Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

BRUTAL MASSACRE: A COMEDY is a mocumentary that lovingly pokes fun at the horror-film industry. Low-budget horror director Harry Penderecki (David Naughton), whose last few films really tanked at the box office, is attempting a comeback with his latest effort BRUTAL MASSACRE. Come along for an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek as documentarian Bert Campbell (Vincent Butta) follows the making of the Penderecki's new film from pre-production to opening night.

In addition to taking light-hearted jabs at the good and the bad of the low-budget horror-movie industry, this hilarious mockumentary also brings together a host of genre icons: David Naughton (1981's AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON); Ellen Sandweiss and Betsy Baker (1981's THE EVIL DEAD); Gunnar Hansen (1974's original THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE); Ken Foree (1978's original DAWN OF THE DEAD and 2005's THE DEVIL'S REJECTS); and even famed genre writer, director, and producer Mick Garris (Showtime's MASTERS OF HORROR series). To be sure, these genre insiders are here to attract die-hard horror fans, but they are also knowledgeable enough to tickle the genre in all the right places and elicit some great laughs. Naughton is especially delightful as Harry Penderecki, an Ed Wood-like director who seems totally unaware of just how egregious his films really are.

The only fault with BRUTAL MASSACRE: A COMEDY is that there is no actual horror. Being a hard-core horror fan myself, I kept expecting (and hoping!) that a "real" killer would pop up at any moment to add to the numerous setbacks that plague Penderecki and his film crew. But alas, no such horror occurs. For that reason, I think that 2006's mockumentary BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON, in which a group of aspiring filmmakers "document" the career of a serial killer, is a more successful and satisfying parody of the horror genre. Still, in spite of its minor flaws, BRUTAL MASSACRE: A COMEDY is a funny, wholly enjoyable film.

Anchor Bay's DVD edition of BRUTAL MASSACRE: A COMEDY presents the film in anamorphic widescreen at its original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The picture quality is crisp and clear, and the clarity of the soundtrack is exceptional. Bonus features on the disc include some hilarious extended and deleted scenes, as well as a mock featurette about the making of the "documentary" in which cast members are "interviewed" in character. All in all, this DVD is a must-have for hard-core fans of horror cinema...well, for those with a good sense of humor, at least.

This is a spectacularly bad film which poorly "documents" (it's a mockumentary) people who make spectacularly bad films ... talk about postmodern! And, for all that, I found Brutal Massacre surprisingly amusing.

Now, it must be noted that I REALLY dig epically terrible B-horror and have had the (dis)pleasure of being involved in some (amateur, bad, bad, bad) film-making myself, so this work appeals to me on both those levels. In this sense, it's a pretty niche film. If you've never seen a Troma movie ... or have never had to make your own fake-blood for a shoot that very day, you might want to steer clear of this work! Its humor could be lost on you (and you might try looking for a refund ... or a bar-fight). And, it's equally as crucial to note that this is a gore-free film without a single speck of suspense. So, gore-hounds should keep this in mind. This work is more about the RIDICULOUS trials of making a film on a shoe-string budget (the special-effects guy is ABSOLUTELY HYSTERICAL) and the insane demands of (Texan) backers.

Now for the much anticipated accolades: I loved the faux film-posters almost as much as I loved their titles: "I'll Take the Ring ... And the Finger Too," "People Pesticide," and the much ballyhooed "The Reading Dead." Why do I feel like I've actually rented these? (Or watched them back in the "Up All Night with Rhonda Sheer/Gilbert Gottfried" days. Ahhhh, childhood memories!!) Likewise, I thought the acting was pretty spot-on (meaning overly serious/borderline absurd). And, exactly how much of his soul did Stevan Mena sell to get this cast??! David Naughton (An American Werewolf in London), Brian O'Halloran (Clerks), Gerry Bednob (The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Zack & Miri Make a Porno) ... AND Gunnar Hansen A.K.A. LEATHERFACE (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ) and, yes, he plays a (really funny) psycho. Kudos to casting!! It made it all the more funny to spot familiar faces!

If you are a purveyor of out-of-focus nudity, if you are a fan of fancy gold briefs for men, or if you simply always wondered "which finger means 'good,'" well, this is the film for you, buddy! This is a "bad" film ... be prepared to enjoy it as such and you won't be disappointed!!