Murder University

Director - Richard Griffin (Exhumed, Dr. Frankenstein's Wax Museum of the Hungry Dead)
Starring - Samantha Acampora (The Disco Exorcist, The Last Halloween), Jamie Dufault (Unchained), and Michael Thurber (Dead Bounty, Catch of the Day)
Release Date - 2012
Genre - Horror
Tagline - "The Tuition Isn't The Only Thing That Will Kill You!"
Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      Director Richard Griffin has proven to me that he is one of the best directors alive time and time again.  I have yet to come across a film of his that I did not like.  Sure, most directors have a few films that will not satisfy all their fans but I have yet to find that one from Griffin.  Recently I watched and reviewed The Disco Exorcist (read the review here) and was blew away by it.  I can easily say that it is one of the best movies I have seen in years.  It is because of that film that I will gladly tell anyone to sit down, shut the hell up, and watch a new Griffin film when it is released.  Due to my obsessive personality I had to watch more Griffin films so I turned to Wild Eye Releasing and requested a screener for the upcoming Murder University and they were nice enough to send it to me.  So thanks again Wild Eye Releasing. 
     The film follows Josh Greene (Dufault) who prepares for his freshman year at college.  However, he happens to attend a university that houses a bloodthirsty killer wearing a demon mask.  He is abducted and the killer acknowledges his father before stabbing him.  Later, his wound has healed incredibly fast and he returns to college where he meets Detective Forrester (Thurber) and his super attractive daughter Meg (Acampora).  Forrester has been investigating the college killer for years and has his daughter and Josh go undercover to draw him out.  The two become close and and take heir relationship to the next level with a little hide the sausage.  While the two are making love Meg is beheaded sending Josh and Forrester down a dark road full of cults, blood, and disembowelment. 
     Griffin is a director who you think you have figured out until you see his next film and then he throws you for a loop.  When I first saw artwork for this film I assumed it was a straight forward slasher, however, as other posters for the film popped up I could tell this movie was heavily influenced by the hundreds of Satanic flicks from the 70s.  I instantly thought of The Devil's Rain and The Devil Rides Out.  I like both those films and could not wait to see where Griffin and company was going to take me.  The film has superb acting which is something I come to expect with Griffin and his films.  Once again we get a great performance from Thurber that goes above and beyond the abilities of many of today's leading actors.  The world should know Thurber because he is easily one of my favorite actors in the game today.  Greene also does a great job in his performance showing he can deliver on both sides of the spectrum.  He was a very convincing nerd and can draw in the audience's sympathy and then at the drop of a hat can switch it up and give the audience goosebumps in a chilling performance.  Also, Acampora was great in her role and is great to look at.  Griffin has an eye for beautiful women and for that I salute you.  The story is very bold and detailed, however, it is very slow burning.  Some of the scenes were so slow that I often found myself looking away but the film went out with a bang.  The film ended on a great note and it should be followed up with a sequel.  Finally, the film has a lot of great kills and the special effects to make them even greater.  That is another aspect of Griffin's films that I know he won't let me down with.  I grew up in the late 80s so I have a very special spot in my heart for great practical effects and Griffin definitely knows how to make someone with that same fondness happy.  Overall, Murder University is a worthy love letter to slashers and the occult.  I highly recommend it.