Nightmare at Noon

There are filmmakers content to live off the scraps of Hollywood’s bigger, better and bolder ideas and production values.  Then there is Nico Mastorakis, the Greek writer / director / producer who never let ambition get in the way of a low-budget.   From almost unwatchable early exploitation affairs like Island of Death (1976) to action-slasher hybrids like The Zero Boys (1986), Mastorakis was always trying to stay ahead of the trends and bully his way into the big leagues.  And Nightmare at Noon (1988) is the perfect example of his balls-to-the-wall filmmaking approach, desperately trying to capitalize on the ‘80s action boom with all the showmanship of a Barnam & Bailey huckster.

Sheriff Hanks (George Kennedy) really has his hands full.  The citizens of his peaceful town of Moab have turned feral after a secret experiment tainted the water supply.  With the help of a snobby tourist (Wings Hauser), a scandalous ex-cop (Bo Hopkins) and one smokin’ hot deputy (Kimberly Ross) they join forces to track down the men-in-black responsible, led by a ruthless albino (Brion James) whose agenda is as deadly as it is mysterious.

 

Nightmare at Noon is typical of Mastorakis’ kitchen-sink productions, throwing a little bit of everything at the screen to see what sticks.  There’s green-blooded zombies, sci-fi weaponry, and old-fashioned high noon shootouts.  His cast of also-rans seems to be having a good time, even if they’re all well below B-movie status.  And the energy is infectious, particularly the stunts and explosions which play like a highlight reel from a much bigger production.   Say what you will about the film’s plot, at least it’s never boring!

 

Arrow Video’s Blu-ray features a brand-new restoration from the original negative, interview, extra footage and a Making Of produced by Mastorakis himself that doesn’t shy away from on-set gossip and plenty of humble brags.

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