Exclusive: Interview: Dr Blood

In the world of internet movie reviews there are none more infamous than Dr. Blood. The master of the Blogger review site Dr Blood’s Video Vault, Dr Blood is known for being a hard reviewer that does not let recent trends alter his opinion.

Also, the host of the podcast The Bloody Podcast, Dr Blood goes no holds barred in his opinions on films and the horror community.

Next to Eric Morse, Dr Blood is known as a harsh critic of the horror community, the cliques, political groups, and everything that has brought horror to the point where it gets less respect in entertainment than porno.

It is Horror Bob’s Blog’s pleasure to present this no hold barred interview with the man himself, Dr Blood.

Horror Bob: Where did you get your pen name, Dr Blood?

Dr Blood: From the British horror movie “Doctor Blood's Coffin” (1961). I'd never seen it at the time and assumed that it was a vampire movie. It turned out to be Frankenstein subgenre movie, but I kept the name anyway because it's British like me.

Horror Bob: What inspired you to start Dr Blood’s Video Vault?

Dr Blood: The facetious answer would be “horror movies”. If I hadn't watched so many, I wouldn't have started writing about them. Seriously though, it was the lure of money, sex and fame.

Horror Bob: When did you start reviewing films? Where?

Dr Blood: In the very early '90s while I was still at University. I was one of the lucky few who had my own computer (an Amstrad 1512 PC), so just for my own benefit, I started making a database of horror movies that I'd seen. In 1994, I was offered my own column in a vampire fanzine.

Horror Bob: Tell us a little bit about your time at Horrornews.Net.

Dr Blood: I wrote half a dozen movie reviews for them and then moved on. They used to have some crazy rule about a having a minimum word count of 650 words, and most of the movies I review can be summed up in one or two expletives.

Horror Bob: Who was your favorite writer at Horrornews.Net?

Dr Blood: I don't remember his name, but I'm sure it had “Necro” and “666” in it. I didn't read anything on there regularly though.

Horror Bob: What is your favorite era in horror?

Dr Blood: The 1970s.  To be more precise the period from 1968-1981 contains 99% of my favourite horror movies ever.

Horror Bob: Which do you prefer the Universal monsters or the Hammer films version of them?

Dr Blood: Hammer. Universal's movies are too tame and dated due to the censorship by the Hays board or whatever it was called. I also prefer my movies in colour.

Horror Bob: What is your theory of why the Universal monsters died out?

Dr Blood: World War 2 happened. After people encountered the horrors of war and had their loved ones returned to them in boxes or with bits missing, a bunch of former stage actors in silly costumes wouldn't be very scary. Also, Universal had sequelled those characters to death and people were bored with them.

Horror Bob: Which version of Dracula by Universal do you find better the English version or Spanish that was shot at the same time?

Dr Blood: The Spanish one. I can't stand Bela Lugosi anyway, and Lupita Tovar makes Helen Chandler look very plain.

Horror Bob: Of all the Japanese giant monster films which is your personal favorite?

Dr Blood: The only ones I've ever seen are the Godzilla movies where it's two guys dressed in costumes fighting each other. I don't have a favourite because I don't like any of them.

Horror Bob: What is your favorite ghost film? Why?

Dr Blood: It used to be “The Haunting” (1963) but the Nell character irritates me. Having only watched “Spectre” (2006) fairly recently, it's now a tie between that or “The Orphanage” (2007) because I fancy Natalia Millan and Belen Rueda equally.

Horror Bob: What is your favorite exorcism film? Why?

Dr Blood: “Constantine” (2005). It's just so good! Lots of action, Keanu Reeves is so damned cool, and Tilda Swinton is outstanding.

Horror Bob: Is there a “found footage” film you find tolerable? Why?

Dr Blood: “[Rec]” (2007), because it's Spanish, has a nice looking girl in it and it's kind of different. Basically, it's “Demons 2” (1986) with handycams, but it's acceptable and it it doesn't make me want to throw-up from motion sickness.

Horror Bob: Ulli Lommell, genius or disgrace? Why?

Dr Blood: Disgrace. I've only seen his two “Boogeyman” movies and I hated both of them. I can't imagine that he's done anything better.

Horror Bob: Who is your favorite horror director? And why?

Dr Blood: Robert Wise, because he wasn't only a horror director and he brought his skills learned in other genres with him.

Horror Bob: Who is your favorite horror author?

Dr Blood: The late James Herbert. I read everything he wrote as soon as it was published apart from the very early novels which I read 4 years later. I started reading his books when I was 8 years old.

Horror Bob: What is your opinion on torture Porn?

Dr Blood: I love it! I can't get enough of it! It still hasn't gone far enough to satisfy me, although I'm sure it's already gone way too far for the censors.

Horror Bob: What is your opinion on remakes?

Dr Blood: I like most of them, but I don't love them or anything. I prefer the remakes of all the Asian horror movies because I can't tell who is who in the originals. I don't care if that sounds racist, it's just the truth. I can't even get my head round their names. I also think that the “Night of the Demons” remake is the best remake ever! I hate the original movies but I love that one!

Horror Bob: What makes for a good horror film?

Dr Blood: Characterization, scares, boobs, and blood. A good story and characters you can empathize with are the most important parts otherwise there's no catharsis.

Horror Bob: Who is your all time favorite horror host? Why?

Dr Blood: Elvira. Being English, I've never actually seen her do her thing... but dem boobs!

Horror Bob: What is your opinion on fan films? Why?

Dr Blood: They're great, just so long as I never have to see any of them. Honestly, they are utter crap with no talent and no production values. Plus they are unoriginal, unimaginative, and best suited to someone's private home video collection rather than ever seeing the light of day.

Horror Bob: What is your opinion on fan fiction?

Dr Blood: Pretty much the same as my opinion of fan films. I have no interest in it.

Horror Bob: Are fan scripts really fan fiction? Why?

Dr Blood: They're the same, yes. Unless it's somebody writing out a movie that they've just seen in their own words. I'm not really sure what a fan script is. I assume they're all shit though.

Horror Bob: Is there an indie actress that you enjoy?

Dr Blood: No.

Horror Bob: What indie actor do you like?

Dr Blood: I can't think of one other than Bruce Campbell. I prefered him as Autolycus in “Xena: Warrior Princess” though. Does Tim Thomerson count? I like him too.

Horror Bob: What is your definition of “Scream Queen”?

Dr Blood: Fay Wray. Simple as that.

Horror Bob: What is you opinion of The Suicide Girls?

Dr Blood: Ugly, dirty, skanky, wannabes. Not for me.

Horror Bob: It is well known that you dislike Women in Horror and Comic Book Divas. What you’re your major reasons for this dislike?

Dr Blood: Their hypocritical use of feminism when it suits them really pisses me off. They throw out all the buzzwords, but you know they don't believe in any of it any more than anyone else. One minute they are playing the slut to sleaze their way into things which they don't have the talent for, the next, when they aren't getting their own way, they are playing the victim card to get attention. The truth is, women aren't an “oppressed and exploited minority” in the horror industry. It's probably the other way around in most cases. Men have a much more difficult time getting anywhere than these women do.

Horror Bob: The Twisted Twins, like or dislike? Talented or not?  Why?

Dr Blood: I'm indifferent to them. I don't think they are very talented except at playing the system, but they put so much effort into it that it also begs the question of whether or not they would get anywhere if they didn't. I don't think either of them would be successful based on innate talent so they've chosen to saturate social networks and conventions with their presence to get known. I really don't know much about them even so.

Horror Bob: What is your opinion of  horror conventions? Why?

Dr Blood: Overpriced, rip-off, indoor yard sales full of sweaty, overweight, basement-dwelling neckbeards, has-been actors selling their signatures, bootleg DVDs, and attention seeking cosplayers who want to be in the movies. Why? Because I've seen how conventions have changed since the days when they were really swapmeets for the fans by the fans. Conventions have become a money-making racket and are appropriately named as “cons”.

Horror Bob: What is it you think is bringing down the horror community? Why?

Dr Blood: Women in Horror Month. Also, the “hobby horror” crowd with their shitty no-budget camcorder movies have upset the applecart too.

Horror Bob: What do you think of the concept of horror unity?

Dr Blood: It's never going to happen. There are too many cliques., and there always have been. That's just human nature and it won't change.

Horror Bob: How many cheese burger sliders can you eat before passing out? An estimate.

Dr Blood: I don't know about passing out, but I can probably only get through 5 out of a pack of 6 before their blandness is more than I can tolerate. They're only little though. I could probably eat 87 or so if they tasted of anything.

Well that is it for this interview. Horror Bob's Blog would like to thank Dr Blood for taking the time to answer our questions

As always, Keep on Creepin'

The Wolf Pack Podcast needs your help....

Gore and Scares Everybody...This is William Pattison, aka Eric Morse, and The Wolf Pack and I are coming to you, the fans. We want to bring you the best grindhouse internet radio show on the net. This season we are changing the name of our show to The Wolf Pack Podcast, but we want to do better than that. We want to give you two hour shows done to the best of our abilities. In order to do that we are going to need funding for this seasons show. Without funding we are only going to be able to bring you half hour shows with only three audio files. In order to do this we have decided that you, the fans should adopt the show. Check to the right for contribution levels and help us bring you the best Wolf Pack Podcast possible...

http://www.indiegogo.com/thewolfpackpodcast

Keep on Creepin' Horror Bob's Blog...

Press Release: SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK

Happy Halloween! Darkstone Entertainment and John Johnson (Director of Plan 9) has released a new no profit web series today! SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK! Based on the original stories of Alvin Schwartz, this is a fan based Youtube series launching for the fans of the scholastic book series.

The first episode “The Big Toe” is available now for review and released publicly here.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5N0VfzMWc)


A special thanks to our Facebook friend, Angela Pritchett, for bringing this to our attention...

Keep on Creepin', Horror Bob's Blog.... 

Review: Christine

 Review: Christine

"The Ride of Your Life"

by Christopher Highland

For Horror Bob's Blog

Horror films have a negative reputation, and I believe I have figured out why.  With the MPAA coming into effect in 1968, controversial subject matters came into play, more than ever before, which were usually censored after 1934.  Though rated, boundaries were challenged and broken through as genres were handled with more maturity.  Horror rose again in a big way, through the 1970s and coming to a head in the 1980's, regarding frequency and intensity, and spilling over into recent years. Not just explictness, but over-explictness, has tended to be the standard a disproportionate amount of the time.  This usually left little room for other elements of what the horror film genre really is: competent acting, character development, depth, and suspense. Endless sequels, make-up, special effects, and icons have flooded the market, essentially alienating outside audiences. They became cinematic cognac if made a certain way, a roller coaster in its base elements.

Then there are horror films such as "Christine". 

"Christine", taking place in 1978, tells the story of Arnie Cunningham, played by Keith Gordon, who is introverted and an outcast, due to his appearance.  With his only friend, Dennis, they get into a fight at school with the bully, Buddy Repperton, and his friends. After Buddy pulls a knife, he gets expelled after being caught with it, but swears revenge.  Arnie and Dennis pass by an old car for sale on their way home: a 1958, Plymouth Fury, and red. Believing his can put new life into it, Arnie buys it, despite disapproval from Dennis, and Arnie's parents.  As he fixes it up with amazing speed and dedication, Arnie goes through a transformation, too. He dresses and acts differently, becomes more confidant, even winning the affection of the popular girl, Leigh, but obsessing about his car, named Christine. Never mind the fact that Buddy and his friends trash the car, or that revenge occurs soon after.  The real horror is how Arnie goes from a quiet, sympathetic character, to a mean, selfish, ultra-obsessive person.

Directed and scored by John Carpenter in 1983, "Christine" is well-crafted with a soundtrack mostly full of 1950s music.  During one scene, the song "Little Bitty Pretty One" plays on Christine's radio, which slowly builds tension, adding to the atmosphere.  Masterfully shot, each scene is as tight as the car itself. Though the car has a life of its own, being able to repair itself, it is integral to the story, and not a crutch.

Directors such as Alfred Hitchcock proved that with ingenuity and class, specific genres could be handled well enough to be inviting to those who are unaccustomed. Since John Carpenter was influenced by Hitchcock, the quality is evident in the film. Also, studies have shown that some of these films can be good for the heart rate.  Rarely do these films offer more than face value other than entertainment.  This has much more.

Keep on Creepin' Horror Bob's Blog

Review: Exit Humanity

Review: Exit Humanity

By William Pattison, aka Eric Morse

For Horror Bob's Blog

For my review this time I have a historical zombie movie, John Geddes’ Exit Humanity.

This film tells the story of Edward Young, a man who survived the bloodshed of the Civil War and must now live in a world infected by a zombie plague. After his family is bitten and he has to put them down Edward goes on a quest to free his son’s ashes at a waterfall he and his son had planned to visit. While on the way to the falls he meets Isaac, another survivor. Isaac gets Edward involved in a plan to save his sister Emma from a cult anarchist named General Williams. Williams has captured Emma because was bit by a zombie and didn’t change. Williams thinks that if he can find the secret to curing the zombie plague he can use it to take control of the country. Now it is up to Edward and Isaac to stop General Williams’ plans.

Exit Humanity is different from other zombie films in that the zombie plague, though part of the story is secondary to the human story playing out. But, zombie lovers don’t have to fear because there are many excellent zombies scenes throughout the film Mark Gibson gives a stunning performance as Edward Young. You see throughout the film Edward’s journey from near madness to a return to his humanity. Bill Mosely gives a rarely soft spoken and low key performance as General Williams. Also, veteran actress Dee Wallace comes in and does a low key, but memorable performance as the healer, Eve.

The one thing I absolutely loved about this film is its style. In several scenes Geddes would switch from live action shots to classic animation shots, giving the film the feel of being a graphic novel. The film is also narrated by veteran actor Brian Cox, who plays the voice if Edward’s son in the future who is telling the story. All in all if you are a fan of zombie film or just a fan of a good, well written, horror film you will love Exit Humanity.

Keep on Creepin', Horror Bob's Blog !

Review: Documentary: I Survived BTK

Review: Documentary: I Survived BTK.

By William Pattison, aka Eric Morse

For Horror Bob’s Blog

I usually don’t review documentary films. It’s not that I don’t like documentaries; it’s that I’ve never felt the need to comment on them. To me a documentary is a learning experience; it’s not supposed to be entertainment. But there are always exceptions to the rule. One of those exceptions is Marc David Levitz’s Documentary, I Survived BTK.

This is a very important film in that unlike other films and documentaries about serial killers rather than making an icon out of the killer and treating the victims and their families as third class players, Levitz focuses on the surviving family members, mostly the oldest son, Charlie, of the first victims of the BTK Killer, the Oteros.

As the film begins we meet Charlie Otero, who we find is in jail for aggravated assault. Charlie is one of the surviving members of the Otero family along with his younger sister and his brother. Charlie’s father, mother, sister, and brother were viciously tortured and murdered in 1974 by the infamous BTK killer, Dennis Rader. We hear how two days before the murders Charlie had watched the film In Cold Blood, which was based on the book by Truman Capote about the murder of four members of a family in the area he lived. As the documentary progresses we see how this because an item of guilt with Charlie and how the murders affected his life. After he gets out of jail, we follow Charlie as he take  us  on a bit of a tour through his life after the murders and how he has become estranged from his family and other loved ones, including his own son.

Along the way we are introduced to Steven, who is also a survivor of another family that was destroyed by Dennis Rader. Levitz brilliantly compares these two survivors and shows us the similarities and difference. One thing that shows is how both men use tattoos to deal with their pain.

Then we get to the capture of Rader and his media trial. Levitz handles this in a matter of factly way and avoids making Rader a larger than life character like a lesser documentarian would do. Still, Levitz hits the viewer with the full non-candy coated fact of what Rader did to the Otero family by showing the crime photos as presented in court.

Then Marc Levitz hits you with an emotional punch as the trial ends . Levitz handles this incredibly by showing scenes of Charlie with Steve at a victory pool game. Charlie talks about how after the murders he had grown to hate Truman Capote and how on day of Capote’s death Charlie, who had lost his faith, had been begging the devil to kill Capote. What happens make you honestly consider if Faustian deals do happen…

So if you are a fan of true crime or if you are just curious of the other side of the story of a serial killer, this is the film for you. This film is an emotional ride and a character profile that can’t be missed…

Keep on Creepin’ Horror Bob’s Blog!

Review: House of the Wolfman

Review: House of the Wolfman
by William Pattison, aka Eric Morse
For Horror Bob's Blog


For my review this time I got a retro horror film by Eben Mcgarr, House of the Wolfman.
Five strangers; athlete Reed Chapel and his twin sister aspiring scientist Mary Chapel along with expert antique authenticator Conrad Sullivan, great white hunter Archibald Whitlock, and woman of mystery Elmira Cray; are invited to the creepy castle of Doctor Bela Reinhardt (played by Lon Chaney’s grandson Ron Chaney) under the pretense that one of them would be made Reinhardt’s heir and inherit the castle along with all his scientific research. The all find out the share a common link, their mothers had been attacked, ravaged, disfigured, and left pregnant. Also, none of them knew who their real fathers are. Things get creepy as Whitlock along with his servants discover odd animal tracks outside the castle. They find they are being observed by some who is looking through holes in the eyes of the portraits in their rooms. Also, Elmira discovers an old gypsy lady in the tower room who claims to be Reinhardt’s mother and says that Reinhardt has secrets including the fact that his real name is Frankenstein. Soon Reinhardt reveals the horrifying true reason for bringing them together.
I found this a very amusing attempt at creating the final installment of Universal studio’s unfinished trilogy. The storyline is very authentic. The dialogue is nearly spot on, but feels a bit off. The acting could have been better. Though the actors tried to duplicate the acting style of the time they ended up being a bit over the top and almost comical. Though filmed in black and white the film has no graininess to it, which helps spoil the feel that this could have been made in the 40s. Also, the sound is too clean as well, it sounds way too modern. The filmmaker would have done well to add sound crackles, grain, and scratches to artificially age the film. Finally, the makeup work, though trying to pay homage to the classic Universal films, looks too modern and overly detailed. Having the monsters wear contact lenses took away from the 30s and 40s feel of the makeup. The Frankenstein’s monster makeup looked practically like the one used in the modern Universal Monster film, Van Helsing. Also, the Wolfman makeup could have been a rejected version made for the remake of The Wolfman rather than being anywhere near the classic makeup worn by Lon Chaney Jr.  Also, Dracula’s three female vampire companions at the end of the film looked way too modern and detailed, which was actually annoying to me. The only monster that comes off spot on is Count Dracula, who is actually played masterfully by Michael R.Thomas, though painfully short in duration.
All in all House of the Wolfman is a good try. If Eden Mcgarr and crew had simply tried to create a Universal style gothic film without trying to put their own spin on it, this film could have been the masterpiece it should have been. Remember, people, less is more.  If you are a fan of the classics you won’t cringe, but after watching this film you will be tempted to pull out your DVD collection of the classic Universal monster films and see the good stuff.

Keep on Creepin', Horror Bob's Blog!