Customer Reviews

Back Lot Murders

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In spite of its generic title, "The Backlot Murders" turns out to be a pleasant surprise. It's an often hilarious film that pokes fun at traditional slasher films while serving up some chills on its own.
Through some fortunate circumstances a down on its luck rock band(featuring former teen heartthrob Corey Haim as the guitarist) gets to film its first video on the Universal Studios back lot. The video's director is played by the scene stealing Charles Fleischer, who is so hilarious in this role it's a wonder he doesn't get more work. Some of his lines(particularly in his scenes with Priscilla Barnes, as the band's manager) had me laughing out loud.
Soon, the band and the video crew start getting bumped off by a masked killer. Is it the band's former bass player, who was unceremoniously dumped shortly before they landed their big break? Maybe... I'm not telling.
"The Backlot Murders" is a welcome change of pace over other slasher films with a similar premise that take themselves too seriously. If you're looking for a slice 'n dice bloodbath, look elsewhere. If you're looking for an entertaining horror/comedy, then look no further. "The Backlot Murders" delivers.

This hysterical slasher makes you laugh out loud, and dedicated horror fans will even enjoy picking out some of the camera setups that are mimicking murder scenes from other films. Priscilla Barnes alone is reason to see this film--better comedy than anything she ever did on Three's Company. And teaming her with Charles Fleischer as a gay rock video director was brilliant. They steal the show. And shockingly, the murders seem really routine and standard throughout the film, but all of a sudden, at the end, we get a couple of harsh hardcore killings! To add to the fun, the guys and girls all play it up as ditsy pretty people just waiting to become victims...this one is great for party viewing.

This Movie is one of the best straight-to-video horror movies I have ever seen! I especially loved the part of having Priscialla Barnes in it! She was great in this film! The ending wasn't that shocking was sort of. The idea of this film was great! Most of the acting sucked but it was still an enjoyable film! Funny and Scary At Times! A Highly Enjoyable Film if you don't take it too seriously!

The only reason I sat through this cute but pathetic horror movie is because I love Priscilla Barnes (Three's Company). It's basically about a rock band whose manager decides to promote the band by killing all the members, throwing in a fired crew memember who wants revenge along with her. Priscilla is that maniacal manager, and her gift for comedy really shows through - she makes a very funny killer. The rest of the time she's pretty snitty and generally not likeable, but I still enjoyed her performance. The movie itself is really, really sad and not worth sitting through unless a major Priscilla fan.

A slasher is loose on the Universal Studios backlot (called Empire Studios in the film) while a rock band films a music video.

In the Special Features, the director calls this "an intellectual film," and a "thinking person's horror film."

Well, no. It's not. There's a lot of film/music industry satire, and it's cute, but the targets are so old. Basically, lots of cynicism and jabs at bimbos, airhead rockers, and anyone else who'd do anything to "make it" in showbiz. It's been done to death.

Even so, it's done well here. Priscilla Barnes is excellent as the raspy voiced band manager. I won't give away any spoilers, but she's still sexy at well into her 40s, and hilarious. Having seen her on THREE'S COMPANY, I always thought her comedic skills were high, and under-appreciated.

Yes, Charles Fleischer is also hilarious as the gay director. And there are some funny lines in this film, even if the satirical observations are ancient.

Even so, it's a small film, and none too scary. Entertaining and well made, but nothing special. I bought this DVD in the bargain bin for a few dollars, and it was well worth it.

You are not meant to take this horror movie seriously. You are meant to get that it's over the top cheese. It's a spoof ON over the top cheesy movies. If you like cheesy horror movies with plenty of good one-liners, THIS is the movie for you. If you are looking for something that is scarier than this and an actual horror movie, it is not for you. Enjoy it for what it is worth. It was not meant to be a cinematic masterpiece.

This straight-to-video "Scream" wannabe is by no means a great film, nor does it fall into the so-bad-its-good category, but will be enjoyable for fans of Priscilla Barnes. Those who only know her as Terri Alden from "Three's Company" will be surprised and delighted to see her channel Debbie Harry as a sarcastic, bitchy band manager who is working with a gay, high-strung director (Charles Fleischer) on a video shoot where the bodies start piling up faster than you can say "CUT".

There is plenty of eye candy here for both the boys and the girls as several of the band members (including the late Corey Haim) are good-looking and the nubile groupies have no qualms about peeling their tops off and exposing their breasts, or running around in their bras and panties before being sliced and diced.

Still, the best thing about this low-budget, irreverent slasher is the bitchy banter between Fleischer and Barnes.

The disc also contains some extended/deleted scenes and a short "making-of" featurette.

Imagine Corey Haim being one of the biggest stars at one time and now he ends up playing a 10 scene/10 line character in this crappy movie. No wonder he is hitting the spike!

Anyways, the movie is bad. I am not sure if it is the bad acting or the bad plot. There are a few good scenes that made me want to watch the movie further.

It is very predictable. Very annoying. Very bad.

Priscilla Barnes (Terry from Threes Company) plays on it, that was almsot worth watching the movie...

See it anyways if you want to wate some time. Perhaps you will enjoy it.

Okay, this movie is really, really bad....most of the acting is unbelievably horrid; the script is derivative and ludicrous (they even steal a murder right out of the original Friday the 13th), and the writer obviously thinks the F word needs to be in every other sentence; the girls are breasty to say the least, but bimbos one and all. Even Corey Haim, virtually unrecognizable, is wasted. In spite of some pretty funny references to slasher movies and such, this movie is far down on the horror food chain. Except for..and here's what's funny...Priscilla Barnes as the bitchy band manager (looking nothing like the model she once was) is outstandingly hammy and cool; she obviously was having a good time. And Charles Fleischer as the flaming video director delivers many unbelievable lines with a strength and beauty only a true professional could muster.
But, folks, rent it...don't buy it like I Did!!!!!

Nobody who isn't actually connected with this movie could possibly think it's any good. Horribly bad acting and writing make this unwatchable.