Nato – Bounty Killer
I’m going to cheat on my first pick, because it isn’t technically horror, but it is balls-to-the-wall insane – which exemplifies the tastes of most horror fans.
Bounty Killer is a maniacally enjoyable action romp that takes place in a time where conglomerates all raised armies and started a catastrophic war, leaving the world in shambles. From the ashes rises a special breed of bounty hunters, looking to even the score by killing off these greedy, malicious big-wigs one by one. Common folk become inspired by these killers, and the trade becomes a source of hope for those survivors clinging to some shred of reality. Cool characters, comedic relief, brutal deaths, heavy weapons – what isn’t there to love?
Henry Saine’s film is more a celebration of all that is explosive and outrageous, as his world is full of vibrant colors (face-painted locals, slick costumes, pimped out rides) and choreographed fighting that expands upon typical Wild West shoot outs. There’s a particular scene where a bounty hunter’s “Gun Caddy” (yup, like in golf) has to fight for himself, but gets some unexpected help from a flying axe, causing the baddie a *splitting* headache.
Bounty Killer is a kick-ass bit of exploitation cinema that’s nothing but pure, unadulterated genre fun – introducing actress Christian Pitre as one sexy assassin named Mary Death. Sure, sex sells, but so does midnight-movie filmmaking that takes proper care to go above and beyond for viewers. Saine’s film is better, faster, and stronger than most indie efforts – don’t be left in the dust!
