User Reviews

First of all lets talk about the plus points of this disaster. I think the camera work was OK. plus I loved the landscape of the film,some scenes were pretty beautiful in my eyes. Now lets move to the bad side of the journey. the acting was disgusting especially Ms Resa aka Karen and her boyfriend. Her expressions were one of the worst I have ever seen.The dialogues were not good.Too much 'fuck' dialogue for absolutely no reason. one time the blonde character was shouting Tommy Tommy so much that I had to mute the sound. We didn't get to see proper sex which is freaking annoying. The big killer guy couldn't talk,one time he was running in the dark so accurately that I thought he had night visions on. I still have a question in mind why the hell was a string with tooth shown exactly.This list can go on and on.Sometimes I think how the hell this film earned 325,000 in the box office.So my suggestion don't waste 1 hour and 25 minutes of your precious life. Hasta la vista!!!

The film opens with the title, "The Texas Roadside Massacre." Five young adults travel to find April (Nicole Margulis) the missing sister of Karen (Marina Resa). They stop in the town of Blueridge, Texas where the ribs taste different and the waitress looks her lobotomized sister. When their vehicle becomes disabled, the group of five are forced to stay in town.

There is no guesswork involved that these folks are cannibals with a Toj Johnson looking cook (Jason James). The chase scenes were poorly done with people appearing at random when they were clearly left behind and in another case where the girl gets away after stumbling and falling going out the door. The way Karen holds and swings an ax she would more likely hurt herself before anyone else. Poorly directed film. Characters were shallow.

Parental Guide: F-bombs, sex. No nudity. Not as good as any in the "Wrong Turn" series.

I was flipping through channels late at night and this movie's opening credits were just starting... I figured "low-budget horror flick", it's going to be terrible, let's check it out. But, instead, I was hooked. It was really good. Nothing out of the box, but it took some really nice twists and was a lot of fun throughout. It was also hilarious (in a good way)... Everything the bad guys say in the movie is quote worthy. You can tell it's low budget. You can tell there's non-professional actors and everything, but it's really a great little movie. And, as a long time horror lover, I didn't even see the end coming. Check it out. 9 outta 10 for me.

Kirkpatrick's "Roadside Massacre" does not attempt any innovations. Quite frankly, it's intention is purely to mime along with dozens of other low-budget slasher pictures of yester-year.

We open in an isolated region of the country where an SUV of five (presumably college-aged kids) are en route to "the lake" for some Spring Break fun. Our heroine, "Karen" (played by Marina Resa) clutches onto a photograph of her sister, who seemingly went missing at some point in the past. It's assumed they're taking a detour to stop in this wasteland so that Karen can "say goodbye" to her Sister. However, once our teens arrive in town, they pick up a lone hitchhiker stumbling about the road. However, unlike the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" spin-off, this individual is a bus-boy at a local restaurant. Having already been recommended a taste from Jimmy's Rib Shack by a buffoon red-neck gas station attendant, the group agree to drive the hitchhiker to the restaurant.

Upon arrival at "Jimmy's Rib Shack" (for which the logo is quite advanced, given the obvious low budget for the movie), Karen has a close encounter with a zombified girl she assumes is her sister. She panics and alerts the attention of Jimmy himself, the restaurant's owner.

The gang decides to leave town, only their gas tank has had a hole cut into it. They're stranded. The only place in town is a truly creepy throw-back motel (straight out of "Psycho).

At this point, the storyline becomes quite clear. The teens are killed, one-by-one. All of the town's locals are involved. However, a unique twist is that first each body is lobotomized (and turned into a mindless slave for the restaurant staff). However, if the lobotomy fails, the body is turned into Bar-B-Que. (That's a first, even for this avid horror lover.) This movie definitely has some flaws. Acting is a bit unmixed (some characters over-acting, while others under-acting, each off point throughout), and there is very little "gore" overall. However, this film is meant to really be a movie about the genre.

Perhaps Kirkpatrick (the writer, director, co-producer) loves this little genre as much as I do. Perhaps the filmmakers simply wanted an easy storyline to go after. Given the obvious low-budget (assumed "no-budget") of this title, it's surprisingly acceptable.

"Roadside Massacre" does not attempt to re-invent the wheel, it's simply making a wheel for the fun of doing it. I enjoyed watching this film. The dialogue is surprisingly funny. There were very creepy moments spread throughout. Rather than rip apart the film based on what was not on screen, I'd rather point out that this film is quick-and-easy to watch (with a running time of only 83 minutes), and it puts some very unsettling ideas into your head. The execution on screen was at times a bit below average, but those ideas fizzle and the concept of what is taking place in this film (lobotomoies and human experimentation) really make it difficult to escape.

An acceptable addition to the genre, worth taking a look at if possible. (Alex Oliniv, 6.6.2012)

this movie was a lot of fun. it really feels like a legit throw-back to the late 70s early 80s slasher movies just like all the ones i grew up watching. its campy, its full of all the clichés that are fun, and just when you think its goig to be predictalbe, it throws a curve ball. its also cool because it lives in its own little world. i wish i knew where they filmed it because its like an extreme ideal for a horror movie. there were some problems, there wasn't much blood and some of the death scenes could have definitely been more drawn out. but it's pretty quick, gets you involved early, and keeps it going. just like the classic original TCM (chainsaw massacre to you non-horror buffs), you keep wanting this lead girl to die just so she doesn't have to keep on suffering. but you keep watching, cause you just have to know if she makes it or not (and if she doesn't make it, what they'll do to her remains). low-budget classic campy fun that doesn't take itself too seriously and is far and above better than the wide array of horror flicks on the market. 8 out of 10.

In an era when every wannabe filmmakers has zero excuses as to not being able to make a film, an increasing number of horrendous attempts and disastrous failures have flooded the independent marketplace. Despite an evergrowing number of terrible films, occasionally quality titles arrive at the surface. "Roadside Massacre" was one of those occasionally digestible pictures.

The title, the poster and the storyline really had this viewer prepared for the worst. Yet the film was actually quite enjoyable. Actress Marina Resa (who has a great deal of experience in awful films, considering her leading role in the offensive "Ghost Month") shows her real strength in "RM". She is strong, subtle and poised. She gives blood curddling screams and an ongoing anxiety to her character.

The leading evil-doer in this picture, "Jimmy" (portrayed by a man actually named Master Dave), gives a glorious speech about his right to murder (and eat people) due to the tax code of the United States. Another on the bad-guy team is a seemingly simple "Gus" (played by a real-life cowboy, Dusty Probert), he gives a startling performance while drilling into people's skulls and tinkering with their brains.

The Writer/Director of this film is first-time feature filmmaker Scott Kirkpatrick. His style is very approachable and lends itself to a very fluid sense of storytelling. Environments play as much of a role as the characters do. His placement of camera and shot structures on one hand are very limited by an obvious lack of funding. On the other end, the images we witness are those of the characters themselves (in other words, unlike most first-time directors ready to show off their skills, Kirkpatrick holds back and stays in check with the storyline and the characters needs). Performances tend to be a bit out of sync. Many characters are very loud and boastful while others are soft. Kirkpatrick balanced the essence of the movie and did not seem to have time for small details.

There is very little blood in this film. The make-up is very limiting. The lighting and atmosphere are very alive and creative. The music is eerie and really capitalizes on the bizarre nature of the storyline.

"Roadside Massacre" is a very average film. In context to all other low-budget horror films by first time filmmakers on extremely limited budgets, it's downright exceptional. I would never bother to write so much on a little indie movie, however, when a talented team is first starting out (in a genre that is often times over looked) they need as much positive support that they deserive. You have all earned my respect and I look forward to your future works.

English is not best language for me for writing. This Roadside Massacre was screened online by myself in Russian language. The dub was not the best but I could hear original English language through film and it was very fun to watch online. I really like the lead girl actress Marina Resa and the Dusty Probert petrol attendent was also very fun to watch. I love American horror cinema with the dark hotels and the fun isolation. Big Hollywood cinema is not as fun as independent film. This film was very fun and was made very well, I think. I also like that film was not too bloody. Many horror film add a lot of blood special effects and there is no atmosphere. I very much like Roadside Massacre and its atmosphere that was very fun to watch. Thank you. --Andev.

I think there is a liar in the house, no way this movie cost $325,000. Maybe $25,000 tops. Here's my $.2, why do indie filmmakers have to lie about their budgets? This movie is a great example. If it seriously cost $325k, then this flick is terrible. If it cost much less (i.e. $15k to $30k) then "ROadside Massacre" is a pretty solid little movie.

In Detroit, we had a short-lived film/TV boom. I've seen how hard it is to put together a movie with no money. I've worked deferred on so many projects that never got done. "Roadside Massacre" is clearly a well constructed movie with a very good team behind it. It's very light on horror, focusing more on style and mood, and a bit slow at times (worst criticisms, FYI), but that's pretty typical of these movies. I've seen so many failed attempts at such movies, I now feel obligated to give a shout-out to ones that are well above average.

The movie is smart and is well acted (mostly). These are all non-actors, except for maybe the lead, she had some "training". The lighting and imagery are killer. The mood, tone, atmosphere are really sharp. It's well directed and choreographed. The camera work is solid. The music nails it. I really liked it. It really freaked me out a few times.

I just watched Vacancy II last night. Roadside Massacre has virtually some of the same scenes in it (with very similar dialogue). Only it's obvius it's not a rip-off, it's trying to be itself in the genre. It's trying to function. Sad thing is that Vacancy II had a 7-figure budget. Roadside Massacre had what I assume to be a low 5-figure budget. This is a well made low budget horror movie wiht a smart crew and a talented cast. I wish it well and it definitely re-sparked the hope of getting my own project(s) off the ground.

This film follows a very tried and overly-tested plot line. 5 teens off to spring break adventures end up in a small town and get slaughtered and, presumably, eaten. What's interesting about this movie is not the kills, it's actually how incredibly funny some of it is. There is a very strong sense of black comedy throughout, especially in some of the speeches delivered by the "bad" guys. They have little interest in killing people, instead they are trying to run a successful business. Most of their conversations revolve around costs of running business and pay-outs to Uncle Sam.

Two great lines in this movie: One of the teens is hooking up with the blonde girl. She says, "Baby that was great" and he says "Thanks, I gotta pee." Then, at the end, the Jimmy character is about to get hacked to death by the lead girl he goes on a rant and exclaims "I can write off the cost of killing you on next year taxes, now that's the country I call home!".

I cracked up laughing and spilled my beer. I was like, what is this???

could have used more blood + guts ;) but this movie was pretty alright. it could have been more bloody and the deaths better. they should have put more people in it so they could kill more. i like that the restaurant owners aren't killing them, they're lobotomizing them (sp**). wish they would have played that up more made it more of a zombie + slasher movie. but i love these little indie horror flicks. i could make a whole app for them. i have a great DVD collection of all the horror movies you've never heard of (try me, I bet I have more DVDs then you)... They're all original too, no pirated bootlegs. I have a signed laser disc of Argento's THE CHILDREN. The music was creepy too. Love that synthy stuff. and they drugged that B, her dream was pretty creepy. when this one's on DVD, hit me up: nycvolume1776@hotmail.com

Movie starts slow. The story, identical to every horror picture you've seen. 5 teens (good girl, her boy-toy, bad girl, with appropriate bad boy, then the fifth wheel nerd) all in an SUV (which they keep calling a van for some reason) en route to a spring break adventure.

So they enter this town and are greeted by the proverbial "old guy" character, instructing them to eat some BBQ. THen, they almost hit a hitchhiker. Turns out, the hitchhiker works at the place the old guy (gas station worker) told them to eat. THey get there and the "good girl" sees a waitress who's brain dead who she thinks is her missing sister.

Then they get their car messed up and are stuck at a crappy motel.

As this point, 25 min into the movie, there hadn't even been a death. I think that's done on purpose. Cause the first death happens so fast, it's outta the blue. It's like that scene in EXORCIST III, where you hold on this shot in the insane asylum for 2-3 full minutes with nothing happening, then bam, snap zoom in onto the killer. Same thing here. You're mindlessly into this movie, then literally out of the dark is the killer.

The movie, it becomes clear, is a complete homage to Texas Chainsaw Massacre style movies. Not to exploit them, but out of love of them. The characters have a bit more life than some other horror titles.

What ends up happening is that our lead "good girl" had her sister go missing a while back. She goes to this town to look for her (since her friends were passing it anyway). She realizes her sister's there, only she's been lobotomized. The BBQ place serves human flesh. And when kids are discovered, they are first "experimented" on, before being slaughtered.

The worst things about this movie: lack of real blood or gruesome deaths (but it's countered by very creepy ideas placed in you head at the end). Also, I have a fear of needles, so the injection bit had me squirming. When she gets the drill in her head at the end, I looked away (even though they didn't show anything). just like the great horror movies, this one is in your head. it's so obscure that I don't think many people will get the chance to see it.

It's a well made, well directed film... However, it's a relatively weak script with obvious budget constraints. Since we already mentioned Texas Chainsaw Massacre, let's talk about another Tobe Hooper movie: EATEN ALIVE. Eaten alive has a talented director and a terrible story. Therefore, it comes off as very boring at times (a good director looking for plot elements to build upon that are only semi-good). Same holds true for ROADSIDE MASSACRE. Only difference, TObe Hooper didn't write the script for EATEN ALIVE.

This is a fun discovery movie. Get a six pack and a pizza, grab ROADSIDE and 2 or 4 other horror flicks, call some friends, and have a good Saturday night. (We did).

A for effort. C for execution. Music and Acting were really good. Lighting was really good. Death Scenes mostly weak. Torture scenes, quite creepy after the fact...