Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Horror House on Highway 5 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 10, 2016

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.

A research trip for a college student goes horribly wrong when she meets up with Nazi-loyal lunatics, commencing a long night of imprisonment and terror, with a particular threat emerging in the form of a madman in a Nixon mask who enjoys killing innocents. The basics are covered by Casey, who delivers whimpering victims, isolated locations, and determined killer. It’s the rest of “Horror House on Highway 5” that’s problematic, finding comedy intrusive, almost reaching John Waters-style absurdity as amateur performances are emphasized and soundtrack selections play on through, regardless of tone. A one point, an actor even visibly cracks up due to the picture’s permissiveness, though such amusement isn’t contagious.

Horror House on Highway 5 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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.

Horror House on Highway 5 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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.

Horror House on Highway 5 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Richard Casey.

• "Return to Horror House on Highway 5" (18:18, HD) is the making-of for the picture, collecting interviews with cast and crew, with Casey steering the conversation through the film's creation and inspiration. Pieced together over the course of years (starting in 1978!), "Horror House on Highway 5" wasn't the usual quickie slasher effort, with a few participants forced to quit due to commitment issues, while the lead actress cut her hair, inspiring the use of a terrible wig. Anecdotes concerning a lack of production safety are interesting, and Casey seems aware that the picture doesn't come together at all, comfortable with the movie's cult status.

• "Beach Party with Vom" (4:29, HD) is a music video directed by Casey and shot by master cinematographer Bill Pope ("The Matrix," "Army of Darkness").

• Full Frame Presentation offers "Horror House on Highway 5" as it was seen on home video.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Horror House on Highway 5 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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.