Just last month, I reviewed August Underground, a film I knew quite a bit about but had never experienced myself. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, but when August Underground’s Mordum showed up for me to review, I knew I would be in for another evening questioning what I was viewing and why. You can’t just sit down and enjoy these films; they are difficult to describe, and they take you places you’re not ready to go. I’ve seen them compared to adult videos, with the gore being compared to the “money shot,” and this analogy is pretty spot on. Toe Tag Pictures knew they’d have to go the extra mile to outdo what they accomplished on the first film, and for better or worse, they succeeded.
Once again using the found footage gimmick, three serial killers use a video camera to film their exploits. The audience witnesses first-hand their depraved antics as they torture, degrade, assault, and slay anyone (man or woman) they can get their hands on. And if that isn’t enough, a fourth killer makes their way into the fold as the body count continues to rise.
In my younger days, these would be the films I would want to show my friends on a drunken Friday night. Sadly, I’m no longer young, and nights like that with friends are few and far between. Watching August Underground’s Mordum alone in the bedroom while the wife and kid are in the living room watching Friends made me feel like I was doing something wrong and feeling a little dirty.
The one thing that’s unmistakable about these films is just how effective and realistic most of the effects are. You can’t deny the talent and how much attention to detail has been given to the stomach-churning set-pieces. Digitally shot and altered to look as if it had been shot on a VHS, the film does benefit from this, as the graininess of the footage helps to disguise some of the work and makes it more believable. Much like the first film, I’m glad I finally experienced it, but I doubt I’ll revisit it. I will recommend it but only to those I know who would appreciate it. It’s not for everyone.
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Unearthed Films has once again gone above and beyond to compile a fantastic set of bonus features. The Blu-ray/DVD collector’s edition features a limited edition slip and a reversible cover that features the original artwork as well as a newly commissioned piece from Paul Naylor. With over fifteen hours of material, you get to learn about the inner workings of the film as well as get a better understanding of where Fred Vogel’s head was when making August Underground’s Mordum. There are interviews with the cast and crew, trailers, Necrophagia music video, Flashback Weekend 2004 footage, premiere footage, and the list goes on.
Love them or hate them, the August Underground films have carved out their path to notoriety, and this particular release will supply you with anything you’d ever need to see or know about August Underground’s Mordum. Now we will just wait and see if the third film, Penance, shows up in the next couple of months.
Check out the trailer on YouTube.
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