Apocalypse Kiss (2014)

Last night, everyone went to bed and left me to hang out all alone. After some debate, I decided to venture into low budget independent mode with the 2014 Sci-Fi entry Apocalypse Kiss.

Plot/ government security agent Jerry Hipple has been unsuccessfully tracking the city's most infamous criminal The Red Harvest Killer. When two nomadic lovers enter the city, the death-count rises and the killers and victims alike are unaware the world is about to reach an abrupt catastrophic ending.

I am usually a sucker for any film from Midnight Releasing or Brain Damage Film, but somehow I missed this one. Honestly, I am not sure how that happened, as this one had so many visible elements on the box alone that drew me in. More importantly, this one did not disappoint. The story was layered and interesting; the cast was solid and fit well within their roles, the soundtrack fits, and the quality of the special effects truly appeared grander than the budget. Yes, there are some flaws with the pacing and there are some lighting issues, but those are only minor flaws that do nothing to the overall feel of the movie. In the end, this was one of the more entertaining low budget films I have seen in some time. Not for everyone, but if you love Sci-Fi in the vein of Blade Runner, give it a shot!

Kill (2011)

Last night as I was settling down for my Father’s Day movie, I decided that I wanted to venture into the world of true independence. Yes, something from Troma, as their flicks (no matter how bad) always seem to have something interesting in them. My selection for the evening was Kill from 2011

Plot/ Six strangers awake to find themselves the new tenants of a mysterious old house. Terrorized by insane Tiki-men in masks and taunted by their deranged captors,it soon becomes clear that only one singular action will save them: Kill.

I really love Troma and the true independent cinema that they produce. Of course, with that true no-budget independence, there are many facets of their films that need to be overlooked when reviewing them like sound, special effects and cinematography quality. Ironically, this film actually had some positives in these areas with solid sound, decent cinematography and good effects.  Unfortunately, with this one, a poor script that keeps the dialogue stuck in neutral takes down the unique storyline. Couple that with the typical uneven and uncomfortable acting and it makes it a hard feature to watch. In the end, even with the solid effects, grisly moments and a decent ending, this was a struggle to watch (although, it is much better than Poe, which I suffered through this weekend).  However, if like me you love true independent cinema, you may want to watch for the Tiki-Men and ending, they are pretty good.

Psycho Sleepover (2008)

After suffering through Lizard Boy, I figured the best way for me to get back into the swing of fun no-budget entertainment was to venture into Tromaville. Personally, I love Tromaville and would take up residence there in a heartbeat, if I could. However, until then, I will have to enjoy the low budget independent schlock from afar. Tonight’s flick is the 2008 horror / comedy Psycho Sleepover.

Plot/ After accidentally murdering her boyfriend, Debbie Dicky moves to a new town and meets three girls who invite her to a sleepover. The very same night there is a breakout at the local insane asylum where forty serial killers escape and head over to crash the party. However, the girls at the slumber party might not be as helpless as the killers think.

As I have said many times, I love no-budget indie flicks and I absolutely love Troma Entertainment. Why do I love them? Because Troma Entertainment has stayed true to their vision of independent cinema for decades, regardless of reviews or any outside opinion. Yes, Troma is not for everyone, and this is movie is a perfect example of why. It is unbelievable, ridiculous, slapstick and over-the-top (some people may get in today’s too sensitive America may think vulgar, but really?). Actually, this has some great moments, solid pacing, and decent cinematography, even the cheap gore and effects fit perfectly. Yes, the scripting is off and acting uneven, but that is easily overlooked. In the end, this is a very entertaining venture into Tromaville. It has all of the blood, boobs and the comic moments that make Troma legendary. If you love schlock low budget films check it out, if you do not, stay away, you will not get it!

Blood Oath (2007)

Now that we have been in Pennsylvania for roughly four months, I have really started to miss the Troma onDemand station on our Comcast cable system. I love schlock, low budget and independent flicks and Troma has delivered some awesomely entertaining ones over the years. Unfortunately, now my only chance to catch some are on Netflix, pick them up at a convention or maybe at Family Video, vice in my living room on a regular basis. I wish Atlantic Broadband got a Troma Channel, but Hell, I doubt that happens anytime soon. To my amazement Friday when I was at the video store, I saw those magical words “Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz Present a Troma Team Release,” the film Blood Oath from 2007.

Plot/ A group of friends on a weekend camping trip decide to investigate a local urban legend. The trip will change their lives as they are forced into a fight for survival against a horrific monster.

For me, I love films from Troma and there is no better example of low budget schlock out there. Yes, they will never win an Academy Award, but that is not their intent. Whenever you watch one, you should already know that technically they may be flawed and the storylines are ridiculous (but, usually feature blood and boobs).  Although this movie started promising, it is no different, heaping the ridiculousness with cliché after cliché, crating something laughable albeit maybe too over-the-top (even for Troma).  Really, some of this is beyond terrible, the cinematography varied from contrived to bad, the effects absurd (wow, floppy cocks), and the script horrid (some of the worst dialogue ever). Honestly, it pains me to say that even for me and my love of No Budget Indie Flicks, Troma and bad B Movies, it was hard to watch (even the twist ending). In the end, unless you are running a midnight horror show and need a modern twist on a 1980s slasher / comedy, stay far away from this one, it is THAT BAD!

The Chosen One: Legend of the Raven (1998)

Before I get to my review of FrightWorld, I decided to review the second film from my late night evening Troma’s The Chosen One: Legend of the Raven from 1998.

Plot/ When a serial killer mysteriously and savagely murders a young Indian woman in rural Los Angeles county, her sister McKenna must replace her as the keeper of an amulet, the sacred crescent. Reluctantly, McKenna accepts the role of chosen one. With the amulet and after the rigors of the ritual, she takes on the spirit and powers of the raven, the good forces in the battle against evil, the wolf.

One of the things that I love when I sit down to watch a Troma flick is their truly amazing disregard for political correctness. They are original and do not care what mainstream people think. Yes, many movies lack the major production values, but they still provide entertaining flicks while giving a voice to the independent cinema. While this is not a great (OK maybe even good) super hero movie, it was interesting. While absurd, especially the fascination with milk, there was a comic factor that overtook the film. Do not get me wrong, you laugh at the movie and its illogical moments, poor script, uneven acting and strange plot more than with it, but it is mindless fun. All of that and I have not even mentioned Carmen Electra’s awesome Super Hero Costume, awesome! I am sure that many critical reviewers will hate this flick, but I liked it and I liked it a lot. I am not saying it is a masterpiece ot even as good as some of Troma’s Classics, but it is kind of fun. Will I watch it again? Maybe in a few years, but it is not so bad that I would never watch it again.

Terror Firmer (1998)

  

After some Poe, traditional horror and once again trying to understand what the tone-deaf idiots that vote for singers on American Idol were thinking, I decided to change things up a bit and move into the crazy weirdness of Team Troma. My choice for the evening 1998s Terror Firmer (Thanks Comcast for the Troma Channel On Demand).

Plot/ A homicidal maniac is on the loose in the city and the low budget film crew on a Troma movie have the power to stop them.

Team Troma is the BEST! With this being a Troma tale, any viewer should already know what to expect with the genius that is Lloyd Kaufman. Terror Firmer is no different; it is violent, gory, ridiculous, repulsive, and bizarre. Truly, it has everything you would expect and more. To cap it off, the acting is better than expected and the amount of nudity is surprising even for Troma. Yes, the effects vary wildly from awesome to crap, but it is what it is. I definitely do not recommend this one for everyone, but if you love Troma, gore or just absurd crazy b movies, you will love this one. If you do not, stay away… Personally, I loved it!

The Capture of Bigfoot (1979)

Last night when I started searching Netflix for movies to watch I was surprised by the variety of classic 1970s Bigfoot fair that was available. For the first flick of the week, I chose 1979s The Capture of Bigfoot!

Plot/ Bigfoot is sited near a ski resort, and a local business man wants to capture him for publicity.

Ok, I am a sucker for films such as this one. Being a person that has whole-heartedly believed in this legendary creature since the first time I saw a picture, all of these movies have become part of my being. Yes, this is no cinematic masterpiece, with very poor acting, production qualities and effects, but it is true low-budget, b-movie, and campy fun. Hell, just the sets with the real snow make it worth watching. If, like me, you grew up during the 1970s during the height of the Bigfoot craze, check this one out. If you aren’t, you may want to stay away!

Witchcraft (Video 1989)

I definitely had a long and interesting weekend full of movie watching, and as always this can be a mixed bag. Yes, I did see some good flicks, but there were also some bad ones. I wonder which category 1989s video release Witchcraft falls into.

Plot/ A new mother and her child move into her mother-in-law's dark old mansion. She soon begins to suspect that neither the house nor her mother-in-law are quite what they seem to be.

This movie was not quite as bad as I expected, but I cannot say it was good either. The acting was mediocre, the plot basic (almost stolen from Rosemary’s Baby), terrible scripting/character development, and the editing was poor. However, the effects (especially on the budget) were solid and there were a few creepy moments. Overall, the film is at least watchable, although I would only recommend that if there is little to nothing else available.

There's Nothing Out There (1992)

I love the 1980s, the movies, the toys, the slashers. One thing that I have also enjoyed is parodies that often make fun of the flicks of that era. One such film is 1992s There’s Nothing Out There.

Plot/ Seven teens head up to a cabin on the lake for spring break. Mike has studied all horror films on video, and recognizes the signs of foreshadowing of doom. The others dismiss his concerns as the workings of a person that watches too many videos, but there really is something out there, and the teens begin experiencing an attrition problem when they start stumbling into all the clichés found in a typical teen horror film.

I am definitely not to biggest horror/comedy fan, although when done right, they can be very memorable and fun to watch. While I may not have this film etched into my mind, I have to admit that it was pretty fun to watch (especially the naked chicks running around). In all, the acting was solid and the cast suited to script quite well. The plot, while basic, created a decent B-Movie monster flick, complete with slimy monster from another world. True, this was definitely more of a parody than a horror film, but it does have just enough of the element to make it at least worth watching at least once.

Graduation Day (1981)

While I continue to break in the new TV, it was time to venture back to my youth and see how a 1980s slasher comes across. My choice was the well known Troma entry Graduation Day.

Plot/ After a high school track runner, named Laura, suddenly dies from a heart attack after finishing a 30-second 100-meter race, a killer wearing a sweat suit and a fencing mask beings killing off her friends on the school track team one by one. The suspects include the track coach Michaels, Laura's sister Anne who arrives in town for the funeral, the creepy school principal Mr. Guglione, and Laura's strange boyfriend Kevin.

It was a blast from the past when I saw this on Netflix, I almost remember riding my bike to the video store. Ironically, even after all of these years, I came away from this flick with the same feeling, why did I watch this one? Yes, it is not the worst slasher from the era, but it is far from the top. The characters, acting, plot and soundtrack are pretty lame and often unnecessary, Couple that with the “B” Movie quality and you can see where this is going. To its credit, there are some good moments with some pretty funny murder sequences and it does have Vanna White and B-movie scream queen Linnea Quigley, but really, not much more. If you are into campy slasher flicks that cry 1980s, this one is for you, if you aren’t, stay clear!