Let me start by saying I've been working on this review since I received my first trash pack from the boys a year ago. In just one year they put out 6 tapes,3 DVDs and a cassette soundtrack. 3 of the 6 tapes were Trashmonger originals made in house. 2 were mix tapes and one was the first in a planned series of Carl j Sukenicks films.
Now,I'm a DVD and blu Ray collector. My tape collecting is limited to the occasional find at goodwill, But I have a vcr,and I love sov films more than anything. So when I saw Scrapbook Of Blood being sold in the SOV Facebook group for a mere $15 for the vhs/DVD combo shipped to my house I jumped on it. And trust me when I say that was one of the greatest decisions of my life. SOB is an anthology film featuring 3 short films loaded with dark humor,gore and plenty of head scratching moments. The thing that drew me most into it was the feel. If you didn't know better you would swear this came from the golden age. The cover art is one of the greatest on my shelves and the cassette soundtrack is often in my tape deck. The best part,it is 107 minutes long. Yes. Nearly 2 hours of entertainment on one tape. They didn't take the easy way out and skimp on anything with this film. And it shows. The original run of numbered tapes (mine were both #11) and DVDs are long gone,but you can get a non limited run of tapes and DVDs with different artwork direct from the boys.
Next up came anal log. A 48 minute mixtape about...well...to be honest after a dozen views I'm not sure. At times you can sense underlying themes but it's a lot of head scratching and confusion. And somehow it's done in a way that you're never bored. 48 minutes is up before you know it and you're left syncing the film up in your memory trying to piece it together like a fucked up Rubik's cube. Maybe that was their plan all along. This one was limited to 25 tapes only (mine is #5) and came signed by the lads on a picture of one of there mothers from 1990. You read that right. This one is also long out of print with no mention of a repress in sight,so if you ever happen upon it-get it.
Next up we have Mutant Detector 1000 from Carl j sukenicks Mutant Zone. To be honest,I've never understood the appeal of this guy. Sure,he came across as mentally unstable and his movies were beyond awful,but aside from that I didn't get it. But MD1000 showed me that maybe not getting it is exactly how you get him. I've since looked into more of his past work and enjoyed it more than I thought. MD1000 is an exercise in sci fi ,horror,black comedy,tin foil and creative genius. Clocking in at 75 minutes long you are beaten senseless by terrible creatures,stumbled dialog and surprisingly decent gore for a film of this caliber. It's Carl sukenick,what do you expect. This was limited to 50 tapes only (mine is #9) and is long sold out,becoming a theme isn't it?
The trash lads announced the follow up to SOB would be titled Demonator 4,another anthology film. They shot the shorts for D4 and realized one was a bit too long and didn't fit the vibe of the film,so the second vhs/DVD release was born in the form of Fine Housekeep. Fine Housekeep relies solely on the strength of its score and visual imagery to relay it's message. A husband in wife at home,plagued by visions. This is,in my opinion the weirdest movie they released. 57 minutes of gore,shaving cream,pitchforks in the chest,the whole nine yards. I adore this for what it is and have watched it many times now. It takes the creative impact the gang has and proves that even without speaking they can entertain and amaze. 50 copies were made of the tape,mine is #5. Sold out? Amazingly not quite!
Following up Fine Housekeep was another Mixtape, Devil Dogs From The Year 2000. 66.6 minutes of life in 1999 with Armageddon fast approaching. Much like Anal Log,the lads gave us another head scratcher. But incredibly enjoyable at the same time. Another limited to 25 (mines yet again #5) vhs only that is indeed sold out.
Last,but certainly not least we have the follow up to scrapbook of blood,the almighty Demonator 4. Demonator 4 refers to a gang of spooks telling a tale between the shorts. It's all interconnected,and when played right after scrapbook it brings 81 MORE minutes of joy. Demonator 4 is a lot more light hearted feeling,whereas with scrapbook you could tell they wanted every aspect and detail to be perfect. The fun they had making this transfers through to the screen wonderfully. D4 is my second favorite Trashmonger release behind scrapbook and I've yet to watch one without watching the other. Some copies still remain! 50 tapes were released (mine is #6).
Definitely the stars of my meager vhs collection.
A couple other things I wanted to touch on we're that every aspect of their releases are done in house. And they don't charge an arm and a leg for the finished products like some vhs companies,they do this for the love of it and respect for the genre.
And the scores. Holy shit,on top of being creative filmmakers they're also incredibly talented musicians. I don't understand how they so easily and perfectly capture the 1980's in every aspect but I'm not complaining.
But my favorite thing about Trashmonger? It's the little thank you note they throw in every box. That little gesture reaffirms you're supporting the good guys and they genuinely give a shit about you for it. They even sent me a Christmas card last year!
I am a Trashmonger completist owning all mentioned original run vhs and DVD and the cassette soundtrack and I will always give them my business no matter what they put out because I know It's going to be great.
Speaking of what's next,they just announced another Carl sukenick vhs with 2 shorts and they are in production on the follow up to Demonator 4 entitled Mondo Absurdo. Little details have been divulged about it yet,but I can only dream. They're also preparing cassette soundtracks for fine Housekeep and Demonator 4. One day pressing vinyl would be spectacular for the caliber of music the movies have.
The only way to get ahold of the boys is on Facebook. Just search Trashmonger Video and let your world be enriched and you happier as a result.
