THE BLADE CUTS DEEPER: Almost an Homage

THE BLADE CUTS DEEPER (Blu-ray)

2024 / 84 min

Leomark Studios

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

Well, at least director/co-writer Gene Dolders did some of his homework…

In The Blade Cuts Deeper, John Abbott (John Tueart) is the sleazy creator and host of “Light, Camera, Kill,” a sensationalistic TV show that exploits tragedy by flippantly reenacting real life murders. However, his latest episode, depicting a serial killer’s handiwork, pisses off the wrong guy, who commences killing off everyone associated with that episode. In true giallo fashion, the killer isn’t revealed until the end, but the viewer ain’t gonna need a slide rule to immediately know who’s doing the carving.

As an intended giallo homage, there are some other similarities, primarily its aesthetic. There's a mysterious black-gloved killer, extended stalking sequences that are emblematic of the genre, and of course, plenty of death by cutlery, including a jaw-dropping scene where one victim is repeatedly - and convincingly - stabbed in the face. On occasion, the film manages to generate some genuine tension . 

When someone brings donuts to the staff meeting.

However, there’s typically more to giallo than pure murder and mayhem. They’re generally structured like a mystery, even those that are more style over substance. Most of this film consists of Abbott being a dick while the killer picks off everyone around him. Storywise, this is just a slasher film filled with characters whose entire narrative purpose is to die.

That doesn’t mean The Blade Cuts Deeper isn’t enjoyable. Dolders is no Argento or Bava, but considering what appears to be a low budget, this is a pretty good looking film. Additionally, the death scenes are mostly well-executed and extraordinarily brutal. As slasher movies go, trust me, you’ve seen far worse. But while it sometimes resembles giallo, the spirit just ain't there. Maybe Dolders should've actually finished his homework.

CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD (4K): Not Quite Your Typical Slasher Film

CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD (4K UHD SteelBook)

2024 / 96 min

Shudder/RLJE Films

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

There are a few things that set Clown in a Cornfield apart from your typical slasher film… 

First, it’s based on a popular young adult novel of the same name. I haven’t read it, but unless standards for YA fiction have dramatically changed since I taught middle school, I suspect the book isn’t nearly as gory or expletive-ridden as the movie. That ain’t a criticism, either. Clown in a Cornfield boasts some gleefully bloody - and frequently funny - death scenes.

Second, it’s directed and co-written by Eli Craig, the guy responsible for Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, one of the best horror comedies of the past 20 years. In that one, he cleverly turned many genre clichés on their ear without ever descending into dumb parody. Craig returns to similar territory here, which somewhat elevated my expectations. Overall, the result isn’t quite as fresh or funny, but after a shaky, inauspicious first half, the film serves up a few big laughs, some narrative surprises and unexpected social commentary.

I won’t say what that commentary is because it’s directly related to a major plot twist and motive of the main antagonist. But I did appreciate the revelations and very thinly-disguised themes they serve. And as a card-carrying liberal, I’m giddy at the idea of far-right, mouth-breathing boomers taking a break from yelling at clouds and screaming “woke!” over a slasher movie that has the audacity to be perceptive.

"You never shut up, do you?"

But its roots are still firmly planted in the slasher genre, with an plot and aesthetic similar to those of the 80s. Katie Douglas plays Quinn, a semi-rebellious teenager who moves to the small town of Kettle Springs with her father and ends up falling in with the wrong crowd…according to all the adults anyway. One of her new friends, Cole (Carson MacCormac), is the mayor’s son and wrongly blamed for burning down the Baypen corn syrup factory, which was the town’s livelihood. Meanwhile, someone dressed as Frendo, the Baypen clown mascot, starts killing this group of kids one by one. 

For awhile, this is all standard slasher stuff…bloody kills, clueless parents, kids vilified by cops, teachers, parents, etc. And if that’s all you want from a horror movie, it more or less delivers. But it’s the unexpected narrative directions taken later that make the film stand out. Like Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, these flourishes, bolstered by good overall performances, are what give viewers a bit more than just another body count.

Though Clown in a Cornfield is available in both Blu-ray and 4K, fans should definitely choose the latter. Not only are both formats included, it’s packaged in a great looking SteelBook. Other than a commentary track, there aren’t any bonus features. However, it includes a set of magnets featuring Frendo and the tools he uses as weapons. I’m thinking of sticking ‘em on the fridge, though the wife might have something to say about that.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K & BLU-RAY COPIES

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Eli Craig, author Adam Cesare, actors Carson MacCormac & Katie Douglas.

SET OF MAGNETS - Perfect for the fridge!

SCREAMBOAT: Exactly What You Think It Is

SCREAMBOAT (Blu-ray)

2025 / 102 min

From Deskpop Entertainment

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

We horror fans are a hopeful bunch. 

Of course, we always hope a movie will be scary, but also know not every director is John Carpenter, not every movie is The Exorcist. Sometimes all we can hope is that whoever’s behind the camera is competent enough to keep it in focus. That's how I approached Screamboat, the latest in the recent spate of low-budget, public domain raiding slasher flicks.

I haven’t seen the likes of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey and its ilk, but based on damn near every review, Walt Disney must be rolling in his grave. Still, I try to review every movie with an open mind, even if it reeks of an opportunistic, budget-conscious cash grab.  

At the very least, Screamboat is competently made. A blood-drenched parody of Disney’s first Mickey Mouse short, Steamboat Willie, this one is set onboard the Staten Island ferry, where Willie (David Howard Thornton) is a monstrous, oversized rodent gleefully slaughtering his way through most of the cast. The film is mostly played for laughs, and actually earns a few here and there. There are also plenty of references to other Disney movies, some clever, some eye-rolling.

Willie reads his reviews.

For the most part though, Screamboat is exactly the movie you think it’s gonna be. Depending on the viewer, that’s either a glowing recommendation or a warning to stay away. The movie exists solely because the original cartoon recently became public domain. With broad caricatures and perfunctory performances by a batch of no-name actors (save for Day of the Dead’s Jarlath Conroy), it’s largely driven by its concept and gory death scenes…some of which are kind of amusing.

At 102 minutes, Screamboat is way too long for what’s basically a one-joke movie. It ain’t great, but as cheap & sleazy cash-grabs go, I can't honestly say it's disappointing. And while Walt definitely wouldn't approve, at least director Steven LaMorte manages a bit more than simply keeping the camera in focus.

Some Peculiar Picks For PARAMOUNT SCARES, VOLUME 2

PARAMOUNT SCARES, VOLUME 2 (4K UHD)

1981-2022 / 393 min (4 movies)

FROM PARAMOUNT

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

This is Paramount’s second horror-themed 4K collection following last year’s stellar boxed set, which featured an eclectic selection of five classic and recent titles. With a beautifully designed box, loads of additional collectible goodies and creative new slipcovers, it was one of 2023’s best releases.

Paramount Scares Volume 2 offers another great batch of physical goodies (outlined below), some similar to Volume 1, some different. This set is also nicely packaged, the box sporting a similarly designed collage representing the four included titles (no ‘mystery title’ this time), as well as great new slipcovers. But this time around, I’m a little perplexed over some of the films chosen for this collection.

Though it has its naysayers, including World War Z is kind of a no-brainer. Famously bastardizing Max Brooks’ original novel - essentially tossing everything but the title - the film is a superlative example of the zombie film elevated to epic proportions. Dark, serious and smartly written, what the film lacks in the usual gore is compensated by its overall intensity, believable characters and an excellent performance by Brad Pitt. From a box office standpoint, it’s Paramount’s most successful horror film, as well as the biggest of the entire zombie subgenre. Additionally, the Blu-ray features the unrated version. Running seven minutes longer, the differences appear minor, though the violence seems to pack more of a punch.

Roger Ebert once said his negative review of Friday the 13th Part 2 could apply to any other film in the franchise, and he wasn’t entirely wrong. But I’m still at a loss why Part 2 was selected for this set. The original Friday the 13th was no great shakes either, but was the one that started it all and is widely considered the classic. Part 2 is similarly artless, but also the blandest of the entire franchise. Though the body count remains high, it’s largely bereft of the graphic, gory kills that made the first such a hit with teenagers. And while it marks the first appearance of Jason as the killer, this is before he donned his iconic hockey mask. So…why?

1997’s Breakdown is the best film in the collection and you can read our summary & review HERE. It’s also one of most underappreciated thrillers Paramount has released over the past 30 years. However, calling it a horror film is really a stretch. This tension-filled thrill ride features a great story, some excellent action sequences and a supremely sinister batch of antagonists led by the late J.T. Walsh, to say nothing of Kurt Russell’s dedicated performance in the lead role. But while there certainly are some anxiety-loaded moments, Breakdown is more of an action thriller along the lines of Duel. 

Rounding out the set is Orphan: First Kill (you can read our original review & summary HERE). For a prequel to 2009’s sleeper hit, at least it manages to justify its existence. Sure, we’re aware of Esther’s secret (the big reveal in the original), but without giving too much away, other characters are hiding much worse skeletons in their closet…enough to turn Esther into sort-of an anti-hero. While not a great film - and more of a black comedy - its inclusion makes a little more sense than Friday the 13th Part 2 (since the original Orphan was distributed by Warner Bros). Still, I can think of some true classics that would better round out this collection (such as Don’t Look Now, The Dead Zone or Cloverfield, to name a few). Oh well…there’s always Volume 3.

Every film looks and sounds great in 4K, However, it’s all the physical swag that sells this set and its another fun batch. As for the films themselves, Paramount Scares Volume 2 is worth picking up for World War Z and Breakdown if you’ve never added them to your collection. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES

FANGORIA MAGAZINE - Features new and reprinted articles/reviews.

COLLECTIBLE POSTER - A colorful collage of all four films.

IRON-ON PATCHES - One for each film.

“PARAMOUNT SCARES” LOGO PIN - A green one his time.

“PARAMOUNT SCARES” DOMED STICKER

WORLD WAR Z

THEATRICAL (4K) AND UNRATED VERSIONS (Blu-ray)

FEATURETTES - Origins; Looking to Science.

WWZ PRODUCTION - A four-part behind-the scenes doc.

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2

FEATURETTES - Inside “Crystal Lake Memories” (the book's author discusses putting it together); Friday's Legacy: Horror Conventions; Lost Tales from Camp Blood Part II is a horror short inspired by the franchise (others are available on other F13 titles); Jason Forever is a Q&A featuring four guys who’ve previously played Jason Voorhees.

TRAILER

BREAKDOWN

FEATURETTES - Filmmaker Focus features director Jonathan Mostow; Victory is Here features actress Kathleen Quinlan; A Brilliant Partnership features producer Martha De Laurentis.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Jonathan Mostow and actor Kurt Russell.

ISOLATED SCORE

ALTERNATE OPENING - With optional commentary by Jonathan Mostow.

TRAILERS