Bloody Pride (Reviews) – In the Blood/Hate Crime. By Brian Kirst
Who sez da’ queers can’t slash with the best of ‘em? Not I. In preparation for Pride Weekend 2009, I offer up the following:
In the Blood. A 1970’s influenced creeper, this tackles the case of an in the closet jock whose nose bleed decorated visions convince him that his younger sister is in danger. Encouraged by his physic aunt to fully commit to his talents, he finally breaks down the walls of inner hesitation – but will it be too late?
With plenty of quirks, twists and fully committed performances, In the Blood is a very fun view. The fact that its primary characters can only fully connect with their powers in the throes of liberated orgasm does cause a bit of the giggles at times, but those involved take the subject seriously enough that In the Blood ultimately presents itself as a full-on gothic mystery and a poetically significant tale of sexual acceptance.
Hate Crime. When a repressed pastor’s son moves in next door, a suburban male couple finds that their lives are in danger. When one of them is fatally bashed, Hate Crime turns into a fairly compelling mystery and an exhilarating tale of revenge.
Utilizing the plot threads of everything from Death Wish to I Spit on Your Grave in a more social-political context, Hate Crime contains some scenes of true tension and nerve shattering violence. Most all, it contains truly fine performances from horror/genre regulars Chad Donella (Disturbing Behavior, Final Destination), Lin Shaye (Alone in the Dark, 2001 Maniacs, Hood of Horror), Susan Blakely (Airport-Concorde, Out of Sight Out of Mind, Towering Inferno) and Cindy Pickett (Deep Star Six, Sleepwalkers).
Both director-writers, Lou Peterson (In the Blood) and Tommy Stovall (Hate Crime), should be commended for bringing unique and creative gay influenced horror to the fore.
