VALENTINE BLUFFS – A FAN FILM *** USA 2023 Dir: Tom ‘Smitty’ Smith. 91 mins
We are an odd bunch of folk us horror fans but we know our stuff so when that passion is thrown together to make a fan film to a cult favourite you know your in good hands. VALENTINE BLUFFS is an unofficial sequel made by fans for fans of the classic 1981 slasher MY BLOODY VALENTINE. After the nights events of Valentine’s Day in 1981 TJ Hanniger and Sarah Mercer move to a new town hoping to start life afresh, but that night sticks with TJ making him seek solace in alcohol. The loving couple of survivors are living happily until TJ’s drinking problem gets the better of him he leaves Sarah and son Peter behind and moves back to Valentine Bluffs. Years later following the death of his mother Sarah, Peter goes in search of TJ to tell him the bad news. Driving to Valentine Bluffs with his partner he soon discovers that the events in this small mining town in 1981 still haunt the people who live there 40 years on.
Looking to bring more people to the town following the closure of the mine, Mayor Thomas Otterman (played by TROMA President Lloyd Kaufman) decides that the town should move on from the past and opens a museum about the horrifying events in the hopes of attracting tourists. Not only that he brings back the Valentine’s Day dance which naturally the people of the town feel is unwise and its not too long before their fears are proved right as people start to die by the hands of a masked killer. It would seem The Miner has returned to Valentine Bluffs!
I have seen many fan films and this is one that stands out from the bunch. It is beautifully shot and with a nice selection of characters making you feel immersed in the town. Acting across the border is wonderful although Lloyd Kaufman is his usual TROMA self which is the only bit that seems a little off from this serious horror film but its always nice to see Lloyd and even more so when he is not just doing a cameo but a fully fledged character.
Just like the original film this fan film makes the most of its unique location of being able to film in a real mine which is lit well. VALENTINE BLUFFS is all killer and no filler, perfectly paced throughout and has some great looking kills. The filmmakers have really dug in deep to give a few nods to the 1981 film while keeping things fresh and a (unofficial) sequel that fans of the 1981 film will be pleased to have watched.
Though we have the 1981 original movie MY BLOODY VALENTINE and the 2009 remake MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D to always watch it was great to see The Miner on screen again doing their thing.
There aren’t many Valentine’s Day centred horror movies out there, so as a horror fan that will want to avoid the dreaded romcom season I would highly recommend adding this film to your watch list every Valentine’s Day.
Review by Peter ‘Witchfinder‘ Hopkins