Return to Cabin by the Lake

This was a good movie, but it wasn't as good as the first one. Judd Nelson does a great job at playing psychopathic killer Stanley Caldwell. I don't want to say too much because I might give some important information to those who haven't seen this movie yet. I'll just say this; It's VERY strange. I got a little confused on some parts but I liked it. And it's kind of funny too. There's a part in this movie where Stanley puts a firecracker in this guy's ear to make him talk!! And the guy's screaming and yelling him to take it out! (The firecracker's lighted, by the way). Anyway I'll shut up and let you all see the movie. It's good and hope you enjoy it. I'm just warning you, in my opinion, this movie is not as good as the first one!! Bye for now.

What a great bad movie! In this sequel to the story where a screenwriter enacts his own murderous screenplay (as he's writing it in the same mountain town where pre-production for the film is already going on), the now presumably dead and posthumously legendary writer-killer sneaks back on the set of the now-in-production movie (in 3 different clever disguises) and ever-so ironically discusses himself with everyone. Got it? The writing is sometimes fairly good, especially in the second half. The premise is interesting and despite loads of silliness, it's kinda kooky and fun. Judd Nelson just doesn't disturb me enough, though. I keep thinking of New Jack City and The Breakfast Club. Not to mention that damn Brooke Shields sitcom. However, one of the finest assets in the film is an incredibly overacted Brian Krause. Last time I saw him, he was the monster-hunk in Stephen King's "Sleepwalkers." That was around ten years ago, and it looks about 20. He plays the stereotypically abusive, ego-ridden, and sleazy director of the new picture who claims he was good friends with the killer/writer. Naturally Judd Nelson disabuses him of that notion.

Krause is pure B-movie dynamite. He acts like a starving bum eats..with incredible gusto and absolutely no attention to the results.

Of more amusement yet is the wacky directing and cinematography. The director like to emulate Oliver Stone in the worst possible way.switching film stock all over the place. I'm no film student, but I know 8mm film and hand -held video camera results when I see them. So a lot of the crucial scenes look like they were filmed in part by the camera crew from COPS. And it's totally inappropriate to the 'scary' feel. There is a scene that has got to be Sam Raimi homage, with the camera spiraling up from Judd Nelson's face after he wakes up. At least he got that right. So check this out on USA. I was lucky (?) enough to catch the first one for the 1rst time the night before, so of course I just had to watch this premiere. And what a super experience it was.

I truly love Cabin By the Lake, and Judd Nelson's character, Stanley, is great, watching the first film,I almost became sympathetic with his situation, which is evedence of truely great writing. The Return to Cabin by the Lake has a great plot basis, but is poorly done. I am giving all due credit to Mr. Nelson, he did a great job on the acting...for what was givin to him. I can only think that this film was intentially directed badly as a joke. But what really bothers me about the film is how every other minute the camera would change to a hi-8. I believe the director only did this because of Quentin Tarantino's commentary of Pulp Fiction, when he said that recording with a hi-8 is a great cinimetogrophy trick for "campy" horror films. As in the first film, this was left open for a sequel, I hope on the next one, they take a higher road.

Well, even for a Made-for-TV movie, this was just junk! Judd Nelson reprises his role as demented Stanley Caldwell; Badly! This just goes to show that sequels suck, for the most part. Ridiculous, absurd and trite. The plot offered nothing new, or original. The whole, Movie about the events from the first film, thing was just inane, and has been done to death. The killings were formulaic and dull. The beginning sequence with the first female victim. Come on; Who leaves a potted "fake" plant like that on a boat. In a pot that, looked to wieght a hundred pounds. And, what did it crawl its way up to that lady. That is what they made it appear. Then the cocaine addict. COCAINE DOESN'T MAKE YOU GIDDY!!! IT IS A DOWNER! That guy acted, overacted, like he was on laughing gas, instead. Overall a very disappointing effort, and of course a useless, open-ended ending that will hopefully not breed another Cabin by the Lake. What would they call it: The Return of the Return of the Cabin by the Lake! Or "Hell, you apparently liked the first and the 2nd, so let's do it again"

0 out of 10

A while ago I saw Cabin By The Lake on the USA Network, and I thought it was a really cool movie, then recently I found out the sequal was being shown TONIGHT! I just finished watching it, and it was better than the first! I'm not sure wether it was a good or a bad point, but some of the camera shots seemed somewhat... amateurish... like a home movie, similar to the style used in the Blair Witch Project, shaky camera, close up, just no professional quality to it, this struck me as odd, but it gave the movie a certain feel to it. The actresses are good looking I must admit! And if I had to pick any psycho to be like I'm sure I would choose Stanley, the whole calm approach to tormenting the victims, making them aware of what is happening to them is the approach I took... er, i mean, would take if i were a serial killer ;) The whole plot of the movie was well linked, things would happen which would make you question what was happening, then further along something completely unexpected happens making you think "ahh so thats why he did that earlier". All in all it was a good movie, worth seeing if you're a horror fan, it's kinda light hearted in a way, you start to feel for Stanley, understand his character and understand what's going on, and get annoyed at various other characters and WANT Stanley to kill them! :) Go watch it! Enjoy the movie!