Smoke & Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini

You know you are getting old when this happens: a career-defining documentary about a celebrity whose work in horror films you grew up admiring.  Except they - like you - are no longer among the young.  The passing of time sucks in that way, my friends, but here we are . . . facing the wrong end of time’s gun.

"this deeply personal documentary is both illuminating and passionate toward the its subject and the horror genre"


 

It’s a maddening and endless march, but the fun along the way makes it worth it.  Just ask Tom Savini, who is the focus of Smoke & Mirrors, a new documentary from director Jason Baker.  The one and only Tom Savini, who has fueled enough nightmares to make many a man and woman weep.  His gore and make-up designs have given him the moniker of “King of Splatter” as they are continuously on point, adding some much needed adrenaline to even the lowest of budgets.  It is about time he be celebrated with a career-defining documentary!

And that is exactly what Smoke & Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini is.  Full of interviews from Tom Savini, Danny McBride, Robert Rodriguez, Danny Trejo, Alice Cooper, Greg Nicotero, Tom Atkins, Corey Feldman, Doug Bradley, Bill Moseley, and more, this deeply personal documentary is both illuminating and passionate toward the its subject and the horror genre, making it a must-see for Horror Hounds and Go-Go Ghouls.  

Special Makeup Effects legend, actor, director, stuntman, and zombie. You name it and Savini, who comes across as incredibly likable throughout this 91-minute documentary, has done it all.  And his work ethic has paid off in spades, influencing generations of Horror Hounds.  To his credit, Savini has redefined the horror genre with his arsenal of talents and continues to flex within the genre. Smoke & Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini

But who is the man behind all the celebrated visions of splatter and gore?  We get the scoop in this self-narrated look into his life.  He comes across as authentic and sweet and while that might not translate into dramatic flair, the glimpse into the making of his creature feature designs is definitely worth the journey.  

From his childhood in Pittsburgh, PA, to his tour of duty during Vietnam, to his beginnings with George A. Romero and beyond, Smoke & Mirrors covers it all, providing an extended look at the man behind the myth-making which continues to haunt our cinematic expressions of horror and harvest.  Filled with solid interviews and nice looks at his work, this documentary ought to tame the wild in us all as we get inside looks into Savini's monster mayhem.

From Wild Eye Releasing, director Jason Baker's Smoke & Mirrors arrives on Digital October 19th.  Savini lives!

4/5 stars

 Film Details

Smoke & Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini

MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime:
91 mins
Director
: Jason Baker
Writer:

Cast:
John Amplas; Tom Atkins; Howard Berger
Genre
: Documentary
Tagline:

Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor:
Wild Eye Releasing
Official Site:
Release Date:
October 19, 2021
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:

Synopsis: Special Makeup Effects legend, Actor, Director, Stuntman. Tom Savini has redefined the horror genre with his arsenal on talents. But who is the man behind the "King of Splatter?" From his his childhood in Pittsburgh, PA; to his tour of duty during Vietnam, to his beginnings with George A. Romero and beyond. SMOKE AND MIRRORS is the defining documentary on the life and career of horror icon Tom Savini.

Art

Smoke & Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini