So we met Tom Sullivan (the special effects guru for the Evil Dead movies) at Origins in August, and he watched our movies. We just got an email from him, and he had this to say: “Wow! Did my favorite new actor Nathan Rice sign my DVD? Cool. I think you have your Bruce Campbell. That is an available friend and actor with a LOT of potential!”

Tom also sent in this review of Dead Camper Lake. Enjoy!

I discovered the Demon Hunters series backwards. I was lucky to meet Don Early, Matt Vancil and other Dead Gentlemen at the Origins Convention in Ohio, Summer 04. There I saw “Gamers” and “Demon Hunters: Dead Camper Lake”.

It was late and I was exhausted after a long day of playing celebrity at the Con. I do remember having a silly grin on my face the whole movie.

Clearly I was watching a work of love with friends.

I can relate to that. There is something about the behind the scenes vibe that comes through a film. Such is the case with the Demon Hunters film.

While not a perfect film it is a fun journey with entertaining characters and situations. Fortunately for Dead Gentlemen fans the original Demon Hunters is included and of course one should see them in order.

When I did that my appreciation escalated vastly.

You see, Demon Hunters and Demon Hunters: Dead Camper Lake are a homage to spirit of the old Republic serials. They have episodic thills and fights, plenty of corn and whimsy. Of course they end with cliffhangers.

After my first viewing I was absorbed by the fun the performers were having. While not all accomplished actors, they are clearly having a ball and I did too. I challenge fans to identify the accents of the bad guys.

Matt Vancil’s Demon, Duamerthrax is riotously over the top. Sounds like Edgar from MIB, looks like Hellboy’s twisted Uncle and dances like Fred Astaire on alcohol.

Steve Wolbrecht’s “Chris” is the newcomer to the Demon Hunters. His nievetivity, immaturity and goofiness is a nice foil for his new mentor, Master Demon Hunter Gabriel, played to earnest perfection by Nathan Rice.

Director Don Early puts in a nicely idiosyncratic performance as Silent Jim, the highly focused and sometimes talkative demon assassin.

Being a serial you are not going to be getting solid endings to the stories. But I think the point of the films is that it is the journey not the destination. Demon Hunters and Demon Hunters: Dead Camper Lake are worth the trek.

The battle for good and evil is a full time job with long term prospects. Dead Camper Lake’s Director Don Early has worked his magic on an enlightened romp that shows the regular Joes trying to do the good work.

One of the big bonuses is the effective use of the amazing landscapes of Washington State. I love wide shots and Don uses them effectively in Dead Camper Lake.

The bonus features are interesting. I love the behind the scenes stuff.

The final word here is that Dead Gentlemen Productions are a diverse and talented group of filmmakers worth keeping your eye on.

-Tom Sullivan

Check out Tom Sullivan at Dark Age Productions .

Thanks Tom!!