Psycho Ape!

A lot of movies that fit into the subgenre of "low" or "micro" budget have a tough decision to make... the first choices are between ignoring their limitations and leaning into them. Then comes the decision on "how far do we lean into this joke..." It is a tricky game. "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" is successful in much the same way. Acknowledging where the joke lays and understanding the budget doesn't let you run away with it, but also not overstaying your welcome. "Psycho Ape" plays this game fairly well. Some jokes might run a bit long, but it still plays to get the laugh. I applaud these filmmakers for giving us exactly what "Psycho Ape" should be...

Classy Trashy, "Gorilla" filmmaking.

I'd like to preface this review by noting that I do not know Addison Binek personally. Also, this is the first review of a movie I've ever drafted, so cut me some slack. Anyhow, I became familiar with his work through his "Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon" and "Tromasterpiece Theatre." Both of which pay homage to B movies à la "Mystery Science Theater 3000."

Having riffed so many bad movies, it seems only natural to me that Binek would then try his hand at creating a movie that could be accurately described as "amazingly terrible,"

....and so "Psycho Ape" was born.

This film features legitimate actors such as Troma Institute for Gifted Youth inductee Kansas Bowling and Upright Citizens Brigade alum Bill Weeden, who, from the beginning, obviously had shared Binek's vision to craft a seriously bad flick...or bad flick seriously...uhhh...hmmm.

Let's try that again.

It's obvious that Binek did not seek to create a cinematic masterpiece. Rather, this was a salute to those B horror movies from the 70s and 80s, which have since established cult followings, and Binek accomplished this mission masterfully. As teenagers, my friends and I would set aside a weekend, head to the local video store, and rent the worst horror movies we could find. We then spent it both riffing on and admiring the "badness" of each. Had Psycho Ape been released then, it would have easily become one of our favorites.

This movie is chock full of what any cheesy horror film aficionado would want to see: bad special effects, a hilarious, meandering plot, and Easter eggs galore. You need to watch this movie at least 7 times to catch all the references (and this is half of the fun). The movie is an entertaining ride that had me laughing hysterically and admiring Binek's vision for a serious horror movie that doesn't take itself seriously.

Get ready for an entertaining film that is assembled like a Smile-era Beach Boys album.

Kudos to Binek, Bowling, and Weeden for taking us on such a fun ride. Even my wife, who abhors horror movies, thought it was great.

Addison Binek's monkey mindbender "Psycho Ape" has a punk D.I.Y. energy that is infectious and fun. It makes no bones about being made on the cheap and actually celebrates it with shameless gusto. Cheesiness is the movie's raison d'être. It's "Robot Monster" with fur. Sporting a pith helmet and chewing ample amounts of scenery, B-movie superstar Bill Weeden's character Dr. ZOOmis channels Groucho Marx as Dr. Spaulding with devilish glee. Kansas Bowling is a charmer as the fluorescent go-go girl Nancy Banana. I highly recommend "Psycho Ape" to hardcore fans of obscure VHS splatter flicks and to members of the often-maligned cult of banana obsessives (yes, they exist). Bananas are more than just a fetish, they're the Rosebud, in this "Citizen Kane" of ape movies. "Psycho Ape" exists on a double-bill with "Blood Feast" in the grindhouse of my dreams.

The pure insanity of Addison Binek's Psycho Ape filled me with pure joy! A twisted stew of horror, comedy, action and romance with the dash of 80's Troma mentality. The cast, lead by Kansas Bowling as Nancy Banana and Bill Weeding as the manic Dr. ZOOmis are beyond hilarious. But it's Stephen Albers as the titular character/animal that steals the show, leading the audience on a psychedelic trip.

Psycho Ape! An experience like no other! You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll lose your mind! Hands down the greatest love story of 2020! The chemistry between Nancy Banana (Kansas Bowling) and Psycho Ape (Stephen Albers) is amazing beyond measure with A grand performs by (Bill Weeden) as Dr. Zoomis If your into super cheesie "bad" low budget films like (Hectic Knife) this is for you! (Addison Binek) did a great job directing this insane mess while teamed up with writer, director (Greg DeLiso) The madness is heavy in this flick I laughed my buttocks off threw the whole ride.