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SHADOWS RUN BLACK (1984)Directed by Howard Heard Does Iced make my nose bleed? What is it about cocaine and slasher films? From Slaughter High to Iced, The Great White Hope single-handedly invokes a sentiment of good will amongst friends. Friends, of course, being me (or you) and the hallowed slasher. A nice, fat pile of blow in a cheap 80s slasher is morse code for "Don't send help. We've got things covered." Regardless of your personal predilection for the nose candy, the filmic message is easily adaptable. In the foyer of an '84 slasher, cocaine leads to gratification. And gratification leads to Shadows Run Black. Shadows Run Black has two priorities. One, the practice of being succinct; there's a killer on the loose. He wears a ski mask. And that's that. Two, the practice of placing boobs on the screen; big, small, sweaty, dry, whatever. There are a lot of them. And that is also that. So we have a ski mask killer, no shortage of breasts, and a nice bag of cocaine. I could stop there. I SHOULD stop there. But I won't. Utilizing a modus operandi in tandem with American Nightmare (sinners must be purged!!), Shadows is an evenly paced plain jane with a slight affection for the high life. "High life" meaning paramedics in blue jeans; full frontal nudity whilst brewing coffee; a heroine who doesn't show up until the thirty minute mark; sudden discourses on an obese woman's unemployment woes. It's as if the legendary Fatal Pulse partied the night away, only to awaken with a debilitating, yet sustained, hangover. And a birthday magician performing for five minutes with a metal ball. Some of these strange detours could've been hacked out, but what's the fun in that? One Final Exam is more than enough for me. Now then, to answer that cop's question... You're goddamned right it looks familiar. BLAST OFF! AUDIO AND VIDEO EXTRAS FINAL THOUGHTS |
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All written material © 2004-11 Bleeding Skull |