Axe

Rating:
Summary: DRIVE-IN HORRORS!
Review: Another fine showing from SWV! The main feature, while typical of Friedel's style and, hence, not to all tastes is nevertheless a surprisingly well-made film. Despite Friedel's pacey style of storytelling, I must confess a deep fondness for some of his films. He has a real gift for weaving trashy archetypes together into unique little stories. Though far inferior in every way possible, "The Electric Chair" feature is a real hoot. Bad acting (see if you can spot future "LA Law" star Larry Drake in the courtroom gallery), bad direction, bad script and bad special effects make this a true Kamp Klassic. As is so often the case with SWV, however, the extras are the real reason to add this disc to your collection. The Encyclopedia Brittanica short about "Keeping Mentally Fit" is a howler and a half. It's narrated by a senile old sawbones who illustrates the habits of good mental hygiene with stories of past patients including a lazy school girl, a cry-baby and a self-loathing loser who does nothing but pout. Okay, so maybe I am missing the point, but who really cares. These priceless pieces of Americana are the main reason I invest my hard-earned money in these silly discs. This one does not disappoint!

Rating:
Summary: DRIVE-IN HORRORS!
Review: Another fine showing from SWV! The main feature, while typical of Friedel's style and, hence, not to all tastes is nevertheless a surprisingly well-made film. Despite Friedel's pacey style of storytelling, I must confess a deep fondness for some of his films. He has a real gift for weaving trashy archetypes together into unique little stories. Though far inferior in every way possible, "The Electric Chair" feature is a real hoot. Bad acting (see if you can spot future "LA Law" star Larry Drake in the courtroom gallery), bad direction, bad script and bad special effects make this a true Kamp Klassic. As is so often the case with SWV, however, the extras are the real reason to add this disc to your collection. The Encyclopedia Brittanica short about "Keeping Mentally Fit" is a howler and a half. It's narrated by a senile old sawbones who illustrates the habits of good mental hygiene with stories of past patients including a lazy school girl, a cry-baby and a self-loathing loser who does nothing but pout. Okay, so maybe I am missing the point, but who really cares. These priceless pieces of Americana are the main reason I invest my hard-earned money in these silly discs. This one does not disappoint!

Rating:
Summary: The Virgin Slaughter
Review: The best part of the DVD of "Axe", is the trailer for the film under the alternate title of "The Virgin Slaughter". I will explain, "Axe" is the story of a trio of criminals who flee into the country to avoid the police. They come upon a lonely farmhouse inhabited by a pre-pubescent girl and her paralyzed father. In what amounts to a no-budget "Straw Dogs", the girl brings her own brand of justice to the criminals. The DVD provide three different trailers for the film with very unique appoaches, the best being the one for "The Virgin Slaughter", which depicts the film as some sort of demonic possesion blood lust film centering on the girl as a type of unholy avenger. It is the most misleading trailer I have ever seen and is well worth the price of the DVD. Something Weird Video has added numerous extras to this presentation. There is an additional film from the same director called "The Electric Chair" which is longer than the main feature. There is also two short subjects, one is very funny as a scantily clad woman, circa 1956 swallows swords which cause various layers of clothing to pop off. There is also director commentary and even radio spots. While this film will not appeal to everyone (anyone?), those who are into this sort of low-budget stuff will find the time spent worthwhile.

Rating:
Summary: The Virgin Slaughter
Review: The best part of the DVD of "Axe", is the trailer for the film under the alternate title of "The Virgin Slaughter". I will explain, "Axe" is the story of a trio of criminals who flee into the country to avoid the police. They come upon a lonely farmhouse inhabited by a pre-pubescent girl and her paralyzed father. In what amounts to a no-budget "Straw Dogs", the girl brings her own brand of justice to the criminals. The DVD provide three different trailers for the film with very unique appoaches, the best being the one for "The Virgin Slaughter", which depicts the film as some sort of demonic possesion blood lust film centering on the girl as a type of unholy avenger. It is the most misleading trailer I have ever seen and is well worth the price of the DVD. Something Weird Video has added numerous extras to this presentation. There is an additional film from the same director called "The Electric Chair" which is longer than the main feature. There is also two short subjects, one is very funny as a scantily clad woman, circa 1956 swallows swords which cause various layers of clothing to pop off. There is also director commentary and even radio spots. While this film will not appeal to everyone (anyone?), those who are into this sort of low-budget stuff will find the time spent worthwhile.