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January 31, 2012

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #33 - Disturbingly Funny

Jeff and Kevin welcome James DePaolo from WickedChannel.com to talk about the most disturbing movies they've ever seen from different genres.

Jeff gets into Pink Flamingos, Grotesque, My Way, Traces of Death and Back Door to Chyna.

James brings up Undocumented, Happiness, A Serbian Film, Necronos: Tower of Doom, Hostel, The Bunny Game, The Girl Next Door and Bloody Bloody Bible Camp.


Kevin discusses Kids, Dear Zachary, Last Tango in Paris, Antichrist and Into the Lion's Den.

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

Click on any of the links above to purchase at Amazon.com and support Cinema Head Cheese and Abnormal Entertainment!


January 30, 2012

Movie Review: Into The Lion's Den (2011)

Screeners from Breaking Glass Pictures generally have a genre printed across them. The screener for Into The Lion's Den said "gay suspense." I wasn't sure what that would mean, but I had expectations. Indie films that focus on gay characters tend to be about the characters dealing with their sexuality or dating and there will be a penis every twenty-seven minutes. It's just the way it is. Like most indie dramas, they are brimming with pretentiousness and usually try to force some ham-fisted point down your throat. This movie starts that way, but takes a turn you don't expect.

Buy Into The Lion's Den on DVD

Movie Review: Night Train Murders (1975)

I've always been a fan of Wes Craven's Last House on the Left. With that said, it's really not that great of a film, even though it's been branded a classic by numerous critics for nearly four decades. The popularity of Last House on the Left brought on the inevitable rip-offs. Aldo Lado’s Night Train Murders (aka The New House on the Left) has had this unfortunate moniker but in many ways it’s a much better more polished effort in nearly all aspects.

Buy Night Train Murders on Blu-ray or DVD

Laura (Marina Berti) and Margeret (Irene Miracle, Inferno) are heading home during the holidays by train. While on the in route the two young ladies bump into a couple scumbags, Blackie and Curly (played by Flavio Bucci and Gianfranco De Grassi) and a mysterious woman known only as “Lady on the Train”(Deep Red’s Macha Meril). After a bomb threat the train comes to a stop, everybody exits except the goons and the girls who are locked up in a dark train compartment. These guys perform all sorts a sadistic violence on these victims. The horror doesn’t stop there as both women perish at the hands of the killers following some pretty brutal abuse.


Movie Review: Run! Bitch Run! (2009)

Directed by Joseph Guzman

Starring Ivet Corvea, Cheryl Lyone and John Crow

Catherine and Rebecca are two Catholic school girls going door to door selling bibles to pay for their education. They make the unfortunate mistake of wandering into the sleazy town of Moseley, where they accidentally witness the murder of a prostitute by her pimp, a drug crazed biker named Lobo.

Buy Run! Bitch Run! on DVD

January 29, 2012

Movie Review: Porkchop (2011)

Over the years the "Backwoods" horror subgenre have brought many a cult film fan some fine entertainment without having to pack up any camping gear or eat dogs and beans off a fire. Rituals and Just Before Dawn come to mind as being top-notch representations; we've also had no-budget SOV schlock like  Back Woods and Cannibal Campout that aren't quite the most polished but bring out their own unique charm. Eamon Hardiman's Porkchop is much like the latter.


Movie Review: The Photon Effect (2010)

Written & Directed by Dan Poole

Starring Dan Poole Derek Minter and Brian Razzino

The basic plot: During a freak accident involving an experimental microwave antenna, two tower engineers gain superhuman abilities. While the powers they gain are similar, the paths they decide to take are not. Derek Powers wants to use his abilities to help others and to uncover the truth behind Randall Communications Incorporated (RCI), the company who designed the antenna. Meanwhile, Jay Powers secretly becomes part of the experiments performed by RCI, whose lead scientist, Tina Viccarini, is a former love interest of Jay. This series of events ultimately leads to the birth of a new superhero and super villain.

Buy The Photon Effect on DVD

January 28, 2012

Movie Review: Paganini (1989)

Directed By Klaus Kinski

Review by Greg Goodsell

Niccolò Paganini (1782 – 1840) was renowned Italian violinist who enjoyed a devoted female following in the manner of today’s popular musicians. So proficient was he at the violin, stories were rife that he had sold his soul for his musical skill. Other stories circulated on his notorious frugality, only owning one set of clothes that he kept in a violin case in spite of his many millions. Even more widespread were stories of his conquests with countless women, Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger sister among his bedpost notches. Noted cinema ham Klaus Kinski obviously found an affinity for the subject matter, and wrote, directed and starred in this biopic. A labor of love, Kinski rounded out his cast whose last names were Kinski as well. Not surprisingly the resulting film was as good as it sounded!

Buy Paganini on DVD

"The Shrine" Bleeds on to Blu-ray and DVD Courtesy of Arrow Films!


From award-winning filmmaker Jon Knautz, writer-director of the cult hit horror-comedy “ Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer”, comes The Shrine, “a wonderfully eerie slice of Lovecraftian horror” (BeyondHollywood.com) that sets itself up as a traditional genre entry before brilliantly and unexpectedly pulling the rug from beneath the viewer with a killer twist.

Buy The Shrine on DVD from Amazon UK!
 
Starring Aaron Ashmore (Smallville; Veronica Mars), Cindy Sampson (Supernatural; Reaper) and Meghan Heffern (The Fog; Chloe), The Shrine has been hailed as “true-blue horror all the way… uncompromising and aggressively nasty” (FearNet.com) and gained plaudits for its “great story arc, solid writing and acting, and a last act that’ll blow you away” (AnythingHorror.com).

January 26, 2012

Spread The Cheese for Free DVDs!

 Win Dead Hooker in a Trunk and Cold Sweat!
MPI has been kind enough to grant us four copies each of Dead Hooker in a Trunk and Cold Sweat, and we're ready to give them away to our most dedicated fans.


Here's How It Works:
Whenever we post a new article, we put it up on our Facebook and Twitter feeds. Since we can track shares and retweets, we figured we should reward those that share and retweet us the most.

So, the top four people who share and retweet us the most will each win DVD copies of Dead Hooker in a Trunk and Cold Sweat. You can't beat that!

Start now! The contest ends on Valentine's Day, so there's no time to waste!
facebook.com/CinemaHeadCheese
twitter.com/CinHeadCheese

January 24, 2012

Movie Review: Long Pigs (2007)

Directed by Nathan Hynes and Chris Power

Starring Anthony Alviano, Jean-Marc Fontaine and Paul Fowles

“Long Pig” is a fairly old culinary term for human flesh meant for consumption. Long Pigs is a pretty decent little Canadian indie horror film from the minds of Nathan Hynes & Chris power. The plot is pretty basic, you've got 2 documentary film makers who have hooked up with cannibalistic seriel-killer Anthony (Anthony Alviano). Anthony has agreed to let the film makers document every facet of his lifestyle. From chit-chatting over beers & cigarettes to late night prostitute hunts to the butchering of human corpses and the display of his culinary skills at concocting delicious stews and barbeque. As the film progresses our 2 film makers become more and more involved in Anthony's devious exploits, graduating from sampling his meals to full-on accomplices to murder.

Buy Long Pigs on DVD

Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel coming March 27th!!

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT PROUDLY INVITES EVERYONE TO ENTER
CORMAN’S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL



Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD March 27th

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Anchor Bay Films proudly announces the March 27th Blu-ray™ and DVD release of one of the best reviewed films of 2011: Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel. Fresh from its theatrical release – where it received rave reviews from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, The Village Voice and more – Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel presents a tantalizing and star-studded tribute to Roger Corman, Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director-producer, and seminal influencing force in modern moviemaking over the past 60 years. SRP for the Blu-ray™ is $29.99, and $26.98 SRP for the DVD. Pre-book is February 29th.

Buy Corman's World on Blu-ray or DVD

Bonus features on the Corman’s World Blu-ray™ and DVD include extended interviews, special video messages to Roger from select interviewees and the theatrical trailer.

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #32 - Pleasantly Surprised

Jeff talks about his recent date night with the wife and his surprise enjoyment of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. He also brings up Magnet's Outrage, Night Train Murders and the campy horror film Pork Chop.

Kevin has a pleasant surprise of his own with Bradley Cooper's recent film Limitless. He also talks about the British series Merlin and the terrible drama Lost Everything.

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

Click on any of the links above to purchase at Amazon.com and support Cinema Head Cheese and Abnormal Entertainment!

January 23, 2012

Movie Review: Klown Kamp Massacre (2010)

Directed by Philip Gunn, David Valdez
Starring Jared Herholtz, Ross Kelly and Ashley Bryce

In 1991, Edwin went to clown camp to fulfill his dream of bringing laughter to the world....but nobody at clown camp seemed to find him funny. He is humiliated on graduation night when his big whoopie-cushion gag bombs on the big stage, and in a fit of rage he slaughters all of his fellow clown students, say for old man Bonzo, and then vanishes into legend. Years later, Bonzo decides to re-open his school, now called the Bonzo Ranch, bringing in a new, odd assortment of misfits and weirdo's looking to learn the fine art of the second oldest profession in the world. Edwin see's Bonzo's recruiting commercial on tv and wastes no time returning to the scene of his old crimes to pick up right where he left off.

Movie Review: China and Sex (1994)

Mya Communications has made it a mission to dig up some of the more bizarre, sexy and obscure Euro-cult fare over the past few years. Whether you love him or hate him there's really never enough Joe D'Amato films on DVD, so seeing that his 1994 soft-core film China and Sex get has gotten a release gives room to celebrate for fans of the Italian king of sleaze.

Buy China and Sex on DVD

China and Sex takes place mostly in a brothel located somewhere in the Orient, where a wealthy gentleman enjoys dining and throwing his riches at the prostitutes. Money ain't everything though, especially for a very mysterious dancing hooker named Tama. This high roller wants Tama, but Tama doesn't want him unless he reaches a spiritual level that's ok with her. His persistence gets her attention slightly, but never enough to lift her skirt up.

January 22, 2012

Movie Review: Cold Sweat (2011)


One of the most satisfying things about about doing a movie review website is the very welcome international flavor comes through every so often.  After going through the generous amount of screeners that we get on a weekly basis it's always a pleasant surprise to discover a talented artist that I had never new existed. Adrian Garcia Bogliano (Rooms For Tourists, 36 Steps, Penumbra) is one of those few that make this reviewer dance like a giddy schoolgirl. The Spanish born, Argentina based writer/director has been working on his craft for several years and now, thankfully, folks outside of Argentina will see his work with Dark Sky Films release of Cold Sweat.

Buy Cold Sweat on DVD

Movie Review: Mad Ron's Prevues From Hell (1987)



Directed by Jim Monaco
Starring Nick Pawlow and Ron Roccia

Okay, here's the basic premise, you've got a theater full of popcorn eating zombies, you've got a projectionist whose foaming at the mouth (Mad Ron) and you've got a super-nerdy ventriloquist with a zombie puppet telling corny jokes. Now wait, before you walk away just hold on a second because Mad Ron is about to flip on his projector and transport you to the golden age of grindhouse, exploitation, sexploitation, satanic horror, zombiesploitation (I just made that up) and even nazisploitation. All in the form of 47 film trailers from the 60's and 70's. This is an 80 minute slice of B-movie heaven, served up in perfect bite-sized pieces. There are perennial favorites like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Last House on the Left, all the way down the line to more unsung classics like Three on a Meat Hook, Wildcat Women 3-D and Two Thousand Maniacs. With my personal favorites being I Drink Your Blood I Eat Your Flesh, The Wizard of Gore and the absolute classic Ilsa She-Wolf of the SS. Now some of these are legitimate classics of the genre but admittedly many of them are not, but the great thing about this format is the fact that they have all been distilled down to their purest form, the 30-60 second trailer which casts them each in their best light. And they all shined, the good right along with the bad.

January 19, 2012

Movie Review: Rage (2010)


Directed by Chris Witherspoon

Starring Rick Crawford, Audrey Walker and Chris Witherspoon

Dennis Twist (Rick Crawford) doesn't know it but he is about to have a really, really bad day. It starts off quiet enough, he is heading into town from his nice suburban home, telling his loving wife he has some errands to run. But his hidden agenda is soon revealed, as he meets the woman he is having an affair with in order to tell her that he loves his wife and wants to break off the relationship. On his way there, he snatches a parking spot from a seemingly random stranger on a mototcycle. When confronted he blows the guy off and goes on his way. Then while breaking the bad news to his mistress, she mentions her ex boyfriend who is fresh out of prison and just happens to ride a motorcycle.

January 17, 2012

Movie Review: Santa Claus vs. The Zombies (2010)

Directed by George Bonilla

Starring Billy Blackwell, Alex Del Monacco and Cassidy Rae Owens

Santa Claus Versus the Zombies tells the story of a suburban family that finds themselves barricaded in their house following the outbreak of the Zombie plague. Along for the ride are a couple of elves and an actor that just might be the real Santa Claus. In the meantime, the President and his military advisers are holed up in a bunker feverishly trying to hatch a plan to rescue Santa and the desperate family. Oh brother...

Buy Santa Claus vs. The Zombies on DVD

Interview: Adrian Garcia Bogliano

Jeff Dolniak got a chance to interview the talented director of 36 Steps, Rooms for Tourists and the recently released thriller from Dark Sky FilmsCold Sweat. Enjoy!

Jeff Dolniak: How are horror films received by audiences in Argentina? Are they popular?

Adrian Bogliano: They are very popular. However and I'm not sure why the producers didn't want to make this type of films before. During the golden age of Argentinean cinema between the 40's and 1960 there was a bunch of horror titles, most of them pretty good, but suddenly the production of horror films stopped almost completely. In the 90's a bunch of ultra independent filmmakers started to make microbudget horror films and it took around fifteen years for that generation of filmmakers to find a place in the industry. Cold Sweat became the first major horror film to be release widely in theatres in 50 years. And now things looks really different not only for horror but for genres like sci fi and suspense that didn't have a place in the mainstream production in Argentina before.

Find Adrian Garcia Bogliano on Amazon.com

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #31 - Tooned In

Kevin and Jeff get into some cartoon talk early. They dig into the new Napoleon Dynamite cartoon and discuss why the original movie and Donnie Darko sit atop the most overrated list.

That leads Kevin into reviews of 6 Days to Air, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret and American Jihadist.

Jeff talks about Cold Sweat, and the duo discusses Hatchet and the classic Creature from the Black Lagoon.

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

Click on any of the links above to purchase at Amazon.com and support Cinema Head Cheese and Abnormal Entertainment!

January 15, 2012

ZAAT Coming to Blu-ray and DVD from Cultura and HD Cinema Classics

Film Chest Proudly Presents
on the CULTRA & HD Cinema Classics Labels
ZAAT


Taking Cult to a Whole New Level … You Can’t Keep a Bad Monster Down!

 Sought-After ’70s Classic Never Before Available on Video is Newly Restored & Remastered in HD

DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack Out Feb. 21st

NEW YORK CITY Feb. 1, 2012 For Immediate Release Is the monster man, fish or devil?  Everyone’s dying to know (literally) in ZAAT – restored and in HD for the first time ever – available in a special DVD/Blu-ray combo pack Feb. 21 from Film Chest on the CULTRA and HD Cinema Classics labels.

Buy the ZAAT Blu-ray/DVD Combo

Movie Review: Black Past (1989)

Directed by Olaf Ittenbach

Reviewed by Greg Goodsell

In the year the Berlin Wall came tumbling down, a disaffected German youth named Thommi (director-writer-star Olaf Ittenbach) discovers a heavily sealed box in his family home’s attic. Said box contains a cursed mirror, which led the original home’s owner to go on a killing spree and wipe out his whole family. The mirror takes possession of Thommi’s girlfriend and commands her to go out and play in traffic, and when she’s struck by a passing car and killed, He becomes inconsolable. He is tormented of nightmares where his girlfriend, her arms and legs sticking out of holes in astroturf – wait! She’s supposed to be dismembered! Ooooops! Thommi falls under the spell of the mirror, and likewise kills his family and lasts of strawberry punch is thrown around.

Buy Black Past on DVD from Amazon UK

January 14, 2012

Movie Review: Blackthorn (2011, Blu-ray)

Much of actor/writer Sam Shepard's career has been back and forth between writing plays, screenwriting and occasionally getting in front of the camera for a wide variety of independent and big budget films. In Mateo Gil's Blackthorn the talented actor takes on the role of the iconic bank robber, Butch Cassidy.

Buy Blackthorn on Blu-ray or DVD

Magnolia Pictures (and Magnet) have been on a roll as of late with the excellent releases of Hobo with a Shotgun, The Last Circus and I Saw the Devil - now they tackle a western that puts a new spin on the continuation of Cassidy's life. Thought to be dead by many, in this story, Cassidy has taken on the name of James Blackthorn, started a new life with his young love in a secluded Bolivian forest and began to live a life of simplicity and peace. Blackthorn decides it's time to head back to America to see is long lost son. The journey proves to be complicated as Blackthorn has to deal with a violent posse out for his head and a young robber, Eduardo (Eduardo Noriega) who he meets along the way.

The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) Comes to DVD and Blu-ray this Valentine's Day from MPI and IFC Films!!


THE SEQUEL TO 2010’S MOST HAILED AND REVILED SHOCKER HAS 4 TIMES

THE VICTIMS, 4 TIMES THE DISGUST AND 4 TIMES THE FEAR



A Mentally Ill Loner Just Wants to Make a Human Connection – and Tries to Outdo the Horror of the First Film in This Banned Followup, Coming to Blu-ray and DVD on February 14, 2012

“Will satisfy your gruesome expectations … as sick as you might expect”
Eric Kohn, indieWIRE

New York, NY The Human Centipede (First Sequence) was the most talked about indie horror film of 2010, and now filmmaker Tom Six has outdone himself in a sequel so disturbing it was banned in the U.K. But now, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 2 (FULL SEQUENCE) will be available to all when it comes to Blu-ray and DVD on February 14, 2012, via IFC Midnight and MPI Media Group, with an SRP, respectively, of $29.98 and $24.98.

Buy The Human Centipede 2 on Blu-ray, DVD or Watch It Instantly

January 13, 2012

Movie Review: 6 Days to Air: The Making of South Park (2011)

I've always been impressed with the speed in which a South Park episode shows up after an event. The show takes on topical subjects immediately, which means each episode has to have a quick turnaround. It turns out that the turnaround time is actually a mere six days. From concept to air, it takes less than one week to complete an entire show.

January 12, 2012

Movie Review: The Scarlet Worm (2011)

Directed By Michael Fredianelli

Reviewed by Greg Goodsell

Print (Aaron Stielstra) is the local dandy is a woebegone California cow town circa 1907. A refined gentleman of taste, his only real creative outlet is in the mutilation of his victim’s bodies. For you see, our “hero” is the local hit man for kindly Mr. Paul (Montgomery Ford aka Brett Halsey, The Godfather Part II). His new assignment is to wipe despicable brother owner Mr. Key (Dan van Husen, Salon Kitty) who is given to performing crude abortions on his staff. Given the marching orders to burn Kley’s brothel down to the ground, Print is given amiable cowpoke Lee (Derek Hertig) to train in the fine art of etiquette, poetry and murder … but things become complicated.

Buy The Scarlet Worm on Blu-ray or DVD

January 11, 2012

"Battle Royale" Makes Its Debut In The U.S!!!

ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FILMS IN HISTORY FINALLY ARRIVES!
BATTLE ROYALE

Available for the first time in North America on Blu-ray™, DVD and digital download on March 20th from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Beverly Hills, CA – Battle Royale. A title that has shocked, thrilled and unnerved audiences. A film whose fiendishly simple premise has inspired many imitations, including the upcoming The Hunger Games motion picture. Based on the 1999 global best-seller by Koushun Takami, the futuristic tale first came to the screen in 2000, directed by the legendary Kinju Fukasaku. Authors, filmmakers and film fans the world over consider the film and its 2003 sequel Battle Royale II: Requiem sacred cinematic classics. And now, fans can own them on high-definition Blu-ray™ and DVD! 

Buy Battle Royale Blu-ray  and The Complete Collection Blu-ray

January 10, 2012

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #30 - We Love the '90s

Kevin and Jeff talk about their favorite crushes from the '90s, which leads Jeff into a review of the book Horror Films of the 1990s.

Jeff also reviews Fantasm, China and Sex and Heathcliff.

Kevin talks about She-Ra and Sons of Anarchy, and he explains how the documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead changed his thinking.

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

Click on any of the links above to purchase at Amazon.com and support Cinema Head Cheese and Abnormal Entertainment!

January 9, 2012

The First Annual Cheesies - The Best of 2011

While many sites are running down their lists of best films of the year, as we did, we also thought it would be a great idea to acknowledge some specific accomplishments that we saw in 2011. For an explanation of the awards listed, please check out Podcast #29. Our complete list of Cheesies is below. First off, we get to the top blu-rays, DVDs and short films this year.

Best Blu-ray Releases in 2011

In A Glass Cage (Cult Epics)


The Blood Trilogy  (Something Weird Video/Image Entertainment)

Intruder (Synapse Films)

The Women in Cages Collection (Shout! Factory)

Deep Red (Blue Underground)

Funhouse (Arrow)

Zombie (Blue Underground)

The Exterminator (Synapse Films)

Battle Beyond The Stars (Shout! Factory)

Holy Mountain (Anchor Bay)

January 8, 2012

Movie Review: Intruder (Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack)

One of the better issues of Fangoria's sister magazine Gorezone featured a very cool, detailed look from Video Watchdog’s Tim Lucas at the censorship on a slasher film that was yet be released at the time called Intruder. The late 80's saw a painful end to the glory days (and gory) of the slasher film, so as a fan of that subgenre, even though I had yet to see this very intriguing film - I was mortified. Subsequently, Scott Spiegel's film came out in a neutered version by Paramount that was minus literally all the money shots created by the FX wizards at KNB studio.

January 4, 2012

UNCUT! UNCENSORED! UNHOLY! "Killer Nun" Arrives April 24th, 2012!!



Legendary Swedish sex bomb Anita Ekberg (LA DOLCE VITA) stars as Sister Gertrude, a cruel nun who discovers depraved pleasure in a frenzy of drug addiction, sexual degradation and sadistic murder. Joe Dallesandro (FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN), Lou Castel (A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL), Alida Valli (SUSPIRIA) and the luscious Paola Morra (BEHIND CONVENT WALLS) co-star in this notorious ‘Nunsploitation’ based on actual events that took place in a Central European country not many years ago!



Branded as obscene around the world and banned outright in Britain, KILLER NUN has been newly remastered from the original negative and is now presented with all its blasphemous sex and violence fully restored in sleazy High Definition!

Only from Blue Underground!

January 3, 2012

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #29 - The First Annual Cheesies and Best of 2011

Kevin and Jeff give out the first ever Cheesies to the best in film for 2011.

Kevin gives his MVP and Rookie of the Year to two very deserving recipients.

Jeff delivers his top DVD, Blu-ray and short films for the year, and the duo agrees on the best film of 2011.

We also induct the first member into the Cinema Head Cheese Hall of Fame.

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

Click on any of the links above to purchase at Amazon.com and support Cinema Head Cheese and Abnormal Entertainment!

January 1, 2012

Movie Review: Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (2010)

Getting and staying healthy is a big deal in the United States. Apparently, it's starting to become an issue in Australia as well. Australian businessman Joe Cross is a guy who is overweight and out off shape, and he's ready to change that with a simple diet that consists purely of juice. He's looking to shed pounds and his medications. Joe suffers from an affliction that causes rashes all over his body. In his trek across America, the place he fell in love with food, he runs into Phil Staples, an obese truck driver who suffers from the same disease.

Buy Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead on DVD or Watch It Instantly

Movie Review: Audition (1999)

Directed by Takashi Miike

Starring Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiini and Tetsu Sawaki

Audition starts off with the main character Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) sitting with his wife while she lies on her deathbed. She passes away and he is left to raise his young son alone. Years pass, his son is nearly an adult and will soon be leaving home, and Aoyama seems to have gotten over the death of his wife. But he is lonely and with some coaxing from his son he comes to the realization that he might be happier if he took a wife. Not quite sure how to go about this, he consults with his movie producer friend and they come up with a pretty ingenious scheme for finding him a wife. A fake movie audition, where they line up 30 women to audition for a movie that will never be made, with Aoyama choosing the girl he feels is the right fit for him. He becomes entranced by one of the girls, Asami (Shiina) after reading an essay she writes for the audition. He immediately strikes up a relationship with her and soon discovers that his deceit is nothing compared to the skeletons Asami has in her closet. What plays out is a top notch thriller that slowly builds up to a fantastic horror show. The scene where Aoyama finally gets up the nerve to call Asami on the phone is just plain creepy, the phone is ringing, Asami is sitting quietly on the floor of a run down apartment and as the camera pans out we see a large canvas sack on the floor behind her, there is something inside it, and its moving. Asami smiles and picks the phone up.

Buy Audition on DVD or Watch It Instantly