Santa Sangre (1989)

As usual October has been a busy month,  vending both Monster Fest and Heroes Assemble. With both events finally done,  I can relax , continue enjoying horror,  and maybe even breaking through my writers block.  The next film up for review is the 1989 cult classic, Santa Sangre.

Plot: A former circus artist escapes from a mental hospital to rejoin his armless mother--the leader of a strange religious cult--and is forced to enact brutal murders in her name as he becomes her arms.

Let me start by saying that i have no idea why i waited this long to catch this film,  this one is truly amazing.  The artistic aspects alive would make it had above many of the surreaistic folks of the era.  However,  this one also boasts a tremendous atmosphere that takes full advantage of the unsettling imaging, violence,  and sexuality. There really isn't much that this one gets wrong.  Sure,  some of the appearace may feel dated when streaming,  but for me, that added to the experience. Plus,  the circus theme really hit a soft spot.  If you haven't seen it,  you are missing out. 

From a Whisper to a Scream (1987)

Yesterday was a day full of appointments and driving in traffic,  so when I was able to relax last night I wanted something interesting for my evening movie. After some thought, I decided to visit the horror icon, Vincent Price in 1987s From a Whisper to a Scream.

Plot: Beneath the small-town exterior of Oldfield, Tenn., lies a history of shocking violence and terrifying phenomena, as recounted by local historian.

Horror anthologies have been a mixed bag through the years ranging from dark to lighthearted comic entries. This one is on the darker side and one that is a lot better than I would have expected.  The four dark macabre stories are interesting and add a creepiness the is lacking from many anthologies of the era. The cast, performances, and look of the film are good for the time of direct to VHS horror. Unfortunately, Price plays a minor part as the narrator, while it was good, his talent could have added even more to the movie with more screen time. This is a good horror film and one that should be enjoyed. 

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!

Victor Frankenstein (2015)

After taking some time to deal with some softball season requirements and this week’s homework assignment, it was time to get back into the swing of things with the blog. Having spent some time over the past few days in Sci-Fi mode, I decided to venture back into something more gothic, with 2015s Victor Frankenstein.

Plot/ Told from Igor's perspective, we see the troubled young assistant's dark origins, his redemptive friendship with the young medical student Viktor Von Frankenstein, and become eyewitnesses to the emergence of how Frankenstein became the man - and the legend - we know today.

Having stayed away from this one for some time, I decided to give it a chance. While I love the story of Frankenstein, watching an attempt to pull it off in a PG-13 environment made me cringe a little. Yes, the classic would be considered PG, there are elements that can be exploited that can add to the darkness and atmosphere. This one was clearly a film made as homage to the famous Universal and Hammer films that became classics, mixing many foundations into an interesting story. Yes, the performances are solid, some of the special effects are tremendous, there is some amazing cinematography, and the chemistry seen throughout the film between the actors are magnificent, yet, there was something missing that made it feel extremely uneven in the end. This could be the pacing that did not match the gothic feel, the undeveloped supporting characters, or the editing and scripting that came across in a very disjointed manner. In the end, there was a lot to like about this film, but it was not able to reach all of the potential that it had inside. If you are a huge fan of Mary Shelley or Frankenstein, give it a shot; especially if you have kids, as this would be a decent introduction to a classic.

Legend Has It (2009)

For every no budget indie flicks that works, there are some that are questionable. That is definitely the case with my latest selection, the 2009 horror entry Legend Has It.

Plot/ When a group of young filmmakers set out to create a documentary about the brutally horrific "Hutchins Murders," they discover why some legends are better left alone!

I am all for no-budget independent horror flicks and am open for the inherent flaws that come with that genre. However, there are times where some of flaws become too overwhelming. This is one of those flicks that has potential, but some of it, while low budget could have simply been much better. In all, there were some positives. The story and some of the effects work. However, the uneven acting, the make-up and the weapons used by the killer is just way too over the top. In the end, there are many other flicks that make more sense than this one. Unless you love no-budget indie flicks, stay away. 

Side Sho (2007)

 

As we stand on the eve of the apocalypse, I decided to kick back and watch something mindless. In searching Netflix, I decided to find something that suited me. After all, with this being The Ringmaster’s Realm, and our side business is called Scarlet Circus, some type of carnival or circus horror would fit the bill. That is when I found, Side Sho from 2007.

 

 

Plot/ A suburban family traveling the back roads of the southeast in search of historic roadside attractions finds more than they bargained for when they happen upon a rustic sideshow museum that houses a dark secret.

 

 

When I saw this, I hoped that it would be some solid entertainment for the eve of the apocalypse. This low-budget independent flick may rip off many different flicks in the genre and a flick full of cliché, but it is actually rather entertaining. On the positive side, there are some decent cinematography, ok acting, and some good effects and kills. Yes, the scripting is all over the place and there is zero originality, but it still stands as a simple independent flick. In the end, if you are a fan of Wrong Turn type horror centered on the clichéd exploitation of inbreeding, check this one out. If you are tired of flicks from this genre, stay away, there is nothing here for you.

 

 

House of Flesh Mannequins (2009)

While Hidden was a bit tame and uninspiring, I knew that I had to find something more intense to fill my craving for horror. Lately, I have been caught up working with Steelers101.com and have not journeyed deep into the depths of darkness as much as I would like to. On top of that, some of my selections lately have not quite hit the spot. Some were good, and a couple truly disturbing, but there is always room for more. My selection for last night definitely was something different, 2009s House of Flesh Mannequins.  

Plot/ Sebastian, a loner artist, photographer and filmmaker spends his days in the seediness of life's elements. Taking pictures, photographing violent acts and spending a lot of time watching homemade films filled with jarring imagery, Sebastian also happens to be his building's landlord. He has also suffered an abused childhood, being subjected to sleep deprivation and constant home videos. Things begin to change for him when apartment tenant, Sarah Roeg, begins to take interest in his work and Sebastian himself.

When I finished watching this flick, I was speechless. I honestly, was unsure of what I had just witnessed. This surreal journey into an abyss of darkness and vivid imagery was nothing as I imagined when I picked it up. More artsy and art house than horror, it is a twisted and extreme exploitation flick that was not afraid to push the limits on any front. Yes, it is incoherent at times and the intense and explicit amount of fetish acts, nudity and sexual penetration (both male and female) could definitely turn some viewers off. However, if you are able to look deep inside this film, you can see a piece of cinema that is much more than a horror flick, it is a work of art that truly pays homage to the giallo flicks that influenced horror in the 1970s and 1980s. Yes, some of the dialogue is hidden behind accents and there is a heavy and dark feel, but the diverse soundtrack and inherent atmosphere draw you deeper inside the nightmarish mystery. In the end, this intense and disturbing avant-garde film must be seen to be understood. Yes, it is at times difficult to watch due to the graphic and depraved acts that create an erotic and perverse trip into the unknown, but if you like something deeper than a typical slasher, you will understand and possibly enjoy it. If you want standard or clichéd horror, stay away, stay far away.

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