Splatter Disco
Year: 2008
Director: Richard Griffin
Stars: Trent Haaga, Debbie Rochon, Ken Foree
Studio: Shock-O-Rama Cinema
MPAA Ratting: Not Rated
Running Time: 87 Mins.





Splatter Disco Trailer:


“Splatter Disco” is one of those underground horror films that I’ve been looking forward to, ever since hearing the about it on the Shock-O-Rama website. I’ve even talked about it when I interviewed, the film’s Executive Producer Michael Raso, during this summer. With the tagline “The First Slasher Musical”, it’s a very good bet that I would be very interested. Also, add in the fact that the film was shot right here in Rhode Island, where I’m from. Well, you know that I was going to try review this film for the site at any costs. “Splatter Disco” is the second film to come out from director Richard Griffin this year. He also directed “Beyond the Dunwich Horror”(which you can read my review for that film, by clicking here.) which is available at the Scorpio Film Releasing website.

Now he’s directing the only Christmas horror film to be released, into the DVD market, this year. Wait a minute, first of all, a title like “Splatter Disco” doesn’t sound like a title for a Christmas film. Now I get it, as this film has nothing to do with Christmas. It’s just there, as a backdrop and there are no psycho Santas stalking people either, sorry. Let’s just get to the review.

“Splatter Disco” is about a club manager (Trent Haaga), whose life is in chaos. The mayor and his sociopath mother wants to shut his fetish night club down, his father’s (Ken Foree) health is ailing, and his hallucinating hippie lawyer can’t help him out of his problems, because he too busy wanting his beautiful wife (Debbie Rochon). If he thinks that things can get even worse, they do, as a killer is stalking and killing the employees of his club. In order to get out of this mess, he must find a way, to stop the psycho killer and stop the people, who are trying to shut his club down, before he loses his mind or worse, end up dead. Lynn Lowry (“The Crazies”, “I Drink Your Blood”) also co-stars in this film.

"Splatter Disco" was definitely worth the wait for me. This was a fun and entertaining horror/comedy/musical film. Richard Griffin’s direction and editing was very good. He does a very good job, making the film’s story move at a very good pace, as there was never a boring moment with all the action and musical numbers that were going on. The reason for that was that the action was intense and the context of the musical numbers were different from the ones in “Poultrygeist” and also makes sense with the rest of the film. I personally think, Griffin did a great job with his actors, as all of the characters were very lively and felt like average people that you would want to hang out with. Maybe not all of them like, Lynn Lowely’s character and the killer, but still, they were directed, very well. The film also has some very good standout performances, like the always-entertaining Trent Haaga, in the lead, along with Ken Foree, who was very good as Haaga’s father and unknown actor Robin Watkins (who ironically enough was also in “Poultrygeist”), as pot smoking hippy lawyer who wants to make out with Haaga’s wife.

The screenplay, which Griffin co-wrote with Ted Marr story was very fun filled one. The film’s screenplay reminded me a lot, of Lloyd Kaufman’s latest film “Poultrygeist” but without most of the political and corporate subtext that dominated Kaufman’s film. One of the things, they did well was to not turn this film into a heavily political satire film, as this could have gone that route from the opening scenes. They instead focus, on the characters and the action, especially with the music numbers and characters development. It makes it a better film and I’m not whining that this is a “Poultrygeist” clone. The musical numbers were written very well, as they made the film entertaining and help move the story’s plot along. Those numbers included the hippy lawyer in the town council chamber and Forre on the dance floor with a sharp dressed white suit. Those worked very well as it makes the film entertaining. The character development was also very good, as the screenwriters do a very good job with development of the relationship between Haaga’ and Foree’s, as it felt special seeing these cult icons on screen together. They also developed, the love story subplot very well, as it didn’t get to the point that was the only thing going on.

This is the best film that I’ve seen from Richard Griffin yet. Splatter Disco is a fun horror/comedy/musical that will liven up your appetite for blood splattering gore, this holiday season.

Review Rating: Four Stars

In part one of my interview with Pop Cinema head, Michael Raso, we talked about his company, it’s recent releases and also about “An Erotic Werewolf in London” To read part one, you can goto: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/07/10-questions-with-michael-raso-part-one.html

Now, here’s part two of my interview with Mr. Raso.


10) Tell us how Shock-O-Rama acquired Brett Piper's "Drainiac", a film that was previously released back in 2000 from another company?

I first met Brett Piper via phone in 1997. I was publishing Alternative Cinema magazine at the time and was intrigued by Brett’s filmmaking skills. I had just starting distributing our films nationally on VHS tape and called Brett to see what he was currently working on. The title was “Drainiac” and he was searching for a distributor. For whatever reason we didn’t distribute it at the time but certainly came full circle in 2005 when we licensed the title from Brett and began the remastering process.



11) I listened to the Brett Piper commentary along with you and Greg Conley on the Drainiac DVD. Brett Piper said, “The version that was previously released was not finished. It was basically a work in progress but it was as far as we could go". What was the remastering process like for this film and what changes were made from the original?

We completely scrapped the previous version (except for the sound cut) and began remastering the film from its original camera negatives. Previously the film was transferred to Betacam tape. A fine format but outdated in 2005. We opted to transfer the footage to D5 Hi Definition video using a Cintel DSX telecine machine with a DeVinci 2K color corrector – all state-of-the-art at the time of this writing. Once transferred we then loaded the film into out Avid HD Adrenaline system for post production. At this point Brett took the reins and completed the final cut adding and improving upon some of the original, existing effects.


12) Are there plans to continue to work with Brett Piper in the near future?

After “Bacterium,” we decided to take a break. With four films completed, I wanted to concentrate on getting this films released not only to US DVD but also to television and international markets. I would love to work with Brett again and hope one day soon to call him to start a new project.

13) I first discovered Joe Sarno's films when I saw "Swedish Wildcats" back in 2005. Amidst the sexual activity in that film, there was a story and it had strong characters, like in his other film that I've seen since, where today in most of these erotic films, there is just all sex and no story. In your opinion, why does Sarno have this underground following?

Joe Sarno is so much more than “just” an exploitation filmmaker. He is a “real” filmmaker who just happened to be working in the New York sexploitation industry – filled with producers who just thought of the films as product. Joe Sarno films are a “cut above” anything produced in that era. The fact that Joe’s films “always made money for his producers” helped quite a bit as well. Joe Sarno films have “deep storylines” with complex characters is what enables the films to stand the test of time and have such an intense fan following.


14) Sarno recently came out of retirement back in 2004 to direct a film for Seduction Cinema called "Suburban Secrets". What was it like to work to with him for one of your films?

Working with Joe Sarno in 2004 was a dream come true. While I love all the films that I produce at Seduction Cinema, many are “lacking” in the story department and although the films have plenty of soft-core sex, none are as erotic as the more serious works of Sarno and another one of my favorite Seduction Cinema directors – Tony Marsiglia.

15) A film that I've been looking forward to from Shock-O-Rama is Splatter Disco, which is directed by Richard Griffin (a Rhode Island native like me), who has directed both Feeding the Masses and Creature From the Hillbilly Lagoon, currently available at http://www.shockorama.com/. Tell my readers the premise of that film and what was the reaction from the Fangoria Weekend of Horror screening that took place last month?

Rather than give you a synopsis, I’ll quote actor Ken Foree, who has referred to SPLATTER DISCO several times as “a slasher film about relationships” - to which I’ll add “and musical numbers”.

SPLATTER DISCO (which is slated for release November 18, 2008) is a genre-defying blend of classic slasher film, comedy, drama and musical. The film stars Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead, Rob Zombie’s Halloween), Lynn Lowry (George Romero’s The Crazies, I Drink Your Blood), Trent Haaga and Debbie Rochon, as well as some very talented newcomers.

SPLATTER DISCO has screened publically three times to date: the premiere at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Los Angeles Fangoria Weekend of Horrors and the Secaucus New Jersey Weekend of Horrors. I’m thrilled that all three events were well-attended (near-capacity), and that the crowd reactions were positive (appropriate to the events on screen).


16) What is the current release slate for the rest of 2008 for Bloody Earth Films, Retro Seduction Cinema, Shock-O-Rama and Seduction Cinema?

I would be happy to run down the list.

On August 5th Bloody Earth Films releases “Blood and Sex Nightmare,” directed by first-time filmmaker Joe Kolbek.

September 2nd is the release date of Secret Key Motion Pictures “West Germen Sex Comedy Collection.” On September 30th Shock-O-Rama releases “Necroville” – directed by Billy Garberina and Richard Griffin.

Even more Grindhouse Trash on October 14th when Secret Key Motion Pictures releases the third installment of the ever-popular “Grindhose Trash” series – “Grindhouse Trash Part 3: How to Make a Dirty Movie.” On the same date is the “Camp Horror Double Feature” showcasing two horror films from the 1990s – “Vampire’s Embrace” and “Through Dead Eyes.” On October 28th Seduction Cinema will release “Naughty Novelist” starring Darian Caine, Jackie Stevens and AJ Khan. On the same date, Retro-Seduction Cinema will release “Classic Nudes USA.”

Secret Key Motion Pictures will release another installment of the popular “42nd Street Pete” series called “Beyond the Busty Stag Collection.” On November 18th, Shock-O-Rama will release Richard Griffin’s “Splatter Disco.” On the same date, Seduction Cinema will release its newest spoof – “Iron Babe” starring Jackie Stevens and Darian Caine

AS you can see, we’ve been busy around here!


17) What advice would give to someone, who is looking to produce his own film?

With today’s amazing technology, a person can produce a digital film for next to no money. Start small. If you are preparing to “jump in” to a feature film, make that film on a miniscule budget. This way, if the film is not marketable, you can keep your shirt….or house!

Mr. Raso, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview and good luck with the rest of your releases for 2008 and beyond.

To read my review of “Drainiac”, you can goto: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/07/reviews-from-horror-chamber-funny-games.html

For my review of “Bacterium”, you can goto: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/01/reviews-from-horror-chamber-rob-zombies.html

And also check out my review of “Dark Chamber” you can goto: http://www.filmarcade.net/2008/03/reviews-from-horror-chamber-30-days-of.html

In my next edition of Ten Questions, I will chat with the host of “Movie Geeks United”, Jamey Duvall.

Until then, my name is Anthony Thurber and that’s 10 Questions.