Well hello there my Little Monsters…I’m so glad you’ve decided to join me. Recently I returned to my humble abode to find a box sitting on the front porch – a box I had been eagerly awaiting.
Normally the anticipation of a delivery is associated with the knowledge of what exactly is in said package. However, my knowledge of the contents therein was somewhat limited. You see, the folks at Horror Pack were kind enough to send me one of their August Blu-ray Packs. Despite the fact that we are now well into October, I saw this as an incredibly kind gesture.
Many of you may already know what Horror Pack is, but if some of you don’t…let me tell you what it is. Horror Pack is a…no, sorry…let me rephrase that. They are THE Horror Movie Subscription Service, and every month each subscriber receives a box containing four brand spanking new horror movies on DVD or Blu-ray.
The titles of each month’s movies are kept under wraps until the subscribers crack open their “pack”. That is if they haven’t already guessed the titles from the clever hints routinely posted to Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
So, for horror fans that are looking to start a collection or are looking to build on a current one, Horror Pack is a great way to do it. Especially since they consistently try to offer a variety of classic, cult, contemporary and indie horror.
OK, I’ve been rabbiting on long enough, let’s get down to business.
As I held the box, I felt the same excitement one might feel as they are about to open that first gift on Christmas morning. Inside my mind a voice, not unlike Brad Pitt’s, screamed out, “WHAT’S IN THE BOX???”.
Three quick flicks of my box-cutter and I’ve opened the box quicker that Freddy can open a victim. The titles I discovered 
inside were as follows…
Re-Animator (1985)
Stuart Gordon’s cult classic is loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, Herbert West: Reanimator. Jeffrey Combs stars as Herbert West, a completely bizarre but brilliant medical student completely obsessed with perfecting a serum that will reanimate the dead…no matter the cost.
It’s campy, and gory, and it’s…hell, it’s just plain fun to watch. It’s been a personal favorite of mine since the heyday of VHS.
Saw V (2008)
The fifth movie in the series takes us deeper into the mythos of the man called Jigsaw. Not only is there a new crop of victims, but also further revelation as to who else is involved with Jigsaw’s plan to dole out “justice”. It also shows the dangers of becoming obsessed, when you should leave well enough alone. Because curiosity may have killed the cat, but it’s nothing compared to what can happen to a nosey agent.
Whether or not you like the later movies in this series (or any of them for that matter), nobody can deny that the traps and devices used to inflict torturous punishment are very inventive or just completely brutal.
Scar (2007)
Thomas Wolfe once wrote, “You can’t go home again”. Perhaps Joan Burrows should have observed this saying rather than returning to a hometown where she was held captive and tortured by a lunatic while being forced to witness the murder of her best friend. But now that Joan is back, her niece’s friends begin to fall victim to a similar fate. Is Joan’s tormentor back from the grave that she put him in or has her arrival served as a catalyst for a copycat?
Presented in 3-D of the more classic variety, it includes two pairs of glasses complete with red and blue lenses. Granted the gimmick is somewhat wasted on a film with a weak story and acting, but if you want gore…it has PLENTY of that.
Motivational Growth (2103)
Ian Folivor has been living a very reclusive lifestyle for 16 months. During that time his only meaningful relationship is with his best friend – a vintage tube TV named Kent. But when Kent dies of old age; it takes away Ian’s only real reason for living. After Ian fails miserably attempting suicide, he begins to forge an unorthodox relationship with a growth in his bathroom calling itself “The Mold”. While Ian may not know how to turn his life around, it seems that “The Mold knows”.
While I don’t consider this as much of a horror movie, it’s quirky, humorous, and overall it’s just quite entertaining. As bizarre as this movie can be, some could consider it an acquired taste. But I truly feel it deserves a look.
Over all I would give the August Horror Pack a grade of B maybe B-, based on the quality of the movies. BUT…I will give Horror Pack an A+ for being a service that not only provides it’s subscribers with old and new favorites from the Horror genre, but also for providing exposure to lesser well known and indie horror titles. They also have pricing that allows you to subscribe as you see fit, by offering one month, three month six month, and year long plans.
Well my little monsters, that’s all I have to say about that. It’s up to you now to check them out them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for news about the upcoming “pack”. Better yet, if you’re ready to take the plunge, go on over to the Horror Pack site and set up your subscription today.
