Header

Synapse Films is to DVD what Film Threat was to VHS. They have one of the the most diverse catalogs around; and continue to release films that dare you to watch them. Header, based after the story by Edward Lee, is one such film.

FILM- ATF Agent Stewart Cummings has a pretty crappy life. He's been working for the ATF for 5 years now, and has only received a single thing in return. If you guessed promotion, you'd be wrong; he's been sent to the backwoods of the Southern States to crack down on moonshiners. On top of that, his wife is very, very sick; and requires lots of meds just to function. Fun, enjoyment, sex; all gone from his life now. In his desperation he turns to the people he arrests; and agrees to run moonshine for $100 a month (on top of keeping the Feds off the moonshiners). A new deal opens for Stewert, and he is offered one grand a month by a dope-and-coke dealer, Dutch. He jumps on the offer and things start to look better. It's around this time that Travis Tuckton is paroled from prison. He immediately jumps the terms, and head to see his Grandpappy; who lives in the middle of the woods in a run down cabin, makes boots for the locals, and contributes to the moonshine problem. Travis is horrified to see that while in jail, his beloved Grandpappy lost his legs to diabetes; and his parents died in a car crash. Grandpappy then tells Travis what a Header is, and everyone who wronged Travis's family begins to turn up dead; victims of Headers. As Travis, along with Grandpappy, begin to correct all the wrongs done to the family while he was in jail, he discovers some horrific facts that make him totally unhinged. Agent Cummings is sucked up into the bizarre murder mystery; and tries his hardest to find the killers. But just what is a Header...?

I will not tell you what a Header is; ever. You can do one of two things, either Google it and ruin the movie in more ways than you can count; or you can pick this film up and find out the right way. What I can tell you is this quote (not exact) from the local ATF Agent- "when someone slits your tires, you burn their barn. When they rape your daughter, you kill their son. When someone does a Header, you can't top it. It's the sickest form of revenge these locals have come up with". When I found out what a Header was, I blurted out a little grunt of a laugh; then a grimace appeared on my face. The story is a dark comedy; and there's some really, really sick and funny moments. Every Header is presented in a horrific, yet humorous way. Most of this is due to Grandpappy, who steals every scene he's in. I really like how they use laughter as a weapon in this flick, because it makes it even more disturbing. We've all seen Guinea Pig, August Underground, Psycho: Snuff Reels, ect. While those are disturbing, they're not funny; and you don't laugh while watching them (unless you're up there with the likes of the Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs). Header makes you feel just as dirty, but you'll laugh the whole time. There's not a single redeeming character in the movie. Travis and Stewart are scum of the Earth; and you'll hate them by the end of the movie. Header is like on of those films that you would see in a VHS rental shop with some tagline like "We dare you to see... Snuff!" It truly dares you to see it. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, because it's not for everyone. Synapse has released some amazing films from all over the world; but this a very American horror film. It's a little less caviar and a little more cornbread and beans; and that could alienate fans of Synapse releases like Rosarigasinos and Executive Koala. I live in North Carolina, so I see locations and people like in this movie all the time; so it really pleases me that it strikes home to my region. If you like horror with a Southern vibe (and perverse sex) then do not hesitate to pick up Header. 9/10!

PICTURE/ AUDIO- Header was shot in 2006, so I figured it there were to be problems, it would be resolution based. I was right, because some shots look God awful. But here's the weird thing, it looks like it was shot on VHS. I'm a huge fan of S-O-V horror films, so I kinda like the look. It's mainly in zoom shots and darkly lit locations; and by no means does it kill the film. The "normal" looking scenes are beautiful; and the colors of the forest, blood and br... wait, I'll leave that last one out; but the colors look fantastic. Synapse did a terrific job with terrific, if not limited picture. 8/10

The audio is pretty impressive. Header was super low budget; and because of that some shots suffered (quality of the picture, not the effects or anything). I was afraid I would be turning the volume up and down all thought the film, but I was pleasantly surprised. The audio is loud, consistent, and free of bugs. This proves never judge a movie by it's budget. 9/10.

EXTRAS- Synapse included: interviews with the director, writer, author, guests, stars, producers and effects artists. These are interesting to watch, and hearing Lee talk about how his story turned into a movie is super fun to say the least. Also included is two promo trailers. 8/10.

Also, try to spot the cameos from two of the best horror authors around (yes, one of them wrote the novella Header was based on)

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