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Post by petrolino on May 11, 2019 23:41:56 GMT
John Polonia (Born: September 30, 1968 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA - Died: February 25, 2008 (age 39) in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, US) & Mark Polonia (Born: September 30, 1968 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA)
The Polonia Brothers
The Polonia Brothers are legends in the world of independent horror cinema. They made short films together during childhood, co-directed s.o.v. movies and shot feature films in 8mm & 16mm. Sadly, John Polonia died in 2008 as the result of a heart aneurysm. Since losing his twin brother, Mark Polonia has submerged himself back deep within the world they always inhabited, crafting fun and imaginative b-movies. Some of Mark's horror pictures are achieved entirely through the use of practical effects, reflecting his passion for the monster movies he enjoyed in his youth. He continues to shoot at home in Pennsylvania but isn't afraid to venture into new territories.
What are some of your favourite movies directed by John Polonia & Mark Polonia?
Thanks.
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Post by petrolino on May 12, 2019 1:52:02 GMT
Sometimes I find I respect a horror artist and their work more than I actually enjoy it. This is kind of how I feel towards the Polonia Brothers' work in America, as well as the Soska Twins' work in Canada. I appreciate the fact that they could achieve the things they did with miniscule shooting budgets but I rarely crave a rewatch of anything I see. Still, there are a couple of movies I enjoy that I've picked up on dvd.
Erin Brown in 'Splatter Beach' (2007)
'Type A' - Control Top
Peter Baldo & Sarah French in 'Land Shark' (2017)
'Soft Shape' - Empath
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Post by Gourmando the Reindeer on May 12, 2019 10:06:18 GMT
I preordered Bigfoot vs Zombies (2016) back then. A blind buy based on the concept and yes utterly awsome DVD cover art that not even remotely looks like what is actually in the movie. My first and so far only Polinia movie.
I sort of knew what I was in for, I really like low budget regional horror. But I didn't expect it to be that low budget. 😆
I've watched it 6 or 7 times since then. I like it better with the Mark Polonia commentary turned on. He comes across as a likable and enthusiastic guy and as is usually the case with these no/low budget movie commentaries are more interesting than big Hollywood movie commentary tracks.
The bigfoot suit and especially the mask is actually very good except for what looks like fungus growths on the chest. I mean, the acting is what you should expect and the character of Duke is funny. It has a great looking location too and the setting of it is a police body farm and research lab out in rural woods and countryside.
I will buy/check out another Polonia movie someday, just haven't gotten around to it with so much being released nowadays.
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Post by petrolino on May 13, 2019 17:14:07 GMT
I preordered Bigfoot vs Zombies (2016) back then. A blind buy based on the concept and yes utterly awsome DVD cover art that not even remotely looks like what is actually in the movie. My first and so far only Polinia movie. I sort of knew what I was in for, I really like low budget regional horror. But I didn't expect it to be that low budget. 😆 I've watched it 6 or 7 times since then. I like it better with the Mark Polonia commentary turned on. He comes across as a likable and enthusiastic guy and as is usually the case with these no/low budget movie commentaries are more interesting than big Hollywood movie commentary tracks. The bigfoot suit and especially the mask is actually very good except for what looks like fungus growths on the chest. I mean, the acting is what you should expect and the character of Duke is funny. It has a great looking location too and the setting of it is a police body farm and research lab out in rural woods and countryside. I will buy/check out another Polonia movie someday, just haven't gotten around to it with so much being released nowadays.
I listened to Mark Polonia's commentary track for 'Land Shark'. It was a new challenge for him as he shot out west. He fell in love with the beach culture of Santa Monica, vowed to shoot in California again. I too found him enthusiastic and fun to listen to.
Mark Polonia's an advocate of practical effects. This may have led him towards producer Michael Raso of E.I. Independent in the 2000s. Raso also supported and promoted horror filmmaker Brett Piper who enjoys creating old school practical effects.
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Post by FridayOnElmStreet on May 22, 2019 5:05:42 GMT
Splatter Farm is alright.
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