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[JohnIan101]

Past Tense


[An earlier version of this PT was originally posted on December 22nd, 2011 on JoBlo's "DVD, Blu-Ray & Home Theater Discussion" forum.]

This week we get stalked by someone who has far better game than you can imagine AND the desire for fame in "Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon"...



The motion picture opened in limited release (seventy-two screens) on March 16th, 2007. It was made with a budget of $800,000 (estimated) and grossed over $69 thousand during its U.S. theatrical run. There are no foreign box office numbers. This bombed, but not as hard as some mega Hollywood features. The film opened at number fifty-three, the following week it dropped to number eighty-five.

The feature opened against "Dead Silence", "300", "Bridge To Terabithia" and "Ghost Rider".



This release originally came with an embossed cardboard slipcover which was different from the wraparound; above left is the slipcover. There was an insert, a chapter listing (sixteen of them) - the other side is its poster.

The mask on the slipcover is actually a flap. Under the flap, image mirrors the DVD case's. Inside that flap is six quotes from the New York Times, Washington Post, Ain't It Cool News, Film Threat, Entertainment Today and the Los Angeles Times praising the film.

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There was a single exclusive; bonus disc from Circuit City. It sold for $19.99 and streeted on June 26th, 2007. It came in a two disc case. There is no menu screen, it just plays, 21:50 minutes.

First 17:30 minutes are trailers and home video ads from Anchor Bay Entertainment; "Phantasm" (1979), "Masters Of Horror: Family" (November 3rd, 2006), "Masters Of Horror: Right To Die" (January 5th, 2007), "Masters Of Horror: The Screwfly Solution" (December 8th, 2006), "H.P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator" (1985), "Dark Corners" (2006), "Phantasm III" (1994), "Masters Of Horror: The Black Cat" (January 19th, 2007) and "Hatchet" (2007).

Last 4:20 is a behind-the-scenes look/preview of "Hatchet" featuring an interview with writer/director Adam Green.

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Review.

This may be unknown to some; an intelligent horror flick that plays with tropes, deconstructs them - made anew.

A mockumentary.



Serial killer - in the making, Leslie Mancuso ("Leslie Vernon" has a better ring). We follow his training, stalking/picking victims and subsequent murder spree. Above pix, Leslie (Nathan Baesel) interviewed by Taylor Gentry (Angela Goethals).

He has given permission to local grad school students to record his process and slaying in the town of Glen Echo. Why?

This takes place in the same universe that Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Chucky and Michael Myers exit... for real. He wants to be standing shoulders with his icons.

First mass slaying is what will make him - legend.

I'm not talking about the guys who really worked hard - like J, Fred, Mike. There weren't nobody like them in the early years. We just hit hard and wiped everybody out. And disappeared as soon as we could without ever giving thought about coming back. Those boys lifted it to a whole another level, they made an art form out it. Turned themselves into legends by returning like a curse, over and over again. That was a radical change of philosophy, change the whole business.

- Eugene

As original as the first "Scream" was in 1996.



This was just college project for Taylor and her camera men, Doug (Ben Pace) and Todd (Britain Spellings); seeing how horror tropes actually work - not so much the function of supernatural as it were methodical planning and a lot of cardio.

From purposely sabotage implements the victims will find to as weapons to faking his own death. All done for a tiny audience. And isolating his "survivor girl", the eyes who tell his tale of carnage.

Interviews and recording were all fun and they get caught up in his scheme. Like recording his Ahab, Doc Halloran (cameo by Robert Englund); the term used for the doctor/person who is hunting down his obsession, trying to stop a monster. Leslie basically tricked the guy into thinking he after something that is... at least in this moment, nonexistent.

But as things move closer to the date, it becomes quite deadly. Taylor and crew no longer consider it a joke; Leslie has found his victims and set into motion their deaths. Knowing what they know, the trio try to save the group marked. But realize that this too was planned.

Quite meta.



How else will Leslie become well known? He conned them into being active participants. All the while documenting his slaughter for the world to see.

Spoiled it? No. I'm just scratching the surface, plus the other folks who were in 'the business'. This feature has a bit role by Zelda Rubinstein (librarian); most famously known as Tangina Barrons the psychic from "Poltergeist" films. Sadly this was her last movie. She died in 2010. She went out on a high note. *nods*

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Footnotes.

Leslie Vernon gets a mention in another horror flick, Green's sequel "Hatchet II" (2010).

At one point there was a crowd sourcing effort to make a sequel. But that failed to meet their mark. As it stands co-writer David J. Stieve has written a treatment for the next. When will it happen? That's anyone's guess.

As I understand it picks up a few years later with Taylor Gentry trying to stop Vernon - the monster she made famous. The new Ahab.

Who is Eugene?

As told by the film makers he is Billy from "Black Christmas" (1974). At least from an earlier version of the screenplay. Some fans have speculated the he's a retired Leatherface from "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974) or the Zodiac Killer.

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Tangent.

"H.P. Lovecraft's Re-Animator" (1985).

Is medical student, Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) an immortal???

Once he moved into Dan Cain's home, Cain's girlfriend Megan Halsey (Barbara Crampton) comments on the new roommate's odd behavior. Going as far as asking Dan (Bruce Abbott) if he ever saw Herbert sleeping?

There is a deleted scene. Yes, I know this isn't canon (OR is it?), but follow me.

Throughout the movie we see West is obsessed/passionate about his research. He spends most of his awake existence focused on that glowing serum. So much so that he probably doesn't sleep - literally.



In that deleted moment - which air on television to make up the loss from the nudity and gore; West asks, pleads for Dan's help with an injection, a very diluted reanimate shot - inserted at the base of his skull. He's crashing.

Dan relents and give him the needle. Herbert has a seizure then returns to his laser-focused self.

West: Dan... the hypo...
Dan: God, Herbert. You're actually -
West: No! No, it's just a weak solution. So I don't have to sleep, just to keep the brain... sharp.
Dan: No.
West: Yes. I need it. Please.

What? It reanimates dead tissue, his flesh is alive and healthy. And we can image he's been shooting up for some time, like an overachieving student taking ADD meds to enhance their learning. So I'm wondering if he realizes; perhaps that stuff builds up in the system, saturating his tissues - making him... more.



The film ends with West being attacked by Dr. Carl Hill's modified, reanimated cadavers. He sacrifices himself to save his only friend and Meg.

The character is alive and well for the sequels, "Bride of Re-Animator" (1990) and Beyond Re-Animator (2003).

Did he just walk off his demise? He might very well be an immortal and not even be unaware of it; shrugging of his survival as dumb luck. He died.



Something else popped, West wasn't the only one with a reanimate serum. It would've been cool if there a quick mention/reference of Dr. Georges Bonnet (Anton Diffring) from "The Man Who Could Cheat Death" (1959). He was deteriorating, his green fluid kept him alive, but it required a dose every six hours - until an operation could be performed. The transplant of a gland, taken from a living person - someone Bonnet murdered.

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Easter Eggs.

The film disc has hidden bits; deleted scenes; how Leslie faked his head crush and an early look at his abandoned family farm house.

Extras -> Screenplay -> highlight "Extras", press right; highlight Blood Mask - ENTER.

Chapters -> 13-16 -> highlight "13-16", press up; highlight the Scythe - ENTER.

And there's a stinger in the end credits; death is only the beginning.

Be back on December 24th, 2015 for a deluge, both water and something quite unexpected. I can tell you there's no human faced dog. That was creepy.