Blu Release – 4/5
Blood of the Chupacabras
Director – Jonathan Mumm (Revenge of the Chupacabras)
Starring – Dan Leis (Narc, Nail in my Coffin), Rachel Sense (Scratch), and Loran Taylor (A Bullet Over Fives, Revenge of the Chupacabras)
Release Date – 2003
Rating – 3/5
Tagline – “The legend is true”
I’ve always been a fan of cinema. I grew up in the video store renting movies like Space Jam, Heavyweights, Puppet Master, and any other VHS that caught my eye. When the 90s were ending and the 2000s were starting I reluctantly made the jump to DVD. I remember the first movies I ever bought on DVD were Sam Raimi’s Spider-man, Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Bruce Campbell vs The Army of Darkness, and Little Nicky. This was the turning point for me where I found myself favoring horror films over any other genre. This was also the time where I began finding indie horror flicks in big box stores.
I snagged several films from companies like Brain Damage Films and Pendulum Pictures. It was around this time that I saw some posts in a horror forum I often frequented talking about the indie horror film Bloodthirst: Legend of the Chupacabra. I never had the chance to see it, but it did peak my interest. Fast forward many years and news breaks that Wild Eye’s Visual Vengeance label was releasing the film under the title Blood of the Chupacabras on blu. I was quick to message them, and they were kind enough to send a copy over my way for review. Like always, I want to thank Wild Eye for supporting Horror Society and myself!
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a local reporter who finds herself investigating the mutilation of goats owned by a family nearby. She’s tired of doing these puff pieces and asks for something more important which she is granted. When a man is murdered outside a bar she is sent to report on it. Soon she uncovers the Latin legend of the Chupacabra, also known as the Mexican goat sucker, and how it has a deep history in the area that can be traced back to a nearby cave and a former professor who put a stop to a string of similar murders several decades before. **Spoiler Alert**
Blood of the Chupacabras is one of those films that is genuinely bad, but I had so much fucking fun with it. I loved the characters, the story that was all over the place, and CGI creature, and the horrible effects. It’s a low-quality film that has no business being as enjoyable as it is and I’m not ashamed at all to say I liked it. I know the horror hipsters that beat off to August Underground and A Serbian Film will comment that I was paid off with this review, but I wasn’t. I just like indie horror and this one was fun regardless of it’s short comings.
The acting in this one is surprisingly well done. There were a few scenes where the cast was a little too stiff and awkward but most of the movie was very relaxed and genuine. Everyone, for the most part, worked very well together which made the story a little easier to swallow. Honestly, I really liked the cast and it’s a bit a shame that I never saw them in anything else.
The story for this one has that mid-90s Sci-Fi Channel (before they rebranded) feel which is something I didn’t realize I liked. Most of the film follows a reporter trying to uncover the mystery behind a string of animal attacks and a handful of murders. We then have a cool angle featuring a professor hunting the beast and vampires. That’s right, a film about the Mexican Goat Sucker has fucking vampires. The movie is wild if you can look passed the no budget made for television look of the film.
Finally, the film has some make-up and practical effects that does match the films budget but the highlight of the film is the CGI Chupacabra. The film knew it’s limits and full embraced it. I fucking loved this shitty looking creature. Overall, Blood of the Chupacabras is a lot of fun and one I can’t wait to revisit with some edible and beer. This is the kind of movies I look forward to reviewing and I want to thank Visual Vengeance for giving this the love it deserves.
Revenge of the Chupacabras
Director – Jonathan Mumm (Blood of the Chupacabras)
Starring – Gary Agid (Smosh, Ant-Man and the Wasp), Brandon Atchison (Monsters of Destruction), and Jeff Baur
Release Date – 2005
Rating – 1/5
Tagline – It can smell your fear”
When Visual Vengeance announced the blu release of Blood of the Chupacabras I knew this was going to be a release that I had to see. The movie is one I was curious about for some time but I never found the time or drive to search the film out to order it. When I received it in the mail I was surprised to discover that the film actually included a sequel that I did not know existed as part of the special features.
Revenge of the Chupacabra was originally released in 2005 and though I was looking forward to checking out the first film. I was more than excited to see the sequel that had slipped through the cracks. Like always I want to thank Visual Vengeance for sending this one over for review.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a young woman that finds herself kidnapped by two professionals. In the same small town an elderly man escapes from an asylum after raving about a Chupacabra. The two stories collide when a bigger conspiracy is revealed about who is behind the kidnapping and a Chupacabra that is wreaking havoc on the organized criminals. **Spoiler Alert**
Revenge of the Chupacabra was not the film the first film was. In fact, the film was a complete mess from beginning to end. I went into this one immediately after watching the first film and found myself struggling to finish it. I know sequels are often tainted for not being as good as it’s predecessor, but this film was rough to finish which would explain why it was added to the special features instead of a double bill.
The acting in this one is similar to the first film except the characters are not as wonderfully cliched. The characters are a little better written and the cast has a bit more to work with. However, the film’s story is pulled in so many directions that you can’t really enjoy the cast and the characters they portray. Instead, we transition from one angle to another which really cuts down on the scene and the cast.
The story for this one is more like a cop drama with a little dark thriller tossed in but it feels like there is too many directions it’s trying to go. I don’t mind a horror film with layers but this one just feels like it was several ideas tossed together in hopes they would work together…which they don’t. The pacing is all wrong and the parts of the story that is interesting takes the backseat to the shitty ass abduction angle that is painfully predictable.
Finally, we get more horrible CGI but this time the charm has warn off after spending most of the film suffering through the half written story. We get some minor blood and that is about the extent of the practical effects. Overall, Revenge of the Chupacabra is a cool addition to an awesome release but the movie itself was not what I was expecting. Skip it.
Special Features:
Region Free Blu-ray
Archival 2003/ 2005 SD masters from original tapes
Blood of the Chupacabras:New Commentary with director Jonathan Mumm
Blood of the Chupacabras: Blooper Reel
Blood of the Chupacabras: The New York International Film and Video Festival (2002)
Blood of the Chupacabras: Breaking down the special effects
Blood of the Chupacabras: West Coast Premiere: The Crest Theater (2002)
BONUS Feature Film: Revenge of the Chupacabras (2005)
Revenge of the Chupacabras: New director commentary
Revenge of the Chupacabras: Archival behind the scenes documentary
Revenge of the Chupacabras: Fleshing Out The Monster effects featurette
Revenge of the Chupacabras: Blooper Reel
Revenge of the Chupacabras: Theatrical Premiere and cast/ crew Q&A
Super 8 short film: Professor Bloodgood
Visual Vengeance trailers
Two sided insert
English 2.0 Dolby digital
Optional English subtitles
Folded mini-poster
‘Stick your own’ video store sticker sheet
Reversible Sleeve
