TDHorror Retro Review

"The acting is better with the exception of Kevin Van Hentenryck who of cours is exactly the same as he is in the first. Irrelevant though as the real stars of the film are Grannie Ruth and Belial. Annie Ross as Grannie Ruth is fun, and she seemingly embraces the over top nature of the film's script and direction. Belial is actually more dire looking this time, as opposed to the deranged curiosity of the first, but is less interested in terrorizing his brothers personal life and more content within his new home among people like him"

You may read the rest here. I personally find it rather humorous that they had an original motion picture soundtrack, that is pretty awesome. Not just me but TD as well really appreciates comments, retweets, anything to help the site. 

TDHorror Retro Review

"Karlof is effortless as Baron Von Leppe, although playing the enigmatic, strange man who keeps to himself in a lush Gothic castle is likely the equivalent to slipping on a tailor made glove for the actor. Not necessarily one of his late roles but no doubt towards the last years of his life he still manages to bring trepidation to the screen. This is an early Jack Nicholson film, where most of his effort is simply just showing up to work everyday. His acting is a putative choice of boredom or maybe just disregard for the entire project, but is also backed by a character and script that is neither lucrative or developed. The film's sets are leftovers from the much more successful The Raven, but are still useful in creating a dark, somewhat Gothic tone"

I haven't posted a Retro Review in two months so it was overdue. Unfortunately I wish it was with a more charismatic review for a film that was more of a film and less of filming Jack Nicholson pretending to be a soldier. If that makes any sense. The summary for the review is awful but in my defense there wasn't much to work with. Please read, comment, or ignore if you choose, whichever it is though you may read the rest here.

Also my The Purge Contest - Raise Your Hand for a Creepy Mask, is still going and you have until this Sunday to enter. So far there has only been one entry so you have fairly good chances of winning.

TDHorror Retro Review

"These characters are hoot with their actor counterparts also suitably enjoyable. You'll recognize Robert Englund (!) in a pre-Nightmare and V role, Sid Haig who regally gets killed by his own arm, and veteran actor Ray Walston. I didn't care for Erin Moran or rather 'Joanie loves Chachi' as the psi-sensitive character who in turn renders useless, her ability not being remotely helpful and her character reflecting the same abhorrent tendencies from that of her TV alter ego. But it's Taaffe O'Connel as Dameia who gets the infamous, brutal, and erotic sex scene with the worm, where she dies via orgasm"

Yes I actually used the word hoot. Sue me. As usual you may read the rest here.

TDHorror Retro Review

"Tod Browning’s notorious film to this day still considers as an outre and lurid masterpiece. The over the counter film is a breath of its own kind, as nothing will come quiet like it. The use of real sideshow performers as well as Willis Goldbeck’s script not only shocked audience but caused utter disgust for the film, essentially ending Browning’s career. The film’s ban was incentive by the outcry of unruly exploitation of the sideshow’s actors"

As usual you may read the rest here. Not just speaking for me or my reviews but for all the writers at TD we really appreciate comments, follows, retweets, whatever you can do to help the site. There's lots of great articles, daily horror news, and now a podcast which you may get for free on iTunes. A few updates for this blog as you may be wondering will I ever post a review on here again? Of course I will. This month I will attempt to write one by the end of the month but I have a special set of reviews for you that I'll be posting over the course of April and May and right now I'm contributing a lot of my writing time towards that. The horror shorts are returning this Sunday and the Italian film reviews will also be returning but I'm not quite sure when. And again I just want to thank everyone who's been supportive towards this blog, the retweets, simple glances, or those who despise it enough to tell me all of it is appreciated.

TDHorror Best/Worst

I hope you all had a good New Years. I have posted my Top Five Films of 2012 and my Top Five Worst Films of 2012 on TD for all of your viewing. Normally I'm not an avid watched of newer released films but I made an effort this year, purposely for this list. You may read the list here.

As my little excerpt above says I didn't get to see films like American Mary or John Dies at the End, etc. So it's limited but I'm pretty confident about my choices, especially number one and two in both lists. I'm not sure about my explanations though, maybe the problem with the Excision paragraph is I want to say so much about the film but I'm limited. But I'm always doubting myself so who knows. I'll have a review for you up within the next week and a Retro Review as well.

TDHorror Retro Review

It's been awhile since I've done a 90's horror review and I made an odd choice with the alien abduction film Fire in the Sky. Not normally my area of horror as my Sci-fi geekiness is limited to Star Wars, but I'm glad I watched it as it really does rank up there as a good scary film.

"Despite the less than presentable summary FIRE IN THE SKY is unlike any alien abduction film I've ever seen. With art and set design being its best assets. The inside of the space craft is creatively constructed as it takes on more of a biological and ecological interior rather than a highly advanced technical build or a foreign operating room. With the aliens being an equally unique and fascinating creation, having human qualities to them that don't mimic the the hoaky creations of Hollywood past"

As it is you may read the rest here. Not my best review ever but it has its sentences I suppose.

Slaughter, Stuff, and Eat

Member this?

Of course you do.

I just re-posted it over at Truly Disturbing for a special Retro Review. Nothing speaks of this Holiday more than the anti-drug christian killer turkey head film. The original unedited review is here. And by edited I mean I changed one word and removed a line.

Happy Thanksgiving.

TDHorror Retro Review

I know, you didn't think I was going to do it. You didn't think that I would actually get another review out by the end of this month. It's rare talent a procrastinator like myself has, waiting till the last minute. How's your Halloween been? Oh mine? Well I've sufficiently cut myself at work this morning, pissed a table off enough to give me a ten percent tip, likely damaged the relationship between my boyfriend's father and I, and managed to trigger my social anxiety. Sounds like every other Halloween. It's okay though because I'm at home watching movies now and plan to do so for the rest of the night. Maybe even do some editing on my short story. Whatever, I have another Retro Review. I watched this film a month ago and I was finishing the review this morning so I'm unsure about it. Not bad but the summary is awful.

"As the description may suggest PUMPKINHEAD is a slightly complex low budget horror film that offers a few nostalgic scares for its viewers. By complex I don't mean to imply it has necessary themes and layers but rather is able to evoke emotions from its audience, atypical for most horror films outside of scaring. There's a somber aura as the context is really quite depressing. No one really wins at the end of PUMPKINHEAD, there's a resolution but it's more inevitably sad than of a victory type. This isn't a pure slasher film either, as some try to suggest, it's an effortless blend of a monster movie and the popular slasher films for its era"

You may read the rest here. I'm going to try to have a review out to you guys real soon. I have like three started but not finished reviews....lets be honest I have like ten that I could post if I just got my shit together and broke through the writers block I have with them. But I will. And the horror shorts and of course I'll be doing a special Thanksgiving review...Blood Freak 2? If only it existed...

Happy Halloween. 

TDHorror Retro Review

This was suppose to be posted on Saturday to make the two post deadline for the month of September but complications, as in a slow computer, prevented it from happening. I figured what the hell though I never make the two month post limit anyways and this way it's more likely to happen for October because it's only the second.

"Viewers be warned DON'T LOOK NOW is a taunting thriller that takes you through a cautious two hour pace before delivering its only true shock and scare moment. It's a character heavy film in that not much occurs but the depth and understanding to Laura and John's loss. Essentially that is all the film is really about, a mourning couple who becomes lightly touched by the supernatural at the effect of their daughter's death. It's definitely a film study where there's an array of themes and motifs, almost as much as novel, where there's less of action and more of reaction"

You may read the rest here. I don't have much as far as updates since I posted a huge update post last Friday. Nothing has changed since, except I believe I finally came up with a good idea for the Bad Dollar contest. As of right now though I don't have any reviews planned for this blog, but I am (hopefully) going to the Mile High Horror Film Festival Saturday and I'm seeing two films as well as a lot of short films so I'm sure somewhere in there I'll find something to write about. Again I'll try to be as present on this blog as possible. Thanks for all your support. And please read and comment on the Retro Review.

TDHorror Retro Review

Another Retro Review. Discouragement is starting to fill the void that was once passion for writing film reviews. Maybe this is to my ignorance but I thought these Retro Reviews would get me a lot more feedback than my blog reviews. I can understand nobody commenting on a small time blogger's post but a site like Truly Disturbing? Maybe the truth is I'm not good at writing and they don't hold any interest. I don't know, I'm not quitting yet but honestly what's the point if no one reads or bothers to comment.

"Off the sandy shores of the ocean Gonza's Deli frequents many customers, luring them in for it's atmosphere and quality food. Little do these customers know though that Gorza's Deli is a front for what I presume to be illegal alcohol sales and a six hundred year old cannibal cult that serves to Satan and the uncontrollable lust for flesh. The customers that frequent Gonza's Deli don't appear out of the normal, which is a clear sign of evil cult followers as most of them are. The facade doesn't foul the good side though as the brother of Gonza, or the man who stands outside the Deli and warns people not to go in, is plotting to destroy Gonza and his human butchering Deli once and for all."

And as usual you may read the rest here. I don't have much else to say this week, maybe it's just a bad day or night, I'm not sure. But I'm likely not posting any film reviews this month for this blog because I have a lot of movies to watch for TD and for next month's Top Five Lists (remember that promise I made that I watch the films throughout the year, yeah about that...). It's best this blog stays on hiatus. If it convinces you any more how depressed I am about the lack of comments I forgot to mention that I did write this review within two weeks of the last review, give or take a day. I can't even be proud of myself anymore. I did it but who cares?

At least there's one thing, my mopping and feeling sorry for myself is likely more scary than Gore-met, Zombie Chef From Hell. So there's your horror for the day.

TDHorror Retro Review

I don't believe! Sorry my grandma is watching the Skeleton Key and I'm reliving the revelation of how horrid it is. I did it. I wrote another Retro Review, try not to be too impressed as I managed to get it in five days before the end of the month. But I did post my Midnight Son review earlier in the month so that can count as half of the the second film I'm suppose to be writing about every month but never do. But if I can say anything I felt that I did I put a lot more effort into this review than my last few reviews that are really just bad. Not quite like my old Retro Reviews but maybe, MAYBE, as in don't jinx me, I might be getting settled?

"The first twenty minutes of the film are a kept pace to a bloody shock that I love in Larry Cohen's script. The rest is a watered down suspense film that pays more as a B-film than anything. As the baby squirms about the city, killing those who frighten him, we're paralleled and generally bored with watching the father and the police in search of it. This is not all bad though as this is where the performances are at their strongest. It shows the emotional trauma that blooms out of such a horrid happening."

As it goes you may read the rest here. Also I did not do a post for Midnight Son as the review is available on this blog but if you wanna read it over at TD you may do so here. 

Now for updates. August didn't reboot as much as I wanted but you did get two reviews in the month, a TD review, and two more surprise posts next week so it wasn't all bad. September will likely not be as full as normal either as I sat down yesterday to compose my Top Five List and Reviews for October and realized the magnitude of films I need to watch in the next month. I promised myself I would not do this but it really would be out of character if I got it done early. Also I'm hoping to do four Retro Reviews for Truly Disturbing for the month of October but I don't know how I'll do that. By the time November comes I'll probably be worn out of writing. But we'll see. 

TDHorror Retro Review

Not my favorite review and I'm late on it, as usual. But it's up.

7

"The horror itself is in Ivy's very intense episodes of living in Audrey Rose's last moments and more so when her father settles her down. Rather chilling and a discomfort to the senses as your not sure how to feel about Hopkins character. Also a great aspect to the film is the father's ability to never appear in a clear lens. Often I was convinced that he was insane and made it up as he went along. But the acting is so exceptional that its hard to doubt him"

As usual you may read the rest here.

I have a few updates to share with you, since I'm here and all. First I'm running a contest for the film The Perfect House, in which you have a chance to win a copy of the DVD for free. All you have to do is recommend me an Obscure Haunted House film (for my next TDHorror review of course, because I'm too lazy to do it on my own) in the comment section and you'll already be at exceptional odds to win. Meaning which even if you recommend the most known and common haunted house film, like Poltergeist, you'll already be in the lead. Because no one has commented. So please do it. I would love you forever if you did. Here's the link that'll lead you to the post with the rules.

Next today is July 17th. Know what that means? Midnight Son is on DVD. If you don't recall or are new to this blog Midnight Son made my Top Five Films for 2011 at Truly Disturbing, and was the film I got to see at the Mile High Horror Film Festival. You can get the film at Walmart or order it off of Amazon. If you don't recall I called Midnight Son "basically a sublime film that I want to own". And now I can.

TDHorror Retro Review

Two days before it'd of been a month from my last Retro Review. My goal is the twenty seventh. And I will do it, because you know I lost a social life. Looking for a bit of nostalgia? Look no further than a Hammer Horror non-classic!

"The fabulous thing about Christopher Lee is I rarely ever see him smile, so when the act does occur it's so unnatural in scope that it adds a layer of creepiness to his performance. Not that it isn't naturally disturbing on it's own, as of course it is being played by Lee, who masters the satanic priest without hesitation. Supporting cast members Honor Blackman and Michael Goodliffe are almost adorable in their side story love that I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed them when they came on screen. The luscious use of blood is stunning and paired with the stain glass windows of the church opt for an impressive use of cinematography. Director Peter Skyes and DP David Watkin also do lovely architectural shots from their set location. However Hammer fans will notice a lack of gothic overtones to the films air"


Read me here.

TDHorror Retro Review

"Their stay though doesn't intend to be normal long as things begin to get strange very quickly. The first being that Marian has assumed much responsibility and delusion in being the watcher of Mrs. Allardyce, whom of which is never seen. As well as a deep love of the house itself and it's ancient pieces. What may prove even more strange though is how the house's broken interior and exterior is repairing itself parallel to when accidents start happening to the family."


You may read the rest here. Also see that awesome badge with the dead barbie doll? That leads to my my lovely and gorgeous twitter friend Jennifer's (@sheoverdosed) website. She specialize in the macabre and the site is a like a private tumblr, sharing suicide barbie pictures, scene addictions from films, and slit your  wrist music. The site is wonderful and deserves a following so please check it out. Also follow her on twitter.

As an update you all are SICK. It took a year and a half for my Top Post The Horror Icons to reach 1,200 pages views.  But it only took thirteen days for The Human Centipede 2 to plow through the other top page views like they're were water and reach 1,700 page views. All this is from google of course, I'm sure like ten people have actually read the review and most are drawn to the page for my posting of the ten person centipede in full. I don't know whether to weep for the human race of enjoy the sudden burst in views. The Human Centipede should not be averaging four hundred page views a day.

TDHorror Retro Review

I've been absent again I know. It's unfair and I'm really sorry. I don't have much of an excuse other than that work has been really busy and everyone has been quiting or getting sick, leaving me to take their shifts. Hopefully it'll die down some and I'll have more time for myself if not then we're just going to have to be honest, I can't keep up a review a week. That's not to say that I'll stop completely, of course not. I'm working on a few reviews including Grave Encounters and The Human Centipede 2 but it won't be on a weekly basis. And there wont be a review tomorrow because I haven't even gotten a chance to watch Demons let alone write a review for it. This was actually suppose to be last weeks film but as I haven't had a chance to watch Burnt Offerings I had to move it for a TDHorror review. My writing is suffering badly from this work overload and I'm too tired to write beyond prose, so I apologize.

"The film is led by a talented cast. Aidrienne Barbeau is the late night radio host who turns her voice in a soft sensual thrill for the fisherman out at see. Where Jamie Lee Curtis is the drifter who makes a temporary home with Tom Atkin’s Nick. Legendary shower victim and Curtis’s mom, Janet Leigh, is head of the town’s centennial celebration"

As usual you may read the rest here. 

I hope that you forgive me for being a bad reviewer. I'm so appreciative of all my followers and those who just simply glance at my stuff. I'm going to try very hard to get back on track but until then I hope you stick around. 

TDHorror Retro Review

I strongly dislike this review. More so than you could imagine. But there's not much I may do, it's still shit as much as I tried to edit it. This review may have not been meant to be as I watched another film first (Parents with Randy Quaid). After not being able to write anything on that I went to this to find myself with the same problem. At that point though it was more than three weeks and I needed a review so here it is, in all it's horrid prose. EXPECT, as in don't let me get away with not posting for a month, another retro review in two weeks.

"The tight script offers a tense thriller that keeps you guessing as to who's behind the strange happenings at the Bate's house. Unlike most those it wasn't lucid, as opposed to most eighties horror where you can espy the murder five minutes into the film. It's not immune to all bad eighties decesions though as I could tell, not being a psychitrist, that having Norman move back to his mother's house was more or less a very poor decision. "

As it goes you may read the rest of the review here. 

TDHorror Retro Review

"The casual use of internet in this is almost staggering, as Gage takes almost a very ‘eighties’ approach and goes looking at the weird piercing club before checking his daughter’s last internet use. If this was set in current times that computer would be the first thing torn apart in looking for Genevieve. In that it likely proves the most horrifying as Captain Howdy’s torture chamber does hold a few aversions in his approach but nothing in light of how easily she is lured to his house."

The rest of the review is here. Hope you like. 

TDHorror Retro Review

I'm not sure how I feel about this review. I don't know if I like it or if it's awful...Also I'm not sure if I got my opinion across enough. Feedback would help, if you can. And please don't spare for my feelings, you couldn't possibly be as hard on me as I am on myself.

"BASKET CASE is a strange admixture of bizarre, funny, and distressing moments. Of cult classic fame, more to the likes of the Killer Klowns From Outer Space variety than the Near Dark type, the low budget B-movie was re-released by Something Weird Video, who revive us many underground classics like The Wizard of Gore and Blood Freak. The premise itself is abnormally intriguing and unique, with almost an abhorrent under note if you will. If done on a serious facade with a bigger budget this could actually qualify as a legitimate horror flick"

As usual you may read more here.

TDHorror Retro Review

I've been absent for a week or so, I know. For whatever reason the month of October and the month of December people are in high demand of me. There will be a review tomorrow despite that I missed one last week. Anyways as an update I'm writing for Truly Disturbing now as an official writer, which means that I'll be dedicating my time to two reviews each month for the site. That's not to suggest that it'll take away from this blog, I'll still being doing my one review a week, the Horror Shorts, Irrelevant Post Fridays, and maybe more?

"The film suggests that of two horrors, the mysterious scarecrow apparition that appears before the deaths and that friendly mailman Otis P. Hazelrigg has affection towards young Marylee. The latter is never explored further than a comment made by Ms. Ritter but the suggestion creates a tension whenever Hazelrigg is near Marylee, making you question if he's going to do something in likes to the rumor. The film has a PG level of violence and not for those seeking a hard gore show, the only real bloody death being Bubba's, that was quite cruel in addition to being the most graphic. The idea behind the script is that you’re not sure who is behind the murders. Is it Ms. Ritter? Or young Marylee? Or is it a mysterious spirit that’s to restore balance in the small town?"

And as last time you may read the rest here. You should also comment, while you're there, because it would make me and the TrulyDisturbing owners happy. Also while I'm here I might as well pimp out a few things. First off if you don't read Phill's Film Adventures to start with than you have issues, and second in addition to being an avid movie critique he's a lover of horror and in particular the best of the B's and Cults. In so he's created an entire blog dedicated to just them  http://midnighthorrorsinemashow.blogspot.com/ The first post is of FrankenHooker...it's looking positive for the site. And if you haven't noticed on the side of my page there's a picture with the words Obsess and Consume, click on it dammit. It's by one of my favorite Twitter friends sheoverdosed, it's not just dedicated to horror but to other films, prominently indie which happens to be my second favorite genre. And finally if you haven't watched Microcinema what is WRONG with you?! It's 99 fucking cents, don't get stingy and watch it.

That was an odd assortment of promotional things but they are those I find most pressing, at the moment. I apologize for being rash but considering how good they are and go unnoticed at times is a bit absurd. Either or anticipate an Irrelevant Post Friday next week giving updates on this blog. Also watch out for these TDHorror posts because they are hopefully frequenting my blog about twice a month.

TDHorror Retro Review

If you didn't know one of my favorite websites, TrulyDisturbing.com, or TDhorror for short, asked me to write Retro Reviews for them. My first one was of Herschel Gordon Lewis's The Wizard of Gore and can be found here. Thus far I've only done two, hopefully more, but for my second review I reviewed one of my favorite films, Alice, Sweet Alice. Normally I don't like to do such, as I feel analyzing such taints my love of the film, but this film is an exception because I love it despite its odd faults. More giallo inspired horror, with religious overtones, and disturbing flesh colored masks.

Alice, Sweet Alice (or Communion, or Holy Terror mind you) is about twelve year old Alice Spages who is a little bit off. Often remit by adult's love, who advert more of their focus to her younger sister Karen, Alice has made a hobby of collecting an odd assortment of things, including cockroaches, her sister's favorite items, and creepy flesh colored masks. Karen’s first communion awakens tension between the two sisters and their single mother as Alice becomes increasingly jealous by the attention given to Karen. Jealously might possibly turn into rage as Karen ends up dead in the church and Alice is missing from sight during the murder. Everyone begins to suspect and nearly convict Alice for her sister’s murder and others that show up afterwards, but as nothing ever changes, not even in death, Alice blames Karen for the murders. At a loss what to believe the adults struggle to keep composure in this religious horror novelty.

The 1976 film may have died off entirely had it not been Brooke Shield's debut role which pushed the film into three different releases, under three different titles no less. Thankfully the independent slasher flick did receive more attention than normally allotted to such films as Alice, Sweet Alice is one of my bizarre favorites. The heavily played religious overtones create a tediously weird film about God, family, and murder...


You can read the rest of the review at TDHorror. Along with a lot of other really awesome articles and other guest contributions. Specifically an article by ahlephia on horror legend Robert England (yes I got overtly excited when I saw it). http://www.trulydisturbing.com/