Horror movies have been a medium in which filmmakers can add a splash of social commentary or a dab of political subtext in with the blood, guts, and terror that draw the audience in. It worked for “Night Of The Living Dead”, “The Stepford Wives”, and countless other flicks in the genre. And in this day and age where high gasoline prices seems to be a hot button issue it seems only natural that someone would incorporate a subtle jab at the “No Blood For Oil” argument. But subtlety is not something that you should expect from the gang behind “Blood Car”, the new horror/comedy that is already gaining a strong cult following. It's no-holds-barred in-your-face and all-up-in-yo-grill obvious what these guys have to say about things. And this “Blood Car” is worth taking a ride in.

Imagine a world in the not too distant future where gas prices have reached an astronomical level. The streets are no longer filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic as no one can afford to drive any more. Cars sit in automobile graveyards and everyone travels either on foot or on bicycles. This is the world of “Blood Car” and the scary thing is it doesn't seem too far fetched.

We meet Archie, a mild mannered kindergarten teacher and vegetarian. His days are spent teaching his beloved students and his evenings are spent experimenting with an alternative fuel source: wheatgrass. Archie believes he can power an engine with the wheatgrass he buys on a daily basis from Lorraine, played by “My Girl” star Anna Chlumsky (all grown up and looking sweet!!), who runs a veggie stand directly across from a meat stand run by the uber-hot Denise. Lorraine has the hots for Archie, as evidenced by her graphic drawings of herself performing certain “acts” on him, but Archie is oblivious to her affections. Denise, on the other hand, is too self absorbed to give a guy like Archie a second look. One evening, after visiting Lorraine's stand for wheatgrass, Archie cuts his hand open on a vodka bottle. His blood falls into his model engine and the engine roars to life. Archie realizes that blood will power his engine. And so begins his adventure......

Unfortunately for Archie only human blood works in his car, as he hilariously finds out after a funny, but rather unsettling, series of sequences finds him shooting dogs and small animals to try to power his ride. Yes, I said “shooting dogs and small animals”. But I also said “funny”. Now I'm not saying that the murder of these pets and animals is something to laugh over, but watching Archie forego his animal-loving ways in the name of science and research, not to mention the way he breaks down and cries over every animal he puts down, well, folks, I'd like to see YOU try to stifle your laughter. Yes, its disturbing, even to the point of being just plain fucked up, but dammit it's hilarious. And it gets worse.

After the realization hits him that only human blood will make his engine purr Archie begins to do the unthinkable. He resorts to straight up murder. And why? Well, his car gets him laid. Simple as that. Denise, the meat stand hottie, begins giving Archie mucho attention once he has the only drivable car in town, much to Lorraine's chagrin. Yeah, the things men will do for a little poonanny. And I need to mention that Archie's every move is being watched by the government which is intent on finding out how Archie's car works.

To keep the car on the road there is seemingly no limit to what Archie will do or who he will do it to. It's zany, sick, and disturbing, but it makes for a fun watch. War veterans, old ladies, hitchhikers......I think I mentioned that subtlety was out the window on this one, gang. Not to mention all morality. Wait til the end and you'll get my drift.

Despite the movies low budget origins the filmmakers were able to deliver a campy, fun, and depraved little flick. It's very well shot and the acting is good all around. The direction is solid and the gore is delivered. Plus an astute viewer will catch on to all the other films that are paid homage to throughout the 72 minute running time.

It's no masterpiece, but “Blood Car” hits on all cylinders. In more ways than one it defies its low budget origins, but I think the budgetary limitations actually helped make this a more memorable movie. I just couldn't see this one being done on a larger scale and working as well as it did. Props to the guys and gals behind this fun little flick. And find this one.....seek it out. It's a ride worth taking.