Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Streets of Death Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 11, 2022

In 1986, writer/director Jeff Hathcock endeavored to make a crime story with “Night Ripper,” exploring the developing nightmare of a madman targeting female victims, with the serial killer causing panic in the big city, putting cops and average citizens on the hunt to prevent additional loss of life. To deal with a limited budget and interest in a traditional Hollywood approach, Hathcock elected to make the movie a shot-on-video production, which doesn’t pair well with noir-ish touches and suspenseful intent. Registering the experience as a win, Hathcock returns with 1988’s “Streets of Death,” which is also about a serial killer (two of them this time) targeting female victims, causing panic in the big city, putting cops and average citizens on the hunt to prevent additional loss of life. The helmer isn’t afraid to repeat himself with the effort, which is also an SOV offering of stiff acting and iffy creative achievements. Hathcock strives to construct a puzzle of characters and motivations, dealing openly with exploitation interests, but “Streets of Death” isn’t a stunning tale of procedure and torture, as the amateurishness of it all tends to wear down potential audience involvement.

L.A. is dealing with a serial killer problem, with the madman targeting prostitutes, carving up their bodies for the police to discover. Detectives Bernie (Simon de Soto) and Grant (Lawrence Scott) are on the case, receiving assistance from Kelly (Susanne Smith), a vice cop tasked with going undercover as a streetwalker to help attract criminal attention. The brutalizer in town is actually two men, Artie (Larry Thomas) and Lenny (Guy Ecker), who pose as documentarians covering the prostitute scene, using this access to kidnap women and slaughter them on tape. As the rampage continues, the investigation is complicated by the arrival of Frank (Tommy Kirk), Bernie’s ex-partner, who wants to crack the case, while Grant is determined to win Kelly’s heart, hoping to strike up a romance in the middle of a pressurized assignment.

“Streets of Death” doesn’t build a mystery with Artie and Larry, as the two are revealed to be the killers in the first act, exposing their quest to lure streetwalkers with a promise of a major payday before they murder them in gruesome ways. The question isn’t who’s killing women, but why these acts of horrible violence are being filmed, creating a faint question mark of motivation for Hathcock to develop throughout the picture. The helmer enjoys any opportunity to spend time with the prostitutes, with the opening 15 minutes of “Streets of Death” studying a few luring sequences, taking in the excitement the victims as they face a major payday for sex acts. And later in the feature, the helmer stops everything to watch a hooker strip for Artie and Lenny, killing over five minutes of the endeavor with such unabashed padding.

Sexploitation is present, but it’s largely wasted on a half-baked endeavor that doesn’t have enough imagination to fuel investigative elements of the writing, dealing with overwhelmed cops always one step behind the murders. There’s Grant, who immediately has the hots for Kelly, interrupting her duty to make his feelings clear, creating a relationship Hathcock hopes to use for warmth in the crime film. It’s ridiculous instead. And there’s Frank, who shows up at the midway point ready for action, emerging as a newly sober ex-cop trying to do his part to protect the streets, which basically removes Grant and Bernie from the story despite their initial presence as detectives hunting for evidence. Lenny and Artie are more entertaining to watch, with the screenplay positioning the pair as Leopold and Loeb-esque types embracing their intelligence and love for each other as they claim lives. There’s nothing subtle about a Hathcock film, and “Streets of Death” keeps the men cartoonish to clarify their threat level, with Lenny handed a Joker-style laugh to identify evil.

Streets of Death Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Streets of Death" offers a typical shot-on-video look at frame particulars. The viewing experience isn't about fine detail, offering a basic appreciation for facial features and locations, along with some bodily harm. Softness dominates, limiting dimension. Colors are also restrained, offering acceptable primaries on prostitute outfits and decorative additions. Source is in decent condition.

Streets of Death Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides reasonable clarity with dialogue exchanges, which are challenged by the technical limitations of the production. Sound changes with every shot, but unintelligibility isn't an issue. Music offers a cheap synth presence, occasionally out of balance with onscreen action, getting eager with suspense and romantic cues.

Streets of Death Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features podcasters Matt, David, Shea, Heather, Cory, and Ellie (last names aren't provided).

• "Jeff Hathcock: Director of 'Death'" (20:21, HD) is an interview with the writer/director, who's initially asked about the conception of "Streets of Death," but he soon carries on about casting ideas involving Hispanic actors. Time with Tommy Kirk is shared, as Hathcock was determined to hire the ex-Disney star, sharing strange anecdotes about the man's drinking problems and frequent presence at the helmer's house. Larry Thomas is also analyzed, with Hathcock confident in the thespian's abilities, especially when playing a gay character. Tales of strange people and locations are offered by the interviewee, who also details his approach to violent scenes and nudity. Hathcock closes with some reflection on "Streets of Death," still happy with the feature.

• "Larry Thomas and Snuff Comedy" (14:46, HD) is an interview with the actor, who previously worked with writer/director Jeff Hathcock on "Night Ripper." Because of this familiarity, Thomas didn't have to audition for "Streets of Death," and he goes into the creation of his character, responding to the acting challenge, looking to improve his skills in front of a camera. The interviewee details the reaction of others to his gay character, and he discusses spending time with co-star Tommy Kirk, who was instantly familiar due to his Disney fame. Thomas compares the shooting experiences of "Night Ripper" and "Streets of Death," and admits he performed crew duties as well, as was the norm for low-budget productions. Thomas closes with his appreciation for the horror genre, favoring suspense over gore.

• "Michael N.J. Wright: Shots of 'Death'" (12:16, HD) is an interview with the cinematographer, who examines his initial hiring for "Streets of Death," coming out of school to find work, only to have his film background challenged by Jeff Hathcock's shot-on-video vision. Wright discusses issues with SOV endeavors, and his reaction to the screenplay's graphic content. An assessment of Hathcock is presented, with the helmer using his knowledge of movie history to inspire scenes in "Streets of Death," joining Wright as they hammered out a visual approach to the picture. Production memories are shared, with the interviewee offering tales of mishaps and low-budget ambition.

• Still Gallery (1:41) collects BTS snaps.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Streets of Death Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As with "Night Ripper," the SOV approach doesn't work with tough acts of aggression and supercop action, making everything feel like a school project instead of a meaty serial killer endeavor. Hathcock offers blood to butch up the picture, but there isn't much else to give the feature a cinematic presence, and the writing often struggles with tone, unsure if it wants to be a comedy or something more sinister.