Register now for this shot-on-video cult classic 555 (1988) on Tuesday, December 8 at 8:00 pm in Bass Library LO1 – a horror thriller that epitomizes the cultural productions made possible through VHS. Cheaply made with hand-held camcorders, the shot-on-video genre offered the general public the chance to make movies that could find an audience in the video rental store. Without the general availability of the technology of videotape, this movie, and others like it, would not exist.
With extremely low production values, unintentionally funny dialog, and wooden (but enthusiastic) acting, this movie is so bad it’s good. 555 follows a pair of bumbling detectives as they attempt to catch a serial killer in Chicago who takes five victims, over five days, every five years. Along the way our detectives must manage the intrigues of a sleazy and corrupt district attorney and a reporter who is willing to do anything to get her story. This screening is thought to be the first viewing of 555 in an academic setting.
Warning: this movie contains scenes of gore and violence. The Zombies, Maniacs, and Monsters series will continue in the Spring 2016 semester. Movie titles are still being determined.
