Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker aka Night Warning

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082813/


Any fans, good slasher trash. I am doing a rewatch of this for the October Challenge.

8/10

#Tits

Reviews with Ballz: The Blind Dead Series

Welcome to another... Reviews with Ballz!

Today, I'll be covering: Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067500/ , Return of the Evil Dead (1973) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068232/ , The Ghost Galleon (1975) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071256/ , and Night of the Seagulls (1976) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073461/. And yes, I know those years conflict with what IMDb lists. But the years Wiki lists conflict a little too, so I'm going by what it says on the back on my DVDs.

I recently decided to buy Amando de Ossorio's Blind Dead series via the The Blind Dead Collection box set. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the set itself. As you can see below, it's shaped like a coffin, which is really cool I think, and I can't complain about the quality of the transfers or anything.

The first two movies, Tombs of the Blind Dead and Return of the Evil Dead, offer both the English language versions, which are a bit cut, and the original, uncut Spanish language versions. The last two movies, The Ghost Galleon and Night of the Seagulls, also have both the original Spanish audio and the English dub, but the cuts of the films are the same for both languages.

The set also came with a bonus DVD containing what are some extras with the director and also a 39 page booklet about the series, so for you people that care more about extras than I do, there you go.

But enough about the set. Let's get into the movies themselves. Trying a little different of a format here too, so without further ado...

The basics: The blind dead were the Knights Templar, who were blinded and executed for doing shit like tying women up and drinking their blood. In death, apparently they still seek the blood of the living. For that, I hesitate to call them zombies. In fact, the Wiki page refers to them as revenants, which I'd say is more accurate.

What I dug: de Ossorio definitely had an eye for locations. In all four movies, the locations are really nice to look at. From the abandoned town in Tombs of the Blind Dead to the old, wooden ship in The Ghost Galleon, at least the close-up and interior shots of the ship. He used a model ship for some shots and it was a very obvious model, though I don't fault de Ossorio for that. All four movies were low budget. I'd call it impressive more than anything, even if it's a little humorous too.

And that brings me to the look of the blind dead themselves. For a low budget series, the blind dead look really good. They're supposed to be rotting corpses and that fact is portrayed well. When the blind dead do appear, especially on their horses, it feels like the film itself actually slows down. I'm not sure if that was to show just how slow they're supposed to be moving or if it was meant to be some other kind of effect, but either way, I think it gives those scenes a very surreal and nightmarish feel.

The low budget is apparent in some of the blood and gore effects too, particularly during one scene in Tombs of the Blind Dead involving a chick's chest. Again though, I'm more impressed than anything, especially as someone who will always prefer practical effects over CGI.

I'd say my favorite movie of the series is easily Return of the Evil Dead. I feel like is has the best story, the best pacing, and the best effects. Night of the Seagulls is my second favorite, though by then, the whole concept of the series was running thin I feel. More on that in a moment though.

One last thing I want to mention here is the music in the movies. While it's not used much throughout the movies, at least not that I noticed, it fits really well where it is used.

What sucked: I mentioned Return of the Evil Dead having the best pacing, which leads me to something I see said often, and I'm saying it too, about the first movie, Tombs of the Blind Dead. The movie itself is very slow in its pacing. Slow enough to the point where I find myself zoning out. It's a shame too because the movie does have its positives, but when you're zoned out, those go overlooked. And for this, it's my second least favorite movie of the series.

So what's my least favorite movie of the series? The Ghost Galleon. The movie doesn't really suffer from the slow pacing of Tombs of the Blind Dead, but it suffers from several other issues. One is, as I said previously, the series started to wear itself thin. To de Ossorio's credit, he tried to change up the locations and the reasons for the blind dead attacking in each movie, but in the end, it's still the same concept. The Ghost Galleon is also a pretty gore-free movie. If there was any blood, it wasn't enough to remember. That wouldn't be such a big deal if the movie had a little more going for it.

Other shit: When Tombs of the Blind Dead was originally released here in the US, they tried to pass it off as a sequel to Planet of the Apes called Revenge from Planet Ape.












My ratings:
Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971): 2/5
Return of the Evil Dead (1973): 4/5
The Ghost Galleon (1975): 2/5
Night of the Seagulls (1976): 3/5

So there you have it. Two of the four movies are pretty solid overall. If you do decide to check the series out, I'd say give the first a shot anyway, even if it's after you see one of the better sequels, just because it's definitely got a few interesting things going for it. I can't suggest buying the box set unless maybe you see it for like $20 or you really want the bonus disc and booklet. You can buy the movies separately though, if you want just the better ones.

#AmandoDeOssorio #BlindDeadSeries #Review #ReviewsWithBallz

2000 -2009 Horor films

I have this list for myself but figured I would post it here in case anybody is looking for modern recs. Obviously some may disagree with some listed or not listed. Here is every horror film I have liked so far from these years. I will obviously add to it as I see more films.

Aaah! Zombies!! (2007)
All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)
Amer (2009)
American Psycho (2000)
Antichrist (2009)
August Underground (2001)
Bad Biology (2008)
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Black Sheep (2006)
Bubba Ho Tep (2002)
Bug (2006)
Cabin Fever (2002)
The Call of the Cthuhla (2005)
The Children (2008)
Cloverfield (2008)
Dagon (2001)
Dance of the Dead (2008)
Dead and Breakfast (2004)
Dead Snow (2009)
Deathstop Holocaust (2009)
The Descent (2005)
Devil's Backbone (2001)
Devil's Rejects (2005)
Dog Soldiers (2002)
Elvira's Haunted Hills (2001)
Embodiment of Evil (2008)
End of the Line (2007)
Feast (2005)
Fido (2006)
Final Destination (2000)
Frailty (2001)
Frontiers (2007)
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Ginger Snaps 2 (2004)
Girl Next Door (2007)
Grindhouse (2007)
Gutterballs (2008)
The Hamiltons (2006)
The Happening (2008)
La Horde (2009)
The Host (2006)
Hostel (2005)
House of the Devil (2009)
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Human Centipede 1 (2009)
I Sell the Dead (2008)
Ils (2006)
Inside (2007)
Jennifer's Body (2009)
Ju-on: The Grudge (2002)
Laid to Rest (2009)
Land of the Dead (2005)
Let the Right One In (2008)
The Life and Death of a Porno Gang (2009)
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)
The Loved Ones (2009)
Manson Family (2003)
Martyrs (2008)
May (2002)
The Mist (2007)
Mother of Tears (2007)
The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
Mulberry Street (2006)
Murder Party (2007)
My Little Eye (2002)
Night of the Living Dorks (2004)
Open Water (2003)
The Others (2001)
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Pontpool (2008)
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006)
P2 (2007)
[Rec] (2007)
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
The Revenant (2009)
The Ruins (2008)
Satan's Little Helper (2004)
Scrapbook (2000)
Session 9 (2001)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Sheitan (2006)
The Signal (2007)
Slashers (2001)
Slither (2006)
Splice (2009)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Teeth (2007)
Thirst (2009)
Triangle (2009)
Trick R Treat (2007)
28 Days Later (2002)
Undead (2003)
Versus (2000)
Willard (2003)
Zombieland (2009)

South Park Fans?

The only other board that I visited on IMDB was the South Park boards. I rewatch all seasons in order and do that for eternity and so on.

Favorite Episodes

-Awesome-O
-Cartman Land
-Krazy Kripples
-Scott Tenorman
-Marjorine
-D Yikes!

I hope there are fans here so we can quote, with proper expletives. Thanks!!!

#Butters #Mexicanstinkyballs #Southpark

R.I.P. Bill Paxton

Dead at 61.

Wow, he has been in a lot of great movies, I'm looking at his filmography right now, and he has been in a lot more of my favorites than I would have thought.

The Omen vs. Omen 2

I've always dug the sequel more than the original.

The first seems one-dimensional by comparison
(strictly beheadings, as opposed to an elevator killing, for example).
It didn't hurt that in the sequel, he's protected by ravens, rather than a rottweiler.
Imho, the cemetary conversations in the sequel are more compelling than any in part one.

I also prefer the conclusion in the sequel (since he's that much closer to world-domination).

Motivational Growth (2013)

The mold knows, Jack. The mold knows.

This is one weird ass filthy movie. A man who hasn't left his filthy disgusting apartment in 16 months finally has his TV die on him. After a failed suicide attempt, a giant lump of mold (voiced by one Mr. Jeffrey Combs) in his bathroom starts talking to him and controlling his life. It's very Henenlotter-esque, and the type of movie that makes you feel like you need to take a shower. Highly recommended! Here's the trailer:

Bloodstained Butterfly

Is this worth getting on Blu-ray?

Zombie '93: Extreme Ineptitude



Todd Sheets has always gotten a lot of hate. And you're probably sitting there thinking "Well, no shit! Did you see Prehistoric Bimbos In Armageddon City?". And I'd have to answer that with an unfortunate yes. And yes. Not his finest hour and nine minutes. But I'll still go on record and say that I don't think whatever hate Sheets may get is really justified. Especially if you're only familiar with his very early stuff. Sure. These so-called films are annoying, really, really bad in every way a Horror film can possibly be bad, and they're not half as funny as they're intended to be. But the thing about Todd Sheets' early stuff is that it's not really stuff at all.

In the late 80's and early 90's, Todd sheets and pals fucked around a lot with cameras and gore FX, not so much making movies as practicing for the day he starts making movies. Little hour long gorefests that weren't really meant to be seen by anyone except Todd Sheets and pals. But one day, an offer was made to Todd to get those "movies" out there. A deal was made, and from what I've heard, this is a decision sheets now regrets, due to the fact that his entire reputation as a director has been based on these practice movies. By 1993, Todd Sheets was ready to start making something more. A legit movie he could be proud of. His first movie, as he now calls it. But unfortunately for him, many others may not realize this. Today, we're going to talk about what many do consider Todd sheets' finest hour and ten minutes. A film inspired by every zombie movie ever made, and one of the few shot-on-video Horror flicks which represent the 90's. This is Zombie Bloodbath.

As we begin, we witness an accident at a chemical plant which quickly spreads a disease, which infects everyone within seconds. Some of the FX and over acting is hilarious, and lets us know exactly what kind of movie we're getting in to, here. Exactly. A really, really bad one. But still an entertaining one. As we get a slight peak into the lives of a couple families in the suburbs, we're treated to some of the most hilarious acting the B-movie world has to offer. None more hilarious than Todd Sheets' good pal, Jerry Angell, who was a regular in Sheets' practice movies. A man with a face which screams "dim-witted white trash", Angell makes this otherwise bottom of the barrel zombie flick far more entertaining than one would expect. Not everyone can pull off a mustache and a mullet with bangs, but this man can. Take one look at him and you know in your heart that his delivery is every bit as hilarious as you would assume.

Not everyone can be Jerry Angell, but there's plenty of fun moments involving over acting and attempts at character development. Once the zombie outbreak reaches their destination, Sheets wastes no time breaking out the gore. But there's more to this movie than all that. At times, there are moments, while comically bad, are meant to be heartbreaking and powerful, as family members sob over lost loved ones, and even resorting to suicide. Not exactly as effective as The Walking Dead, but they do get points for trying. Considering the budget Sheets was working with, here, this movie really isn't as bad as it may seem at first glance. It's certainly more ambitious than a lot of shot-on-video flicks from this era or any other.

Taking your film making to a higher level is one thing. But doing so by making a zombie movie would probably be a huge pain in the ass. So respect goes to Mr. Sheets. However, I've always found it funny that he considers Zombie Bloodbath his first actual movie, discarding the seemingly hundreds of movies he did in the years leading up to this. Sure. They're clearly inferior. Some of them, unwatchable. But take a movie like 1989's Zombie Rampage, for example. Inferior, yes. But not THAT much worse than Zombie Bloodbath. Not enough to be flat out disowned. Personally, I even prefer that one over this one, myself. But like all his earlier, inferior efforts, Zombie Bloodbath is a labor of love, and a homage to the superior efforts which came before it. Zombie Bloodbath must have picked up enough success to satisfy Sheets and whoever else, as there were two sequels released over the next few years, while the popularity of these types of movies would continue to die a slow death.

After the Zombie Bloodbath Trilogy, Todd sheets would continue making movies for a short time, until finally throwing in the towel. Although, he has returned to directing these past few years. However, I still have yet to get a hold of any of them. Something that is definitely on my to do list. Todd Sheets will never be known as the master of the S.O.V. And he'll probably never get the respect he deserves as a micro-budget filmmaker who did so by his own rules. But when so many S.O.V. Horror pioneers gave up on their dreams in the late 80's, Sheets carried on the tradition throughout the 90's, making shitty movies not for the money, but because that's what he enjoyed doing. So good for him, as others never got a chance to make their Zombie Bloodbath. Love his movies or hate them. Todd sheets made movies. And nobody can take that away from him. 5/10



#Review

2010 - Present Horror Films

I have this list for myself but figured I would post it here in case anybody is looking for modern recs. Obviously some may disagree with some listed or not listed. Here is every horror film I have liked so far from these years. I will obviously add to it as I see more films.

Absentia (2011)
All Cheerleaders Die (2013)
Attack the Block (2011)
The ABCs of Death (2012)
American Mary (2012)
Antiviral (2012)
Bad Milo (2013)
Banshee Chapter (2013)
The Battery (2012)
The Bay (2012)
Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)
Big Ass Spider! (2013)
Black Death (2010)
Black Swan (2010)
Buried (2010)
Burke and Hare (2010)
Burying the Ex (2014)
Byzantium (2012)
Chillerama (2011)
Chop (2011)
Cockneys Vs Zombies (2012)
Contagion (2011)
Darling (2015)
The Dead (2010)
The Dead 2: India (2013)
Dead Snow 2: Red vs Dead (2014)
Deathgasm (2015)
Devil (2010)
The Devil's Business (2011)
The Divide (2011)
Dream Home (2010)
Eddie the Sleepwalking Cannibal (2014)
Escape from Tomorrow (2013)
Exit Humanity (2011)
Father's Day (2011)
Frankenstein's Army (2013)
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Grabbers (2012)
The Green Inferno (2013)
The Guest (2014)
Here Comes the Devil (2012)
Horns (2013)
Housebound (2014)
Human Centipede 2 (2011)
I Saw the Devil (2010)
The Innkeepers (2011)
It Follows (2014)
John Dies at the End (2012)
Kiss of the Damned (2012)
The Last Exorcism (2010)
The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh (2012)
Late Phases (2014)
The Lords of Salem (2012)
Maggie (2015)
Maniac (2012)
Odd Thomas (2013)
100 Bloody Acres (2012)
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
Phantasm Ravager (2016)
Rammbock (2010)
Rare Exports (2010)
Red State (2011)
Red, White, and Blue (2010)
The Reef (2010)
Ritual (2012)
Rubber (2010)
The Sacrament (2013)
Saint (2010)
A Serbian Film (2010)
The Shrine (2010)
Shutter Island (2010)
Stage Fright (2014)
Stake Land (2010)
Stalled (2013)
Starry Eyes (2014)
Stoker (2013)
Strange Color of Your Body's Tears (2013)
The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)
The Tall Man (2012)
The Theatre Bizzare (2011)
Trollhunter (2010)
Tucker and Dale Vs Evil (2010)
Tusk (2014)
Under the Skin (2013)
Warm Bodies (2013)
We Are Still Here (2015)
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Willow Creek (2013)
Witching and Bitching (2013)
Wolfcop (2014)
The Woman (2011)
Would You Rather (2012)
Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead (2014)
Yellowbrick Road (2010)
Zombeavers (2014)