Shudder Sunday: V/H/S 99 (2022)

Let's look at another VHS Film, since the last one was interesting, to say the least.

Was it good or as bad as everyone online seems to think?

Like Dead of Night (1977), there's no real Framing Device.

Instead, we get interstitial bits of actually good Stop Motion that connects...with a slight problem that will come up.

In the first Story, a bunch of wannabe Punk Kids go to the remains of a Club where a Veruca Salt-style Band was killed in a fire/stomping by fans.

What they find is...well, think Rockafire Explosion, only worse.

In the second Story, a young lady agrees to a really bad hazing ritual to ensure her future.

They lock her in a coffin...and that's before the really bad stuff happens.

Let's just say that you both don't want to be alone in there, but also don't want to have company like this...

In the third Story, a Double Dare/Legend of the Hidden Temple Show ends poorly for a young girl.

Sometime later, the Family takes out on the Host...but there's a twist.

In the fourth Story, we wrap up the Framing Device...but there's still another Story.  Huh?

Anyhow, we see some horny Teens ogle a new Neighbor Lady, but is that a bad idea?

SPOILER ALERT- it is.

In the fifth Story, our Heroes are filming a demonic summoning on the eve of Y2K.  I spent it playing Everquest, but you do you.

It ends quite poorly for them as said ritual takes them somewhere where they really don't want to be.

To find out how this all works out, stream the Film now.

Well, I enjoyed it more than most people online, it seems.

Is it great?  No.
Is it inspired?  Yes.

The first Story was good, even if the setup was way longer than the payoff.  I liked the end result.

The second Story was good in a different way, featuring claustrophobic fright and comeuppance.

The 3rd Story is a mixed bag, as I enjoyed the setup, appreciated the turn and... then kind of got lost with the wrap-up.  It's...I mean...what?!?

The fourth Story was fun for me, ignoring the fact that the Characters are awful.  They get freaky comeuppance as well, so it's all good for me.

The final Story- despite ruining the setup- is a real surprise, doing alot of freaky stuff with a very low budget.

If I had to rank them, I'd go with #5, 3, 4, 2 and 1.

The whole thing is pretty fun, just know that some of the Characters are kind of awful but will get punished in the end. 
Plus, it has a version of the 'Every Indy Horror Film Shows Night of the Living Dead' Cliche for the 1990s- They Play Resident Evil 2.

A fun, but very uneven Horror Anthology Film.  The whole thing hinges upon how much you hate the Characters, so beware.