It Stains the Sands Red

"It Stains the Sands Red" (2017) is a pretty decent zombie film; I'd rate it an 8 out of 10.

The fun starts with a truly impressive aerial shot of Las Vegas in the midst of a full blown zombie apocalypse — it's great special effects work, and it's almost enough to compensate entirely for the limited scope of the story that follows it. (This film focuses largely on one stranded woman being pursued by one zombie antagonist through the Nevada desert.)

Although much of the film might be too slow for some horror fans, it's actually surprisingly intelligent. The movie focuses on things often neglected in survival horror scenarios like this one — factors like exhaustion, the elements, firearms proficiency, the availability of basic utilities and even the availability of addictive drugs. There's more to admire too — there's a plot twist late in the game that I thought was skillfully executed. (I won't spoil it here.) Finally, our ostensibly addle-brained anti-heroine does a couple of things that I never would have thought of in order to survive.

It also boasts an incongruously beautiful setting. (This was shot in Nevada's "Valley of Fire.")

"It Stains the Sands Red" isn't perfect. There are a couple of stupid parts, particularly near the end of the story. (Were these otherwise talented screenwriters just running out of steam?) And there is one surprise plot development that will be sure to have some genre fans rolling their eyes and groaning.

Also, the makeup effects for the monster were good enough, but not stellar. (Like many longtime fans of zombie horror, I think I've been spoiled by the genius of Greg Nicotero and Tom Savini.)

I 'd still name this as a good move, however, and I'd recommend it.

I just stumbled across this on one of the premium networks, and frankly expected more of the same - just another zombie retelling, which is kind of old, at this point. Boy, was I wrong. This story is so clever, and at times hilarious. The two main actors - Brittany Allen, as a coke-addicted stripper stranded in the desert, and Juan Riedinger a zombie in not-so-hot pursuit - are absolutely dead on. So to speak. I could see where zombie purists might not like it, simply because it's so unconventional, but I think it's a hidden gem.

A few times this title passed me on the net and now that it is available it was time to pick it up. It's not going to be a flick for everyone because it do contains zombies but it's not all about the zombie(s). In fact it's between the relationship between a human and a zombie following her closely. A bit of a zombie Stockholm syndrome.

The flick itself starts off rather in a gory way and I thought that it was going to be a gory flick. In some ways it is but on the other hand it only happens when a zombie do attack. That is of course normal but as stated, it's not all about the zombies attacking. Due the fact that there is some kind of friendship starting between the two (hulan and zombie) you will have some funny situations, maybe it wasn't intended but I did had a smile here and there.

Is it all that good, the effects are really well done and are above mediocre and the acting is also okay but the script do has it flows. There are a lot of situations that you think, hub, what do happens now or why do one react that way.

Still, if you are into zombies it's a must see, it'do has it gore but it's never scary. It fits perfectly in the horror genre but I can understand that some will turn it off due plot holes and the story itself.

Gore 2/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 3/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0,5/5

I understand that some people will not like this at all. It is annoying, you have a main character who's morally bankrupt, annoying and does not really seem to have any redemption value. Add to that decision making of the questionable kind and you have a dangerous mix. Dangerous because the interest of the viewer may wane to put it mildly.

Having said that and in stark contrast to all that, there are quite a few funny and really good moments. They may feel like skits and sometimes out of touch with the rest of the movie. And still they are able to elevate it, be it because of the humor, the tension or some sort short violence outburst. Sometimes a combination, which makes you wonder if underneath it all there was a way better movie, with a bit more time spent on the script, the characters and just in general. The main actress does her best to carry the movie (no pun intended), don't confuse despicable behavior with bad acting ... I hope this helped you decide if it is worth giving this a chance or not ...

First off, this is worth a watch, and it's far better than the 2-3 stars some reviewers are awarding.

Woman takes an unplanned "walking holiday" in the Nevada desert and picks up an unwanted follower in the form of a slow but relentless Zombie, is a great premise.

Brittany Allen as Molly does a perfectly acceptable job in the lead playing a character who has to deal with increasingly grim situations with nothing but steely determination 5 grams of cocaine to see her through.

In the last act the film lost it's clarity but still just about kept it together.

6 out of ten, could have been a 7 with a tighter ending.