Perkins' 14

Of all the '8 Films to Die For' that I've seen (which is most of them), this one is undoubtedly the best (though that isn't saying much). It's not what I'd call brilliant horror, and certainly could have been a lot better, but there are some really good ideas here and they're well carried off by the director and his cast. The film could be called a zombie film - although I think that isn't really an accurate description. The film does take some influence from said genre, but the monsters in the film aren't zombies - instead, they're teenagers high on PCP. The plot focuses on a small town cop, who is devastated by the loss of his young son some years earlier. He's called into work after one of the other cops took the night off sick, and is intrigued by one of the prisoners in his cells. He notices the guy is missing a finger, and jumps to the conclusion that he's holding the man who kidnapped his son. After sending another officer to the prisoners' house, all hell breaks loose when the fourteen maniacs being held in his basement are let loose!

The whole film takes place at night, and director Craig Singer (who previously made the half-decent 'Dark Ride') makes best use of this as it gives the film a tremendous dark atmosphere that serves the central plot line well. It's basically a film of two halves; the first half focuses on the interaction between the two central characters - the cop and the prisoner. The best thing about the first half is the suspense and intrigue drummed up as we wonder exactly what is in the guy's basement - the sequence that reveals it is really well done. The second half is much more action packed and sees the maniacs let loose on the streets, and then we watch as the cop desperately tries to keep his family safe. The film is rather savage in the gore department - though to the director's credit, he's restrained with the gore and uses it only when needed - which ensures the biggest impact. The fact that the special effects are well done is also to the film's credit. The plot line flowing throughout the film regarding the officer's son is interesting; but soon gets silly. It also has to be said that many of the character decisions throughout the film are questionable. Still, this is an interesting effort and I would say if you only see one 'film to die for', make sure it's this one.

After All The Boys Love Mandy Lane another great movie with surprisingly plots came from Hollywood. Let me first say that Patrick O'Kane gives a great performance as a copper to found out what happened to his kidnapped kid. Another great performance by the serial killer Richard Broke. What a face he has, casting excellent. The way his face has been lightened, the use of light and shadow in other scene's, the use of editing for example the scene with felicity in the toilet, man, this is perfeclty done in an arty way, luckily it never becomes arty farty. The script is great too, for me there are two films in one, first part, the story of the serial killer, second part, story of his victims. And when you think everything is okay than you get smashed in the face from the plot twists. It became time that some independent film makers in the states made some gems like this and Mandy Lane. The effects are great too, the blood and the gore is explicit. Starting as a suspense who-done-it, turning over in a zombie flick is perfectly done. I've seen the full uncut, be sure to catch that one 'cause I can guess know what will be cut out. I'm not a big zombie freak but this one surely got me.

While watching this B grade dreck, with puts the B in B grade, P14, felt like so many other over gore-tesque, horrors I've seen in the last 15 years. It's like I've seen it, all before, as in it's painful predictability, sick schlock, mediocre acting, stereotypical teen traits of it's boy/girl characters, atmospheres. Ignoring forewarnings from Daddy, what not. And if I can say this, nasty predictable endings. The story intrigued me, but I expected much more smarts, craftiness from it, instead of a flat mediocre utilization. Think Disturbing Behavior, Island Of Dr Moreau as "learn from", bettering examples of how it could of been done. Two much better players, separated from the average performers, go to O'Kane, and especially Brake-our screwed up Perkins, who has quite a sick hobby, but he is unforgettably creepy, and it's a great standout performance.. O'Kane's cop character is rather interesting, a kind of tough nut to figure. The movie is very engrossing, and picked up in the last 20 minutes, in terms of quality. All in all, it's prety slap dash. B quality, shining right through from the start. Pity, as P14 could of been so much more.

On the tenth anniversary of his son's abduction, Deputy Dwayne Hopper (Patrick O'Kane) thinks he might have the kidnapper in one of his holding cells. Ronald Perkins (Richard Brake) was picked up and all of the info he has been giving up isn't matching up. Sending an off duty buddy to Perkins' house, Hopper soon finds out that Perkins is indeed the Stone Cove Kidnapper and a man with a sinister plan. Part of After Dark Horrorfest III, this little film started off so good. It has a great premise and set up, but the major plot action ends at 40 minutes in, leaving me wondering what in the world they were going to fill the remaining 50 minutes with. The rest falls into standard "people being stalked" territory. O'Kane and Brake are interesting leads, both men having unique looks that set them apart from the usual shiny teen lead casts we see nowadays. Director Craig Singer (DARK RIDE) does an excellent job of disguising Romania for Maine and the film is incredibly well shot. Too bad he kinda blew it with the handling of the plot. Look for former Misfits replacement singer Michale Graves in a supporting role.

Start off with this, is a grade "D" horror-movie not a Merchant Ivory production of "WINDSWEPT MANOR". So you leave this film be ya-hear it ain't hurting nobody. Start off with the movie jumps around a bit and when it lands you have the dysfunctional Sheriff still grieving the loss of his son and hitting on his daughters friends. His boyz arrest a creepy guy who tries to talk his way out of jail. A further investigation leads him to believe this guy is responsible for the disappearance of his son and other kids. A deputy is sent to do an illegal search of the suspects residence. he releases the now grown son who starts infecting everyone with the crazies. The father kills the creep before he can tell them whats going on. the father won't let anyone kill his son which would've nipped this in the bud. It all culminates in a deadly stand off inside the local cop-shop.