Hell
on wheels!
I remember
watching the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"
and feeling like the disabled had finally won
equal rights in cinema when the guy in the
wheelchair was slaughtered by Leatherface. It
was a proud moment, because...well, for the
first time I felt like I could be an accepted
part of the film world!
Flash forward to 1992. The world is given the
first "maniacal serial killer in a
wheelchair"...his name is Eugene and he's pissed
off! As portrayed by Ron Litman, Eugene is an
angry, bitter and vengeful wheelchair-bound
homeless man who lives on the street with his
mother (awkwardly portrayed by Mary Woronov).
Immediately prior to mom's disappearance, Eugene
learns that his mom is actually his aunt and
that his birth was actually the result of a
rape. (by Siamese Redneck Twins...I'm not
kidding).
This truth, coupled with his mom's disappearance
leads Eugene into a rage of hatred against
women...against society...against
media...against everybody.
I have read time and time and time again that "Hellroller"
is the worst horror film ever made. I'm guessing
most of those who say it haven't seen some of
the Troma films...or films such as "Dark
Harvest." Now, don't get me wrong..."Hellroller"
IS definitely a poorly made, low-budget, almost
pathetically acted film. Perhaps I only feel a
certain bond to it because of the disability
factor...I assure you I am not, in fact, a
"maniacal serial killer in a wheelchair." In
fact, I really don't even like most horror
films...but, well, this one just cracks me up
with its over-the-top violence, horrible staging
and generally awful production values. It's so
bad...it's hilariously bad.
Lines like "Don't laugh at me...I'm handicapped"
have never been delivered with such
conviction...Litman, bless the man, poured
himself into this role no matter how bad he
truly was going to be. Litman worked very little
after this film (3 films, including a bit part
in "Wayne's World 2"). Mercifully, it's been
five years since his last film. I'm not sure
what disability Eugene is supposed to have, but
I'm fairly sure Litman doesn't nail the
performance. It's fun to watch, but incredibly
inaccurate.
Yet, horror film fans...especially fans of camp
horror may find a lot to like here...there's a
strong camp value that I have a hard time
denying.
In supporting roles, "Hellroller" features some
intriguing cast choices. First, of course, is
the wonderful Mary Woronov. She's really not any
good here, but she's so incredibly aware of that
inadequacy that her performance is still
watchable. Woronov, who's been in just about
every "B" movie known to humanity, is watchable
just by being onscreen...so it seems fitting to
have her here.
The film also features such "B" movie regulars
as Michelle Bauer, Johnny Legend and even
Hoosier native and porn star Hyapatia Lee. Fans
of unnecessary horror movie nudity will be in
heaven here as both Bauer and Lee end up naked
prior to their killings.
Director Gary Levinson has quite the interesting
background...he's the writer/director of 2004's
"Beast" and also was in the cast of that Troma
classic "Surf Nazis Must Die," one of my
favorite Troma films. Additionally, he's worked
on such films as "Cannibal Hookers" and
"Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers."
Everything about this film is second-rate, but
it has to its advantage that I think everyone
involved here knows that. It never really takes
itself that seriously...Killings are way
over-the-top including disembowelings, double
spearing, mouth stabbing and even one who is
ironed to death. All killings are shown quite
graphically.
"Hellroller" is a step in the right direction
for the disabled in cinema...finally, we have an
aggressive, powerful lead role...admittedly, not
a "Born on the Fourth of July," but a lead role!
We're getting closer and closer to equal
rights...heck, who knows? One day, they might
even cast a real disabled actor in a role such
as this one...ah, I can dream can't I?
Fans of gore...fans of over-the-top
horror...fans of sexploitation horror...fans of
the worst of Troma...will know this is a horrid
film but will like it anyway!
©
Written by Richard
Propes
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How We Rated This Film
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TC Candler -
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| Richard Propes
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C- |
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Jacob Hall
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TC Candler's Comment
N/A
Jacob Hall's Comment
N/A
