Mini Macabre Review #14

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (Episode 3)

Rock N' Roll Zombies Know Best

In episode 3 of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, we get our first taste of the undead with a metal band of zombies. Todd is eager to make Jenny, his obsession, jealous. To do this, he goes over to Jenny's best friend's house only to find that she is keeping a pair of zombies in the basement. The zombies in this episode are very reminiscent of Billy from Hocus Pocus. These zombies can talk and think for themselves and their witty humor is along the same lines. This fact alone makes the episode more entertaining, as the British metal band undead are interesting characters on their own. 

This is also one of the less vulgar episodes which is a plus in some ways. Of course, it isn't without its gore--which in my opinion makes this show. The zombies eat some people leaving a bloody mess behind, but there are also some fun decapitations in store. As always, be prepared for swearing and sex jokes galore. 

Mini Macabre Review #13

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (Episode 2)

How to Make a Homunculus

Episode 2 of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil brings in my favorite character as a regular member of the "book hunting" team of teens. Hannah is the nerdy, smart, yet cute girl who wants nothing more than to be a great scientist like her parents. However, as this school is full of strange and horrible adult figures, the science teacher is a scuzzball who tells her she has no future in science. As luck would have it, the Book of Pure Evil passes to her and she uses it to make a Homunculus--a little demon who reminds me of a Ghoulie or Gremlin. 

The creature effects in this episode are fun and reminiscent of Full Moon Features, featuring a creepy looking puppet that looks a little like Todd himself. Of course, watching the Science Teacher get killed was a fun and bloody treat. I enjoy it when gross men in horror shows and movies her what's coming to them. The second episode isn't quite a fun, or as metal, as the first one--but it keeps with the same irreverent spirit that will be the staple of the entire show. 

Mini Macabre Review #12

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (Episode 1)

Todd the Metal God

Rockus, raunchy, violent, gory, and overly vulgar are all terms I might use to describe Todd and the Book of Pure Evil. However, it may also be described as humorous, silly, over the top entertainment as well. If Buffy were a pot-smoking sex-focused idiot teen boy, she would be Todd. Todd is a loser who wants nothing more than to be a Metal God. However, when he finds The Books of Pure Evil, it seems his dream might just come true. What he doesn't realize is that his music will now cause people to hemorrhage from the inside, at least not until the school's Battle of the Bands. The opening episode to this Shudder exclusive series sets the stage for exactly what you can expect from the rest of the show. While it steers away from blatant nudity, it does not shy away from plenty of blood, practical effects, and sex jokes. The best way I can think to describe it is if Family Guy made a trip in the live-action high school of an 80s b-satanic horror flick. If goofy over the top gore and comedy is your cup of tea, you'll enjoy this show. Make sure to stay tuned to my website for mini-reviews of all the episodes in this series.

Mini Macabre Review #11

Crypt TV's Shelley: Season 1

When you're looking for short, bite-sized horror movies (to get your fix when you don't have time for a full-length film), there may be no better place to look than Crypt TV.

Shelley is one of their ongoing shows that is part of the larger Crypt Monster Universe. They recently started posting season 2 episodes, so I decided it was time to look back at season 1.

Shelley isn't anything new as far as story ideas go. It fits comfortably into the teen slasher genre. Some person was wronged, hurt, or killed in high school and returns during the class reunion for revenge. It is one of my favorite tropes of the genre, but Shelley manages to actually make the leap into the supernatural where many of the traditional slashers of the 80s and 90s didn't bother.

While a few of the blood splatters in the show do take on a CGI appearance once in a while, the overall production and special effects seem to be spot on for the genre. In each episode, we get one new revenge kill from the undead Shelley herself. The use of a bladed hockey stick is creative and fun.

Basically, if you enjoy traditional slashers, supernatural killers, or teen screams, you'll likely enjoy this offering. It may be one of Crypt TVs best productions yet, and the new season appears to offer plenty more lore and supernatural elements to keep people watching. 

Check out episode 1 below.