"Actor: Gary Schneider"

• The Toxic Avenger | DVD | (02/02/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £2.99

  The foundation stone of the Troma label's trash-movie empire, The Toxic Avenger introduces the character of nerdy janitor Melvin, who suffers heaps of abuse from local bad-guys and is stuffed into a vat of toxic waste while dressed in a ballerina outfit. He emerges mutated into a Swamp Thing/Hulk-style monster hero who romps around the blighted township of Tromaville, New Jersey, offing the grotesque villains in nastily gruesome ways and mooning over his blind true love. The Troma style is unique, and perhaps predates the anything-gross-for-a-laugh approach of the Farrelly Brothers by a good 10 years, but it sometimes wavers between the good-natured gags and genuinely unpleasant plot images that somewhat spoil the tone. Entry-level filmmaking, but with surprisingly professional head-squashing effects and a degree of enthusiasm that breaks down most resistance. Several sequels have ensued, including The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie. -- Kim Newman

• Class Of Nuke 'Em High | DVD | (20/11/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £2.99

  Welcome to Tromaville High School the most bizarre High School you'll ever attend and it is conveniently located a stone's throw from the local Nuclear Power Plant. Meet the students as they transform into horrifying mutations! Become a member of The Cretins - a psychotic punk gang who ride motorcycles through the classrooms trashing the school. If you're thinking of bunking off classes you had better beware - there is a gigantic gremlin-like creature growing in the hot water pipes and a gigantic slime drenched monster growing in the basement - just waiting for you!

• The Toxic Avenger | DVD | (20/11/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  The foundation stone of the Troma label's trash-movie empire, The Toxic Avenger introduces the character of nerdy janitor Melvin, who suffers heaps of abuse from local bad-guys and is stuffed into a vat of toxic waste while dressed in a ballerina outfit. He emerges mutated into a Swamp Thing/Hulk-style monster hero who romps around the blighted township of Tromaville, New Jersey, offing the grotesque villains in nastily gruesome ways and mooning over his blind true love. The Troma style is unique, and perhaps predates the anything-gross-for-a-laugh approach of the Farrelly Brothers by a good 10 years, but it sometimes wavers between the good-natured gags and genuinely unpleasant plot images that somewhat spoil the tone. Entry-level filmmaking, but with surprisingly professional head-squashing effects and a degree of enthusiasm that breaks down most resistance. Several sequels have ensued, including The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie. -- Kim Newman