The Devil's Rejects - Rob Zombie. This film rocks!

Yep. There is something so excellent about this film that you will, if you like this sort of thing, be so pleased you will howl. A definite rock solid film with more than a nod of the hat to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There is that and much, much more. Hell, even a Vanishing Point Moment... Well, I saw this movie with zero Rob Zombie background and went into it thinking, huh... Rob Zombnie making a horror film. We'll see about this. Top notch. Everything you could ever need in the way of gore and, if you are truly demented, a really, really dark sense of humor. Sexy, disgusting and well over the top. The Devil's Rejects is straight up fun. Watch this film and get a better idea of what I like in a horror movie!

'Bronson' - This film is incredible

Hmmm... there are films out there. Films like Blade Runner, Mad Max, A Clockwork Orange. Films that are incredible for many reasons. The above three have a common theme that is critical to me. That theme speaks to the human spirit and most most importantly a spirit can not be broken. OK, sure a stretch for the cop in Blade Runner, but recall the quote "the candle the burns twice as bright...?" I sure do. And these people, burning "twice as bright" are exactly what I'm talking about here. There is something to be said for 'down yet not out.' I like it. Sure a really common theme in many films, but one that can be delivered with such beauty and perfection that at the end of a film I am thinking those magical thoughts: "Wow, I can think of so many of my friends who would LOVE this film!!" It certainly goes beyond the simple theme of a film about some dude who can get the living shit stomped out of him and keep on fighting. Way beyond this. A film beyond the Timex theme of old, sure they can "take a lickin' and keep on tickin." Beyond that there is art. I am not necessarily talking about any particular aspect of art. Take, for instance the film La Haine. There is one small part of the film, a black boxer, angry and in a housing project outside Paris, is boxing. Slow motion. Absolute art. Absolute perfection. It makes the film. You can see the anger. You can feel the hate in each frame. I could see that particular sequence again and again. So, yes. There are many moments and aspects of the human spirit and the expression of art in film. You will know it when you see it.

Bronson? It's got it all. Rather than go on into a review I'd like to suggest here that you pop onto your Netflix account and watch this film immediately. Yes, it is horrifically violent. Yes, it is at times both funny and sad. There is art. There is... Well, suffice to say I saw that film and literally leapt off my couch to call a friend to demand they watch the film.

Bronson is that good.

What is Film Pig?

Wednesday, August 25, 2010
What is Film Pig?
OK. There is a lot of stuff on this blog and it might be time for me to clarify a couple of things. First off this blog is all about films that I have seen. Many of them I am quite passionate about. I have good taste is film. So does Bruce Fletcher who was the Director of Programing of SFIndie and Another Hole in the Head and the Idaho International Film Fest. Many of these films here are films that are, in fact, Bruce picks for these festivals. Some are not. I will do my best to clarify the situation as I write the program guides for some of these festivals and, well, sometimes I even write about films that I am not crazy about. I call these "marketing" pieces. The idea is to write to get "butts in seats" for the festivals. I am not a film critic in this capacity I am simply writing about film and hoping that the maniacs who actually like some of these films will show up and be totally stoked. This is often the case. Once I had to write a snippet for a horror film I absolutely hated. I tried. I tried to watch this particular film three times. I hated that film. Still, at the festival I asked a festival fan who had seen nearly all of the films. "What was your favorite film in the festival?" He liked the film I hated. So, there is clearly a film for everyone. Yet still, my taste in film is incredible. So, *if* the writing is tagged as "program guide?" well, then if will be hard to tell if I LOVE that film. If I write about a film and there is no mention of *program guide?* Well, then you can be 100% sure that the film is absolute rock star and you should see it. What if it is both *program guide* and *rock star?* Hmmm... a tough one. Go see Jake West's "Evil Aliens." That is one of the best films you will ever see. Don't agree? Hmmm.. You are confused and we do not share the same taste in film. Do not read this blog. It will only upset you.

2008 Idaho International Film Festival - Program Guide 'The Skyjacker'

Portland, Oregon “Inside my briefcase there is a bomb. I will use it if I need to. This aircraft is being hijacked….” The 70s. Christmas Eve. The charts and maps have all been burned. The wig, the suit and the disguise are set. A solid plan with a bit of bourbon. A serious man can pull it off.

Jeff Pickett's The Skyjacker is what independent filmmaking is all about. Shot on the Panasonic DVX100, this little introspective thriller works in a rough and tumble way. The droning of the soundtrack there to ensure we don’t forget. You can feel it in the pit of your stomach. There’s a lot a stake. With a briefcase and what appears to be an explosive devise, a plane is diverted and demands are issued. Parachutes and $100,000 in used bills... The SkyjackerRefuel and pick up the goods. There’s no room for error. This is deadly serious. If all goes well no one gets hurt. If not? There’s the bomb. The bomb is ready. The skyjacker is ready.

Based on the famous case of the mysterious D. B. Cooper, The Skyjacker follows an unnamed man, played by filmmaker Pickett, through his day that just happens to include a hijacking. The man, a down and out loner, just like the legendary Cooper, boards an airplane in the Northwest in the 1970's and undertakes a plan to hold it for ransom. Along the way, he forms a bond with one of the flight attendants, consumes a number of miniature bourbons, and smokes a whole lot of cigarettes—the entire time with his hand on what he says is a bomb hidden inside a suitcase.

Shot is just 5 days, The Skyjacker is remarkably well-cast, and the performances are unique and appropriately aloof for the material giving the film an off-kilter feeling. Sparse dialogue helps make the movie serious and meditative. And luckily for the filmmakers, they had access to an airplane fuselage similar to the very one that Cooper himself leapt from in the 1970's. – einsiders.com

Official selection: 2008 Rotterdam International Film Festival

- Mike Skurko

2008 Idaho International Film Festival - Program Guide 'A Gothic Tale'

A Gothic Tale, the latest from the creator of KatieBird, examines emotional greed and personal choice, while challenging good judgment, morality, love, and human ethics. The descent begins with our somewhat crazed and apparently homeless narrator, played by Roddy (They Live) Piper, standing beside a burning barrel… and he’s got something poetic to say. We soon learn the yarn is a horrible melting pot of three notoriously morbid tales, woven like a perfect web, that pique the interest and draw you into the horrible and the insane. This is not just any old gothic tale… no, it is ‘A Gothic Tale’ inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart, Nathaniel Hawthorne's Dr. Heidegger's Experiment and Robert Louis Stevenson's Markheim.

If you are familiar with even one of these tales you’ll immediately know what grim, disturbing and perfectly crafted delights are in store. You’ve never heard of them? What are you in for? In a word… Madness. A Gothic TaleTerrible madness will be served up from an insane perspective, yet still, there is clarity – and in the end…? As our narrator reminds us; “but don’t we all have bad judgment from time to time? I bet with a little understanding that we all could forgive ourselves for just about anything.”

A Gothic Tale is over-the-top, old-school, and bone chilling, and it will haunt you long after you exit the theater.
- Mike Skurko

Idaho International Film Festival 2009 Program Guide 'Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf'

Warning: This is not your standard samurai flick! This movie is chock full of stuff that your parents wouldn't want you to watch, so cover your eyes (and be thankful you still have them). Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf is a visual tour de force into a surreal world of cowboys, samurai masters, witches and zombies. With a tip of the hat to Shogun Assassin, Zatoichi, A Fistful of Dollars and Italian zombie movies, it’s a perfect late show.

While camping in the desert, innocent family is attacked by the personification of evil, Nathan Flesher. You will squirm in your seat when the Blind Wolf is born! Years later, he returns as a master samurai. Flesher is about to be released from prison and has arranged for seven assassins to kill Blind Wolf. Samurai Avenger offers mind bending twists and periodically “a little explanation” detailing the Samurai code of Bushido. The dead pan narration adds sly humor to the slicing, dicing and the lobbing off of parts that splatter along The Blind Wolf’s path to revenge.
– Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2009 - Program Guide 'Frat House Massacre'

Frat House Massacre

Director: Alex Pucci
Set in the late 70’s this classic slasher flick reveals unspeakable violence alongside the ultra indulgences of the disco era within a terribly demented college fraternity.
Sadistic frat boys are taking their fraternity rush to murderous extremes. Beyond the usual binge drinking, mirrors of cocaine and the proverbial ‘disco inferno’ there are terrible ritualistic killings. Clearly this is not just another instance of “kids letting off a little steam.” If the tables were turned would you pity these sexist, racist, homophobic frat boys and their equally deranged sorority sisters? Well, the tables turn quickly here and divine justice is swift, ruthless and very, very messy. Frat House Massacre pours on the gore, the shock and the screams with refreshing ingenuity. (You will never forget the mantrap resulting in a pitchfork to the skull.)
Beyond the obvious carnage there is also the psychological thriller aspect. Frat House Massacre is not just mindless blood letting. The relationship of the brothers is complex and haunting. You will want to see this one twice. You will want to understand this disturbing saga.
- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2009 - Program Guide 'Pig Hunt'

Pig Hunt
The hunt begins in San Francisco where John is about to take his group of weekend warriors on a male bonding excursion into the outback of the Californian hills to bag wild boar. As we are ushered away from the land of pretty views, Victorian houses and perfectly formed cappuccino foam we are quickly introduced to tattooed war vets, crazed inbred hillbillies high on biker crank, gunpowder and gasoline. This is also a world inhabited by sexy commune girls who grow pot, raise Emus and worship pleasure, pigs and mud bathes. Pig Hunt is unquestionably the best of breed in a realm of sudden impact, steaming guts and heart pounding chase scenes. As our intrepid hunters wander up-river into the wilds, they cross paths with the evil of mankind and the horrific creature of the wilds. The legendary “Ripper,” a three thousand pound wild hog is out there and the terror unfolds. A shot of pure adrenaline with a chaser of dark, dark humor. Pig Hunt delivers the goods in dripping buckets and an XXL side of bacon!
- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2009 - Program Guide 'Run! Bitch! Run!'

Run! Bitch Run!

Dir: Joseph Guzman

RUN! BITCH RUN! Is a brutally dark comic tale of two Catholic School girls going door-to-door selling bibles. Things go horribly (perhaps hilariously) wrong when they knock at the proverbial den of the inequity at a house of hookers, thieves, drugs and a level of violence and madness seldom seen outside of extreme Japanese Manga. After she is raped and left for dead, Catherine awakes with one thing on her mind, vengeance! In classic 70’s “rape and revenge” style the innocent can only be pushed so far. Amidst a backdrop of perversion, Russian roulette, necrophilia, and general mayhem, one of our Catholic high school girls is destined to become an avenging angel.
With grind house flair and a velvet soft porno soundtrack loop, this film delivers some of the darkest humor imaginable with a super sized heap of sex and depravity. Not for the meek. If you like your humor inky black with splatterings of blood, bongs, nuns, sexy ‘Catholic High School Girls in Trouble’ wearing skirts and shotguns blasting, you will love Run! Bitch Run!
- Mike Skurko

SF Independent Film Festival 2010 - The Blood of Rebirth

The Blood of Rebirth –
Director: Toyoda Toshiaki - 2009
The Blood of Rebirth is Toyoda’s first film in four years. After exploding onto the international film festival scene with award winning films, Unchain, Porno Star, Blue Spring, Nine Souls and Hanging Garden, he returned to the proverbial wood shed. During this time he focused on his music and filming a double fistful of live music projects. The time spent away was, well, torture for his international fan base. This hallucinogenic gem takes the audience to a place both intensely Japanese and through layers of ancient mythology, religious mysticism and is perfectly punctuated with a rocking sound track. This newest Toyoda film will blow your mind!
Synopsis:
The Blood of Rebirth is set in the Middle Ages in Japan, when gods and demons reigned over a larger domain than mere mortals. Oguri, a renowned masseur, is summoned to the fortress of the ruler of the dark world, a man known simply as “the Lord” and ailing from a particularly wicked type of venereal disease. After encouraging Terute – a captive princess from another land – to escape, Oguri is poisoned to death by “the Lord” before he can make good his escape. At the way station between heaven and hell, Oguri requests, and is granted his wish – to be sent back to the land of the living in the form of a “Hungry Ghost,” who has “unfinished business.” Saved by a monk who happened to pass by, he learns of a “spring of rebirth.” Meanwhile, Terute manages to flee from “the Lord’s” fortress and reunites with the undead Oguri. But the wicked “Lord” is on the prowl and the chase is on…
In a complete departure from typical narrative films this is unquestionably a new genre of film. I first saw this film in October of 2009 at a press screening in Tokyo during the Tokyo International Film Festival. This was before the subtitles were added and I was with an American who does not speak any Japanese. He was completely blown away by this film with only a quick glance at the synopsis before the screening… It’s not about the dialogue, it’s about the experience. The Blood of Rebirth is a beautiful film with signature Toyoda touches of elegance in slow motion and both visual perspective alongside that spiraling camera which absorbs images and light. Dilated pupils are aperture settings on his camera. The adaptation of the folktale is compelling and has the depth I’d expect of a Toyoda film, but beyond this? This film pulsates with it’s own life form and is one the audience will want to have again and again. The haunting rock beat and the spiraling images take the viewer deep, deep, deep to a place where they too have the opportunity of a “rebirth.”
The Blood of Rebirth. Jimi Hendrix asked us and said it best in the psychedelic heyday of the 60’s “Have you ever been experienced?”
- Mike Skurko

2010 Hole Head Program Guide - Yatterman

Yatterman

Dir: Takashi Miike

Yatterman is a Takashii Miike take on a ‘70s TV show of the same name. A mysterious glowing skull stone is scattered around the globe and when the four pieces are united there is promise that “miracles” will take place. In the tradition of The Transformers, Miike takes the audience for a wild ride of robotics and animation in an adolescent battle of good vs evil with some cheeky elements of young lust tossed in for good measure. Our super heroes and their arch villain rivals battle it out in Tokyo and around the globe as they all attempt to gather the stone under the watchful eyes and often the demented direction of the ultimate evil eye of “skull-obey – the god of thieves.”

Yatterman is combines exceptional robotics and all the unique perspectives one might imagine from the kings of production. Miike most certainly is one of the most prolific Japanese film makers working today and has delved into all types and genres. Yatterman is almost what I would consider to be a family film with only a few aspects of adult humor and dancing robotic boobies. Slick, fast paced and continuing in the TV series tradition of an ongoing play on words Miike takes Yatterman to a new level and delivers on an explosive film that keeps the pace from frenetic start to a sensational finish. If there were a “Miike” signature I’d say it’s pace is running fast and furious in each and every film. Miike at travels at the speed of the bullet train in all of his films and this one is no exception.

- Mike Skurko

2010 Hole Head Program Guide - Strigoi

Strigoi
Dir: Faye Jackson
Vlad investigates a murder in his Grandfather’s village that raises the dead and some unsettling questions about land ownership in the community. The ghoulish trail points to the ex-Communist Tirescu and his wife, but when confronted by Vlad he discovers that the richest landowners in town have become… Stigoi.
Strigoi? An ancient myth where the souls of the dead rise again after death to seek justice if they’ve been wronged in life. The arisen Strigoi wander the earth with a blood lust and an insatiable hunger. There is never enough and they are driven by an appetite for both blood and food of any kind.
From the interview with Faye Jackson:
“I was researching the origins of Dracula out of curiosity and became interested in the folklore stories that appear to have inspired Stoker. I immediately loved the accounts I read of Strigoi. In particular I remember reading a story about a guy burying an uncle only to go home and find him sitting in his favourite chair, eating his dinner. To me, Strigoi are the people you can’t get rid of, even after they’re dead and it immediately seemed a good way to tell a story about history and family and corruption.”
Stigoi is a beautifully crafted film and has an intelligence and sense of elegance to the undead. Throughout the film you’ll find an ongoing sense of humor that works beautifully. If you ever wondered what might happen if the dead were to return for supper, Strigoi delivers. A mystery is solved and the dead? Well, let’s just say they are often dispatched with a vengeance!
- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 Program Guide - Silent Night Zombie Night

Silent Night Zombie Night
Dir: Sean Cain
Silent Night Zombie nights is set the week before Christmas in post apocalyptic Los Angeles where a viral infection has transformed the city into a sea of the staggering undead. Zombies that will not stop and a core group of remaining humans that are armed to the teeth and dispatching the zombies back to hell with bats and guns. A survivor and LAPD cop was about to sever ties with both his long-term partner and his wife only now he’s stuck trying to, well, get through the holidays with them both. It really doesn’t help matters that his partner is in love with his wife… You can imagine the situation is, well, somewhat tense.
Silent Night Zombie night has the usual gross out moments that will make you squirm while laughing out loud and then there are those that are just straight up funny and beyond the pale. Without ruining anything for anyone here’s a couple of images that are still making me chuckle. There is a very fat zombie Santa wandering around the streets and Frank, the angry cop who’s on the verge of divorce, leans out the window of the apartment they are holed up in and shoots him right in the head. He then makes a sly reference to Virginia and no Chirstmas... A definite feel good moment. Can it get better than this? Oh, sure. He walks out into a sea of zombies and takes up batting practice with their skulls to the tune of ‘take me back to the ball game.’ At this point the fun and games is in, well, full swing.
Silent Night Zombie night is brimming with the usual Zombie antics and humor. The film also gives up a few tips and tricks for zombie hunters. I for one really wasn’t aware that the zombies suffer from night blindness and hunt primarily by smell. Good information to tuck away next time there is a zombie outbreak in a city near you!
- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 Program Guide - Samurai Princess

Samurai Princess
Dir: Kenjo Kaji
Samurai Princess delivers the blood spurting guts, whirling blades and a celebration of extremes with all the trimmings. Tokyo Gore Police screenwriter Kengo Kaji takes the helm of this samurai era tale with a twist to include hellish androids bent on recreating bodies from a hodge-podge of limbs, entrails and buckets of fingers, toes and noses. Teaming up with Yoshihiro Nishimura, the Tokyo Gore Police director who’s in charge of both the makeup and special effects, there are no holds barred.
In order to save mankind from monster androids a deranged scientist transforms an avenging angel into a deadly samurai with a fine array of deadly weapons, and the souls of eleven girls who were brutally raped and murdered. An android with eleven souls hell bent on a path of destruction. Oh, and did I mention the detachable breast projectiles that can, if used correctly, take a person’s head off right down to the shoulder blades? Ah, the fun unfolds in a river of very messy revenge…
The main issue here is, of course, the androids running wild, who feel no human emotion beyond an affinity for their “art form.” “Reconstruction of the human body is the finest form of art.” Picture, if you will, a Picasso stature made of reassembled body parts. The grotesque and the disgusting are the tools of the trade for these non-human art fans and there’s no limit on the splatter fest in the pursuit of this odd art form. Faces are sliced open and tongues clipped off at the root. Of course nothing this over the top would be complete without a few good and gory chainsaw scenes! Yep. This one delivers the messy blood bath in a volume that is hard to fathom. Samurai Princess is sexy and funny while still outlandishly disgusting and perfectly executed.
Mike Skurko

2010 Hole Head Program Guide - Robo Geisha

Robo Geisha
Dir: Noboru Iguchi
Robo Geisha is an explosive portrayal of sibling rivalry between a young maiko, geisha apprentice and her dominant Geisha sister. The two are brought in under the fold of an evil steel baron who has particularly evil plans. He unleashes continual terror on the local populace by kidnapping their daughters and transforming them into ‘tengu,’ goblins that are part devil and part machine. Yes, Noboru Iguchi who brought Machine Girl to the world is back at it with some of the most hilarious machines, devils and bomb wielding robots imaginable.
Robo Geisha takes our squabbling sisters from the Geisha house to the steel baron’s evil factory where his army of machine ‘tengu’ killers are helping him train the Geisha girls to become the ultimate assassins. Along the way we have battle scenes with Robo-Breast milk that sprays burning acid into the faces of an opponent and the eventual six million dollar ‘Robo moment’ where breast implants go beyond the esthetic of perky to well, a lovely rack that can spray machine gun bullets. Whirling saw blades slide from the Geisha smile… Traditional ninja and samurai weapons are artfully deployed throughout the film in unrelenting absurdity. There is no limit to the creative design here and by the time we reach the ultimate battle scene a Robo-Monster is unleashed. Trust me on this. You’ll howl.
Robo Geisha brings out a double fistful of extraordinary moments. My personal favorite? Oh, there are too many to pick one. Really. Still, there is something utterly hilarious about deep fried prawns used in battle as an implement of death. “Friend shrimp in my eyes! Argh!” Yeah, well you’ll need to see this one to believe it and I’m happy to report that clearly the spirit of The Machine Girl lives on!!
Noboru Iguchi’s Robo Geisha is utterly hilarious and both long time fans and new ones will be blown away.
- Mike Skurko

2010 Hole Head Program Guide -Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre

Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre
Dir: Julius Kemp
An international group of whale watchers takes off on a voyage in the waters of Iceland where they encounter a tragic and brutal accident on board. They are rescued by what appear to be the Nordic relations of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre family with murderous intent and plenty of harpoons, axes and double barreled shotguns to quickly change this happy day voyage into a nightmare on the open seas.
The film opens with old stock whale slaughter footage and then takes us ashore where an intrepid group of tourists is at a club with a hardcore Viking metal band playing ear splitting rock. The Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre loses no time introducing us to the characters who will soon be set loose on a doomed voyage into dark and troubled waters.
Packed with a sly sense of humor and many nods of the hat to cult horror classics. There’s a dash of Leather Face and a sprinkle of The Silence of The Lambs in there. For the true die hard fan, you may want to take an extra close look at the Captain aboard this whale watching ship. Look oddly familiar? Gunnar Hansen, once starred as Leatherface from the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre is a frenetic romp in a world gone terribly wrong. Moving at a blisteringly fast pace there are harpoons and a frenzy of painful and at times terribly comic ‘head shots’ here as the group dwindles in size and the intensity increases. You’ll wince and you’ll burst out laughing as sudden impact with brutal weapons leave a bloody and charred path through the dark and sinister whaling vessel.
The Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre is where Jaws meets Texas Chainsaw in the chilly waters of Reykjavik!
- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 Program Guide - Mutant Girl Squad

Mutant Girl Squad
Dir: Noboru Iguchi (Machine Girl)
Dir: Yoshihiru Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police)
Dir: Tak Sakaguchi (Versus)
The film tells a story in three parts, with a different director on each segment. The group of director's heralds from classic Japanese cult cinema: Noboru Iguchi (who brought us Machine Girl), Yoshihiru Nishimura (director of Tokyo Gore Police), and Tak Sakaguchi, star of the cult classic Versus.
A girl who is the target of bullies in high school is fitted with a mechanical arm and joins a group of mutated girls. The Mutant Girls Squad! This film has all the madness and splattering blood you’d expect of the three directors involved and, well, there are some surprises and cinematic firsts. A horizontally sliced head that reassembles out of the correct sequence? Reminiscent of funhouse games only with slicing knives. There’s also some more of the ‘cutter’ activity here which is elevated to absurdity. In fact some of the Mutant Girls actual mutations takes it beyond anything seen before. Sure, we’ve seen body parts morph into chainsaws in the past, but a massive chainsaw leaping out of one of the girl’s backside takes it to a new level of hilarious depravity.
The Mutant Girls squad does ongoing battle with the sinister ministry of defense. These black clad evil doers wear black ‘tengu’ devil masks that have long protruding noses. These noses aren’t just for show. Nope. They are machine gun noses and a ballet of bullets for each scene they enter.
All the bizarre effects and humor you can handle and possible a bit more. A spectacular splatter fest ongoing. Wince, laugh and wince again. Mutant Girl Squad is non-stop depravity.
- Mike Skurko

Holw Head 2010 Program Guide - Hyperhellion

Hyperhelion
Dir: Calvin Clime
Hyperhelion uses stop motion animation to tell a cautionary science fiction tale that speaks to the greed of mankind and the potential outcome of society that has a sole focus of consumption and expansion at the expense of any space or planet that stands in the way. Sound familiar? Perfectly timed to the current crisis of global warming and ongoing global issues of pollution and scare resources mined to the detriment of local culture and communities Hyperhelion is the perfect sci-fi reminder of the horrors of greed.
Hyperhellion tells a tale of a sweet bat-like humanoid who is left alone to tend the delicate life forms in Biosphere Nao’sin. Her world is drastically and brutally changed as she trustingly allows Speen Relco of Planet Lethka guide his seemingly damaged craft in for repairs. His true intentions quickly become known and the situation goes bad as the self serving resource scout for the Solthaka Mining Corporation goes about his duties to rein in the precious resource that’s found in the Biosphere.
This stop motion animation employs puppets and not the clumsy clay figures of Gumby. Those used in Hyperhelion are more precise with rigid & jointed armature and are then covered in a soft foam latex skin. These tend towards more realistic facial expressions and movements. Details of twitching bat ears and expressions of real sadness come across as perfectly real and with spot on accuracy.
Hyperhelion is a masterpiece of stop motion animation and tells a timely story of woe. This is one that, like so many science fiction tales, reminds us that the ultimate heart of darkness lies within mankind. Can we change this path of evil? Is it too late for the Biosphere Nao’sin? Is it too late for us?
-Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 Program Guide - 'Fell'

Fell
Producer – Shahin Gholami
Childhood abuse from a drunk and violent father has left a terrible mark on Leah. She’s living in a rural town and juggles full time work at a hotel with full time care for her disabled mother. Beyond this she works on fashion design and hopes to get into college some day. A beautiful bright yellow dress seems to be the ray of sunshine she’d always hoped for. Beyond that yellow dress there is a darker side to Leah and this side keeps coming up as she explores her morbid “talent.”
Leah is clearly a disturbed woman and there is no doubt her past abuse follows her and is something she cannot escape. She mutters about the abuse and her Father. “I see him everywhere. He haunts me. He’s my ghost. Because of you, because of you…” Yes, there is no doubt that bad things have happened. It also becomes clear that Leah is causing some very bad things to happen as well. Fell is a subtle film with none of the in your face gore and horror. Clearly, terrible things are happening to some of the men Leah takes home to the family farm. We see a glimpse of the bound and the gagged, but we don’t see much more. Fell takes the psychological thriller horror film and hands the special effects back to the mind of the viewer. What you imagine and what Leah is quite clearly doing is absolutely horrific. Exceptional cinematography and a painful collection of violent actions, but no buckets of blood here.
Fell is a genuinely creepy film that portrays the terror of abuse and a cycle of pain that follows Leah as she tries to stitch old wounds and heal. A painful and haunting film that displays real pain and a saga of suffering.
- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 Program Guide - 'Dr. "S" Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies'

Dr. “S” Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies
Dir: Bryan Ortiz
Dr. “S” Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies begins in an idyllic American town in what appears to be the 50s. A `group of scientists has unleashed a terrible fate on the town as they research the ultimate weapon against the red menace.
The film opens with sweet Mary Jane and her boyfriend, Billy Everybody parked on “make out hill” where a joint of tainted reefer turns her boyfriend into a zombie. Dr. “S” to the rescue as an avenging angel in a white coat, glasses and the ever present pipe. Mary Jane is the archetypal horror film scream specialist and when she pauses for breath, grapples with the possibility that her family is dead. She demands an explanation from the good Dr. “S.” He explains that he and his team developed the special reefer for the government to use as a weapon, but it was unstable. He eventually went on to further experiments and tested some of the enhanced reefer on himself. Possibly a poor choice as he then went on to kill his entire team. He assures her there is a cure and that he’s going to “make it right.”
This black and white atomic zombie masterpiece plays on the early era of television and there are multiple spoofs on science films from the 50s that promise that science will essentially make everything in life easier and better. These ads are “brought to you by CINNIS Labs” with the promise that “we know what’s best because we’re scientists.” Yes, those fine people who brought us the atomic bomb. I would imagine these are the same fine folks who invented napalm as well. Yep, ya gotta love science!
Dr. “S” is out to save the world from the madness that he helped create. An experiment to fight the red menace runs terribly amuck and now there are zombies afoot. With trusty shotgun and dead-pan, side splitting one liners Dr. “S” takes Mary Jane from the clutches of evil and does his best to right the wrongs that he set in place.
Dr . “S” Battles the Sex Crazed Reefer Zombies is an impeccable spoof on Reefer Madness and uses the science films and the intermission films common in the fifties to take us to, well, a higher plane. In a world gone mad we are reminded, in a moment of perfect clarity, that cigarettes, in fact, can kill you. In this film? Yes, they do and quite quickly you’ll find! A rollicking madhouse of a zombie flick that is, without question, one of the very best of breed.
- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 Program Guide 'Death Kappa'

Death Kappa
Dir: Tomoo Haraguchi
Death Kappa takes a modern look at one of the more infamous Japanese Yokai creatures, the kappa, and elevates it to Godzilla proportions and city stomping shenanigans.
What exactly is a kappa? Glad that you asked. Firstly they are a Japanese mythical monster, a yokai.
According to Wikipedia:
Yōkai (妖怪 literally demon, spirit, or monster?) are a class of preternatural creatures in Japanese folklore ranging from the evil oni (ogre) to the mischievous kitsune (fox) or snow woman Yuki-onna. Some possess part animal and part human features (e.g. Kappa and Tengu). Yōkai generally have a sort of spiritual or supernatural power. Yōkai that have the ability to shape-shift are called obake.
Now a Kappa?
Most depictions show kappa as child-sized humanoids, though their bodies are often more like those of monkeys or frogs than human beings. Some descriptions say their faces are apelike, while others show them with beaked visages more like those of tortoises or with duck beaks. Pictures usually show kappa with thick shells and scaly skin that ranges in color from green to yellow or blue.[5][6][7]
I think I can add to this as well. The kappa are blamed for everything from crop failure to live stock death on a farm. The kappa has a soft spot and/or a hole in it’s head. They are known to be very polite.. If you encounter a kappa the best defense is simply to bow. The kappa, being polite, will bow back. Their brains will then fall out of their head. Problem solved. I am not making this up.
Kanako is a failed pop start who goes out to the big city to pursue her dreams only to return to the country to live with her grandma. Immediately upon her return things go further amiss as her doting granny is knocked sky high by a car of mindless drunken punk kids. They continue their reckless driving and drunken mayhem and smash into the shrine that is the keeper of the town kappa. This brings the kappa to life who is, initially, a benevolent yokai creature and loved by the people of the town. This comes to a halt and things begin to get ugly as Yuriko, the granddaughter of a mad scientist continues his mad attempt to create the “ultimate soldier” who is half fish and half human. She inadvertently detonates an Atomic bomb (a recurring theme, eh? Must happen a lot. ) The result of this is a horrible mutation that causes the fish soldier and the kappa to grow to epic and devastating proportions. The battle of Hangyoras and the Death Kappa is of massive and Godzilla proportions. Can the city be saved? Will this be the end of all humanity? You’ll need to see this one!
Death Kappa is an extraordinary film. You will not be terribly surprised to hear that some of the magic and the talent behind the recent Godzilla films worked on Death Kappa as well. A nod of the hat to the monster lizard and a beautifully crafted effort that puts the rampage of the Death Kappa firmly on the map!

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 Program Guide 'Alien vs Ninja'

Alien vs Ninja
Dir: Seiji Chiba
A ball of fire falls from the sky and an alien creature is introduced into what appears to be feudal Japan. Ultra Ninja protect their turf and move along the ground, in the trees and in the sky at lightening speeds.
Alien vs Ninja elevates the visuals to the ethers and beyond. There is nothing quite like it. Really. Picture gooey baby aliens that want to crawl up your nose. They work their way into human ‘hosts’ and then take control. Getting the alien out of the host involves some creative approaches that are simply jaw dropping to watch. Of course, what could have been a simple battle of the creature vs his human counterparts is taken to a level I’d not thought possible. There’s an emphasis on the speed of motion coupled with periodic slow motion filming that make’s puts this film in a class of it’s own. Godzilla was a lumbering beast and this Alien creature clearly isn’t!
This thing can MOVE and MOVES like you can barely follow at times. The ninja are otherworldly as well and have all the sword and weapons skills you’d expect of the ultra super elite warriors. There are also some new weapons that are a riff on traditional Japanese toys. The spinning death top and the death mouse bomb are both awesome.
Alien vs Ninja is funny and there are action scenes that will put a smile on your face. Of course there’s also sensational gore and minced body parts alongside buckets of entrails flying in the sky. I can’t recall ever seeing a human body de-gloved from the waist down before. Disgusting!
Alien vs Ninja moves at a frenetic pace. This film doesn’t miss a beat as the impossible to kill creature takes them all on and refuses to back down.

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl'

Vampire Girl Vs Frankenstein Girl
Dir: Naoyuki Nishimura (who lovingly brought us Tokyo Gore Police)
A Japanese High School romance unfolds as two school girls fight over a young heartthrob. Oh, wait it’s not at all sweet like that. Nope. This is no “Hello Kitty” High School. This place is absolutely beyond the pale and there are also more gallons of blood spraying in the first five minutes than you’ve ever seen in your life. I am not kidding. This one has a bucket of blood in the face for each and every one of you twisted Japanese splatter flick fans!
An intrepid high school transfer girl, Arukado Monami, has a deep dark secret, she is a vampire and wants to suck her boyfriend, Mizushima’s, blood. It all comes to surface on Valentines Day when there is girl rivalry between Monami, who is a Frankenstein girl, and our sweet transfer student along with the school bully chick, Keiko, who’s ruling the local ‘Lolita’ chick gang. Are the girls willing to fight over Mizushima? Without a doubt! Do things get very, very out of control here very quickly? Umm. Yes. This film sets a number of new high benchmarks for madness and extreme gore & bloodletting. This is not a film for the meek and you’ll know just what you are getting into before the opening credits roll. What exactly am I talking about? Well, picture a decapitated skull that’s been completely flayed of it’s skin, flying with gnashing teeth into the face of a victim where, in a unreal visual, a nose is taken with the teeth and the entire face is de-gloved like so much BBQ sauce from a platter of well cooked spareribs. Ah, all this and a side order of well timed humor that ensures an entire film of over the top gore and laughter. A splatter comedy? There is nothing sacred here and side splitting and blood spraying humor is on tap from start to hilarious finish.
So, from the Director of The Tokyo Gore Police I am not terribly shocked by any of this. There are a few sly and possibly not so sly references to some Japanese cultural wackiness that might be in need of explanation.
Lolita fashion (ロリータ・ファッション) is a fashion subculture originating in Japan that is primarily influenced by Victorian clothing as well as costumes from the Rococo period.[1] Lolita has made this into a unique fashion by adding gothic and original design elements to the look. From this, Lolita fashion has evolved into several different sub styles and has created a devoted subculture in Japan. The Lolita look consists primarily of a knee length skirt or dress, headdress, blouse, petticoat, knee high socks or stockings and rocking horse or high heel/platform shoes.[2]

Ganguro (Kanji：顔黒 Hiragana: がんぐろ Katakana: ガングロ lit. "face black") is an alternative fashion trend of blonde or orange hair and tanned skin among young Japanese women that peaked in popularity around the year 2000, but remains evident today. The Shibuya and Ikebukuro districts of Tokyo are the center of ganguro fashion.[1]

OK. So, these are a couple of the initial style issues that pop up in the film that are generally unknown to most Western audience. Suffice to say these are not uncommon in Japan and they’ve both been featured in films already. Still, you’ll see some hilarious extremes here as the envelope is pushed again and again and again. Wrist cutting also makes it into the picture as the school has elevated wrist cutting into a competitive sport. Go figure. This makes for mad slashing and blood spraying mayhem.
Vampire Girl and Frankenstein Girl is an absolutely outrageous film that’s perfectly executed with mind-bending special effects. The Director’s sense of humor is as outlandish we’ve come to expect from of Nishimura, and clearly answers the question of “can it get more crazy than this?” Apparently the answer is yes, and this film sets a new high water mark for all that can be sliced, diced and morbidly re-assembled into monsters with a nod of the hat to traditional Japanese Kabuki caricatures and even Sumo wrestlers from hell tossed into the mix. The warfare of Vampire Girl and Frankenstein Girl continually escalates and takes us to the battle of the century. This film is absolutely insane!

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Ticked off Trannies With Knives'

Ticked off Trannies With Knives

Dir: Israel Luna

Ticked Off Trannies With Knives? No, you have NEVER seen anything like this. No, you should not bring the kids to this screening. No. No. No. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Ticked Off Trannies with Knives is a splendid riff on the classic Rape and Revenge Films of the 70s. Filmed and presented in classic Grindhouse style complete with multiple reels and the hissing and popping of old school film reels. This in your face exploitation film is equal parts ‘Tranniesploitation’ and slasher flick. Yes, now that’s what we’re talking about! A group of three mean spirited homophobes with murderous intentions attempts to take out the girls from the tranny club because one of them is enraged at finding what he deems to be “false advertising.” Imagine that? Met ‘her’ at the local tranny bar and he’s shocked to find… Oh, well. Never mind. What do they get when they take on the girls? Well, certainly more than they bargained for! What begins as a nasty night out on the town in the local tranny-burlesque club quickly turns into a splatter fest of epic proportions. Divine justice? Trust me, this over the top film puts it all out there with hilarious commentary and some good times with the creative use and, well, the placement of knives.

Ticked Off Trannies? Trannies With Knives? Better be nice to the girls, or they’ll cut ya!

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'The Violent Kind'

The Violent Kind

Directors – The Butcher Brothers, aka American film directors Mitchell Altieri and Phil Flores.

True to it’s title, this film is filled with “sex & violence” that goes off the charts. The Violent Kind rolls on the horsepower from the hard rocking opening scene with the twist of a tattooed wrist taking Nor Cal bikers into white line fever. Ah, but if only it were that simple...

What begins as a bit of the old extreme violence only gets much, much worse and beyond boot stomping, pistol-whipping madness. Soon we are into the terrifying land of the possessed and ultimately, a plot twist that will bend your head around and snap your neck like a chicken bone. This hard rockin’ film takes a couple of second generation bikers, Q and Cody, to a biker party on the outskirts of town and pits them face to face, switchblade to bloody knuckles with what can only be described as the ultimate evil and the ultimate violence, ‘the violent kind.’ This one delivers in buckets of blood splattering gory glory.

As the Butcher Brothers usher us along, this blood splattered ride we are hoping for the best. Salvation? Light at the end of the tunnel? Please, please let me get out of here alive! This is all I can think and just as it looks like there may be at least a glimmer of hope? Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet! The Violent Kind has set an absolute new standard of sudden impact and an ending that is the ultimate horror. No, there is no salvation here. There is only gut wrenching brutality. The Violent Kind straight up kicks ass from start to finish.

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Symbol'

Symbol

Dir: Hitoshi Matsumoto

Hitoshi Matsumoto, who brought the world the bizarre and madly comic romp of ‘Big Man Japan,’ takes his visual perspective to the highest extremes of surrealism. Yes, it is beyond strange and he takes us for an in depth journey in what appears to be the inner workings of his brain. This is his brain. This is his brain on the inside. It’s really strange inside. Go figure. The director plays himself, in pajamas and he is locked within an all white room. Dreaming? Are you dreaming? Perhaps a man dreaming that he is a butterfly?

So, we have a man captured in an all white room alone with only small, white penis-tips. I am not making this up. As he pushes these tips, an audible beeping of an angel speaks out and something from the material world then pops into his place. So many things are delivered, so many of them useless. Ah, commentary on the useless nature of consumerism? That would be my guess here. Everything in abundance with the possible exception of that ever-elusive escape from the confines of his imprisonment. There is a floating key that is just out of his grasp. The key? Do you have the key? The key to the locking and unlocking of consciousness? Dr. Timothy Leary anyone? Certainly there are hints here at an alternate reality and glimpses of planes of existence that remind us that there is so much more than we see. There is so much more than we would even imagine. Beyond the white room? There is also the “real world.” We follow the bizarre daily life of Escargot Man, the masked Mexican wrestler in rural Mexico. As we are introduced to a foul-mouthed chain-smoking nun and a tight knit and somewhat traditional family I am left wondering, could it get stranger than this? Yes, it can and it does. Eventually we notice that many of the actions within the white room/mind actually have a direct effect on the outside world. Ah, who would have ever guessed?

Symbol is an incredibly strange and visual film that takes us beyond the confines of the creative mind and out into the abyss.

You have never, ever seen anything like this!

-Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Shadow'

Shadow

Director: Federico Zampaglione

A soldier returning from a tour of duty in Iraq goes on a mountain bike adventure in the Austrian Alps to forget. There he meets a pretty, young girl who joins him on what seems to be a romantic adventure.

Spiraling views of mountain biking amidst clouds on landscapes with rolling downhill slopes, and snow covered alps in a region known among riders simply as “bikers paradise.” This movie takes place in an area that seems blessed yet has a dark and sinister past. Angelique tells the viewer a bit of the history of the area that includes a storey about, “A group of rebels took shelter in an underground coal mine in the woods, but they were found by soldiers ... and the soldiers burned them alive … and now the locals say that up there in the hills are ghosts and anyone who enters that part of the forest will never come back...”

After a nasty confrontation with some deranged local hunters the couple seeks refuge in the woods. While trying to escape they separate and he stumbles into a bunker that’s hidden in the alps along side a terrifying host. All that follows is heart-stopping intensity filmed with a camera that is not shy. This film contains scenes of violence so vivid they’ll make you cringe. The hills and the changing reality of what might have been a romantic adventure changes again and again. The theme of the hunters and the hunted takes a turn for the very worst just when it seems things really could not possibly get more terrifying.

The situation has gone beyond grim. It’s at this point where you’ll see things you might wish you hadn’t. I’m not kidding. If you are prone to nightmares you’ll find the Shadow delivers.

Nightmares and terrible hallucinations are ongoing here. The Shadow delves into an area seldom, if ever, explored in film. As visual distortions reach demonic intensity there is… Well, suffice to say there is a psychedelic encounter that only the most dedicated of shamans would embrace… We are not taking Peyote, this is quite possibly the most obscure of hallucinogens and in the hands of a wicked, bald and terribly emaciated torturer? Lets just say it clearly does not bring out the best.
The brutality of the hunt is bad. Then? The stench of burning flash and the terrible slicing razor blades of the chamber is absolutely awful… That smell of fear. “Really, it can’t possible get any worse!” It does. As the credits roll you’ll understand. It just got worse again. Much worse.

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Sexy Time Trip Ninjas'

Sexy Time Trip Ninjas’


Dir: Yojiro Takita

Yojiro Takita’s Sexy Time Trip Ninjas’ is a classic Japanese ‘pink movie.’ Pink Films are Japanese soft-core porn and this one adds an element of continual humor to the mix. The concept of a ‘groper train’ explored here is also one that’s not uncommon in modern day Japan. In fact the issue of men groping women on trains is prevalent to the point that some train lines (the Hibiya line among them) actually have set aside certain subway cars for “women only” during the rush hour commute times to keep the perverts from taking a grab at the ladies.

A couple of feudal samurai/ninja fall through a wrinkle in time and are transported from ancient times to modern Japan. Sexy Time Trip Ninjas puts both the male samurai and his arch enemy, the sex kitten ninja, on public transport. Neither of them appears to have found their way onto a “ladies only” train and thus the fun begins! This elegant ‘pink film’ weaves a ribald tale of humor as the two learn the tricks of the trade in dealing with modern day life in Tokyo. Along the way they are exposed to everything from love-hotels, brothels and all the sexually hyper active dwellers of modern day Tokyo.

Sexy Time Trip Ninjas’ is in a class of it’s own and perfectly weaves erotic scenes that move from arousing to humorous and back again without batting an eye.

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Satan Hates You'

Satan Hates You

Dir: James Felix McKenney

A Monster Pants Movie

Satan Hates You is a low brow, low budget indie flick that plays to a punk rock beat with a main character that seems to channel Bukowski, drinking and murdering along his personal highway to hell. In this role we have the clearly lost soul of Marc. In a parallel universe and taking any suitor into the men’s room for a bit of “fun” between shots of tequila, puffing joints, popping pills and snorting powders we have Wendy who also appears hell bent and on a nefarious path as well.
This film takes us to hell and back with TV evangelists, Dungeons and Dragons geeks, a lesbian tarot card reader, born again church goers and an absolute odd couple of bible thumpers who run a local ‘no tell motel’ called The Viking. Nothing is sacred here and the path to damnation Satan Hates you takes you on consists of sinning, beatings, rapes and blood splattering murders that are possible. A twin set of Satan’s helpers are on hand to guide the direction of the weak and it seems that all souls here are clearly lost.
With this much very bad behavior and so many really bad people Satan Hates You begs to ask the obvious question. If Satan hates you does that mean then than Jesus Loves You? Perhaps. This rollicking madhouse of a film takes us into the path of no return with only a tiny glimmer of salvation as a flickering light at the end of the flaming tunnel of sin. Is a happy ending possible? Can you watch this film and the ending and call it happy? Well, consider yourself warned. This film is a bottle upside the head and a boot in the face. Happy endings? Ha! I’m not quite sure what you’ll want to call it, but it’s straight up brutal from start to finish.

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Phasma X Machina'

Phasma X Machina (The Ghost From The Machine)

Dir: Matt Osterman

Phasma X Machina begins with two geeky brothers living alone in their house after both parents tragically die in a car accident. The older of the two has custody of the younger brother and is “doing his best” to see that he makes it to school on time.
Phasma X Machina is a ghost film that finds the older sibling putting his mechanical and electrical abilities to the test by building an electrical device that can, if it works, bring back the dead. The question as he tweaks the device, of course, is this really a good idea? The second question which is equally an issue here is how accurate is this thing? Are you really going to be bringing back the right people?
It’s been a long, long time since I’ve seen a ghost movie that is legitimately creepy. You know the feeling. Something creepy, really creepy is happening and you get those hair-raising shivers. Hair-raising. This film brings on the shivers and takes you into a creepy and scary realm and does not let go. Phasma X Machina will haunt your nightmares. Consider yourself warned!

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Nightmares in Red, White and Blue'

Nightmares in Red, White and Blue - The Evolution of the American Horror Film

I was once told that the sign of an excellent documentary film is when there is material presented that you might not otherwise have hand *any* interest in and after seeing the film you find that you are fascinated… What happens when you are presented with material that you actually do find fascinating? What happens is when a horror fan has the opportunity to see a film as exceptional as Nightmares in Red, White and Blue.

Nightmares in Red, White and Blue presents a short, natural history of the American Horror Film and combines spectacular film clips along with intelligent interviews with many of the maniacs behind these films. There is an understanding of the cultural phenomena behind horror films and why they continue to be a driving force in the film industry. Each and every film discussed is given context and placement along a time line and within an appropriate sub genre. You are in for a rare treat and one might guess this film was hand tailored for this audience here at Another Hole in The Head Film Festival in San Francisco. I’m guessing many of you have some background here. The clips will take you back to many of the films we’ve all cut out teeth, er fangs, on in our youth and some that go further back still…

Psycho – 1960
Straight Jacket 1964
The Birds – 1963
Night of The Living Dead – 1968
The Man with the X-Ray Eyes - 1963
The Trip - 1967
Rosemary’s’ Baby - 1968
The Stepford Wives - 1975
Shivers - 1975
Carrie – 1976
Alien - 1979
Eraserhead – 1977
Phantasm – 1979
Dawn of The Dead - 1978
The Omen - 1976
It’s Alive - 1974
I Drink Your Blood - 1970
The Last House on The Left - 1972
The Hills Have Eyes - 1977
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - 1974
The Amityville Horror - 1979
Creepshow - 1982
The Stuff - 1985
Friday the 13th – 1980
Videodrome – 1983
Cujo – 1983
The Hunger - 1983
The Shining - 1980
Return of the Living Dead – 1985
Re-Animator - 1985
The Howling - 1981
One Dark Night - 1983
The Fog - 1980
Poltergeist - 1982
Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer - 1986
Nightmare on Elm Street - 1985
The Evil Dead – 1987
Shocker - 1989
Misery – 1990
The Dead Zone - 1983
They Live - 1988
Candyman - 1992
Seven – 1996
Scream 1996
Blade - 1998
Sixth Sense – 1999
American Psycho – 1999
Hannibol – 2000
Land of The Dead 2004
Saw – 2004

Nightmares in Red, White and Blue delivers the buckets of blood and entrails with what amounts to exceptional insight into the genre, history and background that is American Horror Film. You don’t want to miss this American Red, White & Blue!

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Jimmy Topper vs The Goatman of Bowie'

Jimmy Tupper vs The Goatman of Bowie

Dir: Andrew Bowser

Jimmy is a full on loser who works at a local Starbucks and gets hammered with pals that can only loosely bee seen as “friends.” I have heard of people taking a passed out “friend” and drawing on his/her face with a sharpie, but what kind of demented rat bastards would take a passed out “buddy” and dump them off in the middle of the woods to spend the night exposed in the elements? Certainly no friends of mine would do this, and with the aforementioned drunken sharpie abuse aside, I cannot fathom such callous behavior. Well, in the night the Goatman of Bowie attacks Jimmy. His “friends” think it is more malarkey from their loser buddy and heap abuse on him after his traumatic night in the woods.

What to do? Well, in the tradition of The Blair Witch Project with the creepy night woods and all the hand held camera documentary action captured for the audience, we join Jimmy as he plans to spend three nights in the woods with the ultimate goal of capturing this wily Goatman on camera. In the back of my mind I think, Jimmy is nuts and there is no Goatman. Really, is this a cry for help? Is this just the loser dude out in the woods trying to make up for the fact that he has, well, cried wolf and made a drunken spectacle of himself? That would be my guess…. And? Oh, let’s just say that you will be in for a surprise here at the ending of this film and all that leads up to it, it will take the wind right out of you. Jimmy seems a spineless loser from the start but finally grow balls out of nowhere. Jimmy Tupper may have no merit in his drunken antics and poor choice of friends, but ultimately? Well, you’ll see. This one takes a lovely twist and goes a bit beyond where Blair Which left off. You will actually get beyond creepy effects. Yes, you will get up front and personal with The Goatman of Bowie!

- Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'Grotesque'

Grotesque

Koji Shiraishi

In this film Grotesque takes a minimalist approach to the disturbing genre of torture porn when a demented doctor kidnaps a man and a woman who are out on a first date in Tokyo. He tortures, mangles, disfigures and degrades them. He promises them that all they need to do to be released is to offer him some “excitement.” He promises, more than a few times between skewering a liver or poking and eye out, that he’ll “be nice” if he gets what he wants…

Grotesque is brimming with sexual perversion and some of the most horrific torture scenes imaginable. The unapologetic and unflinching camera takes the audience for a horrible look at what is billed as the “cruelest Japanese splatter movie ever.” With exceptional makeup, prosthetics and special effects, it’s highly likely this film will be more than your average audience can tolerate. Rating a very high ‘wince factor’ Grotesque takes the chainsaw to new levels of gore and then after a very messy job sawing off fingers, our insane torturer lovingly strings the fingers and makes a “gift” necklace for his captive audience.

The recipe for Grotesque? Simplicity. Two parts torture porn and a dash of snuff film. Hardcore and terrible. This film is not for the meek. Really. Nightmares are 100% guaranteed.

-Mike Skurko

Hole Head 2010 - Program Guide 'American Grindhouse'

American Grindhouse
Elijah Drenner

American Grindhouse is a documentary about the full history and impact of grindhouse films in America. A cinematic phenomena that, like all good things, began underground and was ultimately embraced and exploited (such irony) by the main stream film industry.

Grindhouse is an American term for a theater that mainly shows exploitation films. The name itself is derived after the now defunct burlesque theaters on 42nd street in New York where ‘bump and grind’ dancing and striptease were once featured. Apparently the somewhat risqué films moved into these, the only venues that would have them and the ‘grindhouse’ movie was born. These films were, and are, typically low budget films that have pushed the envelope of their respective eras with sex, violence, drugs and every possible aspect of the weird, the bizarre and the offensive.
This documentary is beautifully narrated and the viewer is guided by industry luminaries who actually made some of these trashy films of full frontal impact. So, what exactly is ‘grindhouse?’ Ah, so many things and the issue of grindhouse vs exploitation is delved into with hilarious detail. I found the best description in the theaters themselves, “like Hollywood Boulevard in the 70s” and “42nd street where there was an ever present feeling of danger.” This element of danger and criminal intent comes across beautifully in many of the clips that are sprinkled throughout this film. Glorious snippets of all the crazed films from early 30s through to the present. You may find, like I did, that you haven’t seen them all and a quick mental list of “must sees” is inspired by this rollicking adventure into the weird and the horribly twisted.

The following are mentioned in this film and are not all considered “classic grindhouse films.” Some are films that inspired and others have deviated into bizarre sub genres. These run the gauntlet from horror to porn and from “blaxploitation” to, of all things, “nazisploitation.” From “torture porn” to the “roughies.” There seems to be a film for every fetish and there really are no limits to these films and clearly nothing is sacred here. An outstanding documentary that pretty much has it nailed!

Here’s a partial list of many of the films referenced and some of the clips… I’d recommend you update that “must see” list after watching American Grindhouse!

Traffic In Souls – 1913
Damaged Goods – 1914
Freaks – 1932
Narcotic – 1933
You Can’t Beat the Rap – 1933
Reefer Madness – 1936
Mom & Dad - 1945
The Story of Life - 1948
I Wake up Screaming – 1941
The Girl Can’t Help It – 1956
Baby Doll – 1956
Teaserama – 1955
Kiss Me Quick – 1964
Faster Pussycat, Kill. Kill. - 1965
The Immoral Mr. Teas - 1959
House on Bare Mountain - 1963
Scum of The Earth – 1963
The Sin Syndicate – 1965
Olga’s House of Shame - 1964
Olga’s Girls - 1964
The Defilers - 1965
The Maidens of Fetish Street - 1966
The Lusting Hours - 1967
Another Day Another Man - 1966
Ultimate Degenerate - 1969
Too Much Too Often - 1968
Indecent Desires - 1968
Blood Feast - 1963
Color Me Red – 1965
The Wizard of Gore – 1970
Psycho – 1960
Bob & Carol & Ted - 1969
The Wild Angels - 1966
The Tingler - 1959
Hell Cats – 1967
She Devils on Wheels – 1968
Easy Rider - 1969
In Drink Your Blood - 1970
The Last House on The Left - 1972
Midnight Cowboy - 1969
Shaft - 1971
Sweet Sweetback’s Badasssss Song – 1971
The Mack – 1973
Super Fly - 1972
The Guy From Harlem - 1977
Coffy - 1973
Boss Nigger – 1975
Bucktown - 1975
Black Caeser - 1973
Hell Up in Harlem – 1973
Black Samson – 1974
Welcome Home Brother Charles – 1975
Truck Turner - 1974
The Big Doll House – 1970
The Big Big Cage – 1972
The Corpse Grinders – 1971
Eaten Alive – 1977
Ilsa She Wolf of the SS - 1975
Butterflies – 1975
Hot Stuff - 1979
Deep Throat - 1972
The Amazing Transplant - 1970
The Passion of The Christ - 2004
American Gangster - 2007
Grindhouse – 2007

- Mike Skurko