Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Hayride Slaughter + Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 7, 2023

Saturn’s Core presents a double feature of W.A.V.E. Production offerings to add to seasonal spooky selections, pairing 2001’s “Hayride Slaughter” with 1993’s “Halloween Horrors,” allowing the curious and the faithful a chance to experience what director Gary Whitson imagines to be sick and scary with these no-budget endeavors.

Click here for a review of Hayride Slaughter

Click here for a review of Halloween Horrors

Hayride Slaughter + Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

See above for review.

Hayride Slaughter + Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

See above for review.

Hayride Slaughter + Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Hayride Slaughter

• Commentary features director Gary Whitson.

• "Hayride Memories" (18:12, HD) is an interview with actress Tina Krause, who shares her discovery at a horror con, going to the big show to get a "Friday the 13th" prop, ending up in a movie that very day. Spending the next two decades making W.A.V.E. pictures, Krause shares her excitement with industry and fan attention. She also details the W.A.V.E. production experience, working with the thinnest of scripts and the loosest of direction, basically doing whatever she wants. A discussion of "Hayride Slaughter" is offered, with the interviewee describing her experience with the magic aspect of the endeavor, performing in front of a real audience. Interactions with co-stars are recalled, including a sex scene with Dean Paul, with the pair trying to work through awkwardness. Krause also analyzes her break from Gary Whitson and W.A.V.E., growing tired of the company's lack of creative interests, trying to make her own horror happen instead.

• "Magic, Murder, and Mayhem" (26:35, HD) is an interview with actor Jim O'Rear, who explores his background as a magician, receiving inspiration as a child during a visit to the Haunted Mansion at Disney World, getting started with a Mickey Mouse magic set. Touring as a young magician, O'Rear was spotted by a casting agent, soon hired for commercial work, giving him a taste of acting, eventually falling into the world of stunt work. O'Rear also charts his own experiences as a writer/director, getting a start with 2005's "Vampyre Tales." The interviewee goes into his experience on "Haunted Hayride," ending up with a writing credit due to his creative input. The shoot commenced in Delaware, with O'Rear sharing some BTS stories about the location and his work on the full magic act that appears in the picture. Co-stars are detailed, making friends with the cast, and he offers an assessment of Gary Whitson's directorial presence. Anecdotes from the shoot are also shared, and O'Rear provides an update on his career.

• "Evil Angel Photo Shoot" (19:47, SD) offers time with actress Tina Krause as she poses in multiple outfits for Aven Warren's "uncompleted vampire feature."

• "Tina Krause Fan Club" (:32, SD) is a commercial for the actress's side business.

• And a Trailer (1:22, SD) is included.

Halloween Horrors

• Commentary features director Gary Whitson.

• "Pumpkin Eyes" (22:57, SD) is a segment from an "uncompleted W.A.V.E. holiday themed feature."

• "W.A.V.E. Custom Video Commercial" (6:10, SD) is a look at work from "In Dire Straits," a production company that offers viewers a chance to send in their own ideas and payment to see such fantasies brought to life. Clips from various titles are offered, and the "hosts" walk through a basement of props to showcase what these professional are working with. A brief Q&A is provided, including a claim that the company has a "talented pool of professional and semi-professional actors and actresses to choose from." No hardcore material, though, and submitted stories "should have a beginning, middle, and end."

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Hayride Slaughter + Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Saturn's Core provides a decent number of extras to add to the Blu-ray experience, adding value to movies that are somewhat difficult to sit through, especially "Hayride Slaughter," which is the longer of the two offerings, yet somehow contains less moviemaking.