Zumba Fitness and the Olympic Torch

Today marked the arrival of the olympic torch in my hometown of Aberystwyth. In celebration, a variety of events took place throughout the day at the Rugby club before moving on to the Vicarage fields. The celebrations included a preview of my local Zumba Fitness class that takes place at the University Sports Centre. We performed four dances including the warm-up (“Good Feeling”), “Mami”, “Boom Boom Mama” and Kevin Lyttle.  Information regarding the Zumba classes is available on the video . Also, check out our other videos! Well done to everybody who took part today and made this video possible!

Hayley Alice Roberts

Alex Chandon’s Q&A at Abertoir Horror Festival

Finally here is the long-awaited Q&A from The Abertoir Horror Festival with Alex Chandon promoting his gore-fest “INBRED” that’s a must see! Thanks to Rhys Fowler for taking part in the Q&A with me.

Hayley Alice Roberts.

Time for another slice of pie? “Yes Please!” A review of “American Reunion” (2012)

**WARNING: Minor Spoilers**

There seems to be a fixation with 90’s reunion’s as of late, with several UK pop groups such as “Steps” reforming. In terms of cinema, later this year we are being treated to another sequel to alien action comedy “Men in Black 3” and 2011 saw the re-boot of the “Scream” franchise, the movie that redefined the horror genre back in the 90’s, therefore it makes perfect sense to do the same to the crude, teen movie that is just as much as part of 90’s nostalgia as everything else mentioned, “American Pie”.

Bringing back the 90’s!

“American Reunion” still has a certain charm and it’s definitely great to see the old gang back together. Its managed to update itself while mixing in nostalgia and in-jokes tailored for the fans of the original offerings of pie. The film definitely achieved its objectives as it balances out great humor, relatively funny gags, consistent continuity derived from the previous three helpings and of course the characters who make a welcome transition from the late 90’s/early 00’s into the present day.

The film opens with a crude, in-your-face sequence including a laptop, some porn and a shower! It is in place to remind the audience what they’ve missed and exactly what their in for! Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are back, they may have aged but they still deliver the hilarious slapstick style of comedy that was on offer in the first three movies! Their plot-line centers around their adjustment into parent-hood and reluctance of how so much as changed since they were teenagers. It is soon discovered that Jim is still in touch with Kevin (Thomas Ian Nichols) and along with the other guys Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Oz (Chris Klein) they are heading back to East Great Falls for their thirteen year high school reunion!

Oz and Heather

Oz was last seen in the second movie, he has since married a super-model and is a sports announcer on NFL, he also has a reputation for being famous in a  “Dancing with the Stars“-type TV show in which he lost out to Gilbert Gottfried and can’t seem to shake the stigma!! Out of the core characters, Oz has the most interesting character development as he feels melancholic in his superficial lifestyle and longs for the times he had with the boys and his high school sweetheart Heather (Mena Suvari). A nice touch that the fans will appreciate is during their scene at the reunion dance Bic Runga’s “Sway” plays as the couple reunite, the same song was used in the first movie when they first sleep together.

The Stifmeister Returns!

Stifler (Sean William Scott) doesn’t fail to entertain and after the disastrous “Wedding” installment he is back on top form! In many ways he has not changed or grown up, still mocking his peers, holding wild parties, always spoiling for a fight and trying his luck with the opposite sex. What’s great about “Reunion” is seeing a more human side to him as he makes the realization he was never fully accepted by the guys and is constantly put down by his boss. As always he still comes through in the end and in some ways is the main attraction to the franchise! He has some great one-liners and is the main source of the gags which allow some brilliant laugh-out-loud moments!

Jim’s Dad!

Another character that remains equally as entertaining is Jim’s Dad (Eugene Levy). He still gives embarrassing and awkward advice to his son but also comes through when Jim really needs him. This provides an endearing quality to him. “Reunion” sees him get wasted and of course there’s the genius and long awaited encounter with Stifler’s Mom (Jennifer Coolidge)!

Kara flirts with Jim

Jim and Michelle make up at the reunion!

Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan give terrific performances as their alter-ego’s in a perfectly balanced mix of comedy and drama as they play the sexually-frustrated married couple! They face an obstacle in the shape of teenager Kara (Ali Cobrin) who lusts after Jim and is going to do everything in her power to seduce him! This plot-line was a least favorable one as it features a kind hear-ted Jim driving her home safely following too much drinking, only for her to strip off and throw herself at him followed by knocking herself out in the car. The scene is played for laughs however comes across awkward and uncomfortable to watch as if this incident occurred in real life it would be slightly more traumatic. “American Pie” has never been one to hold back therefore it wasn’t entirely off the field for them.

Finch

Finch’s storyline held a sense of realism, depicting a man worried he hasn’t made the best of his life, therefore fabricates exotic stories to impress his friends and a potential love interest. It however teaches that everyone is in the same boat with regular jobs, marriage and kids and its not to say they haven’t made something of themselves. Having Finch confront that was a fitting touch and emphasized the themes of obsession for nostalgia and looking back at the past that is also a recurring theme in today’s society.

Kevin and Vicki

The more pointless of plot-lines came in the shape of Kevin crossing paths with ex-girlfriend Vicki (Tara Reid), as there was so much else going on, their screen time was limited therefore lacked development between them resulting in a far-fetched conclusion where the two of them share a dance at the reunion with Kevin’s new wife Ellie (Charlene Amoia).

The Sherminator is BACK!

The cameos at the reunion were great fun, each with humorous results. It was enjoyable to see moments from all the minor characters including the MILF guys, Sherman, Nadia and Jessica. The only criticism in this instance is if there had been more screen time a lot more could have been done with them. Nevertheless it was nice seeing them included. Also a mention to the introduction of Finch’s Mom (Rebecca DeMornay) brought an interesting twist!

The main criticism of the film would have to be the re-enforced stereotypes of homosexual characters, depicting gay guys are overly camp and lesbians as really butch. It wasn’t funny or done in an intelligent way and felt out-of-place in a 2012 comedy in a more accepting day and age. Seeing the stereotypes critiqued instead of celebrated would have brought a more interesting edge and given the film a better quality. There was also the portrayal of today’s generation of teenagers that the movie dealt with in a patronizing manner, this was depicted in a scene where an 18-year-old states “The Spice Girls” are considered “classic rock”.It seems far-fetched and unbelievable that a teenager would be so out of touch to make that sort of remark, undermining that particular age group. The core characters also behave in this way towards them by stereotyping that teenage girls would automatically be fans of “Twilight” and Justin Bieber, this is clearly an attempt to cash in on as many pop culture jokes as possible however comes across as cheap! On the positive side,  a worthy mention needs to be given to the mise-en-scene during the reunion scenes with how it was decorated with palm trees re-capturing the spirit of the prom from the original.

Overall “American Reunion” certainly delivered a long-awaited slice of pie and defied prior negative expectations. A great reminder of the past that incorporated something new and fresh at the same time. It didn’t go overboard with gross-out humor or nudity which actually contributed to creating a funnier film as it was done just right. Despite a couple of nit-picks it managed to maintain funny, crude, dramatic and heartwarming elements and if there’s one American comedy franchise that achieves this its definitely this one!

It still has potential mileage, I wouldn’t say no to another in the near future!

Ranking “American Pie” films from best to least favorite:

#1. American Pie (1999)

#2. American Reunion (2012)

#3. American Pie 2 (2001)

#4. American Pie: The Wedding (2003)

…

Hayley Alice Roberts.

First Anniversary Special: My Top 10 Favorite Horror Movies of ALL TIME: Part Two

5. “The Evil Dead” (1981)

• Directed by Sam Raimi
• Screenplay by Sam Raimi

Notorious and bloody disgusting! Sam Raimi’s “The Evil Dead” is fascinating on many levels. It invites the viewer to revel in it’s carnage and its twisted black humor. The fact that back in the 1980’s it was the Number #1 best selling video, then subsequently found itself banned only adds to the intrigue. When Ash (played by the epic Bruce Campbell) and his friends spend a vacation in a remote cabin in the woods they stumble upon a mysterious tape recorder featuring crucial information and a warning by the previous inhabitant. Before they know it demonic forces are awakened and all hell is unleashed in a blood-splattered, nightmarish adventure that encourages the audience to bask in the craziness. Ash is a great character to root for and also participate in yelling at when his actions don’t meet the obvious. As a film “The Evil Dead” has so many elements that satisfy the horror fan, the level of gore is immense, the characters are fun, the cinematography is interesting and the achieved product for the small budget it had is brilliant, it also has some pretty intense moments. “The Evil Dead” will remain a classic, its also pretty hilarious that it caused offence judging by how lenient studios are with horror films these days! However, it will always remain in my heart as my number one video nasty!

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4. “Final Destination” (2000)

• Directed by James Wong
• Screenplay by James Wong and Glen Morgan

Before it became a franchise that churned out a million different ways to die, “Final Destination” (2000) was a creepy little film that warned when your number’s up, its really up! Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) along with his classmates board flight 180 to Paris. Prior to the plane taking off Alex gets a really bad feeling, the plane explodes killing everyone on board! Its only a dream, however he still causes a scene resulting in several people vacating the aircraft. To his horror flight 180 explodes before his eyes in a sick twist of fate. Now Alex and his friends are far from safe, something is killing them off in the order they were originally supposed to die and its up to Alex and his girlfriend Clear (Ali Larter) to put a stop to death’s design. “Final Destination” took the postmodern teen setting set up by the likes of “Scream” and tried something new and inventive that gave a chilling and suspenseful pay off! The characters are layered and worth rooting for as they make attempts to dodge death’s plan and survive! The romance between Alex and Clear emphasize this in terms of hope that they will make it. “Candyman” icon Tony Todd makes a surprise cameo as a sinister mortician warning Alex of the inevitable. The film had the perfect balance of bloodshed and emotion fitted together with a truly disturbing concept that anyone can die at any time! Well executed with memorable characters, “Final Destination” demonstrates that a horror film doesn’t need a machete-wielding psychopath in order to be scary!

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3. “Scream” (1996)

• Directed by Wes Craven
• Screenplay by Kevin Williamson

Now for the film that redefined the horror genre. “Scream” (1996) has got it all, extreme suspense, witty dialogue, a sick and twisted killer with a sinister way of playing games with his victims before butchering them to a gruesome death, and the best characters that have emerged from the genre. “Scream” is clearly in place as a deconstruction of horror films with its postmodern angle and is always one step ahead of itself. The story is well developed moving into thriller territory. Following her mother’s murder a year previously, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) attempts to adjust back into normality, until a masked killer strikes again causing mayhem for the small town of Woodsboro, Sidney and her friends including bumbling police officer Dewey (David Arquette), movie buff Randy (Jamie Kennedy) and headstrong news reporter Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) must fight to stay alive while uncovering the mystery behind the grisly murders and disturbing phone calls! “Scream” cleverly challenges and exposes the rules of standard slasher films while subverting and conforming to them at the same time. There are plenty of nice homages to earlier slashers such as “Halloween” (1978) in place. Its self-referential style even sparked off a new sub-genre of its own. The refreshing part of the movie is finally having characters that are identifiable so that the audience care whether they live or die! Stylish and scary, “Scream” is the horror movie that never gets old and is responsible for making me the horror fan I am today!

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2. The Wicker Man (1973)

• Directed by Robin Hardy
• Screenplay by Anthony Sheffar

“The Wicker Man” doesn’t use expected conventions in order to create scare tactics. The way the film works as a whole achieves a startling, thought-provoking effect as it uses the themes of Christianity vs. Paganism and questions morality. Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward), a devout Christian begins investigating the disappearance of a young girl on a Scottish island. It begins innocently enough but soon turns into a profound nightmare, especially when it reaches its disturbing conclusion. “The Wicker Man” cleverly doesn’t appear like a traditional horror film on the surface, however it builds the intrigue and suspense as the film progresses. At first the genre is difficult to pin-point due to the fact much of it is shot in daylight and the majority of the score features lighthearted folk songs complimenting the air of mystery in the the tone . The portrayal of the occult is fascinating as the viewer can see both sides of the religious spectrum. Allegedly the film wanted to demonstrate an accurate portrayal of paganism and it is clear that the authenticity is present in Anthony Sheffar’s screenplay, he creates a disturbing sense to the community and the frightening notion of nowhere to run and no one to turn to! It’s the shocking climax of the film is what makes it truly horrific. It could be argued that “The Wicker Man” is a standalone film that hasn’t turned into a money-making franchise (excluding the remake!!!!), there has been nothing like it since. It relies on little effects to create something memorable and on the whole disturbing. A truly unique piece of the horror genre.

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1. “An American Werewolf in London” (1981)

• Directed by John Landis
• Screenplay by John Landis

“Beware the moon!” is a warning that should not be ignored, the consequences could be deadly! “An American Werewolf in London” (1981) achieves so much that has never gone unrecognized. The narrative is simplistic but effective, it offers a twisted sense of humor and profound special effects that remain timeless. Two American tourists David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) stop in the British countryside and stumble upon the appropriately named pub “The Slaughtered Lamb” . Following an encounter with some hostile locals, the two friends make their way to the moors where their attacked by a savage beast! Jack is killed and David wounded, but this is where the story really begins. David is taken to hospital in London where he begins to experience bizarre hallucinations, its not until he gets a visit from the decaying corpse of Jack that he soon learns he was bitten by a werewolf and will slowly transform into one! Not only that the only way he can be free of the curse is if he takes his own life! David takes shelter in a flat with his love interest, nurse Alex (Jenny Agutter), but before long he becomes his worst fear in the best werewolf transformation scene in cinematic history and my personal favorite sequence in any horror movie! The film focuses on an interesting mythology that compels the story, empathy is in place for David as he experiences the psychological effects of his changes. There are plenty of scenes played for laughs including David waking up in London Zoo and the seedy porn theater where he encounters a number of his mutilated victims. To compliment the hilarity “American Werewolf” has its fair share of unsettling moments such as the murder on the London tube, werewolf David attacks a business man who’s completely isolated in an environment that is known for its constant business, scary stuff! The soundtrack is also catchy and compliments the hybrid tone of the film perfectly, it also cleverly uses songs with the word “moon” in them. For all these reasons, “An American Werewolf in London” remains a cult film, fans of the genre view it numerous times and it never gets dull. Now remember, “Stay on the road, keep clear of the moors!”. 

Thanks for reading and thank you for the continuous support!

Hayley Alice Roberts

First Anniversary Special: My Top 10 Favorite Horror Movies of ALL TIME: Part One

I can’t believe its been one whole year since I began this blog as a side project for myself. It began as an outlet to speak my mind about the movies I love and that have influenced me. I appreciate the support I have been given so much and I no longer write for just myself, I write for you guys too. Thank you to everyone who has subscribed to me and long may these reviews continue. So what better way to mark the first year than by returning to my favourite genre: HORROR! This list isn’t set in stone and is just my personal opinion, these are mainly films that I grew up with and have influenced me into becoming a fully fledged fan of horror films. So let’s bring on the terror!

10. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997)

• Directed by Jim Gillespie
• Screenplay by Kevin Williamson, Written by Lois Duncan (novel)

“I know what you did last summer” (1997) was one of the first post-“Scream” slashers that emerged in the late 90’s. Loosely adapted from Lois Duncan’s novel of the same name, “IKWYDLS” tells the tale of four teenagers Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Barry (Ryan Phillipe) and Helen (Sarah Michelle Gellar) as they celebrate graduating high school with their lives all heading towards promising futures. That night the teens are involved in a terrible accident, they run over a man of unknown identity. In a state of panic rather than notifying the police they dump the body into the murky waters of the ocean in an attempt to keep their secret dead and buried! One year later someone knows what they did, how? well that’s the mystery, it all begins with a threatening letter and ends in a fight for survival as the teens get bumped off one by one! In terms of following in the footsteps of the success of “Scream”, “IKWYDLS” is one of the better offers. The film uses suspense very well, especially during Helen’s chase scene, it shocks in all the right places and keeps the audience guessing until the very end! The performances are strong as the actors play the distressed teenagers straight. The strongest aspect of the film is while “Scream” critiqued the genre, “IKWYDLS” demonstrated that slasher films could become a more sophisticated medium by eliminating the self-awareness of the conventions the former put in place. In terms of the killer, Ben Willis is pretty average, he’s not as memorable or in the same league as say Freddy or Jason, but admitably he does use some creative stalker tactics on his victims including cutting off Helen’s long blonde hair as she sleeps and placing a body full of maggots in the back of the car! Disbelief has to be suspended in these instances, however they are fun to watch. “I know what you did last summer” is a decent offer in terms of  90’s slashers, Kevin Williamson adapted the screenplay well through fitting the story into the then-modern time period as opposed to the 70’s depicted in the book. It is much simpler to separate both texts and view them as different stories completely as the book doesn’t use the horror edge the film did. “I Know what you did last summer” is placed at #10 for being nostalgic, well-acted and suspenseful!

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9. “Halloween” (1978)

• Directed by John Carpenter
• Written by John Carpenter and Debra Hill

Genre fans will not be surprised to see this movie featured on the list! “Halloween” begins in 1958 in small-town Haddonfield when a young Michael Myers butchers his older sister and her boyfriend to death on Halloween night! Michael is taken to a metal hospital under the watch of Dr. Sam Loomis. Roll on 20 years and the lunatic has escaped in order to return home to his bloodshed and cause more carnage! Michael begins to stalk Laurie Strode (“Scream Queen” Jamie Lee Curtis) for reasons that are mysterious to the audience (it is however later revealed in the sequel!). Laurie suffers a terrifying ordeal as Michael knocks off her friends one by one in order to get to her! The climax of this film is one of the best in horror history, using maximum suspense as Michael showdowns with Laurie! The strongest aspect of this film is that it doesn’t rely on gore to scare. Its far more disturbing leaving the result of the kills up to the audience’s imagination. The camera work is phenomenal using POV shots from Michael as an effective scare tactic! Michael is one of the most interesting killer’s to date, director John Carpenter even stated that “To make Myers frightening, I had him walk like a man not a monster”, its an enigma as to whether Myers is a supernatural being and is left ambiguous, which makes him all the more chilling especially the concept that he is possibly human and someone who could be identified with. The lack of exposition makes the notion of him far more frightening, this is where Rob Zombie’s re-imagining remake got it so wrong! His motive is never truly understood nor how he’s managed to survive so many times! With Michael being an influential horror villain, Laurie Strode is one of the most influential “Final Girls” that has emerged from genre. She is resourceful and does not succumb to social norms or peer pressure that ultimately destroy her friends, she is most definitely a clean-cut teen role model meaning she can act as a strong opposition to the film’s killer by unknowingly defying the horror conventions of the time. The theme is simplistic yet adds a sense of haunting and has become one of the film’s distinct qualities, giving a sense of pace and suspense. “Halloween” is a film that needs to be seen by all, it is clever in everything it conveys and with little gore exposure it still manages to startle and frighten to this day!

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8. “Nosferatu, Eine Symphonie Des Grauens” (1922)

• Directed by F.W. Murnau
• Screenplay by Henrik Galeen, Written by Bram Stoker (Novel)

“Nosferatu” is not only one of the best silent films but also one of the best vampire films in history, most definitely being responsible for laying the groundwork for the future of the majority of creature-of-the-night movies. “Nosferatu” is an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”.The appearance of the vampire is startling and the main contribution to the chilling and eerie atmosphere that the film evokes. In a time with no CGI and limited make-up effects the sheer brilliance of Count Orlock is amazing and terrifying, with his bony fingers, stretched and hunched body, skeletal frame and hypnotizing eyes, he comes across as ghoulish.  In comparison to the Dracula character in the films that followed, Count Orlock appears monstrous rather than human-like. The expressionist style is interesting in itself with the use of shadows to create atmosphere also adding to the creativity of the piece.  There’s just so much intrigue surrounding “Nosferatu” due to it being an unconventional film choice and because it is now ninety years old, it contrasts modern day films from the genre but still remains unsettling and creepy in a striking way, without being bloody or reliant on jump scares. It truly has stood the test of time as its very well achieved to have made a horror film that stands the test of time.

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7. “Hellraiser” (1987)

• Directed by Clive Barker
• Screenplay by Clive Barker

“Hellraiser” will most definitely “tear your soul apart”. It pushes the viewer to the limits in a twisted tale of deceit, sadism and gore. When Frank Cotton uses a cube shaped puzzle in order to delve into extreme heights in his deviant behavior of sadist sexual pleasure, he literally unleashes hell on himself by calling on Pinhead (Doug Bradley) and his Cenobite followers that tear his soul and drag him into their labyrinthine domain, a place were pain and pleasure are inseparable! Several years later Frank’s brother Larry, his wife Julia and daughter Kristy move into the house where Frank vanished. Julia is harboring a secret, she was Frank’s lover! She is scheming to pull him out of hell placing her step-daughter Kristy in great danger through evoking fury in Pinhead! “Hellraiser” is visually interesting, the detail put into the portrayal of hell is remarkable and give a strong indication of how it could be imagined if it did exist! The cenobites are uniquely designed appearing as the nastiest creatures imaginable. The story is compelling, with interesting characters willing to go to extreme for their own selfish means! Julia could be considered the main villain of the piece and she does a great job in driving the audience against her leading them to empathize with Kristy, who carries the film well as the “final girl”. “Hellraiser” manages to achieve a strong balance of keeping the attention and interest of the audience through plenty of thrills and chills and with the amount of gore and torture present. It has several powerful components in place resulting in a well-crafted piece through its well thought out narrative with blood splatter thrown in for good measure!

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6. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)

• Directed by Wes Craven
• Screenplay by Wes Craven

The movie that brought your worst nightmares into reality! Along with “Halloween” , “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) is one of the most iconic and influential films of the genre. It manages to blur the lines between dreams and reality so well that it achieves a frightening effect, most notably the film’s first death featuring Tina, as she is slashed to death while her helpless boyfriend watches on. Freddy Kruger (played fantastically by Robert Englund) has a disturbing backstory, however its the little exposition that goes with it that makes it all the more unnerving. He is also a menacing villain as he plays it for laughs before slicing and dicing his victims with that iconic glove of knives! In the original, Freddy is not featured as heavily, creating the scary notion of what you can’t see can kill you! “Nightmare…” also makes an intelligent commentary on the state of the American family and the rebellion of youth, allowing the audience to read deeper into it. For a more in depth look at “A Nightmare on Elm Street” check out my earlier review from my special “Halloween Month” : https://mshayleyr1989.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/halloween-month-a-nightmare-on-elm-street-1984/ The concept is enough to cause many sleepless night’s making “A Nightmare on Elm Street” a worthy addition to this list.

Part 2 Coming soon….

Hayley Alice Roberts.

One Year Anniversary Review!

Its been nearly one year since I became an internet reviewer and began this blog. Firstly I want to thank everybody who has supported and will continue to support what I do. I would like to mark the occasion with a BIG review and I have a few ideas going around, so over to you guys, what would you like to see?

 

My Top 10 Buffy The Vampire Slayer episodes”?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Top 10 Horror Movies of all time”?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR

My Top Favorite Films of the year so far”?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comment your suggestions to this post or tweet me on @hayleyr1989.

THANK YOU

Hayley Alice Roberts.

“The Shadow of Death”- Interviews

Over the weekend I was fortunate enough to get not one but two interviews with two independent filmmakers who have been involved in a horror titled “The Shadow of Death” (2012)! First there’s Gav Chuckie Steel, writer and director and then Dan Bone who plays the awesome “Super Special Cop” Craven in the movie. The guys are collaborating on some new and interesting projects with their production company DeadBolt Films; so keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the interviews!

Unfortunately due to circumstances out of our hands the sound quality does suffer slightly.

For more info on “The Shadow of Death” check our my earlier review, now updated and complete with pictures: https://mshayleyr1989.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/brit-flick-fest-2012-the-shadow-of-death-from-deadbolt-films/

Hayley Alice Roberts.

Cult Retrospect: “Dead Hooker in a Trunk” (2009)

**WARNING: SOME SPOILERS**

Immediately the title of this film invokes curiosity and encourages the viewer to take a look. This exploitation flick is a must-see thrill ride with twists and turns and plenty of blood, guts and gore that keeps the audience gripped and disturbed from beginning to end. The film features interesting and experimental camera work conveying a gritty tone as the narrative cleverly changes direction defying expectations on several occasions resulting in a satisfying pay-off!

The plot centers on a group of misfits consisting of twin sisters one referred to as “The Badass” and the other ” The Geek”, their “Junkie” friend and a “Goody-Two Shoes” religious  “love interest” for “The Geek”. After picking him up from his “Youth Group” they discover the dead body of a nameless hooker in the trunk of their car! Without giving too much away, from then on we see a roller-coaster ride of extreme violence accompanied by tongue in cheek dry humor.

Canadian-born sisters Jen and Sylvia Soska deliver one of the best exploitation films of recent years, the dialogue is inventive and witty, the characters come across as larger than life caricatures with their dark sense of humor and actions and the plot is full of intrigue. The violence is deliciously extreme from eye gouging to arms being hacked off to guts being spilled, it really is a crowd pleaser for genre fans who enjoy something a bit more unusual and exploitative than mainstream horror has to offer! “Dead Hooker” also features some awesome women who can really kick-ass reminiscent of “Faster Pussycat, Kill, Kill!” (1965). It also has a sense of uniqueness that as well as the title makes it stand out. The only criticism for the film would be a little too much exposition at the climax, depicting an incident the audience was aware of in order to fit in some more carnage.

“Dead Hooker in a Trunk” definitely deserves its status as a Cult Classic. One hundred per-cent recommend it.  The Soska sisters next project currently in post-production “American Mary” (2012) looks equally as intriguing and will be eagerly anticipated.

Hayley Alice Roberts.