Shock Value

I don't ordinarily watch horror movies, but the comments on facebook, and the trailer had me intrigued. I was thoroughly surprised (not shocked) at how unique and clever the script is. It did make me jump a couple of times (almost spilled my red wine) but it was also fun and highly entertaining. Definitely an 'edge of the seat' 'what's next' kind of movie. If you like unique and clever, you'll enjoy this one.

The acting is terrific with a campy edge here and there. And Janelle Odair is a fascinating cast. Just perfect for creating balance with all the other actors. Anthony Bravo was a fascinating cast. Strange how clean-cut, nerdy, AND evil can fit into one person, but he pulls it off. AND...he wrote the script! The whole film was fascinating from beginning to end.

I just saw this, and just so you know, it is low budget. However, the budget of a movie doesn't tell me if a movie is going to be good or bad. Each of The Transformers has over 100 million bucks thrown into it, and those all suck. I haven't seen the fourth one yet. Since Mark Walberg replaced Shia Labouf, I have to say things are looking good for that fourth installment. Raven's Cabin, and Crawl or Die are very low budget, but those film makers squeezed out very impressive films.

I have to say that Ashley (Janelle Odair) and Justine (Michelle Campbell) are HOOOOOTTTTTTT, just in different ways. And they both get naked...just saying. lol. The movie is very original, and it's done in a comedy-type way, until about 20 mins before it ends, then it takes a fairly serious tone. Justine was really funny. Ashley was sexy as hell. Nick (Anthony Bravo-Carl Urban look alike) was convincing as the skulking psycho-turned-horror-film-star. Miles (Zak Hudson) was very good in his role as a director willing to screw over the killer to make it big. Hudson reminded me a lot of Justin Long.

About 20 minutes before the movie ends, a huge twist happens that I didn't see coming. As I said, this was an original movie, and unlike some other low budgets, this wasn't done in a half-assed way. All the actors did their characters justice. I was really impressed. When I turned this on, I was expecting the typical crap that most indies tend to produce. Again, I was impressed, and I recommend people watch this.

I had nothing to do with the movie, other than watching it. If you view my other reviews, you'll see I'm kind to some indies, and not so much to others. I enjoy originality, and that's what this movie was. You have to watch to the very end of the credits, because something really funny happens that was discussed in the movie.

I gave it 6-star rating because I really was impressed.

I don't think this is particularly good, although not bad really. It's especially surprising that it isn't bad because horror film indies that are this small usually always tend to be crap, so the quality of the writing here was sort of surprising. Saying that, that's why I'm being more favorable, because I don't think it's very good. It's somewhat enjoyable though and entertaining, and the performances are adequate to good. They sort of come off amateurish at times, but mostly stay in note and it works. The cinematography and lighting is also decent, and the directing not very off-kilter as you would expect. Somewhat recommended horror indie.

I wanted to take the time to grab the attention of my fellow horror watching peers, especially of the middle-aged persuasion, so you do not overlook this film. This is the winner that you've been waiting for. The expectations that this movie excels at are excellent character development, steady pacing, great script and a very *don't want to spoil it for you* ending. To be honest, I was stunned to have stumbled on to this movie because I expected it to be a so-so low budget flick. Instead, I got sucked into this movie's world and remained fixated to the very end. What a ride! Savor this movie because it's story telling at its very finest in this genre of low-budget horror. Get in your comfy spot, with your favorite yummies, turn your off your phone, and get into it that frame of mind you had when you first experienced a rush from horror movies because you will not be disappointed. I also think one has had to do a certain amount of living to fully enjoy motivations of the characters presented in this movie.

I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this film. The pacing goes quite well between the bloody confrontations and "Oh Sh*t" drama between the characters. They take their time fully developing a few characters so that you actually care about what happens to them, while giving them ample flaws so that their terrible choices don't come out of left field. Getting to know the serial killer was especially intriguing, humanizing him somewhat when he's not in his element, the awkward real-life situations were a good parallel to the menacing silhouette that terrorizes innocent couples.

The comedy, on the other hand,was low key and sometimes very clever. There are a lot of asides to other famous horror movies and some very meta humor if you get all the references. One scene in particular starts at the end of filming the movie in the movie, then transitions into famous scenes from other horror movies before coming full circle. Mind. Blasted.

It's not that scary, it's not outwardly hilarious, but it is THOROUGHLY ENTERTAINING and a good *ss time.