Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Runaway Nightmare Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 18, 2014

There’s no possible way to describe “Runaway Nightmare” to the average viewer. It’s wild, weird bottom shelf production from writer/director Mike Cartel that seems like it was a struggle to finish. The 1982 feature appears to have an interest in comedy, action, and suspense, but no real clue how to achieve its goals, hampered by budget problems and a strange cinematic constipation from Cartel when it comes to the delivery of excitement or titillation. “Runaway Nightmare” is certainly intriguing as a surreal, Ed Wood-esque romp, but don’t sit down with it expecting anything more than B-movie shenanigans.

Featuring the story of Ralph (Cartel) and Jason (Al Valletta), two worm farmers kidnapped by a female cult, transformed into soldiers fighting for the retrieval of a suitcase filled with platinum, “Runaway Nightmare” embarks on a bizarre string of events concerning seduction (weirdly, the movie avoids nudity like the plague), torture, revenge, and humiliation. It’s ambitious work from Cartel (including what appears to be a few reckless stunts), who has trouble managing basic production requirements such as editing and sound, though his deadpan humor remains, creating laughs with Ralph’s discomfort with cult bullying and his inept way with infiltration.

Runaway Nightmare Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation brings "Runaway Nightmare" to HD in impressive fashion, pulling the title out of VHS obscurity, giving it a largely successful BD release. Grain is a major element, with waves of heaviness that aren't tightly managed, creating visual inconsistency, but it's nothing troubling, while some flicker and judder are present as well. Colors are in terrific shape, rich and stable, extending to natural skintones and desert exteriors. Blacks are also adequate, with some unstable contrast issues. Print is in impressive shape, offering only mild speckling and damage.

Runaway Nightmare Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is quite appealing for a mono event. Hiss is present but unobtrusive, never crowding the extensive dubbing of the picture, with voices sounding clean and expressive. Sound effects are pronounced, carry their intended punch, while the effort's periodic use of music registers as intended, supporting without overwhelming.

Runaway Nightmare Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary with filmmakers Mike Cartel and Mari Cartel, historian Howard S. Berger, and Vinegar Syndrome's Joe Rubin is a required listen for anyone daring to sit down with "Runaway Nightmare." Allowing Cartel to tell his story, tracking production problems (the movie was shot over multiple years) and creative accomplishments, the conversation is riveting, while Berger is included to celebrate the picture.

• "Alternate Video Scenes" (3:35, SD) are hilarious. It appears some enterprising producers decided to add nude scenes to the VHS release of "Runaway Nightmare" without consulting Cartel. The ensuing parade of exposed torsos brings yet another non sequitur to an already bewildering movie.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Runaway Nightmare Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Runaway Nightmare" touches on dreamscape imagery (very Lynchian at times) and existentialism, but also offers a bar fight and a hotfoot prank, balancing out stabs at sophistication with tomfoolery. Of course, everything is nonsensical and borderline unprofessional, but Cartel seems proud of it all, which allows the film a certain comfort, making it easy to watch, even while it spins itself dizzy with half-baked ideas.