J. R. Bookwalter (born August 16, 1966) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer from Akron, Ohio.[1][2] He is best known for directing low-budget horror, action, and science fiction films, including The Dead Next Door, Robot Ninja (both 1989), Ozone (1993), and Polymorph (1996).[3] He is the founder of Tempe Entertainment which ran from 1988 until 2019 when the company's name changed to Makeflix.[4]
J. R. Bookwalter | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 16, 1966 Akron, Ohio |
| Other names | Lance Randas |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1985-present |
Career
editJ. R. Bookwalter began his career at the age of 19 in 1985 with The Dead Next Door.[5] The film was an independent production shot on Super 8 film in Akron, Ohio, over the course of four years. It was executive produced by Sam Raimi, with Bruce Campbell supervising post-production sound as well as providing the overdubbed voices of two of the lead characters.[6] Bookwalter wrote, directed, edited, and composed the score for the film.[7] The Dead Next Door has gone on to amass a cult following and has been noted as being the most expensive shot on Super-8 film ever made.[8]
During post-production on The Dead Next Door, Bookwalter wrote and directed the low-budget superhero action film Robot Ninja, which was executive produced by David DeCoteau.[9] The film was released in 1989 and features cameos from Scott Spiegel, Burt Ward, and Linnea Quigley.[10] In the years since its release, Robot Ninja achieved cult status on the video collector market.[11][12] In a review for the 30th anniversary Blu-ray release, Rue Morgue states, "Splishy gore, body horror, off-kilter performances, and a self-reflexive edge make Robot Ninja a cut above your average exploitation movie fare."[13]
Bookwalter produced Skinned Alive in 1990.[14] The film stars Scott Spiegel and Mary Jackson.[15]
Beginning in the early 1990s, Bookwalter directed a handful of low-budget shot-on-video films including Zombie Cop (1991), Maximum Impact, and Humanoids from Atlantis (both 1992), often times crediting himself under the pseudo name "Lance Randas".[16]
In 1993, Bookwalter directed Ozone starring James R. Black. In their review for the film, Film Threat called it "A dreamy descent into Cronenberg-esque madness."[17]
In 1996, Bookwalter directed Polymorph; written by and starring frequent collaborator James L. Edwards.[18]
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Bookwalter worked for Full Moon Pictures, producing and directing multiple projects for founder Charles Band including Witchouse 2: Blood Coven, Witchouse 3: Demon Fire, and Mega Scorpions (also known as Stingers).[19]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Dead Next Door | Yes | Yes | [20] | |
| Robot Ninja | Yes | Yes | [21] | ||
| 1991 | Zombie Cop[22] | Yes | Yes | Credited as "Lance Randas" | |
| Kingdom of the Vampire | Yes | Yes | [23] | ||
| 1992 | Maximum Impact | Yes | Yes | Credited as "Lance Randas" | |
| Humanoids from Atlantis | Yes | Yes | Credited as "Lance Randas" | ||
| Galaxy of the Dinosaurs | Yes | No | Credited as "Lance Randas" | ||
| 1993 | Ozone | Yes | Yes | [24] | |
| 1995 | The Sandman | Yes | Yes | ||
| 1996 | Polymorph | Yes | Yes | ||
| 1997 | Bloodletting | No | No | Executive producer | [25] |
| 2000 | Witchouse 2: Blood Coven | Yes | No | ||
| 2001 | Witchouse 3: Demon Fire | Yes | Yes | ||
| 2003 | Mega Scorpions | Yes | Yes | Also known as Stingers | [26] |
| 2024 | Side Effects May Vary | Yes | No |
References
edit- ^ "Tempe Apocalypse screening celebrating the films of J.R. Bookwalter!". Alternative Cinema. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ "Daily Kent Stater 17 February 1994 — Kent State University". dks.library.kent.edu. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ Frank (2019-12-19). "Every JR Bookwalter Film Ranked". Psychotronic Review. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Bryan. "Tempe Entertainment, Pioneers of Indie Horror and home of The Dead Next Door is calling it quits after 33 years-Fitz of Horror – Fitz of Horror". Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Lindsay, Cam (2005-09-01). "The Dead Next Door J.R. Bookwalter". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Miska, Brad (2017-08-04). "Zombie Classic 'Dead Next Door' Gets 2K Transfer". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Galil, Leor (2020-10-05). "The mystery punk from The Dead Next Door". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Manor, Rue Morgue (2022-10-03). "Homemade Horrors: An Evolution". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Gingold, Michael (2018-04-13). "Cult DTV gorefest "ROBOT NINJA" slashing back on special-edition Blu-ray/DVD". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Hamman, Cody (2018-06-12). "Robot Ninja will kick ass on a 30th anniversary Blu-ray release". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Gingold, Michael (2019-02-22). "VHS fave "ROBOT NINJA" slashes onto Blu-ray; complete specs and art". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Thompson, Rocco T. (2019-04-08). "Blu-Ray Review: VHS-Era Shocker "Robot Ninja" Gets Back In Fighting Shape". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Thompson, Rocco (2019-04-19). "VHS-Era Shocker "Robot Ninja" Gets Back in Fighting Shape". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Gingold, Michael (2020-08-17). "'90s hillbilly horror "SKINNED ALIVE" coming on restored Ultimate Edition Blu-ray; full details and art". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Hamman, Cody (2020-09-02). "Skinned Alive, starring Evil Dead II's Scott Spiegel, comes to Blu-ray". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ "Blu Review – SOV Six-Pack (Tempe Digital)". Horror Society. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ "OZONE (DVD) | Film Threat". 2004-10-30. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Tinnin, Drew (2022-06-02). "Homemade Horror: 5 Gross Out Shot-On-Video Shockers". Dread Central. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ "Full Moon Fever: Day 4 | CHUD.com". Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ The Dead Next Door (1989) - J.R. Bookwalter | Review | AllMovie, retrieved 2023-03-24
- ^ Hamman, Cody (2018-10-19). "Clip previews the HD restoration of J.R. Bookwalter's Robot Ninja". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Roog (2021-12-16). "Zombie Cop (1991)". Moria. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ "Kingdom of the Vampire (1991) - Horror Movie Review". Scared Stiff Reviews. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Hamman, Cody (2020-07-21). "J.R. Bookwalter brings his SOV cult classic Ozone to Blu-ray". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Barton, Steve (2013-12-03). "Full Moon Streaming Unleashes J.R. Bookwalter's Mega Scorpions on the Web". Dread Central. Retrieved 2023-03-24.