Camp Daze

I attended the Boston screening of Camp Daze. I have recently joined the dark side with other horror genre fans over the past few years. This movie not only surpassed my expectations in terms of gore and blood, it adds humor (with shocking dialogue) to a clever and entertaining story. Jen's delivery of vulgar comments and the exaggerated 80's apparel (especially Ivan's short shorts and belly shirt) will make your mouths drop in shock and laughter. Despite its modern feel, Camp Daze pays its dues to 80s slasher film with its own unique twists and deaths. Even the soundtrack suits the movie's 80s feel of suspense.

No, but seriously, this was one of those movies that was so bad that I loved it. The horrible script, the bad acting, the camera work of five year olds, and a music score that was actually good, all combined to form a movie that was so bad that it was actually good. It's one of those horror movies that actual belongs in the comedy section.

Then there was the blood. All of the death scenes, and fight scenes, etc. were done so badly that you could not help but laugh. Not to mention execution of most of the lines. I mean, seriously, to fully understand the hilarity of this movie, you need to go see it.

I highly recommend it.

a friend rented this one looking for a cheesy horror movie, but soon found out it was a worthless piece of s*#t that should never have been conceptualized, nor filmed and sold. This schmorgasbord of terrible acting, terrible lines, terrible effects, terrible directing, and especially the terrible cinematography are a very good reminder that money can put out any lame waste of film. Even after all of that, you are disappointed by the lack of creativity that the writer/director had when he ripped off both "Groundhog Day" and "Friday the 13th" set in the 80s. The only worth that this DVD has is either being a coaster or a punchline while drinking with some friends.

***Also, it helps to mention that SOMEHOW there are 37 people who voted it as a PERFECT 10!! Seems to me that the actors and director all voted it as a 10 to throw people off the stench of their proverbial dirty diaper.*** DO NOT WASTE YOUR LIFE WATCHING THIS. I FEEL ROBBED OF MY TIME.

The synopsis for Camp Daze sounded like a lot of fun: four vacationing teenagers somehow end up in a supernatural summer camp that is trapped in time (circa 1981), where they attempt to help the not-so-happy holiday-makers who are forced to endlessly re-live the night they were slaughtered by a mysterious maniac.

And so I eagerly settled down to watch the film, hoping for a brainless slasher flick, with a time travel twist, shot in an 80s style, featuring summer camp fun and games, a touch of nudity, a psycho killer in the woods, and plenty of gore. Sure enough, Camp Daze delivered all of these things—although it wasn't EXACTLY what I had been expecting.

The summer camp activities included the usual sporting events, a campfire sing-song, a spot of amateur dramatics, and frolicking by the lake, as well as the obligatory bit of 'not-on-the-camp-schedule' slap-and-tickle and pot smoking. But why did so many of these moments feature the young men in very short shorts and stripped to the waist?

The one sex scene at least had a hot babe getting it one with her beau (before being killed, of course). But why was the camera focusing on the bloke's abs rather than the girls chest (which for some reason remained covered)?

Eventually, the penny dropped: this was a slasher film made with a particular audience in mind and I wasn't going to see any naked screaming girls running for their lives, or taking unnecessary showers. The clues had been there from the start: the film was produced by Screamkings (a play on the term 'scream queen') and even the title had the word 'camp' in it (doh! I must get my gaydar fixed).

Accepting the fact that this film was likely to feature even more buff bare-chested boys than a Victor Salva movie, I watched the rest of this homo-erotic horror hoping that it would at least deliver in the gore department.

Fat chance! Whilst there is a lot of enthusiastic killing (including some silly, but inventive demises which earn the film a higher rating from me than it probably really deserves), they aren't nearly as convincing as they are funny. The actors ham up their death scenes something rotten, fake blood is liberally splashed about and there are a few rather hokey effects that could never be described as 'special'.

In fact, with dreadful acting all round, an awful script, annoying characters (the black girl who was swearing as if she was in a Tarantino film was especially grating), and a running time of 110 minutes (sheesh!), this film has very little to recommend it. If pushed to say something really positive about it, I will admit that the music is good, but seeing as the score has apparently been ripped off from several other movies, this doesn't really mean that much.

I had to give this movie 4 out of 10 because its not total crap as many are saying. There are some very good things here, but unfortunately its lost under a lot of %$#@! It has a promising start that is a homage to the original 'Friday the 13th'. Two lovers wander into the woods for some love. The acting and shooting here is decent. Hurt by cheesy scripting, the performers at least seem to be trying. Not really scary, but old school horror fans will smile at this bit. However, from here it is all downhill.

As we get into the film, it gets marred with a convoluted plot about time travel, which probably sounded good on paper, but doesn't come off well on screen. The acting takes a nose dive, as does the scripting. In fact most of the leads in this movie are terrible actors that look like gay porn stars. The supporting stars seem to be much better overall.The crazy fat girl seems to have the most talent of the bunch. The special effects are pretty bad and the score is awful.

You can see hints of a good film in here, and its really a shame. I know horror doesn't have to have Al Pacino, but if they casted for talent before model 'stud' looks and did another draft on the script they may have had something here.