Red Velvet

I was lucky to see a screening of Red Velvet at Fear Fest 2, and I really, really enjoyed this film. The film is currently being shown around the comic/horror convention circuits. The producers stated that they then hope to have a limited theatrical release, culminating with the DVD release sometime in the Fall.

If you enjoy Argento-esquire cinematography, an eerie Goblin-esquire score, a good cast including Henry Thomas in the lead, goobery-gore ala 70's/80's slasher era, and finally a very funny dark comedic script, then you will more than likely enjoy this film.

If you get the opportunity to see this film I highly recommend you do so...you will not be disappointed.

The independent will rise again. This movie made his way over here in Europe due to mouth to mouth advertisement. The acting really is convincing and the storyline is okay but there was just something missing for me. I was never frightened or had a creepy feeling. The killings really are okay, the blood flows and sometimes are even gory but still I expected a bit more of it. It surely is an ode to old school slashers but I guess the killer itself failed a bit. Made me think of Donnie Darko, you will know what i mean once you've watched it. But the filming and editing was okay. When you see the so-called shots of the story of the book, the colors are into those of the seventies. A lot of flare is used, something we don't see these days. Again, there is enough for everyone. Blood, a bit of suspense, humor and of course nudity. Good effort, but as said, it's the killer who let me down. And if you don't like killing by hammers, don't watch it, it's hammer time!

The cinematography and music are excellent and real standouts in this parody of the slasher films that have dominated horror movies for many years. Henry Thomas is a screenwriter who takes a break from his work because of the screaming matches going on in the apartment across from his. In the laundromat down the block he sees the very girl (Kelli Garner) who has been arguing with her boyfriend in the apartment across the hall. They are antagonistic toward each other at first but before the second rinse cycle they agree to eat lunch together. To entertain her he tells her tales of the untimely demises of all her friends who are at this moment at a cabin deep in the woods, throwing a birthday party she could not attend because her boyfriend did not want her to go.

Later, she and the screenwriter take an impromptu drive up to that very cabin. I won't reveal any more of the plot, but suffice to say that the story is well written and the ending will shock you! "The Sci-Fi Guy" himself, "Mr. Monster", Forrest J Ackerman, has a cameo rather early on in this movie. Watch for him!

To lump this film in with horror comedies is doing it a disservice, as I think it's so much better than that. Personally, I don't care for horror comedies and thought this film was way too smart, clever and enjoyable to be deemed just another horror/comedy genre film. I can't wait to watch it with the commentary to see what I missed.

You need to watch this film, and watch it on Blu-Ray as it looks amazing. I'm not going to tell you the plot of the film, so go read the reviews if you want to know what the film is about, just don't overlook it, as it's a true gem. If your looking for a lame slash and gash flick with horrible dialog and predictable story plots then this film isn't for you, go watch Cabin Fever again. Solid, solid little film!

DustinL

It's like Before Sunrise meets slashers like Scream but on acid! The movie is kind of a fresh take on the genre with OK performances from the leads which to me the movie was more interesting with them talking and bickering and making up zany horror stories than when it becomes a reality. To me it fails at a horror/comedy because there weren't enough laughs and it fails at an actual horror movie because there weren't enough scares and suspense, it just becomes a typical, self aware slasher movie that it looks like it was going against. It was ambitious and there were a few nice gory bits and it is somewhat a change of pace for psychological/slashers but the ending just sucked and didn't make much sense, was it all in his head? I don't know but it could of had a much better twist. Skip it. More of a 2.5 out of 5 stars.