Fangoria: Blood Drive

For fans of second rate horror, this one isn't bad. Some shorts were actually pretty inspired, esp the Song Of The Dead which I'm sure will delight many fans of zombie films. A Man and His Finger - in addition to sparking endless juvenile conversation for most fans likely to rent/buy this film - was equally original and entertaining. Inside, Mr. Eryams and Disturbances were my favorites with . The opener, The Hitcher, was probably my least favorite and pretty unoriginal though I watched it twice before returning the DVD.

My suspicion is that most film makers included here are just hoping to get some notice so they can attempt something with an actual budget! Overall, I'd be most likely to put my money on Patrick Rea, the maker of Disturbances (who also did A Man and His Finger) as the maker most likely to make profitable films.

For fans of cheesy horror, I'd give it a 6. For folks that think the first Friday the 13th was really horrible film-making, zero probably isn't low enough. The interviews with Stan Winston and esp Clive Barker alone are probably well worth it to most horror fans.

The basis if you will; the Heart & Soul of Mr. Eryams is based in the dynamics of Poetry. Namely, the Existential writers of our time and also, the Romantics.

Through the dissection and or structure of a Poem, from what follows, in the course of digesting its tone or vernacular, is in essence a Lyric.

Perusing a sentence of cruelty expelled by one or another, yet one who comes to be,through the course of life, is at times quite limited.

Banished text comes from a place of being, yet to be seen. The availability to whom extends oneself from an earnestness sense is well qualified.

A means of instituting a deliverance: is intended well for what is to come.

The intentions of creation, held solidly and pure- bear fruition to the laborers whom choose to be witness.

From what was once seen will be seen again.

Okay....what we have here is seven short films that won a Fangoria horror award all made by fans. The first story is the Hitch and is about a maniac that tries to kill someone that he had already killed. It's rather talky with bad acting and runs too long for what it is. Story 2 is A Man and His finger. That one is a comedy about a guy that slices his finger off and it comes to life and becomes his pet. It soon becomes lonely and wants mire fingers. Stupid but fun. Story 3 is Inside. Inside is confusing but well done and rather creepy. The next story is another slightly confusing one called Shadows of the Dead. It's about a doctor that has been killing zombies and feels bad about it. The fifth, and best thought out one is called Mr. Eryams. It's about a man that goes to a scared ladies house and tries to fix her ghost problems. She talks about the scariest ghost Mr. Eryams, and soon the man is trapped between two worlds...one where he is named Mr. Jones, and one where he's Mr. Eryams. Not well acted, but pretty good. Story 6 is Disturbances. It's about a woman that is wanted for killing two children and how the children's ghosts torment her. Also in this story are some creepy dolls that's eyes move. The final and stupidest story is called Song of the Dead. It is so stupid. It's about a man that is walking through the woods and runs in to a zombie that bites him. He runs away and starts singing. He soon becomes a zombie and sings with the other one. This segment is a 4 minute musical, and is absolutely stupid.

My final rating-C (75%). Not rated but contains some violence/gore and a segment that features breast nudity. 79 minutes.

Fangoria Blood Drive consists of seven short horror stories. As winners of a film contest they were chosen to be a part of this selection. There's quite a bit of spurting blood, gore and one has some nudity. I expected this but I also expected more of a plot, and more substance to the films. Blood and gore do not a horror movie make. These films are certainly not for children but they do seem to be intended for the viewer with an adolescent mind. Several of the stories are difficult to follow and understand what the plot is. A couple are just plain ridiculous and silly. I was really hoping that some movie would stand out, leave an impression, and make renting this video worthwhile. I was wrong.

The Fangoria Blood Drive definitely has some talented filmmakers on it. I am a huge horror fan and am always looking to find the next Evil Dead or Dead Alive. So I rented this compilation at Blockbuster expecting to hate it after seeing Rob Zombie's stamp of approval. But the first short blew me away! The Hitch was creepy with some hilarious dark humor. It had great twists and a great payoff, albeit a super bloody one. But the problem is after that short, the others fall flat. A Man and his Finger was too long and too silly for my tastes. Inside was really good, very dream like. It's the most psychologically scary one on the disk. That guy will be good once he gets a more linear, cohesive story. Shadows of the Dead was good for us Romero fans, great mood. I just wished there was more dialogue in it. The rest were forgettable. Mr. Eryams looked like a porn movie and Song of The Dead made me feel embarrassed for the filmmaker. While The Hitch isn't terribly scary, it's a spooky little diddy and worth the look. It's the only one I went back and watched again with my friends. I see a Raimi or Peter Jackson coming out of this one.