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Written and Starring Rated R Presented by 90 Minutes |
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BRUTAL
MASSACRE Review
(Note: This review is based on an unfinished cut of the film that premiered at the Long Island International Film Expo) In 2004, Stevan Mena’s MALEVOLENCE became a cult hit with its atmospheric tribute to the slasher genre, relying on thrills and story rather than gore. For his sophomore effort, Mena decided to go a completely opposite route that is based on some of the nightmarish elements he had to encounter as well as a right on look at a B movie filmmaker looking at one last shot of glory. BRUTAL MASSACRE is a flat out comedy about B movie filmmaker Harry Penderecki (David Naughton in one of his best roles) who after a string of flops is ready to make his next masterpiece, a slasher film entitled BRUTAL MASSACRE. With Bert (Vincent Butta), a documentary filmmaker following his every move, Harry gets his cast and crew in place, headed by his loyal assistant Jay (Brian O’Halloran), who manages to make all the wrong decisions for his boss, his cinematographer Hanu (Gerry Bednob), who supposedly knows everything Harry is thinking, and Carl (Ken Foree), the loyal grip who symbolizes the term “team player” in every aspect. Along with production manager Natalie (Ellen Sandweiss), Harry sets out to make his next film, knowing that it may well be his last. The mayhem that ensues during production are the stuff of nightmares, as everything that could possibly go wrong does. I have to admit I was a little petrified going into this screening as I was worried that the film would make fun of the horror genre, but refreshingly it doesn’t. You can apply this to any genre, but horror works because in an independent world, it’s the most profitable and cheapest to make. What it does do is it gives its genre filled cast some of the best performances of their careers. This is easily David Naughton’s best role since AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, playing such a likeable loser in Penderecki, portraying such great comic timing in his lines, and portrays solace in the film’s more sentimental moments. Brian O’Halloran looks like he’s having fun in this role and plays Jay with a charming aloofness not since from him before. His loyalty to Harry is sincere and he shines through each situation presented to him in a realistic way. Gerry Bednob is hilarious as Hanu, Harry’s cinematographer who despite his small size, can fight with the biggest of them, as evidenced several times in the film. This is also Ellen Sandweiss’ best role to date, playing Harry’s production manager with such an elegance as her support for Harry is evident. She has great chemistry on screen with Naughton as well. It’s great to see her back on the screen since her long layoff and deserves more roles. Gunnar Hansen is also hilarious as the owner of a familiar looking house who allows the crew to film there, but freaks out the crew with his psychopathic tendencies. Ken Foree, as Carl the grip, is also excellent especially in telling Bert of how much of a team player he really is. Overall the cast is top notch, with everyone giving great performances. Even Samantha Dark from MALEVOLENCE has a fun cameo as an industry executive. The script is great, and some jokes are very clever (and according to Mena, true stories during his time filming MALEVOLENCE), with my favorite being one about why it’s not good to do ADR, and in the titles of Harry’s previous films as well. One in particular, called RETIREMENT HOME, involving a killer who scares the elderly to death, is hilarious. The character of Penderecki is well written here, as are his main crew, but some of the actors come off as a little clichéd, from the lead actress who takes herself way too seriously to the actor who badmouths Penderecki every chance he can get. Truthfully, that’s how the industry goes so it’s not a fault of Mena’s that they appear that way to me. While the film was very funny, it does take a melodramatic turn about halfway through that slowed the pace a little. It does however resonate in a truly good final act that not only is surprising, but kind of mimics a certain TV show that had a similar fate. In all, BRUTAL MASSACRE is a solid sophomore effort from Mena, who delivers a funny film that doesn’t insult the genre he’s become known for, but rather embraces it by getting the best performances from comedic veterans and especially from horror legends who more than prove that they are more than the films they are heralded for. This is going to be a cult classic enjoyed for years to come. BRUTAL MASSACRE: 8 Out Of 10 Maggots
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