User Reviews

The original Friday the 13th movie is the only one in the series I give a ten to because, among other things, to me it has a kind of 'purity' to it, it was made when they had no idea there would be a crap-ton of sequels that gradually got more ridiculous until finally Jason was in space! I really love the character of Pamela Voorhies, she was so demented looking in the movie with her crooked teeth and blue sweater, I really found her almost as scary as Jason himself! It's through her that we get the most insight we ever do into the mystery of Jason. Anyway it's cool to see a tiny bit more of her in this very well made short. It doesn't shed any new light on her, except for showing the first time she has her split personality where she imagines Jason speaking to her through her own voice(or does she?) and speaks back to him. And it actually does work quite nicely as a little prologue of sorts to the original movie, even if it already has one! Monica Dinatale was really effective, as was the girl playing her unfortunate first of many victims. She didn't look anything like Betsy Palmer, but she embodied the madness of Mrs. Voorhies very well, and I totally bought her as a crazy deranged woman who loses her mind the day she learns that her beloved son has drowned, which also happened to be the day of his birthday, and embarked on a brutal and merciless revenge against the camp councillor who's only crime was a little negligence when the accident occurred. She had a great grimacing scary face, and she also conveyed the character's heartbreak well in the stylish opening sequence. I'd have rated the short a little higher as there was nothing wrong with the acting or visuals in my opinion, and it was damn good if the director's claim that it was shot in five hours is true, but there just wasn't all that much to it. A movie really could be made of the younger Pamela Voorhies' initial revenge against the Crystal Lake summer camp, there's a whole hidden chapter right there! Very nice work but director Notarile was capable of better, I know 'cause I've seen it! This short is definitely solid though and makes for a good quick watch. X

1957. Mrs. Pamela Voorhees (superbly played with tremendous intensity and conviction by Monica DiNatale) is informed about the accidental drowning death of her beloved son Jason. One year later Pamela hunts down and exacts a harsh revenge on Katherine (a sound and sympathetic performance by Dana Jesberger), who's one of the camp counselors Pamela blames for Jason's untimely demise. Once again Do-It-Yourself indie auteur Chris R. Notarile uses his trademark mean'n'lean style with spot-on solid and satisfying results: the nonstop brisk pace never lets up for a minute, there isn't a single wasted frame, and the story is told with admirable finesse and fierce economy. Moreover, the chase sequence is expertly staged while the violence is for the most part wisely left off screen; Notarile smartly eschews graphic gore in favor of snappy editing and these awful hacking sounds in order to effectively sell the lone murder that occurs. The sterling acting from the two female leads really keeps this movie humming: DiNatale astutely nails Mrs.Voorhees' frightening split personality, burning rage, and seething desire for retribution while Jesberger makes for a believably terrified and cowering victim. Notarile's usual slick cinematography gives the film an impressive polished look. Steve Jablonsky's rattling score does the rousing and shivery trick. The use of two well-chosen vintage 50's golden oldies helps to credibly evoke the period setting (kudos are also in order for the props and costumes). Recommended viewing for both "Friday the 13th" fans and Notarile buffs alike.