Street traSh

released OUT NOW! 1987 | 18 | Blu-ray/dVd Director James Muro Cast Mike lackey, Jane arakawa, Bill Chepil, Vic Noto Blu-Ray deBut This ’80s gross-out horror-comedy takes an “offend-all-comers” approach to its humour, but is only sporadically enjoyable.

The owner of an off-licence finds a crate of decades-old booze called Viper. He sells it at a buck a bottle to his destitute clientele who, when they drink it, dissolve into rainbowcoloured puddles of grue.

There’s a real sense of misanthropy here. This is a film that openly laughs at the homeless, alcoholics and the poor – as well as at everyone else. At times, like when the film touches on one character’s Vietnam War past, it feels like Street Trash is reaching for a satirical point it can’t fully express because it’s too busy playing catch with a severed cock. The rest of the time it’s just a grim, almost plot-less slog.

On the plus side, the melty special effects are brilliant – inventive and colourfully gross, they’re funnier than any of the film’s actual jokes.

Extras The Meltdown Memoirs is a terrific, featurelength Making Of. Packed with behind-the-scenes footage and candid interviews, it’s fascinating even for Street Trash sceptics. Director James Muro provides commentary. The package also includes Muro’s original 16mm student film, interviews with writer Roy Frumkes and actress Jane Arakawa, deleted scenes and a pair of trailers.