Movies
Blood Junkie (V)
“The campy tongue- in-cheek humor, combined with over the top elements of horror, make it a future classic on any Troma collector’s shelf.”
Junkies, man. Junkies…and chicks.
Rarely does one come across a horror film so terrible that it is incredible. In my first review for the glorious Bloody-Disgusting.com, I was blessed with such a gem.
Blood Junkie is the first feature by filmmaker Drew Rosas. Shot for apparently only $7000 in 2010, this release from Troma packs in what some million dollar movies can’t. Starring Nick Sommer as Craig Wilson – a character that so badly wants to hone the charisma of Damone from Fast Times at Ridgemont High – yet fails incredibly – Blood Junkie takes the audience on a ride through a classic 1980’s style horror comedy.
Craig tries to work his womanizing skills on everyone, including his best friend’s (Teddy Bender) mother. Craig and Teddy celebrate in a homoerotic, slo-mo montage (complete with cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon) after they convince local chicks, Rachel and Laura, to go camping. Undoubtedly, they had to ask when they saw the two girls buying large amounts of alcohol at the local convenience store.
They set off in the family truckster, which is close enough to ‘metallic pea’ to name it so, for Rocky Trails campground.
Of course, there is a catch to this weekend adventure when Laura’s eight year-old brother, Andy, who has a thing for baiting ants with melted ice cream bars and then burning them with a magnifying glass, has to tag along.
While sitting around the campfire, drinking and smoking pot in excess, Teddy tells the tale his grandfather told him. He explains how an accident occurred at the old chemical plant in the woods. A pressure valve was not maintained, exploded and the plant was shut down. The night operator’s body was never found. Later, Teddy says, he found a journal in which his grandfather rambled about mutilated livestock – blaming it all on the manbeast that lived in the woods.
Is there truly a deranged madman living in the abandoned chemical plant – or could it be far worse? As Craig states, it could be ‘Junkies, man. Junkies.’
As it should, the 72 minute film relies on “the rules”. If you show your tits, you die. If you booze it up, you die. If you remain innocent, you live.
The set and costume designers deserve major praise as I remember wearing clothes donned by the cast as an 80’s child and playing in wood paneled basements much like at the Bender household. Everything is almost complete as one does have to forgive the 5 Hour Energy drinks and modern cigarette prices left in the convenience store scenes.
The atmosphere is heightened by everything from a moog synth version of what could be the ripoff of the Predator theme to the climax that gets under your skin with the use of a steady heartbeat. Deaths, and the entire film for that matter, are accentuated with the great use of excessive foley.
Extras include the standard commentary, trailers, production photos, a stream of Troma propaganda, and some deleted scenes that I believe could have added to the continuity. Also included is the Tropical Buns workout video that we see Rachel using early on in the film, starring Bobby Ciraldo as Billy “The Butt”. With the sunset beach chroma key background, and the addition of vhs tape tracking static, watching this bit was quite enjoyable for the too many minutes it lasted.
There is also a short film from director, writer and producer Drew Rosas, titled “Plastic Fangs.” The mood is much more art school project, which is most likely the case with the credit of “Andrew” Rosas and a copyright date of 2005.
All in all, the beauty of Blood Junkie definitely lies in the respect that it never takes itself seriously – which is unbelievably refreshing in an age where mainstream horror, that lacks any sort of charm, does.
The campy tongue- in-cheek humor, combined with over the top elements of horror, make it a future classic on any Troma collector’s shelf.
One of the all-time foundational fixtures in horror is the vampire. That means over a century’s worth of bloodsuckers in film, in various styles and mythology, from across the globe.
As prominent as this movie monster is, with dozens of adaptations of Bram Stoker’s Dracula alone, there’s an overwhelming selection of vampire fare that makes it easy for many worthwhile gems to fall through the cracks. This week’s streaming picks are dedicated to underseen vampire horror movies worth seeking out.
As always, here’s where you can stream them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Mr. Vampire – The Criterion Channel – Plex, the Roku Channel
This supernatural genre-bender from director Ricky Lau stands far apart from standard vampire fare thanks to its comedy, martial arts, and jiangshi. Taoist priest Master Kau (Lam Ching-ying) guards the realm of the living by maintaining control over the area’s hopping vampires, and other restless spirits. When Master Kau is hired to oversee the reburial of an affluent town elder, he and his two bumbling assistants find themselves in a supernatural battle to the death when the elder’s corpse resurrects as jiangshi. Produced by martial artist and Hong Kong cinema legend Sammo Hung, Mr. Vampire was a huge box office success in Hong Kong and launched a franchise. Still, it’s a charming, lively horror comedy that could use more love among contemporary audiences.
My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To – Plex, Prime Video, SCREAMBOX
Writer/Director Jonathan Cuartas‘s feature debut feels like a spiritual sibling to We Are What We Are in many ways. Both offer meditative, brooding depictions of isolated families far removed from the rest of the world. Both families are willing to commit unspeakable acts on behalf of their loved ones. In this case, siblings Dwight (Patrick Fugit) and Jessie (Ingrid Sophie Schram) find themselves routinely tasked with murder so their sickly younger brother Thomas (Owen Campbell, Super Dark Times) can have the fresh blood to survive. In the vein of The Transfiguration or Martin, this brooding debut feature grounds its vampirism in reality and focuses on the constricting, devastating toll of familial obligation.
The Night of the Devils – Kanopy
A disturbed man, Nicola, recounts the story of getting stranded in the woods, only to find refuge in a charming family’s house. The longer he’s there, the more he uncovers something is deeply amiss. Witches, vampires, and sordid family secrets ensue. Like Mario Bava’s anthology segment “The Wurdulak” in Black Sabbath, The Night of the Devils is also based on The Family of the Vourdalak by Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy. Director Giorgio Ferroni balances the gore and sleaze with haunting Gothic atmosphere and stunning cinematography. While it’s methodical in its buildup, the craftmanship and grim ending make this underseen Italian and Spanish co-production worth the watch.
Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat – Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu), Plex, the Roku Channel
Director Anthony Hickox (Waxwork, Hellraiser III) has a blast with his high concept horror comedy that sees vampires living in the reclusive desert town Purgatory. They seek a peaceful life, with the plan to get an artificial blood factory in operation. Everything goes off without a hitch until Van Helsing’s descendant, Robert Van Helsing (Bruce Campbell), arrives in town. It’s a vampire western horror comedy that lovingly pokes fun at vampire tropes. The simple setup becomes anything but thanks to town politics, new tourists, and Van Helsing’s irresistibility to a vampire (Deborah Foreman). David Carradine presides over the vampire hijinks as Count Jozek Mardulak. For those looking for something fun and lighthearted, this pick is your best bet.
Vamp – AMC+, Plex, the Roku Channel, Shudder, Tubi
This highly entertaining horror comedy features a vampire that doesn’t get nearly enough attention; Grace Jones exudes raw power as vamp Katrina. Robert Rusler and Chris Makepeace star as two fraternity pledges that venture into the city to hire a stripper, all to impress their frat brothers. They find themselves in a shady part of town, unaware that the dive bar they’ve entered is full of vampires. Naturally, they find themselves in an all-night battle for survival. The neon haze-soaked urban setting makes for a refreshing change of pace. The bromance between the leads is as sweet as it is funny. Most of all, though, watch for Grace Jones’ riveting performance.
Looking for New Episodes of “Chucky” on Peacock? Here’s What Changed
‘Mountain Man’ – Joe Manganiello Will Battle Zombies in Upcoming Horror Movie
‘The Blair Witch Project’ – Original Stars Release a Statement Asking Lionsgate for Residuals & Recognition
‘Trap’ – Official Trailer Previews a Wild New Horror Experience from M. Night Shyamalan
‘Longlegs’ – New Teaser Video for NEON Horror Movie Is Soaked in Cryptic Eeriness
You must be logged in to post a comment.