Review: Shudder and RLJE release ‘CHRISTMAS BLOODY CHRISTMAS’ – sex, gore, and rock ‘n roll for the gods.

When Tori closes her record shop on Christmas Eve, her plans include getting drunk with coworker Robbie. After the news breaks that repurposed military AI dressed as Satanta Claus reverted back to its aggressive state, things do not go as planned. So much for a silent night. CHRISTMAS BLOODY CHRISTMAS is neon-soaked rock ‘n roll merry mayhem.

The gruesome kills are juxtaposed with a sick soundtrack (and one brilliant oral sex scene), top that off with a particularly shocking choice of violence. When Tori witnesses the act, our killer Santa goes ham on the house. The words, “Oh! That’s fucking nuts,” poured out of my mouth as he breached the threshold. I would be surprised if you didn’t end up saying the same.

Riley Dandy and Sam Delich give spectacular performances. Given writer-director Joe Begos‘ meaty fandom-laced dialogue, they look like they loved every minute. The discussion about horror sequel superiority had me cheering out loud.

Delich brings that eager nice-guy energy to their will- they-won’t-they dynamic. Abraham Benrubi is unstoppable as our killer Santa. Simply put, he slays it. Dandy is fiery and punk rock in a tangible way. You want to be her best friend but probably cannot keep up. Once shit goes sideways, Dandy has the chance to champion her final girl realness and nails it. This performance kicks all the ass.

Steve Moore‘s original music is bitchin’. The practical fx are a gift. The pyrotechnic work keeps things merry and bright. The special makeup and Animatronic robot effects from Josh and Sienna Russell are a Christmas miracle. Will everyone compare it to Silent Night Deadly Night meets Terminator? Probably but who cares. CHRISTMAS BLOODY CHRISTMAS is a holiday horror treat. So, spike your eggnog, get as lit as your tree, and rock the hell out of this film.


Shudder and RLJE Films will release CHRISTMAS BLOODY CHRISTMAS in Theaters and it will stream exclusively on Shudder on December 9, 2022.

Starring Riley Dandy, Sam Delich, Abe Benrubi, Jeff Daniel Phillips

Directed by Joe Begos


Starring Riley Dandy, Sam Delich, Abe Benrubi, Jeff Daniel Phillips Directed by Joe Begos It’s Christmas Eve and fiery record store owner Tori Tooms just wants to get drunk and party, until the robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store goes haywire and makes her night more than a little complicated. Santa Claus begins a rampant killing spree through the neon drenched snowscape against a backdrop of drugs, sex, metal and violence, ultimately forcing Tori into a blood splattered battle for survival against the ruthless heavy metal Saint Nick himself.


 

Review: ‘The Mind’s Eye’, an unapologetic homage to David Cronenberg.

THE-MINDS-EYE_THEATRICAL_HICWritten and directed by Joe Begos (Almost Human), The Mind’s Eye reunites him with his Almost Human film star Graham Skipper along with cast members Lauren Ashley Carter (Premium Rush, The Woman), John Speredakos (The House of the Devil), and Noah Segan (Some Kind of Hate, Looper). THE MIND’S EYE is undeniably an homage to  David Cronenberg‘s Scanners. Low budget and over the top schlock are at it’s best and tailored for the midnight audience.

(L-R) John Speredakos as Dr. Michael Slovak and Graham Skipper as Zack Connors in the horror film “THE MIND’S EYE” an RLJ Entertainment release. Photo credit Joe Begos.

(L-R) John Speredakos as Dr. Michael Slovak and Graham Skipper as Zack Connors in the horror film “THE MIND’S EYE” an RLJ Entertainment release. Photo credit Joe Begos.

Here’s the skinny on the plot: A couple with psychokinetic capabilities are held hostage by a whacked out doctor who wants to harness their energy for his own personal uses. If you didn’t know what you were signing up for when sitting down, you might be turned off by the acting, the better for tv cinematography, and a final act that resembles something more akin to a constipation battle than a mind-melding fight to see you who eff up the other person first with their overexerted brain power. But, if you know what you’re in for, you’ve come to the right place.

(L-R) Lauren Ashley Carter as Rachel Meadows and Graham Skipper as Zack Connors in the horror film “THE MIND’S EYE” an RLJ Entertainment release. Photo credit Joe Begos.

(L-R) Lauren Ashley Carter as Rachel Meadows and Graham Skipper as Zack Connors in the horror film “THE MIND’S EYE” an RLJ Entertainment release. Photo credit Joe Begos.

Graham Skipper‘s Zack connors sounds a bit too green in his line readings for my taste, but his look is awesome. His chemistry with Carter is spot on. John Speredakos as the mad Dr. Slovak is so over the top that I’m surprised his character didn’t appear in the Buffy series (which in a strange way is a compliment, I loves me some Whedonverse). The shining star of this film is hands down the performance of Lauren Ashley Carter as Rachel.  Every moment is actually believable, filled with panic, and immensely effective. The entire cast is slotted with actors who are no strangers to the genre. It’s kind of cool to see a little indie horror love-fest going on here.

Lauren Ashley Carter as Rachel Meadows in the horror film “THE MIND’S EYE”an RLJ Entertainment release. Photo credit Joe Begos.

Lauren Ashley Carter as Rachel Meadows in the horror film “THE MIND’S EYE”an RLJ Entertainment release. Photo credit Joe Begos.

The practical effects are on point. This is where The Mind’s Eye excels. Heavy handed with the splatter and some truly sick prosthetic casts, these are the shining moments. In a time where Netflix‘s Stranger Things is blowing up, the release could not be more perfectly timed. Check out the trailer below. The Mind’s Eye arrives in theater today and is available on iTunes and VOD.

THE MIND’S EYE – RLJ Entertainment

IN THEATERS AND AVAILABLE ON VOD AND iTUNES: August 5, 2016
DIRECTED BY: Joe Begos
WRITTEN BY: Joe Begos
CAST: Graham Skipper, Lauren Ashley Carter, John Speredakos, Noah Segan
SYNOPSIS: Zack Connors and Rachel Meadows were born with incredible psychokinetic capabilities. When word of their supernatural talents gets out, they find themselves the prisoners of Michael Slovak, a deranged doctor intent on harvesting their powers. After a daring escape, they are free from his sinister institution, but the corrupt doctor will stop at nothing to track them down so that he may continue to siphon their gifts for his own use.
GENRE: Horror, Thriller
DISTRIBUTOR: RLJ Entertainment