CREDIT: MONSTER BRAWL
Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart appeared as himself in Canadian film Monster Brawl.

Monster Brawl (2011)

October is finally here, and I am so excited! Contrary to popular belief, I have always felt that October is the most spook-tacular month of the year. Most people feel that June holds this title, while some feel it is February. But I think I speak for the small but vocal minority when I ask, how can any month be more spook-tacular than October? I mean it is the month Halloween takes place in, for Pete's sake!!!! Sorry, spook-tacularity rates of different months is a bit of a hot button issue for me.

What I love most about this part of the year isn't the candy or costumes. It's another c-word, cinema. For the next several weeks, I'll be taking a look at some of the greatest horror films ever produced, and boy do I have doozy for you this week.

If WWE head honcho Vince McMahon and legendary author Stephen King ever procreated, their love child would be the 2011 Canadian horror/comedy movie Monster Brawl. Now I'm not sure if it is scientifically possible for two men to have sex, and for one of them to be impregnated, and for that man to give birth to a film. If any members of the medical community are reading this article, please leave feedback to clarify.

In Monster Brawl, eight of the most legendary creatures that copyright laws will allow assemble for a one night pro wrestling/mixed martial arts event. The creatures are Frankenstein, Cyclops, the Mummy, Werewolf, Zombie Man, Lady Vampire, Swamp Gut and Witch Bitch. Oh, how I remember staying up late in my youth, watching the old black-and-white Witch Bitch films.

Before each fight, we get a video illustrating the backstory of each monster, and then the monster cuts a pro-wrestling style promo telling us why they are going to emerge victorious. We are then treated to five thrilling confrontations, which see the creatures battle to the death, conveniently enough, in a graveyard.

While the monsters are certainly the feature attraction, the producers felt like the picture needed even more star power. Enter Kids in the Hall and Newsradio star Dave Foley into the equation as a drunken play-by-play announcer. But that's not all! UFC referee Herb Dean makes the jump into the world of acting by playing a referee. This particular official has no problems with decapitations and knife attacks, but draws the line at groin blows. Dean was a revelation, and I hope that he continues to land acting gigs. Perhaps someday, he could portray a referee in a production of Macbeth.

Pro wrestling personalities Kevin Nash and “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart are also along for the ride. Nash stars as Colonel Crookshank, manager of Zombie Man, while Hart serves as hype man for the event, introducing all of the combatants with tremendous flair.

Of all the treats you may receive this Halloween season, none will be as satisfying as the treat you will bestow upon yourself when you track down a copy of Monster Brawl. Not only is it a great horror film, but it is also a Canadian production. With all due respect to maple syrup, the Wonderbra, insulin and basketball, Monster Brawl is beyond a shadow of a doubt Canada's greatest export. This monster mash is a graveyard smash.