Storm Warning

And not just pain down under - although I guess that's where it comes from. Puns aside, this Australian movie never made it to Germany uncut. Still the fact that the movie is violent made the ratings board declare this a despicable work of art. Although I'm not sure they even consider it art.

But their prejudices aside, yes this is a very violent movie. And yes you should not be squeamish at all. Still the story is nicely told and you can relate to the main characters. The good ones that is. The mean and bad characters may seem unreasonable (they are), but it's not like we are not aware that this is a movie overall. Decent horror movie for hardcore fans

I must say that I really thought I was going to be disappointed with this movie but I was pleasantly surprised. The plot itself was pretty standard - innocent people stumble across a hilly-billy house and trouble follows. Familiar plot aside, I have to admit that this was a great survival flick and once it got started, the gore was never-ending. The death scenes are pretty realistic and creative. I cringed and I don't often do that. Once the real fighting starts, I couldn't help but to root for the victims and almost feel sorry for the bad guys. It is savage and unrelenting. The acting was pretty decent by all involved and the mood was always dark and sadistic. I could watch this over and over! Definitely worth a watch and although it is not on the same level as movies like Wrong Turn and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, if you enjoyed those films, this movie should definitely satisfy your hunger for horror!

The lawyer Rob (Robert Taylor) and his French wife Pia (Nadia Farès) rent a small motor boat to spend the day fishing at the sea. In the end of the day, Rob decides to steer the boat through marsh islands but they become lost and stranded while a storm is coming.

Rob decides to walk with Pia to find a shelter and they reach a dilapidated house with no one home. Rob also finds a decrepit greenhouse with a plantation of marijuana. Out of the blue, three rednecks arrive in the place and the abusive and deranged brothers Jimmy (David Lyons) and Brett (Mathew Wilkinson) point shotguns to them and torture Rob and Pia while their father "Poppy" (John Brumpton) goes to his room to rest. The couple soon realizes that Pia will be raped by the sadistic and they will be killed after and they decide to fight back.

"Storm Warning" is a brutal and gore slasher with an unoriginal storyline that surprisingly works well, supported by great direction and performances and excellent cinematography, special effects and camera work. The decision of Pia, when she learns that she will be raped by the rednecks, is the best moment of this highly recommended film. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Aviso de Tempestade" ("Storm Warning")

This is a very effective low budget offering from the Southern hemisphere.

The plot is pretty simple, revolving around a yuppie couple who stumble upon a backwoods family who take them prisoner. What elevates this film above similar tales is the sheer sense of menace and relentless vulnerability that is created, and also the sheer energy and inventiveness with which the captors are depicted.

Personally, I felt very uncomfortable throughout and I empathised with the couple who had somehow got themselves into so much trouble. The woman, who to make matters worse is French, is under constant threat of rape. I felt particularly sorry for her lawyer boyfriend who is helplessly out of his depth and fully aware that he is unable to defend her.

However, she is made of pretty stern stuff and when her boyfriend is incapacitated by the savage yokels they have encountered she takes matters into her own hands and begins the fight back.

This protracted turning of the tables takes up the final third of the film and is handled with great energy and and enthusiasm. Some old-school booby traps are employed against one of the villains whilst she has another trick up her, ahem, sleeve which really has to be seen to be believed.

Without giving too much away, I found the eventual structure of this film quite fascinating and original, but for the casual viewer alike this film really delivers. There is plenty of atmosphere, humour, set-piece carnage and thrills for everyone and the hyped up soundtrack keeps things moving along nicely.

I can't believe any true fan of the horror genre can walk away from this film without fully appreciating it for what it offers. This movie really delivers on several levels. First, for a low-budget film, the cinematography is breathtaking. The film grade used is not grainy like you might expect for the budget, the camera work is exceptional, and the lighting is expertly used to create many different moods. Also, the soundtrack is awesome, with a lot of bass that will make your sub-woofer work overtime. Second, the acting is well above-average for the genre, and all actors deliver convincing performances in roles that make this situation particularly believable. I was unable to tear myself away from this film for a second, and it is a roller coaster ride that has to be seen to be believed! Nine stars.