Sadly, most people may be unfamiliar with Christina Hornisher. As a filmmaker, she crafted several short films, but her 1973 feature film, Hollywood 90028, should have been the catalyst to give her the prestigious title of auteur. It was lost for decades until Grindhouse Releasing rescued it from obscurity with a 4K restoration from the original negative. It will be re-introduced to audiences, and the influential auteur moniker may finally find itself permanently attached to her name.
Also known as The Hollywood Hillside Strangler, Twisted Throats, and Insanity, the film is a dark tale that takes you back to a time when Hollywood wore its sleaziness on its chest like a badge of honor.
Mark (Christopher Augustine) is an aspiring cameraman in Hollywood trying to move up the ladder, but he spends most of his time shooting adult videos. When he’s not working, he has a secret life prowling the strip clubs and peep shows, looking for a woman to kill. In the meantime, he meets Michelle (Jeanette Dilger), an adult actress he recently worked with on a film. There’s something special about her, and as they grow closer and his feelings blossom, the darkness within him is ready to burst out.
If anything, Hollywood 90028 can be viewed as a time capsule look at Hollywood in the ’70s. It’s been preserved in a fascinating way, warts and all. Interestingly, the film was shot by Jean-Pierre Geuens, who captures the city in all its sex-starved glory. Christopher Augustine portrays Mark as a highly damaged loner, with director Hornisher leading the film into character study territory as opposed to an all-out grindhouse film. It expertly walks the thin line between trash and art with a shocking and unexpected finale.
RELATED: ‘Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs’ (1974) Blu-ray Review: An Iconic Performance by Miki Sugimoto
The Blu-ray from Grindhouse Releasing is overflowing with extras. It’s a three-disc set that includes the film, a disc full of bonus features, and a CD featuring the complete soundtrack by Basil Poledouris. As far as bonus features and extras go, you get audio commentaries, extensive interviews, alternate scenes, Christina Hornisher 16mm experimental shorts, outtakes, still galleries, trailers, radio spots, liner notes by film historians Marc E. Heuck, David Szulkin, Richard Kraft, and Jim VanBebber, and so much more.
I also can’t forget to point out that Hornisher was a filmmaker working in experimental and cult films at a time when women weren’t really doing it. She’s a trailblazer in every sense of the word. Hollywood 90028 is a film that isn’t watched; it’s experienced and headed straight into the hearts of genre lovers everywhere.
We’re hardworking geeks who love to geek out, but we can’t do it without you! If you enjoyed this article and want to see more like it, please consider tipping our writers. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
