The Minstrel Killer (2009)

When a series of haunting murders plagues a small Texas town, law officers Tex Holland and Pike McGraw lead the investigation. The murders turn out to be the most shocking and vile acts of ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Fredianelli

Writers:

David Brashear, Michael Fredianelli

Stars:

Michael Fredianelli, Anthony Spears, Eric Andersen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Fredianelli	...	Tex Holland
Anthony Spears	...	Tyrell Jones
Eric Andersen	...	Pike McGraw
Vanessa Celso	...	Carol Holland
Aaron Stielstra	...	Brady McGovern
Isaac Wade	...	Klutch Hitherton
Michael Nosé	...	The Shape
Brendan Guy Murphy	...	Cobb Johnson
David Lambert	...	Joel Hitherton
Kevin Giffin	...	Ted Whirly
Brian Levy	...	Earl Whirly
Jessica A. Caesar	...	Annabelle
Alan Rackley	...	Harold Thompson
Ronni Valentine	...	Beuhla Thompson
Jacqueline Tribble	...	Suzy Lancaster (as Jacqueline Delamora)

Storyline

When a series of haunting murders plagues a small Texas town, law officers Tex Holland and Pike McGraw lead the investigation. The murders turn out to be the most shocking and vile acts of sadism to ever hit the once peaceful community. With a dangerous killer on the loose re-enacting slave punishment on his victims, the cops must face their own personal demons as the murder spree throws them into a dangerous world of mercenary hillbillies and inbred cannibals.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | texas | cannibal | mercenary | year 1978 | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Gilroy, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wild Dogs Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A animated shot of the Minstrel Killer walking across the screen with an ax was cut from the opening credits.

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Goofs

Tyrell's diamond studded earrings in the 1970s.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are presented in a cartoon sequence featuring the film's mysterious minstrel antagonist.

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Connections

References The Six Million Dollar Man (1974)

User Reviews

Fredianelli goes for shocks in this surprising departure.

Okay, let's do one of these:

THE GOOD: Probably the best acting from one of Fredienalli's films. Some great action scenes. A unique idea for the serial killer featuring and extreme lack of political correctness. An excellent original 70's-sounding synth score. Overall believably set in the 1970's, remains period-consistent in spite of the low budget, and pays loving omage to the decade of grindhouse film-making.

THE BAD: Some pacing issues and red herrings. Lack of production design (it's about a cop but we never see his police station). A few bad performances. Some out-of-place modern visual effects. Underlit (or unlit) interior scenes similar to those which have plagued past Fredianelli pictures.

Fredianelli once again takes center stage and stars in a film of more-or-less his own creation. The difference here is that he plays a bigoted Texan sheriff up against multiple adversaries. On one hand there is a blackface-wearing murderer on the loose; on the other is a redneck clan of cannibals more than willing to invite him as their guest of honor at the dinner table! The cannibal scenes are easily the strongest scenes in the film, but unfortunately it becomes an only slightly connected subplot. The killer himself more or less becomes a specter, symbolizing Fredianelli's own haunted past. At times, this film manages to be refreshingly energetic and stylish even within the confines of its done-to-death genre.

Overall I'd recommend checking this one out. Let's hope that Fredianelli's next film manages to improve or at least build upon some of the sheer madcap lunacy starting to shine through.