Mad scientist-type Silas Purcell (David Weldon) spends all of his time playing with his beakers in the basement… so much so that his parents decide to send his ass on a li’l unscheduled vacay at a rural bed and breakfast run by a psychic hippie named Jade Moon (Mary Wascavage).
Once there, Sinister Silas immediately trips and accidentally releases his latest concoction which spills on some mushrooms turning them into flesh eating, Silly String shootin’, monster fungi that can gain the abilities of anyone they consume!
This becomes a serious pain in the ass to Moon and the rest of her guests… the likes of which include Pro-Wrestler Tony “Titus” Ignitus (Dave Bonavita), shady commercial real estate developer Jackson P. Jackson (Dave Wascavage… who also directed and co-wrote the picture along with the aforementioned Mary Wascavage… and while Mary’s on our minds, she sings an absolutely incredible theme song that has to be heard to be believed… I absolutely loved it!), and reality show contestant/military man Major Wang (Wes Miller).
Which leaves Silas, who is delighted with the whole turn of events!
If you hadn’t already guessed… or just didn’t want to… Fungicide is a micro-budget, shot on video horror comedy that may just leave you feeling like you’ve ingested some mushrooms of a different sort.
Why will it fuck up your day in a ghoulishly great way?
Simple, this picture exists in a universe all it’s own where the rules are as fast and loose as the action on screen… action that includes a dizzying blend of unconvincing gore and corpses, shoddy mushroom props, absolutely batshit sound effects, bizarre editing, subpar CG, psychedelic color… baby, this is a jackpot of absurdity presented with zero fucks given.
Through all that shines a strong sense of fun, both from cast and crew… these are folks making a film for the simple joy of it, and they are definitely in on how fantastically fucky it all is (and the end credit bloopers only highlight that fact).
The bloopers aren’t the only clue though, as the first two (of a total of four) audio commentaries take us through Fungicide’s production via conversations with Dave and Mary Wascavage (one brand ass-spankin’ new, the other an archival jam that also features Silas actor David Weldon).
The remaining two commentaries feature a more fan based approach to appreciating Fungicide and feature Sam Panico of B&S About Movies & Bill Van Ryn of Drive-In Asylum and Schlock And Awe Films respectively.
Next up we get the full Rifftrax lampooning of the film followed by an alternate opening title sequence, a deleted scene, and outtakes.
Rounding out the extras are trailers for other Wascavage flicks, as well as a duo of trailers for Fungicide (Producer and Visual Vengeance versions).
Included in the package are a folded mini-poster, a reversible sleeve, a sticker sheet, and if you grab a first pressing you receive a “Grow Your Own Killer Mushroom” seed packet!
Fungicide is absolutely, deliriously out of it’s fuckin’ mind and I’m glad I lost my mind right along with it for a while!
