Zombies Vs. Strippers

This is one of those movies that struggles with its identity. Billed as a comedy it really doesn't contain that much humor. At the same time, it doesn't quite measure up as a good zombie film because of all of the attempted comedy. In other words, it suffers from the exact same problem that so many other "zombedy" (zombie-comedy) films have--they're neither scary nor funny. Add in the fact that this was a low-budget production and the difficulties become even more pronounced. Having said that, this wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. The acting was adequate for the most part with Circus-Szalewski (as the bar owner named "Spider") probably putting in the best effort. Likewise having Eve Mauro (as the stripper "Sugar Hills") and Adriana Sephora (as "Jasmine") certainly helped to improve the scenery. All in all then, this film wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been and I suppose I should be thankful for that. Slightly below average.

Most bad zombie movies suffer from excess plot but this movie is stripped to its bare essence and benefits considerably. The lead is a fellow named Circus-Szalewski (that's his real name, his character's name is "Spider") who puts on an excellent performance as the down and out owner of a sleazy strip club in the bad part of town. After years of struggle to keep the doors open he decides to sell, but have one last party to say goodbye. Inside the employees peel back their inhibitions and denude their feelings for each other while outside it's the apocalypse. The blaring music attracts patrons dying to get in, some in fact already dead. ZvS is a good bad movie. The acting is all over the place but then some were hired for their assets not their thespian experience. The characters are colorful and varied, especially those remaining robed while the strippers are attractive and contribute more than simple eye candy. The biggest letdown are the zombies. Clearly the extras had no previous experience as walking dead, received no briefing and no directing during. Someone clapped them on the back and said get in there and it shows. The gore is light but B-movie effective with plenty of finger biting and some dismemberment. Most of the budget went into hiring the girls and for this kind of movie that isn't so terrible.

Zombies Vs. Strippers (2012)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Producer Charles Band and Full Moon are back with this greatly titled but disappointing exploitation film. The story is pretty simple as a group of people take shelter inside a strip joint when the world outside starts to fall apart from zombie attacks. At first the owner thinks this would be a good way to make some quick cash but soon his ladies are having to fight the living dead. ZOMBIES VS. STRIPPERS would be a perfect film for the drive-in era because it gives us a great title but the film itself can't back it up. I think there are quite a few good things going on here including non-stop gore and violence as well as plenty of naked, pretty ladies kicking butt but the biggest flaw is that it's really not all that fun. With a film like this you really shouldn't have to do much but somehow the story just never works and it's just not good enough to where it grabs your attention and holds it. Without the start and end credits this thing only runs 68-minutes and there are many sequences that just get dragged out for no reason. It's clear that the writers weren't sure what to do and especially during the first thirty-minutes as things really do get dragged out. Once the gore and violence does start things pick up but by this time it's a little too late and this stuff still isn't fun enough to save everything. The performances are what you'd expect but I thought for the most part the actors did just fine. The gore effects for the most part look extremely good and there's no question that there's plenty of the red stuff to go around. In the end, ZOMBIES VS. STRIPPERS is worth viewing for "Z" movie fans but there's no question that it should have been much better.

I picked up some DVDS from a local pawn shop this afternoon and got a "Midnight Horror collection" 4 in 1 DVD set of Full Moon films. This is one of them.

A gentleman's club on a bad side of town isn't getting much business. The few customers that they do have are basically lifeless. The club owner "Spider" decides to sell out and shut down the club. Tonight is going to be a party for the staff.

A cash paying customer "Spike" walks through the door with 16k that he stole from another bar. Spider and crew decide to entertain Spike. If they can get his money, they can save the club and their jobs.

After Spike shows up, more people show up and the trouble begins as the strippers must fight off the zombies.

This is pretty much standard Full Moon fare.

I watched it with a group of friends and that's how I recommend others see it. It's just so bizarre that this film exists, like why? It's got terrible production values and it's not taking itself to seriously and that makes it great as for all it's self awareness it has moments of unintentional humour. I wish I watched it drunk and I mean that in the best way possible.