Skyquake (2015)

After taking a night yesterday to get caught up in the past few episodes of Riverdale, I decided that it was time to get back at it tonight with something a little different before I get back to my National Poetry Month project Salvation. After some debate, I decided on the 2015 Brain Damage Films entry Skyquake.

Plot/ Since 2012 reports of strange sounds coming from the sky have flooded social media, now Adam, a recluse, struggling with his own demons, believes whatever is causing them has followed him home.

When I picked this one up, the synopsis seemed interesting, as I have heard (and read about) many accounts of this phenomenon. While this movie takes on this subject in a different manner that leaves much of it to the viewers interpretation, something that I love as a writer. The visuals are really well done with solid cinematography and direction; the storyline is intriguing, and the performances are decent. Yes, some of the special effects and audio tracks are uneven and the pace does feel a bit slow, but those issues seem to fit in with this strange tale. In the end, for a lower budgeted film, this one is a thought-provoking journey into something that we really do not understand as a civilization. If you are like me, and are fascinated by the unknown (especially the 4:44-time symbolism), give it a shot, you could do much worse.

The Raking (2017)

Yes, I said I would get to a review of 1984 tonight, but decided to finish up with one of the films I watched this weekend. That movie is the 2017 low budget entry The Raking.

Plot/ A group of college co-eds embark on a weekend-long camping trip as part of a Cultural Anthropology project to research an internet Creepypasta urban legend.

I love stories based on urban legends, especially when I find one that matches one of my favorite songs (The Rake by The Decemberists). With this one being a lower-budgeted indie flick, I also expected to find some issues. As an indie film fan, I can look past some of the issues that typically plague them, and this one was no different suffering through many of these matters. I did like the storyline (although the execution was a touch off) and thought that the performances were on par with the budget. While those were some positives, the movie never truly reaches its potential with some uneven editing, some dialog/scripting issues, and an overall lack of darkness or atmosphere. In the end, this entry from Brain Damage Films may not be the best in the genre, but it does have a few entertaining moments that could help pass some time during the 2017 Snowpocalypse that is moving up the coast tonight and tomorrow.

The Craving (2008)

Now that I am settling into a groove with the blog to start the year, it is fun to get back into some of the low budget horror flicks that I have always enjoyed. The next movie up for review is from that nine-movie set I picked up over the holidays. It is the 2008 no-budget entry The Craving from Brain Damage Films.

Plot/ A group of college students embarking on a cross country road trip to the Burning Man Festival find themselves stranded in desert. Come nightfall a vicious predatory monster comes out searching for a meal.

This is another micro-budget flick that I found on that nine-movie set and a movie that I expected to suffer from many of the same flaws that the other films of this budget suffer from. This movie does have its share of flaws and is somewhat clichéd, but there is some positive elements that I would not have expected at first glance. The scripting was not bad and the pacing allowed the tension to build throughout, the atmosphere matched the scenery, and there was enough blood and violence sprinkled in to overcome some of the clichéd moments. Yes, there are some strangely placed sex scenes, the sound quality was all over, and the performances were uneven, but I have seen a lot worse in movies with larger budgets. In the end, this may not be a perfect flick, but it is a decent no-budget entry. Sure, it will fall into the love/hate vein, but don’t most horror flicks do that?

Creature Feature (2015)

After taking the night off to enjoy some free entertainment, I decided that it was time to get back at it Fortunately, I have some more material from my Brain Damage Films marathon to get back to the blog without subjecting Bren to more low budget horror (although I am right now with another entry). Next up is the 2015 anthology, Creature Feature.

Plot/ five interwove tales of terror that occur one foggy Halloween night in Georgia. A babysitter learns a new appreciation for fine art and hard lesson about the consequences of being irresponsible.

After watching Holidays, I was in the mood for more anthologies and that is what I found with this entry from Brain Damage Films. Like Holidays this entry is somewhat uneven, but due to the lower budget involved, that was expected. This entry does have some cliché moments, but it also has more than enough originality and surprises inside to keep any horror fan entertained. The performances are OK, the storylines work well, and the throwback comic book feel comes together to create an entertaining and not overly serious horror flick. Yes, it is short and there are some rough patches, but this one is a great entry that rises above the low budget limitations. In the end, I am sure this one will not be for everyone, but if you love boobs, gorefests, and mindless horror, give this one a shot!

The Conduit (2016)

As I continue to dive back into some horror films, it was nice to pick up something at the video store from Brain Damage Films. It seems as though it has been forever since I as able to pick something up from them. This one was the 2016 supernatural/demonic flick The Conduit.

Plot/ Wounded by a recent divorce and haunted by a tragic event in his childhood, Eddie returns to his hometown hoping to pick up the pieces of his broken life. Unable to cope, he attempts suicide and winds up in therapy, where desperate to fill the void in his heart he falls for Amy, a mysterious and young wild flower. But something dark and sinister lurks in Amy's past, will her love save Eddie or will it devour his soul?

I knew nothing about this one going in to it when I saw it at Family Video other than it was from Brain Damage Films. Knowing that, I was pretty much assured that it would be the typical low budget fair, and I was right. While some may complain about the overall use of dream sequences throughout the film, these definitely added something to the feel of the movie. The performances were solid, and there were some interesting twists, but that is not to say that the movie was perfect. There were some pacing issues, incoherent moments, uneven dialog, and the run time may have been a little long for the depth of the screenplay. In the end, this may not be the best of its kind, but it is far from the worst. If you are like me and appreciate low budget cinema, then give this one a shot. However, if you are a major horehound, you may want to stay away.

Honeyspider (2014)

As I sit here tonight watching Return of the Jedi, preparing for my second visit to The Force Awakens tomorrow, I decided that I needed to finish the entry on my last flick from 2015. Yep, as a true horror fan, I decided to venture into the low budget arena to close my year, and found something from one of my favorite outlets, Brain Damage Films that fit the bill. After some thought last night, I decided on the 2014 entry, Honeyspider, to finish the year.

Plot/ It's Halloween day in 1989 and college student Jackie Blue wants to enjoy a quiet birthday in the midst of a chaotic semester at school. Her friend Amber has other ideas and persuades Jackie to come to the annual Monster Mash parties on campus after her shift at the local movie theater. As murder plays out on the silver screen during the theater's Halloween night Horrorthon, Jackie falls under a strange spell; all while a mysterious stranger watches over her every move. As the night unfolds, Jackie slowly unravels and everyone around her is turning up dead. Jackie finds herself helplessly trapped like prey in a spider's web, and all she can do is try to survive the night!

I had no idea what to expect with this one, as it seemed like a solid low budget entry to end my year with, and I went into it with no knowledge or expectations. What I found was something interesting; with a throwback atmosphere to the movies, I loved during the big box VHS age of the 1980s. Centered on Halloween, the mixture of the macabre, horror and occult aspects of that holiday was tremendous; it definitely fit into the feel. It also featured a solid soundtrack, some interesting effects, and an awesome addition of a movie within movie presentation with a classic slasher. Sure, it was not perfect with some uneven performances, subpar sound quality, the ending may turn some people off, and the run time was quite short, but those flaws are minimal and somewhat expected in any type of low budget indie horror flick. In the end, this may not be a perfect flick, but it is a lot better than many of the low budget entries out there and is a movie that made a perfect end to my 2015 year. Check it out!

Dead Girls (2014)

After spending yesterday with my mind wrapped up in the genius of Tusk (#WalrusYes), I took a break from movies and just relaxed. Tonight was a different day, and it was time to get back into some horror. My next flick on the docket is the 2014 no-budget entry Dead Girls.

Plot/ This anthology features three stories of abused and forsaken girls who return from the dead to take their revenge.

Horror anthologies are often hit or miss. For some reason, the material between the segments often drifts and there is a lack of characterization developed inside and that can often kill specific fragments. While this low budget entry from Brain Damage Films may not be perfect, it does feature some creative moments and there are some entertaining parts that capture reality in a perfect way. Unfortunately, it does suffer from some of the same issues that plague no-budget cinema with uneven performances, some clichéd moments, and some stagnate areas with the scripting that does not help story development in any way. In the end, this movie is better than many of the anthologies I have seen even on a smaller budget. Is it perfect, absolutely not, and it is not for everyone, but it was at least entertaining in spots and came across better than most of the low budget flicks that have come out in the past few months! 

City of Lust (2014)

I always enjoy spending time with micro-budget independent cinema. To me, there is nothing better than watching some of these titles as they are often journeys into strange worlds that at times make little sense. Of course, they also tend to take on more than their budgets will allow, and lead to some strange inconsistencies. The next movie does come from that cloth, the 2014 entry from Brain Damage Films, City of Lust (AKA Yellow).

Plot/ A modern Giallo horror film, This tells the story of a lonely young woman who begins an unlikely relationship with dire consequences.


As a fan of the classic giallo film of the 1970s, I was a bit torn when I saw this one of the shelves. On one hand, a modern giallo is much needed, as the classic Argento tales need a new vision. However, being a low budget flick, I knew it might be hard to capture that feel. Sure, there are many of the elements one would expect in this one, complete with the non-linear but interesting storyline, the contrast of color, strange angles of cinematography, and an intriguing vision. Yet, while interesting the uneven performances, the clear lack of a budget, and some scripting holes keep it from becoming all that it could be. In the end, I did find this an entertaining trip into a weird world.  Yes, it is nothing close to a classic giallo, but it is a flawed but interesting ride. While it is definitely not for everyone, it should be given a shot!

Ghostlight (2013)

After suffering through Zombie Lake, I needed to watch something different. While it may seem a bit odd, I decided that it was time to venture back into the world of Brain Damage Films for a low budget indie flick. While these movies often have some issues, usually they are decently entertaining. My selection for Friday night is Ghostlight from 2013.

Plot/ Andrew wins a radio contest to spend one night alone in a haunted theater on the 80th anniversary of the bloody murder/suicide that occurred within its walls.

This no-budget indie flick was rather entertaining to watch. Was it perfect, no; but, none-the-less it was better than many cut from the same fabric. This movie definitely took inspiration from some classic horror cinema with noticeable homage being paid to movies such as The Sixth Sense and The House on Haunted Hill. While this helps serve as a baseline, there could have been a lot more. The acting is solid, the scripting spot on, and the storyline cliché but interesting. Unfortunately, the score, while fitting, suffers from some poor sound editing, the pacing is a touch off, and some of the cinematography elements are a touch uneven; all items that typically come to life in low budget entries. In the end, this is an entertaining flick from Brain Damage Films and a movie that was much better than I expected. Yes, it is not perfect, but it is a decent ghost story that has some value.

Blood Rush (2012)

Zombie films are everywhere. In time, it is likely to be one of the genres that will see the popularity die down. Unfortunately, there are many low budget indie flicks that populate the shelves, excessively many to watch, so finding the right one is often a challenge. Fortunately, there is always time to try. Next, up for review (also from Brain Damage Films) Blood Rush from 2012.

Plot/ When a small town is overcome with a blood lust, the local Witch Doctor is thought to be the source. What they don't know is that he has a different agenda.

As everyone who have read my blog realize, I absolutely love incoherent no-budget indie flicks and this one is definitely right up that alley. While it is a strange mixture of well-known zombie films and does have some cliché moments, there is definitely a subtle world of its own that lives inside. While the acting is sound, the storyline decent, and the execution solid, it does have some flaws. The pacing is a touch slow, the effects are uneven, and there are definitely some head scratching moments. In the end, this film is one of the better no-budget indie flicks out there. While it is not perfect, it is a film that takes on some serious aspects within the confines of the zombie genre. Not for everyone, but it can be worth a watch.