Ryan Nicholson has made a name for himself. An infamous one, but he does have a strong following or otherwise he wouldn't be able to make movies anymore. I only have watched this one so far and it is really had to watch. Every character in this is despicable and there is no real connection to the "normal" viewer. The acting isn't really good or worth mentioning either.

While the lead actress is very beautiful, she only appears to have starred in this and another Nicholson vehicle. Which is not a big surprise in itself, but might disappoint people who actually like her. The dialog is delivered in a mad pace and some "jokes" might even hit their target (no pun intended). The very brutal scene at the beginning (a version exists with even more explicit footage, though it makes the scene even worse and definitely harder to watch) will put a lot of people off (rightfully so). After that there are some decent ideas with good special effects. Story and character development is forgettable (even the twist towards the ending)

There is an alternate dimension where the 1980s and 2000s meet, and Ryan Nicholson ("Live Feed") opens that world up to us in "Gutterballs". All the classic archetypes are here in the bowling alley. And after a brutal rape, everyone will come together for one last night of bowling. There will be spares, strikes, gutters... and pure carnage, as blood flows free like Pabst from a Milwaukee tapper.

The tone of "Gutterballs" is unique. In some sense, its an homage to older films. The 80s feel is there, the DVD itself spoofs the cover of "Happy Birthday to Me" and the menu spoofs "Maniac". But it's also a comedy of sorts, with some of the dirtiest one-liners and comebacks you'll ever hear. Lastly, it's non-stop gore and over-the-top offensive cinema. Plenty of sex, violence and sex mixed with violence. There's absolutely no way this will ever receive a theatrical release and Blockbuster probably won't carry it without ten minutes of cuts, which would make the film worthless.

Even from the start, you know you're in for a treat. The opening shot features bowling pins, calling to mind such bowling classics as "The Big Lebowski", "Kingpin", and that cult favorite "Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama". We get disco and 1980s music, very short skirts, a transvestite, plenty of bad "ball" jokes and a smoke machine that knows when people enter the alley. This film clinched the feel of trashy 1980s videos.

Have I stressed the blood, gore, violence and language? There is going "over the top" and then there's "Gutterballs". Aside from such rarities as "Necromantik", I've never been treated to so many mutilated bodies and sexual depravity. One scene, which blows my mind, features a couple engaged in a certain oral sexual act... and the killer doesn't shy away from using this to his advantage. And they show it... all of it.

The transvestite comes to a bloody end after answering "I bleed from my heart; everyone judges me and nobody knows me" when asked if his new female parts will work. And my absolute favorite scene features a trash-talking ball waxer that taunts bowlers with vulgar language and insults. I was cracking up pretty hard. All this while being treated to countless tracks from Loverboy and other treasures. Another reviewer commented that "the 80s hits throughout the film will leave you scratching your head as to how director Nicholson scored the rights to so many classic tunes", and he's right -- that was precisely my first reaction. It's an amazing onslaught of pure rock.

I had only two concerns with the film. The theme gets a bit old, even for such a short film. After the "ball" jokes run out, the bowling theme seems to be in the tenth frame, but the film just keeps playing. Also, like many other commentators, I felt the rape is a bit extreme and makes the audience uncomfortable... it's a good successor to "I Spit on Your Grave", but the long scene breaks the otherwise humorous flow of the movie. While offending me is certainly not easy, I think this might be the first film to see "the line" and cross it without looking back. If that was Nicholson's goal, mission accomplished.

I have to say this was a good film for anyone who loves gore. Faces ripped off, genitals mutilated, shotgun blasts to the head... I can't think of any film in the past decade that even comes close to this level of intensity. Some of the parts are beyond offensive, so please don't watch this with children around or anyone you're trying to impress. This is the sort of film that causes divorces. But with those precautions in mind, you'd be missing out on piece of film history if you passed up on "Gutterballs".

Two rival bowling teams made up of obnoxious and libidinous teenagers spend the night playing a high stakes game in a bowling alley. Things go terribly awry when a masked maniac starts bumping off folks left and write. Writer/director Ryan Nicholson attacks the foul and nihilistic material with an all-out no-holds-barred in-your-face graphic and unapologetic "give 'em what they want" excessive aesthetic that pulls no punches and takes zero prisoners: The teeming overload of paint-peeling profanity (the almighty f-bomb gets dropped with jaw-dropping frequency),ferocious gore, abundant nudity (male and female alike!),breathtakingly vicious kills, hot raunchy sex, and, most notoriously of all, an excruciatingly protracted and sadistic rape set piece all ensure that this one sure ain't for the faint of heart or easily offended. Moreover, Nicholson warrants additional props not only for his inspired use of the novel setting, but also for injecting a wickedly funny sense of pitch-black gallows humor as well as sticking with old school style practical make-up f/x. In fact, Nicholson's blunt'n'crude sensibility provides one hell of an extra potent kick-your-teeth-out wallop to the gut. Granted, the game cast display more enthusiasm than ability, but there are nonetheless still effective contributions by Alastair Gamble as the ultra-slimy and hateful Steve, Mihola Terzic as brash fox Sarah, Candice Lewald as the bitter Lisa, Trevor Gemma as the wimpy Patrick, Nathan Dashwood as despicable weasel A.J., Jimmy Blais as sassy transvestite Sam, and, especially, Dan Ellis as a crusty graveyard shift janitor. Mark Christopher Atkins' grungy cinematography gives this picture a spot-on dingy'n'dirty look. The funky-throbbing score by Patrick Coble and Gianni Rossi hits the get-down groovy spot. A super rough shocker that certainly delivers what it promises and then some.