Horror Remix

Yes, yes ya’ll. Zombie films. The formula is very simple; an environmental catastrophe occurs in the opening sequence and for the next 90 minutes, the living are trying to avoid a zombie attack. It’s a rock-solid formula that’s extremely popular, but unfortunately most zombie flicks lack an inspired punch. However, every few years someone dares to inject some life into a mostly stale genre. Not necessarily groundbreaking; it just seems the filmmaker gives a shit. Those are the zombie films we love. Just because zombie films are brain dead, doesn’t mean they can’t have heart.

The Video Dead (1987)
The Video Dead starts off with a wacky premise and presses on a path that is hilarious and occasionally frightening. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, The Video Dead should probably be considered a horror-comedy. Normally, Horror Remix finds this sub-genre repulsive. In trying to be both, they accomplish neither. But this is no cartoon like you may find in the Evil Dead series. The comedy lies in the weirdness of the premise and the wacked-out situations the characters find themselves in.

The Video Dead walks the fine line between comedy and horror like no other. Why this film succeeds while others fall flat, I can’t say. The biggest mystery is why this classic is not on DVD. Damn shame.

FleshEater (1988)
FleshEater is about as straight forward as a zombie film can be. From beginning to end this is a zombie blood bath and nothing more. No cool twists. No undercurrent of social commentary. No irony. However, with the obvious budget constraints, this bright-eyed film truly goes for it. It steps on the gas, blows it out and never looks back.

FleshEater’s attempt to stick rigidly to the formula and play it simple somehow works. Maybe the entertainment lies in the casting of locals and goofy-ass teenagers. Hey, this is classic 80s, plus it’s got a massive body count. There is no doubt that these guys put everything they had into this movie and you gotta love that.

Notable Actor: Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, the Majorettes) also writing and directing FleshEater!

So, bring your friends and GET THERE EARLY! This is a Friday show, so I’m hoping for packed theaters. And don’t forget, lots of fun extras, shorts and your puppet MCs, Cheesecake and Thunderclap. SO BAD… IT’S GOOD! and FREE!!!

Horror Remix Presents… ZOMBIES 2 from Edward John on Vimeo.

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Classic Epilogue

September 9th, 2009

Here’s a classic epilogue from last February’s DUMMY show (contains spoilers).

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Horror Remix Presents… RUSH

August 11th, 2009

Horror Remix Presents… RUSH
2 Hours of Sorority Slashers!

Wednesday, September 9th 10PM
3 TEXAS SHOWS! FREE!!!

Alamo Drafthouse
Austin (Lake Creek)

Alamo Drafthouse
Houston (West Oaks)

Studio Movie Grill
Addison, TX (North Dallas)

RUSH was the first remix theme picked without having a good idea which films I was going to show. But, knowing there were tons of fraternity / sorority horror films to choose from, the big question was “How will I choose only 3 films?” Well, apparently that wasn’t a problem.

First, let me show you all 14 films I saw preparing for this screening.

Dreamaniac
Sorority House Massacre
Sorority House Massacre 2
Killer Party
Pledge Night
Hell Night
Blood Sisters
House on Sorority Row
Silent Madness
Rush Week
Sisters of Death
Final Exam
Night of the Creeps
Happy Hell Night

Looking at that list of films, a trash film fan may think they are on the brink of awesomeness. No. This experience was far from awesome. More like work…really boring work. None the less, after 20 plus hours of video dumpster diving, I did find 2 hours of gold you are sure to enjoy.

First, I want to give a few dishonorable mentions to the films left out of the screening, aka Leftover Meat™. First, a big “bite my ass” to my nemesis, Dreamaniac (1986), for being boring and uninspired filmmaking. And for me, those are the worst adjectives to use for a film. I’ve always said behind every good horror film is a big bag of coke. Unfortunately, this theory only works if the filmmakers spend the movie budget on the movie, not the drugs. The whole damn thing takes place in an apartment and you can just imagine no one left the building during the whole shoot. Another dishonorable mention goes to Blood Sisters. Painfully boring. I dare anyone to watch this without hitting the >> button. Let’s move on to the good stuff…

Night of the Creeps is actually a perfect 80s horror film. I wouldn’t touch it. Highly recommend everyone check this out when it finally comes out on DVD this fall.

Final Exam, Rush Week, Pledge Night and Happy Hell Night all have something good to offer. But, I decided to scratch all the fraternity films (obvious reasons). The rest of the selections will be featured in RUSH at some capacity and featuring these 3 classics…

Killer Party (1986)
Killer Party never had a chance. While filming in the early 80s, the studio pulled the plug. A few years later they finished filming, supposedly cut out all the gore and released it in theaters. Around 1986, it was released on VHS, still cut. And that was that…what a cursed movie.

More than any movie, you can feel the juggling from one producer to the next. One director to the next. The beginning is a perfect example. Because of 2 fake openings sequences (a-drive-in-movie-within-a-music-video-within-a-movie) the actual film doesn’t start for 10 minutes (in a 91 minute movie)! It’s obvious these false starts are just leftovers from the earlier failed production.

The remaining 80 minutes feels like 3 different films. Same plot, same characters, but you can just feel the gears shift. First section is a screwball comedy, complete with hot tub babes and horny frat boys. This is very good. However, an hour goes by and there is no evidence that Killer Party is a horror film. Every time they build the suspense, the payoff is an impossible to conceive April Fool’s prank, which would be cool in a screwball comedy. But in a slasher, the film needs to deliver bloody bodies by the hour mark.

Next, the slasher section begins… and it sucks. As stated before, the only release of this film is believed to be heavily censored. Who knows, this section could have been insane, especially considering the murder weapons include a hammer, spear, trident(!) and guillotine. But the constant cut-aways are frustrating and you just know the next victim will be you; death by a kick to the peanuts. Finally, 10 minutes left and I start to feel something… Is this a touch of fear I’m experiencing? Hey wait, a horror film has broken out! Finally!

Notable Actor: Elaine Wilkes (Sixteen Candles)

Hell Night (1981)
This is a classy, big budget horror film. Really well filmed, beautiful sets and costumes. Nice, lush soundtrack too. Horror Remix disapproves of this. Thankfully, on the heels of Friday the 13th, the influence of the cheap-thrills-teen-slasher occasionally appears (which I believe was because of studio pressure – hey, “the man” was right)!

The only time this movie jumps off is when it dives in the gutter; sex, booze, pills and a few good kills really work, especially in the context of a well made film.

Notable Actor: Linda Blair (The Exorcist)
Notable Writer: Randy Feldman (Tango & Cash)

The House on Sorority Row (1983)
Just yesterday Horror Remix received the news that The House on Sorority Row was being remade. On top of that, the film drops Sept 11th, two days after this screening. For a couple of hours I started thinking about what film I would use to replace The House on Sorority Row. I just didn’t want anyone to think Horror Remix was associated with, or capitalizing on the remaking of this film. Frankly, I ‘m surprised this film is being remade. Oh well, I’m still going to screen the original. Maybe this will deter a handful of people from seeing the remake. If that happens, then I’ll be glad I stuck with it.

The House on Sorority Row is a really cool and clever film. Plus, sexy ladies, beautiful sets and lighting. It looks amazing. The only criticism is the pace. It’s really, really slow. That won’t be a problem on the remix. You may want to see the rest someday.

Notable Actor: Eileen Davidson (The Young and the Restless)

Horror Remix Presents… RUSH from Edward John on Vimeo.

So, bring your friends and GET THERE EARLY! And don’t forget, lots of fun extras, shorts and your puppet MCs, Cheesecake and Thunderclap.

SO BAD… IT’S GOOD! and FREE!!!

Posted in Blog, Public Screening | 4 Comments »

Classic Epilogues

July 8th, 2009

Here’s some classic epilogues from 2008’s Zombie screening.

Posted in Blog, Public Screening, Video Podcast | 1 Comment »

Shopping

June 3rd, 2009

Shopping

Horror Remix Presents… SHOPPING
2 Hours of Shopping Mall Slashers!

Wednesday, July 8th 10PM
3 TEXAS SHOWS!

Alamo Drafthouse
Austin (Lake Creek)

Alamo Drafthouse
Houston (West Oaks)

Studio Movie Grill
Addison, TX (North Dallas)

George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead (1978) was the first film to draw parallels between the American consumer and modern zombie. The plot of zombies invading a shopping mall delivers a subversive attack on American consumer capitalism. 30 years later, Dawn is still just as relevant and regarded as a masterpiece. However, what more can be written or said regarding the importance of Dawn? There are already essays and websites written by much smarter people than me. So, I’ll focus this article on what I know best: teens being brutally murdered at the mall.

The shopping mall does make for a great setting in the slasher genre. A claustrophobic building scenario (later perfected by Die Hard), plus tons of resources for hiding places, escape routes, and tools for creative kills.

Plus, the shopping mall and horror genre make great companions. Both pander to teenagers with disposable income and are notorious for peddling cheap commodities. Each of the 3 films featured in Shopping Remix make some veiled attempts to be satire, invoking consumerism, security, technology and progress. However, the half-hearted rhetoric is squeezed in to make the films more than they really are. Bottom line, the “trapped-in-the-mall” scenario is ripe for slicing and dicing teens in the 80s (similar to “lost-in-the-woods” in the 70s). Let’s leave the groundbreaking allegory to the rest, because slashers at the mall are the best!

VHS Covers

The Initiation (1984)
A sorority’s initiation ritual forces pledges to break into a mall and stay overnight. The Initiation is a highly underrated film and the best of the mall slashers. The characters are well written and the ending has a nice payoff. Unfortunately, the “mall” they are trapped in is NOT a mall at all. It’s actually the Dallas World Trade Center. This can be somewhat distracting as you wonder, “Where’s the Orange Julius? Where’s the Chest King or Miller’s Outpost?” But no big deal, just a little odd…
Notable Actor: Daphne Zuniga (The Dorm That Dripped Blood, Melrose Place)

Hide and Go Shriek (1988)
Teenagers play a game of hide and seek overnight in a furniture store. Hide and Go Shriek will best be remembered for how incredibly horny the teenagers are. These people can’t keep their hands off each other. The over-the-top acting is the film’s best asset and we get one of the most realistic severed heads in horror history. Damn, it’s nasty…
Notable Actor: Sean Kanan (The Karate Kid, Part III)

Chopping Mall (1986)
A group of mall co-workers stay after closing for an all night party. Chopping Mall is a classic crowd-pleaser. A very rare sci-fi slasher peppered with 80s goofiness. As good as that sounds, you won’t be disappointed. And if you’ve already seen it, it’s even better with Chopping virgins and some beer.
Notable Actor: Kelli Maroney (Night of the Comet)

So, bring your friends and GET THERE EARLY! I’m hoping for big summer crowds and I don’t want the true fans to get shut out. So, please arrive 9:30pm at the latest!!! Finally, don’t forget, lots of fun extras, shorts and your puppet MCs, Cheesecake and Thunderclap.

SO BAD… IT’S GOOD!

Horror Remix Presents… SHOPPING from Edward John on Vimeo.

Posted in Blog, Public Screening | 6 Comments »

This Wednesday, DEATH ROCK!!!

April 27th, 2009

Horror Rock VHS

Horror Remix Presents… DEATH ROCK: Part One
Wednesday, April 29th 10PM
3 TEXAS SHOWS!

Alamo Drafthouse
Austin (Lake Creek)

Alamo Drafthouse
Houston (West Oaks)

Studio Movie Grill
Addison, TX (North Dallas)

Trick or Treat (1986), Rock ‘N’ Roll Nightmare (1987), plus, lots of fun extras, shorts and your puppet MCs, Cheesecake and Thunderclap.

SO BAD… IT’S GOOD! and FREE!!!

The music your parents wanted you to burn! The movies the government restricted you from seeing! Together at last!!!

Posted in Blog, Public Screening | 2 Comments »

DEATH ROCK Promo

March 31st, 2009

Horror Remix Presents… DEATH ROCK from Edward John on Vimeo.

Horror Remix Presents… DEATH ROCK: Part One
Wednesday, April 29th 10PM
3 TEXAS SHOWS!

Alamo Drafthouse
Austin (Lake Creek)

Alamo Drafthouse
Houston (West Oaks)

Studio Movie Grill
Addison, TX (North Dallas)

SO BAD… IT’S GOOD! and FREE!!!

The music your parents wanted you to burn! The movies the government restricted you from seeing! Together at last!!!

Posted in Blog, Public Screening | 1 Comment »

DEATH ROCK: Part One

March 25th, 2009

Death Rock Poster

Horror Remix Presents… DEATH ROCK: Part One
Wednesday, April 29th 10PM
3 TEXAS SHOWS!

Alamo Drafthouse
Austin (Lake Creek)

Alamo Drafthouse
Houston (West Oaks)

Studio Movie Grill
Addison, TX (North Dallas)

SO BAD… IT’S GOOD! and FREE!!!

The music your parents wanted you to burn! The movies the government restricted you from seeing! Together at last!!!

Horror Remix Presents… DEATH ROCK: Part One

Horror Remix is prepared to kick your ass. DEATH ROCK: Part One explores a marriage made in hell, horror-rock. Now, if you’re expecting a night filled with chills and scares, forget it. The test of time has deemed the horror rock genre as less than frightening. Horror Remix is fine by that. Our objective is to kick your ass and have fun while doing it. And these films deliver on both counts.

The first horror rock film I ever saw was Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare (1987 aka The Edge of Hell). This might be the best. Other heavy metal horror movies stand close, but they lack the superstar presents of Jon Mikl Thor (also the writer). Thor stars as Triton, the lead singer of metal band The Tritonz who venture to a Canadian farmhouse to rehearse for the new album. Not much rehearsing is going on, because band members and groupies keep disappearing.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare was shot in only 7 days, but it doesn’t show. Everything about this film is ambitious considering the restrictions. The rock is catchy and fun. The FX are cartoony. The overall vibe is wonderfully cheesy.

The second film in our double bill is Trick or Treat (1986). A film that could’ve easily faded into obscurity if it weren’t for the cameos by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osborne. Probably wouldn’t have been released on DVD if it weren’t for the marketing power of those two. Trick or Treat is basically The Karate Kid. Dude gets picked on by cool blonde guy. Dude exacts revenge in an unorthodox way. Dude gets hot chick and learns valuable life lessons. But Trick or Treat also shows boobs, plays evil records backwards and features a pretty kick ass soundtrack by Fastway (Motörhead / Flogging Molly members). Fucken eh, Danielson.

Instead of a third film, we’ve filled the rest of the screening with rock shorts from the likes of Rocktober Blood, Hell’s Bells, Heavy Metal Parking Lot and Hard Rock Zombies. You may be wondering will there be any horror rock films left for Part Two? Hell yeah! Look forward to Black Roses, Shock ‘Em Dead, Blood Tracks, Terror on Tour, Slumber Party Massacre 2 and Hard Rock Nightmare.

If I’m missing any, please let me know. We can always do Part Three…

* full disclosure – I know nothing about heavy metal

Horror Remix Presents… DEATH ROCK from Edward John on Vimeo.

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