Death Racers

Last updated
Death Racers
Death Racers.jpg
DVD cover
Directed by Roy Knyrim
Written by
  • Andrew Helm
  • Roy Knyrim
  • Patrick Tantalo
Produced by
  • David Michael Latt
  • Paul Bales
  • Rachael Goldenberg
  • David Rimawi
  • Gregory Paul Smith
Starring
CinematographyDavid Conley
Edited byBobby K. Richardson
Music byJoseph Kamiya
Distributed by The Asylum
Release date
  • September 16, 2008 (2008-09-16)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$450,000 (est.)

Death Racers is a 2008 American action film directed by Roy Knyrim. Considered a mockbuster of the film Death Race (released that same year), Death Racers follows teams of criminals competing in a deadly, over-the-top racing event in a dystopian United States. It stars the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse and professional wrestler Scott "Raven" Levy, and was released direct-to-video by The Asylum.

Contents

Plot

In the year 2030, a civil war breaks out in the United States. In a final attempt to restore order, the president declares martial law. In 2033, a massive prison camp known as "the Red Zone" is built in a desolate city that soon holds over one million insane and violent felons. The US is declared safe.

A dangerous criminal known as the Reaper has been extracting sarin, which he plans to spill into the nation's water supply. One of the prisoners, FX, secretly films the Reaper with a Wi-Fi digital camera as he discusses these plans, and the state's governor, Reagan Black finds out about them. Black develops a plan to hold a "death race" within the prison system, assembling four teams of racers:

The race is televised live, hosted by anchors Harvey Winkler and Jennifer Ramirez. Black offers the teams gathering points for killing loose prisoners, promising freedom to the team that brings back the Reaper—dead or alive. When Danny Satanico suggests that the four teams escape, Black reveals that each team member has a chip implanted in their bodies which would kill any member that breaks the rules, using Satanico to demonstrate.

When Insane Clown Posse's truck gets a flat tire, a fight ensues between the teams and loose criminals. In the distance, Violent J witnesses an explosion. The teams investigate, finding the burning Homeland Security jeep with two corpses inside. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope find FX filming the race. He tells them that there will be an ambush at their first destination, and they let him ride in their van. Each of the teams work together to surprise and kill the ambushers. Metal Machine Man, under the order of the Reaper, kills FX and attacks the racers before being hit by missiles fired by a pair of mysterious men.

The teams fix their cars before dispatching. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope arrive at the Reaper's lair, and successfully infiltrate the fortress, preventing the Reaper and his henchmen from releasing the sarin into the water. The mysterious men arrive, firing a rocket into the room, and reveal themselves to be Colonel Bob and Captain Rudy, who were hired by Governor Black as inside men, and faked their deaths to convince the other teams that they had a chance of winning.

Believing the Reaper died in the explosion, Bob and Rudy retrieve his severed hand and leave in Insane Clown Posse's truck. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope emerge from the rubble. Because Violent J is injured, Shaggy 2 Dope goes after Bob and Rudy alone. The Reaper appears and attempts to release the sarin as Violent J attempts to stop him. The Homeland Security team members arrive at the finish line, presenting the Reapers hand to Governor Black. Shaggy 2 Dope rises from the back of the truck, shooting at Bob, Rudy and the governor. Black presses the button to activate the explosives in the bodies of the Insane Clown Posse team members. The sarin explodes, causing a chain reaction which destroys the country.

Cast

Production

In January 2008, it was announced that Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid had received a treatment for a low-budget horror film titled Road Rage, to be directed by Roy Knyrim of Sota Productions, [2] [3] who had previously directed J and Shaggy in The Chronicles of the Dark Carnival . [4] It was stated that filming would take place over a two-week period in Los Angeles, California during the Spring of that year. [2]

In March, a second announcement was made, stating that Insane Clown Posse would star in a film scheduled to begin production in the first week of May. [5] Bruce and Utsler would portray their stage personas of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, and the characters would drive around in an ice cream truck, killing pedestrians for points. [5] It was stated that the film would be aired by the Sci Fi Channel in the summer. [5]

Insane Clown Posse members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope agreed to appear in the film because the director was a personal friend, and they wanted to warm up their acting skills for Big Money Rustlas , the prequel to the Psychopathic Records film Big Money Hustlas . [6] [7] Psychopathic was not involved with the production of Death Racers in any way. [6] According to Bruce, "We just did it for fun. We knew it was gonna be basically garbage." [7]

Death Racers was released direct-to-video by The Asylum on September 16, 2008. [8] The film's soundtrack featured original music by Joseph Kamiya, in addition to previously released music performed by Insane Clown Posse. [9]

Reception

Dread Central said, "If you’re a die hard Juggalo or think Troma is the pinnacle of cinema, then maybe Death Racers will rock your socks off. Me, I wanted my time, my money, and my brain cells back." [10]

Legacy

Violent J referred to Death Racers as "a terribly shitty movie", but states that he does not regret making the film, because it inspired him to continue with the production of Big Money Rustlas, because he felt that Psychopathic could make a better film than Death Racers. [7] At the 2008 Gathering of the Juggalos, J referred to the film as "the bootleg ripoff fake version" of Death Race . [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hells Pit</i> 2004 album by Insane Clown Posse

The Wraith: Hell's Pit is the ninth studio album by the American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on August 31, 2004, via Psychopathic Records as a follow-up to 2002 The Wraith: Shangri-La and the second half of the sixth and final Joker Card in the first Deck of the Dark Carnival mythology. Recording sessions took place at the Lotus Pod in Detroit. Production was handled by ICP themselves.

Psychopathic Records is an American independent record label headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The label is most associated with the hip-hop music subgenres horrorcore and rap rock. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. The iconography of a man with a meat cleaver has been used for years as a symbol of the group, its fanbase, and its associates.

<i>Big Money Hustlas</i> 2000 American comedy film by John Cafiero

Big Money Hustlas is a 2000 American comedy film directed by John Cafiero as his feature film debut. The film, a homage to exploitation films of the 1970s, focuses on a streetwise San Francisco detective who tries to take down a New York City crime lord. It stars Insane Clown Posse's Joseph "Violent J" Bruce and Joseph "Shaggy 2 Dope" Utsler, and Twiztid's Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child, and features appearances by Harland Williams, Johnny Brennan, Rudy Ray Moore, Mick Foley and the Misfits. Released direct-to-video, the film debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Music Videos chart, and was later certified platinum by the RIAA. A Western genre follow-up, Big Money Rustlas, was released direct-to-video on August 17, 2010. In 2015, Insane Clown Posse announced the production of a sequel entitled Big Money Thrusters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juggalo Championship Wrestling</span> American independent professional wrestling promotion

Juggalo Championship Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion founded in 1999 by Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, better known as the hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse. JCW currently runs shows throughout the country. The video games Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home and Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood feature numerous independent wrestlers from the promotion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Violent J</span> American rapper (born 1972)

Joseph Frank Bruce, known by his stage name Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler, actor, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse (ICP). He is a co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow ICP rapper Shaggy 2 Dope and their former manager, Alex Abbiss. Also along with Utsler, Bruce is the co-founder of the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaggy 2 Dope</span> American rapper (born 1974)

Joseph William Utsler, known by his stage name Shaggy 2 Dope, is an American rapper, record producer and professional wrestler. He is part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. He is the co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow Insane Clown Posse rapper Violent J and their former manager, Alex Abbiss. Along with Bruce, Utsler is the co-founder of the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling, where he currently acts as color commentator.

<i>Tunnel of Love</i> (EP) 1996 EP by Insane Clown Posse

Tunnel of Love is the fourth extended play by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. It was released on April 19, 1996, through Psychopathic Records, serving as the third and final "sideshow" entry in the group's Dark Carnival saga. The EP was recorded at the Fun House with Mike E. Clark, who produced the album together with ICP.

<i>The Tempest</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Insane Clown Posse

The Tempest is the tenth studio album by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on March 20, 2007, through Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions took place at The Lotus Pod, The Haunted Cabin Studios and The Fun House in Detroit. Production was entirely handled by Mike E. Clark, marking his return after he had a falling-out with the duo in 2000. However, he did not collaborate directly with ICP, and would not do so until their 2009 album Bang! Pow! Boom!

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gathering of the Juggalos</span> Annual music festival in the US

The Gathering of the Juggalos is an annual music festival put on by Psychopathic Records, featuring performances by the entire label roster as well as numerous well-known musical groups and underground artists. It was founded by Jumpsteady, Insane Clown Posse, and their label in 2000. Described by Joseph Bruce as a "Juggalo Woodstock", the Gathering of the Juggalos spans five days and includes concerts, wrestling, games, contests, autograph sessions, karaoke, and seminars with artists. Over its first eleven events (2000–2010), the festival drew a total attendance upward of 100,000 fans.

"Bowling Balls" is a song written by Esham and Joseph Bruce for Insane Clown Posse's 2004 album Hell's Pit, and the fourth single released by the group that was not produced by Mike E. Clark. The song's lyrics describe decapitation and murder. A short film of the same name was produced in association with the album, appearing on a special edition. Bowling Balls was the first 3-D film shot in high-definition video.

<i>Big Money Rustlas</i> 2010 American comedy film by Paul Andresen

Big Money Rustlas is a 2010 American Revisionist Western comedy film directed by Paul Andresen. The film is a prequel to the 2000 film Big Money Hustlas. Joseph Bruce wrote the story, and he, Andresen, and Studebaker Duchamp adapted the story into a screenplay. Their writing was influenced by classic Western films, classic Warner Bros. cartoons, and the film Blazing Saddles.

<i>The Calm</i> (EP) 2005 EP by Insane Clown Posse

The Calm is the eleventh extended play by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on May 17, 2005, via Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions took place at the Lotus Pod in Detroit. Production was handled entirely by ICP themselves. It features the lone guest appearance from Esham. The EP peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200, number five on the Top Rap Albums and topped the Independent Albums in the United States.

<i>The Shining</i> (Violent J album) 2009 studio album by Violent J

The Shining is the debut solo full-length studio album by American rapper and record producer Violent J. It was released on April 28, 2009, through Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions took place at the Cabin In The Woods Studio and the Fun House Studio in Michigan. Production was handled by Mike E. Clark and Violent J himself. It features guest appearances from Esham, Necro and Shaggy 2 Dope. The album's title and cover art pay homage to Stanley Kubrick's 1980 psychological horror film The Shining.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juggalo World Order</span> Professional wrestling stable

The Juggalo World Order is a professional wrestling stable which wrestles for Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW). The name of the stable is inspired by the New World Order (NWO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insane Clown Posse</span> American hip hop duo from Michigan

Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989, ICP's best-known lineup consists of rappers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore and is known for its elaborate live performances. The duo has earned two platinum and five gold albums. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the entire catalog of the group had sold 6.5 million units in the United States and Canada as of April 2007. The group has established a dedicated following called Juggalos numbering in the "tens of thousands".

Insane Clown Posse is a professional wrestling tag team currently competing in Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) that consists of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Both members began wrestling as single competitors in 1983 in their backyard wrestling promotion Tag Team Wrestling, later renamed National All-Star Wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloodymania III</span> 2009 Juggalo Championship Wrestling event

Bloodymania III was a professional wrestling event produced by Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW), which took place at midnight on August 9, 2009 at Hog Rock in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois. Professional wrestling is a type of sports entertainment in which theatrical events are combined with a competitive sport. The buildup to the matches and the scenarios that took place before, during, and after the event, were planned by JCW's script writers. The event starred wrestlers from Juggalo Championship Wrestling, as well as guest wrestlers from the independent circuit. Unlike the first two events, Bloodymania III did not feature a buildup from a season of JCW's SlamTV! internet wrestling show. Instead, half of the feuds were rooted in previous years, while others were built up through live events or were not built up at all.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Violent J discography</span>

The discography of Joseph Bruce, an American rapper better known by his hip hop persona of the wicked clown Violent J, consists of one studio album, one single, and three extended plays. Music videos and collaborations are also included, as are film and television appearances, home video releases, and literary releases. In addition to his solo career, Bruce has also been involved with seven hip hop groups; JJ Boys (1988–1989), Inner City Posse (1989–1991), Insane Clown Posse (1991–present), Golden Goldies (1995), Dark Lotus (1998–2017), Psychopathic Rydas (1999–2017), Soopa Villainz (2002–2005) and The Killjoy Club (2013–2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaggy 2 Dope discography</span>

The discography of Joseph Utsler, an American rapper better known by his hip hop persona of the wicked clown Shaggy 2 Dope, consists of two studio albums and two extended plays. Collaborations are also included, as are film and television appearances and home video releases. In addition to his solo career, Utsler has also been involved with eight hip hop groups; JJ Boys, Inner City Posse, Insane Clown Posse, Golden Goldies, Dark Lotus, Psychopathic Rydas, Soopa Villainz and The Killjoy Club.

<i>F.T.F.O.M.F.</i> 2017 studio album by Shaggy 2 Dope

F.T.F.O.M.F. is the second solo studio album by American rapper Shaggy 2 Dope. It was released in 2017 through Psychopathic Records. Production was handled by DJ Clay and Shaggy 2 Dope himself. It features the lone guest appearance from Violent J. The album debuted at No. 72 on the US Billboard 200, No. 39 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, No. 18 on the Top Album Sales and topped the Independent Albums chart.

References

  1. ↑ McLendon, Gary (September 17, 2008). "Actor finds his favorite role". Democrat and Chronicle . Rochester, New York. p. 40. Retrieved October 30, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 Weekly Freekly Weekly. Psychopathic Records. January 2008. Event occurs at 1:49. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  3. ↑ Strick, David (May 19, 2008). "Hollywood Backlot: Severed heads held on "Death Racers"". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on 2009-02-08. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  4. ↑ "Roy Knyrim biography". Sota Productions. Archived from the original on 2009-01-01. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
  5. 1 2 3 Violent J (March 2008). Weekly Freekly Weekly. Psychopathic Records. Event occurs at 16:10. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  6. 1 2 3 Violent J; Shaggy 2 Dope (August 2008). Gathering of the Juggalos seminar (Videotape). Event occurs at 3:24. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  7. 1 2 3 "{title}". The A.V. Club . 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-10-17. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  8. ↑ McLendon, Gary (September 16, 2008). "Henrietta actor has had varied life". Democrat and Chronicle . Rochester, New York.
  9. ↑ "Soundtrack information for Death Racers". Internet Movie Database. Archived from the original on 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  10. ↑ "Death Racers (DVD)". Dread Central. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.