Review done by: Michelle Fatale
Starring: Nick Ballard, Andy Bartlett, Julie Strain, Lizzy Strain, Vinnie Bilancio
Directed by: Vinnie Bilancio and Scott Evangelista
Story: On their fateful trip to the desert, a rock band spots a drifter on the side of
the road. They are troubled by him, but continue on to their location. After band
member Cienega unexpectedly spills some blood, the spirit of demon witch Azira
arises from her slumber.
Review:
Azira: Blood from the Sand, written and directed by Vincent Bilancio and Scott
Evangelista in their directorial debut. Although it may be his first film playing the role
of director, Bilancio is no stranger to the movie business. He got his start acting in
the 1987 drive-in classic SOROITY HOUSE MASSACRE, and has produced various
films including BLOOD GNOME, THE SCREAMING, and the soon to be released this
fall WEREWOLF IN A WOMEN’S PRISON. Scott Evangelista has also worked on
BLOOD GNOME and also acted in the film as well. Our film begins by introducing the
character of Azira, played by the legendary Julie Strain. Azira was a demon witch
who was buried alive centuries before and was cursed to remain under the sands of
the desert. Cut to the present, we meet a rock band who calls themselves Pink
Velvet Envelope. The band needs to shoot their music video, and the front woman
Vixen (Thelis Negron) proposes that her film student sister Jenn (Lizzy Strain) film
their video in the desert. Which seems appropriate being that their most popular
song is entitled “Blood from the Sand.” Makes sense.
The group heads out on the road after raising some quick cash by holding a naked
mud wrestling match in their backyard. Not only are these kids musically talented,
but they're also business savvy! Needless to say, the budget is met. On their fateful
trip to the desert, they spot a drifter on the side of the road played by Vincent
Bilancio himself. They are troubled by him, but continue on to their location. After
band member Cienega unexpectedly spills some blood, the spirit of Azira arises from
her slumber. After everything starts literally going to hell, the Keeper of Magic
(drifter from before) comes along and fills them all in on who this Azira bitch is and
what they need to do to stop her. Lizzy Strain (half sister of Julie Strain) appears in
her first starring role in a film. Lizzy has appeared in small roles in such films as
DELTA DELTA DIE, BLEED, and BIRTHRITE. I think she did a fine job in this one.
She was believable, natural, but still pretty raw and can only go up in her career.
Victoria DeMare also did a great job as her role as Cienega, the virginal redhead that
turns wildly demonic.
DeMare is a very versatile actress, and we can also look forward to seeing her as she
stars in Bilancio’s upcoming film WEREWOLF IN A WOMEN’S PRISON. Julie Strain
doesn’t have a huge role in this film. She basically fucks shit up in this movie, but
that’s why we love her, so no minus points there. This film is entirely in good fun
and is not meant to be taken too seriously. We’re graced with multiple variations of
eye candy including a hot young cast and naked chicks, as well blood, guts, and
gore. Any b-movie drive in fan would have a good time watching this flick, including
any fans of Julie Strain in all her six foot one inch awesomeness. The dialogue is
corny, the story is simple and the master minds behind the flick know this. So don’t
go getting all film snob on us, just sit back and enjoy the cheesy goodness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall: 6/10
Directed by: Vinnie Bilancio and Scott Evangelista
Story: On their fateful trip to the desert, a rock band spots a drifter on the side of
the road. They are troubled by him, but continue on to their location. After band
member Cienega unexpectedly spills some blood, the spirit of demon witch Azira
arises from her slumber.
Review:
Azira: Blood from the Sand, written and directed by Vincent Bilancio and Scott
Evangelista in their directorial debut. Although it may be his first film playing the role
of director, Bilancio is no stranger to the movie business. He got his start acting in
the 1987 drive-in classic SOROITY HOUSE MASSACRE, and has produced various
films including BLOOD GNOME, THE SCREAMING, and the soon to be released this
fall WEREWOLF IN A WOMEN’S PRISON. Scott Evangelista has also worked on
BLOOD GNOME and also acted in the film as well. Our film begins by introducing the
character of Azira, played by the legendary Julie Strain. Azira was a demon witch
who was buried alive centuries before and was cursed to remain under the sands of
the desert. Cut to the present, we meet a rock band who calls themselves Pink
Velvet Envelope. The band needs to shoot their music video, and the front woman
Vixen (Thelis Negron) proposes that her film student sister Jenn (Lizzy Strain) film
their video in the desert. Which seems appropriate being that their most popular
song is entitled “Blood from the Sand.” Makes sense.
The group heads out on the road after raising some quick cash by holding a naked
mud wrestling match in their backyard. Not only are these kids musically talented,
but they're also business savvy! Needless to say, the budget is met. On their fateful
trip to the desert, they spot a drifter on the side of the road played by Vincent
Bilancio himself. They are troubled by him, but continue on to their location. After
band member Cienega unexpectedly spills some blood, the spirit of Azira arises from
her slumber. After everything starts literally going to hell, the Keeper of Magic
(drifter from before) comes along and fills them all in on who this Azira bitch is and
what they need to do to stop her. Lizzy Strain (half sister of Julie Strain) appears in
her first starring role in a film. Lizzy has appeared in small roles in such films as
DELTA DELTA DIE, BLEED, and BIRTHRITE. I think she did a fine job in this one.
She was believable, natural, but still pretty raw and can only go up in her career.
Victoria DeMare also did a great job as her role as Cienega, the virginal redhead that
turns wildly demonic.
DeMare is a very versatile actress, and we can also look forward to seeing her as she
stars in Bilancio’s upcoming film WEREWOLF IN A WOMEN’S PRISON. Julie Strain
doesn’t have a huge role in this film. She basically fucks shit up in this movie, but
that’s why we love her, so no minus points there. This film is entirely in good fun
and is not meant to be taken too seriously. We’re graced with multiple variations of
eye candy including a hot young cast and naked chicks, as well blood, guts, and
gore. Any b-movie drive in fan would have a good time watching this flick, including
any fans of Julie Strain in all her six foot one inch awesomeness. The dialogue is
corny, the story is simple and the master minds behind the flick know this. So don’t
go getting all film snob on us, just sit back and enjoy the cheesy goodness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall: 6/10
Genres: Horror, Thriller
Rated: Not Rated
Country: USA
Year: 2005
Runtime:
Studio:
IMDB Page
Official Website
Rated: Not Rated
Country: USA
Year: 2005
Runtime:
Studio:
IMDB Page
Official Website
Online since: February 20th, 2006
