Visual Vengeance and Wild Eye Releasing have STUCK IT again with the release of L.A. AIDS Jabber, a shot on video horror flick which is a bit more serious than it lets on to be. Oh, and don’t worry, that taste in your mouth for even considering this title washes away quite easily, especially when the film begins and you realize that this shocker isn’t as trashy as expected.
For my tastes, the independent films of the early 1990s (and largely shot on video) were wild affairs that challenged viewers with a creative use of gore and situations as characters - however cardboard or demented they are - face incredible situations limited, not by the microbudgets of the filmmaker’s wallets, but by the imagainations of those in charge.
L.A. Aids Jabber, which is as harsh as its title suggests, is one of those films. Seemingly without a shred of good taste in its bones (beginning with the title), this over-the-top horror flick sees a young man take matters into his own hands when he comes down with Aids. No one is safe as he goes after those who wronged him with a vial of his own infected blood, infecting them with what is sure to kill him. Is it awful? Sure. Is it creative? Hell, yes. And fascinating, too, as actor Jason Magik brings the character of Jeff and his demented rationalizations to life in memorable ways, jabbing people with hypodermic needles filled with his own blood.
And that synth score bubbling just below the surface of this urban nightmare? Oh, it’s complete FIRE. But you don’t watch a movie like L.A. Aids Jabber for the score alone. The hilariously bad performances are golden and, as every scene seems to be percolating with cops chewing the fat, the lunacy in between all the jabs is never outdone. Your patience might be, but L.A. Aids Jabber is up for the challenge of drawing you back in as Jeff takes out his bad news on everyone else.
Did I mention this was grim? Because director Drew Godderis (who famously portrayed Uncle Amwar in Blood Diner) goes darker still with a SOV flick that pulls off its intentions by not focusing on comedy. This one is a serious stalker which pays off with a dramatic structure that is damn unflinching in the wake of some really bad news.
Takin’ it to the streets indeed. L.A. Aids Jabber is now available on blu-ray with a smattering of extras, including a director’s introduction.
Home Video Distributor: Visual Vengeance
Available on Blu-ray - August 9, 2022
Screen Formats: 1.33:1
Subtitles: None
Audio: 16-bit DTS-HD 2.0 Mono track
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
One of the rarest and most sought-after bad taste movies of the SOV era. Jeff, a mentally unstable young man is diagnosed with AIDS and takes his anger out on the world by filling a syringe with his own tainted blood and trolling the seedy streets of Los Angeles looking for victims in an acid-washed and venomous delirium. Police slowly piece together his crimes in an attempt to stop this ticking virus time bomb from jabbing again. This is the first wide release of the movie since it was self-distributed by director Drew Godderis himself, and the Blu-ray is packed with newly produced bonus features and commentary from the original creators.
Video:
Framed in a 1.78.1 widescreen and taken from an archival 1997 SD master minted from the original tapes and remastered in 1080p, L.A. AIDS Jabber looks as terrible as it sounds. The image is not sharp and the dark edges hang ominously throughout each scene as we from night to night, with only the daylight scenes leaving viewers with a sharp visual punch. Gore is extreme and so is the nudity, with lots and lots of flesh on display.
Audio:
The audio is presented in a 16-bit DTS-HD 2.0 Mono track, which is absolutely appropriate for this title.
Supplements:
Commentary:
- Director Drew Godderis provides a solid commentary covering the making of the movie.
Special Features:
- The SOV party continues with this fully loaded release from Video Vengeance!
- Region Free Blu-ray
- Director’s Introduction to Movie (2021)
- Commentary Track with Director Drew Godderis
- Lethal Injection: The Making of L.A. AIDS JABBER with Director Drew Godderis
- Bleeding The Pack: An Interview with Lead Actor Jason Majick
- L.A. AIDS JABBER – 2021 Locations Visit
- Interview with Blood Diner Director Jackie Kong
- Growing Up On Set: Justin Godderis
- Actress Joy Yurada Interview
- Cinematographer Rick Bradach Interview
- Interview with Actor Gene Webber
- Liner notes by Tony Strauss of Weng’s Chop Magazine
- L.A. AIDS JABBER Photo Gallery
- Blood Video Fanzine Essay by Billy Burgess
- L.A. AIDS JABBER Trailer (2021)
- Limited Edition Slipcase — FIRST PRINTING ONLY
- Collectible folded mini-poster
- ‘Stick Your Own’ VHS stickers
- Reversible BR sleeve featuring original VHS art
- Visual Vengeance Trailers
- Archival master taken from master SD tape
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 on appeal for crude sexual content and language.
Runtime: 78 mins
Director: Drew Godderis
Writer: Drew Godderis
Cast: Justin Godderis; Marcy Lynn; Justin Mack
Genre: Horror
Tagline: They're giving Dirty Rotten Men a run for their Money.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Jeff has just contracted a fatal disease, but he is a very giving person... now all his friend have it."
Distributor: Visual Vengeance
Official Site:
Release Date: January 1, 1994
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: August 9, 2022.
Synopsis: A guy who has been diagnosed with AIDS decides to get his revenge on the world by attacking people with hypodermic needles filled with his blood.
