J.R. Watkins Interviews Monster Matt Patterson for Monsters for Charity

Tonight I got to sit down and talk to Monster Matt Patterson about his Charity Auction called Monsters for Charity. Below are the details to our conversation.

TC: First, let me take a second to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with Twisted Central.
MM: You are welcome, and thank you for taking the time to help get the word out there about Monsters for Charity.

TC: What exactly do you do in the horror genre?
MM: I currently write for 4 websites, I have 2 podcasts. I am an author, horror artist and plan on breaking into comic book illustrating with a series that should be out this year. I also make masks. You could say I do a little bit of everything, a jack of all trades so to speak.

TC: What is your favorite horror film?
MM: Wow that is a tough question. I would have to say the original Basket Case.

TC: Could you explain what exactly is Monsters for Charity?
MM: Our idea is what preceded Ebay. Email auction sites that ran their bidding by email only. We pick a various charities to contribute too. The charity that has benefited the most is Toys for Tots. We did an auction for them during the Holiday season and we were able to help a lot of people. There are auctions out there that keep a percentage of the bids. We do not do this we pay for all expenses out of our own pockets, even the shipping. This is so all the profit goes to the charities. Also I would like to add that when you win an item the money goes straight to the charity. We act as a middle man, once the money is received by the charity we then ship out the item that you won.

TC: How many people make up Monsters for Charity?
MM: We are a group of 8 people that all are somehow affiliated with the horror genre. We have a Horror Host, a comic book creator, an author, 2 book reviewers and even a fan of Debbie Rochon who has been able to get Debbie to contribute some really cool items to auction.

TC:Besides email, how do people bid?
MM: Well in addition to Email we have a Facebook page you can place a bid on and also through Twitter.

TC: How long has Monsters for Charity been in operation?
MM: As the group that we are, since Thanksgiving 2011. I did some charity around Halloween for the zombie walk in Hamilton Ontario. I donated some sketches and masks and it felt really good to do so and get involved and I wanted to keep doing that. Monsters for Charity took off from there.

TC: What charity or charities is the money donated to?
MM: We have involved a number of charities such as Toys for Tots, various food banks, Camp Good Day and Special Times, and also The Women's and Children's Hospital.

TC: What kind of things specifically have you auctioned off recently?
MM: Recently a coffee mug with the coffee beans, it’s a specialty set, online gift certificates for horror retailers, a dvd signed by Debbie Rochon (Dr Horror’s Erotic House of Idiots), and also a copy of Chillerama on Blu Ray signed by 10 of the cast members. We also are in talks with Fangoria, and Troma to get involved as well.

TC: Is there anything else you would like to say to the fans of Twisted Central?
MM: Yes, I would also like to add the very cool fact that our group is international with our 2 book reviewers from Canada, and we also have someone involved that is in South Africa. You can look us up on Facebook under Monsters for Charity, and on Twitter @charitymonster. Please give us a chance and we will keep everything rolling. It’s so easy just to do something for someone even if it’s just walking up to someone on the street and giving them a sandwich

J.R. Watkins Interviews Up and Coming Scream Queen Pretty Poison

Twisted Central writer, J.R. Watkins recently had the opportunity to interview up and coming scream queen Pretty Poison. Pretty Poison is an actress/model in the horror industry. She has starred in movies like Afterparty Massacre and She Devil’s A-Go-Go. Hope it's as enjoyable for you to read as it was to interview her.

TC: First I would like to take the chance to thank you for taking the time to talk to us here at Twisted Central.
PP: No problem! Thank YOU for wanting to interview me!

TC: Where are you from?
PP: Originally from a Clevo suburb. I've bounced around and eventually made it back to Ohio.

TC: What got you involved with the Horror Industry?
PP: When I moved back to Ohio I was supposed to help Horrormerch.com (Kristoff Bates) out with Acid Rain and couldn't because (and don't laugh) my bowling league was on the same night. I did end up doing some print work for Horrormerch.com and then was asked to be in The Afterparty Massacre and ended up helping work the cons from there!

TC: What is your favorite Horror movie?
PP: My all time fav is definitely Brain Damage! I'm a big Jaws fan too...all of them despite how terrible the sequels were!

TC: You were recently in Afterparty Massacre. What was that experience like?
PP: It was super fun! I actually played four different parts in it! I did two other movies that same year She Devil's a Go-Go and TetherBall: The Movie...and I'm planning to do two more this year as well!

TC: Would you consider yourself an up and coming scream queen?
PP: I don't know. I may not always play the victim! (insert devious laugh here) And I've also had other roles that weren't horror oriented! But I def wouldn't turn another victim role down if asked!

TC: Do you have any upcoming projects?
PP: Yes! Going to be working on another film with the Horrormerch.com crew! I'm def getting my hands a little more dirty with this one...taking a bigger role, and helping out with ideas and writing! I absolutely LOVE it and I'm def thankful for the opportunity!

TC: Other than acting, is there anything else you are interested in?
PP: Well I also model! www.facebook.com/clevelandsnexttopmodel
and sometimes...just sometimes I sing! www.reverbnation.com/timebombheart

TC: Is there anything you would like to say to our fans of Twisted Central?
PP: Thank you so much for reading! Hope I'm as interesting as you would have imagined!
Please add my fanpage for up to date stuff on filming shoots and cons I'll be appearing at!
www.facebook.com/clevelandsnexttopmodel
afterpartymassacre.com
www.horrormerch.com and you can follow me on Twitter! @HelloMsPoison

Popularity Killer 2011 (Short Film) - REVIEW

I remember when I was in high school I always wanted to be popular. That’s not the case here. If you are in the wrong clique at Payton High you are going to end up dead. Things sure have changed over the years; on the other hand it makes for one hell of a slasher film.

Our film starts off in a wooded area where Kaitlyn (Dana Terpinas) and her boyfriend Nick (Mike Goltz) are making out. Nick reaches between her legs to make his move and he is blocked. This starts an argument. Nick is sick of waiting for her to put out for him and she is nowhere near ready to give up her virginity. Nick kicks Kaitlyn out of the car and drives off forcing her to walk home. While walking a figure is seen stalking her in the night, dressed in a long black hooded robe and wearing a mask that resembles a creepy looking Betty Boop. Kaitlyn is knocked to the ground head first and is stabbed in the back of the head with an exit through her mouth. The next day back at school, the day after the murder, Nick is now the prime suspect in the killing of Kaitlyn. The students are given a half day of school off plus the next day because of the grisly murder that has happened to one of their own. Melissa (Courtney Ellen Bay) and her best friend Courtney (Hannah Herdt) plot to have a girls night, just the two of them, and watch movies. Courtney wants to invite Corey (Matty Deorschner) so that Melissa will have a chance to get laid, but Melissa still just wants the night to be just the two of them. Courtney ends up inviting Corey anyway along with Paige (Jennifer Frey) for a quiet night of movies and beer. Melissa shows up unhappy about her not being the only other one there and almost right behind her is Nick with a girl from Bridgeport named Allison (Jamie Jo Roen). This party is about to get really interesting really quick.

Popularity Killer is from the same studio that brought you Teddy which was recently reviewed as well. Slasher Studios is making their second short film now with a bigger budget and quite frankly has better acting. It is meant to be a dark comedy slasher film, but in my opinion all that’s what a slasher movie is anyway. The death scenes in this movie are really what impressed me. They all looked very realistic and the actors sold their deaths better than most full feature big budget movie actors do. The only thing that is really missing is good looking women. The women in the film are pretty plain looking, nothing special. The first person to get killed is Kaitlyn and she was supposed to be the most popular girl in school and is really not that attractive. To sum it up: good acting, great effects, but needs more hotties.

I would say I really enjoyed Popularity Killer. I am pretty big on effects and how realistic a death looks in the movie and they were able to perfect that formula. The movie is chalk full of everything I love about slasher movies. There is a scene in a wooded area, a killer with a mask and a pretty creepy undertone. It’s also quite a bit of a challenge to try and figure out who the killer is. Really glad I’m not in high school. Teenagers will do anything to be popular, or in this case kill who is popular.

Reviewed by: J.R. Watkins

Black Briefs 2011 (Short Film) - REVIEW

Venturing out of my usual realm of slasher and psychological horror and diving into a series of short films that are not what I usually watch. This will be a review of a compilation of dark themed gay short films. It’s always good to be adventurous every once in a while. Isn’t it?

SPRING: Two gentlemen Joe (Chris O'Donnell) and Tim (Jonathan Keane) who meet up in a coffee shop to talk and go back to Tim’s place for some action. This is more of an S&M bondage film than real horror. Although a dark film, not scary at all more of drama and at the same time is sick and twisted. An experience Tim will remember for the rest of his life. Barking like a dog, hanging almost choking. This movie was awful. It really did not make sense at all. The ending was worse than the actual story line was, and I did not think that was possible.

REMISSION: Sam (Michael Fitzpatrick) just getting back from his oncology appointment is sitting and talking to his boyfriend about the results. Sam is in a log cabin home in the woods that is quiet, secluded and miles away from any civilization. Having a normal day just him and his dog he senses he is being stalked. A bloody figure appears to him throughout the day and night. Upon letting his dog out the next morning Sam notices a bloody gauze pad on the floor with a string pulling it towards the basement. You will have to find out for yourself what happens next.

WINNER TAKES ALL: Ryker (Gavyn Michaels) cancels his theater performance for the night and invites the two most important men in his life to the theater, Brian (Hunter Lee Evans) and Ernesto (Adrian Quinonez). Ryker confesses to both Brian and Ernesto that he is having a relationship with both of them and has been dishonest to them. To decide who he wants to be with Ryker wants them to box each other in a “winner take all” fight. Brian a skinny not so tough guy and Ernesto a former boxer who was 21-3. The odds are stacked in the favor of Ernesto, but you have to watch out for the scrawny guys they can be the ones to surprise ya.

PROMISE: Waking up from a drunken night at a male strip club, Stu (Korken Alexander) starts to remember what happened the night before. Stu and his lover Chris (Rick Cornette) have an argument about Stu’s drinking and drunken behavior. The argument continues at home as well with Chris pointing out Stu’s email account with an interaction with a guy they were both with only Stu continued the relationship on his own. Stu and Chris are to be married the next day and this puts a large kink in their plans. The cheating sends Chris into a rage and things suddenly turn very physical.

VIDEO NIGHT: Three men (Jessie Rice), (Jack Plotnick) and (Jim Hansen) and a woman named Kali (Kali Rocha) are having a session of recording what seems to be a comedy or more of just goofing off in front of the camera. They finish their skit and retreat to the kitchen to drink wine and have a few laughs. Kali goes upstairs to the bathroom leaving the three men in the kitchen. The three men got to the den to view their recorded skit on the computer. They notice as the camera panned at the end of the skit there was someone outside in the window watching them. Two of the men venture out of the room realizing they did not know were Kali was. One man staying back realizes the camera never stopped rolling and someone has picked it up and is one their way up to the bathroom.

COMMUNICATION: Returning from his time in Israel Jacob (Rudi Vodanovich) finds that his former teacher Andrew (Alexander Campbell) has left him all of his property and possessions. Jacob goes to Andrew’s house and starts to reminisce about the relationship he had with Andrew which was much more than teacher and student.

All of the films in this set are well written and directed. If you are a horror lover wanting a collection of gruesome guts and people being hacked into pieces you have stumbled upon the wrong set of short films. I am not a really big fan of drama so saying I liked all of the films would be a lie. When the title line of the dvd reads “dark themed films” I expect it to be just that. Not a bunch of romance laced with just a touch of blood, betrayal, bondage and rape. Remission was the only film in this set to even come close to being suspenseful and horror. I really did like that entry and at the end of the film it left me wanting more to see what could happen next. To answer the question from my opening statement on it being good to be adventurous every once in a while, this time I would have to give that a big fat NO.

Reviewed by: J.R. Watkins

Tucker and Dale vs Evil 2010 - REVIEW

Today I won the movie battle at my house and finally signed up for Netflix. It may just be for the free trial but a win is a win. My first venture on Netflix was Tucker and Dale vs Evil. It is filled with gore and really a hell of a lot funnier than I anticipated. I did not anticipate I would be writing a review to praise this movie but that is in fact what you are about to read.

On Memorial Day weekend a group of college students venture to the wilderness to have a weekend of fun. They stop for beer at a local store where Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine). Dale, noticing one girl out of the group in particular, Allison (Katrina Bowden). Dale is afraid to talk to her because of her looks and his hillbillyish looks. Tucker talks him into it and Dale proceeds to go over and talk to the group while holding a very large scythe. Starting a very awkward conversation the college kids, including Allison, get very scared and leave rather abruptly. Tucker and Dale proceed to go to Tucker’s new vacation cabin that they are going to fix up all weekend. Meanwhile the group of college students which include Allison, Chad (Jesse Moss), Chloe (Chelan Simmons), Chuck (Travis Nelson), Jason (Brandon Jay Mclaren), Naomi (Christie Liang), Todd (Alex Arsenault), Mitch (Adam Beauchsne), and Mike (Joseph Allan Sutherland) are setting up camp ready to drink and party all weekend. Chad tells the story of the Memorial Day Massacre from 20 years prior where a family of hillbillys killed a group of kids partying the same way they are. Tucker and Dale are fishing later that night while the college students are skinny dipping on the same lake. Seeing the students, Tucker and Dale decide to go back the opposite direction to avoid them. But Allison falls in the water and hits her head. Dale jumps in and saves her, but the students think she is being kidnapped by the 2 hillbillys and run away. Instead of 2 people being nice trying to help others they are pitted against each other. Hence the title Tucker and Dale vs Evil, well not really evil but more like preppy assholes.

The acting in this movie was surprisingly good. None of the cast are really famous or known for being in anything, except for Allan Tudyk who plays Tucker. You may remember him from Dodge Ball: A True Underdog Story as Steve the pirate. All death scenes gave horror fans what they were looking for and also satisfies with a ton of laughs along the way. I was definitely surprised by how well the movie was put together, expecting a rather cheesy version of Wrong Turn.

Having watched this as my first movie in my queue with Netflix, I have to say I may just keep this longer than the free trial and actually pay for it. I was looking for a good slash-em horror movie and what a found was a gory comedy. It was a pleasant and welcomed surprise. In fact the muscles in my face are sore from having to laugh so often. This is really a fantastic movie that I highly recommend.

Reviewed by: J.R. Watkins

Teddy 2011 (Short Film) - REVIEW

When we were young we all had a Teddy Bear. Although I don’t think any of my Teddy’s had their mouths sown shut like a scarecrow. Reason for that is, well, it is just a little creepy. If anyone out there did that as a child or in their 20’s well I would like to know so I can make sure not to make friends with you!

Set in the winter of 1996, Teddy begins with an old man stopping to fix his broken down truck. His son (Keegan Bergan) gets out of the truck clutching onto his Teddy Bear, obviously not playing with a full deck as he is well into his 20’s. Seeing a truck coming down the road the old man jumps out in the middle of the road to wave them down. He jumped rather late for a group of people who were drinking and did not see him. He was hit by the truck, splattered blood on the windshield and he was dead. The group jump out of the truck to see what they have done. Clay (Mike Golz) is the first to speak up since he was the one driving and also still holding a beer. He insists he is not taking the fall since they were all drinking. Aaron (Kevin Sommerfield) speaks up to call the police but is sharply shot down my Clay and Aaron conforms because he is kind of a wuss. On Clays command they all roll the old man in the woods so they can get on with their vacation and set up their camping gear down the road. All this is happening while the old man’s son watches still hold his Teddy Bear. Later on that night while Clay is still drinking profusely, they are all sitting around a campfire. Clay and his girlfriend Dana (Dana Terpinas), who is pregnant (with the assholes baby), retreat to their tent to have some hot sex in the woods. I mean what would a short film be without a sex scene. This leaves Aaron and his sister Jenny (Nikita Vora) by the fire. Jenny trails off to go get blankets from the truck leaving her wimp brother by the fire. A man appears behind him with a ski mask and the mouth of it sown like his Teddy Bear and you will never believe what happens next.

As a throwback to the 80’s slasher craze, the movie was directed to the “T” for a slasher movie. I am a huge slasher fan myself it was a fun movie to watch. The acting is mediocre. The characters were very well defined though. Clay was the tough, beer drinker that was really hard to like and you were just thrilled that he died. Aaron was a wimpy, weak willed adult who still hung out with his sister instead of a girlfriend which you can assume he has never had. Dana is the slut who likes jerks like Clay to boss her around and give her some “Pourage”. If you don’t know what that means, after you watch this you will know what that means. Jenny, however, is really not defined.

I wish more slasher throwbacks were out there. I don’t even know why the slasher genre died. It was great, how the hell could a horror fan get bored of a maniac wondering around killing people? Teddy did incorporate what is essential in a slasher, a scary looking crazy man with a mask of some sort on. There is a simple formula and this movie followed it on the dot. Predictable at times, still a bundle of fun. Watch out when you watch it…. it is “beary” scary!

Be sure to check out the site for more information!!

Reviewed by: J.R. Watkins

Friday the 13th Part VI 1986 - REVIEW

A tribute to my favorite slasher of all time, Jason Voorhees. I figured it was fitting since its Friday the 13th. Part 6 is by far my favorite and is also the first Friday the 13th movie that Jason was actually brought back from the dead. The movie is filled with dark humor, a slashing undead madman, and the most surprising of all NO nudity.

On a dark stormy night Tommy Jarvis (Thom Matthews) and his friend from the institution Hawes (Ron Palillo) are driving down the road headed to the cemetery which holds the grave of Jason Voorhees (CJ Graham). The plan is to dig up the grave so Tommy can see he is really dead, and then destroy him. After digging up the casket to reveal Jason in it, Tommy loses it and stabs him repeatedly with a piece of the cemetery’s gate. This sets up the lightning to hit the piece of gate in Jason bringing him back to life. Jason, after disposing of Hawes turns towards Tommy, who runs to his truck to make the getaway. Tommy drives to the local sheriff’s office to report the incident. The only thing he got was a non-believing Sherriff and a nap in a jail cell courtesy of Sherriff Garris (David Kagen). Jason is on the prowl in Crystal Lake again and the only person who has seen this is in a jail cell.

Tom McLoughlin took the director’s chair for this 6th installment of Friday the 13th and wanted to do something different with the series adding a lot of dark humor and a version of Jason that no one has seen before. Jason is an undead zombie who is now even more unstoppable that ever. The movie was filmed in Covington, Georgia and the scenes in the woods were at Camp Daniel Morgan, right outside of Covington. The acting was what people came to expect out of the Friday movies, a bunch of faces that have not seen a lot of screen time with a mediocre performance. That’s not to say that the movie is bad. The acting added a lot to the humor they were trying to achieve with this segment and it was delivered as intended.

Jason Voorhees is my favorite serial killer. I have seen all of the movies so many times he is almost part of the family. Part 6 was actually the first Friday movie I ever saw, which is part of the reason why it’s my favorite. I did recently have the pleasure of meeting the director Tom McLoughlin and his lovely wife Nancy who was also in the movie as Lizabeth. Along with them I met Thom Matthews and David Kagen as well. Every single one of them is great people and was as nice as could be. Tom and Nancy stood around and just talked for at least 20 minutes. Everyone in the movie seemed to have chemistry and after meeting so many of them I can see why. Happy Friday the 13th Freaks!

Reviewed by J.R. Watkins

The Crow 1994 - REVIEW

Let me say I am not a fan of comic books being made into movies, but I can make an exception for The Crow. One of the darker comics made a brilliant transfer to the big screen with Brandon Lee’s breakthrough role, and also his last. While The Crow was a success in the box office it was surrounded by controversy due to the accidental death of Brandon Lee on the set. Lee was shot in the abdomen by an object that was lodged in a gun and passed away shortly thereafter.

On the day before Halloween, also referred to in the movie as Devil’s Night is where our movie begins. Police surround an apartment building were Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas) were murdered. A gang of thugs had barged in with only Shelly at home to clear out the place for eviction. Shelly and Eric had written to the landlord, Top Dollar (Michael Wincott), petitioning the eviction and fighting it. T-Bird (David Patrick Kelly), Funboy (Michael Massee), Skank (Angel David), and Tin Tin (Laurence Mason) proceed to rape and beat Shelly. When Eric walks in he is immediately punctured with a knife thrown at him by Tin Tin. Eric’s body is picked up and flung out the window falling to his death. Shelly was clinging to life for 30 hours in the hospital and then passed away as well. The movie picks up a year later with a crow perched on top of Eric’s gravestone. The crow resurrects Eric so that he may avenge his death and the death of his bride to be Shelly. The crow leads him to a dumpster for shoes and back to his old apartment where he finds clothing and the memories he needs to fuel his revenge on the ones who murdered them and show them the same fate that he met a year ago. “It’s not a good day to be a bad guy”!

The Crow is a very dark film that depicts what happens when you are wronged and given a second chance to make things right. The acting was fantastic. This was tagged as Brandon Lee’s breakthrough role and delivered nothing short of that. Ernie Hudson also has a lead in this movie as a detective demoted to beat cop after spending countless hours trying to solve the murder of Eric and Shelly. All of the villains are veteran actors who were outstanding namely the ring leader Top Dollar. Michael’s deep raspy voice and long flowing dark hair made the creepiness of his character all that more effective.

At the time of his death during the filming of this movie Brandon Lee was my favorite actor. I was 13 years old and very in to the martial arts action movies of the 1990’s. Having heard about Brandon’s demise I was heartbroken. The only thing that could heal this was “more cowbell”. Just kidding! The one thing I needed to bring closure to my favorite actor was to see his last movie, and that I did. On opening night I was with my Dad at the movie theater with popcorn in hand, almost giddy to see The Crow. In my eyes it was nothing short of amazing watching Brandon Lee kick some fucking ass. This became my favorite movies never to be topped by another for me and finally bring closure to me the untimely and tragic death of Brandon Lee. Rest in Peace Brandon. This is one fan who will never forget the short legacy you left behind.

Reviewed by: J.R. Watkins

The Code 2011 (Short Film) - REVIEW

Your first date with someone is always the most important. You have to make a good impression, make sure you don’t run out of things to talk about, and most importantly watch out for zombies!

The Code begins with Chad (Daylon Walton) and Vanna (Tamara Voss) alone on a grassy hillside, talking and getting acquainted. Chad is sweet talking her about to make his move when they are interrupted by a slew of zombies. Turning around to run away they are greeted by a masked killer named Carl (Todd Terry). One of the zombies named Shaun (Taylor Brandt) tells Kyle to take off his mask that he is actually there on the wrong night. They switched weeks and it was updated in the Google calendar. Later a vampire named Neil (Ben Cody Rogers) also shows up to partake in the killing along with Bigfoot (Jason Walter Vaile). Bigfoot is sent away immediately because 4 different sets of killers is obviously too many. Shaun the zombie is forced to get out “The Code” to settle the debate on who gets to kill the couple. As he is reading they realize that the woman they want to kill is no ordinary woman but is Vanna Helsing. It is Vanna who does the slaying to everyone’s disappointment.

The Code was recently featured at the Splatterfest Festival in Houston and won 11 awards. Best Film, Best Director, Best Splatter and Audience Favorite Film just to name some. The writing in this short film is excellent. This could easily be made into a feature film. The acting is great with everyone being able to deliver. There is comedy, horror and of course splattering blood.

I thought this film was fantastic. I never had so much fun watching a film that was 6 minutes long. The delivery of the humor is what made the movie for me. Taylor Brandt did an outstanding job along with everyone else that was involved with the project. Definitely a 2 thumbs up in my book. Makes you want to ask the next woman you take on a date if she is monster slayer.

Be sure to stop by and "LIKE" The Code's Facebook page then head over and check out the full short on Funny or Die.

Reviewed by J.R. Watkins

Puppet Master: Axis of Evil 2010 - REVIEW

Everyone loves low budget cheesy horror movies right? If not, why not? You have all the elements of a great movie. They are scary (sometimes) there is comedy and average to bad acting. Charles Band always manages to include all of these factors in his movies which always makes for a good hour and a half of horror movie fun.

The year is 1939 and Andre Toulon (William Hickey) has just committed suicide. The Nazis discover this in his hotel room and rummage the room looking for his coveted puppets to find the secret of bringing the inanimate to life. The Nazis walk out of Toulon’s room and one bumps into a hotel worker by the name of Danny Coogen (Levi Fiehler). Danny is a craftsman at the hotel and was going to discuss his art with Toulon, only to find him dead. Danny finds the puppets and takes them home, but has no idea what he has involved himself in. Danny finds himself in the middle of WWII in America as Germans and Japanese conspire together to blow up the American bomb manufacturing plant that his girlfriend Beth (Jenna Gallaher) works at.

The main puppets appearing in the movie is Tunneler, Pinhead, Blade, and Jester. A new puppet is also introduced in this installment named Ninja. Being a Puppet Master movie the important acting is not done by the human cast it is the puppets which in Axis of Evil seem to steal the show (mainly because the other characters are not as likable as in the past Puppet Master installments in the series).

While Axis of Evil is in a long line of direct to video releases from Full Moon Features, it does have some merit. The movie is left wide open for part X to pick up, which is in production as we speak. I am a fan of low budget, direct to video movies, with Full Moon Features movies being my favorite of this category. Charles Band has made some masterful movies over the years, and Axis of Evil is no exception. I’m sure when a series gets to number 9 ideas begin to run out. Not the case here. The storyline is well thought out and pretty darn clever to branch off to another storyline were the first movie starts. So make some popcorn, relax and enjoy watching the Nazi’s getting whipped up on.

Reviewed by J.R. Watkins

Silent Night, Deadly Night 1984 - REVIEW

A Classic for the holiday season. One of the most controversial horror movies of the 80’s and also one of the best. While this movie lacks the big name talent it doesn’t lack a body count, nudity, and of course Santa Claus with an axe. Starring in the lead role is Robert Brian Wilson as Billy , and it’s also worth noting that the original scream queen herself Linnea Quigley makes an appearance of an unfortunate victim.

Silent Night Deadly Night starts out with Billy (Danny Wagner) in the backseat as his Mother and Father are driving through what seems to be the middle of nowhere to visit Grandpa at a nursing home. After arriving, Billy’s parents talk to the Grandpa’s doctor and leave Billy with Grandpa. He snaps out of his catatonic state revealing to Billy that if you are naughty Santa will not bring you presents but he will punish you instead, scarring Billy to his core. While driving back from the nursing home Billy’s Father stops to help a broke down motorist dressed as Santa. Santa then pulls a gun killing his father as Billy escapes the car and hides in the brush. Santa pulls Billy’s Mother from the car pins her to the ground and slits her throat.

The story then picks up years later as Billy and his Brother Ricky (Alex Burton) are in an orphanage now run by nuns which we all know are wicked and will scare the piss out of you. Billy is subject to beatings from Mother Superior (Lilyan Chauvin) for being “naughty”. While kindly Sister Margaret (Gilmer McCormick) feels he remembers his parents murder and feels the evil is still in him. Mother Superior feels Punishment is the only thing he needs.

Picking up 10 years later Billy (Robert Brian Wilson) is now 18 yrs old and with the help of Sister Margaret he obtains a job at a local toy store. Life is seeming relatively normal until he is asked to dress up as Santa for the little kids. This disturbs Billy, and as a result after the store employee Christmas party on Christmas Eve Billy starts this reign of terror to punish all the “naughty”. With a killing spree that would make Jason Voorhees proud.

Silent Night Deadly Night spawned 4 sequels while only parts 2 & 3 are direct sequels to the original story. This by far is the best of the series and will make you think twice about being naughty as we all know Santa is watching.

Reviewed by JR Watkins