J. R. Bookwalter

Last updated
J. R. Bookwalter
Born (1966-08-16) August 16, 1966 (age 57)
Akron, Ohio
Other namesLance Randas
Occupations
  • Director
  • writer
  • producer
Years active1985-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 low-budget horror, action, and science fiction films, including The Dead Next Door , Robot Ninja (both 1989), Ozone (1993), and Polymorph (1996). [3] He is the founder of Tempe Entertainment which ran from 1988 until 2019 when the company's name changed to Makeflix. [4]

Contents

Career

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, Ohio, over the course of four years. It 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 superhero action film Robot Ninja , which was 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 1990s, Bookwalter directed a handful of low-budget shot-on-video films including Zombie Cop (1991), Maximum Impact, and Humanoids from Atlantis (both 1992), 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 1990s and early 2000s, Bookwalter worked for Full Moon Pictures, producing and directing multiple projects for founder Charles Band including Witchouse 2: Blood Coven, Witchouse 3: Demon Fire, and Mega Scorpions (also known as Stingers). [19]

Filmography

YearTitle Director Writer NotesRef(s)
1989 The Dead Next Door YesYes [20]
Robot Ninja YesYes [21]
1991Zombie Cop [22] YesYesCredited as "Lance Randas"
Kingdom of the VampireYesYes [23]
1992Maximum ImpactYesYesCredited as "Lance Randas"
Humanoids from AtlantisYesYesCredited as "Lance Randas"
Galaxy of the DinosaursYesNoCredited as "Lance Randas"
1993 Ozone YesYes [24]
1995The SandmanYesYes
1996 Polymorph YesYes
1997 Bloodletting NoNoExecutive producer [25]
2000Witchouse 2: Blood CovenYesNo
2001Witchouse 3: Demon FireYesYes
2003Mega ScorpionsYesYesAlso known as Stingers [26]
TBASide Effects May VaryYesNo

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References

  1. ↑ "Tempe Apocalypse screening celebrating the films of J.R. Bookwalter!". Alternative Cinema. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  2. ↑ "Daily Kent Stater 17 February 1994 — Kent State University". dks.library.kent.edu. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  3. ↑ Frank (2019-12-19). "Every JR Bookwalter Film Ranked". Psychotronic Review. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  4. ↑ Fitzgerald, Bryan. "Tempe Entertainment, Pioneers of Indie Horror and home of The Dead Next Door is calling it quits after 33 years-Fitz of Horror – Fitz of Horror" . Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  5. ↑ Lindsay, Cam (2005-09-01). "The Dead Next Door J.R. Bookwalter". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  6. ↑ Miska, Brad (2017-08-04). "Zombie Classic 'Dead Next Door' Gets 2K Transfer". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  7. ↑ Galil, Leor (2020-10-05). "The mystery punk from The Dead Next Door". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  8. ↑ Manor, Rue Morgue (2022-10-03). "Homemade Horrors: An Evolution". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  9. ↑ Gingold, Michael (2018-04-13). "Cult DTV gorefest "ROBOT NINJA" slashing back on special-edition Blu-ray/DVD". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  10. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2018-06-12). "Robot Ninja will kick ass on a 30th anniversary Blu-ray release". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  11. ↑ Gingold, Michael (2019-02-22). "VHS fave "ROBOT NINJA" slashes onto Blu-ray; complete specs and art". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  12. ↑ Thompson, Rocco T. (2019-04-08). "Blu-Ray Review: VHS-Era Shocker "Robot Ninja" Gets Back In Fighting Shape". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  13. ↑ Thompson, Rocco (2019-04-19). "VHS-Era Shocker "Robot Ninja" Gets Back in Fighting Shape". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  14. ↑ Gingold, Michael (2020-08-17). "'90s hillbilly horror "SKINNED ALIVE" coming on restored Ultimate Edition Blu-ray; full details and art". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  15. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2020-09-02). "Skinned Alive, starring Evil Dead II's Scott Spiegel, comes to Blu-ray". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  16. ↑ "Blu Review – SOV Six-Pack (Tempe Digital)". Horror Society. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  17. ↑ "OZONE (DVD) | Film Threat". 2004-10-30. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  18. ↑ Tinnin, Drew (2022-06-02). "Homemade Horror: 5 Gross Out Shot-On-Video Shockers". Dread Central. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  19. ↑ "Full Moon Fever: Day 4 | CHUD.com" . Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  20. ↑ The Dead Next Door (1989) - J.R. Bookwalter | Review | AllMovie , retrieved 2023-03-24
  21. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2018-10-19). "Clip previews the HD restoration of J.R. Bookwalter's Robot Ninja". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  22. ↑ Roog (2021-12-16). "Zombie Cop (1991)". Moria. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  23. ↑ "Kingdom of the Vampire (1991) - Horror Movie Review". Scared Stiff Reviews. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  24. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2020-07-21). "J.R. Bookwalter brings his SOV cult classic Ozone to Blu-ray". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  25. ↑ Lentz III, Harris M. (2001). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits, Volume 2: Filmography (Second ed.). McFarland & Company. p. 912. ISBN   0-7864-0951-7.
  26. ↑ Barton, Steve (2013-12-03). "Full Moon Streaming Unleashes J.R. Bookwalter's Mega Scorpions on the Web". Dread Central. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
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