DVD Review: The Disco Exorcist and Exhumed

By Brad Henderson

I’ve recently discovered filmmaker Richard Griffin. I love Richard Griffin and you should, too.

Wild Eye Releasing is a company I’ve been keeping my eye on. They pick up some weird films but they tend to be well done. Yes, we are talking about micro-budget stuff, but I find myself more and more entertained by the films they distribute.

A few years ago Richard Griffin made two films that Wild Eye has recently released: Exhumed and The Disco Exorcist. When I received them, I looked at The Disco Exorcist cover and realized it was called The Disco Exorcist and laughed. I liked the title but by the cover and title I was not enthused to watch it. Well, insert that cliché about assuming here. Long story short: I was wrong, dead freaking wrong.

Richard Griffin performs the throwback routine and makes a rockin’ flick about a swinger who loves disco and the ladies. Rex Romanski is the ultimate ladies man and women want him. When this guy enters the room heads turn and panties drop, but that soon gets Rex in trouble because he leaves one fling for another. It just so happens that an old flame he dumped ends up being a black magic connoisseur who makes Rex’s life a living hell.

Richard Griffin is making the kinds of goofy films we fell in love with when we were younger. Film fans and filmmakers love the films of the ’70s and ’80s and in recent years we have gotten a slew of these throwback films. Some are played straight but most of the time there is a comedic spin on them. I’m fine with both but I’m getting a little weary of watching them because many suffer from running with the joke for way too long. The Disco Exorcist uses its time wisely and keeps it short and sweet.

What is even better is a throwback film on a budget. Unfortunately, people use the term “low budget” to mean a film that doesn’t have big stars or grand special effects in it, but that’s not what low budget really means. I know that the general audience doesn’t give a shit, but for those of us interested in making films, these things actually matter. Griffin utilizes what he has and makes a solid flick.

Exhumed is also directed by Richard Griffin and he takes a serious approach rather than blending comedy with horror the way he did with The Disco Exorcist. Exhumed isn’t great but it is good and there is some great stuff in it. Most of the performances are solid but what really did it for me was the story. I’m one of those people who likes to go in blind to something and Exhumed is a film that doesn’t need to be explained at all. Even reading the slipcover can ruin it.

I will say, however, that it’s very well shot with an intriguing storyline that keeps you guessing right up to the perfect last shot. Yes, the last frame of the film is absolutely beautiful and will haunt my mind until I die.

People are so used to big summer blockbusters, they don’t have time for films like The Disco Exorcist or Exhumed, but in the long run these little films are far more special and even better than your normal “Hollywood” film.

The Disco Exorcist was released in June 2012 and Exhumed in June 2013, both by Wild Eye Releasing.