I WAS A TEENAGE WERESKUNK REVIEW

A comedy homage to the drive-in monster movies of the 50s.

Starring: Scott Monahan, Melanie Minichino, Shey Lyn Zanotti, and Charlie Farrell

Directed and written by: Neal McLaughlin

  A couple of years ago, the comedy horror “WolfCop” was a pleasant surprise combining a werewolf and cop. Now horror fans are in for another surprise hit “I Was a Teenage Wereskunk.” That’s right, a combination of a werewolf and skunk. After reading ‘Wereskunk’ in the title, audiences might think this is just another cheesy sci-fi type film. Well, it’s nothing like that at all. There’s a creative character driven story from beginning to end bringing fans back to the monster movies of the 50’s. 

  Curtis (Scott Monahan) is a teenager, who is just trying to fit in in his own awkward way. He’s close with a girl named Mary Beth (Shey Lyn Zanotti), who he eventually realizes he wants to go steady with. However, he has one big obstacle in his way…he becomes a wereskunk anytime he gets aroused! Being a teenager, he’s easily aroused, and victims start pilling up.

  Good thing Sheriff Albright (Charlie Farrell) is on the case. He has two trusty partners, Deputy Gary (Melanie Minichino) and Officer Maggie (Amy Heidt) by his side. Deputy Gary is an absolutely hilarious character, and there’s a nice little twist with Officer Maggie. This threesome is a good example of how the unique characters are a strength for this film. The wereskunk isn’t the only special character in this story.

  It’s great how the film never takes itself too seriously. There are times when Gary’s fake mustache is falling off, but they keep rolling on. There’s a scene where the wereskunk is ripping a woman apart, and they are clearly throwing fake body parts around. These things might be criticized in other films, but they just feel right for the way this film goes. Sticking to their characters, the actors always seem like their having a lot of fun. 

  Speaking of the actors, they do a simply superb job. Scott nails going from an awkward teenager to mean wereskunk. Charlie does well starting off as the manly father/sheriff, and later a coward in the face of danger. Special credit goes to Melanie for playing both Curtis’ mother, and the film’s most outrageous character Deputy Gary. She’s funny as the mother, but absolutely hysterical as Gary. 

  “I Was a Teenage Wereskunk” is a well written comedy horror film. Combing a werewolf and a skunk might seem weird, but they make it work with a clever old fashioned style story. The wereskunk is just one of many great characters that drive this film. None of this works without the fabulous acting performances from the entire cast. If you’re a horror fan looking for something a little different, than I have to recommend this film I’m giving 4 pools of blood to!

  HorrO

*Stay until the end for after credit scenes

*If you want to know where you can find the film, check out its promotion at PromoteHorror.com here!

FLESH OF MY FLESH REVIEW

Teenage girl finds out, through her dreams and hallucinations, that she has a rather violent and morbid past. She sets out to right the wrong but her journey will take her to hell and back.

Starring: Al Baker, Michael Balch, Michelina Houlihan, and Catherine Brundage

Directed and written by: Emir Skalonja

  The psychological horror film “Flesh of My Flesh” starts off in a weird, but important scene. There’s what looks to be a cult led by a crazy and creepy man (Al Baker). The audience gets to see him do many things including helping to deliver a baby that he appears to be really happy about. He shows the baby to all his followers and the world.

  Before the audience can figure out what’s happening, they’re introduced to Sarah (Michelina Houlihan), and her parents. Her mother is strict, while father tries acting more like her friend. Actually, he’s pretty funny trying to use teenage slang with his daughter looking at him like he’s nuts. They obviously care for their daughter, who’s going through some personal struggles. These struggles lead to some hallucinations and dreams of the creepy man the audience sees at the beginning. Without giving it away, the two eventually have to face each other. 

  The story is set up, and executed well from beginning to end. There’s a stretch early on that might feel a little slow, but it moves on from there. The audience is drawn into Sarah’s struggles, and will feel for what she eventually must do. The film is shot in black and white, which feels right for the story that’s being told.

  In what is probably her first time in a lead role, Michelina does a decent job. Actually the whole cast does pretty well except for a moment here and there. Al certainly makes the most out of making the cult leader really creepy. And as previously mentioned, Sean Patrick Saramak is naturally funny as the father. With that, I give “Flesh of My Flesh” 2 pools of blood.

  HorrO

BARRY BAKER: ASPIRING SERIAL KILLER EPISODE 1

After receiving his destiny from a fortune cookie, a lonely office worker, Barry Baker, has a hard time adjusting to his new found calling as a serial killer. Just because you are meant to do something… doesn’t mean you will be good at it.

Starring: Peter Konowicz, Nathan Jokela, Danae DeShazer, and Paul Saulo

Directed and written by: Tony Ahedo

  “Barry Baker: Aspiring Serial Killer” proves to be an effective mix of comedy and horror. The first episode begins heavy on the comedy, as the audience gets introduced to Barry (Peter Konowicz). Barry is definitely not a natural born serial killer. There’s no greater proof for that than the fact that he wets his bed at night. He isn’t drawn to killing because of hate, but seems to be more out of looking for meaning in his life. 

  While this episode has plenty of funny moments before Barry even gets the idea of being a serial killer, it’s when he gets the idea that things really get moving. It’s obvious he has no clue what he’s doing, and probably one of the most hilarious moments comes when he’s learning how to be a serial killer. He reads about it on the internet, watches some videos, practices wrestling of all things, but best of all, he tests Chloroform on himself. 

  Of course, when it comes time to actually kill someone the audience knows it’s not going to go well. It appears he thought this through with the Chloroform and all, but that’s not the case. Lets just say he has a few stumbles along the way. There’s a nice little twist that might help set up future episodes, and gives the audience something to look forward to besides more of Barry’s blunders. 

  Peter Konowicz does an excellent job in his portrayal of Barry. He nails all of the comedic moments, and clearly shows that Barry isn’t sure what he’s doing. This is only episode one, but there’s already plenty to like about where this is headed. Hopefully it will continue to hit on the comedic moments, and maybe just maybe Barry will manage to give the audience a good kill or two!

  HorrO

More information can be found in our promotion for the series at:

http://promotehorror.com/2016/10/26/barry-baker-aspiring-serial-killer/

THE DEVIL'S DOLLS REVIEW

In the aftermath of the hunt for a serial killer, an ancient curse consumes a city, causing a series of brutal murders and pitting a detective against the clock to save his daughter's life.

Starring: Christopher Wiehl, Kym Jackson, and Tina Lifford

Directed by: Padraig Reynolds

Written by: Danny Kolker and Christopher Wiehl

  “The Devil’s Dolls” starts off on a high note with a great opening scene. A serial killer hunts down a young girl in an abandoned building in the middle of nowhere. It’s a pretty intense chase that appears to lead the girl to the safety of a cop’s car. Too bad the killer is carrying a huge drill, and gives the girl a tremendous shower in the cop’s blood.

  This is the first of several good death scenes, which is one of the few strong suits for the movie. Most of the deaths are very brutal, and bloody. A young man flips out in a store, and makes quick work of the clerk. The fun continues in another scene involving a pissed off man, and some gardening scissors!

  All of the killers are pissed off because of the cursed dolls that fall into their possession. The dolls feed on a person’s worries and fears making them act out in rage. The person will channel their anger against whatever or whomever is bothering them. The lead detective, Matt (Christopher Wiehl) finds the dolls after stopping the serial killer in the opening scene, but they end up in the hands of his young daughter Chloe (Kennedy Brice). 

  She turns them into jewelry selling them to soon to be killers, as she begins to become extremely sick. Matt starts off trying to solve these murders, but soon has to race to save his daughter’s life. The story isn’t bad, however it’s execution is. It starts with poor acting, and the audience left watching the poor acting in many wasted scenes. The acting makes the movie feel like it’s going in slow motion at times. To top it off there seems to be a problem with the timeline, as Matt is driving all over town trying to save his daughter.

  If the majority of the movie had been filmed like the opening scene, this could have been a really good movie. A decent story is ruined by the lack of execution, and bad acting. Better actors, maybe even writing, along with some editing could have done wonders for “The Devil's Dolls.” The death scenes are nice and bloody, and the ending isn’t too bad in an attempt to take everything down to the last second. However, that’s not enough for me to give it anything more than 1.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

“The Devils Dolls” was shown at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival.