directed by joseph zito
graduation films
This not terribly creative small-budget independent slasher-type horror feature is compromised by a few serious issues. One is that it is highly reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine, which wouldn’t be so bad except that it came out nine months later than that flick. The other, which is probably more severe, is that its reveal of the mystery killer isn’t acceptable, being not only illogical but improbable. While I acknowledge that one may not always be able to deduce the slayer’s correct identity in these types of pictures, it’s gotta make SOME kind of sense to support the conceit. And this one just doesn’t. Granted, the conclusion doesn’t even bother to explain anything in the aftermath – which is admirable to some degree – but after dwelling on it for about four seconds, I realized that a number of other details also don’t add up to anything. (One in particular makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.) A false-shock ending is thrown in for additional kicks. I will concede that the song title “Disco Blood” (“Original Rock Music Composed and Performed by NOWHERE FAST”) is A-1.
why did i watch this movie?
This one must have wound up on my list based on the reputation of its director’s prior production, Bloodrage, which I haven’t screened yet.
should you watch this movie?
You know, a plethora of slasher flicks were made in the 1980s.
highlight and low point
The phony “newsreel” footage that opens the proceedings, setting up the alleged connection to WWII that purportedly ties subsequent events to blah blah blah … see, right there is the problem. A link to past events is supposed to exist and fuel the action, but in actuality does neither. “Nowhere Fast,” faceless meat-and-potatoes rockers, do the “graduation dance” proud.
