CHEERLEADER NIGHTMARE
(TV Movie 2018)
BASIC PLOT:
Sophie (
Taylor Murphy) was having a great senior year in high school, but now, everything is falling apart. Leah Dumont (
Mia Stallard), the high school's head cheerleader, has just been murdered. Thanks to drone footage, Sophie has just figured out her boyfriend, Tyler (
Jeremy Shada), was cheating with Leah. Tyler begs Sophie not to tell the police. He's a kid who's from the wrong side of the tracks, and without football, he'd have no future. But after someone breaks into her best friend, Mikey's (
Johnny Visotcky) house, and steals the drone, after knocking him out, Sophie begins to wonder about those around her. Could it be Reeva (
Raleigh Cain), Leah's main rival for the head cheerleading position, or does Tyler have something more to hide?
WHAT WORKS:
*The background music in this movie, by 'Fear Zero', 'North Shore', 'Cry Harder,' 'Coastlines' and my favorite, '
Laura Reznek', gives the movie depth. Fear Zero', 'North Shore', and 'Cry Harder,' give the movie the teenaged feel it needs. '
Laura Reznek', gives the ending sentimentality and closure. Real music always helps a movie, and this one is no different. It fills in the hollow areas, with an emotionality only music can bring.
*For people who understand the art form melodrama,
Jeremy Shada's performance of Tyler is right on the money. It's over-the-top, cheesy goodness, just as it should be. For those who don't understand this art form, his acting might seem overdone, even comical. In reality, his rendition of Tyler is melodramatic perfection.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
*
Nolan Rudi is the cinematographer, and
Danny J. Boyle is the director. They make some distracting shooting choices in this movie. There's a scene where Sophie and Paula are on the couch talking. There's never a pull back shot of them both, it's just intense close-up, after intense close-up. We, as humans, need body language to read situations. If you deprive us of this, it blinds one of our senses. There are several shots with items in the way, a lightbulb, a swing, etc. It's very distracting.
*It's not really believable the new head cheerleader, Reeva (
Raleigh Cain), would attack, or order an attack, on the daughter of the cheerleading coach. She just became head cheerleader, after the last one died. Attacking the coach's daughter seems like a sure fire way to lose your new job.
*Other reviewers have stated there's no bond between Sophie (daughter) and Paula (
Melissa Ponzio), (mother). I think people feel no attachment between the two, because they obviously aren't related. Sophie looks like a young
Lady Gaga, and Paula is a woman of color.
*Leah Dumont (
Mia Stallard), the head cheerleader who dies, looks five years older than all the rest of the kids. I think it's because she's too skinny; that can age you.
TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION:
*This type of movie isn't for everyone. I would only recommend this movie to people who like teenage melodramas, or teenage thrillers. There are better ones out there, but this isn't terrible.
CLOSING NOTES:
*This is a Made-For-TV movie, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.
*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.
