My Review Of "Axe To Grind"

Matt Zettell's scream queen slasher "Axe To Grind" is a fun mix of exploitation cinema and slasher mayhem. The film stars horror maven Debbie Rochon, Guy Torry, Matthew James Gulbranson, Paula LaBaredas and deals with a pissed off scream queen legend who finds she has been blackballed by her director de jure. The story is psycho killer simplicity that celebrates the bloodshed and body count with some witty dark, [industry]inside satire.

The story offers up some cheeky humor with dialog that is delivered with zest. Sometimes the acting falls flat and feels contrived, but for the most part "Axe To Grind" runs smoothly. Debbie Rochon is all about her character from the word go! I imagine playing this character was a bit cathartic. On the down side, the story is weak and cliché, with all the expected moments set up in touchstone formula. Some of the dramatic scenes step into the "over acted" stage, but the cast is committed to their characters and it shows on screen. This makes for an entertaining b-movie spectacle.

The special effects are on the cheaper side but acceptable, and they work their necessary magic to sell the screens. I did see some CGI blood spray, something I detest, but there was enough respect for the genre that organic blood splatter and practical effects are plenty in "Axe To Grind". The sound track and sound effects are the standard streams of instrumental affair. The music and effects work, they get you into the attitude and fun headspace of " Axe To Grind ".

Overall, " Axe To Grind" falls short of the desired energy that the story and acting demands. The film keeps an even upward momentum, it just doesn't completely carry the thrills and chills with it. It has a staged feel haunts the sequences. A set 'em up, knock 'em down" type deal. But their is a female slasher, the carnage is present, and Rochon is entertaining on screen. Check it out, just know that it barely gets above mediocre overall.