Eternal Code

What's the old cliche? A new spin on an old thing? Hey folks, I'm back with a request review from our old friend, producer Joe Williamson of Williamson Management Company (Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance, Check Point, Holy Terror, Nation's Fire, Moon of the Blood Beast, Meathook Massacre: The Final Chapter) and he had a humble request to give the once over for a new Harley Wallen film. Director Harley Wallen (Deceitful, Moving Parts, Bennett's Song, Abeyance and Betrayed) has a new action thriller so let's give it an eyeful. This is Eternal Code.

Honey, I think this Craigslist orgy is wrong now.

We open with a young man on the ragged edge, hastily scribbling notes and pulls a USP .45 to clear his mind when a young prostitute, Stephanie (Kaiti Wallen of Moving Parts, Bennett's Song, Iced Out and Betrayed) is getting slapped around by her would-be John (Brian Heintz of Moving Parts, Lizard of Dogs, Betrayed, Revenge of the Mask, Ring of Silence and Be Somebody). Naturally the need to help another puts our suicidal lad Corey (Damien Chinappi of The Web of Spider-Man, Knightmare, Retribution, The Girl in the Attic, Betrayed and I Thought You Were a Nice Man) off his coconut scrambling ideas and proceeds to lay smack down on the puke and they disappear into the night.

Basing this story on Juan Ponce de Leon's(Conquistador, explorer, soldier and first governor of Puerto Rico) discovery of the fountain of eternal youth, a genetic research company has developed a miracle cure. One that will enrich human life for, shockingly enough for the rich and powerful. The idea of infinitely prolonging human life and slowing the aging process.

Hobo Hero...

However, the methods to bring this miraculous creation to be was immoral and completely unethical. The company's CEO Bridget Pellegrini (Erika Hoveland of Sparkle, Mary's Buttons, Ticket to the Circus, The House That Jack Broke, Believe Again, Proxy and Good News) wants to pull the plug and not watch her empire to go crumbling down. Her board of directors is trying to coax her to the dark side with promises of money and chocolate chip cookies and hey if you can't trust Oliver (Richard Tyson of 3 o'Clock High, Kindergarten Cop, There's Something About Mary, Battlefield Earth and Black Hawk Down) well, who can you trust?

Who took my smiley face mug? You Gary? Hmm?

 

The looks on the interns and lower echelon workers, seems to me a typical board meeting. Screaming and scheming is the order of the day, if not the week. Dr. Magnus (Yan Birch of Slumber Party Massacre III, The People Under the Stairs, Cyber Bandits, Ghost Rock, Terror Tales, Death House and Betrayed) also attempts to get Bridget to see the benefits that outweigh the repercussions. C'mon Bridget, the Stairmaster is right!  At least Mr. Pomeroy (Mel Novak of Game of Death, An Eye for an Eye, Sword of Heaven, Moonbase, Vampire Assassin, Thunderkick, Kill Factor, Syndicate Smasher, Holy Terror and Nemesis 5: The New Model) has her back. GO STICK!   I swear I will try to stop doing that.

Ongoing concern about this merger veto even hits home with Bridget's husband Mark (Billy Wirth of The Lost Boys, Body Snatchers, Reunion, The Talent Given Us, Duress, Chicago P.D., Last Curtain Call and Betrayed). He expresses he just doesn't want her getting hurt and is there to support her while he is making dinner. Damn right she put a ring on it!

Diabolical deeds done via Vida!

Corey and Stephanie slowly gain a rapport as two people broken by life are trying to mend. Two people guarding who they are opening up in a fashion they didn't think even possible again.

Oliver is done playing nice and contracts a crew to capture and contain Bridget and family. This nefarious piece of work, Sam (Harley Wallen of Moving Parts, Love Espionage: Spy Revenge, Halt: The Motion Picture, Betrayed, Be Somebody and Eternal Code) tells Oliver 5 million upfront so they can have a location for the kidnapping and another five once completed.

Considering kidnapping is a federal offense, yeah his team is gonna need the scratch to avoid prosecution. Costa Rica would be ideal.

With Bridget out of the way, Magnus can start the trials with the aid of Nikita (the vivacious Vida Ghaffari of Circus of Dread, The Catch, Holy Terror, Horndog's Beach Party, Robowoman, Moon of the Blood Beast and Meathook Massacre: The Final Chapter) and her talents.

With Corey and Stephanie trying to find out what happened to Bridget and Mark, time is ticking down. Can a burned out Vet and a street walker save the day? Will the company collapse?

This is just some damn good story telling. We got heart and soul of good people, that grim and gritty darkness of the villains and business being dealt regardless of the damage that it could produce. A solid thriller, good dialogue and an impressive cast, I have to say this Indie thriller is damn captivating. A nice slow build-up to give you all you need to know about the players and then, something new happens. Take notes, A-list films. This is how good yarn spinning is done. Does it need a sequel? Maybe not but I would like to see this cast brought back for a similar project. Took me ages to realize Charlie was Scout Taylor-Compton (Charmed, Halloween, Halloween II, NCIS Los Angeles, Wet and Reckless and Nashville). Brain was expecting her to be blonde. Smooth move, brain.

Just a side note here. Damien and Kaiti had real chemistry. I really hope to see them in more work. Maybe give them villain roles this time around. Sinister and brutal. Again all just ideas to toss out there. A tale of morality versus injustice. Strong character development for a 105 minute film. Excellent playing off each others emotions and I especially enjoyed Richard Tyson having next to no morals. Vicious character.

September 6 is a release of VOD on iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, Vudu and FandangoNow and the DVD release is scheduled later in the fall. Keep those eyes peeled, people!

Ho boy, Joker crew.

Meathook Massacre: The Final Chapter

Back again guys and dolls. Well I got another request review by writer/director/editor Dustin Ferguson (Gloved Murderess, Demon Dolls, Cheerleader Camp: To the Death, Invitation to Die, Nemesis 5: The New Model and Amityville: Evil Never Dies) , a regular with the blog as his legacy series with Bubba Fleisher and his appalling family of serial nutter butters. SoCal Cinema Studios and A Troma Team Release sent me a screener that may bring us a bloody conclusion. This is Meathook Massacre: The Final Chapter.

Hey kid, you got a 20 ton bottle jack?

The fifth installment in the series and our story continues with Danielle Stokely (Danielle Brookshire of The Eyes of Isabelle, Cheerleader Camp: To the Death, Shivers Down Your Spine, Meathook Massacre, Tales for the Campfire and The Dummy 2) as she was kidnapped so long ago by Bubba (Robert Lankford of Meathook Massacre, Family Covenant, Grindsploitation 2: The Lost Reels, Meathook Massacre II, Meathook Massacre 3: First Hunt, Wrong Side of the Tracks, Nemesis 5: The New Model, House of Pain andd Meathook Massacre 4) and his lunatic lineage. With her narrow escape, she is one of the few souls to not end up Bubba's victims. 15 years ago, she went into hiding, praying she never runs into these monsters again.

With a flashback dating to the original, Dani is seen fleeing from Bubba as he flays his meathook and tromps after her. Oh if only she and her friends never went to go see Dragonsclaw live. The scene is reminiscent of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as Leatherface chases down Sally.

Having the obvious nightmares as she should, Dani is effectively Ripley of Aliens at this point, but more on genre Sydney of Scream 2. Still scarred and scared of that night but trying to come to grips with it all. Well you're in good hands with Samantha (the lovely Vida Ghaffari of Circus of Dread, The Catch, Rice Girl, Holy Terror, Scorpion Girl, Horndogs Beach Party, Nation's Fire, RoboWoman and Moon of the Blood Beast). FYI that crafty writer snuck in a House by the Cemetery reference. No chance of that sneaking by me, good sir. I am a Fulci nut.

Any time is always better with more Vida.

Dani also has a new man in her life, Todd (Ronnie Angel of Grindsploitation 666, Runaway Nightmare, Tales from the Grave, Dirty D: Jelly and The Verdict with Judge Hatchett) who doesn't want to impale her with a meathook, so that's good. Also a plus when the love of yout life doesn't try to run you through with butcher's tools. I would have probably passed out with laughter if his name was Chuck. They decide to meet up for lunch. Hope it's not “COLD CUTS”. Yes there may be more meat puns.

A couple of hikers are out and about. Dammit people! You know this is a slasher film, why would you do that typical dumb folk routine? You know it ends badly! I beg you folk, carry a gun or a good kabar, just to improve your odds. Hell a collapsible shovel. Naturally we have to split up, so Jeffery is taking a leak and leaving his lady, Jessica (Valerie Mulligan of Bikini Swamp Girl Massacre, Auteur, Steve's Garden, Troma Presents: Mulligan's Monsters, Drive-In Grindhouse, Moon of the Blood Beast and VHS Violence) to pitch the tent. Yeah I'll pitch it. Right into the damn stream, ya punk. Little did they know a familiar face is roaming about. Hey Jeffery, spare some ribs? Warned you about bad puns,

Weird, looks like Dani lives in the Horndogs Party Beach apartment. Off to meet Todd, for a picnic and some exposition. You see Todd, your girl has had a bit of crazy in her life and it was none too fun. Not that kinky dungeon I want to explore my sexuality crazy but the I barely escaped being shish-kabob crazy. Puts a damper on the bone zone, huh brah? With the flashback cued up, Dani bears her soul and that horrible event hoping she doesn't freak her fella away. You think Nancy from A Nightmare on Elm Street had these problems?

Meanwhile back at the apartment, Samantha dishes with Dani and passes a note from a guy in Nebraska, Tom (Clint Beaver of The Dummy 2, Tamarrud, Tales for the Campfire 2, Meathook Massacre II, Wrong Side of the Tracks, Nemesis 5: The New Model, Amityville: Evil Never Dies, A Taste of Phobia and House of Pain) saying they need to meet up and it's urgent. Dani's real nightmares are rows of corn, pork bellies as a conversation topic and everyone reminding her of the great deals she can get with Omaha Steaks! The horror!!

Candid picnics are always great for tales of terror.

Dani finally sucks it up and decides to call Tom. Tom claims to also be a survivor from this lunatic family and folks, he barely got out of Meathook Massacre II. Yeah I would know that as a viewer and reviewer but nevertheless, the twosome vow to meet up at Wolf Lake in twenty. A pleasant introduction so now it's time for Tom to get all crazy pants, claiming a government cover-up and how Bubba and the demented death farm gang were never captured or convicted by the cops like Dani was told. Armed with news paper clippings, far fetched theories and channeling his inner Tommy Jarvis via Halloween 666, Tom is convinced that not only did the family escape but they move from location to location at a time. Hey gang, guess what? Dustin understands continuity. Take that and cram it, Friday the 13^th!

With this newfound knowledge Dani still doesn't know what to do. Just she and Samantha run or does she get her revenge with chainsaw and boomstick? Oh and if you do go boomstick, get that double barrelled pump shotgun because that is a series upgrade from Ash's Remington.

Will Dani put up a fight? Can see gack Bubba and his whole crazy clan?

 

A few side notes. The mask keeps improving as these films go on. I realize the elasti-band probably works better to hold the mask in place. For a visual I was hoping it would be braided leather made from one of Bubba's victims. That's me just going for a bit more gross and disturbing.

It was great to have Velvet Acid Christ back for the theme music again.  Stepping back in the role of audio editing, foley artist and composer, this Jack of All Trades: Matt Festle (Nemesis 5: The New Model, Surviving the Wild, Dead Squad: Temple of the Undead, Drive-In Grindhouse, Meathook Massacre 4 and Robowoman) is in for a ton of editing audio so it looks like he has the ears for it. Love the pig squealing sound effect.  FX makeup guru Alexys Paonessa (Electric Dreams, Black Lightning, Lucifer, Meathook Massacre: The Final Chapter and Moon of the Blood Beast) is back and making things and dead folk look eerie as Hell so kudos on that.

Dustin's foray into this depravity and morbid tales looked promising from the first film and just managed to keep the same momentum going. Not many sequels get a chance to be on par with the original, let alone stand neck in neck with it. The expansion of making it a deranged family in the second film really opened the flood gates and allowed for more story and character development. With this franchise I won't be surprised if someone else wants to take the reins and build it up even further. Maybe a series of prequels or a continuation. There is a room of possibilities. While this may very well be the last time Dustin is at the helm, I am guessing this is not the last Meathook Massacre we see.

Jeffery! I told you no gluten!

Moon of the Blood Beast

And we are back folks. I hope you all enjoyed Yoga Hosers. Maybe some of you went out and grabbed a copy. Who can say. So today I have a film review request from a familiar favorite of the blog, writer/director/editor Dustin Ferguson (Terror at Black Tree Forest, The Legacy of Boggy Creek, Escape to Black Tree Forest, Black Tree Forest III, Doll Killer, Die Sister, Die, Occult Holocaust, Gloved Murderess, Cheerleader Camp: To the Death, Shockumentary, Nemesis 5: The New Model and Robowoman) of SoCal Studios and produced by A Troma Team Release, courtesy of Lloyd Kaufman. The title I have been given to view smacks a little of 70s exploitation creature feature and by God I can do that. This is Moon of the Blood Beast.

That is not finger food. Bad demon! Bad!

You might recall my last review of Dustin's work, Grindsploitation 8: Grindhouse Drive-In, the various faux commercials and trailers, well I dare say our fellow has been busy with this flick and let's get into it, shall we? The vibe I am getting off this is Legend of Boggy Creek POV monster that has haunted the small town for generations.

We open with eerie music, muffled whispers or prayers and depictions of Baphomet, Lucifer and Satannish on cards, books and other such imagery. Yes I have read my fair share of religions and dealt with the Tarot Card New Age hippies. Hippies, man. They creep me out.

In the small coastal town of Riverside there is a legend. A legend of darkness when the moon is blood red, weird happenings occur. A pretty hitchhiker (Alana Evans of Horndogs Beach Party, Moon of the Blood Beast and Los Angeles Shark Attack) doesn't know of these legends as she makes her way across country and it's the little things you know that gives you a higher survival rate. Our hitchhiker is a budding photographer when something captures her instead.  Dammit!  I really wanted to see her hoist a shotgun, get some Bruce Campbell one liners in.  Well, maybe next time.

That's not how you tan. Bad Alana! Bad!

 Little disturbed the local Daily News got such a graphic picture for front page. Kids are reading this, dammit. Well alright no they aren't. Probably one with their smart phones. Deputy Sheriff Frank (D.T. Carney of Bigfoot's Wild Weekend, April Apocalypse, Trespass Into Terror, Generation Y and Garlic & Gunpowder) hangs a heavy head as he goes through the newspaper.

Thankfully he has sunny and lovely dispatcher Noel Johnson (Vida Ghaffari of Holy Terror, Scorpion Girl, Suspense, and Horndogs Beach Party, Nation's Fire, Robowoman and Suspense) for some advice, friendly attitude and a good cup of Joe. Well the crime scene was no boating accident! Because it was in the desert... nowhere near water... or a boat. Anyway, moving along.

After dealing with the crime scene, Frank runs into Gabe Smith who tells the Sheriff that the beast has returned. Sporting a S&W .45, Gabe (Mike Ferguson of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., American Violence, Training Day, A Crooked Somebody, Outlaw Origins, Brobot and ZombieCON) seems more of a proactive Crazy Ralph. This cat won't be wasting time speaking of death curses and how everyone is doomed. I think he's gonna let his lead do the talking. Good on you, fella.

You do not yell at Vida. Bad Sheriff! Bad!

A local jogger is doing right by his ticker. That is until his cardio gets kicked into overdrive with some drone and good hand held coming at him. Hmm, might want to claim mountain lion attacks, Sheriff. Of course that means Wildlife and Game will be tromping around there and become monster bait.

Three stoners are waking and baking already stoked to be camping from the crime scene. THE ONE that is ILLEGAL to be near! Damn potheads. Partaking of the spliff, stoner #1 (Ken May of Welcome to the Grindhaus, Tales of the Grave, Meathook Massacre 4 and Robowoman) actually stops and thinks his mortality could be on the line given no one has caught this killer. Heeeey...

Every 10 years under the Harvest Moon, the beast roams the land looking for sacrifices only to return to its ancient slumber afterwards. Mind you we are getting this probably fourth hand Chinese Whispers style. This cat was any more baked, he'd be a lasagna.

Our POV creature is making the rounds and by all that is Holy he doesn't seem to dig photographers, health nuts and hippies. That's close to 45% of Southern California, brah. What is your damage? Sheriff will have to be taking the Mayor Vaughn shark defense and fending off those pesky questions like: "Is it safe to be out at any hour? What are you doing to catch this killer? "

With two girls stranded nearby, they're out of gas. Oh no, now they'll have to make out. Right? Sorry only used to the hetro male answer for the out of gas with a girl.  On the outskirts of town, it's only a 2 mile walk. Beth (Julie Anne Prescott of Doomsday County, Dead End, Burn Notice, Hell's Kitty, No Strings 2: Playtme in Hell, House of Blood, and Meathook Massacre 4) and Becky( FX guru Alexys Paonessa (Electric Dreams, Black Lightning, Lucifer, Meathook Massacre: The Final Chapter and Moon of the Blood Beast) debate on the walk versus waiting for a good Samaritan. Finally the call of nature can no longer be avoided and neither is the culling.

That's not how we poop! Bad Hippie! Bad!

Wouldn't be a Ferguson film without seeing the lovely Dawna Lee Heising make an appearance.

Her son Clifford (Dustin Wonch of Runaway Nightmare and Moon of the Blood Beast) may end up missing dinner.

I started laughing when I realized that sneaky man snuck in clips of Track of the Moon Beast. Yeah I know this film and no I did not have to review it. Many moons ago, MST3K riffed on it as Johnny Longbow told us all went into his stew in the most monotone voice I have heard. "Corn, chicken, rice.." Poor Dawna has to sit through this flick. That's a trooper. Because as we all know, lunar meteorites are the cause of lizard man mutations. Back to the film.

Body count's stacking up like cord wood in a slasher film, Sheriff. You getting off your keister and tending to this or do we call in Chuck Norris? In less than two days, the kill count has managed double digits. Get the beast, Gabe! You got this!

Is the town damned? Does anyone have a spine to end this curse? What would having a local demon legend do for the tourist economy?

Well once again, the proof is there in front of you. You give Dustin some wiggle room, creative reins and he will deliver.  With some great POV camera work, cut screen kills we have an urban legend ground plan laid out and some good performances.  It has a real Jaws vibe to it, a dash of Grizzly meets Pumpkinhead.  A modern day folklore that seems to be scoffed at but the sinister undertone is there.  It's almost as if the town is aware of this happens every ten years whether they will admit it out loud or not. Frankly their negligence to warn travellers and the townsfolk makes the movie a lot more disturbing.

Nice to see Dustin's streak is only getting better. And hats off to FX woman Alexys Paonessa (Electric Dreams, Black Lightning, Lucifer, Meathook Massacre: The Final Chapter and Moon of the Blood Beast) as our creature does look ghastly.

I think this is cool. Bad Jake! Bad!

Robowoman

Hiya boys and girls! I'm back and ready to blog. That fricking #34 Rotten Ramblin' On took far too much time editing. Will explain at a later date. Today, a director who you all by now if you have been reading this blog, contacted me for a write-up. Rather a regular on this blog, director/writer/editor Dustin Ferguson (Doll Killer, Die Sister, Die!, Gloved Murderess, Cheerleader Camp: To the Death, Invitation to Die and Nemesis 5: The New Model) asked if I wouldn't mind giving his flick the once over. Naturally, the answer is yes.  Penned by writer Mike Reeb (Nemesis 5, House of Pain, Horndog's Beach Party) gives off  the styling feeling almost like a hybrid of Ms. 45 and Robocop, I am completely down for this. This is Robowoman.

Petite and pistol packing!

With an opening shot of L.A.via some damn fine drone footage and treated some radio exposition of violent crimes, we follow the story of Vivica Stevens ( Dawna Lee Heising of Blade Runner, Kung Fu: The Movie, Forbidden Warrior, Waiting for Dracula, Legend of the Red Reaper, Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance and Meathook Massacre II), hard at work for a temp agency and anyone that has worked temp can appreciate that grind, scowls from the regulars that you are a scab worker and so on.

Hounding her for a night on the town, a persistant co-worker Jonathan (Johnathan Nation of Flight World War II, Erotic Vampires of Beverly Hills, Circus Kane, Jurassic Galaxy and Runaway Nightmare) is pleading for a date; reluctantly Vivica lowers her shields and decides to give this goof a chance. I wasn't really feeling good vibrations of this cat, but hey I'm not female or gay, so what the hell do I know?

She's looking for Sarah Connor?

Still being sensible, Vivica calls her roommate Carlenee (Sue Price of Nemesis 2: Nebula, Nemesis 3: Time Lapse, Nemesis 4: Death Angel, Nemesis: The New Model and House of Pain) to give her the heads up that she will be out with Jonathan and a few of his buddies. Carlenee tells her to be careful and use good judgement. Sheesh, okay Mom. It's just Robby's (Gregory Blair of AbsurdTV Show, Horndogs Beach Party, Abaddon, Ugly Sweater Party, Lockdown, Garden Party Massacre and Wall of Flesh: A Vintage Comedy)birthday. What could go wrong?

The night goes for a turn for the worse as Jonathan and his "buddies" jump poor Vivica in a parking lot and proceed to...will "bad touch" do well enough for you folk? Yeah I know, I know rape revenge isn't my best subgenre to tackle but bear with me. Viciously attacked and left for dead, Vivica is barely hanging on, needing help badly. Carlenee tracks her to the park finding her in the mess that she is in, violated and hurt.

Isolated in a hospital, Vivica is touch and go, a Doctor Michaels (Mel Novak of Game of Death, Cat in the Cage, An Eye for an Eye, Future War, Vampire Assassin, Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance, Check Point and Holy Terror) and his assistant Hannah (Vida Ghaffari of Near Death, Circus of Dread, The Mindy Project, Eye on Entertainment, Facebook Live with Ford & Vida, Horndogs Beach Party, Holy Terror, Suspense and Hybristophilla) offering Vivica a new arm, a means of rewiring her optic nerves and giving her life back. Maybe not as before but better than bed ridden and injured. Helloooo Nurse Hannah! Sorry, sucker for a pretty face.

Moving right along, the procedure is a bit delicate and not completely legal but it is the building blocks of cybernetics. Carlenee must decide for Vivica and save her friend. Undergoing surgery, she is outfitted with a visor to compensate for her eye damage and now a killer right hook. The punch. They didn't give her a hook for an arm. Emotionally, Vivica is trying to keep things together but not able to cry is turning her stomach. Perhaps some martial arts and self defense to ease the soul, mind and body?

Confronting her demons, Vivica tries to move on from that night and Carlenee is really being the awesome, supportive friend she needs but she cannot shake it away from her thoughts. She seems to be off center with all the odd series of murders happening in her neighborhood. I'd think about moving but that's me.

L.A. after 2 p.m.

In a nutshell ,we have a Sci-Fi look at modern hate crimes, rape and murder and how society doesn't seem to register it being horrific as it really is. This blend of a rape revenge/science fiction shows Dawna can really perform. To see her range of cold decisive to conflicted and emotional was a real treat. I couldn't get over how warm Sue Price was in her performance as well. Keep in mind, I have only seen Sue Price as a muscle bound warrior crossing space and time, so a nurturing role was a bit startling but welcome. My only complaint is we needed a villain worthy of David Hess (Last House on the Left, Hitch-Hike, House on the Edge of the Park and Swamp Thing) or Henry Silvia (The Manchurian Candidate, Above the Law and Dick Tracy).  Jonathan Nation just looks like a really nice guy. 

With returns of regulars in the Ferguson alumni is legendary Scream Queen Brinke Stevens (Private School, Sole Survivor, Fatal Games, Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, Cheerleader Massacre) actor/producer Mark Popejoy (Mark Popejoy of Die Sister, Die!, The Eyes of Isabelle, Gloved Murderess and Shivers Down Your Spine) and Clint Beaver (The Dummy 2, Tales for the Campfire 2, Meathook Massacre II, Worng Side of the Tracks, Nemesis 5: The New Model and Amityville: Evil Never Dies), it is easily understood that Ferguson is easy going, know what to expect from his cast and crew and they deliver in record time.

A quick and special shoutout at SFX creator, Joe Castro(Xenophobia, Terror Toons 4, 9 Ways to Hell and Night of the Demons 3). Responsible for Dawna's visor and cyberarm, she embodies looking like a badass and stunt coordinator Shaun Vetick (Blood Rites, Flyover Country, Flat Water Terrors Volume 1, Say Goodbye, Grace: A Detective Story and Robowoman) giving our cyborg some martial arts training and pointers. Kudos for Wilheim screams (Stock sound effect of a man screaming used in over 389 films and dozens upon dozens of TV shows) being used.

Long term view? This definitely screams out of a sequel. Hell maybe two. We'll just have to wait and see.

Candid pose?  Perhaps.

Holy Terror

Back in action, folks and boy this Horror flick has gone off the rails with this crazy train.

This film hails from director/writer/script supervisor Rich Mallery (Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance, Table Top, Sociopathia, Holy Terror and Darling Nikki) we have demons, the dead and more than a handful of folk I recognize. This is Holy Terror.

Whatever would you like to do, Tom?

Our film wastes no time as we have an exorcism interspersed with credit and title card. Father Murphy (Mel Novak of Game of Death, Black Belt Jones, An Eye for an Eye, Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance, Syndicate Smasher and Nemesis 5: The New Model ) is attempting to eject a demon from his stolen vessel Hayley (Vida Ghaffari of The Mindy Project, The Catch, Facebook Live with Ford and Vida, Horndogs Beach Party, Hybristophilia and Abeyance).   When things don't go according to the good book, Father Murphy's faith was positively shattered.  With in the first three minutes!   That is setting a dark tone, my friends.

We cut to a quiet dinner with married couple, Molly (Kelly Lynn Reiter of The Hunger Games, My Crazy Ex, Sandy Wexler, The Z Virus, Bikini Car Wash Massacre and Dead De La Creme) and Tom (Jesse Hlubik of Jack and Jill, Down the Barrel, Drake and Josh Go Hollywood, General Hospital and All Cheerleaders Die) who seemed to be going through a rough patch in their marriage. Through a dream sequence, the power of flashback shows a small boy in the midst of memories.

With a bit of exposition, tastefully done I might add; we know that the wee bairn Joshua is no longer in the picture and both Molly and Tom are devastated. Thankfully they are not lashing out at each other in this time of depression.

With Tom off to work (which he starts breaking down and crying, trying to keep his crap together but an ocean sized wave of depression is slapping him down), Molly proceeds to do some chores around the house. She swears she saw something up the stairs but dismisses it easily enough. A loud thumping noise occurs and of course Molly goes to investigate. Molly sweetie, loud thumping is universal for call the cops. There may be a prowler looting. A knock at the door brings about Molly's little sister, Billie (Nicole Olson of Holy Terror).

Okay lady, you've had a bit to drink already.

Tom does not approve...mostly because Billie is apparently a thief and junkie. Molly defends her to deal with her own pain of loss. Billie needs to sleep better and nothing suggests like cocaine. Wait, what? Hmm, I can't throw stones. I usually have a cup of coffee to unwind at night. Mind you it's not a narcotic but eh. Billie has some sort of fit in the night with huge bruising on her leg. Must have been a "Big maaaan." With a worship of the porclean shrine, Billie and Molly have a heart to heart of anguish.

Molly's Aunt Janice (Lisa London of H.O.T.S., Sudden Impact, Dragnet, Savage Beach, Eight Days Carlo, Do You See Me and Darling Nikki) is a spiritualist/new age psychic/crystal hugger. She thinks there is a spirit in the house wanting to communicate with Molly and Tom. Got to say Tom is handling junkie sis and new age mysticism pretty well. You can see it is bubbling to the surface but he hasn't call the cops or gone for a gun. The man is grieving and is only being there for his wife for this.

So with a metronome (a device that produces audible clicks or sounds due to an interval that is set by the user) and a rotary phone(look up rotary phone yourself), the three attempt to reach the other side. Janice senses a entity that is definitely not Joshua. She's freaked because something is trying to get into the world. Something's wrong in the neighborhood...well an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on one's back would make me feel safer. Possibly some salt and iron as well. Cover all bases, man.

I...ate the last...pierogi. I'm so sorry.

Billie is roaming around in a little black dress and her behavior is downright predatory. Billie is just off her trolley as if someone or some thing is speaking through her. Janice contacts her friend Jacob (Scott Butler of Hollywood Hell, The Omegas, Edge, Wiener Dog Nationals, Zombie Night, and Defenders of Time) the young priest training under Father Murphy had lost his faith but must summon his courage to fight against the evil trapped in Billie. We still sure it's not a bad hop? Jacob tracks down nun Catherine (Kristine DeBell of The Great American Girl Robbery, Tag: The Assassination Game, 1313: Night of the Widow, The Great Halloween Puppy Adventure, A Talking Cat!?!, and 3 Wicked Witches) cannot up and join him to fend off the demon. She is bound by church rules as an exorcism is very taxing and highly dangerous to the host.

Can Father Jacob succeed were Father Murphy failed? Can good triumph over evil??

So what I am gathering from the IMDB user reviews, this is "An Exorcist knock off, too slow paced and crap performances". Yes this story is about possession, spirit manifestations and good vs evil, I grant you. Whereas Regan and her mother dealt with atheism and were still saved by a servant of God, Tom and Molly suffered the ultimate parents' nightmare losing their child and a demon tormenting those around them for its own malefic ends.

Okay fine. This is not a big budgeted horror film. We have a serious cast, some good performances, slow tension build up, great camera work and our musical score has left us with an creepy vibe. I think the biggest complaints is the girls in the film don't get naked. Wow, reaching deep there, fellas. So without the promise of nudity, there is no movie? More than half of these remarks aren't even critics. Just trolls with too much free time and not able to comport themselves with a bit of dignity.

So yes, if you like battles of good and evil on an uneven playing field, then come watch Holy Terror.

That could use some Lush facial scrub.

An Interview with Vida Ghaffari

Hey folks. Today's review isn't one. Rather I was asked by an actress/voice actress appearing in Mind of Mencia, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Mindy Project. This actress sought me out as she has previously worked with a mutual friend Dustin Ferguson (Doll Killer, Die Sister, Die!, Gloved Murderess, Cheerleader Camp: To the Death, Invitation to Die and Nemesis 5: The New Model) and I admire that level of boldness.  Let's see what we can learn.

Photo(s) courtesy of Guillermo Proano /PR Photos.

Photo(s) courtesy of Guillermo Proano /PR Photos.

So you do a Suspense Show for an audio drama.  Why voice work?  "It was something I fell into and enjoyed doing when I was an entertainment reporter for an international satellite Persian TV station a while back. I had to voice my promos in Farsi and English and joked that did twice as much work for half the pay! So I actually started out in vo before acting. While I love the field of voice over, some of the industry is suffering from all the underpaid work that is unfortunately and oddly enough part of all this great technology, where anyone anywhere can do vo for often little to no payment and undervalue it, especially commercially."

"Dave and Dave Recording Studios are one of the best in trends and technical.

Veteran voice announcer Don LaFontane has a studio named after him with his passing in 2008.  Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.   Some of my mentors were mentored by Don and they are just paying it forward with the same patience and grace he had."

For those that do not know, this gruff voiced man was known in the biz as King of the Movie Trailers, The Voice and The Godfather of Trailers. "In a world..." Ring any bells? Okay fine. Xena's promo announcer, Renegade's narrator and JAG's opening narrator to name just some of the man's work.

Rock' N' Sexxxy with Amber Lynn and Yan Birch

I understand that you have been a reoccurring guest host on Amber Lynn's Rock 'N' Sexxxy for LA Talk Radio. I have listened to only a handful of her interviews but I admit I am slowly becoming a fan.   "Amber is lovely, outgoing and such a fine host. She always makes an interview fun. I'm so flattered that she thought of me and extended the gracious invite. I'm more east coast and she's an Orange County gal at heart, so I think it's a good combination. We just had Yan Birch on that Thursday. I had just acted with him in a film called Abeyance." 

Yan Birch who I knew as Stairmaster from Wes Craven's People Under the Stairs. I was just looking at this man's bio and it is vast.  "He is such a great actor and take great pauses and goes from moment to moment with such an intensity. He does so much with his eyes. It's riveting."   Both Vida and I are convinced the man stopped aging. I am going with Highlander immortal to explain it.

It is my take that Amber can get answers with ease and seems to be easy going.  My friend Dustin Ferguson was the first interview I heard when he was plugging Nemesis 5: The New Model.

Vida found Dustin to be so hardworking all the time. They were at a film festival this past spring when his film was screening and he had to head out to finish some more editing for another project. I'm assuming it was right after the Q and A. "He gets the most out of every scene and he is great at what he does". I confirmed he and I could speak obscure films all day long.

Daiane Azura and Vida team-up!

Abeyance is Sci-fi/Action with Billy Wirth of War Party, The Lost Boys, Scout Taylor Taylor-Compton of Halloween 1 and 2, Richard Tyson of Three O' Clock High. " Richard Tyson has a MFA from Cornell and is an actor's actor.   This open and humble man from Mobile, Alabama and is down to Earth and centered. He recited Shakespearean sonnets in between takes with perfection and ease!"   Birch, who was referenced above, also starred in this film along with noted actor Mel Novak from Bruce Lee's Game of Death. 

Director Harley Wallen directs like a captain of the ship, constantly there but not checking on you. He knows what you can do and what you are capable of. Such a tremendous talent. What a treat it was to work with him and might I add that he had an amazing crew!" 

Let's talk about Facebook Live with Ford and Vida. How did this come about?

"We were all over L.A. Because Ford put me in touch with Artists for Trauma and we promoted charity events but ironically our first show was a wedding and jewelry for Macy's. He was the first person to receive this help after being in this horrific car accident, he was told he may never walk again and two years after the accident he was back to singing, dancing and acting once more.

He is a on-point lovely fellow and his wife Lauree Dash is an open hearted person that is heart centered person, that made a great power couple."

Just got done watching Mel Novak in Holy Terror.   Couldn't help but recognize some folk I recognize in it.  Like Kristine DeBell of Meatballs, Battle Creek Brawl and Blood Brothers.   I swear I am not aging myself on purpose.

You worked with Dawna Lee Heising of Natural Born Filmmakers, Horndog's Party Beach and Copperhead Creek.  "Yes, we just shot Horndog's Beach Party and Dawna was incredible as the nosy cougar next door. Most actors would play a caricature, but Dawna dug deep!  Though the film is comedy in the vein of Porky's, I like the believability of it.  If I haven't said it enough already, Dustin is an incredible director.  I dunno when the guy sleeps. He's always working on something!"  

What do you have coming up? 

I have a film I'm working on this fall and I'm re-occurring on the Suspense Show on XM Satellite Radio. I recently voiced an episode with Adrienne Wilkinson (Xena: Princess Warrior) and Keston John (Bosch). I also voiced an episode with Mel that will hopefully be up soon, where I play the ultimate femme fatale. I was just nominated for best voiceover for another episode I voiced, "Have A Hacking, Whacking Christmas" at the 2018 Los Angeles Nollywood Awards this Sunday, August 5th at the Miracle Theater in Inglewood.  Mel, Dawna, and Dustin are all nominated for Sci Fi awards for their work on Nemesis 5: The New Model.  Harley is also nominated in the Thriller category and so is his talented and stunning wife Kaiti. More info at http://lanfaa.com/ 

Voice actor, hostess, actress, comedian and fashion guru, it is safe to say that Vida has drive, ambition but is modest at her accomplishments. With a wry sarcastic humor she is very warm and inviting with no apprehension I could find. Polite and charming with passion for her family, friends and projects. She has been referenced as the "Persian Linda Blair" thanks to her work in Holy Terror and to be honest, it felt like stepping back in time. Watching the Exorcist for the first time. Keep your eyes peeled for Abeyance and Copperhead Creek in works now and keep watch of this rising star.

Yes, I will give a review on Holy Terror.