Alright....so the story was kind of goofy.....so the movie was filmed with a home video camera....so the actors were wooden...WHO CARES??? Did you not see the video box?? I didn't expect much when I rented this...and that is what i got. If you have 90 minutes to spare, than rent this piece of crap. It's really kind of funny. The '80's styles are funny enough...but what really got me was the fact that the main characters were SHOCKED that everyone in town actually OWNED a VCR! The times they are a'changing....
29 Reviews
Bad, cheesy, campy, hilarious
last_cheese23 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Video Violence is one of those SOV horror films, the ones that started popping up all over during the late '80s. For the most part they went unnoticed, and for good reason; most of them completely stunk. Yet where ever there is bad, there is good. Or at least moderately enjoyable. And that is where this film is, it's good enough to warrant a play through, but most people probably won't enjoy this film.
Steve Emory has recently taken over a video store, and soon begins receiving these strange VHS'. The home videos contain scenes of murder and gore. Steve then begins noticing that the townsfolk only rent the horror films; and then one of his employees goes missing! He tries to get the help from the local police department, but they're so incompetent they can't even use a VCR! Finally, he unravels the mystery; the entire town has been in on it, producing and starring in their own snuff films. Unfortunately for Steve and his wife, Rachael, they're going to be starring in the next one!
I find the plot to be pretty good, perhaps a better writer could have made something great out of it, but for what it is, it works. The acting isn't that great, but most of these movies tend not to have good acting. The biggest problem this movie has going for it is that many scenes tend to drag on for too long, slowing down the movie. The gore scenes are pretty good, although some are bad... To the point where they're hilarious. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys cheap and cheesy horror; it may not be great, and most people might want to turn it off from the start, but any fan of low budget horror can find some enjoyment in it.
Steve Emory has recently taken over a video store, and soon begins receiving these strange VHS'. The home videos contain scenes of murder and gore. Steve then begins noticing that the townsfolk only rent the horror films; and then one of his employees goes missing! He tries to get the help from the local police department, but they're so incompetent they can't even use a VCR! Finally, he unravels the mystery; the entire town has been in on it, producing and starring in their own snuff films. Unfortunately for Steve and his wife, Rachael, they're going to be starring in the next one!
I find the plot to be pretty good, perhaps a better writer could have made something great out of it, but for what it is, it works. The acting isn't that great, but most of these movies tend not to have good acting. The biggest problem this movie has going for it is that many scenes tend to drag on for too long, slowing down the movie. The gore scenes are pretty good, although some are bad... To the point where they're hilarious. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys cheap and cheesy horror; it may not be great, and most people might want to turn it off from the start, but any fan of low budget horror can find some enjoyment in it.
SOV
BandSAboutMovies13 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Writer and director Gary Cohen was working in a video store and noticed that no one was renting any of the classic films that he loved. They were all renting slashers.
One day, a mother asked him if I Dismember Mama had any sex in it. He told her that it didn't, but it had plenty of graphic violence. She told him that if it didn't have sex, it was find for her kids. This scene is in the movie, except they are discussing the movie Blood Cult.
Steve and Rachel have just moved to a new town, setting up a mom and pop rental shop that seems to exclusively rent out slashers. One of their customers - probably Howard and Eli, whose sports store seems to be a front for mayhem - accidentally returns a video tape of one of their murders, which soon reveals that everyone in this sleepy little SOV town is a killer.
If you look closely on this box, it has J.R. Bob Dobbs of the Church of the Subgenius on it, claiming that he has approved this movie. Your tolerance for SOV horror will determine how much you like this yourself.
One day, a mother asked him if I Dismember Mama had any sex in it. He told her that it didn't, but it had plenty of graphic violence. She told him that if it didn't have sex, it was find for her kids. This scene is in the movie, except they are discussing the movie Blood Cult.
Steve and Rachel have just moved to a new town, setting up a mom and pop rental shop that seems to exclusively rent out slashers. One of their customers - probably Howard and Eli, whose sports store seems to be a front for mayhem - accidentally returns a video tape of one of their murders, which soon reveals that everyone in this sleepy little SOV town is a killer.
If you look closely on this box, it has J.R. Bob Dobbs of the Church of the Subgenius on it, claiming that he has approved this movie. Your tolerance for SOV horror will determine how much you like this yourself.
SIMPLY SHOCKING
argusto20 December 2003
One of the 30 movies i saw that are a truly horror mastepiece. this movie -at least- in Argentina is very difficult to see or rent. It was film in video and i think when the whole "video" mania was just starting. This is an excellent example of making a great film with very little money. I think it is an example for every filmaker.
A shot-on-video nasty.
BA_Harrison26 November 2018
For those too young to remember, a video store was where you would go to rent movies (recorded on things called 'tapes'). Providing it wasn't already 'out', you could take home an action-packed Chuck Norris or Michael Dudikoff flick, enjoy the latest antics of those crazy Police Academy cops, or check out a Charles Band sci-fi or fantasy offering. And, of course, there was always the horror section, packed with zombies, masked maniacs, and semi-naked scream queens.
It's this last blood-soaked genre that appeals most to the not-so-good people of Frenchtown in low-budget shot-on-video nonsense Video Violence. The townsfolk not only rent legitimate scary movies from The Video Studio, run by ex-New Yorker Steven Emory (Art Neill), but they also make their own special brand of horror: snuff movies starring transients and those who decide to leave for pastures new. When one of these gruesome murder tapes is left at Steven's video store, he tries to alert the authorities, but is there anyone in the town he can really trust?
Shot on a shoestring budget and featuring a cast with limited acting ability (to say the least), Video Violence reeks of amateurism, from the shoddy picture and sound quality, to the abysmal script, to the dreadful dialogue and dreary pace. For the most part, it is very hard going, heavy on the talking and light on the horror, but, just occasionally, the film gets it right: the murder of a young woman by evil Eli (played by a bloke called Uke) is surprisingly nasty, the killer carving his name into the woman's breasts Krug-style before stabbing her with an icepick, while another slaying in a deli delivers the film's goriest moment, the bloody decapitation of a customer (whose severed head is boiled in a pot).
A lot more of this fun splatter and far less dull chatter and Video Violence could have been a minor classic of the SOV horror subgenre, but the way it is, it's bordering on the unwatchable.
It's this last blood-soaked genre that appeals most to the not-so-good people of Frenchtown in low-budget shot-on-video nonsense Video Violence. The townsfolk not only rent legitimate scary movies from The Video Studio, run by ex-New Yorker Steven Emory (Art Neill), but they also make their own special brand of horror: snuff movies starring transients and those who decide to leave for pastures new. When one of these gruesome murder tapes is left at Steven's video store, he tries to alert the authorities, but is there anyone in the town he can really trust?
Shot on a shoestring budget and featuring a cast with limited acting ability (to say the least), Video Violence reeks of amateurism, from the shoddy picture and sound quality, to the abysmal script, to the dreadful dialogue and dreary pace. For the most part, it is very hard going, heavy on the talking and light on the horror, but, just occasionally, the film gets it right: the murder of a young woman by evil Eli (played by a bloke called Uke) is surprisingly nasty, the killer carving his name into the woman's breasts Krug-style before stabbing her with an icepick, while another slaying in a deli delivers the film's goriest moment, the bloody decapitation of a customer (whose severed head is boiled in a pot).
A lot more of this fun splatter and far less dull chatter and Video Violence could have been a minor classic of the SOV horror subgenre, but the way it is, it's bordering on the unwatchable.
Almost unwatchable. I love it.
Sai-Ken7 June 1999
Video Violence is... painful, almost visceral. Your mind actually rebels against this drek, pleading please, please turn it off! And yet, you can't. Rather, even after your best friend tears the tape from the VCR, you pull it out later and force yourself to watch it again. From the beginning. It's not quite MST3K material; rather imagine _Redneck Zombies_ (The highly superior Pericles Lewnes gem) with cheaper special effects and no wit. Yes, this was shot on home video, and the color saturation alone lets you know we are firmly in the '80s. The hair helps too on that point, as does the classic fretting of the video clerk- "I can't believe everyone in this one horse town owns a VCR!" Mmmm. This film seems as if it was trying to be camp (though assuming so is purely an act of compassion) but fell flat. Horribly flat. Watered down condiments as blood. Bouncy rubber hands reused over and over. No continuity. No acting. No attractive men or woman to take your mind off the ordeal, though there is some incredibly boring nudity. It seems to have been shot over spring break. Or maybe a three day weekend. Needless to say, I enjoyed it immensely. Interesting note: Obviously shot in a real video store, a copy of _Blood Cult_ is highly visible in one scene. (Other movies are visible, and there's a Friday the 13th poster, but hey, it's _Blood Cult_! Supposed the first straight to video film! So very appropriate.)
the best movie that 25 dollars can make
movieman_kev13 April 2007
Steven Emory has just moved with his wife from New York to open a small video rental store on in the middle of nowhere. One day his only employee discovers a unlabeled tape in a returned video case. Curiosity gets the better of them, so while the store's empty they choose to pop it in and watch. It's a horrid snuff film so Steven runs to the police station and tries to talk the chief into checking it out. Upon his return to the store, cop in tow, he finds that the video has been switched & his employee missing. How far will he go to find out what really happened? What this extremely low-budget shot on video movie lacks in anything that usually constitutes a 'good' film (acting, production values of any kind, etcetera), it more than makes up for in story and heart. It's funny and for the most part enjoyable. For optimum viewing pleasure enjoy with some alcoholic beverage of your choice and a few like-minded friends. If you liked "pieces" or "2000 Maniacs", you'll more then likely enjoy this too.
My Grade: B-
DVD Extras: Audio commentary by Director/ writer Gary Cohen, Special effects men Mark Dolsom & Mark Kwiatek, and actors Art Neill, Paul Kay, David Christopher, & Uke; 15 minute interview with Cohen; and Trailers for Video Violence 1, Video Violence 2, Cannibal Campout, Woodchipper Massacre, & Ghoul School (the DVD also comes with the sequel to this film on the same disc)
My Grade: B-
DVD Extras: Audio commentary by Director/ writer Gary Cohen, Special effects men Mark Dolsom & Mark Kwiatek, and actors Art Neill, Paul Kay, David Christopher, & Uke; 15 minute interview with Cohen; and Trailers for Video Violence 1, Video Violence 2, Cannibal Campout, Woodchipper Massacre, & Ghoul School (the DVD also comes with the sequel to this film on the same disc)
Sickening and unpleasant
MikeK-72 January 2003
I happened to be going through the ol' horror section at the video store, looking for "SLEEPAWAY CAMP", and came across this piece of trash. The synopsis has a city-slicker from New York working at a video store where the patrons only seem interested in horror films, and mysteriously videos start popping up that look like snuff films where people are brutally murdered. Having an ending with a striking rescemblence to that Peter Fonda film "RACE WITH THE DEVIL" (another atrocious film), this film is devoid of almost every production value and should not be seen at all costs. Avoid like the plague.
The Howard & Eli Show!!
gorehoundscrimm14 September 2007
I worked as a video clerk when I was a high school junior and, being the horror junkie that I am, I had access to a ton of movies. Every Saturday night I'd pick up a few obscure titles to bring home for the weekend and gorge myself on popcorn. Video Violence was one such film, and I loved it. Pleasingly cheesy and ultra-low budget, filmed in my homestate, and so horribly acted, it was perfect!! Husband and wife move to small town to run video store, where the locals only rent horror movies and the occasional porno. Someone unseen starts slipping homemade snuff films into the store and the husband investigates. Borrowing some from RACE WITH THE DEVIL aside, I really enjoyed this movie, as well as the sequel. Howard & Eli are over the top and the whole feel of the movie is such camp it's classic. I would say if you haven't seen it check it out.
Cleaver Plot
Chainsaw Slasher15 December 2003
Here is another one of those low budget horror films from the golden age of slashers. The plot consists of a video store that has someone send them a video of local people being tortured. The video store owner goes on his own private investegation. The only gore and blood of the film is when they review the tapes that are sent to them (which is pretty nice stuff to watch). Besides that, the rest of the movie is just a guy going around town doing detective work. Slightly above average for a low budget 80's slasher, but a decent watch for a story.
my review of video violence
dagon2567 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
this movie is one of the worst low budget films ever spawn from the void. I going to review by going into 3 categories, plot, effects, and finally sound,
Plot= let me tell you something, if your plot is worse then Mano's the hands of fate then one you have no skills at all or two you need help. their is no plot to really discuss because its so badly writing that a semi-brain dead hamster would do better then this crap.
Effects= the effects in this movie are dreadful, the blood is funny looking like a grade school kid whipped it up, the gory is distasteful,not that I don't like cheap gory its just this is worst then a high school version of hamlet, its really laughable.
Sound= not much for sound really, but the score is nonexistent, literary! so if you see this spawn of Satan on a video store rack, please do as all a good deed and burn it with a flamethrower!
Plot= let me tell you something, if your plot is worse then Mano's the hands of fate then one you have no skills at all or two you need help. their is no plot to really discuss because its so badly writing that a semi-brain dead hamster would do better then this crap.
Effects= the effects in this movie are dreadful, the blood is funny looking like a grade school kid whipped it up, the gory is distasteful,not that I don't like cheap gory its just this is worst then a high school version of hamlet, its really laughable.
Sound= not much for sound really, but the score is nonexistent, literary! so if you see this spawn of Satan on a video store rack, please do as all a good deed and burn it with a flamethrower!
This movie is very cool.........
Joe 2522 December 1999
The earlier review says it all. This movie is creepy, eerie, and disturbing all at once, which is one of the things that make this movie great. If you love low budget, indie, and rare/hard to find films, then this is the flick for you! Also, be sure to check out Video Violence Part 2, the sequel to the original classic
Interesting concept,yet mediocre execution.
HumanoidOfFlesh26 October 2008
Steve and Rachel move from New York to a small town.Steve runs a movie rental store and noticed the people in the town are obsessed with violent slasher flicks.One day someone accidentally returns a video of a real life murder.Can it be real or is someone just playing a joke on the towns new residents.They will soon find out and the blood will be shed.It seems that the entire town is involved with psychotic serial killers Howard and Eli in a craven conspiracy to create and distribute their own snuff films.When I was a kid I loved renting tons of gory horror from various rental palaces.Horror is still my life and I'm damn proud of it."Video Violence" is loaded with cheesy gore,crappy acting and nudity.It brings sweet memories of my gore-soaked childhood.6 out of 10.
Video Violence
Scarecrow-886 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Satire on our desire for the closest form of graphic bloodletting and violent carnage as possible has a NYC couple, Steven and Rachel Emory(real life married actors Art & Jackie Neill) discovering that their new town is a haven for snuff connoisseurs. These psychos, mainly loonies Eli(Uke) who grinningly hosts and camera-operator Howard(Bart Sumner), often leave their video recordings of the live murders of innocent travelers in the rental store of Steven's and as he(..and a frightened Rachel) seeks to put an end to such sickening shenanigans, finds that almost everyone(..if not everyone)is in on the sadistic misdeeds.
You know perhaps video is a proper medium for a tale on the creation of snuff films, with director Gary Cohen, who is actually a pleasant and charming enough fellow on his interview for this film's DVD release, exploring the joyous nature of those who partake in slowly killing hitchhikers or lost traveling innocents just passing through. The violent gore effects are cheap and cheesy, but rather impressive if one considers the limited funds available. Head and arm sliced from the body. An ice pick slowly inserted in a victim's breast. A woman's near-entire leg being hacked from her body. You know if one really thinks about the plot, it can kind of provide an unsettling feeling..that idea that you happen to come across such deranged people as Eli and Howard who know jack squat about you, but are willing to stab you with a knife or remove your legs slowly with a machete just for the hell of it, laughing their asses off with such glee at your horror and torment. Cohen uses his film as a vehicle to explore such sadism and how seemingly normal citizens(..perhaps representing the kind of rental customers he himself had when Cohen was renting videos in the 80's)could enjoy such evil antics on screen. I think fans of horror who recall renting videos back in the 80's will have a time warp trip seeing the movie posters and VHS tape boxes lining the shelves in 1987. Disregarding the acting, performed by no-names, amateur production values, and rather poor camera-work(..and the loud piano used producing the score), horror fans with tastes for such an unpleasant storyline might dig "Video Violence." There's an especially disturbing film sent to the Emory's titled, The Vampire and his Bride, which depicts an unfortunate actress suckered into a video production not knowing that her stomach would be torn open by a knife with her guts removed by a local would-be actor portraying a blood-sucker.
You know perhaps video is a proper medium for a tale on the creation of snuff films, with director Gary Cohen, who is actually a pleasant and charming enough fellow on his interview for this film's DVD release, exploring the joyous nature of those who partake in slowly killing hitchhikers or lost traveling innocents just passing through. The violent gore effects are cheap and cheesy, but rather impressive if one considers the limited funds available. Head and arm sliced from the body. An ice pick slowly inserted in a victim's breast. A woman's near-entire leg being hacked from her body. You know if one really thinks about the plot, it can kind of provide an unsettling feeling..that idea that you happen to come across such deranged people as Eli and Howard who know jack squat about you, but are willing to stab you with a knife or remove your legs slowly with a machete just for the hell of it, laughing their asses off with such glee at your horror and torment. Cohen uses his film as a vehicle to explore such sadism and how seemingly normal citizens(..perhaps representing the kind of rental customers he himself had when Cohen was renting videos in the 80's)could enjoy such evil antics on screen. I think fans of horror who recall renting videos back in the 80's will have a time warp trip seeing the movie posters and VHS tape boxes lining the shelves in 1987. Disregarding the acting, performed by no-names, amateur production values, and rather poor camera-work(..and the loud piano used producing the score), horror fans with tastes for such an unpleasant storyline might dig "Video Violence." There's an especially disturbing film sent to the Emory's titled, The Vampire and his Bride, which depicts an unfortunate actress suckered into a video production not knowing that her stomach would be torn open by a knife with her guts removed by a local would-be actor portraying a blood-sucker.
Incredible Indie Film
djnrg5 June 1999
Yes, this movie is _very_ low budget, and probably was filmed with a regular video camera, the movie was great. Very bloody and senseless killing was the plot, but the characters with no personality made you laugh when you saw them act. Seems like someone wanted to make a movie and used their friends and relatives.
I was the manager of a video store at the time when a traveling distributor asked to me buy this movie. He described the plot and since I have had so many different tapes accidentally switched when they dropped them off, I thought it would be a great reality check. I bought it for the store, it rented maybe 10 times, and then I pulled it and kept it for myself. Truly a cult classic. Could it happen in your store?? Keep an eye on that nightdrop!!
I was the manager of a video store at the time when a traveling distributor asked to me buy this movie. He described the plot and since I have had so many different tapes accidentally switched when they dropped them off, I thought it would be a great reality check. I bought it for the store, it rented maybe 10 times, and then I pulled it and kept it for myself. Truly a cult classic. Could it happen in your store?? Keep an eye on that nightdrop!!
Warning: Shot On Video
megatone23010 May 2008
This movie should come with a disclaimer: Warning: Shot on Video....
and no, not the modern-day DV video....but plain-old grab the family video camera and make a movie kind of video.
Believe me, I'm a lover of trashy movies, especially 80's horror, but this was just unwatchable. I could only sit through about the first 20 minutes before shutting it off.
The only thing that was even remotely interesting was seeing the inside of the old-school video store.
The idea of the story is an interesting premise, but the lack of production value ruins it.
Remake anyone?
Avoid at all costs.
and no, not the modern-day DV video....but plain-old grab the family video camera and make a movie kind of video.
Believe me, I'm a lover of trashy movies, especially 80's horror, but this was just unwatchable. I could only sit through about the first 20 minutes before shutting it off.
The only thing that was even remotely interesting was seeing the inside of the old-school video store.
The idea of the story is an interesting premise, but the lack of production value ruins it.
Remake anyone?
Avoid at all costs.
Fine for what it is, but not that spectacular
slayrrr6661 December 2007
"Video Violence" is a decent entry if not entirely flawless.
**SPOILERS**
In a small southern town, Steven Emory, (Art Neil) welcomes Rick Carlson, (Kevin Haver) into his small video rental store, servicing the entire town. While going through the return tapes one morning, they find a tape that contains a man being slaughtered for real. Convinced it's a snuff tape rather than an actual movie, he goes out to try to find out more about it but only ends up getting nowhere in town. As the days go by and he starts to unravel more about the mysterious tapes that keep appearing in his store showing innocent people being slaughtered, the more he and his wife Rachel, (Jackie Neil) start to think something is wrong. Finally confronted with the notion that the townspeople create their own home-made snuff films for the town's enjoyment, they try to get out before they become the next victims.
The Good News: This one here isn't that bad, and is actually watchable at times. The best part is the really impressive plot to the film. This is one of the most original ideas ever, as this is something that could very easily be real and happening, which is a terrifying idea but very real. As well, the play-out of the idea is ingenious, quickly introduced to set it up later with the very idea that it just builds and builds into a rather creepy tale that works due to how it came to light. That is one of the few things it gets right, as well as the gore. This one has a lot of bloodshed in it, and there's plenty of it here. From stabbings and impalings to being sliced open to lots of limbs being hacked off, there's a lot of it in here. Most of that has to do with the plot, while the rest of it comes from it's rather bloody videos. There's one in here that really stands out, though, which is the second killing scene shown on tape. It's shown from the killer's perspective, shows the glee and joy they take in doing what they're doing and it's all captured close-up and realistic, like a real snuff film that the others purport to be. There's a real brutality to it that is incredibly appealing, with it's down-and-dirty feeling that comes through like aces. That it also includes the rather clever idea of writing letters into a victim with a razor, that is over the chest and is a brutal scene to take in. There's a really great feel to it from that which gives it a great watchability to it from these elements, and from there it really gives the film some positive marks..
The Bad News: This one doesn't have a whole lot of flaws, but what's there is pretty noteworthy. The film's low-budget quality here is it's biggest failing, as there's hardly anything hiding it. The fact that it's general look, feel and tone scream that are painfully obvious, and it really hurts the overall tone and feel of the film. That also extends to the fact that it really shows when it comes to how the film looks over everything. From the really simplistic way that the film closes everything in and never really looks big or grand wherever it is, from the video-store to the house to the small-town when outdoors, there's always the sense that it's closed-off and small. That really works against it, since there's the fact that there's plenty of similar films that have a much bigger feel to it than what they really have, while this one has a closed one is where it really fails against the others. There's also the scene that really gives away the twist at the end, where when grabbing the hostage and getting away, not once do the kidnappers physically touch the victim but that person actually takes time to make sure that they get into the car without injuring themselves, something which wouldn't have happened in the real world. Whether that's intentional or not, it really ruins the film's big twist, which can be seen coming from a mile away as well. These here are what really conspire against the film.
The Final Verdict: For a shot-on-video film, this one isn't that bad, but there is some flaws to it that will hold it down, even against the others out there. Give it a shot if in the mood for this style of film or are a fan of these kinds of films, while those who are fanatical about bigger feeling films should advise caution.
Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language and Nudity
**SPOILERS**
In a small southern town, Steven Emory, (Art Neil) welcomes Rick Carlson, (Kevin Haver) into his small video rental store, servicing the entire town. While going through the return tapes one morning, they find a tape that contains a man being slaughtered for real. Convinced it's a snuff tape rather than an actual movie, he goes out to try to find out more about it but only ends up getting nowhere in town. As the days go by and he starts to unravel more about the mysterious tapes that keep appearing in his store showing innocent people being slaughtered, the more he and his wife Rachel, (Jackie Neil) start to think something is wrong. Finally confronted with the notion that the townspeople create their own home-made snuff films for the town's enjoyment, they try to get out before they become the next victims.
The Good News: This one here isn't that bad, and is actually watchable at times. The best part is the really impressive plot to the film. This is one of the most original ideas ever, as this is something that could very easily be real and happening, which is a terrifying idea but very real. As well, the play-out of the idea is ingenious, quickly introduced to set it up later with the very idea that it just builds and builds into a rather creepy tale that works due to how it came to light. That is one of the few things it gets right, as well as the gore. This one has a lot of bloodshed in it, and there's plenty of it here. From stabbings and impalings to being sliced open to lots of limbs being hacked off, there's a lot of it in here. Most of that has to do with the plot, while the rest of it comes from it's rather bloody videos. There's one in here that really stands out, though, which is the second killing scene shown on tape. It's shown from the killer's perspective, shows the glee and joy they take in doing what they're doing and it's all captured close-up and realistic, like a real snuff film that the others purport to be. There's a real brutality to it that is incredibly appealing, with it's down-and-dirty feeling that comes through like aces. That it also includes the rather clever idea of writing letters into a victim with a razor, that is over the chest and is a brutal scene to take in. There's a really great feel to it from that which gives it a great watchability to it from these elements, and from there it really gives the film some positive marks..
The Bad News: This one doesn't have a whole lot of flaws, but what's there is pretty noteworthy. The film's low-budget quality here is it's biggest failing, as there's hardly anything hiding it. The fact that it's general look, feel and tone scream that are painfully obvious, and it really hurts the overall tone and feel of the film. That also extends to the fact that it really shows when it comes to how the film looks over everything. From the really simplistic way that the film closes everything in and never really looks big or grand wherever it is, from the video-store to the house to the small-town when outdoors, there's always the sense that it's closed-off and small. That really works against it, since there's the fact that there's plenty of similar films that have a much bigger feel to it than what they really have, while this one has a closed one is where it really fails against the others. There's also the scene that really gives away the twist at the end, where when grabbing the hostage and getting away, not once do the kidnappers physically touch the victim but that person actually takes time to make sure that they get into the car without injuring themselves, something which wouldn't have happened in the real world. Whether that's intentional or not, it really ruins the film's big twist, which can be seen coming from a mile away as well. These here are what really conspire against the film.
The Final Verdict: For a shot-on-video film, this one isn't that bad, but there is some flaws to it that will hold it down, even against the others out there. Give it a shot if in the mood for this style of film or are a fan of these kinds of films, while those who are fanatical about bigger feeling films should advise caution.
Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language and Nudity
A twisted horror splatter ode to 80's VHS mania
Woodyanders16 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Steven Emory (the affable Art Neill) runs a video rental outlet in a sleepy small New Jersey town. The unfriendly locals frequently watch gruesome horror movies. One day a customer leaves behind a videocassette with what appears to be an actual real filmed murder on it. When Steven decides to investigate matters on his own, he finds both himself and his loyal wife Rachel (the charming Jackie Neill) in considerable jeopardy. Director/co-writer Gary Cohen concocts a novel and involving story which puts a fresh and disturbing 80's VHS mania spin on the ever creepy and effective snuff movie premise. Moreover, Cohen does a good job of creating a bleak, mean-spirited tone and pours on the hideously nasty graphic gore with unflinching abandon. Philip Gary's competent cinematography likewise does the trick. The game no-name cast all give decent performances; Bart Sumner and Uke ham it up with infectiously depraved aplomb as joyfully deranged wackos Howard and Eli. The surprise bummer ending concludes things on a pleasingly nihilistic note. Only the often plodding pace and one of those irritating overbearing and monotonous synthesizer scores detract a bit from this otherwise solid and satisfying micro-budget shot-on-video splatter winner.
Stupid and heavily flawed, but saved by the nostalgia value
The_Void11 May 2008
Snuff movies are a proved source of interesting horror plot lines and many successful horror movies have used that basis; The Last House on Dead-End Street and Tesis are good examples. Video Violence certainly has the capacity to be another excellent snuff movie based film; but down to a lack of budget and a lack of talent, the film is unfortunately little more than a nostalgic slice of eighties kitsch. It's completely obvious what the filmmakers were trying to do here and despite the fact that the points the film tries to make never really get across; the filmmakers do get some credit for at least trying to make a movie with a point. The plot focuses on a video store ran by a man named Steven. Steven is disturbed by the fact that all the locals seem to want to watch is gory horror movies (though that's all he has in stock judging by the shelves). One day, he finds a blank tape in the drop box and after being convinced to watch it by his employee, he discovers that the tape contains a "real" snuff film and naturally decides to take it to the police...
It would seem that the makers of Video Violence set out to make the film as long as it could be possibly be; and ninety six minutes is quite a long time for this film to be on for; especially considering that most of the running time is used by completely pointless filler scenes. The pace of the film is very slow indeed and there is literally no suspense at all throughout the whole film. The characters are impossible to care and that is mostly down to the atrocious script and acting. You would expect bad acting in a film like this; but I can't understand why they clearly went out to cast the worst actors possible. I'm pretty sure you could drag a load of random people off the street and end up with a better cast. However, despite the many flaws; there is something good about Video Violence, and that is the nostalgia value of it all. The idea of walking into a video store and coming out with a tape is practically unthinkable now and it's good to see a film focus on something that was once an institution; seeing the films on the store's shelves and the posters on the wall is fun too. Anyone going into this film expecting a gory horror is liable to be disappointed as there's not much gore on display and what there is just looks cheap; but if you can look past the catalogue of flaws, Video Violence is almost worth a look.
It would seem that the makers of Video Violence set out to make the film as long as it could be possibly be; and ninety six minutes is quite a long time for this film to be on for; especially considering that most of the running time is used by completely pointless filler scenes. The pace of the film is very slow indeed and there is literally no suspense at all throughout the whole film. The characters are impossible to care and that is mostly down to the atrocious script and acting. You would expect bad acting in a film like this; but I can't understand why they clearly went out to cast the worst actors possible. I'm pretty sure you could drag a load of random people off the street and end up with a better cast. However, despite the many flaws; there is something good about Video Violence, and that is the nostalgia value of it all. The idea of walking into a video store and coming out with a tape is practically unthinkable now and it's good to see a film focus on something that was once an institution; seeing the films on the store's shelves and the posters on the wall is fun too. Anyone going into this film expecting a gory horror is liable to be disappointed as there's not much gore on display and what there is just looks cheap; but if you can look past the catalogue of flaws, Video Violence is almost worth a look.
impressive no-budget slasher from the 1980s
tbyrne410 September 2007
nice, fast-moving no-budget slasher film from the mid-1980s was somewhat ahead of its' time (it predates the homebrew shot-on-video horror boom by ten years) and offers a nice plot and ample gore to keep viewers' interest.
Husband and wife move to a small town and open up a video store to find the people of the town are obsessed with violence and watching violence on video. Crudely-made snuff films start popping up and the couple start to feel that they are being targeted.
Film is very, very low-budget but works well within obvious monetary constraints. The killings veer between sickeningly gross and uncomfortably, creepily realistic. Film occasionally attains a "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" level of flat, you-are-there queasiness that many bigger-budgeted films have been unable to capture.
Very well done. Also offers a welcome dose of nostalgia for anyone who grew up spending time in video stores in the 1980s.
Husband and wife move to a small town and open up a video store to find the people of the town are obsessed with violence and watching violence on video. Crudely-made snuff films start popping up and the couple start to feel that they are being targeted.
Film is very, very low-budget but works well within obvious monetary constraints. The killings veer between sickeningly gross and uncomfortably, creepily realistic. Film occasionally attains a "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" level of flat, you-are-there queasiness that many bigger-budgeted films have been unable to capture.
Very well done. Also offers a welcome dose of nostalgia for anyone who grew up spending time in video stores in the 1980s.
Video Violence
DarylJGittings5 August 2023
A couple movies to a strange little town and open up their own video rental. It seems like the whole town only wants to rent horror movies.
The residents of this strange small community always seem to replace the rental tapes with their own homemade snuff films.
It seems the whole town is in on this trend.
I can't say that this is a good film. However having been born in the 1980s I like to see all the old VHS boxes and remember the good old days of going to the video store and browsing numerous titles. Something that was lost in the DVD age and one of the things that lead to the downfall of the video rental.
The residents of this strange small community always seem to replace the rental tapes with their own homemade snuff films.
It seems the whole town is in on this trend.
I can't say that this is a good film. However having been born in the 1980s I like to see all the old VHS boxes and remember the good old days of going to the video store and browsing numerous titles. Something that was lost in the DVD age and one of the things that lead to the downfall of the video rental.
Holy moly, I would be late returning this one!"
Quinoa19841 February 2018
This is some kind of schlock madterpiece. That sounds like a contradiction in terms, but the wild entertainment and at the same time genuine raw power on display is that Gary Cohen has a real satirical point to make. We do live in an American hyper-violent culture, and there is less and less real cinephilia among regular "folks" in towns like the quasi-suburban Jersey place that the main characters (one a former movie theater owent the other with a good office job in New York City). Why get the Woody Allen or a classic Abbot & Costello when you can watch some hapless transients (or, yknow, people that just want to leave and do other things with their lives) get tortured and slaughtered in disgusting displays of carnage? At its core, it's not just about violence but about what kind of society we want to live in.
But one must not discount the schlock part, at least to the extent that Cohen is trying for it. What I mean is he has his cast of people who may or may not have limited acting experience or training, but as far as local people available it has that same realism one might see in The Florida Project. You believe without question that guy works at the deli or even the local sheriff or deputy or whoever the discount M Emmett Walsh is who discounts everything the video store owner claims as BS. So when people do make really ridiculous and over the top facial expressions, you can't help but laugh. It's hard to say how much of this is genuinely funny or unintentionally so, but I was pleased by how much was in the former category.
Cohen is after the overvlown and even silly in some of these violent set pieces... Other times, in partucular the female hitchhiker, the violence is shocking more for the lead up and how it's first about sexual humiliation and that the objects of the slicing and stabbing involve breasts. It's also that, unlike say Meir Zarchi in I Spit on Your Grave (or dare I say Craven with Last House on the Left), Cohen is an effective filmmaker who knows how to use time and pacing to draw out suspense and eerie foreboding. I even got into the musical score, all in synth but all done for an approximate, chilling effect in scene after scene.
And I'm not arguing this is some great piece of art. It's what Brad Jones would call a "Shot on S***eo" product, where's it's totally crude and proud of it. Matter of fact. I'm not sure if by the end it finds more to say than 'eh, screw it, let go and accept how violent as hell this is." But I really appreciate that there *is* thought put into it, that Cohen's protagonist is someone that isn't completely again st all violence in movies but just when it is ALL people watch (with the occasional porn of course). He is even I found kind of a sympathetic guy, one who we know will have to meet a tragic fate but is only, oh, 20 to 25% deserving of it. Of course for some that may vary.
The point I'm making is a movie called Video Violence shot with a budget that was likely literally from the change one finds under the car seats, didnt have to try this hard as far as attention to staging and characters and even damn mis en scene, but it did. For what it set out to do, it's a miracle it works and has such a potent sense of how everyone is shaped by that filter of "it's only a movie." It's like a less polished Twilight Zone episode at its best, and high grade trash at its worst.
But one must not discount the schlock part, at least to the extent that Cohen is trying for it. What I mean is he has his cast of people who may or may not have limited acting experience or training, but as far as local people available it has that same realism one might see in The Florida Project. You believe without question that guy works at the deli or even the local sheriff or deputy or whoever the discount M Emmett Walsh is who discounts everything the video store owner claims as BS. So when people do make really ridiculous and over the top facial expressions, you can't help but laugh. It's hard to say how much of this is genuinely funny or unintentionally so, but I was pleased by how much was in the former category.
Cohen is after the overvlown and even silly in some of these violent set pieces... Other times, in partucular the female hitchhiker, the violence is shocking more for the lead up and how it's first about sexual humiliation and that the objects of the slicing and stabbing involve breasts. It's also that, unlike say Meir Zarchi in I Spit on Your Grave (or dare I say Craven with Last House on the Left), Cohen is an effective filmmaker who knows how to use time and pacing to draw out suspense and eerie foreboding. I even got into the musical score, all in synth but all done for an approximate, chilling effect in scene after scene.
And I'm not arguing this is some great piece of art. It's what Brad Jones would call a "Shot on S***eo" product, where's it's totally crude and proud of it. Matter of fact. I'm not sure if by the end it finds more to say than 'eh, screw it, let go and accept how violent as hell this is." But I really appreciate that there *is* thought put into it, that Cohen's protagonist is someone that isn't completely again st all violence in movies but just when it is ALL people watch (with the occasional porn of course). He is even I found kind of a sympathetic guy, one who we know will have to meet a tragic fate but is only, oh, 20 to 25% deserving of it. Of course for some that may vary.
The point I'm making is a movie called Video Violence shot with a budget that was likely literally from the change one finds under the car seats, didnt have to try this hard as far as attention to staging and characters and even damn mis en scene, but it did. For what it set out to do, it's a miracle it works and has such a potent sense of how everyone is shaped by that filter of "it's only a movie." It's like a less polished Twilight Zone episode at its best, and high grade trash at its worst.
The 2nd best indie movie ever! Simply Amazing! RENT IT NOW!
Eli-1630 January 2002
when I first bought Video Violence from a 1.99$ bin, I wasn't sure if I was getting something great, or just a piece of crap. It ended up being the latter. I was awestruck by the beauty of such a creation. Someone created this movie (not a film i guess, since it's shot on video), and actually believed they were creating something to be enjoyed. Well, I enjoyed it, but for probably completely different reasons than the creators had in mind. Really, if you get down to it, the acting sucks, the cinematography blows and the dialogue is cheezy/random and irrelevant. The town that they are living is referred to by the characaters by four different names in the movie! Brilliant! HOWEVER, that does not necessarily make it a bad movie. On the contrary, it is in my opinion one of the greatest movies ever made. There are so many great moments, and so many great lines that fill up this movie that I find it almost impossible to not enjoy this Video Gem.
Video violence was shot completely on video, and it seems as though it was put together with a classic amiga video toaster. If you ever find this movie for sale somewhere, you should definitely pick it up, (or tell me where it is) because it is a rare find. I have personally only ever seen one copy of it in my life. It is for sure worth any amount you can pay for it.
Video Violence is a great movie, and is worth a look by anyone. I've watched it literally dozens of times, and it does not get old. ever.
Video violence was shot completely on video, and it seems as though it was put together with a classic amiga video toaster. If you ever find this movie for sale somewhere, you should definitely pick it up, (or tell me where it is) because it is a rare find. I have personally only ever seen one copy of it in my life. It is for sure worth any amount you can pay for it.
Video Violence is a great movie, and is worth a look by anyone. I've watched it literally dozens of times, and it does not get old. ever.
A fun ride!
MovieManiac4226 February 2008
I came across this film while on one of my movie hunts and decided to buy this flick because I had read it was very rare to come across. Boy am I glad I did!
The film follows a couple as they are settling into a new town. The husband opens a video store and hires an assistant to work with him. As the days pass he starts to realize that all the locals in the area are only renting from the horror section. This makes him start questioning his surroundings, and to make matters worse he begins finding tapes on his desk that aren't part of his video collection. After having viewed one of the films he realizes that one, or a group, of the locals are killing tourists and video taping the murders. Our store owner takes the tapes to the police only to find that they have no interest in investigating these murders. Now he is on his own and begins to investigate the situation himself.
This is probably one of the most original films I have seen in a long time. It is very low budget, but surprisingly the acting is very good. The film has a really good feel to it and you will find yourself smiling all the way through. Great piece of work.
The film follows a couple as they are settling into a new town. The husband opens a video store and hires an assistant to work with him. As the days pass he starts to realize that all the locals in the area are only renting from the horror section. This makes him start questioning his surroundings, and to make matters worse he begins finding tapes on his desk that aren't part of his video collection. After having viewed one of the films he realizes that one, or a group, of the locals are killing tourists and video taping the murders. Our store owner takes the tapes to the police only to find that they have no interest in investigating these murders. Now he is on his own and begins to investigate the situation himself.
This is probably one of the most original films I have seen in a long time. It is very low budget, but surprisingly the acting is very good. The film has a really good feel to it and you will find yourself smiling all the way through. Great piece of work.
Oh man..
-626 January 1999
Alright, I hafta give it to you folks straight. This movie is no good. Just plain rotten. Even by my standards, and I've endured 100's of hours of crap films at least. Here goes:
shot on camcorder? check actors recruited from local laundromat? check ketchup gore and mannequin appendages? check. unbearably long? check. takes itself very seriously? check. bad time guaranteed? oh check.
Forget Ed Wood, H.G. Lewis, Joel Reed, all them guys.. Gary Cohen puts em all to shame with this garbage. I can recommend it only for the true cinema masochist. Alternates to watching this film:
give yourslf a thousand paper cuts. on your tongue. and then wash it all down with tobasco.
treat yourself to a corn syrup enema.
shoot yourself in the face.
Any one of these activities is preferable to enduring this wretched, bloated corpse of a video for a second time. The first time was bad enough..
Go rent it.
shot on camcorder? check actors recruited from local laundromat? check ketchup gore and mannequin appendages? check. unbearably long? check. takes itself very seriously? check. bad time guaranteed? oh check.
Forget Ed Wood, H.G. Lewis, Joel Reed, all them guys.. Gary Cohen puts em all to shame with this garbage. I can recommend it only for the true cinema masochist. Alternates to watching this film:
give yourslf a thousand paper cuts. on your tongue. and then wash it all down with tobasco.
treat yourself to a corn syrup enema.
shoot yourself in the face.
Any one of these activities is preferable to enduring this wretched, bloated corpse of a video for a second time. The first time was bad enough..
Go rent it.
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