Leaf Blower Massacre Review: A Hilariously Homage-Filled Horror Short that Packs a Punch!
There’s always a bit of a worry when you’re about to review a short film — and in this case I mean a short film. Is the completed write-up going to rely on way too much padding? I mean, a few paragraphs are a cheat for a writer like myself, who is probably known for his epic length volumes of words. Fortunately, Leaf Blower Massacre provided ample entertainment, making it effortless to pass on the opportunity to miss out on such wonders.
Anthony Cooney and Josh Stephenson have worked together a decent number of times since this little rough-arsed gem arrived. In fact, Leaf Blower Massacre 2 will be getting a review soon, so we’ll enjoy their zany escapades once again.
12.5 minutes of sheer… “I don’t know,” said my Partner in Gore, Willow, “I’m very undecided.” Which truly sums up this sharp-around-the-edges quickie. Is it serious? It’s played straight-faced but isn’t. Leaf Blower Massacre is a fun little homage and love letter to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Prowler, and likely the epic (ahem) Nail Gun Massacre.
It owns a wonderfully atmospheric opener as well, with sparse skeletal music, chords in places seemingly borrowed from the ‘Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai’ soundtrack. A baby sits at a window, watching blood dripping from what appears to be a dead thing in a tree, or leaves, who the fuck knows!
Then we’re twenty years ahead and there’s a couple strolling along. They are confronted by a guy in a bike helmet and combats. He has a bit of the Rampage trilogy in his stance and aura. Part of the whole comedy vibe is that the leaf blower needs plugging in. Then the leaves are blown into the victim’s face allowing a distraction. This distraction allowed the helmeted fiend to punch faces, or bludgeon with the blower. The killer also uses a push-bike to get around. God this is cool
“I’m going to blow your brains better than your girl ever did!” Fair enough.
There is a moment in Leaf Blower Massacre which recreates the last scene in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre that had me howl with laughter. Also, there is a marvellous sequence of card players, and the assorted characters are awesome. We didn’t know whether to laugh or shake our heads in bewildered disbelief. We decided that both options were viable given the situation.
As I said it’s all played straight-faced, especially the segment where a killer has someone held captive — though there are supermarket plastic Halloween body parts on show. Suddenly it all cuts to credits, but of course part two will pick up the baton.
Top marks go to the bang-yer-head-against-the-wall loud metal over the credits. With music by a band called Legions of Raum, we headed over to Spotify immediately. Trust me, they’re well worth a visit. They are in the realm of early Machine Head, Killswitch, and a bit of Cagefight, but heavier.
The direction isn’t ground-breaking but it’s professional and there is a lot of care with cinematography, location, and camera which gives Leaf Blower Massacre a seasoned veteran look. There’s a bit of blood, some action, and a whole lot of entertainment.
Directed by: Anthony Cooney
Written by: Anthony Cooney, Josh Stephenson
Produced by: Anthony Cooney, Josh Stephenson
Cinematography by: Josh Stephenson
Editing by: Josh Stephenson
Music by: Jesse Smith, Legions of Raum
Special Effects by: Anthony Cooney
Cast: Anita Nicole Brown, Shaver D Clark, Miquel Perez, Karla Shaw. Anthony Cooney, Martin Sean Cooney
Year: 2013
Country: USA
Language: English
Colour: Colour
Runtime: 12min
Studio: El Hombre Muerto Pictures, T-Nasty Production