Edge of the Axe

**_“Lost” Euro 80’s slasher set at Big Bear Lake in SoCal_** Murders start mounting up in a previously quiet town in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles, which the sheriff initially tries to write off as accidents or, in one case, a suicide. Who’s the psychopathic killer? "Edge of the Axe” (1988) is a Spanish/English slasher set at Big Bear Lake, obviously influenced by the seminal “Halloween” (1978) and “Friday the 13th” (1980). It’s pretty obscure but worthwhile if you like 80’s slashers, like “Pieces” (1982). The scenic rustic setting is great and the characters are fleshed-out with interesting bits, such as the wife of Richard being a good fifteen years older than him, and probably more, as well as the emphasis on 80’s computers. Christina Marie Lane is notable in the female department as Lillian while Joy Blackburn is worth a mention as Susan. Unfortunately, there’s only one great shot of Christina Marie. The director evidently didn’t know how to shoot women (no pun intended), and I’m not tawkin’ ‘bout nudity or sleaze. The story is compelling enough with several possibilities in the whodunit scenario. Regrettably, the big ‘reveal’ doesn’t work because (1) it’s not believable if you think about it and (2) it contradicts at least one scene earlier in the flick. This ‘reveal’ is hardly original, as it had been done a couple times 7-8 years prior and no doubt more. The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot in Avila, Spain, which is an hour drive northwest of Madrid, with lots of establishing shots done at Big Bear Lake. GRADE: B-