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
