I have to admit that I went into Hell Hole High expecting something completely different than what I was given. I quickly switched modes after I discovered where the filmmakers were actually coming from and went along for the ride as best I could. I was expecting an off the wall "Troma-esque" thrill ride along the lines of Class of Nuke 'em High - not the case. Still, I was able to take in Hell Hole High on its own terms and ultimately enjoy it for still being its own undeniably odd and unapologetic freak-fest.

Hell Hole High is a truly aesthetic experience that really does need to be seen to be appreciated. The gist of the story centers around 3 "kids" sent to a boarding school by their parents (Hell Hole High, natch) and the film gleefully chronicles their on campus encounters with a host of bizarre oddities. The film opens as Tiffany (The adorable Becky Rygg who comes across as a more attractive Gwenyth Paltrow), Doink (Aaron Vorhees) and Billy (Adam Dean) are set up by each of their dysfunctional families for a semester at Hell Hole High. Tiffany's well off parents are trying to convince her to get breast implants while Doink's neat freak, uniform wearing folks are probably the reason that he doesn't utter a single word. Billy's got it the most comical of all with the oddest, drug dealing, drinking beatnik parents (his father is played by Scotty Crane, son of the late Bob Crane) you've ever seen. Maybe they all would be better off at boarding school?

Once they arrive at HHH, the three have to deal with an assortment of weirdo teachers, odd classes, a floating video eyeball (uh huh) and the strictest of punishment if the rules aren't followed. Teachers include an overly friendly gym teacher (in a VERY funny scene), a Jerry Garcia looking music teacher who strums his guitar a bit too passionately (his fingers fall off at the knuckles all bloody like) and a topless photography session. Add also to the mix a head mistress with complete control (well, almost), constant video surveillance and Dink's spiritual guide who seems to show up from time to time to offer advice when needed - and you're only starting to scratch the surface.

It's all very odd and peculiar but at the same time remains thoroughly entertaining. One of the true joys of Hell Hole High lies within the fact that the viewer has absolutely no idea in which direction the film is going to take them in. Just when we think we have it figured out we're hit with an anti big brother campaign (Tiffany looks spectacularly grand in that black latex jump suit by the way, reeeowwrrr!), or an impromptu wedding. Mixed in with the moments of bizarre comedy are scenes of gore including a stabbing with scissors, burning and guts galore. It's mind numbingly silly, but I couldn't turn away until the end credits rolled (and even then I had to stack around and watch the outtakes!). I mean, sure there's only the three of them in each class (I guess extras weren't and option) and the sets look and are lit quite cheaply, but the whole affair still comes with a great sense of style and the three leads who truly can act and do indeed carry the film. These are all reasons that Hell Hole High comes up just slightly ahead of the competition.

The moments of bizarre violence stand to compliment the films equally bizarre sense of humor. The whole affair is very tongue in cheek and fans of the oddest in indie cult cinema should ultimately be pleased. It's not that we haven't seen this type of underground cultish, I don't care attitude of filmmaking before, because we have. There's a certain level of charm that Hell Hole High possesses and I'm not sure if it's the better than average performances, cheap but fun sets or quirky characters that truly take it over the edge, maybe if the film were in other hands it wouldn't be nearly as appealing? Whatever it is, I enjoyed the experience of Hell Hole High, a fun indie flick that just doesn't know when to say when.

Hell Hole High is available on DVD, but for review purposes we were given a VHS tape which presentes the film in a matted widescreen transfer (approx 1.85:1). It's all SOV so it looks and sounds about as good as one would expect. There are some harsh lighting schemes but overall the transfer (both audio and video) is quite pleasing for an indie flick such as this

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