Cinema Head Cheese

Movie Review: Escapee (2012, Blu-ray)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:51:09 PDT

Directed by Campion Murphy

Movie Review by Greg Goodsell

There is a very real possibility that there may be regular visitors to this Web site who have never seen a horror film. Rising to the occasion is Escapee, a horror film that by intent and design is not that scary for those who may purchase or rent the DVD or Blu-Ray with its foreboding and ominous graphics (“Evil Has Been Unleashed”) that it won't be too upsetting for their fragile sensibilities.

While on a an observational trip to a high security prison for the criminally insane – in this case, a gaggle of young, obnoxious girls forever on their cell phones on who's zoomin' who – psychology student Abby Jones (Christine Evangelista) has an unpleasant encounter with serial killer – they CALL HIM a serial killer in the press materials, but we only see him kill one person, his girlfriend, off-screen in the film's prologue, Harmon Porter (Dominic Purcell). Emerging none the worse for wear, Abby retires home to study with two gal pals. It's a dark and stormy night, the power comes on and off, Harmon escapes from the sanitarium and starts to pick off the tiny cast – all of it sounding more interesting than it is.

See David Hayes at Motor City Comic Con 2013!

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:02:42 PDT

Join Dave and the fine folks of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers at the Motor City Comic Con! Debuting here will be the Alter Egos anthology from Source Point Press and Rottentail!

The Con runs from May 17-19. Tickets and info can be found at http://www.motorcitycomiccon.com.

Movie Review: Code Of Honor (2013, Digital Playground)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:11:30 PDT

Reviewed by John Beutler

Often, over the years, in peering behind the green door, so to speak, at the countless barrage of 'copycat' offerings that make up a good part of 'cinema de erotica'...specifically, those based upon...uh, well...let's face it, folks...outright copied from higher profile concept films, or the latest motion picture blockbusters, one might haplessly fall victim to a good number of such, which...despite the incorporative melding of expected eroticism and sexual spice...just don't seem to work, conceptually. However, on occasion, a cleverly conceived and downright erotically sexy coupling of high-concept-inspired, blatantly over-the-lines traced, rendering of such attributed adult entertainment DOES shimmer through; such is the case, with the (...conventional, and...well, not so conventional) blazing guns of 2013's outrageous 'search and rescue' sex epic, "Code of Honor"...

A French drug-dealing moll, Manuel, is living the high life, amidst a coastal cottage, replent with big guns, a mountain of cash, and a poolside bevy of buxom beautiful babes. After a smoking hot, heated bedroom tussle with two of the gals, Manuel is abruptly besieged by two armed, albeit bikini-clad, undercover agents, masquerading as part of his sexy poolside entourage. Out of desperation, and with guns-a'blazin', Manuel blasts his way out of the cottage, and makes a fast getaway, taking one of the beautiful undercover operatives with him as hostage, and leaving the other...the leader of this covert mission...holding the bag, to explain to her superior, why the operation went sour...

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The Vampress Luxura Returns to Print!

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:14:24 PDT

Vampress Luxura Returns to Publication via Kickstarter.

Fayetteville, NC – Veteran comic artist & writer Kirk Lindo has launched a Kickstarter campaign to publish the first chapter of his all new Vampress Luxura Graphic Novel.

Luxura was the star of Lindo's highly successful Vamperotica anthology comic series which was published in the mid 1990's and ran for 50 issues. An impressive feet for a small company having to fight for space on comic shelves with the big publishers.

This all new graphic novel is a globe spanning adventure that follows The Vampress Luxura as she meticulously orchestrates a plan to control the outcome of an impending Apocalypse. Will the Ultimate Vampire Queen save the world or just save herself!

More information is available directly on the Kickstarter page.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kirklindo/the-vampress-luxura-kickstart-the-apocalypse

To learn more about this project contact: kirklindo@vampressluxura.com

Movie Review: Muay Thai Warrior (2011, Blu-ray)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:20:24 PDT

Review By: Rob Sibley

Do you dig Muay Thai boxing? How about ninjas and some right on the money Samurai action? How about all of that tossed into one film? If so, this little Thai mini-epic might just be the tasty little morsel you've been looking for. Let me backtrack a bit, I've always been a sucker for any film featuring Muay Thai fighting. Muay Thai fight films really became popular on American shores when Tony Jaa burst onto the scene with Ong-bak in 2003. Since then Muay Thai films having been popping up left, right and center. The best of the bunch have starred Jaa and usually were directed by Prachya Pinkaew. Who is arguably the most talented action director in Thailand.

Jaa wasn't alone though, equally talented but sadly nowhere near as famous is Dan Chupong. Who stared in two equally impressive films Born to Fight and the bat-shit crazy Thai-Western Dynamite Warrior. I would also be doing Thai action cinema a disservice if I didn't bring up Panna Rittikrai. The man is responsible for discovering Chupong and Jaa along with directing Ong-Bak 2 & 3. While were talking Thai action stars JeeJa Yanin jumped onto the scene and showed fighting wasn't only for dudes. Her impressive skills were showcased in her debut “Chocolate” (Directed by Pinkaew) and “Raging Phoenix”. Her latest flick is going to be co-starring role in Tony Jaa's The Protector 2 which also interestingly enough is going to feature Dan Chupong as well.

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #96 - Lorre's Peter

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:02:35 PDT

Dave, Jeff and Kevin are all together this week to discuss the upcoming Man of Steel, a wrestling documentary, some Blue Cheese, a great found footage movie, Peter Lorre, Sean Connery, George Romero, dogs with fecal fetishes and more.

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save Link As..." to download.

You can always email us at cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com or tweet us @CinHeadCheese.

Support Cinema Head Cheese and Abnormal Entertainment by clicking the links on our Sponsors page!

This episode is sponsored by the following:

Movie Review: Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of the VHS Collector (2013)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:29:13 PDT

Reviewed by: John Beutler

Directed by: Dan Kinem and Levi Peretic

Well, I'll be damned!! I'm not alone, in this obsession!! This viewer was recently elated to discover not being so much the misfit, as had originally thought!! I can now proudly peruse through my precious (...ooooo!! My precious...my precious!!) and treasured collection of rare & artfully boxed VHS videotapes, hang my head high, and know that I belong to a much bigger 'brotherhood'...a subtly growing brotherhood, which has remained stubbornly steadfast, in embracing and preserving the long-thought-dead VHS format. Yes, folks...I can now openly sing the praises, and revel in my fellow collectors' collective appreciation and passion, after having recently partaken of the amusingly spotlighting documentary, "Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of the VHS Collector"...

In examining the arguably warranted reasons for hanging onto these cherished relics...Is it merely because of certain out-of-print-and-now-ultra-rare-and-obscure film titles not yet released in a digital format (...just gotta quest myself a copy of the herein featured and suggested, ultra-rare and never-heard-of title, "Tales from the Quadead Zone", which several of the collectors in this documentary, pridefully gush over themselves, in possessing in their collections), and now worth tens, even hundreds of dollars?? Could it possibly be the exclusive-to-the-format, beautifully unique and artistically striking artwork on the video boxes, themselves (...my personal favorites, being amongst the exquisitely rendered, artfully original, old Wizard Video big-box tapes)?? Might it perhaps be the surprising durability of the format, itself (...especially those seemingly indestructable, clunky, back-breaking, 90-pound, top-loading machines), as opposed to the easily scratched and thusly, viewing-hampering digital format?? Or maybe it's for the outright nostalgic feel of the format (...those pops, scratches and dropouts surprisingly enhanced many genre movie titles, countless rented and played...almost giving the look and feel of grainy, well-worn 'grindhouse' prints), which many of us movie lovers/collectors remember oh so well. In general, it quite possibly comes right down to the fact that VHS was definitely the dawn of technologically collectable fantasy fulfillment, as far as regularly watching uncut and uninterrupted movies at home, in a format which afforded oneself the opportunity to building one's own personal movie collection. At any rate, no matter the reason, all such views and facets...and more are amusingly & candidly bantered about herein, by a colorfully enthusiastic, select group of characters, who appear most unswervingly dedicated to the cause of salvaging, embracing and proudly upholding the still-embraceable virtues of films rendered on the widely considered obsolete, albeit clearly still-to-some, quite alluring VHS tape format...a format not necessarily, exclusively and collect-ably embraced by merely the film content of the tape, itself...as this amusing documentive study reveals...

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Movie Review: Same Time Every Year (1981, DVD)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:55:58 PDT

Review By: Rob Sibley

How about that, when I finished watching this 80's porn flick I was surprised to find out that Fred J. Lincoln was the director. If the name sounds a bit familiar it's because the man played "Weasel" in Wes Craven's (Classic?) Last House on the left. Sadly Fred passed away earlier this year (R.I.P. bro). But looking further into Lincolns resume this flick wasn't a one off. He actually made quite the career directing adult features. He's actually made over 300 of them, that has to be some kind of record right? Also a quick note, I think that gal on the cover of the DVD...she's not in the film, she's actually modern day porn actress (retired? Come on they never stay retired... just sayin') Temptress.

You gotta admit a fan or not, vintage porn is pretty damn charming. Could be the nostalgia factor, the copious amounts of bush, bad acting, worse music and story lines that were more likely then not written on a cocktail napkin. Some retro flicks of this ilk shot their wad a bit further with intentions of artistic grandeur. Radley Metzger was one of those filmmakers who'd actually deliver a solid film even if you removed the sex. This film though? Nah, it's not art house in the least. But so-what? Most people don't pop on retro-erotica for the thrilling story-lines.

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Cinema Head Cheese returns to Phoenix Comicon!

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:05 PDT

Abnormal Entertainment will be scattered throughout Phoenix Comicon this year recording live podcasts. Come out and see your favorite podcasts in a series of mash-up shows. Check out the schedule below, and come out to see us! Click the image for tickets and info.

- Thursday, May 23 in Room 228A from 10:30p to 11:30p: Put It Together, Myriads of Thought and Talk Zebra get together for a live podcast.

- Friday, May 24 in Room 232A from 7:30p to 8:30p: Bank On Action and Unprotected Sports talk all avenues of sports entertainment in a live podcast.

- Friday, May 24 in Room 232A from 8:30p to 9:30p: Raise Your Spirits, From The Underground and Cinema Head Cheese combine for a live podcast.

- Saturday, May 25 in Room 228A from 10:30p to 11:30p: Brian and Jacob from The Gorram Nerd Hour will screen their short comedic horror film Lepus and host a panel with the cast and crew. The film features Taylor Made and Masked Blogster from Bank On Action.

- Sunday, May 26 in Room 228A from 4:00p to 5:00p: Cinema Head Cheese, The Gorram Nerd Hour and The Atomic Fallout Society give a Phoenix Comicon wrap-up in live podcast form.

Movie Review: The Song of Bernadette (Blu-ray, Twilight Time)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:46:37 PDT

One really has to hand it to the early 1940's writers and filmmakers of 1943's "The Song of Bernadette", for conceiving of such a beautifully rendered and emotionally moving story, and yet, also making the film's complex and assortedly interwoven proceedings...based upon actual events, occurring and dating back to the mid-1850's France...so daring and intriguingly thought-provoking, in unveiling and expounding upon the political & religious hypocrisy and mediocrity, as evident for this specific time in history. In doing this, the film suggestively questions the concept of faith, and yet deftly turns around, and irrevocably affirms such faith, with an objectively compelling, heart and soul-affecting tale of dramatic intrigue, challenging the purest of innocence, faith and truth...with the scourges of stubborn & misguided doubt, suppression, jealousy and envy...and engaging the more tangled and provocative arenas of both religion and politics...

Bernadette Soubirous...a frail, naive and simple-minded young girl, living with her struggling and impoverished family, in the mid-18th century Lourdes, France...accompanies her sister and a friend on an errand, just outside of town. On the way, she succumbs to fatigue, as the result of an asthmatic attack, lags behind, and stops to rest, while her sister continues onward, across a small ravine, in order to collect firewood. While resting near a small alcove, near the ravine, Bernadette is drawn toward the alcove by a mysterious, albeit comforting breeze, followed by an inexplicable vision on a rock-like alter...a vision of absolute wonder and beauty, in the form of a woman, dressed in robes, enshrouded by a heavenly light, and holding a rosary in her hand. Overwhelmed by the vision, which in her mind, is merely & simply as she sees it...and nothing more, Bernadette faints before the alter. When her sister finds her and revives her, Bernadette dazingly relates the wondrous sight she has witnessed, and pleads with her sister to promise not to say anything of the incident, to anyone...

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Movie Review: The Frankenstein Theory (2013)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Sun, 12 May 2013 14:48:19 PDT

Something horror films seem to be missing lately is the slow burn. Sometimes we see brutality within the first minute. That's okay, but not when it happens in every horror movie. It's nice to see a calculated build of intensity in a movie, and The Frankenstein Theory does a great job with that. It doesn't hit you in the face with anything. It lets the story and characters breathe in a fairly realistic scenario.

We start with a documentary crew on Jonathan Venkenhein (Kris Lemche), a college professor with an interesting theory. I know what you're thinking. Yes, it's another found footage movie, but give it a chance. I haven't been impressed with many in this genre either, but this fits perfectly in the vein of Troll Hunter. Anyway, Venkenhein theorizes that the letters in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein are actual letters that were used as the base for her fictitious novel. In other words, the Frankenstein monster is real, and was created in part by one of Venkenhein's ancestors. His intent is to take a documentary crew to Canada to capture the creature on film.

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Movie Review: The Suckers / The Love Garden

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:03:16 PDT

Vinegar Syndrome put out a slew of cool titles to cater to admirers of the wild, sexy and wacky in cult film obscurities With three excellent Blu-ray releases of The Lost Films of Herschel Gordon Lewis, The Massage Parlor Murders and The Telephone Book the exploitation specialists have also unleashed a line of Drive-In style fare, affordably priced at under 15 bucks showcasing some more rarities.Arthur Byrd's The Suckers and The Love Garden are just one of those releases that are sure to put a smile on fans of sexploitation.

If you like it sleazy, you are going to dig the first film, The Suckers. Based on The Most Dangerous Game, this soft-core action flick pits a group of young models and their middle-aged boyfriends (sporting some amazing comb-overs) pitted against a vicious hunter and his murderous rape-happy goons. The Suckers isn’t too explicit but it sure is damn uncomfortable in spots. One scene in particular during the “big chase”, a woman is kidnapped and raped on a bed. Rape is hard enough to watch, but the way its shot almost makes it seem like it’s supposed to titillate. There are some unintentional laughs added to the craziness making this title enjoyable. Only in the sleazy 70’s!

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Movie Review: Screwballs (Blu-ray, 1983)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Sat, 11 May 2013 20:37:21 PDT

During the mid-eighties, the nine year-old me occasionally had had access to the to the late-night cable that frequently showed fare that was not quite for the eyes and ears of my corruptable being. After seeing Porky’s (thanks to my older brother renting it) all I wanted was to see was more films like it – filled with boobs, bad jokes and even more boobs. Although it was the pre-chili peeling years, I still had an early admiration for the female form.

The High School and college T&A flick seemed to pop up around the same time Joe D’Amato’s Emmanuelle entries where broadcasted on cable which made myself a happy youngster. In the wee hours one Friday night I saw Rafael Zielinski Screwballs, a film that would stick with me for years and now, amazingly, it is available on Blu-ray by the folks at Severin Films. Who woulda thunk it?

Movie Review: Serena: An Adult Fairytale (1979)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:59:33 PDT

Directed by Fred J. Lincoln

Movie Review by Greg Goodsell

Serena’s life really stinks. As explained by Fairy Godmother China Leigh, as soon as her mother died, her wicked stepfather sold her into slavery at the local brothel. She spends her days scrubbing floors inches away from all sorts of explicit action engaged by young women, that if you watch them too closely, aren’t that pretty, and their skid row johns. Client Mr. Thomas (reliable old hand Jamie Gillis) is planning a big orgy for his friend, Prince Charles (ditto, Paul Thomas). Will Serena, or Cindy, or Cinderella, whatever – she’s referred to all three names during the film’s 68 minutes – break away to participate in the big orgy and win the heart of Prince Charles?

Movie Review: Christmas with the Dead (2012)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:00:12 PDT

Review by John Beutler

...ah, the cherished traditions of the Christmas season...adorning the tree with all manner of colorful shimmer, sparkle and sash...suspending those goodie-filled stockings over the warming fire heath...neighbors decoratively duking it out, trying to outdo each other in twinkly, animated yard shows...ring-a-ding Xerox copy Santas at the local Food Marts, standing next to hand-me-down Halloween cauldrons, now containing coin jingle, instead of a witch's brew...the presents...the egg nog...the wreath on the door...the outdoors Christmas lights..."...Honey, the outdoors Christmas lights; when are you gonna put them up??"..."...Oh man, do I HAVE to, dear?? Can't it wait until tomorrow?? I just wanna lie here, and...and...and, hey...what's with the flashing lights outside?? Those colorful fireworks in the sky??...
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Movie Review: Baron Blood (1972, aka Gli orrori del castello di Norimberga)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:39:11 PDT

Directed by Mario Bava

Movie Review by Greg Goodsell

Well-heeled, if vapid American college student Peter Kleist (Antonio Cantafore) flies to Vienna, Austria to take a break from his college studies and to look up his family's history. He's there to research his great-grandfather, Baron Otto Von Kleist, known in hushed whispers as “Baron Blood.” It seems that his great grandpa was a wealthy, sadistic SOB who tortured and killed the surrounding villagers at his castle, before a witch placed a curse on him and he was set on fire by the local peons. Meeting with Herr Dortmund (Dieter Tressler) the entrepreneur responsible for the current hotel project, Peter becomes smitten with Dortmundt's beautiful assistant Eva (fetching Frau Elke Sommer, capering about in micro-miniskirts and plunging necklines). During the course of a slow evening, Peter and Eva hightail it to the castle to read an ancient parchment intended to bring the notorious Baron back to life. They do so, and the Baron comes back to life and starts killing people anew. Now, how will they set things right after playing their ill-advised party game?

Re-watching this film so soon after the death of director Jesus Franco, who died last month at the age of 82, I was reminded how Mario Bava was one of the few directors who could get away with a zoom lens. A most hated camera move, as it cannot replicate the human eye, Bava was zoom-happy at this stage of his career. He did it so well, however, we could forgive him for its overuse. Bava always took great care to properly light and focus a scene, and so his zooms, always smoothly executed, were never intrusive. Quite unlike Franco, whose camera was frequently out of focus, indifferently lit and ragged. Those who think all of his films are worthy of study escape my comprehension. This reviewer hopes he hasn't stepped on any toes!

Movie Review: Sloppy the Psychotic (2012)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:34:14 PDT

Send in the clowns...unless he's a recovering alcoholic who, once he falls off the wagon, goes on a killing spree that would make Jack the Ripper say WTF, bro?

Sloppy the Clown is Mike, a down on his luck guy who lives with his folks. The "Clean and Sober" signs everywhere indicate that because of a drinking problem, Mike has hit a bit of a rough patch while chasing his dreams. Fortunately, he does have the job he's always wanted: a performing clown. Much to his father's chagrin, Mike is very good at his job. That is until he man-handles a young child while she draws a picture that basically says clowns suck.

Of course, Mike is fired and when he arrives home, he leaps off the wagon and drowns his sorrows in what looks like peppermint schnapps. When he wakes up the next morning, there's a dead chick in bed with him. Slowly his memory returns, assaulting him with visions of rough sex and murder. So...drinking not only makes him an asshole but releases a psychotic rage. But a little dead-girl-in-mah-bed won't stop him from posting freelance clown for hire signs all over town.

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Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #95 - Moore Fokken Harryhausen

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:27:58 PDT

The guys take on solo segments this week. First, Kevin talks about seeing David Spade do stand-up, three very different movies that he watched (including a documentary about twin senior prostitutes) and Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman.

Dave digs into comic books from Alan Moore and the movies spawned from them. He also looks at the Watchmen prequel series.

Jeff jumps on to remember effects wizard Ray Harryhausen and review a couple of fun movies from the 1980s.

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save Link As..." to download.

You can always email us at cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com or tweet us @CinHeadCheese.

Support Cinema Head Cheese and Abnormal Entertainment by clicking the links on our Sponsors page!

This episode is sponsored by the following:

Movie Review: The Experiment (2012)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:51:46 PDT

Apparently being British does NOT automatically add an air of sophistication to any project. Their low budget horror is just as shitty as ours (mostly) is.

The Experiment is about a shady organization that is conducting some kind of experiment on the unsuspecting public. Through vague newspaper ads, this company lures in folks desperate for money. The only way they get paid is to take a drug that's designed to heighten female sexuality. Okay so maybe the ads are specific in their demographic but not much else. The company is only interested in finding the 'right' candidate.

Cue our main character (whose name I've forgotten because, honestly, I don't give a shit) who has just lost her job as an exotic dancer. For some reason her husband goes to her work to watch her dance and then gets jealous when men pay any attention to her. Huh? After a huge fight, of his accusations and she accusing him of not turning away the attentions of another dancer, she's fired. And a new divorcee.

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Book Review: Jacked (2012, Severed Press)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:15:54 PDT

Shane McKenzie is one screwed up guy. I like it, don't get me wrong, but he needs a psych eval, pronto. And it is this particularly endearing quality that allows me to enjoy his work so much. What we have on our plate this time is a little different from the usual cannibalism, food stuffs fiction. What appears to be a vile, squishy and goop-laden alien attack is viewed differently by three different guys trapped inside the gym they work out in; a glass lined prison where they can see the world go to shit outside while getting in a quick dead-lift. Herein we find where McKenzie is at his strongest: putting archetypal characters into horrible, extreme situations and, in this case, literally giving the survivor scenario steroids. This is Jacked, boys and girls, and even though I loathe to type this, the novella has gone into 'beast mode.'

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Movie Review: Dragon (2011)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:00:15 PDT

Review by John Beutler

...early forensic science encounters martial arts mysticism, in this enthralling and action-packed period set piece, called "Dragon", from 2011. A compellingly thought-provoking storyline...an extraordinary depth in characters across the spectrum...a lush & rustic setting and locale, almost a character unto itself...and extraordinary performances, make this intriguingly complex and inner-woven martial arts mystery, an absolute delight to visually bear witness to. Martial arts action superstar Donnie Yen, having proved himself quite the prolific actor, over the past couple decades (..."IP Man", "14 Blades", "Hero", "Killzone", "Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen", amongst numerous others), continues to amaze and intrigue here, in his dynamic martial arts ability, coupled with an equally adept and compelling flair for drama, in a captivating tale of mystery, dark secrets and hidden agendas...
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Movie Review: H.P. Lovecraft's The Dark Sleep (2012, DVD)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:10:22 PDT

Review By: Rob Sibley

Nancy Peterson (Ashley Galloway) is an author who has just just gone through a nasty divorce. She needs some place secluded to work on her next book so what's a gal to do? Well lucky for Ms. Peterson her ex-husband Pete (Steve Diasparra) is a real estate agent. She convinces him to give her the house for free! Only catch is in the basement there is an odd pentagram that has a sinister look to it. Just paint over it you say? Well she can't, because apparently it's in the contract that the pentagram has to stay untouched. Don't worry she does paint over it (with little effect). During the first night of staying at her free pad she has some horrible nightmares and sees a giant rat (a charming rod puppet). The next day she has two exterminators over (One of them even looks like Super Mario) they are supposed to provide some comic relief but sadly the humor falls flat. I was just waiting for Mario to say “That's a spicy meatball!” sadly that didn't happen.

Movie Review: Mud (2013)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:00:00 PDT

Review by John Beutler

...oh, the cherished memories of pre-teen summers' past...the freedom...the adventure...the self-discovery...the sense of reckless curiosity...riding that fine line between daring and dangerous. For myself, such adventure included braving and exploring the dry, barren landswells, which made up the Southern California Pomona hillside, near where I once resided, in my youth...regretfully, now overrun by generic, Stepford village trac-housing. Me and my motley crew of friends would sneak into the cattle strewn corrals, beneath these hills...taking the chance of angry wayward, rock-salt-shotgun-armed ranchers in helicopters, overhead (...truth be known, they couldn't hit the side of a barn, from point blank range, the bastards)...hiking up to the hills, and camping out, knowing full well that wild wolves populated the thicketed hill crevices...then, coming back down the next day, to the streets & abode-structured, rural 'civilization', with shoeboxes filled with tarantulas (...oh, how Mom LOVED that...). It is a boy's world, not all that far removed from this...a world filled with danger and intrigue...which inescapably springboards into the chillingly compelling, Southern fried drama, "Mud"...
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Movie Review: Maniac (2013)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:54:58 PDT

Review by John Beutler

Ya' know?? For a while there, I was worried...worried that this new incarnation of the uncompromisingly violent, brutal, perverse and grimy 1980 splatter horror classic, "Maniac", would suffer in much the same way as other attempts at making...or rather, remaking some of the more prominent and controversial '80's horror flicks (...like "Friday the 13th" and "Last House on the Left", for instance), in that the film would be newly rendered in what this viewer has previously & often termed as having a 'rustic slickness', which often tends to temper the overall tone of raw and visceral horror, notable in classics past. Well, I'm quite elated to say that this is not wholly the case, as the 2013 film, "Maniac" definitely exhues a most familiar, albeit slightly toned down and polished sense of dark, inner-city, back-alley filth and seediness...one of the aspects, which made the original film very uncomfortably irresistible to watch...though indeed, this new 'Maniac' definitely reflects a sense of higher production value, as compared to it's inspiration. That been said, the film...despite how respectably accomplished it looks, and how effectively the film unnerves and unsettles...DOES somewhat fail in ways that seem inevitable and unavoidable...in ways, which made the original film so alluringly embraceable...
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Movie Review: Dead Ball (2012, Blu-ray)

cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com (Abnormal Entertainment) — Sun, 05 May 2013 20:20:08 PDT

Well Go USA has given admirers of Asian cult cinema a myriad of films with the always growing variety of interesting flicks in their library. The films produced by Sushi Taiphoon are a personal favorite of mine because, well, most are just bat-shit crazy and usually fun to watch because they are so out there. Director Yudai Yamaguchi has made a few films (Battlefield Baseball, Meatball Machine and Yakuza Weapon) that could very well be in the "bat-shit" variety. He takes a lot of what made his previous films enjoyable and rolled them into his own tasty, blood-drenched comedy/action/ horror flick in Dead Ball.

Baseball is without a doubt America’s number one pastime. It’s also right up there for the Japanese. Jubei is one of the many youths who love the sport. His father and him go out often to play – that is until Jubei cracks open his pop’s cranium with a devastating fast-ball that would make Randy Johnson quiver in his size 16 cleats. Jubei has a special gift in his 200 mph flaming pitches, he also has some anger issues that arise as he grows into a teen, but it isn't against the innocent - he takes it out on the slime of city.