Modern horror comedies recently have been very hit and miss. They are either overly cheesy and get dull or are just plain unfunny. That is why when I first head of Some Guy Who Kills People I was kinda worried that this was just another disposable horror comedy to add to the avoid pile. Three major factors made me change my mind and want to give this a watch. Number one, it is the first film put out by Grimm Entertainment label. Number two, John Landis (An American Werewolf In London) is the executive producer and number three, it has a kick ass trailer. Probably out of the three main reasons, the fact that Grimm Entertainment is the new venture from Grimmfest which is Manchester based company that puts on it's own festival and has screenings of some fantastic films. I took a chance and got in touch and the guys kindly sent me a disco for me to review, so let's get started by checking out some still from the film:
Some Guy follows the story of Ken a comic book obsessed loner who has
been recently released from "the loony bin" after he spent years there
recovering from the torture he received at the hands of some jocks he
insulted in his comic book. He works in an ice cream parlour and lives
with his rather harsh and bitchy mother who is constantly disappointed.
Ken's life is about to get a little more interesting as he is
unwittingly reuinted with his estranged daughter, getting romantically
involved with a bumbling British cutie and not to mention the jocks that
had tortured him years earlier are mysteriously getting picked off one
by one in some gruesome ways. Will he develop a bond with his daughter?
Will his new relationship last? Who is behind the attacks? Is Ken
seeking out his revenge? That is for you and the not too bright police
department to find out. Be careful though, it's going to be bloody!
Overall, this is hands down one of the best horror comedies to be released in a long time. Not only is the comedy genuinely funny but it never oversteps the boundaries of taste. The scenes involving the police, especially the Sheriff (Barry Bostwick) have the best laughs and they kinda remind me of the cops from the original Last House On The Left. Ken is played perfectly by Kevin Corrigan who puts in a genuine and honest performance. His love interest Stephanie is played by Lucy Davis who is pretty much playing the character she plays in most things, the bumbling British character. Both are likeable and work well together. The rest of the cast, especially Ken's daughter Amy also put in some great performances. This is a well put together cast indeed. The story is simple but never boring and has some twists and turns. The kills although not the most imaginative are pulled off brilliantly and the gore is spot on. A bonus is that there doesn't seem to be a drop of CGI at all in this film and if there is, it's done brilliantly.
This film is a well balanced horror comedy at a time where horror comedies are hit and miss. There is a fine balance of comedy and drama. There are some genuinely dark and tense moments which add to the experience. It may not be the most goriest slasher or the most absurd but it sure is a hugely entertaining film from the director who brought us the cheese fest Mega Shark v.s Giant Octopus. The kills are satisfying and overall, the film feels almost like a flick from the late 80's or early 90's. If like me, you are bored of horror comedies, then check this one out as it will restore your faith in this over saturated sub genre. This is a great first release of hopefully many from Grimm Entertainment and is well worth the price of admission.
PDx
Some Guy Who Kills People is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and on demand from Grimm Entertainment and Koch Media. Home release includes a making of and an audio commentary.
So I just got finished watching the new film from Nik Box. If you
follow the blog or my Youtube then you will already be aware of Nik's
films, especially this one. I have already done a post on the making of
and the story of the film which you can check out in the archives. I
have known Nik for a couple of years now and have been a fan of his
films ever since watching the first entry into his Christsploitation
trilogy, Brutal Jesus which is a riot and I am sure you will see a post
on that sometime in the future. She's Dead is a completely different
kettle of fish and is actually a completely different direction of most
of Nik's filmography. Usually Nik's are reeking of pure, unapologetic
campy cheese with the comedy just as fantastically slapstick. She's Dead
however, tones down the comedy and is much darker experience.
The
film follows Ben who wakes up from a heavy one the night before. He has
a problem, there's a dead woman in his company. We've all bee there
chaps and lasses I think you'll agree. Understandably Ben is confused
and in a panic as to what to do and how he got in this situation. This
leads him to get in touch with a big, bearded guy by the name of Mr.
Clean who has a ponytail and short fuse. He does appreciate a good cup
of tea though! Together, Mr. Clean and Ben start trying figure out just
how they're going to get rid of the body. It goes from bad to worse as
Ben's friend Barry unwittingly gets involved into the equation much to
Mr. Clean's distaste. Barry is a, let's say sick motherfucker who not
only revels in the situation but also has a few ideas with his new
friend, the corpse. What happens from there is something you will have
to see for yourselves. I will however say that what happens takes this
already solid film to another level.
Overall, what we have here
is a darkly comedic story that starts off bad for our main character and
just gets even worse. This film looks and sounds fantastic. This is
thanks to Nik's direction, especially his eye of setting up a scene and
the choice of music throughout. Every song has a different feel and
genre and compliments the situation in the relevant scene perfectly. Not
only is the film technically solid (the film took 4 days to shoot and
it still feels like it IS actually filmed in real time thanks to Nik's
editing) but the performances from all those involved is just as good.
The dialogue from Barry and Mr. Clean is where the comedy lies. A big
hats off to the woman playing the corpse too.
If you like
independent horror that is dark, you will love this. If you like Nik's
previous work you are in for a treat because yes, this film is a big
break from the norm but probably the best thing is, you can tell it's a
Nik Box and Dead Good Films Like production. It could have really missed
the target but Jesus Christ did this deliver. It's a welcomed change in
pace and style that I hope to see more in Nik's work. This is a job
well done especially when you take in to consideration that there was a
crew of one (Nik himself), a cast of 4, a 4 day shoot and of course an
£800 budget. Not many directors deliver when they a couple more 0's
added on to that budget. A fantastic, easy flowing piece that takes a
brilliant concept into an even more brilliant finished piece that you
can easily watch more than once.
You can preorder the film by checking out the store here.
Oh Amsterdam. What a beautiful place. The beautiful architecture, the cosy cafe's and the wonderful nightlife. All of these pale in comparison of course to the wonderful canals. Ah yes, those canals where couples can have a romantic couple of hours on or off the water. Those wonderful canals where no matter who you are, you have a wonderful chance of getting butchered by one of the local divers. Wait... what? Ah yes! Amsterdamned, a film directed by Dick Maas in 1988. Set against the backdrop of the stunning streets of Amsterdam, there's a killer on the loose roaming the canals and attacking all those that are unlucky enough to be basking in the delight of the seemingly tranquil waters. Essentially this is a rather contemporary take on the "who did it" gialloesque films of the 60's and 70's. However, this isn't a homage or a film that just follows the same old formula. We have excitement including a rather fantastic speedboat chase. I could leave the review here as to say anymore would be giving away too much. Shameless where kind enough to send me a copy of this film so let's not stop there. Have a look at these screen grabs:
What we have here is another great release from Shameless. Although this isn't one of those "first time on UK DVD" releases (you can find an already existing release from Nouveax Pictures from 2009) it is presented nicely and has the high standard as most Shameless releases. The special features on this disc are a rather extensive making of feature which shows how much hard work went into this picture (who the Hell needs CGI?), a selection of trailers for the film as well as the typical Shameless trailers which are always welcome. On the presentation front, this is a great release and if you have only ever seen this film on VHS or have never seen this film before (like me) then you should definitely pick this edition up when it's released because it's worth every penny.
That being said, the film itself wasn't bad but not the greatest. I appreciate this film more from the technical and film making aspect as this film looks great and once you see how some scenes where filmed, you will be pleasantly surprised. I also like the fact that this isn't really a sleazy flick as there is little no female nudity or sexual content which is refreshing for a film of this genre. The thrills and the gore are there but maybe I need a second viewing to truly appreciate the film itself but overall, if you are a lover of giallo films and European cinema then this title could very well be for you. Once again I applaud Shameless on this release, I may not have really liked the film but the hard work that went into this release makes this a great edition for fans of the film. It's a lot better than the recent output of a certain other company here in the UK.
The film will be released on the 22nd October by Shameless Screen Entertainment.
Hello guys, it's time for something a little different. Today we are looking at the world of video games. Not just video games but the music. Not just the music but the tracks that just creep you the Hell out. I will say these songs don't all genuinely scare me but some have stories and just have a meaning to me. You may laugh at some of the choices. You may yawn at the choices. This list isn't in any particular order because there are so many songs that I have forgotten over the years, plus I'm terrible at compiling lists. I have tried to vary it up and try and look at a whole variety of games. Oh and by the way, I blatantly stole this idea from a Bloody Disgusting post recently so you can check it out by checking out link at the bottom of this post.
1. Laughing Octopus- Metal Gear Solid 4- PS3
Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi
Okay
to start this list off we are looking at a game from one of the
greatest franchises of all time. I love Metal Gear Solid. Ever since I
kind of forced my cousin into buying Metal Gear Solid: Sons Of Liberty I
have been hooked. OK, I missed MGS the first time round but I have
loved it ever since that day. This track is more fast paced than scary
but just the whole situation in the game mixed with this really had me
on edge. The whole series is full of genuinely creepy moments and the
scene where Laughing Octopus goes into her manic laughing fit after the
battle and this track is one of those moments. 2. Save Theme- Resident Evil 4- Gamecube Misao Senbongi, Shusaku Uch
The
Resident Evil game franchise is fantastic. Even the modern Resident
Evils are fun. As a lover of zombies, Capcom could bring out a pile of
shit of a Resi game and I would still enjoy it. Resident Evil 4 although
not my favourite, is a damn good game and welcome change in direction
to the series plus it has one of the most hauntingly creepy yet somewhat
beautiful pieces of music from the series. The save rooms in the games
give you a chance to catch your breath and prepare but with this track
playing in the background, it dawns on you that you have got to get back
out there and kick some zombie arse!
3. Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time- Shadow Temple- N64 Koji Kondo
The N64 is hands down my favourite console of all time. I have so much love for that cartridge based piece of love! Some of my greatest video game experiences and memories belong to this console. Nintendo may not be the company they used to be but they still have the imagination and the talent they always had. I remember the excitement I felt when waiting for this game. The sheer wonder of the universe I was in whilst playing it and the amazement at playing through this for the millionth time finding secrets and just having fun. This game seriously had its creepy moments (Jesus Christ those zombies where just terrifying!). This track sums it up perfectly, the strange atmosphere of some of the places you visit. Koji Kondo is one of the greatest video game composers ever and this just showcases it.
4. Silent Hill 2- Red Pyramids- PS2 Akira Yamaoka
This is probably hands down the scariest franchise in video game history. This is also the first of 3 songs taken from Silent Hill games. I could have a list filled purely with Silent Hill songs. Silent Hill 2 is one of the deepest gaming experiences I have ever had. Dreading every corner and every door left unopened... even on your billionth playthrough. The chases with Pyramid Head and probably the most compelling thing is reading up about what the different situations and enemies represent to the different characters in the game. You have one of the most interesting and sexually repulsive pieces of gaming in history. Filled with symbolism and metaphor, genuinely fascinating stuff. This track is from the final fight with the 2 Pyramid Heads and holy crap what a climax. I was terrified during that battle. I was terrified all the way through the game.
5. Super Mario Kart- Ghost Valley- SNES Soyo Oka
This is the part where you laugh. This track back in the day? Yeah, it kinda creeped me out when I was a nipper. The sheer minimalism and the high pitched drones. Nowadays, I could play this circuit and just be angry at how horrible I take the corners that don't have barriers but every now and then, the small smile on my face will appear when I think of the times as a child playing this and being creeped out.
6. Silent Hill -Blood Tears- PS1 Akira Yamaoka
The second Silent Hill song to appear on this list and for good reason. I still remember the day I bought this piece of gaming history. I was at Toys R Us spending my birthday money. I picked up a copy of the fantastic Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon on the N64 and this. What a nasty shock I got when I played this the first time and crapping myself when I was about to die in what turns out to be a dream. Yeah, aspects like the voice acting (Radio. What's going on with that radio?) do age this game a bit and take that edge off but this is still a damn creepy game. Am I the only one who took an extended break when I received the "Got to the school" note? This song stands out to me because of teh whole situation that's happening. If you have yet to play the game I won't spoil it but this is probably one of the saddest and cruelest moments in gaming history and with this track playing over the top, what an experience, especially first time round.
7. Legend Of Zelda: Windmill Hut- N64 Koji Kondo
Back to some Ocarina Of Time goodness and this is probably the strangest entry to the list and also one of the strangest and surreal moments in the game. It's a simple tune that loops and loops and loops. Why does this still kind of creep me out to this day? It's just so damned strange to me! The guy just playing this song all day on his own in the windmill. It just doesn't sit right with me. I adore this song and it is probably one of my favourites from the incredible Koji Kondo score. If you haven't played this game, you guys are really missing out.
8. Manhunt- View Of Innocence- PS2 Craig Connor
Rockstar Games, how I love you. You brought us the GTA franchise, Max Payne, L.A Noire, Red Dead Redemption and one of my all time favourite games, Manhunt. I remember buying this with my silver PS2 back in the day (it was an early Christmas present and apparently the silver PS2 was a quieter console than the standard one, thanks for the BS Sony!). I also picked up Sandinista! by The Clash but that's another story. Playing this for the first time and witnessing something so brutal was fantastic. This game got hated on but I say well done Rockstar for bringing gaming to a new level. Craig Connors fantastic ambient yet violent score just made this game perfection. I am picking this song not just as a single track but as a symbol of the whole soundtrack which just throws you right in the atmosphere. Hiding behind corners waiting for a masked scumbag waiting to try out the crowbar... what a thrill. I adore this game. So much in fact that I am actually writing a film adaptation that will probably never happen. Maybe there's a Let's Play for my Youtube channel in the future?
9. Super Mario World- Ghost House- SNESKoji Kondo
I know, another Super Mario song! What is wrong with me? Fuck me right? Guys, don't deny this track didn't at least creep you out a tiny little bit when you where a kid! Don't deny this track made you want to just get the hell out of the ghost house and find Yoshi again (why did Mario just leave Yoshi outside all the time? Is he not house trained?). When this track speeds up because you are running out of time, again, don't deny you where pumped just a little. Maybe it's me? Oh well, let's move on!
To finish the list we aren't really ending on the scariest track or anything like that but we are talking about the best Resident Evil game which has probably one of the greatest bad guys in video game history. He scared the shit out of us (when he jumps through the window in the police station, I actually paused the game, ran downstairs and had a time out) but he also amazed the hell out of us. He even, if you where trying to kill him on every encounter probably annoyed the hell out of us. A persistent bastard that was so overpowered at the start but just got raped in later fights because of ice rounds. Yeah, on the surface he's a flawed soul but zombies and mutated creations aren't perfect, look what happened to Michael Jackson (HA! Say too soon to that bitches!) right? This track terrified me the first time and still makes me dread moving on to a new screen when I revisit this classic. What a track for such a guy! STARS!
There it is guys, my list of 10 songs that I think are some of the scariest pieces of video game music of all time. They don't all have the same affect on me now as they did back then but they will always be in the back of my mind. Be sure to check out the Bloody Disgusting post below guys and try this for yourself! It's fun to revisit those cherished gaming moments.
UPDATE (03/09/2012)I am too lazy to completely edit this post (yeah, professional I know) but over the past couple of days Nik has released a trailer which I will be putting at the end of the post for you guys to watch. Thanks guys.
For those who are not aware of the work of Nik Box or his production company Dead Good Films Like, you definitely should. Not only is Nik a nice guy and good friend of Mondo Squallido but he's a bloody talented director. Look out for future posts where I talk about some of his films, you can click links down below to all sorts of goodness including the website where you can purchase his films. Recently, Nik wrapped up on his latest production, She's Dead which is a real time horror short and is a more serious horror film than his usual tongue in cheek cheese fests that friends and fans love, myself included. I am yet to see the film as it is still in it's editing stages so this is not a review, you can expect one as soon as I get to see this gem.
The film is essentially about a guy who wakes up after a one night stand and finds a dead woman next to him. What follows is the guy and his friends trying to figure out what the hell happened and what the hell to do. That's as much as I will say about the synopsis but from the sounds of it, it's going to be a genuinely interesting experience from the guy who gave us no budget future classics such as Brutal Jesus and Wrath Of The Violent Vicar. A very different direction indeed.
Nik had more of a budget at his disposal for this one and actually started a Kickstarter page to raise awareness and funds for the film. Unfortunately, he didn't reach his full goal but with help of friends, Youtubers and brothers in cheese he managed to raise a good portion of the budget, enough to get the ball rolling. I have followed the progress of the film and I can say that it sounds like it was a fun and successful shoot, it's what you expect from the King of cheese and cult childhood films. Nik is definitely a guy I would love to work with in the future but that's another story. As you can see from the stills in this post, you have blood, eye candy and a man with an awesome beard... what more can you ask for?
So that's the film update out of the way, now to some more exciting news. To celebrate the release of the film there will of course be a premier. The world premier of he's Dead will take place on October 25th at the Central Cinema in Torquay at 9 pm. The venue holds 200 people and there aren't tickets as such, the way you can get yourself a place is by donating, yes that's right. To get your place to watch what promises to be a nice little flick all you have to do is donate what you think is a reasonable price. The reason for this is to cover the costs for the premier which is roughly costing about half of what the film actually cost. So be a good sport, get in touch with Nik by checking out the links below and be part of what promises to be a special evening.
So there you have it guys, just a little post for a good friend of mine and a very talented director. If the poster above or the screenshots don't tempt you then you don't have a functioning brain. If you are interested and want to know more about the film you should check out the official Facebook page for updates and exclusive content. If you want to know more about Dead Good Films like or wnat to get your hands on some of the films then the links to the shop and to the Youtube page for trailers and of course go sub to Nik's personal page on Youtube for some great content, updates and all round good times.
Today we conclude our in depth looks at the trio of films Rapid Eye Movies kindly sent me. I would like to start by saying a massive thank you to all you guys at Rapid Eye Movies who not only produce high quality products but also provide lovers of film and fellow collectors with some great titles. Today's title is no exception. One of the films from the infamous Pinky Violence name, Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter. Again, we won't be looking at the film itself in terms of review as you will find countless reviews elsewhere. So without further a do, let's get this review started for all you Meiko Kaji fans out there.
Again, we have the slipcase housing a slim digipack. And once again, what a fantastic job has been the done. The slipcase is brilliantly designed with a section of poster artwork on the front with some gorgeous, stylish typography. On the back, really nice and simple design that compliments the front. The digipack itself is nice and simple and contains some high quality photos of the film that are just awesome (especially the front, I think you may agree) Inside, unlike the previous editions we have looked at, you don't get much in terms of artwork. You get a nice and simple orange backdrop that just really goes well with the design itself. As usual we get the postcards and flyer which are just a really nice touch. The poster is a full version of the front cover and I personally think if they would have used the complete poster artwork on the front of the slip, it would have been a lot better. The only real flaw I can see with the poster is just the lack of imagery on the back but that is just a minor flaw.
Once again, the transfer and sound for this release is top notch. Again, Japanese audio with optional German subs means that if you are outside Germany, you will pick this up more as a collectors piece and boy is it a nice one for the shelf. Special features wise, you get the trailer and various other trailers. Overall, Rapid Eye have done well with the transfer. The only other version of this film I would suggest you could get that could be better is the Pinky Violence box set which is region 1 and hard to find for a decent price.
Well guys that is it for this little trilogy of posts and videos. Hope you guys have enjoyed these posts and most of all I hope I have turned you on to a potential new addition to the collection. Rapid Eye Movies are a fantastic company that puts the film lover and collectors in mind. Being a guy who's German is still rusty, I can truly appreciate the time and effort put in to this and the other releases I have had the pleasure of checking out. I shall definitely be picking up some more titles. So guys, check out those links down below and go check out what Rapid Eye Movies are all about!
Today we look at the second of three releases sent to me from the German company that where generous enough to send me some DVDs to look at. Today we are looking at a film based on a true story from the 30's. Again, I won't be talking about the film itself, maybe at a later date. We are looking at the release itself, just like the Hanzo release. So without further a do… let's look at the release!
As you can see, this release is of the same quality of the Hanzo release we looked at first. You get the fantastically designed slipcase containing a gorgeous and simple cover design. Unlike the Hanzo release, this isn't a piece of poster artwork but a new design. As you take off the slip we get some gorgeous photography on the digipack, especially inside. As usual you get the wonderful array of postcards and flyer showcasing various films from the Rapid Eye Movies films catalogue. Not sure wether you will get the exact same cards in each edition as it seems a bit random which is awesome because you can potentially use doubles. The poster again showcases what seems to be an original Japanese design which is gorgeous and again would look lovely in a frame. Well that's the presentation and supplementary material, let's have a look at how the film actually looks!
Again, this release looks really gorgeous, especially for a DVD release. The sound is just as great but like the previous review, I cannot stress enough that this being a German release for a German audience so you only get Japanese audio and German subtitles. Again, these releases are for the people who know the language or for collectors. In terms of extras you get various info about the film and of course trailers for the film and catalogue. Again, finding other features on other releases will be tricky so you really cannot complain. Overall, the film itself looks and sounds good and is a full uncut print from what I gather.
If you are a fan of this film or Asian cinema in general, this could be a potentially a nice release for the collection as long as you have a cheaper copy of a different edition in case you don't know Japanese or German. Overall, Rapid Eye Movies have done yet another fantastic job with this film for the Nippon Classics. Click those links down below and check out Rapid Eye Movies!
Hello guys and girls. Today we are looking at the first of 3 films from the Nippon Classics sent to me by a German company called Rapid Eye Movies. Now first of all, these will not be reviews of the films themselves as this trilogy of posts is showcasing these releases to people who are collectors and who already know about the film. If you want a review of the films, let me know. Like I said I will just be going through the releases themselves. We will be looking at the packaging, presentation, transfer and special features. So let's get straight to it with the first in depth look, Hanzo The Razor, Sword Of Justice. Below are some snaps of this gorgeous release.
As you can see, you get a gorgeously presented edition of this film. A beautifully designed slipcover showcasing the fantastic Japanese poster for the film which houses a fantastic digipack which boasts some stills from the film. The inside showcases one of the infamous images from the film. The digipack is slim but not too slim and makes it a fantastic size for the shelf and the collection. With the addition of the slipcover, these editions will look fantastic on the shelf. When you open up the digipack you will also find a flyer showcasing other titles from the Nippon Classics selection as well as an assortment of postcards with iconic stills from various Asian cult classics, the postcards are of high quality and are a welcomed addition. Probably the best extra you get is the double sided poster which again has the original Japanes poster design on the front and a original design on the back talking about the film itself. Overall, these are really nice additions and this will please the collectors out there wether or not you decide to actually use the poster and postcards. All in all, these editions are put together brilliantly with collectors in mind. So no we have looked at the packaging and presentation, let's look at the film itself.
As you can tell by the stills, the transfer is fantastic. The audio is
great too. Now, this being a German release, this intended to be watched
by either someone who knows or is Japanese or German as the only audio
option you have is the original Japanese an the subtitles are only in
German. This really isn't a big deal for me personally as the edition
itself is what I find most exciting and you can always pick up a cheap
DVD. Just remember to bare that in mind if you are going to buy this
title. Special features wise, you get the trailer for the film, some
information on the film and also some trailers for other releases from
Rapid Eye Movies. To some, that might not be a lot but I always welcome
at least a trailer on any release and from what I have gathered not many
other releases have anything more than a trailer. Overall, if you know
Japanese or German (I should know a lot more by now) then this release
is perfect for you.
Overall, I am really impressed with this release. All the supplementary materials you get and the presentation alone make this a welcomed addition to the collection. I cannot stress enough that this release is of course aimed for a German audience so only collectors or lovers of Hanzo should really pick this up. Rapid Eye Movies have done a fantastic job with this release and have given the German public and us collectors a great release of a film that is deserving of this treatment. You should definitely check out Rapid Eye Movies by clicking the links below and see what they have to offer and to potentially get your hands on this film. There really is nothing negative I can say about this release. Fantastic presentation and has a gorgeous DVD transfer.
