With the rehash of FRIDAY THE 13TH weeks away from hitting the big screen there is going to be more Jason mayhem and madness than ever. Starz along with Anchor Bay Entertainment has put together one of the best documentaries about the franchise which includes interview with actors, producers, directors and special effects artists that worked on the film, along with media figures and webmasters that really know the franchise from inside out.
Hosted by iconic special effects artist Tom Savini, HIS NAME WAS JASON is a combination of memories, scenes and thoughts about the FRIDAY THE 13th series and the killer that made the films famous, Jason Voorhees. The documentary includes interviews with actors from the Friday films such as Kane Hodder, Adrienne King, Warrington Gillette, Amy Steel, Richard Brooker, C.J. Graham, Larry Zerner, Paul Kratka, and Ari Lehman to name a few. The producers and directors such as Sean S. Cunningham, Tom McLoughlin, James Isaac, John Carl Buechler, Joseph Zito, Danny Steinmann and even the director of the new film Marcus Nispel. Special effects artists like Greg Nicotero and Tom Savini. Filmmakers such as Joe Lynch and Adam Green, and Journalists such as Tony Timpone, Ryan Rotten, Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton, and my friends from Icons of Fright, Rob G and Mike C.. There are people from all walks of the series that contribute their stories and feeling toward the franchise and how it has had its effects on society and the sociology of the horror genre.
Everything with this film is pretty much shot in an interview format, with funny and frightening scenes from the films as well as Tom Savini hosting the film while on a set where a girl is being stalked by Jason and is running into the bodies of his many victims. But besides all of the memories and stories from the sets, we do have a comical side to the stories as well as some funny feeling towards the franchise and some of the good, the bad and the ugly about the films.
The Documentary itself is so over packed with great interviews that most of them were cut short to fit the running time. The good thing is that most of the interviews are on a second disc along with some exclusive interviews with the actors, screen writers and the men behind the mask of Jason. There is also the Crystal Lake Survival guide feature, as well as fan films and Jason Takes Comic Con. There is also a feature called FRIDAY THE 13TH in four minutes which has really funny recap by Joe Lynch, Adam Green and Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton. Larry Zerner also does a funny skit as Sheldon as layer who specializing and suing killers like Jason for their acts. There are also some interviews that are emotional such as Adrienne King talking about her stalker and a great speech called “I’m a Proud Freak” by Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton who I think talks for all horror fans in this bit.
Overall, this is the perfect documentary that really tells the history of the FRIDAY 4THE 13th films and the stories and memories the cast and crew have from the films and the impact the series has had on popular culture. This is a must own DVD for fans of the FRIDAY THE 13Th series.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
