Entertainment Earth

9/29/2017

9/22/2017

Mr. Sardonicus (Review)

Title: Mr. Sardonicus
Director: William Castle
Writer: Ray Russell
Cast: Oskar Homolka, Ronald Lewis, Audrey Dalton, Guy Rolfe, Vladimir Sokoloff, Erika Peters
Min: 89
Year: 1961

In 1880, respected London physician Sir Robert Cargrave (Ronald Lewis) receives an urgent letter from his former girlfriend Maude (the lovely Audrey Dalton). In it, she tells him to come see her and her husband, a man named Mr. Sardonicus (Guy Rolfe), as her life depends on it. He wastes no time and heads to Castle Sardonicus. There he encounters Sardonicus' loyal servant Krull (Oskar Humkola) who is torturing another servant by putting leeches on her face.
It soon becomes apparent that Sardonicus is a cruel and evil man, that loves to torture and torment people. Even, Krull with his undying loyalty has suffered under his wrath having lost an eye thanks to him! Maude knows that if Cargrave does not do what Sardonicus' wishes she will suffer, too.

When, Cargrave meets Sadonicus, he is wearing a creepy and lifeless mask. He eventually tells him the origin of his mask. Years ago Sardonkis' father bought a lotto ticker for him, then named Maley Toleswaski, and his hot but money hungry wife, Elenka (Erika Peters). It's a winning ticket, but his father dies and is unknowingly buried with it. At Elenka's behest, he digs up the body. When, he sees his dead dad's horrific grin, his takes the same misshapen form. Now, he tells Cargrave that he most cure him and bring his face back to normal, no matter the method, or he will torture Maude.
Horror director and producer (doing both of that here) William Castle made a name for himself in the 50s and 60s for his gimmicks to get audiences to go see his movies. The gimmick here was a "punishment card", where at the end the audience would hold up thumbs up or down as to whether or not Sardonicus should be punished for his evil. Let's put it this way, an ending where he doesn't get his come upends was reportedly never shot. The ending, itself, is good, but at the moment that I saw it, I wish more had happened. But, I immediately thought more about it and realized just how satisfying the outcome really was!

The film lacks some of the more campy aspects of Castle's classics like The House on Haunted Hill or Thirteen Ghosts, but it is definitely for the best. As this aspect of film works wonderfully. For you see, in this movie, Castle's crafts a twisted. Gothic tale.
And, much of it is thanks to Rolfe, who would go on to play Andre Toulon in Puppet Master III (the best in the franchise, me thinks) among other memorable roles. He chews up scenery with glee is so perversely awesome as Sardonicus, that you cannot help but hate the villain. There is a coldness to his evil, that it makes him stand as one of the best villains in a Castle movie, if not the best one. The rest of cast does a nice job as well, especially Lewis as Cargrave. He makes for a very likable hero, a great counterpoint to Sardonicus' evil.

The film looks good, and makes a nice use of its Gothic setting. There is a definite Edgar Allen Poe influence, that makes this a must see for fans of this type of horror. He also achieves some genuinely creepy moments. I imagine that, back in the day, the torture scenes and, in particular, the look of Sardonicus would have freaked some audiences out. It probably did the same for kids who watched this back when it would air on TV. Nowadays, much of the movie may come off as dated and decidedly tame, but that could be said of just about any older film.
Mr. Sardonicus is an entertaining bit of Gothic horror. It serves a nice change of pace from some of Castle's other movies. The villain is easy to hate, and Rolfe is great in his portrayal of him. He is assisted by the rest cast, all of whom also give good performances. The twisted tale has a gleeful bit of perverseness and leads to a fitting ending. It's a great choice for fans into classic horror, as well as a good one to show, and creep out, a younger viewer getting into horror. The movie is currently streaming on Shudder and is also available on DVD and on Blu-ray, where it is on a double feature with Homicidal (which I have never seen, by the way).


3.5 out of 4

9/18/2017

9/14/2017

Doro Pesch, the Voice of Warlock, Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Triumph and Agony- BB Kings, NYC 9/10/17

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Warlock's classic fourth and final album, Triumph and Glory. The album spawned many classic hits, including the MTV Headbanger's Ball and fan favorite "All We Are") and is complemented by it's iconic cover (which you can see in the promo poster below). Doro in celebration of this ass kicking and headbanging album has been on a tour playing the album in it's entirety, along with some other classic Warlock tracks.

I had the pleasure of being present for the New York City leg of the tour held at the legendary B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill. As always, Doro put on one hell of a show!
The venue was filled with fans who were anxious to hear the Metal Queen play these classic tracks. And, as soon as they came out the fans erupted in joy! Doro and her band played with a high energy level that many bands which they had. As always, they sounded great and know how to own that stage. Joining her band for this special tour is former Warlock guitarist Tommy Bolan (below)! He is a total badass and fucking amazing live!
Some of the songs off of Triumph and Agony had never been played live by Warlock or Doro, while others hadn't been played in years. Of course, the classics, have been a part of her setlist forever. After, they were done playing all of those song, they took fan requests for Warlock fan favorites.
 Setlist:

Triumph and Agony album
Touch of Evil
I Rule the Ruins
East Meets West
Three Minute Warning
Kiss of Death
Für Immer
Cold, Cold World
Make Time for Love
Metal Tango
All We Are

 Encore:True as Steel
Burning the Witches
Fight for Rock
Hellbound
Earthshaker Rock
The Night of the Warlock
Wacken Hymne (We Are the Metalheads)
 
They played many of my personal favorite tracks. And, would probably have played if not for the curfew. Thankfully, they allowed them an extra song, which is how the anthemic We Are the Metalheads got in.
If this tour comes by your town be sure to see it, especially, if you are a fellow Warlock/ Doro. Otherwise, you may never get a chance to see some of these songs ever get played live again!

 
 

 
At the end of their set, the band graciously thanks their fans as they bid them goodnight.

9/08/2017

JILLIAN JANSON Gets Everything She Desires In ATKingdom’s Spoiled Princess

All pictures courtesy of Star Factory PR



One of the very best performers in the biz, the gorgeous Jillian Janson, has some exciting, sexy, and hot as fuck new content. Read on!

From the Star Factory PR Release:

The hardcore hottie also stars in Swallowed.com Vol. 9 (Evil Angel) and Bitches of Cruel Intent (Venus Girls).
  
(Hollywood, CA) The body of adult entertainment superstar Jillian Janson (http://www.jjsnaps.com) is royally worshipped in ATKingdom’s Spoiled Princess! In this new release, Jillian is accustomed to preferential treatment by would-be suitors. They shower her with gifts for an opportunity for her affections. Jillian gives back by offering one of her men a night he’ll never forget. Directed by Jimmy James, Jillian plays up a sassiness and dominating personality as she directs her lover to bring her to orgasmic pleasure.
 
“It’s always fun to play different roles,” said Jillian. “One of my favorites is the ‘spoiled princess.’ It gives me chance to be a seductress and a bit over the top. It adds a different flavor to the sex. I love it.”
 
The cover art for Spoiled Princess features Jillian surrounded by all the “presents” she’s accumulated. The hardcore trailer and cover art for this video can be found on the ATK Store site: http://atkstore.com/1931648/atk-spoiled-princesses-porn-videos.html
 
A highly in demand starlet, Jillian can be seen in more new releases. Swallowed.com Vol. 9 from Evil Angel showcases Jillian’s oral sex skills. Teaming up with Haley Reed, Jillian devours Mike Adriano for a slippery, sloppy blow-job scene that will keep viewers re-watching. In the Venus Girls’ release Bitches of Cruel Intent, Jillian is presented in POV as she seduces her sex partner. The steamy scene shows Jillian in multiple positions as she playfully gives her lover a wild romp. Both movies show Jillian on the cover art and are available now from adult retailers.
 
Jillian Janson is doing what she does best in three new video releases! See her in the act seduction in Spoiled Princess, Swallowed.com Vol. 9 and Bitches of Cruel Intent.
 
 
Jillian Janson is represented by Matrix Models
www.matrixmodels.com
john@matrixmodels.com
310-795-5006
 
To book Jillian Janson for a feature dance appearance, please visit:
 www.AListFeatures.com www.TheLeeNetwork.com www.CenterFoldStrips.com
  
To interview Jillian Janson for your website and/or publication;
Please contact Star Factory PR:
(818) 732-0191
Info@StarFactoryPR.com
 
A press release by

www.StarFactoryPR.com


9/05/2017

Venom Inc, Goatwhore, Toxic Holocaust, and The Convalescence at Gramercy Theatre NYC 9/2/17

This past Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, I was on hand at Gramercy Theatre to cover a real ass kicker of a show, headlined by the legendary Venom Inc. They were accompanied on the tour by three truly fucking amazing bands. For those not in the know, Venom Inc, are actually speed metal/ proto-black metal pioneers Venom, themselves, in the form of original band members Mantas and Abbaddon. But, with the awesome Demolition Man on vocals and bass and original singer not Cronos.

Before the concert started the friends, and fellow journalists, that I was hanging with, got to run into Demolition Man (below, at my right) and Mantas (at my left, I am the dude in the Star Wars hat, in case you are wondering). Both of them are such nice guys! My friend Ken Pierce of PiercingMetal.com took the pic as well as any others where you see me with posing with band members.

The opening acting are deathcore act The Convalescence. Though, I have heard before of this band, this was my first time actually hearing their music. And, I can honestly say that I totally dug it! They play an adrenaline and breakdown filled take on the sub-genre, but with added benefit of keyboards. This adds a very melodic sound to the aggressive and energetic groove. They also have a very cool stage presence with corpse paint styled makeup, as well as a cool and evil looking keyboard.
 
 
The next band up are thrashers Toxic Holocaust. Though, the band is mostly a one man act by way of Joel Grind (right), they tour as an actual band. And, man do they ever kill! I been a long time fan, but seeing them live is a completely different experience. They are so heavy and bring such energy to their music that I was an even bigger fan, once their set was over! The sound of thrash metal that Toxic Holocaust plays definitely mixes crossover elements with German thrash influences as well as taking some elements from extreme metal, too. The result had the mosh pit fired up!
 


Set List:
War Is Hell
Wild Dogs
In the Name of Science
Reaper's Grave
Death Brings Death
Gravelord
Acid Fuzz
The Lord of the Wasteland
Silence
Nuke the Cross
Bitch 
 
 
 
 
It was then time for Goatwhore to take the stage. I been a fan of these guys since their classic A Haunting Curse and have been following their career from on. But, I never got to experience their music live, either. Their current album Vengeance Ascension is a masterpiece that might just be the best in their career, thus far. It is most certainly one of the very best albums of this year! 

They played a lot of songs off of that album, like the blistering ''Under the Flesh, Into the Bone'', ''Forsaken'', the title track ''Vengeful Ascension'' (all of which are some of my favorite tracks of the year!), and more. They also played some classics from their catalogue such as ''When Steel and Bone Meet'' and ''Baring Teeth for Revlot''. They closed their set with the killer fan favorite and modern classic ''FBS'', AKA ''Fucked by Satan''!

Their performance is filled with powerful energy and ferocity, as well as amazing musicianship. It's a battering musical experience that had the crowd, and, especially the pit, energized. I know that I, myself, was headbanging and really got into it, while taking these pics in the photo pit. They are without question one of the best live acts in extreme metal!


 
 
 
 
During the course of the night, I also got to meet members from the rest of the acts. They were all so friendly, cool, and down to earth and were happy to meet fans. It made an awesome night that much more fucking cool!.
 With Keith Wampler and Katie McCrimmon of The Convalescence
 With Joel Grind of Toxic Holocaust
 
 With three of the members of Goatwhore and Liz

Like many a metalhead, I have been a fan of  Venom for ages. But, I had never seen them live. As such, my anticipation to see them play was off the charts. The fans were also feeling the excitement for these legends to come out and kick everyone's ass. And, they more than delivered on that! They bought the house down like the influential masters of metal that they are.
They just recently put out their first album under the Venom Inc moniker. Called Avé, it is a ripping and ass kicking album of old school speed/ thrash/ proto-black metal. They played a couple of songs, of that. And, of course, they also played many of their classic tracks.
Set List:
Ave Satanas
Welcome to Hell
Metal We Bleed
Die Hard
Live Like an Angel (Die Like a Devil)
Warhead
Blackened Are the Priests
Carnivorous
Dein Fleisch
Don’t Burn the Witch
Leave Me in Hell
War
Black Metal
Countess Bathory
Encore:
Sons of Satan
Witching Hour 
Throughout their set the fans were going crazy! They sang along, cheered, and chanted (Venom! Venom! Venom!). And, of course, the mosh pit was on fucking fire!
If you are a fan of Venom, then you must see them Venom Inc live! In all, this was an absolutely killer concert, from start too finish. One that kicked all of fucking asses straight to the very pits of motherfucking hell, itself!