SPLATTER BEACH (2007 dir Mark and John Polonia)

Camp Motion Pictures DVD

The Polonia Brothers are well known for their cheesy low budget horror outings like SPLATTER FARM (1987), FEEDERS (1996), DWELLER (2002), NIGHT THIRST (2002), PETER ROTTENTAIL (2004), etc. The B-movie making twins from Wellsboro, PA have struck again with the first in-house production for Pop Cinema's Camp Motion Pictures, SPLATTER BEACH.

SPLATTER BEACH is a throwback to old '50s science fiction/horror classics like CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and countless others. A nerdy journalism major named Rupert (David Fife) interested in investigating mysterious disappearances at a beach and stories about sea monster sightings around the area travels with his two friends Rodney and Tonya (Brice Kennedy and Erika Smith) out to the beach for a weekend getaway. While Rodney and Tonya are mostly interested in having a weekend filled with partying, music, and sex, Rupert tries to question as many local folks as possible about the strange sightings and disappearances. Local girl Tess (Erin Brown aka Misty Mundae) tries to warn beach partygoers about the monsters lurking around the area hungry for human flesh. They refuse to listen and dismiss her as a nutcase. Soon the bodies begin piling up as the scaly sea creatures emerge and their eggs hatch all over the place turning the beach into a slaughterhouse. The ignorant partygoers soon learn why the place is called "Splatter Beach." It's up to Rupert and Tess along with an idiotic, macho body builder named Duke (Ken VanSant) to save the day.

SPLATTER BEACH is, in my opinion, one of the Polonia Brothers' best movies. It's one of those fine "so bad it's good movies" for a Friday afternoon. From the cheesy monster designs to the even cheesier gore effects to the in-joke references to the over-the-top performances, it's definitely the perfect delight for any bad movie lover. The blue screen effects with the beach band and dancers placed over the film is also a nice addition to the "bad on purpose" feel the movie has. Also included is an in-joke reference to SPLATTER FARM as well as an appearance by Debbie Rochon in a kids' cereal commercial seen on television. Jon McBride (CANNIBAL CAMPOUT (1988) and WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE (1989)) did some of the music along with The Pink Delicates and Jon Greathouse. Matt Hundley handled the creature effects and Brett Piper was cinematographer.

The Camp Motion Pictures DVD of SPLATTER BEACH has been jam-packed with all kinds of goodies that are sure to keep you busy. First up, we get an audio commentary with Mark and John Polonia and actor Ken VanSant, a special profile on the Polonia's and their movies from Ken VanSant's Pennsylvania public access show "Round the Country," a behind-the-scenes featurette, an early unreleased Polonia movie entitled HALLUCINATIONS, music videos by The Pink Delicates and Jon McBride, a special profile on Mark Polonia's 12-year-old son Anthony and his short film LETHAL NIGHTMARE, deleted scenes, and a couple of fake television commercials made for the movie with Debbie Rochon, one is for "Ass Balm" and the other is for "Sugar Frosted Sugar." Also included in the package is a bonus CD soundtrack.

Love it or hate it, SPLATTER BEACH is definitely a film that was done with enthusiasm and love for B-movies. I cannot wait to see the Polonia's FOREST PRIMEVAL, which is coming from Tempe in February 2008. If it's anything like SPLATTER BEACH, I think we'll know what to expect. The Camp release of SPLATTER BEACH is definitely a must for cheese fanatics and fans of the Polonia's work.