BLOODY BENDER

Directed by Dan Shimer
Videography by Brian Hoehn
Written by William Combs, based on an idea by Hugh Gallagher

Gary Halsten – John “Bloody” Bender
Cassandre Madero
Lennart Gross

**Note: The copy of BLOODY BENDER I saw was a work in progress, and I feel I need to grade it as such. The problem with reviewing a rough cut is it’s just that, rough. You really can’t gage a filmmaker’s talent until you’re seen the polished product.

This is the first film from Combs Pictures International, a new underground film studio based in California. I’m not 100% percent sure, but I’m willing to bet it’s Dan Shimer’s first film as well. While the film shows promise, he needs to learn style and pacing.

The plot revolves around mental patient John “Bloody” Bender, who just beat feet from the local looney bin. All he wants is a job, and as Bender himself puts it, he’s good with his hands.

Bender has this little problem, he likes to torture and kill people. That’s pretty much all there is to BLOODY BENDER. When John meets someone he strikes up a conversation and before the poor, unfortunate bastards know what happened to them, they are kicking it with Elvis. Not much on the plot department, eh? That’s really to bad because as Bender, Gary Halsten plays a great psychotic. He’s a man who takes pride in his work, and as serial killers go, he comes across as a rather likable and carefree guy. It would have been nice to give him something to do. Perhaps a little more interaction with the locals.

The film is broken up into three segments: the amorous farmer’s daughter, the door to door missionary (as a return missionary myself, this segment was particularly fun) and the lesbians. I guarantee the third bit is what will sell this movie. This scene is pretty explicit. With most soft core I can tell the cast is just going through the motions, but I’m convinced these girls were actually going to town. See for yourself and decide. I’m positive it will be the most talked about portion of the movie.

Halsten is credited with co-writing the screenplay. It’s more likely he just ad-libbed his dialogue. As he takes care of business his mouth runs a mile a minute. Every word seems off the cuff and is spat out with ferocious glee. He seems to be the only one if the movie who gets the joke.

On a final note, I just want to comment on Brian Hoehn, the Director of Photography. While his interiors are lacking in composition, many of his exteriors are fantastic. Some of his outdoor shots are as professional as anything else I’ve seen. If only his interiors matched up. Too many of the indoor sequences are dry and static. With any luck the finished product will make greater use of cut-aways and shot selection.

All things being said, I can get past the technical flaws. You can learn filmmaking skills. Maybe by time the sequel sees light the Combs International team will have it down.