Al morir la matinée

It's a soaking wet day with rain pouring down and one of the best hings to do is to go seek refuge in a great old cinema. There's only a problem: A scary murderer is on the loose and he also has taken refuge there.

That's the plot of the Uruguayan horror movie Red Screening (Al morir la Matrinee) which is a throwback to old 80'ies horror movies, where colour and style is more important than the believeability of the plot. It's a beautiful, dark and very moody film, which is a treat to see.

Thoughts go to both Scream, Cinema Paradiso, Stage Fright and even the rains of Blade Runner, and I'm quite sure the film makers have seen them all. A real treat, and well played.

A beautiful homage to giallo films, to horror, to cinema in general. Loved the cinematography and the score - reminding you Demons and others from that time in some moments. The direction is also refreshing with a big variety of different angles and shots.

I really loved the first act and most of the deaths. Unfortunately, I was not convinced by some acting and stupid reactions (maybe an homage to giallo? Maybe a bit too far?) and that's the only reason this is not at the very top of the best horrors of the year.

This is not what I was looking for at all, I was hopeful because of the creative usage of the movie theater atmosphere but this director was obviously more influenced by the experience of being a child in the late 1980s or early 90s and watching slasher flicks than anything else. Depressingly, the film they're watching in the theater for our "meta" experience as an audience is complete crap. Apparently, the folks creating Al morir la matinee could not purchase the rights to something a little more recognizable even if it was low grade sleaze. One Dario Argento poster for Opera hangs prominently in lobby, but we're dragged through some American D-movie I've never even heard of.

5 stars for style, totally watchable, just probably never again unless I'm stuck in a hotel with basic cable somewhere.

This a a film set in the early '90s and the ambience, clothing and set design really took me back to those care free days of my youth. All together, this was a good slasher with above average special fx.

An interesting film. The production is ok for me, and considering the small budget, this is a real little masterpiece. All the elements of retro horror are there. It was interesting to watch him. The music is great. The rain that is constantly falling complements the phenomenal atmosphere that is missing in many films of this genre today ...