Red Screening - Blutige Vorstellung

This is not what I was looking for at all, I was hopeful because of the creative usage of the movie theater atmosphere but this director was obviously more influenced by the experience of being a child in the late 1980s or early 90s and watching slasher flicks than anything else. Depressingly, the film they're watching in the theater for our "meta" experience as an audience is complete crap. Apparently, the folks creating Al morir la matinee could not purchase the rights to something a little more recognizable even if it was low grade sleaze. One Dario Argento poster for Opera hangs prominently in lobby, but we're dragged through some American D-movie I've never even heard of.

5 stars for style, totally watchable, just probably never again unless I'm stuck in a hotel with basic cable somewhere.

An interesting film. The production is ok for me, and considering the small budget, this is a real little masterpiece. All the elements of retro horror are there. It was interesting to watch him. The music is great. The rain that is constantly falling complements the phenomenal atmosphere that is missing in many films of this genre today ...

The Last Matinee is a stylish and well shot homage to the giallo films of Dario Argento and maybe a few nods to the Spanish thriller Anguish. On the technical side of things, there are few complaints. Lighting is beautiful and the gore effects are really well done, but the script goes off the path a few too many times during its first hour and the pacing can get a little sluggish. The final act is at least a bit more entertaining as the surviving moviegoers band together to stop this killer who collects eyeballs.

The Last Matinee gets the giallo gore and style right on the mark, but also carries over its lack of interesting characters and story drive. It takes a bit too long to get to the slashing and everything plays out about as one would expect. There are very few surprises, but it's entertaining enough for a one time watch.

Yes if you like slasher movies (Giallos too sure), you will have more fun with this, than other people have. And while there is no nudity to speak of, some may think that it still has enough "sexuality" (or too much?) in it. Especially the one thing that is the cinema equivalent of the Mile High dream/fantasy ... not saying all have that, but generally speaking.

But this is a horror movie, so the focus is on the kills ... and they are quite creative - especially the first one. Not just smoke and mirrors - pun very much intended. And then the killer is also sticking it to people ... anyway, there really isn't much story or plot. The movie that is playing in the theatre might have more to tell than the actual movie ... I don't know. If you watch it, watch it for the kills and thrills as they say - of course the afficionados do not need this reminder, but for everyone else: it is just a movie! No one wants that happening in real life.