Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Video Murders Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 10, 2022

“Video Murders” is an ominous title for a movie that’s not exactly threatening. It’s sold as a slasher, highlighting the menace of an unstable man as he develops into a serial killer, and one who enjoys filming his ghastly acts of violence. However, the actual picture is more of a psychological drama with some periodic supercop action, with director Jim McCullough Sr. (“Mountaintop Motel Massacre”) trying to make his feature more meaningful than just another cheap horror endeavor. And there is a little more to the effort than simple bloodshed, but restraint doesn’t equate pace, as there’s little forward momentum to “Video Murders,” which fails to come up with enough incident to fill the run time.

David (Eric Brown, “Private Lessons”) is a disturbed young man who prowls the night searching for willing women. Seemingly on the hunt for sexual experiences, David is more interested in murdering his victims in motel rooms, dressing them up and parading their pain in front of a video camera before finishing the job. His latest target is Melissa (Virginia Loridans), whom he meets in a nightclub, disarmed by the stranger’s interest in getting to know him better, which increases his agitation. Taking possession of Melissa, David prepares his latest recording, finding a feisty hostage in the woman, who’s determined to escape from the situation. On the case is Lt. Delvechio (John P. Fertitta), a cop trying to nail the serial killer, following the clues and interviews to David’s identity and whereabouts.

“Video Murders” opens with a sampling of David’s rage, spotting a prostitute at a local café, enticing her with big money as he brings her back to his motel room. Inside is a video camera ready to record their encounter, but instead of sex, violence emerges, with David quickly finishing off the visitor. While such a sequence plays like the first of many to come, “Video Murders” actually stops here, quickly moving over to Melissa’s introduction, with the nice woman trying to spark up some conversation with David at a nightclub, only to find him withdrawn and quiet. Of course, this would be a red flag for anyone else, but the screenplay (credited to Jim McCullough Jr.) plays the encounter as cat nip for Melissa, who sticks with David, determined to catch his attention.

“Video Murders” spends most of the run time with David and Melissa as they deal with limp conversation and, soon enough, a survival situation, watching the hostage temporarily break free from the killer’s control, only to be caught, dressed up in different clothes, and made a witness to the madman’s abyssal mommy issues. A subplot with Delvechio is also present, but holds little dramatic importance, offering cop cliches and convenient incompetence, unable to provide the endeavor with some needed suspense as law enforcement begins to get a better idea of what David is up to.

Video Murders Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from 4K scan of the 16mm original camera negatives. Making its disc debut, "Video Murders" offers some softness but detail is acceptable, highlighting skin surfaces and facial hair, along with costuming choices, which range from lingerie to heavier suits. Interiors show off a decent amount of decoration as the action moves from hotel rooms to clubs and restaurants. Color remains appreciable, offering hotter lighting with nightclubs. Greenery is distinct. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is very heavy but film-like. The main titles and closing credits appear to be sourced from a video release of the feature, with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio.

Video Murders Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a satisfactory understanding of dialogue exchanges, preserving performance abilities and clarity, as background noise is often competing for attention. Scoring cues support with clear instrumentation, handling suspense needs well, and a club performance from The Insatiables offers a decent synth pop sound.

Video Murders Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features editor David W. Akin.

• "'Video Murders,' or the McCullough Film School" (12:48, HD) is an interview with editor and all-purpose crew member, David W. Akin. The interviewee discusses his early work with Jim McCullough and his son, Jim Jr., pulled from schooling at the Video Technical Institute to help with their feature, "The Aurora Encounter." Akin describes his working relationship with the McCulloughs, emphasizing his gratitude for the professional opportunities they've offered him. Production tales are shared about "Video Murders," and Akin explores his many responsibilities during the shoot, which occurred in Louisiana. The subject of nudity comes up, with the McCulloughs a bit wary to get too racy with the project. And Hollywood in the 1980s is recalled, with Akin very careful not to explore the depth of his partying ways during the decade.

• "Fertitta on Delvechio" (11:25, HD) is an interview with actor John P. Fertitta, who examines his working relationship with the McCulloughs, appearing in previous productions before being brought on to "Video Murders." His casting was last-minute, taking over for a departing cast member, and his time on the set was quickly followed by a job on "Mississippi Burning," adding to the craziness of his career. The interviewee discusses his previous connection to co-star Virginia Loridans and his time behind-the-scenes, taking on some additional responsibilities for the McCulloughs. Creative inspirations are shared and physical demands are highlighted, as much of his screen time involved running. Ferititta also mentions his participation in "Cameraman," a 2011 sequel. He closes with an anecdote concerning the educational value of "Video Murders."

• "They Dream in Neon" (10:10, HD) is an interview with The Insatiables, which includes keyboardist Chris McCaa, lead vocalist Barry Butler, and drummer Ron Whitaker. The band agreed to provide a song for "Video Murders" in exchange for time to make a music video, which eventually helped their career when they won the MTV "Basement Tapes" contest with the song "Black and White." The trio discusses the Shreveport music scene in the 1980s, and offer a few career highlights after they achieved some level of fame. MTV interest is recalled, and band longevity is identified, with the members going their separate ways in the early 1990s. McCaa, Butler, and Whitaker close with personal updates.

• Audition Tapes (32:52, SD) include early work from Lee Larrimore, John P. Fertitta, Tracy Murrell, Frank Baggett, Virginia Loridans, and Jim McCullough Jr.

• "Black and White" (3:44, SD) is a music video from The Insatiables.

• And a Trailer has not been included on this release.

Video Murders Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The possibility of a psychological game between David and Melissa is present, but "Video Murders" isn't interested in pursuing such suspense. The writing sticks with David's messy mind and his personal issues, limiting the range of his violence, which is mostly regulated to the opening ten minutes of the movie. Padding is present, as the effort closes with a lengthy car chase to add some punch to the conclusion. It carries on for way too long, but McCullough Sr. manages to squeeze out a few interesting visuals and production achievements, suggesting that with a slightly larger budget and a more expansive criminal profile, "Video Murders" could've been something more engrossing and disturbing.