Drive-In Horrorshow: Some Films Won't Stay Dead
Drive-In Horrorshow is an anthology of films in the tradition of Tales From The Crypt and Creepshow. Five films are linked together by The Projectionist, a ghastly lost soul and owner of a decrepit drive-in that is staffed by a motley assortment of zombies, ghouls, trolls and other things that go bump in the night.
The film is currently in production, but there is a trailer out already which is worth taking a look at. Interestingly, the people behind the film have also released a sample DVD and a soundtrack album, both of which I’ve been able to lay my hands on.
The Ghoulish Videos DVD has four parts. First up is the music videos, of which there are eight demonstrating quite a wide range of styles. Highlights – for me – include the zombie-battling metal of Slip of the Skin by Hotblack; the poppy strangeness of Hollywood Nights by Common Thrill and the superb Bombshell by Trouble on the Airwaves. It should be no surprise that all of the videos use horror imagery to a greater or lesser extent, often with footage that is clearly from the film, and this imagery is used very effectively. It’s also worth noting that the songs are of a consistently high standard and all of them work well as standalone songs. Drive-In Horrorshow may be an independent film, but the people behind it have clearly managed to sign up a very talented cadre of musicians for their soundtrack.
We then have a Behind The Scenes section which comprises three featurettes demonstrating how some of the make-up and effects are achieved. This part, more than anything, feels like the sort of thing you would find as a DVD extra on the film proper. While the films are interesting, they also left me wanting to come back to them after having watched the full feature.
The third section is a collection of three trailers for other films. The first one, for God of Vampires, looks is both stylish and visually stunning while the final one, for the marvellously titled Elvis’s Dream Attack really does have to be seen to be believed.
And finally we have the Other Stuff, which includes the wonderfully silly Outer Rings, a two-part spoof of the cliffhanger serials of days gone by.
This DVD is a well put together collection and one thing that comes through very strongly is that the creative team behind it, and behind the film, have a lot of passion, a dark sense of humour and a lot of talent and really do know how to get the most out of a limited budget. It’s not expensive and is well worth picking up for the music videos and the Outer Rings. It’s also left me very keen indeed to see the Drive-In Horrorshow when it is released.
As well as the DVD, there is also an album which – fitting right in with the retro feel of the film – is available on both CD and Vinyl. There are ten songs in all, including all eight from the DVD and the whole package is well worth a listen. And if you have a turntable handy, now is a good time to plug some speakers back in.
All in all, this is a very promising package from some very talented people who have certainly convinced me that Drive-In Horrorshow is going to be a film worth watching out for.
You can pick up both the Ghoulish Videos DVD and the Soundtrack CD from the Drive-In Horrorshow website, which is here. Alternatively, if you head over to Rue Morgue before 31st July, you have a chance to win the soundtrack.