Review of Nightmare at Shadow Woods (1987) by Jason D — 28 Sep 2009

Blood Rage (aka Nightmare at Shadow Woods) is THE perfect example of a so-bad-it's-good type of horror film. Completely devoid of continuity and quality filmmaking, the film begins at a 70's drive in, where youths are more concerned with getting laid rather than the movie.

Young mother Maddy is trying to score on her big date, but it proves to be hard when she brings her twin kids (Todd and Terry), who get loose and one of them (Terry) brutally murders someone and blames the other twin (Todd).

10 years later, on Thanksgiving, the family and friends at the local Shadow Woods apartments are in for one hell of a night when Todd escapes from the hospital to come back and get revenge on his brother, who already gets things moving by amassing a large body count at the complex.

Though the film is filled with lousy acting, amateur filmmaking (the film was released in 1987, but honestly, it looks like it came out of the early 70's), and corny 80's music, Blood Rage still manages to possess some charm to it with its overabundance of death and gore, some nudity, and a couple of intentionally humorous moments that are actually carried out well.

The "biggest" name in this film would probably be Louise Lasser, but to many avid horror fans, the biggest would be a very young Ted Raimi in a brief appearance as a condom salesman. Not the best horror film, and not the best slasher, but it can be a real fun watch if you incorporate beer and friends.

Not bad.