mattressman_pdl Reviews

Don't Look in the Basement 2 (2015)

Give It A Shot

[5/10 · 18 April 2017]

When I first saw this title while perusing the video store (yes, an actual video store), I was a little reticent. My reservations came from the fact that the original is over forty years old, talk about a delayed sequel! I also expected a micro budget and highly amateurish filmmaking.

Summary: The film takes place in an apparently different institution than the previous film in which a staff of doctors and their patients begin undergoing strange events after the new patient arrives. An elderly, child like man named Sam.

Pros: The director is the son of the original film's director so you know right off the bat that there was some heart in this and it wasn't just a cash grab. At least one actor from the original appears although oddly enough not playing the same character. Some of the acting was passable and the clearly small budget was utilized well. Characters were likable.

Cons: Some of the acting is sub-par. The addition of a supernatural element and quirky humor makes this film exhibit quite a different atmosphere from it's predecessor. Less unusual and eccentric scenes and more of a gore element.

So, I'd give it a try. I can't say I'm the hugest fan of the original but I quite like it and wasn't underwhelmed by the sequel.

Gingerdead Man vs Evil Bong (2013)

The Meaning Of Guilty Pleasure

[5/10 · 27 February 2014]

The first thing to ask yourself when thinking about watching a movie titled Gingerdead Man Vs. Evil Bong is this: Are you able to switch off your brain and embrace some mildly entertaining, low budget lunacy from the good folks at Full Moon? The titular characters from the Gingerdead Man and Evil Bong series meet in a movie which should, at the very least, satisfy fans of either franchise. The film might service the Evil Bong series slightly more, but there's enough foul mouthed dough-boy Gingerdead man to go around. Larnell is the only one of the stoner quad to return along with Rabbitt, the friend/foil of the series. Larnell and his height-challenged head-shop employee String find themselves in the path of destruction when Gingerdead man decides to take out Sarah Leigh (from the original Gingerdead Man) once and for all! It ain't high art, folk. But if you're in the market for something light and stupid from Full Moon, have at 'er. And at least it isn't as awful as Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys.

Force of Execution (2013)

Don't Break The Code

[5/10 · 30 December 2013]

From Keoni Waxman, director of Maximum Conviction and A Dangerous Man, returns with Seagal to bring you Force of Execution, an action/crime movie showcasing several interesting performances with a lot of tepid dialogue and clichés.

The movie follows, mostly, Bren Foster as he portrays the protégé of sorts to crime boss Mr. Alexander (Seagal), who is pulled out of premature retirement when a sadistic up-and-comer (Ving Rhames) begins killing his way to the top.

The Pros: Steven Seagal turns in an enigmatic performance as Mr. Alexander as he sports, for the first time, a mean goatee. His fights are well choreographed as are Bren Fosters', who is also fun to watch. Ving Rhames and Danny Trejo are, as always, reliably efficient.

The Cons: As a Seagal fan, it's a bit of a drag to see him almost take a backseat to somebody else. The entire plot is also quite predictable.

Final Verdict: Seagal fans be sure to watch but prepare to miss the big guy for around half the movie.

Maximum Conviction (2012)

Two Steves are Better than One

[6/10 · 8 November 2012]

It's hard not to feel elated and highly anticipatory when one sees the DVD cover for Maximum Conviction, but how does the movie itself hold up? The Plot: Two ex-special forces commandos (Austin and Seagal)are hired to decommission a military prison only to find themselves under siege by a squadron of baddies trying to abduct a certain female inmate.

The Pros: After the first half hour, the action is frequent and plentiful. Both stars perform admirably, especially Austin who is slowly but surely earning his acting chops. Minimal to no doubling for Seagal and a complete lack of dubbing! Michael Pare is a decent villain, as well.

The Cons: The Stars have very little screen time together, oddly enough. Steven Seagal truly does need to try and shed some weight (and this is coming from a jaded fan). The two stars didn't quite need their younger teammates as all they did was provide cover and hog up screen time.

I would say, definitely worth a watch if you're a fan of either or both but I might hesitate on a purchase as this entertaining film is fun but flawed.

Death and Cremation (2010)

Starring Brad Dourif...I"m in!

[7/10 · 31 May 2012]

Death and Cremation is the story of a embittered teenage outcast who finds an unlikely friend in the owner and operator of Stanley Cremations. Stanley, it would seem, likes to heat up his oven to rid the town of bullies.

The movie, made for cable, is quite well made. As with any movie you'll be asked to excuse a few logic gaps and enjoy the ride. It isn't a new thing for a movie to ask you to sympathize with a killer but this one, at least from this reviewer's point of view, does well in that respect.

Brad Dourif, a veteran character actor with an impressive resume, is given the starring role and hits it out of the park! Dourif has never been insincere in his performances and this is no exception. The young actor playing his protégé was quite good, as well.

Try to catch this one! If you're a purist, however, the DVD is pan and scan.

Alien Opponent (2010)

Hope You Like Cheese

[7/10 · 31 May 2012]

From the Chiller network comes Alien Opponent! The movie's loose plot follows a bunch of bumpkins and wackos as they attempt to earn the 100,000 dollar bounty that the junk yard owner is offering for the elimination of the alien who just crash landed in the middle of all the junk.

But if you're watching a movie called Alien Opponent, plot isn't one of your biggest concerns. So step one to having a great time: Turn off your brain! That being said, this movie is good, trashy fun. The blood, at least in the uncut DVD, is plentiful and the body count is through the roof. The movie seems to take an approach toward the value of human life that is, well, non-existent. It has the comedy of a Troma film without going so over the top. The characters are colorful and the pace is fluid.

The only recognizable faces present are Jeremy London (Mallrats) and Roddy Piper. Now, this movie is worth watching just to see Piper in action again as the tough-as-nails priest. Everyone else is relatively new but most perform admirably.

This low-budget gem will never win any awards or show up on your top-ten any time soon but I'll be honest with you: I was never bored, I had no idea what would happen next, and I had fun. When all is said and done, what else do you want?

Die-ner (Get It?) (2009)

Microbudget horror delivers

[6/10 · 25 February 2012]

Die(ner) is a simple little horror film made for very, very little money. When accepting that, one can find quite a lot of enjoyment out of it.

It's about a serial killer who murders a waitress and short-order cook during the graveyard shift of a roadside diner, only to run into some problems. The first is an arguing couple who come in and want to be served and the second is that his victims are about to come back to life as zombies. Throw in an old sheriff, some wry dialogue, and some originality and you have the recipe for a fun little microbudget horror movie.

The only drawback is, as with most low budget films, the action is low and some of the performances are stiff, but the lead playing the serial killer is quite charismatic. Just give it a chance, especially if you're disillusioned by Hollywood horror movies.

Chillerama (2011)

The Midnight Movie Is Alive And Well

[7/10 · 5 December 2011]

From some of this generations most innovative filmmakers comes a film that pushes the boundaries of good taste and endeavors to bring the good ol' style of the drive-in right into your living room. Does it succeed? For the most part, yes! Segment One, Wadzilla, features star/director Adam Rifkin (Detroit Rock City)as a timid businessman who is given experimental medicine to increase his sperm count, only to unleash a monster of immeasurable horror! The effects are charmingly horrible but it is quite a funny ride.

Segment Two, I Was a Teenage Werebear is, unfortunately, the proverbial black sheep of the family. Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs) is a real talent but the short's taboo pressing plot line only serves to alienate this movie's target demographic (straight males). It is a rousing musical about a sexually confused young man who is bitten by a were-bear (long story) and struggles to keep his morality.

Segment Three, Adam Green's (Hatchet, Frozen)The Diary of Anne Frankenstien, is a real treat. Although admittedly a little short on the horror aspect, it is actually quite funny. The Nazi's, led by Joel David Moore as Hitler, attempt to use Anne Frankenstien's journal to build a monster to help in the war effort. This segment is shot in a sublime old fashioned style and is subtitled as everyone speaks authentic German except for Hitler himself, who comes off as quite a bumbling fool.

Segment Four, Joe Lynch's (Wrong Turn 2) Zom-B-Movie, serves as the wraparound story and as the finale and it is just righteously over the top fun enough to completely win over this reviewer. A zombie outbreak threatens the people who had to sit through the last three shorts only to be threatened by a pack of sexually charged zombies. The real highlight is character actor Richard Riehle who gets to brandish a shotgun and quote more movies then any character in history.

For this reviewer's money, this movie succeeded at becoming exploitation without falling prey to insincerity like the similarly themed Grindhouse.

Tales from the Crypt: Korman's Kalamity (1990) Season 2, Episode 13

That's a Really Weird Idea...

[31 August 2011]

Comedic actor Harry Anderson plays Korman, a put-upon comic book artist whose art is about to become a little too interactive. Forced to take experimental potency pills by his cruel wife, Korman's horror illustrations have begun to come to life...and terrorize people in the city. This one is played for laughs, don't look for complex characters or any real horror in this one. The humor works well and the monsters on display here are old-school and very aesthetically pleasing. Collen Camp is delightfully over the top as Korman's demanding wife. This episode is also significant for being sublimely self-referential. It's not for everyone, surely, but it's just camp enough to be a hit.

Tales from the Crypt: Fitting Punishment (1990) Season 2, Episode 12

The Lord Helps Those...Who Help Themselves

[31 August 2011]

After losing his parents in a car accident, a teenage boy is forced to live with his penny-pinching, cruel uncle Ezra. Ezra is a mortician who quickly puts the young man to work in his mortuary. But after an accident resulting in an unneeded coffin, Ezra paralyzes the boy from the waist down. So, waste not, want not, Ezra arranges for young Bobby to meet his untimely demise...but the bothersome dead boy won't fit! Truly EC style, all the way. Moses Gunn is divinely evil as the morally corrupt Uncle Ezra, bringing to the screen one of the most evil characters in Crypt history. My only gripe is that the show's finale is spoiled by the opening comic page in the cryptkeeper segment...just like Carrion Death.

Tales from the Crypt: Judy, You're Not Yourself Today (1990) Season 2, Episode 11

Unique Little Episode

[31 August 2011]

Judy, You're Not Yourself Today may stand as one of the most provocative, unique offerings from the crypt. It's eccentric style and over the top performances make for a highly unusual experience. Is it good? Well, that's up for debate.

A kooky, pretentious couple find their relationship tested by a body-switching witch. One can't blame the actors as they're all immensely watchable and take the show to maniacal levels. There are actually a few laughs to be had here, folks.

But it's just quite uneven, jarringly so. It feels like one of the more obscure Tales from the Darkside episodes...and thats not a compliment. It's still better than most of today's television, at least.

Tales from the Crypt: The Ventriloquist's Dummy (1990) Season 2, Episode 10

Morty is No Dummy!

[31 August 2011]

Richard Donner steps behind the camera to bring one of the finest, most twisted episodes to the screen in The Ventriloquist's Dummy. Billy Goldman is a timid, novice ventriloquist who tracks down his idol, Mr. Ingles, for a few trade tips. But Billy finds a broken down old man with a major secret: Ingle's dummy was controlled by his savagely deformed twin brother who hangs from his wrist...a little, murderous twin named Morty.

Ingle's hacks free Morty, who quickly tries to kill Billy and the aging ventriloquist. Pretty warped stuff, huh? This episode was amazingly true to it's 50's comic origins, in both style and substance. Don Rickles is surprisingly quite a good actor as the tortured Ingles and comedian Bobcat Goldwaithe is even a hoot to watch! Watch for director Richard Donner in a the background as Ingles sits a the bar.

Tales from the Crypt: Four-Sided Triangle (1990) Season 2, Episode 9

The Scarecrow is Alive...

[31 August 2011]

...or is he? Fugitive Patricia Arquette is stuck on a farm, blackmailed into working by the grumpy, perverted farmer and his wife. But after suffering a blow to the head, the girl begins to fantasize about the field's scarecrow coming to life. Sound's strange, doesn't it? This episode is neither interesting enough nor horrific enough to stand on it's own, making it among season two's worst offerings. It plays like a dull thriller instead of a tongue-in-cheek horror short. But, can't win 'em all, can we? At least Patricia looks lovely and the scarecrow sequences are just surreal enough to be entertaining. It's too bad it falls apart in the end, where it counts.

Bitter Feast (2010)

Dig in!

[7/10 · 29 August 2011]

Peter Grey is a pompous, talented chef whose life is about to take a turn for the worse after an unnecessarily horrible review by blogger JT Franks. Grey's already skewed world perspective changes drastically as he resolves to kidnap Franks, torturing him with a series of seemingly simple cooking tasks.

Bitter Feast gets points for originality and gloss. The film looks quite good for an independent effort and the actors really throw themselves into the roles. They actually hired actors, not faces, to flesh out the interesting script. James Le Gros especially never goes over the top but plays the role rather subtly and Josh Lucas is excellent, being sympathetic and unsympathetic all at once. The always reliable Larry Fessenden shows up as a slimy private eye trying to locate Franks.

Don't expect your life to change, but if you're looking for a movie with some originality and panache, then dig in!

Cornered! (2008)

Surprisingly Enjoyable Slasher

[22 August 2011]

Being a hardened, jaded horror buff this reviewer was tired of seeing a bunch of clichéd, attractive teens with the personality of a thrift store being killed over and over by the same kind of stalker. Along came Cornered! and I must say that I'm glad that I didn't listen to all the negative feedback on this site.

A group of real people are trapped in a liquor store after a killer breaks in and begins stalking them. This killer has an odd penchant for murdering convenience store clerks and the like before stealing the security footage and watching his own handy work.

The pace is what scared a lot of people off and it does tend to be a little slower than one would hope for. But it's just a minor complaint as the rest of the cast performs quite well, the villain is interesting, and it held my attention for eighty-two minutes. And wasn't it nice to see Steve Guttenberg again?

Body Bags (1993 TV Movie)

Zip yourself in tight!

[7/10 · 13 August 2011]

Directors John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper bring you a made for cable horror anthology known as...BODY BAGS.

Hosted by an amusing John Carpenter as a cryptkeeper like host. He's a lively corpse himself and delights in the torment of the other bodies in the morgue. So he's going to tell you about them...(well three of them, anyway).

Story One finds a young college student being stalked in a desolate gas station by a menacing killer. Watch for Carpenter regulars Buck Flower, Peter Jason, and Robert Carradine as well as cameos from Sam Raimi and Wes Craven. Not a very good story but much better than the other two that follow Story Two finds a balding bachelor (the always watchable Stacy Keach) desperate for a cure to his thinning scalp. He finds one, thanks to an eccentric doctor played by David Warner. The cure works a little too well...This one is a little corny but fun.

Story Three is directed by 'guest' Tobe Hooper and is unfortunately the weakest story. Professional baseball player Mark Hamill is distraught after losing his eye in a car accident. That is, until another creepy doctor offers him a transplant...from an executed serial killer. Nothing bad could possibly happen, right? Overall, the films wraparound segment proves to be more entertaining than the segments themselves as it feels like an old EC comic but the film isn't without it's positive points. The first story has decent suspense and all of them have their tongue planted firmly in cheek.

Seek out this one out!

Graveyard Shift (1990)

Completely Underrated Midnight Movie

[7/10 · 13 August 2011]

Stephen King's Graveyard Shift will never win an Oscar. It will never change anybody's life or be mentioned on any top one-hundred lists. But it's easier to find flaws in a little horror film than to 'mine' it for good points as so many have failed to do.

Adapting a short (very short) story from Stephen King's collection Night Shift, Ralph Singleton took a small budget, unique sets, and a remarkably gifted group of actors and spun a film called Graveyard Shift.

Plot: A group of over-worked misfits in a textile mill run afoul of a strange, mutant creature and a large number of rats. Simple, huh? The film has a very dodgy quality as it suffers from budget restraints, unreliable accents, and an uneven pace. Stephen Macht is divinely evil (if that makes sense) as the unscrupulous Warwick, who runs the mill like his own demented clubhouse. Macht's performance is over the top as his accent wavers at certain times and his mania takes over but somehow it seems to fit in this guilty pleasure.

But it's hard working character actor Brad Dourif who walks away with this picture slung over his shoulder as he portrays an intense exterminator with an unnatural hatred for rodents. His screen time is limited but, as in Exorcist III, Dourif fills it with charisma. The rest of the cast is quite good as well including the likable David Andrews, the sweet Kelly Wolf, the slimy Vic Polizos, and the underrated Andrew Divoff playing a bit of a jerk (go figure).

It would be easy to kick the movie while it's down, as critics and audiences do quite often. But this movie's grimy, unusual charm has won this reviewer over time and time again.

Shut your brain off and tune in.

"Okay, show's over!"

Tales from the Crypt: The Thing from the Grave (1990) Season 2, Episode 6

Death doesn't stop love...

[7/10 · 25 June 2011]

A beautiful young model with an abusive agent/boyfriend becomes drawn to a kindly, handsome photographer. But the agent becomes enraged and brutally buries the photographer and kidnaps the model with nefarious intentions. Is this seemingly Greek tragedy going to end poorly for the young model...or will the audience find that not even death can stop love? A little romantic in parts for serious horror-fiends tastes but it certainly pays off handsomely as we're treated to a nice looking zombie and a little creative blood.

Fun Fact: Miguel Ferrer is one of the few actors to appear more than once in the Tales universe with three appearances (Thing from the Grave/As Ye Sow/In the Groove)

Tales from the Crypt: The Sacrifice (1990) Season 2, Episode 7

Out of place...

[5/10 · 25 June 2011]

A rich man's wife and a conman conspire to do away with the rich man for the cash only to be confronted by a witness who begins to blackmail them for the woman's company.

This episode is out of place in this series, lacking seriously in any horror characteristics. It would fit in better as an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode then as Tales from the Crypt...and even then it wouldn't be very good. The writing is stale, the ending is choreographed and easily guessed, and there are no exploitative elements present. Big miss! On the positive side, Michael Ironside appears and adds some class. Too bad the episode was beyond saving.

Tales from the Crypt: For Cryin' Out Loud (1990) Season 2, Episode 8

Heavy Conscience

[9/10 · 25 June 2011]

Marty Slash, a sleazy rock promoter, is about to make away with a million dollars in misappropriated charity cash. But somebody isn't going to let him get very far...his loud, obnoxious conscience.

Lee Arenberg is manic and impressive as the promoter but an off-screen Sam Kinison steals the show as he truly delivers an hilarious performance worthy of the Crypt hall of fame. Look out for Katey Sagal as Marty's banker who stumbles onto his scheme and wants in and a cameo from Iggy Pop as himself.

One of the best season two episodes and belongs in the top ten favorite episode of this reviewer.

Tales from the Crypt: Three's a Crowd (1990) Season 2, Episode 5

Surprise!

[7/10 · 25 June 2011]

An early entry in the show's second season finds a drunken, down-on-his-luck man who is insanely jealous and overprotective of his pretty young wife. After going on an anniversary trip with their friend, the man becomes more and more unstable as he suspects that his wife is being unfaithful...with their friend. Is he right? Has he lost it? Or is a rather appropriate EC ending waiting right around the corner? The pace is seemingly deliberately slow and there is a lack of blood and sensuality that seems to be a Tales constant, but the climax is it's saving grace as it is revealed as one of the most tragic and shocking endings of the entire series run.

Tales from the Crypt: The Switch (1990) Season 2, Episode 2

Directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger?

[6/10 · 8 May 2011]

Yep, this season two episode was directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger...and he didn't do too badly. He even acts in the beginning with the cryptkeeper.

As for the story, it's a slightly silly little tale about an old man who resorts to a drastic and expensive procedure to woo a much younger woman. But will an EC style twist be waiting around the corner? You bet! This episode is a little low on horror, but its pretty entertaining. Also, this marks Rick Brocksmith's third appearance after The Man Who Was Death and Cutting Cards and he's a hoot as the eccentric surgeon.

Tales from the Crypt: 'Til Death (1990) Season 2, Episode 4

One Drop, she'll be your wife...

[6/10 · 8 May 2011]

D.W. Moffett stars as Logan, an unscrupulous con-man who discovers that his newest venture is a total washout. He smells a ludicrous scheme in attempting to seduce a wealthy, uptight woman. For that, he may just need some voodoo. The love potion works, obviously, too well as Logan finds her love truly undying.

This episode may be a little tacky and the acting is a tad hammy, but there's some nice bloody moments and even a chuckle here or there. It won't scare even the most timid viewer, but I thought it was fun enough and was suited to the EC world.

Trivia: Aubrey Morris, who plays Logan's partner, would appear later in the crypt universe in Tales From the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood.

Bachelor Party in the Bungalow of the Damned (2008 Video)

I Actually Kind Of Liked This One

[5/10 · 9 April 2011]

A group of friends gather together for a bachelor party only to become fodder for three 'demon' strippers.

First off, this movie was made for practically no money. That being said, I kind of enjoyed it more than a lot of mainstream horror films. It reminded me of the fun trash that we used to expect from Troma on a regular basis (Kaufman has as cameo). The acting was bad, but not the worst that I've seen. Some shoddy CGI makes an appearance but I thought that it actually added to the cheese factor. The editing and continuity is a nightmare but, as I said before, cheese factor.

This movie is NOT for everyone or even most people. But I was surprised to get a few chuckles out of it and it wasn't as boring as most independent horror seems to be. Movies don't always have to be good to be fun.

Butchered (2010 Video)

Bloodless Slasher Tribute

[3/10 · 9 April 2011]

Available in the Midnight Horror Collection from Echo Bridge called Backwoods Butchers, Butchered was decent viewing.

Although obviously shot on an extremely low budget,there are a few decent moments to be found here. The opening scene, culminating in an homage (or steal) of a scene found in Exorcist III, built up fair tension and the montage/opening credits looked pretty professional. But the wooden acting from most of the young cast and the lack of originality in the killings brings the movie down big time in my opinion. Practically everyone was dispatched with an axe to the chest, it got repetitive.

I wanted to be kind to this independent horror film, but it just has too many faults. I do respect the fact that the makers are obviously inspired by stronger horror film, but it's a shame that this one didn't turn out too strong.