TRUTH OR DARE? — A CRITICAL MADNESS (1986) Directed by Tim Ritter
Peerless Films VHS
THE FILM
Suddenly, I was hit over the head and blindfolded. A voice which simultaneously channeled The Ultimate Warrior and Wormser from Revenge Of The Nerds assaulted my ears.
"TRUTH OR DARE!"
"What? Uh...dare?"
"I just rolled over a baby in my black sedan. I just chainsaw'd a little leaguer's face in half. I just Uzi'd an elderly woman. I also carry a Rambo survival knife (it has a compass) and nunchucks. I DARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT YEAR THIS IS!"
"Are you shot on video?"
"Yes. Maybe. Would you believe 16mm?"
"C'mon. 1986."
I win.
Rallying to the cause with fellow nutcases Splatter: Architects Of Fear and Killer Workout, Truth Or Dare proves once and for all that 1986 was a difficult year for sanity. Because, in addition to all that slippery, button-pushing gore, this film manages to squeeze in left-wing solutions to adultery (kill 'em all), a fixation on static long shots, and some of the most heralded "Hey, I'm nuts!" face contortions since Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2. Yes, this is a critical madness. And yes, I'm laughing critically.
In "plot" and execution, Truth Or Dare is the balanced twin to Las Vegas Bloodbath's scurvy mania. Mike (Mr. Crazy-face, John Brace) finds his wife in bed with another man, then takes out his psychological traumas on the world. With ridiculous violence. But, while Bloodbath lives for idiotic -- albeit uncomfortably hilarious -- gross-outs, Truth exudes more passion. Teenage director/writer Tim Ritter (earlier: Day Of The Reaper, later: Killing Spree) and friends are determined to create a disturbing experience. To a certain extent, the lo-fi carnage is affecting. In form, production, and earnestness, this almost feels like a real movie. But in the end, there's still a sub-sub Pointer Sisters theme song. There's still a guy in a copper slasher mask running over a baby. And, there's still the use of the phrases "13 Months Later!", "13 Days Later!", and "5 Months Later!" within fifteen minutes of each other. Grim? Goofy? Unreasonable?
Yes. 1986.
AUDIO AND VIDEO
Truth Or Dare was released as an out-of-print, extras-jammed DVD by Sub Rosa Studios in the early '00s. In one hand, I held a $50 bill. In the other, 99 cents. The picture was pretty fuzzy and the audio didn't always align correctly, but my choice was a good one. The silver-embossed cover art acknowledges that fact.
EXTRAS
The box copy tells us that actor John Brace is "Formerly of The Burt Reynolds Playhouse." Formerly? Ouch. How does one manage to fudge up the coolest job ever?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Weep for the baby. Truth Or Dare spreads genuine vileness. It also spreads genuine chuckles. More tellingly, this film offers yet another opportunity for mid-80s gutter trash to prove its rebellious, delirious worth. And proven it shall be. I'd bet Mike's survival knife on it.
— Joseph A. Ziemba, 12.06.07 | 
Still cool...
First warning...
Second warning...
Formerly of The Burt Reynolds Playhouse.
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