Psycho Ape!

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.

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.

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.

A hilariously zany movie filled with gore, slapstick and plenty of Banana kills! Low budget movies like this have so much heart and passion in them and it's clear to see in the production and clever writing. With Kansas Bowling and Bill Weeden stealing the spotlight every time they are on screen it is an absolute pleasure to watch. An incredible throwback to 80's slasher flick I give this movie 10 Bananas out of 10.

Low budget films can be a lot of fun, and Psycho Ape is one of those films. It has a pre-mainstream John Waters feel about it that will no doubt help it to achieve "Cult Classic" status. Director Addison Binek,(who also co-wrote and produced Psycho Ape) found the perfect talent formula in his cast, which includes new comer, Kansas Bowling, veteran B movie and Troma Films favorite, Bill Weeden and Stephen Albers as the "hunky" Psycho Ape. Maybe it's the "Covid" isolation, but I can see Albers's killer ape reaching a sex symbol status. Everybody Loves A Fun Ape Movie!