Nathan Schiff: Z-grade films

[Gluttony]

Recently, I was prowling around various movie bins at various stores when I found a most peculiar set of movies. I knew I'd heard the names before, but for some reason I couldn't conjure an image... nope, nothing. The two films were: They Don't Cut the Grass Anymore and Weasels Rip My Flesh.

After a half hour of debate and personal questioning, I forsake that long neglected copy of Bad Taste and decided to purchase Weasels... for my collection. It was kind of expensive for a movie that was only 64 minutes long, but the DVD was packed!

I haven't watched it yet, I'm kind of afraid to. I found on that this is Schiff's debut film. He was 17 when he made the movie... the question remains, does he have the talent and skill that vide collectors and bootlegers have been whispering about since 1979? I don't know.

When I do, I'll post a review, this experience may even warrant a DVD assessment (I've never done one before, I'm too lazy).

Schiff has made a few low budget grue flicks over the years, any information people can tell me about him and your opinions on his work are quite welcome.

His four films of horror and gore are:

Weasels Rip My Flesh, 1979
Long Island Cannibal Massacre, 1982
They Don't Cut the Grass Anymore, 1985
Vermilion Eyes, 1990

[countchocula]

Fango did a flattering spread on him awhile back. These are supposedly shot-on-video cult classics. I've never seen them, and I can't say that I care to.

[The_Driller_Killer]

Never heard of him, or any of those movies, for that matter. Sorry. :)

[Cronos]

ive been strangely interested in seeing Weasels and They Don't Cut The Grass Anymore but ive only really read bad stuff about them, unless you like bad films that is

[Gluttony]

Mini-Review: DVD

Written, Produced, and Directed by: Nathan Schiff.

FILM:

Giant weasel! Weasel men! Immortality! Cool Sunglasses! Rabid Zombies that walk straight out of the Plot! Yep, it’s Nathan Schiff’s debut feature into Super 8 legend. Made for less than four hundred dollars and featuring a plump cast about ten people, Weasels Rip My Flesh has become a cult hit that has been the toast of bootleggers everywhere. Does it warrant it’s infamy? Pfffttt… YEAH!

Though it features several technological nuances, the movie holds a special integrity that could only be the product of a love for filmmaking. The effects are surprisingly good for it’s cost, the acting is stiff but not Atari level bad, and the story takes enough twists and turns that allows the movie to find some entertainment at face value.

However… and this is a big HOWEVER.

Schiff’s movie shines when you love your bad cinema. I can’t recommend this title or it’s contemporaries to every horror fan, but if you like a good does of heckling with your good natured splatter, than I think you may be the target market for this DVD. The movie is unmistakably led into MST3K territory from the beginning and it never does leave the vat from which Mike and the bots make their delectable stew, but I must admit that this movie shows talent, even if it’s covered by dense layers cheese!

Even if your not sure you could stand it, the movie is only slightly longer than an hour, it doesn’t have time to wear out it’s welcome.

Because of the unique actors, with their long island accents, and a good imagination, this cute opus about killer, rabid rodents won me over. I even giggled at the tacky ending, for once I dug it.

FOUR OUT OF FIVE.

ON OR OFF?
ON!

PEPPERJACK- Cheese like this comes along only once or twice in a life time.

DVD:

Audio Commentary: Didn’t listen to, sorry.

Cast Interviews: Informative and divulges some clues to Schiff’s effects secrets. Worth the time.

Trailers: All of them are forgettable, but Weasels… got a chuckle out of me.

Silent Shorts:

APRIL MORNING- Soggy school project, not worth the time.

MISSION: DESTROY- Rather amusing, worth a look.

RADIK- Boring, but if your into watching home movies, it’s alright.

RAMOND- Same as Radik.

THE DAY THE DOG WENT INSANE- Good special effects work, fun for a look.

KATHERINE KHULLMAN LETS IT ALL HANG OUT- Very funny spoof of radio and television evangelism, Schiff himself plays the titular character and it features some truly spastic moments. Strange, but in a good way.

Schiff: I'm a fan.

[countchocula]

I'm still apathetic, but a dandy review nonetheless. That's all I have to say for myself.

[Gluttony]

Originally posted by countchocula
I'm still apathetic, but a dandy review nonetheless. That's all I have to say for myself.

Well, as the Catholics say,

"If you can't convert em, kill em." :p