Scream of the Blind Dead (2021)

It's been a long week and I seem to have come down with a small cold.  Hopefully,  the preemptive strike with medicine helps keep it at bay.  While trying to keep myself from overdoing it yesterday,  I decided to kick back and watch some horror.  That's when I stumbled upon the 2021 short,  Scream of the Blind Dead.

Plot: Virginia wanders a deserted, haunted landscape and wakes up the ghost of an ancient and bloodthirsty blind female knight. As the wraith relentlessly pursues her prey, the truth about Virginia's dark past is revealed.

Growing up I loved the Blind Dead series.  It was fun to watch and always interesting.  This short that paid homage to that classic series was also fun to watch.  Taking a surrealistic approach to the storyline, this one uses tremendous visuals,  a haunting score,  and a heavy atmosphere to create something different and entertaining.  Yes,  the lack of dialog will turn some viewers off, but it shouldn't. This was a fun flick and one that should be seen. Check it out. 

Sideshow (2000)

Last night I had to start on my big project for the week. Knowing that, I definitely had to find something that could keep my attention (and maybe serve as some inspiration). After a quick search, I settled on the 2000 low budget horror Sideshow (AKA Haunted Freakshow).

Plot/ While visiting a traveling carnival full of human freaks, high school students nearly join as permanent members.

Most of the time it is easy to predict what to expect from Director Fred Olen Ray and Charles Band, but every once in a while they throw you a curve. That was the case with this dated horror flick that captured the creepiness of the carnival/sideshow atmosphere. While the characters are somewhat unlikable and underdeveloped and the performances uneven at best, there was still enough entertainment and storyline to keep my attention. Couple that with some of the better low budget effects from that day, decent cinematography, and a storyline that was rather coherent, and you have an interesting no budget flick that served as a perfect backdrop for an evening. In the end, this one will definitely not be for everyone, but if you love low budget horror, Charles Band, or Full Moon Entertainment you should love it. Check it out!

Sideshow (2000)

Last night I had to start on my big project for the week. Knowing that, I definitely had to find something that could keep my attention (and maybe serve as some inspiration). After a quick search, I settled on the 2000 low budget horror Sideshow (AKA Haunted Freakshow).

Plot/ While visiting a traveling carnival full of human freaks, high school students nearly join as permanent members.

Most of the time it is easy to predict what to expect from Director Fred Olen Ray and Charles Band, but every once in a while they throw you a curve. That was the case with this dated horror flick that captured the creepiness of the carnival/sideshow atmosphere. While the characters are somewhat unlikable and underdeveloped and the performances uneven at best, there was still enough entertainment and storyline to keep my attention. Couple that with some of the better low budget effects from that day, decent cinematography, and a storyline that was rather coherent, and you have an interesting no budget flick that served as a perfect backdrop for an evening. In the end, this one will definitely not be for everyone, but if you love low budget horror, Charles Band, or Full Moon Entertainment you should love it. Check it out!

Sideshow (2000)

Last night I had to start on my big project for the week. Knowing that, I definitely had to find something that could keep my attention (and maybe serve as some inspiration). After a quick search, I settled on the 2000 low budget horror Sideshow (AKA Haunted Freakshow).

Plot/ While visiting a traveling carnival full of human freaks, high school students nearly join as permanent members.

Most of the time it is easy to predict what to expect from Director Fred Olen Ray and Charles Band, but every once in a while they throw you a curve. That was the case with this dated horror flick that captured the creepiness of the carnival/sideshow atmosphere. While the characters are somewhat unlikable and underdeveloped and the performances uneven at best, there was still enough entertainment and storyline to keep my attention. Couple that with some of the better low budget effects from that day, decent cinematography, and a storyline that was rather coherent, and you have an interesting no budget flick that served as a perfect backdrop for an evening. In the end, this one will definitely not be for everyone, but if you love low budget horror, Charles Band, or Full Moon Entertainment you should love it. Check it out!

Sideshow (2000)

Last night I had to start on my big project for the week. Knowing that, I definitely had to find something that could keep my attention (and maybe serve as some inspiration). After a quick search, I settled on the 2000 low budget horror Sideshow (AKA Haunted Freakshow).

Plot/ While visiting a traveling carnival full of human freaks, high school students nearly join as permanent members.

Most of the time it is easy to predict what to expect from Director Fred Olen Ray and Charles Band, but every once in a while they throw you a curve. That was the case with this dated horror flick that captured the creepiness of the carnival/sideshow atmosphere. While the characters are somewhat unlikable and underdeveloped and the performances uneven at best, there was still enough entertainment and storyline to keep my attention. Couple that with some of the better low budget effects from that day, decent cinematography, and a storyline that was rather coherent, and you have an interesting no budget flick that served as a perfect backdrop for an evening. In the end, this one will definitely not be for everyone, but if you love low budget horror, Charles Band, or Full Moon Entertainment you should love it. Check it out!

Wax (2014)

I love low budget cinema and when I find one I have to catch it. This is especially true, when I see the poster, and it reminds me of something Vincent Price would have been in, it is even more intriguing. Next up for review is the 2014 horror flick Wax.

Plot/ Young journalist Mike gets an assignment to spend one whole evening in a spooky wax museum. Initially believing to be alone inside the place, Mike eventually finds himself being terrorized by the malevolent presence of sadistic cannibal surgeon Dr. Knox.

Honestly, I was not expecting much from this one, and was completely surprised with what I saw. This low budget entry was everything that made classic grindhouse/exploitation flicks so awesome except the grainy film stock. The storyline, while somewhat cliché was interesting and twisted, the performances solid, and there was a ton of nudity and gore. Even the cinematography and pacing worked really well and kept me entertained throughout. If there were a downfall, it would be the fact that it was somewhat predictable. In the end, this one was one of the better entries I have seen in some time and an entertaining and worthwhile movie to watch. If you have not seen it, give it a shot it was definitely one of the better ones from Full Moon in a long time.

Lurking Fear (1994)

One of the best things I have done during this Halloween season, especially as I am swamped with hamlet practice at the Phoenix Arts Center (I am the narrator), was sign up for ScreamBox on YouTube. It is so nice being able to pop in an obscure low-budget horror flick as the kids are practicing. One such movie is my next select, the 1994 entry Lurking Fear from Full Moon Entertainment.

Plot/ The town of Leffert's Corners has been plagued by unearthly beings for decades, and now there is only a few people left, including the local priest and a woman traumatized by the death of her sister. But when John Martense turns up to claim his illicit family fortune, with bad guys in pursuit, the last stand had become a lot more complicated.

When this is advertised as an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation I had to watch. Unfortunately, I also laughed. To say this one is even loosely based may honestly be a stretch. From the archives of Full Moon, this low budget entry is not for everyone, as it suffers through the same elements that haunt these flicks. While this did have an interesting idea, the execution fell flat. There were some positives with the creatures, and some of the performances (Jeffrey Combs), but that is about it. The editing was choppy, the cinematography all over and the characterizations were not a hit. More importantly, it stagnated throughout and felt extremely forced. In the end, this entry from Full Moon did not age well and will not appeal to any true Lovecraft fan. Yes, as a straight horror flick, it does have a minimal appeal, but not one that can be more than minimally watch able.

The Dead Want Women (2012)

On Sunday night, I treated myself to some of the true independence of Tromaville with the ultra low budget flick Kill. While not perfect, I decided to stay in that surreal low budget arena with something from old faithful Charles Band, in 2012s The Dead Want Women.

Plot/ Beginning at a stylish mansion in the roaring 1920's, a socialite, flappers, and the men who love them come to their ultimate demise. These ghosts continue to haunt the mansion throughout the decade. Now they've come back to haunt and chase after a new generation of beautiful girls.

First off, anyone expecting a masterpiece should be shot in the head for they must be zombies already. I mean with a title like The Dead Want Women and being a Charles Band / Full Moon flick, you should have a good idea on what you are about to watch. Honestly, this was about what I expected when I picked it up, complete with uneven acting, cheesy effects, an outrageous storyline and boobs (and I was even shocked at how soon they appeared on the screen. On top of those normal items, this one had a solid soundtrack and decent cinematography as well. Sure, it was far from coherent, lacked a lot plot and some of the performances were wretched, but to me that was all right. Sure this was not a good film or pure cheesefest and I have seen better from Band and Full Moon, but it was an interesting journey and one that I glad to have watched.

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!  

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!

Meridian (1990)

Settling into the new house this weekend has not allowed for watching some good television (any television for that matter). But, not to fret, it allowed me to catch up with the flicks that I watched before I left Jersey. The next one that I need to talk about is Meridian from Charles Band and Full Moon Entertainment.

Plot/ Two American students go to Italy after graduating from art school, one to work in restoration of paintings, the other because she's inherited her father's castle. When the restorer visits her friend at the castle, they invite the players of a traveling sideshow to dinner, and are slipped drugs, leading to an orgy of abandon. The woman who owns the castle keeps having visions of a young woman who has been stabbed in the castle. After talking to her nanny, she finds that the "vision" woman is her father's sister, who was murdered brutally as the consequence of a 15th Century curse put on her family, and that she is the next in line, and the troupe they have entertained is a part of the curse.

I will be honest, I watched this simply because it featured Sherilyn Fenn (and she did not disappoint). This simple adaptation (albeit more adult) of Beauty and the Beast is an interesting flick. Yes, there really is nothing special here, it has slow pacing, the effects are OK, the acting is alright and honestly there is not much excitement, horror or gore. Really, there is not much other that Sherilyn Fenn to capture the imagination. Unless you absolutely LOVE her, stay away.

The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

After enjoying Dorian Gray, I was finally able to sit down and watch another period piece, the 1991 Stuart Gordon adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulum.

Plot/ It is the time of the Spanish Inquisition. Maria does not like what is going on during the "Auto De Fe". When she speaks out, she is arrested and accused of being a witch. Torquemada has plans for her!

Like many, I strayed from watching this adaptation of the classic Edgar Allan Poe tale. To be, honest, I thought that the Corman / Price classic was perfect in so many ways that an updated version was not needed. However, after sitting down to this flick last night, I may have been wrong. Director Stuart Gordon crafts a tale of atmosphere and dread, which is truly better than I ever imagined. True, it does not feature a tremendous amount of gore or violence, but it does contain an interesting blend of scenes that are terrifying. The acting is solid with Lance Henriksen maybe having his most powerful performance. In the end, this is much better than many believe and recommended to fans of Poe, Gordon and anyone into historical based atmospheric horror.