JBNoctem

So I finally got around to seeing the film and all I can say is I am glad I didn't preorder this. Totally Forgettable and a semi snooze fest. The acting was good but the story was truly lacking and it went on for far too long.

When the final battle was to take place it seems that they lost their mojo and just wrote some filler...so much to the point that it was so ANTI CLIMATIC.

Not only that but the makeup effects were poorly done, instead looking creepy or demonic the two girls look like their faces are bloated and they have glowing eyes in a few scenes.

The best bits were the cameos in the film, but sadly even those were underused and if you took those scenes out it didn't affect the film in the slightest. I expect a director cut to be released because SEVERAL SCENES that were in the trailer and the promos never even made the cut in the film.

1/2 of a Can of Pea Soup. Worth streaming but honestly I would skip it.

In this day and age of Independant films, horror is king. You don't see many science fiction or fantasy films, which is why I was intrigued when my friend Erica Kauffman told me about this film, called Xanadu Hellfire. Its her film debut where she plays a warrior from another world.

The film starts out with the title character (played by Macy Minear) as a beautiful nomad warrior wandering the desert (which has some cool mad max vibes) when she comes upon your typical evil villain with two henchmen who will come to be known later in the film, a fight ensues but with a dialogue that isn't of your regular genre film...its more modernized and funny.

In fact, it fits the film in a strange way as it continues throughout the entire picture. Once the nomad warrior wins she then returns back to her village, where lives a collective of characters viking-like, lizardmen, scarecrow-men and human alike. This is where her sister, Raven Hellfire (played by Arianna America) and her must fight for the honour of their mother's throne but...

Here's the twist, its a comic book read by an adorable, foul mouthed, feisty, eight year old girl named Ruby (played by Aria Surrec) and she is so in love with these characters and their world at on her 9th birthday she begs her father, Steven (played by Ryon Thomas) to go out to the desert and try to bring "Xanadu Hellfire" into the real world using what is called a "Millennium Staff". Ruby and Steven have some of the best on screen chemistry as father and daughter, they are just too cute and it really is sweet to see them interact we each other. Another person in Ruby's circle is her best friend, Becky (played by Chloe Sligar) who is also a mini badass, as well as a foul mouthed little cutie who is a scene stealer.

So Ruby succeeds in bringing Xanadu to 2022 from 2097, but also in doing so she also unleashes an evil upon the world in the form of Raven, Sonja (played by Libby Wahlmeier), and Valeria (played by Erica Kaufman) is sent to bring her back Unbeknownst of the evil that is seeking them, Xanadu's new friends begins showing her all the "cool things" on this new version of earth. One of the great things about this film is "Bloodsucka Jones" cameo in the burger joint, its too damn funny and if you are a fan of the films you will love it!!

Once Valeria and Sonja arrive on earth, they are given powers which they unleash on the citizens as they attack the town. Eventually, Ruby, Brad The Geek, Xanadu, & Steven wrangle up some friends and some strange local characters to take down the evil duo which leads to a standoff at the local high school until Raven shows up leading to the ultimate battle in the desert (which include hugs and Dokken Tickets) and saving the day.

This film is so much fun to watch!! It has something that everyone can enjoy, the movie itself oozes of vibes from all kinds of movies from Mad Max, Psycho Goreman, The Karate Kid, Conan, & Clerks.

This is the debut film from Adam Freeman (known for his roles in such films as 'Debbie Does Demons & 'Found Footage: The Series). The film stars: Roni Jonah (from 'Wicked Ones', Powerbomb, and the anthology 13 Slays till X-mas) as Mary Stephens, she is recovering from the loss of her brother Hank played by Stephen McGill (known for Curse of the Weredeer and Truly, Madly).

Though this loss is her best friend and confidant, Milo (played by the director himself) who is a cute and lovable 'spiritual enthusiast' and "sleep eater" who through different ways tries to console his friend as well as to help her get some kind of healing from this tragedy that she has endured.

Milo decides it is up to him (through the help of a paranormal TV show), to help Mary as best as he can so he introduces her to a spirit board as a means to communicate with her brother. Reluctantly, she takes up Milo on his offer and they come into contact with a spirit that has more than helping Mary on its mind. Nightmares begin, and Mary begins questioning her sanity after several visits from the spirit which has insidious plans for the young woman.

Although only running at a little over a hour, it covers alot of great topics in the horror genre which are executed and come across well on camera.

The film is a slow burn and can drag on for quite a bit until the horror really begins, but Milo and Mary are both quite likable that you enjoy getting to know them. The acting from all that are involved did a great job, the visuals and the colours used in the film are nothing short of beautiful. The colours remind me of early Argento or something from a Tim Burton film.

Do your self a favour and check out this fun lil gem and keep a eye out on this upcoming director.