Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

Brutal (Ethan Wiley, 2007)

Wiley (House II) wrote, produced, and directed this straight-to-video standard slasher schlock that's only notable for its surprisingly fine cast. Jeffrey Combs (ReAnimator) plays Jimmy Fleck, a small-town sheriff who's married to the local councilman's daughter but getting some on the side with his hot deputy Zoe (Sarah Thomson of Cruel Intentions II). When a serial killer starts operating in the town, Jimmy seems less than concerned about things, and his half-hearted efforts to find the killer lead Zoe to Leroy Calhoun (The Hills Have Eyes' Michael Berryman, one of America's more underrated talents), an autistic man who raises bloodhounds. Can Zoe uncover the killer's identity before he gets around to killing her (because, after all, small towns have a finite supply of nubile young women)?

It's stupid, but unintentionally funny in a number of places, and any chance one gets to see Michael Berryman on the screen should be eagerly accepted. (Thankfully, his career is in the middle of a renaissance right now thanks to The Devil's Rejects, and I couldn't be happier.) But the real prize here is Jeffrey Combs, who for what seems like the first time isn't in a role where he's parodying Herbert West. Hey, the guy can actually do something else! Honest to Pete!

Still, though, if Combs, Berryman, and a seemingly endless parade of hot chicks isn't enough to keep you interested, then pass on this one. The plot is cookie-cutter, the script boneheaded, the direction uninspired. There are actually Sci-Fi Channel Original Movies you'll have more fun with, and that's saying something. * ½

This movie was just ok.not the best and deffinatly not jeffery combs at his best but ive seen worse.the was a few good and creative killings and some gore but not much,lots of blood though.the plot was really paper thin but passible.as a whole the movie couldve been better.worth a rent but i only paid $0.15 for it so i cant complain.dont buy for anymore then $5.like i said not the best but you could be watching alot worse like turistas(horrible).the sound on this dvd is a mixed bag where the talking is kinda low but the music and sfx are loud,although this leads to a few cheap scares that will force some people to jump because of the loud ness of the sfx.watch at your own risk.