The Midnight Horror Collection - Bloody Slashers

After viewing all four movies on this set, I am relieved that it was better than the Backwoods Butchers Collection and definitely worth the $5.00 I spent on it at WalMart. Thinking back, I believe that every one of the flicks on this set at least had a couple moments of clarity and again, I did like the fact that most of the movies featured a similar theme to group the films together. The best films on the Bloody Slashers Collection are:

 

Curtains

Hoboken Hollow

Secrets of the Clown

Hoboken Hollow (2006)

What to watch? Great question, isn’t it? After spending quite a few moments watching entries from the Pure Terror Collection, I decided it was finally time to finish Bloody Slashers from the Midnight Horror Collection. The last flick on my agenda is the (supposed) inspired true story of Hoboken Hollow from 2006.  

Plot/ As Trevor drifts through Texas on collision course with a nightmare he is still haunted by the evils of the war he recently returned from and a promise he failed to keep. When a stranger offers a ride, Trevor finds himself battling the brutal homegrown evil of the Broderick family at Hoboken Hollow, a remote West Texas ranch that many visit but few ever leave.

While this started off as bit of a mess, there is actually something inside this rather cliché flick that is not that bad. Sure, it is not very scary, but what it lacks in chills it makes up in violence and gore. The characterization and storyline (supposedly based on a true story) are solid (especially for a low budget entry) and for once there are actually some rather disturbing imagery (the eyeball on the windshield is classic). Yes, it is not perfect, but for something out of a 5 dollar bargain collection, it is well worth watching.

Room 33 (2009)

After watching the Steelers sneak out a win, I decided to jump back into the Midnight Horror Collection as I prepare for the Walking Dead to come back on. My selection fom the Bloody Slashers Edition is the 2009 entry Room 33.

Plot/ A group of friends on a road trip seek shelter at a mental institution in the woods, only to discover that the building is the home of a mysterious young girl named Roxy whose unsettling presence serves as a foreshadow of doom. Later, as the group attempt to unravel the mystery of Roxy, who seems to have endured years of abuse, a mysterious killer begins to hunt them from the darkness.

There is really nothing special here with the flick from the collection. It is just your run of the mill horror / mystery / thriller with a bunch of half dressed roller derby girls investigating a strange asylum. The acting, for the most part was average, with no true standout performances. In a way, it was a lot like the film as a whole, very even keeled. The downfall was the overall lack of atmosphere, tension, and gore. There were plenty of chances for the flick to add to the solid foundation, but it never materialized in any way. It was almost if the writer/director was torn at what type of movie was being made. In the end, there is absolutely nothing that makes this movie standout or be memorable, it is just extremely average. It is far from terrible, but it is not worth searching for when looking for something to watch either.

Secrets of the Clown (2007)

After a long day of yard work, I decided to sit back and enjoy something that should have a home in the Scarlet Circus. Today’s entry came from the Midnight Horror Collection: Bloody Slashers, it is 2007s demonic clown slasher, Secrets of the Clown. Remember only 24 days until Halloween.

Plot/ After the brutal murder of his best friend Jim, Bobbie is haunted by a presence. His girlfriend Val is distant and appears to have secrets of her own. Then the nightmares begin. Through the nightmares Bobbie uncovers clues regarding the murderer's identity. With the killer still on the loose, bodies piling up, and time running out, Bobbie hires a psychic to contact his deceased friend Jim. But some secrets were never meant to be revealed. The dreams will guide him, the secrets will blind him, the murders haunt him. Only together will they unlock the Secrets of the Clown.

Ahhh, low budget independent horror is one of my favorite endeavors, although, I will admit that I am often torn when reviewing it. These flicks sit at the heart of the genre and need to be seen. Like many, this movie is far from perfect suffering from some poor lighting, uneven acting, some unrefined dialogue and too many off screen deaths. However, there are a lot of positives. The cinematography, sound and story all work (complete with some decent plot twists). This is not to mention the fact that the flick is soaked in blood, buckets and buckets of blood! This film is not for everyone and it is far from being perfect. However, it is an entertaining combination of the demonic clown and slasher genres, and if you are a fan of low budget independent horror like I am, you should check it out!

Curtains (1983)

Being home in Pennsylvania, I decided to grab a couple more low-budget movie collections to help pass time as I continue to build the man cave. Today’s entry came from the Midnight Horror Collection: Bloody Slashers, it is the 1983 often overlooked slasher Curtains.

Plot/ Six young actresses auditioning for a movie role at a remote mansion are targeted by a mysterious masked murderer.

Let me start by saying that this is one entertaining slasher film and one that often goes unnoticed in the grand scheme of the slasher genre. The acting is solid, the story enjoyable and there are some unpredictable moments that truly pull you in. Sure, it has all of the typical elements, like the nudity and a masked killer (which is creepy), but it seems to come together a lot better than some others from the era. Yes, there are definitely some noticeable production and editing flaws, but to me, those were easily overlooked. In the end, this film deserves to be remembered and adds a tremendous amount of value to a low-budget collection like this one.

The Midnight Horror Collection - Backwoods Butchers

After viewing all four movies on this set, I am honestly not sure if it was definitely worth the $5.00 I spent on it at WalMart. There are actually more down moments and more losers than there are winners in this set. I did like the fact that most of the movies featured a similar theme to group the films together, but that is about it. Sure, the movies help pass some time, but I think I would pass if I were selecting a DVD today. The best films on the Backwoods Butchers Collection are:

BreadCrumbs

and in a stretch A Bothered Conscience

Butchered (2010)

I wanted to start the month off right by finishing the Backwoods Butchers Collection. The last flick in the set is the 2010 entry Butchered.

Plot/ A group of teens decide to spend the weekend on a local island to say their final goodbyes before heading off to college. Little do they know, a convicted serial killer escapes from the authorities while on death row at a maximum security prison

This flick is perplexing to me. It definitely features a tremendous back-story that makes it interesting from a certain perspective. Unfortunately, besides that, there is nothing to make it stand out. It is full of cliché. Subpar acting, terrible dialogue and is really too short (that may be a positive actually). Sure, there are a couple of decent shots of gore and there is some nudity, but other than that, it is really lacking. Yes, it was low budget, but it could have been so much better. Stay away!

A Bothered Conscience (2006)

This is truly my favorite time of the year. Halloween is almost here, with the annual October  countdown beginning two days ago. This Halloween is even more special because that marks my retirement from the US Navy. Retirement ceremony and trick or treating on the same day equals awesome! To start the month, my first review is on the 2006 flick A Bothered Conscience.

Plot/ Deep in the remote Arkansas backwoods, a father passes on the traditions of the Ozark mountain men to his 5 year-old son. Under his strict and cruel guidance, young Lucas learns to protect the family land at all costs, and hones the skills of the hunt that have been handed down from generation to generation. But their prey is no ordinary game.

To start, this low budget entry is far from perfect, but there is something here that many lack and it works. Yes, the acting is uneven, the scripting so-so, and the effects are decent. Yet, the plot and storyline (including the twist ending) make this a lot better than it probably should have been. While it is far from perfect, it may be one of the better entries on this set. If you have spent the five bucks already, watch it, if you have not spent money on this collection, do not go out of your way to buy it for this one.

Midnight Horror Collection Volume 1

After viewing all eight movies on this set, it was definitely worth the $5.00 I spent on it at WalMart. Yes, there were some down moments, but in the end, there were more winners than losers. My only major complaint is that there was no true theme to group the films together, but then again for 5 bucks does that even matter? The best films on the Midnight Horror Collection Volume 1 set are:

Demonic Toys
Prom Night (1980)
Below
I Am Omega
The Legend of Sorrow Creek
and yes, Evil Bong!

Decadent Evil (2005)

As I creep closer to getting out of New Jersey, I decided to finish the Midnight Horror Collection Volume 1, before I dive into some classic Black & White horror. The last entry is the 2005 Decadent Evil.

Plot/ A fallen foot tall Homunculus called Marvin (a part human/part reptile creature) is imprisoned in a birdcage by a vengeful lover who is bidding to become the world's most powerful vampire.

Now let me start by saying, I am a fan of Charles Band and Full Moon Entertainment, while low budget their movies always seem to make me laugh a bit. This one, sure it is not the best that he has released (from Wizard Entertainment), has a few moments inside the story that at least made it interesting. Shot in six days (which is evident), the flick is flawed. The acting is rigid, the effects so-so, the cinematography OK and the plot has more than a few holes  even the sex and nudity are not on par with some of his other entries.  In the end, this is really not worth watching (even if the ending is hilarious).

Demonic Toys (1992)

Two rooms are totally complete with cleaning and removing the last remnants of the past three years here in New Jersey, and it was time to sit down for a few and cool off. While sitting here, I decided to try and catch up on some of the movies I have watched over the past couple of weeks. This entry, the 1992 Satan needs reborn flick, Demonic Toys.

Plot/ A botched bust on a pair of arms dealers inadvertently leads to the raising of a sixty-six-year-old demon with the power to bring toys to life as his personal minions. The demon is looking for a body to inhabit so he can increase his powers, and it just so happens that one of the police officers is pregnant with the ideal host. As the murderous toys close in on their victims, the officer must not only fight for her life, but for the soul of her unborn child.

To me, this is one of the best and most entertaining low-budget offerings from Charles Band and Full Moon Entertainment. Yes, the acting is uneven, the plot has some holes and there is not much gore, but it is 90 minutes of entertainment that runs from hilarious to violent. The soundtrack works creating a dark and atmospheric mood, and while special effects are not great (although some are interesting), what horror fan could not LOVE the demonic toys, they are awesome! Sure, like all of the flicks from Full Moon, this one is not for everyone. But, fans of cheesy horror should get a kick out of it!  

Prom Night (1980)

As I continue to move through the Midnight Horror Collection (Volume 1), I decided to finally watch the 1980 slasher Prom Night. As a kid growing up, this was one of those films that left an impression on me, and one that I remember to this day.

Plot/ For six long years, Hamilton High School seniors Kelly, Jude, Wendy, and Nick have been hiding the truth of what happened to ten-year-old Robin Hammond the day her broken body was discovered near an old abandoned convent. The foursome kept secret how they taunted Robin - backed her into a corner until, frightened, she stood on a window ledge... and fell to her death. Though an accident, the then-twelve-year-olds feared they'd be held responsible and vowed never to tell. But someone else was there that day... watching. And now, that someone is ready to exact murderous revenge-on prom night.

I remember this from when it came out in 1980; I will never forget watching the head roll down the stage. This is not to mention Jamie Lee Curtis cementing her position as the Scream Queen of the day.  While, this is the typical slasher, full of cliché moments and trappings, this one succeeds where some others fail. It boasts some good characterization, solid acting, and a perfect soundtrack that creates a dark and eerie atmosphere throughout. Plus, the plot actually creates a decent mystery that builds and holds you from start to finish. Yes, there are some flaws such as lighting and uneven effects (not to mention disco, wow, I do remember those days). However, this is a much better film than the modern incarnation and one that can be found on the cheap. A must watch for slasher fans or true fans of 1980s horror.

Evil Bong (2006)

I decided to stray from my normal movie selections and venture into the horror / comedy arena. My selection was Full Moon Pictures Evil Bong from 2006 from Charles Band.

Plot/ Straight-laced nerd Alistair moves into a college dorm with hardcore marijuana users Brett, Larnell, and Bachman. Larnell orders an old giant bong that proves to have strange magical powers. When smoked said bong sends a person to a bizarre drugged-out alternate realm from which there is no easy escape.

This was actually funnier than I expected. True that is not saying much, but there were a few laughable moments (especially when Tommy Chong shows up). Do not get me wrong, this flick is far from great, full of stupidity, plot holes, subpar effects, uneven acting and stereotypical undeveloped characters. However, it is actually entertaining and has enough eye candy to make every man smile. More sitcom than horror, but if you are looking to waste a couple hours with mindless stoner humor, check it out!

Below (2002)

Early yesterday, I decided to sit back and enjoy the WWII Navy mystery / thriller / horror flick Below from 2002.

Plot/ In the dark silence of the sea during World War II, the submarine USS Tiger Shark prowls on what should be a routine rescue mission. But for the shell-shocked crew, trapped together in the sub's narrow corridors and constricted spaces, this is about to become a journey into the sensory delusions, mental deceptions and runaway fear that lurk just below the surface of the ocean and deep inside the human psyche.

As a Navy Sailor, it is always fun to find horror movies that deal with the Navy, and stumbling onto this flick was a treat. Below is an intricate and interesting storyline that is full of twists and turns. Actually, there is not much wrong with this one and it is a great example of what can be accomplished when you focus on story, mood and atmosphere. The cinematography, effects and acting are all solid and the movie truly delivers some chilling moments. Yes, there are some flaws in character development and pacing, but those are easily overlooked. If you find this one, it is definitely worth checking out (especially as part of the $5 buck Midnight Horror Collection).

BreadCrumbs (2011)

After enjoying Saw 3D: The Final Chapter last night, I decided to venture back into bargain horror with another entry from the Backwoods Butchers Collection, my choice the 2011 Fairy Tale, Bread Crumbs.

Plot/ A group of Porn Filmmakers are systematically attacked by 2 children on the set of a remote shoot.

Let me start off by saying that this is far from a perfect movie. However, there is something here that just makes this twisted fairy tale interesting and creepy. The atmosphere is solid and heavy, the soundtrack fits, the storyline appealing and the violence definitely jumps out. Yes, I would have enjoyed more gore, a crisper plot (there were some holes),  some better character development (especially with the kids), and yes, the acting was uneven, but there is definitely something here that could have been a lot better with a larger budget. Fortunately, the filmmakers did pretty good job with what they had and created enough tension to make this enjoyable. Sure, like many films I watch it is not for everyone, but this is a decent chiller and is worth watching (especially out in a cabin in the woods).

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