------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall Rating : 5.5/10
Directed By : Jon McBride
Kim Bailey
Tom Casiello
Denice Edeal
Jon McBride (Feeders)
Supplied By : Camp Motion Pictures
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : Nov. 29, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| PLOT It’s The Brady Kids meets the Texas Chainsaw Massacre in this heartwarming, stomach-churning tale of a not so typical American family that unexpectedly finds itself caught up in a web of death, deceit and dismemberment. And what better way for this trio of demented siblings to discard of fresh human remains than turn it into garden variety mulch…by way of the biggest woodchipper ever to chop’n’grind a grown man into ground meat. In this family, blood really is thicker than water. |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| THE REVIEW In Jon McBride's 1988 Cult classic WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE, we meet three siblings, the eldest Jon, the middle child Denise and their younger brother Tommy. It's the weekend and the 3 plan to have fun by watching late night Horror flicks on Television and staying up late, but their plans are virtually dashed when their father tells them that their Aunt Tess will be watching over them while he's away on business, Aunt Tess is not exactly the type of Aunt that you love but rather one you despise and detest, as she is both over baring and religiously inclined. It isn't long after she arrives that she sit's the kids down for a meal of what she deems as healthy food, but in the eyes of the siblings looks like nothing more than road-kill. From making the children report to bed early, and forcing them to help her prepare dinner it looked like they were in for a weekend of pure hell at the hands of the witchy Aunt, that is until young Tommy checks the mail.... Just what happens when he checks the mail? Well Tommy receives the items he has waited weeks for, his very own RAMBO survivalist knife, an object that Tess would not approve of in the least bit. So as you would have expected(or at least hoped) Tess instructs Tommy to hand over his prized possession and when the boy refuses, a battle of Tug-O-war commences - in which results in the Aunt when she happens to fall on the knife. From here on out the kids, lead by Jon try to figure out what to do with there deceased Aunt's corpse, and then finally Denise gets the most clever idea of all - to depose of her in the woodchipper their father had rented for that weekend's yard work - pure genius! I know I have been quoted on behalf of CAMP MOTION PICTURES on their website, and it is no ploy.... I am that genuinely excited about the product this new company plans to offer - and even more so after viewing this unique gem! Long have I heard about WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE, but never had the chance to see it nor the money to waste on a washed up VHS copy , but thanks to CAMP, the waiting on such a time is now over. With this release the film is presented in probably the best quality you are going to find out there due to the film's rare nature these days - and as a bonus and something CAMP MOTION PICTURES vows to continue, the film is accompanied with bonus material never included within the original pressings. Here on the WOODCHIPPER disc, you will find things such as making of interviews with select cast, stills, a commentary and even and interview with Director/Star, Jon McBride himself - which serves as a real treat for collectors out there. Going into WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE, if you read the post card insert included with the DVD you know exactly what you are in for. From the get go McBride himself openly acknowledges that this film, shot of video is not the best in the world, but rather amateurish experimental at the time, and for that, as I true fan of creativity I couldn't help but respect him that much more. Admittingly to the casual viewer, who, when it comes to motion picture, has been pampered and only treated to overly polished forms of entertainment - well I know for a fact they'd be quick to dismiss a film such as WOODCHIPPER, but for a true fan this is something special...I know it is to me. For me, when a film like this is made on next to no budget at all (in WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE's case $400) a film most rely on one thing alone, and that's creativity and Jon McBride has that. WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE may have a simple and basic plot but it is funny, witty and I hate to keep using this word, but creative. The story takes a while to unfold and get interesting but watching 3 siblings who are at the beginning well mannered and behaved turn into 3 siblings that stuff their old crabby Aunt in a woodchipper is just something worth waiting on and remembering - it's the type of tale that you never forget once you have seen it. The acting, dare I say it, is terrible, but at the same time you have to keep in mind that these individuals are nowhere near professional - yes they are annoying and yes they are laughable but it just adds to that fuzzy feeling that the film gives you - but I must say, Jon McBride himself is quite enjoyably funny, saying "Wow" when a frantic situation arises - all the while letting the audience know that this is indeed a black comedy. Over the years that this little film has been in existence it has gained cult status as well as a following and now I see why - it's not for special effects or flawless editing, but for it's unique will to entertain you, and it's imagination above all else.... | ||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| GORE
METER 2/10 even though the title implies a "massacre", you may be shocked to find little gore at all, it is more off camera and suggestive in nature. |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| MUSICAL
SCORE 2.5/10 I thought the score in WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE was really bad to be honest. Many of the film's synthesizer tunes, just did not fit the film well at all and felt entirely awkward at times. |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE will never win any awards or anything like that but it has seemed to win the hearts of many diehard Horror fans and for Jon McBride that seems to be good enough for him. After seeing this film, I include myself in the ones whom enjoy this film... to compare it, i'd say this film is a cross between films such as BLOODY BIRTHDAY, BEWARE CHILDREN AT PLAY, and i'd even go as far to say comedy wise, a DON'T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD, WOODCHIPPER MASSACRE, is not going to grab the attention of everyone, but i'd recommend giving it a shot if you are in the least bit curious about it. This DVD will be released on January 12, 2006 |
||||
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| STILLS | ||||
|
