This week ECHG writer Adam Holtzapfel warps us back to 1988 for a look at the underrated SOV classic, Woodchipper Massacre.

 

 

by Adam Holtzapfel

 

Written and directed by Jon McBride (who also stars in the film), Woodchipper Massacre takes viewers on an 80 minute ride that has plenty of laughs.

 

With a budget of $400 (which paid for the camera and the rental of the wood chipper) the film shows what the children get into while the father is away.

 

Beginning with family breakfast viewers are introduced to Jon (McBride), Denice (Denice Edeal), Tom (Tom Casiello), and their dad (Perren Page). Dad is discussing he needs to go out of town for business, but Aunt Tess (Patricia McBride, yes Jon’s mom) will be in charge. This leads to disdain from the trio.

 

 

 

Upon her arrival we see Aunt Tess rules with an iron fist, not allowing Jon to go on a date, the typical fuddy duddy babysitter. To make peace Denice suggests they have a movie night, which of course is a horror movie that leaves Tess in a foul mood.

 

The next day she swamps the kids with chores. As she catches Tom in the middle of a bitchin air guitar solo, she lectures him on the perils of rock n roll. Aunt Tess is fucking up everyone’s fun this weekend.

 

A Rambo knife that Tom ordered finally arrives, as Tess tries to wrestle it away from him she impales herself (is this the original Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead?). When you have teenagers that aren’t quite versed in body disposal and a wood chipper you can guess what happens.

 

Now they face another issue, their jailbird cousin Kim shows up looking for his mom because he owes people money, this leads to an extortion attempt which results in a date with the wood chipper.

 

Giving this the Dead On Movie Reviews grading treatment, this film earns a B. The soundtrack at times is reminiscent of a video game, it’s overacted in a good way, the budget definitely shows in the film. There’s no real gore and it’s more of a straight forward comedy, but it works.