Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is one of those tiny fright gems that didn't make much of a splash when it was released (but then how could it? It only opened on about 75 screens nationwide), but it remains one the more clever post modern horror flicks in recent memory.

Taking place in a world where boogeymen like Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Jason Vorhees actually exist, Behind the Mask tells the tale of Leslie Vernon, a homicidal maniac who has aspirations of being the biggest and baddest psychopath of them all. To get his name out there, he agrees to allow a college documentary film crew to follow him around as he stalks and slashes an unsuspecting group of young victims. First, he shows the eager, amateur film makers how he prepares himself for an evening of murderous carnage. In one of the film's more hilarious moments, he explains that most psychopaths have to do tons of cardio before going on a killing spree so that they might be able to keep up with the numerous victims who try to flee by foot.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon isn't as scary as I hoped it would be, but it is extremely creative in the way that it winks at slasher films of the past before ultimately becoming one itself.

Writer/director Scott Glosserman's debut is incredibly playful and lead Nathan Baesel is a riot in the title role (a sort of deranged Jim Carrey type). The gore level is merely moderate, but if you're a fan of the genre, you'll smile throughout this love letter to old school horror. It even features bit parts by genre faves (look for a supporting performance by Robert England of A Nightmare on Elm Street fame, and a cameo by Poltergeist's little paranormal expert Zelda Rubenstein).

While Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon lacks the all out edge of the similarly themed Man Bites Dog, I was still won over by the lively energy of this wonderfully charming (I can't believe I'm using the word "charming" to describe a film of this nature) slasher movie. Scott Glosserman is a talent to watch for. Be sure to pick up Behind the Mask on DVD. It's the perfect title for your Halloween movie collection.