RONDO AND BOB – Digital HD Review by John Strange
Rondo and Bob is a documentary about two significant figures in the genre of horror films. Robert A. “Bob” Burns, a Texan who became known for his art direction of films such as the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes, Re-Animator, and The Howling. Rondo Hatton was a man who loved sports and journalism but, due to a disease that caused the bones of his head to grow abnormally large, found a home in horror films.
The two men were connected by Bob’s fascination with Rondo and his career. The two men were very different in many ways. Director Joe O’Connell attempts to give us a look at the careers and lives of the two men through photographs, clips, and some reenactments.
The two stories are intertwined in a way that Joe hoped would keep us interested. Overall, the film works if you accept that the reenactments are not up to the standards of a-list movies but are a perfect example of the style that Bob would have used if he had written the scenes himself. That is to say that they are somewhat lacking in apparent talent. I don’t think they are but are just written that way.
I had a good time watching this film if at times I was less than happy with the way the director organized the two plotlines. That said, this is a film that will speak to horror buffs but will confuse the heck out of many viewers. I rate this film at 3.5-stars.
Directed By:
- Joe O’Connell
Cast:
- Dee Wallace, Gary Kent, Joe Bob Briggs
Specifications:
Runtime:
Feature:
- 100 Minutes
Release Date:
Digital:
- 06/07/2022
Genre:
- Documentary
Language:
- English
Official Website:
Trailer:
MPAA Rating:
- NR
Selig Rating:
Film Rating:
- 3.5 Stars
Picture Quality Rating:
- 4.5 Stars
Audio Quality Rating:
- 4.5 Stars
Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars: Should add to your DVD collection at any cost
4 Stars: Worth owning, but try to catch it on sale
3 Stars: Plan to get it, but wait to buy it used
2 Stars: Worth taking a look at, but not owning
1 Star: Pick it up at a garage sale and use it for drinks
0 Stars: Makes a great Trap Shooting target
