A game turns into a psycho killer movie in Rock, Paper, Scissors a horror thriller that provides the fright and shock for fans of the genre. Nicely written and directed, the movie may be a little early for Halloween, but who cares? Now on Blu-ray and DVD the movie pushes the envelope when it comes to brutal killing.
Peter Harris (Luke Macfarlane) gets arrested by staunch Detective Doyle (Michael Madsen) minutes after Harris has killed another victim. A serial killer, Peter murders his victims after making a doll with their photo face as the head. Upset that he did not make it in time to save the woman, Detective Doyle vows to kill Peter if he beats the rap and gets out of jail.
At the trial they judge Peter insane and he gets sent to a hospital for the criminally insane. There he gets psychological attention from psychotherapist Dr. Evelyn Bauer (Tatum O’Neal). After ten years she adjudges him cured and Peter walks out a free man.
So begins a diabolical story under the direction of Tom Holland (Child’s Play aka. “Chucky”) and co-writer Victor Miller (Friday the 13th). The film Rock, Paper, Scissors becomes a scary piece of work that terrifies and frightens during every chapter. He lets his small cast of star quality actors work their characters, and with the help of excellent cinematography, make-up and special effects, they make it a winner.
I love the pace that Holland uses making Detective Doyle brood over not being able to save the victim and his determination to get reprisal. His Peter really puts on a good show as he faces the judge, fools Dr. Bauer and returns to his creepy house to begin again. Much like Miller’s Friday the 13th it’s a combination of music, motion and dialogue that fixates the viewer into a dreamlike fantasy to see each visceral scene.
One of the better performances is given by John Dugan as Uncle Charles, a pedophile who haunts Peter. As the wicked man, he delivers a diabolical character that makes young Peter (Ryan Sadowsky) cringe and cower. It’s what gives the film that extra touch of madness that enhances the experience. And its Victor Miller’s signature shock and awe writing.
Cool facts; both Maureen McCormack who played Marcia Brady in TV’s “The Brady Bunch” and Tatum O’Neal who won the Best Actress Oscar for Paper Moon (and also starred in the classic Bad News Bears) were child stars in the early 1970’s. McCormack plays Nurse Ruland and O’Neal is Dr. Evelyn Bauer in Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Rock, Paper, Scissors has been rated R by the MPAA for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language, and brief nudity. His flash-backs are really disturbing, but that’s what makes it a Horror film. The movie has been released on both Blu-ray and DVD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good horror thriller. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Luke Macfarlane, Michael Madsen, Tatum O’Neal, Maureen McCormick, John Dugan, Jennifer Titus, Ryan Sadowsky
Director: Tom Holland
Co-written by Kerry Fleming & Victor Miller
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language, and brief nudity
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr. 28 min.
Video Release Date: July 23, 2019
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: 16×9 Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.78:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released on: Blu-ray, DVD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
