Welcome to Post Tromatic Shlock! This is the section of the site where we will occasionally look into films and other works that Troma stars have went on to make after their time in Tromaville. Up first, we'll be looking at The Ghouls, the new film from the Chad Ferrin writer/director of Unspeakable. The Ghouls will be released on video and DVD by Heretic Films in September 2004 The Ghouls stars Timothy Muskatell(who also was featured in Unspeakable) as Eric Hayes, a "stringer": one who videotapes various police chases, amubulance runs, and random street violence and sells their tapes to the highest bidders. After a falling out with a local news broadcaster(played by Joe Pilato of Day of the Dead), missing out on a big police chase, and unsuccessfully trying to reclaim his love interest(Unspeakable's Tina Birchfield), Hayes solves his problems with glass after glass of alcohol. On his way home, he sees a couple of bums who look like their about to rape a young woman. He follows them into an alley with his camera running, shocked to discover that they weren't bums at all, but flesh eating ghouls who have torn the woman apart. Narrowly escaping them, Eric flees to take the news office, only to discover in his drunken stupor, he had forgotten to put a tape in the camera. Determined to find out what he saw, he enlists the help of another stringer named Cliff(Terror Firmer's Trent Haaga). Each armed with a gun and their cameras, they head out into the streets to investigate and find out what these ghouls really are. But when Eric gets the footage he desires, he's also lead to realize what kind of horrible things he's documented and how dispicable he is by doing so. However, maybe he can use his talents for good by warning the public of what is lurking in their streets... if only he can get the footage. The Ghouls is a horror film that features a great cast, with many familiar faces to Troma fans. Besides the aforementioned cast members, James Gunn(writer of Tromeo & Juliet), Stephen Blackehart(Tromeo & Juliet and Rockabilly Vampire), and Tiffany Shepis(aka Super Tromette Bullimia of Troma's Edge TV) also appear in the film. Though being shot on MiniDV, it does not distract the viewer from the film and actually fits it better, due to the film regarding someone who videotapes violence. The gore and other special effects are top notch and there's not really too many negative aspects about the film. Definately recommended to not only Troma fans, but any horror fans looking for something new and creative. For more information regarding The Ghouls, including the trailer, visit www.crappyworldfilms.com. The Ghouls is currently seeking distribution, so hopefully a distributor will pick it up soon and make it availible for the horror crowd, which it certainly does appeal to.
Do you know of a film which should be covered here? Then please e-mail me!
If it bleeds... it leads.
