Sunday, August 18, 2013

Blasphemy, with a side order of boobs...the films of Bill Zebub


A few years ago, as I wandered my first ever Cinema Wasteland convention (if you've never been to one of these, you REALLY need to...), I walked past a table, manned by an indie film maker plying his wares, and was handed a promo card featuring a still photo of a nun, nude from the waist down, in the process of being mounted by a desiccated corpse. As if this wasn't disturbing enough, I had an old friend with me, who happens to be a devout Catholic, his reaction to the card was priceless!

            The film maker in question was Bill Zebub, the promo card was for his film "Zombiechrist". I was intrigued to say the least...

 

            Fast forward to few Wastelands later, I managed to pick up "Zombiechrist" from the man himself (who, by the way, was wearing a most excellent King Diamond tee shirt--how can you NOT like a guy wearing that?). This, friends, started me down a slippery slope of depravity and laughs from Mr. Zebub--who, it turns out, is made up of equal parts: Bill Hicks, Kenneth Anger, and Sam Raimi, all wrapped up in one big, fucked up, package. Below are a few words on each of the films in this indie renegade's canon that I've witnessed thus far.

 


"Zombiechrist"--My trial by fire, so to speak. A completely over-the-top, blasphemous tale of Christ as a re-animated corpse. Rife with: laughs, cheesy effects, and the trampling of Christian mythology (and let's not forget Jordana Leigh). Genius!

 

"Forgive Me For Raping You"--Frequent Zebub co-conspirator, Steve Nebesni, practically wallows in the depravity in this one. Contains a few genuinely disturbing set pieces.

 

"Disgruntled Employee"--A copy of this was sent to me by the impossibly hot (and NerdRemix Horror Hottie) Angelina Leigh. Angelina really shines in this as the bitchy object (along with plenty of other hot ladies) of loser janitor Nebesni's revenge. Truly un-nerving and cringe inducing to watch at times, this film almost makes you feel like a sick fuck for liking it.

 

"Breaking Her Will"--A tribute to fetish films, this film is all the more topical in the wake of that Castro guy with his basement captives. A ripe, misogynistic plot is brought to creepy life by a really good cast, and great set pieces.

 

"Jesus, The Daughter of God"--Laugh out loud moments in this tale of a "quantum leaping" stripper, ported into the body of the messiah. A great comedic turn by Scarlett Storm (who is sexy as Hell) make this a sacrilegious good time! Bonus points for including Mike O'Mahoney as a ball sack punching bag!

 


"Jesus-The Total Douchebag"--More iconoclastic skewering of religious themes, this is Bill at his finger-in-the-eye best! If you're not already, you'll definitely be smoking turds in Hell for viewing this period piece.

 

"Surreal Sicko"--My least favorite of Zebub's work. I'm not sure if he was aiming too high on the "art" scale, or just playing with different styles. Plenty of naked females and quasi-psychedelic images are included, just doesn't seem to have a focus.

 

            I still have a lot to go through in this prolific bastard's body of work. But, rest assured, if you dare to pick up one of this man's films, you'll definitely get: hot metal chicks, loud metal music, scathing socio-political commentary, the trampling of the most sacred religious beliefs, naked girls tied to trees, and lots of laughs and cringes!! Bill Zebub is truly an "artist" by the very definition of the word and accomplishes more with 30 minutes of film than 90% of the so called "mavericks" of indie film--this ain't "controversy for controversy's sake" people, this is the real shit!

 

            So, if you find yourself wandering around Cinema Wasteland any time soon, and you spy a wild eyed, frizzy-haired guy in an old school metal tee shirt, pick up one of his DVDs---you'll possibly be sacrificing you immortal soul to an eternity of torment, but, fuck it, you'll do it with a smile on your face!

 

I'm Tom, and I'll swallow your soul--send it to me at: tom@nerdremix.com

 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

People, Projects, and....Stuff.


Ahhhh....There's those few directors, that, when they announce a new project, make indie film enthusiasts like myself get excited. James Balsamo is one of those guys. He's a fan of goofy, low-fi horror flicks that makes goofy, low-fi horror flicks for other fans of goofy, low-fi horror flicks, and that, friends, is a very good thing!
"here fishy-fishy..."
 
"Hack Job", "I Spill Your Guts" and the aptly titled "Cool As Hell" have primed the horror/action/comedy pump, so to speak, for Balsamo's new joint "Catch of the Day".
 


 
Judging from the very Lovecraftian fish monster on the poster art, this looks like more cheesy goodness from Acid Bath Productions (home of the coolest logo ever!). Featuring the always smiling Mr. Balsamo in the lead (this guy seems to be having the time of his life on camera in all of his films), "Catch of the Day" will feature a shit-ton of cameos culled from the indie film and music elite. The list, which is just as eclectic as James' previous efforts, will include: Tuesday Knight, Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, Debbie Rochon (fuck yes!), Johnny Legend, Jennifer Banko, Irwin Keyes, Carmine Capobianco and lead singer of Suffocation Frank Mullen. Can't wait to review this little slice of fishy-ness! The flick is already available for pre-order online through the Acid Bath Productions site at www.acidbathproductions.com/store.

 
that's one lucky monitor!


            My favorite Canadian, the amazing Jessica Cameron, is currently shopping her directorial debut, "Truth or Dare" on the festival circuit, so add that to the list of stuff I'm dying to review as well.
"see what happens when you run with scissors, you little fuckers?"
 
Featuring the co-writing talents of Jonathan Higgins, and an awesome duo of actresses, Devanny Pinn and Heather Dorff (as well as the aforementioned Ms. Cameron and a slew of others), "Truth or Dare" looks like a gory good time! If you can take anything away from the photos popping up on social media, it's that screening rooms of some of your favorite conventions will soon be splattered with the red stuff! Horror nerds rejoice!! http://truthordarethemovie.com/

 


            The extremely busy and talented Jessica has also been recently added to the cast of noted director Pearry Teo's new flick "Bedlam Stories". Lots of poster art has been posted on the film's Facebook page (go give it a "like") and it looks creepy as shit! Teo's previous efforts have been exercises in dark, moody, dread and this, featuring a story set in a mental institution, looks to be ratcheting up the scares! I, personally, am pretty fucking excited to see what this mad genius has cooked up for this outing. A great cast and a talented director should translate into nasty, violent fun!

 


            As always, send your: anti-fat guy bile, venomous letters, fanboy angst, and stupid diatribes to: tom@nerdremix.com