‘Murder is his masterpiece’
A Bucket of Blood aka The Death Artist is a 1995 American comedy-horror film about a busboy that becomes a celebrated artist using models that he has secretly killed.
Directed by Michael McDonald from a screenplay co-written with Brendan Broderick (House of the Damned), based upon the original screenplay of the 1959 movie of the same name by Charles B. Griffith. The New Horizons production stars Anthony Michael Hall, Justine Bateman, Shadoe Stevens, Sam Lloyd and Jesse D. Goins.
Reviews:
“The original was set in the beatnik era in the 50s – this is updated for the Gen X artsy-ness of the 90s, and it still feels right. Roger Corman clearly blasted out this movie in a few days, and it’s a little trifle with very little horror to it. But I got a few chuckles out of it and it zipped along in no time. Fun stuff.” Absolute Horror
“Despite overplaying both Walter’s pathetic self-pity and his murderous aggression, Hall is not too bad in the role! Justine Bateman’s take on Carla, however, is a little weird! She chooses to do some kind of Eastern European accent and wear art-doyenne glasses, which pointlessly changes her character from the girl-next-door she was in the original!” Ha ha, It’s Burl!
” …a treat to watch, and while not holding a candle to the original, its different enough to justify your time. My only misgivings were the characterization of Walter, who has a far meaner streak in Anthony Michael Hall. It’s still a solid performance but doesn’t draw the same sympathy that you want in a black comedy about an inept killer.” Geoffrey Broomer, Letterboxd
“Unfortunately, it isn’t very good. The thought of taking A Bucket of Blood, pumping up the comedy, and modernizing it was a good idea. However, the satirical art people are so overbearing caricatured it makes the whole movie feel like a mean spirited and cynical jaunt.” Rowan Smith, Letterboxd
Choice dialogue:
Art: “You don’t even remember your own poems – that’s so… Goethe.”
Maxwell: “Life is nothing but a homeless traveller on the RTD of art.”
Older Man: “Do you think I look like a beatnik?”
Older Woman: “Darling, you reek of bohemia!”
Mayolia: “Look at Walter down the bubbly. Drunks make great lovers. They try harder.”
Cast and characters:
Anthony Michael Hall … Walter
Justine Bateman … Carla
Shadoe Stevens … Maxwell
Sam Lloyd … Leonard
Jesse D. Goins … Art
Kin Shriner … Lou
Sheila Travis … Mayolia
David Cross … Charlie
Victor Wilson … Cuff
Patrick Bristow … Link
Paul Bartel … Older Man
Mink Stole … Older Woman
Julianna McCarthy … Mrs Swicker
Will Ferrell … Young Man
Alan Sues … Art Buyer
Darcy DeMoss … Alice
Jennifer Coolidge … Stupid Girl
Stephen Burrows … Carpenter
Jim Jackson … Art Critic
Jennifer Joyce … Woman at Show (as Jennifer Judith Joyce)
Michael McDonald … Dancer (as Michael James McDonald)
Jim Wise … Guitar Player / Singer
Tracy Grundland … Art Dealer
Scott P. Levy … Sleazy Agent #1
Brendan Broderick … Sleazy Agent #2
Deena Casiano … Violinist
Markus Reinhardt … Cellist
Film Facts:
The film features a brief appearance by Will Ferrell in one of his first on-screen roles.
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