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Reviews
Slashers (2001)
Never a Dull Moment
Even though $LA$HER$ is now over 6 years old, it's premise was fresh enough that it would be possible to believe the film had just been made. We live in times when TV shows are no longer truly scripted, hand-held camera work is the norm, and everyday people are made into prime-time stars.
I don't see much difference between Simon Cowell and Dr. Ripper. Both tear into innocent victims for ratings and pull no punches when it comes to verbal abuse.
$LA$HER$ could have benefited from more experienced actors, but it's clear that director Maurice Devereaux knows what he's doing and knows how to work with a low budget.
There's not much need to suspend disbelief because everything looks and as it should, a TV set with full on colored lighting and blaring techno music by Martin Gauthier, who clearly took his cue from the TV shows and action films of the 80s and 90's.
Regardless of the acting of the contestants/victims, the slashers themselves make the most of the films's tight script and seem to have a great time doing so. Christopher Piggins' manic Dr. Ripper should have his own franchise, and Neil Napier's Chainsaw Charlie was as much fun to watch as Bill Moseley's Chop Top from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Preacher man, also played by Napier, was the less interesting of the three slashers, but the character's makeup was the most elaborate of the bunch. The rest of the makeup effects were very impressive for a low budget film, and in some cases rivalled those of current goremeisters such as KNB.
A friend of mine said the film was sort of a ripoff of The Running Man, but I disagree. The only reason I bring up his troll-ish comment here is to make a point. $LA$HER$ is more entertaining, better scripted and more believable as a real TV show than the Running Man, and that's without the benefit of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stephen King or game show icon Richard Dawson! $LA$HER$ is not perfect, but it has made Maurice Devereaux one to watch in my book. If you're looking for a fun horror film with a lot of heart (and guts!), do yourself a favor and rent it.
The Roost (2005)
Tense and original, but nonetheless flawed.
The Roost is a tense and original horror film that centers around a group of teens "trapped" on a creepy farm at night. This may sound like the plot line to a Scooby Doo cartoon, but thanks to clever cinematography by Eric Robbins and an incredible score by Jeff Grace, who, like David Kristian (Nacho Cerda's The Abandoned) is rescuing us from standard horror soundtracks, Ti West succeeds in creating a truly chilling horror film.
Even if I did enjoy the film's over-all atmosphere, I found the horror host segments unnecessary and distracting, as if they had been tacked on to give the film longer running time. At 80 minutes, it's already very short, and the lack of character development makes it feel as if the film was originally intended as a short. The acting leaves a lot to be desired, but no one in this low budget debut feature was as bad as Paris Hilton in the mega budget and not in the least scary House of Wax.
I really want to love this movie, but something is missing for it to be a great horror film. The Roost is still an impressive first feature, and it will be interesting to see what Ti West has to offer in the future.
United 93 (2006)
United 93 is Unforgettable
Paul Greengrass has achieved the nearly impossible. He has created a film about a sensitive subject which is often (insensitively) exploited for political gain or propaganda without using any of the clichés or gimmicks which so often permeate dramatic re-tellings. By using low profile, yet indisputably competent actors, he adds realism to a dramatization that could have been hindered by recognizable stars. Case in point; Oliver Stone's misguided casting of Nicholas Cage in his WTC movie.
United 93 is a poignant film, one which no one will emerge from without having felt what it must have felt like to be on-board the ill-fated flight on the morning of September 11th. The last few moments of the film were so intense that I had to remind myself to keep breathing.
The Abandoned (2006)
Truly frightening and original!
Nacho Cerda's first feature length film is a true masterpiece. Definitely one of the most frightening films I have seen in years, thanks in part to great writing, acting, sound, cinematography, and a menacing electronic soundtrack by David Kristian, who IMHO is the future of horror film music. Anyone who has already seen Cerda's previous efforts will know what I am talking about when I say he is a master at creating repulsively beautiful images that stay with you long after the film is over. Cerda doesn't pull any punches, whether he's aiming at your gut or at your brain. Forget what you think you know about ghost stories, The Abandoned makes movies like An American Haunting and other recent supernatural flicks seem like kiddie fare. Thank you Mr. Cerda, thank you!