Mini-review: Monsturd (2003)

Monsturd
Directed by Rick Popko & Dan West

Not nearly as filled with poo jokes as you might expect (then again, it was pretty much full of them...), but one of the more clever B-movie parody-type movies I've seen recently. I can't say this movie was exactly the most tasteful thing I've ever seen. I mean, the movie is about a giant killer turd, after all. But it was actually quite funny, and I would definitely watch it again. I am beginning to feel like there might be something wrong with me. But whatever. This was a fun movie, and people who like things like Peter Rottentail, The Gingerdead Man, and Thankskilling (NOT THE SEQUELS!!!) should enjoy this. If you aren't the kind of person who can watch trashy crap like this, please don't waste your time. This is by no means a *good* movie, it's just fun for people with the right sense of humor to match its poopiness.

Mini-review: Peter Rottentail (2004)

Peter Rottentail
Directed by John Polonia & Mark Polonia

Among the silliest movies I've ever seen, this killer demon rabbit magician movie is the right amount of ridiculous to be fun, but not overdone to the point where it becomes annoying. Combine the obvious budget restrictions evident in the casting and costume choices with the "boing" sound effects when the titular creature hops, and the magic bunny-themed weapons (including killer carrots and...a meat cleaver...?) and you've got yourself a pretty fun movie. Doesn't take itself too seriously, but isn't nearly as self-aware as you might imagine: the right combination of ridiculous and bad.

Mini-review: Yeti: A Love Story (2006)

Yeti: A Love Story
Directed by Adam Deyoe & Eric Gosselin

A trashy bit of fun, this movie essentially encapsulates all that is both wonderful and horrible about Troma films all in a neat 80 minutes. Low budget, campy, self-aware, tasteless, tacky, funny, and completely insane and ridiculous in almost every way, it's a wonder movies like this even exist. With this kind of film, it's hard to recommend to people, but for the people who do enjoy trashy B-movie satire, this will be a good one to look for. Though sometimes the movie takes it too far in the gross-out direction, I still had fun with it.

Mini-review: Gingerdead Man 2: Passion Of The Crust (2008)

Gingerdead Man 2: Passion Of The Crust
Directed by Silvia St. Croix

Anyone who knows my taste in movies understands that I am not the most prudish person out there. I like trashy, goofy, ridiculous movies as well as I like pretentious arthouse films. That being said, what this movie has to offer is absolutely nothing I can get behind in any way. I enjoyed the first Gingerdead Man, as it did not assault my senses with an avalanche of trash, unfunny jokes, and complete lack of creativity or merit. In other words, it actually had something to offer. This sequel - this abomination - is one of the most uninteresting, unintelligent, horrible, unfunny, worthless, artless pieces of trash I've ever seen in my life. It doesn't offend me by being tasteless; it offends me by existing in the first place. Someone decided this movie needed to exist, and its sheer existence is a punishment to humanity and an offense to everything you have ever loved.

Mini-review: Thankskilling (2009)

Thankskilling
Directed by Jordan Downey

Outrageous, ridiculous, bizarre, trashy, and totally awesome, this "horror" comedy about a killer turkey makes for one of the most entertaining purposely bad movies I've ever seen. Filled with hilarious one-liners, ridiculous moments, and just about anything else you could ask for from a low-budget trashy B-movie. Yet another movie I wouldn't recommend to just anyone -- meaning almost anyone at all, because this is a really tasteless movie with almost no production value or quality of any kind at all. I just really dig it.

Mini-review: Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon (2006)

Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon
Directed by Scott Glosserman

Starting off with a great premise that eventually disintegrates into a series of predictable cliches and obvious conclusions, this self-aware slasher film may cover similar ground as Wes Craven's Scream series, but tackles the subject in a completely different way. With a charming and psychotic lead in Nathan Baesel as the titular Leslie Vernon, this movie makes a few missteps, but more than makes up for them with its dark sense of humor and imaginative storyline. Fans of the slasher genre will find a lot to love here.

Mini-review: Lake Mungo (2008)

Lake Mungo
Directed by Joel Anderson

A slow-paced faux documentary that spends more time building up to a dramatic ending than it spends trying to tell an interesting story. Moments of eerieness are dispersed throughout the film in between interview segments that break the tension and take you out of the potentially immersive experience. Never delivers the punch it spends far too much time building up to, leaving you wanting and expecting much more. A strong premise executed in a very matter-of-fact way that eliminates a good portion of what could have made the movie creepy, powerful, and haunting. Still, an interesting movie that is worth checking out.

Mini-review: House Of The Devil (2009)

House Of The Devil
Directed by Ti West

Though it doesn't match up to the quality of his two follow-up films (The Innkeepers and The Sacrament), it's hard to deny the obvious talent displayed here by Ti West in his feature-length directorial debut. Practically the dictionary definition of "slow burn", this movie is both menacing and subdued (well...mostly) in a way few directors are capable of pulling off this early in their career. Mature, ambitious, and very '70s, but not in an obnoxious or stupidly corny way (I'm looking at you, Hobo With A Shotgun).

Mini-review: Dead Snow (2009)

Dead Snow
Directed by Tommy Wirkola

One of the better zombie movies to come from the wave of undead we were all subjected to about 5 years ago, and one of the more unique in concept. No, nazi zombies isn't a new idea, this is one of the more entertaining examples of it. Few other zombie movies have the look and feel to it this movie has, with large portions of it taking place during daylight hours in a snowy landscape. Gory, funny, exciting, and takes a few surprising turns along the way.