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

Peter Benchley's always seemed to have a hankering for the horrors of the sea. It also helps that he was damn good at constructing a story that’s riveting to readers. Whether it's creatures with Jaws and The Beast or with diamond thieves in The Deep the scribe did superb work using the dangers of the ocean to his advantage. In The Island he takes pirates and does pretty much the same thing with some twists here and there. Michael Ritchie (The Bad News Bears, Fletch) did the honors of directing this horror/action hybrid film adaption that's now being released for the first time ever in a Blu-ray and DVD Combo pack from Scream Factory.

Michael Caine (The Hand, The Dark Knight) plays the role of reporter, Blair Maynard, who has been investigating the mysterious deaths of vacationers and fisherman out in the Caribbean. Maynard takes it upon himself to grab his son and go to the "mysterious" area and find out exactly what's going on. Of course, it's not that easy for Blair as his plane crash lands and he becomes stuck on an island that may just be the point of trouble.

Movie Review: An American Hippie in Israel (Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack)

With just a handful of companies putting out Laserdiscs in the mid 90's, Grindhouse Releasing (headed by Bob Murawski and the late Sage Stallone) stepped to the plate to deliver some kick-ass titles, namely one of my favorite cannibal flicks in Cannibal Ferox.  From what I had known then up until recently was that Stallone and Murawski had just been working on films around that time. I was wrong. In the late 80's Murawski started his work on bringing one of the most bizarre, jaw-droppingly ridiculous films ever made to cult film audiences. Thought to be lost forever, 25 years later Amos Sefer's An American Hippie in Israel has made its debut on Blu-ray and DVD in a loaded three disc combo-pack and, well... it is a sight to behold.

After seeing the hilarious trailer for An American Hippie in Israel on previous Grindhouse Releasing discs, I must say that my anticipation for whatever the hell this thing was, was  at an epic high. The story is simple with our main character, Mike (Asher Tzarfati) has taken his free-loving ways thousands of miles from America, to a country he hoped to travel from end to end, Israel. When he arrives he hitchhikes with an attractive non-hippie named Elizabeth (Lily Avidan). Before Mike can put the moves on her the duo are stopped by a couple of creepy looking mimes. These guys have cock-blocked Mike before so he gives them an earful. Naturally, they don't respond...but that doesn't mean they won't continue to fuck with Mike while he's on his trip.

Movie Review: The Cemetery (2012, DVD)

Review By: Rob Sibley

It seems like lightning does strike twice once in a while. When you team up Adam Ahlbrandt & Natalie Jean you automatically have a winner. They are a winning combo indeed. Hot off the success of the gory slasher gem Cross Bearer. The folks at Adversary Films reunite for a new tale of terror. This time tackling a film which deals with demonic possession and a bunch of sexed up Ghost Hunters getting offed in various fun forms of slaughter.

While Cross Bearer was a fun but bleak slasher picture, The Cemetery is the polar opposite. Yes you still get buckets of blood, hot tattooed women and some nice camera work. But this time around you get a film that has it's tongue placed firmly in it's gory cheek. The film know what they are making and that they are treading on familiar ground. But they have a lot of fun and the sheer creative energy and enthusiastic performances elevate the film.

Movie Review: TerrorVision (1986) / Video Dead (1987)

by Peggy Christie

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is, of course, a double-feature DVD. Due to a hilarious series of events, the review begins with TerrorVision and then concludes with The Video Dead. Yeah. Hilarious. - DH

As I started to watch this cheese fest, bits and pieces seemed familiar. About five minutes in I realized I had actually watched this movie back when it had originally spewed out into the world: the 80s. As I didn't remember much from it, it's a good thing I had the DVD to refresh my memory.

Or perhaps it was better that I'd taken an SOS pad to my brain. Sure it erased my ability to eat hot soup for a while but it had also removed the synapses responsible for retaining the images of this pile o' crap.

Movie Review: "The Name of the Game...is Kill" (Fanfare Films/VCI Entertainment, 1968)

...there's no doubt, director Alfred Hitchcock's terrifying classic 1960 horror/thriller, indelibly left it's mark on world-wide cinema. Since the film's influential inception, and well into the inspired horror, terror & thriller-flavored productions of today, the multiple-personality, schizophrenic psycho killer...given twistedly skewed and underlining motivations, as well as often deceptive and compelled appearances & visages...these bad boys (...and sometimes, bad gals) seductively draw in the unwary and unsuspecting, taking them to the point of no return...no escape...and without warning, strike with maligned intent, knowing little of what is right or wrong...often, not even caring about the two...the cold-hearted, alluring spider, drawing in the flies. Mad & maniacal 'mickey mouse' role call...sound off, now: 1961's "Homicidal"...1980's "Silent Scream"...1964's "Strait Jacket"...1973's "Sisters"...1982's "Pieces"...1992's "Raising Caine"...2012's "Maniac"...1980's "Dressed to Kill" (...notice the obvious emphasis on director Brian de Palma)...1976's "Schizo"...1980's "Fade to Black"...and so many countless others...both prominent and obscure...it might be understandable that something worth noting...something almost forgotten, though no less inspired and powerhouse, in it's presence...something razor-edge terrifying...something under-the-skin creepy...something...something like...

Movie Review: Drive-In Collection: Death Force / Vampire Hookers

The world of Filipino exploitation film extraordinaire Cirio H. Santiago is a place anyone in love with cult films has to visit. Chances are even if you don't know who Santiago is, the odds are high, you've seen one of his films. Be it his work with Roger Corman or other productions made in his native Philippines, the director has a huge filmography. It's unfortunate though that he doesn't pop up in the same discussions that other cult filmmakers are brought up in. Hopefully this will change. Thanks to the up- and-coming genre distributor Vinegar Syndrome we are getting some of his offerings in handy-dandy drive-in double bills with The Thirsty Dead / Blood Thirst and this fine little package, Death Force and Vampire Hookers starring a pimped out John Carradine.

Movie Review: The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951, Twentieth Century Fox)

The Day The Earth Stood Still (Twentieth Century Fox, 1951)

Directed by Robert Wise
Starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal and Hugh Marlowe
Run Time- 92 minunes
Rated-G

The term "Classic" gets thrown around quite a bit in the coarse of conversation, in regards to movies and film. And as any fan of film knows, the term is quite subjective. In the realm of the science fiction/alien invasion genre for instance, movies like The Thing From Another World, War of the Worlds and Invaders From Mars are almost always the first to be mentioned in this regard, and rightfully so. They are all magnificent examples of the "Cold War Era Mentality" that sci-fi film makers of the 50's were so heavily influenced by. All aliens from space were evil, they lusted for our resources, craved our blood or wanted to take over the bodies of our parents. They were to be destroyed at all cost, usually by a clever combination of military might and scientific know-how. That's just how we rolled back in the 50's. The first film to buck this trend (ironically, even before there was a trend), was Twentieth Century Fox's- The Day The Earth Stood Still.
An unknown object is discovered to be orbiting the Earth at 4000 miles per hour. Nations from around the globe are tracking it and radio stations reporting on its every movement. A quiet unease quickly turns to fear and panic as the object, a large flying disc, eventually makes its landing in a park in Washington D.C.

Movie Review: Cross Bearer (2012, DVD)

Review By: Rob Sibley

Cross Bearer is a dark, violent and sleazy film that's packed to the brim with plenty of in your face gore and nudity and you know what? I loved every single minute of it. What's refreshing about Cross Bearer is that it knows exactly what it is and what it's audience is looking for. It's also a step above most low budget slashers. So many slasher films these days use the tired old excuse of “throw back” to cover up shoddy acting and even worse camerawork. Cross Bearer on the other hand is filled to the brim with talent both behind and in front of the screen. Director/Writer/Producer Adam Ahlbrandt knows his way around a camera and is clearly a fan of the genre.

The cast is made up of a group of gorgeous tattooed women (Always a plus in my book) and what sweetens the deal is all of them can act. Especially the lead Natalie Jean who surely will become a major scream queen if she continues to pursue the horror genre. Which is likely since she also has the excellent The Cemetery under her belt along with Punk Rock Holocaust 3. She has the looks, naturalism, instant likability and sheer raw talent that is rare these days. 

Movie Review: Skip Trace 2 (2012, Digital Playground)

Review By: Rob Sibley





Director: Robbie D

Company: Digital Playground

Robby D. veteran director for Digital Playground is back yet again with "Skip Trace: Episode 2". Which has an all-star cast of adult film stars, the two big names being Jesse Jane & Riley Steele. You also get Charley Chase and Jynx Maze joining in on the action.  The plot is simple if you can call it that is rather simple (Surprise!). Jesse Jane and Riley Steele are still running and gunning in a wild ride of adventure that keeps them hot and wet. As a pair of beautiful bail bondswomen working for the always sexy Tommy Gunn, the bad-ass blondes work hard and screw harder. When an old acquaintance (Keiran Lee) needs help on a case the girls sex up, suit up and are ready to take down bad guy, Nacho Vidal and his deliciously veiny cock. Horny hotties Jynx Maze and Charley Chase also get caught up in the XXX action!

Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast! #114 - Blossom's Bohemian Bush

Jeff and Kevin discuss Jeff's new baby, Mayim Bialik's body scents, Dave as a village idiot, places in the Midwest that suck and porn preferences. They get into the recent AIDS outbreak in porn and Penn Jillette's crowd funding venture.

They also talk about Orange is the New Black, The Amazing Adventures of the Living Corpse, Breaking Bad and more.

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

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

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Movie Review: Marvel Knights: Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk (DVD, 2013)

Review By: Rob Sibley

Marvel Knights: Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk is another installment in Shout Factory's line of motion comics. I had previously reviewed the Wolverine: Origins motion comics and was happily surprised with results. So the big question is, does lighting strike twice or is this just a useless cash in? Luckily, the results are excellent. Written by Damon Lindelof of Lost & Prometheus fame and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu (Silent Dragon) and Dave McCraig (New Avengers). Wolverine Vs. Hulk is one of the more violent stories, if this was a live action film it would easily earn an R-rating considering the opening shot features Wolverine torn in half, climbing up a mountain with his intestines dangling out... more on that later. What about the story you ask?

Well Dr. Bruce Banner was presumed dead since his public execution for his rampage through Manhattan as The Hulk. But when several reports of unexplained incidents linked to a mysterious creature start cropping up around the globe, Nick Fury enlists the help of the one man he can trust to investigate: Wolverine. And Wolverine's more then happy to get the job done.

Movie Review: Fernando Di Leo - The Italian Crime Collection Volume Two (Blu-ray)

To many Italian action enthusiasts, Fernando Di Leo is the best when it comes to crafting the perfect polizia or crime film. Raro Video released the popular box-set on Blu-ray with Fernando Di Leo: The Italian Crime Collection - Volume One a little over a year ago. Naturally, there had to be another release with more films as this master of Italian cult cinema had some other gems in his filmography, most notably, Naked Massacre, The Kidnap Syndicate and one of his finest creations, Shoot First, Die Later.
 

Shoot First, Die Later centers on Domenico Malacarene (Luc Merenda, Torso) a not-so squeaky clean cop who lives slightly better than his fellow officers because he accepts money from the city's crime syndicate. Outside from a little corruption here and there, Domenico actually seems like a regular guy who likes to spend time with his girlfriend, Sandra (Delia Boccardo, Massacre in Rome). The only problem here is he gets way in over his head. His father also works in the police department but doesn't quite dabble in these illicit affairs.

Movie Review: Everyone Must Die (2012)

If the title of this movie refers to those responsible for its creation, then yes, I wholeheartedly concur (those people being mostly Steve Rudzinski and Derek Rothermund, co-writers, with Steve also directing, and both of them acting).

In EMD, a seemingly unkillable killer is hacking and slashing his (or her) way across the country. When he (or she) kills Kyle's sister, Kyle demands satisfaction. When the police prove less than helpful, and hardly intelligible, Kyle vows to catch this killer on his own. Even though his sister's boyfriend ran over the psycho’s face with a lawn mower, Kyle just knows the killing isn't over.

With a conveniently helpful exposition scene, the local news reporter explains that the high body count tallying up across the country is the dirty work of the same person who killed Kyle's sister. And this nut job will keep killing even if he (or she) has been chopped into hamburger.

Movie Review: "Cockneys vs. Zombies" (2012, Bishop Rock Films Limited/Scream Factory)

...the cross-melding of movie genres and situations, if one really considers it, it very much like dating; in the onset, there might be an alluring amount of initial novelty to the pairing, but unless there's good chemistry between the seemingly ideal, albeit possibly unconventional match...well, the melding might be hard-pressed to adhere and work. However, when that good and amiable chemistry does take place, it often amusingly turns the associated genres and situations on their ear, and becomes a matter of the sum of the parts being very much greater than the singular parts themselves. Nothing could be closer to the truth, when it comes to playing the genre-matching 'what if' game with zombie movies. Zombie comedies...zombie romances...zombie westerns...zombie babies...zombie surfers...zombie chickens...vegan zombies...zombies vs. vampires...zombies vs. strippers...zombies at Christmas...zombies vs. Lincoln...and so on. One might ask, what hasn't been explored?? Once again, as this viewer has pointed before, it remains enlightening that each and every time one has coined the 'zombie' genre tired, worn out, shot in the head, dead and buried, someone manages to breath new, undead life into the cinematic living dead. And with the outrageously irreverent and zany 2012 zombie comedy, "Cockneys vs. Zombies", this time it's the working class 'everyman', as well as the surprisingly able-bodied geriatric, who take on the living dead...with an approach and attitude, which might just seem inspirationally familiar, in a surprisingly refreshing way, to those closely privy and devoted to the genre...

"Amerikan Holokaust" Gives Everyone A Little Something To Puke To! Available Now!

A couple months back before the official release of the vile psycho-sicko flick Amerikan Holokaust we got a chance to dive deep into this disgusting no-budget nugget. I must say that even for how jaded we are that we were pleasantly surprised had how depraved it is. Listen to our rave review on Cinema Head Cheese: The Podcast - http://cinemaheadcheese.blogspot.com/2013/07/cinema-head-cheese-podcast-103-black.html.

Movie Review: ThanksKilling 3 (2012, Gravitas Ventures)

...(...stepping up to the mic, into the solo spotlight glow, reading the handed script) "...uh, Thanks...Killing 3"...

...(...a dead-quiet hush falls over the vacant-eyed crowd)...

...(...clearing throat, and emoting louder) "Ahem!! THANKSKILLING 3!!"...

...(...the deafening silence and disbelieving stares continue)...

...(...throwing out three fingers, and tapping the mic, before speaking...slight feedback reverberating) "...uh, ThanksKilling THREE!!!"...

...(...dead air continues, then a faint, questioning 'gobble' from the back)...

...(...looking out and about to speak again, pausing a moment in disbelief, in re-reading the script) "...ThanksKilling...3?? Really?? I mean, ThanksKilling THREE??"...

...(...turning and leaving in disgust and disbeief, heading stage right, sending script pages flying rampantly in the air, the question repeated, fading off-stage with the speaker) "...ThanksKilling 3?? You're kidding, right?? I mean, ThanksKilling THREE?? ThanksKilling THREE.....??"...

Movie Review: The University of IIllinois vs. a Mummy (2006)

Was The University of Illinois vs. a Mummy poorly acted? Yes. Are there technical difficulties? Of course. Does it the film scream out ‘student production’? Yes, because it was. But, is the film inspired and funny? A loving homage to the days of reckless college abandon where co-ed coming of age stories are always brought to a head by the supernatural? Hell yes! I loved this movie, despite its flaws! Granted, I have a fondness for Big 10 schools, but that doesn’t matter… The University of Illinois vs. a Mummy is ridiculous, goofy and, above all, honest. It is readily apparent that director Chris Lukeman, along with his cast and crew, are having a great time not only poking fun at genres, but at campus life in the 21^st century. 

Buy it HERE!

TV on Blu-ray Review: The Walking Dead - Season III (2012, 2013)

I've always really had a soft spot of for the zombie sub-genre but unfortunately over the past ten years we've seen an influx of zombie movies to the point where just can't appreciate the rotting creatures. It's been almost an epidemic of poor quality, horribly written garbage that's been an embarrassment to what George Romero essentially created 40 plus years-ago with 

Night of the Living Dead. Even Romero has himself sunk into the cesspool of bad zombie movie-making. Have you seen Diary of the Dead or Survival of the Dead?

I really thought there was no hope for the struggling genre, until of course I got to experience the visceral rollercoaster that is, Robert Kirkman's surprise hit of 2010, The Walking Dead. Now after a solid season two, Kirkman and his team have taken the show to some new equally terrifying places which can now be seen in the comfort of your own home thanks to the folks at Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Movie Review: Deadly Blessing (1981, Scream Factory)

Before Wes Craven went on to become one of the supreme auteurs of the horror genre with films like Nightmare on Elm Street and the Scream series, the filmmaker grabbed enough cult status to keep his name relevant with Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes. These were great films - visceral, nasty and both as unrelenting as anything produced in the 1970's.

In 1981, Craven's approach for the Amish themed thriller Deadly Blessing takes a more restrained but still includes many of his classic touches fans have been able to see in his work over the past 40 years. Scream Factory has just released the Collector's Edition of Deadly Blessing, and folks, it's pretty special because this is the first time it's ever been released on Blu-ray and DVD in the US.

Movie Review: The Toxic Avenger - The Japanese Cut (1986)

Troma’s classic The Toxic Avenger really needs no introduction – it’s a classic. Not only is it one of the best cult films ever made but it's a special film that truly put Troma on the map after about 15 years of churning out horror and exploitation. 

You know the story: Melvin, the 90-pound weakling, falls into a vat of toxic waste and instead of melting, turns into a limb-ripping, head-splattering superhero. It’s politically incorrect and has something to offend everybody. That’s the charm, and the reason it appealed to folks all over the world - including the people of Japan who embraced this film like a Kaiju. Troma has now released a rarely seen alternate Japanese version so fans can enjoy a little extra Toxie.