Kevin Lindenmuth is one of the most prolific independent filmmakers working today, who, along with fellow filmmakers Tim Ritter and Hugh Gallagher, has been credited with creating the market for shot-on-video horror movies. What sets Lindenmuth apart from many of his fellows working in the SOV world is that his movies rely more on the characters to drive the story forward, rather than settling for ample helpings of nudity and violence. Lindemuth's movies have complicated, ambitious stories into which are thrust multiple complex, multifaceted characters. Because of this unusual characteristic, Lindenmuth's movies are also accused of being slow and talky, and these accusations are justified when compared to the fast-paced, often-incomprehensible gore-soaked films of his peers. Lindenmuth is far more interested in telling a good story, and should be commended on succeeding more often than most, particularly under the constraints of his low budgets.

For many people, "low budget, story-driven" SOV movies more often than not equal "two bad actors sitting in a room and talking for long periods of time". This cannot be applied to Lindenmuth's films, who works hard with his actors, striving to get the best performances out of them. Also, his characters have believable conversations, rather than seeming like a pair of actors spouting their lines with no clear understanding of what they're saying.

The best examples of Lindenmuth's style can be found in his popular Addicted to Murder trilogy. Acclaimed for their redesign of the vampire mythos, The Addicted to Murder series examines the relationship between vampires and serial killers, particularly a love affair gone awry between psychotic killer Joel Winter (Mick McCleery) and a vampire named Rachel (Laura McLauchlin). The series also stars fan favorite Sasha Graham as Rachel's sister, Angie.

While the first film involves Joel's transformation from killer to vampire to a vampire hunter, the series further explores the dynamics of the vampire/human relationship, with Joel the Hunter staying more in the background while the vampires continue to live among the mortals. Ultimately, Joel is the least interesting character as his psychosis carries over into his vampiric nature, and he becomes obsessed with hunting down the creatures that made him what he has become. Far more fascinating are the vampires, like Angie and Sarah K. Lippman's Tricia. Both Graham and Lippman make the most of their roles, and you can tell they're having the best of times.

Throughout the series, Lindenmuth plays with the conventions of the genre. How do vampires exist undetected? How do they chose who to kill and who to make into creatures like themselves. There are nebulous rules to follow, but mostly, the creatures exist, alongside humans, everyday. In Addicted to Murder 3: Bloodlust Lindenmuth even spoofs Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire, as two of the ladies speak directly to the camera, relating anecdotes of their long existence.

Lindenmuth also has the skill to play with a non-linear story, particularly in Addicted to Murder 2: Tainted Blood, which tells the story that takes place just before the last ten minutes of the first film. A prequel of sorts, though more like Addicted to Murder: The Missing Years. Its storyline can be confusing, particularly if some time has passed between the viewer's watching of the first film, but the experiment proves to be quite rewarding.

For fans of vampire movies, the Addicted to Murder series should be required viewing. And while it does seem slow in spots, particularly in the latter two episodes when Winter is the only one on screen, the series remains fascinating to the very end. The series, as with Lindenmuth's other films, stand as a testament to what filmmakers who care about their films can do with a limited budget. Seek these films out if, particularly if you've grown tired of endless and meaningless films filled with nothing but nudity and gore. Chances are you won't be disappointed.

These and other films can be ordered directly from Lindenmuth's Brimstone Productions.

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