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August 31, 2011

Movie Review: I Sell the Dead (2008)

IFC Films has been coming out with some very interesting genre pieces as of late and I Sell the Dead is not the least among them. Very slick, written and directed by Glenn McQuaid, I Sell the Dead is a fun little romp through 18th Century England. Dominic Monaghan (Lost, The Lord of the Rings), Larry Fessenden (The Last Winter, Wendigo, Habit), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Alien 3) and Angus Scrimm (Phantasm 1-4) star in this period piece on a budget. More comedic than scary, I Sell the Dead appears to be a loving homage to the Hammer Film. I’m a huge Hammer Film fan and, therefore, I enjoyed it. It might not be up everyone’s alley, but I’ve learned that what I like is what I like… the rest of you can suffer.

Buy I Sell the Dead on Blu-Ray and DVD!

August 30, 2011

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! BONUS Uncut Interview with The Uh-Oh Show producer Andrew Allan

Back in July, Kevin Moyers and Jeff Dolniak talked with The Uh-Oh Show producer Andrew Allan about working with legendary director Herschell Gordon Lewis and many other things.

The interview was cut for time to fit our usual podcast, but since The Uh-Oh Show is being released today, we decided to post the entire conversation. Andrew was a great guy and fun to talk to. We hope the movie does well, because it's fun and gory.

Get The Uh-Oh Show on DVD


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

Movie Review: Redneck Zombies (Tromasterpiece Collection, 1988)

Directed by Pericles Lewnes

Buy Redneck Zombies on DVD

Whether it’s present cinema or back in the late 80’s when the no-budget splatter romp, Redneck Zombies was produced by pals, Pericles Lewnes (also Director) and Ed Bishop, you can’t deny the complexity of getting your film released being a low-budget filmmaker. It isn’t a mystery, Redneck Zombies is a classic of sorts and quite groundbreaking at the same time being a shot-on-video movie to amass a surprisingly vast audience. Before locking up with Troma for a video distribution deal over twenty years ago, Bishop and Lewnes had plenty of doors slammed in their faces. Production companys basically thought that a feature length film on video wouldn't fly. Only pornos were really shot-on-video, not a horror film. Redneck Zombies and it's crew persevered though. What do Lewnes and Bishop have to show for it? How about a new 20th anniversary special edition for the new Tromasterpeice collection of their magnum opus, Redneck Zombies? That’s right, Redneck Zombies!

Redneck Zombies' plot is very simple and akin to the Troma offerings in the late 80’s with it’s toxic waste infused plot. A group of country-folk becomes flesh-eating, gut-chomping undead monsters when some toxic waste gets mixed in with their beloved moonshine. The acting is abysmal but it really doesn’t matter as much of it appears intentional anyway. These are essentially cartoon characters that have come to life. That said, a few of the characters completely stand-out amongst the movies biggest draw – the non-stop gore. I personally loved the performance of one plus -sized redneck, Ferd Mertz (Henry Dicker, AKA Becky Santini). Dicker is gigantic in size but shows in equally strong ability to “eat up” every second of scream time. Amazingly, Dicker has shed more than half his weight since production, which you’ll notice in the bonus features.

August 29, 2011

Cinematic Hell: Maniac (1934)

by Hal Astell

Director: Dwain Esper

Star: Bill Woods

Buy Maniac on DVD

There are exploitation films that surprise because of what they are or what they contain, and then there are exploitation films that continue to surprise so much that the most surprising thing of all is that they're not far more famous than they are. This little picture from Dwain Esper pulls out all the stops, with almost everything you could possibly imagine from exploitation cinema except garish colour, all stuffed into a mere 51 minute running time. What's more it was released in 1934, which seems unbelievable given some of the things that go on, though others are admittedly staples of thirties horror. Sourced primarily from Poe, it was ahead of Roger Corman by a quarter of a century. The eyeball eating scene feels like it should be in a Fulci movie half a century later. The personal take on zombies is a very modern one that writers are only now starting to get back to, three quarters of a century later. Talk about ahead of its time. Every 25 years someone catches up to something else in this film.

August 28, 2011

Exclusive Clip from Predatory Instinct! New Horror Available 9/6!


Freaks and fiends of the Cheese! Here is an exclusive clip from the upcoming Midnight Releasing DVD... Predatory Instinct! Available on 9/6 everywhere and you can even pre-order here:

Buy Predatory Instinct on DVD!

Ready it? Naw, we didn't think so.

Movie Review: Once Upon a Time in 1972 (2011, Short Film)

When we met Chris and Anne Lukeman at Wizard World Chicago with their big robot star Bruce, I noticed something about them. There was a great deal of hope and enthusiasm. It's something that you see early on at the independent level, and it's something that can fade in the wake of the struggle that comes with the dream of entertaining. I hope that never happens here, because I think the Lukemans have something very special to share.

Once Upon a Time in 1972 moves quickly and delivers big. For some reason, a man with a crazy winged suit run by giant floppy discs encounters a robot from some sort of a wormhole in the sky, and he is forced to do battle. It's told in flashback from his point of view while his partners help him mend his wounds.

Movie Review: @Home Idol: Moe Takahashi (2012)

Starring Moe Takahashi

We have Happy Chicken Studio to thank for bringing all of us here in The West this little slice of Asian comfort food known as the “Pink Film.” And what is a Pink Film, you might ask.....well a Pink Film is basically PG-Rated porn with no nudity. It's based on the premise that there is nothing hotter then watching an 18 year old girl in panties and a tank top cavort around the house fondling kitchen appliances and various other housewares. (Personally, I really can't argue with the logic behind this.)

August 27, 2011

Eats & Drinks Review: Guinness Black Lager

Football season is upon us, and what better beverage can there be this time of year than beer? It's definitely something you can sit back and enjoy with friends while you discuss how you would coach your team better than the guy getting paid to do it. When people think of relaxing beers, most people don't jump to Guinness. I always do.

Find Guinness merchandise on Amazon.com

On a recent trip to Chicago, I stopped off with my brother-in-law to grab some beer. As I walked along the coolers, I noticed something unusual. There was a six pack of Guinness with silver labels. I grabbed it immediately. This was new, and I needed to try it. It was called Black Lager. Lucky for me, I found a store that was selling it before it's release date, which is September 1st.

August 26, 2011

Movie Review: The Puppet Monster Massacre (2011)

You know all those movies about people staying in a haunted house to win money for making it through the night? You know, anything from House on Haunted Hill to H20. Those movies are usually not good. Somehow, the makers of The Puppet Monster Massacre thought that making this kind of movie with puppets would somehow make it good. It didn't. Not one little tiny bit.

Buy The Puppet Monster Massacre on DVD

I like alternative ideas. When I heard of this movie, I looked forward to reviewing it. A killer puppet monster just sounds like fun. Even the picture of it is pretty interesting. It all adds up to some good anticipation for me. Unfortunately, this movie runs a little to long... by about seventy minutes.

August 24, 2011

Movie Review: Norwegian Ninja (2010)


The “Ninja” film was a pretty popular subgenre during the mid 1980’s. Something about the mysterious shuriken-chucking, sword-slashing men in black captivated action film audiences. Sho Koshugi (Pray For Death, Revenge of the Ninja) along with Michael Dudikoff (American Ninja) were probably the biggest names to put on the garb of the ancient Japanese assassins. Now, you can add the name Mads Ousdal to the mix of actors to play a ninja. He isn’t like any of the other ninjas that you’ve seen – he’s a Norwegian Ninja!

Buy Norwegian Ninja on DVD or Watch it Instantly

Ousdal plays real-life Cold War traitor, “Arne Treholt” in writer/director Thomas Cappalen Malling’s oddball spy/ninja/Cold War feature, Norwegian Ninja. Let me tell you folks, Norwegiean Ninja is unlike any ninja film I’ve ever seen. This is a good thing though, as it’s actually a very clever and humorous little film. Malling’s movie is a fictional account of Treholt where he’s a "master ninja" who trains and leads a group of ninjas known as the “Ninja Elite Forces” .

Movie Review: Fierce Friend (2010)

FIERCE FRIEND is one of those thrillers that takes a normal, every day kind of relationship and gives it a dark twist by making one of the participants a psychopath. Movies like THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, THE CRUSH, THE STEPFATHER and even THE BAD SEED all come to mind as examples of this kind of story. I liked this modest entry into the sub-genre, which emphasizes character and performance over thrills and grue.

Buy Fierce Friend on DVD or Watch it Instantly

The story concerns two boyhood friends, Patrick and Bobby. Patrick is a shy loner who is befriended by popular, out-going Bobby at a young age. Later, as adults, they share a house as Patrick pursues his acting career. But then comes April, Bobby's girlfriend, who moves in with them. Patrick, whose whole life is centered around his friendship with Bobby, begins to feel threatened and, yes, jealous. Patrick starts a covert campaign to break the two up which leads to darker and darker levels of his obsession for his friend.

Contest: Win Battle Beyond the Stars on DVD!

How would you like to win a free copy of Battle Beyond the Stars on DVD courtesy of Shout! Factory?

It's simple and it's for Facebook friends only. Just like us on Facebook, then shoot us an email at cinemaheadcheese@yahoo.com and title it "I LOVE Roger Corman!" and you'll have a great chance.

Contest ends September 13th. Good luck!

August 23, 2011

Comic Book Review: The Clown & Tea Cup Show #2

One of the goals for me at Wizard World Chicago was to find some interesting indie comic books. Having worked on a few myself, I know what goes into getting them made. I think that's why I was so intrigued with the story behind The Clown & Tea Cup Show #2. Specifically the second issue. Why? Because the whole thing was written and drawn in twenty-four hours. I had to see what a book done so quickly would be like.

We start out with a clown named Cactus Joe and his robot brother, Broken Tea Cup. They are joined by a penguin named Pengy. Simple enough. A large breasted woman hires the trio, who also happen to be detectives, to find her husband, who she suspects is cheating on her. This leads our heroes into a world of chaos and craziness.

August 22, 2011

Movie Review: Pieces (1982, Grindhouse Releasing, Blu-ray)

For nearly twelve years Juan Piquer Simon's (Slugs, The Pod People, Supersonic Man) slasher film Pieces had floated around in public domain DVD hell ; mostly in shoddy unwatchable transfers. A few years ago Arrow Video and Grindhouse Releasing released the notorious bloodbath on special edition DVD. It's 2016, and now Pieces is receiving another release with exclusive extra features from Grindhouse Releasing on this amazing Blu-ray package. Why so much interest in such a gory, sadistic and stupid little film? For starters, it's immensely entertaining.


Pieces begins in 1942 (or is it 1982), where we see a young man putting together a puzzle of a naked woman only to be interrupted by his angry mother. The little fellow does what any disturbed child would do - plant an axe between his mother's cranium and continuing on with his puzzle. Fast-forward to the present day where a killer is on the loose - complete with a trench-coat and chainsaw - mainly targeting the women at a college. His goal : To put together the perfect women, piece by piece.

Cannibal Holocaust Coming to Blu-ray from Shameless Screen Entertainment September 26th!



THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FILM EVER MADE, NOW ON BLU-RAY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND FEATURING A BRAND NEW EDIT BY DIRECTOR RUGGERO DEODATO.
Described by Film Threat in a Five Star review as “excellent… legendary… there’s no other film like it… there never will be”, director Ruggero Deodato’s Cannibal Holocaust remains one of the most shocking and controversial films of all time. Now, for the first time ever and in association with Shameless Screen Entertainment, Deodato has revisited his classic of horror cinema to produce a brand new Director’s Edit of the film especially for its High Definition debut on Blu-ray.

Buy Cannibal Holocaust on Blu-ray from Amazon UK!


August 21, 2011

Deadly Spawn: Millennium Edition Blu-ray Coming this January from Elite Entertainment!


Deadly Spawn: Millennium Edition

They Came to Earth to Feed on Human Flesh!

List Price: $19.95

Street Date: 01/24/12

Two campers in the New Jersey woods have their outdoor fun interrupted by the arrival of a meteorite crashing nearby. They go to investigate the crater, but are suddenly attacked and devoured by alien parasites who have hitched a ride to Earth. After finishing off the campers, the hungry space monsters head for a nearby town, where they make their domain in the basement of an old house soon begin polishing off one hapless inhabitant after another. Four young teenagers, plus one pre-teen boy, try to find a way to stop the angry space monsters before they reproduce and literally eat humanity.

Bonus Materials

•Commentary, still gallery, casting footage, gag reel, theatrical trailer & TV spot, enhanced opening scene, television review footage and more!

Wizard World Chicago Interview: Kelly G. from Motor City Dolls


One of the many interesting characters we found at Wizard World Chicago in 2011 was Kelly G. She owns a website called Motor City Dolls, so fellow Michigonian, or Detroitian... Michigoon? Either way, David Hayes talked to her about her entrepreneurial ventures and her participation in the infamous Charlie Sheen comedy tour.


August 20, 2011

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #11 at Wizard World Chicago

It's a few days late, but there was plenty of video to go through this month, as David Hayes and Kevin Moyers head to Chicago for the Wizard World Comic Con. They interview many costumed heroes, a few other interesting people, and David's all time favorite comic book artist, Faust's Tim Vigil.

David also gets into an all out wrasslin' style war with former wrestler Virgil, and he enlists the help of some familiar folks.

Don't forget to check our YouTube channel for more from our trip, including artist Edmond Lee, the folks at Kill Vampire Lincoln Productions and Kevin's fanboy moment interviewing Ghost Rider creator Gary Friedrich.

As always, this month's podcast is sponsored by Health First Chiropractic. Please support our sponsor. We are thankful to have them on board.


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

Movie Review: Exotic Malice (1981)

In previous reviews of Joe D'Amato's films, I've professed great admiration for the Italian king of Euro-sleaze. Don't get me wrong, some of his films are absolute shit and tremendously boring (See Sexy Pirates) but even the most watery of D'Amato's turds contain some elements to please cinematic sadists - like myself - to relish. Exotic Malice is yet another rare filthy pastaland porno from Joe that was made around the same time he did Sex and Black Magic and Porno Holocaust. Porno actor, Mark Shannon, often appeared in D'Amato's early 80's sex films - here though he's the star along with Anthropophagous himself, George Eastman. Shannon's famous for blowing loads but infamous for performing in sex scenes with a horrible case of genital warts on his sack. The infamous warts are unfortunately present here in Exotic Malice. Does that ruin the film? Let's have a look.

Buy Exotic Malice on DVD

August 19, 2011

Movie Review: The Tell-Tale Heart (1960) / The Oval Portrait (1972)

The Tell-Tale Heart, Directed by Ernest Morris

The Oval Portrait, aka One Minute Before Death, Directed by Rogelio A. Gonzales

Independent Cinema has unearthed two obscure horror programmers, based on the stories of Edgar Allen Poe, sure to delight fans. Both are highly entertaining for different reasons. Significantly, one was made before the Roger Corman-Vincent Price cycle -- The Tell-Tale Heart, lensed in Great Britain, the other as the cycle was ending, The Oval Portrait, filmed in Mexico with English speaking actors.


Buy Tell-tale Heart, The/the Oval Portrait Double Feature!


Movie Review: Dahmer vs. Gacy (2011)

Being the resident forensic psychologist (not kidding) over here at the Cheese, I was eminently qualified to review this film. Now, we have to realize that I’m still in school and, therefore, still learning this stuff but I have a fascination with serial sexual murderers. Like Billy the Kid and Jesse James were intriguing in the Old West, serial killers are our new aberrant fascinations. Morbid, lacking in any subtlety… the public has their ear to the ground just waiting to hear of the exploits of a new serial killer. We should probably give our serial killer definition before moving on: a murderer who kills a minimum of three people with a cooling off period between each kill. This is different from, say, a mass murderer (like those Colombine freaks who do it all on one spot) or spree killer (like Richard Speck who travels and kills one after the other). What we are dealing with here, though, is Ford Austin’s Dahmer vs. Gacy. He gets some of it right, some of it wrong and, most of all, the film is a lot of fun. Except for my giant pet peeve. A clown-faced, well-marbled, morbidly obese pet peeve. We’ll get to that.

Buy Dahmer Vs. Gacy on DVD or Dahmer vs. Gacy on VOD!

Cinematic Hell: Zontar, the Thing from Venus (1966)

by Hal Astell

Director: Larry Buchanan

Star: John Agar

Buy Zontar, the Thing from Venus on DVD

Any dabbler into Cinematic Hell knows that the modern trend of remaking bad films into even worse films is hardly a new one. Back in the sixties Larry Buchanan built something of a name for himself by doing precisely that when American International Pictures decided to sell material to fledgeling television companies eager to pad out their late night scheduling. The company still owned the scripts to a number of old black and white Roger Corman movies they'd released, so they hired Buchanan to remake them for a television audience. Unfortunately Buchanan had only a third of the budget Corman had to work with, which was hardly substantial to begin with, and he had to shoot in colour too. No wonder these films are awful. He churned out eight TV movies for AIP, half of which were Corman remakes and half of which I've seen. This remake of Corman's It Conquered the World is by far the worst thus far.

August 18, 2011

Sex Kitten with a Whip: Nico B.'s Bettie Page: Dark Angel






The black-bob bangs, kittenish sexuality and near-perfect figure that was Betty Page is an image that has become iconic for multiple generations and alternative groups. Rockabilly retros, hipsters, punkers, S&M enthusiasts and pin-up fans alike all love Betty and really, who couldn't? A delight on screen and print, jubilant no matter how weird or absurd the set up, her story is one that has been shrouded with some degree of mystery. Who was really the girl behind the red lipped smile and black cone bra?

Movie Review: Bloodlust Zombies (2010)

By Travis G.

D: Dan Lantz

Porn stars and zombies oh my...
Zlantoff industries is secretly developing a VC42B virus for the military which turns the infected into.. as you can guess judging from the films title….blood-lusting zombies. After an accident the dreaded VC442B virus has infected the facilities and the entire building is set to lock-down mode leaving the staff not only realizing they have to work late but now have to deal with the zombies er neo-zombies are rampant in the laboratory.

Buy Bloodlust Zombies on DVD

Wizard World Chicago: Manscaping with Deadpool


David Hayes and Kevin Moyers run into Deadpool, and no, he's no Ryan Reynolds. Deadpool gives us some tips for wearing spandex.

Find Deadpool on Amazon.com

Wizard World Chicago: Black Cat Scratch Fever

David Hayes interviews yet another costumed attendee of Wizard World Chicago. Black Cat was a little shy, but she shared her true feelings about Spider-Man.

Find Black Cat on Amazon.com

August 17, 2011

Wizard World Chicago Interview: Tim Vigil


David Hayes has a huge fanboy moment when the creator of his favorite comic book takes a few minutes for an interview in the midst of Wizard World Chicago. Tim Vigil was great, and he shared the possibility of a future for his beloved book Faust.

Find Tim Vigil on Amazon.com

August 16, 2011

Movie Review: The Funhouse (1981, Blu-ray)

When Tobe Hooper's macabre creation The Texas Chainsaw Massacre rattled audiences throughout the world in 1974, you would have thought that by now, 37 years later, he would have resume of work that was among the greatest directors in horror. That's unfortunately not the case as the often maligned talent could rarely hold onto some of the film opportunities given to him after The Texas Chainsaw Massacre's success. The Funhouse (1981) was one of a handful of Hooper's successes - though not without it's flaws - to make an impact on the genre. Arrow Video is handling the duties of presenting one of Hooper's finer outings on Blu-ray. Does it hold up like it did upon its release back in the 80's?

Buy The Funhouse on Blu-ray at Amazon UK!

August 15, 2011

Movie Review: Robot Ninja (1989)

by David Hayes

Ok. Now, the staff over here at Cinema Head Cheese have seen some real crapfests in our collective times. The nuances of Mr. Ed Wood, the jiggly soft-core porn from the Stephen Apostolof factory and the crap regularly churned out by Fred Olen Ray among numerous others. Nothing in the world can prepare you for the horror known as J. R. Bookwalter: producer, writer, director and actor without peers, or friends. Before we go into that, let's look and see what the movie was about. Presenting... the "plotline" for Robot Ninja.

Buy Robot Ninja on VHS (Yes, VHS!)

Michael Todd plays a comic book artist (whom nobody here can remember the name of) that draws a popular character called Robot Ninja who is a...ummm, well a robot ninja. This Robot Ninja dispatches bad guys with abnormally long talons and a bevy of weapons like black clothes, slippers and a facemask. The artist is upset at the treatment of his character in a new, hit TV show that is accused of being really campy. The comic book artist wants the show to take on the more violent overtones, grim bloody deaths and general lack of story that is popularized in the comic. The artist promptly complains to his publisher, Burt Ward, who... wait. Burt Ward? Do you mean TV's Boy Wonder, foil to Adam West and all-around 60s hearthrob? Yes, gentle reader, the same Burt Ward who played Robin on television. As usual here at the offices, not a single one of them believed me until they saw it for their own eyes. Moving on. Blah, blah, blah the artist sees a violent rape and has his friend, Dr. Goodknight, makes a Robot Ninja suit that shows off Michael Todd's complete and total lack of superhero muscles or any kind of physique whatsoever. Robot Ninja kills a few people for "justice" gets labeled unfairly as a vigilante by the police and finally blows his own brains out. I cheered.

August 14, 2011

Movie Review: Joy

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Movie Review: Nowhere To Run (1993, Blu-ray)


During the late 80's Jean Claude Van Damme gradually rose to fame with the popular martial arts films, Bloodsport and Kickboxer. It wasn't too long after both these titles hit that the "Muscles from Brussels" became one of the most sought after action film commodities in Hollywood. Van Damme would maintain a steady stream of hit films (Double Impact,Death Warrant and Lionheart), never really smashing box-office records but filling his pockets up enough to have the action star mantra. Nowhere to Run, while it is an action film, was somewhat of a departure to his straight forward beat-em ups.

Buy Nowhere To Run on Blu-ray and DVD

The Private Afternoons Of Pamela Mann Coming to DVD on August 22nd from Video-X-Pix!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

August 13, 2011

Movie Review: More than Sisters

Probably one of the more interesting places to set the backdrop for a vintage fuck-film would have to be in a run-down mental hospital. Shaun Costello's, More Than Sisters takes full advantage of this very idea. Costello, the director of such porn classics as Dracula Exotica, That Lady From Rio, Fiona on Fire and of course, the incomparable Waterpower also takes on the role of John Bollinger, an unconfident guy with coke-bottle thick spectacles, whose very concerned for his wife, Susie Bollinger (Lynn Stevens). Susie seems to be flipping out because of an onslaught of sexually charged dreams. Leave it to Dr. Allan Bannister (Jamie Gillis) to help rectify the situation with his own brand of medicine. This hospital , as you'd expect, isn't your average medical facility: The doctors fuck the nurses, the nurses straddle the patients, the patients suck off all of the above. No doubt, sexual healing is the best kind of "therapy".

"Pieces" Coming To DVD From Arrow Video!



“A MASTERPIECE OF EARLY 80s SLEAZE.” – ELI ROTH, DIRECTOR OF “HOSTEL” AND “CABIN FEVER”.

From cult Spanish exploitation king, director Juan Piquer Simón (Slugs; Monster Island), comes Pieces, a brilliantly perverse 80s slasher starring Christopher George (The Exterminator; City Of The Living Dead), Lynda Day George (Beyond Evil; Mission: Impossible) and Jack Taylor (The Ninth Gate; Conan The Barbarian) that proves “you don’t have to go to Texas for a chainsaw massacre.”

Buy Pieces on DVD at Amazon UK!

Movie Review: Pandora's Mirror

For several years, I’ve been an admirer of adult film director Shaun Costello. Shaun is the talented creator of such 35 mm Porn classics as More than Sisters, Hot Dreams, Midnight Desires and the film I’m about to review for you Pandora’s Mirror – starring adult film legend Veronica Hart and the late-great Jamie Gillis. The strange thing is though, I never knew –up until a few years ago- that I was a fan of Costello’s work, because this mans name had never been attached to his productions. It was the year 2005 when a bootleg adult film company had exposed this. Costello was using numerous pseudonyms for his features - Warren Evans, Russ Carlson, Helmuth Richler, Nicholas Berland, to name a few – where he was able to maintain some degree of anonaminity. Now, thankfully, Costello’s films are receiving legitimate releases in the best possible quality –utilizing the only remaining masters- via the Denmark based company, Pink Flamingo Entertainment. More importantly though, all features are director approved, by Costello himself.

August 12, 2011

Wizard World Chicago: David Hayes and the Unlikely Hero Trio


Kevin Moyers and David Hayes represent Cinema Head Cheese on our very first press outing. On preview night at Wizard World Chicago, David interviews a trio of familiar heroes. How these three got together, we'll never know.

August 11, 2011

Movie Review: Bloody Reunion (2007)


It seems whenever I have the need for a quality, original slasher fix, I find myself exploring the cinematic body-count efforts from other countries . A few years ago, I'm sure many of you folks remember a vicious slasher film from France called High Tension, from director Alexandra Aja. High Tension was a film so truly "old school"- with it's unapologetic carnage and stand-out gore FX from Gianetto Derossi, that it surprised people like a backwards kick to the package. Like France, another area of the world that's beginning to make it's mark in the slasher sub-genre, is Korea. Thanks to Korea I've been exposed to yet another non-American slasher entry that makes many recent slashers here in the states, look like a Goosebump's episode. I know what some of you are saying ,what about Hatchet? Hatchet is a lot of fun… but IT'S a comedy!! Dae-woong Lim's, Bloody Reunion is about as funny as a baby in a blender and seriously gives High Tension a run for its money for being the best '80s slasher not made in the '80s, or in America for that matter. Tartan Video's, Tartan Asia Extreme line have added yet another "extreme" title to their library in the form of Bloody Reunion.

BUY BLOODY REUNION ON DVD

Norwegian Ninja Sneaks its way on to DVD August 30th from Dark Sky Films!



FROM THE PRODUCERS OF ‘DEAD SNOW’ (THE ‘CITIZEN KANE’ OF NAZI ZOMBIE MOVIES) COMES THE LATEST GENRE-BUSTING NORDIC TRIUMPH

NORWEGIAN NINJA

A Scandinavian Diplomat Becomes a Soviet Spy – or Is He Really His Country’s Most Kick-ass Patriot? This Wild Ride of a Movie Telling the (Somewhat) True Story of a Great Cold War Scandal Hits Dark Sky Films DVD on August 30, 2011

Buy Norwegian Ninja on DVD or Watch it Instantly

“Hilarious and menacing.” – The Wall Street Journal

Movie Review: The Burning Moon (1992)



German extreme gore seemed to be dominated by three splatter-loving directors when it was at its pinnacle during the late 80's and early 90's. You had the corpse-banging genius of Jorg Buttgereit (Nekromantik, Nekromantik II, Schramm), the Ed Wood-ian, lowest common denominator trash of Andreas Schnaas (The Violent Shit Trilogy, Anthropophagous 2000, Zombie 90) and my personal favorite of these three auteurs, Olaf Ittenbach (Black Past, Dard Divorce, Premutos). Another World Entertainment is giving Ittenabach's films brand-new releases that include today’s review of The Burning Moon.

Buy The Burning Moon on DVD


August 10, 2011

Movie Review: Evil Things (2011)



"Evil Things," written and directed by Dominc Perez, is an interesting entry in the hand held "reality" fright genre created by "The Blair Witch Project" and carried on -- with varying degrees of success -- by movies like "Cloverfield," "Quarantine," "Paranormal Activity" and "Monsters." This one is slickly made and well-acted and manages, at times, to generate a good deal of suspense. It also feels padded, is episodic and structurally awkward.

Buy Evil Things on DVD

Like "The Evil Dead" and many other low budget horror films, a groups of friends are on a road trip when the weirdness begins to happen. Miriam and her four friends Cassy, Mark, Tanya and Leo, drive to a remote house for a 21st birthday celebration. Leo, the aspiring filmmaker, videotapes everything, providing us with a visual document of the whole weekend gone awry.

August 8, 2011

The Exterminator serves up bad guys extra crispy on Blu-ray September 13th from Synapse Films.




JAMES GLICKENHAUS' FLAMETHROWING GRINDHOUSE CLASSIC

THE EXTERMINATOR!
THE MAN THEY PUSHED TOO FAR IS COMING FOR YOU—IN HI-DEF!
THE EXPLOITATION REVENGE CLASSIC BURNS ONTO BLU-RAY IN A
NEWLY REMASTERED UNRATED DIRECTOR'S CUT!

Christopher George, Robert Ginty, and Samantha Eggar star in THE EXTERMINATOR, James Glickenhaus' explosive story of Vietnam vet John Eastland (Ginty), a man who launches a bloody vendetta against the New York underworld when his best friend is brutally beaten by a vicious street gang. Eastland becomes a vigilante hero to the public, but to police The Exterminator is a psychopath capable of dangerously undermining an entire government administration.

Buy The Exterminator Blu-ray/DVD Combo


August 7, 2011

Necronos - Gory German Horror Coming Soon!



Macabre, gory and exceptionally violent, Germany's Infernal Films Led by the Rohnstock Brothers are about to thrust their new film NECRONOS onto the world. The film already has distribution deals in parts of the world waiting for release soon, while still looking for distribution companies to help it conquer the rest of the world.


Visit the Necronos IMDb page!

Movie Review: Ding Dong Dead (2009)


By Travis G.

D: Creep Creepersin

Doug, the odd neighbour you don’t want. Not the guy who you would call the police on if he ever showed up on your front door but the one you just don’t want to talk to at all. Conversing with him in any way just makes you uncomfortable. One night while out on a Slurpee run Doug comes across a group of women called the Ding Dong Ditchers. I’m not sure how old they’re suppose to be as one minute they’re out causing trouble at all hours of the night and then the next minute they’re meeting in a dollhouse filled HQ. With Doug lacking social skills, his first encounter with members of the gang naturally don’t go well. Taking offense to his less than charming ways the girls decide to screw with him. From there trouble starts to escalate for him but things go to hell for all when one of the members of the Ding Dong Ditchers goes missing and the rest of the gang decide to go after Doug.

Buy Ding Dong Dead on DVD

August 6, 2011

Arrow Video to Release John Russo's "Midnight" August 29th!



Affectionately described as “a greasy, grimy, and frequently unpleasant little nugget” by DVD Talk, writer-director John A. Russo’s sordid tale of young runaways, lecherous stepfathers and inbred Satanists, Midnight, comes to DVD for the first time in the UK, completely uncut.

Adapted by Russo (co-writer of “Night Of The Living Dead”) from his own novel, Midnight stars John Amplas (Day Of The Dead; Martin), Melanie Verlin (Monkey Shines) and Lawrence Tierney (Reservoir Dogs).

Buy Midnight on DVD at Amazon UK!

Alone on the road trying to hitch a ride to California to start a new life away from the unwelcome attention of her sleazy stepfather, Nancy hooks up with a pair of good natured petty crooks on a road trip to nowhere special. Things take a dark turn when they decide to camp out in the woods and her new friends meet an untimely end at the hands of a pair of backwoods cops.

Now, Nancy is in danger of being sacrificed to Satan himself by the wayward lawmen and their twisted siblings in an insane attempt to resurrect their mother’s mummified corpse.


August 5, 2011

Movie Review: The Death of Andy Kaufman (2011)

Andy Kaufman was probably the most unique comedian that ever lived. He was part comic, part character actor and part performance artist. I read Bob Zmuda's book, Andy Kaufman Revealed! Zmuda shared details of the kinds of pranks Kaufman would play. At one point, he wanted to fake his own death. Zmuda and the rest of Kaufman's friends told him that it was a terrible thing to do. Many think that Kaufman did it anyway. Director Christopher Maloney decided to research the possibility that Kaufman might still be alive.

Buy The Death of Andy Kaufman on DVD

August 3, 2011

Movie Review: The Secret of the Urn (aka Tange Sazen: Hien iai-giri, 1966)

By Greg Goodsell

Directed by Hideo Gosha

The first color film by acclaimed Japanese director Hideo Gosha, The Secret of the Urn will be mostly a letdown to most action-adventure fans. The plot is far too dense and complicated, in spite of the excellent subtitles that include all the historical nuances that may be lost on western viewers, and not enough action.

Buy The Secret of the Urn on DVD

Star Kinnosuke Nakamura begins the film as the ever-ethical samurai Samanesuke ordered by his leader to kill his best friend. The dutiful samurai challenges his friend to a duel in a show of respect, only to be ambushed and has his right eye gouged out and right arm lopped completely off. A year passes by, and Samanesuke has taken on the persona of Tange Sazen, a feared swordsman in spite of having only his left arm.

Movie Review: Buried (2010)

It's hard to know what you're really getting into with a movie like Buried. I only knew that the entire movie took place inside a coffin, and that it was supposed to be in real time. I couldn't imagine how much story could be dragged out of a guy trying to get out of an underground box. Thanks to one little prop, this movie was able to deliver suspense, drama and character development that I never expected.

Buy Buried Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack

Ryan Reynolds is an American contractor in Iraq who wakes up in a pine box underground. He has a Blackberry left by his kidnappers with a few other supplies. He has no food, no water, no air and no idea where he is. Through a series of phone calls, we learn about his life, how he got in the box and who put him there.

August 1, 2011

Movie Review: Stake Land (2010, Blu-ray)


Of all the sub-genres of horror, my least favorite has to be the "vampire" genre. Vampires just don't scare me. The sparkly bloodsuckers of the Twilight series haven’t helped things either. Near Dark is probably the last vampire film that I could actually call a horror film, but sadly, Near Dark is 24 years old. 24 years later, I'm balder, fatter and hungrier for a vampire film that isn't like the neutered shite I've been fed for so long. Might I have found the answer in Jim Mickle’s Stake Land?

Buy Stake Land Blu-ray, DVD or the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD