6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A van full of college students traveling down a highway is terrorized by a psycho killer in a Richard Nixon mask.
Starring: Phil Therrien, Irene Cagen, Bill Pope, Max Manthey, Michael CastagnolaHorror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
For his directorial debut, Richard Casey turns to horror to make his first impression, crafting “Horror House on Highway 5,” which blends slasher intensity with slapstick comedy, though rarely well. Fans of the absurd and the bloody might respond positively to Casey’s broad shenanigans, but “Horror House on Highway 5” is a memorable title in search of a stronger movie, and one that takes its genre responsibilities a little more seriously.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation gracefully manages a feature that isn't always interested in providing the essentials in cinematic clarity or stability. Detail is quite good against all odds, picking up set decoration and character nuance satisfactorily, and costuming remains textured. Grain is heavy but filmic, and delineation is comfortable, remaining communicative even during the movie's evening sequences. Color is refreshed and appealing, delivering deep blood reds and greenery. Source is in fine shape, with a few faint vertical scratches detected during the viewing experience.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't dealing with an expansive original design, but it juggles the basics with some success. Dialogue exchanges come through to the best of their ability, finding inherent recording issues persistent but not distracting. Soundtrack selections carry more energy, retaining instrumentation and position. Sound effects are unremarkable, but presented without concern.
As cult titles go, there isn't much to "Horror House on Highway 5" beyond the Nixon mask, with the rest of the movie following formula, down to the final scenes. While Casey tries to battle predictability with oddity, he's better off playing by the rules. Without structure, "Horror House on Highway 5" rambles from scene to scene, only finding occasional focus with violence.
1987
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Standard Retail Special Edition
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Limited Edition of 2,000 copies
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Collector's Edition
1981
Slipcover in Original Pressing
1981
Standard Edition
1983
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Limited Edition
2009
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2018
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2018