FlixMix wants to be the K-Tel of DVD. Their first interactive disc gathers the all-stars of horror onto Boogeymen: The Killer Compilation (2001, 56 minutes), which surely must have cost the life of many a production assistant. This greatest hits of horror features 18 chilling scenes and the cranky ne’er-do-wells who make it all look easy. Viewers can adjust the flow of info bombardment by layering in audio commentary, trivia factoids or, gulp, both. Fans of this emerging form of genre-based entertainment will likely look forward to Ultimate Fights and Crack Me Up due in 2002.
The movie: Of course there are the usual suspects like Leatherface, Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. But what’s interesting is some of the underclassmen that have murdered their way in. Folks like Wishmaster, Candyman and The Dentist. There’s tiny terrors like Leprechaun, Chucky and Puppetmaster‘s Blade. And let’s not forget their meek but deadly patriarch Norman Bates. Many will have a problem with the inclusion of Camilla from The Guardian and Simon from The Ugly, but their clips sure make a strong case. Those two are WAY more intense than those ninnies from Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Them fellas don’t even have REAL names — just Ghostface and Fisherman. Put ’em BOTH in a smokehouse with Leatherface for five minutes and we’ll see who’s afraid of a REAL boogeyman.
Notables: No breasts. 17 corpses. Sadomasochism. Fingers tumble. Bedroom acrobatics. Jar o’ eyes. Face peeling. Prank phone call. Death by pogo stick. Swarming bees. Vase pitching. Flopping leg. Advanced piercings. Killer tree. Leech attack. Amazing stays-put bath towel.
Quotables: Andrew Robinson‘s famous Biblical adlib, "Jesus wept." Chucky is a crafty devil, "I promise I won’t kill anyone if you let me out." The Dentist warns his unwilling patient, "Shhhh! You wouldn’t want me to cut out your tongue, would you?" The Tall Man is tired of chasing young Mike, "You play a good game, boy. Now, you DIE!" A huge understatement by Norman Bates, "Well, a boy’s best friend is his mother."
Time codes: Pinhead and three other Boogeymen employ hooks (2:33). Wishmaster has a make over (7:38). Leatherface’s Texas Chainsaw two step (11:11). The Tall Man has steel balls (38:00). Norman’s momma (45:08). First of three references to the "boogeyman" (48:26).
Final thought: This raucous and sharply-executed compilation mighty tempting to horror hounds anxious for an intimate look at these titans of terror — at a safe distance.