Hump Day Posters: The Wolverine (2013)

Femme Fatale Friday: Joanna Angel

Something different this week. Here's old pal Indrid13 with a review of Evil Head and some pictures of one of it's stars. Joanna Angel. Enjoy!

By Indrid13

When I first heard that there was going to be a porn version of Evil Dead entitled Evil Head, I was intrigued. How would Evil Dead, one of my favorite films as well as one of the least sexy films ever made, make the transition to the world of adult films? My curiosity would have to wait to be satiated however, for after seeing a promotional still a few years back, news about the project fell silent.

 Years past until finally, a month or so ago, I began to read information that the film was completed, and ready to be released. So after all this time, was the finished film worth the wait? In my opinion, yes!

 First of all, credit must be given to director Doug Sakmann, who is obviously a huge fan of the Evil Dead series, right down to its idiosyncratic minutiae. While any porn parody can ape the general storyline of whatever media it is based upon, how many would go so far as to include camera set ups and shots that mimic the original source material? Raimi’s bizarre insert shots and close-ups, not to mention the fan favorite elements of the Evil Dead films such as the insane continuity errors (in this film represented by wardrobe changes highly reminiscent of elements in the original films such as the “Fake Shemps” (actors playing Deadites that bore no resemblance to the actor’s playing the pre-possessed victims )in Raimi’s first film, as well as the ever changing level of grime that coats Bruce Campbell’s Ash in Evil Dead II, are well represented here.

The actors are vastly entertaining as well. Tommy Pistol’s Ash is a wonder to behold, with all of the goofball charm, hammy over the top line delivery, and amazing physicality that made Bruce Campbell’s Ash a horror icon. Joanna Angel (whose Burning Angel Entertainment released the film) seems to be having the time of her life as Linda, especially after she undergoes her Deadite transformation, as does Kleio as Shelly. The main cast is rounded out by Danny Wylde as Scotty, who manages to be less of an annoying ass than the original Scotty while at the same time mimicking his mannerisms. Additionally Veruca James and Dana Dearmond show up as Ash’s undead ex-girlfriends and in a great bit of horror film fan service, the one and only Lloyd Kaufman provides the voice of Professor Knowby on the tape recordings that start the whole demonic mess (and mentioning Kaufman, how has someone never made a Toxic Avenger porn? Troma alum Sakmann, would be perfect for the job!).

But faithfulness to the source material is only one half of why you would watch a film like Evil Head. On the sex side we have a myriad of familiar situations, a threesome involving Ash, Scotty and Linda (which features some genuinely hilarious dialog that I assume was ad-libbed), a scene between Deadite Shelly and Scotty, a girl on girl scene between Deadite Linda and Shelly, a scene involving Deadite Linda and Ash, and a foursome involving Ash, Deadite Linda, and two Deadite ex-girlfriends.

Burning Angel prides itself on featuring gorgeous tattooed women in their films, and this is no exception, even when the ladies are buried under tons of demonic make-up and gore.  And while we are on the subject of the more unconventional aspects of this film, I can state that yes, Shelly does indeed have sex with the possessed trees of the forest! Also, in a nod to Evil Dead II, Ash loses his hand to a self-inflicted chainsaw wound, and proceeds to utilize the stump in every scene that follows to great comedic effect!

An aspect of this film that I feel should be mentioned is the Mickey Rooney style “Hey gang, let’s make a movie!”  vibe that is pervasive throughout the production. The cast seem like they are great friends, getting together to pay tribute to Raimi’s masterpiece, while having a hell of a lot of fun along the way. In an essence this ties the film even closer to its source material, as Evil Dead was created in much the same manner.

While this type of film will not appeal to everyone, adult fans of Evil Dead should definitely consider adding this film to their collection. It’s filled with all the gore and laughs fans of the series would expect, while adding heaps of sex! Now, here’s hoping Sakmann and crew make Evil Head II as well as a version of Army of Darkness (Medevil Head)!

(Screener provided for this review)

Hump Day Posters: Doctor Mabuse (2013)

Cookies Sure Were Good: My Top Ten Favorite Films of 2012

The dying embers of another year. The world didn't end yet. No Zombie Apocalypse. Although Discovery Channel has a show about how to survive one! Another year of ups, downs and sadly a lot crap. But there was also a lot of movie watching as well. These days we need the escape films can provide more then ever before. So, here are my picks for my favorite films of 2012.


Honorable mentions:

The Survivor (1981)  A cool horror film from Down Under starring Robert Powell and Jenny Agutter, It's based on a novel by James Herbert. Directed by Deep Red star David Hemmings. Also notable for being the final film appearance of actor Joseph Cotten. There's a few really good creepy moments.

The Varrow Mission (1978) Aliens, a haunted house, a Halloween contest and '70's teenagers. All the ingredients for a quirky low budget good time.

She Killed in Ecstasy (1971) As far as Franco films go this one is near the top of my favorites. It's got the right mix of beautiful shots, Franco weirdness, groovy music and the breathtaking Soledad Miranda.

The Blind Woman's Curse (1970) Meiko Kaji in a horror, revenge flick. Interspersed with sexual exploits, goofy slapstick comedy and bloody action. Filled gaudy sets, gorgeous women and lots of spraying blood.

Movie House Massacre (1984) Mere words cannot do justice to the hot mess that is this film. Perhaps the most God awful slasher/ghost/WTF movie I've ever seen. I watched it three times thus far and I still can't believe the choices the filmmakers made.

10.) The Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941)

An absolutely fantastic serial adaption of the Captain Marvel comic. Being from 1941 it more then holds it's own when compared to many modern super hero outings. There's plenty of thrilling heroics and a mysterious villain. Sure the effects are not up to today's CGI, but I prefer it that way. Gives me a warm feeling inside, those old special effects. There's defiantly no way anybody would make a super hero as gleefully violent as Captain Marvel is here. Disposing of his enemies without a second thought. You won't see The Man of Steel doing that!

9.) King Frat (1979) 

Raunchy. That's the only word to describe this Animal House ripoff. Wait till you witness the fart contest. There's not so much of a central plot, it's more a collection of skits about a really disgusting frat house.  Fun in a very sleazy way, you'll want to  grab a shower afterwards.

8.) Satan's Storybook (1989)

SOV horror anthology featuring Ginger Lynn Allen as a ninja. And not just any kind of ninja, no. One that resides in Hell! The film consists of two tales and a linking segment with Old Scratch. Satan is bummed because Ninja Lynn Allen has taken his queen prisoner. He call's for his Jester to tell him two tales of dammed souls to ease his troubled mind. I think you may need to be sick off your ass like I was when watching this film to truly enjoy.

7.) Hercules in the Haunted World (1961)

Mario Bava's visual masterpiece of swords and sandals. Just as much a horror film as it is fantasy. There's some truly gorgeous sets. Hades is wonderfully realized by Bava. Throw in some cool monsters. And the always dependable Chris Lee as the evil King. By far the best of the Hercules films.

6.) Five Fingers of Death (1972)

Fantastic Shaw Bros. film. Never mess with Lo Lieh. The man will fuck you up. Totally kick ass flick in every way there is. Just watch this trailer and tell me that's not awesome!

5.) Django Kill... If You Live, Shoot! (1967)  Having nothing to do with Django and everything to do with being freaking batshit insane. A surreal nightmare? A Gothic Spaghetti Western? Two Italian guys playing Indians! Gold bullets! Is it bad? More than likely. Did I like it? Hell Yes!

4.) Blood Beat (1983)

So, it's Christmas time in Wisconsin and a pissed off Samurai Ghost has crashed Ted and Dolly's family reunion. The people, the fashions, the furniture, all pure '80's. It's a slasher that wants to be something a bit more. It doesn't hit the mark, but it's so bizarrely entertaining you won't mind. Made in Wisconsin by a French director and edited in Paris. This crazy little film, last time I checked you could find it on YouTube and Amazon now has a DVD-R available!

3.) Footprints (1975)

The strangest giallo I've seen in a long time. And perhaps the most quietly beautiful one I've seen as well. There's not a lot of stylized murder here. It's more about the strange and the mysterious. Plus there's crazy old Klaus and some scary Astronauts.

2.) The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

There are times in this film where you sit on the edge of your seat. Your not quite sure where the filmmaker is going and how far they're going to go. I've watched plenty of horror films over my life time, rarely though do I worry what's going to happen to a character. There's a couple moments here where I was thinking to myself "Go! Get out of that damn house!" Having seen the horrible fate of a few of the killer's victims by the time a couple girl scouts show up selling cookies your skin will be crawling. Somebody needs to give this film a legitimate DVD release stat!

1.) Battle Royale (2000)

I'd excepted to come away let down. There was so much hype out there. Usually when a film comes with that much baggage there's bound to be some disappointment. But not this time. From the first minute till the end credits rolled I loved it. And much like The Poughkeepsie Tapes it stayed in my thoughts long after my first viewing. I couldn't wait to see again soon. It also became one of my all time favorite films.



There you have it my friends, my favorite films of 2012. Fifteen films that I saw for the first time this year. Fifteen that I'll be watching for years to come. Be seeing you in 2013! Keep fighting those frizzies!

Femme Fatale Friday: Trish Stratus