Reviews

I'm a big fan of the horror genre, but I've gotten used to "disposable" horror flicks that stop being scary the moment the lights come up. So I'm especially grateful to admit-- I CANNOT GET THIS MOVIE OUT OF MY HEAD! I thought it was scary in the theater, but it's just become so much scarier in the week since I saw it at the Tribeca Film Festival (where the audience, BTW, went nuts for it. it was the big "buzz" film at TFF.)

I don't want to add any spoilers so I won't go into detail, but MAN, there were a handful of "video footage" scenes that were so scary, I haven't been able to wash my face without keeping one eye open while I splash with water, you know what I mean?

For me, the thing that makes it so scary is 1.) it's all so hyper realistic 2.) the characters (some of them) are so vulnerable and authentic and even kind of lovable that the scares have a lot more impact. If you're hoping to see just another popcorn movie where the gang of vapid teenagers gets butchered, this probably ain't the film for you. On the other hand, if you wish they were still making movies as meaningful and scary as Rosemary's Baby, Repulsion, The Shining, Texas Chainsaw, Henry Portrait Of... and even (to mention a newer flick) The Ring, then you absolutely have to check out this new cult classic.

This is just a hilarious, completely original movie. This is what indie movies are all about--a structure that takes risks, supporting a subject that is brutally, hilariously honest. This is a very human, funny, cool movie. Required viewing for single people, especially single people who feel like they're too old to still be single. Excellent performances all around, with Chip Godwin as a standout. I wouldn't be surprised if he is on the cusp of stardom. This is one of those movies that stays with you. You watch it--think it's really good-- then you find yourself thinking about it, quoting it, laughing about it, for weeks afterward. You don't notice how much depth the movie has upon a first viewing, but as your mind comes back to it again and again in weeks to come, you gotta give it credit--the movie is funny, but it's also deep, and it's got something important to say.

The best thing about Full Moon Rising was how full of surprises it was. Most movies are too predictable and formulaic for my tastes. It was cool watching something that actually takes chances, and which caught me off guard. Really funny, as well. I was sorry to see this flick get kind of lost in the indie shuffle (ah, the 90s) because I thought it was far superior to most other stuff in that indie genre of post-college indecision. Less whiny and much funnier than a lot of the other, "I've graduated from college, so now what am I going to do?" movies. Highly recommended.