[Blood Car]
Plot:In the near future, gas prices are at an astronomical high. One man is determined to find an alternate fuel source. That alternate fuel source turns out to be blood...HUMAN BLOOD.

Cast:Mike Brune, Anna Chlumsky, Katie Rowlett, Matt Hutchinson, Marla Malcolm, Mr. Malt, Matthew Stanton, Bill Szymanski, Hawmi Guillebeaux, Vince Canlas.

My Thoughts:Not bad, but not very good either.

Review:Despite it's sometimes over the line content, and very low budget look, "Blood Car" is not the usual direct-to-dvd horror film fodder, which is usually released into video stores every week or so. The movie takes place in the future, although the setting of the future is not given the typical "Jetsons" look and feel like with most SCI-FI/Horror films. Not sure if that's because writer/director Alex Orr wanted to be different in this case, or if he lacked the budget. Either way, the film follows one of today's critical issues...gas prices.

In this films case, gas prices are so astronomically high that no one drives anymore, and people have for the most part abandoned their vehicles altogether. In this world of high-as-hell gas prices, driving is like owning a mansion, as only a very select few can afford it. That is until a teen named Archie (Mike Brune), who used to power his car with wheat-grass, finds an alternative source of fuel. Unfortunately, it's human plasma (blood). The discovery that human blood can power his car is an exciting one at first, but pretty soon Archie learns that he can't keep using his own blood to power the vehicle, and therefore needs another source of "fuel".

This wouldn't be that big of a deal, if Archie's new wheels hadn't drawn the "attention" of Denise (Katie Rowlett), the town tease/slut all wrapped up in one. From that point on, not willing to give up Denise's "company", Archie decides to go searching for fuel for his car to keep it going. That's when the killing begins. "Blood Car" could be labeled as "The Mangler Reborn" to a lesser extent, and to a better extent..."Little Shop Of Horrors" revisited. Although both films are different, very different in fact, they both have similar themes.

Some poor schmoe having to "feed" a thing to keep hold of something that they think they need. In the case of both movies, it's a woman. Although Denise is the total opposite personality wise from the girl from "LSOH". The film also has a love story or should I say, love triangle element to go along with it's horror side of things. With Archie constantly trying to please Denise, and not noticing that his wheat-grass saleswoman Lorraine (Anna Chlumsky)..has a major crush on him, and in one visual scene early on, shows she's certainly not shy about it.

"Blood Car" takes an interesting yet morbid look of how things in a 1 in a million chance scenario, could end up in the future if gas prices continue to climb like they do. Although the key phrase is "1 in a million", as it's highly doubtful that any scenario such as the one covered in this movie will take place many years from now. But you have to appreciate the morbid spin, and creative yet prickly "what if" situation this film has to offer. But don't be fooled by the title, "Blood Car" is not a film where mindless violence reigns supreme and the body count is immensely high.

The movie does indeed include some violent scenes, but it balances them out with non violent ones, morbid humor, twisted humor, and a very comedic subplot where Archie is being monitored by a group of government agent types who want his new found fuel source or themselves. It really is a well balanced movie, although it can sometimes get weighed down by a lack of music, pretty subpar acting, and a look and fele that's just a bit too low budget. Granted I can enjoy a low budget horror as much as the enxt guy, but I felt more things could've been done with the budget and some of it wasn't focused in the right areas.

"Blood Car" is a horror film that many horror fans who don't expect too much from their straight-to-dvd movies, but at the same time are looking for something a little different from the mainstream, will enjoy. The formula is certainly different and that's always a good thing. But if you're not into far-fetched ideas and really low budget horror features, then I'd stay away from this one. Overall, "Blood Car" is a film that targets a specific niche audience, an audience which will find the film decent as I did, or like it alot better than I did.

Positives:Creative story, good acting by Mike Brune as Archie, a few very funny scenes.

Negatives:Too much of a low budget feel, a lack of music, the supporting cast wasn't that good.

Overall:Decent indie horror pic.





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