Serial Killing 101
(aka; Serial Killing 4 Dummies)
(Artisan Region 1 DVD)
(2002)
review by Head Cheeze

Trace Slobotnik's Serial Killing 101 is one of the most schizophrenic films I've come across in quite some time. Visually, the film runs the gamut from glossy and impressive to downright amateurish, while the script reaches dizzying heights of dark comedy only to spiral down into the absolute depths of hackneyed dialogue and obvious plot turns. I found myself laughing out loud as often as I was shaking my head in disbelief, but, ultimately, I kinda liked this uneven little exeriment.

Casey (Urich) is a mildly troubled teenager whose father, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty. The kid can certainly be forgiven for having a less-than-rosey outlook, but his current fascination with serial killers has those close to him a touch worried. Well, everyone except for Sasha (Loeb, who plays a convincing high school student here, despite the fact that she's 35 years old), who is not only equally enthralled by serial killers, she wants to help Casey study to become one, with the condition that she be his first victim. Casey begins his studies, even expressing his desires in an essay about where he sees himself in ten years. This, of course, sets off his teachers, school shrink, and surly gym teacher, Vince Grimaldi (Church, who's absolutely hilarious). As word gets out about Casey's aspirations, a real serial killer is stalking the area, and Casey decides to put his studies to good use as he sets out to expose the murderer before they can strike again.

Originally titled Serial Killing 4 Dummies, Slobotkin's film is a perfect example of the classic critical appraisal of uneveness. The film, which in some instances looks as though it were edited through the use of a chainsaw and fire, works about as often as it fails, and it's a shame. Slobotnik's visual style is pedestrian at best, but, occasionally, some style manages to bleed through. The same can be said of his script, which features a good dozen or so laugh-out-loud funny lines, balanced off by a lot of pointless expository dialogue and cliches. It's actually infuriating to watch because one knows that, were it in more capable hands, Slobotnik's script could have been polished and filmed with a lot more flair. Instead, it has the production values of a school play, but with worse lighting.

Ulrich and Loeb are charming enough as the two anti-heroes, but Church steals the show as the ex-military hard ass, Grimaldi. I've always enjoyed him as an actor, even though he's often relegated to the small screen sitcom. He's got this sort of Jim Varney meets Jim Carrey thing going on that's actually funnier than that may sound.

So, ultimately, Serial Killing 101 is a movie I really wanted to like more than I actually did. The film is just too much of a jumbled mess to get any sort of ringing endorsement, but there's enough comedic gold here to merit a borderline recommendation.