User Reviews

No doubt, one of the more obvious-looking, low-budget horror flicks in recent memory. The fact that it was shot on video would be the dead giveaway. The screwed up lines were as funny as they ever are, and there's also not much of a cast. Plus, there's seemingly not a whole lot going on at all. But let's ignore all of these so-called flaws for a minute, and realize, once and for all that Horror, real horror that is, doesn't always require "dazzling CGI effects" in order to be considered honest-to-God quality horror... and evidently, this one only needed a few hundred!! I didn't even know people could still do that. The point is, To Dance With Death is one of those rare Horror movies that is so low-budget that it kinda gives off this weird feeling of reality, as surreal as it is. We begin with a hot chick taking a bath, and getting ready to slit her wrists. Next thing we know, it's many months later, and Jennifer is being released from a mental hospital. With her physical wounds gone, and her emotional wounds lingering, Jennifer returns home to find that her parents have no recollection of any suicide attempts, or any tomfoolery of that nature. As far as they're concerned, no time has passed. Same with Jennifer's friends. As unaware as everyone is, there is still something a little off about everything. Now, Jennifer is being stalked by an eerie woman in black. This woman wants something from Jennifer, which isn't all that clear, at first, much like her intentions. There happens to be a struggle between good and evil, for Jennifers soul, and it's time to make a choice. I've always found these micro-Z-budget's sort of refreshing. I mean, there's no build-up, and chances are better than good that it won't amount to much, but when it actually turns out to be worth a damn (Shatter Dead), it comes off that much better, thus unexpectedly brightening your day, and who the hell doesn't enjoy getting there day brightened? Whether you like it or not, To Dance With Death hands you undeniable proof that Horror can be created for next to nothing... or possibly, just nothing. Seriously, To Dance With Death is soooooo much more than it seems, perhaps taking several viewings to really observe the beauty. An eerie, dream-like tone. Somber and quiet, yet, the feeling of doom is clearly in the air. And a haunting score ties it all together nicely. For those who can recognize beauty in Horror, you may also want to check out Messiah Of Evil... in fact, nevermind this one, that's the one you should be reading about...

It's amazing to watch this film. Jay Lind takes $2,000, with $1,500 of that going to actress extraordinaire Brinke Stevens, and crafts an excellent piece of low budget cinema. The lighting is moody. The acting is, for the most part, well done. There are some effective camera effects and it's always nice to see Brinke Stevens in her natural state. The film reminded me of some of Jess Franco's early work. There's even a small nod to Vampyros Lesbos. No, I won't tell you what it is. Find it yourself. In addition, the plot line itself smacks a little of Virgin Among The Living Dead. This is an excellent film and I would recommend it to anyone. The only downside is it may give you the itch to make your own little opus. Then your credit cards are maxed out and you're telling the police officer. 'No, officer really, we're shooting a student film we don't need a permit.' But I digress. To Dance With Death is a good solid piece of erotic supernatural cinema.

2000's quiet shocker by One Shot Productions, TO DANCE WITH DEATH is an eerie and erotic masterpiece by low budget autuer Jay Lind. Sexy Blonde Lauren Westen plays Jennifer, a troubled young woman who attempts suicide at the beginning of the movie in a blatantly sexual precredit sequence. After spending almost a year in the Mental Hospital she returns home only to find that almost no one even noticed that she was gone. Her parents mouths pleasantrys but seem almost cybernetic in there lack of feeling. Her best friend Becca wants to take their relationship up another notch in lesbian glory, and, strangest of all, she is being stalked...Haunted by a mysterious, and beautiful Dark Woman (Brinke Stevens) who even invades her dreams. It is in this dream reality that Jennifer begins a journey, accompanied by Becca and the Dark Woman, through her own sexuality and moral confusion, climaxing in a battle Royale between the forces of good and the forces of evil. Director Lind fills the screen with beautiful naked angels and demons and the entire proceedings is suffused with an erotic philosophy and pervasive evil... The production values are top notch, especially for a low budget feature, and the acting, with the possible exception of Miles Coverdale as the ineffective exboyfriend, is first rate. Stand outs are the ever excellent Brinke Stevens, Newcomer Lauren Westen and cooly goth Victoria Lundin, a veteran of John Waters features. The music is very good and oddly unlike any other rock music score, and Director Linds choice to light the film almost entirely by candlelight gives the visual image a Rembrandtesque flavor... The whole thing seems like a moving oil painting or some sort of fever dream. All in all, well worth watching, probably several times.

This film by Jay Lind was amazing!! The lighting was moody and it set the scene for great atmosphere! The music, although annoying at times was especially creepy. And of course, Brinke Stevens!!! This woman was so great in this movie. I really couldn't take my eyes off her. She really knows how to make her characters creepy. All in all, I give this movie a 9 out of 10. A great way to spend a Friday night a home!

To dismiss the sensitive and masterful Jay Lind as a mere "auteur" is the grossest form of insult. He is a god. TO DANCE WITH DEATH has to be the most well-crafted (or shall we say Lovecrafted?) cinema outing since "Man with the Motion Picture Camera" or "Dead Men Walk." Naturally, perennial beauty Brinke Stevens is the centerpiece of interest, and anything she does deserves reverence. But when surrounded by such inventive, Kubrick-esque touches such as lighting the entire film by candlelight (think THE SHINING meets BARRY LYNDON), she literally glows. Hang the critiques elsewhere which carp about stupid technical things like over-gain and pixilization. This is art, true horror art. This is very possibly the best film in the world to watch repeatedly and to study for its uses of location, subtlety of performance, and juxtaposition between image and sound (particularly the music. It rocks! Well, yeah, it's rock music.) And even the "bad" performance by Miles Coverdale fits in with the milieu of pervasive gloom, despair, and longing for a lunch break. PS. I win the bet.