I was fortunate enough to attend the premiere of Stevan Mena's Brutal Massacre at The Long Island International Film Expo this past Friday the 13th. Steven is best known for the his first horror film titled Malevolence, which won best feature film at the same festival in 2003. Malevolence went on to have a theatrical run here in the states thanks to Anchor Bay Entertainment and fared quite well. But in light of Malevolence being a dark horror film, Mena takes a different approach with Brutal Massacre in that it's a more of a comedy. 

     Although the film is titled Brutal Massacre which may make one think automatically that it's just another horror film with a bad title. Brutal Massacre is actually a subtext for what the film is really about. Brutal Massacre is actually the the film being made within this film. However after seeing this film and what the plot is about one might see how making a film on a shoestring budget can in its self turn into; well a brutal massacre itself. 

    Brutal Massacre is about a well known film maker of b-movie horror named Harry Penderecki.  Harry has not directed a film in years and many of his past films have bombed badly in the box office. Now most of his colleagues within the film business think he's a washed up filmmaker who should just quit the business all together, However Harry has one last idea to help revive his film career,  Brutal Massacre is that idea.  With a small crew and a redneck cowboy investor obsessed with T & A.  Harry begins production. But Harry runs into many big problems during the production of the film, problems that could scrap the whole film from ever being made. Harry must now try to finish up his film with the small crew he has while trying to keep his sanity, as well as his film in check.

   One might see the plot of Brutal Massacre and think that it's just another comedy film that is going to make fun of the horror genre such as the likes of Scary Movie. Although it may come off as being of the likes in the trailer, the film more or less pokes fun at the experiences and hardships of making a horror film or low budget film in general.

   Now even I was skeptical when I first saw the trailer about how good this film might be. But since Stevan Mena is a friend of the site, and a fellow Long Islander like myself,  how could I not go check out and support his latest film.  I'm very glad I did, because I had one hell of a time not only watching the film, but had the great experience of seeing the movie with the cast and crew as well.

   The first thing that Mena did right was write an unbelievable and not to mention very funny script. With so many Hollywood based comedies being written these days and all of them relying on the same comical formula to draw in numbers at the box office, I can honesty say that Mena wrote a fresh original comedy script with great one liners, jokes, and funny situations. Some of those situations being things that Mena himself had experienced on the set of Maleviolence.  The dialogue in the script was near perfect and the character development was top notch.  However while the script starts out very strong with one great one liner and one comical scene after another. The comedy does die down a bit towards the middle of the film and focuses more on character development and  story. However Mena does deliver a great and powerful ending that is sure to make you laugh right though the credits.

  Where this films strong point is however is not just in the script but within the directing and the acting. Mena is a great director, and while this is only his second film; the acting in the movie is unbelievable. The cast of the film contains some of the greatest that the horror genre has to offer, such as David Naughton, Ken Foree, Gunnar Hansen, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker and also co stars Brian O'Halloran of Clerks fame.  All I can really say is that this film was perfectly cast. I honestly have not one complaint aboutany of the characters and actors who played them. I really though that the entire cast shined as one under Mena's direction.

   The overall production value of the film is alright, the majority of the movie took place in basic locations that did not require the greatest of production value. The entire film has several different locations which required very little set design and visuals. There is really no special make-up effects in the film, unless you count the ones used in the Harry Penderecki directed Brutal Massacre featured in the film.  However overall the film is set in very basic locations and while it's shot in a documentary style the movie has a great overall independent feel, while not looking like a cheap low budget flick.

   Overall, Brutal Massacre is a film that is not only a great comical  tribute to the hardships of filmmaking, but it's one of the better horror related comedies of our time. A great cult classic in the making. It not only proves that Stevan Mena is a great horror director but that he can also direct a film outside of the genre that gave him a name. The script and cast are top notch, and that's what makes Brutal Massacre the great film that it is. It's is a must see for fans of the independent and filmmakers alike.  Strong performances, great directing and a wonderful script what more can you ask for. Brutal Massacre is a cult masterpiece, that is sure to please the greatest of horror and comedy fans alike.

- Horror Bob

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