The Merits of Sin…The Book Spook du Jour alum and oddball cinema connoisseur Brennan Dortch has published his first book, which is a mighty doozy mind you, and so I figured it would behoove me to say a few words: There’s a shit ton of heart and a severe lack of narrative control which is … More The Merits of Sin…The Book
Mexico’s legendary Headless Rider returns and this time there’s many a dangerous secrets spelling out trouble with a capital T. A tight knit group of soldiers who once served under General Villa are called to their comrades home by his doctor. There they get sworn to an oath of protection by their dying friend. He … More Forgotten Nightmares: The Head of Pancho Villa (1957) (Mexico)
A foolish foursome of curious vacationers sneak their way into a Haitian voodoo ceremony and are completely enamored with the idol at the center of whatever ritual is going down. Because they are entitled pricks, they sneak back when the coast is clear and steal the reptilian statue. They are spotted by the high priest … More The Merits of Sin: Curse of the Doll People (1961) (Mexico)
Belzebuth (2017) (Mexico) ***1/2 Shudder: Damn fine Satanic panic horror flick from Mexico lets ya know it’s not fucking around from its opening scene and proceeds to get goofier as it goes on (No. This is not a complaint). Child massacres, an excommunicated priest, an American Paranormal Forensics agent (ok) and a grieving police Lieutenant … More Two From Mexico: Belzebuth (2017) Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
An elderly satanist passes away peacefully and leaves her mansion to her only surviving relative, a nephew in New York. Tony and his wife fly to Mexico to move into their new home. A new job and a pregnancy soon follow. However, the joy won’t be lasting that long because whilst looking around the house, … More The Merits of Sin: Herencia Diabolica (1993) (Mexico)
Irina is a lovely young school teacher with one major problem that’s about to cause another, more life threatening problem. Roberto Cervantes is her scuzzy pony tailed husband. He wants a divorce and she wants her father’s company back. He slimed his way into getting his hands on it and through greed and corruption has … More The Merits of Sin: The Demon Rat (1992) (Mexico)
Oh my wowie zowie! The legendary El Santo may never submit in the ring but you’ll be begging for your mummy by the time the credits role!…I’m sorry. I’ve been reading back issues of Famous Monsters of Filmland and felt like I needed to get this out before my head exploded into a beautiful shower … More The Merits of Sin: Santo in Vengeance of the Mummy (1971) (Mexico)
We’ve all been there, you wake up in a panic at six in the morning with only a foggy recollection of what went down the night before. When you reach over to your trusty nightstand, the sick realization hits that you are not in the womb like comfort of your own bedroom. Gazing at the … More The Merits of Sin: Violador Infernal aka The Infernal Rapist (1988) (Mexico)
Another winner from south of the border successfully combines police work, mad science and wrestling and even throws in a delightful monster for good measure. Some of Mexico’s finest athletes are dropping dead. Making matters worse, their bodies are being snatched from their final resting place within a couple of days. Confusion plagues the Mexico … More Forgotten Nightmares: Ladrón de Cadáveres aka The Body Snatcher (1957) (Mexico)
I sucked at Spanish in highschool. I’m not much better at it now. My limited grasp on the language comes from a want to not sound like a complete asshole while ordering food. Delicious food. Beyond my half assed attempts to impress the waitresses at hundreds of different Mexican restaurants all over … More The Merits of Sin (Poetically Waxed Special): Santo and Blue Demon Against the Monsters (1970) (Mexico)
Spook du jour 