"Fetish Dolls Die Laughing" DVD (director: David Silvio)

A pretty tame and uninteresting horror/crime drama here, and one that goes for a shock value yet fails miserably. Take one part Jason Alexander (George on "Seinfeld") and one part Danny DeVito, and make him a lo-rent foot-fetishist-slash-tickle killer. Then, make him possessed by a demonic "Tickle Monster", and send an attractive female detective to capture him.

 Sure, I get some H.G. Lewis and Russ Meyer-esque trash cinema references within "Fetish Dolls", but the gore and sex are sorely under-represented, and the characters are quite wooden and silly. I became bored and found this one a challenge to sit through. (World Wide Multi Media)

"Footsteps" DVD (director: E.H. Evans)

This British indie film introduces Nicholas Bool as Andrew -- a troubled, alienated, apathetic, and nihilistic young man who, after a series of life setbacks, finds himself involved in an underground ring of violent murder video filmmaking. "Footsteps" is reasonably well-done visually, but very quiet, bringing the disturbing elements more to the fore.

However, as a viewer, I fail to empathize for Andrew due to his virtually catatonic personality. Sure, the wooden performance was likely intended to illustrate the character's withdrawal from conventional society, but I could not connect enough to care. To it's credit, "Footsteps" brings plenty of gory knife-fight scenes, but still, this one doesn't quite make it. (Unearthed Films)

Bert Jansch - "Sweet Sweet Music" CD

If you're a fan of acoustic guitar and have never heard of Scottish guitar legend Jansch, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 67, do yourself a favor and investigate. Heralded by legends like Neil Young, Jimmy Page, and Johnny Marr, Jansch was often called the "Jimi Hendrix of the folk world". His intricate, delicate, and emotive finger-picking style was a huge influence on the aforementioned, as well as folkies like Nick Drake, Donovan, and later artists like Mazzy Star or Devendra Banhart.

 "Sweet Sweet Music" is a well-recorded live performance from 2006, with Jansch accompanying himself in front of an appreciative crowd in Sheffield, England. Tracks like "Blues Run The Game" are heartfelt, gentle, and warm, and everything here sounds downright contemporary and, somehow, very English. While this may not be the finest introduction to Jansch's wonderful and lively music, it is a beautiful document nonetheless. (Secret Records) Janschspace

Hangmen - "East Of Western" CD

Now counting former Supersuckers guitarist Ron Heathman amongst their ranks, this Los Angeles quartet raises the bar with "East Of Western". Opening with the driving freight train garage punk of "Homesick Blues", the band moves swiftly into the Gun Cub-styled swamp blues of "I'm Your Man". "Had A Girl" is a rough-and-tumble ballad that works, too. In fact, this whole album -- 10 songs, are all expertly paced rockers -- with the ideal amount of grit and dirt, yet with enough melody and spark to remain interesting and accessible. A grand album from a band at their peak. (Acetate Records) Hangmenspace Hangmenbook

"Season In Hell: Evil Farmhouse Torture" DVD (director: Elliot Passantino)

This low-rent "Texas Chainsaw" knock-off has so little going for it. Where do I begin? The goofy redneck farmer is reminiscent of a mix between Billy Bob Thornton in "Swingblade" and Larry The Cable Guy. But his accent comes and goes. And the overwhelming (and overbearing) use of digital effects is annoying, perhaps covering up some bigger mistakes in the filming.

The acting is terrible, the plot barely exists, the characters lack any depth, and, with the over-reliance on psychedelic effects, "Season In Hell" is a truly tedious experience. I could go on. Even the tortured girls in the basement are annoying, and, dare I say, deserve what they get. I could barely get through this one. (World Wide Multi Media)

"An Unholy Exorcism: The Devil Inside (aka "Chronicles Of An Exorcism")" DVD (director: NIck G. Miller)

I don't like to be too critical of small-time indie films, but this one was tough to sit through. Why filmmakers (big or small) emulate past films (and ones of repute, even more bafflingly) is beyond me. Exorcism films, like shark attack films, have a huge legacy to live up to. "An Unholy Exorcism" comes across like a shallow, illegitimate, and amateurish simulation of the classic William Friedkin film, with a splash of "The Blair Witch Project". Call this one "The Linda Blair Witch Project", perhaps.

 You already know the story. Experienced priests are called in to "rescue" a poor girl from a demonic possession. This one's in an abandoned shack in a cornfield. And there's a local priest who's skeptical of the exorcist's motives. Shot in rough, grainy, faux documentary-style, this one hides behind the hackneyed camerawork, inane script, and virtually nonexistent effects. This is a silly film that isn't worth pursuing. (WWMM)

"Indemnity: Rage Of A Jealous Vampire" DVD (director: David Dietz)

This short (60 minute) micro-indie film has some fair scripting and acting, but it never quite gets off the ground. Produced by, directed by, and starring David Dietz, this is a tale of a man being relentlessly pursued by an ex-lover, who coincidentally is a murderous, bloodthirsty vampire. The man holes up in a bar, where he encounters the town bullies and a wise bartender, who exposes his own story.

Suffice to say, "Indemnity" tries to be twisty and unpredictable, but doesn't hit the mark well enough. The sex and blood are even sparse to nonexistent. I have to say, I lost interest quickly. At least it was mercifully brief! And to add to the woes, my copy (a professionally-duplicated DVDR), had several digital glitches and moments of poor color and video quality. Sadly, this is one to avoid on all counts. (WWMM)