All Jacked Up and Full of Worms Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms Blu-ray Movie Review

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms is an impressive horror-comedy with a distinct and cerebral style. Produced by Georgia Bernstein (Snugglr, I Miss Jamie When She's Gone), Ben Gojer (Crick in the Holler, Pushing Mongo), Alex Phillips (Pushing Mongo, Who's a Good Boy), All Jacked Up and Full of Worms is a well-done acid- fueled trip with compelling visuals. Fans of stoner comedies with mind-melting qualities may find some worthy experimental elements with this strangely compelling horror-comedy. Featuring performances by Phillip Andre Botello, Sammy Bronco, Betsey Brown, Trevor Dawkins, and Eva Fellows. All Jacked Up and Full of Worms is also a compelling entry in the LGBTQ+ filmmaking genre.

Roscoe (Phillip Andre Botello) lives a ho-drum average life at a hotel. Roscoe desires for nothing more than a total escape from reality and to blur away the lines between his sometimes-mundane life and the often-shadowy nightmares of his existence – escaping from the darkness and bleakness surrounding him at the complex. Can Roscoe find an escape for his mind?

When Roscoe discovers a stash of strange looking hallucinogenic worms, Roscoe and his acquaintances begin a mind-bending acid trip of cerebral experiences on the drug-fueled worms.  The mind-warping acid trip is one for the record books and everyone on the drugged-up worms is in for much more than anyone bargained for. Can the hallucinogenic trip be survived? These aren’t ordinary worms – and the experience won’t soon be forgotten.

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms features a solid supporting cast that includes: Dennis (Sammy Bronco), Samantha (Betsey Brown), Benny Boom (Trevor Dawkins), Henrietta (Eva Fellows), Jared (Noah Lepawsky), and Biff (Mike Lopez). The supporting players have small but compelling moments throughout the film. The cast do well even with little dialogue and small roles.

Phillip Andre Botello delivers a solid lead performance. The role is one that explores his manic energy, especially during the drug episodes. The performance certainly provides moments for the actor to be impressive in a comedic role while contrasting to the horror-genre backdrop of the film (with the off-kilter visuals making the horror aspect even more compelling). A good showcase for Phillip Andre Botello.

The production is well-done for a low-budget horror-comedy. The production design by Ania Bista (All Happy Families, The Improv Guru) is effective and provides some compelling visual backdrops for the horror filmmaking. The hotel landscape is both cerebral and offbeat – and the aesthetic is well-reflected in the production design efforts.

The costumes by Kate Grube (Knives and Skin, I Used to Go Here) add to the offbeat sense of style exuded by the filmmakers. Grube offers solid costumes for the lead actor and supporting cast. An impressive effort overall and something that adds to the manic energy of the film.

The visual effects by David Brown and Jason Wehling are standout elements of the production. The visuals certainly stood out well and are a step above expectations. The hyperkinetic acid-trip style visuals are intriguing and add a Michel Gondry-esque style to the filmmaking. These visuals add something unique and fun to the filmmaking.

The cinematography by Drew Angle (Terrible Accident at the Bread Factory, Cecily with Apple) is a highlight. The visuals are a big part of the production. The visual language created by Angle is so impressive for an independent feature and it fits the genre and style of filmmaking well.

The score composed by Cue Shop is a solid addition to the film and adds some unique kinetic energy, too. The music is a good backdrop. The score fits the drug-fueled mind-trip elements of the film.

Edited by Troy Lewis (Daughters, Tahara), the pace and rhythm of All Jacked Up and Full of Worms is well-done. The editing flows nicely and the pace of the film is consistent throughout. A solid editing showcase for Lewis.

Written and directed by Alex Phillips (Pushing Mongo, Who's a Good Boy), All Jacked Up and Full of Worms is a quirky and peculiar horror-comedy. All Jacked Up and Full of Worms isn’t going to be a horror film for everyone but that’s okay. The film has a unique vision and comedic style that some audiences might gravitate towards. The style evokes a quirkiness one doesn’t see too often. Director Phillips also made a compelling LGBTQ+ horror-comedy with the film exploring bisexual relationships in a compelling manner. These aspects of All Jacked Up and Full of Worms make it a compelling effort in the LGBTQ+ genre and one doesn’t always find these genre elements on display in horror films often. Well-done, experimental, and thought-provoking acid-trip horror-comedy filmmaking.

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Terror Vision, All Jacked Up and Full of Worms is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The high-definition presentation is top-notch. The visual fidelity of the transfer is exquisite. Colors are so impressively handled and the encoding capably highlights the visual flair of the cinematography. Background detail is well-showcased, too. A solid high-definition presentation by distributor Terror Vision.

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The lossless audio capably handles the soundstage. The stereo audio is well mixed and the audio sounds clear throughout. Dialogue is well handled on the release. The score is integrated well, too. A somewhat simple but refined lossless presentation.

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The first print run of the release comes with a limited-edition o-card slipcover. The slipcover features cool artwork and the print-quality of the slipcover remains exceptionally high. Terror Vision provides some of the best quality slipcovers in the entire boutique Blu-ray label industry. The quality of the cardstock is superb and the slipcover looks great in hand and on the shelf. A top-notch effort. A collectable aspect of the release that makes the package even more unique and special.

On disc supplements include:

Audio Commentary by Director Alex Phillips and Actor Trevor Dawkins

In the Dirt with Editor Troy Lewis (HD, 8:38) features an engaging conversation with the editor of the feature-film and a discussion about the LGBTQ themes.

Pushing Mongo (Short Film) (HD, 8:06) is a surprisingly compelling short-film and one that audiences will appreciate as another example of the experimental style of the filmmakers of All Jacked Up and Full of Worms.

Who's a Good Boy (Short Film) (HD, 10:35) is another LGBTQ film by the filmmakers and one that stands out as an interesting example of queer filmmaking.

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

All Jacked Up and Full of Worms is a compelling horror-comedy with style and creativity. All Jacked Up and Full of Worms is also an interesting example of LGBTQ+ filmmaking and a unique genre entry as well. The Blu-ray release features a quality high-definition presentation and lossless audio. A nice selection of supplements is also included – with multiple short films by the filmmakers, audio commentary, and an interview with the editor. Recommended.