HikerBoy57

BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON is perhaps the best horror satire I've seen. Unfortunately it got virtually no release when it premiered in 2006, and is only now developing a cult following thanks to genre fans via podcasts and the Internet. Shot primarily in mockumentary style by a camera crew of fledgling journalists, the audience gets to know (and like) an upcoming slasher hopeful, Leslie Vernon. He's articulate, friendly, funny, handsome, and-- oh yes, also hopes to become the next Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees.

Leslie details all the intense preparation and ground work necessary to stage the perfect night of terror, giving us insight into the months of planning that go into: finding the perfect "Survivor Girl" (a virgin, naturally) who must be surrounded by the right proportion of jocks, stoners, etc.; setting up the spooky house in question where the rampage will occur, taking care to have the fuse box on remote control, key windows nailed shut, and possible defensive tools preliminarily sabotaged. We get a look into his vigorous workout routine ("You wouldn't believe the amount of cardio I have to do!") and the physical demands required of a horror icon– for example, it's very important that the slasher able to keep up with teenagers running full tilt, while he himself appears to be merely walking steadily. Essentially, it addresses all the unbelievable aspects of our favorite classic horror films and, like Penn & Teller's great magic acts, shows you how the tricks are done. They aren't impossible– they just require lots of preparation and training.

To say too much more would spoil the delightful secrets of the film, which is carried by the very talented Juilliard grad, Nathan Baesel in the title role. For a murderer, he is surprisingly charming and affable, but we never lose sight of the fact that something inside him is unhinged. And when the time comes for him to don his iconic mask for the first time, he is all business, and steps easily into the horror-psycho role he's created for himself. Brilliant minor roles are filled by veteran horror actors Robert Englund (essentially playing Dr. Loomis from HALLOWEEN pitch-perfectly but never winking at the audience), Scott Wilson, and Zelda Rubinstein (you know, the miniature psychic from POLTERGEIST).

Why BEHIND THE MASK didn't fare better in its first release is confusing and dismaying, because it's five times better than most of the actual horror crapfest films that see a wide release. Anyone who grew up with the original HALLOWEENs or Friday THE 13ths will find themselves laughing over and over again. And when the third act delivers the promised and fully-foreshadowed killing spree, there are still twists and turns to the story that keep the suspense turned up– even though Leslie has told us exactly how the evening will go down, some things don't exactly play out the way he described.

This is a must for all fans of the "good" horror genre (at least in my humble opinion) that began in the 1970s and 80s. All the classic horror tropes are lampshaded here, but the film wisely never goes over the top with its satire. Unlike the nihilistic, dark MAN BITES DOG which fake-documented a realistic serial killer, BEHIND THE MASK is satirizing fictional icons of slasher filmdom and is much easier to laugh at. Baesel's brilliant performance walks just the right line for the tone of the film, and the screenplay is hilariously clever. Although the movie loses a bit of steam when it turns into a more conventional horror pic in the third act, it's forgivable because we still get the satisfaction of seeing the carefully laid-out scheme in action.

Bottom line: if you're not a horror fan, you can skip this. If you WERE a horror fan, but think all the recent horror films are crap, this film was practically made for you! Check it out on DVD. And yes, the film addresses the possibility of the inevitable sequel… Leslie is not aiming for a one-off here, but a full franchise.

This young woman was stunningly beautiful in a totally natural way. Both wholesome and sexy at the same time. Even her awkward acting (she does seem a little out of her element here) just endeared me to her more.

It's a shame you can't find this film (or for that matter ANY Kimberly Evenson film- "Kandyland", anyone?) more easily, but I'm sorry to say that "The Big Bet" will likely be consigned to the VHS Obscurity pile. (I still have my well-worn tape after 15 years, but this movie is now only available on eBay and the like.) The easiest thing to find Kim in today is probably "Porky's Revenge", which limits the lovely Miss Evenson to a few minutes of screen time, and is utterly terrible besides.

Still, Kim made a great Playmate back in the day, and it was nice to see her stretch her acting chops a bit... her presence in THE BIG BET is the main reason to watch it, IMO. (the other female lead is Sylvia Kristel, aka the famous Emmanuelle, who never quite did it for me with her too-slim figure and butch haircut.) Though in between moments of staring slack-jawed at Ms. Evenson, I seem to remember some humorous moments with Lance Sloane, the lead guy.

Anyway, this movie seems to be truly rare. It's barely even known on the Internet. For anyone who wants to see Kim Evenson at her prettiest, and in an actual leading role which well complements her double duty as eye-candy, I recommend tracking this one down.