If you're a regular reader here at Monsters At Play, then you've probably heard of a little film called August Underground (review here) and/or its sequel, Mordum (review here). Grotesque and over-the-top, the August Underground series is best known for (if nothing else) outrageously effective and gory special effects. Certainly enough to satisfy some within the horror community, on the flip side, not nearly enough for others. The folks behind these films (they are now known as 'Toe Tag Pictures') are currently hard at work prepping the third installment to their franchise from hell. In between however, they worked on another production, a film entitled Murder-Set-Pieces. A little background goes a long way, and if it weren't for the 'Toe Tag' gang (their leader Fred Vogel) or the August Underground films, I wouldn't have known square one about Murder-Set-Pieces, and perhaps, I wouldn't have cared. Therefore, if that's the boat that you are in, rest assured knowing that you are in good company.

Nick Palumbo, best known for his shot on video serial killer flick Nutbag, is the man behind Murder-Set-Pieces. Now, I've never seen Nutbag myself, however, I had heard of it and its director Nick, through the horror community grapevine. Somehow, and I'm not quite sure how, Nick secured a budget in the low millions (quite a feat for a non studio indie flick these days), to complete what would be his next serial killer flick. This one, a bit glossier, shot on film and with the Toe Tag team on board to provide the special effects.

Murder-Set-Pieces, a film that can easily be taken for 'yet another serial killer on the loose flick' is at some times more...and some times less. The story centers on a German photographer, who in between shoots (and sometimes during) satisfies his insatiable (and for some unexplained reason, inevitable) bloodlust as he drives around the Vegas strip, picking up strippers and prostitutes. Sometimes he photographs them, sometimes he has sex with them, but without fail, he always ends up killing them.

The heart of Murder-Set-Pieces (and its marketing campaign) however, does not fall on the human side of things. The center of everything that is Murder-Set-Pieces focuses on its sheer brutality and unwillingness to play by the rules, which in my book - is a plus. Not since the August Underground films, have I been subjected to a movie that is, for lack of better words 'just plain wrong,' - in so many ways (this, by the way is a good thing). Destined to divide fans as well as non-fans of the genre, if nothing else, Murder-Set-Pieces is a shocking, gory, relentless and inappropriate horror film, that will without doubt, turn heads - for good or bad.

Within a film that relies so heavily on these violent acts and their intensity, the violence does indeed - work and it's not easy to watch. Women are brutally murdered while being raped, tortured and worst of all there is up close, and in your face violence towards children. Little girls of about 10 years old and a scene in which an infant is yanked out of a crib...beyond disturbing to say the least.

What doesn't work? Sad to say, it's the human element of the serial killer that's injected throughout. This ain't 'Henry,' that's for sure. The film would have worked better if the killer were a mindless, faceless murdering machine, and went simply...unexplained. As it stands, we dip into the killer's psyche throughout the film, but little of it makes any sense. Childhood trauma, nightmares in which women are taunting him, stock footage from 9/11 (?!?) Who, what, why, when? Is the audience supposed to identify and/or understand - perhaps even sympathize? These elements raise more questions than answers and unfortunately, not in a good way.

Slightly more than what the title suggests, the film is essentially, a slew of independent 'Murder-Set-Pieces.' Although, there is something to be said for some of the footage/interactions the serial killer has with many of his would be victims. Some of it works, some of it doesn't. But in the end, I found the film has quite a bit to offer fans of the genre, though as I said earlier, fans are destined to be divided on this one.

I appreciated the fact that Murder-Set-Pieces is willing to go too far. I liked the pseudo 'Goblin' score that crept in from time to time and I liked the fact that within seconds of the film starting, I saw 'subtle' shades of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and other horror classics. And in the end, I liked the fact that Murder-Set-Pieces was a horrifyingly offensive film that had a semi-gloss look (and obviously a budget) and an over the top edge, that it didn't once apologize for (except when the film winked at me with its unnecessary cameos, bah).

Keep an eye out for Murder-Set-Pieces, either in a limited theatrical run, or possibly on Home Video.

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