Violation (Review)

Writers/ Directors: Dusty Mancinelli, Madeline Sims- Fewer
Cast: Madeline Sims-Fewer, Anna Maguire, Jesse LeVercombe, Obi Abili, Jasmin Geljo
Year: 2020
Min: 107

Miriam (co-writer/ co-director Madeline Sims-Fewer) and her hubby, Caleb (Obi Abili), are on the verge of a divorce. But, they go together to her sister, Greta's (Anna Maguire), house, after years of being apart. Greta's husband, Dylan (Jesse LeVercombe), is actually a long time friend of Miriam. That night, after Miriam falls asleep, Dylan rapes her. She tries to tell her Greta, but she doesn't believe her accusation of rape. Rather, she takes it as Miriam has willfully slept with her husband. Completely on her own and broken, Miriam takes revenge on Dylan for the vile act he committed on her.

Violation is a Canadian, rape/ revenge movie that mixes horror with drama. It marks the directorial debut of Madeline Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli, who also wrote script together. In the past, they had already collaborated on several short films. This flick played at several film festivals last year. It will be making its wide release debut this Thursday, March 25, 2021, when it begins to stream exclusively on Shudder. 

This film is told in a non-linear manner, which helps to highlight the excellent editing by Rhiannon Cluff and Alex Lyon. And, from very start the movie has clearly a very somber feel to it. It also has beautiful cinematography by Adam Crosby. These include gorgeous shots of the woods and its wildlife. Among them are the allegorical images of a wolf eating a bunny. It is seriously one of the most gorgeous looking movies I have seen in recent memory. Mingling well with the aforementioned non-linear manner of the movie, as it adds to an overall artful beauty and soulful depth.

The rape, itself, is thankfully, never clearly shown, shot, instead, in an unfocused manner. And, yet it remains a scene that is utterly disturbing and uncomfortable. When something explicit does happen, it is absolutely shocking. The first and most jaw-dropping of these is Dylan's erect penis, as Miriam lures him to his comeuppance. I have never seen a real, honest-to-God hardon in a movie that isn't pornographic in nature. It adds a level of realism that has is honestly unequaled, to anything before it. Another potent example is the suffocation via plastic bag scene which feels very real. As a matter of fact once the revenge part starts the film becomes very intense and fervently uncompromising. 

As such, the film is emotionally crushing. It shows the way that Dylan, and men like him, will defend their disgusting actions against a woman to her very face! He is an all to real visualization of the worst of male toxicity. The script also shows the way even family can turn against against a victim such her and defend the assailant. And, it also serves as a psychological study showcasing the mental implications and moral weight of taking revenge has on one.

All of this is done in ways that aren't present in most, if any of its subgenre predecessors, including other feminist takes. It makes it feel removed from the more cheer on revenge of movies like I Spit on Your Grave or this movie's more comparable contemporary, the excellent Revenge, which was also directed by a woman. This isn't to say that it condemns her for taking out her fully deserved vengeance. Far from it, as it is clear that this rapist piece of shit, gets what is coming to him. What the film does is make you understand in a very real world sort of way, the long term implications doing this will take on Miriam. That it is that very realistic feeling that makes this film all the more disturbing on top of being deeply heart-wrenching.

It is all bought to life by Sims-Fewer, who does an absolutely flawless job as our protagonist, and remember she is also co-directing this flick! Her performance is heartbreaking. And, I felt it not only when she is onscreen, but long after the movie was over it still haunted me. The rest of the cast is top notch, as well, with Jesse LeVercombe making for a particularly repulsive and vile, villain. One that never like an over the top caricature but instead one that is completely believable and all the more uncomfortable for it. 

This all couples beautifully with the emotional score by Andrea Boccadoro. Right off the bat, I fell in love with the classical sounding music. I have to say that it is one of my favorite scores, I have heard in a genre film in quite some time. There is a haunting feel to it that is especially powerful, when taken in the context of everything that happens in this film. 

Violation is a searing and heart-wrenching take on the rape-revenge movie. Its grounded reality adds to its haunting and depressing feel. The directing duo of Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli present us with a truly beautifully shot, artistic flick. Their non-linear script is presented through some excellent editing and arthouse like visuals of nature. The cast is phenomenal, but it is co-writer/ co-director Sim-Fewer who truly shines giving us a powerful and emotional performance. It's a breakthrough role that ranks among the finest in the genre in recent times. By overthrowing the tropes and expectations of this subgenre, while staying very true to its feminist heart, we are given one of the best examples of this type of film. Uncompromising and shocking, when it needs to be, this movie is simply unforgettable staying you well past its final second. 

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Lucky (2020) (Review)

Director: Natasha Kermani
Writer: Brea Grant
Cast: Brea Grant, Hunter C. Smith, Kristina Klebe, Kauser Mohammed, Dhruv Uday Singh
Year: 2020
Min: 83

May (Brea Grant) is a self-help author, who is now in a creative slump. She is feeling tired of touring, book signings, and all the other issues that come with being a writer. Living in the suburbs with her hubby, Ted (Dhruv Uday Singh), everything else seems well enough. Except that one night, a masked, male intruder (Hunter C. Smith) breaks into their house and tries to attack her. Ted, nonchalantly says that this is a nightly occurrence. The authorities also take it all in a decidedly causal manner. Ted, doesn't even bother to tell them that the man has supposedly been there before. 

When May confronts her husband about this nightly intruder, he ends up leaving her. She then, must go at it alone, facing the increasingly more violent and bold attacks by the man. This man, who she clearly kills almost every single time, simply disappears afterwards. Only to continuously come back, clearly not hurt and, very much alive. The police, and no else one quite frankly, are of any use to her. May has no idea what the hell is happening, who her assailant is, or where the fuck Ted is, for that matter. 

Lucky is a Canadian horror movie that mixes elements of slasher, home invasion, psychological thriller, and David Lynch. All of which is filtered through a feminist eye, thanks to the directing of Natasha Kermani and lead actress and horror fan favorite favorite Brea Grant, who wrote the imaginative script. Much of it comes off as wonderfully original. Perhaps some bits and pieces recall other movies, but the sum of its wholes is unlike anything I can recall. And, that is something this weary viewer and critic can appreciate. As a matter of fact, the more I reflected on it, the more my admiration for it grew.

This flick stands as a great showcase for Brea Grant's immense acting talent. Her character of May is the one that really carries the whole story. A great example of her performance lies in the first time the man appears. Her facial reactions are priceless, as she conveys so much emotion in them. And, May, herself, comes off as a very likable person. You care and, thus, cheer for her.

While, the acting is strong from everyone else, the other characters tend to frustrate me. Which is, I think, clearly the point. Dhruv Uday Singh's Ted, in particular, doesn't ever win my affection. Singh is great, but I don't like or fully trust his character. He, like everyone around May, comes off as incompetent and/ or simply a bunch of dicks. Cause, the truth is May is out on her own in this and, in many ways, everything else in life. Which is not unlike the advice she gives as a writer.

All of this, of course, comes from Grant's wonderful, subtext filled script. Without giving away anything there are allegories to the struggles and menaces that women face, usual alone. Her story is timely and shows, once again, that the female voice in the genre is very much needed. And, that it can bring in fresh and bold takes on tired old sub-genres like slashers and home invasion flicks.

Kermani's directing slowly ratchets up the suspense, as each attack is seemingly more brazen and aggressive in both nature and, eventually, consequences. As such, the fights May and the man have are each bloodier than the last. Furthermore, her directing kept me invested in every single moment and detail. It should be mentioned that the ending doesn't clearly give any answers and nothing is ever fully explained. This isn't a problem though, as it fits the movie's narrative quite well. Of course, that won't be to everyone's liking, but it certainly was to mine. 

Lucky isn't your typical slasher/ home invasion movie, and is all the more fascinating for this very reason. It's a flick that the more I thought about it, the more I appreciated and enjoyed it. The well directed movie always held my interest, keeping me fully invested in it. Grant's excellent script made me question and analyze everything that was going on. And, speaking of Grant, while the whole cast is great, she really stands out in her performance. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a damn good flick, but it won't be for everyone. Those who like everything explained and for the story to be cut and dry, might feel frustrated with it. But, for those of us who love Lynchian terror and a movie with a deep and fully relevant socio-political message, will find much to enjoy here. You can catch Lucky when it starts streaming on Shudder, this Thursday, March 4, 2021. 

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CATHY'S CURSE (Review)

Title: Cathy's Curse
Diretor: Eddy Matalon
Writers: Myra Clement, Eddy Matalon, Alain Sens-Cazenave
Cast: Alan Scarfe, Beverly Murray, Randi Allen, Dorothy Davis, Mary Morter, Roy Witham
Min: 82
Year: 1977

Several years ago, a dad comes home from work and finds out that his wife has left with his son, leaving their daughter behind. Pissed off, and cursing, he gets in his car with her. But, when a bunny crosses in front of them, she makes them serve the car, causing it to crash. In the fiery aftermath, they both die. Cut to the present, or 1977, in this case. the earlier mentioned son, George Gimble (Alan Scarfe), is now a grown family man. He moves in to that very same house with his beautiful wife, Vivian (Beverly Murray) and their daughter Cathy (Randi Allen).

Soon, Cathy finds a creepy, old doll with its eyes shut. which belonged to the aforementioned dead girl (her aunt). Shortly after, dead auntie possess Cathy who turns into an evil and hilariously foul mouthed little bitch. Using her new telekinetic powers, she causes her nanny to fly out the window, drives mommy crazy, creeps out the dog, hangs around the old groundskeeper as he gets drunk, plus other admit ably anitsocial behavior. Vivian knows there is something wrong with not very sweet daughter, but George doesn't believe, cause well do they ever in these fucking movies?! Will, he finally get his head out of his ass in time to save his wife and stop/ help Cathy be free of the evil inside her?

Cathy's Curse is a Canadian production that manages to rip-off seminal 70's horror films The Exorcist, The Omen, and Carrie. To say that this movie is not even a half as good as those films is an understatement. However, in its unquestionable shittiness, it is something else, indeed.

The acting is atrocious. Alan Scarfe, as the not very smart husband and dad, overacts terribly. Meanwhile, Beverly Murray, as the wife and mom with the stunningly beautiful eyes, clearly has gone to the William Shatner school of acting and graduated with honors! Little Randi Allen isn't any better, what her wild eyes and flat delivery, but it works, well for this movie, anyhow. Everyone else is just as bad. On top of terrible acting there is some truly godawful dialogue delivered with a lack of commendable talent that makes for an uproarious good time!

The directing by Eddy Matalon is equally as bad. There is no tension or scares to be said of, though the climax does actually finally gets some moments of suspense. Which is all offset, by a truly hilarious ending, though, I am one-hundred percent sure, that was not the intention. Scenes jump from one moment to the next with no little to no seniscal reasoning, sometimes leaving a scene feeling incomplete. But, being that I saw the uncut version from Severin Films, we can assume that there is nothing more that is actually missing!

There is some gore, but not a whole lot, which is fine because none of it is very convincing. When Cathy's face goes all pre-Freddy burnt up, it looks mostly like someone throw some totatoe sauce on her face, as opposed to something truly terrifying.

If it sounds like I am taking proverbial dump on this movie, I really am not. You see for all these terrible reasons is why I enjoyed it so much! I had a blast watching it, as I laughed, a lot, sometimes loudly. The hokey ending in particular and Murray's seeming speech impediment being personal favorites of crappidom. Some may be snobby and look down at this movie as being total garbage (most critics do). But, those people are fools and need to stop taking shit so seriously. My only real complaint is that the pacing isn't always the best, and the movie flatters in a few of the slower moments.

This isn't one of the better known Canadian horror flicks, but its reputation, I think (hope?) is growing. Especially in light of last year's Blu-ray release by Severin. They put out a gorgeous looking disc of the never before seen uncut version. This is the version I saw on Shudder. I cannot compare to the earlier release, as this was my first time watching it.

Cathy's Curse is, for accounts and purposes a terrible movie. The acting, dialogue, directing, and editing are as far from good as humanly possible. It shamelessly lifts from better and more successful supernatural horror movies. Yet, for all these very reasons, it is comedic gold. A must for bad movie aficionados, this flick might just be your new favorite, it's so bad, so good movie!

2.5 out of 4 

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Horror Crush: Tara Spencer-Nairn

This must be your lucky week, dear readers, fans, and followers! Why, you might ask? Cause, you're getting a third Horror Crushes inductee in the course of three days! That is a record for this site! And, the inductee, today, you ask? Well, it is Tara Spencer-Nairn, who is truly one of the most beautiful women to have ever graced our beloved genre.

Spencer-Nairn was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January 6, 1978 (age 39) but was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has appeared in lots of TV and movies and began her acting career in 1996.

One of her first forays into horror was in Poltergeist: The Legacy (1998). I probably watched this episode, but I barely remember anything about that show, much less her appearance. Her next horror work were two episodes of The Outer Limits reboot. One episode was from 1997, the other was from 1998. In both, she played a character named Heather. I never watched this show, so I can't say anything about these episodes. But, if you guys saw them tell me about them in the comments section, below.

In 2002, she appeared in the role, that I know her best for, that of the female lead, Lisa Burnley, in Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy Fulfilled. Lisa accidentally awakens the Djinn (played by John Novak, who took over the role with the third film). He possess as her invalid boyfriend's lawyer, who also happens to be in love with her, Steven Verdel (Michael Trucco). She actually makes a third wish, but it is one where she wishes to love him (him being unbeknownst to her, the Djinn) for who he is. If our resident wish granting demon can win her heart it will come true and will free his demon brothers spelling the end for humanity!

This final, at the time of this writing, entry in the series is so fucking good that is honestly hard to believe. This is even more shocking when you take into account just how godawful the preceding movie, Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell was and that they are both directed by the same dude, Chris Angel (no not THAT Chris Angel, thank God!).

The sequel tells a good story, builds characters nicely, and has solid acting from everyone. For a good part of the film it plays somewhat like a drama, with liberal amounts of gore and horror thrown in. The fact that the cast all work well off of each other really makes it the movie way better than it has any right to be. Spencer-Nairn is a big contributor to the movie's appeal. Her character is believable and instantly likable. She has such natural acting ability, all of which adds up to one of the best, and honestly underrated, final girls, ever.

And, of course, there is her breathtaking beauty. Every time, I watch this movie, which has been a lot of times, admit ably, I am completely taken by how gorgeous she is. She is truly a vision of perfection, having one of the most naturally beautiful bodies, the genre has ever seen. And, remember how I said, she is a final girl? Well, one of the most surprising aspects (other than how good it actually is, I mean) about this film is that she appears nude! I think we can all count on one hand how many female protagonists appear naked in a horror movie.

Said nudity is nice, but it also really works within the context of the two scenes (yes, TWO scenes!) that she bares her skin actually are important to plot and characterization and not just mindless exploitation! Imagine that, nudity that titillates and serves a story purpose, shocking, I know!

 

 

Spencer-Nairn is amazing no matter what stage of dressing or undressing, shes in!

She wouldn't do another horror flick till 2007's The Third Eye. She plays the female lead, Nika Printz, but I never saw or heard of this one. What about you guys?

Her last, to date, horror role was when she played a character named Dr. Evanston on the TV series The Strain. Now, I have never watched a single episode of this show, but I am sure I have some fans and readers, who have.

I would love to see Tara Spencer-Nairn in more horror movies and just in more work (that I actually watch), in general. She is a severely underrated actress, one whose own beauty matches her immense acting prowess. She has a truly beautiful face with blue eyes that just break hearts with one merely a glancing at them. And, we already discussed, and by now, you have seen for yourself, what a killer body she has. With all this being said, I happily, and officially, induct Tara Spencer-Nairn into the official Horror Crushes section!

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Horror Crush: Courtney Taylor

Today, I induct the second stunner to play Mary Lou Maloney into Horror Crushes, the beautiful: Courtney Taylor!

Mary Lou was, in fact, Taylor's first role. She played the sexy and evil spirit in the direct-to-video Prom Night III: The Last Kiss (1990). A direct sequel to the awesome and preceding entry Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II, she takes over the role for the gorgeous Lisa Schrage. Yesterday, I inducted Schrage, so it is only fair that today I do the same with Taylor.

In this sequel, Mary Lou escapes hell and falls in love with regular high school dude Alexander Grey (Tim Conlon). She seduces him, kills those that hurt or fuck with him, and turns him slowly into a bad boy. But, he eventually spurns her, and she gets pissed. Soon, he and his pretty girlfriend Sarah Monroe (Cynthia Preston) are in deep shit with her.

This third entry is no-where near near as good as the last film but is still infinitely better than the first movie. It is much more of a comedy than any of the other entries, playing the graphic gore for laughs not scares or shocks. That being said, the male lead is a bore, and, honestly, most of the time you just cheer Mary Lou on. Thankfully, Taylor is great for this film. She has good comedic timing and has a natural beauty to her giving Mary Lou a playful sexiness. She also has a smoking hot body with curves to die for.

Sadly, she never appears nude in the movie, even as she tries to seduce our hero. We only get her in her nicely filled out bra and panties. Regardless, these scenes still managed to REALLY turn me on as a very young teen. I also thought, that if I was Alex, I would have totally stuck with Mary Lou. This is no diss to the beautiful Cynthia Preston playing his girl, as I liked her a lot, too. It's just I preferred Mary Lou, cause you gotta love bad girls! One thing that sucks, is that for whatever godforsaken reason when this and the fourth entry (which has little to do with the preceding 3 movies) were packaged into a DVD double featured, this got ported over in its TV edit, lacking any splatter and cursing! Epic fail! Maybe, someday they will come to the Vestron Blu-ray collection (and the case of this one its uncut version), at least I hope so.

Anyway, I was totally in love with Taylor, but I never again saw her in a single movie. I thought she was gone and done. Well, I now learn that that wasn't the case. She did some more TV and movies, most of which I either never saw or just didn't notice she was in. Her final movie was her return to horror, 2000's Camp Blood. I had never even heard of this one, up and until today, but it looks pretty bad. If any of you ever saw let me know if I am wrong in thinking so, in the comments section. And, most of all, let me know how Taylor was in it!

I wish Taylor had stayed longer in the movie biz and starred in more horror flicks. She had only a fleeting moment in the genre. But, to those who fell under her spell, like I, it was a memorable one! She had amazing and sexy curves with an ass and cleavage that could melt your TV screen. They combined with her beautiful face, stunning, blue eyes, and hot legs, for maximum perfection. And, so it is with great pleasure and adoration that I induct Courtney Taylor into Horror Crushes!

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RABID (1977) (Review)

Title: Rabid
Writer/ Director: David Cronenberg
Cast: Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, Joe Silver, Howard Ryshpan, Patrica Gage, Susan Roman
Min: 91

Rose (the beautiful Marilyn Chambers) and her boyfriend Hart (Frank Moore) are riding a motorcycle through the Quebec countryside, when they crash with a parked vehicle. They suffer a major accident and are rushed to the nearby Keloid Clinic. Although his injuries aren't that severe, she is seriously injured and burned. Dr. Dan Keloid (Howard Ryshpan) goes through with a new radical procedure that involves grafting  morphogenetically neutral grafts from her chest and abdomen to use on her burned skin. One month later, she still in a coma. But, one night she awakens screaming.

This prompts a patient to hug her to help calm her down. As he does this something from her body pricks his skin. He develops a small wound that won't heal. It seems the procedure has resulted in a mutation in Rose. One in which a slit in her armpit conceals a phallic like stinger. When this punctures a human she draws blood from them. This has become the only substance they she can have. In turn, those she punctures become violent, foaming at the mouth zombies. Soon, this begins to spread and health authorities think this is some new form of rabies. One that they eventually find out has no cure, other than killing those contaminated with it.

David Cronenberg's Rabid, which just turned 40 this past weekend, is his second movie. While, it has some similarities with his first movies Shivers, AKA They Came from Within, I do believe this is the better of these two movies. It tells a bigger and more compelling story, has stronger acting, overall, and is highlighted by a larger and more polished look and feel.

The plot moves along well and intelligently. It escalates itself as it goes forward and more of the story unfolds. The climax is bloodcurdling and leads to the what is, for this film, a perfect and unforgettable conclusion. As only he could, Cronenberg manages to mix the gore and violence with smart story telling. This serves as proof of why he was the reigning master of body horror, as no one can make shocking horror that feels as smart and gruesome as he did.

While, not as bloody as some of his other work, the film still manages to pack on the splatter. Like Shivers the FX, which are quite good, are handled by Joe Blasco. The phallic stinger that come out of Rose's armpit is suitably weird and a definite, ''what the fuck?!" moment, especially upon one's first viewing.

The acting is excellent throughout. Porn legend Marilyn Chambers, as the lead character of Rose, made her mainstream (though I use that term lightly here) debut. Chambers had already made a name for herself in the classic and hugely successful skin flick classic Behind the Green Door. Those who think porn stars can't actually act should shut the fuck up and see her in this. She gives a complex and emotional performance, one that is sexy, sympathetic, and intimidating. We feel for her and fear her.

While, the role isn't as righteously sexualized as it could have been, Chambers still uses her sexuality and beauty to get her victims. And, what a stunner she is! Chambers was one of the most gorgeous women to ever grace the adult biz, and with this, one of the most stunning to grace the horror genre, as well. She does appear topless a few times, but again not nearly as much as one might think and usually not in the context that one might have imagined it to be in.

Rabid is great piece of body horror from the master of it. Smart, shocking, and well thought it, it's a solid entry in the sci-fi/ horror world. The climax and ending give the movie an extra punch that stays with you. This is no small part due to the excellent acting, especially from the late, great, and stunningly beautiful Marilyn Chambers. 40 years later it holds up quite well and can sit well alongside of some of Cronenberg's best work. The Soska sisters are working on a remake of it, before that is made and comes out, see this. Even if that movie wasn't being made, you still need to see this, and make it now. And, for those of you who already have, see it again and pick up the excellent Scream Factory Blu-ray, which came out late last year.

3.5 out of 4

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