Movie Dumpster

Jonathan Bender (Jason Horst), a boy mistreated and called "stupid" by his parents, is visited by Tinker (Mark Blankfield), an eccentric scientist and family friend. Tinker has developed a miraculous pill that increases brain power and memory, and as Johnathan's family have recently won the lottery, he approaches the boy's parents (Joseph Carafello and Catherine Battistone) for financial support. Eventually, Tinker ends up dying from the excruciating amount of knowledge he has absorbed. Afterwards, Jonathan ingests the prototype pill, using his astounding new intellect to gain power over his parents.Directed by Bryan Michael Stoller and written by Michael Kube-McDowell & Jule Selbo based on the short story "The Richest Man in Levittown" by  Frederik PohlOriginal airdate: October 12, 1986

This week on Ripe Reviews we’re ripping the spine out of Predator: Badlands (2025)–the latest entry from Dan Trachtenburg in the iconic sci-fi action franchise. Does this new chapter suffer from not being more like the classic Predator films, or does it actually benefit from its new Disney polish? Whether your opinion is that it's lost its grit, or gained a fresh identity, this review breaks down everything you need to know.

Happy Thanksgarbage, Dumpster Dwellers! Today we’re diving deep into Stage Fright (1987) — the cult-classic Italian slasher directed by Michele Soavi that’s loaded with atmosphere, practical gore, and one of the most iconic masks in ’80s horror. In this review + analysis, we cover everything you need to know before watching (or rewatching!) this criminally overlooked gem. Is this the best Italian slasher movie every made? Listen and find out!

Get ready for an in-depth conversation with legendary production designer Mick Strawn, known for shaping the look and feel of some of the most iconic horror and fantasy films of the last four decades. In this deep-dive conversation, Mick shares untold stories, creative secrets, and career-defining moments — including his experience working on the cult favorite Night of the Scarecrow (1995).

Libby (Loren Cedar) and her choir director fiancé Max (Brian Benben) notice that people keep dying in the presence of her younger sister Karen (Allison Sweeney). It become apparent that Karen can sense when people around her are about to die, and does so by placing her hands on their face and saying "goodbye" to them; however, they think she induces the fatalities, including her parents. In a mix of sorrow, anger, and fear, Libby and Max tell Karen to never say "goodbye" to anyone again, but when Karen ends up "saying goodbye" to Max, Libby takes drastic (and ultimately tragic) measures to solve the problem.Directed by John Strysik and written by Ann MacKenzie & Jule SelboOriginal airdate: October 5, 1986

Happy Halloween, Dumpster Dwellers! This week in the Video Dungeon we're digging deep into Night of the Scarecrow (1995), a forgotten ‘90s supernatural slasher that blends small-town revenge, gothic atmosphere, and a killer scarecrow. Directed by Jeff Burr (Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III), this lurid mid-90s horror film that blends rural myth, supernatural vengeance and plenty of practical effects. Buried by poor marketing and doomed to the annals of the Dumpster, is this killer scarecrow flick worth adding to your Halloween watchlist? Dr. Benny Graves of Rue Morgue and Analog Abattoir joins us to breakdown this Jeff Burr joint that's surprisingly not a sequel to an already established franchise!

Watch a brand new episode of  @RhondaShearTV  Up All Night on  @KingsofHorror  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wh5N8fkjog

Trick or Trash is back, boils and ghouls! This week in the Video Dungeon were diving into the VHS-era slash fest that time forgot: in this video we break down Hollow Gate, the low-budget 1988 horror that’s equal parts cheesy, creepy and campy. A group of friends heads out for a weekend getaway… only to run into a mentally unstable killer who really takes Halloween way too seriously. Cheap thrills, awkward dialogue, and of course fake blood — this one has everything you’d expect from a low-budget VHS-era gem. Whether you’re an 80s horror fanatic or just love digging up hidden gems, you’re in for an entertaining ride.

Dr. Niss (William Hickey) is the founder and ringmaster of the "Exhibition of Wonder", a twisted circus that showcases real-life monsters as its main attractions. Bragg (Kevin O'Connor), a cynical and skeptical newspaper columnist who specializes in debunking charlatans, investigates Niss' circus to prove that it is fake. When he sticks his nose where it does not belong, Bragg ends up becoming part of the troupe.Directed by Michael Gornick and written by George A. Romero & Sydney J. Bounds.Original airdate: September 28, 1986

Four weeks before Jurassic Park hit theaters, Roger Corman brought us his own dinosaur movie with 1993's Carnosaur. Tony from ‪@HackTheMovies‬ joins us in the Video Dungeon to talk about this New Horizon Pictures classic featuring special makeup and creature effects by John Carl Buechler and starring Laura Dern's mom! Featuring Dianne Ladd, Raphael Sbarge, and Jennifer Runyon, using a virus through chicken experimentation, Dr. Tiptree plans to turn the entire female human population into hosts for the true rulers of the Earth: dinosaurs. It's up to an environmentalist and anti-hero to go toe-to-claw with not only the mad scientist, but also the ever-evolving Deinonychus and even a massive T-Rex! So take a shot of re-agent and hop in a Bobcat, because we're about to do battle with Carnosaur!

This week in the Video Dungeon we're looking to the cosmos for a silver savior! SilverMan (2000) is one of the most obscure superhero movies you've probably never heard of — and today, we're diving deep into this strange, forgotten film. Starring Eugene Levy, Joe Pantoliano, and Daniel Baldwin, Silver Man blends drama, crime, and superhero tropes in the most unexpected ways. Is Silver Man the Fantastic hero we needed? Or is this flick a super suck fest? Hop on your silver surf board and let's fly through this Dumpster oddity!

This week in the Video Dungeon we're setting off the nuke to close out The Month of Action! We're diving into the gritty, neon-soaked New York chaos of Mutant Hunt — a low-budget 1987 sci-fi action flick packed with killer cyborgs, synth-heavy soundtracks, and all the practical effects madness you expect from vintage Empire Pictures! We break down the wild plot, over-the-top performances, and gloriously wild special effects that make Mutant Hunt a B-Movie cult classic. Whether you're a fan of low-budget sci-fi, retro action movies, or just love discovering so-bad-it’s-good gems, this video is for you. So, drop some Euphoron and take that ride with us into Wizard Video's last action-packed sci-fi splatter fest!

As the sun sets on our Summer of Lovecraft event for this year, the moon rises and gives shape to THE UNNAMABLE! In this double feature review, we delve into Jean-Paul Ouellette's cult Lovecraftian horror adaptations: The Unnamable (1988) and its sequel The Unnamable II: The Statement of Randolph Carter (1992). Based loosely on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, these films bring the mythos to life with a blend of Gothic atmosphere, practical creature effects, and campy 80s/90s horror charm. This review explores how Ouellette interprets Lovecraft’s eerie prose through the lens of low-budget indie horror, comparing the spooky, claustrophobic tension of the original with the more action-driven, lore-expanding sequel. We also examine the evolution of the creature Alyda Winthrop, the recurring role of Randolph Carter, and the films’ place in the larger legacy of Lovecraft cinema. Whether you’re a die-hard Mythos fan or a lover of old-school horror, this review uncovers what makes these lesser-known gems the BEST H.

Our SUMMER OF LOVECRAFT continues with Necronomicon: Book of the Dead (1993), an underrated horror anthology inspired by the chilling tales of H.P. Lovecraft. Directed by Brian Yuzna, Christophe Gans, and Shusuke Kaneko, this gore-filled gem is a must-watch for fans of practical effects and cosmic horror. Featuring three terrifying tales — The Drowned, The Cold, and Whispers — each more disturbing than the last. Whether you're a die-hard Lovecraft fan or just discovering this '90s horror oddity, this review covers everything you need to know—no ancient tome required!

Our SUMMER OF LOVECRAFT kicks off deep in the woods of Dunwich. The Necronomicon has been opened, and the the return of the old ones is imminent! Step into the eerie world of cosmic horror as we dive deep into The Dunwich Horror (1970), the cult classic adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s chilling tale. In this review, we explore the film’s psychedelic style, strange performances, and how it captures—or distorts—the essence of Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos.Starring Dean Stockwell, Sandra Dee, and Ed Begley, this supernatural thriller from American International Pictures takes you to a remote New England town haunted by ancient, otherworldly forces. But how well does Roger Corman's last Lovecraft film hold up over 50 years later?

This week in the Video Dungeon we're gathering the Dragon Pearls and summoning Shenlong! Looking for the weirdest Dragon Ball movie ever made? Join us as we dive into the bizarre, action-packed, and hilariously unauthorized world of Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins! This 1989 Taiwanese live-action adaptation takes Akira Toriyama’s beloved characters on a wild ride — with questionable wigs, off-brand names, and a ton of unintentional comedy. This film is a so-bad-it's-good cult classic from Taiwan that retells the Dragon Ball saga with over-the-top martial arts, and unforgettable costumes. Think Goku meets bootleg Power Rangers. Joining us is special guest, Jenna Fryer, all the way from planet Namek!

It's Mother's Day in the Video Dungeon once again! We're diving deep into the outrageous 1988 cult horror-comedy Flesh Eating Mothers. This forgotten gem of '80s low-budget horror delivers blood, guts, and twisted laughs in a way only vintage B-movies can. Whether you're a fan of grindhouse gore, cheesy practical effects, or just love obscure horror films, this review is for you!Flesh Eating Mothers is a bizarre tale of suburban moms turned cannibalistic after a mysterious STD-like virus spreads through the community. Think The Stuff meets Night of the Creeps—with a dash of satirical body horror. We’ll break down the plot, highlight the best (and worst) scenes, and discuss why this film deserves a spot on every horror buff's “so-bad-it’s-good” list. Happy Flesh Eating Mother's Day!

This week in the Video Dungeon, we're heading to the Great Tree to track some Unicorns! Come take a deep dive into the mystical world of Ridley Scott’s Legend – but not just any version – we’re talking about the Director’s Cut. With a darker tone, restored scenes, and a haunting score by Jerry Goldsmith, this cut brings new life to the cult classic starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and the unforgettable Tim Curry as Darkness. In this full movie review and analysis, we break down how this version transforms the story, characters, visuals, and score into a true fantasy epic. Tony from ‪Hack The Movies‬ joins our fellowship to restore the balance of light and dark! Is the director's cut of Legend the best version of Ridley Scott's cult classic?

This week we're sparking up that canon, hot-boxing the Video Dungeon, and blazing right into the hazy, hilarious world of Cheech and Chong's Nice Dreams — the third film from the legendary stoner duo! Pass it to the left as we break down this 1981 cult classic filled with talking iguanas, wild police chases, and a LOT of questionable decisions. Is this movie a trippy masterpiece or just a smokey mess? We’ll talk characters, plot (what there is of it!), the best laughs, how it stacks up against other Cheech & Chong flicks like Up in Smoke and Next Movie, and if this should have been their last movie. Wyatt from  @CinemaTripReviews  joins us for this session, and he brought the tied-stick!

This week in the Video Dungeon we're going full tilt Italian with an in-depth review of Night Killer (1990), a cult slasher film directed by the legendary Claudio Fragasso (Troll 2, Monster Dog) and Bruno Mattei (Robowar, Shocking Dark), and written by Rosella Drudi (Beyond Darkness, Zombi 3). We break down everything you need to know about this cheesy yet thrilling Italian horror flick that has become a guilty pleasure for genre fans worldwide! Released as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3 in Italy, this insane mash-up of A Nightmare on Elm Street meets Black Christmas on the set of Nightmare Beach will keep you guessing through its bizarre plot. Is it a Slasher? Is it a Giallo? Well... sort of! Christina Acevedo from Girls Like Horror Joins us to take down the maniacal masked killer stalking Virginia Beach!