, people began frequenting their local mom & pop video stores to rent these things called VHS tapes and watched them in the privacy of their home. The movie reminds me those good 'ole days of renting movies with my brother every weekend.

LAKE NOWHERE is a fun loving tribute to 1980's slasher movies, VHS tapes and late night cable channels!! This movie deserves to be seen by more people! So go support independent cinema and buy this movie so you can watch it over and over again! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

LAKE NOWHERE is currently available on both Blu-Ray/DVD Combo and VOD. To purchase the movie as well as posters, visit the film's official website at www.welcometolakenowhere.com. The film is also streaming on Shudder. To view it, sign up on its website at www.shudder.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show! 

Phil sees THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE from IFC Midnight - April 22, 2017

Independent films have reshaped the cinematic landscape for last several decades. In the horror genre, these films brought new ideas, new stories, new scares and new voices that have impacted society and pop culture as we know it. From NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE to THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and TRICK 'R TREAT, the world of horror has seen some groundbreaking films that are both politically and socially charged as well as being just horrifyingly disturbing. Today's film has received so much acclaim that it's downright scary. And after seeing THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE for myself, those praises are very much deserved.

The films' official synopsis: It’s just another night at the morgue for a father (Brian Cox) and son (Emile Hirsch) team of coroners, until an unidentified, highly unusual corpse comes in. Discovered buried in the basement of the home of a brutally murdered family, the young Jane Doe—eerily well preserved and with no visible signs of trauma—is shrouded in mystery. As they work into the night to piece together the cause of her death, the two men begin to uncover the disturbing secrets of her life. Soon, a series of terrifying events make it clear: this Jane Doe may not be dead. The latest from TROLLHUNTER director André Øvredal is a scarily unpredictable, supernatural shocker that never lets up.

There are many reasons as to why I absolutely loved this gem of a horror film. One of them is that André Øvredal is just so damn talented. His directing is so precise and controlled, his compositions are flawless and you knows exactly to make us feel terrified. His visuals grabs our attention and doesn't let go until the movie ends. He's grown as a director; from TROLLHUNTER (which is freaking awesome if you haven't seen it yet) to this movie is astounding! And this is only his third feature film! I can't image what he's going to be like as a director in ten years! One can only hope for more original and horrifyingly cinematic tales of terror!

You can't have a good horror movie without a truly terrifying script and that's where screenwriters Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing come into the picture. These two individuals wrote one of the best original scripts ever! The story is simple but it's so dense and layered that it takes its time to unravel the mystery and horror. Taking something that's disturbing already such as working in the morgue and cranking up the fear up to eleven is no small feat to accomplish. But Goldberg and Naing pulled it off effortlessly, and as a result, scared the living hell out of me!

The film's cast turned in some outstanding performances. Brian Cox is a legend, having been in films such as BRAVEHEART, RUSHMORE, HIDDEN AGENDA and THE RING. Cox's casting as Tom is perfect as he brings his ability to add depth and personality to his character. Emile Hirsch's portrayal as Austin is also well done, as is his love interest Emma, played by the lovely Ophelia Lovibond. But for me, the best performance of the movie comes from our Jane Doe herself Olwen Catherine Kelly. It's not easy playing a dead person, but to do it throughout the film and be naked as well, plus having appliances, guts and organs all over you, well, that's some damn fine acting!

THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE is one of the best horror films of 2017!! Once again, the indie film world has unleashed of the scariest films I have seen in a long time!! So forget those bloated and shitty Hollywood horror movies and check this bad ass flick!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE is currently playing in select theaters in cities nationwide. Check your local listings to see if it's playing at a theater near you. It's also available on Netflix, iTunes, video on demand and other streaming services. The film will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 27, 2017 from IFC Midnight.

 Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR (2016) from 20th Century Fox - October 31, 2016

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR Blu-Ray

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR
Starring Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto, Sofia Rosinsky, Logan Creran, Suchitra Pillai, Javier Botet
Written by Johannes Robert, Ernest Riera
Cinematography by Maxime Alexandre
Edited by Baxter
Produced by Rory Aitken, Alexandre Aja, Ben Pugh
Directed by Johannes Roberts
Released by 20th Century Fox

My Halloween Horror Watch marathon continues with another fantastic film that was very entertaining and horrifyingly chilling. I've heard good things about this movie and it took me awhile to finally get around to watching it. Filmed in India, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR explores the different beliefs and evils that exist in other parts of the world.

The film's official synopsis: A family lives an idyllic existence abroad until a tragic accident takes the life of their young son. The inconsolable mother learns of an ancient ritual that will bring him back to say a final goodbye. She travels to an ancient temple, where a door serves as a mysterious portal between two worlds. But when she disobeys a sacred warning to never open that door, she upsets the balance between life and death.

Sarah Wayne Callies is just an amazing and wonderful actress. Here, her character Maria is so lost without her son that she will do anything to get him back. Her depression and desperation gets the better of and now she must come to grips that her son is gone and she must move on or her family will die. To display all these different ranges of emotions requires talent and Callies nails her performance perfectly. I was such a huge fan of hers since The Walking Dead and now she can be seen on the new USA sci-fi show Colony so this makes me very happy.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2016)

Also turning in a great performance is Suchitra Pillai, who portrays Maria's nanny Piki. Wise, caring and devoted to Maria's family, she tells her of the ancient ritual but warns her of the consequences if she breaks the rules. Pillai is quite famous in her native home of India. She is an actress, singer, model, anchor and VJ. She started acting back in 1993 and has appeared in several Bollywood movies like DIL CHAHTA HAI (2001),  FASHION (2008) and FITOOR (2016). Actor Jeremy Sisto (who plays Maria's husband  Michael in the film)has had a long career in Hollywood, appearing in CLUELESS, SUICIDE KINGS, THIS SPACE BETWEEN US, ANGEL EYES, MAY, WRONG TURN, THIRTEEN, WAITRESS and ROBOT & FRANK.

The film was directed by English filmmaker Johannes Roberts. He made his feature film debut with the 2001 SANITARIUM. He made several movies in England such as ALICE (2002), HELLBREEDER and DARK HUNTERS (both in 2004). His first film made here in the states was the 2011 feature ROADKILL for the Maneater Series and was shown on the SyFy Channel. Here, Roberts exhibits his growth as a competent director, creating fear, scares and dread as well drama and character development. He captures all the beauty and horror of India and showcases their beliefs, their folklore and their rituals.

The movie was released on March 4, 2016 in limited release in select theaters. It grossed $2.8 million domestically and $4.5 million internationally. However, critical response has been less than warm. Despite these negative reviews, I thoroughly enjoyed the film and was captivated by its story, characters and directing.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR is a brilliant, entertaining and horrifying movie that will haunt your Halloween season! If you want to see something different in your horror film, then make sure you add this title to your library! 3 1/2 out of 5 stars! Recommended viewing!!

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR is available on both Blu-Ray and DVD. The movie is also available on iTunes, Video On Demand, digital download and Netflix.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the screaming!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT (2014) from Image Entertainment - October 5, 2016

THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT Blu-Ray

THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT 

Starring Brandy Schaefer, Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe, Mikey Roe, Jeff Larson

Written by Zack Andrews, Jeff Larson, Bobby Roe, Jason Zada

Cinematography by Andrew Strahorn

Edited by Jeff Hall with Cesar Martinez

Produced by Zack Andrews, Todd King, Steven Schneider, Matthew Stein, Steven Steiner

Directed by Bobby Roe

Released by Image Entertainment

Welcome back everyone to my Halloween Horror Watch! Today's film is an unique one, having been a documentary first before morphing into a found footage horror film. Now I know the idea of a found footage film has literally been done to death, but taking an existing documentary movie and transforming it onto a feature length is rather clever. So for today I'll be talking about THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT from Image Entertainment.

The film's official synopsis: Five friends are stalked by a group of mysterious and disturbed individuals while on a road trip looking for the ultimate haunted house attraction.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2014)

As I mentioned earlier, the movie was at first a 2011 documentary of the same name. In it, five friends traveled across the country checking out many haunted houses while interviewing those who do the and those you attended. The documentary won the grand prize at the 2011 Schockfest Film Festival. Since then, director Bobby Roe very cleverly used footage from this and reused it for the feature length, which is a very Roger Corman way of filmmaking!

The cast of the movie are real life friends so the chemistry between them all is authentic and I really enjoyed seeing them play off one another. Also you can tell that there were having fun while making the movie. However, it drags a lot when they're visiting these local haunted houses. These scenes could have been edited down more. Plus some of the dialogue (or should I say conversations since a lot of it was lifted from the documentary) went nowhere and I started to lose interest real fast. Now when it started getting scary, it was good and creepy. But then it fell flat for me towards the end. It didn't have that much suspense for me to fell that I should fully invest myself into the characters and their dire situation.

Image Entertainment released the film on home video in October of 2014. As an added bonus, they included the original documentary the movie was based on so the fans received two films for the price of one.

THE HOUSES OCTOBER BUILT is a decent little horror film but it brings nothing new to the genre. However, the documentary I found interesting and fun to watch! So maybe you should pick up the movie so you can watch the documentary and then maybe see the movie so you can decide for yourself. 3 out of 5 stars! Maybe a rental!

THE HOUSES THAT OCTOBER BUILT is currently available on both Blu-Ray and DVD at your local retailer. It's also available on iTunes, Video on Demand and Netflix.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the screaming!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: BACKCOUNTRY (2014) from IFC Midnight - October 3, 2016

BACKCOUNTRY Blu-ray

BACKCOUNTRY
Starring Missy Peregrym, Nicholas Campbell, Eric Balfour, Jeff Roop
Written by Adam MacDonald
Cinematography by Christian Bielz
Edited by Dev Singh
Produced by Brandon Baker, Michael Baker, Jeff Roop
Directed by Adam MacDonald
Released by IFC Films

Hello again boils and ghouls and welcome to Day Four of my Halloween Horror Watch marathon! Today we are going on a little hiking trip out in the woods for some rest and relaxation, to witness nature in all her beauty and bliss. Just as long as you don't accidentally run into a crazed man-eating bear!! Oh snap, there's one now! Hang on folks as we travel to the BACKCOUNTRY.

The film's official synopsis: Alex (Jeff Roop) is a seasoned camper, but Jenn (Missy Peregrym) is not. When they realize that they have entered bear territory, there terror gets turned up to a whole new level.

The film was based on the true story of story of couple Mark Jordan and Jacqueline Perry who were attacked by a bear back when they were camping up in Canada in 2005. The movie captures the authenticity of their horrific experience. Both Peregrym and Roop have great on-screen chemistry that propels the movie forward. We care about this couple and when things take a turn for the worse, we sympathize for them as well as with them. But make no mistake, Perry is the star of the movie and she proves it time and time again throughout the movie. Seriously, she is one tough actress as she pitted not only against her antagonist the black bear, but against nature as well.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2015)

The movie also marks the film debut of director Adam MacDonald, who cut his teeth at making a couple of short films. Making a film in the woods is not an easy job to pull off, especially if it's your first film. You have to worry about the elements, animals, insects, etc. MacDonald dismisses all of this by making such an intense thriller that plays on the old concept of man versus nature. But what makes him a really great director is that we was an actor prior to writing and directing, having appeared in SATAN'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN, JEKYLL + HYDE and WOLVES plus television series like Vampire High, Beach Girls, Wild Roses and Being Erica. Because he can relate to his cast, he is able to obtain some fantastic acting, especially from the formentioned Peregrym. His directing leans towards more of the documentary style, very in your face, shaky camera and unflinching.

The movie had its premiere at the world famous Toronto International Film Festival in September 2014 to critical acclaim. It went to be screened at other festivals such as the Telluride Film Festival, Stiges International Fantastic Film Festival and the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Eventually, Event Film Distribution bought a share of ownership of the film, which they then sold the US distribution rights to IFC Midnight. The movie was finally released on home video in March of 2015.

BACKCOUNTRY is one of the best nature horror films to have been released in the past 20 years! It's a very suspenseful and horrifically realistic slice of cinema that make you shiver with fear! So if you go down to the woods today, remember that you're not going to find any teddy bear picnic! 4 out of 5 stars!! Recommended viewing!!

BACKCOUNTRY is currently available on DVD at your local retailer. It's also available on Amazon Video, iTunes, Netflix and Video On Demand.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the screaming!

Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: GREEN ROOM (2015) from A24 - October 2, 2016

GREEN ROOM Blu-Ray

GREEN ROOM
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Patrick Stewart, Imogen Poots, Alia Shankar, Joe Cole, Callum Turner, Macon Blair, Taylor Tunes
Written by Jeremy Saulnier
Cinematography by Sean Porter
Edited by Julia Bloch
Produced by Neil Koop, Victor Moyers, Anish Savjani, Vincent Savino, Macon Blair, Daniel Hammond, Gabriel Hammond, Brian Johnston
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier
Released by A24

Welcome back to another installment of Phil's Halloween Horror Watch! Tonight's film has been receiving a plethora of critical acclaim and for good reason. This is an ugly film to watch and I'm not just talking about the bloodshed, gore and the violence (which this film has). No I'm talking about the characters, the so-called human beings that occupy within this cinematic universe. With prestigious and talented actors, complex story and visceral directing, GREEN ROOM is a movie that is not for the faint of hearts.

The film's official synopsis: A band straying into a secluded part of the Pacific Northwest stumbles onto a horrific act of violence. Because they are the only witnesses, they become the targets of a terrifying gang of skinheads who want to make sure all the evidence is eliminated.

One word I used over and over again when I first watched the movie: WOW! Patrick Stewart is just unbelievably evil in the film! Vicious, malevolent, diobolical, he's everything that you would expect the man to portray. Best known as Jean-Luc Picard from the STAR TREK series and Proffessor X from the X-MEN franchise, Stewart proves that he can play any character in any genre. He has such a tremendous range that it's profoundly astonishing to see him portray this disgusting man named Darcy Banker. It was said in an interview that Stewart was reading the film's script at his English country home and was he was done reading it, he immediately locked his house up and turned on his alarm because it freaked him out that much. It was then that he knew that he wanted to play the main antagonist.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2015)

Also appearing in the film is the late Anton Yelchin, who portrays the protagonist Pat. I found it hard at times to watch the movie knowing that he no longer here. As I mentioned in my STAR TREK BEYOND review, he was accidentally killed in a freak accident at his home on June 19, 2016 when he was pinned between his keep and the brick mailbox. I find it ironic that the movie has two STAR TREK stars from two different generations appearing together. But once again Yelton knocks it out of the park. He shows a wide range of acting; showcasing determination, fear, and finally hero. It really is a shame that he is not here to see how his film has garnered so much acclaim, along with his acting as well. He was such a gifted and talented actor. Sometimes we are reminded that life isn't always fair and sometimes the good die young.

Writer/director Jeremy Saulnier poured a lot of social and political commentary into his film. Topics about Neo Nazis, racism, hate crimes, murder, punk rock codes and the human will to survive, the movie is very in-your-face. Hell, the first song Pat's band plays is the Dead Kennedy's classic, "Nazi Punks Fuck Off." The movie grabs you right in the jugular and doesn't let go till the final ending credits. It's shot as it's a documentary and it does not flinch from the violence at all. A very bold statement has been made by this up and coming filmmaker!

Filmed in October 2014, it made it's debut at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2015. Shortly thereafter, it was picked up for distribution by A24. It went on to open the Toronto International Film Festival that September and received a limited theatrical release in April of this year before being released worldwide the next month.

GREEN ROOM is a horrorific thriller of a masterpiece!! Not one time did I feel safe watching the movie! A truly disturbing cinematic gem!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Very highly recommended!!

GREEN ROOM is currently available on Blu-Ray and DVD. It is also available on iTunes, Video On Demand, Netflix and Redbox.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the screaming!

Phil interviews writer/director Kansas Bowling from the upcoming film B.C. BUTCHER from Troma Entertainment - May 15, 2016

Writer/Director Kansas Bowling (Picture from IMDb)

For the past several months, I have had the pleasure of interviewing several of the actresses from the from the upcoming Troma Entertainment film B.C. BUTCHER. Today my series concludes with my interview with the co-writer and director of the film herself: Kansas Bowling. From living in Topanga Canyon to walking the red carpet at the Egyptian Theater, read all about this amazing young filmmaker's journey who became the first inductee into the Tromaville Institute for Gifted Youth and was recently listed as one of W magazine's 42 up-and-comers.

Phil Castor: Let me start off by saying congratulations with all the success your film B.C. BUTCHER has received. When you first made the picture, did you ever thought it would become this popular and garner all these rave reviews and fans?

Kansas Bowling: Thank you so much! I had no idea what would happen with this movie. It started off just something a friend and I wrote in high school and then I started making it with no plans for distribution or anything... I was just going to see what would happen. But I didn't think it would be as big as it has become. And if you would have told me back then that Lloyd Kaufman would attach himself as an executive producer I would have fainted!

PC: Back in March your film had it's big Hollywood premiere at the world famous Egyptian Theater. Describe seeing the movie on the big screen being played to a sold out crowd?

KB: It was so much fun. Well... watching it with that big crowd was kind of scary. Just because you want to make sure everyone is laughing at the funny parts and not falling asleep or anything. But I had the best time that night. I couldn't believe how many people came - it really blew me away.

PC: I understand that there was a Red Carpet Gala before the screening of the film. Tell me what was that experience like?

KB: So, so fun! This really wonderful organization Women Underground who promotes women in horror helped put the event on. And they made sure everything was professional and made it a legitimate thing. So many interesting people were there for the red carpet... Kathleen Hughes, who was the star of It Came From Outer Space; so many cool bands like Them Guns, The Fontaines, Kill My Coquette, and the Death Valley Girls; Priscilla Presley; and then after the film Count Smokula played accordion and Ron Jeremy played harmonica. We had girls dressed as cavewomen too. It was just so fun!

PC: So take us back to the beginning. What was your upbringing like? Where were you born and raised?

KB: I moved around a lot when I was a kid. I lived in the city at first and then Topanga Canyon. Topanga Canyon is in the Santa Monica mountains and it pretends to be this hippie community, but in reality it's so not. It's a strange world that I got out of, because I moved back into the city when I was 14. My childhood and especially my teen years (well, early teen years? I'm still a teen) focused solely on watching movies. I just watched so so so so many movies. And I knew that when I got out of school, things wouldn't be so dull. And I was right!

PC: What was school like for you? Did you excel in certain subjects that appealed to you?

KB: I hated school. The public schools in this country are such a joke. I had terrible teachers that were cruel and lazy and didn't give a damn about anything besides their paycheck. It was so miserable. I figured out some way to graduate early by taking extra classes on the side and somehow did my junior and senior year at the same time and graduated when I was 16. 

PC: I read that you were a big fan of low budget, exploitation films and its directors like Doris Wishman, Russ Meyers, Roger Corman and John Waters. How were you introduced to these films and what do you like about them?

Molly Elizabeth Ring & Kansas Bowling. (Photo from Facebook)

KB: I was never really introduced to these films. But I always watched films as a kid that my parents would show me, but they were never that obscure. But movies became so important to me and once you obsess over any film, you go back and find their influences. And when I did things like that, it would spiral into new obsessions. I discovered a lot of it just on my own, reading about actors and directors and being curious about their work. 

PC: It was during your high school years that the idea for B.C. BUTCHER came about. What was your inspiration for the film?

KB: We came up with the idea in a matter of seconds. I just brought up how we should make a movie and we could have cavewomen in it. And Kenzie said, "How about a cavewomen slasher film?" And then we began writing it!

PC: Now you and your friend Kenzie Givens co-wrote the script together correct? How did you two meet?

KB: Yes! We met in high school when she opened up her locker and she had a photo of Jack Nance on the inside and I came up behind her to tell her I loved Jack Nance, but I accidentally frightened her and she screamed. And then we made plans a couple days later to see Andrzej Zulawski's "Possession" at Cinefamily.

PC: What filmmaking experience did you have up until the making of the movie?

KB: None. Well, sort of. I made little movies with my sister and stuff growing up, but nothing ever professional.

PC: Explain to me the pre-production process of making B.C. BUTCHER? What were some of the difficulties you had to overcome?

KB: Well, raising the money was the hardest part. I bussed and waited tables at a Vietnamese restaurant for 8 months to raise enough money to make B.C. BUTCHER. 

PC: What was the shooting schedule for the film like? What was it like working with all these talented actresses, actors and crew members?

KB: We shot over a period of nine days and the days usually lasted from 8 am - 8 pm. It was so great to work with everyone. I'm so happy I found such great people to work with. It could have been a total nightmare, but I got really lucky. 

PC: One of the biggest distinctions is that you shot the movie on 16mm film? Why did you decide to shoot on film rather than using digital cameras?

KB: I am very particular with a lot of things... especially how things look. I wanted the film to have saturated colors like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. And I just wanted the project to have integrity as well. And I feel that's much harder to accomplish when you're shooting digital, or "faux-film". 

PC: After production wrapped, how long did it take to edit the film?

KB: A lot longer than it took to film. I had a really great editor, Robby DeFrain, and he was working on a project for Comedy Central at the time, so editing was kind of like a weekend project. He's really talented and helped a lot with comedic timing and we worked together putting in the funny sound effects and everything that made the film cartoonish.

PC: Tell me how did you meet Lloyd Kaufman, president of Troma Entertainment? Were you a fan of Troma prior to having them distributing your film?

KB: I was a Troma fan since I was 12. When I was in high school I even sent Troma a script to read. When I finished shooting the movie, I sent Lloyd Kaufman an email, not even expecting a response, and I got a response the next day saying he was interested in the film and wanted to have a meeting with me! So I had a meeting with Lloyd and the rest is history!

PC: What's it been like meeting all your fans at conventions and at screenings? Did you ever imagine having such a huge fan base for you and your movie?

Parker Love & Kansas Bowling. (Photo from Facebook)

KB: It's so surreal! I love how people like my movie and it's so cool to talk to people about it. I was just at the Days of the Dead convention in Burbank signing autographs and it was just so weird how I had actual fans. I used to go to these things as a fangirl. Two years ago, I went to Monsterpalooza and bought an autograph from Camille Keaton. This year at Days of the Dead she asked for mine! 

PC: What's next for you now? Do you have any new projects that you're currently working on?

KB: Yes! I'm doing a lot of music videos coming up for some really amazing bands. And I also have a script which will hopefully soon be in production. It's in the hands of some producers right now and I'm just waiting to see what will happen! It's all so exciting.

PC: What advice would you give to all aspiring and upcoming female talents who want to break into the film industry, especially those who wish to bring diversity and a feminine voice to the overpopulated male dominated Hollywood?

KB: Here is my advice: I know there are societal disadvantages, but whatever it is you want to do, just do it! It's so much more effective to create change by just going out and making a film as a woman than it is to sit and complain about how things are unfair. 

At that ladies and gentlemen, wraps up my interview series with the cast and director from the film B.C. BUTCHER. At this time, I would like to thank all these talented, gifted and amazing women for taking time our from their very busy schedul to participate in this series. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to say a big "Thank You" to Leilani Fideler,  Natasha Halevi, Molly Elizabeth Ring, Devyn Leah, Parker Love Bowling and Miranda Robin for allowing me the honor and privilege of interviewing you all. Special thanks to Kansas Bowling for helping me get that chance to interview her cast. I wish you all the best of luck with all your future endeavors and I cannot wait to see where life takes you. Thank you all again for your time, you generosity, your kindness and also, thank you for your friendship! I hope to meet you all someday soon!

To learn more about Kansas Bowling, visit her website at kansas-bowling.com and be sure to check out her Instagram account. To learn more about Troma and their upcoming release of B.C. BUTCHER, visit their website at www.troma.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!