Dir: Ray Dennis Steckler
Cast: Carolyn Brandt, Ron Haydock, Laurel Spring
Not Rated, Approx: 70 Minutes
Media Blasters DVD
Curse of the Evil Spirit
Ray Dennis Steckler
territory for this terrifying
tale of 'The Chooper!'
girl laying face down in an empty room with a tiny knife sticking out of her back. For one reason or another, it
took me a really, really long time to actually sit down and watch this one. Well, it turns out that the
aforementioned still is nowhere to be found in the entire film! It should also be noted that the film only delivers on
slightly over half of the titles promise - there's very little blood throughout, but there is plenty of the shack to go
around.
much. To begin with, it's so incompetently made and unscary that I almost cringe in embarrasment as a horror
fan while watching it. On the other hand, I'm continually drawn to it, and have such a good time with every
viewing. Director Ray Dennis Steckler has a childlike sense (or naivety) regarding story telling and old fashioned
myths.
to know (and some we don't need to know) in the form of a voice over. It turns out that she's a former b-movie
star who's just inherited an old shack that's possibly haunted by an ancient Indian spirit known as The Chooper.
is hard to shake...
looking). A trio of dimwitted young folks swing by the blood shack, but are chased off by one of the locals who
warns them to beware the Chooper. Well, the tough chick of the group doesn't scare so easily, she decides to
spend the night in Chooperville. After stripping down to her underwear in a filthy room, she is chased throughout
the Chooper estate by one of the most charming villains in films history. No, the Chooper isn't particularly scary
or anything like that, but he warms your heart with his pathetic snarling and his hilarious Chooper shuffle as he
chases his victims down with his arms fully extended and wielding a long sword. I feel I should also mention that
the Chooper isn't exactly robed in the most threatening attire either. He seems partial to a tight black jumpsuit
complete with extra tight hood. If this guy doesn't give you a few sleepless nights, than I don't know what will.
we return to the story we find that Carolyn has befriended
the local who warns everyone about the Chooper and two
young kids he seems to spend an awful lot of time
watching. We learn that there's yet another local that
wants to buy Carolyn's land from her because of an
underground spring that it sits on. As things really start to
heat up between these three, Steckler decides to break
away from the story once again, this time for a much more
pointless excursion - an unbelievably long rodeo!
time...
this rodeo scene serves absolutely no purpose but to pad the mercifully short running time. This one really is a
tough scene to keep awake through. If you do manage though, you're rewarded with some more Chooper related
carnage that's even better than before. You'll marvel as the Chooper launches himself recklessly off of the roof
of the Blood Shack upon an unsuspecting victim. You'll shudder as he does something else to some other guy
who comes looking for that girl in her underwear from the beginning of the film.
grade funny looking killers, you'll get your money's worth from here on out. The climax is good fun, if not a tad
predictable (given the low number of suspects). We find out what the deal with the Chooper is and how the
survivors are going to try and piece their shattered lives back together. Well, you don't really find out a whole lot,
but there is a lot of fun to be had in the process. The Chooper is seen in action in longer shots and in broad
daylight, and the results certainly live up to everything the movie has promised so far. Like I said, I hope I don't
come across too hard on Blood Shack, I really do enjoy this movie thoroughly.
released Blood Shack through their Shriek Show line. The disc features a good looking new transfer (1.85:1,
enhanced for 16X9 TVs), some interviews with Steckler and Brandt, a photo gallery, some other Shriek Show
trailers, an alternate cut of the film titled The Chooper, and two commentary tracks. The commentary tracks
here really shine. Steckler's is somewhat interesting and nostalgic and would be of great interest to fans of his
work. The other commentary though, would be one of my favorite tracks ever. Drive In Film Critic Joe Bob Briggs
provides an excellent running dialogue that's both hilarious and informative. I don't think I could ever do justice to
his commentary tracks in such a small space, all I can do is give my wholehearted recommendation!
Review by Dr. Spector 10.28.04
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