By Geno McGahee
In the 1970’s, the grindhouse style of horror films blurred the line between horror and adult entertainment. There are many that consider horror films the baby brother of porn. Even when a horror film wins any awards of any significance, they are referred to as “thrillers” or “suspense.” We know a horror film when we see one and so does Writer/Director, James Christopher, and his new movie QUAD X: THE PORN MOVIE MASSACRE, is a brave production that works in some places and not in others, but the horror fans should be really receptive in the end.
There are certain movies that have defined a time. In the 1990s, SCREAM sent the horror market into a whodunit slasher phase again…which is not a bad phase to be in. Movies like I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER and URBAN LEGEND were released and the SCREAM train ran for four movies. The impact on the movie business was substantial, leading to the Wayans Brothers making SCARY MOVIE, a spoof of SCREAM, that also had a franchise run. I think they were on fifty or so the last time I checked.
James Christopher has obviously been influenced by this and sees the connection between the adult entertainment industry and horror. He has combined them in this comedic slasher with a SCREAM-like killer going around and butchering porn stars and those involved with a new production. The new production just so happens to be a porn horror.
The film actually begins with a scene very similar to the original SCREAM. We have a phone sex hottie speaking to some weird guy, and he begins asking her about her favorite porn movies. After a reference to the 70’s bush, he soon reveals himself and the movie begins. We have a bunch of different personalities all converging on this one project and they all have to come face to face with the truth and the end of the killer’s blade. Why is he or she killing and who will survive?!
I refer to this movie as brave because Christopher could have easily made a slasher film and done very well with it. He had all the elements at his disposal. By making a basic comedy with horror elements, he runs the risk of isolating both markets, but the bigger risk, the bigger reward. If you’re a fan of SCREAM, you will appreciate what takes place in this film.
All of the performances are over the top. The accents are unbelievable and the deliveries are cartoonish. This is meant to be zany. It reminded me a great deal of SHRIEK IF YOU KNOW WHAT I DID LAST FRIDAY THE 13TH, and if you liked that, you will probably like this. The humor, I found, was hit or miss. It really was a mixed bag, but it worked in many areas. The ending was a very good payoff and you can sense the fun that the cast and crew had making this film.
With the torture-porn and found footage having their run, perhaps it’s time for the whodunit slasher to return to prominence. James Christopher may just be ahead of the curve with his horror/comedy that pays homage to the past but has his own personal stamp. QUAD X: THE PORN MOVIE MASSACRE is shot very well and moves along at a brisk pace.
If you’re looking for a straight out horror movie or porn, you won’t find it here. If you’re a fan of horror or porn, you’ll probably enjoy the reflections of James Christopher. This was definitely an interesting and, at times, funny watch.
Rating: 7/10
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