Dollar Bin Horror

Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight - She Devils A Go Go

2012-01-27T12:17:00.002-06:00

Quote from the film maker:
As professional film makers, some people feel we have a duty, neigh, a responsibility to make films that enlighten and enrich as well as entertain. These noble sentiments were at the forefront of our thinking while making She Devils A Go Go. Unfortunately, they didn't transfer to the screen. While mature viewers, serial killers, and Satan worshippers will be highly entertained by our film, no higher purpose will be found. Indeed, many viewers will experience distress, nausea, revulsion, and the "creepy-crawlies".

The statement above pretty much sums up this film in a nutshell. She Devils A Go Go is a SUPER low budget horror/exploitation film that is more funny that scary, yet is none the less an entertaining and enjoyable watch...so long as you're not looking for the next Hitchcock classic. If you're a fan of the "Hack Movies", which we previously reviewed, then you'll love this film. It's full of really cheap gore, beautiful (and half naked of course) women, and acting that's so bad, it's makes you cry with delightful laughter. The plot line is a simple one, a bunch of drunk dudes go to a strip joint and get a hell of a lot more than they bargained for. The thing that makes this film interesting IS the bad acting! I found the characters to be so funny that I just kept watching (especially the big guy, played by Carl Ferrara. Everything he did made me laugh!). Also, I liked the comic book effect the film had, kind of like an homage to the old Creepshow films with different scenes being introduced with a pretty well done comic book page. Now as I give my unbiased opinion on all the films on this site, I will say it was fun to watch the film as I've met most of the cast at our local Zombie walks (the walks are hosted by the company that made this film) and after talking to all of them, I feel like I knew what was coming when I got this film in the mail and am quite happy with the final project. If there was one thing I would have changed, it would have been some of the camera work. In certain shots, the camera got fuzzy then clear, fuzzy then clear, but seeing as this film wasn't made to be a breakout Sundance hit, I can forgive that. If you're looking for a fun time with plenty of blood, laughs, and girls, then I would suggest you head on over to the She Devils A Go Go site (HERE) and check out the trailers!

It Came From Netflix:The Virgin Spring(1960)

2012-01-27T00:27:00.000-06:00

By Eric Polk-
Yep, folks. It's Oscar time. Time for Hollywood to pat itself on the back for the job it did this past year(In most cases, it was lousy). So rather than spout off on who and who didn't get nominated(I can truly care less), let's look at movie that would be the basis of a classic horror film nearly fifteen years later.

The Virgin Spring, directed by legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, is a story about a father's merciless response to the rape and murder of his young daughter. The story was adapted by screenwriter Ulla Isaksson from a 13th century Swedish ballad, "Töres döttrar i Wänge" . The film contains a number of themes that question morals, justice, and religious beliefs, and was considered controversial when first released due to its infamous rape scene(no big surprise there).

To sit through this, you need to be focused and patient. This is by no means a whizz-bang, smack-you- in- the-face kind of film. Unlike Virgin's spawn, Last House on the Left, there is a religious bent to this film, a questioning of faith at the hands of the father. Unlike original LHOTL, there is minimal blood, and the antagonist, though disgusting in their own right, are nowhere near as creepy as David Hess(R.I.P.) and his gang.

Overall, I liked the film. It was good to see the origins of classic horror. Be warned, however, there are subtitles and everyone speaks Swedish. Not that I mind subtitles. How else could I enjoy Tombs of the Blind Dead ?

It Came From Netflix:Let Me In(2010)

2012-01-26T10:34:00.002-06:00

By Eric Polk-
Here we go again. A vampire and an adolescent in love. For pete's sakes not a pre-teen version of Twilight!!!! The answer in this remake of the 2008 film Let The Right One In is, proudly,no.

Abby's "father", Thomas, occasionally goes out to kill local residents to acquire blood for the vampiric Abby. During his first murder, he accidentally spills the blood and returns home empty-handed; a furious Abby leaves, kills, and feeds on a jogger who lives in their neighborhood. One night, Thomas hides in the back of a high school student’s car in order to subdue him, but the student picks up a passenger, completely altering Thomas's plans. While the driver stops at a gas station, Thomas subdues the passenger and tries to flee. He crashes the car in a nearby ditch and becomes trapped inside. Thomas douses his face with acid so that his connection to Abby will not be discovered. He is taken to the hospital; when Abby learns of this, she climbs up outside his window to see him. Thomas leans forward to offer his throat to Abby, who drinks his blood. Thomas passes out and falls to his death. The detective gradually learns of Thomas's connection to Abby.

The next day, on a school outing to a frozen pond, Kenny threatens to push Owen into an ice hole. Owen defends himself with a metal pole, splitting Kenny's ear. A body is also discovered under the ice. Later, Owen takes Abby to an abandoned area of their apartment complex, where he cuts his finger to make a blood pact with her. Abby is drawn to the blood; thirsty, she licks it up and Owen sees her vampiric form for the first time. Not wanting to attack Owen, Abby flees and instead attacks Virginia,a woman in the complex park. Owen then confronts Abby at her apartment, where she admits that she is a vampire. Owen also discovers that Thomas was not her father, but a man she has known since he was a boy. Horrified, Owen immediately makes to leave. Abby tries to block his way, but eventually lets him go. Meanwhile at the hospital, Virginia transforms into a vampire, but when a nurse draws the curtains, the daylight causes her to burst into flames, killing them both.

During an evening gym class, Kenny, his older brother Jimmy and their friends start a fire outside to distract authorities and clear out the swimming pool. Jimmy tells Owen that if he can hold his breath underwater for 3 minutes, he will cut Owen's cheek; if Owen cannot, he will poke out one of Owen's eyes. As Owen is held underwater, chaos ensues as Abby slaughters the four bullies. Abby and Owen then make their escape.

This is a beautifully dark, atmospheric movie that keeps the vampire rules in check while creating a sweet,innocent love story that is real and not melodramatic. The gore is present but you don't see buckets of the red stuff sloshed across the screen either. And of course, I relate to the bullied boy and was quite happy when his tormentors met their fate.

On the Next Episode of DBHR......

2012-01-24T10:43:00.000-06:00

This week, The Triumverate of Terror discuss the horror films coming soon to a theatre near you and to dvd/blu-ray(Chronicle, The Lady Wears Black). As always, your phone calls are welcome at 1-877-552-4073 starting at 8 pm EST tomorrow night!

Dollar Bin Book: Horrorscopes: A Little Book of Misfortunes by Lucien Edwards

2012-01-23T08:48:00.000-06:00

There comes a point in every life when clouds gather, the path grows dark and you find yourself surrounded by devilish ghouls, dashing vampires and an unsettling number of decapitated zombies. Never fear – this little book will prepare you for whatever horrors lurk just around the corner. Simply find the entry that corresponds with your birthday and learn what chilling fate the stars have planned for you. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt to keep a wooden stake handy…

I picked this gem up a few months ago when Borders went out of business. It's not a novel, but truly is a little book misfortunes. It has a short entry for every day of the year, as well as themes for each month. To give you a feel, I'll do my own horror scope for you right now:

My birth month is June. June, according to the book, is the Month of Venomous Monkeys. The plant I should avoid is Poison Ivy, my Doomsday Device is a zombie army, and my Evil Omen is a message from the entity known as goth. My birthday is the 2nd of June, so this is my "Horrorscope":

Forever seeking to broaden your horizons, you are led through life by a deep need for experimentation. As you grow, though, these experiments will increasingly take place in an underground laboratory. For your future happiness, remember - where there's smoke, there is usually a beaker full of boiling snake venom.

The book is full of dark little morsels for everyone to enjoy that also includes things to beware of and dark days. Each month has a beautifully drawn illustration by Eugene Smith that just adds to the dark yet light tone of the book and really makes the month's theme pop. And since it doesn't have a specific year attached to it, you can use it on your friends for years to come. It's a delightful little read and I think you will thoroughly enjoy it. Pick up your copy HERE.

Dollar Bin Horror Re-Visits:Friday the 13th Part V-A New Beginning(1985)

2012-01-19T14:46:00.001-06:00

By Eric Polk-

As we discussed on last night's episode of DBHR, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ericdescent/2012/01/19/dollar-bin-horror-radioepisode-xxxxiv-a-salute-to-the-man

I spoke of rewatching what was a staple of my horror movie viewing back in the magical '80s on both VHS and Cinemax(oddly enough, they'd all show this film just before their After Dark schedule). Like almost all F13 fans, I, too, detested this film. It was pointless, silly, and had, without a doubt, a major bs ending.

But I put on again last week after a long night at work, and you know what Reaplings? I enjoyed it! I see it now as a cheeseball unintentional laughfest. The redneck woman and her son? The two dudes who can't get their car started? The poor heavyset kid who just wanted to help? There are some scenes that I find reminiscent of my favorite 80s cheesefest slasher, Slaughter High.

Of course this isn't a masterpiece. I'll never equate this to the original F13, but I will say I can safely move this off my bad horror movies list and put on my so bad it's good one.

Dollar Bin Censored: Why I Hate Censored

2012-01-18T11:50:00.005-06:00

Have I told you how much I hate_____. It's one of the worst ever made. ______ is a huge piece of_____ .....

This is a prime example of what can happen of the SOPA Act is passed. It is currently scheduled for a vote in 6 short days in the House of Representatives. If you cherish your freedom to use the internet as you see fit, please click the link below and then call your local representive to have this atrocity of legislation STOPPED!!!!!

You may not know this, be we still have the power to stop things in this country and it won't cost you a cent!

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

I have found a quick yet accurate explanation of why we are so against this bill and why you should help stop it:
It will allow the US government to take down any website at its discretion for any copyright violations. The problem is that often it is hard to know whether certain content is copyrighted or not. Sites like Reddit.com, Digg.com, Youtube.com, internet hosting companies, small websites, newspaper websites, Flickr.com, Wikipedia.org, etc could get into trouble for having copyrighted materials. The wording is too vague to protect innocent violations and would allow missuse of the authority. It is essentially a backdoor that would allow the government to censor all of the US based internet (which is a lot of the english internet

On the Next Episode of DBHR....

2012-01-17T11:38:00.000-06:00

This week, Rhonda, Brandon,and Eric honor the most recogniziable horror movie franchise in cinematic history as they pay their props to the Friday the 13th franchise. Plus, a brand new contest is rolled out for your pleasure! Your phone calls are welcome at 1-877-552-4073 starting at 8 pm EST.

Win a "They Live" Tshirt from Tshirtbordello.com!

2012-01-16T12:13:00.000-06:00

If you had listened to last week's episode of Dollar Bin Horror Radio, you would have heard a clue as to what our newest giveaway would be (the clue was OBEY)...If you guessed this killer xl They Live shirt (http://www.tshirtbordello.com/They-Live-Obey-T-Shirt), well then give yourself a pat on the back (with a chainsaw of course) because DING DING DING you got it! Once again the always fabulous folks at Tshirtbordello.com has given one lucky DBH reader the chance to win one of their amazing shirts!

As always, there are two ways to enter. The first is to simply leave a comment to this post with your name and email address. The second is to email me at Rhonnyreaper@yahoo.com with the subject line "THEY LIVE SHIRT CONTEST" and include your name and email in the message. Now even though there are two ways to enter, you may only enter ONCE per person. It's that easy folks! The contest will be open until Feb. 1st and the winner will be randomly chosen (out of a hat) and announced that night. Good Luck and check out ALL of the amazing horror shirts Tshirtbordello has to offer by checking them out at http://www.tshirtbordello.com/pages/Horror-Shirts!

Dollar Bin Horror Book Review:11/22/63

2012-01-16T11:28:00.000-06:00

By Eric Polk-
When your biggest writing influence puts out a novel, you drop whatever it is your reading and turn to your master, regardless of what kind of story it is. With Stephen King's latest, 11/22/63, it is beyond the phrase 'worth the effort and time.'

Bear in mind, don't expect a Christine, Carrie,or,The Dark Half with his latest epic(This story is about a schoolteacher who goes back in time, at the behest of his friend and diner owner, to stop the assassination of one President John Fitzgerald Kennedy). Instead, you're going to get some historical fiction, a love story(a rather strong one), a bit of fantasy(time-traveling), and a welcoming back of old friends from the King stories of the past.

I felt the story works best when the main character is living his life in the past, adjusting to himself to no computer, cell phone, cable tv, etc. A kind of Stranger in a Strangeland for regular folk. It is great for this main character to meet real people from the past and not go gaga, keeping things in prospective.

The ending, imo, was the right ending(I won't give that away either), may leave you sad, but again, it was the right thing to do. The only thing I found a bit of a flaw was what happened towards the end of the book. I wish it would have been expanded to incorporate more situations, but again, a tiny flaw.

11/22/63 is without a doubt one of the strongest stories of King's career and if he were to go out of the writing game now(which we know he isn't) he would go out a champion!

Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight - Rage (Review and Interview with Christopher R. Witherspoon)

2012-01-12T09:17:00.002-06:00

RAGE, tells the story of Dennis Twist, a suburban, 30-something who unintentionally provokes the wrath of a mysterious and homicidal motorcycle rider. The confrontation with 'The Biker' escalates into a daylong battle of cat and mouse; concluding in an extremely violent rampage.

Has anyone ever taken your parking spot? Have you ever confronted that person? Well, Christopher R. Witherspoon's RAGE takes this everyday occurrence and turns in on it's bloody little head. The story follows Dennis Twist, a professor and failed novelist on his way to break it off with his girlfriend (he's married btw) and is in such a hurry to do so, he inadvertently steals the parking space of a biker. Now Dennis just blows it off, but oh no, not the biker. He's gonna make this asshole pay. The tagline of the film is "Be careful who you piss off!", and boy is it right! The film turns into a cat and mouse game filled with blood, violence, and (as a warning to all who may watch) a pretty brutal rape scene. The movie is well made, the music is fantastically matched to enhance each scene, and without a doubt Dennis is a character you'll love to absolutely hate, I mean the guy has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The best part of the film is the great acting, which is sometimes hard to come by in indie films. Not only are all the actors great, but Christopher himself is the writer, producer, photographer, editor, director, and plays the crazed biker! I mean I'm convinced there ain't shit this guy couldn't do! It's hard to make a film when you're playing so many roles in it's conception, but somehow Christopher not only pulls it off, but comes out ahead with this great indie nail biter. This film is definitely makes my list of best indie films I've reviewed on my site and I hope you all take the chance to check it out (trailer below)

I had the honor to sit down with the man behind the great indie film, Christopher R. Witherspoon, for a little chit chat.

Q: What inspired you to make Rage?

The idea for Rage came from a couple of places. The first was Steven Spielberg’s 1971 film classic “Duel” which I have always been a huge fan of. Another of its inspirations came from things that were transpiring in my personal life. I had been having an affair and got caught by my girl, the mother of my three children. The fall out was so very destructive and the saddest thing of all was the “collateral damage”… that being my children who were completely innocent. My infidelity made me really think about how the actions / decisions of a single person can effects the lives of others. This ultimately became the subtext of Rage. Many months later I was up in the wee hours of the morning and Duel came on and I watched it and thought to myself… “Wow this flick is still so effective”. After that the screenplay just fell together.

Q: You wrote, produced, edited, did the cinematography, sound, and visual effects while also playing the mysterious "Biker". How in the hell did you sleep at night?

To be honest I didn’t get much sleep but that’s okay because I don’t sleep much anyway. And when I do sleep I usually dream about films or story ideas.

Q: Rick Crawford's performance in Rage was so believable that it drew you into the film's story and, for me at least, made me root for your character! What was it like to work with him as well as the rest of the fantastic cast?

Rick was my first choice to play the lead role of Dennis Twist and I was very lucky to get him. It was a very complex part to play because he, Twist, is not a very sympathetic character, do to his infidelity and how he chooses to deal with that. I didn’t want the audience to hate this character throughout the entire film so I needed someone who could give a performance that could solicit some measure of sympathy even though he clearly doesn’t deserve it and Rick was more than capable to deliver that. The other members of the cast Audrey Walker who was fantastic in the role of Crystal Twist did an incredible job. She was subjected to some really physical and mentally violent scenes, which she handle like a true professional. The other cast members, Jo Black Jacobs, M.L. Maltz, Richard Topping and Spencer Conway all did an excellent job.

Q: What's next for Christopher R. Witherspoon

Up next for me is a horror anthology entitled “The Twilight Hotel”. It is a film that is in the style of George Romero’s “Creep Show” and HBO’s “Tales from the Crypt”. The film will be composed of 4 short stories and a connecting element. The idea for the film came about as a result of a question that I’ve asked myself for many years, which is… What would happen if Alfred Hitchcock had directed episodes of the Twilight Zone? Well, The Twilight Hotel is what I believe to be the answer. The concept is… There is an old hotel called the Twilight that was constructed in the late 1920’s and over the years there has been many, many horrible things that have taken place there and as a result of that there is an overload of “bad karma” so today when someone of questionable character checks in, they will have to deal with their “personal” baggage, so to speak. There are zombies, violent mobsters, serial killers, indestructible insects, monsters / demons and much, much more. Also, it’s gonna be very, very graphic and there will be blood… by the gallons and gallons and gallons and… you get the picture.

Q: This is really a question I like to ask everyone, but what would you say was the film that got you into the horror genre and why?

I would have to say it’s a three-way tie… The Exorcist, Alien and Jaws. I saw these films when I was very young and they damaged me, in a good way, permanently. I was so freaked out and terrified that I couldn’t sleep for weeks after seeing them but they also inspired me to want to make films that could do the same thing to other people.

Check out this killer film's trailer!

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On the Next Episode of DBHR....

2012-01-10T12:24:00.000-06:00

It's a look at horror movies that were made for the small screen this week on DBHR. Rhonda, Brandon, and Eric discuss such wonderful made-for-tv gems including Dark Night of the Scarecrow, Duel, Satan's School for Girls, The Midnight Hour, etc. Plus, we will be joined by director Brad Leo Lyon(Little Creeps). Join in the fun by calling us at 1-877-552-4073!

Dollar Bin Horror "Why did I plunk down good jack?" Splurge of the Week:The Devil Inside(2012)

2012-01-09T16:27:00.002-06:00

By Eric Polk-

As you can tell from the heading, The Devil Inside, the #1 movie of the week is weak, very weak. Ok not very weak, but it's that old cat that has a teensy bit of fight left in it but nothing else.

On October 30, 1989, Maria Rossi committed a triple murder during an exorcism performed on her. The Catholic Church became involved, and she has since been in a Catholic psychiatric hospital in Rome. The film shows a news story and police investigation showing, in graphic detail, the three members of the clergy whom she murdered. Her daughter, Isabella, learned of the murders from her father, who died three days after telling her.

Twenty years later, Isabella is in the process of filming a documentary about exorcisms, and to find out more about her mother, she visits a school in Rome that deals with exorcisms and enters a classroom where students, priests and scientists are having a discussion about whether or not a subject is possessed by a demon or just has a mental condition.

She has dinner with a few students and ends up getting a little closer with two priests, Ben and David. They talk more about the differences between being possessed and mental illnesses, and inform Isabella that they can't explain the differences, it's something you "just know". On that note, Ben and David are operating outside of the Church and performing exorcisms to help patients. They take Isabella with them on an exorcism performed on Rosalita (Bonnie Morgan), in the basement of the family home. They bring along medical equipment to analyze and determine if it's possession or mental illness. Rosalita attacks the crew, after spouting out obscene remarks in different languages and accents. She calls Isabella by name, despite not knowing her. Eventually, they get her under control and stabilized, though her fate is unknown.

When Isabella goes to visit her mother in the asylum, she finds that her mother speaks in different accents, and has paintings all over the walls. One, in particular, matches a picture with her father and mother from when Isabella was six years old. The first words that her mother Maria even speaks are "connect the cuts"; this refers to all of the inverted crosses carved into her arms and her bottom lip. Maria creeps forward and tells her that killing a child is against God's will, then lets out an ear-shattering scream which disrupts the video cameras in the room, before Isabella is forced to leave when doctors rush in. Isabella tells David and Ben that she terminated a pregnancy years ago and her mother had no way of knowing that, which was another sign that showed possible possession. When the crew prepares to perform an exorcism/analysis on Maria, David is very worried about losing his job, since the Church does not authorize exorcisms without undeniable proof that the patient is indeed possessed, nor without the exorcist being ordained by the Catholic Church as an exorcist and without being authorized to exorcise. During the procedure, she mentions something about Ben, and knowing what he did in the past (this occurrence remains unknown; it possibly pertains to Ben's uncle, who got him into the priesthood at the age of eighteen--which is actually an impossibility) as well as Isabella's child. Maria breaks free of her restraints and sends Ben flying into the door, also knocking David onto the ground. The doctors rush in and grab the video camera, cutting the screen to black.

After analyzing the data taken from the video and audio files, they present the evidence to the Church, believing there was enough evidence to have Maria moved back to the United States to have an exorcism performed on her. David shows many signs of stress, worried about losing his job, as Ben plays the audio files over and over again, listening to the part where Maria says "I know what you did". When Ben is asked by Michael about what he was listening to, he switches to a different clip and finds that there were four different demons speaking in unison. As time progresses, Isabella shows concern about David, who is eating in the dark at the kitchen table. David is to perform a baptism at his church, and asks Michael to tag along. As he holds the baby, he mutters some lines from the Bible, before forcefully submerging the baby in the water. He can be seen shoving the baby down into the water before the crowd of people rush up to save the baby, as David passes out.

Well, let's be clear on this. There are a couple of genuinely scary moments in this film, very intense, very real, but sandwiched inside those brief pieces of corned beef is rotting slabs of ancient potted meat. In between the good scenes are nothing more than History Channel documentary stuff that is just drab and uninspired.

Plus, without giving anything away....THE ENDING IS COMPLETE,UNADULTERATED BULLSHIT!!!!! Congrats, movie. You threw Ragu at your worthless prize! It didn't bother me this was yet another 'found footage' movie, what did bother me was just its inconsistency and the bullshit ending. Save your money, Reaplings. Wait for dvd/blu-ray.

Dollar Bin Horror Review:Massacre at Central High(1976)

2012-01-05T11:50:00.000-06:00

By Eric Polk-

Thank God for the digital age. While it's turning mainstream movies into crap, it's also making lost gems readily available for those who eschew what plays at your local ultraplex. So in preparation for our interview last with with Rex Sikes, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ericdescent/2012/01/05/dollar-bin-horror-radioepisode-xlii-heavens-gate I was blessed to have found this cult classic.

David is a new student to Central High, a southern California high school with seemingly no adults, no rules, and no supervision and lots of microphones. He realizes that everyone is under a strict eye from a small group of bullies bent on making things run their way, and their way only. David meets Mark, an old friend who he once helped out of a jam at their previous school in Los Angeles. Mark tells David that the school can be like a country club for him if he becomes friends with Bruce.Craig and Paul (Damon Douglas), the bullies who rule the school student body and who are from wealthy and powerful families.

Aside from Mark, David's only other friend at the school is Theresa, who happens to be Mark's girlfriend. After Theresa and Mark quarrel over David hanging around her, she walks away from him wanting some space. After classes are let out for the day, the bullies spot Spoony's two girlfriends, Mary and Jane, and decide to rape them just for kicks. When Theresa catches them trying to assault the two girls, they spot her and throw her into a vacant classroom.

David sees this and charges into the classroom. He single handedly beats up all three bullies before the rapes are accomplished. While Theresa is grateful to David for saving her, Mary and Jane do not thank him and tell David that he is now a marked man having crossed Craig, Bruce, and Paul. Humiliated by this latest encounter with David over being beaten up by just one person, the bullies approach Mark and tell him that he only has one more chance to talk to David to mind his own business. At nightfall, they drive down the Pacific Coast Highway where they find David's car. Venturing down to the beach to find David, Mark sees him with Theresa skinny dipping in the ocean. Filled with anger and jealousy, Mark goes back to the bullies in Paul's van and lies to them by saying that he tried to talk to David, but he wouldn't listen. The three bullies decide to take matters into their own hands.

Soon, everything at Central High is out of control as fights and arguments break out all over the school as everyone quarrels with one another over territory rights. David, disgusted at the fighting and seeing that the once-oppressed have become the new oppressors, plots to get rid of all the students.

Though you can't classify this film as a slasher, it is rather violent but in a allegorical context. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Nothing changes. The acting is ok though not Academy Award-winning which for a cast of unknowns, is perfectly acceptable. If you haven't seen this film, please find it and check it out. You won't be disappointed!

DBH Re-visits:Freddy vs. Jason(2003)

2012-01-04T10:04:00.001-06:00

By Eric Polk-

If life has taught me two things, one is the secret to a great Chicken Parmesan(Prego spaghetti sauce!), the other is patience. Seeing what I saw at the end of Jason Goes to Hell:The Final Friday whet my appetite for the inevitable confrontation between THE two biggest horror icons of not only the 80s but possibly of all time.

So for ten years, I waited. Everytime I picked up a copy of Fangoria magazine, Freddy vs. Jason was always in "pre-production". Ten years! Finally in August 2003, the horror geeks dream came true. And I loved it. It was worth the wait.

It was bloody, well-acted. Freddy is Freddy in this. Jason is Jason. The climatic scenes(though a bit drawn out) are intense, it was great to see a clear-cut winner(though the interference by the outsider bit the root). Recently, I saw this film again on dvd, and my opinion hasn't changed one bit. Though I did notice a subtext of medicating our society in this.

On The Next Episode of DBHR....

2012-01-03T08:37:00.002-06:00

This week Rhonda, Brandon, and Eric start of the new year with a look back at the worst of 2011(and believe us, the list was long but indistinguished). Plus, actor and radio host Rex Sikes(Massacre at Central High, Rex Sikes' Radio Beat) will be our special guest. Join in the fun by calling us at 1-877-552-4073 starting tomorrow at 8 pm EST.

Happy New Year!!!!!

2012-01-01T23:36:00.000-06:00

We at Dollar Bin Horror would like to wish the Reapling Nation a tremendous 2012 to you and thanks for making 2011 a very successful year here on both the blog and radio show!

Dollar Bin Horror Review:The Mutilator(1985)

2011-12-29T12:02:00.001-06:00

By Eric Polk-
One of the more forgotten 80s slashers films I have wanted to see for years was this Buddy Cooper-directed film from 1985 called The Mutilator. Thanks to DBHR co-host, Mr. Brandon Sites, I received a copy of said film(one of his personal faves) and stuck it in the appropriate playing device. With apologies and gratitude to my colleague, I just wasn't impressed.

While cleaning his father's rifle, Ed accidentally shoots his mother. His father never forgives him for killing his wife. Years pass and Ed is estranged from his father until he receives a message that he should visit his father at a remote beach house. Ed takes several friends who start meeting grisly ends in unlikely ways. Ed's father has become completely unhinged in the time he has spent alone. Ed's father is hunting Ed's friends and killing them one by one to get his revenge

The plot is good enough for a slasher and the music is rather hilarious given the grimness of the film about a half -hour in. The killer's demise was rather enjoyable as well along with that eerie keyboard played during the killer's POV shots. But what did this in for me is some of the editing during the kill scenes, it's like they're were trying to be Polanski or Scorsese in a slasher film. Another thing was the overuse of shadows. There were times I saw nothing but a black screen. Was very frustrating. And how bout the end scene in the hospital? WTF?

Maybe if someday this movie is given a proper DVD/Blu-Ray release, those flaws will be fixed but for now The Mutilator is to me an average film. Sorry Brandon.

Win 2 Killer Texas Chainsaw Massacre Shirts from Tshirtbordello!

2011-12-28T09:25:00.001-06:00

That's right folks, this time around I'm doubling up on the prizes for one lucky DBH reader to look stylin and profilin in the new year!!! The first is this awesome XL Cook-off shirt featuring Drayton Sawyer from the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The second is this XL Re-Elect Hoyt shirt from the remake. One DBH reader will win BOTH, I say BOTH! You could keep one and give one away as a late Xmas gift, or just keep both cause ya know you wanna!

As always, there are two ways to enter. The first is to simply leave a comment to this post with your name and email address. The second is to email me at Rhonnyreaper@yahoo.com with the subject line "CHAINSAW SHIRTS CONTEST" and include your name and email in the message. Now even though there are two ways to enter, you may only enter ONCE per person. It's that easy folks! The contest will be open until Jan.11th and the winner will be randomly chosen (out of a hat) and announced that night. Good Luck and check out ALL of the amazing horror shirts Tshirtbordello has to offer by checking them out at http://www.tshirtbordello.com/pages/Horror-Shirts!

On the Next Episode of DBHR.....

2011-12-27T09:53:00.000-06:00

This week Rhonda, Brandon, and Eric toast the end of 2011 with their Top 5 Favorite Films of The Year(And believe us, they were tough picks). Plus, production designer Royce Mathews(Creepozoids, Sorority Babes in the Slime Bowl-A-Rama) returns to discuss his ongoing war with the Walt Disney Corporation. Your phone calls, as always, are welcome at 1-877-552-4073 tomorrow at 8 pm EST.

Dollar Bin Horror Review:Strangers on a Train (1951)

2011-12-26T13:12:00.000-06:00

By Eric Polk-
I thought I'd switch up from the blood and guts that is the staple of my cinema diet to something a little more classy and suspenseful with this Alfred Hitchcock classic from 1951.

Amateur tennis star Guy Haines wants to divorce his vulgar and unfaithful wife Miriam, so he can marry the elegant and beautiful Anne Morton, daughter of a senator. While on a train to meet Miriam, Haines meets Bruno Anthony, a forward stranger who recognizes Guy from gossip items in the newspapers that detail his marital problems. During lunch in Bruno's compartment, Bruno tells Guy about his idea for the perfect "Criss-cross" murder(s): he will kill Miriam and in exchange, Guy will kill Bruno's father. Since both are strangers, otherwise unconnected, there is no identifiable motive for the crimes, Bruno contends, hence no suspicion. Guy hurriedly leaves the compartment but leaves Bruno thinking he has agreed to the deal. Guy accidentally leaves his cigarette lighter behind, a gift from Anne to Guy, which Bruno pockets.

Bruno heads to Guy's hometown of Metcalf and follows Miriam and her two beaux to an amusement park, where he briefly illuminates her face with Guy's lighter, then strangles her to death. Guy's problems begin when his alibi — an inebriated college professor on the same train as Guy — cannot remember their meeting. But they increase exponentially when Bruno makes repeated appearances into Guy's life as he seeks to remind Guy that he is now obliged to kill Bruno's father, according to the bargain he thinks they struck on the train.

<--more-->
Bruno sends Guy the keys to his house, a map to his father's room, and a pistol. Soon after, Bruno appears at a party at Senator Morton's house and hobnobs with the guests, much to Guy's apprehension and Anne's increasing suspicion. He demonstrates how to strangle someone while preventing them from screaming: with his hands around his "assistant's" neck Bruno looks up and sees Anne's younger sister Barbara. Her eyeglasses and resemblance to Miriam trigger a flashback for Bruno to Miriam's slaying, and he loses control of himself and begins to strangle his subject. After a moment he faints, and the frightened party guests pull him off the hysterical woman. Young Barbara rushes to her sister and tells her, "His hands were on her neck, but he was strangling me." Anne puts together the facts of the crime and confronts Guy, who finally admits the truth.
<--more-->
Guy finally agrees to Bruno's plan over the telephone and creeps into Bruno's home at night. When he reaches the father's room he tries to warn the older man of Bruno's intentions, but finds Bruno waiting for him instead, now aware that Guy's sudden change of heart suggests betrayal. Bruno tells Guy that because he will not complete his end of the bargain, he should be blamed for the murder which "belongs" to him — so he will frame Guy for the murder of Miriam.
<--more-->
Anne visits Bruno's house to tell his mother (Marion Lorne) that her son is responsible for the death of a woman, but she does not believe Anne and fails to understand how dangerous her son is. Bruno overhears the conversation and lets Anne know that he has the lighter and plans to plant it at the scene of the crime during the night to implicate Guy. Anne reports back to Guy and the two devise a plan for Guy to beat Bruno to the scene of the crime after he finishes a tennis match that would be too suspicious for him to cancel.
<--more-->
Guy wins the tennis match but takes much longer than expected; likewise, Bruno is delayed when he drops Guy's lighter down a storm drain and must force his fingertips down the drain to recover it. Guy arrives at the park while Bruno is still waiting for sunset. The two men struggle on the carousel, which spins out of control and crashes after its operator is accidentally hit by a bullet from the police meant for the fleeing Guy. Bruno, mortally wounded in the crash, manages to tell the police of Guy's guilt, but the lighter is found clutched in Bruno's hand, finally exonerating Guy. An amusement park employee who remembered Bruno's previous visit confirms that Bruno was in fact the murderer.

Reunited with Anne on a train home, Guy is asked by a friendly clergyman seated near them if he is Guy Haines. Starting to reply, Guy, remembering this is the way ,Bruno started their fatal conversation, stops himself and quickly leaves the club car.
<--more-->
All the elements of a Hitchcock great are well on display here. The great camera angles, the sense of humor sprinkled throughout. The psychotic, charismatic antagonist and, of course, the overripe suspense that made Psycho and The Birds classic. If you have had an aversion to older films, why not let go of that prejudice and check this film out.

Merry Christmas from DBH

2011-12-25T00:44:00.000-06:00

From all of us at Dollar Bin Horror to all of you, the Reapling Nation, Merry Christmas. Don't be naughty!

The First Official Trailer for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is Released!

2011-12-22T07:10:00.000-06:00

Now I know this isn't really horror related, but if you know me, you know I am one of the BIGGEST Lord of the Rings nerd on the planet, so it only seems right to share my excitement with all of you. It's been 10 years since the last LOTR film was released, and we the fans have been waiting for Peter Jackson to FINALLY make the prequel, The Hobbit. Jackson is currently filming The Hobbit, which will be released in two films and the first of which is to be released December of next year and the second in 2013. I cannot wait for this film to come out, and the epic first trailer has made it that much harder! Now even though it's not horror, I will be covering news about the film here on DBH (because dammit I can!) and I hope that at least some of the readers are as pumped as I am about this film! So without further adieu, The trailer:

Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments:#69-Re-Animator(1985)

2011-12-21T10:29:00.000-06:00

By Eric Polk-

Gasp! I'm actually reviewing a horror film for the first time in weeks! And, to top it off, it's one of my father's faves!

At Zurich University Institute of Medicine in Switzerland, Herbert West brings his dead professor, Dr. Hans Gruber (Al Berry), back to life. There are horrific side-effects, however; as West explains, the dosage was too large. When accused of killing Gruber, West counters: "I gave him life!"
West arrives at Miskatonic University in New England in order to further his studies. He rents a room from medical student Dan Cain and converts the building's basement into his own personal laboratory. There is an instant animosity between West and faculty member Dr. Carl Hill.

West declares that Hill stole the theory of brain death from Dr. Gruber, West's mentor. Dan discovers that West has re-animated his dead cat, Rufus, with a glowing reagent. West recruits Dan as his partner in research to defeat death. Dan's fiancee Megan dislikes West, especially after discovering Rufus re-animated in a state of dismemberment.
Hill manages to turn Dr. Halsey, the school's dean and Megan's father, against both West and Dan. Barred from the school, the two sneak into the morgue to test the reagent on a human subject in an attempt to salvage their medical careers. The revived corpse goes on a rampage, attacking them. Halsey stumbles upon the scene and, despite attempts by both West and Dan to save him, is killed by the corpse. Armed with a bone saw, West dispatches the reanimated cadaver. Unfazed by the violence and excited at the prospect of working with a freshly dead specimen, West injects Halsey with the reagent. Halsey returns to life, but in a zombie-like state.

Hill discovers West's work and gains guardianship over Halsey, whom he puts in a padded cell adjacent to his office. Dan and Megan break into Hill's office where they find evidence that Hill is obsessed with Megan and has lobotomized her father. Hill has gone to confront West in his basement lab and threatens to blackmail him to continue his research so that Hill can take credit for West's reagent. While Hill is distracted, West decapitates Hill with a shovel. Overcome with curiosity, West re-animates both Hill's head and body. While West is questioning Hill's head and taking notes, Hill's body knocks him unconscious. The body carries the head and steals West's reagent, returning to Hill's office.

Exercising mind control over Halsey, Hill sends him out to kidnap Megan from Dan.
West and Dan track Halsey to the morgue, where they find Hill's body holding his head in a compromising position over a restrained Megan. West distracts Hill while Dan frees Megan. Hill reveals that he has re-animated and lobotomized several corpses from the morgue to do his
bidding. However, Megan manages to get through to her father, who fights off the other corpses long enough for Dan and Megan to escape. In the ensuing chaos, Halsey is torn to pieces by the corpses after he destroys Hill's head and West injects Hill's body with what he believes is a lethal overdose of the reagent which began to destroy Hill's body. Hill's body mutates horribly and attacks West, who screams out to Dan to save his work as he continues fighting.

There's nothing more I can praise about this film that hasn't been done by other reviewers. It's gory, funny, and disturbing(the decapitated head and the naked daughter of the dean, for example). If you're a fan of H.P. Lovecraft, the short story the movie is based is, of course, less campy, more heady. Nevertheless, this is an excellent movie based on an even more excellent story.

On the Next Episode of DBHR....

2011-12-20T12:12:00.000-06:00

By Eric Polk-

It's that time! Time for our first ever Christmas party/show on this week's episode of DBHR. Join us as Rhonda, Brandon, and Eric discuss their favorite yuletide horror films and who knows what kind of trouble they'll get into. Plus, production designer Royce Mathew(Creepozoids, Sorority Babes in the Slime-Bowl-A-Rama) will be our special guest. The party is open to all of you by calling us at 1-877-552-4073 tomorrow at 8 pm EST.

Dollar Bin Horror

Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight - She Devils A Go Go

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It Came From Netflix:Let Me In(2010)

On the Next Episode of DBHR......

Dollar Bin Book: Horrorscopes: A Little Book of Misfortunes by Lucien Edwards

Dollar Bin Horror Re-Visits:Friday the 13th Part V-A New Beginning(1985)

Dollar Bin *Censored*: Why I Hate *Censored*

On the Next Episode of DBHR....

Win a "They Live" Tshirt from Tshirtbordello.com!

Dollar Bin Horror Book Review:11/22/63

Dollar Bin Horror Spotlight - Rage (Review and Interview with Christopher R. Witherspoon)

On the Next Episode of DBHR....

Dollar Bin Horror "Why did I plunk down good jack?" Splurge of the Week:The Devil Inside(2012)

Dollar Bin Horror Review:Massacre at Central High(1976)

DBH Re-visits:Freddy vs. Jason(2003)

On The Next Episode of DBHR....

Happy New Year!!!!!

Dollar Bin Horror Review:The Mutilator(1985)

Win 2 Killer Texas Chainsaw Massacre Shirts from Tshirtbordello!

On the Next Episode of DBHR.....

Dollar Bin Horror Review:Strangers on a Train (1951)

Merry Christmas from DBH

The First Official Trailer for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is Released!

Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments:#69-Re-Animator(1985)

On the Next Episode of DBHR....

Dollar Bin Censored: Why I Hate Censored