Sun Sep 14, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger

'Jack Brooks' Monster Slayer' to be Released October 7

A New Kind of Hero

Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is a new kind of movie hero and he’ll be making his home video debut after playing to a limited number of screens in the coming weeks before its DVD release from Anchor Bay on October 7 retailing for a mild-mannered $26.97

Jack Brooks: was directed by Jon Knautz (Moment of Truth), and produced by Neil Bregman, Trevor Matthews and Patrick White. John Ainslie and Jon Knautz wrote the screenplay from a story by Ainslie, Knautz, Matthews and White.

Anchor Bay says, “Yesterday, he was a plumber. Today, he’s trying to save the world. Meet Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer. The legendary Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger of A Nightmare on Elm Street) stars along with Trevor Matthews (who produced the film, in addition to playing the title role) and Rachel Skarsten (Birds of Prey).

“As a young boy, Jack saw his parents brutally murdered by monsters. Now he toils as a plumber, is saddled with an annoying girlfriend (Skarsten), attends therapy sessions that accomplish absolutely nothing, and is enrolled in night classes where he barely manages to stay awake.

“But when his professor (Englund) accidentally unleashes an ancient curse and begins to transform into a hideous monster, Jack must put down his plunger, prepare to do battle with the forces of evil, and confront his destiny. All Jack wants to do is put his past behind him, but some things just won’t stay buried …”

Robert Englund, at Comic-Con International, told ComicMix, “I’m here with the company Anchor Bay which really responds to the kind of horror-comedy kind of stuff that people like Sam Raimi with the Evil Dead films used to do. I don’t know if it’s a response to the number of big-budget horror failures of late or that there’s so much homemade stuff on YouTube now, but fans really seem able to watch something like a Hellboy 2 or a Dark Knight, which I love, but they also have room for movies like the ones I’ve been involved with lately such as Zombie Strippers, Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer or Hatchet.

“It seems they can tune into a big $200 million blockbuster film one day and then also enjoy a little $2 million film we made mostly for fun. They’re what I like to call “cheap thrills.” I think there always has to be room for cheap thrills. I don’t know if it’s political or if there’s too much CGI or something but maybe that’s what movies like Saw or Hostel are tapping into — people’s need for something more simple and fun.”
 

FilmThreat.com said of the film, “In its affection for its genre, Jack Brooks is a pure, refreshing entry.”

Bonus features on the DVD:

•    Audio Commentary with Director Jon Knautz, Producer Patrick White, Producer/Actor Trevor Matthews and Composer Ryan Shore
•    Featurettes: Behind The Scenes, Creating The Monsters, Creating The Music, World Premiere: Sitges, Spain
•    Eleven Deleted Scenes
•    Storyboard Comparisons
•    Conceptual Art Gallery
•    On-Set Still Gallery
•    Theatrical trailer
•    Widescreen (1.78:1) Presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions

To support the DVD release, Anchor Bay Entertainment is offering fans a chance to win $2,500.  All you have to do is go to www.monsterslayers.com to register and you will be eligible. FilmThreat.com said of the film, “In its affection for its genre, Jack Brooks is a pure, refreshing entry.”

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