AnythingHorror Central

I’m sure everyone’s heard the commercial, “With a name like Smucker’s, it’s gotta be good.”  Can’t the same thing be said about titling your movie DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUCK … how could it possibly be bad?!!?  But in today’s world full of unnecessary remakes, unoriginal plots, and uninspired genre offerings this film could have easily been one of those projects that has a kick ass title but which totally falls apart in it’s execution (I’m looking at you DINOCROC VS. SUPERGATOR).  Well I’m happy to say that this film delivers in every sense of the word; this is an extremely fun film that has witty dialogue, strong (female) characters, and enough “grindhouse” attitude to satisfy even the hardcore lover of exploitation flicks.

DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK is written, directed, and produced by identical twin sisters Jen and Sylvia Soska.  These two cuties also take the starring roles:  Jen is “Geek” and Sylvia “Badass”.  These aren’t my summaries of their characters; all the characters have  very simple names that are more descriptions than anything.  This is a really nice touch that gives the entire project an even stronger “grindhouse” feel.  The story is about sisters Geek and Badass.  We’re introduced to them as little girls as they watch their father shoot and kill their mother.  In retaliation, young Badass picks up the gun and shoots her father showing no remorse over her actions.  This short little opening beautifully sets the stage for Badass’ tough, independent, borderline-sociopathic behaviour as an adult.  We then flash to the present and Badass and her friend Junkie (Rikki Gagne) are about to go out and score some dope.  Geek begs her sister to pick up her friend Goody Two-Shoes (C.J. Wallis; who is also the film’s editor and cinematographer and wrote the original music and did the visual effects) from his Bible group.  Goody fits into this group like a fat guy fits into an Anorexia Anonymous meeting!!

The cast of DEAD HOOKER.

As the group is driving, Badass notices an odd smell coming outta the trunk.  They stop, open the trunk, and notice what else … a dead Hooker (Tasha Moth) in the trunk!!  What could have been a one-trick-pony of a flick develops into a twisted tale as the group tries to figure out what to do with the dead body while at the same time trying to unravel the mystery of who actually killer her.  And of course the Soska sisters throw in lots of blood and violence to keep us happy.  The group must dodge nosy cops, violent junkies, the Cowboy Pimp (John Tench), and a psychotic serial killer.  They didn’t call the cops because Badass and Junkie partied hard the night before and they both thought they might be responsible for killing the hooker.  Now those are two girls I wanna party with!!

They've had a REALLY long night!!

This movie works for many reasons:  The pacing is quick, the dialogue is clever and even has hints of Tarantino-isms within, all the characters are well written and likable, and the story is original and extremely entertaining.  The Soska sisters never take themselves seriously and you can see how much fun they had making this.  And between the dialogue, pacing, and violence you’ll swear you’re watching a good old Grindhouse flick on 42nd Street!!  We get bellies being sliced open with machete’s; chainsaws ripping into flesh; eyeballs popping out of heads; and body parts being removed by trucks (you’ll understand when you see it).  We even get a one-eyed character like from the classic 1974 grindhouse flick, THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE.  The Soska sisters seriously hit all the right notes and don’t just deliver a hugely entertaining film, but also give us a great homage to exploitation flicks.

Oh yeah; they get more than a little bloody!!

Shot in and around beautiful Vancouver, Canada, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK is marred only by a (at times) very shaky hand held camera and a sometimes hard-to-hear soundtrack.  Thankfully though the sisters don’t use this hand-held device the entire flick, and the sound problems are few and far between.  There’s really not that much else that’s negative about this film.  The acting is really well-done all around.  Sylvia Soska (as Badass) does a really great job as the fiercely independent and violent woman who takes shit from no one (she even knocks her own sister out cold after an argument).  But the actor who stole the film has to be C.J. Wallis’ portrayal of the sparkly clean Bible thumper, Goody Two-Shoes.  He does a really phenomenal job of balancing the character so he doesn’t just become the comedic relief in every scene; Goody never gets reduced to a caricature and that is the result of the character being well-written and well-acted.  Beyond Badass and Goody, everyone puts in solid performances.

Revenge is sweeeet!!

Once again I find myself reviewing an indie horror film made by people who really love the genre.  It’s original, violent, bloody, funny, and actually gets quite dark in the last act after the serial killer is revealed (“What the fuck is wrong with you?”).  And to make sure they cover all their bases, the Soska sisters throw in a torture-porn scene for good measure.  As far as I know, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK hasn’t been picked up for distribution yet.  As I write this the Soska sisters are screening this film at various festivals (including the Viscera and the Bleedfest Festivals in Los Angeles).  I’ll definitely keep you updated as I hear about this getting a distributor (there’s no doubt in my mind that it will find one), but contact Jen and Sylvia through their website over at twistedtwinsproductions.net and find out how you can support and SEE this film now.  As I’m always urging my readers, we really need to support the indie horror scene, especially when we get fantastic films like this.  Indie pictures seem to be the only ones out there with an original bone in their body.  See the original before Hollywood buys it and casts Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton in the starring roles (BLECH)!!  This one is a fun, violent, bloody ride that plays as an homage to the grindhouse tradition.  This one’s worth seeking out!!

Geek wants you to keep an eye out for DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK!!

My Summary:

Directors:  Jen and Sylvia Soska (and writers)

Plot:  4 out of 5 stars

Gore:  6.5 out of 10 skulls

Zombie Mayhem:  0 out of 5 brains

Reviewed by Scott Shoyer