Baby Blue

I am not sure what movie everyone else in the reviews watched, but it was not this one. I am willing to bet that the reviews praising it are either friends of if not the actual people who worked on the film, because besides cinematography, it was terrible. This movie is a amalgamation of several tropes that make other movies good, essentially trying to be 3 separate movies...and fails on all fronts.

The film references way better movies like "The Ring" and "The Shinning", the director stating something along the lines of this being a love letter to the genre... nope. As a mess of a film that can not seem to figure out what it wants to be, and can not seem to keep it's own plotlines coherent or consistent. Referencing or nodding to better films does not make yours any better. Even as a student film it would be subpar. The film attempts so many potentially great things, yet somehow can not deliver.

If "edging" was a movie, this is it. Go watch a classic horror, or a gritty crime drama. Would have rather put toothpicks under my toenails and kicked a wall than watch this again. Trash movie, garbage story, sad credit for all involved. Unfortunately, it isn't even a "The Room" kind of movie that is "so bad its it's good" and will becomes a cult classic. It's just plain bad in all aspects, besides the cinematography.

If it seems like I am ranting or hating on the movie, I am. I have no skin in the game, but the fact that this is my first review in my entire life, and the only film I walked away feeling like I wasted my time...that should say something.

The final scene was seemingly thrown in last second in hope's of a sequel, although fitting as it was a terrible ending.

The plot was great. I kind of knew that it would be a good movie because Anthony Turpel was there (and c'mon, look at him). But that suspense was WOW!. It was so hook grabbing that midway I almost forgot about Turpel and just enjoyed the film. I have to say the best part of these movies is the realism they bring compared to big Hollywood movies. They kind of create a documentary/curiosity feel that's never too tense so you can rest easy at night. However, I have never cursed (no pun intended) out so many people while watching a horror movie in my life. I wanted to punch each character in the face or become Baby Blue so that I can make them punch themselves. I really do praise the directors for articulating the best annoying hipster character they could. They deserve a raise. But other than that, really great movie. And there was no sarcasm in this review (literally) 😐.

Some things I liked: 1. I thought all of the cast of the teenage video crew were great - good acting makes the difference in a low budget film between being a fun, raw, cultish flick and something unwatchable. Yes, Cyrus is kind of goofy, but he pulled off the rage and the fight in the end and I really ended up liking his character.

2. They were smart to cover the baby-faced killer's face in blood throughout the movie. Otherwise it would have been hard to picture him as a killer.

3. The story was recycled, sure, but with a bunch of fun twists and retelling.

4. The little Easter Egg of mama's third t*t. That whole scene was gross, but funny.

Things that missed the mark for me: 1. Nobody seems to give a crap what happened to hutch, and there's no follow through.

2. The very last scene - Come on!

It's a clearly low-budgeted little indie horror flick, but they really got the most out of the moderate means. The premise is not that original (a group of not so bright youngsters who want to make it in the world of internet vlogs go on a ghost-hunting trip), it's a bit like Ghostbusters with a camera, or a Scooby-Doo episode without Scooby-Doo. But they still made a pretty decent story of it, with a serious sinister undertone and a creepy atmosphere. The few VFX were convincing enough, it has a good pace, and the acting was fine (although the annoying August character went way over the top!). Just a pity that the actor they used for the killer didn't look in any way as menacing and horrifying as was intended, in spite of covering his face with blood smears; the sunglasses and cigarets made him look almost cute, like some defiant teen.

If anything, the writing was a bit unbalanced. The dead, but still haunting serial killer didn't get any serious background or motives for his acts. The unfortunately killed Hutch seemed to be forgotten by everyone, including the writers, as was the sister of Baby Blue who apparently still hovers in that house (or I missed some clue). Her sudden change of sides from obedient daughter to the savior of the victims came totally out of the blue. And the very last scene in the car impressed as an afterthought of the writers: hey, let's throw in something that we could use for a sequel! But there were some pretty strong scenes too: the blinded guy in the basement looked great, and the whole sequence with the deranged mother from hell and her milk-obsession was absolutely top notch!

This is a cross between Smile, It Follows, The Ring and even Barbarian believe it or not. It's also a combination of tech horror/found footage/reality. It's really unpredictable and well paced, thoroughly enjoyable film!

So for once Tubi puts its hat in the ring for a (probably licensed after finished) movie that's actually good! Yay!

The plot is simple, like many neo-slashers, this is about an entity that kills. For those that haven't seen it THE ENTITY (1981) is fantastic and ahead of it's time.

No spoilers, but the movie is quick paced, funny at parts and the plot is well constructed as well and has some good creepy and scary moments. 6.9/10!