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Dead & Rotting
Tempe Entertainment // R // April 2, 2002
List Price: $19.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
After a son is unjustly murdered by some ignorant kids, a distraught parent turns to witchcraft (and pumpkins) to exact vengeance. Despite some surface similarities, I'm not describing Pumpkinhead, but the latest and final collaboration between Tempe Video and Full Moon Pictures. Dead And Rotting starts off as three friends drive up to the home of a reputed witch on a bet. They're quickly startled by a feral backwoodser and speed off. While discussing the Amazing Jackal Boy™ over a couple of beers at the local pub, guess who strolls in for a nice bowl of milk? A misunderstanding with a waitress ensues, and the three buddies take him out back for an old-fashioned whoopin'. Pox returns home to Mama, licking his wounds, and his mother conjures up the appropriate punishment for his attackers. This kicks off a cycle of revenge that ends up with a pot of Familiar Stew. Abigail the witch is incensed by her son's murder, using sorcery to transform into a younger, more attractive version of herself (played by Debbie Rochon). She seduces each of the three men, who inadvertently help to create the instruments of their own destruction. Soon, they'll all find out what it's like to be dead and rotting...
Dead and Rotting is a great title for a horror flick, but that's not the genre into which I'd immediately lump this movie. Actually, I'm not really sure how to best classify it, though such elements of horror as supernatural revenge and witchcraft drive the plot. There is very little on-screen gore, and few attempts are made at generating any tension or suspense. None of the characters are very interesting, and they remain so underdeveloped throughout the course of the 72 minute movie that it's difficult to care whether or not they die. The kill scenes are similarly uninspired, though the idea of keeping victims "alive" as rotting plants is inventive and well-executed. The makeup effects in these scenes are first-rate, and the same can be said for the effects for the majority of the movie. This probably shouldn't come as a surprise, as it was written and directed by the man behind the effects in such films as The Usual Suspects and Alex Winter's Freaked. The image of the Jacob's Ladder-esque spectre that appears after Abigail's first assault and the scene in which she gives birth to her "children" stand out as two of the movie's creepiest moments. Most disappointing is the creature at the end, which looks great in the behind the scenes footage elsewhere on the DVD. In the movie itself, though, it looks tiny and almost laughable when animated. I didn't get the impression that I was supposed to chuckle then, but Dead and Rotting does seem to have its tongue planted firmly in cheek, judging by the corny dialogue and intentionally hammy acting from the three male leads. Unfortunately, I found Dead and Rotting to be about as funny as it is scary.
I'm not a fan of Dead and Rotting, but literally all of the reviews and comments I've read about the movie have been overwhelmingly positive. Maybe there's just something terribly wrong with me, or perhaps my interest in low-budget horror has tapered off more over the past couple of years than I realize. The special edition DVD from Tempe Video is undeniably well-produced, and though I didn't much care for the movie, fans of Tempe Video and Full Moon Pictures ought to be very pleased with the overall quality of this release.
Video: Dead and Rotting was shot at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 on digital video, and this DVD is enhanced for widescreen televisions. It was also treated with Filmlook, a process used to give material shot on video more of a film-like appearance, as the name obviously suggests. As Dead and Rotting bypassed any celluloid stage, there are, of course, no specks, scratches, or most of the other issues that often arise when transferring from a film print. One notable exception is the movie's very grainy appearance, which I would assume was either intentionally inserted in post or stems from Filmlook's effect on video noise. Since Dead and Rotting made the transition from one digital source to another, this DVD should offer as accurate a representation of the source material as is currently possible. Presumably any other qualms with the presentation can be traced to production or post-production.
Audio: As was the case with the audio on the Witchouse 3 DVD, the Dolby Digital 5.1 track for Dead and Rotting shatters what would typically be expected from a film of its modest budget. The score is crisp and powerful, and there are quite a few directional effects. Sometimes there's a bit too much going on, though, and dialogue suffers as a result. One example would be the exterior of the diner as our three heroes hatch the scheme to hire the burnouts. They're chatting outdoors, and the zooming of cars and that sort of ambiance roars from the rear channels so loudly that it takes a mild effort to concentrate on what's being said. Dead and Rotting sounds very good, though viewers may want to fiddle with the volume or reposition the rears somewhat to accommodate.
Supplements: Two versions of Dead and Rotting are being released on DVD. The first is a double feature with Stitches, produced by Full Moon and authored by Tempe Video. This edition doesn't include any supplements for Dead and Rotting, though Stitches features a commentary, trailer, and featurette. The double feature isn't available in stores, but Tempe has a few copies on hand for sale on their site for $14.99 a pop.
Tempe Video has produced their own DVD as well, limited to 2,000 copies and priced at a very reasonable $19.99. Tempe chief J.R. Bookwalter is to microbudget horror as J.R.R. Tolkien is to fantasy, and he spends enough time interacting with genre enthusiasts to know the sort of supplemental material that his audience craves. Though Tempe is relatively new to the DVD game, they have proven a mastery of the special edition from their very first release. Dead and Rotting continues in the same line as the thoroughly impressive DVD releases of Witchouse 3 and Hell Asylum.
There are two feature-length audio supplements -- an isolated score and a commentary track with writer/director David Barton, actor Tom Hoover, and David Greathouse. Barton talks about the many obstacles there were to overcome on a low-budget production, such as the unavailability of a certain car, forced day-for-night shots, and the psychosis of drivers passing by while taping was underway. He also discusses how the project came together based on an unrelated script with the same title, friends and Full Moon regulars in the background in some scenes, and how The Usual Suspects was responsible for a makeup effects shot late in the movie.
The David P. Barton interview runs 14 minutes, detailing the progression of his career and an interest in filmmaking from a very early age. Quite a number of Super 8 experiments he and Bookwalter filmed growing up are included, and footage from movies like The Dead Next Door runs in the background. The interview was conducted in 1999, well before Dead and Rotting was a glimmer in anyone's eye.
"Behind The Scenes" is 13 minutes of anamorphic widescreen footage that gives a peek of how working on a low-budget production can be both fun and occasionally maddening. The highlight would probably be a can opener-less Bookwalter spending half an hour tearing into a thing of coffee. A second 16x9-enhanced featurette, "Makeup FX Behind The Scenes", starts off with a tour of the cluttered area where Ron Karkosa (Wishmaster 3) cobbled together many of the film's makeup effects. It continues on-set with the application of masks and makeup, the animation of Abigail's final form, and assorted splatter.
The nearly twenty-year-old "Early Makeup FX Footage" is a run-through of the some very nice work created by David Barton and Bill Morrison for a haunted house, ending with a Super 8 film of a kid shaving his face off. Also included is Barton's short film Howard Street Blues, and the name alone should give an indication when it was made and what sort of material is being spoofed.
The most memorable feature on this disc is Filthy McNasty, a 45 minute short from the aptly-named Low Budget Pictures. As a total coincidence, I "knew" a couple of the guys from Low Budget (in the Internet sense of not really knowing someone at all) who, like myself, have a Big Wolf on Campus fan page. The presence of the short on this disc is appropriate, as it also stars Debbie Rochon and deals in part with witchcraft. Though gross-out humor rarely does much for me, Filthy McNasty is so hysterically over-the-top with its vulgarity that it teeters on being surreal. Rochon and Miss Kitty star as two outcasts who desperately want to attend a party. A demon named Phil gives them a drastic makeover, though he doesn't exactly make it clear to them what he intends to collect in return. His desired bounty is a sexual romp with the ladies, as well as the souls of everyone at the party. Phil knocks off everyone at the shindig one by one, culminating in a three-way with Low Budget's mascot, Teen Ape. Any movie with a borderline obsession with John Stamos and a scene involving the creative use of feces as a lubricant deserves at least one spin. Filthy McNasty truly has to be seen to be believed, and even then... A commentary track for Filthy McNasty with writer/director Chris Seaver and a couple of the actors who worked on the short is also included, as is a "10 Years of Low Budget Pictures" trailer.
There are two still galleries, one focusing on makeup effects and the other on general production. Between them, there are around sixty images of photos, conceptual art, promotional material, and assorted behind the scenes shots. Rounding out the supplements are trailers for Skinned Alive, Eddie Presley, Dead and Rotting, Hell Asylum, and Witchouse 3: Demon Fire.
Conclusion: Dead and Rotting didn't do much for me, though Tempe and Full Moon's established fanbase has reacted very positively towards the movie in the message board posts I've read. I wouldn't recommend Dead and Rotting as a purchase sight-unseen, though devotees of creepy low-budget flicks may enjoy renting this DVD and spending a weekend delving through all the disc has to offer. Its $19.99 list price doesn't make a blind purchase prohibitive, but I'd recommend giving the movie a peek first before plunking down that sort of cash.
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Dead and Rotting is a great title for a horror flick, but that's not the genre into which I'd immediately lump this movie. Actually, I'm not really sure how to best classify it, though such elements of horror as supernatural revenge and witchcraft drive the plot. There is very little on-screen gore, and few attempts are made at generating any tension or suspense. None of the characters are very interesting, and they remain so underdeveloped throughout the course of the 72 minute movie that it's difficult to care whether or not they die. The kill scenes are similarly uninspired, though the idea of keeping victims "alive" as rotting plants is inventive and well-executed. The makeup effects in these scenes are first-rate, and the same can be said for the effects for the majority of the movie. This probably shouldn't come as a surprise, as it was written and directed by the man behind the effects in such films as The Usual Suspects and Alex Winter's Freaked. The image of the Jacob's Ladder-esque spectre that appears after Abigail's first assault and the scene in which she gives birth to her "children" stand out as two of the movie's creepiest moments. Most disappointing is the creature at the end, which looks great in the behind the scenes footage elsewhere on the DVD. In the movie itself, though, it looks tiny and almost laughable when animated. I didn't get the impression that I was supposed to chuckle then, but Dead and Rotting does seem to have its tongue planted firmly in cheek, judging by the corny dialogue and intentionally hammy acting from the three male leads. Unfortunately, I found Dead and Rotting to be about as funny as it is scary.
I'm not a fan of Dead and Rotting, but literally all of the reviews and comments I've read about the movie have been overwhelmingly positive. Maybe there's just something terribly wrong with me, or perhaps my interest in low-budget horror has tapered off more over the past couple of years than I realize. The special edition DVD from Tempe Video is undeniably well-produced, and though I didn't much care for the movie, fans of Tempe Video and Full Moon Pictures ought to be very pleased with the overall quality of this release.
Video: Dead and Rotting was shot at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 on digital video, and this DVD is enhanced for widescreen televisions. It was also treated with Filmlook, a process used to give material shot on video more of a film-like appearance, as the name obviously suggests. As Dead and Rotting bypassed any celluloid stage, there are, of course, no specks, scratches, or most of the other issues that often arise when transferring from a film print. One notable exception is the movie's very grainy appearance, which I would assume was either intentionally inserted in post or stems from Filmlook's effect on video noise. Since Dead and Rotting made the transition from one digital source to another, this DVD should offer as accurate a representation of the source material as is currently possible. Presumably any other qualms with the presentation can be traced to production or post-production.
Audio: As was the case with the audio on the Witchouse 3 DVD, the Dolby Digital 5.1 track for Dead and Rotting shatters what would typically be expected from a film of its modest budget. The score is crisp and powerful, and there are quite a few directional effects. Sometimes there's a bit too much going on, though, and dialogue suffers as a result. One example would be the exterior of the diner as our three heroes hatch the scheme to hire the burnouts. They're chatting outdoors, and the zooming of cars and that sort of ambiance roars from the rear channels so loudly that it takes a mild effort to concentrate on what's being said. Dead and Rotting sounds very good, though viewers may want to fiddle with the volume or reposition the rears somewhat to accommodate.
Supplements: Two versions of Dead and Rotting are being released on DVD. The first is a double feature with Stitches, produced by Full Moon and authored by Tempe Video. This edition doesn't include any supplements for Dead and Rotting, though Stitches features a commentary, trailer, and featurette. The double feature isn't available in stores, but Tempe has a few copies on hand for sale on their site for $14.99 a pop.
Tempe Video has produced their own DVD as well, limited to 2,000 copies and priced at a very reasonable $19.99. Tempe chief J.R. Bookwalter is to microbudget horror as J.R.R. Tolkien is to fantasy, and he spends enough time interacting with genre enthusiasts to know the sort of supplemental material that his audience craves. Though Tempe is relatively new to the DVD game, they have proven a mastery of the special edition from their very first release. Dead and Rotting continues in the same line as the thoroughly impressive DVD releases of Witchouse 3 and Hell Asylum.
There are two feature-length audio supplements -- an isolated score and a commentary track with writer/director David Barton, actor Tom Hoover, and David Greathouse. Barton talks about the many obstacles there were to overcome on a low-budget production, such as the unavailability of a certain car, forced day-for-night shots, and the psychosis of drivers passing by while taping was underway. He also discusses how the project came together based on an unrelated script with the same title, friends and Full Moon regulars in the background in some scenes, and how The Usual Suspects was responsible for a makeup effects shot late in the movie.
The David P. Barton interview runs 14 minutes, detailing the progression of his career and an interest in filmmaking from a very early age. Quite a number of Super 8 experiments he and Bookwalter filmed growing up are included, and footage from movies like The Dead Next Door runs in the background. The interview was conducted in 1999, well before Dead and Rotting was a glimmer in anyone's eye.
"Behind The Scenes" is 13 minutes of anamorphic widescreen footage that gives a peek of how working on a low-budget production can be both fun and occasionally maddening. The highlight would probably be a can opener-less Bookwalter spending half an hour tearing into a thing of coffee. A second 16x9-enhanced featurette, "Makeup FX Behind The Scenes", starts off with a tour of the cluttered area where Ron Karkosa (Wishmaster 3) cobbled together many of the film's makeup effects. It continues on-set with the application of masks and makeup, the animation of Abigail's final form, and assorted splatter.
The nearly twenty-year-old "Early Makeup FX Footage" is a run-through of the some very nice work created by David Barton and Bill Morrison for a haunted house, ending with a Super 8 film of a kid shaving his face off. Also included is Barton's short film Howard Street Blues, and the name alone should give an indication when it was made and what sort of material is being spoofed.
The most memorable feature on this disc is Filthy McNasty, a 45 minute short from the aptly-named Low Budget Pictures. As a total coincidence, I "knew" a couple of the guys from Low Budget (in the Internet sense of not really knowing someone at all) who, like myself, have a Big Wolf on Campus fan page. The presence of the short on this disc is appropriate, as it also stars Debbie Rochon and deals in part with witchcraft. Though gross-out humor rarely does much for me, Filthy McNasty is so hysterically over-the-top with its vulgarity that it teeters on being surreal. Rochon and Miss Kitty star as two outcasts who desperately want to attend a party. A demon named Phil gives them a drastic makeover, though he doesn't exactly make it clear to them what he intends to collect in return. His desired bounty is a sexual romp with the ladies, as well as the souls of everyone at the party. Phil knocks off everyone at the shindig one by one, culminating in a three-way with Low Budget's mascot, Teen Ape. Any movie with a borderline obsession with John Stamos and a scene involving the creative use of feces as a lubricant deserves at least one spin. Filthy McNasty truly has to be seen to be believed, and even then... A commentary track for Filthy McNasty with writer/director Chris Seaver and a couple of the actors who worked on the short is also included, as is a "10 Years of Low Budget Pictures" trailer.
There are two still galleries, one focusing on makeup effects and the other on general production. Between them, there are around sixty images of photos, conceptual art, promotional material, and assorted behind the scenes shots. Rounding out the supplements are trailers for Skinned Alive, Eddie Presley, Dead and Rotting, Hell Asylum, and Witchouse 3: Demon Fire.
Conclusion: Dead and Rotting didn't do much for me, though Tempe and Full Moon's established fanbase has reacted very positively towards the movie in the message board posts I've read. I wouldn't recommend Dead and Rotting as a purchase sight-unseen, though devotees of creepy low-budget flicks may enjoy renting this DVD and spending a weekend delving through all the disc has to offer. Its $19.99 list price doesn't make a blind purchase prohibitive, but I'd recommend giving the movie a peek first before plunking down that sort of cash.
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