New Video: Trashcans of Terror

The Devil's Rejects

I still prefer House of 1000 Corpses but this is definitely a strong Rob Zombie horror film. Sid Haig, Ken Foree and Bill Mosely are all hilarious and terrifying. The role reversal at the end is interesting.

It's an interesting parallel that Tiny shows up at the end as a saviour figure for the evil characters when earlier in the film there was a scene with a victim calling out to God for help and no one came.

Junko: The History Of Toxie 2 & 3



Sequels. Yeah, they're ok, sometimes. There were a lot of them before the reboot revolution. And just like reboots, the sequel craze was a bit much. Very few were necessary, some were pretty good. However, most sequels are just obvious cash grabs, every bit as much as these stupid reboots we're now stuck with. The 80's was the point when so many directors got the idea that an overabundance of part 2's was okay and not at all cheapening otherwise legendary stories. Well, they did. Even if they're quality continuations that provide us entertainment, they usually don't do the original any favors, do they? Today, I'm going to say a few words about two unwanted sequels from the late 80's that's always annoyed me more than most. And I know I'm not alone. This is the Toxic Avenger Parts 2 and 3.

This was just a completely watered-down attempt at continuing the saga of The Toxic Avenger. The original wasn't perfect ... Or maybe it was, come to think of it. It was silly, but not too silly. It had a grittiness that wasn't even attempted to install in 2 and 3. Grittiness was replaced by a cartoonish tone that I can only assume was due to Troma's desire for mainstream success, and I guess it paid off considering the Toxic Crusaders Saturday morning cartoon that debuted a couple years later. That's great, but what about the fans of the original who miss the more gruesome, offensive style? Well, fuck them! They'll just eat up whatever they're given, right? what is this, Hollywood?



So, yeah. This was originally meant to be one movie. Toxic Avenger Part 2 became part 2 and 3 once Lloyd Kaufman realized that he had accidentally shot enough footage for two different movies. And after watching them both, I find that little fact kind of confusing. I mean, that's a lot of shit for one movie, regardless of how long it's meant to be. Ultimately, both movies clock in around 100 minutes, which often seems about twice that. But enough about disappointing changes and unnecessary run times. Here's how it all plays out...

In the mid-80's, if someone told you Troma was going to be coming out with another Toxic Avegner movie, how would you imagine the story? Exactly! Toxie goes to Japan! What else? This sequel is really about Toxie "Melvin" Fer-I mean Junko's quest to find his long, lost father. Not such a bad idea for a premise, as it could lead to all sorts of misadventures, but tell me. Why Japan? So we can all get a good laugh at how different Japanese people are, and how funny they talk? It seems like it, at times. A dumb and unnecessary route to take, in my opinion.

Toxie is tricked by Apocalypse Inc. into thinking this is where he can find daddy Junko. But while Toxie is doing stupid shit over there, while coming up short in his quest, the evil corporation takes over his beloved hometown with ease. Once Toxie heads home from his pointless trip, and sees what has happened, well, it almost seems like the story can finally begin, now, as Toxie takes care of business, but in a more silly, less exploitationy fashion, than what we remember. It's not too terribly tame, but comparing this to the original, let's just say, it's obvious which movie was closer to the 70's, and which was closer to the 90's. Take that however you want. 4/10

Somehow, Lloyd ended up with an entire story of scenes about Toxie selling out to Apocalypse Inc. and made a whole other movie with it. Some time later, Toxie has banished all evil from Tromaville, which is good, but that purpose he acquired in the first movie is now gone. Toxie feels bored and restless, but mostly, he just feels just plain useless. He was a hero, but for one to maintain such status, one much prove himself on a regular basis. And with no bad guys around to kill, well, Melvin is really nothing more than a nice guy, now.

With the combination of having no purpose and not being able to afford eye surgery for Sa-I mean Claire, Melvin does the unthinkable and signs on to work for Apocalypse Inc. Melvin immediately transforms into a fast talking, go-getter yuppie in short shorts, quickly forgetting the important things in life and remaining oblivious to the fact that the company is now taing over Tromaville. The once blind Claire opens Melvins eyes as to what's really going on, and he soon prepares for the fight of his life. But what Melvin doesn't realize is that he's been working for The Devil, himself. As Melvin learns, The Devil doesn't let his minions out of their contracts without a fight. 4/10

I don't know. It's not like these movies are even in the bottom 300 of the Troma catalogue. They're not terrible, but just not what they should or could have been. They're more or less castrated versions of the original. And aside from that, the other elephant in the room would be the abysmal continuity (or lack of caring). Really. It seems as though Kaufman hadn't seen the original in a couple of years, and just decided that he remembered it well enough to not require a refresher. If that's how it was, then, Uncle Lloyd was wrong.

Melvin Ferd became Melvin Junko, Sarah the cute ditz became Claire the seductive retard, Melvin's mom now looks like the old woman from Island Of Death who got pissed on. Ad to me, the worst part is that they got a noticeably different Toxie, this time. Two of them, I believe. The first either quit or got fired at some point. The thing is, the actor(s) playing Toxie are at least four or five inches shorter than the original. I don't want to nitpick, but really? You really couldn't find someone at least six feet tall to take over the role of someone who was probably 6'3? and don't even get me started on the 15 year old they hired to do the voice. It's not so bad if you're not a huge fan of the original. However, if you are, then, these movies will probably just make you want to go watch it!

Thoughts on The Innkeepers/YellowBrickRoad





Revisited these 2 movies last night, the rewatch for The Innkeepers did the trick, i appreciated it more and i changed the rating from 5/10 to 6/10 but for YellowBrickRoad while i absolutely love slow burn horror this one just didn't work for me, it had some truly terrifying scenes but as a whole the movie fell flat and aimless 4/10.

The most polarizing movie on Trash Epics

At the time of writing, the only movie on here which has the full gamut of votes from 1 to 5 is...

https://resizing.flixster.com/RbMBebWbVmc6WIR7wbLSEpIrXQg=/206x305/v1.bTsxMTE3MjMyMjtqOzE3MzE5OzEyMDA7ODAwOzEyMDA

I suppose it shouldn't be suprising that a remake/reboot of a beloved franchise can cause such differing opinion, but i thought it might be something more extreme or perverse like A Serbian Film or Pink Flamingos.

Anyway, don't really know where i'm going with this, bit bored.

What movies does your schizo bad self think would be most dividing?

What movies did you buy or watch this week? (10-8)

I just got Suspicious Death of a Minor a few days ago. Will probably be watching it in just a little while.

Mr. Mercedes - 2017 tv series

Yeah, it's another Stephen King story turned into pop-culture mini-series. The prologue shows a man run down a crowd of innocents in 2009, and now... in 2011... the retired detective is still on the case.

The show hasn't aired in entirety yet, but so far, it's pretty good. Not "11.22.63" good, but it's entertaining. That Stephen King sure can write a good yarn. The series is a cat-and-mouse type thing, where you see perspectives of both the hero and the villain. The villain has a decent and incestuous storyline, but Brendon Gleeson is making this show worth watching. His storyline isn't particularly great, but he's always a fun actor to watch. Apparently, Stephen King wrote the story with him in mind for the part. Cool stuff.

I just saw 'Amityville: The Awakening'.

My waiting time is over. I finally saw it last week! And I have to say that I absolutely loved it.

What's it about? In 1974, 'he' murdered his entire family as they slept in a haunted house, in Amityville, but 40 years later, a single mother that moves her three children into that the same house.

This movie is terrific, crazy and scary with some creepy moments. But yet, it's a lot of fun to watch. It has great jump scares! I found the twists crazy.

One thing in this movie made me surprise is that they showed the actual Amityville DVDs (the original, Amityville II: The Possession and the remake) and I loved how they showed it. They said new versions are boring, so they picked the original to watch and some of the characters watched it on TV. 😄

Let's talk about the characters:
Bella Thorne gave a likable character, good acting and she showed her emotional moments. She wasn't dumb, neither annoying. She seemed awesome when she was fighting with the demon in the last scene.

Jennifer Jason Leigh gives a creepy performance. She played really crazy mother who already knew about the 'Amityville Horror' murders and she thought everything would be better in a possessed house in Amityville, but she was also good. She did a good job.

Cameron Monaghan was really creepy as looking. He was easily the best and creepiest part of the movie.

The little girl is nothing special like Chloe Moretz was.

It's not for everyone, but if you like the remake, Rob Zombie's remake, The Possession, etc. you definitely should to see it. Since you need a time for this movie to release. It's just an entertaining film!


#AmityvilleTheAwakeni

Your best Horrorthon Watch so far?

At this point i have to go with :

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) 8/10

I hate people...

A few days ago, some dumb bitch crashed into my sister's van and totaled the fucking thing, almost killing my 4 month old nephew and sending my sending my sister to the hospital with a broken sternum. Now, that spoiled teenage brat who hit her (who was entirely happy-go-lucky at the crime scene, by the way) is faking injuries and trying to sue the sis, when her car was virtually undamaged. Why do people like this even exist?

😞

BLAH. I had to vent. Money's gonna be a little tighter lately, but thank God alcohol is cheap. (Nephew is miraculously unharmed though)