Sequence Break

Not talking about the movie of course, but a game within. Of course as a viewer we are sometimes ahead of the main characters, giving them advice on what to do or not to do. Then again, if they'd always listen, we wouldn't have a movie. Still some things may seem to convenient or too easy (especially considering the way the woman behaves, kind of is stretching and probably just to get the story going).

Apart from that, the effects are really good and there is value for money to be seen. So if you're after that, you are going to be served quite well. Script has some issues, but you wouldn't or shouldn't expect anything in particular. Characters serve the really out there story, that some may actually get a feel for (where it's heading that is). It's a mind thing - and it's also a taste thing. If you are into this, there is stuff to enjoy and enough suspense to go around

A very lame and boring horror movie wannabe. The acting are bad, both Oz and Tess.

This movie is an obvious homage to 80s style horror films, borrowing elements from Cronenberg especially, but also some nods to Wes Craven and others. As an homage, it's lovely. Especially the bit where the video game becomes soft and erotic (even if they do kind of telegraph how the did the effects).

As a story, though, it kind of falls flat. In particular, the ending feels rushed, and I'm not exactly sure what's supposed to have happened. If a movie is going to play with the timeline, it's important that the audience understands the rules - if not right away, at least at some point.

Anyway, I think it's a worthwhile watch for the body horror sequences. They really will make you nostalgic for films like Videodrome.

Interesting "little" film that delivers on its premise. I said little because this is a low scale production in that it has only a few settings; this allowed them to do more with the special practical effects (which at times were slimy gross) and the visuals of computer techno electrical. The acting was surprisingly good for somewhat standard characters written at best at a 2 dimensional level. Sometimes the limitations of the script and dialogue could be seen by the actors, but all of them pulled more from their "guts" to imbue realness to the best of the limitations of their lines. But the broader message of becoming obsessed with electronic media and retreating from rela life contact and interaction was well delivered in the quiet way the film spoke (using visuals and subtlety more).

This begins as a very appealing film about Oz (Chase Williamson), who meets Tess (Fabienne Thereze) - two happily 'nerdy' young people who love playing, and are very knowledgeable of, arcade games. Oz is games technician in a store due to be closed down, and they discover an arcade machine not seen before in the shop. As they play it against their better instincts, it displays unknowable powers ...

That's about as much of the story revealed without going into deep spoiler territory.

The genuinely delightful romance that blossoms between these two slightly eccentric outcasts remains the best thing about this. The horror elements, which straddle the kind of world HP Lovecraft wrote about and David Cronenberg directed, are unusual, bizarre, mostly unexplainable and increasingly fragmented.

The latter half of the film gives itself entirely to this strange world, and the story, such as it is, becomes redundant. This is a shame, because it seems to go nowhere, until an equally strange finale comes along and ushers in the end credits.

I applaud director and writer Graham Skipper for going for something different, but the result doesn't quite satisfy, despite the naturalistic and appealing performances from the main players. My score is 5 out of 10, mainly for the first half.