Bloodtype Online
For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
August Underground (2001)
The 1970’s are over and all the horror fans that discovered horror films from that era are always starving for a brutal horror film. I just recently viewed August Underground alone in my basement straight through with no interruptions. I think it is one of the most offensive movies in a very long time. Toe Tag delivers the gore effects and I expected nothing but the best from the guys who wowed me with their effects on “Murder-Set-Pieces”. The director of the film, Fred Vogel, plays a sadistic killer along with his friend that videotapes all of the kills. They seem like they are having a blast humiliating the victims. Watching the two guys mock a girl and laugh hysterically at her torment is disgusting. I knew the girl wasn’t going to make it out alive from the first five minutes of watching this. This is not a revenge movie where we cheer on the hero get vigilante justice. This is a straight up exploitive faux snuff film that forces us to watch the victims suffer in the presence of psychopaths. These guys are despicable in every sense of the word.
This movie is not for the weak but I do suggest fans of exploitation movies and serial killer films watch this right away. What movies are taking it this far? A girl is fed her own shit in this movie. This movie is blunt in its approach. It shows ugly and the movie has an ugly look due to its snuff video gimmick. The movie was shot on miniDV and then edited to have a more unpolished look. Fred Vogel's character goes from laughing at his victims to screaming at them in a convincing maniacal tone. I think that his acting debut is actually as impressive as his directing debut. This guy had the balls to make a genre film that actually horrifies. The approach these guys took was an “I don’t give a fuck” attitude that I truly appreciate as a horror fan. I am a massive fan of films like “I Spit on Your Grave” and “Thriller: A Cruel Picture”, two classics from the unforgettable decade in film. I am pleased that today someone decided to punch me in the gut. I am very much looking forward to seeing Fred Vogels next feature “Redsin Tower” coming out sometime in 2006. Watching a film like this should strike up conversations and many different opinions. The movie worked for me and it gave me a feeling in my gut I don’t want to have. I felt like an asshole watching it because it felt so real at times. I would never want to be in the victim’s situation and imagining being in that predicament is frightening. The movie was gross, vulgar and it’s important in your face film. Violence is not portrayed as pretty once in this film. So I hope no one labels anything in this film gratuitous. More horror outlets should be discussing this film because it’s a shocking film that should be inspiring to all future filmmakers. I like watching all types of horror films and if I didn’t I wouldn’t be writing for a horror site. However films like “August Underground” are what keep me interested and optimistic for the future of horror. Gorehounds should be very impressed and DVD collectors will be delighted with the special features on the DVD. A lot of writers and filmmakers in the horror community share their thoughts about this groundbreaking film. Some cool easter eggs are also on the 2 disc dvd. With two documentaries on the film and two commentaries this is a must have!
Rating - ***1/2
Russ Rutter
