jeroentoonen Reviews

The Squad (2011)

Slow burner, but stick around!

[7/10 · 10 December 2016]

Hey there, looking for an action packed horror flick? Try somewhere else. El Paramo, or 'The Squad' (so we can all pronounce it fairly decent) is more of a psychological thriller in which a group of nine pro soldiers of a special anti-guerrilla unit are sent to an abandoned base located over a mountain in the Colombian Andes which has lost contact a few days ago. Why? Supposedly because they were under attack. At the time the commandos arrive, they find only one survivor. And that's where the game begins.

Suspicion, paranoia and treason. The root of all evil is inside the group itself and that's what makes this film stand out. It might seem like a bit of a spoiler but I think it's really important for the viewer to concentrate on the right aspect as soon as possible, in stead of waiting on something that will never come. It is what it is, and it's shockingly suspenseful. The misty hills of Colombia are the perfect place for such an isolated horror flick in which the tensions get so high that you yourself will get desperate and confused.

The visual style is creepily dark and unpredictable. Because of the mist it's hard to look any further than a few meters (get used to it Americans) ahead and that adds up to the 'locked up' feeling the soldiers must have. They can't go anywhere and have to deal with their fears and disagreements on the spot. When all structure is lost, who will come out alive in the end? Total anarchy, whooo!

A must see if you're not a neurotic adrenaline beast, just sit back and get dissolved in this wall of suspense and strong written conversations. It had to be well acted to come across and thankfully they had a great group of unknown yet ambitious guys to form a convincing group of depraving commandos. Two thumbs up for this foreign piece of delicious psychological horror.

Sukeban burûsu: Mesubachi no gyakushû (1971)

A dream start to the series

[9/10 · 10 December 2016]

Queen Bee's Counterattack is the first out of seven films in the Sukeban series. Four of them were directed by Suzuki so I'll be sure to watch at least three of them after this and who knows even more. It's a promising start of the series which didn't really come as a surprise. It's what I'd come to expect after watching Suzuki's other girl gang flick Terrifying Girls' High School. Though they are far from the same.

It's the perfect Pinky Violence setup. We follow the gorgeous Reiko Ike who's the girl gangs' boss since their previous leader has been caught by the officials. Problems starts to rain down on them when the old leader returns and the Yakuza is causing problems. Meanwhile they get mixed up with a motorcycle gang. The conflicts are stacking so it's time for... nudity.

And there's plenty of it. Of course it's all in favor of the violence, or corruption...even for the fun of it. It has all it needs to please the fans. Switchting between humorous scenes and melodramatic sequences, it sure has plenty to tell in a short time. There's room for everything, it's almost a random bag of fun at some points.

Probably the best example of the humorous fun and excitement this film has to offer must be the scene where they all have sex while riding on a motorcycle. Pretty hilarious, clever and highly entertaining. Add some topless fighting, some Yakuza business... and we have a great film. Though it comes off pretty simple and straight forward, never does it feel that way.

With a great cast (plenty of familiar names), a really decent look, cool music and intriguing storytelling, Queen Bee's Counterattack has to be a dream start for the series. There's plenty of shameless fun to look forward to, so I'm happy like a 13-year old grabbing his first pair of boobs.

My Pure Joy (2011)

True indie-talent

[9/10 · 10 December 2016]

One of the toughest things about writing a review is to decide where to begin. At least for me it is. Let me explain. I've had the honor to watch James Cullen Bressack's first feature film and I have tons of thoughts running wild right now. I just finished watching it and it's around 4 AM in the morning. Maybe not the perfect time to write, or even think properly for that matter, but you can't fake enthusiasm...and right now I'm full of it. There's no better time to review: MY PURE JOY.

I don't usually write summary's for the slasher films I review. Why not? Because the story lines rarely matter much. That being said, My Pure Joy is far from a standard Slasher film. Sure you've got your masked killer and graphic violence, but the neat storytelling and the rather deep view into the insane mind of a 19-year old killer makes me want to tell all about it.

We meet Adam, a 19 year old male living with this mother. Nothing strange so far. But it doesn't take long before the truth is revealed. The unfortunate death of his father and, so it seems, an overdose of gory horror films has made him the ruthless killer he is today. A cheap shot to blame the influence of media on the psyche of a person, or just a tongue-in-cheek excuse and meant-to-be hypocrite note on his love for the genre? I'd say the second.

James is the director, writer, editor...dude seriously? Yes. And there's more. He was a camera operator, he is the co-owner of a new label called Psykik Junky Pictures... and he's only 19 years old. Massive respect for this guy. That's a lot of work for one person. But he's obviously up for it. I always think it's 50% talent, and for the other half you'll need a unhealthy love for the genre. And both come to show in this film, it can't be missed.

He's referring to the most obscure and brilliant films the genre has to offer. Not only my Japanese hero 'Takashi Miike' is mentioned but also the extreme French wave with titles such as Inside and Martyrs are spoken off with a lot of respect. It doesn't stop there. I was starstruck when he mentioned stuff like Dard Divorce and even an older Ittenbach film named ''Premutos''. Then there's a bunch of classic (cult) films lying around on the floor and film posters throughout the house. The amount of knowledge, fun and respect for these films and the genre in general just warms my heart.

How's the acting? Adam is a smartly written character, a truly interesting young mind...but it's not easy to play such a part. It was up to Alexei Ryan to make it work, and he did it... he f-ing did it. It's one of the most impressive parts I've seen in a long time. Certainly one of my favorite serial killers from now on. Honestly, I was disturbed by his facial expressions and he often makes the rest of the cast look bad. Don't get me wrong, it's all just fine. Especially his two buddies play it very naturally which is just perfect.

Their conversations take up a lot of time. And by a lot, I mean a lot. But it's never a problem. To be honest, I loved the writing. As I mentioned before the movie-talk keeps it amazingly cool and down to earth. Also, the emotional 'explosions' (lack of a better word) take you in deeper and deeper. For instance the scene at the party. It has this great vibe and the acting is convincing. I loved how James shot the scene in one long take. Very, very impressive. He brought up Irréversible later on in the film, so if I had to make a guess... I'd say it inspired him at least a little bit to do it this way. Very brave, and it payed off big time.

I can't think of any other film with this many references while still remaining a piece of its own. In this case it's the psychological part that makes it somehow different from the rest. Sure, the graphic scenes are eye-catching and sometimes disturbingly brutal, but they aren't the core of this film. One of them is actually capable of catching even the biggest horror hounds off guard. That's taking it to the edge my friend... At the end they talk about Srpski Film (A Serbian Film) and it would've fit that film perfectly.

This might just be my longest review so far. There's no stopping me right now, there's so much more to talk about. The mask? Amazing! Great design, simple but extremely effective. The music? Smooth, and it fits the style perfectly. There's no way I can find anything to poop on as a true (indie)horrorfan. I just hope this film gets a beautiful global release right after it hits the festivals and who knows what else. It's a must see, and I'll be recommending it non- stop from now on. It's probably one of the coolest horror films of the last couple of years, I kid you not.

Death Stop Holocaust (2009)

Not for everyone

[7/10 · 10 December 2016]

At first I thought it was a 80's slasher revival, judging by it's retro poster and traditional plot. Though, it's not quite the stereotypical slasher film after all. It's definitely a modern take on the sub- genre we all love. Mainly the audiovisual vibe is far from classic, which is probably one of the nicer features in this film.

Justin Russell is not a well known guy in the industry, though I think it's just a matter of time. I took a peek at his other work and it sure stands out. The Gremlin (2007) is obviously one of his first projects as the style of that flick has no personality. And 'The Sleeper' (coming soon) seems to be the real tribute to the 80's slasher. DSH stands in the middle, but is it more than just a step towards the 'good stuff'?

It's definitely more. I can imagine a lot of people will disagree, but I think I felt exactly what Justin was trying to do here. We meet the two protagonists named ''Elizabeth'' and ''Taylor'', whom are played by Lisa Kreninsky and Jenna Fournier. And for those who care, Jenna will also star in Russell's ''The Sleeper''. Easy on the eyes, but barely capable of doing anything besides screaming. Lisa Kreninsky is a great scream queen!

They're on a road trip, bladiebla, and it all goes to poop in some weird little village. There's a rather haunting soundtrack. Hard to describe, but it sounds like a distorted 'wind' blowing constantly. It never gets annoying because the piercing shreeks and low frequency tones often shake things up to optimize the vibe to each and every scene. He often drops the noise and brings the viewer complete silence, which has an amazing effect and definitely creates some sort of tension.

It's not brilliant, but it stands out from the low budget horror crowd. They rarely look + sound the way I like it. It almost makes me forget about some of the weaknesses. For instance, it tends to get rather repetitive near the end and they are all (including the killers) way to clumsy to be taken seriously. It's not a film that is meant to be taken lightly, it's pretty serious. Which is also surprising since most of these 'slasher' films tend to over-do on the camp sauce instead of bringing some ideas of their own.

Justin Russell proofs to be a worthy director, who deserves some more attention. Again, I can imagine only few people will agree with me, but that's almost always the case now isn't it? Check out the trailer and who knows...you might be the next one to cheer for Russell. Don't expect the next Ti West though, you'll be disappointed beyond believe.

The Puppet Monster Massacre (2010 Video)

Cheesy puppetry

[7/10 · 10 December 2016]

Do you remember the 1989' horror flick 'Puppet Master'? Well, just forget all about it, because Dustin Mills and his crew took the puppet-horror to another level. It's the same old cheese wrapped in some new and funny looking fabric. Does this take on the traditional genre deliver what you'd expect?

What would an 80's horror movie be without a group of teenagers? Exactly, there would be no movie at all. In this case a handful of youngsters receive a letter inviting them to spend a night in the Wagner mansion. They will have a chance to win a million dollars but little do they know what kind of evil is lurking in this Nazi-freak- mansion to stop them from getting anywhere near the money...let alone the exit door.

It's the minor setup for a slasher we've all come to love during the seventies and eighties. Still, up to this day it's used... either in a serious matter or flat out frivolous. The Puppet Monster Massacre is definitely a parody on the genre. The typecasting plays a big part. The mad scientist and the wide variety in personalities amongst the teens, ranging from goth to nerd, are enlarged and made sure to be frowned upon.

The only major problem to all of the possible fun is the lack of convincing voice acting. The delivery of jokes can sometimes feel a bit flawed. Even though the writing is spot on it simply misses the necessary 'punch' to make it work, and it happens more than once. Although, the ones with a heavy accent were certainly a bit better. It's a shame, because I would be the first to say that this is a brilliant piece of work. Now it's just an awesome and original flick...blegh!! Right?

I kid. It's just a bit of a dirty stain on a more than exciting debut with plenty of good old school fun and recognizable cheesiness. It's a wild and entertaining ride that lasts for approximately 70 minutes which is just about right for a film of this sort. This way it remains fresh, surprising and the quality remains at a really decent level.

They used a combination of practical effects for the dolls and CGI for the backgrounds. It would've been amazing to see the entire film without any CGI whatsoever, but with such a small budget it probably wouldn't have turned out this good. Now they were enable to pull of some creative and fun visual tricks, allowing themselves to go completely over the top. Take a quick look at the ending and you'll know what I mean.

I'm glad I came across the DVD in one of the few Dutch stores that actually imports unknown films such as these. The expectations were high for these puppets and the expectations definitely still remain sky high for Dustin Mills' next project. All I can say at this point is that this guy, and of course the rest of his crew, have proved to be a valuable addition to the genre. Praise the puppets!

Decampitated (1998)

Troma camp

[8/10 · 10 December 2016]

Troma Entertainment has a rich history of sex, violence and plenty of laughs. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz became legends with titles such as 'Toxic Avenger', 'Troma's War' and of course the one and only 'Sgt Kabukiman N.Y.P.D'. It all started with the 'sexy- comedies' back in the seventies but the real success came with their goofy horror comedies. Lloyd and Herz had a sharp eye for silly new directors which brings me to the centerpiece of this review: 'Decampitated', a delicious piece of old school horror/comedy.

Matt Cunningham (Mangler Reborn) is responsible for this hilarious late 90's camp. Camping teenagers experienced their finest moments back in the 80's when the slashers where a hot topic and the so called 'camp-value' was high. It was meant to be silly, over the top and based on (overplayed) stereotypes. Decampitated grabs the essentials of the campy slasher and shakes it around a bit, the outcome is stupidity at its finest.

It becomes clear from the very first moment that Matt has something in store for us. It starts off with a rather funny and ridiculous parody on the stereotypical chase scene in the woods involving some hard to miss bear traps. Rightly after we meet a small chunk of the victims as they are planning their camping trip. It is shown with some crazy wide angle lens shots and the impressive amount of self- mockery makes it a joyful and fresh start to a true love it or hate it slasher.

The film tends to get really awkward at some points. The close-up shots are really uncomfortable but they work in favor of the comedy part. Everything about 'Decampitated' feels like a cartoon. Not only are the actors overacting the actual overacting, they are also constantly supported by goofy sound effects and even sillier music. It makes up for a slap-stick like game of death with all of the genre clichés dangling around the forest.

El monstro del mar! (2010)

Faster, Tentacle, Kill! Kill!

[8/10 · 10 December 2016]

Three dangerous vixens, one giant tentacle monster.. it's a recipe for a good old fashioned disaster. In a good way, of course. In this brand new ozploitation flick, the glorious classic elements of the exploitation and the input of several characteristics of the monster genre collide. It's the best of both worlds. I wasn't expecting much, but the first few minutes caused my jaw to drop and my drool to escape. Just a figure of speech..

It starts off with the three ladies hanging around in the middle of the desert in their broken down car, all shot in classy black/white, steady photography. Australian director Stuart Simpson is obviously paying a tribute to Russ Meyer's monumental classic 'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!'. It's an effective start and it immediately brings a certain attitude and vibe to it that fans of the traditional action/crime genre will definitely love.

The happy, cheery vibe changes as we witness a terrible crime committed by the, apparently, hit-man-chicks. Monstro Del Mar shows a serious side, but at the same time it will never forget the essence of a great monster flick; taking a breath every once in a while and have a laugh. Plenty of room for silly activities, exploiting the female presence without getting to sexual or cheap.

With only 75 minutes on the clock there will be little time to get distracted or bored with the ladies, the monster or the epic combination of both. The ending is one to remember and the fact that they used practical effects for the most part is something that made me smile from cheek to cheek. Stuart Simpson knows what's right, resulting in a mixture of genres that will entertain you in a way that most other modern exploitation revivals fail to do.

It's not easy to point out exactly what makes Monstro del Mar that much different from the rest. We've all seen it before for as long as we can remember. Maybe it's the lack of convincing new material that makes this traditionally built piece of horror worth your while. Why change a killer recipe, right? The three vixens, Beretta, Blondie and Snowball are all played by first time actresses, making their part even more impressive. They play their roles as if they are having a good time, not as if they're trying to act.

I could just repeat the above and call it an end, but I'd like to point out that it really is a refreshing film in the midst of all the crap released lately. Stuart Gordon, who began his career at Troma (where else?), has convinced me of his talent in a way that very few are capable of nowadays. Check this Australian masterpiece out whenever you can, it will be worth your time!

Terrifying Girls' High School: Lynch Law Classroom (1973)

The reason why I love Japanese exploitation

[9/10 · 10 December 2016]

Suzuki's ''Terrifying Girls' High School'' is obviously exploring the boundaries of the sub genre. As it is my first film by this well known Japanese exploitation director, it's hard to make any comparison with his other work. Similarities seem to be there quite often. Reiko Ike is a familiar face ever since his first Girl Boss Blues film and Miki Sugimoto returns after her part in Girl Boss Gurerilla. It's hard to keep my expectations low at this point.

But no worries, you'll have plenty of reason to be excited for Lynch Law Classroom, which I'm told is supposedly the second film in the series... Women's Violent Classroom being the first. Yet again placing various tempting theme's in an interesting setting. A high school full of terrifying girls, as the title gave away already. Delinquent girls in a violent game of sex, torture and corruption. It's all I needed to hear, I'm so in!!

A brilliantly chosen environment for all the great things to come, this high school has everything it needs to keep you hooked and thrilled for quite a while. Again, these films rarely take a long time to unfold so you will never find the opportunity to doze off. There's no stopping Suzuki and his large group of blood and sweat thirsty girls.

It's quite obvious where this is heading from the very first minute. With the cool music playing, the stylish shots and of course some blood draining torture. It's not taking baby steps, but it still knows how to trigger your wtf-muscle plenty of times after this opening sequence. Sure, it might not be all that shocking by modern standards, but the great amount of violence and sex still has its effect one way or another.

Suzuki certainly ends with a bang in this one. Offering the viewer one last amazing display of ultra violence in a huge riot at the gates of the school. This all happens right after the girls trashed most of the building where Reiko Ike and Miki Sugimoto had a fight of their own, of course with their boobs hanging out. Exactly how it should be!

This director definitely convinced me and I'll be looking forward to screening Sex &Fury and of course the entire Girl Boss series. There's no doubt in my mind that I love the Japanese exploitation, and Terrifying Girls' High School is yet again a perfect example to explain this affection.

Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song (1973)

Fourth installment, still going strong

[9/10 · 10 December 2016]

Grudge Song is the fourth film in the series. Still starring the amazing Meiko Kaji as Matsu a.k.a Sasori (Scorpion) but with a different director. Yasuharu Hasebe is no stranger in the Japanese exploitation bizz, but it's still hard to follow up such a brilliant director such as Shunya Ito after three incredible films. Was he the right man for the job, or should they've stuck to three parts?

Very much like the third film it all goes down in an urban environment, staying clear from prison until the last part. It's the fugitive story line you'd come to expect by now. You can't detain Sasori forever, so escaping becomes a big part of the action yet again. She's facing dead sentence, forcing her to do whatever it takes to stay clear from the authority.

It's as entertaining as the first films but the cinematography wasn't as eye-catching. It's all in comparison, since it's still a gorgeous film and there are tons of nicely shot sequences. Just not as good as the first three. It's not easy to dodge the repetitive bullet, not for Hasebe and not for me as I'm writing about the same series for the fourth time in a row.

Should I once again explain how Meiko's acting influences the impact of the film, how she's the one who keeps you on the edge of you seat and so on? Her quality acting is not something that just vanishes, so success was guaranteed on this part. The entire cat and mouse game remains intriguing because of her presence, the love and hatred can be felt from both sides.

A nice addition to the final part are the female wardens. They have a different attitude which makes it interesting to revisit this setting. Here we see some of the better scenes, mainly when she escapes once again. Bringing forth some of the best looking shots with those familiar painted backgrounds and enchanting music.

I'll be remembering her song of vengeance for quite some time, that's for sure. I'll place a youtube video on the bottom for everyone to listen to. It's a fantastic film but it didn't have the same effect as Ito's Scorpion films had. A rewarding final, even though I still crave for more Meiko action. Lady Snowblood...here I come!

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)

And so it began...

[10/10 · 10 December 2016]

#701: Scorpion is the first feature in the Female Prisoner Scorpion series which I'll be sure to complete on a short term. Shunya Ito is the director of the first, second and third film in the series. I'll be watching them in order though I'm not sure if it matters, but let's stick to the most logic approach.

Prisoner #701 is played by Meiko Kaji, a beautiful woman who's facial expressions tend to say more than words ever could. It's one of the many brilliant aspects of this first installment, making me crave for more and more. I'm not thát familiar with Japanese exploitation but the differences with comparable western films seem obvious from the very first second.

It has an unique vibe, mainly created by the eye-catching camera- work and well chosen settings and backgrounds. It has some sleazy and straight forward content but it's brought with a huge amount of personal flair which makes it impossible not to love every second of it. It's pinky violence at it's best.

The soundtrack is quite special as Kaji sings the main theme ''Song of Vengeance'' herself. It's a nice personal touch and it works enchanting. Her strength carries on for the entire ride, seeking for vengeance while undergoing heavy torture and sometimes returning the favor. The authority makes life as miserable as it can get while the female prisoners also have their own personal problems.

It leads to multiple climax's which all seem to have their own appeal. The hostage scene can not be compared with the (quite random) lesbian scene, but both of them are roughly as good as one another. They just have a different purpose. I've seen so many original angels, crazy 360 shots and plenty of other cool stuff to keep the film visually entertaining. I'd say the broken glass scene in the shower is the best example, it blew me away!

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion turned out even better than I could've expected. Combining a simple revenge plot with a W.I.P setting with great acting, an amazing personal flair and fitting music. It's a complete package and I can only hope for the rest to be as good as this remarkable gem.

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (1972)

On par with the first

[9/10 · 10 December 2016]

Jailhouse 41 is the second film in the Scorpion series directed by Shunya Ito and of course starring Meiko Kaji along with plenty of other actors and actrices from the first film. Even though it shows some significant similarities with #701, it still manages to keep you excited throughout this epic escape where murder and humiliation are well spent.

We start off in a familiar location. Meiko (Matsu) has been locked away in the bowels of prison for her countless attempts to escape and of course her disfiguring attack on the warden. But her chance to escape again is lurking when a dignitary comes to visit. She immediately takes advantage of the situation and attacks the warden. Leading to even more punishment and humiliation, but also giving her the opportunity to escape with six other female prisoners.

Prisoner #701 was pretty much located in and around the jail, but this time Shunya Ito decides to take it one step further and have them explore the almost surreal landscape of Japan. Enountering many difficult circumstances with their own personal issues while being chased by the guards... it seems like the same recipe as the first one. But don't worry, it has some joy full differences below the surface.

It almost feels like there is no limit. Crazy stories are followed up by heavy raping and male humiliation. Badass action seems to go hand in hand with a supreme sense of style and the music has the same impact as the first time. Matsu remains an amazing character. She's still standing strong, even in the most difficult situations. There's a certain appeal to her attitude which I can't help but love. Again, it's one of the finer features.

I mentioned the word ''surreal'' earlier on. It's not entirely new but it's closer to perfection this time. Shunya Ito is showing a more over-the-top sense of humor and isn't holding back on the dreamy sequences which you'll encounter more than once. It has a strange effect but it never feels out of place. It takes the visuals to a whole new level with crazy colored lighting and/or moving set pieces, it's the sudden switch that makes it work.

Taking you from one gorgeous place to another, Jailhouse 41 is an exciting thrill ride just like the first one. It's beautifully shot and it still manages to keep some surprises up his sleeve, even after a brilliant first film like #701. It might score a little below the first one, but I'd say it has plenty in store to be liked just as much or maybe even more by some of you.

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable (1973)

Third Female Prisoner, third masterpiece

[9/10 · 10 December 2016]

Shunya Iso is on a winning streak. It's the third Scorpion film, again presenting us the legendary Matsu and her heaps of problems. A different setting, but with plenty of familiar ingredients lurking around.

It's almost unbelievable. The Scorpion series shows some significant changes each time but they all have the same sort of appeal. The second film already got rid of the prison setting for the most part and this time we don't even visit the cold walls until the very end. The change of atmosphere seems vital, but it's not without any risks.

This one starts off with the best opening so far. An impressive and rather hilarious start certainly triggers your excitement muscle. Watching Matsu run down the street with a dismembered arm dangling from her wrist while listening to the lovely soundtrack (still 'Song of Vengeance') is pure gold. I even dare to go as far as to say it's one of the coolest scenes ever.

But stick around, because there's a lot more to come. Introducing various subjects such as prostitution, rape, incest, and of course murder. It's a compelling bunch of problems which definitely gives 'Beast Stable' some new ingredients to cook with.

It has some great writing, keeping you hooked non stop. The environmental changes are perfectly timed, switching from parts in the gloomy city to dirty sewers and even jail. It will take you all over the place. Of course drenched with a stylish sauce. Probably not even close to the crazy ideas in the first and mainly second film, but the almost (of course relatively) subtle approach feels spot on at all times.

Matsu remains unforgettable and she makes me beg for more and more. I still have Grudge's Song to go so I'll be seeing plenty of her later on. I shouldn't forget the 'Stray Cat' films she's in and of course Lady Snowblood. Damn, I've got so much to look forward to!

I've said it all, I guess. It's becoming hard to come up with new complementing words for every brilliant Scorpion film. Let's hope the fourth one is as good as all of Ito's work. But I guess Hasebe should be capable of pulling it off. Let's keep some fingers and possibly all other body parts crossed, because I can only hope for a happy finish.

Rojo sangre (2004)

Promising debut

[7/10 · 10 December 2016]

Rojo Sangre is a Spanish full feature debut by Christian Molina. These kind of debutes are perfect measurements to see if there's any talent hidden inside the director. Writer and leading man Paul Naschy came up with a brilliantly confusing and quite frankly almost fantasy/dream-like story line based around an actor who has nothing going for him.

Veteran actor Pablo Thevenet has no luck: His daughter has been murdered, his wife has left him, he finds no job, his agent wants to leave him and directors will never give him a role. He hates current talent less stars on TV talk shows. Suddenly, he is hooked up for a job as a living sculpture in a whore house working for Mr. Reficul and his transsexual assistant Dora Grizzel. In the end. Pablo becomes an artistic murderer, searching for those he thinks responsible of his current state.

It's a great mish mash of extravagant characters and wildly over the top character development. The film can be very subtle and at the same time it will randomly burst into something rather unsubtle. It's definitely an unpredictable story line and above it all: an unpredictable leading role. There's something about the vibe that will draw your attention from the first to the very last minute. It really is something you can't accurately describe, but you'll find it amusing and disturbing at the same time... once you get into it.

The very first scene definitely sets the tone for what's yet to come. A pretty messed up conversation about shoving toy cars up your rectum isn't quite what I was expecting. It's a clear indication that this film is served with a dark sense of humor. It's one of the many qualities. Christian Molina dares to take risks story wise, as well as visually. He has some cool tricks up his sleeves. His scene transitions are amazingly creative.

Rojo Sangre is not really a slasher, nor is it anything else in particular. It's a surprisingly well made mixture of genres with great performances (Paul Naschy really knows how to put on a show) and the many twists will keep you guessing throughout the entire film. A must see!

Hate Crime (2012)

Just a bunch of F-bombs... and Nazi's

[8/10 · 10 December 2016]

There are certain films that the hardcore horror crowd will never stop talking about. The Japanese had their Guinea Pig series. America shocked the scene with August Underground films and of course Lucifer Valentine made some awkwardly sick stuff. Serbia gave birth to a special kind of torture porn with Srpski Film and so the ball was in America's court again. This one does not entirely fit in the same category, but the impact feels similar. James Cullen Bressack presents to us: Hate Crime

I can't give anything away. On the other hand, I don't want to give anything away. It's really best to go in clean. In this new found footage film four sadistic home intruders hold a typical American family hostage.

It's so hard to describe the impact of the film without giving some examples. What I can say is that this is one of the first times that I actually thought that the found footage gimmick (because that's what it still is) works. Realism is of major importance in Hate Crime and the best way to make it all relatively believable is by keeping the viewer as close as possible to the situation. Close to the bad guys as well as the uncomfortable helplessness of the victims themselves. There's no remorse and there are no exceptions, everyone has to worry for their life at any given point. There's no way you can predict their next move and that's nerve wrecking.

It's one of the many things I liked about it. Not just the continuous storm of surprises, it's also the taboo-breaking nature of those surprises that makes it feel rather special. James' talent really shows this time as he planned and directed everything very precisely, giving the actors the time and space they need to give away a heck of a performance. One of the best I've seen in a while, certainly for an Indy flick. It's incredible. I do wonder how desperate they had to be to say yes to such a horrifying concept, no offense.

It's all meant positively, of course. It's been a couple of days since I've seen it and I chose not to write anything about it until after I had given it some time. See if it sticks, so to say. And it does. So yeah, this review probably comes down to the same conclusion as it would've earlier. Anywhore, time to shine my light on some more interesting assets. One of the first things that you will notice is how long each shot is, they literally go on for minutes and minutes, with the most uncomfortable stuff going on in them.

In the end there's little to nothing that I can come up with to bitch about. And why would I? Finally something that proves that this 'subgenre' (not really, right) is still alive. It's a shocking home invasion flick with a refreshing approach. We know 'Ils' and we all know the classic 'Last House on the Left'... yet this feels completely different, look-wise as well as the feel of it. Keep an eye out for this one! Definitely a soon to be cult classic.

Theatre of the Deranged (2012)

Mixed bag

[6/10 · 10 December 2016]

Theatre of the Deranged presents five short films which I like to classify as 'backyard flicks'. No budget whatsoever and that's part of the charm. Ranging from silly to clever and funny to shameful. This theater has something for everyone. Have a seat *points at seat* and listen to your host, Andy the arsonist.

Andy the arsonist, played by Cory Jacob, individually introduces the segments and gives you the time to catch your breath from all this terrifying nonsense. Simple but effective intermissions with a hell of a improvising feeling to it. It was necessary to keep the entire thing together, because the short films don't really have anything in common. Which is not a bad thing. Lets take a look at the shorts, one by one..

'Lust for Blood'...What was Shawn smoking?

'Bad Dennis' is one of the more straight forward shorts and was directed by Liz Gilbert. In this short, British version of TCM there isn't much room for surprise, but it is all done pretty convincingly. The acting is actually not that bad at all and the effects (although often off screen) do their job. I enjoyed the setting. The English country side has a distinctive empty vibe that works in these simple slasher flicks. It was pretty entertaining and I didn't feel like I could be asking for much more at this point.

'Speak Easy' at this point cranks up the quality by paying a clever little visit in the mind of a psychopath. In this short director James Cullen Bressack takes tiny, thought-out steps towards a satisfying ending for the gore hounds. The dubstep was a nice touch and Jon Bloch did an excellent job! Definitely something you'll have to look forward to when you smack this DVD in your player.

'Doll Parts' starts off pretty interesting and in quite a bit of a contrast with some of the other shorts by giving us a backstory to hold onto, shot in black and white. Though this first part isn't half as good as the second when it comes to acting. Caught me a bit off guard with the violence and that's always a good thing. The calm and slow paced first half really gives the the rest much more impact.

'Cannibal Blood Girl' is about a cannibalistic girl covered in blood. That's pretty much it. Oh yeah, she fires blood from her tits and vajayjay. Loved it.

By lack of any seriousness, in the end this is something I'd love to recommend. To be fair to Shawn C. Phillips, I did think that his short had the true 'backyard' vibe to it (maybe a bit to literally) and it reminded me of Troma in a way. The gay break dancer, the green goo, the synthesizer crap.. yeah, I can't say I didn't have a fun time. Mostly because it was shameful, but also because I can relate to the ideas!

Cannibal Blood girl will stick around the longest as the most eye catching of the bunch. Though, Speak Easy is the most clever and well produced and therefor I think it's the best short Theatre of the Deranged had to offer. It's worth a try if you're drunk, high, or just like me and probably the rest of the dutchies: both.