October Horror Challenge 2016 - Days 1 and 2

Another year and another October Horror Challenge is here! Last year was the first year that I failed to reach 100 films during the month since I've started this challenge back in 2009. This year the fire is back and I plan to plow through 100 but that's still weeks away so let's take a look at what the first 48 hours of the challenge had in store for me.

This 1972 made-for-TV flick features some interesting creature design and suits but is ultimately restrained by it's TV roots. It is cheesy and entertaining but doesn't offer much in the way of scares, excitement or extravagance. It's a breezy viewing at only 72 minutes but any longer it would have started to drag given the restraints a TV movie has on it.

Next was a sequel I wasn't really aware of until somewhat recently but when I found out about it I quickly snatched up the DVD in preparation for viewing it this month. The first FOOD OF THE GODS movie is a highly entertaining nature run amok b-movie and I had hopes that its sequel would be more of the same. It delivered. Giant rats terrorizing a campus, gory body horror and a story that is actually believable all adds up to a really solid flick.

I took a chance on this one because I really disliked the first DEAD SNOW film but I've heard good things about part 2 and when I saw it on Netflix I figured I had nothing to lose. Well now I have a few dollars to lose because I plan on buying this one when I stumble across it cheap enough. This splatter fest is filled with all sorts of laughs and ridiculous gore such as the Nazi zombies using a man's intestines to siphon gas from a tour bus to fuel their WWII tank. Everything that didn't work for me with the first DEAD SNOW clicks here. It's a riot.

I'm not exaggerating when I say this is one of the most inept pieces of shit I've ever seen. The world would be a better place if BLOODY MURDER didn't exist and all copies of it were burned in a fire.

Naturally I had to watch the sequel... What's funny is that one of my earliest thoughts about the first BLOODY MURDER was that it had a similar feeling to bad softcore porn in terms of production value and acting - the whole vibe I got was late night skinemax. It sort of translates over to BLOODY MURDER 2 as it is the softcore version of a slasher film but at least this one tried. There are on screen kills and some nudity - staples of the slasher genre. It's still crap but at it was fucking art compared to the first film.

Day 2 can be summed up with one word - "Four."

First was the late 70s Italian Satanic horror film SATAN'S WIFE which was steeped in eroticism... at least during the opening credit sequence and the last act. The rest was a bit of melodrama around a girl that was the daughter of Satan. It was never as interesting as it should have been but a nice score from Stelvio Cipriani and the great opening sequence and a decent third act saved this from being a total loss. If you're digging for some more obscure Euro weirdness it's worth taking a look.

I'd been curious about 31 for as long as I can remember since hearing about it. I'm no Rob Zombie lover but his films are always interesting to talk about after viewing them. My thoughts? Well it was watchable and had one interesting character in Doom Head. Otherwise it had a lot of missed opportunities in being something much better. There are villains that are left without much of a story or personality that would have made them infinitely more interesting while far less interesting characters got more screen time. It's obvious that the budget lacked the ability to take full advantage of the warehouse type setting that was used and the writing still plagues Rob Zombie's films. I think he could be a good director if he'd pair up with a better writer.

The final film was a Jess Franco experience... DEVIL HUNTER. This film is a mess of cannibal horror, witchcraft, crime and sexploitation which is not at all surprising. It was disappointingly boring however as the film really plods along with barely any point. There is plenty of eye candy with more than enough beautiful women baring it all for the camera over and over and lots of gory scenes as well. And we can't forget the bug-eyed, devil god man who runs around naked stalking one of the girls and killing anyone that gets in his way.

Today's Rundown
Gargoyles - 5/10
Gnaw:  Food of the Gods 2 - 7/10
Dead Snow 2 - 7/10
Bloody Murder - 1/10
Bloody Murder 2 - 3/10
Satan's Wife - 4/10
31 - 4/10
Devil Hunter - 4/10

SIN (Blu-ray Review) - Cult Epics

USA/2005-2008
Directed By: Nico B
Written By: Nico B
Starring: Caroline Pierce, Angelita Franco, Dahlia Dark
Black & White/30 Minutes/Not Rated
Region A
Release Date: September 13, 2016
Blu-ray/DVD

There may be no film distribution label with a more fitting person behind the scenes than the head of Cult Epics, Nico B. Nico has been running Cult Epics since the early 90s and in that time he has distributed some of the most horrific, artistic and downright awesome horror, exploitation and arthouse films around. The thing you can count on with Cult Epics, aside from a great attention to detail in their product is that all of the titles they distribute have an artistry to them that pushes them to another level. It makes sense that Nico is the man with the plan at Cult Epics because he is no stranger to creating some challenging and beautiful art himself. The newest of which is his short anthology film SIN which is a three part film, shot in and heavily influenced by the style of early silent films.

Each short tells a different story of sin, my favorite of which was Le Modele which featured a dual for role for Caroline Pierece as both a nun and a model. Both roles take drastic turns in the short runtime and make for a truly unforgettable short film. The entire film is shot on Super 8mm film giving it an organic aged look, heavy on grain. Nico's photography is striking and the films is steeped in surrealism and vintage erotica that any follower of Cult Epics knows Nico is quite fond of.

In addition to the main feature is a collection of earlier shorts from Nico B, including several on location travel shorts. The highlight of these shorts for me is an early student film from 1990 entitled SLIME that clocks in at just over 5 minutes and is years beyond what student films tend to be. It's steeped in surrealism but also in the depths of reality with the cycle of life we have created. I'm thankful Nico decided to include it here because it deserves to be seen.

SIN is available HERE

BEWARE! THE BLOB (Blu-ray Review) - Kino Lorber

USA/1972
Directed By: Larry Hagman
Written By: Jack Woods, Anthony Harris
Starring: Robert Walker, Gwynne Gilford, Richard Stahl
Color/91 Minutes/PG
Region A
Release Date: September 20, 2016

The Film
A geologist brings home a canister of an unknown substance that he uncovered from the Permafrost of the North Pole but doesn't realize that what he's brought home is a deadly alien substance that will devour any living thing in its path if it isn't kept frozen. The terror of the blob returns and quickly takes over a small town leading to the ultimate showdown inside a bowling alley and ice skating rink.

The original Blob film from 1958 is a classic example of cheesy B-movie goodness starring a young Steve McQueen who had not yet become the megastar and heartthrob he was destined to become in the following decades. The film was remade thirty years later and is one of the better late 80s horror movies and a genuinely good ramped up remake. It remains a fan favorite to this day. But in between those two films there was the second Blob movie, BEWARE! THE BLOB, shot in 1972 and directed by Larry Hagman in the only feature film he would direct. It speaks volumes that it was re-released in the 80s with the tagline "The Film J.R. shot!" in reference to Hagman's character on the TV show Dallas. BEWARE! THE BLOB was no hit and barely registered on horror fan's radar. When the film is mentioned it is common to hear people say they weren't even aware this movie existed, thinking the 1958 and 1988 films were the only Blob films.

There's something here though, at least on a minor scale, that deserves to be seen. It feels very much like a small time regional production which gives the film a raw, almost cinema verite like feel. I felt like I was watching some sort of news broadcast of what was happening on screen. It was, at the very least, different and interesting. There's a good bit of hippie culture on display which ends up adding a comedic element as the Blob monster doesn't slow down for their laid back attitudes. The rest of the cast who aren't playing hippie characters are all passable but I wouldn't go as far as to call them good. The acting is rough around the edges, but holds together enough so that it doesn't let the film down. The fact that we are dealing with an obvious slice of B-movie cheese certainly gives the actors a fair bit of leeway. In an interesting bit of crew member trivia, Dean Cundey, who would go on to be the cinematographer on films such as Halloween and The Thing, served as a special effects artist and camera operator on the second unit shots which include numerous close up effects shots of the blob itself.

The film's biggest issue is pacing as there were stretches that were just plain dry which makes getting to the good stuff a bit difficult. The Blob moments are just as fun and silly as you'd expect them to be and an early on shot of our Geologist being devoured by the Blob is a great sight gag with just a bit of creepiness to it. Overall the film is uneven, lacks polish and is definitely the lowest rung on the Blob franchise ladder but it certainly deserves to be seen and enjoyed because, hey, it's a Blob movies and fits in nicely as a sequel to the original film.

The Audio & Video
Kino Lorber does this B-movie justice with a nice filmic looking transfer. The 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that keeps a natural looking grain structure and has solid detail level. Colors are vivid, particularly the red of the blob monster which pops just enough. The DTS-HD audio mix isn't overly dynamic but is a crisp and clear way to faithfully reproduce the film's audio mix. The audio is free of any distortions or background noise.

The Extras
-Audio commentary with film historian Richard Harland Smith
-Alternate title sequence
-Trailers

The Bottom Line
BEWARE THE BLOB isn't the Steve McQueen classic or the seriously good 80s remake that would come later but it is an enjoyable slice of cheese that is a nice fit in The Blob universe that is finally saved from obscurity by Kino. An easy recommendation.

BEWARE THE BLOB is available HERE

XLRATOR MEDIA & BLUE FOX ENTERTAINMENT JOIN FORCES

XLRATOR MEDIA & BLUE FOX ENTERTAINMENT PACT ON DIVERSE FILM SLATE FOR NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION

LOS ANGELES (September 28, 2016) – XLrator Media and Blue Fox Entertainment announced a distribution agreement to jointly distribute 15 films a year across all North American platforms, including a number of co-acquisitions. In addition, Blue Fox Entertainment (BFE) will sell the international rights to these and other select XLrator Media films, starting at AFM this year. The deal was announced today by XLrator Media CEO Barry Gordon and Blue Fox Entertainment co-founders James Huntsman and Todd Slater.

The two companies began their relationship earlier this year when XLrator Media acquired the North American distribution rights from BFE to the international horror festival hit THE WINDMILL, which opens in theaters October 28th and debuts on VOD and iTunes October 25th.

The first film under the new XLrator Media-BFE distribution agreement will be the holiday-themed thriller GOOD TIDINGS, to be released on December 6th, followed in 2017 by the supernatural thrillers DARK SIGNAL and A DEMON WITHIN. All of the films will be released on XLrator Media’s acclaimed “MACABRE” genre label. 

BFE plans to bring films of all different genres to the partnership, including several high-profile documentaries, which will be distributed on XLrator Media’s “LIFEFRAME” documentary label and other releasing labels.  

 “Our partnership with Blue Fox will allow us to expand our release schedule with highly curated films that will enhance our genre, action, multi-cultural and documentary content labels in both traditional and emerging distribution platforms. James, Todd and I all share the same enthusiasm for disrupting outdated business models that have crippled the independent film eco-system for both content creators and distributors,” said XLrator Media CEO Barry Gordon.

“We are excited to partner with the innovative and forward-thinking team at XLrator Media.  Together, we plan to utilize new platforms of distribution with talented filmmakers while bringing fresh creative visions to the film and television market,” said James Huntsman and Todd Slater of Blue Fox Entertainment.

# # #

ABOUT XLRATOR MEDIA, LLC

One of the fastest-growing independent film distribution companies in North America since its creation in 2010, XLrator Media, LLC (XLratorMedia.com) will release 25 films in 2016. Its recent releases include Academy Award-winner John Ridley’s Jimi: All is by My Side starring Andre Benjamin as rock legend Jimmi Hendrix and SXSW hits Housebound, The Mule and The Diabolical. XLrator Media is also the home of the acclaimed MACABRE and TURBO genre film labels, the LIFEFRAME documentary label and the PACE multicultural film label. The company launched its first OTT channel with the MACABRE Collection on Hulu and co-produced 400 Days released by Syfy Films. The company previously released such diverse films as The Machine, CBGB, American Mary, Storm Surfers 3D, Banshee Chapter, Ironclad: Battle for Blood, Five Star, Queen Mimi and It’s So Easy and Other Lies.

ABOUT BLUE FOX ENTERTAINMENT

As a worldwide motion picture sales representative and completion financing company, Blue Fox Entertainment (BlueFoxEntertainment.com) specializes in connecting filmmakers to leading distribution companies across the globe. Blue Fox Entertainment is a uniquely designed content company, armed with expertise in film marketing, delivery, finance, sales and distribution. Engaging their extensive connections with key buyers and distributors, Blue Fox Entertainment works to strategically place represented films within the optimal platform to achieve the best return for the filmmakers and investors. Blue Fox Entertainment is highly adept at delivering movies to the domestic and international markets, both theatrically and digitally, utilizing the evolving platforms of digital media streaming providers and Video On Demand. Blue Fox Entertainment strives to place each film with the right buyer, and when appropriate, can provide gap and completion funds to get films across the goal line.

Reel Gore Releasing #3 - THE CURSE OF DR. WOLFENSTEIN

Street Date: 10/25/2016

DISCO GODFATHER (Blu-ray Review) - Vinegar Syndrome

USA/1979
Directed by: J. Robert Wagoner
Written By: Cliff Roquemore, J. Robert Wagoner
Starring: Rudy Ray Moore, Jimmy Lynch, Carol Speed
Color/98 Minutes/Not Rated
Region FREE
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Blu-ray/DVD

The Film
Rudy Ray Moore stars as the Disco Godfather, a retired cop who is the owner and MC of the hottest club in town. Unfortunately a new enemy has moved into town and is taking over the streets - angel dust. DG is dead set on finding the source of drug and eliminating it from his community.

DISCO GODFATHER is the fourth and final blaxploitation film starring Rudy Ray Moore and may be the most important in the series. The series takes a very real turn in this entry and is very much a commentary on the massive drug problems that big cities were facing in the late 70s. The film keeps the rhyming, trash talking martial arts action that Rudy Ray Moore made famous in Dolemite but it adds in elements of social commentary and surrealism.

Instead of letting Cliff Roquemore continue on directing the series after making The Human Tornado and Petey Wheatstraw, first time director J. Robert Wagoner was given the reigns of the series. This would turn out to be Wagoner's lone feature film directorial credit but he was really solid overall. He even managed to create some truly terrifying sequences when the angel dust leads to a bad trip. The images he created leave a lasting impression despite their relative simplicity. Cliff Roquemore wasn't left out, he co-wrote the script with Wagoner and produced the film. The script is good, keeping Rudy Ray Moore's personality on full display without having to fully depend on it to make a successful film. Unfortunately, the audience wasn't going to a Rudy Ray Moore film to get some social commentary and real talk. They wanted more of the rapping, ass kicking and laughs that he so effortlessly created. That, paired with the disco theme that was unfortunately timed right along with the death of disco. Audiences were smaller and reception was poorer for DISCO GODFATHER than the previous Rudy Ray Moore films.

I consider the entirety of Rudy Ray Moore's filmography to be classic blaxploitation but DISCO GODFATHER, despite it's shortcomings with a smaller budget that lead to some underdressed locations and perhaps a bit less action, and it's unlucky timing in trying to cash in on a music genre that the public had moved on from, it remains an important look into how drug culture can affect a community in the blink of an eye. But for anyone to care about that they first have to be entertained and you will be entertained with DISCO GODFATHER. Rudy Ray Moore is still funny, still badass and rocking some incredible outfits. You're also going to get the trippy sequences which aren't your rainbow walk through flowery fields that you might hope, but a drug fueled descent into hell.

It's upsetting that DISCO GODFATHER wasn't a big success because it certainly deserved to be and it should have been a steeping stone for Wagoner and Roquemore to continue on with their careers and a progression for Rudy Ray Moore's star to grow. Sadly the 80s hit and Moore became a bit of a forgotten commodity and we would only see bit parts for Rudy Ray Moore for years to come and never got the final send off he deserved.

The Audio & Video
Vinegar Syndrome once again gives us a beautiful 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. Colors and textures flourish in the brand new 2K scan taken from the original 35mm negative. One look at the baby blue jumpsuit or the gold sequins in Rudy's various outfits shows just how much this BD shines.  Black levels are successful and don't suffer from any macro blocking or compression issues. The DTS-HD Mono audio mix is crisp, clear and clean. The dialogue and soundtrack are mixed well with steady levels. There's no background noise, hiss or any other audible distortions to mention.

The Extras
-"I, Dolemite" Part 4 - The last entry into the documentary that spans all four Rudy Ray Moore releases from VinSyn. Again packed full of interesting stories, lots of laughs and is a great companion piece.
-Audio Commentary with Mark Jason Murray, J. Robert Wagoner, Cliff Roquemore and rare on-set audio
-Promotional still gallery
-Soundtrack
-Trailer selection
-Alternate French and German language tracks
-Reversible artwork

The Bottom Line
Bitch are you for real? A Blu-ray of this quality can only be considered a steal! You can kick and punch but if you don't add this to your collection I'll steal yo momma's lunch! You're better than trash but only if you add this Blu-ray to yo' motherfuckin' stash!

DISCO GODFATHER is available HERE

She Who Must Burn Press Release

She Who Must Burn Debuts on Cable VOD

Digital HD & DVD October 11

Cult Provocateur Larry Kent Turns Up the Heat 

On the Red-Hot Debate over Women's Choice

                                                        

"She Who Must Burn is strong meat." --Variety

"Emotional and intentionally baiting...a horror-siege-witchhunt with no punches withheld" --Coming Soon

"An extraordinary piece of filmmaking that digs past the headlines which make us shake our heads over coffee in the morning."--Film Thrills

Los Angeles, CA - Midnight Releasing has announced the October 11th Cable VOD, Digital HD and DVD release of She Who Must Burn, Canadian cinema provocateur Larry Kent's latest feature. Kent and co-writer Shane Twerdun have crafted a thought-provoking and violent horror story centered around the all-too-real battle between personal choice, state-sanctioned law and religious dogma.  She Who Must Burn will be available to rent or own starting October 11th on Dish Network, Cox, Charter, Verizon Fios, DirecTV, iTunes, Amazon Instant, Google Play, Vudu, XBox and more.

Sarah Smyth ("Cedar Cove", 50/50, "Supernatural") headlines as a healthcare provider at odds with the evangelical family in her small town.  When she refuses to stop seeing women in need and even helps a desperate member of their own family (sci-fi icon Jewel Staite, "Firefly", "Stargate: Atlantis", "The LA Complex"), they decide she is to blame for the mysterious deaths in the community and must pay.

She Who Must Burn has been acclaimed by mainstream and horror media since its world premiere at the 2015 Fantasia International Film Festival, where the film took home the award for Best Feature Film.  It went on to screen around the world, winning Best Feature Film at Blood in the Snow and sweeping the awards at the Fright Night Festival, taking home Scariest Film, Best Villain and Best Supporting Actress.  Modern Horrors raved that "the horror is all in the reality"and FilmFestivals.com declared She Who Must Burn is "a profound, thought-provoking movie that brilliantly speaks about our flawed human nature".

A deadly storm heads towards a small mining village as the local preacher feeds the dark resentments seething in the souls of its citizens.  Angela is the only medical resource for women in this unfortunate town where stillbirths and cancer have become disturbingly common. The local preacher and his followers blame Angela for the miscarriages and deaths, and even her Deputy Sheriff boyfriend can't protect her from their wrath. Dark clouds gather as the preacher's followers, infected with religious fervor and inflamed with passionate righteousness, seek to cleanse their community. Those who sin against the Lord must pay.

The DVD release of She Who Must Burn (SRP $17.98) will be available exclusively from Amazon.com.