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Post by petrolino on Apr 27, 2019 0:09:49 GMT
Gatorblade Films are an outlet for a group of filmmakers stationed in Tampa, Florida, a city that's currently the fulcrum of Floridian horror. This is a state with a long, proud history in independent horror filmmaking, one that preserves tradition and rivals California and New York in terms of influence. Sean Donohue, Christopher Leto, John Miller and Chris Woods make up a core group of filmmakers making things happen and they have a loyal stock company of performers they can call upon. They frequently push the boundaries when it comes to dark, cutting edge material, though they've also cultivated more restrained, literate offerings for horror fans' consumption. There's a distribution unit attached called The Sleaze Box and they have illustrious co-sponsors in veteran indie filmmaker Joel D. Wynkoop of Minnesota and notorious underground maverick Tim Ritter who made his name shooting in Jupiter and Palm Beach back in the 1980s. This is probably the craziest filmmaking unit I know about that's currently active in north American horror but the talent pool in Tampa is very real and has been featured on local and national news.
Sean Donohue
Chris Woods
Do you enjoy any of their movies?
Thanks.
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Post by petrolino on Apr 27, 2019 22:51:00 GMT
I've been fortunate to see some of Sean Donohue's earliest work, scratchy short subject films that are earnest in their intention. He's a wildcard in horror because you never know what he's going to do next. He co-directed the ambitious, supernatural Civil War rumination 'Joe Vampire' (2012) with Mike Niche. It's a brooding character study.
Mike Christopher
Donohue co-directed the sorority slasher 'Die Die Delta Pi' (2013) with Christopher Leto, drawing inspiration from true life tales of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority at the University of West Florida.
I've seen some of Leto's films but wouldn't choose to highlight any as I'm not a fan. I think the serial killer picture 'Rough Cut' (2013), a kind of digital age 'Man Bites Dog' (1992), was hampered by faulty execution. Leto's designer slasher 'The Housewife Slasher' (2012) is a better-made film that pre-dates 'Rough Cut' but it doesn't work at all for me. His approach to horror material feels too cagey and reticent for my liking.
Die Die Pie
The psychedelic 'Death-Scort Service' series serves up tasty mysteries for hardcore slasher fans. There's been three entries in the franchise so far. The original 'Death-Scort Service' (2015) and 'Death-Scort Service Part 2 : The Naked Dead' (2017) are both directed by Donohue. The third installment 'Taste Me : Death-Scort Service Part 3' (2018) is directed by Chris Woods who served as cinematographer on the first two entries. A teaser trailer exists suggesting part 4 is on the way, possibly having been shot back-to-back with part 3.
Krystal Pixie Adams & Amethist Young
Sean Donohue's festive treat 'Cannibal Claus' is a caustic horror comedy like no other. It's a character study like 'Joe Vampire', one that depicts a sordid Santa who's psychotic and down on his luck. Interestingly, Santa carries out his mission with a sense of righteousness built from conservative Christian tradition.
Bob Glazier
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Post by petrolino on Apr 27, 2019 23:05:59 GMT
Chris Woods has been active in Florida throughout the 21st century but I've not seen much of his work. His mindbending dungeon shocker 'Chaos A.D.' (2016) is not for the faint-hearted. It's about a radical terrorist organisation called F.R.E.A.K. who target specific citizens and kidnap people. This underground faction subjects victims to all manner of atrocities but their warped sense of justice hides a sinister secret. It's strong stuff, but colourful and imaginative.
"For whatever reason, a lot of us are stressed out right now. Watching a genuinely scary movie — not just one that dupes you with fake scares and then douses you with gratuitous gore — can be profoundly cathartic (that is, if you’re brave enough to wade in, which this scaredy-cat critic will admit can be daunting). It’s never been a better time to answer the classic question “Do you like scary movies?” with a resounding “Hell, yeah!”
- Sara Stewart, 'We’re In A Golden Age For Indie Horror Flicks'
F.R.E.A.K. Society
'Visitor' - Hundred Waters
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Post by lostinlimbo on Apr 30, 2019 1:44:32 GMT
 My memory is sort of hazy on this homage to 80s campus slashers. I do own a DVD copy somewhere about. Whenever I come across the film title, I always think of its film poster.
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Post by petrolino on May 2, 2019 19:14:30 GMT
My memory is sort of hazy on this homage to 80s campus slashers. I do own a DVD copy somewhere about. Whenever I come across the film title, I always think of its film poster.
I like the poster. Bought the dvd blind on the strength of it. Now 'Die Die Delta Pi' comfortably ranks in my top 5 slashers of 2013.
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Post by petrolino on Jun 30, 2019 0:33:27 GMT
I've seen a new release from Gatorblade Fims this past week, Sean Donohue's character study 'The Hart-Break Killer' (2019). It's a pensive character piece that observes a change of pace for its director. I didn't find it to be nearly as entertaining as his straight-up horror movies but I contemplated it as a quieter offering. Ashley Lynn Caputo excels in her role as a head doctor. I hope Donohue has gotten something out of his system with this movie as I'd like to see him getting back to his hardcore horror roots.
'Sushii' Xhyette Holder in 'The Hart-Break Killer' (2019)
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