Bloodletting is a 1997 American direct-to-video horror film written and directed by Matthew Jason Walsh[1][2] and executive produced by J. R. Bookwalter.[3] The film was shot-on-video,[4] and stars James L. Edwards as Butch Harlow, a serial killer who is blackmailed by young woman Serena Stalin (Ariauna Albright) into taking her on as his apprentice.[2][5]
| Bloodletting | |
|---|---|
_DVD_cover.jpg) DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Matthew Jason Walsh |
| Written by | Matthew Jason Walsh |
| Starring |
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| Distributed by | Tempe Video |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Bloodletting was preceded by a 1995 short film, I've Killed Before,[6][7] also directed by Walsh and starring Edwards and Albright.
Cast
edit- James L. Edwards as Butch Harlow
- Ariauna Albright as Serena Stalin
- Nina Angeloff as Bobbie Jo
- Sasha Graham as Patti
- Randy Rupp
- Scooter McCrae
Reception
editCinefantastique and Video Movie Guide both commended the performances of the film's cast.[1][8] A reviewer for Fangoria described Bloodletting as having "a smart script, a playful sense of humor and a solid rapport between the leads", praising its editing and noting "plenty of amusing twists and gruesome FX".[9] John W. Bowen of Rue Morgue called the film "so much more tightly focused than most of its peers", writing: "If microbudget shot-on-vid horror is to remain viable, a lot of filmmakers would do well to study the ways in which Bloodletting compensates for its low production values with solid performances and tight scripting, neither of which costs a dime."[2] The film received moderate praise from critic Joe Bob Briggs, who complimented its gore but asserted that it "ends up with a 'Who will they kill next?' plot that doesn't always hold your attention."[10]
Home media
editOn August 19, 2003, Bloodletting received a "special edition" DVD release by Tempe Video.[6] In 2022, Tempe Digital and Makeflix restored and released the film on Blu-ray.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (2000). Video Movie Guide 2001. Ballantine Books. p. 118. ISBN 0-345-42099-3.
- ^ a b c Bowen, John W. (September–October 2001). "The Three Ms of Serial Murder" (PDF). Rue Morgue. No. 23. p. 44. ISSN 1481-1103.
- ^ Lentz III, Harris M. (2001). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits, Volume 2: Filmography (Second ed.). McFarland & Company. p. 912. ISBN 0-7864-0951-7.
- ^ Gingold, Michael (December 20, 2018). "Exclusive Comments, Plus Trailer and Posters: SOV Veteran Turns Director with "Her Name Was Christa"". Rue Morgue. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Collum, Jason Paul (January 2002). "Guerilla Filmmaker: J.R. Bookwalter". Femme Fatales. Vol. 11, no. 1. p. 12. ISSN 1523-5750.
- ^ a b "Bloodletting (Remastered Special Edition DVD)". TempeVideo.com. Tempe Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
- ^ Lindenmuth, Kevin J. (1998). Making Movies on Your Own: Practical Talk from Independent Filmmakers. McFarland & Company. p. 6. ISBN 978-0786405176.
- ^ "Cinefantastique". Cinefantastique. Vol. 29, no. 12. 1998. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ Dr. Cyclops (November 1997). "The Video Eye of Dr. Cyclops". Fangoria. No. 168. Starlog Group, Inc. ISSN 0164-2111.
- ^ Briggs, Joe Bob (July 25, 1997). "This rates a 10 on barf-bag scale". Orlando Sentinel. p. 100. Retrieved July 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bloodletting". Makeflix.com. Makeflix. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
External links
edit- Bloodletting at IMDb