Mercedez Varble

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Review: The Bloody Man

Published July 15, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

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I grew up in the heart of Amish country in Western New York. The skies seemed to grow inconceivably dense above the tree swept hills there, turning black at night, the only light a cautious flecking of far-away stars. On evenings when I was left alone with my younger brother and sister, it seemed like anything could happen…like something sinister would surely unfold, all that space breeding uncertain wonder….and fear.

In Daniel Benedict’s incredibly creative and extremely ambitious The Bloody Man, a nostalgic horror offering, bar none, young Sam (a sympathetic David Daniel), the film’s troubled protagonist, actually does find something lurking in the shadowed recesses of his home and he and his siblings (the relatable Sam Hadden and the truly adorable Olivia Sanders) must band together and fight for their survival. With their mother recently killed in an accident and a new step mother tentatively trying to forge a bond with them, the odds seem against this emotionally damaged trio. But apprehensive viewers need only to recall that celluloid history is littered with iconic villains who have fallen due to a little familial ingenuity, so all hope may not be lost.

Nicely wearing his influences proudly on his sleeve, Benedict includes elements of superhero films, John Hughes coming-of-age comedies and delirious references to such anthology films as Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt here. A strong love for the works of Wes Craven and Fred Dekker also emerges as the proceedings unfold. Yet Benedict has tricks all of his own. The opening sequence featuring Sam trying to catch up with the morning school bus is a feat of ingenious planning, highlighting the director’s comic timing and intrepid filmmaking skills. 46463393_1880538832015170_7751063814790971392_o

Fans will rejoice at the casting of Tuesday Knight and Lisa Wilcox, as well. While their connection to Craven and his iconic A Nightmare on Elm Street series makes their inclusion a natural one, these two seasoned performers definitely supply more than mere name value. They give detailed, heart filled performances in major roles. Knight also brings her rock n roll heart to the film’s beyond cool soundtrack, singing several of her own pop compositions – including a theme song that is reminiscent (in all the best ways) to Nightmare, her popular sonic contribution to the Dream Master’s opening moments.

Indie horror film fans will also be sure to rejoice upon discovering the presence of such homegrown terror stalwarts as Jason Crowe (Dead Moon Rising, The Bad Man), Roni Jonah (Shark Exorcist, The Legacy) and the always personable, scene stealing Mercedez Varble, the heroine of Benedict’s truly fun slasher throwback Bunni.

More information on The Bloody Man is available at www.redserial.com and https://www.facebook.com/RedSerialFilms.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Review: Bunni

Published April 17, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

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I grew up in Deadwood country where the local, maniacal caterers at shotgun weddings (and other less public functions) would try to get us kids to eat the rabbit legs, that they had prepared, by telling us that they tasted just like chicken.

Well, I have to tell you, that while much meat is exposed, mangled and manipulated in Red Serial Films’ fun, slasher-like Bunni – none of it probably tastes like chicken!

Writer-director Daniel Benedict places his tale on Halloween night which, smartly, allows for his very attractive female cast to be clad in very little costuming due to the plotline and, as a bonus, many of these ladies, including plucky Mercedez Varble (as the piece’s final girl) and Cat Geary (who gives the villainess some saucy menace), have nice volumes of presence, as well.bunni2

Wisely, Benedict keeps the action moving once his premise is set up, also. After the protagonists enter a seemingly abandoned warehouse (that holds youthful memories for one of the characters), clothes soon get dropped and blood almost immediately starts spurting. Ben Rich’s special effects make-up designs are gruesomely effective and even hint at a bit of feminism as the most misogynistic male character gets it in the nastiest way.

And while she may not knock Mrs. Voorhees off her mantel as the filmdom’s most famous femme killer, Bunni, herself, brings a nice modern appeal to Benedict’s sisters-doing-it-for-themselves revenge motif. She is a nice focal point, visually and emotionally, for those who believe women are much more powerful (and much more vicious when wronged) than men.

Mostly, though, Bunni is an enjoyable horror film that knows exactly what it is doing and doesn’t waste much time getting there. Its a fun, fast ride and an honorable throwback to those 80s classics that so many of us love and admire.

Bunni is currently wrecking havoc throughout the convention circuit. You can keep up-to-date with showings and release dates at https://www.facebook.com/RedSerialFilms.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan