Axe to Grind

Going through a rough patch in their relationship, a woman shows up on her ex-husband's newest film to prove their relationship can handle anything, but as time goes on and the cast and crew start disappearing, they realize someone is killing them as a means of revenge and must find a way to stop it.

This was a pretty fun indie slasher. One of the better features here is the rather enjoyable setup that manages to highlight the burgeoning insanity while undergoing the film shoot. The unhinged nature she displays while trying to ease their tensions about her being involved, the subtle comments about her knowing something the others don't due to their desire to get to filming, the flashbacks to her confrontation with her ex-husband and the scenes involving her being targeted and tormented by the voices in her head all play quite a fun picture of her mental instability. Given that this goes along nicely with the film shoot going on where the terrible film being shot at the abandoned hospital plays into her psychosis rather well as she balances being unhinged and acting quite nicely. That also gives this one a lot to like as her psychotic breakdown manages to foster some enjoyable confrontations and action scenes. The initial brawling in the dressing room involving the series of make-up appliances generates some fun to get this one going, much like the later freak-outs on the set. Targeting the director in the boiler room, trapping the cameraman in the rehearsal room, or confronting the one actress while waiting on a break provides a slew of rather enjoyable indie-style sequences where she confronts them and begins attacking in a psychotic rage. Giving these a nice bit of fun gore featuring the brutality of the kills involving the various murder weapons and the tense stalking gives this a bit of suspense as well, there's enough here to give this one a lot to like. There isn't much to dislike but it does have some drawbacks. One of the main detriments is the somewhat odd manner of switching around the flashbacks to her and her ex-husband's encounter throughout the film which feels quite oddly structured. The information presented here is fine and helps to solve the mystery of her psychotic behavior but the setup of doing this at random intervals to break up the running order to give these more context at the expense of the film's momentum. As well, there's also the issue with the strange setup involving the relationship with the janitor as the scenes of them cleaning up after the crimes and torturing victims is a strange storyline that's never explained and has no conclusion so it doesn't have a purpose here. With the low-budget origins also in place, these end up holding it down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, and Brief Nudity.

There was actually a lot of promise to the premise of an ageing Scream Queen taking revenge on her younger replacements, and at times this film touches upon that and really could have been something special. However overall it is hard to recommend a film that just shows promise but never truly delivers.

In this case the premise is let down by the lack of plot and acting, something the film itself references (points for trying but simply saying 'our film doesn't really have much of a plot, just tits and violence' isn't enough to excuse this, especially when as film- makers you are self-aware enough to make this point). Also as a side point, as a movie that rests its hat on exploitation, in terms of nudity; there is some, but not anywhere near as much as you would perhaps expect. The violence too is lacking somewhat due to budget and imagination.

Furthermore the movie premise is hamstrung by a lack of viable victims to begin with, as such the movie attempts to stretch out deaths and has nothing to fill in the time with. Perhaps if the characters had been better developed then this would have been more effective, but there really is nothing added past their bios given in the first few seconds of their appearance in the movie. If you are going to use these women as just bodies to watch and chop then why not have seven or eight with some fun deaths?

So overall the movie can only be described as a let down, lacking the appropriate level of talent, fun and even nudity to really justify more than a casual watch if you are a fan of boobs.

The story offers up some cheeky humor with dialog that is delivered with zest. Sometimes the acting falls flat and feels contrived, but for the most part "Axe To Grind" runs smoothly. Debbie Rochon is all about her character from the word go! I imagine playing this character was a bit cathartic. On the down side, the story is weak and cliché, with all the expected moments set up in touchstone formula. Some of the dramatic scenes step into the "over acted" stage, but the cast is committed to their characters and it shows on screen. This makes for an entertaining b-movie spectacle.

The special effects are on the cheaper side but acceptable, and they work their necessary magic to sell the screens. I did see some CGI blood spray, something I detest, but there was enough respect for the genre that organic blood splatter and practical effects are plenty in "Axe To Grind". The sound track and sound effects are the standard streams of instrumental affair. The music and effects work, they get you into the attitude and fun headspace of " Axe To Grind ".

Overall, " Axe To Grind" falls short of the desired energy that the story and acting demands. The film keeps an even upward momentum, it just doesn't completely carry the thrills and chills with it. It has a staged feel haunts the sequences. A set 'em up, knock 'em down" type deal. But their is a female slasher, the carnage is present, and Rochon is entertaining on screen. Check it out, just know that it barely gets above mediocre overall.