Scarecrow-88 Satire on our desire for the closest form of graphic bloodletting and violent carnage as possible has a NYC couple, Steven and Rachel Emory(real life married actors Art & Jackie Neill) discovering that their new town is a haven for snuff connoisseurs. These psychos, mainly loonies Eli(Uke) who grinningly hosts and camera-operator Howard(Bart Sumner), often leave their video recordings of the live murders of innocent travelers in the rental store of Steven's and as he(..and a frightened Rachel) seeks to put an end to such sickening shenanigans, finds that almost everyone(..if not everyone)is in on the sadistic misdeeds.You know perhaps video is a proper medium for a tale on the creation of snuff films, with director Gary Cohen, who is actually a pleasant and charming enough fellow on his interview for this film's DVD release, exploring the joyous nature of those who partake in slowly killing hitchhikers or lost traveling innocents just passing through. The violent gore effects are cheap and cheesy, but rather impressive if one considers the limited funds available. Head and arm sliced from the body. An ice pick slowly inserted in a victim's breast. A woman's near-entire leg being hacked from her body. You know if one really thinks about the plot, it can kind of provide an unsettling feeling..that idea that you happen to come across such deranged people as Eli and Howard who know jack squat about you, but are willing to stab you with a knife or remove your legs slowly with a machete just for the hell of it, laughing their asses off with such glee at your horror and torment. Cohen uses his film as a vehicle to explore such sadism and how seemingly normal citizens(..perhaps representing the kind of rental customers he himself had when Cohen was renting videos in the 80's)could enjoy such evil antics on screen. I think fans of horror who recall renting videos back in the 80's will have a time warp trip seeing the movie posters and VHS tape boxes lining the shelves in 1987. Disregarding the acting, performed by no-names, amateur production values, and rather poor camera-work(..and the loud piano used producing the score), horror fans with tastes for such an unpleasant storyline might dig "Video Violence." There's an especially disturbing film sent to the Emory's titled, The Vampire and his Bride, which depicts an unfortunate actress suckered into a video production not knowing that her stomach would be torn open by a knife with her guts removed by a local would-be actor portraying a blood-sucker.

slayrrr666 "Video Violence" is a decent entry if not entirely flawless.**SPOILERS**In a small southern town, Steven Emory, (Art Neil) welcomes Rick Carlson, (Kevin Haver) into his small video rental store, servicing the entire town. While going through the return tapes one morning, they find a tape that contains a man being slaughtered for real. Convinced it's a snuff tape rather than an actual movie, he goes out to try to find out more about it but only ends up getting nowhere in town. As the days go by and he starts to unravel more about the mysterious tapes that keep appearing in his store showing innocent people being slaughtered, the more he and his wife Rachel, (Jackie Neil) start to think something is wrong. Finally confronted with the notion that the townspeople create their own home-made snuff films for the town's enjoyment, they try to get out before they become the next victims.The Good News: This one here isn't that bad, and is actually watchable at times. The best part is the really impressive plot to the film. This is one of the most original ideas ever, as this is something that could very easily be real and happening, which is a terrifying idea but very real. As well, the play-out of the idea is ingenious, quickly introduced to set it up later with the very idea that it just builds and builds into a rather creepy tale that works due to how it came to light. That is one of the few things it gets right, as well as the gore. This one has a lot of bloodshed in it, and there's plenty of it here. From stabbings and impalings to being sliced open to lots of limbs being hacked off, there's a lot of it in here. Most of that has to do with the plot, while the rest of it comes from it's rather bloody videos. There's one in here that really stands out, though, which is the second killing scene shown on tape. It's shown from the killer's perspective, shows the glee and joy they take in doing what they're doing and it's all captured close-up and realistic, like a real snuff film that the others purport to be. There's a real brutality to it that is incredibly appealing, with it's down-and-dirty feeling that comes through like aces. That it also includes the rather clever idea of writing letters into a victim with a razor, that is over the chest and is a brutal scene to take in. There's a really great feel to it from that which gives it a great watchability to it from these elements, and from there it really gives the film some positive marks..The Bad News: This one doesn't have a whole lot of flaws, but what's there is pretty noteworthy. The film's low-budget quality here is it's biggest failing, as there's hardly anything hiding it. The fact that it's general look, feel and tone scream that are painfully obvious, and it really hurts the overall tone and feel of the film. That also extends to the fact that it really shows when it comes to how the film looks over everything. From the really simplistic way that the film closes everything in and never really looks big or grand wherever it is, from the video-store to the house to the small-town when outdoors, there's always the sense that it's closed-off and small. That really works against it, since there's the fact that there's plenty of similar films that have a much bigger feel to it than what they really have, while this one has a closed one is where it really fails against the others. There's also the scene that really gives away the twist at the end, where when grabbing the hostage and getting away, not once do the kidnappers physically touch the victim but that person actually takes time to make sure that they get into the car without injuring themselves, something which wouldn't have happened in the real world. Whether that's intentional or not, it really ruins the film's big twist, which can be seen coming from a mile away as well. These here are what really conspire against the film.The Final Verdict: For a shot-on-video film, this one isn't that bad, but there is some flaws to it that will hold it down, even against the others out there. Give it a shot if in the mood for this style of film or are a fan of these kinds of films, while those who are fanatical about bigger feeling films should advise caution.Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language and Nudity

djnrg Yes, this movie is _very_ low budget, and probably was filmed with a regular video camera, the movie was great. Very bloody and senseless killing was the plot, but the characters with no personality made you laugh when you saw them act. Seems like someone wanted to make a movie and used their friends and relatives.I was the manager of a video store at the time when a traveling distributor asked to me buy this movie. He described the plot and since I have had so many different tapes accidentally switched when they dropped them off, I thought it would be a great reality check. I bought it for the store, it rented maybe 10 times, and then I pulled it and kept it for myself. Truly a cult classic. Could it happen in your store?? Keep an eye on that nightdrop!!

Eli-16 This movie is about a New York projectionist who moves to a small town to open a video rental store. But then, some people begin to return their personal videos of murders in the drop box. This movie is frighteningly realistic, with a great cast, and director. If you haven't seen this flick, take the time to find it and rent it. You will not be disappointed.If you like any independent movies, get this.