DBlackthorne Reviews

Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (2020)

An extraordinary showman

[9/10 · 14 May 2024]

The veritable "Spanish Liberace" Walter Mercado seems a cross between Liberace & Siegfried and Roy in appearance, but takes his craft seriously, and we know it is ultimately the tenacious veracity of the performer using the tool to achieve adeptness which grants gravitas results. By one's own perceptiveness, talent, and skill.

What of the accent? Father from the Puerto Rican Spanish colonial island settlement, and mother hails from Catalonia, Spain. Conquistadores, Spaniards are the "spicy Europeans", as it were.*

I recall spotting Walter on TV now and then in magnificent robes, enthroned, just bordering on ostentatiousness, but just right for the presentation. Sets and backgrounds display occult symbols, astrological signs as forte', art of mythological legends, sometimes peppering translations and descriptions with a myriad of folklore, spells, & ritualistic advice.

Of particular note, a hard-to-find Halloween show displays a plethora of rare photographs of scenes from early Church of Satan rites within The Black House, which have since become more accessible.

The documentary details upbringing, history in myriad involvement in the arts as dancer, actor, writer, astrologer / psychic host, a despicable legal extortion attempt by a parasitic opportunist {with subsequent Victory!}, along with a slew of media interviews, nascent commentary, relations, personal photographs, and a visit to a museum exhibit featuring his extraordinary tenure.

_____________ * Take Gomez Addams into consideration!

Studio 666 (2022)

Deja-Vu Massacre

[9/10 · 6 February 2024]

A Rock band rent a veritable Hellhouse to record a new album. The entrance appropriately displays welcoming gargoyle topped trapezoidal stone pillars flanking the black spiked iron gate.

Strange occurrences begin happening immediately upon settling in, from moving curtains, spotting a mysterious groundskeeper, demonic shadows coursing throughout the house, nightmare creatures, eventually stumbling into a veritable ritual chamber, which features an eviscerated racoon bleeding out into a drain, dolls in trees, & bloody shears in an industrial sink. Also features the unicursal hexagram as the predominant Gateway sigil, along with a grimoire, a-la Necronomicon.

None other than Kerry King of SLAYER plays a tech who rides the lightning early on, presumably initiating the sacrificial proceedings. After that, the rest of the band follow one by one in their own individual brutal manners. The BBQ grill death with subsequent cannibalism, and the courier decapitation dismemberment are most notable.

A neighbor warns the band about the house, where the previous band Dream Widow recording there excarnated by the hand of the Crowleyan Warlock & demon-possessed singer Nole.

Receiving inspiration from the sigil and becoming possessed, the music goes from a sort of generic grungy sound to more of a Gothic, Doom, Power Metal sound reminiscent of a combination of Iron Maiden {guitar solos}, Black Sabbath, Coven, Black Widow, even Candlemass & Lucifer, perhaps a bit of Black Metal thrown into the bubbling sonic cauldron.

Each meet with demise upon completing their track for an infernal composition exceeding a generous 20+ minutes. Reminds of VENOM's At War With Satan, and MERCYFUL FATE's Satan's Fall, also TYPE OF NEGATIVE's overall gratefully lengthy opuses.

Dream Widow make an appearance like a Coven of Witches, as devilicious Skye Willow {Jenna Ortega} comes forth to deal with Nole, and complete the diabolical rites with her understanding of the grimoire, preparing the sinister way for further evilutions.

The soundtrack eponymously named DREAM WIDOW presents some of The best of The Beast with various Metal genres interlaced to create a remarkable album, that was finally completed, launching a solo tour! Evil prevails!

The Black Dahlia Haunting (2012)

Generational haunting

[1/10 · 22 January 2024]

Relatives from the Black Dahlia case become possessed by their ghosts to re-enact deadly events.

A girl seeking her estranged blind brother after her father dies, leads her to a psychopathic psychiatrist in Los Angeles. Complements on the thorny vines tattoos armwraps. Marilyn Monroe to-be Norma Jean features herein as Elizabeth Short's friend.

Of note, the majority of the film takes place in and around the dreaded Cecil Hotel where she frequented, with a scene at the actual murder spot on S. Norton Ave. Between W. 39th & Coliseum Streets in Leimert Park.

The original perpetrator is played by Monster Man horror prop master Cleve Hall, making a great villain. Overall, pretty good psychological horror. In the end, justice is indeed blind.

Satan Wants You (2023)

Fantasmagoria!

[9/10 · 27 December 2023]

A fantastic documentary deconstructing the fictional "Michelle Remembers" fabrication, which formally operated like a veritable contemporary Malleus Maleficarum, with the same basic medieval witch-hunt mentality since The Inquisition & witch accusations placed in modern society, which is even perpetuated by primitive xians to this day with current common parlance.

Much of the SRA hysteria took inspiration from Horror movies of the 60's & 70's, then pretenders created such facsimiles for themselves for the 80's & 90's. Protestant Churches funded such hack psychology to profit from the paranoia, creating a cottage industry of professional victims ill-gaining attention while quacks received ill-gained spoils. Mentally corrupting the impressionable and besmirching reputations of the accused.

A very telling dynamic is the fact that actual victims become retraumatized by repetitive relations, refraining from uncharacteristically volunteering themselves to public media scrutiny, preserving alleged experiences between doctor and patient.

This documentary introduces the scenario dealing with the albeit unprofessional relationship of the authors themselves. Pathological liar & sociopath "Michelle Smith" provided the victim role, allowing Pazder to fill in the blanks. Feeling envious, she pursued a relationship with the married Pazder, essentially becoming his mistress until she could fill that role herself. Whether brainwashed and/or a willing receptor of suggestions, memorized the sordid tales, automatically launching into a veritable script when needed for interviews and such.

Thus becoming a veritable template for christian psycho-the-rapists thereafter to subject their unfortunate patients and alleged perpetrators. At which point they decided to take the lucrative show on the road, on various talkshows with carnival atmospheres and gameshow-like styles, thus infecting society with lies, jumpstarting the fear trend, with likened posers.

The blame game included Heavy Metal, board games, horror movies and books, toys and cartoons! All of which are, unless otherwise specifically noted by the artists themselves, acknowledged entertainment for those intelligent enough to appreciate and differentiate. Of course, zealotry was then exploited in turn to generate notoriety and monetary accumulation! Censorship labels becoming beacons for some of the beast possessions!

The question should be posited, but who treats the doctors? A system of checks & balances has been enforced since the last panic, otherwise it would continue to be the virtual inmates running the asylum!

Featuring interviews with

* Author & Magistra Blanche Barton offers personal observations and experiences with the social hysteria, as well as relating LaVey's observations. The Black Pope successfully sued Pazder to omit references to The Church of Satan from the book, which had nothing at all to do with the lurid fiction therein.

* FBI Agent Ken Lanning, who provided the definitive report on the Satanic Panic hoax. {Recommended}

* Sociologist Jeffrey S. Victor, author of Satanic Panic: The Creation of A Contemporary Legend. {Recommended}

* Pazder's former wife, associates and friends. All of whom relate the marked change in Pazder's personality upon associating with Smith.

As an aside, the highly recommended book by the same name by Arthur Lyons, contains factual information, interviews, photography, philosophy, and rituals actually about and by LaVey and The Church of Satan.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Fun Fear turns deadly!

[7/10 · 27 November 2023]

Not too bad of a movie, done in that "realistic" style, likened The Blair Witch Project. Here, lost footage found of some entrepreneurs and actors in a spookshow haunted house attraction, taking over "Hotel Abaddon" where a girl and her mother went missing, and the owner hung himself. There were also alleged Satanic rituals conducted at the then abandoned edifice, in the basement wherein pentagrams and an inverted cross are still present.

A girl becomes possessed speaking in shilgne backward speech, a clown prop keeps moving around on its own, and a mysterious shadowy figure shows up around corners and in photographs. Well, perform Satanic rituals to open The Gates will draw legions, and many strange things will start happening! Add to that the fear and folklore imbuing the reputation of the place, and a shadowmantic dynamic is created. Tulpas and egregores, rendering the atmosphere conducive for paranormal activity.

Given the name, One would think that it is sponsored by xians for propaganda purposes, but it turns out to be just a pretty good Halloween show overall. Good use of lighting and shadows, with suitable acting.

Kenny & Company (1976)

An evocative Halloween adventure!

[10/10 · 23 November 2023]

At the tail end of remmus, returning to school, the cooler autumnal breeze, hazy amber sun, orange-brown-yellow hues, the scent of petrichor and candied delights...

It's 4 days 'til Halloween, while Kenny, Doug, and the awkward jinx Sherman are residents in suburbia during this Magical time, playing flag football, skateboarding from place to place on spontaneous adventures {including an always favorite trip to the toystore! - and going for icecream}, attending 5th & 6th grade, as Kenny becomes infatuated with a local girl. Thus given the mating signal, becoming a fast, albeit temporary couple.

He's fortunate to have a couple of cool teachers, and an uncle whose an agent! With quite a few tricks up his sleeve! Including ye olde missing keys for the handcuffs, just like Gacy, the Killer Clown.

While casing local homes for Trick or Treat booty, familiarity with residents, etc., they enter a neighborly haunted house attraction though a garage 'ending' with hellarious results; and retelling the local legend of a reclusive old lady who allegedly sleeps with a shotgun by her bed! Though for some reason the door remains unlocked? When his beloved dog dies, he has a brief conversation with a local senior at a bustop.

During all of this, Kenny has to deal with a loser bully who loots money every time he's spotted, as if paying some sort of toll for merely biking down the street! But he's eventually dealt with appropriately!

The entire environment is graced by autumnal charm & wonder, the decorations everywhere. Even the very air itself assumes that certain enchanted orange glow, bristling with mystery and anticipation for that sweet communion with The Devil.

Here Come the Munsters (1995 TV Movie)

Undead from Transylvania!

[9/10 · 23 November 2023]

When the family decide to leave Transylvania due to the fearful petty squabbles of local villagers, all of whom could be easily dispatched by the way, they give America a chance. Picked up from the airport in an always hellegant hearse, arriving at 1313 Mockingbird Lane - the dominant mass, lighthouse effect, Command to Look, Munster Mansion.

Immediately, there's a nosey Kravitz character who begins her spying, hysterical, ignorant shenanigans, while the family settle in. Eddie experiences some short term masochistic suicidal baiting by an obnoxious generic classmate, as in stupidly taunting the {were} wolf until devoured! Who eventually learns a valuable lesson.

No less than Amanda Bearce {"chicken legs" Marcy D'Arcy from Married With Children} makes an appearance as a sexy raven-haired, red glossy-lipped teacher. A definite improvement from her usual portrayals since Fright Night. The Morticia Effect in action. Also of note, Dee Wallace {The Howling} features as Mrs. Walker.

The Munsters snap into action to save relatives Mr. & Mrs. Hyde {Marilyn's parents!} due to an æsthetics experiment yet to be perfected to improve her plain appearance. It's actually a logical conclusion to the looks question! Thinking he vanished, instead transformed into a greedy deceptive politician, while she {"Elsa", after Bride of Frankenstein actress Elsa Lanchester}, lapses into a coma.

The characters work well for their roles. The makeup matches well. Strong though playful Herman, gorgeous Lily {pendant & impressively alluring dress with bejeweled shawl}, the beastly beastie Eddie, generic and genial Marilyn, who adapts to using Lesser Magic here and there when needed, resourcefully ingenious Grandpa utilizing technomancy, vampiric persuasion, and alchemical knowledge when needed for the betterment of the Family. While Spot appears very complementary demonic! All deceptively deadly if needed.

Similar to Munsters' Revenge, they spring from the hoosgow due to a misunderstanding, with a doppelganger in tow, overall asserting success. Then all is well in Hell again.

Assmonster: The Making of a Horror Movie (2006 Video)

Verotos Misanthropia

[9/10 · 12 November 2023]

Hellarious film in the sad but true category. More than the plot, subject matter conversed by the characters the herd do not want to accept in their PC brainwashing. So just like xianity, think outside the strictures of common generic normalcy, pipe-dream fecalitarianism, and realize that many of the stereotypes in a plethora of genres exist for a reason, inspired by actual observed traits, by the observation of the species. Uncomfortable yet factual commentary upon 99% of the populace.

Other than that, a plethora of delightfully salacious content, and Deathrash Metal to boot! Very reminiscent of what Something Weird Video would release. Featuring the acting & musickal talents of George Fisher of Cannibal Corpse.

Rap Sucks (2011)

Misanthropic Social Darwinism vs. egalitarian pipe-dreams

[9/10 · 12 November 2023]

Amusing, stimulating, truthful misanthropic conversation during a D&D game, consisting of an attractive egalitarian, realist, and an apathetic girl that just sits there, more interested in her Mage persona. Surprised it didn't break out into a clothes-tearing catfight! Of course, that would have been uncivilized and gratuitous, but definitely entertaining!

Working their perspectives vicariously through the characters, as well as face to face. While the Viking-horned DM just tries to get the game rolling, and perhaps fulfill some fantasies along the way.

A couple of amusing subplots besides, including Bill trying to acquire a date, first from a bar with a disinterested aloof bimbo, eventually finding a match with the very lovely Melissa.

Features Peter Steele, Atilla Csihar {Mayhem}, Johan Hegg {Amon Amarth}, with Tyr, Voivod, Kreator, Finntroll, & others.

Monkey Shines (1988)

Poor little monkey...

[9/10 · 6 November 2023]

A capuchin monkey named 'Ella' {Spa. "her"} develops a strong psychic attachment to a quadriplegic when becoming his assistant for an experiment gone wrong. At first very efficient and worthwhile even developing remote viewing through her.

Subsequently, there are several disturbingly wrong unscrupulous key moment betrayals, wherein no one can be trusted.

Ella becomes a veritable junkie secretly subsisting on a green solution, reminiscent of Re-Animator, manufactured by a pseudo-friend, deciding to use him as a guinapig.

Even he's lied to by his boss at the lab wherein his research notes are stolen for ill-gotten gains and false credit.

1st kill: Ella dispatches an irritating pet bird of the resident nurse's who attacked Allan.

Whereupon losing his ambulatory abilities, whom he thought was his friend coalesces with his girlfriend. He gains justified fiery vengeance though Ella {2nd kill}, which is a proper application of revenge.

But when Ella goes too far, becoming uncomfortably overly possessive, almost indiscriminately murderous, electrocuting Allan's mom {3rd kill} and jealously harming his new girlfriend, all stops are off, as lycanthropy is enacted to dispense final Darwinian reciprocity.

Special note on the resourceful manner Allan & Melanie engage in intimate relations.

Comparatively, this film really speaks to the 7th Satanic Statement.

Death to Metal (2019)

Toxic Xian avenger!

[7/10 · 26 August 2023]

A young xian poindexter gets harassed on his way from church by bully rockers, taking his bible and urinating on it. From that day on, he becomes a priest preaching against the evils of Heavy Metal.

But when he's given a leave from his clerical duties for his extreme methods, his resolve is strengthened to challenge the decision, making his way back to the church from his apartment with walls psychotically covered in crucifixes, to arraign himself with a monks robe that once belonged to another zealot from South America.

In a crazed state, makes his first kill the resident janitor, then barrels off into the night. Only to wreck where some barrels containing toxic sewage were dumped, thus absorbing the soup, becoming a mutant xoid avenger! Compare to The Toxic Avenger. Eventually making his way to a concert. Wherein he begins dispatching audience members with his wooden sword cross.

Secondary narrative involves a metal musician besieged with bad luck, gets accepted back into the band and makes a new girlfriend. Performing that night of the massacre, burning a bible as a high point in the performance to a cheering audience. Good special effects and props as well.

Overall, makes for an albeit hypocritical, impressive villain, ironically more Metal than would be admitted!

Notable scenes include: bisection, embryonic evisceration, ocular penetration, cross impalement, repeated vehicular roadkill. Necromantic resurrection.

The Pope's Exorcist (2023)

Hail Asmodeus!

[8/10 · 19 August 2023]

The Catholic Church crumbles beneath its own hypocrisy. Plus the secret sins of the two priests assigned to 'exorcise' /Asmodeus\ from a boy recently come to live in a Spanish Castle with his sister and mother.

The slanted biopic features the story based on preeminent exorcist Fr. Gabriele Amorth, and assistant Esquibel, who harbor a plethora of transgressions, exploited by the devil.

Description and location really gives the impression that it is actually Trasmoz, the only place designated by the roman church to preserve witches & warlocks - the utterly damned who cannot be saved, nor wish to be. This is due to the notion of the macrocosm & microcosm. Heaven, world, Hell, dualistically reflected upon the mortal plain as it is ethereally. So if the so-called "holy see" is reflective of 'heaven', Trasmoz is Hell on earth.

For a possession movie, the demon appropriately proves extremely powerful, revealing holy lies left and right, allowing him ingress, and the multiplication of nightmare materialization, according to subject. Thus, a shadowmantic dynamic.

Again, the host was set to expire, and thus departed to fresh flesh elsewhere. Despite their efforts, ultimately results in failure as the demonic influence proves too pervasive worldwide. And thus the subsequent increased implementation of exorcism initiatives.

The film is intense, with fantastic effects and great writing, acting. Of note, She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult in the soundtrack.

Death Metal (2023)

The Devil's Concerto...

[8/10 · 19 August 2023]

On the verge of breakup and even receiving a heckler, ABYSSINISTER features Katon on vocals, Ivan on guitar, Devin on bass, & Baphomet on drums; decide to make a Hell of an effort or bust. So when an opportunity presents itself to record at a studio free of charge, they jump at the chance! So the band take their girlfriends to the styx to record.

Katon acquires & decides to incorporate The Devil's Concerto* into the album {makes for atmospheric intro & background}, yet any who hear it become immediately cursed, and the environment turns into a nightmare. Derives from a witch decomposer in league with The Devil centuries ago - her ghost makes appearances here and there to guide victims along to their doom. Smacks a bit of Deathgasm in this sense.

Highlights: Mutilation hanging results in spine with head attached pulled from body. Enucleation. Zombification. Cannibalism. Succubus vampire. Full frontal Nudity. Everybody goes to Hell!

Overall, great camera angles, indie production, good special effects.

Factoids: The term Death Metal was coined by POSSESSED on the album 7 Churches with the song by the same name. While VENOM coined the term BLACK METAL on the album & song by that name.

_____________

* Folklore to The Devil's Trill by Tartini. {Classical}

Bienvenidos al infierno (2021)

Black Metal Horror

[8/10 · 30 July 2023]

A mostly ambient & quiet film {almost ASMR sometimes} for a Metal-based movie set in the forest. A local Black Metal band who also happen to be a cult residing in a catacomb-like dwelling, runs like a bearded darkryst-like figure named "Black Monk", with a couple of girls and the band as veritable "apostles" who spend the days drawing, writing lyrics, drinking, & "working" {practicing}. They are hiding out from some former 'occult crimes' involving sacrificial rites.

A local girl develops an infatuation for the vocalist, while another girl is pregnant and lives with her mute grandma, who are both also hiding out from the Metal Cult. Overall, The Cult make their way with the help of a secretive guide {with the Absurd backpatch}, who is himself dispatched in a remarkable bloodlust scene.

Finally at the ceremonial grounds once the pregnant girl and grandmother are captured, she's literally crucified as grandma undergoes immolation, thus epidermal ecdysis revealing the serpentine demon. Her 'desire' reminiscent of a common prerequisite for skinwalkers, then taken to Hell like Don't Break The Oath.

Further cleverly amusing references to Grandma {KD Them / Conspiracy}; the Nuns Have No Fun ep to be the method of execution; one of the members suffering cranial vulnus sclopetarium like 'Dead' of Mayhem while wearing the eponymous shirt. Not to mention the very title of the film is named after the landmark Venom album by the same name!

Some noted shirts spotted are Mayhem, Mercyful Fate, Bathory, & Burzum. But surprisingly no Sepultura?

Inside the Church of Satan (2010)

Hail Loki at Ragnarok!

[10/10 · 26 July 2023]

Arriving at The Haunted Noctuary today, in a non-descript package containing a treasure in our history - over 2 hours of uncensored material covering events both at Black House North and visitations with several members in NYC, including extensive interviews with Magus Gilmore {another delightfully-thoughtful exchange with The High Priest; particularly amusing was the question about being 'The Antichrist'!}, Reverend Christopher Mealie, Witch Stephanie Crabe {Motel Bizarre}, the ever-misanthropic Magister David Harris {Satanism Today}, the elegantly erudite Magister Lang, Magistra Diana DeMagis {the "Horny In Hell's Kitchen" apron is priceless}, Reverend Akula, and Musician Warlock Eric {HellofAllHells}.

Beginning with a listing of Our basics, and Halloween celebrations with some locals, the majority of the presentation centers around footage of touring about Magister Lang's superb Lair {except the exterior, to avoid possible bigotry}, building towards The Rite of Ragnarok Ritual from The Satanic Scriptures, with delightful glimpses into some of the many themed rooms of Black House North, where we also get to meet the resident hellhound Freya. There's the impressive Egyptian Library {spotted is the Dr. LaVey statue by Arkham Studios, a painting of Vlad Tepes, a Markus Mayer sculpture, several books on Rasputin, and a sarcophagus bookshelf containing an extensive collection of Lovecraftian bibliography}, the woodland bedroom, a room of angles and geometric shapes, the amusing Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe bathroom, and of course, via a secret panel, the elaborate Ritual Chamber which has an even deeper secret room within through coffins {"backstage", as it were}. A great touch, considering 'The Red Room' at Dr. LaVey's Black House was accessed through a sarcophagus. Along with a marvelous trapezoidal pillar and actual pitchforks framing The Baphomet, there's Coop's Church of Satan poster, the Magister James "Sinister Minister" Mitchell action figure, and a painting of Our Founder decorates this Inner Sanctum.

Finally, amidst somber candlelight gleaming upon the Sowulo rune pentagram on one side, and Fenris on the other, the ritual begins with the ringing of the bell, and to the martial drumming of Warlock Eric, Magister Lang utters potent enunciation of destruction and regeneration echoing through the darkened room, yielding a flawless performance by all participants.*

Other moments include a satirical invocation by Warren himself, with Special features including a 'sacrifice' parody of The Satanic Panic hysteria.

Overall, this professional, impartial presentation displays the varied personalities and projects contained within Our Cabal, with proper unexpurgated representations of our philosophy, sans the typical inaccurate spins of sensationalizing 'journalists', which is why Mr. Warren was selected. A truly unique documentary which will hopefully inspire others in kind.

Hail Loki! Hail Satan!

_________ * Personally, instead of the occasional night vision mode, I would have opted for more dark-sensitive cameras and/or a small bit brighter lighting {a-la Satanis / Speak of The Devil}, to capture this historic event.

M3GAN (2022)

Small Wonder

[8/10 · 21 July 2023]

When a girl named 'Cady' loses her parents in a snowplow accident, she's adopted by her roboticist aunt Gemma who works for a toy company. She becomes the unwitting guinapig for AI to human interaction.

The anatomical & intellectual fabrications, assimilations, are thorough enough to present a convincing personality and ersatz companion for the grieving, confused girl, that she takes to it completely, essentially becoming more a 'sister' than toy appliance.

At first, it meets with success {even with minimal testing}, and is set to be released onto the world market, until M3gan starts behaving like The Bad Seed & Demon Seed combined. Slowly becoming increasingly adaptive to the point of parental usurpment, even annoying peremptory and pretentiousness.

The AI predictably learns and associates, eventually becoming as if a sovereign entity. The main objective is to protect Cady, taken to often exaggerated degrees*. First, an obnoxious neighbor's dog goes missing {she just refused to mend that gate!}.

But when M3gan bludgeons & pushes, an albeit deserving bully, into the road, the killing spree starts, administering Draconian judgements according to offense upon Gemma's coworkers as well.**

With the help of a surprising ally, Gemma & Cady regain control. Such is the imperativeness for the implementation of failsafes.

_____________ * KR: Some amusing comparisons with KARR herein, whose primary objective is self-preservation, while KITT's became the protection of human life.

** Some may even posit law enforcement & social Darwinism possibilities. Also calling to mind the recent SPOT addition to The Force.

Additionally, consider some of the more humorous juxtapositions with Vicky & Small Wonder.

Dio: Dreamers Never Die (2022)

The Wizard Dreams...

[10/10 · 16 July 2023]

Rockumentary on the inspirational career of Heavy Metal Warrior/Wizard Ronnie James Dio.

Details his beginnings in doowop as The Vegas Kings, greaser types Ronnie & The Prophets / Rumblers / Red Caps, through into Elf {with the huge voice}, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and ultimately DIO, it seems preternatural synchronicities accompanied him all along, and contributing to forging the juggernaut that would become HEAVY METAL. Finding his medieval gothic aesthetic persona in Elf & Rainbow, accentuated & complementary in Sabbath, then giantly evolved in namesake DIO.

The Horns

Intriguing integrations with The Occult, and utilizing The Cornu to supposedly differentiate himself from Ozzy's ubiquitous use of the "peace sign", while also asserting derivation from ancestral folklore to ward off {& implement} The Evil Eye according to intent. There are differing variations throughout various cultures and religious traditions.

Its use in diabolism spans back to the grimoires, but used in the media and the Satanic religion by Anton Szandor LaVey, and then by band Coven on album Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls. It signifies the Horns of Satan uplifted in defiance of the blindlight and salutation, as well as a gesture of energy direction, combined with left or right implementation, and symbolic gesticulation.

Devil's Due

The manifestation of Demonic 'mascot' Murray {more like 'guiding daemon'}; in My estimation, "Setan" finally making himself known, with giving The Devil His due on album covers, complete with the Satanic Sign of The Horns. Concerts essentially becoming veritable Infernal Mass services with all the psychodrama, imagination, charm, power, and magic of the stage show pulpit.

How he birthed taken name DIO from birthname {supposedly from a mobster}, creating a legend that would last into perpetuity. The inversion of the logo revealing the word DEVIL, even within the Italian word for "god" - turns out the Luciferian ideal of oneself as God has been there all along.

Throughout His evilution, meeting wife Wendy who became his trusted manager, he put his heart and soul into all his endeavors, impacting the lives of all he met, as testimonials throughout the presentation in the many interviews featured asserts.

It seems that overall, RJD bade that people look within themselves to find their own greatness, even displaying icons of darkness to exemplify that your power is already within you, you just have to bring it out. Entertainer, musician, poet, creator, Wizard, and Warrior - he wore many hats and horns, mastering all. He finally got his own crown, horns & wings.

Interviews: Ronnie James Dio, Wendy Dio, Mick Wall, Dave Feinstein, Dick Bottoff, Sebastian Bach, Ron Wray, Rob Halford, Eddie Trunk, Roger Glover, Glenn V. Hughes III, Lita Ford, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Dan Lilker, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Tony Iommi. [5/5]

Witchery (1989)

Witch Knight

[9/10 · 16 June 2023]

Gary & Leslie are a couple of paranormal investigators who travel to an island off the coast of Massachusetts to research an ill-reputed Hotel haunted by a Witch. They also happen to be a couple. He the patient pent-up fiancée and she a sexually frustrated virgin, believe it or not.

Reminiscent of the Sutro Baths, a wealthy family arrives with perpetually concupiscent architect "Linda" to inspect the place for a possible private club. Brothel? Cult Temple? Unspecified.

They bring the kids who are the first to see The Witch abouts, and pregnant daughter Jane* who threatens to burst at any moment. She appropriately, eventually becomes possessed by The Witch. Looking quite the 'Sexorcist' herself. In the end, Jane ironically throws herself out the window like Fr. Karras in order to exorcise The Witch.

A preternatural storm brews stranding all upon the island. Despite desperate attempts to gain the attention of a hellicopter, are damned to forego the nefarious plans The Witch has conjured for them.

The Witch is a cool Norma Desmond type former actress in black appearing here and there casting spells, as they all one by one meet with ghoulishly sinful predicaments according to their nature. Three Doors to The Darkside named LUST, AVIRICE, & IRE are keys necessitated to open hellish dimensions wherein demons appear to enact gruesome tortures, while others meet various grisly demises, including a suffocating incineration, and a most notable inverted cross immolation!

Trivia: Realife husband & wife team David Hasselhoff & Catherine Hickland star herein - KR Michael & 'Stevie'!

_____________ * Pieced together "Jane"/"Jayne", as in "Mansfield", pregnant as in Rosemary Woodhouse, with a Demon baby?

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

H> 666

[9/10 · 16 June 2023]

The Man in Black has made all the arrangements. The Film opens to a rite by The Cult of Thorn initiating a new life into the fray, destined for the blade, to make a transition in killers to start the misanthropic slaughter anew. "Passing The Demon", as it were.

The infant is the result of ritualistic insemination by Michael & the maiden, similar to the Rosemary's Baby impregnation. Rather like the ritual scene in Ghoulies, the child is rescued and midwife killed. Hospital massacre follows.

The chamber itself is set in a favorable cavern-like setting bedecked with the Thorn Rune, with cultists' black robes ornamented with blood orange trim. All bear the rune upon the inner wrist.

The ancient Druidic Curse of Thorn signifies sacrificial familicide in order to propagate abundance and prosperity, avoiding drought and disease, enacted during a stellar alignment on Samhain night. Shades of The Lottery. And some motivation from Chick Tracts exploiting Halloween for Satanic Panic propaganda.

Quite possibly the darkest installment in the series, due to the Occult origins of the legend, and explains a lot.

KILL COUNT: 31.

Arnold (2023)

He is back!

[10/10 · 16 June 2023]

A candid documentary with The Austrian Oak. A tale of a multiplicitous personality following his bliss and led by The Will to succeed to fulfill his self-made destiny.

ATHLETE: Indigenous origins, sparks in ACI inspirations, becoming like as the icons ruminated upon. Forming plans into motion, moving forth into resonant situations. Nascent competition victories as stepping stones into greater prominence. Moving to US unto California. Gold's Gym participation, Weider sponsorship, taking Bodybuilding to the next level. Art and elevated sportsmanship.

ACTOR: Logical next step evolution. Pumping Iron documentary, Stay Hungry, Hercules in New York {premier as Arnold Strong}. Eventual more pervasive roles, through to CONAN, Terminator, and beyond. Ingress into the Action-Adventure, science-fiction, and comedy genres. All except Horror as of yet.

AMERICAN: Steps into the world of Politics, becomes The "Governator", exhibits genuine anthropic abilities, creating techniques and methods advancing several issues like environmental conservation, health programs, the cooperation of Republican & Democratic relations to meet mutual resolutions.

Includes many interviews with bodybuilders, actors, and Politicians who have been been influenced by his path. Some psychological revelations into the underpinnings, attitudes, and motivations of various personal spectacles, including PI & even nuptial relationships. Many amusing anecdotes shared in each field, rarely seen photographs, family and friends relations.

Overall, From Rising and making a name for himself, overcoming seeming obstacles {which actually served him in the end}, excelling in all categories strived for, and forming new precedents, sit by the fire as ARNOLD regales the viewer amidst the rich fumigation of fine cigars.

Halloween 2 (2009)

Back from Hell

[9/10 · 11 June 2023]

In the immediate transition from the previous film's concluding scene, the madness and terror-filled screaming yields wondering figures in the darkness in parted yet conjoined destinies by blood and steel.

Michael's endless lives serve him again as he returns from Hell, resurrecting in the back of an ambulance while being transported to the morgue, courtesy of bovine intervention.

A remarkable psychological element utilized herein is the oneiric juxtaposition of himself as darkling {PTSD "inner child"}, accompanied by ghostly mother standing together with an æthyreal manifestation of the white horse* she gifted him at the asylum.

As well as the killing spree of bullies and deserving obnoxious wastrels, the theme of Michael eliminating all those who leave him continues here. The executions are not without method. Victims are either obstacles, nuisances, or detriments, many times justified.

Loomis develops an attitude problem, glomming the talkshow circuit promoting his over-embellished book The Devil's Eyes without consideration for the privacy of those involved, revealing certain personal information without permission, causing Angel Myers {baby sister} much consternation, to the point of heavy drinking with her promiscuous rocker friends. None other than Weird Al makes an appearance as a guest.

Despite this exploitation, Loomis remains a crucial personage to gain both an understanding, and nominally controlling factors.

One remarkable scene yields a harkening to that evocatively iconic display of primal strength exhibited by THE HULK flipping the car, but Meyers instead. Staged pre-2k, many such Gen X references herein.

Some nubile nudity. Interestingly enough, Michael can actually be heard producing atypical guttural sounds from time to time during killings, while he's usually silent, as in silent death.

KILL COUNT: 22.

_____________ * can symbolize innocence and purity, good fortune, or prosperity.

Hubie Halloween (2020)

Hubieween

[7/10 · 28 April 2023]

Once a year in Salem, intellectually compromised deli worker "Hubie" essentially becomes the town Safety monitor for Halloween, even though he has a yellow streak. Yet his simplistic tenacity is acknowledged by his loving mother and would-be girlfriend recognize him, an albeit ersatz "hero", who sets out on his bike seeking to protect the ungrateful populace, in his rather imbecilic way, but has "good" {read: indiscriminately anthropic} intent. Because of his stupefied condition, is taken advantage of by virtually everyone, is universally pranked, and bullied from local kids to the police.

While investigating a complaint, discovers his mental case 'friend' is a werewolf, leading him on a chase all over town on several adventures into a Haunted House attraction, a Halloween party, a corn maze, to the drive-in, even to the local radio station, where he meets a very unexpected surprise. Finally, Hubie receives vicarious reciprocation, eventually marries, and becomes the mayor.

Overall, the film is basically Ernest Scared Stupid with 'Hubie Dubois' instead of Ernest P. Worrell.

Licorice Pizza (2021)

Simply meant to be...

[7/10 · 28 April 2023]

Alana & Gary are a 'soulmate' valley couple in a boomerang relationship, which nomatter where life leads them individually or together, always return to one another - which should not be squandered.

Meeting at school during picture day, he a student and she a photography assistant, she finally agrees to his persistence, go on a date, and the rest is history. From an acting gig together to NY {fell apart due to her willingness to do nude work, especially because he didn't get to admire her yet; unfortunately none for the viewer either!}, then cooperating on a waterbed store {defunct due to oil crisis and a dalliance}, to separate endeavors has her volunteering on an old friend's mayoral campaign {becomes pawn in gay partnership to avoid scandal}, he opening up a pinball store, which proves to be ultimately successful.

Other key scenes include:

> Meeting Barbara Streisand's amped up Kenny Loggins-looking boyfriend when installing a waterbed, eventually waterlogging his place & trashing his car, due to his bullying nature. Coasting the storage truck backwards down a hill after that.

> Alana's rebound guy "Lance" attends "Shabbat" with her staunchly religious family who notifies them that he is an Atheist, severing their relationship. She apparently allows her parent to dictate her choices for her, but should better make her own decisions. After all, they're not dating him! Advise would be appreciated when asked for, but permission is not necessary. She should stay true to herself.

> Alana befriends actor Jack Holden {"Hit 'em again, Sean!", RR} who drunkenly recreates a motorcycle stunt over a blazing fire a-la Evel Knievel, at a local golf course, toppling her from the backseat, wherein a sprinting Gary awaits. Takes place at Tail O'The Cock restaurant & bar. Could have also used The Lamplighter.

Aesthetically, of minor note, sometimes the lines between 60's/70's themes are blurred, and other times, the representations are timeless, like the {19666} Batmobile and The Munsters booth at the merchant convention.

Notably, the beautifully poignant dynamic of running together upon successive experiences is indicative of their life journey.

Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story (2019)

Deathrash origins

[8/10 · 28 March 2023]

"Murder in the front row / Crowd begins to bang / And there's blood upon the stage / Bang your head against the stage / And metal takes its price / Bonded by blood!"

Details the evolution of Thrash Metal by various bands from both coasts, and some in-between. This presentation concentrates on those mainly on the West Coast. Influenced & motivated by the European likes of Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, to Motörhead, Diamond Head, Angel Witch, Saxon, UFO, Black Sabbath {DIO, Ozzy, solo}, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and others; Slayer, Exodus, Testament, to Metallica, Megadeth, Possessed, Death Angel, Suicidal Tendencies, DRI & others, defined an extreme genre while spreading destruction and debauchery along the way.

Recounted from the perspective of those who perform the music and evilive the life, along with relatives, from a veritable berserker & barbarian aesthetic & mis/conduct, to virtuoso level skills & talent, sometimes combined with Horror macabre theatrics, seems the Gates of Hell parted with a darkside alternative to generic culture while decrying pop, Glam, & posers.

It seems the bestial legions were unleashed upon that inaugural crest, with several more demonic waves to follow. Just a bit more attention afforded to Black Metal & Occult inspirations.

* Featured bands: Testament, Anthrax, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, DRI, Possessed, Metal Allegiance, Death Angel, Vio-lence, Forbidden, Heathen.

* Interviews: Alex Skolnick, Charlie Benante, Chuck Billy, Dave Lombardo, Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, Gary Holt, James Hetfield, Kerry King, Kirk Hammett, Larry LaLonde, Lars Ulrich, Mark Menghi, Mark Osegueda, Phil Demmel, Rick Hunolt, Robert Trujillo, Robb Flynn, Tom Araya, Tom Hunting.

Dracommendations * The Ultimate Revenge 1 {Venom / Slayer / Exodus} / 2 {Forbidden / Faith Or Fear / Death / Dark Angel / Raven}.

* Get Thrashed. In Flames, Anthrax, Metallica, Exodus, Lamb Of God, Slayer, Testament, Megadeth.

* Cliff 'Em All. {Metallica}

Halloween (2007)

Silent Death Executioner

[9/10 · 4 March 2023]

Little Michael is part of the KISS Army, highly intelligent and imaginative, is quite artistic, fascinated with masks, and loves Halloween. How many can relate? Unfortunately, there are obnoxious bullies and weak, cowardly, trashy abusers about. But they are dealt with in short order when the Demon rises from within to deal out diabolic Justice! Very pleasing and deserved punishments!

Though ethically correct in My estimation, he is institutionalized, wherein one day escapes to haunt Halloweenight. Growing with superhuman size & strength, hair obscuring his visage with darkness, donning the dread mask as the face of Horror.

Regrettably, years of incarceration seems to have warped his mind toward nearly indiscriminate executions. Witnessed upon dispatching an orderly {Danny Trejo}. Yet the little ones remain spared. While Loomis lectures on the morbid deeds of he who exhibits The Devil's Eyes.

In one remarkable scene, wherein Michael acquires his killer accoutrement through a loudmouth truckdriver, brutally bashed even while spouting substanceless blabber, executed by silent death.

Notably included in the cast are Clint Howard {Evilspeak} as Dr. Koplensen, the 3 From Hell 'Cpt. Spaulding' Sid Haig as Chester Chesterfield, Bill Mosely as Zach "Z-Man" Garrett, Sheri Moon Zombie as mother Deborah Myers, Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Loomis, & Brad Dourif as Sheriff Brackett, Danny Trejo as the orderly.

Some nudity, sexual situations, great gore mixed with psychological enhancement. I found this gritty version a small bit more believable {prototypal realife circumstances}, with references, aesthetics, and situations which one may be able to relate.

KILL COUNT: 23.