Harvesters

I just have to say this was the first movie I learned of two people I have come to admire their work since first seeing them. One is Director Joe Ripple which I have seen all of his films since this one. I also began to admire Leanna Chamish one of the main actresses in this film whom I have also followed her career since. Both did a great job with this film and I certainly became a fan after seeing this film. I think its one of the best Independent films I have seen along with a lot of their other stuff. Joe Ripple has done an excellent job in the independent horror film scene and is certainly continuing to grow his following. He is truly a guy who is dedicated to making each of his films better and truly enjoys what he does. As well, Leanna Chamish who worked on this film with him continues to work with him getting better with each film she does as well. Both are real people who love the art of what they are doing beyond making a big name, or just big bucks for themselves. Truly if you watch a lot of the behind the scenes stuff in any of Ripple's movie one quickly learns what a giving and honestly nice guy he is. I for one would love the chance to work with him in a movie even if I just got killed off in a quick scene would certainly be worth it to me.

If this film weren't shot on mom's camcorder, which lends a certain amateur quality that isn't the "fun" kind, it might be a sort of minor trash classic. It's flamboyantly sleazy but also hapless, which is good, so the sleaze feels entertainingly faux. (Rather than, y'know, icky.) The performances are bad but committed, the story moves along despite a lack of real surprises, and the violence is ample--even if the gore is pretty much Halloween-party-grade. In other words, it's a guilty pleasure...just not a memorable one. It does seem to be a step up from the director's prior work--I tried something called "Fiend" first, and that was a little too much on the "unwatchable" side.

"Harvesters" is a thoroughly entertaining mishmash of genres. It starts out as a "criminals on the lam" picture, segues into a home invasion thriller, and finally becomes an outright horror film. The striking Donna Sherman stars as Frankie Falzone, a Gulf War veteran who's become the ringleader of an outlaw gang. While on the run, they carjack a young woman, and force her to drive them to her place. Before too long, they learn that they actually picked the worst possible place to hideout: this family is hiding a bloodthirsty secret.

This viewer had a lot of fun with this one, precisely because it's like three movies in one. While it does NOT really measure up to classics like "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and "Motel Hell", it's quite enjoyable. Maryland-based cult favourite Don Dohler wore a lot of hats on this one: writer, producer, cinematographer, editor, sound designer, and end titles designer! The director is a man named Joe Ripple, who also co-stars as a Federal Marshal tailing Frankies' gang. He gives the outrageous story great pace; it hits the ground running, and rarely lets up. Dohlers' screenplay may not hold up to a lot of scrutiny, but while the movie is playing out, the viewer may not really mind. The gore and deaths are delightfully nasty, and Dohler & Ripple make sure to include a lot of sex: some of the supporting actresses are quite attractive, and a number of them do show off the goods.

One of the irresistible hooks is that you have a main female character who's not really "good" or likeable at all, but you sure end up rooting for her in the final quarter-hour of the movie. In fact, very few characters in this story are what most people would consider likeable. It makes things a little more interesting.

Granted, a lot of the acting is amateurish. The closest thing the cast has to a "name" is Dohler / early John Waters favourite George Stover, as the father figure among the Harvesters. That said, Sherman and sexy teens Jaime Kalman & Erin Palmisano still manage to be real bright spots: they're fun to watch, especially during the big action finale.

Overall, this is definitely a bit better than a lot of the B genre pictures taking up space on store shelves.

Seven out of 10.

Watched it both on VHS & DVD! This is Don Dohler's best ever film and guaranteed to please his long time fans as well as new recruits. Joe Ripple deserves kudos for his directorial debut and should be motivated to do another film as quickly as possible. Here is hoping that Dohler and Ripple team up again to scare the "crap" out of us and make our "guts" churn with heart thumping mayhem! Don't miss this bloody epic!

This movie is nothing but a roller coaster ride from start to finish. I can't believe that a film like this never made the theaters! The plot was good, the acting was great, and the special effects...THEY ROCK! Hot chicks, cool deaths, and kickin music make this film a must see! You got to get the DVD though, just for the behind the scenes documentary. Joe Ripple, Don Dohler and Sean Quinn put everything they had into this film, and it shows! You guys ROCK!