Reviews by Mike

Movie Info:

MONSTER DOG
Year: 1986

Running Time: 88 minutes

Directed By: Clyde Anderson

Written By: C. Fracasso

Produced By: Clark Tyrell

Starring: Alice Cooper, Victoria Vera

Review Info:

Date Reviewed: 4/4/07
Reviewer: Mike






The Story:

Alice Cooper, well known for his electrifying stage performances and his innovative use of make-up (before other rockers followed suit), plays the lead role of "Vince Raven" who unwittingly leads his band into a weekend of terror they will never forget.

My Thoughts:

I thought this movie was pretty good even though it did have its dull moments. Alice Cooper stars as Vince Raven, a rocker with a dark secret that soon he and his friends will come to face, and he gives off a not so surprisingly good, yet sometimes creepy performance. Victoria Vera stood tall, as well, playing the girlfriend of Vince. Monster Dog had a pretty decent storyline to it. Although the look of the Monster Dog looked pretty fake, it still had a creepy effect to it. The movie also has 2 previously unreleased songs by Alice entitled, "Identity Crisisis" and "See Me In The Mirror."

Monster Dog "wasn't shot in Mexico or even the Philippines, as many people might believe. This movie was filmed in Spain, exactly at Torrelodones, a little town near Madrid. The mansion which appeared in the film really exists, and has been used for other movies.

The movie was rumored to only be seen in the Philippines, but it found its way into every video store from coast to coast, as was told to Alice. I'm sure glad it made it to the USA. If it would have had a better supporting cast, it would probably be a whole lot easier to find today.

Final Thoughts:

Monster Dog is an alright movie, I think. It is a real treat for fans of Alice everywhere. I spent 15 long years trying to find this movie. Only a best friend of mine and myself remembered it. I finally came across it at a newly opened Family Video store years back. I got lucky enough to be able to buy it off of them. Right there that goes to show you that if you never give up hoping to find something you know exist, you'll one day find it. As for Monster Dog, if you’re lucky enough to find it, get it and you won’t be disappointed. Well, maybe you will but at least it’s still creepier than most of the horror movies you see at theatres today…

Movie Info:

DEMENTIA
Year: 2006

Running Time: 42 minutes

Directed By: Jon Price

Written By: Jon Price & Chris Craft

Produced By: Tracy Crockett

Starring: David Emerson, Amanda Tucker, Jared Johnson, Chris Craft

Review Info:

Date Reviewed: 3/22/07
Reviewer: Mike



The Story:

From writer/director Jon Price comes a film of suspense and intrigue, demonstrating the fragile nature of a man’s psyche and emotional stability after dealing with a series of tragic events.

Devastated after the senseless murder of his wife infant daughter, Danny (David Emerson), a successful prosecuting attorney begins pursuing thoughts of vigilantism that lead him down an increasingly darker path. No longer seeing eye-to-eye with the leadership of his firm, he is let go from his job and his once-close friends begin to distance themselves as his personality begins to change. Now free to pursue his twisted ideas of justice full time, Danny is caught in a series of events that cause you to ask, Is a man truly crazy, or is it merely an opinion?


My Thoughts:

DEMENTIA is a no-budget, Independent film showing one man’s mindset after dealing with the deaths of his wife and infant daughter. It is a film that truly draws you in from beginning to end without a doubt. David Emerson gives off a truly great performance as Danny. He makes you feel what his character is feeling when it comes to his mindset after dealing with the loss of his family and it makes you wonder if this is how you would deal with your pain if something like this were to happen to you.

In some ways watching how Danny dealt with his own form of justice reminded me of the Death Wish movies with Charles Bronson and how his character, Paul Kersey dealt with things after the justice system failed for him. Though probably not in the same mindset, Danny knows how to brandish his own form of justice, in a brutal, sick & twisted way.

All of the other actors did a really fine job, as well. Chris Craft plays Danny’s former boss who gets on Danny’s bad side, so to speak, and it kinda puts a smile on our face when he gets his. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see something bad happen to their former boss. Amanda Tucker portrays a hapless hitchhiker who has just left her abusive boyfriend (Jarrod Johnson) and ends up staying with Danny. Look for special appearances from producer, Tracy Crockett and writer/director, Jon Price in the film.


Final Thoughts:

From the very first moment I heard about this film, I was hooked and could not wait ’til it’s DVD release. There was just something about the storyline that hooked me right away and once I was able to view it, I found out why. All in all, DEMENTIA is an independent film you need to see! I really look forward to seeing what new stuff these guys have in store for us in the future! I’m sure it’ll be twisted…!!!