Reviews

Remember those times when you were little and you used to pretend play that there was a serial killer chasing you? Or maybe you were the "serial killer", stalking your unsuspecting victims with a large twig that you pictured as a hatchet? No? Well, maybe that was just me. I was a strange little girl, after all...

Damaging childhood revelations aside, I am about to introduce you to a film you have probably yet to see or possibly even hear of; You Are Not Alone. The film takes the idea of the typical 80's slasher film and turns it on its end, spinning all that you think you know about the genre into an out of control whirlwind of panicked breathing and edge-of-your-seat intensity.

Suspend everything you may be expecting from this fun and thought provoking romp. If you're looking for a film that jumps straight into gory, over-the-top violence with excruciatingly bad effects, then this is not your film. I recommend another. Piranha 3DD, perhaps? This film, in all its incredible Indie horror magnificence is a slow burner, and rightly so. Setting the pace any faster would have felt rushed; any slower and I would have lost interest.

In all my years of watching horror films, it's been commonplace to yell at the stupid character on-screen, as I can assume many others have done before.

"Don't go in there, idiot!" "What are you thinking? RUN!!" "OH MY GOD YOU'RE SO STUPID!!!" You Are Not Alone presents you with the opportunity to be in the shoes of that very girl you agonizingly shout about, creating a bit of a paradox during viewing that, for the intrigued, will keep you hanging on the film like a bad suit. Seeing through the eyes of a terrified Natalie, you get to see first-hand as the terror around her unfolds into a tense and horrifying menagerie of thrills and jump scares without ever succumbing to the stereotypes of any other found-footage film. In fact, one of the very things that sets this film apart from all others is the fact that the camera is never acknowledged. This isn't some moron who doesn't know when to turn the camera off, this is shot through the eyes of the protagonist, a style I've only ever seen in the film Hardcore Henry. It transitions well from the over-the-top action and ultra violence of the latter into an unsettling spin on the horror genre to which other filmmakers should definitely pay attention.

It opens on a hook that's simple enough. A young girl is returning to her hometown for a nice break from her life in the big city. But don't write off this portion of this film as simple filler before the action. Pay close attention and you'll be pleasantly surprised by what visual and audio clues the film intelligently drops for anyone who's willing to invest their senses. Not only are there references to what will shortly become a more important aspect of the film, but it also sets up an incredibly detailed and well rounded representation of the protagonist, her relationships with the supporting cast, and the close-knit feel of the small town that could very easily be within miles of any big city, immersing us into the setting fully without missing a detail. For those of us who hail from a tiny community, this setup will feel authentic and nostalgic for presenting such realism. And, in all actuality, the town is a character in itself, having more screen time than the protagonist, whose face is never shown. The seemingly inconsequential conversations of a young woman with her somewhat estranged friends and brother may feel tedious to anyone distracted, but invest your mind and you'll begin to understand the significance of the first 45 minutes of the film.

And you'll be wishing the pace would slow back down once that time limit is up. 45 minutes of mundanity is traded for 45 of the most tense, sheer terror I have seen in any film of recent years. It physically had me on the edge of my seat, straining to see beyond the field of vision the camera oh-so-tenuously teases you with. Without giving anything away, the psychotic individual who has targeted this poor girl is by far one of the most disturbing and consciously creepy serial killers to have made such a blatant appearance. He doesn't need a snazzy name like The Jigsaw Killer or Ghostface to insight fear in those who witness his terrorization, and for those few of you reading who may be Alan Wake fans, this guy could win an Oscar for Best Mr. Scratch impersonation. Dancing around, smiling, and speaking in an eerie voice that comes at the most unsettling of times, strung at a low growl just within audibility. If your name is Natalie, I would think twice about watching this movie. You may never sleep again.

Providing some seriously horrifying moments that never cross the line of being laughable or unbelievable, and never using the "cat jumping out of the cabinet" false scares, it builds on the tension like the pages in a phenomenal book, each layer falling over the next to add to the sense of dread that creeps up the back of your neck with a cold realization that this plot could easily transition into reality. That very fact is what makes this film a must-see chiller for Halloween and all year long.

In conclusion, I award this movie 10 out of 10 stars, an award I am thrilled to be bestowing upon a wonderfully crafted and obviously well-loved work of intense, taught thrills with a fresh perspective.

I guess all of the other reviews on here were paid for, or relatives of the film crew, but this was TERRIBLE! By far one of the worst movies I have seen outside of Lifetime Movie Network! Low budget, HORRIBLE acting, and waaaaaaay too long of an ending. Between the bad Jack Nicholson, circa The Shining, impersonation out of the main antagonist and the annoying overuse of the main character's name, it'll be haunting your nightmares, and not in a good way. Please, for the love of all that is holy, read this review as the truth! All of the other writers are lying about this film. It is 100% horrible. If you do watch it, don't say I didn't warn you. I wrote this specifically to help anyone who turns to IMDb for advice, and finds all of the "good" reviews like I did. DON'T FALL FOR IT!

This show is a really strange, psychotic show and you have to have a quick mind in order to keep up with it. There's not a whole lot of substance in terms of storyline, but the humor is out there! I quote a certain episode with my friends all the time. Don't bother with the other reviews. I don't know any show that's spectacular and full of amazing writing when it's less than ten minutes long. The main character, the dog Mr. Pickles, is adorable and this show is great for quick laughs. I would really love a plush of Mr. Pickles, but I know that won't ever happen. But it's really cute for adults and I recommend it for any fan of Assy McGee, since this show is similar in humor. People are taking this too seriously!

This film was promoted all wrong. By the advertisements, one might think this film would be boring and dull. It was anything but. Macon Blair's portrayal of Dwight, an emotionally damaged and homeless man on the brink of self-destruction, was out of this world. After learning the man who killed his father has been released from prison, Dwight sets out to exact revenge on the man for ruining his entire life. Driving his rusty old "blue ruin" of a Pontiac, Dwight heads back for his hometown to confront the man. A brutal and bloody showdown ensues with shockingly realistic gore, but the movie is just getting started. When Dwight realizes that his actions have far bigger consequences than he had ever thought possible, it shifts his life onto a dangerous path to try to protect what family he has left from the problems he has caused. With ingenious plotting, a steady pace that doesn't move too fast to leave holes or too slow to make you lose interest, and absolutely superb acting, the film goes beyond the barriers of typical films and leaves you breathless. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions and plot twists that all leads up to an explosive and emotional ending that left me in tears. One of the most amazing dramas I have seen in many years, I recommend this movie with my highest regard. Macon Blair deserves an Oscar for such a performance. I hope to see him in many more roles like this one. 10 stars all the way!

My mother and I went to see this film by chance after we spotted a listing for it in the local newspaper. After reading a short synopsis and without watching a single clip or trailer, we went to the theatre as a way for us to spend time together. I honestly wasn't expecting the greatest film ever, just something where we could have fun for the night. You can imagine my surprise when this film turned out to be one of my top 3 favorite films of all time! The plot grabs hold of you from the start as it opens on a down-on-his-luck, everyday guy named Elliott Brindle (played by the fabulous, amazing and seriously underrated actor Mark Webber. I became a huge fan of this guy after this film. Even my profile picture is of him!) He's someone to whom everyone can relate, having just lost his job and having a multitude of people with their eyes set upon him for care giving. Desperately trying to keep his life from totally falling apart, Elliott is out of options when his phone rings. On the other end of the phone is a man (voice of George Coe of Kramer VS. Kramer fame) promising him a fortune for completing 13 seemingly insignificant tasks. They start out simple enough, but as the film goes on, the "sins" become increasingly grotesque and trying, and the film will leave you pondering your own morality; would you be able to do all that Elliott does just to ensure your own life and family don't come crashing down? If you're anything like me, you'll leave this movie feeling a certain bit of sickness at the thought that you would be capable of such atrocities, as well. From a particular scene that had me squirming in my seat to an ending that will both shock and anger you (I was shouting, "Why? Why did you do that? Say it isn't so!") you won't forget this film for a long time. 10 stars from me because this deserves a much higher average, for many reasons in addition to Mark Webber being insanely talented and able to portray a character as he shifts from a meek, quiet nobody to a tormented soul letting his demons loose. Pay attention to the backstory, as well. It comes into play and is more important than most stories in these types of films. Great movie! I absolutely loved it with every inch of my movie-loving soul! I even bought the poster off of the manager of the theatre and have it hanging above my dresser! Amazing film!