Director: Joshua Grannell (as Peaches Christ)
Year: 2010
Country: USA
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Slasher; Horror/Comedy
Plot:
After becoming the heir to a Grindhouse movie theater, an unhinged wannabe starlet finds success when the recording of a murder is accidentally played and becomes a success, prompting her to make more snuff films with the various patrons of the theater and using those around her as the victims.
Review:
This one was a really enjoyable and entertaining effort. Most of the films’ positives are certainly helped along by the fact that this one has such a different energy that it becomes all the more appealing as it goes on which is based solely on the campy approach taken by the material. While it's played more for laughs than anything, especially in the manner that the killer behaves towards the victims and in how the fans react, the whole concept of the going through the motions of the success here is driven entirely by the accidental reveal of the security camera footage of the initial death and that being an absolute hit with patrons, which is definitely on the cheesier side. Even with the recruitment that goes on taking on her additional crew and the reaction of the patrons to watching everything unfold and not realizing what’s going on, there’s an incredibly fun time had throughout here.
As well, there’s a lot to really like once this one starts actually going through with filming the shorts for the exhibit. That the actual stalking is still a bit more suspenseful and played straight makes for some interesting times when she and her crew stalk individuals in the attic of the theater, the attack on the librarian inside the library, and the series of attacks in the theaters who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time to take part in the videos unexpectedly. This sets the stage for the massacre at the end where the premiere engagement makes for a great ending with plenty of fun action chasing everyone around the theater. As all of these allow for a mean streak with its kills so there's some fun to be had there, this one manages to come off quite nicely overall.
There’s not a whole lot to dislike with this one but it does have some minor problems. Among the main issues found in this one is the strangely unfocused story that tends to favor the camp at the expense of realistic behavior. Although this does incredibly well with the idea of using the people in the community for her projects unknowingly, the fact that the film doesn't really make a lot of sense when it comes to how the victims disappearing doesn't alert the authorities who have more of an interest in questioning the hero because of his love for Horror movies seems incredibly off-putting. There’s a decided lack of genuine motivation to figure out what’s going on to further that kind of commentary on genre fans which causes that utterly futile investigation, but beyond that, it's a bit more fun than expected.
Overview: ****/5
A highly enjoyable and fun campy slasher with a lot to really like about it, there's not much that holds it back which isn't really that detrimental to begin with which makes for an overall fun time. Viewers who appreciate this kind of genre fare or are curious about the film due to its reputation will have a lot to like here while only those who don't like that style or approach should heed caution.
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