Murder University

Watching Murder University last night made me feel like a teenager again. The latest offering from Scorpio Films Releasing, an homage to the great slasher films of the early 1980's, brought me right back to a time when VCR's had become affordable to the point that nearly every household had one and independent video stores were opening up faster than Starbuck's. During those days, I would walk into a video store, head directly to the horror section and just pull videotape after videotape off the display shelves. Murder University could have been one of those movies.

Right from the incredible opening title sequence, Murder University nails it. The yearbook montage visuals, coupled with the great "Murder U" theme song, set the tone perfectly for the film to follow. Set in the year 1983, the story is about a series of murders at the fictional Greensboro College. At the film's center is Josh, a freshman at Greensboro College, played by Jamie DuFault, Ray Forrester, a detective trying to find the killer played by Michael Thurber and Forrester's daughter Meg, played by Samantha Acampora. Because of what Murder University is and the type of film it is honoring, it could very easily have come off cheap and hokey, but kudos to director Richard Griffin for not allowing that to happen. The soundtrack and score are amazing. The songs wonderfully capture that era in music and the John Carpenter-esque score is perfect! Visually, director of photography, Jill Poisson and assistant camera, Nolan Ball did a fantastic job of paying tribute to the genre. The low angle shots of the characters running through the hall ways stood out for me, a staple in the horror films of the time. There are copious amounts of blood and bare breasts all over the screen. The special effects were shocking and gory. The only thing missing was the requisite 80's musical montage of Josh and Meg falling in love on the campus.

The film is anchored by two solid acting performances. Jamie DuFault, as Josh, who seems to have some unknown connection to the killings, is superb in the film. With the use of just his eyes, DuFault shows the audience all of the emotions Josh is going through. In a film that could have been paper thin, a great performance from such a talented actor, makes Murder University stand out. Scorpio Film Releasing veteran, Michael Thurber is wonderfully entertaining as the grizzled detective, Forrester who believes the recent killings could be the return of the famed "Greensboro Devil" serial killer that he has been chasing for 20 years.

The film is not without its flaws. There are some minor continuity issues here and there, but those types of problems are to be expected on a low budget movie like Murder University and they do not interfere at all with the story. There is also a second detective in two scenes. It's alluded to that he and Forrester have some sort of past and don't care for each other very much, but that storyline isn't explored at all.

All in all, Murder University is a fun, entertaining film that any fan of the genre will enjoy. Congratulations to Richard Griffin and the rest of the cast and crew.

Its not often in life when you can bring a group of 8 people aged 22 to 56 to a movie who all leave a theatre loving it. But it happened opening night for the amazingly strong film MURDER UNIVERSITY. Captivating from start to finish the film blew out any expectations based on its modest budget from the minute it started. From the gripping intro to the opening credits city shot, to the soundtrack which leaves you wanting to hear the "Murder U" song when you left. The viewer was clearly transported into the world of the director Richard Griffin and writer Lenny Scwartz and the masterpiece they created. This movie cleverly combines horror, surprisingly great special effects, wit, humor and amazing performance by leads Jamie Dufault and Samantha Acampora, Michael Thurber and the rest of the cast. I was totally impressed by the writing of Lennie Schwartz. The film not only had depth and imagination but rolled along at a great pace to an incredibly strong and unexpected closing sequence which was one of the best scenes (with a little added special film effect) that I have seen in horror in years. Will see this film again!!!!

I love this movie! This is a fun throwback to the 80's style slasher films. Great acting, fun visuals and a chilling score.

It was made by independent film makers who prove that you can make a great movie without the production costs of a major Hollywood blockbuster.

It's a team of dedicated, talented artists making a great film for everyone to enjoy.

I highly recommend Murder University. Not only does it deliver all the standard 80's horror movie thrills, it takes a dark, new twist that you won't believe.

Check it out.

One of the best yet . I am a abet horror movie fan, but this one was extra special. I know the locations and being a Resident of Exeter I was was impressed by the use of our towns rescue. Lenny you did a great job, and I told your mother so.The use of RIO as the back drop was great. Kenny is one of the best screen writers I have had the pleasure of see his work,I hope his career goes on, and into higher places. All horror buffs should see the film, it is the type that makes one want to see more works of this caliber. Murder university is a must see. It is hard to write ten lines about the film, but all in all every part of it keeps you wanting more. I hope that the writer and cast will work together on many more in that they all make as great must see picture. So keep looking and making these films .

In the 80s, 4 kids go to an empty college building. They start talking about murders that took place there. Suddenly they start getting killed. The surprise killer is revealed. But then someone knocks on the door. It's another masked killed who ends up killing everyone.

Some months later a smart but socially awkward kid start college there. He's bullied by some jerks and befriends his roommate. But then the killings on campus and off campus start. At some point the kid is about to fall victim to the killers but instead they only injure him. That draws the attention of a detective who has been tracing killings on campus for years. He thinks all these deaths over the years are connected and he even suspects the kid's involved. Instead the kid offers to help in the investigation since no one else believes the cop. For some reason the cop offers up his daughter to help the kid get more involved in the college scene and investigate on their own. Soon enough they are again in the middle of he killings.

Eventually we learn who the killers are and why they kill, as well as why they let the kid live. It has to do with his father. He was on campus as well decades ago. There are some surprises as well.

There's a lot to like in Murder University. Despite the low budget, it's relatively well done. There's a good story here. It's confidently directed. It's not shy about nudity. For some reason all the killings involve cool decapitations. The acting by the main star and the main villain is very good.

On the other hand, the production also overreached. With a low budget you can't do everything you envisioned well. The 80s theme, while a tribute to 80s slashers, doesn't work, neither does the awful synth pop music. Unfortunately all horror is supposed to happen at night by some law I guess, but when you don't have adequate equipment it's not recommended. There's too much darkness here. Acting by everyone else but the two actors mentioned above isn't convincing. I suspect that most of these people are horror fan-volunteers so it's understandable. The final 30 minutes, when things usually pick up in horror movies, are completely dull here. Even though things are revealed, most of the time is taken up by long speeches instead of action.

Overall, this is a good very good effort by a talented crew but it doesn't satisfy.