Chaos Unleashed in Indie Horror

Read Time:4 Minute, 36 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Lycan Colony
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2006, 2023 Visual Vengeance Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Rob Roy
Writer(s): Rob Roy
Cast: Kadrolsha Ona Carole, Bill Sykes, Kristi Lynn, Steve Pascucci, Libby Collins
Where To Watch: available October 24, 2023; pre-order here www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Travel with me, if you will, to LYCAN COLONY. The journey feels like unlocking Pandora's box of indie filmmaking, where every norm is broken and shattered. It's not merely a detour from the conventional B-movie path; it's a headlong plunge into a realm where the bewildering and the captivating bizarrely coalesce. The film is one of those that may be so bad that it's good. However, that is primarily due to a RiffTrax being featured as an extra on the disc that amplifies the absurdity, embracing the film's offbeat allure and immortalizing its place in the hearts of those who cherish cinema's more eccentric takes. (that alone is probably worth the extra half-star.)

This enigma, reminiscent of a scavenger hunt through a video store's most obscure section, catapults its audience into a world of werewolves, dark family histories, and so many visual surprises you won’t know what to expect next. The brainchild of the multifaceted Rob Roy (I kid you not, this guy did nearly every production role on this film,) LYCAN COLONY offers a narrative as cryptic as a riddle, peppered with performances that oscillate between the hilarious and the downright confounding — the standout being Kristi Lynn, whose portrayal teeters on the edge of the surreal, she’s so over the top that you can’t help but be entertained.

LYCAN COLONY is different from your run-of-the-mill low-budget flick. It's a spectacle of grassroots cinema, projecting the feel of a high school film project's raw essence onto your home screen. The concoction of its components forms a mosaic of charm, with scenes eliciting more chuckles than chills and special effects that baffle in their crudeness (even for the early 2000s.) Amidst its identity crisis — veering between horror and humor — the audience is entangled in a spectacle that defies categorization.

Despite its perplexities, LYCAN COLONY holds a strange kind of allure. Lynn's Athena is a character enveloped in an aura of mystique, her performance contributing to the film's disjointed rhythm. The film's CGI, a spectacle in itself for all the wrong reasons, further accentuates its homemade charm. This feels like something you could make in CapCut on the phone now, but for the time, it had to be an actual passion project for Roy.

In a twist as unconventional as the film, Visual Vengeance, a sister company to Wild Eye Releasing, has curated an immersive package for those bewitched by the movie's oddities. This stellar physical release aligns with what I’ve already grown to expect, with great artwork, a slipcover, and so much more; this one even included an extra surprise bonus you can take with you on the go.

LYCAN COLONY is a narrative jigsaw puzzle that filmmakers, both novice and experienced, can study, dissect, and even cherish for its audacious spirit. It's a testament to the indie domain's turbulent landscape, where passion and vision often clash with stark practicalities.

In its fearless foray into the shadows of humanity, LYCAN COLONY carves its niche in the annals of cult cinema. Its flaws are as glaring as its ambition is palpable, compelling viewers to embrace its chaos. Its legacy, whether as a cautionary tale or cult phenomenon, remains indelibly inscribed in the chronicles of filmmaking — a monument to the indomitable spirit of creativity, even when it veers off the beaten path.

Bonus Materials
– All Region Blu-ray
– Limited Edition Slipcase – FIRST PRESSING ONLY
– Limited Edition 'New Hampshire Forest Scent' Air Freshener – FIRST PRESSING ONLY
– Commentary with director Rob Roy
– Commentary with Sam Panico of B&S About Movies and Bill Van Ryn of Drive-In Asylum
– New 2022 Interview with Director Rob Roy
– The full Rifftrax version of Lycan Colony
– Blooper Reel
– Lycan Colony Music Video
– Original Trailer
– Visual Vengeance Trailers
– Four-page liner notes/ essay by Sam Panico
– Collectible Folded mini-poster
– ‘Stick your own’ VHS sticker set
– Reversible Blu-ray sleeve
– Optional English subtitles

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[photo courtesy of VISUAL VENGEANCE, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

MY SAG-AFTRA STRIKE STATEMENT:
As an advocate for creators, actors, and writers, I firmly stand with SAG-AFTRA in their current strike. The entertainment industry is built on these individuals' extraordinary talents, and their contributions must be appropriately recognized and rewarded. They deserve fair compensation, sensible work hours, and respect for their creative rights. I believe in the power of unity and collective action, and I'm steadfast in my support for their fight for better working conditions and fair remuneration. Together, we can shape a more equitable future in the entertainment world.

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