Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)

Our Halloween 2020 coverage continues with special guest and friend of Video Monsters, Mike Wolfe!  Before unmasking just how much we love Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, we start things off with a quick update about the Knoxville Horror Film Fest, some highlights of the lineup of the Frightening Ass Film Fest, and a bit of a discussion of the short films and creative projects that Mike has been working on.  Even though Behind the Mask has been on our radar for a while, it has remained a blind spot for us for years...so, we are incredibly happy that it was Mike's pick for our episode as it forced us into finally getting around to watching what will undoubtedly quickly rise among the ranks to become a favorite of Video Monsters!!  This meta horror comedy mockumentary might be light in outright scares, but it more than makes up for it with its insightful analysis of horror tropes, endlessly quotable lines, and a framework that is so artfully crafted that practically every single shot and line of dialogue is intentionally woven to draw you into its web!  So double check the batteries in your flashlight, grab your pre-cut tool from the shed, and keep an eye out for red herrings as we smash through a 1st floor window and run till daylight with our review of Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon!! Video Monsters is brought to you by the Chattanooga Film Festival and Central Cinema in Knoxville, TN. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or online at chattfilmfest.org and centralcinema865.com Links for each of these can also be found on our pages, so be sure to follow us at videomonsterpod on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well.  Knoxville Horror Film Fest:  Oct. 23-25 - knoxhorrorfest.com  Frightening Ass Film Fest:  Oct. 30-31 - chattfilmfest.org  music for Video Monsters by Evan Simmons