Studio: MVD Visual
Release Date: 1988 (The Violence Movie) / 1989 (The Violence Movie 2) / May 8th, 2017 (DVD)
Run Time: 14 mins (The Violence Movie) / 19 mins (The Violence Movie 2)
Region Code: REGION FREE
Picture: 480p (1.33:1 Aspect Ratio) (Both Films)
Sound: English Dolby Digital 2.0 (Both Films)
Starring: David Wilkinson, Eric D. Wilkinson, Joseph Shaughnessy, and Michael Kahn (Both Films)
Written by Eric D. Wilkinson
Directed by Eric D. Wilkinson
Not Rated (Strong Violence)
THE FEATURES ⭐⭐⭐
The Violence Movie Commentary with Eric D. Wilkinson, David E. Wilkinson, and Michael Kahn
The Violence Movie 2 Commentary with Eric D. Wilkinson, David E. Wilkinson, and Michael Kahn
Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (Part 1) (3m 45s, SD, 1.33:1)
Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (Part 2) (9m 40s, SD, 1.33:1)
Violence ‘03 (5m 36s, SD, 1.33:1)
Scrapped Violence Movie (9m 26s, SD, 1.33:1)
Scrapped Violence Movie Commentary with Eric D. Wilkinson, David E. Wilkinson, and Michael Kahn
Original Opening Credits (Part 1) (1m 24s, SD, 1.33:1) Piece of paper tapes to a TV screen that is playing static.
Original Opening Credits (Part 2) (1m 43s, SD, 1.33:1)
Photo Gallery (8 images)
Trailers (Main Menu)
The Violence Movie (1m 41s, SD, 1.33:1) Uses a ton of footage from the second film even if it is advertising the first.
The Man from Earth: Special Edition (1m 29s, HD)
The Man from Earth: Holocene (1m 30s, HD)
Lycan (1m 26s, SD)
MVD Visual did a really nice job with these special features. Both commentaries are worth the listen just to hear these guys talk about horror films and their love for them. The deleted scenes and outtakes are more outtakes than deleted scenes, but that is ok. The behind the scenes (kind of) of the 2003 pick up shots day is interesting and the Scrapped Violence footage could have made for a good movie. All in all, this is a nice edition for two movies that may not seem to deserve it.
THE PACKAGING ⭐⭐⭐1/2
This dvd comes to us from MVD Visual and they have done a great job with the packaging. It might be standard dvd packaging, but it is the thought and care that has gone into the look of the packaging that stands out. The default front cover is meant to resemble the MGM big box VHS tapes back from the video store days. There is even “damage” to the cover to make it look worn. Stickers add to the authenticity.
The is also a reverse cover for the second movie that is done in the style of the Warner Brothers big box VHS tapes. Again, aging of the cover and stickers add to the look.
The disc is REGION FREE
THE PICTURE ⭐⭐⭐*
THE SOUND ⭐⭐⭐*
How does one rate something like this? Both movies were shot in the late 80’s on consumer grade camcorders with standard microphones. There is no remastering that can happen. It is just straight from whatever the source is sending out. These cannot look any better than they do. That being said, I had no problem with the picture and sound, but cannot rate them too high due to how they were shot. It really wouldn’t make much sense to give these four stars as they are not in the same league as anything shot on film. So I am going to rate the picture and the sound at three stars a piece with an asterisk * indicating that the rating might be higher had they been shot on film.
THE FILM(S)
The Violence Movie (1988) ⭐⭐⭐
When a deranged killer (David E. Wilkinson) escapes from prison, he inexplicably invades the home of Joey Hammond (Joseph Shaugnessy) who must fight for his life in order to stay alive.
The Violence Movie 2 (1989) ⭐⭐⭐
Was it real or was it a dream? For some unexplained reason, Joey Hammond (Joseph Shaughnessy) returns in this action-packed sequel. This time the crazed serial killer (David Wilkinson) is relentless in his pursuit of the innocent Joey with 2 times the action, 2 times the gore, 2 times the body count, and 2 times the fun (well, not really)! It’s the sequel in which you will keep asking yourself, ”Why?”
Until I saw the announcement from MVD Visual about this dvd release, I had never heard of The Violence Movie or its sequel. I am not all that familiar with many SOV (Shot On Video) movies, although I have seen a few. They were never my cup of tea, but I found this dvd at a local movie store for ten bucks, so I figured I would give it a shot.
First things first: these movies are not very good in the traditional sense. Of course, they aren’t because they weren’t made in the traditional way. You have two brothers who were bored during the summer of ‘88 and decided that they were going to take their love of Freddy and Jason and make a movie.
The movie that they made (The Violence Movie) is a very simple movie and looks like it didn’t really take up too much of the brothers’ time. The movie is shot handheld and, in typical SOV tradition, is shot with no regard for how the movie is going to look. That is part of the movie’s charm, though, so it can’t really be held against the brothers.
Even though the movie only runs fourteen minutes, the movie feels longer. This happens because the brothers didn’t really know how to edit for time or edit at all, really. There are plenty of errors found in the film, like when we see people who are not supposed to be in the movie, in the background or ducking out of frame because they realize that they are on camera. Had these things been tightened up, the movie might play a little better, but, again, it adds to the movie’s charm.
A year later, the brothers’ decided to make a sequel, smartly called The Violence Movie 2, and it turns out that the first movie was all a dream, or was it? The killer is back and the action is bigger and badder. The brother’s move the action all around the house and woods they are shooting in and even stage a fight on the roof of the house.
This sequel is better, although not by much. The editing problems that plagued the first movie are present but in a much-reduced capacity. The gore is also upped for the movie. The first movie had some decent gore effects, but part 2 has some rather impressive effects. An arm is ripped off and a hand goes through a head, just to name a few. The movie is also longer too.
OVERALL ⭐⭐⭐1/2
Both Violence Movies are entertaining. I had a lot of fun watching these, but they are not for everyone. Many will dismiss the movies because they are shot on video. Those who do watch the movies will enjoy them for what they are: Two movies made by brothers who love horror movies and wanted to share that love with whoever wanted to watch their movies.
The dvd, from MVD Visual, is nice. The picture and sound quality are the best that they can be coming from a VHS source. Both the picture and the sound are watchable and that is really all we can ask. The special features are pretty nice too. Two commentary tracks along with a lot of behind the scenes type videos. I really like this dvd and hope that people will see the very low price and take a chance. They might just find that they have a new love: Shot on Video horror.
MORE SCREENSHOTS (May Contain Spoilers)
The Violence Movie (1988)
The Violence Movie 2 (1989)
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 DVD Review + Screenshots){kind=link}
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