High Desert Kill

Ah the 80's, its the decade that just keeps giving. In this case, late 80's. This is definitely a weird one and a good one. The horror element is subtle, its a kind of omni-present and foreboding kind of horror. It does not take long until the weird stuff starts happening which is something I appreciate with these sorts of movies.

Mark Singer plays Brad Mueller a bench pressing city slicker who loves to get out in the rough and do some hunting with his buds. Chuck Conners plays Stan Brown a weather beaten old timer who gets around with a pair of saddle horses. When the lot of them meet up things get strange real fast. There is a bit of psychology going on in this movie as well as mystery.

The unraveling speed of the story/plot happens at a nice constant pace which keeps one watching. This is definitely a weird horror which has what you might call surreal moments. Worth seeing if you like the 80's horror and and the strange stuff. Definitely a tenner in my books.

The film is very different and good at the same time. Chuck Connors was great. Marc Singer was good and I thought he looked a lot like Kevin Bacon in the film.This movie looked at a different way of aliens. If you like Chuck Connors and strange films about aliens then see High Desert Kill!

This is one film you don't want to miss! This could become a cult classic, if enough people would view it with the right attitude.

Here are some of my random thoughts:

The Cover: The cover has a cool looking design, even though it really has no resemblance with anything in the film.

The dialogue: Probably improvised by the actors as they went along. "What's driving all the animals away, is it the drought?" (As Chuck Connors and Anthony Geary are walking past a large flowing river, in a lush, green forested area)

Cinematography, editing: In one scene, where the guys are scattering Pauls ashes, the scenes alternates many times between overcast skies, with dim illumination to bright sunny skies, casting long shadows on the actors faces and surrounding scenery.

Chuck Connors, playing Stan, the "Professional Hunter": What was he thinking, taking on this role? The poor guy must have really needed the cash. He does all that he can with the material, however. His voice inflections and facial expressions are top notch.

The drunken party with the "Hippie Girls" is a classic. Many memorable moments.

Micah Grant, playing Ray Bettencamp: Why did they even bring Ray along on their hunting trip? He's not their friend, he's not a hunter, he's half their ages... But hey, he delivers some of the worst lines in the film, (and he had access to his dead uncle's 4wd vehicle) so its ok.

Marc Singer ("V" & "THE BEASTMASTER") and Chuck Connors ("FLIPPER" & "SOYLENT GREEN") in a campfire orgy of primal machismo and lustful desires? And no I hate to break it to you, nothing happens between the two. Even though there are plenty of glistening shirtless moments. And no, Connors doesn't go that far either. I know the disappointment. But no question, this is just one of a few strange developments making its way into the psychotronic made-for-TV feature "HIGH DESERT KILL".

Two friends along with their recently deceased friend's nephew head out on a yearly annual bonding hunting trip in the desert. At the camping site they come across another grizzled old hunter who informs them that something has spooked away the wildlife. They decide to stick it out anyway, but in doing so they unknowingly fall under the influence of some unknown force that uses the appearance of their dead friend/uncle.

It's a fairly forgotten little b-film that doesn't deserve to be a hidden away. Since it's something a little different to the norm. Sure the genre hybrid-of-sorts plot is beyond dubious nevertheless this no-frills desert mystery remains quite fascinating in its psychological and manipulative make-up. Think along the lines of a "TWILIGHT ZONE" narrative, where the perplexity leads to something much more going on. The danger and weirdness slowly grows from the anxious build-up, as the unknown force watches and coordinates through looming POV shots. And when it does come to its symbolic reveal, to some extent it's ingenious and silly rolled into one. Where it might lack the depth in its reasoning. On the other hand you might find yourself laughing at the confrontational climax, but at least the final seconds does end on a haunting, if ambiguous note.

As for the acting, it's a bit of an up and down affair with Anthony Geary ("NIGHTLIFE" & "PASS THE AMMO") and Micah Grant ("WAXWORK" & "TO DIE FOR") in the leads. Still the interactions between the characters have believability and their sudden in-and-out behavioral transformations of uncontrollable instincts brought upon by this alien force are amusingly presented. The sketchy script with some beguiling dialogues ("Open you up like a sack of manure!") is part of that. On what was most effective is the use of eerie sound effects or simply a lack of it. It goes hand-to-hand in creating unease from the forlorn New Mexico desert. Even if the acting wasn't the greatest, I thought the cast do sell the strangely unsettling nature of the situation. TV director Harry Falk's tight handling in due to limited resources, but the back-to-basic structure works to its favour. It's worth-a-look.

First the good news."High Desert Kill" is what bad movies are supposed to be, and I guess that's good. Now for the bad news. You will absolutely be mesmerized by the pathetic acting by everyone involved, including Chuck Conners. It's like they just got the script the day of shooting. All the animals are gone and human behavior is being altered by some unseen force. Now just sort of wing it for ninety minutes. Keep the audience guessing or put them to sleep, or both. This movie is what it is, and what it is, is bad. The only redeeming feature is the eerie New Mexico landscape, but you could buy a postcard and save ninety minutes of your life. "High Desert Kill" is a keeper for all the wrong reasons, sort of a gold standard for the worst of the worst. - MERK