Subversive Cinema

A story about the dangers of science, government coverups, random skinny dipping, and a big fucking Komodo dragon.

Listen in as me and my guest, Joe, consider the finer points of gratuitous skinny dipping, huge Komodo scat, and infinite ammo.

Directed by Jim Wynorski AKA Harold Blueberry AKA Sam Pepperman AKA Salvadore Ross AKA Jay Andrews (House on Hooter Hill, The Witches of Breastwick, The Hills Have Thighs), and written by Steve Latshaw (Planet Raptor, Megaconda, Invisible Dad), the Video Vacuum called the overall film "watchable, but inessential," while Dr. Gore's Movie Reviews said "the action scenes are tedious." Oy... What kinda movie did I pick?

It tells the story of a band of thieves who find themselves stranded on a secret island populated by a small band of top secret researchers and one big ass Komodo dragon. As they join the scientists in a fight for survival, they find themselves battling Komodo-saliva-induced zombies and the US military. It's... definitely something.

The film is currently available on IMDb TV, Tubi, and for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.

Check out Joe's podcast, That Was Disappointing..., here. Fine, fine... It's my podcast as well.

A story about cyborg space Jesus, corruption, environmentalism, and sisters who go into prostitution way too quickly.

Listen in as me and Richard, our resident specialist in Breenism, discuss the technique, philosophy, and confounding style of this enchanting indie film.

Written, directed, produced, and edited by REALTOR®-cum-auteur Neil Breen (Double Down, I Am Here.... Now, Fateful Findings, Pass Thru, Twisted Pair), this film has been called "unfocused and confusing" by Chicken Dynasty, while Marc Fusion likened it to "mind melting cinema." Look, finding legitimate reviews of this film was tough. Considering Breen has been wowing the indie circuit for years I am surprised. You know what, just Google "Neil Breen."

It tells the story of a cosmic cyborg-like Jesus figure who comes to Earth in a shitty paperweight. Of course he chooses to land in Las Vegas and immediately laments the downfall of his "project," our species... the human species. From there he steals clothes and truck from a junkie couple, cruises around the Vegas Strip, befriends a dying old man in a wheel chair, has some sort of relationship with an environmentalist turned escort, and literally wipes away corruption in the form of crooked lobbyists and politicians. This film is batshit.

Neil stopped selling it solo on his website, but you can find it at dvdlady.com.

A story about one really angry German dude, strippers, photography, and a whole lot of fake blood.

Listen in as me and returning guest Devon flounder as we try to find a reason why this film exists.

Written and directed by Nick Palumbo (Nutbag, Murder-Set-Pieces), the Christian Science Monitor (yes, you read that correctly) called the film "an interesting effort to make the ultimate horror movie," while Variety, The New York Times, Village Voice, and New York Post basically called it garbage. What is the truth? Well... 4 out of 5 dentists can't be wrong, can they?

It tells the story of a psychotic Photographer, played with cartoonish zest by Sven Garrett (Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless, Dances with Werewolves), as he trolls around Las Vegas picking up strippers and prostitutes for photo sessions that end in rape, torture, and murder. That's about it. Oh, he is dating a woman named Charlotte, played by Valerie Baber (Emmanuelle: The Private Collection), whose younger sister Jade discovers the murderous truth of the Photographer. Okay, that's really it. Lot's of nudity, not great acting, oodles of fake blood.

The film is currently available on DVD in R-rated and Director's Cut versions.

A story about green goo, bad stage makeup, goblins, and PISSING ON HOSPITALITY!

Listen in as me and my returning guest, Dan, talk through this infamous accidental comedy.

Written and directed by auteur Claudio Fragasso—tower of talent who as gone by the names Drake Floyd, Clyde Anderson, Werner Knox, and Claudio Sansevero—(Rats: Night of Terror, Scalps, Night Killer, Karate Man), The Chicago Reader said "the script is stupid, the acting is wooden, [and] the special effects are laughable," and Cinema Crazed called it "a piss poor awful movie and nothing more." Goddamn, critics! Back off this celebrated piece of American Italian (?) cinema!

It tells the story of the Waits family who does a house swap with a strange family from a town Nilbog, where they can take the world's worst-sounding vacation living as farmers. Yippie. Only, once they arrive in the rural hamlet things get weird. The locals behave oddly, are obsessed with milk, and hate meat. All the while each of the family has their own hangups. Joshua, the young son, still sees visions of dead Grandpa Seth who warns him of impending doom. Holly, the teenage daughter, is hot and cold for her "boyfriend" and gets pissed when he drags along his buddies to her vacation. Mother, Diana, is always surprised. Father, Michael, just wants to have a good time with his family living off the land...and HOSPITALITY! Toss in some goblins and shit just gets golden.

The film is currently available on Pluto TV, Tubi, Blu-ray, and DVD.

A story about a house a geek, a hobo, a house, and a whole lot of psychosis.

Listen in as me and my guest, Pete, talk through this strange mind trip of a film.

Directed by two-time helmer Chris Walas (The Fly II & The Vagrant) and written by Richard Jefferies (14 Going on 30, Cold Creek Manor, Bloodtide), The Video Vacuum called it a "painfully unfunny black comedy," and Entertainment Weekly said it was a "moronic, ineptly directed bummer." Ouch. Look, it's not a good movie, but that's what you're here for, right? It is profoundly strange and uneven, and that makes for a fun watch - especially under the influence of your preferred substance.

It tells the story of milquetoast businessman Graham Krakowski (played by the awesome Bill Paxton) as he buys a house that unbeknownst to him was a frequent haunt of a scarred and oozy vagrant (played sleazily by Marshall Bell). As Graham tries to rid himself of the vagrant he finds himself mixed up in a string of murders, excessive house makeovers, and eventually on the run from the police. Ever see Bill Paxton with a mullet? You will.

The film is currently available on Amazon Prime and Blu-ray.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A story about a curse, friendship, Thanksgiving break, and a foul-mouthed turkey.

Listen in as me and my returning guest, Devon, talk about how thankful we are for this piece of holiday-themed magic.

Directed by first-time-helmer Jordan Downey (ThanksKilling 3, Critters: Bounty Hunter, The Head Hunter) and co-written by Downey and Kevin Stewart (ThanksKilling 3, The Head Hunter), Really Awful Movies said it was a "great film to watch with a group while...waiting for the effects of the tryptophan to wear off," and McBastard's Mausoleum called it "campy, childish and sometimes vile." This bit of digital video storytelling is a blood spattered hoot of a time and pairs perfectly with any large family gathering with children and the elderly. Trust me!

It tells the story of a group of friends traveling home for Thanksgiving break from college. They stop to camp out under the stars and get drunk along the way, only to find themselves being hunted by a murderous, vulgar turkey. Hilarity ensues as the body count grows and organs find themselves separated from their owners. This is one time during Thanksgiving I'm happy to see this many giblets!

The film is currently available on Amazon Prime.

A story about health issues, the system, slugs, and exploding eyes.

Listen in as me and my guest, writer and director Todd Norwood, talk through this slimy, crawly, and carnivorous film.

Directed by Juan Piquer Simón (Pieces, The Rift, Cthulhu Mansion) and written by Ron Gantman (Slugs, Mystery on Monster Island), Video Graveyard called it "a flick so utterly ridiculous you have to see it at least once," and Bloody Disgusting said it was "so much stupid fun." Once again, the critics are correct and their common thread of approval is with the weird and off-kilter nature of this film.

It tells the story of two government health and safety workers named Mike and Don, played with the fervor of summer stock actors by Michael Garfield and Philip MacHale respectively, who go about looking into a series of mysterious deaths. When it is discovered that giant man-eating slugs are to blame they team up with a scientist/lab technician named John Foley (played very British by Santiago Álvarez) to find a way to stop the murderous gastropods.

Add in some strange music, batshit crazy dialogue, and puzzling acting choices and you got yourself a fine Saturday evening!

The film is currently available on TubiTV.com and Blu-ray.

Check out Todd's work at www.islandtimefilm.com!

A story about drippy things, guts, corpses, and really, really weird sex.

Listen in as me and my guest, my lovely wife Ashley, talk through this gooey horror rom-com.

Directed by Jörg Buttgereit (Nekromantik 2, Lexx, Schramm, Green Frankenstein) and co-written by Buttgereit and Franz Rodenkirchen (Nekromantik 2, Schramm, The Death King), The Bloody Pit of Horror called the film "one of the sickest genre films widely available," while Last Movie Review on the Left said it was a "train wreck." Both are kinda right. It certainly isn't for everyone. It is not your traditional horror by any means, and for those looking to see gory whacked out films, this is certainly one, but its pacing and arthouse feel pull it from sitting squarely in the genre.

It tells the story of Rob, a biological hazard clean up guy, who likes to collect bits and bobbles from the accident and murder scenes to which he tends. He lives with his girlfriend Betty who enjoys the occasional blood bath - it's great for the skin, you know. One day he brings home a corpse for them to play with and they have a wild threesome with the stiff (pun intended). Things seem great for them until Rob gets canned from his job for being generally weird and incompetent. Next thing he knows, Betty's gone and has taken their rotting third wheel with her. Rob then descends into a journey of depression and self-discovery that may or may not include more necrophilia, decapitation, and seppuku!

Warning though, there is footage of an animal being killed.

The film is currently available on DVD and Blu-ray on Amazon.

A story about the nuclear family, sadism, body horror, and inhalers.

***LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED***

Listen in as me and returning guest & resident Human Centipede "expert", Chris, discuss this dry heave-inducing sequel.

Written and directed by Tom Six (Human Centipede I, II, & III), the sophomore entry in Six's triad of repulsion currently holds a 17 out of 100 Metascore. Entertainment Weekly called the film "the sickest B movie ever made," while New York Magazine said it was "a sick joke taken to extremes." Love it or hate it, this film I definitely worth talking about, whether it be in abject disgust or demented glee.

It tells the story of Martin, a parking garage attendant who lives with his loveless mother and his only friend, a pet centipede. He is obsessed with the film The Human Centipede and keeps a carefully crafted scrapbook in honor of his favorite story. After being pushed to the edge by his mother, his doctor, and seemingly the world, Martin sets out to make his own 12-person centipede. What follows is an audio/visual decent into filth, pain, and extremity. Not to mention a creative way to use sandpaper...

The film is currently available on Amazon Prime and Blu-ray.

A story about the environment, survival, bloodthirsty birds, and terrible CGI.

Listen in as me and my guest, Dave, talk through this film that makes you wonder what the hell you are watching.

Written and directed by James Nguyen (Birdemic 2: The Resurrection, Birdemic 3: Sea Eagle, Julie and Jack), Variety called the film a "compendium of cinematic don'ts [which] gives it a goofy, almost surrealist charm." The Village Voice said the "actors perform so terribly that you can't even put a finger on what is wrong with these people?" Both are correct, but don't let that dissuade you from seeing this film. It is so utterly off-center one must see it to believe it. That said, we certainly try to crack its shell in this episode.

It tells the story of software salesman extraordinaire Rod as he reconnects with an old schoolmate, Nathalie, who just happens to be a model on the rise. As the two grow closer together, quiet rumblings of mankind's gradual assault on the planet and its adverse effects are put more and more on display. From fast news reports to full on exposé level commentary, the emphasis on man's screwing the world grows front and center. And then the birds come. That's when shit gets real. Real ridiculous. Ever see a bunch of identical bald eagle dive bomb a city? You will. Ever see those same eagles float menacingly about people but not do harm? You will. Ever see those selfsame eagles also rip open throats when the plot calls for it? Oh... You will.

Hitchcock ain't got nothin' on this, baby!

The film is currently available on Amazon Prime, Fandor, and Tubi.