A psychotic biker goes on a killing spree during
spring break after a gang leader is executed. HORROR
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Nightmare Beach (1989)Written and Directed by James Justice and Umberto Lenzi
Starring John Saxon, Michael Parks, Nicolas de Toth, Rawley Valverde, Sarah Buxton, Lance de Gault |
It’s Spring Break in the peaceful town of Manatee Beach and hundreds of college kids have descended for fornication, drinking, and sunshine. Some of them will become victims to a murdering motorcycle madman with a penchant for electrocution. Is he the real evil or is there a sinister side to the law and order of Manatee Beach keeping a dark secret and willing to protect it at all costs?
Ronny (Valverde) and Skip (de Toth) have come to Florida to forget about losing the College Football Championship. No one in town is letting Skip forget as they remind him each time how bad he blew it. Ronny wants Skip to put it behind him, party, and “blow away so many brain cells you won’t even remember your name!” These two are childhood friends in the prime of their lives, what could possibly stop them from having a great time getting drunk and having as much sex as possible? A killer on a motorcycle with a shocking surprise just might put a stop to all that. Under the name Harry Kirkpatrick, Umberto Lenzi wrote and directed this bizarre, goofy Spring Break slasher with horny lines like “Beaver Patrol leaves in 5 minutes!” There is a lot going on in this movie as we see a man executed in the opening credits that turns out to be Diablo; the leader of the local biker gang, the Demons. They think he was set up by the chief of police, Strycher (Saxon), to try and run them out of town but they aren’t backing down. Saxon and Parks deserve a mention as they are both playing deeply flawed and devious characters that are losing their grip on the city as the body count rises. Pay special attention to what Chief Strycher and Dr. Willet are up to in their off time. While it may not cast doubt on them as the murderer, it certainly is shocking…no pun intended. This movie is chock full of mullets, bikinis, murder, and mayhem! The music from Claudio Simonetti of Goblin also shines in complimenting the songs used in the movie from forgotten 80's bands. There is a slight feeling like the framework from Jaws was used as the mayor is being questioned by the local media as the bodies of dead and injured “Breakers” pile up. The town officials are trying to cover up the causes of death until the killer’s identity is revealed. Has Diablo returned from the grave to take revenge? After Ronny goes missing, Skip decides to start digging around with the help of Gail, the sister of the girl Diablo allegedly killed. Is there a supernatural serial killer on the loose or is the madman under the helmet someone else? Get your Aqua Net, fluorescent shorts, sunscreen, and take a trip to Nightmare Beach! |