Brad Jones, best known as The Cinema Snob, reviewer of low-grade cinema from the 70s and 80s, has made, as of this date, four feature films. His debut film was "Freak Out," a thriller based on the final hours of serial killer, Dean Corll. His recent features are crime thriller, "Midnight Heat," and comedy flick, "Game Boys." "Cheap" is his second film. And, it's a damn good flick. Although, I don't think this movie is for everyone.
The film focuses on a crew of snuff filmmakers and a porn producer named Max Force, played by David Gobble. Force is looking to make it big in the Internet porn industry. He's hoping for some fresh material so that he can become rich and famous. He thinks he has struck gold with filmmaker Jack Stone, played by Jones. The big stars of Stone's films are two teenage runaways, played by Carrie Jo Stucki and Jessica Stone. In each film, they take part in murdering a bum, a woman, and others. All of these films are shot by a perverted cameraman, played by Nick Foster. Force distributes Stone's snuff films, despite not knowing that the deaths in these films are authentic. Things go to hell quickly once Force rapes one of the main actresses while coked out. What happens after that are some of the more shocking and disturbing moments one will see in any thriller that's come out in recent years.
There aren't any likable characters in this movie. They would all fit very well in your average Paul Schrader screenplay or Abel Ferrara film. These characters are seriously flawed souls living in a harsh and cruel reality.
Gobble is quite good as Max Force. The role could have easily been a stereotypical villain. Gobble, instead, gave Force humanity. (Even though he's hard to like.) Jones had a hell of a task of writing, directing, and co-starring in this film. Most guys who do this would fall flat on their face (Case & point: Hal Warren of Manos: The Hands of Fate). Not so with Jones. He's absolutely psychotic as Jack Stone. (Granted, he played the serial killer, Dean Corll in "Freak Out", and both Corll and Stone treat their murders like art and are careless in regards of human life. However, where Corll was drug addicted pervert and monster who liked no one, Stone is an ambitious artist who cares deeply about his cast and crew.) Jones has a very good understanding of how films are made and what constitutes a good performance. Also, his encyclopedic knowledge of movies only helps. After seeing "Cheap" and "Freak Out", I am looking forward to seeing more of his work.
I must acknowledge the rest of the cast and crew for their work. Making movies is no easy task. But, you all pulled through and delivered. Congrats to you all!
I guess it's important to let you know that "Cheap" was made at a very low budget and shot on Hi-8 tapes. Please don't let the technical limitations keep you from seeing it, though. For a film with a shoestring budget and a limited cast and crew, it does leave a hell of an impression.
Oh, and the soundtrack is awesome!
