UnConventional

UnConventional (2004)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Decent documentary covering the 2003 Chiller Convention, which just happened to be the 13th Anniversary of the popular event. The event showcases the best (and often worst) that the horror genre has to offer with this years event bringing forward David Carradine, Gunner Hansen, Tiffany Shepis, Linda Blair, Sid Haig, Clint Howard, Kevin McCarthy, Bill Moseley and many others. If you've never been to Chiller (like myself) then you'll be mildly entertained just seeing everything that goes on. It seems like a good time but there's also some rather scary people there who would have me walking away if I saw them coming towards me. I'm sure non-horror fans would look at this film and the people and just shake their heads but, as the narrator says, there are some pretty strange and weird people but for the most part they are down to Earth and most importantly, good people. It was rather strange seeing Carradine especially considering I watched this about three weeks after his death. We see Carradine pretty much on the hunt for women. The best parts of the film, besides the fans, are all the strange requests that THE Texas CHAINSAW MASSACRE's Gunner Hansen gets. Seeing him sign various chainsaws was fun and it was also nice seeing Tom Savini on board.

Daniel Doyle has the daunting task of taking a sub culture and bringing it to the masses,while still poking fun at the sub culture itself.ALthough he misses on a few targets his steady and crafty talents make the movie flow evenly despite the subject matter.

Doyle's representation of the fans and the "stars" of this genre is done with compassion and understanding, enough so that you actually want to learn more about them and this pathos that they have so devotedly followed.Even if you're not a big fan of the horror genre,you'll come to understand why this event is Disney World and Mardi Gras all rolled into one for these "ghoul groupies".I personally would like to see what Doyle could do with a budget of some size.You can tell this was made on a shoe string budget,but you can also tell that he used it all and to the fullest effect in Unconventional.

For some older fans of horror this is a real treat with the likes of Zacharly"the cool ghoul" and grand poobah of the convention, as well as some of horrors' pantheon such as; Linda Blair(The Exorcist 1&2), Steve Railsback ( Lifeforce and Ed Gein) and even the original Leatherface of Texas Chainsaw fame.

All in all Doyle does a splendid job of showing all movie fans the power of cinema in regards to it's fans, and the devotion of fans to this medium of entertainment.Definitely worth watching even with the lights off.

Dave S.