Carnage & Deception: A Killer's Perfect Murder

I just saw a preview of Derek Maki's Carnage and Deception.

Besides the fact that Mr. Maki had minimal funding, he was able to come away with a smart and refreshingly scary movie. Well acted and edited beyond perfection, this movie is done quite well

Carnage and Deception fails to deliver on its brief promise of a plot. No character in this film has any clear story or emotional arc. Derek Maki delivers a culminating scene which leaves us baffled and in awe that so many people can work so hard on something that makes so little sense. The most disturbing thing about this film, is that someone thought the premise "What if someone was killed in a pool?" was enough to base an entire film around. There are so many unanswered questions and unexplored avenues it's blowing my mind. And even if the writing were of the highest caliber, nothing could rescue this film from its painful production quality, grating score, and cable access-style directing. And I don't even have anything against this guy! I'm sorry, Derek, I really am.

Every so many years a movie in the indie circuit appears that gives us a taste of great things to come. In the 90's little movies like Reservoir Dogs, Bottle Rockets, and Hard Eights set the careers for three of the hottest directors in the business. 2003 is not devoid of a possible legacy as well.

Derek Maki's film, Carnage and Deception, has the possibility of being just that. It cuts new grounds in its relentless display of the criminal mind, and brings back memories of a Criterion Collection staple, Man Bites Dog. We see a murder plot through the eyes of a killer. It is not glamorized. It is not there for the sake of shock value, but it is there for the sake of gruesome truth.

What makes us interested in these characters, and so akin to the wacky inner rambling that they weave. If this is any indication of what Coolwater productions has the capacity of creating, then movie buffs, get ready for something to come. If you are so lucky to finagle a viewing of Carnage and Deception then see it. If not plot your own perfect "crime" so you can. Otherwise, keep your eyes open for what the Mak-man will have to offer.

I hear via the grapevine a piece about a Cabin being produced that has potential to spare. Needless to say I can't hardly wait.

as an indy film producer myself I was really impressed with what Derek Maki did with the budget he had, don't know what that budget was but I am sure he had more money on screen than what was actually spent on the movie...good job

not too too bad for a first film. maki would make a good bad guy with a better script and budget. the focus of the film was given to "mary" whose acting ability as that most interesting real character was truly superior. who knew?

it got better as we watched and once i realized i could laugh, i did. one could tell derek was having a good time.