Chillerama

The best segment in this is Wad-Zilla. The rest is really hit or miss, especially the too-long, unfunny Were-Bear segment. The Diary of Anne Frankenstein, if it had been cut down a bit would have been way better. The end bit, with the Zombies was really quite lame and nearly pornographic. It could have been a lot funnier if it hadn't been written by people who must always daydream about sex constantly.

From some of this generations most innovative filmmakers comes a film that pushes the boundaries of good taste and endeavors to bring the good ol' style of the drive-in right into your living room. Does it succeed? For the most part, yes! Segment One, Wadzilla, features star/director Adam Rifkin (Detroit Rock City)as a timid businessman who is given experimental medicine to increase his sperm count, only to unleash a monster of immeasurable horror! The effects are charmingly horrible but it is quite a funny ride.

Segment Two, I Was a Teenage Werebear is, unfortunately, the proverbial black sheep of the family. Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs) is a real talent but the short's taboo pressing plot line only serves to alienate this movie's target demographic (straight males). It is a rousing musical about a sexually confused young man who is bitten by a were-bear (long story) and struggles to keep his morality.

Segment Three, Adam Green's (Hatchet, Frozen)The Diary of Anne Frankenstien, is a real treat. Although admittedly a little short on the horror aspect, it is actually quite funny. The Nazi's, led by Joel David Moore as Hitler, attempt to use Anne Frankenstien's journal to build a monster to help in the war effort. This segment is shot in a sublime old fashioned style and is subtitled as everyone speaks authentic German except for Hitler himself, who comes off as quite a bumbling fool.

Segment Four, Joe Lynch's (Wrong Turn 2) Zom-B-Movie, serves as the wraparound story and as the finale and it is just righteously over the top fun enough to completely win over this reviewer. A zombie outbreak threatens the people who had to sit through the last three shorts only to be threatened by a pack of sexually charged zombies. The real highlight is character actor Richard Riehle who gets to brandish a shotgun and quote more movies then any character in history.

For this reviewer's money, this movie succeeded at becoming exploitation without falling prey to insincerity like the similarly themed Grindhouse.

It's just one of those poser "horror comedies". Decent poster/cover but nothing to offer. The jokes are obvious dad jokes, but dirty. The first segment is called "Wadzilla" about a Godzilla sized sperm, and from there it does not get any better or funnier. It's as if this movie was written by grade nine students who were kept after health class for detention.

"Chillerama" is a magnificent tribute to the old horror movies from the days of the drive-in cinemas, and throw in a pinch of musicals just for good measure.

The movie isn't very serious, so keep that in mind. However, the stories are actually quite good, some more than others, and they do entertain you well enough. The themes of the stories and the way they are executes are so off the charts, so horribly stupid that it actually works out in a weird way. Trust me on this one.

The first segment, "Wadzilla", needs little introduction; the name says it all. But alas, it is about a man whose sperm turns out to be a killer load (pardon the pun). The effects in this segment are horribly funny, but still, they are so far out there that it works. It is hilarious. And the story isn't too bad.

Segment two, "I Was a Teenage Werebear" is about a young man who is bitten by another young man (who turns out to be a werebear). Now, these werebears aren't your average lycanthrope, mind you, and the segment is heavy set with a gay theme, which may not sit well with all people. However, I took it for what it was, a movie meant to entertain you, nothing more, nothing less. Given, this segment was (for me, at least) the least interesting of all parts.

The third segment, "The Diary of Anne Frankenstein" is a humorous take on Shelley's "Frankenstein", mixed up with some weird Hitler part. The good part about this is that the Germans actually do speak German, except for Joel David Moore (playing Hitler), who is just speaking some odd gibberish. The story in this segment is far from being scary or horror in nature, it is more of a sarcastic comedy. It isn't bad, mind you, it wasn't just really great for the nature of the "Chillerama" movie.

And finally, the last part, well that was the best part. Now, I will not spoil anything here and go into detail, but for me this was the best part of the movie. Especially because I like zombies. And it also has a great deal of sick, twisted comedy to it.

"Chillerama" has some pretty good actors and actresses to its cast list, and there are also some fairly established names to the list; such as Ray Wise (playing Dr. Weems in "Wadzilla"), Kane Hodder (playing Meshugannah in "The Diary of Anne Frankenstein"), Joel David Moore (playing Hitler in "The Diary of Anne Frankenstein"), Eric Roberts (playing the general in "Wadzilla") and Richard Riehle (playing Cecil Kaufman).

I found "Chillerama" to be funny and a decent enough watch, however, I do doubt that I will find myself watching this movie a second time around, though. The movie is well worth checking out for the hilarious stories, and also for a brief moment back to the good old days with drive-in cinemas and bad movies on the screens.

A word of warning though, there is a fair amount of obscenity in the movie, so some viewers might take heed and not watch it, as they may be offended.

Each of the four segments has its moments. The tributes are appreciated and there are a few laughs to be had. The Hitler/Frankenstein segment was probably my favorite. All that said, the grossness extends to a level where you cringe and want to throw up. This film makes you laugh as quickly as you want to forget. I would never willingly watch this film a second time.