Horror In Short: Night of the Punks
Night of the Punks (2010)
Directed by Dan Riesser
Review by Marc Patterson
A little while back I tossed out an screening announcement for Dan Riesser’s twenty minute short Night of the Punks, but it didn’t dawn on me to review the damn thing for my Horror In Short feature. I loved the film, so what the hell is wrong with me? Someone kick me in the ass, please.
Night of the Punks is a throwback film to all kinds of 80′s horror awesomeness and gives proper homage to films like Lamberto Bava’s Demons, Return of the Living Dead, and Night of the Demons. It’s total punk rock mayhem topped off with gory demonic possessions and in your face rock n’ fuckin’ roll.
The story follows The Braindeads, a horror pop-punk band on a road trip to just another hole in the wall dive. When Mikey the bassist goes mysteriously missing the band decides to rip into the set without him. What they don’t expect is to be served up as dinner for some really pissed off demons. Before they can say “Thank you, Goodnight!” the band is running for their lives trying to survive the gig of their nightmares! It’s going to be a battle of the bands they’ll never forget!
I don’t know how else to say it, so I’ll just bust into a three chord riff and let it fly. Night of the Punks is a wild and raucous good time. Director Dan Riesser brings the party back to rock n’ roll horror! I loved it, loved every fuckin’ minute, right down to the last blood soaked frame. The gore is full of practical effects and looks great totally capturing the essence of 80′s horror, but in a modern context. The pace runs as fast and furious as old school Glenn Danzig fronted Misfits and doesn’t give viewers a moment of rest. The dialogue is sharp, funny, and doesn’t waste lines on stupid filler. The soundtrack? Come the fuck on. Do you need to me talk about it? This is punk rock horror folks. Figure it out. It rocks. That’s all you need to know.
I’m going to add a minor statement to the end of this that Night of the Punks was my first pick for a soon to come event I’m throwing. I haven’t officially announced it yet, but ironically, I guess I am. That’s right – I’ll be screening Night of the Punks at our first monthly “Brutal As Hell Presents” event this October. I wouldn’t have picked this film if I didn’t think it was an absolutely throw down, party hearty good time horror flick. My friends who will be attending the screening are a tough crowd, and I needed a tough film that could kick their ass. If you get the chance to see this, then you should. In the meantime, check out the trailer below and thank me later.
NIGHT OF THE PUNKS (2010) – Grindhouse Trailer from Irrational Films on Vimeo.
