Necropolis
Directed by Bruce Hickey
Courtesy of Full Moon Direct
Original Release: 1987
DVD Release: 2011

Before I begin this review, I need to state up front that this movie will definitely not be for everyone. It is a late 80s low-budget picture that has not transferred well to DVD from the VHS original. Thus, the picture is grainy and the sound is not even synched up to the film. BUT…if you are like me and enjoy old school, grindhouse flicks, then NECROPOLIS is for you!

If you are not familiar with NECROPOLIS, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the Full Moon Direct website:

Three hundred years after a murderous witch is burned at the stake, she returns to New York as a motorcycle-riding New Wave punkette to capture the souls of drug addicts, prostitutes, and other degenerates to complete the ritual that will preserve her youth in the name of evil.

This film is A LOT of fun and made me nostalgic on several levels. While I watched it, I could practically feel myself reverting back in my youth, sitting in a darkened, cruddy theater and watching flicks like this that are so bad, they’re good. And trust me: NECROPOLIS fits that description to a tee.

As mentioned above, the transfer to DVD did not do this film any favors. Full Moon even puts a disclaimer at the beginning of the film that describes how these old ‘classics’ cannot be restored and are shown pretty much in their original formats. But that’s what makes these so good. I personally don’t want to see a film like NECROPOLIS in crystal clarity; that would honestly take some of the fun away.

For the film itself, NECROPOLIS boasts mediocre acting (and that’s being generous) and slightly above average special effects. And because it only clocks in at 77 minutes, several pieces of the storyline are never fully explained. But you don’t watch a film like this for Oscar-worthy writing…you watch it for entertainment.

There are some many bizarre aspects of this film that they are too numerous to mention. But I will say that when the witch grows two extra sets of breasts so that she can ‘feed’ her zombies, well, I was more than slightly amused. In fact, that might have been the best part of the film for me.

NECROPOLIS will probably not win any awards, but it’s fun to watch and that’s what counts when it comes to film. If you’re a fan of 70s and 80s grindhouse and exploitation flicks, be sure to check out all of the titles in Full Moon’s Grindhouse Collection. You won’t be disappointed!

MSB

Insight
Directed by Richard Gabai
Courtesy of Phase 4 Films
Release Date: February 28, 2012

I just watched a nifty little thriller from Phase 4 Films called INSIGHT. I had heard about this film a while back and was very intrigued. Thankfully, the film does not disappoint and is very entertaining.

If you are not familiar with INSIGHT, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

While attempting to save the life of a fatally-stabbed young woman, ER nurse Kaitlyn is accidentally electrocuted by a backfiring defibrillator. Upon awakening, she begins to experience memories that are not hers, but rather those of the now-deceased victim. With her sanity in question and nowhere to turn, Kaitlyn must weave through the woman’s past and piece together her memories before the killer strikes again.

This film is a lot of fun and is chocked full of thrills and twists. It is going to be difficult to do this review without giving too much away; the film is a definite must-see, but I can’t specifically tell you why without giving away vital information. Just take my word for it and watch it.

INSIGHT is not a horror movie per se, but it is a clever thrill-ride that keeps you guessing, right up to the end. It is very well crafted and the production value appears fairly high. Both visually and audibly, the movie delivers on several levels.

Aside from it’s well-written plot, INSIGHT boasts a superb cast as well. Sean Patrick Flanery, Natalie Zea, Adam Baldwin, and Christopher Lloyd are all headliners and do a fantastic job in their roles. I’m a big fan of Flanery’s, going as far back as The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, so I had to jump on this one. Not to mention I enjoyed watching Adam Baldwin in all of Joss Whedon’s stuff (Angel, Firefly, etc.), so he pretty much sealed the deal for me.

The film does not have many special effects to speak of but it is shot well and looks very good overall. My sole complaint about the film is that there is one major detail about the crime inside the movie that is never explained: [SPOILER ALERT!!] There is never an explanation given as to why 14 witnesses saw the stabbing, but nobody called 911. I found that to be the only problem with the plot and thus the film.

INSIGHT is one to definitely check out as soon as you can. I watched this with my wife and she enjoyed it as well (this coming from a woman that does not like horror movies is a big compliment!), so it might be a good date-night flick. Regardless of who you see it with, make sure you watch it soon.

MSB

The Deadly Spawn
Directed by Douglas McKeown
Courtesy of Elite Entertainment and MVD Visual
Original Release Date: 1983
Blu-ray/DVD Release: February 7, 2012

I can’t believe I have never watched THE DEADLY SPAWN. Although I was only nine years-old when it came out, that’s about the same time I started watching horror movies. Over the years, this case-cover has jumped out at me several times, but I never picked it up for some reason. I wish I would have watched it because it’s an excellent 80s creature-feature and I had a great time with it.

If you are not familiar with THE DEADLY SPAWN, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the Blu-ray cover:

Two campers in the New Jersey woods have their outdoor fun interrupted by the arrival of a meteorite crashing nearby. They go to investigate the crater, but are suddenly attacked and devoured by alien parasites who have hitched a ride to Earth. After finishing off the campers, the hungry space monsters head for a nearby town, where they make their domain in the basement of an old house and begin polishing off one hapless inhabitant after another. Four young teenagers, plus one pre-teen boy, try to find a way to stop the angry space monsters before they reproduce and literally eat humanity.

Wow…where do I even begin? This film is amazing from start to finish. And to top it all off, it’s actually intense! I can’t tell you how often I watch horror movies that are suspenseful but have no intensity. THE DEADLY SPAWN starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up.

While the acting is the typical ‘lame duck’ of these old 80s flicks, the special effects make up that and then some. All of the special effects are practical and look amazing. I was seriously concerned about what they would look like going into this film, but wow…the production team did a great job. There’s plenty of gore and it looks phenomenal. Of particular note for me was when woman gets part of her face bitten off. Staggeringly realistic!

The plot of THE DEADLY SPAWN, while being a typical ‘aliens-trying-to-eat-the-human-population’ scenario, is actually pretty good and pretty unique, especially in regard to the characters. They are a varied and diverse bunch of the modern nuclear family, which makes them so much fun to watch as they get eaten. How can you not want to see that?

My favorite aspect of this film is the ending. I will not give it away, but I love the twist and did not see it coming. It is very well done and sent a shiver down my spine as it played out.

THE DEADLY SPAWN is dubbed by some as a cult classic and I completely understand why; it is a fun foray into carnage and frights. Check out the Blu-ray version, which contains a variety of special features, including:

* Special introduction by producer Ted A. Bohus
* Commentary track
* Color pages from the upcoming comic
* Casting tapes
* Gag Reel
* Trailers

and more! Add this film to your collection today. It is definitely worth it!

MSB

The Pack
Directed by Franck Richard
Courtesy of Vivendi Entertainment and Indomina Releasing
Release Date: March 6, 2012

With all of the rehashed horror sub-genres flooding the market today, it’s always refreshing when a director can bring something new to the table. Now don’t get me wrong — I love many of those sub-genres, even those that are currently being flooded. But originality truly goes a long way. This is the very reason I enjoyed THE PACK so much.

If you are not familiar with THE PACK, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

THE PACK follows Charlotte, a beautiful but rough around the edges kind of girl, who drives a beat-up station wagon in the countryside of northern France. Her journey takes a turn when she picks up a mysterious hitchhiker, with whom she strikes an unusual bond. Stopping at a roadside diner, her new companion strangely disappears, and Charlotte finds herself knocked unconscious and held captive. She soon encounters a peculiar and disturbed woman, and discovers that her blood is being used to feed a “pack” of flesh-eating ghouls.

This film is being distributed by Indomina Releasing, in cooperation with Bloody Disgusting, one of the premiere horror websites on the Internet (check them out here http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/). With that kind of backing, you KNOW it’s going to be good. And thankfully, THE PACK does not disappoint.

Filled with tension and suspense, THE PACK tears at your brain with its gritty and dark overtones. While sprinkled with hints of light humor, the film for the most part takes you to dark places, both in your mind and within the film’s world. This is not your traditional horror film…it is an artistic vision of terror.

The film boasts some excellent gore and some great creature make-up effects. The ghouls themselves are very well done and display a unique appearance, specifically in the face. These two aspects combined with the artistic way in which the film was shot give THE PACK a visual style all of its own.

But while the movie is very good and very entertaining to watch, it does have a flaw that kept bugging me. [WARNING: Spoiler alert!] Specifically, the vagueness of the ending. I had to rewind the film three times to figure out who was hanging from the post at the very end…and I still don’t understand why she was there, especially given the previous scene where she is pregnant behind the bar. I’m not sure what was going on, but the ending threw me off a bit.

Still, THE PACK is a great film and definitely one to check out. Fans of creature-features (like me!) and general fright films will love this one. I would wager that this film will also generate a lot of conversation, so watching with a friend or two might be a plus.

Don’t miss this one when it hits store shelves on March 6, 2012.

MSB

War of the Arrows
Directed by Han-min Kim
Courtesy of Well Go USA
Release Date: February 21, 2012

When it comes to ancient weapons, the bow trumps the sword for me every time. I know that is shocking, because if you know me, you know that I LOVE swordplay in a movie. But there’s a reason Robin Hood is my favorite legend of all time: it’s because the guy was a bad-ass with a bow. So needless to say, I was very excited to hear about WAR OF THE ARROWS.

If you are not familiar with WAR OF THE ARROWS, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

Set in 1636, the second Manchurian invasion of Korea rages chaos, as villages are attacked by overpowering Manchurian soldiers. The Manchurians kidnap childhood sweethearts, Ja-in and Seo-Goon, on their wedding day. In an effort to save his sister, Ja-in’s brother Nam-Yi sets out to defeat the enemy and save his sister and other Korean victims with only a single bow.

As epic historical pieces go, they just don’t get much better than WAR OF THE ARROWS. This movie has everything: action, drama, sorrow, humor…you name it. It is a highly energetic and entertaining film, for sure.

The scenery in this film is stunning, with plenty of wide-lens landscape shots. But what truly stands out is the diversity of landscapes the production chose to incorporate. My favorites though were the woodland scenes where over half of the film takes place. As I live in a wooded area myself, I almost felt like I was home!

The acting in WAR OF THE ARROWS is superb, with Hae-il Park playing the main character (the hero). Park does a great job with his emotional range, bringing a true depth to hero instead of just speed and brawn. I enjoyed Park in THE HOST (which I reviewed last year here) and look forward to more of his films.

But the bow-and-arrow action in WAR OF THE ARROWS steals the show. The special effects team does some crazy-cool stuff in this film, and it is so ultimately worth the effort they put in. I especially love the ‘curving’ arrow shots that they introduced, much like the curving bullet shots from WANTED. This was a unique take on archery and made the film even more fun.

The bow battles are also insane and bring you right into the action. You can almost feel the scrape of the feathers as the arrows whiz by your head. And I can honestly say I’ve never seen a one-on-one archery battle, either. This is an original and intense sequence that will leave you breathless.

I don’t want to say too much more about the movie because there’s so much to enjoy within it. But I can almost guarantee that you will be entertained. If you’re a fan of martial-arts action or just action in general, you will love this film. It hits store shelves today, so check it out soon.

MSB

The Son of No One
Directed by Dito Montiel
Courtesy of Anchor Bay Films
Release Date: February 21, 2012

Although cop thrillers aren’t a regular genre that I review here at Shattered Ravings, I certainly feel it is my duty to share them with you when they are worthy of recognition. This is especially true when they contain actors and/or actresses that I really enjoy watching. THE SON OF NO ONE is a gritty thriller that does both.

If you are not familiar with the film, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

Jonathan is a second-generation cop who gets in over his head when he’s assigned to re-open a double homicide cold case in his Queens neighborhood. An anonymous source feeding new information on the long-unsolved murders to a local reporter leads to evidence suggesting a possible cover-up by the former lead detective who was in on the investigation. As Jonathan digs deeper into the assignment, a dark secret about the case emerges, which threatens to destroy his life and his family.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, especially since Channing Tatum is boasting a cheesy mustache on the Blu-ray cover. But thankfully, the powerful story and suspenseful plot twists were enough to overshadow his bad facial hair choice. THE SON OF NO ONE is an engaging mystery that entertains on several different levels.

I was especially surprised to see Tracy Morgan in a serious role, but he does an excellent job. The rest of the cast also meshes quite well as a whole, with Katie Holmes portraying Tatum’s wife and Ray Liotta and Al Pacino personifying their typical hardened-veteran-cop roles.

As for production, the cinematography is well done and the special effects are fine. My sole complaint with THE SON OF NO ONE’s production is the sound, particularly the voice recording. There are several scenes where the voices are so low that you have to crank your surround sound way up (literally) just to hear what they are saying. There are a couple of other scenes where the background noise almost drowns out what the characters are saying. While not detrimental to the film, these are minor annoyances that threw me off a bit.

The compelling story is taut and riveting. I found myself drawn deeper and deeper into the conspiracy and intrigue that fill the movie. And, as such, I enjoyed myself immensely. There are few films out there engrossing enough to make you lose sense of time…I have to admit that this is one of them.

THE SON OF NO ONE is probably one of the best films of 2012 that you’ve never heard of; I’m not sure why it didn’t get a theatrical release, but it should have. I would have gone to see this one in a heartbeat. Check this one out for sure when it hits store shelves tomorrow (Tuesday).

MSB

Rabies
(a.k.a. Kalevet)
Directed by Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado
Courtesy of Image Entertainment
Release Date: February 28, 2012

RABIES is the first horror film to come out of Israel, and it is one of the best films I have seen this year. It is labeled a slasher flick however it is so much more than just that. In fact, part of what makes this movie so unique and therefore so much fun to watch is that the killer is unconscious for most of the film! Intrigued? Good.

If you are not familiar with RABIES, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the DVD cover:

Hailed as “a fresh vision of fright” (Slant), this innovative twist on slasher classics begins with two couples stuck in the woods when they accidentally hit panic-stricken Ofer, whose sister has fallen into a deep trap set by a deranged killer. Their rescue attempt explodes into a bloody frenzy when a park ranger and two unpredictable cops get involved, setting the stage for a darkly witty battle to the death. Also featuring acclaimed international star Lior Ashkenazi, this new cult favorite in the tradition of WRONG TURN will keep you guessing right up until the shocking final twist!

This is an excellent horror flick all the way around. It has suspense, a bit of humor, lots of scares, and great gore. What more can you ask for in a film? Not to mention that it’s the first Israeli horror flick, so wow…all of that combined is a definite must see combination.

The acting in RABIES is excellent and the cinematography is well done. As mentioned, the special effects are also superb and the intricate plot is excellent. I think what really makes the movie for me, though, is the suspense. The production team does an amazing job of building up the ‘what comes next’ factor.

There’s so much going on in RABIES that it literally mesmerizes you. I haven’t seen a movie in which I’ve been so immersed in a long time, so this was a real treat for me. I am not going to give any plot points away because it would ruin some of the suspense, so you have to watch the film to see what I’m talking about.

RABIES is a must-see film for fans of suspense and horror. This is not your traditional slasher flick, and that is definitely a good thing. This film is excellent in every way and has no apparent flaws. Check this one out for sure.

RABIES hits DVD on February 28, 2012.

MSB

El Monstro del Mar!
Directed by Stuart Simpson
Courtesy of Vicious Circle Films and Breaking Glass Pictures
Release Date: February 28, 2012

Don’t be fooled by this Spanish title; this is not a Spanish movie. Nor does it have subtitles or anything similar. This film is a bona fide Australian hit that will leave you begging for more. This film has won many awards, and you can definitely see why when you watch it.

If you are not familiar with EL MONSTRO DEL MAR!, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

Three gorgeous but deadly hired killers, Beretta, Blondie, and Snowball, hole up in a small beachside community to keep a low profile. But this town has a dark secret. The local old sea baron, Joseph, tries desperately to warn them to never go into the water. But these crazy vixens listen to no one. So the Kraken awakes! Now, along with Joseph and his beautiful granddaughter Hannah, they must fight for their lives against this furious creature of the deep as the sea rises in a tidal wave of blood.

I read another review of this film that classified it as THELMA & LOUISE meet JAWS; that is a very interesting comparison and it’s a true statement. There are many things going on in this film and that makes it so much fun.

EL MONSTRO DEL MAR! is shot very well and is reminiscent of early Tarantino films with its gritty and unforgiving style. Of particular note is the opening sequence, where the three bombshells are stuck on the side of the road. It is done in black and white (up to a point) and has a very noir feel to it.

The acting is great as well, but what really steals the show are the special effects. The creature effects in the film are excellent, with most (if not all) of them being practical effects instead of CGI. This in itself goes A LONG way with fans like me who thing CG in horror films is way over done. These effects look good and are well executed. The gore is also a huge plus, with torn and ragged bodies punctuating certain scenes. Excellent stuff.

The story of EL MONSTRO DEL MAR! moves quickly and is paced very well. I particularly like the originality of this film’s premise; while the overall plot doesn’t necessarily scream originality, there are plenty of unique insertions into the script, enough to make this a clever stand alone piece.

Fans of creature-features are going to eat this film up, and I would daresay EL MONSTRO DEL MAR! is a must-see. Strife with originality and personality, this film will satisfy a wide variety of genre lovers. Give this one a look for sure.

MSB

Hell on Earth
Directed by Ted A. Bohus
Courtesy of Elite Entertainment and MVD Visual
Release Date: January 24, 2012

I just watched HELL ON EARTH, a fun horror-comedy that truly captures the nostalgia of 80s demon and monster flicks. I have fond memories of those days, sneaking into the theater (I was under age) to see DEMONS, SUBSPECIES, THE KINDRED and many others. Back then, there were no CG effects to supplement a few practical effects shots…oh no…instead, production crews had to rely on good old fashioned physical carnage. Just like this film.

If you are not familiar with HELL ON EARTH, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

Seventeen year-old Bobby walks with the help of metal leg braces and lives with his nasty parents and repulsive sister, Peggy. He plays with “imaginary friends” provided by the mysterious and ancient Apocryphal Book of Tarkuhn, given to him by his eccentric and somewhat crazy Aunt Sadie. What he does not know is that the monsters and demons are only biding their time until the planets are aligned and they can get him to read the passage freeing their master from the “Hell” of another universe.

I have to preface the review by stating that this is probably one of the lowest budget films I’ve seen in quite a while. But the production team does a great job of using the money they have wisely. The resulting film is wildly entertaining.

What drew me in to HELL ON EARTH is its use of practical gore and demon effects. You can tell by looking at the hideous demon on the cover that you’re in for a treat with this one…and it does not disappoint for the most part. The creatures are well done, although some of the zombie make-up is a bit cheesy.

My problem with the effects is the digital visual effects used for the electricity and explosions. Instead of looking impressive, they come across as looking cheap, like something from the original Nintendo era. Still, the practical gore effects make up for that.

The acting in HELL ON EARTH is actually not too bad for such a low-budget production. And the camerawork is pretty good as well. If I were forced to note a negative about the overall production, I would have to say the musical score didn’t do much for me. It was almost too 80-ish.

Overall, though, HELL ON EARTH is one of a hell of a film and definitely worth checking out. Fans of 80s demon and monsters flick will especially be thrilled. But don’t go into this expecting to see a big Michael Bay budgeted production. Just sit back and enjoy this film for what it is: simple fun.

MSB

Way back in 2010, I blogged about an indie flick called IRON SKY (click here to read the story). The film is a science-fiction piece about Nazis invading Earth from the moon. Well, it looks like the film has been completed and here is the theatrical trailer:

Iron Sky Official Website

Needless to say, I WANT TO SEE THIS VERY SOON!!!

What do you think? Is this something you’ll watch?

MSB