Blood, Guts, Bullets & Octane (1998) / Thriller-Comedy

MPAA Rated: R for violence and pervasive language
Running Time: 87 min.

Cast: Joe Carnahan, Dan Leis, Ken Rudulph, Dan Harlan, Hugh McCord
Director: Joe Carnahan
Screenplay: Joe Carnahan
Review published May 4, 2000

Like the critically acclaimed EL MARIACHI, this is another release made for about $7,000 that was given a big release in the US. Unlike EL MARIACHI, this one actually seems like it only cost $7,000, mostly due to the fact that it isn't very good due and a good part of the reasons why stem from the cheap production.

A couple of used car dealers are told to baby-sit a Chevy Pontiac Lemans allegedly worth $250,000 for a couple of days. Facing the loss of their business, the two conspire to see what's in the trunk to make it worth so much money and hopefully use it to bail themselves out of financial ruin. Now their lives have become total chaos, when two-bit murderous crooks come out of the woodworks to get the car.

Even if you are willing to overlook that the film is made with the lowest of budgets, BLOOD GUTS is a mainly a bad movie because it's just too talky. What's more, not only is there too little action due to the talk, talk, talk, but this aspect also showcases another major weakness -- the acting. It's hard to imagine a cast more untalented or annoying, and directing as clichéd as that with which this film is delivered. BLOOD, GUTS, BULLETS, AND OCTANE should only be watched by B-movie junkies with a high tolerance for mediocrity. Hopefully it will serve as a message to all other would-be low budget filmmakers to leave the bad movies in the hands of the Hollywood professionals.

Qwipster's rating:

©2000 Vince Leo