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In the vein of Idiocracy (2006), Atomic Zombies (2016) and The Poor Guy series weaves Horror through creative zest, humor, and passion. In these little to no budget pieces, the talent in irony deliverance is evident and calls for our attention. Follow along to learn more about this valuable Horror creator.

With all the creative outlets available to you, why movies?

Lots of reasons… I love seeing a creation start out as words or pictures on paper become a full video with music, dialogue, props, location, actors, etcetera.

discussing role with actor via script
Discussing the script!

When I was younger, I’d write down all these stories, then read them to the tape recorder (like, cassette) I had. The process usually involved doing voices and sound effects for a bunch of random characters, including re-occurring characters, like Dr. Gizmo. I’d also create voices for two toy dinosaurs I got from the dentist. They’d constantly break buildings made from Jenga blocks, and go to jail in Jenga blocks rearranged.

Later, someone in my neighborhood got a VHS camera that had to be connected to the wall for power, and we made a bunch of videos about skateboarding. We also recorded nonsensical “army” skits; we had a bunch of toy guns, used ketchup as blood, and moved slowly for dramatic slow-motion parts.

Eventually, I got a Hi8 camera, and made a bunch of videos with my action figures and LEGO‘s, part stop motion and part video. Finally, I got into asking friends and family to be in the videos (which worked out better than I was expecting) and then just used whatever resources we had to make whatever dumb ideas we had into short movies.

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director looking over script
Reviewing script

After I got a digital camera and some editing software, we made even more dumb ideas come to life with slightly more production value. At this point, I like that we can put a little more time into something and make it look better or we can do a stream-of-consciousness video for fun and have it finished in one day (like the Pizza, Pasta and Fried Zucchini Competition videos I did on YouTube).

Why Horror?

I was pretty sheltered when I was younger, but I would always fixate on any violence I could get a hold of. Some specific movie examples would be the VHS fast-forward version of the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) face-melt scene, the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) aging-to-death scene, and The Matrix (1999) Morpheus-getting-punched-whilst-tied-to-a-chair scene… You get the picture.

shot of actress in red dress in basement.
Time to shoot!

When I finally got into actual horror movies, I loved them. The jokes, the characters, the creators behind everything, and, of course, the gore. There is also a camaraderie amongst horror movie enthusiasts which doesn’t exist among any other genre of movie. Our scope of movie entertainment often extends to lower budgets and stranger storylines than the casual movie goer may enjoy. We are often rooting for the villain, and we are all aware that every one of us is a little sick in the head.

Tell me about your creative process. How does a video start? An idea, thought, message, scenario, etc.?

I always have a bunch of random sketches or notes that I’d like to incorporate into a video. With my webseries, Poor Guy, I often just voiced random conversations between the characters while I was working; by myself and outside all day. Once in a while I’d stumble into some kind of bit that I’d want to use in an episode. Thinking back, I probably looked like a crazy person talking to himself.

up in a tree, getting the perfect shot angle!
Gotta get that perfect angle!

I’d make a storyboard and comics of jokes or interactions, and when I had enough to use together, I’d turn them into a skit. We always have a fun time filming, which can add more jokes along the way. Sometimes they’re for the audience, sometimes they’re just for ourselves to laugh at later. Many on-the-spot jokes in Poor Guy ended up becoming recurring jokes throughout the series. Although Poor Guy isn’t suspenseful or a gore-fest, I tend to think of it in the horror genre. Maybe more Psychological Horror or a Dark Comedy. Either way, it draws a lot of inspiration from the Horror.

One of the nice things, which can also be one of the worst things, about YouTube is the ‘Comments’ section. It provides instant feedback, and a couple times I’ve used suggestions from them in videos. I even ended up getting some voice-over lines from a commenter, which turned out great (Hi AJ).

shooting scene with child on hip, duty calls!
Duty calls!

Also, I try to only write stories that involve locations, props, and people I have access to. For Atomic Zombies, I designed and drew up a few pictures of a Mad Scientist, Dr. Gizmo, an evil Nazi version of the character I mentioned before. There’s also a friend I have who’s awesome at building props and costumes who was able to make a mask based off those few drawings.

I also have a friend who has an amazing studio, basically catered toward an old sci-fi lab, which was perfect for Atomic Zombies. It can be hard to film an apocalyptic wasteland near one of the biggest cities in the country, but as long as the camera is pointed away from traffic, we make it work. I have little to no musical talent, but luckily I know a couple people who are the opposite, and have put together some really awesome music for the weird videos I make.

Which piece are you most proud of, and why?

Atomic Zombies 2 is in production and looking pretty good, but I think my favorite finished video so far is the Poor Guy Christmas Special. I put it out after almost a full year of regular Poor Guy episodes, and it was about four times longer than most of them. It is based off a parody of A Christmas Carol that I had written years earlier. No Spoilers, but it was fun to bring back some characters we killed off earlier. I love stop motion, and since lots of Christmas specials are Rudolph-esque animations, I put some stop motion in my version.

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floating deer head on set.
Meet Balaam!

The special also developed a character who turned into one of my favorites, named Balaam. A floating, talking deer head, who tries to help out Guy, played by ShadowBeatz (music sensation, who also created a Christmas rendition of the theme song), but rarely succeeds. Poor Guy Christmas Special introduces another one of my favorite characters, Tasha. She’s a ghost who calls herself a superhero, but seems to act more like an evil villain.

List any favorite movie creators or specific pieces, tell me how your work has been influenced by them.

If I had to pick just one, I’d say Robert Rodriguez. I’ve always enjoyed his movies, even Spy Kids. I love his story, how he started out with Bedhead (1991) and El Mariachi (1992).

Where can I find your work and the work of your helpers?

I’m very interested on your thoughts on this interview! Take a look at my previous interview with comic author, Jesse James Baer. Who should we interview next? Let me know in the comments below!

PARZZ1VAL: How to Connect

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Movies n TV

My Best Friend’s Exorcism, a Film Review

My Best Friend’s Exorcism (2022) is a R-rated horror comedy directed by Damon Thomas, available on Amazon Prime.

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My Best Friend’s Exorcism (2022) is a horror comedy directed by Damon Thomas. Based on Grady Hendrix’s novel of the same name, this R-rated film stars Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Cathay Ang, and Rachel Ogechi Kanu. As of this review, the film is available to Amazon Prime subscribers.

Abby Rivers (Elsie Fisher) and Gretchen Lang (Amiah Miller) seek to escape the monotony of high school drama with their friends. However, in their efforts to have fun, Gretchen Lang encounters a troubling otherworldly demon bent on controlling her body. It’s up to Abby to help her overcome this demonic threat.

A VHS style cover with a girl with red eyes dominating the page. Two girls below here with pink balloons. A clocktower to the right and a field to the left
My Best Friend’s Exorcism Novel Cover

What I Like in My Best Friend’s Exorcism

The effects are surprisingly good. While not overwhelming, these effects never take me out of the film. Even the less realistic scenes fit the overall tone while looking better than expected or required. The 80’s aesthetic strengthens that believability.

Continuing that thought, My Best Friend’s Exorcism oozes the 80’s. Perhaps this comment should set an expectation for the viewer. I can’t exactly comment on the accuracy of the era, but it certainly fits the era of film. If 80’s films don’t interest you, consider looking somewhere else.

While I don’t meet the target audience, the jokes land and provide an enjoyable horror comedy feel. My Best Friend’s Exorcism focuses more on comedy than horror, but this remains a common trend in horror comedies.

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The performances remain strong throughout, with leads Elsie Fisher and Amiah Miller pulling off that best-friend chemistry. The cast purposely captures that 80’s nostalgia. Added to the campy nature of the film, one might grow irritated with the acting choices. For me, it certainly fits with the tone and setting.

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Disclaimer Kimberley Web Design

Tired Tropes and Trigger Warnings

Drug use might deserve a mention on this list. While I don’t find this egregious, I imagine this point, or some other technicality, earns the film its undeserved R-rating.

The possession lends itself as a rape allegory, with some characters even believing this to be the trauma Gretchen Lang suffers from. While this isn’t the case, the conversation remains for those who want to avoid such material.

Body horror describes a few scenes of the film, though sparingly. However, one scene convinces me to bring this up for those who get squeamish at the cracking of bones or slimies in the body.

A character is tricked into outing themselves and faces some homophobia because of it. This homophobia is rightfully taken as cruel, not condoned in the slightest, but it remains potentially triggering and deserves mention here.

Two girls sit on a bed, looking at each other. Flower wallpaper in the background.
Elsie Fisher as Abby Rivers (Left) and (Amiah Miller as Gretchen Lang (Right)

What I Dislike, or Food for Thought on My Best Friend’s Exorcism

This film seems to earn its R-rating off some technicality. It is neither raunchy nor gruesome for those expecting that from their R-rated horror films. For me, it’s more an issue of setting expectations. I expect my R-rated horrors to hit hard. My Best Friend’s Exorcism doesn’t.

It would be unfair to expect something like Jennifer’s Body, as this is a lighter and zanier film. There are elements of sisterhood and bodily autonomy that echo the cult classic, but My Best Friend’s Exorcism remains an entirely campier affair.

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In terms of performances that lack the intended impact, three over-the-top anti-drug spokesmen outstay their welcome. It’s clearly a jab at D.A.R.E., which certainly works in increments, but then one character becomes an important part of the plot and still keeps his caricature.

Final Thoughts

My Best Friend’s Exorcism fits the taste of an 80’s horror comedy fan. Don’t expect to be frightened at any point, but the comedy lands well enough. The film knows its niche and hits most of its targets. It’s hard to say if the film will stand the test of time, but it certainly earns its runtime.
3.5 out of 5 stars (3.5 / 5)

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Movies n TV

American Horror Story Delicate, Rockabye

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There’s a lot to unpack from this episode of American Horror Story Delicate, Killer Queens, so I don’t want to waste any time. I just want to take a moment and issue a trigger warning. This episode, and therefore this review, talks about several topics that might be upsetting. These include abuse, pregnancy trauma and miscarriage. It’s heavy. If you’re not up for that, here’s a link to my review of Tucker and Dale, which is considerably lighter and funnier.

The story

Our episode starts with Anna trying to get the police to take her seriously about the break-in. There’s just one problem. No one was seen coming in or out of the apartment except Dex. No one shows up on any of the security footage. The police are convinced it’s just Anna’s IFV medication making her see things.

But Anna doesn’t have time to think about the break-in. She’s just been nominated for a Gotham award, and she needs to get into full Awards Show mode. Siobhan gives her something she calls B12 and tells her that her life now revolves around awards prep.

But Anna’s whole life can’t revolve around that, because she’s pregnant now. Even though she seems to be losing time. Like, weeks at a time without even realizing it.

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Things just get stranger when she’s at the Gotham Awards and accosted by an overzealous fan in the bathroom. After the woman puts her hands on Anna’s stomach, she knocks her over and the woman hits her head on the sink.

Rather than aiding the woman, Anna goes out to accept her award.

Or does she? After throwing up blood on stage, she finds herself back in the bathroom, being helped up by paramedics.

Everyone agrees that Anna needs some rest and space to heal. So she and Dex go to Talia’s house in the country. There, of course, everything gets much worse. Anna starts to bleed after a yoga session and is taken to the hospital. There, she gets an ultrasound by Nurse Ivy. A nurse that no one else knows at the hospital.

Cara Delevingne in American Horror Story Delicate.

Sadly, the bleeding doesn’t stop. And as we end the episode, it appears that Anna has lost her baby.

What worked

Emma Roberts is doing a fantastic job playing Anna. Proving as always that American Horror Story actors are nothing if not flexible. I find myself wanting to compare Anna to Madison Montgomery from AHS Coven. They’re both actresses who experience abuse from men that one might, sadly, expect for women in their station and age range. Madison is gang-abused by frat boys, and Anna has her autonomy taken away from her as soon as a baby is in question.

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That’s where the similarities stop. Can you ever imagine Madison saying, “You’re right, I’m sorry,” to literally anyone? She’d have snapped a man’s neck first. Anna’s body language, voice modulation, and the overall way she carries herself in the world is so different.

This is also part of what makes her relatable. I imagine many of the female-presenting people reading this can remember a time when we’ve said, you’re right, I’m sorry when they were wrong and we weren’t sorry at all.

Maaz Ali in American Horror Story Delicate.

I also really loved the amount of blood in this episode. There is so much blood involved in being a cisgender woman. It’s something we take for granted, but shy away from when in polite company. There was no shying away here. We’re made to see all of it. I don’t think the amount of blood in the miscarriage scene was overkill at all. If anything, it wasn’t enough.

Finally, it’s a small point but one that I appreciated. I bet you already know the one I’m talking about. When Anna is overjoyed to get to wear the same dress once worn by Madonna, Siobhan reminds her in a stern voice not to rip it.

If you didn’t get the joke, look up Kim K and an incident with the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress. I do appreciate anyone who can poke fun at themselves.

The reference to ‘don’t rip it’ with the dress was fun. I hate Kim K and her whole family, but that was funny.

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What didn’t work

I’m honestly struggling to find anything in this episode that didn’t work. If I had to pick out something I didn’t like, it was probably that we got the barest cameo from Zachary Quinto. I really hope we get to see more of him as the season progresses.

Another thing I don’t like overall is the character Siobhan. I mentioned this last week, and I’ll try not to mention it again because I don’t see it changing. But the character in the show is a bare reflection of the one in the book.

Siobhan in the book was a loving, selfless friend. Which made the ending, well, let’s say impactful to avoid spoilers for both AHS and Delicate Condition. This version, if she continues as she is, is not going to have the same effect.

I’m also quite done hearing the internet swoon over what a great job Kim K is doing. She’s been acting her entire life, I’d be surprised if she wasn’t good at it. And she’s doing no better or worse than many other guest stars have done in the past seasons of American Horror Story. She’s not bad. But she wouldn’t be getting the credit she is if she wasn’t who she is.

Overall, this was a great episode. It was equal parts funny, gory and infuriating. At this point, my only real complaint is that there are only three episodes left until a season break. But now that the writing strike is over, hopefully the break won’t be too long.

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4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

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Cadaver (2020), a Film Review

Cadaver (2020) is a Norwegian post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Jarand Herdal and currently available on Netflix.

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Cadaver (2020) is a Norwegian post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Jarand Herdal. This unrated film stars Thorbjørn Harr, Gitte Witt, and Thomas Gullestad. As of this review, the film is available on Netflix.

After an apocalyptic event, the survivors endure in a hopeless world. Among these survivors are Leonora (Gitte Witt), Jacob (Thomas Gullestad), and Alice (Tuva Olivia Remman), a family fighting the hopelessness of a lost world. Leonora desires to keep her daughter (Alice) hopeful, and when a theater opens in their decrepit city, she thinks she has found the solution to their despair. However, they will all soon learn how desperate people have become.

Golden masks hanging on meat hooks over a dark background. Below reads: "Netflix: Cadaver."
Cadaver Netflix Promotional Art

What I Like from Cadaver

Cadaver takes on a unique focus for a post-apocalyptic movie. While most in the genre tackle the question of where you find hope, the theatrical lens is not one I’ve seen before. It blends these two unique environments together for a pleasant concoction. As a fan of the post-apocalyptic genre, I must admit I find my niche in the everyday lives of someone in such a world.

Leonora’s (usually called Leo in the film) dreamer nature in this horrendously hopeless environment creates a sympathetic contrast. This dreamer nature doesn’t excuse some of her choices, but she evokes sympathy. While most post-apocalyptic entries provide this balance of hope and survival, Leo’s creativity and passion for the arts give her hope and a more focused ideal.

The relationship between Leo and her husband also creates a nice contrast, as Jacob plays the rationalist and survivor. In this decision, both characters provide that post-apocalyptic dynamic of survival and hope. These interactions allow both actors opportunities to create friction as they pull the plot from their differing perspectives.

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I had the chance to listen to the dubbed version, which sounds good. I’m not much for dubs, especially on Netflix, but they did Cadaver with respect and a focus on quality. At the very least, it’s competent and doesn’t distract from the viewing experience.

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Disclaimer Kimberley Web Design

Tired Tropes and Trigger Warnings

As hinted at earlier, there are some dumb decisions in the plot. While many fall within character traits, the actions don’t escape criticism. This flaw becomes incredibly repetitive when characters make the same mistake.

Implied suicide occurs throughout the film with one shown incident, but there are circumstances that change the context slightly. A world this bleak invites this depressive and dangerous state as a normality. However, one should prepare if this is a trigger.

A girl to the left most side holding her mother's hand. Their father walking on the right most side. All wear golden masks as they walk a hallway.
Cadaver Family

What I Dislike or Considerations for Cadaver

Again, some decisions had me roll my eyes and endure the plot. This reaction isn’t exactly the experience I seek out in my horror. It’s more haunting to make sensible, or even intelligent, decisions and still endure unavoidable or unforeseen consequences.

It’s likely that nothing in Cadaver surprises you, which underutilizes the interesting premise. There are unique elements, certainly, but never a twist I didn’t see coming. It’s in that execution that Cadaver falls flat and fails to engage a viewer.

The film doesn’t exactly haunt the viewer, but the bleak world effectively depicts the hopelessness of a post-apocalypse. Don’t expect much genuine horror, but you can expect an appropriately uncomfortable and unnerving experience. In short, viewers of Cadaver likely want a unique twist in their post-apocalypse, not a traumatic horror.

Final Thoughts

Cadaver remains a unique viewing experience by adding a slight twist to its post-apocalyptic story. While not a haunting masterpiece, this bleak film will have you feeling the characters’ struggle. While lacking sensible decision-making skills, they are certainly sympathetic survivors struggling in a hopeless world. If this is your niche, it’s certainly worth a view.
3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

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