Deathrow Gameshow is a silly (ok, really dumb) movie that doesn’t really work on much of any level, though I guess in some ways it’s a predictor of the state of reality television today. The acting isn’t any good and the writing isn’t much better either.
Deathrow Gameshow
(1988)
Genre(s): Horror, Comedy
Vinegar Syndrome | NR – 81 min. – $29.98 | October 25, 2016
Date Published: 11/06/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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PLOT SYNOPSIS
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Chuck Toedan (JOHN MCCAFFERTY) hosts the most controversial show on TV: Live or Die, where deathrow inmates compete against each other for a chance to beat the executioner. However, when he accidentally kills a mob boss of the most feared mafia in the city, a hit man tries to put an end to him and his show once and for all. As a battle of wits and survival ensues, Chuck is forced to engage in the very tactics he uses on his contestants, or die trying. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.0/5 |
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This release comes with a DVD Copy and a reversible cover revealing the film’s original poster artwork. Audio Commentary – Writer/Director Mark Pirro & Actors John McCafferty and Robyn Blythe Revisiting Deathrow Gameshow (32:20; HD) is a retrospective making-of featurette with new cast and crew interviews looking back on the project and how it came to be. 2015 Director’s Cut (1:20:30; HD) – I guess this was Pirro’s original vision for this film… Director Mark Pirro Introduces his Short Films (1:15; HD) – A description that says it all. There are two short films included from 1978 and 79 respectively: Buns (20:44; SD) and The Spy Who Does It Better (45:43; SD). Last up is the film’s red band Theatrical Trailer (2:16; HD), a TV Spot (0:42; HD), an Image Gallery and a Director Bio. |
VIDEO – 3.0/5 |
| Deathrow Gameshow arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome. Presented with a 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and given a 1080p high-definition transfer (AVC codec), the video at times doesn’t look half bad with some fine detail and colors at least appear to be natural looking. That said, I did observe numerous instances of film damage in spots including minor tears and even vertical lines in other shots. It’s nothing overly distracting I probably should be expected from a 1980s movie that cost a mere $200k to make, but it’s still important. |
AUDIO – 3.25/5 |
| The disc comes with a standard but decent sounding enough DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track which provides crisp, clear and clean dialogue which comprises the bulk of this film. There are some ambient noises and a zany score which comes through well enough. There were no obvious pops or hisses so at least on that front it sounds fine. |
OVERALL – 2.5/5 |
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Overall, Deathrow Gameshow is a silly movie that doesn’t really work on much of any level, though I guess in some ways it’s a predictor of the state of reality television today. The acting isn’t any good and the writing isn’t much better either. On the other hand, this Blu-ray released through Vinegar Syndrome offers so-so video/audio transfers while the features are at least halfway decent. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.