The Plague of the Zombies (1966)

This weekend I had a great time at Monsterfest 14. Not only was I able to debut my two new books After the Static and Salvation, but also I was able to interact with some horror fans of all genres. By the end of the night, although tired, many of us came to the zombie double feature. The first movie from the evening was the 1966 Hammer Horror entry The Plague of the Zombies.

Plot/ A medical professor and his daughter link a Cornish epidemic to a village squire's voodoo.

It’s funny when you think that you had watched something, but get the ultimate surprise when you realize you were mistaken. That was the case with this one and what I found was one of the best Hammer Films I have seen. From 1966, this atmospheric zombie entry (Hammer Films only venture into the genre) predates the groundbreaking George Romero zombie epic Night of the Living Dead and lays the groundwork for what has developed over the years. The pacing is sound, the atmosphere is amazing, and the cast and performances are solid. Honestly, it is one of the best Hammer films I have seen and gives credence to the thought that the studio should have expanded their catalog to other creatures in the genre. Yes, some of it does feel dated and the story is somewhat predictable, but those flaws are minor. In the end, this was a perfect way to end the evening at Monsterfest 14 and an underrated entry that all zombie fans much see. Check it out.

Peelers (2017) Official Trailer and Press Release

One great thing that comes with having a blog like The Ringmaster’s Realm is the opportunities that come along to help promote independent horror and catch some interesting flicks before they are released. That will be the case with Peelers. While this is not a review (which will be coming shortly), it is a great synopsis and trailer for a movie that looks both fun and gory.

Check out the trailer and press release – and more importantly, stay tuned for the review.

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE & GRUESOME RELEASE

June 15, 2017 – Independent Horror Feature Film PEELERS to have US DVD/BLU-RAY RELEASE on July 4, 2017, & CANADIAN VOD on July 11, 2017.

The makers of the Independent Cult Horror feature film SKEW (2011) bring you their bloody action/horror follow-up flick PEELERS.

PEELERS - What starts out as the last hurrah on the closing night of an infamous small-town strip club, quickly turns into a night of bloodshed when a crew of coal miners shows up and with them, a deadly contaminant. Former baseball player and current club owner, Blue Jean Douglas has decided to hand over her bar to a new owner and leave town for good. But Blue Jean’s plans are thwarted when she discovers the magnitude of the epidemic that has been unleashed. With victims piling up, Blue Jean must step up to the plate to protect her family, her friends, and her bar before it's too late and she loses everything she holds dear.

PEELERS destroys the cliché stripper horror sub-genre by giving us a story packed with exciting twists, baseball, strippers of unusual talents, and a strong female lead. PEELERS has quickly become 2016’s horror festival hit, premiering in 67 festivals worldwide while carving up 54 nominations and 31 wins. What’s being described as “Rodriguez meets Tarantino” and “… a pretty damn fun trip” (Dread Central) that “might as well have a tagline of ‘make horror great again’” (Blood Guts UK Horror) has Director / Producer Sevé Schelenz stoked to give genre fans the indie horror cult hit of 2017.

PEELERS US DVD/BLU-RAY – July 4, 2017 (from Uncork’d Entertainment)
PEELERS CANADIAN VOD – July 11, 2017 (from levelFILM)

Get ready to own all the never-before-seen spine-tingling EXTRAS on the US DVD & Blu-ray including Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Behind the Scenes, Special Effects, Digital Comic, Script To Scene, Director and Actor Commentaries and much more!

Still not bloody enough for you? Here’s more:

Website: www.peelersthefilm.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peelersthefilm

Twitter: https://twitter.com/peelersthefilm

Here Alone (2016)

Lately, after finishing After the Static, I have stayed away from the realm of zombies. After spending months writing about them, I needed a break. With that book in the design process (and due out soon), I figured it was time to jump back into the arena (plus, my streak of subpar flicks needed to end). With that in mind, I decided on the 2016 zombie flick Here Alone for my next flick.

Plot/ A young woman struggles to survive on her own in the wake of a mysterious epidemic that has killed much of society and forced her deep into the unforgiving wilderness.

After my streak of subpar movies, I decided to jump back into something that I love: zombie flicks. I love that genre because to me there is potential with them that they can usually offer a viewer something different. This entry may be more of a slow burn drama than an all-out action flick, but it delivered. This was extremely realistic and focused more on the other side of the realm with the characters instead of the blood and gore of the outbreak. The atmosphere works, the cinematography sound, and the performances are solid. Yes, this one does lack the action and gore that many zombie fans prefer, but to me, that is what makes this film work. If the zombie apocalypse did break out, would you really be out there slaying them? Probably not, instead, you would be trying to save yourself by any means possible; and that is what makes this film resonate so well. In the end, if you are for all-out action, this one isn’t for you. But, if you like well thought out and atmospheric entries in the realm of zombies, give this one a chance, you will be surprised.

Cabin Fever (2002)

There are only four episodes left in my Fringe marathon. I cannot wait to see how it ends, although I will say they definitely left the rails a few times. Sometimes, I enjoy venturing back in time to see how things aged That is the case this weekend, as I prepare to watch the new Cabin Fever: Patient Zero. With that in mind, I decided to revisit 2002s Cabin Fever.

Plot/ A group of five college graduates rent a cabin in the woods and begin to fall victim to a horrifying flesh-eating virus, which attracts the unwanted attention of the homicidal locals.

I remember watching this one when it came out. While I found it entertaining and interesting, it was far from the hype of the day. Now, after some time, there are definitely more positives and negatives. Looking at it now, it would have definitely fit well within the 1980s spectrum of B-Movie splatter. Eli Roth captured the 1990s perfectly, and pulled together a solid piece, with decent acting, good effects, a sound storyline, and enough blood to make a viewer smile. In the end, this movie has held up well, and has just enough dark comedic elements to make a viewer laugh. If you have not seen it, check it out! Especially, if you intend on watching Cabin Fever: Patient Zero.

Open Grave (2013)

There is nothing like taking an evening out to get the blood flowing. Last night, we went to see Hairspray at the State Theatre. That movie is one of Markie’s favorites, and with her birthday in a couple days, it made for an easy gift. That performance was awesome, and I am glad we went. Getting back to the blog, I still have a couple movies I must catch up on. The first is the 2013 mystery/thriller Open Grave.

Plot/ A man wakes up in the wilderness, in a pit full of dead bodies, with no memory and must determine if the murderer is one of the strangers who rescued him, or if he himself is the killer.

I really had no idea what to expect when I picked this up. While the premise on the description seemed interesting, there definitely appeared to be many ways that this could become cliché riddled. What I found was much better than I would have imagined, complete with solid cinematography, decent performances, and an interesting storyline that kept me engaged throughout. Sure, there may have been some repetitive moments in the middle and the ending was somewhat flat, but all in all it was one of the better movies of the type I have watched in some time.  In the end, this was an entertaining and somewhat memorable movie, and one that is much better than what its generic title would suggest. Give it a shot.

The Returned (2013)

As my sickness took hold this week, I could not believe the amount of movies that I had not had a chance to review prior to falling ill. During this vacation from the institute, I decided to venture into a few different genres in my viewing, as well as some more of my favorite no-budget indie entries. This next review is on a an interesting zombie flick from 2013, The Returned.

Plot/ In a world where a deadly zombie virus has infected some of the population, a single cure has been found. The cure, a treatment which stays the effects of the virus in its host. With injections every 36 hours, the Returned are able to live as though they were never bit, despite the virus still coursing through their veins. When it is discovered that the protein stock is running low, chaos hits the streets.

I am a huge fan of zombie films, but can honestly say that the market has become over-saturated and I have been shying away from them. This movie was different, as from the outset; it did not appear to fit inside the recent zombie trends. In fact, it definitely offered a somewhat new approach to the popular genre. This one is an entertaining thriller, with a solid storyline, outstanding cinematography, a dreary atmosphere, and some originality. Yes, the acting was average and there was not a lot of blood, guts, or violence, but that was fine for a change of pace. In the end, this was an entertaining trip into zombie lore and refreshing storyline. Sure, some will be turned off by the lack of blood and gore, but if you enjoy thought out thrillers, you should enjoy it. Give it a shot!

Dark Souls (2010)

While, what a difference a day makes. I am not sure what does have me, but something is beating me down. Maybe it is all of the running that I have been doing, but something has punched me in the gut and is definitely keeping me laid up. However, I still have some energy left to push out my next review for the 2010 Norwegian horror flick Dark Souls.

Plot/ A revengeful father embarks on a dark thrill ride of lost memories, conspiracy and zombie-like symptoms. Finding the mysterious darkness within is the source of the bizarre world he has uncovered.

When I grabbed this one the other day from Family Video, I was not sure what to expect. What I found was an interesting journey that again proves that foreign horror has become much more original than that of the Hollywood variety. This one, while not a zombie movie as one would think is quite interesting. A Norwegian thriller, this one has a lot to like with a strange storyline, some homages to past horror entries, solid pacing that allows the tension to grow, decent acting, and enough dark imagery to make a horror fan smile. Plus, there is a dark humor that sits at the core that keeps everything moving. Yes, the subtitles make it difficult if you are not paying total attention, but that is a minor setback to an overall intriguing horror movie. In the end, if you can handle the subtitles for 90 minutes and want to see something a bit different than the normal horror entry give it a shot. I would be worth your time.

The Eschatrilogy: Book of the Dead (2012)

Zombie films are always fun. Unfortunately, with the rise of popularity in that genre, there are many snoozers out there. With that in mind, it is always hit and miss when I pick one up. Next up is another independent zombie flick, 2012s The Eschatrilogy: Book of the Dead.

Plot/ A dark figure appears in the night, bringing with him a virus that turns people into monsters. Hoping to gather stories to take back with him to the other side, he meets his opposite, a light figure prepared to do battle with the dark man in order to save the human race.

Zombie films have become hit and miss over the past few years. Unfortunately, with the incredible rise of the zombie genre over the past few years, too many films have saturated the market in the past decade. This no-budget entry is actually better than I expected. While it is no masterpiece, there was a lot to like in this film. While each segment is a touch uneven, there is enough storyline to keep the viewer interested. A throwback to the Romero zombie lore, there is a touch of the social overtones thrown in as well. Yes, the acting is uneven, the effects the same, and some of the scripting is a touch off, but for an ultra low budget entry, it is much better than expected. In the end, this British zombie flick may not be for everyone as the slow pacing may turn some viewers off. If you are a fan of this style, give it shot; there are a lot worse out there.

Mortuary (2005)

With yesterday being Friday the 13th, I wanted to spend the evening engrossed in some different elements of horror and Sci-Fi. One of the first flicks I decided to watch was Tobe Hooper’s Mortuary (2005).

Plot/ A family moves to a small town in California where they plan on starting a new life while running a long-abandoned funeral home. The locals fear the place, which is suspected to be on haunted ground.

I will admit that I did not expect much from this one, so I was not extremely disappointed that I did not get much from it. While it started off decent enough, somehow it transcended into a mess and ruined the potential. There were some solid props and the locations were believable, but that is where the positives end. The plot / storyline was riddled with holes and cliché moments, the scripting is poor, the performances uneven, and the CGI effects made me long for a low budget direct to video VHS flick. In the end, there was really nothing in this one to make it worth watching and there is no reason for you to suffer through. Stay Away!

Flu (2013)

While I did take off a few days from the blog to finish some homework assignments, I did watch a few interesting movies. One of the first ones that I watched this week was the South Korean entry Flu from 2013.

Plot/ People are helpless against the airborne disease and the number of infected increases quickly, spreading chaos. As the worst-case scenario precaution, the city of half a million people, just 19 kilometers from Seoul, is about to be sealed off. The government orders a complete shutdown.

Flu is the movie I expected to see when I watched Contagion. While Contagion fell flat, Flu succeeded in creating an awesome disaster movie. The storyline works and was realistic, the performances are solid, and the underlying message was tremendous. Yes, some of the dubbed dialog at the beginning of the movie was out of place and there were some unbelievable moments, but those flaws were expected as they usually come with the territory when dealing with the translation from the foreign market. In the end, this Korean entry was not only entertaining is was everything that you would want in an epic disaster flick. If you have not seen it, give it a shot!

The Facility (2012)

After taking a few days to wade through my homework for the week, it was time to get back into some horror. While I did let the daughters watch Vampire Academy, I could not even find it worth paying attention to. Instead I focused on something more my speed, 2012s low budget horror, The Facility.

Plot/ Eight volunteers find themselves fighting for their lives when a drug trial goes horribly wrong.

This low budget film popped up on the shelves of the video store the other day and caught my eye. While there are many cliché moments that will turn some off, it is actually quite entertaining. The acting is solid, the storyline realistic, the atmosphere heavy, and the overall effects were really good. Yes, is does have some incoherent moments in the script and some pacing issues on top of the cliché, but for a micro-budget flick this one hits where many others fail. In the end, this relatively underpublicized flick is one of the more entertaining and believable films I have seen in some time. If you have not seen it, give it a shot, you may be surprised by what you find.

Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

After watching some gore and violence from one of the Saw films, it was time to find something different tonight. Having some alone time with the girls in acting, it was nice to not have to worry about what I put on. What did I decide on? I picked out the 2008 musical Repo! The Genetic Opera.

Plot/ In the year 2056 - the not so distant future - an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants, for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men.

Repo The Genetic Opera is my second favorite horror musical next to Rocky Horror, but it is an extremely close second. This one is definitely not for everyone, with the dark almost Sci-Fi backdrop mixed with graphic gore and an amazingly diverse soundtrack; it will surely turn some away. Fortunately, the creativity, solid performances, and interesting storyline only added to this unique and ambitious project. Yes, some of the singing was off (Bill Moseley comes to mind) and some of the characters lacked depth, but that matter’s naught. In the end, this is one of the most entertaining and visually captivating films I have seen. Is it Rocky Horror? No, but in many ways it is a far superior film and one that should live on in the same manner. If you have not caught it, check it out!

Mimic (1997)

Today was such as awesome day. First, it started with a trip to Steel City Con in Monroeville. There is nothing like walking in the footsteps of the classic Dawn of the Dead zombies. From there, a trip to a softball scrimmage and home to some great horror, and bam; great day! Oh, that flick was the 1997 creature feature Mimic.

Plot/ Three years ago entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease, now the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind!

It had been some time since I had watched Mimic, and honestly, I forgot how much I enjoyed that flick. While I did not realize then, this early horror take from Guillermo Del Toro is a great example of what was about to come from this talent. The atmosphere is spot on, the acting solid and the storyline and scripting works perfectly in what could have been a schlock-fest. Of course, some of the early dialogue is murky and some of the railway scenes may lack some light, but it definitely all works. In the end, this is one of the better creature features to come out of the 1990s and a film that must be seen. Yes, some of the ideas are a touch unbelievable, but that is a refreshing departure from some of the stuff that comes out from time to time.

The Last Days on Mars (2013)

What a few days. After working late, softball practice and an open house, it was nice to sit back and enjoy some relaxing movie time. Of course, it was finding the right film that makes it a more interesting evening. What did I decide if on? After some thought, it was the Sci-Fi / horror flick, The Last Days on Mars. 

Plot/ group of astronaut explorers succumb one by one to a mysterious and terrifying force while collecting specimens on Mars. 

When one connected horror and Sci-Fi the is always the potential for things to become unhinged. While this one never became unhinged, it definitely felt forced, something that led to some pacing issues. Somewhat a throwback to the beginning of the genre, the storyline is interesting. On top of that, the acting was solid and the imagery worked well, but that did not push this into a memorable category. The paving was a bit slow, the plot holes large and there was really no foreboding atmosphere like one would expect. It honestly felt like the horror elements were forced onto this picture and it drug it down. In the end, this eone was nothing special. Sure, it had a few moments and a couple of surprises, but it is nothing we have not all seen before. Be warned!