Halls of the Nephilim: Grindhouse City

Showing posts with label Grindhouse City. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

October Horror Movie Challenge - Death Ranch (2020)

Plot

Set in the 70's, Brandon is a convict that escapes and meets up with his two siblings at their grandfather's abandoned ranch in Tennessee. There the trio are captured by a group of cannibalistic Ku Klux Klansmen and have to fight their way to safety... and get some bloody revenge.

Review

This on is not high art, but it's entertaining if you are a grindhouse fan. It's a combination of Blaxploitationa and Hicksploitation. Brandon (played excellently by Deiondra Teagle) and his sister Angela (played by the badass Faith Monique) are the primary protagonists. There's not really a whole lot of story or exposition. Brandon committed a crime and his brother and sister meet up with him. They are ambushed by some KKK assholes, who like to eat and/or fuck their victims before hanging them. The barn and surrounding woods are the only real set pieces, which is simple but works. There's some great practical gore that's rather nasty, including genital mutilation and an eye being bitten out of someone's face. The film contains racist language and sexual violence (though it mostly occurs off screen), so it could definitely be a hard watch for some. However, if you can stomach those and want to see some racist assholes get taken out in bloody and painful ways, this is a flick for you.

In Your Game

Cannibalistic Ku Klux Klansman

Armor Class: 10

Hit Dice/Points: 1/2
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: By Weapon

Bonuses: +1 to hit

Special: disadvantage on courage saves

Morale: 5

HDE: 1/2

Movie Count

New To Me: 16

Total Movies: 24

Thursday, October 24, 2019

October Horror Movie Challenge - The Devil's Rejects (2005)

The Firefly family's second outing is currently on Tubi.

Following the events of House of 1000 Corpses, the Firefly family find their home raided. Baby and Otis go on the run and join up with Baby's father, Captain Spaulding. After a bloody incident at a motel, the trio meet up with Spaulding's brother, all the while being trailed by a vengeful sherrif and his hired muscle, the "Unholy Two."

HonestlyI have a lot of the same feelings about this one that I did House of 1000 Corpses. It's brutal, vile, and mean. I didn't have any sympathy for what happens to Otis and Baby when the sheriff catches up with them. They are still just as obnoxious. However, just like the first film, I loved Captain Spaulding. I'm glad he has a much larger role in this one. I liked the introduction of Spaulding's brother Charlie, played by the unforgettable Ken Foree. It was also cool to see Diamond Dallas Page and Danny Trejo as baddass bounty hunters.

While I appreciate House of a 1000 Corpses for being a horror movie, I think I like the grindhouse feel of Devil's Reject's. Had the movie focused more on that, I would have had much more enjoyment watching it. I don't mind seeing awful people do things to awful people, which is why the second half of this movie was great. All of the scenes related to Charlie's brothel are fun.

I still need to see 3 From Hell. I know I'm going to be saddened by Spaulding's limited role in it, but I feel like I need to finish the trilogy.

In Your Game: Captain Spaulding's Chicken is legendary in these movies (or at least those that have had it speak of it in reverence), so I thought I'd make it an item in game. I think you could have a messed up grindhouse adventure that centers around a group trying to get a hold of Spaulding's recipe after the events of this movie.

Captain Spaulding's Chicken Recipe - friend chicken made with this secret recipe is so good it makes you feel whole. Eating Captain Spaulding's Fried Chicken heals 1d6 HP. You can only gain healing from the chicken once a day.

New To Me Movies Watched: 17

Total Movies Watched: 28

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

October Horror Movie Challenge - House Of 1000 Corpses (2003)

This wannabe Texas Chainsaw Massacre is on Tubi.

A group of friends working on a book about crazy roadside attractions stop at The Museum of Monsters & Madmen, owned by Captain Spaulding, a clown with an odd sense of humor. There they learn about a local legend, Doctor Satan. This ultimately leads them into trouble as they seek out the tree the "good doctor" was hung from.

When this movie first came out, I wasn't a fan at all. It was brutal, vile, and mean. While I still find it all of those things, it's grown on me a bit. Unlike the focus of most of these kinds of movies, the bad guys really do get the spotlight. This makes sense because when making the film, Zombie reportedly told Universal that "nobody cares about the fucking kids." While I don't think that's totally true, it's definitely the mindset Mr. Zombie went with.

Otis, Baby, and the rest of the Firefly family are obnoxious. Even into The Devil's Rejects, I didn't really care for them. However, I absolutely love Sid Haig as Captain Spaulding. He's the true star of the flick for me. The opening scene is one of my favorite horror openings. I also enjoyed the scenes with Doctor Satan and his lab. There's some creepy stuff and honestly it works better in the film, because it's only on screen for a short amount of time.

This movie feels like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre smothered in Rob Zombie's Special Sauce. You can't really taste the original, though you know it's there, and you're probably not going to enjoy it if your pallet isn't partial to Zombie.

I don't hate this one, but I don't really love it either (outside of Captain Spaulding). I think there are some good ideas and interesting scenes, but ultimately is kinda meh.

In Your Game:

"Now one of our local heroes, S. Quentin Quale aka Dr. Satan. Murderer, torturer, but most of all, master surgeon. Mr. Quale was an intern at Willows County Mental Hospital, nicknamed "Weeping Willows" for the never ending cries of pain. Through primitive brain surgery. Mr. Quale believed that he could create a race of super humans from the mentally ill. Vigilante justice prevailed; they took his ass out and hung him and that infamous hanging tree is no more than a stone's throw away from where ya'll's ass now seated. Then the next day, his body was found to be missing. Until today, no trace of Dr. Satan has ever been discovered. But then who knows...maybe he lives next door to you?"

-Captain Spaulding

Dr. Satan

Armor Class: 10
Hit Dice: 3
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Unarmed (1d3) or Syringe (1+ save vs poison of fall unconscious for 1d4 hours)
Special: Play possum (can appear comatose perfectly while still conscious)
Bonuses: +8 to Medicine, +5 to Science
Morale: 10
Terror: 10
HDE: 3

Part of the logic with these stats comes from a deleted scene in The Devil's Rejects.

New To Me Movies Watched: 17

Total Movies Watched: 27

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

October Horror Movie Challenge - Bones (2001)

Now that I've reviewed my recent library checkouts, I'm back to my free to watch movie on Tubi.

In 1979, Jimmy Bones, a numbers runner and beloved protector of his neighborhood, is killed by a drug dealer and corrupt cop (who also force his associates to take part in the murder). Twenty one years later the children of one of those associates try to open a night club in the building where he was murdered and unwittingly unleash the now demonic Bones onto the world.

This is a great horror film that's an homage to classic blaxploitation films. The queen of those films, the amazing Pam Grier, plays a central role in the mythology of this one and still has it. The protagonists are interesting and likable enough and keep the movie from getting stale. My high school and college crush, Katherine Isabelle (of Ginger Snaps) is in this, so you know I've been a fan. The true star of this is Snoop himself. He is great as Jimmy and even with the bad voice effects to make him sound demonic at times, he just has a presence.

While I don't think this one is high cinema, it's a loving tribute to an often overlooked genre of film. Honestly, I'd love to see Snoop make another Bones flick.

In Your Game: Jimmy Bones would make a great npc for a Vigilante City game with supernatural elements. He is definitely a villain, but perhaps he starts taking out other criminals in his old neighborhood. Can the hell hound be an ally? This write-up assumes that he fully takes over his daughter's body at the end of the film. I also took some liberties with this one (obviously).

Jimmy Bones
Armor Class: 14
Hit Dice: 8+6
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Claw/Bite (1d6)
Special: Shapechange, Darkvision 120', open portal to Hell, spew maggots, turn ethereal
Bonuses: +10 toughness (magic ignores and damage from his switchblade ignores this), +5 to Attack rolls, +4 to damage
Morale: 10
Terror: 12
HDE: 8

Jimmy can take an action to spew maggots. The target must make a DC 15 constitution saving throw or spend the next 1d4 rounds retching.

New To Me Movies Watched: 5

Total Movies Watched: 10

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

RIP - Rutger Hauer

It's been reported that Rutger Hauer has passed. He was a fantastic actor and has been in so many great films. While this may sound strange, one of my favorite roles he played was the Hobo from the grindhouse flick, Hobo with a Shotgun. In honor of his passing and that brutal, but entertaining flick, I've statted the titular hobo out for Vigilante City. One of these days I'll start working on Grindhouse city and create a class inspired by that character, but until then the hobo will be a dark avenger.

The Hobo

Abby: You can't solve all the world's problem with a shotgun
Hobo: It's the only way I know

Name: The Hobo

Real Name: Unknown

Alignment: Law (Higher law, not man's)

Class: Dark Avenger

Level: 3

Str: 14 (+1)

Int: 10 (+0)

Wis: 13 (+1)

Dex: 12 (+0)

Con: 18 (+3)

Cha: 10 (+0)

Sur: 14

Courage: 16

Critical: 14

Death: 12

Magic: 9

Mental: 12

Poison: 13

Languages: English

AC: 12 (Class Bonus)

HP: 25

Toughness: +1

Move: 12

Initiate: +0

Unarmed
+2, d4+2
Shotgun

+0, 3d6 damage, range 30', Ammo 5, ROF 1 (Heavy)

Special Combat Bonus
+1 to attack and damage against pimps and those actively mistreating women.

Skills

Basic Athletics 1 (+2)

Combat Training 1
Fighting: Brawling

Interrogation 2 (+5)
Intimidation 1 (+4) [+1 to resist]
Street Smart 2 (+5)
Street Survival 3 (+4)

Equipment: Shopping Cart, Shotgun

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Happy 75th Birthday Danny Trejo!

Today is Danny Trejo's 75th birthday. He's one of my all time favorites and seems to be a genuinely awesome dude. I thought I'd stat out a few of his characters. I went with Machete (old school World of Darkness) and Frank Vega (SURVIVE THIS!!). Statting him as a vampire, as seen in the From Dusk Til Dawn flicks and more recently What We Do In The Shadows, would have made more sense for the World of Darkness stats, but I wanted Machete.

Isadore "Machete" Cortez

Attribute: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5, Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 4

Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, -1, -1, -1, -2, -2, -2, -3, -3, -5, Incapacitated

Attack: Machete - 10 dice (Str+2 lethal damage)

Abilities: Athletics 4, Brawl 5, Dodge 5, Intimidation 5, Streetwise 4, Drive 3, Firearms 2, Melee 5, Stealth 4, Survival 3, Investigation 3, Law 3, Medicine 1, Occult 1

Special: Machete is immune to Delirium.

Willpower: 8

The ex-federale known as Machete is a legend among kine, garou, and kindred. He protects the disenfranchised and often works with the immigrant support group, The Network. He is deadly with a blade and even kindred know not to piss him off.

Frank Vega
Armor Class: 12
Hit Dice/Points: 5 (30 HP)
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Unarmed (d3)
Special: Knockout Punch (if Frank rolls a natural 20 against an opponent with 3 HD or less, they are knocked unconscious).
Bonuses: +3 to all Saving Throws, +5 to Melee attacks, + to Ranged attacks, +3 to Melee damage, +2 to Initiative, +4 to Intimidation, +2 to Investigation, +3 to Toughness
Morale: 8
Terror: -
HDE: 5

Frank Vega was a Vietnam vet trying to live a normal life, when his bad ass beat down of a couple of skinheads went viral. Around the same time, his best friend (and fellow vet) Klondike was killed and Frank found himself wrapped up in criminal and political intrigue. He had a few adventures after that with former hockey player, Bernie Pope. The pair have begun helping those that can't be helped with the funding of their new wealthy friend, Earl.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Grindhouse City

One of the things I'd like to make once Vigilante City comes out is a hack for it inspired by grindhouse flicks. It will be over the top and exploitative like the films, though know my sensibilities, it will be more fun than offensive. I'm going to call the release, Grindhouse City. So far this is the material I'm envisioning going into the book:

Brief discussion of grindhouse and exploitation films
New classes (blade, hobo with a gun, badass biker, vixen/hunk)
Discussion of how the regular VC classes fit the theme
New equipment
New foes
Adventure seeds
D100 grindhouse adventure generator
Mini settings (2-5 page campaign setting ideas)

So what do you think? Would you play Grindhouse City? Any suggestions for things that need to be in it?

Monday, November 19, 2018

Grindhouse City - Exit to Hell (2013)

Synopsis: A gang get more than they bargain for when they visit a small border town under the protection of lawman, Slade Sickle.

The Good: This movie is filmed and cut like an old school grindhouse flick. There are a few scenes that do a grindhouse film damage cut instead of showing gore and it works fantastically. Kane Hodder does a great job as the lawman. I also enjoy Dan Higgins as the creepy old gas station owner.

The Bad: This is a grindhouse flick. It's not good. It's exploitative. Also, this is one of those flicks that you really don't have sympathy for anyone. There are no good people in this flicks, so you don't really care when folks die.

Final Thoughts: This was a fun modern grindhouse flick. Normally when you see a big horror name on some indie flick like this, they aren't in the film much. This isn't one of those movies though. Kane's in the movie a decent amount and is the central villain (though there are no heroes).

In Your Game: Kane Hodder's character is a perfect npc for a project idea I have. I'm calling it Grindhouse City. It's going to be a grindhouse themed supplement Vigilante City.

Sheriff Slade Sickle

Armor Class: 12   Attack Damage: By Weapon
Hit Dice: 5     Special: The Law
Move: 12    Bonus: +4 to hit, +3 Toughness, +2 to damage
Attacks: 2 per round Terror: 6 HDE: 6

While he can terrorize, Slade has a +4 to rolls to calm folks and make them believe he's a true officer of the law (until he reveals his true nature).