Michael Fredianelli's latest film The Minstrel Killer proves to be more than worth the wait. As a director who constantly pays homage to cinema's magnificent glory days of the 1970s it's only natural that Fredianelli make a film actually set in the 70s (somewhat of a dream come true for this Wild Dogs fan).
The Minstrel Killer takes place in a tiny Texas town and chronicles a series of gruesome murders. However, there's a twist. The suspected killer is a dark, creepy figure who has been known to sing old minstrel tunes after he brutally murders his attractive, young, blonde victims. Called in from the big city to help solve the case is Tex Holland (Fredianelli): a tough bigoted cop out for blood. Not all goes as planned however after Holland experiences a brutal encounter with a mysterious family of inbred cannibals, all the while having to endure tumultuous relationships with his wife (Vanessa Celso) and new partner, African-American Tyrell Jones (Anthony Spears).
Overall, Fredianelli does an excellent job of giving the film a retro look and feel. From the opening sequence and credits to the grainy celluloid like cinematography to the grimy rural locations, it's easy to see how someone could possibly mistake the film for an actual 1978 movie. The film's art direction is impressive in spots and looks incredibly authentic. Despite the high probability of quite a few anachronisms, the film's attempts at capturing the era are all the more impressive given its low-budget indie background.
All in all, The Minstrel Killer stands as Fredianelli's most impressive, professional, and best (?) film to date. Fredianelli and Celso are both great and perform some very convincing southern accents. Isaac Wade is devilishly sinister as the lead cannibal and Kevin Giffin breaks away from his usual typecasting. Also of note is a powerful cameo appearance from Aaron Stielstra (who also provides the film's wonderful original musical score). As it stands, The Minstrel Killer is highly entertaining and more than likely to garner several re-watches.
