Scared to Death, The Birth of Syngenor

Syngenor was a sequel? Who knew? 1990's Syngenor had a beginning, just like the titular creature. Ten years earlier the lesser known "Scared to Death" shocked movie audiences...at least the sparse audiences that saw it. Syngenor, to refresh your memory, is short for Synthetic-Genetic-Organism...in other words, it is a life form created in a laboratory. Those of us who have created life in a lab know the challenges faced by the evil corporations undertaking these experiments.

Jennifer meets the Syngenor

The cops believe they are looking for a serial killer...boy are they wrong. As the film begins a slimy creature rises out of the sewer and finds its way to the home of a babe who just happens to be prancing around naked, and then in lingerie. She is torn to shreds by the thing. Pretty coed Janine (Pamela Bowman) will be next as the fiend beats her to a pulp and rips off her leg. The cops are mystified as the carnage continues. The boring and dimwitted Ted (John Stinson) is a former cop who had to resign because...well...we don't know exactly but probably had to do with a psyche eval. He hesitantly agrees to help the cops find the killer. Ted doesn't do much work on this case because he meets the sultry Jennifer (Diana Davidson). They grow close and have steamy pre-marital sex. Don't get too attached to her because as soon as the Syngenor grabs her, french kisses her, and drains her spinal fluid, she is reduced to a drooling lunatic. No big deal, Ted finds another babe.

The Syngenor gets ready for a French kiss

The other babe? Sherry (Toni Jannetta)! She used to work for a mad-scientist at an evil corporation that created the monster. At first Ted doesn't believe her, but after the Syngenor rips apart a pretty roller-skater (Joleen Porcaro) and messes up Jennifer, he changes his tune. As the Syngenor rips apart some more babes and sewer workers, Sherry is able to lead Ted to its lair.  But wait!  Uh oh, the creature doesn't always kill...nope...it has other uses for humans.  No spoilers here, but the last half hour of this film will chill you pretty good. Intending to kill the Syngenor, Ted and Sherry, who have no plan...by the way, make a horrific discovery.  This discovery will demonstrate that there are fates worse than death.

A fate worse than death

Will Ted ever visit the drooling Jennifer in the psychiatric hospital? Is Sherry's knowledge of the Syngenor experiments sufficient for her to figure out a way to kill it?  What terrible discoveries made in the Syngenor's lair will change the game plan of Ted and Sherry?  More low-budget than its 1990 sequel, "Scared to Death" is just as vicious and ultimately more creepy.  Directed by William Malone, this is a horror film that should not be missed by fans of the 1980 monster film.

Ekimmu: The Dead Lust, Fascination American Style

Jean Rollin's Fascination is an arty and subtle trek into surreal vengeance. Andy Koontz' "Ekimmu: The Dead Lust" is a loud and bloody intrusion into the demented mind.  Both films are erotic and horrific. Rollin's film is enhanced by a beautiful and subdued classical-type score. Mr. Koontz, who crafts his own score, is aided by an ominous and pounding melody. Both filmmakers delve into the taboo. Both Koontz and Rollin send us the same warning, when beauty and allure come calling...RUN!

Beth and Sarah

Beth (Chloe Francis) and Mike (Ethan Hoyt) are so cute. Young lovers, totally drawn into each other. Knowing this is a horror flick, we fear for them.  From the outset a menacing demon (Nina Tomica) sets her sights on them.  This demon seems to mock their plight and soon asserts herself in between their wills.  In addition to Beth and Mike's love, something else is going on, and it is gory and horrible. Murder and mayhem...but who are the victims and killers? Enter Sarah (Carissa Becker). Who is she? A victim? Perhaps.

Demon

Sarah's entry into the lives of our young lovers isn't by chance. Sarah has her sights on sultry Beth...but why? No spoilers here. Also enter Steven (Jeff Argubright). He pursues Sarah with a vengeance. Does he want to kill Sarah, and if so why? As helpless and vulnerable as Sarah seems, Steven pleads with Mike to beware and avoid her at all costs. Too late!  Just when you get hold of where the plot is going, the intensity and gore are turned up several degrees. As our aforementioned demon seems to strengthen her foothold in Mike and Beth's lives, Steven's desperation to capture Sarah intensifies. Where does this leave our lovebirds?

Sarah

Will Mike and Beth survive the onslaught of evil and gore and continue their torrid love affair? Will demonic forces and monstrous killings put an end to young love? Just who is Sarah and what are her intentions for the nubile Sarah? Indie filmmaker Andy Koontz has crafted an intense and bloody tale of fate, demonic intrusion, and...well...you'll see. For you young lovers out there, there is so much for you to learn, take "Ekimmu: The Dead Lust" as a warning. Chilling, vicious and blood curdling, this film will seduce and scare the pants off you.
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Revolt of the Zombies, The Undead of Cambodia

In the 1970s, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge swept through Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. The Khmer Rouge murdered a few million peaceful Cambodians to set up an anti-western civilization utopia. Anyone who Pol Pot saw as a threat, which ended up being anyone with schooling, were butchered along with their families. Fearing Pol Pot might set his sights eastward, the Vietnamese needed to act fast. Fresh from a victory over the Americans, the Vietnamese army rolled into Phnom Penh and drove the Khmer Rouge into the wilderness toward the Thai border. The 1970s were not a decade of justice and mass murderer Pol Pot was tried by the United Nations and would die peacefully under house arrest. In 1936, the horror of the killing fields had not yet occurred, but Cambodia contained another, more classic horror...zombies! Hence 1936's "Revolt of the Zombies."

Cambodian zombies at the front

To help defeat Germany in The Great War (World War 1), the French bring a brigade of Franco-Cambodian troops to fight on the border with Austria.  The Cambodians have been turned into zombie fighting machines by a demented monk and are immune to German bullets. The Cambodian undead then shred the Germans.  Realizing this battle tactic could spell doom for the human race, the French send a team to Cambodia to find the secret of the zombies and destroy it. Captain Louque (Dean Jagger) is a handsome officer on this mission who falls in love with the general's daughter, Claire (Dorothy Stone). Uh oh, after the two fall in love, Claire discards Louque for the more callous Grayson (Robert Noland). Scorned and humiliated, Louque comes up with an evil plan.

Love triangle

On his own accord, Louque sneaks in to the temple in Angkor and discovers the secret of turning men into zombies. He ends up turning all of Cambodia into his zombie slaves and threatens to kill Grayson unless Claire marries him.  As the death count mounts and a peaceful third world nation again falls to French interference, there seems no stopping Louque.  The beautiful blonde Claire has only two weapons...her sex-appeal and an undying love for the brute Grayson.

Louque turns Cambodians into zombies

Will Louque successfully harness his power over Cambodia to marry the fair Claire?  Is this film a metaphor for western European chauvenism over the free will of the fairer sex? Is this movie a pre-cursor to the anti-western sentiment in southeast Asia which led to the expelling of the French? Cambodia is a beautiful country but even today danger lurks. The remnants of the Khmer Rouge survive near the Thai border. Let us hope these fiends do not find the secrets within the temple at Angkor. For a nice companion piece to "White Zombie," enjoy "Revolt of the Zombies," directed by Victor Halperin.

2020 Texas Gladiators, Lone Star Apocalypse

"Creating a permanent home from the ruins of a nuclear apocalypse is complicated," utters the beautiful Sabrina Siani in 1992's "2020 Texas Gladiators." Those of us who have done just that know the wisdom in which Ms. Siani's character speaks.  You remember Ms. Siani from my review of Ten Zan: The Ultimate Mission . Ms. Siani, for that film, traveled to North Korea to make a film for, and crafted by Kim Jong Il. Say what you want about that enigmatic dictator, he does make better films than "Jupiter Ascending" and "Thor." Though Jesus Franco labelled Ms. Siani as one of the worst actresses he ever met, this blonde beauty makes terrific films and is more talented than either Mila Kunis or Diane Keaton.

Evil marauder approaches Miada

Nuclear apocalypse decimates the world and evil storm-trooper type marauders rape and pillage any vestiges of civilization. As the sultry Maida (Siani) witnesses her friends pillaged and she is almost raped, Nisus (Al Cliver) saves her. Nisus is a ranger, part of a group of noble wasteland warriors. Maida, sensing potential mate material, brings Nisus back to her colony. This colony is a refinery which harnesses a new energy source which may be key in reconstituting a post nuclear society. Bad news, the evil marauders attack, kill Nisus, grab Maida, and sell her as a sex slave to a Texas gunfighter.

Miada looks for revenge

Because Maida is so good looking, more rangers come and rescue her. This time, Maida and her new ranger buddies are chased into the forest where they team up with grouchy Indians. Now Maida is mad and through being raped and sold as meat. She grabs a shotgun and joins the Indians and rangers as they head back to re-take to refinery from the evil forces who dress like Nazis.  With Maida pumping her shotgun, and rangers with machine-guns and rifles, and Indians with bows and arrows, our ragtag army must defeat a heavily equipped fighting force in order to restore goodness to an apocalyptic wasteland.

Miada and her ranger buddies

Will the ultimate winner earn the affections of Maida? Will the Indians fight nobly and again be cheated out of their land? If Jesus Franco saw this film, would he change his opinion of Ms. Saini? Is Mr. Franco's opinion of Ms. Siani heavily influenced by the fact that she refused to have sex with him? Instead of paying big bucks to see the newest "Transformers" bore-a-thon, take in this Italian exploitation epic "2020 Texas Gladiators," directed by Joe D'Amato.

Patrick Still Lives, Telekinetic Doom for Nude Women

Not much good comes out of being alive long after death comes calling. Being attached to machines and stuck in a coma really messes up one's social life. After a few days, friends stop visiting and even the doctors and nurses don't empty your bedpan as often.  However, if a mad scientist takes you under his wing, there is hope. In the case of Patrick, a coma after a severe head injury hardly interferes with a young man's quest to rape and murder. Hence 1980's horror film from Italy, "Patrick Still Lives."

The Senator and Cheryl

A freak accident puts Patrick (Gianni Dei) in a coma for the rest of his life. Fortunately for him ,his dad is Dr. Herschel...mad scientist. At his country villa, Herschel has a lab where he maintains Patrick and three other schmucks in comas. Herschel then invites five guests to his villa. Invite? Actually the five guests were blackmailed into visiting. The guests: the over sexed nymphomaniac Stella (Mariangela Giordano), her stud beau Peter (John Benedy), Italian senator Lyndon (Franco Silva) and his whore wife Cheryl (Carmen Russo). Dr. Herschel has plans for them...and he will use Patrick to enact them. Herschel has figured out a way in which Patrick can maim and murder while in a coma using telekinetic powers. Patrick has refined his abilities to rip clothes off buxom women and rape his dad's pretty secretary, Lydia (Andrea Belfiore).

Stella

As the guests lounge around, have lots of sex, and prance around nude...Patrick begins his wrath. The death scenes remarkable, One of them will be boiled in the swimming pool, and the women? Let us just say the makers of this film were incredibly misogynistic. One woman will have her sex organs chewed off by German Shepherds and another one will have a large spike hammered up her...well, you'll see. Oh yes, this film has one of the best cat-fights ever put on film. As people die horribly, it is obvious Patrick has more in mind than just homicide.

Major league cat-fight

What common bond do the guests have which called them to the villa? What will be the fate of Patrick's sexual plaything, Lydia? Will Dr. Herschel meet a similar fate as most mad scientists, that of having their own experiments turn on them? Decapitations and sexual debauchery rule this sexual-horror flick. Directed by Mario Landi, "Patrick Still Lives" is one of the most misogynistic horror films you'll see this week.

Evils of the Night, Space Vampires Ginger and Cat Woman vs. Nymphomaniacs

A hospital run by alien doctors which include Julie Newmar, Tina Louise, and John Carradine. This trio are aided by alien lesbian space babes acting as nurses, and who love to make-out with each other. Their objects of desire? Nubile bikini babes and their hunk boyfriends. These babes and hunks have lots of pre-marital sex and partake in lots of skinny-dipping. Oh yes, the babes like to rub lotion all over their topless cohorts.  I know, you're thinking, "how did I miss this one?!" Hence 1985's "Evils of the Night."

Alien lesbian spacebabe nurses 

Space aliens have taken up in an abandoned hospital in order to collect college students for the purpose of draining their blood.  This alien race needs the youngsters' blood to save their own race. Cora (Tina Louise), space-babe, hires two redneck mechanics (Neville Brand and Aldo Ray) to collect the hunks and babes. These two drooling perverts are only too happy to satisfy the beauty from outer space, as they also get to rape the bikini gals.  A nearby lake is where the students hang out and pre-marital sex, gratuitous suntan lotion rubbing, and skinny dipping rule the day. As the two head aliens, Dr. Kozmar (Carradine) and Dr. Zorma (Newmar) demand more nubile teens, lesbian space babe nurses prep the students for blood letting.

Cat Woman and Ginger in the lab

As beautiful nymphomaniacs fall to the aliens, Nancy (Karie Emerson) escapes from her hospital room. Nancy will have to overpower these space-babe lesbian nurses, which she does, and run to safety for help. Also, two blonde beauties (G.T. Taylor and Bridget Hollomon) and their hunk beau must free themselves from their bindings at the garage of the two rednecks before the gals are raped and turned over to Cora.  As Zorma and Kozmar fret that they still don't have enough blood to save their planet, Cora does her best to secure the teens.  As Nancy makes a break, her and Cora will engage in some nice cat-fights, and the future of the human race is dependent on Nancy prevailing.

Prepping babes for rape and blood letting

Who will survive and who will perish?  The answer might surprise you as the plot doesn't follow the classic horror script.  Can Nancy fight off the lesbian space-babe nurses and Cora to help her friends and the rest of mankind?  Will Cat Woman and Ginger engage in an erotic cat-fight? Are alien-lesbian-space-babe-nurses the most underused plot device in cinematic history? Heavy of gratuitous sex and nudity, "Evils of the Night" is the perfect film for B horror film fans.  Fans of the TV shows "Batman" and  "Gilligan's Island" will love seeing Ginger and Cat Woman team up to conquer humanity.

72 Hours, The Length of a Zombie Apocalypse

Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc is one of my favorite short horror film makers. Last November I reviewed her very short film Border Patrol on this blog. A zombie film? Yes! ...I mean no.  I mean, yeah, the smelly unmentionables were looming just beyond the camera, but that film was more about what becomes of us, the pseudo-survivors. How long does it take for us to lose all hope after the dearly departed show up for an encore? Hence Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc's "72 Hours."

A young wife is holed up in her bathroom. We have to give her credit. She and her husband were 100% correct to prepare for a zombie apocalypse. After all, Noah's neighbors thought he was insane...then the skies opened up. Sure, this couple stored food and supplies. For us the viewer, we have the young wife's account of the last three days...or the first three days of the end of the world. A good plan usually doesn't survive the first gunshot of a battle, and this adage is true even for a zombie apocalypse. Sadly, as gunshots ring out in the background and severed limbs and loose intestines stink up the living room, all is not good for our lady heroine.

What happens next? "72 Hours" shows us the creeping deterioration of the human psyche after all goes to hell.  No matter how much preparation and strategy exist in this household, the deadly and rotting reality always has the upper hand.  Grim, terrifying, and ominous, like "Border Patrol," this is not really a zombie film, but a story of what becomes of good people after all appears to be gone. Unlike "Border Patrol," where we see the deterioration of person hood some time after the end, "72 Hours" shows the toll on a young woman after a very short period of time. This isn't the feel good film of the millennium, but "72 Hours" will cause you to think about the tenets that hold you together and how precarious those tenets are.  
To view "72 Hours" on YouTube, click this link  72 Hours