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They should've called it "Death By Jake"
Yessir, that's Jake Steinfeld as the slash-crazy escaped mental patient. I didn't even know for sure until I read the closing credits. For that matter, maybe they should've called it "Bodies By Jake" (thanks to M. Ken for that one).
I've gotta admit, the movie starts well. Jake steals a car and stomps on the gas when he sees a bag lady stop to pick up her purse in the middle of the floor. Between the music and the freeze on the lady's face, it's all so melodramatic and over-the-top that I couldn't help but cackle along when the hysterically laughing maniac drives on with blood all over the windshield.
And then the film introduces what may well be the single most annoying character I've ever seen. Dressed in mime makeup, this kid carries around a Les Paul (and an amp on his back) and plays it all the time, sounding like a ninth-rate Ace Frehley (who was never really topnotch himself). His idea of fun is to never, ever stop playing, and to sneak up on lovemaking couples and laugh about it. So basically what I found myself hoping - nay, praying! - for was the logical conclusion of the inevitable clash between the slasher and this kid, and for it to happen really, really soon. Soon enough, however, my hopes were dashed like so many sailors upon the sirens' shore - this kid was obviously being set up to be the hero of this movie. But then my faith was restored again. "Please don't hurt her!" pleads the kid when the killer takes this chick hostage. "I'll play my guitar for you, I'll sing, I'll do magic tricks!" I can only assume that these were threats to be carried out in the event of the girl's death.
It's pretty routine, standard slasher stuff through and through, except for that opening. It might be worth a look if you're curious about Jake's salad days. But you're probably not.