Review of Gimme Skelter (2007) by Jeff B — 17 Feb 2010

In Gimme Skelter, the roughly 60-some odd varied (and slightly unusual) residents of a super small New Mexico town are met with terror in the form of a gang of thrill-killers ran by rising genre star Billy Garberina (in a rare straight non-comedic role) who is the illigetimate son of Charles Manson, looking to replicate his terror, but on a more modern level.

Before this gang begins slaughtering town members throughout the night, we are introduced to a large array of townsfolk that includes semi-lead Mark Chavez, whose just cheated on his longtime girlfriend with one of the gang members.

There's also the great Gunnar Hansen (the original Leatherface) and his real-life niece Kristin Hansen playing father and daughter, as well as rising scream queen Elske McCain who shows who two greatest (and biggest) assets as the town whore (with one hell of a mean streak).

Anyways, the group begins their killing, which starts off rather successfully, but grows increasingly harder as the townsfolk get weirder. Special effects guru/director Kenneth J. Hall (Halfway House) makes a cameo appearance as a creepy strip club customer, as well as another rising horror icon Trent Haaga as one of the gang members.

Bad acting? Oh you bet. Low Budget? Of course! Overall, Gimme Skelter begins with a bang, delivering a fun opening, but then starts becoming a bit sour until finally picking up and actually delivering a somewhat entertaining ULTRA-low budget film.

The cast of rising and underground stars playing such eccentric characters actually manage to make this film entertaining. Lots of nudity helped as well! Overall, a decent surprise.