THE SUMMER OF MASSACRE (2011)

Directed by Joe Castro
Written by Joe Castro & Schroeder
Starring Brinke Stevens, Lisa Garcia, Lauren Boehm, Tim A. Cooley, Nicole McAuley, Dawn Roche, Chioma Nwosu, Samantha Dunn, Miss Tammy, Daniel Hubscher, Michelle Rico, Anahit Setian, Nicole Dome, Nick Principe, Cleve Hall, Rene Pena, Scott Barrows, Felipe Winslett, JT Seaton, Evan Owen, Ken Hall, Daniel Aldema, John Karyus, Bahram Khosraviani

This film boasts the dubious distinction that it has the Guinness Book of World Records’ highest body count ever in film at 155 deaths. And when your film consists of nothing but one psychopath going around offing one person after another, I can see how they achieved this goal. Those looking for a story filled with character, nuance, and emotional depth should look elsewhere. This is a film for gore-hounds and if you like watching people kakked in a myriad of ways, THE SUMMER OF MASSACRE is the film for you.

Fans of the so-bad-it’s-awesome effects on the TIM & ERIC AWESOME SHOW GREAT JOB! will delight in the spectacle of computerized gore on display in THE SUMMER OF MASSACRE. The makers of this film seem to be using the same style, as none of the effects are realistic by any means, but they are damn fun to witness. Blood spurts in an excessive fashion. Faces are turned to pulp. Every hit, slice, scorch, blast, or kick results in a cartoonish guesstimation of anatomy and violence inflicted upon it.

SUMMER OF MASSACRE is not a film you go see for story. It’s a showcase for gore. The film is loosely laced together with interviews of a couple of convicted murderers who have holed themselves up in a building with hostages. In between this setup are four stories. The first simply is about a man who is hit in the head while jogging and then goes on a murderous rampage for a half hour. The second is about a girl who wants to kill her special needs sister rather than take care of her. The third is about the son of a serial killer called the Boogie Man haunted by his father’s legacy, and the fourth is about a homosexual fireman couple who kill themselves in a murder/suicide pact and haunt a forest. None of the stories are particularly well written or acted, but they do serve their purpose–that being a highlight for cartoony effects and of course, a record high body count.

Not to be taken seriously, THE SUMMER OF MASSACRE would be a great drinking game where a group of friends must do a shot or chug a beer whenever someone dies. Just watch out for alcohol poisoning because this film has a massive and bloody body count. Those not looking for substance with their gore should seek out SUMMER OF MASSACRE; an impressive, grue-strewn gorefest.

Check out the trailer here!!