Blood, Boobs and Beast - A Pleasant Find

Blood, Boobs and Beast

Sometimes you stumble upon a great documentary that just grabs you and makes you take notice for a numerous amount of reasons. Blood, Boobs and Beast is one of those documentaries that did just that. Following the later life experinces of Baltimore Independent Film Maker, Don Dohler and the cult following he had, Blood, Boobs and Beast show the ups and downs of film making....thinking of making a film? Watch this!

When involved in Horror film making people are often asked; "what's the key to a successful Horror film?" Well, the 3 B's come into play - Blood (which most Horror films have), Boobs (come on...what would 80's Horror be without it?) and Beast (I think of this more as a metaphor than actual, but a great Beast never hurt). Is that all that it takes? As seen in this inside look at life as a B-Movie film maker, you will quickly see the sacrifices made to follow a dream.

Don Dohler is a name you may have never heard of, but Dohler is an Icon to many. Making films like Alien Factor, Fiend, Blood Massacre, Vampire Sisters and Dead Hunt you begin to understand the journey that was made as a film maker.The Baltimore/DC area has some extremely talented people, from Famed Horror Host Count Gore DeVol (Dick Dyzel), film maker Kevin Kangas (Fear of Clowns), JimmyO Burril and wife April (Chainsaw Sally and Forbidden Pictures) whom I am sure, were influenced and/or worked with Dohler. The name that stood out for me on this documentary, personally was Joe Ripple.

Now, over this past summer I was honored to work with Kevin Kangas on the Garden of Hedon feature, during this time I was introduced to Joe. Honestly, I also felt I was on top of Independent features and films...little did I know I had just met an Icon. Joe was completely humble and simply taking pictures and enjoying being on the set.

With that being said, watching this film you see the partnership between Dohler and Ripple. How they deal with actors no showing on set, life off the set and even as Dohler was diagnosed with Brain and Lung Cancer you can truly see the friendship and bond.

John Kinhart, who sat through tons of hours of footage and interviews puts together a film that is more than just an inside look or behind the scenes...it was a celebration of the B Movie film maker. Interviews from Tom Savini to JJ Abrams set the mood for a real look at Don Dohler.

I really can not express how great this was for me to watch and enjoy. The fans who know the lines, word for word to features by Dohler that were made with no big budgets, not amazing effects...these were made for the love of making movies. I'm sure this write up doesn't do the film or legacy that Dohler created, justice but if this creates an awareness for anyone who wants to enjoy the fun in film...look for some of these films.

I also want to mention, looking back how great it was to be on set with someone who didn't feel like he had to make others aware of what he does or did. For that Joe Ripple, I thank you....you proved to me (without knowing it or trying), roughly 6 months later that you LOVE film. That's the inspiration..right there.

Fell - Relationships Can Bring you Down

Fell

 Directed by Marcus Koch

(co-written by) - Katie Walters

co-writer - Kristian Day

co-writer - Jeff Dylan Graham

Reviewed by : Rob Dimension

The more I review films, the more attracted I am to Artistic films. Films that play mind games and make you think. Take away the generalized ideas of Horror, the misuse of nudity, the over use of gore...I want Substance!!!....after sitting and letting this film sink into my mind....I really enjoyed this one.

Fell is the story of Bill (Jeff Dylan Graham) and his problems. Shot with a darker tint, a somber feeling is felt through out the entire film. Bill wakes up with a body in his bath tub, who is she...where did she come from? As this story unfolds, we see Bill is a bit unbalanced....not in a demented, serial killer way...just a product of manic depression and prescription drugs. 

I will not spoil this story for you, I will only give my opinions and observations. Fell is not a film for everyone, those really looking for Horror will not find that here. It's a simple concept that twists and turns as Bill falls deeper into his delusions. The acting is very good, Graham does a great job of portraying Bill, it's believable.  The script is good but I feel that the movie is a bit too long, there was a little section in the middle that could have been trimmed. I will say the stand out, for me is the mind games...the games this film plays on YOU, the viewer. Not M. Night crap...this is good, wholesome story telling...it left me wondering if I saw what I saw or if I should head to the shrink, myself.

When this film is available, I highly recommend looking for this one. It is fantastic to watch, you enjoy riding someone's delusions. It was nice to take a break from my problems and enjoy Bill's.

Blood Bath 2 Film Festival - November 13th & 14th

Blood Bath 2 Film Festival

DOA Blood Bath Entertainment proudly announces Blood Bath 2: The Film Festival at the historic Texas Theater in Dallas, Texas on November 13^th and 14th, 2010.  The film festival is a celebration of independent horror cinema showcasing feature and short films from around the world.

The festival is the world premiere for the feature films, KODIE and THE SUPER and the American premiere of feature film FELL. 

KODIE, filmed locally in Dallas by Abel Berry and Jennifer Stone, tells the story of David, a paranormal investigator, who has come to a point in his life where everything he cares about is being ripped away in domestic turmoil. He soon finds himself and his team caught in a world of a murderous little girl named Kodie in the form of a teddy bear.  Many of the cast and crew will be in attendance for a Q&A following the film.

THE SUPER, directed by Brian Weaver & Evan Makrogiannis, shows us the twisted mind of George Rossi, who immigrated to the US and served in the Vietnam War and is now employed as the superintendent of a Queens apartment building. He finds himself quickly slipping into a depraved world that is fueled by the tenants of the building.  It does no good to lock your doors because The Super has the keys.  The producer and directors of THE SUPER will be in attendance.

FELL, directed by Marcus Koch and starring Jeff  Dylan Graham, "is a challenging, relentless exploration of psychological turmoil, the fragility of the human mind and a startling depiction of tragic mental breakdown that evokes memories of Polanski’s Repulsion”, says James Gracey, ‘Behind the Couch’.  Marcus Koch and Jeff Dylan Graham will be in attendance.

Other feature-length selections include Houston filmmaker Mel House’s WALKING DISTANCE, which recently world premiered at the Dallas International Film Festival and marks the return of Adrienne King (FRIDAY THE 13^TH) to film; Canadian twins Jen and Sylvia Soska’s DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, which has become an underground cult fan favorite while winning many awards at festivals all around the world; and Adam Minarovich's EXHIBIT A-7, which won the XRISTOS Award for the Best Guerilla Film at the Action On Film International Film Festival and stars Robert Pralgo (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES)..

Featured short films include BY HER HAND SHE DRAWS YOU DOWN, WAFFLE, THE WRITER, SCREAM QUEEN, LIP STICK, READY TEDDY, THE GUEST, DISPATCH, BITS AND PIECES, and RED AND THE WOLF. Also included in the line up will be the top 9 short films from the recent “make a short film in a weekend competition” Splatterfest in Houston.

Debbie Rochon (COLOUR FROM THE DARK, WALKING DISTANCE), Reggie Bannister (PHANTASM, WALKING DISTANCE), and many other actors and filmmakers will be in attendance at the screenings, and audiences are encouraged to participate in the Q&A panels as well as cast their votes on their favorite films. An awards ceremony will take place on Sunday.

The festival will run all day on Saturday and Sunday, with an after party on Saturday night at the local bar Muddy Waters with special musical guests Jack O’Hara Harris, The Lash Outs, and The Whiskey Folk Ramblers starting at 10 PM. Tickets are $7 per feature-length film, $15 per day, or $25 for the weekend. They will be available for advance sales online or at the door.

For out-of-town attendees, the official hotel of the festival is the Belmont Hotel (www.belmontdallas.com), with special room rates starting at $79 and a free shuttle to transport guests from the hotel to the Texas Theater.

Tickets, trailers of the films, and more information can be found at doabloodbath.com.