The Ghouligans
What IS a Ghouligan anyway?
 How
do I describe the Ghouligans? Well, the DVD is a bunch of short episodes
done by a four guys from New York who call themselves the “Slack
Pack”. These vignettes feature the four classic monster legends.
There’s a twist here. This is set in the early 1960’s and
it’s a comedy. The four are trying to deal with the modern world.
Dracula seems to be the ring leader, Frankenstein has anger management
issues, the Zombie is really depressed, and the Werewolf is like Fonzie
hopped up on Red Bull. At first sight, it reminded me of “The Munsters”..the
black and white show with monsters contending with the human population.
However, the four groovy young guys seemed almost more like a monster
version of “The Monkees” at times. I wonder which one would
be Peter Tork?
This is a DVD you will either find hysterical or think is completely stupid.
I like to call it the “Napolean Dynamite” factor. There’s
no in between with it, people either loved it or hated it. You get it
or you don’t. For example, Dracula gets into an argument with some
children “trick or treating” because he gives them pennies
(that in itself I find funny). But then one of his comebacks is “Well,
I did your mother!” Then he retreats to the kitchen to hand them
out apples with razor blades in them. HA! Another episode has Frankenstein
as a professional golfer trying to work out his issues with rage. You’re
either going to find that really funny or really not!
Now, for the gore/special effects. Part of the charm of the Ghouligans
is the EXTREME low budget , independent nature of these shorts. The makeup
is so bad you can see the crease where Frankenstein’s fake head
begins and ends the entire time. One of the best scenes is when Dracula’s
fake fangs fall right out of his mouth  while
he is speaking. Frankenstein bends over, picks them up, and helps Dracula
put them back into his mouth. Obviously, that was not supposed to happen.
This could also be the video for you if you find Dracula selling used
cars fun…especially when the wipers are turned on and a “cat’
is stuck in there. The cat is obviously someone’s little sister’s
old stuffed animal. Personally, the low budget is what adds to the comedy.
Completely not gory, but fun.
I seriously think this would be a good find for some horror channel, and
I think it would garner a cult following, especially if a little more
money was invested into it. These guys do have talent and ambition to
make this work. If you have the $12, are into the monster legends, and
are looking for a comedy, then this is worth a look. If you’re waiting
for Saw 3, then this isn’t for you. You can order this at www.TheGhouligans.com
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Gore Rating = 1/2 |
Talk about the The
Ghouligans. |
