ZOMBIE BLOODBATH

ZOMBIE BLOODBATH Directed by Todd Sheets Produced by Todd Sheets and Mike Hellman Written by Todd Sheets and Roger Williams

Joey Talbott - Chris Harris
Mike Walsh - Auggi Alverex
Ralph Walsh - Frank Dunlay

Last week I got into a discussion over a review I gave Todd Sheets' CATACOMBS. It wasn't the first time someone has questioned my insight, and I doubt it will be my last. My friend couldn't believe I gave CATACOMBS a positive review. The truth be known, I thought I was pretty hard on the movie. Not knowing what to expect from Sheets' work, an effort was made on my part to be as tactful as possible and not make any negative criticism sound hostile.

The question came up as to why I would give a positive sounding review to a film I thought was weak. The answer to this is simple. In my often lackluster attempts at bringing critical thought back to b-movie reviews, I try to discover what a film is trying to say or accomplish. Taste is subjective and therefore has nothing to do with true critical thought. The purpose of CATACOMBS was to deliver chunckblowing grossouts to hardcore horror fanatics, and Todd Sheets gave those fans all they wanted and more.

I've given positive reviews to films I didn't care for, one of which was JEN-GAL: THE BEAST FROM THE EAST. It was a loving tribute to Ed Wood in his spirit of filmmaking. The thing is that I really did like CATACOMBS. It was a fun, no-brainer of a gore flick. Looking at some of Todd's other films, my view of CATACOMBS gets worse by the second. The guy has some strong films in his catalogue that really overpower what he was doing with CATACOMBS.

ZOMBIE BLOODBATH is one Todd's earlier films, and from what I've seen so far, it's also one of his grittiest. The film isn't as polished as Todd's later films, but that rawness adds to the impact. It gives the film a nice edge, adding flavor to an otherwise bland story about zombies taking over a Kansas City.

Like CATACOMBS, the point here is to throw a blood-soaked party complete with intestines strung across the ceiling. The difference with between ZOMBIE BLOODBATH and CATACOMBS is at this party you've got guests you care about. There is no Abe Dyer tying to ham it up, everyone plays their part straight. The actors might not be the best at the craft, but they all make valiant attempts and should be applauded.

As for the guts of the film, the effects were particularly gruesome. There have been films by guys who have been in the business 20 years that can't match the yuck-factor of Sheets and his pals. Maybe I'm just becoming a sissy in my old age, but there were instances where I had to look away from the television. The gore was that damn disturbing. If that is what Sheets was going for, then he has given gorehounds everywhere a great, big, Christmas present of a movie.

If the gore-scene is you thing, you won't find more bang for the buck then with a Todd Sheets movie. Man, oh man…Sheets needs some help.

As for me, I don't need any help at all. I like what I like and I write what I want. People don't have to read my reviews and they surely don't have to agree.

Todd Sheets' Extreme Entertainment