The Hills Run Red for Chop Block Diner's Grand Opening

Review of 'The Hills Run Red' for Halloween and a Tasty Recipe for a Chili & Sausage Casserole.

Welcome to the grand opening of the Chop Block Diner, where the meat is fresh and the tube TV only plays horror films. It's Halloween, a good time to open the Diner doors. Every month a new horror review, followed by a recipe, will be posted here; sometimes you may even hear from the patrons. So welcome to the Chop Block Diner, we hope you find your meal enjoyable. Now let's take a look at the first review.

'The Hills Run Red' is a 2009 slasher film directed by Dave Parker and was released straight to video. That's a shame since this movie was awesome and I would have paid to see it in theatre. The movie's cover may not seem as exciting or dark as others, but don't let that deceive you; this is a gruesome modern slasher that brings something interesting and new to the arch type. I can't tell you what without giving away the story, so you'll just have to believe and watch it for yourself. 

This movie contained: Boobies, Vulgarity, and Violence.

The basic plot is about a student of film, Tyler(Tad Hilgenbrink), who is obsessed with finding a lost horror film called 'The Hills Run Red' (oh yeah, this shit gets meta) by a director, Concannon(William Sadler), who disappeared. He tracks down Concannon's daughter Alexa(Sophie Monk) and convinces her to lead him to the film's possible location; the place where it was shot. Tyler and Alexa, along with his friend Lalo(Alex Wyndham) and girlfriend Serina(Janet Montgomery), head to the location, which of course, is in the middle of the woods. Near a mountain. Unfortunately for them the killer from the film turns out the be real; and this is where the fun begins. It's a similar plot to a John Carpenter movie from the 'Masters of Horror' series, "Cigarette Burns".

I found that 'The Hills Run Red' doesn't really start until the group begins their journey to the film location. Prior to this is your basic introduction to characters. It's not terribly interesting but it does the job of setting up who we're following for the rest of the movie. Except for this one scene which we found so out of place and didn't really have much to do with the plot. Luckily we had a casserole to turn to.

The scene I'm referring to is Tyler 'helping' (quotes because it seemed more like he just wanted to do it) Alexa detox from heroin. Why am I giving this away? Because that's how little relevance it has to the rest of the movie. It's really the only thing I found wrong with the entire film. It's a jarring montage that really didn't need to be there. It seemed like filler to have something 'interesting' about Alexa. It was weird.

After that the movie beings to really pick up. Their journey really begins to shape the plot but it does so in a different way from many horror movies; it doesn't have that sinister build up. There are obvious cues that show things are going to happen but when it does it sort of gets dropped on you, and not in a bad way. And once it does the blood starts flying, luckily there was a lid on the chili pot in the kitchen. The movie accelerates and now you've got some murder. The killer shows up and... you know the drill. Eventually the group makes it to the films location and this is where the movie begins to throw you curve balls. Think the first and second Saw movies but with less dramatization and more shit you did NOT see coming. Yeah, bet you want to watch this movie now; probably while eating a Chili Sausage Casserole.

Oh, and the first credit roll is short. There's a scene afterwards suggesting a sequel.

Gore - 8/10 Pots of Blood

As for the gore (because what would a slasher movie be without blood? A trash can, that's what), it's pretty good. It's nothing excessive but what is there is pretty damn good and you can appreciate it. It doesn't over do it and by doing so, I think retains some of that classic slasher arch type.

 

Overall - Damn good modern slasher.

'The Hills Run Red' is a great horror movie. The story is good, it's bloody, the acting is good and it's fun to watch.

Chop Block Diner Recommends 'The Hills Run Red', along with this Casserole.

 

 

Recipe - Chili & Sausage Casserole (4 servings) 

Recipe - Chili & Sausage Casserole (4 servings) 

 

Ingredients - Chili

1lb Ground Beef

1/3 cup White Onion, Chopped

1 can or large jar of Crushed Tomatoes

1/2 tsp Oregano

2 tsp Smoked Paprika

2 1/2 tbsp Chili Powder

1 - 2 cloves Garlic, minced

Ingredients - Dough

1/4 cup Butter/Margarine

1.75 cup Flour

1/2 cup water

Ingredients - Rest of dish

2 - 3 Mild or Hot Italian Sausage, chopped

2 Cubanelle Peppers, chopped once

Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded

• Start the blood(crushed tomatoes) in a sauce pan over low - med heat. Stir in oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder and garlic. While that's happening cook the beef in a skillet, season if you wish and as you like.


• Chop the peppers and onion. Leave the peppers in large pieces (I chopped them once after slicing).


• Once the beef is cooked, stir it and the onions into the blood sauce and reduce to low heat. Continue to stir and check on it occasionally, of course.


• While the chili is doing its thing, grease a baking dish to be used for the casserole and prepare the dough. In a bowl add the butter/margarine (which ever you chose) and flour. With your hands mix them together until it becomes chunky. Add the water and again mix with your hands until it becomes… dough.


•  Flatten the dough into the greased pan and preheat your oven to 350. (Our oven is wonky and doesn't heat right so we crank it to 400. Use whatever temperature works for your oven, ovens are special like that.)


• Now cook the meat fingers, er... sausages in the same skillet used for the beef, because saving dishes is awesome. Once they're done, chop'em.


• Now it's time to put it together. Chop Block went with: sausage, light cheesing, peppers, chili, and tons of cheese to cover. You can layer it however you choose though. We layer ours in a way to prevent the dough from becoming too soggy.


• Put it in the oven and set a timer for 30 - 45 minutes. Remember to check on it. If it needs more or less time in your oven, do so.