Blu Release – 4/5
Backwoods Marcy
Director – Dawn Murphy (Before I Die)
Starring – Dave Castiglione (Psycho Sisters, After Midnight), G. W. Lawrence (Love is a Stranger Again), and Dawn Murphy
Release Date – 1999
Rating – 2/5
Tagline – “She’s homeless and hungry for sex, blood, and revenge!”
When Vinegar Syndrome announced their partnership with Saturn’s Core I was so fucking excited. I knew I wouldn’t be a fan of every release but I was still excited to fill that S.O.V. void that many of us indie horror fans need to be filled. When I saw the news that they would be releasing 1999’s Backwoods Marcy I was fucking pumped. I had never seen this one before I had seen several genre fans share copies of the film on VHS in different Facebook groups. I pre-ordered it and wanted to see it when it arrived but movies sent to me for review took up most of my time. However, when I saw an opening in my schedule I was quick to toss it in.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows a city boy who finds himself traveling through some back roads when he comes across Marcy. A wrong turn quickly turns deadly when he accidentally hits her with his car. Soon he finds himself kidnapped by a bloody Marcy and forced to do whatever she wants. **Spoiler Alert**
I never heard horror fans talk about how good this movie is or see anyone claim to love it so I knew it was going to be a rough one. However, I was hoping it would be more enjoyable than it actually was. I did like the idea behind the film but I still struggled to finish it.
The acting in this one isn’t the worst I’ve seen but the cast is mostly inexperienced by this point in their careers and it shows. The dialogue is awkward through most of the film and the emotions they portray are not convincing. I’ve seen a lot of S.O.V. and no budget horror films that could have been filmed in someone’s backyard for fun so I’m very well versed in indie cinema. This one isn’t the worst I’ve seen but there was plenty of room for improvement.
The story for this one could have been an interesting spin on hixploitation horror. However, it failed to actually deliver a story that pulled the viewer in. A guy driving for a good chunk of the film before being caged and abused just isn’t that enjoyable. If the characters had a little more personality and the story had a little more meat on the bone it could have been fun. Sadly, the way it was made for a pretty difficult flick to finish in my opinion.
Finally, if you expect a bloody mess of a film you will be greatly disappointed. There is a small bit of blood but that is the extent of it. I was hoping for some enjoyable no budget effects and craft kills but this one did not deliver on that. Overall, Backwoods Marcy was not enjoyable. I love a good S.O.V. film and this one was not it. This release is worth your money just for the bonus film but I would skip the film.
An Ex-Hooker’s Christmas Carol
Director – Dave Castiglione (Deep Undead, Before I Die)
Starring – Dave Castiglione, Phyllis Crouthamel, Deana Demko (Dark Tales from Channel X, Halloween Horror Tales)
Release Date – 1995
Rating – 2.5/5
When I ordered Backwoods Marcy I had no idea that a second film was included as part of the special features. I know I wasn’t much of a fan of Bookwoods but I was happy to be able to include it in my collection. However, I was very interested in the bonus film which happened to be the 1995 film An Ex-Hooker’s Christmas Carol. I’m all for odd cinema and couldn’t wait to check out this S.O.V. drama brought to us from Saturn’s Core.
**Spoiler alert** The film follows a hooker who is caught stealing while on probation. Her punishment is to work for a mentally challenged man who wants to show her the true meaning of the holidays. **Spoiler Alert**
An Ex-Hooker’s Christmas Carol is a little better than Backwoods Marcy but that isn’t saying much. The movie does have a few random laughs, that I’m sure was unintentional, but the movie was almost just as difficult to finish. I wanted to love it but it was one bad film.
The acting in this one is some of the worst I’ve seen. The cast is inexperienced but they do try. They are dedicated to their performance but their inexperience and lack of direction is very noticeable. The story for this one is a no-budget attempt at the classic Christmas Carol that fails. The characters are poorly written, the scenes are dull, and the story is stretched so thin that it fails to achieve what it set out to do. I did laugh at a few unintentionally funny moments but the overall story is one huge missed opportunity.
Finally, no blood or guts for you sickos. The movie is meant to be a cult movie fan’s Christmas film but even then it doesn’t really achieve that. Overall, An Ex-Hooker’s Christmas Carol is another one I can’t recommend. As a collector I’m super fucking pumped to own it but I’m not going to lie and saw I loved it.
Special Features:
Region Free Blu-ray
Audio commentary with actor / co-producer Dave Castiglione moderated by Ross Snyder from Saturn’s Core
“A Sharkey Tale” -an interview with actor / filmmaker Dave Castiglione
“Behind the Backwoods” -making-of & blooper reel featurette with commentary by producers Dawn Murphy and Dave Castiglione
Archival original 1999 VHS cut (SD)
Sharkey Video trailer vault
Bonus Movie: AN EX-HOOKER’S CHRISTMAS CAROL (1995) -writer / director Dave Castiglione’s brain-melting
SOV Christmas comedy starring Laura Giglio and Deana Demko (73 minutes)
Optional audio commentary featuring writer / director Dave Castiglione moderated by Ross Snyder from Saturn’s Core
“Milly’s Wonderful Life” -actress Laura Giglio on An Ex-Hooker’s Christmas Carol
Blooper reel
Alternate ending
Vintage behind the scenes featurette
Still gallery with isolated score
Reversible cover art
English SDH subtitles
