Final Caller Review from Extreme Entertainment!

As a kid I wanted to be one of two things in life — either a successful writer of horror paperbacks, or a late-night DJ. Guess what? Neither came together so that was totally shit! The late-night DJ thing always fascinated me. Taking calls from the nocturnal minority whilst the mass sleep. Who or what would ring up? That’s the theme of Todd Sheet’s excellent new film, Final Caller. Todd is one of the regular guys who pops up on Severed Cinema because these films are fun, gory, and just so good. We’ve had Clownado (see review of Clownado here) and Bonehill Road (see review of Bonehill Road here) have all graced these pages and earned top reviews (especially Clownado).

Todd’s films are misunderstood and ridiculed by many serious-faced people trying to make a name for themselves — critics and viewers who digress from the point. These films are old-school-style, rough round the edges entertainment.

This time around, with Final Caller, instead of werewolves and the supernatural, we have a far more down to earth tale to watch. Roland Bennett is our central bloke who happens to be an irate late-night radio DJ. Played with gusto by Douglas Epps, the man who totally stole Bonehill Road from everyone involved, and usually bags short roles, this time around gets to truly flex his acting chops – or not unfortunately. More on that later.

First though, we witness a bearded middle-aged fella tormenting a young lady who’s secured to a chair. He waxes lyrical about how pathetic her generation are for numerous reasons, and he states why he’s doing it. Because no one cares that he’s doing it. “Roland, why won’t you ask me to stop?” he queries seemingly to himself with his head tilted in thought. After which he mutilates her hand and we’re into the beginning credits.

An evening in the life of DJ, Roland Bennett as he arrives at work. One of being hounded by his ex, getting stressed by pointless callers, and moaning to his co-workers. “Am I in a fuckin’ nightmare?” he asks at one point. To which the reply is, “Wide awake bro, wide awake.”

His next call is from a man who explains briefly about Druids and leads into why some sacrificed humans. At one point a girl is heard screaming. However, Roland dismisses this as just one of his standard, join-the-dots crank calls. Of course, we know better. Mainly because we see a pancake-joint lady called Molly die horribly and awash with crimson floods.

Later that evening though, whilst he’s interviewing his ex in the studio and giving her a hard time, they are subjected to the scene we saw pre-credits but through their headphones. His producer and crew realise this is real, so they contact the police hoping to trace the call, until Roland pulls the plug, throwing a huge tantrum. Meanwhile, the girl is destroyed slowly.

They all must remain in the studio until the police arrive, which annoys his ex. The detective is our man, Antwione Steele aka Black Elvis from Clownado, the man who won the crowd at my screening of that very movie last year. He’s grown a beard. There’s also a security officer who is quickly dispatched by our middle aged (now cannibalistic) insane killer. He’s in the building… and he’s not alone in being the only killer around the place…

Final Caller is a whole new level Todd. His films are all so different in theme. It’s like he sits at home and suddenly thinks “Hmm, I’ve not done that before, let’s give it a shot.” Final Caller is an all-out psycho killer on the loose concept with some depth here and there. The slaughter king, played by Jack McCord, calls himself The Outsider and it’s a great character.

In fact, most of the characters are great, aside from Roland himself. I feel the DJ is just too bland, just one angry rant or over-the-top exasperation of shock thrown in here and there. Considering how actor Douglas Epps totally made his short role in Bonehill Road count, then bagged the whole flick as to when his part was over. The werewolves kind of paled in comparison. As a lead guy he’s more restrained and I’ll be honest, Roland really irritated me through appearing amateur in parts. The fault of the writing? Douglas himself? His voice has just one tone and his acting stops and starts like someone tripping over their lines. It’s a shame, because I really like Douglas in everything else I’ve seen him in. Honestly, John (Clownado) O’ Hara would have fitted better into the role whilst Douglas could have easily claimed the secondary producer at the boards role (didn’t really have to be a young lad as in this movie) but that’s just my opinion.

The rest of the cast hold up okay. The victims are hit and miss but they’re only in the film to die horribly so let’s not be too bitchy. Meanwhile, Todd Sheets and gang let loose buckets of their trademark gore. Stabbing, impaling, gutting, and a scene straight out of The Devil’s Rejects that Jesus himself would be proud of. All this and much more.

There’s a few cheeky inserts and winks to previous films. “My name’s not Flo!” and such which makes the journey rather enjoyable. Plus, the t-shirt worn by Roland is so cool. Practically all the cast are a who’s who of Todd Sheet’s previous winners and dinners. No Linnea Quigley this time ‘round, however, I was genuinely looking out for her as well.

Anyway, my little grumbles and gripes certainly didn’t spoil my love of this movie and Todd Sheet’s creations in general. I’m sure there’ll be an army of people waving their fists and screaming at the film which is what usually happens when self-important wannabee critics see a low budget flick, usually by Todd, but so what?

Final Caller is a smile-inducing trip back to the ‘80s mentality of making a rugged horror film — fast, colourful, bloody, and with a nice soundtrack. Hey, just like most of his crazy moist movies.

Woman about to be stabbed in the movie Final Caller

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Final Caller Review from Extreme Entertainment!

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