Red Snow

Reading the External Reviews on IMDb hooked me. The reviews were all over the map. That is unusual. And very curious. So I checked it out. The story is very Stephen Kingy, with lots of little twists and turns to keep everyone interested right to the last scene. Some of the dialog (not all, but SOME) is razor sharp and funny. Especially the bit about the poor genocided Candy Elves. For a low budget indie, the production values are sharp and the acting above average. The film has already won some awards in the horror niche. Best of all it holds the interest which, as I keep pointing out in my 1700+ reviews, is what film is supposed to be about. Could easily find a cult following. Deserves one.

The stage curtains open ...

This film seems to be a bit mistimed, but the intentions are noble and the approach still feels fresh. I don't typically jump into an obvious low budget film like this, but from what I had read about it, my interest was piqued, so I decided to give it a chance. Surprise, suprise! It wasn't half bad, and besides, it was fun to see Vernon Wells (now in his 70's) still kicking and delivering lines. I remember him from WAY back in the day when he used to play slightly over-the-top bad guys in movies like "Commando" and "Fortress".

Our story picks up when a vampire/romance novelist, named Olivia, retreats to a family cabin at Lake Tahoe to work on her latest project. She isn't well-reviewed and has doubts about continuing on when a bat suddenly slams into the window, startling her. She gathers it up, puts it in a box out in the garage and wakes up the next morning to find that it has changed into a vampire. Injured, and weak, he is at her mercy. She nurses him back to health using pig's blood and in return, he allows himself to be interviewed to get the facts straight for her new novel. However, some of his friends come calling, and things begin to get messy.

I was a bit surprised with "Red Snow". For being so low budget, the production values seemed high. It was well shot and edited, and newcomer Dennice Cisneros handled her role fairly well, though a bit stilted at times. The interaction between our two main characters, Olivia and Luke, is the compelling nature of this film. To me though, what really makes this film work is Nico Bellamy (Luke). More than any of the others, he seemed to be the most invested into his character.

"Red Snow" is a black comedy that knows not to take itself too seriously, and subtlely deals with other subject matters such as tropes, sexual politics, and perspective. The dialogue, for the most part, is witty and intelligent. I found it amusing in parts and it garnished a smile or two, but even so, it does not come at a high recommend. The intended affect of the ending fell a little short with me. When it is all said and done, a vampire is still a vampire. 5 stars out of 10.

The only reason I watched Red Snow was because it took place in Lake Tahoe, a place that I know very well as my wife is orginally from Reno. A lovely place with stunning views where I only have positive memories of. I do like horror movies as well but even though this movie is about vampires it's not really a horror movie. The acting wasn't bad, certainly not for a B-movie, because a B-movie it definitely is, it just shows. I don't regret watching it as I was entertained but would I watch it again or would I recommend it to someone else? No, certainly not, not even to people from Lake Tahoe as it could have been filmed anywhere else.

By the first 15 minutes you will know if you want to continue, i did by then thankfully and i liked that "charming" lowish budget Vampire movie. The leads where well cast, good script, and a film that would do well in festivals, i like this vampire story, well directed.

Not going to lie, with all the Christmas horror-hype these days, it's pretty clever to get out ahead of the game and capture that Christmas vampire market.

Considering such, this film stands out from most of the other more recent Christmas horror films, not only because of it's original angle...but also because it is a mostly competent film.

In it, we find ourselves following a fledgling vampire romance novelist, on Christmas...just as she is about to have a life altering experience....after a bat crashes into her back window.

She takes the bat in, with plans on rehabilitating it...but- to her luck- it turns out to be an real live actual vampire.

Smitten by her newfound fate, she not only takes the injured vampire in...but even acts to protect him from a renown vampire hunter, who has been hot on his trail.

Though, of course she also uses the oppourtunity to learn more about the "rules" that apply to vampires...and get him to critique her book.

However, not everything is as peachy keen as it seems...because when the injured man reacquaints with his two friends...they kick the poor woman to the curb, and take over her house.

So, she's left to fend for herself...and fight for what's rightfully hers.

The whole thing is tinged with an air of dark humour...particularly the ending...which has a clever twist.

And there is a decent amount of gore!

Which is why it is such a fresh and refreshing Christmas horror that is worth enjoying this holiday season.

5.5 out of 10.