Steven Emory (the affable Art Neill) runs a video rental outlet in a sleepy small New Jersey town. The unfriendly locals frequently watch gruesome horror movies. One day a customer leaves behind a videocassette with what appears to be an actual real filmed murder on it. When Steven decides to investigate matters on his own, he finds both himself and his loyal wife Rachel (the charming Jackie Neill) in considerable jeopardy. Director/co-writer Gary Cohen concocts a novel and involving story which puts a fresh and disturbing 80's VHS mania spin on the ever creepy and effective snuff movie premise. Moreover, Cohen does a good job of creating a bleak, mean-spirited tone and pours on the hideously nasty graphic gore with unflinching abandon. Philip Gary's competent cinematography likewise does the trick. The game no-name cast all give decent performances; Bart Sumner and Uke ham it up with infectiously depraved aplomb as joyfully deranged wackos Howard and Eli. The surprise bummer ending concludes things on a pleasingly nihilistic note. Only the often plodding pace and one of those irritating overbearing and monotonous synthesizer scores detract a bit from this otherwise solid and satisfying micro-budget shot-on-video splatter winner.

Steven Emory has just moved with his wife from New York to open a small video rental store on in the middle of nowhere. One day his only employee discovers a unlabeled tape in a returned video case. Curiosity gets the better of them, so while the store's empty they choose to pop it in and watch. It's a horrid snuff film so Steven runs to the police station and tries to talk the chief into checking it out. Upon his return to the store, cop in tow, he finds that the video has been switched & his employee missing. How far will he go to find out what really happened? What this extremely low-budget shot on video movie lacks in anything that usually constitutes a 'good' film (acting, production values of any kind, etcetera), it more than makes up for in story and heart. It's funny and for the most part enjoyable. For optimum viewing pleasure enjoy with some alcoholic beverage of your choice and a few like-minded friends. If you liked "pieces" or "2000 Maniacs", you'll more then likely enjoy this too.My Grade: B- DVD Extras: Audio commentary by Director/ writer Gary Cohen, Special effects men Mark Dolsom & Mark Kwiatek, and actors Art Neill, Paul Kay, David Christopher, & Uke; 15 minute interview with Cohen; and Trailers for Video Violence 1, Video Violence 2, Cannibal Campout, Woodchipper Massacre, & Ghoul School (the DVD also comes with the sequel to this film on the same disc)

Yes, this movie is _very_ low budget, and probably was filmed with a regular video camera, the movie was great. Very bloody and senseless killing was the plot, but the characters with no personality made you laugh when you saw them act. Seems like someone wanted to make a movie and used their friends and relatives.I was the manager of a video store at the time when a traveling distributor asked to me buy this movie. He described the plot and since I have had so many different tapes accidentally switched when they dropped them off, I thought it would be a great reality check. I bought it for the store, it rented maybe 10 times, and then I pulled it and kept it for myself. Truly a cult classic. Could it happen in your store?? Keep an eye on that nightdrop!!

This movie is about a New York projectionist who moves to a small town to open a video rental store. But then, some people begin to return their personal videos of murders in the drop box. This movie is frighteningly realistic, with a great cast, and director. If you haven't seen this flick, take the time to find it and rent it. You will not be disappointed.If you like any independent movies, get this.