Feeding the Masses Horror Collection

Shock-O-Rama Cinema

R1 DVD Collection

Web: http://www.alternativecinema.com

This compilation of “4 Fearsome Films” includes a range of fairly recent movies that generally fit the Horror genre. That is not to say that they are all good films – some things should be left buried in the vaults. Let’s look at each of the films and see how they fare.

Feeding the Masses (2005)

It would be hard to call a zombie movie “intelligent”, but this one works. It is not so much a zombie film as a film with lots of zombies. A strange virus has got loose, the Lazarus virus, and as usual it is turning people into zombies and raising the dead. The Government is in denial and is broadcasting reassuring platitudes to the population to prevent mass panic. Some of the spin is simply unbelievable.

“The virus will have a positive effect on unemployment”

News is censored so no hint of the true size of the outbreak can get out. Out on the streets though many people are well aware of the extent of the problem. The Army and Police are hopelessly outnumbered. Redneck groups and local gangs are having a field day killing zombies but they are also outnumbered.

A news crew at one of the local TV stations is filming the truth of the outbreak but their reporting is being squashed in the interest of National Security. Sherri’s dream is to front a major news story for the network. Torch, the cameraman, wants to produce that magic piece of film that everyone will remember, like the film of the Hindenburg disaster. They won’t remember him but his film will live forever.

“Not only are we lucky enough to witness the end of humanity but we’ve got the means to record it for posterity”. OK, Torch sometimes hits the recreational pharmaceuticals and doesn’t always make sense.

The team is out gathering what real news it can but it is not going to be broadcast unless someone can take over the control room, interrupt the endless feed of propaganda and reruns and substitute their live reporting.

Feeding The Masses is quite a good end of the world film, with a credible plot, brief moments of humour and good acting. It doesn’t concentrate on splatter to the exclusion of dramatic values, but there is enough gore as part of the plot to keep you happy.

Creature From The Hillbilly Lagoon (2005)

This is the sort of film that gives B grade movies a bad name. It is clichéd, poorly acted and yes, you have seen it all before. Adding hillbillies and topless girls and gay references simply can’t save this turkey.

The evil genetics corporation is hiring local rednecks to illegally dump toxic genetic waste into the river. One of the fish evolves into a man-eating fishy monster. It starts eating the local rednecks so at least the film has one socially redeeming feature. Oh, the monster’s headgear is pretty good, too. That’s about all, though.

Listening to actors trying to put on down-south drawls is painful. Watching them try to act is worse. Admittedly the script doesn’t leave them much to work with. It’s just very, very bad.

Necroville (2007)

Now this is more like it. The town is infested with undead and Jack and Alex work for a firm that specialises in removing zombies, vampires and loud college parties. They are pretty good at their job but Jack’s demanding girlfriend Penny does not approve.

Now her old boyfriend Clark is back in town. He is an arch-vampire, he hates Jack, and he wants Penny back. He is also a very bad DJ at the local disco.

There will have to be a showdown between the two and it won’t be as simple as blasting zombies. Even with Alex at his back Jack is outclassed, but Alex has a plan – gross, but it could just work.

There’s plenty of gore, lots of funny moments, and heaps of zombies to be slaughtered. If you have to do a zombie film these days, this is how to do it.

Splatter Disco (2007)

This one is not too bad, mostly because of the odd people who inhabit the disco. The Council is trying to close down the Den O’ Iniquity disco on moral grounds and someone is murdering the patrons and staff. That should be a good hint to go somewhere else but as one of the patron’s points out, where else can you go dressed as small furry animals and spank each other? Or roll yourself up in a piece of carpet and let people walk on you?

There isn’t all that much splatter actually, but there are a few nicely done shots that aren’t too over the top. There is even some quite decent music. It’s worth a look.

The set is nicely presented with good clean transfers and we owe Shock-O-Rama a vote of thanks for keeping the films from vanishing into obscurity.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 4 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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