If you're a fan of B-grade horror flicks, especially of the gore kind, then there's a good chance you've heard of Nathan H. Schiff. This Long Island based backyard filmmaker made quite the reputation for himself with his mix of mild social commentary, outrageous grue and low-scale production values; and now thanks to the people at Image Entertainment three of his flicks have become easily accessible.

They Don't Cut The Grass Anymore (what a great title!) starts off with a bizarre narrated intro with a mutilated Barbie doll before having two redneck-type gardners (led by John Smihula, who's the best actor and thing here); one a country boy hick, the other a deformed, constantly drooling weirdo; going on a kidnapping and killing spree where they chop up their victims, pull out their intenstines and usually end-up smushing their faces, all shown with gloriously gooey second rate gore effects.

This is not even close to being a good movie, but it is oddly watchable mostly because Schiff comes across as a mixture of H.G. Lewis and John Waters with his delivery of over-the-top violence scenes (such as the fairly effective "limb sawing" moment that ends with our killers bascially completely tearing apart the body with their hands) and off-kilter dialogue and stabs at satire. And throw in the fact that the acting is amateurish at best (some of the line delivery is so bad) and there's really no plot to speak of; this certainly isn't for all tastes but is at least of interest to those who enjoy grindhouse-type sleaze-a-thons. (Chris Hartley, 4/26/04)

Directed By: Nathan H. Schiff.
Written By: Nathan H. Schiff.

Starring: John Smihula, Adam Berke, Mary Spadaro, Leana Mangiarano.