Warning the following post contains images that might be deemed offensive. If you are easily offended, seriously, why are you here?
By this point, everyone has heard fo the infamous August Underground Trilogy. A decade ago, they were infamous and notorious, easily deranking the equally notorious Guinea Pig Series as the most fucked up pseudo snuff series to ever grace our depraved eyes. Now days, depraved and disturbing cinema can be found quite easily, especially because the internet is only a click away. Still, the effects of AU still hold up today, and even rewatches still get me cringing and squirming. I will never forget that it took me mutliple viewing to finally complete the series. There are some who view AU as boring and overhypered crap. And there are some that view is as real and utter horror. I'm in the latter camp.
Lets begin with number one. August Underground (2001). The one that started it all. Also imo, probably the most effective of the three. Filmed with shaky cam, this is as gritty and dark as they come. We follow two killers, one played by Fred Vogel (creator of the AU series, who might I add, is apparently an incredibly nice guy in real life), and an unknown peep who is holding the camera. I believe he was played by Allen Peters, (who also co wrote the movie.) Basically we watch these two go about their daily routine....and do horrible things to people. And that's it. You can imagine why people find it boring, cos watching a bunch of loud and obnoxious people going to a concert and bickering isn't stella entertainment. But I really struggled watching this, and here's why. It feels real. Really real. You know how everyone gave Charlie Sheen slack for thinking Flowers of Flesh and Blood was real? Well can you imagine if he saw this?! He would have damn shit himself! There is a reoccuring scene featuring a girl that's tired in the basement. If that doesn't get you moving around uncomfortably, I don't know what will. This movie feels like you've actually stumbled upon a killers home diary. It is as interesting as it is horrifying. And although the shaky cam is bad enough to give you a headache, the sheer effects (which are brilliant!) will make you feel sick to your stomache.
Right, so on to the sequel, August Undergound Mordum (2003). Where the first one was extreme, this one takes it up a notch, and fucks it bloody. You'll often see this on top disturbing lists, and it's there for a reason. While not as gritty and nihlistic as number one, it's like the makers brainstormed the most disturbing and taboo things they could do, and they put it all on camera. Everything from dead child rape, to castration, to incest. Peters is no longer a part of production, but he is replaced by Cristie Whiles and Michael Todd Schneider, who plays a part called Maggot. The style of film making is exactly the same, shaky cam, bad audio etc. Only now that Fred Vogel now has plenty of friends to join in the depravity, there is lots more arguing and screaming. It's quite nauseating. Still, props go to them for the effects (which are again, brilliant) and for making something even more fucked up then number one, and believe me, i didn't think that was possible. Though this one ended very abrutly, it's still a highly effective fake snuff movie.
Finally, number three, August Underground Penance (2007). This is often cited as the worst of the trilogy. I actually find that there is something in this one that the previous two lack. The characters are no longer one dimensional, sick killers. We almost see into their minds. You can see in the killers treatment of their victims, and hearing their monolgues, a possible key why they are doing this. I found this very interesting. Have a listen to Fred talking to the guy with the hammer. You'll see what I mean. Also look at how Fred and Cristy talk to each other, there is lots of keys to their mental mind, and why they are so evil.
Anyway, out of the three, this one looks the most polished, cos they finally upgraded their shaky cam to a more high tech one. It still looks realistic, but no longer as dark and gritty, which takes away the feel the first two had. Also, not much more can be done that hadn't already been donw already, so they were reaching for fucked up scenes. Still, there is a Christmas Invasion scene that is right up there with the most disturbing scenes you could see. And of course, the effects, again are amazing. I have nothing but praise when it comes to the effects of these movies. It's partly why they feel so real. They are just amazing. But of course, you also have lots of pointless scenes where the killers just walk around and be normal people. People only wanting to see fucked up stuff will be bored for certain portions of all these movies. To me it just feel all the more real. Oh and animal lovers stay away from part 3, you won't like it. Just saying.
All in all, these movies, while not fun to watch, are amazing pieces of cinema, and deserved to be seen by any extreme horror fanatic. Fred Vogel and his team of friends have created something truly memorable and as a horror fan, I salute him, and look forward to his future endervors. Thankyou.
#Extreme
Ten years after Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer, director, Chuck Parello took a chance and made a sequel to the legendary 80's chiller. And the result would be a bit surprising. Here's the deal. We begin at some point after the original. I'm guessing a couple years, give or take. Henry is still at it. He's nearly a foot shorter, but he's still Henry, kinda. Henry has nothing. Henry is homeless, and is staying in a shelter. He eventually gets work cleaning out porta-potties, and makes friends with a co-worker and his wife, who let him stay with them for a while, just until he gets back on his feet. Kai and Cricket are a normal married couple. A bit on the white trash side, but nice people, going by how they're treating this stranger. Henry seems grateful, and doesn't seem like he's into starting any shit at the moment, but things get complicated once Henry finds out how Kai makes a little extra cash on the side. As it would turn out, it's a little more than a a little. But Kai gets paid to burn down buildings for various reasons. Henry is offered a cut for his help, and gladly accepts. Eventually, they're accidentally caught by a couple tresspassers, and Henry knows exactly what to do. He kills one of them, and makes Kai kill the other.
"Henry 2" does not have a nice ring to it. Nor does the unfortunate fact that it's directed by someone else, and even stars a different actor portraying Henry. And a midget, no less. Sounds pretty pointless, at first. Pointless enough to just pass on it with without even reading about. I get it. We've been burned enough times by these sequels with different actors playing the same role, while taking place in space and shit. But if you go into it without comparing it to the original, it's not so bad. It's actually better if looked at as a stand along film. Henry 2 could even pass as a reboot, as the story is different enough, yet similar enough.
