This sounds like the plot of John Carpenter's Master's of Horror episode called Cigarette Burns, which I enjoyed. I'll definitely have to check this out. Nice find!
So, Tyler is a surprisingly good looking film student who is a little obsessed with learning the story behind, and finding a copy of the eponymously named fictional 1980's slasher film - "The Hills Run Red." Apparently, it was so scary, it only played for a few days before it was pulled from theaters, and the reels were destroyed. After a gratuitiously long scene in a strip bar, Tyler is able to find the daughter of the film's original director. One lap dance later, and she says that yes, she can take him to her father's old cabin in the woods where the film was made, and perhaps - they might be able to find a copy there. Tyler enlists his aldulterous girlfriend and best friend, and off they go. [Image] The opening credits are interspersed with a sequence of a young boy cutting his face off! Very promising. During the next fifteen minutes, I had already watched ten minutes of nudity, and thought this film wasn't gonna go anywhere. But, it gets going quick, and the next 60 minutes are awesome. The Hills Run Red is clever in the way that it pays homage to the horror genre - especially that of the '80s. A number of scenes/background shots are reminiscent of Friday the 13th, Evil Dead, etc. When Tyler and a friend go to the movies, notice that all the movie posters are of older horror films. The forest setting (filmed entirely in Czechoslovakia) is dense and ominous in its own way. [Image] Furthermore, the villain is fantastic! "Babyface"! Good name. This picture doesn't do justice to how creepy/weird Babyface can become. One scene in particular, where Babyface breaks character to speak in an urbane, rational tone is especially creepy. He has all the trappings of a villain that could endure many sequels. A "surprise" ending isn't so much of a shocker, but still deeply disturbing.
Without credits, the whole thing runs 75 minutes. Pick this at the top of the queue, or just go out and rent it. Scary, and surprisingly good quality for a straight to dvd release.
"The Hills Run Red"
6 Comments -
Duly noted Trevor! I love Babyface's look.
October 18, 2009 9:49 PM
Very interesting! Never heard of this. It's annoying when movies get stuck in strip bars, but also it isn't because, hey... strip bar.
(Seeing one on a screen is way better than going to one, IMO.)
October 19, 2009 1:30 AM
This sounds like the plot of John Carpenter's Master's of Horror episode called Cigarette Burns, which I enjoyed. I'll definitely have to check this out. Nice find!
October 19, 2009 3:12 AM
I have had this in my queue for some time now but it says very long wait :(
Glad to hear it'll be worth the wait.
October 19, 2009 4:57 AM
Dusk 'till Dawn - Now that there's a damn fine stuck in a strip bar flick.
October 19, 2009 8:10 AM
Sounds like a good one! Always nice to find a straight to dvd that is actually good.
October 19, 2009 12:41 PM