Serial killers taping their brutal crimes; it's certainly not a new technique in the horror genre. It's been done before, in many ways, shapes, forms and to many degrees of success. Enter The Last Horror Movie, the latest in reality style killing spree programming from Great Britian. The concept is familiar, but it's actually carried out in a fairly unique way, one that I can only assume would have worked better on home video than it did in the theater. Maybe that's why I ultimately felt that the film was lacking, and wound up walking away unsatisfied.

Meet Max, a serial killer/wedding photographer who just wants to entertain an unsuspecting public...is that so wrong? In following his quest to make the masses happy, he's taped over a rental from the local video store, called The Last Horror Movie. So when you take this bad boy home, you get Max's version, of what he perceives to be his last horror movie. This primarily consists of random violent footage spliced together, including his killing sprees, home life, and thrown in for good measure - some of his classy wedding photography.

What actually works is the fact that Max plays with the viewer's mind and sensibilities nearly every step of the way, teasing and taunting as they watch. This is a very effective technique, and I can only imagine how well it would have played out on home video. Did you indeed rent a movie that has been taped over by a serial killer? It's very Blair Witch I know, but still, subtle and effective at the same time. The violence is sparse, but also effective, including a couple of choice beatings, stabbings and a nasty slit throat.

It's not a 'bad' movie by any means, but still, I find it hard to give a recommendation for The Last Horror Movie. If given the opportunity to see it in the theater, skip it and give it a look on home video instead. You may wind up with a completely different experience than me, and for that I would be envious. Then again for a sure thing, just rent Man Bites Dog, or to a lesser extent on this sub genre, Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer for guaranteed happiness.

Thumbs Down I really think that seeing this flick in the theater tainted the experience, check it out on home video...if you dare.