Hambuster (2010)

2.5 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Paul Alexandre, Maxime Cazaux, Dara Cazamea, Romain Delaunay, Bruno Ortolland
Written by: Paul Alexandre, Maxime Cazaux, Dara Cazamea, Romain Delaunay, Bruno Ortolland
Actors include: N/A
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Animated
Length: 6 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a sorta lamely computer animated short 3D flick about a hamburger gone bad. It was created by 5 students as a graduation project I believe, and when you consider that they did well...I'da passed 'em. A fella goes to take a bite only to have it lick his face, then the burger promptly goes on a chomping spree tearing up a fast food restaurant. It's just not very special and it seems as though not much care went into the making of it. I did appreciate the carnage that takes place during the restaurant massacre (some of the touches there were nice) but the rest of it all seemed rather meh. Not something I'll ever want to see again nor would I really recommend it, but it did give me a craving for a burger.

Availability:  watch it here for free  http://vimeo.com/13526349

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

2.5 / 5 Jul '13
Tagline: After a decade of silence... The buzzz is back!
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Written by: Kim Henkel, Tobe Hooper
Actors include: Caroline Williams, Dennis Hopper, Jim Siedow
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
What a yawn, and a long one at that. Now understandably it's not going to be as good as the original as sequels seldom are. Heck even judging this as a film unrelated to the series it's still a dud though. I just can't get over that Tobe Hooper was behind this sequel and Tom Savini did the effects so how did it go so terribly wrong? It's very cartoonish and the cannibal family in this act like the friggin' 3 Stooges. Since when did Leatherface shake his belly around and wiggle when holding a chainsaw? This is most definitely a comedy with some lame gore in it and not much else, it's just not funny and if you are going to play that angle at least throw in some laughs. The story is about an irritating female radio DJ (Caroline Williams) called Stretch who gets a phone call on her request line from two jackasses causing a ruckus. They won't get off the phone (if the other person hangs the phone up, doesn't that disconnect the line?) and they meet their fate when Leatherface chainsaws 'em up real good. Stretch hears it all and is pursuaded to play the tape on the radio by Lt. Lefty (Dennis Hopper slumming it huge time). Of course it gets her into trouble and soon the radio station is under attack by cannibalistic buffoons. I was a little amused that Bo in his "Sonny Bono wig" looks very much like a member of Oasis but that was the highlight of the film. It seems that some really like this film but I can't find much reason to join their plight so instead I'll say avoid!

Availability:  On DVD

Sinister Flesh (1976)

3.5 / 5 Jul '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Stanley Sheff
Written by: Stanley Sheff
Actors include: S.D. Nemeth, Tomme Arnold, Riki Marcelli
Genre: Horror, Short, Comedy
Length: 27 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a very strange little short film from the '70s filmed in the style of the silent horror pictures of the '20s. It even says at the beginning that the director didn't believe in talking in film, but the thing is, the schtick works. It's filmed in black and that sort of yellowish tinge they occasionally would use, and the monsters and the behavior of the characters is very in tune with the classics as well. What makes this different is that it's very much a comedy, much of it is plain silly and some of the jokes fall flat. Still I couldn't help but snicker a few times, and considering it's only a 25 minute film it does have a fair bit to offer. It's the story of Dr. Ogo Moto who is seeking immoratality by conducting strange experiments along with his friend Zit, The Hunchback. They kidnap Women, then hook them into a crazy machine and well usually things go wrong, until of course they don't. It's not bloody, it's not scary, but the atmosphere is right and it's a decent throwback picture.

Availability:  Apparently this film was once thought to be lost, but you can watch it here: http://vids.myspace.com/in...mp;videoid=3111

The Frog, The Dog, and the Devil (1986)

 4 / 5  Jun '11 
Tagline:  N/A
Directed by:  Bob Stenhouse
Written by:  Bob Stenhouse
Actors include:  N/A
Genre:  Horror, Comedy, Western, Animation, Short
Length:  8 minutes
Banned:  Nope





 

Review:
This is quite visually stunning, the style of animation and the horror inspired touches really make this a goodie.  This flick came from New Zealand, and in 1986 it was even nominated for an Oscar for best short picture.  It shows a Man who tricks a Barkeep out of a bottle of booze, then starts hallucinating things almost like he's haunted or something.  It's very surreal yet there is so much going on that it's incredibly easy to digest.  Quite an unusual treat, it's very whimsical and imaginative ode to drunkards. 

Availability:  I don't believe it's on DVD but watch it here:

Boo (1932)

 3.5 / 5  Jun '11 
Tagline:  N/A
Directed by:  Albert DeMond
Written by:  Albert DeMond
Actors include:  Morton Lowry
Genre:  Horror, Comedy, Short
Length:  10 minutes
Banned:  Nope





 
Review:
This is a rather cute little mash up of the current films that were popular at the time.  Expect scenes from Frankenstein, Nosferatu, and intriguingly the only surviving footage from a lost film called The Cat Creeps (okay well the sound reels only exist at this point).  Over top of the remix we have a narrator mocking the scenarios and throwing out cheap jokes (most of which work, some of which don't).  It's as cheesy as they come, but luckily I have an healthy appreciation for cheese.  It weighs in at around ten minutes which is perfect because it starts to run out of steam towards the end.  Still worthy of a gander for genre fan, thanks so much to my pal Happywax (Doomgoryums Horror Emporium) for mentioning this one to me!

 Availability:  I don't believe it's on DVD but watch it here:

Night Of The Living Bread (1990)

4 / 5  Jun '11
Tagline: The Bread Still Rises!
Directed by:  Kevin S. O'Brien
Written by:  Kevin S. O'Brien
Actors include:  Vince Ware, Katie Harris, Robert J. Saunders
Genre:  Horror, Comedy, Short
Length:  8 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:

As soon as I read the title I though "gee this is going to be absolutely stupid", and I was right but it's gloriously stupid.  I really was surprised how funny they could make this considering yes...no tricks, it's Night of the Living Dead crammed into eight minutes with bread.  An explosion at a bakery causes bread to attack people and a small group of people have gathered at an abandoned farm house for refuge.  They were rather clever in choosing which scenes to reenact, and the way they went about most scenes was pretty wise as well.  It just looks like they must have had a ton of fun making it, and heck I had a ton of fun watching it, perhaps you should too!

Availability:  It's available as a bonus feature on a version of Night of the Living Dead, or watch it here:

Dracula Bites The Big Apple (1979)

4 / 5 June '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Richard Wenk
Written by: Fred Olsen
Actors include: Barry Gomolka, Peter Loewy, Steve Rubell
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Musical, Short
Length: 22 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is admittedly very campy and silly but with a musical/disco themed Dracula short film in New York from the '70s...what the heck do you expect? Dracula runs out of blood in Transylvannia, so he and Renfield (who looks spun out on something) pack in the coffin and take on New York. It's most certainly a comedy, in fact it really is very funny in parts what with the whole fish out of water scenario. Our story also takes Dracula to Studio 54 because he heard hot blooded folks would be there (har har), but of course he can't get in because he can't dance. It's far from scary, and on a horror front aside from the theme it isn't the most effective but judge it on it's merits alone and I think it's pretty entertaining. I wish there were more quirky little short films from the '70s like this one, definitely a lot of fun indeed. On a side note, this short film helped Richard Wenk fund his full length '80s flick Vamp which I also quite enjoy.

Availability:  Not on DVD but watch on youtube: 

Recorded Live (1975)

4 / 5  May '11 
Tagline:  N/A
Directed by:  S.S. Wilson
Written by:  S.S. Wilson
Actors include:  John Goodwin
Genre:  Horror, Comedy, Short
Length:  8 minutes
Banned:  Nope






Review:
When you consider how easy this must have been to make, it seems shocking that I haven't seen much like it since.  It's about a Guy called Mr. Aaines who receives a letter for a job interview.  He goes into the office only to find two reels of film sitting there.  The tape on the reels starts unwinding and it forms into some sort of blobular creature that chases him around.  It's not going to freak anyone out, it's just sort of a comedic little "what if" tale that is well executed.  It sounds stupid and yes in a way it is but they come up with enough clever ideas to make it very worthwhile.  I can't help but wonder if Trent Reznor was influenced by this when making his "Head Like A Hole" video. 

Availability:  Not on DVD

The Horribly Slow Murderer with the Extremely Inefficient Weapon (2008)

3 / 5  May '11
Tagline:  It will kill you. Even if it takes the rest of your life.
Directed by:  Richard Gale
Written by:  Richard Gale
Actors include:  Paul Clemens, Brian Rohan, Fay Kato
Genre:  Horror, Comedy, Short
Length: 10 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:  
Well the title was certainly the best possible choice for the flick.  It is about a murderer who is invincible...and his weapon?  A spoon.  It goes on to mimic scenes from various Hollywood films only of course add in someone getting smacked with a spoon ad nauseam.  It's a short film coming in at ten minutes, but towards the middle it does start to feel horribly long.  At least they do tuck back the odd little treat towards the end so it is worth sticking it out.  It's not complete garbage, it is rather funny for the first few minutes but I can't imagine ever watching it again. 

Availability:  On DVD

Freaked (1993)

4 / 5 May '11
Tagline: A thinking man's stupid comedy.
Directed by: Tom Stern, Alex Winter
Written by: Tim Burns, Tom Stern
Actors include: Megan Ward, Randy Quaid, Alex Winter
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 86 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
What a strange combination of comedy, parody and sci-fi which echoes the sentiments of Monty Python films in many ways. I've got to say that although it's insanely silly it's really very funny, especially the first 40 minutes. Some of the gags get a little stale as it goes on and even though it has a shortish runtime it couldn't have carried on any further. It's absurd, bizarre, not afraid to go for cheap laughs and of course full of freaks and surprisingly it has a nearly all-star cast. The plot revolves around a self-absorbed actor called Ricky Coogan (Alex Winter) who has accepted the role of a spokesperson for a toxic chemical company. Ricky and his friend Ernie (Michael Stoyanov) then travels to South America to learn more about the chemical. Along the way they also pick up love interest and activist Julie (Megan Ward), together the three end up at a mutant freak farm. Before they know it, they are science projects and part of a sideshow with other freaks and they must plan their escape! I think my favorite part were Eye and Eye, the Rastafarian minions for the bad sideshow overlord...soo stupid but I'm still laughing about it. This is definitely low-brow, if you are looking for some classic that will make you think or something you are obviously barking up the wrong tree. If you are looking for a quirky cameo filled freakfest this is your flick!

Availability:  on DVD

Return Of The Living Dead III (1993)

3.5 / 5 May '11
Tagline: She's To Die For.
Directed by: Brian Yuzna
Written by: John Penney
Actors include: Kent McCord, James T. Callahan, Sarah Douglas
Genre: Horror, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 97 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'm really happy to see that this third installment really does rejuvenate the franchise with a far better offering than the previous installment of the series. This time they bother to explain a little more of what is going on scientifically (the Government is still working on studying reanimating the dead for military purposes). One of the Military fellas has a teenage son named Curt who has stolen his swipe pass to impress his girlfriend Julie. The two are a little wild, and totally in love! So when they go exploring they happen to learn about the zombie experiments. They also soon find out that Curt is to be moved away because his Father has been transferred to another city. The two teens decide to go it alone together, and head out on Curt's bike...only a terrible accident happens and he needs to use the reanimation powder to fix things. As we all know, things will go terribly wrong and before we know it we are in the middle of a gory zombie battle (hooray!). Sure it's a bit cheesy and over the top but what more could one expect? It actually does a good job of working within the confines of the series so far and it's quite entertaining. Definitely a worthwhile and bloody sequel that should appeal to fans of the series and just horror fans in general.

Availability:  On DVD

Trick R Treat (2007)

4 / 5 May '11 
Tagline:  You better watch out, I'm telling you why. Sam is coming to town...
Directed by:  Michael Dougherty
Written by:  Michael Dougherty
Actors include:  Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker, Brian Cox
Genre:  Horror, Comedy
Length:  82 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
Sure this isn't the sort of horror film that is going to scare the pants off of anyone, but it is a really fun Halloweeny anthology.  It winds four spookily fun little tales together to make for a fast-paced and original flick.  One segment was about a Principal who does not put the "pal" in Principal (okay worst joke ever right?).  In fact he may be murdering the children of the neighborhood!  Another is about a bunch of teens who pull a prank on an idiot...savant that is.  We also have a College virgin who is waiting for the right one, but her friends are kinda pressuring her to do it now!  Lastly there is the tale about blowing out a jack-o-lantern before midnight.  All were well executed and the spirit of the film is purely vintage which I loved.  I'm so happy to see that the anthology is in fact not dead, just twisted Pulp Fiction style.  Thanks so much to the very wise Happywax (Doomgoryums Horror Emporium) for this recommendation, great selection!  

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Brain Dead (2007)

3 / 5  May '11
Tagline:  A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste
Directed by:  Kevin Tenney
Written by:  Dale Gelineeau
Actors include:  Joshua Benton, Sarah Grant Brendecke, David Crane
Genre:  Horror, Comedy
Length:  95 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:

Well I can seriously say I knew absolutely nothing about this film going into it, in fact we thought we were about to watch the Roger Corman film of the same name.  I was relieved to find that this was at least an entertaining flick, complete with excessive nudity, gruesome gore effects and it was rather comical throughout.  It also adversely has terrible acting, dry spots with people talking and a definite straight-to-video feeling to it.  The plot is about some people who all (for some reason or another) end up at this deserted cabin.  Oops, did I say deserted?  Cuz I meant invested with alien mutant zombie things (yes you purists will not be pleased with that) but it made for a colorful little film at least.  Watch people try basically nothing to retaliate or escape the situation and sit back and let the cliches roll.  Sure this isn't going to win an Oscar but it's a fair bit of fun for a late night viewing for those who like stuff that oozes.

Availability:  on DVD

I Was A Teenage Intellectual (1999) aka Byl Jsem Mladistvým Intelektuálem

2.5 / 5 May '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Marek Dobes, Stepan Kopriva
Written by: Marek Dobes, Stepan Kopriva
Actors include: Vladimír Skultéty, Sona Tomeckova, Robert Jaskow
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Short
Length: 17 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This really felt like a silly little joke which although it was a short film (at 16 minutes) it should have been maybe 3 minutes or so long. The gag is the comparison between intellectuallism and werewolfism which is kinda cute I guess but far from satisfying. Two junk food lovin' action fans are content in their lives until one of them is bitten by an intellectual. Suddenly he starts craving big words, big books and attending cult like meetings dressed in black. On a horror front this is very unsatisfying, and although I did laugh at the A Nightmare on Elm Street gag there isn't much else nice I could say.

Availability:  Not on DVD as far as I know

Forklift Driver Klaus: The First Day on the Job (2000) aka Staplerfahrer Klaus - Der Erste Arbeitstag

4 / 5 May '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Stefan Prehn, Jörg Wagner
Written by: Jörg Wagner, Stefan Prehn
Actors include: Konstantin Graudus, Gustav Adolph Artz, Jürgen Kittel
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Length: 9 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Maybe it's because I've seen several forklift training videos because I work in a Warehouse that I found this to be so hilarious. It's a German short film that is created in the style of a workplace safety video, and as it goes on it gets increasingly more ridiculous and bloody. We first meet Klaus, a newly certified forklift driver who is ready to start his day. At first he decides it's safe to lift a fellow employee on a pallet which of course he finds out isn't the wisest idea. Each time Klaus has a bad idea we go back to an alarm and the next incident seems to get worse. Even the cheesy music and voiceover really make this something entertaining to watch. I think anyone who likes to see things go terribly wrong should enjoy this in some twisted way.

Availability:  I don't think it's on DVD

Le Diable Noir (1905) aka The Black Imp

4.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Length: 4 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I really enjoyed this one, it's hilarious and the effects are very impressive for the time. This time Georges Méliès treats us to a 4 minute comedy/horror romp involving a black imp. He flips about in a room and lies on the bed before flipping into the mirror (neat trick). Then a traveler shows up to rest in the room for the night, but as he tries to put away his belongings the Imp has a few menacing surprises waiting for him. I'm really amazed that he pulled this off so well and it was so darned fun to watch, highly recommended for anyone really. I wish all early cinema was this entertaining!

Availability:  On DVD

Le Manoir Du Diable (1896) aka The House Of The Devil

3.5 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès, Jeanne d'Alcy
Genre: Horror, Short, Comedy
Length: 3 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Sort of an odd little film that is maybe less preserved than expected, but you can still see what's happening (perhaps it was just the copy I watched). Mephistopheles flies in as a bat (he's a vampire), then he transforms into a human. He manages to conjure up various supernatural creatures that seem to bother or surprise him. It's a bit herky jerky, but I imagine these effects were quite ahead of their time. Georges Méliès has created an interesting scenario once again at least, though it seems a little more would have went a long way. It is considered to be an early horror film although comedy would also fit here I think. Either way it's worth a viewing for early cinema fans.

Availability:  On DVD

Un Nuit Terribles (1896) aka A Terrible Night

3 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Georges Méliès
Written by: Georges Méliès
Actors include: Georges Méliès
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Short
Length: 1 minute
Banned: Nope

Review:
Kind of a cute little one minute early film about a man who is trying to catch a good night's sleep. He snuffs out his candle and suddenly a giant spider comes out to annoy him. This is an insanely early film and honestly it's quite well preserved, I was impressed. The effects are also a tad better than I was expecting, although hardly amazing. This was my first exposure to Georges Méliès's work, but it certainly won't be my last. A fun little flick that should amuse early film fans with a touch of comedy.

Availability:  On DVD

The Man With Two Brains (1983)

4.5 / 5
Tagline: Steve Martin Is A World Famous Surgeon. He Invented Screw Top, Zip Lock Brain Surgery. Trust Him.
Directed by: Carl Reiner
Written by: George Gipe, Steve Martin
Actors include: Steve Martin, Kathleen Turner, Dave Warner
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This has got to be the funniest Steve Martin movie I've come across yet, not only was he fantastic but I loved Kathleen Turner in this too! This film not only has a great cast but it has some of the funniest bits in any film ever! It's a wonderful mix of silly, absurd and universally funny. Steve Martin plays a surgeon (Dr. Hfuhruhurr, the name gag never gets old) who is the inventor of the first "twist off, zip lock" brain transplant. He accidentally hits Kathleen Turner with his car and she starts using him (because she gets off on making Men miserable) and of course the two wind up married. The only problem is, when visiting a scientist's lab he falls madly for a brain (Miss Uumellmahaye)! There is also a serial killer who murders on elevators prowling about (which is my personal favorite part) which is worry some too! It's a hilarious hybrid of many different things, but certainly early sci-fi films but I really think you don't have to be in "the know" to appreciate this gem.

Availability:  On DVD

Spaceballs (1987)

3.5 / 5
Tagline:  Revenge of the Schtick
Directed by:  Mel Brooks
Written by:  Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan
Actors include:  John Candy, Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis
Genre:  Comedy, Sci-Fi
Length:  96 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
Now that I've seen Star Wars finally, it was time for Spaceballs as I find Mel Brooks' films usually very funny. This one wasn't one of his best but there were definitely quite a few laughs to be had, but usually silly ones and prop humour. John Candy's character "Barf" (Chewy) was probably my favorite, though Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet was hysterical on it's own. The idea here is that the evil planet Spaceball is running out of air, but Druidia (where our characters come from) has plenty of air. From there of course the evil dudes devise a plan to thieve their air, but will the good guys be able to stop them? Not all of the gags succeed but I still found this very easy to watch, and something that I'll probably even watch again. Really cute, and sci-fi fans should definitely find something to love in this one.

Availability:  On Blu-Ray & DVD