Wineville

I knew going in that this was one of those films that I couldn't compare to a mainstream film. I read all the critic reviews, saw all the disdain for it. To my surprise, it was watchable, and to be fair I've seen weaker plots come out of big budget Hollywood movies. It reminded me a bit of 1998's U-turn, and I'm sure fans of lurid, under-the-radar cinema will find something to enjoy here at least.

And of course there is Joe, who you know from the beginning is a nutcase but you can't help but find him appealing. The actor is definitely a looker. Honestly I don't know whether or not his gay scene was bait or not, and I don't really care (it was kinda hot - until it wasn't).

All in all a very rough, small budget endeavor that plays it a bit safe for the crowd it was aiming for and it shows its weaknesses throughout, though I can't help but feel that with some proper mentoring, a good writing staff, more risks, tighter pacing and better editing, this might have been a solid cult film. As it is though, it's inevitably going to be lost in the wide sea of better produced genre efforts. I admire the attempt though and hopefully it was a valuable learning experience for ?first time?director ms Roderick. I've seen a lot of first worse first attempts, if indeed it was.

Brande Roderick's directorial debut proves that a passion project can excel. A woman returns to the murderous vineyard her abusive father disguised to close out its sale after his passing. Ed Gein meets Norman Bates with a sprinkle of the Firefly family makes for a bloody good time. Brande is a wonderful person and her genuine nature that is shown when meeting fans comes through in this film as you can tell she took great care in its design and execution. You don't need a big studio in your back pocket to show that you have what it takes in the horror genre. Brande has it and this is only the start.

Most horror films take a while to get going but this film hits the gore immediately. A true story of the Wineville chicken coop murders, sees Tess Lott (Brande Roderick) revisit her family home as she has inherited it due to her relative passing.

Its been years since she visited because of a tormented past thanks to her weird incestuous family, she reluctantly revisits with her boy to finalise paperwork.

She's greeted by a familiar face who she'd rather not associate with but has no option but to.

During her stay those visiting or passing disappear in gory fashion and are searched for by the local sherrif who takes a shine to the her.

Needless to say when people start going missing its her and her boys turn to run for their lives... do they make it out alive?

Excellent performances from all the cast that make this flick very watchable.

Turn off the lights, close the curtains and grab some scary movie popcorn and enjoy!

First of all this is certainly not the genre of film that catches my attention. Was never much for horror films. Never on my hit parade. I figured let me give it a shot since I have always been a fan of Brande Roderick. Never knew she was into producing and directing. Well I was pleasantly surprised. Brande and Richard put together a fun watch. The movie went at a nice pace and the characters were well chosen. I guess the Wineville Chicken Coop murders were a true story. I am looking forward to seeing more from the two of them. Don't see a Wineville 2 but I am sure Brande will come up with something else.

This is a film that I got the chance to see thanks to Erika from Gold Dust PR. Coming into this one, I did have a press release which I used to confirm that this was a 2024 horror release. It also seemed like this could be a slasher film, which isn't always my favorite subgenre. Other than that, I came into this one blind.

Synopsis: a woman who fled her abusive father's vineyard as a teenager returns after his death. She uncovers her family's dark secrets, which have festered, leading to violence and death, as she settles the estate.

We start this in the car of Missy (Christie Nicole Chaplin). It subtly alerts us that we're in the 1970s with news on the radio. She sees a guy in a truck pulled over so she sees if he needs help. He is Joe (Casey King). She offers him a ride and he accepts. It then shifts over to them making out. She inquires if there is a more private place to go. We then see her wake up, strapped to a harness and someone stabs her in the stomach with shears.

This then shifts us over to our lead, Tess (Brande Roderick), with her son, Walter (Keaton Roderick Cadrez). They're on their way to the vineyard from the synopsis. Tess didn't tell her son about her family. The story she told him growing up was that they were all dead. Walter is annoyed with her and having to come all this way. Tess is unsure of what to do either, so that makes it difficult. There are bad memories here.

I'll then introduce her aunt, Margaret (Carolyn Hennesy). She helped her brother run this farm. Joe is a guy that they helped raise when he showed up one day as a boy. These two plead with Tess, in so many words, about not selling the farm. This is their lively hood. Tess hasn't made up her mind yet and has a few days to do so.

The disappearance of Missy leads the local sheriff to the farm, John Hicks (Texas Battle). He asks if Margaret or Joe saw her, which they claim they haven't. John is shocked to see Tess, until he remembers her father's passing. They were friends in junior high. There does seem to be attraction here as well.

Old memories are drudged up here and we learn more about the dark truth hidden within this farm. Tess has a difficult position, as she doesn't want to reveal things to her son who is enjoying their time here. Joe seems like a nice enough guy, but we see he has a temper. There is a history of missing persons as well, which continues to grow.

That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to our characters. Where I'll start is that this has a decent enough concept. This is set in the past to not have to deal with cell phones. I'm not sure the flashbacks work well enough for the time that it is set, but it also doesn't do anything that ruins the façade either. This does feel like it is inspired by things like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre or similar films where we have this isolated farm where people are going missing and it is being noticed. It is an easy recipe to follow, just not necessarily original.

Now that I have that set up, let's delve more into our lead. This tries to be a character study of her. Tess is a single mother who has a history of abuse at the hands of her father. We also learn that her mother killed herself because of it and Tess fled. Again, not a new concept, but it works fine for a movie like this. I figured out a reveal well before it was given. It is in line with what I've said here. That was something else that didn't shock me to learn. My only issue there would just be that I wasn't sure of ages. What I'll say here is that Roderick, who also directed this, did well at conveying this story and the pain that her character has. She's fine in the lead role.

I've already said that I like the isolated setting and the time they put this story since that prevents technology. It is also scarier when someone is being attacked since you know no one is coming to help. This does go brutal there and when we get practical effects those are good. I'll even say here that the cinematography and framing help to set this all up. Another thing with the isolated location, it makes sense that the abuse happening would go unchecked. Part of that again is the period. My issue here though is that it feels like the different ones used were just there for shock value. If it is happening to one of the characters, it doesn't shock me to learn that it is a history of abuse as well

That should be enough for the story, let me finish out the filmmaking aspects. How this was shot and the practical effects were good. If I have an issue, it comes with the CGI. It doesn't hold up and that took me out of the believability. I understand that is budgetary so I won't hold it against this too much. Other than that, the soundtrack and design was solid. They used music that felt of the era. I also like that characters hear screaming and voices as well, which builds tension.

All that is left then is acting. I've already said that our lead, Roderick, was fine. Battle works as this sheriff who is doing his job but has limited evidence to go on. I thought that him and Tess with their interactions were cute. Hennesy works as this older woman who must toe a fine line of hating her niece, but also needing her help to keep the farm. King works as this guy who was homeschooled and now is awkward with human interactions. I also like how sexual urges make him uncomfortable. That makes sense as this goes on. Taylor Murphy-Sinclair, Chris Schellenger and Chaplin were fine in their minor roles. Cadrez and the rest of the cast are also fine for what was needed.

In conclusion, I thought that this was a solid modern slasher. It is set in the past, to help alleviate the use of technology, which is fine. It doesn't necessarily look like the past outside of outfit choices and vehicles. What I'll credit there is using this isolated farm since that gives it a timeless feel. The characters are fine and I'd say that their acting performances work. This is made well enough with the cinematography and framing to help hide the seams. My only issue there is the use of CGI doesn't hold up. It also feels like they include taboo concepts for the shock value. Not a great film, but I did enjoy my time here.

My Rating: 6 out of 10.