FILM REVIEWS

The Backlot Murders (2001)

Razor Digital Entertainment

Reviewed By

AmandaByNight

Attempting to ride on the coattails of Scream, this late 90s entry into the slasher genre doesn’t really add anything new to the burgeoning renaissance, and quite frankly, it doesn’t look like they were trying.

A bad up and coming rock band (ala Candlebox mixed with Britany Fox) head to a Universal movie studio lot to shoot their music video directed by Henry (Charles Fleischer, the voice of Roger Rabbit!). The band’s bitchy agent Stephanie (Pricilla Barnes in a hilarious turn) tags along with some groupies and the obnoxious film crew (including Kincaid from A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 & 4), unaware that among them walks a killer in an Elvis costume who wants to shake rattle and roll!

Usually I find these kind of ‘rawk-n-horror’ combos a can’t miss (think Night Train to Terror) and throw in the completely lost but still underrated Corey Haim, whom I normally love (Demolition University, anyone?), things should be looking up at this point. But it’s painfully apparent that Haim shows up just long enough to earn his paycheck, barely making an appearance. Add to the pot lackluster direction and a muddled script enlightened only by Fleischer and Barnes, who are by far the best part of the movie. Unfortunately, there are just not enough of them to save it (which is funny and sad at the same time, considering that they are in over two-thirds of it!).

A sadly contrived effort complete with silly music, bloodless murders and silicone filled groupies, there is only one scene truly worth watching, involving Fleisher giving the band a piece of his mind. This scene, I later found out, was improvised, proving that Fleischer is way above his element here and is more deserving of a better role.

At least Corey Haim can rest knowing The Backlot Murders isn’t nearly as bad as his 1993 genre effort Fever Lake (i.e. it’s watchable). As for the rest of us, this movie is guaranteed to bring you nightmares, but not the kind you were expecting!