source: All About Evil

All About Evil is a joyous celebration of low budget horror cinema with Natasha Lyonne giving an entertaining go for broke performance as a psychotic, fame-hungry librarian who turns to murder to save a historic cinema. Great effects, a smart and sassy script, and a great lineup of actors.

After becoming the heir to a Grindhouse movie theater, an unhinged wannabe starlet finds success when the recording of a murder is accidentally played and becomes a success, prompting her to make more snuff films with the various patrons of the theater and using those around her as the victims. This one was a really enjoyable and entertaining effort. Most of the films' positives are certainly helped along by the fact that this one has such a different energy that it becomes all the more appealing as it goes on which is based solely on the campy approach taken by the material. While it's played more for laughs than anything, especially in the manner that the killer behaves towards the victims and in how the fans react, the whole concept of going through the motions of the success here is driven entirely by the accidental reveal of the security camera footage of the initial death and that being an absolute hit with patrons, which is definitely on the cheesier side. Even with the recruitment that goes on taking on her additional crew and the reaction of the patrons to watching everything unfold and not realizing what's going on, there's an incredibly fun time had throughout here. As well, there's a lot to really like once this one starts actually going through with filming the shorts for the exhibit. That the actual stalking is still a bit more suspenseful and played straight makes for some interesting times when she and her crew stalk individuals in the attic of the theater, the attack on the librarian inside the library, and the series of attacks in the theaters who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time to take part in the videos unexpectedly. This sets the stage for the massacre at the end where the premiere engagement makes for a great ending with plenty of fun action chasing everyone around the theater. As all of these allow for a mean streak with its kills so there's some fun to be had there, this one manages to come off quite nicely overall. There's not a whole lot to dislike with this one but it does have some minor problems. Among the main issues found in this one is the strangely unfocused story that tends to favor the camp at the expense of realistic behavior. Although this does incredibly well with the idea of using the people in the community for her projects unknowingly, the fact that the film doesn't really make a lot of sense when it comes to how the victims disappearing doesn't alert the authorities who have more of an interest in questioning the hero because of his love for Horror movies seems incredibly off-putting. There's a decided lack of genuine motivation to figure out what's going on to further that kind of commentary on genre fans which causes that utterly futile investigation, but beyond that, it's a bit more fun than expected. Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, and Nudity.

Really fun horror/splatter comedy from Joshua "Peaches Christ" Grannell. The repertory movie house setting is perfect, the cameos from genre favorites like Elvira are welcome, and the gore effects are out of this world. It's clear Grannell has much love and affection for the horror genre and it shows. This is a labor of love and a great midnight movie. Can't recommend enough for fans of slasher flicks and John Waters offbeat comedies.

I picked this up for two reasons, to see the fallen coming star Noah Segan in it, face it, he was to become big in the genre but somehow it all went wrong for him. Secondly for Cassandra Petersen we all know as Elvira. But if you don't know how she looks like in the real flesh then you wont recognise her. What a great opening credits this has. I'm sure that a lot of horror buffs will get a boner by only seeing the credits alone. But once they are over this flick falls a bit down in silliness. It never really becomes scary at all and all types shown are a bit exaggerated. The story itself is okay and the place it was shot if that is still in business that looks amazing too. But not all the acting was convincing. Cassandra did fine as did Natasha Lyonne as Deborah. But Noah failed a bit here laughing a bit with his own character. On part of the horror itself of course all elements are included like for example the old man running after a goth victim and tearing of her blouse so she can reveal tattoos and *. She's running around showing them in full glory for a while. The red stuff flies around sometimes and the killings itself are indeed full of the red stuff but there's no gore attached. I should not recommend it as a family horror flick because some scene's are maybe to explicit but it's fun to watch, nothing more nothing less. Gore 0,5/5 Nudity 0,5/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0,5/5

A group of friends and I Just saw this movie at the Seattle premiere last night and was easily held captive before the movie even started. Having never attended Peaches Christ's Midnight Mass, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. To my delight, this movie had comedy, suspense, and all of the blood you could wish for. Humor for all different tastes, from over the top acting to subtle references to the San Francisco drag scene. The writing is very true to the classic horror movies. And I must say, I'm a * for the gore. If it's showing in your city, I would recommend getting tickets in advance as it is sure to sell out.

All About Evil is nothing short of pure orgasmic bliss for connoisseurs of B-Movies, Horror Films, and John Waters fans. Upon leaving the world premiere, I overheard several declaring it "the best written film in years" and this more-often-than-not disappointed movie-goer has to agree. Forget the capitalistic-driven run-of-the-mill Hollywood machine movies of summer and DEMAND your local theater bring All About Evil. This is pure cinematic artwork at its peak. The ensemble of bizarre characters is played by an equally eccentric cast, including Mink Stole (Hairspray/Female Trouble/Pink Flamingos), Noah Segan (Still Green/Self-Medicated), Jack Donner (Star Trek) and Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) who once again shows us she is a very talented actress. It also includes a young cast who are definitely on their way to becoming major film players - Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Jade and Nikita Ramsey, Ariel Hart, and Ashley Fink. At the center of the film is the very talented Natasha Lyonne's who almost seems to channel Faye Dunnaway in Mommie Dearest and deliver a performance on par with Nicole Kidman in "To Die For". This performance is deserving of any and all acting awards. For those who have had the privilege of attending San Francisco's Midnight Mass with Peaches Christ, they will not be disappointed with this instant "cult classic" (as it has been called by several magazines and newspapers - less than a week after its world premier). Peaches Christ is a bona fide institution in San Francisco - honored by the Museum of Modern Art - and those unfamiliar can reveal in the mastermind behind this Diva, one Joshua Grannell. All About Evil is a film that will not be appreciated, or even seen, by mass audiences. But, like John Waters films, it was never intended to. This reviewer is excited to see what Writer/Director Grannell creates next!

I was fortunate enough to catch the 4-D All About Evil Experience in Milwaukee. Not only was the pre-show with Peaches Christ and Mink Stole a blast, but the film couldn't have been more enjoyable! There is a fine balance that Horror films of this genre run where the comedy and heightened acting can either be extremely entertaining and clever or completely immature and ridiculous. All About Evil definitely fell into the first camp and all of the performances were top notch for this style of film! I couldn't help but laughing constantly throughout the film even though parts of it got rather morbid. Secondly, clearly this film has its inspirations and in some respects it becomes a homage to many great filmmakers and genres. I have seen many homage genre films fall apart and become a complete waste of time due to the lack of ingenuity and a lack of understanding of the genre. Clearly Joshua has done his homework and delivered a skilled and well-crafted film that not only does the genre-filmmaking justice but brought much fun to the style. His film even has enough of his personal touch that All About Evil supersedes being just another homage film and stands well enough on it's own freakish legs as a new, great installment to horror films! Go check it out! It's a blast!

Hehehehe, oh gee what a fun time All About Evil is, for starters this movie has a dream cast for a film destined for a cult following, Natasha Lyonne is probably the coolest and looniest indie actress, Mink Stole is cult royalty and Cassandra Peterson, need I say more? That woman is beyond fab!!!! So yes anyway, this movie will appeal to all types, horror buffs, campy queens and indie fans. The story is as follows Deborah Tennis is an awkward and reserved librarian who also works at her fathers movie theatre, she one evening transforms into Deb-Or-A!!!! An alter ego with a murderous streak and a psychotic and diva like personality, Debora decides to make short films of real murders to play at her theatre which eventually turn the once floundering theatre into the hippest place in town, thus many horrific hilarious mishaps ensue. This really is a dream come true for a film buff, there's so many things that are great great great about it, mainly though the best part if the film is the cast, each person puts in a terrific performance, in particular Natasha who is truly bonkers as the villianess DEBORAH! Thomas Dekker is also a great leading man, he is slightly annoying in other things but he suits this kind of film a lot. The only thing I would want more of is The Gruesome Twosome, they are swell in many ways, but their characters are a little underused. So if you are in the slightest interested in All About Evil I would highly recommend getting the DVD, it's worth it!!!!! Lots of fun to be had! It's excellent in every way. :) long live filmmakers like Peaches Christ! Enjoy.

Writer/director Josh Grannell, aka horror hostess Peaches Christ, has created a comedic bloodfest artfully designed to become a camp classic. Grannell pays overt homage to some of his favorite filmmakers, notably John Waters and gore auteur Herschell Gordon Lewis of "Blood Feast" fame, and gifts us with an enthusiastic romp to the dark side of film-making. Natasha Lyonne, as librarian-turned-lunatic Deborah Tennis, channels various Hollywood grand dames to wild-eyed comedic effect; imagine if Bette Davis chewed scenery in one of Roger Corman's legendary Poe adaptations. Thomas Dekker of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" plays the star-struck film fan to boyish perfection. And satisfying cameos from the likes of Waters alumnus Mink Stole and fellow horror hostess Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira) round out a great cast. You're also treated to the best evil twins since "The Shining" played by Jade and Nikita Ramsey. And wildly entertaining turns from Noah Segan as dentally-challenged psycho Adrian, and Jack Donner (who's been in everything from "Buffy" to "Star Trek") as the crusty and overzealously murderous projectionist Mr. Twigs, round out Grannell's fantasy cast. What's often most important to get from a film like this is the sense that cast and crew are enjoying themselves, and the fun shines through in every scene. Part of its delivered joy comes in spotting its numerous in-jokes, which touch on such diverse topics as horror film history or the local San Francisco drag scene. But an insider's knowledge of trivia isn't at all needed to appreciate the over-the-top and violently funny romp that Grannell delivers; instead, bring your love of exploitation and an enthusiasm for camp. Worth the price of admission alone are the parody film titles created by Tennis in the course of her filmicidal spree. And the movie has one of the best opening title sequences I've seen in years. Much of the film was shot inside San Francisco's historic Victoria Theatre, a former vaudeville hall in the city's Mission district. Using such an authentic location is all part of Grannell's desire to create a red-inked love poem to the uniquely thrilling experience of watching horror films in a packed movie house. Hopefully you'll get a chance to see "All About Evil" with its touring live stage show, featuring Peaches and her fright-inducing friends in person. It's a one-of-a-kind, in-your-face experience that's not like anything else you'll see in your local theater -- unless you've been going to Peaches' "Midnight Madness" shows in SF for the last 12 years. Don't miss it -- hopefully coming to a theater near you!