J. R. Bookwalter
Born (1966-08-16) August 16, 1966
Akron, Ohio
Other namesLance Randas
Occupations
  • Director
  • writer
  • producer
Years active1985-present

J. R. Bookwalter (born August 16, 1966) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer from Akron, Ohio.[1][2] He is best known for directing low-budget horror, action, and science fiction films, including The Dead Next Door, Robot Ninja (both 1989), Ozone (1993), and Polymorph (1996).[3] He is the founder of Tempe Entertainment which ran from 1988 until 2019 when the company's name changed to Makeflix.[4]

Career

J. R. Bookwalter began his career at the age of 19 in 1985 with The Dead Next Door.[5] The film was an independent production shot on Super 8 film in Akron, Ohio, over the course of four years. It was executive produced by Sam Raimi, with Bruce Campbell supervising post-production sound as well as providing the overdubbed voices of two of the lead characters.[6] Bookwalter wrote, directed, edited, and composed the score for the film.[7] The Dead Next Door has gone on to amass a cult following and has been noted as being the most expensive shot on Super-8 film ever made.[8]

During post-production on The Dead Next Door, Bookwalter wrote and directed the low-budget superhero action film Robot Ninja, which was executive produced by David DeCoteau.[9] The film was released in 1989 and features cameos from Scott Spiegel, Burt Ward, and Linnea Quigley.[10] In the years since its release, Robot Ninja achieved cult status on the video collector market.[11][12] In a review for the 30th anniversary Blu-ray release, Rue Morgue states, "Splishy gore, body horror, off-kilter performances, and a self-reflexive edge make Robot Ninja a cut above your average exploitation movie fare."[13]

Bookwalter produced Skinned Alive in 1990.[14] The film stars Scott Spiegel and Mary Jackson.[15]

Beginning in the early 1990s, Bookwalter directed a handful of low-budget shot-on-video films including Zombie Cop (1991), Maximum Impact, and Humanoids from Atlantis (both 1992), often times crediting himself under the pseudo name "Lance Randas".[16]

In 1993, Bookwalter directed Ozone starring James R. Black. In their review for the film, Film Threat called it "A dreamy descent into Cronenberg-esque madness."[17]

In 1996, Bookwalter directed Polymorph; written by and starring frequent collaborator James L. Edwards.[18]

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Bookwalter worked for Full Moon Pictures, producing and directing multiple projects for founder Charles Band including Witchouse 2: Blood Coven, Witchouse 3: Demon Fire, and Mega Scorpions (also known as Stingers).[19]

Filmography

Year Title Director Writer Notes Ref(s)
1989 The Dead Next Door Yes Yes [20]
Robot Ninja Yes Yes [21]
1991 Zombie Cop[22] Yes Yes Credited as "Lance Randas"
Kingdom of the Vampire Yes Yes [23]
1992 Maximum Impact Yes Yes Credited as "Lance Randas"
Humanoids from Atlantis Yes Yes Credited as "Lance Randas"
Galaxy of the Dinosaurs Yes No Credited as "Lance Randas"
1993 Ozone Yes Yes [24]
1995 The Sandman Yes Yes
1996 Polymorph Yes Yes
1997 Bloodletting No No Executive producer [25]
2000 Witchouse 2: Blood Coven Yes No
2001 Witchouse 3: Demon Fire Yes Yes
2003 Mega Scorpions Yes Yes Also known as Stingers [26]
TBA Side Effects May Vary Yes No

References

  1. ↑ "Tempe Apocalypse screening celebrating the films of J.R. Bookwalter!". Alternative Cinema. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  2. ↑ "Daily Kent Stater 17 February 1994 — Kent State University". dks.library.kent.edu. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  3. ↑ Frank (2019-12-19). "Every JR Bookwalter Film Ranked". Psychotronic Review. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  4. ↑ Fitzgerald, Bryan. "Tempe Entertainment, Pioneers of Indie Horror and home of The Dead Next Door is calling it quits after 33 years-Fitz of Horror – Fitz of Horror". Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  5. ↑ Lindsay, Cam (2005-09-01). "The Dead Next Door J.R. Bookwalter". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  6. ↑ Miska, Brad (2017-08-04). "Zombie Classic 'Dead Next Door' Gets 2K Transfer". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  7. ↑ Galil, Leor (2020-10-05). "The mystery punk from The Dead Next Door". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  8. ↑ Manor, Rue Morgue (2022-10-03). "Homemade Horrors: An Evolution". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  9. ↑ Gingold, Michael (2018-04-13). "Cult DTV gorefest "ROBOT NINJA" slashing back on special-edition Blu-ray/DVD". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  10. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2018-06-12). "Robot Ninja will kick ass on a 30th anniversary Blu-ray release". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  11. ↑ Gingold, Michael (2019-02-22). "VHS fave "ROBOT NINJA" slashes onto Blu-ray; complete specs and art". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  12. ↑ Thompson, Rocco T. (2019-04-08). "Blu-Ray Review: VHS-Era Shocker "Robot Ninja" Gets Back In Fighting Shape". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  13. ↑ Thompson, Rocco (2019-04-19). "VHS-Era Shocker "Robot Ninja" Gets Back in Fighting Shape". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  14. ↑ Gingold, Michael (2020-08-17). "'90s hillbilly horror "SKINNED ALIVE" coming on restored Ultimate Edition Blu-ray; full details and art". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  15. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2020-09-02). "Skinned Alive, starring Evil Dead II's Scott Spiegel, comes to Blu-ray". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  16. ↑ "Blu Review – SOV Six-Pack (Tempe Digital)". Horror Society. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  17. ↑ "OZONE (DVD) | Film Threat". 2004-10-30. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  18. ↑ Tinnin, Drew (2022-06-02). "Homemade Horror: 5 Gross Out Shot-On-Video Shockers". Dread Central. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  19. ↑ "Full Moon Fever: Day 4 | CHUD.com". Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  20. ↑ The Dead Next Door (1989) - J.R. Bookwalter | Review | AllMovie, retrieved 2023-03-24
  21. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2018-10-19). "Clip previews the HD restoration of J.R. Bookwalter's Robot Ninja". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  22. ↑ Roog (2021-12-16). "Zombie Cop (1991)". Moria. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  23. ↑ "Kingdom of the Vampire (1991) - Horror Movie Review". Scared Stiff Reviews. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  24. ↑ Hamman, Cody (2020-07-21). "J.R. Bookwalter brings his SOV cult classic Ozone to Blu-ray". JoBlo. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  25. ↑ Lentz III, Harris M. (2001). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits, Volume 2: Filmography (Second ed.). McFarland & Company. p. 912. ISBN 0-7864-0951-7.
  26. ↑ Barton, Steve (2013-12-03). "Full Moon Streaming Unleashes J.R. Bookwalter's Mega Scorpions on the Web". Dread Central. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
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