Rocksploitation is a film genre that blends horror with rock ‘n’ roll. While it’s one of my favorite subgenres, 1989’s Scream Dream was one I had reviewed nearly two decades ago and was rather harsh on it. Directed by Donald Farmer (Dorm of the Dead), the film has been given new life by Visual Vengeance. I reassessed the film, and if you’re a fan of the rocksploitation genre, Scream Dream is definitely worth your time.
Michelle Shock (Carol Carr) is a demon-worshipping heavy-metal rock star who proves too much for her management when word gets out to the press that fans have been mysteriously disappearing after shows. Michelle’s bandmate and ex, Derrick (Nikki Riggins), discovers her secret and destroys her.
The band’s manager, Lou (Gene Amonette), replaces her with Jamie Summers (Melissa Moore), who becomes possessed by Michelle and goes on a final rampage.
Visual Vengeance Gives ‘Scream Dream’ the Cult Release It Deserves
Visual Vengeance has a way of presenting a film that encourages you to see it differently. I’m happy to say that Scream Dream is more fun than I originally thought. I’m not saying it’s high art by any means, but it achieves everything it sets out to do. The version I saw was dubbed down several generations, so the picture quality was horrible and may have played a major role in why I didn’t appreciate it at first.
With an SD transfer from the original tape elements, this is the best it’s ever looked, or will ever look, for that matter. It’s ultra-campy and filled with that over-the-top hair-metal style from the ’80s that was all the rage until grunge all but killed it in the early ’90s.
The film is actually quite influential, and sometime soon we’ll be getting a remake from filmmakers Jason Crowe, Roni Jonah, and Adam Freeman, starring Erin Brown (aka Misty Mundae) and Koko Caine (The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula).
RELATED: ‘The Screaming’ (2000) Blu-ray Review: Visual Vengeance Unearths Another Hidden Horror Oddity
The special-edition disc includes bonus features such as a commentary track by director Farmer, interviews with select members of the cast and effects team, a behind-the-scenes image gallery, Q&A excerpts with Farmer, Visual Vengeance trailers, a folded mini-poster, and a reversible sleeve.
Good, bad, or whatever you may think, Scream Dream is an ’80s cult classic that’s finally about to receive the respect it deserves with this release and the upcoming remake. This hard-rocking horror flick has earned its place among its contemporaries.
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