Giving an original take on the standard horror anthology, Hellzapalooza is the story of a music festival that raises hell, quite literally. Rather than a standard horror anthology that contains short stories based generally around a similar topic but not at all related to one another, this novel inserts these short stories into the overarching plot. Each story adds to the surroundings, and expands upon the horrific events that surround Hillzapalooza, the rock show gone wrong.

When an eccentric concert promoter decides to host ‘the next big event’ in Isabella, Missouri, there’s something far more menacing about it than a standard festival. The people of Isabella and neighboring town Theodosia are divided: will this bring a needed boost to their economy? Or will it just disrupt their peaceful town and corrupt their children? The Lion of Judah Church certainly thinks that the concert brings nothing but evil, and they intend to stand against it. But it’s not the church, but a local group of outcasts that come to see the true evil behind the upcoming festival, and have to band together to fight it.

The main story (written by Mark L. Groves) presents a cast of colorful, and mostly likeable characters, each with their own demons. It sets up an extensive backstory for the events that surround Hillzapalooza. All of the main characters attract some form of empathy, and are very thoroughly developed. At points it can be a little wordy, but the detail adds a great bit of depth to the story and to each character. When it comes to a climax, there are some seriously grotesque images and plenty of over-the-top chaos. It goes from suspenseful horror to gore fest quickly, and there seems to be an overlying comedic tone, whether intentional or not.

The short stories of Hellzapalooza go in different directions, but always tie themselves into the main setting. Joe Baric’s “Freshwater Dagon” takes the Lovecraftian idea of Dagon to the lake near Isabella when a group of young men in town for the concert pick up some local girls. Mark L. Groves’ “All You Need Is Love” sees a hippie’s horror story through the eyes of some passing visitors. John Erik Petersen’s “Fertile Ground” gives credence to the ‘creepy farm down the street’, and it may not be the farmer you have to look out for. Lisa Sheperd’s “Rock Royalty” takes a look at a pregnant woman on a search for her baby’s father, and her assurance that there is something unusual, and significant, about the baby. Andrew Rambo’s “Hot Bitches Hideaway” gathers one hell of a party hosted by a sleazy television (a la Girls Gone Wild) producer. A group of bikers take the Boss’s lead without question in Maddie McFadden’s “The Hunt”. And last but not least Laura Hardenbrook’s “Inspiration” presents the unsettling backstory of a popular local tattoo artist and his muse.

There are no bad stories in the mix, each is different and entertaining in its own way. In fact, it’s much like watching Creepshow. There are some that are more of a campy tone, like “Fertile Ground”, and some that are quite creepy at times, like “All You Need Is Love”. My favorite of the bunch has to be “Freshwater Dagon” though. What’s most impressive is how each story seamlessly ties into the overall tone of the novel. It all flows very naturally, and provides one hell of a great read as a whole.

My only critiques would be the tendency for a bit of wordiness at times, and the fact that certain areas and characters didn’t need as much time or attention as they deserved (Rayjay was entertaining, but didn’t require as much focus as he received in my opinion). That aside, Hellzapalooza is a thoroughly entertaining read. I highly recommend it, especially to cult horror fans and anyone who loves over-the-top anthologies like Creepshow. The book even has extras, like a description of each of the bands and a history of the real towns of Isabella and Theodosia.

Hellzapalooza – The Best Damned Rock Show Ever Jonny Dead

Pirromount Pictures, known for low-budget direct to video horror comedies like My Mom’s A Werewolf in the 80′s and 90′s, is looking to try their hand at a psychological thriller. From writer/director Mark Pirro (A Polish Vampire in Burbank, Nudist Colony of the Dead) comes a new thriller, Rage of Innocence.

From the Press Release:

Veteran filmmaker Mark Pirro writer/director of such cult classics as
“Deathrow Gameshow,” “Color-Blinded” and most recently “The God
Complex” is set to begin principal photography on a terrifying new
production entitled “Rage of Innocence.”

Pirro is known for his use of a drastically low budget (A Polish Vampire in Burbank was shot on less than $3000, and became quite popular on home video). He was certainly one of the early DIY filmmakers of the home video era. Now he’s looking to go in a different direction with this new film.

From the Press Release:

Departing from the comedic tone, a standard of Pirromount’s previous
features, this is their first venture into a psychological thriller. The movie
centers around a high school teacher Vincent Marsden played by John
McCafferty (“Deathrow Gameshow, “The God Complex”) who begins a
relationship with a female teacher. He soon discovers that his lover’s
teenage daughter Raven Sutton played by actress Stef Dawson (“Wrath,
“Shadow of the Monarch”) is psychologically unbalanced. Raven stops at
nothing to keep him from dating her mother. Her violent rage escalates and
spirals into a dangerous web of lies, deceit and ultimately forces him to
play her deadly game. It’s “Fatal Attraction” meets “The Crush.”

Among the rest of the booked cast is Chelsea Cook as Sharon Marsden, Keeshan Giles as Detective Kuchner, and Douglas Macpherson as Attorney Chet Neimano. Filming is set to begin summer of 2013, and we have a teaser poster below.

For more information follow Rage of Innocence:  On Facebook  |  On Twitter  |  Pirromount Official Site

Rage of Innocence Teaser Poster

Rage of Innocence Teaser Poster and Announcement Jonny Dead

When it comes to horror and cult fandom, documentaries tend to be one of the last things on most people’s minds. But for those of us who have delved into the great selection of horror and cult movie documentaries available, it can be just as enjoyable as watching the movies themselves. You’re also likely to find a decent amount of unfamiliar films that you’ll want to add to your ‘to be watched’ list.

Personally, I usually choose to watch a documentary that covers a genre, subgenre, or other segmentation as a whole, rather than documentaries that focus on single titles or franchises. That being said, there are plenty of great documentaries that focus on specific movies, so I’ve included a separate list of those below.

10 Best Horror and Cult Movie Documentaries

10.

 Screaming in High Heels (2011)

Screaming in High Heels addresses the scream queen era of the 80′s and 90′s, amid the switch from drive-in theaters to VHS home video. This change in the way people viewed movies was one of the most important evolutions in the film industry. It allowed for shoestring budgets and a vast increase in the quantity of movies available. This documentary focuses on the three leading scream queens of that era: Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, and Michelle Bauer. There are plenty of clips of the obscure films that these three worked on, together and separately. Fans of movies like Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers (1988), The Slumber Party Massacre (1982), and Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama (1988) don’t want to miss this entertaining look at that era and the people behind that type of film. But be warned, if you already have a lack of faith in modern horror, this documentary will only perpetuate that opinion.

9.

Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies is a light-hearted look at many of those movies that tend to be classified with a “so good it’s bad” label. The films discussed span a good 60 years, but the majority of the focus tends to be around the classic schlock of the 50′s and 60′s. It opens on clips from the classic Reefer Madness (1936) and mixes it with clips from a recording of the musical version live on stage. There’s a great focus on the influence that many of these ‘bad’ movies have had, despite their lack of traditional film quality. The title really does say it all, if you enjoy schlock horror and sci-fi, you’ll love this documentary.

8.

The American Nightmare (2000)

Despite the poster above, this is not a documentary about peeping toms or the resiliency of the press. The American Nightmare is an IFC documentary on the tradition of American horror films. There’s a focus on the influence that horror movies have had on society, but equally as much as horror has always reflected the current state of society or the direction it may be headed. There are some top-notch interviews and tons of great clips in this documentary that you won’t want to miss. And on a personal note, this was the first horror movie documentary I ever watched, and it definitely had a huge influence on my current state of complete obsession.

7.

Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011)

One of the unquestioned leaders of cult film is Roger Corman, who knows how to stretch just about any size budget into a money-making movie. Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel gives the inside look at Corman’s methods, and possibly madness.  It’s very interesting to hear the thoughts and stories of many of the cast and crew of Corman’s films. And of course there are plenty of clips from the vast collection of his body of work. Any cult film fan will find a lot to love about this documentary, and will learn a lot about Roger Corman, both the good and the questionable.

6.

Nightmares in Red, White and Blue (2009)

It’s probably safe to say that most people here in the States that may be just getting in to horror movies will find this documentary to be a perfect introduction. Seasoned horror addicts may not be introduced to anything they aren’t already aware of, but Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue is still a very entertaining look at American horror. It spans nearly a century of film history, and balances well. It’s also packed with some fascinating interviews from Larry Cohen, Mick Garris, George Romero, and plenty others. I must admit that though I’m personally not that much of a fan of most of his movies, Darren Lynn Bousman gives some incredible input during his interviews.

5.

Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

Going to Pieces details exactly what the title indicates: ‘the rise and fall of the slasher film’. There’s a good balance between addressing the popular slasher franchises like Friday the 13th  and Halloween while also bringing up the less popular slashers like Don’t Answer the Phone! and The Boogey Man. There are also some spectacular interviews with those at the forefront of the slasher boom (ie: John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Tom Savini), and a look at films that were precursors to the traditional slasher (like A Bay of Blood and Psycho). It goes without saying, but this an essential documentary for slasher fans. However, I must point out how disappointing the poster is.

4.

Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide (2010)

If you’ve delved deeply enough into the world of horror films, you’ve probably at least heard of the Video Nasties. Headed chiefly by social activist Mary Whitehouse, a list of films was compiled and tried under the Obscene Publications Act. Whitehouse coined the term ‘video nasty’ for the movies on that list. Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide takes a look at the social and political influences and results of that action, as well as the natural cult value that it added to each movie that was tried. It’s a truly fascinating documentary that is essential viewing for anyone interested in the Video Nasties.

3.

American Grindhouse (2010)

American Grindhouse is basically a concise history of exploitation films, segmented by sub-genre and time period. It ranges from the very beginning of film (because as pointed out in the movie, exploitation began with film itself) to modern day. There are so many movies featured and mentioned in this documentary that it’s nearly impossible to keep track of them on a single viewing, but that just means more for your ‘to watch’ list. Among the segments are some great looks at cautionary films, ‘nudie cuties’, ‘roughies’, splatter films, blaxploitation, and much more. Anyone with any form of interest in exploitation film will want to get a hold of this documentary as soon as possible.

2.

Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008)

Considered to be one of many sub-genres of exploitation film, ozploitation refers to trash cinema from Australia (basically horror, action, and erotic films). Not Quite Hollywood takes a detailed look at this slightly overlooked corner of cinematic history. It begins mainly with 70′s sex comedies and moves through the history of action films like Dead End Drive-In and Mad Dog Morgan and horror films like Patrick and Strange Behavior. I think it’s safe to say that, at least in America, most of these films (aside from Mad Max) are all but unknown. For an entertaining and truly fascinating documentary, and for a huge list of new movies to watch, make sure to give this one a shot.

1.

Machete Maidens Unleashed! (2010)

Although the title may not initially reflect it, Machete Maidens Unleashed! is a history of genre film in the Philippines. One of the most intriguing elements of this documentary are the stories about the cast and crew behind each movie. There were no health and safety regulations, so this was attractive to American filmmakers looking for a cheap place to shoot, but it also made for some crazy stories. For example, one of the statements that stands out in my mind is that stuntmen would just throw themselves off cliffs into water or light themselves on fire, run around until it hurt, and then douse the flames. What it allowed for was some vastly entertaining drive-in movies like The Big Doll House and Savage Sisters on a very small budget. Cult movie fans, do not miss this documentary.

Great film or franchise-specific documentaries

Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006)

The Halloween franchise is one of the most important in horror history, and this documentary gathers cast and crew to take a look back at the influence it had.

His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th (2009)

This is a great look at the extensive Friday the 13th franchise, with plenty of interviews from actors, directors, and fans.

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010)

This four-hour long documentary goes to extensive depths to cover what it aptly calls ‘The Elm Street Legacy’. There is no more information you will ever need on the Nightmare on Elm Street films.

Best Horror and Cult Movie Documentaries Jonny Dead

Let’s go ahead and kick off this new ‘weird music weekly’ column with a band that some of you may already be aware of. Melt-Banana is NOT a terribly obscure band. In fact they have a good 116,000 listeners on Last.fm. But to give you a point of reference, Metallica has over 2,300,000 listeners, whereas a common gauge of a really obscure band is under 2,000 listeners. Melt-Banana is well-known among the relatively small ‘noise rock’ genre that they fall into, but are by no means a popular band. Fans of weird music are generally aware of them however, because they are one of the most respected noise rock bands out of Japan.

Melt-Banana Bio

Vocalist Yasuko Onuki formed a band called Mizu while attending university in Tokyo. She quickly thereafter recruited guitarist Ichirou Agata who became a crucial part of the development of the group. Mizu went through a bass player and a drummer before Rika Hamamoto joined as the permanent bassist. Shortly after the band changed their name to Melt-Banana (or MxBx for short) and went forward. Since then they have released a total of 10 full-length albums, a pile of EPs, and appeared on plenty of compilation albums. The group has rarely had a steady drummer, and among at least ten different drummers, only two have been called official members. And a little interesting tidbit: one of their guest touring drummers was Municipal Waste’s Dave Witte.

Melt-Banana has become known for their live performances, due to their energy and hyperactive style of music. The group’s early albums (generally-speaking those from the 90′s) consist of sometimes as many as 30 short, punchy tracks. As a result, the studio recordings have been criticized as being inaccessible. Into the 2000′s though, they began writing longer tracks, and have released a couple live albums.

Photo by Kevin Littlefield [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Author’s Thoughts

I discovered noise rock in college, and found out about Melt-Banana through their contribution to the compilation album ”Dynamite With A Laser Beam: Queen As Heard Through The Meat Grinder Of Three One G”. After I purchased their first live album, “MxBx 1998/13,000 Miles at Light Velocity”, I was hooked.

Melt-Banana is easily one of my personal favorite bands of the genre (right up there with Holy Molar and The Locust), but among my circle of family and friends, no one else can tolerate them. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s the point of noise rock. Any kind of music will have it’s fan base, but mainstream genres are popular because they focus on widely accessible music, consonance, and melodic repetition. The two core fundamentals of punk ideology (which spawned the vast array of sub-genres that we have today like noise rock, post-punk, hardcore, crossover, etc.) are individualism and rebellion. So the point of the music that resulted is to maintain individuality and carve a niche while alienating oneself from mainstream thought.

All of their albums are great, but there is quite a difference between the 90′s albums and those recorded in the 2000′s. If the short tracks (sometimes under 30 seconds) don’t appeal to you right off the bat, give the later albums a chance (like “Cell-Scape”) and work your way backwards.

By the nature of the music, Melt-Banana isn’t for everyone. They’re definitely original, weird, and creative…which is everything that makes music good in my opinion. But check it out, and decide for yourself.

For More Info on Melt-Banana

Official Site  ||  On Facebook  ||  On Last.fm

Give it a listen

‘Sick Zip Everywhere’ Music Video

‘Shield Your Eyes, A Beast In the Well Of Your Hand’ Live with Dave Witte on Drums

8 Short Songs Live (in less than 3 minutes)

Weird Music Weekly: Melt-Banana Jonny Dead

The Blood Sucking Geek Podcast Episode 02 – Demons (1985)

In the Blood Sucking Geek Podcast Episode 02, Jonny and Blake talk about Lamberto Bava’s gory horror film, Demons (1985). They also discuss a few movies they’ve been watching recently (Blake recently watched Hitchock and Jonny watched Screaming in High Heels: The Rise & Fall of the Scream Queen Era). There’s a bit of talk about Jeff Hanneman’s recent death, a resulting binge of Slayer’s albums, and some other music they’ve been listening to. And there’s some discussion about Free Comic Book Day, the new release of Creepy issue #12, and the aliens vs zombies vs humans comic series The Colonized. Among the fun is the realization that both Blake and Jonny hate counting (and really suck at it), and that ever looming question: ‘why is the alphabet in that order?’.

WARNING: BONE-DRY HUMOR AND DUMB RANDOMNESS AHEAD

Listen to Episode 2

Download audio file (Blood-Sucking-Geek-Podcast-Ep-02.mp3)

Download Episode 02

Direct Download (Right Click and ‘Save Link As’): Blood Sucking Geek Podcast Episode 02

Subscribe to the Blood Sucking Geek Podcast: Blood Sucking Geek Podcast RSS Feed

What’s Mentioned?

Movies - Hithcock (2012)  |  Screaming in High Heels: The Rise & Fall of the Scream Queen Era (2011)  |  Alyce Kills (2011)  |  American Mary (2012)  |  Video releases found on the Upcoming Horror Movies page

Music – Slayer  |  Gama Bomb  |  Lich King  |  Yellow Machinegun  |  Mind of Asian

Comics – The Walking Dead  |  Creepy  |  Eerie  |  The Colonized

Episode 02 Notes

Demons (1985) Trailer

Demons on IMDb

Contact Us

Email – jonnydead [at] bloodsuckinggeek [dot] com

Or feel free to leave a comment below.

We are looking for guests for upcoming episodes!

The Blood Sucking Geek Podcast Episode 02 – Demons Jonny Dead

A good friend recently asked me what he should watch on Netflix because he and his wife wanted something scary.  I realized how many people would probably just want an easy list of the scariest movies on Netflix instant.  So for you horror regulars and for those of you who just want a scare once in awhile, here’s a list of the scariest films you can watch right now if you have Netflix.

Now it’s my belief that fear is one of the most personal of emotions, so ‘scariest’ is such a personal preference that opinions should vary greatly (and frankly I don’t even remember the last time a film actually scared me).  I’ll also note that I’m not a fan of ‘cheap’ scares, and prefer genuinely eerie and disturbing atmosphere rather than a loud noise and mirror gag.  So let me know what you think, but keep in mind this is ranked by ‘scary’ not by which ones are better films.

Netflix changes the movies that are available on instant view fairly often, so if you notice that one is no longer available please let me know so I can update the list!

Top Ten Scariest Movies on Netflix Instant – Updated May 2013

10.

Audition (1999)

Takashi Miike’s Audition is not a traditionally ‘scary’ movie.  But it is certainly one of the more effectively disturbing Asian horror films that you’ll run across.  One scene in particular has been repeatedly referred to as one of the most frightening scenes in horror history. So if you’re looking for an unsettling viewing experience, this a great place to start.  But I should probably add that this movie is not for those with weak stomachs.

9.

Dead End (2003)

Dead End caught me off-guard when I first watched it because it is hardly ever mentioned and seems to be almost entirely overlooked. Instead of a standard, bland horror film (like the poster may lead you to believe), it is a psychological horror packed with frights. It’s best to go into it knowing as little about the story as possible, and let it catch you by surprise.

8.

The Evil Dead (1981)

An absolute cult classic and the first in a trilogy. The Evil Dead has more horror elements to it and wasn’t saturated in dark comedy like the later two, so it certainly does have creepy elements. The atmosphere is powerful (which comes a lot from the setting), and the saturation of eerie elements adds up to quite the scary film. Personally, Linda’s laugh always gets to me.

7.

Pontypool (2008)

Pontypool provides tension that is rarely seen in modern horror films. The concept is mind-blowing. If you really let the concept sink in and you spend a little time thinking about it, it can be a deeply terrifying idea. It’s a bit of surrealism, a bit of zombies, and just enough depth to keep your brain working for awhile afterwards.

6.

The Omen (1976)

The Omen is well known not only among horror fans, but just about everyone. Most people with any interest in the genre have seen it. If you haven’t, this is another one of those superbly atmospheric films. There’s an incredible use of shadows and a deceivingly innocent villain. On top of that, the psychological aspects allow for the viewer’s own beliefs to compound the terror.

5.

 The House of the Devil (2009)

This next film continues right on with the atmosphere trend (can you tell I prefer it greatly to cheap scares?). The House of the Devil is a superb film by director Ti West that mimics the look and feel of 70′s and early 80′s horror. It’s a very slow build, but be patient, because once it gets going it doesn’t let up. The use of a steadily mounting sense of dread that comes to a fast-paced, intense finale gives The House of the Devil the ability to stick with you for a long while after it’s over.

4.

Nosferatu (1922)

Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. A perfect example and by far the creepiest portrayal of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ is Nosferatu.  This German silent film is one of the most important foundations for horror, and to this day still eerie as hell.  Although it might be a difficult watch for viewers who aren’t familiar with silent films, it is an absolute essential.

3.

Hellraiser (1987)

If there’s been too much atmosphere and not enough gore for you up until this point, Hellraiser will fix that. That being said, there is still enough tension built into the story that it will stick with you long after the credits roll. It wouldn’t exactly be fair to include several of the sequels on this list, but many of them are also available. Check out the first three at least.

2.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Rosemary’s Baby comes out high on the list in suspense, atmosphere, tension, and all of the elements that make a film scary. It’s psychological, with very little actually ‘shown’. The basic emotion and subtext of the film is that there is nothing more threatening than what is inside you (literally or figuratively). In my opinion, that applies to a horror film’s ability to scare you. When it comes down to it, your own imagination can frighten you more than anything you can be shown on screen (and if that’s not true, you need to do imagination exercises).

1.

The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter’s sci-fi horror masterpiece, The Thing, has some of the most frightening visuals ever created in film. For this and many other reasons, it often is recognized as one of the greatest horror films of all time. It’s also one of the scariest. It attacks safe zones, creates a feeling of isolation, and combines the right visual effects to create a truly horrifying movie even in this current time period of over-saturation of horror.

Scariest Movies on Netflix Instant – Updated May 2013 Jonny Dead

Obscurity – Amnesia Custom Story

Obscurity, a custom story for Amnesia: The Dark Descent, puts you in the role of a young man with haunted memories of the small village he grew up in. You return to the village as a young adult only to find it empty, and with signs of trouble. The doors and windows are boarded up and there are bloodstains all over the place. It seems like an abandoned village, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that someone or something is watching you. Through notes, journal entries, and your own memories, the heinous truth of the village begins to become clear.

Obscurity handles the scares very well, and doesn’t fall back on simple, cheap ‘jump-scares’. Instead, it develops the atmosphere with a strong story, and an eerie, isolated setting. It’s not as claustrophobic as the original Amnesia: The Dark Descent story because you are able to wander outside within the village and on a couple paths, but the initial feeling of comfort from being outdoors quickly fades. On the other hand, when things get going, there’s plenty of dark hallways and caves that house some seriously intense encounters. There’s a particular area that reminded me of one of the first parts of Penumbra: Overture (Frictional Games first game).

The creatures in Obscurity are pretty creepy, but aren’t really up to par with the original monsters in Amnesia. In fact, the awkward movement (which I assume was unavoidable because of game mechanics) makes them even less threatening. The concept for the creatures is definitely there, but it wasn’t the strongest element of this custom story. One of the impressive components is the full voice-acted script. It’s quite well written, and for the most part well voiced (aside from one or two characters).

Overall this is a superb custom story that builds a spectacular atmosphere and keeps the player involved in the story. I must admit my tendency to skim through or entirely skip ‘notes’ and other reading material in games, but that didn’t happen with Obscurity because each piece of reading added so much to the plot or atmosphere. And since the main reason people play Amnesia or any derivatives is for the fear element, this story has that in spades. Definitely give this custom story a shot.

Download ‘Obscurity’ From ModDB

Obscurity – Amnesia Custom Story Jonny Dead

The Blood Sucking Geek Podcast Episode 01 – Favorite Horrors

In this first episode of the Blood Sucking Geek Podcast, Jonny and Blake discuss their favorite horror movies. Then they take some time to talk about the Evil Dead remake and other upcoming horror movies, like Kiss of the Damned, Aftershock, and No One Lives. Among the news is the upcoming release of a new Troma box set, an announcement of new Scream Factory releases, and another upcoming release from Full Moon called Blood of 1000 Virgins.

Listen to Episode 1 right here!

Download audio file (Blood-Sucking-Geek-Podcast-Ep-01.mp3)

Download Episode 1

Subscribe to The Blood Sucking Geek Podcast for all future episodes here.

Coming up in Episode 02: Jonny and Blake are going to take an in-depth look at Italian horror film Demons (1985).

Have any ideas or suggestions? Comments? Questions? Please leave all your thoughts and feedback below! We’d love to know what you think about this first episode.

We’ll be looking for guests for future episodes, so if you would like to join us for an episode, either leave a comment or send an email to jonnydead@bloodsuckinggeek.com.

The Blood Sucking Geek Podcast Episode 01 – Favorite Horrors Jonny Dead

House of Whipcord (1974)

Pete Walker’s dark twist on a women-in-prison film, House of Whipcord, gives the exploitation sub-genre a bit of social commentary and a dark spin. When Julia, a young French woman, meets the referentially named Mark E. Desade (and even points out the obvious reference to the Marquis de Sade herself), she is lured unknowingly into a correctional facility run by an old, apparently senile, man and a self-appointed warden, Mrs. Wakehurst. Among the staff is Walker and Bates, who keep the prisoners in-line. However, this is not a prison for criminals of law, but rather a self-righteous attempt by those in charge to judge and imprison women on the basis of loose morality and sexual promiscuity. Once Julia is captured, she is immediately exposed to the strict punishment for any form of resistance when a woman is hung for an escape-attempt.

Ann Michelle (Virgin Witch, Haunted) is Julia, and despite an awkward and inconsistent French accent is a believable, desperate prisoner. The power-hungry matron, Mrs. Wakehurst, is played by Barbara Markham (The Lady Vanishes) and Justice Bailey, who seems more like a puppet to the women in charge, is played by Patrick Barr (The Flesh and Blood Show, The Satanic Rites of Dracula). Sheila Keith (The Confessional, House of Long Shadows) is Walker, the enforcer of sorts. Those who have seen Frightmare (1974) should instantly recognize her as the leading crazy killer. In House of Whipcord, she is more of a foreboding executioner, and gives a great performance that may be the highlighting role of the film. Dorothy Gordon

Despite a serious tone throughout, the movie opens with an amusing, ironic dedication: “This film is dedicated to those who are disturbed by today’s lax moral codes and who eagerly await the return of corporal and capital punishment….” It becomes quickly obvious that this is a sarcastic dedication (or a serious attempt to point out the problem with such an opinion), because the unquestionable ‘bad guys’ are extreme conservatives that believe in the enforcement of moral standards through corporal punishment.

Its dark tone and unflinching portrayal of reactionary extremism makes House of Whipcord one of Pete Walker’s strongest, and most unsettling, horror films. Although it can be lumped into the gamut of women-in-prison films, it stands out because of its serious, dismal tone. There is no real focus on action (it’s not The Big Doll House), but instead most weight on suspense and horror. There aren’t a lot of effects, but a great atmosphere and a fascinating plot that has a base in reality makes this a must see for fans of Pete Walker’s work.

House of Whipcord (1974) Jonny Dead

Atticus for the Undead

Hunter Gamble toils away in a small law office in Austin, Texas, defending marginalized people from a bigoted society and court system. His clients represent a new lower stratus of America: they are zombies, witches, and other creatures that exist only in fiction. But since an event referred to as “The Unveiling,” which took place about a dozen years before the action of the book begins, everyone knows that supernatural creatures exist. Except only jerks call them supernatural, because that is now a pejorative. Advocates call them “arcanes.” And these newfound social outcasts even have to worry about a Westboro Baptist Church style protest group in the universe of this tale, an organization known as the Salvation Alliance. Along with his socially awkward assistant, Kirsten, and a reluctant young client-turned-employee, Sabrina, Hunter must defend a zombie named Sam from a murder charge while both sides of the argument seek to make Sam into a political symbol.

I find Atticus for the Undead to be a fun, fast read, and also something that is almost as rare as the arcane creatures it depicts: decent social satire that isn’t too preachy. Author John Abramowitz displays buckets of creativity, especially when it comes to the last few chapters and the ending. He does not go for the expected conclusion, and I thank him for that. If I have any criticism, it is that sometimes the characters don’t seem well-developed enough for the highly emotional confrontations they proceed to get into, which makes me feel slightly embarrassed, like I’m watching someone I don’t know well enough reveal too much about themselves too soon. Also, the To Kill a Mockingbird references are laid on a bit thick; all that is needed is to put the name Atticus in the title of a novel about a lawyer and we all will know who the author is talking about. Having said that, I find the characters to be sincere, which is refreshing in a world where everyone tries too hard to seem cynical, and if the pace of character development is too quick for me as a reader, it makes this novel perfect for a film adaptation. I’d love to see Abramowitz go the cinematic route with these characters, whom I genuinely have come to care about.

Atticus for the Undead Wednesday's Child