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AMATEUR PORN STAR
KILLER (DVD)
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It's a pure thriller, and one that I consider possibly one of the best modern independent films I've ever seen. Cinema Epoch is one of the most respectable DVD distributors around and the reason for that is that they allow independent filmmakers with actually exceptional work the chance to distribute their art through outlets that are very well known, and Ryan’s thriller gets the treatment it deserves. Shane Ryan is a subversive director that continues to gain momentum in the underground film circuit, and it’s made apparent that dude is due for success and acclaim by the opening five minutes that not only packs a wallop, but really does play on the urban legend of Snuff films, and whether or not they actually exist in the culture. Ryan’s short films are admittedly hit or miss, but the man has a style all his own that really adds to the general intelligence of the medium and he’s an interesting example of persistence and versatility. “Amateur Porn Star Killer” is changed slightly from my last two viewings and the slight changes work so much in favor of the movie and add a stark realism and disturbing grit that will make quite the impact on audiences. “Amateur Porn Star Killer” is a pure tense thriller that just doesn’t conform to typical genre formula. As for the DVD itself, it’s a typical treatment from Cinema Epoch who allows some great extras for audiences. Featured within the bells and whistles are three individual trailers to “Amateur Porn Star Killer” which are all different in tone and urgency; there’s also a teaser trailer to Ryan’s upcoming road thriller “Romance Road Killers,” which Ryan seems to have made in the vein of “The Devil’s Rejects,” and is based on the exploits of Charles Starkweather. There are also five short films from Shane Ryan which consumers have the chance to experience finally. There’s “The Snake’s Kiss Good-Bye,” the controversial “So, We Killed Our Parents,” there’s Ryan’s previous collaboration with Michiko Jimenez in “The Cold Heat,” the artsy fartsy “The Pure Exodus,” and the frantic “Lucifer’s Mind.” There’s also the very informative ten minute interview with stars Jimenez and Ryan which I was most looking forward to. This isn’t a bullshit session as both shed some interesting light on the production, and really do have a great chemistry that carries on the film. It’s the best feature on the DVD. There’s also the excellent “Crime Scene Drive Thru,” where director Shane Ryan and Michiko Jimenez bring us through all the shooting locations for the film, and yes, it’s another great feature that Ryan dives into.
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This is our third consecutive review of Alter Ego Cinema's "Amateur Porn
Star Killer," and by now with our record number of reviews for one film,
it's obvious that we pretty much support this film and Alter Ego
Cinema's methods of filmmaking. No, they’re not paying us to shill for
them. Long ago, "Amateur Porn Star Killer" arrived at my doorstep and I
viewed the press materials, viewed the packaged films and pretty much
procrastinated reviewing it, writing it off as a home video that was
filled with gore in an attempt to shock indie audiences. Trust me, I've
come across too many movies like that. But upon viewing this film
finally, Shane Ryan just blew me away and he convinced me to never
prejudge a film however unusual it may be.
