LISA LISA (aka AXE) (Directed By Frederick R. Friedel. 1977)

Frederick Freidel's Lisa Lisa is a strange little film that despite numerous viewings(it's only an hour long)still intrigues me in a similar way Texas Chainsaw did upon my first few viewings way back when. In fact the two films have a similar atmosphere at times. Lisa Lisa is a bleak, creepy and sparse piece of 70's horror that if watched at just the right time of night in just the right frame of mind can definitely take the viewer somewhere special. It's by no means that good, but it certainly has a menacing power that sucks you in and compels you until the final poignant and downbeat scene.
The storyline is even more threadbare than most of it's kind but given the incredibly short running time I guess there wasn't much time for character development (something that add's brilliantly to the character Lisa herself, played fantastically by Leslie Lee). Three gangsters are on the run and end up hiding out at the house of Lisa and her mute Grandfather, where they make themselves very much at home. Lisa doesn't take too kindly to the intrusion and takes matters ever so calmly (and savagely) into her own hands. And that's it.
From its' hauntingly beautiful keyboard score to the nowhere script and hopeless despair that linger heavily throughout the film, it's power is in it's refusal to play by the rules or even maintain the forward momentum one expects from a film. I'm sure as hell in the minority of people who rate this film but for some reason I have never quite got it out of my head. I think the lonely rural settings of films such as this appeal to the horror fan in me greatly. Well, that and the sight of Leslie Lee wiping out most of the cast whilst casually decapitating chickens for dinner. In it's own mysterious way, the film is surprisingly shocking considering the low key feel of the rest of the film.
Whilst certainly not for a lot of people, Lisa Lisa (or California Axe Massacre if you prefer it's more sleazy title)is lovingly made and definitely one of a kind. Above is an especially rare poster that makes little sense if you've actually seen the film.