Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm (1998)

We’ve reached the end of Subspecies Month.

I’ve got to say, I’ve really enjoyed the three previous chapters in the series.  Are they the very best vampire flicks I’ve ever seen?  No, but it’s worth mentioning that Full Moon Features specifically seemed to try to have some idea of consistency (aside from one piece that I will get to momentarily), and some considerable effort while filming the movies in Romania to add the appropriate flavor to the whole thing.  Additionally, each of the four actual Subspecies flicks were directed by the same guy, Ted Nicolaou, primary villain Radu was played by the same guy, Anders Hove, each time around, and Michele was played by Denice Duff in three of the four films.  That’s consistency that you don’t often find in a lot of direct-to-video horror.  Hell, you may not even always find it big budget horror in the 80s or 90s.

But before we get into 1998’s Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm, we need to do a little bit of housekeeping. Continue reading “Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm (1998)”

Bloodlust: Subspecies III (1994)

Welcome back to Subspecies Month here at B-Movie Enema.

Full Moon Features had a certified hit on their hands with the first Subspecies film.  The second, Bloodstone: Subspecies II, while leaving me with a whole bunch of questions (not the least, “Where are the Subspecies?”), was still fairly decent.  It wasn’t as good as the first, but was far from some of the really bad cash-ins Full Moon tends to do later  in the 2000s.  The one thing the sequel did, was leave us with a cliffhanger.  Last we saw, Michele (Denice Duff) had seemingly defeated the evil Radu (Anders Hove), but needed to stay behind in a crypt out of the sunlight before being able to leave with her sister Becky (Melanie Shatner).  However, Radu’s mother and beef jerky person, aptly named Mummy, snatched Michele and drug her back below into the crypt for who knows what.  We were teased with a coming soon title card that reminds many of the era of how Back to the Future II teased Back to the Future III.

So, here we are, it’s time for Bloodlust: Subspecies III! Continue reading “Bloodlust: Subspecies III (1994)”

Bloodstone: Subspecies II (1993)

Subspecies Month marches on!

With Subspecies being another hit for Full Moon Features, it was clear that a sequel was indeed needed.  So, two years later, Full Moon released Bloodstone: Subspecies II picking up directly after the conclusion of the first chapter.  Because this is being featured on this blog, and the dreaded specter of the Angel series still haunting me, you better believe there are casting changes here.

(And yes, that Angel specter is still constantly reminding me there is a fourth film I have yet to cover.  It haunts my dreams, man.  It’s a constant reminder of my failings in life.  This devilish Angel will not be appeased until I finally cover it.  Just hold tight and I will get there in time.  In fact, sooner than you know.) Continue reading “Bloodstone: Subspecies II (1993)”

Subspecies (1991)

It’s been a little bit since I really dug deep into some vampires for an extended period of time.  It’s also been a while since I looked at a movie from Full Moon Features.  So, how do I propose to fix that?  BOOM! A whole month of Subspecies movies!

So here we are, the 1991 Full Moon feature, Subspecies, starring Anders Hove, Laura Tate, and the beloved Angus Scrimm.

Let’s think of the title of this series for a moment – Subspecies.  As a word, it indicates that there is a species that are, I dunno, like living below other species.  You know, SUBspecies?  Well, yes, this is a vampire movie.  Yes, it mostly takes place in the Carpathian Mountains.  That means this nebulously revolves around the legend of Dracula.  But what makes this movie a little different is the title creatures themselves – the Subspecies.  These are little goblin guys who serve our lead vampire, Radu (Hove). Continue reading “Subspecies (1991)”

Nightmare Weekend (1985)

Let’s get back into some good ol’ fashioned weirdo 80s horror, courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome!  I swear, 2019 should just be called “The Year of Vinegar Syndrome” for B-Movie Enema.  Looking back and ahead, I’ve got so many VS titles on my calendar, I should start asking for official sponsorship!

This time around, it is the French-produced, shot in Florida Nightmare Weekend from 1985.  Apparently, we’ve got ourselves something special here – head explosions, softcore sex, bikers, rollerskating, telepathic puppet…  And Dale Midkiff of Pet Sematary fame.  Just when I thought I would be all in with weirdo horror movie made in Florida, the weirdo horror movie of a state, you had to toss all the rest of that jazz into it, too? Continue reading “Nightmare Weekend (1985)”

Zombie 3 (1988)

Back in January I covered Lucio Fulci’s masterpiece in undead horror – Zombie.  It’s fitting that I now look at its sequel, Zombie 3.

Wait.  Lemme check something.  1.  2.  3… 4.  Gotcha.  Okay, the math checks out there.  What are those titles again?

Zombie…  Zombie 3

Oh, goddammit, it’s Italian.  Of course the sequels are all fucked. Continue reading “Zombie 3 (1988)”

Night Train to Terror (1985)

Damn you, Vinegar Syndrome

You release so many movies that I need to not only see, but also write about in near manic volume.  This time around, not only do you have me at a movie that I remember seeing constantly at video stores in the 80s and 90s, but you also have me going all in on an anthology flick.  This is new levels of villainy, VS.

But not only that, this week’s feature, Night Train to Terror, is infamously known as being among some of the hammiest and worst cinema could possibly offer.  What’s curious is that this movie isn’t without some interesting people.  There’s B-Movie awesome guy, Cameron Mitchell.  That seems pretty solid.  I’ve seen lots of his work.  There’s also John Phillip Law.  He was in Barbarella.  Together, Law and Mitchell were in Space Mutiny!  How could this possibly be bad? Continue reading “Night Train to Terror (1985)”

They Bite (1996)

When people find out I write a blog about movies, naturally they ask questions about what kinds of movies I discuss.  They may ask, “Do you write about the art of cinema?” or “Do you talk about the films of [insert artsy-fartsy director name here]?” or “You talk about that there Grinch movie from 2000???  I liked that movie somethin’ fierce!”  Normally, it comes down to me saying I write about B-movies, and that I’ve done it almost 150 times.  That usually spurns the question, “So… Can you explain what those movies that you watch are like?”

To which I can give only this response: “They Bite.” Continue reading “They Bite (1996)”