Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 5, 2022

“Slaughterhouse Rock” is an unusual title for a picture that offers very little music and spends limited time inside of a prison. However, it’s catchy, and acquiring attention in any form is the goal of the production, with director Dimitri Logothetis (“Pretty Smart” and the recent Nicolas Cage actioner, “Jiu Jitsu”) hoping to participate in the horror boom of the 1980s with this monster movie. “Slaughterhouse Rock” is the rare genre offering to open with some imagination and visual gusto before sliding into stasis during its second half, finding all the creature feature material less interesting than the nightmare realms Logothetis arranges for his introductions. The endeavor generally does away with clarity as it unfolds, but it manages to grab attention right away, which is enough to support the uneven viewing experience.

Alex (Nicholas Celozzi) is a college student having difficultly with nightmares, which are growing in intensity as the days pass. Richard (Tom Reilly), his older brother, tries to help Alex get past his fears, while a new love interest, Jan (Tammy Hyler), is greatly concerned about his mental health. Professor Carolyn (Donna Denton) has some idea what’s going on, urging Alex to travel to Alcatraz with his friends to deal with an evil entity known as The Commandant (Al Fleming). Arriving on the island, the gang is attacked by a demonic spirit, with Alex finding help from Sammy (Toni Basil), the lead singer of a band who once explored Native American history on Alcatraz, ending up trapped in a spiritual realm after tangling with The Commandant.

There’s a story to be sold in the first half of “Slaughterhouse Rock,” which examines Alex’s increasingly hostile sleeping experiences, where he’s subjected to violent visions of bodily harm. The nightmares have wrecked him, concerning loved ones, and there’s no clear answer as to what’s causing all this sudden aggression. The screenplay doesn’t successfully communicate the stakes of “Slaughterhouse Rock,” but it does deliver a sense of doom, with Richard and Jan trying to be there for Alex, who fears he’s going insane, promising a slightly more complex psychological journey (with bits and pieces of “A Nightmare on Elm Street”) to come.

Such sophistication doesn’t arrive in “Slaughterhouse Rock,” as the tale eventually shifts from panic and the unknown to time on Alcatraz, where the dream warriors seek answers to all of their questions. The writing introduces Sammy, a ghost host, and her job is to provide tremendous exposition dumps that come far too late in the film to really increase a sense of peril for the characters. “Slaughterhouse Rock” becomes a possession movie, with the essence of The Commandant taking control of others while Alex works to shut down the evil that resides on the island. Logothetis doesn’t help the feature with this shift into a haunted house picture, serving up uninspired suspense sold with slack editing, though special effects are effective when they’re allowed to shine.

Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Slaughterhouse Rock" is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm original negative. The picture spends most of its run time in the dark, with blueish lighting dominant and delineation satisfactory. Hotter hues from fire make a distinct impression, along with period clothing, which retain bright primaries. Interior decoration and lighting choices also register as intended. Skintones are natural. Detail is good, with a decent look at facial particulars, including grisly makeup on monstrous developments. The crumbling halls and rooms of Alcatraz are open for inspection. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a wide, clear listening experience for "Slaughterhouse Rock," with distinct dialogue exchanges coming from a collection of largely untested actors, and echo effects for the undead are understood. Scoring supports with authority, delivering horror moods with crisp synth. Atmospherics are also active, preserving a sense of weather changes and Alcatraz movement.

Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "The Girl That Lives" (19:26, HD) is an interview with actress Tammy Hyler, who tracks her move from Arizona to Los Angeles to figure out an acting career, finding work with an agency. She shares her audition story, and details time with her co-stars, making longstanding friendships during the shoot, while also remaining incredibly starstruck around Toni Basil. Hyler shares her memories of working around explosives, and recalls the premiere of "Slaughterhouse Rock," attending the screening with her dear friend, Patricia Arquette. The interviewee goes into depth about her current role as a producer in Nashville, putting together films such as "Like a Country Song," keeping her involved in the industry.

• "Lunch Break with Claws" (19:13, HD) is an interview with actor Al Fleming, who also provided makeup effects for "Slaughterhouse Rock." Before he was hired for the gig, Fleming had to figure out the look of the monster, offering the producers plenty of options. He still has pieces of the finished suit today, presenting fans with a look at the facepiece and arms. Living life as a creature, the interviewee goes into the demands of the part, unable to eat and easily use the restroom while locked inside the suit, and his eyes would often struggle with contact lenses and smoke effects. Co-stars are recalled and director Dimitri Logothetis is assessed. Technical challenges with makeup are also examined.

• "Wearing the Right Clothes" (15:55, HD) is an interview with actor Nicholas Celozzi, who received a call from his agent about the part, basically lucking into his first lead role in a motion picture after a few years on television. Celozzi details the extensive sets and cold locations found during the shoot, and goes into some detail about his co-stars, including a reveal that Tammy Hyler was dating director Dimitri Logothetis during production. The interviewee didn't have much of a barometer for success, but he was delighted to meet Madonna, who knew what the movie was during their conversation in 1988. Oddly, Celozzi's chat appears to have been recorded with a handheld camera inside a diner, leading to a bit of shakiness that's unusual to find on a Blu-ray supplementary offering.

• "Low-Key Horror" (11:12, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Nicholas von Sternberg, who doesn't have much to share about the making of "Slaughterhouse Rock," with his memory of the shoot limited. He does recall some innovation required to deliver style, capturing a few shots on roller skates. Long hours and time with fire is offered, and the interviewee is happy the feature has found its way to a more film-like format after years on VHS and YouTube.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:08, HD) is included.

Slaughterhouse Rock Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Slaughterhouse Rock" gradually slows to a crawl, long before the movie gets around to conclusion, which isn't satisfying. The Alcatraz visit, which is positioned as a free-for-all haunting, ends up being the least interesting aspect of the feature. Alex's bleeding mind and his desperation to stay alert enough to avoid hospitalization is actually a far more compelling story to follow, adding some flashy imagery and freak-outs to the mix. It's unfortunate "Slaughterhouse Rock" doesn't remain on this mental breakdown, but it does give the picture something to work with.