That Nutjob’s Hammer

Doll Boy Review

In August, when I went to Crypticon in Kansas City, I met a ton of people pushing independent projects. Among those people, I met a fella named Gary Cooper who helps run Slaughter Movie House. They screen and promote independent horror in a big way. He gave me some promotional material for a movie called “Doll Boy,” which immediately peaked my interest. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any copies of the DVD. It took me a few months to acquire the film, but when I finally got a copy, I was pleasantly surprised.

“Doll Boy” was written and directed by Lee Ankrum and Billy ‘Bloody Bill’ Pon. Clearly they have an infatuation with grindhouse cinema, which is not a bad thing. A good slasher is only as good as his look and Doll Boy nails the look! The killer in this film is memorable and can compete visually and viscerally with the big boys! With a runtime of just under a half hour, this works perfectly for the formula.

Doll Boy has eight victims in an abandoned warehouse, hunting them down one by one with a huge sledgehammer and leaving a disgusting bloody trail with each new body. Little to no reason is given other than the fact that Doll Boy is sadistic and loves to murder. The grindhouse aspect really takes this film’s weaknesses and masks them very well. For example, some scenes are poorly lit and editing is a bit choppy. By adding in the film grain, cigarette burns, and blatant cuts mid action, it gives the film an authentic grindhouse stamp.

This is for the video nasty crowd! You would be doing yourself a huge disservice by not seeing this movie. Don’t wanna take my word for it? Check out this huge list of awards.

“Best Villain” – Panic Fest Short Film Showcase – Kansas City, MO

“Best Villain” – HorrorHound Weekend – Indianapolis, Indiana

“Best Short” – The Lagniappe Film and Music Festival – Beaumont, TX

“Best Sound” – Macabre Faire Film Festival – Rockville Centre, NY

Official Selection – Elvira’s Horror Hunt – Los Angeles, CA

Official Selection – The Dead in Dixon Film Festival – Dixon, MI

Official Selection – NYC Horror and Exploitation Film Fest – New York, NY

Official Selection – Eerie Horror Film Fest – Erie, PA

Official Selection – Pittsburgh Horror Film Festival, Pittsburgh, PA

Official Selection – Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival – Washington, D.C.

Official Selection – Unnameable Blood Bath Film Festival – Dallas, TX

Official Selection – The Lagniappe Film and Music Festival – Beaumont, TX

Official Selection – Macabre Faire Film Fest – Rockville Centre, NY

Official Selection – Panic Fest – Kansas City, MO

Official Screening – Texas Frightmare Weekend 2011 – Dallas, TX

Official Screening – Texas Frightmare Weekend 2012 – Dallas, TX

Exclusive Screening – BoneBat Film Fest After Party – Seattle, WA

Official Selection Hot Springs Horror Film Festival – Hot Springs, AK

Official Selection Freak Show Horror Film Festival – Orlando, Florida

This film gets the Rottin’ Roger Demarco seal of approval with 3.5 bashed in skulls out of 5.

2 Responses to That Nutjob’s Hammer

  1. Frank Fulci says:

    Just watched this on youtube. I enjoyed the blood effects and the camera work and I think Doll Face is an awesome villain for a slasher movie. I have to find a place where I can buy a mask like that! hahah

  2. Mathijs Pluijmen says:

    I wish I could find it somewhere, I wasn’t able to find it on youtube. It seems like a movie I would enjoy.

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