WITNESS INFECTION REVIEW

 

Sometimes the past comes back to bite you. Two rival mob families are transferred from the Witness Protection Agency by mistake to the same city, Temecula, CA.

Starring: Robert Belushi, Jill-Michele Melean, and Vince Donvito

Directed by: Andy Palmer

Written by: Carlos Alazraqui and Jill-Michele Melean

  Witness protection is supposed to be safe, but when it becomes "Witness Infection" things turn deadly for two mob families. Carlo (Robert Belushi) and Gina (Jill-Michele Melean) are just trying to run their dog grooming business, and be together. However, Carlo has some family obligations that are about to get in the way of that. His brother is unable to have children so he can’t marry into the rival mob. This leaves Carlo to fill the void, and save two mob families from another fight. 

  He’s reluctant to go along with this forced marriage, and expresses that at a dinner where he’s supposed to agree to everything. This upsets his potential bride to be, and threatens the two families ability to live together in witness protection. His father then forces him to go to her father, and make things right. Fearing for his safety, Gina and one of their good friends Vince (Vince Donvito) insist on going with him. They were right to be afraid because they're about to deal with more than the average mobster!

  The movie opens with the first the audience sees of the zombie outbreak. It’s a fun scene, but that’s all the audience gets for awhile. It then spends sometime introducing characters particularly the Serrelli family. It plays on some stereotypes of mob families, and some of the characters are a little over the top. Of course they stress the drama between the families, and the need for this arranged marriage to happen. There’s plenty to laugh at especially if the audience likes mob movies.

  While all of that is fun, the real entertainment begins when the zombie plague begins to breakout. This outbreak begins because of sandwiches, which are a hit with everyone in town. That means there are plenty of zombies, and zombie killing to come. The audience gets some gross moments seeing people become zombies, and a good scene in a bar with plenty of zombies to kill. There’s even a deer, which helps provide some blood spilling fun, and laughs.

  “Witness Infection” is definitely witness protection gone wrong! Putting one mob family in protection is one thing, but adding a rival family along with them is a big mistake on its own. To their credit the families do have a way to co-exist, but that plan seemed destine to fail. It fails with both of the Serrelli brothers, and once more when zombies take over the town. This helps the film provide plenty of laughs before the zombies swarm the town. Once that happens, there’s many more hilarious moments, and more importantly blood splattering fun. With that, I give it 3 pools of blood, and won’t be eating any sandwiches anytime soon!

  

  HorrO

More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/03/05/zombie-comedy-witness-infection-spreads-to-vod-march-30/

CREEPSHOW SEASON 2 EPISODE 1 REVIEW

EPISODE 201

MODEL KID

Joe doesn’t have many friends, but he’s happy to hang out with the model toys of his favorite scary movie monsters… and he’ll learn just how supportive his toy friends can be.

Written by: John Esposito

Directed by: Greg Nicotero

Cast: Brock Duncan, Tyner Rushing, Jana Allen, Kevin Dillon, Chris Schmidt Jr., Nick Morgan

  Joe has a room that any horror fan would love to have at his age, or even as a grown up. He’s a huge fan of movie monsters, and has a great collection of figures, masks, posters, and more. While his focus is on his monsters, the monster known as cancer has been taking its toll on his mom. To make matters worse, Joe’s uncle and aunt are about to move in. Lets just say Joe doesn’t have the best relationship with them, and it’s not going to get better anytime soon.

  This episode opens like a scene from a classic monster movie with an interesting twist to it. Joe loves horror and that will make it extremely easy for fans to relate to him. He’s had a tough go at it both at home and in school continuing to make him a young man to root for. First he uses some imagination to give fans a treat before coming to a predictable ending. Predictable with the story, but the way it happens is monstrous fun!

PUBLIC TELEVISION OF THE DEAD

A Public TV station and its happy daytime TV hosts are overwhelmed when the appraisal of an antique book accidentally summons a dark force.

Written by: Rob Schrab

Directed by: Greg Nicotero

Cast: Mark Ashworth, Marissa Hampton, Coley Company, Ted Raimi, Todd Allen Durkin, Peter Leake

  Audiences might not think there’s a lot of competition at a public TV station, but apparently there’s some at this station. With a new manager in charge, the host of the most popular show wants a new time slot. This means the end of an extremely boring painting show hosted by a very nice guy. As one host celebrates and one shoots a final episode, another show is about to wake the dead once again.

  As this episode introduces the hosts of these shows, the audience will wonder what's in store for them. There’s two very different shows and hosts. However, that’s not really going to matter once the dead take over. With no spoilers here, lets just say this story revives a fan favorite. Yes, there's a much different hero here, but it will still put a smile on fans’ faces!

  Overall, episode one does a great job of taking horror fans back to great places. First up is a trip back to the classic monster movies. It will present them with memories of being a young horror fan, and capitalize on a young fans imagination. Again, no spoilers here but as soon as the audience sees a familiar face in the second story they might know what’s coming. It continues to show that ever since the original movie dropped fans can never have enough of it. It isn’t exactly the same, but there's still plenty to like.

  HorrO

More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/03/29/season-2-of-the-record-breaking-anthology-series-creepshow-premieres-thursday-april-1-on-shudder/

THE TOLL REVIEW

 

A socially awkward driver and a weary passenger try to make it to their destination while being haunted by a supernatural threat.

Starring: Jordan Hayes, Max Topplin, and James McGowan

Directed and written by: Michael Nader 

  No matter what “The Toll” is people don't want to pay it, and there's no expectation to that here. Cami (Jordan Hayes) has just landed after a long trip, and gets into a ridesharing car driven by Spencer (Max Topplin). She tells him to head to her father’s place, which seems to be in the middle of nowhere. As they drive, Spencer continues to try and make conversation while Cami would prefer to just rest. She does actually snooze off for a short time, but wakes just in time to see Spencer take a suspicious turn. She questions him about it, but the GPS seems to say that’s the way to go.

  As the two travel down a very dark road, a little tension grows between the two. It doesn’t help that Spencer stops the car thinking he hit something, but finding nothing on the road. When he tries to start the car again it won’t start leaving them stranded in the middle of nowhere. Not totally trusting Spencer, Cami decides to take her luggage and head down the road. Before she knows it she oddly ends up back at the car. Now the two end up stuck in the car together, not really trusting the other, and certain that someone is watching them.

  At one point in the film “The Strangers” is mentioned, and just like that movie, this one has so much to like about it. The set up is great because it puts the audience in a situation many can relate to. It tackles the fear that many have getting in a rideshare vehicle, and ups it by making it just two people driving off in the middle of the night to nowhere but darkness. Some might expect the passenger to be the only scared one, but the driver has some concerns as well. Without knowing it, the two give each other reasons to mistrust the other, even having conversations about being a serial killer.

  Enter the Toll Man (Daniel Harroch), who feasts on the fear they’ve created. Through the entire film, he helps push the mistrust between the two back and forth. The Toll Man actually becomes a bit creative in trying to separate the two the longer the film goes and more of the supernatural takes place. He also preys on their past life experiences, and takes them back visually to haunt the pair. This just ups the fear in each of them, especially when they find it hard to escape without paying the toll.

  No spoilers as to who, if anyone, actually pays the toll. Instead lets continue with more of the great stuff this film offers. It’s dark and the two are facing a supernatural entity in its territory so of course there are going to be some scares. Being sort of trapped in the car creates some early chances to scare. Then when they decide to explore the forest the Toll Man plays with their minds. As mentioned above, he brings back people and memories of their past. There’s a good mix of creepiness and a few scares here as well. It hits the mark when they’re confronted by a bunch of hooded figures. This leads the way to a pretty dramatic, yet maybe not totally surprising ending.

  Horror fans sometimes can expect a lot out of their films, and “The Toll” tries to give them as much as it can. It starts with a familiar premise of ridesharing, and takes aim at the fear this situation creates. It gives the audience two characters who don’t trust each other, and the audience might not trust them either. The Toll Man plays on this fear, and past experiences bringing in some good scares and plenty of creepiness. The film is going to go at its own pace to draw in a sense of doom, and give the audience an uneasy atmosphere the entire time. The ending might not be a total shocker, but there’s enough good built in by this point that it doesn’t take anything away from the film. Also, Jordan and Max are great at keeping these characters on edge, and handling everything that’s happening to them. With that, I give it 4 pools of blood, and would happily pay a toll to see a prequel to the Toll Man’s story!

  HorrO

More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/02/17/trailer-and-poster-for-saban-films-the-toll-in-theaters-march-26/

MAKING MONSTERS REVIEW

 

A social media prankster and his fiancee find their idyllic country weekend turn into the ultimate video prank where the stakes are like and death.

Starring: Jonathan Craig, Alana Elmer, and Peter Higginson

Directed by: Justin Harding and Rob Brunner

Written by: Justin Harding

  Seems like the world is continuously “Making Monsters” and that certainly is the case here. Chris (Tim Loden) has become famous on YouTube for his pranks. What kind of pranks…well any way in which he can scare the hell out of his girlfriend Allison (Alana Elmer). Apparently he’s made it go a long way, and has even given talks about his success scaring her to death. The pranks are fun, but now Allison wants to have a baby. This means Chris can no longer prank her, as she needs to be as stress free as possible.

  What better way to be stress free than to take a trip? The couple runs into one of Chris’s old friends, who invites them to visit him and his fiancee David (Jonathan Craig) at their new home. They apparently just bought an old church and made it their home in the middle of nowhere. The couple arrives there before their friend, and are greeted by David. The three get acquainted, and have a night of partying before things go wrong.

   As the audience might expect, the prankster is about to be pranked... or is he? An interesting concept the film presents, as the couple finds that they have been left alone up there for days before waking to no phones or cars to help escape. When talking about Allison during one of his talks, Chris mentions Allison having a strong connection to the supernatural. This didn’t seem important at first, but then a supernatural presence makes itself known to her when they are left stranded. Again, the audience is left wondering is it there to help, or hurt her.

  Soon enough the audience and the couple will find out what’s going on here. There’s definitely a monster here, and the audience gets to see them right at the opening. There’s a brutal opening scene, and that brutality continues with the couple. The monster isn’t messing around, and the audience will feel the force of every blow that’s taken. It’s so satisfying that it’s a shame the kill count isn’t a little higher.

  There’s no doubt that “Making Monsters” will give the audience a lot to like. It opens with with a savage scene, and follows that up with a great prank. It then slows down to present a couple that’s actually worth caring for, and sends them off to an unusual location. There’s still some fun moments before monster madness takes over. The audience will learn that Alana probably got the part because she’s a fantastic screamer, and is given a great creepy looking supernatural being to scream at. They will also learn that this monster is cold-blooded. However, it’s not perfect, as the supernatural angle probably needed to be a little clearer, and it definitely could have used some more of those glorious death scenes. With that, I give it 3.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/03/10/samuel-goldwyn-films-releases-one-of-the-scariest-titles-of-the-year-making-monsters/

CURSE OF AURORE REVIEW

A thumb drive from the dark web reveals disturbing footage documenting three American filmmakers on a script writing trip to rural Quebec.

Starring: Llana Barron, Lex Wilson, and Jordan Kaplan

Directed by: Mehran C. Torgoley

Written by: Llana Barron, and Mehran C. Torgoley

  Another curse is upon us, and the “Curse of Aurore” probably isn’t going to end any better than the others. Casey Nolan starts off the movie by presenting a mysterious USB drive that he got for his YouTube Channel. With no clue what’s on it, he plugs it into the laptop, and the audience is dropped into a found footage film. This one follows three filmmakers, Lena (Llana Barron), Aaron (Lex Wilson), and Kevin (Jordan Kaplan), who have arrived in Quebec looking for ideas for a movie. Lena is familiar with the area, and they start to settle in at one of her relative’s homes. 

  She begins to pitch the idea for their film to be centered around a local legend of a girl named Aurore. She was a young girl who died tragically at the hands of her parents, and that event apparently has haunted this town ever since. The three investigate a church and cemetery where she was buried, along with a few other places. As they make their way around, they’re definitely not welcomed by most in town, and slowly strange things start happening. Before they know it, they go from planning a film to starring in one!

  So obviously this is a found footage film after the first few minutes. With that usually comes a close watch at what the camera does, and how realistic the camera use seems to be. For the most part, they do a pretty good job of keeping it consistent, and within the story. There are times when they set it down, which are always appreciated because no one is going to film constantly especially when things go wrong. Of course they get in the big conclusion, and when one of the three insists that the camera is still rolling during a crazy event. There's some breaking up of the images from time to time hinting at something supernatural might be around. 

  Now this film isn’t built on trying to make the audience jump out of their seats. Instead, it relies on getting the audience to first like the three characters, and then stick with them through this investigation. The three characters are very likable, particularly after watching them smoke weed, and have fun exploring Lena’s relative’s home. Also, Kevin isn’t afraid to have a little fun, and take some risks at times to lighten the mood. 

  Investigating around town does get weird at times, but stays relatively grounded. At one time, their car gets stuck, and they go to a house for help. They meet some unusual people and get a little spooked, but nothing too dangerous happens. They also visit the home of Aurore, but meet some resistance from the person who lives there when they get a little too eager for the truth. All these moments eventually come together when the group reviews some footage, and notices some creepy things happening in the background. It’s a slow build, but it definitely will give the audience the kind of found footage ending they expect.

  The “Curse of Aurore” isn’t built on a lot of scary moments with the camera shaking all over the place. It tries to be as realistic as possible, and takes it’s time building to the mysterious ending. It gives the audience three very likable characters by three actors who do such a good job getting along that they don’t even seem like they’re acting at times. Then when the moments right it lets the audience and characters know something has been following the group for awhile. Things start to add up, but this is a found footage film for a reason and there will be no happy ending. I definitely appreciate this more subtle attempt with found footage, and letting the audience wait to the final act for the curse to reveal itself. With that, I give it 3 pools of blood!

  

  HorrO

More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/03/21/curse-of-aurore-available-on-dvd-u-s-digital-hd-internet-cable-satellite-platforms/

WHERE THE SCARY THINGS ARE EPISODE 85

 

Where The Scary Things Are Episode 85: HAWK and REV: VAMPIRE SLAYERS with RYAN BARTON-GRIMLEY

We sit down with Director Ryan Barton-Grimley and talk about his new film Hawk and Rev Vampire Slayers. RBG is one of the funniest guest we have had on the show. A definite listen.Support the show (https://linktr.ee/WTSTA666)

Listen:

WhereTheScaryThingsAre.com

Apple: apple.co/3tgp2Nk

Spotify: spoti.fi/38HH6s0

Watch:

PHOBIAS REVIEW

 

Five dangerous patients, suffering from extreme phobias at a government testing facility, are put to the ultimate test under the supervision of a crazed doctor and his quest to weaponize fear. 

Starring: Leonardo Nam, Lauren Miller Rogen, and Alexis Knapp

Directed by: Camilla Belle, Maritte Lee Go, Joe Sill, Jess Varley, and Chris von Hoffmann 

Written by: Camilla Belle, Broderick Engelhard, Maritte Lee Go, Joe Sill, Jess Varley, and Chris von Hoffmann

  You might think you’re brave, but everyone has “Phobias.” With phobia comes fear, and that’s what Dr. Wright (Ross Partridge) is looking for. He’s trying to instill fear in all of his patients so that he can bottle it. He’s looking to find a way to weaponize this fear. In the process, his patients suffer mentally and physically because of the experiments. 

  While an anthology of stories, everything is anchored to Johnny (Leonardo Nam), who the audience first meets suffering at the hands of some racism. The audience also gets to see him caring for his father before he starts receiving some strange messages on the computer. He seems to have found a special friend to help him deal with his bullying problems. However, his special friend wants more, and Johnny ends up with the other patients before he can satisfy his new friend. 

  Once Johnny is put with the other patients this anthology truly kicks off, as four woman are shown experiencing their story of fear. The good thing here is that they aren’t simple fears like being scared of bugs, or heights. Instead they’re phobias that the audience might not have heard about like Vehophobia, Ephebiphobia, and Hoplophobia. This gives a good mix of different stories including one home invasion story with a little twist at the end. Another woman seems to go a little crazy and does some reconstruction outside of the office, while the most heart breaking story might involve a woman’s breakdown in front of her son. 

  Each story is done by a different director giving each its own feel. They will try to misdirect the audience, and surprise them with where each story ends up. The audience will get a little of the supernatural, some blood spilt, and definitely some craziness. The actresses playing the women the stories are centered on all give good performances along with some of their supporting characters. Leonardo also gives a great performance as Johnny, who’s story not only begins the movie, but it also ends it with a little twist bringing everything full circle.

  Horror fans have seen movies centered on specific phobias, but it’s a little surprising more anthologies haven’t been done with them. There are plenty of phobias out there with many screaming to be made into a horror story. “Phobias” tackle fear head on creating a main story of a doctor trying to bottle fear. This opens the door for five patients to have their own phobia driven story. There’s a good mix of well done stories resulting from some very interesting phobias. With no fear, I give it 3 pools of the blood!

  HorrO

More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/02/09/official-trailer-and-poster-for-phobias-in-select-theaters-on-demand-and-digital-march-19th/

SLAXX REVIEW

 

When a possessed pair of jeans begins to kill the staff of a trendy clothing store, it is up to Libby, an idealistic young salesclerk, to stop its bloody rampage.

Starring: Romane Denis, Brett Donahue, and Sehar Bhojani

Directed by: Elza Kephart

Written by: Patricia Gomez and Elza Kephart 

  “Slaxx” can often feel like they’re squeezing the life out of you, and this time they just might do it for real. Libby (Romane Denis) is the new hire at CCC, and couldn’t be happier to be there. CCC is the popular retail store whose goal is not only to sell great clothes, but also to “Make a better tomorrow today.” They try to be the perfect company from the start of making the clothes thru the sales process. 

  Libby is hired just in time for the release of their newest jeans, which promise the perfect fit. It’s the night before the big day, and the employees are all there getting the store ready for the release. The store manager Craig (Brett Donahue) is trying to keep the employees in line, and feeling the pressure of the moment. It doesn’t get any easier when employees start disappearing, and they fall behind schedule. On top of that they are about to come face-to-face with a killer pair of jeans!

  Horror fans have seen killer tomatoes, cars, sofas, tires, piñatas, and now jeans! Yes, no matter how ridiculous some of those things seem filmmakers have found a way to make it happen. They make it happen in a fun way, as these jeans are out for blood. They squeeze the life out of some people, and find some other creative ways to spill as much blood as possible. At times the jeans might seem like a rabid dog, and other times like a pack of hungry zombies. And when not killing, they even find time for an awkward, but hilarious dance routine.

  Watching jeans kill people is what the audience most likely came to see, but surprisingly they'll also get something a little more. The backstory to the jeans and why they’re in the store killing people contains a message about the people making the clothes. CCC portrayed themselves as being a company that did everything right, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. CCC put the company first, and now that decision will come back to haunt them. Libby and another employee Shruti (Sehar Bhojani) try to right the wrongs of the company, but will it be too late to save all the customers ready to storm the store?

  “Slaxx” uses killer jeans to take the audience behind the scenes of the whole retail experience. It gives the audience a different mix of characters, some into fashion themselves, and others who clearly aren’t. It shows how hard it can be to be the new hire, and the pressures of being the boss. The audience probably isn’t going to sad to see many of them go, and will enjoy watching them suffer as the denim squeezes the blood out of them. The audience will easily find themselves glued to every move of the jeans good or bad. And before they know it, a surprising message about the manufacturing part of the retail business will complete this puzzle. The reason behind the killer jeans is tragic, but then again so is what’s happening in real life. I’ve never been a fan of jeans, but am definitely a fan of “Slaxx.” With that, I give it 4 pools of blood, and glad to be a shorts and t-shirt kind of guy!

  HorrO

More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/03/03/shudder-releases-new-trailer-for-slaxx-coming-to-shudder-march-18/

WHERE THE SCARY THINGS ARE EPISODE 84

 

Where The Scary Things Are Episode 84: THE STYLIST and CEREAL

In this episode we talk about the New Movie: The Stylist and get into a spat about the best cereal.  

iTunes   iHeart   Stitcher

RAVAGE REVIEW

 

Alone in the woods, nature photographer Harper witnesses a violent crime. After being captured by the culprits, she uses her survivalists skills to try and make it out alive.

Starring: Bruce Dern, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, and Robert Longstreet

Directed and written by: Teddy Grennan

Check out the video below and find out how many pools of blood it received…

ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD REVIEW

During the New Year’s Eve party of a bunch of friends, a series of crazy events brings out secrets, break hearts and leads to a shocking ending.

Starring: Michal Meyer, Adam Woronowicz, and Julia Wieniawa-Narkiewicz

Directed and written by: Jan Belcl

Check out the video below and find out how many pools of blood it received…

COME TRUE REVIEW

 

A teenage runaway takes part in a sleep study that becomes a nightmarish descent into the depths of her mind and a frightening examination of the power of dreams.

Starring: Julia Sarah Stone, Skylar Radzion, and Landon Liboiron

Directed and written by: Anthony Scott Burns

  It would be nice if some dreams would “Come True,” but not necessarily all of them. Something has been bothering Sarah (Julia Sarah Stone) so much that she can no longer live at home. When her mom leaves the house she goes inside for a shower and food. Going to school doesn’t help solve her problem either, which is a continuing battle with sleep paralysis. She seems to just want the life of the average teen, and hopes she has found the answer to her problems.

  One night she goes to get screened for a sleep study. After a series of tests it looks like she has passed, and will get to come back. Being an experiment, they don’t give her many details despite her curiosity. Soon enough she notices one of the people in charge, Jeremy (Landon Liboiron) has taken an interest in her. As issues come up with the study, she uses that to her advantage to get information from him. By the time they both realize something might be wrong here, it’s too late to turn back.

  While strange at times, this story will give the audience enough to continue to want to know what’s coming next. Mostly because of the dreams and the shadow figure that continues to appear. It seems like it’s used almost as a way to scare the audience early on, but plays a much bigger role as both the scientists and audience see more dream sequences. The sequences are definitely creepy with this figure in it, and they make it even creepier as it appears in more than just Sarah’s dreams. 

  The dreams work well with the imagery and atmosphere that’s created, and maintained throughout. The film also goes at its own pace, which definitely works well with how the shadow figure is revealed more and more. The pace is also very apparent in the final act, and Sarah takes Jeremy, and the audience on a very long walk. A walk that builds tension and suspense, and leads to more strangeness.

  Julia does a great job of playing the young woman struggling to get over her sleep paralysis. It will be easy for the audience to want to see Sarah overcome her issue. There is no doubt the film is done extremely well, and done with its own style. It seems like a straight forward story on the surface, but is also strange at times. It certainly ends in an extremely odd way that I never saw coming. With that said, I give “Come True” 3 pools of blood, and wish everyone sweet dreams!

  

  HorrO

More information at: http://promotehorror.com/2021/02/18/trailer-debut-for-come-true-sci-fi-sleep-paralysis-nightmare-march-12th/