J.R. Bookwalter | |
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Born | Akron, Ohio | August 16, 1966
Other names | Lance Randas |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1985-present |
J.R. Bookwalter (born August 16, 1966) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer from Akron, Ohio. [1] [2] He is best known for directing The Dead Next Door as well as a string of low budget cult horror, action, and sci-fi films in the 90's including Robot Ninja , Ozone, and Polymorph. [3] He is the founder of Tempe Entertainment which ran from 1988 until 2019 when the company's name changed to Makeflix. [4]
J.R. Bookwalter began his career at the age of 19 in 1985 with The Dead Next Door. [5] The film was an independent production shot on Super 8 film in Akron, OH over the course of four years and was executive produced by Sam Raimi with Bruce Campbell supervising post-production sound as well as providing the overdubbed voices of two of the lead characters. [6] Bookwalter wrote, directed, edited, and composed the score for the film. [7] The Dead Next Door has gone on to amass a cult following and has been noted as being the most expensive shot on Super-8 film ever made. [8]
During post-production on The Dead Next Door, Bookwalter wrote and directed the low budget super hero action thriller Robot Ninja ; executive produced by David DeCoteau. [9] The film was released in 1989 and features cameos from Scott Spiegel, Burt Ward, and Linnea Quigley. [10] In the years since its release, Robot Ninja achieved cult status on the video collector market. [11] [12] In a review for the 30th anniversary Blu-ray release, Rue Morgue states, "Splishy gore, body horror, off-kilter performances, and a self-reflexive edge make Robot Ninja a cut above your average exploitation movie fare." [13]
Bookwalter produced Skinned Alive in 1990. [14] The film stars Scott Spiegel and Mary Jackson. [15]
Beginning in the early '90s, Bookwalter directed a handful of ultra-low budget shot on video films including Zombie Cop, Maximum Impact, and Humanoids from Atlantis often times crediting himself under the pseudo name "Lance Randas". [16]
In 1993, Bookwalter directed Ozone starring James R. Black. In their review for the film, Film Threat called it "A dreamy descent into Cronenberg-esque madness." [17]
In 1996, Bookwalter directed Polymorph; written by and starring frequent collaborator James L. Edwards. [18]
In the late '90s and early '00s Bookwalter worked for Full Moon Pictures and produced and directed multiple projects for Charles Band including Witchouse 2: Blood Coven, Witchouse 3: Demon Fire, and Mega Scorpions aka Stingers. [19]
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1989 | The Dead Next Door [20] | Yes | Yes | |
Robot Ninja [21] | Yes | Yes | ||
1991 | Zombie Cop [22] | Yes | Yes | Credited as "Lance Randas" |
Kingdom of the Vampire [23] | Yes | Yes | ||
1992 | Maximum Impact | Yes | Yes | Credited as "Lance Randas" |
Humanoids from Atlantis | Yes | Yes | Credited as "Lance Randas" | |
Galaxy of the Dinosaurs | Yes | No | Credited as "Lance Randas" | |
1993 | Ozone [24] | Yes | Yes | |
1995 | The Sandman | Yes | Yes | |
1996 | Polymorph | Yes | Yes | |
2000 | Witchouse 2: Blood Coven | Yes | No | |
2001 | Witchouse 3: Demon Fire | Yes | Yes | |
2003 | Mega Scorpions [25] | Yes | Yes | also known as "Stingers" |
TBA | Side Effects May Vary | Yes | No |
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