October Horror Movie Challenge - Terrifier 2 (2022)

Plot

A mysterious force resurrects the Miles County Killer aka Art the Clown for sinister reasons, which bring him into conflict with high schooler Siena and her little brother Jonathon. What connection do the siblings have to Art? Will they survive Halloween night?

Review

This film has a limited release this weekend and I was fortunate enough to watch it last night with one of my best friends and fellow horror fanatic, Chelsea. Like the first film, Terrifier 2 is gory, gross, gratuitous, and mean. The sequel really takes this to new heights (or lows based on your opinion). Everything is excessive, including the run time. The first film was a tight 90 or so minutes with credits. The sequel adds an hour to that. While I think you could have cut one of the protagonists friend's and scenes related to her from the film and the story would have flowed just as well, I wasn't bored at any point in the movie (and the friend's demise is one of the nastiest and coolest looking in the film).

The cast is spectacular. David Howard Thornton returns as Art and is even more menacing in this one. He is also disturbingly funny. I found myself belly laughing at some of his reactions and scenes. He does so much with zero dialogue. Protagonist Siena is played by Lauren LaVera and she's one of my new favorite final girls. She's artist and cosplays. She's cute, thoughtful, and badass. Her portrayal seems very genuine and she seems like she cares about her little brother, played by Elliot Fullam. Speaking of which, he does a great job as the seemingly troubled Jonathan. Young actress Georgia MacPhail  is another new breakout star in this one. Her character is never named in the film, but trust me, you won't forget her once you see her. Samantha Scaffidi returns as Victoria. I won't go into much of her scenes in the movie, but lets say I didn't expect them. Sleepaway Camp's Felicia Rose has a small role as Jonathan's principle. Finally, wrestler Chris Jericho is in a mid credits scene. 

Writer/director/editor Damien Leone crafted a fantastic piece of film. The pacing is good and I don't know that I've ever watch a movie that had me amused/laughing and unnerved  throughout the entire picture. The prosthetics, animatronics, and practical effects he and his team created are unmatched.  Again, excess is the norm in this, but it's so well crafted. Also the music is *chef's kiss* and while the film is set in in 2017-2018, it makes it feel like an 80's slasher in all the right ways.

The story/plot raises many questions. There's a lot of things that happen and seem to be connected, but aren't really explained. This doesn't bother me, because I know Damien will make another that expands the lore, the questions prompted a great discussion on the ride home with Chelsea, and finally sometimes I can just enjoy something without know all of the inns and outs. 

If you can't tell, I thoroughly loved this flick. If you are a fan of the first, you should definitely check it out. That being said, this definitely isn't for everyone and that's okay. If you don't want something super brutal and blood that will make you whisper "oh fuck no" at the screen, then this one probably isn't for you.

In Your Game

I've shared stats for Art a few times, You can find them below:

• SURVIVE THIS!! 
• Dungeons & Dragons 5e
• Vampire the Masquerade (older versions)
• Hack the RPG

New Movies: 9

Others Horror Movies Watched Since Last Post: 

Challenge Total: 18

All Hallows' Eve (2012)

Synopsis: In this horror anthology, babysitter, Sarah, and the kids she's looking after decide to watch a strange video tape found in one of the trick-or-treat bags. The tape features three stories which are all connected by the presence of the horrific Art the Clown. The first involves a woman kidnapped and subjected to demonic birth rites, the second involves alien home invaders, and the final features Art stalking a college student. 

The Good: The robed monsters in the first feature look like a great mashup of Full Moon Features vampires and Creepypasta. The alien segment was creepy. I think the final segment is the strongest. It really felt like a throwback slasher.

The Bad: While I enjoyed them, the clips kind of frustrated me too. I'm used to slasher victims making stupid choices and dying for them. However, if they do actually make some good ones, I like them to be rewarded. While not everything done by the characters in the film is great, there are some definite smart moves that don't play out. The film doesn't have a high budget and the costumes kind of show that.

Final Thoughts: Like many recent flicks I've watched, I checked this one out because it was on Tubi. I also watched it because I watched Art the Clown's solo film, Terrifier, last Halloween. I enjoyed All Hallows' Eve, but unlike some horror anthologies I don't see myself watching this one again.

In Your Game:

Art is some sort of supernatural creature, though I don't know what kind. Since, I've been doing old school World of Darkness posts, to go with something strange. My version of Art is an independent Baali ghoul. He doesn't have a direct vampiric master and serves darker, infernal masters that make sure he's supplied with vitae.

Art the Clown

Attribute: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 5, Charisma 1, Manipulation 1, Appearance 1, Perception 5, Intelligence 3, Wits 4

Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -2, -5, Incapacitated

Attack: Bladed Lash - 8 dice, Difficulty 6 (Str+3 damage),  Glock 17 - 7 dice, (5 damage)

Abilities: Brawl 3, Firearms 4, Melee 5, Stealth 5

Disciplines: Celerity 1, Daimoinon 2, Fortitude 2, Obfuscate 2, Potence 2

Blood Pool: 5 

Willpower: 8

Axe Giant: The Wrath of Paul Bunyan (2013)

Synopsis: A group of offenders in their late teens/early 20's are chosen to be a part of a special program to avoid jail time. They must do a week long woodland retreat including therapy sessions and arduous physical activity. While hiking on of the youths finds a large horned skull and takes a horn from it as a souvenir. Unfortunately the skull belonged to Paul Bunyan's beloved Babe. Now the giant, who's still very much alive, wants revenge for the defilement of his beloved companion's grave. 

The Good: Taking a tall tale like Paul Bunyan and giving it a horror twist is a really clever idea. He looks cool too. He's basically a giant version of Victor Crowley from Hatchet.

The Bad: The acting is hella bad as is the CGI. Some of the kills look ridiculous (see below) and Babe the Blue Ox looked extra weird.

Final Thoughts: Much like Clown Town, I decided to watch this because it is currently free on Tubi. It's a one time and never again kind of movie. I watched it and don't regret that, but I don't have any desire to watch it ever gain.

In Your Game: Pual Bunyan would make an interesting adversary for a World of Darkness game. Is he a giant formori or just a human aberration. I tend to prefer the last. Imagine what happens if for some reason a pack of Gangrel run into him. It probably wouldn't end well for the Gangrel.

Paul Bunyan

Attribute: Strength 10, Dexterity 3, Stamina 6, Charisma 1, Manipulation 1, Appearance 0, Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 1

Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, -1, -1, -1, -1,-2, -2, -2, -2, -3, -3, -5, Incapacitated

Attack: Giant Axe - 8 dice (Str+6 lethal damage)

Abilities: Brawl 5, Melee 5, Survival 5

Special: If Paul does 4 or more levels of damage in an attack he severs a limb with his mighty axe.

Willpower: 8

Clown Town (2016)

Synopsis: Four friends stop in a small town to pick up a lost phone while on the way to a concert and find themselves stranded and stalked by killer clowns.

The Good: The film has an interesting premise and killer clowns should be scary. The protagonists are likable enough. Also the movie takes place in my neck of the backwoods (southern Ohio) and mentions Columbus. That won't mean much to most, but makes me smile.

The Bad: This isn't a good movie by any stretch of the word. The dialogue is cheesy and the scares are almost non-existent. Also towards the end their's a plot twist that is kind of wasted.

Final Thoughts: I watched this one because I remember thinking the trailer looked interesting when I saw it a while back and it's currently free to watch on Tubi. Honestly, it wasn't awful, just kind of mediocre. I don't regret watching it and probably won't ever watch it again, but I did get some game-worthy ideas, so there's that. 

In Your Game: Homicidal clowns sound like a nice diversion for some neonate vampires. I could even see a nasty Malkavian or a Baali having one ghouled. 

Killer Clown

Attribute: Strength 3, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3, Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 3

Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -2, -5, Incapacitated

Attack: Large Blade - 6 dice (Str+2 lethal damage)

Abilities: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Dodge 4, Intimidation 5, Repair 2, Streetwise 2, Drive 2, Melee 3, Survival 1

Willpower: 6

If Ghouled

Disciplines: Potence 1, Fortitude 1

Blood Pool: 2

Happy 75th Birthday Danny Trejo!

Today is Danny Trejo's 75th birthday. He's one of my all time favorites and seems to be a genuinely awesome dude.  I thought I'd stat out a few of his characters. I went with Machete (old school World of Darkness) and Frank Vega (SURVIVE THIS!!).  Statting him as a vampire, as seen in the From Dusk Til Dawn flicks and more recently What We Do In The Shadows, would have made more sense for the World of Darkness stats, but I wanted Machete.

Isadore "Machete" Cortez

Attribute: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5, Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 4

Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, -1, -1, -1, -2, -2, -2, -3, -3, -5, Incapacitated

Attack: Machete - 10 dice (Str+2 lethal damage)

Abilities: Athletics 4, Brawl 5, Dodge 5, Intimidation 5, Streetwise 4, Drive 3, Firearms 2, Melee 5, Stealth 4, Survival 3, Investigation 3, Law 3, Medicine 1, Occult 1

Special: Machete is immune to Delirium.

Willpower: 8

The ex-federale known as Machete is a legend among kine, garou, and kindred. He protects the disenfranchised and often works with the immigrant support group, The Network. He is deadly with a blade and even kindred know not to piss him off.

Frank Vega
Armor Class: 12
Hit Dice/Points: 5 (30 HP)
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack: Unarmed (d3)
Special: Knockout Punch (if Frank rolls a natural 20 against an opponent with 3 HD or less, they are knocked unconscious).
Bonuses: +3 to all Saving Throws, +5 to Melee attacks, + to Ranged attacks, +3 to Melee damage, +2 to Initiative, +4 to Intimidation, +2 to Investigation, +3 to Toughness
Morale: 8
Terror: -
HDE: 5

Frank Vega was a Vietnam vet trying to live a normal life, when his bad ass beat down of a couple of skinheads went viral. Around the same time, his best friend (and fellow vet) Klondike was killed and Frank found himself wrapped up in criminal and political intrigue. He had a few adventures after that with former hockey player, Bernie Pope.  The pair have begun helping those that can't be helped with the funding of their new wealthy friend, Earl.

Rejoining the Masquerade

Recently I have had a desire to run a vampire game. I have Vampire: The Requiem and Blood Dark Blood Dark Thirst is a simple and elegant game design, but doesn't have the depth that I want. It's very similar to old school Vampire in concept, but gets rid of the all of the meta plot and clans and such. Thing is, I really liked all that stuff and it was part of the reason I loved old school Vampire so much. I think the rules are tighter in Vampire: The Requiem, but I'm not as big a fan of the lore.
Thirst.

Unfortunately for me I got rid of all of my old school World of Darkness books with my last move. I had so much stuff and I honestly figured I'd be okay playing a different game.

I was wrong.

So now while I'm not going crazy and just going out and buying everything, I've decided to slowly build my OG Vampire collection back up. The cool thing though is this time I am going to do more of my own thing and I know the rules pretty well so I'm just picking up cheap books here and there. From what I've read about the revisions to the newest edition, plus the drama surrounding it, I've just decided to stick to the older stuff.

For example for my core book I just bought a copy of Vampire: The Dark Ages off of Amazon. It was only 12 with shipping and has most of what I need. I also snagged the original Assamite clan book for 4 bucks on Ebay and found the Dark Ages Book of Storyteller's Secrets and Companion yesterday at the mall. I plan on running a modern chronicle, but there's a lot of stuff that I can pull from the Dark Age books.

Not sure when I'll actually get a game off the ground, but I think I'm going to try to get my Dark Places & Demogorgons crew to play. None of them have any World of Darkness experience, so it'll be new and fresh for them.