SMASH CUT

Directed by Lee Gordon Demarbre
Written by Ian Driscoll
Cinematography by JD Menard
Music by Michael Dubue
Cast: David Hess, Jesse Buck, Sasha Grey, Michael Berryman, Ray Sager, Herschell Gordon Lewis

2008/86 Mins/Color/Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
1.78:1 anamorphic/English/US/NTSC Region 1

Review from th Shriek Show DVD

Schlock horror director Able Whitman’s (David Hess) work is hated by audiences and critics alike. One night, he visits a strip club where he picks up one of the dancers, the very pretty Gigi (Jennilee Murray). She dies in a car accident, and Whitman uses her body parts for his latest horror film. Meanwhile, her sister reporter April Carlson (Sasha Grey) with the help of private investigator, Isaac Beaumonde (Jesse Buck), try to figure out what happened to her. She gets a role in Whitman’s movie, in order to get closer to him and find out the truth. In the meantime, Whitman is killing all those who criticize him and using their body parts as well. Our intrepid duo is soon the only ones who can stop him!

This movie is truly a loving tribute, a love letter if you will, to H.G. Lewis, the godfather of gore. He has a wonderful cameo as Grey’s boss. I think this is an awesome role for him, and I just love him in it. In fact, I just love this whole cast. It’s great to see Hess in such a fun role as the villain. It gives him so much to do, and I enjoyed seeing him doing something of this vein. Also awesome is Michael Berryman as Whitman’s producer. And, you just gotta love that wig! Beautiful porn star, and one of my personal fav babes, Sasha Grey actually shot this before THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE, but this got released afterwards. Grey fans might be disappointed to know that she keeps her clothes on, but she does look smoking hot dressed as a sexy nurse! Regardless, she gives a good, natural performance in the movie.

The film, itself, opens up with a very cool title sequence where blood drips on images. I really enjoyed the bright and vibrant colors director Lee Gordon Demarbre uses. It makes the movie look very eye catching. There are some good in-jokes thrown-in for us fans. It’s a very quirky movie that does not work all the time, but it is totally fun and highly likable. While, it is gory, it is never mean-spirited or nasty. Said gore FX work best when the movie tries show the “real” murders that he commits, with the eye gouging scene being pretty gross stuff, while, the purposely done bad FX are quite funny. In all, it’s a fun spirited romp that will bring a smile to any fan of B-movie horror or H.G. Lewis movies.

Media Blasters/ Shriek Show slice up your home with this anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1 release of SMASH CUT. The picture looks beautiful with colors that are rich and vivid and blacks that are full. The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound is great, coming out crystal clear and loud.

There are lots of extras on the DVD. “Sasha Grey’s Video Diaries”, shot over a couple of days, follows her around the set and shooting of the film. Her very likable personality comes through, clearly. That and the fact that she is a total babe!

The behind the scenes featurette has interviews with the cast and crew, where some interesting things are revealed. The alternate and deleted scenes were of particular interest, to me. They even include an animated title sequence. Still, I am ultimately glad that they made the changes that they did. The gag reel that is included has some very funny clips. “Terror Toy Part 2” shows the original short film that inspired the movie within the movie. Then, there are tons of production stills that are all really cool.

The running commentary features the director, actors, and crew. It is really fun and informative. It has a good natured feel to it. In other words, it is something you should definitely listen to!

The single disc comes in a keep case, with a transparent, plastic, slip cover. The cover itself is pretty cool, I think. There is no booklet or inlet card inside. The menu, where one can access the chapters, is static but has the soundtrack running over it. It comes with two promotional trailers for SMASH CUT, itself, as well as BAD BIOLOGY, BLOOD FEAST, HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK, and two FEVER DREAM trailers.

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Review by Giovanni Deldio. All Right Reserved. 2010. ©

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