Monday, January 16, 2006

Blood Cult (1985) (Slasher in IMDB)

Since it's said about a hundred times on this disc, I assume that the filmmakers are proud of the fact that this is the very first Direct to Video movie. Whether this is something to be so proud of is left as an exercise to the reader. Also, this was shot and edited in Tulsa, Ok. Having lived in Texas for the last 28 years, I'm afraid I am less impressed with this than they would like. That fact that this is used as the excuse for why there is no nudity in the movie only proves my point.

I will give the directory, Christopher Lewis, credit where credit is due, however. The film is 89 minutes long, and most of his contemporaries in the pioneering Independent Film industry turned in 61-75 minute opus'. Hell, Charlie Band is STILL turning in shorties. Also, I think it is VERY cool that he and his wife have been working together as a team for over 20 years. Not very many in ANY industry can brag that.

The movie is pretty much a slasher pot-boiler. Mystery murderer killing college coeds. Wow, never saw THAT before. No real surprises until the very last end. I admit that I am now intrigued enough to hunt down the sequel, Revenge, as we're told that it picks up where this one leaves off, and that opens some interesting possibilities.

The movie was shot on Betacam equipment on loan from Sony, and this disc was obviously a new transfer from the beta master, as it is amazingly bright and clean for a direct to video release from 1985. The audio fares worst, with many scenes too light to hear. And of course, no subtitles. (GRRRRRR!). The music and soundtrack was very good, and I'm surprised that his career didn't take off. If this guy had moved to LA and farmed out some samples of his work, he could have been a big deal in the Composer scene.

The interviews are pretty boring. Chris Lewis' just repeats what he said in the commentary, and Bill Blair is not a very dynamic speaker. Still, at least there are extras at all. Many of these cheapie ($27,000 in 1985, but like I said Sony loaned them the camera, and the editing equipment) have nothing.

Two beers out of five. Too long, and no breasts.