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Death Factory
Released: 2002
Directed by Brad Sykes
Starring: Lisa Jay, Karla Zamudio, Jeff Ryan, and Tiffany Shepis.
Running Time: 81 minutes
DVD Released By Brain Damage Films
Six college students sneak into an abandoned chemical factory for an end
of the semester party. Once there, they become the prey of a mutated
former employee (Tiffany Shepis) of the factory who craves human blood.
The partiers must find their way out of the labyrinthine building before
they all become lunch for the creature.
Brad Sykes is an energetic director and the actors (especially Jay,
Zamudio, and Shepis) put in some heartfelt (albeit cheesy) performances.
There's even a cameo by Ron Jeremy to spruce things up a bit. The pacing
of the film is handled very well and it never gets dull. The creature
effects are simple yet effective and the gore is supplied generously.
Overall, Death Factory is fun stuff. If college kids running around
in an abandoned factory with a half human killing machine on their tails
isn't your idea of a good time well... You're beyond help. There's nothing
pretentious or lofty here, so take off your thinking cap and kick off your
shoes, this straight to video gem will make your night.
Goth
Directed By Brad Sykes
Released: 2003
Starring: Phoebe Dollar, Laura Reilly, and Dave Stann
Running Time: 85 minutes
DVD Released By Brain Damage Films
Chrissy (played by Laura Reilly) wakes up in a bathroom covered in blood
and completely disoriented. She ventures out into the rest of the house
where she finds a group of strangers stabbed to death. The film flashes
back to 8 hours earlier and Chrissy’s boyfriend, Boone (Dave Stann),
arrives to take her to a concert. While at the club, Chrissy meets a girl
who calls herself Goth (Phoebe Dollar) who promises to share some of a new
drug called “White Light” with her and Boone. After rescuing them from
some would be muggers, Goth takes Chrissy and Boone out for a night on the
town in her van. The couple realizes that they are in grave danger because
Goth soon proves to them that she is both violent and completely out of
her mind.
Goth was written and directed by Brad Sykes (Zombie Chronicles,
The Coven) and despite some clunky dialogue and silly looking
stunts, this is a great little horror flick filled with sex, drugs, and
Goth n’ Roll, baby. Competently filmed (well, videotaped) and edited, the
film moves quickly and takes the viewer right along with Goth for one
hellish night. The film’s score (gothic nu-metal aside) is very unsettling
and adds to the claustrophobic feeling that much of the film conveys.
Although the plot is quite farfetched (with a cornball twist or two),
Goth is still a riveting and tense experience.
Although the two protagonists are well played by Laura Reilly and Dave
Stann, it is Goth herself who steals the show. The devious Goth is played
by the bewitching Phoebe Dollar (Hell’s Highway, Blood Sisters)
whose wide-eyed creepiness gives the film an unexpected blast of energy.
Dollar is mesmerizing to watch and helps to lift Goth above its
cheap sets and bland gore effects. This is one actress to keep an eye out
for.
It’s easy to criticize these low budget features for their faults (both
minor and major) but it’s impossible to ignore when a horror film was put
together by a talented crew who really loves filmmaking. Goth is
one of those indie horror flicks that will undoubtedly build a cult
following thanks in no small part to its unrelenting pace and
enthusiastically portrayed title character. Adventurous viewers should
give Goth a chance, you won’t be disappointed. Although you will be
left wondering who the hell was driving the van.
DVD Specs:
This double feature from Brain Damage Films is not only a great deal but
also full of extras for fans of Goth and Death Factory. Both
the Death Factory and Goth discs feature Director/Producer
Commentary, Behind-The-Scenes, "The Making Of" Featurette, Bloopers, Cast
And Crew Interviews, A Photo Gallery, and Trailers for Brain Damage Films.
Pick this one up people, you won't regret it.
For more information, check out
Brain Damage Films.
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