Blood Runs Cold

I recently came across this movie, after reading some positive reviews and given its mere 5,000 budget, well I was intrigued to see this for myself, and when I did, well I was absolutely disappointed, I honestly don't see what all the fuss is about. I was bored stupid and even given it's relatively short running time 114mins, it seemed to drag and seemed to be on for way too long.

This movie also seems to echo "Cold Prey" with its snowy setting and killer's costume, but has none of its charm. The gore scenes were surprisingly good and handled quite well, that's the only good thing about this mess of a movie and the setting was creepy, but everything else just falls apart. The acting for one thing wasn't up to scratch, frankly it was awful especially when they're up against the killer, it was just lifeless and no effort put into it. The cast just seemed to go through the motions and the dialogue between the 4 friends was also dull and boring.

All in all "Blood Runs Cold" offers nothing new to the genre, the killer was yes menacing and ruthless but everything else just didn't work.

What can I say the people that made this movie are an up and coming talent to say the least. I'm an avid slasher movie fan but still I went into this one with the lowest of expectations, What can I say, when i saw that the budget for this was a measly $5,000 I thought I would be turning it off after the first 5 minutes. But this movie had me gripped after the first 10.

The story is quite basic, Winona goes back to her home town to get away from her stressful life as an artist, there she meets up with an ex boyfriend and his friends who she invites to spend the night at the creepy house her manager has rented for her out in the woods. From the the blood starts to fly.

For the budget visually it's a gem, how they managed to make it look so great with that little money is a skill in itself. Great cinematography for the genre complimented by some nice filming locations. For fans of the genre there is plenty of gore and some great looking effects, some really stood out as better and more realistic than in bigger budgeted fare. There is a decapitation at one point which is particularly impressive. The acting is another plus all the characters have personality and are portrayed well Although some kind of back story for the slasher would have been welcome.

I only have two minor gripes with this movie, first of all the American accents were quite false with tints of Swedish shining through now and again. Also where is this supposed to be set? The second problem I had was the lack of any surprise element at the end, it was a little abrupt to just finish the movie in the way they did, I even flicked through the credits hoping to find something but alas there was nothing.

Putting these minor problems aside I had a great time with this one, I was genuinely scared at a few times which is a big recommendation coming from this seasoned horror fanatic. Don't listen to the negative reviews that this is getting here I nearly did and would have missed a impressive entry into one of my favorite genres.

To the makers of this movie, I take my hat off to you.

This is director Sonny Laguna first attempt to make a real feature. Naturally having almost no money they decide to make it on a budget of 5000$. Also due being a low budget they had to film it outside in nature were it was 20 a 30 degrees below zero (Celsius). It was shot in 35 days.

I enjoyed this slasher. We haven't seen that many slashers being played in the snow but it really worked out fine. The acting was believable and the director surely knew what a slasher (those eighties ones) is all about. POV shots, gore and nudity. It's all involved here and there are some frightening moments because you never see the face of the killer. But I was a bit left with a sour taste, due two reasons. It is never really explained what the killer or who he/she was. It's a bit of a Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th parts with Kane Hodder. He's a bit supernatural. The killer can take an axe in his body without having problems with it. On the other hand, at the end of the movie when all problems are solved it is really over. Suddenly the end credits do appear and I was left with some hunger of a big surprise which wasn't there.

Never seen any the actors before (for most their first role) and the North of Europe becoming the new hope for gory flicks (Death Snow)I was convinced of this flick. Of course the story could have been a bit more better but the effects were really great, all in camera shot with a lot of gore and red stuff. A horror for fans of the good old slashers who can stand some gore.

Gore 4/5 Nudity 2/5 Story 3/5 Effects 4/5 Comedy 0/5

BLOOD RUNS COLD is an ultra low budget Swedish slasher flick, shot in English and made on an apparent budget of just $5000. That it looks as good as films made for ten or even a hundred times the budget is testament to the skill of the director and production team. Still, it's a pity that the quality of the writing doesn't match the quality of the film-making, as this turns out to be a predictable movie in the extreme in terms of its non-existent storyline.

It's also a film of two halves, with the first half by far the worst. Not much happens here, other than setting up an uninteresting heroine and various supporting characters who are little more than fodder for the killer. The good news is that things pick up - considerably - in the second half, which is a straightforward action-packed slasher flick with some remarkably gory death scenes and some fun stalk 'n' slash moments. The gore effects are very well done on the budget and the narrative as a whole is relatively enjoyable if you like slasher films. Just a shame that the first half was so slow.

If you consider the budget, I should rate this higher (and you too). If it really was shot with only 5.000 dollars, than I salute you Mr. Director. Still it doesn't take away, that this tries to be something it cannot be fully. A slasher movie that makes even less sense than your average slasher movie. It's one thing to have no reception with your cell phone and another to have reception with it, but not really using it. You'll understand if you actually really watch this movie. I wouldn't recommend it though.

Of course Slasher fans do not mind and probably will not care (some of them that is), if there is a story (not really) or any sense in it all (even less than the story part and yes that is possible). The effects are not bad and you get to see some skin in it. Still as "exciting" as that is, it doesn't really lift this movie up (no pun intended).