The Vinegar Syndrome label brings all sorts of cult classics, horror flicks, and exploitation gems to DVD and Blu-ray. By focusing on films outside of the mainstream, the company is able to showcase smaller works that are just as entertaining — if not even more so — than the blockbusters that Hollywood continually churns out. These five horror titles are low on budget but huge on thrills. Here’s the titles that now available, accompanied by their original theatrical trailers. A word of warning — some of these previews feature some violence and NSFW content. That said, take a look at these compelling cult offerings from Vinegar Syndrome, some including appearances from stars like Brad Pitt and George Kennedy:
Mike is always getting in the way of fun. His obsession with horror movies and their rules dictates that no matter where he goes, he can’t help but expect to find a monster lurking around every corner. But this time, his paranoia might be justified. After being invited to a remote lodge, along with some friends, Mike immediately begins to sense that something isn’t right, but none of his friends believe him. Unfortunately, they’re dead wrong, and a slimy alien frog monster has indeed landed in the nearby woods and set out to fulfill it’s mission of killing all human males and mating with females. Can Mike convince his friends that there IS something out there, before the men have their brains sucked out and the women are carrying green mutant fetuses? Craig Peck, Wendy Bednarz, and Mark Collver star.
At a secluded biochemical lab, which runs cruel tests on animals, a seemingly innocent looking cat has just escaped, but beneath it’s furry exterior, a terrifying monster has been seeded, emerging to brutally maim and kill anyone it finds threatening. Discovered by a group of teenage spring breakers and brought aboard a luxury yacht bound for the Cayman Islands, the cuddly fluff ball quickly begins gnawing away at the ship’s guests and crew. But to make matters even worse, it’s soon revealed that the cruise’s host, a renowned multimillionaire, is in fact on the run from the law and won’t return the boat to shore, killer mutant cat be damned! George Kennedy, Alex Cord, Clu Gulager star; directed by the great Greydon Clark.
Paula Carson’s (Jill Schoelen) high school experience couldn’t be better. Between being class president and dating her school’s star basketball player, Dwight (Brad Pitt), she seems to have everything she could ask for. But when mentally disturbed teenage murderer Brian Wood (Donovan Leitch) is released from an area asylum and rejoins his old classmates, it’s not long before students and teachers alike turn up missing, or are found murdered. While Dwight becomes convinced that Brian’s gone back to his violent ways, Paula can’t help but suspect that someone might be trying to set Brian up to carry out their own twisted plan.
Teenage runaway Bonnie (Candice Rialson) has escaped the clutches of her controlling brother, only to become immediately embroiled in a twisted web of sexual manipulation. Initially convinced to aid in a carjacking, Bonnie is then taken in by a lecherous lesbian artist who hopes to groom her into a sapphic lover, only to have her plans thwarted by the perverse advances of a local gallery owner whose bizarre proclivities include the keeping of an unusual assortment of ‘pets.’ Ed Bishop co-stars in this exploitation favorite.
Years ago, a madman escaped from an asylum, slashing his way through to freedom and continuing his bloody rampage at nearby Saint Trinian’s College. Now, years later, new teacher Julie Parker, begins to sense that something isn’t quite right at the small town college and it’s not long before her students and fellow faculty members begin disappearing or, worse yet, are found brutally butchered. Determined to uncover the truth behind the ongoing violence, Julie begins her own investigation, unaware that she’s putting herself at risk of becoming the ruthless murderer’s next target. Forbes Riley, Dick Biel star.